Tennis

Matteo Arnaldi Poised to Triumph Over Tomas Machac in Rome Clay Court ClashOn Thursday, May 9, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia will witness a captivating encounter between Tomas Machac and Matteo Arnaldi. Despite Machac's 2-0 head-to-head advantage, experts predict Arnaldi to cover a small game spread in his home Masters 1000 event.Arnaldi, a native of Sanremo, Italy, will enjoy the unwavering support of the Roman crowd. Moreover, his proven prowess on clay gives him an edge over Machac. While Machac has achieved notable success, his clay-court record stands at a modest 5-6 at the ATP level. In contrast, Arnaldi boasts a 13-11 record on clay in his ATP career, including five Challenger-level tournament victories.Both players possess similar baselining styles with aggressive tendencies. However, Arnaldi's ability to generate heavy topspin from his forehand will be a formidable weapon in the slow clay-court conditions. Additionally, Arnaldi's superior serve on clay (77.4% hold percentage) compared to Machac's 69.2% will give him an advantage.The passionate Italian crowd is known to inspire their players, and Arnaldi is expected to thrive in this atmosphere. His game is better suited to the clay surface, and the home crowd support will provide him with an extra boost.Experts recommend backing Arnaldi to cover a 2.5-game spread (-111) in this highly anticipated match. The Italian's clay-court experience, aggressive forehand, and the support of the Roman crowd make him the favorite to emerge victorious.

The Internazionali BNL d'Italia, the final Masters 1000 event before the French Open, kicks off this week with a slightly depleted field. While Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal remain as top contenders, the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has opened up the tournament for potential upsets.Djokovic, a six-time champion in Rome, enters as the overwhelming favorite at +190 odds. Despite a recent loss to Casper Ruud in Monte Carlo, the Serbian legend has a proven track record of success on clay and will be eager to regain his form.Ruud, who defeated Djokovic in Monte Carlo, is another strong contender at 11-1 odds. The Norwegian has enjoyed a stellar season, winning 79.5% of his matches and holding at a career-high 87.1%. His impressive clay-court record (135-48) makes him a formidable opponent.Alexander Zverev, at 13-1 odds, has a favorable draw and a chance to bounce back from a disappointing performance in Madrid. His clay-court game and strong serve make him a threat to any opponent.Rafael Nadal, the 11-time champion in Rome, faces an uphill battle at 15-1 odds. While he has won three matches in Madrid, his recent performances have raised concerns about his form. His serve has been a particular weakness, and he will need to improve significantly to challenge for the title.Other players to watch include Stefanos Tsitsipas (10-1), Daniil Medvedev (16-1), Andrey Rublev (18-1), Holger Rune (23-1), Hubert Hurkacz (42-1), and Taylor Fritz (42-1).The conditions in Rome are typically slower and higher bouncing than other clay-court events, mirroring the conditions at Roland Garros. However, the tournament lacks the massive show courts of Paris, providing a slightly different atmosphere.With the absence of Alcaraz and Sinner, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia presents an intriguing opportunity for players to make a statement and gain momentum heading into the French Open.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, has claimed her first Mutua Madrid Open title after a thrilling three-hour battle against Aryna Sabalenka. The victory marks a significant milestone for Swiatek, as she has now won every WTA 1000 title except for Dubai, Canada, and Cincinnati.Swiatek's triumph in Madrid completes her clay-court "box set," having previously won Stuttgart (WTA 500) and Rome (WTA 1000) twice, and the Roland Garros title three times. With this victory, she ties Elena Rybakina for the most match-wins (30) and titles (3) on the WTA Tour this year.The match between Swiatek and Sabalenka was a testament to their intense rivalry, with both players showcasing their exceptional skills and determination. Swiatek ultimately prevailed in a nail-biting tiebreak in the deciding set, securing her 20th career title.The victory in Madrid further solidifies Swiatek's dominance on the WTA Tour. She has now won 28 consecutive matches, including titles in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart, and Rome. Her impressive form has made her the clear favorite for the upcoming French Open, where she will be aiming to defend her title.Both Swiatek and Sabalenka are set to return to action at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, a WTA 1000-level event in Rome, Italy, which begins on May 7th. The tournament will provide another opportunity for these two top players to showcase their skills and continue their rivalry.

