Early results Estoril, Munich, Rabat

The main draw matches have commenced in Munich, Estoril and Rabat.

Millennium Estoril Open - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Red Clay, in Estoril, Portugal,  29 April - 5 May 2019.

Defending champion:

João Sousa who defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-4 6-4

First round 

- Guido Andreozzi defeated Hugo Dellien 6-3 6-3

- Qualifier Joao Domingues defeated Alex de Minaur (6) 6-2 2-6 6-2

- Reilly Opelka defeated wildcard Pedro Sousa 7-6(2) 6-4

- Yoshihito Nishioka defeated Mackenzie McDonald 6-2 6-4

BMW Open by FWU (Bavarian International Tennis Championships) - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Red Clay, in Munich, Germany, 29 April - 5 May 2019.

Defending champion:

Alexander Zverev (1) who defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber (6) 6-3 6-3

First round 

- Marton Fucsovics (8) defeated qualifier Lorenzo Sonego 7-5 4-6 7-6(8)

- Taro Daniel defeated Ugo Humbert 6-4 6-4

Grand Prix de SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem (Morocco Open) - a WTA International category tournament, on Red Clay, in Rabat, Morocco, 29 April - 4 May 2019.

Defending champion:

Elise Mertens (1) who defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2 7-6(4)

First round 

- Ivana Jorovic defeated Magda Linette 6-3 6-2

- Wildcard Isabella Shinikova defeated Tatjana Maria 6-4 6-2

- Tamara Zidansek defeated Yulia Putintseva (3) 3-6 6-4 6-3

- Alison Van Uytvanck (8) defeated Pauline Parmentier 6-4 6-3

- Rebecca Peterson defeated Viktorija Golubic 7-6(4) 6-3

- Ana Bogdan defeated Alizé Cornet 6-3 6-3

ATP Estoril, Munich

There are two ATP tournaments being contested this week, in Portugal and the Germany.

This week:

Millennium Estoril Open - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Red Clay, in Estoril, Portugal,  29 April - 5 May 2019.

Defending champion:

João Sousa who defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-4 6-4

The following players withdrew after entering but before the main draw was published:

- Kevin Anderson replaced by Hugo Dellien 

- Jaume Munar replaced by Nicolás Jarry 

- Evgeniya Rodina replaced by Jessica Pegula 

- Cameron Norrie replaced by Guido Andreozzi 

Filip Krajinovic withdrew after the main draw was published with a foot injury, and was replaced by lucky loser Pablo Cuevas.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, world number 10, is top seed.

The other seeds are all in the top 38

The top 4 seeds have first round byes.

BMW Open by FWU (Bavarian International Tennis Championships) - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Red Clay, in Munich, Germany, 29 April - 5 May 2019.

Defending champion:

Alexander Zverev (1) who defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber (6) 6-3 6-3

The following player withdrew after entering but before the main draw was published:

- Radu Albot replaced by Marius Copil 

 

Alexander Zverev, world number 3, is top seed.

The other 7 seeds are all in the top 35

The top 4 seeds have first round byes.

WTA Prague, Rabat

There are two WTA tournaments being contested this week, in Morocco and the Czech Republic.

This week:

J&T Banka Prague Open - a WTA International category tournament, on Red Clay, in Prague, Czech Republic,  27 April - 4 May 2019.

Defending champion:

Petra Kvitová (2) who defeated Mihaela Buzărnescu (7) 4-6 6-2 6-3

The following players withdrew after entering but before the main draw was published:

- Belinda Bencic replaced by Stefanie Voegele 

- Vera Lapko replaced by Mandy Minella 

- Evgeniya Rodina replaced by Jessica Pegula 

- Camila Giorgi replaced by lucky loser Marie Bouzková 

Top seed Karolina Pliskova withdrew after the main draw was published due to illness, and was replaced by lucky loser Jasmine Paolini.

Barbora Strycova was installed as 9th seed and took the spot of Pliskova at the top of the draw.

Anastasija Sevastova, world number 13, is the new top seed at #2

The other seeds are all in the top 50.

There are no byes.

Grand Prix de SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem (Morocco Open) - a WTA International category tournament, on Red Clay, in Rabat, Morocco, 29 April - 4 May 2019.

Defending champion:

Elise Mertens (1) who defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2 7-6(4)

The following players withdrew after entering but before the main draw was published:

- Ons Jabeur replaced by Magda Linette 

- Veronika Kudermetova replaced by Ana Bogdan 

- Zheng Saisai replaced by Ivana Jorovic

 

Wildcard Elise Mertens, world number 18, is top seed.

The other 7 seeds are all in the top 52

The top 4 seeds have first round byes.

Kvitová triumphs in Stuttgart

The final was contested in Stuttgart today.

Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart Open) - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Red Clay, in Stuttgart, Germany, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Karolina Pliskova (5) who defeated wildcard CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6(2) 6-4

- Anett Kontaveit (8) v Petra Kvitová (3)

This was the pairs first meeting, and if Kvitová won she would become the first multiple title winner on the WTA Tour this year.

The Czech star served first, and struck trouble immediately. Down 15-40, thanks largely to aggressive play from Kontaveit, the third seed escaped with good serving, A crisp backhand volley assisted in the service hold. Kontaveit had no issues in levelling, Kvitová errors donating her a love game. Games three to five were easy holds but at 2-3 Kontaveit was in bother. The consistent returning of Kvitová, plus a double fault from Kontaveit, led to two break points. A forehand winner took the score to 4-2.

Serving for the set at 5-3, Kvitová was down 0-30, Kontaveit hitting hard. However, two Czech forehand winners, and a first serve returned out of court, brought up set point. An Estonian forehand was pushed wide and Kvitová led 6-3.

Set two contained break points in all the first five games. Kvitová broke in game one, essentially due to Kontaveit mistakes but sealed by a wonderful forehand return winner. Kontaveit responded in kind, three chances coming from forced errors. The second was converted when a Czech forehand drifted long.

Kontaveit took control of the set after saving three break points in game three, then breaking Kvitová a second time for a 3-1 advantage.

Kvitová came back with strength, winning the final two points on the Kontaveit serve to break and trail 2-3.

Although taken to deuce, Kvitová held and levelled at 3-3, including a signature forehand down the line. Kontaveit contributed successive forehand return winners in the game to keep the third seed honest. 

Games went to serve until Kvitová was asked to hold at 4-5 and remain in the set. An attacking Estonian backhand, and a Czech double fault created a set point. It was saved. Another set point arrived when Kontaveit belted her backhand once more and forced a Kvitová error. A stunning backhand down the line saved that one. An ace and a Kontaveit forehand hit long concluded the game and it was 5-5.

A tie break eventuated and Kontaveit began with a forehand unforced error. Kvitová won both points on her serve, and then raced to 5-0, having received a pair of backhand mistakes from the Estonian. A forehand winner gave Kvitová six match points. Kontaveit saved one with a backhand put away at the net. 6-2 following a Kvitová forehand error. Appropriately a forehand winner won the match.

Petra Kvitová won the Stuttgart Open 6-3 7-6(2), moved up to #2 in the world, and extended her lead in the 2019 Porsche WTA Race.

Berrettini, Martic win Budapest, Istanbul

Finals day in Istanbul and Budapest.

TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup - a WTA International category tournament, on Red Clay, in Istanbul, Turkey, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Pauline Parmentier who defeated Polona Hercog 6-4 3-6 6-3

- Marketa Vondrousova v Petra Martic (6)

Martic had a 3-0 record over Vondrousova before the Istanbul final, having won twice in 2018 and earlier this year in the Australian Open second round.

Today, Vondrousova, the Czech teenager, who had been in tremendous form, including a win over Simona Halep at Indian Wells, began by breaking the Martic serve, and she did this three times to create a 5-0 lead. Martic grabbed one of the breaks back, but lost her fourth service game immediately afterwards to surrender a forgettable set to Vondrousova 6-1.

