Tennis News

Musetti downs Zverev with gripping Vienna comeback

Lorenzo Musetti battled back from the brink of defeat to book his spot in the semi-finals at the Erste Bank Open.

In an absorbing clash with top seed Alexander Zverev, the Italian dug deep to prevail 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 after two hours, 36 minutes. Musetti produced some of his most scintillating tennis to rally from 0/3 in the second-set tie-break, before pulling to a commanding lead in the decider.

“It didn’t start how we planned, I was struggling to find the right balance with my forehand and the variation of my backhand,” said Musetti, who moved to 2-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. “But I stayed there, even when he came back in the second, I saved a lot of break points at 5-5. It’s definitely a match that means a lot to me.

“It’s a pretty big win [in my career], because Sascha really loves to play here, on this court, in these conditions. But, after the first round, I was feeling in good shape and today I showed that.”

𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄 😤@Lorenzo1Musetti upsets the No. 1⃣ seed in Vienna to reach the SFs 👏#ErsteBankOpen | @ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/rIjJpVNxVf

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 25, 2024

Musetti found himself behind on the scoreboard for much of the match, but once he surged in front in the deciding set, he never looked back. The 22-year-old struck 35 winners and saved eight out of 12 break points, according to Infosys ATP Stats, en route to earning the biggest hard-court win of his career.

Zverev, the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings and 2021 Vienna champion, rattled off three consecutive games from 1-4 in the second set to shift the momentum in his favour, but Musetti hung tight to reach his 17th tour-level semi-final.

Musetti will face seventh seed Jack Draper for a spot in the championship match in Vienna. The 22-year-old was forced to battle hard, but overcame Tomas Machac 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in two hours, six minutes. With both players struggling physically, Draper found an extra level in the deciding set to surge into an eighth tour-level semi-final.

“I thought the first set was really physical. It’s always tough playing Tomas, he’s so solid off the ground,” said Draper, who improved to 2-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. “I felt I had chances in the second set, but it was more of a mental battle [than a physical one].

“I felt like my energy dropped, my decision making became up and down. I knew I had to reset. At this level, you can’t get away with spending too long in that situation. So, I’m really proud of the way I competed.”

After a stellar season, during which he claimed his maiden ATP Tour title in Stuttgart and reached the semi-finals at the US Open, Draper is up to a new career-high of No. 17 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. 

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Shelton: Where there's smoke, there's firepower

Ben Shelton’s ‘towel swing’ is the latest addition to his arsenal of powerful weapons.

The left-handed American boasts one of the most lethal serves in the sport, and he put that overhead strength to good use Friday at the beginning of his Swiss Indoors Basel quarter-final with Andrey Rublev.

As a lingering haze from the smoke machine – used to add dramatic effect to player walk-ons – failed to clear from above the court, Shelton took matters into his own hands ahead of his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with the World No. 7.

“What do you think if we started waving the towels like this,” Shelton asked chair umpire Arnaud Gabas with a smile.

To the delight of fans, Shelton took his towel and began fanning the smoke in a double-handed overhead motion, drawing an ear-to-ear grin from Rublev and generous applause from fans, including Roger Federer’s parents Robert and Lynette, who were in attendance.

World feed commentator Robbie Koenig had fun with his play-by-play description of the moment.

“Consistency of the swing was nice. Keeping his head up and he moves the towel back and forward,” said the South African “Transfers the weight through the arms into the towel. Maximum face of the towel towards the smoke.”

The incident caused a seven-minute delay to the start of the match, which Shelton would go on to win 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4.

Shelton, who is No. 20 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, fired 13 aces in the match, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

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Fils wins 2024 ATP 500 Bonus Pool

Arthur Fils on Friday earned more than a quarter-final victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Swiss Indoors Basel. The Frenchman also guaranteed that he will top the 2024 ATP 500 Bonus Pool.

The ATP 500 Bonus Pool this year distributes $1,340,000 to the five players with the most points earned at the ATP 500 category in 2024. By winning it, Fils will earn an additional $615,000.

Fils now has 1,400 points in the category for the season, leading second-placed Jannik Sinner, who has 1,330. Alex de Minaur, currently competing in Vienna, can pass Sinner. However, no player will be able to catch Fils.

The 20-year-old has won two ATP 500 titles this year, in Hamburg and Tokyo. In addition to his semi-final showing this week in Basel, Fils made the quarter-finals in Barcelona and Halle.

Casper Ruud currently holds the fifth spot for the Bonus Pool with 830 points. The players who still have an opportunity to finish in the Top 5 are Holger Rune (Basel), Alexander Zverev (Vienna), Andrey Rublev (Basel), Jack Draper (Vienna), Ben Shelton (Basel) and Lorenzo Musetti (Vienna).

