Tennis

Tomas Machac's impressive fall swing continues with a hard-fought victory over Grigor Dimitrov at the Erste Bank Open. The 24-year-old Czech, who has been in top form since recovering from an illness, outlasted the No. 3 seed in a thrilling three-set battle.Machac's focus and determination were evident throughout the match. Despite losing the first set in a tiebreaker, he remained composed and fought back to win the second and third sets. His resilience was particularly impressive in the second set, where he won a game without even realizing it."I'm really happy I can play against the best ones, especially like a Grigor," said Machac, who is nine years younger than the former world No. 3. "I was really happy with my performance, and I think both players because I think Grigor was playing also good. It was a great match and I was really happy I could play against him because I was watching him on television when I was really young."Machac's victory over Dimitrov marks his fourth Top 10 win of the season. Earlier this year, he defeated Novak Djokovic on clay in Geneva and won Olympic gold in mixed doubles with Katerina Siniakova.With his ranking now just below a career-high of No. 25, Machac is building an impressive resume. He will next face No. 7 seed Jack Draper, who he has a 1-1 head-to-head record against.For Dimitrov, the defeat hinders his chances of returning to the ATP Finals. Currently ranked No. 10 in the PIF Race to Turin, the Bulgarian trails both Andrey Rublev and Alex de Minaur, who are both still able to earn points in Basel and Vienna, respectively.

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner is poised to claim his seventh ATP title of the year and secure the ATP year-end No. 1 ranking after defeating Tomas Machac in the Shanghai Masters semifinals. Sinner's victory marks a historic achievement for Italy, making him the first Italian to hold the year-end No. 1 spot.The Italian maestro weathered a fierce challenge from Machac, who had upset No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. Sinner's relentless baseline play and efficient performance, characterized by 10 aces and 28 winners, proved too much for his opponent.In the final, Sinner will face either four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic or seventh-ranked Taylor Fritz. Djokovic holds a commanding 9-0 head-to-head record against Fritz, but the American has shown impressive form in recent weeks.Meanwhile, in the women's semifinals, second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka rallied from a slow start to defeat Coco Gauff in three sets. Sabalenka's victory extends her perfect record at the Wuhan Open and sets up a final clash against either seventh-ranked Zheng Qinwen or No. 51-ranked Wang Xinyu.Sabalenka's triumph ended Gauff's nine-match winning streak, which included the China Open title last week. The Belarussian's resilience and determination proved crucial in overcoming Gauff's early dominance.The Shanghai Masters and Wuhan Open finals promise to deliver thrilling tennis action, with top players vying for prestigious titles and valuable ranking points.

At the Rolex Shanghai Masters, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner is poised to face Tomas Machac in a highly anticipated semifinal clash. Sinner, fresh off a dominant victory over Daniil Medvedev, has been in impeccable form throughout the tournament. His clinical 6-1, 6-4 win over Medvedev showcased his exceptional level of play, while his 6-4, 7-6 (1) triumph over Ben Shelton in the Round of 16 further cemented his status as the tournament favorite.Machac, on the other hand, has also impressed with his remarkable performances. The Czech sensation stunned Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the quarterfinals, following a hard-fought three-set victory over Tommy Paul. However, while Machac has been playing at an exceptional level, Sinner's consistency and dominance throughout the season suggest that he is the more likely victor in this matchup.One aspect to consider is Machac's improved forehand performance this week. According to TennisViz and Tennis Data Innovations, his forehand shot quality has soared to 9.1, significantly higher than his season average of 7.4. This improvement has been a key factor in his recent success. However, Sinner's forehand remains a formidable weapon, with a normal shot quality of 8.8 and an impressive 9.2 in Shanghai. This suggests that Sinner will have the edge in this area, or at the very least, be able to neutralize Machac's forehand threat.Furthermore, Sinner's overall shot quality is superior on both the forehand and backhand sides. Advanced statistics also give him a significant advantage as a server and a returner. Machac's hold percentage of just 78.9% this season is a concern, as Sinner's break percentage of 27.2% is among the highest on the tour. Sinner's ability to hold serve consistently and break his opponents with ease will be a major challenge for Machac.Another factor to consider is Machac's physical condition. He has experienced some cramping issues in recent months, and the demanding conditions in Shanghai could potentially affect his performance. Additionally, Sinner is known to thrive on quicker hard courts, which is the surface being used in Shanghai. In fact, Sinner defeated Machac 6-4, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open earlier this year, which was also played on a similar surface.Based on these factors, it is reasonable to predict that Sinner will emerge victorious in this semifinal clash. His superior consistency, shot quality, and experience on this surface make him the more likely winner. While Machac has played exceptionally well this week, Sinner's overall dominance and current form suggest that he will be too strong for the Czech challenger.

The Shanghai Masters quarterfinals witnessed a stunning upset as Tomas Machac, the unheralded Czech, dethroned world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, 7-6 (5), 7-5. This remarkable victory halted Alcaraz's 12-match winning streak, which included a thrilling triumph over Jannik Sinner in Beijing.Machac's triumph was a testament to his aggressive and relentless style of play. He dominated at the net, winning 19 of 20 points, and unleashed 31 winners despite committing 42 unforced errors. In contrast, Alcaraz, despite winning a higher percentage of first and second serve points, struggled to convert his break point opportunities, saving only one of eight.Machac's victory sets up a tantalizing semifinal clash with Sinner, who earlier dispatched Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The Italian, who is now virtually assured of the year-end No. 1 ranking, will be a formidable opponent for Machac. However, the Czech has proven his mettle on hard courts, reaching the fourth round of the US Open and the semifinals of Tokyo this year.Machac's rise to prominence has been remarkable. Earlier this year, he reached his first career final on clay in Geneva and his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal in Miami, where he faced Sinner. While Sinner prevailed in that encounter, Machac is eager for redemption."I am looking forward to it," Machac said. "I am really enjoying it and am happy that I can play against the best [players]."With Alcaraz's loss, the Shanghai Masters has become wide open. Sinner remains the favorite, but Machac has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with. The semifinals promise to be an enthralling battle between two of the most exciting young players in tennis.

