The inaugural ATP Challenger Tour event in Gwangju concluded on Sunday, but not without showing that there are plenty of promising Korean players on the rise.

#NextGen star Hyeon Chung has been making headlines for his top-level form over the last two years, but his brother, Yunseong Chung, could soon be doing the same. The 18-year-old took wild cards into both the singles and doubles main draw of the $50,000 event in Gwangju, where he and fellow Korean teenager Soon Woo Kwon upset the No. 2 seeds on their way to the doubles semi-finals.

“It’s always nice to play and practice inside a big stadium like at Gwangju,” said Chung. “I wasn’t happy with my result in singles, but the doubles this week gave me more confidence.”

Chung is currently ranked No. 3 in the ITF Junior Rankings and reached the boys’ singles semi-finals at this year’s Australian Open, as well as at last year’s US Open. In addition to having an ideal practice partner in his older brother, he’s also been getting advice from former Top 50 player Hyung-Taik Lee, who still dabbles on the ATP Challenger Tour at age 40 and reached the doubles final at last year’s $50,000 event in Seoul.

“Hyeon and Hyung-Taik are role models not only for me, but for all Korean tennis players,” said Chung. “I value them so much more than most of the tennis world does. I have been watching Hyung-Taik and have been playing closely with Hyeon. I truly believe that all I need to do is keep doing what they are doing.”

Chung has a current Emirates ATP Ranking of No. 652, but is expected to keep climbing up the rankings as he continues to get more experience at the professional level. As he enters his final year of junior competition, his intention is to focus almost exclusively on pro events and to become a mainstay on the ATP Challenger Tour in the near future.

“Building a better body and performance is my biggest goal for 2016, as well as getting stronger mentally for matches,” said Chung. “If I can do this, I believe I can soon get into the main draws of Challengers myself without a wild card.”

The inaugural ATP Challenger Tour event in Gwangju concluded on Sunday, but not without showing that there are plenty of promising Korean players on the rise.

#NextGen star Hyeon Chung has been making headlines for his top-level form over the last two years, but his brother, Yunseong Chung, could soon be doing the same. The 18-year-old took wild cards into both the singles and doubles main draw of the $50,000 event in Gwangju, where he and fellow Korean teenager Soon Woo Kwon upset the No. 2 seeds on their way to the doubles semi-finals.

“It’s always nice to play and practice inside a big stadium like at Gwangju,” said Chung. “I wasn’t happy with my result in singles, but the doubles this week gave me more confidence.”

Chung is currently ranked No. 3 in the ITF Junior Rankings and reached the boys’ singles semi-finals at this year’s Australian Open, as well as at last year’s US Open. In addition to having an ideal practice partner in his older brother, he’s also been getting advice from former Top 50 player Hyung-Taik Lee, who still dabbles on the ATP Challenger Tour at age 40 and reached the doubles final at last year’s $50,000 event in Seoul.

“Hyeon and Hyung-Taik are role models not only for me, but for all Korean tennis players,” said Chung. “I value them so much more than most of the tennis world does. I have been watching Hyung-Taik and have been playing closely with Hyeon. I truly believe that all I need to do is keep doing what they are doing.”

Chung has a current Emirates ATP Ranking of No. 652, but is expected to keep climbing up the rankings as he continues to get more experience at the professional level. As he enters his final year of junior competition, his intention is to focus almost exclusively on pro events and to become a mainstay on the ATP Challenger Tour in the near future.

“Building a better body and performance is my biggest goal for 2016, as well as getting stronger mentally for matches,” said Chung. “If I can do this, I believe I can soon get into the main draws of Challengers myself without a wild card.”

If Rafael Nadal needed confirmation that he is close to his top form, he certainly got it on Sunday, claiming a 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 victory over Gael Monfils in the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters final.

Nadal, who lifted the trophy in the Principality for an unprecendented ninth time, revealed that it is a validation of all the hard work he has put in over the past year. For the Spaniard, a first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title since 2014 is a significant step in the right direction.

