It’s been more than three weeks since Tomas Berdych struck a ball competitively, yet the significance of his loss to Roger Federer in the Australian Open third round is still sinking in. ”It was kind of a strange match for me,” admitted Berdych, a former champion at the upcoming ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. “The way he played was really incredible. I’ve played him so many times in the past. I almost want to say it was the best I’ve seen him play.” Berdych did little wrong in the 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 loss, their 23rd FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting, because he was given no opportunity by the Swiss superstar to find his game on 20 January on Rod...
Grigor Dimitrov is a man in demand this week at the Garanti Koza Sofia Open. A national hero even before the 2017 Australian Open, his status has only elevated after his exhilarating semi-final with Rafael Nadal in Melbourne. He has turned his whole nation into avid tennis fans. It makes for perfect timing for a homecoming for the 25-year-old Dimitrov, who is set to play an ATP World Tour event in Bulgaria for the first time. It will be a nostalgic week for the right-hander, who will walk out to the support of 10,000 fans, including his nearest and dearest friends and family, for his first-round match on Thursday night. “It's amazing,” Dimitrov told ATPWorldTour.com on Monday, following a practice...
Action Returns to Europe, Americas: After an exciting opening month of the season, the ATP World Tour action returns with two European tournaments and the first of five events in the Golden Swing in Latin America. Eight of the Top 20 overall in the Emirates ATP Rankings (as of Jan. 30) are in action. Emirates ATP Race to Milan Leaders: Three of the Top 10 players in the Emirates ATP Race to Milan (as of Jan. 30) are in the Montpellier draw 1. Daniil Medvedev - Montpellier 2. Hyeon Chung 3. Andrey Rublev 4. Alexander Zverev – Montpellier 5. Ernesto Escobedo 6. Noah Rubin 7. Alex De Minaur 8. Frances Tiafoe 9. Alexander Bublik 10. Karen Khachanov - Montpellier GARANTI KOZA SOFIA OPEN (Sofia):...
The 2017 Davis Cup kicks off this weekend with eight exciting World Group first-round ties being held across the globe. From familiar faces to Davis Cup rookies, the 16 teams in action include an attractive mix of the world’s top players and rising stars of the sport. ARGENTINA vs. ITALY Parque Sarmiento, Buenos Aires, Argentina (Clay) Defending champions Argentina will have the home crowd on its side as they face a tough Italian team in their opening round tie. Argentina leads 2-1 in their Davis Cup head-to-head against Italy. Juan Martin del Potro remains sidelined due to fitness concerns, but the Argentine team will be led by experienced Davis Cuppers Guido Pella and Carlos Berlocq. Italy will have Paolo Lorenzi...
Feeling nostalgic? You're not alone. Less than 24 hours remain until Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal turn back the clock on Rod Laver Arena for the Australian Open championship, a record ninth clash in a Grand Slam final. Nadal sought to describe his emotions ahead of the renewal of one of the greatest rivalries of all-time. “[Our rivalry] is amazing for me and for tennis,” said Nadal. “It is the combination of two different styles that makes the matches really special. It is a different way to play tennis. I feel that this rivalry is not only in the tennis world. People from outside of our world talk about this and that's good for our sport. It is good that...