The Tennis Thread

[Cricket Warrior]

Sinner wins but host of players retire in Basel

Jannik Sinner progressed to the semi-finals of the Vienna Open with a dominant straight-set win over Alexander Bublik.

A single break of serve in both sets was enough for Italian world number two Sinner to maintain his pursuit of his fourth title of the year.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner, who lost only five points on serve during the entire match, will face Australia's Alex de Minaur for a place in the final.

The 24-year-old, dethroned as the top-ranked men's player by Carlos Alcaraz following defeat by his rival in the US Open final, has won 60 of his past 66 matches.

World number 16 Bublik beat Sinner in Halle in June, but the Kazakh was no match for the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion on Friday.

Sinner never conceded more than one point in any of his service games, while applying consistent pressure on Bublik and managing to take two of his eight break points.

Sinner is on a 19-match winning streak on indoor hard courts and a seven-match winning streak in Vienna, having won this title on his previous appearance in 2023.

Semi-final opponent De Minaur progressed by defeating Italian Matteo Berrettini 6-1 7-6 (7-4).

That was his 53rd win of the season - second only to world number one Alcaraz on the ATP Tour in 2025.

Jannik Sinner reaches Vienna Open semi-finals as host of players withdraw at Swiss Indoors

World number two Jannik Sinner progresses to the semi-finals of the Vienna Open with a dominant straight-set win over Alexander Bublik.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Bencic wins second WTA title since becoming a mother

Belinda Bencic claimed her second WTA title since becoming a mother by beating Linda Noskova in the Pan Pacific Open final.

Bencic, 28, who has now won 10 WTA tournaments, lost the final of this event to Agnieszka Radwanska in straight sets 10 years ago.

But she dominated the Czech Republic's Noskova 6-2 6-3 to take the title this time around.

Bencic's other WTA triumph this year came in Abu Dhabi just 10 months after the arrival of her first child - and less than four months since her return from more than a year out on maternity leave.

"I feel like Tokyo and Japan is a happy place in my career, a place where I've had good success and I just love being here," said Switzerland's Bencic, who won gold in the women's singles at the Tokyo Olympics.

"I had a deja vu moment on court. I had match point on the same side of the court, went for the same serve and was telling myself the same things. I had goosebumps, it was really special. It's great to win here again."

When Bencic, a former world number four in 2020, returned to the sport in October 2024, her world ranking had dropped to 1,213.

She has risen up to 13th in the rankings and earlier this year reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon before being beaten by eventual champion Iga Swiatek.

"I'm really enjoying my time back on tour and I think it's showing in the results," she added.

"I couldn't be more happy and I'm definitely surprised. This was definitely not planned."

"It's hard work but it's a lot of self-belief and a lot of mental belief as well.

"I'm really happy to have this confirmation with myself that I'm able to try to even beat my best ranking from before."

Noskova, 20, also lost the China Open final at the start of the month and was looking to add to her solitary WTA win.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Zverev sets up rematch with Sinner in Vienna final

Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner will meet in Sunday's Vienna Open final for the first time since they battled it out for the Australian Open title in January.

Zverev lost the Melbourne final in straight sets but is eager to test himself once more against the world number two after setting up the rematch with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Lorenzo Musetti in Saturday's second semi-final.

Top seed Sinner had earlier reached his eighth ATP final of the season with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Alex de Minaur.

Vienna Open: Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev to meet in final

Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner win in the Vienna Open semi-finals to set up a rematch of January's Australian Open final.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Jannik Sinner fought back from a set down to claim his fourth title of the season with victory over Alexander Zverev in the Vienna Open final.

The top seed, who is currently on a 21 match-winning streak on indoor hard courts, battled through early hamstring cramp to seal the 3-6 6-3 7-5 win in just under two and a half hours.

It marks Sinner's second title of the month, having won the China Open at the start of October, while he also added to his Grand Slam haul with victories at the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier in the year.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Norrie sets up meeting with Alcaraz in Paris

Britain's Cameron Norrie is "pumped" at the prospect of facing world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the Paris Masters after beating Sebastian Baez in straight sets.

The world number 31 beat Argentine Baez, ranked 12 places below him, 6-3 6-4 in a match which featured six breaks of serve.

Fellow Briton Jacob Fearnley, 24, was less fortunate in the French capital, losing 6-1 6-4 to Russian 12th seed Andrey Rublev.

Norrie won the opening three games before having his serve broken to 15 as Baez pulled it back to 3-3.

However, the 30-year-old regrouped to win the next three games, converting his second set point.

Norrie threatened to throw away a 3-0 lead again in the second set, saving a break point in the sixth game, and later saved four more in the 10th game before closing out the match at the first opportunity.

Norrie will meet Alcaraz, who exited last year's tournament in the third round, on Tuesday, with the Spaniard playing his first match on tour since beating Taylor Fritz in the Japan Open final at the end of September.



BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Norrie stuns Alcaraz for 'biggest win of career'

Britain's Cameron Norrie described his upset of Carlos Alcaraz as "the biggest win of my career" as he reached the Paris Masters last 16 with a gritty comeback against the world number one.

Norrie, who was beaten in straight sets by the Spaniard in this year's Wimbledon quarter-finals, won 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the second round of the ATP Masters 1,000 event in the French capital.

"This win is so big for me," said Norrie, who missed the Olympic Games in Paris and the US Open last year because of a forearm injury.

"I had lost the first round of the qualifiers here last year. Coming back from my injury, I've been trying to enjoy my tennis in the second half of the year and I was able to do that.

"To get the biggest win of my career, my first win over a world number one, and probably the most confident player in the world right now, I am pleased with the way I did it."

Alcaraz won the first set before Norrie responded strongly in the second by breaking early and maintaining his momentum to set up the decider.

The world number 31 then played an incredible backhand pass to break Alcaraz in the final set and saved two break points on his way to victory.

"I actually went for a walk this morning with my coach and we talked through serving for the match and what I needed to tell myself," said Norrie, who beat Sebastian Baez in straight sets in Monday's first round.

"I was so, so tight serving for the match yesterday against Baez.

"I told myself I deserved to be in this moment, I want to be here, and I felt quite relaxed.

"It was a nice walk, a very important walk."

The Briton will next face the winner of the second-round match between wildcards - and cousins - Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech.

Alcaraz, who registered 54 unforced errors on Tuesday, was returning from an ankle injury and playing his first match on the tour since beating Taylor Fritz in the Japan Open final at the end of September.

He now risks losing his number one ranking if rival Jannik Sinner, who will face Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the second, goes on to win the Paris tournament.

"I'm really disappointed about my level," Alcaraz said after the defeat.

"I had all the ideas clear, all the goals clear but even in the first set which I won, I felt I could do a lot more than I actually did.

"I have to give credit to Cam. He played really well, a solid match, and I think that was the key."

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Vacherot beats cousin again after Shanghai triumph

Valentin Vacherot said he finds it easier to play against opponents he doesn't know well after beating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech for the second time in the space of three weeks at the Paris Masters.

Monaco's Vacherot overcame a slow start to claim a 6-7 (9-11) 6-3 6-4 victory and set up a third-round meeting with British number two Cameron Norrie.

