Sunshine, sand and scenery. The Spanish resort town of Marbella has long been the playground of Europe’s rich and famous, boasting miles of pristine beaches and perfect weather.

This week, the beachfront mecca welcomes a new chapter of tennis on the ATP Challenger Tour. Situated along the Costa del Sol on the southern edge of Spain, Marbella hosts the inaugural Casino Admiral Trophy, a €43,000 event.

With the tranquility of the Mediterranean Sea just steps away, players have descended on the Club de Tenis Puente Romano for the second time. Six years ago, a Challenger was held in the same club and now it has returned with a new identity and an eye on the future.

As Spain’s longtime stalwarts continue to compete into their 30s, the proud European nation is looking towards the Next Generation of stars that will fly the flag in the years to come. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, junior Wimbledon champion in 2017, earned his first match win this year on the ATP Challenger Tour after being awarded a main draw wild card. The 18-year-old is hoping to gain experience on the circuit as he begins his ascent up the ATP Rankings.

“It’s great to play at home, with all my friends and family here,” Davidovich Fokina told ATPWorldTour.com. “It’s just great to have a wild card at a Challenger like this and a thrill to play here.

“The level here is very high and the players are very good. There are Top 100 guys here and no easy matches. You have to suffer on the court to win. It’s a tough event, but an important one for me.”

Davidovich Fokina, who hails from nearby Malaga, is projected to make his Top 400 debut after claiming a first-round upset of Norbert Gombos, before falling to Argentina’s Marco Trungelliti. He was competing in just his fourth tournament on the ATP Challenger Tour.

With fellow #NextGenATP Spaniards Nicola Kuhn, Jaume Munar and Carlos Taberner also surging ahead, the nation has much to look forward to. Munar qualified for his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January, while Taberner and Kuhn recently won their ATP World Tour debuts, in Montpellier and Miami, respectively.

Similar to Kuhn, who has a German father and Russian mother, Davidovich Fokina also owns a multi-cultural background, with a Swedish father and Russian mother. 

Another 18-year-old making strides in Marbella is Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. Also a junior Grand Slam champion in 2017, at Roland Garros, Popyrin is a native of Sydney but resides in Marbella. Having moved to Spain eight years ago, he relished the opportunity to compete in his adopted hometown. 

“I feel great playing at home,” said Popyrin. “I practise on these courts a lot. I have a lot of friends coming to watch me. Even friends who don’t even play tennis. There are even fans here that I don’t know. It’s a great feeling to have them on your side.

“The level at these Challengers is tough. It’s much stronger than the tournaments I’ve been playing recently, but I’ve started to get accustomed to it and raise my game. I hope to take the next step and get to the ATP World Tour level this year too.”

Popyrin also took full advantage of his wild card in advancing to the second round. Right behind Davidovich Fokina in the ATP Rankings, he moved up to a projected career-high just outside the Top 400. 

Top seed @Robertocarba93 and #NextGenATP @alexdavidovich1 sign autographs following their first round wins @casinoadmiralt. Two of three ?? to advance in Marbella. pic.twitter.com/hppVyZRN8e

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 28, 2018

Popyrin, who upset both Federico Delbonis and Nicolas Mahut to qualify for his first ATP World Tour main draw in Sydney, is also enjoying a Challenger breakthrough in his first full year as a professional. He would reach his first quarter-final as a qualifier in Cherbourg, France last month.

“I am sure that in the next one or two years they will do great at the tournament,” said Tournament Director Ronnie Leitgeb. “Davidovich has very fast hands and hits the ball on the fast and deep with his forehand. And Popryin has a lot of potential to have a great serve, simply by his height. His footwork is not bad for such a tall guy either.”

Leitgeb has plenty of experience running a professional tournament at a high level, as the current owner of the ATP World Tour 250 event in Lyon and having organised the former Austrian tournament in St. Pölten and Pörtschach. It is also 20 years since he ran the successful Challenger in Graz, Austria.

