Tennis

Alejandro Tabilo's remarkable run at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia continued on Wednesday as he advanced to the semifinals without dropping a set. The 26-year-old Chilean defeated Zhang Zhizhen 6-3, 6-4, maintaining his composure throughout the 87-minute victory.Tabilo's breakout Masters 1000 performance began with a stunning upset over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round. He followed that up with a victory over Karen Khachanov in the round of 16."I still can't believe what's happening right now," Tabilo said after his win over Zhang. "I'm just going for it and it's been helping me a lot."Tabilo's confidence has been evident in his serve, which he held from start to finish against Zhang. "I was so confident with the serve today," he said. "It's definitely something I've been improving."Despite his calm demeanor on the court, Tabilo admits to struggling internally. "It's just a very good poker face," he smiled. "Inside, I'm struggling. It's just like a battle there on its own."Tabilo's success has made him the first Chilean in 15 years to reach the final four of a 1000-level tournament. Fernando Gonzalez last contested a 1000 semifinal in 2009 at the same event."For them, it means a lot," Tabilo said of his countrymen's support. "So many people there are supporting and sending good vibes. It's been very nice, all this new exposure."Tabilo's journey to the semifinals has been a testament to his hard work and determination. He celebrated his first ATP title in January when he triumphed in Auckland. Now, he has a chance to contest his biggest final to date and match Gonzalez's 2007 showing.In the semifinals, Tabilo will face the winner of Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz.

Simona Halep's comeback from a doping suspension hit a setback as she was forced to retire from her second match of the season due to a knee injury. The former Roland Garros champion had won the first set against 123rd-ranked McCartney Kessler at the Trophée Clarins, a WTA 125 tournament in Paris, but was unable to continue after suffering the injury in the second set.Halep's return to competitive tennis has been met with mixed results. In her first match back, she lost to Paula Badosa in Miami. However, she expressed optimism about her future prospects in an exclusive interview with Tennis Channel's Jon Wertheim."I'm older, of course, I have some titles behind, so I have experience and now I see more the pleasure for tennis," Halep said. "Of course it's going to be tough to get the rhythm back, but I enjoy more, which is I think the best thing right now for me."Halep's injury is a blow to her hopes of regaining her former form. The Romanian is a two-time Grand Slam champion and was ranked as high as world No. 1 in 2017. However, she has struggled with injuries in recent years and her ranking has plummeted.Halep's retirement from the Trophée Clarins means that she will not receive a wild card into the upcoming French Open. The Romanian will now have to rely on her protected ranking to enter the tournament.Despite the setback, Halep remains determined to return to the top of the game. She is scheduled to play in the Madrid Open next week and the Italian Open the following week.

Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, is set to make her long-awaited return to competitive tennis at the WTA 250 event in Rabat, Morocco next week. The Canadian has been sidelined since last August due to a back injury, but has been training diligently in Monte Carlo in preparation for her comeback.Andreescu's return to competition has been highly anticipated, as she has been one of the most promising young players on the WTA Tour. She burst onto the scene in 2019, winning the Indian Wells and US Open titles, and reaching the final of the Rogers Cup. However, injuries have plagued her since then, limiting her ability to compete at the highest level.Despite the setbacks, Andreescu has remained determined to return to her former glory. She has been working closely with her team to address her physical issues and has been gradually increasing her training intensity. In recent weeks, she has been posting videos and photos of herself training on clay, indicating that she is ready to make her return on the red dirt.Andreescu's return to competition is not only significant for her own career, but also for Canadian tennis. She is one of the country's most successful players and her return will provide a much-needed boost to the sport in Canada. She is also a role model for young athletes, showing that it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve success.Andreescu's goals for her abridged 2024 season include representing Canada at the Paris Olympics in August. She qualified by ranking to play in the Tokyo Olympics, but made the "difficult decision" at the time in 2021 to withdraw due to challenges posed by the lingering COVID-19 pandemic."The Olympics, it's been my goal ever since I was a little girl," Andreescu said. "If I can be up on that stage, whether I win or lose, obviously, I want to win, but just raising up that Canadian flag and representing my country will mean the world to me."Andreescu entered both Rabat and Roland Garros with a protected ranking of No. 64. She reached the third round in Paris last year.

