Tennis News

Saville/Vukic save MP to reach Newport SFs

Luke Saville and Aleksandar Vukic saved a match point Thursday to upset second seeds Julian Cash and Robert Galloway at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open.

The Aussies earned a 6-4, 6-7(3), 13-11 victory to reach the semi-finals after fending off all six break points they faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Saville and Vukic, who saved a match point at 9/10 in the Match Tie-break, will next meet sixth seeds Andre Goransson and Sem Verbeek or Americans Mackenzie McDonald and Alex Michelsen.

In the top half of the draw, Indians Anirudh Chandrasekar and Arjun Kadhe defeated Christian Harrison and Vasil Kirkov 6-4, 1-6, 10-7 while Robert Cash and James Tracy won the all-American clash against Evan King and Reese Stalder 7-6(6), 7-5.

Second seeds cruise in Hamburg
Home favourites and defending champions Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz made a confident start to their title defence on Thursday at the Hamburg Open.

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/07/18/17/19/puetz-krawietz-hamburg-2024-thursday.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Tim Puetz/Kevin Krawietz” />
^{Tim Puetz and Kevin Krawietz in first-round action on Thursday at the Hamburg Open. Credit: Hamburg Open ATP500/Mathias Schulz}

The second-seeded duo triumphed 6-1, 6-4 against Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth after converting three of six break points they earned. Krawietz and Puetz, who are chasing their first tour-level title since their 2023 triumph at the ATP 500, will take on fifth seeds Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in the quarter-finals.

Fabien Reboul and Edouard Roger-Vasselin became the first semi-finalists in Hamburg this year by defeating Lloyd Glasspool and Jean-Julien Rojer 6-4, 3-6, 10-6. Despite losing out in an epic third point of the match, during which they displayed some remarkable defence to force Glasspool and Rojer to hit seven smashes, Reboul and Roger-Vasselin ultimately prevailed with a strong Match Tie-break display.

Top seeds make great escape in Bastad
At the Nordea Open, Gonzalo Escobar and Aleksandr Nedovyesov kept their bid for a second ATP Tour crown of the year alive with a dramatic quarter-final triumph against Federico Coria and Taro Daniel. The top-seeded Escobar and Nedovyesov saved a match point at 8/9 in the Match Tie-break before wrapping a 4-6, 6-3, 11-9 triumph at the clay-court ATP 250.

Manuel Guinard and Gregoire Jacq will be the semi-final opponents in Sweden for Estoril champions Escobar and Nedovyesov. In the only other doubles match of the day, third seeds Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos defeated Pavel Kotov and Piotr Matuszewski 6-3, 7-6(4). The Brazilians will play star wild card duo Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud in the last four.

Humbert/Martin cause QF upset in Gstaad
Ugo Humbert and Fabrice Martin overcame Jamie Murray and Adam Pavlasek 7-6(3), 6-2 on Thursday to become the only unseeded pair to reach the semi-finals at the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad. The French duo saved both break points they faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats, en route to downing the top-seeded Murray and Pavlasek in 74 minutes.

A day after saving three match points in their opening-round win, Petros Tsitsipas and Stefanos Tsitsipas let slip two match points as eighth seeds Andre Begemann and Victor Cornea ensured they would be Humbert and Martin’s semi-final opponents. The German-Romanian duo won four straight points from 7/9 in the Match Tie-break to defeat the Tsitsipas brothers 7-6(3), 3-6, 11-9.

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/07/18/17/32/begemann-cornea-gstaad-2024-thursday.jpg” style=”width: 100%;” alt=”Victor Cornea/Andre Begemann” />

_{^{Victor Cornea and Andre Begemann defeat Petros Tsitsipas and Stefanos Tsitsipas on Thursday in Gstaad. Photo Credit: Fabian Meierhans/EFG Swiss Open Gstaad 2024}}

What to know about the 2024 ATP Doubles Trial implemented this week in Hamburg, Gstaad and Newport

• Singles versus doubles team matches in the first round whenever possible by increasing the number of doubles seeded teams to 8 (up from 4)
• 21 seconds between all points
• 60-second changeovers with a time call after 40 seconds. Points should start at the 60-second mark at the latest
• Free crowd movement
• Doubles-only court (when possible)

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Michelsen reaches Newport SFs, surges to 2nd in Jeddah Race

#NextGenATP Alex Michelsen is enjoying deja vu at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open, where he is into his second tour-level semi-final after defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday.

