Tennis News

Kazakhstan Edges Sweden

Following Alexander Bublik’s victory, Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov completed the comeback for Kazakhstan Saturday at the Davis Cup Finals, defeating Andre Goransson and Robert Lindstedt 6-3, 6-3 to seal a 2-1 win against Sweden.

The pair won 87 per cent (26/30) of first-serve points and did not face a break point to triumph after 69 minutes.

In the opening match of the day in Madrid, Elias Ymer overcame Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 7-6(4) to put Sweden on the brink of qualification, after the former champion won their opening Group B tie against Canada Thursday.

Ymer hit nine aces and blasted 26 winners in his one-hour, 53-minute win. However, his brother, Mikael Ymer, was unable to win the tie, falling to Alexander Bublik 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 in one hour and 37 minutes.

Bublik broke four times and won the last eight games to bring Kazakhstan level.

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Norrie Seals Victory For Great Britain

Cameron Norrie moved past Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 7-6(8) Saturday at the Davis Cup Finals to ensure Great Britain made a winning start in its first tie in Group C in Innsbruck, Austria.

The World No. 12 saved all four break points he faced and hit 24 winners as he overpowered Rinderknech to secure victory after two hours and six minutes.

Earlier, Daniel Evans had given Great Britain a 1-0 lead when he defeated Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 56 minutes.

The 31-year-old won 80 per cent (20/25) of his first-serve points and broke three times to seal his win.

“It was always going to be a difficult tie,” Great Britain capitan Leon Smith said. “Evans got us off to a great start. I thought his mentality was really good today. I thought he got the balance right, playing offensive tennis like we know he can do, while also showing his defensive skills. Then with Cam, it was a heck of a match. It just shows you how far he has come and the confidence he has got.”

In the final match of the tie, France clawed one point back when Nicolas Mahut and Rinderknech overcame Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski 6-1, 6-4. Great Britain will qualify if it beats the Czech Republic on Sunday, while France can still advance as one of the two best second-placed nations.

In the second tie of the day in Austria, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz won the decisive doubles rubber for Germany, defeating Serbian pair Novak Djokovic and Nikola Cacic 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(5).

Krawietz and Puetz rallied from a break down in the third set to clinch a 2-1 win for Germany after two hours and 13 minutes.

“The deciding doubles at the Davis Cup is always tense,” Krawietz said. “We were a break down in the third set, but we kept competing and it worked out.”

“Kevin and I know each other really well and have known each other for a few years and played together at a few tournaments and that helps tremendously,” Puetz said. “We get on really well off the court, so playing together feels natural.”

Earlier, Dominik Koepfer had given Germany a 1-0 lead in the Group F tie when he beat Filip Krajinovic 7-6(4), 6-4 in two hours and one minute.

The World No. 54 hit 34 winners to give the former champion an early advantage in its first tie of the tournament.

Djokovic then levelled the tie for Serbia, dispatching Jan-Lennard Struff 6-2, 6-4 in 74 minutes. Serbia can still qualify for the quarter-finals as one of the best second-placed nations after defeating Austria 3-0 Friday.

See all Davis Cup results

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Stars In Action At Champions Tennis Event

The second day of the ATP Champions Tour’s Champions Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall has concluded, with two more days of competitive tennis still to come from some of the world’s greatest players in the iconic British venue.

Friday’s afternoon session saw Mark Philippoussis defeat Thomas Enqvist 4-3, 4-3, while David Ferrer beat Tomas Berdych 3-4, 4-2, 4-1. In the doubles match, Nicolas Almagro and Mikhail Youzhny overcame Fernando Gonzalez and Xavier Malisse 4-3, 4-3.

In the evening session, Radek Stepanek beat Malisse 4-3, 4-3, while Tommy Haas defeated Gonzalez 3-4, 4-1, 4-2. In the doubles match, Mark Philippoussis and Berdych overcame Baghdatis and Greg Rusedski 3-4, 4-1, 4-2.

Champions Tennis sees players who have held the World No. 1 ranking, reached a Grand Slam singles final or been a singles player in a victorious Davis Cup team, compete in a mixture of team and individual events in both singles and doubles.

