Tennis News

Hurkacz Leads Rublev, Closes In On Miami Final Berth

Playing in his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final, 26th seed Hubert Hurkacz took a big step on the way to the championship match at the Miami Open presented by Itau after winning the opening set against fourth seed Andrey Rublev 6-3 in emphatic style.

The fast-rising Pole has been looking right at home on the courts in Florida, where he lives and trains part-time – and where he began the season with a run to his second ATP Tour trophy at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com. A victory on Friday would make it nine matches victories in a row this year in Florida for Hurkacz.

Hurkacz is halfway to doubling his ATP Head2Head lead against Rublev, having claimed victory in their only previous encounter last year at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. He made a rapid start on Grandstand, where he quickly broke the Rublev serve to take a 3-0 lead.

Coming into their semi-final clash, fourth seed Rublev had only dropped serve twice in the entire tournament – both times came at the hands of Sebastian Korda in the previous round – and had yet to drop a set. From 1-5 down, the Russian saved five set points across three games to narrow the gap, but Hurkacz sealed the set after 40 minutes.

Jannik Sinner, the 21st seed, awaits the winner in the championship match. The 19-year-old Italian is also into his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final after defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Sinner is looking to seal a breakthrough week by becoming the youngest champion in tournament history.

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How Sinner Is Storming Down His 'Long Road'

When Jannik Sinner broke onto the scene in 2019, the Italian was adamant that he was focussed on improving, not just his winning. It was all about “the process” and getting better in the long term. If Sinner lost and learned, he was okay with that. Two years ago this week, the teen was competing in a Futures event in Italy, still the No. 322 player in the FedEx ATP Rankings.

That makes it all the more amazing that Sinner reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final on Friday, defeating game veteran Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi-finals of the Miami Open presented by Itau. On Sunday the 19-year-old, the same player who admitted he prioritises development over trophies, can become the youngest titlist in the history of a tournament where Andre Agassi and Novak Djokovic both won as teenagers.

“Obviously it’s very nice to be part of this final, to play a final, to play for a win, but… I just try to improve every day. That’s for my next years. That is still the main goal,” Sinner said. “[I am] just trying to practise day after day with the right mentality. Then we will see in next years or in next months what’s coming.”

It’s easy to forget that this is just Sinner’s third Masters 1000 main draw and first on hard courts. Both of those previous appearances came at home in Rome. This is all new to Sinner, yet you would never know by watching him. After crushing a backhand winner on match point, the teen quietly pumped his fist as he looked at his team. Only after shaking hands with Bautista Agut and then waving to the Miami crowd did Sinner allow himself to crack a smile.

Sinner’s father, Johann, is a chef and his mother, Siglinde, is a waitress in the same restaurant. The 19-year-old believes his demeanour comes from his parents and their work ethic.

“I have it from my parents because they are working every day a simple job,” Sinner said. “They know what it means to work hard. They gave me this kind of mindset, always trying your best day after day and trying to don’t lose energy during your job.”

Perhaps it’s that mentality that has allowed Sinner to improve at warp speed. For most players, it takes years of experience to climb the ATP Tour ladder and get used to the increasing level of competition. But the World No. 31 does not get distracted by the attention or the rapidly-improving number next to his name. He looks at home on the big stage, which can often prove frightful for younger players.

Although Sinner speaks about the “long road” that represents his career, he is breezing down it with nothing impeding his progress. Three years ago, the San Candido-native was outside the top 1,500 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. Two years ago, he was World No. 322. This time last season, Sinner was still more than six months away from his Top 50 breakthrough. Now, he is on the doorstep of the Top 20, which he will storm through with a victory against Andrey Rublev or Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday.

“It feels great obviously, but as I always say, I’m 19. The road to have this big name is long. It’s not done in one week or tournament. It’s a long process to come there,” Sinner said. “I think it’s nice to play [in the] final here in Miami, but it doesn’t mean anything, that you are going to win other tournaments. The road is long. I know it. My team knows that.”

Many players in Sinner’s position would be overcome with emotion, and there’s nothing wrong with that, either. When fellow #NextGenATP Italian Lorenzo Musetti had a dream week in Acapulco last month, he often fell to the court in celebration. Sinner, however, is a young man zoned in on his mission, not reflecting on his growth.

