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Nooo Roddick :(

I watched the game, he didn't give Federer an easy ride in the last two sets. However, Federer at his very best and Roddick at his very best is just an absolute no-contest, and that, even I have to admit as a huge Roddick fan.

Roddick is definitely my favorite player - 250kph first serves, booming aces, arguments with the ref, random subtle shots, name-calling etc etc :91:
 
Nothing gives me more pleasure than Roddick being brought back to earth by Federer. Never gets old.
 
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kablooee87 said:
Nothing gives me more pleasure than Roddick being brought back to earth by Federer. Never gets old.
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Something very unlikeable about Roddick - dont know what it is.

But I think his best days are behind him

Whats with all these players dropping out due to dehydration or exhaustion! 9 so far!
 
federer looks unstopable,but when he plays roddick federers game is to much for roddick, but when he plays nadal the problem for federer is he likes dictating from the back of the court and manouvering his openent, but nadal is a beast from the back of the court and he hits winners all over, unless federer changes his approach against nadal like vollying at the net more then nadal will be too strong for him again, nadfal has not dropped a set yet
 
ATP World No. 1 Rafael Nadal withstood 95 winners to beat Spanish compatriot and No. 14 seed Fernando Verdasco 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-7(1), 6-4 in the longest match in Australian Open history on Friday. Nadal extended his perfect record to 7-0 over Verdasco and advanced to his first hard-court Grand Slam final and his eighth major final overall.
In the final Nadal will meet Roger Federer, who seeks a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title.

At five hours and 14 minutes the semi-final encounter beat the previous record – set in 1991, when eventual champion Boris Becker beat Omar Camporese in the third round – by three minutes. It also equalled Nadal's longest-ever match against Argentine Guillermo Coria in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome final in May 2005.
© AFP
 
Federer and Nadal have played a total of 18 times, with Nadal leading the series 12-6. Federer has a 3-2 advantage on hard courts and the Australian Open final will be their seventh Grand Slam championship title-match meeting (Nadal leads 4-2). The pair equals the record of 'Big' Bill Tilden and 'Little' Bill Johnston, who contested seven straight US Championships between 1919-1925.
© AFP
 
It is absolutely ridiculous the amount of winners Verdasco hit. Superstar in the making.
 
Oxy said:
Something very unlikeable about Roddick - dont know what it is.
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He's American! Isnt that good enough?

But seriously, you should listen to some of the American commentators. They make the Australian cricket commentators look unbelievably good. The way they gloat about Roddick and Blake makes you feel as if they were world beaters or something.
 
Poison said:
It is absolutely ridiculous the amount of winners Verdasco hit. Superstar in the making.
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He's 25 now, isnt he? He's just had one good grand slam. I doubt if he can sustain this level of performance for longer periods. If he could, he would have broken into the Top 10 by now.
 
invincible said:
He's 25 now, isnt he? He's just had one good grand slam. I doubt if he can sustain this level of performance for longer periods. If he could, he would have broken into the Top 10 by now.
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Apparently he's been training with Agassi since last year, so he's def. improved from last year. He's still got it in him:)
 
Why the Roddick hate?

He's a talented player and a former world number one. Underrating him isn't wise, he's still got it in him to be one of the very best in the world.

He's nothing on Federer, but really, who is in the modern game?
 
Easa said:
Why the Roddick hate?

He's a talented player and a former world number one. Underrating him isn't wise, he's still got it in him to be one of the very best in the world.

He's nothing on Federer, but really, who is in the modern game?
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How about the world no.1?
 
Easa said:
Why the Roddick hate?

He's a talented player and a former world number one. Underrating him isn't wise, he's still got it in him to be one of the very best in the world.

He's nothing on Federer, but really, who is in the modern game?
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Easy on the Federer praise :) He's been nothing like his younger self the last couple of years. On Clay - Nadal RULES. On Grass - Nadal won the Wimbledon against him and pushed him to the last lap in last year's Wimbledon. He is probably the best on Hard Court. But even on that - he lost to Djokovic last year (AO semifinal) and Murray a fair few times this year. He won the U.S. Open last year and is obviously in the AO Final, so credit to him for that but he is far from being the invincible Fedex of the past years.

And about Roddick - how's he talented? Its his serve that keeps him afloat many number of times. He simply refuses to improve his back-hand and transition game. He would have lost to Djokovic if he was fully fit and I wouldn't have had to type this :P
 
invincible said:
Easy on the Federer praise :) He's been nothing like his younger self the last couple of years. On Clay - Nadal RULES. On Grass - Nadal won the Wimbledon against him and pushed him to the last lap in last year's Wimbledon. He is probably the best on Hard Court. But even on that - he lost to Djokovic last year (AO semifinal) and Murray a fair few times this year. He won the U.S. Open last year and is obviously in the AO Final, so credit to him for that but he is far from being the invincible Fedex of the past years.
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Have you not been watching the Aussie Open? He looks absolutely sublime, on par, or better than he was in previous years. He's not on a downward spiral, he's climbing again :|
 
Poison said:
Have you not been watching the Aussie Open? He looks absolutely sublime, on par, or better than he was in previous years. He's not on a downward spiral, he's climbing again :|
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As I said, credit to him for reaching the finals. But - its all about the match-ups really.

When he came up against Berdych who had a definite plan, he almost lost in straight sets and had to battle to a 5 set win. But when he came up against a youngster new in the circuit like Del Potro, he capitalised on his inexperience. But against Roddick - as you said - Federer was indeed at his sublime best. Its like Sehwag and Pakistan really :D All Federer needs to do to get back to his best form is play Roddick :P
 
Just like Younis Khan and Salman Butt as well maaaate ;-)
 
What an awesome match. The sheer quality of tennis on display was amazing.

Federer basically broke down during the presentation ceremony. You can tell he really wanted this.

In isolation, I'd still take Federer over Nadal at Winmbledon and the US, but I wonder if the psychological edge for Nadal is too much now.
 
saj786 said:
federer looks unstopable,but when he plays roddick federers game is to much for roddick, but when he plays nadal the problem for federer is he likes dictating from the back of the court and manouvering his openent, but nadal is a beast from the back of the court and he hits winners all over, unless federer changes his approach against nadal like vollying at the net more then nadal will be too strong for him again, nadfal has not dropped a set yet
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like i said in my above post unless federer changes his approach against nadal in the future he wont win, the only reason it went to the fifth set is nadal must have been tired from the semi, federers game is taylor made for nadal, but i do think murry's got approach to beat nadal because he likes to come to the net and not wait for nadal who dominates from the back of courts, i say french open to nadal, wimbledon, murry, u.s open to federrer
 
Tennis needs some variety now - too many baseliners. I'm pretty sure had Nadal played in an era including the likes of McEnroe, Boris, Edberg, Sampras and co, he wouldn't have got anywhere near the final of any other slam apart from the French Open.

As for Murray and Djokovic, they wouldn't have had careers let alone be one of the main contenders
 
The more you guys dish Roddick the more time Federer will take to get to 14. One can't have both the cake and the pastries!! So please don't stop!!

+++

Nadal break Fed's psych. So that he retires at 13. :) He is no Tiger Woods.
 
Another classic after Wimbledon final .Great match .And i agree with BD - Fan,Fedr's mental strength got exposed by Nadal .


He just gave the last set away .And the way he cried .The guy simply can't take the defeat .
 
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LONDON — Alexander Zverev denied Roger Federer a shot at a 100th career title with a 7-5, 7-6 (5) victory on Saturday to advance to the championship match at the ATP Finals.

Zverev, 21, is the youngest player to reach the final of the season-ending event since 2009 and the first from Germany since 1996.


Federer, 37, was seeking a record-extending seventh title, but was unable to cope with the pressure created by Zverev's power and precision at the O2 Arena.

An inspired series of shots earned Zverev the first break points of the match in the 12th game and Federer sent a forehand wide to fall behind.

Federer broke for a 2-1 lead in the second set, but Zverev quickly composed himself to hit straight back in the following game.

Zverev then played a nerveless tiebreaker to set up a title decider with either Novak Djokovic or Kevin Anderson, who will play in the other semifinal later Saturday.

https://www.tsn.ca/zverev-eliminates-federer-at-atp-finals-1.1211414
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The future is now.<br><br>Your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NittoATPFinals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NittoATPFinals</a> champion &#55356;&#57286;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ATP</a> <a href="https://t.co/RxZ2HMWKnx">pic.twitter.com/RxZ2HMWKnx</a></p>— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATPWorldTour/status/1064244525898571776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Australia's Nick Kyrgios forfeited his second-round match at the Italian Open after walking off court against Norway's Casper Ruud.

The 24-year-old was in the deciding set when he was given a game penalty, reportedly for swearing, to trail 2-1.

He then kicked a bottle, threw down his racquet, hurled a chair on the court, picked up his bag and walked off.

Kyrgios has a history of fines for poor behaviour on court and in March clashed with a fan at the Miami Open.

Earlier this week he served underarm during victory over Daniil Medvedev, while his actions on Thursday came as it emerged he told a podcast interview that he "could not stand" Novak Djokovic - who he described as "cringeworthy" - and called Rafael Nadal "super salty".

In the 50-minute interview, Kyrgios, who last year said he was talking to psychologists to address mental health issues, was asked about his opinion on a number of tennis stars.

After branding Roger Federer the "greatest of all time", he went in on Nadal, calling the Spaniard his "polar opposite".

But he had nicer things to say about Britain's Andy Murray, currently out of the game following hip surgery.

"It sucks not seeing him around here, in the locker room he was the best," he said.

Read more: Kyrgios criticises rivals in podcast
Kyrgios' past controversies
In 2015, having already been fined for an "insulting remark" to opponent Stan Wawrinka, Kyrgios was given a suspended 28-day ban and £16,200 fine for making lewd remarks about the Swiss player's girlfriend.

The following year he was banned for eight tournament weeks and fined £20,560 for his behaviour - including "lack of best efforts" at the Shanghai Masters. During the match in question against Mischa Zverev, Kyrgios also argued with a fan and received a code violation for swearing, after which he was fined for breaching the ATP code of conduct.

In the same tournament the next year, having earlier received a warning for smashing two balls out of court in frustration, he stormed off midway through his first-round match against Steve Johnson. He was later fined for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Shanghai Masters was again the venue last year when he was involved in a prolonged argument with French umpire Damien Dumusois during his first-round exit.

