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Australian Open men's final 2024: Jannik Sinner beats Daniil Medvedev in Melbourne final



Jannik Sinner is the youngest player to win the Australian Open men's title since Novak Djokovic in 2008


Jannik Sinner landed the Grand Slam title he has long promised with an extraordinary fightback to beat Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final.
Italy's Sinner, 22, trailed by two sets before recovering to win 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in his first major final.
Fourth seed Sinner initially could not cope with the Russian's pace but imposed himself as the contest wore on.
It was another bitter experience for Medvedev, who also blew a two-set lead against Rafael Nadal in the 2022 final.
A first-time champion in Melbourne was guaranteed after Sinner knocked out 10-time winner Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Sinner ensured his name goes on the trophy - fulfilling the talent that many had predicted would lead to a Grand Slam triumph - after an courageous comeback in a match lasting almost four hours.
"It feels great. I just have to process it, I guess, how it feels the first time," Sinner told Australia's Channel Nine.
"It has been a hell of a journey even if I'm still only 22."

Third seed Medvedev, 27, has lost five of his six major finals, including ones against Djokovic in 2021 and Nadal in 2022 at Melbourne Park.
Sinner clinched victory with a forehand winner down the line, falling to his back on the baseline in celebration.
Medvedev trudged around the net to offer his congratulations before Sinner thumped his heart on his way to celebrate with his team.
Looking disconsolate as he tried to process the loss while sitting on his chair, Medvedev managed to give a thumbs-up to the crowd when they applauded his efforts.
"It hurts to lose in the final but probably being in the final is better than losing before," said Medvedev, who set a record for the most time spent on court at a Grand Slam tournament with 24 hours and 17 minutes.
"I always want to win and I guess I have to try harder next time."

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Australian Open: Super Sabalenka retains title






CROWNING GLORY: Aryna Sabalenka kisses the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Defending champion routs China's Zheng in women's singles final
MELBOURNE: For a good part of the 76-minute Australian Open final, there was just one player on Rod Laver Arena - Aryna Sabalenka. On a windswept evening that was steadily building up, Sabalenka was swinging and stinging.
The world No. 2 defended her title with a 6-3, 6-2 win over the 21-year-old Chinese Qinwen Zheng, a first-time Grand Slam finalist.Sabalenka is the first player since compatriot Victoria Azarenka (in 2012-13) to claim the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for consecutive seasons.



Fittingly the statuesque Belarusian was presented the trophy by the incomparable Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
"Thanks Evonne for being such an inspiration," Sabalenka said. "It has been an amazing couple of weeks for me, it is an unbelievable feeling right now."
Sabalenka then bit back her emotions when she said, "I never speak about my family in my winning speeches. I love you so much, you're my biggest motivation. I'm doing it for you."
The 25-year-old also applauded her younger opponent. " I want to say to Zheng, you're such an incredible player, such a young girl. I know it is disappointing to lose a final, but you'll get there."
Zheng said, "This is my first final and I'm feeling a little bit pity. I feel I could have done better, but I didn't in this match. I'm sure there is going to be more and better in the future."



Chinese fans had turned up in large numbers and were peppered across the Rod Laver Arena - flag-waving and wildly cheering. 'Jiayou' they shouted at every opportunity, a Chinese expression of encouragement and support.
Sabalenka plays to her own drummer, her game is about knockout power, serve and strokes. She's hard to sidetrack when she's in control. The second seed got off to a 3-0 start in the first set and in the second she led 2-0. Zheng was serving in the third game when two protesters with a Palestinian flag shouting, 'Free Palestine' held up play for a couple of minutes.
Zheng, who will make her Top-10 debut on Monday at No. 7, closed out the game, but Sabalenka, who did not drop a set all fortnight, didn't take her leg off the pedal.

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Seven tennis facts that sound fake, but are real: Novak Djokovic hasn’t won a set on grass against Andy Murray



This one is for the tennis fanatics who love their facts and statistics.
One of the quirkiest, but most well-known facts in tennis is that the longest tennis match in history took 11 hours and five minutes to complete with the clash taking place at Wimbledon in 2010.
That match, of course, took place over three days with John Isner beating Nicohals Mahut 6–4, 3–6, 6–7 (7–9), 7–6 (7–3), 70–68 with the final set alone lasting more than eight hours.

