SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: 12 JANUARY MEDIA NOTES SINGLES SEMI-FINAL, SINGLES FINAL AND DOUBLES FINAL SF: [4] Gilles Simon (FRA) vs [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) de Minaur Leads 1-0 18 Tokyo (Japan) Hard R32 Alex de Minaur 6-7(1) 7-6(5) 6-2 Saved 4 MPs Simon 2019 Summary Age: 34 World No. 31 4-1 in 2019 (Pune SF) 8-3 in Sydney (2011 Title) 14 Career Titles Bids to become oldest Sydney champion since M. Anderson, 37, in 1973. In 2018, captured ATP 250 titles at Pune (d. Cilic and Anderson) and Metz (d. Bachinger). Appeared in 1st SF since 2016 Shanghai and 1st final since 2015 Metz. Won 1st title since 2015 Marseille. Led 6-3 4-2 with 2 break points for 5-2 lead in 2nd set before falling to Thiem in Lyon final. de Minaur 2019 Summary Age: 19 Career-High No. 29 5-1 in 2019 (Brisbane QF) 8-2 in Sydney (2018 Finalist) Bids to become youngest Sydney champion since Hewitt, 19, in 2001 and 1st Aussie since Tomic in 2013. Began 2018 season ranked 208th. Achieved 19th career-high ranking since then at No. 29 on 7 January 2019. In 2018, named ATP Newcomer of the Year. Earned 28 wins in 2018 after entering season with 2 wins. Runner-up at Sydney as SE (l. to Medvedev), Washington (l. to A. Zverev) and Next Gen ATP Finals (l. to Tsitsipas). Loss to A. Zverev marked youngest tour-level final since Nadal vs. Djokovic at 2007 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells. F: [8] Andreas Seppi (ITA) vs [4] Gilles Simon (FRA) Simon Leads 6-0 -OR- F: [8] Andreas Seppi (ITA) vs [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) First Tour-Level Meeting Seppi 2019 Summary Age: 34 World No. 37 4-1 in 2019 (Doha 1R) 13-11 in Sydney (2019 Finalist) Bids to become oldest Sydney champion since M. Anderson, 37, in 1973. Making 12th appearance (2006-16, 2019). Playing 1st final since 2015 Halle (l. to Federer). Owns 3-5 finals record with last title at 2012 Moscow (d. Bellucci). In 2018, advanced to SFs at Rotterdam as LL (d. A. Zverev in 2R, l. to Federer), Budapest (l. to Cecchinato) and Moscow (l. to Mannarino). Also advanced to QFs at Geneva (l. to Gojowczyk) and Halle (l. to Coric). Reached Australian Open 4R for 4th time (d. Karlovic 9-7 in 5th, l. to Edmund). Fell to 0-6 in Grand Slam 4R overall. Earned 20+ wins for 12th time in last 13 seasons (2006-16, 2018). F: [1] Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL)/Robert Farah (COL) vs Murray/Soares Leads 5-2 [2] Jamie Murray (GBR)/Bruno Soares (BRA) 16 Tokyo (Japan) Hard QF Cabal/Farah 1-6 7-6(5) [10-8] 17 Sydney (Australia) Hard SF Murray/Soares 6-3 7-6(4) 17 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (Spain) Clay R16 Murray/Soares 6-3 7-6(4) 18 ATP Masters 1000 Rome (Italy) Clay SF Cabal/Farah 7-6(4) 3-6 [10-8] 18 ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati (U.S.A.) Hard F Murray/Soares 4-6 6-3 [10-6] 18 ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai (China) Hard SF Murray/Soares 6-3 6-4 18 Nitto ATP Finals (Great Britain) Hard RR Murray/Soares 6-4 6-3 Cabal/Farah Summary Team Debut at 2004 Medellin, COL Futures 214-131 as a Team 11-15 Record in Finals Colombians own 6-2 record in Sydney and have not dropped a set this week. Reached 2017 SF and 2018 QF. In 2018, advanced to 1st Grand Slam final as a team at Australian Open (l. to Marach/Pavic), captured biggest title at ATP Masters 1000 Rome (d. Carreno Busta/Sousa) and reached Nitto ATP Finals SF (l. to Herbert/Mahut). Tied at career-high No. 5 in ATP Doubles Rankings and finished 2018 at No. 2 in ATP Doubles Team Rankings. Cabal is 12-18 overall in finals, winning 2017 Los Cabos title w/huey (d. Galdos/Maytin). Farah is 11-16 overall. Murray/Soares Summary Team Debut at 2016 Doha 130-59 as a Team 9-8 Record in Finals 9-1 in Sydney Brit and Brazilian won 2016 Sydney title (d. Bopanna/Mergea) and reached 2017 final (l. to Koolhof/Middelkoop). Captured 3 titles each season from 2016-18, highlighted in 2016 by Australian Open (d. Nestor/Stepanek) and US Open (d. Carreno Busta/Garcia-Lopez). Also advanced to Nitto ATP Finals SF each season from 2016-18. Tied at No. 7 in ATP Doubles Rankings and finished as World No. 1 team in 2016, No. 3 in 2017 and No. 5 in 2018. Murray is 22-23 overall in finals and trying to win a title for 7th straight season (2007-08, 2010-11, 2013-18). Soares is 29-28 overall in finals and trying to win a title for 12th straight season (2008-18).
