Preview: Rublev Intent On Ending Korda’s Charge

If Andrey Rublev has it his way, a defeat of Sebastian Korda in the Miami Open presented by Itau quarter-finals will ensure the #NextGenATP American’s parents no longer have to put an urgent trip to Palm Springs on hold. 

Korda’s sisters, Nelly and Jessica, are contesting their first LPGA major of 2021 on the opposite side of the country. But due to the 20-year-old’s run to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final, parents Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtova have had to wait to join their daughters’ support squad.

Korda has been on a tear this week in Miami, notching his first Top 20 win over Fabio Fognini and first Top 10 victory over fifth seed Diego Schwartzman. No man has won more matches in 2021 than Rublev, though. 

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Like Korda, the fourth seed is vying for his first Masters 1000 semi-final and carries a 19-3 record for the season so far into the pair’s first ATP Head2Head meeting. The Russian was clinical in his straight-sets dismissal of former World No. 3 Marin Cilic.

“I think it will be a lot of fun,” Korda said of the showdown. “We are both big hitters, and he's having a great season and a great whole year pretty much. He's probably the hottest player on tour right now, and it's going to be another cool opportunity for me and another cool experience to play such a player like him.”

Rublev has been on fire this season, opening with the ATP Cup trophy for Russia and adding an ATP 500 title in Rotterdam last month, before back-to-back hard-court semi-finals in Doha and Dubai. Korda, though, is enjoying a breakout season, having reached his maiden ATP Tour final at the Delray Beach Open in January. Wins over the likes of John Isner, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marin Cilic in the first three months of 2021 have already given his parents plenty of which to be proud.

“Having them here, it's a dream come true,” Korda said. “I always dreamed about playing around my family and playing the big matches and winning the tight matches.

“It's cool to share this experience with them. I wish my sisters were here, but they are doing their thing in California. Hopefully I can keep going.”

Second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and 26th seed Hubert Hurkacz are also searching for their first Masters 1000 trophy and will square off in Thursday’s first quarter-final. The Greek spoke of using the disappointment of defeat in the Acapulco final leading in as inspiration in South Florida. So far so good after beating Damir Dzumhur, Kei Nishikori and Lorenzo Sonego in succession. 

“I’m thrilled to be playing the way I’m playing. I’m having a great impact with my game so far this week, so it’s important for me to capitalise [on] that,” Tsitsipas said. “Each single opponent has been a separate challenge, and I’ve been managing to find solutions against them.”

Tsitsipas leads the Pole 6-1 in the pair’s ATP Head2Head, however, their past five showdowns have all gone three sets. Hurkacz is coming off impressive victories over Canadian seeds Denis Shapovalov and Milos Raonic and said he felt perfectly at home in Florida, having won the Delray Beach Open in January.

“Last year I spent here like over five months,” Hurkacz said. “So I got used to the weather and the conditions here, so I think that's kind of [an] advantage for me. But each site is different. Each [tournament’s] conditions, the balls are different, but I enjoy being here and playing here.”

ORDER OF PLAY - THURSDAY, APRIL 01

GRANDSTAND starts at 01:00 PM
[ATP] [26] H. Hurkacz (POL) vs [2] S. Tsitsipas (GRE) 
[WTA] NB 3:00 PM [1] A. Barty (AUS) vs [5] E. Svitolina (UKR) 
[ATP] NB 7:00 PM S. Korda (USA) vs [4] A. Rublev (RUS) 
[WTA] NB 8:30 PM [8] B. Andreescu (CAN) vs [23] M. Sakkari (GRE) 

COURT 1 starts at 01:00 PM
[ATP] [7] R. Ram (USA) / J. Salisbury (GBR) vs [2] N. Mektic (CRO) / M. Pavic (CRO) 
[ATP] D. Evans (GBR) / N. Skupski (GBR) vs [4] I. Dodig (CRO) / F. Polasek (SVK)

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2PgdITh

Bautista Agut Outfoxes Medvedev, Sets Sinner SF In Miami

Roberto Bautista Agut was the oldest player left standing at the Miami Open presented by Itau and the only player in the last eight to have reached this stage before. The 32-year-old drew from all of that experience to complete a 6-4, 6-2 stunner over top seed Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday as he sealed his fourth ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.

In a quarter-final line-up full of headline-grabbing breakthroughs and memorable debutants, seventh seed Bautista Agut enjoyed life under the radar in Miami. After receiving a bye and later a walkover into the third round, the Spaniard had to find his best tennis in back-to-back three-setters to book a meeting with Medvedev. 

Bautista Agut brought a 2-0 ATP Head2Head lead into his quarter-final clash against Medvedev, with the Spaniard turning around a set deficit in their most recent meeting at last year’s Western & Southern Open in New York. This time, it was Bautista Agut who would take the lead first – and once he settled into the contest, he never looked shaken even as the Russian kept him under pressure.

“I want to give Daniil all the credit, I know he is one of the best players in the world,” Bautista Agut said in an on-court interview. “He’s been winning a lot of matches, he’s No. 2 in the world, so I’m very happy and proud about how I played today. I think I showed a great level on the court.”

After staying on serve across eight tense opening games, Bautista Agut broke through first at 5-4. The Spaniard outlasted Medvedev from the baseline, drawing an unforced error from the Russian. He saved break point of his own as he served out the opening set. 

Bautista Agut continued to make Medvedev uncomfortable in the second set, taking an early lead and retrieving everything his opponent sent his way. He served out the victory to love to seal his spot in the Miami semi-final after an hour and 32 minutes.

Into the semi-finals in South Florida for the first time, Bautista Agut will face a familiar face in his next match against 21st seed Jannik Sinner. The pair last met two weeks ago in Dubai, and the Spaniard will be eyeing revenge for the 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 defeat.

“It was a very tough match in Dubai, and it was a very tight score,” Bautista Agut said. “He’s playing great, he’s very solid and he has very good strokes. I think I’ll have to play another good match like tonight.

“Jannik is playing great… I have to say he will be one of the best players in the world. I want to enjoy another good match and be happy about playing in the semi-finals.”

Did You Know?
With Daniil Medvedev bowing out in the quarter-finals, there will be a new first-time ATP Masters 1000 champion crowned at the Miami Open presented by Itau. 

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2PHoba2

Switzerland Ponders Moving National Day To Federer’s 40th

For decades, Swiss sports fans have celebrated together as Roger Federer’s achievements rewrote the tennis record books throughout his legendary career. Now, the nation of more than eight million is gearing up for the biggest celebration of all in honour of the former World No. 1.

As reported in Blick, the country’s biggest national newspaper, Switzerland is pondering whether to postpone its National Day by one week – to August 8th, 2021, the same date as Federer’s 40th birthday.

The initiative began as members of Swiss Parliament voiced their support for the move on social media, where it has also gained the approval of Federer’s fervent fanbase.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Switzerland has made a grand gesture to show its affection for its champion Federer. The 39-year-old became the first living person to receive a Swiss stamp in their honour in 2007 following his Wimbledon triumph, and just last year he received his own 20-franc silver coin from Swissmint.

Born on August 8, 1981, Federer’s birthday actually predates the Swiss national holiday by 13 years. While the founding of the Swiss Confederacy has been celebrated annually on August 1 since 1899, it has only been an official holiday since 1994. By that time, a teenage Federer was already well on his way to becoming Swiss National Champion in all categories.

The rest is written in the sport’s history books, with Federer racking up accolade after accolade along with his haul of 20 Grand Slams and 83 ATP Tour titles.

Currently No. 6 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, the Swiss is taking the first steps in his return to ATP Tour action after undergoing knee surgery last year.  He contested two three-set matches at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, his first tournament since January 2020.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3sANYPL

Metkic/Pavic March Into Miami Semi-finals

Second seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic took one step closer to a Tour-leading fourth title of the year at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Wednesday, after cruising past Miomir Kecmanovic and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi 6-2, 6-2 into the semi-finals. 

The Croatian team sits at No. 2 in the FedEx ATP Doubles Race To Turin after reaching the quarter-finals or better at all seven events they’ve contested in 2021. Along the way, Mektic and Pavic have lifted trophies at the Antalya Open, Murray River Open and the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. They also posted a semi-final run at the Australian Open, and a runner up finish in Dubai.

They used all of that experience against the unseeded Kecmanovic and Qureshi, who had upset eight seeds Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in the previous round. Mektic and Pavic did not face a break point, and instead converted four of the 12 opportunities they created to seal the victory in 55 minutes.

Mektic and Pavic will face Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in the semi-finals. The seventh seeds took down young Americans Sebastian Korda and Michael Mmoh 7-5, 6-2 on Court 1.

Ram and Salisbury found themselves having to come back from 0-3 and save a set point after Korda and Mmoh made a fast start to the first set. But they settled into the contest, and reeled off five games in a row in the second to take back control after an hour and 19 minutes.

