Tennis News

Tsitsipas Makes Perfect Start In Melbourne

Stefanos Tsitsipas made the perfect start to his Australian Open title bid on Tuesday, as he cruised past Gilles Simon 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.

The fifth seed produced a dominant serving performance, winning 82 per cent of his first-serve points (27/33) to overcome the 2009 quarter-finalist in one hour and 32 minutes. Tsitsipas limited his opponent to six winners and did not face a break point throughout the match.

Tsitsipas has won all three singles matches he has contested this year in straight sets. Prior to the Australian Open, the 22-year-old represented Greece for the second straight year at the ATP Cup. Tsitsipas claimed a 6-3, 7-5 win against Alex de Minaur and beat Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 7-5 to help his nation finish second in Group B.

Tsitsipas started strongly on Rod Laver Arena, as he dropped only five points in the first five games of the match. The Greek held serve comfortably and attacked with his forehand to gain back-to-back breaks en route to a 5-0 lead.

After wrapping up the first set, Tsitsipas increased his grip on the match with two more service breaks in the second set. The 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion continued to dictate rallies with his forehand and rushed Simon with regular visits to the net. Through the opening two sets, Tsitispas won 72 per cent of his net points (13/18).

Simon had struggled with double faults in key moments during the first two sets, and that trend continued in the third set. Tsitsipas stepped in on his return and attacked Simon’s forehand to earn three more breaks and his spot in the second round.

“My level is good so far,” said Tsitsipas, in an on-court interview. “I feel good with my service games and I think I am returning really well. I have a clear picture of where I want to return and start the point, so I think I get the upper hand from the very beginning of the rally, which gives me a lot of confidence.

“I know I can press a lot with my forehand and also create damage on my backhand side, with my down-the-line backhand, which is my favourite shot. It has been giving me a lot of points and once it is there, I honestly feel very comfortable playing anyone.”

Earlier in the day, Kokkinakis defeated Soonwoo Kwon 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 on Court 3. The 24-year-old landed 19 aces and converted six of seven break points to defeat the South Korean in one hour and 33 minutes.

Borna Coric earned his place in the second round with a 6-3, 7-6(5), 7-5 victory against Guido Pella. The 22nd seed, who reached the fourth round in 2019, ripped 52 winners to earn his third win of the year (3-1). Coric will next face Mackenzie McDonald, who beat 2018 Roland Garros semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and 12 minutes.

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Mother Knows Best: Berrettini Overcomes Anderson In Melbourne

Ninth seed Matteo Berrettini grit his teeth to save eight set points in the first set of a 7-6(9), 7-5, 6-3 victory over former World No. 5 Kevin Anderson on Tuesday night at the Australian Open.

Berrettini, who hit 45 winners — including 14 aces — and committed just 15 unforced errors, will now prepare to face Czech qualifier Tomas Machac in the second round on Thursday.

“I’m very happy with my performance, as I played at a high level,” said Berrettini. “I won in straight sets, but it was really tough. I used the energy and confidence I got from the previous week, but it was a best-of-five [sets] match so it was different.

“I don’t think I saw Kevin’s serve a lot. I knew he was a great server coming into the match. But I served well too. I was fortunate on my second set point [in the first set], when Kevin was ready for a low volley and the ball popped up higher. I apologised, because that’s what my mother taught me to do.”

The 24-year-old led Italy to the ATP Cup final (l. to Russia) last week, winning three of his four singles matches. He beat Austria’s Dominic Thiem and Gael Monfils of France in Group D play, then Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi-finals, before losing to Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Berrettini didn’t give in and reaped the rewards, saving seven of eight set points on serve in the first set — at 4/5, 0/40, then in the tie-break at 3/6, 6/7 and 8/9. Anderson saved a set point with aggressive play at 7/8 in the tie-break, but was dealt a hammer blow on the 20th point of the tie-break when Berrettini hit a big forehand approach to leave his South African opponent lunging deep behind the baseline.

To his credit, Anderson didn’t panic after losing the 61-minute opener. He tightened up his game, cutting down on his 13 unforced errors, but at the business end of the second set, Berrettini stepped up again. Rather fortuitously, he broke Anderson at 5-6. A backhand flicked up off the tape, which Anderson volleyed back, but Berrettini responded by ripping a forehand crosscourt into space.

Lapses in concentration cost Anderson at 3-4 in the third set, when he recovered from 0/30 and held a game point. But Berrettini got his reward, on his third break point opportunity, with a powerful forehand that Anderson volleyed into the net. Minutes later, Berrettini closed out with a forehand — his 45th winner of the match

Machac, who is currently No. 199 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, had won 80 per cent of his first-service points before Mario Vilella Martinez of Spain retired in the fourth set. Machac was leading 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-0, 3-0 after two hours and 32 minutes of play.

