Fearnley extends winning streak to 13 matches
Britain’s Jacob Fearnley extends his winning streak to 13 matches as he beats Corentin Moutet at the Stockholm Open.
Britain’s Jacob Fearnley extends his winning streak to 13 matches as he beats Corentin Moutet at the Stockholm Open.
Novak Djokovic did not leave the Rolex Shanghai Masters with his 100th tour-level title, but he departed China with critical points for the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.
The Serbian star arrived at the season’s eighth ATP Masters 1000 event in ninth place in the Live Race. By reaching the final, he surged to sixth place, putting him in a qualifying position for the Nitto ATP Finals, which will take place from 10-17 November in Turin.
PIF ATP Live Race To Turin (as of 14 October)
| Player | Points |
| 1) Jannik Sinner | 10,330 |
| 2) Carlos Alcaraz | 6,710 |
| 3) Alexander Zverev | 6,215 |
| 4) Daniil Medvedev | 4,820 |
| 5) Taylor Fritz | 4,290 |
| 6) Novak Djokovic | 3,910 |
| 7) Casper Ruud | 3,805 |
| 8) Andrey Rublev | 3,580 |
Djokovic is 605 points ahead of Alex de Minaur, who in ninth place is currently the first player outside the cut for the season finale.
The 37-year-old Djokovic is trying to earn his place at the year-end championships for the 17th time. Only Roger Federer (18) and Rafael Nadal (17) have qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals that many times. Djokovic owns the record for most titles at the event with seven.
The players currently in seventh through 12th places in the Live Race are all in action this week, with four of them playing in the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm and two at the European Open in Antwerp.
[ATP APP]Seventh-placed Casper Ruud and eighth-placed Andrey Rublev will try to secure their standing. Ruud will pass Djokovic for sixth if he reaches the Stockholm final.
Ninth-placed De Minaur, 275 points behind Rublev for the final qualification spot, can make up ground in Antwerp. The Australian is trying to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. He has not competed since reaching the US Open quarter-finals due to injury.
Tenth-placed Grigor Dimitrov — the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion — and 11th-placed Tommy Paul are in action in Stockholm, while 12th-placed Stefanos Tsitsipas is playing in Antwerp.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Will Learner Tien be the next American star on the ATP Tour? The 18-year-old is in red-hot form, having won 14 of his past 16 ATP Challenger Tour matches, lifting trophies in Las Vagas and Fairfield.
There are currently four Americans inside the Top 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings with Tien’s fellow #NextGenATP star Alex Michelsen inside the Top 50.
Speaking to ATPTour.com at the US Open as part of our Next Gen ‘My Influences’ series, Tien discusses his relationship with Michelsen, the key to a successful team and more.
[ATP APP]What have you learned this past year on Tour?
I think just trusting what I’m doing. Just really believing in what I am putting in and eventually, whether it’s now or down the road, that it will pay off. I had an injury earlier this year and I was out for a few months. So I’m kind of behind, but I know that if I just keep working to get back I’ll inevitably achieve.
I think that it’s been huge for me just to have decent bit of success the past few months and see my work pay off. I think it’s been very motivating and it’s been a good lesson for me to just plug away and trust that what I’m doing is going to pay off.
Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with Alex Michelsen?
I think it’s really cool to have a friend that you see so often that you’ve practised with so often for the past three, four years. You see them having a lot of success and I think it’s always nice. It’s fun getting to practise with him. We’ve been going to the same academy for a while. It is inspiring to know that he’s leading the way and I am just trying to catch up.
I’m obviously really happy for him. He’s a good friend of mine and it’s great to see him do well.
What sort of attributes do you look for when bringing people into your team?
I feel like I try to surround myself with like-minded individuals, people that share the same goals. Personality-wise, I don’t feel I have a set criteria for someone I want to surround myself with. With my goals, I mean aspirations.
I feel like it’s easier to relate and be yourself around other like-minded individuals, people that share the same motivations, the same qualities as you. I think everyone plays their own role in my team. Some people you need to lift you up, but you also need someone that’s not willing to take a chip at you.
