Tennis News

From around the world

Nestor Reflects On 1000 Wins Sydney 2016

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016

Nestor Reflects On 1000 Wins Sydney 2016

Source link

Wawrinka Beats Coric In Chennai Final

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016

Wawrinka Beats Coric In Chennai Final

Source link

Nestor Records 1,000th Doubles Match Win

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016

Nestor Records 1,000th Doubles Match Win

ATPWorldTour.com pays tribute to Daniel Nestor’s 1,000 doubles match wins achievement.

Only three singles players – Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Roger Federer – have passed the 1,000 match wins milestone in the 44-year history of the ATP World Tour. Today, the sport’s first doubles player, Daniel Nestor, 43 years young, has achieved the feat.

The cut and thrust nature of professional doubles does not lend itself to patience, so when a team experiences a string of losses morale inevitably suffers and each player begins to look elsewhere. So it is incredible that over the past 23 seasons, the Canadian has won matches with 33 partners – from his very first victory with Sebastian Lareau at Auckland in January 1993 to today’s win with Marcelo Melo in the Apia Sydney International first round.

Nestor has ranked among the finest doubles players for the past 20 years, a product of his dedication, commitment, longevity and, most importantly, desire to adapt and evolve. In 15 of the past 20 seasons, he has been among the Top 10 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings – including two year-end No. 1 finishes in 2004 and 2008.

“When I first started playing with Mark Knowles [in 1995] that was my best season and when I felt I was a top player,” Nestor told ATPWorldTour.com. “It was king of sporadic. I’d had big wins with Sebastian Lareau, some good tournaments but confidence wise it took longer in singles than in doubles. When I played against the best players I felt confident immediately.”

His greatest success have come with four partners: Knowles (464 wins, 40 titles, including three majors); Nenad Zimonjic (227 wins, 27 titles, including three majors); Max Mirnyi (90 wins, eight titles, including two majors) and his compatriot Lareau (60 wins, five titles, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medal). He has lifted 88 doubles titles overall – third in the all-time list.

“It’s an incredible achievement,” Knowles told ATPWorldTour.com. “He has had a remarkably long career and has been able to achieve tremendous success throughout. I was fortunate to be on the same side of the net with Daniel for so many of those victories. He continues to adapt to a changing environment and finds motivation where others might not. One thousands wins is nothing short of spectacular. Congratulations!”

Laconic and laid back, with a sharp sense of humour, Nestor has never taken himself too seriously. But the stress to remain among the elite takes its toll. “I am competitive, I have always felt the losses more than enjoyed the wins,” said Nestor.

“You have these tough losses that you deem are far worse, if you deem to get better. I have tried to be the best I can be. I have regrets in singles, but in doubles, I have felt I have done everything that I could. It takes a lot out of you, the stress. I’m one of the guys who is a perfectionist, so little things bother me; when I haven’t played so well at big tournaments; leads to fatigue later in tournaments.”

Nestor has never possessed a big weapon: a devastating serve or blistering forehand, like so many in the modern era, yet his all-round game has been consistently spectacular. Only in humid conditions does his body react, as he experienced with Knowles en route to the 2002 Rogers Cup final. “I have had to work the most on my physical strength as my fitness and footwork was always an issue,” said Nestor. “So I’ve always worked hard off-court, rather than tennis stuff.”

“His longevity is pretty amazing,” Mike Bryan told ATPWorldTour.com. “He’s been one of the top players in the world for so long and he’s the only guy to beat us 25 plus times. We hate playing the guy he makes life tough. He’s one of the most talented players to ever play the game of doubles – his slinky lefty serve, his hands around the net, great return, great athlete and he’s still playing at age 43.” Bob Bryan told ATPWorldTour.com, “He will be in the Hall of Fame soon, it’s an incredible career. We congratulate him on all he’s done for the sport tennis and for doubles.”

“It’s amazing that he still plays at a really high level, and to get to 1,000 wins is something that very few guys will achieve in their careers,” Zimonjic told ATPWorldTour.com. “He’s won pretty much everything, a legend of our sport. He’s an example to the rest of us that if you stay professional, if you still enjoy it, if you love the game you can try to do the same. I’m really, really happy for him.”

In May last year, Nestor was sure that Mike Bryan (970 wins) or Bob Bryan (956) would achieve the match wins milestone before him. He never expected to play tour-level events for 28 years, and five years after indicating his desire to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics, he keeps mixing it with the world’s best. Today, he assured himself of sporting immortality.

