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Musetti's Magic Moves #NextGenATP Italian Into Miami Second Round

  • Posted: Mar 26, 2021

Lorenzo Musetti is flying higher than ever, and based on his performance on Thursday evening, the #NextGenATP Italian has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

Musetti battled past gritty American wild card Michael Mmoh 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second round of the Miami Open presented by Itau. This was the teen’s Miami debut and his first ATP Masters 1000 match on hard courts.

“It’s really nice. It’s my first time here [in Miami]. Last week was a fantastic run in Acapulco,” Musetti said in his on-court interview. “Michael, I knew he was a great opponent. I played a really good match, it was a tough match. [It was] really intense and I really enjoyed [playing] here. I’m really happy.”

The 19-year-old enjoyed the best run of his young career last week in Acapulco, where he qualified and reached the semi-finals of an ATP 500 event for the first time. Musetti earned his first Top 10 win against Diego Schwartzman in Mexico, and later ousted Grigor Dimitrov in what he believes was the best match of his young career.

Musetti, who became the youngest player in the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings this week, maintained his high level against Mmoh. Although the American battled hard in his home state, the Italian was too solid and came up with too many hot shots under pressure to advance after one hour and 38 minutes. The World No. 94 rallied from 0/40 down as he served out the match, saving his third break point in the game with a backhand laser down the line for a winner.

“I think my lethal weapon is the backhand down the line,” Musetti said. “It was a really tough moment [and] I came out with a fantastic backhand down the line. I think it’s one of my keys [to] improving my game.”

Musetti will next play 23rd seed Benoit Paire, who was in the stands watching the teen’s victory. 

“He’s a really nice guy and is a fantastic player,” Musetti said. “He has had a lot of ups and downs in his career, but I think he plays incredible tennis. It will be really tough, but for sure it will be fun and a great experience.”

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Korda Makes Winning Miami Debut Against Albot

  • Posted: Mar 26, 2021

Sebastian Korda only dropped three games against Radu Albot on Thursday to win his debut match at the Miami Open presented by Itau in emphatic style.

After fighting through a tight opening set, Korda was nearly untouchable in the second against the Moldovan, who is ranked 10 spots higher at No. 77 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. Korda broke the Albot serve four times and fired 24 winners on his way to a 6-3, 6-0 victory.

“I love playing at night,” Korda told ATPTour.com. “I’ve only played two day matches this whole year. I love playing at night, and I love playing in South Florida. I’m super pleased with how I played today.”

Korda started the season by reaching his first ATP Tour final at the Delray Beach Open by Vitacost.com, notching wins over the likes of Tommy Paul and John Isner. He’s been on the rise since and won an ATP Challenger Tour title in Quimper.

The in-form American had the momentum on his side against Albot in Miami. Korda kept him under pressure from the start, and Albot had to save five break points in his very first service game. It didn’t get any easier from there, with Korda taking control at 4-2 and closing out the opening set. 

Sixteen of Korda’s 24 winners came off the forehand wing, and it was the shot that dictated play for the American during the one-sided second set. He reeled off the last seven games in a row to seal his first ATP Masters 1000 victory in an hour and 16 minutes. 

“[I’m] just putting in the hard work, and so far it’s paying off,” Korda said. “Hopefully I can take the next step and go a little deeper now.”

Korda will face 10th seed Fabio Fognini in his next match – and the pair will be seeing a lot of each other as they’re set to play in the first round of doubles as well. Korda will partner with countryman Michael Mmoh to face Fognini and Maximo Gonzalez on Friday.

“I’ve been watching him since I was a kid, so it’s going to be a fun match,” Korda said. “I’ll play him in doubles, and hopefully I get a little feel for his game and hopefully get ready for Saturday.”

Elsewhere, Denis Kudla rallied from a set down to defeat in-form Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The American, who was seeking his first tour-level victory since the 2019 US Open, converted two of his three break points to advance after one hour and 54 minutes. Kudla will face Delray Beach champion Hubert Hurkacz in the second round.

