A busy Thursday on the Arizona Tennis Basic noticed Alexander Shevchenko rating a win that he gained’t quickly neglect. The 22-year-old ousted French wild card Gael Monfils within the first spherical of the Phoenix Challenger 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3.
Publish match, the qualifier Shevchenko posted on Instagram a message sharing his admiration for the previous World No. 6.
“Such an emotional match for me,” Shevchenko stated. “[Gael] was the rationale I fell in love with the sport.”
Shevchenko is coached by Gunter Bresnik, who has labored with outstanding gamers reminiscent of Boris Becker, Patrick McEnroe, Dominic Thiem, and fittingly—Monfils.
After sleeping on a 2-0 lead within the deciding set following rain suspending Wednesday’s play, Shevchenko held his nerve within the closing phases to advance on the Challenger 175 occasion.
In different opening-round motion Thursday, high seed Matteo Berrettini gained 28 of 33 first serve factors to defeat countryman and fortunate loser Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-4. The 2019 Phoenix Challenger champion will subsequent meet Aussie qualifier Aleksandar Vukic on Friday afternoon.
“I’m actually pleased to be right here and get the win, nice begin,” Berrettini stated. “I got here right here to make a future and play as many matches as potential.”
With crowd assist behind him on the Phoenix Nation Membership, American Aleksandar Kovacevic was firing on all cylinders en path to 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6) victory in opposition to Christopher O’Connell. At the moment World No. 104 within the Pepperstone ATP Stay Rankings, Kovacevic may rise into the Prime 100 ought to he beat third seed Richard Gasquet.
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Earlier within the day, eighth seed Emil Ruusuvuori cruised previous Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 6-0. The Finn will meet Quentin Halys within the second spherical.
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