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#NextGenATP Rublev Eyes Return To Milan In 2018

  • Posted: Jan 03, 2018

#NextGenATP Rublev Eyes Return To Milan In 2018

Jan032018

Russian faces seventh seed Verdasco on Wednesday in Doha

The wins – some of the biggest of Andrey Rublev’s career – arrived in a flurry. At the US Open, the Russian beat then-No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin, who’d finish at No. 7 in the year-end ATP Rankings, en route to becoming the youngest US Open quarter-finalist since Andy Roddick in 2001.

A month later, at the China Open in Beijing, Rublev fought back from a set down to beat both year-end No. 8 Jack Sock and Top 10 stalwart Tomas Berdych.

Four big wins you could easily call “career-building” for the #NextGenATP Russian. But the 20-year-old doesn’t view them in such a linear, stepping-stone way.

To Rublev, the matches were simply good wins on good days, no career-defining moments. The Moscow native wants to have days like those every week, not just for stretches during the season.

Read More: Rublev Honest After Tough Loss In Milan Final

“To be more consistent is the goal. The taste of victories over Dimitrov, Berdych, Goffin and Sock was fleeting, but worthy in 2017, but more because I realise they are in the Top 10 or Top 20 for a reason, their year-round consistency,” Rublev exclusively told ATPWorldTour.com in Doha, where he is playing in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

“That’s what I want to produce each week. I didn’t think of those victories as a stepping stone, on a career ladder, more as individual matches in a tournament week.”

Last season was by far Rublev’s best on the ATP World Tour. The Russian shaved off more than 100 spots from his year-end ATP Ranking, starting 2017 at No. 156 and finishing at No. 39. He also solidified himself as one of the best 21-and-under players on the planet by qualifying for the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan.

Read More: Best of 2017: 5 #NextGenATP Who Impressed

Rublev was the top seed in Italy, and he lost to only one player all week: champion Hyeon Chung of South Korea.

“I arrived in Milan feeling calm and I think that ensured I performed better to reach the final,” Rublev said. “Of course playing in Milan is a goal [for 2018].”

The Russian spent his off-season in Barcelona, working with coaches Fernando Vicente and Galo Blanco. They will guide him again in 2018, a season Rublev hopes finishes at least one match better than the last.

“This time of my life, my career is the most important as I lay the foundations for a strong future. In working with Fernando and Galo in Barcelona during the off-season, we worked on problems and weaknesses. But nothing specific, as far as stroke play is concerned,” Rublev said.

“The goal of pushing up the ATP Rankings is always there, realising a spot in London [at the Nitto ATP Finals] in future years, is shared by Fernando and Galo, who I trust 100 per cent in training and tournament preparation work. There isn’t any pressure at this stage, it’s balancing my own and my team’s expectations. I’m not fearful of failing to attain a set goal. I’m excited.”

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Haase Safely Through In Pune

  • Posted: Jan 02, 2018

Haase Safely Through In Pune

Jan022018

Djere survives tough Copil test

Fifth seed Robin Haase manoeuvred his way through a testing season opener to beat Blaz Kavcic 7-6(6), 7-5 at the Tata Open Maharashtra on Tuesday.

Kavcic put up a fight against the World No. 42 breaking the Dutchman’s serve three times in the match, but it was Haase who had the answers in the important moments at the conclusion of both sets. Haase will face Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in the second-round.

Laslo Djere took two hours and 25 minutes to book his place in the second round after a titanic 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 battle with Marius Copil. The Serbian won 16 of 18 points on his first serve in the final set to help set a meeting with seventh seed Mikhail Kukushkin, who advanced on Monday.

Qualifier Thiago Monteiro ended singles action with a remarkable 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(8) win over Ruben Bemelmans. The Brazilian saved two break points early in the deciding set before eventually closing out the match on his fifth match point to move to the next round, where US Open finalist Kevin Anderson awaits.

There were also straight-set wins for Yuki Bhambri and Ilya Ivashka. Bhambri, competing in front of an adoring home crowd, saw off compatriot Arjun Kadhe 6-3, 6-4. Ivashka won a battle of qualifiers, topping home favourite Sumit Nagal 6-3, 6-3.

View Wednesday Schedule: Cilic And Bautista Agut Begin Pursuit Of Pune Title

Defending Champions Through In Doubles Openers

The defending doubles champions, fourth seeds Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, did not have an easy draw in six-time event titlist Leander Paes and his partner, Purav Raja. But the duo moved a step closer to retaining their title nonetheless with a 6-3, 6-2 victory in 57 minutes. 

