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Rune rebuffs Berrettini’s barrage for third-round spot in Shanghai

  • Posted: Oct 07, 2024

A long wait for his opening match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters proved to be worth it for Holger Rune.

The Dane delivered a resilient performance to down Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a high-quality encounter on Monday at the ATP Masters 1000. After Rune received a bye in the opening round, his second-round clash with Berrettini was originally scheduled for Saturday. Although persistent rain ultimately kept the players waiting two days longer, they did not disappoint when they finally stepped onto Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena.

Rune withstood 16 aces from Berrettini, according to Infosys ATP Stats, en route to a comeback victory featuring plenty of cat-and-mouse exchanges. The 12th seed stayed patient on return to notch late breaks of serve in both the second and third sets and claim his maiden Shanghai win at the second attempt.

“I think [the match] was pretty good,” said Rune, who now leads Berrettini 3-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. “It felt like he didn’t do many things wrong in the first set. I made a few errors, but then he was just on me. He didn’t allow me to make many mistakes. I think the same happened in the second and third sets, just the other way around. Every time he got slightly central or short, I was there to punish his shots.

“It was a good match, honestly. I think the tennis was very high quality. We were hitting a lot of winners, good serves, good movement, so I’m very happy to start my tournament like this.”

[ATP APP]

Now 13-7 at Masters 1000 events in 2024, Rune will meet 33rd seed Jiri Lehecka for a spot in the fourth round in Shanghai. The 21-year-old seeks a deep run this week to help kick-start a late charge towards Nitto ATP Finals qualification: Rune is up one spot to 15th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin after defeating Berrettini, and he could rise as high as eighth by lifting the title in China.

“I think I’ve been consistent in many tournaments, but haven’t really gone all the way,” said Rune, whose best result this year was a final run in Brisbane. “It’s just a process. Keep working, keep trying to do the right things. From my side there was a big change from the first set to the last two sets. I was hitting the ball better. I was moving more up to the ball, playing more on my terms, aggressively coming forward.

“I’m happy with the way I started this tournament. I think that’s the way for me to play and I’m going to keep going like this.”

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Tie-break Taylor! Fritz squeezes past Atmane in Shanghai

  • Posted: Oct 07, 2024

It may have taken 48 hours, but Taylor Fritz ensured his big plans for the final stretch of the 2024 season remain on course with a hard-earned opening victory Monday at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

The American kept his cool in the face of a free-spirited performance from Terence Atmane to secure a 7-6(4), 7-6(5) triumph at the Chinese ATP Masters 1000. After rain forced the second-round clash to be suspended with Fritz leading 4-3 on serve on Saturday afternoon, the seventh seed on Monday completed a two-hour, three-minute victory under the roof inside Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena.

The US Open finalist Fritz remains fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin and is in a strong position to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, where he made his debut in 2022. Yet the American was determined to take things one step at a time after passing a tough test from Atmane in the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash.

“I don’t want to speak too soon, but I think I’m in a good position,” said Fritz. “I’m not thinking so much about the goal of reaching the finals right now, because I’m fifth in the race. If the goal is that and I get panicky, it would be like, ‘Let’s just not slip four spots’. My goal right now is to finish the year in the Top 5, keep my place. I think that’s just a better mindset to have, both to qualify for the finals and play good tennis for the rest of the year.”

Against Atmane, Fritz crucially saved the only two break points of the opening set from 15/40 in the ninth game, and after clinching the first-set tie-break he established a 4-2 lead in the second set. Yet the Frenchman continued to push Fritz, and he was only defeated once the American again found something extra late on to clinch the second set in a tie-break.

“I think his ability to basically hit a winner from anywhere on the court made it very tough,” said Fritz. “Because sometimes I almost felt like if I wanted to be the aggressor in the rally, I had to go on when I maybe didn’t want to go on. Then sometimes I had to take just a more defensive, solid approach to the points, let him pull the trigger and if he makes it, he makes it.

“That uncertainty of what if he does make it is always uncomfortable. He was playing really well, serving well on big points, so it’s great to get through that in two sets.”

Fritz’s next assignment in Shanghai will be a third-round clash on Tuesday against Yosuke Watanuki. The 26-year-old Fritz is now 5-0 in opening rounds at the Chinese Masters 1000, but is yet to reach the fourth round across his five appearances.

