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Tag: Tsitsipas

  • Tsitsipas On Philippoussis: ‘So Much Compatibility’

    Tsitsipas On Philippoussis: ‘So Much Compatibility’

    Call it the Greek Connection.

    Stefanos Tsitsipas says that his coaching partnership with Mark Philippoussis, an Australian with a proud Greek heritage, has been a resounding success. The former Wimbledon and US Open finalist joined Tsitsipas’ father Apostolos in the coaches’ box in the second half of last season. And the chemistry worked from the start.

    “Mark is a very wise man, he has a lot of knowledge,” Tsitsipas said ahead of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. “I think the fact that he’s lived these things himself on the tour and he’s able to provide some [advice] to me now is essential. He provides a lot of feedback. He can relate to a lot of things that have happened to me and sees a little bit of himself in me in some circumstances and situations.

    “I very much enjoy this relationship that the two of us have. There’s so much compatibility in terms of team chemistry but also our philosophy behind the tennis we’re trying to pursue.”


    Stefanos Tsitsipas practises at the 2023 Australian Open while Coach Mark Philippoussis watches on. Credit: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

    Boasting a 13-2 record in 2023, the Australian Open finalist turns his attention to the California desert, where he will be in action Friday against Australian Jordan Thompson, who Tsitsipas has defeated in both of their meetings (‘19 Washington, D.C., ‘22 Wimbledon).

    Tsitsipas’ best result in Indian Wells was a quarter-final appearance in 2021, when he was ousted by eventual finalist Nikoloz Basilashvili. Set to compete for the first time since the ATP 500 in Rotterdam, the 24-year-old is thrilled to be back at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

    “This tournament always has such good energy,” Tsitsipas said. “The fans here are incredible. For me, it’s been a while since I’ve stepped on court and played a match. It’s great being back here.”

    Tsitsipas shared that the 15 matches he’s played this year have taken a toll on his body. But that hasn’t stopped the nine-time tour titlist from competing during the Sunshine Double, where he has a chance to become World No. 1 following Miami if he wins one title and reaches another final during the stretch.

    “I’ve had a lot of tennis the last couple months,” Tsitsipas said. “I think I’m paying the bill for it now, which is okay. I’m still very much in love with this game and I [made] the decision to come here and try my best.”

    [NEWSLETTER FORM]

  • Djokovic v Tsitsipas: The Rivalry

    Djokovic v Tsitsipas: The Rivalry

    The 13th ATP Head2Head matchup between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas will play out on Sunday in the 2023 Australian Open final, with the contest doubling as a straight shootout for No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

    Ahead of the title match, ATPTour.com breaks down six classic matches between the pair.

    [ATP APP]

    2022 Rolex Paris Masters SF, hard, Djokovic d. Tsitsipas 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(4)
    Djokovic extended his winning streak to eight straight matches against Tsitsipas with this gutsy victory, claiming the final four points of the match after falling behind by a mini-break in the decisive tie-break. In a high-quality contest that ebbed and flowed, Djokovic was at his best early and late, though Tsitsipas nearly snatched victory after edging ahead 4/3 in the tie-break.

    The pair combined for 63 winners and just 23 unforced errors with clean hitting at the ATP Masters 1000 event. Djokovic’s dominant serving made the difference, as he won 84 per cent (41/49) of his first-serve points and did not face a break point in the first or third set.

    “Deservedly so, we went into — both of us — into an even battle all the way until the last point, until the last shot,” the Serbian said. “Some incredible points towards the end. I’m just really glad to overcome this challenge.” Read Match Report.

    Djokovic won all four of his 2022 matches against Tsitsipas, dropping just one set across matches in Rome, Astana, Paris and Turin.

    2021 Roland Garros Final, clay, Djokovic d. Tsitsipas 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4
    Tsitsipas was within touching distance of his first Grand Slam title after a battling performance in set one and a dominant display in set two, with the Greek firmly in the ascendency behind his attacking game. But Djokovic left the court after losing the second set and emerged as a “different player”, shifting the match decisively when play resumed.

    Suddenly it was the Serbian on the front foot as he dialled up the aggression and introduced doubt into his opponent’s game. He did not face a break point in the final three sets, controlling each one behind an early break.

    “I managed to make a break, early break in the third,” Djokovic said post-match. “After that, I felt like I got into his head. I feel like I started swinging through the ball better. The momentum was on my side, it shifted. There was no looking back from that moment.”

    With his first comeback from two-sets-to-love in a major final, Djokovic won his 19th Slam title and his second in Paris. The victory also sealed a historic feat for the Serbian, making him the first player in the Open Era – and only the third player in history – to achieve the career Grand Slam twice. Read Match Report.

    Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic embrace after a five-set thriller at Roland Garros in 2021.

    2021 Internazionali BNL d’Italia QF, clay, Djokovic d. Tsitsipas 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
    In a match played across two days in Rome, Tsitsipas slept on a set-and-a-break lead before Djokovic began to find his footing on the clay. Trailing 6-4, 2-1 overnight, the Serbian forced a deciding set on Saturday, then twice battled back from a break deficit to advance to the Rome semi-finals for the eighth straight year.

    Tsitsipas served for the match at 5-4 in the third, but fell victim to his opponent’s unrelenting consistency and depth in the closing stages, several untimely errors proving his undoing.

    “There are many things to say about today or yesterday’s match. It kind of felt like we played two matches,” Djokovic reflected. “The one yesterday, where he was the better player. He started better today also. I managed to somehow to hold my nerve [and] break his serve in the important moments in the second and third sets.” Read Match Report.

    Novak Djokovic rallies from a set down to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2021 ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome.

    2020 Roland Garros SF, clay, Djokovic d. Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1
    Djokovic nearly scored a straightforward victory in his first Grand Slam meeting with Tsitsipas, but the Greek’s heavy hitting erased a match point at 5-4 in the third set and set the stage for a lengthy battle that clocked in at just under four hours.

    With new life, Tsitsipas continued to pummel his groundstrokes and attack the Djokovic backhand. He fought off 10 of 11 break points in the fourth set, converting two from two on return, but ran out of steam in the fifth as Djokovic reasserted himself on Court Philippe Chatrier.