The defeat ends the American team’s dream run, and hands 20-year-old Korda the first defeat of his memorable Miami debut. He is still alive in singles, where he will contest his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final against Andrey Rublev on Thursday.

Daniel Evans and Neal Skupski secured the last spot into the semi-finals with a gutsy 6-7(6), 6-3, 11-9 victory over Marcelo Arevalo and Horia Tecau. With the Miami crowd firmly rallying behind the Salvadoran-Romanian team – who held one match point in the Match Tie-break – the Brits found a way through to win in an hour and 55 minutes.

Evans and Skupski will face fourth seeds Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek for a shot at the championship match. Dodig and Polasek, who started the season lifting the Australian Open trophy, edged past Oliver Marach and Luke Saville 7-6(4), 6-4 on Monday to advance.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3dmlWkx

Is Sinner Human? Bublik Doesn’t Think So

From underarm serves to sneak-attack returns, Alexander Bublik left no stone unturned in his quest for a maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final appearance on Wednesday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

Despite his high level of play, which had already taken him to No. 11 in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin ahead of the tournament, Bublik fell to a straight-sets defeat against Jannik Sinner. It is the second time he has been beaten by the 19-year-old this month, following a three-set loss in Dubai two weeks ago.

After match point, Bublik could not resist asking his opponent one simple question. Are you human? Sinner laughed at his opponent’s inquiry, before telling the unorthodox 23-year-old he was not human himself.

“You are not a human, man,” Bublik repeated. “You are 15 years old and you play like this. Good job.”

Alexander Bublik (left) makes Jannik Sinner laugh with his unexpected question after match point.

Sinner may not be 15 years old but, at 19, he is just the eighth teenager to reach the semi-finals in the tournament’s 36-year history. Five of those men, Andre Agassi (1990), Lleyton Hewitt (2000), Rafael Nadal (2005), Novak Djokovic (2007) and Andy Murray (2007) have gone on to top the FedEx ATP Rankings.

In his post-match press conference, Bublik piled praise on his opponent and gave some insight into the pair’s humerous net exchange.

“He's not [human]. That's a fact,” said Bublik. “I asked him if he's a human or not, because for me, it's very surprising that the guy at his age has this mental toughness that many, many other players don't have. I called him a robot a couple of times during the match, but I do it in a very sincere way because he's a really, really a great player.”

Throughout the match, Bublik placed the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals champion under consistent pressure. Sinner trailed 3-5 in the first set, 0/3 in the tie-break and 0-3 in the second set, but he maintained his belief and trusted his forehand to turn the match in his favour.

“I played him in a very crucial moment in the tie-break… and [he] pulled off [two] incredible shots when it was 5/4,” said Bublik. “Every time when I had a big point, either I needed to go super crazy like I was doing with the forehand and just [go for a] shot that goes in with a five per cent chance, or he's playing really unbelievable.

“That's why I asked him if he's even a human. He asked me if I'm a human. Of course, I am. I make double faults when I'm break point down because I get a little bit tight.”

Bublik has been impressed by the Italian’s consistent improvement. Two years ago, Sinner was ranked No. 322 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. At that time, he was compiling a 16-match winning streak across ATP Challenger Tour and ITF events in Italy.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Now the second-youngest player in the Top 100, Sinner is a two-time ATP Tour titlist with a Grand Slam quarter-final appearance to his name (2020 Roland Garros).

“He's just strong. He's mentally strong, he's physically strong. He's a great player,” said Bublik. “As you can see, he's 19 years old, and he's making this impact on the Tour. He doesn't really fall.

“You see some youngsters, they come up and they lose some match 6-2, 6-2. Jannik is built different. I said it to his coach. I'm very happy [with] the way I played, and I'm happy for the guy. It's cool [to see] some young ones rising. It's nice.”

Bublik has not only been impressed by Sinner’s game. He has also taken great satisfaction in his own performances, which led him to a maiden Masters 1000 quarter-final this week. Bublik has already won more matches this year (15) than he did throughout the 2020 season (14).

“I'm pretty happy and pretty confident about my game,” said Bublik. “I just try and head to the right direction, do the right stuff and enjoy life.”

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3dkwPna

Sinner Handles Bublik Barrage In Miami

Jannik Sinner overcame an inspired Alexander Bublik 7-6(5), 6-4 on Wednesday to reach his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The #NextGenATP Italian was on the receiving end of underarm serves, a 105mph forehand return, and a sneak attack return, but he held his composure and found his best tennis under pressure to advance in one hour and 41 minutes. In a match dominated by rallies of under five shots (Sinner 53-51), Sinner made the crucial difference with 28 forehand winners.

Sinner is the eighth teenager to reach the Miami semi-finals in the tournament’s 36-year history. Of the seven other players to achieve the feat, five have reached No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings.

Teenage Miami Semi-finalists

Player	Age	Year	Result	Career-High Ranking
Felix Auger-Aliassime	18	2019	SF	No. 17
Rafael Nadal	18	2005	F	No. 1
Lleyton Hewitt	19	2000	SF	No. 1
Jannik Sinner	19	2021	?	No. 31
Novak Djokovic	19	2007	Champion	No. 1
Andy Murray	19	2007	SF	No. 1
Andre Agassi	19	1990	Champion	No. 1
Denis Shapovalov	19	2019	SF	No. 10

Sinner has also made Italian history by reaching the final four in Miami. He is only the second player from his nation — following 2017 semi-finalist Fabio Fognini — to reach this stage of the tournament.

In a thrilling first set, Bublik kept Sinner off balance with powerful returns and unpredictable shot selections. The 32nd seed led by a break and established a 4/1 lead in the tie-break, but Sinner kept his composure and found his forehand when he needed it most. Sinner ripped three forehand winners and, when Bublik closed the net, he found his targets to take the opener.

Sinner recovered from 0-3 down in the second set to record his second win of the month against Bublik (Dubai). The Great Ocean Road Open champion returned with pinpoint accuracy to strike winners and put Bublik in uncomfortable positions at the net. Sinner clinched victory with his 36th winner of the match, an inside-out forehand.

Sinner will face top seed Daniil Medvedev or Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the championship match. The 21st seed has lost both his previous ATP Head2Head encounters against Medvedev, but he won his only previous match against Bautista Agut earlier this month in Dubai.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3wj0hlQ

Preview: Medvedev Ready To Solve RBA Riddle

Daniil Medvedev has never beaten Roberto Bautista Agut, but the top seed is not paying any attention to that record ahead of their quarter-final clash in Miami.

“I don’t really care about ATP Head2Head, because it is always a new match," said Medvedev. "We saw some with Roger when he is like 15-0 against someone and the guy finally gets a win in maybe an important match."

Medvedev may have lost to the Spaniard in the 2017 Tata Open Maharashtra final and last year’s Western & Southern Open quarter-finals, but he is confident that he can solve the Bautista Agut riddle in the pair's third ATP Head2Head meeting.

"I am just looking forward to tomorrow. Roberto is a hell of a player. I feel like sometimes, when I have practised with him and played against him, that his Ranking should be higher. There are reasons why it is not and I am going to try to do something with it tomorrow.”

Breaking new ground is rarely straightforward, but it is something that Medvedev has already made a habit of in 2021. The Russian started the year by leading Russia to its first ATP Cup title and he quickly followed that achievement with a maiden Australian Open final appearance.

Earlier this month, after winning the Open 13 Provence trophy for the first time, he became the first player outside the Big Four to crack the top two in the FedEx ATP Rankings since Lleyton Hewitt in July 2005.

Bautista Agut will begin his third clash against Medvedev high on confidence. The nine-time ATP Tour titlist saved a match point on Tuesday to defeat 2018 champion John Isner in a final-set tie-break.

The seventh seed will also be attempting to add to his impressive list of semi-final appearances this season. Bautista Agut guided Spain to the ATP Cup semi-finals last month (l. to Italy) and finished as a runner up in Montpellier (l. to Goffin) and Doha (l. to Basilashvili) earlier this month.

Earlier in the day, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Bublik will both attempt to reach their first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. Sinner will be aiming to earn his second win of the month against Bublik, following his three-set victory against the Kazakhstani in their maiden ATP Head2Head clash in Dubai.

Sinner has dropped just one set en route to the quarter-finals, with wins against #NextGenATP Frenchman Hugo Gaston, 14th seed Karen Khachanov and Emil Ruusuvuori. The 19-year-old is bidding to join Fabio Fognini (2017) as only the second Italian semi-finalist in tournament history.

“You have to go on court and try to win matches. I’m just trying to do that,” Sinner said. “Sometimes it works, sometimes not. For me, it’s just important giving 100 per cent day after day and then I have to see what’s going to happen.”

Bublik has already made history in Miami. The 32nd seed is the first Kazakhstani to reach a Masters 1000 quarter-final. Bublik has started the year strong, with runner-up finishes at the Antalya Open (l. to De Minaur) and the Singapore Open (l. to Popyrin).