The 26-year-old claimed a shock victory against Rinderknech in the final of the Shanghai Masters earlier this month, becoming the lowest ranked ATP Masters 1,000 champion since the series began in 1990 (world number 204).

Valentin Vacherot beats cousin Arthur Rinderknech again after Shanghai triumph

Valentin Vacherot comes from behind to defeat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech for the second time in the space of three weeks at the Paris Masters.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Draper & Raducanu to team up for GB at United Cup

British number ones Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu could partner each other in mixed doubles after agreeing to play at next year's United Cup in Australia.

Great Britain, Poland and Australia are the first three teams to be confirmed for the mixed-team event, which will take place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January the week before the Australian Open.

Draper pulled out of the 2025 event with injury before Britain exited at the quarter-finals, while 2026 will be Raducanu's United Cup debut.

"To see British [number ones] in Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu line up for the first time will bring new star power to the tournament," said United Cup director Stephen Farrow.

Eighteen teams - each featuring up to three male and three female players - will be split into six groups of three, with teams playing those in their groups in a round robin format.

Each tie will comprise one men's singles and one women's singles match featuring the number one-ranked singles players, and one mixed doubles match.

Draper and Raducanu could partner in the doubles, though it is likely team organisers will select two doubles specialists for the squad.

Ranking points will be on offer and could prove crucial as Raducanu, the current world number 29, tries to qualify as one of the 32 seeds for the Australian Open.

"I'm honoured to be able to make my United Cup debut in January," Raducanu said.

"Being able to play for Team GB with my team-mates is a unique opportunity and week to enjoy.

"It's great to be able to experience a new format on the tour, represent my country and spend a couple extra weeks in Australia."

Poland have confirmed the participation of world number two Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, while world number six Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint will represent Australia.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Norrie loses to Vacherot after shocking Alcaraz

British number two Cameron Norrie struggled to find his rhythm as he lost in straight sets to Monaco's Valentin Vacherot at the Paris Masters.

Norrie, 30, described his victory against world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the previous round as "the biggest win of my career" but was unable to reach that level again, losing 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.

Vacherot, who beat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech to win his first ATP title at the Shanghai Masters earlier this month, will face either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Daniel Altmaier in the quarter-finals.

Briton Cameron Norrie latest top-50 player to fall to Valentin Vacherot

British number two Cameron Norrie struggles to find his rhythm and falls to a straight-set defeat against Monaco's Valentin Vacherot at the Paris Masters.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Sinner beats Shelton to reach Paris semi-finals

Jannik Sinner moved a step closer to regaining the world number one status with victory over Ben Shelton at the Paris Masters.

Carlos Alcaraz's shock second-round defeat to Cameron Norrie means the Italian can overtake the Spaniard by winning the the ATP Masters 1,000 event in the French capital.

Sinner reached the Paris semi-finals for the first time after beating Shelton 6-3 6-3 - his seventh straight win over the American.

The 24-year-old will face third seed Alexander Zverev after the defending champion survived two match points to beat Daniil Medvedev in a three-set thriller.

"I'm very happy," Sinner told Sky Sports. "It was a very, very tough match.

"At times you don't have a lot of control because of his incredible serving, but today I felt like I was returning very well. Also, from the back of the court I played very solid and very aggressive."

Sinner dropped serve in the middle of the second set, but soon re-established his advantage to wrap up victory over Shelton, 23, inside 70 minutes.

"At the moment I'm not thinking about the ranking," added the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. "It's a consequence of how I'm playing.

"Making the semis here in Paris means a lot. It has been a very long season with some great, great results and I never take these results for granted."

Sinner will face Zverev in the last four after the German fought back to beat Medvedev 2-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5).

Alexander Bublik will appear in a Masters semi-final for the first time after winning 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-5 against Australian sixth seed Alex de Minaur, sparking emotional scenes for Kazakhstan's number one.

The 13th seed will next face Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, with the ninth seed having ended the run of Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot with a 6-2 6-2 success.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Sinner triumphs in Paris to regain top ranking

Jannik Sinner beat Felix Auger-Aliassime to win his first Paris Masters title and reclaim the world number one ranking from rival Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner's 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory over the Canadian extended his winning streak on indoor hard courts to 26 matches - a run that stretches back to the 2023 Davis Cup Finals.

The win lifted the Italian 250 points above Alcaraz in the rankings before the season-ending ATP Finals begin on 9 November.

Sinner's victory ensures the race for the year-end world number one ranking will go to the final tournament of the season - a fitting end to a year where his rivalry with Alcaraz has reached stratospheric heights.

The pair have won the past eight Grand Slam tournaments between them and remain on a different level to the rest of the men's tour.

Such is their dominance that the gap between second-placed Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev (5,690) is greater than the third-ranked German's points total (5,560).

Paris Masters: Jannik Sinner beats Felix Auger-Aliassime to win title and reclaim world number one ranking

Jannik Sinner beats Felix Auger-Aliassime to win his first Paris Masters title and reclaim the world number one ranking from rival Carlos Alcaraz.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Cameron Norrie overcame Frenchman Valentin Royer to reach the Moselle Open second round in Metz - but fellow Briton Jacob Fearnley suffered an early exit in Athens.

World number 27 Norrie was taken the distance by the in-form Royer, who dominated a second-set tie-break, but the seventh seed reset to win 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 at the French tournament.

British number two Norrie, who described last week's victory over then world number one Carlos Alcaraz as the biggest of his career, reached the final of the Moselle Open last year.

He faces another home player in Arthur Cazaux next as he bids for his first ATP Tour title since 2023.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Rybakina completes clean sweep in WTA Finals group

Elena Rybakina completed a clean sweep of her group at the WTA Finals with a straightforward victory over late call-up Ekaterina Alexandrova.

The sixth seed, who sealed her progression to the semi-finals on Monday, continued her momentum with a 6-4 6-4 win in Riyadh.

The Kazakh had been due to play Madison Keys, but the American - who could not advance - withdrew just hours before the start of the match because of illness.

Alexandrova was the second alternate, but received the nod after fellow Russian and first option Mirra Andreeva, who is also competing in the doubles in Riyadh, declared she was not fit to play.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Norrie wins in Metz and Djokovic through in Athens

Cameron Norrie is through to the Moselle Open quarter-finals after coming from behind to defeat Frenchman Arthur Cazaux in three sets, while Novak Djokovic progressed in the Athens Open.

British number three Norrie prevailed in a hard-fought 6-7 (1-7) 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 win in Metz, France, to reach his fifth tour-level quarter-final of the season - and his first since Wimbledon in July.

The 30-year-old will play a third consecutive home player next, with French lucky losers Dan Added and Kyrian Jacquet meeting on Wednesday.

World number 27 Norrie, runner-up last year, made a positive start and broke the 69th-ranked Cazaux's serve in the opening game.

But after Cazaux levelled the set, Norrie had to survive a break point to take the first set to a tie-break, which the home favourite dominated.

Both players failed to find a breakthrough as the second set also headed to a tie-break - but Norrie kept pace on this occasion and eventually seized his fourth set point with a sweeping forehand winner.

Norrie carried that momentum into the decider, capitalising on a struggling Cazaux's fading energy with an immediate break, before racing to the finish line after midnight local time.