Aryna Sabalenka Cruises into Italian Open Semifinals with Dominant VictoryROME, Italy - Aryna Sabalenka displayed remarkable resilience on Wednesday, overcoming a recent marathon match to effortlessly defeat Jelena Ostapenko and advance to the semifinals of the Italian Open.Despite battling a back issue that required treatment during her previous three-set encounter, the second-seeded Sabalenka showcased no signs of discomfort. She dispatched Ostapenko in a mere 73 minutes, securing a 6-2, 6-4 victory.Sabalenka's dominance was evident throughout the match. She denied Ostapenko any break opportunities and sealed the victory with an ace on match point. The Belarusian star attributed her impressive performance to her recovery efforts."I didn't even practice yesterday," Sabalenka revealed. "I focused on treatment and recovery, and it clearly paid off. This was definitely my best performance of the tournament."Sabalenka's victory sets up a semifinal clash with the winner of the match between Victoria Azarenka and Danielle Collins. The top three women in the world have all reached the final four in Rome, with Iga Swiatek facing Coco Gauff in the other semifinal.Sabalenka's resurgence after her previous marathon match highlights her determination and resilience. She remains a formidable contender for the Italian Open title and will be eager to continue her impressive run in Rome.

Simona Halep's return to tennis after a nine-month doping ban has been met with overwhelming support and a newfound perspective. The two-time Grand Slam champion has expressed gratitude for the love and appreciation she has received, and she is determined to make the most of her second chance.Halep's suspension stemmed from a positive test for a banned substance in 2022. She has maintained her innocence throughout the ordeal, and her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, has taken responsibility for providing her with the contaminated supplement that triggered the test result.Despite the challenges she has faced, Halep has emerged from her suspension with a renewed sense of purpose. She believes that her successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is a major victory in itself, and she is eager to prove that she is still a force to be reckoned with on the court.Halep's return to action at the Miami Open was a bittersweet experience. She lost in the first round to Paula Badosa, but she was heartened by the warm reception she received from fans and fellow players. She is now competing in a WTA 125 tournament in Paris, where she is hoping to regain her rhythm and build momentum for the rest of the season.In an exclusive interview with Tennis Channel, Halep opened up about her state of mind during and after her suspension. She revealed that she has been focusing on her personal well-being and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. This newfound freedom has given her a fresh perspective on tennis, and she is now more focused on the joy of playing than on achieving results.Halep also expressed her gratitude to tennis legend Chrissie Evert for her unwavering support during her difficult time. Evert's public comments and private messages meant a great deal to Halep, and she is determined to repay her kindness by continuing to inspire others.As Halep embarks on the next chapter of her career, she is confident that she can achieve even greater heights. She has learned from her mistakes, and she is more determined than ever to make the most of her second chance.

Two-time French Open finalist Dominic Thiem's hopes of a wildcard entry into this year's tournament were dashed on Tuesday, forcing the former US Open champion to navigate the qualifying rounds to secure a spot in the main draw. The 30-year-old Austrian, who announced his retirement at the end of the season due to a persistent wrist injury, will now face an uphill battle to reach the Roland Garros main event.Thiem's absence from the wildcard list was not the only surprise, as 2018 French Open women's champion Simona Halep and 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu were also overlooked by the French Tennis Federation. Instead, the wildcards were awarded to Alexandre Muller, who was defeated in the fourth round of the Rome Open as a qualifier, and Alize Cornet, who will be making her final appearance at the tournament. American Nicolas Moreno de Alboran and Australian Adam Walton also received wildcards.The decision to deny Thiem a wildcard has raised eyebrows, given his impressive record at Roland Garros. The Austrian reached the final in 2018 and 2019, losing to Rafael Nadal on both occasions. However, his form has suffered in recent years due to his wrist injury, and he has struggled to regain his previous level of play.Halep's omission from the wildcard list is also surprising, considering her status as a former champion and her recent resurgence in form. The Romanian has won two Grand Slam titles and reached the semifinals of the French Open on three occasions. Raducanu's absence is less surprising, as she has struggled to maintain her form since her US Open triumph last year.The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season, will get underway on May 26. The qualifying rounds will begin on May 22, and Thiem will be among the favorites to secure one of the remaining spots in the main draw.