Analysis
BBC Tennis correspondent Russell Fuller:

In October 2016, having shown minimal effort in a match with Mischa Zverev in Shanghai, Kyrgios was suspended from ATP tournaments for eight weeks.

A year earlier, in Montreal, Kyrgios had been given a suspended 28-day ban for making a lewd suggestion about Stan Wawrinka's girlfriend.

This time, the Australian can expect at least a heavy fine.

He will be one of the most talked-about people at Roland Garros when the French Open gets under way in 10 days' time. But not because he is thought to have a chance of winning.

Kyrgios is an entertainer, both with a racquet in his hand and when airing his unfiltered views on a podcast, but regularly laments his lack of conditioning.

He is happy to admit he plays too much basketball.

And he knows a coach would probably be a very good idea, but prefers the freedom of only having to answer to himself.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48300357
 
Coronavirus spread: Indian Wells cancelled because of concerns

The Indian Wells tournament has been cancelled because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus.

The tournament, a combined ATP and WTA event which is one of the biggest and most prestigious outside of the Grand Slams, was due to start this week.

Health officials in California said there was "too great a risk" to hold a "large gathering of this size".

"We are prepared to hold it on another date and will explore options," said tournament director Tommy Haas.

Many of the world's leading players, including men's world number two Rafael Nadal, have already arrived in California for the event.

Qualifying was set to start on Monday with the main draw matches beginning on Wednesday.

The tournament draws more than 400,000 fans each year to Indian Wells, which is 130 miles east of Los Angeles.

The decision to call off the tournament was made after one case of coronavirus was confirmed in the local Coachella Valley area. A public health emergency has been declared by medics.

"It is not in the public interest of fans, players and neighbouring areas for this tournament to proceed," said Dr David Agus, professor of medicine and biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California.

"We all have to join together to protect the community from the coronavirus outbreak."

Coronavirus - a fast-moving infection originating in China - has spread to more than 100 countries and claimed more than 3,800 lives.

"We are very disappointed that the tournament will not take place, but the health and safety of the local community, fans, players, volunteers, sponsors, employees, vendors, and everyone involved with the event is of paramount importance," added Haas, the former world number two.

WTA chief executive Steve Simon told the New York Times there had been discussions to hold the event behind closed doors but that option was rejected by tournament officials.

British doubles player Jamie Murray questioned whether the decision would force other major tournaments to be postponed.

"Doesn't bode well for the tour if Indian Wells cancelled for one confirmed case in Coachella Valley," said the 34-year-old Scot.

British number two Heather Watson set up a vote on her Twitter account asking whether the decision was an "overreaction" or a "good decision".

Belgian player Kirsten Flipkens criticised the WTA for not holding an emergency meeting of the players, with Romanian Sorana Cirstea adding she was only told about the news on Twitter.

Former world number three Pam Shriver, now a leading television analyst, believes it is a "brave, tough but correct decision".

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/51798276
 
The ATP Tour has postponed all play for six weeks "due to escalating health and safety issues" arising from the coronavirus outbreak.

All tournaments on the men's ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour are cancelled until 27 April.

The Miami Open was cancelled earlier on Thursday, following the postponement of Indian Wells and the Fed Cup Finals.

"This is not a decision that was taken lightly," said ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

"It represents a great loss for our tournaments, players, and fans worldwide. However, we believe this is the responsible action needed at this time in order to protect the health and safety of our players, staff, the wider tennis community and general public health in the face of this global pandemic.

"The worldwide nature of our sport and the international travel required presents significant risks and challenges in today's circumstances, as do the increasingly restrictive directives issued by local authorities. We continue to monitor this on a daily basis and we look forward to the Tour resuming when the situation improves."

The WTA is yet to make its intentions clear, but it is expected there will be no tennis on the women's tour either before the latter part of April.

The ATP says the impact of the suspension on the world rankings will be carefully considered.

The suspension of all ATP events takes place with immediate effect, which means the two Challenger tournaments taking place in Kazakhstan and South Africa will not be completed.

In Potchefstroom, the British 18-year-old Jack Draper was a game away from victory in his second-round match. They had stopped for rain, but will never resume.

Following meetings of the ATP and WTA player councils in Indian Wells, it became clear that a significant number of professionals did not feel happy about playing on through the crisis.

The ITF had already postponed April's inaugural 12-team Fed Cup Finals in Budapest in the light of Hungary's decision to limit indoor public gatherings to 100 people.

As well as the loss of Indian Wells and Miami, the start of the European clay-court season will be severely affected.

The ATP events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona are among the tournaments that have been cancelled.

There will be huge consequences for some of the tournament owners, who may not be insured against such a scenario, as well as for local economies.

A loss of earnings will also be a major worry for lower-ranked players, not to mention the travelling band of coaches and support staff, and the freelance hospitality, security and media community.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/51841130
 
Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem to play in Adria Tour in Balkan region

World No 1 Novak Djokovic will headline an eight-player tournament to be held in the Balkan region next month.

The ATP Tour will not resume until August at the earliest due to the coronavirus pandemic which forced all professional tennis tours to be suspended in early March.

World No 3 Dominic Thiem and Grigor Dimitrov, ranked 19, will join the 17-time Grand Slam champion in the Adria Tour which will run from June 13-July 5.

Players, including Djokovic, have returned to the practice courts while maintaining strict hygiene and social distancing regulations, and some exhibition events without fans have also been held in countries like Germany and the United States.

"I'm proud to officially share the news that the #AdriaTour will be held across the #Balkans 13 June - 5 July kicking off with a tournament in Belgrade," Djokovic, who turned 33 on Friday, said.

"Very grateful we could make this happen to play and support humanitarian projects across the region."

The series of matches will end with Djokovic's exhibition match against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Zadar, in Croatia, Montenegro and Banja Luka in Bosnia will be the other venues for the event, which will raise money for various regional humanitarian projects.

Meanwhile, Sofia Kenin and Bianca Andreescu will be among 16 women's players to compete in Charleston next month in the largest event held since the season was derailed by the coronavirus crisis.

American Kenin, who won this year's Australian Open, and Canada's Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, will take part in the Credit One Bank Invitational, which will begin on June 23.

The 16-player event, which will be held without fans and feature 16 singles matches and eight doubles contests, will be divided into two teams with American pair Madison Keys and Bethanie Mattek-Sands serving as captains.

Other players set to participate include former world number one Victoria Azarenka, 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens and 2016 Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig.

Charleston hosts the WTA's Volvo Car Open annually in early April, but organisers were forced to cancel this year's event due to the pandemic.

https://www.skysports.com/tennis/ne...-thiem-to-play-in-adria-tour-in-balkan-region
 
The Viper said:
Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem to play in Adria Tour in Balkan region

World No 1 Novak Djokovic will headline an eight-player tournament to be held in the Balkan region next month.

The ATP Tour will not resume until August at the earliest due to the coronavirus pandemic which forced all professional tennis tours to be suspended in early March.

World No 3 Dominic Thiem and Grigor Dimitrov, ranked 19, will join the 17-time Grand Slam champion in the Adria Tour which will run from June 13-July 5.

Players, including Djokovic, have returned to the practice courts while maintaining strict hygiene and social distancing regulations, and some exhibition events without fans have also been held in countries like Germany and the United States.

"I'm proud to officially share the news that the #AdriaTour will be held across the #Balkans 13 June - 5 July kicking off with a tournament in Belgrade," Djokovic, who turned 33 on Friday, said.

"Very grateful we could make this happen to play and support humanitarian projects across the region."

The series of matches will end with Djokovic's exhibition match against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Zadar, in Croatia, Montenegro and Banja Luka in Bosnia will be the other venues for the event, which will raise money for various regional humanitarian projects.

Meanwhile, Sofia Kenin and Bianca Andreescu will be among 16 women's players to compete in Charleston next month in the largest event held since the season was derailed by the coronavirus crisis.

American Kenin, who won this year's Australian Open, and Canada's Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, will take part in the Credit One Bank Invitational, which will begin on June 23.

The 16-player event, which will be held without fans and feature 16 singles matches and eight doubles contests, will be divided into two teams with American pair Madison Keys and Bethanie Mattek-Sands serving as captains.

Other players set to participate include former world number one Victoria Azarenka, 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens and 2016 Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig.

Charleston hosts the WTA's Volvo Car Open annually in early April, but organisers were forced to cancel this year's event due to the pandemic.

https://www.skysports.com/tennis/ne...-thiem-to-play-in-adria-tour-in-balkan-region
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Djokovic showing solidarity in Balkans or trying to establish the Serbian empire ..
 
Adria Tour: Novak Djokovic adds Marin Cilic and Borna Coric to event

Novak Djokovic has announced Croatia's Marin Cilic and Borna Coric as the latest players to join an eight-man tournament to tour the Balkans.

Austria's Dominic Thiem, Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov and Germany's Alexander Zverev - all current or former top-three players - will also take part.

The first leg will take place in Djokovic's hometown of Belgrade on 13 and 14 June.

"I'll do everything in my power to be a good host," said the world number one.

The tournament could be behind closed doors with Serbia's coronavirus containment measures still banning large-scale gatherings.

After the Belgrade event, the tournament will move to the Croatian coastal resort of Zadar with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro pencilled in to host the final two legs.

Each event will feature two pools of four players with the winner of each progressing to a final.

Djokovic has only just returned to Serbia, having spent two months in Spain after visiting his brother Marko in Marbella when lockdown measures came into effect.

"Unlike many other players, I was able to train almost every day because we resided in a house with a tennis court," said Djokovic, who began the 2020 season with a run of 18 straight victories that included capturing a record eighth Australian Open title.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/52811019
 
British Tour heralds return of elite-level tennis in UK

A series of professional tennis events will take place in Britain from early July as the sport continues to emerge from the shutdown caused by the pandemic.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) said four British Tour events would be held between July 3-26, subject to confirmation of government requirements.

"Since the coronavirus crisis, we have been working incredibly hard to support all our players, venues, coaches and officials through this very challenging time," LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd said in a statement.

"I'm delighted to announce today the next stage of elite tennis's return to competing safely behind closed doors as part of a five-phase plan coordinated by UK Sport with Government."
 
Andy Murray will be hoping to compete in his first match since November when competitive tennis returns to Great Britain at the end of next month with a national tournament organised by his brother, Jamie.

Murray has not competed since his appearance in the Davis Cup Finals was followed by complications with his hip. He had returned to the practice courts shortly before the tour was suspended because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Details of the event in June, including venue and dates, are still to be confirmed.

