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Molteni/Nys March On In Bastad

Andres Molteni and Hugo Nys earned victory on their team debut Tuesday, overcoming Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second round at the Nordea Open in Bastad.

The Argentine-French tandem saved both break points they faced to advance after 74 minutes. They will next play fourth seeds Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez or Lukasz Kubot and Filip Bergevi.

Fabrice Martin and Franko Skugor provided the shock of the day, upsetting top seeds Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop 7-6(3), 6-3. The French-Croatian pair, who were playing together for the first time, won 81 per cent (38/47) of first-serve points to triumph.

In other action, Pablo Carreno Busta and Joao Sousa defeated Aslan Karatsev and Philipp Oswald 7-6(3), 7-6(5), while Marc-Andrea Huesler backed up his singles win over Holger Rune by teaming with Pavel Kotov to eliminate Leo Borg and Elias Ymer 6-1, 6-4 in 55 minutes.

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Thiem Returns To Winning Ways In Bastad

It has been a long wait, but Dominic Thiem is a winner on the ATP Tour once again.

The former World No. 3 battled to a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(5) first-round victory against Emil Ruusuvuori on Tuesday afternoon at the Nordea Open in Bastad. It was the Austrian’s first tour-level win for 14 months, nine of which the 2020 US Open champion spent out of action due to a wrist injury.

“It’s a long time,” said Thiem in his on-court interview. “My last victory was in Rome in 2021, it feels like a different world somehow. Many, many things happened. It was tough, but it was also a very good experience, I think, for life in general. I’m so happy that I got this first victory here today.”

Thiem was under pressure early against the World No. 43 Ruusuvuori in the pair’s first ATP Head2Head meeting. The Finn raced to an unassailable 5-1 lead in the opening set, but Thiem raised his level to roar back into contention by reeling off five games in a row in the second set to level proceedings.

Despite some nervous moments in the deciding-set tie-break, Thiem stayed solid to clinch just his second win at any level in 2022 having saved eight from 12 break points against the clean-hitting Finn.

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Former Champion Johnson Makes Good Start In Newport

Steve Johnson, the 2018 Infosys Hall of Fame Open champion, made a good start to his pursuit of a second Newport title on Monday.

The American defeated countryman Stefan Kozlov 7-5, 6-3 to reach the second round at the final tour-level grass-court event of the season.

"[My level was] decent when it needed to be decent and average when it needed to be better. I thought I played well at the end of sets, but there was a stretch there in the middle of both sets that I didn't like the way I was playing and executing," Johnson said. "But when you're not doing that and you still get a win, that's a good sign."

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This was the fourth time this year at all levels that Johnson and Kozlov have clashed. After Kozlov took the first two meetings, Johnson has now claimed two in a row, with both coming on grass.

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Federer Joins Krajicek & Vergeer At Special Charity Clinic In Amsterdam

While all eyes were on Wimbledon last week, three legends of the sport made an impact of their own away from the grass courts of the All England Club.

On 4 July, Roger Federer joined fellow Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award winner Richard Krajicek and wheelchair tennis icon Esther Vergeer for a clinic at Krajicek Playground Reigersbos in Amsterdam, providing a special day for children supported by the Krajicek Foundation and the Esther Vergeer Foundation.

“It was a pleasure playing tennis with all the children. Tennis has connected Esther, Richard and myself throughout our whole career, so I think it’s nice for us to stand on a court together and motivate and inspire the new generation of players,” Federer said. “It’s great that the Roger Federer Foundation, The Krajicek Foundation and Esther Vergeer Foundation are all connected through the Postcode Lottery.  I enjoyed myself a lot here in the Netherlands. And I hope I will see a future champion from here.  

“I want to congratulate Richard and Esther on everything they do with their foundation and also on their incredible careers.”


Photo Credit: Gilian van Twist
The Krajicek Foundation serves vulnerable children in the Netherlands by helping them play sports in a safe environment. The Foundation, which received an ATP ACES For Charity grant in 2020, builds Krajicek Playgrounds to help create leaders who can make an impact on other children in their community.

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Peter Burwash, Influential Manager and Coach, Dies Aged 77

Former Canadian player Peter Burwash, one of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs and coaches, passed away last Thursday (7 July) aged 77.

