All eyes might be on the Barcelona Open this week as Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and John Friends purpose to take care of their type on clay.
Barcelona, Spain, 14 April 2025 | Jackson Mansell
An all-Australian showdown is on the radar early in Barcelona this week as gamers bid to construct momentum forward of Roland Garros subsequent month.
Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson might face off within the second spherical, ought to they prevail of their opening matches.
De Minaur enters the ATP 500 match following his finest marketing campaign on clay in three years. The world No.7 reached the Monte Carlo semifinals, a run on which he downed three top-25 opponents.
His most dominant efficiency got here within the quarterfinals the place he double-bagelled Grigor Dimitrov – the primary quarterfinal double-bagel in Masters 1000 historical past.
The Australian No.1 seeks to take care of his type on clay as he faces world No.46 Tomas Martin Etcheverry first up. De Minaur goals to copy his United Cup efficiency in opposition to the world No.46, through which he cruised to a 6-1 6-4 victory. The Argentine received their solely earlier assembly on clay within the second spherical at Roland Garros two years in the past.
MORE: De Minaur ranges for Australia at United Cup
Thompson will hope to construct on his begin to the clay season after a powerful displaying in Monte Carlo. The world No.39 ended a five-match shedding streak on the floor together with his convincing defeat of big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
In his second-round match, Thompson stole a set off defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, which boosted hopes of a powerful run in Barcelona.
Thompson battles Roberto Carballes Baena in his first match, the place he defends his successful file in opposition to the Spaniard. The 30-year-old brushed previous Carballes Baena at Wimbledon in 2022 and would hope for a similar end result this week.
After a first-round exit in Monte Carlo, Thompson and American Sebastian Korda purpose to proceed their in any other case profitable begin to 2025 once they open in opposition to Oriol Roca Batalla and Inigo Cervantes. The pair made back-to-back quarterfinal appearances throughout the Sunshine Double, together with a run to the ultimate at Indian Wells.
John Friends returns to the venue of his runner-up displaying in 2015, through which he and Brit Jamie Murray misplaced the ultimate in a match tiebreak. The previous world No.2 pairs with final 12 months’s finalist Hugo Nys for the primary time and open in opposition to third seeds Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Money.
No Australian in doubles has received the match since Michael Hill in 2002.
Discover your option to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to hit the courtroom and have some enjoyable!
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