ATP

Master 1000 Paris: Berdych secures his place in the ATP Finals. Raonic beats Federer

Published

9 years ago

31/10/2014

TENNIS MASTER 1000 PARIS – Milos Raonic kept his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals alive by beating Federer 7-6, 7-5 for the first time in his career. Earlier in the day Tomas Berdych secured his berth for the World Tour Finals by beating Kevin Anderson 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.

In the first two quarter finals of the day at the Master 1000 Paris-Bercy Tomas Berdych secured his place for the World Tour Finals in London and Milos Raonic remained in contention for the last available place for the end-of-year tournament. The Czech won his quarter final match against Kevin Anderson coming back from a set down extending his winning streak against the South African to 12 matches and no defeats. The Canadian won his first ever match against the Swiss at his sixth attempt. Tomorrow Berdych and Raonic will face each other for a place in the final.

Raonic d. Federer 7-6(5), 7-5

Milos Raonic finally cancelled the zero in the head to head statistics with Roger Federer. The Swiss had won all the six previous meetings with the Canadian, but this it was the seventh seed who came out victorious. Raonic won 7-6(5), 7-5 in one hour and thirty two minutes of play keeping himself in the race for a place at the ATP Finals and moving the pressure now on Ferrer to beat Nishikori.

Federer lost harming his chances to return to the number one spot in the rankings, but today he was almost powerless to stop Raonic who played one of his best matches, certainly it was one of his most determined performances.

In the first set, as easily predictable, there were few chances for breaks. The only one happened to the Canadian in the sixth game. He earned the first and only break point of the set with a deep forehand return to the feet of Federer who couldn’t return the ball in the court. The Swiss saved the break point with a forehand winner. The set was decided at the tie-break which started with three consecutive mini-breaks which left Raonic ahead 3-1. The Canadian didn’t relinquish the lead earning himself three set points at 6-3. The first two set points were on Federer’s serve and the Swiss saved both, the third was on Raonic’s serve and he ended the set with his 11th ace of the match.

The drama in the second set all came at the end in the last three games. With the score at 5-4 for the Swiss, Raonic was serving to stay in the set. At 30 all the Canadian tried a stop volley but Federer reached the ball and passed with a passing shot in the ample space left by his opponent. It was Federer’s first break point of the match and a set point, but Raonic ended the Swiss’ hopes with his favoured weapon, his serve. In the next game Raonic broke serve. He got to break point with an outstanding return and then punished Federer with a backhand cross court passing shot. The seventh seed served for the match at 6-5 and he didn’t falter ending the contest after 1 hour and thirty two minutes with ace number twenty one of his match.

Federer’s chances to recapture the World Number one spot have been dented, but all is not lost. “I always thought it was going to get solved in London. What this means is I will have a good preparation for London.” said Federer, “It’s not that I didn’t want to win here, but I knew it was going to be tough from the start. I accept that. Now I will continue to prepare for London. I’m going to stay on indoors now. Obviously two days more is big. So I’m looking forward to some days off right now, really resting my body to the max in a short period of time. I have plenty of days now to get ready for London, which is kind of nice, as well. So I can actually properly practise for a change as well again.”

“Clearly he served well when he had to. I mean, it was a classic indoor match. Few shots here and there went his way today Really credit to him. When I did have the chance, he was there, as well. I didn’t do much wrong, either. It hurts to lose that way. Clearly he served well when he had to. I mean, it was a classic indoor match. Few shots here and there went his way today Really credit to him. When I did have the chance, he was there, as well.”

“I think this was the biggest win for me,“ said Raonic after the match. “I’m very motivated (to qualify for the ATP Finals). I think I have been sort of trying to find this level, fortunately I have been able to do so this week. I definitely struggled the last few weeks. If it wasn’t sort of me biting away the whole time and having that kind of motivation to need and to want to do well here, I don’t think I’d find the answers that I have this week.”

Berdych d. Anderson 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4

Tomas Berdych booked his place for the ATP Finals by winning his quarter finals match against Kevin Anderson 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and thirty-three minutes. The Czech player made life difficult for himself and could ave won this match more comfortably, but as in previous matches he struggled to kill the match when he had the opportunity. Berdych’s difficulties in closing the match should not detract from the good match played by the South African who was still unable to beat his rival after 12 matches.

In the first set the fifth seed took an early break, but he couldn’t hold onto his lead and ended up losing the set at the tie-break 7-4. In the second set Berdych was again the first to break serve and this time he didn’t give up the advantage and won the second set 6-4 without giving Anderson a break point. The third set saw the South African make the first break in the fourth game, but his lead was short lived as Berdych broke back immediately. The Czech made a second break in the ninth game which then allowed him to serve out for a place in the semifinal which he did.

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ATP

Rafael Nadal To Play Laver Cup In Berlin

Published

20 hours ago

22/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Rafael Nadal has eased speculation that he might be retiring from the sport soon after signing on to play in the Laver Cup later this year.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is the latest player to join the line-up for this year’s team competition which features Europe taking on the rest of the world over three days. It will be Nadal’s fourth appearance in the competition and his first since 2022. He competed in the inaugural edition of the event back in 2017 alongside co-founder Roger Federer.

