Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are both on over 10,000 ATP points
Archive of posts tagged Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner on ugly wins, center court pressure, and relaxing at sea
The famous tennis player received several interesting questions, which were somewhat bizarre, significantly different from anything he had received so far.
Jannik Sinner answers if he will 'ever get sick of bumping into Carlos Alcaraz'
Sinner received an interesting Alcaraz question ahead of their US Open final showdown.
Jannik Sinner storms over Lorenzo Musetti, reaches US Open SF
Jannik Sinner will face Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the title clash
Carlos Alcaraz begins US Open versus Reilly Opelka – Big test, big confidence
Carlos Alcaraz will launch his US Open campaign against Reilly Opelka. World no. 2 chases his second crown in New York and the ATP throne, standing in a good position to pass Jannik Sinner and return to the top after two years.
The Spaniard and the American will battle under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, embracing one of the most anticipated first-round encounters at the final Major event of the season.
Alcaraz understands that starting a Major against one of the game's tallest and most powerful servers is no easy assignment. However, he approaches the duel with calm determination and confidence!
It was a close one! Carlos Alcaraz beat Taylor Fritz in a round of pickleball at the Lotte New York Palace Invitational ahead of the 2025 US Open 🎾🗽 pic.twitter.com/OLn27c8epq
— Page Six (@PageSix) August 22, 2025
Opelka's booming delivery can put any rival under pressure, especially in front of the partisan crowd at the beginning of the tournament when rhythm is still building. Carlos is fully aware of the challenge in front of him.
Still, he is confident in his ability to handle the big serve and create opportunities in the more extended exchanges. The plan is simple! The Spaniard will center his approach on staying sharp and capitalizing whenever his first ball comes back into play.
The confidence is well founded! The five-time Major winner has enjoyed a remarkable run since April, embracing seven straight finals and lifting five trophies while collecting a 39-2 score.
His consistency and form have established him as one of the leading contenders in New York alongside Jannik Sinner, especially after conquering the Cincinnati Masters crown.
Emma Raducanu & Carlos Alcaraz, US Open 2025© X – Tenis España / LTA
As he steps onto Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night, Alcaraz combines respect for Opelka's strengths with the belief that his level will be enough to move through and remain perfect in the opening round at Majors.
The stage is set for a fascinating opening-round clash, and the Spaniard is confident in his abilities.
"It will be a very tough match. I have never played against Reilly, and we all know his style of play. I have to be very focused on the return and prepared to take my chances.
I have to return as many of his serves as possible, and then we will see. My confidence is high, and I feel very good on the court," Carlos Alcaraz said.
Venus Williams Returns To US Open, Defying Age And Expectations
At 45, Venus Williams has made a historic return to the U.S. Open, becoming the oldest singles competitor in New York since 1981. Despite the media focus on her age, fellow players emphasize her iconic status and enduring influence on the sport. Williams is competing in her first Grand Slam in two years following a long break and surgery for uterine fibroids. Her resilience and love for tennis continue to inspire others, including top players like Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff. Venus, along with her sister Serena, broke barriers in tennis, with Venus being the first Black woman since Althea Gibson to win Wimbledon in 2000. With seven Grand Slam singles titles and 16 in doubles and mixed doubles, she remains a major figure in the sport. Many credit her with expanding opportunities for African-American girls in tennis and applaud her for her passion and perseverance. Venus' return is seen not just as an athletic feat, but a continuation of her legacy as a trailblazer and role model.
Top seed and defending U.S. Open champion Jannik Sinner has confirmed he is fit to compete in the tournament beginning this Sunday, despite a recent virus that forced him to withdraw from a warm-up event while trailing Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian world number one stated he is not yet at full strength but expects to be ready in time. Sinner, who has won four Grand Slam titles including the 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon, enters the event with renewed composure after a turbulent 2024 marked by cleared drug test allegations. Reflecting on his rivalry with world number two Alcaraz, he emphasized its importance for the sport's future but warned against complacency due to intense ATP Tour competition. Sinner remains focused on continuous improvement as competitors become more familiar with his playing style.
Novak Djokovic is set to begin his U.S. Open campaign without participating in a competitive match since Wimbledon, opting instead for several weeks of intensive training and time with family. Currently ranked world number seven, the 38-year-old Serbian is prioritizing Grand Slam tournaments as he pursues a record 25th major title. Djokovic deliberately skipped the U.S. Open tune-up events in Toronto and Cincinnati, citing his preference to control his schedule and his diminishing interest in lengthy Masters tournaments. He expressed a desire to focus on quality over quantity in his career’s later stage. As a co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association, Djokovic also addressed recent controversies over the extended two-week format of Masters events, criticizing the inflexible long-term contracts and the limited engagement of top players in negotiations. Additionally, he praised increases in Grand Slam prize money but emphasized the ongoing global struggle for lower-ranked players to earn a sustainable income from the sport, especially when accounting for inflation.
A rising generation of teenage tennis stars is capturing attention at the 2025 U.S. Open. Among them are 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia, seeded No. 5 and the youngest woman in the top 5 since Maria Sharapova; 19-year-old João Fonseca of Brazil, who reached Wimbledon's third round; 19-year-old Learner Tien of the U.S., with four top-10 wins and a match scheduled against Novak Djokovic; and 18-year-old Vicky Mboko of Canada, who surged from No. 350 to No. 24 in the rankings after a breakthrough win in Montreal. These teenagers are building on the success of past young champions like Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu. Despite the early success, high expectations and media pressure can be challenging. Andreeva emphasizes learning from setbacks, while Mboko credits self-belief as key to her rapid ascent. Other teens to watch include Maya Joint from Australia, Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic, and 17-year-old Iva Jović of California. Their performances at the Open highlight a promising future for this new wave of talent in professional tennis.
