Wimbledon 2022: Tournament bosses consult government over possible ban for Russia & Belarus players
Wimbledon bosses consult the government about whether to allow players from Russia and Belarus to compete in this year’s event.
Wimbledon bosses consult the government about whether to allow players from Russia and Belarus to compete in this year’s event.
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s clay-court season is off to a quick start.
The top seed defeated Moroccan wild card Elliot Benchetrit 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Grand Prix Hassan II on his tournament debut. The Canadian saved all six break points he faced to triumph after one hour and 24 minutes.
Next up for the World No. 9, who also received a wild card, will be Slovakian lefty Alex Molcan or Italian Stefano Travaglia. This is Auger-Aliassime’s first time competing in the ATP 250, but Marrakech is a familiar place.
“I love this country. Of course I think everybody knows now that I have my girlfriend and some family that’s from here,” Auger-Aliassime said ahead of his opening match. “Of course to play also on the African continent, it’s the only tournament we have on the Tour that’s played here on this continent, so that’s special for me.
“It’s awesome to be here, honestly. I’m loving every minute to play in this mythical place.”
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#NextGenATP Italian Lorenzo Musetti also advanced with a 7-6(5), 6-1 victory against fourth seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The 20-year-old, who is pursuing his first ATP Tour title this week, broke serve five times to move on after one hour and 41 minutes. Musetti will face another Spaniard, Carlos Taberner, for a spot in the quarter-finals. Taberner led Yannick Hanfmann 6-2, 1-0 when the German retired.
A #NextGenATP player who was unable to reach the second round was Czech Jiri Lehecka, whom Serbian Laslo Djere eliminated 6-4, 6-4. Portugal’s Joao Sousa ousted 2016 champion Federico Delbonis 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
Other players who advanced were sixth seed Botic van de Zandschulp and Tunisian wild card Malek Jaziri.
The ATP warns players they will receive stricter punishments for on-court misconduct following high-profile incidents.
Monday’s play at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship was rained out in Houston, postponing the start of main-draw play.
A full slate of Tuesday matches begins with eighth seed Jenson Brooksby taking on wild card J.J. Wolf. The stadium court’s evening action will begin with a battle of former champions as fifth seed and 2019 winner Cristian Garin takes on 2015 champ Jack Sock. Garin returns to Houston as defending champion, with the event not held the past two seasons.
Nick Kyrgios will also be in action on the show court against Ameican Mackenzie McDonald.
A pair of all-American matches is also among the highlights on the Tuesday stadium schedule. Two-time champion Steve Johnson (2017-18) will square off against countryman Denis Kudla, while sixth seed Frances Tiafoe faces Marcos Giron in an all-American nightcap.
Doubles action will also begin on Tuesday, with two matches on tap.