Top ATP Players Rally from First-Set Deficits at Shanghai Masters

Top ATP Players Rally from First-Set Deficits at Shanghai Masters

Despite the relentless rain, the Rolex Shanghai Masters witnessed a thrilling display of resilience from the ATP’s top players on Sunday. Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Tommy Paul all faced adversity in their third-round matches, dropping the first set before rallying to secure their spots in the fourth round.

Sinner, the top seed, struggled against world No. 37 Tomas Martin Etcheverry, failing to capitalize on two set points in the opener. However, the Italian regrouped to win 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2, extending his winning streak to three matches.

Medvedev, the 2019 champion, also faced a tough challenge against No. 29 seed Matteo Arnaldi. The Russian lost the first set but fought back to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, improving his head-to-head record against Arnaldi to 4-0.

The most dramatic comeback of the day belonged to Paul, who saved five match points in a three-set thriller against No. 19 seed Alejandro Tabilo. The American trailed 7-6(2), 5-1, but displayed incredible determination to win 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-2.

Despite the weather disruptions, the Rolex Shanghai Masters has showcased the exceptional skills and mental fortitude of the ATP’s top players. Sinner, Medvedev, and Paul have proven that even when faced with adversity, they have the resilience to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.

Machac Stuns Paul in Tokyo, Books Quarterfinal Berth

Machac Stuns Paul in Tokyo, Books Quarterfinal Berth

In a thrilling encounter at the Tokyo Open, Tomas Machac overcame a spirited challenge from Tommy Paul to secure a hard-fought 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory and advance to the quarterfinals.

Machac, ranked 34th in the world, found himself trailing for much of the match against the fifth-seeded Paul. However, the Czech displayed remarkable resilience, particularly in the decisive tiebreaker, to snatch the victory.

Paul, who was aiming to boost his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin, had several opportunities to seize control of the match. He squandered four break points in the opening game of the second set and missed three game points that could have leveled the score at 3-3.

In the third set, Paul surged to a 3-0 lead and came within two points of victory at 5-4, deuce. But Machac refused to surrender, delivering pinpoint serves when it mattered most.

In the tiebreaker, Machac seized the initiative with a blistering backhand return up the line off Paul’s second serve. He followed it up with a backhand drop volley and two powerful first serves to deny Paul any chance of a comeback.

“I had to play much better in the second set,” Machac said after the match. “The third set was unbelievable from my side. It’s tough conditions, but for me it’s great. And cold.”

Machac’s victory extended his impressive record against American opponents to 6-1 in tour-level main draws this season. He will now face Alex Michelsen in the semifinals, a player he defeated in the quarterfinals of the Geneva Open earlier this year.

Michelsen, a 20-year-old qualifier from California, cruised past Christopher O’Connell 6-1, 6-4 to set up the clash with Machac. Michelsen saved all three break points he faced to reach his seventh quarterfinal of the year.

Michelsen Stuns Tsitsipas in Tokyo, Paul and Nishioka Advance

Michelsen Stuns Tsitsipas in Tokyo, Paul and Nishioka Advance

In Tokyo, qualifier Alex Michelsen stunned fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, marking his first Top 20 victory since May. Tsitsipas, who appeared unwell during the match, dropped all five break points against his serve.

Michelsen, playing his first event since the US Open, improved to 25-24 on the season. The 20-year-old has finished runner-up twice this season at the 250 level in Newport and Winston-Salem.

In other action, Tommy Paul brushed aside Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-2. The No. 5 seed did not face a break point, thanks to his 15 for 17 success rate on his second serve. Paul is looking to make up ground in the ATP Finals race, currently ranked No. 11.

Yoshihito Nishioka gave home fans a thrilling win, outlasting Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (5). Nishioka saved two match points on his serve at 5-6 in the decider.

Fellow lefty Jack Draper also emerged victorious, beating Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-2. The US Open semifinalist will face second-seeded Hubert Hurkacz in the second round.

Sinner Books Medvedev Quarterfinal at US Open

Sinner Books Medvedev Quarterfinal at US Open

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner overcame a slow start to defeat Tommy Paul 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-1 in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open on Monday evening. The victory sets up an intriguing quarterfinal clash with 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev.

Sinner, who won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year, trailed Paul by a quick double break in the opening set. However, the Italian regrouped and won four straight games to take the momentum. He ultimately advanced into his second quarterfinal in Flushing Meadows after two hours and X minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Paul, seeded 14th, proved to be a major challenge for Sinner. The American had reached the second week of the US Open for the second consecutive year and had posted impressive results at other major tournaments, including quarterfinal finishes at Wimbledon and the Summer Olympic Games.

