Tennis

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.

Daniil Medvedev has rediscovered his winning ways at the Nitto ATP Finals, adopting a "just don't care" approach to silence the noise and regain his focus.After a disappointing loss to Taylor Fritz in his opening match, Medvedev bounced back with a dominant 6-2, 6-4 victory over Alex de Minaur. The Russian became the first player this season to not drop serve against De Minaur, who has played 65 matches in 2022.Medvedev's newfound mentality was evident throughout the match. He remained composed under pressure, blocking out the distractions and focusing solely on his game. "I found the way by not caring," Medvedev explained. "Just don't care. Your boss is screaming at you, just block the noise and say 'I don't care.'"De Minaur was unable to match Medvedev's intensity, particularly in the opening set. The Australian was broken twice, with Medvedev's heavy forehand and precise drop shots proving too much to handle.Medvedev maintained his high level of play in the second set, keeping De Minaur at bay with his strong serve and aggressive groundstrokes. The Russian earned a crucial break in the ninth game with a backhand passing shot, sealing the victory without facing a single break point.Medvedev's performance was a testament to his mental resilience and ability to adapt to different opponents. By embracing a "just don't care" attitude, he was able to silence the noise and focus on his own game, ultimately securing a much-needed win.

Taylor Fritz has made a triumphant start to his ATP Finals campaign, securing a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Daniil Medvedev in his opening round-robin match. This milestone win marks Fritz's 50th of the year, a significant achievement that places him among the elite players on the ATP Tour.Fritz's victory is particularly noteworthy as it makes him the first American male player to record consecutive 50-win seasons in 17 years. James Blake was the last American to achieve this feat in 2006 and 2007. Fritz's consistent performance throughout the year is a testament to his hard work and dedication.Fritz's win-loss record over the past decade showcases his steady rise in the tennis world. From a modest 1-1 record in 2015, he has gradually improved his performance, culminating in his current impressive 50-21 record in 2023.Fritz's victory over Medvedev is a significant step forward in his ATP Finals debut. The season-ending event features the top eight players in the world, and Fritz's win over the reigning US Open champion demonstrates his ability to compete at the highest level.As Fritz continues his ATP Finals campaign, he will face stiff competition from the likes of Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Casper Ruud. However, his strong start to the tournament suggests that he is capable of making a deep run and challenging for the title.

Gilles Cervara's journey in tennis began at the age of 15, when he was captivated by the game. Despite his late start, Cervara's passion for coaching led him to become one of the most respected minds in the sport.In 2019, Cervara's career took a pivotal turn when he became the coach of Daniil Medvedev, a young Russian with immense talent but an unconventional style. Cervara recognized Medvedev's unique qualities and tailored his coaching approach to suit his personality.Cervara's belief in Medvedev's abilities proved fruitful. In 2019, Medvedev broke into the Top 5, and in 2021, he achieved his greatest triumph by defeating Novak Djokovic to win the US Open. This victory cemented Medvedev's status as a major champion and etched Cervara's name in tennis history.Cervara's coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of understanding the individual needs of each player. He believes in fostering a strong personal connection and helping players discover their inner resources. This approach has been instrumental in Medvedev's success, as it has allowed him to embrace his unique style and reach his full potential.Cervara's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of finding one's passion. His journey from an outsider to a respected coach demonstrates that it is never too late to make a mark in the world.

Alexei Popyrin, the rising Australian star, has emerged as a formidable force against Top 10 players, notching an impressive five wins in his last six encounters. His latest triumph came against world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev at the Rolex Paris Masters, a nail-biting 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4) victory.Popyrin's remarkable run began in Montreal in August, where he stunned three Top 10 players en route to his maiden Masters 1000 title. He then recorded the biggest win of his career over Novak Djokovic, then ranked No. 2, at the US Open.The 24-year-old's success against elite opposition is not a fluke. He now boasts 11 career wins over Top 10 players, including three against Top 5 players. In 2021, he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas, then ranked No. 3, in Paris.Popyrin's victory over Medvedev was a testament to his resilience and determination. After losing the second set, he rallied back in the third, taking a 4-1 lead. Medvedev fought back to level at 4-4, but Popyrin held firm and eventually prevailed in the tie-break.In the third round, Popyrin will face Karen Khachanov, who ended the winning streak of Basel champion Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Khachanov holds a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Popyrin.Popyrin's recent performances have solidified his status as a rising star in the tennis world. His ability to challenge and defeat Top 10 players is a testament to his talent and unwavering belief in himself. As he continues to progress, Popyrin is poised to make even more waves in the sport.