You just need a balance. You can’t just be getting pampered, but at the same time can’t just be getting bashed down. So I think a good balance is good for healthy development.
Which former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion did you enjoy watching most when growing up?
I feel at a certain point, when you start to play tennis you appreciate everyone you really watch because you understand their thought process when you see them play and you understand what they’re trying to do. It’s cool to see how they progress after winning an event like the Next Gen Finals and how their pathway progresses after.
Which former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion do you most identify with?
When I first started getting into tennis, watching tennis — and I didn’t for a while, until I was probably 15, 16 — it was probably [Carlos] Alcaraz. He really drew me into watching tennis at first. I guess the entertainment factor drew me in and I obviously started understanding tennis better watching all these guys. I really appreciated watching these matches a lot more.
What have been some of the general influences in your life over the years, whether it be parents, early coaches, other people who have influenced you?
My parents have been key. They introduced me to the sport, integrated me in. I am the youngest in my family and everyone played tennis before I did, so I was just following them. My dad was my coach until I was probably 11 or 12 and still had a big say in my tennis for a while after that. I definitely give a lot of credit to my dad for that.
Read More from our ‘My Influences’ series
My Influences: Shang on Alcaraz experience & parents’ support
My Influences: Quinn on ‘grounded’ Sinner & Paul’s mentorship
My Influences: Gaubas opens up on ‘amazing’ Alcaraz experience
There was element of déjà vu to Jiri Lehecka’s first-round victory on Tuesday at the European Open.
The fifth-seed downed Jaume Munar 6-1, 6-4 to book his second-round spot on his debut at the ATP 250 in Antwerp. It was the second Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting between Lehecka and Munar in the space of 10 days after the pair’s opening-round clash at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, where the Czech also advanced in straight sets.
Jiri moving on 💪@jirilehecka | @EuroTennisOpen | #EuropeanOpen pic.twitter.com/AdSK43nOpl
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 15, 2024
Lehecka was in control for much of Tuesday’s encounter in Belgium. He converted four of nine break points he earned, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and his only real struggles came in closing out his victory. Munar saved five match points on serve in the final game before double faulting on the sixth to hand Lehecka the win.
“The first set was about what I let him do, and in the second set he improved so much,” said Lehecka in his on-court interview. “I felt that it would be a difficult challenge for me to win the second set. We saw that he fought until the end. We played last week in Shanghai, and we both knew it would be a tough competition again, so it’s a good win for me and I’m very happy to be in the second round.”
With his 85-minute win, Lehecka rose two spots to No. 31 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. Awaiting the Czech in the second round in Antwerp will be Daniel Altmaier or home qualifier Gilles Arnaud Bailly. The 22-year-old, who is now 25-15 for 2024, is chasing his second ATP Tour title of the year after he clinched his maiden tour-level crown in January in Adelaide.
“Since the first day I came here I’ve felt good on this surface,” said Lehecka, when asked how he felt about his triumphant Antwerp debut. “I’ve felt comfortable with the balls and the conditions here in Antwerp. I felt good since the first moment I arrived here. A few good practices gave me important confidence which I used today.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
The Erste Bank Open is an indoor hard-court ATP 500 in Vienna, Austria. This year, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev will headline the action at the 50th edition of the tournament, while former champion and home favourite Dominic Thiem will compete in the final event of his pro career.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the tournament:
When is the Erste Bank Open?
The ATP 500 event will be held from 21-27 October at the Wiener Stadthalle. The tournament director is Herwig Straka.
Who is playing at the Erste Bank Open?
Zverev, Medvedev, Thiem, Taylor Fritz, Grigor Dimitrov and Alex de Minaur are among the field in Vienna.
When is the draw for the Erste Bank Open?
The Erste Bank Open draw will be made on Saturday, 19 October at 12 p.m. local time (CEST).
What is the schedule for the Erste Bank Open?
Qualifying: Saturday, 19 October & Sunday, 20 October at 11 a.m.
