Układ sił 2016

[Damian]

Rivalries Of 2016: Murray vs. Nishikori

Spoiler:

ATP World Tour Season In Review: Best Rivalries
Continuing our Season In Review series, ATPWorldTour.com revisits the fiercest rivalries of 2016. Today we feature Andy Murray vs. Kei Nishikori:
With many high-pressure matches, pulsating moments and thrilling finishes, Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori met on four occasions in 2016 and their encounters had it all. Battling in a Grand Slam quarter-final, Davis Cup five-setter, Olympic semi-final and one of the best matches of the year at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, the pair provided arguably the most compelling rivalry and the drama between the lines did not disappoint.
Entering the year, Murray had dominated the rivalry, taking five of six meetings and refusing to relinquish a set in all his victories. He was ruthless in dispatching Nishikori 6-3, 6-0 in the 2015 Rogers Cup semis, but as the calendar flipped to 2016, so did the Japanese’s fortunes.

Their first meeting came in the Davis Cup first round in March. The Scot needed a win to send defending champion Great Britain into the quarter-finals and it looked to be another straight-set victory. He battled to a two-set lead, but Nishikori would find a second gear, breaking Murray in the third and fourth sets to force a decider in front of a raucous crowd in Birmingham. The home hope would secure the win in the decider, 7-5, 7-6(6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, but Nishikori gave him all he could handle in a near-five hour thriller.
Armed with newfound belief against Murray, the Japanese would finally turn the tables at the US Open. Despite falling in straight sets in the semis of the Rio Olympics, he entered their third encounter of the year poised to stem the tide.
In a back-and-forth contest that featured 17 breaks of serve, Nishikori was ultimately the more settled player during the match's tightest moments. He took the three-hour and 57-minute contest 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5, upsetting Murray to reach his second Grand Slam semi-final and first since the 2014 US Open.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 'Clutch Kei' Upsets Murray At US Open
“I saw some opportunities to come in today so I tried to be aggressive,” said Nishikori. “I saw that's what I had to do, especially against Andy. He has great defense. I don't know why I served and volleyed a lot today... but it was working. I think it was a great mix, serving and volleying and coming to the net."
At no point was Nishikori more clutch than deep in the fifth set. With Murray serving at 5-all in the decider, Nishikori attacked a second serve and approached the net, lunging at Murray's passing shot and connecting on a forehand volley that dropped in for an uncontested winner. He served it out a game later, claiming his fourth of five Top 10 wins in 2016.
Following two five-set battles, Nishikori entered the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals full of confidence against Murray. They would meet in the round-robin stage and with Murray’s year-end No. 1 quest hanging in the balance, an instant classic would ensue. The competitors produced the then-longest match in tournament history at three hours and 21 minutes, before Murray and Milos Raonic broke the record days later.
Nishikori was clutch in the opening tie-break and Murray was left to rue missed opportunities with the set on the line. The Japanese would take it 11-9 after 85 minutes, but the Scot regrouped immediately to secure a break to 30 to open the second set and eventually drew level to force a decider. Each game in the deciding set was competitive, but it was Murray who found a way to break Nishikori in the third and fifth games. He remained in control to prevail 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-4, extending his winning streak to 21 straight matches and exacting revenge after the US Open defeat.
"Until this year, we hadn't really played many marathons," Murray said. "It just turned out that this year we played three extremely long matches. The ones in the Davis Cup and the US Open were very tough, long five-setters. But we've played each other 10 or 11 times. It's only really been this year that I remember that we played really, really long matches."
View FedEx ATP Head2Head (Murray Leads 8-2)
Murray vs. Nishikori: 2016 Meetings
Event Surface Round
Winner
Score
Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
Hard RR Murray 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-4
US Open
Hard QF Nishikori 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5
Rio Olympics
Hard SF Murray 6-1, 6-4
Davis Cup
Hard 1R Murray 7-5, 7-6(6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/bes ... -nishikori

[Damian]

Rivalries Of 2016: del Potro vs. Murray & Wawrinka

Spoiler:

ATP World Tour Season In Review: Best Rivalries
Continuing our Season In Review series, ATPWorldTour.com revisits the fiercest rivalries of 2016. Today we feature Juan Martin del Potro vs. Andy Murray & Stan Wawrinka:
Juan Martin del Potro was a man on a mission in 2016. The Comeback Player of the Year in the 2016 ATP World Tour Awards Presented by Moët & Chandon, del Potro turned in multiple watershed moments of magic in his return to action from wrist surgery. Indelible images of the emotional Argentine with tears of joy came early and often.
After reaching the semi-finals in his debut in Delray Beach, he would streak to the third round at Wimbledon with an upset of Stan Wawrinka, claim the silver medal at the Rio Olympics behind stunning wins over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, reach the quarter-finals at the US Open with a victory over Dominic Thiem, notch his first ATP World Tour title in nearly three years at the If Stockholm Open and cap it off with a thrilling win over Marin Cilic to guide Argentina to its first Davis Cup crown.
The common theme? Inspired performances against the Top 10.
In his first full season back, del Potro was one of just six players to earn at least six Top 10 wins in 2016, joining Andy Murray, Milos Raonic, Nick Kyrgios, Djokovic and Cilic.
The spark immediately returned for the Argentine, rekindling old rivalries with a pair of pulsating match-ups against both Murray and Wawrinka. Murray led the FedEx ATP Head2Head 5-2 entering the season, but they hadn’t faced off for more than three years. Two of the more consistent performers throughout the season, the Scot and the Argentine battled for the gold medal at the Rio Olympics, followed by a five-set, five-hour affair in the Davis Cup semis.
With both players relying on their final reserves, Murray persevered past a dogged del Potro 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in more than four hours to become the first man to win back-to-back singles gold medals at the Olympics. Coming into the match, del Potro had spent 11 hours and 36 minutes on court; Murray, eight hours, 10 minutes. It was a pure war of attrition. Murray saw his win streak extend to 18 straight, while del Potro capped a remarkable week that featured wins over Djokovic and Nadal en route to the silver medal.
“I know tonight's one of the hardest matches that I've had to play for a big, big title,” Murray said. “Emotionally it was tough... Physically, it was hard. There were so many ups and downs in the match. It was one of the toughest matches that I've played to win a big event.”
Murray's defence looked to neutralise del Potro’s firepower once again, as he took a two-sets-to-one lead in the Davis Cup semi-finals a month later. But this time the Argentine powered across the finish line with a furious finish. He prevailed 6-4, 5-7, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 in five hours and seven minutes to open the tie against Great Britain. On his third break chance of the fifth set, del Potro chased down an apparent winning volley from Murray to strike a running forehand winner and secure the decisive advantage.

"It’s amazing. Amazing. I really enjoyed the match," del Potro said. "He is a ridiculous player, a fighter, a great champion. I was trying to find a way. I played good forehands and good serves. That was the key."
View FedEx ATP Head2Head (Murray Leads 6-3)
Del Potro vs. Murray: 2016 Meetings
Event Surface Round
Winner
Score
Davis Cup
Hard SF del Potro
6-4, 5-7, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4
Rio Olympics
Hard F
Murray
7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
Arguably the greatest Grand Slam rivalry of the year was between del Potro and Wawrinka, with the Argentine’s forehand firepower clashing with the Swiss’ backhand prowess. Del Potro led the FedEx ATP Head2Head 3-2 entering the season and their first meeting in four years took place in the second round at Wimbledon. With the roof closed on Centre Court, the featured match of the first week did not disappoint.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Del Potro Shocks Wawrinka At Wimbledon
In just his second match at a major since the 2014 Australian Open, del Potro stormed back from a set down, advancing with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3 victory over the fourth seed.
“As we all say, it's great for tennis to see him back. He's a great guy, a really good player, a big champion,” Wawrinka said. “He’s beaten some good guys. Today he was playing really well. I think he was serving really well and his forehand is there."
Wawrinka would avenge the defeat at the US Open, needing four sets to advance through their quarter-final encounter, en route to lifting the trophy. He prevailed 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 over the 2009 champion under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match ended at 1:20 a.m. local time, with the Swiss firing 53 winners, including 10 aces.
"It was important to stay there, to stay tough," said Wawrinka. "I knew before the match that against del Potro it's a tough challenge. He's playing well. He's strong mentally. He doesn't give you much. It's going to be painful physically and mentally to stay there, so I had to adapt my game a little bit. It's not a player that I can really always play the way I want to against, because he's so aggressive"
View FedEx ATP Head2Head (del Potro Leads 4-3)
Del Potro vs. Wawrinka: 2016 Meetings
Event Surface Round
Winner
Score
US Open
Hard QF Wawrinka 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
Wimbledon
Grass 2R del Potro
3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/bes ... y-wawrinka

