ATP
Chris a winner? Eu bet he is
HE’S the new hero of men’s tennis in the US, and tipped to go deep in New York next month, but can Christopher Eubanks live up to the growing media hype and deliver?
Eubanks, no youngster at 27, has had a remarkable 2023 season, rising to a lofty No.29 in the ATP rankings – a year ago he wasn’t even in the top 120.
A great run at the Miami Open, where he reached the quarter-finals, a maiden ATP title in Mallorca and a magical appearance at Wimbledon, where he beat fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of 16.
Now he is being tipped for more success, with many saying he’s the ‘dark horse’, easily capable of making the last four at the US Open next month.
After his Wimbledon success he said “All of this gives me a lot of confidence in my ability to compete with some of the best in the world, which maybe wasn’t clear to me a few years ago.
“I’m enjoying the journey, we’ll see where my career takes me, I want to keep working as hard as I’ve done so far.
I’m probably having the most fun playing tennis so I’ll try to keep that momentum going and see where it takes me.”
Eubanks has credited his rise to last year’s US Open, where he beat Pedro Martinez to earn a main draw win, having entered as a qualifier.
“A lot of it kind of started I would say a little bit last year, kind of getting the burden I felt like off my shoulders of never having a Grand Slam win, and I got my first one in at the US Open,” he said.
“I told friends of mine, I said, ‘All right, now I actually feel like a pro.’ Because I felt like for years there were guys who maybe were ranked lower than me at the time but hit third round US Open, or had gotten Grand Slam wins under their belt, and I think I might have been, like, 0-5 or 0-6.”
“Getting my first win under the belt, and then things just kind of started to grow a little bit … and it’s grown a little bit ever since then.
A seed possibly this year? Maybe, and what a story that is. He could well be everyone’s ‘second favourite’ in New York – a place where local partisan support will be loud and in his corner.
ECO-CLOWNS disrupted Andy Murray’s marathon match against Taylor Fritz in Washington on Friday, launching giant tennis balls, pictured below, onto the court before they were escorted from the event by security.
Waving a banner and shouting, the protest was the latest this summer across many sporting events.
Last month Wimbledon suffered from similar protests.
Despite the distraction, Murray had break points for a 4-2 lead in the deciding set before Fritz fought back to take the points to wrap up a win.
IGA Swiatek’s first practice session in Montreal has sparked interest after the world Np.1 wore tape on her mouth.
The Pole was caught with tape on her mouth during a session – a system to improve nasal breathing, allowing for more efficient oxygen intake.
Nasal breathing is also linked to oxygen transmission to key muscles in the body and leads to better performance.
In hot conditions, as New York will likely be, breathing problems can be a problem for players.
WORLD No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has warned fans about scammers asking for money to meet him.
Alcaraz last week issued a warning after discovering con men pretended to be his representatives and asked for money in exchange for meeting him.
In an Instagram story posted on Thursday, Alcaraz wrote:
“It has been brought to my attention that there are individuals who are falsely claiming to represent me and offer fans to meet with me if they pay.
“My team and I are not behind any of this soliciting, nor do I participate in meetings like this! My fans are the best and I am saddened that individuals are trying to take advantage of them.”
SHE’S back… but for how long? That’s the question the tennis world is asking, after Emma Raducanu took her first steps back onto the court last week after months away with injury and then surgery on an ankle and wrist.
The 2021 US Open champion, yes, remember that, posted pictures of herself at the National Tennis Centre in the UK.
Raducanu’s last practice was on April 25 at the Madrid Open. Then followed a media interview which lasted less than a minute. We remember that as well.
Anxious and frustrated that attempts to resolve wrist problems, she announced her withdrawal from the event and then came news she be undergoing surgery.
Raducanu posted on Wednesday a video of herself on court with former British No.1 Kyle Edmund, spotted using a soft Wilson ball that is oversized and used by beginners.
‘August2nd. The fun part. 1st time back on court,’ she posted.
Since surgery Raducanu a has become a globetrotter as she recovers, sharing images of herself in Mexico, Paris and Greece.
Raducanu, who is currently looking for another coach after splitting with German Sebastian Sachs recently, is now ranked outside the top 150.
What a difference two years makes.
