Washington 2016
Washington 2016
Jul162016
The content of this article took place at Citi Open
World number eight Tomas Berdych has pulled out of next month’s Olympic Games in Rio because of concerns about the Zika virus.
Berdych, 25, lost in the Wimbledon semi-final to eventual winner Andy Murray earlier this month.
“It was a hard decision for me to take after a long and painstaking discussion with my dearest,” said Berdych.
The Czech is the third tennis player after Simona Halep and Milos Raonic to withdraw from the Olympics.
More than 20 male players have withdrawn from the golf competition at Rio 2016, with many concerned about the mosquito-borne virus Zika, which is linked to brain deformities in newborn babies.
Berdych said on Twitter: “It is purely my personal decision but I still feel a need to give at least one of the serious reasons leading to this step to my supporters and fans.
“It is because of the Zika virus spread in the country of the Olympics. As I have founded a family recently, to limit health risks towards my nearest is the utmost priority.
“I apologise to all of you who are disappointed by my decision. I do believe that if you take a deeper account of my reasons you will understand that I have done it out of the responsibility for my family.”
The United States’ John Isner has pulled out to focus on his preparations for tour events, while Nick Kyrgios will not be involved because of a dispute with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).
Great Britain’s James Ward loses in straight sets to Dusan Lajovic as Serbia draw level at 1-1 in the Davis Cup quarter-final in Belgrade.
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WATCH MORE: Kyle Edmund gives GB Davis Cup lead
Watch live coverage of the Davis Cup on BBC One, the BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app from 13:45 BST on Sunday, 17 July.
SERBIA 0, GREAT BRITAIN 1
Venue: Tasmajdan Stadium, Belgrade, SRB (clay – outdoor)
#NextGen star Kyle Edmund, under the watchful eye of British No. 1 Andy Murray, made short work of Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic in the first rubber, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 to put the visiting team ahead. Edmund was unaffected by the heavy, rainy conditions in Belgrade and dismissed Tipsarevic in under two hours.
ITALY 0, ARGENTINA 1
Venue: Circolo Tennis Baratoff, Pesaro, ITA (clay – outdoor)
Federico Delbonis defeated Andreas Seppi 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) in three hours and 38 minutes to open the Italy-Argentina Davis Cup quarter-final tie. Delbonis, 25, struck seven aces and won 73 per cent of first-serve points against the Italian. The left-hander avenges his loss to Seppi from their only other tour-level encounter (2014 Winston-Salem R32).
CZECH REPUBLIC 1, FRANCE 1
Venue: Werk Arena, Trinec, CZE (hard – indoor)
Lukas Rosol saved two match points against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to claim the first rubber for the Czech flag 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-4 in a marathon that clocked in at three hours and 52 minutes. The 6’5″ Rosol fought off match points while the Frenchman served at 6-5 and 8-7 in the fourth-set tie-break. In his Davis Cup World Group debut, youngster Luca Pouille evened the tie with a 7-6(2), 6-4, 7-5 win over Czech Jiri Vesely.
USA 2, CROATIA 0
Venue: Tualatin Hills Tennis Center, Portland, USA (hard – outdoor)
Jack Sock surged back from two sets down to deny former US Open champion Marin Cilic 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a three hour, 13-minute encounter to give the hosts the early lead. Cilic looked to have reclaimed control at 3-0 at the deciding set only for Sock to bounce back, taking six of the last seven games. John Isner put the Americans 2-0 up when he posted a more routine 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 result over #NextGen star Borna Coric in the second rubber.
Watch Kyle Edmund secure a superb straight-sets win over Janko Tipsarevic to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead in their Davis Cup quarter-final tie against Serbia.
MATCH REPORT: Kyle Edmund wins as GB lead Serbia in Belgrade
American star now preparing for Citi Open
It was a very special day as American Taylor Fritz married Raquel Pedraza on Thursday 7 July in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
Joined by their family and friends, Taylor and Raquel were married in a ceremony at the The Village Community Presbyterian Church. Fritz was supported by his peers Reilly Opelka, who was the best man, and Tommy Paul, who served as a groomsman. Fellow Americans Steve Johnson and Mardy Fish were also in attendance.
“Raquel and I had an incredible wedding day,” said Fritz. “Thank you to our family and friends for celebrating with us, it truly was the best day of our lives.”
Fritz will return to action at next week’s Citi Open, an ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Washington, D.C. The American is up to No. 64 in the Emirates ATP Rankings after a breakthrough start to the season, including reaching his first ATP World Tour final in Memphis (l. to Nishikori).
“My focus is now on the US summer – continuing to improve and hopefully achieving good results at home,” said Fritz. “Playing in front of an American crowd is so special to me, I appreciate the support of the fans and hope I can make them proud.
“Having the best team around me will ultimately make me the best player. Raquel is an important part of that team and I’m very lucky to have her by my side.”
Romania’s world number five Simona Halep and Canada’s world number seven Milos Raonic have pulled out of next month’s Olympic Games in Rio because of concerns about the Zika virus.
Raonic, 25, was beaten in Sunday’s Wimbledon final by Andy Murray.
“I am making this decision for a variety of health concerns including the uncertainty around Zika,” he said.
Losing Wimbledon quarter finalist Halep, 24, added: “I can’t risk not being able to have one of my own.”
More than 20 male players have withdrawn from the golf competition at Rio 2016, with many concerned about the mosquito-borne virus.
Halep and Raonic become the first tennis players to make themselves unavailable because of Zika, which is linked to brain deformities in newborn babies.
“I do not wish to impact the decision of any other athlete heading to the Games.” Raonic added in a statement on his Facebook page.
“I look forward to cheering on Team Canada this summer.”
The United States’ John Isner has pulled out to focus on his preparations for tour events, while Nick Kyrgios will not be involved because of a dispute with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller
“Raonic and Halep are the highest-ranked players to pull out of the Olympics, and the first to cite the Zika virus as a reason for their withdrawal.
“If there are other players who share their concerns, it is possible this news will make them feel more comfortable about pulling out.
“A significant number of men have already turned down the opportunity to play in Rio – Nick Kyrgios is in dispute with the Australian Olympic Committee, and others like Dominic Thiem, John Isner and Ernests Gulbis have indicated they would rather play for ranking points on the ATP Tour.
“In Gulbis’ opinion, a trip to Rio is nothing more than ‘tennis tourism’.”