Tennis

Chris Eubanks' title defense at the Mallorca Championships came to an abrupt end in the first round, as he was upset by 18-year-old Jakub Mensik 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Mensik, playing only his second tour-level match on grass, outplayed the No. 8 seed with his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play.Mensik, who became the youngest match winner in tournament history, credited his serve and forehand as his biggest weapons. He has enjoyed a breakout season, reaching his first ATP title match in Doha and securing two Top 10 wins. However, injuries prevented him from making his French Open debut.Eubanks, who won his first ATP title in Mallorca last year, is projected to fall outside the Top 60 next week. He will face a tough challenge in defending his Wimbledon quarterfinal points.Meanwhile, Alex Michelsen, who lost to Eubanks in the first round last year, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over No. 3 seed Adrian Mannarino. Michelsen, a rising star on the grass, finished runner-up in Newport last year and qualified for the 500-level event in Halle.Other British players, Paul Jubb and Adam Walton, also won their main-draw openers after coming through qualifying.

Sumit Nagal, India's top-ranked tennis player, has secured his berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking a significant milestone in his career. Nagal's qualification is a testament to his remarkable rise in the sport, which has seen him achieve the joint-fourth highest ATP ranking among Indian men since the inception of computerized rankings in 1973.Nagal's journey to the Olympics began with his impressive performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he became the first Indian man since Leander Paes to win a singles match at the Games. His victory over Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin in the first round was a historic moment for Indian tennis.In the past year, Nagal has continued to excel, with his ATP ranking soaring to 71. His recent triumphs include winning the Heilbronn Challenger in Germany and reaching the finals of the Perugia Challenger in Italy. These performances on clay courts were part of Nagal's strategic preparation for the Paris Olympics, which will also be played on the iconic Roland-Garros clay courts.Before the Olympics, Nagal will shift his focus to the prestigious Wimbledon Championships, where he will make his main draw debut. This opportunity will provide him with valuable experience and help him fine-tune his game ahead of the Games.Nagal's qualification for the Paris Olympics is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering determination. It is a proud moment for India and a significant achievement for Nagal, who has become a role model for aspiring tennis players across the country.

Jack Draper, the rising star of British tennis, has made waves both on and off the court. Fresh off his triumph at the BOSS Open, the 22-year-old has graced the pages of British Vogue, showcasing his passion for fashion and his meteoric rise in the ATP rankings.In an interview with Vogue's Emily Chan, Draper revealed his enjoyment of being in front of the camera, stating, "If I'm looking good, that is." His comments sparked a reaction from former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard, who tweeted, "If I had said this 10 years ago I would have been crucified."Despite his newfound modeling success, Draper remains focused on his tennis career. His victory in Stuttgart propelled him to a career-high ranking of No. 31, making him the likely top-ranked British player ahead of Wimbledon 2024.Draper is set to face reigning Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz at the cinch Championships in Queen's Club. While he acknowledges the fulfillment he finds in modeling, he emphasizes that tennis remains his top priority. "Right now I'm giving myself the best chance to progress and beat the best players in the world," he said.Draper's journey has been marked by both success and adversity. In 2021, he suffered a serious ankle injury that sidelined him for several months. However, he has returned stronger than ever, proving his resilience and determination.As he prepares for Wimbledon, Draper is confident in his abilities. "I'm feeling good about my game," he said. "I've been working hard and I'm ready to compete with the best."

Adam Walton's journey to the Top 100 of the ATP rankings is a testament to perseverance, dedication, and a refusal to accept limitations. After a standout college career at the University of Tennessee, Walton embarked on a professional tennis career with zero ranking points.Undeterred, Walton traveled the globe, competing in 90 matches in the last year alone. His relentless pursuit of victories and opportunities paid off, as he broke into the Top 100 in 2024.Walton's success is not without its challenges. Tennis is a sport of highs and lows, but Walton has shown maturity in rolling with the punches. "Winning is contagious but so is losing," he says. "But when it's winning, everything is flowing."Walton's ability to process defeats and continue his development is a key factor in his success. "I'm pretty good with my losses, and it's straight back to work to try and prepare for the next one."A pivotal moment in Walton's career came in the final of the Taipei Challenger. Facing veteran Illya Marchenko, Walton had the chance to reach the Top 100 and secure direct entry into his first Wimbledon main draw.With everything on the line, Walton remained calm and focused. "I just played a really disciplined tiebreak and he missed a couple of shots by very close margins."As Marchenko's final shot sailed wide, Walton fell to the court in jubilation. "When he hit that final ball out, it's probably the most satisfying feeling I've had on a tennis court thus far."Walton's journey is an inspiration to anyone who dreams of achieving something great. He took the road less traveled, never stopped working, and ultimately reached his goal.

Jannik Sinner's debut as the ATP's world No. 1 was a hard-fought battle against Tallon Griekspoor at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, Germany. Despite a disappointing end to the opening set, Sinner emerged victorious with a 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-2 triumph.The match was a tale of two halves, with Griekspoor valiantly overcoming a 1-5 deficit in the tie-break to take the first set. However, Sinner's resilience shone through in the second set, as he recovered from 0-40 down on his serve and hustled to make a forehand pass winner.The pivotal moment came at 2-2 in the second set, when Sinner side-somersaulted to finish a diving movement for 4-2. This crucial point shifted the momentum in Sinner's favor, and he went on to protect his serve the rest of the way.In the deciding set, Sinner broke Griekspoor two more times before closing out the encounter with his 15th ace. The 22-year-old Italian reflected on the match, acknowledging the mental challenges he faced but also his ability to regain confidence on the grass surface.Sinner's victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with Fabian Marozsan, as he aims to lift his first grass-court trophy. The Italian's all-around performance, including his impressive serve and aggressive groundstrokes, bodes well for his chances in the tournament.

