The Tennis Thread

[Cricket Warrior]

Briton Fearnley reaches Italian Open second round

Britain's Jacob Fearnley is safely through to the second round of the Italian Open with a straight-set victory over home hero Fabio Fognini.

The 23-year-old defeated the veteran Italian - who announced on Tuesday this would be his last Masters 1000 event in Rome - 6-2 6-3 in the first round.

Fearnley will now face another Italian opponent, Matteo Berrettini, on Saturday.


BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Sinner enjoys 'amazing feeling' in comeback win

Jannik Sinner said it was an "amazing feeling" to be back on court after beating Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the Italian Open in the first match since his doping ban.

The 6-3 6-4 victory was the world number one’s 22nd in a row - a streak interrupted by the three-month suspension he agreed with the World Anti Doping Agency (Wada).

Sinner wrote ‘Che bello’ (How beautiful) on the camera lens at the end of the match, as chants of ‘Ole’ rang around the stadium.

The Italian said the reaction from the home crowd was the best he had ever experienced.

"It has been amazing to go again on court after such a long time, having a great support also in the last days," Sinner said.

His parents were among 10,500 people who offered him a full throated welcome onto the Campo Centrale, but Sinner showed little emotion as he walked on hand in hand with a child mascot.

"From the first day I came here, it has been amazing. I was waiting for this moment quite a long time," he added.

"The whole match, even when it seems quite comfortable, it's a rollercoaster, no?

"Inside we feel that, especially the beginning of the match having, again, the nerves of serving for the first time, trying to move in the best possible way you can."

Huge crowds tried to catch a glimpse of Sinner when he practised on Court Five earlier in the day. A TV camera was rolling throughout, while children balanced on parents' shoulders and others mounted a fire hydrant and a potted plant to get the best possible view.

"Jannik’s day" was the headline on Saturday’s edition of Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport. "The wait is over. From 7pm Rome will embrace … the strongest Italian tennis player of all time," the paper continued.

Sinner signed a lot of autographs this week as he practised with top-10 players like Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud.

He has been greeted with great warmth and excitement - as the overwhelming majority of Italian tennis fans seem to feel a three-month suspension was harsh and are treating his return as a celebration.

There was even a short burst of applause from members of the Italian media when Sinner took his seat in the interview room on Monday afternoon.

The match was Sinner’s first since he successfully defended his Australian Open title in Melbourne in January.

Three weeks later he accepted Wada‘s offer of a three-month ban for two doping violations last year.

Sinner tested positive for clostebol and was originally cleared of any fault by an independent tribunal.

Even though Wada did not dispute the steroid had entered his system because his physio had been using a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his own finger, it initially felt a ban of between one and two years would be appropriate.

Wada later came to the conclusion a suspension of that length would be "unduly harsh" and so entered into negotiations with Sinner’s legal team.

Rome reserved its best weather of the week for the 23-year-old’s return.

As Lazio played Juventus in the Olympic Stadium just a few hundred metres away, Sinner missed his very first serve, but quickly found his stride. He won the first set with a single break of serve and some clean, powerful ball striking.

But the second set was less straightforward as Sinner’s forehand proved increasingly unreliable. He recorded 16 unforced errors off that wing in the match, but by two breaks of serve to one, was still able to complete a straight-set win in one hour and 38 minutes.

His decision making was not as sharp as usual but Sinner had every reason to be delighted with his return.

"I was missing the feedback of official matches, which are the best feedbacks we players can get," Sinner said.

"At least now I have a bigger picture of what I'm doing well and what I have to improve.

"The nerves and everything, it has to go again into my body. It was a great start from my point of view of this tournament and of the comeback."

Sinner’s third-round match on Monday will be against the world number 93, Jesper de Jong - a lucky loser from qualifying.

The Italian Open is the last Masters 1000 event before the French Open, but Sinner has also entered the Hamburg Open in the week before Roland Garros in case he feels he needs more practice on the clay.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Draper smashes racquet during hard-fought Rome win

Great Britain's Jack Draper beat Vit Kopriva to reach the last 16 of the Italian Open but his frustration boiled over during a straight-set win.

Although the fifth seed won 6-4 6-3 in Rome, he was made to work hard to close out the victory and at one point hit the court multiple times with his racquet.

Draper, who came into the tournament on the back of reaching the Madrid Open final, held serve throughout and took the first set in 41 minutes, saving one break point.

But it was by no means plain sailing in the second as Czech qualifier Kopriva saved four break points to cut his deficit to 3-2.

After world number five Draper gave him the game by sending a drop shot into the net, he struck the clay four times with his racquet before slamming it on to the floor by his chair.

The 23-year-old left three divots in the centre of the court - and his racquet in tatters - and received a warning from the umpire.

Kopriva went 40-0 up in the following game but the world number 92 spurned the chance to break back as he sent a straightforward backhand long.

Draper regrouped to hold his serve and take a 4-2 lead, before setting up the chance to break Kopriva for the second time in the set - and the third overall.

Again Kopriva proved stubborn opposition by saving two match points, the second after a bad bounce on one of the divots left by Draper forced an error from the British number one.

But Draper clinched victory at the third time of asking, having hit twice as many winners as Kopriva (21-10), although Draper did notch up more unforced errors (37-27).


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Sinner through in Rome but tough test lies ahead

World number one Jannik Sinner kept up his winning return to tennis as a 6-4 6-2 victory over Jesper de Jong carried him through to the last 16 of the Italian Open.

Home favourite Sinner, who returned from a three-month doping ban with a win over Mariano Navone on Saturday, battled past Dutchman De Jong to set up what should prove a trickier match against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.

Following his victory over De Jong, the 23-year-old Sinner said the reaction from the Italian crowd was the best he had ever experienced, and those in attendance in Rome were in equally supportive voice on Monday.

Sinner raced to a 4-1 lead in the opening set but showed signs of rustiness as he gave back the three-game advantage against De Jong, who is at a career-high 93rd in the world rankings.


BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Djokovic and Murray split after six months

Andy Murray will no longer be working as Novak Djokovic's coach.

The decision, said to be by mutual agreement, means Murray will not be by Djokovic's side when he chases an eighth Wimbledon title in July.

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, joined forces with Murray in November.

Under Murray, the Serb reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, ultimately retiring injured after losing the first set.

The 37-year-old has had a difficult season by his high standards, losing his first match in four of his past five tournaments, as well as being beaten in the Miami Open final by 19-year-old Jakub Mensik.

"Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over last six months on and off the court - really enjoyed deepening our friendship together," Djokovic said.

"Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together, and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months," Murray added.

"I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season."

For all the promise of Melbourne, the Murray-Djokovic partnership ultimately lasted only four tournaments.

Murray was present in Miami, where Djokovic reached the final without dropping a set before losing to Mensik in two close tie-breakers.

Djokovic has taken a wildcard into next week's Geneva Open, having so far failed to win a match on clay this year.

The three-time French Open champion was beaten in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters as the clay-court swing began and missed this month's Italian Open without giving a reason for his absence.

Djokovic said in February that their arrangement was an indefinite one.

"We agreed we are going to work most likely in the [United] States and then some clay-court tournaments and see how it goes after that," he said at the time.

'Like Messi coaching Ronaldo' - analysis

World number 11 Daniil Medvedev probably summed up the coaching partnership best.

"It's like Messi becoming the coach of Cristiano Ronaldo," was the Russian's view of the situation.

It was an enchanting partnership. Here was a former world number one and multiple Grand Slam champion seeking to help an old adversary before the dust had even settled on his own retirement.

Both seemed to gain plenty from it in the short term.

Murray embarked on the "steep learning curve" of a coaching career, which seems likely to form a big part of his future plans.

Djokovic was extremely generous about Murray's input at the Australian Open, and I sense both thought this was one of those opportunities that do not come about often in life.

But opportunities have been limited since Miami. Djokovic has played just two matches on clay, and Murray was only present for one of them.

Djokovic turns 38 three days before the French Open begins on 25 May. His chances of winning a record 25th Grand Slam singles title are diminishing with every month.

