Tennis

Felix Auger-Aliassime's promising run at the Cincinnati Open came to an abrupt and controversial end in the Round of 16 against Jack Draper. The Canadian star was on the cusp of leveling the match when a contentious decision by chair umpire Greg Allensworth handed the victory to Draper.Draper's match-point shot appeared to bounce twice on his side of the court before clearing the net, which should have awarded the point to Auger-Aliassime. However, without access to instant replay, Allensworth ruled in Draper's favor, sparking a heated debate on the court.Auger-Aliassime, who had earlier defeated Casper Ruud in convincing fashion, was visibly frustrated by the decision. He engaged in a lengthy discussion with both Draper and the umpire, arguing that the point should have been awarded to him due to the double bounce."Did you not see the ball bounce on the court?" Auger-Aliassime asked the umpire."I did not see that," Allensworth replied.Despite Auger-Aliassime's protests and a subsequent intervention by the tournament supervisor, the umpire's decision stood, and Draper advanced with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory.The incident has reignited calls for broader implementation of video review systems in tennis, similar to those used at the US Open. While the US Open has invested in this technology, most other tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open, have not, leaving players and fans frustrated when critical points are decided by potentially incorrect human judgment.This issue is not new; players like Denis Shapovalov and Daniil Medvedev have previously raised concerns about the consistency and accuracy of officiating in tennis.Auger-Aliassime expressed confidence that the umpire would realize the error once he reviewed the footage after the match. "It's going to look ridiculous," he said. Draper, too, seemed uncertain about the legitimacy of the point, indicating that he would have been willing to continue the match if a replay had been available.The controversy surrounding Auger-Aliassime's match has highlighted the need for improved officiating tools in tennis. Video review systems can provide a more accurate and consistent way to adjudicate close calls, reducing the potential for human error and ensuring that matches are decided fairly.

Felix Auger-Aliassime has etched his name into the annals of tennis history by becoming the third player born in the 2000s to achieve 50 Masters 1000 victories. The Canadian's impressive 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Casper Ruud in Cincinnati marked this significant milestone.Auger-Aliassime's achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. At just 22 years of age, he has already established himself as one of the most promising players on the ATP Tour. His aggressive baseline play and powerful serve have been instrumental in his success.The Canadian joins an elite group of players who have reached this milestone at such a young age. Jannik Sinner, born in 2001, holds the record with 69 Masters 1000 wins, while Carlos Alcaraz, born in 2003, has amassed 59 victories.Auger-Aliassime's victory in Cincinnati is a continuation of his impressive form this season. He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and won his first ATP Tour title in Rotterdam. His consistent performances have propelled him to a career-high ranking of world number 9.The Canadian's success is a source of pride for his home country. He is the first Canadian to reach 50 Masters 1000 wins, and his achievements have inspired a new generation of tennis players in Canada.As Auger-Aliassime continues his ascent in the tennis world, he is poised to add to his impressive tally of Masters 1000 victories. His determination, skill, and unwavering belief in his abilities make him a formidable opponent for any player on the tour.

Casper Ruud's Olympic journey reached new heights on Wednesday as he notched his 250th career victory and became the first Norwegian tennis player to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Games.The 23-year-old Norwegian overcame Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-4 in a hard-fought round-of-16 clash. Ruud's triumph marked a significant milestone in his career, making him only the second player born in 1998 or later to achieve 250 career wins, after Stefanos Tsitsipas.Ruud's success at the Olympics is a testament to his impressive form on clay courts. He has won 19 of his last 22 matches at Stade Roland Garros, where the Olympic Tennis Event is being held. His run includes back-to-back finals at the French Open in 2022 and 2023, as well as a semifinal appearance in 2024.In the quarterfinals, Ruud will face another rising star, Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada. Auger-Aliassime also made history for his country by becoming the first Canadian tennis player to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics.Auger-Aliassime's victory over Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 5, was his 16th career win over a Top 10 player. He will be looking to extend his impressive record against Ruud, whom he defeated in straight sets in the fourth round of the Madrid Masters earlier this year.The quarterfinal clash between Ruud and Auger-Aliassime promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the most promising young players in the game. Ruud will be aiming to continue his impressive run at the Olympics and make history as the first Norwegian to reach the semifinals.

