Tennis

India's Rohan Bopanna and Australia's Matthew Ebden concluded their successful partnership with a dramatic victory over Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in their final group match of the ATP Finals in Turin on Friday. The Indian-Australian duo triumphed 7-5, 6-7(6), 10-7, capping off their 2024 season with a thrilling win.Despite being eliminated from semifinal contention after two earlier losses, Bopanna and Ebden displayed unwavering intensity. They played with composure, even during a tense second-set tie-break where they squandered two match points. However, the pair demonstrated resilience, eventually sealing the win in a Match Tie-break after a 1-hour, 42-minute clash.The victory was highlighted by Bopanna and Ebden's serving prowess, as they combined for 14 aces. This win also leveled their ATP head-to-head record with Krawietz and Puetz at 2-2, adding a positive note to the end of their partnership.Bopanna and Ebden's partnership, which began in January 2023, has been highly successful. Together, they won four tour-level titles, including the prestigious Australian Open this year, and both reached No. 1 in the ATP Doubles Rankings at different points during their time together.For Krawietz and Puetz, the loss was bittersweet. Despite the defeat, the German pair's 2-1 record in group play means they will progress to the semifinals on their ATP Finals debut. The outcome of their group will be determined after the result of the evening's match between Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic and Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori, which will decide whether Krawietz and Puetz finish first or second in the Bob Bryan Group.

Jannik Sinner's dominance continued at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals as he secured a flawless 3-0 record in the Ilie Nastase Group, eliminating Daniil Medvedev from semifinal contention. The world No. 1's 6-3, 6-4 victory over Medvedev marked his eighth win in their last nine encounters, further solidifying his supremacy over the former world No. 1.Sinner's victory also clinched the second semifinal berth for Taylor Fritz, who finished 2-1 in the Nastase Group with a three-set comeback over Alex de Minaur. Sinner, who finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Finals, is now in pole position to improve upon his previous result.The Italian's nine-match winning streak has been fueled by his recent title run at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. He has yet to drop a set in Turin, showcasing his exceptional form and consistency.Medvedev, on the other hand, has been hampered by a shoulder injury that has hindered his once-implacable consistency. Despite a strong start to the year, he has struggled to reach the latter stages of major tournaments and Masters 1000 events.In the match against Sinner, Medvedev fought valiantly but was ultimately outmatched by the Italian's relentless power and precision. Sinner broke Medvedev's serve in the eighth game of the first set and held on to take the set 6-3.The second set followed a similar pattern, with Sinner breaking Medvedev's serve in the ninth game to secure a 6-4 victory and eliminate Medvedev from the tournament.Sinner's victory is a testament to his meteoric rise in 2024, which has seen him win both hard-court major titles and become the runaway ATP world No. 1. Medvedev, meanwhile, will likely finish the season ranked outside the Top 4, a reflection of his struggles with injury.

Taylor Fritz, the American tennis star, will face Alex de Minaur of Australia in the quarterfinals of the Nitto ATP Finals on Thursday. Fritz, currently ranked fifth in the world, is looking to secure a spot in the semifinals.Despite losing to Jannik Sinner in his second match, Fritz displayed impressive form. His ability to maintain that level of play will be crucial against de Minaur. Fritz's victory over Daniil Medvedev in their opening match, coupled with Medvedev's dominant win over de Minaur, suggests that Fritz holds a significant advantage.De Minaur, while a talented player, has struggled since returning from an injury sustained at Wimbledon. His serve percentage has dropped below 60% in 11 of his 17 matches since then, and his forehand lacks the power it once possessed. These weaknesses make him vulnerable on the quick indoor hard courts of Turin.In contrast, Fritz possesses a powerful serve and a versatile game. His ability to grind and finish points effectively will pose a challenge for de Minaur. Fritz's exceptional return skills will also give him ample opportunities to break de Minaur's serve.Despite de Minaur's 5-3 head-to-head record against Fritz, recent form suggests that Fritz is the clear favorite. His superior serve, forehand, and return ability should enable him to secure a comfortable victory.

