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Medvedev eases past Monfils in confident Beijing start, Rublev survives scare

  • Posted: Sep 27, 2024

After last year coming within touching distance of the trophy at the China Open, will 2024 be the year when Daniil Medvedev gets over the line in Beijing?

The third seed made an encouraging start to his campaign on Friday at the ATP 500 event, where he downed Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round. Medvedev stayed rock solid throughout the match to notch a 92-minute triumph and bounce back quickly from defeats to Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton last week at the Laver Cup.

Monfils’ victory bid was undermined by his inability to match Medvedev’s consistency in the Chinese capital. The Frenchman offered 46 unforced errors to just 22 from Medvedev, who converted five of 10 break points he earned, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“I think the gameplan didn’t change too much [throughout the match],” said Medvedev, who fell to Jannik Sinner in the 2023 final and will play Adrian Mannarino in this year’s second round. “In a way, we both only really like to attack. I guess me maybe a bit more than him, but I think for him it is tough to attack. He defends very well. You have to be a really good attacker, like one of the best, or you need to wait for the opportunity.

“So that’s what I tried to do. Wait for my opportunity. I think I had more chances, so I think I deserved to win.”

[ATP APP]

By defeating Monfils, Medvedev hit 40 tour-level wins for the season. It is the sixth time that the 28-year-old has hit that tally in his career, and his latest victory also bolstered his Nitto ATP Finals qualification chances. Medvedev remains fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, 580 points clear of fifth-placed Taylor Fritz.

“Honestly the wins are, in a way, not important, because it depends how many tournaments you play, but it’s still good to win a lot of matches,” said Medvedev. “So I’m happy that I’ve managed to continue winning matches. I still have some tournaments to go, so I have the chance to bring the tally even higher. I try to be consistent throughout the year. Sometimes I’m more consistent, sometimes less, but that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Two other Turin hopefuls, Andrey Rublev and Lorenzo Musetti, also advanced on Friday. What initially appeared could be a routine win for Rublev against Pablo Carreno Busta ultimately turned into a dogfight, but the fourth seed prevailed 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 to improve to 5-0 in first-round matches in Beijing. Currently seventh in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, Rublev will rise to fifth if he can lift his third ATP Tour crown of the season at the China Open.

The sixth-seeded Italian Musetti held off Zizou Bergs for a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 triumph, one which consolidated his position in 15th in the Live Race. Musetti will rise above Frances Tiafoe into 14th if he can defeat Buyunchaokete in the second round. The Chinese wild card earlier downed Chengdu champion Shang Juncheng 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4.

Top seed Sinner’s next opponent in Beijing will be Roman Safiullin, after the World No. 69 defeated wild card Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 6-4, while seventh seed Karen Khachanov and Francisco Cerundolo set a second-round meeting. Khachanov sunk Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 6-4 after Cerundolo overcame #NextGenATP Jakub Mensik 7-6(4), 6-1.

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This Is Tennis: What advice would Andrey Rublev give to his younger self?

  • Posted: Sep 27, 2024

Andrey Rublev does not shy away from expressing his raw emotions. That was also the case off the court, recently.

As part of the ATP’s This Is Tennis campaign, Rublev shared a special message for his 12-year-old self, reflecting on his journey and what he has learned.

“What I’ve learned is success isn’t going to make you happy, only you can do that for yourself,” he shared.

The No. 6 player in the PIF ATP Rankings shared plenty of more advice with his younger self. What did Rublev say?

Watch the full video below to find out!

 

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Doubles stars Ram & Salisbury Split

  • Posted: Sep 26, 2024

One of the best doubles teams of this generation, Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, announced their split on social media this week following a successful six-year partnership.

“Six years is a long time in the life of a professional tennis player,” Ram wrote on Instagram. “Joe and I had some amazing wins, some epic matches and moments, and some gut wrenching losses.”

“We played together for six years, but we made memories and friends for a lifetime… and for that I’m truly grateful.”

In their six-year partnership, the duo was one of the most successful doubles teams on the ATP Tour, winning four major trophies together. After hoisting their maiden Grand Slam title at the 2020 Australian Open, the pair found dominance at the US Open, where they won three straight titles from 2021-2023.

