Watch the best five shots as British number three Heather Watson beats defending champion Dominika Cibulkova in the second round of Eastbourne
| Eastbourne 2017 |
|---|
| Venue: Devonshire Park, Eastbourne Date: 26 June -1 July Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online |
Twelve-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic says this year has been his toughest in tennis, as he prepares for his first match at Eastbourne.
World number four Djokovic has slipped out of the top two in the rankings for the first time since 2011.
Eastbourne will be the first grass-court tournament the 30-year-old has played before Wimbledon since 2010.
“I’ve been struggling with the level of tennis,” he told BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller.
The Serb, who will face Canada’s Vasek Pospisil on Tuesday in the second round, added: “I’ve never experienced this particular situation since I started playing professional tennis. I was very fortunate to experience upwards direction in terms of results and improving the game.
“It’s the first time now in a stretch of seven or eight months that I haven’t won any big tournament.”
Djokovic won the Qatar Open on 8 January but then lost to world number 117 Denis Istomin in the second round of the Australian Open.
He parted with his coaching team – including long-time confidante Marian Vajda – before the French Open in a move he described as “shock therapy”.
But he was beaten at Roland Garros in straight sets by Dominic Thiem, which led seven-time Grand Slam singles champion John McEnroe to question Djokovic’s desire.
Djokovic last year became the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time, but he now holds none.
He has won 24 and lost seven of his 31 singles matches this year, with the Qatar Open his solitary title in 2017.
“I’m not playing at my best and I’m aware of that. But I’ve got to stay positive about myself and my game,” he said.
“It had to happen sooner or later and I’m really glad it did – it made me start asking myself certain questions.
“I know that things change: I’m 30, not 20 and I have to adjust to that. Things evolve each year and you have to adjust and get the best out of yourself.”
Djokovic is a three-time champion at Wimbledon, winning in 2011, 2014 and 2015, but lost in the third round last year to American Sam Querrey.
He alluded to “personal issues” following that match, and struggled with injuries for the remainder of the year.
“I literally went with my head through the wall many times when I felt so confident and I kind of ignored the signals from my body and mind to take a little bit of a rest,” he said.
Djokovic teamed up with eight-time Grand Slam winner Andre Agassi after his defeat in the final of the Italian Open in May.
The duo will continue to work together throughout Wimbledon, which begins on 3 July.
“He’s an extraordinary person, someone that cares a lot about this sport and cares a lot about values in life,” said Djokovic. “Every day is a lesson learned with Andre.
“Having him around is obviously great not just for myself, but for the tour – for tennis – and everybody can benefit from it.”
Djokovic said he is “excited” to be playing at Eastbourne.
“I wanted a little bit more time to spend with my family and to rest, but I still wanted to have a couple of matches coming into Wimbledon,” he said.
“We have pretty much the same schedule every single year, over and over again, so it’s great to be visiting new places.”
Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent
Large crowds gathered around Djokovic’s practice court. Devonshire Park has been spoiled over the years by the quality of the women’s field – Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters are all former champions – but Djokovic’s arrival has sparked a lot of excitement.
And, after completing his session, he took advantage of a gap in the fence around court 3 to watch his second-round opponent Vasek Pospisil in action.
The charms of Eastbourne on a sunny day were not enough to attract Andre Agassi, but he will be at Wimbledon.
And beyond? “We’re going with the flow,” Djokovic replied.
| Eastbourne 2017 |
|---|
| Venue: Devonshire Park, Eastbourne Date: 26 June-1 July Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online |
British number three Heather Watson shocked defending champion Dominika Cibulkova in the second round at Eastbourne.
Watson, ranked 126th in the world, beat fourth seed Cibulkova 7-5 6-4 in an enthralling contest.
In the men’s draw, British number two Kyle Edmund was beaten by 6-4 3-6 6-3 American world number 47 Donald Young.
Compatriot Naomi Broady was beaten 6-2 6-7 (7-9) 6-1 by Czech Kristyna Pliskova, ranked 44th in the world.
Cibulkova battled until the end, saving three match points and breaking Watson’s serve late in the final set.
Watson claimed the second best win of her career in terms of ranking as she stunned world number nine Cibulkova in one hour and 42 minutes.
Find out how to get into tennis in our special guide.