Cameron Norrie reaches Moselle Open quarter-finals as Novak Djokovic wins in Athens

Cameron Norrie beats Arthur Cazaux to reach the Moselle Open quarter-finals, while Novak Djokovic progresses in Athens.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Norrie wins three-setter once again to make semis

Britain's Cameron Norrie was taken to three sets for the third successive match before reaching the Moselle Open semi-finals as he bids for a first title since 2023.

Norrie beat lucky loser Kyrian Jacquet 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 for his third victory over a Frenchman this week.

World number 27 Norrie, the only seeded player left in the draw, is into a first hard-court semi-final since Metz last year.

The 30-year-old is bidding for his first ATP Tour title since the 2023 Rio Open.

He will face either Italy's Lorenzo Sonego for a place in Saturday's final.

Cameron Norrie through to Metz semi-finals and Lorenzo Musetti keeps ATP Finals hopes alive

Britain's Cameron Norrie wins a third successive three-set match to reach the Moselle Open semi-finals.

www.bbc.com

 

[hassan918]

Sabalenka beats Gauff to reach WTA Finals last four​

Aryna Sabalenka roared past Coco Gauff to avenge her French Open final defeat and secure her place in the WTA Finals last four alongside Jessica Pegula.

Sabalenka, Gauff and Pegula went into Thursday's matches in Riyadh knowing only two of them would progress from the Stefanie Graf Group.

American Pegula won 6-2 6-3 against already-eliminated Jasmine Paolini, meaning a straight-set win for defending champion Gauff would have knocked world number one Sabalenka out.

Gauff also had the statistical edge, having come out on top in their previous meeting at Roland Garros in June - with Sabalenka putting in a performance she later described as the "worst final I ever played".

Sabalenka was wayward at the start but rallied to beat the American 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 and top the group with a 100% record.

She will play Amanda Anisimova on Friday in a repeat of September's US Open final, which Belarusian Sabalenka won, while Pegula takes on Elena Rybakina.

"We always have great battles. It's enjoyable playing against her because I know it's going to be a great fight," Sabalenka, 27, told Sky Sports.

"Whenever I focus on myself and what I have to do, without getting over-emotional and just staying in the zone - that's the key for me."

Gauff's exit means there is guaranteed to be a first-time WTA Finals champion on Saturday.

WTA Finals 2025: Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula qualify for semi-finals in Riyadh

Aryna Sabalenka roars past Coco Gauff to avenge her French Open final loss and secure her place in the WTA Finals last four alongside Jessica Pegula.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Norrie into Metz final with another comeback win

Great Britain's Cameron Norrie reached his first final of 2025 with a three-set victory over Lorenzo Sonego at the Moselle Open.

Seventh seed Norrie, 30, had been taken to the distance in each of his first three matches in Metz and, in two of those, had fought back from a set behind to win.

That was the case again as Italian Sonego took the first set of their semi-final, before Norrie completed a 4-6 6-2 6-4 win in exactly two hours.

Norrie, ranked 27th in the world and 15 places higher than Sonego, saved two break points early in the second set.

In little trouble on his own serve after that - helped by an 83% first-serve percentage for the match - Norrie created a host of opportunities to break his opponent and eventually did so in the 10th game of the decider to clinch victory.

Norrie will play either Vitaliy Sachko of Ukraine or Learner Tien of the United States in the final on Saturday.

Norrie's run to the final in Metz has capped an excellent second half of the year for the British number two.

He was in danger of dropping out of the world's top 100 earlier this year, being ranked as low as 91st in May.

However, good runs at the three subsequent Grand Slams - the fourth round at the French Open, the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the third round at the US Open - have helped move him back into the top 30.

Cameron Norrie beats Lorenzo Sonego to reach Moselle Open final in Metz

Great Britain's Cameron Norrie fights back from a set down to win for the third match in succession, beating Lorenzo Sonego to reach the Moselle Open final.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

'Sincaraz' heads for fitting final chapter of 2025

The battle is about to recommence.

Carlos Alcaraz emphasised it by using two emojis - a number one and a sword fight - in an Instagram post of him posing with Jannik Sinner after their pre-ATP Finals practice on Friday.

Whether Alcaraz or Sinner will finish as the year-end world number one is a key point of interest at this week's season-ending event in Turin.

Ending a long and gruelling season as the best player on the tour is a prestigious accolade, rewarding their brilliance and consistency over the previous 12 months.

Sinner retaining the title would be even more remarkable given the 24-year-old Italian did not play for three months, having been banned for failing two doping tests.

Spain's Alcaraz finally usurped his rival at the top of the rankings in September, ending Sinner's 65-week stint by winning the final Grand Slam of 2025 in New York.

Now the clear two-horse race goes to the last event of the season, with 22-year-old Alcaraz looking the favourite to win their duel.

"If Carlos plays really well there is no chance, it doesn't matter what my result is," said Sinner.

BBC Sport analyses the permutations for each player and who could potentially stop them. At the bottom of the page, you can vote for who you think will triumph in Turin.

Who needs what to finish number one?

For the second season in a row, 'Sincaraz' has been the absorbing narrative of the ATP Tour.

So it feels fitting the pair's battle for supremacy in 2025 - like all engrossing stories - will have a gripping final chapter.

Alcaraz goes into Turin in pole position, holding a lead of 1,050 points over Sinner.

This is what each has to do over the next eight days to finish as the year-end number one:

• Sinner must defend the title to stand any chance of overtaking Alcaraz
• Sinner needs Alcaraz to lose a group match and not reach the final
• Alcaraz will secure the year-end top spot by reaching the final
• Alcaraz can guarantee the position by winning all three group matches

Winning the title without losing a round-robin match earns 1,500 ranking points.

Players earn 200 points per round-robin match victory, 400 points for a semi-final win and 500 points for lifting the title.

"Ending as the number one has been an important goal for me since halfway through the year," said Alcaraz, who previously claimed the accolade in 2022.

The pair have dominated the men's game once again this year, sweeping all four Grand Slam titles between them for a second successive season and leading the regular tour by a considerable margin.

Sinner defended the Australian Open in January - his final tournament before being sidelined - and was beaten by Alcaraz in a classic French Open final on his return to major action.

A month later, the pair met again in the Wimbledon final, where Sinner demonstrated the quality of his mental strength to triumph and admirably bounce back from his Paris heartbreak.

The last stanza of their compelling Grand Slam trilogy took place in New York, with Alcaraz producing what he regarded as one of the finest performances of his career to ensure an even split of the four majors in 2025.

Who could stop Alcaraz?

With the top two seeds kept apart in Thursday's draw, Alcaraz was put into the Jimmy Connors Group - where the spectre of Novak Djokovic loomed large.

Seven-time champion Djokovic might be 38 and showing clear signs his power is waning, but he remains the player most capable of beating Alcaraz and Sinner - and stands more chance over three sets.

However, the 24-time Grand Slam winner remains non-committal about his attendance in Turin and will not make a decision until after he plays in Saturday’s final at an ATP 250 event in Athens.

Djokovic is playing there because he has recently moved to the Greek capital and has strong emotional ties to the tournament, which was moved from Belgrade this year and is run by his younger brother Djordje.

