Who were the best players never to win a Grand Slam title ? - UBITENNIS
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Who were the best players never to win a Grand Slam title ?

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The ESPN.com website made a survey with top tennis experts to come up with a list of the best players, who were never able to win a Grand Slam title.

The list of candidates to join this list are Dominic Thiem (two time Roland Garros champion and 2019 Australian Open runner-up), Milos Raonic (Wimbledon finalist in 2016), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2008 Australian Open finalist) and Kei Nishikori (2014 US Open finalist).

The popular ESPN.com sports website restricts the survey to players, who have already retired from tennis.

The eight contenders are ranked alphabetically.

Guillermo Coria reached a career-high of world number 3. At Grand Slam level the Argentinian player reached the French Open final, two US Open quarter finals and won titles in Hamburg and Monte-Carlo. He was nicknamed the “Wizard” (the Magician) of red dirt.

“He was called the “King of Clay before Rafa. He was lightning fast, and he is still considered one of the best returners ever”, said tennis ESPN analyst Sam Gore.

Coria lost to Gaston Gaudio in the final of the 2004 French Open. The Argentine player served for the match twice and did not convert on two match points. He had a 31-match winning streak on clay between 2003 and 2004 and reached six of the eightclay-court Masters Series finals.

Nikolay Davydenko reached four Grand Slam semifinals (two each at the French and the US Opens and won three Masters series titles (Paris Bercy 2006, Miami 2008 and Shanghai 209) and the ATP Finals in London 2009. The Ukrainian player beat Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin Del Potro at the 2009 ATP Finals in London to win the biggest title of his career. He was one of the most consistent players on the Tour and played 99 matches on the ATP Tour in 2006 and reached the quarter finals or better at 8 of 12 Grand Slam tournaments starting with the 2005 Australian Open. He lost to Roger Federer four times in a row in one quarter final and in three semifinals at Grand Slam tournaments.

David Ferrer reached the French Open final 2013 finishing runner-up to Rafael Nadal and quarter finals or better 17 times. He is the second best Spanish player with 27 titles behind his friend Rafael Nadal, who beat David 26 times in their 32 head-to-head matches.

“Ferrer gets it for his longevity and maximization of potential. Nobody in our body has squeezed their sponge like David, at least not for a very long time”, said Todd Matin, Chef Executive Officer of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Todd Martin reached two Grand Slam finals (Australian Open in 1994 and the US Open in 1999) and four other semifinals. At the 1999 US Open Martin produced a come-back win against Greg Rusedski in the fourth round after midnight en route to reaching the final.

In the 1996 Wimbledon semifinals Martin let slip a 5-1 lead slip away against Malivai Washington, who won the decisive fifth set 10-8. Washington then lost to Richard Kraijcek in the final.

Miroslav Mecir reached two Grand Slam finals at the 1986 US Open and at the 1989 Australian Open and the semifinals at the French Open, Wimbledon and at the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988. Mecir beat Wilander in the 1988 Wimbledon quarter finals. This was the only Grand Slam defeat for Wilander that year. Mecir was nicknamed the Big Cat.

“He was a great mover, especially for a man of his size. He could play on every surface”, said Mecir.

Argentina’s David Nalbandian reached the Wimbledon final in 2002 in just his second year on the ATP Tour and four other Grand Slam semifinals. He won the 2005 ATP Finals title with a win over Roger Federer after 8-6 in the fifth set.

“He had wonderful technique off both sides, a massive talent who had great feel, an excellent serve, and knew when to use the drop-shot”, said Tennis Commentator Annabel Croft.

Marcelo Rios reached the 1998 Australian Open final and three more Grand Slam quarter finals. He won the 1998 Grand Slam Cup. The Chilean player was the only world number 1 player, who never won a Grand Slam title and the first South American player to reach the world number 1 spot.

“Rios is the most talented player that I have seen first hand who did no twin a major. I watched him make so many players uncomfortable. He did it without playing outside himself or his abilities”, said Tennis Channel analyst Paul Annacone.  

Robin Soderling reached the final at Roland Garros in 2009 and 2010 and won the 2010 Masters 1000 title in Paris Bercy. He was the first player to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros ending the Spaniard’s 31-match French Open winning streak. The Swedish player was forced to retire from professional tennis at the age of 31 after contracting a bout of mononucleosis. Soderling won titles on every surface but grass.

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Danil Medvedev could meet Jannik Sinner in the semifinal at the Miami Open

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The Miami Open Main Draw ceremony was held on Monday afternoon. 

Danil Medvedev could face Jannik Sinner in the semifinal of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in a possible re-match of this year’s Australian Open. Both Medvedev and Sinner have been placed in the bottom half of the draw. 

Medvedev is aiming to win the same tournament twice for the first time. The Russian player beat Sinner in the final of last year’s Miami Open. 

Medvedev will start his campaign against either Max Purcell or Marton Fucsovics in the second round. Medvedev could face either Ugo Humbert or Sebastian Baez in a potential fourth round clash. Humbert won two titles in Marseille and Dubai this year. Baez also claimed two trophies in Santiago and Rio de Janeiro this year. 

