Tuesday 31 July 2018
Video : Highlights: Zverev Starts Strong; Young Stops Wawrinka Washington 2018
Watch highlights as Donald Young escapes past Stan Wawrinka, and Alexander Zverev gets off to a good start at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com. Photo: Peter Staples/Citi Open
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Highlights: Zverev Starts Strong; Young Stops Wawrinka Washington 2018
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Zverev Cruises Until Rain Suspends Washington Opener
The champ is back, and he's looking as good as ever. Top seed and defending champion Alexander Zverev took a 6-2 lead against Malek Jaziri of Tunisia at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., before rain suspended their match for the second time early Wednesday morning.
Zverev had just wrapped up the first set when rain fell again, around 1:10 a.m. local time. Their first-round match was first postponed with Zverev leading 3-0, and they didn't resume until 12:50 a.m.
The 21-year-old Zverev lost only one first-serve point in the opener (10/11). He's looking for his first hard-court title of the season after winning on clay at the BMW Open by FWU in Munich (d. Kohlschreiber) and the Mutua Madrid Open, his third ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title (d. Thiem).
Stan Wawrinka, competing in his first outdoors hard-court match since January, showed signs of his old self but fell just short against American qualifier Donald Young 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(3). Young led 5/3 in the second-set tie-break but Wawrinka came back to even the match. In the third, however, the 29-year-old Chicago native clinched his first match point. Young will next meet seventh seed Kei Nishikori of Japan.
“It was tough. I fought a lot of nerves there, but I'm happy the result was a 'W' at the end of the day. It's tough playing Stan,” said Young, who won just his third tour-level match of the year. “I haven't had a bunch of confidence this year. Closing matches is kind of a skill you get from winning, and I haven't done that, but I was able to do that and quallies definitely helped.”
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Australia's #NextGenATP star Alex de Minaur came back to beat Vasek Pospisil of Canada 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-3. De Minaur will next play 11th seed Steve Johnson of the U.S.
Hometown favourite Denis Kudla earned a special victory against Slovakia's Lukas Lacko 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-4 in one hour, 57 minutes. Kudla is from nearby Arlington, Virginia, and he celebrated his first win during his fifth try at his hometown tournament. He will next meet 12th seed Karen Khachanov of Russia.
American Jared Donaldson, who competed at the 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, beat Aussie Jordan Thompson 6-4, 7-6(4). Donaldson struggled on serve, donating 11 double faults and landing less than half of his first serves (42/90), but he persevered in one hour, 47 minutes and will next meet Greece's #NextGenATP star Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Did You Know?
Zverev and his older brother Mischa Zverev have never played against each other in a tour-level match. But it could happen this week in Washington.
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Video : Young Thrilled With Wawrinka Victory In Washington 2018
Watch as Donald Young describes the feeling of beating Stan Wawrinka at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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Querrey Starts Los Cabos Title Defence With A Sprint
Fifth seed and defending champion Sam Querrey sped through his opener at the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex, needing only 49 minutes to beat Mexican wild card Lucas Gomez 6-2, 6-3.
“I feel like I played well. It's good to get the first match out of my way, and hopefully just keep playing better and better,” Querrey said.
He dropped only eight points on serve (36/44), including only two on his first offering (23/25). The American will next meet Belarusian Egor Gerasimov, who beat Bernard Tomic of Australia 6-4, 6-3.
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Eighth seed Feliciano Lopez squeezed past Egyptian Mohamed Safwat 7-6(3), 6-4 to set a second-round showdown with Brit Cameron Norrie, who swept Indian qualifier Prajnesh Gunneswaran 6-2, 6-2. Norrie made his second ATP World Tour semi-final last week at the BB&T Atlanta Open (l. to Harrison).
Did You Know?
Last year, Querrey won both ATP World Tour tournaments in Mexico by winning in Acapulco and Los Cabos. Top seed Juan Martin del Potro is attempting to also complete the Mexican double this week.
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Young Thrilled With Wawrinka Victory In Washington 2018
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Johanna Konta hands Serena Williams most lopsided loss of her career in Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic
Hot Shot: How Does Jaziri Hit This On The Dead Sprint? Washington 2018
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Video : Hot Shot: How Does Jaziri Hit This On The Dead Sprint? Washington 2018
Watch as Malek Jaziri rips a hot shot on the run against Alexander Zverev at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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Wawrinka: "I'm Sure I'll Get To Where I Want To Be"
Doubts plague the mind after extended stints on the sidelines and Stan Wawrinka accepts they are taking a longer than expected to overcome. The left knee surgery was a success, while fitness and practice were back on track.
But after a narrow 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(3) defeat to American qualifier Donald Young at the Citi Open on Tuesday, the Swiss conceded the belief still waivered. It was confidence that only came with winning matches and there haven’t been too many of those for the 33-year-old of late.
“It’s a tough loss that’s for sure. It’s painful to lose first round here, especially 7-6 in the third,” Wawrinka said. “I was missing a lot, not feeling the way I wanted. I’m looking for confidence. It’s tough to not win a lot of matches so then you start to think too much on the court.”
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Wawrinka had shown his most promising signs all season that he was beginning to rediscover his best when he bundled out No. 6 seed Grigor Dimitrov in the opening round at Wimbledon. It was a sure-fire shot of that confidence he so desperately needed. Unfortunately, it was short-lived as he fell to Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano in straight sets in the following round.
The switch to hard courts in Washington, D.C., was the next test of where Wawrinka stood in his steady return back towards his best. A wild card into qualifying for the Rogers Cup in Toronto was next.
“It’s a really long process,” Wawrinka admitted. “It’s a different step during the last year, it’s been a year now.
“I feel I’m really close but at the same time, really far. I know the positive right now is that physically I’m feeling really good. The tennis, I’m practising well. I know and I’m sure I will get to where I want to be but it’s a tough, long process and you have to accept.”