The group is rounded out by last year's runner-up Taylor Fritz, who has cemented his place as a leading star this year, and the ultra-consistent Alex de Minaur.

Novak Djokovic, 38, Serbia

Seed: 4

Best ATP Finals performance: Winner (2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2023)

2025 titles: 1

2025 win-loss: 35-11

Taylor Fritz, 28, United States

Seed: 6

Best ATP Finals performance: Runner-up (2024)

2025 titles: 2 (Stuttgart, Eastbourne)

2025 win-loss: 52-21

Alex de Minaur, 26, Australia

Seed: 7

Best ATP Finals performance: Group stage (2024)

2025 titles: 1 (Washington)

2025 win-loss: 55-21

Who could stop Sinner?

In the Bjorn Borg group, Sinner has a slightly tougher draw in terms of the seedings - although, like Alcaraz, there is still an element of the unknown.

German third seed Alexander Zverev and American fifth seed Ben Shelton are locked in, but Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime and Italy's Lorenzo Musetti continue to battle for the eighth and final spot.

Auger-Aliassime, who made a late surge into the top eight by reaching the Paris final last month, has already arrived in Turin but knows his fate is out of his hands.

If Musetti beats Djokovic to win the Athens title on Saturday, it will be the 23-year-old who makes his Finals debut.

There is a scenario where both Auger-Aliassime and Musetti could still end up playing, though, because whoever is first alternate will step in if Djokovic pulls out.

Alexander Zverev, 28, Germany

Seed: 3

Best ATP Finals performance: Champion (2018, 2021)

2025 titles: 1 (Munich)

2025 win-loss: 54-23

Ben Shelton, 23, United States

Seed: 5

Best ATP Finals performance: Debut

2025 titles: 1 (Canada)

2025 win-loss: 40-21

Felix Auger-Aliassime, 25, Canada

Seed: 8

Best ATP Finals performance: Group stage (2022)

2025 titles: 3

2025 win-loss: 48-22

Lorenzo Musetti, 23, Italy

Seed: 8

Best ATP Finals performance: Debut

2025 titles: 0

2025 win-loss: 41-19

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Rybakina upsets Sabalenka to claim record £4m prize

Elena Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in women's tennis history by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old produced a stunning display to overcome four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.

Because both players came through the tournament undefeated, the prize money on offer was a record-breaking £3.98m - the largest payout offering in women's tennis history.

The prize money tops the £3.74m Sabalenka, 27, earned for winning September's US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in 2025.

"It's been an incredible week," said Kazakhstan's Rybakina.

"I honestly didn't expect any result so to go so far was just incredible.

"I want to say congratulations to Aryna for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an incredible achievement."

Rybakina, who was the world number six, hit 16 winners during a dominant first-set display.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two break points before winning all four points in the sixth game to go a break up, and held her serve to seal the first set.

With the second set on serve, Sabalenka saved two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favour.

But, having worked so hard to upset Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by squandering two set points in the next game to level the second set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to level the match affected her tie-break performance, with Rybakina winning all seven points to take home the title.

The victory, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means she will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world.

A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the match.

"It was not the best performance from me today, but Elena you were definitely the better player," the Belarusian told the crowd.

"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful trophy."

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

'Motivated' Alcaraz beats De Minaur at ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz says he has entered the ATP Finals "with motivation" as he moved a step closer to the year-end world number one ranking with victory over Alex de Minaur.

The 22-year-old Spaniard won his opening group match 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 in one hour and 40 minutes in Turin, Italy.

Alcaraz is making his third appearance at the season-ending tournament but has never reached the final before.

He withdrew injured in 2022, lost in the semi-finals on debut a year later and failed to qualify from the group last year.

Alcaraz is battling rival Jannik Sinner for the top ranking, with the Italian moving back to the top spot after his victory at the Paris Masters last week.

ATP Finals 2025: Carlos Alcaraz beats Alex de Minaur in Turin opener

Carlos Alcaraz says he has entered the ATP Finals "with motivation" as he moves a step closer to the world number one ranking with victory over Alex de Minaur.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Sinner sweeps past Auger-Aliassime at ATP Finals

Jannik Sinner began his ATP Finals title defence by sweeping aside a physically hampered Felix Auger-Aliassime in front of a passionate Turin crowd.

Italian second seed Sinner was imperious on serve in a 7-5 6-1 win over the Canadian.

Eighth seed Auger-Aliassime was brilliantly aggressive in a competitive first set and was two points away from forcing a tie-break before tweaking his left calf.

The 25-year-old called for the physiotherapist twice in the second set, where he won just one game.

Victory puts Sinner top of the Bjorn Borg Group as he bids to secure the year-end world number one ranking.

Sinner has not lost to a top-10 player that is not Carlos Alcaraz since being beaten by Andrey Rublev in August 2024 - at a tournament where Sinner played two matches in one day.

ATP Finals 2025: Jannik Sinner beats Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz overcomes Lorenzo Musetti in Turin

Jannik Sinner begins his ATP Finals title defence by sweeping aside a physically hampered Felix Auger-Aliassime in front of a home crowd.

www.bbc.com

 

[hassan918]

Sinner frustrates Zverev to reach ATP Finals last four​

Jannik Sinner drove Alexander Zverev to distraction with a composed performance to reach the knockout stages of the ATP Finals.

The Italian second seed maintained his bid for the year-end world number one ranking with a 6-4 6-3 win over third seed Zverev.

Sinner saved all seven break points he faced with his immense serve, with one ace leaving his 28-year-old German opponent biting his racquet in frustration.

The four-time major champion, 24, is the first player to reach the semi-finals in Turin.

Sinner must defend his title and hope rival Carlos Alcaraz loses his final group match against Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday and does not reach the final.

Earlier, Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime kept his campaign alive with a 4-6 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 success over big-serving American Ben Shelton, who is now eliminated.

The winner of Auger-Aliassime and Zverev's match on Friday will advance along with Sinner.

ATP Finals: Jannik Sinner beats Alexander Zverev to reach semis, Felix Auger-Aliassime overcomes Ben Shelton

Jannik Sinner drives Alexander Zverev to distraction with a composed performance to reach the knockout stages of the ATP Finals.

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[hassan918]

De Minaur bounces back to keep ATP Finals bid alive​

Alex de Minaur recovered from "a dark place" to keep alive his hopes of progressing at the ATP Finals, while confirming Carlos Alcaraz's place in the knockout stages in Turin.

Requiring a straight-set victory to remain in contention, Australia's De Minaur ended American sixth seed Taylor Fritz's tournament with an impressive 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win.

Spain's Alcaraz faces Lorenzo Musetti in the final match in the Jimmy Connors Group later on Thursday, when Italian Musetti will seek to deny De Minaur qualification for the semi-finals.

Although already qualified, Alcaraz will be highly motivated to achieve a third consecutive win - not only to top the group, but to also guarantee the year-end world number one ranking.

De Minaur will be among those willing Alcaraz to victory after maintaining his interest in the season-ending competition despite opening with back-to-back defeats.

The 26-year-old was reluctant to trust the news that he would qualify with an Alcaraz win when he was initially informed in his post-match interview.

De Minaur had lost his past 16 matches against top 10 players, and each of the five matches he had previously played at the ATP Finals.

