August 14, 2019 - Not all hope is lost for Croatian tennis players in the Cincinnati Masters as Donna Vekić moves into the second round.

After a poor display on Monday, which saw Čilić, Karlović, and Martić out in the first round, Donna Vekić gave us confidence.

Donna Vekić overcame the first obstacle of the WTA tournament in Cincinnati without any major problems. The Osijek native celebrated against Czech player Katerina Siniakova, the 38th best tennis player in the world, in two sets (6:4, 6:3). Siniakova held on in both sets until 1:1, after which Donna completely controlled the result, says HTS.

Siniakova had the biggest opportunity in the first set when she went from 2:5 to 4:5 to again lose her service and the set. In the second set, the winner was clear thanks to a break in the fourth game. The Croatian tennis player totaled five aces, had a first-serve percentage of 63 percent and used four of 13 break points. 

In the second round, Donna awaits Belarusian player Victória Azárenka, the 40th best player in the world, on Wednesday at 6:30 pm Croatia time. Donna recently mastered Azárenka at the WTA tournament in San Jose.

Unfortunately, Borna Coric joins Čilić, Karlović, and Martić on their short stay in Cincinnati. After his first-round match was interrupted due to rain on Monday, 22-year-old Ćorić, who was also the 12-seed of the tournament, was surprised by the 211 cm tall American player Reilly Opelka (42nd on the ATP list). The game continued on Tuesday from the third set, and Ćorić lost 4:6, 6:3, 7:5.

Recall, the match was cut short on Monday at 4:3 for Borna in the deciding set. However, a day later, Croatia’s best male tennis player lost his serve in the 11th game, after which the American (who achieved 27 aces in the match) safely served to win. Ćorić scored six aces with a brilliant first-serve percentage of 71 percent, but used only one of 11 break points, which ultimately gave him the defeat. For comparison, Opelka used two of seven.

In the doubles competition, Mate Pavić and partner Bruno Soares will move to the round of 16. 

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August 8, 2019 - Croatian tennis player Marin Čilić topped John Millman in the Canadian Open round of 32, thus equalizing his best result at the tournament in 2011.

Marin Čilić (16th on the ATP ranking) advanced to the 3rd round of the ATP Masters 1000 Tournament in Montreal after he celebrated 6:3, 6:6 against Australian John Millman (65th on the ATP ranking) after 75 minutes of play, reports Gol.hr.

It was the second match between the 30-year-old Croatian tennis player and his Australian opponent and the second victory for Čilić, who did not let the 20-minute rain break disturb his game when he led 6:3, 4:2.

After losing his serve in the third game, Čilić immediately returned in the next game and dominated the court. Another break in the eighth game brought him the first set, and he gained the advantage in the second set right at the start and was close to securing the 3rd round until the match was interrupted by rain.

After a 20-minute break, Millman held his serve, but with losing one point in the tenth game, Čilić served for the win. 

Marin’s first serve percentage was 67%, leaving Millman with only one opportunity to break, which the Australian also realized. When Čilić put the first serve in, he won 81% of the points, had a second serve percentage of 50%, and took advantage of four break opportunities. The match ended with seven aces and no double faults.

This is only Čilić’s fourth appearance at the Canadian Open when Montreal is the host, and with the victory over Millman, he equalized his best result from 2011, when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the 3rd round. 

To qualify for the quarterfinal, Čilić will play against the 2nd-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem. Rain was announced in Montreal on Wednesday, which could significantly disrupt Thursday’s program. 

Borna Ćorić was not as lucky in the Canadian Open, losing to Adrian Mannarino in the round of 32 on Wednesday. Donna Vekić also lost in the round of 32 in the WTA Rogers Cup in Toronto to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

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August 7, 2019 - Marin Čilić and Borna Ćorić are into the 2nd round of the Canadian Open!

Marin Čilić took the first step on Tuesday at the ATP Masters 1000 Series tournament in Montreal, Canada, advancing to the 2nd round after defeating US qualifier Bradley Klahn (92nd on the ATP ranking) - 6:3, 7:6 (7), announced HTS.

The Croatian tennis player was more convincing in the first half of the match, where he took the service of his American opponent twice. In the rest of the match, both players held their first strike until a tie-break where Marin led 5:3, saved the set point at 5:6, and eventually used the second match point. 

Čilić achieved two aces (Klahn had 19!) and realized an exceptionally high 68 percent of his first serve. He also used two of four break points (Klahn had no opportunity to break). In the second round, Čilić will play Australian John Millman.

Borna Ćorić joins Marin Čilić in the 2nd round of the Canadian Open. Croatia’s current best male tennis player beat last week's Washington Open semifinalist, German Peter Gojowczyk (85th on the ATP ranking) in a tennis thriller - 2:6, 6:1. 7:6 (2).