“You don’t think about playing big tournaments [at] that point because the road is long, your ranking is not there. And then, sometimes you feel good in some weeks,” Sinner said. “Here I felt well from the beginning of the week on court. I think obviously it’s a great result here, but first I have one more match in front of me.”

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Bautista Agut On Sinner: ‘He Has Something Special In Tough Moments’

Just two days after his straight-sets win against World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev, Roberto Bautista Agut’s bid to reach his second ATP Masters 1000 final ended on Friday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The Spaniard fell in three sets to 19-year-old Jannik Sinner, who became only the fourth teenager — after Andre Agassi (1990), Rafael Nadal (2005) and Novak Djokovic (2007) — to reach a Miami final in the tournament’s 36-year history. When asked about Sinner’s future in the sport, Bautista Agut heaped praise on the two-time ATP Tour titlist.

“He has a great future coming up. He has everything,” said Bautista Agut. “He has a big serve, he’s tall, he’s big, he moves well, he has very good groundstrokes, mentally he’s also great and improving. He has a great future coming up.”

Bautista Agut has reached 18 ATP Tour championship matches (9-9) during his 16 years as a professional, but his greater experience has yet to help him achieve success against the #NextGenATP Italian. Sinner’s devastating groundstrokes often grab the headlines, but perhaps the most crucial aspect of the World No. 31’s game is his mental strength. Sinner’s quarter-final opponent, Alexander Bublik, was so impressed by his opponent’s mentality that he asked Sinner if he was human at the conclusion of their match.

Sinner has showcased his winning mentality against Bautista Agut this month across two ATP Head2Head encounters. The San Candido native also beat Bautista Agut in three sets just two weeks ago at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

“Of course, he’s good. [In] both matches [I] have the feeling I could [have] won both times, but finally I didn’t. I think he has something special in tough moments,” said Bautista Agut. “Today, I had chances in the second set, chances in the third set. He’s a great player, [a] great competitor, and I will try to beat him the next time.”

Bautista Agut is correct in his assessment. He did have his chances. The most clear-cut opportunity for the 32-year-old came at 3-3 in the second set, when he held a 40/0 advantage on Sinner’s serve.

The World No. 12 made an error of judgement on his first break point, when he elected to leave a Sinner crosscourt backhand. The ball landed on the line and Sinner saved a total of four break points in that game to keep himself ahead in the score.

“I thought that ball was going out and finally [it] touched the line [by] one millimetre. Tennis sometimes is crazy,” said Bautista Agut. “Sometimes it’s like this, and one ball can make a big difference on the match… I had four break points in this game and today was not my day. I have to congratulate him, because he came back well in the second set and in the third set.”

Bautista Agut has compiled a 12-8 record this season, which includes final appearances at the Open Sud de France (l. to Goffin) and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open (l. to Basilashvili). The nine-time ATP Tour titlist was appearing in his first Masters 1000 semi-final since the 2020 Western & Southern Open (l. to Djokovic). En route to the final four in Miami, Bautista Agut beat 31st seed Jan-Lennard Struff, 2018 champion John Isner and top seed Medvedev.

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Miami Open: Italian teenager Jannick Sinner reaches maiden ATP Masters 1000 decider

Italian teenager Jannick Sinner reaches his first ATP Masters 1000 final with a stunning victory at the Miami Open.

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SF Preview: Can Hurkacz Stop Rublev's Roll?

Andrey Rublev has been one of the hottest players on the ATP Tour since the start of 2020. Will Hubert Hurkacz be able to stop the Russian in his tracks in the Miami Open presented by Itau semi-finals on Friday?

After emerging in two tight sets from a rain-interrupted quarter-final clash against 20-year-old Sebastian Korda on Thursday night, Rublev will look to quickly recover to take on the Polish No. 1. Rublev has won more matches than anyone else this season (20-3) and is the only player yet to drop a set Miami, but in their only ATP Head2Head prior meeting, Hurkacz prevailed in three sets in Rome last year.