“I am very happy to be playing Laver Cup in Berlin for Team Europe,” Nadal said in a press release. “I have some really special memories from my Laver Cup experiences, including all the emotions from London two years ago playing alongside Roger for the last time.”

Nadal’s decision to play comes amid questions about his future in the sport. The former world No.1 has previously indicated that this year could be his last on the Tour but he has stated that no decision has been made. In recent months he has been sidelined from action due to injury setbacks and has only been able to play in two tournaments so far this year.

“At this stage in my career I really want to go out there and make the most of every opportunity I am given,” he explains.
“Teaming up is always an incredible experience and I have always enjoyed it, the competition is different and exciting. I’m looking forward to going to Berlin and helping Team Europe win back the Laver Cup.”

Other European players confirmed to be playing are Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul have agreed to play for Team World. This year’s event will be held in Belin at the Uber Arena between September 20-22.

The Laver Cup was inspired by golf’s Ryder Cup. It was co-founded by Federer’s Team8 management company (which he formed with agent Tony Godsick), businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia. In 2019 it became an official ATP sanction event and now has a place on the official calendar.

Nadal is set to return to competitive action at the Madrid Masters which he has won on five previous occasions. He has been drawn to play teenage wild card Darwin Blanch in the first round. If he wins, Nadal will then play Alex de Minaur who knocked him out of the Barcelona Open last week.

ATP

Carlos Alcaraz In Doubt For Madrid Open Title Defence

Published

1 week ago

16/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Carlos Alcaraz admits that he is not certain if he will be ready in time to play at next week’s Madrid Masters.

The 20-year-old is yet to play a clay tournament in Europe due to a forearm injury which ruled him out of both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He hurt his right arm whilst training shortly before the Monte Carlo event began.

It is the latest in a series of injury issues that has affected Alcaraz throughout his young career. Since the start of 2023, he has also been derailed by issues with his abdominal, hamstring, post-traumatic arthritis in his left hand and muscular discomfort in his spine.

“My feeling isn’t right, but it is what it is. Now I’m fully focused on recovery and I have a little more time,” Alcaraz told reporters in Barcelona on Monday.
“My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain. I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
“I can’t say I’ll be 100% in Madrid, but that’s my intention. We’ll train and do everything we can so that the feelings improve so I can play a match … It’s also a very special tournament for me.”

Alcaraz has won the past two editions of the Madrid Open, which is classed as a Masters 1000 event. In 2022 he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final and then 12 months later he beat Jan-Lennard Struff in the title match.

The setback comes after what has been a steady start to the year for Alcaraz who has reached the quarter-finals or better in four out of five tournaments played. He successfully defended his title in Indian Wells and then reached the semi-finals in Miami.

Should he not play in Madrid, it is likely that the Spaniard will lose his No.2 spot to Jannik Sinner who is just over 100 points behind him in the standings. He will still have the chance to play a clay-court event before the French Open with Rome taking place early next month.

ATP

Olympic Qualification Is Not the Only Goal For French Veteran Gael Monfils

Published

2 weeks ago

10/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Gael Monfils (image via https://twitter.com/atptour)

Gael Monfils admits he doesn’t have too many years left on the Tour but this doesn’t mean his targets are any less ambitious.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise up the rankings over the past 12 months following battles with injury. At his lowest, he was ranked 394th last May but is now in 40th position. As a result, he is closing on securing a place in the Olympic Games which is being held in his home country of France for the first time since 1924. The tennis event will be staged at Roland Garros.

“When I was 400, I was thinking the Olympics would be great, but it’s going to be tough,” Monfils told reporters on Tuesday.
“There are younger players playing well. If I don’t qualify, I don’t mind. It will just mean I’m very close to the ranking I want to be. That ranking will allow me to find another goal.”

Monfils is already a three-time Olympian but has never won a medal at the event. He reached the quarter-finals of the singles tournament twice in 2008 and 2016.

Another goal of Frenchmen is the Wimbledon championships which concludes just three weeks before the Olympics begin. The proximity of these tournaments will be a challenge to all players who will be going from playing on clay to grass and then back to clay again.

“I really want to go and play Wimbledon. I don’t have so many Wimbledons to play in the future. The Olympics is one goal, not the only goal.” Monfils states.
“My dream is of course to be part of the Olympics. I played three times at the Olympics. I’d like to be there again. But I also really want to do well in Wimbledon this year. To reach my goal, it has to be including Wimbledon.” He added.

Monfils is currently playing at the Monte Carlo Masters where he beat Aleksandar Vukic in his opening match. In the next round, he will take on Daniil Medvedev in what will be their first meeting since 2022. He leads their head-to-head 2-1.

Medvedev has openly spoken about his roller-coaster relationship with playing on the clay. He admits it is not his favourite surface but how much of a factor could this be in his upcoming clash with Monfils?

“Of course, it’s not his favourite one, but he’s still Daniil Medvedev, and whatever the surface, it’s always very complicated to play him,” Monfils concludes.