US Open: Britain's Alfie Hewett reaches men's wheelchair final
Britain’s Alfie Hewett reaches the men’s wheelchair singles final at the US Open, but compatriot Gordon Reid is out.
Britain’s Alfie Hewett reaches the men’s wheelchair singles final at the US Open, but compatriot Gordon Reid is out.
Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury battled back to overcome Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Friday at the US Open to lift their second major trophy as a team.
The fourth seeds saved four match points in their quarter-final victory and rallied from a set down against Murray and Soares, winning 78 per cent (36/46) of their first-serve points to secure victory after one hour and 44 minutes.
The American-British tandem triumphed at the Australian Open in 2020 and arrived in New York in strong form, after clinching their first ATP Masters 1000 crown as a team in Toronto. They now hold an 11-1 record since Wimbledon, where they reached the semi-finals.
Earlier this year, Ram and Salisbury defeated Murray and Soares in the last four at the Australian Open, before falling to Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek in the championship match. They now lead Murray and Soares 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head Series and hold a 2-1 record as a team in major finals.
After a tight start, Murray and Soares started to find their rhythm on return as they hit with great depth to force Ram and Salisbury into errors. They broke in the seventh game of the first set to lead and sealed the opener when Ram pushed a forehand wide.
However, Ram and Salisbury raised their intensity in the second set, closing the net effectively as they raced 4-0 ahead. The American-British team won 88 per cent (14/16) of their first-serve points in the set to level, before breaking in the opening game of the third set to seize control. Ram and Salisbury did not face a break point in the decider as they clinched the title.
Murray and Soares were aiming to lift their second US Open trophy, having been victorious at Flushing Meadows in 2016. The British-Brazilian team were teaming for the first time since Wimbledon, after Soares underwent surgery to remove his appendix upon arriving at the Tokyo Olympics.
The seventh seeds won the Australian Open title in 2016 and joined forces again at the start of the year, triumphing at the Great Ocean Road Open trophy in February in their first tournament together since competing at Roland Garros in 2019.
It was the first time in the Open Era that two Britons met in a major men’s doubles final and the first time in 12 years that the US Open men’s doubles final went to a deciding set.
It is the bullring of the ATP Challenger Tour.
Travel to Sevilla, Spain, in early September and there is one destination you simply cannot miss. Sure, the famous Catedral and the Real Alcazar palace are can’t-miss tourist sites, but for an immersive experience that weaves tennis with the local culture, look no further than the Copa Sevilla.
Home to one of the premier tournaments on the ATP Challenger Tour since 1991, the historic Real Club de Tenis Betis remains a bucket list site for fans seeking a truly unique tennis experience. All Challenger events leave their own distinct footprint on the circuit and the Copa Sevilla is certainly no exception. From its iconic yellow clay to the vibrant atmosphere that engulfs the historic 92-year-old club during the tournament, it provides a stunning setting to experience world-class tennis.
At the Copa Sevilla, that palpable energy that permeates throughout the grounds is a reflection of the city itself and the entire region of Andalucia. The yellow clay has been a staple of the event for decades and has set the stage for many unforgettable moments, including Rafael Nadal’s Challenger debut in 2001 and 17-year-olds Casper Ruud and Felix Auger-Aliassime going back-to-back in 2016 and 2017.
This week, we pay tribute to the Copa Sevilla, as the tournament celebrates its 30th anniversary on the ATP Challenger Tour. That is, 30 years of nearly unparalleled excellence on the circuit, earning its place as the standard for all events to aspire to.
“The fondest memory I have is that it was my first semi-final of a Challenger and for me it was super important,” said former World No. 2 Alex Corretja, who reached the semis in the tournament’s inaugural edition in 1991. “It was the beginning of believing that I could compete against high-level players, because that season I was very young, I think I was 17 years old, and I had only played Futures. So, they gave me a wild card and I made the semi-finals. I always remember the warmth of the people and the club, which is very beautiful. The people are very affectionate, very close, very fond of tennis and passionate.”
A 17-year-old Casper Ruud celebrates his maiden Challenger title in Sevilla in 2016.
The colour yellow is an integral part of the fabric of Spanish culture, reflected in both the country’s flag and the many bullrings that permeate the landscape. The iconic ‘albero’ at the Real Club de Tenis Betis dates back to the club’s origins in the 1920s and drew its inspiration from that unmistakable yellow dirt that fills bullrings throughout Spain.
The club has carried that legacy through the years on the ATP Challenger Tour, becoming the home to many memorable clashes. It has become the bullring of the circuit for the Spanish armada, with future World No. 1s Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya launching their careers at the Real Club de Tenis Betis, in addition to fellow Top 10 stars Corretja, David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Robredo, Nicolas Almagro, Roberto Bautista Agut and Pablo Carreno Busta. And most recently, current and recent #NextGenATP stars Casper Ruud (2016), Felix Auger-Aliassime (2017) and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (2019) lifted trophies en route to the Top 40 of the FedEx ATP Rankings.
In fact, Nadal’s debut in 2001 remains a historic moment on the Challenger circuit. His first-round victory over Israel Matos Gil makes him the third-youngest player to win a match in the tour’s history, at the age of 15 years, 3 months. Meanwhile, Ruud’s maiden title at the age of 17 years, 8 months, makes him the fourth-youngest player to win in his Challenger debut.
“The tournament management and the members of the Real Club de Tenis Betis are very proud of this achievement, which is only been achieved by a few tournaments,” said director Santiago Perez. “This tournament is part of the history of Spanish tennis, one of the oldest on the circuit. It is an especially beloved tournament in the international calendar, which makes us proud and gives us the strength to continue improving.