His best chance will surely be at Wimbledon - and it would undoubtedly have added to the spectacle if Murray had been court-side.

'His tennis IQ is very high' - Djokovic on Murray the coach

Murray, 37, said he sometimes felt embarrassed by all the attention he was receiving in Melbourne, as Djokovic's wider team had done an "incredible job over many, many years".

He and Djokovic have maintained a good friendship throughout their years on tour, having been born just weeks apart and grown up as junior rivals.

He joined Djokovic's team at a pivotal time. Djokovic won a much-wanted Olympic gold in 2024, but that was the only title he won that year, and lost in the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Speaking in January, Djokovic said he was "pleasantly surprised" with Murray's "dedication and professionalism" as a coach.

"It comes natural to him. His IQ generally and tennis IQ is very high. He observes and speaks when is most important," Djokovic said.

"I think he understands the moment when he needs to say something and what to say and what to ask.

"I must say at the beginning it was a bit of a strange feeling to be able to share the insights with him, not just about the game, but about how I feel, about life in general.

"Not in a negative way, but just in a way I have never done that with him because he was always one of my greatest rivals."

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Former champion Wawrinka, 40, gets French Open wildcard

Former champion Stan Wawrinka has been awarded a wildcard entry into the men's singles draw at the 2025 French Open.

Wawrinka defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets to lift the trophy in 2015, the second of his three Grand Slam titles.

Now aged 40, the Swiss player has dropped to 132nd in the ATP rankings.

He reached round two at Roland Garros in 2024, losing to Russia's Pavel Kotov, and hasn't reached the second week of a Grand Slam event since the 2020 Australian Open.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet, 38, who will retire after the tournament, has also received a wildcard for the main draw.

The 2025 French Open will run from 25 May to 8 June.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Draper rues missed chances in Rome loss to Alcaraz

British number one Jack Draper was knocked out of the Italian Open as Carlos Alcaraz showed his quality under pressure to reach the semi-finals.

Draper, 23, was beaten 6-4 6-4 on the Rome clay as world number three Alcaraz battled valiantly to save break points at key moments and take his own chances when they came.

Englishman Draper, who is fifth in the ATP rankings, led 4-2 in the first set before Alcaraz fought back to take the lead.

Looking to build on his run to the Madrid Open final at the start of May, Draper recovered in the second set and constantly applied pressure on Alcaraz's serve.

But he was unable to convert three break points and, after coming through a lengthy eighth game to hold, reigning French Open champion Alcaraz ran with the momentum.

Italian Open 2025 results: Jack Draper loses to Carlos Alcaraz in Rome quarter-finals

British number one Jack Draper is knocked out of the Italian Open as Carlos Alcaraz shows his quality under pressure to reach the semi-finals.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Paul sets up Sinner semi-final after truck repossessed

Tommy Paul says he has been "grinding" to reclaim his repossessed truck after reaching the semi-finals of the Italian Open.

The American 11th seed beat Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to secure a place in the last four in Rome for the second consecutive year.

The 27-year-old prevailed despite telling reporters he had endured a "stressful week" off the court.

"On court everything has been going pretty well," said Paul. "Off court, a little bit of a stressful week.

"I got my truck repossessed. I missed a couple of payments and they took my truck from my house this week. I've been grinding to get my truck back. If you know me, that's my baby.

"I'm excited to get it back. I had to win a couple of matches so I could pay that off."

Paul said he had to pay $1,000 (£752) to secure the vehicle's return.

The former Australian Open semi-finalist is already guaranteed prize money of about £245,000 this fortnight.

He will face world number one Jannik Sinner in the last four on Friday.

Italian Open: Tommy Paul reaches Rome semi-final and says truck repossessed

Tommy Paul says he has been "grinding" to reclaim his repossessed truck after reaching the semi-finals of the Italian Open, where he will face Jannik Sinner.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Sinner & Alcaraz set up huge Italian Open final

World number one Jannik Sinner set up a blockbuster Italian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz by fighting back to beat American Tommy Paul.

Playing on home clay in his first tournament since a three-month doping ban, Sinner overcame an off-key start before overcoming the 11th seed 1-6 6-0 6-3.

