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#NextGenATP Mensik fires into last eight in Vienna

  • Posted: Oct 24, 2024

Jakub Mensik’s breakout year on the ATP Tour is showing no signs of slowing down as we approach the season finale.

The #NextGenATP star surged to a 6-3, 7-6(7) triumph against Miomir Kecmanovic on Thursday to book his spot in the last eight at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, his fifth tour-level quarter-final of the year. Mensik was clinical on serve throughout the match, during which he won 86 per cent (48/56) of points behind his first delivery and saved all four of the break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

With the one hour and 53-minute victory, the 19-year-old is up to third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, trailing second-placed Alex Michelsen by just 25 points. After a stellar season that has seen him climb inside the Top 50 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, Mensik is in strong contention to make his debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in December.

Mensik’s ability to combine his athleticism with craft at the net has been pivotal to his ascent through the ranks. It was on full display against Kecmanovic, underpinned by a sumptuous half-volley pickup to move ahead in the second set tie-break.

At the ATP 500 in Vienna, Mensik battled through two qualifying matches before toppling eighth seed Alexei Popyrin in their opening-round clash. After seeing off Kecmanovic in straight sets, the Czech qualifier will next face World No. 10 Alex de Minaur or Italian Flavio Cobolli in the last eight.

Mensik is no stranger to defeating a Top 10 opponent (4-3 overall), having conquered both Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov en route to his quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic at the Rolex Shanghai Masters last month.

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Stubborn Edmund: I never lacked motivation despite losing ‘a bit of purpose’

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2024

For years, Kyle Edmund awoke with a clear purpose: tennis. It was the Briton’s childhood passion, the heartbeat of his daily routine and the force behind every decision.

But then, a left knee injury hindered Edmund while in the form of his life and his rhythm was shattered. Days once defined by sweat and strategy turned into a tedious grind of rehab, leaving a void in the 29-year-old.

“Then, without playing tennis, it’s kind of like what am I waking up for?” Edmund told ATPTour.com at this week’s MarketBeat Open, an ATP Challenger Tour event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “I’m literally just waking up to do some rehab.”

Edmund has tasted some of the highest highs a professional tennis player can experience. He ascended to career-best No. 14 in the PIF ATP Rankings in October 2018 amidst an eight-month span in the Top 20. That was the same year he reached the Australian Open semi-finals and won his first of two tour-level titles.

But the past four years have been a far different story. Edmund underwent his first of three surgeries on his left knee in November 2020. The second surgery — which was the largest procedure of the three — came in March 2021 and the final operation was in May 2022.

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It has been a difficult, at times emotional, battle for Edmund, whose calendar was solely marked with the word ‘rehab’ for much of the past few years while his colleagues competed weekly across the globe. In 2021, Edmund did not play a single tournament.

“You lose a bit of purpose, start wondering what to do and all these kinds of things. There are a few moments where you are just really down and you get a bit emotional,” said Edmund, who also suffered a left wrist injury in 2023, though it did not require surgery. “You have your family or coaches around you to have a little bit of a release and sort of say, ‘What a rubbish situation it is’.”

Now Edmund is on the comeback trail. For the past two seasons, he has worked hard at the ITF and ATP Challenger Tour level with a ranking consistently outside the Top 400. He is currently at World No. 334 in the PIF ATP Rankings, his best position since June 2022.

Edmund is on track to play more than 50 matches across all levels for the first time since 2018, a step in the right direction for the North Yorkshire native, who aspires to play on the ATP Tour again.

“I never lacked the motivation, which was good. There were just times I didn’t feel there was any progress,” Edmund said. “Even if it’s tiny progress, at least it feels like you are moving but there were times where I just was like nothing was happening and that was hard. I knew though by doing nothing, I wasn’t going to get better. I was pretty determined to keep going.”

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Despite the frequent challenging moments, Edmund’s determination became his greatest asset while recovering.

“In my head, I was always quite stubborn,” Edmund said. “The stubbornness doesn’t help me in other things, but it’s a good trait to be stubborn with the rehab because it was a big part of my motivation to always be like, ‘Yeah, I’m doing this! I’m going to do as much as I can to get back. There will be a day where I’m back on court’.”

The extended absence could tempt a former Top 20 player to hang up the racquets and explore a new path, but for Edmund, being sidelined reminded him of his passion for the sport.

“I think when you’ve been out that long, you then realise why you’re doing it. There’s a lot more opportunities to say, ‘I’m alright, I’m going to do something else now’ because there’s a reason there,” Edmund said. “But I think when I’ve stuck at it for a long time, it showed me that I do actually want to do it.”

