Tennis News

Nishikori Handles Harris To Return To Citi Open Semi-finals

Former Washington champion Kei Nishikori is back into the last four at Citi Open after overcoming a stern test from Lloyd Harris on Friday to win 6-3, 7-5. 

The Japanese No. 2 booked a place into his first tour-level semi-final since 2019 in Barcelona (l. to Medvedev) as he improved to 19-14 on the season. Nishikori weathered 10 aces from the big-serving Harris, and broke serve four times from 14 opportunities to seal the victory. 

“It was one of the best tennis [matches] that I played all this week,” Nishikori said. “I think that I started very good – almost too good – until 4-0 and then he started playing better. Things got very tight in the second set; I had so many break points but I couldn’t convert. It was a little stressful, but I am very pleased with how I finished the last points.”

Nishikori was in control of the early exchanges as he raced through the opening set, but faced much more resistance as Harris raised his level in the second set. The top-ranked South African, who claimed his biggest victory over World No. 3 Rafael Nadal yesterday, regularly leaned on his big first serve to keep Nishikori on his toes. 

In response, the Japanese player honed in on his opponent’s second serves, and won 64 per cent (21/33) of those points. Harris faced seven break points in the second set and saved six with big first serves, but he couldn’t keep holding off Nishikori after giving him a crucial look at a second serve at 6-5. Nishikori pounced, and claimed the victory after Harris sent a forehand long.  

Nishikori, who lifted the trophy here in 2015, will next face unseeded American Mackenzie McDonald, No. 107 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, in the semi-finals. Nishikori is bidding for his 13th ATP Tour trophy and his first since Brisbane in 2019.

It will be Nishikori and McDonald’s first Tour-level meeting. The pair previously met at an ATP Challenger Tour event in 2018 with Nishikori winning comfortably against McDonald, who grew up admiring the Japanese player.

“I think I’m bringing a lot more experience this time. The last time I played him I was pretty ‘idolised’ by him, and I just didn’t really show up,” McDonald recalled. “He just took it to me. But I’m going for a fight tomorrow and we’ll see what happens.”

McDonald reached his second Tour-level semi-final after defeating countryman Denis Kudla 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 14 minutes. The 22-year-old saved the only break point he faced in a strong serving performance, winning 82 per cent (28/34) of points behind his first serve. 

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Daniell‌/Melo ‌Rally‌ ‌Back‌ ‌For‌ ‌Citi‌ ‌Open‌ ‌Semi-final‌ ‌Spot‌

Marcelo‌ ‌Melo‌ ‌and‌ ‌Marcus‌ ‌Daniell‌ ‌rallied‌ ‌from‌ ‌a‌ ‌set‌ ‌down‌ ‌to‌ ‌oust‌ ‌Alex‌ ‌de‌ ‌Minaur‌ ‌and‌ ‌John‌ ‌Millman‌ ‌3-6,‌ ‌6-1‌ ‌10-8‌ ‌on‌ ‌Friday,‌ ‌booking‌ ‌a‌ ‌place‌ ‌into‌ ‌the‌ ‌Citi‌ ‌Open‌ ‌semi-finals‌ ‌in‌ ‌their‌ ‌first‌ ‌tournament‌ ‌together.‌ ‌

Melo‌ ‌and‌ ‌Daniell‌ ‌christened‌ ‌their‌ ‌partnership‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌hard-fought‌ ‌victory‌ ‌over‌ ‌Matwe‌ ‌Middelkoop‌ ‌and‌ ‌Marcelo‌ ‌Arevalo-Gonzalez‌ ‌in‌ ‌a‌ ‌tight‌ ‌first-round‌ ‌clash.‌ ‌Melo‌ ‌recently‌ ‌posted‌ ‌a‌ ‌quarter-final‌ ‌appearance‌ ‌at‌ ‌Wimbledon‌ ‌(w/‌ ‌Lukasz‌ ‌Kubot),‌ ‌while‌ ‌Daniell‌ ‌arrived‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌high‌ ‌after‌ ‌claiming‌ ‌the‌ ‌bronze‌ ‌medal‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌Tokyo‌ ‌Olympic‌ ‌(w/‌ ‌Michael‌ ‌Venus).‌ ‌

