Denis Shapovalov is aiming to soar to greater heights than in 2017, a season which saw him rise up the ATP Rankings and build upon his experience at ATP World Tour events. After a nail-biting opening-round loss to Kyle Edmund at last week’s Brisbane International presented by Suncorp, the 18-year-old has returned to the practice courts to evoke memories of his off-season training. “I’ve worked hard in the off-season and I feel like my game’s there, so I’m ready to play these tournaments,” said Shapovalov at the ASB Classic in Auckland. “It’s always a little bit tough at the start of the year, you don’t know where your game’s at. But I’m confident in myself and I’m sure I’m going...
David Ferrer opened his bid for an unprecedented fifth title at the ASB Classic, battling past Chinese teen Wu Yibing 7-6(7), 6-4 on Monday. The Spanish veteran prevailed after a gritty encounter, opening his 2018 ATP World Tour campaign with his 718th match victory. Ferrer is looking to carry the momentum from a strong second half of 2017, as he eyes another successful week at one of his favourite tournaments. He lifted the Auckland trophy in 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Victory over the Chinese #NextGenATP star wasn't as straightforward as the 35-year-old had hoped. Yibing saved nine of 12 break points faced and secured a critical break of his own when Ferrer served for the match at 5-3 in...
The rising stars of the ATP World Tour are ready to take the ASB Classic by storm this week in Auckland. But first, they tested their skills on a court of a different kind. #NextGenATP Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas joined reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hyeon Chung in a visit to the SKYCITY Breakers, a professional basketball team based in Auckland. The players took part in drills during the team’s pregame warm-up, practising ball handling skills and shooting, before going head-to-head in a 3-on-3 game. "I've never played basketball before and I've only watched it on TV, but I had a very good time today," said Chung. "It's difficult. Shooting and dribbling are not easy. "It's my first...
There is certainly no lack of hype surrounding China’s Wu Yibing. It was a landmark year for the 18-year-old in 2017, after all. The right-hander served as a practice partner at the Nitto ATP Finals, played his first two ATP World Tour main draws in Chengdu and Shangha, won both the boys’ singles and doubles titles at the US Open, reached the top spot in the junior rankings, and perhaps most impressively, claimed his first ATP Challenger Tour title in Shanghai — becoming the fourth player in five years to win a junior Slam and a Challenger title in the same season. Capturing that trophy at 17, Yibing was also one of just four players aged 17 or younger to...
