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Home , Croatia Open, Fabio Fognini, Leonardo Mayer, Marco Trungelliti, Paolo Lorenzi, Salvatore Caruso

#ATPUMAG #30ATPUMAG OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ATP TOURNAMENT • No 3 • 16. 07. 2019.

ORDER OF PLAY PARTY PROGRAMME GORAN IVANIŠEVIĆ STADIUM GRANDSTAND COURT 1 COURT 2 11:00 Kids’ Week 16:30 16:00 16:00 16:00 17:00-18:00 (ARG) vs. Martin Kližan(SVK) vs. Peter Torebko (GER) vs. (ITA) vs. SUPer drive polygon Nino Serdarušić (CRO) (ARG) (ITA) (ITA) 18:00-19:00 Not before 19:00 followed by followed by followed by SUPer Mini Andrej Rubljov (RUS) vs. Attila Balázs(HUN) vs. Pablo Andújar (ESP) vs. A. Behar (URU) / (NED) Viktor Galović (CRO) (ARG) N. Lammons (USA) vs. followed by followed by followed by N. Ćaćić (SRB) / ISTRIA GOURMET FESTIVAL (JPN) vs. T. Fabbiano (ITA) / P. Lorenzi (ITA) vs. O. Marach (AUT) / D. Lajović (SRB) Wine tasting – aged Teran Filip Krajinović (SRB) S. Bolelli (ITA) / F. Fognini (ITA) J. Melzer (AUT) vs. followed by P. Sousa (POR) / UMAG PARTY NIGHTS Corentin Moutet (FRA) vs. S. Travaglia (ITA) (ITA) Queen Tribute Band Tickets are available on the official website www.croatiaopen.hr. FREE ENTRY TO THE PARTY PROGRAM.

The organizer reserves the right to change the program and timetable. All news in the program can be followed using the official website of the tournament www.croatiaopen.hr. 1 1. FOGNINI, FABIO ITA MAIN DRAW 2. BYE F. FOGNINI [1] 3. TRAVAGLIA, STEFANO ITA SINGLES 4. FABBIANO, THOMAS ITA Q 5. BALAZS, ATTILA BRA WC 6. GALOVIĆ, VIKTOR CRO 7. DANIEL, TARO JPN 6 8. KRAJINOVIĆ, FILIP SRB 3 9. ĐERE, LASLO SRB 10. BYE L. ĐERE [3] Q 11. TOREBKO, PETER BRA 12. LORENZI, PAOLO ITA

PR 13. STEBE, CEDRIK-MARCEL GER J. VESELY 14. VESELY, JIRI CZE 7:6(5), 3:6, 7:6(2) 15. ANDUJAR, PABLO ESP 8 16. MAYER, LEONARDO ARG 5 17. CECCHINATO, MARCO ITA A. BEDENE 18. BEDENE, ALJAŽ SLO 6:3, 6:2 19. SOUSA, PEDRO POR J. SINNER WC 20. SINNER, JANNIK ITA 1:6, 6:3, 6:4 21. RUBLJOV, ANDREJ RUS 22. HAASE, ROBIN NED

23. BYE D. LAJOVIĆ [4] 3 24. LAJOVIĆ, DUŠAN SRB 7 25. KLIŽAN, MARTIN SVK 26. BAGNIS, FACUNDO ARG Q 27. TRUNGELLITI, MARCO ARG WC 28. SERDARUŠIĆ, NINO CRO 29. MOUTET, CORENTIN FRA Q 30. CARUSO, SALVATORE ITA 31. BYE B. ĆORIĆ [2] 2 32. ĆORIĆ, BORNA CRO

1 1. CARUSO, SALVATORE ITA QUALIFYING S. CARUSO [1] Alt 2. RAZBORŠEK, NIK SLO 6:3, 6:2 S. CARUSO [1] SINGLES Alt 3. ZEKIĆ, MILJAN SRB 5:7, 6:4, 6:3 T. ROBREDO [5] 5 4. ROBREDO, TOMMY ESP 6:2, 6:3 2 5. MOLLEKER, RUDOLF GER R. MOLLEKER [2] 6. ORNAGO, FABRIZIO ITA 6:7(3), 7:5, 6:2 A. BALAZS [8] WC 7. KALENDER, ADMIR CRO 6:2, 6:4 A. BALAZS [8] 8 8. BALAZS, ATTILA HUN 6:0, 6:3

3 9. BALDI, FILIPPO ITA P. TOREBKO 10. TOREBKO, PETER GER 7:6(4), 6:3 P. TOREBKO WC 11. ALTMAIER, DANIEL GER D. ALTMAIER 6:3, 7:5 7 12. BERLOCQ, CARLOS ARG 6:2, 6:4

