Nadal Could Reclaim World No 1 Montreal 2017
Nadal Could Reclaim World No 1 Montreal 2017
Aug072017
Aussie Nick Kyrgios picked up his first win in more than two months on Monday, starting his Coupe Rogers in Montreal with a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Serbian Viktor Troicki.
The 16th seed has struggled with hip and right shoulder injuries since 30 May, when he beat Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first round at Roland Garros. He retired from his past three opening matches at the Aegon Championships in London, Wimbledon and the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. last week.
But the 22 year old left little to doubt against Troicki in their first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting. He won 88 per cent of his first-serve points (21/24) and never faced a break point in the 50-minute rout.
“I’ve been struggling the last couple months with a bunch of things,” Kyrgios said. “I just have to keep doing the right things. I’m getting a lot of treatment, trying to do my rehab every day. I’m doing everything I can.”
The right-hander also feasted on the Serbian’s second serve, winning almost 70 per cent (16/24) of his second-serve return points. Kyrgios will next meet either Italian Paolo Lorenzi or #NextGenATP American Frances Tiafoe.
“Tiafoe is a great player. He’s a young guy, has a huge future ahead of him. He’s got a great game. I’m really good friends with him as well. It would be awesome to play him… Obviously Lorenzi is a veteran, knows how to win tennis matches, competes for every point, is a great competitor. He doesn’t give up in anything. So it’s going to be a tough match either way. I’m just happy to get the win today.”
#NextGenATP American Jared Donaldson hit 10 aces in an upset win against 13th seed Lucas Pouille, 7-6(5), 7-6(8). The Frenchman saved four match points in the second set, including one at 4-5, 30/40 and three more in the second-set tie-break, 4/6, 5/6, 6/7. But the 20-year-old Donaldson came through on his fifth match point when Pouille double faulted.
“I think I played really well. My serve was great, so that really helped me to play first-strike tennis. Both tie-breaks were really competitive. The first one I came back on him a little bit, and the second one was just nip and tuck. Everything was so close,” Donaldson said. “I’m just happy I was able to get through it in two sets. I feel like I focused really well.”
Read More: Donaldson: Full-Time ATP Player, Part-Time Landlord
Donaldson reached the third round at the Citi Open last week and is looking to continue his recent success in Canada. Last year, the right-hander qualified and made the third round of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 in Toronto before falling to home favourite Milos Raonic.
“I think I’m playing really well… It’s just about me getting more experience at this level, keep improving fitness off the court. On the court as well, making sure that I’m still serving well, I’m still playing aggressive, I have good movement. So I feel if I do that I’m going to keep improving and keep getting good results like today,” Donaldson said.
The World No. 66 is currently in seventh place in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan, which will determine seven of the eight players who compete at the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, to be held 7-11 November. The eighth player will be determined by wild card.
See Who’s Pushing Donaldson In The Emirates ATP Race To Milan
“I feel like there’s a lot of great [#NextGenATP] players playing right now. I’m just honoured to be one of them,” he said. “It’d be nice to make it and compete with those great guys. They all play so well, and I feel lucky to be a part of it and hopefully I can qualify for it.”
For Pouille, it’s his second consecutive opening loss. The Frenchman fell to #NextGenATP American Tommy Paul last week at the Citi Open. Donaldson will meet either compatriot Donald Young or Frenchman Benoit Paire in the second round of the Masters 1000 tournament.
Italy’s former world number five Sara Errani has been banned for two months after failing a drugs test – because her mother’s cancer drug accidentally contaminated a family meal.
The 30-year-old, who reached the French Open final in 2012, tested positive for banned drug letrozole.
Errani’s mother had been using the drug as part of her breast cancer treatment.
But she had dropped some pills on a kitchen worktop where tortellini and broth were later prepared.
A tribunal panel accepted the player probably ingested the substance through accidental food contamination.
But it was ruled Errani, now ranked 98, could have done more to protect herself, leading to the two-month sanction.
Letrozole increases lean body mass and was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over concerns it was being abused by bodybuilders.
An independent tribunal, appointed by the International Tennis Federation, said there was no evidence it would enhance the performance of an elite tennis player.
It is the most high-profile drugs case in women’s tennis since that of Maria Sharapova, who beat Errani in the 2012 French final.
The Russian returned to the tour earlier this year after she was banned for 15 months on appeal following a positive test for meldonium.
Errani’s mother and father told the tribunal hearing in July that after the positive finding, they carried out an experiment which found the drug dissolved in a broth, plus a meat mixture for tortellini, without being detectable.
“Together with my family we have tried to understand how this contamination could have happened because I am 100% certain I haven’t taken a pill by mistake,” said Errani in a statement.