    “I was definitely not pleased with the way I played the finishing stages of the third and fourth sets, but I was very pleased with the way I kept my composure mentally throughout the entire match,” said Djokovic. “I did feel that even though I lost the third and fourth, I still felt like I was the better player on the court. I had more control. I just felt comfortable playing.” Read Match Report.

    Djokovic improved to 37-1 on the 2020 season with the victory, though he would be turned back by Rafael Nadal in a three-set final.

    Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas meet in the semi-finals of Roland Garros in 2020.

    2019 Rolex Shanghai Masters QF, hard, Tsitsipas d. Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
    Tsitsipas improved to 2-1 in this young rivalry with a stirring comeback to earn his first win against a reigning World No. 1. Djokovic cruised to the opening set, but Tsitsipas claimed the second with his first break, then saw home an early advantage in the decider.

    After hitting two aces as he served out the match, the Greek punctuated his statement win with an overhead.

    “It’s the best comeback that I have ever had probably,” Tsitsipas reflected. “It was a very difficult victory mentally too. I wasn’t really thinking that long term that I have to win two sets. It just went step by step. It happened. I broke him, I won the set, I stayed there, broke him again, eventually I got the win at the end. I wasn’t really thinking too much in the future, and I think that helped a lot.” Read Match Report.

    That same day, Tsitsipas qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time thanks to other results. He would mark his debut at the season finale with a surprise title, defeating Dominic Thiem in third-set tie-break in the London final.

    Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates his second win over Novak Djokovic at the 2019 ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai.

    2018 National Bank Open R16, Tsitsipas d. Djokovic 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3
    Earning the second of four consecutive Top 10 wins in Toronto, Tsitsipas opened this ATP Head2Head series with a victory that helped propel him into stardom. Just days before his 20th birthday, the Greek introduced the world to his fearless game, closing out the win in fitting style with a ripped forehand winner.

    “I feel very proud for me, myself, and my country. I’m putting Greece more deep into the map of tennis,” the then 18-year-old said after the victory. “So I’m pretty sure I’m making my family proud, all of those people that are watching, my coach, my father. It was a very emotional win. I’ve never felt so many emotions after a victory.” Read Match Report.

    The Greek would go on to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 final with wins against Thiem, Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Kevin Anderson.

    Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2018 ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto.

  • Nadal Faces Draper Test; Tsitsipas, Felix In Action On Australian Open Day 1

    Nadal Faces Draper Test; Tsitsipas, Felix In Action On Australian Open Day 1

    The opening day of Grand Slam action for 2023 features a host of star names looking to make an early statement at the Australian Open. Top 10 stars Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev are all in action, when a trio of home favourites are also hoping to make their mark on Monday in Melbourne.

    ATPTour.com looks at some of the biggest clashes on the Day 1 schedule.

    View Schedule | View Singles Draw

    [ATP APP]

    [1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Jack Draper (GBR)

    Defending champion and top seed Nadal arrives at Melbourne Park in a relative slump by his own lofty standards. The Spaniard has lost six of his past seven matches and faces a difficult proposition first up in Melbourne in fast-rising Briton Jack Draper. Yet Nadal knows as well as anyone how to rouse his best level at a Grand Slam — the 36-year-old is chasing a record-extending 23rd major title this fortnight in Australia.

    “[It is] probably one of the toughest first rounds possible, being seeded,” acknowledged Nadal when asked about the Draper clash. “[He is] young, powerful, growing very, very fast in the rankings, playing well… [It is] a big challenge for me at the beginning to start the tournament. Let’s see. I’m here to just give myself a chance.”

    Draper reached his second ATP Tour semi-final last week at the Adelaide International 2 and the big-hitting lefty is considered one of the game’s brightest prospects. With little to lose in his maiden ATP Head2Head meeting against one of the greats of the sport, the 21-year-old is ready to relish the occasion when he steps out onto Rod Laver Arena.

    “It’ll be amazing to play on court with him, he’s a great champion,” said Draper of Nadal. “[There are] a lot of emotions obviously when I think of playing him… Whatever happens, it’ll be a special occasion for me, still very young in my career, so it’s great to have these sort of experiences and exposure to playing someone like Rafa on a big court like that.”

    [3] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. Quentin Halys (FRA)

    There is a little extra on the line for World No. 4 Tsitsipas as he bids for his maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne. Should he lift the trophy, the 24-year-old will also rise to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time.

    If that is to happen, though, Tsitsipas will have to start by defeating Quentin Halys for the first time in three attempts. Although they have never faced off in a tour-level match, Halys defeated the Greek in an ITF Futures match in 2014 and an ATP Challenger Tour match in 2018. The 26-year-old Frenchman Halys has other reasons to feel confident — he currently sits at a career-high No. 64 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and pushed Novak Djokovic to two tie-breaks in Adelaide two weeks ago, with the Serbian later saying Halys was playing ‘like a Top 10 opponent’.

    Nonetheless, Tsitsipas will hope that the support of Melbourne’s considerable Greek community can spur him to another strong performance at an event where he reached the semi-finals in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

    [6] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs. Vasek Pospisil (CAN)

    A fifth tour-level meeting between Auger-Aliassime and his fellow Canadian Pospisil promises plenty of huge serving and forehand action on Kia Arena. The sixth-seeded Auger-Aliassime leads his countryman 3-1 in the pair’s ATP Head2Head series, but the 32-year-old Pospisil triumphed in straight sets in their most recent meeting, in 2020 in Vienna.

    Auger-Aliassime reached the quarter-finals for the first time in Melbourne a year ago before falling to Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller. That run kick-started a stellar season for the 22-year-old in which he won his first four ATP Tour titles and qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. Can he bring his best to the big stage again against Pospisil on Monday?

    [7] Daniil Medvedev vs. Marcos Giron (USA)

    Medvedev will hope his clash with World No. 56 Giron is just the start of another strong run at Melbourne Park. The 26-year-old reached the championship match in 2021 and 2022, and despite falling just short of the title with defeats to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, respectively, Medvedev’s combination of big serving and outstanding defence is more than capable of powering another deep run.

