Highlights: Kubot/Melo Win 2017 Miami Open Doubles Title
Highlights: Kubot/Melo Win 2017 Miami Open Doubles Title
Apr022017
Some players feel pressure competing in front of a local crowd, but French teenager Corentin Moutet is continuing to thrive on home soil.
The 17 year old reached his first ATP Challenger Tour semi-final this week at the $50,000 event in St. Brieuc, France. Moutet took full advantage of his wild card, upsetting third seed Norbert Gombos of Slovakia in the opening round on his way to the final four, where he fell in three sets to qualifier Egor Gerasimov of Belarus.
“This is the best result of my career. It’s been a great beginning to my season and the result of a lot of good work,” said Moutet. “I want to stay realistic, just trying to be patient and keep up this level of tennis.”
The Frenchman reached his maiden Challenger quarter-final last month at the $50,000 event in Cherbourg, France. Although his sporadic forays into junior tournaments have yielded outstanding results, including a semi-final finish in boys’ singles at this year’s Australian Open, Moutet is focusing mainly on pro events for greater exposure to “the professionalism in training, rigour, demands and maturity of the game.”
Moutet hopes to eventually have a long career on the ATP World Tour and looks to his favourite player, Gael Monfils, as an inspiration.
“He’s funny and takes a lot of pleasure on the court when he plays,” said Moutet. “This is the most enjoyable to way to watch a match.”
Moutet was ranked No. 778 in the Emirates ATP Rankings just 12 months ago, but is projected to move inside the Top 400 on Monday after his latest result. He aims to become a regular fixture on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2017 and is already planning a return visit to St. Brieuc next year.
“When you come from Futures events, it’s easy to feel good in Challengers because of the nice hotels, food and stadiums,” he said. “The organisation here is very professional, so I felt comfortable and played well.”
Two-time team titilists Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo added their first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown to their trophy haul on Saturday afternoon. The Polish/Brazilian combination dismissed Americans Nicholas Monroe and Jack Sock 7-5, 6-3 to win the Miami Open presented by Itau doubles title.
Kubot/Melo had won back-to-back Erste Bank Open 500 championships in Vienna in 2015 and 2016, but the two had never won a Masters 1000 crown. They came close last month, falling to Raven Klaasen/Rajeev Ram in the BNP Paribas Open final in Indian Wells. But on Saturday, Kubot/Melo were clutch and came through on one of the game’s biggest stages.
The titlists saved eight of nine break points and broke the Americans three times in the 82-minute final. Their first break came at exactly the right time: set point in the opener. Kubot slapped a backhand return at Monroe, who sliced his volley just wide.
Two games later, Kubot/Melo had broken again for 2-0 lead in the second set. But Monroe, with Kubot/Melo serving at 2-0, 15/40, ripped a forehand up the line and jogged to the chair as they were back on serve.
The even play wouldn’t last, though. Kubot/Melo reeled off four consecutive points to hold for a 3-2 lead and broke the next game when Sock double faulted. Three games later, Kubot/Melo served out the match for the championship.
The Miami champions will receive 1,000 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $385,170. Monroe/Sock, who were going for their second ATP World Tour team doubles title, will receive 600 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $187,970.
Once again, Roger Federer set too low expectations for himself heading into a big tournament this year. And once again, tennis fans around the world will be the beneficiaries.
After his BNP Paribas Open title two weeks ago, Federer thought a semi-final showing at the Miami Open presented by Itau would be an “unbelievable run”. On Sunday, the 35 year old will play Rafael Nadal for the Miami crown. It will be their 37th FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting and the 23rd time they’ve met in a final.
“Feels like old times. We’re playing each other every week now. We can’t get enough of each other,” Federer said.
The Miami final will mark the third time they’ve played this season. Federer has won both of their earlier meetings – the Australian Open final in January and their third-round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last month. (Before Australia, Federer also low-balled his chances, saying before the tournament that a quarter-final run would be great.)
Sunday’s final will also be the fourth time Federer and Nadal have met at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in South Florida. Nadal won their first meeting, which started their rivalry, 6-3, 6-3 in 2004. Federer beat him in the Miami final the next year, coming back from two sets down to win 6-1 in the fifth set. In 2011, Nadal returned the favour, knocking Federer out in the Miami semi-finals, 6-3, 6-2.
