Tennis News

Korda Upsets Bautista Agut In First Grass Match

#NextGenATP star Sebastian Korda wasted no time finding his feet on his grass-court debut Monday in Halle.

The 20-year-old upset sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 7-6(0) to reach the second round of the NOVENTI OPEN. Korda had never previously played a tour-level match on the surface.

“In the biggest moments I saved a lot of break points, stayed super calm and I never really backed off,” Korda said in his on-court interview. “I kept moving forward, kept going to net and kept doing my thing.”

Korda looked comfortable despite his lack of experience on this surface. The World No. 52 credited that to a training block with his fitness trainer ahead of this tournament.

“We were on some soccer fields moving around and just getting the feel for things,” Korda said. “I think the grass really suits my game. I’m a big hitter, I try to come into net and be aggressive.”

Bautista Agut, who returned to the Top 10 this week for the first time since September at World No. 10, made the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2019. But Korda took the action to the Spaniard and saved seen of the nine break points he faced.

“I stuck to my game plan,” Korda said. “I played aggressively and I just really enjoyed myself today.”

The American will next play former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori or Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis.

In other action, Frenchman Corentin Moutet advanced past seventh seed David Goffin. Moutet levelled the match at 1-6, 7-5 when Goffin retired. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals runner-up slipped during a point early in the second set. Although Goffin completed the set, he was unable to continue after that.

American qualifier Marcos Giron moved on with a 7-6(4), 7-6(6) victory against Canadian Vasek Pospisil. Giron will play top seed Daniil Medvedev or big-hitting German Jan-Lennard Struff yet.

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Queen's 2021: Jack Draper stuns Jannik Sinner & Cameron Norrie advances

British teenager Jack Draper stuns third seed Jannik Sinner at Queen’s for a first ATP Tour win, while Cameron Norrie also advances.

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Queen's: Great Britain's Jack Draper beats Italy's Jannik Sinner at Queen's – best shots

Watch the best shots as Great Britain’s promising teenager Jack Draper beats Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the first round at Queen’s Club in London.

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Federer Makes Winning Start To Grass Season In Halle

Roger Federer made a good start to his grass-court season on Monday with a 7-6(4), 7-5 win against Ilya Ivashka in the first round of the NOVENTI OPEN.

“[I] had a tough moment early on in the first set when he had break points, so that was crucial to get out of those,” Federer said in his on-court interview. “And then I played a really good tie-break, which I was happy about. I think as the match went on I started to create more opportunities and started to also calm my nerves a bit.

“Overall I think I served very well. Clearly, I can always be a little bit better, but I’m very happy and excited that I was able to get through the first one.”

The Swiss superstar has made clear that he has been building up for this grass-court season. And in his first match on the surface since 2019, Federer did not lose serve and advanced after one hour and 35 minutes, setting a second-round clash against Felix Auger-Aliassime or Hubert Hurkacz.

“I missed it. I hadn’t played a tournament [on grass] in two years on this surface,” Federer said. “I’ve done the hard courts, I’ve done the clay and now [I am] on the grass. It’s been great being back here in Halle. I love playing here.”

This is the 39-year-old’s fourth tournament of the season following a quarter-final showing in Doha, a second-round loss in Geneva and a run to the fourth round at Roland Garros, where he withdrew before playing Matteo Berrettini.

There was a significant gulf between Federer and Ivashka’s experience on this surface. The Belarusian had previously played four tour-level matches on grass, while the former World No. 1 has won 19 grass-court titles, including 10 in Halle. With his victory, Federer is now 69-7 at this tournament.

Although Ivashka had not had a lot of grass-court experience, he walked on court Monday with confidence. Not only did he qualify for this tournament, but he pushed Rafael Nadal to three sets in Barcelona and made the semi-finals in Munich. 

The World No. 90 dominated on serve for a large majority of the match and did not face a break point until his 11th service game. Ivashka saved a match point at 4-5 in the second set when he barely squeezed a backhand volley into the net. But Federer did not slip a 0/40 advantage in his next return game. On the Swiss’ fourth match point, Ivashka missed a low forehand approach shot into the net for the only break of the match.

Federer has now won 10 of his past 11 matches at this ATP 500. The 103-time tour-level titlist was not at his flying best, but he was never under threat, winning 77 per cent of his first-serve points and saving the two break points he faced.

“I’m excited to be back on the green grass,” Federer said. “And getting a win is obviously always very nice.

Did You Know?
Federer has advanced to at least the quarter-finals in each of his 17 previous appearances in Halle. The last time he failed to make the semi-finals at this event was in 2001, when he was 19.