    The seventh seed won his only previous tour-level clash with Giron at the Western & Southern Open in 2020. The American is making his fourth consecutive Australian Open main draw appearance, but he is yet to reach the second round. He has posted some impressive results on Tour since last year’s visit to Melbourne, however, including reaching his first final in San Diego, and he arrives in Australia off the back of a quarter-final run in Auckland.

    Also In Action…

    A trio of home wild cards will seek to channel the support of the locals in their first-round matches on Monday. Jason Kubler was unbeaten for Team Australia at the recent United Cup, where he downed Daniel Evans and Albert Ramos-Vinolas, and the World No. 86 will look to build on that form against Sebastian Baez. John Millman takes on big-serving lefty Marc-Andrea Huesler, while Rinky Hijikata plays qualifier Yannick Hanfmann.

    Fresh from guiding Team Poland on a run to the United Cup semi-finals alongside WTA World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz starts his Australian Open campaign against Spaniard Pedro Martinez. The Pole has never been past the second round in Melbourne, while 11th seed Cameron Norrie’s best previous run was a third-round showing in 2021. The Briton also takes to court on Monday against #NextGenATP Frenchman Luca Van Assche.

    One man who has plenty of experience of going deep into the Melbourne draw is 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka. He takes on Alex Molcan in his first Australian Open match since 2021 after missing last year due to injury. The 2018 semi-finalist Kyle Edmund also makes his Melbourne Park comeback. The Briton last competed at the hard-court Slam in 2020, and he faces a daunting opening test in 15th seed and 2022 quarter-finalist Jannik Sinner.

    Other seeded players in action Monday include Frances Tiafoe, who takes on Daniel Altmaier, Lorenzo Musetti, who meets Lloyd Harris, and Sebastian Korda, who starts against Cristian Garin.

  • After Tsitsipas Heroics, Bronzetti Sends Italy To United Cup Final

    After Tsitsipas Heroics, Bronzetti Sends Italy To United Cup Final

    Lucia Bronzetti clinched Italy’s place in the United Cup final in style with a 78-minute 6-2, 6-3 victory over Valentini Grammatikopoulou.

    Italy led Greece 2-0 overnight, but Stefanos Tsitsipas clawed one point back by defeating Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 in the third match of the tie.

    “It was not easy, because it was the most important point,” Bronzetti said. “I felt pressure because I had to win.”

    Italy lost its City Final in Brisbane against Poland, but earned a spot in Sydney as the best-placed runner-up. They have taken full advantage, and will now try to lift the trophy on Sunday.

    With Greece’s No. 2 women’s singles player Despina Papamichail unable to play, the last-minute substitution of Valentini Grammatikopoulou could have been an advantage: the No.199-ranked 25-year-old had beaten Bronzetti in both of their previous meetings, including in the final of last August’s Vancouver 125 event to seal the biggest title of her career.

    However, an unbothered Bronzetti came out in top form, smothering Grammatikopoulou with depth and changes of direction. It was the Greek player who played as though taken by surprise by an unexpected opponent, racking up 15 errors to only three winners in a nervy first set.

    Grammatikopoulou settled to make the second a closer contest, pounding away several sharp forehand winners. But Bronzetti responded by raising her own level, breaking in the third game after an off forehand winner followed by a dead net cord. A series of terrific passing shots helped her maintain her lead through to the finish, and an errant Grammatikopoulou drive volley sealed the Italian’s first match point.

    “I knew that it would have been a tough match,” Bronzetti said. “I’m proud of myself, because I think that I had a good attitude in the court, and I also played good.”


    Photo Credit: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

    Tsitsipas gave his country a chance when he produced a heroic effort against Berrettini. The Greek kept alive the tie when he rallied past the Italian after two hours and 35 minutes.

    “What a great atmosphere out here, I’m loving it,” Tsitsipas said. “We won this together guys.”

    For the first half of the No. 1 men’s singles match, Berrettini was in control. Full of confidence after victories against Thiago Monteiro and Top 10 stars Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz earlier in the mixed-teams competition, the Italian used his booming serve and thunderous forehand to keep the Greek on the back foot.

    Despite having the racquet taken out of his hand for much of the match, Tsitsipas began to encourage the Ken Rosewall Arena crowd to involve itself midway into the second set. That proved the turning point.

    The Greek fans enthusiastically complied, waving flags and supporting its top-ranked male player. Cries of “Hellas! Hellas! Hellas!” began reverberating through the crowd.

    “It was personally a great match, a great atmosphere,” Berrettini said. “We knew that in Australia there is a big Greek community, so we felt it yesterday obviously when the No. 1 player was playing. It was even bigger. It was really nice.”

    Suddenly, despite being down a set, momentum was on Tsitsipas’ side. Berrettini, who rarely let slip his concentration during the match, misfired throughout the tie-break, which the Greek took full advantage of.

    After firing up the crowd, Tsitsipas, who was seemingly hanging on for much of the first two sets, used the support to his advantage. Berrettini earned a break chance at 3-2 in the decider, but missed a forehand up the line. Tsitsipas surged from there to claim his country’s first win of the tie.

    “Somehow I hung in there. I was waiting for my chances. He’s a big server as we all know. He hits some bombs consistently, so you have to accept a few and you have to move on from that point, concentrate on your serve,” Tsitsipas said. “I played a very good game in that game that I broke. I was able to play with a lot of intensity and I think my concentration peaked at that particular game.”

  • As An Ex-Pro, Your Mother Should Know! Sakkari, Tsitsipas Discuss Mums’ Influence

    As An Ex-Pro, Your Mother Should Know! Sakkari, Tsitsipas Discuss Mums’ Influence

    “Everything about how I play is from my mum.”

    Stefanos Tsitsipas is in no doubt about the influence that his mother, former WTA pro Julia Apostoli, has had on his rise to the top of the game. Not just in terms of raising him and supporting him courtside since he was a junior, but also directly influencing the fundamentals of his game.