BOSNIAN tennis coach Robert Biletic has been banned from tennis for six months after breaking Tennis Anti-Corruption Program rules.
In 2021, Biletic was tournament director at an ITF 25k event and offered a player wildcard entry into the event in exchange for money.
The unknown player reported Biletic to the International Tennis Integrity Agency for investigation.
As part of the ban, Biletic cannot attend, enter or spectate at any ATP, WTA, or ITF event.
NOVAK Djokovic is enjoying a break from tennis before heading for the New York and the US Open.
And Djokovic has a new image – a beard – which has cased mixed feelings among supporters.
“Novak with a mustache and a beard. He doesn’t look like he’s hiding at all, he often wears a cap and glasses,” one said.
“A break from shaving, huh? My husband says it’s a nuisance. Will he shave before leaving for America? What do you guys think? Yes or no?,” asked another.
The comment that caught everyone’s attention was the one comparing Novak to Lionel Messi.
“He is more handsome with a beard, he looks like Messi in his ‘beard mode’. It would be good if he kept it for good and never shaved it,” another said.
Others added that “he is on vacation” and that “shaving is not a priority.”
UNBELIEVABLE… or just a PR gimmick?
Naomi Osaka announced last week she now likes journalists.
During an interview with Mountaintop Conversations Osaka said: “Sometimes I say stuff that I shouldn’t say in the press room, and it often gets me into trouble.
“But it’s because I like journalists, I don’t think they know this but I like talking to them and I like clearing their questions and for me, it’s cool that someone cares enough about me to ask me questions like that.”
She then recalled the French Open controversy.
“But slowly as I started becoming more known, there have been people that I feel their energy is to exploit. So I felt myself becoming more closed-off and I felt my character changing and I didn’t really like that,” she said.
“So at this point when I was thinking ‘I need to take a break, but I can’t take a break from it because then I’ll get fined’.
But then I thought I’d rather take the fine than go through that with my energy.”
At the 2021 French Open, Osaka refused to attend the press conferences, citing mental health concerns. The tournament slapped a $15,000 fine on the Japanese player.
IS there no civility left in tennis?
At the DC Open in Washington last week, Bianca Bianca Andreescu encountered an unwanted hindrance and refused to play before a heckler was removed from the arena.
Andreescu, who was playing Marta Kostyuk, was verbally harassed by the heckler when she missed a serve, cheering and shouting ‘out’.
The Canadian then replied to the man, screaming ‘shut up’ and refusing to play until security removed him.
Security was called to remove the man from the stadium.
Where has decent fan etiquette gone?
AND finally … a touching moment between Andy Murray and a fan in Washington last week.
Carlos Alcaraz ended a four-and-a-half month injury exile with a resounding 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Roman Safiullin on Monday at the US Open to mark his return to the courts after a wrist injury.
The defending champion now ranked third is hoping to become the first man to successfully defend the title here Roger Federer won US Open over five consecutive editions (2004-2008).
“For me it’s been a really tough five months. Being able to step on Arthur Ashe and being able to compete again.. as I said before the tournament, I couldn’t decide to come back in a better tournament than here in New York,” Alcaraz said.
“It’s a really special tenement for me. I tried to enjoy as much as I can. I missed it. I missed the crowd. The energy. I missed competition. I missed everything. 🥹 I’m just really really happy I was able to compete again.”
“On this (Ashe) court, I made my dream. First major. First time becoming No. 1 in the world.
“The warm welcome I receive every time I come here is crazy. I really appreciate it. I really feel the love from the people.”
One-time top 10 regular Stefanos Tsitsipas unleashed a major surprise on Cincinnati winner Arthur Fils with a turnaround 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1, 6-4 win as the French youngster failed to earn a two-set-to-love lead over the Greek.
“I don’t have the answer,” the 10th-seeded Fils said after his collapse in form. “Once the energy went down at the end of the second, I never felt again a good energy.
“I have to talk with my team, but at my level, to do such a mistake is almost unprofessional.”
He added: “I was trying to fight; at one point I broke back early in the fourth, so I was trying to find a way, but not accurate enough on the serve.
“The ball was not going very well out of my racquet. Even if I was fighting, was tough.”
