Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Karen Khachanov to Reach China Open Semifinals for Second Straight Year

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Alcaraz is one step closer to the China Open title…

The 21-year-old Spanish tennis star, the tournament’s No. 3 seed, advanced to the China Open semifinals for the second straight year after an impressive 7-5, 6-2 victory against Karen Khachanov on Monday.

Alcaraz was characteristically relentless from the baseline and ground down the No. 27-ranked Khachanov’s service games and converted four of 12 service break opportunities to win in 96 minutes.

“I always try to put some pressure when they’re serving just to in a certain way tell them that I’m going to be there,” Alcaraz said. “If they want to win the service game or to beat me, they have to accept the battle and playing a really good tennis. For me, it’s what I’m trying to show them all the time.”

It was Alcaraz’s 46th win of the season and the victory allowed the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion to climb back above the absent Alexander Zverev into second place in the ATP live rankings.

Alcaraz will face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals, after the fifth-ranked Russian beat Flavio Cobolli of Italy 6-2, 6-4.

Carlos Alcaraz Earns 200th ATP Tour Victory

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Alcaraz is celebrating a new ATP milestone…

The 21-year-old Spanish tennis player cruised past Tallon Griekspoor 6-1, 6-2 at the China Open for his 200th tour-level victory on Sunday.

The victory sent Alcaraz to the quarterfinals and made him the third player born in this century to achieve the 200-win feat along with Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

“I’m really happy about it, 200 wins is a great number,” Alcaraz said.

“But I am already looking for the third hundred. I just want to keep going, to keep rolling. I am looking forward to playing matches and to keep doing the things that I am doing.”

In other men’s matches, local favorite Bu Yunchaokete upset Paris Olympics bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti 6-2, 6-4 for the 22-year-old’s first victory against a top 20-player.

The 96th-ranked Bu will next play either fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev or Alejando Davidovich Fokina.

Seventh-seeded Karen Khachanov made 15 fewer winners and four more unforced errors than Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, but found a way to win the big points in a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (9) victory to take him through to the quarterfinals and a matchup against Alcaraz.

Alcaraz needs to make at least the semifinals this week to rise above Alexander Zverev to No. 2 in the rankings. Zverev is not playing in Beijing as he recovers from an illness.

Marcos Giron Defeats Alex Michelsen at Hall of Fame Open to Claim First-Ever ATP Tour Title

Posted on July 21, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Marcos Giron has claimed his first-ever ATP Tour title…

The 30-year-old Argentine and Ecuadorian American professional tennis player defeated Next Gen ATP countryman Alex Michelsen 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-5 to claim the trophy in at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island.

Giron saved match point with an ace at 4-5, 30/40 in the deciding set and clinched the victory with his 13th ace of the match.

“Better late than never. We’ll take it!” Giron said with a laugh. “There are so many people I can thank and couldn’t be more lucky to have them in my life. Family, coaches, friends. For this, it’s really special for me but also for all their help and support though the years.”

Giron, a former college tennis star at UCLA who underwent right hip surgery in December 2015 and left hip surgery in February 2016, reached his first two ATP Tour finals two years ago in San Diego and earlier this season in Dallas.

After a gritty two-hour, 37-minute victory against 19-year-old Michelsen, the veteran Giron can now call himself a tour-level champion.

A critical moment for Giron came when he served at 2-3 in the deciding set. Facing break point, the new No. 38 player in the ATP Live Rankings crushed a courageous forehand winner to escape trouble.

Michelsen was then a shot away from the championship with Giron serving at 4-5, but the older of the two Americans did not allow him to touch the ball with an ace down the T.

The second-seeded Giron saved eight of the nine break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He won 82 per cent of his first-serve points and hit 41 total winners.

“Honestly, Alex, unbelievable tournament, unbelievable match,” Giron told his countryman. “It’s unreal, 19 [years old]. We’ve been practising together. On court, he’s so mature, he’s so good. He’s got such a bright future. I’m happy to get the win now while I can!”

Michelsen did not lose serve en route to the final, his second consecutive championship match appearance in Newport. One year ago, aged 18, the American advanced to the final of the ATP 250 event when he had never previously won a tour-level match.

The teen was trying to become the youngest American ATP Tour champion (and first teenager) since Andy Roddick in Houston in 2002.

Alejandro Tabilo Becomes First Chilean Man to Win Open Era Grass-Court Title at Mallorca Championships

Posted on June 29, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Tabilo has earned his place in Chilean tennis history…

The 27-year-old Chilean professional tennis player became the first Chilean man to win a grass-court title in the Open era at the Mallorca Championships on Saturday.