Elsewhere, Karen Khachanov maintained his perfect record of reaching the Australian Open second round after the Russian No. 19 seed knocked out wild card Aleksandar Vukic of Australia 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-4 in three hours and six minutes. Khachanov battled back from 2-5 down in the third set.

“First rounds, playing an Australian guy are never easy,” said Khachanov. “I [had] never heard of him, but you heard from other guys that he had a big serve, big forehand [and went] for the shots. So it’s never easy to play guys like this, especially when they feel like they have nothing to lose… So I would say it was a difficult match. I’m happy that I could get through and I [have] really enjoyed playing tennis since the beginning of the year. I’m happy to compete again and I feel fresh. I feel physically ready.”

He will next play Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis, who advanced to the second round for the fifth time after he defeated Indian wild card Sumit Nagal 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 10 minutes.

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Nadal: 'There Is Always A Chance To Improve'

Rafael Nadal says he adjusted his service motion slightly on Tuesday in his first-round win over Laslo Djere in a bid to put less pressure on his back at the Australian Open.

The Spanish superstar, who has struggled to overcome a back injury over the past couple of weeks, grew in confidence throughout his 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Laslo Djere of Serbia in one hour and 52 minutes.

“My back is not perfect,” said Nadal. “Every day that I’m able to go through, probably there are more chances to get better. There is always a chance to improve, and that’s why I’m here playing and fighting to try to get better and then give myself a chance.

“I needed to change a little bit the motion of my serve. That’s what I tried [to do] to survive [in] this condition today. I have a day off tomorrow, then [on Thursday] another match. I need to go day-to-day and just try to stay positive.

“Of course, every day that I am trying to stay here, is a day with a chance to finally [get] better. [I’m] trying to do all the things possible to be ready to compete.”

Nadal won 50 per cent of his first-service points (13/26) in the first set, but that figure improved in the second set when the 2009 champion won 20 of 22 first deliveries (90 per cent). He lost just two of his first-service points (11/13) in the decider and finished the match with 19 winners.

The 34-year-old, who is bidding to become the first player in the Open Era (since 1968) to win each major singles championship twice, will now prepare to face American qualifier Michael Mmoh on Thursday.

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Australian Open: Heather Watson beats Kristyna Pliskova to reach second round

Heather Watson beats Kristyna Pliskova to reach the Australian Open second round, despite a 14-day quarantine limiting her preparations.

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A Straight-Sets Win: Just What Nadal Ordered At The Australian Open

Rafael Nadal’s chase for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title is off to a good start.

The World No. 2 defeated Serbian Laslo Djere 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 to reach the second round of the Australian Open. The legendary lefty will play one of two qualifiers — Michael Mmoh or Viktor Troicki — in the second round.

“I’m happy to be through to the second round. I think I did a good job today,” Nadal said in his on-court interview. “Straight sets, that’s what I needed.”

The Spaniard did not compete in the ATP Cup due to injury. But Nadal put in a solid performance against the World No. 56 to advance after one hour and 51 minutes.

“It’s been a tough 15 days for me, because I had some issues with the back. I needed to survive today, and that’s what I did,” Nadal said. “I just tried to be focussed all the time, tried to get through.”

Nadal did not play overly aggressive, but he did enough from the baseline to keep Djere on the back foot. The second seed saved four of the five break points he faced, and as the match wore on, he began to let loose with his forehand a bit more.

The 2009 champion was never in jeopardy. The Serbian at times fired his forehand, and he hit more winners than Nadal by a 20-19 margin, but Djere didn’t have the weapons to throw the lefty off his game.

Djere is a gritty opponent, who won an ATP 500 title on clay at the 2019 Rio Open presented by Claro. The 25-year-old was pursuing his first Australian Open main draw win on his fourth attempt.

“I wish him all the best for the rest of the season,” Nadal said. “Laslo has a great story. I wish him the best of luck.” 

Did You Know?
If Nadal wins this year’s Australian Open, he will become the first man in the Open Era to win the Career Grand Slam twice.

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Australian Open: Sofia Kenin starts title defence but Victoria Azarenka loses

Defending champion Sofia Kenin makes a nervous start to her Australian Open defence, while Victoria Azarenka is knocked out.

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Rublev Raises Level To Reach Round 2 In Melbourne

World No. 8 Andrey Rublev continued his blistering run of form on Tuesday as he began his Australian Open campaign with a commanding win over Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann.

Days after helping steer Russia to its first ATP Cup title with an undefeated run in singles, Rublev picked up where he left off in Melbourne Park and fought to a 6-3, 6-3 6-4 victory over Hanfmann.

