Tennis

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.

Under the dazzling lights of Paris, Scandinavian duo Holger Rune and Casper Ruud emerged victorious from thrilling five-set battles to advance to the third round of Roland Garros.Rune, a two-time quarterfinalist, overcame a two-set deficit and rallied from 0-5 down in the fifth-set tiebreaker to defeat Flavio Cobolli. The Italian clay-courter had fought back to force a decider, but Rune's resilience and determination proved too much.Meanwhile, Ruud, a two-time finalist on the terre battue, avenged his 2021 defeat to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The Spaniard had pushed Ruud to the limit in their previous encounter, but this time the Norwegian prevailed in a grueling four-hour and eight-minute battle.Both matches were played late due to persistent rain delays. Rune and Cobolli battled on Court 14, while Ruud and Davidovich Fokina took shelter under the Court Suzanne-Lenglen roof.Rune's victory was particularly impressive, as he had struggled for form in recent tournaments. However, he rediscovered his momentum in Paris, showcasing his trademark aggression and court coverage. He will now face lucky loser Jozef Kovalík, who also staged a remarkable comeback from two sets down.Ruud, on the other hand, has been in impressive form in 2024. He has reached the final of Monte Carlo and won his first ATP 500 title in Barcelona. His victory over Davidovich Fokina was a testament to his resilience and ability to perform under pressure. He will next face the winner of the match between Tomás Martín Etcheverry and Arthur Rinderknech.The third round of Roland Garros promises to be filled with more thrilling encounters as the tournament reaches its climax. Rune and Ruud will be among the favorites to reach the latter stages, but they will face stiff competition from a field that includes Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz.

The Trevi Fountain in Rome provided a picturesque backdrop for the 2024 Internazionali BNL d'Italia draw ceremony, where Elina Svitolina and Holger Rune tossed coins for good luck.Rafael Nadal, a ten-time champion, will make his likely final appearance at the Foro Italico this year. He will face a qualifier in the first round, with Hubert Hukacz as a potential second-round opponent. Rune, the No. 10 seed, will open against Daniel Altmaier or Luca Nardi.Novak Djokovic, the top seed, will play Roman Safiullin or a qualifier in his quest for a seventh Rome title. Daniil Medvedev, the No. 2 seed, will face Jack Draper or Borna Coric, but is battling an injury.Svitolina, the 16th seed, expressed her excitement for the tournament and the support of the Rome fans. She will play Sara Errani or Amanda Anisimova in her first match. Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, will face Wang Yafan or a qualifier, while Iga Swiatek, the top seed, will play Caroline Dolehide or a qualifier.Svitolina, who recently returned from maternity leave, emphasized the importance of sports for children and her hopes for her daughter to discover tennis. She is in the same section of the draw as Sabalenka.The draw ceremony showcased the anticipation for the tournament, which will feature some of the world's top players. The Foro Italico is expected to be filled with passionate fans eager to witness thrilling matches and the crowning of new champions.

Holger Rune, the defending champion at the BMW Open, extended his winning streak to nine matches with a dominant 6-4, 6-2 victory over Daniel Elahi Galán on Thursday. Despite facing challenging weather conditions that included rain, sleet, and hail, Rune displayed remarkable resilience and efficiency to secure his place in the next round.The match began under overcast skies, but as Rune and Galán traded blows in the opening set, a sudden downpour forced a 45-minute delay. Upon resumption, the conditions remained treacherous, with hail bouncing off the court surface. However, Rune remained unfazed, donning long sleeves under his Nike kit while retaining his signature short shorts.Rune's serve proved to be a formidable weapon throughout the match, as he lost just two points behind his first serve. His aggressive baseline play also kept Galán on the back foot, forcing the Colombian to make uncharacteristic errors. Rune broke Galán's serve twice in the first set and once in the second set to seal the victory in one hour and 39 minutes."It was very cold, I think we all feel it," Rune joked on court after the match. "I'm used to it; I'm from Denmark, so it's ok! It's great to finish in two sets and nice to be back in Munich, so I'm enjoying it."Rune's victory sets up a potential clash with Yannick Hanfmann or Swiss qualifier Marc-Andrea Hüsler in the next round. Hüsler holds a surprising 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Rune, having won their first two matches in 2022.Rune is aiming to become the first player to win three consecutive titles at the BMW Open since Thomas Muster in 1993-1995. His impressive form and resilience in challenging conditions suggest that he is well-positioned to achieve this feat.

The Rise of Short Shorts in Tennis: A Fashion RevolutionIn the world of tennis, fashion has always played a significant role, with players showcasing their style on and off the court. However, the latest trend in tennis attire has sparked a heated debate: the rise of vanishingly short shorts.Pioneered by rising star Holger Rune, the short shorts trend has taken the ATP tour by storm. Rune, known for his bold fashion choices, has embraced the trend with gusto, sporting inseams that barely cover his thighs. While some players have embraced the look, others have expressed skepticism or even disapproval.Rafael Nadal, a tennis icon known for his long shorts, has acknowledged the trend but remains hesitant to adopt it. "I think five inches is pretty good," he said of his inseam length. "I don't know how long these are, but they're around five."Aryna Sabalenka, a top-ranked women's player, has expressed her support for the trend, saying, "I want to see that! Please!" Ben Shelton, another rising star, agrees, saying, "You guys know I love that."However, not everyone is convinced. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, and Alex de Minaur have all expressed reservations about the trend. "It looks funny. It's not my style," said Tsitsipas.Arthur Fils, a young French player, hedges his opinion, saying, "[Holger] likes it but for us, it's a little bit weird, let's say."Madison Keys, a top-ranked American player, has raised concerns about the potential for wardrobe malfunctions, saying, "Sometimes they're a little short to where the boys are cheeking. It's just a little bit a lot."The Great Shorts Debate has sparked a lively discussion among tennis fans and players alike. Some argue that the trend is a refreshing departure from traditional tennis attire, while others believe it is inappropriate or unprofessional.As the trend continues to gain traction, it remains to be seen whether it will become a permanent fixture in tennis fashion or fade away as a passing fad. However, one thing is for sure: the short shorts trend has ignited a passionate debate about the intersection of fashion and sport.