Though the first set was one sided, Martic was beginning to compete better towards the end and it showed at the start of set two, when she broke the Czech serve in the opening game. Further service breaks came in the next two games, before a pair of comfortable holds had Martic ahead 3-2 and at the line.

Two game points came and went, and then the Croatian had to save three break points before holding firm for 4-2. Vondrousova avoided a set point when serving at 3-5, and Martic had the chance to serve and level the match. She did and forced a third set.

Martic broke Vondrousova three times in the decider and won the match 1-6 6-3 6-1.

The Istanbul Cup was the first WTA Tour title for Petra Martic.

Hungarian Open - an ATP 250  category tournament, on Red Clay, in Budapest, Hungary, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Lucky loser Marco Cecchinato who defeated John Millman 7-5 6-4

- Matteo Berrettini v Qualifier Filip Krajinovic

In their first meeting, Berrettini served first and held impressively to love. He then had the chance to break the Serbian serve, but Krajinovic stood firm for 1-1. Another two love games on serve for the Italian formed part of a stretch which saw him win 15 of the first 16 points on his delivery.

Krajinovic was solid after his opening service game, and the score was 4-4. 

Out of the blue, Berrettini let his guard down and Krajinovic gathered two break points in the ninth game. The second was used to convert into a break and the qualifier proceeded to serve out the set 6-4.

Set two belonged to Berrettini. For five games, he couldn’t crack the Krajinovic serve, but in game six he created three break chances, two saved. The third wasn’t and 4-2 the resultant scoreline. Berrettini won 80% of points on his serve in the set, and was able to eat into both the first and second deliveries of Krajinovic enough to cobble together another two break points in the eighth game. At 2-5 these were in fact set points, and fortunately for the Serbian, they were fought off.

It was of little concern to Berrettini who served out the set to love. 6-3 and a decider required

Set three was one way traffic - Berrettini won 86% of points on his serve, and 59% of points on his opponents delivery. Krajinovic held serve in the third game to trail 1-2, but that was his final success.

Matteo Berrettini won the Hungarian Open 4-6 6-3 6-1, his second ATP Tour title.

Thiem wins Barcelona

The finale in Barcelona.

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell - an ATP 500 category tournament, on Red Clay, in Barcelona, Spain, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Rafa Nadal (1) who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-1

Dominic Thiem (3) v Daniil Medvedev (7)

The players had met only once before, in St Petersburg 2018, with Thiem successful in a deciding tie break.

The Barcelona final began with Medvedev serving. A backhand winner from Thiem was insufficient to prevent the Russian holding serve. Two winning Medvedev volleys perhaps indicated a match tactic of more often moving forward to the net, to thwart the consistent ground strokes of the Austrian.

A lengthy second game had Thiem in strife, down break point on three separate occasions. The first was saved by an overhead put away, the second by an effective kick serve. Thiem wasted two game points before the third break point arrived. This time it was converted, thanks to a Thiem backhand error. 2-0 Medvedev.

Medvedev consolidated the break, capitalising on Austrian mistakes. Thiem finally put a score on the board when he held serve in game four, then he broke back to love, a double fault and a series of Medvedev errors to blame. 

Games were levelled once Thiem held serve in game six, a drop shot simply wonderful.

Medvedev led 40-0 on the back of Austrian errors and a forcing backhand. Then he fell in a hole. Two backhand failures, another winning Thiem drop shot, and a netted Russian forehand, produced a break point. Thiem missed a golden opportunity to convert at the net, but gained a second chance after Medvedev again pushed a backhand wide. The break came and Thiem led 4-3, having won four games straight.

A second love game for the Austrian, this one on his own serve, extended the lead to 5-3. Thiem was displaying his full variety of shot making and imagination, placement close to perfection, limiting unforced errors to a minimum.

Medvedev led 40-30 when serving to stay in the set, but still couldn’t escape the clutches of Thiem who won the next two points (the second a double fault) and had set point. Significantly, Medvedev called for the trainer at this stage, apparently to treat a shoulder complaint. The set point was saved, and serve held, leaving Thiem to go to the line for it.