Patience appears to be working for the Swiss. It is the only way he can hit the reset button after so many early misses this season. With Andy Murray having won just his second match in 12 months in his first-round Citi Open match and Novak Djokovic finally back to his winning ways with a run to the Wimbledon title last month, Wawrinka understands how long it may take.
“The year before Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal) came back directly at their top,” Wawrinka said. “But in sport you can’t compare injuries. We all have different problems, all have different injuries, and we’re all trying to be back at the top.
“Some players do it quickly, others take more time. I was happy to see Andy winning. I think it’s great for the game, good for the fans. You never plan to be out of the tour for so long so now I’m looking for myself, trying to get back to where I want. I know I will, I just don’t know how long it will take.
“You need to accept it’s going to be painful. I’ve been there before and it took me a lot of time, a lot of years to win Grand Slams so I’m OK to take a few more months to try to push me and come back.”
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Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas Talk Practice Partners In Washington 2018
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Video : Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas Talk Practice Partners In Washington 2018
Alexander Zverev, Mischa Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev discuss their criteria for choosing the ideal practice partner.
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Video : Querrey, Kokkinakis, Lopez Join Los Cabos Kids Day 2018
Sam Querrey, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Feliciano Lopez, Ernesto Escobedo, Damir Dzumur, Jackson Withrow and Gastao Elias take part in Kids Day at the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex in Los Cabos.
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Querrey, Kokkinakis, Lopez Join Los Cabos Kids Day 2018
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Video : Fritz, Tomic Take Jet Skis For A Spin Off Los Cabos 2018
Taylor Fritz and Bernard Tomic hit the water on jet skis to explore The Arch off the coast of Los Cabos ahead of their Abierto Mexicano de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex campaigns.
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ATP Stars Soak Up Los Cabos Player Party
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Fritz, Tomic Take Jet Skis For A Spin Off Los Cabos 2018
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Video : ATP Stars Soak Up Los Cabos Player Party
ATP players took time away from the court to soak up the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex Player Party in Los Cabos, Mexico.
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Video : Murray Adjusts Expectations As He Builds Comeback In Washington
He needed seven match points to get there but Andy Murray registered his second match win in the past 12 months in the opening round of the Citi Open. He reflects on the adjustments to expectations on his return to tour. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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Video : Hot Shot: Wawrinka Slaps Backhand Winner From Baseline In The Air
Watch as Stan Wawrinka, standing near the baseline, takes it in the air and slaps a backhand winner at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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Hot Shot: Wawrinka Slaps Backhand Winner From Baseline In The Air
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Murray Adjusts Expectations As He Builds Comeback In Washington
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Video : Isner Takes Pride In Being No.1 American In Washington
Fresh from his fifth BB&T Atlanta Open title, three-time finalist John Isner reflects on how the Citi Open helped get his career off on the right foot. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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Isner Takes Pride In Being No.1 American In Washington
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Alexander Zverev: ‘I am better now than when I beat Roger Federer’
ALEXANDER ZVEREV insists he is better now than when he beat Roger Federer to win the Rogers Cup 12 months ago.
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Goffin Shares The Perks of Travelling On Tour In Washington, D.C. 2018
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Video : Goffin Shares The Perks of Travelling On Tour In Washington, D.C. 2018
Watch as Belgium's David Goffin visits the District Wharf in Washington, D.C. Photo: Peter Staples/ATP World Tour.
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New York City police officer who tackled James Blake in mistaken identity arrest describes getting death threats
Video : Top 10 Greatest Championship Points in Tennis History
đ TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS TO NEVER MISS AN UPLOAD! đ ➤ Subscribe here → https://bit.ly/2uS1UrS ➤ My Twitter → http://bit.ly/2vmUq3N ➤ My Facebook → http://bit.ly/2qGmitR Top 10 Greatest Championship Points in Tennis History Raz Ols
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Marterer, Berrettini FIght Through In Kitzbuhel
Maximilian Marterer notched his first victory at the Generali Open on Tuesday, beating Jurgen Zopp 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. The 23-year-old German fired 11 aces and saved six of seven break points to advance after two hours.
Marterer improved to 17-15 at tour-level this season and increased his FedEx ATP Head2Head lead over the Estonian to 2-0. Zopp entered Kitzbuhel in fine form, having reached his first tour-level semi-final from qualifying last week at the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open Gstaad (l. to Berrettini).
Marterer will face Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin for a spot in the quarter-finals. Kukushkin came from a set down to beat #NextGenATP Frenchman Corentin Moutet 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday.
Gstaad champion Matteo Berrettini extended his unbeaten streak to six, beating fifth seed Gilles Simon of France 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. The 22-year-old Italian broke Simon three times and advanced after one hour, 55 minutes. Berrettini will next face Radu Albot of Moldova, who beat Slovakian Jozef Kovalik 6-1, 6-3.
Taro Daniel needed just 78 minutes to eliminate seventh seed Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6(3), 6-1. The TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Open titlist won 86 per cent of first-serve points and did not face a break point en route to victory.
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Daniel will meet Laslo Djere in the second round. Djere, who reached the semi-finals in Gstaad last week, beat newly-crowned Hamburg champion Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 6-3.
Hamburg semi-finalist Nicolas Jarry continued his solid run of form, beating Ecuador Open winner Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 6-4. The Chilean will play third seed Fernando Verdasco for a spot in the last eight.
Did You Know?
Top seed Dominic Thiem is bidding to become the second Austrian to win the Generali Open. In 1993, Thomas Muster became the first Austrian champion in Kitzbuhel, beating Javier Sanchez in straight sets.
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Roger Federer: Rafael Nadal hails Swiss star ahead of hard-court season
RAFAEL NADAL has heaped praise on arch-rival Roger Federer for what he has given to tennis.
