No expectations. That was Roger Federer's perspective as he began his long-awaited comeback from a knee injury to open the 2017 season. But what started as a period of self-discovery quickly morphed into business as usual for the Swiss Maestro. Federer enters his first ATP World Tour event in eight months with renewed confidence after lifting his 18th Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open. Ahead of his return to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the 35 year old admits that registering strong results against the game's elite once again has been critical. Despite his sudden success, however, Federer's expectations remain tempered as he turns the page on the newest chapter of his storied career. "Dare to dream, why...
It's as if they do this together every week. Frenchmen Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut, playing together for the first time since 2012, won the Open 13 Marseille doubles title on Sunday. The top seeds prevailed 6-4, 6-7(9), 10-5 against Dutchman Robin Haase and Brit Dominic Inglot, who were going for their first team doubles crown. “When Julien asked me to play with him I immediately said yes. For me, this victory is very important and it means a lot,” Mahut said. Benneteau/Mahut won nearly 80 per cent of their first-serve points and saved four of six break points faced. Years ago, the two were a consistent pairing on the ATP World Tour. They won two titles together – 2003...
Third seed Jack Sock continues his strong start to 2017 by taking another title on Sunday at the Delray Beach Open. The American won his third ATP World Tour singles title when top seed Milos Raonic withdrew before taking the court for their final due to a hamstring tear in his right leg. The unfortunate end to the tournament gives Sock his second ATP World Tour crown of 2017, having prevailed last month at the ASB Classic (d. Sousa). Sock didn’t drop a set in claiming victory this week. He improves to 11-1 this season and is projected to move to a career-high No. 18 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on Monday. “It’s very unfortunate for him and I hope...
It can be hard to recall now, after so many months of Andy Murray playing so well on the ATP World Tour, but the Scot did experience a down period during his career season of 2016. The dip happened right about now, 12 months ago, after the Australian Open and before the European clay-court season began in April. Murray won only two ATP World Tour matches during the two-month span, losing in the third round of both the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open presented by Itau. This year, Murray is playing the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships before heading into the March Masters. He's hoping the tournament helps him enjoy a better stretch than he...
