Tennis

Despite the relentless rain, the Rolex Shanghai Masters witnessed a thrilling display of resilience from the ATP's top players on Sunday. Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Tommy Paul all faced adversity in their third-round matches, dropping the first set before rallying to secure their spots in the fourth round.Sinner, the top seed, struggled against world No. 37 Tomas Martin Etcheverry, failing to capitalize on two set points in the opener. However, the Italian regrouped to win 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2, extending his winning streak to three matches.Medvedev, the 2019 champion, also faced a tough challenge against No. 29 seed Matteo Arnaldi. The Russian lost the first set but fought back to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, improving his head-to-head record against Arnaldi to 4-0.The most dramatic comeback of the day belonged to Paul, who saved five match points in a three-set thriller against No. 19 seed Alejandro Tabilo. The American trailed 7-6(2), 5-1, but displayed incredible determination to win 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-2.Despite the weather disruptions, the Rolex Shanghai Masters has showcased the exceptional skills and mental fortitude of the ATP's top players. Sinner, Medvedev, and Paul have proven that even when faced with adversity, they have the resilience to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.

The ATP Masters 1000 series resumes in Shanghai this week, boasting a star-studded field and a hefty prize pool of over $10 million. Nine of the world's top 10 players will compete, including Novak Djokovic, who makes his first appearance since his early exit at the US Open.The tournament's seedings have raised eyebrows, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the two most dominant players of 2024, seeded below Alexander Zverev and Djokovic. This discrepancy reflects the ATP's live rankings, where Alcaraz has recently reclaimed the No. 2 spot.Sinner faces a challenging path to the semifinals, with a potential quarterfinal clash against Daniil Medvedev. Alcaraz, on the other hand, has a more favorable draw, with a possible opener against local favorite Jerry Shang. Djokovic could face another young Chinese talent, Bu Yunchaokete, in the first round, followed by a potential quarterfinal against Andrey Rublev.Some intriguing early matchups to watch include Lorenzo Sonego vs. Denis Shapovalov, Shang Jungcheng vs. Alcaraz, and Tommy Paul vs. Alejandro Tabilo. If Matteo Berrettini wins his opener, he will face Holger Rune.Despite last year's upsets, which saw the top four seeds eliminated before the quarterfinals, it's likely that the tournament's favorites will prevail this time around. Sinner and Djokovic are projected to reach the semifinals, with Sinner ultimately emerging victorious in the final.

Jannik Sinner's meteoric rise in tennis has propelled him to the forefront of the sport, and the next 12 months will be crucial in solidifying his status as a dominant force.After a breakthrough 2023 season that saw him win Beijing and Vienna, reach the ATP Finals final, and lead Italy to the Davis Cup title, Sinner has a wealth of points to defend. However, his exceptional skills and unwavering determination suggest he is well-equipped to maintain his lofty position.Sinner's thunderous groundstrokes, pinpoint serve, and newfound comfort at the net make him a formidable opponent. At just 23 years old, he possesses the physical and mental attributes to sustain his success.His ability to stay calm under pressure and maintain poise in the face of adversity is a testament to his maturity. Sinner's upbringing, which involved leaving home at 14 to pursue his tennis dreams, has instilled in him a sense of independence and resilience.Sinner's motivation is fueled by his blend of power and poise, reminiscent of tennis legend Pete Sampras. He shows no signs of burnout or world-weariness, indicating a long and successful career ahead.In the coming months, Sinner will face a challenging schedule, including title defense efforts in Beijing and Shanghai. His performance in these tournaments will provide valuable insights into his ability to handle the pressure of being a hunted player.

Alexander Bublik's Table Tennis Encounter with a 13-Year-Old ProdigyChinese teenager Shang Juncheng wasn't the only one to outplay Alexander Bublik in Chengdu this week. The second-seeded Kazakh, who fell to Shang in the quarterfinals, also found himself on the losing end of a table tennis match against a local 13-year-old prodigy.The ATP teased the encounter on social media, asking if Bublik's underarm serve would prove useful against the youngster. However, the answer was a resounding no."It's a completely different sport," Bublik joked before the match, adding that winning even three points would be "a highlight."Bublik was impressed by the youngster's endurance and technique, particularly his ability to return serve. However, the Kazakh ultimately achieved his goal of winning three points and presented his opponent with a giant autographed tennis ball."It's tough for tennis players because we're used to big swings," Bublik explained. "Here, he's playing with a very short swing. What am I supposed to do now?"Bublik's solution? Return to full-sized tennis. He is seeded No. 8 this week at the ATP 500 China Open.