The player who finishes second in the Bonus Pool will earn $310,000, third will claim $205,000, fourth will take home $130,000 and fifth will earn $80,000.

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Zverev chasing finale hat-trick in Turin

Zverev chasing finale hat-trick in Turin

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Fils extends ATP 500s win streak, Shelton sinks Rublev in Basel

Arthur Fils was in no mood to let slip his red-hot run at ATP 500 events on Friday at the Swiss Indoors Basel.

The #NextGenATP star produced a steely performance to defeat third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(5), 6-3 and advance to the last four in Basel. Fils has now won 13 consecutive matches at this level, underpinned by title runs in Hamburg and Tokyo this year. With the triumph, the 20-year-old improved to 2-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. 

“I think I served pretty well,” said Fils, who won 88 per cent (29/33) of points behind his first delivery and did not face a break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats. “I was very focused. I missed a crazy set point, but I am very happy with how I dealt with the tie-break and I think I played pretty good in the second set as well.

“I found a way to refocus [after missing the first two set points], and I think I did that pretty well, so I am happy.”

HE’S A BIIIIIG PROBLEM 💎@ArthurFils1 punches his ticket into his 9th ATP Tour semi-final! #SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/JvmW6Zaole

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 25, 2024

Fils, who improved to 8-1 vs. Top 20 players since July, is yet to drop a set this week in Vienna. The Frenchman applied pressure throughout the first set against Tsitsipas, but was unable to convert any of his four set points. However, Fils came alive in a high-quality tie-break before accelerating to an 83-minute victory.

The defeat was a dent to Tsitsipas’ hopes of qualifying for a sixth consecutive appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals, having won the tournament on his debut in 2019. The 26-year-old remains 12th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, 745 points adrift of eighth-placed Andrey Rublev, who takes on Ben Shelton in the second quarter-final in Basel.

Fils remains in pole position in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, 1,235 points ahead of second-placed Alex Michelsen.

Awaiting Fils in the semi-finals in Basel is his doubles partner for the week, Ben Shelton.

The American held his nerve to outlast top seed Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4 and advance to his seventh tour-level semi-final.

Shelton was imperious on serve throughout the contest, during which he slammed 13 aces and saved all six of the break points he faced. The 22-year-old also converted each of the two break points he carved out, which proved to be decisive.

“I knew this was a big one for me, I struggled a lot this year in quarter-finals, and I’ve lost a lot of them against Top 10 players,” said Shelton. “It’s been a tough hump to overcome, but to get to the second to last week of the year and finally do it is huge for me. Especially with the way I was able to overcome everything Rublev threw at me today.

“He [Fils] is one of my best friends on the Tour, and I see him as one of my main rivals out of the young guys. He’s playing incredible tennis at the moment, and there is no one I would rather match up against on a Saturday here in Basel. I’m looking for some revenge.”

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Boulter cruises into semi-finals in Toyko

British number one Katie Boulter loses only three games in beating former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu at the Pan Pacific Open.

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Rune marches into last eight in Basel, Mpetshi Perricard denies Felix a third crown

Holger Rune continued his impressive run of form at the Swiss Indoors Basel Thursday with a statement victory against Dominic Stricker.

The fourth seed surged past the Swiss wild card 6-3, 7-6(2) in one hour, 27 minutes. Rune, who reached the final in 2022, bounced back from a break deficit in the second set to cruise to a lead he would not relinquish in the tie-break.

“It was a good level from my side in the first set, but I lost a little bit of focus in the second when he broke me,” said Rune, who improved to 9-2 in Basel. “He was playing pretty fast, rushing me, so I had to up my footwork and be more active with my legs.

“I just had to stay in there and find a solution, and I did. I connected with some returns, managed to get the break back and everything was open.”

40th win of the season 🆙@holgerrune2003 sees off home hope Stricker 6-3 7-6(2) and will now face Goffin for a place in the last four! #SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/tbiJy4e2hK

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 24, 2024

The 21-year-old found success when advancing to the forecourt, winning 78 per cent (14/18) of points at the net, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Rune will next face lucky loser David Goffin, who produced an epic comeback to stun fifth seed Ugo Humbert on Wednesday evening.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was the man who put an end to Felix Auger-Aliassime’s emphatic run in Basel. The Frenchman overpowered the two-time defending champion with his explosive serving and crafty net play, sealing a 6-1, 7-6(6) victory.

Mpetshi Perricard won 87 per cent (13/15) of points behind his first delivery in a near-flawless first set before holding his nerve in a tense tie-break.

Auger-Aliassime, who lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2023, was bidding to become the first player born in 1991 or later to three-peat an ATP Tour event.