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Wawrinka wins Basel thriller, Rublev marches into career-best 13th QF

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2024

Stan Wawrinka found a fitting time to register his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head win over Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday at the Swiss Indoors Basel.

To the delight of the home crowd, Wawrinka held his nerve to seal a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 victory and become the oldest match-winner in tournament history. After reaching his first semi-final since July 2023 in Stockholm last week, the 39-year-old was able to maintain his strong indoor form to fend off Mannarino, the No. 57 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

“I always lost close matches [against Mannarino], but this was the first one I played at home, so I think it’s thanks to you [the crowd] that I won today,” said Wawrinka, who had lost each of their previous three meetings. “Today I was able to be more patient with myself and stay aggressive when I needed to be. These difficult wins in the opening rounds are the ones that make me the most happy.

“It’s a pleasure to come to Basel each year, it’s one of the reasons why I aim to keep going, so I want to thank the tournament for the invitation, for the chance to play in the main draw.”

The Swiss wild card, who is making his 17th appearance in Basel, will next face sixth seed Ben Shelton on Thursday for a spot in the quarter-finals.

“I expect a very tough match, he’s young, he plays very well,” added Wawrinka, who improved to a 16-15 record in Basel. “It’s going to be tough to implement my game, with the intensity that he brings, but I am going to try and battle like always.”

Wawrinka’s serving has been pivotal to his recent run of form. It was particularly potent throughout his contest with Mannarino, during which he won 86 per cent (44/51) of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

It appeared as if the momentum was shifting in favour of the Frenchman in the early stages of the deciding set, but Wawrinka mustered some gutsy tennis to save a break point in the opening game. Buoyed by the crowd, Wawrinka seized the moment in the 12th game to seal his maiden victory over Mannarino at the fourth time of asking in two hours, one minute.

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World No. 7 Andrey Rublev secured his spot in a career-best 13th quarter-final of the season after seeing off the threat of explosive lefty Alejandro Tabilo. The top seed advanced with a dominant 7-6(3), 6-1 victory in one hour, 13 minutes.

After a tight first set largely dominated by the server, Rublev clicked into gear on return throughout the second, during which he won 86 per cent (5/6) of points behind Tabilo’s second serve, and converted each of the two break points he created.

Rublev’s run to the last eight will be welcome in his bid to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for a fifth time. The 27-year-old is currently eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, 315 points ahead of ninth-placed Alex de Minaur, who is in action in Vienna on Thursday.

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Djokovic withdraws from Paris

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2024

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Rolex Paris Masters, he announced on social media Wednesday.

“Unfortunately I won’t be playing @rolexparismasters this year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me play there,” Djokovic wrote in an Instagram Story. “Wishing all the players, sponsors, organisers and fans a great tournament. 

“I have a lot of great memories winning seven titles there and hope to be back with you next year.”

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Djokovic has won seven of his record 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles at Paris-Bercy. He has tallied a 50-9 record at the tournament, winning 18 of his past 19 matches there.

The 37-year-old owns a 37-9 record this season, including a run to the Paris Olympics gold medal. He currently sits sixth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

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Zverev hits personal-best wins tally, reaches Vienna QFs

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2024

Alexander Zverev notched a comfortable win to break new ground on Wednesday evening at the Erste Bank Open.

The top seed at the indoor hard-court ATP 500 in Vienna overcame Marcos Giron 6-2, 7-5 to seal a quarter-final spot. Zverev sent down 10 aces and converted all three break points he earned, according to Infosys ATP Stats, en route to securing his 61st win of 2024. That tally represents a season-best for the German.

“I thought he was serving unbelievable in the second set,” said Zverev, when asked how tough Giron made it to close out victory. “I was feeling really good from the baseline, but I was not getting many chances to play from the baseline because he was serving so well.

“Obviously I’m extremely happy to get it done in straight sets. When it goes to a tie-break, it’s never guaranteed that you’re going to win it, especially against someone like him who plays fantastic tennis. I’m happy to be through to the quarter-finals.”

With his 73-minute win, Zverev extended his Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead against Giron to 3-0. Competing in the Vienna main-draw for the fourth time, the 27-year-old also maintained his record of having reached at least the quarter-finals on every one of his appearances there.

The World No. 3’s next assignment in the Austrian capital, where he lifted the title in 2021, is a last-eight meeting with Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian advanced to the quarter-finals after Gael Monfils was forced to withdraw from the pair’s second-round clash due to illness.

