Tennis News

Wawrinka rolls back years with Stockholm win; Rublev marches on

Stan Wawrinka produced a vintage performance Thursday at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open to become the oldest quarter-finalist in Stockholm tournament history.

The 39-year-old dug deep to prevail 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and record back-to-back tour-level wins for the first time since reaching the third round of the 2023 US Open. Wawrinka twice trailed by a break in the deciding set, but found some gutsy tennis to advance in two hours, 12 minutes.

“I’m super happy to get through this match, it was a tough opponent today, but the level was good and it was great to win two matches here,” said Wawrinka. “It’s an amazing atmosphere, a full house. Thank you everybody for making so much noise.”

STAN THE MAN 👏

A great week continues for @stanwawrinka as he rallies past Davidovich Fokina 6-4 3-6 7-5 to reach his 112th tour-level quarter-final!@EuroTennisOpen | #EuropeanOpen pic.twitter.com/qy9mFjAXt0

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 17, 2024

Wawrinka, the former No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, capitalised on a lacklustre seventh game from the Spaniard before closing out the first set with ease. Davidovich Fokina then raised his level in a near-flawless second set, during which he won 89 per cent (16/18) of points behind his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

However, the 25-year-old was unable to close out the match in a deciding set full of momentum shifts. Wawrinka eventually took advantage of an untimely double fault from his opponent to set up the sole match point needed.

Wawrinka will face top seed Andrey Rublev, who got underway with an emphatic 6-4, 6-1 win over Alexandre Muller. Rublev did not blink throughout the contest, during which he struck 17 winners and saved all three of the break points he faced.

Rublev is currently eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, leading ninth-placed Alex de Minaur by just 275 points in what is turning out to be an absorbing battle for qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals.

Earlier, Miomir Kecmanovic held his nerve in a thrilling contest with Nicolas Jarry that went down to the wire. The Serbian clinched the hard-fought contest 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(2).

Third seed Grigor Dimitrov closed the day with a 7-6(1), 6-3 victory against Quentin Halys to record his 18th match win — most among active players — at the Stockholm ATP 250. The Bulgarian, who won his first tour-level in Stockholm in 2013, will meet Swiss Dominic Stricker in the quarter-finals.

Dimitrov, tenth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, is aiming to make a late-season push and qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time since he won the season finale in 2017.

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Tsitsipas hangs on in Antwerp

Stefanos Tsitsipas was forced to resort to defence mode Thursday in order to secure a thrilling opening-round win at the European Open.

The second seed was on the brink of defeat, but showcased his resilience to defeat Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5. Tsitsipas fended off three break points in the 11th game of the decider before finding a crucial break of his own to seal victory in two hours, 26 minutes.

“It was exhausting out here having to stay in the match,” said Tsitsipas, who improved to 40-19 on the season. “The comeback was crazy. When he was up in the score, I managed to stay in the points and defend well.

“It was all psychological at the end, I managed my nerves pretty well. I don’t usually like to build my game around defensive shots, but I had to fight, I had to do anything within my artillery to make it work.” 

Tsitsipas set up a quarter-final clash with fifth seed Jiri Lehecka, who earlier eased past Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-3 in one hour, 13 minutes. The Czech was imperious on serve throughout the contest, during which he won 91 per cent (30/33) of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Elsewhere, Marcos Giron produced a gutsy showing to edge past Arthur Rinderkncech 7-6(6), 7-6(4) and reach his personal-best sixth quarter-final of the season. The eighth seed was forced to dig deep but found some gutsy tennis when necessary to advance in Antwerp.

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'What am I doing here?': Federer joins Alcaraz for Shanghai practice

Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz never competed against one another on the ATP Tour, but now fans can see the next best thing. Last week at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, Federer joined the Spaniard for a special practice session that bridged the gap between two generations of greatness.

“What am I doing here?” Federer joked to the cameras as he made his grand entrance.

From the privacy of the practice courts, the 43-year-old showed he’s still got game as he confidently traded baseline strokes with his 21-year-old sparring partner. The ATP Masters 1000 tournament’s cameras documented the star-studded session, capturing footage as the players ripped forehands and backhands in a light workout.

While a Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting between the pair remains a pipe dream, they did joke about playing a practice set while they wrapped up. Federer and Alcaraz also sat next to one another in the stands to watch the Shanghai singles final, with Jannik Sinner — who last week clinched ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours — beating Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 6-3.

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Medvedev withdraws from Vienna

Daniil Medvedev has withdrawn from the upcoming Erste Bank Open.

The World No. 5, who won the tournament in 2022 and reached last year’s final, has cited shoulder issues ahead of the 2024 edition, which will take place from the 21-27 October.