A painful defeat by Musetti on Tuesday, in which De Minaur held a 5-3 lead in the deciding set before losing four consecutive games to concede the match, had rocked his confidence.

But, against an opponent whom he had lost the two previous meetings, De Minaur reset mentally to produce an inspired display against Fritz.

"It means a lot. A couple of days ago I was in a pretty dark place," De Minaur told Sky Sports.

"More than anything, I feel proud of my efforts. Not for just coming out and winning, but also the mindset. I made peace with what had happened and just committed."

Speaking in his post-match interview, he said on court: "I've dealt with a fair bit of heartbreak recently.

"I've worked really hard, so it was good to get a positive reward for that.

"[The loss to Musetti] was a tough pill to swallow. I didn't overthink today, I just went out and committed to what I needed to do. I continued to back myself and, whether it worked or it didn't, I was going to leave it all out there today."

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Alcaraz secures year-end world number one ranking​

Carlos Alcaraz said securing the year-end world number one ranking "means everything" after he reached the knockout stages of the ATP Finals with three straight wins.

Alcaraz was already assured of a semi-final place, after Alex de Minaur beat Taylor Fritz earlier on Thursday - but he would not be denied in his bid to edge rival Jannik Sinner in the race to be crowned the top-ranked men's player of 2025.

The 22-year-old Spaniard let out a huge roar as he achieved the feat by beating Italian ninth seed Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-1 - also ensuring he recorded 70 wins in a season for the first time in his career.

In topping the Jimmy Connors Group, Alcaraz has avoided a semi-final meeting with Sinner - who is already confirmed as winner of the Bjorn Borg Group before the final round of matches on Friday.

Sinner will play De Minaur in the last four, while Alcaraz awaits the winner of German Alexander Zverev and Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, as the world's top two aim to set up a tantalising final blockbuster showdown to conclude a year in which they have once again dominated the tour.

"It means the world to me, to be honest. The year-end number one is always a goal," said Alcaraz said.

"At the beginning of the year I saw number one really far away, with Jannik winning almost every tournament he plays.

"Then in the last three, four tournaments of the year, [I was] fighting toe-to-toe with Jannik for this spot, and then finally I got it. For me, it means everything."

BBC

 

[hassan918]

Sinner maintains 100% record with win over Shelton​

Defending champion Jannik Sinner attributed his straight-set victory over Ben Shelton in the penultimate group match of the ATP Finals to his mental strength.

The Italian, who had already secured top spot in Bjorn Borg Group after winning his opening two matches, triumphed 6-3 7-6 (7-3) to advance to the knockout stages without dropping a set or losing a service game.

The 24-year-old has not lost a match since being forced to retire because of cramp from his third-round match at October's Shanghai Masters, winning titles in Vienna and Paris along the way, while his most recent indoor defeat came at this tournament in 2023.

Sinner will face Australia's Alex de Minaur in the semi-finals while Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who has secured the year-end number one ranking for the second time in his career, is awaiting the winner of Alexander Zverev's meeting with Felix Auger-Aliassime later on Friday.

"Against Ben, it's always a tough challenge," Sinner said. "You have to take the little chances you have. When he gets up with that huge serve, you can't do a lot. You have to not give up, which I've done. The mental aspect was great."

Already eliminated Shelton took an aggressive approach in the first set, utilising his athleticism to rush the net, particularly on Sinner's second serve where he won five of eight points.

But, as happened in Sinner's victory over Zverev on Wednesday where he saved all seven break points he faced, the second seed was clinical in the key moments.

He converted two of his three break-point opportunities, striking in the first and ninth games, produced a run of big first serves, including two aces, to save a break point on his own serve, and struck 13 winners to Shelton's eight.

Both players were efficient on serve in the second set, with Sinner giving up just seven points across six service matches and Shelton holding three of his own to love while also saving the only break point of the set in the 10th game.

However, Sinner once again demonstrated his composure in the tie-break, leading 4-1 and 6-3, and offering up a small smile before securing the win with his second match point.

Source: BBC

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Sinner sinks De Minaur to reach Turin final

Defending champion Jannik Sinner will try to sign off in style in his last outing of the season after overcoming Alex de Minaur to reach the ATP Finals title match, where he could face Carlos Alcaraz.

In a match of contrasting sets, the Italian world number two was frustrated by a battling performance from De Minaur during a 66-minute opener but blew away the Australian in the second to win 7-5 6-2 and reach his third consecutive final in Turin.

Sinner, who extended his unbeaten run on indoor hard courts to 30 matches, has not dropped a set at the end-of-season showpiece since losing to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 final.

Such has been his form, he has yet to drop a service game at this year's tournament.

He will face either year-end number one Alcaraz or Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in Sunday's final as he bids to become only the fourth player to defend the men's singles title this century, after Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer and Djokovic.

"I'm very happy. This is the last event of the year, so it's great to finish this way," Sinner said.

"It was a very tough match, especially the beginning of the first set. He was serving great. In the second, I tried to be aggressive which worked well.

"Tomorrow, I will enjoy [it] and try my best. It's been an amazing week."

Source: BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Alcaraz sets up Sinner showdown at ATP Finals

World number one Carlos Alcaraz joked he wouldn't mind facing someone else after setting up the latest instalment of his great rivalry with Jannik Sinner.

They will meet for the sixth time in 2025 on Sunday as Alcaraz attempts to dethrone Italy's reigning ATP Finals champion amid what he expects to be an atmosphere in Turin that is "almost like the Davis Cup".

The match will mark a fitting finale to a 2025 tour season in which Alcaraz and Sinner have won a combined 13 titles, including all four Grand Slams for a second consecutive season, and four ATP 1,000 tournaments.

They have settled five of those finals between themselves, with Sinner triumphing at Wimbledon and Spaniard Alcaraz winning at the Rome Masters, Cincinnati, the US Open and, most memorably, in a five-and-a-half-hour five-set epic at Roland Garros.

This time the winner will walk away with just over $5million (£3.85m).

Both players came through their semi-finals in straight sets on Saturday.

Alcaraz defeated Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2 6-4 to reach his first Turin final while Sinner overcame Alex de Minaur 7-5 6-2 to confirm his third consecutive appearance in the end-of-season showpiece match.

Although Alcaraz holds a 10-5 lead in their head-to-head, including a 5-2 finals record, he said he must find "plan A" and overcome a partisan crowd to dethrone Sinner.

"It's great facing Jannik. [But] if it was someone else, I wouldn't mind!" said Alcaraz on Sky Sports.

"I just try to approach the match with more focus. I know I have to play my plan A if I want to win the tournament. We're both going to raise our levels.

"The whole stadium is going to be supporting him, which I have to be prepared for. I hope that at least three or four people are cheering for me."

Alcaraz dominates Auger-Aliassime in routine win

Alcaraz was at his entertaining best against Auger-Aliassime.

The 22-year-old flew through the opening set, his forehand doing the bulk of the damage as he fired 12 winners to two unforced errors and twice broke serve.

So in control was the Spaniard that he was smiling and twirling his racquet between points.

Auger-Aliassime grew into a largely chanceless second set, enjoying support from an Italian crowd and delivering his share of flair, including a backhand smash winner.

However, he lost composure in the 10th game and presented Alcaraz with match points, the second of which the six-time major champion put away.