The‌ ‌Brazilian‌ ‌and‌ ‌Australian‌ ‌tandem‌ ‌bounced‌ ‌back‌ ‌emphatically‌ ‌after‌ ‌dropping‌ ‌the‌ ‌opening‌ ‌set‌ ‌to‌ ‌de‌ ‌Minaur‌ ‌and‌ ‌Millman,‌ ‌breaking‌ ‌twice‌ ‌to‌ ‌open‌ ‌up‌ ‌a‌ ‌5-0‌ ‌lead‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌second‌ ‌set.‌ ‌They‌ ‌bossed‌ ‌the‌ ‌Match‌  Tie-break‌ ‌in‌ ‌similar‌ ‌fashion,‌ ‌winning‌ ‌the‌ ‌first‌ ‌five‌ ‌points‌ ‌in‌ ‌a‌ ‌row‌ ‌and‌ ‌maintaining‌ ‌their‌ ‌lead‌ ‌en‌ ‌route‌ ‌to‌ ‌victory.‌ ‌

They‌ ‌will‌ ‌next‌ ‌face‌ ‌fourth‌ ‌seeds‌ ‌Raven‌ ‌Klaasen‌ ‌and‌ ‌Ben‌ ‌McLachlan,‌ ‌who‌ ‌received‌ ‌a‌ ‌walkover‌ ‌from‌ ‌Grigor‌ ‌Dimitrov‌ ‌and‌ ‌Tommy‌ ‌Paul‌ ‌(illness).‌ ‌

[WATCH LIVE 1]

In‌ ‌action‌ ‌later‌ ‌today,‌ ‌#NextGenATP‌ ‌stars‌ ‌Sebastian‌ ‌Korda‌ ‌and‌ ‌Jannik‌ ‌Sinner‌ ‌will‌ ‌team‌ ‌up‌ ‌to‌ ‌face‌ ‌second‌ ‌seeds‌ ‌Michael‌ ‌Venus‌ ‌and‌ ‌Neal‌ ‌Skupski‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌place‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌semi-finals.‌ ‌The‌ ‌American‌ ‌and‌ ‌Italian‌ ‌are‌ ‌contesting‌ ‌their‌ ‌first‌ ‌doubles‌ ‌tournament‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌team,‌ ‌with‌ ‌Sinner‌ ‌seeking‌ ‌his‌ ‌second‌ ‌consecutive‌ ‌doubles‌ ‌title.‌ ‌Last‌ ‌week,‌ ‌he‌ ‌partnered‌ ‌with‌ ‌Reilly‌ ‌Opelka‌ ‌to‌ ‌victory‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌Truist‌ ‌Atlanta‌ ‌Open.‌ ‌ ‌

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Sinner Soars Into Washington SF

#NextGenATP Italian Jannik Sinner continued his quest for a second ATP Tour title of the season on Friday at the Citi Open as he overcame Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semi-finals in Washington.

The fifth seed, who won the Great Ocean Road Open in Melbourne in February, struck the ball with great power from the baseline and was strong on serve in the big moments, saving all three break points he faced to advance in 72 minutes.

“It is not easy, he is a big server,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “You have to find the right balance on court. I tried to move him earlier than he moved me, and I think that was the key today. I tried to get further forward and push him back and make him change something.

”He is a huge server, so if you return in the same way he can get used to it, so you need to change It up. I think I have done that today quite well and my serve today was better.”

Sinner is the highest-seeded player left in the draw and has regained his form this week, defeating 21-year-old Sebastian Korda in the quarter-finals. The 19-year-old snapped a four-match losing streak in his opening-round win against Emil Ruusuvuori and will next face fellow #NextGenATP star Jenson Brooksby in his fourth ATP Tour semi-final of the season after the American defeated John Millman 6-1, 6-2.