After receiving treatment on his shoulder, Medvedev saw Thiem hit a forehand winner on the way to a pair of set points. One saved by a Medvedev backhand moving forward to the net. The second was converted with a hammering forehand. 6-4 Thiem.

Set two was a complete whitewash. Thiem won 24 points to 5, breaking Medvedev three times, twice to love. The shoulder injury may have played a part, but the Austrian was well on top before that became a factor.

Dominic Thiem won the Barcelona Open 6-4 6-0, his 13th ATP Tour title.

Semis in Istanbul, Budapest

Semi final day in Istanbul and Budapest.

TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup - a WTA International category tournament, on Red Clay, in Istanbul, Turkey, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Pauline Parmentier who defeated Polona Hercog 6-4 3-6 6-3

Semi finals

- Marketa Vondrousova defeated Barbora Strycova 6-2 6-1

- Petra Martic (6) defeated Margarita Gasparyan 6-1 (retired), and will play Marketa Vondrousova in the final.

Hungarian Open - an ATP 250  category tournament, on Red Clay, in Budapest, Hungary, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Lucky loser Marco Cecchinato who defeated John Millman 7-5 6-4

Semi finals

- Matteo Berrettini defeated Laslo Djere (5) 6-4 6-2

- Qualifier Filip Krajinovic defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2 6-2, and will play Matteo Berrettini in the final.

Kvitová, Kontaveit into Stuttgart final

Semi finals were contested in Stuttgart today.

Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart Open) - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Red Clay, in Stuttgart, Germany, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Karolina Pliskova (5) who defeated wildcard CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6(2) 6-4

- Petra Kvitová (3) v Kiki Bertens (6)

These two have met four times before, three of those matches in 2018. Bertens won twice, both on hard court, while Kvitová won her match on clay.

Today, Kvitová served first, and began in fine style with a forehand cross court winner. Not to be outdone, Bertens responded with one of her own. An outstanding lob was included and an ace sealed the game for the third seed. Bertens started with an ace, but thereafter struggled on serve, and faced a break point following a Czech backhand winner down the line. The break came and Kvitová led 2-0. Bertens struck back immediately, gathering two break points, a double fault not helping Kvitová. The second break point produced the goods for Bertens, with Kvitová hitting a forehand wide.

No more issues on serve through to the end of game six, with love games for each player evidence of that. In the seventh game, Kvitová was stretched to deuce, and then Bertens had to survive a break before levelling at 4-4. 

Serving at 4-5 to stay in the set, Bertens was ahead 40-30, despite a double fault. However, a netted forehand and another forehand wide gave Kvitová set point. A great first serve produced a return error and the danger subsided. The score moved to 5-5. A tie break eventuated following two comfortable service holds.

Two points against the serve and it was 2-2. Serving at 2-3, Bertens hit a backhand out of court, and trailed by a mini break. The points went to serve until Kvitová had three set points at 6-3, Bertens with two serves to come. The Dutch player bashed a forehand into the net and Kvitová was ahead 7-6(3).

Bertens opened set two impressively, holding serve easily, an ace to finish. From 30-30, Kvitová overhit a forehand and on break point Bertens smashed a backhand to which Kvitová had no answer at the net. 2-0 Bertens and looking good. Until she was broken back straight away, Kvitová calling on much of her bag of tricks, including a sizzling backhand return winner, followed by a forehand return winner just as brilliant, and to cap it off the most spectacular down the line backhand winner. 1-2 

From chocolates to boiled lollies, Kvitová delivered a double fault, and two unforced forehand mistakes. A forehand down saved one break point, but another poor ground stroke confirmed the third successive service break and a 3-1 Bertens advantage.

No more break chances and Bertens served at 5-3 for the set.

Czech errors assisted Bertens to a pair of set points, and only one was required. The set was Dutch 6-3 and the match was square.

Kvitová broke Bertens in game two of set three, winning the final three points of the game - the final point showcased a massive Kvitová forehand winner. To consolidate the break, Kvitová had to save a 0-40 conundrum, created through two forehand errors and a double fault. A strong first serve, and a stunning forehand winner aided the saving of all break points, and serve was held for 3-0.

