Tennis

Montreal Masters: Sinner and Rublev Set for Heavyweight Quarterfinal ClashMontreal, Canada - The National Bank Open in Montreal is set for a thrilling Saturday night showdown as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and world No. 8 Andrey Rublev, two of the top players in the world, will face off in a heavyweight quarterfinal clash.Both Sinner and Rublev advanced to the last eight with impressive victories earlier in the day. Sinner, the defending champion, extended his winning streak in Canada to six matches with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over No. 15 seed Alejandro Tabilo of Chile. Rublev, meanwhile, raced into the quarterfinals with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over American Brandon Nakashima.Rublev's victory marked a significant milestone in his career, as he completed the boxed set of quarterfinals at ATP Masters 1000 level. Despite having reached the last eight at all eight other Masters 1000 events, he had never before progressed this far in Canada.In the other quarterfinal on Saturday night, resurgent Japanese star Kei Nishikori will take on 23-year-old Italian Matteo Arnaldi. Nishikori, who upset Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round, sealed his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal berth since 2019 with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Portugal's Nuno Borges. Arnaldi, meanwhile, reached his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired with Arnaldi ahead 4-6, 7-6(5), 3-0.In delayed second-round action, No. 4 seed Hubert Hurkacz made a winning return from a knee injury that he suffered at Wimbledon, while Washington, D.C. champion Sebastian Korda extended his winning streak to seven matches. Hurkacz outlasted Australian Thanasi Kokkinaki 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) in the second round, while Korda received a walkover into the third round after No. 6 seed Casper Ruud withdrew from their anticipated clash due to illness.The Montreal Masters is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with several top players still in contention for the title. The Sinner-Rublev quarterfinal promises to be a particularly intriguing matchup, as both players are in excellent form and will be eager to prove their worth on the hard courts of Canada.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 25-year-old Greek sensation, will face off against 23-year-old Italian newcomer Matteo Arnaldi in the fourth round of the French Open. Tsitsipas, a seasoned veteran with a strong clay-court game, has been in impressive form, dropping only one set in three matches. Arnaldi, on the other hand, has surprised many by upsetting higher-ranked opponents, including Andrey Rublev.Tsitsipas has been studying Arnaldi's game and recognizes his fighting spirit and tenacity. He plans to disrupt Arnaldi's rhythm by varying his attack, using his one-handed backhand and net-rushing abilities. Arnaldi, known for his baseline power and speed, will need to maintain his confidence and shot-making prowess to challenge Tsitsipas.In the women's draw, Ons Jabeur, the former Roland Garros favorite, will take on 21-year-old Dane Clara Tauson. Jabeur, now 29, has faced some challenges this season but has shown resilience in her two hard-fought victories. Tauson, a former junior world No. 1, has upset Jelena Ostapenko and possesses the power that made her a promising prospect.The highly anticipated clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Félix Auger-Aliassime will be a battle of two rising stars. Alcaraz, despite an earlier forearm injury, has regained his form and confidence, dropping only one set in three matches. Auger-Aliassime, known for his serve-plus-one strategy, has also been in impressive form, reaching the final in Madrid.With Alcaraz's penchant for mid-match lulls and Auger-Aliassime's growing belief in his game, this match promises to be a thrilling contest.

Russian sixth seed Andrey Rublev's French Open campaign came to an abrupt end in the third round on Friday, as he suffered a surprising 7-6 (8/6), 6-2, 6-4 defeat to Italian qualifier Matteo Arnaldi.Rublev, a 10-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist, was visibly frustrated throughout the match, repeatedly throwing his racquet to the ground and hitting himself in the knee with it in the third set."Completely disappointed with myself -- the way I behaved, the way I performed, and I don't remember behaving worse on a Slam ever," Rublev said. "I think it was first time I ever behaved that bad."The 26-year-old Russian had a set point in the opening tie-break but failed to convert it. He was broken in the first game of the second set but broke back immediately. However, Arnaldi's confidence grew as Rublev's frustration mounted."I was able to break back, and it looks like I started to have a bit more chances," Rublev added. "Then out of nowhere, again, I collapse with myself, I get emotional, I lost my serve, and then I lose it completely and basically I almost tank the second set, and then it was too late, because then he started to play unbelievable."Rublev never regained his composure, and Arnaldi closed out the match with a love service hold. It is the second straight year that Rublev has lost in the third round to an Italian on the same court, after blowing a two-set lead against Lorenzo Sonego 12 months ago."I was struggling, and then I had a really good result in Madrid," Rublev said. "Now I'm playing well again. I feel that I have a good game, I'm improving. The problem is the head, that today basically I kill myself, and that's it."Arnaldi, ranked 35th in the world, will face either former runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas or China's Zhang Zhizhen in the last 16."It's incredible, I think I played the best tennis in my life," said Arnaldi. "I wasn't even expecting it.""He (Rublev) didn't play his best tennis for sure, but I used my best tactics to put him under pressure."

