The Australian number one opens his 2021 season in style, claiming the first ATP title on offer for the year as former star Bernard Tomic qualifies for the Australian Open before taking aim at his critics.
American Denis Kudla and Argentine Francisco Cerundolo were subsequently withdrawn from the Doha-based event despite winning their first-round qualifying matches, as per the rules. They have since been transferred to a quarantine hotel. The Herald Sun has contacted Tennis Australia for comment. News of Kudla s positive test reportedly arrived while he was leading Moroccan Elliot Benchetrit by a set and 5-3. Kudla went on to claim the next game and the match, with 221st-ranked Benchetrit later revealing he would ve moved into the second round if he had won that game to keep the contest alive. The rule was to finish the game in progress before the match was stopped and it was during the last game of the match, so he was declared the winner, Benchetrit told Tennis Majors.