The Scot will have numerous options as he eases back into competition, because the LTA is also planning to host a series of British Tour events beginning a week later. More events are planned around the country but the LTA has chosen the outdoor hard courts of its National Tennis Centre in Roehampton for the sport’s return.

The first of the three-day events will begin on 3 July, behind closed doors, with further tournaments running each week throughout the month. Both the men’s and women’s singles will host draws of 16 players, while eight pairings will convene for the doubles events. One feature that risks putting off top players is the best of three sets format of four rounds over three days, requiring players to compete twice in one day.

Should the top male and female British players choose to participate, it will not be for the prize money. The British Tour is a well-established circuit that usually exists to provide competition for lower-ranked Britons. These special circumstances mean its prize money will be increased by 50%, the event split into Premier and Tier 1 categories, and first-round losers awarded prize money for the first time. Entrants in the Premier event will compete for a total purse of £16,000 with £2,250 going to the champion.

The LTA’s initiative is one of numerous events cropping up around the world to fill space left by the suspension of tour events. Other national competitions featuring Dominic Thiem (in Austria) and Petra Kvitova (in Czech Republic) are already under way. Novak Djokovic is also hosting a series of competitions across the Balkans from 13 June that will include Thiem and Alexander Zverev. In Charleston, USA, a women’s team event featuring Bianca Andreescu and Sofia Kenin begins on 23 June.

Earlier confusion about the possibility of top-level competition with travel restrictions and lockdowns has given way to considerable hope as the final grand slams of the year work towards staging their events in some form. The US Open’s final decision on its status is slated for mid-June but last week the US issued an exemption from travel restrictions for athletes and their support staff.

The date of the rescheduled French Open, to be held in late September or early October, is still being finalised but organisers are now preparing for competition and the tournament has installed lights on eight courts, including a new retractable roof on Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros.

As optimism grows, organisers are looking beyond playing behind closed doors. “It’s not even a hypothesis we’re considering any more,” Hughes Cavallin, the general treasurer of the French tennis federation, told the Tennis Majors website. “What we do envisage is letting in 25,000 people instead of 40,000. We still want to put on a good tournament.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...eturn-coronavirus-jamie-murray-novak-djokovic
 
Djokovic wins New York title to equal Nadal record

World number one Novak Djokovic remained unbeaten in 2020 with a 1-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Milos Raonic to win the Western and Southern Open.

The Serb, 33, equalled Rafael Nadal's record of 35 Masters 1000 Series titles with the comeback win in New York.

Canadian Raonic, the world number 30, took the first set in 31 minutes.

But Djokovic levelled before coming from 2-0 down to the 29-year-old in the deciding set to clinch his 80th ATP title in exactly two hours.

Since the creation of the Masters 1000 in 2009, Djokovic is the only player to claim all nine events - known as the Career Golden Masters - and this victory means he has achieved the feat twice.

Raonic, a former world number three, won the last of his eight ATP titles in 2016 and was seeking to become the first unseeded winner of the event.

He had never beaten Djokovic in 10 previous meetings but produced some superb strokeplay to dominate the opening set.

Djokovic played the longest match of the tournament when he took more than three hours to beat Roberto Bautista Agut in Friday's semi-final and illustrated his stamina and resolve again to extend his record in 2020 to 23-0.

The event is usually held in Ohio but has been switched to New York to reduce unnecessary player travel before the US Open in the same city starting on Monday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/53962062
 
Fans will be allowed at the French Open this month, despite the growing number of coronavirus cases in France.

The tennis tournament will allow 11,500 spectators per day, split into three different zones, with strict social distancing measures in place.
 
French Open: Andy Murray given wildcard for Roland Garros

Britain's former world number one Andy Murray has been given a wildcard to the main draw of this month's French Open.

The 33-year-old Scot, currently ranked 110, required hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 to save his career and reached the US Open second round this month.

Murray, winner of three Grand Slams and French finalist in 2016, has not appeared at the event since losing to Stan Wawrinka in the 2017 semi-finals.

This year's first round begins at Roland Garros on 27 September.

All the other wildcards in the men's competition are French, while in the women's singles, there are places for Canada's Eugenie Bouchard, a French Open semi-finalist and Wimbledon finalist in 2014, and 2020 US Open quarter-finalist Tsvetana Pironkova.

Murray qualified for the semi-finals at Roland Garros for four consecutive years from 2014-2017 but will enter the tournament without any competitive action on clay after he decided against playing at the Italian Open this week.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54156218.
 
Novak Djokovic says he must "move on" from his disqualification at the US Open but that he also may never forget the incident.

The world number one was disqualified in the fourth round last week for hitting a line judge with a ball.

Djokovic, 33, had already apologised for the incident which saw him take a ball from his pocket and hit it behind him, striking the judge in her throat.

"I felt really sorry to cause the shock and drama to her," said Djokovic.

Speaking at a media conference in Rome, the 17-time Grand Slam winner added: "It was totally unexpected and very unintended but, when you hit the ball like that, you have a chance to hit somebody that is on the court.

"I accepted it and I had to move on. Of course I didn't forget about it, I don't think I'll ever forget about it.

"Of course it was a shock to finish the US Open the way things finished for me."

Line judge Laura Clark collapsed to the ground and could be heard gasping for breath after being struck by the ball hit by Djokovic, who had just had his serve broken by Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta.

He pleaded his case with tournament referee Soeren Friemel and Grand Slam supervisor Andreas Egli during a long conversation at the net but later said the incident had left him feeling "sad and empty".

The Serb is now preparing to play in the Italian Open - his first tournament since his misdemeanour - in order to ready himself for the French Open which begins on 27 September.

"I don't think I'll have any major issues coming back to the Tour and being able to perform well," he added.

"It's great I think that I have a tournament a week or 10 days after it happened because I feel the earlier I get back in competition mode the faster I'll overcome the memory and re-programme it. I'm hoping for the best."
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54145030.
 
Novak Djokovic wins first match after US Open disqualification

Novak Djokovic returned to action after his US Open disqualification with a convincing second-round win over Salvatore Caruso at the Italian Open.

Djokovic, 33, beat wildcard Caruso 6-3 6-2 in Rome to begin his French Open preparations on a positive note.

The world number one was disqualified in New York after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball during a match against Pablo Carreno Busta.

Action in the main draw at Roland Garros begins on 27 September.

Number two seed Rafael Nadal, whose last competitive match was more than six months ago, also cruised into the last 16 as he beat US Open semi-finalist Carreno Busta 6-1 6-1 after being given a first-round bye.

Nadal skipped the US Open over safety and scheduling concerns, but showed little signs of rust in Rome.

"It's good to be back on the tour but obviously the feeling is not the best playing without crowds," he said. "At least there's one positive thing, the sport is back."

The 34-year-old added: "I played a good match. Maybe he was a little bit tired from New York [where] he played an amazing tournament."

Before the Italian Open, Djokovic said he must "move on" from the controversy at Flushing Meadows - but added that he may never forget the incident.

The Serb also vowed to be "the best version" of himself on and off the court and he kept his emotions in check to defeat Italian Caruso in one hour 24 minutes.

Four-time Italian Open champion Djokovic, who received an opening-round bye, broke Caruso's serve in the eighth game before serving out the opening set.

Caruso, who overcame American Tennys Sandgren in the opening round for his first ATP Masters 1000 match win, dropped his serve in the second set's third game, which lasted nearly 12 minutes.

Top seed Djokovic proved too strong for the home hopeful and broke his opponent for a third time in the match before celebrating victory by blowing kisses to the empty stands at the Foro Italico.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54178572.
 
French Open 2020: US Open champion Naomi Osaka pulls out with injury

US Open champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the French Open, which is scheduled to start on 27 September.

Last weekend, the Japanese player won her second US Open, and third grand slam title, with a 1-6 6-3 6-3 victory over Victoria Azarenka in New York.

She said in a statement: "I won't be able to play at the French Open.

"My hamstring is still sore so I won't have enough time to prepare for the clay. These two tournaments came too close to each other for me."

The 22-year-old had her left hamstring wrapped in tape when she beat Azarenka in the final at Flushing Meadow.

The world number three, who won the Australian Open in 2019, has never gone beyond round three at Roland Garros.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54200496.
 
French Open 2020: Number of fans in Paris cut because of rising coronavirus cases

The number of fans allowed to attend each day of the French Open has been cut to 5,000 because of surging coronavirus figures in the country.

Last week, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) said it planned to allow 11,500.

"The evolving hygiene situation in the Paris area has prompted the Paris police department to limit the number of spectators who may enter Roland Garros," said the FFT on Thursday.

The Grand Slam is set to start on 27 September at Roland Garros in Paris.

France recorded 10,593 cases on Thursday - the highest daily number since the pandemic began.

"The FFT will therefore assume the responsibility of organising the tournament with a new layout," said the organisers.

"It is important for the sporting, social and economic life of the country that a major event like Roland Garros can be put on while respecting health imperatives."

The French Open usually begins at the end of May and finishes a fortnight later in early June but was rescheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week the FFT announced that a maximum of 5,000 fans would be allowed in 'zones' around Court Philippe Chatrier and Court Suzanne Lenglen - the two main show-courts - and a further 1,500 in another containing the smaller Court Simonne-Mathieu.

But French newspaper L'Equipe reported on Thursday the changing restrictions meant only Chatrier would now house fans.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54198912.
 
Italian Open: Johanna Konta beats Irina-Camelia Begu in Rome

British number one Johanna Konta made an impressive return to the clay as she eased past Romania qualifier Irina-Camelia Begu at the Italian Open.

Konta, 29, played confidently and precisely to win 6-0 6-4 against 77th-ranked Begu in the second-round match.

The seventh seed, who was given a first-round bye, won the opener in 29 minutes and maintained a good level.

It was Konta's first match on clay since losing in last year's French Open semi-finals to Marketa Vondrousova.

The world number 13 is hoping to replicate that achievement - and go even further in the Grand Slam tournament - when Roland Garros starts in Paris at the end of this month.

The event, which usually starts in May but has been pushed back by the coronavirus pandemic, begins on 27 September.

Konta is back on the European clay after losing in the US Open second round earlier this month.

Against Begu, Konta started strongly by hitting 10 winners and three unforced errors in a one-sided set where the Romanian only managed to win 12 points.

The Briton's all-round level remained high as she moved 4-1 ahead in the second set and, after Begu earned a break back, Konta kept her discipline to serve out victory.