World number three Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Italian Open due to a persistent arm injury, the Spaniard announced on May 3. The 20-year-old had been struggling with the problem since a practice session in Monaco and was forced to miss the Madrid Open as a result.Alcaraz's withdrawal from Rome is a major blow to his hopes of winning three straight Madrid Open titles. He had successfully defended his Indian Wells title in March and reached the Miami Open quarter-finals before the injury struck.The Spaniard's absence from the Italian Open opens the door for other players to challenge for the title. Defending champion Novak Djokovic is the top seed, while Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas are also among the favorites.Alcaraz's injury is a reminder of the physical demands of the tennis season. The Spaniard has played a grueling schedule in recent months, and his body is now paying the price. It remains to be seen how long Alcaraz will be out of action, but he is expected to miss at least the next few weeks.The Italian Open is an Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour Masters 1000 event, and it is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the clay-court calendar. The tournament is held in Rome, Italy, and it attracts the world's best players.Alcaraz's withdrawal from the Italian Open is a disappointment for fans, but it is also a reminder of the importance of player health. The Spaniard is still young, and he has a long career ahead of him. It is important for him to take the time to recover from his injury and come back stronger than ever.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set battle at the Mutua Madrid Open. The Belarusian star rallied from a set and a break down to prevail 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5), halting Rybakina's impressive 17-match winning streak on clay.Rybakina, who had dominated Sabalenka in their Brisbane final earlier this year, appeared poised for another victory as she raced to a 6-1 first-set lead. However, Sabalenka's resilience shone through as she broke Rybakina's serve in the second set and eventually leveled the match.The third set was a serving masterclass, with both players holding serve comfortably. Rybakina had two chances to break Sabalenka's serve and seal the match, but the Belarusian saved both break points.In the tiebreaker, Sabalenka's defense proved pivotal as she converted three match points to secure the victory. The win sets up a rematch of last year's Madrid final against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.Sabalenka's victory is a testament to her fighting spirit and ability to perform under pressure. She has now won three titles in Madrid, including the 2019 and 2021 editions. Rybakina, despite the setback, remains a formidable force on clay and will be a contender at the upcoming French Open.

Elena Rybakina's remarkable clay-court dominance continued at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open, as she staged a stunning comeback to defeat fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 in a thrilling quarterfinal encounter.Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, had never previously defeated Putintseva in two prior meetings. However, she displayed immense resilience to overcome a 5-2 deficit in the final set and deny her compatriot a maiden WTA 1000 semifinal appearance.The match was a tale of two halves. Putintseva, known for her fiery on-court demeanor, seized the initiative early on, securing the first set with a break of serve. She continued her momentum in the second set, breaking Rybakina's serve again.However, Rybakina, renowned for her cool and composed style, gradually found her rhythm. She broke back immediately and forced a tiebreaker, which she dominated to level the match.The decider was a rollercoaster of emotions. Putintseva broke Rybakina's serve to take a 5-2 lead and appeared on the verge of victory. But Rybakina refused to surrender. She held her nerve, saving two match points, and reeled off four consecutive games to complete the comeback.Rybakina's victory extended her clay-court winning streak to eight matches. She has established herself as a formidable force on the surface this season, having triumphed at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.Putintseva, despite the heartbreaking loss, has enjoyed a resurgence in her career. She reached the quarterfinals of the Miami Open and upset two seeds in Madrid, demonstrating her ability to compete at the highest level.In the semifinals, Rybakina will face either defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or rising star Mirra Andreeva, who made a breakthrough at this tournament last year.

Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, has faced a unique challenge at the Mutua Madrid Open: navigating the tournament's smaller courts. Unlike the spacious central court, the other courts have presented Medvedev with limited room to maneuver, forcing him to adapt his trademark deep return position."The courts here except the central court are a bit smaller than I would like, so I play like someone is pushing me in the back," Medvedev explained. "Even though my serve doesn't need that much space, the feeling is still there."Despite the cramped conditions, Medvedev has managed to survive two tight three-setters. After rallying past Matteo Arnaldi in the second round, he faced a stern test against Sebastian Korda. Holding from deuce at both 4-5 and 5-6 in the second set, Medvedev eventually secured the lone break of their deciding set before serving out the match."Especially on clay, I feel like you need more space than on hard court," Medvedev said. "The ball is bouncing higher. I like to take it on the low, you need like two more meters than (what) is here."Medvedev's second-serve strategy has also been a work in progress. "I'm always questioning myself," he admitted. "Do I step in where I don't feel the most comfortable? Do I stay back and have the chance that I'm gonna have a tough ball to play anyway?"Despite the challenges, Medvedev has advanced to the fourth round, where he will face Alexander Bublik. The No. 17 seed has lost all five of his prior encounters with Medvedev, but the Russian is taking nothing for granted."I'm really happy with what happened today," Medvedev said. "I'm just trying to find my way, trying to find my game, trying to find my rhythm."

Iga Swiatek's dominance at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open continued unabated as she dispatched Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1, 6-0 to reach the quarterfinals. The top seed has been in imperious form, dropping just eight games in her first three matches.Swiatek's victory over Sorribes Tormo was a masterclass in clay-court tennis. The Pole matched her opponent's topspin with her own, and her aggressive approach to the net proved too much for the Spaniard. Swiatek struck a stunning 27 winners to just 14 unforced errors and converted six of nine break point opportunities.Sorribes Tormo, a former world No. 32, had upset Victoria Azarenka in the third round, but she was no match for Swiatek's relentless power and precision. The Spaniard managed to break Swiatek in the opening game, but the world No. 1 responded with a break of her own and never looked back.In the quarterfinals, Swiatek will face No. 11 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, who upset No. 5 seed Maria Sakkari. Swiatek has a 1-1 record against Haddad Maia, but she will be the heavy favorite to advance to the semifinals.Another player who has impressed in Madrid is Ons Jabeur. The No. 8 seed knocked out No. 9 seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-0, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals. Jabeur will face the winner of the all-American fourth round between Madison Keys and Coco Gauff.The 2024 Mutua Madrid Open is shaping up to be a thrilling tournament, with Swiatek and Jabeur emerging as the favorites. The quarterfinals promise to be filled with exciting matches, and the fans in Madrid are in for a treat.

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1, is brimming with optimism as she senses a breakthrough on the horizon. Following her second-round exit from the Mutua Madrid Open, Osaka took to social media to express her belief that something significant is about to happen."I think I'm on to something. It's all about to click, I feel it in the air," Osaka wrote, accompanied by a photo of herself in action at the tournament.Osaka's positive outlook stems from her recent performances on clay, her least-favored surface. She secured her first clay-court victory since 2022 in the opening round against Greet Minnen before falling to No. 15 seed Liudmila Samsonova in three hard-fought sets.Despite the setback, Osaka remains determined to embrace clay courts. "There's definitely beauty to it, and I'm taking a lot of inspiration from people who do well on it," she said. "I'm not expecting to be like Iga [Swiatek], but I just want to do the best with what I have."Osaka's recent appearance on "Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios" also provided her with an opportunity to reflect on her past, present, and future. She expressed her desire to leave a lasting legacy and emphasized the importance of cherishing every moment."How bold of me to assume I'll live long enough to fade away," Osaka wrote. "After all, nothing in life is promised. Every day and every breath is a blessing, it should be viewed as such."Osaka's focus now shifts to the upcoming Internazionali BNL d'Italia, where she will make her fifth career appearance. The four-time Grand Slam champion will be eager to build on her recent progress and continue her journey towards rediscovering her best form.