Tennis News

Medvedev finds his spark in Almaty, Turin trail tightens…

Daniil Medvedev is refusing to fade from the Nitto ATP Finals conversation, extending his late-season surge with another strong run at the Almaty Open this week.

The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings averted some early danger on Friday to overcome Fabian Marozsan 7-5, 6-2 and advance to his third consecutive ATP Tour semi-final. Medvedev was forced to save three set points on serve at 4-5 in the first set, but quickly found his range, hitting 27 winners to just 12 unforced errors in a classy display.

“The first set was really tough, I had to save three set points,” said Medvedev. “But I’m really happy with the way I played, especially after this moment, and I’m happy I managed to win. I served really well today, and I managed to step up my game when I needed to, so I hope I can continue playing this way.”

Medvedev, the 2020 champion at the season finale, is up two spots to 13th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. Having begun October in 20th, he has strengthened his hopes of securing a seventh straight showing at the Nitto ATP Finals.

After semi-final runs in Beijing and Shanghai, Medvedev awaits a last-four meeting with qualifier James Duckworth in Almaty. The Australian earlier upset third seed Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-2 to become the second man to reach multiple semi-finals at this event, having advanced to the final in 2021.

Back in August, following a disappointing season by his lofty standards, Medvedev admitted he wasn’t too concerned about his slim chances to qualify for Turin. However, under new coaches Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, the 29-year-old is rediscovering his rhythm and trademark consistency.

Duckworth, meanwhile, continues to thrive at the Kazakhstani ATP 250 event and is up 30 spots to No. 108 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. Cobolli was unable to deal with the Australian’s relentless movement and pinpoint accuracy during their 91-minute clash, in which he saved all five break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

In the top half of the draw, sixth seed Alex Michelsen rallied from a break deficit in the deciding set to defeat Shintaro Mochizuki 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 and keep alive his hopes of winning a maiden ATP Tour title.

By reaching his third tour-level semi-final of 2025, the 21-year-old American earned a 25th victory for the second straight season. He awaits Jan-Lennard Struff or Corentin Moutet in Saturday’s clash.

Source link

More Than The Score

Vacherot’s win in Shanghai makes him lowest ranked ATP Masters 1,000 champion in history.

Source link

Osaka out of Japan Open quarter-final with injury

Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka withdraws from the Japan Open through injury as tennis players continue to struggle.

Source link

Top seed Rune escapes late jam to win Stockholm opener

Holger Rune made a smooth start to his BNP Paribas Nordic Open campaign, beating Marton Fucsovics 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday in Stockholm. Through to his third consecutive ATP Tour quarter-final, Rune will next take on Tomas Martin Etcheverry, a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 winner against Miomir Kecmanovic.

Rune, who won his first hard-court title at the Stockholm ATP 250 in 2022, is seeking his second trophy of 2025 after his clay triumph in Barcelona — a result that would see him leapfrog Casper Ruud for 11th place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

The Dane improved to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Fucsovics by wriggling out of 15/40 to serve out the match on centre court. Rune saved eight of nine break points, according to Infosys ATP Stats, with Fucsovics’ lone break proving harmless at 5-2 in the opening set.

“He was really swinging through the ball so I had to play very well,” Rune said of his opponent’s late charge. “I had to step up at the end because he was not going to hand it to me. It was difficult to close it out but obviously very happy with my performance. It was a great match I think for both of us.”

Earlier on Thursday in Stockholm, fourth seed Ugo Humbert edged Matteo Berrettini, 7-6(5), 6-3. The Frenchman converted on both of his break chances and did not face a break point on his own serve.

Through to his fourth quarter-final of the season, Humbert will seek to make it a perfect 4-0 at that stage when he takes on Lorenzo Sonego. He is 11-1 in his past 12 indoor matches, behind runs to the Paris Rolex Masters final last year and the Marseille title earlier this season.

Source link

Moutet saddles up for Lexus ATP Head2Head Challenge in Almaty

Corentin Moutet is known for his flair, creativity, and unpredictable shotmaking on the ATP Tour, but can he bring that same artistic touch to a completely different kind of challenge?