“I don’t know if it’s the best tennis [in my career], but for sure I’m showing great tennis [at the moment],” Rublev said in his on-court interview. “I was showing a really high level at the ATP Cup, and I’m really happy that I’m winning match by match.”

Rublev is arguably one of the most in-form players on Tour after a breakout 2020 season saw him lift five ATP Tour titles and break the Top 10 in the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time. Seeded No. 7, Rublev brought all of that momentum into his first-round clash against 29-year-old Hanfmann, who was making his main draw debut at the Australian Open. 

No.102-ranked Hanfmann took advantage of a nervy start from the 23-year-old Russian and broke to love to start the match with a 2-0 lead. But Rublev shook off his frustration and honed his game plan, changing the direction of the ball at will as he went after his shots. He quickly erased Hanfmann’s lead, and once he found his rhythm there was little the German could do to rattle him. Rublev broke two more times to close out the opening set.

Swinging freely after successfully navigating past the early test, Rublev settled into the match and kept Hanfmann under pressure as he took the ball early to stay and stayed aggressive on the return. Rublev sealed the second set with his 12th ace of the match – the ninth ace he struck that set – and closed out the match after an hour and 41 minutes on John Cain Arena. Rublev finished the match with 17 aces and won 80 per cent of points behind his first serve en route to victory.

“We played for the first time, and I started a bit tight,” Rublev said. “But this is normal, and I was really happy that I could control the match almost since the beginning. In the end, I was the one who was controlling the match, so I’m really happy that I could finish the match quite confident in three sets.”

Rublev moves into the second round where he’ll face Thiago Monteiro for the first time after the Brazilian lefty defeated Andrej Martin in straight sets 7-6(6), 6-1, 6-2 to advance. Monteiro came into the Australian Open looking to build off a run to the Murray River Open quarter-finals, his career-best result on outdoor hard courts.

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Kyrgios On The GOAT Debate: 'Federer Is The Greatest Of All Time'

The GOAT — Greatest Of All Time — debate sends fans and analysts alike spinning in circles. Is it Roger Federer? How about Rafael Nadal? Could Novak Djokovic eventually take that title?

Nick Kyrgios joined the conversation Monday evening following his first-round win at the Australian Open. The 25-year-old’s choice is clear.

“In my opinion, I believe Roger is the greatest of all time. With his skill set, the way he plays the game, I think it’s pure. I actually think talent-wise Nadal and Djokovic aren’t even close to Roger,” Kyrgios said. “Talent-wise, just purely based on talent the way Federer plays, his hands, his serving, his volleys, untouchable.

“Roger’s chopped me a couple of times.  Roger makes you feel like you’re really bad at tennis sometimes.  He walks around, he flicks his head, and I’m, like, ‘I don’t even know what I’m doing out here.‘ Roger is the greatest, for me.”

Kyrgios, who has beaten each member of the Big Four — Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray — highly respects them all, but he views their skillsets in different ways. To the Aussie, “styles make fights in tennis”.

“All great in their own way, obviously.  I don’t think we have ever seen someone maybe so dominant in their period of time as Novak, like he went on that 60-match winning streak or something really crazy,” Kyrgios said. “Me personally, I played them all.  I actually think Andy for me was tougher than Novak to play.  I mean, I have only played Novak twice. I have played Andy six times and I’m 1-5. Nadal, I actually think, I match up quite well against Nadal. I can serve big and play kind of the right style of tennis to be successful against him.”  

Kyrgios has played Nadal more than any other member of the Big Four, with the Spaniard leading their ATP Head2Head series 5-3. Three of those clashes have come at Grand Slams (Nadal leads 2-1).

“Rafa, you will never see someone so dominant on one surface ever.  I don’t think we will ever see that amazing accomplishment on clay, the best clay courter of all time,” Kyrgios said. “It’s funny, because I think Roger is the greatest of all time but not the greatest of the era because his head-to-head against Rafa is not great.  But it’s a tough one.”

The 2015 Australian Open quarter-finalist is certainly aware of how tough it is to beat these legends of the sport. During his post-match press conference Monday, he even pointed to a match that was on court in which Djokovic beat former World No. 25 Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.

“I’m just watching him play Chardy and Chardy doesn’t even believe that he can win,” Kyrgios said. “When you reach that status, you must be pretty good.”

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How Nadal Provided Sinner With His Biggest Lesson In Australia

Jannik Sinner may have fallen in the first round at the Australian Open but, following his five-set loss to 11th seed Denis Shapovalov, the #NextGenATP Italian reflected on the great lessons he has learned during his visit to Australia.

