YOUNG AMERICAN STEFAN KOZLOV OPENS 2016 WITH TITLE WIN
AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PRO FUTURES TOURNAMENT AT USC
Florida 17-year-old topples Canadian Philip Bester to take home
$3,600 first-prize money and 27 valuable ATP points
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 10, 2016) – Stefan Kozlov survived a shaky service performance to capture his first USTA Pro Circuit $25,000 Futures title in the United States as he beat No. 4-seeded Philip Bester of Canada in an exciting two-hour, 50-minute match, 7-6 (7), 6-7 (3), 6-3, on Sunday at the Southern California Pro Futures Tournament at USC.
“I served very bad today compared to what I did during the week and it got me into a lot of trouble,†said the No. 6-seeded Kozlov, who pocketed $3,600 with the victory. “I got up 3-1 in the second set and just got tight because I thought I had already won. But he was able to come back. It was a really tough match today.â€
Kozlov hit more doubles faults (five) than aces (four) on the day. He did come up big on his service return, especially in the third set, on the fast USC courts.
Kozlov survived three set points against him in the first set as Bester took a commanding 6-3 lead in the tiebreaker. Down 5-6, Kozlov benefitted from a Bester double fault on a net cord and the two changed sides all even. At 7-8 and Bester serving, Kozlov hit a short return that barely cleared the net on a rushing Bester who dropped the low backhand volley into the net giving the first set to Kozlov.
Kozlov, who won an ITF $15,000 level pro event in Belarus back in October, said he hadn’t played well in his only other Futures final in the U.S., losing a 6-0 third-set in Florida in May of last year. In 2014, Kozlov lost in his only Challenger-level final, the $100,000 Sacramento Challenger, falling 6-3, 6-4 to American Sam Querrey.
“I always have a tough time playing these finals in the U.S. for some reason,†Kozlov said. “Today I had a great team around me and was able to come through.â€
Just like the first set, Bester went up in the tiebreaker 6-3. But the 27-year-old didn’t mess around, this time ending it on his first set point of the second set nailing an ace right down the T.
Kozlov will now rest and get ready for the Long Beach Pro Futures event this week, before heading off to the Maui Challenger.
Sunday’s Final Singles Score
Stefan Kozlov (6), U.S., def. Philip Bester (4), Canada, 7-6 (7), 6-7 (3), 6-3
Saturday’s Final Doubles Score
Evan King, U.S. / Raymond Sarmiento (4), U.S., def. Jean-Yves Aubone, U.S. / Dennis Nevolo, U.S., 6-4, 3-6, 11-9
Prize Money/Points
$25,000 Men SINGLES:
Prize Money Points
Winner $3,600 27
Runner-up $2,120 15
Semifinalist $1,255 8
Quarterfinalist $730 3
Round of 16 $430 1
Round of 32 $260 —
DOUBLES: Prize Money (per team)
Winner $1,550
Runner-up $900
Semifinalist $540
Quarterfinalist $320
Round of 16 $180
USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 37 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. John Isner, Maria Sharapova, Sam Querrey, Sloane Stephens, Kei Nishikori, Victoria Azarenka and Andy Murray are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.
For more information, contact:
Steve Pratt, Tournament Press Aide
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Scoop Malinowski · January 11, 2016 at 9:18 am
The Hard work in Fisher Island in Dec with Grigor for two weeks is paying off – very good win for Kozlov as he is showing he can handle the rougher tougher professional ranks –
Andrew Miller · January 12, 2016 at 9:44 am
Saw the Australian Open’ qualies draw – Kozlov’s sitting this one out. A U.S. player is guaranteed to make the 2nd round of the qualies.
On the ATP tour, the New Zealand tournament boasts a bunch of U.S. players including a match between Pop-Sock. They might break up the doubles success because of this match.
(Just kidding. But if it comes to that – ).
U.S. women’s players look like they worked hard in the offseason. U.S. mens players dont.
