Tipsarevic Keeps Cruising with Kunming Crown
Tipsarevic Keeps Cruising with Kunming Crown
Revisit the week that was on the ATP Challenger Tour as we applaud the achievements of those on the rise and look ahead to who’s in action in the week to come
LOOK BACK
2017 Kunming Challenger (Anning, China): Janko Tipsarevic remains unbeaten on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2017, following another stellar week in Asia.
The former World No. 8 in the Emirates ATP Rankings has won all 20 matches at this level, clinching his fourth Challenger title of the season with a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 triumph over #NextGenATP prospect Quentin Halys.
The Serbian has dropped just two sets during this 20-match streak, including two titles in Bangkok and last week’s trophy in Qingdao. The win streak is the longest run on the ATP Challenger Tour since David Goffin also won 20 in a row in 2014.
Victory over the Frenchman boosted his ranking nine places to World No. 62 and also secured a 15th Challenger trophy, having now won 10 straight finals since 2006.
Tallahassee Tennis Challenger (Florida, U.S.A): Qualifier Blaz Rola built up momentum with eight wins in eight days to lift the title in Tallahassee.
In the longest final on the ATP Challenger Tour so far this season, at two hours and 37 minutes, the Slovenian prevailed past Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-2, 6-7(6), 7-5.
His third ATP Challenger Tour title, a first since Santos, Brazil, two years ago, helps him climb from No. 271 back into the Top 200 at No. 198.
Internazionali di Tennis D’Abruzzo (Francavilla, Italy): Pedro Sousa picked up a maiden ATP Challenger Tour title with a 6-3, 7-6(3) win over second seed Alessandro Giannessi.
The 28 year old is the sixth first-time champion in 2017 and as a reward, moves up 47 places to World No. 172. Sousa is also the first Portuguese winner since Gastao Elias in Mestre, Italy, in May 2016.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Janko Tipsarevic: “It feels very good, I honestly wasn’t expecting to win these tournaments. I knew I could play well, but to win two big ATP Challenger Tour events in a row is really, really good.
“I think it was a high-quality match from both sides,” said Tipsarevic, referring to the final against Halys. “I was just able to take my small chances.
“I feel very tired, my body has been destroyed after these two weeks. The expectations, thinking that you can and should win these matches, is very draining, especially against these difficult opponents.
“I use a hashtag ‘keep digging’ on social media. It’s a metaphor for hard work and without that, there is no other way.”
Blaz Rola: “I don’t know how I did it, it’s not like I had any easy matches. I guess the hard work is paying off. I ended last year on a bad note with injuries, so I had plenty of time to prepare physically, mentally and technically.
“This will definitely help for the rest of the clay season. I don’t want to celebrate too much, maybe a day off before preparing for Savannah. This should give me a lot of confidence for playing on clay in Europe.”
A LOOK AHEAD
The $75,000 Challenger in Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A, leads a triple billing this week. Darian King is top seed of a strong field on the green clay, with Tallahassee champion Rola and finalist Ramanathan set to play, while Stefan Kozlov and Denis Shapovalov spearhead the #NextGenATP contingent.
Onto the red clay at the €64,000 Challenger in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and World No. 103 Norbert Gombos leads the pack with 2010 champion Lukas Rosol in the draw.
The hard courts at the $50,000 Challenger in Gimcheon, South Korea, welcome 2017 Santaizi Challenger champion Yen-Hsun Lu as the top seed. #NextGenATP player Duckhee Lee will also contend for the title in front of a home crowd.
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