[ATP APP]

Another Top 10 star and Turin hopeful, Grigor Dimitrov, also completed victory Monday in a rain-affected second-round clash. The Bulgarian led Zizou Bergs 6-3, 2-4 when their meeting was suspended on Saturday, and upon resumption he battled to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 triumph.

Dimitrov converted five of seven break points he earned against Bergs, according to Infosys ATP Stats. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion is 10th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin as he chases a spot at the prestigious season finale, and he will hope to build on his good start in Shanghai when he takes on Alexei Popyrin in the third round.

Another member of the chasing pack in the Live Race, the 14th-placed Frances Tiafoe, made a solid start to his Shanghai campaign. The 13th seed prevailed 6-2, 6-4 against #NextGenATP home favourite Zhou Yi. It was a first win in Shanghai since 2017 for Tiafoe, who will next play Roman Safiullin. The World No. 61 Safiullin upset 23rd seed Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-2 in a match moved to an indoor court because of the rain.

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Rain affects Monday's Shanghai schedule, Fritz & Dimitrov win under roof

  • Posted: Oct 07, 2024

Play has been affected by rain for the third consecutive day at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

The Monday schedule at the ATP Masters 1000 event has been reduced to 13 singles matches, with no play yet possible on outdoor courts. However, three matches have been completed inside Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, which is fitted with a retractable roof.

[ATP APP]

Taylor Fritz kicked off the day by completing a 7-6(4), 7-6(5) second-round victory, one which began on Saturday before a two-day rain delay, against Terence Atmane. The No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings was followed onto court by his fellow Top 10 star Grigor Dimitrov, who overcame Zizou Bergs 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

Frances Tiafoe then defeated home wild card Yi Zhou 6-2, 6-4 to round out the afternoon session on the Stadium Court. The two Lexus ATP Head2Head matchups scheduled for Monday’s night session are 12th seed Holger Rune’s clash with Matteo Berrettini, and Flavio Cobolli against Stan Wawrinka.

After two days of inclement weather, tournament organisers moved four matches to indoor courts to help relieve pressure on the schedule. Roman Safiullin resumed his second-round meeting with Alexander Bublik at 2-1 in the first set, and he went on to down the 23rd seed 6-4, 6-2. Tallon Griekspoor was also a winner indoors: The Dutchman eased past 26th seed Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-2.

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Comeback of the year? Paul saves 5 MPs, shocks Tabilo

  • Posted: Oct 06, 2024

Tommy Paul earned one of the best comeback wins of the season on Sunday in Shanghai.

Nineteenth seed Alejandro Tabilo led the 11th seed 7-6(2), 5-1 and earned five match points on his serve at 5-2, but was unable to close out the match. Paul took full advantage, rallying for a 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-2 victory in two hours and 43 minutes for a place in the Round of 16 at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Tabilo has enjoyed the best season of his career and looked ready to continue it with an impressive victory against Paul. But the Chilean made an error on three of his match points and Paul hit an overhead winner on another. On the lefty’s final match point, he put pressure on Paul by closing the net, but the American hit a perfect crosscourt backhand passing shot to escape.

Paul won 12 of the match’s final 15 games and converted four of his 13 break points according to Infosys ATP Stats to earn a showdown against in-form 30th seed Tomas Machac or qualifier Aleksandar Vukic. 

With his victory, the 27-year-old Paul climbed past Grigor Dimitrov into 10th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, within 425 points of eighth-placed Novak Djokovic. Paul is trying to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. 

[ATP APP]

Did You Know?
Paul now leads Tabilo 2-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series and both of their meetings have come this year. The American was also victorious 6-3, 6-4 on grass at Queen’s Club.

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Alcaraz spoils Chinese party in Shanghai

  • Posted: Oct 06, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz was forced to battle hard on Sunday as he earned an eleventh consecutive win to advance to the Rolex Shanghai Masters fourth round.

The World No. 2 showed glimpses of his most scintillating tennis as he soared to a 7-6(5), 6-3 win over wild card Wu Yibing. Having clinched his fourth title of the season at the China Open earlier this week, Alcaraz remains unbeaten since his shock second-round exit at the US Open.