“The victory here confirms that I am better and I am very happy,” said Nadal. “It is a very, very emotional week for me at a very important event. Monte-Carlo is one of the most important places in my career without a doubt. To win again here after three years is something so special for me.

“I worked hard to have this trophy with me. I am enjoying this moment. It is an emotional moment after some tough moments. But that’s part of life. It is part of sport in general. I hope and I believe that this week and in Indian Wells, these two tournaments, playing at a very high level, is so important. That’s what I needed.”

Nearly one year after falling to World No. 2 Andy Murray on home clay in Madrid, Nadal exacted revenge in the Monte-Carlo semis and would survive a high-octane encounter against a surging Monfils for the title. The Spaniard admits that after a trying period that saw his form and confidence dip, these big wins in big matches make a huge difference.

“I have been working hard,” Nadal added. “I have been working hard for a long time. I said enough about the nerves. I was nervous during the matches last year.

“Working hard every day slows that down. It’s not something that stays here and disappears. The victories help. Still not 100 per cent perfect, but it is much, much better. I don’t have that feeling I had last year on court. I’m very happy for that. In terms of tennis, I am playing better. It’s obvious.

“I was able to raise my level yesterday in the second and in the third, and today again in the third. That’s something I missed a lot recently. This week I was able to do it.”

Nadal’s focus next shifts to his home country as he bids to add a ninth title at another ATP World Tour event – Barcelona. Two-time defending champion and second seed Kei Nishikori looms in a potential blockbuster final.

“To compete well two weeks in a row is something so positive. I have another chance next week in Barcelona and I am going to try my best again.”

The fifth ATP World Tour 500 level tournament of the season takes place in Barcelona and the only Romanian stop is in the home city, Bucharest, of the first No. 1 player in the Emirates ATP Rankings, Ilie Nastase, on Aug. 23, 1973.

Barcelona Open Bancsabadell (Barcelona): The Top 10 foursome of Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikori, David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet are the top four seeds in the 56-player field at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899, the oldest tennis club in Spain. This is the 64th edition of the tournament. Overall 11 of the Top 30 are in the field. In 2014, Nishikori broke an 11-year-old streak of Spaniards winning the title. There are two former champions back: two-time reigning champ Nishikori and eight-time winner Nadal. Ferrer is a four-time runner-up in 2008-09, 2011-12, losing to Nadal each time. There have been 11 all-Spanish finals in the Open Era, including seven of the last 11 years (all involving Nadal).

Rafa Top Seed: Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal comes into Barcelona with a 43-3 career tournament record and his 41-match winning streak in Barca came to an end to countryman Nicolas Almagro in the quarter-finals in 2014. Eight of Nadal’s titles came in the past 11 years (did not play in 2010). Last year he exited in the third round to Fognini, his earliest loss in Barcelona since a second-round loss in his 2003 debut as a 15-year-old (l. to Corretja). This is the eighth time Nadal is the top seed. He was playing in his 100th career ATP World Tour level final on Sunday at ATP Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo (vs. Monfils).

April Title Month: Nadal’s most productive month is April with 15 of his 67 career titles (going into Monte-Carlo final) followed by May (12), June (10) and July (7). In 2014, Nadal’s streak of 83 straight match wins on clay in the month of April ended with his quarter-final loss to Ferrer in Monte-Carlo. The following week he fell in the quarter-finals in Barcelona (l. to Almagro). It was the first time since 2004 Nadal failed to win an ATP World Tour title in April. Eight of Nadal’s titles have come in Monte-Carlo in April and seven in Barcelona (’08 in May).

