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Djokovic Seeks 'Guiding Star' To Grand Slam History

  • Posted: Aug 27, 2021

Novak Djokovic can make history over the coming fortnight at the US Open, where a title would give him a record-breaking 21 majors and the Grand Slam, having already won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year. The World No. 1 is not allowing the pressure of the opportunity to get to him, though. Instead, the 34-year-old is embracing it.

“Obviously I know how big of an opportunity is in front of me here in New York, where historically I’ve played really well over the years. It’s probably the most entertaining tennis court that we have. [The] crowd will be back [in the] stadium,” Djokovic said. “I can’t wait. Honestly I’m very motivated to play my best tennis. But I have to hit one ball at a time, try to be in the moment, have a guiding star in a way, a dream to win a Slam here, which would obviously complete the calendar Slam.

“I’m hugely inspired and motivated by that, no doubt. But at the same time, I know how to balance things out mentally, with lots of expectations around. My participation here, without Rafa and Roger participating, I feel it. I know there are a lot of people who are going to be watching my matches and expecting me to do well and fight for a Slam.”

Djokovic added that even without 20-time major winners Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer competing at Flushing Meadows, there will be plenty of tough challengers. Daniil Medvedev triumphed in Toronto, Alexander Zverev won the Tokyo Olympics and Cincinnati, and Stefanos Tsitsipas is second in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin.

“You still have tremendous quality tennis players that are right now on hot streaks, like Zverev, Medvedev [and] Tsitsipas. Those are the three top contenders I see for the title.
But a Grand Slam is a Grand Slam. It’s a two-week-long event, best-of-five [sets]. Everyone wants to do well at the Grand Slams. Anything can really happen,” Djokovic said. “Of course the top seeds are the top favourites to go far and go deep in the tournament, but I’ve been in this situation numerous times in my life.

“There is a slight difference in terms of what’s at stake and the feeling towards that, but I don’t give it too big of a significance on a daily basis because I’m trying to be in the present moment.”

Djokovic has not competed since the Tokyo Olympics. But the Serbian said that his preparation for the season’s final major has gone well.

“I feel good on the court. I took [a] little bit of additional time off after [the] Olympics. [I] have not played Cincinnati, which was previously planned, because I just felt exhausted in every sense after that long summer, which was very successful,” Djokovic said. “[At the] Olympics [I] unfortunately didn’t end up with a medal. It was a great experience of sharing the Village and the dining room with 10-plus-thousand athletes. It’s a very unique experience that you remember forever.

“You take a lot of positives out of it, putting aside the tennis performance, just in general. I think you can learn a lot, you speak life, you speak sports. I really value that experience a lot.”

Djokovic has great memories in New York, where he has lifted the US Open trophy three times and made the final on another five occasions. The Serbian owns a 75-12 record on the Flushing Meadows hard courts.

The top seed will play a qualifier in his opening match, and the highest-ranked player in his quarter of the draw is Italian Matteo Berrettini, whom he defeated in the Wimbledon final. More than anything, Djokovic is excited to get started as he attempts to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the Grand Slam.

“I’m very inspired to play my best tennis here. I don’t want to say it’s now or never for me because I think I’m going to have more opportunities in my life to win Slams. I don’t know if I’m going to be having more opportunities to win Calendar Slams,” Djokovic said. “That’s why it’s a very unique opportunity. At the same time, I don’t need to put any additional pressure to what I already have, which is pretty big from my own self and from of course people around me.

“But I thrive under pressure, as well. I’ve done that many times in my career. Pressure is a privilege, it truly is. This is what you work for day-in, day-out, all your life, to put yourself in a unique position to win Grand Slams and to make history. At the end of the day, I’m a big tennis fan, [a] fan of history. I admire this sport. I love it. I have this chance, and I’m going to try to use it.”

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Favourite Or Villain, Medvedev Just Happy To Have Fans Back At US Open

  • Posted: Aug 27, 2021

Second seed Daniil Medvedev is excited that fans will once again be in attendance at the US Open this year, having enjoyed an evolving relationship with them on his run to the 2019 final.

The Russian ‘energised’ fans at times two years ago in New York, crediting them with his success after matches in which they had cheered against the 25-year-old during his fiery run.

However, Medvedev’s battling performance against Rafael Nadal in the championship match, in which he rallied from two sets down to force a fifth set, won him admiration and support from the crowd, leaving people with a soft spot for the World No. 2 as it came full circle. With these memories in Medvedev’s head, he is eager to see the reaction he will get this year.