A year on since his dream run in Newport, reaching the final in just his second ATP Tour event, the 19-year-old American is aiming to go one step further to claim his maiden tour-level title.

Michelsen was squeaky clean from the baseline and showed soft hands up at the net to follow yesterday’s victory against 2022 champion Maxime Cressy. The third-youngest player in the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings, Michelsen’s lone break of serve in each set was enough to secure a one-hour, 25-minute victory.

“I played two pretty ridiculous return games, like I did against Cressy. It’s like deja vu, two four-and-four matches. Super happy with the win,” said Michelsen, who leads 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Kovacevic, having also beaten the 25-year-old in Geneva this year.

Following his quarter-final win, the third seed is up two places to second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. The California native is seeking a return trip to the 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, which runs from 18-22 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Michelsen next faces Reilly Opelka, who downed Mackenzie McDonald 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 after firing 27 aces, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Opelka, competing in his first ATP Tour event since 2022 Washington, dropped just six points behind his first serve in what was his third consecutive deciding-set win. The former World No. 17, currently No. 1188 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is the lowest-ranked semi-finalist in the ATP Tour era (since 1990).

In other Newport action, second seed Marcos Giron polished off a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory against Benoit Paire to reach the quarter-finals. Giron and Paire’s second-round match was suspended due to darkness Wednesday with the Frenchman leading 6-4, 1-0. Giron, 30, tallied five consecutive games from 1-4 in the third set to survive. The American is now tied at his career-high No. 44 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

Did You Know?
Six Americans reached the Newport quarter-finals, marking the most players from one nation in an ATP Tour quarter-final round since seven Frenchmen did so in 2009 (Lyon). It marks the most Americans in an ATP Tour quarter-final round since 2008 Delray Beach (six).

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'Not always beautiful tennis,' but Felix sets Gstaad QF with Berrettini

Third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime is up and running at the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad, where on Thursday the Canadian defeated 2017 finalist Yannick Hanfmann 7-6(6), 6-2.

Auger-Aliassime is into his fourth quarter-final of the season, three of which have come on clay, including a runner-up finish in Madrid. The World No. 18 in the PIF ATP Rankings is seeking his maiden title on that surface.

A slow start was not enough to deter the 23-year-old, who raised his level after erasing three set points in the opening set. Auger-Aliassime saved a set point on serve at 4-5 and again at 5-6 before gaining the advantage in the first-set tie-break, during which he trailed 1/4 and won three consecutive points from 5/6.

“It was a tough start from me. With the conditions, the wind, the altitude. I was glad I was able to come back in the first set, that was key,” Auger-Aliassime said. “It was not always beautiful tennis. Sometimes big mistakes on both sides, but in the end to get that one was crucial for me today.

“I started serving better after my first game. Returning also, finding the right position. I was testing things out in the first set… It was good to come back. It was good to find solutions.”

Came out of the dust with a win 🙌🏽🇨🇭
Another one up tomorrow 💪🏽

📸: @SwissOpenGstaad pic.twitter.com/OTMl7Rd5Oy

— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) July 18, 2024

Up next for the five-time tour-level titlist is sixth seed and 2018 champion Matteo Berrettini, who raced past Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4, 6-2. The Italian leads Auger-Aliassime 4-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with Friday’s encounter marking their first match on clay.

Brazilian qualifier Gustavo Heide earned his first Top 50 victory by upsetting second seed Ugo Humbert 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-3. Heide, 22, is into his first tour-level quarter-final and will next face fellow qualifier Quentin Halys, who overcame Lukas Klein 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-4. 

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After curbing enthusiasm, Opelka makes sudden impact in Newport return

Through two matches at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Reilly Opelka does not seem to have skipped a beat despite missing nearly two years of action. On Wednesday, the big-serving American powered past tricky grass-court foe and defending champion Adrian Mannarino in three sets to reach the quarter-finals.

Most noticeable at the ATP 250 has not been a particular aspect of the home favourite’s game, but the good spirits in which he has been around the grounds of his first tour-level event since August 2022 in Washington. Just weeks after that tournament, Opelka underwent surgery on his hip.

