Tennis

Germany's Alexander Zverev, the 2020 Paris Masters runner-up, has booked his place in the final of the 2024 edition after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark in the semi-finals. Zverev's 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) victory on Saturday marked his second ATP 1000-level final of the season, following his triumph in Rome in May.Zverev, ranked third in the world, relied on his powerful serve and the speed of the surface at Paris' Bercy Arena to dominate his service games. Rune, on the other hand, struggled with his first serve and lacked consistency with his groundstrokes, allowing Zverev to take an early lead.Despite leading 4-1 in the first set, Zverev faced some resistance from Rune, who broke back to level the score at 4-3. However, Zverev regained control and consolidated the break to claim the first set.The second set was a more closely contested affair, with both players holding serve until the seventh game. Zverev then broke Rune's serve with a powerful inside-out forehand, setting himself up to serve for the match.Rune, known for his resilience, broke back immediately, forcing Zverev to serve for the match again. The pressure mounted on both players, but Zverev ultimately prevailed in a gripping tiebreak, securing his spot in the final.In the day's other semi-final, home hope Ugo Humbert will face Russia's Karen Khachanov for a chance to reach his first championship match at a Masters event.

Ugo Humbert's dream run at the Rolex Paris Masters has propelled him to his first Masters 1000 final, where he faces the formidable Alexander Zverev. Humbert's impressive victories over Alcaraz and Khachanov have showcased his elevated level of play. However, data analysis reveals that Zverev holds a significant advantage in Shot Quality across all strokes.Despite Humbert's marginal improvement in serve and return quality, Zverev's numbers are consistently higher. Zverev's serve, return, forehand, and backhand all surpass Humbert's, indicating a higher overall level of play. Additionally, Zverev's forehand and backhand have been below his usual standards this week, leaving room for improvement.Furthermore, Zverev's previous victory over Humbert in the same tournament last year demonstrates his mental resilience in handling the pressure of a home crowd. Humbert, on the other hand, may face some nerves in front of his enthusiastic supporters, which could hinder his performance.While Humbert has displayed more aggressive tennis lately, Zverev's higher conversion rate in their previous encounter suggests that he can outplay Humbert when it matters most. Zverev's determination to secure another major title before the Nitto ATP Finals adds to his motivation.Based on the data and analysis, Zverev is the clear favorite in this matchup. His superior Shot Quality, experience in handling pressure, and previous victory over Humbert make him the more likely winner.

Soccer legend Neymar graced the WTA Finals in Riyadh, performing the ceremonial coin toss before the singles match between Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina. The Brazilian star, now playing for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, has been an avid tennis spectator lately, supporting Carlos Alcaraz at the Six Kings Slam exhibition.Neymar's presence at the WTA Finals drew cheers from the crowd, with chair umpire Zhang Juan introducing him with a humorous quip. The Chinese official also explained Neymar's role in the pre-match pleasantries, which included meeting players Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen.Sabalenka, who defeated Zheng in their match, received an autographed shirt from Neymar. Zheng's pre-match routine was briefly interrupted when her coaches were star-struck by the soccer icon."My team, all of my team, they had a picture with him," Zheng said. "I was there with my fitness coach, doing some fitness, and I was there with my exercise like this, and I see, 'Where is my team?' Ah, OK, they're having pictures with Neymar! What I can say?"Zheng acknowledged Neymar's incredible soccer skills but admitted that her team was more interested in meeting him than watching her fitness routine.With seven days of play remaining at the WTA Finals, the appearance of other famous faces is highly anticipated.

Ugo Humbert, the 26-year-old French left-hander, has made history by becoming the first Frenchman to reach the singles final of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008. Humbert's remarkable journey to the final has been marked by stunning victories over world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and unseeded Aussie Jordan Thompson.In the semifinals, Humbert faced a stern test against former champion Karen Khachanov. Despite losing the first set in a tiebreaker, Humbert rallied back with the support of the partisan Accor Arena crowd. Khachanov, who had won the Paris Masters title in 2018, took a medical timeout for a leg injury in the final set, which hampered his movement and allowed Humbert to seize control of the match.Humbert's success in Paris is a testament to his hard work and determination. He has previously won six ATP titles, including the 250 event in Metz and the 500-level event in Dubai earlier this year. However, reaching the final of a 1000-level event is a significant milestone in his career.In Sunday's final, Humbert will face No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev. Humbert has a 6-1 record in ATP finals and has won his last 13 matches indoors in France. However, Zverev is a formidable opponent, having won the Paris Masters title in 2021.Regardless of the outcome of the final, Humbert has already made his mark on the tournament. His victory over Khachanov has inspired French tennis fans and has shown that he is capable of competing with the best players in the world.

Jasmine Paolini's WTA Finals debut was a resounding success as she overcame Elena Rybakina in a thrilling 7-6 (5), 6-4 encounter. The Italian's victory marked a historic moment for her country, making her the first Italian to compete and win a match at the WTA Finals since Flavia Pennetta in 2015.Paolini's triumph is a testament to her remarkable season, which has seen her amass 40 wins. Notably, nearly half of these victories (19) have come at the year's five most prestigious events. She reached the finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, while advancing to the fourth round at the Australian Open and US Open.Beyond her Grand Slam success, Paolini has also excelled at WTA 1000 tournaments, claiming 14 wins this year. Her crowning achievement was capturing the title in Dubai, the biggest triumph of her career. In total, 33 of her 40 wins have come at the WTA 1000 level or higher.Paolini's rise to prominence is a testament to her unwavering determination and exceptional talent. Her ability to perform consistently at the highest level has propelled her into the ranks of the world's elite players. As she continues to compete at the WTA Finals, Paolini has the potential to make even more history and inspire future generations of Italian tennis players.