A second break of the Dutch serve occurred, and the match was fast entering Czech territory. The returning was exceptional and ground strokes pinpoint and powerful. A love game increased the lead to 5-0, a serve volley success, and backhand cross court winner featuring. 

Bertens registered a score on the board, but it was only delaying the inevitable. Kvitová had three match points following a trio of return errors from Bertens, and a down the line forehand winner was an appropriate method of winning the match.

Petra Kvitová won the semi final 7-6(3) 3-6 6-1. It was a devastating final set.

- Anett Kontaveit (8) was handed a walkover by Naomi Osaka (1), and will play Petra Kvitová in the final.

Thiem beats Nadal in Barcelona semis

Semi final day in Barcelona.

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell - an ATP 500 category tournament, on Red Clay, in Barcelona, Spain, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Rafa Nadal (1) who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-1

- Rafa Nadal (1) v Dominic Thiem (3)

Of the eleven times the two had met previously (all on clay except the last one), Nadal was 8-3. They played each other on four occasions last year, Nadal successful three times.

The Spaniard served first, and after a double fault held easily, two backhand cross court winners telling. Thiem was equally solid, keeping the ball in play and allowing Nadal to contribute errors, before sealing the deal with an ace. Nadal held for 2-1, again a double fault the only point surrendered. Thiem levelled, then had Nadal 0-40, following a double fault, and a pair of errors, one off each wing. 

Two break points were saved, but a fourth Spanish double fault gifted the break to Thiem who led 3-2.

A love game, beginning with a masterly drop shot, was the perfect consolidation for the Austrian and he extended the advantage to 4-2. Nadal was then stuck at the service line for 18 points, taken to six deuces, and forced to save four break points. He scraped through and stayed in touch with the third seed. Down 15-30, Thiem produced a volley, and two winners, an off forehand cross court, and a forehand down the line, to wrap up the eighth game and put pressure on Nadal to hold serve and stay in the set.

The top seed performed his duty, treating the crowd to a delightful drop shot in the process. A forehand winner completed the job, and Thiem went to the line at 5-4. 

Thiem jumped out to 40-0, assembling three set points. Two based on Nadal mistakes, the third an ace. Nadal saved one with a stunning forehand winner. The next point was finished by a Thiem forehand winner and he took the set 6-4.

Nadal found himself down 15-40 in the opening game of set two, one forehand return from Thiem a clean winner, and a Nadal double fault not pretty. To the top seeds credit, he fought off the break points with a big serve and a forehand winner. The serve was held with another forehand winner clinching the important game.

Both players were taken to deuce in the next two games, but no break points faced. The fourth game was simpler, Thiem dropping only a single point to level at 2-2, a drop shot and attacking forehand prominent.

Two more break chances came the way of Thiem in the fifth game, and he used the second of these to lead 3-2. As he had done in set one, Thiem served a love game to consolidate the break and lead 4-2.

Nadal avoided a break point in the seventh game and eventually Thiem served for the match at 6-4 5-4.

Until now, Thiem had not faced a break point in the match. In this game he was 0-40 and faced three. He batted off all of them, the third with an ace.

Dominic Thiem defeated Rafa Nadal 6-4 6-4. This broke a run of 18 straight wins in Barcelona for Nadal. His last defeat was in the third round 2015.

- Daniil Medvedev (7) defeated Kei Nishikori (4) 6-4 3-6 7-5, and will play Dominic Thiem in the final.

Istanbul, Budapest quarter finals

Quarter final day in Istanbul and Budapest.

TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup - a WTA International category tournament, on Red Clay, in Istanbul, Turkey, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Pauline Parmentier who defeated Polona Hercog 6-4 3-6 6-3

Quarter finals

- Marketa Vondrousova defeated Lara Arruabarrena 6-1 6-2

- Barbora Strycova defeated qualifier Elena Rybakina 0-6 7-6(6) 6-0

- Petra Martic (6) defeated Kristina Mladenovic 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(2)

- Margarita Gasparyan defeated qualifier Veronika Kudermetova 7-5 6-4

Semi final match ups 

Marketa Vondrousova v Barbora Strycova

Petra Martic (6) v Margarita Gasparyan 

 

Hungarian Open - an ATP 250  category tournament, on Red Clay, in Budapest, Hungary, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Lucky loser Marco Cecchinato who defeated John Millman 7-5 6-4

Quarter finals

- Matteo Berrettini defeated Pablo Cuevas 6-3 1-6 6-3

- Laslo Djere (5) defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili (4) 3-6 6-2 6-3

- Pierre-Hugues Herbert defeated wildcard Attila Balazs 6-3 6-4

- Qualifier Filip Krajinovic defeated Borna Coric (2) 6-4 7-5

Semi final match ups 

Matteo Berrettini v Laslo Djere (5)

Pierre-Hugues Herbert v Qualifier Filip Krajinovic

Stuttgart quarter finals

Quarter final day in Stuttgart.

Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart Open) - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Red Clay, in Stuttgart, Germany, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Karolina Pliskova (5) who defeated wildcard CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6(2) 6-4

- Anastasija Sevastova (7) v Petra Kvitová (3)

The pair had played each other three times previously, with Sevastova leading 2-1, but incredibly those matches were way back in 2009, 2010 and 2011, so no recent clashes to judge. Only to know that Kvitová has had a wonderful start to 2019, leading the Porsche WTA Race. Her last start was in Miami where she lost her quarter final to eventual winner Ashleigh Barty.

Sevastova has had a patchy 2019, with a 9-8 win loss record, including opening match losses in three of her last five tournaments. Stuttgart has been better, with wins over fellow Latvian Ostapenko, and then Siegemund, and hopefully Sevastova will be back on her quest for a top ten spot ranking.

Kvitová served first, and faced a break point following early errors. That was saved with a stunning forehand down the line, but a second chance emerged after a double fault. A long forehand confirmed the break and Sevastova led 1-0. A love game was the perfect way to consolidate the break, Kvitová committing a host of unforced mistakes. A drop shot winner to start the third game might have sharpened the Czech game, but a double fault followed, and more problems with her ground strokes. Break point arrived as a backhand went astray and a forehand failure presented Sevastova with a dream beginning, 3-0 and a double break.

Another quick service hold for the seventh seed, and she led 4-0, a drop shot and backhand winner the highlights. 11 unforced errors so far for Kvitová.

Kvitová won her next two service games, surrendering only one point, but the damage was already done, and Sevastova served the set out 6-2, never having faced a break point.

Both players protected their serves well in the initial stages of set two, but after five games the Latvian serve fell apart. Not because of a sudden drop in the standard of Sevastova’s game, but simply Kvitová went on a spree of outright winners. She won the last 14 points of the set, breaking Sevastova twice to love. 6-2 and a decider required.

The Czech player won 81% of points on her serve in set two.

Unexpectedly, Kvitová faced a break point in the opening game of set three, but Sevastova wasted the chance by hitting a backhand into the net. Kvitová sealed the game with a forehand winner and an ace.

Sevastova led 40-15 in the fourth game, but lost all remaining points, starting with a double fault. A netted Latvian backhand and Czech forehand winner brought up break point, then a Sevastova backhand missed the court by quite a distance. 3-1 Kvitová.

Two easy service holds and it was 4-2, Sevastova running out of time. Against the run of play, the seventh seed produced a quality game, including a forehand winner, to arrive at two break points. Kvitová rushed the net and put away a volley to save one, but was then passed by a Sevastova backhand for the break.

Kvitová, with a slashing forehand return winner, and a forehand winner down the line, brought up break back point. It came with a backhand error, and Kvitová would serve for the match at 5-3.

Sevastova missed a return, missed a backhand, and Kvitová hit a forehand winner to achieve two match points. A wide forehand from Sevastova finished the high standard match.

Petra Kvitová won 2-6 6-2 6-3.