“In the end, everyone can win now,” Rublev said. “He’s a really great player. He has a really huge serve, really great strokes.

“He’s really aggressive from the baseline. He goes for the shots, and last time we played half a year ago, he beat me. It’s going to be an opportunity for me to do better tomorrow, and we’ll see if I can take the rematch.”

The hot, humid coastal climate of Miami is far removed from what Hurkacz grew up with in Poland. The 24-year-old, though, is feeling right at home in South Florida in 2021.

After winning the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com title in January, Hurkacz has now surged into his maiden Masters 1000 semi-final just down the road in Miami. The 26th seed backed up impressive victories over Canadians, sixth seed Denis Shapovalov and 12th seed Milos Raonic, with an upset of No. 2 seed and recent Acapulco runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“I think that’s so far one of the best results,” Hurkacz said. “Obviously like winning titles, it’s nice because you win the tournament, but the results, winning a couple of really like close matches in a row, that’s really big for me.”

Hurkacz is the bigger player — standing at 6’5″ to Rublev’s 6’2″ — but Rublev will be the one trying to immediately take control of rallies with his big-hitting game. The Pole is an excellent defender for his size, but will he be able to stave off the Russian’s attacks under the Florida sun?

“We’ll see what’s going to happen. I’m going to do my best, and that’s it,” Rublev said. “What’s [going to] happen is going to happen. If I will manage to win tomorrow, it’s perfect. If not, then it’s because Hurkacz is better than me.”

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Bautista Agut Leads Sinner In Miami Semi-final

Roberto Bautista Agut has taken the first set of his Miami Open presented by Itau semi-final 7-5 on Friday against Jannik Sinner.

The seventh seed, who is chasing his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy, wore his opponent down from the baseline in extended rallies to extract 26 unforced errors. Bautista Agut claimed two service breaks during the 52-minute opener.

The World No. 12 is aiming to become the fifth Spanish player to reach the championship match in Miami, and follow in the footsteps of Sergi Bruguera (1997), Carlos Moya (2003), Rafael Nadal (2005, ’08, ’11, ’14 and ’17) and David Ferrer (2013). Bautista Agut has already reached championship matches this year in Montpellier (l. to Goffin) and Doha (l. to Basilashvili).

Sinner is attempting to reach his first Masters 1000 final. The 19-year-old, who is the eighth teenager to reach the Miami semi-finals, defeated Bautista Agut in three sets in the pair’s opening ATP Head2Head encounter in Dubai two weeks ago.

In the second semi-final, fourth seed Andrey Rublev will meet Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. Hurkacz won his only previous match against Rublev in three sets at last year’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome.

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Zverev Awarded Marbella Wild Card

Germany’s Alexander Zverev has been awarded a wild card for the AnyTech365 Andalucia Open, which begins in Marbella on 5 April.

The World No. 7 will join No. 8-ranked Andrey Rublev, Pablo Carreno Busta and Fabio Fognini at the Club de Tennis Puente Romano, venue of ATP 250 clay-court event.

Zverev has won at least one ATP Tour trophy for six years in a row. The 23-year-old started 2021 with a run to the Australian Open quarter-finals (l. to Djokovic) and also captured his 14th crown last month at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco (d. Tsitsipas).

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Korda: 'I Can Play With The Biggest Names In Tennis'

Sebastian Korda says that he feels better about playing against “the biggest names in tennis” after a run to the Miami Open presented by Itau quarter-finals.

The 20-year-old #NextGenATP American lost to fourth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev 7-5, 7-6(7) on Thursday night and is now 10-4 on the 2021 ATP Tour season, which includes a runner-up finish at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com (l. to Hurkacz) in January.

“I kind of feel comfortable playing against these bigger guys,” said World No. 87 Korda, who was contesting just his second ATP Masters 1000 tournament. “This week showed me that I can keep up and play with the biggest names in tennis. So it was a really positive week, both in singles and in doubles. I had a lot of fun in doubles with my partner, Michael Mmoh. I will take a lot from this and hopefully I can play some good tennis on the clay now.”

Korda, who is set to break into the Top 70 of the FedEx ATP Rankings on Monday, believes that last year’s five-month Tour suspension due to the global COVID-19 pandemic really helped his development.

