Rune Outlasts Dimitrov in Monte Carlo Marathon

Rune Outlasts Dimitrov in Monte Carlo Marathon

The intimate Court des Princes in Monte Carlo witnessed a thrilling three-hour and 30-minute battle between Holger Rune and Grigor Dimitrov, marking the penultimate singles match of the 2024 tournament.

Despite having to complete their previous matches earlier in the day due to rain, both players displayed remarkable resilience and determination. Rune and Dimitrov traded blows, with the Dane hitting 36 winners to Dimitrov’s 35. The Bulgarian had a slight edge in net points (38 to 32) and won more points overall (127 to 125).

The match was a testament to the players’ physical and mental fortitude. Dimitrov reached match point twice, but Rune’s unwavering aggression and clutch play in the tiebreakers proved decisive. The Dane secured the victory with a 7-6 (9), 3-6, 7-6 (2) scoreline.

The capacity crowd played a pivotal role in the match’s atmosphere. Their chants and support kept both players motivated and energized. Rune acknowledged the crowd’s impact, saying, “The crowd was on fire.”

Rune and Dimitrov have a history of engaging in marathon matches, with each player having experienced both victory and defeat. Dimitrov’s recent resurgence has seen him improve his winning percentage and return to the Top 10. However, Rune’s fighting spirit and ability to respond to adversity proved too much for the Bulgarian on this occasion.

Rune’s victory sets up a highly anticipated clash with Jannik Sinner on Friday. Despite acknowledging Sinner’s status as the favorite, Rune remains confident, citing his 2-1 head-to-head record against the Italian.

Venus Williams Unveils Health and Wellness Book “STRIVE”

Venus Williams, the legendary tennis icon, is set to unveil her wisdom and experiences in a new health and wellness book titled “STRIVE.” The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who has faced challenges with a chronic autoimmune disorder, shares her journey and the lessons she has learned along the way.

“STRIVE” is a comprehensive guide that encompasses eight essential tenets: Observe, Appreciate, Balance, Enrich, Soothe, Believe, Inspire, and Strive. These principles form a holistic approach to wellness and performance, empowering readers to create their own ideal lifestyles.

Williams emphasizes the importance of perseverance and consistency in achieving goals. She believes that by adopting a balanced and enriching lifestyle, individuals can maintain confidence, power, and capability. The book offers practical tips and strategies that have helped Williams overcome obstacles and sustain her success.

In partnership with HarpersCollins’ Amistad, “STRIVE” is available for pre-order and will be released on September 10, 2024. It marks Williams’ second book project, following her 2010 release “Come to Win.”

Despite her literary endeavors, Williams’ recent return to WTA action has been met with challenges. After a knee injury sidelined her last year, she made her comeback in March but faced early exits at the BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open.

Williams remains determined to continue her tennis career while sharing her knowledge and inspiring others through her book. “STRIVE” is a testament to her resilience, perseverance, and unwavering belief in the power of self-improvement.

Sinner Continues Clay-Court Dominance, Reaches Monte Carlo Quarterfinals

Sinner Continues Clay-Court Dominance, Reaches Monte Carlo Quarterfinals

Jannik Sinner’s dominance on clay continues as he effortlessly dispatched Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. The Italian maestro, who has lost only once this season, showcased his versatility by seamlessly transitioning from hard courts to the red dirt.

Sinner’s victory over Struff, a seasoned clay-court specialist, was a testament to his exceptional skills. The 22-year-old broke Struff’s serve twice in the opening set, despite facing some resistance from the German. In the second set, Sinner’s dominance was even more pronounced as he broke Struff’s serve in the third game and never looked back.

Sinner’s triumph sets up a potential quarterfinal clash with Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1. Djokovic, who is also in pursuit of the Monte Carlo title, avenged his recent defeat to Lorenzo Musetti to join Sinner in the last eight.

Unseeded at the Monte Carlo Country Club, Struff has enjoyed a career-best season, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 21 last year. However, he was unable to match Sinner’s brilliance on this occasion.

In other quarterfinal matchups, two-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame a second-set lapse to defeat Alexander Zverev. Tsitsipas will face Karen Khachanov, who upset Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling encounter.

Holger Rune and Grigor Dimitrov will battle for a place in the semifinals, while Andrey Rublev and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will also vie for a spot in the last four.

Sinner’s victory further solidifies his status as one of the most formidable players on tour. His relentless pursuit of Djokovic’s No. 1 ranking remains a possibility, and his performance in Monte Carlo suggests that he is ready to challenge for the top spot.

Tennis Channel to Broadcast Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier with Lindsay Davenport as US Captain

Tennis Channel to Broadcast Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier with Lindsay Davenport as US Captain

Tennis Channel will broadcast the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier between the United States and Belgium on April 12-13, marking the debut of Lindsay Davenport as captain of the American team. The event will be held at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, with the winner advancing to the tournament finals in Seville, Spain, in November.

Davenport, a Hall of Famer who played for the United States 20 times, will lead a roster that includes Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, Taylor Townsend, and Caroline Dolehide. Pegula is currently ranked No. 5 in the world in singles, while Navarro has leaped 100 places in the WTA rankings in the past year, up to No. 21 in singles today. Townsend is ranked No. 13 in doubles.