In the second set, Sinner and Paul traded holds of serve to reach another tiebreaker. Paul brought the crowd to its feet when he edged ahead by a mini-break, but Sinner broke back and benefitted from a pair of return misses from Paul to claim the second set in just over two hours.

Sinner parlayed that advantage into a commanding 3-0 lead in the third set. Paul fought back, but Sinner remained focused and closed out the match in straight sets.

“I’m really happy with the way I played today,” Sinner said. “Tommy is a great player, and he made me work for it. But I’m glad I was able to come through in the end.”

Medvedev, who lost to Sinner in the Australian Open final but won their most recent meeting at Wimbledon, will be a formidable opponent in the quarterfinals.

“I will try to think more about Wimbledon than Australian Open,” Medvedev joked. “But against Jannik…I feel like in a way we know our game, what we will try to bring on the table.

“Hopefully we can have a great match. I know if I want to beat him, I need to be at my best, which I managed to do couple of times. It’s going to be a great match.”

Tommy Paul Faces Max Purcell in US Open Second Round

Tommy Paul Faces Max Purcell in US Open Second Round

Tommy Paul, the American tennis star, will face Max Purcell of Australia in the second round of the 2024 US Open on Thursday, August 29. Paul, seeded 15th, advanced to the second round with a four-set victory over Lorenzo Sonego, while Purcell defeated Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets.

Paul is the clear favorite in this matchup, but Purcell is a dangerous opponent. The Australian possesses a powerful serve and a serve-and-volley mindset, which can be difficult to handle. Paul, known for his athleticism and ability to return serves, will need to be sharp to counter Purcell’s aggressive style.

However, Paul has shown some signs of vulnerability in recent matches. He lost two straight matches before defeating Sonego, and he lost focus in the third set against the Italian. Purcell, on the other hand, has been playing with confidence and will be looking to make a statement against the higher-ranked Paul.

The pressure of playing in a home Grand Slam can also be a factor in this match. Paul will be expected to win, and any nerves or complacency could give Purcell an opening.

Overall, Paul is the more talented player and should be favored to advance to the third round. However, Purcell has the potential to cause an upset if Paul is not at his best.

Five American Men Return to ATP Top 20, Led by Frances Tiafoe

Five American Men Return to ATP Top 20, Led by Frances Tiafoe

American tennis is experiencing a resurgence, with five male players now ranked among the world’s top 20. Frances Tiafoe’s recent success in Cincinnati, where he reached his first Masters 1000 final, has propelled him back into the elite group. Tiafoe joins Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, and Sebastian Korda, marking the first time since 1997 that five American men have simultaneously occupied the Top 20.

This achievement is particularly notable considering that none of these players were born when the previous quintet of Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, Andre Agassi, Todd Martin, and Jim Courier graced the rankings. The current crop of American men represents a new generation of talent, with Fritz, Paul, and Korda all under the age of 25.

On the women’s side, American tennis is also thriving. Five American women are currently ranked in the Top 20: Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Danielle Collins, Emma Navarro, and Madison Keys. Taylor Townsend has also made a significant breakthrough, rising to No. 46 in the world after impressive performances in Toronto and Cincinnati. Townsend is one of three mothers currently ranked in the Top 50, alongside Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina.

The resurgence of American tennis is a testament to the depth and talent of the country’s player pool. With a strong pipeline of young players emerging, the future of American tennis looks bright.

Fritz and Paul Shine in National Bank Open Openers

Fritz and Paul Shine in National Bank Open Openers

Fritz and Paul Triumph in National Bank Open Openers

MONTREAL, Canada – Olympic doubles bronze medalists Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul kicked off their National Bank Open campaigns with impressive singles victories on Wednesday.

Fritz, seeded ninth, dispatched Mariano Navone of Argentina 6-4, 6-1 in a dominant display. The American controlled the match from the outset, breaking Navone’s serve twice in the first set and cruising through the second.

“It was a solid match,” Fritz said. “I feel like the level, probably from both of us, went up a bit in the second set. We started playing longer points.”

Fritz will face fellow American Sebastian Korda in the second round. Korda, fresh off his second ATP Tour title in Washington, advanced when Vasek Pospisil retired due to a back injury.

Paul, seeded 10th, also secured a straight-sets victory, defeating Luciano Darderi of Italy 6-4, 7-6 (2). Paul broke Darderi’s serve in the opening game and held on to his advantage throughout the match.