In front of a packed and partisan centre court in Rome, the 23-year-old stretched his unbeaten run to 26 matches and moved one win away from being the first Italian men's singles winner at the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

In a topsy-turvy match, Paul raced to a 5-0 lead en route to a stunning first-set success, during which Sinner made 13 unforced errors and just two winners.

But the match flipped from the start of the second set as the home favourite steamrollered past Paul to win nine successive games, and the American could not recover.

Earlier on Friday, Alcaraz dashed home hopes of an all-Italian final by beating Lorenzo Musetti 6-3 7-6 (7-4).

Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz looks in good shape for the French Open later this month.

The reigning Roland Garros champion reached a fourth final of the season by winning in straight sets in just over two hours.

For Musetti, it was a fifth straight defeat to the Spaniard, including a loss when they met on clay in the Monte Carlo final last month.

The 23-year-old Musetti gave up three breaks of serve and made 29 unforced errors in the first set, and was warned by the umpire after slamming his racquet into the clay.

The players exchanged breaks at the start of the second set and Musetti moved 4-3 ahead with some spectacular shots, but Alcaraz broke back in game eight – causing his furious opponent to smash a ball into the stands.

Alcaraz, 22, kept his cool to win the tie-break and pave the way for the final on Sunday that so many tennis fans wanted.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Alcaraz ends Sinner's streak to win Italian Open

Carlos Alcaraz ended world number one Jannik Sinner's 26-match winning streak with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 win in the Italian Open final.

Sinner, playing in his first tournament since a three-month doping ban, was hoping to become the first Italian men's singles winner at the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

But after edging a tense tie-break, four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz was a class above in the second set.

Sinner had two set points in the first set but hit a backhand return wide to let reigning French Open champion Alcaraz off the hook.

The 22-year-old Spaniard took full advantage with some masterful play in the second set, sealing the title with a cross-court volley at the net.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Arthur Ashe Stadium to get revamp under $800m plan

Arthur Ashe Stadium - the US Open's showcase court - is set to be expanded as part of an $800m renovation project at Flushing Meadows, the United States Tennis Association has announced.

The USTA has described the proposed work at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre as the "largest single investment in US Open history".

It includes a plan to increase by around 2,000 the capacity of Arthur Ashe Stadium - which currently holds 23,771, and is the largest tennis arena in the world.

The stadium is set to get a new main entrance, with facilities inside for fans to be modernised.

Further plans include a new player performance centre at Flushing Meadows, with expanded indoor and outdoor warm-up areas for players.

The USTA intends to fund the renovation project itself - with work to be done in phases between tournaments to minimise disruption - and hopes to get it completed by 2027.

Lew Sherr, CEO and executive director of the USTA, said: "This project enables us to maintain the greatest stage in tennis - Arthur Ashe Stadium - which was constructed more than 25 years ago, and modernize it in a way that will set it up for the next 25 years."

US Open: Arthur Ashe Stadium to get revamp as part of $800m renovation plan

Arthur Ashe Stadium - the US Open's showcase court - is set to be expanded as part of an $800m renovation project at Flushing Meadows, the United States Tennis Association has announced.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Watson's French Open hopes ended in qualifying

French Open 2025

Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros, Paris

Heather Watson's hopes of reaching the French Open main draw are over after the Briton was beaten by Daria Saville in the first round of qualifying.

Watson, aiming for an 11th main-draw appearance at Roland Garros, lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 to the Australian.

Britain's Jan Choinski also exited in the opening round of men's qualifying, losing 6-4 7-6 (7-5) to Italian Giulio Zeppieri.

The French Open - the second Grand Slam of the year - begins on Sunday.

Britons Dan Evans and Billy Harris go head-to-head in men's qualifying on Tuesday, while Fran Jones is hoping to progress in the women's competition.

Players have to come through three qualifying rounds in Paris to reach the main draw.

Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are already in the women's main draw, while Jack Draper, Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie will contest the men's.

Momentum swung back and forth in the opening set between Watson and Saville, with the Briton rallying to a 4-2 lead after initially going a break down, only for Saville to level up.