Konta will now play Spain's Garbine Muguruza, who won the French Open title in 2016, in the third round.

Ninth seed Muguruza, 26, won 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-3 against American teenager Coco Gauff in her second-round match on Thursday.

US Open runner-up Victoria Azarenka continued her fantastic form as she embarrassed Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in a brilliant 6-0 6-0 win - just five days after she lost to Naomi Osaka in New York.

Belarusian Azarenka, 31, needed little over an hour to beat 21-year-old Kenin, whose miserable evening ended with a double fault on match point.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54195642.
 
Rome Masters: Johanna Konta knocked out in third round by Garbine Muguruza

British number one Johanna Konta was knocked out of the Italian Open after a third-round defeat by Garbine Muguruza.

Konta was beaten 6-4 6-1 by the world number 17, who claimed a third win in five matches between the pair.

The Briton reached the final in Rome last year but was beaten in one hour 22 minutes on the clay by Muguruza, who will next play Victoria Azarenka.

World number 13 Konta, 29, has also announced she has split from coach Thomas Hogstedt.

"They were only working on a trial basis and they agreed to work together for the US swing and then assess going forward," said a spokesperson for Konta.

Konta will now prepare for the French Open, which begins on 27 September.

Former French Open champion Simona Halep, meanwhile, recovered from 3-0 down in the first set to beat Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska 7-5 6-4 in Rome.

Romania's Halep next faces an Italian Open quarter-final against Yulia Putintseva, who beat her fellow Kazakh Elena Rybakina 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.

Defending champion Karolina Pliskova eased to a 6-4 6-3 victory over Anna Blinkova, while two-time Rome winner Elina Svitolina also progressed after a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 win over Svetlana Kuznetsova.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54211261.
 
Italian Open: Novak Djokovic beats Filip Krajinovic and Rafa Nadal wins

Novak Djokovic battled to a straight-sets win over Filip Krajinovic to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open for the 14th year in a row.

Djokovic saved five break points on his way to a 7-6 6-3 win over his fellow Serb in a match lasting over two hours.

Djokovic trailed 4-1 in the first-set tie break and needed five set points, before improving in the second set.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal cruised past Dusan Lajovic 6-1 6-3 to secure his quarter-final spot.

Djokovic, 33, is playing in his first tournament since being disqualified for accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball at the US Open.

The world number one will play Dominik Koepfer of Germany, who beat Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-0, in the last eight.

Djokovic lost the 2019 final to Nadal, who remains on course for a 10th Italian Open title.

The Spaniard said: "I played at I think a very positive level of tennis. Of course it needs to keep improving. I need to keep working on a couple of things that are not coming automatically, but I can't ask for more.

"I can't complain at all. Much better than what I expected."

Nadal will face Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the last eight and has won all nine of their previous meetings.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54209222.
 
Rafael Nadal beaten in Italian Open but Novak Djokovic wins

Rafael Nadal was beaten in straight sets in the quarter-final of the Italian Open but Novak Djokovic is through to the semi-finals.

The nine-time champion lost to Argentina's Diego Schwartzman for the first time in his career, going down 6-2 7-5 as he struggled with his serve.

Djokovic also dropped a set and needed more than two hours to defeat 97th-ranked German Dominik Koepfer 6-3 4-6 6-3.

The Serb's temper was on display again.

He smashed a racquet after losing a service game, two weeks after being defaulted from the US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball.

"It's not the first nor the last racquet I'll break in my career," he said.

"That's how I guess I release sometimes my anger. I am working on my mental and emotional health as much as I'm working on my physical health."

Djokovic will play Norway's Casper Ruud who earlier battled past Italian fourth seed Matteo Berrettini 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5).

Meanwhile Schwartzman, who had never beaten a top five player, broke Nadal's serve five times in an impressive performance and will play Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 3-6 6-2 for his 100th tour-level win.

In the women's draw, top seed Simona Halep will play Spaniard Garbine Muguruza in the semi-final, a battle of former French Open champions before Roland Garros begins on Monday.

Halep went through after Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva retired injured while trailing 6-2 2-0, while Muguruza beat US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Double Rome champion and fourth seed Elina Svitolina, who decided not to play the US Open to prepare for the clay court season, was hammered 6-3 6-0 by Czech Marketa Vondrousova.

Vondrousova will play compatriot Karolina Pliskova or Belgium's Elise Mertens in the other semi-final.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54221903.
 
World number one Novak Djokovic won a record 36th Masters title by beating Diego Schwartzman in the Italian Open.

The Serb, playing in his first tournament since being disqualified from this month's US Open, won 7-5 6-3 in the final to ensure he goes into next week's French Open on a high.

Djokovic, 33, drew level with Rafael Nadal last month on the all-time list of Masters winners with his Western & Southern Open title but is now clear.

"I'm super pleased," Djokovic said.

"It was a great week, a very challenging week. I don't think I played my best tennis this week but I think I found my best tennis in the decisive moments.

"I'm proud I managed to needed to find that fifth gear when I needed to."

Watched by a crowd of around 1,000 socially distanced fans, Djokovic got off to a poor start against Argentine eighth seed Schwartzman, finding himself two breaks down at 3-0 as the rain fell in Rome.

But as the weather improved so did the Serb's game as he quickly strung together a double break of his own before going on to carve out a set point at 5-4 on Schwartzman's serve, which the Argentine world number 15 saved with a forehand winner.

Djokovic was denied on two more set points two games later before finally taking the opener after 71 minutes.

He again fell behind at the start of the second set but immediately broke back against Schwartzman, who beat favourite Nadal in the quarter-finals.

Two unforced errors from Schwartzman and a winner from Djokovic set up three break points in the eighth game, the first of which the Serb converted with a blistering forehand winner.

Djokovic then set up three match points after a series of winners that had Schwartzman scampering around the court, sealing a fifth Italian Open title on the third when the Argentine went wide.

It is Djokovic's 81st career title and his fourth of the year and sends him to Roland Garros with a spring in his step after his humiliating exit from the US Open where he was defaulted for accidentally hitting a ball at a line judge.

The French Open starts on Sunday, with Nadal seeking a record-extending 13th men's singles title in Paris.
 
French Open: Andy Murray loses to Stan Wawrinka, Dan Evans beaten by Kei Nishikori

Andy Murray's return to the clay proved to be a chastening experience as he lost in straight sets to Stan Wawrinka in the French Open first round.

The 33-year-old Scot was well below the level of 2015 champion Wawrinka, who eased to a 6-1 6-3 6-2 victory.

Murray's exit came after British number one Dan Evans lost to Japan's Kei Nishikori in a fluctuating five-setter.

Evans has lost on all three appearances in the main draw at Roland Garros after a 1-6 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 1-6 6-4 defeat.

British number three Cameron Norrie and qualifier Liam Broady are left to carry the flag in the men's singles.

Murray out of sorts on clay return
Excitement and a sense of disbelief greeted the draw which pitted Murray against fellow three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka - who the Scot faced in his last match on clay over three years ago.

For Murray, it was a remarkable twist of fate which even left him "amused". He had not played on the surface since a brutal five-set semi-final against Wawrinka at Roland Garros in June 2017.

That proved to be the start of the hip trouble which left him needing two major surgeries and on the verge of retirement last year.

Wawrinka, 35, has also seen his career stalled by a knee injury in recent years and that led to plenty of intrigue about how a poignant reunion between the two veterans at Roland Garros would pan out.

Ultimately, it did not end up being much of a contest as 16th seed Wawrinka ruthlessly dismissed an out-of-sorts Murray.

The Briton had beaten Wawrinka when they met in the European Open final in Antwerp in October, but a repeat result never looked likely.

The Swiss has climbed back up the rankings after finding form and fitness, showing why in a one-sided first set.

Murray's first-serve percentage was down at a lowly 21% and that was punished by Wawrinka, whose heavy ball-striking was too much for Murray to handle.

Even though Murray's service game slightly improved, he continued to look flat and unable to rouse the spirit which has seen him turn matches around so often in the past.

Wawrinka maintained his level as he continued to punch holes in Murray's defence, ending up with 42 winners as he cruised to victory in one hour and 37 minutes.

Evans still searching for an elusive Roland Garros win

The 30-year-old from Birmingham admitted he could not have been handed much tougher a draw than Nishikori, who is ranked one place below the Briton after injury problems at 35th in the world.

So it proved. Once the obvious disappointment subsides, Evans will be able to take heart from a gritty display where he continued to hang in and show flashes of his quality.

Evans admits clay is not his favourite surface and, with Nishikori not quite in peak condition, it transpired to be an engaging and unpredictable battle between the pair.

Evans initially looked more comfortable in the drizzle, allowing him to make the quicker start in a 29-minute opening set.

With the event taking place in autumn rather than its usual spot in May-June, the vastly different conditions have been a big talking point going into the tournament.

Both Evans and Nishikori were wrapped up in hoodies and long sleeves during the warm-up, with the Japanese player continuing to look cold in an uninspired first-set display where he won just 12 points.

However, the match swung back in Nishikori's favour in a second set which mirrored the opener and then Evans had to battle to force a tie-breaker in a third lasting almost an hour and a half.

That momentum continued in his favour as Nishikori's level dropped again in the fourth and it led to a decider that nobody would have dared predict.

Nishikori, though, has a remarkable winning record in five-set matches - standing at 23-6 coming into this one. And, after surviving an Evans fightback from 3-0 down, again showed his steeliness to come through the decisive moments.

Trailing 30-0 at 5-4, Nishikori remained focused and increased the intensity to break Evans' serve to clinch victory in three hours and 49 minutes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/54310494
 
French Open 2020: Heather Watson concerned about future of British tennis

Heather Watson expressed concerns about the future of British tennis after she became the final Briton to be knocked out in the French Open singles.

Andy Murray, Johanna Konta, Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and Liam Broady lost in the first round on Sunday and Monday.

British number two Watson's 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 defeat by France's Fiona Ferro means there are no Britons in a Grand Slam second round for the first time since the same tournament in 2013.

"I don't see who's next," Watson said.

"I feel like we've got a good little group of players right now, but little. I don't see who's going to be top 50.

"I think personally that more players need to get help rather than just helping your selected players."

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) supports a small number of players through two national academies in Stirling and Loughborough but Watson believes giving financial aid to a larger group would be better.

"I feel like the more people you help, the more competition there will be," she continued.

"It's not just the talented people that get through. If you give the hard workers an opportunity, too, you'll have more of a pool of players."

In Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu, who are 18 and 17 respectively, Britain has two outstanding prospects, but the British Tour events staged over the summer showed up a lack of depth on the women's side in particular.

Asked if she would consider getting involved with the LTA at the end of her career in a bid to help change things, Watson said: "I definitely wouldn't want to get involved because of the politics.

"There's loads of politics involved. If I'm honest, I don't think my voice would be heard anyway."

After winning in Acapulco in February, Watson has lost all her matches since the tour resumed in August and said she would have blood tests after suffering from dizziness for several weeks.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54349009.
 
Wimbledon 2021: All England Club 'planning for three scenarios'

Staging Wimbledon next year is the "number one priority" for the All England Club and holding the tournament without fans is a consideration.

The Grand Slam was cancelled this year for the first time since World War Two because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The All England Club said it is already planning three scenarios for 2021: playing with full capacity, reduced capacity or behind closed doors.

The championships will be held from 28 June to 11 July next year.

The All England Club's pandemic insurance policy shielded it from losses of up to a quarter of a billion pounds after this year's tournament was cancelled - but the cover will not be available next year.

The US Open took place behind closed doors in New York last month, with up to 1,000 fans allowed in to watch the French Open in Paris recently.

"Our overriding priority will continue to be the health and safety of all of our stakeholders, in particular our guests, our staff and our competitors," said the All England Club.

"We are working closely with the relevant government and public health authorities, alongside the rest of the sports industry, to understand the varying challenges and opportunities presented by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54565964
 
Boris Becker accused of hiding tennis trophies during bankruptcy

Boris Becker has been charged with concealing trophies and medals won during his illustrious tennis career, including two from his three Wimbledon singles victories, from bankruptcy trustees.

Appearing at Southwark crown court in London on Thursday, Becker, already facing 19 existing charges relating to a failure to comply with legal obligations to disclose information, was hit with nine additional counts that allege he hid some of the spoils of his playing career to avoid them being sold to settle debts.

One of the new accusations relates to his 1985 All England Club trophy, when he became the youngest Wimbledon men’s singles champion at the age of 17 years and seven months, catapulting him to global fame.

The 52-year-old German, who was declared bankrupt in June 2017, arrived at court wearing a black face mask bearing the logo Stronger Together, grey suit and blue and white striped tie. He spoke only to confirm his name, deny all 28 counts and to confirm that he understood he would face arrest if he did not appear for the trial, scheduled for 13 September next year.

The other prizes he is accused of concealing are the President’s Cup from 1985 and 1989, a 1988 Davis Cup gold coin and 1989 Davis Cup trophy, the 1989 Wimbledon trophy, 1991 and 1996 Australian Open trophies and a 1992 Olympic gold medal.

The indictment accuses Becker of concealing property from bankruptcy trustees by, among other means, transferring sums of money to a number of individuals, including a total of €44,372.90 (£40,000) over two separate transactions to his ex-wife Barbara Becker in 2017. The couple divorced in 2001.

He is also accused of – again in two separate transactions – transferring a total of €105,497 to his now estranged wife, Sharlely Becker, in 2017. The couple separated in 2018.

Becker was charged last year with hiding assets including a Chelsea flat and £1.2m in cash from bankruptcy trustees, in a prosecution that could lead to seven years in jail.

At a hearing at Westminster magistrates court in September last year, the court heard he owned a flat in Coleherne Court in Chelsea, west London, as well as two properties in Germany, which went undeclared between June and October 2017. He also concealed debt worth £754,190 and a bank account holding £1.2m, plus 75,000 shares in the artificial intelligence company Breaking Data Corp, the court was told.

The 19 pre-existing counts consist of seven charges of concealing property, four counts of omitting statements relating to bank accounts with JP Morgan Belgium and Julius Baer Guernsey, two counts of removing property required by the receiver, five counts of failing to disclose details of his estate and one count of concealing debt.

Becker was the first German champion of the Wimbledon men’s singles and the first unseeded winner.

The former world No 1 and six-time grand slam champion collected 49 singles titles out of 77 finals during his 16 years as a professional.

He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003 and appears regularly as an expert summariser and commentator on the BBC. He also coached the current world men’s No 1, Novak Djokovic, from 2013 to 2016 – a period that yielded six grand slam titles.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...d-hiding-tennis-trophies-bankruptcy-wimbledon
 
Alexander Zverev wins back-to-back ATP indoor titles in Cologne

German Alexander Zverev captured his second ATP indoor title in a week with a 6-2 6-1 victory against Argentina's Diego Schwartzman in Cologne.

World number seven Zverev, 23, the top seed, needed only one hour and 11 minutes to seal his 13th ATP title.

It took the US Open finalist's record against second seed Schwartzman to 2-2.

Meanwhile, at the European Open in Antwerp, Frenchman Ugo Humbert claimed his second ATP title with a 6-1 7-6 (7-4) win over Australian Alex de Minaur.

The 22-year-old, who saved four match points to beat Britain's Dan Evans in the semi-finals on Saturday, saw off the eighth seed in an hour and 37 minutes, and is set to rise from 38th in the world rankings to number 32.

Zverev had been troubled by a hip problem earlier in the week but he strolled to an eighth straight win in Cologne and is set to compete at the ATP Finals in London next month, where he will seek to regain the title he won for the first time in 2018.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54686345.
 
Dan Evans reaches second round of Vienna Open after Aljaz Bedene retires

Dan Evans progressed to the second round of the Vienna Open after former Great Britain team-mate Aljaz Bedene retired with an injury.

British number one Evans took the first set 6-3 and was trailing 5-4 on serve in the second when Bedene pulled out with a right thigh issue.

Bedene, who changed allegiance from Slovenia to Britain before switching back again in 2017, had been suffering from the problem earlier in the match

Evans will play Jurij Rodionov next.

The Austrian 21-year-old, the world number 153, upset Canadian world number 12 Denis Shapovalov in their first-round match, winning 6-4 7-5.

World number one Novak Djokovic safely reached the second round by beating fellow Serb Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (8-6) 6-3.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54712026.
 
Coronavirus: LTA warns a third of indoor tennis centres could close

At least a third of Britain's community indoor tennis centres could close if they do not receive further financial support from the government, says the Lawn Tennis Association.

The LTA's network of 54 centres has faced a substantial loss of income because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, the government announced a £100m support package for public leisure facilities.

But LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd says more support is needed.

"While we welcome the recent government announcement regarding investment into public leisure, this money will be spread thinly across a huge range of publicly owned sport and leisure facilities," he said.

"Community indoor tennis centres (CITCs) play a pivotal role in supporting the physical and mental health of people in their local communities, but Covid-19 has left many in a perilous position."

Tennis' national governing body said some of its clubs with indoor facilities expect to lose a further £100,000 over the coming weeks because of tier two and three restrictions imposed in some parts of England.

In those areas under such restrictions, able-bodied adults wanting to play indoor tennis can only do so with members of their own household or bubble, or in one-to-one coaching. There is an exemption for disabled players and under-18s.

In Wales, all tennis facilities have closed during the current 'firebreak' lockdown while indoor activities are also limited in Scotland.

"The current restrictions across Britain still mean the number of people who can use these centres is significantly less than in normal circumstances and this will continue to have a huge impact on their financial viability as we move into a difficult winter," Lloyd added.

"As it stands, a large proportion of CITCs still face the very real prospect of closure, which would be catastrophic for tennis players up and down the country.

"We are calling for government to deliver a comprehensive sports recovery fund, which is needed to help protect these facilities and other venues with indoor tennis courts, which we know are facing huge challenges over the coming months."
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54702492.
 
Vienna Open: Novak Djokovic into quarter-finals & all but secures year-end top ranking

World number one Novak Djokovic beat Borna Coric to reach the Vienna Open quarter-finals and all but secure the year-end top ranking.

Australian Open champion Djokovic beat Croatia's Coric 7-6 (13-11) 6-3 to reach the last eight in Bulgaria.

Djokovic could only be passed by Rafael Nadal, who would need to take a wildcard into next month's Sofia event to try and overhaul him.

However, if he wins the title in Vienna on Sunday, he cannot be overtaken.

Djokovic will play either Lorenzo Sonego of Italy or Poland's Herbert Hurcakz next.

He saved four set points in a tight opener against US Open quarter-finalist Coric before an early break in the second helped him on his way to victory.

Djokovic has won five titles in 2020 and lost just two matches - the French Open final to Nadal and a default at the US Open.

He is now likely to draw level with Pete Sampras' record of finishing as the year-end world number one.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54725919.
 
Alexander Zverev denies allegation of domestic violence by former girlfriend

US Open finalist Alexander Zverev has denied his ex-girlfriend's allegation he was violent towards her.

Olya Sharypova claimed Zverev tried to strangle her with a pillow in an attack before the 2019 US Open that she says left her afraid for her life.

The German called the accusations "unfounded" and "simply not true".

"They make me very sad. I very much regret that she makes such statements," the 23-year-old wrote in a statement on Twitter.

Sharypova initially posted on Instagram about being a victim of domestic violence, stating she was "not afraid anymore".

She named Zverev in a detailed interview with Russian outlet Championat.

Zverev reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open in September, where he lost to Dominic Thiem.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54742981
 
World number one Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat by Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in the quarter-finals of the Vienna Open.

The Serb was beaten 6-2 6-1 by the world number 42, who only came into the tournament as a lucky loser.

Djokovic looked out of sorts in the opening set as Sonego took control.

The Italian kept up the intensity in the second set, a double break putting him 4-1 up, and he held his nerve for a famous win.

Sonego lost to Aljaz Bedene in the final round of qualifying but earned a spot in the main tournament after the withdrawal of Diego Schwartzman.

He is yet to drop a set on his way to the semi-finals, where he will face either Britain's Dan Evans or Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.

"It's the best victory of my life. Novak is the best in the world," he said.

"Today I played so, so good. It's unbelievable. It's amazing."

It is the first time Djokovic has ever been beaten by a lucky loser.

It also means he will have to wait a little longer before he completes the formality of equalling Pete Sampras' all-time record of ending the season top of the rankings for a sixth time.

The other semi-final will feature South African Kevin Anderson against fifth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev.

Anderson beat Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev 6-4 7-6 (7-5) while Rubev defeated out-of-form second seed Dominic Thiem 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54754477
 
Vienna Open: Britain's Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski lose in final

Britain's Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski lost in straight sets to third seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo in the men's doubles final at the Vienna Open.