"I felt like I could do everything. It doesn't matter if I go forehand, drop shot, backhand – everyone was going to be in," Alcaraz said.

Sinner keen to finish 'amazing week' with title

Sinner is determined to enjoy Sunday's final following an "amazing week" at the end of a rollercoaster year.

The 24-year-old has won five tournaments this season, including two Grand Slams, but the successes have been overshadowed at times by the three-month doping ban which he accepted in February.

It was acknowledged he did not intend to cheat, but the short ban led to backlash from some fellow players.

However, there were only cheers as Sinner beat Australian De Minaur to extend his unbeaten run on indoor hard courts to 30 matches.

Sinner faced inspired scrambled defence on the baseline from the Australian seventh seed, who escaped unscathed from four early service games that went to deuce.

De Minaur's resistance was eventually broken in the 11th game – Sinner converting his eighth break point of the set – and from there, it was exhibition tennis.

He won seven consecutive games to race 4-0 ahead in the second set before converting his second match point, extending his record against De Minaur to 13-0.

BBC

 

[hassan918]

Sinner beats Alcaraz to defend ATP Finals crown​

Jannik Sinner signed off his 2025 season in style by overcoming world number one Carlos Alcaraz in two tight sets to defend his ATP Finals crown in Turin.

For the second consecutive year, the Italian captured the title without dropping a set throughout the tournament, winning 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 in the final, and is now unbeaten in 31 consecutive matches on indoor hard courts.

It is Sinner's second victory in six finals against Spaniard Alcaraz this season and closes the gap in their head-to-head record to 10-6.

Although he missed out on the year-end number one ranking, this triumph caps off a successful year on court for Sinner, who won two Grand Slam titles and reached all four major finals.

He missed three months of the season to serve a doping ban but still collected six titles – the second-best haul of his career – after reaching the final in 10 of the 12 tournaments he entered.

This latest win extends his prolific record at the end-of-season showpiece, where he has not lost a match since being defeated by Novak Djokovic in the 2023 final.

Sinner becomes just the fourth player to successfully retain the men's singles title this century, joining Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer and Djokovic.

After the first 11 games came and went without a break point, Sinner was forced to save set point with a huge second serve.

He then dominated the tie-break, capitalising on a run of backhand errors from Alcaraz and executing a couple of pinpoint lobs, to seal the first set.

His usually reliable serve faltered in the opening game of the second, with a pair of untimely double faults gifting Alcaraz, sporting a bandaged right thigh after receiving treatment earlier in the match, an early break.

However, Sinner hit back with a break of his own in the sixth game before saving a break point in the seventh to keep the set on serve, whipping the crowd into a frenzy with each point he won.

With Alcaraz serving to stay in the match in the 12th game, Sinner forced deuce with a down-the-line backhand before dropping to the floor as consecutive errors from his opponent confirmed the Italian's successful title defence.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Raducanu pulls out of US matches with foot issue​

Emma Raducanu has pulled out of two exhibition matches in the United States next month because of a minor foot issue.

The British number one has light bone bruising in her right foot, but she is able to practise and is soon expecting to travel to Barcelona for a pre-season training block.

Preparations for next season will be overseen in Spain by coach Francisco Roig, who began working with Raducanu in August.

The 23-year-old Raducanu has spent part of this month training at the National Tennis Centre in London and will now be able to focus entirely on the overseas camp.

Not having to play two exhibition matches nearly a month before the start of the new season is a way of reducing the load on her foot.

Raducanu also has a new physiotherapist, Emma Stewart, who used to work for the WTA Tour before joining the men's squad at British Rowing.

Stewart will travel to some events next year and, in the short term, also take control of Raducanu's strength and conditioning programme.

Raducanu is preparing to represent Great Britain, alongside Jack Draper, at the United Cup in the first week of the new year.

GB will play Japan and Greece in the group stage in Perth, which means Raducanu can look forward to a singles meeting with her fellow Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.

As the current world number 29, Raducanu is in line to be seeded for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on 18 January.

The 2021 US Open champion withdrew from her final two events of this season because of illness but was still able to record a career-high 28 tour-level victories.

Meanwhile, the world number six Jessica Pegula will replace Raducanu in the exhibition matches in Newark and Miami on 7 and 8 December.

Men's world number one Carlos Alcaraz is also appearing and will take on American Frances Tiafoe and 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca over the two nights.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Davis Cup discussions planned with top stars​

Belgium beat France in the opening match of the Davis Cup Finals, as organisers confirmed talks will take place about the tournament's future format amid the absence of several top players from this year's event.

The 86th-ranked Raphael Collignon battled back to upset French world number 35 Corentin Moutet 2-6 7-5 7-5.

That allowed team-mate Zizou Bergs - who was famously named after France football great Zinedine Zidane - to set up a semi-final against Italy or Austria with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) victory over Arthur Rinderknech.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz announced earlier on Tuesday that he had withdrawn from Spain's team because of an injury sustained on Sunday at the ATP Finals.

That left Germany's Alexander Zverev as the only top-10 men's singles player competing in this year's Davis Cup showpiece week.

While injury has prevented some from representing their nation, other players - including Italian world number two Jannik Sinner - have chosen to maximise their recovery time at the beginning of the sport's six-week off-season.

Both Alcaraz and Sinner have suggested they would be in favour of making the Davis Cup a biennial event.

International Tennis Federation (ITF) chief executive Ross Hutchins told BBC Sport he will consult the sport's top players to explore what the tournament can do to encourage their participation in the final major event of the season.

"The history of this event is a very, very popular team competition which has been - consistently across the last 125 years - a yearly event," Hutchins said.

"We have a three-year deal in Bologna, which we are very excited about. Malaga worked very well the last few years as a season-end product - top players playing, amazing narratives - so the question is, what's right moving forward?

"I do have very close relations with the top players and the governing bodies, so I'm going to be having discussions about their points of view.

"We know what's been written, and what's been said, so inevitably I will have those conversations and we can take it from there."

On the court, Moutet captured the first set against Collignon after racing into a 4-0 lead with a double break of serve.

But the 26-year-old Frenchman had only himself to blame when he was taken to a decider, losing his serve - and the second set - after falling 15-30 behind as an unnecessary trick shot at the net did not come off, with Collignon already walking away from the court.

That proved a costly error as Collignon increased the pressure in the final set, with the 23-year-old eventually ending Moutet's resistance in the 12th game after the Belgian had been unable to take his first four break points.

Belgium appeared set for a straightforward victory as 26-year-old Bergs took control, leading Rinderknech by a set and a break - until he was broken by the French number one for the first time as he served for the match at 5-4.

Rinderknech, 30, was reinvigorated, but Bergs reset to force a tie-break and then seized his second match point before running to celebrate with his team.

On the other half of the draw, Spain will play the Czech Republic, while Argentina face Germany.

Davis Cup Finals: Talks planned with absent stars as Belgium beat France in opener

Belgium beat France in the opening match at the Davis Cup Finals, as organisers confirm discussions will be held over the tournament's future format.

www.bbc.com

 

[hassan918]

'Tremendous honour' - Federer added to Hall of Fame​

Roger Federer will become the first member of the 'Big Three' of tennis to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Federer, 44, retired in 2022 having won 103 ATP-level titles, second only to Jimmy Connors (109) during the Open era.

