Tennis News

Tirante upsets Rublev in Bastad: 'best week of my life'; Ruud falls

It was an upset-filled Wednesday at the Nordea Open, bookended with the top two seeds falling.

Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante earned his biggest career win in the last match of the day, stunning World No. 8 and defending champion Andrey Rublev 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4. Thiago Monteiro opened the day by ousting second seed and 2021 titlist Casper Ruud.

The 23-year-old Tirante, No. 121 in the PIF ATP Rankings, responded to Rublev’s firepower with heavy hitting of his own to claim his first Top 20 win and reach his maiden tour-level quarter-final. 

“I think I played a great match,” Tirante said. “This is the first match I’ve played with so many people, so I was very nervous. It was my first meeting against a Top 10 [player].

“I’m very happy to play my best tennis here. I didn’t have good weeks before and this is the best of my life, so I will remember Sweden forever.”

Tirante is enjoying his career-best season, having first cracked the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings in March and winning the ATP Challenger Tour 125 event in Mexico City a month later. Tirante’s two-hour, 23-minute win against Rublev was his sixth tour-level victory and fourth this year. He will face Roberto Carballes Baena in the last eight. The Spaniard earlier rallied past Denis Yevseyev 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Monteiro, 30, defeated Ruud 6-3, 6-3 to capture his first win against the Norwegian in four Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings. The Brazilian faces qualifier Duje Ajdukovic in the quarter-finals following the Croatian’s 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3 victory against eighth seed Pavel Kotov.

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#NextGenATP Q2 Review: Fils & Shang break new ground

Several #NextGenATP stars continued to impress on the ATP Tour in recent months, with Arthur Fils and Shang Juncheng earning standout results.

ATPTour.com looks at those in contention to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, to be held from 18-22 December in Jeddah.

View PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah

Fils makes major breakthrough
Arthur Fils achieved his best result at a major earlier this month at Wimbledon, where he reached the fourth round for the first time. The 20-year-old moved past Dominic Stricker and Hubert Hurkacz before he survived in five sets against Roman Safiullin.

Fils also enjoyed quarter-final runs at ATP 500 events in Barcelona and Halle in recent months, while he lifted the ATP Challenger Tour title at the 175 event in Bordeaux.

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/07/07/01/02/fils-wimbledon-2024-saturday-2.jpg” alt=”Arthur Fils defeats Roman Safiullin in five sets on Saturday at Wimbledon.” style=”width: 100%;” />
_{^{Photo Credit: Getty Images}}
On court, the 20-year-old has put on a show and leads the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. Off-court, the Frenchman has plans to stay in the spotlight.

“At one point I would love to be an actor but I don’t think it is possible at the moment,” Fils told ATPTour.com at Wimbledon. “After my career maybe I would love to. Acting is super cool. I never did any acting at school but I just love it because I love watching movies.

“I really like Michael B. Jordan. He is in a lot of great movies and it also seems a super cool life. I also really like Leonardo DiCaprio. I just love watching action movies and series. I like Power and Top Boy is great. Being in London, now is the time to watch Top Boy. But I like watching actors, so who knows in the future if it is for me.”

Shang creates history
Shang Juncheng made history at Wimbledon, where he became the first Chinese man to win a match at the grass-court major. The 19-year-old lefty defeated Cristian Garin in the first round before he lost to Grigor Dimitrov in five sets.

Cheering him on in west London were his parents, who were both former professional athletes.

“When I got into tennis, as athletes they both helped,” Shang told ATPTour.com at Wimbledon. “My mum played an individual sport, she knows how to compete by herself and then also having her team help her. My dad playing a team sport was a little bit different, but with physical contact, he knows how important fitness is and measures to help prevent injury, so I think it’s really perfect for me as a kid to start like that in a family who understands. I’m fortunate they’ve taught me so many things, basically everything I know, and it’s just really positive.”

Shang, currently third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, also impressed on the grass in Eastbourne, where he advanced to his second tour-level quarter-final of the season (Hong Kong SF).

Michelsen shines in Geneva & Mallorca
American Alex Michelsen is trying to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF for the second consecutive year.

The 19-year-old earned his best results of Q2 in Geneva and Mallorca to boost his Jeddah chances. Michelsen clinched his second Top 20 win when he defeated Taylor Fritz en route to the last eight on clay in Geneva, before he advanced to the quarter-finals in Spain, becoming the youngest winner in tournament history.

