Fourth seeds Marcin Matkowski and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi captured the ASB Classic crown with a 1-6, 6-2, 10-3 win over Jonathan Erlich and Scott Lipsky on Saturday. Erlich and Lipsky quickly claimed the first set after 23 minutes, but the eventual champions fired up for a comeback, breaking early in the second set for a 1-0 lead. The Polish/Pakistani duo capitalised on all three break point chances in their 61-minute victory. Matkowski and Qureshi topped Ryan Harrison and John Isner 7-6(4), 6-1 in the first round, beat Santiago Gonzalez and David Marrero 6-4, 3-6, 11-9 in the quarter-finals and defeated Marcus Daniell and Marcelo Demoliner 6-4, 6-4 for a final berth. “I’m really happy with our performances throughout the week and...
Fourth seed Jack Sock continued his flying start to 2017 at the ASB Classic in Auckland, moving into the final with a 6-4, 6-3 win over seventh seed and fellow American Steve Johnson. “It wasn’t easy. Stevie is such a good player and had such a good year last year. I was able to fortunately get a couple of breaks and that was enough,” said Sock. “I enjoy being out here, playing in front of big crowds and being on big stages. Obviously I want to win, but either way, I’ve played a lot of matches this week and my confidence is high.” The No. 23 in the Emirates ATP Rankings continues to excel in Auckland, having finished runner-up last...
American Steve Johnson upset countryman and friend John Isner 6-3, 4-7, 7-6(3) in two hours and 14 minutes on Thursday for a place in the ASB Classic semi-finals. Johnson won 85 per cent of his first-serve points and overcame 19 Isner aces. Isner netted a forehand volley to bring up three match points for Johnson in the third-set tie-break. He'd need only one, though, as he hit a forehand net-cord winner on the next point. Johnson, the seventh seed, will meet fourth-seeded American and last year’s finalist Jack Sock, who converted four of his 25 break point opportunities to beat Jeremy Chardy of France 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 10 minutes. Sock hit 12 aces to Chardy’s 14...
Follow all the latest off-court action on MyATP! Download the app for iPhone or Android or visit MyATP.com. ASB Classic – Auckland, New Zealand David Ferrer visited the Moët & Chandon lounge for a flute pouring competition. Next Gen ATP star Karen Khachanov and Marcus Daniell met up with top New Zealand chef Nic Watt for a helicopter visit to Waiheke Island and some scalloping. Watch Khachanov, Jiri Vesely, Dustin Brown and Diego Schwartzman had fun at the official players’ party. Jack Sock served as the umpire for a Moët & Chandon exhibition, with the winner of the match receiving a Jeroboam signed by the American. Apia International Sydney – Sydney, Australia Dominic Thiem was among those to attend the official players' party in Sydney. The top...
Two-time champion John Isner fended off a match point to keep his hopes for a third Auckland title alive on Wednesday. The second seed outlasted No. 56 Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6) at the ASB Classic. Jaziri had a match point at 6/5 on Isner's serve in the third-set tie-break, but Isner erased it with a stiff backhand volley. The 6'10” right-hander then charged the net during the next two points as well, finishing the match with a backhand volley down the line. [ALSO LIKE] Isner will meet countryman Steve Johnson in the second round. Johnson, the seventh seed, lost only two points on his first serve (31/33) to dismiss Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4, 7-6(4). Robin Haase opened up...