Tabilo, seeded fourth, defeated the unseeded Sebastian Ofner of Austria 6-3, 6-4 in the final.

A single break decided each set as Tabilo saved all three break chances against him.

He will rise five places to a career-high 19 in the rankings on Monday, the first time in 19 years Chile will have two top-20 players. Nicolas Jarry is the other.

After his second title of the year and career, Tabilo will play local Daniel Evans at Wimbledon.

Ofner follows his first tour final by facing Aleksandar Vukic of Australia at Wimbledon.

Alejandro Tabilo Outlasts Gael Monfils to Reach Mallorca Championships Final

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Tabilo is heading to another ATP Tour final…

The 27-year-old Chilean professional tennis player came from behind to defeat Gael Monfils 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (3) on Friday in the semifinals of the Mallorca Championships, an ATP 250 tournament played on the outdoor grass courts of Mallorca Country Club in Santa Ponsa, Mallorca, Spain one week prior to the Wimbledon Championships.

The match lasted 1 hour and 54 minutes.

Tabilo will next face Sebastian Ofner in the final.

Alejandro added to his prize money €34,095 ($36,551) after winning the match. In total, he has earned €82,715 ($88,674) at the tournament.

If he wins in the final, Tabilo will add €59,080 ($63,336) to his earnings for a tournament grand total of €141,795 ($152,011) in total.

This will be the second time Tabilo and Ofner meet. Tabilo lost that match.

With his performance at the Mallorca Championships, Tabilo has made it to his third final of the season and fourth in his career.

As a result, he’ll reach the Top 20 in the rankings on Monday, July 1, 2024.

He has also reached the doubles final with partner Diego Hidalgo at the Mallorca tournament.

Alex de Minaur Defeats Sebastian Korda to Claim Libema Open Title

Posted on June 16, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Alex de Minaur has earned a second title in 2024…

The 25-year-old Spanish & Uruguayan Australian tennis player dispatched Sebastian Korda 6-2, 6-4 to triumph at the Libema Open to add a second title to his stellar 2024 season.

de Minaur, the tournament’s top seed, produced some trademark elite defense and counterpunching to nullify Korda’s power on the ‘s-Hertogenbosch grass.

With his ninth ATP Tour title, de Minaur on Monday will rise two spots to a career-high No. 7 in the ATP Rankings.

“It achieves a new career-high for me, so that’s always a great little bonus,” said de Minaur in his on-court interview. “My first week on grass couldn’t have gone any better, so I’m looking forward to next week at Queen’s and the whole grass-court season with a smile on my face. I’m glad I was able to get a win here in Holland.”

Competing as the top seed at an ATP Tour event for the first time this week, de Minaur did not drop a set en route to the title at the Dutch grass-court ATP 250.

Against Korda, he reeled off six straight games from 2-2 to seize control of the match. de Minaur ultimately prevailed after breaking his opponent’s serve three times in the second set.

“Obviously it was a great match. Tricky conditions, and Seb is a hell of a player,” said de Minaur. “I’m looking forward to playing doubles with him next week at Queen’s. I’m super happy with the week. It’s been great. Happy days.”

de Minaur converted five of 14 break points he earned in the final, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and the Australian now holds a 33-11 record for the year. Having also defended his title at the ATP 500 in Acapulco in February, this year marks the third time he has won multiple tour-level crowns in one season.

Tomas Martin Etcheverry Defeats Luciano Darderi to Reach Lyon Open Final

Posted on May 24, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Tomas Martin Etcheverry is one win away from his first ATP title.

The 24-year-old Argentine professional tennis player, the No 6 seed, defeated Italian Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the final of the Lyon Open at Parc de la Tête d’or on Friday.

The win, his 50th on the ATP Tour, puts him into his third career main ATP level final after Santiago and Houston in 2023 and he’ll be aiming to win his first ATP title on Saturday.

Etcheverry, ranked No 29, will play the winner of the match between French wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Kazakh Alexander Bublik, the second seed, next.

The Argentine beat Spanish qualifier Nikolas Sanchez Izquierdo (1-6, 6-2, 6-2), Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild (7-5, 3-0 ret.) and German Dominik Koepfer (6-4, 6-1) earlier in the week.