Dan Markowitz · January 12, 2016 at 10:12 am
Tiafoe v Donaldson in 1st round of Aussie quails. I’m going w K D here although they’re close in rankings. How about Stepanek playing quails at 37. He’s getting into Connors territory here, but I don’t see any semis slam runs in his present or future.
Scoop Malinowski · January 12, 2016 at 10:56 am
Querrey had a big BIG win vs Bedene – 67 76 (10) 21 ret – that’s huge for SaM because he lost a lot of close tough long battles last year at the end – this tiMe he hung tough and finally won a close tight pressure cooker – let’s see if this win catapults Q ball —
Dan Markowitz · January 12, 2016 at 2:27 pm
I’m sorry, Scoop, I can’t get on the Querrey bandwagon. He’s been basically a non-factor besides Houston in the past couple of years. I can’t see him having a breakout year at 28
Andrew Miller · January 12, 2016 at 4:01 pm
If Querrey is going to put together a few runs, now’s the time to do it. He’s been a non-factor, but at his best he’s the legitimate #2 U.S. player. Sometimes even the #1.
Dan Markowitz · January 12, 2016 at 5:58 pm
His best was a while ago. He really hasn’t played really well for a number of years now.
Dan Markowitz · January 12, 2016 at 6:04 pm
Geez, Aussie Open web site has picture of Tommy Paul in its article on the Qualis and the lead is on Taylor Fritz. I guess they figure you can’t tell one American from the other.
How does one watch the Aussie O Qualis? Is there a web site that shows it?
Scoop Malinowski · January 12, 2016 at 7:11 pm
Dan you were there when Vince told us QBall has a top 20 gaMe – Maybe a top 75 fighting spirit but the gaMe and weapons are there – outside chance he can still put it all together and hit the top fifteen range again – OUTside chance –
Dan Markowitz · January 12, 2016 at 7:17 pm
QBall has as good a chance of getting to Top 15 as DY.
Harold · January 12, 2016 at 7:31 pm
Dan, youre discounting a win in a 250 event, that ended in a retirement, even in the 3rd set. We are talking career changer!!! Jump on the Scoop Q Ball Express
Scoop Malinowski · January 12, 2016 at 7:56 pm
The Querrey Bandwagon Express has zero passengers right now – too Many flops and disappointMents – not saying Q will turn it around and break out of his Mediocrity- but you never do know – this kind of win could spark a renaissance or rejuvenation in Q – one good win can change everything- of course one good win can also be a fluke – we will see – But Spadea told us in Delray years ago after losing to Q that Q has a top fifteen / top twenty gaMe –
Andrew Miller · January 12, 2016 at 9:55 pm
The U.S. men’s showing down under has been rough-going so far this year. We’re barely into week two, but it hasn’t been a great show.
I’m going to try to stick to the main tour this year with my observations and forget about the challengers.
A few U.S. players should make the leap from the Aussie qualies into the first slam of the year. From there we’ll see if they have enough in the tank to eek out a win.
Dan Markowitz · January 13, 2016 at 5:18 am
Tiafoe routines Donaldson 3 and 3. I thought JD was the more solid player, but he’s been in big slump sine winning Hawaii Challenger last year. Gotta love Tiafoe, he’s pure lightening in a bottle. Fritz is trying to become youngest plYsr to crack top 100. Where’s Paul in the quails?
Dan Markowitz · January 13, 2016 at 5:28 am
Tiafoe plays Gocjwycz, the German former #65 player and Fritz plays Berrer. Tough 2nd red quali matches. They were actually showing Qualis on Tennis Channel last night. Pretty cool. I saw Bjorn Frantangelo straight set Dancevic. Poor Dancy, looks like at 31-32 he’s pretty much done. Lovely backhand, but his forehand is crap. Hit an inside service line gimme forehand into net to lose second set at 1. Dancy’s actually had a decent career, but you wonder how guys like the Aussie Matthew Barton, who beat Steve Ojohnson in Auckland, Barton’s first ATP match, make a living when at 24 he’s made $106,000. The guy’s a great player and yet he’s #299 in world.