“The only viable option has been that an accidental food contamination occurred at some stage in the house.”
She accepted a charge of violating anti-doping rules in April. The ban is effective from 3 August.
Errani said she was “very frustrated” and “extremely disappointed” by the sanction but was “at peace with my conscience and aware I haven’t done anything wrong”.
In 2012, she stopped working with Luis Garcia del Moral, one of the doctors at the centre of cyclist Lance Armstrong’s doping scandal.
“I’m not interested in keeping working with a person that is involved in these things,” said Errani at the time.
ATPWorldTour.com looks at the top Movers of the Week in the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, as of Monday, 7 August 2017
No. 20 Sam Querrey, +4
The American’s second tournament victory on Mexican soil this season saw him break back into the Top 20 in the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time since July 2013 (at No. 20). His three-set defeat of Thanasi Kokkinakis to claim the title in Los Cabos marked only the second season of his career, after 2010, in which he had won more than one title for the year. Querrey has now claimed eight of his past nine matches, losing only to Marin Cilic in the Wimbledon semi-finals. Read & Watch Highlights
No. 32 Kevin Anderson, +13
The big-serving South African finished his week in Washington, D.C. with 70 aces after he reached his first final in two years (2015 Winston-Salem). Despite going down to Alexander Zverev in straight sets, Anderson closed in on a return to the Top 30 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. It was his best result of the season after a semi-final run in Estoril and quarter-final finish in Geneva. And it is was sizeable rankings jump for the 31 year old, who fell as low as World No. 80 in January amid battles with hip and leg injuries throughout the past two seasons. Read & Watch Highlights.
View Latest Emirates ATP Rankings
No. 37 Philipp Kohlschreiber, +10
An eighth ATP World Tour title for the in-form Philipp Kohlschreiber lofted the German back into the Top 40 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on Sunday. The 33 year old was coming off a semi-final run in Hamburg the week prior before he denied Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the Generali Open final in Kitzbühel. It was his second title in the city he calls home in the past three years. It marked his first title since Munich in 2016 and improved his lifetime record in ATP World Tour finals to 8-9. Read & Watch Highlights
No. 51 Joao Sousa, +11
In his Kitzbühel debut, the 28 year old Sousa reached his second ATP World Tour final of the season before he went down to Kohlschreiber in straight sets. The Portuguese player, a former No. 28 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, is on the cusp of a return to the Top 50 following his run on the clay in Austria, which included victories over local #NextGenATP player Sebastian Ofner and defending champion Paolo Lorenzi. Sousa finished runner-up to Jack Sock in the Auckland final in January.
No. 70 Yen-Hsun Lu, +19
The Chinese Taipei player collected his second ATP Challenger Tour title in Chengdu on Sunday to surge back into the Top 70 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. His win over Russian Evgeny Donskoy in the final bagged him a second Challenger-level title of the season, having won on home soil, and a record 28th ATP Challenger Tour title. Lu has not dropped a set in his past six ATP Challenger Tour finals. Read ATP Challenger Spotlight
No. 73 Damir Dzumhur +14
The top-ranked Bosnian reached his second ATP World Tour semi-final and first since 2015, in Los Cabos, to stand just seven spots shy of his career-best Emirates ATP Ranking. Dzumhur took eventual champion Querrey to three sets, having triumphed over last year’s runner-up, Feliciano Lopez, in the quarter-finals. It was Dzumhur’s fifth career win over a Top 30 player in the Emirates ATP Rankings.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev won his fourth ATP title of the season with victory over South African Kevin Anderson in the final of the Citi Open.
The 20-year-old world number eight won 6-4 6-4 in 69 minutes in Washington.
Zverev is the youngest player to win four titles in a season since Juan Martin del Potro in 2008.
Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova beat Germany’s Julia Goerges 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-0 in the women’s final to secure her third WTA singles title.
Elsewhere, Madison Keys beat fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 to win the Stanford Bank of the West Classic in California.
The US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, begins on Monday, 28 August.
It was exactly 14 years ago that a precocious 17-year-old Spaniard named Rafael Nadal stood on centre court in Segovia, with both arms clutching the ATP Challenger Tour trophy.
Fast forward to Sunday and another Mallorca native was reveling in the same experience. Jaume Munar celebrated his maiden Challenger title at the Open Castilla y Leon, claiming a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Aussie teen Alex de Minaur. He dropped just one set during his breakthrough week on home soil, which included a signature win over top seed Marcel Granollers in the quarter-finals.
“I’m very happy,” Munar told ATPWorldTour.com. “For me, these last few months were very difficult. I did not win many matches, despite all the work I was putting into my game. To win this tournament at home is very significant, especially in front of my parents. I owe them everything to be where I am today. And now I want to win more. This has just begun.”