The World No. 44, who entered the tournament in 11th position in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin, is aware of the challenge he will face from the opposite end of the court. Sinner is the second-youngest player in the Top 100 and the Italian already owns two ATP Tour crowns.

“[Sinner] is so young,” said Bublik. “He is an unbelievable athlete and he runs forever… He is an unbelievable player and sharing a quarter-final with him is a pleasure for me. I hope to have a great match.”

Watch Live | View TV Schedule

SCHEDULE - WEDNESDAY, 31 MARCH 2021

GRANDSTAND start 1:00 pm
WTA MATCH – M. Sakkari (GRE) vs N. Osaka (JPN)

Not Before 3:00 pm
[21] J. Sinner (ITA) vs [32] A. Bublik (KAZ)

Not Before 7:00 pm
WTA MATCH – B. Andreescu (CAN) vs S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP)

Not Before 8:30 pm
[1] D. Medvedev (RUS) vs [7] R. Bautista Agut (ESP)

COURT 1 start 1:00 pm
M. Kecmanovic (SRB) / A. Qureshi (PAK) vs [2] N. Mektic (CRO) / M. Pavic (CRO)
[7] R. Ram (USA) / J. Salisbury (GBR) vs [WC] S. Korda (USA) / M. Mmoh (USA)

Not Before 5:00 pm
M. Arevalo (ESA) / H. Tecau (ROU) vs D. Evans (GBR) / N. Skupski (GBR)

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3cA98bc

Alexander Bublik: Winning The Mental Game

Whether he’s hitting an underarm serve, a tweener or contesting a thrilling rally, Alexander Bublik is always eye-catching and entertaining. And while the Kazakhstani’s gun-ho unpredictability is part of Bublik's on-court persona, since the resumption of the ATP Tour in August last year, the Kazakhstani has added an element of consistency to his armoury.

Two ATP Tour final appearances this year and a place in his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final, at this week’s Miami Open presented by Itau, are credit to his application since the enforced, five-month suspension due to the global COVID-19 pandemic last season.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve done much different, because tennis is completely a mental game,” Bublik told ATPTour.com in Miami. “But for all the time I’ve spent off the court in the past 12 months, I’ve used it as a positive experience. I’ve always been a hard worker in the off-season since I was a kid, because I don’t like just being home and doing nothing. I enjoyed the lockdown, because I knew there weren’t tournaments ahead of me, but the minute I knew — and know — there is something to work towards, I focus and I work hard.

“If I win some matches and get on a run, I realise the importance of that and refine my game. I grow in confidence, but I like the ‘go big or go home’ style of play. I can run for three hours if needed, whether I want it or not, but I like the 50/50 chance and the adrenaline rush of serving an ace, or winning a match, or the fear of serving at full power on a second serve. That’s what keeps me going and what I play for. If I hit an ace, it’s a great feeling.”

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Having stopped counting how many FedEx ATP Rankings points he’d win or lose, prior to stepping onto court, 23-year-old Bublik is reaping the dividends of hard work, but also the experience of 71-year-old Boris Sobkin, the former coach of Mikhail Youzhny, and Artem Suprunov, his senior by four years.

“Boris has mentored me and brought a lot to my game,” said Bublik, who is close to breaking into the Top 40 for the first time. “He gives me more stability, not in the technical parts of the game, but how to go about winning matches. Boris keeps an eye on Artem and I, helping us a lot with his experience. Artem helps me with the mental side, he listens to Boris, and I think we’re doing pretty well.”

Three months into the 2021 ATP Tour season and the right-hander has already compiled more match wins (15) than he did last year (14), including runner-up finishes at the Antalya Open (l. to De Minaur) in January and the Singapore Tennis Open (l. to Popyrin) in February. Over the past seven days in Miami, his sixth Masters 1000 tournament appearance, Bublik has struck 37 aces in three victories, over Laslo Djere, James Duckworth and Taylor Fritz, and won on average 74 per cent of his first-service points.

Bublik’s decision to break away from his father, Stanislav, and stand on his own two feet in the middle of 2019, provided a big boost to his growth. “If I reflect on what he told me until I was 18 or 19 years old, I only began to understand after we split up,” said Bublik. “He loved, nurtured and did everything he could to help me become the player I am. I am happy that I had a good journey with my father, and it was the right time to end too. I’ve grown up and used life experiences in a positive way. Maybe in the future my father can help me out, but not right now.”

Laidback, but engaging, Bublik has started to prove that he is ambitious. But once he gets to lift his first ATP Tour trophy, even he isn’t sure how he’ll react.

“When I will win my first title, I am not sure if you’ll see a very happy Alex Bublik,” said Bublik, smiling. “I try to treat victory and defeat just the same. If you’re super happy about a win or anything, then it will have repercussions later. It will only be a matter of time, but it’s just another milestone.

“What last year's lockdown taught me is that there is more to life than tennis. I enjoyed my trips to the grocery store or visiting friends, but it also gave me time to think. The sport is more than entertaining fans and hard work, you’ve got to be disciplined to be consistent. I continue to work on all areas of game and trust that I’m on the right path.”

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/31AYCKE

Tennis-Point To Become Official ATP Retailer In Multi-Year Partnership

The ATP Tour and Tennis-Point have today announced a multi-year partnership, which sees the global tennis online retail platform become the Official Racket Sports Products Retailer of the ATP Tour until 2025.

Tennis-Point is part of SIGNA Sports United, the global leading online sports commerce and tech platform in the bike, tennis, outdoor and team sports categories. It also operates the world’s leading tennis online retail platform, with 14 local-language online shops offering one of the widest ranges of tennis products globally – in addition to 21 physical connected stores across Europe.

Through the partnership, Tennis-Point will connect ATP to the platform technologies of SIGNA Sports United in order to launch a brand new ATP Tour online shop, which will become accessible to fans via the ‘Shop’ icon on ATPTour.com from 1 April.

“We are delighted to partner with Tennis-Point, whose focus on the customer experience matches our ethos of putting the fan first,” said Daniele Sano, ATP Chief Business Officer. “In addition to their fast-expanding commerce capabilities, the brand’s creative marketing initiatives and an existing presence at ATP tournaments make it the right fit to promote the ATP Tour to millions of recreational players around the world.”

Tennis-Point will also look to broaden its global reach and awareness through dedicated brand exposure on the ATP Tour’s website and official social channels, which currently reach over 8 million followers.

Nelson Artz, Tennis-Point Chief Brand Officer, said, “The partnership with the ATP Tour resonates perfectly with our brand mission to be ‘more than just a shop’. We are very grateful to be able to join this family of global tennis enthusiasts.

“Together with the ATP Tour we want to further increase the love of our favourite sport and the number of players on the courts. The professional sport, with its spectacular matches and tournaments, is instrumental to driving the development of youth participation and making tennis one of the leading recreational sports overall.”

"ATP and Tennis-Point entering into an exclusive partnership is the culmination of the efforts we have made to develop our unique sports commerce and tech platform capabilities and to lead the sports ecosystem into the digital age,” said Stephan Zoll, CEO of SIGNA Sports United. “We are sure that the cooperation between ATP and Tennis-Point will be of great benefit to the global tennis community."

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/39udXRq

Tsitsipas To Face Hurkacz In Maiden Miami QF

Second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas took one step closer to a first ATP Masters 1000 title on Tuesday after battling past Lorenzo Sonego 6-2, 7-6(2) to reach his first quarter-final at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

Tsitsipas fired 20 winners and didn’t face a break point across one hour and 31 minutes against the 24th seeded Italian.

“I’m playing well, feeling well, and enjoying these moments on the court,” Tsitsipas said in an on-court interview. “I’m thrilled to be playing the way I’m playing. I’m having a great impact with my game so far this week, so it’s important for me to capitalise [on] that.

“Each single opponent has been a separate challenge, and I’ve been managing to find solutions against them. It’s important for me to have matches like this.”

[WATCH LIVE 1]

After making a fast start on Court 1 with two breaks of serve in the opening set, Tsitsipas settled in for a battle as Sonego raised his level in the second set. He pulled away in the tie-break to reach his seventh different ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final.

“I was expecting him to raise his level. When you’re one set to love, you feel like you have nothing to lose,” Tsitsipas said. “He definitely improved, so he was a much more difficult opponent in the second set than he was in the first.”

Tsitsipas has now reached the quarter-finals or better at all five events he has contested, including a runner-up finish last week at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco and a semi-final appearance at the Australian Open.

Tsitsipas will face 24-year-old Hubert Hurkacz in the next round, after the 26th seed won a nail-biter against Milos Raonic that came down to the wire on Court 1. The Delray Beach Open by Vitacost.com champion came back from a set down and edged through a third-set tie-break to win 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4).

Former World No. 3 Raonic outhit Hurkacz from the baseline with 38 winners to 31, but his unforced error count ultimately got away from him (50 to 34) across two hours and 20 minutes. It was also an impressive service day for Hurkacz, who hit more two aces (14) than the big-serving Raonic.

