Archive of posts tagged the Masters

Roger Federer Return Set For Shanghai Exhibition Doubles

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By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, August 11, 2025
Photo credit: Wilson

The Swiss Maestro will make the strings sing in Shanghai in October.

Former world No. 1 Roger Federer announced he will play an exhibition doubles match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on October 10th.

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“Shanghai has always been a special place for me, with great fans, unforgettable memories and a real love for the game,” Federer said in a video message posted on the tournament’s social media channels.  “I look forward to seeing you there on October 10th.

“Shanghai let’s meet.”

The Roger Federer and Friends Celebrity doubles match will feature actors Wu Lei and Donnie Yen, and former Chinese tennis player Zheng Jie. The Federer exhibition doubles match will be played on  Qizhong Stadium’s center court.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion returned to Shanghai last fall where he practiced with Carlos Alcaraz in a session starring two of the top shotmakers in Open Era history.

An immensely popular presence in Asia, Federer is a two-time Shanghai champion.

In the 2017 final, the second-seeded Swiss played a near-flawless match firing 10 aces against no double faults and permitting just eight points on serve in a 6-4, 6-3 win over top-seeded rival Rafael Nadal.

Federer captured his first Shanghai title in 2014 out-dueling Frenchman Gilles Simon 7-6(6), 7-6(2) in a one hour, 53-minute final. The third-seeded Federer stopped top-seeded Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 in the 2014 semifinals.

In an interview with Tennis Now in New York City during the 2024 US Open, Federer said he had been hitting and was looking forward to potentially playing some exhibitions.

Visiting the Masters at Augusta National in April, Federer reiterated his desire to play some exhibitions.

“Honestly, I would love to play some more tennis again. Enough with the golf already for a moment now,” Roger told SNTV. 

“I would seriously start playing 2 or 3 times a week again and hopefully get myself back on the exhibition court and hopefully maybe fill up a few nice stadiums around the world.”

In two months time, fans will see Federer back on court in Shanghai.

Medvedev Overheats and Poor Stretch Continues in Cincinnati

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By Chris Oddo | Monday August 11, 2025

What happened to Daniil Medvedev? Remember the former World No.1, the guy who stood tall against the Big Three and racked up titles on hard courts like they were going out of style? Has anyone seen that guy?

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There would not be a sighting in Cincinnati, where Medvedev appeared as a shell of his former self as he wilted in defeat to Australia’s Adam Walton on Sunday, 6-7 6-4 6-1.

It’s just odd to see the former juggernaut at No.15 in the world, carrying a record of 26-17 for the season. One of the most captivating, personable players on the ATP Tour, who earned his nickname the “slim reaper” thanks to his wiry frame and uncanny ability to outlast players with his trademark accuracy and resiliency, is only 29 years old. It’s not like he’s Kei Nishikori at 35 and on the way out, or Gael Monfils at 38.

Medvedev is 1-3 at the Grand Slams in 2025, and 11-7 at the Masters events. This is a player who won more than 60 matches in 2021 and 2023, and reached six major finals between 2019 and 2024. But he’s gone 12-20 against the Top-20 since the start of 2024, so his lack of success against the elite no longer comes as surprise.

Medvedev was a few games from winning yesterday’s match with Walton, but the extreme heat zapped him. He was suffering during courtside changeovers, dunking his head in a water cooler and sitting beneath an ice pack. On court he had nothing to give in the deciding set. It happens, but it shouldn’t. No excuses, this is the type of difficulty he has pushed through in previous years, as he became one of the best hard court players in tennis.

The 2021 US Open champion will head to the US Open next, where he is 33-7 lifetime. If a dose of New York energy can’t bring his game to life, we should all be worried.

Humble & Hungry – Shelton Is Youngest American to Reach Masters Final in 21 Years

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By Chris Oddo | Wednesday August 6, 2025

Ben Shelton broke new ground on Wednesday night in Toronto, defeating Taylor Fritz to become the youngest American to reach a Masters 1000 final since Andy Roddick in 2004.

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The 22-year-old notched a 6-4, 6-3 over the top-ranked American, and has now earned back-to-back Top-10 wins for the first time in his career.

“I’m just looking for things in my game to steadily improve and I’ve seen so many big improvements in my game this week,” said Shelton. “That’s what I’m most happy about. The way that I’m playing, how I’m executing and how little I’m hesitating.”