- Naomi Osaka (1) defeated Donna Vekic 6-3 4-6 7-6(4)

- Anett Kontaveit (8) defeated Victoria Azarenka 5-7 7-5 3-0 (retired)

- Kiki Bertens (6) defeated Angie Kerber (5) 6-3 6-4

Semi final match ups 

Naomi Osaka (1) v Anett Kontaveit (8)

Petra Kvitová (3) v Kiki Bertens (6)

Barcelona quarter finals

Quarter final day in Barcelona.

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell - an ATP 500 category tournament, on Red Clay, in Barcelona, Spain, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Rafa Nadal (1) who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-1

- Daniil Medvedev (7) v lucky loser Nicolás Jarry

Jarry took huge advantage of being given a lucky loser spot in the main draw, with three wins, including those over second seed Zverev and thirteenth seed Dimitrov. His three matches had all gone the distance, the last two decided by tie breaks. Medvedev had won more matches in 2019 than anyone else to this stage, and he started warm favourite in todays match, the first time the pair had met.

Medvedev served first and thanks to errors from Jarry was leading 30-0. Jarry then won three straight points, the first with a forehand cross court winner, and the third a confident overhead at the net, to earn a break point. The Russian fought off the danger, and led 1-0.  Jarry held in turn for 1-1. A love game for Medvedev included a second serve ace, while the Chilean also found it easy, dropping only a single point to level at 2-2. The Jarry backhand and drop shot worked in his favour.

Medvedev now was in no trouble on serve, whether or not he landed his first attempt. Jarry was made to dig deeper to stay with the seventh seed, as evidenced in game six, where he was taken to deuce.

Serving at 3-4, Jarry struck further difficulty. From 30-0, unforced errors led to a break point, which was saved through a forehand exploiting how deep Medvedev was sitting. A Russian backhand passing shot produced a second break chance. A Chilean forehand error confirmed the break and 5-3 for Medvedev. 

Serving for the set, Medvedev quickly found 40-0, and three set points, all from Jarry errors. One was saved with a brilliant Jarry backhand volley at the net, but the next point saw a forehand error and Medvedev had the set 6-3.

No break points were faced in six games of set two, the closest being Medvedev taken to deuce in the sixth game. Game seven was a marathon 24 point affair. Three unforced forehand errors gave Medvedev two break points, but these were saved. Then three game points for Jarry vanished. Another pair of break points came and went before two more game points disappeared. A fifth break point was saved to reach a ninth deuce and finally, after a netted Jarry forehand produced a sixth break point, the Chilean pushed a forehand wide. Medvedev led by a set and a break.

It wasn’t easy to consolidate the break. After leading 40-30, Medvedev double faulted twice to give Jarry a break back chance. A huge serve obliterated that hope, and the lead extended to 5-3.

Medvedev proceeded to win the match 6-3 6-4.

- Rafa Nadal (1) defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5 7-5

- Kei Nishikori (4) defeated lucky loser Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4 7-5

- Dominic Thiem (3) defeated Guido Pella 7-5 6-2

Semi final match ups 

Rafa Nadal (1) v Dominic Thiem (3)

Kei Nishikori (4) v Daniil Medvedev (7)

Quarters reached in Istanbul and Budapest

Second rounds were completed in Turkey and Hungary, and the quarter final contests determined.

TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup - a WTA International category tournament, on Red Clay, in Istanbul, Turkey, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Pauline Parmentier who defeated Polona Hercog 6-4 3-6 6-3

Second round 

- Marketa Vondrousova defeated wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 6-4 6-3

- Petra Martic (6) defeated qualifier Ana Bogdan 4-6 7-5 6-3

- Kristina Mladenovic defeated qualifier Kateryna Kozlova 6-1 6-2

- Qualifier Veronika Kudermetova defeated lucky loser Tímea Babos 6-0 7-6(4)

Quarter final match ups 

Lara Arruabarrena v Marketa Vondrousova 

Barbora Strycova v Elena Rybakina 

Petra Martic (6) v Kristina Mladenovic 

Qualifier Veronika Kudermetova v Margarita Gasparyan 

 