“I think I served very well. That helped me to stay in the games and then be competitive against Milos,” Hurkacz said. “Because if you give him a little bit, a couple of free points or he's getting into more rallies, he's a very dangerous player.”

Hurkacz advanced to his second ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final, after his run at the 2019 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The Polish player, who trains and lives part-time in Florida, will enjoy a sense of home-field advantage after starting the season by winning an ATP 250 title in nearby Delray Beach.

“Last year I spent here like over five months,” Hurkacz said. “So I got used to the weather and the conditions here, so I think that's kind of [an] advantage for me.

“But each site is different. Each [tournament’s] conditions, the balls are different, but I enjoy being here and playing here.”

Did You Know?
Seven of the eight players in the Miami Open presented by Itau quarter-finals are 25-and-under for the first time since 1996. Alexander Bublik (23), Sebastian Korda (20), Daniil Medvedev (25), Andrey Rublev (23) and Jannik Sinner (19) all won through on Tuesday to join Tsitsipas and Hurkacz in their maiden Miami quarter-finals.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3m8q5MR

Rublev Sets Korda Quarter-final Clash In Miami

Fourth seed Andrey Rublev will contest his second ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final after ending former World No. 3 Marin Cilic’s run at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Tuesday. Rublev’s 6-4, 6-4 victory was delivered in 82 minutes and set a showdown with #NextGenATP American Sebastian Korda.

Rublev lifted his tour-leading match-win count this season to 19-3 and extended his ATP Head2Head record against the Croatian to 3-1. He joins top seed Daniil Medvedev as one of two Russians into the last eight in South Florida.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Cilic was shooting for his first quarter-final in Miami since 2013 and his first win over a Top 10 opponent since his upset of Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round of last year’s Australian Open. After his semi-final finish in Singapore in February, this was the 32-year-old’s most promising run of 2021.

He had beaten 13th seed Cristian Garin before ending #NextGenATP Italian Lorenzo Musetti’s run in straight sets. However, the in-form Rublev presented another step up. Rublev broke first for 3-2 and sustained the advantage to take the opening set after 41 minutes. His seven unforced errors were less than half the Croatian’s.

The Russian was in trouble when he found himself 0-30 down on serve at 1-2 in the second set before he reeled off four straight points to hold with a running forehand pass at full stretch. The minor escape only spurred him on as he broke again for 3-2 and never relinquished.

He finished with six fewer winners than the Croatian’s 24, but he only hit 16 unforced errors to Cilic’s 29. A maiden Masters 1000 semi-final will be on the line when Rublev next meets debutant Korda for the first time. 

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3u9zYwE

Korda Holds Off Schwartzman For Miami QF Berth

Sebastian Korda is through to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final, following a three-set upset of fifth seed Diego Schwartzman at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Tuesday. The 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 result was the #NextGenATP American’s first Top 10 victory.

One of four Americans to have started the day, it was the youngest, 20-year-old Korda, who was the last man standing. It will be Korda’s second ATP Tour quarter-final and second in his home state of Florida, having reached the Delray Beach Open final in February. 

"He made it tough. In that first set I served super hot, but he didn't serve that well," Korda said. "But then he picked it up and he was just fighting and he was playing some really good tennis after that, and then the third set was just a battle."

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Schwartzman was looking to reach the quarter-finals in Miami for the first time, in what would have been his sixth at ATP Masters 1000 level. The Argentine dug in to save a set point on serve to hold for 3-5, but was left shaking his head in disbelief as Korda painted the line with his 15th winner of the set in the ensuing game. 

The 20-year-old clinched the set at the 38-minute mark and it prompted an immediate lift in aggression from Schwartzman in the second set. The fifth seed pounced to break for 3-1, but the advantage was short-lived as Korda broke back three games later.

Schwartzman raised his level when it mattered as the American hit back-to-back forehand winners to concede serve and send the match into a deciding set. It was the World No. 9, however, who blinked first in the third. 

A sloppy game gifted Korda the early break and the American carried the advantage to serve for a place in the quarter-finals at 5-4.The first sign of nerves crept in as a match point went begging and Korda was broken, however, he responded with another break and served it out on his 21st forehand winner after two hours and 36 minutes.

Korda awaits the winner of fourth seed Andrey Rublev and former World No. 3 Marin Cilic. He equals his dad Petr Korda’s run to the Miami quarter-finals in 1994 and 1996 and stands one win from equalling his best result, a semi-final defeat to Pete Sampras in 1993.

"Yeah it's super special, both my parents are here," he said. "They're supposed to fly today to Palm Springs to watch my two sisters [play golf]. They have their first major of the year in Palm Springs so hopefully they can keep staying here and keep going."

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/31vTyXR

Why Desserts Are No Kryptonite For Sinner

Jannik Sinner admitted on Tuesday after his fourth-round win at the Miami Open presented by Itau that he is trying to “eat a little better” this year. That’s paying dividends, as he won his second ATP Tour title at the Great Ocean Road Open and he’s into his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final here in Florida.

But that won't stop the World No. 31 from indulging in desserts.

“Honestly, for me it’s not important so much, what I am eating. I am just trying to somehow, when I have to eat carbohydrates or protein, just trying being in like the biggest or easiest [food groups]. It’s very simple,” Sinner said. “It’s not that if I am going to eat dessert in the evening, I am going to lose the match the day after. That’s for sure not what we think. A dessert in the evening, I’m always eating.”

During the offseason, however, Sinner’s team began consulting a nutritionist. While the #NextGenATP Italian has not made any massive changes to his diet, it’s been more educational to help him understand what to eat in certain situations. In Miami, for example, it’s hot and humid. On Sunday, the 19-year-old needed two hours and 50 minutes to beat Karen Khachanov.

“[We have] just maybe [been] changing a little bit, especially when it’s hot conditions, trying to eat better, which sometimes can help you,” Sinner said. “It’s a process, which I think everyone on my team said, ‘Look, it might be better if you do like this. Some players are eating healthy, some players are not eating healthy'.”

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Sinner defeated Emil Ruusuvuori 6-3, 6-2 to reach his first quarter-final at this level. It was a big breakthrough for the Italian teen. But judging by his reaction — or a lack thereof — it was like another day at the office.

“Obviously I’m proud playing the quarter-finals in a big tournament, but the tournament is not over yet, so I am not relaxing,” Sinner said. “I’m trying to play better and better, day after day [I am] trying to improve and trying always to understand what I could do better match after match and then we’ll see what’s going on tomorrow.”

The 21st seed will try to continue his big run against 32nd seed Alexander Bublik. Two weeks ago, Sinner needed three sets to dispatch the Kazakhstani in Dubai.

“[I am] happy today,” Sinner said. “Tomorrow I will be ready for another tough match.”

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3rDK73d

Look Out, John! Isner Bashes Head On Umbrella Mid-Match In Miami

Height might be an issue off court every so often for John Isner, whose 6’10” frame forces him to duck through doorways. But on court, his size has always been an advantage. That was until Tuesday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

Isner was walking to his chair for a changeover during his fourth-round match against Roberto Bautista Agut when he banged his head on the umbrella hovering over his seat. The umbrella is there to protect the American from the sun, but on this occasion, Isner needed protection from the umbrella.

The 2018 champion took it well, looking at the nearby camera with a smile and saying: “Did you get that?”

Isner’s height paid off in other ways against the Spaniard, as he struck 23 aces. But Bautista Agut ultimately saved a match point to defeat the 18th seed 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(7) after two hours and 18 minutes.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/39tgviM

Dodig/Polasek Maintain Hot Streak In Miami

Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek got off to a hot start to their 2021 season, and it's only getting better in Miami.

The fourth seeds eliminated Oliver Marach and Luke Saville 7-6(4), 6-4 after one hour and 48 minutes on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals of the Miami Open presented by Itau. The Croatian-Slovakian duo will play Marcelo Arevalo and Horia Tecau or Daniel Evans and Neal Skupski for a spot in the championship match at this ATP Masters 1000 event.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Dodig and Polasek competed well under pressure against Marach and Saville, saving five of the six break points they faced while converting two of their nine opportunities. The winners claimed 43 per cent of their first-serve return points en route to their victory.

The duo, which got together in 2019, won this year's Australian Open and made the Dubai semi-finals. Their first big breakthrough as a team came two years ago, when Dodig and Polasek triumphed at the Western & Southern Open. They have claimed three tour-level trophies together and qualified for the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3u9r5U0

Medvedev Makes Miami Breakthrough

Just two days after surviving cramps in his third-round win against Alexei Popyrin, Daniil Medvedev earned a place in his maiden Miami Open presented by Itau quarter-final on Tuesday with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Frances Tiafoe.

