© Minas Panagiotakis / Stringer Getty Images Sport
In Frankfurt Andrey Rublev defeated Grigor Dimitrov 14-13, 12-17, 11-10, 17-16 to win the title in the second edition of the UTS, a tournament which follows a format completely different from traditional tennis.The Russian and the Bulgarian, having been great friends for a long time, put on a great show both on and off the court.
The two indulged in a conversation at the press conference which generated great hilarity among their fans and industry insiders.Dimitrov said: “I really like your tennis. I like you on the court and off the court, so. I mean, I like you both ways.
You’re a great guy.”The current number 6 in the world ranking reciprocated the esteem by letting go of a nice confidence: “If I were a girl, I would be completely in love with Grigor. But even if I am a man, I am still in love with him.
I think everyone will fall in love of you!”Finally the two jokingly arranged to meet outside the field: “Today we will finish with a romantic dinner,” said the former Monte-Carlo champion. “With rose petals and candles,” Dimitrov added.
Each match in the event consists of four quarters, each quarter lasting eight minutes.
At the end of each quarter there is a three-minute change of ends. The player who wins three quarters wins the match. However, if both players win two quarters each, a fifth quarter Sudden Death is played, in which the first player to win two consecutive points wins the match.The first edition took place in July in Los Angeles, where Yibing Wu defeated Taylor Fritz 11-16, 7-20, 12-11, 16-9, 2-0 in the final to win the title.
The third and final stage of UTS 2023 will take place in December in Seoul, South Korea.Coming back tot talk about the ATP Tour, men’s tennis is ready to move east for the Asian Swing, which will climax at the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000.
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