The wait was worth it for Gilles Muller. Thirteen years after he played in his first ATP World Tour final, the left-hander won his first ATP World Tour title on Saturday, beating Brit Daniel Evans 7-6(5), 6-2 at the Apia International Sydney. The Luxembourg native had been 0-5 in ATP World Tour finals, including two in 2016. The title will propel him to inside the Top 30 of the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time in his career. Muller, currently No. 34, is projected to climb to No. 28 when the new rankings are released on Monday. As if it could get any better, Muller was presented with the trophy on court by all-time great Rod Laver. “I wasn't...
Dudi Sela talks about clinching his 21st ATP Challenger Tour title in Canberra and how he prepared for the 2017 season. Video courtesy Tennis Australia.
World No. 3 Milos Raonic was left wondering whether one member of the press corps was fully engaged at the top of his pre-tournament Australian Open press conference in Melbourne Saturday. The Canadian was expecting to be asked about the addition of Richard Krajicek, but he was unprepared for how it went down. Here's the first question of the media conference: Q. Why did you change your coach to Krajicek? MILOS RAONIC: It was just a timing of how things went. I feel like for me to make the steps I want, especially forward, specifically with that focus, you have these two guys that move very well laterally. I don't think I'm ever going to be the best guy from the...
Wesley Koolhof/Matwe Middelkoop were the last doubles team accepted into the doubles draw at the Apia International Sydney, but leave as the last pair standing. They scored the biggest win of their careers on Saturday by defeating top seeds and defending champion Jamie Murray/Bruno Soares 6-3, 7-5 in the final. “We were ready to go play a Challenger in Canberra,” said Koolhof. “We got in, played amazing matches. The emotions are just happiness and joy at the moment. It’s an amazing week.” The win gives Koolhof/Middelkoop their third ATP World Tour doubles title, having previously prevailed this past season in Sofia and Kitzbuhel. They have also excelled on the ATP Challenger Tour, racking up 11 titles in the past two...
A slew of American #NextGenATP stars have successfully advanced into the main draw of the Australian Open, with Frances Tiafoe, Noah Rubin, Reilly Opelka and Ernesto Escobedo taking their spot among the 16 final-round qualifying winners on Saturday. Second seed Tiafoe survived a marathon 3-6, 6-0, 7-5 match against fellow American Tim Smyczek. Both players held serve throughout the final set until Tiafoe finally broke Smyczek in the last game to wrap up the win. This is the first time that the 18-year-old has come through qualifying at a Grand Slam. In an all-teen battle, Opelka came through 7-6(4) 6-3 against Norwegian Casper Ruud to secure his first Grand Slam main draw appearance. The American reached his first ATP World...