ATP Review: Richard Gasquet Got Win In Marrakech; While Fernando Verdasco Losses

Fernando Verdasco the fifth seed was defeated by qualifier Denis Kudla in the first round of the US Men’s Clay Court Championship (USMCCC) taking place in Houston.

Verdasco who is ranked 36th in the world, went a break up, but he was broken back two times by the American. He lost the first set 6-4. The second set ended at a tie break after Kudla set point and saved break, and Verdasco loses his first three service points as he prevailed 7/4. Frances Tiafoe after winning made his way to the next round. He beat wildcard Mackenzie McDonald with the score 6-3 6-3 in the time span of one hour and seven minutes. Read more »

FEDERER AND NADAL SET FOR MONTREAL SHOWDOWN

The tennis community would not have predicted this much renaissance of veterans Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal this year.

Both stars have won most of the masters and Grand Slams this year. With the trend of taking the second half of the year off, both stars are left to clear the rest of the laurels this season.

Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have closed business for the year due to injuries. Andy Murray is struggling with injury and has not made a strong impression this year – he has withdrawn from the Rogers Cup too.

Nadal is the top seed and he is set to topple Murray as the world no. 1. He has won the Rogers Cup thrice in the past, if he reaches the final – as he has failed to reach the final seven other times. With his current form, he is set to at least reach the semi-finals. Nadal might start against Borna Coric though, who has defeated him two out of three times. With Juan Martin del Potro set to meet John Isner in a major first round clash, the event promises excitement. Read more »

ZVEREV HAPPY WITH COMMENDATION FROM FEDERER AND NADAL

Top rated tennis rising star Alexander Zverev is excited that established colleagues are commending his career achievements so far.

The recent Washington title winner is playing in Montreal where he is expected to go far.

Zverev is happy that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadalbelieve he could be world no. 1 someday. However, he acknowledges that he has to improve his game to get there.

“It’s always nice to hear stuff from Roger and from Rafa, that they think I can become the world no. 1. They know what it takes.

“A lot of journalists say: ‘He might be a world No.1, he mightbe a Grand Slam champion.’ But coming from fellow tennis players, it’s something that I see as more value because they know how to do it,” he said. Read more »

RAONIC AND GASQUET TO MISS MONTE CARLO MASTERS

Milos Raonic, the current world No. 6, will not be participating in the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters event.

This is due to a hamstring injury that has been troubling the Canadian star player since sometime in February.

Just before his Delray Beach final event and the Miami Open third-round match respectively, the Canadian was forced to pull out of the events. At the opening Masters 1000 event of the season of Indian Wells, Raonic did not participate at all.

The 26-year old therefore will not be making his seventh main draw appearance this year at the Monte Carlo event. His Monte Carlo campaign came to an abrupt end in the quarter final stage and has been so in the last three years.

Also, France’s Richard Gasquet has equally been ruled out of the first clay court Masters 1000 event so far in this season. This is due to a hamstring issue that has been troubling the player since February. Read more »

ZVEREV WINS TO OPEN SUD DE FRANACE

Alexander Zverev has shocked the tennis world as he defeats two-time defending champions Richard Gasquet to the Open Sud de France title. Zverev stunned to lift his second career title, beating the third seed 7-6 (4), 6-3.

The teenager had lifted his first last year, defeating three-time Grand Slam and respected tennis star Stan Wawrinka at the Saint Petersburg Open in Russia. He made the headlines yet against this time with Gasquet, stopping the star from lifting his career 15th title.

The achievements of the youngster have pushed him to the top echelon of tennis stars – he ranks in the ATP top 50 players as the youngest.

Zverev kept on breaking Gasquet’s serve in each set before making the break in the eight game of the second set. He then served out the match on his way to winning the title. He hit eight aces in the competitive match aside winning 80 percent of his points. He was the fourth seed for the tournament and he ended up proving his worth. Read more »

HALYS HOPES TO BECOME FRANCE’S FIRST MALE GRAND SLAM WINNER

For France, it has been a long period of no Grand Slam jinx since 1983 and Quentin Halys is hoping to be the first male player to win one, thus ending it.

The title was last won by Yannick Noah at the Roland Garros in 1983 and Halys is determined to show that he for one is not a one-trick pony.

The 20-year old, who possesses sublime shot-making skills, is the latest in a long list of the next big things for French tennis.

On a two-day course in the ATP University in London, where young players were introduced formally to the challenges present on the main Tour, Halys had been asked if France’s Slam jinx weighs heavily on his shoulder.

The Parisian had replied saying,

“I feel no pressure because it’s very tough.

“There are so many players like Tomas Berdych or David Ferrer who have never won a slam. It’s not just because you’re French you can’t do it.” Read more »