Sydney Draw Sets Up First Ever All-Qualifier ATP Final

The first ever all-qualifier ATP World Tour Final will take place on Saturday in Sydney, as Serbia’s Viktor Troicki and Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin won their respective semifinal matchups to push through into the final.

Each player has won seven matches in a row, including the qualifying, to be at this point. It is a remarkable achievement especially when you consider the rough heat conditions in Australia this time of year.

“It’s an interesting fact, and definitely it’s going to be, I think, a good final,” said Troicki. “I think Kukushkin is playing good tennis. We played a few times, I think. I know what to expect.

We will also see who is fitter. We both had a lot of matches.”

Troicki looked sharp in his semifinal match against Gilles Muller. The Serbian ripped 13 aces and was dominant on his first serve, converting 82 percent of them into points. He routed Muller 6-2, 6-4 in just 64 minutes to push through.

While Troicki’s serve was the difference in his match, Kukushkin’s serve was a bit off, but was able to hit serves when he needed to. He saved all 11 break points he faced, never allowing fifth-seeded Leonardo Mayer a break point. Kukushkin added two break points to pull away in each set for a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

“It feels good to start the season with a final, with so many wins in a row,” said Kukushkin. “I’m enjoying being here in Sydney, to play at a good level in a good tournament.”

In New Zealand, 63rd ranked Jiri Vesely will take on Adrian Mannarino in the Heineken Open final from Auckland.

Vesely outdueled fourth-seeded South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 7-6(4) in his semifinal bout Friday. The 21-year old qualifier picked up two break points on both of his chances to edge the big-serving Anderson.

“I started again pretty well, as I have done every match here in Auckland,” said Vesely. “I took control of the match, he wasn’t serving as well as he could. I held my serve for 5-5, a tough game, and then I broke him to serve for the match.”

Mannarino upended 20-year old Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to push through. He fought off 11 aces and picked up three break points to outlast Pouille in one hour and 52 minutes.

Vesely and Mannarino have never played each other as each seeks their first career title.