A LOOK BACK Uruguay Open (Montevideo, Uruguay): They were dancing in the streets of Montevideo, as home hope and top seed Pablo Cuevas streaked to the title. It was a celebration of tennis all week at the Uruguay Open, which featured a visit from football legend Diego Forlan. Raucous crowds packed the tournament from start to finish. On Sunday, Cuevas lifted his third tournament trophy with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Gastao Elias, adding to triumphs in 2009 and 2014. The win had added significance for the Uruguayan, who moved to No. 32 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, putting him in position to be seeded at the Australian Open. Cuevas, who fired arguably the shot of the year on the...
In the South American nation of Uruguay, sports are an integral part of its vibrant culture. Its stars are a closely knit group and that fraternity was on display on Saturday at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Montevideo. Diego Forlan, a former legend of Uruguayan football and one of the greatest players in the world, attended the draw ceremony at the $75,000 clay court event. Alongside countryman and top seed Pablo Cuevas and former champion Guido Pella, Forlan helped make the singles draw for the 13th edition of the tournament. “It´s a great chance to help this tournament, which is held in my home club, the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club," said Forlan, an avid tennis fan. "I actually started...
Tim Smyczek took the ninth edition of the Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger on Sunday, downing countryman and top seed Tennys Sandgren 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2 in exactly two hours. The American had his back against the wall, trailing by a set and a break, but would storm back to hoist the trophy. It was a significant victory for the 29-year-old, who claimed his first ATP Challenger Tour title in more than two years (Tiburon 2015). He rises 31 spots to No. 158 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. The Wisconsin native is the ninth different American to prevail on the circuit this year. He joins Sandgren, Frances Tiafoe, Ryan Harrison, Noah Rubin, Michael Mmoh, Kevin King, Mackenzie McDonald and Stefan Kozlov in...
Canberra champion Matthew Ebden discusses his journey back to the Top 100 following knee surgery, after claiming his first ATP Challenger Tour title in two years.
A LOOK BACK Apis Canberra International (Canberra, Australia): The Australian summer of tennis kicked off last week with Jason Kubler hoisting his first ATP Challenger Tour trophy in three years. Another Aussie would end a title drought on Sunday, as Matthew Ebden claimed his first Challenger crown since 2015 with a 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over second seed Taro Daniel. Ebden, who reached the final at the ATP World Tour event in Newport in July, is back in the Top 100 for the first time since 2014 after undergoing knee surgery. On the comeback trail, the 29-year-old ascends to No. 100 in the Emirates ATP Rankings with his seventh Challenger title in total. Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger (Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A.): Tim...
