Google Play App Download

Tennis News

From around the world

Sinner ready to roll with home support in Turin

  • Posted: Nov 07, 2024

Absence has only made the heart grow fonder for Jannik Sinner.

The Italian is preparing to compete on home soil for the first time in 12 months this week at the Nitto ATP Finals. A year ago, Sinner enjoyed a superb run to the championship match in Turin, roared on by his passionate home fans. He returns as the No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings after a stunning 2024 season, during which one of his few disappointments was missing his home ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome due to injury.

“Many things make [this tournament] special,” Sinner told ATP Media on Thursday in Turin. “First of all, being an Italian and playing in Italy. I haven’t played in Italy this year, because I missed Rome. That was a really tough one, but I am even more excited and happy to be here.

“[My season] is very highly rated. I would have never imaged to win so many things this year. Many things have happened. Thinking back to how everything started in Australia… For me, it’s about always trying to improve as a player, as a person, as a human being. I’m even more proud and happy with how I am evolving. Hopefully next year it will also be this process of improvement.”

With Sinner having racked up 65 wins and a Tour-leading seven titles in 2024, including his first two major crowns at the Australian Open and the US Open, expectations of the 23-year-old in Turin will be sky high. Yet while some players find competing with the backing of home support tricky, the clean-hitting Sinner is confident it can help him qualify from a Ilie Nastase Group that also includes Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur.

“The atmosphere is just amazing,” he said. “It’s very different to other tournaments because you can lose and still win the tournament, so there are different scenarios. I’m just happy to be back here and hopefully I can show some good tennis.”

A feeling of elation was in the air throughout Sinner’s run to the final at the Inalpi Arena a year ago. It was reflective of the recent boom Italian tennis has enjoyed, and Sinner’s subsequent rise to World No. 1 is only likely to have enhanced home fans’ spirits ahead of their hero’s 2024 Nitto ATP Finals campaign.

“For sure [my success] has had an impact [on the way Italians see tennis], but we must not forget the rest,” said Sinner. “It started with what I’ve seen with my eyes: [Fabio] Fognini winning Monte-Carlo, [Matteo] Berrettini winning loads of tournaments and then making the final of Wimbledon. Then everything started to grow a little, then I arrived.

“Now, we have so many great players. [Lorenzo] Musetti has had an amazing season, [but also] [Flavio] Cobolli, [Matteo] Arnaldi and [Luciano] Darderi. So, we have many players. Also the doubles, with Simone [Bolelli] and Andrea [Vavassori], and also on the women’s side. Tennis is growing quite a lot in Italy and I’m very happy that I am also a part of this and can help it grow, especially when lots of kids start to play.”

Sinner will begin group-stage play at Inalpi Arena on Sunday evening, when he will take on Nitto ATP Finals debutant Alex de Minaur. He leads the Australian 7-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“Alex is a bit different as a player. He is a very solid, very fast mover [with] a great mentality,” said Sinner. “You have to win every point somehow. He is not going to give it to you, so you have to go for it. With the work ethic he has, he deserves to be in the position he is in.

“He won’t hold back, he will keep improving as a player, and it’s nice to see him here. The first time is always very special. You see something new, you feel less pressure because it’s the first time. So, let’s see what’s coming.”

[ATP APP]

After losing his first six tour-level matches against Medvedev, Sinner has forged a major turnaround in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, which now stands at 7-7. Meanwhile the Italian holds a 2-1 lead against Fritz, whom he defeated in the US Open final in September.

“[Medvedev] has had an amazing career, winning a lot of tournaments,” said Sinner. “He has a great mentality on the court, moving incredibly well. He’s changing his game style a little bit so he’s even more dangerous to play. He has been one of my key points in evolving myself as a player, because I struggled a lot to beat him. Now, every match is quite open, you never know what’s going to happen. He’s a very tough opponent.

“Taylor Fritz, I might know slightly less, because we haven’t had so many encounters yet. But he is an amazing server, hitting the ball very strong. He has improved a lot in the last two years, starting with the serve and returning very well. He is an all-round very good player, and he has had an amazing season.”

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

Source link

Sinner, Zverev, Alcaraz & co. grace the theatre, aiming to bring the curtain down in Turin

  • Posted: Nov 07, 2024

After a hard-fought season, involving twists and turns, the Nitto ATP Finals commences on Sunday in Turin, where the best eight players this season will battle it out to end the season as the ultimate champion.

Before the serious business commences, the players swapped their racquets for the blue carpet on Thursday evening. The eight stars – Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev – signed autographs before they took to stage at the grand Carignano Theatre in front of an audience of young fans, answering questions on their chances in Turin, their seasons and much more.

“It is very special,” Sinner opened to cheers when asked about playing at home in Turin. “I missed Rome this year which was tough mentally for me. I am very happy to be back here. Last year was a great event and a great atmosphere for everyone. I hope it will be a great event.”