Another interesting record from the match is the fact that both players served more than 100 aces with Isner edging his French opponent 113-103.
But, as mentioned before, most of those facts are well-known so let’s look at seven other weird tennis facts that sound like it is fake, but are true.

1. Novak Djokovic hasn’t won a set on grass against Andy Murray

It is hard to believe, but Andy Murray is 5-0 in terms of sets against Novak Djokovic on grass and that is mostly down to the fact that they have played only two matches against each other on the surface.
That is a bizarre stat in itself when you consider they have faced each other 36 times in top-level tennis.
Murray won their first-ever match on grass at the 2012 London Olympics as he beat Djokovic 7-5, 7-5 and the following year he stunned the Serbian 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final.
And that was the last time they met on the surface.

2. David Nalbandian’s Big Three wins in consecutive matches

Argentine David Nalbandian won the 2007 Madrid Open and, in the process, he created a bit of history as he is the only player to beat the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in three consecutive matches.

Nalbandian defeated Nadal 6-1, 6-2 in the quarter-final then dismissed Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in the semi-final before beating Federer 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final.
The Argentine, though, is not the only player to beat the top three players in the world in consecutive matches as Djokovic himself defeated Federer, Nadal and Andy Roddick en route to winning the 2007 Rogers Cup while Boris Becker achieved a similar feat in 1994.

3. Richard Gasquet is 0-45 in sets against Nadal, Federer and Djokovic at Grand Slams

French veteran Richard Gasquet has faced Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on 15 different occasions at Grand Slams and he hasn’t won a single set against the Big Three.
Gasquet is 0-18 against Nadal in six matches, 0-15 against Federer in five matches and 0-12 against Djokovic in four matches.

4. Serena Williams won 16 Grand Slams before winning a WTA 250 event

Serena Williams won her maiden Tier III/International/ WTA 250 title at the 2013 Swedish Open and by that stage she was already a 16-time Grand Slam winner.

The tennis great finished her career with 73 titles, but only two came at International/WTA 250 events. The second of those was also her last title in tennis at the 2020 Auckland Open.

5. David Ferrer didn’t beat a top-four player in any of his 27 ATP title runs


Former world No 3 David Ferrer won 27 ATP Tour singles titles, but at no stage during those 27 title runs did he beat a top-four player en route to lifting the title.
In fact, at 25 of the 27 tournaments there was no Big Four player in the draw. The only time there were a Big Four player in the draw was at Valencia 2010 when Andy Murray lost in the second round and at the Paris Masters in 2012 when Murray and Djokovic lost early.

6. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s US Open anomaly

Fedal faced each other 14 times at Grand Slams over the years, but not a single one of those appearances came at the US Open.
Strange, but true.
Andy Murray denied fans a Fedal final in 2008 when he beat Nadal in the semi-final and the following year Juan Martin del Potro first defeated Nadal in the last four before beating Federer in the final.

7. Chris Evert reached the semi-final in 52 out of 56 Grand Slams

The great Chris Evert played in 56 Grand Slams and in 52 of those she reached at least the semi-final.
The only four times that she failed to reach the last four were at Wimbledon 1983 (third round), US Open in 1987 (quarter-final), French Open in 1988 (third round) and the 1989 US Open (quarter-final).
Evert won 18 Grand Slams and finished runner-up at another 16 majors.

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Sumit Nagal wins Chennai Open, set to enter top-100


Sumit Nagal wins Chennai Open, set to enter top-100

NEW DELHI: Sumit Nagal, India's top singles player, secured his fifth Challenger-level singles title on Sunday by defeating Italian Luca Nardi in the final of the Chennai Open.
This victory is expected to propel Nagal into the top-100 rankings for the first time in his career.

The 6-1, 6-4 win is anticipated to take him to the 98th spot when the updated rankings are released on Monday.
This achievement makes Nagal the first Indian to break into the singles top-100 since Prajnesh Gunneswaran achieved this feat in 2019.
Nagal has had an impressive start to the 2024 season, notably qualifying for the Australian Open main draw and causing an upset by defeating top-30 player Alexander Bublik in the first round.
His performance at the Chennai Open was exceptional, winning the title without dropping a set.
"I'm very emotional (today). You know, every tennis player's dream is to be top 100 at least. And like I said earlier, to win this match in front of the home crowd in your own country, I don't think I could have asked for a better place," Nagal said after his victory.
"I don't think there were words, everyone was crying. Less words, more tears.