She sent down eight aces and 69% of total points on her first serve to set up a meeting with either Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Belgian Elise Mertens.
“The atmosphere was incredible, I was getting goosebumps at the end. I got a little nervous but I’m pleased I got through it in that last game,” Watson told Eurosport.
“She’s a hard worker and a fighter so I knew it was never going to be easy. She’s very aggressive but I’m OK with that. I have some wheels so I’ve got to use them.”
Edmund began strongly on Centre Court, with the Briton’s forehand firing in particular, but it was Young who broke first to go 5-4 up and then went on to serve out the set.
The Briton hit back in the second, securing the first break at 1-3 and winning four consecutive points in the final game to force a deciding set.
However, Young proved too strong as Edmund lost his rhythm in the closing stages of the match.
Edmund, who was stunned in the first round at Queen’s by teenager Denis Shapovalov, has lost 13 of his past 16 matches on the grass courts.
| Wimbledon qualifying |
|---|
| Venue: Bank of England Sports Centre, Roehampton Date: 26-29 June |
| Coverage: 11:00-17:00 BST on BBC Red Button and 11:00-19:00 BST on Connected TV and online |
Britain’s Marcus Willis produced an impressive display to beat Andrej Martin of Slovakia in the first round of Wimbledon qualifying.
Willis, 26, won 7-5 7-5 against Martin, a player ranked 226 places higher at 148 in the world.
He will next face fellow Briton Liam Broady, with three wins required to qualify for the main draw next week.
Willis won six matches last year to get through qualifying, then reached round two before losing to Roger Federer.
Twelve months on, he was the centre of attention on the opening day of qualifying at Roehampton, with his match scheduled on the new televised show court.
Asked if he felt any pressure amid all the interest surrounding him, Willis said: “I’m not putting any on myself.”
He added: “It feels very different. Last year, I came here and no-one really knew what was going on, I was happy to be here.
“I’m happy to be here again, obviously, but after what I did last year, doing less could be disappointing.”
Willis became the surprise star of week one at last year’s Wimbledon, after coming through the pre-qualifying and qualifying competitions ranked 772nd, before finally ending his run against Federer on Centre Court.
He has since married wife Jennifer and become a father to Martha, both of whom were courtside to watch him on Monday.
Find out how to get into tennis in our special guide.
Despite injury problems, he has moved up to 374th in the world, but still required a wildcard to get into the qualifying event.
His grass-court skills came to the fore once again as he saw off Martin with breaks in the 11th game of each set, serve-and-volleying his way to a straight-set win without dropping serve.
“I enjoy playing on grass, I like playing in front of the home crowd,” said Willis. “I like playing tennis, that’s about it.
“You just have to focus on the tennis ball. I’ve been knuckling down and training quite hard.”
Broady, 23, will take on good friend Willis for the eighth time and only the second on grass.
“It’s obviously a fantastic opportunity for us both playing wildcards in the second round of qualifying,” said Broady, who beat Canadian Frank Dancevic 6-2 6-3.
“There will probably be more people rooting for Marcus. He’s a loveable guy and fantastic to watch.”
British teenager Jay Clarke was an early winner on day one – the 18-year-old from Derby seeing off El Salvador’s world number 232 Marcelo Arevalo 6-3 6-4.
Clarke, ranked 360th, recently spent time with the British Davis Cup squad and was invited to practise with Andy Murray at the French Open.
“The first few times you step on court with them, it’s big thing, but you get used to it,” said Clarke.
“I’m just taking it day by day here because a lot can happen.”
Alex Ward, ranked 854th, was another British winner with a 1-6 7-5 6-3 victory over Belarusian seventh seed Egor Gerasimov, the world number 163.
ATPWorldTour.com looks at the top Movers of the Week in the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, as of Monday, 26 June 2017
Spaniard Feliciano Lopez admitted he was playing “the best tennis of my career” after he captured his biggest title at the prestigious Aegon Championships. He completed a magical run by saving a match point in a thrilling deciding tie-break against Marin Cilic in a 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(8) final victory. Read Report & Watch Highlights
Lopez rose seven spots to No. 25 in the Emirates ATP Rankings after he captured his third grass-court crown and the sixth ATP World Tour trophy of his career. Three months shy of his 36th birthday, Lopez is at his highest ranking since 20 February 2017 (No. 28). He was competing at The Queen’s Club in London for the 12th straight year, having made his tournament debut in 2006.