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Caroline Wozniacki withdraws from Washington with injured right leg
50 Moments That Mattered: Connors' incredible 1991 semifinal run
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Roger Federer picks tennis star he likes to party with and reveals FOUR-DAY hangover
ROGER FEDERER may not seem like the type of man to hit the town for a wild night out, but if he did, there is only two friends top of his guestlist.
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Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic dominate because of this - Milos Raonic
ROGER FEDERER, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic dominate tennis because of their “mentality”, claims Milos Raonic.
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Rafael Nadal open up on Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic rivalry: ’There are bad parts’
RAFAEL NADAL says “there are bad parts” to his rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
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Uncovered: Behind The Scenes In Newport
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Video : Uncovered: Behind The Scenes In Newport 2018
ATP World Tour Uncovered presented by Peugeot takes you behind the scenes at the 2018 Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island.
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Video : Uncovered: Behind The Scenes In Umag 2018
ATP World Tour Uncovered presented by Peugeot takes you behind the scenes at the 2018 Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag.
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Uncovered: Behind The Scenes In Umag
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Video : Del Potro, Fognini Launch Los Cabos 2018
Watch as Juan Martin del Potro and Fabio Fognini play mini-tennis at the launch of the 2018 Abierto de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex.
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Del Potro, Fognini Launch Los Cabos 2018
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Roger Federer opens up on family life and playing tennis with wife Mirka Federer
ROGER FEDERER has opened up on his family life and how often he plays tennis with wife Mirka Federer.
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Roger Federer discusses Novak Djokovic’s bizarre habit
ROGER FEDERER says he has never copied Novak Djokovic’s bizarre Wimbledon habit.
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Andy Murray fires a warning to Kyle Edmund ahead of Citi Open clash
ANDY MURRAY has sent Kyle Edmund a warning ahead of their Citi Open showdown.
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Andy Murray makes huge mentality claim after Citi Open victory against Mackenzie McDonald
ANDY MURRAY admits his win over Mackenzie McDonald at the Citi Open was huge for his mental strength.
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Monday 30 July 2018
Andy Murray sets up Kyle Edmund showdown after dispatching Mackenzie McDonald
ANDY MURRAY booked another showdown with Kyle Edmund by dispatching American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round at the Washington Open.
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Video : Highlights: Murray Battles For Second Win In 12 Months At Washington 2018
Watch highlights as Andy Murray earns his second win in 12 months, beating American Mackenzie McDonald in a three-setter that lasts until 12:46 a.m. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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Highlights: Murray Battles For Second Win In 12 Months
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Andy Murray tests hip, rallies to edge Mackenzie McDonald in Washington
Sorry, Partner: Fritz Gains Revenge On Doubles Teammate In Los Cabos
#NextGenATP American Taylor Fritz exacted revenge against Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis on Monday to start the third edition of the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex in Los Cabos.
Fritz lost to Kokkinakis in last year's quarter-finals, and the Aussie went on to reach the final (l. to Sam Querrey). But this time, Fritz squeaked past the 22-year-old right-hander 7-6(6), 7-6(5) to advance and even their FedEx ATP Head2Head series (1-1).
“I played well. It was a lot like last year's match. It could have really gone either way... just a couple points here and there. I'm really happy to get through,” Fritz said.
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He is looking to reach his second ATP World Tour final (Memphis 2016) and solidify his place among the top seven in the ATP Race To Milan. The 20-year-old is currently in sixth place.
Read More: Fritz Shares His 'ATP Firsts'
The top seven will automatically qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held 6-10 November in Milan, while the eighth spot will be reserved for the winner of an all-Italian qualifier tournament to be held just prior to the prestigious 21-and-under event. Players must be born in 1997 or later to be eligible for the Next Gen ATP Finals.
Fritz and Kokkinakis will meet again this week. They're playing doubles together. “It's so funny because before the tournament started I knew I was going to play him. Before the draw even came out, I said to my coach, 'I bet I'm going to play Thanasi'... It happens sometimes,” Fritz said.
In singles, Fritz will next face Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, who broke four times and beat Portugal's Gastao Elias 6-4, 6-3. Nishioka saved six of eight break points and advanced in 85 minutes.
#NextGenATP American Michael Mmoh picked up his fifth tour-level win of the year (5-3), beating compatriot Ernesto Escobedo 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. The 20-year-old Mmoh won 86 per cent of his first-serve points (38/44) and broke Escobedo twice in the final set. He will next meet Canadian Peter Polansky or Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia.
Read More: 'Dangerous' Delpo Ready To Go In Mexico
Did You Know?
Fritz made the 2016 Memphis final in only his third tour-level event, falling to Japan's Kei Nishikori.
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Murray Battles For Second Win In 12 Months
It was not easy, but Andy Murray battled to his first hard-court win since 4 March 2017 on Monday evening at the Citi Open.
The former World No. 1 defeated American Mackenzie McDonald 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 after two hours, 37 minutes to clinch his second victory of the season (2-2) in just his third tournament back from hip surgery, which he underwent in January. The Scot advances to face British No. 1 Kyle Edmund in a rematch of their second-round encounter at the Nature Valley International in Eastbourne, won by Edmund.
Murray held five match points while serving for the match for the first time at 5-4 in the third set, but McDonald was steady, breaking back. In the next game at 30/30, when it appeared the American had an easy putaway volley to earn a game point, he was called for reaching over the net, giving the Scot break point. After converting that, Murray did not waste his second opportunity to serve the match out, closing out the encounter on his seventh match point at 12:46 a.m. when his opponent missed an inside-out forehand long.
The 31-year-old's reaction said it all, screaming "Yeah!" twice as he walked to the net.
After Wimbledon last season, Murray did not play a match for 11 months before returning at this year's Fever-Tree Championships. This is Murray’s first hard-court event since last year’s BNP Paribas Open.
The 45-time tour-level champion showed signs of good form in his first match back at The Queen’s Club against Nick Kyrgios, pushing the in-form Aussie before Kyrgios triumphed 7-5 in the third set. He also beat former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka in Eastbourne before losing against Edmund.