Medvedev is projected to face either 2022 Miami finalist Casper Ruud or Taylor Fritz in the quarter final. 

Jannik Sinner will take on either Pedro Cachin or a qualifier. The 22-year-old Italian player could face a fourth round match Tommy Paul, who lost to Medvedev in the semifinal of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. 

Sinner is seeded to play against either Hubert Hurkacz or Andrey Rublev. Hurkacz beat Sinner in the Miami Open final in 2021. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Frances Tiafoe are the other players who have been drawn in this quarter. This section of the draw also feature two blockbuster first round matches: Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini and Arthur Fils vs Matteo Arnaldi. 

Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to become the first player to complete the “Sunshine Double” since Roger Federer in 2017. Alcaraz beat Sinner in the semifinal and Medvedev in the final at last week’s Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament. Top seed Alcaraz has been drawn on the opposite side from number 3 Danil Medvedev. 

As both Sinner and Medvedev are in the bottom half and could go head-to-head in the semifinal if they reach this stage, Alcaraz can face only one of those two rivals. 

Alcaraz will face either Alexander Vukic or Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round. The Spaniard could face a blockbuster fourth round match against Ben Shelton, who is the second best US player in the ATP Ranking behind Taylor Fritz. Alcaraz beat Shelton in their only head-to-head match in Toronto last year. Shelton was beaten by Sinner 7-6 6-1 in Indian Wells last week. The US player will face either Los Cabos champion Jordan Thompson or Nino Borges, who beat Matteo Berrettini in the final of the Challenger Tour in Phoenix last week. 

Alcaraz is projected to face a semifinal clash against 2021 Olympic champion Alexander Zverev. 

Zverev, who reached the final in Miami in 2018, will face Felix Auger Aliassime or a qualifier. Zverev’s section of the draw features Holger Rune, two-time Acapulco champion Alex De Minaur, this year’s Doha champion Karen Khachanov, Indian Wells quarter finalist Jiri lehecka, Francisco Cerundolo, who reached the semifinal in 2022 and the quarter final in 2023 in his past two editions of the Miami Open, and unseeded players Kei Nishikori, Lorenzo Sonego and Fabian Maroszan. 

Nishikori, who reached the Miami Open final in 2016, will play his come-back match against Sebastian Ofner. The Japanese player has not played since the Atlanta Open last July due to injury. 

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Nuno Borges beats Matteo Berrettini to win his second consecutive title at the Arizona Classic in Phoenix

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Nuno Borges battled past 2021 Wimbledon champion Matteo Berrettini 7-5 7-6 (7-4) to win his second consecutive title at the Arizona Classic in Phoenix, an ATP Challenger Tour 175 title. 

Borges won 78% of his first serve points in the final and sealed the win on his third match point. 

Berrettini earned an early break to open up a 2-0 lead. Borges broke back at love in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Borges saved a break point in the ninth game before breaking serve to 30 in the 12th game to seal the first set 7-5.  

Borges broke serve in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead in the eighth game with a double fault from Berrettini earning his chance to serve for the match. Berrettini broke straight back for 4-5 and saved a match point in the 11th game. 

Berrettini did not convert two break points in the 11th game. The Italian player saved a match point with a service winner. Berrettini went up a 3-0 lead, but Borges won seven of the next eight points and sealed the win on his third match point, as Berrettini hit his forehand into the net. 

“I could not believe it. I still can’t believe it. It’s an amazing week. I started the week with not the greatest practices. I was not feeling my best. Then I started getting confidence throughout the tournament with the matches and really just impressed myself with how I dealt with all the adversity. One night finishing past midnight. Just stayed really hungry, motivated and pushed myself. I stayed really hungry, motivated and pushed myself. I stayed positive all throughout and all the hard work I put in the week. I am just surprised and happy I am able to celebrate another title here. I am cloud nine”, said Borges. 

Berrettini who was making his come-back following a six-match injury line-off. 

“I thank all fans, who came to support me. It was a crazy week. I did not achieve the result that I would have wanted, but I am happy that I have come back. It was a very tough match. Nuno Borges is playing well. He deserved the win”, said Berrettini. 

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Iga Swiatek is aiming to complete the Sunshine Double for the second time in her career

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The Main Draw of the 2024 Miami Open was unveiled on Sunday. The singles draw features 96 players and the top 32 seeds receive first-round byes. The Miami Open will be held at the Hard Rock Stadium from 19 to 31 March. 

World number 1 Iga Swiatek is aiming to become the second player to complete the Sunshine Double twice after beating Maria Sakkari 6-4 6-0 in the Indian Wells final on Sunday. Swiatek won Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back sweeping the Sunshine Double. Stefanie Graf was the other player, who was able to win the Sunshine Double twice in 1994 and 1996. 

Swiatek won two WTA 1000 titles in Doha and Indian Wells this year and holds a 20-2 record this year. The Polish player won her second Indian Wells trophy without dropping a set in the whole tournament against Danielle Collins in the Round of 64, Linda Noskova in the Round of 32, Yulia Putintseva in the Round of 16, Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter finals, Marta Kostyuk in the semifinal and Maria Sakkari in the final. 