[ATP APP]

Aside from their success in major tournaments, Ram and Salisbury also won back-to-back titles at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2022 and 2023. In October 2022, Ram, then 38 years old, made history when he became the oldest first-time World No. 1 in PIF ATP Doubles Rankings history. Salisbury also reached World No. 1 in April 2022.

“I really enjoyed our six years playing together,” Salisbury told ATPTour.com. “We had some great success, more than we anticipated or thought that we would do. We are really proud of everything we’ve done together. We have worked really hard and got the best out of each other.”

“We have loved every minute of it, even the ups and downs,” Salisbury said. “We have had a lot of tough times to come through and achieve the highs that we have had. We are proud of everything we have done and grateful to have had this amazing partnership.”

Ram is competing this week at the China Open in Beijing alongside Austin Krajicek, with whom he won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics earlier this year. Salisbury is not in action this week.

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Cuevas, from inter-country kayaking to realising his dreams: 'I'm still passionate about tennis'

  • Posted: Sep 26, 2024

Pablo Cuevas, who earlier this week announced his retirement, could surely write a book of stories after a career that spanned more two decades. What all started with the simple fun and games of a child, eventually led to him becoming the best tennis player in the history of Uruguay, where he now plans to give something back so that others can walk in his footsteps.

As a child, at just 10 years of age, he would cross one of the biggest rivers in South America in a kayak, on his own: he would paddle four kilometres, 35 minutes, crossing from one country to another, just so he could play tennis every day. He was driven by a dream.

Cuevas would leave his school in Concordia, Argentina, but his tennis group, he reason for his daily international trip, was on the other bank of the river, in Salto, Uruguay. The son of an Argentine father and a Uruguayan mother, there was no stopping a young Cuevas from practising and having fun. His attitude certainly paid off in the long run.

“Tennis prepared me, it allowed me to travel the world, to discover myself,” the Uruguayan told ATPTour.com the day after announcing his retirement. “That was the goal I started with when I wanted to play tennis because it was what I enjoyed doing and I was able to enjoy myself a lot along the way.”

Cuevas peaked at No. 19 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2016, won six ATP Tour titles and claimed 242 tour-level wins on the circuit, including three against members of the Top 5.

 

“When I was a boy, I didn’t know what it meant to be a tennis player, and I didn’t have a ranking in mind that I wanted to reach, I just wanted it to be my job,” Cuevas said. “Then it became much more, being Top 100, Top 50, winning tournaments, but it was always about much more than the numbers.”

What is your best memory?

“There isn’t a moment or a specific tournament that sticks with me above the rest,” Cuevas said. “I’d say it was more all these years, the lessons tennis gave me to apply it both on and off the court.”

When his aspirations started to take shape, Cuevas moved to Buenos Aires, where he would take his initial steps in the game, first in ITF World Tennis Tour events, then ATP Challenger Tour events, before eventually making his ATP Tour debut in 2007.

[ATP APP]

The Uruguayan made his major main draw debut later that year when he advanced through qualifying at the US Open and lost in the first round of the main draw against Andy Murray. One year later he claimed the Roland Garros doubles title alongside the Peruvian Luis Horna (in the quarter-finals they beat American brothers Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, then the No. 1 team in the world).

However, when everything seemed to be going so well, in 2011, a right-knee injury stopped him in his tracks. Cuevas would have to endure crutches, the mental challenges with dealing with such an injury and a belief that he had lost everything. He even considered changing sports and attempting to become a professional golfer.

But Cuevas stuck with it, recovered, and after more than two years on the sidelines he came back and produced some of the best results of his career.

“There was a bit of everything, I was also building a family at the same time. It’s a sport that takes its toll, you lose much more than you win, but competing, knowing how to pick yourself up and turn the page is unique”, he said, with pride. His wife Clara, and his daughters, Alfonsina and Antonia, will now be able to enjoy more time with him at home.

Cuevas says he is reminded by fans of some of his best shots, which would always go viral, practically every day. His hot shots compilation video would stand up against that of any other player. The six-time ATP Tour titlist explained that it was all improvised and natural.

“It happened without trying. I never practised them and I wasn’t waiting for a moment to be able to do those kinds of shots, it was all spontaneous,” Cuevas said. “I never imagined playing magical points and I know people like it, I do like watching them though.”

