Tennis

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the rising French tennis star, extended his remarkable indoor winning streak at the Rolex Paris Masters on Tuesday, overcoming a spirited challenge from Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling three-set battle.The 6' 8" Frenchman, fresh off his triumph at the ATP 500 event in Basel, faced a stern test from the world No. 17 Tiafoe. Despite being pushed to the brink in the second set, Mpetshi Perricard displayed resilience and determination to secure a hard-fought 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory.The match was a testament to Mpetshi Perricard's growing stature in the tennis world. The 21-year-old has now compiled an impressive 5-1 record against Top 20 players this year, including victories over Felix Auger-Aliassime, Holger Rune, and Taylor Fritz. His only loss came against world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing.Adding to his impressive record, Mpetshi Perricard has also embarked on an extraordinary serving streak. He has held his last 80 service games in a row, a remarkable feat that began in Antwerp two weeks ago. In Basel last week, he held all 60 of his service games en route to the title.Against Tiafoe, Mpetshi Perricard faced only two break points and saved them both. His unwavering serve proved to be a decisive factor in the match, as he was able to dictate the pace and control the rallies."It means a lot to win in front of the French people. It's unbelievable," said Mpetshi Perricard after the match. "It was an amazing match for me. I did some good things—some bad things sometimes, but yeah it happens! The most important part is I have the win, and now I have to be focused for the next match. I hope to have the same crowd cheering for me."Up next for Mpetshi Perricard is a clash with No. 21-ranked Karen Khachanov. The Frenchman will be aiming to continue his winning streak and make a deep run in his home tournament.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner's withdrawal from the Rolex Paris Masters has cast a shadow over the final ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the 2024 season. The Italian star, who has enjoyed a stellar year with Grand Slam triumphs at the Australian Open and US Open, announced his decision on Tuesday, citing a lingering illness.Sinner's absence is a significant blow to the tournament, as he was the top seed and a strong contender for the title. In a video message posted to the tournament's social media, Sinner expressed his disappointment at having to withdraw. "I'm very disappointed to tell you that I'm not able to play here at this tournament," he said. "I came very early here to prepare and felt sick. I'm having a virus at the moment, which is going to pass in the next two-three days. So, body-wise, I'm not ready to compete."Sinner's withdrawal comes after a hectic fall swing that included a runner-up finish at the China Open, a victory at the Rolex Shanghai Masters over Novak Djokovic, and a lucrative appearance at the inaugural Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh. The 23-year-old Italian took home over six million dollars in both appearance and prize money for winning the six-man event, but he emphasized that his primary motivation was to test himself against the world's best players."Of course, it's a nice prize and everything," Sinner explained, "but for me, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world. And then you can measure yourself with them."Despite his withdrawal from the Rolex Paris Masters, Sinner has already secured a berth at the ATP Finals in Turin. He will be replaced in the draw by lucky loser Arthur Cazaux, who will open against either Corentin Moutet or Ben Shelton.

Casper Ruud, the former World No. 2 and current Top 10 player, has endured a disappointing end to the 2024 season. Despite a strong start with a 47-22 record and a 68.1% winning percentage, Ruud has lost seven of his last nine matches, including stunning defeats to Henrique Rocha, Aleksandar Vukic, and Roberto Bautista Agut.Ruud's recent struggles have raised concerns about his motivation and preparation for the end of the season. He has openly criticized the lack of an offseason in tennis, suggesting that he may not be prioritizing this period. This is surprising considering his position in the ATP Finals race.One of Ruud's most notable losses during this slump was against Jordan Thompson in Tokyo. Thompson, who has a 4-3 head-to-head record against Ruud, has won two of their three encounters in 2024. Thompson's success against Ruud stems from his aggressive style of play, featuring a big serve and strong net play.Thompson's ability to exploit Ruud's weaknesses has made him a formidable opponent. While Ruud possesses a powerful forehand and a solid serve, his game can be inconsistent. Thompson has consistently found ways to expose these flaws.Given Ruud's recent form and Thompson's head-to-head advantage, the Australian is a strong pick to win their upcoming match at the Rolex Paris Masters. Despite Ruud's higher ranking and reputation, Thompson's current form and familiarity with his opponent's weaknesses make him the more likely victor.

Gael Monfils, the beloved French tennis star, has regrettably withdrawn from the Rolex Paris Masters, a tournament that holds a special place in his heart. This year's edition marks the final time the event will be held at the iconic Bercy Arena before moving to La Defense Arena in Nanterre next year.Monfils' absence is a significant blow, given his deep connection to the tournament. He has graced the Bercy courts for two decades, making his debut as a qualifier in 2002. Over the years, he has experienced both triumph and heartbreak at the venue, reaching two consecutive finals in 2009 and 2010.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Monfils expressed his gratitude for the memories he has made at Bercy. "Between me and Bercy, it's a special story," he wrote. "I grew up there, dreamed in the stands, made two finals, beat Federer for the first time, and felt an insane energy with the audience."Monfils' withdrawal from the tournament was due to an illness that forced him to pull out of the Vienna Open earlier this month. The opportunity to compete in Paris was reallocated to his compatriot Arthur Rinderknech, who advanced to the second round on Monday.Despite his absence, Monfils' legacy at Bercy will endure. He has been a fan favorite throughout his career, known for his electrifying style of play and infectious enthusiasm. His two finals appearances, along with his memorable victory over Roger Federer in 2009, have cemented his status as a legend of the tournament.As the Rolex Paris Masters draws to a close, Monfils' absence will be felt by both fans and players alike. However, his spirit will undoubtedly remain present in the hearts of those who have witnessed his brilliance at Bercy over the years.