In hot and humid conditions on Grandstand, the World No. 2 landed 24 winners and outlasted his opponent in baseline rallies to advance in 92 minutes. Medvedev, who is competing as the top seed at an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time, is chasing his fourth trophy at the level this week.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

This year, Medvedev has already led Russia to the ATP Cup trophy and collected his 10th ATP Tour crown in Marseille. The reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion improved to 17-2 in 2021 with his fourth win in as many ATP Head2Head clashes against Tiafoe.

Medvedev will face Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the semi-finals. In the opening match on Grandstand, the Spaniard saved a match point to defeat 2018 champion John Isner 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(7) in two hours and 18 minutes.

The Russian will enter that match seeking his first win against the seventh seed. Bautista Agut defeated Medvedev in the 2017 Tata Open Maharashtra final and also overcame the 6’6” right-hander in last year’s Western & Southern Open quarter-finals.

In a high-quality match, both players battled for baseline supremacy with 29 rallies passing the nine-shot mark (16-13 Medvedev). Tiafoe played with consistent aggression to push Medvedev into defensive positions, but it was the Russian who snatched late breaks in each set.

Medvedev charged across the baseline to extend rallies at 5-4 in the opener and capitalised on errors to take a one-set lead. In the second set, the Russian fired consecutive backhand winners, including a return winner on break point at 4-3, to serve for the match. Medvedev ended the fourth-round encounter with his 11th ace of the match.

Tiafoe was aiming to reach his second Miami quarter-final (2018). The 23-year-old battled through consecutive three-set matches against Stefano Travaglia, 19th seed Daniel Evans and 16th seed Dusan Lajovic to reach the Round of 16.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3u6MSeX

Bautista Agut Saves M.P. To Return To Miami Quarter-finals

Roberto Bautista Agut gained revenge for his 2019 quarter-final loss to John Isner on Tuesday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The Spaniard saved match point at 5/6 in a final-set tie-break to eliminate the 2018 champion 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(7) in two hours and 18 minutes. Bautista Agut entered his fifth ATP Head2Head encounter against Isner with a 1-3 record, but he played with forehand aggression in the closing stages to improve to 11-7 this season.

Across seven appearances at the tournament’s previous venue in Key Biscayne, Bautista Agut reached the Round of 16 on two occasions. Since the tournament moved to Hard Rock Stadium in 2019, the 32-year-old has advanced to the quarter-finals in each edition of the event (2019, ’21).

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Bautista Agut is the first player to win a tie-break against Isner at the venue. The 6’10” American entered the match decider with an 11-0 tie-break record at the home of the Miami Dolphins.

The Spanish No. 2 took advantage of missed first serves in the first set. Bautista Agut rushed Isner with aggressive second-serve returns and won 64 per cent of points (7/11) behind the American’s second delivery to take the opener in 31 minutes.

Isner responded well in the second set, as he rushed his opponent into errors with deep groundstrokes and fired a backhand winner down the line to gain the only break of the set. With no service breaks in the decider, Isner charged into a 3/0 lead in the final-set tie-break and he held a match point at 6/5. Bautista Agut trusted his forehand to escape danger and, on his second match point, he used the shot to force Isner into an error and clinch victory.

The nine-time ATP Tour titlist is through to his third quarter-final of the season, following runner-up finishes in Montpellier (l. to Goffin) and Doha (l. to Basilashvili). Bautista Agut also led Spain to last month’s ATP Cup semi-finals (l. to Italy).

Standing between Bautista Agut and a first Miami semi-final will be top seed Daniil Medvedev or American Frances Tiafoe. The World No. 12 owns a 2-0 ATP Head2Head advantage against Medvedev and won his only previous meeting against Tiafoe.

Did You Know?
As a result of Isner’s loss, there will be a first-time champion in Miami this year.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3fqb08j

Sinner Storms Into First ATP Masters 1000 QF

Jannik Sinner continues to check “firsts” off his list. The #NextGenATP Italian reached his maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final on Tuesday by beating Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 6-3, 6-2 for a spot in the last eight of the Miami Open presented by Itau.

This is just the 19-year-old’s third Masters 1000 main draw, but Sinner is proving himself plenty comfortable at the elite level. The teen recovered well from a nearly three-hour-long slugfest against Karen Khachanov in the third round to dispatch Ruusuvuori after one hour and 10 minutes.

“For me it means a lot. The first goal is always trying to improve day after day, going on practice courts and then when you have sometimes good results, it makes you happy,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “I’m very happy about that and obviously I’m looking forward to tough matches here.”

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Sinner will next play 22nd seed Taylor Fritz or 32nd seed Alexander Bublik to reach the semi-finals. The 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals champion has never played Fritz, and he defeated Bublik in their first ATP Head2Head meeting 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 two weeks ago in Dubai.

“You have to go on court and try to win matches. I’m just trying to do that,” Sinner said. “Sometimes it works, sometimes not. For me, it’s just important giving 100 per cent day after day and then I have to see what’s going to happen.”

Ruusuvuori came out firing, breaking the Italian’s serve in the first game of the match. But the 21st seed immediately returned the favour in a battle of two of the biggest-hitting rising stars on the ATP Tour.

Both men battled to take control of rallies early to stop their opponent from doing the same, and Sinner did a better job of playing from defensive positions. As the match wore on, Ruusuvuori began moving forward, but it was too late to turn the contest around.

“It was maybe the most important part, trying to go on court a little bit faster than him, trying to take the ball a little bit earlier,” Sinner said. “He’s obviously a very great player, beating very great tough opponents here. I was ready for this today and I’m very happy,”

This was the pair’s first ATP Head2Head meeting. However, they played at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Canberra last year, with Ruusuvuori triumphing in straight sets.

It was an impressive tournament debut for Ruusuvuori, who became the first Finnish player to reach the fourth round in Miami since Jarkko Nieminen in 2007. There were linesmen for this match rather than HawkEye Live. The system was not working at the start of the contest, so the players left the court and returned once linesmen arrived.

Did You Know?&#x2028
Sinner has now reached his first Masters 1000 quarter-final and Grand Slam quarter-final before his 20th birthday. At Roland Garros last year, the teen advanced to the last eight, where eventual champion Rafael Nadal ended his run.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/31y9CII

Roger Federer details Rafael Nadal conversations between the pair during injury layoff

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are close friends on and off the court.

from Daily Express :: Tennis Feed https://ift.tt/39raX8d

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic told to compete in 100-match tournament

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are battling to go down as the greatest of all time.

from Daily Express :: Tennis Feed https://ift.tt/3rAhVyf

Sinner Seeks To End Finn's Charge For Miami Quarter-final Berth

A year is a long time in the seminal stages of Jannik Sinner’s and Emil Ruusuvuori’s careers. One of the #NextGenATP Italian and the 21-year-old Finn will reach the quarter-finals of the Miami Open presented by Itau for the first time on Tuesday.

It is a far cry from the quarter-final berth the pair battled it out for at an ATP Challenger event in Canberra, Australia, in January last year. On that occasion it was the young Finn who had the better of his teenage opponent 6-3, 6-4 before the pair teamed up to play doubles in Rotterdam a month later.

Both have shot up the FedEx ATP Rankings since. Sinner, who needed nearly three hours to battle past 14th seed Karen Khachanov on Sunday, went on to claim his first two ATP Tour titles since that Canberra clash and reached a quarter-final at a Grand Slam for the first time at Roland Garros. 

The 19-year-old is pressing on the cusp of the Top 30 and remains the highest seed standing in a wide open quarter of the draw. 

"It's about trying to understand how to beat these guys, what can I improve more, trying to understand more the match," Sinner said after defeating Khachanov. "Obviously it can give me a lot of confidence, but it's always trying to understand what I've done good and what I can do better."

Ruusuvuori, the World No. 83, has reeled off impressive three-set wins over #NextGenATP Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, third seed Alexander Zverev and fellow Scandinavian Mikael Ymer in succession to reach his maiden ATP Masters 1000 Round of 16 in Miami this week. The first Finn through to the fourth round in Miami since Jarkko Nieminen in 2007, Ruusuvuori expected a vastly different match against Sinner this time.

“We've both have played a lot of tennis in between,” he said. “He's improved a lot and has been playing great, as we all know. It's going to be a very tough match again, he had a big win, it was a long time on the court too… We know each other pretty well and we've practised often, which is fun. He hits the ball so well, it's going to be a fun match.”

As one of four American men through to the Round of 16, Frances Tiafoe will bid to match his best run in Miami from 2019, when he reached the quarter-finals (l. to Shapovalov). The 23-year-old will need to overturn a 0-3 ATP Head2Head record against top seed Daniil Medvedev to do so.

Tiafoe needed three sets in each of his first three matches to reach the Round of 16, while Medvedev overcame cramps and a dogged Alexei Popyrin in a two-and-a-half-hour-plus clash to book his place. The Russian World No. 2 will look to reach the quarter-finals in Miami for the first time.