Madison Keys, currently ranked world number six, enters the 2025 U.S. Open with renewed confidence and reduced pressure after clinching her first Grand Slam title earlier this year at the Australian Open. She triumphed over world number one Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne, alleviating the long-standing expectations that began with her breakout as a teenager. Keys, now 30, first reached a major semi-final at 19 and was runner-up at the 2017 U.S. Open. Despite a quarter-final loss to Coco Gauff at the French Open and a third-round exit at Wimbledon, she remains determined to add another major title to her career. Keys expressed that winning her first Grand Slam has given her a sense of freedom and belief in her ability to succeed again. She also shared her fondness for playing at Flushing Meadows, citing the electric atmosphere and support from the home crowd as motivating factors. She will begin her U.S. Open campaign against Mexican player Renata Zarazua on Sunday.
US Open 2025: Key Developments And Player Insights
As the 2025 US Open approaches, several notable developments and player insights have emerged, setting the stage for an exciting tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner has confirmed his fitness ahead of the tournament, despite a recent illness that led to his withdrawal from a warm-up event. The Italian world number one expressed confidence in his preparation and readiness to defend his title.
In the women's singles, Jessica Pegula, last year's finalist, is gearing up for another attempt at securing her first Grand Slam title. The 31-year-old New York native embraces the unpredictable nature of the US Open, viewing it as an individual challenge that adds to the excitement of the tournament.
On the American front, 22-year-old Ben Shelton enters the US Open with high confidence following his first Masters 1000 title in Canada and a career-high world number six ranking. Shelton acknowledges the depth of American talent, including Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, and Tommy Paul, and remains focused on taking the tournament match by match.
The mixed doubles competition has also seen significant changes. Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defended their US Open mixed doubles title, defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in a thrilling final. The match showcased a revamped competition format that featured top singles players and included wildcard entries, such as the defending champions.
Additionally, 17-year-old American Darwin Blanch, a promising talent from the Ferrero Tennis Academy, has secured a wildcard entry into the main draw of the US Open. Blanch's recent victory at the U.S. National Under-18 Championship and his impressive performance at the ATP 250 in Winston-Salem highlight his potential on the professional circuit.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on these players and the evolving dynamics of the US Open, promising a blend of seasoned experience and emerging talent.
US Open 2025: Record Prize Money And Key Player Updates
The 2025 U.S. Open, set to commence on August 24, has announced a record-breaking total prize pool of $90 million, marking a 20% increase from the previous year and the largest in tennis history. Both men's and women's singles champions will receive $5 million each, up from $3.6 million in 2024. Prize money escalates through each round, starting at $110,000 for players in the round of 128. In doubles, champions will receive $1 million, while mixed doubles winners also take home $1 million, reflecting increased payouts across all categories. These hikes respond to player demands for better compensation.
Top seed and defending U.S. Open champion Jannik Sinner has confirmed he is fit to compete in the tournament, despite a recent virus that forced him to withdraw from a warm-up event while trailing Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian world number one stated he is not yet at full strength but expects to be ready in time. Sinner, who has won four Grand Slam titles including the 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon, enters the event with renewed composure after a turbulent 2024 marked by cleared drug test allegations. Reflecting on his rivalry with world number two Alcaraz, he emphasized its importance for the sport's future but warned against complacency due to intense ATP Tour competition. Sinner remains focused on continuous improvement as competitors become more familiar with his playing style.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to break a decade-long U.S. Open trend where no woman has successfully defended the title since Serena Williams' wins from 2012 to 2014. Returning as the 2024 champion, Sabalenka arrives in New York after a mixed season, finishing runner-up in two Grand Slams and reaching the semi-finals in another. Acknowledging the pressure of defending her title, she remains optimistic, drawing strength from her past success and growth. Sabalenka also reflected on how her former coach, Gavin MacMillan, helped her recover her serve during a career crisis—though he is now coaching American Coco Gauff. Despite the challenge of possibly losing her world number one ranking if she falls short, Sabalenka remains positive about her season and determined to improve further for next year.
Novak Djokovic is set to begin his U.S. Open campaign without participating in a competitive match since Wimbledon, opting instead for several weeks of intensive training and time with family. Currently ranked world number seven, the 38-year-old Serbian is prioritizing Grand Slam tournaments as he pursues a record 25th major title. Djokovic deliberately skipped the U.S. Open tune-up events in Toronto and Cincinnati, citing his preference to control his schedule and his diminishing interest in lengthy Masters tournaments. He expressed a desire to focus on quality over quantity in his career’s later stage. As a co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association, Djokovic also addressed recent controversies over the extended two-week format of Masters events, criticizing the inflexible long-term contracts and the limited engagement of top players in negotiations. Additionally, he praised increases in Grand Slam prize money but emphasized the ongoing global struggle for lower-ranked players to earn a sustainable income from the sport, especially when accounting for inflation.
In the realm of emerging talent, 17-year-old American Darwin Blanch has made a significant impact by winning the U.S. National Under-18 Championship, earning him a wild card entry into the main draw of the 2025 U.S. Open. Trained at the JC Ferrero Tennis Academy in Spain since 2022, Blanch showcased his skills at the ATP 250 Winston-Salem tournament, where he secured his first official ATP Tour victory by defeating veteran Borna Coric. Currently ranked 409th in the world, Blanch's aggressive playing style, maturity, and mental strength position him as a rising star in American tennis. His participation in the U.S. Open marks a significant milestone in his promising career.