"I'm still very emotional. It's been very tough last year with being ranked 500, getting surgery done, not having financial support.
"A lot of ups and downs, you know. And I'm very happy that I found a way to push every single day and give myself a chance to be here," he added.
Nagal also hoped this win will inspire aspiring athletes to pursue a career in singles tennis.
"We'd love to see more people playing the Slams, but I hope this win can push more people to pursue career in singles as well," he said.
It has been a terrific start to the 2024 season for the 26-year-old Indian, who qualified for the Australian Open main draw and knocked out top-30 player Alexander Bublik in the first round.
"I am happy with the way I am controlling myself and the zone I am in. I think it is very important for a tennis player because sport is very important.
"Once you step on the court, it is just you. And if you are not in the right mindset, or if you are not seeing the right things, it is very tough to change things on the court," he said.

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Carlos Alcaraz outlasts Zverev to claim maiden French Open title; becomes youngest man to win a Slam on all surfaces


With the win, Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden major in Paris and third overall, adding to his 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon title haul.

Third seed Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday became the youngest ever ATP player to clinch a Grand Slam title on each of the three surfaces as he beat Alexander Zverev in the 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in the 2024 French Open men's singles final at the Stade Roland Garros. With his four-hour, 19-minute victory, the 21-year-old won his maiden major in Paris and third overall, adding to his 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon title haul.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning the men's singles final against Germany's Alexander Zverev

Overall, the 21-year-old is the seventh man to capture Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces. Alcaraz's Grand Slam record stands at an impressive 52-10, a testament to his consistency and skill. He now joins the esteemed ranks of the seven Spaniards who have lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires, a list that includes his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 Paris major champion.

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French Open: “Queen of Clay” Iga Swiatek seals a Roland Garros hat-trick

World No.1 crushes Italy’s surprise finalist Jasmine Paolini to lift the French Open trophy for the fourth time, and a 5th Slam

What makes Iga Swiatek so good on clay? Is it her serve? She tweaked it a few years ago and has undoubtedly become more versatile and accurate. Is it her powerful play from the baseline? Her incredible forehand, perhaps? She can generate over 3,400 rotations per minute from that shot, which is similar to what some of the best male players produce. How is it that at 23, she’s already on her way to being one of the greats on the surface?

Poland's Iga Swiatek poses for a picture with the trophy after winning her final match against Italy's Jasmine Paolini


Ahead of her French Open final with 12th seed Jasmine Paolini on Saturday, people ran polls on social media wondering whether Swiatek would produce another bagel (6-0 set). It may seem like a ridiculous question to ask heading into a Grand Slam final, but considering that the irrepressible Pole was facing a first-time Major finalist on the red dirt of Paris, it felt very possible. And the Pole almost lived up to that lofty expectation, winning 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour to claim her fourth Roland Garros title and fifth Major overall.

The world No.1 became the third player in the Open Era, after Monica Seles (1990 to ’92) and Justine Henin (2005 to ’07) to win the French Open women’s singles title three years in a row. She also became the fourth woman, after Henin (4), Steffi Graf (6) and Chris Evert (7) to win the tournament four times. After Serena Williams in 2013, she’s only the second woman to win the Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros titles in the same year.

With the majority of her career still ahead of her, one can only imagine where she’ll finish on this list.
As she completed her three-peat in Paris, Swiatek won 40 of the 43 completed sets she competed in. Ten of those were bagels. The closest she came to losing during this 21-match unbeaten run was in the 2023 final against Karolina Muchova, when the Czech served at 4-3 in the third set. And in the second round this year against Naomi Osaka, when the Japanese star had a match point on serve at 5-3 in the decider.

So, again, what’s been the secret behind her invincibility on clay? It goes without saying that she’s extremely driven. Her shots seem mechanical at times because of how accurate they are, and that can only happen by following mundane practice routines obsessively day in, day out. Her preparation is so thorough, her game so efficient, that she blows most opponents off court even by playing well within herself.