“I think one of the best things was the break that we had,” said Korda. “It helped me really focus on my body, and fortunately we had a tennis court right next to our house. We were all healthy and we were all staying safe. That was a really big thing for me. I just got in a lot of reps, and I think that really shows in my game right now that I’m a lot more consistent.

“I can keep up with these bigger guys. I think that’s one of the biggest things. But I also think skipping out on [the] Australia [swing] was also a really big thing for me, getting a lot matches. I’m match fit. When I have a lot of matches under my belt, I play some really good tennis.”

The 6’5” right-hander, whose father Petr Korda captured the 1996 Australian Open title and rose to a career-high World No. 2, beat Radu Albot, No. 10 seed Fabio Fognini, No. 17 seed Aslan Karatsev and fifth seed Diego Schwartzman en route to the Miami quarter-finals.

Throughout his run, Korda kept his emotions in check, something he credits to his mother, Regina, a former World No. 26 on the WTA Tour.

“I think ever since I was a kid, my mom was really big into kind of having a poker face on court and not showing any negative emotions. Obviously, positive emotions are always great, but I think my mom was really big on that. I have her to thank for that, because I think it’s a really [a] big strength for me that the opponent doesn’t really know what’s happening on the other side of the court. I try to use it to my favour.”

Korda, who is currently in fourth position in the ATP Race To Milan for a spot at the Next Gen ATP Finals in November, will now return to Bradenton, Florida, to recover from a groin injury, which he says “is the result of playing plenty of matches this year”.

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Friday Preview: Sinner To Meet Bautista Agut For Miami Final Spot

Roberto Bautista Agut’s quarter-final upset of top seed Daniil Medvedev already ensured a new ATP Masters 1000 champion at the Miami Open presented by Itau. Now #NextGenATP Italian Jannik Sinner is out to spoil the Spaniard’s party in a Friday showdown on Grandstand.

Sinner has dropped just one set en route to the final four in Miami, where he will aim to become the fourth teenage finalist in the tournament’s 36-year history. Only 1990 champion Andre Agassi (19), 2005 runner-up Rafael Nadal (18) and 2007 winner Novak Djokovic (19) have advanced to the championship match as teenagers.

Seventh seed Bautista Agut — the only quarter-finalist over the age of 25 — will be aiming to avenge his three-set loss to Sinner in the pair’s maiden ATP Head2Head encounter earlier this month in Dubai. On that occasion, Sinner struck 48 winners — including 16 aces — to outlast Bautista Agut 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.

“Especially these [past] two weeks in Dubai and now here, I have more [clarity about] what I have to do,” Sinner said. “It’s working quite well… Especially when you’re 19, honestly, I am focused about improving my tennis… Physically I have to improve very, very much. Mentally, as well. I’m just looking forward to getting better day after day and that’s for me the most important thing.”

Bautista Agut, who saved a match point in his Round of 16 clash against 2018 champion John Isner, is aiming to become the fifth player from Spain — alongside Sergi Bruguera (1997), Carlos Moya (2003), Nadal (2005, ’08, ’11, ’14 and ’17) and David Ferrer (2013) — to reach the Miami final. The 32-year-old enters his second ATP Head2Head encounter against Sinner in peak form, following his quarter-final win against three-time Masters 1000 champion Medvedev.

The Spaniard knows that he will face another tough test from Sinner in Miami. At just 19 years old, Sinner already owns two ATP Tour titles, the Next Gen ATP Finals trophy and has advanced to a Grand Slam quarter-final (2020 Roland Garros).

“It was a very tough match in Dubai, and it was a very tight score,” said Bautista Agut, who is hoping to reach his second Masters 1000 final (2016 Shanghai). “He’s playing great, he’s very solid and he has very good strokes. I think I’ll have to play another good match like tonight.

“Jannik is playing great… I have to say he will be one of the best players in the world. I want to enjoy another good match and be happy about playing in the semi-finals.”

