Alexander Zverev is not looking for revenge against Rafael Nadal in Barcelona this week. But he is seeking redemption. Still smarting from his 6-1, 6-1 loss to Nadal at last week's Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Zverev is aware that the performance did not reflect his billing as a future World No. 1. But instead of trying to avoid Nadal for the remainder of the clay season, the German took a wild card into Barcelona in the hope of getting a quick re-match with the winner of 50 clay-court titles. As luck would have it, eighth-seeded Zverev could meet third-seeded Nadal in the quarter-finals. "The main reason I came here is because the draw is so strong; it's almost like another Masters...
#NextGenATP star Frances Tiafoe continued his assault on the Emirates ATP Rankings, streaking to the title at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Sarasota on Sunday. Up to a career-high World No. 72 with his third Challenger crown, the American also moved into fifth position in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan. Tiafoe - the fourth teen titlist on the circuit this year - has come full circle in Sarasota, having qualified for his first Challenger main draw there two years ago. I know a lot of the work you're putting in is to finish off points faster and get you through matches faster. How did that play out this week on the clay? “It's just about staying focused, which usually turns...
The puzzle of playing clay-court tennis can be challenging for the best players in the world. The balls kick up and bounce differently, movement is often a big factor and the slower pace adds a further tactical dimension to matches. #NextGenATP players Jared Donaldson and Reilly Opelka are taking this challenge head on, embarking on the clay-court season at the 2017 Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open in Bradenton, Florida. Donaldson, at No. 74 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, reached the quarter-finals at the United Tennis Club this week (l. Millot), nearly one year removed from his first final appearance on clay at the 2016 ATP Challenger Tour event in Savannah. "It's different for all players, but getting your footing on the...
#NextGenATP players were on show at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Tuesday with Russia’s Karen Khachanov the lone victor through to the second round. The 20-year-old Khachanov beat Nicolas Mahut 6-2, 6-4 in an 85-minute encounter and next challenges No. 13 seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the second round. Afterwards, Mahut was complimentary of what he saw, explaining, “He's still young. He can become very good and improve a lot. He has a very good coach [in Galo Blanco]. He will be very good in the future.” Borna Coric, the winner of his first ATP World Tour title on Sunday at the Grand Prix Hassan II, fought hard but fell to the experienced Frenchman and fellow wild card Jeremy Chardy...