The Swiss great was the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles - a total since surpassed by 'Big Three' rivals Novak Djokovic (24) and Rafael Nadal (22).

Federer, one of only eight men to achieve a career Grand Slam, received the news at Swiss Tennis, where he played in his youth, as he was welcomed by some of the current 270 Hall of Fame members in a video call.

"It's a tremendous honour to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and to stand alongside so many of the game's great champions," Federer said.

"Throughout my career, I've always valued the history of tennis and the example set by those who came before me.

"To be recognised in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply humbling. I look forward to visiting Newport next August to celebrate this special moment with the tennis community."

Federer will be inducted over the weekend of 27-29 August next year, when ceremonies will take place in Newport, Rhode Island, in the United States.

Among his 20 major triumphs, Federer won a record eight men's singles titles at Wimbledon.

He held the world number one ranking for a total of 310 weeks - including a record 237 consecutive weeks.

Broadcaster and journalist Mary Carillo has also been elected in the Contributor Category.

Fred Perry and Virginia Wade are among the famous British names already in the Hall of Fame.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Italy edge closer to Davis Cup three-peat​

Italy overpowered Austria in the Davis Cup quarter-finals to move a step closer to becoming the first nation to win three consecutive titles for 53 years.

Straight-sets singles wins for Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli earned victory for an Italian team which dominated despite missing the nation's top two players in Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti.

Italy move on to a semi-final meeting with Belgium on Friday, after their upcoming opponents beat France on the opening day of the Finals in Bologna.

They will begin that match on a 12-tie winning streak at the Davis Cup Finals, stretching back to the group stages of the 2023 tournament.

In the other half of the draw, Spain face the Czech Republic before Argentina play Germany on Thursday.

'Representing my nation is so special'
Davis Cup organisers confirmed to BBC Sport this week that talks will take place about the tournament's future format amid the absence of several top players at this year's event.

That includes Italian top-10 players Sinner and Musetti, with world number two Sinner opting to maximise his recovery during the sport's brief six-week off-season after triumphing at the ATP Finals on Sunday.

But, in their place, Berrettini and Cobolli shone for their nation.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Berrettini got Italy off to a positive start by defeating the 177th-ranked Jurij Rodionov 6-3 7-6 (7-4).

Berrettini, the world number 56, took the opening set with a single break of serve, but faced an uphill battle in the second when he was broken for the first time and fell 5-2 behind.

The 29-year-old responded admirably, withstanding three set points to level at 5-5 and maintaining that momentum to wrest control of the tie-break and avoid a decider.

"When I play for my country I just think about trying to win the next point, trying to fight really hard for my team-mates, for everybody who is here and everyone who is watching from home," said Berrettini.

"That's the biggest privilege. If I win it's better, but I try to enjoy being out there every time. It is something so special."

World number 22 Cobolli followed his compatriot with a commanding 6-1 6-3 victory over Austrian number one Filip Misolic.

The 23-year-old Cobolli, who impressed with a run to the Wimbledon quarter-finals this year, dominated a first set lasting just 30 minutes with three breaks of serve.

He tightened his grip on the match early in the second set, securing an early break as he moved into a 3-0 lead, before confidently serving his way to victory.

Cobolli echoed his team-mate's sentiments in his post-match interview, saying: "We all want to win this cup and I felt the support of the bench, it was unbelievable.

"When I play for them, it is something which I cannot describe."

Source: BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Berrettini puts Italy on brink of Davis Cup final

Matteo Berrettini took two-time defending champions Italy to the brink of a third consecutive Davis Cup final with a commanding straight-set victory over Belgium's Raphael Collignon.

Backed by a passionate, sell-out crowd of 10,000 fans in Bologna, Berrettini overcame Collignon's second-set resistance as he powered to a 6-3 6-4 win.

Italy would become the first nation to reach three straight Davis Cup finals since Australia in 2001, if Flavio Cobolli can win his singles match against Zizou Bergs.

Despite the absence of the nation's top two men's singles players in world number two Jannik Sinner and the eighth-ranked Lorenzo Musetti, Italy are seeking to become the first nation to win three consecutive Davis Cup titles for 53 years.

The winner will face either Spain or Germany in Sunday's final.

Davis Cup Finals: Matteo Berrettini gives Italy lead over Belgium in semi-final

Matteo Berrettini puts two-time defending champions Italy on the brink of a third consecutive Davis Cup final with victory over Belgium's Raphael Collignon.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Draper pulls out of UTS final as he delays return

Jack Draper has delayed his comeback from an arm injury in pulling out of this weekend's Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) grand final in London.

The British number one has played just one singles matches since Wimbledon and had been hoping to continue his preparations for a January return to the tour.

However, the 23-year-old said in a social media post he has been advised to take more time rather than play in the event, which takes place at the Copper Box Arena from 5 to 7 December.

"I've been working hard to get ready for the UTS but frustratingly I'm just not quite ready," Draper said.

"It's a tough call as I want nothing more than to compete but I've advised to take more time. Sorry to let down fans and miss out on the event."

Draper first felt discomfort in his upper left serving arm during the clay court season in the spring, and following a scan after Wimbledon, did not hit any serves for a month.

He tried to return at the US Open in late August, but after playing alongside Jessica Pegula in the mixed doubles and winning his first-round match in the singles, withdrew because of the discomfort.

This week's three-day event in London would have offered Draper at least three short matches, over four eight-minute quarters, and competition from fellow top-20 players Alex de Minaur, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev.

Draper was offered a wildcard into the UTS event by its founder Patrick Mouratoglou.

While confident Draper would be ready to play, the Frenchman did stress the danger of returning too quickly from this type of injury when talking to BBC Sport in October.

"You can't play on a bone bruise, because the next stage is a stress fracture and you can't take the risk to have a stress fracture," Mouratoglou said.

"When you have a bone bruise on the arm, you can do a lot of fitness, so you stay in shape. It's annoying because you need to stop completely and wait until it's completely clean again."

Draper posted video of himself hitting forehands at the National Tennis Centre in London in early November, with a compression sleeve on his left arm.

His next scheduled appearance is for Great Britain in the United Cup team competition in Perth in the first week of January.

The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the new season, starts in Melbourne on 18 January.

Draper reached a career high world ranking of four in June, and still stands at 10 after an outstanding first half of the year, which included a first Masters 1,000 title at Indian Wells.


BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Serena Williams says no comeback, despite filing paperwork

Serena Williams has filed the necessary paperwork for a return to tennis - but then said she is "not coming back" to the sport.

The American great, who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, retired after the 2022 US Open.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency has confirmed to BBC Sport that Williams, 44, is back on the list of players registered for the drug testing pool.

Her name also appears on the most recent document published by the organisation on 6 October.

Just hours after it emerged she had re-entered the sport’s registered drug testing pool, Williams posted on social media: "I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy".

Why Williams would ask for her name to be added, without any intention of playing again, remains a mystery - as joining the list invites a visit from out-of-competition testers.

Williams was never a fan of the word retirement, preferring instead to say she was "evolving away" from the sport in 2022.

