It was a seminal moment for Hugo Dellien. And one that was just as groundbreaking for his native Bolivia. On Sunday, the 24-year-old from Trinidad, Bolivia, celebrated a historic victory in clinching his first ATP Challenger Tour title. In front of a packed crowd in Sarasota, Florida, a dogged Dellien rallied from a set down to lift the trophy, defeating Argentine veteran Facundo Bagnis 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 58 minutes. As Dellien fired a backhand down the line and collapsed to the green clay, his hands covering his face as emotions from years of hard work boiled over, it was clear that this wasn't an ordinary victory. "I am so happy, because I know that Bolivia does...
Reilly Opelka knows quite well what the ATP Challenger Tour has to offer during its spring clay-court season. One year ago, the big-hitting American blasted into his first semi-final on the surface in Aix-en-Provence, France. And this week, Opelka finds himself in the last four on the green clay of Sarasota, U.S.A., rallying from a break down twice during the tournament. "I am better on hard, so it is nice to get a win on clay, especially when I have been in a slump the last six or seven weeks," said Opelka. "Tennis is such a confidence game, so it is just about finding that confidence when we hit the clay season. This gives me an opportunity to play tomorrow...
#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...
Sebastian Korda’s wild card into the 2017 Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open is a combination of family, firsts and reminiscing. The 16 year old is the son of Petr Korda, who climbed to No. 2 in the Emirates ATP Rankings in 1998 and accumulated 10 ATP World Tour titles during his career. Sebastian, who trains down the road at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, is making his ATP Challenger Tour debut this week and remarkably took his first steps onto a tennis court on the grounds of this event, the formerly called the El Conquistador Tennis Club. “It’s very important because he was born here in Bradenton, raised here in Bradenton,” said Petr. “He didn’t start playing seriously until 10...
