Sebastian Baez Claims First ATP Tour Career Title at Estoril Open

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special first for Sebastian Baez.

The 21-year-old Argentine tennis player enjoyed a straight-set victory over American Frances Tiafoe to win the Estoril Open on Sunday.

Baez won 6-3, 6-2 in 1 1/4 hours on the outdoor clay court for his first ATP Tour career title.

Tiafoe was playing in his fourth career final, and his second in Estoril. He lost the 2018 final to João Sousa in straight sets. He won his only title at Delray Beach in 2018.

Báez converted four of five break chances and hit four aces to beat the 24-year-old Tiafoe, who struggled with his serve.

Tiafoe had reached the final after beating countryman Sebastian Korda 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 after saving three match points on Saturday.

Báez has now reached a career high ATP singles ranking of No. 40 in the world, as of May 2, 2022.

Carlos Alcaraz Becomes Youngest Male Player to Reach U.S. Open Quarterfinals in Nearly 60 Years

Posted on September 6, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Alcaraz has earned a place in US Open history…

The 18-year-old Spanish player beat 141st-ranked qualifier Peter Gojowczyk of Germany 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0 to reach the final eight at Flushing Meadows.

In the process, Alcaraz has become the youngest man to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open since 1963.

Alcaraz will now face No. 12 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, a 21-year-old from Canada who reached his second straight major quarterfinal by defeating Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-4 with the help of 24 aces.

“At some point, age is just a number,” Auger-Aliassime when asked about Alcaraz. “He already feels like a player that is established.”

The 55th-ranked Alcaraz got past No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in his previous match and is the youngest player with two five-set Grand Slam wins in a row since Michael Chang was 16 at the 1988 U.S. Open.

Auger-Aliassime had never reached the final eight at any Grand Slam tournament until Wimbledon in July, a month before he turned 21 on August 8. Now the Canadian is the youngest man to reach consecutive major quarterfinals since Juan Martin del Potro made it to three straight in 2008-09.

Roberto Bautista Agut Outlasts John Isner to Reach Miami Open Quarterfinals

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Roberto Bautista Agut almost didn’t make it to the Miami Open quarterfinals.

The 32-year-old panish professional tennis player and tournament’s No. 7 seed had to fight off a match point before ousting former Miami champion and No. 18 seed John Isner 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7) on Tuesday — his second three-set win in as many matches so far in the tournament.

Bautista Agut will next face top-seeded Daniil Medvedev, who wore down Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

Bautista Agut lost the first point of the third-set tiebreaker on his serve, giving the big-hitting Isner the early edge. Isner lost the mini-break by putting a forehand into the net five points later, then gave himself match point after a 138 mph ace for a 6-5 edge.

Bautista Agut wasn’t fazed, won three of the last four points and escaped.

“He makes always difficult matches playing against him,” Bautista Agut said. “He has a very big serve and a lot of power from baseline with the forehand. It makes it always difficult, no?”

It was Isner’s earliest Miami exit since 2017, when he lost in the third round. He won the tournament in 2018 and lost the final in 2019 to Roger Federer in straight sets.

After some early clouds cleared out and bright sunshine starting pounding down, the mid-afternoon temperature reached the mid-80s Fahrenheit at Hard Rock Stadium and the humidity made it feel even hotter.

Rafael Nadal Claims ATP’s Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for Third Straight Year

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Rafael Nadal is true sportsman…

The 34-year-old Spanish tennis star has been named one of the winners of the ATP‘s top awards for 2020.

Nadal received the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for the third year straight and fourth time overall after winning a 13th Roland Garros crown.

But he isn’t the only Latino to earn an award…

Bruno Soares and his partner Mate Pavic were named the No. 1 doubles team.

The 38-year-old Brazilian tennis player and Pavic were the champions at this year’s US Open.

Carlos Alcaraz was the Newcomer of the Year.

The 17-year-old Spanish tennis player won the award after claiming three Challengers titles.

Novak Djokovic was the year-end No. 1 for a record-equaling sixth time after winning four titles including a record eighth Australian Open.

Roger Federer, who played only six singles all year, was the singles fans’ favorite for a record-extending 18th straight year, and Andrey Rublev of Russia was the most improved in rising from No. 23 to a career-high 8 after winning five titles, more than anyone else on the tour.

Frances Tiafoe was given the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for his social activism. The American auctioned signed memorabilia to Athletes for COVID-19 Relief and posted a video that united the Black tennis community in the wake of George Floyd‘s killing.