Watson battled back from 40-0 down on serve to move within one game from the opening set, but she was unable to take her first set point.

A tie-break was confirmed by another exchange of breaks - but not before Watson initially refused to continue the match after being given a second time violation by the chair umpire.

She claimed she had been waiting for a ball to be returned to her, rather than deliberately delaying the point, but the umpire disagreed.

Saville ultimately stepped in and asked the umpire to give Watson her first serve back.

The Australian former world number 20 then dominated the tie-break and carried that momentum into the second set, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead.

Watson briefly threatened a comeback when she broke back for 3-2, but Saville was able to reset and closed out victory with another three-game streak.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Evans beats Harris to move closer to French Open place

Dan Evans beat fellow Briton Billy Harris in the first round of French Open qualifying to move a step closer to the main draw.

The 34-year-old Evans fought back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Harris 7-5 6-3 in Paris.

Fran Jones also progressed in the women's competition, but Heather Watson's hopes of contesting an 11th French Open are over.

Watson lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 to Australian Daria Saville, but Jones will face Japan's Mai Hontama in the second qualifying round after defeating Croatia's Lea Boskovic 6-2 6-3.

Jan Choinski exited in the opening round of men's qualifying, losing 6-4 7-6 (7-5) to Italian Giulio Zeppieri.

Players have to come through three qualifying rounds to reach the main draw.

The French Open - the second Grand Slam of the year - begins on Sunday.

Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are already in the women's main draw, while Jack Draper, Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie will contest the men's.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Sabalenka loses only one game in Paris opener

World number one Aryna Sabalenka dropped only one game as she beat Kamilla Rakhimova to get her French Open campaign under way in emphatic style.

Sabalenka needed just one hour to beat Russian Rakhimova 6-1 6-0 in Paris.

The Belarusian ramped up her performance as the match went on, winning nine games in a row to close out the match.

Opening the first day's play on Court Philippe Chatrier, Sabalenka served up five aces, hit 30 winners and broke her opponent's serve five times on her way to a dominant victory under the roof.

A three-time Grand Slam singles champion, Sabalenka has never reached the final of the French Open - her best performance a run to the semi-finals in 2023.

But on this evidence, the 27-year-old is justifying her tag as one of the tournament favourites.

She could face Chinese eighth seed Zheng Qinwen - who beat 2021 runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-3 in her opening match - in the quarter-finals and three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semis.

Before then, Sabalenka will first have to beat Jil Teichmann for a place in the third round, after the Swiss player beat Italian qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini 6-4 6-4.

French Open 2025: Aryna Sabalenka beats Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1 6-0 to get Paris campaign under way in style

World number one Aryna Sabalenka drops just one game against Kamilla Rakhimova to get her French Open campaign under way in emphatic style.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Boulter and Fearnley earn maiden French Open wins

Britain's Katie Boulter finally landed her first French Open main-draw victory at the age of 28 after Jacob Fearnley won on his debut against former champion Stan Wawrinka.

Boulter, ranked 38th in the world, overcame a tense start to win 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 6-1 against French world number 231 Carole Monnet.

"I'm really pleased with myself," said Boulter, who could play reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the second round.

"I sometimes find it really difficult on this surface and I've kind of persevered and tried my hardest to bring some good tennis.

"This one is special for me and it'll go in my books."

Also playing in front of a partisan opposition crowd, 55th-ranked Fearnley made smooth progress with a 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-2 victory over the popular 40-year-old Wawrinka.

The pair were joined in the second round by Emma Raducanu, who fought through "feeling sick" to beat China's Wang Xinyu earlier on Monday.

However, Jodie Burrage was unable to complete a British clean sweep on day two of the clay-court Grand Slam event.

The 25-year-old, playing under a protected injury ranking, lost 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to American former world number seven Danielle Collins.

French Open 2025 results: Katie Boulter wins at Roland Garros after Jacob Fearnley beats Stan Wawrinka

Britain's Katie Boulter lands her first French Open win at the age of 28 after Jacob Fearnley beats former champion Stan Wawrinka.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Draper recovers to earn maiden French Open win

Great Britain's Jack Draper recovered from a sluggish start to tick off another career landmark with the first French Open win of his career.