Second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas needed three sets to move past resurgent former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori into the fourth round on Monday night. The Greek will next meet Italian 24th seed Lorenzo Sonego, aiming to maintain his perfect record of having reached the quarter-finals or better in every event since his run to the Australian Open semi-finals in February.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

While Tsitsipas is gunning for his seventh ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final appearance, Sonego – who beat Daniel Elahi Galan – will look to reach his second at this level, having reached the last eight at the 2019 Rolex Masters in Monte Carlo.

Russian fourth seed Andrey Rublev looks to extend his tour-leading 18-3 record for the season when he meets former World No. 3 Marin Cilic in the Round of 16. Rublev landed his third victory this month over Marton Fucsovics to advance, while Cilic ended the run of #NextGenATP Italian Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets.

Americans Sebastian Korda, Taylor Fritz and John Isner join Tiafoe in flying the home flag in their respective Round of 16 encounters. A maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final is on the line for #NextGenATP player Korda and Fritz. 

Korda meets No. 5 seed Diego Schwartzman, while 22nd seed Fritz takes on 32nd seed Alexander Bublik. The 2018 champion, Isner, squares off against seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut, while Pole Hubert Hurkacz looks to add a second Canadian seed to his victims when he meets 12th seed Milos Raonic.

ORDER OF PLAY - TUESDAY, MARCH 30

GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
[18] J. Isner (USA) vs [7] R. Bautista Agut (ESP)
WTA MATCH Singles
[1] D. Medvedev (RUS) vs F. Tiafoe (USA)

Not Before 7:00 pm
WTA MATCH Singles

Not Before 8:30 pm
M. Cilic (CRO) vs [4] A. Rublev (RUS)

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
E. Ruusuvuori (FIN) vs [21] J. Sinner (ITA)
[22] T. Fritz (USA) vs [32] A. Bublik (KAZ)
[26] H. Hurkacz (POL) vs [12] M. Raonic (CAN)
[5] D. Schwartzman (ARG) vs S. Korda (USA)

Not Before 7:00 pm
[24] L. Sonego (ITA) vs [2] S. Tsitsipas (GRE)

BUTCH BUCHHOLZ start 1:00 pm
WTA MATCH Doubles
WTA MATCH Doubles
[4] I. Dodig (CRO) / F. Polasek (SVK) vs O. Marach (AUT) / L. Saville (AUS)

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3dmd5iK

Tiafoe On Medvedev Showdown: 'I'm Not Afraid Of Anybody'

When Frances Tiafoe walks on Grandstand Monday to face Daniil Medvedev for a spot in the Miami Open presented by Itau quarter-finals, the American will not be intimidated.

It doesn’t matter that the Russian star has won all three of their ATP Head2Head meetings, and that he only dropped five games against Tiafoe at last year’s US Open. Medvedev is the top seed and a three-time ATP Masters 1000 champion, but that’s okay, too. The World No. 58 fully believes he can spring the upset.

“I’m not afraid. I respect a lot of guys, but I’m not afraid of anybody on the Tour,” Tiafoe said. “I don’t have that scared [mentality] of already being a break down when I go out there. When I play these guys, I’m here to win. This is my court and they have to be sharing it.

“You almost have to flip the psyche of the situation. I’m ready to go. I got three good matches under my belt and I’m ready to go. It’s going to be a good one.”

Entering this tournament, Tiafoe had only rallied from a set down in a tour-level match once since the 2019 Mutua Madrid Open, and that came at last year’s US Open against Andreas Seppi.

The American has lost the first set in all three of his matches this week, and battled back each time to make the Round of 16 in Miami for the third time. This marked the first event where Tiafoe has won three straight matches on the ATP Tour from a set down. 

“It’s growth. Those are the things I’m looking to do. It’s been great this week,” Tiafoe said. “[Losing the first set has] definitely made it tougher. I wish I could win these matches easier, but those are hell of a players… these are the matches I need to start winning and I’m happy I am.”

One thing Tiafoe has never had a problem with is raising his level to compete against the world’s best. At this year’s Australian Open, he pushed eventual champion and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic to four sets, which included two tie-breaks. At the 2017 US Open, Tiafoe battled into a fifth set against Roger Federer.

“Those are the moments you live for. You live for those moments to play the best players in the world and see where you’re at and try to shake the world,” Tiafoe said. “That’s what I live for. It’s box office, it’s prime time. That’s what I’m about and I’m going to come for him.”

Although their meeting in Flushing Meadows last year was one-sided, Tiafoe has challenged the Russian before. At last year’s Australian Open, the American extended their match to four sets.

“You know he’s going to serve great. He’s going to run down balls, he’s going to put balls in awkward positions and make you play the extra ball time after time. You have to understand that and be okay with that,” Tiafoe said. “You have to go in with that mindset.

“[It is] understanding that that’s what it’s going to be. He’s waiting for you to crack. And [you have to] try to make an impact, stay super mentally tough. It’s not going to be easy. He’s one of the toughest customers we have and I’m just going to compete really hard.”

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Tiafoe arrived in Miami with just a 6-6 record on the season. After his strong effort against Djokovic in Melbourne Park, the 23-year-old tried his hand on clay in South America, where he went 3-3. But an upset against Medvedev would not just put Tiafoe in his second Masters 1000 quarter-final; it would set him on an upwards trajectory for the rest of 2021.

“It’d be massive because I’ve had a pretty slow start to the year,” Tiafoe admitted. “This week I’ve been getting wins, tough wins, it’s big. Winning tomorrow would be huge. That changes your whole mindset for the rest of the year. You take one event to change your whole perspective and you just keep riding that wave.

“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow and for the people who don’t, they’re going to see tomorrow. I believe I can beat anybody.”

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3u3AdJI

Tsitsipas Halts Nishikori Comeback In Miami

Second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame a mid-match wobble against Kei Nishikori as he sealed a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory on Monday to reach the fourth round at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The Greek player took commanding leads in the first and third sets, but he was in for a battle as the resurgent Nishikori, former World No. 4 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, made him work for every point in between. Tsitsipas fired 32 winners – including 14 from his forehand – across nearly two hours on his way to victory.

Tsitsipas moved into the fourth round in Miami for the second edition in a row, and will face 24th seed Lorenzo Sonego for a spot in the quarter-finals.

The second seed came flying out of the blocks on Grandstand against 28th seed Nishikori, who has been fighting to regain his form since returning from an injury break last year. Tsitsipas broke early to build up a 3-0 lead, and didn’t take his foot off the gas as he dropped only four points behind his serve during the set.

By contrast, Nishikori and Tsitsipas needed a hard-fought 20 minutes to decide the opening three games of the second set – and they all went to the Japanese player, who looked to be swinging more freely and hitting smart drop shots. Nishikori earned his lone break of the match and held serve under pressure, shaking off three break points in his first two service games to emerge with the 3-0 lead.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

But he couldn’t keep up that high level in the third set, and Tsitsipas capitalised on Nishikori’s dip in form. After the Japanese player surrendered his serve in a marathon 10-minute first service game, it was one-way traffic for Tsitsipas as he closed out the victory in an hour and 56 minutes.

Tsitsipas will face 24th seed Sonego for a spot in his first Miami quarter-final, and his seventh quarter-final at an ATP Masters 1000. Sonego, who defeated Daniel Elahi Galan 7-6(6), 6-3, is into the fourth round at this level for just the second time after a run to the 2019 Monte Carlo quarter-finals.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3w9kU40

Korda Completes First In 17 Years For US Men In Miami

Sebastian Korda’s groundbreaking run at the Miami Open presented by Itau is checking off a string of firsts in the 20-year-old’s burgeoning career. A first Top 20 victory came over Fabio Fognini, then he became the first player outside the Top 5 this year to beat the in-form Aslan Karatsev, which sealed a maiden Round of 16 berth at an ATP Masters 1000 event.

The #NextGenATP player’s 6-3, 6-0 win over Karatsev set a showdown with fifth seed Diego Schwartzman and with it, the chance to notch a first Top 10 triumph and a maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final. For now at least, he has given cause to celebrate the success of American men’s tennis in South Florida.

On Monday, Korda joined compatriots John Isner, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe in the Round of 16. The last time four American men progressed as far in Miami was in 2004 when Andre Agassi, Todd Martin, Andy Roddick and Vincent Spadea did so.

“It's cool. I think there is a lot of really good young Americans coming up, especially Taylor Fritz, he's really pushing,” Korda said. “And then John Isner, he's still around and still playing some really good tennis.

“Then you have myself and Brandon Nakashima trying to knock on the door and start playing a little bit better tennis. Yeah, I think all of the Americans are doing a really good job so far, and hopefully we can keep going.”

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Korda was only four in 2004. While he doesn’t remember attending the tournament as a fan that young, he does recall meeting one of the four players from the US quartet to have last reached the Round of 16.

“I posted on Twitter my first Miami Open I took a picture with Andy Roddick. I don't know what year,” he said. “I think that could have been 2007 maybe, my first real memory of the Miami Open. I don't know if I came before that.”