View Latest Emirates ATP Rankings
A number of #NextGenATP players also had standout performances on grass courts last week at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle and also in London.
The 21-year-old Karen Khachanov moved to a career-high No. 34, with a four-place rise, after he reached the Halle semi-finals (l. to Federer). He beat Russian compatriot Andrey Rublev, 19, in the last eight, who also jumped up 14 spots to a career-high No. 92 – his breakthrough into the Top 100. Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev, 21, moved eight positions to a career-high No. 52 after he advanced to The Queen’s Club quarter-finals (l. to Dimitrov).
Damir Dzumhur clinched his seventh ATP Challenger Tour crown at the Internationaux de Tennis de Blois (d. Heremy) and surged up 11 spots to No. 83, 17 places off his career-high of No. 66 (20 March 2017). The No. 97-ranked Federico Delbonis, rose 12 places after his eighth Challenger trophy at the Internazionali Di Tennis Dell Umbria (d. Cecchinato).
Learn More About ATP Challenger Tour
| Eastbourne 2017 |
|---|
| Venue: Devonshire Park, Eastbourne Date: 26 June-1 July Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online |
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has pulled out of Eastbourne with an abdominal injury.
The Czech won the Aegon Classic in Birmingham on Sunday, her second tournament since she was stabbed by an intruder at her home in December.
Victory moved the 27-year-old, who returned to action in May, up to 12th in the world rankings.
Kvitova is one of the favourites for Wimbledon, where she won the title in 2011 and 2014.
Find out how to get into tennis in our special guide.
As the BBC celebrates 90 years of covering Wimbledon, Sue Barker meets Andy Murray to talk about the magical world of SW19.
A LOOK BACK
Aegon Ilkley Trophy (Ilkley, U.K.): There is no stopping Marton Fucsovics in the month of June. The Hungarian claimed his second title in four weeks on Sunday, prevailing on the grass of Ilkley with a dominant 6-1, 6-4 win over qualifier Alex Bolt of Australia.
Also the champion at the clay-court Challenger in Vicenza, Italy, 25-year-old Fucsovics has moved to the doorstep of a Top 100 breakthrough. Now a four-time winner on the ATP Challenger Tour, he has boosted his position in the Emirates ATP Rankings to a career-high World No. 107. The title was extra sweet for Fucsovics, who was awarded a main draw wild card at Wimbledon following the match.
Your 2017 #ATPChallenger grass-court winners…
Yuichi #Sugita (Surbiton)
Dudi #Sela (Nottingham)
Marton #Fucsovics (Ilkley) pic.twitter.com/8yTgSxGGiT— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 25, 2017
Fergana Challenger (Fergana, Uzbekistan): Fourth seed Ilya Ivashka was ruthless in streaking to his maiden ATP Challenger Tour title in Fergana. The Belarusian did not drop a set all week, capped with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Nikola Milojevic on Sunday. With the win, players from Belarus are now an impressive 4-0 in Challenger finals this year. Egor Gerasimov won titles in Saint-Brieuc and Karshi, while Uladzimir Ignatik prevailed in Rennes.
Poprad-Tatry Challenger (Poprad-Tatry, Slovakia): Germany’s Cedrik-Marcel Stebe has returned to professional tennis with a vengeance after being sidelined for nearly three years due to injury. The former World No. 71 claimed his first ATP Challenger Tour title since 2013 on Saturday, prevailing on the clay of Poprad-Tatry.
Stebe, who defeated Laslo Djere 6-0, 6-3 in the final, has won 10 of his last 11 matches after reaching the semis as a qualifier in Caltanissetta last week. Having been outside the Top 700 of the Emirates ATP Rankings a year ago, he is projected to rise to No. 167.
Poprad Tatry champion @cedrikstebe reacts to his first #ATPChallenger title in four years. Watch interview: https://t.co/a5gALL2wky pic.twitter.com/QwLeETmGke
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 24, 2017
Internationaux de Tennis de Blois (Blois, France): Top seed Damir Dzumhur made quick work of local favourite Calvin Hemery in the Blois final, claiming his seventh ATP Challenger Tour title with a 6-1, 6-3 win in just 68 minutes. It was a strong week for Dzumhur, who stopped the breakout run of Lyon winner Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round, followed by a straight-set win over fourth seed Henri Laaksonen in the semis. Laaksonen was looking to enter the Top 100 for the first time with a win. Dzumhur rises 11 spots to No. 83 in the Emirates ATP Rankings with his first title in nearly two years.
