Alex de Minaur might have fallen quick on the Rotterdam Open, however the Aussie has helped create some tennis historical past.
The Demon was no match for the Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner as he claimed the 7-5, 6-4 victory and moved as much as quantity three on the earth.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
Despite the loss, de Minaur achieved a brand new career-high rating as he leapt as much as quantity 9 on the ATP rankings.
The high 10 reshuffle compelled Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas right down to quantity 11 and within the course of created a outstanding 51-year tennis first.
For the primary time because the rankings system was launched method again in 1973, not a single participant inside the highest 10 makes use of a one-handed backhand.
Tsitsipas was the one member of the one-handed backhand gang however now sits on the skin trying in with fellow star Grigor Dimitrov the subsequent highest ranked participant at 13.
They’re the one two gamers within the high 25 utilizing the one-handed technique.
The rankings are a far cry from after they have been first launched in 1973 with 9 out of the highest ten gamers wielding a one-handed backhand.
The present high 10 on the ATP rankings sees Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, Hubert Hurkacz, de Minaur and Taylor Fritz, who all utilise a two-handed backhand.
Swiss duo Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka are extensively often called the 2 finest customers of the one-handed backhand with Frenchman Richard Gasquet one other included within the dialog of the most effective participant with the diminishing artwork type.
“In terms of elegance and beauty, I would probably say Gasquet’s is a beautiful backhand,” Tsitsipas stated beforehand.
“Otherwise Roger’s. Roger has a very nice flow, as well. It’s poetry when you watch it.
“He can mix up the slice, which makes it an interesting combination, switching from a single-handed backhand top-spin to a slice. But I feel like Stan’s single-handed backhand down the line is much better, in my opinion, having played him.”
De Minaur was crushed on Monday morning by the hands of Sinner who powered to his first Rotterdam Open title.
The win prolonged the Italian high seed’s unbeaten streak to fifteen and took his report in opposition to the Aussie to 7-0.
The two are associates off the courtroom and former doubles companions and so they embraced on the internet because the Rotterdam crowd gave them a thunderous ovation.
“It’s very tough to play against you. It’s better when we are on the same side playing doubles,” quipped Sinner.
De Minaur’s run to the ultimate included a pulsating semi-final in opposition to Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, later describing it as his “best match on tour.”
“I asked him jokingly if he’s going to lose a match this year. He’s playing an incredible level and just too good. I’ll get you back next time!” stated De Minaur.
De Minaur stated he had taken “another big step in the right direction” and pledged to “fight for bigger and better things.”
Source: www.news.com.au