After emerging in two tight sets from a rain-interrupted quarter-final clash against the 20-year-old Korda on Thursday night, Rublev will look to beat Hurkacz for the first time in the second semi-final in Miami. Rublev has won more matches than anyone else this season (20-3) and is the only player yet to drop a set, but in their only ATP Head2Head prior meeting, the Pole prevailed in three sets in Rome last year.

“In the end, everyone can win now,” Rublev said. “He’s a really great player. He has a really huge serve, really great strokes. 

“He’s really aggressive from the baseline. He goes for the shots, and last time we played half a year ago he beat me. It’s going to be an opportunity for me to do better tomorrow, and we’ll see if I can take the rematch.

The hot, humid coastal climate of Miami is far removed from what Hubert Hurkacz grew up with in Poland. The 24-year-old, though, is feeling right at home in South Florida in 2021.

After winning the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com title in January, Hurkacz has now surged into his maiden Masters 1000 semi-final just down the road in Miami. The 26th seed backed up impressive victories over Canadians, sixth seed Denis Shapovalov and 12th seed Milos Raonic, with an upset of No. 2 seed and recent Acapulco runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“I think that’s so far one of the best results,” Hurkacz said. “Obviously like winning titles, it’s nice because you win the tournament, but the results, winning a couple of really like close matches in a row, that’s really big for me.”

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Rublev Ends Korda's Run To Reach Miami SF

Andrey Rublev is two wins from a maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy after snapping #NextGenATP American Sebastian Korda’s inspired run in the Miami Open presented by Itau quarter-finals on Thursday night. In a rain-interrupted first ATP Head2Head meeting between the pair, the fourth seed eked out a 7-5, 7-6(7) victory.

It set a semi-final showdown with 26th seed Hubert Hurkacz. The Pole earlier upset second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas from a set and a break down.

Rublev was particularly impressed with the fight his opponent displayed from 3-5 down in both sets under the lights. It was a match he admitted he was lucky did not go to a deciding set, having trailed 2-4 in the second-set tie-break.

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“If we talk about the second set, I also could win easier, but it happens, this is tennis,” Rublev said. “Maybe next match I will lose second set and lose the third. I mean, today I managed to win and I’m happy. Sebastian is a really great player, he’s really talented. He has big shots and he feels confident and he goes for them. Most of them he’s making.

“So in the end, that’s why he’s great. He has a big serve, really great at the net, he’s smart and he plays aggressive. He tries to take the lead and go for the shots. That’s why he beat so many great players.”

Beyond the usual advice to come from a father, Petr Korda, who was a former World No. 2, Korda may have gained further insight, given his dad used to work with Russian. Rublev, too, knew what to expect.  

“I know really well his father because he was helping me a bit, especially when I was maybe 16,” Rublev said. “When I was in Bradenton IMG he was helping me, giving me advice, hitting with me. I’m really grateful to him for this. I saw Sebastian even when he was even smaller, maybe 13. I don’t know if he remembers.

“His father is really smart. He knows really well about tennis, he teach him really well. You can see that he has really great technique. He has really easy shots, easy movement.”

Rublev had never passed the quarter-finals of an ATP Masters 1000 event but after taking the opening set against the 20-year-old the omens were good. The Russian had won 73 of his past 75 matches after taking the opening set.

Korda had this week posted his first Top 20 win over Fabio Fognini and fist Top 10 victory against Diego Schwartzman and proved a handful for the fourth seeds under the lights. Rublev served for the match at 5-3 in the second set only to be broken to love. Two match points were saved but a second double fault of the match from Korda presented a third opportunity and Rublev made no mistake of it, sealing his passage on his fifth ace.

He will need to land his first win over Hurkacz having fallen to the Pole in their only prior ATP Head2Head meeting. A berth in a maiden ATP Masters 1000 final beckons for both.

“I know how tough tough Hurkacz is, for example, he beat me last year,” Rublev said. “It’s more about that maybe I feel extra pressure, because I’m the one left [from the] Top 10 and looks like I’m high ranking and I feel more pressure.

“But I lost to Hurkacz, I lost to Roberto [Bautista Agut] 6-3, 6-3 just two weeks ago. Jannik [Sinner], who is beating already many players, and I think he [has beaten] Top 10 players also… So in the end, everyone can win now.”

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