Coco Gauff's remarkable victory over Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia showcased her resilience and determination. The 20-year-old American, ranked No. 3 in the world, overcame a challenging first set to secure a 7-6 (4), 6-1 triumph.Gauff and Zheng, both rising stars in the WTA, entered the match with similar struggles in recent months. Gauff had been grappling with her forehand and serve, while Zheng had experienced a dip in motivation. However, both players displayed signs of improvement in Rome.Zheng's newfound enthusiasm was evident in her victory over Naomi Osaka earlier in the tournament. Gauff, on the other hand, has been working diligently on her technique, particularly her serve and return.The first set was a closely contested affair, with both players holding serve comfortably. Gauff broke through for a 5-3 lead, but Zheng responded with a brilliant drop shot-forehand volley combination to break back.The tiebreaker proved to be the turning point. Zheng's overhit on the first point gave Gauff the momentum, and she seized control with a down-the-line backhand winner and a service winner.In the second set, Gauff's dominance was undeniable. She faced just one break point and forced numerous errors from Zheng's racquet. Zheng's first-serve percentage dropped to 40%, while Gauff's forehand became increasingly reliable.Gauff's victory sets up a tantalizing semifinal clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. The American has been eager to break into the elite group of players who have consistently challenged Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Rybakina.

Roger Federer's retirement from tennis was an emotional moment for fans worldwide. Amazon's Prime Video is set to release "Federer: Twelve Final Days" on June 20, offering an intimate glimpse into the tennis legend's final days on the court.The documentary, originally intended as a home movie, captures Federer's vulnerability and candidness as he prepared to bid farewell to the sport that had shaped his life. It features behind-the-scenes moments and revealing interviews with those closest to him, including his wife Mirka, who rarely speaks to the media.Federer's longtime rivals, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, also share their perspectives on the Swiss maestro's career and the camaraderie that exists beyond the court. The film explores the depth of Federer's relationships and the respect he has earned throughout his illustrious journey.Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, known for his documentaries on Ayrton Senna and Amy Winehouse, "Federer: Twelve Final Days" promises an unprecedented look into the life of one of the greatest tennis players of all time. It will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories, joining Amazon's growing collection of sports documentaries.

Hubert Hurkacz has etched his name into tennis history by becoming one of the few players to defeat both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in straight sets on their respective preferred surfaces. After his recent victory over Nadal on clay, Hurkacz has now completed a rare feat by reaching the quarterfinals of all nine Masters 1000 events.Hurkacz's journey to this milestone began in 2019 when he reached the quarterfinals of Indian Wells. He went on to win the Miami Open in 2021, becoming the first Polish player to win a Masters 1000 title. In 2022, he reached the quarterfinals of Monte Carlo and Madrid, and now Rome.Hurkacz's consistency across all Masters 1000 events is a testament to his versatility and adaptability. He has performed well on both hard and clay courts, and his aggressive style of play has troubled even the most formidable opponents.The Polish star is part of a select group of players born in the 1990s to have reached the quarterfinals of all nine Masters 1000 events. This achievement highlights the depth of talent in the current generation of tennis players.Hurkacz's success is a source of pride for Poland and has inspired a new generation of tennis players. His ability to compete with the best in the world shows that anything is possible with hard work and determination.