SINGLES SEMI-FINALS [8] Andreas Seppi (ITA) vs [3] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) Seppi 2019 Summary Age: 34 World No. 37 3-1 in 2019 (Doha 1R) 12-11 in Sydney (2006, 2013, 2019 SF) Making 12th Sydney appearance (2006-16, 2019). Reached SFs in 2006 (l. to Andreev) and 2013 (l. to Tomic). Trying to reach 1st ATP Tour final since 2015 Halle (l. to Federer) and win 1st title since 2012 Moscow (d. Bellucci). In 2018, advanced to SFs at Rotterdam as LL (d. A. Zverev in 2R, l. to Federer), Budapest (l. to Cecchinato) and Moscow (l. to Mannarino). Also advanced to QFs at Geneva (l. to Gojowczyk) and Halle (l. to Coric). Reached Australian Open 4R for 4th time (d. Karlovic 9-7 in 5th, l. to Edmund). Fell to 0-6 in Grand Slam 4R overall. Earned 20+ wins for 12th time in last 13 seasons (2006-16, 2018). Schwartzman 2019 Summary Age: 26 World No. 19 2-0 in 2019 2-1 in Sydney (2019 SF) 2 Career Titles Appearing in 2nd ATP Tour SF on outdoor hard court. Advanced to 2017 Tokyo SF (l. to Goffin). In 2018, did not drop a set en route to 2nd ATP Tour title at Rio de Janeiro (d. Verdasco). Rallied from 2 sets down to beat Anderson and advance to 2nd Grand Slam QF at Roland Garros (l. to No. 1 Nadal). At No. 11 on 11 June, became highest-ranked player 5 7 or shorter since 5 6 Solomon was No. 10 on 27 July 1981. [4] Gilles Simon (FRA) vs [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) de Minaur Leads 1-0 18 Tokyo (Japan) Hard R32 Alex de Minaur 6-7(1) 7-6(5) 6-2 Simon 2019 Summary Age: 34 World No. 31 4-1 in 2019 (Pune SF) 8-3 in Sydney (2011 Title) 14 Career Titles At 1:33 am this morning, defeated Millman 7-5 3-6 7-6(3) in QF. Match lasted 2 hours, 42 minutes. In 2018, captured ATP 250 titles at Pune (d. Cilic and Anderson) and Metz (d. Bachinger). Appeared in 1st SF since 2016 Shanghai and 1st final since 2015 Metz. Won 1st title since 2015 Marseille. Led 6-3 4-2 with 2 break points for 5-2 lead in 2nd set before falling to Thiem in Lyon final. de Minaur 2019 Summary Age: 19 Career-High No. 29 5-1 in 2019 (Brisbane QF) 8-2 in Sydney (2018 Final) Saved 4 MPs to defeat Simon in 2018 Tokyo 1R. Also saved 4 MPs to defeat Rublev in 2018 Washington SF. Sydney native began 2018 at No. 208. Achieved 19th career-high ranking since then at No. 29 on 7 January 2019. In 2018, named ATP Newcomer of the Year. Earned 28 wins in 2018 after entering season with 2 wins. Runner-up at Sydney as SE (l. to Medvedev), Washington (l. to A. Zverev) and Next Gen ATP Finals (l. to Tsitsipas). Loss to A. Zverev marked youngest tour-level final since Nadal vs. Djokovic at 2007 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells. POTENTIAL SINGLES FINALS SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: 11 JANUARY MEDIA NOTES [8] Andreas Seppi (ITA) vs [4] Gilles Simon (FRA) Simon Leads 6-0 06 Valencia (Spain) Clay QF Gilles Simon 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 06 Palermo (Italy) Clay R32 Gilles Simon 6-0 6-7(6) 6-2 08 Lyon (France) Carpet R16 Gilles Simon 7-6(5) 5-7 6-4 13 Eastbourne (Great Britain) Grass SF Gilles Simon 6-4 6-3 15 ATP Masters 1000 Montreal (Canada) Hard R64 Gilles Simon 6-2 6-4 17 Metz (France) Hard R32 Gilles Simon 6-3 6-0 [8] Andreas Seppi (ITA) vs [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) First Tour-Level Meeting Other Meeting 18 ATP Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo Q Clay Q1 Andreas Seppi 6-4 7-5 [3] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) vs [4] Gilles Simon (FRA) Schwartzman Leads 2-0 16 Winston-Salem (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Diego Schwartzman 7-6(2) 6-1 18 Antwerp (Belgium) Hard QF Diego Schwartzman 6-4 6-3 [3] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) vs [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
SINGLES QUARTER-FINALS SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: 10 JANUARY MEDIA NOTES [1] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs [8] Andreas Seppi (ITA) Tsitsipas 2019 Summary Age: 20 Career-High No. 15 1-0 in 2019 1-0 in Sydney (2019 QF) #NextGenATP In 2018, won titles at Stockholm (d. Gulbis) and Next Gen ATP Finals (d. de Minaur). First Greek ATP champion. Reached Toronto final by becoming youngest player to beat 4 Top 10 opponents at an event since ATP Tour began in 1990 (d. Thiem, Djokovic, A. Zverev after saving 2 MPs and Anderson after saving 1 MP; l. to No. 1 Nadal). Lost to Nadal on 20th birthday, making him youngest ATP Masters 1000 finalist since Djokovic, 19, at 2007 Miami. Seppi 2019 Summary Age: 34 World No. 37 2-1 in 2019 (Doha 1R) 11-11 in Sydney (2016, 2013 SF) In 2018, advanced to SFs at Rotterdam as LL (d. A. Zverev in 2R, l. to Federer), Budapest (l. to Cecchinato) and