All the focus has been on Thiem, but what about Cuevas?

[Aussie Darcy]

He's really flown under the radar.
While everyone is talking about how Thiem won an ATP500 and ATP250 in February, people haven't noticed that Cuevas won an ATP500 and ATP250 as well (both in February).

He was unseeded at the ATP500 Rio Open and upset top seed Nadal in the SF.
He won 2 titles in 2 weeks, both on clay and both in Brazil (Rio and Sao Paulo). Is he the king of Brazil and a threat for the Olympics?

He's a slam champion in doubles and his other top 10 wins include Berdych in 2015 and Roddick in 2011. His career high was 21st last year in March and he's now back to 25th in the world after starting the year ranked 40th.

I don't know much about Cuevas but would love to hear some input about his game and his future. Could he crack the top 20 in coming months or just fade away?

 

[tennisaddict]

Depends on the draw he gets in clay season. He was unlucky last year to meet Federer twice in the clay season. He lost to Monfils in 5 sets, a match he should have won in 3.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

I'm definitely paying attention to Cuevas. He's had some big wins (and almost wins) in the past couple of years. He's 30 I think, but he plays younger. Look at the definition in his arm in this photo, btw!! He does his damage with a wooden racquet! Kidding... just a nice wooden paintjob I guess

 

[Gary Duane]

If Cuevas were 10 years younger we would be talking about him a lot more.

 

[Shaolin]

30 is the new 20!

 

[Mainad]

He's really flown under the radar.
While everyone is talking about how Thiem won an ATP500 and ATP250 in February, people haven't noticed that Cuevas won an ATP500 and ATP250 as well (both in February).

He was unseeded at the ATP500 Rio Open and upset top seed Nadal in the SF.
He won 2 titles in 2 weeks, both on clay and both in Brazil (Rio and Sao Paulo). Is he the king of Brazil and a threat for the Olympics?

He's a slam champion in doubles and his other top 10 wins include Berdych in 2015 and Roddick in 2011. His career high was 21st last year in March and he's now back to 25th in the world after starting the year ranked 40th.

I don't know much about Cuevas but would love to hear some input about his game and his future. Could he crack the top 20 in coming months or just fade away?

What is his record off clay?

 

[Goosehead]

I looked up cuevas on atp site earlier. having knwn before that he missed 2yrs, found out he had knee injury presumably requiring big surgery, he retired I think in 1st rd of French open in 2011 (?)..not seen again until just before fo2013.

born jan 1st 1986..played challengers exclusively until first atp tour matches in 2007, age 21, but as we have seen all his 4 or 5 titles have been after his 2yr injury hiatus,

his record on atp tour is 136-114 win/loss. he has never done much in the majors/masters, but I suppose he'd be looking to make some progress in the upcoming clay masters/fo, but looks like the 250/500 events are prob more his level.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

What is his record off clay?

Nothing amazing/ All 6 of his finals were on clay, he's won 5 of the 6. Most of his doubles finals were on clay including his slam win at the French.
Hasn't gone past the 2R of any slam besides the French (French Open 2015 3R). In reaching the 3R at the 2015 French he actually defeated Thiem.

His top 10 wins over Berdych and Roddick were on hard court though. 2015 was pretty much his first full year on main ATP tour contesting nearly all Masters events whereas in the past he'd only played 4 max

 

[Mainad]

Nothing amazing/ All 6 of his finals were on clay, he's won 5 of the 6. Most of his doubles finals were on clay including his slam win at the French.
Hasn't gone past the 2R of any slam besides the French (French Open 2015 3R). In reaching the 3R at the 2015 French he actually defeated Thiem.

His top 10 wins over Berdych and Roddick were on hard court though. 2015 was pretty much his first full year on main ATP tour contesting nearly all Masters events whereas in the past he'd only played 4 max

Thanks. I think I'll reserve my judgement until I see what he can do on other surfaces. As things stand, he hasn't yet managed to go deep even at RG.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Thanks. I think I'll reserve my judgement until I see what he can do on other surfaces. As things stand, he hasn't yet managed to go deep even at RG.

He's gone further than Thiem has at RG. #justsaying But I definitely understand, yet to prove himself but still a great accomplishment for him!

 

[Mainad]

He's gone further than Thiem has at RG. #justsaying

Well, he's been on the tour a lot longer than Thiem but Thiem has already proved he can win on multiple surfaces.Let's see what they can both do at RG this year.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Well, he's been on the tour a lot longer than Thiem but Thiem has already proved he can win on multiple surfaces.Let's see what they can both do at RG this year.

Interestingly, they met in R2 of RG just last year... Cuevas got him in four very tight sets.