Alexander Zverev, already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals, will headline the field in the Austrian capital. Alex de Minaur, Grigor Dimitrov, and Tommy Paul are set to compete at the ATP 500, all vying to make a late push to qualify for Turin.

Medvedev will be replaced by #NextGenATP Alex Michelsen in the main draw.

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Tiafoe survives thriller in Almaty; Khachanov fires past Virtanen

Frances Tiafoe dug deep to produce a thrilling comeback win Thursday and advance to the last eight at the Almaty Open.

The top seed rallied from a set down against qualifier Daniel Evans to triumph 6-7(10), 7-6(4), 6-3. Advancing to his 42nd tour-level quarter-final, Tiafoe improved to 6-3 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“I just kept going, my serve was a big part of it, I served a lot of aces today,” said Tiafoe, who slammed down 21 aces in the contest. “I started coming into the net and taking more risks, instead of being patient in the rallies.

“That was tough, I knew it was going to be a battle, so I was well prepared. I’m just happy to come out with the win.”

Top seed had to fight 💪@FTiafoe | @ktf_kz | #AlmatyOpen pic.twitter.com/U88JfYM2cp

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 17, 2024

In a first-set tie-break full of pendulum swings, Evans saved two set points before converting the fourth of his own with a trademark backhand winner past Tiafoe. The 26-year-old stood firm and seized his moment in the second-set tie-break before surging to a 4-0 lead in the decider.

Evans rattled off three consecutive games to spark hopes of a comeback, but Tiafoe held his nerve to close out the contest in two hours, 39 minutes.

Tiafoe will next face Aleksandar Vukic, who produced a steely performance to upset eighth seed Adrian Mannarino 7-6(4), 6-3 and reach his eighth tour-level quarter-final. The Australian’s serve was particularly clinical in the second set, during which he saved all three of the break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Elsewhere, Karen Khachanov claimed a 7-6(2), 7-6(3) win against Otto Virtanen to book his spot in the last eight. After trailing 2-5 in the second set, Virtanen clawed his way back to force a tie-break, but it was the third seed who pounced to seal victory in straight sets.

Khachanov, the former No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings, showcased his experience in a battle of two big hitters. He won 88 per cent (37/42) of points behind his first delivery and struck 21 winners in the one-hour and 36-minute contest.

The 28-year-old set up a clash with Kazakh wild card Beibit Zhukayev, who advanced to his maiden tour-level quarter-final after Tomas Machac was forced to retire in the fifth game.

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Tabilo relishes mixing it with the best

Alejandro Tabilo features in the draw at this week’s Almaty Open but it isn’t the first time the Chilean has found himself in Kazakhstan.

Tabilo distinctly remembers competing in back-to-back third-tier indoor tournaments in Aktobe in February 2019, just after he held no ranking due to a change in the ranking structure at those levels.

He reached the final of the first one — barely missing out on a clash with a teenaged Jannik Sinner — and won the second after starting with a victory against Tomas Machac.

“Those tournaments gave me my ATP Ranking back and just opened up the doors again to go up,” said Tabilo, who subsequently achieved semi-finals and quarter-finals of ATP Challenger Tour events on clay in Kazakhstan later in 2019.

Tabilo enjoyed his time to such an extent that he made an early decision this year to compete in Kazakhstan’s most populated city.

“I told my team from the beginning that I wanted to play here, since all the years I played here, it’s been so nice,” he said. “This tournament has been incredible. Everything is very well organized. The people are so helpful. Very happy to be back.”

The world No. 23 is indeed back and as the second seed behind Laver Cup teammate Frances Tiafoe.
The left-hander earned an opening bye before defeating Germany’s Maximilian Marterer 6-2 6-4 on Wednesday without facing a break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Tabilo isn’t fazed by playing in Almaty’s higher altitude, given he trains in similar conditions in Santiago.
But wins have been hard to come by of late for the 27-year-old, following three tour-level finals and a spot in the semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome all before Wimbledon in July.

Tabilo entered Almaty having lost nine of 10 matches, including the Laver Cup. The last one at the Shanghai Masters particularly stung.

He led 2023 Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul by a set and 5-1 and held five match points.
“At the beginning, it was very tough to swallow but considering how I played, I think we were able to kind of take the best parts and try and learn from that,” said Tabilo. “I feel like it’s out of my system. Just happy with how I played, knowing that I can be at that level. It makes me much more motivated and makes me want to stay at this level more.”