The Italian became just the fourth teenager to reach the final at the Miami Open presented by Itau in March and also advanced to the last four in Barcelona in April. Sinner is currently first in the ATP Race To Milan as he closes in on qualification for the 2021 Next Gen ATP Finals that will be held in November.

After a tight start, Sinner made the breakthrough in the fifth game as he manoeuvred Johnson around with his variety of shot making. He served well in crucial moments to fend off any advances Johnson made on his serve to move ahead.

Fuelled by momentum, Sinner gained further control in the second set as he struck the ball cleanly to force Johnson into errors. The World No. 24 was aggressive on his forehand and hit five aces in the second set to secure his victory.

Sinner will later partner Korda in the semi-finals of the doubles on Friday as they team for the first time this week. It is something the 19-year-old has enjoyed, saying: “Thanks to Korda, he is an incredible doubles player. We enjoy playing together and we can learn from each other.”

Johnson was aiming to reach his first semi-final since he enjoyed a run to the last four at the Winston-Salem Open in 2019.

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Brooksby Rolls On In Washington

#NextGenATP American Jenson Brooksby’s strong breakthrough form continued on Friday at the Citi Open as the wild card eased past Australian John Millman 6-1, 6-2 to reach the semi-finals in Washington.

The 20-year-old, who is appearing in his first ATP 500 tournament this week, upset World No. 15 Felix Auger-Aliassime to record a career-best win in the quarter-finals. Brooksby backed this up against 11th seed Millman, dictating throughout as he won 88 per cent (21/24) of his first-service points to advance in 68 minutes.

Brooksby is yet to drop a set this week having also defeated former World No. 5 Kevin Anderson and 16th seed Frances Tiafoe in Washington.

The World No. 130 has been on a roll this season, having won three ATP Challenger Tour titles earlier this year, holding a 23-3 record at this level. Brooksby enjoyed a dream run to the final (l. to Anderson) in Newport last month in his first ATP Tour event and will face either fellow #NextGenATP Jannik Sinner or countryman Steve Johnson in the last four in Washington.

Brooksby is in seventh place in the ATP Race To Milan and has now levelled his ATP Head2Head Series with Millman at 1-1. Their last meeting came at the 2018 US Open in a first-round clash when the American was No. 1229th in the FedEx ATP Rankings. Brooksby qualified for the American hard-court Grand Slam after winning the 2018 USTA Boys’ 18s National Championship .

The American made a fast start in the first set, stepping inside the baseline as he overpowered Millman with his explosive groundstrokes. Brooksby looked to hit his backhand down the line and closed out an impressive set when Millman fired a forehand wide.

Brooksby continued to play impressively in the second set, as he demonstrated his defensive skills at various times to frustrate Millman. After racing into a 4-1 lead, Brooksby fended off a break point in the fifth game before closing out his victory by breaking Millan for the fifth time in the match. The 20-year-old will rise into the Top 100 next week.

Millman was aiming to reach his first ATP Tour semi-final of the season, having also advanced to the last eight at the BMW Open in Munich in May.

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Korda/Sinner Beat Kyrgios/Tiafoe In Washington QFs

In a star-studded doubles match Thursday evening, #NextGenATP standouts Sebastian Korda and Jannik Sinner beat Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Citi Open.

Korda and Sinner were opponents on the singles court earlier in the day, when Sinner prevailed 7-6(3), 7-6(3). But they certainly worked well together in doubles, winning some thrilling points to triumph after 61 minutes.

We’ll say it again?️

We LOVE doubles ❤️@SebiKorda ?@janniksin ?@NickKyrgios ?@FTiafoe ? pic.twitter.com/RVImefQKNv

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 6, 2021

This is the duo’s first tournament playing together. They broke their opponents’ serves three times and saved four of the five break points they faced.