“This a great place to play a Challenger,” added top seed Roberto Carballes Baena, who hails from nearby Granada and recently claimed his maiden ATP World Tour title in Quito. “All the Spaniards love to play at home as much as possible. For me, it’s very close to my home in Granada and it’s a pleasure to have my family come out for my matches.”

Spain also hosts ATP Challenger Tour events in Segovia and Sevilla, two of the longest-running tournaments on the circuit. And next week the expansion continues, as the country welcomes another new event in Alicante.

On Saturday, seventh seed Stefano Travaglia of Italy will face Argentina’s Guido Andreozzi for the title in Marbella. Travaglia is appearing in his second Challenger final, having won his maiden crown in Ostrava last year. Andreozzi will contest his 10th title match and second of the 2018 season. He prevailed on the clay of Punta del Este, Uruguay earlier this month.

It was a tremendous stretch for Juan Martin del Potro — the Argentine won his first ATP World Tour 500-level title since 2013 Basel in Acapulco before claiming his maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophy at Indian Wells. Four more victories in Miami brought his winning streak to 15 matches and a personal-best start to the season of 21-3, leading the ATP World Tour in wins. With two more triumphs, the ‘Tower of Tandil’ could have become the eighth player to win the ‘Sunshine Double’ by lifting the trophy in both Indian Wells and Miami.

So while Del Potro was disappointed that he lost in straight sets against American John Isner in Friday’s semi-finals at the Miami Open presented by Itau, he kept the defeat in perspective.

“I played well. I did a good tournament, and I go home with many things to celebrate,” Del Potro said. “John deserved to win today. He serves unbelievable. He plays great tennis on the tie-break. He was too good for me.”

It’s widely known that Del Potro has the ability to hit almost any player off the court, as he is armed with what is commonly considered one of the best shots in the sport: a hammer-like forehand. But on Friday, the 32-year-old Isner took the racquet out of the World No. 6’s hands with outlandish serving and free-swinging play from the baseline, intertwined with effective trips to the net with sweetly placed drop volleys.

Del Potro was unable to earn a break point against Isner, or even get to deuce. The American won 80 per cent of points on serve, claiming an astonishing 75 per cent of second-serve points against arguably the most in-form player in the world.

“He has a better serve than me, and then when he plays as good as today, he’s one of the tougher guys on Tour,” Del Potro. “Not many players can return his serves. He plays every time making winners. When he has a good day, he has everything to win a title like this. I think he was better for today.”

To be fair, Del Potro has played a lot of tennis in the past month — 16 matches and 38 sets, to be exact. But that was not going to stop him from pushing on to try to win his first trophy in Miami. His semi-final result was not for lack of effort.

“When I get onto the court I love to play tennis. I got too much love from the fans, and maybe that pain goes away during the match,” Del Potro said of the wear-and-tear on his body from all of his recent play. “But today John played better. I don’t have any skills for that. He was better than me, and he deserved to win.”

It’s easy to wonder what could have been — Del Potro would have risen to a career-high of No. 3 in the ATP Rankings if he would have won the title at Crandon Park. But keep in mind that three years ago after losing in the Miami first round, the Argentine left ranked No. 555. Two years ago, it was No. 338. And last year? World No. 35. He will stay at World No. 6 on Monday.

Numerous wrist surgeries kept Del Potro away from his best — or anywhere near it — for years. But the Argentine has announced loudly and clearly that he is once again a tremendous force to be reckoned with on the ATP World Tour.

“I will have a good vacation, maybe a week or more days. Depends how I feel,” Del Potro said. “But I would love to go home, to stay in Tandil eating barbecues, spend time with my family and friends and not talk about tennis for a couple of weeks.”

Del Potro doesn’t have to — his tennis has done that for him.