As the U.S. Open approaches, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation. The tournament not only offers record-breaking prize money but also features compelling storylines, including defending champions aiming to break historical trends, seasoned players adjusting their strategies, and young talents making their mark on the sport's grandest stage. Fans worldwide are eager to witness the unfolding drama and athleticism that the U.S. Open consistently delivers.
Veteran Doubles Players Shine In U.S. Open’s Revamped Mixed Doubles Event
The U.S. Open's reimagined mixed doubles competition has kicked off with veteran doubles specialists outshining top singles stars in the early matches. The event, which now precedes the main singles draw, has attracted significant attention due to its innovative format and the participation of prominent players.
In the opening match, defending champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani, both seasoned doubles players from Italy, defeated the duo of Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz with a score of 4-2, 4-2. Their performance highlighted the depth of experience and coordination that seasoned doubles players bring to the court.
Similarly, the pairing of Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti showcased their doubles prowess by overcoming the team of Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils, winning 5-3, 4-2. This match underscored the strategic play and synergy that veteran doubles players often exhibit, which can be challenging for singles specialists to counter.
The revamped mixed doubles format has been a focal point of discussion. Organizers have streamlined the event to feature 16 teams, with entries based on combined singles rankings and wild-card selections. This structure aims to elevate the profile of mixed doubles by involving high-profile singles players, thereby increasing fan engagement and media coverage.
However, the changes have not been without controversy. Some doubles specialists have expressed concerns over the new format and the allocation of wild cards, arguing that it may undermine the traditional doubles circuit. In response, organizers have reallocated last year's mixed doubles prize pool to traditional doubles events, aiming to balance player earnings and maintain the integrity of both formats.
The mixed doubles event has also seen unexpected developments. World number one Jannik Sinner withdrew from the competition due to illness, leading to the inclusion of American players Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison as replacements. Despite this setback, the event has garnered large crowds and enthusiastic responses, indicating a positive reception to the new format and its potential to rejuvenate interest in mixed doubles tennis.
As the U.S. Open progresses, the mixed doubles competition continues to evolve, offering fans a fresh perspective on the sport and highlighting the enduring appeal of doubles play. The outcomes of these matches may influence future tournament structures and the integration of singles and doubles events, reflecting the dynamic nature of professional tennis.
Steve Johnson believes Carlos Alcaraz will overtake Jannik Sinner
Alcaraz and Sinner’s rivalry went up a level this season
The secret behind Ben Shelton's rise revealed
All the players who participated in the 'Canadian Open' that took place in Toronto knew they had a huge chance due to the numerous absences among the top players. World No.1 Jannik Sinner missed the prestigious Canadian tournament and World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz also made the chosen star, as well as 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and young English star Jack Draper.
This huge chance was exploited by Ben Shelton in the best way, with the American ace who was able to win the first Masters 1000 title of his young career thanks to an amazing run. The American talent had to overcome several difficulties during the tournament, but he showed that he has grown from all points of view and the final against Karen Khachanov certified his improvements.
The two top favorites to win in Ontario were Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, while Ben was better than them at handling the pressure and will try to extend his positive momentum at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 as well. His main goal is the US Open, scheduled from August 24 to September 7, a tournament that suits his game very well (where he reached the semifinals in 2023).
Roddick praises Shelton
On the latest episode of his famous podcast, former world No.1 Andy Roddick highlighted that he has noticed some progresses in Shelton's game: “His ability to drive the backhand, middle, and cross. He is not taking random cuts down the line with it, and when he does, it’s a finishing shot. But comfort in really taking big swings through the middle, through cross.
He has developed that shot, and you say the chip is a change-up, no, it’s more than that. It gives him the option to change the pattern of the entire rally. That is a big deal. Once it comes to his forehand, he has got options.”
Ben’s next opponent in Cincy will be Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated Cameron Norrie in the previous round.
Alcaraz Denies Dzumhur in Cincinnati Adventure
By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 10, 2025
Photo credit: Cincinnati Open Facebook
A month after Jannik Sinner dethroned Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, the world No. 2 renewed his rivalry with the top-ranked Italian driving the ball deep on an Ohio golf course.
Today, Alcaraz launched his Cincinnati return teeing off in the opening set before hitting himself into deep rough.
Ultimately, Alcaraz used every club in his bag to defeat Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 in his Cincinnati Open opener.
In his first match since losing to Sinner 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz showed little rust in the first set, fell into a sloppy hole in the second set then broke twice in the decider to deter a tough Dzumhur.
This was Alcaraz’s first hard-court match since his surprising three-set loss to David Goffin in his Miami Open opener.
For the ✌️
The moment @carlosalcaraz finished off a wild one with Dzumhur to stretch his Masters winning streak to 12! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/Kw6nr8TiAb
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
Alcaraz converted five of 10 break points vs. the 5’9” Dzumhur, but didn’t save any of the three break points he faced, littered 44 unforced errors and suffered some concentration lapses. Alcaraz netted a few drop shots, built a 4-1 lead in the final set only to double fault and muff a serve and volley to hand the break back in the seventh game. Credit a tough Dzumhur, who took a set off two-time Roland Garros champion Alcaraz in Paris this year, for fighting all the way through.
Still, despite his mis-steps, Alcaraz drilled a deep forehand return then exploited his opponent’s lone double fault of the day to break back for 5-3.
Serving for the third round, Alcaraz unleashed a 131 mph blast and closed in one hour, 41 minutes.
