Tennis

In a thrilling Billie Jean King Cup semifinal clash, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek overcame a spirited challenge from world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini to secure a hard-fought 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory for Poland. The match sent the tie to a decisive doubles rubber.Paolini, who had previously won only nine games in three encounters with Swiatek, displayed remarkable determination in the opening set. She broke Swiatek's serve twice to seize a 4-0 lead and eventually claimed the set 6-3.However, Swiatek, known for her resilience, refused to be deterred. She saved 13 of the 16 break points she faced, including all five in the second set. Swiatek's unwavering focus and clutch play proved pivotal as she broke Paolini's serve in the eighth game of the second set to level the match.In the third set, Swiatek continued to apply pressure on Paolini's serve. Despite Paolini's valiant efforts to stay in contention, Swiatek's consistent service holds and timely breaks proved too much to overcome. In the final game, Paolini faltered under pressure, allowing Swiatek to seal the victory and keep Poland's hopes of reaching the final alive.Earlier in the tie, Lucia Bronzetti had given Italy a 1-0 lead by defeating Magda Linette 6-4, 7-6(3). Bronzetti, making her Billie Jean King Cup singles debut, displayed impressive composure to overcome Linette's challenge.With the tie level at 1-1, the outcome now rests on the doubles match between Poland's Alicja Rosolska and Magdalena Frech and Italy's Martina Trevisan and Elisabetta Cocciaretto. The winner of this crucial encounter will advance to the championship tie.

ATP Finals to Remain in Italy Until 2030, Location Under EvaluationThe ATP Finals, the season-ending tournament for the top eight players on the men's tennis tour, will continue to be held in Italy through 2030, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi announced on Sunday. However, the exact location of the tournament beyond 2025 is still under evaluation.The current contract with Turin, which has hosted the event since 2021, expires next year. Gaudenzi confirmed that the tournament will remain in Italy for another five years, but did not specify whether it would stay in Turin or move to Milan.Milan is constructing a new arena for ice hockey at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, which could potentially host the ATP Finals. The arena is expected to have a capacity of over 16,000 for tennis, providing 4,000 more seats than the Inalpi arena in Turin."The location options beyond 2025 are under evaluation, with further updates to be provided in due course," the ATP said in a statement.The ATP Finals were previously held in London for 12 years before moving to Turin. The tournament has been a success in Italy, with strong attendance and positive feedback from players and fans.The decision to keep the ATP Finals in Italy is a testament to the country's strong tennis tradition and its commitment to hosting major sporting events. Italy has produced numerous top tennis players over the years, including Jannik Sinner, who won the ATP Finals this year.The ATP Finals are one of the most prestigious events on the tennis calendar, and their continued presence in Italy is a major boost for the sport in the country. The tournament provides a platform for Italian players to compete against the world's best and inspire future generations of tennis enthusiasts.

Italy's Davis Cup triumph in Bologna was a resounding success, with the defending champions securing their spot in the Final 8 in Malaga, Spain. Despite the absence of Jannik Sinner, who was recovering from his historic US Open victory, the Italian team showcased their dominance in the Group Stage.Matteo Berrettini, Italy's top player, led the charge with three impressive victories. He overcame Botic van de Zandschulp, Carlos Alcaraz's conqueror at the US Open, in a thrilling three-set battle. Berrettini also defeated Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca and Belgian Alexander Blockx in straight sets.Flavio Cobolli played a crucial role in Italy's success, securing the winning point against Tallon Griekspoor in another three-set encounter. Cobolli's victory clinched the tie for Italy, who won all three of their matches in the Group Stage.Italy's triumph is a testament to their depth and resilience. They have now won all three of their Davis Cup ties this year, including victories over Brazil and Belgium. Their success is a continuation of their historic victory in 2021, when they captured the title for the first time in 47 years.Sinner, who played a pivotal role in Italy's 2021 triumph, was on hand to support his teammates in Bologna. His presence was a reminder of the team's strength and the high expectations they have for the Final 8.Italy will face stiff competition in the Knock-Out Stage, with Spain, Australia, the United States, Germany, Canada, and Argentina all qualifying for the Final 8. However, the Italians will be confident in their ability to defend their title and continue their dominance in the Davis Cup.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider of Russia made history by becoming the first athletes from their country to win a medal, albeit as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The duo claimed silver in women's doubles, losing to Italy's Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini in a thrilling match tiebreaker.Andreeva and Shnaider's achievement marks a significant moment for Russian athletes, who have been banned from competing as a team at the Paris Games. Despite the political turmoil, the pair remained focused on their tennis, showcasing their exceptional skills and determination."I'm not going to answer anything about politics here," Shnaider stated at the post-match press conference. "I'm here to talk about tennis."The AIN athletes are prohibited from displaying any national symbols or flags on their uniforms. Andreeva and Shnaider wore plain white outfits, devoid of any markings related to Russia."For me, honestly, it doesn't matter," Andreeva said when asked about competing as AINs. "I just go out there, I play, and I fight."Prior to Andreeva and Shnaider's success, Ivan Litvinovich and Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya of Belarus had won the first medals for AIN athletes in trampoline. Litvinovich claimed gold for the men, while Bardzilouskaya secured silver for the women. Yauheni Zalati, also from Belarus, added a silver in rowing.Andreeva, at 17, became the second-youngest player to win an Olympic tennis medal, following Jennifer Capriati's gold in 1992. Shnaider, 20, played college tennis at North Carolina State before teaming up with Andreeva for the first time in doubles.Errani and Paolini's victory marked Italy's first tennis gold medal at any Summer Olympics. Lorenzo Musetti had previously won bronze in men's singles.Errani, 37, completed a career Golden Slam by adding the Olympic gold to her five Grand Slam doubles titles. Paolini, meanwhile, is enjoying her best season as a professional, having reached the finals in singles at the French Open and Wimbledon.Spain's Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo claimed bronze by defeating Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic.

Lesia Tsurenko, the 34-year-old Ukrainian tennis star, has a deep affinity for Italy that extends beyond its culinary delights. Her connection to the country dates back to her impressive performance in the 2012 Billie Jean King Cup, where she earned both points for Ukraine against Italy.Tsurenko's bond with Italy grew stronger under the guidance of Italian coach Adriano Albanesi, who helped her achieve notable results, including a quarterfinal berth at the 2018 US Open. Amidst the ongoing war in her homeland, Tsurenko has found solace and sanctuary in Italy, where she trains at the Piatti Tennis Center."I enjoy every second," Tsurenko said. "I enjoy my beautiful morning coffee and the view that I have in Liguira, where I live. It's just amazing to have this feeling and be able to relax and calm down."This sense of tranquility aided her in her hard-fought victory over Donna Vekic in the first round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Despite Vekic's formidable serve, Tsurenko's resilience and determination prevailed in a two-hour, 39-minute battle."I'm so jealous of the serve that Donna has!" Tsurenko exclaimed. "She's serving unbelievably good, and it's so tough because you don't have a rhythm to play against someone like her."Tsurenko's next challenge will be against fellow Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, who holds a special place in her heart for Italy as the 2023 Rome finalist. Tsurenko hopes to draw inspiration from the tournament's unique atmosphere and the Italian delicacies she has come to love."This tournament, if you look around, you'll see trees and statues, and I think just everything makes this tournament so special," Tsurenko said. "All the players enjoy food, and all of the players enjoy touristic mode because all of the hotels are in the center of the city ... and you can enjoy the time off [from] the tournament."