On Monday, Murray showed both a strong competitive spirit and room for improvement. McDonald was unafraid of taking control in rallies early on, using a good variety of aggression and finesse with drop shots to control play against the World No. 832. The American excelled when he punished the Scot’s second serve, taking advantage of Murray’s repetitive placement by running around his backhand to attack with his forehand and control points from there.
But as the match went on, Murray’s steadiness began to wear on McDonald, who began to make more unforced errors. And once he began to spray more shots, Murray added more balls with little to no pace to goad his opponent into playing aggressively.
Credit is due to McDonald, though, who has shown excellent form of late. The 23-year-old, who entered the season without a tour-level victory to his name, advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon, using that effort to crack the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings for the first time. He also showed his talent in the second round of the Australian Open, where reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov defeated him 9-7 in a fifth set.
Did You Know?
Due to his injury, Murray slipped as low as No. 839 in the ATP Rankings earlier this month, which is lower than any ranking he had previously held in his career.
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Roger Federer: Rafael Nadal can still overtake rival and become the GOAT - McEnroe
ROGER FEDERER could still be overtaken by Rafael Nadal to become the greatest player of all time.
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Hot Shot: McDonald Hustles, Hits Curling Forehand Winner In Washington 2018
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Video : Hot Shot: McDonald Hustles, Hits Curling Forehand Winner In Washington 2018
Watch as Mackenzie McDonald tracks down a volley hit by Andy Murray before curling a forehand down the line for a winner in their first-round match at the 2018 Citi Open. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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Will Zverev Brothers Finally Meet This Week?
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Video : Will Zverev Brothers Finally Meet This Week?
Brothers Alexander Zverev and Mischa Zverev have never competed against one another on the ATP World Tour, but the pair could play in the third round of the 2018 Citi Open. Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images.
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Dellien First Bolivian To Crack Top 100 In 34 Years
There are achievements that can redefine the sporting landscape in a country. For small, developing nations, a breakthrough can inspire millions and signal a shift in its sporting culture. Hugo Dellien hopes that this is that moment for his native Bolivia.
On Monday, the 25-year-old made a historic Top 100 debut in the ATP Rankings, becoming just the second Bolivian to reach the milestone. Exactly 34 years after Mario Martinez first put the nation on the tennis map, Dellien followed in his countryman's footsteps.
In that span, nine of the 12 South American countries have had a representative in the Top 100. Add Bolivia to the list. Dellien ascended to a career-high No. 100 after reaching the semi-finals of the ATP Challenger Tour event in Tampere, Finland last week.
"The truth is that I'm really happy and very emotional," said Dellien. "I had surgery last year in November and I never expected 2018 to go this well. I played in my first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, won my first Challenger title and now I am in the Top 100. It's a dream. It's the dream of all the players who start playing tennis. I never expected this, but I'm very grateful for everyone who helped me get here."
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With a population of more than 10 million, Bolivia has a diverse culture rich in cuisine, art, music and dance, with strong influences from its indigenous people. But the nation remains in search of a sporting icon; someone to put the country on the map on a global scale. Now, it has a tennis champion to celebrate.
"In the past year, tennis in Bolivia has grown a lot already. It's been 34 years since we had someone in the Top 100. I hope that the people see this and the game continues to grow in my country."
The 5'10" Dellien may be diminutive in size, but he packs a powerful punch on the court. In April, he joined Martinez as the only Bolivians to claim an ATP Challenger Tour title with his victory in Sarasota. Two weeks later, he added a second crown in Savannah and has since notched a third on the red clay of Vicenza, Italy. Not only is Dellien the title leader on the circuit this year, he also owns 30 match wins (second-most on tour).
"It's been a mental change for me this year, but also I changed my coach and we've been working on my backhand. I'm more solid on that side. And I have more confidence hitting my forehand too. Everything is better."
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Video : Edmund Striving To Win Maiden ATP World Tour Title Washington 2018
Kyle Edmund, the fourth seed at the 2018 Citi Open, discusses his preparation for the North American hard-court swing and reflects on his goal of winning his first ATP World Tour title. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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Del Potro Chasing Mexican Double In Los Cabos
This could be Juan Martin del Potro's favourite time of the year. The Argentine is back on North American hard courts, the site of his two titles earlier this season (Indian Wells, Acapulco) and his only Grand Slam crown (2009 US Open). He's basking in warmth from the sun and from his fans this week at the Abierto de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex in Los Cabos.
Del Potro, the top seed at the ATP World Tour 250-level tournament, fell short of March's Sunshine Double after beating Roger Federer in the BNP Paribas Open title match, his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown. Del Potro lost in the semi-finals of the Miami Open presented by Itau to eventual champion John Isner.
But the 6'6” right-hander can clinch the Mexican Double this week. Del Potro won the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco (d. Anderson) on 3 March.
“I'm having fantastic days here in Los Cabos. The city is amazing. We are having fun everywhere,” Del Potro said.
“We decided to come play here because it's a good tournament for preparation for Toronto, Cincinnati and the US Open... I have a lot of fans here in Mexico. And I also have great moments, winning Acapulco a few months ago. That's why I like to be in Mexico again. I will try to play good tennis and then enjoy moments with my fans.”
The No. 4 player in the ATP Rankings last competed at Wimbledon, where he fell one round short of matching his best showing at The Championships (2013 SF). Del Potro lost to World No. 1 Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals. Andy Murray remarked on BBC TV that their final set was “one of the best sets I've ever seen”.
Read More: Delpo: 'Rafa Always Has A Little More Than The Rest'
“I've been training hard for these tournaments I'm about to play on hard courts... My body is OK. I'm feeling good with the tennis game also,” Del Potro said.
The 29-year-old will be a top contender at every event the remainder of the year, especially the two upcoming hard-court Masters 1000 tournaments, the Rogers Cup in Toronto and the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. At the season's final Grand Slam tournament, Del Potro will look to improve upon his 2017 semi-final run at the US Open.