“The hip was the best thing that happened. It was the easiest surgery, it improved my tennis,” Opelka told ATPTour.com. “I can sit further into my right leg. It changed. It was a minor surgery, kind of. I had a tumorous growth in there that we had to dig out and while he did that he improved the shape of the joint.”

Good news, right? Great news, really, making one of the biggest servers in history even more dangerous. But in early 2023 Opelka underwent right wrist surgery and that is where the complications began.

“I feel really good 1721389891,” Opelka said Wednesday. “If you asked me two months ago, I would have told you terrible.”

The wrist surgery proved unsuccessful, which has kept Opelka out ever since.

“When you’re in a sling with your elbow immobilised and the cast up to [the upper arm] for five months, I couldn’t even straighten my arm. So imagine for a tennis player if you can’t even straighten your arm,” Opelka said. “I was just having pain all the time in my arm, my shoulder, my neck, my nerve. Flew all over the world to see specialists. I was in Germany to see a doctor. Saw a guy in Belgium, saw a guy in Dallas, saw a guy in Atlanta, saw a guy in L.A., saw a guy in Vegas.

“I went all over the world tirelessly trying to see anyone and everyone that could try to help. So I’ve been traveling the last eight months just seeing every specialist you can possibly imagine, throwing the kitchen sink at this thing.”

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/07/15/23/12/opelka-newport-2024-monday.jpg?w=100%25&hash=45793A3D45F65C1F933A4E452B55E736″ style=”width:100%;” alt=”Reilly Opelka” />
^{Photo Credit: Kyle Prudhomme/International Tennis Hall of Fame}
The former No. 17 in the PIF ATP Rankings played an ATP Challenger Tour event in Charlottesville last October, but the pain did not subside. But he said, “I’m trending a lot better”.

A positive for Opelka is that he has had plenty of time to focus on his hobbies, which he greatly enjoyed doing while competing on the ATP Tour before his injuries. Those hobbies include art and fashion.

“That’s been the thing that has kept me the most sane and stimulated. Been around some characters. I really like characters. Artists are such special people to hang around. That’s not a job you pick, it picks you. I think it takes a special guy or woman to be an artist,” Opelka said. “I’ve been around some different minds, really smart, nice people. That’s the best way to explain it.”

On the biggest character he has been around, Opelka said: “In two years, the amount of just wackjobs I’ve met, some good, some bad. I can’t even begin to tell you. I feel like they’ve turned me into Larry David.”

In a way, nothing really changed for Opelka. He did not need to go searching for something to do because he already traveled to art galleries and fashion shows when he was competing.

“Nothing new. That was the beauty of it,” Opelka said. “I’ve been doing what I’ve loved with tennis and without it.”

Some players get excited about watching a particular colleague play or hit a spectacular shot. Opelka is thrilled to receive a phone call from the likes of gallerist Tim Van Laere.

“I can pick up the phone and call Tim [Van Laere] any day and I got to interview Rinus Vandevelde. One of his artists, Kati Heck, painted me,” Opelka said. “I got to have the first pick of a painting from Jonathan Meese’s show, a German guy I love. Tim called me first and let me pick, which was super nice of him for an artist that I love that people also love. Very fortunate to have that connection with him.”

How many galleries and shows has Opelka been to in the past two years?

“You definitely can’t count it on two hands,” he said, cracking a smile.

While Opelka has been away, some of his countrymen have mentioned that they had been in touch with Opelka discussing a scouting report for their next opponent. But the four-time ATP Tour champion was not constantly glued to matches. “There are some guys I’m like, ‘Man, I don’t know this guy, some new guys’,” Opelka said. “It’s a huge changing of the guard.”

When Opelka’s time out of competition began, Carlos Alcaraz nor Jannik Sinner had won a Grand Slam tournament or climbed to World No. 1. Now they have combined to win five majors and both have ascended to the top of the sport.

“They’re both super cool. Carlos and I’ve hung out in a few tournaments. He’s always got a smile on his face and he’s a showman, right?” Opelka said. “Jannik’s got a cool look to him. I’ve been spending a lot of time in Milan and you can’t turn the corner without seeing that kid. Yeah, he’s just cool man. We’re lucky. Everyone was stressing, ‘Oh, Roger and Rafa are done’. These two are unbelievable.”

