PARIS: Serbia, without Novak Djokovic, proved no match for Slovakia who surged into the group stage of the Davis Cup finals for the first time, with Germany and Finland among five other countries qualifying on Saturday.
Slovak doubles duo Lukas Klein and Igor Zelenay clinched the decisive point with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win over Nikola Caci and Miomir Kecmanovic to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the tie.
Lukas Pokorny made it 4-0 after Laslo Djere retired while trailing in the first set of the reverse singles on indoor clay at Kraljevo.
“Too many years we didn’t qualify but finally we made it,” said Zelenay.
Alex Molcan, who won Friday’s second singles, added: “We knew it was going to be tough against Serbians in their home nation. I’m happy we were able to win two matches today.”
Zelenay and Klein had recovered from a break in the first set, digging deep with 31 winners to see off 2010 champions Serbia.
On Friday, Klein got Slovakia off the mark with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 win over Kecmanovic, with Molcan rallying past Dusan Lajovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.
In Hungary, three-time winners Germany — missing Alexander Zverev due to illness — clinched the first two of Saturday’s matches for an eventual 3-2 victory.
Doubles pairing Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz’s 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) win over Fabian Marozsan and Mate Valkusz pulled the Germans ahead.
Jan-Lennard Struff sealed their ticket with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Valkusz to advance to September’s group stage featuring 16 teams. Zsombor Piros won a dead fifth rubber against Krawietz.
Finland cruised to a 3-1 win over Portugal, while Brazil qualified for a first finals appearance as Thiago Monteiro defeated Elias Ymer in three sets to cement a 3-1 victory of their own.
The Netherlands won a thrilling contest against Switzerland, Botic van de Zandschulp edging Marc-Andrea Huesler 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in the decisive second reverse singles as the Dutch prevailed 3-2 in Groningen.
The Swiss led the tie 2-1 after Huesler and Leandro Riedi won Saturday’s doubles, but Tallon Griekspoor kept the hosts alive by seeing off Riedi in two tie-break sets.
“We had to win and it was up to me to do it,” said Griekspoor. “That is what you have to do as a team leader. I really didn’t feel any tension — I really enjoyed it.”
Canada, the 2022 champions, seized a 3-1 lead over South Korea to clinch victory on Saturday in Montreal when Gabriel Diallo defeated Hong Seong-chan 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.
Two-time winners Croatia are level at 1-1 with Belgium as are Argentina and Kazakhstan.
France hold a 2-0 lead against Taiwan, in one of five qualifiers set to conclude on Sunday. The Czech Republic have a similar advantage over Israel.
Defending champions Italy and last year’s runners-up Australia, as well as Britain and Spain have advanced automatically to the finals.
On Friday, the United States advanced 4-0 with Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram sealing their spot with a doubles win against Ukraine.
Taylor Fritz then eased past Vladyslav Orlov 6-3, 6-4 to complete an American sweep.
“I’m proud of the guys,” said US captain Bob Bryan of the record 32-time winners who have not lifted the trophy since 2007.
Slovakia rout Serbia in Djokovic absence to make Davis Cup finals
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Slovakia rout Serbia in Djokovic absence to make Davis Cup finals
Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
- A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September
- The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year
TURIN: There “could have been better communication” in explaining the rules involved in Jannik Sinner’s doping case, ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.
However, Gaudenzi said at the ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because the rules have been the same.”
Sinner is playing at home this week for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The case wasn’t made public until August.
“I learned the day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his first public comments on the case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.
“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank the ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives there for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in the dark because that’s how it should be.
“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by the (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by the evidence afterward.”
A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.
“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by the book and by the rules. Maybe there could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in the next time.”
ATP Finals future will be revealed
Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday the future host of the ATP Finals. The contract with Turin expires next year and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account
- World number three Alcaraz comfortably defeated Rublev to lift himself off the bottom of the John Newcombe Group
- “I could be better, I’m not going to lie,” said Alcaraz on court after beating Rublev
TURIN: Carlos Alcaraz opened his account at the ATP Finals on Wednesday with an entertaining 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win over Andrey Rublev which boosted his hopes of reaching the semifinals.
World number three Alcaraz comfortably defeated Rublev to lift himself off the bottom of the John Newcombe Group and looked in much better form despite struggling with fatigue and illness in the lead-up to the match.