    “Single-handed backhand, serve and volley sometimes, it’s from my mum,” the nine-time tour-level titlist told ATPTour.com this week. “My mum was a very aggressive player. Nowadays you don’t see many women with a single-handed backhand, but she had a beautiful one, it was her best stroke that she used very effectively. It’s something I consider a strength of mine as well. She has taught me so much about that particular shot and she gives me advice on the net game as well.”

    This week in Perth, Tsitsipas has spearheaded Team Greece’s United Cup campaign alongside another Top 10 star who grew up as the child of a tennis player, WTA No. 6 Maria Sakkari. Her mother Angeliki Kanellopoulou reached a career-high No. 43 in the WTA Rankings in 1987.

    “I think it’s very special that we [Stef and I] are two very good players and both have very special mums,” said Sakkari. “For us, it’s an inspiration having two very powerful women in our lives and supporting us.

    “She always tells me to enjoy it because a tennis career is very short. Towards the end of your career, you realise that you should’ve enjoyed it more, so that’s what she’s trying to teach me. I think I have been doing well lately, enjoying my time on the Tour.”

    Apostoli and Kanellopoulou, who know each other well, are regular presences in Tsitsipas and Sakkari’s respective team boxes on Tour, and both are happy to discuss their own experiences of playing professionally if it helps guide their children through their own careers.

    “It’s very helpful to have someone who has played at the professional level,” said Sakkari. “They can really understand all these emotions we feel on the court and obviously teach us a lot of things and tell us their opinions. The main thing is having their support because they know exactly how we feel on the court. If I struggle, I can ask my mum for advice, which is very helpful.”

    “She has instilled in me the discipline,” added Tsitsipas of Apostoli. “She hasn’t been easy with me, and I think that’s for a reason, to make me grow up stronger. She’s also a very loving, caring mum. I owe a lot to her. One thing I perhaps have learned from her is that to not have anything external or from the other side of the court affect you, that’s how you can get down on yourself and even lose matches.”

    [ATP APP]

    Neither 24-year-old Tsitsipas nor 27-year-old Sakkari are old enough to remember their mums’ professional playing careers. Yet Sakkari admitted that Kanellopoulou’s legacy alone, particularly in Greece, did not always make things easy for her as she tried to forge her own career in the game.

    “At the age I fell in love with tennis, I was too young to understand what my mum was,” said Sakkari. “She has a big name back at home in the tennis community. Once I realised she was a very good player, it wasn’t easy to handle. Everyone expects you to win because your mom was very good. At the same time, I just found a way to block it out and play my tennis, but always having her by my side.”

    For Tsitsipas, at least one of his mum’s achievements as a pro is symbolically linked to his own career. The 24-year-old is a two-time champion at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, where Apostoli also won a singles title during her career.

    “It was quite a cool achievement to share my name with my mom on the wall at the Monte Carlo Country Club,” said Tsitsipas. “I remember going there for the first time when I was about 10 years old and seeing my mum’s name on the plaque. I was just thinking, ‘Maybe someday I can achieve something similar’.

    “That’s where my whole career kind of started. I used to go to southern France and play local tournaments when I was eight. Monte-Carlo Country Club was one of the very first clubs I visited abroad and one of the first tournaments I watched as a kid. Being able to see Nadal face Federer and other tennis legends, it has a special connection in our family.”

    Stefanos Tsitsipas embraces his mother Julia Apostoli after winning in Monte Carlo in 2021. Photo Credit: Valery Hache/AFP via Getty

    Although she cannot remember them, Sakkari still draws lessons from her mother’s stories of her playing days.

    “Of course there have been a lot of stories,” said the two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist. “When they played, travelling and communication was tougher. The differences between now and then aren’t shocking to us, but it makes us appreciate more how easier life is today.”

    Not all old family tales set the best example for the next generation, however, something acknowledged by Tsitsipas when sharing a light-hearted anecdote from his mother’s early days.

    “My mom and her twin sister used to play doubles a lot, they were champions back in the USSR,” explained Tsitsipas. “My aunt used to serve all the time when they played doubles because she had the better serve and a few times the opponent realised that [only one of them was serving]. The referee told them to change socks so that he could differentiate them!

    “This is some of the smart tactics and mentality my mum implemented in me… [But] not in a bad way!”

  • Rublev Rallies Past Tsitsipas To Set Ruud Clash In Turin

    Rublev Rallies Past Tsitsipas To Set Ruud Clash In Turin

    Andrey Rublev fired up his forehand to forge an exhilarating turnaround against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday night in Turin, where the sixth seed clinched a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win to reach the semi-finals at the Nitto ATP Finals.

    In a winner-takes-all match to decide the second-place finisher in Red Group, Rublev withstood an early barrage from Tsitsipas to claim a milestone victory at the prestigious season finale. Although the Greek’s bright start had his opponent under pressure at the Pala Alpitour, Rublev continued to hit through his groundstrokes throughout the match to seal his 51st tour-level win of the season.

    “I didn’t give up. I kept fighting and playing,” Rublev said. “I lost my emotions a bit when I lost a stupid game at 40/0 in the first set. I let my emotions go. But then I just kept fighting and playing and you will have chances. I thought I would have chances if I just gave my best. I managed to turn the match around and I am happy to be in the semis.”

    The Marseille, Dubai, Belgrade and Gijon champion Rublev had lost his two prior ATP Head2Head clashes with Tsitsipas in 2022. Yet he displayed admirable resilience at key moments on Friday night in Turin, crashing 36 winners to seal a high-quality one-hour, 42-minute victory .

    The 25-year-old Rublev, who had not progressed from the group stage in his two previous Nitto ATP Finals appearances, will meet third seed Casper Ruud in Saturday’s semi-finals.

    “I am really looking forward [to the match] because Casper is such a nice person on and off the court,” Rublev said. “He is a great player, great fighter. He has achieved so many good things this season, so it is going to be a really good challenge for me. I hope I will do my best and I will see what happens.”

    Prior to his first match at this year’s Nitto ATP Finals, Rublev had cast doubt on his chances of progressing from a group containing three former champions in Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic. “My first reaction [to the group] was not good,” Rublev had said. “I thought, ‘What am I doing here, in this group?’”