Holger Rune, known for his outspoken nature, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the conditions he faced at the Monte Carlo Masters. A day after losing to Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals, Rune took to social media to criticize the ATP's scheduling, which forced him to play two matches in one day with minimal recovery time.Rune's frustration stemmed from the fact that he had to complete a rain-delayed second-round match against Sumit Nagal on Thursday, followed by a thrilling three-set victory over Grigor Dimitrov in a decisive tie-break. He also played two doubles matches earlier in the week with Taylor Fritz.In response to an ATP post highlighting Sinner's winning forehand, Rune commented, "Not that you gave me the best conditions in the first place having to play two matches the day before ending late, leaving almost no recovery time."Hours later, Rune reflected on his experience at the Masters 1000 event, writing, "Three matches in 38 hours. Happy about my level of tennis."When one user criticized Rune for "crying," he responded defiantly, "Hi. If I want to cry, I cry. If I want to scream, I scream. That's me. And by the way, I never cry. This post was mainly mentioning that it's probably the shortest tournament I had in a long time in Europe and still three matches. Very efficient."Rune's comments highlight the challenges faced by players on the ATP Tour, where demanding schedules can take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. Despite his disappointment, Rune remains optimistic, as he heads to Munich to defend his title at the 250-level tournament.

The intimate Court des Princes in Monte Carlo witnessed a thrilling three-hour and 30-minute battle between Holger Rune and Grigor Dimitrov, marking the penultimate singles match of the 2024 tournament.Despite having to complete their previous matches earlier in the day due to rain, both players displayed remarkable resilience and determination. Rune and Dimitrov traded blows, with the Dane hitting 36 winners to Dimitrov's 35. The Bulgarian had a slight edge in net points (38 to 32) and won more points overall (127 to 125).The match was a testament to the players' physical and mental fortitude. Dimitrov reached match point twice, but Rune's unwavering aggression and clutch play in the tiebreakers proved decisive. The Dane secured the victory with a 7-6 (9), 3-6, 7-6 (2) scoreline.The capacity crowd played a pivotal role in the match's atmosphere. Their chants and support kept both players motivated and energized. Rune acknowledged the crowd's impact, saying, "The crowd was on fire."Rune and Dimitrov have a history of engaging in marathon matches, with each player having experienced both victory and defeat. Dimitrov's recent resurgence has seen him improve his winning percentage and return to the Top 10. However, Rune's fighting spirit and ability to respond to adversity proved too much for the Bulgarian on this occasion.Rune's victory sets up a highly anticipated clash with Jannik Sinner on Friday. Despite acknowledging Sinner's status as the favorite, Rune remains confident, citing his 2-1 head-to-head record against the Italian.

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal put up a valiant fight against world number seven Holger Rune at the Monte Carlo Masters, taking a set off the Danish prodigy before ultimately falling in the rain-hit second round.Nagal, who had already made history by becoming the first Indian to win a singles main draw match at a Masters event on clay, continued his impressive run by threatening to spoil Rune's party. After losing the first set 3-6, Nagal rallied back to take the second set 6-3, showcasing his grit and determination.However, Rune proved too strong in the final set, breaking Nagal's serve twice to seal the match 2-6. Despite the defeat, Nagal's performance was a testament to his growing stature on the ATP Tour.The 26-year-old Indian had earlier stunned Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the first round, winning 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. He also defeated eighth-seeded Flavio Cobolli and third-seeded Facundo Diaz Acosto in the qualifiers to reach the main draw.Nagal's success at the Monte Carlo Masters follows his memorable performance at the 2019 US Open, where he took a set off the legendary Roger Federer. His recent achievements highlight his potential as a rising star in the world of tennis.

India's Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden suffered a disappointing exit from the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday, losing their round of 16 men's doubles match to Mate Pavic of Croatia and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador. The Indo-Australian duo fell short in a closely contested encounter, going down 3-6, 6-7 (6-8).Bopanna and Ebden faced an uphill battle from the outset, dropping the first set 3-6. Despite a valiant effort in the second set, they were unable to overcome the resilience of their opponents, who ultimately prevailed in a tense tie-breaker.Meanwhile, Indian tennis ace Sumit Nagal's second-round men's singles match against Holger Rune of Denmark was suspended due to rain. Nagal, who had enjoyed an impressive run of form leading up to the tournament, was trailing 3-6, 1-2 when the heavens opened up.Nagal's journey to the second round was marked by a series of impressive victories. He first defeated eighth-seeded Flavio Cobolli in the qualifier, followed by a triumph over third-seeded Facundo Diaz Acosto to secure a spot in the main draw. In the first round, he stunned Italian Matteo Arnaldi in a thrilling three-set encounter.Nagal's performance at the Monte Carlo Masters has been a testament to his recent resurgence. He became the first Indian to win a main draw match at the prestigious tournament, and the first from the country to achieve this feat at one of the three Masters 1000 events held on clay.With a career-high ranking of No. 93 in the ATP rankings, Nagal has established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the international tennis circuit. He joins the ranks of legendary Indian players Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan as the only Indians to participate in the main draw at Monaco.