Scoop Malinowski · January 13, 2016 at 8:27 am
Donaldson has stagnated since Hawaii – got a lot of pts do defend now – Tiafoe keeps steadily rising – Rubin had a nice win over the dangerous junior/Herr finalist DeMinaur in three sets –
Scoop Malinowski · January 13, 2016 at 8:29 am
Sock looked excellent in routing Pospisil in the first set 62 – if he didn’t cruise to the straight set win I’d be shocked – Sock looking ready to do big things this year –
Dan Markowitz · January 13, 2016 at 9:18 am
Sock lost to both Dolgo and Hewitt in Perth. That’s not a very good sign. For whatever reason, Pospisil has dropped in past couple of years.
Scoop Malinowski · January 13, 2016 at 9:44 am
Both Dolgopolov and Hewitt are playing very well now – Sock actually looked very good in both those losses – I think Sock gets Ferrer next – that will tell us a lot – Pospisil had a huge win vs Ivo in first round – never easy to beat Ivo and Pop was pinpoint sharp he earned it – Isner handled Querrey 67 76 64 two marathon breakers decided by one mini break – both Q and Isner appear to be sharp –
Dan Markowitz · January 13, 2016 at 10:19 am
QBall always plays well against Izzie because he’s comfortable with him. I’ve got to see much more from QBall to take him too seriously.
Andrew Miller · January 13, 2016 at 10:20 am
Popcorn match: Bouchard vs. Giorgi.
In other Canadian, non-Dancevic news: I read Pete Bodo’s take on Raonic this morning. It’s up on Tennis.com, and it’s very good. Bodo doesn’t bring up how Raonic is seen in Canada, but he does suggest Raonic’s less Canadian than he’s perceived – I had forgot he was born in Montenegro, but I also didn’t know he lives in Monte Carlo and could care less about hockey.
I watched some Raonic-Federer highlights again and I got to say, Raonic actually looked more like Del Potro than I thought, with better touch on the volleys. Raonic can win a slam, and soon. He played champions ball in Brisbane.
Other results:
Nothing much to say. A few U.S. players are winning their “supposed to win” matches, which is good for retaining rankings (see Kudla, DY).
Another is stumbling – unexpectedly, Steve Johnson.
Isner’s on the board. He beat Querrey.
I agree that Sock passed his first “playing for real money” test on this year’s tour – beat your dubs partner.
Scoop Malinowski · January 13, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Knowles was saying that Querrey can read Isner’s serve better than most players – Q and Hewitt could be the only players who have good records vs Isner outside of the BIG FOUR – in that respect Q is in very good company –
Scoop Malinowski · January 13, 2016 at 6:43 pm
So what if Raonic lives in Monte Carlo and prefers hoops over hockey – it’s wiser for Raonic to have his base in Monte Carlo instead of Toronto or Vancouver – fact is Raonic plays Davis Cup for Canada – Measuring Raonic’s “Canadieness” is kinda silly IMO –
Andrew Miller · January 13, 2016 at 11:52 pm
Raonic is globally minded, he’s more Federer in his outlook than Roddick. Similar to Andy Murray training in Spain – he has a bigger perspective than being the best in Canada.
Dan Markowitz · January 14, 2016 at 8:31 am
Wow, Fritz wins again, beating Berrer at 1 in 3rd set. This kid might pull a McEnroe at 1977 Wimbledon. Novikov routines James Ward.
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2016 at 8:32 am
Sock scored a huge win vs Anderson – Sock got smoked 61 in the first set than suddenly raised his game late in second with two superb backhands for the break punctuated by a huge Hewitt COmEAWN – then they battled deep into the third with Sock holding easily then again he struck with the backhand and got the impressive win and gave away one of his match socks to a fan – Sock will be top five – he is coming into his prime now – very easy nature on the court – he has this ability to hit magic shots like the high bh volley angled a foot from net – just a startling shot – also on missed serves of the opponent Sock leisurely will hit a behind the back shot which has to be distracting for the opponent to see these random trick shots – also Sock has a casual demeanor like it’s all easy for him but then on a big point he wins it and roars like a jacked up Hewitt so he has that mix of casual facade with a ferocious intensity – also fans love his game and his laid bac nature on the court – say it again – Sock will be top five in the world – that is a tennis-prose guarantee 🙂
Ryan Balon · January 14, 2016 at 10:43 am
Scoop,
I love your blogs and your insights but I hope there is sarcasm in Sock being a Top 5 player…. taking a line from Hewitt COME ONNNNNN…..