Sinner, who received raucous cheers from the audience at the theatre, arrives in Turin as the World No. 1, having lifted majors at the Australian Open and US Open in 2024. Last year, the 23-year-old lit up the Inalpi Arena with his swashbuckling play, but fell one match short of the title, losing to Novak Djokovic in the final.

Seeking the winning feeling this year, Sinner faces stiff competition from World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who won the year’s other majors at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

“When I smile on court I show my best tennis, my best shots. I try to play solid but aggressively and need to do it perfectly if I am to lift the trophy,” Alcaraz said on stage when analysing his title chances. “I come here with the goal to win. I want to put this trophy next to the others and it is a good goal. I am playing against the best players in the world, so I need to play my best.”

<img alt=”Jannik Sinner/Carlos Alcaraz” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/11/07/22/24/sin-alcaraz-turin-2024-media-day.jpg” style=”width: 100%;” />
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Alcaraz and Sinner will not meet in the Round Robin stage, having been drawn in separate groups on Thursday. One man Alcaraz will face in the group is two-time champion Alexander Zverev.

The German won the title in London in 2018 and then in 2021, after the event moved to Turin, became the first year-end champion in the Italian city. Zverev, who clinched the ATP Masters 1000 crown in Rome earlier this year, has fond memories playing in Italy.

“For me, Italy is a country of firsts,” Zverev said on stage. “I won my first Masters 1000 here in Rome and then I won my first Masters back after injury this year in Rome. I won the first ever year here in Turin, so there are a lot of special memories that connect me to Italy. I am a bit out there and I think the Italian people are also a bit [out there], so it is fitting. I really love the atmosphere the Italians give.”

Alongside Zverev, Medvedev has become part of the furniture in Turin. The 28-year-old is set to make his sixth consecutive appearance at the event, having won in 2020. A consistent member of the Top 8, Medvedev opened up on how he has adjusted his game during the years.

“I think I have changed my style. When I was very young I was super aggressive, when I was 19 or 20. Then I changed back to my roots,” Medvedev said. “When I was young, I used to hit lobs, and now I am kind of back to it. I just try to do whatever works on court and try to win.”

Medvedev’s philosophy of ‘win at all costs’ is one all eight will take with them when they step onto court from Sunday. With a lot on the line, the talking is now over and the quest to win in Turin is on.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

Source link

Home hope Medjedovic masters Cerundolo, books Belgrade SF spot

  • Posted: Nov 07, 2024

After an up and down year, is Hamad Medjedovic ready to wrap 2024 in style at the Belgrade Open?

The home favourite on Thursday eased past third seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semi-finals at the indoor hard-court ATP 250. Medjedovic channelled the support of a raucous crowd in the Serbian capital to register the joint-biggest win of his career against the World No. 29 Cerundolo.

“I think it was tough, but when you have a crowd like this, it’s crazy,” said Medjedovic. “I’m playing really good here. I’m feeling amazing in front of my crowd. I think I really found my level after a long time. I was working hard to find it, but in today’s match I think I played the best so far and I’m happy that I won.”

With his win, Medjedovic improved his tour-level record for the season to 8-7. The 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion’s progress has been disrupted this year: He did not play an ATP Tour match until April after being laid low by a virus, and has since found wins at that level hard to come by. He did reach an ATP Challenger Tour final in Istanbul in early September, however, and this week on home soil has begun to show signs of his best form.

Having defeated Americans Brandon Nakashima and Aleksandar Kovacevic across his opening two rounds, Medjedovic powered past Cerundolo with a confident display in the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash. The 21-year-old converted four of 10 break points he earned, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“With these kinds of players, top players, you have to be focused throughout the whole match,” reflected Medjedovic. “I think I was losing my focus in the beginning of the second set, but I was trying to hold my nerves and trying to be better and better. I think in the middle of the second set I found my level again and I was playing good.”

[ATP APP]

Medjedovic has risen 32 spots to No. 124 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings as a result of his run in Belgrade so far. His opponent in his third ATP Tour semi-final will be another Serbian, Laslo Djere. The 29-year-old Djere earlier downed Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 6-2.

Jiri Lehecka and Denis Shapovalov will face off in the other semi-final in Belgrade. The fourth-seeded Lehecka overcame Lukas Klein 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 for his 30th tour-level win of the year. Meanwhile qualifier Shapovalov defeated Christopher O’Connell 6-2, 6-2 to advance to his first ATP Tour semi-final since his run to the Vienna championship match in 2022.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

Source link

What is the Nitto ATP Finals schedule for Sunday & Monday?

  • Posted: Nov 07, 2024

The Nitto ATP Finals draw took place on Thursday and the stage is set for the fourth edition of the season finale in Turin, held at the Inalpi Arena.

Top seed Jannik Sinner headlines the Ilie Nastase Group, which will be in action on Sunday. The Italian will take on debutant Alex de Minaur in the eagerly anticipated evening session. Daniil Medvedev, the 2020 champion, will begin his quest for a second title against Taylor Fritz in the day session.

