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.

Mirra Andreeva, the rising Russian star, celebrated her 17th birthday in style by securing a spot in the last 16 of the Mutua Madrid Open. Her impressive 7-5, 6-1 victory over reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, the No. 7 seed, marked her second consecutive year reaching the fourth round in the Spanish capital.Andreeva's breakthrough came last year at the age of 15, when she stunned the tennis world with a run to the fourth round as a wild card. She defeated two Top 20 players before falling to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. This year, she has continued her ascent, earning her second career Top 10 victory over Vondrousova.Against Vondrousova, Andreeva displayed her maturity and resilience. She raced out to early leads in both sets but faced a setback in the first set, losing four straight games to trail 5-4. However, she regained her composure and won nine of the last 10 games, showcasing her impressive serving performance in the second set.Andreeva's growth has been evident both on and off the court. She has been working with former Grand Slam champion Conchita Martinez as a coach on a trial basis, and the partnership has yielded positive results. Andreeva credits Martinez with helping her develop a more mature mindset."I feel more like a grown-up," Andreeva said. "I know that I will not be able to win a match without doing something myself."Andreeva's next challenge will be the winner of the match between No. 11 seed Caroline Garcia and No. 21 seed Jasmine Paolini. The Russian teenager is confident in her abilities and eager to continue her impressive run in Madrid.

Cristian Garin's impressive run at the BMW Open continued on Friday as he secured a decisive 6-4, 6-4 victory over world No. 5 Alexander Zverev. This marks Garin's fourth career Top 10 triumph, with two of those coming against Zverev in Munich.Despite challenging weather conditions, Garin remained composed, saving both break points he faced in the opening set. In a pivotal 18-point game in the second set, Garin broke Zverev's serve for the second time, forcing an error with a powerful inside-out forehand.Zverev, bundled up in warm clothing, struggled to match Garin's ball-striking prowess. Garin sealed the victory on his second match point when Zverev mishit a forehand return."I'm so happy with the way I'm playing this week," said Garin. "I've been fighting for every point."Garin's victory will propel him back into the Top 100 next Monday. In 2019, he rode the momentum of his upset win over Zverev to claim the BMW Open title. Third seed Taylor Fritz now stands in his way of another championship match appearance.Fritz advanced to the semifinals with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1) victory over sixth seed Jack Draper. The American is projected to reclaim his status as the No. 1-ranked American after losing it to Ben Shelton this week.Second seed Holger Rune remained undefeated at the tournament, defeating Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-4, 7-6 (3). Rune, who fell out of the Top 10 after losing to Jannik Sinner last week, will face the winner of the match between fourth seed Jan-Lennard Struff and fifth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Fabian Marozsan's meteoric rise in the tennis world continued on Sunday as he stunned No. 6 seed Holger Rune 6-1, 6-1 in the second round of the Miami Open. The 24-year-old Hungarian, making his debut at the prestigious tournament, displayed remarkable composure and precision to dismantle his highly-rated opponent.Marozsan's victory marked his third Top 10 triumph, following his impressive wins over Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud last year. The Hungarian's ability to perform at the highest level has been evident throughout his recent performances, including a third-round appearance at the Australian Open and a fourth-round run in Indian Wells.In Miami, Marozsan's dominance was undeniable. He broke Rune's serve five times, showcasing his aggressive baseline play and relentless pressure. The Hungarian's serve also proved to be a formidable weapon, as he saved all three break points he faced.Marozsan's victory propelled him to the third round, where he will face Alexei Popyrin on Monday. The Hungarian's impressive run has already guaranteed him a place in the Top 50 of the ATP rankings, a significant milestone in his career.Marozsan's success stems from his unwavering determination and hunger to prove himself on the ATP Tour. Despite being a relative newcomer, he has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His ability to rise to the occasion against top-ranked opponents is a testament to his mental fortitude and unwavering belief in his abilities.As Marozsan continues his journey, he sets his sights on the Top 30, a goal that seems within reach given his recent performances. The Hungarian's rise is a testament to the depth of talent in the sport and the potential for young players to make a significant impact on the game.