The three Italians remaining at the start of Friday's quarter-finals in Budapest were on the verge of making history. But last year's runner-up at the Gazprom Hungarian Open, Slovenian Aljaz Bedene, spoiled the party. The No. 5-seeded Bedene defeated qualifier Lorenzo Sonego in the Italian's first ATP World Tour quarter-final 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in two hours, 22 minutes on Friday to reach the sixth tour-level semi-final of his career. The World No. 57 will look to advance to his fourth final (0-3) when he plays John Millman on Saturday. Millman reached the semi-finals after just one game of play on Saturday morning, serving out his delayed quarter-final against Yannick Maden to win 2-6, 6-1 6-4. Darkness had suspended their encounter,...
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...
If Dominic Thiem's start to the Latin American Golden Swing is any indication of his 2018 form, the rest of the ATP World Tour better take notice. The Austrian blasted to the title at the Argentina Open, not dropping a set all week in notching the clay-court title. Thiem dominated Sunday's final, downing Aljaz Bedene 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 31 minutes. He extended his perfect mark in Buenos Aires to 9-0, having previously won the title in 2016, and lifted his ninth ATP World Tour trophy in total. It was his first crown in nearly a year, since triumphing in nearby Rio de Janeiro last February. Thiem's victory puts him in elite company, becoming just the third player...
