ATP

Andrey Kuznetsov stuns Stan Wawrinka in Miami second round, Milos Raonic starts with a win

Published

4 years ago

26/03/2016

Andrey Kuznetsov earned the biggest win of his career by stunning Stan Wawrinka in Miami (Image via Zimbio.com)

Andrey Kuznetsov earned the biggest win of his career to date, as he defeated fourth seed and defending Roland Garros champion Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-3 in the second round of the Miami Masters.

Kuznetsov proved dominant on first serve, dropping just four points in the first from that wing. However, he lost more than half his second serve points. Despite this he was able to save all four break points he faced and managed to break the two-time Grand Slam champion before serving out for the surprise set advantage.

Wawrinka was struggling, offering chances on both serves, while Kuznetsov improved his second serve in stanza two. The set repeated itself as Kuznetsov saved all four break points he faced in the set and again took the break, this time earlier than in the first. Wawrinka’s game was in trouble as he was broken twice in the second by the Russian, who registered just his second win against a Top Ten opponent.

“I just tried to keep the pressure on him” was Kuznetsov’s reply when pressed for a response as to how he pulled off the shock victory.

Milos Raonic’s participation in Miami was in some doubt after suffering injury in the Indian Wells final. He did play, and win against the United States’ Denis Kudla, but it an unconvincing 7-6, 6-4 win. Kudla was the stronger missing four chances to break in the first, before paying the price in the first set tie-break. Kudla again failed to turn break points into breaks, spurning two chances. Raonic took one from two chances and held his serve through to the end.

There was one American winner early on Saturday, as Jack Sock moved past Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-2, 3-2 ret. Stakhovsky had missed Indian Wells through injury and evidently was not completely comfortable retiring midway through the second set. Sock will next face Raonic, with the Canadian having won six of their total seven meetings.

Kei Nishikori eased past Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2, 7-6, and there were straight sets wins for Alexandr Dolgopolov and Gael Monfils against Andreas Seppi and Tatusma Ito respectively.

Rafael Nadal, John Isner, and Andy Murray are amongst the seeds in action later, with Nick Kyrgios also taking on Cypriot Marcos Bagdhatis.

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ATP

(VIDEO) Novak Djokovic Makes Tearful Tribute To Mentor Kobe Bryant After Australian Open Win

The world No.2 pays his respect to ‘one of the greatest athletes of all time’ on the Rod Laver Arena.

Published

20 hours ago

28/01/2020

Adam Addicott

Novak Djokovic posing for a photo ahead of his quarter-final match with Milos Raonic at the Australian Open (image via https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen)

World No.2 Novak Djokovic shed tears following his quarter-final win over Milos Raonic after paying tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

The 16-time grand slam champion took to the Rod Laver Arena wearing a green zip-up top. On the top right of his jacket with Bryant’s initial along with the numbers 8 and 24. The jersey numbers Bryant worn throughout his 20-year NBA career with the LA Lakers. A love heart was also placed under the numbers on Djokovic’s top.

“’I don’t know what we could say. It really caught us by surprise.” An emotional Djokovic said during his on-court interview with John McEnroe on Tuesday.
‘He was one of the greatest athletes of all time, he inspired myself and many other people around the world. I had that fortune to have a personal relationship with him over the last 10 years.’
‘When I needed some advice and support, he was there for me. He was my mentor, my friend, it’s just heartbreaking to see what has happened to him and his daughter. It’s unbelievable.’

Bryant was killed on Sunday in a helicopter crash that also claimed the life of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others. As an athlete, he achieved numerous milestones. Including being named the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player and two-time NBA Finals MVP. He was also a two-time Olympic gold medallist and played in 18 All Star Games.

Just days before Bryant’s death, Djokovic spoke about their friendship during an interview with ESPN. Praising him for the support he received during his elbow injury and fall in the rankings during 2017 and the start of 2018. Reflecting on the conversations the two have had, he said he received some ‘valuable guidance.’

“Kobe has been one of my mentors,” Djokovic told ESPN. “I’ve had several phone conversations with him and also of course when we see each other live in the past couple of years. When I was going through the injury with my elbow and struggling to mentally and emotionally handle all of these different things that were happening to me and dropping in the Rankings and then having to work my way up, he was one of the people who was really there for me to give me some very valuable advice and guidelines to kind of believe and trust in myself, trust the process that I’ll be back.”

Djokovic will play Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

The tribute can be watched below (from 00:30 to 01:40)

ATP

Dominic Thiem reaches his first quarter final at the Australian Open

Published

2 days ago

27/01/2020

sampaolo

Dominic Thiem eased past Gael Monfils 6-2 6-4 6-4 after 1 hour and 50 minutes on the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to reach the quarter final at the Australian Open. Thiem has extended his winning streak to 6-0 in his head-to-head matches against Monfils.

He fought back from two sets to one down to beat Australia’s Alex Bolt in the second round, but he won eight of his past nine sets to advance to the quarter finals.

Thiem got two breaks in the first set and never faced a single break point in the entire match. The Austrian player converted his fourth break point after three deuces, as Monfils missed a backhand volley wide. Thiem started the third set with an early break in the first game, as Monfils hit an inside-out forehand wide from the middle of the court wide. Thiem won his next service games and held his final game at love.

Thiem will face Rafael Nadal in a re-match of last year’s Roland Garros final.

“I think that I played my best match so far at this year’s Australian Open. It’s a very good feeling. The score looks way easier than the match was. I think I was lucky to make an early break in each set and I was managing to hold my serve well. I am so happy because I am in the quarter final here for the first time”, said Thiem.

ATP

Alexander Zverev tops Andrey Rublev to set Australian Open quarter final against Stan Wawrinka

Published

2 days ago

27/01/2020

sampaolo

Alexander Zverev beat his friend Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-4 6-4 in one hour and 37 minutes to reach the quarter final at the Australian Open for the first time in his career and his third at Grand Slam level.

Zverev broke serve once in each set. The German player has not dropped a set at this year’s edition of the Australian Open.

Zverev ended Rublev’s 15-match winning streak. Rublev had not lost a match since October, winning four matches at the Davis Cup last November and back-to-back titles in Doha and Adelaide.

In the opening set Zverev earned his first break at 3-3, as Rublev hit a forehand into the net. He held his serve to consolidate the break and wrapped up the first set after 29 minutes, when Rublev hit a crosscourt backhand wide.

Zverev started the second set with an immediate break in the first game of the second set and closed it out with a hold at love with an ace after 29 minutes.

Zverev broke serve for the third time in the match in the ninth game of the third set to take a 5-4, when Rublev made a groundstroke error, and sealed the win with a forehand volley.

“It feels amazing. I played some great matches against some great opponents. This is Andrey’s first loss of the season, having won two tournaments and getting through to the fourth round with unbelievable tennis. I have known Andrey since we were ten years old. I think he will be top 15, top 10 very soon. I am just happy and I hope I can continue”,said Zverev.

Zverev will face Stan Wawrinka in the quarter final. The German star beat Wawrinka twice in their previous two head-to-head matches in St. Petersburg 2016 and Miami 2017.