Tennis News

Musetti excited to play for Turin spot in Athens: 'Of course there is still one goal'

The situation is simple for Lorenzo Musetti: If the Italian wins the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship, he will qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

Although Musetti is happy with his season so far, the ninth-placed player in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin is eager to claim the ATP 250 trophy, pass eighth-placed Felix Auger-Aliassime and earn his place in Turin.

“It’s been a tremendous season so far. If I look back to all the achievements and goals that we achieved this year, it’s so far my biggest season in my career,” Musetti told ATPTour.com. “And of course there is still one goal that I am talking about. We’re going to see after this week what’s going to happen, but I’m here also for that and to try to take the spot.”

Musetti has not been shy about his goal of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. On one hand, he really wants to make it to the year-end championships. But the Athens second seed knows he has to find a balance between his desire to qualify and thinking too much about the opportunity.

“It’s something that is not easy. I’m trying not to think too much of the calculations, but I know I have to win the tournament to be guaranteed in Turin,” Musetti said. “The goal is always to win the tournament, so the goal doesn’t change much.

“Of course it’s going to be a tough week, because there are plenty of players who are really strong on this surface. I’ll try to play one match at a time and think about it like every other tournament.” 

With that said, Musetti said he is “excited” for the week, which will begin against Stan Wawrinka or Botic van de Zandschulp.

“It’s also now a mental game and a physical game. In Paris, it didn’t go really well,” said Musetti, who lost his opening match at the Rolex Paris Masters to Lorenzo Sonego. “I had a few days to rest, to recharge a little bit the batteries and hopefully here will go better.”

Musetti has been to Greece before, and played a junior event here. But this is his first trip to Athens and he hopes it will be a memorable one.

“I played this morning in the arena and tried it. It’s really cool, really big for a 250. I think it’s really, really nice and hopefully it’s going to be really crowded,” Musetti said. “It’s a nice city with a lot of historical places, which I would like to visit if I have the chance.

“It’s a nice opportunity also for us to have a last week [with points counting towards the Race]. It’s going to be the last year [this week] will count for the Race, because from next year the Paris Masters will be the cutoff for the Race. Let’s make it count this week.”

Source link

Wawrinka sets Musetti showdown in Athens

Could this week’s Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship be the stage for another unforgettable ‘Stan the Man’ moment?

Stan Wawrinka thrilled the Greek crowd Monday in Athens when he rallied past Botic van de Zandschulp 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 for a place in the second round. For the former No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, the emotions of such a comeback never get old.

“It’s a big reason why I keep doing it, is to be full of the emotion, to see the fans supporting me, giving me so much energy,” Wawrinka said. “It’s still amazing. It’s something that I know the day I will stop I will not find anywhere else.”

The Swiss star knows he faces a tough test in the next round against second seed Lorenzo Musetti. If the Italian wins the ATP 250 event this week he will qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time.

“He has a [big] challenge in front of him for getting there and it’s important for him of course,” Wawrinka said. “It’s a big challenge [facing him]. He’s playing so well. I’ve watched him play many matches this year, so I’m looking forward to playing him and seeing where I am.”

In other action, qualifier Eliot Spizzirri eliminated Laslo Djere 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-2 in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. The American began the season at World No. 228 and with the victory is now No. 86 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. He will try to continue his climb against sixth seed Nuno Borges.

Miomir Kecmanovic set a clash with third seed Luciano Darderi when he ousted Kamil Majchrzak 7-6(4), 7-6(4). Damir Dzumhur also moved on when he beat Jacob Fearnley 6-4, 6-2.

Source link

'Not easy' but Britain's Norrie advances in Metz

Cameron Norrie beats France’s Valentin Royer to reach the second round in Metz but fellow Briton Jacob Fearnley suffers an early exit in Athens.

Source link

De Minaur: The new Turin 'regular'

De Minaur: The new Turin ‘regular’

Source link

Rybakina stuns Swiatek and Anisimova battles through at WTA Finals

Elena Rybakina stuns Iga Swiatek to reach the knockout stages of the WTA Finals as Amanda Anisimova eliminates Madison Keys in Riyadh.

Source link

How Rafael Jodar joined Alcaraz in Challenger history…

When your name appears next to Carlos Alcaraz in the record books, you are operating at an elite level.

Rafael Jodar has accomplished just that with his Sunday triumph at the Jonathan Fried Men’s Pro Challenger. The 19-year-old became the third Spanish teenager to win at least three Challenger titles, joining 24-time tour-level titlist Alcaraz and former No. 9 Nicolas Almagro. Alcaraz and Almagro each claimed four Challenger titles as teenagers. With Jodar just turning 19 in September, he could tie them in the next 10 months.

Jodar’s statement triumph came on familiar ground at the University of Virginia, where he is a sophomore. He defeated American Martin Damm 6-3, 7-6(2) in the final, a rematch of last month’s championship match at the Lincoln Challenger, also won by Jodar. The #NextGenATP star has earned three Challenger titles in as many months.

Following his victory at the indoor event, Jodar is ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. The 2024 US Open boys’ singles champion is aiming for his maiden trip to the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, where last year he was a sparring partner.

Most Challenger Titles – Spanish Teenagers

Blockx banks Bratislava crown, closes in on Top 100 debut
Jodar was not only the #NextGenATP player to triumph this week. Belgian Alexander Blockx captured his third Challenger title and second of the season at the Slovak Open in Bratislava. The 20-year-old, who is up to fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, downed Frenchman Titouan Droguet 6-4, 6-3 in the final. Blockx is at a career-high No. 102 in the PIF ATP Rankings, closing fast on his Top 100 debut.