Belgium, captained by Wim Fissette, includes Sofia Costoulas, Hanne Vandewinkel, Marie Benoit, and Kimberley Zimmermann.

The broadcast will feature four hours of live competition both days of the event. The United States and Belgium will play two singles matches Friday, and two singles and a doubles match Saturday, with each worth one point. The first country to three points gets to move on.

Former players CoCo Vandewegh and Mark Petchey will provide commentary for Tennis Channel. Vandewegh led the United States to its record-extending 18th cup in 2017, the nation’s most recent title. Petchey appeared for Britain in Davis Cup from 1991-1997.

T2, Tennis Channel’s second network, will have live coverage of two other Billie Jean King Cup qualifier matchups this weekend: Poland-Switzerland and Romania-Ukraine. Subscription service Tennis Channel Plus will have live coverage of competition between Brazil-Germany, Britain-France, and Japan-Kazakhstan, as well as encore replays of these and the matches on Tennis Channel and TC.

Tennis Channel’s international channels will also carry Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers this weekend. Austria, Germany, and Switzerland will offer Germany-Brazil, while India, Spain, and the United Kingdom will show Britain-France.

Djokovic Avenges Musetti Loss, Reaches Monte-Carlo Quarterfinals

Djokovic Avenges Musetti Loss, Reaches Monte-Carlo Quarterfinals

Novak Djokovic exacted revenge on Lorenzo Musetti, the young Italian who stunned him last year, with a 7-5, 6-3 victory in the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters quarterfinals.

Musetti, now 22, had upset an out-of-form Djokovic in 2023, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion was in far better shape this time around. Djokovic rallied from a break down in the first set and never looked back, advancing in just under two hours.

Djokovic, who had declared himself “not scared of anything or anybody” ahead of the rematch, showed no signs of rust after sitting out the Miami Open. He had demolished Roman Safiullin in his first match in Monte Carlo and was eager to prove that last year’s early exit was an aberration.

Musetti, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 15 last June, opened the match with a break of serve and threatened to take a 4-1 double-break lead. However, Djokovic held on and charged back, leveling the set and ultimately winning seven of the next eight games.

Musetti managed to break back and get on the board, but Djokovic kept pressing and broke serve again to move within two games of victory. Musetti saved break points to avoid a double-break deficit and pulled off some audacious shotmaking to get the set back on serve.

Undeterred, Djokovic regained his lead and served for the match. With three match points in hand, he only needed one as Musetti erred long off the forehand.

Up next for Djokovic is No. 11 seed Alex de Minaur, who defeated fellow Aussie Alexei Popyrin in straight sets. De Minaur has been one of the most consistent players of 2024 and will pose a significant challenge to Djokovic.

Sumit Nagal Takes Set Off Rune in Monte Carlo Masters Second Round

Sumit Nagal Takes Set Off Rune in Monte Carlo Masters Second Round

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal put up a valiant fight against world number seven Holger Rune at the Monte Carlo Masters, taking a set off the Danish prodigy before ultimately falling in the rain-hit second round.

Nagal, who had already made history by becoming the first Indian to win a singles main draw match at a Masters event on clay, continued his impressive run by threatening to spoil Rune’s party. After losing the first set 3-6, Nagal rallied back to take the second set 6-3, showcasing his grit and determination.

However, Rune proved too strong in the final set, breaking Nagal’s serve twice to seal the match 2-6. Despite the defeat, Nagal’s performance was a testament to his growing stature on the ATP Tour.

The 26-year-old Indian had earlier stunned Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the first round, winning 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. He also defeated eighth-seeded Flavio Cobolli and third-seeded Facundo Diaz Acosto in the qualifiers to reach the main draw.

Nagal’s success at the Monte Carlo Masters follows his memorable performance at the 2019 US Open, where he took a set off the legendary Roger Federer. His recent achievements highlight his potential as a rising star in the world of tennis.

Sonego Primed for Upset Over Humbert in Monte Carlo Masters

Sonego Primed for Upset Over Humbert in Monte Carlo Masters

Lorenzo Sonego Poised to Upset Ugo Humbert in Monte Carlo Masters Round of 16

On Thursday, April 11, Lorenzo Sonego will face world No. 15 Ugo Humbert in the Round of 16 at the Monte Carlo Masters. While Humbert holds a higher ranking, Sonego’s impressive clay-court record and head-to-head advantage suggest he has a strong chance of pulling off an upset.

Humbert’s overall record in 2024 is impressive, but his performance on clay has been lackluster. With a career record of just 11-24 on the surface, he has struggled to find his footing. In contrast, Sonego boasts a 49-47 record on clay, demonstrating his proficiency on the red dirt.

Over the past 52 weeks, Humbert’s clay-court record stands at 3-6, while Sonego has compiled an 11-9 record. This disparity highlights Sonego’s superior clay-court skills.

The head-to-head history between the two players further favors Sonego. He holds a 2-0 record against Humbert on clay, including a victory in this very tournament last year. Sonego’s ability to neutralize Humbert’s big serve and exploit his weaknesses on clay gives him a significant advantage.