John Isner might be playing the tennis of his life. The 32-year-old American stunned Juan Martin del Potro on Friday, upsetting the Argentine 6-1, 7-6(2) in their semi-final at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The American did little wrong against Del Potro, who was on a 15-match win streak and leads the ATP World Tour with 21 wins this season. Isner’s serve, as usual, was dominant, but his groundstrokes and volleys carried him to victory. He swung freely and played aggressively, finishing with 39 winners to only 10 from Del Potro.

“Things are just clicking. Look, if I’m returning well and getting in return games, that should bode well for me, given how I serve. Very happy it’s all sort of coming together right now,” Isner said. “I just know with my game, if I’m doing the right things, it doesn’t really matter who I’m playing. I’m going to be very tough to beat.”

 Watch Full Match Replays

Isner moved into his fourth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final (0-3; 2016 Paris, 2013 Cincinnati, 2012 Indian Wells). He will face either Alexander Zverev of Germany or Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta for the opportunity to call himself a “Masters 1000 titlist”.

The last time Del Potro lost was more than a month ago, on 22 February against #NextGenATP American Frances Tiafoe at the Delray Beach Open. Since then, the Argentine had captured back-to-back titles in Acapulco and Indian Wells. Del Potro had to save three match points against No. 1 Roger Federer in the BNP Paribas Open final to win his maiden Masters 1000 crown.

The Argentine’s rise was in stark contrast to Isner’s start to the year. The American was 2-6 and hadn’t won consecutive matches all season before Miami. “It’s been a very streaky year so far, but I’m very happy to be on the good side of that streak right now,” Isner said.

He had a clear game plan and executed it perfectly against Del Potro during their 10th FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting. Isner teed off on any short ball or serve lacking, and he opened the court up well – targeting Del Potro’s backhand before hitting to his forehand corner, or vice versa.

Isner broke in the third game, pounding Del Potro’s backhand before hitting a forehand volley winner at net. After only 27 minutes, he had a one-set lead, thanks to 19 winners, compared to zero from his opponent.

“There was a game plan. I stuck to it pretty well. I think more importantly than that, it was just a case of me playing some good tennis out there and being relaxed, which was crucial,” Isner said. 

Del Potro, behind a boisterous Argentine crowd on Key Biscayne, recovered in the second set. But Isner was too strong, too aggressive, too confident. He never faced a break point all match, and in the tie-break, his volleys, including a backhand dropper on match point, pushed him into Sunday’s final.

“John deserved to win today. He served unbelievable. He played great tennis on the tie-break. He was too good for me,” Del Potro said.

Isner said he’s playing some of his best tennis in years because of two reasons: his doubles title earlier this month at the BNP Paribas Open, and nightly conversations with one of his coaches David Macpherson.

“[Doubles] kept me in match mode, and I was getting real live reps on return. Playing in a pressure situation, even though it’s doubles, I think that helped a lot. When I have done well in doubles in the past, it’s always carried over to my singles game,” Isner said.

“With my coach, David Macpherson and I… we have been having dinner every night and talking some things over. So it’s not a situation this week where I was just putting in the hard work. Of course I was working hard, but I have been more relaxed on the court, and I think that’s showing in my play.” 

DID YOU KNOW?
Isner leads all players in reaching four Masters 1000 semi-finals during the past 12 months (2017 Rome, Cincinnati, Paris; 2018 Miami).

View FedEx ATP Head2Head for the following matches from the 2018 Miami Open presented by Itaú & vote for who you think will win! 
Del Potro vs Isner | Zverev vs Carreno Busta

[5] Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) vs [14] John Isner (USA)
Del Potro Leads FedEx ATP Head2Head series 6-3
Stadium – Start 1 p.m.

Big hitting is assured first up as in-form Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro squares off against American John Isner in the first Miami Open presented by Itau semi-final.