There had been some doubt as to whether Alcaraz, who lost his opening match in straight sets to Casper Ruud, would continue in Turin after quickly ending his training session on Tuesday, with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero saying that he had trouble breathing.
“I could be better, I’m not going to lie,” said Alcaraz on court after beating Rublev.
“I’ve been struggling with my health the last week and today I thought I was going to feel better. I was OK to play, but thinking about the first match I was thinking a lot about that I was sick, that I couldn’t play.
“Today I really wanted to step on the court and just think about tennis, try to play a high level... When I played the first match I felt like I did not entertain the people, I did not play good tennis.”
Alcaraz, who has won the Wimbledon and French Open titles this season, cruised to the first set in 38 minutes, breaking Rublev in game seven and quickly winning the next two to go one set ahead.
And although the Spaniard had a harder time of it in the second set he delighted the spectators with a series of spectacular shots which suggested he might be approaching his best form.
Alcaraz winning in straight sets means that Ruud will reach the semifinals if he beats two-time Finals champion Alexander Zverev in the day’s late match.
Rublev meanwhile drops to last place after losing his sixth straight Finals match, although he put up a battle and had two opportunities to win the second set.
The Russian will be cheering on Zverev later as he will be eliminated should Ruud win and secure passage to the knockout stage.
On Thursday world number one Jannik Sinner will reach the last four if he claims a single set against Daniil Medvedev, and will top the Ilie Nastase Group with a third straight win.
Sinner beats Fritz again in rematch of US Open final. Medvedev back in contention at ATP Finals
- Sinner, who beat Alex de Minaur in his opening match at the season-ending event for the top eight players, improved to 23-1 in his last five tournaments
TURIN, Italy: Top-ranked Jannik Sinner made it two wins in two matches before his home fans at the ATP Finals, beating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday in a rematch of the US Open final that the Italian also won in straight sets.
As the crowd chanted “Ole, Ole, Ole; Sin-ner, Sin-ner,” the home favorite gave them just what they came for by turning up his intensity when it mattered most.
Sinner survived a marathon service game midway through the first set then broke his American opponent with a huge forehand up the line on his first set point.
When Sinner produced a backhand passing shot up the line while on the run midway through the second set, he held his finger up to his ear to encourage the crowd to cheer louder.
Sinner, who beat Alex de Minaur in his opening match at the season-ending event for the top eight players, improved to 23-1 in his last five tournaments.
Earlier, Daniil Medvedev moved back into contention with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over De Minaur following a temper tantrum in his previous match.
Medvedev didn’t face a single break point and was generally much sharper than in his straight-set loss to Fritz on Sunday — during which he smashed his racket and lost his cool twice.
Sinner leads the group while Fritz and Medvedev are next with one win each.
De Minaur, who is making his debut at finals, lost both of his opening matches.
The top two finishers from each round-robin group advance to the semifinals.
On Thursday, Medvedev faces Sinner and De Minaur plays Fritz in the final matches of the group.
In the other group on Monday, Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud beat Andrey Rublev and Carlos Alcaraz, respectively.
Sinner is playing at home for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive in two separate drug tests this year.
A decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September. A final ruling in the case is expected early next year.
Medvedev had to ‘block the noise’ after temper tantrum
When his match was over, Medvedev closed his eyes and held his fingers to his ears. Then he wrote on a camera lens, “Block the noise.”
“I went into this match also blocking the noise even from myself,” Medvedev said. “No like tantrums and stuff. Just block the noise. And I really didn’t care what was happening on the court. I just tried to play and it was a good feeling.”
Medvedev won the finals in 2020 — the last edition held in London.
“The more popular you become, the more fans you get, the more haters you get, the more attention you get. And sometimes even the good noise can make you off balance,” Medvedev said.
“You know, you win everything and everyone thinks you’re a god. ... Then you lose two matches and everyone is like, ‘Finished, your career is finished.’ So sometimes it’s good just (to) block it,” Medvedev added.
WTA Foundation champions women’s health at event in Riyadh
- Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud: ‘We have laid the foundations for cooperation with WTA toward a healthier, more active future both on and off the court’
- Ahead of the WTA Finals Riyadh, former players Marion Bartoli, Martina Hingis and Daniela Hantuchova called for greater resources, visibility and funding
RIYADH: Ahead of the final match of the inaugural WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF, the WTA Foundation on Saturday hosted “Championing Women’s Health Together,” an educational event attended by Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud and tennis legends Marion Bartoli, Daniela Hantuchova and Martina Hingis.