“It is the only tournament in the world that is played on ‘albero’, or yellow clay. There are still players who are surprised when they see the albero for the first time and always leave here fond of its people and the homely, family atmosphere. We are dedicated to making the player feel special during their stay in Sevilla.”
Felix Auger-Aliassime is the youngest champion at the Copa Sevilla, winning in 2017 at the age of 17 years, 1 month.
The players understand the impact of the tournament and appreciate the atmosphere and passion that local Sevillanos bring. When Davidovich Fokina battled Jaume Munar in an all-Spanish final two years ago, it was standing room only at the Real Club de Tenis Betis. A capacity crowd was on hand to witness their two native sons battle for the trophy, with 400 people waiting outside, in search of a coveted seat inside the historic venue. The atmosphere was electric.
“We are proud of our partners, who, despite the difficulties presented by the Covid pandemic, are especially resilient,” added Perez. “They carry the Copa Sevilla brand in their DNA and that is the legacy they leave to future generations in charge of continuing to make the tournament great. It is a tournament for everyone.”
The Copa Sevilla is the sixth tournament to reach the 30-year milestone on the ATP Challenger Tour, most recently joining the Open Castilla y Leon in Segovia, Spain, which celebrated their 30th anniversary in July.
Longest-Running Tournaments On ATP Challenger Tour
| Tournament |
Years on Tour |
Year Founded |
| Tampere, Finland | 39 | 1982 |
| San Luis Potosi, Mexico | 34 | 1980 |
| Istanbul, Turkey* | 34 | 1985 |
| Aptos, USA | 32 | 1988 |
| Segovia, Spain |
30 |
1991 |
| Sevilla, Spain | 30 | 1991 |
*Istanbul will celebrate their 34th edition the week of 13 September
The teenage tennis star’s potential earnings skyrocket as she reaches the US Open final.
Jo Durie and Naomi Broady speak to BBC Breakfast about British teenager Emma Raducanu reaching the US Open tennis final in New York.
As British teenager Emma Raducanu reached the US Open final, BBC Sport charts her rapid rise – with the help of a host of experts.
British teenager Emma Raducanu says reaching her first Grand Slam final at the US Open feels “crazy, cool and absolutely mind-blowing”.
Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez shocks Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka to reach the US Open final – where she could face 18-year-old Briton Emma Raducanu.
Former World No. 7 David Goffin announced on Instagram Thursday that he will miss the rest of 2021 due to a knee injury.
“Unfortunately I won’t be able to compete again this year in 2021. It’s been a tough year with some injuries with my ankle earlier this year and my knee is bothering me for too long now,” Goffin said in a video. “So I took the decision not to play again, not to compete this year. I will take the time now for my body. It’s important to take the time to fully recover.
“I need it, my body needs it. I think those four months will be necessary to come back stronger in 2022.”
The Belgian finishes his season with a 14-15 record. Goffin lifted his fifth ATP Tour trophy in February at Montpellier, where he defeated Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in a three-set final.
Keeping points short and sweet has made Felix Auger-Aliassime’s performance a treat at this US Open.
The Canadian star is into his first major semi-final at Flushing Meadows and the 21-year-old has made his impressive run in large part by dominating the short rallies in New York.
Auger-Aliassime has won 56 per cent (391/698) of rallies between zero and four shots thanks to his strong work with his first serve at the season’s final major. The eight-time ATP Tour finalist entered this event winning 76 per cent of his first-serve points this year, and has claimed 81 per cent of his first-serve points at the US Open.
Felix has delivered 85 aces compared to 30 double faults — hitting eight double faults in two different matches.
Felix’s Serving Stats – Pre-2021 US Open vs. US Open
| Stat | Pre-2021 US Open | US Open |
| 1st-Serve Pts Won | 76% | 81% |
| 2nd-Serve Pts Won | 52% | 52% |
| Service Games Won | 84% | 92% |
The 12th seed will have to continue playing his aggressive first-strike tennis against two-time major finalist and second seed Daniil Medvedev.
“I also need to step up and be confident in myself. I need to serve well. I need to play a great match, be solid from every aspect of my game,” Auger-Aliassime said. “At the same time I need to try to put pressure on him. But it’s going to be tough. I need to be ready for his best.”
What makes it tricky for Auger-Aliassime is that Medvedev has been even more dominant on the shortest points. The second seed has won nearly 63 per cent of rallies between zero and four shots and lost serve just five times in five matches.
The difference is that while Medvedev has also done well in longer rallies, Auger-Aliassime has not. The first-time major semi-finalist has won 50 per cent of points (151/300) between five and eight shots and just 46 per cent of rallies (61/143) of nine shots or more.
Felix & Daniil’s Rally Stats – 2021 US Open
| Rally Length | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Daniil Medvedev |
| 0-4 Shots | 56% (391/698) | 63% (304/486) |
| 5-8 Shots | 50% (151/300) | 56% (118/212) |
| 9+ Shots | 43% (61/143) | 53% (83/157) |
Medvedev, however, has been in the green in both categories. That will make it even more imperative for Auger-Aliassime to keep points short.
Medvedev spoke to the media before Auger-Aliassime and Alcaraz played their quarter-final and said that he believes they are similar players, and that it would be important to prevent them from playing their game.
“[You] should try to not give them all the time they want,” Medvedev said. “Otherwise, they are going to destroy you.”
The average rally length in Medvedev’s matches has been 5.3 strokes, while Auger-Aliassime’s has been 4.2. Will Felix continue firing early and often to control rallies with his serve and first-shot power, or will Daniil drag the Canadian deeper into rallies and drown him with his consistency?
Auger-Aliassime will hope that keeping it short and sweet will pay dividends once more and yield his first berth in a major final.