Top seeds Robert Lindstedt and Franko Skugor also moved on with relative ease, saving the two break points they faced to advance past Marton Fucsovics and Mikhail Kukushkin, 6-4, 6-1. Stunningly, the Swedish-Croatian duo won 52 per cent of points on their opponents’ first serves to claim the triumph.

And in a matchup of intriguing pairings, three-time Nitto ATP Finals doubles participant Pierre-Hugues Herbert and his partner, Gilles Simon, ousted 2017 US Open finalist Kevin Anderson and his partner, Jonathan Erlich, 3-6, 6-3, 10/5.

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Andy Murray considers hip surgery after withdrawing from Brisbane International

  • Posted: Jan 02, 2018

Britain’s Andy Murray says he may have to consider surgery after withdrawing from the Brisbane International because of his long-term hip injury.

The 30-year-old is down to 16th in the world, having not played since July.

Murray said on Instagram surgery was a “secondary option, something I may have to consider but let’s hope not”.

The Australian Open starts in Melbourne on 15 January and Murray added he would decide by the weekend whether to stay in Australia or fly home.

Murray had been given a bye to the last 16 in Brisbane and was due to play American Ryan Harrison on Thursday.

The former world number one said: “It’s quite demoralising that when you get on the court it’s not at the level you need it to be to compete at this level. It’s really hurting inside.”

  • Edmund beats Shapovalov in Brisbane
  • Konta through as cramp forces Muguruza to withdraw for fourth straight year

In an earlier statement announcing he would not be playing in Brisbane, three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, who won the event in 2012 and 2013 said: “I’m very disappointed to be withdrawing.

“I came here with every intention of making a strong start to the year.”

Murray has not played competitively since his defence of the Wimbledon singles title ended in a five-set defeat by Sam Querrey in July, when he was hampered by the hip injury.

He made an unsuccessful attempt to return at the US Open in August, pulling out two days before the start of the tournament.

His only public on-court appearances since then have been in exhibitions against Roger Federer in November, and on Friday against Roberto Bautista Agut in Abu Dhabi.

In a recent interview, Murray said he would be content to be playing at “30 in the world level” given his lengthy injury problems.

“I just want to enjoy playing again. I’ve really missed it the last six months or so,” he said.

Analysis

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent

This heartfelt and poignant post from Murray is the first time he has publicly voiced the anxiety that many others have felt for him and for his future in the game.

He will have approached this period of rehabilitation as meticulously, thoroughly and professionally as everything else in his career. And now – as he approaches six months away from the match court – he has discovered all too painfully that it has so far not been sufficient.

Murray is still very reluctant to opt for surgery, but he may come to the conclusion over the next few days that he has little alternative.

Murray has never addressed the precise nature of his hip problem. There is not one accepted diagnosis, but a very good source has told me Murray has a torn labrum. Any surgery would therefore be fraught with uncertainty and my understanding is that even if successful, the repair can sometimes have a limited shelf life.

Every condition is of course different, but Lleyton Hewitt had surgery on both hips for similar reasons in 2008 and 2010. He was never quite the same player again but still won three ATP titles after going under the knife for a second time.

Murray’s other concern with surgery will be his extended absence from the sport. By July, he will have been missing for a whole year. However great a player, it is hugely challenging to rediscover that competitive edge after such a long break from the tour.

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Brisbane International: Johanna Konta into last eight, Garbine Muguruza pulls out

  • Posted: Jan 02, 2018

British number one Johanna Konta moved into the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International with a 4-6 6-1 6-4 win against wildcard Ajla Tomljanovic.

Konta, who ended a run of five straight defeats since August by beating Madison Keys in the previous round, won in two hours 26 minutes.

She will play Ana Konjuh or third seed Elina Svitolina in the last eight.

Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza withdrew for the fourth year in a row after suffering with cramp.

After losing a fluctuating opening set in which her serve was broken four times, fifth seed Konta raced 5-0 ahead in the next against 24-year-old Croat Tomljanovic, the world number 118.

Tomljanovic needed a medical time-out for treatment off the court and returned with heavy strapping on her right thigh but Konta soon wrapped up the set, in which her serve improved significantly and she offered no break point chances.

Konta continued to impress with the accuracy of her groundstrokes and served for the match at 5-2, but her Croat opponent struck some defiant blows and broke back, before holding serve with an ace.