“Should be really exciting because we had this epic match in 2005. The final was unbelievable. It was a turning point in my career, to be quite honest. For me to be able to focus for, I don’t know how long we played, maybe four hours, smashing forehand after forehand down the line. I remember I felt like I had to learn how to fight in matches, and there I showed it to myself and my team that I could do it,” Federer said. “It was against somebody who ended up being my biggest rival. It’s definitely going to be very special playing Rafa here again. Of course I’m thrilled for him as well that he came back as well as he did after the comeback, the struggles that he had last year.”
Federer brings an 18-1 record this season into the title match. But despite his incredible beginning, the Swiss right-hander knows beating Nadal for the fourth consecutive time will be a massive challenge. Nadal will be playing in his fifth Miami Open presented by Itau final, but he has never won the Masters 1000 crown.
“I feel like there is a mountain to climb in Rafa. He’s not won it yet before. He’s definitely feeling fresher than I feel right now. That’s not a problem – I’ll be ready on Sunday,” Federer said. “Hopefully it’s not our last match.”
Nadal also knows he’ll have to bring some of his best tennis to capture the title. “He’s playing so good… He’s playing great,” Nadal said of Federer. “When top player like him is playing that well, then it’s always a big challenge for every player.”
Britain’s Johanna Konta is targeting the world number one ranking after claiming the biggest title of her career at the Miami Open.
The 25-year-old British number one beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3 to claim £940,000 in prize money and is set to climb to seventh in the world.
Konta was the world number 146 in June 2015, but she believes a Grand Slam title and further progress is possible.
“The belief has been there since I was a little girl,” she said.
“I’d like to be the best player in the world but there’s a lot of work to be done between now and then.
“Everybody’s journey is different. I needed a little more time and a little more experience to accumulate the knowledge that I have and re-use it in my matches.
“I play smart tennis and calmer tennis I think. It just took time. On paper it looks like a quick turnaround but it’s been a long time coming.”
Former Fed Cup captain Judy Murray – mother of Andy – has previously suggested the turnaround began with a heavy defeat in a match against Belarus in February 2015.
Murray put that down to Konta’s “really bad performance anxiety”, describing the result as “a bit of a horror”.
But her skill at handling the pressure of elite-level sport is now one of her biggest assets.
Konta herself has credited the influence of former mental coach Juan Coto, who died in December.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live following his death, Konta said: “Everything that I do, he will be a part of. He left me with some incredible tools to deal with my profession and also life. He is still very much a part of my journey.”
She is working with a new coach this season – having made a surprise decision to replace Spaniard Esteban Carril towards the end of 2016, the most successful year of her career so far.
Under the guidance of Wim Fissette, Konta won January’s Sydney International without dropping a set, before now claiming her first success at a higher level – the top ‘Premier Mandatory’ rung of the WTA Tour – in Miami.
“She has big ground strokes, not many weaknesses, and I also saw her as somebody who is very hard-working and very disciplined,” Fissette told BBC Sport during the Australian Open, where Konta made the quarter-finals.
“I started working with her because I really believe she can win a Grand Slam if she keeps getting better like this.”
In October, Konta became only the fourth British woman to make the top 10 since the WTA rankings began in 1975 – after Jo Durie, Virginia Wade and Sue Barker.
“I think it was probably a combination of everything, but also a question of maturity,” Konta said of her rise on Saturday.
“I was very fortunate that throughout the years I’ve managed to have some very, very good people around me.
“The more I was able to absorb from them, their knowledge and wisdom, and the more I was able to reinvest that into the matches that I played, that’s the reason I’m here now.”
BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller
Only one other player has gathered more ranking points in 2017 than Johanna Konta, but more importantly the new world number seven has now successfully negotiated the perfect dress rehearsal for a Grand Slam.
Six victories over 10 days against the very best in the world in one of the WTA’s Big Four tournaments is the perfect stepping stone to Grand Slam success.
Wimbledon should provide Konta with as good an opportunity as the Australian and US Opens – where she has already had so much joy – but now it is time for the clay: a surface on which Konta is still to prove herself.
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BBC Sport’s Piers Newbery: Konta continues to amaze. Last year was the first time she was ranked high enough to even play in Miami. And not at her best this week.
BBC tennis commentator David Law: Hope Konta can crack it at Wimbledon where she would fully enter the general public’s consciousness. Can be a powerful positive role-model.
