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Rio 2016 Olympics: Andy Murray to face Victor Troicki in Rio opener

  • Posted: Aug 04, 2016
Olympic Games on the BBC
Hosts: Rio de Janeiro Dates: 5-21 August Rio time: BST -4
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, Red Button and up to 24 HD video streams on mobile, desktop, connected TVs and app, plus follow on Radio 5 live and via live text commentary.

Great Britain’s defending champion Andy Murray will face Viktor Troicki in the first round of the Olympics in Rio.

Johanna Konta plays Stephanie Vogt of Liechtenstein and fellow Briton Heather Watson also faces a player outside the top 250 in Peng Shuai of China.

Kyle Edmund plays Australian Jordan Thompson, while the Murray brothers begin the doubles against Brazilian pair Thomaz Bellucci and Andre Sa.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic opens his campaign against Juan Martin Del Potro.

Argentine Del Potro, who has struggled with a wrist injury for the last two years, beat Djokovic in the bronze medal match at the 2012 Olympics.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal, who missed Wimbledon with a wrist injury, will play Argentina’s Federico Delbonis in the first round and also intends to play in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Serena Williams starts her campaign for a fifth Olympic gold medal against Australia’s Daria Gavrilova and will also play with her sister Venus in the doubles.

Murray’s first-round opponent, Serbia’s Troicki, was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct after a rant at an umpire following his second-round defeat at this year’s Wimbledon.

The draw for the mixed doubles, which Murray and Laura Robson took silver in in 2012, will be finalised on 9 August.

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller:

At 35 in the world, and in a best-of-three-set match, Troicki is a dangerous first-round opponent – even though Murray has won all seven of their previous meetings.

His chief rival Djokovic has an even more perilous start against 2009 US Open champion Del Potro and could face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals. Murray’s projected opponent in the last eight is David Ferrer – and Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals.

The draw has been kind to Konta, Watson and Edmund, although Watson’s opponent Peng Shuai was 27 in the world before missing 10 months through injury.

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NBA GameTime For Nick Kyrgios Atlanta 2016

  • Posted: Aug 04, 2016

NBA GameTime For Nick Kyrgios Atlanta 2016

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'The Last Time' With Jared Donaldson

  • Posted: Aug 04, 2016

'The Last Time' With Jared Donaldson

The American teenager, who reached the third round of the Rogers Cup last week, talks about his first attempt at cooking and more…

I missed a flight?

I was 12 years old and I was on my way to Las Vegas from San Francisco, playing junior tournaments. We were right next to the gate we were supposed to be at and were sitting there for two hours. After that someone said, “Oh my God, we have a flight to catch”. So we had to get the next one an hour later.

I lost something important?

The most important time, was when I was 12 years old. After winning a semi-final, I put my phone down on the side of a court to play mini tennis with other players. I left it and forgot my phone. It was when the iPhone had just come out and my Dad had just got me one. I remember he was so upset and he was giving me a lecture.

I paid money to rent a tennis court or buy tennis balls?

Probably one of the last times I went to a Challenger, I think in Savannah. There were using different balls than the previous tournament so we had to go out and buy a case.

Being famous or well-known helped me?

Flying back from my first Futures win in Bodrum in Turkey. The mayor came out to watch us and lent us his driver to get us to the airport after we had won, because we had a flight to catch to Istanbul. At the airport they gave me first-class tickets for free on the flight from Bodrum to Istanbul.

I strung a tennis racquet?

Never because I’ve never tried, never attempted to learn.

I cooked for myself or others?

When I was at home this past June, my girlfriend and I had a cook-off making pasta bolognaise from scratch, making your own tomato sauce. This was the first time I’d ever cooked and it took five hours.

I met a childhood idol?

I love baseball, my idol is Barry Bonds. I got my ear pierced because of him. We were at a resort in the Bahamas and he was there with his family. I walked up to him as a four year old and I said, ‘How did it feel to hit all those home runs?’ He said that it felt ‘pretty good’.

I shared a hotel room with another player?

Probably on junior Davis Cup duty in Barcelona, when I shared with Stefan Kozlov and Noah Rubin. So there was a lot of talent in that room.

I asked someone famous for an autograph or a selfie?

