Tennis

Taylor Fritz, known as "Claylor" for his unexpected success on clay, has reached the third round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Despite being an American who didn't play on red clay until he was 16, Fritz has excelled on the surface, reaching the final in Munich and the semifinals in Madrid.Fritz attributes his success to his forehand, which he believes is well-suited for clay. He has also improved his movement and tactics on the surface. While he acknowledges that he may never be the best clay-court player, he is determined to prove that he can be competitive.Another American, Sebastian Korda, has also found success on clay. Korda, who spent his childhood playing on clay in Europe, has won an ATP title on the surface and reached the fourth round of the French Open. He recently won a Masters 1000 doubles title in Madrid.Korda and Fritz will face off in the third round of the Italian Open. Despite Fritz's recent success on clay, Korda holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage. However, Fritz believes he has the edge on clay and is looking forward to the challenge.The match between Fritz and Korda promises to be a competitive battle between two of the most promising American clay-court players. The winner will be a serious contender for a deep run in the tournament.

In the blockbuster film "Challengers," Zendaya's character Tashi Duncan famously declares, "I don't want my only skill in life to be hitting a ball with a racquet." This line has sparked a question among tennis fans: What would ATP stars do if they weren't playing tennis?Ahead of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, players shared their off-court aspirations. Sebastian Korda dreams of becoming an astronaut, while Stefanos Tsitsipas envisions himself as a cinematographer. Casper Ruud would soar through the skies as a pilot, and Zhang Zhizhen would wield a scalpel as a surgeon.Jannik Sinner, known for his culinary skills, admits, "I used to make desserts when I was younger, but I don't like to clean!"Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur share a passion for law, inspired by the TV show "Suits." "I'd love to be a lawyer if I didn't have to study," says de Minaur.Ruud's globe-trotting lifestyle has ignited his interest in aviation, while Tsitsipas' creativity draws him to filmmaking. "I find meaning in life through visual," he explains.Novak Djokovic's historical pursuits extend beyond the tennis court. "I love history or linguistics," he says. "I would be involved in history or architecture in some way."These diverse aspirations reflect the multifaceted nature of these athletes. Their off-court interests not only provide a glimpse into their personalities but also highlight the importance of pursuing passions beyond the realm of competition.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Emma Raducanu: A Clash of Contrasting CareersAryna Sabalenka, the former world No. 2, has emerged as a formidable force on the WTA tour. Her relentless power and improved consistency have propelled her to the top of the rankings. Sabalenka's journey has been marked by hard work and determination, and she is now a feared competitor with multiple Grand Slam titles to her name.Her third-round opponent, Emma Raducanu, has experienced a whirlwind career. In 2021, she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title at the US Open. However, injuries and a lack of consistency have hindered her progress since then. Raducanu is eager to regain her form and climb back to the top.This will be the first meeting between Sabalenka and Raducanu, and it promises to be a compelling clash. Sabalenka's power and confidence will be tested against Raducanu's agility and shot-making ability. If Raducanu can elevate her level to match Sabalenka's, it could be a thrilling encounter.Maria Sakkari vs. Caroline Garcia: A Battle of Mid-Field ContendersMaria Sakkari and Caroline Garcia are two of the most competitive players in the WTA's mid-field. Sakkari is known for her fiery on-court demeanor and her ability to make deep runs in tournaments. Garcia, on the other hand, has reached high peaks of performance but has struggled to maintain consistency.Both players are hungry for a deep run at Indian Wells. Their head-to-head record is tied at three wins apiece, adding to the excitement of this matchup. Sakkari's experience and consistency may give her the edge, but Garcia's power and unpredictability could make this a close contest.Sebastian Korda vs. Daniil Medvedev: A Test of Confidence and ResilienceDaniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, has been flying under the radar lately. However, his game remains formidable, and he is capable of producing Slam-worthy performances. Medvedev is known for his relentless grinding style and his ability to stay focused under pressure.Sebastian Korda, the rising American star, has a 2-1 head-to-head record against Medvedev. Korda's confidence and aggressive play have been key to his recent success. However, Medvedev is due for a title run, and he will be determined to prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with.

Daniil Medvedev's return to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden was not without its challenges, but the former world No. 1 ultimately prevailed in his opening round match against Roberto Carballés Baena.Medvedev, who has previously expressed his preference for faster courts, found the slower conditions at Indian Wells to be a bit of an adjustment. However, he was able to overcome the obstacles and secure a 6-2, 6-3 victory.The match was not without its drama, as a flickering floodlight on Stadium 1 Court threatened to derail Medvedev's momentum in the second set. The delay in action gave Medvedev time to reflect on the situation, and he admitted that he had noticed the flickering earlier in the match but had initially ignored it."During my match I kind of saw something flickering a bit but let it go," Medvedev said in an interview after the match. "But at 4-3, I began focusing on the negative. I was receiving and the light was just flickering, flickering, flickering before my eyes."Medvedev's frustration was evident as he called for the chair umpire and supervisor to address the issue. After examining the situation, they determined that they could not fix the problem, leaving Medvedev to continue playing under the flickering light."I was like, 'Okay, If I lose I'm gonna blame it all on them,'" Medvedev added with a laugh.Despite the distraction, Medvedev was able to regain his focus and win the final two games of the match. He will now face No. 29 seed Sebastian Korda in the third round, a rematch of their encounter at the 2023 Australian Open, which Korda won in straight sets.Medvedev's victory at Indian Wells is a positive sign for the Russian, who has struggled for consistency since losing his world No. 1 ranking in February. He will be looking to build on this performance and make a deep run in the tournament.