Baseball has long dominated the sporting landscape in the Dominican Republic. But that is slowly changing. Long represented by 36-year-old and three-time ATP World Tour titlist Victor Estrella Burgos, tennis in the Caribbean island is steadily becoming a significant presence in the nation's culture. And, as the 2018 season kicks into high gear, the Dominicans have a new star to cheer for: Santo Domingo native Roberto Cid Subervi. Last week at the San Luis Open, 24-year-old Cid Subervi made great strides in just his fifth ATP Challenger Tour appearance. The recent University of South Florida graduate, who was the school’s first-ever All-American, had largely been a presence on the Futures circuit since turning pro in 2016. But the Dominican reached...
A LOOK BACK Open Harmonie Mutuelle (St. Brieuc, France): For more than a year, former World No. 50 Ricardas Berankis had plotted his return to the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings. After undergoing hip surgery in late 2016, the Lithuanian had fallen as low as No. 243. Seventeen months later, Berankis is back, soaring to No. 84 after clinching the title at the ATP Challenger Tour event in St. Brieuc. He overcame home hope Constant Lestienne 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in a tense final. Seeded second, he had not dropped a set entering Sunday's championship. The 27-year-old claimed his ninth Challenger crown in total, marking the fifth straight year in which he has lifted a trophy. San Luis Open (San...
Sunshine, sand and scenery. The Spanish resort town of Marbella has long been the playground of Europe's rich and famous, boasting miles of pristine beaches and perfect weather. This week, the beachfront mecca welcomes a new chapter of tennis on the ATP Challenger Tour. Situated along the Costa del Sol on the southern edge of Spain, Marbella hosts the inaugural Casino Admiral Trophy, a €43,000 event. With the tranquility of the Mediterranean Sea just steps away, players have descended on the Club de Tenis Puente Romano for the second time. Six years ago, a Challenger was held in the same club and now it has returned with a new identity and an eye on the future. As Spain's longtime stalwarts...
A LOOK BACK Play In Challenger Lille (Lille, France): Eight wins in nine days. It was a stunning run for France's Gregoire Barrere in Lille, battling to his maiden ATP Challenger Tour title as a qualifier. Barrere prevailed on home soil with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over Tobias Kamke on Sunday. After cruising through qualifying with the loss of one set, the 24-year-old Tecnifibre player was made to work in the main draw, including a four-match point saving performance against countryman Stephane Robert in the second round. He overcame a 2/6 deficit in the deciding tie-break, reeling off six straight points to advance. Subsequent wins over Guillermo Olaso and an in-form Yannick Maden would put him in the final,...
