Category: ATP Madrid

Swiatek, Kyrgios see no issue with Nadal shirt request as Lehecka says it’s ‘kind of weird’

May 1, 2024

It’s not uncommon in football for players to swap shirts at the end of matches, but it’s not seen so much in tennis.

Cachin could be heard saying to Nadal as they shook hands at the net: “You made my dream come true, thank you. It’s not how the protocol is, but can I get your shirt, towel or something?”

Nadal, who was likely playing in Madrid the last time before retiring, obliged and gave Cachin a shirt from his bag.

The moment certainly did not go unnoticed.

Women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek was asked after her quarter-final win over Beatriz Haddad Maia whether she had ever experienced anything similar.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios hit back at the idea that it was wrong for Cachin to ask for Nadal’s shirt.

“NBA players, soccer players do it all the time? It’s a memory, an experience that took a lifetime of work and that less than 1% of humans get to. You wouldn’t understand,” he wrote on X in response to a post by tennis commentator David Law.

The Czech was asked after the win what he thought about the idea of asking Nadal for a souvenir.

“I don’t know, it’s tough for me to say, because I went on the court to win, you know. When you go on the court and you go there for the win, then it’s tough for me to run after him and to ask him for some things, you know, if he can give me something,” said Lehecka.

“Because I don’t really know, I don’t want to sound disrespectful or something, that’s the last thing I would like to, but if you are playing a match and you are thinking about asking the guy to give you something, then, I mean, why you are there? It’s kind of weird, in my opinion.

“I mean, everyone can have his own opinion on this thing. I totally respect what Pedro did. It’s absolutely fine for me. I have zero problem with it. But for me I would not do such a thing.

“I would do this maybe after the whole tournament, after, when I see him somewhere, just asking for a photo like I did after our practice. This is what I did, because of course I didn’t know if I would have a chance to play with him again or if we would play a match together.

“That’s why I asked Rafa to take a picture with me after our practice earlier this week. But if we are speaking about him giving me a T-shirt, I mean, I don’t know, I just don’t go into a match with these kind of intentions, and I just have different approach in this thing.”

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Sinner withdraws from Madrid Open as hip injury sparks French Open fitness race

May 1, 2024

Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the Madrid Open through injury, the player has confirmed on social media.

The Italian, who won the Australian Open in January, is the top seed in Madrid and has been forced to miss his quarter-final tie on Thursday with Felix Auger-Aliassime.

In a post on social media, Sinner explained that he has been advised to pull out his clash with the American due to a growing hip problem.

“Very sad to have to withdraw from my next match here in Madrid,” Sinner wrote on X.

“My hip has been bothering me this week and has slowly been getting more painful.

“Taking the advice from the doctors we decided it’s best to not play further and make it worse.”

He added: “I’ll be doing some more tests in the coming days and follow the advice from the specialists on recovery. Thank you guys for all your support.”

Sinner was already a doubt coming into his last-eight match with Auger-Aliassime, and the confirmation of his absence has also cast doubt on his availability to play at the French Open next month.

The 20-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals in Paris in 2020, was knocked out in the second round last year while making the fourth round in both 2021 and 2022.

If fit enough, he would head into this year’s tournament with an impressive 28-2 record under his belt this season.

Having wrapped up his first Grand Slam in Australia earlier this year, Sinner has also won the Rotterdam Open and the Miami Open.

The 22-year-old was also in great form in Madrid where he beat compatriot Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round, before moving past Pavel Kotov and Karen Khachanov to reach the last eight.

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Sinner withdraws from Madrid Open as hip injury sparks French Open fitness race

May 1, 2024

Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the Madrid Open through injury, the player has confirmed on social media.

The Italian, who won the Australian Open in January, is the top seed in Madrid and has been forced to miss his quarter-final tie on Thursday with Felix Auger-Aliassime.

In a post on social media, Sinner explained that he has been advised to pull out his clash with the American due to a growing hip problem.

“Very sad to have to withdraw from my next match here in Madrid,” Sinner wrote on X.

“My hip has been bothering me this week and has slowly been getting more painful.

“Taking the advice from the doctors we decided it’s best to not play further and make it worse.”

He added: “I’ll be doing some more tests in the coming days and follow the advice from the specialists on recovery. Thank you guys for all your support.”

Sinner was already a doubt coming into his last-eight match with Auger-Aliassime, and the confirmation of his absence has also cast doubt on his availability to play at the French Open next month.

The 20-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals in Paris in 2020, was knocked out in the second round last year while making the fourth round in both 2021 and 2022.