Bill Clinton, Billie Jean King, Tiger Woods and Mike Tyson were among the crowd in New York three years ago as Williams won her first two singles matches at her final US Open.

Her career was eventually brought to an end by Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round, but only after Williams had saved five match points in an electric night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Every retired player must make themselves available for out-of-competition testing for six months before they are eligible to compete professionally again.

It is not known exactly when Williams asked for her name to be re-added to the list, but, even if she had to wait six months from 6 October, it would make a return possible from April.

Only Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic have won more Grand Slam singles titles than Williams.

Her haul of seven Australian Open titles, three French Opens, seven Wimbledons and six US Opens is the most major singles titles by any woman in the Open era.

Serena’s older sister Venus made a comeback after 16 months off the tour earlier this year.

Seven-time major singles champion Venus competed in the singles and doubles at the US Open aged 45, reaching the last eight of the women's doubles alongside Leylah Fernandez.

Serena and Venus won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals together, and the prospect of a Williams sisters reunion in 2026 remains an enticing one.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

WTA signs with Mercedes in 'most significant deal in our history'

The Women's Tennis Association has announced a long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz which has the potential to be the largest in women's sport.

The German car manufacturer will become the premier partner of the WTA and pour $50m (£37.5m) per year into women’s tennis for up to 10 years.

The deal has been described as the "most significant" in the WTA's history, and could ultimately be worth up to half a billion dollars (£375m).

The National Women's Soccer League in America signed a $240m (£180m) four-year media rights deal in November 2023, while Nike has invested $350m (£262m) across multiple women's football leagues.

Announced on Wednesday, the WTA deal will help with the tour's commitment to have equal prize money at events where both men and women feature by 2027 and at non-combined events by 2033.

Equal prize money was one of the key goals when the WTA was founded in 1973.

WTA Tour and Mercedes-Benz sign potentially largest partnership deal in women's sport

The Women's Tennis Association announces a long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz that has the potential to be the largest in women's sport.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Dominant Sabalenka wins back-to-back WTA awards

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has been voted the Women's Tennis Association player of the year for a second successive season.

The 27-year-old won four titles - the most on tour - including retaining the US Open against Amanda Anisimova in September to claim her fourth Grand Slam singles triumph.

Across the season Sabalenka played in a tour-best nine finals, with losses to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final in January and Coco Gauff in June's French Open final.

The Belarusian also won the Brisbane International in January, the Miami Open in March and the Madrid Open in May, and spent the entire year as world number one, finishing 2025 top of the rankings for a second successive year.

In July, she became the first player to top 12,000 WTA ranking points since Serena Williams in 2015.

Sabalenka finished the season with a 63-12 win-loss record, and picked up a record £11m in prize money.

She received almost 80% of the votes cast by international tennis media.

Aryna Sabalenka voted 2025 WTA player of the year

World number one Aryna Sabalenka is voted the WTA player of the year for the second successive season after winning four titles in 2025.

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[hassan918]

Alcaraz announces shock split with coach Ferrero​

Six-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz has split with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in a shock move.

Alcaraz, 22, has worked with his fellow Spaniard since he was a teenager, but announced on Wednesday that the pair have "decided to part ways" before the 2026 season.

Neither the world number one nor Ferrero has given a reason for the split, but BBC Sport understands Ferrero did not want to leave his role.

"Thank you for turning childhood dreams into realities," Alcaraz said in a statement.

"We started this journey when I was barely a kid, and throughout all this time you've accompanied me on an incredible journey, on and off the court.

"I've enjoyed every step of it so much with you."

Alcaraz is aiming to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam at the season-opening Australian Open next month.

He has not outlined how he plans to replace Ferrero, but Samuel Lopez - who joined the team in 2024 and has led Alcaraz when Ferrero missed tournaments for personal reasons - is expected to remain.

Alcaraz started working with former world number one Ferrero when he was 15, training with the 2003 French Open champion at his academy about an hour's drive from Alcaraz's home in Murcia.

Ferrero was persuaded by Alcaraz's agent Albert Molina, who spotted the youngster aged 11 and convinced international sports agency IMG to manage him a year later, to commit to what he saw as a long-term project.

Ferrero, 45, nurtured Alcaraz's talent and took him into the professional ranks before guiding him to all six of his Grand Slam titles.

Alcaraz claimed his first major at the 2022 US Open, won Wimbledon in 2023, added the French Open and another Wimbledon title in 2024, before again winning the French Open and US Open this year.

"I wish I could have continued," said Ferrero, who once described Alcaraz as his "fourth child".

"I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again."

Timing of split is curious - analysis
Many did not see the severance of this partnership coming - and certainly not the timing.

The announcement comes little over a month after Alcaraz celebrated finishing as the year-end men's number one with Ferrero and his team at the ATP Finals.

After losing to his great rival Jannik Sinner in the season-ending Turin final, Alcaraz gave no indication of a potential split, saying he was looking forward to analysing his strengths and weaknesses in the off season before 2026.

However, a documentary released last year did show some signs of tension in their undoubtedly strong relationship, which sometimes felt as much father-son as player-coach.

In the series, Ferrero appeared frustrated with his protege's application at certain times and questioned his decision to go to Ibiza after winning the French Open in 2024 - against the advice of Ferrero and his agent Molina.

But, after Alcaraz won this year's US Open in a performance which he described as the best of his career, Ferrero praised the player's growing maturity.

Alcaraz's mind has been known to wander during matches, so it was striking how his laser-focused performances in New York helped him find another level.

Ferrero's constant presence - offering subtle instruction during matches and demanding strict discipline at all times - was key.

But it appears Alcaraz, despite having the finest season of his career, has decided he needs another direction.

The timing is curious, given sources say Ferrero wanted to continue and has not left for personal reasons.

How Alcaraz will evolve without his long-time mentor promises to be one of the most fascinating storylines of 2026.

Source: BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

'I still have dreams' - Wawrinka to retire after 2026

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka says that 2026 will be his final season as a professional, describing it as the "final chapter" of a trophy-laden career.

The former world number three was one of the few players to win major singles trophies in the 'Big Three' era of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

The Swiss beat Nadal to win the 2014 Australian Open before beating Djokovic in the 2015 French Open final and 2016 US Open showpiece.

"One last push," the 40-year-old posted on X.

"Every book needs an ending. It's time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player. 2026 will be my last year on tour."

Wawrinka, who turned pro in 2002, has won 16 tour-level trophies during his career, including a Masters 1000 title at Monte Carlo in 2014.

He also secured gold for Switzerland in doubles at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing partnering Roger Federer.

Known for his one-handed backhand, Wawrinka beat the world number one player in all three of his Grand Slam finals.

Wawrinka, who will turn 41 in March, has struggled with injuries in recent years and is currently ranked outside the top 150.

"I still want to push my limits and finish this journey on the best note possible," Wawrinka added.

"I still have dreams in this sport. I've enjoyed every part of what tennis has given me, especially the emotions I feel playing in front of you.

"I'm looking forward to seeing you one more time, all around the world."

Wawrinka's first outing of 2026 will come at the United Cup team competition in Perth from 2 January.

Stan Wawrinka: Three-time Grand Slam winner says 2026 will be final year on tour

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka says that 2026 will be his final season as a professional.

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