“[I’m] really happy that there is going to be full crowd capacity in New York,” Medvedev said in his pre-tournament press conference. “That’s just huge. That’s cool. Actually, it’s funny because I don’t know, it’s tough to say if it’s going to be the same people or [if] nobody remembers two years ago.

“I just hope, because it finished on a good note, it’s going to continue the same way. I love a New York crowd. It was an amazing experience in 2019 in every aspect. I’m just curious to see what it’s going to be like again on my first match. I’m going to try just the best I can to show a good level of tennis and by this way to make fans support me.”

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is aiming to overtake Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, all tied on 20 majors, by triumphing in New York to clinch a record-breaking 21st major title. With victory, the 34-year-old will also become just the second man in the Open Era alongside Rod Laver to complete a Grand Slam at the US Open.

Although Medvedev is full of respect for the Serbian, whom he fell to in the Australian Open final in February, he is determined to stop Djokovic from creating more history over the next fortnight.

“He [Djokovic] is just amazing,” Medvedev said. “I want to say I’m going to try my best to keep it at 20 for all of them. I’m sure Novak wants 45 slams, playing until he is 55. But we’re here to try to keep up his level and to beat him.

“We’re here to not let him win the US Open. If I talk just for myself, I want to win the US Open. I don’t care if it’s in the final against a qualifier or against Novak. I just want to win this tournament.”

Medvedev arrives in New York in strong form. He captured his fourth ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto and also reached the semi-finals in Cincinnati. The Russian, who faces Richard Gasquet in the first round, is fully focused on maintaining this level at the US Open as he targets his first major title.

“Now I have two finals, [I] need to win, to make a better result at a Slam,” Medvedev said. “I was playing well in both Toronto and Cincinnati, quite similar conditions, hot, humid. I just want to continue [at] this level. When I play well, I know that I can cause trouble to my opponents. That’s the most important.”

To achieve success at Flushing Meadows, Medvedev is aiming to tactically out-think his opponents, comparing the sport to chess as he manoeuvres players around the court with his variety of shots.

“Since I was young, I was always hearing about other players, top players before, that tennis is similar to chess. So, when I’m on the court I never think about chess, but I’m thinking, which shot do I do next to make my opponent in trouble? That’s what you do in chess. You think about three shots in advance. I think that’s a little bit tougher in tennis because it goes so much faster.

“I think that’s a little bit tougher in tennis because, well, it goes so much faster. It’s not like your opponent made a shot and you are there for two minutes saying, ‘okay, where do I go next?’ But you do this in practice. You work with your coach. You play two cross-courts, one down the line, your opponents go cross, you try to hit it down the line, you go to the net, whatever. These things, they become automatic for you on the court.”

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#NextGenATP Alcaraz Eyes First Hard-Court Final In Winston-Salem

  • Posted: Aug 27, 2021

#NextGenATP Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz reiterated his intentions to add a second ATP Tour title to his resume after he dismissed American Marcos Giron in straight sets in the Winston-Salem Open quarter-finals on Thursday.

The 18-year-old advanced to his third tour-level semi-final and first on hard courts with a 7-6(2), 6-2 victory over the No. 65 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. The one-hour, 40-minute victory booked a showdown with Mikael Ymer, following the Swede’s 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-3 trumph over 13th seed Frances Tiafoe.

Alcaraz is the last seed standin and makes no secret of his desire to clinch the title. After falling in his first tour-level semi-final in Marbella (l. to Munar), he went all the way in Umag.

“I thought that I’m able to win the tournament in the first round. I think I have the game, I’m playing really, really well,” Alcaraz said. “I’m feeling really comfortable on court.”

The Spaniard fell to Ymer in the pair’s only prior ATP Head2Head meeting in the second round of this year’s Australian Open. But the teenager felt he had grown as a player in the time since and favoured his chances against the 22-year-old.

“I’m really happy to make my first ATP semi-final on hard court, really excited to play,” Alcaraz said. “I played him once in Australia. He beat me… I think I’m ready and I’m hoping to be able to get the win.

“Everybody knows he’s a great player, really tough but I’m ready for this battle. I played him in Australia but I’m more ready than I was in Australia,” he added in his on-court interview.

Alcaraz won 73 per cent of first-serve points and 70 per cent on second serves against Giron. He broke just once from six chances.