Moscow (l. to Mannarino). Also advanced to QFs at Geneva (l. to Gojowczyk) and Halle (l. to Coric). Reached Australian Open 4R for 4th time (d. Karlovic 9-7 in 5th, l. to Edmund). Fell to 0-6 in Grand Slam 4R overall. Earned 20+ wins for 12th time in last 13 seasons (2006-16, 2018). [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs [WC] Jordan Thompson (AUS) de Minaur Leads 1-0 19 Brisbane (Australia) Hard R16 Alex de Minaur 6-4 6-2 de Minaur 2019 Summary Age: 19 Career-High No. 29 4-1 in 2019 (Brisbane QF) 7-2 in Sydney (2018 Final) Sydney native began 2018 at No. 208. Achieved 19th career-high ranking since then at No. 29 on 7 January 2019. In 2018, named ATP Newcomer of the Year. Earned 28 wins in 2018 after entering season with 2 wins. Runner-up at Sydney as SE (l. to Medvedev), Washington (l. to A. Zverev) and Next Gen ATP Finals (l. to Tsitsipas). Thompson 2019 Summary Age: 24 World No. 72 3-1 in 2019 (Brisbane 2R) 4-3 in Sydney (2019 QF) Sydney native is playing 2nd ATP Tour QF (l. to Nishikori at 2017 Brisbane). Attempting to reach 1st ATP Tour SF. In 2018, went 1-11 on tour and 52-17 at Challengers -- 2nd-most wins in Challenger history (Berlocq 57 in 2007). Won Challenger titles at Chennai, IND (d. Bhambri); Traralgon, AUS (d. Nishioka) and Canberra, AUS (d. Kuhn). John Millman (AUS) vs [4] Gilles Simon (FRA) Millman 2019 Summary Age: 29 World No. 38 3-1 in 2019 (Brisbane 2R) 4-3 in Sydney (2019 QF) One of 3 Aussies in Sydney QF (also de Minaur, Thompson) -- 1st time since 2004 (Hewitt, Philippoussis, T. Reid). In 2018, upset No. 2 Federer for biggest win of career to reach 1st Grand Slam QF at US Open (l. to Djokovic). Defeated defending champion Pouille en route to 1st ATP Tour final at Budapest (l. to Cecchinato). Beat countrymen for ATP Challenger Tour titles at Kyoto, JPN (d. Thompson) and Aix En Provence, FRA (d. Tomic). Simon 2019 Summary Age: 34 World No. 31 3-1 in 2019 (Pune SF) 7-3 in Sydney (2011 Title) 14 Career Titles In 2018, captured ATP 250 titles at Pune (d. Cilic and Anderson) and Metz (d. Bachinger). Appeared in 1st ATP SF since 2016 Shanghai and 1st final since 2015 Metz. Won 1st title since 2015 Marseille. Led 6-3, 4-2 with 2 break points for 5-2 lead in 2nd set before falling to Thiem in Lyon final. [3] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) vs [Q] Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) Schwartzman 2019 Summary Age: 26 World No. 19 1-0 in 2019 1-1 in Sydney (2019 QF) 2 Career Titles 5 7 Schwartzman vs. 5 7 Nishioka is shortest match since 5 8 Lisnard vs. 5 6 O. Rochus in 2011 US Open 1R. In 2018, did not drop a set en route to 2nd ATP Tour title at Rio de Janeiro (d. Verdasco). Rallied from 2 sets down to beat Anderson and advance to 2nd Grand Slam QF at Roland Garros (l. to No. 1 Nadal). At No. 11 on 11 June, became highest-ranked player 5 7 or shorter since 5 6 Solomon was No. 10 on 27 July 1981. Nishioka 2019 Summary Age: 23 World No. 75 2-1 in 2019 (Brisbane 1R) 2-0 in Sydney (2019 QF) In 2018, saved 2 MPs vs. Shapovalov en route to 1st ATP Tour title at Shenzhen as 171st-ranked Q (d. Herbert). Broke back into Top 100 of ATP Rankings on 1 October after falling as low as No. 380 on 9 April. Returned at Playford, AUS Challenger last January after tearing left ACL on 24 March 2017 (l. to Schnur in 1R).
SHOW COURTS - SECOND ROUND SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: 9 JANUARY MEDIA NOTES [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs [Q] Reilly Opelka (USA) TBF 1-0 de Minaur 2019 Summary Age: 19 Career-High No. 29 3-1 in 2019 (Brisbane QF) 6-2 in Sydney (2018 Final) Began 2018 at No. 208 and achieved career-high ranking 19 times since then, peaking at No. 29 on 7 January 2019. In 2018, named ATP Newcomer of the Year. Earned 28 wins in 2018 after entering season with 2 wins. Runner-up at Sydney as SE (l. to Medvedev), Washington (l. to A. Zverev) and Next Gen ATP Finals (l. to Tsitsipas). Opelka 2019 Summary Age: 21 World No. 102 1-0 in 2019 1-0 in Sydney (2019 2R) Seeks 3rd ATP Tour QF Defeated de Minaur 4-6 6-3 13-11 in 2015 Wimbledon boys singles 1R. Went on to win title (d. M. Ymer). In 2018, upset 2017 champion and No. 8 Sock for biggest win of career to reach Delray Beach QF (l. to Gojowczyk). Won Challenger titles at Bordeaux, FRA (d. Barrere); Knoxville, USA (d. Fratangelo) & Champaign, USA (d. Shane). [1] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs [LL] Guido Andreozzi (ARG) First Tour-Level Meeting Tsitsipas 2019 Summary Age: 20 Career-High No. 15 2019 Debut 46-27 in 2018 (1 ATP Title) Sydney Debut In 2018, won titles at Stockholm (d. Gulbis) and Next Gen ATP Finals (d. de Minaur). First Greek ATP champion. Reached Toronto final by