From the 2004 quartet, Roddick went on to win the title, while Spadea was a surprise semi-finalist. Isner is the only one of the current four so far to have matched Roddick’s success in Miami.

The 35-year-old, who won the title in 2018 and finished runner-up the following year, defeated 11th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday to set a clash with No. 7 seed Roberto Bautista Agut. His doubles partner, Fritz, will face Kazakh 32nd seed Alexander Bublik for his maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final berth.

Three times already this week Tiafoe has prevailed in three sets to reach the Round of 16 for the third straight time. He fell to Denis Shapovalov in the 2019 quarter-finals and Kevin Anderson in the fourth round in 2018.

The World No. 58 will need to beat top seed Daniil Medvedev to match his best run in 2021. He, too, was thrilled so many of his compatriots had made deep runs alongside him.

“That's big. Sebi, I'm impressed with that kid,” Tiafoe said. “He's always working hard, got a good team around him. Pops [Petr Korda] obviously former No. 2 in the world, winning [a] Grand Slam. 

“I'm a fan and hopefully he can keep going. John obviously winning some matches is great and Taylor is playing great. It's good to be a part of it and hopefully those guys keep going.” 

While Isner and Tiafoe have ventured deeper, a first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final beckons for Korda and Fritz. There will be no shortage of big-match Miami experience to draw on in Korda’s camp. 

“I'd say I have one of the best teams around me experience-wise,” he said. “I have my dad who was a Grand Slam champion, No. 2 in the world, my mum who was a Top 30 player, Radek Stepanek who is like my brother, we are always in contact, who was No. 8 in the world. 

“And then to have a friend and mentor as Andre Agassi, I don't think you can have a better team. There is a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge passing around.”

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3fw3qcp

Musetti: 'You Cannot Have Second Chances'

Lorenzo Musetti fell short against former World No. 3 Marin Cilic on Monday in the third round of the Miami Open presented by Itau, but the #NextGenATP Italian leaves Florida with his head held high.

“I think these weeks I played with my highest level,” Musetti said. “I think the experience that I got from these weeks is incredible and I got the experience to play against these great champions. Sometimes we saw that I can even beat them.”

One week after his dream run in Acapulco, where he reached his first ATP 500 semi-final and claimed his maiden Top 10 win against Diego Schwartzman, Musetti maintained his momentum in Miami. The Italian defeated Michael Mmoh and Benoit Paire to advance to the third round of his first hard-court ATP Masters 1000 event.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Although the teen is thrilled with his success, Musetti is also taking plenty of lessons from his experience competing against some of the best players in the world. At 2-2 in the first set against Cilic, the World No. 94 earned two break points to get off to a quick start against the Croatian, but he did not convert. He would not get another opportunity in the match.

“I think here on the ATP Tour against players like Marin, you cannot have second chances. You have to take the first one,” Musetti said. “They are really professional and even in the tough moments, they are the best ones and you have to be as good as they are to be at that level.

“It’s not easy for me, because it’s the first time that I am playing at this level. But I am getting used to it and I learned a lot these two weeks. Now I [will] go home and I try to put on court in practice what I have learned.”

Musetti explained how hard he worked in the preseason to gain muscle and strength while remaining flexible, but he saw against Cilic that there was still room for growth in that department

“I have to be strong to be at this level, because today it was almost two metres [I was pushed back] and he is bigger than me, stronger than me, he moves really well,” Musetti said. “I need to grow, I need to work out to get to this level also physically.”

The FedEx ATP Race To Milan contender plans to next compete at the Sardegna Open in Cagliari, Italy. The 19-year-old is excited to get to work before beginning his clay-court season. Enjoying his recent success has made him even hungrier to improve.

“I will try to play closer to the baseline and try to work on the same things that I am working with the forehand, try to have the lead of the game when I play and try to be aggressive and to not wait too much to push forward,” Musetti said. “I will for sure practise [and will] train physically, because these three weeks I played a lot and I will try to recover my best and try to adapt to the physical conditions on the clay, because the movements and the slides are different.”

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3sEIovK

Korda Joins Top 5 Stars With Karatsev Win

Sebastian Korda entered one of the most exclusive clubs of 2021 on Monday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The #NextGenATP American charged past Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 6-0 to become only the third player to defeat the Dubai champion this season. Korda is the first player outside the Top 5 to beat Karatsev this year, with the Russian’s two previous losses coming at the hands of World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and World No. 4 Dominic Thiem.

“It is super special [to reach the Round of 16], especially playing a guy who was as hot as he was,” said Korda. “I just took the tactics that I used [against him] at Roland Garros and it worked out really well today.”

Korda claimed five service breaks throughout the match and dropped just three points behind his first serve (18/21) during the 67-minute encounter. Karatsev, who has played with unrivalled baseline aggression this season to reach the Top 5 in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin, committed 31 unforced errors throughout the match.

“I stuck with my tactics throughout the whole match, stayed calm and stayed positive. It is a good win,” said Korda.

Korda’s win against Karatsev is the latest milestone in a memorable debut Miami appearance. The 20-year-old earned his maiden ATP Masters 1000 win in the first round against Radu Albot and claimed the biggest win of his career in the second round against World No. 17 Fabio Fognini. 

The 6’5” right-hander, who is the son of former World No. 2 Petr Korda, has produced his best tennis in his home state this season (7-1). In his opening tournament of the year, the Bradenton native advanced to his maiden ATP Tour final at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com (l. to Hurkacz).

[WATCH LIVE 1]

Korda will face fifth seed Diego Schwartzman in the Round of 16. The Argentine advanced to the fourth round in Miami for the first time with a 6-1, 6-4 victory against Adrian Mannarino.

“[Diego] is going to be a tricky opponent, for sure,” said Korda. “Hopefully I can get some rest and play a good match against him.”

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3sBqQ3t

Another Week, Another Quarter-final For Mektic/Pavic

Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic extended their perfect 2021 record of quarter-final appearances on Monday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The second seeds defeated Taylor Fritz and John Isner 6-4, 6-4 to reach their seventh quarter-final in as many events this season. Mektic and Pavic saved all four break points they faced to clinch victory in 63 minutes.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

The Croatian pair, which owns a 22-3 record this year, is chasing its fourth title of the season. Mektic and Pavic have already lifted trophies at the Antalya Open, the Murray River Open and the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.

 

Mektic and Pavic will meet Miomir Kecmanovic and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi for a place in the semi-finals. The unseeded team booked its place in the last eight on Sunday with a Match Tie-break win against 2016 champions Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.

Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury rallied from a set down to beat Marcelo Demoliner and Santiago Gonzalez 4-6, 6-4, 10-2. The seventh seeds will face American wild cards Sebastian Korda and Michael Mmoh in the quarter-finals.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3w9Fi4W

Schwartzman Masters Mannarino For Miami Fourth-Round Spot

Fifth seed Diego Schwartzman put in a masterful performance in his Miami Open presented by Itau battle against Adrian Mannarino, cruising into the fourth round without dropping a set after a 6-1, 6-4 victory on Monday.

Schwartzman improved to 2-0 in his ATP Head2Head against 25th seed Mannarino in emphatic style, not allowing the Frenchman a look at a single break opportunity throughout the one-hour, 16-minute contest. 

The Argentine set the tone early on inside Court Butch Buchholz, reeling off the first five games to start the match with a double-break, 5-0 lead. Schwartman’s speed and stamina were on display as he regularly outlasted Mannarino from the baseline. In fact, whenever the rallies went the distance, Schwartzman’s win percentage grew: by the end of the match, the fifth seed had won 31 points longer than five shots to Mannarino’s 18.

The only wobble for Schwartzman came late in the second set, and it was a minor one. The Argentina Open champion failed to convert his first match point on the Frenchman’s serve, but didn’t hesitate to serve it out himself in the next game.

The victory sent Schwartzman into uncharted territory, as he advanced to the Round of 16 in Miami for the first time. He has yet to drop a set this fortnight, and awaits the winner of 17th seed Aslan Karatsev and Sebastian Korda.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3u8qSjE

Hurkacz Downs Shapovalov, Raonic Next Up In Miami

Hubert Hurkacz improved to 6-0 on American soil this year, following his 6-3, 7-6(6) victory against Denis Shapovalov on Monday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

Just two weeks after his loss to the Canadian at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Hurkacz converted his only break point of the match to record his 10th win of the season (10-5). The Pole, who won four matches en route to the Delray Beach trophy in January, is through to the Round of 16 in Miami for the first time.

Hurkacz improved to 3-1 in his ATP Head2Head series against Shapovalov. The World No. 37 recorded all three of his wins against Shapovalov in the United States, following previous victories in 2019 at the BNP Paribas Open and the Winston-Salem Open.

[WATCH LIVE 1]

The opening set featured four break points. Hurkacz charged the net to save the three he faced and showed great defensive skill to convert a break point at 4-3. In a second set dominated by serve, Hurkacz won 83 per cent of his service points (29/35) and clinched his place in the next round with a powerful serve down the T.

