Tennis

Matteo Berrettini's resurgence continued at the Erste Bank Open as he overcame a spirited challenge from Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling three-set encounter. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist, who had endured a recent slump, displayed resilience and determination to secure a 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 victory.Berrettini, seeded fifth in Vienna, started strongly, breaking Tiafoe's serve in the opening set and serving it out to love. The second set proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions. Berrettini appeared poised to close out the match at 5-3, but Tiafoe fought back with a break and forced a tiebreaker. The American saved two match points in the tiebreaker and eventually prevailed 8-6.Undeterred, Berrettini regrouped in the third set and broke Tiafoe's serve early on. Tiafoe once again showed his fighting spirit, breaking back and threatening a comeback from 5-2 down. However, Berrettini held his nerve and sealed the victory on his fifth match point.The match lasted three hours and two minutes, showcasing the intense battle between the two players. Berrettini's victory marks his first back-to-back ATP match wins since July and sets up a quarterfinal clash with either Brandon Nakashima or Karen Khachanov.Tiafoe, who reached the semifinals of the US Open earlier this year, has struggled for consistency since then. However, his performance in Vienna suggests that he is gradually regaining his form.

Dominic Thiem, the beloved Austrian tennis star, is bidding farewell to his illustrious career at the Vienna Open this week. As he prepares for his final tournament, let's delve into the remarkable achievements that have defined his journey:Thiem's crowning glory came at the 2020 US Open, where he etched his name in history as the first man born in the 1990s to win a Grand Slam title. His triumph was particularly remarkable as he rallied from two sets down and faced match point in the fifth set before ultimately prevailing over Alexander Zverev.Beyond his Grand Slam victory, Thiem has amassed an impressive 17 career titles, including a Masters 1000 at Indian Wells and five ATP 500s. He has also reached 12 other career finals, including three more Grand Slam finals at Roland Garros and the Australian Open.Thiem's exceptional talent is evident in his 32 career wins over Top 10 players, including 20 victories over Top 5 opponents and five triumphs over world No. 1s. He is one of only two players, alongside Andy Murray, to have defeated each member of the "Big 3" (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic) at least five times.His career earnings exceed $30 million, placing him among the elite in ATP history. Thiem's success has not only brought him financial rewards but has also made him a national icon in Austria, where he is the second-highest-ranked player in history after Thomas Muster.Unfortunately, Thiem's career was derailed by a wrist injury in 2021, which sidelined him for nine months. Despite his return to the tour in 2022, he has not been able to regain his previous heights.As Thiem prepares to take his final bow in Vienna, his legacy as one of the most accomplished and beloved tennis players of his generation will endure. His fighting spirit, exceptional talent, and unwavering determination have left an indelible mark on the sport.

The tennis world is transitioning from the Asian swing to the season-ending championships, with three prestigious 500s taking center stage this week.Erste Bank Open (ATP)Alexander Zverev, the top seed in Vienna, is not the player with the most at stake. The ATP's No. 3 has already secured a spot in the season-ending championships in Turin. However, several players are vying for the remaining five spots, including Alex de Minaur, Tommy Paul, Grigor Dimitrov, Frances Tiafoe, Lorenzo Musetti, and Jack Draper.The tournament will also mark the end of Dominic Thiem's career. The 31-year-old Austrian will play in front of his home-country fans for the last time.Swiss Indoors Basel (ATP)Unlike in Vienna, no player in Basel has secured a spot in the ATP Finals. Top seeds Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev are currently seventh and eighth in the race to Turin, while Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune are 12th and 15th, respectively.Two-time defending champion Felix Auger Aliassime is also in the field and could face Ruud in the third round.Toray Pan Pacific Open (WTA)The Pan Pacific Open has been a WTA institution since 1973. This year, Zheng Qinwen is the top seed, but the tournament took a hit when Naomi Osaka withdrew with a back injury.The WTA's race to Riyadh has already been run, so Tokyo will be tennis for its own sake. Beatriz Haddad Maia, Daria Kasatkina, Anna Kalinskaya, and Paula Badosa are among the other seeds.Guangzhou Open (WTA)Rounding out the week is the Guangzhou Open, a late entrant in the Asian swing. The top two seeds are Czech mates Katerina Siniakova and Marie Bouzkova.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka defied his age and world ranking to stun top seed Andrey Rublev in the Stockholm Open quarterfinals on Friday. The 39-year-old Swiss, now ranked 217th, displayed his trademark resilience and shot-making prowess to overcome the seventh-ranked Russian 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5).Wawrinka's victory marked his first triumph over a top-10 player this year and propelled him into the semifinals, where he will face American fourth seed Tommy Paul. The 2021 Stockholm champion defeated Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 (9/7), 6-2."I cannot change my age, but most important for me is that when I enter the court, I always try to fight," said Wawrinka, who became the third-oldest semi-finalist in modern ATP Tour history behind Jimmy Connors and Ivo Karlovic."I try to improve and enjoy what I am doing. The reason I keep going is to play matches like this, with so many people giving me good energy on the court, and I'm super happy to have the chance to play one more match tomorrow."Wawrinka's performance was a testament to his unwavering determination and the enduring quality of his game. He fired down 14 aces and converted his first match point to reach the semi-finals in the Swedish capital for the first time in four attempts."The key was to stay focused and positive with myself," said Wawrinka, who had let a 2-0 lead in the second set slip.The former world number three is now bidding for his 17th ATP title and first since Geneva in 2017. His victory over Rublev also dealt a blow to the Russian's hopes of qualifying for the eight-player ATP Finals for a fifth consecutive year. Rublev currently sits eighth in the standings, with four players below him, including Paul, still competing this week.