[Damian]

Best ATP Matches: Part 2

Spoiler:

Continuing our Season In Review Series, ATPWorldTour.com revisits the best ATP World Tour matches of 2016. In today’s countdown we feature Nos. 2-1:
2. Andy Murray d. Kei Nishikori 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-4/RR/Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
Novak Djokovic was the final obstacle Andy Murray faced during his historic run to year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. But looking back on it, Kei Nishikori might have been Murray's trickiest opponent during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Coming into their round-robin match, Murray had been on a roll. He'd won 20 consecutive matches, including back-to-back-to-back-to-back titles in Beijing, Shanghai, Vienna and Paris. But before Murray stopped losing this season, Nishikori had been one of the few players who had figured out how to beat him during the second half of the season. And he upset Murray on one of tennis' biggest stages: US Open quarter-finals, Arthur Ashe Stadium.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Best ATP Matches Of 2016: Part 1
The theatrics set, the players delivered at The O2. They fought for 85 minutes in the opening set, exchanging hot shot after hot shot, especially during the 20-point tie-break. Murray saved four set points, Nishikori, three. But the Japanese would finally win the opener to make it three consecutive sets against Murray.
The Scot would answer, though. He took the second set in 53 minutes, breaking Nishikori at 4-4 before serving out the set. But when it came time to serve for the match, Murray faltered at 5-2. He'd make it up it at 5-4, though, and remain unbeaten in round-robin play. Nishikori had the level to beat the World No. 1 but couldn't sustain it.
“It never feels good after losing the match,” said Nishikori. “I know it was close. I mean, I’m definitely disappointed… I think it was great match, both of us.”

1. Andy Murray d. Milos Raonic 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(9)/SF/Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
More hardly could have been on the line when Andy Murray and Milos Raonic met during the semi-finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Murray, the newly-annointed World No. 1, was trying to extend his 22-match win streak, reach his first final at The O2 and complete only one of the hardest tasks in tennis: Finish No. 1 in the year-end Emirates ATP Rankings.
Only sixteen men since 1973 had ended the calendar year on top before this season, and the Scot was just two wins away from joining that elite club when he faced Raonic. The pressure was on, too, as World No. 2 Novak Djokovic had also reached the last four in London. Beat Raonic, and Murray still controlled his fate, but lose, and the top spot was Djokovic's to take.
Raonic had already faced the Serbian in London, falling in a tight 7-6(6), 7-6(5) round-robin match. Against Murray, the Canadian was hoping to win those few crucial points and assure himself a career-best year-end No. 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings.
He had already come oh so close to beating Murray in 2016. Raonic was up two sets to one in the semi-finals of the Australian Open. At The Queen's Club final, he led by a set and a break. But both times, Murray turned back Raonic's power tennis.
At The O2, Raonic was again the early starter, taking the opener 7-5. He broke early in the second set to get within four consecutive holds of his first London final. But Murray came back and the two were tied at 4-all in the third set.
What ensued next was the most unpredictable stretch of the tournament: Four consecutive service breaks. First Raonic couldn't hold to get to 5-4, then Murray couldn't hold to win the match. Then it was the Canadian's turn again, dropping his serve at 5-all. Then Murray, incredibly, was broken at 6-5, his second attempt to serve out the match. So they headed to tennis' most dramatic moment, a tie-break in the final set.
Raonic saved three match points and had his own match point at 9/8 but Murray cut a backhand volley to even the tie-break at 9/9. Two points later, he'd point to his heart in celebration.
On Wednesday in London, Murray and Kei Nishikori had set the record for the longest three-set match in season finale history, three hours, 20 minutes. But four days later, Murray and Raonic had broken the record with their three-hour and 38-minute semi-final.
Murray's 24-match win streak. His first Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title. His first year-end finish at No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. In the semi-finals against Raonic, they were all a swing away from not happening in 2016.

Coming Wednesday: The best Grand Slam matches of 2016.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/bes ... 016-part-2

[DUN I LOVE]

Całkiem sensowne te wybory.

[Federasta20]

Zobaczymy co teraz wymyślą.

To jest moje zestawienie:
1. Federer vs Cilic, Wimbledon
2. Wawrinka vs Evans, USO
3. Djokovic vs Wawrinka, USO
4. Nadal vs. Pouille, USO
5. Murray vs Tsonga, Wimbledon

Pewnie nie omieszkają wstawić Murraya z Keiem z USO czy jakiegoś finału Muroli.

[DUN I LOVE]

Wstawili oczywiście. Jest też mecz Nadala z Verdasco na AO.

[Damian]

Best Grand Slam Matches: Part 1

Spoiler:

Continuing our Season In Review Series, ATPWorldTour.com revisits the best Grand Slam matches of 2016. In today’s countdown we feature Nos. 5-3:
5. Kei Nishikori d. Andy Murray 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5/QF/US Open
To some, Andy Murray was the favourite, the pick to win his second US Open and claim back-to-back Grand Slam championships during the second half of 2016.
The Scot, who had won his second Wimbledon title in July, was certainly playing like a top contender in New York. Before his quarter-final against Kei Nishikori, Murray had gone 26-1 since his first match at The Queen's Club in London, where he'd won a record fifth title.
Some doubted his main competition as well. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic had endured an up-and-down July and August. The Serbian had lost in the third round at Wimbledon and in the first round at the Olympics, but he had won the Rogers Cup, his record 30th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.
Nishikori, however, likely didn't care who was the top player. The 26 year old, who reached the 2014 US Open final, knew he could beat anyone at anytime in New York, and that was all that mattered when he and Murray stepped onto Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Read Match Report: Nishikori Upsets Murray In New York
Murray, the second seed, played like the favourite in the first set, winning more than half of his return points. But Nishikori changed his tactics in the second set, mixing in drop shots and more slice against the World No. 2.
Murray grabbed a back-and-forth third set – five service breaks – and was one set away from the semi-finals. He held to start the fourth and had a break point at 1-0, but a loud noise in the stadium caused a let and changed Murray's entire mindset.
The Brit was flustered about the disturbance, and Nishikori took advantage, reeling off six consecutive games to even the match. In the fifth set, Nishikori stayed calm, breaking Murray to lead 6-5 and holding to reach the semi-finals at the US Open for the second time.
“There were many up and downs, but I tried to [stay] calm. I think that's the most important thing I did today. Even though there were many up and downs I tried to stay tough,” Nishikori said.
It was just the latest time that “Clutch Kei” had brought his best tennis in a decider. To date, Nishikori is the most successful player in matches that go to a deciding set, according to the FedEx ATP Performance Zone. Nishikori owns a 99-29 record in such matches, giving him a winning percentage of 77 per cent, higher than anyone in the Open Era.