Holger Rune's inconsistent form continued on Monday as he suffered a first-round upset at the cinch Championships, losing 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 to Jordan Thompson. The No. 7 seed, who has struggled for consistency in 2024, failed to capitalize on a set advantage against the unseeded Australian.Rune, who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2023, was looking to make a smooth transition from clay to grass. However, he struggled to find his rhythm against Thompson, who started the season with a stunning victory over Rafael Nadal.Thompson, ranked No. 32, is enjoying a career-best season. He won his first ATP title in Los Cabos and captured his first Masters 1000 doubles title with Sebastian Korda.In the decider, Thompson raced out to a 3-0 lead and held his nerve to secure his 11th career Top 20 victory. He will now face former world No. 1 Andy Murray, who will play Alexei Popryin on Tuesday.Meanwhile, No. 3 seed Grigor Dimitrov made a strong start to his Queen's Club campaign, defeating Adrian Mannarino 6-1, 6-2. Dimitrov will face the winner of the first-round clash between Sebastian Korda and Karen Khachanov.Rune's early exit is a setback in his bid to regain his top-10 ranking. The young Dane has seen his ranking drop from No. 7 to No. 15 in the last six months, with early exits in three of the five Masters 1000 tournaments in 2024.

Jack Draper's perseverance paid off on Sunday as he claimed his maiden ATP singles title at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart. The 22-year-old Brit overcame a resilient Matteo Berrettini in a thrilling three-set battle, 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.Draper's victory marked a significant milestone in his career, as he became the first British player to win an ATP singles title since Andy Murray in 2016. The triumph also propelled him to the top of the British rankings, ensuring his seeding at the upcoming Wimbledon Championships.The match was a testament to the determination and resilience of both players. Berrettini, a two-time champion in Stuttgart, looked poised to secure a third title when he took the first set. However, Draper refused to be deterred and fought back valiantly in the second set.Despite facing two match points in the second-set tiebreak, Draper displayed nerves of steel to save them both and eventually clinch the set. The momentum shifted in his favor, and he carried that confidence into the deciding set.Draper's serve proved to be a formidable weapon throughout the match, as he fired 13 aces. He also showcased his impressive court coverage and ability to retrieve Berrettini's powerful shots.In the end, it was Draper's unwavering belief in himself that carried him to victory. "It's incredible," he said post-match. "It was a really, really tough match. But I'm really happy to win my first title. It means so much to me."Berrettini, who was seeking his second title of the year, was gracious in defeat. "Congrats to Jack. Unbelievable week. Unbelievable match. I was so close," he said. "This one is going to hurt for a little bit, but that's tennis."Draper's victory is a testament to his hard work and dedication. After missing the entire grass-court season last year due to injury, he has made a remarkable comeback. His rise to the top of the British rankings and his maiden ATP title are a testament to his talent and determination.

Jack Draper's impressive performance at the Boss Open continued on Friday as he defeated defending champion Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling three-set quarterfinal match. The British star, making his tournament debut, served up a staggering 31 aces to secure a 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(1) victory.Draper's victory marks his sixth career ATP semifinal appearance and is projected to elevate him to a new career-high ranking of No. 33, just one spot outside a guaranteed seed for Wimbledon. The 22-year-old missed last year's home Grand Slam due to a shoulder injury.Draper's dominance was evident in the second and third sets, where he did not face a single break point. He rallied from a 0-30 deficit in the opening game of the decider and maintained his serve throughout.After failing to convert a match point in the 10th game, Draper seized control in the tiebreak, winning the first two points and the last five. "I am really happy with how I served and it was a really high-quality match," Draper said post-match.Draper will now face American Brandon Nakashima in the semifinals, while two-time tournament champion Matteo Berrettini will take on compatriot Lorenzo Musetti. Berrettini, who has won the Stuttgart title twice before, advanced with a straight-sets victory over James Duckworth.

Sumit Nagal's impressive run continues as he storms into the semi-finals of the Perugia Challenger. The sixth-seeded Indian displayed his dominance, overcoming the challenge of unseeded Maks Kasnikowski of Poland in straight sets 6-4, 7-5. This victory marks Nagal's eighth consecutive win since the start of the Heilbronn Challenger in Germany.Nagal's path to the semi-finals has been marked by consistent performances. In the opening round, he triumphed over unseeded Nerman Fatic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He then continued his winning streak against unseeded Alessandro Giannessi of Italy in the pre-quarterfinals.In the semi-final on Saturday, Nagal will face the winner of the quarterfinal clash between unseeded Bernabé Zapata Miralles of Spain and second seed Laslo Djere of Serbia. Nagal's impressive form has earned him a spot in the Paris Olympics next month, as he currently ranks 77th in the ATP Singles Ranking.Nagal's recent success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His title triumph at the Heilbronn Challenger last week, his second Challenger title this season after the Chennai Challenger in February, has further solidified his position as a rising star in the tennis world.Nagal's consistent performances and impressive results have not only boosted his confidence but also raised expectations for his future endeavors. As he prepares for the semi-final in Perugia, Nagal will be determined to continue his winning streak and secure a spot in the final.