Opelka actually played doubles with Sinner three years ago in Atlanta. The pair won the title.

“I got to hang out with him in Atlanta. Nicest kid in the whole world,” Opelka said. “We were going to dinner every night. Everything that you see, that you suspect, is who he really is. He’s as sweet of a guy as you can imagine.”

The 26-year-old made sure to point out the support he has received from his friends, including Tommy Paul and Mackenzie McDonald among others.

“Me and Tommy speak almost every day no matter what. Me and Mackie don’t, but Mackie was making a point to come down [to visit],” Opelka said. “He came down to West Palm and hung out with me for a few days when I wasn’t hitting. Just really, really nice.”

Now Opelka and McDonald will meet in the Newport quarter-finals.

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Nadal continues Olympic preparations with win against Norrie

Rafael Nadal’s preparations for the Olympics continue with an impressive straight-set win over Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the second round of the Swedish Open.

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Impressive Nadal rallies past Norrie to Bastad QFs

Rafael Nadal delivered one of his most complete performances of the 2024 season on Thursday at the Nordea Open.

The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings defeated fifth seed Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4 in Bastad to reach his second ATP Tour quarter-final of the season. After clinching the only break of a tight first set, Nadal rallied from 1-4 down in the second to pull through a tough second-round test at the clay ATP 250.

“Great feelings. I’ve been a while without playing on the Tour, since Roland Garros. To have the chance to compete well against a great player like Cameron is a great feeling,” said Nadal in his on-court interview. “I think I played in some moments good tennis, in some moments I need to play a little bit more aggressive, but that is part of the journey today.

“I haven’t been competing very often, so matches and victories like today help. To be in rhythm the whole match and hold the pressure on the opponent the whole match, that’s something that I need to improve, because I didn’t play enough.”

Rafa returns to the Elite 🎱@RafaelNadal triumphs 6-4 6-4 for his first quarter-final ticket since January @NordeaOpen | #NordeaOpen pic.twitter.com/yOImxXwxKj

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 18, 2024

Although the Spaniard had shown glimpses of his imperious best during his previous 13 tour-level matches in 2024, Thursday’s showing against fellow Norrie lefty was arguably his most consistent. A rock-solid Nadal wore down the Briton, himself one of the hardest grinders on Tour, to complete a one-hour, 43-minute triumph.

Nadal took control of what was a very tight opening set by reeling off three games in a row from 2-3. He fended off two break points at 5-4 before holding serve to clinch a high-quality first set, and then recovered from a minor lapse in his level early in the second in style. Nadal won 14 points in a row from 1-4. 0/15, and ultimately won the final five games of the match to improve his Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead against Norrie to 5-1.

Physically, Nadal looked very comfortable moving around the court against Norrie. The only concern for the 38-year-old came when he fell over his left foot while trying to slide for a ball at 40/Ad in the first game of the second set. He called the physio to the court at the end of the game to tidy up bleeding on his leg and elbow.

Now 9-5 for the season, Nadal will take on fourth seed Mariano Navone in the quarter-finals as he looks to add another Bastad title to the one he won on his previous appearance there in 2005. Navone earlier defeated Sumit Nagal 6-4, 6-2.

More to follow…

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Best Friends: Rublev & Medvedev's hilarious first impression, 'Crying full!'

“I see this guy, sleeveless t-shirt, only one racquet, and I say, ‘Who is this guy? He’s in the quarter-finals with me? No chance I am going to lose to him!’”

Andrey Rublev has a distinct and hilarious memory of meeting Daniil Medvedev for the first time. Though it is a funny story now, it was not all laughs for a slightly skeptical Rublev back then. Instead it was tears, the 26-year-old revealed in ATP Tour’s latest ‘Best Friends’ feature.

The fan favourites also discussed heartfelt moments such as each other’s best qualities, why they are best friends and their biggest wish for each other. And then get ready to laugh again when they share their funniest moment together!

Watch the full video above for a behind-the-scenes look into Mevedev and Rublev’s longtime friendship and hear what career they would like to pursue if it were not for tennis.

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