Jordan Thompson needed two hours and 12 minutes to earn a 7-6(6), 6-4 victory against Federico Delbonis. The Aussie, who reached last month’s Great Ocean Road Open quarter-finals, saved a set point at 5/6 in the first-set tie-break to reach the second round. Thompson will meet three-time quarter-finalist Milos Raonic in his next match.

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How This Lifelong Fan Won A VIP Trip To 2022 ATP Cup

  • Posted: Mar 26, 2021

With nine Australian Open titles to Novak Djokovic’s name, few tennis fans would bet against the World No. 1 winning at Melbourne Park. But that’s exactly what one American tennis fan did during the ATP Cup Bracket Challenge, and it’s earned him the VIP trip of a lifetime. 

Jon Spencer Stewart from Arlington, Texas, correctly chose Russia, Italy, Spain and Germany as his four group leaders, picked both semi-final winners and named Team Russia as the ultimate ATP Cup champion.

Now, Stewart will be packing his bags to see the 2022 ATP Cup in person as the Bracket Challenge grand prize winner. In addition to a VIP trip for two to Australia to watch the semi-finals and final of next year’s tournament, Stewart has won a backstage tour and a meet-and-greet with an ATP Tour player. 

“It’s unbelievable. I remember filling that out and almost forgetting about it, but I thought, ‘You know, I probably did really good on that.’ And then suddenly I got the email!” Stewart told ATPTour.com. “I don’t watch tennis all the time taking detailed notes, I pretty much went with my gut. I can’t explain it… I just thought the Russians would be the better team instead of Serbia. I had a premonition.”

Stewart’s ‘premonition’ was backed by a bit of scouting as he followed the abbreviated 2020 season. He kept a particularly keen eye on Italians like Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini, and enjoyed the back-court play of the Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev-led Russians. 

He even got an early look at Aslan Karatsev long before he made waves at this year’s Australian Open as a qualifier. In fact, seeing the 27-year-old’s name alongside Medvedev and Rublev’s sealed Stewart’s winning pick for Team Russia. 

“I think I was watching [Prague] where I first saw Aslan Karatsev,” he recalled. “I don’t think they played him in the ATP Cup, but I saw him in [Team Russia’s] line-up. I was very impressed with him. I thought, ‘This guy’s great, but he can never win.’ And then he blew everybody away at the Australian Open.”

Jon Spencer Stewart

But only one friend or family member will be coming along with him, meaning Stewart has one last important pick to make as the ATP Cup Bracket Challenge winner.

“I’ve never been to Australia, and I’ve always dreamed of going there… Deciding who to bring with me, that’s the tough part,” Stewart joked. 

* All photographs courtesy of Jon Spencer Stewart. Photo credit: James Lavine

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Cilic Strikes Unique 'Overhead Drop Shot' In Coria Win

  • Posted: Mar 26, 2021

Across his 11 previous appearances at the Miami Open presented by Itau, Marin Cilic has played many memorable matches and struck countless winners. But in his first-round match on Thursday, the Croatian added a new shot to his repertoire in his 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory against Federico Coria.

The former World No. 3 claimed three service breaks to improve to 12-11 at the event after two hours and three minutes. The first of those breaks came in extraordinary fashion, as he mishit an attempted overhead for a drop shot winner.

Cilic, who reached the 2013 Miami semi-finals, won 100 per cent of his first-serve points in the decider (16/16) to book a second-round meeting against 13th seed Cristian Garin. In his only previous ATP Head2Head match against Garin, the Croatian earned a 6-1, 7-6(5) win at the 2019 Cinch Championships.

“Federico played solid,” said Cilic. “He is retrieving a lot of balls back and [he is] a good grinder behind the court. It was important for me to keep my head down, keep the focus and just try to get the best level I could today.”

Another former top five player was unable to advance Thursday. Lucky loser Damir Dzumhur eliminated Kevin Anderson 7-6(6), 7-5 after one hour and 57 minutes.

“I know that my game can be much better than what I’m showing right now and my position in the [FedEx] ATP Rankings can be much better,” Dzumhur said. “This win means a lot to me and I hope that this is going to give me enough confidence to continue playing good and to make some good results in the next tournaments.”