If Del Potro and Isner’s previous clashes are anything to go by, Friday’s encounter will be tight. While Del Potro leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head 6-3, Isner has won three of their past five meetings. On the indoor hard of the Rolex Paris Masters, in November 2017, Isner won 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 for a place in his 11th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final. Read Report & Watch Hot Shot

As Miami action gets to the business end, Del Potro puts his 15-match winning streak on the line. The 29-year-old also looks to maintain his form in the hope of completing the ‘Sunshine Double’ — winning the Indian Wells and Miami trophies back-to-back. Should he do so he will rise to a career-high of No. 3.

Isner, already assured of becoming the No. 1 American on Monday, will return to the Top 10 for the first time since 5 May 2014 (No. 10) with an equal or better finish than fellow semi-finalist Pablo Carreno Busta.

Del Potro is off to a 21-3 start on the season, including title at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC (d. Anderson) and his first at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level at the recent BNP Paribas Open (saved three championship points vs. Federer). The 32-year-old Isner is aiming to reach his fourth Masters 1000 final (2012 Indian Wells, 2013 Cincinnati, 2016 Paris).

Fifth seed and 6’6” Del Potro last reached the Miami semi-finals in 2009 (l. to Murray), while 6’10” and No. 14 seed Isner did so three years ago (l. to Djokovic).

[16] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) vs [4] Alexander Zverev (GER)
First FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting
Stadium – 7 p.m.

The second semi-final pits the aggressive and fluent Alexander Zverev against the patient and consistent baseline game of Carreno Busta for their first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting.

Having won five straight sets at Crandon Park, fourth seed Zverev will today look to improve to 3-0 in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-finals. Victories over Daniil Medvedev, No. 28 seed David Ferrer, No. 17 seed Nick Kyrgios and No. 29 seed Borna Coric have highlighted the German’s growing confidence and now he sets his sights on beating No. 16 seed Carreno Busta.

So far in Miami, the 26-year-old Carreno Busta has completed routine wins over Denis Istomin, Steve Johnson and Fernando Verdasco. He saved one match point to defeat World No. 8 Kevin Anderson in the quarter-finals on Thursday (now 2-21 lifetime versus Top 10 in the ATP Rankings).

While the 20-year-old Zverev lifted trophies at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome and the Rogers Cup in Montreal last year, Spaniard Carreno Busta will draw upon his experience of contesting his first Masters 1000 semi-final at 2017 Indian Wells.

Watch Thursday’s Miami Highlights

Pete Sampras held a slender lead in the ATP Rankings, such that as the world’s best players hit U.S. soil in March 1998, as many as 11 players with a decent run in the California and Florida sunshine, could, theoretically, have risen to No. 1. Marcelo Rios, the exquisitely talented Chilean, whose popularity in his homeland was second only to footballer Marcelo Salas, was one such player at No. 7 on the professional tennis ladder. Rios, on 2,777 points, sat 939 points behind World No. 1 Pete Sampras, who, for much of the past five years, had been the sport’s leader.

In the space of 20 extraordinary days, as many years ago, the pony-tailed Rios harnessed not only his natural talent, but also a so-far untapped mental resolve to play some of the best tennis of his career and capture the Indian Wells-Miami title double. A feat achieved, at that point, by only a trio of Americans: Jim Courier (1991), Michael Chang (1992) and Sampras (1994). Andre Agassi (2001), Roger Federer (2005-06, ’17) and Novak Djokovic (2011, 2014-16) have since completed the ‘Sunshine Double’.

In doing so, Rios, who had been junior World No. 1 as a 17-year-old, rose to the summit of the professional game on 30 March 1998. “One of my goals was to be No. 1 in the juniors,” Rios told ATPWorldTour.com. “I think it was a big step going from junior to professional, but in my first year I already broke into the Top 100 and aged 22 I became No. 1. Everything was really fast.” At 5’9”, Rios was the first Latin American and also the shortest of the 14 players (in 1998) to have led men’s professional tennis since 1973.