Shelton saved both break points he faced in a flawless performance, and converted three of ten to pull away from the fourth-ranked American.

He cracked seven aces and won 25 of 29 first-serve points.

“When he is standing in one corner, he’s one of the best in the world at being behind the ball and hitting it harder and harder every time,” Shelton said of the 2024 US Open runner-up. “You have to keep him moving and I did a great job of that, moving the ball around the court today.”

In the first all-American Masters semifinal in 15 years Shelton improved to 1-1 vs Fritz and became the eighth player born in the 2000s to play a Masters final.

“It’s huge,” Shelton said. “Talked about how the Masters were the one level of tournaments that I’ve been struggling with, and my next step is being able to excel in these tournaments. So taking that first step and getting my first deep run under my belt is exciting.”

He’ll face Karen Khachanov for the title on Thursday evening.

Why Billy Horschel feels uneasy at Augusta National

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Augusta

Talking about the importance of the Masters is redundant, as for many it is the most prestigious golf competition in the world. Most golfers are highly motivated to participate in this tournament, fully aware of its importance and prestigious reputation.

Billy Horschel is one of the golfers who has played in this tournament for years, but has never excelled in this tournament. 

Fans wondered what was the reason for Horschel's lackluster games, and the experienced golfer revealed what it was all about in an interview with the media. 

Billy admits that he feels quite anxious playing in this tournament, admitting that he does not feel comfortable at Augusta National.

“I get excited, I get anxious. The most nervous I ever get is the four tees shots, rounds one, two, three and four at Augusta. That first tee shot is the most nervous I am anywhere, ever.

I was nowhere near as nervous at The open Championship last year at Royal Troon on Sunday when I was leading waiting to tee off as I am at Augusta.

Me and Augusta have never got on very well, I’ve never shot sub-70 there and I just feel like one swing at the wrong time you’re in the worst spot you could possibly be.

I just think the comfort level, I’m not nearly as comfortable on that golf course.”- he said.

Modifications

As a golfer who belongs to the very top, it is clear that he will have to change something in his game, but it seems that it would be even more necessary to have a different mindset when it comes to this tournament. 

It is obvious that the strong pressure before this tournament, as well as the expectations, bring negative consequences for Horschel. 

In his words, you can feel that Billy has given up on this prestigious competition, which he admits is of great importance.

Toronto: Joao Fonseca experiences an early loss to Tristan Schoolkate

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Buenos Aires

Joao Fonseca entered the Canada Masters in Toronto as the member of the top-50. However, the young Brazilian did not enjoy his run at the sixth Masters 1000 event of the season following a 7-6, 6-4 defeat to Tristan Schoolkate. 

The Aussie ousted the Brazilian in an hour and 32 minutes after a rock-solid performance, notching his first top-50 victory and his second triumph at the Masters 1000 level. 

The Perth native prevailed in the opener and grabbed an early break in the second set that carried him over the top. The 24-year-old took ten points more than the young gun.

Tristan dropped 14 points behind the initial shot and faced no break points. Fonseca could not stay in touch despite a solid effort, losing serve in the early stages of the second set and hitting the exit door. 

Thus, a teenager extended his ups and downs, still waiting to claim three straight ATP wins after lifting his first ATP title in Buenos Aires in February. Both players hit more unforced errors than winners.

Schoolkate had the upper hand in service winners and from the baseline. The lower-ranked player forged his win in the shortest range up to four strokes following more free points on his tally.

Tristan Schoolkate, Toronto 2025

Tristan Schoolkate, Toronto 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Joao faced a break point in the second game of the duel and denied it with a powerful forehand winner. They served well in the remaining games, and Fonseca provided a fine hold at 5-6 to introduce a tie break. 

They exchanged early mini-breaks and served well in the upcoming points. The Aussie moved 5-4 in front with a fine attack and welcomed the rival's routine forehand error for a mini-break in the tenth point and two set points. 

Schoolkate converted the second with an unreturned serve, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 52 minutes. Tristan secured five fine holds in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.

Joao Fonseca, Toronto 2025

Joao Fonseca, Toronto 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Joao missed two game points at 1-1 after the rival's return winner and experienced a break after the rival's sharp return and his mistake. Schoolkate needed no second invitation to bring the victory home from there. 

The Aussie served well and held in game eight with a forehand winner for 5-3. Tristan served for a win at 5-4 and landed a service winner on a match point, sealing the deal and sending the young gun packing.