.@jamunar_38 lifts his first #ATPChallenger ?, rising 101 spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings to a career-high No. 200. pic.twitter.com/C6Mo4dGbIL
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 7, 2017
The 20 year old, who grew up idolising his fellow Mallorcan, is coached by Nadal’s close friend Tomeu Salva at his academy. It is apropos that Munar’s first title came in Segovia, which is one of the oldest and most presitigious tournaments in all of Spain. Held at the Villa de El Espinar and under the guidance of tournament director and former WTA star Virgina Ruano Pascual, it celebrated its 32nd edition last week.
Munar became the eighth Spanish champion in the past 20 years, joining the likes of Sergi Bruguera (2000), Nadal (2003), Fernando Verdasco (2007), Feliciano Lopez (2009) and Pablo Carreno Busta (2013), among others. Juan Martin del Potro also lifted the trophy in 2006.
“This was a very important step for me, because in the end, [the ATP Challenger Tour] is a stage that you have to fight through. When I won my first Futures title, many followed. Now I hope this is the same in Challengers. In tennis, it is very important to believe in yourself. There have been some amazing players who have won here [in Segovia] and have gone on to the Top 100 and higher. It motivates me to continue on this path.”
First #ATPChallenger title! ?? @jamunar_38 is the champion of the 32nd edition of @Tenis_Espinar in Segovia, defeating #DeMinaur 63 64. pic.twitter.com/jSBHhCl1Iv
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 6, 2017
Munar’s victory extends a strong stretch for Spaniards on the ATP Challenger Tour, marking the nation’s fourth straight week with a title. Fellow Spanish youngster Nicola Kuhn, aged 17, won in Braunschweig, and was followed by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in Scheveningen and Roberto Carballes Baena in Cortina.
In addition, the 20 year old vaulted 101 spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings to a career-high No. 200. It was truly a breakout week for the Spaniard, who was mired in a 1-6 run in Challenger events coming into the tournament. Moreover, he had never won a main draw hard-court match in his career at the Challenger level.
“I just want to continue growing every day,” Munar added. “To dedicate myself to being professional and maintain this focus on my game. I know there have been a few tournaments that I showed that I have this level and now I have to stay on this path. Everyone has their own process and I look forward to what is to come of mine.”
An executive summary of what every fan should know about the coming week on the ATP World Tour
1. Rafa Eyes No. 1: Rafael Nadal will retake No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings if he reaches the Coupe Rogers semi-finals. Nadal has not been World No. 1 since 6 July 2014. The Spaniard is making his 11th appearance at Coupe Rogers, where he is 28-7 overall and 18-4 in Montreal.
2. Back at the Top: Nadal and Roger Federer are the top two seeds in Montreal. The Spaniard and Swiss have not been the Top 2 seeds at Coupe Rogers since 2009. That year, Federer was the No. 1 seed, Nadal was No. 2, and both lost in the quarter-finals.
Nadal is a three-time champion (2005, 2008, 2013) and Federer is a two-time winner (2004, 2006). The Big Four have captured 24 of 27 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won 2014 Toronto (89 per cent). The other non-Big Four champions are Marin Cilic (2016 Cincinnati) and Alexander Zverev (2017 Rome).
3. Remarkable Roger: Federer, who turns 36 on Tuesday, is making his first appearance in Canada since losing to Tsonga in the 2014 Toronto final. He has not played in Montreal since falling to Tsonga in the 2011 third round. Federer is 11-4 in Montreal and 20-5 in Toronto, where he has won both of his Coupe Rogers titles.
This season, Federer is 31-2 with an ATP-best five titles, including his 18th and 19th Grand Slam championships at the Australian Open and Wimbledon respectively. He won his 25th and 26th Masters 1000 titles respectively at Indian Wells and Miami.
4. Milos at Home: Canada’s own Milos Raonic is making his eighth Coupe Rogers main draw appearance (10-7 record). He has reached the quarter-finals or better in four of the past five years, with a runner-up finish in 2013 (l. to Nadal) and quarter-final runs in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
5. Tsonga’s Success: Tsonga is 16-4 at Coupe Rogers, including semi-finals at Montreal in 2009 and 2011. He defeated Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic en route to the 2014 Toronto title.
6. #NextGenATP Invasion: Zverev, the Emirates ATP Race To Milan leader, is joined in the Coupe Rogers main draw by fellow Next Gen ATP Finals contenders Karen Khachanov, Borna Coric, Daniil Medvedev, Hyeon Chung, Jared Donaldson, Frances Tiafoe and Denis Shapovalov.