4. Novak Djokovic d. Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4/F/Roland Garros
Novak Djokovic had meandered through his most complicated Roland Garros path, winning five matches in six days because of a gloomy stretch in Paris. But what awaited the Serbian next in his fourth Roland Garros final was an opportunity that had eluded him all of his career: the Roland Garros title.
The pressure had never been greater. Djokovic was trying to become the third man in history to hold all four major titles at the same time (Don Budge, 1938; Rod Laver, 1962, 1969). The Belgrade native was also attempting to become the eighth man in history to complete the overall career Grand Slam.
Three times before he had come within a match of winning Roland Garros. In 2012 and 2014, Djokovic was in Rafael Nadal's path to Roland Garros glory, and in 2015, Stan Wawrinka, wearing his plaid shorts, improved to 2-0 against World No. 1s in Grand Slam title matches.
But in this year's final, Andy Murray stood in Djokovic's way and placed doubt in Djokovic's mind for the first nine games. Murray, playing in his first Roland Garros final, bullied a nervy Djokovic to the back of the court for a one-set lead.
The two were playing for the seventh time in a Grand Slam final and for the 34th time overall in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series. Murray had been 2-4 against Djokovic in Grand Slam finals, but the Scot started about as well as he could have hoped.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Djokovic Outlasts Murray For Historic Roland Garros Crown
Djokovic took over in the second set, though, returning aggressively and forgetting about the nerves that had hobbled him earlier in the match. He sought to wear Murray down with a steady stream of drop shots and was striking his backhand as cleanly as he had all tournament.
Djokovic rode early breaks in the third and fourth sets. Serving at 5-2 in the fourth set, he was broken but he held two games later to solidify his place in tennis history.
“I started well in the first game and then I dropped four straight games. Nerves kicked in. I needed a little bit of time to really find the right rhythm and start to play the way I intended, which happened in the beginning of the second and practically until 5-2 in the fourth set,” Djokovic said. “It was flawless tennis. I really felt like I played on a high quality and put a lot of pressure on Andy's serves.”
On his third and final match point, Djokovic said he experienced an out-of-body moment as he tried to clinch the career Grand Slam.
“In the last point I don't even remember what happened... It's like my spirit has left my body and I was just observing my body fight the last three, four exchanges, going left to right and hoping that Andy will make a mistake,” Djokovic said. “[It was] a thrilling moment. One of the most beautiful I have had in my career.”

3. Fernando Verdasco d. Rafael Nadal 7-6(6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2/1R/Australian Open
The stage in the tournament had changed but the drama and level of play was all the same when Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal met during the first round of the Australian Open this year.
Seven years earlier, in 2009, the Spaniards had faced off in the semi-finals in Melbourne. Verdasco was playing in his first and, to date, only Grand Slam semi-final. Nadal was trying to reach his maiden Australian Open final, and he'd fend off his countryman after five hours and 14 minutes, then the longest match in tournament history.
Who would have guessed the two would come close to matching that feat on the same court, Rod Laver Arena, seven years later? Surely not Nadal, especially when he led Verdasco two sets to one and had won the third set in 43 minutes, the fastest set of the match so far. Verdasco's level had cooled – his winner tally had dropped from 20 in the first set to six in the third set – and it looked like Nadal would cruise to yet another win against his compatriot.
Read Match Report: Verdasco Stuns Nadal In Five Setter
The Mallorca native owned a 14-2 record in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series against Verdasco. But Verdasco was leading in the “what have you done for me lately?” category, having taken two of their past three meetings, including a three-set win in Miami the year earlier.
In the fourth set, Verdasco earned a break and served to even the match at 5-4. But Nadal fought back to force a tie-break, which Verdasco won with an ace down the T. He'd hit 20 on the day.
The story of the match became the fifth set, and the story of the set was Verdasco's bullet-like forehands. Nadal gained an early break but Verdasco charged back, winning six consecutive games to end the four-hour, 41-minute match.
“I was just closing my eyes and everything went in!” Verdasco said. “In the fourth set I started serving better than the second and third. He started playing less deep and strong. I started coming inside the court, being aggressive and it went well.
On match point, Nadal served to Verdasco's forehand, and he replied with a practice-esque cut at the ball for his 90th winner of the match.
“He had a lot of success hitting every ball at full power in the fifth,” Nadal said. “I have to congratulate him.”
Maybe most telling was Verdasco's reaction once the ball whizzed past Nadal. He didn't scream to the sky or jump in celebration. He simply glanced at his box and silently pumped his fist. He had known what it was like to be on the losing end of a back-and-forth battle with Nadal, but thanks to one of his best efforts of the year, Verdasco also knew what it was like to be on the winning end.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/bes ... 016-part-1

[Emu]

Finał RG? Nie mają wstydu w tej żałosnej propagandzie.

[Wujek Toni]

Po prostu mózg niektórych ludzi nie odróżnia znaczenia słowa "najlepszy" od "dramatyczny".

[Damian]

Best Grand Slam Matches: Part 2

Spoiler:

Continuing our Season In Review Series, ATPWorldTour.com revisits the best Grand Slam matches of 2016. In today’s countdown we feature Nos. 2-1:
2. Roger Federer d. Marin Cilic 6-7(4), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(9), 6-3/QF/Wimbledon
Every year lately, when a certain Swiss player heads to a certain grass tennis club in England, his millions of fans ask a four-word question: Is this the year? As in, is this the year Roger Federer will win his record eighth Wimbledon title?
This June, it had been four years since the right-hander had captured his seventh Wimbledon crown. He had come close in 2014 and 2015, losing in the final to Novak Djokovic, and that's exactly why Federer fans were so excited before his quarter-final match against Marin Cilic.
Djokovic, the three-time Wimbledon champion, had lost to Sam Querrey in the third round, leaving second seed Andy Murray, third seed Federer and sixth seed Milos Raonic as the remaining top contenders. And Federer led his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalries against both Murray and Raonic.
But before any fan dreamt of another title, Federer had to face Cilic in a rematch of their 2014 US Open semi-final, which Cilic had won en route to his first Grand Slam title. “He blew me off the court at the US Open. I know what I'm getting into,” Federer said.
Read Match Report: Federer Escapes, Moves Into SFs
The match began almost like a continuation of that semi-final. Cilic was blasting his serve-forehand combination. The 6'6” right-hander was controlling the match, winning almost 90 per cent of the points that started with his first serve during the first two sets.
Midway through the third set, though, Federer crawled through an opening. The Swiss was down three break points at 3-3, 0/40, but he somehow won five straight points to hold and hear screams from the Centre Court crowd. He'd soon take the third set.
Cilic refused to hang his head in the fourth set, though, and earned three match points, including two on Federer's second serve. But Cilic put neither of those serves in play, and Federer erased all three match points en route to winning the fourth set after a 20-point tie-break.
“If we would go back to play again, I would try to be more aggressive on the chances when I had them in the fourth. Maybe there was a slight hesitation [during] some of them,” Cilic said.
Federer carried that momentum for the entire fifth set, breaking Cilic at 4-3 and ending the match with two of his 27 aces. To the delight of the Centre Court crowd, Federer had come back from two-sets down for the 10th time in his career and kept his title hopes alive.
“Today was epic. Probably going to look back at this as being a great, great match that I played in my career, on Centre Court here at Wimbledon,” Federer said. “This is huge for me, my season, my career. I'm very, very happy.”