Burwash earned a physical education degree at the University of Toronto, where he played both ice hockey and tennis. He won 19 singles and doubles titles as a touring tennis pro from 1968 to 1975, when he founded Peter Burwash International (PBI), a leading tennis management company.

Burwash, one of the Association of Tennis Professional founders in 1972, went on to introduce new standards to the teaching industry as an original USTPA Master Professional member. Burwash and his coaching team worked with the likes of Venus and Serena Williams, Leander Paes, Greg Rusedski and Sebastien Lareau.

Burwash also used his experience as a motivational speaker to influence the health, hospitality, business and travel industries. He worked as a colour television commentator for CBC and TSN, was a CBS radio host, contributed to Tennis magazine for 25 years and was the author of 13 books, ranging from tennis, aerobics and vegetarianism.

Burwash, who had been inducted into six Hall of Fames, passed away in his hometown of Carmel, California, and is survived by his wife, Lynn, and their daughters Kimberley and Skyler.

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Quiz: Tennis Genius. Dreams. Rooting For Rafa. Who Said It At 2022 Wimbledon?

With the 2022 edition of Wimbledon in the books, let's relive some highlights through memorable quotes from The Championships. 

Who called first-time Grand Slam finalist Nick Kyrgios a "tennis genius"? Which WTA star – Emma Raducanu, Iga Swiatek or Serena Williams – mentioned that she's always "rooting for Rafa"? Which American enjoyed a breakthrough win on the 4th of July?

Let's find out how closely you followed the action at Wimbledon. Take this quiz, share your results and challenge your tennis friends!


Who Said It: 2022 Wimbledon Edition

1. "You cannot prepare [for a] match against Nick Kyrgios. Nick Kyrgios is a genius, tennis genius."

2. "I hope I can come back here one more time."

3. "People say as a kid they dreamed of winning Wimbledon. I don't even know if I did that."

4. "Obviously I'm always rooting for Rafa. He's been really inspiring in everything that he's done this year. And he has a lot more to do."

5. "I don't take any wins for granted, and particularly not [at] Wimbledon."

6. "A first Grand Slam quarter-final, it’s a really big deal. To be a part of the final eight, and I’m glad I could get the win on the fourth of July, being an American."

7. "[I] feel like my fire's been lit this whole year."

8. "From the outside it obviously looks like a fairytale because it came out of nowhere for a lot of people."

Keep practising, hard

 

On the rise

 

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Carreno Busta Holds Off Wawrinka In Bastad Opener

Pablo Carreno Busta could not have asked for a much tougher first-round draw at the Nordea Open in Bastad on Monday, but the Spaniard found an impressive level to overcome 16-time tour-level titlist Stan Wawrinka at the ATP 250 event.

The fifth-seeded Carreno Busta claimed a break in each set to prevail 7-5, 6-4 in a high-quality encounter against the former World No. 3, who showed flashes of his trademark thunderous groundstrokes in just his sixth tour-level tournament since missing 13 months with a foot injury.

“It was a very tough match for me in the first round,” said Carreno Busta in his on-court interview. “Against Stan it is always very difficult to start the tournament, so I’m happy because I thought my level was good. I played very solid from the baseline. It was a bit difficult with the wind, but I thought my serve was very good throughout the match. It was very important to my game.”

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Carreno Busta has endured a tough run on the clay of late, going 1-4 on the surface since reaching the final at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell in April. Yet despite Wawrinka firing 10 aces and winning 90 per cent (27/30) of points behind his first serve to keep the Spaniard under pressure in Sweden, Carreno Busta was clinical in converting two of his six break point opportunities to triumph in one hour, 24 minutes.

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Djokovic: 'I Don't Take Any Wins For Granted'

It was a familiar scene on Centre Court Sunday. Just moments after securing another Wimbledon title, the Serbian knelt down, pulled a piece of grass from the court and tasted his victory.

On this occasion, that bite was extra sweet. Djokovic claimed his first major title of the season and his 21st Grand Slam overall by defeating Nick Kyrgios in an exciting four-set final.

“Obviously over the moon with joy and happiness of experiencing this moment once again. I've said it many times, this tournament is extra special for me because it has been the first tournament that I've ever watched as a kid that got me to start playing tennis,” Djokovic said. “I don't take any wins for granted, and particularly not [at] Wimbledon. In contrary, actually every time feels a bit different, special in its own way. Of course, having family and close people in my life here to share this victory with them, it was beautiful.”

