Tennis

Alejandro Tabilo Makes History as First Chilean to Win Grass-Court TitleMALLORCA, Spain - Alejandro Tabilo has etched his name in Chilean tennis history by becoming the first male player from his country to win a grass-court title in the Open Era. The 25-year-old achieved this remarkable feat at the Mallorca Championships on Saturday, defeating Sebastian Ofner of Austria in straight sets.Tabilo, seeded fourth in the tournament, displayed exceptional composure and skill throughout the match. He broke Ofner's serve once in each set, while saving all three break points he faced. The Chilean's victory was a testament to his adaptability and resilience on a surface that is not typically considered favorable for players from his region.With this triumph, Tabilo will ascend five places in the ATP rankings to a career-high 19th position. This marks a significant milestone for Chilean tennis, as it is the first time in 19 years that the country will have two players ranked within the Top 20. Nicolas Jarry is the other Chilean player currently in the elite group.Tabilo's success in Mallorca is a continuation of his impressive form this season. He has already won one title in 2023, claiming the Cordoba Open in Argentina. His victory on grass is a testament to his versatility and his ability to perform at a high level on different surfaces.Following his historic triumph, Tabilo will turn his attention to Wimbledon, where he will face local favorite Daniel Evans in the first round. Ofner, meanwhile, will take on Aleksandar Vukic of Australia in his Wimbledon opener.Tabilo's victory is a source of pride for Chile and a testament to the growing strength of tennis in the country. His success is an inspiration to young players and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

Paul Jubb and Billy Harris, two rising stars in the tennis world, have made history by reaching the semifinals of their respective ATP tournaments, the Mallorca Championships and the Rothesay International.Jubb, a 24-year-old qualifier, stunned top seed Ben Shelton in a thrilling three-set battle, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8). The former NCAA champion from the University of South Carolina had not dropped a set in his previous four matches, but Shelton pushed him to the limit.After squandering three match points in the third set, Jubb finally sealed the victory with a clutch first serve and a forehand error from Shelton. "This is obviously huge for me," said Jubb. "I've been working very, very hard to get back to this point."In Eastbourne, Harris, a 29-year-old wild card entrant, also overcame a tough three-set challenge against Flavio Cobolli, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-2. Harris broke Cobolli twice in the final set to secure the victory.Harris will face Australian Max Purcell in the semifinals, while Jubb will take on Sebastian Ofner of Austria. Two-time champion Taylor Fritz, the No. 1 seed in Eastbourne, will meet Aleksandar Vukic in the other semifinal.Both Jubb and Harris have had remarkable weeks, showcasing their talent and determination. They will now have the opportunity to compete for their first ATP titles on home soil, adding to the excitement of these tournaments.

Chris Eubanks' title defense at the Mallorca Championships came to an abrupt end in the first round, as he was upset by 18-year-old Jakub Mensik 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Mensik, playing only his second tour-level match on grass, outplayed the No. 8 seed with his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play.Mensik, who became the youngest match winner in tournament history, credited his serve and forehand as his biggest weapons. He has enjoyed a breakout season, reaching his first ATP title match in Doha and securing two Top 10 wins. However, injuries prevented him from making his French Open debut.Eubanks, who won his first ATP title in Mallorca last year, is projected to fall outside the Top 60 next week. He will face a tough challenge in defending his Wimbledon quarterfinal points.Meanwhile, Alex Michelsen, who lost to Eubanks in the first round last year, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over No. 3 seed Adrian Mannarino. Michelsen, a rising star on the grass, finished runner-up in Newport last year and qualified for the 500-level event in Halle.Other British players, Paul Jubb and Adam Walton, also won their main-draw openers after coming through qualifying.