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Ilya Ivashka 2020
Alexander Zverev, ATP Tennis Players, Tennis News

Five things to know about Ilya Ivashka after Alexander Zverev win


Ilya Ivashka stunned No 1 seed Alexander Zverev at the quarter-final stage in Munich to earn the biggest win of his career so far. 

Tennishead looks at five things you should know about the 27-year-old from Belarus.

1) Chose tennis over football 

Ivashka decided to play tennis over football and admitted he would have been a footballer had he not had a career as a tennis player. The Belarusian supports Arsenal FC.

2) Favourite surface, shot and tournament

Ivashka enjoys the hard court surface and has a powerful forehand. The Belarusian’s favourite tournament is the US Open but admits his game is also suited to Wimbledon.

3) Recent success on clay

Despite preferring the hard court and grass courts, Ivashka has had great success on the clay this season, winning 10 of his 13 matches so far this term. The 27-year-old has beaten Alexander Zverev and clay-court specialist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, as well as taking a set off 13-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal.

4) Started playing tennis aged five

Ivashka began playing tennis from the age of five, after being inspired by his father and former tennis player Uladzimir Ivashka.

5) Has a fiery temper 

In October 2020, Ivashka had a heated argument with umpire Richard Haigh after the Belarasian was docked a full game for taking an authorised toilet break while trailing 2-3 in the second set against Adrian Mannarino.

Despite trailing 4-2 in the second set, Ivashka went on to win in straight-sets 6-3, 7-6(6) at the St. Petersburg Open, ignoring Haigh at the net before raising his fist to his camp.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.