Category: Tennis

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Top Candidates for Roland Garros 2022 

The French Open is already here and we must talk about who will be the best positioned to win the Coupe des Mousquetaires.

The top tournament for tennis on clay starts this month and the world’s best tennis players will fight to become the champion.

With odds wide open and many feeling unsure about who will be the winner, bets are going off for those who visit Bonus-promotion-code.com to try and predict who will be lifting the trophy.

Let’s take a look at who are the top candidates for Roland Garros 2022. 

Rafael Nadal

Until the day he retires, you can’t discuss potential Roland Garros winners and not mention Rafael Nadal.

The Spaniard must always be in the list for potential winners, simply for the fact that he is the all time record winner. He may not get to the tournament 100%, feeling a lot of pain in his left foot (although he has denied any big issues) and arriving without having won any of the prior titles that are played ahead of this tournament (like the Conde de Godó at Barcelona or the  Masters of Monaco, Madrid and Roma) but, despite all that, his name will always appear among the main candidates because Roland Garros is synonymous with Rafael Nadal, and Rafael Nadal is synonymous with Roland Garros. 

Novak Djokovic 

Much in the same way, we can’t forget about Novak Djokovic either. At one point enemy number one for the ATP with his stance on several issues, he has gone from strenght to strenght and silenced the doubters and the critics.

Little by little he has improved on his early year faillings and stands today as the main favorites to win in Paris, particularly when taking into account Nadal’s foot problems.

Djokovic is a different player when it comes to Grand Slams and the Serbian transforms when he plays these big tournaments.

He’s surely thinking of going after Nadal’s record and equalizing things again, leaving both with 21 Grand Slams each.

It’s important to keep in mind that Nadal will be the fifth seed, so Nole could meet either Rafa in a heated quarterfinals matchup. 

Carlos Alcaraz 

It seems amazing, and it would have been unthinkable just a year prior, but Carlos Alcaraz is another of the top candidates to win at the Court Philippe Chatrier. It seems almost unbelievable considering that this will be just his sixth Grand Slam participation, but the year is 2022 and you’ll be very mistaken not to consider him among the key candidates.

Winner in the ATP Tour 500 of Barcelona and the ATP Masters 1000 of Madrid, he has only lost one match so far this year.

He beat Nadal and Djokovic consecutively in the Spanish capital, showing that he is ready to challenge for tennis’ most prestigious tournaments and that he can endure pressure of being at the top.

Alcaraz has been a sight to be seen on a tennis court this year, playing with confidence ahd showing great personality and immense quality.

Having recovered from the ankle issues that took him out from the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome, he’ll be fresh to tackle his biggest challenge since breaking out and will most assuredly be a man to take into account. 

Kvitova talks of difficulties surrounding being a leading tennis player

The two-time Wimbledon Champion, Petra Kvitova, has admitted she sometimes wishes she could have lived life as a more “normal human being”.

This comes after she spoke of the “real life” negatives that come with being one of the best tennis players in the world.

“It’s tough to find friends, honest friends I mean. It’s tough to spend time with your family,” she admitted.

Despite the difficulties, the 30-year-old Czech claims she is still in love with the game, and remains motivated to continue winning accolades at the highest level in women’s tennis.

“If I don’t have the motivation to be great I will not play.

“I think we don’t really have a real life to be honest.

“Because we are still on the road, we are still practising, playing matches, eating, sleeping.

“I love the game itself so for me I can enjoy it, for sure, when I am on the court itself. I love matches. I don’t really like practice but that’s how it is.

“We have to deal with so many things, with our nerves, with the pressure, with the pressure from outside. To be a public person is not easy.”

A cash out from Coral option on Kvitova’s success at the next Grand Slam could be profitable, should she show any signs of losing her way during a match, and you want to take the money you are being offered.

Kvitova won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, but has since returned to the top of the game following a robbery in the Czech Republic in December 2016, which left her with a stab wound in her playing hand. 

Since returning to the sport five months later, Kvitova has gone on to win eight WTA titles.

 

Williams has the chance to equal incredible record after reaching US Open final

Women’s tennis star Serena Williams has the chance to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, when she takes to the court in the US Open final on Saturday.

Williams reached the final with relative ease, after a 6-3 6-1 win over Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolin in the semi final.