The event, highlighting a new vision for women and girls in Saudi Arabia, and addressing global health priorities such as maternal and child malnutrition, was supported by several regional and global partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Tennis Federation and WTA’s title partner, Hologic.
“Championing Women’s Health Together” is one of five major development engagements to take place this year since the WTA Foundation launched its “Women Change the Game” campaign in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation this past International Women’s Day.
Panel discussions tackled a variety of issues including the role of preventative women’s health, the lifelong health benefits of sports for women and girls, the global state of women’s health and maternal nutrition, and the goals of the WTA Foundation’s Global Women’s Health Fund.
The fund launched with a $1.5 million donation from Hologic. It focuses on providing prenatal vitamins to at least 1 million women in low- and middle-income countries in its first year. The resources will be directed to the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund, a global initiative aimed at ending malnutrition.
Former Wimbledon champion and WTA Foundation Game Changer Marion Bartoli highlighted global advancements in women’s healthcare while acknowledging persistent challenges.
“Healthy women are indeed the cornerstone of healthy families, vibrant communities and prosperous economies — from right here in Saudi Arabia to every corner of the globe,” she said.
Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud highlighted the tournament’s lasting impact in inspiring women and girls through tennis as well as promoting healthier lifestyles.
“The legacy of the WTA Finals Riyadh will resonate for years to come, extending beyond the remarkable athleticism shown by the world’s top female tennis players this week,” she said.
“By hosting the WTA Finals, we aimed to inspire women and girls across Saudi Arabia and beyond to embrace tennis not only as a sport, but as a powerful tool for empowerment and community building. Through initiatives like ‘Championing Women’s Health Together’ and our collaborative efforts with the WTA Foundation and the Saudi Tennis Federation to integrate tennis into schools and communities, we have laid the foundations for cooperation with WTA toward a healthier, more active future both on and off the court.”
Dr. Khaled Alabdulkareem, assistant deputy minister for primary healthcare, Ministry of Health, said: “The relationship between sports and healthcare is intrinsic, as an active society is a healthy one. The WTA Finals aligns with our national Vision 2030 ambitions to inspire a healthier, more physically active society. The legacy of the WTA Finals, by inspiring more women into tennis, along with today’s discussions highlighting women’s healthcare, are part of achieving our goals.”
Ann Austin, executive director of the WTA Foundation, highlighted the organization’s dedication to community development.
“The WTA is about changing lives through tennis with its partners around the world, and when we show the world how healthy we can be, we empower an entire generation of young female champions,” she said.
Meanwhile Dr. Alaa Murabit, director of global health advocacy and communications at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said that across the world “women are changing the game in their homes, workplaces and communities every day.
“While they lead this work, it’s essential to make their health and well-being a priority,” she added. “Investing in women as game-changers requires ensuring women everywhere have access to proven health and nutrition solutions, which is what ‘Women Change the Game’ is all about.”
Coco Gauff wins WTA Finals for the first time by rallying to beat Zheng Qinwen
- The 20-year-old American came from 2-0 and 5-3 down in the final set and was two points from defeat at one stage
- Gauff beat the world’s top two players — Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek — on her run to the final at the season-ending event in Riyadh
RIYADH: Coco Gauff won the WTA Finals for the first time by rallying to beat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the final on Saturday.
The 20-year-old American came from 2-0 and 5-3 down in the final set and was two points from defeat at one stage.
Yet she took the set to a tiebreaker and won the first six points. Zheng threatened a comeback but Gauff took the victory off her third match point with a forehand winner as she came into the net.
She is the first American to win the Finals since Serena Williams in 2014, and received $4.8 million in prize money.
Gauff beat the world’s top two players — Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek — on her run to the final at the season-ending event in Riyadh.
Zheng was looking to complete a season in which she reached a grand slam final for the first time at the Australian Open and delivered China’s first Olympic tennis singles gold medal.
But Gauff edged the three-hour final which included 26 break points. Gauff also won their only previous meeting, in the Rome quarterfinals on clay in May.
Gauff beat Sabalenka at age 19 in last year’s US Open final to win her only major in singles to date. She teamed with Katerina Siniakova to win the French Open doubles this year.
In the WTA doubles final, Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand beat Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic and Taylor Townsend of the United States 7-5, 6-3. They are the first players from Canada and New Zealand to win the doubles title.