becoming youngest player to beat 4 Top 10 opponents at an event since ATP Tour began in 1990 (d. Thiem, Djokovic, A. Zverev after saving 2 MPs and Anderson after saving 1 MP; l. to No. 1 Nadal). Lost to Nadal on 20th birthday, making him youngest ATP Masters 1000 finalist since Djokovic, 19, at 2007 Miami. Andreozzi 2019 Summary Age: 27 World No. 80 1-0 in 2019 1-0 in Sydney (2019 2R) Seeks 1st ATP Tour QF In 2018, qualified and earned 1st Grand Slam win at Roland Garros (d. Fritz in 5 sets, l. to Verdasco in 2R). Advanced to Winston-Salem 3R as LL (l. to eventual champion Medvedev). Captured 4 ATP Challenger Tour titles -- all on clay in 4 different countries and on 3 different continents. [7] Marton Fucsovics (HUN) vs John Millman (AUS) First Tour-Level Meeting Fucsovics 2019 Summary Age: 26 Career-High No. 35 2-1 in 2019 (Doha 2R) 1-0 in Sydney (2019 2R) In 2018, defeated 2-time defending champion Wawrinka en route to 1st ATP Tour title at Geneva (d. Gojowczyk). Earned biggest win of career over No. 13 Querrey en route to Australian Open 4R (l. to eventual champion Federer). First champion, highest-ranked player and 1st man to reach Grand Slam R16 from Hungary since Taroczy in 1980s.. Millman 2019 Summary Age: 29 World No. 38 2-1 in 2019 (Brisbane 2R) 3-3 in Sydney (2013, 2018-19 2R) In 2018, upset No. 2 Federer for biggest win of career to reach 1st Grand Slam QF at US Open (l. to Djokovic). Defeated defending champion Pouille en route to 1st ATP Tour final at Budapest (l. to Cecchinato). Beat countrymen for ATP Challenger Tour titles at Kyoto, JPN (d. Thompson) and Aix En Provence, FRA (d. Tomic). Sam Querrey (USA) vs [4] Gilles Simon (FRA) Simon Leads 5-3 Querrey 2019 Summary Age: 31 World No. 48 1-0 in 2019 1-4 in Sydney (2011, 2019 2R) 10 Career Titles In 2018, achieved career-high No. 11 in ATP Rankings on 26 February. Fell to No. 61 on 10 September. Went 1-8 in deciding-set tiebreaks, including loss to Anderson in New York final. Only SF in 22 tournaments played. Earned 20+ wins in 7 straight seasons and 10 of last 11 seasons (2008-10, 2012-18). Simon 2019 Summary Age: 34 World No. 31 2-1 in 2019 (Pune SF) 6-3 in Sydney (2011 Title) 14 Career Titles In 2018, captured ATP 250 titles at Pune (d. Cilic and Anderson) and Metz (d. Bachinger). Appeared in 1st ATP SF since 2016 Shanghai and 1st final since 2015 Metz. Won 1st title since 2015 Marseille. Led 6-3, 4-2 with 2 break points for 5-2 lead in 2nd set before falling to Thiem in Lyon final. OUTER COURTS - SECOND ROUND [3] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) vs [Q] Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) Schwartzman Leads 1-0 Martin Klizan (SVK) vs [8] Andreas Seppi (ITA) Seppi Leads 3-1 [Q] Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) vs [Q] Andrey Rublev (RUS)
SHOW COURTS 1R: John Millman (AUS) vs Frances Tiafoe (USA) Millman Leads 1-0 Millman 2019 Summary Age: 29 World No. 38 1-1 in 2019 (Brisbane 2R) 2-3 in Sydney (2013, 2018 2R) In 2018, upset No. 2 Federer for biggest win of career to reach 1st Grand Slam QF at US Open (l. to Djokovic). Defeated defending champion Pouille en route to 1st ATP Tour final at Budapest (l. to Cecchinato). Beat countrymen for ATP Challenger Tour titles at Kyoto, JPN (d. Thompson) and Aix En Provence, FRA (d. Tomic). Tiafoe 2019 Summary Age: 20 World No. 39 2019 Debut 28-26 in 2018 (Delray Beach Title) Sydney Debut In 2018, enjoyed 1st ATP Tour SF, final and title at Delray Beach (d. Del Potro, Chung, Shapovalov and Gojowczyk). As 20-year-old, became youngest American champion on tour since Roddick, 19, at 2002 Houston. Went on to reach 2nd ATP Tour final at Estoril (d. Sandgren in 1R after saving 3 MPs, l. to Sousa). 2R: [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs [Q] Reilly Opelka (USA) de Minaur 2019 Summary Age: 19 Career-High No. 29 3-1 in 2019 (Brisbane QF) 6-2 in Sydney (2018 Final) Began 2018 at No. 208 and achieved career-high ranking 19 times since then, peaking at No. 29 on 7 January 2019. In 2018, named ATP Newcomer of the Year. Earned 28 wins in 2018 after entering season with 2 wins. Runner-up at Sydney as SE (l. to Medvedev), Washington (l. to A. Zverev) and Next Gen ATP Finals (l. to Tsitsipas). Opelka 2019 Summary Age: 21 World No. 102 1-0 in 2019 1-0 in Sydney (2019 2R) Seeking 3rd ATP Tour QF Defeated de Minaur 4-6 6-3 13-11 in 2015 Wimbledon boys singles 1R. Went on to win title (d. M. Ymer). In 2018, upset 2017 champion and No. 8 Sock for biggest win of career to reach Delray Beach QF (l. to Gojowczyk). Won Challenger titles at Bordeaux, FRA (d. Barrere); Knoxville, USA (d. Fratangelo) & Champaign, USA (d. Shane). 