7. Tale of Two Races: Zverev could qualify for both the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals and year-end Nitto ATP Finals. He entered Washington last week at No. 6 in the Emirates ATP Race To London.
8. Wild Cards: All four singles wild cards are Canadian: 2013 semi-finalist Vasek Pospisil, Peter Polansky, Brayden Schnur and Shapovalov. Schnur, 22, is seeking his first ATP World Tour victory. Shapovalov, 18, earned his first tour-level victory over Nick Kyrgios at 2016 Toronto.
9. Nestor Streak: Less than a month shy of his 45th birthday, Daniel Nestor is expected to make his 29th straight Coupe Rogers appearance. Nestor has a 45-26 tournament record with 12 different partners, winning Toronto titles in 2000 with Sebastien Lareau and 2008 with Nenad Zimonjic.
10. Double Your Fun: Among the direct acceptances in the Montreal doubles draw are eight Grand Slam championship teams, including five-time Coupe Rogers champions Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan.
It’s not often that Roger Federer walks through the grounds of an ATP World Tour event without memories of lifting the trophy. But that is the case this week in Montreal, as the Swiss makes his long-awaited return to the Stade Uniprix.
Appearing for the first time in six years, Federer has reached the final just once in the Canadian metropolis, falling to Novak Djokovic in 2007. The Coupe Rogers has witnessed the 35 year old lift the trophy on two occasions, defeating Andy Roddick in 2004 and Richard Gasquet in 2006, but both victories came in Toronto (the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event alternates between the two cities every year). But Federer says that despite his lack of great success in Montreal, there is one moment – an off-court memory – that stands out above the rest.
“I remember the Djokovic match in the 2007 final and maybe a match against [Gaston] Gaudio where I saved match point,” said Federer. “It feels a little like a blur to be honest. But my most important one was in 2009, when my girls were two weeks old.
“It was our first trip as a family. They just got their passports and traveled here. I remember we had an unbelievable time and I was trying to be a dad for the first time. It was all out of control in the nicest possible way. It was here in Montreal, so it will always be special for me here. This year, I’m here without the family so it’s a bit different and bit more quiet. I’ll plan on resting and sleeping while I can.”
Montreal has been waiting a long time for this. Welcome back @rogerfederer! #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/8qXsTqbB5a
— Coupe Rogers (@CoupeRogers) August 5, 2017
The Coupe Rogers is the third-oldest tour-level event on the calendar, behind only Wimbledon and the US Open, and its Montreal venue – the Stade Uniprix – has plenty of history itself. It is the former site of Jarry Park Stadium, where the now extinct Montreal Expos (of Major League Baseball) once played. Much of the core seating and some lighting even remains intact, as a tribute to Montreal’s sporting history.
With fans already flowing into the venue for qualifying and to catch a glimpse of the top stars practising, Federer acknowledged the great energy and excitement around the grounds.
“What I see here is a soul in this tournament and a soul in the Centre Court. It’s not totally symmetrical, which makes it unique as well. They’re either a box or a circle. In most venues, they’re the same, but here they’re not.
“The crowd is full most of the time and there are day and night sessions, which is nice. There’s a great energy in the town and they can sense that tennis is back. They only have this one big tournament during the year and fans make the most of it. I hope we can make it a great experience for fans who show up and pay good money for the tickets.”
With Rafael Nadal seeded first and Federer second, it marks the first time since 2011 that the two legends are leading the pack at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. Federer is soaring into Montreal, having won 11 consecutive matches, with title runs on the grass of the Gerry Weber Open and Wimbledon. He has also won 11 straight matches on hard courts, claiming the Masters 1000 crowns in Indian Wells and Miami in March.
Despite Federer and Nadal headlining the tournament, notable withdrawals include Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, who all pulled out due to injury. The Swiss lamented the absence of three of his biggest rivals from one of the ATP World Tour’s biggest tournaments.
“I hope it’s not going to continue like this, where everyone takes the second part of the season off. Novak and now Stan, who might need to have surgery. Cilic too and the same with Andy. I hope that when they come back, they will be in very good form and when Novak and Stan return next year that they will be in good shape.
“I don’t like to see it, but when you take a few months off in the middle of a 15-20 year career, it might not be that much. Sometimes when you have no choice, it makes it easier. It’s about staying positive in those difficult moments. But I wish all those guys all the strength they need.”
Federer is a global icon, but might have the crowd against him in his opener, facing a Canadian wild card in Vasek Pospisil or Peter Polansky. Fifth seed Kei Nishikori looms large in his quarter of the draw, with third seed Dominic Thiem a potential semi-final opponent.