“When I feel 100 per cent, I know how dangerous my game is against the other guys. But sometimes you need more than tennis to beat the top guys on tour. I did it in the past and I'm excited to try to repeat it in the future,” Del Potro said.
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He is currently in fourth place in the ATP Race To London, behind Nadal, Federer and Alexander Zverev, who will try to retain his Citi Open title in Washington, D.C., this week. Del Potro has played at the Nitto ATP Finals four times, most recently in 2013 and he reached the semi-finals in 2012.
“I would like to play a great tournament in New York [US Open] then a new goal could be qualify for London, which is, it's not yet but I'm not that far [from qualifying]. It would be great for me if I could come back in London after many years,” he said.
“Rafa is playing so good, Roger has the potential to fight for the No. 1, of course, and Sascha is the future but he's the present as well. I'm trying to get close to those guys, but we will see what's happening at the end of the year.”
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Zverev: 'I Think I'm Better Than I Was Last Year'
The Citi Open has always been a special event for Alexander Zverev. In his debut three years ago as an 18-year-old, the German reached the quarter-finals. Last season, Zverev survived a third-set tie-break in his opening-round match before eventually capturing the title.
It was part of a magical breakout campaign for Zverev, who would lift five ATP World Tour trophies in 2017, and finish the year inside the Top 5 of the ATP Rankings. But speaking ahead of his title defence in Washington, D.C., he made a statement that should scare the field.
“I think I’m a better player than I was last year,” Zverev said. “I think I’m better prepared, I think I’m better physically. Also, I think tennis-wise, there are thing that I’ve improved.”
While the Monte-Carlo-resident has lifted just two titles so far this season compared to three at this point last year, he’s still compiled an impressive 36-11 record and climbed to his career-best ranking of No. 3. Only one player, Dominic Thiem (38-12), has earned more victories this campaign.
“I think you can always improve. There are always areas where you can improve until the end of your career,” Zverev said. “But the competition doesn’t sleep, either. They’re all trying to find ways. They’re trying to improve as well. It’s been an exciting year so far, and hopefully it will be in the second half of the year as well.”
Zverev hasn’t fallen victim to any sort of ‘sophomore slump’, losing a maximum of two matches in a row this year. Why haven’t his opponents been able to adjust to what he brings to the court? That’s not something Zverev is worrying about.
“Everybody has a certain style of game. I think that has to be more stable and you have to be known for something,” Zverev said. “Everybody has their own things, everybody has their own weapons, everybody has their own weaknesses. I think it’s more about improving your weapons and improving your weaknesses as well, so people don’t have an easy route to beating you.”
The German took some time off after his third-round exit at Wimbledon before returning to practice in order to fully prepare for what is an especially important part of the schedule for him. In the three hard-court tournaments he played ahead of the 2017 US Open, Zverev earned an impressive 1,510 points, which he now must defend.
The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals qualifier, who is No. 3 in the ATP Race To London, will begin his title defence against Evgeny Donskoy or Malek Jaziri. He has never lost before the last eight in Washington, D.C., and hopes to keep that streak going.
“This tournament has a lot of history. This tournament has a lot of great champions. I won the tournament last year so for me, this is a very special place. I’ll try my best to do so this year as well,” Zverev said. “I’m very excited to start the hard-court season off here, where I’ve played well the past few years. I’m trying to defend my title and trying to play well again.”
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Edmund Striving To Win Maiden ATP World Tour Title Washington 2018
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Video : Nishikori Feeling Good About His Game In Washington 2018
Watch Kei Nishikori discuss the state of his game ahead of the Citi Open, talk about the 50th edition of the event and Alexander Zverev, who beat him in last year's Washington, D.C. semi-finals. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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Nishikori Feeling Good About His Game In Washington 2018
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Video : Zverev: 'I Think I'm A Better Player Than I Was Last Year'
Alexander Zverev reflects on his progress as a player and looks back on his title at last year's Citi Open before he begins his campaign in Washington, D.C. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
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#NextGenATP Munar Maintains Momentum In KitzbĂŒhel
One year ago this week, #NextGenATP Spaniard Jaume Munar made his breakthrough, claiming his maiden ATP Challenger Tour title in Segovia, the same tournament at which a 17-year-old Rafael Nadal celebrated victory 14 years before that.
Now, Munar is 213 spots higher in the ATP Rankings at No. 88, and he is continuing to show he belongs on the ATP World Tour. The 21-year-old beat qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-1 on Monday at the Generali Open to earn his fourth tour-level victory. Prior to the season, he had just one.
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Munar will attempt to reach his first ATP World Tour quarter-final when he faces fourth seed Robin Haase, the World No. 38. If he defeats the Dutch No. 1, it will be the best completed match win of Munar’s career by ranking, after ousting No. 41 David Ferrer at Roland Garros earlier this year.
To get by Hanfmann, Munar saved all four break points he faced in the deciding set and won 54 per cent (14/26) of return points to advance after two hours, two minutes.
Eighth seed Dusan Lajovic moved through in much quicker fashion, dismissing Spanish veteran Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4, 6-2 in one hour, eight minutes. The Serbian will try to reach the last eight at a tour-level event for the fourth time this season when he faces Austrian wild card Dennis Novak, who beat compatriot Jurij Rodionov 6-4, 0-6, 6-1.
Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin held off a game effort from #NextGenATP Frenchman Corentin Moutet 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, and qualifier Denis Istomin saved five of six break points en route to a 7-6(5), 6-2 win against Argentine Federico Delbonis. The Uzbek will next face second seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, a two-time winner in Kitzbuhel.
Jebavy/Molteni Cruise In Opener
In Monday's only doubles match, Czech Roman Jebavy and Argentine Andres Molteni beat Dutchman Sander Arends and Croatian Antonio Sancic 6-2, 6-4 in exactly one hour. The pair will next play top seeds Julio Peralta and Horacio Zeballos or German Kevin Krawietz and Chilean Hans Podlipnik-Castillo.