Next up will be second seeds Neal Skupski and Michael Venus, who eliminated Cameron Norrie and Luke Saville 6-2, 6-3. Skupski and Venus have won their two matches this week in straight sets.

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For Nadal, Positivity & Pain After Washington Loss

There was positivity and pain that came from Rafael Nadal’s third-round loss against Lloyd Harris on Thursday evening at the Citi Open. The good thing is his pain was not physical.

The top seed was disappointed to lose a tough three-setter against the fearless South African in front of a raucous Washington crowd that was fully behind the Spaniard. But after feeling pain in his left foot during his second-round win against Jack Sock on Wednesday, Nadal felt better against Harris.

“The most positive thing is my foot was better today than yesterday, so that’s the best news possible,” Nadal said. “I played against a player that played well. For the moment, I think I played better than yesterday, but in the third when I had opportunities, the truth is his serve was huge and I played this last game really badly.”

Nadal was very much in the match as he served at 4-5 in the decider. Up until that point, he was the only one to earn a break point in the third set. But Harris seized the moment and upset the World No. 3, finishing the job with a perfect lob.

“You can’t have mistakes in the key moments, and in the key moments I think in the last game, I was a little bit more nervous. My serve was not working the proper way,” Nadal said. “That’s it. Yes, well done for him. It’s a great victory for him. I wish him all the very best.”

This was Nadal’s first tournament since Roland Garros. The Spaniard admitted before the Citi Open that he went 20 days without playing tennis due to his left foot injury, which kept him out of Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics. So it was a major positive that Nadal made progress on that front on Thursday.

“I was able to move a bit better, so that is very important, especially for me personally, to keep enjoying the sport and keep having energy, believing that important things are possible,” Nadal said. “And then I need to keep improving. It’s true. I honestly didn’t have two easy months. I had a lot of problems with my foot. I was not able to practise all the days that I really wanted, but I did as much as I could and I tried hard here.”

Nadal had never previously played or visited Washington. Throughout the week, the 88-time tour-level titlist was highly complimentary of the city — which he toured on a bike — and its people, who cheered loudly for him during his two matches.

“The most painful thing is [to] not be able to be on court again tomorrow in front of this amazing crowd,” Nadal said. “But I take a great experience [with] me. I was able to know a new city, for me a very important one. I enjoyed [it], and the support and the love of the people will stay [with] me.”

The 35-year-old apologised for his loss, calling out his “amazing” experience in the capital of the United States. But a victory was not to be against Harris.

“I tried very hard, as everybody knows. But [it] was not enough. [The] only thing I can do is congratulate my opponent and just keep going,” Nadal said. “I’m going to keep trying to practise the proper way and to give myself a chance to be better soon.”

The legendary lefty is set to compete in next week’s National Bank Open Presented by Rogers in Toronto, where he can break a tie with Novak Djokovic for the most ATP Masters 1000 titles (36 each). The Spaniard has won the Canadian Masters 1000 event five times.

“For me [the important thing] is just [to] keep going. Accept the challenge that I need to keep working, and I’ll probably have another chance next week in Toronto,” Nadal said. “I’m going to keep trying my best.”

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Roger Federer doubt for US Open after Toronto & Cincinnati withdrawals

Roger Federer pulls out of the Toronto and Cincinnati Masters events – putting his participation in the US Open in doubt.

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Harris Stuns Nadal In Washington Thriller

Lloyd Harris earned the biggest win of his career on Thursday evening, defeating Rafael Nadal 6-4, 1-6 6-4 to reach the Citi Open quarter-finals.

Nadal overcame a lingering foot injury on Wednesday evening to beat home favourite Jack Sock in a final-set tie-break in front of an energised crowd. But the South African would not allow the top seed to work his magic again.

“Today was really special. I think I have had some big wins, and this year I have beat some Grand Slam champions,” Harris said. “But to beat a 20-time Grand Slam champion, and especially in front of a full crowd and with such an amazing atmosphere, it was definitely something very special.”

