Tennis News

Bolelli & Vavassori make Italian history, qualify for Nitto ATP Finals

Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori made history on Wednesday when they reached the Rolex Shanghai Masters quarter-finals to guarantee their qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals.

In the first three editions of the season finale held in Turin (2021-23), no Italian player competed in the doubles field. This year, there will be an all-Italian team in Bolelli and Vavassori. They will join countryman Jannik Sinner, who was the first singles qualifier for the year-end championships, at Inalpi Arena from 10-17 November.

In their first full season as a team, Bolelli and Vavassori have proven one of the most consistent duos on the ATP Tour. They have won three titles so far in 2024, lifting trophies in Buenos Aires, Halle and Beijing.

The Italians also performed well at the majors, reaching the final at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. They also advanced to the semi-finals in Indian Wells and Rio de Janeiro.

This will be Bolelli’s second appearance in the Nitto ATP Finals, having played with Fabio Fognini in 2015 in London. Vavassori will compete in the prestigious event for the first time.

The Italians are the third doubles team to qualify, joining Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic and Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos.

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'Best I've played in a while' – Djokovic moves on in Shanghai

Novak Djokovic moves a step closer to a landmark 100th ATP title at the Shanghai Masters, but there is a shock defeat for Alexander Zverev.

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Djokovic withstands Safiullin test in Shanghai, Goffin upsets Zverev

Novak Djokovic finished with a flourish against Roman Safiullin on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals of the Rolex Shanghai Masters for a 10th time.

The record four-time champion was forced to dig deep in a 6-3, 6-2 win, remaining firmly alive in his quest for a 100th tour-level title. If Djokovic lifts the trophy in Shanghai, he would become the third man to achieve this feat in the Open Era (Connors, Federer).

“Both last night’s match and tonight have been, maybe, some of the best matches I have played in a while, so I am just enjoying myself on the court,” said Djokovic, who improved to 35-8 on the season. “When you play well and feel good, there is obviously a lot of joy in striking a tennis ball on the court.

“These sensations I have on the tennis court are some of the reasons why I keep on playing and keep on competing because I really believe that I can play at a very high level. Now, it’s a matter of keeping that consistency and also having a good time off the court.”

Novak 🫶 Shanghai@DjokerNole defeats Safiullin 6-3 6-2 to reach his 10th #RolexShanghaiMasters quarter-final.@SH_RolexMasters pic.twitter.com/jwkzo8QE9A

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 9, 2024

Djokovic, who improved to 3-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, showed resilience to save 100 per cent (3/3) of the break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

After extending his lead in tournament wins (37), Djokovic will face #NextGenATP star Jakub Mensik, who held his nerve to defeat Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The 19-year-old Czech, who clinched his fourth consecutive win against a Top 10 player, is the youngest quarter-finalist in Shanghai tournament history.

Safiullin withstood an electric start from Djokovic, landing an inside-out forehand winner crisp on the line to save break point in the second game. However, he was unable to replicate this form to convert the two break chances he had in the fifth game, with the Serb serving his way out of trouble with ease.

Djokovic, who has won a record 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, remained in control to capitalise on an error-strewn eighth game from Safiullin and storm into the lead. The second set was more straightforward for Djokovic as he proved clinical to break twice and cruise across the finish line.

Since his gruelling opener with #NextGenATP Alex Michelsen, which ended 7-6(3), 7-6(9), Djokovic has spent just two hours and 16 minutes on court. This is in stark contrast to Mensik, who has played four consecutive three-set matches to reach this stage.

Djokovic is currently eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. A strong run in Shanghai will bolster his chances of securing a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals in a bid to extend his record of seven titles.

Following Djokovic and Safiullin’s clash on centre court, David Goffin delivered a vintage performance to upset second seed Alexander Zverev. The Belgian former No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings held on to claim a 6-4, 7-5 win against the German in one hour and 57 minutes.

It is the first time Goffin has reached this stage of an ATP Masters 1000 since the 2021 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. The 33-year-old will face seventh seed Taylor Fritz for a spot in the final four in Shanghai.