1. Lucas Pouille d. Rafael Nadal 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(6)/4R/US Open
All season long, Lucas Pouille had shown he was one of the best players on the ATP World Tour during the biggest moments. Coming into the US Open, the Frenchman was ranked No. 25 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, but he had played like Top 5 player when under pressure, according to the Under Pressure Leaders category of the ATP Stats LEADERBOARDS, powered by the Infosys Information Platform.
The 22 year old, however, had never faced a pressurised moment quite like this one: Fifth-set tie-break. Fourth round of a Grand Slam. Facing Big Four member and two-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal.
Past history pointed to a Nadal rout. The Spaniard had dismissed Pouille 6-2, 6-1, at the 2015 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, and before the 2016 US Open, Pouille had never won a match at Flushing Meadows. “I was not confident before the match,” Pouille would say later.
Read Match Report: Pouille Conquers Nadal In New York
Then again, 2016 had already been a breakthrough season for Pouille. He had hiked 62 spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings, played in his first ATP World Tour final (Bucharest, l. to Verdasco) and reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon (l. to Berdych). So why not add one more career-best achievement to the list?
The Frenchman rolled through the opening set, but Nadal answered in the second set, and back-and-forth they went, each player finding ways to answer the other's momentum. In the fifth set, Nadal led 4-2 and appeared headed towards his seventh US Open quarter-final. It would have marked his first Grand Slam quarter-final of 2016 as well.
But Pouille found a way to turn things around against the 2010 and 2013 US Open champion. All match long, the 6'1” right-hander had brought the action to Nadal, charging the net and stepping around his backhand to pelt winners. For the match, Pouille would win 60 per cent of his net points (38/63) and hit 59 winners.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Pouille Named Most Improved Player Of 2016
Most importantly, he didn't let nerves change his game plan in the fifth-set tie-break. The Frenchman led 6/3 in the tie-break before Nadal won three straight points for 6/6. The Spaniard then had a chance to earn a match point but he missed a short forehand putaway.
“A big mistake, yeah. But you are six-all in the tie-break. I played the right point. I put [myself] in a position to have the winner and I had the mistake,” Nadal said. “You cannot go crazy thinking about these kind of things.”
Pouille seized the opportunity the very next point. At 7/6, the Frenchman slid to his left once more and unleashed a forehand that sailed over the high part of the net and landed just inside the sideline. “It's the best win of my career so far,” he'd say later.
For the second Grand Slam tournament in a row, Pouille had reached the last eight. No one could say he hadn't earned it. The 22 year old had won three consecutive five-set matches. Pressure? Lucas Pouille lives for it!

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/bes ... 016-part-2

[Lucas]

Best ATP Matches Of 2016: Part 1

5. Rafael Nadal d. Gael Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0/F/Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters
4. Novak Djokovic d. Rafael Nadal 7-5, 7-6(4)/QF/Internazionali BNL d'Italia
3.Pablo Cuevas d. Rafael Nadal 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 6-4/SF/Rio Open presented by Claro

Spoiler:

Continuing our Season In Review Series, ATPWorldTour.com revisits the best ATP World Tour matches of 2016. In today’s countdown we feature Nos. 5-3:

5. Rafael Nadal d. Gael Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0/F/Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

At the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, it was best if you had simply forgotten about the Gael Monfils you had once known – the fun, care-free player who liked to entertain as much as he liked to win. Because the Monfils who had dashed through to the Monte-Carlo final was not that Monfils.
This Monfils had gone a perfect 10-0 in sets, racing to his third ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title match. He had beaten Jiri Vesely – the left-hander who had upset World No. 1 Novak Djokovic – 6-1, 6-2, and Monfils had dominated countryman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-1, 6-3 in the semi-finals.
So impressive had Monfils been that it looked as if he had a legit chance to beat Rafael Nadal in the Monte-Carlo final. But Monfils would have to deliver his very best performance. He had beaten Nadal only two times in 13 FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings, and he had lost all four of their previous clay-court matches.
Nadal wasn't invincible, though. He had won eight Monte-Carlo titles and did boast a 57-4 record at the tournament. But he also hadn't won a Masters 1000 title for almost two years, and he hadn't taken the Monte-Carlo crown since 2012. So a Nadal victory, despite his wins against Stan Wawrinka (QF) and Andy Murray (SF), wasn't an easy putaway.
The final began up in the air as well. Nadal broke early to lead 3-1 but Monfils broke back the very next game and crushed a forehand down the line to make it 3-3. The all-out forehand would become Monfils' go-to shot against Nadal, who chased down most everything else. Wary of extending the rallies too long, Monfils would set his feet and blast a forehand winner to roars from the Sunday crowd.
Nadal was too good in the first set, though, and the second set showed more back-and-forth tennis. Nadal was wearing the Frenchman down with his grinding clay-court game and by effectively using his own down-the-line forehand to keep Monfils off-balance.
But Monfils wasn't caving to the Spaniard. He was exerting every ounce of energy he had and attempting to step into the court. He'd finish the match with 28 winners and serve out the second set to force a decider.
But after two exhilarating sets, Nadal had worn Monfils down. On match point, Nadal, on a dead sprint, leaned back once more and ripped a forehand winner down the line. He then fell to his knees, a champion in Monte-Carlo for the ninth time.
“In the third, the most important moment, I decided, OK, now I have to go for the shots. Now I have to hit my forehand deeper and go more for winners. I did and that was the difference,” Nadal said. “The first two sets were unbelievably tough. So many big points. But that's a great final and an unbelievable victory for me. [I'm] so very emotional and very happy.”

4. Novak Djokovic d. Rafael Nadal 7-5, 7-6(4)/QF/Internazionali BNL d'Italia
Before Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal met in the Rome quarter-finals, this much had been settled: Nadal, the King of Clay, was again nearing top form on the European dirt.
His status had been questioned by some after the 2015 season, during which he failed to extend two clay-court title streaks. For the first time since 2009, Nadal didn't win Roland Garros, and for the first time since 2004, he finished a season without one of the three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court crowns.
But the Spaniard had shown signs that his play was on the rise. Weeks before Rome, Nadal had beaten Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray and Gael Monfils to capture the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters title. A week later, Nadal had won his ninth Barcelona crown by beating two-time defending champion Kei Nishikori in the final. Two weeks of clay-court tennis, and Nadal was a perfect 10-0.
But could he overtake Djokovic on clay? Nadal had yet to grab a set off the World No. 1 during their two earlier meetings in Indian Wells and Doha, and Djokovic had won their past six FedEx ATP Head2Head encounters.
But that was the question on everyone's mind, and it would be answered during the quarter-final at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Nadal jumped on top, breaking to lead 3-2. But Djokovic, the two-time defending champion, struck back, and they were on serve at 4-4.
Serving at 5-6, Nadal looked to push the first set into a tie-break but Djokovic played relentless defence against the Spaniard. Standing feet behind the baseline, the Serbian kept retrieving until Nadal lured him to the net with a drop shot. Djokovic then flung at a forehand volley to take a one-set lead.
The second set began much like the first. Nadal again grabbed momentum with an early break. This time, he led 5-4 and had five set points but was unable to convert any of them as Djokovic, squatting low to the clay when on defence, absorbed the Spaniard's best. Djokovic needed only one break point to make it 5-5.
The four-time Rome champion then ended Nadal's upset bid with a backhand winner in the tie-break. Two hours and 25 minutes after they had started, Djokovic had answered the question on everyone's mind: Yes, he was still the best player in the world, but Nadal, on clay, was not far behind.
The Serbian would go on to play another memorable match in Rome, overcoming Nishikori in a three-hour semi-final 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5). For the year, Djokovic would finish 21-4 against the Top 10. He'd have to wait until Toronto, though, to win his 30th Masters 1000 title. Andy Murray beat Djokovic 6-3, 6-3 in the final.

3. Pablo Cuevas d. Rafael Nadal 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 6-4/SF/Rio Open presented by Claro
It certainly seemed as if Rafael Nadal had come to the right place to reboot his 2016 season. Here he was, the top seed at the Rio Open presented by Claro, the tournament he'd won in 2014 and reached the semi-finals of in 2015. It seemed like here, on the red clay of Brazil, Nadal would play like the man who had reached the Doha final (l. to Djokovic) just a month earlier.
Three matches in, and all was looking promising as well. Nadal had reached the semi-finals without dropping a set. His next opponent was World No. 45 Pablo Cuevas, a player whom he had beaten during all three of their prior FedEx ATP Head2Head match-ups, including their 2015 Rio quarter-final. Recent history also was on Nadal's side: Only once since 2005 had he lost to a player outside the Top 30 on clay. Beat Cuevas for a fourth time and Nadal would sprint into his second final of the season.