Draper, seeded fifth, moved through the gears to secure a 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory against Italy's Mattia Bellucci.

Draper lost on his first two appearances at Roland Garros but has returned this year as a genuine force on the clay.

French Open 2025: Jack Draper beats Mattia Bellucci for first Roland Garros win of his career

Great Britain's Jack Draper recovers from a sluggish start against Mattia Bellucci to secure the first French Open win of his career.

www.bbc.com

 

[Vikram1989]

Pak under 16 player created controversy after loosing the match against Indian player in junior Davis cup

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[Cricket Warrior]

Alcaraz overcomes blip to progress - but Ruud exits

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a blip in form to beat Fabian Marozsan and reach the French Open third round - but 2021 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is out.

Spaniard Alcaraz started strongly but dropped the second set before recovering to wrap up a 6-1 4-6 6-1 6-2 win over his Hungarian opponent.

But there was no such fortune for Greek 20th seed Tsitsipas, who was stunned by world number 167 Matteo Gigante of Italy, losing 6-4 5-7 6-2 6-4.

Victory was Alcaraz's 17th in 18 matches on clay this year as he looks to become the first man since compatriot Rafael Nadal in 2020 to retain the Roland Garros title.

French Open 2025 results: Carlos Alcaraz beats Fabian Marozsan to reach third round but Casper Ruud exits

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz beats Fabian Marozsan in four sets to reach the third round at the French Open but two-time finalist Casper Ruud is out.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Injured Ruud criticises 'rat race' ATP points system

Norway's Casper Ruud has criticised the ATP's ranking system by describing it as "like a rat race" which forces players to compete with injuries.

Ruud, a two-time runner-up at the French Open, suffered a second-round exit on Wednesday, losing 2-6 6-4 6-1 6-0 to Portugal's Nuno Borges.

The seventh seed won the first set comfortably, but struggled towards the end of the match with a knee injury that he has been carrying since April.

"It's been with me actually the whole clay season on and off," he said.

"As we know, it's a hectic clay season, and I decided to kind of push through it doing some anti-inflammatory pills and painkillers to try to get rid of it, which has helped to a certain degree but not enough.

"I will have some more time now to let it heal and rest for a long time."

Ruud said it is difficult to take time off on the ATP Tour to allow an injury to heal.

"It's kind of like a rat race when it comes to the rankings as well," he said.

"You feel you're obligated to play with certain rules that the ATP have set up with the mandatory events."

BBC Sport have approached the ATP for comment.

The ATP and the women's WTA Tour have mandatory requirements, meaning players must appear at a set number of tournaments each season.

The top-ranked ATP players are required to participate in eight of the nine mandatory Masters 1,000 events each year, with Monte Carlo the only exception.

Ruud missed Monte Carlo - the first big clay-court event of the season - but he played at the Italian Open in Rome after winning his first ATP Masters title in Madrid.

The world number eight also feared that he would miss out on defending ranking points, which are used to decide where a player is seeded and whether or not they can gain direct entry into a tournament.

"You feel like you lose a lot if you don't show up and play, both economically, point-wise, ranking-wise and opportunity-wise," Ruud added.

"It's a questionable system because on one hand you don't want to show up injured, and you maybe give the spot to another one."

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Draper edges past Monfils in late-night French Open thriller

Jack Draper ensured there will be three British men in the French Open third round for the first time since 1968 by seeing off home favourite Gael Monfils in a memorable late-night thriller.

With the Parisian crowd willing on 38-year-old Monfils, fifth seed Draper stayed focused and regrouped to win 6-3 4-6 6-3 7-5 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Former world number six Monfils threatened to force a decider in an absorbing contest - full of high-quality rallies and entertainment - but could not serve out at 5-3 or take two set points at 5-4.

Draper, 23, maintained his composure superbly to record the finest Roland Garros win of his fledgling career.

"My brain was fried out here," Draper said afterwards.

"I'm not sure if I am going to go to sleep tonight because my brain is just all over the place with what [Gael] was doing out here.