Fritz cruised past Holger Rune 6-1, 6-2 in just 55 minutes to secure his spot in the last eight, edging 2-1 in front in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. The American, who occupies fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, is now 785 points ahead of ninth-placed Alex de Minaur and in strong contention to secure his spot at the Nitto ATP Finals.

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Wimbledon to replace line judges with electronic line calling from 2025

Wimbledon will remove line judges and bring in an electronic line calling system from 2025.

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Alcaraz shrugs off Monfils, reaches quarter-finals in Shanghai

Carlos Alcaraz kept his winning streak alive on Wednesday as he earned a 12th consecutive victory to advance to the quarter-finals at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Alcaraz was forced to battle hard in a 6-4, 7-5 win over Gael Monfils, becoming the first Spaniard to reach the last eight at the Chinese ATP Masters 1000 since 2017 (Nadal, Ramos-Vinolas). In a display of bruising ball-striking paired with sumptuous touch from both players, Alcaraz held his nerve to improve to 3-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“The main thing I tried in this match was to stay calm, to control my emotions and wait for my chances,” said Alcaraz, who improved to 51-9 on the season. “I had a few opportunities to break his serve at the beginning of the second set [and] I couldn’t take them. In those times, I tried to stay calm and think ‘I am going to have more’.

”That helped me a lot to show my best tennis during the match. I am feeling the ball really well, much more than I was during the American swing. So, I am happy to be able to do it and keep going.”

The winning streak continues 😮‍💨@carlosalcaraz defeats Monfils 6-4 7-5 to make it 12 consecutive wins and book a spot in the Shanghai final eight.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/awYDshGIr3

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 9, 2024

Having beaten Alcaraz at the Cincinnati Open in August, 38-year-old Monfils was bidding to emulate that form and carve his name into history as the second-oldest ATP Masters 1000 quarter-finalist in series history (since 1990), but the Spaniard had other ideas.

Alcaraz, who is now into his 14th ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final, used his craft and guile to outmanoeuvre Monfils in the gruelling exchanges. The 21-year-old proving clinical to win 88 per cent (7/8) of points at the net, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

The first set was largely dominated by imposing ground strokes from both players that backed up their explosive serves, but it was Alcaraz who was forced to fend off the first break point of the match in the sixth game. Monfils appeared to be in a strong position to snatch the opener, but a lapse in concentration handed his opponent a crucial break in the ninth game.

In the 10th game of the second set, Monfils struck two ferocious forehand winners en route to clawing the scoreline back to deuce and building the tension inside centre court. However, Alcaraz kept his cool to come out of the game unscathed.

Alcaraz drew on this momentum to surge to an ultimately decisive break in the next game. The No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings then sealed victory on serve in one hour and 27 minutes to set up a quarter-final clash with Tomas Machac, who rallied to oust eleventh seed Tommy Paul 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in an entertaining fourth-round encounter.

Alcaraz remains on a collision course with Jannik Sinner, who battled past Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-6(1), to meet in the last four. Alcaraz defeated the Italian last Wednesday in an absorbing showdown match to clinch the China Open title, his fourth of the season (Indian Wells, Roland Garros, Wimbledon).

“It’s a great goal to reach the semi-finals, let’s see if he can make it as well,” said Alcaraz, who leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 6-4. “I’ve been watching his matches before mine, he’s playing at a great level, and it helps me to put on a good show before I step on the court.”

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Sinner spoils Shelton's birthday with Shanghai revenge

For the second straight year at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton met in the fourth round. On Wednesday, Sinner reversed last season’s result to deny the American the biggest win of his career by PIF ATP Ranking on his 22nd birthday.

Sinner scored a 6-4, 7-6(1) win in an entertaining match full of electric shotmaking, improving to 4-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. The World No. 1 has not lost to Shelton since their first meeting last year in Shanghai, when the American came from behind to prevail in a third-set tie-break.