But Cuevas saw the match-up differently. The 30 year old also had played well in Rio the previous year, taking a set off Nadal, and the Uruguayan also felt comfortable on clay. All three of his titles had come on the red dirt.
Nadal got off to the quicker start, though, taking the first-set tie-break. But he faltered as the match wore on. He struggled to handle Cuevas' power and was unable to convert on the big points. Cuevas finished with 48 winners, including 10 aces, and saved 11/13 break points faced.
The right-hander grabbed a mini-break early in the second-set tie-break to even the match. In the third set, Cuevas saved two break points in the sixth game and rode the momentum to a break in the very next game. He finished Nadal with an ace out wide and dropped to his knees with joy.
“This is my best win,” Cuevas said. “I'm so happy that I played amazing for all the match.”
A day later, he'd have another reason to smile: His fourth ATP World Tour title.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/bes ... 016-part-1

[Damian]

Biggest ATP World Tour Upsets Of 2016

Spoiler:

ATP World Tour Season In Review: Biggest ATP Upsets
Continuing our Season In Review Series, ATPWorldTour.com revisits the biggest ATP World Tour upsets of 2016:
(5) Mischa Zverev d. Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 – Basel quarter-finals
One of the brightest emerging talents on the ATP World Tour, #NextGen star Alexander Zverev made his presence known in 2016. Just weeks after notching his maiden title at the St. Petersburg Open, the 19 year old soared to a career-high World No. 20 in the Emirates ATP Rankings in mid-October. But Alexander wasn’t the only Zverev to enjoy a breakout run at season’s end.
Older brother Mischa turned back the clock with a slew of inspired performances of his own, employing his fast-paced lefty serve-and-volley brand of tennis with great success. One week after Alexander’s Top 20 milestone, Mischa reached his first ATP World Tour semi-final in six years behind a signature upset of World No. 3 and home favourite Stan Wawrinka at the Swiss Indoors Basel. The 29-year-old qualifier claimed his fifth match win in seven days, putting years of injury woes behind him with an impressive rise to year-end World No. 51 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. Zverev, who entered 2016 at No. 171, claimed just his second victory over a Top-5 opponent, breaking Wawrinka six times. It capped a strong finish to the season that also saw him push Novak Djokovic to the brink in the Shanghai Rolex Masters quarter-finals.

(4) Thiago Monteiro d. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 – Rio de Janeiro first round
The 2016 Rio Open presented by Claro provided many intriguing storylines, with top seed Rafael Nadal and eventual champion Pablo Cuevas staging a late-night semi-final thriller and Argentina’s Guido Pella streaking to his first ATP World Tour final. But arguably the most remarkable performance was turned in by unseeded wild card Thiago Monteiro. To say that the 22-year-old Brazilian’s first tour-level match was a memorable one would be an understatement.
The Rio de Janeiro resident and World No. 338 shocked No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to open the tournament, channeling the energy of the home fans to secure the biggest upset of the year over a Top 10 opponent. Monteiro entered the history books with the victory, becoming the first player to win his debut against a Top 10 player since Guido Pella (d. Tipsarevic) in Dusseldorf 2013 and the first ranked 300 or lower to beat a Top 10 player since Albano Olivetti (d. Fish) in Marseille 2012.
Monteiro would go on to enjoy a breakthrough 2016 campaign, becoming the only player to rise more than 300 spots to a year-end Top 100 position in the Emirates ATP Rankings. The World No. 82 reached a pair of ATP World Tour quarter-finals in Sao Paulo and Gstaad, in addition to claiming his maiden ATP Challenger Tour title in Aix-en-Provence, France.
(3) Federico Delbonis d. Andy Murray 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3) – Indian Wells third round
Pressure? What pressure? With his nation on his shoulders, Federico Delbonis stepped up for Argentina, clinching the decisive fifth rubber in the Davis Cup final last month. But the 26 year old has proven he’s capable of big performances under pressure, turning in clutch displays throughout the year. Delbonis did not drop a set en route to the title in Marrakech after claiming one of the biggest wins of his career over World No. 2 Andy Murray at the BNP Paribas Open in March.
The Argentine survived a deciding tie-break against the eventual year-end No. 1 and Barclays ATP World Tour Finals champion in the third round, adding Murray to his list of Top 10 scalps that also includes Roger Federer (Hamburg 2013) and Stan Wawrinka (Geneva 2015). Murray was not at his best on a sun-kissed afternoon in Indian Wells, hitting 44 unforced errors, and World No. 53 Delbonis refused to shy away from the occasion, overcoming a break deficit in the third set to prevail after two hours and 45 minutes. The Round of 16 finish is Delbonis’ best result at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event.
"This was special," said Delbonis. "For this tournament, for the surface, for me it is my best win."
(2) Denis Shapovalov d. Nick Kyrgios 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3 – Toronto first round
Making your tour-level debut on home soil is often a magical moment. Win it and you’re an instant hero. This year, Thiago Monteiro embraced the spotlight in Rio de Janeiro (see No. 4 above) and Marcus Willis thrilled the Wimbledon faithful (stay tuned for the best Grand Slam upsets on Tuesday). At age 17, it was akin to a fairytale for Denis Shapovalov at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. The Canadian teen stunned Nick Kyrgios in a dramatic first-round encounter under the lights at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event.
World No. 370 Shapovalov was unflappable in trading baseline blows with the 11th-seeded Aussie, taking an aggressive approach with his one-handed backhand and refusing to acquiesce to the pressure after dropping the second set. A #NextGen star in the making, he was the youngest player to win an ATP World Tour match this year. Despite falling to Grigor Dimitrov in the second round, Shapovalov says it was a memorable experience.
“I might be dreaming still. It’s still hitting me,” said Shapovalov after defeating Kyrgios. "I didn't expect to win. I'm just going to go fight for every point. That's what I did. The outcome was very good today."
“He's coming off one of the best results of his career. He has a great future,” Kyrgios said. “I'm really looking forward to seeing how he's going to progress... He's a top player.”

(1) Jiri Vesely d. Novak Djokovic 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 – Monte-Carlo second round
Novak Djokovic was an indomitable force to open the 2016 season. The champion in Doha, Melbourne Park, Indian Wells and Miami, the Serbian was 28-1 through the first three months of the year and entered the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters as the heavy favourite to retain the title. But his clay-court opener did not go as planned, as World No. 55 Jiri Vesely made a massive statement on one of the game’s biggest stages.
The Czech earned the biggest win of his young career, halting Djokovic’s run of 106 consecutive matches won against players ranked outside the Top 50. It was also his earliest defeat at an ATP World Tour event in three years, since suffering a second-round loss to Grigor Dimitrov in Madrid in 2013. The inaugural Star of Tomorrow presented by Emirates in 2013, Vesely held his nerve for a stunning victory in two hours and six minutes, maintaining his steely resolve in a tense third set. Djokovic had seemed poised to stage a fightback after reeling off four straight games from 2-2 in the second to level the match. But Vesely regrouped in the decider to claim the memorable victory.
"I'm just very, very happy," Vesely said. "When I went on court, I had completely different thinking, like, 'I hope to win a game,' or 'I really hope to do well.' But I really had no idea that I really would be able to beat Novak today."
Biggest ATP World Tour Upsets By Emirates ATP Ranking
Player
Opponent
Tournament
Ranking Difference
No. 1042 Juan Martin del Potro
No. 30 Jeremy Chardy
Delray Beach
1012 spots
No. 1042 Juan Martin del Potro
No. 65 Denis Kudla
Delray Beach
977 spots
No. 1045 Dmitry Tursunov No. 75 Sam Groth
Acapulco
970 spots
No. 1042 Juan Martin del Potro
No. 135 John-Patrick Smith
Delray Beach
907 spots
No. 837 Reilly Opelka No. 28 Kevin Anderson
Atlanta
809 spots
No. 837 Reilly Opelka No. 53 Donald Young
Atlanta
784 spots
No. 761 Nikola Cacic No. 69 Aljaz Bedene
Umag
692 spots
Honourable Mentions
• In just his third ATP World Tour event, American teen Reilly Opelka made a splash in reaching the BB&T Atlanta Open semi-finals. At 18, the World No. 837 stunned third seed Kevin Anderson and seventh seed Donald Young, before falling to John Isner in three sets. Later in August, the 6’11” Opelka would save two match points in also upsetting Jeremy Chardy 11-9 in a deciding tie-break at the Western & Southern Open.
• #NextGen star Alexander Zverev became the first teenager to win an ATP World Tour crown since 2008 with a title run at the St. Petersburg Open. He earned consecutive Top 10 upsets of Tomas Berdych and Stan Wawrinka in the semis and final.
• After nearly a year on the sidelines with a hip injury, 18-year-old Swede Mikael Ymer impressed the home faithful at the If Stockholm Open, routing former World No. 7 Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-1 in the first round. The World No. 549 was contesting just his second ATP World Tour event.
• Di Wu put China on the map in 2016, becoming the first from his country to win an ATP Challenger Tour title (in Maui, U.S.A.) and the first to win a match at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. At No. 182 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, he upset No. 22 Pablo Cuevas in a deciding tie-break at the Shanghai Rolex Masters.
Coming Tuesday: The biggest Grand Slam upsets of 2016