This time one year ago, Djokovic earned his third major of the 2021 season and positioned himself for a run at the Grand Slam — lifting all four major trophies in a calendar year. Entering this edition of The Championships, however, he had only claimed one trophy for the season.

That did not spoil the Serbian’s confidence, though. The 35-year-old has now won four straight Wimbledon titles and has not lost a completed match at the tournament since the third round in 2016 against Sam Querrey.

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Brain Game: The Moment Djokovic Flipped The Wimbledon Final Against Kyrgios

The longest rally had the biggest effect on the final outcome.

Novak Djokovic defeated Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) in the Wimbledon final on Sunday, turning around his fortunes early in the second set by finding his consistency and rhythm in a 23-shot rally when serving at 1-1, 30/30. It was the longest point of the match, and the exact tonic Djokovic needed to reinvigorate his game after dropping the opening set. He won that long point and a 19-shot rally on the next point at 40/30.

Those two points were the dividing line in the match. They signaled exactly when the momentum shifted and where Djokovic took control of the match with his championship mojo. The following breakdown identifies the change in fortunes in extended rallies before this moment in time and after it.

Rallies Of 9+ Shots
First 8 Rallies (Up to 1-1, 30/30, Second set): Kyrgios won 7/Djokovic won 1
Rest Of The Match: Kyrgios won 3/Djokovic won 16

Djokovic’s confidence was suddenly brimming after hammering home his advantage in longer rallies, and he broke Kyrgios’ serve to love in the next game. It was the first time Djokovic had broken Kyrgios in just more than five sets of tennis, dating back to their two matches in 2017, which the Australian won. Breaking serve broke the focus and concentration of Kyrgios, whose body language became increasingly irritated for the remainder of the match.

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Ivanisevic Praises Djokovic's Wimbledon Win, Calls Kyrgios 'Tennis Genius'

Novak Djokovic clawed closer to Rafael Nadal’s men’s singles record of 21 Grand Slam titles on Sunday when he defeated Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final. The Serbian’s coach, 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, was ecstatic for his charge.

“For me he was a favourite here. Before the tournament he really played some unbelievable tennis. But you still need to win the tournament, so it was not easy,” Ivanisevic said. “But [a] Grand Slam is a Grand Slam. He [has] 21. He really deserves it. He really deserves it.”

At the same time, Ivanisevic was highly complimentary of first-time major finalist Kyrgios, who pushed Djokovic to a fourth-set tie-break. The Croatian explained what makes facing the Australian so difficult.

“You cannot prepare [for a] match against Nick Kyrgios. Nick Kyrgios is a genius, tennis genius. He doesn't know what he's going to play next in the point,” Ivanisevic said. “We just concentrate [on] what Novak has to do, the things he has to do, the things he has to be careful [of]. When somebody [is] serving like Nick Kyrgios — for me [he] is the best server in the game by far. Unbelievable tennis player. [He] is very unpredictable.”

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Kyrgios: ‘I Was Right There’ With Djokovic

Nick Kyrgios believes he has the game to challenge for the biggest titles in the future as he looks to take confidence from his run to his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon.

The Australian won the first set against Novak Djokovic Sunday, before the Serbian turned the tables to clinch his seventh crown at The Championships on Centre Court.

“My level is right there. I feel like you look at what Novak has done to some other opponents, it's not a good feeling. But I'm right there,” Kyrgios said in his post-match press conference. “I'm not behind the eight ball at all. I played a Slam final against one of the greatest of all time, and I was right there.

“[I will take] confidence. It was a hell of an occasion… I came out in the first set and I looked like I was the one who had played in a lot of finals. I thought I dealt with the pressure pretty well.”

The Australian, who felt he ‘belonged’ on the biggest stage during his defeat against the Serbian, leaves London holding a 12-3 record on grass in 2022.

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Social Media Reacts To Djokovic-Kyrgios Wimbledon Final

Novak Djokovic defeated Nick Kyrgios on Sunday in a thrilling four-set Wimbledon final that captured the world's attention.

Stars from inside and outside the tennis world, including Juan Martin del Potro, Andy Roddick, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova reacted to Djokovic's seventh triumph at The Championships on social media.