Fils had beaten No. 53 Tsitsipas in all five of heir previous matches
The Greek, playing unseeded for the first time here, reaching the second round for the sixth time as he came from a set and 5-2 down.
Former ATP No. 3 Tsitsipas pronounced himself “speechless” at his success. “It’s an amazing start to the tournament, I’m very proud of myself.
“I’m taking it a day at a time. I don’t wanna be looking too far away. I prefer to stay grounded in the moment. A win like this today matters a lot to me.”
:French veteran Adrian Mannarino, aged 38, fought back from two sets to love down for only the second time in his career to advance past Thiago Tirante 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
The loss ended the dream of the 42nd-ranked Argentine who beat Novak Djokovic in the Cincinnati second round last month as the Serb competed for the first time since Wimbledon at the pre-Open event.
The first-round match began on opening day but was interrupted by night-time rain and concluded on Monday.
Andrey Rublev wore down lucky loser Otto Virtanen as the Finn cramped in the closing stages on the way to a 6-7 (5), 6-7 (0), 6-0, 6-2, 7-6 (5). Virtanen entered the draw as former champion Marin Cilic withdrew.
Main photo:- ‘New look” Carlos Alcaraz celebrates first round win on return from injury – ATPTour.com
Novak Djokovic hit the wall as the 24-time Grand Slam winner vomited at the back of the court and was treated by the trainer during a disheartening first round loss which ended early Monday morning on opening day of the US Open.
The 39-year-old Serb fell ill – he said things have been this way for weeks – as he took a loss to Mariano Navone 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
In addition to his stomach problems, the ailing Serb was seen by the trainer, the doctor and used an inhaler as he complained of cramping and general poor health during a stress test lasting nearly four and three-quarter hours.
The defeat came a fortnight after Djokovic was knocked out in his opening match in Cincinnati after reaching a Wimbledon semi-final.
“It was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It’s something I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year,” Djokovic said early Monday.
“Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain.
“The back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.
He added: “I was up a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match. Congrats to him. He’s a nice guy, a fighter.
But, you know, I didn’t enjoy myself.”
The disappointing end was Djokovic’s earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades and cut off a run of 78 Grand Slam first-round victories going back to a loss to Paul Goldstein at the 2006 Australian Open.
“From the perspective of the crowd and support, it was incredible, honestly from the beginning. They were trying to lift me up in important moments,” Djokovic said.
“I’m very sorry that I, you know, didn’t perform as well as I should have or could have… but the love and appreciation they gave me in the end really touched my heart.”
Seventh seed and 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev came good after losing here a year ago in the first round, posting a win over Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 for his 33rd victory of the season.
Montreal quarter-finalist Daniel Merida defeated Marton Fucsovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to earn the fist straight-set men’s win of the fortnight.
Jiri Lehecka put out two-time semi-finalist Pablo Carreño Busta 6-1, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-2. The win served as revenge after the veteran Spaniard beat the Czech in the Roland Garros first round.
No. 101 Dino Prizmic spent nearly four hours before completing a win over Alexander Shevchenko to advance in five sets.
The 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 success was hard-fought, with Prizmic leading 5-2 and serving for it in the fourth set but needing to go all the way to claim his first victory here after saving two match points.
The Croat has threatened top 10 names in the past, beating Novak Djokovic in Rome and Ben Shelton in Madrid.
Cincinnati quarter-finalist Tommy Paul recovered after losing the opening set, storming back for a 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 win over Hong Kong qualifier Coleman Wong.
Day 1 British results were mixed, with Cam Norrie going down in an upset loss to Frenchman Luca van Assche 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 while debutant Toby Samuel’s earned the biggest win of his career as he stunned Czech Tomas Machac 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.
Former finalist Casper Ruud made a last-minute pull out on Sunday as the US Open began, with the Norwegian still affected by the back injury which forced his retirement only days ago in Cincinnati.
The runner-up four years ago to Carlos Alcaraz has been carrying the problems for several weeks and pulled the plug on his participation on opening day of the season;s final major.
Ruud becomes the 20th player to withdraw,, a list led by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who is dealing with a knee injury and who has not played since winning Wimbledon in July.
Ruud was due to start in New York against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, whom he defeated last month in Montreal.
Ruud now faces a rush to fitness if he is to compete at the Laver Cup in London from September 25.
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