Two qualifiers posted upsets in quarter-final action on Friday at the Gazprom Hungarian Open in Budapest. In-form Aljaz Bedene recorded his 20th win in his past 21 matches at all levels as he ousted second seed Ivo Karlovic 6-4, 6-3 in 63 minutes. The Briton has been on a tear on the ATP Challenger Tour in recent weeks, winning titles in Irving, Sophia Antipolis and Barletta. “The conditions are slow and he prefers quicker conditions,” said Bedene. “I started the match really well, played a few really good points on the return, broke the first game, and was serving really well throughout the whole match.” Visit Tecnifibre On The Road Landing After dropping just five points on serve to defeat...
World No. 1 Andy Murray avoided a second defeat in two weeks to a red-hot Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The 10th seed served for a spot in the final four, but Murray fought through the Spaniard and a vocal crowd on Friday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell to advance 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(4). “It was very similar to the match in Monte-Carlo, except in that match I was the one who had chances there, and today he had more chances to win. I feel like I was a little more aggressive at the end of the second and third sets and then played a good tie-break,” said Murray. “I’m obviously tired, but that’s why it was important for me to get matches,...
Top seed Andy Murray made a late debut this year at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, but was in fine form on Thursday as he advanced to the quarter-finals with an impressive 6-4, 6-4 win over Feliciano Lopez. “I was happy to play today. It was nice to get through and have another match tomorrow,” said Murray. “I didn’t feel so good at the start, but I played good tennis in some of the important moments today.” Murray finally took the court for the first time this week after receiving a first-round bye and a walkover in his second-round match against Bernard Tomic. Showing improved form compared to last week at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Murray raced to a 5-3...
Top seed Lucas Pouille withstood a strong test from Jiri Vesely in his opening match at the inaugural Gazprom Hungarian Open on Thursday. The Frenchman saved two match points to advance to the quarter-finals, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4). "I'm pleased with the win because it was difficult conditions," said Pouille. "We both wanted to finish tonight. Now I need to recover for tomorrow." Pouille’s next opponent will be Martin Klizan, who beat American qualifier Bjorn Fratangelo 6-3, 6-2. Klizan capitalised on five of his nine break point chances in the 71-minute victory. Andrey Kuznetsov upset third seed Fabio Fognini 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4). The Russian saved eight of the 12 break points he faced to overcome the Italian in two hours and...
Rafael Nadal put on a serving clinic on Thursday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, not facing a break point en route to a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kevin Anderson to reach the quarter-finals. “It wasn’t a day where I took a lot of free points because the court was very heavy. But I was serving well, at a good speed and changing directions well,” said Nadal. “I had the chance to hit my forehand after my serve and take control of the rallies, so I’m very happy with how I played.” Competing on Pista Rafa Nadal, the third seed dropped just nine points on serve and continued to apply pressure in his return games by accumulating 10 break...