Tennis News

Berrettini Battles Past Fognini In Italian Generational Clash

Matteo Berrettini won a generational all-Italian battle on Tuesday, beating Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open.

The first time these two Italian stars met was four years ago at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Berrettini was 21 years old and No. 249 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, and he managed just four games. Berrettini is now the No. 1 Italian and he reenforced his status with an 82-minute victory at the Caja Magica. He has now won five consecutive matches including his title run in Belgrade.

“I’m pretty happy for my physical shape, for my mental performance so far, and the way I came back after a big injury. I think I’m playing good. I’m really feeling confident,” Berrettini said. “These conditions I think are good for my tennis. It’s tough to build the momentum in these conditions and it was tougher for me because I got injured, but I’m trying really hard. The results so far are pretty good.”

The eighth seed will next play Estoril champion Albert Ramos-Vinolas or Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis. Earlier in the day, Ramos-Vinolas beat Taylor Fritz7-5, 5-7, 6-4 to reach the second round.

Fognini hit one more winner than Berrettini in the match, 17-16. But the World No. 10 dominated with his serve, winning 85 per cent of his first-serve points to avoid facing a break point in the match. Berrettini closed out the match without difficulty, holding to love in his final service game with a forehand drop shot.

“I really put a lot of effort and energy, I really try to focus a lot in order to serve like this. It’s not something that is coming really easily,” Berrettini said. “When it’s working like it was working today, I feel confident, but at the same time I ask myself to not get [drop my attention], because just one game can change the whole match.
That’s what I try to do, but I guess today [it] worked pretty well.” 

Did You Know?
Berrettini and Fognini helped lead Team Italy to the final of the ATP Cup earlier this year. At that event, Berrettini earned Top 15 victories against Dominic Thiem, Gael Monfils and Roberto Bautista Agut.

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Zverev Picks Up Doubles Win In Madrid

Singles stars were all over the doubles court on Tuesday at the Mutua Madrid Open. In first-round action, Alexander Zverev teamed with compatriot Tim Puetz to defeat Felix Auger-Aliassime and Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4.

Zverev will play his opening singles match against Kei Nishikori on Wednesday while Auger-Aliassime and Hurkacz were knocked out of the draw earlier on Tuesday. 

Stefanos Tsitsipas and his younger brother Petros Tsitsipas challenged seventh seeds Wesley Koolhof and Lukasz Kubot but ultimately fell 6-4, 5-7, 10-6. The Tsitsipas brothers have teamed up five times in 2021, winning two matches.

Germans Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen eased past the tandem of Marton Fucsovics and Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-4. Gille and Vliegen are fresh off a final appearance in Munich and won in Singapore earlier this season for their fifth ATP Tour crown together.

In the only match that didn’t feature a prominent singles star, Kevin Krawietz and Horia Tecau topped Henri Kontinen and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 6-4. Last week in Munich, Krawietz teamed up with Koolhof to win the title.

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My Pandemic: Sinner Raises Mental Health Awareness

As the world still deals with the impact of COVID-19, Jannik Sinner is doing his part to raise mental health awareness. The 19-year-old Italian recently spoke about the pandemic, mental health and the launch of his Instagram series, “What’s Kept You Moving”.

“Mental health is important,” Sinner said. “Many people don’t speak about that, so I would like to speak a little bit more about that.”

The World No. 18 spent the lockdown trying to stay in shape from the confines of his Monaco apartment with the help of a fitness trainer from the Piatti Tennis Center.

“I have to say it was tough,” Sinner said. “What I missed the most was touching the ball, feeling the ball especially hearing the ball.”

The #NextGenATP star’s family members contracted COVID-19, making tennis a second priority to health.

“For me, the most important thing was my family,” the teenager said. “Everyone had COVID in my family, but everyone is safe now so I’m very glad and happy that everyone survived that.”

Sinner would rejoin the tour in August and finish the 2020 season on a high note by winning his first ATP Tour title in Sofia. He’d start 2021 with a second title, at the Great Ocean Road Open. After reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Miami and appearing in the semi-finals in Barcelona, Sinner made his Top 20 debut.

As his star rises on court, Sinner wants to use his growing platform to increase mental health awareness, especially in young people.