4 13. TRUNGELLITI, MARCO ARG M. TRUNGELLITI [4] 14. ŽURBIN, ALEKSANDR RUS 7:5, 7:5 M. TRUNGELLITI [4] 15. BARRANCO COSANO, JAVIER ESP S. NAPOLITANO 6:7(4), 6:2, 6:3 6 16. NAPOLITANO, STEFANO ITA 7:6(1), 3:6, 6:2

2 Lawrence Goran Frankopan Ivanišević

The director’s view The legend’s view WE’VE UMAG IS SEEN HOW SO HIGHLY UNPREDICTABLE REGARDED In my tennis career, I have visited every continent, played TENNIS CAN BE at nearly all the tournaments, at some multiple times or at least once, and I can say that I’ve seen a great deal We lost the defending champion in the first round, from a perspective that audiences don’t see. Television but that’s tennis. It’s unpredictable, and that makes can’t portray this, and only a few reports offer insight into things more exciting. We saw in the Wimbledon fi- what happens “behind the scenes”. But it is only players nals that anything can happen. Two championship who can tell you about what they actually experience at points were not enough. tournaments.

Surely, we are sad, because Mar- be starting, who found out the- And how does Umag stand? I’m not won’t forget that. It’s rare for players co Cecchinato is one of the nicest ir opponents on Monday when saying this because it’s a Croatian to have this kind of treatment at an guys in the Tour. But it was a good players were placed in the brac- tournament, nor because we’re ATP 250 tournament. The thing for Slovenian fans and for kets after the qualifiers. here now, but it’s truly a great event Open has won plenty of awards, and the region. And we mustn’t forget, This is great a opportunity for for the players, and it’s no surprise no one is giving them away for free. Aljaz played very, very well, and he both. This is the only big tennis everyone holds it in such high regard. Every year the organization team might be playing well the entire tournament in Croatia and is the It’s no coincidence either, because tries to do something different, to week. We know something about best opportunity for them to show you can’t trick players into saying one offer something it hasn’t before. In tennis, and we kind of understand what they can do. We’re glad to thing if they think another. If they’re the rest area for players, there’s a what happened here. have given them the wild cards, unsatisfied, there’s no escape, and if board with various activities players After the draw, comments that Ce- and we feel strongly that they de- they’re satisfied, you don’t have to can sign up for if they like, the tour- cchinato might have big problems served it. We hope they’ll do so- convince them. They’ll say it out loud. nament also has some promotional were no coincidence, despite his mething special. I don’t know if anyone has ever said activities they can participate in, so being the defending champ and Both are good players, we had so- anything bad at a press conference there’s quite a lot of choice and it a great player. This proved to be a lid reasons for showing them our in Umag. I suppose they don’t have a creates a great picture of the tour- good assessment. trust. Nino got the chance last reason to, because this isn’t a tourna- nament. Maybe it has even spoiled Aljaz has been on the Tour for year and he played a very good ment like all the others. The matches players in some way, because we’re some time now, he knows the match. When he got his first wild don’t start early, you have a chance all human, and the more you give the Tour inside out, there is nothing he card for the tournament, he didn’t to sleep in and still train well or play more they want, but it still leaves a can’t do, and he’s had some great win a set, but last year he showed a match in the evening. The transfer great impression. The sea is literally victories over the years. Looking at that he could play against a player service is perfect: if you say you need a few metres from the stadium, the the draw, there are great players in the top fifty, and he wasn’t far a car at a particular time, a driver will accommodation is fantastic, the throughout. This is a very strong from victory. Viktor, on the other be waiting. The food is exceptional atmosphere is exceptional. Players draw and it is quite exciting. hand, has plenty of experience and free of charge, and many don’t recognise that and praise the tour- Tomorrow is a new day, the rema- with ATP Challenger, he has played know that isn’t the case at all tour- nament. It’s not easy to reach that ining matches in the first round plenty of matches against players naments. status, you need years and years of will be played, and we can expect ranked like his opponent on Tue- It might look like a little thing, but it investment and even more effort many more great moves and big sday, Attila Balazs, so that will isn’t. This shows that the tournament and good will, but it all pays off in surprises. Croatian players will surely help him. takes care of its players, and they the end.