The American – who already has six US Open titles to her name – faces 19-year-old Candian Bianca Andreescu, and is aiming to win her first Grand Slam since giving birth to her daughter in September 2017.

Serena’s opponent advanced to the final after defeating Swiss Belinda Bencic 7-6 (7-3) 7-5.

This year’s US Open is only Andreescu’s fourth Grand Slam appearance – and she was incredibly born nine months after Williams won her first title at Flushing Meadows in 1999.

The match can be streamed live on Amazon Prime video.

 

Edmund hopeful of Davis Cup involvement

Australian Open semi-finalist Kyle Edmund has revealed he still intends to participate in the Davis Cup on Friday, when Great Britain face Spain.

The 23-year-old had struggled with a minor hip problem endured during the semi-final defeat to Marin Cilic – a result that halted his incredible run in Melbourne.

The new world number 26 is still hopeful he can represent GB, and released a statement in advance: “Since arriving in Marbella on Monday I have been doing my best to get match-ready for the tie.

“My intention is to play as I love Davis Cup and representing my country. My body has a few niggles and the transition from any surface to clay is not an easy one.

“Things are improving and I’m taking a day at a time at the moment. I wanted to keep you informed of the latest news and thanks to everyone for all the support.”

Should Edmund deem himself not fit enough to play in the first-round tie, Britain would be forced to take on Spain with two players ranking outside the top 100 (Cameron Norrie and Liam Broady) involved.

Play is scheduled to get under way at Club de Tenis Puente Romano on Friday.

Juan Martin del Potro secures victory after fight back

Juan Martin del Potro pulled off one of tennis’ most memorabke comebacks to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open on Monday.

The champion from 2009 had been struggling with illness, and looked set to crash out without a fight after winning only three games in the opening two sets against Dominic Thiem.

There were doubts as to whether Del Potro would be fit enough to complete the match, but he remarkably did more than just finish what he started.

The Argentinian secured the third set with ease, and then saved two match points with aces in the foruth, before clinching the win in the fifth to leave the score at 1-6 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7/1) 6-4.

Speaking after the win, Del Potro said: “Oh my God. I don’t know what can I say after this big battle. I was sick the last two days. I came here trying to play as well as I can.

“When I saw all of this crowd cheering for me, my illness cleared up. I was trying to feel better every game. I fight like this because of you guys.”

Federer will face Alexander Zverev in Montreal final

Roger Federer has booked a place with Alexander Zverev in the Rogers Cup final after a comfortable victory over Robin Haase in the Semi’s.

The win meant Federer took his current win streak to 16, having won the match 6-3 7-6 (7-5) in straight-sets.

The Swiss will now compete for his third Canadian Masters title when he faces Zverev.

When asked about the final, the 36-year-old said he was delighted with his current physique.

“I’m happy – most happy that I’m actually really healthy going into the finals.

“I haven’t wasted too much energy. I’ve been able to keep points short. I’ve been really clean at net. I think my concentration and just my playing has gone up a notch. I’m just playing better.”

Alexander Zverev.jpg

Federer’s opponent in the final was humble in victory, as he praised the 18-year-old semi finalist he defeated, Denis Shapovalov.

“I told him he had a great run. Well done to him, to not worry too much that he lost today.

“I also told him that this is just the first match of very, very many that we will play against him.

“Hopefully a lot of other big matches, maybe in Grand Slams, maybe in finals of tournaments. I just told him that this is the beginning for him.”

The final will take place at 21:00 tonight, and it would be worth taking advantage of the better offers available at biggestfreebets.com before the match starts.

Denis Shapovalov receives fine for umpire incident

Image result for denis shapovalov
Umpire Arnaud Gabas after the hit. Photo Credit: Dailymail.co.uk

Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov has been fined £5,600, after he hit the umpire in the eye with a ball during his Davis Cup match against Great Britain’s Kyle Edmund.

Shapovalov was losing 6-3, 6-4, 2-1 when he sensationally hit the ball in anger. The 17-year-old had no intention of hitting umpire Arnaud Gabas, and has since stated that he was attempting to hit the ball out of court in frustration.

The moment of madness meant that GB were awarded a default win, prompting the youngster to release a statement apologising for “letting his country down”.