When I worked with Andre Agassi in Las Vegas, I got a photograph. Before that it was with Roger Federer, when I was playing with him in Dubai.

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Isner Finds His Range In Atlanta

  • Posted: Aug 04, 2016

Isner Finds His Range In Atlanta

Top seed reaches quarter-finals for seventh straight year

Top seed John Isner’s BB&T Atlanta Open title defence is off to a flying start after the American reeled off the last 10 games of the match to dispatch of Frenchman Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday night. Isner extended his winning streak in Atlanta to 13 with the 6-4, 6-0 second-round result having claimed the title the past three years.

Despite being broken for 2-1 in the opening set, the World No. 17 began to find his range. From 2-4 down, he broke twice to take the opening set and after saving four break points in the opening game of the second set, was never troubled again, reeling off a bagel set to seal the match in little more than one hour. He finished with 16 aces and saved four of five break points faced.

You May Also Like: Isner Delights Home Fans, NextGen Stars Shoot Hoops

“I guess just getting that break at 4-3 to get it back on serve,” Isner said of the turning point in the match. “The previous game I had three break points but didn’t play that well but it was still an encouraging game.

“I held serve at 4-2 and got it back on serve and from there felt really good about my chances. I certainly turned the match around. I don’t know if I’ve ever won 10 games in a row, but I’ll take it.”

Isner carried a 5-1 FedEx ATP Head2Head record into his match with the French lefty. He knew exactly what he had to do to ensure a sixth win.

“I think tactically I did some things well out there. I needed to go to his forehand and I did,” he said. “I was going to his backhand a little too much early on and was paying the price for it. The game plan was get the ball high and up on his forehand because he does not like that at all.”

Isner will next meet either No. 8 seed Taylor Fritz or fellow American Bjorn Fratangelo for a place in the semi-finals. He has never fallen before the semi-finals in six prior appearances.

NextGen

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Isner Delights Home Fans, NextGen Stars Shoot Hoops

  • Posted: Aug 04, 2016

Isner Delights Home Fans, NextGen Stars Shoot Hoops

It hasn’t all been about tennis for players this week. ATPWorldTour.com provides a recap of the highlights.

Follow all the latest off-court action on MyATP! Download the app for iPhone or Android or visit MyATP.com.

BB&T Atlanta Open – Atlanta, Georgia

NextGen stars Nick Kyrgios and Taylor Fritz were joined by Reilly Opelka and Christopher Eubanks for some two-on-two hoops at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Read & Watch

Kyrgios also stopped by the NBA TV program “Game Time” to chat with Vince Cellini and former NBA star Steve Smith. Read

Donald Young opened up his swanky apartment to our cameras for a tour of his Atlanta home. Read

Fritz and Julien Benneteau attended Tennis Night on the Town and assisted at the draw ceremony. Watch

Fernando Verdasco and John Isner attended a reception for the title sponsor, BB&T, while the top seed also visited with fans on College Night.

Third seed Kevin Anderson chatted with Fox Live and did a meet-and-greet at the PGA Superstore.

You May Also Like: 'The Last Time' With Reilly Opelka

 

Artem Sitak, Andreas Siljestrom, Nicholas Monroe, Benneteau, Purav Raja, Divij Sharan, Marcelo Demoliner and Eubanks were among the stars to participate in tennis clinics.

Verdasco, Jared Donaldson, Jonathan Erlich, Mariusz Fyrstenberg, Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, Austin Smith and Opelka were on hand for the tournament pro-am.

Alexandr Dolgopolov, Tim Smyczek, Opelka and John-Patrick Smith met with fans at autograph signings, while Donaldson and Young visited suites.

Moet and Chandon off-court news 

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Rublev Reaping Rewards Of Hard Work

  • Posted: Aug 04, 2016

Rublev Reaping Rewards Of Hard Work

The #NextGen star competes at this week’s ATP Challenger Tour event in Cortina

#NextGen star Andrey Rublev has enjoyed breakout results in 2016, but the Russian teenager hopes it’s only a sign of what’s to come.

The 18-year-old Russian is competing in this week’s scenic $50,000 ATP Challenger Tour event in Cortina, Italy. On Wednesday, he weathered 16 aces to prevail in a tight two-set match over qualifier Viktor Galovic of Croatia and move into the second round, 7-6(4), 7-6(7).