Mpetshi Perricard will meet Denis Shapovalov for a spot in the semi-finals. The Canadian showed glimpses of his most impressive tennis with a 6-3, 7-6(4) win over Roberto Bautista Agut, putting an end to the Spaniard’s red-hot run of form that saw him clinch the title in Antwerp last week.

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Meet 'poet', Ozan Baris, the No. 1 college player

When Ozan Baris changed his name, it may not have seemed like a drastic switch on paper, but for the 20-year-old, it launched a new legacy.

Born as Ozan Colak, the American changed his name to solely his first and middle name. ‘Ozan’ means ‘poet’ in Turkish while ‘Baris’ translates to ‘peace’.

“Colak means ‘crippled arm’ so I was like, ‘This is kind of bad juju’ to have ‘crippled arm’ in my name,” Baris told ATPTour.com at this week’s MarketBeat Open, an ATP Challenger Tour 75 event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

“I was like, ‘I’ll create a new legacy behind my name and create my family and hopefully the Baris name will keep going on for however long it does’. I just wanted to create my own story.”

The 20-year-old is already creating quite a legacy as the No. 1 college player in the ITA singles rankings, the first player in Michigan State University programme history to reach that position.

But Baris would not be where he is today without his mother’s unwavering support and sacrifices.

Baris is the son of a single mother, Banu, who grew up in Turkey and moved to the American state of Michigan as a high school exchange student. She attended Cooley Law School and has worked hard to provide for Ozan and his older sister Sema.

“Once I got to college, I actually realised how much of a sacrifice — and in a sense, a burden — that she made financially, as well as her time and so many things,” Baris said.

“When I look back, I would not be where I am without her. Anything that I needed, anything that was in the question of, ‘Would this help me?’ was always done without the thought of the money, the time, the travel.

“Whatever it was, that was never a question. Like, ‘I have to play Nationals, they want me in Orlando for three weeks, they want me to go across the world and play these tournaments’. And it was like, ‘Yep. We’ll figure it out, we’ll make it happen’.”

Baris began playing tennis at age five and he remembers almost immediately telling his coach, ‘I want to be number one in the world’. As a child, Baris played tennis while wearing goggles as eyeglasses, which constantly fogged. He laughs when remembering those days and states that the goggles will never make a comeback.

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A post shared by Ozan Baris (@ozan.baris136)

Though Baris played basketball as well, it only made sense that he stuck with the sport that brought him peace.

“My earliest memories were whatever worries of the day — I mean I was pretty young, so the worries weren’t crazy — but whatever stress, I would go on the court and everything would kind of go away. I wouldn’t think about anything else,” Baris said. “I’d just be super present for two hours. There’s nothing else in the world. That was like my safe space.”

The passion and energy Baris plays with can easily be felt courtside. He does not shy away from a loud roar following a thrilling point or vocally sharing his frustration. According to Baris, it is a reflection of how much he cares for the sport. Although tennis is an important part of Baris’ life, the American has learned to keep things in perspective.

“I think for a long time I was trying to prove myself and my worthiness through my tennis and really identifying myself with it,” Baris said.

“At this point now, I’m kind of going back to, ‘How do I feel when I’m playing on court? Can I get to the point of me competing and doing my best is what makes me happy?’ When I’m doing that, I feel that I’m succeeding. Not on the court, but just as a human and a person.”

<img alt=”Ozan Baris celebrates reaching his first Challenger quarter-final in Sioux Falls.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/10/24/17/43/baris-siouxfallsch-2024-emotion.jpg” />
^{Ozan Baris celebrates reaching his first Challenger quarter-final in Sioux Falls. Credit: Jason Harris/MarketBeat Open}

A native of Okemos, Michigan, Baris played one season of high school tennis and lifted the singles title as a freshman. He stayed close to home to compete for the Michigan State Spartans, where he is currently a junior.

In 2022, Baris partnered fellow #NextGenATP American Nishesh Basavareddy to win the US Open boys’ doubles event. It was a memorable week that featured a second-round match which Baris recalls “genuinely everything possible went wrong”, yet they navigated their way to a win.

Just hours after Baris and Basavareddy won the title, an unfortunate moment happened. Baris set down the trophy and heard a crack. The trophy slightly broke at the bottom.

“They sent me another one, so now I have one and a half,” Baris said. “I have the broken one and a clean one as well. It’s nice that they sent one.”

Baris’ collegiate success has qualified him for the Next Gen Accelerator Programme, which gives him six qualifying spots at select ATP Challenger Tour events. At World No. 709 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Baris has already used four of those spots and has two more upcoming commitments this season.

The exposure at the Challenger level has led Baris to make key changes in his game.

