2020 ATP Barcelona Open fantasy tennis: Fognini knocks out Federer in huge contest
ORDER was somewhat restored on day three of the ATP Barcelona Open fantasy tennis competition, as all bar two of the eight seeds advanced through to the third round of action. The biggest upset of the day was out-of-form Italian firebrand, Fabio Fognini downing the Swiss Master, Roger Federer in three sets. After winning the first set easily, Fognini had his work cut out for himself before steadying and putting away the wily veteran, 6-2 2-6 6-1.
The other seed to bow out in the Round of 32 was ninth seed Belgian, David Goffin who went down to Grigor Dimitrov despite a strong start. The Bulgarian dropped the opening set 6-4, before bouncing back with a much stronger effort to win 4-6 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 52 minutes. Along with those clashes, there were another two matches that lasted the distance, with seventh seed Alexander Zverev and 13th seed, Andrey Rublev both winning in three sets.
Zverev defeated Chilean qualifier, Nicolas Jarry in a come-from-behind win 5-7 6-4 6-1, while Rublev also had to come back from a set down to trounce American Reilly Opelka, 4-6 6-0 6-3. It was better news for another Chilean in 16th seed Cristian Garin, knocking out Hungarian qualifier, Marton Fucsovics in straight sets 6-2 6-4. He now takes on top seed Novak Djokovic in the next round after Djokovic defeated Canadian Milos Raonic, 6-3 6-3.
The other two winners on day three were sixth seed Greek star, Stefanos Tsitsipas who knocked out Monte Carlo semi-finalist, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4 7-5, while 11th seed Argentinian Diego Schwartzman took down German qualifier, Philipp Kohlscreiber 7-6 6-4.
The Round of 16 begins tomorrow with second and third seeds Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem in action, while British wildcard Andy Murray takes on Casper Ruud in the match of the day.
ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Milos Raonic (CAN) 6-3 6-3
Fabio Fognini (ITA) defeated [4] Roger Federer (SUI) 6-2 2-6 6-1
[6] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 6-4 7-5
[7] Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated [Q] Nicolas Jarry (CHI) 5-7 6-4 6-1
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) defeated [9] David Goffin (BEL) 4-6 6-4 6-4
[11] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) defeated [Q] Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 7-6 6-4
[13] Andrey Rublev (RUS) defeated Reilly Opelka (USA) 4-6 6-0 6-3
[16] Cristian Garin (CHI) defeated [Q] Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 6-2 6-4
Ugo unravelled as Zverev takes Paris crown
THERE was no dream maiden ATP Masters success for local French hope Ugo Humbert, as new world number two Alexander Zverev played the role of party pooper and stormed to a straight sets win in Paris. Winning his first hardcourt title above 250 level since his severe ankle injury two years ago, Zverev won 6-2 […]
Paolini powers to WTA Finals win on debut
NEWCOMER to the WTA Finals event, Italian Jasmine Paolini showed she has no intention of making up the numbers, seeing off a somewhat rusty Elena Rybakina in straight sets overnight. The day one clash saw Paolini win 7-6 6-4 to get an early victory and give herself the best chance of reaching the coveted knockout […]
From Paris with Love: Humbert’s sweet homecoming
FRENCHMAN Ugo Humbert is in the form of his life and now will face off for the chance to win his first ever ATP Masters 1000 final in his home nation. Winning his semi-final against the equally red-hot but clearly injured Karen Khachanov, Humbert advanced through to the Paris decider against German Alexander Zverev on […]
Homecourt Humbert upsets Alcaraz
A RAUCOUS home crowd got Frenchman Ugo Humbert over the line against world number two Carlos Alcaraz to reach the quarter finals of the Paris ATP 1000 Masters. Humbert produced some lights out tennis, motivated by the fans driving him to a 6-1 3-6 7-5 epic victory. He looked to be doing it easy against […]
2024 WTA Finals preview: Singles
EIGHT players, one crown. That is what is in store for the prestigious WTA Finals which sees the best of the best going up against one another in a massive round-robin tournament. All four Grand Slam winners qualify automatically each year, with the remaining top ranked players for the calendar year filling out the eight […]
Popyrin powers to Paris pearler
AUSTRALIAN Alexei Popyrin has produced one of the best wins of his career, defeating fourth seed and US Open winner Daniil Medvedev in an incredible three-set match. Popyrin needed two and a half hours in Paris overnight to book his place in the ATP 1000 Masters Round of 16, winning 6-4 2-6 7-6. The deciding […]
Demon dares to dream as Ruud, Rublev gets rolled
AUSSIE Alex de Minaur‘s hopes of a maiden ATP Finals birth are within his own control after Russian Andrey Rublev suffered a spectacular second round defeat at the Paris Masters overnight. While Rublev went down to Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo in two tiebreakers, de Minaur overcame Cerundolo’s compatriot Mariano Navone, 7-5 6-1. Coming into the ATP […]
Tsitsipas survives first round Paris test
DESPITE being on the ropes early, Greek talent Stefanos Tsitsipas was able to recover and see off Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in just under two hours at the 2024 Paris Masters. The first round match saw the 10th seed – who has had a mediocre 5-4 record since the Laver Cup – have to fight […]
Frenchman aces past Shelton to win
BECOMING the lowest ranked player to win the Swiss Indoors event since it joined the official ATP Tour, Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is now an ATP 500 champion. The towering young talent aced his way to victory against equally impressive server Ben Shelton, providing an ominous sign of things to come in a 6-4 7-6 […]