24-year-old @LloydHarris63 defeats No. 1 seed and World No. 3 Rafael Nadal 6-4 1-6 6-4 for biggest win of his career in @CitiOpen 3R.

Harris becomes 1st player to win his 1st meeting with Nadal since 18-year-old @Denis_Shapo upset the Spaniard in 2017 @OBNMontreal 3R. #CitiOpen

— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) August 6, 2021

The pain did not impact Nadal’s fighting spirit — and the Spaniard said he felt better against Harris — but it was not enough to topple the South African. The World No. 50 improved to 2-5 against Top 10 opponents after two hours and 11 minutes.

“I did a lot of good things. I think the best thing was to stay in the moment, keep my composure, and I think I just stayed with my game and stayed playing a consistently good level throughout the match,” Harris said. “It was a good, quality match, I think. Not easy for me out there. It was pretty physical, but all in all, I’m just super happy with how everything turned out.”

There was no Citi Open last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the fans have come out in full force this year, especially for Nadal’s matches. As the top seed won critical points, roars echoed from the stands and many Nadal supporters leapt to their feet. But they were fair to Harris as well, especially when the unseeded right-hander hit a stunning lob on match point to complete his victory.

Harris showed no apprehension early in his first ATP Head2Head clash against the 88-time tour-level titlist. The South African held his ground on the baseline and went hard and flat to Nadal’s forehand, pushing the lefty back as he continued to fire away.

The 20-time major winner has become known for his unrelenting offence and ability to control play with his forehand. But stunningly, Harris hit nine forehand winners to just two for the Mallorcan in the opener, seizing the only break of the set to take the lead.

But Nadal claimed the momentum with one wicked forehand passing shot. The Spaniard broke for 3-1 in the second set with a curler down the line. The lefty took a quick skip and unleashed a massive “Vamos!” as the fans roared. From there, he began to play more aggressively and cruised through the rest of the set as Harris fell further behind the baseline.

The third set, however, became a battle of wills. Nadal did not want to give ground, but Harris was unafraid of the moment and went after his shots to put pressure on the top seed. Screams of “Vamos!” became more frequent from Nadal as he attempted to claw through.

But on his first break point of the decider, Harris did not panic when a Nadal shot bounced off the top of the net. Although he was unable to put away the passing shot, he curled a lob on the next ball over a helpless Nadal’s head.

This was another demonstration of the 24-year-old’s potential. The South African this year became the first qualifier to advance past the Dubai quarter-finals in the tournament’s 29-year history. At that event, Harris won seven matches in seven days to advance from qualifying to the championship match.

Harris defeated Nishikori during that run and he will try to do it again on Friday. The Japanese star beat in-form Briton Cameron Norrie 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to make the quarter-finals.

“It’s going to be a very tough battle and I think a very different game style than I faced today,” Harris said. “It’s going to be a new challenge and I look forward to it.”

In the same half of the draw, Americans Denis Kudla and Mackenzie McDonald will meet in the other quarter-final. Kudla beat #NextGenATP American Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 and McDonald eliminated Belarusian Ilya Ivashka 6-4, 6-4.

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Medvedev Headlines In Toronto; When Is The Draw & More

Daniil Medvedev will headline the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers, Canada’s ATP Masters 1000 event, where Spanish legend Rafael Nadal and Greek star are also set to compete.

Medvedev and Tsitsipas made their first Masters 1000 final at this tournament, in 2019 and 2018, respectively, and both men lost to Nadal in in that championship match. The lefty has captured the trophy at the Canadian event five times. Other players to watch in a loaded field include Russian Andrey Rublev, home favourite Denis Shapovalov and #NextGenATP Italian Jannik Sinner.

Here’s all you need to know about Toronto: when is the draw, what is the schedule, where to watch, who has won, how to buy tickets and more.

