It's been a fantastic day actually week for British tennis at ATP Challenger level.
Earlier in the day Kyle Edmund showed his pedigree by defeating Carlos Berlocq 6-0 6-4 to lift the ATP Challenger title in Buenos Aires and returns to the ATP top 100 tomorrow when the new rankings are published. Kyle has played excellent all week and gained some very good wins against clay court experts in their home country of Argentina.
Its not only a big win for Kyle's ranking but also for his chances of playing the 2nd singles matches in the Davis Cup final against Belgium which will also be played on clay. The young 20 year old would definitely be my choice.
Just now their has been even more success for GB as the often 'bad boy' Dan Evans has completed his own brilliant week of tennis by defeating young American star Francis Tiafoe 5-7 6-1 6-3 to take the ATP Challenger title in Knoxville, USA. This is only his 2nd Challenger title of his career, the last time was way back in 2009 in Jersey! Dan will now move back inside the ATP top 200 tomorrow, approx. ranking with 185th not bad considering he was outside the ATP top 750 at the start of 2015. Dan used British Futures tournaments to start collecting points and enabling him to step up to ATP Challenger level. Hopefully in 2016 he can stay fit, focused and gain in confidence to be able to play at ATP and Grand Slam level.
Well done Kyle and Dan!
Earlier in the day Kyle Edmund showed his pedigree by defeating Carlos Berlocq 6-0 6-4 to lift the ATP Challenger title in Buenos Aires and returns to the ATP top 100 tomorrow when the new rankings are published. Kyle has played excellent all week and gained some very good wins against clay court experts in their home country of Argentina.
Its not only a big win for Kyle's ranking but also for his chances of playing the 2nd singles matches in the Davis Cup final against Belgium which will also be played on clay. The young 20 year old would definitely be my choice.
Just now their has been even more success for GB as the often 'bad boy' Dan Evans has completed his own brilliant week of tennis by defeating young American star Francis Tiafoe 5-7 6-1 6-3 to take the ATP Challenger title in Knoxville, USA. This is only his 2nd Challenger title of his career, the last time was way back in 2009 in Jersey! Dan will now move back inside the ATP top 200 tomorrow, approx. ranking with 185th not bad considering he was outside the ATP top 750 at the start of 2015. Dan used British Futures tournaments to start collecting points and enabling him to step up to ATP Challenger level. Hopefully in 2016 he can stay fit, focused and gain in confidence to be able to play at ATP and Grand Slam level.
Well done Kyle and Dan!