    One week on and the 25-year-old has proven himself wrong after clinching thrilling three-set victories against Medvedev and Tsitsipas. Rublev’s ability to fire winners off both wings has been crucial, with his powerful game thriving in the fast-paced conditions in Turin.

    This was clearly demonstrated in the third set against Tsitsipas. Rublev took charge of the pair’s crucial encounter by aggressively and accurately countering the Greek’s serve, which he broke twice. According to Tennis Data Innovation’s INSIGHTS Shot Quality analysis for the final set, he registered a Return Quality rating of 9.2 out of 10, a score 2.7 higher than the ATP Tour average.



    Andrey Rublev: INSIGHTS Return Quality In The Third Set Vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas

    Tsitsipas made a high-octane start to Friday’s clash and broke through on the Rublev serve in the fourth game as his one-handed backhand stood up impressively to a barrage of heavy-hitting from his opponent. That break proved enough to clinch a set in which the Greek dropped just two points behind serve.

    Rublev continued to try and overpower Tsitsipas with his ferocious forehand, however, and the tactic paid off in the eighth game of the second set. He let out a roar after breaking Tsitsipas for 5-3, and the 25-year-old then dug deep to fend off a Tsitsipas break-back point, hold serve, and force a deciding set.

    The momentum was with the sixth seed and Rublev rode it to victory in style in the decider, breaking Tsitsipas’ serve twice en route to an ultimately convincing win that improves his record against opponents ranked No.3 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings to 5-1.

  • Tsitsipas, Rublev Square Off For Turin SF Spot

    Tsitsipas, Rublev Square Off For Turin SF Spot

    The final day of round-robin play at the Nitto ATP Finals will see a winner-takes-all match in the singles Red Group, while three doubles teams vie for one remaining semi-final spot in the Green Group on Friday in Turin.

    Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev will meet for the 11th time to determine which man advances to the singles semi-finals alongside Novak Djokovic, who will seek to stay perfect on the week when he takes on Daniil Medvedev.

    Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic, who have sealed their progress to the knockout rounds, face Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios in evening doubles action after top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski take on Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek to begin the day’s play.

    View Schedule | View Group Standings | View Qualification Scenarios

    [ATP APP]

    [2] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. [6] Andrey Rublev

    Tsitsipas was on the verge of falling to 0-2 late in a high-quality match against Medvedev, after failing to convert on three match points in the second-set tie-break. But the Greek managed to battle back from 3-5 in the third, breaking as his opponent served for the match and ultimately claiming a hard-fought victory, 6-3, 6-7(11), 7-6(1), after two hours and 21 minutes.

    As he did in his Cincinnati win against Medvedev, Tsitsipas succeeded in breaking down the former World No. 1’s defences by attacking the net. On Wednesday, he won 36 of 45 net points (80 per cent), often coming in behind his serve.

    “I’m working day by day to introduce [serve and volleying] back into my game,” Tsitsipas said in a post-match press conference. “To have pretty much my opponent guessing a bit more, not get comfortable every single time.

    “It has kind of been lost over the years in our sport. Not many players do that any more. I think it’s important to remain a big part of the game and to have more players play it on TV, in front of stadiums, big crowds. It’s a beautiful kind of transition from the serve to the net. It introduces so many things. It’s tennis modernised, but at the same time keeping its aggressive elements of the game.”

    The serve-and-volley tactic may be Tsitsipas’ best method of getting on the attack against Rublev in this must-win match, with the winner through to the semis. While the Greek’s first two Turin opponents — Djokovic and Medvedev — were content to stay solid from the baseline, the explosive Rublev will be more eager to land the first punch in the rallies.

    Tsitsipas leads the pair’s ATP Head2Head series 6-4, including a 2-0 mark this season with three-set wins in Madrid and Astana. Rublev’s most recent win came at last year in Turin.

    “We’ve been playing good tennis,” Tsitsipas said of their rivalry, which began at the 2018 Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals, a tournament won by Tsitsipas one year before he lifted the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals trophy in his tournament debut. “We’ve had matches against each other in the past, long matches, shorter matches, all kinds of matches, pretty much all surfaces.”

    The competitors match up well across the board, with no major advantages to be found in the INSIGHTS Shot Quality statistics, which factor in a variety of metrics to score stokes on a 10-point scale.

    Rublev will hope to get back in the win column against Tsitsipas — and advance to the Turin semis for his first time in three appearances — by harnessing his improved mental game and finding his best level on the court. The 25-year-old identified his emotional control as a key in his opening Turin win against Medvedev, and he spoke further on the topic in his latest presser.

    “A little bit of everything,” he said, explaining how he works on the mental aspect of his game. “Obviously off the court. Also typical situations in life when you are stressed or when you have some problems. Even try to face them calm in real life, because it happens every day. Someone crosses you with a car and you get frustration, you know? Try to face it, and it doesn’t matter, face it calm. Even those things can help you.

    “Also obviously working more specifically with [my team]. Also on the court, to start to do it in practice. You can do it every day by yourself, plus doing videos and meditations, stuff like that. So there is plenty of things.”

    [4] Daniil Medvedev vs. [7] Novak Djokovic (SER)

    Although Medvedev cannot reach the semis, this promises to be a high-octane match with the fourth seed keen to finish his season on a high note and snap a seven-match losing streak against Top 10 opponents. He faces a tall task against the in-form Djokovic.

    The Serbian has yet to drop a set or drop serve in the loaded Red Group, facing just one break point across his wins against Tsitsipas and Rublev. He called his 6-4, 6-1 victory against Rublev “one of the best matches I played this year”, pointing out the many free points he won on serve as a key.

    Feeling fresher than ever at this stage of the season, owing to his limited schedule in 2022, Djokovic has made the perfect start in his bid to match Roger Federer’s record six titles at the Nitto ATP Finals. 

    “The upside of not playing many tournaments is that you’re going to be fresher than when you’re playing a lot more, which is logical,” the Serbian said. “At the same time, it was a very unusual year for me in terms of my season. I missed some big tournaments, two out of four Slams.