“That’s pretty cool,” Michelsen said. “I had no idea that that was going to be a statistic, so I’m super happy with that.”

Mensik remains in contention
Jakub Mensik started Q2 by advancing to the third round at an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time in Madrid. The 18-year-old earned his second Top 10 win of the season in the Spanish capital, where he upset Grigor Dimitrov.

The Czech star then missed Roland Garros due to a right arm injury but returned to perform well on his tour-level debut on grass, reaching the quarter-finals in Mallorca. Mensik is currently second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and is hoping to seal his qualification spot in the coming months.

“Before the season, I set the goal to qualify for Jeddah and to play there. I think that I’m doing pretty well so far and it would be great to play this kind of event because for us young players it is pretty exciting,” Mensik told ATPTour.com in June. “It is a good opportunity to see how it works and to taste something from the background of the ATP. I think that is what I want to play at the end of this season.”

Van Assche, Fonseca in the mix
Luca Van Assche, Joao Fonseca, Henrique Rocha and Gonzalo Bueno currently occupy spots fifth to eighth in the Live Race To Jeddah.

Frenchman Van Assche, 20, reached the semis at a Challenger Tour event in Germany in June, while 17-year-old Brazilian Fonseca advanced to his second tour-level quarter-final in Bucharest.

Portugal’s Rocha, 20, reached the title match at a Challenger Tour tournament in Slovakia and Peruvian Bueno won a trophy at that level in Chile. Fonseca, Rocha and Bueno, 20, are aiming to make their debuts at the 20-and-under event in Jeddah.

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International Tennis Hall of Fame announces combined ATP-WTA 125 event in 2025

The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) announced on Wednesday a revamped Hall of Fame Open, including ATP Challenger 125 and WTA 125-level tournaments.

Scheduled for 6-13 July 2025, the Hall of Fame Open will become just the second combined men’s and women’s 125-level event in the United States. It will be the only grass-court stop on the Hologic WTA Tour outside of Europe, and the first women’s professional tournament at the ITHF since the Virginia Slims of Newport concluded in 1990. Equal prize money will be awarded to both the men’s and women’s draws. 

“The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a global representation of the sport, and there is no better way to reflect that worldwide impact than to welcome women’s professional tennis back to Newport,” said Hall of Fame Open Tournament Director Brewer Rowe. “We are pleased to welcome the Hologic WTA Tour in concert with our ATP partners and are thrilled to provide fans with double the tennis starting next summer.”

“Elite tennis has been a part of Newport’s history since 1881. The 2025 Hall of Fame Open represents the next exciting chapter in the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s rich history of honouring the sport,” stated ITHF CEO Dan Faber. “Our distinctive venue and traditions will continue to deliver an exceptional experience for tennis fans in New England.” 

Both the ATP Challenger and WTA 125 draws will consist of 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams. The WTA event will feature an 8-player qualifying draw, with a 24-player qualifying draw for the Challenger Tour event . Matches will be played on five courts simultaneously for at least four days of action.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Celebration will remain in Newport and moved to August, with more event details to be announced.  

Melissa Pine, Vice President, WTA 125 Operations, said: “The Hologic WTA Tour is excited to return to Newport for the first time in nearly 25 years. As one of tennis’ most iconic venues, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is the perfect location to extend the grass season for our players. We are proud to work with the ITHF on this incredible opportunity for both organizations.”

Eric Lamquet, Director, ATP Challenger Tour, said: “The ATP is pleased to continue its longstanding relationship with the International Tennis Hall of Fame as the newest Challenger Tour venue. Newport will continue to be a highlight of the grass season and provide a world-class experience for our players.”

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Tsitsipas tops Medjedovic in Gstaad opener

In a battle of former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champions, Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Hamad Medjedovic 7-6(6), 6-3 on Wednesday to earn a debut win at the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad.

The top-seeded Greek saved four set points in the first set — three from 0/40 at 4-5 and another at 5/6 in the tie-break — but managed to snatch the opener before claiming the second set behind the lone break of the match.

“Hamad played great today,” Tsitsipas said of the 2023 Jeddah champion. “From the start of the match it was difficult for me to figure it out. He put out a great effort to put me in trouble.”