In a thrilling encounter at the Tokyo Open, Tomas Machac overcame a spirited challenge from Tommy Paul to secure a hard-fought 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory and advance to the quarterfinals.Machac, ranked 34th in the world, found himself trailing for much of the match against the fifth-seeded Paul. However, the Czech displayed remarkable resilience, particularly in the decisive tiebreaker, to snatch the victory.Paul, who was aiming to boost his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin, had several opportunities to seize control of the match. He squandered four break points in the opening game of the second set and missed three game points that could have leveled the score at 3-3.In the third set, Paul surged to a 3-0 lead and came within two points of victory at 5-4, deuce. But Machac refused to surrender, delivering pinpoint serves when it mattered most.In the tiebreaker, Machac seized the initiative with a blistering backhand return up the line off Paul's second serve. He followed it up with a backhand drop volley and two powerful first serves to deny Paul any chance of a comeback."I had to play much better in the second set," Machac said after the match. "The third set was unbelievable from my side. It's tough conditions, but for me it's great. And cold."Machac's victory extended his impressive record against American opponents to 6-1 in tour-level main draws this season. He will now face Alex Michelsen in the semifinals, a player he defeated in the quarterfinals of the Geneva Open earlier this year.Michelsen, a 20-year-old qualifier from California, cruised past Christopher O'Connell 6-1, 6-4 to set up the clash with Machac. Michelsen saved all three break points he faced to reach his seventh quarterfinal of the year.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, made a triumphant return to action at the Davis Cup, leading Spain to a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in their first tie of group play.Despite a slow start against Tomas Machac, who had previously defeated Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz found his footing in the second set, winning a vintage point that left Machac reeling. Alcaraz dominated the second set, winning every game, and looked poised to extend his lead in the third when Machac was forced to retire due to injury, with the score at 6-7 (3), 6-1.Alcaraz's victory was preceded by Roberto Bautista Agut's 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka, giving Spain an early advantage in Group B's round robin play. Spain will next face Team France, who lost a 2-1 tie to Australia on Tuesday.Alcaraz's return to form is a welcome sight for Spain, who are looking to defend their Davis Cup title. The 19-year-old has been in impressive form this year, winning two Grand Slams and reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open. However, his shock exit in the second round of the US Open to Botic van de Zandschulp raised concerns about his fitness and form.Alcaraz's performance at the Davis Cup suggests that he has put his US Open disappointment behind him and is ready to challenge for more major titles. His victory over Machac was particularly impressive, as the Czech player had been in good form this year, reaching the semifinals of the Geneva Open and defeating Djokovic in the process.Alcaraz's return to action is a boost for Spain and for tennis fans around the world. The young Spaniard is one of the most exciting players to watch, and his performances this year have shown that he has the potential to become one of the greatest players of all time.

Novak Djokovic's quest to defend his French Open title has hit a roadblock after he suffered a disappointing loss in the Geneva Open semifinals. The 44th-ranked Tomas Machac stunned the world's top-ranked player 6-4, 0-6, 6-1, leaving Djokovic with doubts about his form heading into Roland Garros.Djokovic's record in 2024 has been far from impressive, with a 14-6 overall record and a 0-3 mark in semifinals, including a defeat to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open. The Serb admitted that he is not the favorite for the French Open, where he has won two of the past three titles and three overall among his record 24 Grand Slam singles titles."I don't consider myself a favorite there," Djokovic said. "I'm going to take it match by match and see how far I can go."Machac, a 22-year-old Czech, played with confidence and aggression, breaking Djokovic's serve five times and forcing him into 27 unforced errors. Djokovic took a medical timeout after the first set for a stomach issue, but it did not seem to affect his performance significantly."It was a terrible feeling with my stomach and health today," Djokovic said. "It was not a great night and today as well. I don't want to take anything away from his win, he deserved it."Machac will face two-time Geneva champion Casper Ruud or unseeded Flavio Cobolli in the final. Ruud, the French Open runner-up for the past two years, is considered a strong contender for the title this year.Djokovic's loss in Geneva raises questions about his form and fitness ahead of the French Open. The Serb has not won a tournament since Wimbledon last year and has struggled to find his best tennis in 2024. He will need to improve his consistency and reduce his unforced errors if he wants to challenge for the title in Paris.

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.

Tomas Machac, a 23-year-old Czech tennis player, has been making waves on the ATP Tour in 2024, not only for his impressive performances but also for his distinctive fashion choice: high-waisted shorts.Machac's shorts have become a talking point among tennis enthusiasts, drawing comparisons to the iconic hot-pants worn by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe in the 1970s. After signing a clothing contract with Joma, Machac has embraced the high-waisted look, pulling his shorts up even higher after his fourth-round win at the Miami Open.Beyond his fashion statement, Machac has been impressing with his on-court play. Ranked 60th coming into the Miami Open, he has reached his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal, defeating Andrey Rublev and Andy Murray in dramatic matches.Machac attributes his success to hard work and mental resilience. He believes in his game even after setbacks, and his recent string of victories has boosted his confidence. His two-handed backhand has been a key weapon, allowing him to attack and take control of points.Off the court, Machac finds stability in his relationship with fellow player Katerina Siniakova. He also credits his physiotherapist for helping him maintain his fitness and recover from the grueling matches in Miami.Machac's next challenge will be facing No. 2 seed Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals. While it may seem daunting, Machac is embracing the opportunity, viewing it as a dream come true.