Earlier, Ymer pulled off a come-from-behind victory to improve his ATP Head2Head record against Tiafoe to 2-1. Despite having the shots to hurt his opponent throughout, Tiafoe was unable to inflict any doubt on the Swede, who refused to be fazed.

The American lost the rhythm and patience he displayed in the opening set as increasingly overplayed in the final set. Ymer fended off five break points in the opening game of the third set alone.

“I feel good. It’s fun playing a tournament again after a couple of weeks off training in Stockholm,” Ymer said. “I think it was important today to stay composed. Frances is obviously very talented and can come up with great shots and good variety in his game. Staying composed and just waiting for an opening was a very important task today.”

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Lorenzi Retires: 'The Best Journey Of My Life'

  • Posted: Aug 27, 2021

Paolo Lorenzi, the 39-year-old Italian known among his peers for his tireless work ethic and friendly demeanour, played his final match on Thursday in the second round of US Open qualifying. Frenchman Maxime Janvier eliminated the veteran 6-4, 6-3.

“No more professional tennis. That’s what I was thinking, to finish in New York. I’ve always loved New York, so I think it’s a good place to stop,” Lorenzi told ATPTour.com. “Everything was more difficult and I had a few injuries at the beginning of the year, so I knew that my body was not like before anymore. You have to know when it’s time to finish.”

The final game of the match was fitting for Lorenzi, who saved three match points and earned a break point to get back on serve before bowing out. Afterwards, Lorenzi spent about two hours chatting with a few friends who were in attendance just a few strides from the court.

“I would like to finish every match trying every chance, every moment in the match to try my best,” Lorenzi said. “I hope that this is a good memory.”

Paolo Lorenzi
Paolo Lorenzi takes a picture with his friends after his first-round qualifying match at the US Open.
The US Open was a special tournament for Lorenzi, who is now a Florida resident. The Italian lost his first 13 major main draw matches before winning one at Flushing Meadows in 2014. His three best Slam results came in New York, where he made the fourth round in 2017 and the third round on two more occasions.

“Every time I’m here, I’m happy, so that’s why I chose New York [to retire],” Lorenzi said. “It’s strange. Of course I know that one part of my life is finished, for sure the best part. I was lucky. My passion was my work, so I cannot ask for anything more than that.

“But I’m also happy because I was trying my best. From when I was young, I was trying to be a professional tennis player. I made it.”

Lorenzi did not break into the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings until he was 27. But in 2016 at age 34, the Rome native became the oldest first-time singles champion in ATP Tour history (since 1990) when he triumphed in Kitzbühel.

One year later, Lorenzi climbed to a career-high World No. 33. He also won 421 ATP Challenger Tour matches and 21 titles at that level, good for second and third, respectively, on each all-time list.

Lorenzi is not positive what is next, but he plans to remain in tennis. The Italian worked for Sky Italia during Wimbledon, where he interviewed the likes of Roger Federer, and is set to work in a similar capacity this November in Turin at the Nitto ATP Finals. He also is considering coaching in the future.

“[I want to] share my passion with all the other people. I hope it’s going to work,” Lorenzi said. “I was trying to be focused until New York, because my goal was to try to play my best tennis. From now on I will try to do something else.”

 

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Lorenzi thanked his wife, Elisa, and the rest of his family for all their support. He also shared his gratitude for the fans, who backed him throughout his lengthy career.

Lorenzi admitted that if there was one thing that he was sad about Thursday, it was that he hoped to qualify for the main draw to have one more opportunity to play in front of spectators. There are no fans in attendance for US Open qualifying this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would like them to remember me as a player who was trying his best every time on court and was fighting until the end,” Lorenzi said. “This was the best journey of my life. I really enjoyed every moment. Every time I was on court, it was a dream that came true.”

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#NextGenATP Rune On A Roll In US Open Qualifying

  • Posted: Aug 27, 2021

#NextGenATP player Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune’s winning streak is up to 12 matches following a straight-sets triumph over Mitchell Krueger in the second round of US Open qualifying on Thursday.

The Danish 18-year-old, who won back-to-back ATP Challenger titles in San Marino and Verona leading in, landed a 6-4, 6-1 victory over the American in 73 minutes for his second straight-sets victory in succession in New York. The No. 145 in the FedEx ATP Rankings won 81 per cent of first-serve points, including four aces, and 69 per cent on second-serve points.