First W in Gstaad for @steftsitsipas 🙌💪

No. 1 seed Tsisipas takes the win with an ace over Medjedovic 7-6(6) 6-3@SwissOpenGstaad | #SwissOpenGstaad pic.twitter.com/LOYkK5CoP3

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 17, 2024

Tsitsipas saved all five break points against him, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and raised his level as the match wore on to improve to 22-1 in opening rounds on clay since the start of 2021.

“The tie-break was a great comeback from my side. I fought so hard and was very effective towards the end,” said the Greek, mentioning his serve and forehand as two key shots in the victory.

After beating Medjedovic in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, Tsitsipas will next meet seventh seed Fabio Fognini. The Italian reached his 76th tour-level quarter-final and his 51st on clay with a 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 win against qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas earlier on Wednesday.

Fourth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry also advanced on centre court with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win against Botic van de Zandschulp, improving to 9-1 in opening rounds on clay this season.

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Zverev shakes off pain during Hamburg win

Alexander Zverev enjoyed a comfortable first-round win at the Hamburg Open Wednesday but conceded that he continues to manage pain in his left knee resulting from a nasty fall at Wimbledon.

The World No. 4, who overextended his knee during a slip and fall in a third-round win over Cameron Norrie at the grass-court major, dropped just seven points on his first serve and did not face a break point in a 6-2, 6-2 win over Jesper de Jong.

“I was still unsure this morning if I was going to play or not and during the warm-up I was in quite a lot of pain,” said Zverev, who has a bone edema and tear in the capsule of his knee. “But somehow when I step on this court it disappears a little bit when the adrenaline gets going.

“I have an injury where I know where I stand and it will take time to heal. It won’t heal in the next few days, it will take weeks and it’s up to me if I am going to play like that or not.”

Making a successful transition from his fourth-round run at Wimbledon to the clay on home soil in Germany, the defending champion collected his 41st match win of the season and improved to 12-1 in first-round outings this season.

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Billie Jean King Cup Finals moved to Malaga

The 12-team women’s competition will take place in November at the same venue as the men’s Davis Cup Finals.

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ATP Tour & Fitline forge global partnership

The ATP has announced a multi-year global partnership with Fitline, the premium sports nutrition brand. Fitline becomes the Official Sports Nutrition Partner and Official Energy Bar Partner of the ATP Tour through 2026.

Fitline’s premium range of products are designed for athletic performance and to support energy as well as immune function. The global brand, developed and distributed exclusively by PM-International, offers a variety of supplements that can be tailored to meet individual needs.

Through the new partnership, Fitline will receive global exposure across the ATP Tour’s social, editorial and digital channels. It underscores the partners’ shared commitment to supporting athletic performance and clean sport, and builds on Fitline’s partnership portfolio in professional sport, spanning athlete ambassadors and governing bodies.

Massimo Calvelli, ATP CEO, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Fitline to the ATP Tour’s partner roster. The synergies between our brands are evident, with both organisations dedicated to optimising athletic performance. This partnership reflects the ATP Tour’s appeal to global partners and our strength in engaging fans digitally.”

Rolf Sorg, PM-International CEO, added: “Through our partnership with the ATP Tour, we are proud that our sports nutrition is now represented on one of the largest stages in global professional sports. We’re excited to connect with tennis fans worldwide and continue sharing our passion to support professional and amateur sports in the community.”

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Challenger Q2: #NextGenATP teens Schwaerzler, Debru shine

Joel Schwaerzler and Gabriel Debru headlined a handful of young stars to enjoy a standout second quarter on the ATP Challenger Tour. The #NextGenATP teens lifted their maiden ATP Challenger Tour titles and became the youngest champions of 2024 at that level.

ATPTour.com looks at some of the key moments on the ATP Challenger Tour from Q2:

#NextGenATP Champions:
The Austrian Schwaerzler entered the record books at the Skopje Challenger, where he became just the fourth player to win an ATP Challenger Tour title while holding the Junior No. 1 ranking. Nick Kyrgios, Taylor Fritz and Wu Yibing previously accomplished the feat. “I was kind of surprised. I knew I could win matches there, but to actually win the tournament is something different,” said the 18-year-old Schwaerzler, the youngest Challenger champion this season.

Debru, 18, became the youngest French Challenger champion since 2017 by winning in Troyes. The only Frenchmen to win a Challenger title at a younger age than Debru are Richard Gasquet, Fabrice Santoro, Gael Monfils and Corentin Moutet.

