Ugo Humbert played a flawless final set tiebreaker to take out Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5) in the semifinals at Halle.

The lefty played his fourth straight 3-set match of the week, and gained revenge on the Canadian who beat Humbert last week in Stuttgart.

“It was an amazing match from both of us, but it was very tough physically and mentally,” Humbert said on court. “I’m very proud to win this …

Andrey Rublev is closing in on another ATP 500 title in Halle this weekend. The Russian who is 5-0 in ATP 500 finals, eased past Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6(4), 6-2 to reach the semifinals.

The 23-year-old is now 28-2 in ATP 500s since the the restart.

“I am happy with my performance to reach the semifinals for the first time,” said Rublev. “The first set was really tough. He was 3-0 up in …

Another high seed fell in Halle after. After Daniil Medvedev and Roger Federer lost, home hope Alexander Zverev joined them after a tough 3-set loss to Ugo Humbert 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3.

Zverev, 2-time Halle finalist, was meeting for the lefty Frenchman for a first time. Humbert had just one break point the entire match and he converted it in the third set.

“I don’t particularly know what I could have done differently, …

Andy Murray’s return at Queen’s was cut short by top seed and World No. 9 Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-3 in the second round on Thursday.

Seeking his first grass Top 10 win in years, Murray had little answer for the Italian’s power game. Berrettini cracked 14 aces, lost just six points on first serve and broke Murray five times in the 85-minute affair.

“This was really hard. We all know who Andy …

Naomi Osaka has decided not to play Wimbledon, the star’s agent said today.

Stuart Duguid, who represents the 4-time Grand Slam winner, told the AP that Osaka “is taking some personal time with friends and family. She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans.”

The 23-Osaka withdrew after her first match at the French Open following a threat from the …

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Wimbledon and the Olympics citing the need to rest his body, the 20-time Grand Slam champion announced today.

“Hi all, I have decided not to participate at this year’s Championships at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It’s never an easy decision to take but after listening to my body and discuss it with my team I understand that it is the right decision,” Nadal …

Former tournament champion Marin Cilic is finding his game. The Croatian has struggled since the restart, but on the grass he’s now won his last seven matches after today’s 6-3, 7-6(4) win over Fabio Fognini.

The 32-year-old Cilic will now meet Alex De Minaur in the Friday quarterfinals.

Brits Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper pulled off upsets. Norrie, who had his best clay season, kept his run going beating Australian Open semifinalist …

Roger Federer’s grass Wimbledon preparation came to an abrupt end today in Halle. The 10-time tournament champion fell today to rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Federer was sharp in the opening set against the 20-year-old who just made the Stuttgart finals Sunday. But mid-way through the second, Auger-Aliassime got a break and the dominated the error-prone Swiss.

In their first meeting, Auger-Aliassime ran away with the match in the third. …

A day after the second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew, the Halle grass event lost it’s top seed Daniil Medvedev today to home German 7-6(6), 6-3.

Medvedev led 5-2 in the first until Struff charged back.

“This is the biggest win Rankings wise of my career and to do it here on home soil is very special,” said Struff. “I live only an hour from here.

“He served for the set at 6-5 and …

Andy Murray scored an emotional first win on grass since 2018 beating Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-2 in the first round at the Queen’s Club in London.

“I love it. I love playing tennis,” a tear-eyed Murray told the crowd. “Obviously competing is why you put in all the hard work. In the last few years I didn’t get to do that as much as I would have liked, so it’s great …

Some quick on thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s excellent adventure this weekend at the French Open with culminated with him lifting a second French Open title after his comeback win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.

1. GOAT DEBATE IS OVER… FOR NOW
A second Career Slam. Another win over Rafael Nadal at the French. A 19th Grand Slam. Sorry Roger Federer, sorry Rafael Nadal. As of today, Djokovic is the GOAT.

I know he …

While Roger Federer continues his comeback in Halle, another all-time great Andy Murray is set to play his first singles match since March at Queen’s Club this week in London.

The 5-time tournament champions has been off the tour due to a groin issue as well as to tend to the birth of a fourth child in March. He was in Rome for doubles but his last singles match was a …

Roger Federer takes his comeback to the friendly grass courts at Halle on Monday. The 10-time tournament champion opens play against Belarussian qualifier Ilya Ivashka.

Federer, who is playing just his fourth event during this comeback, is seeded just fifth. Ahead of him are a host of top players including top seed Daniil Medvedev, French finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 3 seed and 2-time finalist Alexander Zverev and then fourth-seeded Andrey Rublev.

Federer …

Johanna Konta is feeling good again back on her home grass courts. The Brit today ended a 4-year title drought beating Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-1.

Konta, whose last title came back at 2017 Miami where she beat Caroline Wozniacki, was a 2-time Nottingham finalist reaching back-to-back finals in 2017 and 2018.

The 30-year-old Konta collected her fourth overall career WTA title, and first on grass.

“I feel very grateful, very fortunate for …

While there was high drama in Paris, Marin Cilic collected his first title in three years beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(2), 6-3 to take the Stuttgart grass title.

Cilic last won a title at Queen’s where he saved a match point to beat Novak Djokovic in the 2018 final. The 32-year-old former Wimbledon finalist now has 19 career titles with three on grass after Stuttgart.

“It was a very important win. …