1R: [Q] Andrey Rublev (RUS) vs [6] Lucas Pouille (FRA) Rublev Leads 1-0 Rublev 2019 Summary Age: 21 World No. 84 1-1 in 2019 (Doha 2R) Sydney Main Draw Debut In 2018, went 3-2 at Next Gen ATP Finals for 2nd straight year (l. to Tsitsipas in SF, d. Munar in 3rd-place match). Saved 1 MP vs. Pella to reach 2nd ATP Tour singles final of career at Doha (l. to Monfils). Advanced to 2nd ATP Tour doubles final at ATP Masters 1000 Miami w/khachanov (l. to Bryan/Bryan). Pouille 2019 Summary Age: 24 World No. 30 2019 Debut 25-21 in 2018 (Montpellier Title) Sydney Debut In 2018, became 5th active Frenchman to break into Top 10 on 19 March (also Gasquet, Monfils, Simon, Tsonga). Reached 3 finals in 4 weeks, highlighted by 5th ATP title at Montpellier (d. Tsonga after saving 2 MPs and Gasquet). Runner-up at Marseille (l. to Khachanov) and Dubai (l. to Bautista Agut). 2R: [WC] Jordan Thompson (AUS) vs [LL] Taro Daniel (JPN) First Tour-Level Meeting Thompson 2019 Summary Age: 24 World No. 72 2-1 in 2019 (Brisbane 2R) 3-3 in Sydney (2016-17, 2019 2R) In 2018, went 1-11 on tour and 52-17 at Challengers -- 2nd-most wins in Challenger history (Berlocq 57 in 2007). Won Challenger titles at Chennai, IND (d. Bhambri); Traralgon, AUS (d. Nishioka) and Canberra, AUS (d. Kuhn). Snapped 10-match tour-level losing streak with only win of season at Newport (d. Duckworth, l. to Mannarino in 2R). Daniel 2019 Summary Age: 25 World No. 78 0-1 in 2019 (Brisbane 2R as LL) Sydney Main Draw Debut In 2018, advanced to 1st SF and final en route to 1st ATP Tour title at Istanbul (d. Chardy and Jaziri). Posted 4 wins to advance to Winston-Salem SF (l. to eventual champion Medvedev). Earned biggest win of career over 5-time champion Djokovic to reach Indian Wells 3R as Q (l. to L. Mayer). OUTER COURTS SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: 8 JANUARY MEDIA NOTES 1R: Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs [8] Andreas Seppi (ITA) Series Tied 1-1 1R: [7] Marton Fucsovics (HUN) vs [WC] James Duckworth (AUS) 1R: Denis Kudla (USA) vs [Q] Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) Kudla Leads 1-0
KEN ROSEWALL ARENA [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs Dusan Lajovic (SRB) De Minaur 2018 Summary 19 years old World No. 31 (Career-High) 28-23 in 2018 5-2 at Sydney (2018 Finalist) In 2018, selected by fellow players as ATP Newcomer of the Year. Followed 1st ATP QF and SF as WC at Brisbane (l. to Harrison) with 1st ATP final as SE at Sydney (l. to Medvedev). Saved 4 MPs vs. Rublev in Washington SF (l. to A. Zverev in final). Youngest finalist at event since Murray in 2006. Began season at No. 208 and achieved career-high ranking 18 times, peaking at No. 31 on 15 October. Lajovic 2018 Summary 28 years old World No.48 (Career-High) 24-24 in 2018 0-0 at Sydney (Main draw debut) In 2018, fell to 0-4 lifetime in ATP Tour SFs with 3-set loss at Lyon to eventual champion Thiem. Earned biggest career win over No. 6 Del Potro to reach 1st ATP Masters 1000 QF at Madrid as Q (l. to Anderson). Also advanced to QFs at Umag (l. to Pella) and Kitzbuhel (l. to Klizan after holding 2 MPs). Snapped 7-match Grand Slam 2R losing streak at US Open (d. Dzumhur and Norrie, l. to Isner in 3R). SHOW COURT 1 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: 7 JANUARY MEDIA NOTES Malek Jaziri (TUN) vs Sam Querrey (USA) Jaziri 2018 Summary 34 years old World No. 45 (Career-High) 23-23 in 2018 Sydney Debut In 2018, equaled biggest win of career over No. 4 Cilic en route to 1st ATP Tour final at Istanbul (l. to Daniel). Defeated No. 4 Dimitrov en route to Dubai SF as WC (l. to Bautista Agut). Reached QFs at Marrakech (l. to Edmund), Chengdu (l. to Sousa) and Beijing (d. A. Zverev, l. to Basilashvili). Querrey 2018 Summary 31 years old World No. 51 24-22 in 2018 0-4 at Sydney (2011 2R) 10 Career Titles In 2018, achieved career-high No. 11 in ATP Rankings on 26 February. Fell to No. 61 on 10 September. Went 1-8 in deciding-set tiebreaks, including loss to Anderson in New York Open final. Went 3-0 for American Davis Cup team, including biggest win of season over No. 6 Cilic in SF (CRO d. USA 3-2). Matthew Ebden (AUS) vs Nicolas Jarry (CHI) Ebden 2018 Summary 31 years old World No. 46 19-22 in 2018 1-4 at Sydney (2012 2R) In 2018, reached 2nd SF of career at s-hertogenbosch (l. to Chardy) and 3rd SF at Atlanta (l. to Isner). Advanced to 2nd ATP Masters 1000 QF at Shanghai (l. to Coric). First ATP Masters 1000 QF was 2011 Shanghai. Also advanced to QFs at Halle as SE (l. to No. 1 Federer) and Chengdu (l. to Fognini). Jarry 2018 Summary 23 years old World No. 43 27-22 in 2018 0-0 at Sydney (Main draw debut) In 2018, earned 4 wins in 3 sets to reach 1st ATP Tour singles final at Sao Paulo (l. to Fognini in 3 sets). Saved 2 MPs for biggest win of