For the first time in 15 years, four different men have picked up the first four ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles of the season. The stars of the ATP World Tour explain the reasons why 2018 is becoming one of the most competitive years in recent memory. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com.
The last time Belgian David Goffin and Argentine Leonardo Mayer met in Rome, two years ago, the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals runner-up barely squeaked by, coming within two points of defeat and needing to escape an epic 18-point second-set tie-break before pulling away in a decider. The World No. 10 faced no such issues against Mayer on Monday at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, ousting the 30-year-old 6-1, 6-2 in 62 minutes. It is the 60th tour-level clay-court win of Goffin’s career, and the fourth time in as many appearances that he has gotten through his first-round match at the Foro Italico. Goffin has enjoyed success in Italy over the past three years, advancing to at least the Round of 16...
After back-to-back losses in Spain, Kei Nishikori recorded his 10th match win of the 2018 ATP World Tour season on Monday, defeating Spain’s Feliciano Lopez 7-6(5), 6-4 at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. "It wasn't easy match," said Nishikori. "It was windy and he used a lot of slice and great serves." The World No. 24 withstood seven aces from Lopez and hit 18 winners to advance to the second round after one hour and 48 minutes. After reaching the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters final last month, Nishikori went 0-2 in Spain, retiring from his first match in Barcelona due to injury before losing his opening-round encounter in Madrid against Novak Djokovic. Lopez has now lost in the first round on six...