Tennis

Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, will face off against Holger Rune at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday. This intriguing clash of styles promises to be a captivating spectacle.Berrettini, known for his straightforward approach, relies on his powerful serve and forehand to dominate his opponents. His 92% hold percentage over the past year is a testament to his exceptional serving prowess. Rune, on the other hand, is a player of immense variety, often experimenting with different shots and tactics.Despite Rune's versatility, Berrettini's consistency and experience should give him an edge in this matchup. Berrettini's serve is a formidable weapon, and Rune's low break percentage of 17.9% this season suggests he may struggle to break Berrettini's serve consistently.Furthermore, Berrettini's return game is slightly superior to Rune's, and Rune's holding percentage on hard courts is a modest 82.4%. The quicker conditions in Cincinnati may also limit Rune's ability to exploit his variety, as Berrettini prefers shorter points.Rune's recent record against Top 10 opponents is also a concern. Despite Berrettini's current ranking of No. 42, his 2024 performances have been comparable to his form in 2021 and 2022, when he was ranked as high as No. 6.Overall, Berrettini's consistency, experience, and suitability to the Cincinnati conditions make him the favorite in this matchup. A potential third-round meeting with Carlos Alcaraz would be a fascinating test of Berrettini's credentials as a contender for the 2024 US Open title.

Alexei Popyrin has etched his name into the annals of tennis history by becoming the first Australian to win an ATP Masters 1000 title since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003. The 25-year-old Sydneysider capped off a remarkable week in Montreal by defeating world No. 5 Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-4 in the final of the Omnium Banque Nationale.Popyrin's triumph marks a stunning breakthrough for the Australian, who had never previously reached a Masters 1000 quarterfinal. His victory is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.The match began with Popyrin seizing the initiative, breaking Rublev's serve in the opening game. The Australian continued to dominate, showcasing his impressive range of shots and aggressive play. Rublev struggled to find his rhythm, and Popyrin took full advantage, securing a double break to take control of the first set.In the second set, Popyrin continued to dictate the pace, breaking Rublev's serve early on. However, Rublev showed his resilience by breaking back and leveling the set at 3-3. Undeterred, Popyrin regained the momentum, breaking Rublev's serve once more and serving out the match to claim his third tour-level title.Popyrin's victory is a major milestone for Australian tennis. It is the first time an Australian man has won a Masters 1000 event since Hewitt's triumph at Indian Wells in 2003. Popyrin's success is a testament to the strength and depth of Australian tennis, and it bodes well for the future of the sport in the country.

Stefanos Tsitsipas's frustrations boiled over after his second-round loss to Kei Nishikori at the ATP Montreal Masters, as he launched a scathing attack on his father-coach, Apostolos. The Greek star, who has plummeted to 11th in the ATP rankings, has endured a disappointing two-season stretch, winning only two titles.Tsitsipas's outburst stemmed from his belief that his father has not been an effective coach, particularly in handling match situations. "Masters 1000 matches are important, I need a coach who listens to me as a player," he said. "My father has not been very smart in handling some situations, in trying to read what is happening on the court."This is not the first time Tsitsipas has expressed dissatisfaction with his father's coaching. In late 2022, he brought on Mark Philippoussis as an assistant coach, but that partnership ended in May 2023, paving the way for Apostolos's return.Apostolos Tsitsipas has a reputation for being overly vocal during matches, often providing unsolicited advice between points. This behavior has drawn criticism in the past, and it appears to have reached a breaking point for his son."It has been a poor performance from my father and it's not the first time," Tsitsipas said. "I'm disappointed with him."Tsitsipas emphasized the importance of collaborative coaching, where the player's perspective is valued. "The coach needs to listen. The player is the one holding the racquet," he said. "I have power here to some degree but it should be a collaborative effort on both sides, for me to develop my tennis."It remains to be seen whether Tsitsipas will make a permanent change to his coaching setup. However, his public criticism of his father suggests that he is seeking a more supportive and effective partnership.

Grigor Dimitrov and Andrey Rublev's Bromance Takes Center Stage in MontrealGrigor Dimitrov and Andrey Rublev, the ATP Tour's beloved bromance, reunited in Montreal, much to the delight of fans. During Rublev's post-match interview with Tennis Channel, Dimitrov made a surprise appearance, interrupting the conversation with a playful grin."My love Grigor is here also," Rublev exclaimed, adding, "Now I cannot talk because you're here!"Dimitrov joined Rublev on screen, congratulating him on his victory. The pair's affectionate display showcased their close bond, which has become a fan favorite on the tour.Dimitrov, seeded seventh, had earlier defeated Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in straight sets. Rublev, seeded fifth, had also secured a victory in his opening match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry.The bromance between Dimitrov and Rublev has been well-documented, with the duo often sharing heartfelt messages and gestures of support. In a recent birthday message to Rublev, Dimitrov praised his friend's authenticity and vulnerability.Rublev's decision to skip the Paris Olympics in favor of hard-court practice appears to be paying off. After a string of disappointing results, he has regained his form, reaching the semifinals in Umag and quarterfinals in Washington D.C."We felt like mentally I was not ready to play," Rublev explained. "We decided to give priority to my (singles) career. We took time off to try to recover a bit mentally."Rublev will face American qualifier Brandon Nakashima in the third round, a rematch of their Barcelona encounter where Nakashima upset the Russian.The Dimitrov-Rublev bromance continues to captivate fans, adding a touch of warmth and camaraderie to the competitive world of tennis.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina's recent struggles have cast doubt on his status as the favorite against Roman Safiullin at the National Bank Open in Montreal. The Spaniard has endured a challenging few months, plagued by injuries and inconsistent form.Davidovich Fokina's promising start in Atlanta, where he defeated Arthur Cazaux and Reilly Opelka, has been overshadowed by subsequent losses. His most recent setback, a disappointing defeat to Flavio Cobolli in Washington D.C., raised concerns about his physical and mental state.Despite his struggles, Davidovich Fokina remains a formidable opponent when at his best. However, his shaky serve and tendency to commit unforced errors make him vulnerable against aggressive players like Safiullin.Safiullin, on the other hand, has shown impressive form in recent tournaments. His strong performance at the Olympics, where he defeated established clay-court players, suggests that he is well-suited to hard courts, his preferred surface.While Davidovich Fokina's recent record may be concerning, Safiullin's consistency and current form make him the more reliable choice. The Russian's aggressive style and confidence should give him an edge in this matchup.Given Davidovich Fokina's current struggles, the odds of +110 for Safiullin to win are highly enticing. The Russian's superior form and suitability to hard courts make him the more likely victor in this encounter.