“It was very tough. He played only first serves, except one second serve,” Sinner said, referring to Shelton’s incredible 95 per cent first-serve percentage in the opening set. “I tried to wait a little bit. Obviously playing against him, even if it’s a second serve, it’s very tough to return.

“But if I look the positive picture, how I ended the match, I tried to stay a bit more aggressive, which I’ve done, and this hopefully can give me confidence for the for the next round.”

The ATP Tour leader in wins (62) and titles (six) this season, Sinner is now through to his seventh ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final of the year — the most in a single season since Alexander Zverev’s seven in 2018. The 23-year-old has reached the quarters in all 14 events he has entered this season.

Players to reach 7+ ATP Masters 1000 QFs in a season (since 2014)

Sinner held firm in the face of a ferocious start from Shelton, who won his first 16 service points and created the first two break points at 2-1 in the opening set. In the ninth game of the first set, the Italian fended off a Shelton overhead to earn his first break point of the match, with the pressure yielding a 5-4 lead before he served out the set to love.

Shelton employed the drop shot to great effect throughout the match, but it was Sinner who snuck one in to fight off a break point at 2-3 in set two. The American again threatened with Sinner serving at 3-4, but this time Sinner leaned on his serve to escape 0/40. Sinner saved all seven break points against him — two in the first set and five in the second — according to Infosys ATP Stats.

A Sinner special in Shanghai ✨@janniksin | @SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/bQibf80NO7

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 9, 2024

All four of their previous Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings included a tie-break, so it was fitting that a tie-break decided the second set in Shanghai. Shelton took the opening point on serve, but Sinner sprinted through the finish line by winning the next seven, finding his best ball-striking at the crucial moment to wrap up the win in one hour, 28 minutes.

Sinner will next face Daniil Medvedev for the fifth time this year in a bid to reach the last four in Shanghai. Medvedev secured his 10th win over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday with a commanding performance, prevailing 7-6(3), 6-3 in one hour and 50 minutes.

Currently at No. 4 in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin, Medvedev has bolstered his hopes of securing a sixth consecutive Nitto ATP Finals appearance, having won the tournament in 2021.

Medvedev extended his lead to 10-4 in their intriguing Lexus ATP Head2Head series, following on from wins in Rome and Vienna last year.

In their first meeting of the 2024 season, Medvedev improved to 10-4 in their intriguing Lexus ATP Head2Head series, following on from wins in Rome and Vienna last year. The World No. 5 was forced to close out the opening set via a dominant tie-break after failing to convert any of the six break points he produced in regulation, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Tsitsipas surged to a 2-0 lead in the second set, but Medvedev rattled off six of the next seven games to seal victory and book his ticket to his fourth ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final of the year.

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BNP Paribas Nordic Open: Draws, Dates, History & All You Need To Know

One of the final ATP 250 events of the season is the BNP Paribas Nordic Open, which is held at the Kungliga Tennisshallen. Casper Ruud, Grigor Dimitrov and Tommy Paul headline the action, with Matteo Berrettini and Stan Wawrinka also in the field.

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

When is the BNP Paribas Nordic Open?

The ATP 250 event will be held from 14-20 October. Founded in 1969, the hard-court tournament is celebrating its 55th year. It will take place at the Kungliga Tennisshallen. The tournament director is Thomas Enqvist.

Who is playing at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open?
Ruud, Dimitrov, Paul, Berrettini, Wawrinka and Alexei Popyrin are among the players in the Stockholm field.

When is the draw for the BNP Paribas Nordic Open?

The Nordic Open draw will be made Saturday 12 October at 3 p.m. CEST.

What is the schedule for the BNP Paribas Nordic Open?

Qualifying: Saturday, 12 October – Sunday, 13 October at 11 a.m. CEST
Main Draw: Monday, 14 October – Sunday, 20 October at 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Doubles Final: To be confirmed
Singles Final: To be confirmed

View On Official Website

What is the prize money and points for the BNP Paribas Nordic Open?

The prize money for the BNP Paribas Nordic Open is £690,135 and the Total Financial Commitment is £767,455.