Vasek Pospisil is the Comeback Player of the Year after undergoing back surgery in 2019. The Canadian reached two finals and rose to No. 61 after dropping to No. 150 in 2019.

Alex de Minaur Reaches Final at the Next Gen ATP Finals

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Alex de Minaur is one win away from claiming his Next…

The 20-year-old Uruguayan and Spanish-Australian tennis phenom, the top seed at this year’s Next Gen ATP Finals, has reached the finals at the tournament.

de Minaur defeated Frances Tiafoe4-2, 4-1, 0-4, 4-2, continuing his unbeaten run at the tournament.

It was a clinical performance from de Minaur who’s had a stunning week at the tournament.

He capped off a comprehensive performance in the group stage, defeating Casper Ruud in the final match.

But he saved his best tennis for Tiafoe, who put up a good fight in the semifinal.

de Minaur converted all four of the breakpoints he had in the 73-minute match. The final breakpoint was the one that secured his passage through to the final.

de Minaur also clamped down on his unforced errors, hitting 25 winners to his 15 errors.

His forehand was his biggest weapon though, as he managed to dominate play and cramp up Tiafoe’s usually powerful hitting.

It’s the second consecutive year that de Minaur has reached the final of the Next Gen ATP Finals tournament.

He made the final in 2018, only to lose to current World No. 6, Stefanos Tsitsipas.

de Minaur will face Jannik Sinner in the finall.

He’ll also face the biggest payday of his career if he wins the final on Saturday. de Minaur will receive $429,000 if he wins the tournament.

Alex de Minaur Rolls Into the Next Gen ATP Finals Semifinals

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Alex de Minaur is on a roll…

The 19-year-old Spanish & Uruguyan-Australian tennis player, the youngest player at the Next Gen ATP Finals, has stormed into the semifinals undefeated after securing a straight sets win over Taylor Fritz in Milan Thursday.

de Minaur, the tournament’s No.2 seed, overcame Fritz, ranked No. 47 in the ATP rankings, 4-3(8), 4-1, 4-2 to secure his spot in the semifinals on Friday.

He’ll now face Jaume Munar after the Spaniard defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-1, 4-3(3), 4-1 to finish second in Group A.

Topping the group was Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, after he overcame Hubert Hurkacz 4-1, 4-3(3), 4-1.

Tsitsipas will face the runner up of Group B, Andrey Rublev, after the Russian defeated Liam Caruana in straight sets.

Garbine Muguruza to Play This Year’s Hopman Cup

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Garbine Muguruza is ready to take on the world…

The 24-year-old Spanish-Venezuelan tennis player and compatriot David Ferrer will represent Spain in the Hopman Cup mixed teams event in late December.

The eight-country tournament is scheduled from December 29 to January 5 on indoor hard courts at Perth Arena. It’s used by the players as a tuneup event for the Australian Open, which begins on January 14 in Melbourne.

Serena Williams and Roger Federer have also committed to play, while former Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev will represent Germany.

Frances Tiafoe will be Williams’ partner for the United States, while Belinda Bencic will again represent Switzerland with Federer to defend the title they won in January over Kerber and Zverev in the final.

Williams and Federer are scheduled to play mixed doubles against each other when the U.S. meets Switzerland on January 1.

Hopman Cup Teams:
Australia: Matthew Ebden and Ashleigh Barty
France: Lucas Pouille and Alize Cornet
Germany: Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber
Britain: Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter
Greece: Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari
Spain: David Ferrer and Garbine Muguruza
Switzerland: Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic
United States: Frances Tiafoe and Serena Williams

Rafael Nadal Partners with Roger Federer in Laver Cup Doubles Win

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Rafael Nadal has found an unlikely doubles partner…

The 31-year-old Spanish tennis star joined forces with longtime rival Roger Federer to win a doubles match in the new Laver Cup on Saturday.

Nadal and Federer teamed up for the first time to defeat Sam Querrey and Jack Sock 6-4, 1-6, 10-5 in the team event between Europe and the rest of the world.

“It was unbelievable,” Nadal said.

The inaugural Laver Cup is taking place at Prague’s O2 Arena on an unusual black hard court.

Alexander Zverev, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem and Tomas Berdych also form the European team.

John Isner, Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov and Frances Tiafoe play for the world.

Europe needs two more victories from Sunday’s four games to win.

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