Tennis

Gaël Monfils, the 37-year-old French veteran, pulled off a stunning upset at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, defeating world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling three-set encounter. Monfils, who had never beaten Alcaraz in two previous attempts, displayed his trademark athleticism and shot-making prowess to secure a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-X victory.The match, which was suspended due to rain on Thursday evening, resumed on Friday afternoon with Monfils leading 3-1 in the second-set tiebreaker. The Frenchman maintained his advantage, converting his third set point to level the match.In the deciding set, Monfils broke Alcaraz's serve in the fifth game and held on to his lead despite the Spaniard's spirited attempts to rally. Alcaraz, who had won the Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles earlier this year, showed signs of frustration as the match slipped away from him.Monfils' victory marks his first Top 3 win since 2022 and his first quarterfinal appearance at the Cincinnati Open since 2011. The Frenchman, who has been struggling for form since Wimbledon, will now face No. 15 Holger Rune in the next round.Monfils' performance was a testament to his enduring talent and resilience. Despite being the underdog, he played with confidence and determination, forcing Alcaraz to make uncharacteristic errors. The victory will give Monfils a much-needed boost as he looks to regain his place among the world's elite players.

Coco Gauff's title defense at the Cincinnati Open came to an abrupt end in the second round, as she was upset by Yulia Putintseva in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. The defeat marks a disappointing setback for Gauff, who was hoping to build momentum heading into her US Open title defense.A year ago, Gauff made a breakthrough at the Cincinnati Open, defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals and capturing her biggest title to date. That victory propelled her to even greater heights, as she went on to win the 2023 US Open.However, Gauff has struggled to find her form in the lead-up to this year's Cincinnati Open. She is now 1-2 across the North American hard-court swing, with her lone victory coming in Toronto over Wang Yafan.Putintseva, who had a 0-3 head-to-head record against Gauff going into their clash, played with determination and resilience. She broke Gauff's serve in the first set and held on to win 6-4. Gauff responded strongly in the second set, breaking Putintseva's serve twice to level the match.But Putintseva regained her composure in the third set, breaking Gauff's serve early and holding on to her own serve throughout the set. She eventually sealed the victory with a forehand winner, sending Gauff packing.Putintseva will now face Washington DC champion Paula Badosa in the round of 16. Badosa, who toppled No. 13 seed Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-2 earlier in the day, will be a tough opponent for Putintseva.Gauff's defeat is a reminder that even the best players can experience setbacks. She will now have to regroup and refocus her efforts on the US Open, where she will be aiming to defend her title.

Italy's Lorenzo Musetti stunned defending champion Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of the Olympic tennis tournament on Thursday, securing a 7-5, 7-5 victory over the German world number four. Musetti's triumph sets up a tantalizing semifinal clash against either top seed Novak Djokovic or Stefanos Tsitsipas, with a place in the gold medal match on the line.Musetti, ranked 76th in the world, displayed remarkable composure and resilience throughout the match. He broke Zverev's serve in the opening game of the first set and held on to his advantage, despite facing some stern challenges from the German. Zverev fought back in the second set, breaking Musetti's serve in the fourth game. However, Musetti remained unfazed and broke back immediately, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.In the crucial moments, Musetti's superior court coverage and ability to hit deep, penetrating groundstrokes proved decisive. He forced Zverev into numerous errors and capitalized on the German's uncharacteristic unforced mistakes. Musetti sealed the victory with a powerful forehand winner, sending shockwaves through the Ariake Tennis Park.Musetti's victory marks a significant upset in the Olympic tennis tournament. Zverev, who won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was considered one of the favorites to repeat his success. However, Musetti's impressive performance has thrown the tournament wide open and has given him a chance to create history for Italy.The 19-year-old Italian has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, having defeated world number 12 Diego Schwartzman in the second round. His victory over Zverev is a testament to his growing maturity and confidence on the big stage. Musetti will now face an even greater challenge in the semifinals, but he will be buoyed by his recent success and the support of the Italian fans.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek's Wimbledon 2024 campaign came to an abrupt end in the third round, as she was stunned by Yulia Putintseva in a thrilling encounter. The 29-year-old Russian-born Kazakhstani displayed remarkable resilience and determination to overcome the top seed 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.Swiatek, who has been in dominant form this season, winning the French Open and two WTA 1000 titles, started the match as the clear favorite. She broke Putintseva's serve twice in the opening set to take an early lead. However, the Kazakhstani refused to be intimidated and fought back with unwavering resolve.In the second set, Putintseva raised her game to a new level. She played with precision and power, forcing Swiatek into uncharacteristic errors. The Polish ace struggled to find her rhythm and was unable to match Putintseva's intensity. The Kazakhstani cruised through the set, winning it 6-1.The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading blows. Swiatek managed to break Putintseva's serve early on, but the Kazakhstani responded with a break of her own. The momentum shifted back and forth, but it was Putintseva who ultimately prevailed. She broke Swiatek's serve again in the eighth game and served out the match to secure a memorable victory.Putintseva's triumph marks a significant upset in the women's singles draw at Wimbledon. She has never reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam before and will now face a tough test against former champion Petra Kvitova. Swiatek, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have her Wimbledon run cut short, but she will have plenty of opportunities to bounce back and reclaim her dominance.