If fit enough, he would head into this year’s tournament with an impressive 28-2 record under his belt this season.

Having wrapped up his first Grand Slam in Australia earlier this year, Sinner has also won the Rotterdam Open and the Miami Open.

The 22-year-old was also in great form in Madrid where he beat compatriot Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round, before moving past Pavel Kotov and Karen Khachanov to reach the last eight.

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Rublev stuns Alcaraz in huge Madrid Open upset after thrilling fightback

May 1, 2024

Andrey Rublev dominated the double-defending Madrid Open champion Carlos Alcaraz in a stunning fightback to move into the semi-finals.

After Spain lost Rafael Nadal in the last 16, they lost another giant in Alcaraz as the Rublev came from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-2 and seal his first top-three victory since the 2022 season.

The victory sets up a last-four battle with either Taylor Fritz or Francisco Cerundolo for a spot in Sunday’s final up for grabs.

Rublev earned the first break point of the match and the chance to take a two-game lead in the opener but missed the early opportunity to take advantage when he fired an effort into the net.

Alcaraz took his chance to level with a brilliant cross-court effort and following holds from both players, made the first breakthrough for 3-2 when Hawkeye ruled out Rublev’s long effort.

The defending champion extended his advantage to build a two-game buffer with an excellent drop shot, as the Spanish crowd roared the 20-year-old on at the Caja Magica.

In under a minute, Rublev rapidly moved 40-0 ahead in the following game after an error-strewn string of points from Alcaraz as the Russian held to love with a strong forehand.

But Alcaraz restored his two-game lead and although the set ended tightly when Rublev fought off a set point in the ninth game, struggled to prevent Alcaraz from sealing the opener as the Wimbledon champion took the lead inside 41 minutes.

Rublev started the second set much stronger and held to love in the opening game before racing 40-0 ahead in the next, but Alcaraz saved three break points to claw his way to deuce.

Despite the fightback, Alcaraz became frustrated as he went well wide and Rublev punished the two-time Grand Slam champion to go a couple of games ahead and pile the pressure on.

Rublev found himself a break point down but held when Alcaraz went long to move three games ahead and take complete control of the second set.

picture

Highlights: Sinner edges past Khachanov to make quarters in Madrid

Alcaraz finally got on the board when he returned Rublev’s drop shot with a clinical cross-court effort before the latter went wide for 3-1.

However, Rublev seemed unfazed by the brilliant game from Alcaraz and built a 40-0 lead again as he held for love once more and began to run away with the set.

Alcaraz bounced back exceptionally in the following game after falling 40-0 behind for the fourth time in a dominant set from Rublev, battling past three break points as Rublev went into the net.

With relief for Alcaraz and the gap closed to two games at 4-2, the world No. 3 had the chance for a crucial break but went wide with both chances as Rublev sealed a huge hold to move one step closer to equalising.

Two games later at 5-3, Rublev earned three set points for the fifth time in the set and nailed the second to take the match to a decider.

The momentum stuck with Rublev in the third set as he broke Alcaraz in the opening game to capitalise on the early domination for the second set in a row.

Rublev moved two games ahead and denied Alcaraz the chance to find his way back into the set before he produced another crucial break for 4-1.

The 26-year-old continued his stunning form as he began to dismantle the double-reigning champion to move 5-1 ahead and earn himself the chance to serve for the match.

Alcaraz held the following game, but the damage was already done as the Russian found his way past Alcaraz 40-15 in the final game to conclude the upset and earn his place in the last four.

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Nadal says goodbye to ‘incredibly special’ tournament after losing to Lehecka

April 30, 2024

Rafael Nadal waved goodbye to the Madrid Open and said the tournament will always be “incredibly special” to him after his final appearance there ended in a straight sets defeat to Jiri Lehecka.

He was beaten 7-5 6-4 in the last-16 of the competition.

Nadal won in Madrid on five occasions and, following the match, banners were unfurled from the roof of the stadium with images of his past successes.

In what has been an injury disrupted season for Nadal, he arrived at his match-up with Lehecka enjoying his deepest run at a tournament in 2024.

With an energetic home crowd behind him, the Spaniard opened up with a solid service game but Lehecka did not let the one-sided support faze him as he went toe-to-toe with Nadal in the early stages.

The Czech was forced to save a break point in the eighth game before going on to make the first telling move of the match by converting the first of three of his own break points to move 6-5 ahead.

Lehecka proceeded to serve out to love to take the first set.

