Tennis News

Throughout the 2015 season, nine tournaments on the ATP Challenger Tour have been honoured for 25 years on the circuit. These events have exemplified a steadfast commitment to growing the game and creating a strong foundation for players to develop their skills at the Challenger level.

“It is important to recognise the long-term support and commitment these Challengers have provided over the last 25 years or more,” said Alison Lee, Chair of the ATP Challenger Committee. “They all do an incredible job year-in, year-out and this is very much appreciated by the thousands of players who have played their Challengers. We are looking forward to hosting these Promoters at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London in November.” 

The tournaments, which have been on the calendar for at least 25 consecutive years, are as follows: Aptos (USA), Cherbourg (France), Furth (Germany), Istanbul (Turkey), San Luis Potosi (Mexico), Segovia (Spain), Sevilla (Spain), Tampere (Finland) and Winnetka (USA). Last week, the $75,000 event in Istanbul was the last of the nine to be honoured.

“It has been a true adventure to be the tournament director for the past 25 years,” said Linda Goodman of the Nielsen Pro Tennis Championships in Winnetka. “From our early days of a wild card given to Pete Sampras, to starting Todd Martin on his professional journey, to hosting the return of John Isner to the pro circuit, we have enjoyed the journey.

“Winnetka has been most fortunate to even have some sponsors who have been on board for all the 25 years. Our current relationship with our title sponsor, The Nielsen Co. has been extremely rewarding. We thank those players as well as our volunteers who have contributed to the success and support of tennis in the United States.”

“The tournament has been a great success and I give thanks for the 25 years,” added Jose Maria Leon, tournament director at the Copa Sevilla.

All nine events were awarded with an engraved plate which was presented by the ATP Supervisor during the tournament week. Each tournament director and a guest are also invited to The O2 in London for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, held from 15-22 November, where they will take in the season finale and enjoy an off-site dinner.

BELGIUM 3, ARGENTINA 2
Surface: Indoor Hard – Brussels, Belgium

Belgium will make its first appearance in the Davis Cup Final in 111 years after rallying past Argentina on Sunday in Brussels. Steve Darcis overcame Federico Delbonis 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(3) in the fifth rubber to clinch the tie.

Darcis needed four match points after being denied twice when serving for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set. He would ratchet up his level in the ensuing tie-break, striking a sublime lob for 6-2, before firing an overhead smash into the open court for the victory.

“If you would have told me 10 years ago that we would play a final in Davis Cup, I would not believe it,” said Darcis. “It’s unbelievable. For our small country it’s pretty big. For me, it’s really big. I fought on Friday and Saturday and today was the same. David worked a lot too and gave us two points. He gave me the chance to finish the job.” 

Belgium reach the final for the first time since making its debut in the competition in 1904, when it finished runner-up to Great Britain. The nation will look to exact revenge against the Brits after Andy Murray led them past Australia 3-2 on Sunday.

A live fifth rubber was needed to decide the Davis Cup semi-final clash after David Goffin routed Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. The Belgians had their backs against the walls following a four-set doubles defeat on Saturday, but Goffin would stop the momentum, firing 38 winners to prevail in one hour and 47 minutes. He converted on six of 13 break chances while denying all four faced.

“It was a perfect match,” said Goffin. “I was a little tight at the beginning, but he was too. It was tough on the legs and I had to find rhythm in my groundstrokes. After three or four big games in the beginning of the match, it was better and better. My job was to bring my point today and that’s what I did. I tried to stay calm and focused on my game and take a lot of pleasure with the crowd.” 

The World No. 15 has now won 17 consecutive sets in Davis Cup singles matches, going back to the 2014 first round tie against Kazakhstan.

SWITZERLAND 4, NETHERLANDS 1
Geneva, Switzerland – Hard (Indoors)

Roger Federer improved to 40-8 lifetime in singles rubbers for Switzerland to help the defending champion to an unassailable 3-1 lead against the Netherlands. Federer added to Friday’s victory over Jesse Huts Galung, by defeating Thiemo de Bakker 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 44 minutes.