But the real magic appears on the rare occasions when she’s put under pressure, like Muchova and Osaka managed to do. Such is her conviction that she can turn the situation around no matter how hopeless it may appear. This wasn’t always the case as she struggled with nerves in the early stages of her career, and her sports physiologist Daria Abramowicz probably deserves immense credit. But these days there’s precious little that fazes Swiatek, particularly on clay. It’s as if a switch gets flicked on and the errors disappear when her back is to the wall. It’s the sort of elite mentality that’s helped her win 22 of the 26 finals she’s competed in.

Against Paolini on Saturday, she was broken early but went on to win 11 of the last 12 games. The 28-year-old Italian, who had got past the fourth round at a Major for the first time, was made to look a shadow of the player who beat fourth seed Elena Rybakina and the up-and-coming Mira Andreeva in the previous two rounds.
“It’s amazing to be here. I love this place. I wait every year to come back,” Swiatek said after her latest victory. “I was almost out of the tournament (in the second round). I also needed to believe this one is going to be possible; it’s been a really emotional tournament.”

Swiatek was all of 19 when she triumphed at Roland Garros for the first time. She’s now the only player along with Seles to have won her first five women’s singles Grand Slam finals. She’s in a league of her own at the moment and seems on course to establishing herself among the pantheon of all-time greats.

[BangaloreaN]

Jannik Sinner makes history as first Italian world No. 1 in ATP rankings


Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner's rise to World No. 1 in the ATP rankings marks a historic moment for Italian tennis, as he becomes the first Italian player to achieve this milestone since the rankings began in 1973. With an impressive record of 33-3 this season and three titles, including his first Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open, Sinner's ascent to the top ranking is well-deserved.Poll

He will lead the pack as the top-seeded player at Wimbledon, which commences on July 1st.
Despite Sinner's remarkable season, he has faced tough competition from Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated him twice, including a five-set battle in the French Open semifinals. Alcaraz went on to win the tournament, defeating Alexander Zverev in the final. This victory propelled Alcaraz to World No. 2, with Novak Djokovic dropping to World No. 3 due to his injury and subsequent withdrawal from Roland Garros.


Jannik Sinner Becomes First Italian To Ascend To ATP World No. 1




Jannik Sinner is officially the new World No. 1 in men’s tennis.

He is the first Italian man or woman to reach World No. 1 in singles since computerized rankings began in 1973.
Newly minted French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Sinner in a five-set semifinal, is No. 2, followed by former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic at No. 3. Djokovic withdrew from Roland Garros with a knee injury for which he had surgery last week.
Alexander Zverev, who lost to Alcaraz in five sets, Sunday in the Roland Garros final, is No. 4.

The 22-year-old Sinner began the year at World No. 4. But with a remarkable surge to start 2024, highlighted by his first major title at the Australian Open, an ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami and semifinals at Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo and Roland Garros, Sinner is now the 29th player to stand at the summit of men’s professional tennis.
“It represents a great result of work ethic,” he said. “Me and my team, it was one of our goals these years. But the most important goal is always to improve as a player and as a person, surrounding myself with great people. I think I can be very happy and pleased with what I’m doing and what my team is doing. In the last period I’ve played some really good tennis. I’m very happy to be in this position.”

Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman, said: “Jannik’s rise to World No. 1 has been nothing short of remarkable. This is our sport’s most challenging and impressive accomplishment, requiring immense dedication, determination and self-belief. It’s reflected by the exclusive list of tennis greats who have held the top spot, with Jannik becoming only the 29th player to achieve the No. 1 ranking in over 50 years of history. Jannik can be immensely proud of everything he has accomplished. On behalf of the ATP, we are thrilled to join his many fans in celebrating this moment. At just 22 years old, he has an incredible road ahead. It will be fascinating to watch his journey continue.”
Sinner first entered the ATP Rankings on Feb. 12 2018 at 16 and less than two years later, on Oct. 28, 2019, he cracked the world’s Top 100. Shortly thereafter, the Italian won the Next Gen ATP Finals presented at just 18.