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Stuart Parker: Jersey tennis player relishing Queen's opportunity

Jersey’s Stuart Parker says he is relishing the chance play at Queen’s after being given a wildcard to play at the event.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals grandmother died shortly before French Open loss to Novak Djokovic

Stefanos Tsitsipas pays tribute to his grandmother who he reveals died five minutes before his French Open final against Novak Djokovic.

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Zizou's Statement: Bergs Blasts To Third Challenger Title Of 2021

Zizou Bergs was physically drained as he embarked on his stay in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The budding Belgian star, who turned 22 just two weeks ago, entered the clay-court stop on the ATP Challenger Tour in search of much-needed energy as he battled an illness.

“It was a very tough week for me,” said Bergs. “I was feeling sick early in the week and it’s very difficult to get fit during a tournament when you’re not feeling well.”

Bergs battled fatigue throughout the week, but the Belgian refused to succumb as he navigated a strong field at the Beeline Challenger 80. Frequently down but never out, he would make a serious statement on the clay of Almaty.

Bergs rallied from a set down three times and fought off a match point en route to arguably his biggest victory on the Challenger circuit. Despite his physical struggles, the Belgian relied on his trademark guile and determination to triumph in Almaty. He would defeat home hope Timofey Skatov 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in Sunday’s championship.

It was a third ATP Challenger Tour crown of the year for Belgium’s newest star, who joins Jenson Brooksby and Sebastian Baez atop the 2021 titles leaderboard. At the age of 22, he is the youngest player from his country to lift three trophies in a season since a 21-year-old Johan Van Herck in 1995.

“I was down a lot, but I came through,” Bergs added. “I feel very happy but also very tired. This is incredible. I was waiting for the opportunity to play Challengers because I was playing many Futures early in the year. Starting from my first opportunity, winning the title in St. Petersburg, I’m now winning a lot. This was just my fifth tournament on clay and I won again, so it’s promising for the rest of the year. I will try to keep going to make the next steps, but winning three times in such a short period is a pretty incredible feeling.”

Also the champion on the indoor hard courts of St. Petersburg and Lille, it was Bergs’ first victory on clay in his young career. Moreover, his 16-2 record puts him among the Challenger Tour’s win percentage leaders. Only Brooksby and Baez own better records thus far in 2021.

Bergs opened the tournament with a 2-6, 7-6(9), 6-3 comeback win over Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera, saving a match point along the way. And he would earn three straight deciding-set victories in the quarter-finals, semis and final, including two more come-from-behind wins over home favourites Dmitry Popko and Timofey Skatov.

2021 ATP Challenger Win Percentage Leaders

One of the more fiery personalities and determined fighters on tour, it was Bergs’ relentless attitude that carried him through the week in Almaty. Also a big hitter from the back of the court and crafty competitor in the trenches, the Belgian dug deep to find his way to the winners’ circle.

“My coaches helped me a lot this week. They have been my biggest influence. My tennis coach (Bertrand Tinck) has helped me come to the net and be more aggressive. He made steps with me that no one else could do. And of course my mental coach who has been traveling with me now. He has put me in the right mindset. With him, I’ve played four or five tournaments and only lost one match. It’s pretty insane. He’s an incredible guy too and I’m super happy I have them on my team. I appreciate them a lot.”

Bergs will soar 39 spots to a career-high No. 220 in the FedEx ATP Rankings on Monday.

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Tsitsipas Reveals Grandmother's Passing: 'This Is Entirely Dedicated To Her'

Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed early Monday morning on Instagram that he learned five minutes before his Roland Garros final against Novak Djokovic that his grandmother on his father’s side had passed away.

“Five minutes before entering the court my very beloved grandmother lost her battle with life. A wise woman whose faith in life, and willingness to give and provide can’t be compared to any other human being that I have ever met,” Tsitsipas wrote. “It’s important to have more people like her in this world. Because people like her make you come alive. They make you dream.

“I would like to say that regardless of the day, circumstance or situation, this is entirely dedicated to her, and only her. Thank you for for raising my father. Without him this wouldn’t have been possible.”

 

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A post shared by Stefanos Tsitsipas (@stefanostsitsipas98)

Tsitsipas lost a tough five-setter against World No. 1 Djokovic. But in his Instagram post, the Greek put the loss in perspective.

“Life isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about enjoying every single moment in life whether that’s alone or with others,” Tsitsipas wrote. “[It is about] living a meaningful life without misery and abjection. Lifting trophies and celebrating wins is something, but not everything.”

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Djokovic Regains Race Lead As Nitto ATP Finals Battle Intensifies

Novak Djokovic has passed Stefanos Tsitsipas to lead the FedEx ATP Race To Turin, after the World No. 1 fought back from down two sets to love for the sixth time in his career to win the Roland Garros title.