Justin Engel, born in 2007, has made history as the youngest player to win an ATP match since Carlos Alcaraz in 2020. Despite initially pursuing kickboxing, Engel switched to tennis at age 11, inspired by his father's coaching experience with Anca Barna.Engel's development has been supported by various resources, including training with Alexander Waske, Maximilian Marterer, and Philipp Kohlschreiber. He has prioritized professional tournament experience over junior competition, capturing four ITF World Tennis Tour M15 titles in 2024.Engel's progress has focused on improving his first serve percentage, angles, and leg speed. He has also worked on his mental resilience, drawing inspiration from Rafael Nadal's power and Novak Djokovic's athleticism and discipline.Engel expresses sadness at the prospect of Nadal's retirement but hopes to face Djokovic on tour. He believes that Djokovic's longevity will provide an opportunity for their paths to cross.

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner is poised to claim his seventh ATP title of the year and secure the ATP year-end No. 1 ranking after defeating Tomas Machac in the Shanghai Masters semifinals. Sinner's victory marks a historic achievement for Italy, making him the first Italian to hold the year-end No. 1 spot.The Italian maestro weathered a fierce challenge from Machac, who had upset No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. Sinner's relentless baseline play and efficient performance, characterized by 10 aces and 28 winners, proved too much for his opponent.In the final, Sinner will face either four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic or seventh-ranked Taylor Fritz. Djokovic holds a commanding 9-0 head-to-head record against Fritz, but the American has shown impressive form in recent weeks.Meanwhile, in the women's semifinals, second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka rallied from a slow start to defeat Coco Gauff in three sets. Sabalenka's victory extends her perfect record at the Wuhan Open and sets up a final clash against either seventh-ranked Zheng Qinwen or No. 51-ranked Wang Xinyu.Sabalenka's triumph ended Gauff's nine-match winning streak, which included the China Open title last week. The Belarussian's resilience and determination proved crucial in overcoming Gauff's early dominance.The Shanghai Masters and Wuhan Open finals promise to deliver thrilling tennis action, with top players vying for prestigious titles and valuable ranking points.

American tennis star Sebastian Korda has undergone successful elbow surgery to address lingering issues that have hampered his recent performances. The 23-year-old announced the procedure on social media, expressing optimism about his recovery and return to the court.Korda's decision to undergo surgery came after consulting with his medical team. He had been experiencing discomfort in his right arm, which became evident during his second-round US Open loss to Tomas Machac. The American received a medical timeout during the match, indicating the severity of the pain.Despite the setback, Korda has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024. He cracked the ATP Top 20 for the first time, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 15 in September. Korda captured his maiden ATP 500 title in Washington, D.C., following in the footsteps of his father, Petr Korda, who won the same tournament 32 years prior.The father-son duo became the first to win the same ATP tour title and both reach the world's Top 20. Korda also reached the semifinals of the Canadian Masters 1000, defeating Alexander Zverev before falling to Alexei Popyrin. He partnered with Jordan Thompson to claim his first ATP doubles title at the Madrid Masters 1000.Korda's surgery is expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period. However, he remains positive about his recovery and is eager to return to competition. The American has received an outpouring of support from fellow players and fans, who have expressed their well wishes and anticipation for his comeback.

Richard Gasquet, the former world No. 7 tennis player, has announced his retirement from professional tennis after the 2023 Roland Garros tournament. The 38-year-old Frenchman has enjoyed a successful career, winning 16 ATP Tour titles, including the 2022 Auckland Open.Gasquet has also achieved notable success in Grand Slams, reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2007 and 2015, and the US Open in 2013. He has also competed in the ATP Finals twice, in 2007 and 2013.Throughout his career, Gasquet has earned 605 tour-level wins, the third-most among active players behind only Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. He has also recorded 36 victories against Top 10 opponents.In an interview with French national sports daily L'Equipe, Gasquet explained his decision to retire: "I think that it is the best moment for me to do it. It is the best tournament to do it. It's magnificent, we have the chance being French to be able to stop in these kind of incredible places. An end, it's always complicated, all the former great players always told me it's not easy to announce. You never know when, how, where. Here, in any case, it is obvious."Gasquet's retirement will mark the end of an era in French tennis. He has been a consistent performer for over two decades, representing his country with distinction in Davis Cup and Olympic competition. His elegant style of play and unwavering determination have made him a fan favorite around the world.

American tennis sensation Ben Shelton has set up a tantalizing fourth-round clash with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Shelton, who stunned Sinner at the same stage last year, is eager to repeat his heroics and break the Italian's impressive winning streak.Shelton's victory over Roberto Carballes Baena on Tuesday was a testament to his growing confidence and all-court prowess. The left-hander served impeccably, winning 35 of his 38 first-serve points and not facing a single break point."I thought I served extremely well, probably my best serving day this year," Shelton said. "I did a good job capitalizing in big moments to get my breaks."Shelton's serve-and-volley game has been a key factor in his recent success. He has won 35 of his 38 first-serve points in Shanghai, and his powerful forehand has been a constant threat.Sinner, on the other hand, has been in dominant form since winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year. The Italian has won two majors and reached world No. 1, despite an ongoing anti-doping case.Shelton is aware of the challenge ahead but remains optimistic. "It's always a big opportunity whenever you get to play one of the best two or three players in the world," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it, that will be fun."The American has a 1-4 record against Top 10 opponents this season, but his lone victory came against world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev at the Laver Cup. Shelton is hoping to become the first player to oust Sinner before the quarterfinal stage of an event in 2024."Obviously, huge serve and huge forehand," Sinner said when asked about the potential matchup with Shelton. "He has improved a lot, so hopefully I will be ready."In other quarterfinal matchups, seventh seed Taylor Fritz will face 12th seed Holger Rune, while eighth seed Andrey Rublev will take on 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz.