Sandgren blasts former champion
Tennys Sandgren wasn’t going to play the ASB Classic this week — now he is in the final.
Last Friday, the American was already in Auckland, but considering flying to Sydney to play the tournament there.
A main draw spot in the New South Wales ATP event had opened up, whereas the 27-year-old was due to play qualifying in the strong Auckland field.
Sandgren eventually decided to stay, and it proved a good decision, as the world No 61 was the last direct acceptance into the main draw, when final entries were received.
Since then Sandgren has been in imperious form, highlighted by a straight sets demolition of third seed and world No 18 Marco Cecchinato in the second round.
That continued yesterday, as he blasted former Auckland champion Philipp Kohlschreiber off the court, winning 6-4, 6-3 in 70 minutes.
He puts his form down to a strong off season, and an improved mental approach.
“I trained really hard in November and December and put in a lot of work, trying to be mentally be as solid and as sound as I can be, which is a problem for me sometimes,” said Sandgren. “I get down on myself and when things start to go wrong get negative and beat myself up.”
This week continues a renaissance for Tennessee-born player, who broke into the top 100 in only 2017, after spending the most of his professional career grinding away on the Challenger circuit.
Sandgren came to prominence at the 2018 Australian Open, when as world No 97, he progressed to the last eight, becoming the lowest ranked quarter finalist in 22 years.
During that remarkable run he beat world No 5 Dominic Thiem and three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka.
Cameron Norrie will be a familiar opponent today, as they have clashed six times at Challenger level (Norrie leads 4-2).
“He beat me in three or four consecutive tournaments,” said Sandgren. “That wasn’t a lot of fun, he wasn’t my favourite guy. [But] he’s a good friend of mine. We came through Challengers together and made a push into that top 100 around the same time. I knew he was going to make a jump.”
Kohlschreiber couldn’t find his range, and was constantly under pressure from Sandgren’s power, accuracy, and ability to retrieve from anywhere.
Sandgren couldn’t miss either. He hit 94 per cent of first serves, and only dropped two points when his first serve landed.
“I played really well,” said Sandgren.
“I kept trying to open up my game, and take more and more risk, and it kept working, and I kept playing more aggressive. It was kind of bizarre, how clean I played the match, from 2-2 all till the end.”
Kiwi Michael Venus and Raven Klaaasen won their doubles semifinal against Mike and Bob Bryan 6-4, 6-1.