Over the past 52 weeks, during which Sinner has earned the points that helped him to World No. 1, he has tallied a 15-4 record against Top 10 opponents. Nine of his victories during that stretch have come against current or former World No. 1s: Djokovic (3), Alcaraz (1) and Daniil Medvedev (5).
Last November, Sinner led Italy to Davis Cup glory for the first time since 1976. It was just the country’s second victory in the event.
Sinner’s rise to No.1 brings Djokovic’s current stint at the top to a close. The Serbian has spent a record 428 total weeks at No.1 to date. Sinner joins a list of six active players who have ascended to World No. 1: Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Medvedev and Alcaraz.

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Dominic Thiem, the winner of the US Open, announces his retirement from tennis


The Austrian tennis player will end his career at the end of this season, having reached his peak in 2020, but injuries have prevented him from developing any further. A severely restricted wrist and an "inner feeling" have led him to decide to end his career at the end of this season. Thiem managed to beat the 'Big Three': Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Dominic Thiem defeated Alexander Zverev in the final of the 2020 US Open. This victory, in the middle of the pandemic, with no spectators in the stands, was his best moment as a tennis player. After that triumph, however, he could do nothing but try to regain his top level without success. Injuries, particularly to his right wrist, were his undoing.
"The 2024 season will be my last. I will end my career at the end of this season", he said. Thiem said in a video statement posted on social media. That's how the Austrian decided to inform his fans and the tennis world that he will not continue as a professional player after the end of this season.
In the video, Thiem points to his wrist as the main reason for his early retirement. But it's not the only reason. He also referred to his "inner feeling", which led him to "reflect very carefully" on the highs and lows of his "incredible... journey as a tennis player." Dominic Thiem has had very good moments and he has had very bad moments. It wasn't something that suddenly came to him. It's something that took him many hours and days to think about. "I'm very happy with it (the decision). I'm also very excited about everything that comes next," he said.

The Austrian, currently ranked 117th, reached number three in the world. However, Thiem's ranking dropped to 352 in June 2002 after a wrist injury sidelined him for nine months and prevented him from defending his US Open title. His career has not improved, and he has suffered many physical problems that have prevented him from maintaining a consistent career.
He has won titles and finished on the podium in very important tournaments, won the French Open and reached the final twice, and has also reached the Australian Open once. Thiem also managed two finals at the Masters in London, which brings together the top eight players of the season. His record could have been better, but it is true that he lost in the finals and was deprived of the wins that always help climb the rankings.
A wrist injury has been the main reason for Thiem's retirement.

Some players, such as the player who has won the most Grand Slam tournaments in history, Serbia's Djokovic, had kind words for Thiem, "He always showed respect on the court and always took the time to say hello," he told APA press agency. "I really like Dominic. We all know how hard it is to come back (from injury)."
Thiem will hang up his racket having achieved a feat few can claim. The Austrian was one of the players who ended the dominance of the 'Big Three' of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer with victory at the 2020 US Open.
In his best year, he will have beaten Nadal in the quarter-finals of the 2020 Australian Open. He faced the Spaniard in two finals at Nadal's favourite tournament, Roland Garros, and lost both times. Thiem has beat Djokovic seven times, and Federer on five occasions.

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Queen's Club Championship Final: Tommy Paul Races To Title With Straight-Sets Win



Tommy Paul's 27th tour-level win of the season also ensured he will surpass Taylor Fritz to become the American number one for the first time in his career on Monday
Tommy Paul claimed his first title on grass with a straight-sets victory over Lorenzo Musetti at the Queen's Championship on Sunday.


It took the American just 88 minutes to get his 6-1 7-6 (10-8 ) win after a front-footed, aggressive approach.
Paul cruised through the opening set but looked like he might be forced into a decider after failing to serve out the match at 5-4.
The Italian edged them into a tie-break, but Paul rallied from 1-4 down to get his hands on the title.
His 27th tour-level win of the season also ensured he will surpass Taylor Fritz to become the American number one for the first time in his career on Monday.
It was a dominant performance from Paul throughout Queen's as he only dropped a single set on his way to capturing his third ATP Tour title.
On Sunday, he made just six unforced errors as he came out on top in his first-ever meeting with Musetti.