"That's why he has had such a successful career and is loved by all the fans. The players love to watch him play as well but not to play against him."

French Open 2025: Jack Draper beats Gael Monfils after Jacob Fearnley sets up Cameron Norrie clash

Jack Draper ensures there will be three British men in the French Open third round for the first time since 1968 by seeing off home favourite Gael Monfils in a late-night thriller.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Alcaraz made to suffer in four-set win over Dzumhur

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was forced to fight for his place in the French Open fourth round with a testing victory over a dogged Damir Dzumhur.

The second seed had looked to be making light work of his opponent with a two-set lead, before a revival from the Bosnian pushed their encounter into a fourth set under the lights on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Spaniard Alcaraz, seeking to becoming the first man since compatriot Rafael Nadal in 2020 to retain the Roland Garros title, eventually ground out a 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-4 success.

French Open 2025 results: Carlos Alcaraz beats Damir Dzumhur in four sets

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is forced to fight for his place in the French Open fourth round with a testing victory over Damir Dzumhur.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Draper beaten by inspired Bublik at French Open

Jack Draper was given a reality check as world number 62 Alexander Bublik produced a phenomenal fourth-round performance to end British interest in the French Open singles.

Fifth seed Draper lost his way in a 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4 defeat by the maverick Kazakh.

The British number one was largely expected to continue his sharp rise on the clay and tee up a potential quarter-final against top seed Jannik Sinner, who plays his fourth-round match later on Monday.

However, Bublik unleashed an array of spectacular shot-making - using the drop-shot to devastating effect in particular - on his way to a spectacular victory.

A tense finish saw Bublik spurn one match point - and save five break points to Draper - before eventually getting over the line.

It is Draper's worst defeat by ranking since his first-round exit at Roland Garros last year.

French Open 2025 results: Jack Draper loses to Alexander Bublik in Roland Garros last 16

Britain's Jack Draper is given a reality check as world number 62 Alexander Bublik produces a stunning performance to reach the French Open quarter-finals.

www.bbc.com

 

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Sinner Crushes Rublev To Reach Roland Garros Last Eight

Jannik Sinner fired a warning sign to his French Open title rivals as he romped to a comprehensive victory over Andrey Rublev in the French Open last 16 on Monday.

Russian 17th seed Rublev appeared to pose a tricky test on paper for Sinner, but the world number one instead cantered to a 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 win in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.

"Things can go very quickly in a bad way, especially best of five, it can go very long," said Sinner.

"I'm very happy to finish it in three. These night sessions in Paris are very special."

The Italian, who returned from a three-month doping ban in May in Rome, will next face unseeded Kazakh Alexander Bublik in the quarter-finals.

Sinner holds a 3-1 winning record against Bublik in their head-to-head, but did lose their last meeting in 2023 on grass in Halle.

He is aiming for a third consecutive Grand Slam title in Paris after winning last year's US Open and taking his second successive Australian Open crown in January.

Sinner gained a measure of revenge on Rublev for a last-16 defeat at Roland Garros in 2022, when he had to retire injured in the third set.

He was in clinical form on Monday, firing five aces and 25 winners past a bewildered opponent.

"Inside there's a storm going on but tennis is a very mental game and you don't want to show anything to your opponent," Sinner said of his calm on-court demeanour.

"In my young career, the storm was also outside not only inside."

The 23-year-old, who lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 semi-finals, saved two break points in the opening game of the match.

But it was all one-way traffic from there as he powered into a 5-0 lead and clinched the opener despite missing one set point for a first-set bagel.

Sinner broke for a 2-1 lead and wrapped up the second set when Rublev dropped serve again.

With the crowd firmly behind him, 10-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist Rublev upped his level in the third set.

But his only break point since the very first game came and went as Sinner remained rock solid on serve, before the top seed took his first match point when a Rublev forehand clipped the net and spun wide.

Sinner Crushes Rublev To Reach Roland Garros Last Eight

Jannik Sinner fired a warning sign to his French Open title rivals as he romped to a comprehensive victory over Andrey Rublev in the French Open last 16 on Monday.

www.barrons.com