Beatriz Haddad Maia, the Brazilian tennis star, has emerged as a formidable force on grass courts, despite the common misconception that clay is her preferred surface. With two grass-court titles under her belt since 2022 and an impressive 21-10 record on this surface, Haddad Maia is poised to make a deep run at Wimbledon.While Danielle Collins has enjoyed a successful season, her game is less suited to grass than other surfaces. Her aggressive style can lead to rushed defense and serve inconsistencies. Despite her impressive break percentage, the low-bouncing grass courts favor servers, making it difficult for Collins to rely solely on her returning prowess.Haddad Maia, on the other hand, excels in these conditions. Her career hold percentage on grass is a remarkable 79.7%, significantly higher than her overall hold percentage of 68.4%. Her ability to maintain possession of the ball gives her ample opportunities to win points.Moreover, Haddad Maia's baseline aggression matches Collins's, but she possesses superior defensive skills and a keen understanding of point construction. As one of the top volleyers in the women's game, Haddad Maia frequently approaches the net, a significant advantage on grass.The oddsmakers may be underestimating Haddad Maia's chances against Collins, as the match is closer to a 50-50 proposition. Her grass-court prowess, combined with Collins's potential struggles on this surface, make Haddad Maia an enticing underdog pick at +155 odds.

Wimbledon 2023: Sonay Kartal Poised to Upset Sorana Cirstea in First RoundAs the curtains rise on Wimbledon 2023, world No. 31 Sorana Cirstea faces an intriguing challenge against qualifier Sonay Kartal in the first round. While Cirstea holds the seeding advantage, her recent form casts doubt on her status as the favorite.Cirstea has endured a dismal run of five consecutive losses, including two straight-set defeats on grass at Birmingham and Eastbourne. Her struggles on the surface are evident in her career record of 29-36 on grass. Moreover, her overall form this season has been underwhelming, with a win-loss record of 12-15.In contrast, Kartal has emerged as a potential giant-killer. The 22-year-old Londoner earned her main draw berth through qualifying, showcasing her resilience and determination. Her impressive run included a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory over Top 100 player Erika Andreeva.Kartal's aggressive style of play, particularly her heavy forehand, could prove to be a formidable weapon against Cirstea. The Brit's confidence is soaring after her qualifying success, and she will be eager to make a statement on the grandest stage of tennis.Cirstea's reliance on spin may not be the ideal strategy on grass, where low-bouncing slices are more effective. Kartal's ability to match Cirstea's aggression and exploit her weaknesses makes her a genuine threat.Given Cirstea's poor form and Kartal's impressive momentum, the odds favor an upset. Sonay Kartal (+100) represents a compelling value bet to emerge victorious in this first-round encounter.