Cuevas, meanwhile, is convinced that he will maintain his ties with tennis. He has already started the ball rolling.

“With Facu (Savio, his former coach and friend), we’re working with a lot of children, from the ages of eight, 10, 12, 13, to 16… and we want to create something amazing and competitive to transmit my experience and in Uruguay I think it was something that was needed,” he explained. “I continue to enjoy tennis, I’m passionate about it and it will always be a part of me.”

 

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Nishikori, Wawrinka headline Shanghai wild cards

  • Posted: Sep 26, 2024

Former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori, three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka and Buyunchaokete have been awarded wild cards for the Rolex Shanghai Masters, the tournament announced Wednesday.

Nishikori, 34, will be making his first appearance in Shanghai since 2018. The Japanese star has made at least the quarter-finals twice in his previous six appearances. Nishikori reached the last eight in his previous ATP Masters 1000 outing in Montreal in August.

[ATP APP]

Wawrinka, former World No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, will compete in Shanghai for the 13th time. The 39-year-old has twice reached the quarter-finals.

The home favourite Buyunchaokete will be making his second appearance in Shanghai. Last week, the 22-year-old reached the semi-finals of the Hangzhou Open, before falling to eventual champion Zhang Zhizhen.

The Rolex Shanghai Masters runs from 2-13 October.

 

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Home star Nishikori earns opening win against Cilic in Tokyo

  • Posted: Sep 26, 2024

Former two-time champion Kei Nishikori is a match winner at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships once again.

Competing in Tokyo for the first time since 2018, the Japanese star overcome Hangzhou champion Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Thursday to reach the second round at the ATP 500 event.

Nishikori returned from injury this year and made the quarter-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal in August. The former No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings now leads Cilic 10-6 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, but did lose their biggest meeting in the US Open final 10 years ago in 2014.

“There were a couple of special moments for me. Playing here here is special for me. I haven’t played here in a long time,” Nishikori said. “Playing Cilic is [special]. We have played many great matches and I know I have had a tough time in the past two years and I have been in the same situation. I was happy to play against Marin and very happy to win.”

Nishikori, who triumphed in Tokyo in 2012 and 2014, hit cleanly in front of a capacity crowd on Coliseum to earn victory on his second match point after two hours and three minutes. The 34-year-old pumped the air following his win and embraced the roar from his home fans.

Nishikori will next play third seed Casper Ruud or Australian Jordan Thompson.

Tokyo Match Win Leaders

Player  W/L  Titles 
Stefan Edberg  27-2 4
Brad Gilbert 25-10 0
Kei Nishikori 23-8 2
David Pate 23-12 1
Michael Chang 21-12  0

The 35-year-old Cilic won his 21st tour-level title and first since 2021 on Tuesday when he clinched the crown in Hangzhou. Like former Top 5 star Nishikori, Cilic has struggled with injuries in recent years, but reminded fans of what he was capable of last week in Hangzhou at the ATP 250, where he beat Zhang Zhizhen in the final.

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Sinner survives Jarry scare in Beijing

  • Posted: Sep 26, 2024

Defending champion Jannik Sinner did not have things all his own way on his return to the China Open on Thursday, but he found a way to move past Nicolas Jarry and earn his 12th consecutive win.

The Italian was overpowered by the big-hitting Chilean in the first set. However, the top seed would not be denied, raising his consistency, intensity and level to record a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 first-round victory in Beijing.

“He played good tennis,” said Sinner, who is 56-5 on the season. “In the first set I was struggling to return his serve and he broke me. I just tried to stay there mentally. The first round at any tournament is never easy and playing against him is very tough. But I am happy about the performance and how I ended the match.”

Sinner committed 11 unforced errors and produced a number of stunning baseline passes to blunt the constant net approaches from Jarry, who upset then-World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz for the biggest win of his career in Buenos Aires in February.

“The first-serve was good, the second I have to improve a little,” said Sinner, who won 82 per cent (37/45) of his first-serve points according to Infosys ATP Stats. “He was returning aggressively, so it is not easy. From after US Open we tried to work very hard, change a few things but happy with my process.”