As the leaves turn vibrant hues, the tennis world embarks on its annual Asian swing, with the China Open and Kinoshita Group Japan Open taking center stage.China Open (WTA)Beijing welcomes seven of the women's Top 10, including Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula, for the prestigious WTA 1000 event. Defending champion Iga Swiatek's absence is notable, as she prioritizes her schedule amidst mandatory events.Coco Gauff, fresh from her post-Brad Gilbert era, will be a player to watch. Zheng Qinwen, the gold medalist, returns to her home city with high expectations. Emma Navarro, a recent Top 10 debutante, will seek to make her mark.Other notable participants include US Open semifinalist Karolina Muchova, Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic, and 2019 Beijing champion Naomi Osaka.Kinoshita Group Japan Open (ATP)Tokyo has become a familiar stomping ground for American players, with Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Ben Shelton returning to defend their titles. However, fatigue from the Laver Cup may linger.Fritz, the top seed, faces a tough opener against Arthur Fils. Shelton and Tiafoe also have challenging first-round matches against Reilly Opelka and Brandon Nakashima, respectively.Hubert Hurkacz, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tommy Paul, and Holger Rune round out the Top 8 seeds.Intriguing first-round matchups include Fritz vs. Fils, Tiafoe vs. Nakashima, and Marin Cilic vs. Kei Nishikori, a rematch of the 2014 US Open final.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, has raised concerns about the demanding tennis calendar, claiming it is "going to kill us." The 21-year-old has already played 50 singles matches in 2023, winning three titles and an Olympic silver medal.Alcaraz expressed his frustration after defeating Ben Shelton at the Laver Cup, stating that the schedule is "so tight" and has led to numerous injuries. He admitted that he sometimes struggles to find motivation due to the relentless schedule."Sometimes, you don't want to go to a tournament," Alcaraz said. "I'm not going to lie -- I have felt this way a few times already."Alexander Zverev, the world number two, echoed Alcaraz's concerns, criticizing the ATP for prioritizing money over player well-being. "The ATP doesn't care about our opinion -- it's a money business," Zverev said. "It's the longest season in sports. It's unnecessarily long. We have an unnecessary amount of tournaments."Zverev called for action, but acknowledged that players are limited in their options due to potential fines for boycotting tournaments.Alcaraz also expressed his hope that he and Jannik Sinner can develop a rivalry similar to that of the "Big Three" (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer). "I hope that our rivalry is going to be almost like what the big three had during their whole career," Alcaraz said.In 2023, Alcaraz and Sinner each won two Grand Slams, marking the first year since 2002 that neither Federer, Nadal, nor Djokovic won a major.Despite his concerns about the calendar, Alcaraz remains optimistic about the future of tennis. "Hopefully we're going to keep going like that, fighting for the great tournaments, sharing great moments," he said.

Indian tennis duo Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth have made a strong start to the ATP tournament in Hangzhou, China, reaching the doubles quarterfinals with a hard-fought victory. The pair overcame the challenge of second seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool of Great Britain in a thrilling three-set encounter, winning 6-7(4), 7-6(6), [10-8].In a closely contested match, the Indian duo displayed resilience and determination to come back from a set down. They lost the first set in a tie-breaker but bounced back to win the second set in another tie-breaker. The match was ultimately decided in a super tie-breaker, where Nedunchezhiyan and Prashanth emerged victorious with a 10-8 scoreline.Meanwhile, in the Chengdu ATP event, Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti of France also advanced to the doubles semifinals with a hard-earned 12-10 victory in the super tie-breaker. The Indo-French pair defeated Gonzalo Escobar of Ecuador and Diego Hidalgo of Colombia in a three-set battle, 5-7, 6-3, [12-10].The Indian tennis players' success in these ATP tournaments highlights their growing presence on the international stage. Nedunchezhiyan and Prashanth have been in impressive form this season, winning the doubles title at the Challenger tournament in Bengaluru earlier this year. Bhambri, a former top-100 singles player, has also shown his versatility by partnering with Olivetti to achieve success in doubles.These results bode well for Indian tennis as the players continue to make their mark on the global circuit. With their determination and skill, Nedunchezhiyan, Prashanth, and Bhambri are poised to achieve even greater success in the future.