INDIA 1, CZECH REPUBLIC 3
New Dehli, India – Hard (Outdoors)

Czech Republic maintained its World Group status after Jiri Vesely gave the three-time champion a 2-1 lead over India, following a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 win over Yuki Bhambri in the first reverse singles rubber. Vesely won 80 per cent of his first service points and hit 10 aces for victory in two hours and 12 minutes. He is now 3-4 lifetime in singles rubbers, bouncing back from Friday’s loss to India’s Somdev Devvarman. Czech Republic has not dropped from the World Group since 2006. The fifth rubber between Devvarman and Lukas Rosol was not played.

UZBEKISTAN 1, UNITED STATES 3
Tashkent, Uzbekistan – Clay (Outdoors)

World No. 29 Jack Sock won his second rubber of the tie to qualify 32-time champion United States for the 2016 World Group. Sock defeated No. 62-ranked Denis Istomin 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 29 minutes. In beating Farrukh Dustov on Friday, Sock became the first American to win a live singles rubber on his debut since Robby Ginepri in 2004 against Austria. “To get two wins and play solid matches for me gives me a lot of confidence, especially after New York and having to pull out and retire there,” said Sock. “It was a low point and that was my favorite tournament of the year. It’s tough to go out that way. This will give me a lot of confidence for the rest of the year.The fifth rubber between Dustov and Steve Johnson was not contested.”

RUSSIA 1, ITALY 4
Irkutsk, Russia – Hard (Indoors)

Fabio Fognini ensured Italy, the 1976 titlist, competes in the World Group for the fifth straight year after he overcame Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili 7-6(4), 6-3, 7-6(5). “My mind was pushing me today,” said Fognini. “I was feeling the ball good, but at the same time I was tired. I’m happy because we’re still alive in the World Group.” Russia has not played in the World Group since 2012.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 1, GERMANY 3
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Hard (Outdoors)

Philipp Kohlschreiber spoiled Dominican Republic’s bid for a first World Group appearance, downing Victor Estrella Burgos 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 to clinch the tie for Germany. The European nation extends its stay in the top tier to 11 consecutive years, having spent just three years out of the World Group since 1981. Kohlschreiber, who has won seven of his last eight Davis Cup matches – singles and doubles – needed just under two hours to clinch the tie. He fired 25 winners and converted on six of 10 break chances.

BRAZIL 1, CROATIA 3
Florianopolis, Brazil – Clay (Outdoors)

Croatia stormed back from a 0-1 deficit to remain in the World Group, relying on heroics from its teen star Borna Coric to defeat Brazil. The Croatians clinched the tie when Thomaz Bellucci retired due to injury while trailing 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4), 4-0. Bellucci handed the Brazilians the initial edge on Friday, but Coric notched a pair of singles victories and Ivan Dodig and Franko Skugor teamed to upset Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares in doubles. Brazil has now lost eight of the last 10 World Group Play-offs it has contested over the last 10 years.

POLAND 3, SLOVAKIA 2
Gdynia, Poland – Hard (Indoors)

Martin Klizan forced a deciding rubber between Poland and Slovakia, after beating Jerzy Janowicz 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3, but Michal Przysiezny would save the tie for the Poles. The 31 year old earned a convincing win over Norbert Gombos 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 50 minutes to seal Poland’s first ever appearance in the World Group. He turned aside all three break points faced, while hitting 47 winners. Slovakia’s absence from the top tier is extended to 10 years with the defeat.

COLOMBIA 2, JAPAN 3
Pereira, Colombia – Clay

Japan completed the comeback over Colombia, winning both reverse singles rubbers on Sunday to return to the 2016 World Group. They did not drop a set as Kei Nishikori defeated Santiago Giraldo 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(3) and Taro Daniel sealed the tie with a 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-2 victory over Alejandro Falla. It marked the second straight time Japan rallied from 1-2 down against Colombia, following a stunning win in Tokyo at this stage of the competition in 2013. Colombia was denied a World Group Play-offs win for the fourth straight time.