The Zagreb native easily lost the first set, only to return in great style in the second. In the decisive set, both players held their first strike firmly, with the most excitement seen in game 12 when at 5:6, Borna saved two match points (15:40). He ultimately won thanks to a tie-break. 

Borna achieved 16 aces (and realized 67 percent of his first serve) and used two of his four break points in the match. In the second round, Borna awaits French player Adrian Mannarino (69th on the ATP ranking), who celebrated in all three of their previous encounters. 

Donna Vekić also managed a big win in the 1st round of the WTA Tournament in Toronto, topping the 17th best tennis player in the world, Madison Keys, 3:6, 7:6(5), 7:6 (5) after two and a half hours of play. 

It looked as if the American was on her way to winning it all. Keys won the first set and after a break in the ninth game of the second set, at 5: 4, she served for a spot in the 2nd round. Keys had three match points in a row (40-0) before Donna miraculously broke her, later achieved a tie-break and equalized Keys in sets. 

In the decisive set at 6:5, Donna served for the win, though it wasn’t until a new tie-break that she secured her spot in the next round. Donna’s next rival is the Russian veteran, 34-year-old Svetlana Kuznetsova (198th on the WTA ranking). They have played on three occasions so far, and the Russian has two wins.

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Croatia's best tennis player Borna Ćorić advanced one place in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday and is now the 14th best tennis player in the world, while Marin Čilić remains in 17th place, reports HRT on July 29,  2019.

Ivo Karlović also registered progress and has climbed to the 80th position, while Viktor Galović dropped 21 places and is now the 221st best tennis player in the world. Nino Serdarušić advanced three spots to the 269th position.

This ATP ranking also showed no changes at the top. The top spot is convincingly held by Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, while Spanish player Rafael Nadal is in second and Swiss player Roger Federer is in third. 

ATP Ranking, July 29, 2019:

1. (1) Novak Djokovic 12.415 

 2. (2) Rafael Nadal 7.945

 3. (3) Roger Federer 7.460

 4. (4) Dominic Thiem 4.595 

 5. (5) Alexander Zverev 4.415

 6. (6) Stefanos Tsitsipas 4.045

 7. (7) Kei Nishikori 4.040

 8. (8) Karen Chatschanow   2.890

 9. (10) Fabio Fognini  2.625 

10. (9) Daniil Medwedew 2.625

...

14. (15) BORNA ĆORIĆ 2.195    

17.(17) MARIN ČILIĆ 1.940    

 80. (81) IVO KARLOVIĆ 659

 221. (200) VIKTOR GALOVIĆ 211

 269. (272) NINO SERDARUŠIĆ 147

Croatia's best female tennis player Petra Martić remains in the 21st position in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday, while Donna Vekić has advanced one place and is now the 25th best female tennis player in the world.

Teresa Mrdeža has advanced six places, from 210th to 204th, and Jana Fett jumped 26 spots to be the 290th best in the world. Tena Lukas dropped eight places to 371st.

There are no changes among the WTA leaders. At the top is Australian Ashleigh Barty, followed by Japanese player Naomi Osaka, and Czech player Caroline Pliskova in third. 

WTA Ranking, July 29:

1. (1) Ashleigh Barty 6.605

2. (2) Naomi Osaka 6.257

3. (3) Karolina Pliškova 6.055

4. (4) Simona Halep 5.933    

5. (5) Kiki Bertens 5.130

6. (6) Petra Kvitova 4.785

7. (7) Elina Svitolina 4.638

8. (8) Sloane Stephens 3.802

9. (9) Serena Williams 3.411

10.( 10) Aryna Sabalenka 3.365

...

21.(21)    PETRA MARTIĆ 2.156

25. (26)    DONNA VEKIĆ 1.950    

204. ( 210) TEREZA MRDEŽA 294

290. (316) JANA FETT 176

371. (363) TENA LUKAS 109

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Croatia’s best tennis player Borna Ćorić failed to advance to the quarter-final of the 30th edition of the ATP tournament in Umag after losing to Italy's Salvatore Caruso 2-6, 6-3, 1-6.

Borna Ćorić, as the second seed of the Croatia Open in Umag, was free in the first round of the competition, while after successful qualifications, the Italian tennis player defeated Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the first round with a score of 7-5, 6-0, reports T.portal on July 18, 2019.

This was Ćorić’s first appearance after he pulled out of Wimbledon this year due to a back injury suffered at the tournament in Halle. 

The 22-year-old Croatian tennis player started the match poorly. Caruso, who is the 125th player in the world on the ATP ranking, already broke Borna in the first game and once again took his serve to make it 4-0. Ćorić came back for 4-1, but failed to compensate for the two lost serves - and after half an hour of play, the first set went to the 26-year-old Italian.