Great champion!!! Idemo Nole!!! ? https://t.co/nQwvPIFeLO

— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) July 10, 2022

So impressive. Congrats to Nole ! Cheers tweeps. Thanks for watching w me!

— andyroddick (@andyroddick) July 10, 2022

Congratulations on winning your 7th Wimbledon Novak Djokovic, that was a controlled and masterful performance. Bad luck Nick, you have so much talent, I hope to see you in another Slam final soon. ?

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Djokovic Wins Wimbledon, Extends 'Big Titles' Lead

After Rafael Nadal narrowed the 'Big Titles' race by lifting the Roland Garros trophy, Novak Djokovic extended his advantage on Sunday by defeating Nick Kyrgios for the Wimbledon title.

Djokovic battled past Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) for his seventh triumph at The Championships and his 21st major crown. The Serbian now owns 64 'Big Titles', putting him five ahead of Nadal and 10 in front of Roger Federer. A 'Big Title' is a trophy at a Grand Slam championship, the Nitto ATP Finals, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament or an Olympic singles gold medal.

The 35-year-old also drew closer to Nadal in the race for the most men's singles Grand Slam titles. Djokovic now has 21, putting him one behind Nadal. Federer has lifted 20 major trophies.

The Serbian also tied his idol Pete Sampras and William Renshaw for the second-most men's singles titles in Wimbledon history with seven. Only Federer, an eight-time champion at the grass-court major, has emerged victorious more at the event.

Djokovic improved his 'Big Title' win rate to one victory for every 3.2 events played (64/207), while Nadal has claimed one 'Big Title' for every 3.4 tournaments he has played (59/202). Only Federer (4.4, 54/240) and Pete Sampras (4.9, 30/147) have claimed a 'Big Title' at a rate of greater than once per five events played.

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Djokovic Takes Third Set Against Kyrgios In Wimbledon Final

Novak Djokovic has moved within a set of his seventh Wimbledon title after a returning masterclass took the top seed to the third set against Nick Kyrgios in Sunday's championship match at the grass-court major.

Djokovic, chasing his fourth consecutive title at SW19, leads the Australian 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. His current winning streak of 27 matches at the grass-court major is the fourth-longest men’s singles winning streak at the event in the Open Era.

Should the Serbian complete his first tour-level win in three attempts against Kyrgios, he will move within one of Rafael Nadal’s record 22 Grand Slam titles. It would also draw the 35-year-old level with legendary American Pete Sampras’ tally of seven trophies won at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

Kyrgios, who had never been beyond the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam prior to this fortnight in London, is seeking his maiden Grand Slam crown. Should he defeat Djokovic in London, the 27-year-old will be the first Australian man to win the Wimbledon singles title since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.

The No. 40 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Kyrgios has the most tour-level match wins on grass in 2022 with 12. The Australian is chasing is maiden title on the surface, with all six of his ATP Tour crowns coming on hard courts.

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Scouting Report: Ruud Returns To Bastad, Felix Headlines Newport

The action will take place on two continents and on two different surfaces this week on the ATP Tour, with established stars competing on clay at the Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden, and on grass at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island, United States.

Casper Ruud headlines the field in Bastad as he aims to retain his title, while Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andy Murray are among those competing in Newport.

ATPTour.com looks at five things to watch at each ATP 250 event.

View Draws: Bastad | Newport

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Stats Preview: Analysing Kyrgios' Perfect Serving Record Against Djokovic

Novak Djokovic enters the Wimbledon final as a three-time defending champion, second on the all-time wins list at The Championships with 85 match victories. But a triumph against Nick Kyrgios is not among them.

Though the pair have never met at Wimbledon, the Serbian is 0-2 in his ATP Head2Head against his final opponent. Djokovic did not claim a set — or a break of serve — in two 2017 encounters as Kyrgios was victorious in Acapulco and Indian Wells. The Aussie saved the only break point he faced across those two hard-court matches, nullifying the threat of one of the game's all-time best returners with a combined 39 aces in four sets and a first-serve win rate above 80 per cent in each match.

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Djokovic failed to live up to his career win rate of 34 per cent against first serves, posting success rates of 19 and 14 per cent in those two matches against the power of the Kyrgios delivery. The Aussie will hope to ride a similar serving performance to victory on Sunday.