3 BORNA CORIC RECOVERS FROM INJURY UMAG IS MY FAVOURITE TOURNAMENT After two years, Borna Coric is back injury which had supposedly preven- sted in what’s right in front of me.” , but it’s fascinating in Umag, and he will be playing a ted him from playing entirely, and as Of course, Borna made sure to wat- how Federer plays at 38. On the one new match after four years. The this was a core muscle, it made the ch the Wimbledon finals on Sunday, hand, that kind of tennis is inspiring year before last, he was supposed injury even more uncomfortable. and he was full of praise for both to us all, but it’s depressing on the to be one of the main favourites Borna’s first appearance against an players. other because we aren’t on that for the title, but he cancelled just as-of-yet unknown opponent will “It was what you’d expect from level,” says Borna. beforehand due to a neck injury. His most likely be on Thursday evening. last appearance at Stella Maris was As one of the top four seeds, he back in 2015. will have the privilege of being free “I’m happy to be here again. This during the first round, so he will see is my favourite tournament, I had action only in the eighth-finals. His my first ATP win in Umag and I feel opponent will be either Frenchman at home here,” he said at the press Corentin Moutet or Italian Salvato- conference. re Caruso, and he says he will try This season, he will begin the com- to collect as much information as petition as the 14th player in the possible. world, which is his highest ranking “Moutet has a good season behind since his first appearance in Umag. him, and I know he plays fairly well His participation had been in questi- on clay. However, I haven’t watched on as he cancelled his appearance him much, so if I manage, I’ll go at Wimbledon due to injury, but he watch his match. If not, I’ll send has been training for a few days in my coach to see what I’ll have to Umag and he feels well. look out for.” “Everything is alright now. I rested He’s not worried about what might for 18 days, and for the past three come afterwards: or four days I’ve been gradually “I don’t look much forward when increasing my training load. I’ll be matches are concerned. If I happen playing a sparring match at full to find something out, fine, if not, intensity on Tuesday, but I expect I’ll think about it when it becomes everything to be fine,” said Borna. pressing. I’ve made that mistake a He had suffered a stomach muscle few times, so now I’m only intere-

AS OF THIS WEEK, ITALIAN IS THE NINTH-RANKED PLAYER IN THE WORLD THE TOUGH PART IS STILL BEFORE ME The top seed in this year’s Croatia ATP singles rankings in his career. his appearance at the tournament stay healthy.” Open, Italian Fabio Fognini, resto- After Wimbledon, he climbed from he won in 2016 at this ranking. Italian tennis has a brilliant tradi- red his best-ever placement in the 10th to 9th place, and he will begin “I’m happy, of course. I didn’t play tion, but in recent months, you’ve my best tennis during the first managed some things that no Ita- three months, and then, at the lian has done in the past thirty ye- first big event in Europe, I had the ars. How does that make you feel? chance to win a big tournament. I “It’s a special feeling for sure. It’s did it in Monte Carlo, and then the a good achievement. There are expectations and goals changed only eight players in the world for me. Now I’m in 9th place, but better than me.” at the same time I know that a And what do you expect in Umag? tough second half of the season Goran Ivanisevic said a Fognini-Co- is ahead of me. It will be a great ric final would be a dream come challenge, as there is currently true for the tournament. no big gap between 8th and 15th “I always enjoy playing here. I also place. Young players are coming always play well here, it’s a really up, Medvedev, Khachanov, Bau- nice tournament. tista Agut, Coric… and all have the What can I say? It certainly would same goal,” said Fognini. be really big for me, but I have to Now that you’re among the top be honest. I stopped after Wim- ten, what’s your next goal? bledon and started practising in “My goal is to stay in the top 10. the middle of last week. So I need I know it’s going to be tough to some time to get into my best stay there. So many players are form, and that’s why it’s going to playing well. First of all, I have to be tough,” said Fognini.

4 THE MAIN PLAVA LAGUNA TOURNAMENT BEGINS A STUNNING 20-HIT VOLLEY FOR HORVAT BRILLIANT BEDENE AND MOUTET AT DETHRONES SUP(ER) TENNIS Tennis players Roko Horvat and keep the ball above the water for Corentin Moutet showed you can an amazing 242 consecutive hits. DEFENDING CHAMP also play tennis on water. The Croat This tradition opened the SUP(er) and the Frenchman tried to keep Tennis Tournament as a part of their balance for a good half hour the Plava Laguna Croatia Open on stand-up paddleboards, and had Umag, which is played with classic a great time doing so. tennis balls and racquets, while the With the support of fans, Horvat players are standing on stand-up and Moutet managed a volley paddleboards instead of on a solid with 20 consecutive hits. But this surface. The sponsor of SUP(er) wasn’t enough to beat last year’s Tennis is Slovenian insurance com- tournament record, which is held pany Triglav, which also prepared by the Slovenes. They managed to gifts for these brave tennis players.