Youngest ATP Challenger Tour champions in 2024

Learner Tien’s marathon effort at the Bloomfield Hills Challenger came with a great reward. The 18-year-old, who needed a deciding set in all five of his matches, became the youngest American Challenger champion since 2016, when an 18-year-old Frances Tiafoe won in Granby, Canada.

Arthur Fils triumphed on home soil in Bordeaux, France, one of five ATP Challenger 175 events, the highest category at that level. “It was a perfect week for me,” said Fils, first in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. The 20-year-old is aiming for a return trip to the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, where he was a finalist last year.

Peruvian Gonzalo Bueno scored his second ATP Challenger Tour title of the season in Concepcion. The 20-year-old is eighth in the PIF ATP Live Rankings To Jeddah.

Stepping Up:
Three players have won titles on both the ATP Challenger Tour and ATP Tour this season: Alejandro Tabilo, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Luciano Darderi. The Chilean Tabilo was crowned champion at the 175 tournament in Aix-en-Provence, France a week before his Rome upset of then World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Tabilo built upon his momentum and claimed his second tour-level crown in Mallorca, having also won in Auckland this season.

Mpetshi Perricard quickly garnered the attention of the tennis world in the second quarter of 2024. The 6’8” Frenchman enjoyed back-to-back titles in Mexico and a month later, he capped a dream run at his home tournament, the ATP 250 event in Lyon. Mpetshi Perricard saved a championship point against Tomas Martin Etcheverry to lift his maiden tour-level title.

‘Gio’ reached the fourth round of Wimbledon as a lucky loser, including a first-round five-set victory, during which Mpetshi Perricard hammered 51 aces, against 20th seed Sebastian Korda.

Darderi, who won the Cordoba ATP 250 in February, was dominant in winning the Perugia Challenger last month. The 22-year-old did not drop a set all week and ascended to a career-high No. 34 after becoming the first Italian to win in Perugia across nine editions of the tournament.

Comesana, Walton Crack Top 100:
Argentine Francisco Comesana and Australian Adam Walton made their Top 100 breakthrough after entering the winners’ circle. Comesana, who stunned Andrey Rublev in the first round of Wimbledon, won the Oeiras Challenger in April to secure a double-digit ranking next to his name. Walton became a part of that elite group after winning the Taipei Challenger.

Shang Juncheng, Zizou Bergs and Mpetshi Perricard also made their Top 100 debuts this quarter.

Title Leaders:
Resurgent players such as Lloyd Harris and Damir Dzumhur are among five men to win three ATP Challenger Tour titles this season. Harris, 27, returned to the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time in 21 months following his maiden grass-court title at the Surbiton Challenger. In April, the South African collected back-to-back titles in Asia. Dzumhur continued his pursuit of a Top 100 return with title runs in Barletta, Ostrava and Zagreb.

Valentin Vacherot, Jozef Kovalik and Mpetshi Perricard have also earned a trio of ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2024.

Fast Facts:

• Match wins leader: Adam Walton (30).
• Highest win percentage: Valentin Vacherot (87.5).
• France leads all countries with 16 titles.
• Francesco Passaro became the first player since Robin Soderling in 2009 (Sunrise) to defeat five Top 100 players en route to a Challenger trophy (Turin).
• The Cagliari final (Mariano Navone d. Lorenzo Musetti) marked the first ATP Challenger Tour title match between two Top 50 players since 2009, when No. 26 Robin Soderling defeated No. 22 Tomas Berdych in Sunrise.
• Cagliari champion Navone became the first player in the Open Era to be seeded in his first major main draw (Roland Garros).
• With Tabilo’s upset against Djokovic in Rome, the 27-year-old became the sixth player since 2010 to win an ATP Challenger Tour title and down a World No. 1 in the same season. Tabilo joined Luca Nardi as players to achieve the feat this year.
• Mpetshi Perricard joined Richard Gasquet, Ugo Humbert and Corentin Moutet as the only French players to win four Challenger titles before their 21st birthday.
• Ergi Kirkin became the fourth Turkish Challenger champion with his triumph in Porto Alegre, joining Altug Celikbilek, Cem Ilkel and Marsel Ilhan.
• Nick Hardt became the second Challenger champion from Dominican Republic (Victor Estrella Burgos) by winning in Madrid.

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