[ATP APP]

Chinese men’s tennis has undergone an eye-catching rise during the Asian swing, but Alcaraz is proving to spoil the party after he defeated Shang Juncheng in his Shanghai opener.

Alcaraz is set to face either Gael Monfils or Ugo Humbert for a spot in the quarter-finals.

More to follow.

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Sinner rallies from a set down to reach Shanghai fourth round

  • Posted: Oct 06, 2024

Jannik Sinner showcased his resilience in a gripping comeback win on Sunday to advance to the fourth round of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

The World No. 1 passed the test posed by Tomas Martin Etcheverry, prevailing 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 39 minutes to improve to 2-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“It was a very tough match, physically [and] mentally, so I am very happy to get through this one,” said Sinner, who is seeking a seventh title in 2024 in Shanghai. “I felt like it was a tough set that I lost. I had my chances [to win the set], but these things can happen.

“Sometimes you have to wait for your chances, which I have done, trying to stay calm mentally, and today that was the key.”

Sinner will face either Roberto Carballes Baena or Ben Shelton to secure his spot in the quarter-finals. If he is to face Shelton, the No. 16 in the PIF ATP Rankings, it would be an intriguing repeat of last year’s fourth-round clash, which the American won in a deciding-set tie-break.

Both players had opportunities to snatch the opening set, but it was Etcheverry who held his nerve. Facing two set points, the Argentine turned defence into attack with ease to rally out of trouble and pull clear in a tie-break.

The 25-year-old won six from seven net points in the opening set, according to Infosys ATP Stats, underpinned by a delightful drop volley to bring up three set points before converting at the first opportunity.

[ATP APP]

Aiming to match his career-best run in Shanghai, Sinner found an extra gear at the start of the second set. Despite exchanging breaks in the fifth and sixth games, the 23-year-old remained concentrated to level the contest at one set apiece.

Etcheverry did well to weather the oncoming storm, saving three break points in the first game of the decider, but the further pressure from Sinner on return eventually proved too much for the World No. 37 as he dropped serve in the third game. From there, Sinner kept his foot on the gas, withstanding three more break points in a lengthy sixth game before cruising to victory.

The top seed, who notched the 250th tour-level win of his career against Taro Daniel in the second round, is in strong contention to lift his seventh title of the season after falling short to Carlos Alcaraz in the China Open final last week.

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Medvedev survives Shanghai scare from Arnaldi

  • Posted: Oct 06, 2024

Daniil Medvedev dug deep on Sunday to maintain his bid for a first title of 2024 at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

The No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings rallied to a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory against Matteo Arnaldi to book his fourth-round spot at the ATP Masters 1000 event. Medvedev held firm to prevail after two hours and 44 minutes in an absorbing encounter full of extended rallies.

“It was a very tough match, a very close one,” said Medvedev. “I actually felt like that’s where tennis is funny. I felt like in the first set, I was probably the better player, had more opportunities. I didn’t manage to [win] it, played a bad game at the end of the set.

“In the other sets, I thought it was closer. Maybe even he had the edge on some of the moments, but that’s why tennis is crazy. You can win when you don’t expect it, and lose when you expect to win, so I’m happy to be here again in two days.”

Medvedev will take on 10th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexandre Muller next in Shanghai, where he is chasing his first tour-level title since his Rome victory in May 2023. The 28-year-old is also looking to take further steps towards Nitto ATP Finals qualification in China. He is currently fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin and in a strong position to seal his spot at the prestigious season finale for the sixth consecutive year.

Competing under the roof inside Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena due to rain, Medvedev broke Arnaldi’s serve in the opening game of the match but was unable to maintain that momentum in the early stages. The Italian won six of eight games from 1-3 to clinch the opening set as he made a positive start in his bid for a first fourth-round appearance in Shanghai.

Yet in trademark fashion, Medvedev found a way to grind out a victory with the help of some improved serving and a decisive, clinical return game in the ninth game of the deciding set. He capitalised on some late nerves from Arnaldi on serve to move 5-4 ahead before closing out the victory to improve to 4-0 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

Medvedev finished the match having won four of 12 break points he earned, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He is now 9-3 in Shanghai, where he is aiming to win the same tour-level title twice for the first time in his career.

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