The World No. 126, who lost in the final round of qualifying against Alejandro Tabilo, will take a 3-1 ATP Head2Head series lead into his clash against second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“I’m going to try to keep going that way. Stefanos is improving his game so much every week,” Dzumhur said. “He’s one of the best players in the world right now and he’s definitely one of the young generation who can come to No. 1.”

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Khachanov/Rublev Down Koolhof/Kubot In Miami

  • Posted: Mar 25, 2021

Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev made a strong start to their Miami Open presented by Itau campaign on Thursday when they eliminated sixth seeds Wesley Koolhof and Lukasz Kubot 6-4, 6-2.

The unseeded pair saved seven of the eight break points they faced to record a 69-minute victory on Court 6. Khachanov and Rublev are chasing their maiden team title in Miami, following two runner-up finishes at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. The Russians advanced to the championship match at this event in 2018 (l. to Bryan/Bryan) and also reached the 2019 Rolex Paris Masters final (l. to Herbert/Mahut).

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Last year’s Rolex Paris Masters champions Felix Auger-Aliassime and Hubert Hurkacz opened their Miami title bid with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. The Canadian-Polish pair will face fourth seeds Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek or Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin for a quarter-final spot.

Tim Puetz and Alexander Zverev also eliminated seeded opposition on Thursday. The Germans converted four of their seven break points to beat third seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 6-2, 6-4.

Taylor Fritz and John Isner marked their team debut with a 7-5, 6-3 win against Alexander Bublik and Adrian Mannarino. The Americans will meet second seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic or countrymen Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey in the second round.

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Kokkinakis Strikes Past 17-year-old Mochizuki In Miami

  • Posted: Mar 25, 2021

Thanasi Kokkinakis continued his return from a right shoulder injury on Thursday, by winning his first ATP Masters 1000 match for three years, after booking a place in the Miami Open presented by Itau second round.

The Australian, who is currently at No. 243 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, overcame fellow qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki of Japan 6-3, 6-3 in 84 minutes to set up a clash against Hungarian No. 29 seed Marton Fucsovics.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Kokkinakis, who beat then-World No. 1 Roger Federer as a No. 176-ranked qualifier in the 2018 Miami second round, returned to the ATP Tour last month at the Murray River Open in Melbourne. The 24-year-old, who did not compete for 16 months, took Stefanos Tsitsipas to five sets at the Australian Open.

Kokkinakis recovered from 0/40 in the first game, then broke 17-year-old Mochizuki courtesy of a double fault for a 3-1 lead. The first set, which lasted 38 minutes, ended with Mochizuki hitting a forehand long.

Kokkinakis seized the momentum after three straight service breaks at the start of the second set, but Mochizuki continued to fight and broke back with a backhand return winner at 2-5. Kokkinakis completed his second tour-level win of 2021 after Mochizuki struck a backhand into the net.

Former junior World No. 1 Mochizuki, who won the 2019 Wimbledon junior title, was making his Masters 1000 debut this week in Miami. The World No. 630 has a 1-2 record in ATP Challenger Tour finals.

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Wawrinka Sidelined Due To Left Foot Surgery

  • Posted: Mar 25, 2021

Former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka has undergone minor surgery on a left foot injury.

The Swiss star, who announced the news on Twitter, said, “After having some problems in my left foot for a while, I have decided to do a small procedure on it. Everything went well. I will be out for a few weeks, but can’t wait to start practising again soon.”

Wawrinka has compiled a 3-3 record in the 2021 season and last played at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha on 9 March. The 35-year-old, who is currently No. 21 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, underwent two left knee surgeries in August 2017.

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Thursday Preview: Musetti, Korda & Kokkinakis Begin Miami Campaigns

  • Posted: Mar 25, 2021

Three #NextGenATP stars — Lorenzo Musetti, Sebastian Korda and Thiago Seyboth Wild — start their campaigns at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Thursday, when there will be 16 singles and four doubles matches. Thanasi Kokkinakis will also make his first appearance at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament in almost three years (2018 Monte-Carlo).

