The X Blog - Dysfunctional Tennis Blogging at its Finest

Kerber Cooks Siniakova For Bad Homburg Title

Posted by Staff on June 26th, 2021 @ 6:25 pm

Home hero Angelique Kerber won her 13th career title in Bad Homburg beating Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 6-2.

“You play for these moments, being on court, playing in front of your fans, family, crowd,” Kerber said after the 85-minute final. “This is something really special. I’m really happy that I won this tournament, a special tournament at home. It means a lot to me, and after all the months which we’ve …

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De Minaur Outlasts Sonego For Eastbourne Crown, First Grass Title

Posted by Staff on June 26th, 2021 @ 6:22 pm

Alex De Minaur collected his first career title on grass Saturday edging Lorenzo Sonego in a thriller 4-6. 6-4, 7-6(5).

Neither player blinked in the final set as both held serve with no break points to be had. In the breaker, it was the Australian gaining the upper hand and hanging on.

“I had to pull through all my mental strength I had. I had to tell myself to try and be …

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Medvedev A Winner On Grass, Answers Querrey In Mallorca

Posted by Staff on June 26th, 2021 @ 6:20 pm

Daniil Medvedev’s last minute wildcard into Mallorca paid off. The Russian took home his first title on grass defeating Sam Querrey 6-4, 6-2.

The World No. 2 dropped just one set en route to his 11th career ATP title. He was in his first career grass final.

I’ve always liked playing on grass. Four years ago, I would say that it was my favorite surface. But after my results on hard …

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Wimbledon Men’s Preview: Djokovic Favored, Federer Gets Good Draw

Posted by Sean Randall on June 25th, 2021 @ 2:47 pm

The chase for the top spot on the all-time men’s Grand Slam leaderboard resumes Monday with the start of Wimbledon. The draw was released earlier this morning and this time, unlike the French, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have been split ending on opposite sides of the draw.

With Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem out, the best Federer could have hoped for in the quarters was Daniil Medvedev, and that’s …

Defending Champion Simona Halep Withdraws From Wimbledon

Posted by Staff on June 25th, 2021 @ 11:28 am

Just before the draw was announced, Simona Halep withdrew from Wimbledon due to continued issues with her left calf. While she was able to practice on the Wimbledon courts, she was not at 100%.

“It is with great sadness that I’m announcing my withdrawal from The Championships as my calf injury has not fully recovered,” Halep posted on Facebook.

“I gave it everything I had in order to be ready to play …

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Dominic Thiem Withdraws From Wimbledon With Wrist Injury, US Open Title Defense In Doubt

Posted by Staff on June 24th, 2021 @ 5:38 pm

Dominic Thiem became the 5th Top 30 player to withdraw from Wimbledon. The Austrian cited a wrist injury from earlier this week in Mallorca as the cause. That injury will likely keep him off the court for at least five weeks and potentially longer, which could prevent him from defending his 2020 US Open title in two months.

“After being forced to retire from his opening match at the Mallorca Open …

Wimbledon Announces Seedings: Djokovic, Barty On Top; Thiem In Doubt

Posted by Staff on June 23rd, 2021 @ 6:16 pm

Wimbledon released its seedings earlier today, deferring to the rankings and not a formular per their new policy they announced last summer.

Novak Djokovic is the top seed for a seventh time. The tournament favorite and 5-time champion is halfway to an historic Calendar Slam.

Djokovic, though, could meet Roger Federer as early as the quarterfinals in a rematch of their 2019 epic final. Federer, the 8-time champion, has slipped to …

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Djokovic Makes Grass Debut In Mallorca, But In Doubles; Medvedev, Thiem Headline Singles

Posted by Staff on June 20th, 2021 @ 10:21 pm

Fresh off a second French Open title, Novak Djokovic will makes his grass debut in Mallorca. However, not in singles, but in doubles. The Wimbledon favorite will partner will 31-year-old Spaniard Carlo Gomez-Herrera.

While Djokovic will forego with the singles, plenty of star power will be fighting for that trophy.