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Zverev: 'I Think I'm A Better Player Than I Was Last Year'
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Alexander Zverev reveals different US Open preparations to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
ALEXANDER ZVEREV is behind only Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the rankings - but his preparations for the US Open are a world apart.
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Entrevista Hugo Dellien Tras Su IrrupciĂ³n En El Top 100
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Sunday Funday: Fritz & Tomic Tackle The Water In Los Cabos
Before play got underway on hard courts at the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex, #NextGenATP American Taylor Fritz and Aussie Bernard Tomic tried their hands on a different surface — the water.
players journeyed out near the Arch of Cabo San Lucas to test their skills at various water-based activities in the crystal-blue Mexican waters. Fritz, who attempted wake-surfing, added more to his blooper reel than his highlight reel.
“It was really tough. I need to just stick to tennis,” Fritz said. “I tried a lot and it’s pretty upsetting to me that I wasn’t able to do it.”
And he was not the only one who noticed. Tomic, who stuck to his jet ski, joked, "He didn’t do a really good job at it. He kind of messed up at everything”.
But that didn’t stop the pair from having a great time before refocusing on their tennis.
“It was fun going out there," Fritz said. "I didn’t hurt myself like the last time I jet-skied, so I’m happy about that. It’s all good.”
Tomic has competed in Los Cabos on just one previous occasion, losing his opening match in 2016 as the No. 2 seed. But he is already off to a good start in Mexico before beginning his tournament against Egor Gerasimov.
“It was unbelievable, amazing,” Tomic said. “It’s so good to see stuff like that. Kind of saw it a couple years back when I was here as well, but to see it for a second time, it was amazing, really cool.”
And while Fritz had his fair share of struggles on the water, he is excited for the week to come on land. A year ago, the American debuted in Los Cabos, reaching the quater-finals before falling against eventual finalist Thanasi Kokkinakis, whom he plays Monday evening in the first round.
“I’m just really hoping to have a good week,” Fritz said. “I play really well here and I like being here. Obviously first round’s not easy, Thanasi making the finals last year. He beat me here last year, but I’m looking to get him back.”
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2018 US Open Spotlight: Ryan Harrison
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Video : Roger Federer - Incredible Squash Shot Compilation
đ TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS TO NEVER MISS AN UPLOAD! đ ➤ Subscribe here → https://bit.ly/2uS1UrS ➤ My Twitter → http://bit.ly/2vmUq3N ➤ My Facebook → http://bit.ly/2qGmitR Roger Federer - Incredible Squash Shot Compilation Raz Ols
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Video : Sunday Funday: Fritz & Tomic Tackle The Water In Los Cabos 2018
Watch as #NextGenATP American Taylor Fritz and Aussie Bernard Tomic enjoy various activities including jet-skiing and wake-surfing in the water of Los Cabos ahead of the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex. Photo Credit: MexTenis.
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A Shared Dream: 50 Years Of Tennis In Washington, D.C.
The Citi Open is celebrating its 50th edition this year with one of the best fields in the history of the ATP World Tour 500 tournament. While the muggy heat of Washington, D.C., which tests out every players’ physical conditioning, endures, back in 1969, in the infancy of Open tennis, when doors were — in some cases, reluctantly opened to amateur, contract and professional players — a small group of dedicated individuals took tennis out of the traditional country clubs to a racially integrated district of the city. The original tournament team was small in number and facilities at Rock Creek Park were far from world-class, as they are today.
Donald Dell, one of the sport’s leading powerbrokers for more than 50 years, relays the story of how his father would drive Arthur Ashe back home through the night from far-flung junior tournaments, knowing full well that the shameful reality of race in the 1950s meant that if they stopped, they would not be able to stay in the same hotel. A decade later, a lifelong friendship already cemented and months before the first US Open, which Ashe won in September 1968, the pair was driving around Washington, D.C. and an idea was floated. “Why don’t we run a tournament here?” Ashe asked. “I’d like to play in it, but it has to be in an integrated area so black faces come out and watch the tennis. If you do it at a public park, a public facility and not a country club, I’ll play the event."
Dell, and his childhood friend John Harris, had already run a number of exhibition matches for the Washington Area Tennis Patrons Foundation [founded in 1955], which had helped Dell for expenses to get him into junior tournaments. Now named the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation, the organisation helps to provide children with equipment, instruction, and financial means to play tennis. “In 1963 we ran the first exhibition and Chuck McKinley played, earning an extra $500 for help towards playing tournaments,” Harris told ATPWorldTour.com. “In 1966, the U.S. captain George MacCall rang up in May or June asking us for help to raise money for the Davis Cup team. He wondered if we could put together a preview to that year’s final, between American and Australian teams. We needed to guarantee $10,000, but the event raised $9,000-10,000 for the Foundation, its biggest cheque to date. It was after that point that we tried to work towards getting a sanction for a fully-fledged tournament.”
One year later, an exhibition match — a part of the ‘Summer in the Parks’ program — was held in the middle of a Washington, D.C. street near Lincoln Park, with Dell and Charlie Pasarell facing Ashe and Senator Bobby Kennedy. Dell, an advance man [looking after every public appearance] for Kennedy in 1966 and the presidential campaign of 1968, recalled to ATPWorldTour.com, “We had 4,000 people turn up, in the inner city. It was the final precursor to the inaugural tournament.” Harris adds, “We opted for Rock Creek Park, because it was a nice location and a huge park. Not many other clubs could host an event, for parking and the growth we foresaw. Buses took people to the park. We also wanted to help the Foundation in helping inner-city kids, so the tournament needed to be fully integrated.”