career over No. 6 Cilic in ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai 2R (l. to Edmund in 3R). Reached SFs at Rio de Janeiro, Hamburg, and Kitzbuhel. Advanced to QFs at Quito and Winston-Salem. Ryan Harrison (USA) vs [Q] Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) First Tour-Level Meeting Harrison 2018 Summary 26 years old World No. 62 21-21 in 2018 2-2 at Sydney (2013 QF) 1 Career Title In 2018, rallied from a set down in 4 straight matches to reach 2nd straight Atlanta final (l. to Isner in 3 sets). Earned 3 wins in 3 sets to advance to Brisbane final (l. to Kyrgios). Enjoyed Top 20 wins over Isner and Schwartzman to reach Acapulco QF (l. to A. Zverev). Nishioka 2018 Summary 23 years old World No. 75 10-11 in 2018 Sydney Debut 1 Career Title In 2018, saved 2 MPs vs. Shapovalov en route to 1st ATP Tour title at Shenzhen as 171st-ranked Q (d. Herbert). Broke back into Top 100 of ATP Rankings on 1 October after falling as low as No. 380 on 9 April. Advanced to Los Cabos QF (d. Fritz, l. to eventual champion Fognini). COURT 3 [Q] Reilly Opelka (USA) vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: PREVIEW & DAY 1 MEDIA NOTES 10 THINGS TO WATCH IN SYDNEY 1) Top-20 Trio: World No. 15 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 16 Daniil Medvedev and No. 17 Diego Schwartzman headline the Sydney International. Medvedev won his first of three titles last season inside Ken Rosewall Arena, spoiling the hopes of Sydney native Alex de Minaur in the final. De Minaur returns home this week as the No. 1 Aussie and 31st-ranked player in the ATP Rankings. 2) No. 1 Aussie: One year ago, de Minaur entered Sydney as a 167th-ranked special exempt. He advanced to the Brisbane semi-finals and Sydney final to become the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to reach consecutive semi-finals. De Minaur, who turns 20 on 17 February, achieved a new career-high ranking 18 times in 2018 and earned ATP Newcomer of the Year honors. 3) First-Time Defending Champion: Like de Minaur, Medvedev was an unlikely finalist at the 2018 Sydney International. The Russian came through qualifying en route to his first ATP Tour title. It was a sign of things to come for Medvedev, who went on to win two more championships in 2018 at Winston-Salem and Tokyo. Medvedev led all players with 38 victories on hard courts last season. 4) First-Time No. 1 Seed: Tsitsipas is the top seed at a tour-level event for the first time, though he won the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals title as the No. 1 seed. The 20-year-old is the first Greek to be ranked in the Top 20, win an ATP Tour title (Stockholm), play an ATP Masters 1000 final (Toronto) and reach a Grand Slam Round of 16 (Wimbledon). Tsitsipas earned four Top 10 wins in Toronto. 5) New #NextGenATP: The dawning of a new season means another class of #NextGenATP players eager to make their mark on the ATP Tour. In 2019, players born in 1998 or later are considered #NextGenATP. Three of the four #NextGenATP players ranked in the Top 100 are competing in Sydney: Tsitsipas, de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe, who celebrates his 21st birthday on 20 January. 6) Sydney Sensations: De Minaur isn t the only 19-year-old Sydney native playing in his hometown. Alexei Popyrin is a wild card after making his ATP Tour debut at the 2018 Sydney International. Popyrin qualified a year ago before falling to fellow Aussie John Millman in the opening round. 7) Other Aussies: Millman, James Duckworth, Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson will also represent Australia this week. In 2018, Millman achieved a new career-high ranking 10 times, peaking at No. 33 soon after upsetting No. 2 Roger Federer to reach the US Open quarter-finals. 8) Unlucky Number: On 11 June, Schwartzman rose to a career-high No. 11 in the ATP Rankings. The 5-foot-7 Argentine has just 11 wins since then, reaching two quarter-finals in 12 tournaments played. Following a bye, Schwartzman lost to Feliciano Lopez in his Sydney debut last year. 9) Good Riddance, 2018: Had Sam Querrey won his quarter-final at Indian Wells last March, he would have entered the Top 10 for the first time. He lost, allowing Lucas Pouille to debut in the Top 10 instead. Pouille s stay in the Top 10 lasted all of two weeks. Both he and Querrey are ranked much lower as they make their season debut in Sydney. Pouille is No. 32 and Querrey is No. 51. 10) Studs in Dubs: Three of the eight teams that qualified for the 2018 Nitto ATP Finals are competing in Sydney: Juan Sebastian Cabal/Robert Farah, Jamie Murray/Bruno Soares and Nikola Mektic/Alexander Peya. Murray and Soares won their first of nine team titles at 2016 Sydney.