Daniil Medvedev is the top seeded with Dominic Thiem No. 2. Roberta Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, Casper Ruud, Ugo Humbert …

Sabalenka, Svitolina Lead 5 Of Top 10 In Eastbourne; Monfils, Tsonga In Men’s Draw

Posted by Staff on June 20th, 2021 @ 10:04 pm

Eastbourne hosts the last big grass tune-up before Wimbledon begins in a week. The mixed event features a strong women’s event with 5 of the Top 10.

Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed in the women’s draw followed by Elina Svitolina, Bianca Andreescu, Iga Swiatek and Karolina Pliskova.

Former Slam champions Svetlana Kuznetsova, Jelena Ostapaneko and Sam Stosur are also in the field along with Elena Rybakina, recent champion Ons Jabeur …

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Halep Withdraws From Bad Homburg, Hopes To Be Ready For Wimbledon Title Defense

Posted by Staff on June 20th, 2021 @ 9:43 pm

Simona Halep’s title defense at Wimbledon is in serious jeopardy. Saturday, Halep had to withdraw from the grass tune-up in Bad Homburg, Germany because her calf is still now ready for play.

“I will not compete because my calf is not ready for a competition,” Halep posted. “I feel sorry about that and sad, because it’s a beautiful place… I will keep practicing because I really want to be able to …

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Jabeur Defeats Kasatkina In Birmingham, Becomes First Arab Woman To Win A WTA Title

Posted by Staff on June 20th, 2021 @ 3:39 pm

Ons Jabeur made history Sunday in Birmingham. The 26-year-old Jabeur bested Daria Kasatkina 7-5, 6-4 to win her first career title and become the first Arab woman to capture a tour trophy.

“I knew I had to go for it, I had to win this title to at least breathe, and give an example,” Jabeur said on court. “There’s not a lot of Tunisian or Arabic players playing, so I hope …

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Berrettini Better Than Norrie, Collects First ATP 500 Win At Queen’s, Wimbledon Title Contender?

Posted by Staff on June 20th, 2021 @ 3:36 pm

Matteo Berrettini made the most of his Queen’s Club debut. The burly Italian ousted Andy Murray and then today defeated first-time finalist and Murray’s countryman Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 to win the Queen’s Club grass title.

Berrettini won his 5th career ATP title, second on grass and first at the 500 level. He didn’t drop a set until the final and in the title match, the 25-year-old didn’t face a …

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Samsonova The Surprise Berlin Champion, Beats Bencic For First WTA Title

Posted by Staff on June 20th, 2021 @ 3:33 pm

In a field featuring seven players in the Top 16, who would have believed a qualifier would come away with the title? That’s what happened as today qualifier Liudmila Samsonova punctuated an incredible week by stunning Belinda Bencic from a set down 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 to win the the Berlin title.

“It’s unbelievable,” Samsonova said. “I didn’t expect it. I dream it, but it’s amazing.”

The 106th-ranked Samsonova dropped the first five …

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Humbert Wins Biggest Career Title, Stuns Rublev In Halle Final

Posted by Staff on June 20th, 2021 @ 11:33 am

Ugo Humbert captured his biggest career title Sunday in Halle topping the favored Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6(4). The 22-year-old Humbert is a perfect 3-0 in ATP Finals after his first 500 level and first grass win.

“It is incredible. It is the best victory of my career,” said Humbert who will see his ranking rise into the Top 25. “I am very proud because it wasn’t easy. I was a little …

Berrettini To Battle Norrie For Queen’s Title

Posted by Staff on June 19th, 2021 @ 3:35 pm

Matteo Berrettini will seek his second career grass title Sunday at Queen’s Club against surprise finalist Cameron Norrie.

The Italian No. 1 overpowered Alex De Minaur 6-4, 6-4 today in the semifinal round. Berrettini hasn’t dropped a set en route to his seventh career final.

“That was the goal of the week, and now I have one more step. It is a great achievement, especially for the history of this tournament. I …

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