Tennis

Andrey Rublev's hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals for a fifth consecutive season suffered a major setback on Tuesday as he was upset by Francisco Cerundolo in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters. The 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) defeat leaves Rublev's fate hanging in the balance, with Alex de Minaur now poised to leapfrog him for a Turin ticket.Rublev had been closely monitoring the race to the ATP Finals in recent weeks, but his bid to secure his place was put in jeopardy by Cerundolo's inspired performance. The Argentine saved three break points in a marathon game to reach 6-5 in the second set and then clinched the match in a tense tiebreak.With Rublev's loss, de Minaur now has a chance to overtake him in the ATP Race to Turin standings. The Australian began the Paris Masters 165 points behind Rublev and will face Cerundolo's compatriot Mariano Navone in his first-round match.Grigor Dimitrov, the returning finalist in Paris, can also join the ATP Finals conversation with another deep run. Casper Ruud, who was one spot ahead of Rublev in the standings, now has more breathing room to work with.Rublev expressed his disappointment after the match but acknowledged that the players who could prevent him from qualifying are "wonderful people." He added, "If I don't qualify, I'll be happy for them."Soon after Cerundolo's victory, it was announced that Taylor Fritz had become the fifth player to qualify for the ATP Finals. The top-ranked American joins Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev in the eight-man field.There are two ATP 250 events available to hopefuls seeking the final three places next week in Metz and Belgrade. Rublev did not initially enter either tournament, but could pursue a wild card if it impacts his chances of making the ATP Finals.

The Laver Cup, a prestigious tennis tournament pitting Team Europe against Team World, kicks off with a series of intriguing matches on Friday. While the big stars and crucial encounters are yet to come, the opening day promises a glimpse of the potential fireworks to follow.Casper Ruud vs. Francisco Cerundolo:This match may not be a crowd-pleaser, but it is expected to be competitive. Ruud and Cerundolo have split their six previous meetings, with Cerundolo surprisingly winning their only indoor hard court encounter in Bercy last fall. However, Ruud's experience and superior serve should give him the edge in this matchup.Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis:These fellow Greeks have a history of thrilling encounters. Tsitsipas holds a 1-1 record against Kokkinakis, but the latter's recent victory at the US Open and his love of team play could give him an advantage. Tsitsipas's state of mind, however, remains a question mark.Grigor Dimitrov vs. Alejandro Tabilo:Dimitrov returns to the Laver Cup for the first time since 2018, while Tabilo makes his debut. Despite Tabilo's breakout season, Dimitrov's experience and recent Top 10 ranking should prove too much for the Brazilian.Carlos Alcaraz-Alexander Zverev vs. Taylor Fritz-Ben Shelton:The nightcap doubles match promises to be a spectacle. Alcaraz and Zverev form a formidable duo, but Fritz and Shelton have a strong partnership and the home crowd advantage. Fritz's Olympic bronze medal in doubles could give Team World an edge in this entertaining encounter.

Team World Reshuffles Roster for Laver Cup 2024With the Laver Cup 2024 fast approaching, Team World has undergone significant changes due to injuries. Alex de Minaur and Tommy Paul have been forced to withdraw, prompting Captain John McEnroe to call up Francisco Cerundolo and Thanasi Kokkinakis as replacements.De Minaur, ranked 11th in the world, has been battling a hip injury since Wimbledon. Despite reaching the US Open quarterfinals, he failed to recover in time for the Davis Cup and the Laver Cup."He's been battling since Wimbledon and hasn't been close to 100 percent," said Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt. "He was desperate to play, but it wasn't much of a choice."Cerundolo and Kokkinakis will make their second Laver Cup appearances. Cerundolo was part of the victorious Team World last year, while Kokkinakis played in 2017.They join American trio Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe on McEnroe's team. They will face a formidable Team Europe lineup led by Bjorn Borg, featuring Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alexander Zverev.Team Europe has won the first four editions of the Laver Cup, while Team World has won the last two. The event will be held at the Uber Arena in Berlin from September 20-22.

Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo to Juggle ATP Final and Olympic DebutAs the Paris Olympics officially commenced on Friday, two rising tennis stars, Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo, found themselves facing a unique challenge. Just hours after securing their places in the Umag final, they were set to embark on their Olympic journeys.Musetti, the second seed in Umag, showcased his impressive form by dispatching Jakub Mensik in straight sets. The Italian converted all five break points he created, demonstrating the confidence he gained from his recent Wimbledon semifinal appearance.Meanwhile, Cerundolo, the fourth seed, upset top seed Andrey Rublev in a thrilling encounter. The Argentine saved five of the six break points he faced, proving his resilience and determination.Both players are seeking their first ATP title of the year and third overall. However, their immediate focus is on the Umag final, which will take place on Saturday.However, their Olympic aspirations loom large. First-round singles and doubles matches are scheduled to be completed before Monday, meaning Musetti and Cerundolo will have to balance their ATP commitments with their Olympic responsibilities.In Paris, Musetti will face home favorite Gael Monfils in the first round, while Cerundolo will take on Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile.The demanding schedule will undoubtedly test their physical and mental limits, but both players are eager to embrace the challenge."I think I am loving this country so far. Played eight matches and I won them all," said Cerundolo after his victory in Umag. "Hopefully I can end up tomorrow with another win, another title."Musetti echoed Cerundolo's sentiments, expressing pride in his performance and readiness for the Olympic stage."Really proud of what I showed tonight. I think I probably played my best tennis," said the 22-year-old.The Umag final and the Olympic debut of Musetti and Cerundolo promise to be captivating spectacles, showcasing the extraordinary talent and determination of these rising stars.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has once again demonstrated his remarkable resilience and fighting spirit by overcoming a two-set deficit to defeat Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in a thrilling five-set encounter at the French Open. The victory marks Djokovic's 15th consecutive quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros, extending his impressive record at the tournament.Despite suffering an injury to his right knee, Djokovic displayed unwavering determination and grit throughout the match. After dropping the first set 6-1, he fought back to win the second 7-5. However, Cerundolo, ranked 23rd in the world, showed great tenacity and took the third and fourth sets 6-3 and 7-5, respectively.Undeterred, Djokovic refused to surrender and rallied in the fifth set. He broke Cerundolo's serve in the 11th game and held his own serve to secure a hard-fought 6-3 victory. The match lasted an grueling four hours and 39 minutes, a testament to the intense battle that unfolded on court.Djokovic's victory is a testament to his exceptional physical and mental strength. Despite the injury and the adversity he faced, he remained focused and determined to overcome the challenge. His ability to dig deep and find a way to win even when the odds are stacked against him is a hallmark of his greatness.The Serbian star will now face Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, a rematch of last year's thrilling semi-final. Nadal, a 13-time French Open champion, will be a formidable opponent, but Djokovic will be confident in his ability to produce another stunning performance and continue his quest for a third consecutive Roland Garros title.

Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner, will aim to extend his record-breaking streak of 14 consecutive French Open quarter-finals on Monday. However, his latest victory came at a cost, setting an unwanted record for the latest finish in Roland Garros history.Djokovic's five-set epic against Lorenzo Musetti concluded at 3:07 a.m. Sunday, leaving the 37-year-old Serbian questioning the scheduling. "Certain things could have been handled differently," he said. "There is a certain beauty in winning at three in the morning if it's the last of the tournament, but this wasn't the case."Despite the late finish, Djokovic remains focused on his goal of reaching the last eight. He will face Argentine 23rd seed Francisco Cerundolo, who stunned Alexander Zverev on clay earlier this season. Cerundolo has never met Djokovic before, but he has shown impressive form in Paris, reaching the last 16 in 2023.Zverev, who defeated Rafael Nadal in the first round, survived a scare against Tallon Griekspoor in the third round, battling back from 4-1 down in the final set. The German is playing under the shadow of an ongoing trial in Berlin over allegations of assaulting an ex-girlfriend.Holger Rune, a two-time quarter-finalist in Paris, will face fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev reached the quarter-finals in 2021, ending a run of four successive first-round losses. Casper Ruud, the runner-up to Nadal and Djokovic in the last two years, will tackle Taylor Fritz for a quarter-final spot.In the women's tournament, world number two Aryna Sabalenka will play American 22nd seed Emma Navarro. Sabalenka has made at least the last four at her past six Grand Slams, while Navarro is in the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time.Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will face experienced Ukrainian 15th seed Elina Svitolina. Rybakina is the only woman to defeat world number one Iga Swiatek on clay this season. Moscow-born French player Varvara Gracheva will play 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, the Russian teenager who is the youngest woman to reach the last 16 on all three Slam surfaces since Anna Kournikova in 1998.

Novak Djokovic's marathon victory over Lorenzo Musetti at Roland Garros has raised concerns about his fitness ahead of his fourth-round clash with Francisco Cerundolo. The match, which ended at 3:07 am local time, was the latest ever at the tournament.Djokovic's grueling encounter with Musetti, coupled with his age and the quick turnaround before facing Cerundolo, has led some experts to question whether he will be at his best. The Argentinean, known for his erratic but powerful play, poses a unique challenge for Djokovic.Cerundolo's aggressive baseline game, featuring a devastating forehand, could trouble Djokovic, who struggled to hit through Musetti's defense. Additionally, Cerundolo's mobility and willingness to take risks could put Djokovic on the move and test his endurance.While Djokovic's superior tennis IQ and experience should ultimately prevail, Cerundolo has the potential to win a set or two. A 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 loss would be enough for Cerundolo to cover the 7.5-game spread.Experts believe that Cerundolo's similarities to Musetti, who pushed Djokovic to the limit, make him a dangerous opponent. If Cerundolo can avoid unforced errors and maintain his aggressive style, he could make Djokovic work hard for the victory.

Sebastián Báez Storms into Rio Open Final, Faces Norrie or NavoneRIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Fifth-seeded Sebastián Báez of Argentina has secured his place in the final of the Rio Open after a dominant straight-sets victory over his compatriot Francisco Cerundolo on Saturday.Báez, ranked 30th in the world, displayed his clay-court prowess in the 7-5, 6-0 triumph at the Jockey Club Brasileiro. The 22-year-old broke Cerundolo's serve twice in the opening set and then cruised through the second set without dropping a game.Báez will now face either defending champion Cameron Norrie of Great Britain or another Argentine, Mariano Navone, in the final. Norrie, the second seed, emerged as the favorite after top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, Stan Wawrinka, and Nicolás Jarry all withdrew from the tournament due to injuries.Norrie, ranked 12th in the world, has been in impressive form this season, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and winning the ASB Classic in Auckland. Navone, ranked 195th, is a surprise finalist but has shown resilience and determination throughout the tournament.The Rio Open final is set to be a thrilling encounter between two talented Argentines or a clash between a defending champion and a rising star. Báez will be aiming to claim his second ATP Tour title, while Norrie will be looking to defend his crown and cement his status as a top clay-court player.