Hungarian Open - an ATP 250  category tournament, on Red Clay, in Budapest, Hungary, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Lucky loser Marco Cecchinato who defeated John Millman 7-5 6-4

Second round 

- Pablo Cuevas defeated wildcard Marin Cilic (1) 5-7 7-6(6) 7-6(3)

- Matteo Berrettini defeated Aljaz Bedene 7-6(8) 6-2

- Nikoloz Basilashvili (4) defeated Peter Gojowczyk 6-3 0-6 6-3

- Laslo Djere (5) defeated lucky loser Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-1

- Qualifier Filip Krajinovic defeated Radu Albot (8) 7-5 6-4

- Borna Coric (2) defeated Robin Haase 6-3 4-6 6-4

Quarter final match ups 

Pablo Cuevas v Matteo Berrettini 

Nikoloz Basilashvili (4) v Laslo Djere (5)

Wildcard Attila Balazs v Pierre-Hugues Herbert

Qualifier Filip Krajinovic v Borna Coric (2)

Bertens downs Bencic in three in Stuttgart

The remaining second round matches were played in Stuttgart, and the quarter final contests have been determined.

Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart Open) - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Red Clay, in Stuttgart, Germany, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Karolina Pliskova (5) who defeated wildcard CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6(2) 6-4

Second round results 

- Kiki Bertens (6) v Belinda Bencic 

Kiki Bertens won the two previous matches between the pair, last year in Wuhan, and 2017 in Indian Wells.

Today Bertens served first and was greeted with a return forehand winner on the first point. Although she was missing with her first serve, Bertens managed to capitalise on errors from Bencic. A drop shot sealed the service hold. Bencic delivered a love game to level at 1-1.

No break points were faced in the first five games, although Bencic was taken to deuce in game four. The sixth game saw Bencic trail 0-40 on serve, after a double fault, and two wide backhands. All three break points were saved, and two more as well, before ultimately Bencic held on for 3–3.

In the ninth game, Bertens had game point, but a double fault and long forehand presented Bencic with her first break point of the match. A backhand from Bertens sailed long and Bencic was ahead 5-4.

Serving for the set, Bencic hit a backhand cross court winner to start. A backhand error from Bertens and two set points arrived. One was saved, but not the second as Bertens was deceived by the bounce on a second serve.

Bencic ahead 6-4.

Service breaks were exchanged in the first two games of set two, and in game six Bencic saved three break points to keep the score on serve. In game eight, and at 30-30, Bencic failed to clear the net with a backhand, and faced another break point. This was converted when Bencic hit the net again with a forehand.

Bertens served out the set 6-3 and a decider was required.

After surviving a break point in game two of the third set, Bertens struck in game five, a Swiss forehand failure bringing up the break point, and a double fault confirming the break. A love game consolidated the break and the Dutch sixth seed nearly broke for 5-2, but Bencic saved that disaster.

At 5-4, serving for the match, Bertens began with an ace, her nineteenth. A forehand winner for 30-0. A twentieth ace and three match points. A backhand into the net from Bencic and the match was over.

Kiki Bertens won with a serving master class 4-6 6-3 6-4. 38 of 43 points won on her first serve. The only thing not done to her liking was conversion of break points. 3 from 13 was unacceptable, and contributed to the dropping of set one. All in all this was a top quality match.

- Naomi Osaka (1) defeated Hsieh Su-Wei 6-4 6-3

- Donna Vekic defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-1 7-5

- Victoria Azarenka defeated Karolina Pliskova (4) 4-6 6-3 6-4

- Anett Kontaveit (8) defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 6-2

- Anastasija Sevastova (7) defeated wildcard Laura Siegemund 6-4 6-3

- Angie Kerber (5) defeated wildcard Andrea Petkovic 6-2 6-4

Quarter final match ups 

Naomi Osaka (1) v Donna Vekic 

Victoria Azarenka v Anett Kontaveit (8)

Anastasija Sevastova (7) v Petra Kvitová (3)

Kiki Bertens (6) v Angie Kerber (5)