After the hand shake, Alcaraz trotted back on the court and erupted in a “Vamos! Vamos!” scream expressing both excitement and relief.
The reigning Roland Garros champion scored his ATP-best 49th win of the season setting up a third-round clash with either Hamad Medjedovic or Tallon Griekspoor.
Alcaraz grew up looking up to tennis heroes Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
In the opening set, the Spaniard paid tribute to seven-time Cincinnati champion Federer featuring the Swiss Maestro’s famed SABR attack. Alcaraz ran down a challenging drop shot to earn set point in the seventh game.
Then the explosive Alcaraz recalled SABR taking a full sprint up to a second-serve return successfully forcing the error to score his third break and seize a one-set lead after just 29 minutes of play.
Though Alcaraz was in free flow through the first set he crashed in the second.
The five-time Grand Slam champion coughed up 17 unforced errors in the second set infusing Dzumhur with confidence and aggression.
In a sloppy fourth game, Alcaraz botched a volley, netted a forehand then ballooned a forehand drive well long gifting Dzumhur the break and a 2-1 lead.
The 33-year-old Bosnian ran off 12 of 13 points in one stretch wrapping a pair of love holds around that break for a 3-1 lead.
Struggling to win points off his second serve, Alcaraz pushed a routine volley long as Dzumhur scored his second straight break for 4-1.
Pumping his fist to his box, the world No. 56 backed up the break for 5-1. Alcaraz made successive return errors—his 16th and 17th of the set—as Dzumhur seized the second set to force a decider.
Alcaraz breezed through a love hold for a 2-1 lead in the decider. Then the pair produced a highlight reel game.
The speedy Alcaraz ran down a drop shot, dabbed a stretch volley then turned with his back to net sprinted back to the baseline and clubbed a tomahawk forehand pass extending the fourth game to deuce. Drilling a diagonal forehand gave Alcaraz the break and a 3-1 lead.
Bringing the HEAT 🔥
360 degrees of filth from @carlosalcaraz #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/a1F5kON4xd
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
Dabbing a drop shot, Alcaraz extended the lead to 4-1 and seemed to be in total command.
But a defiant Dzumhur kept battling and Alcaraz betrayed his cause with some wayward shotmaking as the grew tighter again.
"Alcaraz with the river card" 😱@carlosalcaraz #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/6fwa69NEwa
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
The Dzumhur double fault on break point gave Alcaraz a crucial 5-3 lead and he took care of business in the final game. An adventurous up and down win that sends the Spaniard into round three.
Frances Tiafoe recounts people 'clowning' him for thinking he'd be pro tennis player
Frances Tiafoe says people used to "clown" him for believing he would become a pro tennis player, but adds he is now the last one laughing.
The American tennis star, whose parents immigrated from Sierra Leone to the United States in the 1990s to escape the civil war that was happening at the time, celebrated his 27th birthday in January.
At 27, Tiafoe has achieved some notable stuff and he has been regularly participating in the main-level tournaments for several years now. In his collection, the current world No. 12 has three ATP titles and he is also a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. Also, he knows how it feels to be a top-10 player, having achieved a career-high ranking of No. 10 in mid-2023.
While Tiafoe has been one of the faces of American men's tennis for the past couple of years, he was once heavily doubted.
Tiafoe: People wouldn't take me seriously when I'd tell them I wanted to be a pro
“I’d tell guys from the [club] that I’d want to be a pro. They would just clown and not take it seriously. I was always like: ‘Don’t worry, man. I’m going to be the last person laughing.’ Here we are today," the 2022 and 2024 US Open semifinalist told The Guardian.
As mentioned above, Tiafoe has a solid resume and he has proven capable of doing some nice things. However, the world No. 12 believes the best is yet to come and that he will pull off much better accomplishments before he retires.
“I’m still young – I’ve still got a lot more to achieve. I still haven’t scratched the surface of my career," the American said.
Currently, Tiafoe is competing at the Cincinnati Masters, where he plays Ugo Humbert in the third round. Last year, the 27-year-old came close to winning the biggest title of his career in Cincinnati before losing to Jannik Sinner in the final.
Tiafoe is certainly hoping to go a step further this year and lift his maiden Masters title in Cincy.
Coco Gauff teases American men over lack of Grand Slams: No competition
Coco Gauff jokes there "has not been much of a competition" between American men and women at Grand Slams simply because the women have had much more success over the last two decades.
As you probably know, the last US male tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles title was Andy Roddick. After winning his maiden Major at the 2003 US Open, the former world No. 1 appeared in four more Major finals but never won his second title on the biggest level.
After Roddick's 2009 Wimbledon final defeat to Roger Federer, it took US tennis 15 years to get another male Grand Slam finalist – Taylor Fritz reached the 2024 US Open final but stood no chance there, losing in straight sets to Jannik Sinner.
When it comes to American WTA stars, their Slam success over the past two decades is well-documented. In the most recent history, Gauff landed two Grand Slams in the last two years.
Gauff takes a playful shot at US ATP players
"For the men, I feel like the women, it hasn't been much of a competition, no offense to them, but now it is kind of was it three or four straight Slams with American in the finals. So I think we're we're doing pretty good on our end. They have to catch up. But no, I think it's great to see so many so much representation of like our country in the sport," the 2023 US Open winner said.
After making it clear that she thinks American male tennis features some pretty quality players, Gauff revealed her big wish was to witness an American male and female winning the same Grand Slam. Last year, Fritz and Jessica Pegula came close to making that happen, but lost their respective US Open final matches.