Kei Reigning Champion: World No. 6 and two-time reigning champion Kei Nishikori makes his sixth straight appearance in Barcelona with a 15-3 career tournament record. Two years ago Nishikori entered Barcelona ranked No. 17 and he only dropped one set en route to his first career ATP World Tour clay court title (d. Giraldo). Last season Nishikori defended his title, again only dropping one set (d. Andujar). This year he comes in with a 19-6 match record and he won Memphis for the fourth straight year (d. Fritz). In his last tournament at ATP Masters 1000 Miami, he reached the final (l. to Djokovic).

Next Generation: There are three Next Generation players in the main draw, Alexander Zverev, Hyeon and Elias Ymer.

Spaniards to Watch: There are 13 Spaniards in the main draw, not including possible qualifiers. Four of the top eight seeds are Spaniards, led by No. 1 Nadal, No. 3 David Ferrer, No. 5 Roberto Bautista Agut and No. 7 Feliciano Lopez. Ferrer, a four-time finalist, is making his 14th straight tournament appearance. Bautista Agut reached the quarter-finals last year and Lopez, who made his debut in 1998, is playing the tournament for the 16th time. Unseeded Nicolas Almagro is appearing for the 13th consecutive year. He reached the final in 2013 and the semi-finals thee other times (2006, 2011, 2014). Wild card Albert Montanes is making his 15th appearance since 2001 and he reached the semi-finals in 2004.

BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy (Bucharest): The two biggest names in Romanian tennis history, Ilie Nastase and Ion Tiriac, are part of the tournament title in the only ATP World Tour stop in Romania. This is the 24th edition of the tournament, which began in 1993 with Goran Ivanisevic capturing the title. Leading the way are Aussie wild card Bernard Tomic, who is the top seed and big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic, who is the No. 2 seed. The other seeds are: No. 3 Federico Delbonis, No. 4/reigning champion Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, No. 5 Marcos Baghdatis, No. 6 Guido Pella, No. 7 Paolo Lorenzi and No. 8 Paul-Henri Mathieu. The other former winner in the field is Lukas Rosol (2013).

Bernie Back, Top Seed: No. 2 Aussie Bernard Tomic, is the top seed and makes his Bucharest debut after returning from a right wrist injury. The 23-year-old Aussie last played at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells where he retired in the third round (vs. Raonic) on Mar. 14. Tomic comes in with a 14-8 match record on the season and his best result is a runner-up in Acapulco (l. to Thiem).   

Garcia-Lopez Defending Champ: Garcia-Lopez, who won the title last year (d. Vesely) and reached the final in 2013 (l. to Rosol) in his last two visits, has a 14-5 career record in Bucharest. Two weeks ago the 32-year-old Spaniard was the top seed in Marrakech where he lost in the quarter-finals (l. to Vesely after a bye). This season he has compiled an 8-10 match record with his best results the quarter-finals in Chennai, Sofia and Marrakech. He also advanced to the third round at the Australian Open.

Ivo Eyes Milestone: The oldest player in the singles draw, 37-year-old Ivo Karlovic, makes return visit to Bucharest after reaching the quarter-finals in his debut last year. The No. 2 seed is trying to earn his 300th career match win (299-268). He returned last week in Monte-Carlo after being sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury. Karlovic is also looking for his first match win of the season (0-5).

Dzumhur on the Rise: No. 1 Bosnian Damir Dzumhur has been attracting attention in the last month by reaching the fourth round at ATP Masters 1000 Miami, defeating No. 5 Nadal along the way and following up last week at ATP Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo where he qualified and beat No. 6 Berdych (l. to Raonic in 3R in third set TB). The 23-year-old has compiled a 10-9 match record and he has already surpassed last year’s wins total (8). He is making his main draw debut in Bucharest.  