Early international calendars published for 1969, didn’t feature Washington, D.C., which would be held on green clay courts in the vast 2,000-acre park of a soon-to-be affluent African-American neighbourhood the week before the first grass-court tournament on U.S. soil at Merion Cricket Club, a private club in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Only the Swedish International Championships in Bastad [now named the SkiStar Swedish Open] and the Irish Championships in Dublin, held in the week immediately after the conclusion of The Championships at Wimbledon, are published for the week of 7 July 1969.
Raising funds and getting a title sponsor quickly in 1969 became a major concern for Dell, Harris and their three-man tournament team. “We needed to raise $25,000, which was an awful lot of money in 1968,” says Dell. “We managed to get four friends, Washington businessmen, to each guarantee $5,000. I put up $5,000, anonymously, myself. Incredibly, our long search for a title sponsor — The Washington Star newspaper — ended just six weeks before the event was due to begin. There had been only two prize-money tournaments — the Pacific Southwest in Los Angeles and the US Open — in the United States in 1968, when the sport went open to amateurs and professional players, with purses totalling $150,000. In 1969, there were five open events out of 14 on U.S. soil, and prize money had nearly trebled to $440,000.
Dell, in his final year as captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team, was largely responsible for such an influx of banknotes and made North America a profitable circuit. Bud Collins, writing for The Boston Globe, noted, “Acting en bloc, with their captain behind them, the [10-player] team informed USLTA [now the United States Tennis Association] tournament officials that they would appear at no tournament, which did not put up substantial prize money. They also made it clear they would enter into none of the old-style expense deals, and that they would boycott tournaments that did so with other players.”
Cliff Richey, who stayed at the Washington Hilton for the inaugural tournament, told ATPWorldTour.com, “Washington, D.C. preceded Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Washington had a $25,000 prize money pot, with $5,000 to the titlist. Cincinnati had a $17,500 prize money pot and less for the champion. It was Donald Dell who organised the U.S. tournaments that summer to offer the winner $5,000 each, to standardise prize money and professionalise how tournaments were organised.”
First known as The Washington Star International (1969-1981) — then, subsequently, as the Sovran Bank Classic (1982-1992), the Newsweek Tennis Classic (1993), the Legg Mason Tennis Classic (1994-2011) and the Citi Open (since 2012) — the venue had little in the way of on-site facilities. Players arrived on-site already in their tennis attire. There were no showers, media and tournament officials set up their desks beside fans in tents, while wooden bleachers were erected around one of three clay courts.
“Wooden bleachers had to be erected each year, there were tents and trailers for ball boys, volunteers, linesmen, players and tournament officials,” Harold Solomon, the 1974 champion, told ATPWorldTour.com. “A changing facility was built in the early 70s with a locker room, but to say it was modest would be an understatement. There were wall-mounted air conditioners, which barely got the temperature down to 90 degrees on hot days, plastic matts on the shower floor, metal lockers, with only room for a very small number of players at a time and limited bathroom facilities. Towels were at a premium, escaping the heat was the trick.”
“We once had Colonel Powell [the statesman and four-star general of the U.S. Army] as the referee for a while and he made sure the tournament was run like the Army. In fact, one time, after a particularly long break from a severe thunderstorm, my doubles partner Zan Guerry and I were defaulted by the Colonel when Zan was a few seconds late following the deluge. He was in the parking lot running up to the courts and the Colonel had his stop watch out and he counted him out while being two seconds past the allocated time!”
Thomaz Koch, who beat Arthur Ashe 7-5, 9-7, 4-6, 2-6, 6-4 in the 1969 Washington, D.C. final, recalled to ATPWorldTour.com, “I remember talking to Donald Dell before the final, asking to play best of three sets otherwise I would miss my flight back to Brazil. Well, in those days most of the finals were played over the best-of-five sets and this match was no different. After being two sets up, I got very angry to have to play another three sets and I was sure, by that time, my flight would be long gone. I finished my match in a big hurry. Donald provided me to be escorted by the police to the airport and the flight was even delayed so that I could make my flight and later connection.”
Harris, who was the head of Potomac Ventures, Inc., a firm which managed office and commercial space, also remembers, “At the trophy presentation, after giving a brief speech, Thomaz put his hand on my shoulder saying, ‘$5,000 is too much for one player.’”
Washington, D.C.-born Solomon said, “There was a certain air of excitement and open tennis was in its infancy. It was more like a family atmosphere. Fans were there not necessarily to be seen, but to be a part of an emerging sport that many of them and their families were participating in. It soon became an annual event that the community had taken on as its own.”
The tournament soon grew in appeal among Senators, Congressmen, business leaders and the well-to-do, with family members of former U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton watching matches or presenting the trophy in the first 30 years of the tournament. "A sitting President has never attended, but the WTEF had two dinners at the house of George H. Bush, when he was the Vice President,” remembers Harris. "Tim Henman once visited the White House and dined with one-time Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice."
From 992 seats on the west side of the main court in the first year, Harris, the tournament co-chairman until 1994, says, “We added 1,500 seats on the south side and a further 1,500 the following year, when we also created a locker room with showers." In 1972, there was a major development when Dell and Harris donated the tournament sanction to the WTEF, making it the sole owner and charity benefactor. "In 1972, we gave them the sanction, so now they’re maybe the only charity in the United States that owns a professional event. " By 1977, when a pro shop was built, there were 5,700 seats around the main court.
For the first 10 years, attendance records were smashed year-on-year, but in 1978 there was the threat of a shift in tournament week from the U.S. Pro Championships, played in Boston, on clay courts one week prior to the start of the US Open, which was being held at its new site in Flushing Meadows, New York. Longwood Cricket Club in suburban Brookline favoured shifting the U.S Pro tournament week to early summer in 1979, but did not believe it ought to change the surface to hard, as the US Open had done after three years of clay competition. Dell and Harris held firm, arguing that Washington, D.C. had built up a tradition as being the first major tournament in the United States after Wimbledon.