In the first set, Ćorić had only executed 35 percent of his first serve, made three double faults and 15 unforced errors.

The opening of the second set brought a much better game for Ćorić. Borna immediately broke his opponent to lead 2-0, but Caruso returned the lost serve by equalizing to 2-2. However, Ćorić then won three games in a row, led 5-2 and peacefully equalized for 1-1 in sets. 

Unfortunately, Croatia’s best tennis player experienced a new crisis in the third set. Caruso took Borna to lead 3-0. Unfortunately, at the 4-1 result, the Italian once again took Ćorić's serve to reach a considerable 5-1 advantage, and then served for 6-1 and ultimately the win.

Borna Ćorić has played at the Umag tournament four times so far. His best result was advancing to the quarter-final in 2014 and 2015.

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June 29, 2019 - Croatia’s current best tennis player Borna Ćorić has canceled his performance at Wimbledon this year. 

Borna Ćorić will not play at the Wimbledon tournament this season after he failed to recover from a back injury he earned in the quarter-final of the Halle Open in Germany last week; a tournament he won back in 2018.

Recall, Ćorić retired in the quarter-final of the tournament after losing the first set. He’s been rehabilitating since the game on June 21, though there wasn’t enough time until Wimbledon to fully recover.

Ćorić, as the 14th seed of Wimbledon, was supposed to play against Slovenia's Aljaž Bedene in the 1st round. Schnur has now jumped in Borna’s place. 

“I am sad to announce I have to skip Wimbledon this year. Minor injury with bad timing will keep me out for 7-10 days. I was really looking forward to playing in London, but I have to concentrate on my recovery now and hopefully I will get to London in the end of a year :),” Borna wrote to his followers on Twitter.

Wimbledon begins on Monday, July 1 and the draw for the singles and doubles competition was held on Friday. Who will our Croatian tennis stars face?

The current best Croatian tennis player Borna Ćorić, who is the 14th seed in the tournament, will play against the best Slovenian tennis player Aljaza Bedene in the first round of the third Grand Slam tournament, the draw decided on Friday.

This will be the fifth encounter of Ćorić, the 14th best tennis player in the world, and Bedene, who is 86th in the ATP ranking. In the past four matches, Ćorić achieved three wins.

If he passes to the second round, Ćorić will play the winner of German Jan-Lenard Struff and Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis. Against Struff, the 34th best player in the world, Ćorić has won twice in five meetings. Against Baghdatis, who is currently 138th ATP rankings, Ćorić celebrated in their only encounter. 

Marin Čilić, the 13th seed of Wimbledon, will play in the second round against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, who he's played twice and defeated once. If Ćorić wins, he awaits the winner of Portuguese player Joao Sousa and British player Paul Jubb.

Ivo Karlović’s opponent in the first round is Italian Andrea Arnaboldi, the 209th tennis player in the world, who he has not met thus far. If the 40-year-old advances to the second round, he awaits the winner of Greek player Stefan Tsitsipas, the 7th seed of the tournament, and Italian Thomas Fabian.

In the women's competition, Croatia's best female player Donna Vekić will face American Alison Riske, 54th on the WTA ranking. If she advances to the second round, Vekić awaits the winner of Serbian player Ivana Jorović and Dutch player Lesley Kerkhove.

In the first round, the 24th seeded Petra Martić will face American Jennifer Brady, the 64th best tennis player in the world, for the first time. If she advances to the second round, Martić will play the winner of Russian Anastasia Potapova and Swiss player Jil Teichman.

In the first round of the doubles competition, Mate Pavić and Bruno Soares will meet Dutch duo Arends and Middelkoop, Ivan Dodig and partner Polasek will meet British duo Murray and Skupski, and Croatian duo Nikola Mektić and Franko Škugor will meet Lithuanian Berankis and Hungarian Fucsovics.

Wimbledon begins on Monday, July 1, and will play until July 14.

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On Wednesday, the All England Lawn Tennis Club committee revealed the 32 singles seeds and 16 doubles seeds for Wimbledon, which begins on Monday, July 1. 

Croatian tennis player Marin Čilić is the 13th seed in this year's edition of Wimbledon, while the current best Croatian tennis player, Borna Ćorić, is 14th. The first seed of the tournament is also the best tennis player in the world, Novak Đoković, who will try to defend the title this year, reports Gol.hr on June 26, 2019.

Roger Federer is the second seed of this year's Grand Slam tournament, while the second-best tennis player in the world, Rafael Nadal, is confirmed as the third seed.

South African Kevin Anderson, who played in the final with Djokovic last year, is the fourth seed, even though he fell to the eighth place on the ATP ranking this week.