The 24-year-old will face another Canadian in his next match: Milos Raonic. The 2018 quarter-finalist saved all three break points he faced to defeat Ugo Humbert 6-4, 7-5 and book a first ATP Head2Head meeting against Hurkacz.

Raonic has not dropped a set en route to the Round of 16. In his opening match of the tournament, the Canadian charged past Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-1 in 59 minutes. Raonic is chasing his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami, having finished as a runner-up at four hard-court Masters 1000 tournaments.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3foLZtX

Andy Murray unveils plan to become golf caddie or football coach once he retires

Andy Murray has detailed his retirement plans.

from Daily Express :: Tennis Feed https://ift.tt/3sxOSMQ

Cilic Ends Musetti’s Run In Miami

Marin Cilic produced a clinical performance on Monday to reach the Miami Open presented by Itau Round of 16.

The 32-year-old earned a single break in each set to defeat #NextGenATP Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-4 in 75 minutes. Cilic is through to the Round of 16 in Miami for the fourth time. The 2014 US Open champion achieved his best result at this ATP Masters 1000 event in 2013, when he reached the semi-finals (l. to Murray).

This marks the first time that Cilic has claimed three consecutive wins since last year’s Australian Open. The World No. 45 survived three-set battles against Federico Coria and 13th seed Cristian Garin to book his first ATP Head2Head meeting against Musetti.

Cilic will meet fourth seed Andrey Rublev or 29th seed Marton Fucsovics for a spot in the quarter-finals. The 2013 semi-finalist owns one win from three ATP Head2Head clashes against Rublev and is unbeaten in two matches against Fucsovics.

Musetti was making his second appearance at a Masters 1000 tournament. The 19-year-old, who is the youngest player in the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings, claimed straight-sets wins against Michael Mmoh and 23rd seed Benoit Paire in Miami. Musetti also reached the third round on his Masters 1000 debut in Rome last year.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3fpvrSE

How Fabbiano Raised Awareness For A Coach's Cancer Fight

Thomas Fabbiano may have lost in the first round of the main draw at this year’s Miami Open presented by Itau. But every moment the Italian qualifier spent on court was important.

The 31-year-old donated $1 for every minute he spent on court in qualifying and the main draw at the ATP Masters 1000 event to support treatment for former ATP coach Kristijan Schneider, who just weeks ago was diagnosed with cancer in the abdomen.

“I know that Reilly Opelka did the same with the aces for a foundation, but I couldn’t use the aces formula myself because if it goes well, I have maybe two aces in a match,” Fabbiano said. “Since my matches usually last a long time, I put these rules of one dollar per minute I stayed on the court in the whole Miami tournament. I remembered when I was on court to fight for every point, even when the score was not going my way. Even one point could make a difference.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Thomas Fabbiano (@thommy_fabs)

Fabbiano spent 392 minutes on court, and thus donated $392 for Schneider’s treatment. The Croatian coach, who used to work with Borna Coric and most recently was in Melbourne with WTA player Olga Danilovic, was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago when he was training Coric. On that occasion, he did not need chemotherapy, as the affected region was removed. This time, however, he needs chemo.

“On Monday, after I passed the qualies, I was in bed and I was happy for my two wins and it came in my mind I wanted to give back, to help [him],” Fabbiano said. “I have an appreciation for his job and the person he is, so I saw that he is funding for some money and I found the best way to put some rules on how I can make this deal [to help him].”

Learn How You Can Donate

The Italian only knew Schneider from training sessions with Coric and seeing him around the ATP Tour. But in recent months, Fabbiano has noticed that the tennis community has grown closer, and he felt trying to raise awareness of the coach’s situation was the right thing to do.

“We shared some moments together and I could feel the nice person he is… I feel close to him, our personalities. He was generous, he never lost respect for any opponents [his player] played against,” Fabbiano said. “I think he has the respect of many players.

"Our tennis family is having a bad moment, and we can help him, everyone with the possibility [to do so]... To me, it gives me hope, it gives me strength to do this. I do it with happiness."

Nearly $18,000 has been raised so far for Schneider's treatment.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3fBUAtJ

Roger Federer explains the key question fans always ask him involving Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer still gets asked the same question.

from Daily Express :: Tennis Feed https://ift.tt/39kCwQL

Challenger #NextGenATP First-Time Winner: Dominic Stricker

The Next Generation of Swiss tennis has arrived. This week, the ATP Challenger Tour returned to Switzerland after a seven-year hiatus, as the Challenger Citta di Lugano made its debut. For Dominic Stricker, the timing couldn't have been better.  

One of his country's most promising young stars, Stricker claimed his maiden Challenger crown behind an impressive performance on the indoor hard courts of Lugano. The 18-year-old, who entered the week as an unseeded wild card sitting at No. 874 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, seized the opportunity in grand fashion.

At 18 years and seven months, Stricker joined elite company in becoming the fourth-youngest winner from Switzerland in ATP Challenger Tour history. Only Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka were younger when they celebrated their initial success on the circuit. Federer prevailed in Brest, France, in 1999, while Wawrinka won twice as an 18-year-old in 2003, in San Benedetto, Italy and Geneva, Switzerland.

Youngest Swiss Challenger Champions

Player	Age	Title Won
Roger Federer	18 years, 2 months	Brest 1999
Stan Wawrinka	18 years, 4 months	San Benedetto 2003
Stan Wawrinka	18 years, 4 months	Geneva 2003
Dominic Stricker	18 years, 7 months	Lugano 2021

When tournament director Riccardo Margaroli and his son - top Swiss doubles player Luca Margaroli - decided to bring Challenger tennis back to Switzerland, this was exactly what they had in mind. That is, to give the younger players in their country more opportunities to develop and grow, while competing against world-class competition.

Making just his second Challenger appearance, the 2020 Roland Garros junior champion has certainly made the most of his time on the professional stage. Stricker exhibited the mental toughness of a veteran in Lugano. Not only did he rally from a set down twice, but he would do so saving two match points in the second round and stunning top seed Yuichi Sugita in the semi-finals. And in Sunday's championship, he sprinted past qualifier Vitaliy Sachko 6-4, 6-2 in just 70 minutes.

At No. 874 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, Stricker claimed a slice of history in becoming the lowest-ranked winner on the ATP Challenger Tour since 2000. Projected to rise more than 400 spots when the next rankings are released in one week (following the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami), he is also soaring up the ATP Race To Milan standings. The Swiss teen is projected to move up more than 20 positions to the Top 15 in his quest to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals.

Stricker spoke to ATPTour.com following the victory...

Congrats Dominic. How does it feel to win your first Challenger title?
It feels amazing to my first Challenger title. I just played an incredible week, so I'm very happy with what happened here. I'm just going to keep working so I can win more Challengers.

What was the key today? Were you nervous?
Of course I was nervous, but I think he was as well. I started feeling comfortable pretty early though and I played one of my best matches in the past month. I just focused on my game and it worked.

It is always special to win your first title. To win it in Switzerland is even more special. Describe that feeling, winning at home.
It's amazing to win my first Challenger and to do it in Switzerland is even better. I'm really proud of what I did this week and I'm looking forward to my next tournaments.

This is just your second Challenger tournament. How do you explain your sudden success at this level?
I had a big success in juniors, winning the French Open, but I just kept working hard when I got to the Challenger level. I won my first match at this level in St. Petersburg and played a pretty good week here. I saved two match points in the second round and then I came into the final enjoying every second. I'm just so happy that I won.

The transition from juniors to pros is not easy. What is the most challenging part of playing Challengers?
Every player in every round is amazing and it was hard to put the best level on court in every match. In juniors, you sometimes have some easy matches, but not here in Challengers. You just have to go full effort in every match.

You trained with Roger Federer in Dubai in the preseason. Describe that experience. How did it prepare you for this moment?
It was just an amazing feeling to practise with him for three weeks in the preseason and I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot, so I'm very happy to show what he told me. Yeah, it was just an amazing feeling.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned from Roger?
The biggest lesson is to keep working on my serve. I think I served pretty well here and I hit a lot of aces and had a high winning percentage on my first serve. I'm just going to keep working on that, because it really helps me a lot.

What are your goals for the season? How can this give you confidence for the rest of the year?
Of course this gives me confidence. I'm just going to keep working on myself and my game, and try to win as many matches as possible. I will try my best to get to Grand Slam qualifying as soon as possible.

For those of us that don't know you, how did you start playing tennis?
I started when I was five years old. I took some lessons at first, and then I met another young talented guy whose dad had a tennis school. They were searching for someone to train with and they chose me. I trained a lot with him and we grew up together and now we're both still playing pretty good.

Tell us something about you. What do you enjoy doing off the court?
Off court I love playing golf. I always do it on the weekends. That's the thing I do the most when I'm not playing tennis.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3cusy19