Main Draw: Monday, 21 October at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, 22 October & Wednesday, 23 October at 1 p.m.
Thursday, 24 October at 12 p.m.
Friday, 25 October & Saturday, 26 October at 1 p.m.
Doubles Final: Sunday, 27 October at 11:45 a.m.
Singles Final: Sunday, 27 October at 2 p.m.
View On Official Website
[ATP APP]What is the prize money and points for the Erste Bank Open?
The prize money for the Erste Bank Open is €2,470,310 and the Total Financial Commitment is €2,626,045.
SINGLES:
Winner: € 461,920/ 500 points
Finalist: € 248,540/ 330 points
Semi-finalist: €132,470/ 200 points
Quarter-finalist: €67,680 / 100 points
Round of 16: € 36,130/ 50 points
Round of 32: €19,270 / 0 points
DOUBLES (€ per team):
Winner: € 151,740/ 500 points
Finalist: € 80,930/ 300 points
Semi-finalist: €40,950 / 180 points
Quarter-finalist: € 20,470/ 90 points
Round of 16: €10,600 / 0 points
How can I watch the Erste Bank Open?
Watch Live on TennisTV
TV Schedule
How can I follow the Erste Bank Open?
Hashtag: #ErsteBankOpen
Facebook: Erste Bank Open (ATP Vienna)
Youtube: @emotionmanagement
TikTok: @erstebankopen
Twitter: @ErsteBankOpen
Instagram: @erstebankopen
Who won the last edition of the Erste Bank Open in 2023?
Jannik Sinner defeated Medvedev 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3 to clinch the title at the Erste Bank Open last year. He saved two set points in the first set before he earned a crucial break in the fourth game of the third set, converting on his ninth break point of an 18-minute game. He then held serve to seal victory on serve on his second match point after three hours and five minutes.
Who holds the Erste Bank Open record for most titles, oldest champion, youngest champion and more?
Most Titles, Singles: Brian Gottfried (4)
Oldest Champion: Tommy Haas, 35, in 2013
Youngest Champion: Horst Skoff, 20, in 1988
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 1 Pete Sampras in 1998
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 175 Anders Jarryd in 1990
Most Match Wins: Brian Gottfried (31)
View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
The 2024 Swiss Indoors Basel will be held at at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel. Top 10 stars Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud headline the action in Switzerland.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the tournament:
When is the Swiss Indoors Basel?
The ATP 500 event will be held from 21-27 October. It will take place at the St. Jakobshalle Basel. The tournament director is Roger Brennwald.
Who is playing at the Swiss Indoors Basel?
Rublev, Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune, Ben Shelton, and Felix Auger-Aliassime are among the field in Basel.
When is the draw for the Swiss Indoors Basel?
The Swiss Indoors Basel draw will be made on 18 October at 9 p.m. local time (CEST)
What is the schedule for the Swiss Indoors Basel?
Qualifying: Saturday, 19 October at 11 a.m. & Sunday, 20 October at 1 p.m.
Main Draw: Monday, 21 October at 12 p.m & 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 22 October – Friday, 25 October at 12:00 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Saturday, 26 October at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Doubles Final: Sunday, 27 October at 1 p.m.
Singles Final: Sunday, 27 October at 3:30 p.m.
View On Official Website
[ATP APP]What is the prize money and points for the Swiss Indoors Basel?
The prize money for the Swiss Indoors Basel is €2,385,100 and the Total Financial Commitment is €2,540,835.
SINGLES:
Winner: € 446,045/ 500 points
Finalist: € 239,990/ 330 points
Semi-finalist: €127,900/ 200 points
Quarter-finalist: €65,345 / 100 points
Round of 16: € 34,880/ 50 points
Round of 32: €18,605 / 0 points
DOUBLES (€ per team):
Winner: € 146,500/ 500 points
Finalist: € 78,135/ 300 points
Semi-finalist: €39,530 / 180 points
Quarter-finalist: €19,765 / 90 points
Round of 16: €10,230 / 0 points
How can I watch the Swiss Indoors Basel?