In Case You Missed It

Rafael Nadal won his record ninth title in Monte-Carlo, beating Gael Monfils. Read

Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut won their third consecutive ATP World Tour Masters 1000 doubles title. Read

At an ATP Challenger Tour event in Sarasota, Florida, the local wildlife got involved in the action. Read

Roger Federer has been named to Sports Illustrated’s Fashionable 50, joining the likes of Serena Williams, LeBron James, David Beckham and Tom Brady on the inaugural list. Read

Tommy Haas underwent surgery for the ninth time of his career, but is determined to return. Read

Birthdays

17 April – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (31)

Rafael Nadal defeated Gael Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a ninth title at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, dominating the shorter exchanges much more than the extended rallies.

Nadal is widely known as the King of Clay, where longer, grueling rallies dominate the European clay court landscape. But his win over Monfils in Monte-Carlo today was much more about attacking first, and accepting the trophy later. Nadal won 57 per cent of rallies in the zero-to-four shot range; 59 per cent in the five-to-nine shot rally length and just 47 per cent of rallies nine shots or longer. Nadal won the battle of zero-to-four shots 45-34, laying the foundation for a ninth title in the Principality.

The best clay court player of the past decade did not dominate the long exchanges. He actually lost the battle of rallies of nine shots or longer, 26-29. That’s just fine for the 2016 Rafael Nadal. Overall, the Spaniard dominated the shot exchanges up to nine shots, where around 90 per cent of points are played, and he was quite OK with Monfils wining the rest.

Court Position

There is an illusion that Nadal plays much deeper in the court than his opponents, regularly making contact with the ball closer to the back fence than the baseline. It’s simply not true.

In the final against Monfils, Nadal felt the magnetism of the baseline better than his French opponent, making contact inside the baseline 18 per cent of the time, compared to nine per cent for Monfils. Nadal hit 53 per cent of his shots within two meters of the baseline, compared to Monfils’ 45 per cent, which enabled the Spaniard to open the court better with superior depth and direction.

A major factor in the final was balls hit very deep in the court, effectively forcing the opponent to make contact more than two meters behind the baseline. You would think Nadal would be the player backing up the most, but he made contact closer to the baseline than Monfils. A major factor in matches like this is court position, because the farther you can push your opponent back, the less he can hurt you.

Forehands vs. Backhands

When Rafa was “Rafa” just a few years ago, he was hitting as many forehands as possible to push the opponent back, and then opening the court with better baseline geometry. This final was another example of the inner workings of the Spanish clay-court master. Overall, Nadal hit forehands 57 per cent of the time compared to 51 per cent for Monfils. In a game of inches, these are the metrics that separate good from great.

Nadal’s spin, on both forehands and backhands, was greater than Monfils, helping the Spaniard commit fewer unforced errors (36 to 51) and push the Frenchman back. Nadal’s average forehand topspin rate (rpm) was a massive 3288rpm, considerably more than Monfils’ 2765 rpm. Nadal also put more work on his backhand, averaging 2583rpm to the Frenchman’s 2136rpm. Monfils hit his forehand harder, averaging 127kph to Nadal’s 121kph, but ultimately the Spaniard landed his forehand inside the lines a lot more.

Return Depth

Monfils won the battle of deep returns, hitting 33 per cent of his returns closer to the baseline than the service line, compared to Nadal’s 19 per cent. But it was the strategy and execution that followed that proved to be the difference for the Spaniard.

Avoiding the Middle

Both players were quick to stretch the opponent out wide, avoiding going down the middle of the court against an opponent who was not going to miss. Nadal hit only 5 per cent of his shots down the middle of the court, targeting Monfils’ backhand 66 per cent of the time and forehand 29 per cent of the time. Monfils hit only 10 per cent of his shots down the middle of the court, focusing 51 per cent of his groundstrokes to Nadal’s backhand and 39 per cent to Nadal’s forehand.

Nine Titles

Nadal’s ninth title in Monte-Carlo was built much more on suffocating defense than anything else. He made Wawrinka snap a racquet over his leg after four games. He also dominated Andy Murray and Monfils in deciding sets. If you simply can’t put a ball away, it makes for a very tough day at the office. The king of clay just put his crown back on his head.