Murray, Azarenka given Cincinnati wildcards
LOSANGELES: Former world number ones Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka have been handed wildcards to compete at the Cincinnati Open next month, the tournament’s organisers have said.
Murray pulled out of this year’s Wimbledon saying his right hip was still not ready for the demands of a Grand Slam.
That was after the Scot made a comeback in June at Queen’s Club following almost a year out with the injury that required surgery in Australia in January.
Two-times Grand Slam winner Azarenka, who won the Cincinnati Open in 2013, will return to the women’s draw for the first time since 2016 as she continues her comeback following a prolonged legal battle over the custody of her son Leo last year.
“The resumes for Vika and Andy really speak for themselves,” tournament Director Andre Silva said.
“I think many tennis fans are eager to see each of them back on the court, and we are pleased to offer them both wild cards to play the Western & Southern Open.”
A further seven players - three men and four women - will be handed wild cards for the tournament, which begins on August 11, around two weeks before the U.S. open starts on August 27.
BAGHDATIS ADVANCES
ATLANTA: Marcos Baghdatis beat fifth-seeded Frances Tiafoe 7-5, 6-1 on Thursday in the Atlanta Open to set up a quarter-final match against Matthew Ebden.
The 33-year-old Baghdatis, from Cyprus, has won two straight matches at Atlantic Station after losing seven of his previous eight.
“It’s been a tough year,” Baghdatis said. “But what happened, happened. Now I’m here and I’m in the quarterfinals. I’m happy.”
Ebden, from Australia, defeated local favourite Donald Young 6-4, 6-4.
“I knew he was going to be tough here, because he lives here,” Ebden said.
Baghdatis lost the 2015 final to John Isner, the 6-foot-10 former University of Georgia star who reached the quarterfinals Wednesday night in his bid to win the event for the fifth time.
Nick Kyrgios barely raised a sweat as the second seed reached the Atlanta Open quarter-finals, though Jeremy Chardy was not so fortunate.
Kyrgios needed just 56 minutes to dismantle American qualifier Noah Rubin 7-5, 6-2 at the ATP 250 tournament on Thursday.
Champion in 2016, Australian star Kyrgios – seeking his second title of the year after triumphing in Brisbane – hit 15 aces and won 83 per cent of his service points to move through to the last eight.
“I always feel comfortable playing here,” Kyrgios said.
“Obviously had a fair bit of success here. I just feel comfortable. The court suits my gamestyle. I can serve well, I can make a couple of returns and play aggressively.”
Next up for Kyrgios, who has advanced to the quarters in four of his last five events, is Cameron Norrie.
World no 73 Norrie upstaged sixth seed Chardy 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.