SINGLES:
Winner: £104,985 / 250 points
Finalist: £61,235 / 165 points
Semi-finalist: £36,000 / 100 points
Quarter-finalist: £20,860 / 50 points
Round of 16: £12,110 / 25 points

DOUBLES ($ per team): 
Winner: £36,470 / 250 points
Finalist: £19,510 / 150 points
Semi-finalist: £11,440 / 90 points
Quarter-finalist: £6,390 / 45 points

How can I watch the BNP Paribas Nordic Open?

Watch Live on TennisTV
TV Schedule

How can I follow the BNP Paribas Nordic Open?

Hashtags: #bnpparibasnordicopen #bnppnordicopen
YouTube: @StockholmOpenTennis
Facebook: BNP Paribas Nordic Open
TikTok: sthlmopen
Instagram: BnppNordicOpen

Who won the last edition of the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in 2023?
Gael Monfils overcame qualifer Pavel Kotov in a thrilling 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 final. It was Monfils’s 12th tour-level trophy, and at 37 years old, made him the oldest champion in the history of the BNP Paribas Nordic Open. In the doubles final, Andrey Golubev and Denys Molchanov defeated Yuki Bhambri and Julian Cash 7-6(8), 6-2, to take home the title.

Who holds the BNP Paribas Nordic Open record for most titles, oldest champion, youngest champion and more?

Most Titles, Singles: Boris Becker (4), John McEnroe (4)
Most Titles, Doubles: Kevin Ullyett (5)
Oldest Champion: Gael Monfils, 37, in 2023
Youngest Champion: Mats Wilander, 19, in 1983
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 1 Bjorn Borg in 1980, No. 1 John McEnroe in 1984, No. 1 Ivan Lendl in 1989
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 140 Gael Monfils in 2023
Last Home Champion: Thomas Johansson in 2004
Most Match Wins: Stefan Edberg (34)

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

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Almaty Open 2024: Draws, Dates, History & All You Need To Know

After two successful editions in 2020 and 2021, the Astana Open in Kazakhstan became a permanent ATP Tour member in 2022. From 2024, the tournament will become the Almaty Open and be played in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city with a population of more than two million.

Headlining the event are Sebastian Korda, Frances Tiafoe and Alejandro Tabilo.

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

When is the Almaty Open?

The ATP 250 event will be held from 14-20 October. The hard-court tournament, which begins its time in Almaty in 2024, is celebrating its fifth year. It will take place at Almaty Arena. The tournament director is Dmitriy Savchuk.

Who is playing at the Almaty Open?
Korda, Tiafoe and Tabilo are among the players in the Almaty field.

When is the draw for the Almaty Open?

The Almaty Open draw will be made Saturday 12 October at a time to be confirmed.

What is the schedule for the Almaty Open?

Qualifying: Sunday, 13 October – Monday, 14 October at 10 a.m. local
Main Draw: Monday, 14 October – Sunday, 20 October. Start time on Monday not before 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday — Friday at 11 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Saturday from 12 p.m.
Doubles Final: Sunday, 20 October at 12 p.m.
Singles Final: Sunday, 20 October not before 3 p.m.

View On Official Website

What is the prize money and points for the Almaty Open?

The prize money for the Almaty Open is $1,036,700 and the Total Financial Commitment is $1,117,465.

SINGLES:
Winner: $157,695 / 250 points
Finalist: $91,985 / 165 points
Semi-finalist: $54,075 / 100 points
Quarter-finalist: $31,335 / 50 points
Round of 16: $18,195 / 25 points
Round of 28: $11,120 / 0 points

DOUBLES ($ per team): 
Winner: $54,780 / 250 points
Finalist: $29,310 / 150 points
Semi-finalist: $17,180 / 90 points
Quarter-finalist: $9,600 / 45 points
Round of 16: $5,660 / 0

How can I watch the Almaty Open?

Watch Live on TennisTV
TV Schedule

How can I follow the Almaty Open?

