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...
Nicolas Jarry's fantastic February collected another win on Tuesday at the Brasil Open in Sao Paulo. The Chilean won 74 per cent of his first-serve points (34/46) for the match and saved both break points faced in the decider to fight past Serbia's Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 1-6, 7-5. “I'm happy to be able to get this great win. Dusan is a great clay-court player, and it's a great victory for me,” Jarry said. [ALSO LIKE] The 22-year-old Jarry reached his first ATP World Tour quarter-final at the Ecuador Open three weeks ago and his first ATP World Tour semi-final last week at the Rio Open presented by Claro. Jarry lost to the eventual champion at both tournaments (l. to Carballes...
Federico Delbonis has fond memories of the Brasil Open in Sao Paulo, where he won his first ATP World Tour title four years ago, using the effort to crack the Top 50 of the ATP Rankings for the first time. The Argentine is looking to use those memories to propel him to a strong performance this week in Brazil. And the 27-year-old got off to a good start on Monday, beating recent Ecuador Open champion Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 6-4 in one hour, 38 minutes. "Coming here where I won my first ATP World Tour title, I have very good memories,” Delbonis said. "I try to play like the tournament when I won, but I have to keep going and...