“I think many young people don’t talk much about tough situations in their lives. It doesn’t have to be only COVID, but all the rest together,” Sinner said. “I think if you have a great family behind you, don’t be scared about talking with them about everything. You have to be honest with yourself, even if it hurts trying to speak about that. I think it’s not only in normal life, but even if you play sports, the mental part is maybe the most important thing you have in your life.”

His Instagram series has seen him speak with sports figures about how their life has changed because of the pandemic.

“I think it’s very interesting to see other people’s opinions,” Sinner said. “I’m looking forward to speaking with normal people with normal jobs. Just trying to mix it up as much as possible.”

This week in Madrid, he’s into the second round after Guido Pella retired while Sinner was leading 6-2, 4-4. Sinner will next take on Alexei Popyrin Wednesday.

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Billie Jean King Cup Finals no longer to be held in Budapest

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals must find a new host city after the International Tennis Federation terminates its contract with Budapest.

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Bublik Bounces Shapovalov In Madrid

The best season of Alexander Bublik’s career continues to get better.

The Kazakhstani battled past 11th seed Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 after two hours and 20 minutes on Tuesday to reach the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open. The 23-year-old will next play seventh seed Diego Schwartzman or 2021 breakthrough star Aslan Karatsev for a spot in the quarter-finals in his tournament debut.

Bublik now has a career-high 18 wins in 2021 just more than four months into the season. The 23-year-old was the more consistent player inside Stadium 3, taking advantage of Shapovalov’s 40 unforced errors to take a 2-0 ATP Head2Head series lead against the Canadian, who hit 14 double faults.

“I started on the same level as the other day, so it’s not so much of my game not working. It’s more mental,” Shapovalov said. “Throwing in five doubles in one game, it’s not like I don’t know how to serve. It’s completely mental.”

Bublik Second-Serve Return Placement

^{Graphic courtesy of Hawk-Eye Innovations/ATP Media}
Bublik had never previously won an ATP Masters 1000 match outside of Miami. But now he has two impressive wins under his belt against in-form Hungarian Marton Fucsovics and Shapovalov.

In other action, Albert Ramos-Vinolas maintained his high level with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 victory against Taylor Fritz. Just two days ago, the Spaniard lifted his third ATP Tour trophy in Estoril, but he managed to quickly adjust to the Madrid altitude to move on after two hours and 29 minutes.

Ramos-Vinolas will next play Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis, who eliminated 10th seed Pablo Carreno Busta in Monday’s final match of the evening. Delbonis leads their ATP Head2Head series 4-2.

The 33-year-old Ramos-Vinolas leads the ATP Tour with 17 tour-level wins on clay this year, and Delbonis is second with 10.

Did You Know?
With his win against Shapovalov, Bublik is now 9-0 against left-handers.

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Rublev Survives Paul Challenge In Madrid

Andrey Rublev overcame a tough challenge on his Mutua Madrid Open debut on Tuesday to beat Tommy Paul 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 for a place in the third round. Paul put forth a brilliant effort while Rublev struggled to control the ball in the unfamiliar high altitude. 

“It’s important to win when you’re not [playing] your [best] game and things are not going well,” the Russian said on-court. “So it’s really important to win this match to have more confidence. I’m happy that I turned it around.”

The World No. 7, who has advanced to the quarter-finals or better in all seven tournaments he has played this season, is now 9-2 at the ATP Masters 1000 level in 2021, after reaching the semi-finals in Miami and the final in Monte-Carlo.

Rublev’s next opponent is still undecided as John Isner awaits the winner of Roberto Bautista Agut and Marco Cecchinato, who play later Tuesday.

Rublev opened up a 4-2 lead in the first set, but Paul stayed calm, even with this week also marking his Madrid debut. After four straight service breaks heading into the tie-break, and later a 1/5 deficit, the American held his nerve to fight back and clinch the 49-minute opener by winning six points in a row.

In the second set, Paul showed signs of fatigue, and after trading service games, Rublev capitalised on Paul’s slight letdown in energy to break for 5-3. The third set could have gone either way with both raising their intensity. Paul had a look at a break point at 4-3, but Rublev saved it and then took all of the momentum to break in the very next game. He sealed his first win in Madrid with an ace.

Rublev improves to 3-0 in their ATP Head2Head Series and inches ahead of Stefanos Tsitsipas to take the lead for most ATP wins in 2021 with 27.