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden's hopes of reaching the semifinals at the ATP Finals 2024 have been dashed after their second consecutive defeat. The Indo-Aussie duo succumbed to the top-seeded pair of Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in a 68-minute contest, placing them at the bottom of the Bob Bryan group.This tournament marks the end of Bopanna and Ebden's two-year partnership. They had earlier lost their opening match to Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. Their chances of advancing to the semifinals are now slim, as they face Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz in their final group-stage match.Despite a mid-season slump, Bopanna and Ebden earned their spot in the ATP Finals by reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros. Bopanna made history in January by becoming the oldest player to reach World No. 1 at the age of 43. He has twice won the prestigious season-ending event.Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz opened his account at the ATP Finals with a thrilling win over Andrey Rublev. The world number three looked in much better form despite struggling with fatigue and illness in the lead-up to the match. Alcaraz's victory boosts his hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

Casper Ruud's stunning victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the Nitto ATP Finals has sent shockwaves through the tennis world. Despite Alcaraz's illness and Ruud's recent struggles, the Norwegian delivered a dominant performance, serving at an impressive 68.0% and controlling the match with his powerful forehand.Ruud's resurgence at the year-end event is a testament to his resilience and determination. After a disappointing run-up to the Finals, including a loss to Benjamin Bonzi in Metz, Ruud has rediscovered his form in Turin. His 5-3 record at the ATP Finals highlights his ability to perform at the highest level when it matters most.In his upcoming match against Alexander Zverev, Ruud will face a formidable opponent. However, Zverev's return game is not as strong as Alcaraz's, and Ruud's consistent serving and aggressive forehand should give him an edge.Ruud's ability to win over 8.5 games in this match is a compelling betting proposition. Even in a straight-set loss, Ruud's strong serve and forehand should allow him to rack up holds and keep the match competitive.The fast indoor hard courts in Turin favor servers, and Ruud's recent serving performance suggests that he can exploit this advantage. Zverev's lower break percentage and higher Ace Rate Against compared to Alcaraz further support the case for Ruud to win over 8.5 games.While Zverev has improved significantly since his last meeting with Ruud on hard courts in 2022, Ruud has also made strides in his game. Additionally, Ruud's previous success against Zverev in similar conditions bodes well for his chances in this match.Ruud's ability to control points with his forehand and exploit Zverev's shaky forehand will be crucial. By dictating the pace and direction of the rallies, Ruud can limit Zverev's opportunities to attack and force him into errors.

Jannik Sinner's dominance on the ATP Tour continues unabated, as the Italian extended his winning streak to 12 consecutive sets with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals in Turin.Sinner's relentless aggression and unwavering focus proved too much for Fritz, who struggled to find a rhythm against the Italian's heavy hitting. The American had brief glimpses of hope, but Sinner's ability to raise his level at crucial moments proved decisive.In the first set, Fritz fought off three break points to hold for 4-4, but Sinner's relentless pressure eventually paid off as he broke for the set win. Fritz had another chance to break in the second set, but two errors under pressure allowed Sinner to hold.Sinner's dominance was evident in the second set, as he saved a break point at 2-3 and then broke Fritz's serve at 3-3. Fritz pushed back, reaching 0-30 at 3-3, but Sinner's lunging backhand pass and Fritz's unforced error ended the game.Fritz fought hard to stay in the match, but Sinner's power and precision proved too much. The Italian broke Fritz for the second time in the second set to seal the victory and move to 2-0 in the round-robin stage.Sinner's victory puts him in prime position to reach the semifinals, where he will face Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev, who lost to Fritz in his opener, will be looking to Carlos Alcaraz for inspiration, as the Spaniard was the last player to win a set from Sinner that didn't come in a tiebreaker.Sinner's dominance is a testament to his hard work and dedication. The Italian has emerged as one of the most exciting young players on the ATP Tour, and his recent performances suggest that he is ready to challenge for the biggest titles in the sport.