After meeting just twice in the previous three seasons, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will renew their rivalry for the…
Johanna Konta took the biggest title of her career with victory over Caroline Wozniacki as she became the first British woman to win the Miami Open.
The 25-year-old British number one overpowered her Danish opponent – a former world number one – 6-4 6-3.
Konta, who in June 2015 was the world number 146, will climb to seventh from 11th in the rankings – her highest yet.
She also takes home £940,000 in prize money in claiming what was her third WTA Tour success from a fourth final.
Konta won her first WTA title in July 2016 at the Bank of the West Classic, was defeated in the China Open final in October 2016 and in January triumphed at the Sydney International without dropping a set.
But this was her first success at a higher level – the top ‘Premier Mandatory’ rung of the WTA Tour.
Having beaten beaten Wozniacki in their only previous meeting – in straight sets at the third round of this year’s Australian Open – Konta was pre-match favourite.
And she held her nerve with a strong all-round performance to edge her opponent in a tight match.
“Thank you so much to the crowd,” Konta said.
“You guys were incredible through the whole week. Miami is such an energetic city and you guys really bring that to the court.
“My whole team team – thank you so much, we’re having a great time working hard and I’m looking forward to continuing to do so.”
Wozniacki reached her career high ranking of world number one in October 2010, and victory in Miami would have been her first at this level since Indian Wells in 2011.
But instead she suffered a third final defeat of 2017 – following losses to Elina Svitolina in the Dubai Championships and to Karolina Pliskova in the Qatar Open.
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BBC Sport’s Russell Fuller: Winning Miami is the perfect dress rehearsal for Grand Slam success: 6 matches negotiated over a week and a half against the world’s elite
BBC Sport’s Piers Newbery: Konta continues to amaze. Last year was the first time she was ranked high enough to even play in Miami. And not at her best this week.
Roger Federer continues to soar in 2017 but he was pushed to his absolute limits in another pulsating battle with Nick Kyrgios. The fourth seed edged a three-hour 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) semi-final thriller under the lights at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Friday night.
For Kyrgios it was another absorbing display of aggression, raw power and captivating shot-making against one the top ranked players. The Australian saved two match points, narrowly missing out on the final, and is buoyed by putting on a show for the fans.
“It was a tough match. I wasn’t expecting less, to be honest,” said Kyrgios. “He’s obviously the crowd favourite anywhere he plays obviously with what he’s done for the game. But I thought I was responding well to the crowd.
“I created enough opportunities to win that match. I felt like it was on my racquet most of the time. He was playing great. I showed a lot of fight, I thought I competed for every point and ultimately, I think I put in a good performance. I thought the crowd would’ve enjoyed watching it, people at home would’ve enjoyed watching it.”
The duo have played only tie-break sets. Their previous FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting at the Mutua Madrid Open in 2015 produced a similar scoreline, with Kyrgios saving two match points to take a 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 7-6(12) victory. The World No. 16 paid tribute to Federer’s first-strike game style after another finely poised contest.
“It was very, very, very similar (to Madrid) obviously. We haven’t played a set that hasn’t gone 7-6. He’s just so good, his serve and first shot are I think by far the best on tour,” stated Kyrgios. “I’ve played all the Top 4, a lot of the top guys, and his first two shots, it’s so hard to do anything against.
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“You feel like you’re making a return, and then he’s right on it and hits a winner. You don’t get that much rhythm. He’s a great player.”
The 21 year old believes his work ethic on and off court has boosted his recent results. In March, he reached the quarter-finals at the BNP Paribas Open, withdrawing through illness, and has continued that impressive form at Crandon Park.
“I think I’ve made an effort to try and put in the work every day. It hasn’t been easy,” said Kyrgios. “I’ve got a great team with me. Every day we’re on the practice court trying to have fun, trying to put in.
“My draw was incredibly tough this week. I thought Karlovic third round, I could have lost there. Playing Goffin then Zverev and then Federer, maybe if I played a couple of easier rounds I could have got over the line today. Who knows?
“I feel like my level of tennis has always been high, but mentally I’m competing for every point. That’s making the difference. I need to keep putting that in every day. I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m 16 in the world. There are 15 players better than me.”
View FedEx ATP Head2Head for Federer vs Nadal & vote for the player you think will win!