The green clay courts made way for hard courts in 1987, the year of Ivan Lendl’s second title, when the whole U.S. circuit reverted to cement. Jimmy Connors, Guillermo Vilas, John McEnroe, Lendl, Stefan Edberg, Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro have all walked through the park and tested their skills at the ATP World Tour 500-level tournament. Today, the Stadium court seats 7,500 spectators. From the original five-man team in 1969, there are now 500 volunteers all on hand in or around the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center, which has become a world-class venue and, since 2011, a WTA Tour stop.
WASHINGTON, D.C. TOURNAMENT ALL-TIME MATCH WINS LEADERS
| Player | Match Record | Finals Record | Tournament Appearances |
| 1) Andre Agassi (USA) | 44-12 | 5-1 | 17 |
| 2) Guillermo Vilas (ARG) | 38-7 | 3-2 | 10 |
| 3) Andy Roddick (USA) | 30-6 | 3-1 | 9 |
| 4) Harold Solomon (USA) | 25-13 | 1-1 | 14 |
| 5) John Isner (USA) | 25-9 | 0-3 | 9 |
| 6) Eddie Dibbs (USA) | 25-12 | 0-1 | 12 |
| 7) Jose-Luis Clerc (ARG) | 25-5 | 2-1 | 7 |
| 8) Michael Chang (USA) | 25-5 | 2-0 | 8 |
| 9) Jimmy Connors (USA) | 25-4 | 3-0 | 7 |
| 10) Arthur Ashe (USA) | 24-7 | 0-2 | 8 |
There has been one constant that no player has ever been able to avoid. The summer heat of Washington, D.C. has always played a contributing factor in how well any player will perform at Rock Creek Park. There are stories aplenty when order of play start times had to be adjusted as the conditions tested a player’s physical conditioning to the maximum.
Marty Riessen, runner-up in 1971 and 1972, told ATPWorldTour.com, “I’ve never played in any other place like it. Playing in D.C. in the summer was hot and humid, more of an endurance contest. I remember my match with Tony Roche [in the 1972 final] when I had match point. I served and came in for an easy volley, but I was perspiring so much that my hand slipped on my grip and I couldn’t make the volley.”
Solomon recalls, “I was playing the Australian Phil Dent in a hot and muggy night match [in 1977]. We had this long, long match and I started getting cramps badly all over my body in the third set and after almost three hours, somehow, I won the final point and walked up to shake Phil's hand and my hand cramped around his and I collapsed onto the court and had to be lifted off. The next day in the paper there was a picture of me victorious, but still shaking his hand while collapsed on the court in agony!”
Lendl, the 1982 and 1987 titlist, one of the fittest players of his era, told ATPWorldTour.com, “I still remember how hot it was! Both David Wheaton and I cramping in my three-set win over him in 1987.”
Andre Agassi, who earned a record five trophies from six Washington, D.C. finals, in addition to 44 match wins from 17 tournament appearances, admitted, “I always loved playing in the heat, but it was a constant negotiation. It was the only tournament in the world where I went through two or three shirts a set.“I have so many memories, such as playing Stefan Edberg [in the 1995 final] and winning 7-5 in the third set on one of the hottest days and literally being sick in the tree planter by the side of the court. We were so tired, I hit the ball high up in the air and was sick. It was one of the first times both of us sat down during the trophy ceremony. We were so spent. Another memory is playing Petr Korda in the 1991 final and when we got to the net to flip the coin, I realised I had played all night matches and he all day matches. He had sun blisters all over his head. He was burned to a crisp and thought it was slightly unfair.”
At this year's Citi Open, the focus of American attention will be on John Isner, who is looking to master the conditions and potentially become the 13th different American to lift the Washington, D.C. trophy - and the first since Andy Roddick in 2007. The 33-year-old arrives in the capital of the United States on the back of winning his fifth title at the BB&T Atlanta Open on Sunday. “I have made the Washington final three times, but I’ve never won it,” Isner told ATPWorldTour.com. “I’ve always played very well in D.C. I won five three-set tie-breaks in a row to reach the final out of no-where. No one knew who I was, I was fresh out of college. I certainly won’t forget my match against [Gael] Monfils in the semi-finals for a long time.” Isner, in the form of his life, will compete in one of the strongest fields for the 50th edition, boasting the likes of former World No. 1 Murray, Stan Wawrinka, defending champion Alexander Zverev and Kei Nishikori.
The Citi Open has always been a tournament dedicated to, and for the people, of Washington, D.C. Through the dedication of Dell, who acted as Ashe’s manager for 23 years and was a founding father of the ATP in 1972, and Harris, who stage-managed the tournament from his one-room office for the first 13 editions, the sport was brought to the masses — not just the privileged elite — in one of the biggest cities in the United States, a setting that combines history, beauty and a great atmosphere.
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Sunday Funday: Fritz & Tomic Tackle The Water In Los Cabos 2018
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Roger Federer: Rafael Nadal defends Novak Djokovic disaster - ‘I always knew’
RAFAEL NADAL says he always knew Novak Djokovic would return to the top of his game and challenge for major honours once again.
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Rafael Nadal: ‘Roger Federer and I will be replaced by these two players’
RAFAEL NADAL has named two players he thinks will dominate the sport once he and Roger Federer retire.
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Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal: Mats Wilander apologises after ‘ballsy’ comment
ROGER FEDERER has received an apology from Mats Wilander after the seven-time Grand Slam winner claimed he “lacks the balls” to face Rafael Nadal.
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Andy Murray retirement: Scot makes huge admission ahead of US Open
ANDY MURRAY has revealed he thought about retiring after struggling to return from injury.
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Citi Open results LIVE: Follow Andy Murray in action this week in Washington
CITI OPEN results - Follow LIVE scores with Andy Murray returning to action.
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Citi Open LIVE stream: How to watch Andy Murray continue comeback in Washington
CITI OPEN LIVE STREAM: Andy Murray returns to action in Washington this week and here’s how to follow the action.
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