Tennis

Zhang Zhizhen, the world No. 42, stunned former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (5) to reach the quarterfinals of the Terra Wortmann Open.The match was a tale of two sets, with Medvedev dominating the second set after Zhang had taken the first. However, Zhang showed his resilience in the third set, breaking back after Medvedev had taken an early lead and then holding on through a dramatic tenth game to force a tiebreaker.In the tiebreaker, Zhang trailed 2-4 at the change of ends but fought back to win four of the next five points and clinch the victory.The win is a major upset for Zhang, who had never beaten a top-five player before. It is also a significant result for Chinese tennis, as Zhang is the first Chinese player to reach the quarterfinals of an ATP Tour event on grass.Zhang's victory is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has been working hard to improve his game on grass, and it is now paying off. He is a dangerous player on any surface, and he will be a threat to win any tournament he enters.

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, recently revealed his dream dinner party guests from tennis history: Novak Djokovic, John McEnroe, and Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Medvedev emphasized that he would prioritize honest conversations about life rather than tennis.Medvedev's choice of Djokovic stems from his desire to delve into the Serbian's mindset and perspectives. McEnroe, known for his fiery on-court demeanor, would bring a unique and entertaining element to the table. Kafelnikov, a former Roland Garros and Olympic gold medalist, could provide valuable insights on navigating a demanding clay-court season.Medvedev's recent success on clay, including a Masters 1000 victory in Rome and two second-week appearances in Paris, suggests that he may be approaching the form necessary to make his dream dinner party a reality.During his third-round victory at the French Open, Medvedev experienced a peculiar incident involving an injured pigeon. The bird's presence on the court provided a brief respite, allowing Medvedev to catch his breath and regain focus.Medvedev's ability to adapt to different surfaces and his growing comfort on clay indicate that he is a serious contender for this year's Roland Garros title. Should he continue his impressive run, he may soon have the opportunity to share a meal with his tennis idols and engage in the thought-provoking conversations he desires.

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, has expressed his desire for his daughter, Alisa, to develop a preference for clay courts over hard courts. Medvedev, who has struggled on clay throughout his career, joked that he would be content if Alisa enjoyed the surface more than he does.Despite Alisa's popularity on social media, Medvedev is not rushing her into tennis. He believes it is crucial to allow her to explore her interests and develop her own passions. However, he acknowledges that she enjoys playing with a small racquet and kicking balls.Medvedev credits his wife, Daria, for spending most of her time with Alisa while he is away on tour. He admits that Alisa is more relaxed and easygoing with him, while she exhibits a stronger personality with her mother.Reflecting on his own childhood, Medvedev acknowledges that he may not have chosen tennis if he had been given the option at the age of 10. He emphasizes the importance of parental guidance and support in shaping his career path.Despite his past struggles on clay, Medvedev has shown improvement this season. He has reached the third round of Roland Garros for only the third time in eight appearances. He attributes this success to the increased competitiveness of the men's draw, which has made it more difficult for top players to dominate.Medvedev's next opponent will be either No. 31 seed Mariano Navone or Tomas Machac, who recently defeated Novak Djokovic. Medvedev remains cautious but is optimistic about his chances of advancing further in the tournament.

Tennis Stars Strike a Pose: Recreating the Eiffel Tower at Roland GarrosAt the 2023 Roland Garros tournament, ATP and WTA stars took a break from their media day duties to engage in a lighthearted challenge: recreating the iconic Eiffel Tower.Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 5, attempted the pose with elbows extended, while Paula Badosa, Sebastian Korda, and Jelena Ostapenko followed suit. Jannik Sinner also joined in, declaring, "That's enough."Ons Jabeur, who excelled in the Mona Lisa challenge last year, expressed her desire to win this competition as well. However, the competition proved to be fierce, with Mirra Andreeva tucking her arms over her face and Casper Ruud and Aryna Sabalenka extending their arms high above their heads.Andy Murray, a three-time major champion, took a unique approach by widening his stance to represent the base of the structure. Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, initially hesitated but eventually embraced the challenge, delivering a worthy pose.Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation, with Gauff exclaiming, "This looks so stupid, okay." Andrey Rublev concurred, adding, "It looks stupid next level."Despite the silliness, the challenge provided a moment of entertainment amidst the intense competition of Roland Garros. The players' creativity and willingness to have fun showcased the camaraderie and lighthearted spirit that often accompanies the sport of tennis.

Daniil Medvedev's Roland Garros debut on Monday evening was a memorable one, not only for his performance on the court but also for his unique attire. Bundled up in multiple layers to combat the chilly Parisian weather, Medvedev's cozy ensemble drew attention on social media.Despite the cold temperatures, Medvedev's performance was far from sluggish. He faced a spirited challenge from Dominik Koepfer, but ultimately prevailed in four sets. The Russian fired 35 winners and saved all four break points he faced, showcasing his resilience and determination.Medvedev's attire was a testament to his adaptability and the importance of comfort on the court. He wore his signature Lacoste match kit, complete with thermal sleeves, leggings, and two outer layers. The leggings were tucked into high socks for maximum warmth, creating a look that was both functional and stylish.The cozy ensemble garnered a range of reactions on social media, with some fans dubbing him the second coming of French fashion icon Rene Lacoste. Lacoste, a three-time Roland Garros winner, was not only a tennis champion but also the inventor of the polo shirt and a pioneer of branding in sportswear.Medvedev's Lacoste kit for Roland Garros 2024 is a testament to the brand's heritage and its commitment to innovation. The navy blue performance polo with burgundy red and white details, including a striped collar and sleeves, is both stylish and functional. The burgundy red shorts and Lacoste AG-LT Ultra shoes in navy blue complete the look.All of the garments feature Medvedev's personal logo, which was introduced by Lacoste last year and is inspired by his love for gaming. The logo adds a personal touch to the kit, reflecting Medvedev's unique personality and style.Medvedev's victory over Koepfer sets up a second-round clash with Miomir Kecmanovic, who defeated Thiago Monteiro in four sets. Medvedev will be looking to continue his momentum and make a deep run at Roland Garros, while also showcasing his signature style on the court.

