Black tennis stars are making major strides in the world of pro tennis, winning major titles in Japan and Europe.
The most notable win is that of 21-year-old Ben Shelton who won the first title of his professional career at the Japan Open in Tokyo. He defeated Russian no. 104 Asian Karatsev in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1 in under an hour and a half to walk away with the trophy.
This moves Shelton into a spot among the top 50 players in the world and also guarantees his entry into the big money Finals contests that are coming up in Australia and elsewhere, leading up to next summer’s ‘Big Dance’ at the US Open.
Frenchman Gael Monfils, ‘The Entertainer’, scored his first big win in nearly two years, taking the trophy at the Nordic Open in Stockholm, by defeating Russian qualifier Pavel Kotov in three sets, 4-6,7-6(6), 6-3. This is the second time he has won the title in Sweden. The last was in 2011.
The win was a big one for Monfils and quite significant. At 37, he is the oldest finalist in the tournament’s history.
In other action, the U.S.’s Frances Tiafoe advanced at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna after Britain’s Dan Evans retired due to a leg injury.
Evans sustained an apparent strain to his right calf muscle when he attempted to sprint forward toward a Tiafoe volley close to the net.
Evans is part of Britain’s Davis Cup team and is scheduled to play in next month’s Finals. Due to his injury, his participation is now uncertain. Meanwhile, Tiafoe may face France’s Gael Monfils, who is on a roll after his recent Stockholm win, in the upcoming second round in Vienna.