A comfort break for Nadal between sets did not deter Lehecka’s focus as he reeled off his fourth game in a row to break his opponent in the first game of the second set.

Nadal struggled to find his stride and the 22-time Grand Slam winner was left arguing with the umpire after disagreeing with a hawkeye decision which went in favour of Lehecka – who held serve to go 2-0 up in the second set.

The world No. 31 dominated baseline rallies with his hammer of a backhand providing Nadal with questions he was unable to answer for long periods.

Nadal avoided going a second break down, though, saving three break points in a lengthy service game which lasted 17 points.

Lehecka’s cool head saw him lose just six points on serve as he went 5-3 up to force Nadal to hold serve – something he executed much to the delight of the crowd inside Manolo Santana Stadium.

With Lehecka serving for the match, every positive move by Nadal was greeted by a huge ovation from the spectators but still the Czech player did not allow the atmosphere to disrupt his flow.

Lehecka’s well earned victory was confirmed as Nadal screwed a back handed effort into the tram lines.

Daniil Medvedev awaits in the next round.

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

‘I kept fighting’ – Alcaraz survives Struff scare to make quarter-finals, Sinner progresses

April 30, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz survived a huge scare to beat Jan-Lennard Struff and reach the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open, progressing 6-3 6-7(5) 7-6(4) after winning a third set tie-break.

A pulsating, compelling match saw Struff provide a huge challenge to Alcaraz, like he did in last year’s final.

Home favourite Alcaraz is going for a third straight title at the tournament but he knew he was in for a difficult afternoon from the very early stages.

Struff missed three break point opportunities in the third game of the first set and the Spaniard left him rueful, as he took the first break of the match to go 4-2 ahead, before seeing out the set 6-3.

The tie was seemingly only heading in one direction as Alcaraz broke Struff in the first game of the second set – giving the German a huge mountain to climb to stay in the competition.

Forehands were exploding from the racquet of the world No. 3, but his usually dependable drop-shot game was lacking.

As he attempted to take a 2-0 lead in the second, Alcaraz flashed a disbelieving grin as he watched another effort drop short on game point.

Despite eventually seizing that 2-0 advantage, Alcaraz was left stunned as Struff upped the level of his performance to fight back.

Aggressive, powerful play from the German saw him take three games on the bounce and, after losing just two points on serve in four games, pushed Alcaraz to serve to stay in the set.

Another missed drop shot failed to disrupt Alcaraz as he held to make it 5-5, before shaky service games from both were overcome to force a tie-break.

Alcaraz started the breaker the better, but five consecutive points from Struff gave him three set points and, at the third time of asking, he forced a deciding set with an ace down the middle.

There was pure joy from Alcaraz at the start of the third set. Not just because he held serve but because he finally executed a drop shot of beauty on Manolo Santana stadium.

More celebratory fist pumps followed as he made the first break of the decider at 3-1.

Struff was far from done, though, and he bit back once again and, as Alcaraz passed up four match points at 5-3, a worried silence spread across the Spanish capital.

The bouncebackability of Struff saw him take a set, which was well beyond him on several occasions, to a tie-break.

Alcaraz took a 3-0 lead but Struff fought back yet again to level the breaker, before the home favourite eventually progressed, albeit via an unintentional detour.

After the match, Alcaraz said: “It was difficult with me to deal with my emotions, handle certain moments, difficult moments in the match.

“I kept fighting, that’s all that matters.”

Speaking about his home advantage, Alcaraz said: “Well I think I have to say thanks to the people here who are supporting me until the last point.

“It was a great support after those difficult moments I had at the end of the third set. They push me up to not give up and keep fighting.”

Andrey Rublev awaits in the next round.

Sinner prevails after gruelling Khachanov test

Jannik Sinner was made to fight hard – and come from a set down – to eventually dispatch the challenge of Karen Khachanov and reach the quarter-finals in Madrid for the first time, winning 5-7 6-3 6-3.

Sinner suffered with a hip issue during his win against Pavel Kotov in Madrid and his aches and pains will have been tested even further in an uncomfortable duel with Khachanov.

An intriguing battle started as it transpired to go on with the pair fighting to hold serve until 5-5, with Khachanov the only player having a sniff of a break point – which Sinner doused.

Khachanov did take his next chance to make the breakthrough, though, going 6-5 up on his opponent’s serve, before serving to love to move a set ahead.

picture

Highlights: Sinner edges past Khachanov to make quarters in Madrid

The Russian came into this with just one win from his four matches against Sinner, so knew the world No. 2 would not back down easily and so it proved as he made an early break in the second before racing into a 3-0 lead.

