It was a seminal moment for Hugo Dellien. And one that was just as groundbreaking for his native Bolivia. On Sunday, the 24-year-old from Trinidad, Bolivia, celebrated a historic victory in clinching his first ATP Challenger Tour title. In front of a packed crowd in Sarasota, Florida, a dogged Dellien rallied from a set down to lift the trophy, defeating Argentine veteran Facundo Bagnis 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 58 minutes. As Dellien fired a backhand down the line and collapsed to the green clay, his hands covering his face as emotions from years of hard work boiled over, it was clear that this wasn't an ordinary victory. "I am so happy, because I know that Bolivia does...
If you’re looking for anyone to prove that age is just a number, look no further than 39-year-old Ivo Karlovic. The Croatian saved two match points in a second-set tie-break to oust former World No. 5 Tommy Robredo 6-7(5), 7-6(8), 6-4 on Monday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, winning his first match at the event since his run to the 2006 quarter-finals (l. to Wawrinka). It is Karlovic's first appearance in Barcelona since 2008. The 6'11" right-hander has not let slip the momentum of an impressive run to the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship semi-finals two weeks ago. Karlovic extended his FedEx ATP Head2Head series lead against the 35-year-old Robredo to 4-0 thanks to a...
Rafael Nadal has always been an appreciative champion, and he's especially that way now as, despite being deep into his career, the Spaniard continues to win "Big Titles" – a combination of Grand Slam, Masters 1000 and Nitto ATP Finals crowns. In what seems like an annual tradition now, the Spaniard added another Big Title at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Monte-Carlo on Sunday, beating Japan's Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2 for his 11th Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters crown. Watch Highlights: Nadal Wins 11th Monte-Carlo Title The victory gave the Spaniard his 31st Masters 1000 crown, putting him atop the all-time Masters 1000 leaderboard. Nadal also celebrated his 47th Big Title, which draws him even with Novak Djokovic for second place, still six...
Roger Federer is staying plenty busy despite opting to skip the clay-court season for the second consecutive year. The 36-year-old Swiss is working on the Roger Federer Foundation in Zambia this week. Federer is seeing first-hand the impact of the foundation's ongoing education programmes in three different community schools in the Eastern Province of the country. [ALSO LIKE] Federer is interacting with children, parents, community members and teachers. The No. 2 player in the ATP Rankings also met with the President of the Republic of Zambia, Honourable Edgar Lungu in Lusaka as well as other key government representatives. The Roger Federer Foundation started working with Zambia in 2011 together with its local partners People’s Action Forum, Reformed Open Community Schools...
It is safe to say Slovenian Aljaz Bedene has had his fair share of matches against Romanian Marius Copil in Budapest. And for the fifth seed, that has turned out to be a good thing. Bedene beat Copil Monday at the Gazprom Hungarian Open for the third time in the tournament's two years of existence 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3. Last year, Bedene defeated the Romanian in the final round of qualifying and the first round of the main draw (Copil was a lucky loser) en route to his second ATP World Tour final (l. to Pouille). The World No. 57, who saved all three break points held against him in the opener, will look to continue what has been a strong...
