Archive of posts tagged ATP Challenger Tour

Alexander Zverev races part Nishesh Basavareddy in Cincinnati

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Alexander Zverev

World no. 3 Alexander Zverev is safely through to the third round in Cincinnati. The 2021 champion faced Nishesh Basavareddy in the second round and earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory in 66 minutes.

Thus, the German secured his 40th victory of the season, achieving that for the eighth time in the previous ten seasons. The favorite claimed 13 points more than the home player.

The 3rd seed served at 82% and dropped 14 points in nine service games. He faced no break points and kept the pressure on the other side. Nishesh served at 51% and lost 41% of the points in his games.

Basavareddy played against three break points and failed to save any. Alexander landed 21 winners and 18 unforced errors. He forged a 28-14 advantage in service winners and earned the win in that segment.

Zverev provided four fine holds in the first set and provided two breaks. The young American built a 40-15 lead in the fifth game of the match before dropping four straight points and losing serve after a forced error.

Nishesh Basavareddy & Alexander Zverev, Cincinnati 2025

Nishesh Basavareddy & Alexander Zverev, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Nishesh served to stay in the set at 3-5 and netted a backhand, losing serve for the second time and allowing world no. 3 to wrap up the opener 6-3 in 31 minutes. The German continued to serve well in the second set.

The American stayed in touch in the first part of the set before facing issues at 2-3. Alexander stepped in and provided a break at 15 with a forced error, moving 4-2 in front and closer to the finish line. 

The German cemented the break with a forehand winner in game seven and served for the win at 5-3. The former champion landed an ace, sealing the deal in style and making a winning start.

Joao Fonseca overcomes a 7-6, 4-0 deficit in Cincinati, as Davidovich Fokina retires

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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will not remember Toronto and Cincinnati for good. The Spaniard retired at both events, and his latest setback hurts the most!

Alejandro had a 7-6, 4-0, 30-0 advantage against Joao Fonseca in the second round in Cincinnati before dropping five straight games and retiring, propelling the young gun into the third round.

The more experienced player claimed a tight opener and provided two breaks at the beginning of the second set to forge a massive advantage. However, he lost pace and retired after dropping five games in a row.

They traded early breaks in the first set and served well after that for 4-4. Alejandro secured another break in game nine and served for the opener, only to suffer a break and keep his rival in contention. 

The Spaniard delivered a mini-break in the first point of the tie break and won all points on serve for 7-4 and a boost. Fonseca lost serve two times in a row at the beginning of the second set to find himself 4-0, 30-0 down. 

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Cincinnati 2025

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot

 

However, he started his comeback with a break in game five and delivered another two games later to reduce the gap. The young gun held at love for 4-4 and clinched his third straight break in game nine with a backhand down the line winner.

Davidovich Fokina ended the match at that moment, retiring for the second straight week and sending his rival over the top.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina blasts ATP scheduling in Toronto – Frustration at 11

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Alejandro

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has publicly criticized the ATP for what he sees as unfair and inconsiderate scheduling. The Spaniard expressed frustration after being assigned an 11:00 a.m. match at the Canada Masters in Toronto. 

The recently-crowned top-20 player will open Friday's action alongside Jakub Mensik, an hour and a half earlier that all other matches that day, which are scheduled to begin at 12:30 or later!

Staying an hour away from the tournament venue, Alejandro emphasized the difficulty of preparing properly under such conditions. Davidovich Fokina's attempts to adjust the schedule were rejected.

The ATP cited tickets, TV rights and other logistical factors that prevent them from changing the schedule. The Spaniard argued that player well-being continues to be ignored, stating they are not taken into consideration. 

The Washington finalist pointed out the inconsistency in scheduling, highlighting that he and his rival have to start the match at 11:00 while there are many courts available to make the schedule more even and flexible.

In a strong closing lines of his statement, Alejandro claimed the ATP regularly makes empty promises to fix issues. However, they remain only on paper, as nothing ever changes.

His post offers a rare glimpse into the frustrations competitors face behind the scenes and major stadiums, admitting it's not as great at t looks from the outside!

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Washington 2025

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Washington 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Alejandro wasted three match points against Alex de Minaur in a heartbreaking Washington final. The Spaniard cracked the top-20 with those points and defeated Corentin Moutet in the first match in Toronto. 

Davidovich Fokina will seek his spot in the last 16 against the Miami Open champion, Jakub Mensik.

"Today, I want to share my disappointment and frustration with ATP. Tomorrow, every match starts at 12:30 except ours, which has been scheduled at 11:00.

We are staying one hour away from the club, which means we have to wake up extremely early to arrive in good condition. We have asked for a change, but the answer was that everything has already been sold, including tickets and TV rights.

Once again, it's clear that players are not taken into consideration. Today, it happens to others, tomorrow it's me, and from the day after, all matches return to 12:30. There are plenty of available courts, and yet we are the only ones playing at 11:00.

The ATP always promises they will fix things, but nothing ever changes. This is not the first time it has happened, and when you are inside, you realize it's not as great as it looks from the outside," Alejandro Davidovich Fokina wrote.

See the 2025 US Open Player Entry Lists

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Player entry lists are based on the July 14 ATP and WTA rankings. Alexander Shevchenko

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday July 15, 2025

The US Open has released the men's and women's singles entry lists for the 2025 US Open.

Tennis Express

Click the links to view the full entry lists: Men's Singles | Women's Singles

World No. 1s and reigning US Open singles champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner lead their respective fields, with 18 total former Grand Slam singles champions, including 10 former US Open champions on the list.

The United States leads all nations with 30 players (16 women and 14 men) earning direct entry into the tournament.

Nine players are using special or protected rankings, including Petra Kvitova (No. 14), Nick Kyrgios (No. 21) and Sorana Cirstea (No. 37).

Both the men's and women's entries were based on the July 14 rankings. The women's cutoff was No. 99 Mayar Sherif, while the men's cutoff was No. 101, Alexander Shevchenko.

Main draw play begins on August 24 in Flushing Meadows, while qualifying week kicks off on August 18.