Despite Sonego’s struggles in recent months, he has shown signs of improvement. In his previous match, he broke Felix Auger-Aliassime three times, demonstrating his ability to break down strong servers.

While Humbert remains the favorite, Sonego’s clay-court prowess, head-to-head advantage, and recent form suggest he has a real chance of winning this match. Bettors should consider backing Sonego to win at least one set or even to win the match outright.

Medvedev's Monte Carlo Exit Marred by Officiating Controversy

Medvedev’s Monte Carlo Exit Marred by Officiating Controversy

Daniil Medvedev’s Monte Carlo Masters campaign ended in controversy and frustration as he clashed with officials over officiating errors. In a round-of-16 match against Karen Khachanov, Medvedev’s outburst erupted after a shot from Khachanov went uncalled in the penultimate game.

Medvedev, the former world No. 1, was visibly upset, exclaiming, “They don’t know how to referee anymore. Open your freaking eyes!” He had previously lost a long rally and checked a mark that Hawkeye Live confirmed was out, but he had not stopped the point to request a review.

Broken the next point, Medvedev flung his racquet and approached the chair, only to be met by physios who mistakenly thought he had called for a medical timeout. The confusion escalated as Medvedev demanded accountability from supervisor Cedric Mourier.

“Who will take action?” Medvedev asked. “Yesterday, the ball is out. It’s called in. Who will take action? This ball is out. Who will take responsibility? It’s not my responsibility to referee the matches.”

Medvedev’s frustration stemmed from a similar incident in his opening-round match against Gaël Monfils, where an incorrect call was backed up by umpire Mohamed Layhani. He had vowed to control his emotional outbursts in 2024, but the officiating errors proved too much to bear.

Despite calming down to defeat Monfils, Medvedev’s outburst against Khachanov resulted in a warning for the racquet toss and a point penalty for the rant. He ultimately bowed out of Monte Carlo, 6-3, 7-5.

In his post-match press conference, Medvedev acknowledged the need to control his emotions, especially during the upcoming clay-court season. “Sometimes if you don’t control the crazy in the moment, you have to control the crazy after the moment,” he said.

Team World Unveils Trio for Laver Cup Three-Peat Bid

Team World Unveils Trio for Laver Cup Three-Peat Bid

Team World, led by the legendary John McEnroe, is gearing up for a three-peat at the Laver Cup, which will be McEnroe’s final year as captain. The team has announced three of its players: Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, and Tommy Paul.

De Minaur, the Australian No. 1, is in the form of his life, having recently cracked the Top 10 and won the Acapulco title. He is eager to contribute to Team World’s success, saying, “We will have a fight on our hands, but I love the team environment and we will give it everything we’ve got.”

Fritz, the world No. 13, is making his fourth Laver Cup appearance and has been a key member of both previous victorious teams. Paul, ranked 16th, is also making his second appearance, having joined the team in Vancouver last year.

“The atmosphere, camaraderie, and excitement of the Laver Cup is unlike any other tournament,” said Paul. “I look forward to taking part in Berlin and hopefully contributing to another team victory.”

Team Europe, led by Bjorn Borg, has also announced three of its players: Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Alexander Zverev. The remaining players for both teams will be announced based on their rankings on June 10.

The Laver Cup will take place at the Uber Arena in Berlin from September 20-22. Multi-session ticket packages go on sale on April 17, with single session tickets available from May 17.

Rohan Bopanna: Age is Just a Number for Tennis Legend

Rohan Bopanna: Age is Just a Number for Tennis Legend

Rohan Bopanna, the 44-year-old Indian tennis legend, continues to defy age and expectations. After winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, Bopanna and his partner Matthew Ebden triumphed at the Miami Open in March, becoming the oldest Masters 1000 winners in history.

Bopanna’s remarkable journey has been marked by dedication and perseverance. Despite having no cartilage in both knees, he has overcome physical challenges to remain competitive at the highest level. His success is a testament to his unwavering passion for the sport.

The partnership with Ebden has been a key factor in Bopanna’s recent resurgence. Their chemistry on and off the court, combined with their complementary playing styles, has led to six Masters 1000 titles. Bopanna credits their open communication and mutual respect for their success.

With the Olympics on the horizon, Bopanna is focused on selecting the right partner and ensuring adequate match practice. He understands the pressure of representing his country on such a grand stage and is determined to give his best effort.

Beyond his on-court achievements, Bopanna is also committed to fostering a supportive tennis community through his Doubles Dream Project. He believes in creating opportunities for players to travel together and support each other’s goals.

Bopanna’s association with ASICS has been instrumental in his pursuit of peak performance. The brand’s focus on innovation and its commitment to promoting holistic well-being align with his own values. He is particularly impressed by ASICS’ ‘Move Your Mind’ campaign, which emphasizes the importance of movement for both physical and mental health.

Another Indian tennis star, Sumit Nagal, has also made a strong start to 2024. Bopanna is optimistic about Nagal’s chances for the rest of the year, citing his dedication, hard work, and talent. He believes that Nagal has the potential to achieve even greater heights in the future.

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