"I would love to see in my lifetime like a woman and an American woman and male when the same Slam that would be that would be great. We got it US Open. They were both in the final so hopefully maybe this U.S. Open some magic can happen," Gauff added.
In early June, Gauff won her first French Open title. Now, the 21-year-old is an Australian Open and Wimbledon title away from completing a Career Grand Slam.
Jannik Sinner earns personal record in Cincinnati
Competing for the first time since lifting his first Wimbledon title, world no. 1 Jannik Sinner made a stunning debut in Cincinnati. The defending champion ousted a qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan 6-1, 6-1 in the second round.
The Italian had the upper hand fro start to finish, dictating the pace on the fast hard court and sealing the deal in 59 minutes. Thus, Jannik secured his personal record, delivering his fastest ATP win in completed matches.
In 2019, Sinner ousted Mikael Ymer at the Next Gen ATP Finals in 56 minutes. However, it was a different format with shorter sets.
Jannik Sinner with a stunner of a drop shot against Galan in Cincinnati.
Dominating from the baseline.
Feathery touch to finish it.
Nothing he can’t do. 🇮🇹🦊
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 9, 2025
The Italian produced brutal numbers in his service games, losing six points and saving the only break point while serving for the opener at 5-1. Elahi Galan felt the pressure and cracked under it.
The Colombian landed in 54% of the first serve and lost 56% of the points in his games. Sinner created 13 break chances and converted five, controlling the scoreboard and racing over the top.
Jannik tamed his strokes nicely and fired 20 winners and 12 unforced errors, mixing his shots well and adding drop shots to his arsenal. The Italian hit 19 service winners and forged a vast 31-9 lead from the baseline against the powerless rival.
Jannik Sinner, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 1 outplayed his opponent in the shortest and mid-range rallies, taking charge and presenting his career-fastest victory. Sinner found his momentum right from the start.
He geld at love in the first game, grabbed a break in the second and drew the rival's mistake at 2-0 for another hold at love. Daniel netted a routine forehand in the fourth game and experienced a break at love.
Jannik painted a forehand winner in game five, providing his third straight hold at love and moving 5-0 up after 15 minutes. Daniel Elahi ended his downfall in the sixth game and created his only break point at 1-5.
Jannik Sinner, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
The Italian saved it with a service winner and converted a set point with a half-volley winner for 6-1 after swift 26 minutes. The favorite served well in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
Sinner clinched a break in the first game with a deep return and cemented it with a service winner a few moments later for 2-0. Daniel denied five break points in the third game and avoided a bagel.
Jannik held at 15 in the fourth game before generating three break chances in the next one. He converted the last with a forehand winner and forged a 4-1 lead. The Italian held at love for 5-1 and made another push on the return in game seven.
He landed a perfect drop shot winner on a match point, sealing the deal in style and racing into the third round.
Holger Rune joins Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner in exclusive 'Club 50'
Holger Rune celebrated a milestone victory in Cincinnati. The young Dane ousted Roman Safiullin 7-5, 7-6 in an hour and 58 minutes in the second round, prevailing and making a winning start.
Holger celebrated his 50th Masters 1000 victory, becoming the fourth player born in 2000 or later to achieve that. Rune joined Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the exclusive 'Club 50.'
The Dane claimed his first Masters 1000 win in Indian Wells three and a half years ago. He claimed the Paris Masters crown later that season following five straight top-10 triumphs!
Un triunfo especial💥
Holger Rune🇩🇰 consigue su primer triunfo en Cincinnati venciendo a Roman Safiullin🇷🇺 7-5 y 7-6
📌El danés ya registra 5️⃣0️⃣ victorias en Masters1000#CincyTennis
— Iván Aguilar (@ivabianconero) August 9, 2025
Holger was the finalist in Monte Carlo and Rome in the spring of 2023, and his most recent Masters 1000 final came in Indian Wells this March. The youngster will seek his fifth Masters 1000 final in Cincinnati.
The 7th seed had to dig deep in his first test in Ohio. He took six points more than Safiullin and prevailed in the decisive moments to avoid a decider. Rune lost serve two times and provided three return games from five chances.
They sprayed over 70 unforced errors, and the Dane reduced the number of errors. Holger forged the advantage in service winners but lost in from the baseline. He had the upper hand in the shortest exchanges, and Roman reduced the gap in the mid-range ones.
Holger Rune, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
They traded breaks in the middle of the opening set. The Dane provided another break in game nine and served for the set at 5-4. Rune wasted two set points and lost serve.
However, he kept his composure and closed the opener with another break at 5-5 and a hold in game 12. The second set was much more fluid, with no break chances and 12 comfortable holds.
Rune grabbed two mini-breaks for a 5-2 advantage. Roman erased the deficit with a mini-break in the tenth point, locking the result at 5-5. Still, Holger claimed a decisive point on the return at 6-5, sealing the deal and making a winning start.
Roger Federer returns to Shanghai a year after practicing with Carlos Alcaraz
Roger Federer will return to Shanghai this fall. The two-time champion will embrace the Roger Federer and friends celebrity doubles match on October 10, offering his fans another chance to see him in action on the court.
Last year, the Swiss spent a couple of entertaining days in Shanghai, exploring the city and enjoying the action at the eighth Masters 1000 event of the season.
The two-time winner met Novak Djokovic, watched Jannik Sinner and trained with Carlos Alcaraz on an indoor court, joking and asking what he was doing there.
Roger Federer is coming back to Shanghai 🤩
Join us on October 10th for the @rogerfederer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match! pic.twitter.com/6gpnkFfl6B
— Rolex Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) August 10, 2025
Federer was 23-6 during his eight visits to Shanghai. The legend defeated Novak Djokovic on his debut in 2010 before losing the final to Andy Murray. The same rivals met in the semi-final two years later, and the Briton celebrated in straight sets.
