Humbert knocks out Alcaraz to join Zverev and Tsitsipas in Paris Masters quarterfinals

France's Ugo Humbert celebrates after winning against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in their men's singles round of 16 at the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena in Paris on Oct. 31, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 01 November 2024
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Humbert knocks out Alcaraz to join Zverev and Tsitsipas in Paris Masters quarterfinals

  • Humbert: There were some incredible points, I think I have just experienced one of my greatest moments on a tennis court
  • Eighth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (5) to have an outside chance of reaching the season-ending ATP Finals

PARIS: Frenchman Ugo Humbert harnessed the energy of the home crowd and produced one of his best career performances in beating Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters on Thursday.

A flurry of forehand and backhand winners had Alcaraz 5-0 down in a first set so one-sided that Alcaraz — a four-time Grand Slam winner — ironically waved his racket and grinned to the crowd after holding in the sixth game.

“There were some incredible points, I think I have just experienced one of my greatest moments on a tennis court,” Humbert said. “I don’t want it to end here.”

The second-seeded Alcaraz controlled the second set but, after missing chances during the third set, served to stay in the match. The crowd jeered a replayed point but Alcaraz was unperturbed and held comfortably for 5-5.

Sensing a big upset, Humbert got the Bercy Arena crowd going in the next game.

The 26-year-old left-hander looked like he was about to do a lap of honor after a brilliant forehand pass down the line at full stretch and earned ovations following a superb angled volley and a booming winner that flew past his Spanish opponent.

“I have to congratulate Ugo. His performance has been really high,” Alcaraz said. “The way he hits the ball is unbelievable.”

Alcaraz said Hubert deserved victory, but added that the unusually high speed of the court made it more difficult for him — especially with the low trajectory of Humbert’s shots.

“The stats came out that this is the fastest court in the Masters 1000, probably on the tour,” the 21-year-old Spaniard said. “For example, the Davis Cup indoor court (was) way slower.”

A rattled-looking Alcaraz trailed 0-30 in the 12th game. Umpire Richard Haigh intervened to calm the crowd, urging them not to cheer when Alcaraz made a fault on serve and then said in English “Guys, you’re affecting both players.”

Serving again to stay in the match at 15-40, Alcaraz saved one match point but returned long on the next as the 15th-seeded Humbert set up a last-eight contest with Australian Jordan Thompson.

Eighth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (5) to have an outside chance of reaching the season-ending ATP Finals. Dimitrov, who served 17 aces, needs to reach Sunday’s final and next faces 2018 champion Karen Khachanov.

Earlier, Alexander Zverev silenced the raucous home crowd, beating French prospect Arthur Fils 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

The third-seeded German compiled 16 aces compared to nine for the 20-year-old Fils in their first indoor meeting.

“I am happy I hung in there today,” Zverev said. “He is a great player and has improved a lot this year. I am looking forward to the next few battles we are going to have.”

Zverev, the French Open runner-up, saved three break points in serving for the match at 5-3.

“The atmosphere here is a lot louder than at Roland Garros,” the 27-year-old Zverev said. “The crowd is on top of you.”

He next plays 10th-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in their 16th career meeting, with Tsitsipas 10-5 up.

The big-serving Greek earlier rallied to beat Francisco Cerundolo 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-2 to stay in contention to qualify for next month’s Finals in Turin, the year-end tournament gathering the season’s top eight players.

Although Tsitsipas hit nine aces and saved all three break points, he converted only three of his 11 break-point chances.

In other third-round matches, ninth-seeded Alex De Minaur kept up his chances of reaching the Finals with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 victory against Britain’s Jack Draper, the US Open semifinalist, and 2022 champion Holger Rune edged out lucky loser Arthur Cazaux 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Khachanov won 7-6 (5), 6-4 against Alexei Popyrin and Thompson advanced to the first Masters quarterfinal of his career by beating veteran Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 7-6 (5).

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner pulled out of the Paris Masters as did the record seven-time champion Djokovic.
 


Alcaraz and Tsitsipas reach 3rd round at Paris Masters but Rublev loses temper and match

Updated 30 October 2024
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Alcaraz and Tsitsipas reach 3rd round at Paris Masters but Rublev loses temper and match

  • The four-time Grand Slam champion is looking for his fifth title of the year and next plays either 15th-seeded Ugo Humbert or American qualifier Marcos Giron
  • Holger Rune — who beat Djokovic in the 2022 final — advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Matteo Arnaldi

PARIS: Carlos Alcaraz overcame some rusty moments on his serve to beat Nicolas Jarry 7-5, 6-1 and reach the third round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday.

The second-seeded Spaniard was troubled by Jarry’s strong forehand at times. The Chilean broke his serve in the ninth game and held for 5-5. But Jarry double-faulted in his next service game to lose the first set.