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Musetti, the charismatic 19-year-old, who broke into the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time on Monday, makes his Miami debut against American wild card Michael Mmoh in the final match on Butch Buchholz court.

The Italian made a big impression at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in October last year, qualifying for the Rome tournament and beating Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori en route to the third round. Last week, as a qualifier at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC, Musetti beat Diego Schwartzman, Frances Tiafoe and Grigor Dimitrov before falling to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Acapulco semi-finals.

World No. 87 Korda will start his fourth ATP Masters 1000 tournament appearance full of confidence, having advanced to his first ATP Tour final in January at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com (l. to Hurkacz). The American, who is the son of Petr Korda, went on to capture his second ATP Challenger Tour title at Quimper (d. Horansky). Only 10 spots separate the 20-year-old from his first-round opponent in Miami, World No. 77 and 2019 Delray Beach titlist Radu Albot of Moldova. They will contest the 7pm night session match on Grandstand.

Seyboth Wild, who clinched his first ATP Tour title at the Chile Dove Men+Care Open in Santiago (d. Ruud) last year, makes his Masters 1000 debut against Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan in the fourth match on Court 4.

Kokkinakis

Tennis fans can also look forward to watching Australia’s Kokkinakis, who won the hearts of many new fans at last month’s Australian Open when he took Tsitsipas to five sets in Melbourne. The 24-year-old, who is continuing his comeback after a series of injuries in recent years, takes on fellow qualifier and 17-year-old Shintaro Mochizuki of Japan in the first match on Butch Butchholz court.

Also on the second show court, former World No. 3 and 2016 Cincinnati titlist Marin Cilic, who is one of seven former Masters 1000 champions in the Miami draw, meets Guillermo Coria’s brother, Federico Coria of Argentina, while South Africa’s Kevin Anderson also challenges Thiago Monteiro of Brazil.

Doubles play gets underway on day two with Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev facing sixth seeds Wesley Koolhof and Lukasz Kubot. Third seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, and Felix Auger-Aliassime and Hubert Hurkacz also feature on the schedule.

Watch Live | View TV Schedule

SCHEDULE – THURSDAY, 25 MARCH 2021

GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
WTA MATCH
[Q] B. Fratangelo (USA) vs F. Verdasco (ESP)

Not Before 3:00 pm
WTA MATCH

Not Before 7:00 pm
S. Korda (USA) vs R. Albot (MDA)

BUTCH BUCHHOLZ start 11:00 am
[Q] S. Mochizuki (JPN) vs [Q] T. Kokkinakis (AUS)
J. Chardy (FRA) vs D. Kudla (USA)
M. Cilic (CRO) vs F. Coria (ARG)
[PR] K. Anderson (RSA) vs T. Monteiro (BRA)
[WC] M. Mmoh (USA) vs L. Musetti (ITA)

COURT 2 start 11:00 am
[WC] J. Draper (GBR) vs M. Kukushkin (KAZ)
J. Thompson (AUS) vs F. Delbonis (ARG)
M. Kecmanovic (SRB) vs [Q] L. Broady (GBR)
P. Martinez (ESP) vs T. Sandgren (USA)
C. O’Connell (AUS) vs J. Sousa (POR)

COURT 4 start 11:00 am
S. Kwon (KOR) vs I. Ivashka (BLR)
S. Caruso (ITA) vs Y. Uchiyama (JPN)
F. Auger-Aliassime (CAN) / H. Hurkacz (POL) vs S. Gille (BEL) / J. Vliegen (BEL)
D. Galan (COL) vs [Q] T. Seyboth Wild (BRA)
A. Bedene (SLO) vs [Q] T. Fabbiano (ITA)

COURT 6 start 11:00 am
T. Fritz (USA) / J. Isner (USA) vs A. Bublik (KAZ) / A. Mannarino (FRA)
T. Puetz (GER) / A. Zverev (GER) vs [3] M. Granollers (ESP) / H. Zeballos (ARG)
K. Khachanov (RUS) / A. Rublev (RUS) vs [6] W. Koolhof (NED) / L. Kubot (POL)

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