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Ben Shelton, two rising stars in the tennis world, will face off in a highly anticipated clash at Roland Garros on Friday, May 31. This will be the first encounter between these two talented players, and it promises to be a thrilling battle on the clay courts of Paris.Auger-Aliassime, ranked 21st in the world, has proven his prowess on clay, reaching the final of the Madrid Open earlier this month. His powerful serve and solid baseline game make him a formidable opponent on any surface, but he is particularly dangerous on the slower clay courts.Shelton, ranked 15th in the world, has also shown impressive form on clay, winning the Houston Open in April. However, the American is still adapting to the different conditions in Europe, where the clay is slower and heavier. His return game, in particular, needs improvement, as he has struggled to break serve consistently on clay.Despite Shelton's challenges, he remains a dangerous opponent with a big serve and powerful groundstrokes. He will need to find a way to neutralize Auger-Aliassime's serve and create break-point opportunities if he wants to pull off an upset.Auger-Aliassime, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on his experience and consistency on clay. He has a strong track record on the surface, with two Challenger-level titles and several deep runs in ATP tournaments.Overall, Auger-Aliassime is the slight favorite in this matchup. His experience on clay and his superior return game give him an edge over Shelton. However, Shelton is a rising star with a lot of potential, and he could certainly surprise if he can find his rhythm on the clay courts of Roland Garros.

Coco Gauff vs. Dayana Yastremska: A Clash of Styles on ClayCoco Gauff, the No. 3 seed and former Roland Garros finalist, will face off against Dayana Yastremska in the third round of the French Open. The match promises to be a captivating clash of styles, with Gauff's consistency and precision pitted against Yastremska's power and risk-taking.Yastremska has shown glimpses of brilliance in 2024, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open. However, her form has been inconsistent since then, and she has struggled to find her rhythm on clay. Despite her recent struggles, Yastremska remains a dangerous opponent, capable of producing stunning shots when her game is on point.Gauff, on the other hand, has been in impressive form this year. She has won two titles and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open. Her all-court game and ability to control the pace of play make her a formidable opponent on any surface.The key to the match will likely lie in Yastremska's ability to find her range and dictate the rallies. If she can consistently hit her big shots and force Gauff to defend, she has a chance to upset the American. However, Gauff's consistency and ability to neutralize Yastremska's power will be crucial in determining the outcome.Ben Shelton vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime: A Battle of Power on Court 14Ben Shelton and Felix Auger-Aliassime will square off in a highly anticipated first-round encounter on Court 14. Both players have shown a liking for clay this season, with Shelton winning a title in Houston and Auger-Aliassime reaching the final in Madrid.Shelton relies heavily on his serve and powerful groundstrokes to overpower opponents. Auger-Aliassime, known for his all-court game and aggressive style, will look to use his superior experience and shot-making ability to counter Shelton's power.The match is likely to be decided by a few key points. Shelton will need to serve well and avoid making unforced errors, while Auger-Aliassime will need to find a way to break down Shelton's defense and create opportunities for himself.Carlos Alcaraz vs. Sebastian Korda: A Test of Resilience and AmbitionCarlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1 and reigning US Open champion, will face Sebastian Korda in a highly anticipated night match on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The match will be a test of resilience and ambition for both players.Alcaraz has been nursing a right forearm injury, but he has shown no signs of slowing down. He has won two titles this year and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open. Korda, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency in recent months. However, he has a history of playing well on big stages and will be eager to prove himself against the world's best.The match will likely be decided by Alcaraz's ability to manage his injury and maintain his high level of play. Korda will need to play aggressively and take risks to create opportunities for himself.

Andrey Rublev's triumph in the Madrid Open final against Felix Auger-Aliassime was a testament to his resilience and newfound composure. Despite a frustrating start, Rublev displayed remarkable patience and determination to overcome the Canadian's powerful serve and secure his second Masters 1000 title.Rublev's frustration was evident early on as he fell behind 1-4. However, he remained focused and began to dominate the rallies, holding his serve with ease and returning Auger-Aliassime's shots with precision. Despite creating numerous break point opportunities, Rublev's inability to convert them left him feeling helpless.Auger-Aliassime, buoyed by his 14 aces, managed to hold on to his serve throughout the second and third sets. However, in the crucial moments, he faltered. In the second set, he made three unforced errors to hand Rublev the break. In the third set, with the title on the line, he double-faulted twice, including on match point.Rublev's victory was particularly significant given the challenges he had faced in recent weeks. He had been suffering from a mystery illness that left him physically drained and unable to eat or swallow. Despite the pain, he managed to play through the discomfort thanks to injections and painkillers.Mentally, Rublev had also been struggling after being defaulted for unsportsmanlike conduct in Dubai. However, he showed remarkable composure in Madrid, never losing his cool even when faced with adversity.Rublev's triumph is a testament to his growth as a player. He has learned to control his emotions and channel his frustration into positive energy. Whether it was overcoming Carlos Alcaraz, battling through illness, or facing down Auger-Aliassime's aces, Rublev remained calm and collected, proving that he is a force to be reckoned with when he keeps his head.

Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime Set for Thrilling Madrid Masters FinalDespite a tumultuous week in men's tennis, the Madrid Masters has produced an intriguing final between Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime.Rublev, ranked 8th in the world, has endured a recent slump, winning only one match in the past two months. However, he has rediscovered his form in Madrid, defeating Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz en route to the final.Auger-Aliassime, once ranked 6th, has also struggled with injuries and has fallen to 35th in the rankings. He has benefited from opponent withdrawals in Madrid, but he also recorded a notable victory over Casper Ruud.This will be a rare opportunity for both players to win a Masters 1000 title. Rublev has reached four previous finals at this level, winning one in Monte Carlo last year. Auger-Aliassime is playing in his first Masters 1000 final.Their head-to-head record stands at 4-1 in Rublev's favor, but four of those matches have gone to a third set. Their last encounter in Rotterdam earlier this year was a three-set thriller.Both players possess powerful forehands and two-handed backhands, relying on pace and placement rather than spin or variety. The rallies are expected to be long and fast-paced.Rublev appears to be in better form than Auger-Aliassime, having backed up his win over Alcaraz with a victory over Fritz. However, Auger-Aliassime has the potential to upset the odds, especially if he can capitalize on his strong serve.Regardless of the outcome, the Madrid Masters final promises to be a captivating battle between two talented and determined players.

Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to the biggest final of his career at the Mutua Madrid Open after his opponent, Czech Jiri Lehecka, retired from their semifinal match on Friday due to injury. The match ended with the score knotted at 3-3 in the opening set, continuing an unfortunate trend for Auger-Aliassime's opponents this fortnight.In the third round, another Czech, Jakub Mensik, retired due to injury after losing the first set against Auger-Aliassime. No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner also withdrew ahead of their scheduled quarterfinal match with a hip injury.Lehecka, who had knocked out Rafael Nadal in the fourth round, left the court for an off-court medical timeout prior to serving in the seventh game, after an apparent lower back problem put him in distress. The youngster played just three more points in his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal, falling to the court at the 30-0 point.Auger-Aliassime comforted Lehecka with a hug and kind words as the youngster approached the net in tears. An emotional Lehecka ended the match by smashing his racquet at the side of the court.By virtue of reaching Sunday's final against Andrey Rublev, Auger-Aliassime will return to the Top 20 in the ATP rankings on Monday. The 22-year-old Canadian has been in impressive form this season, winning his first ATP title in Rotterdam and reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open.

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open due to a right-hip injury, organizers announced on Wednesday. The withdrawal comes just hours after second seed Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated by Andrey Rublev.Sinner, the Australian Open champion, was scheduled to face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals on Thursday. However, he has been struggling with the hip injury for some time and aggravated it during his third-round win over Pavel Kotov."I have been struggling a little bit with my right hip. We're trying to find a solution and I don't think it's anything serious. Sometimes I feel it more like today and some days are a little bit better," Sinner said after the Kotov match.Despite the injury, Sinner managed to defeat 16th seed Karen Khachanov in the fourth round to improve his season record to 28-2. He was aiming to win his fourth title of the year and his first on clay since defeating Alcaraz in the 2022 Umag final.Sinner's withdrawal is a major blow to the Madrid Open, which has already lost two of its top seeds. Auger-Aliassime will now face the winner of the match between third seed Daniil Medvedev and 30th seed Jiri Lehecka, who upset Rafael Nadal in the second round.Sinner is now hoping to be fully fit for the Rome Masters 1000, which begins next week. He has reached the quarterfinals in Rome once before, in 2022. Sinner is currently ranked No. 2 in the world, 1,130 points behind Novak Djokovic.