The spirited Spaniard surprises the American (28th in the ranking) while the Belgian resists the 2007 German. Successes also for Basavareddy and Budkov Kjaer
The Next Gen Finals 2025, probably the last in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), open with a bang. Thanks to a sensational result in the match apparently with the most obvious prediction, the first of the Blue group between the no.28 in the world and the no.1 seed Learner Tien and the Spaniard Rafael Jodar, who entered thanks to Fonseca’s forfeit. It was precisely the “new Rafa of Spain”, a concentration of grit and defensive ability, who brought home the victory after about 2 hours of battle, for the first Spanish victory in the competition since Alcaraz, in 2021. We remember that the best of 5 sets are played, which are won by whoever reaches 4 first (tie-break at 3-3), and at 40-40 a deciding pointas in doubles. Jodar, overcoming the deficit twice, triumphed 1-4 4-3 1-4 4-2 4-3.
The match of the day
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Tien, already champion in the main circuit and capable of beating Medvedev twice, starts very strong. There is little to do initially for the Spaniard, n.168 in the world, overwhelmed by the American’s forehand. Which seems, despite a less than excellent performance and the extreme resistance of a Jodar capable of taking the match to the fifth by taking many risks, on his way to victory. In fact, Tien has 4 match points in his favor, among other things after having dominated the first and third sets: above all, however, the number 7 on the scoreboard reacts with clarity and coolness, both with the serve and with the baseline exchange. Going to take the victory, 7-4 in the tie-break of the fifth and decisive set, forcing the opponent’s error. First joy at ATP level and, naturally, the most important of his career, against a top 30. But it wasn’t the only surprise on the first day of competition.
Medvedev effect
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To open the dance, at 12, were the n.3 and 6 of the draw, Dino Prizmic and Nishesh Basavareddy of the Red group. The two are united by a curious statistic: they both played their first Slam match at the Australian Open against Novak Djokovic, winning a set. “It felt like I was playing in the mirror,” Nole said of Prizmic in 2024. In Jeddah, somewhat surprisingly, however, the American stole the show, who is showing the fruits of the Cervara treatment, Medvedev’s former coach. All-round match, solid and with few flaws to contain the Croatian’s accelerations, a little too foul especially with the forehand. 4-2 4-3 3-4 4-2 the final in favor of Basavareddy after an enjoyable match, which saw him suffer a little only in the tie-break of the second (three set points cancelled) beyond a third that slipped away, but always keeping control of the game. He will face Alexander Blockx on the second day.
The other matches
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The Belgian, n.2 of the tournament and leader of the Red group, contained the explosive desire of Justin Engel, the youngest player in the history of the Next Gen Finals (about a month younger than Sinner in 2019 in Milan). The German, born in 2007 and who took over after Mensik’s resignation, started off very strong, serving with surgical precision and taking center stage to win the first set. But in the long run, Blockx’s greater experience and the excellent performance of his serve put out Engel’s flames, giving him a convincing 3-4 4-2 4-2 4-2 victory. In the other match of the Blue group, the last of the day, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer beat Martin Landaluce, n.4 on the scoreboard, with an excellent performance. 4-1 3-4 4-2 4-3 the final result in favor of the Norwegian, seeded n.5, who made the difference with greater precision and performance from the baseline. He did well to contain the Spaniard’s comeback in the fourth set, in which he recovered a break lead, and then closed it in the tie-break.
The second day
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Thursday 18 December there will be the second day of the Next Gen Finals groups, which could give the first verdicts. As per tradition, a format also valid in the ATP and WTA Finals, the two winners of the first match of each group will meet, and consequently the two losers. In the Rosso group Blockx will face Basavareddy, in a match that will depend a lot on serves, while Prizmic will challenge Engel for a match featuring cross-country rallies. In Blue, the challenge between the winners will pit the surprising Jodar against the excellent Budkov Kjaer. While, in a match that could already be inside or outside, Tien will cross the racket with a disappointing Landaluce in his opening match.
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