Currently third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin and having already sealed his Nitto ATP Finals spot, Zverev is bidding to add a second tour-level title to his stellar season. The Rome champion has been a beacon of consistency this year, and by beating Giron he joined World No. 1 Jannik Sinner as the only player to reach 14 tour-level quarter-finals in 2024.

The day’s action at the Wiener Stadthalle was rounded out in dramatic fashion by Matteo Berrettini and Frances Tiafoe. The pair delivered a see-saw battle for the late-night crowd and it was Berrettini who ultimately held firm for a 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 victory.

Tiafoe saved three match points in the second set, when he rallied from 3-5 and then 4/6 in the tie-break. However after levelling the match and then breaking serve in the opening game of the decider, the American was unable to make his momentum count. Berrettini raised his level to roar back and claim a three-hour, three-minute triumph.

The key to the Italian’s victory was his ability to dig himself out of holes on serve. Berrettini saved 15 of 17 break points he faced in the match, according to Infosys ATP Stats, while his charge to the finish line was also helped by firing eight aces in the third set alone.

After claiming his first Top 20 win on a hard court since January 2023, Berrettini will next take on Karen Khachanov or Brandon Nakashima. The 28-year-old is chasing his fourth title of 2024 in Vienna, but his first above ATP 250 level.

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Spizzirri's 'little moment' that led to big dreams

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2024

Little did Eliot Spizzirri know when he was competing at the “Little Mo” Nationals at age 10 in Austin, Texas, that the historic junior tournament would become a pivotal moment in his professional tennis pathway.

Eight years later, the American would call Austin home while attending the University of Texas, where Spizzirri finished back-to-back years as the No. 1 player in the ITA singles rankings.

From “Little Mos” to college, it was a full-circle journey deep in the heart of Texas that today stands out to the 22-year-old.

“The first tournament where I realised this is what I want to do full time for a living was the “Little Mo” nationals,’” Spizzirri told ATPTour.com at this week’s MarketBeat Open, an ATP Challenger Tour event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “I placed third and there was all this talk like, ‘Andy Roddick played and he placed this and that’ and I got all excited I think.”

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The “Little Mo” nationals is one of the most highly touted junior tournaments in the United States. Former champions include Roddick, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Sebastian Korda. Spizzirri left with a podium finish and won the sportsmanship award.

“That’s one of my fondest memories as a junior tennis player,” Spizzirri said. “I was lucky enough to go back and speak at it in the last couple of years. That was a real honour.”

Spizzirri graduated this past May after a standout collegiate career for the Texas Longhorns. He became a seven-time ITA All-American: three in singles (2021, ’23, ’24) and four straight in doubles.

Since launching his pro career this June, Spizzirri has a new voice in his corner: Thomas Blake, the brother of former World No. 4 James Blake. Spizzirri’s longtime coach Patrick Hirscht is still involved, but Blake is travelling alongside the Connecticut native.

“He’s a pretty mellow guy,” Spizzirri said of Blake. “He’s got a lot of experience playing and being there with James at a high level. He’s been a great resource for me and I’m looking forward to continuing.”

Spizzirri has already climbed nearly 500 spots in the PIF ATP Rankings in just four months and is currently at a career-high World No. 248. He qualified for his maiden major main draw at the US Open, where he grew up training multiple days a week.

<img alt=”Eliot Spizzirri is World No. 248 in the PIF ATP Rankings.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/10/22/23/35/spizzirri-tiburonch-2024-forehand.jpg” />
Eliot Spizzirri in action during the Tiburon Challenger final. Credit: Natalie Kim Photography

Through the ATP Next Gen Accelerator Programme, Spizzirri this season has used three spots to gain entry into select Challenger tournaments. Spizzirri reached his maiden Challenger final this month in Tiburon, California before falling to #NextGenATP American Nishesh Basavareddy.

“The Challenger Tour gives everyone that resource to try and see how far you can make it. It’s really hard if you don’t test your level at the Challenger level to skip and go to ATP from college or juniors,” Spizzirri said. “I think the competition is a lot better than probably a lot of people think.”

Spizzirri is not the only athlete in his family aiming for a breakthrough. His twin brother, Nick, is a squash player at the University of Pennsylvania.

“One of his big goals is to try and make the 2028 Olympics in squash because that will be the first year of squash in the Olympics,” Spizzirri said. “I’m rooting for him in that. I used to play a lot of squash. I played a couple tournaments when I was nine or 10, but then realised I have to commit fully to tennis.”

While the twin brothers have pursued different athletic paths, Eliot and Nick share a passion for outdoor activities.

“I love to fly fish. My dad and my twin brother are huge fly fishermen. I enjoy it,” Spizzirri said. “I caught a massive striped bass at 2 a.m. two summers ago. I consider that my favourite catch.”