Across the four days some of the biggest legends of the game will take to the stage in front of a full house, including British star and US Open champion Emma Raducanu who will be facing Romanian and Hamburg European Open winner Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Other stars include British favourite Rusedski, fan favourite Mansour Bahrami, Chilean Gonzalez, Spaniard Ferrer, 2006 Australian Open runner up Baghdatis, and former doubles World No. 4 Stepanek.

Other players competing in the tournament include Malisse, Australian legend Philippoussis, 2010 Wimbledon finalist Berdych, former top-fiver Thomas Enqvist, former Russian number one Youzhny, German Haas, Swede and Canada Masters winner Mikael Pernfors, and Spaniard Almagro.

2021 also marks the last time the tournament is being held at the historic Royal Albert Hall, with this year’s tournament offering tennis lovers a fantastic final opportunity to watch legends of the game battle it out in the beautiful surroundings of this legendary building.

Paul McCann, VP, Tennis Events at IMG said: “For 24 years we’ve given fans the amazing opportunity to watch their favourite tennis superstars play in the iconic Royal Albert Hall, and this year has been like no other. It’s fantastic to see the players compete on the court again, and for a final time, cheered on by the roar of the packed crowd.”

Sponsors of Champions Tennis at Royal Albert Hall include: Original Penguin, Rado, Lacoste Fragrances Dunlop, Superstars, OneStream Software, Brewin Dolphin, Stella Artois, Harrogate, Vodafone, Jaguar, Nyetimber, onefinestay, Adnams, Lavazza.

Tickets are still available from £20 and can be purchased via the ATP Champions Tour website here: www.atpchampionstour.com/london. For more information please visit Champions Tennis on Twitter @ChampionsTennis and on Instagram @champions_tennis. This year’s Champions Tennis tournament is being live streamed on ATPChampionsTour and on Facebook at The ATP Champions Tour.

Teams
Team 1: Rusedski (Captain), Baghdatis, Haas, Stepanek
Team 2: Philippoussis (Captain), Berdych, Gonzalez, Malisse
Team 3: Enqvist (Captain), Ferrer, Youzhny, Almagro
Exho Singles: Raducanu, Ruse
Exho Doubles: Bahrami, TBC

Order of Play
Saturday 27 November
AM – Match 1 Baghdatis v Ferrer
AM – Match 2 Haas/Stepanek v Almagro/ Youzhny
AM – Match 3 Rusedski v Enqvist
PM – Match 1 Malisse v Almagro
PM – Match 2 Berdych/Philippoussis v Enqvist/Ferrer
PM – Match 3 Gonzalez v Youzhny

Sunday 28 November
Exho Singles Raducanu v Ruse
Exho Doubles Bahrami/TBC v Pernfors/TBC
Final Singles Team 1st v Team 2nd
Final Doubles Team 1st v Team 2nd
Final Singles Team 1st v Team 2nd

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Davis Cup: Dan Evans gives Great Britain 1-0 lead over France

Dan Evans battles past Adrian Mannarino to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead over France in their Davis Cup tie.

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Davis Cup: Novak Djokovic helps Serbia to victory over Austria in first group game

World number one Novak Djokovic needs just one hour to see off Dennis Novak and help Serbia beat Austria on the second day of the Davis Cup.

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Djokovic Seals Tie For Serbia

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic secured victory for Serbia Friday at the Davis Cup Finals, cruising past Dennis Novak 6-3, 6-2 to give them a 2-0 lead against Austria in Group F.

The 34-year-old did not face a break point and found his rhythm as the match went on, winning nine of the last 11 games to secure victory in 60 minutes. Djokovic has now recorded 35 Davis Cup singles wins.

“It feels great to play for Serbia again,” Djokovic said. “We are part of an individual sport, but I love to play for my country and I try to play when they need me. It has been a long year, but you always find extra motivation playing for your country.”

Earlier, Dusan Lajovic stood firm under pressure, edging Gerald Melzer 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-5 to give Serbia a 1-0 lead in Innsbruck, Austria.

The World No. 33 fired 29 winners and recovered from squandering a break advantage in the third set, converting his fourth match point to secure victory after two hours and 42 minutes.

“It is the Davis Cup. It is the emotions, the stress, the pressure,” Lajovic said. “It is the tight moments all the time. He played some good tennis in the past couple of months, and had confidence and showed it today, playing great tennis. My team helped me so much.”

Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic will play Oliver Marach and Philipp Oswald in the doubles.

See all Davis Cup results

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Sinner Secures Italy Victory

Jannik Sinner produced a ruthless performance on his Davis Cup Finals debut Friday to secure victory for Italy against the United States, overcoming John Isner 6-2, 6-0 at the Pala Alpitour in Turin.

The World No. 10 backed up Lorenzo Sonego’s win by striking 16 winners and committing just four unforced errors to earn victory after 64 minutes.

“Playing here was very special,” Sinner said. “Today we have won already, which is great. We have a great team and everyone is a great guy as well, so we are just trying to stay together. I am very honoured to be a part of this.”

Earlier, Sonego delivered on his Davis Cup Finals debut to give Italy a 1-0 lead over the United States, defeating Reilly Opelka 6-3, 7-6(4).

The 26-year-old, who triumphed on home soil in Cagliari this season, was strong on serve, winning 90 per cent (38/42) of points behind his first delivery and saving the one break point he faced to secure victory in one hour and 31 minutes.

“It was not easy,” Sonego said. “It was the first time for me competing at the Davis Cup and I am really happy about the match. Thank you everyone.”

In the final match of the evening, the United States earned a point as Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock moved past Fabio Fognini and Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(5), 6-2 after one hour and 36 minutes in the doubles. Italy clinched the tie 2-1 overall, though.

See all Davis Cup results

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Spain Defeats Ecuador In Madrid

Pablo Carreno Busta survived a major scare Friday at the Davis Cup Finals, overcoming Emilio Gomez 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(5) to give Spain victory against Ecuador in Group A in Madrid.

The 30-year-old recovered from squandering a 5-2 lead in the third set and two match points at 5-3, raising his level in the third-set tie-break as he hit with great depth and power to seal his win against the World No. 149 after two hours and 39 minutes.

“I am very happy because it was an important victory,” Carreno Busta said. “We now lead 2-0 and have the win. It is very important for the confidence and for the rhythm. In the second set and third set I felt more comfortable than in the first set. I had to continue fighting until the end because he played really well.”

A fired up Feliciano Lopez had given Spain a 1-0 lead when he recorded his seventh singles win at the Davis Cup Finals, defeating Roberto Quiroz 6-3, 6-3.

The 40-year-old hit 13 aces and saved all five break points he faced to earn victory after 82 minutes in front of a lively home crowd at the Madrid Arena.

“I still have the passion for the game,” Lopez said. “Without that passion I wouldn’t be here. I am 40 years old and have been playing on the Tour for such a long time and it is true without this passion it would not be possible to keep training each day. I have been waiting for moments like this, giving the first point to my country.”

Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers then sealed the win for Spain in style, edging Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) after two hours and 45 minutes.

See all Davis Cup results

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Emma Raducanu: BBC to broadcast Briton's Champions Tennis exhibition match on Sunday

Emma Raducanu’s first home match since her historic US Open victory will be broadcast on the BBC on Sunday.

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Tsitsipas 'Focused On Healthier Future' After Elbow Injury Update

Stefanos Tsitsipas insists that he is “focused on a happier and healthier future” after posting a photograph on Facebook Thursday with bandages over his right elbow.

“Things often get tougher before they get easier, but with each struggle we get an opportunity to create our own unique story,” wrote Tsitsipas, in his Facebook post from a Swiss hospital bed. “Some days life is all about your dreams, hopes and visions for the future. There are also days where life is just about putting one foot in front of the other and that’s okay too.

“To all the fans, thank you for your continuous support and encouragement. [I’m now] focused on a healthier and happier future. Next stop, pre-season in Dubai two weeks from now and then looking forwards to Australia.”

The World No. 4 retired in his first match against Alexei Popyrin at the Rolex Paris Masters on 3 November, then withdrew from last week’s Nitto ATP Finals after a round-robin loss to Andrey Rublev.

Tsitsipas compiled a 55-19 match record this year, including his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (d. Rublev) and at the Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon (d. Norrie), an ATP 250 event.

The 23-year-old, who rose to a career-high No. 3 in the FedEx ATP Rankings on 9 August, was runner-up in his first major championship final at Roland Garros (l. to Djokovic). He also reached finals at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco (l. to Zverev) and the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (l. to Nadal).

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