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/bes ... atp-upsets

[Damian]

Indian Wells, London-Queen's, Stockholm & Winston-Salem Voted 2016 ATP World Tour Tournaments Of The Year

Spoiler:

Learn which ATP World Tour tournaments have won 2016 Awards
The ATP has announced the Tournaments of the Year in the 2016 ATP World Tour Awards presented by Moët & Chandon, with the BNP Paribas Open and Aegon Championships joined by the If Stockholm Open and Winston-Salem Open as the most favoured ATP World Tour events in their respective tournament categories.
The Tournament of the Year awards, voted annually by ATP players, recognise the leading standards set across the three tournament categories on the Tour. Indian Wells repeats at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level, while The Queen’s Club in London wins for the second successive year as a 500 tournament. In the 250 category, first-time winners Stockholm and Winston-Salem share honours.
Visit the official ATP World Tour Awards section on ATPWorldTour.com
Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman & President, said: “These tournaments have set the benchmark in their respective categories in 2016 and fully deserve this recognition from the players. Our tournaments are continuously striving to reach greater heights, and this is a fitting recognition of the tireless work and effort that has been put in by each tournament’s organising team.”
The BNP Paribas Open has been named as the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year for the third consecutive season. The tournament received the distinction for the first time in 2014, following the debut of its state-of-the-art Stadium 2, additional practice courts and a new shade structure. Following the 2016 event, numerous improvements have been made to Stadium 1, including upgrading, expanding and adding concessions and suites for the 2017 tournament.
“As a player, I can understand why this event has been named ‘Tournament of the Year’ on the ATP World Tour for the third consecutive year,” said Tournament Director Tommy Haas. “Now as a member of the Indian Wells team, I have even more respect for the countless hours of planning and dedication that the entire staff contributes to make the BNP Paribas Open one of the best sporting events in the world. We remain focused on improving the event every year and hope to make the 2017 edition even more memorable.”
The Aegon Championships receives a Tournament of the Year award for a fourth straight season. It won at the 250 level in 2013-14 before its re-categorisation as an ATP World Tour 500 event for 2015. In 2017, the tournament will expand its Centre Court capacity by 30%, with the addition of more than 2,000 seats.
“Any time a tournament is voted for by the players as the best in its category is something to celebrate, but this year it is particularly satisfying,” said Tournament Director Stephen Farrow. “The weather in 2016 posed a number of challenges for us, and it is a huge credit to everyone involved in the tournament that we were still able produce an event that the players felt inclined to recognise in this way. We look forward to running an even better tournament in 2017 with more people able to watch the action than ever before.”
For the second successive year and the fifth time overall (since 1986), two events have been named joint winners in the ATP World Tour 250 category. The If Stockholm Open hosted its 48th edition in October, while the Winston-Salem Open was held in August for the sixth year running.
“Considering all the great tournaments across the globe, we are so honoured to win the ATP World Tour 250 Tournament of the Year,” said Simon Aspelin, the If Stockholm Open Tournament Director. “It's a great achievement and a credit to the tournament organisation, the Royal Tennis Club of Stockholm, our sponsors and our volunteers. On behalf of the organization I would like to say thank you to all the players voting for our tournament and giving us the best feedback we could wish for.”
Bill Oakes, the Tournament Director of the Winston-Salem Open, said, “We recognise this award is due to the amazing dedication of not only the tournament staff but because of the many volunteers and those in the Winston-Salem community who work to make our tournament and city a great place for the ATP World Tour players to compete and prepare for the US Open.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/atp ... -announced

[Mario]

Nie wiem jak oni traktują olimpiadę, ale mimo wszystko - każda lista najlepszych meczów, na której nie ma Nishikoriego z Monfilsem z Rio, nadaje się jedynie do wyrzucenia do kosza.

[Damian]

Biggest ATP World Tour Comebacks Of 2016

Spoiler:

ATP World Tour Season In Review: Biggest ATP Comebacks
Continuing our Season In Review Series, ATPWorldTour.com revisits the biggest ATP World Tour comebacks of 2016:
3) Kei Nishikori d. Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) – Miami quarter-finals
Kei Nishikori left his comfort zone on an oppressively hot and muggy day in Key Biscayne by finding a way to come through one of the matches of 2016 on the ATP World Tour. At the end, his shirt saturated, he embraced Gael Monfils following a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) victory for a place in the semi-finals of the Miami Open presented by Itau.
After saving five match points in the two-and-a-half-hour contest, sixth seed Nishikori admitted, “When I was down 4-5, love-40, I thought it was going to be it. It was going to be tough to come back, but I tried to play one point at time.”
Monfils started strongly, but after Nishikori overcame an early setback the Japanese kept pace with the explosive Frenchman. By the start of the third set, No. 16 seed Monfils, clothes soaked with sweat, was clearly labouring under the Miami sun. But instead of going away quietly, he began swinging with abandon. Down 2-4 in the deciding set, Monfils swept through the next three games and held four match points with Nishikori serving to stay in the match at 4-5.
“At 3-4 I really raised my level,” said Monfils. “I started to be very aggressive, started to go for it, and still had the strong feeling that I could make it. At the end, I pushed very hard and definitely had an opportunity to close it out, but Kei fought well. In the tie-break he was just better than me.”