Last year, Italian reached the quarter-finals in 2013. won the title, but this year he didn’t In other first round matches, young, even make it past the first hurdle. To talented Italian player stop him was Slovenian Aljaz Bede- overcame Joao Sousa from Portugal ne, who played a brilliant match and (1:6, 6:3, 6:4), meaning he will be went on to the eighth-finals with a Bedene’s next opponent. Czech Jiri result of 6:3, 6:2. He continued his Vesely broke opponent Cedric-Mar- excellent tradition in his matches cel Stebe after three hours and five against Cecchinato, against whom minutes (7:6, 3:6, 7:6), even though he has won three times out of three he had the opportunity to finish at ATP tournaments. When you add the job earlier when he led the OSCAR’S CORNER another four victories in just as third set 5:1. many ATP Challenger matches, it Qualifying rounds also ended on becomes clear the Slovenian’s game Monday, and the most interesting VESELY THROUGH AFTER BIG BATTLE has something that doesn’t suit and most dramatic match was German Cedrik-Marceel Stebe and the skilled Italian. Another thing: between Spaniard Jiri Vesely from the Czech Repu- in all seven matches, Bedene won and Italian Salvatore Caruso. Caruso blic played the first match of the without losing a set! took the match (5:7, 6:4, 6:3), which 30th Plava Laguna Croatia Open. “This is definitely a great victory. was full of ups and downs on both It was Vesely who prevailed after Umag is a home tournament for sides. For example, in the second more than three hours and great me, even though it’s not in Slovenia, set, Caruso had two chances to match played on the Grandstand, because we don’t have this level of lead at 5:0, after which Robredo by winning 7:6, 3:6, 7:6. So it will competition in Slovenia, and Slove- turned the tables with three break be Vesely who will continue his nian fans are happy to come here. I points at 4:5. The Spanish player’s campaign in the round of 16. tried to make some great moments loss means four former champions On the centre court I would un- for them and I managed to do so. will not be competing in the main derline the match between the I showed I can play good tennis, tournament: Robredo won the title defending champion Marco Ce- and I couldn’t have wished for a at Stella Maris in 2013. cchinato and Aljaz Bedene, who better start to the tournament,” The programme will continue on comes to Umag every year. Italian said Bedene. Tuesday with the addition of two Cecchinato wasn’t able to proceed how great player he is. He might Since first coming to Umag in 2011, Croatian players, who have learned to the next round, as Bedene won win some more matches in the Bedene hasn’t missed a season at the names of their opponents. Vik- by 6:3, 6:2, proving once again upcoming rounds. the Croatia Open. With the way he tor Galovic will be playing against was playing on Monday, it’s quite Hungarian Attila Balazs, and Nino writes: Oscar Visintin possible he might reach or even ex- Serdarusic against Argentinian Mar- ceed his best result so far, when he co Trungelitti.

5 WINE TASTING YOUNG MALVASIA FROM TOMAZ WINERY IS THE FIRST WINE TASTING FINALIST

The 30th anniversary edition of the Plava Laguna Aside from tasting world-class wines, visitors had Croatia Open Umag continued with its tradition the opportunity to hear some interesting facts of wine tastings under the name “The Hidden from famous sommelier Emil Perdec. “Delicious, Charms of Istrian Wines”. The first evening fea- young Malvasia is a true winner for every wi- tured young Malvasia, presented by Frankovic, nemaker. It’s exceptionally refreshing and pairs as our princess, the most elegant and the most Benvenuti and Tomaz wineries. wonderfully with Mediterranean cuisine,” noted beautiful,” concluded Claudio Tomaz, last year’s Mario Frankovic from Frankovic Winery participa- Perdec. laureate of the Hidden Charms of Istrian Wine. ted at the tournament tasting for the first time. At the end of the tasting, all three wines were Tomorrow will see a tasting of aged Teran at 9PM “Although we’re a relatively young winery, we’ve rated by the audience, with the most points going in the Taste Istria zone. The ATP Wine of the Year grown gradually, and our vineyards currently cover to the young Malvasia from Motovun winery will be announced on the last day of the tourna- 12 hectares, mostly at the Santa Lucia locality. Tomaz, who thus entered the final ATP Wine ment, as chosen by audiences, and the award will Half of this area is Malvasia,” said Frankovic. selection for 2019. “We often describe Malvasia be delivered by the president of Croatia.