“It was a little bit complicated, really happy to get through the first set,” Alcaraz said. “I have to get used to the speed of the court. It’s really fast for me.”

Alcaraz saved a break point in the third game of the second set with an ace and broke for a 4-1 lead with a crisp forehand winner.

Serving for the match, Alcaraz saved another break point with an ace to make it deuce and won the next two points, clinching victory when the erratic Jarry’s two-handed backhand clipped the net and went out.

“He’s a really dangerous player on these courts,” the 21-year-old Alcaraz said. “I’m super happy to win here.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion is looking for his fifth title of the year and next plays either 15th-seeded Ugo Humbert or American qualifier Marcos Giron.

“It’s been a great year so far,” said Alcaraz, who won major titles at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Tenth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece beat Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 6-4 to stay in contention to reach the season-ending ATP Finals for the top eight players. It is being held in Turin, Italy, next month.

Seventh-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, started well before losing 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4 to unseeded Australian Jordan Thompson.

In an earlier second-round match, sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev lost two tiebreakers and his temper as his hopes of qualifying for the Finals took a hit.

Rublev lost 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) to Francisco Cerundolo and was so frustrated at one point in the second set that he smashed his racket against his left knee at least seven times in succession and made it bleed.

The Russian player held the eighth and final qualifying place in the race for the Finals and could be overtaken by rivals.

US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz became the fifth player to qualify for the Finals. The big-serving American reached the season-ending tournament for the second time in three years. The indoor event takes place from Nov. 10-17.

Fritz joined US Open champion Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev in the field.

Sinner pulled out of the Paris Masters on Monday, citing a virus. The Italian player is guaranteed to finish the year as No. 1. He was the second high-profile player to pull out following seven-time champion Novak Djokovic.

In remaining first-round play, Holger Rune — who beat Djokovic in the 2022 final — advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Matteo Arnaldi.

No. 9 seed Alex de Minaur beat Mariano Navone 7-5, 6-1 to stay in outside contention for Turin, while No. 12 Hubert Hurkacz lost 6-1, 6-3 to Alex Michelsen.

US Open semifinalist Jack Draper won 7-5, 6-2 against Jiri Lehecka; American Ben Shelton beat Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-7 (8), 6-3, and Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard hit 28 aces in defeating US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Fresh from his title in Basel, Mpetshi Perricard next plays Karen Khachanov and will look to add to his 512 aces.

Frenchman Arthur Fils also progressed by edging Croatian Marin Cilic 7-6 (5), 6-4 and next faces Jan-Lennard Struff.

But veteran Richard Gasquet, who plans to retire after next year’s French Open, lost 6-3, 6-4 to Zizou Bergs.


Saudi Arabia unveils world-class venue as WTA Finals head to Riyadh

Updated 29 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia unveils world-class venue as WTA Finals head to Riyadh

  • Garbine Muguruza, serving as tournament director for the first time, shared her enthusiasm with Arab News about the distinctiveness of the facilities

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Saud University Indoor Arena, newly prepared to host the upcoming WTA Finals from Nov. 2-9, is set to welcome the world’s top women tennis players in a historic first for the Kingdom.

At its heart is a meticulously crafted center court, completed in just five days, with a wooden base layered in acrylic to provide an optimal playing surface. Unique to this year’s setup are three full-size practice courts — an uncommon feature in WTA Finals venues — allowing players the flexibility to train whenever they need.

Garbine Muguruza, serving as tournament director for the first time, shared her enthusiasm with Arab News about the distinctiveness of the facilities.

“With these three practice courts, players can train whenever they want, a flexibility that adds a new dimension to their preparation,” she said, noting the positive response from athletes who have already arrived.

“The players are excited to experience not only the courts but also the warmth and hospitality of the Kingdom, which has set a welcoming tone for the event.”

Supporting the main facilities, the arena includes individual locker rooms, a dedicated players’ lounge, and a dining hall, all designed to provide a seamless experience for athletes and teams.

Saudi Tennis Federation President Areej Mutabagani expressed her excitement for what this event means for Saudi youth, especially young women.

“To see top players like Aryna Sabalenka competing here can inspire young people to consider tennis as both a sport and a pathway to self-confidence and growth,” she explained, noting that the federation’s larger vision is to see sports become a powerful tool for development and empowerment across Saudi Arabia.

The WTA Finals will feature the top eight players in both singles and doubles, bringing a premier level of competition to Riyadh. Beyond the matches themselves, the event includes community outreach programs to engage Saudi youth, familiarize them with tennis, and create opportunities to meet their role models.

Muguruza highlighted the potential of these initiatives to drive a new generation of athletes: “Seeing these players up close can be life-changing, especially for young girls who might not have envisioned themselves in sports before.”

The WTA Finals mark the beginning of a three-year partnership between the Saudi Tennis Federation and the WTA, supporting the federation’s aim to attract 1 million Saudis to engage in tennis by 2030.