Prevailing in the majority of the long rallies is a testament to the work that Rublev has put in on the practice court and in the gym. The rigorous program he embarked on during the off-season has helped take his game to the next level as he continues a push towards the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings.

“I focused on my fitness and trying to get stronger, faster, and prepared for lengthy matches played at a higher speed,” said Rublev. “I was working at IMG Academy in Bradenton [Florida] and playing with top-level people. Being there gives you a chance to work on some technical details and their work attitude is a great example for me.”

The hard work paid off when Rublev came through qualifying to win his first ATP Challenger Tour title this February in Quimper, France. He became the third teenager to win an ATP World Tour title in 2016, joining Taylor Fritz (Happy Valley) and Blake Mott (Launceston).

“Winning a Challenger for me was the next step in my career, a new stage,” said Rublev. “Winning always gives you a lot of confidence. It shows that you are moving in the right direction and all your work is not in vain.”

Even though Rublev is still relatively new to life as a pro, he’s already racking up the miles. The teenager is competing in his 25th tournament of the year in Cortina.

But while he’s played throughout the world, it’s his time at the ATP Challenger Tour event this June in his hometown of Moscow that ranks among his favorite memories of the year. He’s hopeful to get the chance to play in front of a home crowd later this year at the Kremlin Cup.

“It’s always a special feeling to play in front of my family, my relatives and people I like so much. I’m trying to do my best for them to be proud of me,” said Rublev. “The people who organise the Challenger in Moscow are great as well. They really want to do everything possible for us to feel at ease and be able to show our best tennis. They show a lot of enthusiasm, hard work and creativity.”

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Bagnis Relishes Familiar Footing In Cortina

  • Posted: Aug 04, 2016

Bagnis Relishes Familiar Footing In Cortina

The Argentine wins his 22nd ATP Challenger Tour match of 2016 on Tuesday

Facundo Bagnis has already won three ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2016, but he’s eager to add another to the list this week.

The 26-year-old Argentine is the third seed at this week’s $50,000 event in Cortina, Italy. Setting the tone for what he hopes will be a successful week, Bagnis won 81 per cent of his first serve points to prevail in his opening round against Christian Garin of Chile, 6-1, 7-6(2).

Having started the year at No. 140 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, Bagnis’ Challenger success pushed him inside the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings to his current standing of No. 91.

“I think I’m having so much success now because I worked a lot and for a very long time. It’s always about being ready and fit. That’s the only way you can get to a higher level,” said Bagnis. “This is the outcome of working every day, any given week of the year.”

Bagnis opened 2016 by winning three $50,000 ATP Challenger Tour events in the first three months of the year (Buenos Aires and Rio De Janeiro in January, followed by Santiago in March). All eight of his Challenger singles title have come on clay. Growing up playing on the red clay in his hometown of Rosario, he admitted he prefers to play on the surface whenever possible.

“We have so many clay courts in Argentina, so I’m confident playing on it,” he said. “You have to be physically good for clay and right now I’m in great shape. I’m physically well and that’s because of my good nutrition and attention to recovery… I have a great team with me, which helps me so much and makes me a better player.”

But Bagnis doesn’t want to be known as just a clay-courter. He’s working on being more aggressive to end points quickly and making more frequents trips to the net to finish off points. The Argentine has already been showing off these improvements in Cortina, a tournament which he has quickly grown to love.

“This city is beautiful,” he said. “We’ve already had the chance to take walks around and do activities in our spare time. We enjoyed the official players’ dinner up in the mountains as well. That was really cool.”

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Opelka Upsets Anderson In Atlanta

  • Posted: Aug 04, 2016

Opelka Upsets Anderson In Atlanta

Wild card rallies against No. 3 seed

Reilly Opelka continued to make waves at the BB&T Atlanta Open on Wednesday, knocking out No. 3 seed Kevin Anderson 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5 in just under three hours to reach the quarter-finals. The 18 year old was a game away from losing at 4-5, Anderson serving in the deciding set, but swept the final three games of the match to score his first win over a Top 30 player.