Dev Patel to Star in Tennis Crime Thriller 'The Journeyman'Academy Award nominee Dev Patel is set to star in "The Journeyman," an upcoming crime thriller that delves into the dark world of match-fixing in tennis. Patel will portray a struggling tennis pro who becomes entangled in a web of corruption and violence to provide for his family.Directed by Tarsem Singh and produced by AGC Studios, "The Journeyman" boasts a talented team behind the scenes. The script is penned by husband-and-wife duo Bryan and Alexis Roberts, while Academy Award nominee Scott Franklin and Patel's Minor Realm and LBI Entertainment are also involved in the production.The film follows the success of "Challengers," a 2024 release starring Zendaya, which brought tennis into the pop-culture spotlight. "The Journeyman," however, takes a darker approach, exploring the sinister underbelly of the sport.AGC Studios chairman and CEO Stuart Ford describes the film as a "viscerally authentic version of the pro tennis circuit that goes beyond what's been seen on the big screen before." He praises the Roberts' suspenseful script and Tarsem's visual flair, which will bring the tennis world to life in a captivating way.Ford also expresses his admiration for Patel, stating, "I've wanted to work with Dev Patel for a long time, and this is a phenomenal role for him to get his teeth into."The release date for "The Journeyman" has yet to be announced, but it is expected to generate significant buzz among tennis enthusiasts and moviegoers alike.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has kicked off her WTA Finals campaign in Riyadh with a dominant 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zheng Qinwen. The Belarusian star is aiming to secure both the year-end title and the No. 1 ranking, and her performance against Zheng was a testament to her determination.Sabalenka's serve proved to be a key factor in her victory. She won an impressive 94% of points on her first serve and committed only one double fault. This allowed her to put Zheng under constant pressure and prevent her from gaining any momentum.The first set was a tight affair, with both players holding serve until the sixth game. Sabalenka finally broke through with a double fault from Zheng, giving her a 4-2 lead. She held her serve in the next game to take the set 6-3.The second set followed a similar pattern, with neither player able to break serve until the ninth game. Sabalenka once again seized the opportunity, breaking Zheng's serve with a powerful backhand return. She then held her serve to close out the match 6-4.Sabalenka praised her serve after the match, saying, "I'm super happy with the win. I think I served really well tonight, and I put her under so much pressure."Zheng, who has been in excellent form this season, was unable to match Sabalenka's consistency. However, she showed glimpses of her potential, particularly with her aggressive groundstrokes.Sabalenka's victory puts her in a strong position to qualify for the semifinals of the WTA Finals. She will face Maria Sakkari in her next match, while Zheng will take on Caroline Garcia.

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning US Open champion, has made Miami her home away from home. After her triumph at Flushing Meadows, Sabalenka cut short her trip to Fashion Week to celebrate her boyfriend's birthday in Florida."We went home to spend time there and just recharge," said Sabalenka, who has been dating Georgios Frangulis, the founder and CEO of Oakberry acai bowls smoothies.Sabalenka, who hails from Minsk, Belarus, has found solace in Miami, where she trains and plans to spend her vacation after the WTA Finals in Riyadh."I have a lot of plans, but I'm going to probably stay in Florida," Sabalenka said. "It would be cool to feel the home atmosphere and just at home."Miami has become a sanctuary for Sabalenka, especially after she was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury."I was like, 'I'm in Miami!'" she said. "It's beautiful with a lot of stuff to do, a lot of good restaurants. I decided to just enjoy and take everything I can out of this difficult situation."Since recovering from her injury, Sabalenka has been on a tear, winning in Cincinnati, the US Open, and Wuhan to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking."Miami is so chill, so relaxed," Sabalenka said. "Everyone is enjoying life. They're not in a rush. They call it a place for retirement, and it's so chill. But at the same time, the nightlife in Miami is so cool."For those planning a winter getaway, Sabalenka recommends Casadonna, a popular pizza restaurant in Miami."Miami pizza is incredible," she said. "There's so many good restaurants, beaches, nightclubs. It's a cool place to relax, have fun and have good meals!"

India's non-playing Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal has clarified his controversial "shut-up" remark, stating that it was directed at a few "agenda-driven" individuals targeting him, not the entire tennis community.Rajpal, who took over as captain in 2019, has faced criticism over his credentials, having played only one Davis Cup tie in his career. However, he maintains that his experience as a player and his dedication to Indian tennis qualify him for the role."Whether I deserve to be there or not is not a decision I would like to justify," Rajpal said. "That is in the hands of the Executive Committee, which is supreme."Rajpal emphasized that he is not clinging to the position and would step down if he felt his players or the tennis community lost confidence in him."The day I feel that my players feel somebody else will do a better job, I am the first one to walk out myself," he said.Rajpal also addressed his lack of playing experience, acknowledging that he was a "perfect example of what not to do" as a player. He overtrained and suffered injuries that cut short his career."I had one bad habit when I look back, which cost me my career, which was getting up at 5 in the morning and running 20 kilometers on the road," Rajpal said. "I did not know when to stop."Despite his limited playing experience, Rajpal believes his dedication and hard work make him a capable captain. He recalled training with top players like Jim Courier and challenging world-class opponents like Wayne Ferreira and Tim Henman."I played at a world-class level myself," Rajpal said. "And nothing, nobody can take that away from me."Rajpal expressed frustration over the lack of research and understanding surrounding his credentials. He urged critics to delve deeper into his background before making judgments."People don't research anymore," Rajpal said. "People don't look at things in-depth anymore. People look at things only from the surface, right? And which is a sad part."