2) Gilles Muller d. John Isner 3-6, 7-6(16), 7-6(7) – London/Queen’s Club second round
In their previous four meetings, seven of their 11 sets had gone to a tie-break, so in the genteel confines of The Queen’s Club, in west London, just as the majority of spectators were settling down to watch Andy Murray in his quest for a record fifth title at the Aegon Championships, a battle royale was instigated on Court 1. No quarter was given over two hours and 25 minutes.
Gilles Muller, a finalist at the Ricoh Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch just four days earlier, scraped past John Isner, who fired down a tournament record 43 aces, 3-6, 7-6(16), 7-6(7) for a place in the quarter-finals. Muller had previously held the main draw record at the Aegon Championships, hitting 37 aces in 2015 in a three-set first-round win over Mikhail Youzhny.
The Luxembourg native saved 10 match points – six in the second set and four in the third set. Seventh seed Isner had two match point opportunities on his serve at 13-12 in the second set tie-break and at 6-5 in deciding set tie-break. It was the most match points saved on the ATP World Tour in 12 years, when Rainer Schuettler fought off the same number in a 3-6, 7-6(13), 6-0 win over Andreas Seppi in the 2004 Kitzbühel second round.
The 18-16 tie-break was also the longest at The Queen’s Club since the semi-finals in 1997 when Goran Ivanisevic defeated Greg Rusedski 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(18). It was the longest tie-break on the ATP World Tour in 2016. There had been an 18-16 tie-break in a Davis Cup tie in March, when Mirza Basic came back to defeat Malek Jaziri 5-7, 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(16), 6-4.
Isner and Muller’s combined 69 aces was the most in an ATP World Tour best-of-three match (since 1991). The previous most was 65 aces last year in The Queen's Club second round with Isner (36) and Feliciano Lopez (29). It was a match for the record books.
1) Martin Klizan d. Roberto Bautista Agut 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 6-0 – Rotterdam quarter-finals
Martin Klizan d. Nicolas Mahut 6-7(3), 7-6(7), 6-2 – Rotterdam semi-finals
As the ticker tape floated onto the court at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Martin Klizan could only smile at the end of a memorable week that would have impressed Harry Houdini, the illusionist and escape artist. Not once, but twice had the Slovakian been close to packing his bags at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. But each time he had managed to wriggle free en route to the biggest title of his career.
In saving five match points to beat sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 6-0, Klizan broke a four-match losing streak against his in-form Spanish opponent, who had already picked up two ATP World Tour titles and won 13 of his past 14 matches in the early days of the 2016 ATP World Tour season. Klizan saved two match points when serving at 4-5 in the second set, then saved a further three match points in the next game that saw him convert a break point with a superb forehand return winner down the line. "It was a very, very tough match. I was almost on the plane," said Klizan, after the two-hour and 44-minute victory. "I saved five match points, which is incredible. I am very happy that I won, breaking his four-match winning streak he had over me. Despite Roberto's match points, I kept fighting, because it isn't over until it's over."
Less than 24 hours later, the 26-year-old Klizan reached his first ATP World Tour indoor final since the 2012 St. Petersburg Open, with a swashbuckling comeback win over qualifier Nicolas Mahut 6-7(3), 7-6(7), 6-2. Serve-volleyer Mahut held the upper hand for the majority of the match, but Klizan took risks after saving one match point on his serve at 3-5 in the second set. In an emotionally-charged tie-break, Klizan saved two more match points before levelling with a drive volley. The Slovakian then broke Mahut in the opening game of the decider, finishing the match with 45 winners. “It was an incredible moment,” Klizan said. “I will remember this tournament until the day I die. I never thought I could win, because Nicolas was playing great tennis. Maybe I was lucky, but I tried to fight until the last point. I think the crowd enjoyed the show.”
Klizan went on to maintain his perfect record in ATP World Tour finals (4-0) the next day, with another three-set comeback win over fifth seed Gael Monfils. His eight match points saved were the most en route to a title since Felix Mantilla saved nine match points at 2001 Palermo – all versus Albert Portas in the semi-finals. “I cannot believe that it happened," said Klizan. "It was my dream to be on the board with these unbelievably great players. It's an amazing feeling. Every day I was just fighting. Most of the time I had three-hour matches every day, so the only thing I could do was fight. In the end I saved so many match points. I still cannot believe it."

Honourable Mentions
Guido Pella d. [4] John Isner 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(8) – Saved 3 M.P. – Rio de Janeiro first round
[WC] Noah Rubin d. Sam Groth 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(6) – Saved 3 M.P. – Delray Beach first round
[4] Rafael Nadal d. Alexander Zverev 6-7(8), 6-0, 7-5 – Saved 1 M.P. – Indian Wells third round
[LL] Horacio Zeballos d. Fernando Verdasco 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) – Saved 1 M.P. – Miami second round
Diego Schwartzman d. [1] David Goffin 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 – Saved 2 M.P. – Antwerp semi-finals

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/bes ... -comebacks

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Best Of 2016: ATP Heritage Review

Spoiler:

ATPWorldTour.com marked a number of milestones and historic anniversaries throughout 2016
Murray, Djokovic Battle For No. 1
Andy Murray finished as the year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time and enters 2017 with a career-best 24-match winning streak, which included five straight titles. Djokovic saw his run of 122 consecutive weeks at No. 1 end on 7 November. The Serbian had been at the summit of men's professional tennis for 223 weeks overall, behind Jimmy Connors (268 weeks), Ivan Lendl (270 weeks), Pete Sampras (286 weeks) and Roger Federer (302 weeks).
For the past 13 years the No. 1 spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings has been held by a member of the Big Four: Murray (2016), Djokovic (2011-12, 2014-15), Rafael Nadal (2008, 2010, 2013) or Roger Federer (2004-07, 2009). The last time a foursome finished No. 1 for 13 straight years or longer was from 1974-87 with Connors (1974-78), Bjorn Borg (1979-80), John McEnroe (1981-84) or Lendl (1985-87, 1989).
Djokovic finished 2016 as one of only four players in the history of the Emirates ATP Rankings to finish in the Top 3 for 10 or more years – including Lendl (10, 1981-1990), Federer (10, 2003-12; also No. 2 in 2014-15) and Connors (12, 1973-84). Djokovic celebrated 200 weeks at No. 1 and also became only the eighth player in tennis history to complete the career Grand Slam with his first Roland Garros crown in May.
Match Win Milestones
Roger Federer required just 13 match wins in 2016 to pass Lendl (1,071) for the second-most victories in the Open Era (since 1968) and now, with 1,080, only Connors - the all-time record-holder with 1,253 match wins, achieved in early 1985, stands ahead of the Swiss superstar.
This year also marked surges for Djokovic and Murray. As Nadal notched 800 match wins, Djokovic went an astonishing 100-6 from 600 to 700 match wins and Murray moved from 500 to 600 in just 116 matches.
‘#NextGen’ Campaign Launched
The ATP unveiled its 'Next Generation' campaign on the eve of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on 8 March. With Murray and Djokovic continuing to take the sport to new levels, the campaign introduced an exciting crop of young and talented players, who are rising to prominence on the ATP World Tour. There were 14 players – including Nick Kyrgios, Alexander Zverev and Borna Coric – in the Top 200 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, including six players in the Top 100, born in 1995 or later. Aged 21 or under each of them is striving to pose a future threat to the well-established hierarchy.
Visit #NextGen Landing
Later in the year, on 19 November, during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, the ATP announced that Milan in Italy, would host a new tournament, the Next Gen ATP Finals, featuring the world’s top 21-and-under singles players of the ATP World Tour season. The event in 2017 will be held from 7-11 November and the Race To Milan for the Next Gen ATP Finals will begin in January.
Doubles Milestones
The 40th anniversary of the Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings was celebrated on 1 March 2016, a year that saw the top spot change between three players: Marcelo Melo, Jamie Murray and Nicolas Mahut. To date, 49 different players have risen to the top spot.
Rising To Doubles No. 1 Tributes: Murray | Mahut
Daniel Nestor became the first doubles player to record 1,000-match wins when he partnered Marcelo Melo to a first-round victory at the Apia International Sydney on 11 January. Ten months later, on 28 October, it was the turn of Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan to become the first doubles team to attain the 1,000 match wins milestone after beating Pablo Cuevas and Viktor Troicki at the Erste Bank Open 500 in Vienna.
Calling It A Career
Lleyton Hewitt, the 2001 and 2002 year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, bid an emotional farewell to professional tennis at the Australian Open. He returned as a doubles competitor at Wimbledon alongside Jordan Thompson. The Adelaide native remains the third-youngest player to win an ATP World Tour title, having prevailed in his hometown at 16 years, 11 months.
Eric Butorac, a former president of the ATP World Tour Player Council and a winner of 18 doubles titles, officially retired at the US Open on 5 September. Michael Berrer, Rui Machado, Andreas Beck, Jesse Huta Galung, Julian Reister also ended their careers as professional players.
ATP, Grand Slam Anniversaries
ATPWorldTour.com reflected on the 10th anniversary of Djokovic’s first ATP World Tour title in Amersfoort and also the 2006 Rome final between Nadal and Federer at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.
The ATP also looked back on the 20th anniversary of Richard Krajicek’s 1996 Wimbledon final victory over MaliVai Washington. Krajicek is currently the Tournament Director of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam and also coach to Milos Raonic. Spanish greats also celebrates Manolo Santana’s run to the 1966 crown on Centre Court at the All England Club.
Friends Remembered…
There were tributes to the late journalist and broadcaster Bud Collins (4 March), Gardnar Mulloy, who passed away aged 102, (14 November) and also Tim Gullikson, the amiable former player and coach to Pete Sampras, on the 20th anniversary of his death (3 May).
Finals Club Celebrates 1980s
The ATP World Tour celebrated year-end championship participants from the 1980s at The O2 in London in the second year of the Finals Club. More than 30 other players reconnected with the sport, their peers, as well as the world’s best players of today.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/bes ... age-review