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

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2024

The final ATP Masters 1000 event of the season is the Rolex Paris Masters. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev headline the action.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the indoor hard-court event in France:

When is the Rolex Paris Masters?

The ATP 1000 event will be held from 28 October to 3 November. It will take place at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France. The tournament director is Cedric Pioline.

Who is playing at the Rolex Paris Masters?
Sinner, Alcaraz, Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev are among the field in Paris. Home hopes at the event will be lead by Ugo Humbert and #NextGenATP Arthur Fils.

When is the draw for the Rolex Paris Masters?

The Rolex Paris Masters draw will be made on Friday, 25 October at 7:30 p.m. local time (CEST)

What is the schedule for the Rolex Paris Masters?

Qualifying: Saturday, 26 October at 10:00 a.m. & Sunday, 27 October at 11 a.m. (CEST)
Main Draw: Monday, 28 October to Thursday, 31 October at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (CET)
Friday, 1 November at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Saturday, 2 November at 11:30 a,m,
Doubles Final: Sunday, 3 November at 12:30 p.m.
Singles Final: Sunday, 3 November at 3 p.m.

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

The prize money for the Rolex Paris Masters is €5,950,575 and the Total Financial Commitment is €6,946,835.

SINGLES:
Winner: €919,075/ 1000 points
Finalist: €501,880 / 650 points
Semi-finalist: €274,425/ 400 points
Quarter-finalist: €149,685/ 200 points
Round of 16: €80,065/ 100 points
Round of 28: €42,935/ 50 points
Round of 64: €23,785/ 10 points

DOUBLES (€ per team): 
Winner: €310,900 / 1000 points
Finalist: €162,490 / 600 points
Semi-finalist: €85,870/ 360 points
Quarter-finalist: €47,580/ 180 points
Round of 16: €26,110/ 90 points
Round of 28: €14,500 /0 points

How can I watch the Rolex Paris Masters?

Watch Live on TennisTV
TV Schedule

How can I follow the Rolex Paris Masters?

Hashtag: #RolexParisMasters
YouTube: Rolex Paris Masters
Facebook: Rolex Paris Masters
Instagram: rolexparismasters
Twitter: @RolexPMasters

Who won the last edition of the Rolex Paris Masters in 2023?

Djokovic rolled past Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 to win a record-extending seventh title in the 2023 final in Paris. With his win, the Serbian claimed his record-extending 40th ATP Masters 1000 trophy.

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

Most Titles, Singles: Novak Djokovic (7)
Oldest Champion: Novak Djokovic, 36, in 2023
Youngest Champion: Boris Becker, 18, in 1986
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 1 Stefan Edberg in 1990, No. 1 Pete Sampras in 1997, No. 1 Andre Agassi in 1999, No. 1 Novak Djokovic in 2014-15, 2019, 2021, 2023
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 50 Tomas Berdych in 2005
Most Match Wins: Novak Djokovic (50)

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

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Two-time defending champ Felix advances in Basel, Ruud suffers Turin blow

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2024

Two-time defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime maintained his dominance at the Swiss Indoors Basel on Wednesday when he moved past Sebastian Baez 7-5, 6-1 to reach the second round.

Auger-Aliassime has won his past 11 matches at the ATP 500 event, having lifted the trophy on debut in 2022 and in 2023. The Canadian looked comfortable in the indoor conditions against Baez, winning 86 per cent (31/36) of his first-serve points to advance after 75 minutes.

Auger-Aliassime is looking to rediscover his best form this week, having fallen in his opening-round matches in Tokyo and Shanghai and in his second-round match in Antwerp.

The 24-year-old, who is trying to become the first player born in 1991 or later to three-peat an ATP Tour event, leads Baez 2-0 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series and will next meet Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

In other action, Casper Ruud’s Nitto ATP Finals hopes took a hit by Roberto Bautista Agut.

The Spaniard won his first tour-level title since 2022 on Sunday in Antwerp and backed that up by defeating Ruud 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. The 36-year-old will take on Canadian wild card Denis Shapovalov in the second round.

“I am enjoying it on the court. As you can see I feel well after a tough year,” Bautista Agut said after his two-hour, three-minute win. “I had a lot of pressure and was playing qualies, but as soon as I got a little bit of calm I could play better and I am enjoying it more.”

Ruud leaves Basel seventh in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. He leads ninth-placed Alex de Minaur by 440 points. Rublev, who is also in action in Basel, is currently in the final qualification spot in eighth. De Minaur takes to court in Vienna this week.

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