2024 Queen’s Club Championships Round-Up: Raonic's record, Rune’s slip, and a controversial suspension
ATP
The first round of the ATP 500 Queen’s Club Championships
was marked by Milos Raonic setting a historic record for aces in a three-set
match. Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe faced disappointing exits, while the
slippery court conditions began causing problems.
One who had a good debut was Grigor Dimitrov, who did not slow down and swept his opponent. The day ended amid on-court controversy. The duel between Alejandro Tabilo and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was suspended when the Chilean was leading after the Spaniard complained about the state of the court.
Raonic sets record for aces, Dimitrov advances comfortably
The 33-year-old Canadian delivered a splendid performance
on Centre Court at Queen’s. Raonic came back from a set down against Cameron
Norrie (No. 40) to claim an epic 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-6 victory with an unexpected
record in just his fourth tournament of the year, having been injured in two of
them.
The former world No. 3 hit an incredible 47 aces, setting a
historic record for a player in a three-set match on any surface in the history
of the sport. The previous record was held by Ivo Karlovic, who hit 45 aces at
the 2015 Halle Open.
Grigor Dimitrov had a successful debut in the main draw
with a dominant performance against grass-court specialist Adrian Mannarino,
whom he defeated 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes. The world No. 10 won 85% of his
first-serve points and had 12 aces, showcasing a high level upon his return to
grass courts. He awaits the winner of Sebastian Korda vs. Karen Khachanov in
the second round.
Rune and Tiafoe struggle with Queen’s Club grass
The state of the Queen’s Club courts has been an issue for
several players. The especially damp conditions of recent days in London have
made the courts more slippery for many: "It was quite slippery, to be
honest. But, yeah, I mean, I think I slipped maybe three times. One time quite
important," commented Rune.
The Danish 7th seed suffered a surprising defeat to Jordan
Thompson despite having a set advantage, losing 6-4, 6-7(4), 3-6. Rune was
defending points from last year's semifinals and is not registered for any more
grass-court tournaments until Wimbledon.
Frances Tiafoe had even worse luck, as he couldn't finish
his match against Rinky Hijikata. The American suffered a fall in the third set
that forced him to retire due to a hip injury, hobbling off the court.
Even John Isner commented on the court conditions on social
media: "Queen’s is undoubtedly one of the best events of the year, but the
courts are diabolically slippery, especially on Monday and Tuesday. Just ask
DelPo. Sucks for Frances, hope he can recover for SW19," the former world
No. 8 wrote, recalling Juan Martin Del Potro's fall in 2019 that led to hip
issues eventually forcing his retirement.
Controversy in Tabilo vs. Davidovich Fokina match
The Chilean player performed better in the crucial moments
of the first set, winning a tight tiebreak 8-6. Davidovich slipped several
times during the first set and complained to the umpire about the court
conditions.
In the second set, however, luck was on the Spaniard's side
as he secured a break in the 8th game and closed the set 6-3 amidst light rain.
The match was suspended when Tabilo was leading the third set 2-0 after
Davidovich protested to the umpire and then to the supervisor, while Tabilo
insisted on continuing the match.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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