Jannik Sinner, the rising star of tennis, has achieved the pinnacle of success by securing the year-end No. 1 ranking at the ATP Finals in front of his home crowd. This remarkable feat marks a historic moment for the 23-year-old Italian, who has become the 19th different player to claim the year-end honor and the 29th man overall to reach the summit of the sport.Sinner's triumph is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He began the year with a stunning victory at the Australian Open, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling five-set final. This triumph was followed by another Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open, where he overcame Carlos Alcaraz in a hard-fought four-set encounter.Sinner's dominance extended beyond the Grand Slams. He also captured the ATP 500 title in Vienna and reached the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid. His consistent performances throughout the season earned him the mathematical certainty of the year-end No. 1 ranking a month ago.As Sinner celebrated his historic achievement, he expressed his gratitude to his supporters. "There's no place better to celebrate this trophy," he said, his mother Siglinde beaming with pride. "Thanks for all of your support."Former world No. 1 Boris Becker, who presented Sinner with the trophy, hailed the young Italian as a force to be reckoned with. "I think he's the man to beat for a long time," Becker said.Sinner's rise to the top has been marked by both brilliance and controversy. Earlier this year, he was cleared of wrongdoing in two separate drug tests, but the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed the decision. A final ruling in the case is expected early next year.Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Sinner's achievements on the court have been undeniable. He has established himself as one of the most exciting and promising players in the world, and his year-end No. 1 ranking is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.

The ATP Finals have witnessed a dramatic shift in betting odds after the completion of the first round-robin matches. Jannik Sinner has emerged as the odds-on favorite at -135, following his dominant victory over Alex de Minaur and Carlos Alcaraz's surprising loss to Casper Ruud.Sinner's impressive Shot Quality in all aspects of the game, coupled with his home-court advantage, makes him a formidable contender. He holds head-to-head advantages over both Taylor Fritz and Daniil Medvedev, increasing his chances of advancing from group play.Alexander Zverev, the two-time ATP Finals champion, is another player to watch. His untouchable serve and recent victory at the Rolex Paris Masters have propelled him to the top of the John Newcombe Group standings.While Alcaraz suffered a setback, he remains a threat. If he defeats Andrey Rublev and Zverev, he could still qualify for the semifinals. However, Zverev may not approach the match with the same urgency, as a win over Ruud would secure his spot.Fritz has also impressed, defeating Medvedev in straight sets. Despite being an underdog against Sinner, he has a chance to reach the semifinals by beating de Minaur. His fast-court prowess and previous victory over de Minaur on grass make him a potential threat.Overall, the ATP Finals remain wide open, with multiple players capable of claiming the title. Sinner and Zverev are the current favorites, but Alcaraz and Fritz should not be overlooked. The tournament promises exciting matches and unpredictable outcomes as the best players in the world battle for the prestigious trophy.

The Nitto ATP Finals in Turin have commenced, and the ATP's content team has paired up four duos for a lighthearted Q&A session.Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz praised each other's competitive spirit and mentality. Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud exchanged nicknames, with Zverev being dubbed "Tarzan" for his hair and Ruud being called "Golden Monkey."The players were asked which shot they would like to borrow from their colleague and which they would gladly give up. Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur had a playful exchange, with Fritz claiming to have no shot he would give up, while De Minaur insisted there were plenty.Ruud and Zverev both agreed on the backhand as the shot they would leave behind, while Medvedev and Rublev shared their mutual dislike for the slice.When it came to fashion, De Minaur acknowledged Taylor Fritz as the "runway model" of the group, and Sinner conceded defeat to Alcaraz.Medvedev and Zverev are the only former winners in this year's field, while Sinner and Ruud are former runners-up. De Minaur is making his event debut.