Navone wins three-set final in Peru
Argentine Mariano Navone was crowned champion at the Los Inkas Open in Lima, Peru, his second trophy of the season and eighth overall. The top seed, who ascended to a career-high No. 29 last season, overcame Italian Marco Cecchinato 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the clay-court final.

<img alt=”Mariano Navone in action at the Lima Challenger.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/11/03/14/18/navone-limach-2025.jpg” />
^{Mariano Navone in action at the Lima Challenger. Credit: Los Inkas Open}

Shimabukuro triumphs in South Korea
Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro won the Eugene Seoul Open 2025, where in the final he spoiled Coleman Wong’s hopes of becoming the first Challenger champion from Hong Kong. Shimabukoro, 28, ousted Wong 6-4, 6-3 to lift his second trophy of the season and fifth overall.

<img alt=”Sho Shimabukuro celebrates with his team after winning the Seoul Challenger.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/11/03/14/16/shimabukuro-seoulch-2025.jpg” />
^{Sho Shimabukuro celebrates with his team after winning the Seoul Challenger. Credit: Eugene Seoul Open 2025}

Giustino returns to winner’s circle
Italian Lorenzo Giustino returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since 2019 with his victory at the Monastir Open, a Challenger 50 event in Turkey. The 34-year-old entered the week on a nine-match skid at the Challenger level, yet returned to form by not dropping a set all week.

Source link

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

Another month, three more nominations for the ATP Perfect Serve, brought to you by Stella Artois.

In October, Yannick Hanfmann produced a near-perfect game on delivery against former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Novak Djokovic in Shanghai. The German hit four aces in a row, painting the lines to hold.

Big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard held his nerve when serving out for his first Top 10 win against Taylor Fritz in Shanghai. At 6-5, 30/15, Mpetshi Perricard hit a second serve ace followed by a first-serve bullet to advance. In Basel, Kamil Majchrzak found four aces in a row against Ben Shelton to raise the roof.

Watch the video at the top and vote above. You can also head to our Stella Artois ATP Perfect Serve hub to vote for your favourite!

Source link

Wrexham Tennis Open to return in 2026

The Wrexham Open to return to the north Wales city next year following the “incredible success” of this year’s tournament, which was won by Wales’ Mimi Xu.

Source link

Blockx, Jodar win Challenger titles & climb in Live Race To Jeddah

Alexander Blockx and Rafael Jodar have climbed in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah after they won ATP Challenger Tour titles in Bratislava and Charlottesville, respectively.

Blockx overcame former World No. 21 Jan-Lennard Struff in his opener and then defeated Titouan Droguet in the final to clinch his second Challenger Tour crown of the season. The 20-year-old Belgian is up to fourth in the Live Race To Jeddah and is set to make his debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in December. Earlier this year he won a main draw match at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati.

View the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah standings

Spaniard Jodar has jumped to ninth after success in Charlottesville. The 19-year-old, who was a sparring partner at the 20-and-under event in 2024, has now won two Challengers in the past three weeks.

Last month, Jodar caught up with ATPTour.com to discuss how he is balancing his tennis with his studies.

“I tried to complete all the assignments and all the tasks on Friday and Saturday, so I could enjoy the day off Sunday,” Jodar told ATPTour.com in October. “I have my laptop with me. You always have to do some work. It’s good to keep your mind not thinking about tennis all day. When I have some free time, I do some work to catch up on the material that they do during the weeks I’m missing.”

A son of two teachers, Jodar takes pride in managing academics even amid his rise in pro tennis.

“They’ve always given priority to studies,” Jodar said of his parents. “And I’m on the same page. I think studies are very important for your development as a person.”

The Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF will take place in Jeddah from 17-21 December. The cutoff date for the Live Race is 10th November, with the Top eight players qualifying for the 20-and-under event. Joao Fonseca won the title in 2024, joining a list of former champions that includes Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Read more from our Next in Line series
Next Steps: How Tien, Basavareddy & Engel are making the leap

Wimbledon dreams, Nishikori’s run & Vinci’s courtside lessons: #NextGenATP stars share memories

Source link

Auger-Aliassime moves to the brink of Turin qualification

With just six days to go until the Nitto ATP Finals, there is only one more qualification spot up for grabs. ATPTour.com looks at the movers of the week as of Monday 3 November, following the Rolex Paris Masters.

Felix Auger-Aliassime – eighth (3,845 points)
The Canadian has surged into the final qualification spot in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin after he reached the final in Paris. The 25-year-old earned three comeback victories in the French capital and defeated Valentin Vacherot and Alexander Bublik to advance to his second ATP Masters 1000 final. He lost to Jannik Sinner in the title match.

Lorenzo Musetti – ninth (3,685)
Musetti must win the title at the ATP 250 event in Athens if he is to qualify for the year-end event for the first time. Should 23-year-old Musetti join new World No. 1 Sinner in Turin, it will be the first time that two Italians have qualified for the season finale, which this year offers more than $5 million to an undefeated champion. Musetti will face Stan Wawrinka or Botic van de Zandschulp in his opener.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Alex de Minaur have qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals, taking place from 9-16 November at Inalpi Arena in Turin.

Source link