Matteo Arnaldi, the 23-year-old Italian tennis sensation, has made remarkable strides in his career, rising from obscurity to the cusp of the Top 30. His journey has been marked by resilience, determination, and a strong support system.At Roland Garros, Arnaldi has showcased his fighting spirit, overcoming adversity to reach the third round. In his second-round match against Alexandre Muller, he faced a pivotal 20-point game at 0-2 down in the third set. Arnaldi's ability to withstand six break points and emerge victorious proved crucial in securing the match.Arnaldi's rise has been steady and impressive. Three years ago, he was ranked outside the Top 900. Two years ago, he missed the Roland Garros qualifying cut. Last year, he made significant progress, reaching the fourth round of the US Open and winning the Davis Cup.His current ranking of No. 35 is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Arnaldi attributes his success to the unwavering support of his team, particularly his coach Alessandro Petrone. Their close relationship has been instrumental in his development.In his next match, Arnaldi faces a formidable challenge in world No. 6 Andrey Rublev. The Italian is eager to test his limits against the top players in the world. Despite previous setbacks against Alex de Minaur and Carlos Alcaraz, Arnaldi remains confident in his abilities.Arnaldi's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of a strong support system. As he continues to climb the rankings, he is poised to make a significant impact on the tennis world.

Matteo Arnaldi Poised to Triumph Over Tomas Machac in Rome Clay Court ClashOn Thursday, May 9, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia will witness a captivating encounter between Tomas Machac and Matteo Arnaldi. Despite Machac's 2-0 head-to-head advantage, experts predict Arnaldi to cover a small game spread in his home Masters 1000 event.Arnaldi, a native of Sanremo, Italy, will enjoy the unwavering support of the Roman crowd. Moreover, his proven prowess on clay gives him an edge over Machac. While Machac has achieved notable success, his clay-court record stands at a modest 5-6 at the ATP level. In contrast, Arnaldi boasts a 13-11 record on clay in his ATP career, including five Challenger-level tournament victories.Both players possess similar baselining styles with aggressive tendencies. However, Arnaldi's ability to generate heavy topspin from his forehand will be a formidable weapon in the slow clay-court conditions. Additionally, Arnaldi's superior serve on clay (77.4% hold percentage) compared to Machac's 69.2% will give him an advantage.The passionate Italian crowd is known to inspire their players, and Arnaldi is expected to thrive in this atmosphere. His game is better suited to the clay surface, and the home crowd support will provide him with an extra boost.Experts recommend backing Arnaldi to cover a 2.5-game spread (-111) in this highly anticipated match. The Italian's clay-court experience, aggressive forehand, and the support of the Roman crowd make him the favorite to emerge victorious.

Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 4, will face Matteo Arnaldi in the first round of the Mutua Madrid Open on Saturday. Medvedev, known for his dominance on hard courts, has shown improvement on clay in recent times, boasting a 9-4 record on the surface over the past year.Despite Arnaldi's two previous losses to Medvedev in straight sets on hard courts, experts believe Medvedev has a significant advantage in this clay-court encounter. Arnaldi's serve, a crucial weapon on clay, has been inconsistent, with a hold percentage of just 77.6% since the start of 2024. Medvedev's exceptional return skills will likely exploit this weakness, forcing Arnaldi to hold serve consistently.Furthermore, Arnaldi's baseline play lacks the consistent power to challenge Medvedev. While Arnaldi excels in creating uncomfortable situations for opponents, Medvedev's defensive prowess and ability to retrieve balls will neutralize this tactic. Medvedev's versatility on clay, including his ability to hit with topspin and depth or flatten his shots for winners, gives him an edge over Arnaldi.Considering Medvedev's recent form on clay and Arnaldi's limitations on the surface, sportsbooks are offering favorable odds on Medvedev to win in straight sets. This bet offers value, as Medvedev is expected to handle Arnaldi with relative ease.

Machac Poised to Extend Miami Open Run with Victory Over ArnaldiIn a highly anticipated Round of 16 clash at the Miami Open, rising star Tomas Machac will face off against Matteo Arnaldi on Tuesday, March 26. Both players have made significant strides on the ATP tour, but Machac holds a slight edge in experience and recent form.Machac, currently ranked 112th in the world, has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024. He has compiled a 9-6 record at the ATP level, including impressive victories over Andrey Rublev and Andy Murray in Miami. His aggressive style of play, featuring powerful shots from both wings, has been a key factor in his success.Arnaldi, ranked 75th, is also a promising young player. He has a solid all-around game, relying on consistency and patience to outlast opponents. However, Machac's ability to generate more power and aggression could prove to be a decisive advantage in this matchup.In their previous encounter in Dubai last year, Machac dominated Arnaldi with a 6-0, 6-1 victory. This result suggests that Machac may have the upper hand in terms of firepower and court coverage.Furthermore, Machac holds a slight edge in both serving and returning statistics. He has a higher hold percentage (83.7% vs. 80.0%) and a better break point conversion rate (22.5% vs. 20.1%). These small advantages could make a significant difference in a close match.Overall, Machac appears to be the more likely winner in this matchup. His aggressive style, recent form, and previous victory over Arnaldi give him a slight edge. While Arnaldi is a capable opponent, he may struggle to match Machac's power and consistency.