Chilean Nicolas Jarry had four match points on Horacio Zeballos’ serve as the Argentine attempted to stay in their Brasil Open semi-final at 3-5 in the third set. For Jarry, a 22-year-old searching for his first ATP World Tour final, the missed opportunity could have sent countless thoughts racing through his mind during the changeover. The grandson of former World No. 14 Jaime Fillol had his country’s expectations on his shoulders as he attempted to become the first Chilean to reach a final in nearly a decade (Fernando Gonzalez, 2009 Vina del Mar). So what was he thinking during the sit-down? “Nothing. Just breathe. I played them all well,” Jarry told ATPWorldTour.com. “I stayed calm and just tried to serve...
In the locker room, where players let down their guard and opinions often fly around, there has been an animated, yet sensitive presence, well versed over the past 20 years as a player, a diplomat and as an ambassador. Today, as Andre Sa transitions from playing to a coaching career, charged with overseeing his compatriot, Thomaz Bellucci, a political future — inside the sport he’s played for the past 32 years — has been mapped out. For four years, Sa was a knowledgeable, perceptive and respected advocate for the development of tennis on the ATP Player Council between 2012 and 2016, a period highlighted by greater prize money distribution at Grand Slams, ATP Challenger Tour and player pension enhancements, and...
Juan Martin del Potro arrived in a cheerful mood, even if he was a little out of his comfort zone. The Argentine, more at ease on the court than in the stands, took his place in a box suite at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, where the sixth seed is set to play his second-round match against David Ferrer on Wednesday. From his vantage point, del Potro could view the practice matches taking place down below. The likes of past winners Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moya, David Ferrer and Sam Querrey were on court. The Pacific Ocean was also in sight. The view of Acapulco was captivating, but del Potro still made time to answer media questions, including those from ATPWorldTour.com. How...
Before the 2018 season, Ilya Ivashka had never competed in an ATP World Tour main draw. But this week, the 23-year-old has played the best tennis of his career to advance to the semi-finals of the Open 13 Provence in Marseille. The World No. 193 not only qualified, but ousted Laslo Djere, was leading second seed Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 1-1 when the Swiss retired due to a knee injury, and then held on to defeat home favourite Nicolas Mahut in three sets on Friday evening. “It’s a very good feeling,” Ivashka told ATPWorldTour.com after beating Mahut in the quarter-finals. “It was a tough match today and I’m happy that I’m in the semi-finals and that I’ll play tomorrow.” What makes...
Watch as former World No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten relives his run at the 2000 Tennis Masters Cup, beating Pete Sampras in the semi-finals and Andre Agassi in the championship match to lift the trophy.