A thrilling first instalment

A thrilling first instalment

by | 21 May, 2023 | News_slider-en, News_Tournoi-en

Despite the support of a sizeable crowd, Jerome Kym (ATP 401) was unable to upset the odds and went down 7-6(2) 6-7(5) 6-4 to Arthur Cazaux (ATP 197). The Swiss player could at least take consolation from playing a full part in the first thriller of the 2023 Gonet Geneva Open, an engrossing match that lasted two hours and 55 minutes.

Kym will be kicking himself, however, having led 0-30 on the Frenchman’s serve at 4-4 in the third set. The all-important break point proved elusive, however, and at 4-5, Cazaux made the most of the home player’s double fault at deuce before hitting a backhand pass down the line to secure victory, the ball clipping the net and then dropping in.

The first round of the qualifying competition provided a fitting start to the tournament. Cazaux will return to the Central at 11:00 on Sunday to fight it out for a place in the main draw with Croatia’s Nino Serdarudic (ATP 305). The first round proper gets under way at 14:00, with Ben Shelton taking on Marco Cecchinato and Benoît Paire facing Christopher Eubanks.

As for the 20-year-old Kym, he has taken an important step forward as he looks to kickstart a career stalled by months of injury problems. Blessed with a fast forehand, he has the means to start climbing the Tour rankings fast and catch up with his compatriots and peers Dominic Stricker and Leandro Riedi.

A main draw to die for

A main draw to die for

by | 19 May, 2023 | News_slider-en, News_Tournoi-en

If the seedings at the Gonet Geneva Open are to be believed, then Casper Ruud will take on Alexander Zverev in one semi-final and Grigor Dimitrov will do battle with Taylor Fritz in the other, a line-up that is sure to pull the crowds in.

As we all know, however, tennis tournaments are anything but predictable, and it’s hard to see how the Gonet Geneva Open will not throw up its fair share of surprises.

Held on the shores of Lake Geneva in the presence of the city’s mayor, Marie Barbey-Chappuis, Friday’s draw produced several enticing first-round encounters that look too close to call. Take the duel between Zurich’s Marc-Andrea Hüsler (ATP 82) and China’s Yibing Wu (ATP 57) or the clash between Chile’s Nicolas Jarry (ATP 56), a runner-up here in 2019, and Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic (ATP 46), a recent winner in Banja Luka. And then there’s the prospective second-round match-ups between Benoît Paire (ATP 160) and Alexander Zverev, and Alexander Bublik (ATP 49) and Taylor Fritz.

With the draw now done, it’s time for the action to begin. Qualifying kicks off on Saturday at 11:00, while the opening matches of the main draw take place on Sunday.

Taylor Fritz at the Gonet Geneva Open

Taylor Fritz at the Gonet Geneva Open

by | 20 April, 2023 | News_slider-en, News_Tournoi-en

Taylor Fritz at the Gonet Geneva Open

In addition to the two-time title holder Casper Ruud (ATP 3), another top ten player will be on the entry list of the Gonet Geneva Open, which will take place from May 20th to 27th. World No. 10 in the world, Taylor Fritz has confirmed his presence at the Parc des Eaux-Vives. The 25 years old American has just demonstrated all his skills on clay with his appearance in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000.

  Last year’s winner of the Indian Wells Masters 1000, Taylor Fritz won his fifth title this year with his success at the Delray Beach tournament. A player with an offensive style, Taylor Fritz has the potential to become the second American player to win on the Geneva clay court thirty-nine years after Aaron Krickstein.

  The entry list of the Gonet Geneva Open will be announced on April 24. Other top players are expected to participate. The organizers also have three wild cards to complete the tournament field. It should be noted that five Grand Slam winners Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Daniil Medvedev

Dominic Thiem and Marin Cilic, have played at the Parc des Eaux-Vives since the rebirth of the tournament in 2015.

Casper Ruud doubles his Geneva titles

Casper Ruud doubles his Geneva titles

by | 21 May, 2022 | News_slider-en, News_Tournoi-en

The spectators at the Gonet Geneva Open won’t have been disappointed with that epic combat. On this sunny Saturday, they witnessed more than three hours of out-and-out battle between Casper Ruud (ATP 8) and Joao Sousa (ATP 79). While the Norwegian cinched the win 7-6(3) 4-6 7-6(1), there could have been a whole other ending. Joao Sousa even served for the match in the final set before the tournament’s No.2 seed made a comeback, determined not to lose hope. Casper Ruud, the defending champion of the 2021 tournament, appeared far from his best in the second set and into the third, while the Portuguese didn’t miss a shot. Who can say what spurred this turnaround – did the 2015 finalist’s nerves suddenly get to him?

“Every player – and even the biggest champions! – feels a bit of pressure when serving for the match”, Casper Ruud acknowledged, in the on-court interview after the match. “That must have been what happened to Joao too, and I took advantage to take my best shots. It all came down to one or two key points today, but of course it was a very difficult match. In fact, it’s the first time this week I had such long rallies, and it might be the match I’m happiest with.” The 23-year-old Norwegian heads off to Paris tonight, his heart light and his confidence boosted 200% after winning his second consecutive title in Geneva.

Joao Sousa is already looking forward to next year and hopes that it will be third time lucky for him in a Geneva final. The Gonet Geneva Open is a very special tournament to him. “I felt the enthusiasm of the crowd today, it was very special. I played well all week, and I’m happy with my tennis, but for sure, I’d have preferred to have won. I’m especially disappointed for my family who surprised me by being here today. I didn’t know they’d be here, I would have loved to have given them the big trophy!” One thing’s certain, the 33-year-old Portuguese will be back in Geneva to try his hand once again.

A record-breaking week
This 2022 Gonet Geneva Open has beaten all records. With the sun beaming and the mercury rising, there was a large crowd present throughout the week. More than 28,000 spectators travelled to the Parc des Eaux-Vives this year. That’s a record turnout for the Geneva tournament, demonstrating what an essential step it is on the ATP Tour – not to mention its popularity among spectators and players alike. See you next year, from 13 to 20 May 2023!

Olympic champions at the top

Olympic champions at the top

by | 21 May, 2022 | News_slider-en, News_Tournoi-en

The Gonet Geneva Open certainly does seem to suit Mate Pavic. Playing alongside fellow countryman Nikola Mektic, the Croat collected the trophy for his third time this afternoon at the Parc des Eaux-Vives. Mektic was making his debut here in Geneva, and it was a successful one, to say the least. The Croatian pair defeated Pablo Andujar and Matwe Middelkoop 2-6 6-2 10-3 despite the match getting off to a shaky start for the eventual winners. “They took us by surprise,” Nikola Mektic admitted post-match. “They played really well, and had plenty of winners. I think the first break we got early in the second set helped get us going again.”
 
The start of the season hasn’t been as prolific as expected for the duo, ranked 4th at the ATP. After claiming nine titles in 2021, including an Olympic gold medal and a win at Wimbledon, the Croats got a fresh taste of victory at the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome last weekend. “Each trophy means a lot to us,” Mate Pavic said, smiling. “It was an incredible week, and gives us confidence for Roland-Garros. I love coming to Geneva, and it’s the first time in my career to win a tournament three times. I’ll definitely be back next year!”