Local talents, including young players like Dania Alzuhair and Tala Ashoor, were among the first to try out the new courts, symbolizing the next generation of Saudi tennis.

“This isn’t just a tournament; it’s a pivotal step in building a sports culture that empowers and uplifts our youth,” Mutabagani noted, emphasizing how the WTA Finals are a key part of Vision 2030’s broader focus on youth development and sports inclusion.

As Saudi Arabia prepares to welcome fans and top athletes, the tournament is set to be not only a sporting event but a milestone that promises to shape the future of tennis in the Kingdom and inspire young Saudis to pursue their passions with confidence and ambition.


World No. 1 Jannik Sinner out of Paris Masters with ‘virus’

Updated 29 October 2024
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World No. 1 Jannik Sinner out of Paris Masters with ‘virus’

  • World number one replaced in the draw by Frenchman Arthur Cazaux, who was drafted in from qualifying
  • Organizers say Jannik Sinner was ‘suffering from an intestinal virus contracted before he arrived in Paris’

PARIS: World number one Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Paris Masters indoor event due to an “intestinal virus,” the tournament organizers announced on Tuesday.
Sinner, assured since mid-October of finishing the year top of the rankings for the first time in his career at the age of 23, has been replaced in the draw by Frenchman Arthur Cazaux, who was drafted in from qualifying.
Cazaux will face either his compatriot Corentin Moutet or American Ben Shelton in his second round opener on Tuesday.
Organizers said Sinner was “suffering from an intestinal virus contracted before he arrived in Paris.”
The major objective at the end of his season, the Masters in Turin, which brings together the eight best players of the year, is scheduled for November 10-17.
He is then expected to take part in the Davis Cup finals the following week in Malaga, Spain. Italy are the defending champions.
Sinner enjoyed a sparkling 2024 season, winning his first two Grand Slam titles, at the Australian Open and the US Open.
In all, he has won seven tournaments since the start of the season, including three Masters 1000 titles, in Miami, Cincinnati and Shanghai.
However he is under the threat of suspension in a doping case that came to light several weeks ago, following an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Sinner has a chequered history with the Paris indoor tournament — a year ago, he withdrew before his second match.


Olympic champion Zheng wins in Tokyo for third title of year

Updated 27 October 2024
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Olympic champion Zheng wins in Tokyo for third title of year

  • The win extended world No. 7 Zheng’s impressive run of form this year
  • She also won in Palermo and finished runner-up in Wuhan and at the Australian Open

TOKYO: Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen won the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Sunday for her third title of the year, beating Sofia Kenin 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in the final.

China’s Zheng, the tournament’s top seed, kept her cool to edge a tight first set despite two rain delays, before pressing home her advantage to take the second comfortably.

The win extended world No. 7 Zheng’s impressive run of form this year after she became the first Chinese player to win an Olympic singles tennis gold when she triumphed in Paris.

She also won in Palermo and finished runner-up in Wuhan and at the Australian Open.

Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, was in doubt after retiring from her doubles semifinal on Saturday with a leg injury.

The American played the final with heavy strapping on her upper leg but showed no outward signs of discomfort.

It was world No. 155 Kenin’s first final of 2024.

She was looking to end a title drought that stretches back more than four years.

Neither player was allowed to get into a rhythm early in the match as rain twice brought play to a halt in Tokyo.

The roof was eventually closed and Zheng edged ahead with the slimmest of margins to take the first set in a tiebreak.

Backed by a large contingent of Chinese fans, the 22-year-old took control of the second set early.

She hit a total of 16 aces in the match and closed it out when Kenin hit a return long.


Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin advances to the WTA tournament final in Tokyo

Updated 26 October 2024
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Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin advances to the WTA tournament final in Tokyo

  • American Sofia Kenin won the Australian Open in 2020 and was a French Open finalist the same year

TOKYO: Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin has advanced to the final of the Pan Pacific Open with a 6-4, 6-4 win over ninth-seeded Katie Boulter on Saturday.
Kenin, who won the Australian Open in 2020 and was a French Open finalist the same year, broke the British player’s serve in the seventh game of the second set and the American served out to win the match for her best tournament performance of the season.
Later, No. 1 seed and Paris Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen was scheduled to play Diana Shnaider for a place in Sunday’s final against Kenin.
The 25-year-old Kenin was ranked as high as No. 4 early in 2020, but a series of injuries, including ankle and quadricep ailments, has seen her WTA ranking drop to its current 155.
Boulter, ranked 33rd, had not lost a set during the Tokyo hard-court tournament.
Kenin beat Boulter in the only other time they have played but it was when Boulter retired with an injury in the second set while trailing 4-1 to Kenin after losing the first set in Acapulco in 2019.
Boulter beat 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu on Friday in the quarterfinals.