Murray, 34, and Skupski, 30, lost 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 as their Polish-Brazilian opponents sealed a third Vienna title.

It was Murray and Skupski's second final as a pairing, following August's Western and Southern Open defeat.

Both pairs move into the top eight in the race to qualify for the ATP Finals in London later in November.

Russian Andrey Rublev booked his individual place in the finals for the first time as he continued his impressive run of form with a straight-set victory over Lorenzo Sonego to win the Vienna Open singles title.

The world number eight saw off the challenge of Italian Sonego, who had beaten Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament, with a 6-4 6-4 victory in one hour 20 minutes.

It was Rublev's fifth ATP title of 2020, with the 23-year-old having now won 19 of his past 20 matches.

Britons Murray and Skupski, who reached the French Open quarter-finals in October, held a 5-3 lead before losing four successive points in the first-set tie-break.

They saved match points at 5-3 and 5-4 down in the second set but, despite squandering two further match points in the final game, Kubot and Melo converted their fifth to add to their 2015 and 2016 crowns.

Murray and Skupski are seventh in the race for London - with eight to qualify - as they chase a first appearance together at the ATP finals, due to take place between 15 and 22 November.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54769667.
 
Paris Masters: Britain's Joe Salisbury withdrawn after Covid-19 contact

British doubles player Joe Salisbury has been forced to withdraw from the Paris Masters after "sustained close contact" with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Salisbury, who has not tested positive, is asymptomatic and now self-isolating.

The 28-year-old and American Rajeev Ram - the world's leading men's doubles team - have been replaced in the draw.

They won the Australian Open title together in January and have qualified for November's ATP Finals in London.

The tournament in Paris is the final Masters event - the top tier of men's events below the Grand Slams - of the fragmented ATP season.

Salisbury's fellow Britons Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski are playing in the French capital as they look to clinch their spot at the ATP Finals, which start at the O2 Arena on 15 November.

In the singles, British number one Dan Evans faces Swiss three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka on Tuesday in his first-round match.

Meanwhile, Spanish world number two Rafael Nadal bids for a 1,000th career match win when he plays compatriot and friend Feliciano Lopez.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54774315.
 
Rafael Nadal through to Paris Masters semi-finals after beating Pablo Carreno Busta

Rafael Nadal is in the Paris Masters semi-finals after coming from a set down to beat fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta.

Top seed Nadal will face Alexander Zverev or Stan Wawrinka next after a 4-6 7-5 6-1 victory.

The defeat means Carreno Busta has not qualified for the ATP Tour Finals, with Diego Schwartzman taking the last spot.

Nadal, who claimed his 1,000th career victory earlier this week, has never won the Paris Masters.

Canada's Milos Raonic will face Russian Daniil Medvedev in the other semi-final.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54844753.
 
Alexander Zverev beats Rafael Nadal to reach Paris final

World number two Rafael Nadal was beaten at the semi-final stage of the Paris Masters as German Alexander Zverev advanced with a 6-4 7-5 victory.

It was a second successive win against the 20-time Grand Slam winner for world number seven Zverev, who lost their first five meetings.

Zverev, winner of 13 ATP events, sealed the match in one hour and 39 minutes.

Fourth seed Zverev, who won two titles in as many weeks last month, faces Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's final.

Russian third seed Medvedev defeated 10th seed Milos Raonic of Canada 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in one hour and 37 minutes.

Trailing by a set and a break, Nadal, 34, was unable to take two break points to level at 3-3 in the second and Zverev soon had three break points for a 5-2 lead.

But the Spanish left-hander, yet to win the indoor Paris event, having lost to David Nalbandian in the 2007 final, won three successive games to take a 5-4 advantage.

However, Zverev, 23, carved out a single break point opportunity in game 11 and took the chance to move ahead again before serving out for an impressive win.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54855704.
 
Nick Kyrgios: Australian says he was in 'lonely place' after suffering with depression

Australia's Nick Kyrgios says he was in a "lonely, dark place" after suffering with depression while on tour.

The 25-year-old has not played since February after limiting his travel because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kyrgios, who began to see a psychologist in 2018, said people were not aware how lonely tennis could be.

"I felt like no-one wanted to know me as a person, they just wanted to get a hold of me as a tennis player and use me," he told Sydney's Sunday Telegraph.

Kyrgios described an incident in Shanghai where he "didn't want to see the light of day".

"A lot of people were putting pressure on me and I put a lot of pressure on myself," he said.

"I just lost joy for the game and I was spiralling out of control."

Kyrgios has often been criticised for his on-court behaviour.

He was given a suspended 16-week ban and fined $25,000 (£20,300) in September 2019 because of "aggregated behaviour".

He had received a number of fines before that for his conduct.

"I fell into depression because of the things I thought I had to be," Kyrgios added.

"I was afraid to go out and talk to people because I thought I'd let them down because I wasn't winning matches."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54814050
 
Paris Masters: Daniil Medvedev beats Alexander Zverev in final

World number five Daniil Medvedev won his eighth ATP title as he beat Alexander Zverev 5-7 6-4 6-1 in the Paris Masters final.

German Zverev, who won two titles in as many weeks in Cologne last month and beat Rafael Nadal in Saturday's semi-finals, took an early advantage.

But Russian third seed Medvedev rallied to win in two hours seven minutes.

It was only in his second win in seven meetings with Zverev, adding to his 2019 Shanghai Masters final success.

Medvedev, 24, sealed a place in his first final since that win in China 13 months ago, with a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win over 10th seed Milos Raonic on Saturday.

And after a closely fought opening two sets against 23-year-old Zverev, ranked seven in the world, he raced into a 4-0 lead in the decider and soon wrapped up an impressive victory.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54866029.
 
ATP Finals: Rafael Nadal drawn with Dominic Thiem & Stefanos Tsitsipas

Spain's Rafael Nadal has been drawn in an exciting group containing US Open champion Dominic Thiem as he looks to win a maiden ATP Finals title.

Greece's defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and in-form Russian Andrey Rublev make up the four-man group at next week's season-ending tournament.

World number one Novak Djokovic has been pitted against Russia's Daniil Medvedev, Germany's Alexander Zverev and Argentina's Diego Schwartzman.

The event starts in London on Sunday.

While 34-year-old Nadal aims to fill the biggest gap left in his illustrious trophy cabinet, Serbia's Djokovic is bidding for a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title.

Victory would move him level with Swiss rival Roger Federer, who is not taking part after not playing since February because of a knee injury.

Taking place behind closed doors because of coronavirus restrictions, the tournament will be held for the 12th and final time at the O2 Arena before moving to Turin from 2022.

The round robin stage sees the players - who have qualified as the world's eight leading men on the ATP Tour in a truncated 2020 - face each other once, with the top two in each group going through to the semi-finals on Saturday, 21 November.

The finals - singles and doubles - will be held on Sunday, 22 November.

The doubles draw will be held once the final spot has been decided, with Britain's Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski still in the running.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54916067.
 
Jamie Murray & Neal Skupski win first title after missing out on ATP Finals

Britain's Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski have won their first title as a pair just hours after being beaten to the last spot at the ATP Finals.

Murray and Skupski reached the Sofia Open final, but missed out on the ATP finals after Jurgen Melzer and Edouard Roger-Vasselin won their semi-final.

The two rival pairs were set to play in Saturday's final in Bulgaria.

But as the ATP Finals start in London on Sunday, Melzer and Roger-Vasselin conceded the Sofia Open title.

Melzer and Roger-Vasselin secured their place at the season-ending event at the O2 Arena by beating Marin Cilic and Tomislav Brkic 7-5 6-4 on Friday.

If Melzer and Roger-Vasselin had lost, Murray, 34, and 30-year-old Skupski would have had to beat Cilic and Brkic to secure their spot at the O2 - for the first time as a pair.

Doubles player Joe Salisbury is the only Briton to have qualified for the ATP Finals, which is being held in London for the final time before it moves to Turin in Italy from 2021.

However, Murray and Skupski could yet join him there as alternates if any of the eight pairings withdraw.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54932953.
 
ATP Finals 2020: Rafael Nadal & Dominic Thiem win London openers

Rafael Nadal began his bid for the biggest title missing from his vast collection with an ATP Finals win over Russian debutant Andrey Rublev.

Spanish second seed Nadal, 34, won 6-3 6-4 as the season-ending event began in London for the final time.

Earlier on the opening day, third seed Dominic Thiem avenged his defeat by Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in last year's final with a three-set victory.

US Open champion Thiem won 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-3 at an empty O2 Arena.

Nadal's straight-set success moved him above the Austrian at the top of Group London 2020 - named in tribute to the event's 50th anniversary - after the opening matches.

Seeing off in-form Rublev - who has won more matches and more titles than anyone else on the ATP Tour this year - was the perfect start for Nadal.

"I am very pleased with the victory, it changes the perspective of the tournament a little bit," said Nadal, who lost in the 2010 and 2013 finals.

"I know I have a super difficult match against Dominic but a win in two sets helps for the confidence."

Only one of the left-hander's 86 career titles has come on an indoor hard court, but he shifted up a gear from his displays in similar conditions at this month's Paris Masters - where he lost in the semi-finals - to frustrate Rublev.

Eighth seed Rublev struggled on serve in the first set - admitting it was a sign of nerves on his Finals debut - and was punished when Nadal earned the decisive break for a 4-2 lead, which he did not relinquish.

Rublev showed his annoyance at his performance by thumping his racquet against the court and more woe came the 23-year-old's way when Nadal broke in the opening game of the second set.

"When he broke me in the second set I started to relax but by then it was too late," Rublev said.

From that point, it seemed almost inevitable the 20-time Grand Slam champion would wrap up a straight-set win and duly did without even facing a break point.

"My serve worked really well, that always helps on this surface and I had a few chances on the return, which I converted," added Nadal, who won 81% of his service points and converted two of five break points.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54952429
 
ATP Finals 2020: Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev win in London

Top seed Novak Djokovic started his bid for a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title with a classy win over Argentine debutant Diego Schwartzman.

The 33-year-old Serb, who has not won the event since 2015, eased to a 6-3 6-2 victory at the O2 Arena in London.

In Monday's evening session, Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev earned his first ATP Finals match win by beating German fifth seed Alexander Zverev.

Medvedev lost all his group matches in 2019, but began with a 6-3 6-4 win.

The season-ending event is being played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.

