Saturday, October 26

Winston-Salem Serves Up Sunsets and Upsets

By Erik Gudris | @ATNTennis | Wednesday August 23, 2023

Country music, stunning sunsets, and Southern hospitality are at all times readily available on the Winston-Salem Open, the ultimate cease on the ATP Tour earlier than the US Open.

The ATP 250 occasion, hosted on the grounds of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, presents native followers an opportunity to savor world-class tennis in a comfy venue that always has a really feel of a local people occasion the place buddies and neighbors say “Howdy” to one another. Where households won’t solely cheer on their favourite gamers, but in addition their youngsters serving as ball children this week.

In reality, on an outdoor court docket, a proud mom walked as much as her younger son, a ball child, throughout a changeover, maybe to supply phrases of encouragement solely to have him shoo her away by saying, “Not now mom, I’m working.”

This occasion has at all times featured a wholesome mixture of veteran stars, rising younger expertise, American professionals, in fact, however loads of gamers from in all places, together with many French gamers who benefit from the relaxed vibe. Richard Gasquet was seen strolling alongside downtown Winston-Salem earlier than his subsequent match.

The match presents an opportunity for gamers to get additional matches in earlier than the US Open, particularly for these whose hard-court season hasn’t fairly turned out how they needed to date.

One of these is prime seed Borna Coric of Croatia. Coric discovered himself enjoying underneath a beautiful Carolina sundown in a night match towards Australia’s Rinky Hiijikata who’s an area favourite in these components.

Why? It’s as a result of the present World No. 111 Hijikata performed faculty tennis down the street on the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. So that’s why one may hear a smattering of “Go Heels!” shouts through the match, although, to be honest, the group supported each gamers equally.

After successful the primary set, Coric discovered himself examined within the second set. Hijikata, conserving stage along with his higher-ranked opponent, earned a set level within the second set. Yet Coric saved that with some scorching tennis. Coric ultimately compelled a tiebreak after which closed out the match 6-2, 7-6(2).


Sebastian Korda is one other participant searching for momentum right here earlier than the US Open. It’s been a tricky few months for the 23-year-old American who solely received one match all through the arduous court docket swing earlier than Winston-Salem. Korda lastly acquired again into the winner’s column with a 6-2, 6-3 win over France’s Benjamin Bonzi.

Korda, who simply barely claimed a No. 32 seed on the US Open, will subsequent face Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.

Aside from the established gamers, these ATP 250 occasions are at all times the place to find new gamers who would possibly simply breakthrough to wider recognition. And a few of these gamers need to benefit from the chance to do this when it arrives.

Take for instance present World No. 385 Omni Kumar of California.

Before Winston-Salem, the 21-year-old (although he seems to be like a younger teenager) Kumar had but to win any matches, even on the Challenger stage. After dropping in qualifying, Kumar acquired into the primary draw as a fortunate loser when Dominic Thiem withdrew as a result of sickness.

Kumar is actually a participant that catches one’s consideration. For starters, he’s a left-hander whose complete proper arm is roofed in tattoos. Then he hits an unorthodox backhand that begins out as a two-hander earlier than, on the final minute, he pulls his proper arm away to tear a one-handed backhand ala the nice Fabrice Santoro. Despite being 5’9”, he additionally possesses a potent serve.


This combo to date has annoyed his opponents. Kumar first took out World No. 75 Arthur Rinderknech within the opening spherical, then he upset No. 8 seed Botic van de Zandschlup 6-3, 7-5 to place himself into the spherical of 16, a lot to the delight of himself and the native followers.

These surprising moments make each ATP and WTA 250 occasions very particular. With all of the current discuss of each excursions consolidating sooner or later, and maybe even eliminating smaller occasions, let’s hope that tournaments like Winston-Salem can proceed connecting followers and their communities with world-class tennis, creating recollections that final a lifetime.

Photo credit score: Erik Gudris

Content Source: www.tennisnow.com