Ahead of his run at the Almaty Open, the Frenchman swapped the tennis court for the Kazakhstani steppe in a special Lexus ATP Head2Head challenge. This time, Moutet faces off against host Natalie Pike in a uniquely local test — Kokpar, a traditional Kazakhstani game.

Moutet and Pike cheer on their teams as riders gallop across the field on horseback, racing to throw tennis balls into a Lexus car.

Will Moutet’s competitive instincts and creative flair help him claim victory? Watch the video below to find out who wins.

Source link

Stella Artois ATP Perfect Serve: Vote now for September's winner

From fearless second serves to hammering aces under pressure, the September contenders are in for the ATP Perfect Serve, brought to you by Stella Artois. Now, it is up to the fans to decide the winner.

Alexander Bublik produced a moment of brilliance in the Hangzhou final, sealing the opening set with a second-serve ace that left both his opponent and the crowd stunned. It was one of 70 aces that the Kazakhstani struck that week, during which he won all 44 of his service games en route to the title.

Bublik’s final opponent, Frenchman Valentin Royer, also had a clutch delivery of his own at the ATP 250. Royer had the hot hand in the quarter-finals, crushing back-to-back aces to force a first-set tie-break. Moments later, Royer hammered yet another ace to seal the tie-break 7/0 against Learner Tien.

China’s Zhang Zhizhen provided his own dose of serving perfection, striking an ace to save match point before returning to the same spot — a booming serve down the T — to clinch victory against his countryman Buyunchaokete.

Watch the video below, then head to our Stella Artois ATP Perfect Serve hub to vote for your favourite!

Source link

Draper & coach Trotman part ways after four years

Jack Draper will no longer work with the man who coached him to the Indian Wells title as James Trotman wants to prioritise time with his family.

Source link

Tiafoe splits with coach David Witt

Frances Tiafoe and David Witt have parted ways after more than a year working together on the ATP Tour. The American coach, who previously worked with Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari, revealed the news Wednesday in an Instagram post.

The pair began working together ahead of the North American hard-court swing in 2024, enjoying immediate success with a semi-final run in Washington, D.C., a runner-up finish at the Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 and a semi-final showing at the US Open. But following a five-match losing streak that dropped Tiafoe to 26-23 on the 2025 season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, they have ended their partnership.

“Thanks, Big Foe, for the ride this last year and a half. Some things come to an end, but good memories, great times, and a friendship last forever,” Witt wrote on Instagram. “Thanks, brotha — nothing but love.”

Tiafoe was No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings when the pair began working together. The American rose as high as World No. 11 this July after a full year with Witt, his best 2025 results including runs to the Roland Garros quarters and the Houston final. But after an inconsistent season overall, Tiafoe ends their partnership back at World No. 29.

Tiafoe has also split with another member of his team in Jordi Arconada, the former Top 500 player who has been by his side for the past half-decade. “After five years of hard work and fun it is time to let go,” Arconada said in his own Instagram post. “I will always be thankful for the opportunity you gave me to come work with you and I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved together. Super excited for what the future has in store for me and for new beginnings.”

 [NEWSLETTER FORM]

Source link

LeBron, Ronaldo, Brady 'inspire' Djokovic to play into 40s

Novak Djokovic wants to follow sporting greats such as LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady by playing in his 40s and help shape the future of tennis.

Source link

Hot Shot of the Month: Shang's behind-the-back brilliance in Beijing

Shang Juncheng has won September’s Hot Shot of the Month award for his stylish play under pressure at the China Open.

Competing in his home city of Beijing, the 20-year-old pulled off a behind-the-back stunner to stay alive in a crucial point late in the third set against Arthur Cazaux. The Chinese star followed up the perfectly executed trick shot with a forehand winner, bringing the home fans to their feet as he soaked in the applause.

The clutch point brought up two break chances at 15/40 as Cazaux served for the opening-round match, though Shang was unable to claim either in an eventual 6-0, 6-7(5), 5-7 defeat.

With the award, Shang joins the likes of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on the fan-voted winners list. Stay tuned for more electrifying hot shots throughout the ATP Tour season.

Source link