Tennis

Germany's Alexander Zverev emerged victorious at the Paris Masters on Sunday, showcasing his dominance with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 triumph over home favorite Ugo Humbert. This victory marks Zverev's seventh ATP 1000-level title, adding to his impressive collection of wins in Rome, Madrid, Montreal, and Cincinnati.Zverev's return to Paris was a triumphant one, following his heartbreaking loss in the French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz in June. Four years prior, he had also fallen short in the 2020 Paris Masters championship match against Daniil Medvedev."I knew I had to play like this to win today," said Zverev, who began his victory speech by apologizing to the crowd at Paris' Bercy Arena. "I want to congratulate Ugo on an incredible week, (he's an) incredible player. If you continue like this, you'll be able to lift trophies like this. This is not your last chance, Ugo."Zverev's victory in Saturday's semi-final propelled him to the world number two ranking, surpassing Spain's Alcaraz. The German will now compete in the ATP Finals in Turin from November 10-17, where he aims to replicate his past successes in 2018 and 2021.Zverev will enter the event as the player with the most wins this year, as Sunday's victory in the French capital was his 66th in 2024, surpassing world number one Jannik Sinner.For 26-year-old Humbert, the final was a bittersweet experience. Despite reaching his first Masters final on home soil, he faced a formidable opponent in Zverev. The world number 18 had stunned four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz in the last 16, delighting the vocal home crowds."I want to congratulate Sascha (Zverev) for the quality of the tennis he has played all this week, and season," said Humbert. "I came as a kid to watch matches here (at the Paris Masters) and it made me want to do what I do, so I'm very happy to have reached the final."

Germany's Alexander Zverev, the 2020 Paris Masters runner-up, has booked his place in the final of the 2024 edition after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark in the semi-finals. Zverev's 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) victory on Saturday marked his second ATP 1000-level final of the season, following his triumph in Rome in May.Zverev, ranked third in the world, relied on his powerful serve and the speed of the surface at Paris' Bercy Arena to dominate his service games. Rune, on the other hand, struggled with his first serve and lacked consistency with his groundstrokes, allowing Zverev to take an early lead.Despite leading 4-1 in the first set, Zverev faced some resistance from Rune, who broke back to level the score at 4-3. However, Zverev regained control and consolidated the break to claim the first set.The second set was a more closely contested affair, with both players holding serve until the seventh game. Zverev then broke Rune's serve with a powerful inside-out forehand, setting himself up to serve for the match.Rune, known for his resilience, broke back immediately, forcing Zverev to serve for the match again. The pressure mounted on both players, but Zverev ultimately prevailed in a gripping tiebreak, securing his spot in the final.In the day's other semi-final, home hope Ugo Humbert will face Russia's Karen Khachanov for a chance to reach his first championship match at a Masters event.

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden Bow Out of Paris Masters in QuarterfinalsIndian tennis veteran Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden's impressive run at the Paris Masters came to an end in the quarterfinals after a hard-fought defeat to the Dutch-Croatian duo of Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic.The third-seeded Indo-Australian pair battled for one hour and 46 minutes before succumbing 6-7, 5-7 in a closely contested match at the ATP 1000 event on Friday.The first set was a nail-biter, with both teams trading blows and the scoreline remaining tight. Bopanna and Ebden had their chances, but Koolhof and Mektic displayed resilience to save set points and eventually clinch the tiebreaker 8-6.The second set followed a similar pattern, with neither pair able to gain a decisive advantage. However, Bopanna and Ebden faltered at a crucial moment, double faulting in the 12th game to hand Koolhof and Mektic the break they needed to seal the set 7-5.Despite the disappointing result, Bopanna and Ebden can take solace in their strong performance throughout the tournament. Earlier this week, they secured a spot in the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals, a testament to their consistent form.