Sabalenka Faces Montgomery Challenge in Madrid, Over 18.5 Games ExpectedTwo-time Mutua Madrid Open champion Aryna Sabalenka faces a potential upset in the second round against rising American star Robin Montgomery. Despite Sabalenka's pedigree, Montgomery's recent form and Sabalenka's recent struggles suggest a competitive match.Montgomery, 19, has impressed with her powerful baseline game and aggressive return. She enters the match on a winning streak, while Sabalenka has shown signs of vulnerability in her recent outings.Sabalenka's tendency to self-sabotage has been evident in her recent losses. Against Marketa Vondrousova in Stuttgart, she squandered a first-set lead with unforced errors and a shaky serve. Similar issues plagued her in her first match in Madrid against Magda Linette.Montgomery's ability to exploit Sabalenka's weaknesses is a major concern. The American's left-handed power and aggressive return game could force Sabalenka into errors. Montgomery's own serve can also be a weapon, potentially giving her an advantage in service games.While Sabalenka's power can be overwhelming, Montgomery's willingness to match her shot for shot could prolong the match. Montgomery's ability to stay in rallies and force Sabalenka to work for points could lead to a higher game count.Given Sabalenka's recent struggles and Montgomery's potential to push her, the Over 18.5 Games bet is a reasonable choice. Sabalenka's tendency to gift games to her opponents, combined with Montgomery's ability to extend rallies, suggests that the match will likely go the distance.

Carballes Baena Poised for Triumph at Mutua Madrid Open Against KoepferThe Mutua Madrid Open's first round pits Dominik Koepfer against Roberto Carballes Baena, a match that may not initially captivate, but holds significant potential for an upset. Carballes Baena, a native of Spain, will enjoy the fervent support of the home crowd at this Masters event.Carballes Baena's dominance on clay courts is undeniable. With 78 career victories on the surface, he boasts a wealth of experience that Koepfer, with just 30 ATP-level clay matches, cannot match. The German's recent form on clay has been dismal, with four consecutive losses, including opening-round defeats to lesser-ranked opponents.Koepfer's strengths lie in his powerful serve and baseline play, but the Madrid conditions favor clay-court specialists. His hold percentage on clay is significantly lower than on hard courts, indicating the surface's impact on his game.Carballes Baena, on the other hand, excels in point construction on clay. His defensive prowess and ability to transition from defense to offense will prove invaluable against Koepfer's power. The Spaniard's 25.8% break percentage on clay further enhances his chances of victory.The home crowd's support will provide an additional boost to Carballes Baena's confidence. The adrenaline rush of playing in front of his countrymen will make it difficult for Koepfer to overcome the Spaniard's superior clay-court skills.

Lorenzo Sonego Poised to Upset Ugo Humbert in Monte Carlo Masters Round of 16On Thursday, April 11, Lorenzo Sonego will face world No. 15 Ugo Humbert in the Round of 16 at the Monte Carlo Masters. While Humbert holds a higher ranking, Sonego's impressive clay-court record and head-to-head advantage suggest he has a strong chance of pulling off an upset.Humbert's overall record in 2024 is impressive, but his performance on clay has been lackluster. With a career record of just 11-24 on the surface, he has struggled to find his footing. In contrast, Sonego boasts a 49-47 record on clay, demonstrating his proficiency on the red dirt.Over the past 52 weeks, Humbert's clay-court record stands at 3-6, while Sonego has compiled an 11-9 record. This disparity highlights Sonego's superior clay-court skills.The head-to-head history between the two players further favors Sonego. He holds a 2-0 record against Humbert on clay, including a victory in this very tournament last year. Sonego's ability to neutralize Humbert's big serve and exploit his weaknesses on clay gives him a significant advantage.Despite Sonego's struggles in recent months, he has shown signs of improvement. In his previous match, he broke Felix Auger-Aliassime three times, demonstrating his ability to break down strong servers.While Humbert remains the favorite, Sonego's clay-court prowess, head-to-head advantage, and recent form suggest he has a real chance of winning this match. Bettors should consider backing Sonego to win at least one set or even to win the match outright.