Novak Djokovic sent out a warning to his ATP World Tour rivals on Monday in his first match since reuniting with Marian Vajda, his coach from June 2006 to May 2017. Two-time former champion Djokovic didn’t let national sentiment, or even friendship, get in the way of a 6-0, 6-1 victory over fellow Serbian Dusan Lajovic at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. His fourth match win of the year came in 56 minutes. "I thought it was good considering the amount of matches I've played in the last almost 12 months," Djokovic said. "I thought all in all, it was a great start of the tournament." The ninth seed, who resides in a seafront Monte-Carlo apartment, required just 22 minutes to...
Kei Nishikori could easily have endured a short stay at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, six years on from his debut. But the Japanese star dug deep on Monday to maintain his hold on Tomas Berdych, a resident of the Monaco principality. Nishikori triumphed 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 over one hour and 46 minutes to improve to 5-1 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series. "It's actually great to come back this tournament," said Nishikori, who received on-court treatment for a sore wrist. "I haven't got a lot of matches this year. I hope I can play more matches on clay. I always enjoy this Europe season... I feel like Tomas was struggling little bit in second, and third too. Nobody's expecting I...
Steve Johnson should celebrate his wedding with an extra-wide grin next weekend. The 28-year-old American retained his Houston title during an emotional final on Sunday, beating compatriot Tennys Sandgren 7-6(2), 2-6, 6-4 at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship. Johnson became the first American to go back-to-back in Houston since Andy Roddick in 2001-02. The California native had to go through his compatriots to pull it off. He beat five Americans – Ernesto Escobedo, Frances Tiafoe, John Isner, Taylor Fritz and Sandgren – to hoist his third ATP World Tour title (2017 Houston, 2016 Nottingham). “It means a lot [to win] here. This is one of the best tournaments of the year. You get the atmosphere...
Karen Khachanov was made to work at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Sunday when the Russian beat Australian wild card Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 51 minutes. Khachanov had to bide his time to gain the first service break – missing out on break point chances in the fifth game (three) and ninth game (one) – before winning seven of 11 points. Kokkinakis, making his debut at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, fought hard, but cracked under pressure at 3-3 in the second set. Khachanov, who picked up his second ATP World Tour title at the Open 13 Provence (d. Pouille) in February, will now meet a Frenchman in No. 16 seed Adrian Mannarino or...
Pablo Andujar became the lowest-ranked ATP World Tour champion in 20 years on Sunday, beating first-time finalist Kyle Edmund 6-2, 6-2 to win the Grand Prix Hassan II for a record third time. The Spaniard, who also won the event in 2011 and 2012 in Casablanca, overcame the Australian Open semi-finalist in 82 minutes to become the most successful player in the history of the tournament, which began in 1990. "I played very well during the whole match," said Andujar. "Trying to make him move as much as I could. He attacks a lot and is a very strong player. I was very solid today and I'm very happy about that." The World No. 355 is the lowest-ranked tour-level titlist...