DANIEL NESTOR – BY THE NUMBERS (As of 11 January 2016)

MATCH WINS AND TITLES BY PARTNER

Rank
Player
Wins
Titles
Majors
1
Mark Knowles
464
40
3
2
Nenad Zimonjic
227
27
3
3
Max Mirnyi
90
8
2
4
Sebastien Lareau
60
5
5
Sandon Stolle
22
2
6
Edouard Roger-Vasselin
19
1
7
Frederic Niemeyer
14
8T
Robert Lindstedt
13
8T
Leander Paes
13
1
10
Rohan Bopanna
12
2
11
Vasek Pospisil
8
12T
Grant Connell
6
12T
Kevin Ullyett
6
1
14T
Mahesh Bhupathi
5
14T
Paul Haarhuis
5
16T
Mariusz Fyrstenberg
4
1
16T
Julian Knowle
4
16T
Lukasz Kubot
4
16T
Alex O’Brien
4
20T
Frank Dancevic
3
20T
Jacco Eltingh
3
20T
Anders Jarryd
3
24T
Wayne Black
2
24T
Justin Gimelstob
1
24T
Simon Larose
1
24T
Brian MacPhie
1
24T
Marcelo Melo
1
24T
Alexander Peya
1
24T
Milos Roanic
1
24T
Jocelyn Robichaud
1
24T
Greg Rusedski
1
24T
Adil Shamasdin
1
24T
Cyril Suk
1
Total
33 Partners With Wins
1,000
88
8

1,000 MATCH WINS CLUB

Rank
Player
Event
Wins
Titles
Majors
1
Jimmy Connors
Singles
1,254
109
8
2
Ivan Lendl
Singles
1,071
94
8
3
Roger Federer
Singles
1,062
88
17
4
Daniel Nestor
Doubles
1,000
88
8

MOST DOUBLES MATCH WINS

Rank
Player
Wins
Titles
Majors
1
Daniel Nestor
1,000
88
8
2
Mike Bryan
970
111
16
3
Bob Bryan
956
109
16
4
Todd Woodbridge
782
83
16
5
Mark Knowles
744
55
3

MATCH WINS AND TITLES BY COUNTRY

Rank
Player
Wins
Titles
Majors
1
United States
256
40
1
2
France
123
7
4
3
Great Britain
111
8
2
4
Australia
108
9
1
5
Canada
61
2
6
Spain
59
9
7
Italy
35
4
8 China
32
4
9 Germany
31
4
10 Switzerland
29
4
11T Netherlands 22
2
11T United Arab Emirates 22
2
13T Monaco 20
2
13T Qatar 20
2
14 Austria 18
2
15 Russia 11
2
16 Sweden 7 1

17 Colombia 6
1
18T Hong Kong 5
18T Mexico 5
1
20 Japan 4
1
21T Eduador 2
21T New Zealand 2
21T Singapore
2
24T Bahamas
1
24T Greece
1
24T Haiti
1
24T India
1
24T Israel
1
24T Peru
1
24T Romania
1
24T Serbia
1
24T Venezuela
1
Total
33 Countries With Wins
1,000
88
8

DOUBLES MATCH WINS MILESTONES

Rank
Partner
Opponents
Tournament Round
Score
1
Sebastien Lareau
Eisenman/Mercer
1993 Auckland 1R
57 76 76
100
Mark Knowles
Ferreira/Muller
1997 Indian Wells 2R*
75 63
200
Max Mirnyi
Adams/de Jager
2000 Hamburg 1R
64 76
300
Mark Knowles
Eagle/Stolle
2002 Indian Wells QF*
64 62
400
Mark Knowles
Arnold Ker/Hood
2003 Basel F*
64 62
500
Mark Knowles
Almagro/Robredo
2005 Vienna QF*
63 61
600
Mark Knowles
Berdych/Kiefer
2007 Montreal 2R
63 64
700
Nenad Zimonjic
Delgado/Marray
2009 Wimbledon 3R*
75 64 64
800
Max Mirnyi
Monfils/Ouanna
2011 Roland Garros 1R*
75 63
900
Leander Paes
Hanley/Peers
2013 Winston-Salem QF*
64 64
1,000
Marcelo Melo
Chardy/Paes
2016 Sydney 1R
64 64