“I’m happy with the way I played,” Paul said. “I served well and was able to control the points. I’m looking forward to the next round.”

Paul will face qualifier Brandon Nakashima in the second round. Nakashima, who upset Canadian wild-card Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 7-5, is coming off a strong performance in Washington, where he reached the semifinals.

Other Americans who advanced on Wednesday included Ben Shelton and Nakashima. Shelton, seeded 11th, edged doubles partner Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, while Nakashima beat Shapovalov.

Flavio Cobolli of Italy, who lost to Korda in the DC Open final on Sunday, upset 14th-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 6-3, 6-2.

Alcaraz Reaches Olympic Semifinals, Two Wins from Gold

Alcaraz Reaches Olympic Semifinals, Two Wins from Gold

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, has advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, edging out American Tommy Paul in a thrilling quarterfinal match.

The No. 2 seed Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June, faced a stern challenge from Paul, seeded ninth, but ultimately prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (7) in just under two hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The match was a rematch of their Wimbledon quarterfinal earlier this month, which Alcaraz also won in four sets. However, Paul pushed the Spaniard to the limit in Paris, opening up a 5-2 lead in the second set before Alcaraz rallied to force a tiebreaker.

In the tiebreaker, Alcaraz took an early lead and never looked back, winning 7-3 to seal his place in the semifinals.

“It was a tough match,” said Alcaraz. “Tommy played really well, especially in the second set. But I’m happy to have come through and reach the semifinals.”

Alcaraz will now face either No. 6 seed Casper Ruud or No. 13 seed Félix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals. Ruud and Auger-Aliassime are scheduled to play their quarterfinal match later on Thursday.

If Alcaraz wins his semifinal match, he will advance to the gold medal match, where he will have a chance to become the first Spanish man to win an Olympic gold medal in tennis since Rafael Nadal in 2008.

Tommy Paul Overcomes Ankle Injury, Reaches Third Round in Madrid

Tommy Paul Overcomes Ankle Injury, Reaches Third Round in Madrid

Tommy Paul’s Mutua Madrid Open debut was a tale of resilience and redemption. After a disappointing Australian Open exit and a near-miss at the BNP Paribas Open, the American was eager to make amends on clay.

Despite an ankle injury that sidelined him for over a month, Paul returned to the court with renewed determination. He admitted that the extended break allowed him to re-commit to clay and improve his fitness.

In his opening match against Lukas Klein, Paul faced a tough challenge. He lost the first set in a tiebreaker but rallied back to win the next two sets convincingly. The victory was a testament to his perseverance and the progress he has made on clay.

Paul’s journey to the third round has been marked by both setbacks and triumphs. He suffered a minor setback when his ankle brace caused his foot to go numb, but he quickly adjusted and regained his composure.

The 26-year-old is confident in his abilities on clay despite his past struggles. He believes that his recent preparation and improved fitness will help him perform well at Roland Garros, where he hopes to reach his peak.

Paul’s next challenge will be against No. 21 seed Francisco Cerúndolo. The American is eager to continue his winning streak and prove that he is a force to be reckoned with on clay.

American Tennis Stars Suffer March Madness at Miami Open

American Tennis Stars Suffer March Madness at Miami Open

The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are in full swing, but for three American men’s tennis stars, the Miami Open brought a different kind of March Madness.

Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul all suffered disappointing exits in their opening matches, with Paul’s injury raising concerns.

Fritz, ranked 13th in the world, saw his Sunshine Double hopes dashed by Thiago Seyboth Wild in a 6-3, 6-4 defeat. Despite playing on home soil, Fritz struggled to find his rhythm against the Brazilian qualifier, who was buoyed by the support of his fans.

Paul, ranked one spot behind Fritz, suffered a recurrence of a left ankle injury that had troubled him at Indian Wells. Leading 6-4, 1-2 against Damm, Paul rolled his ankle while rushing the net and was forced to retire. The injury looked more serious than the one he sustained in his loss to Daniil Medvedev last week.

Tiafoe, who dropped out of the Top 20 before the Miami Open, continued his struggles with a 7-5, 7-6 (5) defeat to Christopher O’Connell. The Australian qualifier knocked out the American, who has now won just two of his last six matches.

The exits of Fritz, Paul, and Tiafoe leave the American contingent at the Miami Open depleted. However, there are still some bright spots, with Sebastian Korda and Reilly Opelka advancing to the third round.

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