Internazionali di Tennis dell’Umbria (Todi, Italy): Last year, Argentina boasted a record-tying 20 winners on the ATP Challenger Tour. The South American nation finally has its first in 2017, with Federico Delbonis claiming the title on the clay of Todi, Italy. Delbonis ousted home hope Marco Cecchinato 7-5, 6-1 in front of a packed crowd at the Tennis Club Todi. It was the eighth Challenger crown for the 26 year old, who celebrates a return to the Top 100.
Watch Hot Shots: Smith in Ilkley | Delbonis in Todi | Caruana in Todi
THEY SAID IT
Fucsovics: “In the beginning of the year, I didn’t think I would be close to the Top 100. Now I will be almost inside it. Top 100 has been a goal in all of my career. I want to finally make it.
“It’s been a great month and this is a great tournament in Ilkley. I played unbelievable all week. I think my game fits on all the surfaces. I can play well on clay and on grass. I won Wimbledon juniors seven years ago, so I really like the grass.”
A LOOK AHEAD
The lone tournament on next week’s slate is the Aspria Tennis Cup in Milan. Defending champion Cecchinato is the top seed, while Todi winner Delbonis looks to go back-to-back. Seeded third, Delbonis lifted the Milan trophy in 2015.
View Draws & Watch Free Live Streams
ATP CHALLENGER TOUR ON TWITTER: The ATP Challenger Tour has launched a dedicated Twitter account for the latest news and information about players and events. Follow @ATPChallengerTour at twitter.com/ATPChallengerTour
Third seeds remain undefeated on grass this year
Third seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares doubled their fun on Sunday at the Aegon Championships, winning their semi-final and the championship matches on the same day to take their second consecutive ATP World Tour doubles title on grass.
“If you see the board that’s down in the lounge, it’s all the great players that have won the doubles here. All the best teams, the best doubles players. They get an amazing field every year and this year was no different,” said Murray. “I used to watch this tournament growing up all the time. I’ve played here a lot of times now. I obviously lost the final to Bruno a few years ago. It’s a home event, and it has a little bit more on it, doesn’t it? I’m really proud to get my name up on the board. It was a great week for us.”
Murray/Soares started the day by finishing out their rain delayed semi-final against Marin Cilic and Marcin Matkowski with a 1-6, 6-3, 10-8 victory. They held set point in the second set on Saturday when showers forced them off the court, and kept the momentum on Sunday by racing to an 8/5 lead in the Match Tie-break before prevailing on their third match point.
The third seeds returned to the court shortly after for a comprehensive 6-2, 6-3 win over French duo Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Murray/Soares didn’t drop serve in the match, winning 78 per cent of their first-serve points and breaking Benneteau/Roger-Vasselin three times to prevail in 61 minutes.
“Playing home events is not easy. You do get a lot of the support when you’re on court, which is very nice, but I also know that there is a lot going on off court, so it’s not easy for the local guys. It’s no different for Jamie,” said Soares. “But every time we are on court, it’s very nice for us. We had the chance to play together in Brazil and it was amazing, and every time we come here it’s really nice. Today was a special day, winning such a big tournament and with a great crowd.”
Murray/Soares also lifted the winner’s trophy last week in Stuttgart (d. Marach/Pavic) and this March in Acapulco (d. Isner/Lopez). Their win today makes Murray the first British player to win the doubles title at the Queen’s Club since 1990. Soares picks up his second Queen’s Club title after winning in 2014 (w/Peya). They earn 500 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split €119,140.
Benneteau/Roger-Vasselin were pairing for the first time this season, but had previously enjoyed success with fellow Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. Benneteau/Mahut won the title this February in Marseille (d. Haase/Inglot), while Mahut/Roger-Vasselin finished runner-up at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Madrid (l. Kubot/Melo). Benneteau/Roger-Vasselin pick up 300 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split €58,330.
Watch Live On TennisTV
Watch Full Match Replays