It’s been a minute but we’re back with another podcast to catch up on all the action since we were last on
Lucy and Eugene talk about what they’ve been up to – applying for Wimbledon 2023 accreditation, interviewing Erick Mathelier (Furi Sports co-founder) and also touch on Wimbledon’s decision to lift the ban on Russian and Belarusian players.
Alycia Parks won her first WTA Tour event in Lyon – beat three seeded players en route to the title including top seed Caroline Garcia in the final in straight sets. She’s struggled to reach those heights since after experimenting with her set-up. Was working with Jarmere Jenkins during the Sunshine Double as well as strength and conditioning trainer Josh Evenden.
Coco Gauff has been going strong – reaching the quarters in Qatar (had a nice win over Petra Kvitova in R16. Won the doubles title with Jessica Pegula. She then made the semis in Dubai – beat Madison Keys in straights in the quarters . Also made the quarters in Indian Wells and doubles final in Miami with Pegula where they played Taylor Townsend and Leylah Fernandez.
Robin Montgomery secured her first win on the WTA Tour in Miami after a nice comeback victory over top 100 player Ana Bogdan – then lost to Madison Keys in R2.
Clervie Ngounoue won the prestigious girls’ event in Indian Wells. Ngounoue also won the doubles event with partner Qavia Lopez.
Arthur Fils is about to crack the top 100 after making back-to-back semi-finals at ATP 250 level. Started in Montpellier where he got good wins over countryman Richard Gasquet, Roberto Bautista Agut and Quentin Halys. Then back it up in Marseille the next week with wins over Roman Safiullin and Stan Wawrinka.
Christopher Eubanks was the story in Miami! He’s a top 100 player for the first time after a career fortnight at the Masters 1000 event – reached the quarter-finals after coming through qualifying. Was very emotional after the win that confirmed his place in top 100. Also had friend Jamie Foxx rooting for him from the stands and Chad Ochocinco (‘blacks’ Lucy’s voice “rooting for everybody that’s black”).
Frances Tiafoe reached his first Masters 1000 semi-final in Indian Wells – didn’t drop a set en route before going down 5-7, 6-7 to eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev. Jill Smoller has got him signing all the endorsement deals too – Big Foe has partnered up with Stella Artois and Chevrolet (it’s actually Cadillac) among other brands.
Felix Auger-Aliassime, defending champ in Rotterdam, reached the quarters – lost to eventual champion Medvedev. Went on to reach the semis in Qatar the following week where he lost to Medvedev again who went on to win the tournament. Reached the quarters in Indian Wells – lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz for the first time (previously was 3-0 against the Spaniard).
Gael Monfils returned to the tour in the US after seven months away due to a foot injury. Lost to an inspired Jordan Thompson in R1 at Indian Wells. La Monf was then forced to retire from his first-round match in Miami against countryman Ugo Humbert at 3-3 in the first set due to a wrist injury.
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