01/05/2024 19:27hs.
Argentine tennis never had a No. 1 male in the ranking, something that Horacio Zeballos is about to achieve. And if it’s not tomorrow, it will come. For now, in a duo with Marcels Granollers, his historical partner, They were one win away from reaching the top.
The man from Mar del Plata and the Spaniard, second favorites for the Madrid Masters 1000, They defeated the Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen (ninth) by 6-7 (3), 7-5 and 12-10 (the third is played as a tie-break to 10 or difference of two). When can Zebolla touch the tennis sky with the racket? This Thursday around 12 (it will surely be broadcast by ESPN or Star+ even though they do not usually televise doubles) if they win in the quarterfinals against the Monegasque Hugo Nys and the Polish Jan Zielinski (seventh).
A couple of weeks ago, on April 15, Monday, the day the rankings are usually published, The 38-year-old left-hander had published a message in which he was happy to once again be No. 3 in the world in doubles. And he had announced that he was not going to stop there…
Zeballos’ message when he returned to No. 3.
“Very happy to return to my best ranking!!! A lot of work, dedication and passion lead to these moments of satisfaction. And now to continue for more goals, to continue dreaming and trusting in giving everything!!! Thank you to all the people who They lead me to my best performance day by day and the support of all of you. Let’s go for more!!!!“, he wrote. Now he can fulfill it…
Especially since Zeballos and Granollers lost last year in the debut of the Madrid Open, which is why they were not defending points this week. With the victory against the Belgians they made sure to add 180, and if they win their next match, they will rise to 360 to reach 7,490 and unseat No. 1 Matthew Ebden, who has accumulated 7,310 after losing in the debut in Madrid along with the Indian Rohan Bopanna, today 2nd on the list.
It just so happens (actually because they always play together), that Zeballos and Granollers accumulate the same number of units: 7,130 before the Spanish competition started).
The paradox of Zeballos and Granollers is that not only have they never won a Grand Slam – they reached the final of Wimbledon, the US Open and even the ATP Finals – and this year they still have not won any tournament, despite the fact that they competed in the Auckand definitions. , Buenos Aires and the Indian Wells Masters 1000.
While, Andres Molteni He lost together with the Australian John Peers, 6-4 and 6-4 against the American Sebastian Korda and another Australian, Jordan Thompson.
Never a male No. 1; yes women
Our country never had a No. 1 male when it was older, although it did when it was young, like Mariano Zabaleta, Sebastian Baez, Thiago Tirante… The best national ranking of men was Guillermo Vilas, who reached 2nd in 15. Those who reached No. 3 were precisely three: Guillermo Coria (2003), David Nalbandian (2006) and Juan Martín del Potro (2018).
Guillermo Vilas reached No. 2.
In older women there was also no one at the top of singles; Gabriela Sabatini reached No. 3 in ’89. On the other hand, Argentina registered two best players in doubles, in different years.
Paola Suárez and Gisela Dulko, the only older Argentine No. 1s.
Paola Suarez was No. 1 along with the Spanish Virginia Ruano Pascual in 2002, 2003 and 2004 while Gisela Dulko He arrived with the Italian Flavia Pennetta in 2010.
2024-05-01 22:27:11
#Horacio #Zeballos #win #doubles #Olé