The 2019 junior Roland Garros champion will next meet Mats Moraing for a place in his maiden Grand Slam main draw. The German progressed 7-6(3), 6-1 over Australian 10th seed Christopher O’Connell.

Turkey’s Cem Ilkel passed the second round of Grand Slam qualifying for the first time with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over former World No. 7 and two-time US Open quarter-finalist Fernando Verdasco. The 26-year-old World No. 189 defeated the 16th seed in two hours and 24 minutes.

ilkel

It was the 37-year-old Verdasco’s first Grand Slam qualifying attempt since the 2004 Australian Open. Ilkel will next meet Jiri Lehecka for a place in the main draw after the Czech saved a match point in the second-set tie-break to deny Ukrainian 32nd seed Illya Marchenko 4-6, 7-6(10), 6-4.

Former World No. 14 Ivo Karlovic kept his retirement plans on ice for at least another round after the Croatian defeated Bolivian 17th seed Hugo Dellien 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-2. Five years since he reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, the 42-year-old hammered 23 aces and won 90 per cent of first-serve points. He will face 15th seed Yuichi Sugita for a main draw berth, following the Japanese player’s 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4) win over Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Former World No. 10 Ernests Gulbis closed to within one win of a first main draw berth at Flushing Meadows in four years. The Latvian dropped just three points on his first serve and never faced a break point in a 6-4, 7-5 victory against Slovak Filip Horansky.

The two-hour, eight-minute victory set a third-round qualifying clash with Quentin Halys. The 24-year-old Frenchman secured a 7-6(6), 6-4 win over Poland’s Kacper Zuk on the back of 89 per cent of first-serve points won, including 18 aces.

American Aleksandar Kovacevic sprung the upset of the day over top seed Benjamin Bonzi, 6-3, 6-4. The World No. 410 overcame a 316-place gap in the FedEX ATP Rankings to defeat the Frenchman in 93 minutes.

Kovacevic hit eight aces and won 78 per cent of first-serve points. He will next meet Marco Trungelliti in the third round of qualifying after the Argentine’s 6-4, 6-4 win over 25th seed Liam Broady.

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Ruusuvuori Takes Down Gasquet For Winston-Salem Semi-Final Berth

  • Posted: Aug 27, 2021

A first ATP Tour hard-court final will be on the line when Emil Ruusuvuori and Ilya Ivashka square off in the Winston-Salem Open semi-finals following the pair’s respective straight-sets upsets on Thursday. Ruusuvuori took down former No. 7 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, Richard Gasquet, 7-6(5), 6-1 to reach his third tour-level semi-final.

Ivashka earlier rode an impressive day on serve as he saw off top seed and 2016 champion Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6(2), 6-3. As with Ruusuvuori, it was the third straight seed he had felled to reach his third career semi-final.

Frenchman Gasquet made early inroads against Ruusuvuori and carried his advantage to serve for the opening set at 5-4 only to be broken. With the first set in the bag, the floodgates opened for the 22-year-old Finnish player as Gasquet was visibly struggling in the hot and humid conditions.

Ruusuvuori, who also reached the semi-finals in Atlanta a month ago, closed out the clash at the 93-minute mark on his fourth break. He won 78 per cent of first-serve points and 56 per cent on of second-serve points.

“I thought that first set was a very high level. He’s a great player. He’s been playing on tour almost more years than I have in my life,” he said. “The break back [in the first set] was key. Obviously, we saw that everything wasn’t quite there physically with him so that’s a pity.”

Ivashka improved his ATP Head2Head to 1-2 against Carreno Busta as he notched his second tour-level semi-final of the season, following his run to the final in Munich in May. The 27-year-old Belarusian defeated Ruusuvuori en route to that runner-up showing in the pair’s only prior ATP Head2Head meeting.

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“Of course it’s a great feeling. I had a great match today. These conditions suit me,” Ivashka said. “I think he had more pressure because he’s the top seed so for me it was a good challenge to see what my level is and to compete with these guys, so for me it was a great match.

“I think I was playing very aggressive and I was not giving a lot of time to him, trying to push him from the return from the baseline. I was trying to go to the net to play as aggressively as I could and it worked.”

The 27-year-old lost just nine points on serve and never faced a break point. He claimed 86 per cent of first-serve points and 73 per cent on his second serve.

“It could be one of the best [serving performances of season]. I was not thinking during the match about this statistic but it was obviously working well because he didn’t have a break point and he’s a great returner,” Ivashka said. “If I gave him more chances I think he would be harder.”

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