PLISKOVA & TSONGA HEADLINE THIS WEEK IN TENNIS

This Week In Tennis
Season 2, Vol 6

#ThisWeekInTennis recaps the tennis happenings of the last week via news reports, player tweets, featured articles, rankings, and podcasts.

Photo: AFP

RUNDOWN​

• Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won his 13th career title last week in Rotterdam. The veteran Frenchman also notched his 400th career singles win in the semifinals before beating David Goffin in the final.
• Karolina Pliskova scored her second title of 2017 when she beat Caroline Wozniacki in the Doha final for the eighth WTA title of her career.
• Alexander Dolgopolov upset Kei Nishikori to win in Buenos Aires. The Ukrainian, winner of just  one of his previous 11 matches entering the tournament, strung together wins over Tipsarevic, Cuevas, Gerald Melzer, Carreno Busta, and Nishikori to claim his third ATP title.
• Ryan Harrison equals his career high ranking of #43 after winning the  first ATP title of his career, beating Nikoloz Basilashvili in Memphis. The title comes two weeks after beating Taylor Fritz to win the Dallas Challenger.
• David Goffin overcame his recent nemesis Grigor Dimitrov on his way to the Rotterdam final. Despite losing to Tsonga in the final, Goffin cracks the ATP top 10 for the first time in his career.
• Kei Nishikori suffered his 6th consecutive loss in ATP finals. The world #5, who elected not to go for a fifth consecutive title in Memphis last week, lost to Alexander Dolgopolov.
• Caroline Wozniacki reached the final in Doha, losing to Karolina Pliskova. The Danish former world number one, now ranked #15, also announced Sascha Bajin as her new hitting partner. 
• Martina Hingis has a new doubles partner: the Swiss star teamed with Yung-Jan Chan, one half of the successful Chan sisters, starting in Doha. 
• Roberto Bautista Agut continued his show of support for LGBT issues when he announced he will wear rainbow laces on his shoes in Rio to aid the International Day Against Homophobia in Sport.
• Toni Nadal announced he will no longer be a part of the week-to-week coaching staff of Rafael Nadal at the end of the 2017 season. 

Je suis déjà dans l'avion □□□✈️ Merci pour tous vos messages !!! #TsongaTeam pic.twitter.com/FNdQYWAIUK

— Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (@tsonga7) February 19, 2017

Not the trophy I had wished for, but still proud of my performance this week, lots of positives to take with me moving forward!□□ pic.twitter.com/ehk3G57F48

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) February 18, 2017

Still on ☁️ nine! pic.twitter.com/rrpsHva8NT

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) February 18, 2017

my partner played awesome today! on to the semis! @YungJan_Chan #qatartotalopen pic.twitter.com/qrHSTrfl1E

— Martina Hingis (@mhingis) February 16, 2017

How cute is Max? □□

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Feb 17, 2017 at 7:02am PST

Doha?❤? pic.twitter.com/piEpXrFcxK

— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) February 18, 2017

Тот момент когда выиграл турнир□ The moment you win a tournament! #thedog https://t.co/PXFq3rbIgT

— Aleksandr Dolgopolov (@TheDolgo) February 20, 2017

You always have gone out of your way to make sure when I did take it on the chin I would regroup. Thankful to have you around. See you soon https://t.co/9Ktmq1l231

— Ryan Harrison (@ryanharrison92) February 20, 2017

Thank you @ArgentinaOpen! You made me feel at home. Sorry I could not win the final today. Thank you for the support all week. pic.twitter.com/zVKZH9AFtY

— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) February 19, 2017

Cordones arcoiris en el Día contra la homofobia en el deporte. #stophomophobia #rainbow #respect #diversidad #respeto #deporte #tenis #felizdomingo ?️‍?

A post shared by Roberto Bautista Agut (@robertobautistaagut) on Feb 19, 2017 at 2:46am PST

Healthy weekend□

A post shared by Grigor Dimitrov (@grigordimitrov) on Feb 19, 2017 at 11:26am PST

My frand is so hot I canttttt □□□ https://t.co/q7Plk6aP5l

— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) February 16, 2017

RANKINGS WATCH

• ATP: Goffin (+1 to #10), Tsonga (+3 to #11), Monfils (-2 to #12), Johnson (+4 to #26), Cuevas (-8 to #30), Querrey (-6 to #35), Harrison (+19 to #43), Dolgopolov (+16 to #50), Basilashvili (+14 to #53), Berlocq (+11 to #66), Herbert (+41 to #68), Kukushkin (+25 to #78), Brown (-13 to #84) 

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• ​WTA​​:​ Wozniacki (+3 to #15), Strycova (-3 to #20), Puig, (+5 to #42), Davis (+9 to #46), Shvedova (-4 to #49), Stephens (+2 to #50), Rogers (-8 to #61), Cirstea (-6 to #67), Bellis (+3 to #70), King (+2 to #89), Errani (-44 to #93), Brengle (-8 to #94), Schiavone (-56 to #153)

​ON THE WEB

Pliskova Believes She Can Win First Major Soon - She's Right to Think So
​The One-Handed Backhand is Having a Moment - How Long Can it Last?
Rescue Dogs will Take Over for Ball Boys at Tennis Tournament
​Fired for 'gorilla' remark, tennis commentator sues ESPN
Success of Milos Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard stimulating tennis boom for Canadian youth
​Zverev, Dimitrov destined to make major statement this season
​John Isner still the man when it comes to American tennis
​Radwanska in Doha: Mentally I feel much younger, physically I feel much older
​Qatar Open: Jankovic fights through qualifying, hires Canas
Toni Nadal: “Rafa Is In Good Hands”
​Fan Favourite Haas Brings Comeback To Delray Beach

PODCASTS

The Body Serve - In a February Mood: RBA Is Our Valentine
The Main Draw - Mystery Brunette
No Challenges Remaining - Getting Turned Around
​Beyond The Baseline - Two Time Grand Slam Champ and Fashion Icon Stan Smith
The Tennis Podcast - ​ Britain Final Through In Fed Cup; Dimitrov Delight In Sofia
​Realz Tenis Fanz - Why Aren’t My Faves Playing?
​Tennis.com - Finally, Ryan Harrison
WTA Insider - Champs Corner: Karolina Pliskova proves her mettle in Doha