“I was [having success] in college and then I was going to the Challenger Tour and I was getting destroyed because the way I was playing in college wasn’t translating to the professional tour, just much more passive aggressive and counterpunching and I feel like on the Challenger Tour, you’re not rewarded as much,” Baris said. “You kind of need to have some weapons.

“If I didn’t have those Accelerator spots, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to really see where I’m at and what I need to improve.”

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De Minaur's Turin hunt continues, Khachanov wins Vienna thriller

Could Alex de Minaur be igniting a late charge to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals? 

The Australian advanced to the quarter-finals at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna after Flavio Cobolli was forced to retire trailing 7-6(2), 3-1. The Italian had clawed back a break of serve in the 10th game, but was unable to battle through a shoulder injury.

“I felt a little bit more comfortable in the way I was playing and moving, I think all round it was a very good level,” said de Minaur, who improved to 43-14 on the season. “Obviously, I don’t want to finish the match like that by any means.

“I’m wishing Flavio a speedy recovery. He’s a hell of a player, a hell of a talent, and I am sure that all of the tennis world wants to see him back on court very soon.”

Cobolli is forced to retire due to injury 🙁

De Minaur is into the quarter-finals in Vienna 7-6(2), 3-1.#ErsteBankOpen | @ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/9yfoS7MlXk

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 24, 2024

De Minaur is ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, just 265 points adrift of eight-placed Andrey Rublev, who is in action in Basel on Friday. The 25-year-old is bidding to make his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals after a stellar season that has catapulted him into firm contention.

“I’m doing my best to focus on myself,” said de Minaur, when asked about the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. “There’s no big expectations, I don’t know how the body is going to pull up. If I just keep spending time on court, then it’s a good thing.”

De Minaur won 88 per cent (21/24) of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats, in a hard-fought opening set. The second seed will next face #NextGenATP Jakub Mensik for a spot in the last four of the ATP 500. 

Karen Khachanov kept his winning streak alive with a thrilling comeback victory over Brandon Nakashima, prevailing 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. The 28-year-old improved to six consecutive triumphs after lifting the trophy in Almaty last week.

“I’m very happy because the match became complicated,” said Khachanov, who improved to 31-20 on the season. “The net was not in my favour at all today. Suddenly, after an early break, I was down 6-1. 

“From there, I was really focused. I was trying to push myself mentally and this is what happened. I’m very happy with this turnaround.”

After a lacklustre opening set, Khachanov came alive in the sixth game of the second set, where he produced a delightful forehand winner to convert his third break point. From there, the World No. 24 did not blink en route to a one hour and 50-minute triumph.

Khachanov, the former No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings, will next face Matteo Berrettini, who stood firm to defeat Frances Tiafoe in a gripping second-round clash on Wednesday evening.

The Italian leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 4-0, with the last meeting coming at the 2021 Australian Open. 

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Machac halts Dimitrov's indoor form with gripping Vienna win

Tomas Machac handed Grigor Dimitrov a major setback in his quest to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals on Thursday at the Erste Bank Open.

The Czech held his nerve to prevail 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3, in an absorbing second-round clash in Vienna. Dimitrov appeared to be mounting a gutsy comeback at the beginning of the deciding set, but Machac found a burst of energy to cross the line in two hours, 29 minutes.

“It was a great match and I am really happy that I could play against him, because I was watching him a lot on the TV when I was young,” said Machac, who triumphed in the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

“I am really happy with my performance and I think that both players [played well].”

In the ZONE 🇨🇿

Machac completes the turnaround against Dimitrov to advance to the final 8 in Vienna 👊#ErsteBankOpen | @ErsteBankOpen
| 📷 e|motion/Bildagentur Zolles KG/Christian Hofer pic.twitter.com/42RnioFZPp

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 24, 2024

Dimitrov, who leads the Tour in indoor wins in 2024 (11-5), remains 10th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, trailing eight-placed Andrey Rublev by 570 points.

After exchanging breaks of serve in a tight start, both players raised their levels in a dazzling tie-break. With some scintillating tennis, Dimitrov clawed his way back from 3/5, rattling off four consecutive points to steal the opening set.

Machac bided his time in the second set before pouncing in the 10th game to level the match at one set apiece. The Czech capitalised on the momentum shift and produced some of his most emphatic tennis to book his place in an eighth ATP Tour quarter-final.

Machac will next face Jack Draper, who wasted little time in advancing to his 16th tour-level quarter-final as he breezed past Luciano Darderi in just 76 minutes.

The seventh seed, who won 7-5, 6-1, was particularly dialled in on serve throughout the encounter, during which he won 91 per cent (31/34) of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

This was highlighted in the 12th game, when Draper fired four consecutive aces to close out the opening set. In the second, Draper clicked into gear on return to dismantle the Italian’s serve on three occasions.

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