* indicates went on to win the title

MATCH WINS BY YEAR

Year
Wins
Titles
Majors
2016
1
0
2015
41
3
2014
48
4
2013
33
1
2012
47
5 1
2011
49
4 1
2010
58
7 1
2009
58
9 1
2008
49
5 1
2007
55
4 1
2006
50
5
2005
43
4
2004
63
5 1
2003
58
6
2002
67
6
2001
40
4 1
2000
41
4
1999
31
2
1998
45
2
1997
32
2
1996
34
4
1995
35
1
1994
15
1
1993
7
Total
1,000
88
8

Statistical assistance courtesy of Graham Agars, Josh Rey and Greg Sharko and Josh Rey

Source link

Murray seeks Djokovic weaknesses

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016
Australian Open 2016
Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 18-31 January
Coverage: Live commentary on Radio 5 live and text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Andy Murray says he may need number one Novak Djokovic’s form to dip to have a chance of victory in the Australian Open, which starts next week.

The Briton has lost four finals in Melbourne – three to Serbia’s Djokovic.

“You just have to keep trying to learn, watch his matches, see if there are any weaknesses you can capitalise on,” said Murray, second in the ATP rankings.

“Maybe he has a drop-off. It’s very difficult to maintain that level for such a long period.”

Murray, 28, lost the 2010 final to Roger Federer, before suffering defeat by Djokovic in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

The Serb, also 28, holds three of the four Grand Slam titles, having won Wimbledon and the US Open in addition to the Australian Open.

He prepared for the first major of the season, which runs from January 18 to 31, by beating Rafael Nadal in straight sets to win the Qatar Open last week.

Murray has indicated he will leave Melbourne to return home if his wife Kim goes into labour early with their first baby, who is due in mid-February.

He said, though, that his priorities on the court are to win the Australian Open and to defend his Olympic title in Rio later this year.

“I’ve been close many times and that’s my number one goal,” he said.

“I won the gold in London four years ago so to try to defend that is another big goal for me. They would be the two main ones for me.”

Source link

Seppi Makes Winning Return To Sydney

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016

Seppi Makes Winning Return To Sydney

Italian into second round

Fifth seed Andreas Seppi, who is making his 11th consecutive trip to Sydney, kicked off his tournament with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win over Denis Istomin on Monday.

The 2013 semi-finalist (l. to Tomic) improved his FedEx ATP Head2Head record against Istomin to 8-3. The Italian overcame a slow start to secure the first set, then saw the Uzbek fight back from a break down in the second set to force a decider.

Seppi, whose only hard-court loss to Istomin came in a five-set thriller at the 2013 US Open, then took over the match, racing to a 4-0 lead before closing out the win in one hour and 42 minutes.

Aussie wild card Jordan Thompson, making his Sydney main draw debut, earned his first ATP World Tour main draw victory on Monday when Martin Klizan retired while 6-2, 4-0 down. The 21 year old, No. 149 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, fired five aces and did not face a break. In the second round, Thompson will face top seed and countryman Bernard Tomic.

Source link

Konta out in Hobart first round

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016

British number one Johanna Konta is out of the Hobart International after a first-round defeat to third seed Dominika Cibulkova.

Konta, 24, was beaten 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 after failing to convert five first-set points in the tie-break.

“It doesn’t happen every day that you win a tie-break from 1-6 down against such a good serving player,” said Slovak Cibulkova, 26.

Defending champion Heather Watson faces Teliana Pereira in the first round.

Source link

Sock Rocks Estrella Burgos In Auckland

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016

Sock Rocks Estrella Burgos In Auckland

American cruises into second round

Jack Sock wasted no time in advancing to the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland on Monday, disposing of Victor Estrella Burgos 6-0, 6-4 in 49 minutes. Sock improved his FedEx ATP Head2Head record against Estrella Burgos to 2-0, having eliminated the Dominican in straight sets at the 2015 US Open. Sock only lost two points on his first serve (20/22) and did not face a break point during the match.

In the second round, Sock will meet the winner between doubles partner and good friend Vasek Pospisil, and seventh seed Ivo Karlovic. The pair is set to square off Monday night.

Other players in action included American Donald Young, who eliminated New Zealand wild card Finn Tearney 6-2, 6-3 in 66 minutes. The 25 year-old Tearney, No. 365 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, was making his ATP World Tour main draw debut.