Sydney International Day 1 Sunday, 6 January 2019 Page 2 of 5 www.atptour.com WHO TO WATCH THIS WEEK SINGLES SEED PLAYER W-L BEST TOURNAMENT FINISH 1 Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 0-0 Debut 2 Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5-0 2018 Champion 3 Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 0-1 2018 2nd Round 4 Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-3 2011 Champion 5 Alex de Minaur (AUS) 5-2 2018 Finalist 6 Lucas Pouille (FRA) 0-0 Debut 7 Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 0-0 Debut 8 Andreas Seppi (ITA) 9-11 2006, 2013 Semi-finals QUALIFIERS (4) TBD Sunday DOUBLES OLDEST PLAYER Malek Jaziri (TUN) 34 years, 11 months WILD CARDS (3) James Duckworth (AUS) Alexei Popyrin (AUS) Jordan Thompson (AUS) YOUNGEST PLAYER Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 19 years, 5 months TOP COUNTRY BREAKDOWN Australia 6, France 4, United States 4 *Does not include qualifiers (TBD Sunday) SEED TEAM W-L BEST TOURNAMENT FINISH 1 Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL) 3-3 2017 Semi-finals Robert Farah (COL) 3-2 2017 Semi-finals 2 Jamie Murray (GBR) 6-3 2016 Champion Bruno Soares (BRA) 6-2 2016 Champion 3 Nikola Mektic (CRO) 0-1 2018 1st Round Alexander Peya (AUT) 2-2 2017 Semi-finals 4 Rajeev Ram (USA) 0-2 2010, 2018 1st Round Joe Salisbury (GBR) 0-0 Debut PAST FINALISTS SINGLES (since 2006) YEAR CHAMPION FINALIST SCORE 2018 Daniil Medvedev (RUS) Alex de Minaur (AUS) 1-6 6-4 7-5 2017 Gilles Muller (LUX) Daniel Evans (GBR) 7-6(5) 6-2 2016 Viktor Troicki (SRB) Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 2-6 6-1 7-6(7) 2015 Viktor Troicki (SRB) Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-2 6-3 2014 Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) Bernard Tomic (AUS) 6-3 6-1 2013 Bernard Tomic (AUS) Kevin Anderson (RSA) 6-3 6-7(2) 6-3 2012 Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) Julien Benneteau (FRA) 6-2 7-5 2011 Gilles Simon (FRA) Viktor Troicki (SRB) 7-5 7-6(4) 2010 Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-4 7-6(4) 2009 David Nalbandian (ARG) Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 6-3 6-7(9) 6-2 2008 Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) Chris Guccione (AUS) 7-6(3) 7-6(4) 2007 James Blake (USA) Carlos Moya (ESP) 6-3 5-7 6-1 2006 James Blake (USA) Igor Andreev (RUS) 6-2 3-6 7-6(3) BOLD: Player in 2019 Sydney International singles draw.
Sydney International Day 1 Sunday, 6 January 2019 Page 3 of 5 www.atptour.com DOUBLES (since 2006) YEAR CHAMPION FINALIST SCORE 2018 Lukasz Kubot/Marcelo Melo Jan-Lennard Struff/Viktor Troicki 6-3 6-4 2017 Wesley Koolhof/Matwe Middelkoop Jamie Murray/Bruno Soares 6-3 7-5 2016 Jamie Murray/Bruno Soares Rohan Bopanna/Florin Mergea 6-3 7-6(6) 2015 Rohan Bopanna/Daniel Nestor Jean-Julien Rojer/Horia Tecau 6-4 7-6(5) 2014 Daniel Nestor/Nenad Zimonjic Rohan Bopanna/Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi 7-6(3) 7-6(3) 2013 Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan Max Mirnyi/Horia Tecau 6-4 6-4 2012 Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan Matthew Ebden/Jarkko Nieminen 6-1 6-4 2011 Lukas Dlouhy/Paul Hanley Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 6-7(6) 6-3 [10-5] 2010 Daniel Nestor/Nenad Zimonjic Ross Hutchins/Jordan Kerr 6-3 7-6(5) 2009 Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan Daniel Nestor/Nenad Zimonjic 6-1 7-6(3) 2008 Richard Gasquet/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 4-6 6-4 [11-9] 2007 Paul Hanley/Kevin Ullyett Mark Knowles/Daniel Nestor 6-4 6-7(3) [10-6] 2006 Fabrice Santoro/Nenad Zimonjic Frantisek Cermak/Leos Friedl 6-1 6-4 BOLD: Player in 2019 Sydney International doubles draw. Bopanna/Qureshi are not an intact team this year. ATP RANKING POINTS AND PRIZE MONEY Sydney International W F SF QF R16 R32 Singles Ranking Points 250 150 90 45 20 0 Singles Prize Money ($) 90,990 49,205 27,175 15,435 8,880 5,320 Doubles Ranking Points 250 150 90 45 0 --- Doubles Prize Money ($) 29,860 15,300 8,290 4,740 2,780 --- FEDEX ATP HEAD2HEADS: SUNDAY FIRST-ROUND SINGLES MATCHES KEN ROSEWALL ARENA Martin Klizan (SVK) vs [WC] Alexei Popyrin (AUS) First Tour-Level Meeting Other Meeting 18 Marbella CH (Spain) Clay R16 Martin Klizan 6-4 7-5 Klizan 2018 Summary: W (1): Kitzbühel (d. Istomin); F (1): St. Petersburg (l. Thiem); QF (2): Barcelona (l. Nadal); Munich (l. Chung) 2018 W-L: 22-9 2018 Titles: 1 / Career Titles: 6 Date of Birth: July 11, 1989 (29) ATP Ranking: 41 Tournament W-L (Best Result): 0-3 (2015-17 1st Round) Tournament Note: Seeking first-ever Sydney win fell to eventual champion Troicki in 2015 1R, and retired in 1R matches in 2016 (l. to Thompson) and 2017 (l. to Kuznetsov). In 2018, qualified, upset Thiem and saved 2 MPs vs. Lajovic en route to Kitzbuhel title (d. Istomin). Win over Istomin marked 2nd All-Qualifier final in ATP Tour history (Troicki vs. Kukushkin at 2015 Sydney). Suffered 1st loss in 7th career final at St. Petersburg (d. Fognini, Shapovalov and Wawrinka; l. to Thiem). Qualified at 8 tournaments overall this season, tied with Ivashka and Kudla for most on ATP Tour. Defeated year-end No. 1 Djokovic en route to Barcelona QF (l. to then-no. 1 Nadal). Also advanced to Munich QF as Q (l. to Chung). Captured 7th ATP Challenger Tour title at Indian Wells, USA (d. D. King). Advanced to Challenger doubles finals at Marbella, ESP w/kovalik (l. to Andreozzi/Behar), Como, ITA w/polasek (l. to Begemann/Brown) and Genova, ITA w/polasek (l. to Krawietz/Mies). Fell to No. 181 in ATP Rankings on 26 February -- lowest since No. 217 on 15 November 2010.