Sinner controlled proceedings with the class that has seen him rise up the rankings and levelled things by taking the second set 6-3.

Khachanov’s response to being pegged back was to deliver a brutal opening service game in the third set – taking it to love.

However, he went on to miss two break point opportunities before Sinner moved ahead at 3-2 by taking his first opportunity of the set to win on the Khachanov serve.

Sinner held his serve before breaking his opponent once more to book his place in the last-8.

He will play either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Casper Ruud next.

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Resurgent Nadal survives three-hour Cachin battle, Norrie crashes out

April 29, 2024

Rafael Nadal’s Madrid Open resurgence continued with a 6-1 6-7(5) 6-3 win over Pedro Cachin on Monday, earning the Spaniard a first Masters 1000 fourth round appearance in two years.

The 37-year-old has now racked up three consecutive wins, his best streak since the US Open in 2022.

He will go on to face No. 30 seed Jiri Lehecka in the last 16 after the 22-year-old edged past Stefanos Tsitsipas’ conqueror, Brazilian Thiago Monteiro.

Nadal came out firing as he broke serve in the opening game of the match.

There was no holding back from the 22-time Grand Slam champion as he ripped his heavy topspin forehand and pulled Cachin around the court.

Cachin fended off two break points in the fifth game with forehand winners, but Nadal was not to be denied and broke to lead 4-1 with a winner down the line.

Nadal closed out an impressive set with another break when Cachin sent a forehand long.

Cachin was in firm control of the second set as Nadal seemed to lose focus, the Spaniard making numerous unforced errors which Cachin quickly capitalised on.

The Argentinian raced to a 4-1 lead in the set, with Nadal growing in frustration as he failed to execute shot after shot.

Cachin caught him off guard several times with some deft drop shots, looking like a completely different player compared to his monotone first set.

But Nadal’s frustration turned to aggression and he upped the ante, turning the 4-1 score to 5-5 and saving two set points.

After a pair of double faults and Nadal missing vital shots, Cachin took his sixth game of the set.

Nadal then raced to 40-0 in the ensuing game and the Argentinian shot wide allowing Nadal to force the tie-break – with the elated Madrid crowd standing and applauding the icon.

Cachin took the first three points in the breaker before a netting allowed Nadal back in with his first point.

The contest was scrappy, with a more confident Rafa putting Cachin on the back foot. But Nadal hit the ball wide for Cachin to take the tie-break and the set, prompting a huge celebration from him.

As he has done time and again in his career, Nadal found an extra gear in the decider and looked incredibly impressive, opening with a scorching cross-court forehand.

At 4-2 the clash had been going on for three hours and was still as back and forth as ever, with Nadal netting twice to give Cachin an important game to make it 4-3.

But the veteran saved his best for last and won the next two games in quick succession, no longer making the mistakes he had in the previous few hours.

Victoy was sealed as Nadal outfoxed Cachin, whose shot went long after the pair exchanged drop shots.

Ruud comfortably dispatches Norrie

Brit Cameron Norrie was eliminated from Madrid by world No. 6 Casper Ruud 6-2 6-4.

Ruud wrapped up the first set in just 31 minutes, his serve being broken in the final game of the match, only for Norrie to net and hand the first set over.

The second set was much closer, with the Brit managing to hold his own as momentum changed hands.

At 4-4 Norrie threatened to take control of the tie, but two straight games from Ruud, in which Norrie could barely lay a finger on the Norwegian, saw him advance to the next round.

Ruud will advance to play Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last 16. The Canadian was leading Jakub Mensik 6-1 1-0 on Monday when the Czech was forced to retire in the second set due to injury.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+

Alcaraz braced for ‘difficult’ Struff rematch after reaching last 16 in Madrid

April 28, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz won his 13th match in a row at the Madrid Open as he beat Thiago Seyboth Wild in straight sets to reach the last 16.

World No. 3 Alcaraz, who is bidding to win the title for the third year in a row, proved too strong and skilful for world No. 63 Seyboth Wild as he won 6-3 6-3.

“I played a very good level,” said Alcaraz about his display against Seyboth Wild.

“Coming into this match I was nervous a bit. I didn’t know how my forearm was going to be because Thiago has big shots and hits the ball really strong. But I was really happy with the performance.”

Looking ahead to facing Struff, who he beat 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the final last year, Alcaraz added: “I know his level, I know his game a bit. I know that I have to play at my best to beat him.