Doubles action from the Mike Bryan Group will include third seeds Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic opening their campaign against Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson. In the evening, second seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos will take on Wimbledon champions Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten.

ORDER OF PLAY – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
CENTRE COURT start 11:30 am

[3] Wesley Koolhof (NED) / Nikola Mektic (CRO) vs [5] Max Purcell (AUS) / Jordan Thompson (AUS)

Not Before 2:00 pm

[4] Daniil Medvedev vs [5] Taylor Fritz (USA)

Not Before 6:00 pm

[2] Marcel Granollers (ESP) / Horacio Zeballos (ARG) vs [7] Harri Heliovaara (FIN) / Henry Patten (GBR)

Not Before 8:30 pm

[1] Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs [7] Alex de Minaur (AUS)

[ATP APP]

Carlos Alcaraz will commence action on Monday for the John Newcombe Group as he takes on Casper Ruud in the day session. Two-time champion Alexander Zverev will then face Andrey Rublev as he gets his hat-trick hunt underway. 

Top seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic will lead out the Bob Bryan Group as they face Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz. Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori will then open the evening session with their clash against Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden. 

ORDER OF PLAY – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2024
CENTRE COURT start 11:30 am

[1] Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) / Mate Pavic (CRO) vs [8] Kevin Krawietz (GER) / Tim Puetz (GER)

Not Before 2:00 pm

[3] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs [6] Casper Ruud (NOR)

Not Before 6:00 pm

[4] Simone Bolelli (ITA) / Andrea Vavassori (ITA) vs [6] Rohan Bopanna (IND) / Matthew Ebden (AUS)

Not Before 8:30 pm

[2] Alexander Zverev (GER) vs [8] Andrey Rublev

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

Source link

Former champ Medvedev ramps up Nitto ATP Finals preparations

  • Posted: Nov 07, 2024

Arrived and ready to go, former Nitto ATP Finals champion Daniil Medvedev ramped up his preparations for the prestigious year-end event on Thursday when he hit on centre court at the Inalpi Arena.

The No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings looked in relaxed mood in Turin, where he practised with Norwegian 18-year-old Nicolai Budkov Kjaer in front of a crowd of Italian youngsters.

Medvedev triumphed at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2020 and is making his sixth consecutive appearance at the event. The 28-year-old arrives in Turin holding a 45-19 record on the season.

Also on Thursday, Italian star Jannik Sinner continued to adjust to the conditions when he hit with American sparring partner Andres Martin. After a period of play, Sinner and Martin shared thoughts at the net, with the Italian offering advice to the American.


Jannik Sinner hits on Thursday in Turin. Photo Credit: Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour
The World No. 1 fell short to Novak Djokovic in last year’s championship-match clash in Turin, but will be eager to go one further this time around. Medvedev, Sinner and the rest of the field will learn their paths to the title when the draw takes place at approximately 12:45 p.m. CET on Thursday. Click here to watch the draw for the Nitto ATP Finals, to be held from 10-17 November.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

Source link

Norrie completes Van Assche revenge job in Metz

  • Posted: Nov 06, 2024

Payback was sweet for Cameron Norrie on Wednesday at the Moselle Open.

The Briton overcame #NextGenATP home favourite Luca Van Assche 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to book his quarter-final spot at the indoor hard-court ATP 250. Seeking to avenge a three-set loss to Van Assche on the ATP Challenger Tour last month, Norrie delivered an emphatic third-set display to seal a one-hour, 52-minute victory in Metz.

“Luca and I played a couple of weeks ago in Roanne in a Challenger and he got me last time, so it was nice to face him again and have the chance to get revenge,” said Norrie. “I have a lot of respect for him. He’s so tough to play and I had to really serve well and come up with some really good stuff, especially in the third set, to get a break. Then I managed to hold my nerve and serve it out, but a lot of credit to Luca to come out and compete the way he did.”

Norrie converted three of six break points he earned against Van Assche, according to Infosys ATP Stats. The former No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings, who is this week competing as the World No. 57 after an injury-disrupted 2024, will next take on Zizou Bergs, who eased past Hugo Gaston 6-4, 7-5.

“I’m just trying to play point for point, and really just enjoy competing in the last week of the year for me,” said Norrie, who will contest his first ATP Tour quarter-final since April in Barcelona. “It’s a good week so far. I just want to take it match by match and stick around in Metz another day. I want to keep going and I’m definitely going to have to keep improving my level to have any chance of going further at the tournament.”

Despite Van Assche’s loss, there was plenty for the home fans to cheer on Wednesday in Metz. Quentin Halys kicked off the day by prevailing 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in an all-French clash against Pierre-Hugues Herbert, while Benjamin Bonzi later upset second seed Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4.

Bonzi won 85 per cent (33/39) of points behind his first serve in his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with World No. 7 Ruud. It was the biggest win of the 28-year-old’s career, and he will next take on Halys in his first tour-level quarter-final since February 2023.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

Source link