The biggest lesson the two-time ATP Tour titlist learned did not come from any of the six matches he played across the Great Ocean Road Open and Australian Open, it came during his two weeks of pre-tournament practice with 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

“Practising with Rafa is a big, big lesson,” said Sinner. “Even today, I lost but I have to understand why I lost and then it is going to be a big lesson as well. It is not only one. Firstly, to come here, the reason was to practise with Rafa for two weeks because I think he can give me many things about how to stay on court with the right mentality. I think that is the biggest lesson. Today was mentally tough, losing in the fifth but it is going to be a lesson as well.”

Sinner played at an impressive level throughout his three-hour, 55-minute battle with Shapovalov on Margaret Court Arena. The 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals champion made a rapid start to the match and he showed character to recover from a break down in the fourth set to force a decider.

The 19-year-old, who entered the first-round clash on a 10-match winning streak, praised his opponent’s level in the critical stages of the fifth set. Shapovalov converted the only break point he created in the fifth set and landed his 13th winner of the set — a forehand up the line — to clinch victory.

“[Shapovalov] is a great player,” said Sinner. “He served better than me today. There were some difficult points, especially in the first game of the fifth set. He returned good on some points and then he served quite well. There was not much difference between him and I… He deserved to win today.”

Sinner entered the Australian Open after a gruelling run to his second ATP Tour crown at the Great Ocean Road Open last week. The Italian’s first ATP Head2Head encounter against Shapovalov was his fifth match in four days.

Sinner played twice on Friday, saved one match point against Karen Khachanov in a three-hour semi-final on Saturday and recorded a 7-6(4), 6-4 win over compatriot Stefano Travaglia in Sunday’s title match. After the match, Sinner was asked if his efforts at the ATP 250 had played a part in his five-set loss to Shapovalov.

“I don’t think it hurt me, to be honest,” said Sinner. “I started to feel a bit tired after [the match] but I think I can learn many things from that… I tried to be there in every point, to play every point. I tried my best.”

After rising four positions in the FedEx ATP Rankings to a career-high No. 32 on Monday, Sinner may not have to play a seeded opponent when he makes his next appearance at a Grand Slam. But, if he does, he will be in a better position to succeed due to the lessons he has learned in Melbourne.

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Djokovic: 'I'm Not Jealous Of Roger & Rafa's Success'

Eight-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic reflected on his record-breaking career on Monday after a dominant performance over Jeremy Chardy in the first round.

Over the next fortnight in Melbourne, the World No. 1 is bidding to become the second man in history to win at least nine major championship crowns at the same tournament, after Rafael Nadal, who has won 13 Roland Garros titles. Nadal and Roger Federer are both tied on a record 20 Grand Slam singles crowns.

“I respect all of my opponents’ records,” said 17-time major champion Djokovic. “[Roger and Rafa] are legends of our sport, and I admire them a lot. They have positively affected my game and my growth, my development and all my success wouldn’t be what it is if these two guys were not there.

“So I have had tremendous rivalries with these two guys and we still keep on going. But I don’t want any of their success, if you know what I mean. I’m not jealous of their success or anything like that. I try to build my own career and my own success.”

When asked about his record-breaking career, Djokovic said: “I have been fortunate, without a doubt, to experience a lot of success and break records in our sport that I obviously love and am very passionate about. Of course, I am always motivated and inspired to achieve big goals and break records.”

The 33-year-old Serbian will soon break Roger Federer’s record for most weeks at No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings on 8 March. Djokovic has spent 307 weeks in the top spot, with all-time leader Federer on 310 weeks.

“I have been very transparent about the fact that one of my biggest goals is to try to reach the No. 1 all-time weeks record, and I’m getting closer and closer to that one,” said Djokovic. “Obviously, that’s kind of a lifetime achievement for me and Grand Slams, as well. Of course, I think I have managed to be very consistent at the [ATP] Masters 1000 events and win a lot of titles there. Those are the biggest events that we have on the Tour other than Grand Slams.”

Djokovic has won a record 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles — one more than Nadal (35) — from his very first at the 2007 Miami Open presented by Itau to the 2020 Internazionali BNL d’Italia crown in September last year.

“I respect and study the history of the game and the guys that paved the way for all of us that are here at the moment. I’m just very fortunate to be in the situation and position that I’m in at the moment, so I [will] try to keep on going and obviously set up new goals for myself.

“Because I feel like other than [the] passion and love that I have for the game, the biggest reason why I still play [tennis] is exactly that pure emotion that I have of enjoyment when I’m [out] there.

“So I feel [that] over the past 15 years, [after] everything that I have managed to achieve, I don’t settle for anything less but [being at] the top of the men’s game and [winning] the biggest trophies. That’s something I always aim for. I work towards that. I’m still lucky to be where I am.”

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