Paris, the City of Light, is renowned for its iconic tennis tournament, Roland Garros, held on the red clay courts of springtime. However, the French capital also hosts another prestigious tennis event, the ATP Masters 1000 tournament, held annually in the Bercy neighborhood since 1986.Unlike Roland Garros, the Paris Masters is played indoors on hard courts, creating a distinct atmosphere. The Accor Arena, an '80s-era concrete pyramid, has been the tournament's home for decades, but it will soon move to the larger and more modern La Défense Arena in Nanterre.Despite its different setting, the Paris Masters exudes a uniquely Parisian charm. Fewer foreign tourists attend, and the crowd is predominantly French, creating a sense of camaraderie and celebration. The fans are as passionate and vocal as those at Roland Garros, cheering and jeering with equal fervor.The tournament has witnessed some memorable moments over the years, including the "Cough Bowl" between Boris Becker and John McEnroe in 1989 and Marat Safin's epic five-set victory over Mark Philippoussis in the 2000 final. In recent years, Holger Rune's breakthrough win over Novak Djokovic in 2022 and Djokovic's own triumph in 2023 have captivated the crowd.The Paris Masters is one of only three remaining men's-only 1000 events, along with Monte Carlo and Shanghai. It comes at the end of the season, when the Grand Slams are over and casual fans have largely checked out. However, the tournament has consistently attracted top players and produced thrilling matches.As the tournament prepares to move to Nanterre, questions arise about the impact on its atmosphere and popularity. The larger facility promises more courts and modern amenities, but some fans may miss the intimate ambiance of the Accor Arena.The expansion of the Masters 1000 series to 12 days and 96-player draws has sparked debate. While it provides more opportunities for lower-ranked players, it may also slow down the pace of the tournament. Fans will have to adjust to the longer format, but the chance to witness more matches may ultimately enhance their experience.Overall, the Paris Masters remains a beloved event on the tennis calendar, offering a unique blend of Parisian charm, passionate fans, and unforgettable matches. As it moves to a new home, the tournament will undoubtedly continue to captivate tennis enthusiasts for years to come.

The Shanghai Masters quarterfinals witnessed a stunning upset as Tomas Machac, the unheralded Czech, dethroned world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, 7-6 (5), 7-5. This remarkable victory halted Alcaraz's 12-match winning streak, which included a thrilling triumph over Jannik Sinner in Beijing.Machac's triumph was a testament to his aggressive and relentless style of play. He dominated at the net, winning 19 of 20 points, and unleashed 31 winners despite committing 42 unforced errors. In contrast, Alcaraz, despite winning a higher percentage of first and second serve points, struggled to convert his break point opportunities, saving only one of eight.Machac's victory sets up a tantalizing semifinal clash with Sinner, who earlier dispatched Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The Italian, who is now virtually assured of the year-end No. 1 ranking, will be a formidable opponent for Machac. However, the Czech has proven his mettle on hard courts, reaching the fourth round of the US Open and the semifinals of Tokyo this year.Machac's rise to prominence has been remarkable. Earlier this year, he reached his first career final on clay in Geneva and his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal in Miami, where he faced Sinner. While Sinner prevailed in that encounter, Machac is eager for redemption."I am looking forward to it," Machac said. "I am really enjoying it and am happy that I can play against the best [players]."With Alcaraz's loss, the Shanghai Masters has become wide open. Sinner remains the favorite, but Machac has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with. The semifinals promise to be an enthralling battle between two of the most exciting young players in tennis.

Nicolas Jarry, the 21st seed, has stormed into the final of the Rome Masters 1000, becoming the first Chilean player to reach this stage in 25 years. His impressive run has included three-set victories over Tommy Paul and Stefanos Tsitsipas, the reigning Monte Carlo champion.In the semifinals, Jarry faced a stern test against Paul, the 14th seed. After winning the first set comfortably, Jarry dropped the second in a tiebreaker. However, he regrouped and broke Paul's serve in the third set to take a 4-2 lead. Paul fought back to save two break points and level the set at 4-4, but Jarry remained composed and eventually sealed the victory with a forehand winner."I was not very happy at the end of the second set," Jarry admitted. "But I tried to use that energy to push myself and focus on my tennis. That gave me the break and more confidence to continue and close the match."Jarry's success in Rome is a testament to his hard work and determination. He has now won three Top 10 victories this season, including a quarterfinal triumph over Tsitsipas. The boisterous crowd at the Foro Italico has also played a role in his success, providing him with a boost of energy and motivation."Yesterday and today were amazing," said Jarry. "I was hoping it was going to be like yesterday. Yesterday was my first day in the stadium. It was quite a shock. But I enjoy this atmosphere, I like it."In the final, Jarry will face Alexander Zverev, the 2017 Rome champion. Zverev has won his past 18 matches against left-handers and is 21-11 lifetime in tour-level finals."He's a tough, tough guy to beat," Jarry said of Zverev. "Amazing backhand, good serve. He's playing very good tennis right now."Jarry will be hoping to become the first Chilean player to win a 1000-level title since Marcelo Rios in 1999. Rios won five 1000-level titles during his career, including the 1998 Rome Masters.