The Laver Cup and the ATP have extended their partnership for another five years, solidifying the tournament's status as a premier event on the tennis calendar. The agreement, which began in 2019, has been renewed and enhanced, further strengthening the collaboration between the two organizations.The announcement was made during the seventh edition of the Laver Cup, held at the Uber Arena in Berlin. The tournament features some of the world's top players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz.Co-founder Roger Federer expressed his enthusiasm for the future of the Laver Cup. "I'm incredibly proud of what we've built with the Laver Cup," he said. "Becoming recognized as part of the ATP Tour five years ago was an important milestone. It's been fantastic to see the way players, partners, and fans around the globe have embraced Laver Cup. I'm excited for its future."Tony Godsick, Laver Cup Chairman and CEO of TEAM8, emphasized the importance of the ATP's recognition. "Their recognition validates the Laver Cup vision, which is to bring together the world's top players – rivals year-round – as teammates, to celebrate and honor the legendary Rod Laver and his compatriots, while growing interest in this wonderful sport at new destinations around the world."ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi praised the Laver Cup's impact. "The Laver Cup has quickly established itself as a unique highlight of our season," he said. "The passionate reception it receives from both the players and fans at every city it visits speaks volumes and we truly value the great potential Laver Cup has to attract new fans around the globe. We are delighted to be supporting its continued growth."This year marks the final appearance of Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe as Team Europe and Team World captains, respectively. Both have been instrumental in the tournament's success since its inception in 2017.Borg reflected on his involvement with the Laver Cup. "The Laver Cup has been a huge success, and I've been honored to be part of it from the beginning," he said. "The values this event stands for—commitment to excellence, a focus on the team, respect for the opponent, and a love for the game—are things we see time and again throughout the competition. It's been a privilege to lead such a talented group of players in this iconic competition."McEnroe echoed Borg's sentiments. "What the Laver Cup has achieved in just a few years is incredible," he said. "This event captures the essence of what tennis is all about: competition, passion, innovation, and sportsmanship. I've enjoyed every moment as captain of Team World, and I can't wait to see how the Laver Cup continues to inspire players and fans alike in the future."

Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti of France emerged victorious in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the $1,269,245 ATP tennis tournament in Chengdu, China, on Wednesday. The duo defeated Toshihide Matsui of Japan and Adam Walton of Australia 6-3, 6-3.In other results from the tournament:* $1,081,395 ATP, Hangzhou: * Doubles: Pre-quarterfinals: Rinky Hijikata (Aus) & Mackenzie McDonald (USA) bt Rithvik Bollipalli & Arjun Kadhe 6-3, 7-5.* $60,000 ITF women, Perth: * First round: Shrivalli Bhamidipaty bt Alexandra Bozovic (Aus) 6-3, 6-0. * Doubles: Pre-quarterfinals: Naiktha Bains (GBR) & Ankita Raina bt Isabelle Criddle & Karin Hiramatsu (Aus) 6-1, 6-0.* $25,000 ITF women, Kyoto: * First round: Honoka Kobayashi (Jpn) bt Ashmitha Easwaramurthi 6-0, 2-0 (retired).* $15,000 ITF, Monastir: * Women: First round: Milana Maslenkova (Uzb) bt Jennifer Luikham 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3. * Men: First round: Karan Singh bt William Hsieh (USA) 6-2, 6-1.* $25,000 ITF men, Darwin: * First round: Preston Brown (USA) bt Suraj Prabodh 6-1, 6-2.* $25,000 ITF men, Guiyang, China: * Doubles: Pre-quarters: Rishab Agarwal & Kim Min Seong (Kor) bt Cao Yitao & Pan Weiwen (Chn) 6-4, 6-2.* $15,000 ITF men, Bali: * Pre-quarterfinals: Andre Ilagan (USA) bt Sidharth Rawat 6-3, 6-0; Yuvan Nandal bt Nathan Barki (Ina) 6-4, 6-3. * Doubles: Pre-quarterfinals: Claudio Lumanau & Renaldi Salim (Ina) bt Aldhito Kurniawan (Ina) & Abhinav Sanjeev Shanmugam 6-4, 6-3.* $15,000 ITF men, Tehran: * First round: S.D. Prajwal Dev bt Kiarash Hanifi (IRI) 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3; Parth Aggarwal bt Samyar Elyasi (IRI) 7-6(6), 6-3; Raghav Jaisinghani bt Aliaksandr Shymanovich 6-4, 6-4; Denis Kiok bt Maan Kesharwani 7-6(4), 6-2; Dev Javia bt Dmitry Dolzhenkov 6-0, 6-0; Lorenzo Bocchi (Ita) bt Jagmeet Singh 6-2, 6-2.