I think Sock’s casual demeanor actually will end up hurting the young American and in the end I can’t see him hanging with players inside the 10 let alone the like of a Novak, Murray and Stan W.
Sock is still very young and still has a lot to prove but overall I think he needs to work on his fitness and overall mental focus because that is the major difference between the top players of the game and everyone else.
Hope to see you in Indian Wells in March
Dan Markowitz · January 14, 2016 at 1:05 pm
Certainly you don’t mean he’s going to be Top 5 this year! I’ll name you 10 players who are definitely better than Sock right now…Djoko, Fed, Murray, Nadal, Ferrer, Raonic, Berdych, Nishikori, Wawrinka and Tsonga. Who’s he going to supplant in even the next two years? Maybe Fed, Ferrer, possibly Tsonga and Berdych, but those are big IF’s. The guy’s won one tournament, Houston, and got smoked in every slam last year. Top 5 for Sock, that’s like saying FLO was going to win a slam.
Now, who do you like, my friend, in the final round match of the qualis: Zverev or Fritz. What a beauty that will be. Zverev is 6 months older, two inches taller and No. 83 to 154 for Fritz. Should be a good one.
Just saw Louisa Chirico working out at my club. She’s originally from Harrison, NY and she’s 19 and she’s big 5-9, 140 lbs. These girls like Chirico, Crawford and of course Keys, seem to be the new norm, big girls, a little heavy in the legs, certainly they’ll get fitter, but they make a Sloane Stephens look small. Looking at young American female players you’d think is the new wave of the game, but if you look at the top 10, the movers, Wozniaki, Radwanska and Halep are still doing very well. Whatever happened to that half-Asian American player who looked good a few years ago, but has never made it back from injury.
Andrew Miller · January 14, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Dan: Mischa Zverev is not “the” Zverev. Mischa was top 50 way back and he’s 28, a good 10,11 years older than Alexander and is probably asking his kid brother how to beat Fritz.
I take back my comment on Sock. Despite the Hopman loss to Hewitt he seems to be back up and running and if his fitness is good he should be able to make week two of a slam this year and do better than he’s done.
As for top 5 – I think this is the only place in the universe other than Sock’s imagination where top 5 for Sock is happening. This isn’t the Roddick era where a player could be top 5 without a backhand. Sock’s backhand is still cannon fodder.
Hartt · January 14, 2016 at 3:02 pm
I read Bodo’s piece as well. Raonic is big sports news in Canada (at least as big as a non-hockey player will be). When he made the SF at Wimbledon in 2014 it was a big deal here, and if he should win a Slam it will be huge. The secondary court at the Rogers Cup is named for him and the tourney uses him a lot for promotion.
Canadian tennis fans are proud of the Davis Cup team and Milos, Vasek and Danny all show a strong commitment to it. Have never seen Milos as excited as when he has an important win at DC.
Have been following Taylor Fritz – he looks like he could have a terrific career – hope all goes well for him.
Dan Markowitz · January 14, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Andrew,
Youre right, it’s Mischa not Alexander. Fritz should beat the older Zverev. How about Frantagelo making the final round, as well as Smyczeck.
jg · January 14, 2016 at 6:19 pm
Did anyone see on court interview with Sock yesterday after his win, he said it was a big adjustment at Hopman Cup playing ATP level players, as in the offseason he was in Kansas City hitting with high school and college players, how many really good high school players can there be in KC (who aren’t training in Florida)
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Sock top five Ryan – TOP FIVE – he fronts casual but he’s got a volcanic intensity underneath – it was all on display in the superb destruction of Anderson – Sock’s fitness and movement are excellent especially the movement which is incredible –
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2016 at 6:48 pm
You mean Jamie Hampton who is returning soon if not very soon – according to a twitter post a few weeks ago – her and Baker are supposed to be back in early 2016 –
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2016 at 6:49 pm
If you guys are willing to lay some fair odds I’m gonna wager on my opinion Sock will be top five within 2-3 years – mull it over —
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Yes I saw that JG and also during the match Knowles said Sock hit in KC with his good buddy Nick monroe – Knowles said Sock marches to his own beat – staying in KC as opposed to LA with all the other players – Sock is a leader not a follower – and that win over Anderson yesterday affirms he did the right thing —
Dan Markowitz · January 14, 2016 at 8:05 pm
I’ll take that bet, Scoop, in 2-3 years the top 5 will be Djoko, Murray, Nishi, Raonic and Zverev or Dimitrov. Sock won’t break that group.
Harold · January 14, 2016 at 8:42 pm
@Dan
You thought the guy was still playing qualies, and now you have him in the top 5. See handstands at the Open in your future
Harold · January 14, 2016 at 8:43 pm
Guy= Zverev
Dan Markowitz · January 14, 2016 at 10:07 pm
Zverev will from now on be known as the guy. He was playing quails at the Open and I thought his brother retired. I forgot about Krygios anyhow.
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2016 at 9:17 am
A Zverev vs murray in first round – Hewitt vs Ferrer in 2R – Fed vs Grigor in 3R – Isner vs Janowicz 1R – Rafa vs Verdasco 1R – Djokovic vs Chung 1R – BBaker vs Bolelli 1R – I like Grigor to beat Fed just like Fed beating Pete at Wimbledon – Harrison looking very good in qualies –
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2016 at 9:21 am
Sock beats Ferrer in three sets 36 61 62 – further evidence Sock is going to soar into the top five within two years —
Andrew Miller · January 15, 2016 at 11:46 am
Steve Johnson played Ferrer close ( 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 ) in October, but no one is saying Johnson is going top five.
However, there’s a difference. Losing close isn’t the same as winning a close match – one’s close but no cigar, the other is a back to back big win. Context matters.
I agree – great win and a back to back win. He has a winnable match versus Bautista, who knocked off DY in a pretty hard fought match earlier and beat Tsonga to get the match versus Sock for all the Auckland marbles.
Dimitrov’s in a final also against Troicki in Sydney.
Kuznetsova won her final. Nice to see Kuznetsova back in gear.
Anyone else picking Cornet to beat Bouchard in the WTA final? Bouchard smashed Giorgi in under an hour in the QF and now she’s in the “don’t call it a comeback” final.
And…tons of U.S. players in the final rounds of the qualies for Australian open. I’m shocked.
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2016 at 12:02 pm
Sock is a different animal from Johnson Andrew – he’s got the knack of winning big titles – he has greater upside than Steve – Steve is a very good grinder and battler and will blue collar his way to the top 20-25 range – but Sock will exceed that – I sense greatness in Sock – always have ever since he won US Open juniors – hard to describe – it’s that old X factor – Yes Sock has shown us many bad matches and disappointing losses – but ALL the great champions also did on their climb up the mountain –
Andrew Miller · January 15, 2016 at 12:57 pm
Ryan Sweeting won USO Jrs too. It’s odd – either a player wins U.S. Open juniors and becomes top 50 (even top 10) or they muddle through their career. Gasquet has a win and so does Peliwo.
The Sock win is a great one. I said that and I’m not back-tracking from it.
I’m not so sure the Johnson comparison isn’t apt here.
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2016 at 1:46 pm
Dusan Lojda won the US Open juniors too. But Lojda and Sweeting did not win any Grand Slam doubles or mixed titles nor did they win a Houston level event. Sock is in position to be a top ten and then top five player and a Grand Slam QF SF F or winner (in the future).
Andrew Miller · January 15, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Sweeting won the same tournament as Sock! Houston ATP, beat Nishikori.
I’ll get behind a Sock slam quarter. But nothing else yet. He has to show he can win enough slam matches to even get there.
Top five – no. Singles slam winner, finalist? Very unlikely.