Tag Archives: Max Purcell

Alex de Minaur Wins Australia’s Newcombe Medal

Posted on by
Reply

Alex de Minaur has earned Australia’s highest individual honor in tennis…

The 24-year-old Uruguayan & Spanish Australian professional tennis player has been awarded the Newcombe Medal once again after his most consistent season yet.

Alex de Minaur,de Minaur claimed the award outright for the first time on Monday, after previously sharing the 2018 award with Ash Barty and he joins some of the greats of Australian tennis as a multiple winner.

He won the award, named after tennis great John Newcombe, ahead of Storm Hunter, Rinky Hijikata, Alexei Popyrin, Matt Ebden and Max Purcell.

The world No. 12 joins five-time Newcombe Medalist Barty, three-time recipient Samantha Stosur and wheelchair wizard Dylan Alcott among those who’ve won the award at least twice.

“I’m very sad that I wasn’t able to attend the Newcombe Medal this year and I’m extremely grateful for this amazing award,” de Minaur said in a video message from his training base in Spain.

“It’s been a great year, not only for myself, but for all of Australian tennis and I think we should (all be) very proud indeed.

“(I) would also like to thank Newk. Wish I could shake your hand right now and be there, but I appreciate everything you do for Australian tennis.”

de Minaur’s recognition comes off the back of soaring to the cusp of the world’s top 10 in 2023.

He reached a career-high No. 11 in October, collected his seventh ATP Tour title in Acapulco, made four finals and helped Australia to a second straight Davis Cup decider in Spain.

That included a brilliant fightback in the quarterfinal win over the Czech Republic.

In his most consistent season, de Minaur also became the first Australian since his idol and Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt in 2004 to progress to 11 tournament quarterfinals.

He made the second week at two of the four grand slams, in Melbourne and New York. de Minaur is Australia’s biggest hope at Melbourne Park in January, when he will attempt to better his fourth-round appearances in 2022 and 2023.

Earlier in the evening, Alicia Molik was awarded the Spirit of Tennis award. During her career, Molik rose to world No.8 in singles and No.6 in doubles and she was also a Fed Cup representative from 1999.

After her playing career, Molik, 42, went on to lead Australia to the Billie Jean King Cup final as captain in 2019 at Perth and in 2022 at Glasgow.

Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Max Purcell to Advance to Cincinnati Open Semifinals

Posted on by
Reply

Carlos Alcaraz has advanced to the semifinals…

The 20-year-old Spanish professional tennis player and tournament’s top seed staved off an upset bid by Australian qualifier Max Purcell, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to earn a rematch with Hubert Hurkacz in the Cincinnati Open semifinals.

Carlos Alcaraz“I didn’t know him so much before the match,” Alcaraz said of Purcell. “He impressed me a lot. It was really tough for me. I’m really happy to get through.”

It was the third time this week that the Wimbledon champion needed three sets to win.

The top-ranked Alcaraz needed two tiebreaks to beat Hurkacz last week in Toronto.

“When we played in Toronto, we had a great match,” Alcaraz said. “Here in Cincinnati, the court’s a little faster than Toronto. So it probably suits better to his game. We need to be at the best level to beat him.”

In the nightcap on center court, No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic beat ninth-seeded American Taylor Fritz 6-0, 6-4. Djokovic will face Alexander Zverev, the 2021 tournament champ, in the semifinals on Saturday.

Feliciano Lopez Defeats Max Purcell at Mallorca Open to Extend His Career by At Least One More Day

Posted on by
Reply

Feliciano Lopez isn’t retiring just yet… 

The 41-year-old Spanish veteran tennis player extended his career by at least one more day with an emotional victory at the Mallorca Open on Tuesday — the final event of his 26-year career.

Feliciano LopezLopez was cheered on by friend and compatriot 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal during his 6-3 7-5 victory over Max Purcell.

Lopez, who reached a career high ranking of 12 and holds the record for appearing in 79 successive Grand Slam main draws, will face Australian Jordan Thompson on Wednesday.

“It’s a really special win for me, probably one of the most special wins of my career so far, to be honest,” Lopez, who has more than 500 ATP singles wins, said on court at the Santa Ponsa Country Club after his win.

“This is over my expectations, to be winning a match at this stage of my career in Mallorca, this beautiful place, surrounded by the ones that I love, my friends.”

Nadal, who is currently out of action as he tries to recover from injuries, was joined by Carlos Moya in the stands to cheer on their former Davis Cup compatriot.

“Most of them came for my hypothetical last match. Luckily, it wasn’t the last match of my life. I have another opportunity tomorrow, and this is very overwhelming, I have to say,” Lopez added after only his second ATP Tour win this year.

Tomas Martin Etcheverry Defeats Yoshihito Nishioka to Reach First-Ever Grand Slam Quarterfinal Round at French Open

Posted on by
Reply

Tomas Martin Etcheverry’s dream run at the French Open continues…

The 23-year-old Argentinian tennis player moved into the last eight at Roland Garros after defeating Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, the No 27 seed, 7-6 (8), 6-0, 6-1 in Paris on Monday evening.

Tomas Martin EtcheverryEtcheverry, ranked No 49, is the big surprise of all quarterfinalists in the field. In fact, this will be his first-ever appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal.

He took the best spot in the lower part of the draw opened by Daniil Medvedev’s early loss.

He’ll next play Germany’s Alexander Zverev, the No 22 seed.

“I just can’t believe it, it’s a dream come true”, said Etcheverry in his on-court interview. “It’s important to share this moment with my family and with the crowd. I will recover tonight and be ready for the next battle”

Etcheverry, who was a runner-up early this year in Santiago and Houston, has defeated three seeds on his road to the quarters.

He beat Jack Draper (6-4, 1-0 ret.), Alex De Minaur, the No 18 seed (6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3) and Borna Coric, the No 15 seed (6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-2) before Nishioka.\

Nishioka, ranked No 33, probably paid his time spent on the court. He had to call for the physio during the third set after three five-sets battles during the previous rounds against J.J. Wolf (1-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3), Max Purcell (4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4) and Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild (3-6, 7-6 (8), 2-6, 6-4, 6-0).

Tomas Martin Etcheverry Defeats Christian Garin to Reach US Clay Court Championships Semifinals

Posted on by
Reply

Tomas Martin Etcheverry has reached the final four…

The 23-year-old Argentinian tennis player, the No 8 seed, moved into the last four of the US Clay Court Championships by defeating Cristian Garin 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-3 at River Oaks Country Club in Houston on Saturday night.

Tomas Martin EtcheverryEtcheverry, ranked No 73, will play German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann next.

Ahead of his victory, Etcheverry won against Juan Manuel Cerundolo (6-3, 6-4) and Australian Max Purcell (7-6 (5), 6-1).

Garin, ranked No 74, beat Hugo Dellien (6-3, 6-0) and Belgian lucky loser Zizou Bergs (7-6 (4), 7-6 (1)) earlier in the tournament.

This is Etcheverry’s second ATP Tour semifinal.

He previously reached the final at the 2023 Chile Open, losing in the final in three sets to home favorite Nicolas Jarry.