Roger fell to Gael Monfils in 2013, still seeking his first title in China. It finally came in 2014 over Novak Djokovic and Gilles Simon. Alberto Ramos-Vinolas stunned him in 2015, and the crowd favorite bounced back stronger in 2017.
Federer ousted Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal en route to his second and last title in China. The Swiss played a sublime match, dropping eight points in his games and breaking his greatest rival's serve three times en route to a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Roger competed as the defending champion in 2018 and suffered a surprising loss to Borna Coric in the semi-final in straight sets. Six years ago, the two-time winner battled in China for the eighth and final time.
He lost a tight encounter to Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final, wrapping up his Shanghai Masters journey with a 23-6 score. Federer enjoyed his time in China last October, and the fans will see him again in two months.
Sincinnati Statement: Sinner Storms Through Cincinnati Opener
By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 9, 2025
Photo credit: Cincinnati Open Facebook
All-surface champion Jannik Sinner returned to his favored hard court in Cincinnati.
The world No. 1 combined deconstruction with deception launching his Cincinnati title defense rolling to his 22nd consecutive hard-court victory.
When Sinner wasn’t busy torching blazing drives by Daniel Galan he bamboozled him with touch, flicking a clean forehand drop shot to wrap a 6-1, 6-1 sweep.
“I would say I’m obviously very happy to be back here,” Sinner told Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj afterward. “It’s a special place for me and last year was an amazing year for me. So let’s see what’s coming.
“It’s very difficult to play here, I feel like the ball is flying fast so when you lose confidence with a couple of shots it makes it very, very difficult to play. I’m very happy about today’s performance, playing against a qualifier, it’s not easy so I’m happy about today and let’s see what’s coming.”
In his first match since dethroning two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to make history as the first Italian to win Wimbledon, Sinner picked up right where he left off at SW19.
The world’s top two have renewed their rivalry teeing off on the local golf course before the Cincinnati Open began.
“We actually played now a couple of times before the tournament here,” Sinner told Prakash Amritraj. “I’m not a good golfer, but I love to spend time doing different things.
“Maybe now we will go because I have tomorrow one day off. Maybe we will play a couple of holes here. It’s the best place to play golf. In Cincinnati, there’s not so much to do. So we’re actually lucky the golf course is there.”
The reigning Australian Open and US Open champion was nearly untouchable on serve winning 22 of 23 first-serve points and saving the only break point he faced in a comprehensive 59-minute conquest.
59 minutes… @janniksin 🤯💥 https://t.co/89X0Anp6G6 pic.twitter.com/MWkqgdy6It
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2025
Sinner will face either Argentinean Sebastian Baez or big-serving Canadian Gabriel Diallo with a potential round of 16 clash looming against American Tommy Paul.
Newly-engaged Paul pounded out a 6-2, 6-2 win over Spaniard Pedro Martinez earlier today.
Two of the top 12 seeds failed to clear their first hurdle in the top quarter of the draw with both falling to Frenchmen.
Benjamin Bonzi beat No. 8-seeded Lorenzo Musetti 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(4). That upset came shortly after Arthur Rinderknech outlasted 1th-seeded Casper Ruud 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2.
Launching his quest to become the first man since legendary Roger Federer in 2014-2015 to successfully defend Cincinnati, Sinner was in charge from the very outset. The lanky Italian’s attention to detail was evident when he bent over to pick up the coin and return it to chair umpire Aurelie Tourte after losing the opening coin toss.
That was one of the last defeats Sinner took on this day.
The US Open champion rolled through 12 straight points on serve winning four of the first five games at love surging to a 5-0 lead after 17 minutes of play.
The reigning champion rips the ball with such fierce force off both wings, opponents have to respect the deep drive. Seeing the Colombian qualifier back behind the baseline, Sinner flicked a dropper, followed it forward and bunted a backhand down the line to take the first set in 26 minutes.
The bearded Colombian was on the verge of another early-set blow out, when he dug in and fought back.
Galan denied five break points in a punishing third game to hold for 1-2 in the second set.
Swatting a deep forehand return to push his opponent back behind the baseline, Sinner stepped in and scalded a forehand strike down the line breaking for 4-1.
The four-time major champion flicked a final forehand drop shot closing in 59 minutes and scoring his 25th consecutive opening victory.
After disarming his opponent today, Sinner shared he didn’t hit a ball for 10 days after his Wimbledon win and believes that helps him return refreshed.
“I went without tennis, it was 10 days,” Sinner told Prakash Amritraj. “When I was a bit younger, a couple of years ago, I never wanted to take the racquet away.
“Now every time when I have a small chance, I put it away, you know? Because then I will have even more love for the sport and for the game. And also, appreciation to comeback and feel good again. I love this sport. I love to make sacrifices also and I also love the people I have around. It’s a good combination of many, many things.”
Novak Djokovic's schedule worries everyone: all details inside
Novak Djokovic's schedule after the Wimbledon Championships surprised both fans and insiders. The former world number 1 decided to skip the Toronto Masters 1000 and this choice was not particularly surprising, considering that the Serbian legend has not played in Canada since 2018 and definitely needed a break after his loss to Jannik Sinner at the Championships.
However, most experts expected that the 38-year-old from Belgrade would at least participate in the Cincinnati Masters 1000 – scheduled in Ohio from August 7 to 18 – in order to play some official matches on the hard courts in view of the US Open.