Watch Live on TennisTV
TV Schedule
How can I follow the Swiss Indoors Basel?
Hashtag: #SwissIndoorsBasel
Facebook: Swiss Indoors Basel
Instagram: @swissindoorsbasel_official
Who won the last edition of the Swiss Indoors Basel in 2023?
Auger-Aliassime captured the 2023 Swiss Indoors Basel title with a 7-6(3), 7-6(5) win against Hurkacz last year. It was the Canadian’s second title in a row in at the Swiss ATP 500.
Who holds the Swiss Indoors Basel record for most titles, oldest champion, youngest champion and more?
Most Titles, Singles: Roger Federer (10)
Oldest Champion: Roger Federer, 38, in 2019
Youngest Champion: Jim Courier, 19, in 1989
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 1 Pete Sampras in 1996 and No. 1 Roger Federer in 2006-07
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 44 Jiri Hrebec in 1975
Most Match Wins: Roger Federer (75)
View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
Showman Frances Tiafoe has made a habit of lighting up courts around the world and dazzling scores of crowds since he burst onto the scene at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in 2018.
With dynamic play matching his personality, ‘Big Foe’ has become one of the pre-eminent crowd-pleasers on the ATP Tour. He has risen the PIF ATP Rankings and gained a host of new fans through his thrilling style of play and infectious personality.
[ATP APP]Recently, the World No. 15 reminisced on his most scintillating moments on court, tracing the shots that have defined his game and career. Tiafoe relived his most memorable hot shots from tournaments in Milan, Barcelona, Toronto and more.
Which are Tiafoe’s favourites? Watch the full video below to find out.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
Mariano Navone held his nerve to move past Thiago Monteiro in a gripping first-round clash at the European Open in Antwerp Monday.
The Argentine saved two match points in the deciding set before converting the first of his own to seal a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) victory after two hours and 41 minutes. In his first professional indoor match, Navone found success at the net, claiming 88 per cent (7/8) of points in the contest when advancing forward, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
First indoor match ✅
First indoor win ✅Navone finds a way past Monteiro 6-3 4-6 7-6(6)!@EuroTennisOpen | #EuropeanOpen pic.twitter.com/4QyoB1wohS
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 14, 2024
In claiming the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, the No. 43 in the PIF ATP Rankings also snapped a five-match losing streak against left-handed players.
Monteiro, the first Brazilian to compete in the main draw in Antwerp tournament history, was imperious behind his first serve in the third set, but came unstuck by the resilience of Navone in an absorbing tie-break.
[ATP APP]Sixth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry kickstarted his debut campaign in Antwerp with a well-fought win over wild card Richard Gasquet.
The Argentine struck cleanly from both wings to prevail 7-6(4), 6-4, rattling off three consecutive games to seal victory in one hour and 48 minutes.
Roberto Carballes Baena cruised past Dominik Koepfer 6-4, 6-0 to advance to the second round. The Spaniard dropped just three points behind his first serve throughout the second set.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Matteo Berrettini maintained his perfect record against lower-ranked players in 2024 with a commanding first-round victory Monday at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm.
The Italian’s ferocious forehand was on full display in a 6-4, 6-3 win over countryman Luciano Darderi. The 28-year-old was forced to rally from a break down in the opening set, but clicked into gear in the second, sealing the contest in one hour and 17 minutes.
[ATP APP]“I think I played a solid match. Even though we are both Italian, we had never played against each other, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Berrettini said. “It’s my first time here in Stockholm, and my first hit on centre court, so new things, but I think my attitude was really good. The more I was playing, the more I was feeling good.”
Improving to 17-0 in 2024 against opponents who sit below him in the PIF ATP Rankings, Berrettini won 89 per cent (31/35) of points behind his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Elsewhere at the ATP 250, seventh seed Tallon Griekspoor cruised past Pavel Kotov with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph. With his one-hour, 12-minute win, the Dutchman improved to a 9-2 record in opening-round matches on hard courts this year.
Griekspoor struck eight aces en route to claiming his second consecutive win over Kotov, levelling the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 2-2.