Opelka fired 11 of his 20 aces in the opening set but lost the tie-break to fall behind. In the second set, the 6’11” American ended a streak of six consecutive tie-breaks played by securing the lone break of serve to even the match. Opelka held nine break points in the third set, converting on two of them to defeat the 30-year-old South African.

You May Also Like: 'The Last Time' With Reilly Opelka

Next up for the 2015 Wimbledon junior champion will be either Tim Smyczek or Donald Young. Opelka is currently No. 556 in the Emirates ATP Rankings but is projected to make a big jump in the rankings after reaching his first ATP World Tour quarter-final.

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USTA Names Eric Butorac As Director, Professional Tennis Operations And Player Relations

  • Posted: Aug 04, 2016

USTA Names Eric Butorac As Director, Professional Tennis Operations And Player Relations

Former ATP Player Council president hired to enhance player relations

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., August 03, 2016 – The USTA today announced that outgoing ATP Player Council president and former Top 20 doubles player Eric Butorac has been named Director, Professional Tennis Operations and Player Relations, USTA, starting in October 2016. Butorac will have a dual report to USTA Chief Executive, Professional Tennis Stacey Allaster and US Open Tournament Director David Brewer.

 

In this newly created role, Butorac will be responsible for enhancing player relations year-round across all of the USTA’s professional tennis events, including the US Open, and he will work closely with both professional tours.  Additionally, he will assist USTA Player Development with doubles coaching and mentoring and will work with Player Development and Professional Tennis Operations on enhancing the USTA Pro Circuit, among other duties.

 

“Eric will bring a unique player perspective to our USTA team,” said Allaster.  “He is a well-respected professional whose leadership on the ATP Player Council will be a tremendous asset for our organization moving forward.”

 

Butorac, 35, has won 18 ATP doubles titles in his 14-year professional career and reached the doubles final at the 2014 Australian Open. A native of Rochester, Minn., he served eight years on the ATP Player Council and succeeded Roger Federer as its President in 2014.

 

Butorac was a three-time ITA all-American while playing college tennis for Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota and won the NCAA Division III singles and doubles titles in 2003. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach for Harvard’s men’s tennis team from 2010-14.

 

Butorac will start in this new position on October 1, 2016.  He plans on playing through the summer with his career culminating at the 2016 US Open.

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'The Last Time' With Reilly Opelka

  • Posted: Aug 03, 2016

'The Last Time' With Reilly Opelka

The young American, who recorded his first ATP World Tour singles win in Atlanta, reveals his latest brush with celebrity and shares a story of mistaken identity

I missed a flight?

I’ve never missed a flight because I usually travel with other people. If I were on my own maybe it’d be a different story.

I lost something important?

I lose my wallet and everything in it every six weeks. I’m still trying to find the answer to why that is.

I paid money to rent a tennis court or buy tennis balls?

It’s been a while since I’ve paid for a court. Growing up in Florida, there are public courts everywhere. Balls I will buy once in a while. Maybe six months ago was the last time I paid for a can of balls.

Being famous helped me?

Not too many people know a guy ranked 800th in the world, so hopefully we can come back to that questions in a couple of years. People do call me John [Isner] a lot. One fan thought I was him in Boca Raton. She took a photo with me and was so excited that she never let me say anything. She said: “I took a photo with you in Cincinnati six years ago, and I’m curious to see what’s changed.”

I strung a tennis racquet?

I was never able to do it. I tried one time when I was 10 or 11 and it was a mess. I never had the patience for it.

I cooked for myself and others?

One time Tommy Paul and I made chicken alfredo pasta. It was on a holiday and everything was closed. We had some groceries at the house I was renting. We managed to not set the house on fire.

I met a childhood idol?

I met James Blake at the US Open last year. I’ve always looked up to him. In fact I have a poster of him at my house. He was the player I watched the most growing up.

I shared a hotel room with another player?

A couple of weeks ago, I roomed with Tommy Paul at a Futures tournament.

I asked someone famous for an autograph or a selfie?

I approached [recording artist] J. Cole at the Charlotte airport a couple of weeks ago on the way to Winston Salem. I got rejected. He didn’t want to be recognised but we shook hands so it was cool.

Moet and Chandon off-court news 

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