Last year, Sinner soared to the title at the ATP 500 event in Beijing. His run in the Chinese capital was a key major step in the 23-year-old becoming the first Italian No. 1 in the history of PIF ATP Rankings (since 1973).

Sinner has won a Tour-leading seven trophies, including majors at the Australian Open and US Open, since his title run in Beijing in 2023. Competing for the first time since he won the trophy in New York earlier this month, Sinner will next play lucky loser Roman Safiullin or former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka.

The top seed, who levelled his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Jarry at 1-1 following his one-hour, 55-minute win, qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals last month. The Italian will be hoping to go one step better at the prestigious year-end event in November, having lost in the title match to Novak Djokovic last season.

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Rolex Shanghai Masters 2024: Draws, Dates, History & All You Need To Know

  • Posted: Sep 26, 2024

The ATP Tour’s finest head to China for the eighth ATP Masters 1000 event of 2024 at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Among those in action are the No.1 in the PIF ATP Rankings Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the Chinese tournament:

When is the Rolex Shanghai Masters?

The ATP Masters 1000 event will be held from 2-13 October. The hard-court tournament, established in 2009, is played at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center. The tournament director is Michael A. Lueveno.

Who is playing at the Rolex Shanghai Masters?
Top 10 stars Sinner, Alcaraz, Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Taylor Fritz and Hubert Hurkacz are among those set to compete in Shanghai. Zhang Zhizhen and #NextGenATP Shang Juncheng will lead the home charge.

When is the draw for the Rolex Shanghai Masters?

The Rolex Shanghai Masters draw will be made on Monday, 30 September at 10:30 a.m local time (China Standard Time).

What is the schedule for the Rolex Shanghai Masters?

Qualifying: Monday, 30 September – Tuesday, 1 October at 12:00 p.m.
Main Draw: Wednesday, 2 October – Sunday, 13 October
Start times: Wednesday – Friday (second week) 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, 12 October from 2:00 p.m.
Doubles Final: Sunday, 13 October at 2:00 p.m.
Singles Final: Sunday, 13 October NB 4:30 p.m.
View On Official Website

What is the prize money and points for the Rolex Shanghai Masters?

The prize money for the Rolex Shanghai Masters is US$8,995,555 and the Total Financial Commitment is US$10,298,535.

SINGLES
Winner: $1,100,000/ 1000 points
Finalist: $585,000 / 650 points
Semi-finalist: $325,000/ 400 points
Quarter-finalist: $185,000 / 200 points
Round of 16: $101,000 / 100 points
Round of 32: $59,000 / 50 points
Round of 64: $34,550 / 30 points
Round of 96: $23,250 / 10 points
Qualifying: — / 20 points
Qualifying 2: $13,500 / 10 points
Qualifying 1: $7,000 / 0 points 

DOUBLES ($ per team)

Winner: $447,300 / 1000 points
Finalist: $236,800 / 600 points
Semi-finalist: $127,120/ 360 points
Quarter-finalist: $63,600 / 180 points
Round of 16: $34,100 / 90 points
Round of 32: $18,640 / 0 points
Qualifying: — / — points
Qualifying 2: —/ — points
Qualifying 1: —/ — points

[ATP APP]

How can I watch the Rolex Shanghai Masters?

Watch Live On TennisTV

TV Schedule

How can I follow the Rolex Shanghai Masters?

Hashtag: #RolexShanghaiMasters
Facebook: Rolex Shanghai Masters
Twitter: @SH_RolexMasters
Instagram: rolexshmasters

Who won the last edition of the Rolex Shanghai Masters in 2023?
Hurkacz saved a championship point before defeating Rublev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(8) to claim his second Masters 1000 title. In the doubles, seventh seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos defeated Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden 5-7, 6-2, 10-7 to take their first title in Shanghai.

Who holds the Rolex Shanghai Masters record for most titles, oldest champion, youngest champion and more?

Most Titles, Singles: Novak Djokovic (4)
Most Titles, Doubles: Marcelo Melo (3)
Oldest Champion: Roger Federer, 36, in 2017
Youngest Champion: Andy Murray, 23, in 2010
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 1 Novak Djokovic in 2013, 2015
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 16 Hubert Hurkacz in 2023
Last Home Champion: None
Most Match Wins: Novak Djokovic (34)

View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown

 

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