The final Major of the season will begin on August 24 in New York and it is now clear to everyone that Nole will only play mixed doubles with Olga Danilovic before making her singles debut.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has spent the last few weeks on vacation with his family and friends, enjoying his free time first in Croatia and then in Greece. Novak has not yet resumed practicing and it is not known if he has solved the muscle problem that had conditioned him during the semifinal of the Championships.
Nole is still resting
A few days ago, Djokovic's presence at the second edition of the 'Six Kings Slam' to be held in Saudi Arabia was announced.
In the latest episode of his podcast, American legend Jimmy Connors admitted that he was surprised by Nole's recent choices: "I have to admit that his schedule worries me a bit. He hasn't played a hard court match so far and it would have been good to see him in Cincinnati to test his level, but instead he preferred to stay home. We don't know what to expect from him, although we can't underestimate one of the best in history. We've seen him on vacation for the last month, that's all we know."
The Serbian ace had missed both American Masters 1000 last season, before being prematurely eliminated in New York.
Carlos Alcaraz faces Damir Dzumhur in Cincinnati. Another thriller coming?
World no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will chase his first Cincinnati Masters title. The Spaniard starts his campaign against Damir Dzumhur, returning to action for the first time since losing his first Major final to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.
Carlos and Damir embraced a thriller at Roland Garros two months ago, and maybe we can see another tight duel between them in Ohio. The Spaniard and the Bosnian faced in the third round in Paris.
The favorite prevailed 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours and 14 minutes en route to the last 16. Alcaraz controlled the pace in the opening two sets before losing his vibe and struggling in the remaining two.
Tanto le está exigiendo Dzumhur a Alcaraz que está obligándole a hacer ESTO. pic.twitter.com/K2XAcCdB8X
— José Morón (@jmgmoron) May 30, 2025
Dzumhur took the pivotal points of the third set and forged a 3-1 advantage in the fourth, using the defending champion's shaky period. However, Carlos woke up and grabbed five of the final six games to emerge at the top and avoid a decider.
The Spaniard admitted he did not know what to do in the third set, losing ground and struggling to overcome an inspired opponent. However, he found improvements and wrapped up a challenging duel in style.
Alcaraz played against 12 break points and saved nine. He generated 21 chances on the return and converted seven, including ones in the pivotal moments. The Spaniard hit 52 winners and 44 unforced errors.
Damir Dzumhur & Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 2 saved two break points in the first game of the duel and secured back-to-back breaks en route to 6-1 in under half an hour. Damir lost serve at 1-1 in the second set and fell behind.
The Bosnian served to stay in the set at 3-5 and played another loose service game, propelling his rival two sets to love in front. Dzumhur raised his level in the third set.
He secured a break in the seventh game and disturbed the rival's momentum. Damir denied six break points in games eight and ten, wrapping up the set 6-4 and gaining a boost.
Carlos made his position even more challenging after losing serve at the beginning of the fourth set. He trailed 3-1 before erasing the deficit with a break in game six.
Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2023© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard secured the seventh game after a deuce and moved in front. The defending champion made another push on the return at 4-3 and delivered another break to rattle off four games and extend the gap.
Alcaraz served for the win at 5-3 and suffered a break to keep his rival in contention. However, Dzumhur experienced another break at 4-5, propelling the favorite into the last 16.
Riccardo Piatti comments on the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
The Cincinnati Masters 1000 and the US Open represent the two new stages of the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who will compete for the first position in the ATP rankings until the end of this season. The 22-year-old Spaniard won Roland Garros for the second year in a row at the end of an epic final, in which he also cancelled out three match points, but the current world No.1 took revenge on his top rival at the Wimbledon Championships by becoming the first Italian ever to lift the trophy in London.
The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria is still at the top of the ATP rankings, but he will have to defend many more points than Carlitos in the coming months and risks being overtaken. The four-time Grand Slam champion will be called upon to defend 3000 points between Cincinnati and New York, unlike his main rival who had not shone in these two events last season.
Piatti talks about Sinner and Alcaraz
There is no doubt that the US Open – scheduled in New York from August 24 to September 7 – will be fundamental in the race for the first position in the ATP rankings, with the Italian and the Spaniard doing everything possible to play their best tennis in Flushing Meadows.
In a long interview with 'La Stampa', top coach Riccardo Piatti – who worked with Sinner until 2022 – analyzed this amazing rivalry in detail: "Carlos' top goal is the US Open: if the Spaniard were to triumph in New York, it would become very difficult for Jannik to finish the year as number 1.
They are two champions who love competition and aspire to become the best version of themselves, without obsessions of any kind. Sinner has raised his level exponentially in the last year and has understood that he will have the chance to make the Grand Slam in the coming seasons. I've always thought so."
In the 2022 edition of the US Open, Jannik and Carlitos played a memorable match in the quarterfinals.
Jimmy Connors identifies 'worrying' thing about Novak Djokovic ahead of US Open
Jimmy Connors believes Novak Djokovic could still make a run for the US Open main glory but the former eight-time Grand Slam champion admits he is "worried" over the Serb not playing a single match leading up to the final Major of the year.
After losing in straight sets to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinal – in a match where he appeared to be bothered by a leg injury he picked up a round earlier – the current world No. 6 decided to skip the Toronto Masters. Last week, the 38-year-old also pulled out of the ongoing Cincinnati Masters.
The moment Djokovic withdrew from Cincinnati, that meant he would enter a second Grand Slam in a row without playing any official tournaments leading up to it. During this past grass swing, the former world No. 1 played only one exhibition match in Hurlingham before going to Wimbledon.