The National Bank Open, an ATP Masters 1000 hard-court tournament, kicks off in Montreal on August 6th. With Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz absent, the field boasts a star-studded lineup including Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev.The tournament's fast court conditions favor power players and big servers. Past champions include Rafael Nadal (2018-2019), Daniil Medvedev (2021), and Pablo Carreno Busta (2022).Players to Watch:* Daniil Medvedev (+600): The former world No. 1 returns to hard courts after a disappointing Olympics. He faces a favorable draw until a potential fourth-round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas.* Taylor Fritz (+2500): The American has a clear path to a deep run, with winnable matches against Sebastian Korda, Casper Ruud, and Alexander Zverev.* Jannik Sinner (+150): The Italian is the favorite despite recent health issues. His elite serving and returning abilities make him a formidable opponent on fast surfaces.Pick to Win:Jannik Sinner (+150) is the player to beat in Montreal. His absence of rivals Djokovic and Alcaraz, combined with his exceptional skills on fast courts, makes him the most likely candidate for victory.

Denis Shapovalov, the former world No. 10, has broken his silence after being defaulted from the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Friday. In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Shapovalov expressed his shock and disappointment over the decision, which he believes was unfair.Shapovalov was match point down, trailing Ben Shelton 6-3 in the second-set tiebreaker, when he was issued a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The tournament supervisor was called to court and the decision was made to default the 25-year-old from the match.The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) later ruled that Shapovalov would retain the points and prize money earned from his week in Washington, D.C., but would have to pay a $36,400 fine. Shapovalov expressed his gratitude for the reinstatement of his points and prize money but disagreed with the hefty fine."I must state however that I do not agree with the hefty fine I was given, which is more than half the prize money earned last week, and will continue to fight that," Shapovalov wrote.Shapovalov also called for better rules to protect players from abusive fans. "We all work extremely hard—our tennis careers are our lives and should not be derailed by unnecessary, subjective ruling," he said.Despite the disappointment of the default, Shapovalov thanked his fans and fellow players for their support. He will be back on court for his home tournament, the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montréal.

Coco Gauff, the American tennis prodigy, has reached a significant milestone in her career by spending her 100th consecutive week in the Top 10 of the WTA rankings. This achievement places her among the elite players in the world and highlights her remarkable consistency.Gauff's journey to the Top 10 began in September 2022 when she reached the quarterfinals of the US Open. Since then, she has maintained her position among the top players, showcasing her exceptional talent and determination. Her current streak is the fourth-longest active streak in the WTA Top 10, behind Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Jessica Pegula.Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian tennis star, has also achieved a notable milestone by spending his 100th career week in the Top 10 of the ATP rankings. However, his time in the elite has been divided into five separate stints. Dimitrov's resurgence this year has been impressive, as he has won 20 of his first 25 matches and reached the semifinals or better at four of six tournaments.Hubert Hurkacz, the Polish tennis player, has reached a new career-high ranking of No. 6, becoming the highest-ranked Polish player in ATP rankings history. Hurkacz's rise is a testament to his consistent performances and his ability to challenge the top players in the world.Sebastian Korda, the American tennis player, has also made a significant jump in the rankings, rising from No. 22 to No. 18 after winning the biggest title of his career in Washington D.C. Korda's victory is a sign of his growing potential and his ability to compete at the highest level.Paula Badosa, the former world No. 2, has made a remarkable comeback from a back injury by winning her first WTA title in more than two-and-a-half years. Badosa's victory in Washington D.C. has propelled her up the rankings from No. 62 to No. 40, demonstrating her resilience and determination.The achievements of Gauff, Dimitrov, Hurkacz, Korda, and Badosa highlight the depth of talent and competitiveness in the world of tennis. These players continue to push the boundaries of the sport and inspire future generations of athletes.

Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws from Montreal Masters, Citing FatigueMONTREAL, Canada - Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, has withdrawn from the National Bank Open in Montreal, a US Open tuneup tournament, due to fatigue. The announcement comes after Alcaraz reached the semifinals of the Paris Olympics on Thursday.Alcaraz's withdrawal is a significant blow to the tournament, which is an ATP Masters 1000 event and one of the most prestigious on the tennis calendar. The Spaniard has been in scintillating form this season, winning two Grand Slams and reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open.In a statement released by the tournament organizers, Alcaraz said, "I am very sorry to announce that I will not be able to participate in the National Bank Open this year. Due to the accumulation of matches and fatigue, I have decided to withdraw from the tournament."Alcaraz's withdrawal joins that of Novak Djokovic, who also pulled out of the Montreal event earlier this week. Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam champion, is currently recovering from an abdominal injury.The National Bank Open will still feature a strong field, including Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, Alcaraz's absence will undoubtedly be felt, as he is one of the most exciting and talented players in the world.