“I have to be really focused on the return, putting as many balls in as I can and being in the rallies, but it’s going to be a difficult one.”

picture

‘Honestly was so scared’ – Alcaraz on meeting Nadal for first time

Alcaraz came into Madrid with injury concerns over an arm issue that had seem him miss both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. However, he has not looked hampered by the problem so far, dropping just nine games across two matches.

Against Seyboth Wild he reeled off four games in a row to take the first set, breaking serve twice.

Alcaraz continued to dominate in the second set with his heavy hitting and brilliantly disguised drop shots seeing him open up a 5-0 lead.

Seyboth Wild managed to get on the board with a three-game run as he avoided a bagel set, but Alcaraz served the match out at the second time of asking.

Hubert Hurkacz also made the last 16 with a 6-4 7-6(2) victory against Daniel Altmaier.

Seventh seed Andrey Rublev came from 5-0 down in the first set tie-break to beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (10) 6-4.

Rafael Nadal plays Pedro Cachin on Monday.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Rune down and out in Madrid as Griekspoor pulls off upset

April 28, 2024

Holger Rune was beaten 6-4 4-6 6-4 by Tallon Griekspoor as the Dutchman reached the last 16 of the Madrid Open on Sunday.

The win for the world No. 25 keeps him in with a chance of winning his first singles trophy of the year.

In his previous tie, Rune had needed three sets to battle past Mariano Novone, while Griekspoor had an easier time against Taro Daniel in his last match-up in Spain.

Rune is yet to land a title this year, and he failed to land the first set as it initially went with serve before the Dane was broken late on, and conceded the first 6-4.

Now ranked No. 12 in the world after dropping out of the top 10, he broke immediately in the first game of the second set to hint at a potential comeback.

Rune claimed the second set with the reverse scoreline to set up a decisive third, but was quickly broken in the third set and found himself trailing 3-1, with Griekspoor on serve and able to extend his lead further, going on to claim the winning set 6-4.

The round of 16 takes place on Tuesday, April 30.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Nadal gets revenge win over De Minaur, Tsitsipas crashes out

April 27, 2024

Rafael Nadal gained revenge over Alex De Minaur and booked his place in the Madrid Open third round with a 7-6(6) 6-3 victory.

Nadal started in ideal fashion after breaking De Minaur in the Australian’s first service game to move 2-0 in front, before the world No. 11 hit back immediately to halve the deficit.

After a further break of serve each for both players in a pulsating opener, the first set went to a tie-break that proved to be just as enthralling.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion delighted the Spanish crowd by moving 6-2 in front to get four set points in the bank, but they all came and went.

However, set point number five came after a stunning two-handed backhand, and Nadal drew first blood as De Minaur hit a long forehand return after an hour and 16 minutes of play.

Nadal took an early break at the start of the second set and moved 3-1 ahead with an emphatic hold to love.

The Spaniard was showing his class and moved daylight between himself at De Minaur at 4-2 with a wonderful backhand.

It was looking much more straightforward for Nadal, with De Minaur having few answers to a devastating array of shots from the former world No. 1.

It was that stunning backhand which came to the fore once again which set up two match points on De Minaur’s serve at 5-3, and the first came and went as a De Minaur double fault sealed the deal.

The 37-year-old can now look forward to a match against Pedro Cachin, after the Argentine overcame Frances Tiafoe earlier on Saturday.

Speaking after the match, Nadal said: I’m super happy to be competitive against a great player like Alex, playing two hours means a lot to me.

“The atmosphere here is a joke, so I can’t thank everybody enough.

“If I am able to play tennis for a few weeks in a row, then I will see how far I can go. It’s just a case of going step by step and seeing how things go.”

Tsitsipas stunned by Monteiro

Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas was stunned with a second-round defeat to Thiago Monteiro.

The Brazilian claimed a 6-4 6-4 win and faces Jiri Lehecka in round three.

Monteiro took an early break to move 2-1 up in the first set and drew first blood on his second set point after 39 minutes of play.

He moved a set and a break ahead at the start of the second, before Tsitsipas fought back and swatted away two match points to take a crucial hold at 5-4.

However, it only prolonged the inevitable, as the world No.118 progressed after a fourth match point to dump out the world No. 7.

Speaking after the match he said: “For sure it’s one of the biggest wins of my career. I knew it would be a tough match. I tried to just believe in myself all the time.

“I was feeling really good on the court and I’ve been playing for three matches already. I had a bit of rhythm and confidence. I just fought until the end and believed.”

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com