That has led to a flat and eerie atmosphere at the near 18,000-seat arena, meaning London has been unable to wave farewell to the event - which moves to Turin in Italy next year - like tournament organisers would have intended.

Nevertheless, the lack of atmosphere did little to disrupt Djokovic in what proved to be a high-quality performance.

Perhaps there was a touch of nerves from the 17-time Grand Slam champion as he lost serve in the third game of the opening set, but he quickly settled to break straight back and then tighten his grip on the match.

Now hitting metronomically and moving freely, Djokovic wore down Schwartzman's service game again for a 5-3 lead and held his own serve to take the opening set.

On not being able to consolidate the break, Schwartzman said: "It is difficult when you have just a small chance against Djokovic and you don't make that chance. I did wrong things and from then it is a difficult match."

Schwartzman, 28, has enjoyed a fine season in a disrupted 2020, reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open in October and cracking the world's top 10 for the first time.

While his game is built on reliable hitting from the baseline and athleticism, it was not enough for the 5ft 7in Argentine to find a way past Djokovic.

Schwartzman knew he had to take some risks to break down Djokovic, but that translated into 10 unforced errors and just four winners in the opening set.

Sustaining his level and forcing Schwartzman into more mistakes was made to look easy by Djokovic in the second set as the Serb broke twice for a 4-1 lead and went on to clinch a straightforward win in one hour and 18 minutes.

"The second set I started swinging through the ball more and with less hesitation," Djokovic said. "I was very pleased with the way I played."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54963995
 
ATP Finals 2020: Dominic Thiem beats Rafael Nadal in high-quality match

Dominic Thiem became the first man to move into the last four of the ATP Finals event in London.

The Austrian beat Rafael Nadal 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-4) in a high-quality match for his second victory of the season-ending event at the O2 Arena in London.

Nadal had two set points in the first-set tie-break but could not convert with Thiem eventually securing the win on his fifth match point.

Thiem's qualification was secured when Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Andrey Rublev.

Defending champion Tsitsipas survived a match point as he won 6-1 4-6 7-6 (8-6) in Tuesday's other match of Group London 2020.

Tsitsipas will play Nadal on Thursday with the winner joining Thiem in the semi-finals, while Rublev is eliminated after two defeats from two.

"It was a great match from the first to last point," said Thiem of his win over 20-time Grand Slam winner Nadal. "I was pretty lucky to get that first set after being 5-2 down in the tie-break.

"I had the feeling that the match was a very high level. The atmosphere would've been unreal [if fans were in the arena]. We put on a good show for those watching on television."

Thiem prevails in two gripping sets
Spanish second seed Nadal, who is seeking his first ATP Finals title, and Thiem have brought the best out of each other on many occasions in recent years, with gripping matches at the Australian and US Opens, plus two French Open finals. They did so again here over two hours and 25 minutes when the superb standard barely dropped.

It was such a shame that there was no crowd to enjoy the dazzling shot-making in a first set that went to a tie-break without a break point being created.

Nadal seemed set to take it when he led 5-2 and although Thiem clawed his way back to 5-5, a double fault handed the 34-year-old Spaniard a set point. An uncharacteristic backhand into the middle of the net allowed the Austrian to escape and after Thiem saved another set point, he took his own first opportunity with an inside-out forehand winner.

The first break of the match went Nadal's way in the seventh game of the second set but 27-year-old Thiem hit back straight away to level at 4-4, before holding serve to put the pressure on the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

Nadal faltered as three errors gave the US Open champion three match points at 0-40 but the Spaniard won the next five points to hold, including a serve-volley at 15-40 that clipped the tape and dropped on his opponent's side.

The set went into another tie-break and at 3-3, a magnificent backhand winner saw Thiem seize the initiative with the victory secured when Nadal dragged a backhand wide.

It was Thiem's seventh win in nine matches against top 10 players this year.

"I think that today I played a little bit higher level than at the US Open. It was maybe the best match from me since the restart of the tour and that makes me super happy," he added.

Nadal, who beat Rublev in straight sets in his opening match on Sunday, said the way he played against Thiem makes him feel confident for the rest of the tournament.

"It has been a great match of tennis decided for a few small details," he said. "Just well done to him. He played, I think, an amazing match and I played well too.

"My feeling is not negative. I lost but I had plenty of chances in the first and then I had a break in the second. I think my chances are bigger to have a very good result now than five days ago because the level of tennis, even if I lost today, is much higher."

Tsitsipas sets up Nadal eliminator

Tsitsipas, 22, looked on course for a routine win over Rublev when he took the opening set in only 19 minutes.

However, the 23-year-old Russian broke late on in the second to take the match into a decider.

Rublev led 6-5 in the final-set tie-break but served a double fault, only his second of the match, as Tsitsipas won three points in a row to set up an effective knockout match against Nadal.

"It was an unbelievable match from both sides and we produced some incredible tennis," Tsitsipas said.

"Putting in all that fight paid off and I'm happy I showed the determination and willingness not to give up when he had match point. I produced some good tennis and that helped me take the win."

Rublev's defeat means his match against Thiem on Thursday is a dead rubber.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54976688.
 
ATP Finals 2020: Novak Djokovic loses to Daniil Medvedev

An error-prone Novak Djokovic was beaten for only the fourth time this year as Daniil Medvedev reached the semi-finals at the ATP Finals.

The Serb hit 24 unforced errors and five double faults in a 6-3 6-3 loss to fourth seed Medvedev in London.

World number one Djokovic, 33, can still qualify for the last four if he wins his final round-robin match against Alexander Zverev on Friday.

Zverev earlier boosted his own hopes with victory over Diego Schwartzman.

The German fifth seed overcame a poor second set to claim a 6-3 4-6 6-3 win against the Argentine, who is now unable to reach the knockout stage after Medvedev's win at the O2 Arena.

Djokovic has no answer to Medvedev's energy
Djokovic came into this match having lost just three times in 2020 - when he was defaulted at the US Open, when he was beaten by Rafael Nadal in the French Open final and then when he was upset by Lorenzo Sonego in the quarter-finals in Vienna.

He is chasing a record-equalling sixth title here and although he still has a good chance of advancing, he must do it the hard way against Zverev.

The Serb was made to work hard from the off by Medvedev, who created two break points in the third game of the opening set in a high-energy display.

Despite some lengthy games, including one that lasted seven minutes and another that went to five deuces, Medvedev did not tire as he broke for 4-3 when Djokovic netted a forehand.

A double fault handed the 24-year-old Russian the set as part of a run of seven games in a row that he strung together to lead 3-0 in the second.

Djokovic got himself on the scoreboard but it was too late as Medvedev continued to dominate the baseline rallies and went 5-2 up.

The Serb then held to force the Russian to serve it out, which he did with confidence as a forehand winner wrapped up his second victory in two matches in the Group Tokyo 1970.

"I cannot allow these things [losing seven games in a row] to happen when I'm playing the top players in the world," Djokovic said.

"He was just better, no question about it. We started well. Up to 3-3 [in the first set] it was quite an even match but after that break he was cruising. I struggled to find the right level."

Medvedev, who made only 12 unforced errors and won 10 of the last 13 games, is experiencing a very different ATP Finals to last year where he lost all three of his group matches on his debut.

"I'm sure he didn't play his best but it happens to everybody," Medvedev, who advances as group winner, said in an on-court interview.

"I'm feeling confident. I knew I had to take my chances and it was a great match for me."

Who can qualify for the semi-finals?
The permutations at this event are often mind-bendingly complicated but this year it is straightforward.

With the two group winners already decided after Dominic Thiem clinched Group London 2020 with victory over Nadal on Tuesday, there are two winner-takes-all matches to determine the remaining semi-finalists.

Before Djokovic and Zverev meet on Friday, 20-time Grand Slam champion Nadal and defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas face each other on Thursday (20:00 GMT).

In Thursday's other match US Open champion Thiem takes on already eliminated Russian Andrey Rublev (14:00).

Meanwhile, Britain's only representative at the event - Joe Salisbury - and his American partner Rajeev Ram will be chasing a place in the doubles semi-finals on Thursday. They need to beat German pair Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies to advance (18:00).
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54992475.
 
ATP Finals 2020: Rafael Nadal beats Stefanos Tsitsipas to make last four

Rafael Nadal reached the ATP Finals last four by beating 2019 champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets.

The Spanish world number two overcame Greek Tsitsipas 6-4 4-6 6-2 in London.

Nadal, 34, had been the more consistent player until losing serve to drop the second set, but fought back to dominate the decider.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play Russian Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals at the O2 Arena on Saturday.

Medvedev is already guaranteed to win Group Tokyo 1970 with Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev contesting the remaining last-four place at 14:00 GMT on Friday.

That match is live on BBC Two and the BBC Sport website.

"I was playing, I think, a great level of tennis for almost two sets," said Nadal, who hit 32 winners and made just 13 unforced errors.

"The score was close, but in terms of feeling I felt that I was playing better than him. Then the situation changed. He won that game and then I was starting to suffer a little bit more with my serve.

"But it's always a good feeling when you are playing well and you're playing against the best players of the world. You know you're going to be in a tough fight. That's what happened tonight. I was able to find a way to win. Very happy."

Earlier on Thursday, the already qualified Dominic Thiem lost 6-2 7-5 to Russian Andrey Rublev in a dead rubber.

US Open champion Thiem had reached the last four by beating Nadal and Tsitsipas to win Group London 2020.

Nadal keeps alive hopes of first ATP Finals title
The ATP Finals is the one major title Nadal is yet to win, and he has given himself a chance to finally add it to his CV, having lost in the 2010 and 2013 finals.

Nadal beat Tsitsipas in the group stage of this tournament last year, though it was the Greek who went on to win the biggest title of his career to date.

Both men began impressively and were secure on serve in the first six games, until Nadal created two break points at 3-3. Uncharacteristically the Spaniard let Tsitsipas escape, showing his frustration when missing a second-serve return at 15-40.

The 22-year-old was not so lucky in his next service game, with a backhand error and double fault handing the break to Nadal, who then served out the set with successive aces.

Nadal had won his previous 70 matches after taking the first set - dating back to February 2019 - so Tsitsipas was facing a huge task to stay in the tournament.

The momentum seemed to be all going Nadal's way when he brought up another break point in the first game of the second set but Tsitsipas saved it with a superb cross-court backhand winner.

The French Open semi-finalist was having to work a lot harder to hold, with Nadal dropping only six points in his first nine service games. However, out of nowhere, Tsitsipas broke to level the match with a Nadal double fault sending the match into a decider.