    “To be able to play as well I am playing in the past few months is something I’m very thankful for and I worked hard for because I had more time to train, to practise. I did spend quite a bit of time with my coach and with my team on the court, off the court, trying to perfect my game.”

    The most recent meeting between Djokovic and Medvedev was shaping up to be one of the matches of the 2022 season, but Medvedev was forced to retire after the pair split sets in the Astana semi-finals. While their latest meeting will not have the drama of an elimination match, there is still a lot on the line — including 200 Pepperstone ATP Rankings points and $383,300 in prize money.

    In this matchup of two of the game’s ultimate lockdown baseliners, Medvedev will be seeking his first win against Djokovic since the 2021 US Open final as he bids to improve upon his 4-7 record in their ATP Head2Head rivalry. He is also hoping to snap that seven-match losing streak against Top 10 opposition, which dates back to his defeat to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.

    “It means I was not good enough, and I have to be better,” Medvedev said of the streak. “Mentally, I don’t care if I play a Top 10 [opponent] or not. But tennis-wise it’s tougher to play a Top 10 player. That means I have to play better tennis against these guys. That’s what I’m going to try to do next time because there is no other choice.”

    [NEWSLETTER FORM]

    Doubles Action

    The 2-0 record of Mektic/Pavic guarantees them a place in the semi-finals, but their position atop the Green Group will be on the line Friday against Kokkinakis and Kyrgios. Both teams enter the contest on the back of a win, with the Aussies edging Dodig/Krajicek in a Match Tie-break on Day 4 to earn their first win in their Nitto ATP Finals debut.

    Dodig/Krajicek are still in the hunt for the knockout rounds despite their 0-2 record, though they will need a win from Mektic/Pavic in addition to one of their own to stand a chance of progressing. The Croatian-American pair takes on Koolhof/Skupski, who were honoured as ATP Doubles No. 1 presented by Pepperstone on Thursday at the Pala Alpitour.

    “It’s incredible,” Skupski said of the achievement. “We only came together in January. One of our goals was just to make the Nitto ATP Finals. We’ve come in and won seven titles this year and come in as the No. 1 seeds. So this is a dream come true, to end the year No. 1.”

  • Tsitsipas, Medvedev Meet Again In Turin

    Tsitsipas, Medvedev Meet Again In Turin

    After Rafael Nadal became the first man to be eliminated from semi-final contention at the 2022 Nitto ATP Finals, Wednesday’s action will see Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev playing to avoid the same fate.

    An evening defeat for either man would deal a major dent in his hopes to progress out of the Red Group, while the winner of the afternoon matchup between Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev could have his place in the knockout rounds confirmed by day’s end.

    In doubles action, top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski meet Croatians Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic in a battle of 1-0 teams, while Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios face Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek as both pairs seek their first win of the week.

    View Schedule | View Group Standings | Semi-final Qualification Scenarios

    [2] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. [4] Daniil Medvedev

    The 11th meeting in the longstanding ATP Head2Head rivalry between Tsitsipas and Medvedev will play out at the Pala Alpitour as the pair meets at the Nitto ATP Finals for a second time. After Medvedev won the first five meetings, Tsitsipas has claimed three of the past five to improve to 3-7 in their history. The Greek scored his first win in the series at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals and went on to win the London title in his tournament debut.

    Though both men lost their opening matches on Monday in Turin, both can take plenty of positives from their narrow defeats. Tsitsipas was broken just once in a 6-4, 7-6(4) loss to Djokovic, while Medvedev was edged 6-7(7), 6-3, 7-6(7) by Rublev.

    Tsitsipas felt he was nearing top form late in the match against Djokovic, though the Serbian was still able to close out the tie-break with strong serving.

    “I kind of found [my backhand] in the last rally we had before he served those two great serves,” Tsitsipas said post-match. “I found a rhythm, I got into the rally a little bit better, a few adjustments that I made. I just wish I could have done this earlier. I don’t know, certain things come at random times in matches, completely random. Could be the very last points of the match.”

    Medvedev was generally happy with his performance against Rublev, though he sees plenty of room to grow.

    “There are some matches where you feel like you’re untouchable, and you know that everything you do — let’s put it this way — turns into gold. Today was not one of them,” he said.

    “I didn’t feel amazing during the match,” he later added. “I would enjoy it if I would feel better in terms of tennis. But, again, looking back, [we played] some great points. This can make you play better and turn things into gold in the next matches.”

    While Medvedev and Tsitsipas described an adjustment period in their first match on the slick Turin hard court, both players also said they like the quick indoor conditions. If Tsitsipas plays with similar tactics to his three-set Cincinnati win against Medvedev — during which he attacked the net 36 times — the speedy court could help him take even more time away from his opponent.

    [6] Andrey Rublev vs. [7] Novak Djokovic (SER)

    With lead of the Red Group at stake, Rublev and Djokovic square off for the second straight year in Turin. Djokovic scored a 6-3, 6-2 victory on his way to the 2021 semi-finals, and another straight-sets win here would secure his place in the final four once again. 

    The pair’s ATP Head2Head series is knotted at 1-1 entering Wednesday, with Rublev spoiling the Serbian’s run in the final of his hometown tournament in Belgrade earlier this year. While Djokovic was short of his best after a long layoff in that April meeting, fading down the stretch as he surrendered a 6-0 third set, Rublev’s victory will nonetheless give him confidence entering Wednesday.

    The sixth seed escaped a dramatic opening match against Medvedev that was chock full of highlight shots and marathon rallies. But Rublev may have been most proud of his mental composure in the contest.

    “I’m trying to work on [my mental game]. Obviously I think the match today shows that I have improvements,” he said. “It’s just not easy to do it like this. It takes time. Especially me, myself, I have so much fire inside, it’s double tougher for me.

    “Every person has his own weaknesses. For some players it’s tough to play aggressive; it takes time for them to learn how to play aggressive. Or opposite, to play more defence, to learn how to play defence. For some players it’s tough to improve serve. For some players it’s tough to improve the mental part.