The match lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Tomas Martin Etcheverry Advances to Semifinals at Lyon Open

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Tomas Martin Etcheverry’s quest for his first ATP Tour title is gathering steam…

The 24-year-old Argentine professional tennis player dispatched German Dominik Koepfer 6-4, 6-1 to reach the semifinals on Thursday at the Open Parc in Lyon, France.

Etcheverry faced continued pressure on serve throughout the clash but largely held firm, saving 14 of 15 break points en route to a one-hour, 39-minute win.

“It was a great battle,” Etcheverry said. “Yesterday Dominik won against [Ugo] Humbert and I know he is playing at a high level. He reached the third round in Rome, so he is playing very good on clay. I am really happy to get the win and let’s continue with this level.”

Etcheverry also had to withstand moments of magic from Koepfer, who produced one of the shots of the year in the first set when he tracked down a lob and hit a forehand scoop that looped over a standard Etcheverry.

Into his sixth tour-level semifinal, Etcheverry will next face Italian Luciano Darderi after the Cordoba winner received a walkover from Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.

The sixth seed Etcheverry is chasing his first title, having lost finals in Santiago and Houston last season. The No. 29 player in the ATP Rankings reached the last four in Houston and Barcelona earlier this year.

Second seed Alexander Bublik reached his first clay-court ATP Tour semifinal with a 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-3 win against Pavel Kotov.

Bublilk fired 32 winners, including 11 aces, to triumph after three hours and 11 minutes at the ATP 250. The 26-year-old is chasing his second trophy of the season after winning in Montpellier in February.

He will next play French wild card Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or French qualifier Hugo Gaston.

Roberto Carballes Baena Defeats Pabel Kotov to Reach Marrakech Open Final

Posted on April 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Roberto Carballes Baena is one win away from his third ATP Tour title…

The 31-year-old Spanish tennis player and the tournament’s defending champion advanced to the final of the Marrakech Open by defeating Russia’s Pavel Kotov in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, at Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech.

Carballes Baena, ranked No 64, will play the Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, who defeated Argentina’s Mariano Navone, the No 7 seed.

In the previous rounds of the Marrakech tournament, Carballes Baena won against Italian qualifier Matteo Gigante (6-2, 2-0 ret.), No 3 seed Daniel Evans (6-4, 7-6 (3)) and American qualifier Nicolas Moreno De Alboran (6-4, 4-6, 6-4).

Kotov, ranked No 68, beat Moroccan wildcard Elliot Benchetrit (7-5, 6-3), Italian Flavio Cobolli, the No 8 seed (6-1, 7-6 (5)) and Italian qualifier Fabio Fognini (6-1, 6-2) earlier in the tournament.

Carballes Baena previously claimed the 2018 Ecuador Open and 2023 Grand Prix Hassan II titles.

Pedro Martinez Edges Past Defending Champion Casper Ruud to Reach Estoril Open Final

Posted on April 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Pedro Martinez has pulled off the upset while logging his first win against an ATP Top 10 player …

The 26-year-old Spanish professional tennis player reached the final of the Estoril Open by edging past Norway’s Casper Ruud, the top seed and defending champion, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Clube de Ténis do Estoril on Saturday evening.

In what was a match-of-the-week contender, the pair battled it out for three hours, seven minutes in the semifinal clash – well over the length of Ruud’s previous two matches combined.

Both played at a high level, with Ruud coming back from 5-1 down in the deciding set, including an epic 16-minute game at 5-2 that saw Ruud overcome three match points.

Martinez, however, played brilliant attacking tennis, and now moves into his third ATP final. He is on a nine-match winning streak as well, having claimed the Challenger in Girona last week.

“If I wanted to win I had to play my best, and even if like this, I might not win,” said Martinez after his victory over Ruud. “At the end I was a little bit nervous, but I’m happy I got the win.”

This was the first top 10 victory for world No 77 Martinez in seven attempts. Next up, he’ll face another top 10 player in Hubert Hurkacz, the second seed.

“Casper is a top 10, Hubert is a top 10,” declared Martinez. “For sure if I want to win again it’s going to be a big battle, I’m going to give everything.”

Earlier in the tournament, the Spaniard won against Germany’s Daniel Altmaier (6-4, 6-2), Roberto Bautista Agut (7-5, 6-4) and French lucky loser Richard Gasquet (6-4, 6-4).

Ruud, ranked No 8, defeated Botic van de Zandschulp (6-1, 6-2) and Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics (6-3, 6-2) in the previous rounds of the Estoril tournament.

Hurkacz beat Cristian Garin 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, in the Estoril ATP 250 final.

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