Lorenzo Sonego also made a winning start in Stockholm, getting the better of qualifier Marc-Andrea Huesler 7-6(1), 7-5 in an entertaining first-round clash.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Fans better get used to the name Learner Tien.
The #NextGenATP star joined elite company in the record books Sunday, when he became the fourth American to win three ATP Challenger Tour titles before his 19th birthday. Taylor Fritz, Andy Roddick and Sam Querrey also achieved the feat.
Tien was crowned champion at the Taube – Grossman Pro Tennis Tournament, an ATP Challenger 75 event in Fairfield, California, his home state. The lefty raced past Australian Bernard Tomic 6-0, 6-1 in a 39-minute final, the shortest championship match in Challenger history. Tien boasts a 28-6 season record at the Challenger level with three titles: Bloomfield Hills, Las Vegas and Fairfield. He is up to a career-high No. 124 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
“If you would have told me six months ago that this is how my year would’ve looked, I probably would’ve been a bit sceptical,” Tien told commentator Mike Cation. “But I’m really happy with how I’m playing right now and still have a few more to end the year, so hopefully I can keep it rolling.”
At 18 years, 10 months, Tien is the youngest player to win his third Challenger title since an 18-year-old Holger Rune in 2021. Tien is sixth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. He is aiming for maiden qualification for the the 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, which runs from 18-22 December in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Villa Maria
In other Challenger action, it was less straightforward for Camilo Ugo Carabelli, who survived a marathon final to lift his seventh Challenger trophy at the AAT Challenger Santander Edicion Villa Maria. The 25-year-old Argentine overcame Dutchman Jesper de Jong 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4 after three hours, during which Ugo Carabelli saved 10 of the 16 break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Ugo Carabelli has won three Challenger titles in 2024.
“[Jesper] defeated me in a great battle at the Australian Open, third round of qualifying… I served for the match and I lost, and today that situation came to my mind,” Ugo Carabelli said in Spanish. “The support of the people here made me strong to help me to get the victory.”
<img alt=”Camilo Ugo Carabelli celebrates winning the Villa Maria Challenger.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/10/14/14/00/ugo-carabelli-villamariach-2024.jpg” />
Camilo Ugo Carabelli celebrates winning the Villa Maria Challenger. Credit: Omar Erre
Valencia
Spaniard Pedro Martinez was crowned champion at the Copa Faulcombridge by Marcos Automocion to reach a career-high No. 39 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The top seed did not drop a set all week to lift his seventh Challenger title. Martinez defeated Portugal’s Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-3 in the final.
Dominant week from start to finish 🫡 👑
No sets dropped in Valencia for @PedroMPortero as he captures the title with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Jaime Faria!#ATPChallenger | @copafbvalencia pic.twitter.com/pupcVVYEx2
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 13, 2024
Hangzhou
Australian James Duckworth fought off an early scare en route to a title run at the Hangzhou Binjiang International Tennis Challenger. Duckworth, 32, saved a match point in a hard-fought, opening-round match against Yasutaka Uchiyama and built upon his momentum to claim his 15th Challenger title.
The Sydney native rallied past American Mackenzie McDonald 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the final. Duckworth is the fourth active player to win 15 Challenger titles: Ricardas Berankis, Mikhail Kukushkin (16) and Facundo Bagnis (17).
<img alt=”James Duckworth during the Hangzhou Challenger final.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/10/14/14/13/duckworth-hangzhouch-2024.jpg” />
James Duckworth during the Hangzhou Challenger final. Credit: Hangzhou Binjiang International Tennis Challenger
Roanne
Home favourite Benjamin Bonzi won his second Challenger title of the season and 10th overall at the Open Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes de Roanne. The 28-year-old downed four fellow Frenchmen en route to the title, including a 7-5, 6-1 final victory against Matteo Martineau.
<img alt=”Benjamin Bonzi wins the Roanne Challenger.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/10/14/14/22/bonzi-roannech-2024.jpg” />
Benjamin Bonzi wins the Roanne Challenger. Credit: Open Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes de Roanne