Tommy Paul, the 26-year-old American tennis star, has finally achieved the breakthrough tournament on red dirt that he has been striving for. Nine years after winning the Roland Garros junior title, Paul has reached the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 clay-court event in Rome.Paul's journey to the semifinals has been impressive. He defeated defending Rome champion Daniil Medvedev in the second round and then battled past No. 8 seed Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals. Paul's performance has caught the attention of Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, who posted on social media, "Looks like the early year @TommyPaul1 train is back on track after it was interrupted by the ankle. Looking good TP. Roll."Paul's success in Rome comes after a strong start to the year. He reached the final four of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March before rolling his ankle in Miami. Despite the injury, Paul has returned to form in Madrid and Rome.If Paul can reach the final in Rome, he will become the first American to do so since Taylor Fritz in 2021. He will also supplant Fritz as the No. 1-ranked American come Monday.Paul's opponent in the semifinals will be Chile's Nicolas Jarry, who defeated Paul in four sets in the second round of Roland Garros last year. Paul will be looking to avenge that loss and reach his first 1000-level final.

Jannik Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, faced a stern test in the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open against unseeded Pavel Kotov. Despite being the No. 1 seed, Sinner struggled to find his usual rhythm and was broken twice in the first set. However, the Italian showed his resilience, saving a set point and rallying from 5-3 down in the second set to secure a 6-2, 7-5 victory.Kotov, ranked No. 72 in the world, had upset Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Jordan Thompson to earn his shot at Sinner. The Russian played with determination, but lacked the consistency to capitalize on his opportunities. Sinner, despite hitting more winners and making fewer unforced errors, struggled to find his usual crispness.In the second set, Kotov broke Sinner's serve three times in a row to take a 5-3 lead. However, Sinner refused to give up. He broke back immediately and held serve to level the set at 5-5. In the ninth game, Kotov had a set point, but Sinner saved it with a powerful forehand.The momentum had shifted in Sinner's favor. He broke Kotov's serve again in the 11th game and served for the match. Kotov saved three match points, but Sinner eventually sealed the victory on his fourth attempt.Sinner's win marks his first appearance in the last 16 in Madrid. He will face either No. 16 seed Karen Khachanov or his compatriot, Flavio Cobolli, in the fourth round.

Thiago Monteiro, the 29-year-old Brazilian qualifier, has made history by reaching the third round of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career. Inspired by the recent successes of Adrian Mannarino and Jan-Lennard Struff, Monteiro has adopted the mantra "it's never too late" and has unlocked a new milestone in his tennis journey.In a stunning display of serving prowess, Monteiro ousted No. 6 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. The 118th-ranked qualifier did not face a break point until he served for the match, showcasing his impeccable control and precision. Despite missing a pair of match points against Tsitsipas' serve in the previous game, Monteiro remained composed and erased the deficit with an inside-out forehand winner."Here in the conditions, the serve, especially the left serve, works really well. The ball was bouncing high," Monteiro explained to the press. "I knew I had a big challenge ahead against a top player, but I was feeling good."Monteiro's victory marks his first completed Top 10 victory since defeating Holger Rune in a Davis Cup rubber in September 2023. The former world No. 61 can now break back into the Top 100 if he advances past No. 30 seed Jiri Lehecka in the third round."Never too late indeed. I see guys like Struff that is (34), won his first ATP (title) last week. Mannarino, 35, he had his best season of his tennis career last year," Monteiro said. "Tennis is like this. One week can change the whole year, the whole plans that you have. You just need to keep working hard and to keep trying to enjoy it, take this opportunity when it appears."Tsitsipas, on the other hand, has now dropped consecutive matches after opening his European clay-court swing with 10 successive victories. The former Roland Garros runner-up captured his third Monte Carlo crown before Casper Ruud avenged that final-round defeat by turning the tables in last Sunday's Barcelona title match."I had a very good opponent on the other side of the net. He was coming up with great shots and punishing me every single time I played short. Didn't manage to get the depth of the court," Tsitsipas assessed.