In the women's competition, the top seed is Australia's Ashleigh Barty, who is also the current best female tennis player in the world. From the Croatian female tennis players, Donna Vekić is the 22nd seed, and Petra Martić the 24th.

For the doubles seeds, Mate Pavić holds the top seed for Croatia in 4th with partner Bruno Soares, while Nikola Mektić and Franko Škugor are the 6th seed. 

As the third seed, two-time Wimbledon winner Rafa Nadal will have to pass both the Federer and Djokovic if he wants to win his first title at the All England Club since 2010.

The Spaniard has criticized the Wimbledon seeding system this week, saying it is "not good" to be the only one of four Grand Slam tournaments that do not follow the ATP rankings when determining the seeds.

Wimbledon, according to the form of the tennis player in the last 24 months, determines 32 players in the draw for the top tennis players in the tournament. 

And while the seeds are determined according to the place on the WTA rankings, Wimbledon retained the right to change it in the men’s competition to create a "balanced draw".

Thus, Čilić, who played the final of Wimbledon in 2017, is 13th, even though he fell to the 18th place on the ATP ranking this week, and Croatia’s best tennis player, Borna Ćorić, is the 14th.

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Borna Ćorić has advanced to the quarterfinal of the ATP tournament in Halle!  

Croatia’s best tennis player Borna Ćorić advanced to the quarterfinal of the ATP tournament in Halle, and is hoping to defend the title he won last year, reports Gol.hr on June 19, 2019. 

After defeating Spaniard Jaume Munar 7-6 (2) 6-3, Ćorić defeated Portuguese player Joao Sousa 7-6 (4), 5-7, 7-6 (4 ) to continue his winning streak in Halle.

Recall, last year Ćorić secured five wins (Alexander Zverev, Nikoloz Basilasvili, Andreas Seppi, Roberto Bautista Agut, Roger Federer) to win his second career title. The winning series continued against Munar, and now against Sousa. In the quarterfinal, Ćorić will play against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

It was an exhausting match that lasted almost three hours and was solved in the thirteenth game of the third set. In the first set, the 30-year-old Portuguese player took the lead first. At 3-2 he had a break; however, Ćorić returned the lost service in the next game to equalize at 4-4. The first set came to the thirteenth game. Sousa had a mini break and led 2-0. Ćorić equalized at 2-2 and led 5-3. Sousa decreased his lead to 5-4, though Ćorić managed to lead 7-4 to win the first set.

In the second set, Ćorić had two break points at 2-0, though Sousa saved them and took the game to 5-5. Unfortunately, in the eleventh game, Sousa took Borna’s service and won the second set.

The third set was equal and the game fell to a tie break. Sousa led 3-1 with a mini-break, though a great series by Ćorić secured him six points, and Sousa just one.

In the quarterfinal, Ćorić awaits the 43rd best tennis player in the world, Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who in the 2nd round was better than Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4.

Ćorić and the 28-year-old French player have met four times so far, and each player has two wins. Ćorić won the last two games - this year in Monte Carlo and Madrid in 2017. Herbert was better in the Wimbledon qualifiers in 2014 and a year earlier at the Yokohama Challenger.

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June 15, 2019 - For the second time in her career, Donna Vekić will play in the final of the Nottingham Open! Croatia’s best female player defeated Germany's Tatjana Maria (56th on WTA ranking) in the semifinal of the WTA tournament in three sets - 5:7, 6:0, 6:0, reports HTS. 

After losing the first set from a break in the 11th game, the 22-year-old from Osijek continued to keep up with her opponent. At 5:0 in the third set, the match was briefly interrupted for rain. Interestingly, in the second set, not even the fact that Maria realized 88 percent of her first service (and 74 percent overall) could help. Donna hit five aces and realized 57 percent of the first service.

“I am very happy that I'm in the final and that I finally played my first complete match this week on grass. I enjoy playing on this platform and am looking forward to the Sunday final,” Donna said after winning. The Osijek native is looking to win her third WTA title (after Kuala Lumpur in 2014 and Nottingham in 2017) against the winner of the match between Garcia and Brady. 

Borna Ćorić and his opponent Adrian Mannarino played a dramatic semifinal match at the ATP Rosmalen before it was suspended for rain. 

After they were tied 1:1 in the sets, Ćorić and Mannarino went to the third, decisive set where they were equal at 6:6. Just when the question of who would be going to the final was to be decided, heavy rain prevented the match from continuing. The game will most likely continue on Sunday. 

Otherwise, Ćorić has never defeated Mannarino in two career matches. The winner of their match will go to the final and will play against the winner of the semifinal between Gasquet and Thompson, which was also suspended due to rain.

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