The fine is broken down into two different disciplinary sections: $2,000 is for the default, and $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Shapovalov will feel lucky, as he escaped the maximum fine of $12,000, because the incident was deemed to be unintentional.

The default handed GB the progression in the Cup, after Vasek Pospisil had beaten Dan Evans to make it 2-2 overall, setting up the decider between Shapovalov and Edmund.

The video of the incident happening quickly went viral on social media, and can be seen below:

In happier news, Tickets for Roland Garros are now available for purchase, and with the tournament now just a few months away it’s definitely time to consider making your purchase.

Novak Djokovic is the early favourite at 9/5, with Rafael Nadal at 11/4 and world number one Andy Murray 4/1.

Nadal will play at Queens club this summer

Rafael Nadal remains one of the biggest names in the sport of tennis, and is still many fans’ favourite despite having now not won one of the Grand Slam tournaments since 2014. But those fans will be delighted to hear that the Spaniard will be partaking in this summers Queens club tournament due to start on June 13th.

The 29-year-old is currently ranked 5th in the world and has played at Queens club on six different occasions, and even won the event back in 2008.

Nadal told the press that Queens club gives players the “perfect conditions” to prepare for Wimbledon, which begins a week after the conclusion of Queens on June 27th.

“I love playing at the Queen’s Club and I am very happy that I will be back this year. I will never forget winning the title in 2008; it was a special moment, and going on to win my first Wimbledon.

“Holding that trophy again would be amazing, although I am well aware of the difficulties because the tournament always has so many good players.”

Andy Murray has also confirmed his presence at the event, and will attempting to retain his crown having won last years tournament.

The Scot was left heartbroken after losing the Australian Open to Novak Djokovic in recent weeks, but will be looking to make amends back on home soil.

A recent post from the ‘Rafa Nadal Academy’ which looks to find the tennis stars of the future.

Two Brits progress in Aus Open qualifiers

Dan Evans in action

Dan Evans and James Ward have both progressed to within two victories of making the draw for the Australian Open, having progressed in the first found of the qualifiers.

Evans’ win saw him lose serve just once during his match with Italy’s top seed Luca Vanni. He defeated Vanni 7-6 (7-5) 6-4, and will face Israeli Amir Weintraub in round two of three.

Evans, 25, was born in Birmingham and turned pro in 2005. The Englishman is currently ranked 185th in the world, and reached a career high of 123rd in February 2014.

Ward was also in impressive form as he unleashed 16 aces in 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 victory over Canada’s Peter Polanski.

Born in England’s capital city, London, Ward reached a career high of 89th in the world in July 2015, and currently sits 155th at 28 years of age.

The Australian Open starts on Monday and marks the start of a new season of Tennis.

There was a pre-tournament scare for Aussie Nick Kyrgios as he pulled out of the opening match at the Kooyong Classic. David Goffin was awarded victory as Kyrgios pulled out with a reported foot injury, but later let his fans on Twitter know that it was just precautionary:

Davis cup final to be held on clay in Ghent

Belgium have today confirmed that the already eagerly awaited final for the Davis cup against Great Britain will be at the Flanders Expo, a 13,000 capacity stadium, with the surface also being confirmed as clay.

Britain made history this week as they reached their first Davis cup final in over 37 years, beating Australia to get to this stage, with the Brits being impressively led by captain and world number 3 Andy Murray.

There may problems with the proposed dates for the final, as officials told of the final being played from 27-29 November. Murray would have been participating in the World Tour Finals until November 22nd, leaving him with just five days for his body to recover before he headed to Belgium.

Murray told the press today he would need a substantial amount of time to let his body recover and to deal with the transition from hard court to clay.

“If you reach the final and play on the Sunday you also need to take time off – you can’t just play five matches against the best players in the world and then not take any days off.”

Despite the potential fixture meaning he may need to miss one of the big tournaments, the Scot is clearly happy to hear that the surface is on clay, as he tweeted:

“So Ghent on the clay for the Davis Cup final – very pumped! Think clay is a good surface for us.”

Belgium were handed the advantage of playing in front of their own nation due to the rotation policy the Davis cup instills, meaning that nations alternate hosting every time they face each other, and with Britain having last hosted the two nations in Glasgow in 2012, it meant it was Belgium’s turn. Belgium won that year convincingly with a tally of four wins to GB’s one.