Tabilo admitted to feeling a “lot looser” at the start of 2024, when he was the No. 85 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
“Now, it’s constant playing with all the Top 20s, which is a lot tougher and they show that level,” said Tabilo.
“Once you let up a bit, they come at you with everything. I’ve been trying to learn and adapt to that situation, but I feel like every match, every opportunity I get to play with them, I’m dealing with it better.
“Just trying to finish strong and prepare for next year.”

Tabilo was born and raised in Toronto but being four years older than Friday’s opponent Gabriel Diallo, he never hit with the 6ft 8in Montrealer, who is making his maiden appearance in an ATP quarter-final.
“First time playing with him and being on court with him actually,” said Tabilo.

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De Minaur, Swiatek, Gauff, Zverev, Fritz, Tsitsipas and Paolini headline United Cup

Tennis superstars Alex de Minaur, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jasmine Paolini and more will headline the third edition of the United Cup.

The exciting innovative mixed team event will be staged in Perth and Sydney from 27 December to 5 January 2025.

Seven of the world’s Top 10 women and six of the world’s Top 12 men have committed to the tournament after entries from the top 16 countries were revealed today.

Team USA, led by 2023 US Open champion and world No. 3 Gauff and US Open finalist Fritz, have been named as the top seeds for the 2025 event.

Gauff, 20, who was the flag bearer for the United States at the Olympic Games in Paris, will make her United Cup debut.

Five-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 1 Swiatek and (12) Hubert Hurkacz will return for Team Poland as the No. 2 seeds.

Popular duo Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, both former world No. 3s, will feature for third seeds Greece.

Italy, the No. 4 seeds, will be guided by Paolini – this year’s Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist – and Cobolli.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games singles gold medallist (7) Zheng Qinwen and Zhang Zhizhen will headline the Chinese team.

And Great Britain, led by debutant (19) Jack Draper and (35) Katie Boulter, will complete the top six seeded countries.

Australia will be represented by De Minaur, Gadecki, Omar Jasika, Destanee Aiava and doubles stars, Olympic doubles gold medallist and world No. 7 Matt Ebden and world No.13 Ellen Perez.

“I’m very excited to play, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I had some good memories this year, that’s where I cracked the Top 10 for the very first time. Any chance you get to represent Australia is always a lot of fun,” De Minaur said.

“It’s something quite unique [the United Cup], you don’t do it too often, you have two singles and a mixed doubles. It’s something completely different for the fans, a lot of fun to watch and to be a part of and I’m looking forward to competing.

“The Aussie team energy is always great. We support each other, we have each other’s back. We are just there for each other. The bench is always quite loud and quite vocal and I think it brings the best out of Aussie athletes, just being in a team environment.”

Other standout entries include defending champions Team Germany, represented by world No. 3 Zverev and Laura Siegemund, who led their country to victory in the decisive mixed doubles match in 2024.

Top 10 stars, Kazakhstan’s (5) Elena Rybakina, Norway’s (8) Casper Ruud, Brazil’s (10) Beatriz Haddad Maia, Canada’s (21) Felix Auger-Aliassime and (34) Leylah Fernandez, and Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, who returns to professional tennis after celebrating the birth of her daughter, will also all feature at the event in 2025.

LIST OF QUALIFIED COUNTRIES AND PLAYER ENTRY LIST

P= Protected ranking, J= Junior ranking, *= Doubles ranking

“It is fantastic to see seven of the world’s Top 10 women and six of the world’s Top 12 men enter the United Cup in 2025, in what will be a thrilling start to the Australian summer of tennis in Perth and Sydney,” United Cup Tournament Director Stephen Farrow said.

“The United Cup holds a unique position in global tennis, with the world’s best men and women representing their country at the highest level.

“The top 16 teams include some of the sport’s global tennis stars, such as Swiatek, Gauff, Zverev, Fritz, Tsitsipas, Paolini, Australia’s very own Alex de Minaur and many more who have all committed to play in this mixed team format to showcase the unique equality of tennis.

“We look forward to the official draw next Monday to determine where each country will play across Perth and Sydney.”

The official draw will be held on Monday 21 October. Countries will be drawn into six groups of three countries.

Watch the draw live from 11.30am AEDT on the United Cup Facebook page.

The tournament schedule will be released on Tuesday 22 October with tickets to the United Cup group stage on sale from 5.00pm local time in each host city.

Adult prices start from $40 and from $20 for children 3-12 years of age. Family passes (two adults and two children) start from $100.

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Boulter knocked out of Ningbo Open by Haddad Maia

British number one Katie Boulter is out of the Ningbo Open following a straight-set defeat by Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia.

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Swiatek appoints Osaka's former coach Fissette

World number one Iga Swiatek says she is “very excited” to get to work with Wim Fissette after appointing the Belgian as her new coach.

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