Sydney International Day 1 Sunday, 6 January 2019 Page 4 of 5 www.atptour.com Popyrin 2018 Summary: 2018 W-L: 1-4 2018 Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: August 5, 1999 (19) ATP Ranking: 147 Tournament W-L (Best Result): 0-1 (2018 1st Round) Tournament Note: In tournament debut last year, d. Delbonis and Mahut to qualify for main draw (l. to Millman 1R). In 2018, achieved career-high 26 times in ATP Rankings, peaking at No. 147 on 24 December. Entered season with career-high ranking of No. 613 on 11 December 2017. Earned 1st ATP Tour win at Basel as Q (d. Ebden, l. to A. Zverev in 2R). Also qualified at Sydney (l. to Millman in 1R) and Stockholm (l. to Millman in 1R). Made Grand Slam debut at Australian Open as WC (l. to Smyczek in 1R). Qualified 5 times on ATP Challenger Tour, including en route to 1st Challenger title at Jinan, CHN (d. J. Ward). [WC] Jordan Thompson (AUS) vs Adrian Mannarino (FRA) Mannarino Leads 2-0 17 s-hertogenbosch (Netherlands) Grass R32 Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-1 18 Newport (U.S.A.) Grass R16 Adrian Mannarino 6-2 7-6(4) Thompson 2018 Summary: 2018 W-L: 1-11 2018 Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: April 20, 1994 (24) ATP Ranking: 72 Tournament W-L (Best Result): 2-3 (2016-17 2nd Round) Tournament Note: Claimed first-ever Sydney main draw win over Klizan in 2016 1R (via retirement) before losing to 2013 champion and compatriot Tomic in 2R. In 2018, went 1-11 on tour and 52-17 at Challengers -- 2nd-most wins in ATP Challenger Tour history (Berlocq 57 in 2007). Snapped 10-match tour-level losing streak with only win of season at Newport (d. Duckworth, l. to Mannarino in 2R). Posted 3-5 record in Challenger finals with titles at Chennai, IND (d. Bhambri); Traralgon, AUS (d. Nishioka) and Canberra, AUS (d. Kuhn). Won Kyoto, JPN Challenger doubles title w/saville (d. Soeda/Uchiyama). Retired in s-hertogenbosch Q1 vs. Skugor (neck) and withdrew from Winston-Salem Q (left hand). Mannarino 2018 Summary: F (2): Antalya (l. Dzumhur); Moscow (l. Khachanov); SF (1): New York (l. Querrey); QF (4): Sydney (l. Fognini); London / Queen's Club (l. Djokovic); Newport (l. Granollers); Los Cabos (l. Norrie) 2018 W-L: 26-30 2018 Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: June 29, 1988 (30) ATP Ranking: 42 Tournament W-L (Best Result): 2-2 (2018 Quarter-finals) Tournament Note: Ousted Donskoy and Berankis to reach QF last year (l. to Fognini). In 2018, achieved career-high No. 22 ranking on 19 March. Earned 25+ wins in 4 straight seasons (2015-18). Fell to 0-6 lifetime in ATP Tour finals with losses to Dzumhur at Antalya and Khachanov at Moscow. Reached QF-or-better at 7 events, including run to New York SF (l. to Querrey in 3 sets). Suffered 6-match losing streaks from 26 April through 18 June and 15 August through 14 October. Advanced to Australian Open 3R for 1st time (l. to Thiem) and Wimbledon 4R for 3rd time (l. to Federer). Saved 1 MP vs. Cecchinato in Cincinnati 1R. Squandered 3 MPs vs. Carreno Busta in Barcelona 3R. Withdrew from Delray Beach due to hip injury.
Sydney International Day 1 Sunday, 6 January 2019 Page 5 of 5 www.atptour.com FEDEX ATP HEAD2HEADS: REMAINING FIRST-ROUND SINGLES MATCHES Matthew Ebden (AUS) vs Nicolas Jarry (CHI) Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs [8] Andreas Seppi (ITA) Series Tied 1-1 13 Australian Open (Australia) Hard R16 Jeremy Chardy 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-2 15 Australian Open (Australia) Hard R64 Andreas Seppi 7-5 3-6 6-2 6-1 [7] Marton Fucsovics (HUN) vs [WC] James Duckworth (AUS) John Millman (AUS) vs Frances Tiafoe (USA) Millman Leads 1-0 17 Atlanta (U.S.A.) Hard R32 John Millman 5-7 6-4 7-6(5) Other Meeting 16 London / Queen's Club Q (Great Britain) Grass Q1 Frances Tiafoe 6-4 6-3 Malek Jaziri (TUN) vs Sam Querrey (USA) [5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs Dusan Lajovic (SRB) *Does not include first-round matches involving qualifiers (TBD Sunday)