Hashtags: #AlmatyOpen
Twitter: @ktf_kz
YouTube: @KazakhstanTennisFederation
Facebook: @kaztennis
TikTok: @ktf_kz
Instagram: @ktf.kz

Who won the last edition of the Almaty Open in 2023?
Adrian Mannarino became the first Frenchman since 2020 to win multiple tour-level titles in one season when he earned a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 comeback victory against Sebastian Korda in the 2023 final, which was held in Astana. Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow defeated Mate Pavic and John Peers 7-6(4), 7-6(7) for the doubles title.

Who holds the Almaty Open record for most titles, oldest champion, youngest champion and more?

Most Titles, Singles: John Millman, Soonwoo Kwon, Novak Djokovic, Adrian Mannarino (1)
Most Titles, Doubles: Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen, Santiago Gonzalez/Andres Molteni, Nikola Mektic/Mate Pavic and Nathaniel Lammons/Jackson Withrow (1)
Oldest Champion: Novak Djokovic, 35, in 2022
Youngest Champion: Soonwoo Kwon, 23, in 2021
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 7 Novak Djokovic in 2022
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 82 Soonwoo Kwon in 2021
Last Home Champion: None
Most Match Wins: Adrian Mannarino (10)

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

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

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European Open 2024: Draws, Dates, History & All You Need To Know

The ninth edition of the European Open will be held at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime headline the action at the ATP 250.

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

When is the European Open?

The ATP 250 event will be held from 14-20 October. It will take place at the Lotto Arena. The tournament director is Dick Norman.

Who is playing at the European Open?
Tsitsipas, Auger-Aliassime, Sebastian Baez, Jordan Thompson, and Nuno Borges are among the field in Antwerp.

When is the draw for the European Open?

The European Open draw will be made on 12 October. 

What is the schedule for the European Open?

Qualifying: Sunday, 13 October at 11:30 a.m. – Monday, 14 October at 11 a.m. (CEST)
Main Draw: Monday, 14 October – Saturday, 19 October at 3:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Doubles Final: Sunday, 20 October at 2 p.m.
Singles Final: Sunday, 20 October at 4:30 p.m.

View On Official Website

What is the prize money and points for the European Open?

The prize money for the European Open is €690,135 and the Total Financial Commitment is €767,455.

SINGLES:
Winner: €104,985/ 250 points
Finalist: €61,235 / 165 points
Semi-finalist: €36,000/ 100 points
Quarter-finalist: €20,860 / 50 points
Round of 16: €12,110 / 25 points
Round of 28: €7,400 / 0 points

DOUBLES (€ per team): 
Winner: €36,470 / 250 points
Finalist: €19,510 / 150 points
Semi-finalist: €11,440/ 90 points
Quarter-finalist: €6,390 / 45 points
Round of 16: €3,770 / 0 points

How can I watch the European Open?

Watch Live on TennisTV
TV Schedule

How can I follow the European Open?

Hashtag: #EuropeanOpen
YouTube: EuropeanOpen
Facebook: European Open
TikTok: EuropeanOpen

Instagram: EuropeanTennisOpen

Who won the last edition of the European Open in 2023?
Alexander Bublik beat #NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Fils 6-4, 6-4 in Antwerp to claim his second tour-level title of the season. The Kazakhstani clinched a decisive break of Fils’ serve in each set and saved all three break points.

Who holds the European Open record for most titles, oldest champion, youngest champion and more?

Most Titles, Singles: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Bublik, Kyle Edmund, Richard Gasquet, Ugo Humbert, Andy Murray, Jannik Sinner, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (1)
Oldest Champion: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 32, in 2017
Youngest Champion: Jannik Sinner, 20, in 2021
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 10 Felix Auger-Aliassime in 2022
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 243 Andy Murray in 2019
Most Match Wins: Diego Schwartzman (12)

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

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Norrie wins in Challenger event on injury return

British number two Cameron Norrie marks his return after three months out through injury with a straight-set win at the Roanne Challenger event in France.

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