Tomljanovic had three break point chances to level the match at 5-5 but Konta held on and sealed victory on her first match point.

“There wasn’t a lot in it so I’m glad I stayed tough to come through that,” the British player said. “It boosts the match fitness, every match is a battle.”

World number two Muguruza was leading 2-1 in the deciding set of her second-round match against Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic in 30C heat.

But she collapsed following a serve and had to be helped from the court.

The 5-7 7-6 2-1 defeat ends any hope of replacing Romanian Simona Halep as number one before the Australian Open.

  • Injured Murray considers surgery after pulling out of Brisbane International
  • Edmund beats Shapovalov in Brisbane

“I cramp very few times,” said Muguruza, adding that the problem started early in the second set.

“The last time I cramped up was actually at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Maybe it’s the heat. Maybe it’s the conditions. I don’t know, but it’s rare for me.”

Muguruza’s run of injury problems in Brisbane dates back to 2015 when she withdrew on the eve of the event with an ankle problem. A foot injury ended her 2016 campaign and a thigh problem led to her semi-final retirement last year.

The top seed had started well against unseeded Krunic, the world number 53, converting her seventh set point to win the first set before surging to a 5-2 lead in the second.

But Krunic took four of the next five games to force a tie-break, which she won 7-3 to send the contest into a deciding set.

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Edmund beats Shapovalov in Brisbane

  • Posted: Jan 02, 2018

Britain’s Kyle Edmund came from a set down to beat teenager Denis Shapovalov 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 in the first round of the Brisbane International.

Edmund, 22, lost to the 18-year-old at Queen’s Club last year and again at the US Open when he was forced to retire in the fourth set due to a back injury.

Canadian Shapovalov, the world number 51, took an early lead but 50th-ranked Edmund won in two hours and 30 minutes.

He will play South Korea’s Hyeon Chung, the world number 58, in the last 16.

  • Injured Murray considers surgery after pulling out of Brisbane International
  • Live scores and results

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Thiem Tames Donskoy To Open 2018 Campaign

  • Posted: Jan 01, 2018

Thiem Tames Donskoy To Open 2018 Campaign

Jan012018

Verdasco claims final 10 games to battle to the second round

The first time Dominic Thiem played in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in 2014, he was a 20-year-old qualifier who lost in the first round of the main draw against the No. 162 player in the ATP Rankings.

Just four years later, the Austrian is a star on the ATP World Tour and he showed it in his 7-6(3), 6-3 victory over Evgeny Donskoy on Monday. The top seed, who is now ranked World No. 5, won a stunning 92 per cent of his first-serve points and overcame a strong performance by the Russian in the opening set to earn his first triumph of the new campaign.

“It was a good victory because [of a] tough opponent… after a pretty long period without any matches,” Thiem said. “After a good start, it got pretty close in the first set… at the end I’m satisfied with most parts of my game.”

Thiem will next face the winner between Aljaz Bedene and Malek Jaziri. He has beaten both players in their only FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings.

Seventh-seeded Fernando Verdasco appeared in jeopardy of beginning his 2018 in the opposite manner — with a thud. But a sudden shift in momentum saw the Spaniard run away with the final 10 games of his season-opener to defeat Dudi Sela 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.

The Israeli broke Verdasco three times to clinch the opening set and earned breaks in each of the left-hander’s first three service games in the second set to take a commanding 4-2 lead. But after breaking back for 4-3, Verdasco battled through a 12-point game on his serve — saving two break points, which if converted would have allowed Sela to serve for the match — to completely turn the momentum, which eventually led to his victory.

Verdasco’s next opponent will be 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up Andrey Rublev, who advanced to the second round when Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, who jumped 382 spots in the ATP Rankings last year, retired due to illness while trailing the Russian 1-6. The pair have split their two FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings, with Verdasco winning more recently at the 2017 Rolex Paris Masters.

Top Doubles Seed Survives

It was certainly a thrilling start to the doubles campaign for Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares, who saved two match points before defeating Marcin Matkowski and Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi 3-6, 7-6(5), 10-5. The Polish-Pakistani pairing broke to serve for the match at 6-5 in the second set but could not convert on the opportunity.

The other seeded-team in action Monday had less trouble, as third-seeded Feliciano Lopez and Rajeev Ram ousted wild cards Malek Jaziri and Mousa Shanan Zayed 7-5, 6-2 in 61 minutes.

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