Swiatek will make her debut at the Miami Open against either Magdalena Frech or Camila Giorgi in the second round. The Polish could face Czech rising star Linda Noskova in the third round for the second consecutive Sunshine Double tournament. Noskova beat Swiatek in the third round at the Australian Open. Swiatek avenged his defeat by beating Noskova in Indian Wells. 

Swiatek could meet world number 14 Ekaterina Alexandrova in the fourth round. Alexandrova has been drawn in a tough section which includes Karolina Pliskova, Donna Vekic, Anastasya Pavlyuchenkova and Czech teenager Linda Fruhuvirtova. Pliskova will take on Vekic in the opening round. Pliskova made her successful come-back by winning her first title since 2020 in Cluj Napoca. 

Swiatek is projected to face a potential quarter final match against Jessica Pegula, who won the doubles title with Coco Gauff and reached the semifinal in the singles tournament at last year’s edition of the Miami Open. Pegula started the 2024 season with a win-loss record of 5-3 and is still chasing her first final this year. 

Pegula could meet Leylah Fernandez in the third round and either Jasmine Paolini or Emma Navarro in the fourth round. Paolini won her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai and reached the Round of 16 at last January’s Australian Open. Navarro won in Hobart, reached the semifinals in Auckland and in San Diego and lost to eventual finalist Maria Sakkari in Indian Wells this year.  Navarro will face either Martina Trevisan or a qualifier. 

Coco Gauff leads the second quarter of the draw. The 20-year-old US player will start her campaign against either Ashlyn Krueger or a qualifier and could meet this year’s Indian Wells semifinalist Marta Kostyuk and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the round of 16. Gauff won her first Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open and reached the semifinal at last year’s Australian Open. Gauff lost to eventual finalist Maria Sakkari in the Indian Wells semifinal last week.

Osaka will open her campaign against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who won the WTA 125 in Charleston last week. The Japanese player could play against 16th seed Elina Svitolina in the second round and Caroline Garcia in the third round. Osaka leads 2-1 in her career head-to-head matches against Garcia and have drawn 1-1 this year. Garcia beat Osaka 6-4 7-6 (7-2) at the 2024 Australian Open, but the Japanese player avenged this defeat by defeating her French rival at the Qatar Open in Doha.

Sixth seed Ons Jabeur and Daria Kasatkina are the top 10 seeds in the second quarter. 

Jabeur could face either Indian Wells Anastasia Potapova or former Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins, and either 10th seed Daria Kasatkina or Sorana Cirstea. 

This section of the draw features a first round match against former Grand Slam champions 2018 Miami Open champion Sloane Stephens and Angelique Kerber. Stephens leads 5-2 in her seven head-to-head matches against Kerber. 

Elena Rybakina leads the line-up in the third quarter. The 2023 Indian Wells champion was not able to defend her title last week due to illness. The Kazah player will face either Caroline Dolehide or a qualifier in the first round. The 2022 Wimbledon champion could meet Elise Mertens in the third round and Veronika Kudemertova or Madison Keys in the round of 16. Wild card Venus Williams, who won the Miami Open for the first time in 1998, will take on this year’s Thailand Open champion and last week’s Charleston finalist Diana Schnaider in the first round. The winner of this match will face Keys in the second round.  

Maria Sakkari from Greece has been drawn at the other end of this quarter. Sakkari, who lost the Indian Wells final against Swiatek last Sunday, will face Yue Yuan (winner at the Atlanta Open and Indian Wells quarter finalist) or Anna Blinkova, who won the longest tie-break in a Grand Slam tournament against Rybakina at last January’s Australian Open. Sakkari is projected to face this year’s Australian Open semifinalist Dayana Yastremska in the third round and this year’s Dubai WTA 1000 finalist Anna Kalinskaya. 

Emma Raducanu, who won the US Open title in 2021, will take on China’s Xiyu Wang in the first round. The winner of this match will face Kalinskaya. 

Number 2 seed and two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will face the winner of the first round match between former number 2 Paula Badosa (winner at Indian Wells in 2021) and former world number 1 Simona Halep, who is playing her first tournament since the 2022 US Open. Halep leads 2-0 in her head-to-head matches against Badosa and never dropped more than three games in a set. 

If Sabalenka beats the winner of the match between Halep and Badosa, she could face Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina. The Ukrainian player could meet either Caroline Wozniaki or France’s Clara Burel. 

Sabalenka is projected to face a fourth round match between either Liudmila Samsonova or Barbora Krejcikova and Qinwen Zheng in the quarter final, which could be a re-match of this year’s Australian Open. Zheng could face former world 1 Victoria Azarenka in the third round and Beatriz Haddad Maia and Katie Boulter in the round of 16. 

Petra Kvitova, who beat Rybakina in last year’s final of the Miami Open, will miss this year’s decision because she in a maternity leave. 

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