Djokovic started the fortnight in Paris just 190 points behind Tsitsipas and on Sunday he beat the Greek star 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 for his 19th Grand Slam championship crown. It leaves the Serbian superstar just one trophy away from all-time major title leaders Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (both on 20). 

Tsitsipas, who had led the 2021 year-to-date standings ever since he clinched his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on 18 April, is now 610 points behind Djokovic (5,170) on 4,560 points following his first Grand Slam final appearance. Djokovic beat 13-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal, who is up to fourth place (2,940), in the semi-finals.

FedEx ATP Race To Turin (View Latest Standings) 

The 34-year-old Djokovic has captured the Nitto ATP Finals title on five occasions (2008, ’12-15) and is bidding to finish 2021 as year-end No. 1 for a record seventh year, which would break a tie with Pete Sampras (1993-98) for the most year-end No. 1 finishes in FedEx ATP Rankings history. Djokovic has compiled a 27-3 match record in 2021. 

Alexander Zverev (2,970), Nadal, Andrey Rublev (2,770) and Daniil Medvedev (2,590 points), who are in third through sixth places respectively, are separated by just 380 points as the battle to secure a spot in Turin starts to intensify at the mid-point of the 2021 season.

Matteo Berrettini improved his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals for the second time in three years (also 2019) following a run to the Roland Garros quarter-finals (l. to Djokovic). He rises two places to move up to seventh (1,805), 75 points ahead of eighth-placed Aslan Karatsev (1,730), this year’s Australian Open semi-finalist (l. to Djokovic) and Dubai champion.

Jannik Sinner, the 19-year-old #NextGenATP Italian, lost on Parisian clay to Nadal in the fourth round, but also jumped two spots to ninth (1,510) and remains ahead of Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz (1,470), the Miami Open presented by Itau champion, and Casper Ruud of Norway (1,465).

Diego Schwartzman has moved into contention for a Nitto ATP Finals spot for a second consecutive year, jumping 14 places to 13th (1,030 points) after the Argentine advanced to the Roland Garros quarter-finals (l. to Nadal). Another player who made the last eight in Paris, Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, rose 18 spots to 14th (950 points). Schwartzman remains 700 points behind Karatsev, while Davidovich Fokina is 780 points adrift of the final automatic qualification place.

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Tiafoe Reigns In Nottingham For First Grass Title

This week, the ATP Challenger Tour returned to grass for the first time in two years, as the lawns of Nottingham welcomed players back to the prestigious Viking Open.

Frances Tiafoe wasted little time in finding his form on the surface, streaking to his first grass-court title in dominant fashion. The Maryland native ousted close friend Denis Kudla 6-1, 6-3 in just 70 minutes on Sunday, marking the culmination of a week that saw him lose just one set and save 21 of 25 break points faced.

The title match marked the first time that two Americans faced off for a grass-court crown on the Challenger circuit. Kudla, who had defeated Tiafoe in their two previous encounters, battled a determined countryman in Sunday’s championship.

“I was waiting for this for a very long time,” said Tiafoe during the trophy ceremony. “Denis battled hard all week. I know grass is one of his favourite surfaces, so I hope he wins next week but I’m happy to get this one. I needed it bad. And it’s my first title with [coach Wayne Ferreira], so hopefully we’ll get some ATPs next.

“Lastly, I have to say to Denis that I wouldn’t be the guy I am without you bro. I’ve been trying to chase you since I was a kid. It feels good to beat you today but I’ve always looked up to you and I’m happy for our practices together and our friendship. In all my success in the future, I want to say thank you.”

Photo: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Tiafoe is no stranger to success on grass, having advanced to the quarter-finals at the 2018 cinch Championships at Queen’s Club. He would go on to reach the third round at Wimbledon just weeks later.

The 23-year-old’s victory was also his sixth on the ATP Challenger Tour and first since he prevailed on the clay of Parma in 2020. Tiafoe is making a habit of lifting trophies in recent years, having won seven of his last eight finals on the ATP Tour and Challenger circuit combined. He is projected to rise to No. 65 in the FedEx ATP Rankings on Monday.

Kudla, meanwhile, was bidding for his second grass-court crown (Ilkley 2015). The American enjoyed an impressive week himself, stopping #NextGenATP star Tomas Machac in the first round, before defeating home hopes Liam Broady and Daniel Evans and saving a match point against Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak in the semi-finals. Evans was the top seed and defending champion at the Challenger 125 event.

Both finalists will look to continue their strong form on the turf next week, with Tiafoe traveling to London to compete at Queen’s Club and Kudla staying in Nottingham for the second of back-to-back Challengers there. Tiafoe opens against Aljaz Bedene, while Kudla is set to face fourth seed Kevin Anderson.

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