Sock and Young’s compatriot Steve Johnson did not have a successful outing on Monday, falling to Australian qualifier Matthew Barton 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Barton, ranked No. 299, hit 13 aces and saved five of six break points to earn his first ATP World Tour main draw victory.

Source link

Fritz Claims Third Title; Youzhny’s Resurgence Continues

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016

Fritz Claims Third Title; Youzhny’s Resurgence Continues

Revisit the week that was on the ATP Challenger Tour as we applaud the achievements of those on the rise and look ahead to who’s in action in the week to come

A LOOK BACK
City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger (Happy Valley, Australia): The meteoric rise of Taylor Fritz continued, with the 18-year-old American claiming his third ATP Challenger Tour title on the hard courts of Happy Valley. Fritz turned aside top seed Dudi Sela 7-6(7), 6-2 on Sunday, denying the Israeli veteran a historic 20th Challenger title. It marked the second straight year that an 18 year old had clinched his third crown, with Fritz joining Hyeon Chung. One of 10 teens in the Top 200 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, the Rancho Santa Fe native rises to a career-high position of World No. 153. He will seek his first Grand Slam main draw berth when he battles in Australian Open qualifying this week.

Watch Interview (video courtesy Tennis Australia)

Bangkok Open (Bangkok, Thailand): Third seed Mikhail Youzhny waited a record 15 years, five months from claiming his first ATP Challenger Tour title to lifting his second trophy in Eckental in early November. It seems the former World No. 8 has rediscovered his winning groove. Youzhny earned his second title in as many months, defeating Go Soeda 6-3, 6-4 in Bangkok. The 33-year-old Russian is now on the precipice of a return to the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, rising to World No. 106. Soeda, meanwhile, was bidding for his 18th Challenger title.

Challenger BNP Paribas Noumea (Noumea, New Caledonia): Top seed Adrian Mannarino streaked to his second Noumea title in four years, topping second seed and 2014 champion Alejandro Falla 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. It was Mannarino’s 11th ATP Challenger Tour title, extending his winning run in finals to six straight. He previously prevailed in Noumea in 2013 (d. Martin). The World No. 47 is coming off a career year, having reached his first ATP World Tour finals in Auckland and Bogota and first Round of 16 at a Masters 1000 event, in Indian Wells.

Torneo de Mendoza (Mendoza, Argentina): The lone event on clay was held in Mendoza, Argentina, where eighth seed Gerald Melzer rallied from a set and a break down to defeat Axel Michon 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the final. The Austrian reeled off 10 of the last 11 games to claim his second Challenger title, having previously triumphed on the hard courts of Morelos, Mexico two years ago. The highlight of Melzer’s 2015 season was a surprise run to the semi-finals at the ATP World Tour 250 event in Munich as a qualifier.

WHAT’S AHEAD
The Australian summer of tennis continues in Canberra, where nine Top 100 players are in the draw. In 2015, only five events featured all seeds in the Top 100. Paolo Lorenzi is the top seed, joined by Santiago Giraldo and ATP Challenger Tour Finals runner-up Daniel Munoz-de la Nava. Young guns Yoshihito Nishioka, Noah Rubin and Stefanos Tsitsipas are also present.

For the second straight week, Bangkok hosts an ATP Challenger Tour event, where top seed Mikhail Youzhny looks to go back-to-back. Also, on the clay of Buenos Aires, Gerald Melzer seeks a second title in as many weeks.

View Draws & Watch Free Live Streams

ATP CHALLENGER TOUR ON TWITTER: New in 2016, the ATP Challenger Tour has launched a dedicated Twitter account for the latest news and information about players and events. Follow @ATPChallengerTour at twitter.com/ATPChallengerTour.

Source link

Tsonga’s Sweet Sunday

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016

Tsonga’s Sweet Sunday

Frenchman visits Auckland’s Sky Tower

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga may have been hard at work preparing for the start of his 2016 campaign, but the No. 2 seed at the ASB Classic took some time out on Sunday for a trip and a snack.

Tsonga visited Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in the Southern Hemisphere. After creating his own sundae at the Kapiti Sky Café, he ventured up to the observation level and explored Auckland from 328m above street level.

The 12-time ATP World Tour title-winner is making his Auckland debut. He has a first-round bye and will face either Philipp Kohlschreiber or Benjamin Becker in the second round.

Source link

Auckland 2016

  • Posted: Jan 11, 2016

Auckland 2016

The content of this article took place at ASB Classic

Source link