Ahead of this year's BNP Paribas Open, Pablo Cuevas shared that his best ATP World Tour Masters 1000 win had come against Andy Roddick at the 2011 Miami Open presented by Itau.
The 31-year-old Uruguayan may have a new answer following a terrific start to his Masters 1000 campaign in 2017. He reached his first semi-final at this elite level with victory over #NextGenATP star Alexander Zverev on Friday at the Mutua Madrid Open.
"In these last two years, I was pursuing a different calendar to what I'd been doing the previous years, trying to be ready for the Masters 1000s, to be able to sit here in this chair and make it to the semi-finals," said Cuevas. "I'm glad for that evolution that I have experienced and the year that I've had."
In March, he advanced to his first singles Masters 1000 quarter-final in Indian Wells. He matched that result by dismissing former champion and third seed Stan Wawrinka at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, and that same week teamed up with Rohan Bopanna to claim the doubles crown.
Look back on what Cuevas told ATPWorldTour.com about his Masters 1000 favourites and dreams earlier this season.
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Which ATP World Tour Masters 1000 host city is your favourite and why?
I love Rome. I remember studying its history at school, with the mythology, the architecture, the city in general… And the club is really nice. When you walk around, with all those statues… The Pietrangeli court is one of the most beautiful ones on Tour.
Which Masters 1000 would you most want to win and why?
I had the honour to win Rome in 2015 in doubles [w/David Marrero], but if I had to pick one for singles, I would say probably one in Europe or the United States. However, all the Masters 1000 are the same in terms of importance so any one would be great.
What is your favourite off-court memory at a Masters 1000?
For me there is not one in particular, but I love the fact that loads of people come to watch tennis, especially in Indian Wells and Miami, the two places where you can also do a lot of off-court activities. I remember I went fishing once in Miami for an activity and that was great.
What do you consider to be your best Masters 1000 win?
Miami, 2011. I beat Andy Roddick there in two sets [6-4, 7-6(4)].
What is your dream match at a Masters 1000 (who would you play & at which tournament)?
Well, to make it a dream match I should win. That’s a must. Then, the rival could be any of the Big Four, those four players who are making history in our sport: Rafa [Nadal], Roger [Federer], [Andy] Murray or [Novak] Djokovic. In any venue. Actually, an outdoor one.
Which player/champion would you consider to be the toughest competitor in Masters 1000 history?
It really depends on the surface but I would say Murray and Djokovic are the toughest ones on hard court and Rafa, (Stan) Wawrinka and also Djokovic on clay courts.
Which Masters 1000 tournament has the rowdiest fans?
Miami for sure. Although it’s true that we get a lot of support at every Masters 1000 and all the crowds are very respectful.