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has been honored with tennis courts named after him in Maisons-Laffitte, France, where he trained from 2014-16. The project was initiated by Claude Kopélianskis, deputy mayor of the town, and Jean-Pascal Dupuis, president of the Tennis-Squash de Maisons-Laffitte.Medvedev, who was born in Russia but settled in France as a teenager, expressed his gratitude for the honor. "To give my name, I said yes straight away, because I have good feelings with this club and this city," he said.The club holds a special place in Medvedev's heart. "For the first team match that I came to play at Maisons-Laffitte, you welcomed me into your home, without knowing me. You welcomed me as if I were a loved one," he recalled.Medvedev's connection to French culture extends beyond tennis. "I speak French, I have all the team that is French. I think it's been already long time that I have a lot of French in me," he said.The naming of the courts is a testament to Medvedev's impact on the club and the community. "We kept a warm relationship with him, and one year and a half ago he came to me and said he had this idea where I play for the club, he wants to build a really great indoor courts and name them after me," said Dupuis.Medvedev's presence at the dedication ceremony was a special moment for the club and its members. He took selfies with youngsters, signed autographs, and shared his experiences with those who have supported him throughout his career.The courts named after Medvedev will serve as a reminder of his achievements and his connection to the club and the town of Maisons-Laffitte. They will also inspire future generations of tennis players to strive for excellence.

Daniil Medvedev, the defending champion, survived a stern test from rising star Hamad Medjedovic to reach the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. The 20-year-old Serb pushed Medvedev to the limit, but the Russian's experience ultimately prevailed in a thrilling three-set battle.Medvedev started strongly, breaking Medjedovic early and taking a 4-2 lead. However, the young Serb fought back, breaking Medvedev twice to force a tiebreaker. Medvedev regained his composure to clinch the first set, but Medjedovic continued to impress in the second, breaking Medvedev twice more to level the match.The third set was a rollercoaster of emotions. Medvedev surged ahead to a 4-1 lead, but Medjedovic rallied back to level the set at 4-4. The crowd erupted in cheers as the match reached its climax. Medvedev, drawing on his vast experience, broke Medjedovic one last time to secure a hard-fought victory in just under three hours."I was not playing the way I wanted to," Medvedev admitted after the match. "I never found the rhythm I wanted in any shot. But the most important is to win; it's always better to win, 6-0, 6-0, but we don't see it this often on ATP tour. Happy with the win, tomorrow is a new day when I try to improve what didn't work today."Medvedev's victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with No. 14 seed Tommy Paul, who defeated Dominik Koepfer in straight sets. Paul nearly beat Medvedev on slow conditions at the BNP Paribas Open in March, but the former world No. 1 rallied to win in three."I'll just need to reset," Medvedev said. "I won the match, so I'll do some physio work and go to sleep, try to play better tomorrow."

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, recently revealed a bizarre injury that occurred during his qualifying match at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships. While preparing to face wild card Marcus Willis, Medvedev accidentally hit his head on a cage at Aorangi Park, causing a bloody wound on his arm.Despite the injury, Medvedev played the match the following day but lost to Willis in four sets. Willis went on to make history by reaching the second round and facing Roger Federer on Centre Court.Medvedev's injury remained a secret until now, but he shared the story after witnessing Novak Djokovic's head injury from a falling water bottle at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. The incident reminded Medvedev of his own mishap, which he believes may have contributed to his loss against Willis."You always ask yourself after the match, 'Did I lose yesterday because I hit my head or not?'" Medvedev said. "That's a story which no one knew about. It's not a bad story either, but a story that I remember, yeah."Despite the injury, Medvedev has gone on to achieve great success, including winning the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in 2021. He is now the No. 2 seed in the tournament and will face Hamad Medjedovic in the round of 16.Medvedev also expressed his dislike for the dirty conditions of clay courts, but acknowledged that he is enjoying them more and more.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, continued her impressive form by reaching the Madrid Open final for the second consecutive year. The Polish star cruised to a straight-set victory over American Madison Keys, 6-1, 6-3, in the semifinals on Thursday.Swiatek, who has won two titles this year in Indian Wells and Doha, dominated the match from the start. She broke Keys' serve twice in the first set and never looked back. In the second set, Swiatek broke Keys' serve early and held on to her advantage to secure the victory."It was a pretty clean performance and really solid game from myself," Swiatek said. "I'm happy with everything."The Madrid Open is the only high-profile European clay-court competition that Swiatek has yet to win. She will face either world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka or No. 4 Elena Rybakina in the final."I'm happy that we can play a final against the top players," Swiatek said. "It shows consistency. For sure it's going to be a challenge, whoever it's going to be, and a tough match. I will be ready. I will focus on myself."Sabalenka defeated Swiatek in the Madrid final last year.Meanwhile, in the men's draw, Daniil Medvedev retired from his quarterfinal match against Jiri Lehecka due to an injury. Medvedev, the world No. 4, lost the first set 6-4 before retiring. Lehecka will now face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals."It's never easy in a match like this," Lehecka said of Medvedev's retirement. "If I were to choose the way how to win this match, it wouldn't be like that. So of course, it's never easy to see your opponent struggling, but at that moment, you just need to focus on yourself, trying to get the maximum level out of yourself."