Established: 1881

Tournament Dates: 9-15 August 2021

Tournament Director: Karl Hale

Draw Ceremony: Saturday 7 August at time TBC

Schedule: (View On Official Website)
* Qualifying: Saturday, 7 August – Sunday, 8 August at 11:00 a.m.
* Main draw: Play Monday – Sunday begins at 11:00 a.m. and 7 p.m.
* Doubles final: Sunday, 15 August from 1:30 p.m.
* Singles final: Sunday, 15 August from 1:30 p.m.

How To Watch
Watch Live On Tennis TV
TV Schedule

Venue: Aviva Centre
Surface: Hard

Prize Money: $2,850,975 (Total Financial Commitment: $3,487,915)

Tickets On Sale: Buy Now

View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds

Honour Roll (Open Era)
Most Titles, Singles: Ivan Lendl (6)
Most Titles, Doubles: Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan and Mahesh Bhupathi (5)
Oldest Champion: Rafael Nadal, 33, in 2019
Youngest Champion: Michael Chang, 18, in 1990
Lowest-Ranked Champion (since 1969): No. 95 Mikael Pernfors in 1993
Most Match Wins: Ivan Lendl (57)

2019 Finals
Singles: [1] Rafael Nadal d [8] Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-0 Read & Watch
Doubles: Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos d Robin Haase/Wesley Koolhof 7-5, 7-5 Read More

Social
Facebook: @nbotoronto
Twitter: @NBOtoronto
Instagram: @nbotoronto

Did You Know?

Every year, in alternation, Montreal and Toronto share hosting duties of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers with former champions including Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Roger Federer.

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Red-Hot Brooksby Bounces Felix In Washington

Jenson Brooksby’s all-red kit was fitting on Thursday, because the #NextGenATP American is red-hot. The 20-year-old upset second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the Citi Open.

This is Brooksby’s first ATP 500 event, but the Californian has shown poise throughout his impressive run. The World No. 130 walked on court to face the Canadian star without a Top 50 win on his resumé, but he emphatically changed that in front of his home crowd after one hour and 25 minutes.

“I have definitely gotten mentally tougher this year, and it’s only kept improving. I just really love, truly love playing on these stages,” Brooksby said. “No opponent will faze me. I can compete with anyone. This was definitely a very good match today for me.
“I stayed really focussed throughout. I didn’t really have any lapses in my strategy or mentally. I’m happy with that match.”

Brooksby won three ATP Challenger Tour titles earlier this year, and he has not stopped there. In his first ATP Tour event last month in Newport, he made the final, where only former World No. 5 Kevin Anderson was able to stop him. 

But Brooksby has improved weekly, and that has shown in Washington, where the wild card upset Anderson in the first round. Frances Tiafoe, whom Brooksby beat in straight sets in the second round, called his countryman’s game “super unorthodox. Obviously everything he does is pretty strange.” Even so, it works, and continues to frustrate the world’s best players, including Auger-Aliassime.

Felix is at a career-high No. 15 in the FedEx ATP Rankings and fresh off a run to his first major quarter-final at Wimbledon. But Brooksby did not allow the aggressive Canadian to gain confidence in Washington. Auger-Aliassime came out misfiring in the early stages of the match, and his opponent never allowed him to find a rhythm by playing solid tennis with plenty of variety.

The American is rock-solid, making few unforced errors. And by changing the pace of rallies with his deadly drop shot and surprise direction changes, Brooksby prevented the powerful Canadian from controlling play.

The big-serving second seed did not hit an ace in the match, and he double-faulted to relinquish the deciding break in the second set. Brooksby never showed any nerves, and after Auger-Aliassime missed a final backhand return, the home favourite pumped his fist and shouted “Come on!”

Brooksby will next play 11th seed John Millman, another grinding baseliner, who defeated eighth seed Reilly Opelka 6-3, 7-6(4) earlier in the day.

“I’m really excited to play against him. He’s had a good year,” Brooksby said. “I know he’s a very solid, very good player. But I’m very confident going in with my level and my mental state.”

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