Connors: One thing worries me… I wish Djokovic went to Cincinnati and played a few matches there
"You can’t count him out. The only thing that is worrying me, is I wish he would go to Cincinnati and just go and play two or three matches. That is the only thing that worries me that he left Wimbledon in the semis, which was a pretty good result, but he didn’t play in that match like he wanted to and lost in three straight. Then to take two and a half months off, he has a family, going on vacation and getting away. But you never know," the American tennis legend said on the Advantage Connors podcast.
Djokovic not playing much before a Grand Slam isn't anything unusual – he did it many times in the past and you know how that usually went for the Serb. However, it has been a completely different story the past two years with the rise of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Last year, Djokovic stunningly lost in the US Open third round to Alexei Popyrin, but he was tired and exhausted following his Paris Olympics win. This year, the 38-year-old Serb is at least guaranteed to enter the last Grand Slam of the year fresh.
Ben Shelton asked if he could pull off a Jannik Sinner after Toronto Masters win
Ben Shelton doesn't want to compare his path to Jannik Sinner's since he believes "everyone's story is different" but admits he is hoping that his Toronto Masters triumph is only the start of more great things.
On Thursday, the Shelton captured his maiden Masters win after completing an impressive 6-7 (5) 6-4 7-6 (3) final comeback against Karen Khachanov. For the 22-year-old American, it was his third ATP title, but by far the biggest one.
If you can recall, Sinner's first Masters triumph came two years ago at the exact same spot when he beat Alex de Minaur in the Toronto final. That pretty much marked a breakthrough in the Italian's game, as since then, he has won four Grand Slams and has been holding the world No. 1 spot for nearly a year now.
After Shelton became a Masters champion, a reporter remembered how the Toronto win did wonders for Sinner and asked the American if something similar could happen to him.
Shelton refuses to compare himself to Sinner: I think everyone has a different path…
"Yeah, yeah, you never know. I think everyone has a different path. Everyone's story is written differently. I've kind of done it my way. There's been a lot of guys to look up to, just because how young they have been when they have broken through, and have had so much success at big tournaments. Tennis seems to be a sport that has young champions all the time, which is not common or normal, it's ultra impressive," the 22-year-old explained.
Shelton may not want to compare himself to the best player in the game and put major expectations and pressure on himself. But he surely hopes to do some big things in the near future.
"Yeah, I hope that this week kind of kick starts me and gets me more consistent with the type of tennis that I want to play day-in and day-out," the 22-year-old added.
Reigning Champion Sinner and Alcaraz Lead Six Kings Slam Set for October
By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Photo credit: Six Kings Slam
Tennis’ major kings return to Riyadh to chase a lucrative crown in October.
Reigning champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz and Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic lead the list of competitors for the 2025 Six Kings Slam.
The exhibition event, set for October 15-18th at the ABN Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, officially announced the six-player lineup today.
Sinner, who beat Alcaraz to collect a tennis-record $6 million champion’s check in Riyadh last fall, headlines the field that also includes American Taylor Fritz, Briton Jack Draper and Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
A year ago, Alcaraz defeated his tennis hero, Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 6-3 in one semifinal and Sinner stopped Djokovic 6-2, 6-7(0), 6-4 in the top-half semifinal.
In the exhibition event’s final, Sinner beat Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 to capture the most lucrative payday in tennis history.
Carlos Alcaraz reflects on Wimbledon loss to Jannik Sinner: 'I left the court happy'
World no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will chase his first Cincinnati crown. The 22-year-old hit the practice court in Ohio with his trademark energy and perspective, leaving the recent setback behind and chasing new titles.
The five-time Major champion reflected on a key moment from earlier this summer – his first loss in a Major final at Wimbledon to Jannik Sinner. After winning the first five Major finals, Carlos ended on the losing side for the first time.
Jannik lost the opener but earned a well-deserved 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory, avenging the Roland Garros heartbreak. Despite the defeat, the Spaniard found reasons to leave the court with pride and joy.
Jannik Sinner is a Wimbledon champion 🇮🇹
The world No.1 defeats Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to win the 2025 Gentlemen's Singles Trophy 🏆#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/UMnwV4Fw78
Alcaraz entered the final with a 5-0 score in the title match, a remarkable feat for any player. However, he acknowledged the fact he had to lose a Major final at some point, like every other player.
As he walked off Centre Court without his third consecutive Wimbledon trophy, the 22-year-old felt pride instead of frustration. The Spaniard recognized the need for improvement but described his defeat as part of a natural progression.
The setback has not dampened Alcaraz's drive. Instead, with a grounded mind and a growing hunger to evolve and become one of the ultimate tennis champions, he is focused on what lies ahead.
Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2025© Facebook – Wimbledon
His next goal? Cincinnati and US Open titles and the ATP throne taken away from Jannik Sinner! The hard-court season unfolds, and Carlos brings with him the lessons from the All England Club.
They are not a burden but fuel for the journey forward. After performing a miraculous escape in Paris, the Spaniard could not provide similar performance in London.
He claimed the opener before Sinner bounced back and claimed the next three sets with a single break in each, outplaying his greatest rival and providing his first loss in Major finals.
Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz, 2025© Stream screenshot
"I want to win every final I play, especially at Majors. I lost to Jannik at Wimbledon, but left the court happy and proud. I smiled and thought that I had to lose a Major final at some point, like everyone else.
I have to make many improvements from the title match in London, but I felt good right after the match. I had to be grateful for everything I have achieved, and reaching the Wimbledon final is always great.
I lost it, but I still felt proud and happy with everything I did," Carlos Alcaraz said.