ITF WHEELCHAIR TENNIS CROATIA OPEN UMAG THE FIRST WHEELCHAIR TENNIS TOURNAMENT IN UMAG ting people with disabilities into society as equal wheelchair tennis player to compete at the Pa- members. This kind of tournament also contri- ralympic Games,” said Anto Joskić. butes highly to the visibility and popularisation Wheelchair tennis is one of the most developed, of wheelchair tennis in Croatia, and it is hoped to fastest-growing sports for people with disabilities inspire as many people with disabilities as possible in the world. It features the same rules as tennis The ITF Wheelchair Tennis Croatia Open Umag – especially youth – to become active in sport. for people without physical disabilities, except by HEP is one of more than 150 tournaments “I’m very pleased and honoured to have the for one difference: the ball can bounce twice. in the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour series, which opportunity to play at this kind of tournament. I’ve We are hoping for good results for our Croatian will be held for the first time this year as a part been following the ATP Tournament in Umag since players, especially our best wheelchair tennis of the Umag ATP tournament from 18 to 21 July. I was young, and I honestly never dreamed that I player Anto Joskić and experienced player Dražen Sixteen players from six countries (Croatia, , would be playing here and sharing the dressing Mikšić. The tournament favourites are reigning Hungary, Israel, Austria and Greece) will be com- room with tennis greats like Coric, Fognini and champion Josef Riegler from Austria and second- peting. The initiative for this tournament came others. I’m ho- and third-place holders Guy Sasson from Israel from Croatian electric company HEP and Plava ping for the best and Giorgos Lazaridis from Greece. Laguna Croatia Open Umag executive board di- result possible as “Thanks to the ATP tournament in Umag and to rector Arlen Brozic. As a part of the ‘Aces for the tournament HEP, who decided to support us by sponsoring Charity’ fundraiser, it was decided that funds counts for points this tournament which is extremely important to would be donated to the Croatian Wheelchair towards the Pa- us. It allows Croatian wheelchair tennis players Tennis Federation. ralympic Games, to compete at a tournament in Croatia, to gain The Croatian Wheelchair Tennis Federation believe and it’s my dream valuable experience, and to win points towards this kind of tournament, being a part of the ATP and my goal to be international rankings,” said Ivan Karačić, president Tournament, is the perfect example of integra- the first Croatian of the Croatian Wheelchair Tennis Federation.

6 WHAT THEY’VE As a part of the “Aces for Cha- SAID ABOUT US rity” fundraiser, sponsored by HEP, 80 kuna will be donated for each during the tournament. Last year, 343 aces were turned into 27,440 kuna, which were donated to the ITF Wheelchair Tennis tournament, which will 106 be played this week in Umag.

Dear friends of tennis, Our favorite sports event is celebrating its 30th edition this year. To us, the event is more than tennis. It is a part of tradition of Umag as a city of sports, but also a city that pioneers trends, raising the bar in ex- cellence and quality in all its segments. The tournament in Umag is a blend of sports, gastronomy and entertainment. Also, it is one of the longest enduring sports events in Croatia that have made a crucial contribution to the international affirmation of Umag and the whole of Croatia as a tourism and sports destination. Over the years, the tournament has grown and become a leader in changing KIDS WEEK: trends and a model for other tournaments. In the tournament’s 30th edition, our guests will once again enjoy not only sports, but SERDARUSIC THRILLS the wonders of Istria, our gastronomy and the exemplary service we have prepared. I YOUNG TENNIS PLAYERS would like to thank all the partners that have The guest of the first event this week at the After a good warm-up, there was a contest in supported us so far, and invite you to be Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag Kids’ Week hitting a target drawn on the court with valuable with us for the tournament’s 30th edition.. was Croatian tennis player Nino Serdarusic, prizes from . Young tennis hopefuls from whose appearance thrilled the young tennis all over Europe showed off their great skills, and Neven Staver, THE FIRST WHEELCHAIR TENNIS players in attendance. the audience awarded them with a thunderous President of the Organizing Committee Serdarusic exchanged a few volleys with them round of applause. and Board Chairman at the court next to the Grandstand and taught More than 50 young tennis players will be TOURNAMENT IN UMAG them the secrets to professional tennis. After participating in Kids’ Week every day, and their playing, they took a picture together, and Ser- number is constantly growing. darusic also signed a few autographs.

Seven “Number Ones” in Umag Among all the competitors in Umag there were seven who reached the top spot in the ATP Singles Rankings at some point of their careers. Serbian Novak Djokovic, currently ranked as Nr. 1, is among them. This elite list consists of Spaniard (played in Umag once), Novak Djokovic (4 occasions), Spaniard Plava Laguna creates unforgettable family holidays in Istria, Croatia. (6), Brazilian (3), Spaniard Carlos Moyá (14), Chilean Marcelo Rios (2) We TaKe FuN sErIoUsLy plavalaguna.com and Austrian (3).

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