“Sampras had been No. 1 for a long time, most of the past five years, so it was a big achievement to win two ‘Super 9’ [now ATP World Tour Masters 1000s] in a row beating great players. Beating Agassi in Miami, his own country, was obviously one of my the best matches that I always will remember.”

Speaking to ATPWorldTour.com, former World No. 1 Stefan Edberg admitted, “I actually practised with him quite a few times. I can remember he surprised me a lot in the way he was striking the ball. He was very quick and very talented. He had a great streak, when he played some fantastic tennis, and was very gifted to watch.”

Another former World No. 1, Carlos Moya, recalled to ATPWorldTour.com, “He was a different player, you could see that from the first moment you saw him on court. He was probably the most talented player I ever saw. You could enjoy watching him a lot. He was great for tennis, had a different style of playing and was very talented.”

Fleet of foot, striking first and imposing his baseline game, the sport’s most naturally gifted competitor since John McEnroe first clinched the 1998 BNP Paribas Open title on 15 March after beating Greg Rusedski, who’d hit a record 149 miles per hour serve in the semi-finals, 6-3, 6-7(15), 7-6(4), 6-4 in two hours and 46 minutes. Rios’ variance of topspin, slice and great disguise proved to be too accomplished for Rusedski to outhustle. Opponents often attempted to rile the Chilean by getting him off balance, with a variety of angles and speeds. Rios had also beaten Petr Korda, the player he’d lost to in January’s Australian Open final, in the Indian Wells quarter-finals.

In losing just one set all week — the second set of the final, which, historically, was the longest tie-break of 1998 — 22-year-old Rios moved up four places to No. 3 in the ATP Rankings on 3,235 points. Having finished 1997 at No. 10, Rios now sat behind Korda (3,432) and Sampras (3,761). Incredibly, Sampras’ third-round loss to Thomas Muster in Indian Wells meant that should the American lose before the Miami quarter-finals, then Korda, Rios, Patrick Rafter or Rusedski, up to No. 5, would rise to the top spot.

Days later at Crandon Park in Miami, where humidity so often plays its part in on-court performance, left-handed Rios eased his way past Hendrik Dreekmann in the first round, just as he did at Indian Wells, then Tommy Haas, Goran Ivanisevic, Thomas Enqvist and Tim Henman by cutting down his error count and going for placement over power. Knowing Sampras had lost to South African Wayne Ferreira 0-6, 7-6(8), 6-3 in the Miami third round, third seed Rios knew what was on the line. “The way he hit the ball and the way he saw the angles of the court, was like nobody else could do,” Enqvist told ATPWorldTour.com.

In the sun-kissed 29 March final, the third seed competed nerve-free against three-time former champion Agassi, who had risen from No. 141 to No. 22 in just eight events and led the Tour with a 24-3 start on the season. Rios’ path to glory, including his 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Agassi in one hour and 57 minutes, which knocked off Sampras at No. 1 after 102 consecutive weeks, triggered rapturous celebrations on the streets of Chile, a nation that had witnessed every match live on television.

“Being the best player in the world for Chile is something that isn’t normal,” said Rios, at the time. “I feel really proud.” To celebrate, his then manager Jeff Schwartz and coach Larry Stefanki tossed Rios into a swimming pool and, days later in Santiago, there was a reception leading Rios to Chile’s President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle (1994-2000) on La Moneda Palace. “We don’t have a lot of sportsmen in Chile, so being No. 1 in tennis was pretty big,” Rios told ATPWorldTour.com, 20 years on. “It was not a big sport at that time.”

Any hope Rios had of holding onto No. 1 was soon scuppered by an elbow injury, which kept Rios off the circuit for four weeks. He relinquished the top spot to Sampras on 26 April 1998. Although he returned to win the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in May and spent a further two weeks at the summit from 10 August, injuries soon mounted. In April 2004, six years after winning the 1998 Indian Wells and Miami titles to become No. 1 in the ATP Rankings, Rios played his last professional match. A back problem had curtailed his career aged just 28.