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Cameron Norrie's blisters mean British number two withdraws from Madrid Masters

British number two Cameron Norrie withdraws from the Madrid Masters because of blisters on his foot.

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Garin Perfect In The Clutch To Beat Verdasco In Madrid

Cristian Garin was perfect in the clutch moments on Monday evening to dismiss home favourite Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the Mutua Madrid Open.

The Chilean No. 1 saved all eight break points he faced and converted the three opportunities he earned to advance after one hour and 27 minutes, setting a second-round clash against German Dominik Koepfer, who ousted American Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-4 earlier in the day.

The difference in Madrid experience could not have been greater inside Manolo Santana Stadium, as Garin was making his tournament debut and Verdasco was competing in the Spanish capital for the 18th consecutive edition (he also played in qualifying in 2002). But when it mattered most, Garin was the more comfortable player. 

The 16th seed played aggressively when he needed to. But more importantly, he gave very few free points away, forcing Verdasco to beat him. The Spaniard could not do so, as he made 32 unforced errors, more than doubling Garin’s count (15).

One seed who was unable to move on was 10th seed Pablo Carreno Busta. Qualifier Federico Delbonis rallied from a set and two breaks down to defeat the Spaniard 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the last match of the day. The Argentine will next challenge Estoril champion Albert Ramos-Vinolas or American Taylor Fritz.

In other action, Marcos Giron won a marathon three-setter against Pablo Andujar, clawing past the Spaniard 6-7(8), 7-6(4), 7-5 after three hours and 26 minutes. The American had already played a match that lasted longer than three hours in the first round of qualifying against Thiago Monteiro.

Giron will have to recover quickly when he plays third seed Dominic Thiem on Tuesday evening. The 27-year-old owns one Top 10 victory, which he claimed against Matteo Berrettini at last year’s Rolex Paris Masters.

Did You Know?
Garin is in second seed Daniil Medvedev’s section of the draw. If both men reach the third round, they will meet for the second time in their ATP Head2Head series. The Russian triumphed in straight sets two years ago in Montreal.

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Preview: ‘Recharged’ Thiem Leads Seeds, Rublev Ready For Debut

The top seeds are set to hit the courts as first-round action wraps up at La Caja Magica on a jam-packed Tuesday at the Mutua Madrid Open.

Third seed Dominic Thiem leads the way, set to start against American qualifier Marcos Giron under the lights inside Manolo Santana Stadium. Into the second round with a bye, the two-time Madrid finalist is contesting his first tournament since the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after taking a break to recharge.

“It had something to do with [winning] the US Open title,” Thiem said in a pre-tournament interview. “Chasing a goal for such a long time and then finally achieving it, it took a lot out of my body and my head. With all the euphoria and everything, I was playing well the rest of last year. And then in Australia, it somehow got to me a little bit. I decided to take a little bit of time off to recover and make a small reset.

“I feel recharged. I was away from tennis for a while and away from everything, so I definitely recharged and I’m ready again for everything.”

Thiem, who owns a 5-4 record on the season, is looking for his 18th tour-level title in Madrid, and his second ATP Masters 1000 crown.

Sixth seed Andrey Rublev will start his debut Madrid campaign against American Tommy Paul in the second round at Arantxa Sanchez Stadium. The World No. 7 is hoping that his snakebitten years are behind him, after a series of unfortunate events – ranging from a wrist injury and a spinal fracture to a global pandemic – kept him out of the tournament for the past three years.

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“When my ranking became [high enough] and I was around 30 in the world, I was injured twice, two seasons in a row, during the summer which is the clay-court season. And then last year was pandemic,” Rublev said with a wry smile. “So unlucky three seasons already, and now finally I’m here. I’m feeling like hopefully it’s going to be my first year when I play the whole season, non-stop, all the tournaments.”

Rublev couldn’t be in a better position for his first Madrid venture, after recently reaching his first Masters 1000 final at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (l. Tsitsipas). He is tied for the most wins on the ATP Tour with 26, and will hope to add one more and extend his ATP Head2Head lead against Paul to 3-0.

Also in action, eighth seed Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini booked an all-Italian second-round battle. It will be their second career meeting, with Fogini claiming a straight-sets victory in their 2017 Internazionali BNL d’Italia match.

