In Jeddah the American number 1 on the scoreboard wins the group by beating the Norwegian, who still qualifies and will challenge the Belgian. Basavareddy also advances
The three-day round robin at the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah ends in the best possible way, with the last place up for grabs for the semi-finals hanging in the balance until the end. Leaving with a smile is Learner Tien, seeded no. 1, thanks to his four-set victory (the only useful result for him) over Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. And, despite the defeat on his debut, he goes first in the Blue group, right ahead of the Norwegian and eliminating Jodar. He will challenge Nishesh Basavareddy, second of the Red group, in the semi-final on Saturday 20 December in an all stars and stripes match. The American of Indian origins finished behind Alexander Blockx, n.2 on the scoreboard, the only one to close the round robin undefeated. Who will face Budkov Kjaer in a match between great hitters. The first semi-final will be played at 5pm Italian time, the second not before 7pm.
The best
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Blockx went all in, becoming the fourteenth player in the history of the event to close the group stage with a solid 3-0 (in six cases out of seven editions this roadmap led to the title). He closed with a victory that was never really in the balance over Dino Prizmic 4-3 2-4 4-2 4-0, also inflicting the first “mini bagel” of the competition on the Croatian. Who could only have qualified by winning in three sets after Basavareddy’s victory. But Blockx has been the best player admired so far in Jeddah, for solidity and adaptation to the surface. Together with him, the American seeded no. 6 secured the pass to the semi-finals, winning 4-3 4-2 4-3 in the opening match against Justin Engel. It was enough for Cervara’s student to control the game without overdoing it and reducing the risks to a minimum against the young German, who leaves many good impressions but with the awareness that there is a lot to work on.
The surprise
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Rafael Jodar, who entered thanks to Fonseca’s withdrawal, was the revelation of this tournament. In the derby between Madrid players (he and Martin Landaluce have known each other since they were nine years old) he won with great maturity 4-3 4-1 4-3, effectively spreading after the first set, given that the opponent would have had to win in three to hope for a sensational qualification. Under the watch of Rafa Nadal, Jodar gave an impeccable performance, showing a deadly and well-played backhand even on the run. Despite two victories, including the one against Tien on his debut, the American’s success over Budkov Kjaer in four sets resulted in his elimination. The left-handed player improved in the tournament, playing the best match against the Norwegian in the most important moment. 3-4 4-1 4-2 4-2 the final score in his favor: the experience at high levels and the best tactical preparation, especially in the management of the exchange which demonstrates a different caliber, made the difference. He will try to return to the final, after the 2024 defeat against Fonseca, to even the score with de Minaur, the only player capable of reaching the last act of the Next Gen Finals twice, in Milan in 2018-2019.
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