Stan Leads Swiss Team to first Davis Cup Title
This weekend was one to celebrate for Swiss tennis fans with the nation winning its first title at the Davis Cup finals, held between November 21-23. Stan Wawrinka (VCORE Tour G, SHT-PRO) lead the Swiss team to their first ever title, grabbing a win right off the bat against the French team’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Stan came storming out the gates, grabbing the first set at 6-1. While his opponent managed to level the match at the second set, Stan retaliated, taking the final two sets; both with healthy leads. The match ended at 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, with Stan winning with four aces, 13 winners, and five break points en route.
Stan’s doubles match against Julien Benneteau/Richard Gasquet with Roger Federer also gave Swiss fans reason to celebrate, as the duo defeated the Frenchmen in straight sets. Stan boasted the same level of energy he had in his previous singles match, carrying the weight of the first set, serving out the second set, and winning the match for his country with his devastating backhand. The Swiss duo got seven aces over their French opponents’ two, and broke three times while the opposing side was unable to break Swiss pair’s serve even once. The final score was 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
Ricardas Berankis Impresses in Italy
Meanwhile in Italy, Ricardas Berankis (EZONE Ai 98, PTGSPN, SHT-PRO) won his second ATP Challenger Tour title in the city of Andria at the Andria e Castel del Monte. The 24-year-old Lithuanian was the No. 3 seed in the tournament, and won four of his five matches in straight sets.
Nick Kyrgios: Australia’s Most Outstanding Tennis Player of 2014
The weekend also had 19-year-old Nick Kyrgios (EZONE Ai 98) receive the highest honour in Australian tennis—the Newcombe Medal. Named after Australian tennis legend John Newcombe, the medal is awarded annually in Australia to the nation’s most outstanding player of that year. Nick received the medal from John himself at Crown Palladium in Melbourne. 2014 proved to be the Australian teenager’s breakout year, with his biggest achievement undoubtedly being his win against Rafael Nadal at this year’s Wimbledon championships that took him to the quarterfinals of that Grand Slam.
Between the crushing power of Stan’s VCORE Tour G, and the lightning speed of Ricardas and Nick’s EZONE Ai racquets, these players continue to make great strides with Team YONEX behind them.
Davis Cup Finals
Rubber 1
Stan Wawrinka (VCORE Tour G, SHT-PRO)(SUI) def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Rubber 3
Stan Wawrinka (VCORE Tour G, SHT-PRO)/Roger Federer (SUI) def. Julien Benneteau/Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-3, 7-5, 6-4
Andria e Castel del Monte
Men’s Singles (Final)
Ricardas Berankis (EZONE Ai 98, PTGSPN, SHT-PRO) def. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 6-4, 1-0 (ret.)
*Photo of Stan taken at the 2014 ATP World Tour Finals. Photographer: TANG Shi.
*Photo of Ricardas taken at the 2014 Australian Open
*Photo of Nick taken at the 2014 US Open