[Damian]

On-court stories of the year include Djokovic's Slam, Murray's ascension

Spoiler:

It was definitely a whirlwind year in the tennis world. Here are our top on-court stories of 2016.

1. French feat for Djokovic

Novak Djokovic's long-sought victory at the French Open was worth the wait. He completed the career Slam and became the first man since Rod Laver to hold all four major titles at the same time. The ovation he received was also a special moment for the Serb, who has not often had the crowd with him in the biggest matches of his career. It was perhaps natural that such a big win would be followed by something of a letdown; he won only one more title the rest of the season.

2. Serena's wins 22nd at 34

Serena Williams' victory at Wimbledon gave her Grand Slam No. 22, tied for second overall and first in the Open era. It was her only Slam win of the season, but the one-time teenage champion still pulled off a major title at 34, and that might be as notable as her total.


Serena Williams' championship at Wimbledon was one of just two tournament wins for her in 2016. Adam Pretty/Getty Images
3. Federer and Nadal struggle with health

EDITOR'S PICKS

Del Potro's thriller tops 2016 tennis matches of the year
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Sharapova saga tops 2016 tennis disappointments
Maria Sharapova's shocking announcement that she tested positive for an illegal substance was only one of our 2016 disappointing moments.
The two biggest names in the game played only intermittently, with some impact on interest and tournament attendance. Having rarely been injured in his career, Roger Federer wasn't fully fit this season and struggled in tournaments. He had knee surgery following the Australian Open, withdrew from Miami with a stomach illness, picked up a back problem during the clay season and didn't play in the French Open, breaking his record of playing in 65 consecutive Slams. When he returned for the grass-court season, Federer's knee was still not 100 percent. He slipped and fell during his semifinal against Milos Raonic at Wimbledon, then decided to sit out the rest of the year.

Rafael Nadal is used to injury interruptions, but this season was especially painful for him. Having started shakily, the Spaniard briefly returned to form before he injured his left wrist and withdrew during the French Open, an event he has won nine times. He returned in time for the Olympics, but up-and-down play prevented him from playing after the Shanghai Masters.

4. Murray reaches the top

Often seen as the fourth member of the Big Four, Andy Murray finally got to be No. 1. In a way, it was about time, but it didn't come easily. Murray left the French Open more than 8,000 points behind Djokovic and managed to make up that gap before the season even finished. He did it with a second half that was as dominant as Djokovic's first, winning every event he played except Cincinnati and the US Open. Murray's ascent was popular and particularly special following his brother's rise to No. 1 in doubles just a few months prior. Both also finished the season as No. 1s. Andy would clinch the final top spot by defeating Djokovic to win the ATP Tour Finals, and Jamie Murray secured his position as part of the top-ranked doubles team the same week.

5. Kerber becomes new WTA leader

Compared to how long Andy Murray knocked at the door before breaking through, Angelique Kerber's rise to No. 1 happened rather rapidly. But the two do have a few things in common. Both built their games on stellar defense and reached the top by adding to their offense. They are also among the oldest players to reach No. 1 for the first time. Unlike Murray, though, Kerber had never advanced further than a semifinal at a Grand Slam or big WTA event before this season. Now, she has two Grand Slam titles and another final, and the rest of the field is chasing her.


Angelique Kerber started the season ranked No. 10 and ended it at No. 1. Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
6. Won and done for Wawrinka, Muguruza

Stan Wawrinka and Garbine Muguruza were both conspicuous for what they did and didn't achieve. Both won a major -- Wawrinka his third at the US Open, Muguruza her first at the French Open. Both did little else at that level of significance. Wawrinka had only one other top-10 win all season, though he did win three smaller titles and reach the French Open semifinals. Muguruza reached only two other semifinals in all her other tournaments.

7. Del Potro and Argentine tennis

The second half of the season would have been a lot less exciting if not for Juan Martin del Potro. He took on the big names singlehandedly -- almost literally, given his left wrist problems -- defeating Wawrinka, Djokovic, Nadal and Murray during one four-tournament run. That included wins against Djokovic and Nadal at the Olympics, in which he was cheered on by the South American crowds. Del Potro then led Argentina to its first Davis Cup, winning a couple of five-setters in the semifinals and final. Now that's a comeback.

8. Cinderella stories

Underdogs had their days, creating a sensation by defying the odds. Shuai Zhang entered Australian Open qualifying thinking about hanging up her rackets, but she advanced all the way to the quarterfinals, shelved her retirement plans and finished the season ranked in the top 25. At the French Open, Shelby Rogers only got into the draw when another player withdrew, but she defeated three seeds to reach the quarterfinals. Kiki Bertens, meanwhile, who qualified and won at a small WTA in Germany a week before, defeated four seeds, including Kerber, to reach the French Open semifinals. Then there was Marcus Willis at Wimbledon. He is a part-time teaching pro who was the final player to get into prequalifying. He not only got through qualifying, but won his first-round match to earn the chance to face Federer on Centre Court. Willis was among three teaching pros who qualified for Wimbledon, while two amateurs reached the third round of the US Open.


Qualifier Marcus Willis waves to the appreciative crowd after his second-round loss to Roger Federer on Centre Court at Wimbledon. Julian Finney/Getty Images
It doesn't stop with the Grand Slams. In Miami, Horacio Zeballos got into the draw when Federer withdrew, defeated del Potro in the second round and lasted until the round of 16, all while his wife was on the verge of delivering their first child. Nadal's second-round opponent in Miami, Damir Dzumhur, almost quit in the heat but then saw Nadal retire instead. Monica Puig was a surprise winner at the Olympics, earning the first gold medal in Puerto Rico's history. And then there was Svetlana Kuznetsova, who played four weeks in a row to qualify for the WTA Finals. She arrived there the day the tournament began and even cut off a chunk of her ponytail in the middle of her opening win.

9. Age is just a number


While younger names kept inching up, the veterans weren't getting left behind. Led by Federer, there are nine ATP players who are 34 and older in the top 100. Some are even moving up at this age. Stephane Robert broke into the top 100 at the age of 36, while 34-year-old Paolo Lorenzi became the oldest first-time winner on the ATP Tour. Ivo Karlovic won two titles and is back in the top 20 at the age of 37, while 34-year-old Nicolas Mahut is back in the top 40. On the WTA, 34-year-old Roberta Vinci and 36-year-old Venus Williams have both kept their top-20 positions.

10. Revolving doors in doubles

With Bob and Mike Bryan dropping from their traditional position atop the doubles rankings, the No. 1 spot of men's doubles was a revolving door. Jamie Murray, Bruno Soares, Nicolas Mahut, Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Marcelo Melo were each No. 1 in either the team or individual doubles rankings at some point. Among the women, the top team of Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis split up in August. Mirza hung on for her second consecutive year-end No. 1 in the individual doubles rankings, while the French team of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic took ITF World Champion honors.

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