#NextGenATP stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jannik Sinner will also be among those searching for a spot into the second round on Tuesday. Coached by the inimitable Toni Nadal, Auger-Aliassime will face Norway’s Casper Ruud in his opening match, while Miami finalist Sinner will meet Argentina’s Guido Pella for the first time. Karen Khachanov and Kei Nishikori also feature, facing off for the fifth time in the first match of the day.

ORDER OF PLAY – TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021
MANOLO SANTANA STADIUM start 11:00 am
First Round – K. Khachanov (RUS) vs K. Nishikori (JPN)

Not Before 1:00 PM
WTA MATCH – [13] E. Mertens (BEL) vs [3] S. Halep (ROU)

Not Before 3:00 pm
First Round – [9] R. Bautista Agut (ESP) vs [Q] M. Cecchinato (ITA)

Not Before 7:00 pm
Second Round – [3] D. Thiem (AUT) vs [Q] M. Giron (USA)

ARANTXA SANCHEZ STADIUM start 11:00 am
First Round – [15] F. Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs C. Ruud (NOR)
Second Round – T. Paul (USA) vs [6] A. Rublev (RUS)

Not Before 3:00 PM
WTA MATCH – [5] A. Sabalenka (BLR) vs J. Pegula (USA)
Second Round – [8] M. Berrettini (ITA) vs F. Fognini (ITA)
WTA MATCH – [ND] M. Keys (USA) / J. Pegula (USA) vs [2] B. Krejcikova (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE)

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am
First Round – G. Pella (ARG) vs [14] J. Sinner (ITA)
First Round – C. Norrie (GBR) vs F. Krajinovic (SRB)
Second Round – A. Bublik (KAZ) vs [11] D. Shapovalov (CAN)

Not Before 5:00 PM
WTA MATCH – A. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs [11] J. Brady (USA)
Second Round – A. de Minaur (AUS) vs L. Harris (RSA)

COURT 4 start 11:00 am
[Q] P. Herbert (FRA) vs A. Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
T. Fritz (USA) vs A. Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)
N. Basilashvili (GEO) vs B. Paire (FRA)
K. Krawietz (GER) / H. Tecau (ROU) vs H. Kontinen (FIN) / E. Roger-Vasselin (FRA)

COURT 5 start 11:00 am
[12] H. Hurkacz (POL) vs J. Millman (AUS)
[Q] A. Popyrin (AUS) vs J. Struff (GER)
T. Puetz (GER) / A. Zverev (GER) vs F. Auger-Aliassime (CAN) / H. Hurkacz (POL)
[7] W. Koolhof (NED) / L. Kubot (POL) vs [WC] P. Tsitsipas (GRE) / S. Tsitsipas (GRE)

COURT 6 start 11:00 am
WTA MATCH – E. Perez (AUS) / S. Zheng (CHN) vs [5] A. Guarachi (CHI) / D. Krawczyk (USA)

Not Before 12:30 PM
WTA MATCH – [OSE] B. Bencic (SUI) / J. Teichmann (SUI) vs N. Hibino (JPN) / R. Voracova (CZE)
WTA MATCH – [DA PR] E. Vesnina (RUS) / V. Zvonareva (RUS) vs [OSE] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / I. Swiatek (POL)
WTA MATCH – [3] G. Dabrowski (CAN) / D. Schuurs (NED) vs V. Kudermetova (RUS) / A. Potapova (RUS)
After Suitable Rest – S. Gille (BEL) / J. Vliegen (BEL) vs M. Fucsovics (HUN) / C. Ruud (NOR)

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Nadal, Thiem, Tsitsipas & More Stars Training Hard In Madrid

With the Mutua Madrid Open underway, the world’s best players, including Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas, are working hard in practice to prepare themselves for a big run at the Caja Magica.

Nadal is chasing a sixth title at the Spanish ATP Masters 1000 tournament, where he has lifted the trophy in 2005, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017. The top seed has been training hard with the likes of World No. 10 Matteo Berrettini and countryman Jaume Munar.

Other stars who have practised together this week include Thiem and Andrey Rublev as well as Tsitsipas and Sebastian Korda.

The stars have not just been working hard on the court, though. They have also been preparing their bodies, both to be ready for training and for the rigours of tough clay-court matches.

Players have shown a variety of excercises, from typical work with bands to football warmups.

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