    “I guess I’m one of the ones who it’s tough to improve the mental part, and it takes the most time… It’s like the same with the forehand, backhand. If you have not good forehand or weak backhand, it takes a really long time to improve it. I know it by myself because all my life I had a really bad backhand, and it took me years to improve, to be able to be solid or hit sometimes winners. It took me years to improve. So it takes time.”

    [ATP APP]

    As he seeks his first trip to the knockout rounds at the Nitto ATP Finals, the sixth seed will have both his mentality and his backhand tested by Djokovic.

    The former world No. 1 is a master at prodding weaknesses. Against Tsitsipas, he took advantage of a slow start from the Greek to claim his only break of the match and kept the pressure on by holding in each of his 11 service games, facing just one break point. Now it’s Rublev’s turn to take the stress test.

    As is so often the case with Djokovic, he is up against history in addition to a dangerous opponent. The five-time Nitto ATP Finals champ is bidding to match Roger Federer’s record six titles at the year-end event.

    “Of course I’m aware of it,” Djokovic said of the opportunity. “Making history in this sport is always a big motivational factor for me. It doesn’t maybe necessarily affect the whole approach to the specific match, because I’m experienced enough and I know myself well and what I need to do in order to prepare for my next challenge and next opponent.

    “But of course I’m aware of the possibility to make history again. It’s a great pleasure and honour to be in that position. So it does motivate me and inspire me to play even better tennis.”

    Doubles Action

    After both Green Group doubles contests were decided in Match Tie-breaks on Day 2, the four teams return to action on Wednesday with little separation in the standings. Following a 6-7(3), 6-4, 10-5 defeat to top seeds Koolhof and Skupski, Nitto ATP Finals debutants Kokkinakis and Kyrgios seek their first win at the event against Krajicek and Dodig.

    “I think we had every opportunity to win this match today,” Kyrgios said after the opener. “Me and Thanasi are probably the outliers of every other doubles player here. We like to prioritise singles and we know we’re the better tennis players at the end of the day.”

    The popular pair competed at just one event between the US Open and Turin — a semi-final run in Tokyo that was cut short by a Kyrgios knee injury.

    [NEWSLETTER FORM]

    Krajicek and Dodig lost 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 against Croatians Mektic and Pavic on Monday and enter Day 4 in third place in the group with a superior percentage of games won compared to their Australian opponents.

    Koolhof and Skupski will open Wednesday’s play at the Pala Alpitour against Mektic and Pavic, with the group lead up for grabs. The teams previously met in the Rome quarter-finals in May, with the Croatians earning a 6-4, 6-4 win en route to the ATP Masters 1000 title.

  • Tsitsipas Seeks Djokovic Revenge in Turin

    Tsitsipas Seeks Djokovic Revenge in Turin

    If the Green Group meant ‘go’ on the opening day of the 2022 Nitto ATP Finals, the Red Group could stand for ‘danger’ on Monday in Turin.

    The loaded singles foursome features a trio of former champions — Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas — as well as the powerful Andrey Rublev, who is making his third straight appearance at the season finale. It is the first time since 1996 that three former champs have been placed in the same group. 

    On Day 2, Djokovic will meet Tsitsipas in the evening session after Medvedev and Rublev square off earlier in the day.

    In doubles action, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios make their much-anticipated Nitto ATP Finals debut against top seeds Neal Skupski and Wesley Koolhof, before Croatians Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic face Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek.

    View Schedule | View Groups & Standings

    [2] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. [7] Novak Djokovic [SER]

    Just nine days after their semi-final thriller at the Rolex Paris Masters, Tsitsipas and Djokovic meet on an even bigger stage at the Pala Alpitour. The Greek came within three points of snapping a seven-match losing streak against the former World No. 1 in that contest, leading 4/3 in a final-set tie-break, but Djokovic surged through the finish line to prevail 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(4).

    Tsitsipas was nearly rewarded for his steady strategy in the final as he patiently built points and worked his way into the frontcourt with regularity.

    “I have weapons that I can use,” he said ahead of the Paris showdown. “But in the past I feel I have used too much spin or power. It’s important that I stay at a medium level and not overdo it. It will be a physical match and I will need to move well.”

    Tsitsipas, who leads the ATP Tour this season in wins (60), will have another opportunity to perfect his tactics against the Serbian on Monday. He faces a tall task, with INSIGHTS Shot Quality statistics painting a pretty picture for Djokovic, who leads the pair’s ATP Head2Head 9-2.

    While Djokovic will not be looking beyond the second seed — who can finish the season with the year-end No. 1 Pepperstone ATP Ranking by lifting the Turin title as an undefeated champion — the Serbian is chasing some history of his own at the season finale. A five-time champion at the event, Djokovic can match Roger Federer’s record six titles by going all the way this week.

    “[It would be] a perfect ending [to the season],” Djokovic told ATP Media on Friday. “The cherry on the cake, for sure, but it’s a long way. It’s a long week.”

    The Serbian has won six of the seven sets he’s played against Tsitsipas this year, earning straight-sets wins in the finals in Rome and Astana before the three-set thriller in Paris.

    “I played him in the past two tournaments I played, in the final in Astana and the semi-finals in Paris,” said Djokovic. “Both matches were quite close, particularly the one in Paris. I know that I am expecting a tough match without a doubt.”

    With his playing style described as ‘Solid Baseliner’ by INSIGHTS, Djokovic will one again look to use his watertight game to blunt the Tsitsipas attack. But the Serbian’s greatest strength may be a trait that cannot be quantified — his ice-cool composure under pressure.

    Medvedev vs. Rublev

    [4] Daniil Medvedev vs. [6] Andrey Rublev

    Both Medvedev and Rublev have become regulars at the Nitto ATP Finals, with Medvedev appearing each year since 2019 and Rublev returning each year since 2020. But while Rublev is yet to advance beyond the round-robin stage, Medvedev has reached the final in each of the past two years, lifting the trophy in 2020 in the event’s last year in London.

    With a 9-4 record at the season finale, Medvedev knows better than most what it takes to succeed at the unique competition. 

    “From the first match, you’re going to play a tough opponent,” Medvedev said on media day. “There is a special energy about this tournament and I absolutely love it, and I hope to show my best tennis. I’m feeling confident, but you never know before the first match.”

    Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that he has not met his opening opponent since the 2021 Cincinnati semi-finals, where Rublev claimed a three-set victory. Prior to that meeting, Medvedev won the four previous ATP Head2Head matchups between the pair — all in straight sets, all in quarter-finals and all on hard courts — including at the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open.

    While Rublev is known for his power and passion on the court, he is far more than a baseline basher. As such, the 25-year-old is looking forward to matching wits with a master tactician in Medvedev.

    “Against Daniil, that’s going to be a real chess match,” Rublev said, knowing that he will have to time his aggression well. “I’m not even looking at my other matches. I believe both of us will show a great level that spectators will enjoy.”

    With both players well aware of the difficulty of their group, the stakes are sky-high from the start.

    Doubles Action

    The ‘Special Ks’ are set to bring their brash brand of doubles to the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time, with Kokkinakis and Kyrgios seeking their third title of the season. The Australian Open champs are bidding to become the first pair of doubles debutants to reach the title match at the year-end event since 2016, and the first to claim the trophy since 2013.

    “It’s [going to be] a pretty awesome experience,” Kokkinakis said. “I don’t think it’s something we expected coming into the year. To do it with such a good mate, there’s going to be good energy out there.”

    The duo, who first teamed up at the 2013 Australian Open, face the toughest possible opening test against top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski. The Dutch-British pair is making its debut at the Nitto ATP Finals as the No. 1 team in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings after winning a Tour-leading seven titles in 2022.

    The marquee doubles matchup will be the first meeting between the pairs.

    [FOLLOW ACTION]

    Returning semi-finalists Mektic and Pavic will meet fifth seeds Dodig and Krajicek in the second doubles match of Day 2 — a rematch of their meeting last month in the Astana quarter-finals, won by Mektic/Pavic.

    Th 33-year-old Mektic is seeking his second Nitto ATP Finals title after winning the 2020 crown alongside Wesley Koolhof. Dodig reached the 2014 final with Marcelo Melo, while Krajicek is making his debut at the season finale.

  • Djokovic Puts Three Win Streaks On The Line Against Tsitsipas In Paris SFs

    Djokovic Puts Three Win Streaks On The Line Against Tsitsipas In Paris SFs

    Stefanos Tsitsipas won two of his first three ATP Head2Head matchups against Novak Djokovic, but the Serbian has owned their rivalry since then, winning seven straight matches. Djokovic will now put that streak — and two others — on the line when he meets the Greek in Saturday’s Rolex Paris Masters semi-finals.

    Djokovic is the underdog by seeding in Bercy, but not by form. The sixth seed carries dual 12-match win streaks into the semis, both overall and at the ATP Masters 1000 event, where he has won titles in his past two appearances in 2019 and 2021. He has not dropped a set this week, cruising past Maxime Cressy, Karen Khachanov and Lorenzo Musetti as he looks to win his third straight ATP Tour trophy after triumphs in Tel Aviv and Astana.

    [ATP APP]

    “No one is unbeatable, but I’ve had plenty of success on this court and I think every single year that I come back, the confidence level is higher,” the six-time champion said after reaching his eighth semi-final at the event. “I just like the conditions, even though they are different from last year. I think I adjusted very well. Right from the start I was really playing my best tennis in the first match and I continued doing that. Hopefully I will not derail myself and will keep going in the same direction.”

    Djokovic was particulaly dominant off his forehand wing against Musetti, firing eight winners in a 6-0, 6-3 victory. He received a forehand Shot Quality grade of 9.2 out of 10 for the match. (Learn more about Shot Quality.)

    Tsitsipas also brings a perfect 6-0 set record into the semis following wins against Daniel Evans, Corentin Moutet and Tommy Paul. The fifth seed is seeking his third final in four events after reaching the title matches in Astana and Stockholm. He dropped a 6-3, 6-4 decision to Djokovic in the Astana final and has not beaten the Serbian since 2019.

    Asked how he would snap his losing streak against the Serbian, Tsitsipas said that he would fight the urge to overplay against the man who spent a record 373 weeks as World No. 1 during his career.

    “I need to show the same consistency,” he said. “I have weapons that I can use. But in the past I feel I have used too much spin or power. It’s important that I stay at a medium level and not overdo it. It will be a physical match and I will need to move well.”

    The 24-year-old, who leads the ATP Tour with 60 wins this season, has an outside chance to finish 2022 atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. He has moved up two places to No. 3 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings this week, and now sits fewer than 1,500 points behind World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. He could move within 830 points of the Spaniard by winning his third tour-level title of the year in Paris, with an additional 1,500 points on offer in Turin for an undefeated champion.

    [FOLLOW ACTION]

    Saturday’s second semi-final is a rematch of last week’s Basel final between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Holger Rune. Like Djokovic, the Canadian also brings an impressive streak into the weekend: He has won 16 straight matches with titles in Florence, Antwerp and Basel. 

    Rune has also been in blistering form of late, with Auger-Aliassime the only man who can better his 17-2 indoor record over the past two months. The Stockholm champion’s only losses in that stretch came against Marc-Andrea Huesler in the Sofia final and against Auger-Aliassime in Basel.

    “I lost to him last week, but hopefully tomorrow is going to be different,” the #NextGenATP Dane said, looking ahead to the pair’s second meeting. “I know what happened last week and I can take a lot away from that and do a lot different tomorrow. I’m super pumped and super excited for what’s going to happen.”

    [NEWSLETTER FORM]

    Auger-Aliassime is through to his second ATP Masters 1000 semi-final, three years after his initial breakthrough in Miami in 2019.

    “It’s crazy, because I remember like yesterday making my first semi-final in Miami,” said the Canadian. “It was so unexpected, and I thought at the time it was fine, making a semi-final in a Masters, [and that I] would do it many times in the future.

    “Then it took three years for me to get back there and it just proves how tough it is at this level to reach the semi-finals or better at these events. So I’m really happy that I was able to do it.”

    Set to make his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals, which begins 13 November, Auger-Aliassime has a chance to better Rafael Nadal’s season-high win streak of 20 matches before the year is up.