"His motion for the serve is so fluid and just very quick," Djokovic said of his next opponent after a four-set semi-final victory against Cameron Norrie. "He can hit any angle really. He tosses it forward so he can come in, serve and volley. He puts himself in a great position to be aggressive or to stay back. But he's always one metre in front of the baseline.

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Marathon Men Ebden/Purcell Win Fifth-Set TB For Wimbledon Title

Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell went the distance for the fifth time this fortnight to claim their maiden Grand Slam title in Saturday's Wimbledon final. The Aussies, who saved eight match points across two matches in reaching the championship match, recovered an early break in the fifth set against Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in a thrilling 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(10-2) victory.

Pavic, who was playing exclusively with his dominant left hand due to a fractured right wrist, put forth a valiant effort alongside his fellow Croatian, but the second seeds fell just short in their bid to retain the Wimbledon title.

After receiving the runner-up trophy, Mektic gave full credit to the Australians.

"It is tough, really, 7-6 in the fifth," he said. "I have to congratulate the guys for this title. They had an amazing tournament, they came back so many times. They defended some match points and here once again they came back from 2-1 [down] with their good level."

The moment ?? @MaxPurcell98 & @mattebden ?? claimed the title! ??

?: @Wimbledon | #Wimbledon

pic.twitter.com/R4UMXXtdM7

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Preview: Can Kyrgios Stun Djokovic & Capture Maiden Major At Wimbledon?

After a pulsating two weeks, Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will take to centre stage on Sunday in a mouthwatering clash in the Wimbledon final.

For Kyrgios the task at hand is great, with the Australian never been beyond the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam before this fortnight. In contrast, Djokovic will be competing in a record 32nd major final as he aims to capture his 21st Grand Slam crown.

However, Kyrgios is the game’s ultimate big-stage performer and with the weapons he possesses – a thunderous serve and powerful forehand – the 27-year-old will look to rise to the occasion and end his fairytale run with his first Grand Slam trophy.

“He plays lights-out every time he steps out onto the court,” Djokovic said when discussing Kyrgios. “Just [has] a lot of power in his serve and his game. So I'm sure he's going to go for it. No doubt he's going to be aggressive. I expect him to do that.

“He's a big-match player. If you see his career, the best tennis he's played is always against the top guys. That's why we all respect him, because we know what he can come up with. It's going to be [an] interesting match.”

Novak Djokovic
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Norrie: 'I Want To Try To Win A Slam'

Cameron Norrie walked off Centre Court at Wimbledon on Friday having lost to Novak Djokovic in his first major semi-final. Although the Briton has plenty to be proud of after a memorable fortnight, the experience has left him hungry for more.

“Great experience. I can take a lot of confidence from it. To reach the semis, reach the Friday of the second week, is pretty sick. But I think for me, I want to go [for] more and I want to do more of that and go one further and try to win a Slam,” Norrie said.

“A lot of firsts for me this week, a lot of good experiences. Hopefully I can take them in my stride. I think looking, comparing to Novak, I think it was just the level of execution from him today was better than me. His level of focus, the way he handled his service games was better than me. That was the difference.”

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For a moment, it seemed Norrie was in good position to push for his first major final after storming through the first set 6-2. But Djokovic rebounded with devastating form through the rest of the match to triumph after two hours and 35 minutes.

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Djokovic Relishing Chance To Make More History

Top seed Novak Djokovic revealed that he is embracing the opportunity to make more history at Wimbledon this weekend after he defeated Cameron Norrie to reach a record 32nd Grand Slam final.

The 35-year-old is aiming to capture a seventh Wimbledon crown and 21st major title as he aims to close the gap on 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

“I'm aware of what's on the line. Every match, every Grand Slam that I get to play at this stage of my career, there is a lot on the line,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. “I don't know how many Grand Slam opportunities to win the trophy I will still have, as I will have in a few days. So, of course, I'm approaching it with [a] positive attitude and self-belief and willingness to win. There's no doubt about it.”

The Serbian, who admitted he was delighted to reach another final, will meet Australian Nick Kyrgios in the championship match.

It will be the first time Kyrgios has competed in a Grand Slam final, but Djokovic knows the challenge Kyrgios will pose, with the 27-year-old leading the top seed 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head series.

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