Podlipnik Sneaks into Top 200
Hans Podlipnik has returned to the peak of Chilean tennis, surging ahead of Gonzalo Lama and into the top 200 for the first time in his career.
Despite losing to countryman Juan Carlos Sáez in Lima, Podlipnik will finish the year as the top Chilean in the ATP rankings. It has been a busy year for the Chilean number one, competing in 37 tournaments, more than any of his countrymen. With six titles at the Futures level, Podlipnik has regularly been found wanting in taking the next step up and will need to improve his performances in Challengers to continue ascending.
From 19 tournaments, Podlipnik only has 3 quarter final appearances to his name, along with his semi-final clash with James Duckworth in the Santiago Challenger. This was the first time that “H-Pod” had risen to the top of the Chilean rankings, overtaking Paul Capdeville, who announced his retirement at that tournament.
It has been a busy year for the 26-year-old, with his 37 tournament effort not only the top for Chile, but the most tournaments played across all players. The year brought $43,332 of prize money, with attempts at qualifying for the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Gonzalo Lama has spent most of the year as Chile’s top player, but finishes just outside of the top 200. After falling one place, Lama is ten behind Podlipnik in number 206. Teen sensations Nicolás Jarry (224) and Christian Garín (293) both round out the year in the top 300, while Sáez moved up 62 places to 346. Guillermo Rivera was another big mover, into the top 500 at 491, up 51 places, though a far cry from his 2011 best of 271.
In doubles, Jarry closed the year in impressive fashion, reaching the semi final in the last 5 tournaments, with his most recent result a loss in the Motevideo final alongside Gonzalo Lama. It was a much better result than their previous partnership, a first round exit in the Chile F1 tournament.
Jarry is ranked 160 in the ATP rankings, with Podlipnik next in position number 273, with his year including a title in the Meknes Challenger in Morocco. Jorge Aguilar and Guillermo Rivera are next on the list, while Cristobál Saavedra has the most tournaments in doubles, playing in 29 different competitions, as well as 30 appearances in singles tournaments. His last outing was a double victory in the Chile F6 tournament. Lama, who has only played in 13 doubles tournaments in the past year, was a big improver, shooting up 165 places to 462.
While the main events are finished for the year, the Futures tournaments will roll on, with Podlipnik and others in action in the Chile F8 event in Temuco. Four events remain in December, with Osorno hosting the F9. Stade Francais in Santiago will host the following tournament, with the year rounded out by events in Villa Alemana and Santiago’s Club Palestino.
Santiago will also host the $25,000 women’s tournament at Club Providencia, known this year as the Copa Alto Tennis. That tournament will be headed by Paraguay’s Montserrat González. Andrea Koch is Chile’s best ranked player at 315, followed by Daniela Seguel (389) and Fernanda Brito (427). Seguel leads the doubles rankings at 141.
About the Author
Daniel Boyle Founder of @sportslashlife. Australian living in Chile. Freestyle footbag player and passionate sports fan.
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