The play became scrappy at the start of the third, with two Tsitsipas double faults handing Nadal an immediate break, only for the Spaniard to send a backhand into the bottom of the net to allow Tsitsipas to level immediately. Nadal then broke again, to love, to regain the advantage at 2-1, helped by more errors from his opponent.

Tsitsipas was not to get another chance, with Nadal upping his level again to secure the double break for 5-2 and a backhand down-the-line winner took him through in two hours and four minutes.

"I wasn't able to maintain my game in the third set," said Tsitsipas. "I did try to stay calm and concentrated, but I seemed to make easy unforced errors when Rafa was persistent, and I could see that he's ready now to face me 100%. And I just gave it away. My focus wasn't there."
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54968633.
 
ATP Finals: Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram reach last four of doubles

Briton Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram have reached the ATP Finals last four for the first time, beating Germans Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies.

The Australian Open champions won 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 10-4 in London.

Krawietz and Mies had two set points at 5-4 in the first set but a Krawietz double fault and Mies backhand error gave Salisbury, 28, and American Ram, 36, the chance to break back.

Their semi-final opponents will be decided at the O2 Arena on Friday.

Salisbury and Ram have gone though in second place in Group Mike Bryan and they will play the winners of Group Bob Bryan, which is currently led by Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.

Spain's Granollers and Argentine Zeballos have won their opening two round-robin matches and face Jurgen Melzer and Edouard Roger-Vasselin at 18:00 GMT on Friday. Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares are the other possible opponents for Salisbury and Ram.

Earlier on Thursday in Group Mike Bryan, the already-qualified Dutchman Wesley Koolhof and Croatia’s Nikola Mektic ost 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 10-8 to Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/55005199.
 
Rafael Nadal reached the ATP Finals last four by beating 2019 champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets.

The Spanish world number two overcame Greek Tsitsipas 6-4 4-6 6-2 in London.

Nadal, 34, had been the more consistent player until losing serve to drop the second set, but fought back to dominate the decider.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play Russian Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals at the O2 Arena on Saturday.

Medvedev is already guaranteed to win Group Tokyo 1970 with Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev contesting the remaining last-four place at 14:00 GMT on Friday.

That match is live on BBC Two and the BBC Sport website.

"I was playing, I think, a great level of tennis for almost two sets," said Nadal, who hit 32 winners and made just 13 unforced errors.

"The score was close, but in terms of feeling I felt that I was playing better than him. Then the situation changed. He won that game and then I was starting to suffer a little bit more with my serve.

"But it's always a good feeling when you are playing well and you're playing against the best players of the world. You know you're going to be in a tough fight. That's what happened tonight. I was able to find a way to win. Very happy."

Earlier on Thursday, the already qualified Dominic Thiem lost 6-2 7-5 to Russian Andrey Rublev in a dead rubber.

US Open champion Thiem had reached the last four by beating Nadal and Tsitsipas to win Group London 2020.

The ATP Finals is the one major title Nadal is yet to win, and he has given himself a chance to finally add it to his CV, having lost in the 2010 and 2013 finals.

Nadal beat Tsitsipas in the group stage of this tournament last year, though it was the Greek who went on to win the biggest title of his career to date.

Both men began impressively and were secure on serve in the first six games, until Nadal created two break points at 3-3. Uncharacteristically the Spaniard let Tsitsipas escape, showing his frustration when missing a second-serve return at 15-40.

The 22-year-old was not so lucky in his next service game, with a backhand error and double fault handing the break to Nadal, who then served out the set with successive aces.

Nadal had won his previous 70 matches after taking the first set - dating back to February 2019 - so Tsitsipas was facing a huge task to stay in the tournament.

The momentum seemed to be all going Nadal's way when he brought up another break point in the first game of the second set but Tsitsipas saved it with a superb cross-court backhand winner.

The French Open semi-finalist was having to work a lot harder to hold, with Nadal dropping only six points in his first nine service games. However, out of nowhere, Tsitsipas broke to level the match with a Nadal double fault sending the match into a decider.

The play became scrappy at the start of the third, with two Tsitsipas double faults handing Nadal an immediate break, only for the Spaniard to send a backhand into the bottom of the net to allow Tsitsipas to level immediately. Nadal then broke again, to love, to regain the advantage at 2-1, helped by more errors from his opponent.

Tsitsipas was not to get another chance, with Nadal upping his level again to secure the double break for 5-2 and a backhand down-the-line winner took him through in two hours and four minutes.

"I wasn't able to maintain my game in the third set," said Tsitsipas. "I did try to stay calm and concentrated, but I seemed to make easy unforced errors when Rafa was persistent, and I could see that he's ready now to face me 100%. And I just gave it away. My focus wasn't there."

Group London 2020
Matches won-lost Sets won-lost Games won-lost
1. Dominic Thiem [Q] 2-1 4-3 38-40
2. Rafael Nadal [Q] 2-1 4-3 40-33
3. Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-2 4-5 44-46
4. Andrey Rublev 1-2 3-4 33-36

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54968633
 
Novak Djokovic moved past Alexander Zverev in straight sets to reach the last four of the ATP Finals.

The Serb world number one beat German Zverev 6-3 7-6 (7-4) at the O2 Arena in London.

Djokovic, seeking a record-equalling sixth title at the end-of-season tournament, was pushed much more in the second set but raised his level at the crucial time in the tie-break.

He will play Dominic Thiem in the last four on Saturday at 14:00 GMT.

That match is live on BBC One and the BBC Sport website.

US Open champion Thiem progressed as winner of Group London 2020 with Djokovic going through in second position in Group Tokyo 1970.

The other semi-final is between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev, who first plays a dead rubber against Diego Schwartzman at 20:00 GMT on Friday.

"I felt great. In the first set he had a couple of break-point chances and I managed to serve well in the important moments," said 33-year-old Djokovic.

"In contrast to the match against Daniil, I found the right shots at the right time. I have tremendous respect for Sascha, who is a great player and it is not easy to return 140mph first serves.

"It was anybody's game for most of the match."
 
Novak Djokovic hoping for 50 per cent capacity at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic admits it's been a "strange" season but he hopes things will return to some normality in time for the Australian Open.

The world No 1 says the opening Grand Slam of the year is targeting crowds of up to 50 per cent capacity at the 10,500-capacity Melbourne Park.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley has previously stated that he is hoping to allow between 2,625 and 5,250 fans into the tournament in January.

Djokovic was speaking after he made it through to the semi-finals Nitto ATP Finals with victory against Alexander Zverev. The Serbian will face US Open champion Dominic Thiem for a spot in the final on Saturday.

"If Australia happens, I'm hearing that we are going to have at least I think 50 per cent of the capacity of the stadium, so, I mean, that's a lot," Djokovic said.

"I think even 10 per cent would be huge for us at this stage. Just hearing the applause and hearing the fans and, you know, sensing their energy and their emotion and their kind of excitement for being there and cheering you on on the court, that's something that I think we are all missing."

https://www.skysports.com/tennis/ne...g-for-50-per-cent-capacity-at-australian-open
 
ATP Finals 2020: Dominic Thiem beats Novak Djokovic to reach London final

Dominic Thiem fought past world number one Novak Djokovic to reach Sunday's title decider at the ATP Finals.

Djokovic saved five match points in a cagey affair but the Austrian recovered from a poor second-set tie-break to win 7-5 6-7 (10-12) 7-6 (7-5) in London.

The Serb led 4-0 in the deciding tie-break but Thiem, trusting in his big hitting, was able to outmuscle Djokovic and claim a fine win at the O2 Arena.

Thiem will play Rafael Nadal or Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Spanish world number two Nadal, who has never won the season-ending showpiece, plays the Russian at 20:00 GMT on Saturday.

Thiem's increased confidence, built in a year when he won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, was enough to enable him to edge past Djokovic in a tight third set.

He covered his face in delight after putting away a forehand winner that secured victory after two hours 57 minutes.

"I thought after my first big title in New York I would be more calm but that was a mistake," Thiem said.

"I was just as tight and nervous as before - it was so much on the edge this match."

Thiem's victory means there will be a first-time champion at the event, which is being held in London for the final time before it moves to Turin, Italy.

Increased belief helps Thiem rally

In truth, Thiem played the better tennis on the key points, his belief in his shot-making and ability to play the big shot at the right moment proving pivotal.

He double faulted on the opening point of the deciding tie-break and Djokovic raced into the lead before Thiem sliced his way back into contention.

A fifth match point was cancelled out by a Djokovic ace but Thiem's relentless backhand that hugged the baseline was key to his victory.

Djokovic has not been at his best in London and he cut a frustrated figure throughout the decider, letting out a furious yell when he sent an easy return of serve long at 30-30 on the Thiem serve in the third.

His groundstrokes were simply not as consistently composed as usual and his repeated moves to the net did not work.

Usually, a 4-0 lead in a tie-break for Djokovic would mean game over. Instead, he was out-hit and out-thought by his opponent.

"What he did from 0-4 in the third-set tie-breaker was just unreal. I don't think I played bad. I made all of my first serves. He just crushed the ball," said Djokovic, who had been chasing a record-equalling sixth title.

"I was in a driver's position at 4-0. I thought I was very close to winning it. He just took it away from me. But he deserved it, because he just went for it and everything worked."

Tight match results in decider

The opening set was a tight affair. Thiem struggled to locate his forehand, while Djokovic - rather like against Medvedev in a group-stage defeat - was faced with someone as capable as him of chasing down every ball and extending the rallies.

Both players' serves got them out of trouble after they fell to 0-30 in their respective service games, but despite his obvious unhappiness with his forehand, it was Thiem who created the sole break opportunity of the first set.

The Austrian set up the chance with a thumping cross-court forehand winner and was rewarded as Djokovic came forward and volleyed a simple forehand into the net, ultimately allowing him to serve out the set.

A tie-break felt inevitable as both players saved break points in the second set, but neither was at their best, with a nervy Thiem double faulting on his second match point.

Neither man seemed comfortable, making uncharacteristic errors as they aimed for the lines of the court, but Thiem created his own downfall with some wild shots.

Thiem's heavy hitting seemed to outmuscle Djokovic on the baseline but the Serb's characteristic resilience drew the errors out of Thiem, and the top seed eventually forced a decider.

Despite the loss, Djokovic finishes the year as world number one, having lost just five matches in 2020, and will now prepare to defend his Australian Open title in January.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/55029492
 
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