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: One of the greatest rivalries in the history of the sport, which started here 13 years ago at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park, will be renewed on Sunday in the championship of the Miami Open, presented by Itau. Superstars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will meet for the third time this season and the 37th overall in a storied rivalry that began here in the third round on March 28, 2004. A 17-year-old Nadal won that match 63 63 and one year later (on April 3,2005) the two met in their first final against each other. Federer rallied to win 26 67 76 63 61. Now 12 years later, they meet again in the first all 30 & over final in the tournament’s 33-year history (Federer is 35 and Nadal 30).
Nadal leads the head-to-head meetings 23-13 (tied 9-9 on hard courts) but Federer has won the past three meetings for the first time in the rivalry. Nadal is 14-8 in final meetings and owns a 12-5 advantage in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (7-3 in finals). In their last Miami meeting in the 2011 sermi-finals, Nadal won 63 62. Since Nadal’s last win in the semi-finals at the 2014 Australian Open, Federer won in the final of his hometown Basel tournament in 2015. And after not meeting last year, Federer rallied to win in five sets at the Australian Open on Jan. 29 to earn his 18th Grand Slam crown, and in the 4R at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells on Mar. 15.
Federer outlasted No. 12 seed Nick Kyrgios 76(9) 67(9) 76(5) in a 3h, 11m semi-final battle on Friday night to advance to his fourth Miami Open final (2-1), the first since winning the 2006 title (d. current coach Ivan Ljubicic). His first final was a runner-up in 2002 (l. to Agassi). Federer comes in with a 10-match winning streak and 18-1 record on the season (6-0 vs. Top 10), his best start since 2006 when he went 33-1. Federer, at 35y, 7m, is trying to become the oldest Miami champion. He is also looking to become the first three-time winner on the ATP World Tour this season. Federer is 25-18 in ATP Masters finals and 90-48 in overall finals.
Nadal has only lost one set en route to his fifth Miami final (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014). This is the 30-year-old Spaniard’s 13th appearance in Miami, the most attempts without winning a title. He is trying to become the first Spanish man to win the title. Spaniards are 0-7 in finals. He enters with a 19-4 match record in 2017, the most wins on the ATP World Tour. Nadal reached finals at the Australian Open (l. to Federer in five sets) and Acapulco (l. to Querrey) and he is not only trying to capture his 70th career title, the Mallorca native is also aiming to earn his first hard court title since Doha in January 2014 (d. Monfils). He has played in 31 hard court tournaments since the Doha title. A title would also be Nadal’s seventh different (eighth overall with Hamburg) ATP Masters 1000 crown and 29th overall, which would leave him one behind all-time leader Novak Djokovic. He would also join Andre Agassi as the only players to win an ATP Masters 1000 title in teens, 20s and 30s.
BIG FOUR DOMINATION: With Federer and Nadal in the final, another title for the ‘Big Four’ is guaranteed. Murray, Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have won 57 of the last 62 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, which dates back to Nadal’s triumph at Monte-Carlo in 2010. Here is a breakdown of the ATP Masters 1000 titles won by the Big Four during that span: Djokovic (25), Nadal (13), Murray (10) and Federer (9). The only other players to emerge with an ATP Masters 1000 title during that time are: Robin Soderling (2010 Paris), David Ferrer (2012 Paris), Stan Wawrinka (2014 Monte-Carlo), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2014 Toronto) and Marin Cilic (2016 Cincinnati).
INDIAN WELLS, MIAMI TITLE SWEEP: Since 1991, seven players have won the first two ATP Masters 1000 events of the season (11 times) in Indian Wells and Miami. Federer, who won both titles in 2005-06, and Djokovic, who has accomplished the feat a record four times (2011, ’14-15-16), are the only active players to pull off this double ATP Masters 1000 sweep in the same year:
Novak Djokovic 2011, ’14-15-16
Roger Federer 2005-06
Andre Agassi 2001
Marcelo Rios 1998
Pete Sampras 1994
Michael Chang 1992
Jim Courier 1991
SPANIARDS IN MIAMI FINALS: Nadal is trying to become the first Spanish man to win the Miami Open title.Besides Nadal’s four runner-up showings, three other countrymen have reached the final:
2017 – Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer
2014 – Rafael Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic
2013 – David Ferrer lost to Andy Murray
2011 – Rafael Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic
2008 – Rafael Nadal lost to Nikolay Davydenko
2005 – Rafael Nadal lost to Roger Federer
2003 – Carlos Moya lost to Andre Agassi
1997 – Sergi Bruguera lost to Thomas Muster