Novak Djokovic's pursuit of tennis history at the 2021 US Open ended in heartbreak, as he fell to Daniil Medvedev in the final. The Serbian star's bid to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Grand Slams in a calendar year was thwarted by the Russian's clinical performance.Djokovic, 34, entered the tournament as the heavy favorite, having won the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon earlier in the year. However, he faced an unexpected challenge from Medvedev, who had never reached a Grand Slam final before.The Russian, 25, played with poise and precision, breaking Djokovic's serve in the first game of the match and never looking back. Medvedev won the first set 6-4 and continued to dominate in the second, breaking Djokovic again and taking it 6-4.Djokovic showed signs of frustration in the third set, smashing his racquet after failing to break Medvedev's serve. The crowd, which had been cheering for Djokovic throughout the tournament, turned on him briefly, showering him with boos.Undeterred, Medvedev kept his foot on the gas, breaking Djokovic's serve again in the first game of the third set and building a 5-2 lead. Djokovic managed to hold serve for 4-5, but Medvedev closed out the match with a service-return error by Djokovic.The final score was 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, in a match that lasted just over two hours. Medvedev's victory marked his first Grand Slam title and ended Djokovic's hopes of making history.Despite the disappointment, Djokovic praised Medvedev's performance, acknowledging that he was "hitting his spots very well." He also expressed gratitude to the crowd for their support, saying that he had never felt so loved on a tennis court before.

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.

At the Shanghai Masters, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas exacted sweet revenge on their previous conquerors. Medvedev overcame Thiago Seyboth Wild 7-5, 7-5, while Tsitsipas defeated Kei Nishikori 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.Medvedev, the world number five, faced a stern challenge from Seyboth Wild, who had stunned him in the first round of the 2023 French Open. The Brazilian broke first in both sets, but Medvedev's resilience and determination proved too much.Tsitsipas, who had suffered a shock loss to Nishikori in Montreal, displayed his fighting spirit. The Greek battled through a tight first set, winning the tiebreaker 8/6. Nishikori, hampered by injury, required a medical time-out in the second set, and Tsitsipas capitalized to close out the match.In a surprise upset, world number nine Casper Ruud fell to 91st-ranked Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets. The Norwegian's early exit follows another disappointing performance at the Japan Open.American Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul advanced to the third round with comfortable victories over Denis Shapovalov and Fabio Fognini, respectively. Veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils also progressed, defeating Sebastian Baez in a hard-fought three-set match.

Carlos Alcaraz, the world's third-ranked tennis player, has advanced to the semifinals of the China Open for the second consecutive year. The 21-year-old Spaniard defeated Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2 in an impressive display of baseline dominance.Alcaraz's relentless pressure on Khachanov's serve proved decisive, as he converted four of 12 break opportunities. The victory marks Alcaraz's 46th win of the season and propels him back into second place in the ATP live rankings, ahead of the absent Alexander Zverev.In the semifinals, Alcaraz will face Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Flavio Cobolli of Italy 6-2, 6-4. Medvedev, still seeking his first title of the year, played a solid match, making 16 fewer unforced errors than his opponent.Earlier in the tournament, Andrey Rublev defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 7-5 in a match that was delayed by rain. Rublev's victory extends his career record against Davidovich Fokina to 5-0.The China Open semifinals promise to be an exciting affair, with Alcaraz and Medvedev set to clash in a battle of top-ranked players. Rublev will also be a formidable opponent, as he looks to continue his impressive run in Beijing.