The X Blog - Dysfunctional Tennis Blogging at its Finest

2024 ATP Finals Day 1: Medvedev v Fritz, Sinner v De Minaur

Posted by Staff on November 9th, 2024 @ 6:57 pm

The ATP Finals opens Sunday in Turin, Italy with home favorite Jannik Sinner leading the action against debutant Alex de Minaur.

Sinner, who already has the year-end No. 1 clinched, hasn’t played since winning the Shanghai Masters a month ago. The 2-time Slam winner says he’s excited to play at …

2024 ATP Finals Groupings: Alcaraz, Zverev Looking Strong For SFs

Posted by Staff on November 9th, 2024 @ 6:45 pm

Earlier this week in Turin the ATP Finals groupings were announced.

The Ilie Nastase group is loaded with Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and newcomer Alex de Earlier this week in Turin the ATP Finals groupings were announced.

The Ilie Nastase group is loaded with Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and newcomer Alex de Minaur. John Newcombe has …

Gauff Rallies Past Zheng In Marathon For WTA Finals Title

Posted by Staff on November 9th, 2024 @ 5:35 pm

Coco Gauff became the youngest player to win the WTA Finals in 20 years defeating Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in the title match today in Riyadh.

At 3 hours, 4 minutes, it was the longest WTA Finals championship match in tournament history, and the first to finish in a …

Gauff Upended Sabalenka, Will Face Zheng For WTA Finals Title

Posted by Staff on November 8th, 2024 @ 7:42 pm

Coco Gauff is enjoying one of her best weeks of her career. Today in Riyadh at the WTA Finals she upset the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-3.

Earlier in the week, Gauff topped Iga Swiatek and with the win today, she becomes just the third player since 2010 to …

2024 WTA Finals SF: Sabalenka v Gauff, Zheng v Krejcikova SF; Swiatek Wins But Out

Posted by Staff on November 7th, 2024 @ 7:57 pm

Iga Swiatek dropped just one game in crushing alternate Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-0 on the last day of the round robin at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. But finishing 2-1 and with an easy win wasn’t enough to put the 2-time defending champion in the semifinals.

That’s because she also needed Coco Gauff to …

2024 WTA Finals Day 6: Zheng Makes SFs; Swiatek Must Win, Then Depend On Gauff

Posted by Staff on November 7th, 2024 @ 1:02 am

Zheng Qinwen booked her spot in the semifinals of the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Wednesday hammering 2-time Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini 6-1, 6-1.

The victory put the gold medalist into the last four with a 2-1 record, and she’ll now await the winner of the Orange Group.

2024 WTA Finals Day 5: Gauff Stuns Swiatek, Sabalenka Clinches No. 1

Posted by Staff on November 5th, 2024 @ 6:43 pm

The first big shockwave hit the WTA Finals on Tuesday as Coco Gauff stunned 2-time defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 to clinch a spot in the semifinals.

Gauff had lost 11 of her last 12 to Swiatek coming in, but today her consistency forced Swiatek into error after error.

“Obviously playing Iga is tough for me, but I’m really happy …

2024 ATP Finals Field Set With Sinner, Alcaraz, Zverev The Favorites

Posted by Staff on November 5th, 2024 @ 6:23 pm

With Novak Djokovic opting out of the ATP Finals which begin Sunday, the field for the year-end event has been set.

Today, Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev completed the 8-man field.

PARTICIPANTS:
1 Jannik Sinner – Has never won in Turon
2 Alexander Zverev – 2-time ATP Finals winner
3 Carlos Alcaraz – Seeking first big late-season title
4 Daniil Medvedev – Former ATP Finals champion
5 …

Novak Djokovic Will Skip The ATP Finals In Turin

Posted by Staff on November 5th, 2024 @ 4:32 pm

For the first time in his long career, Novak Djokovic will skip the ATP Finals. Djokovic, who has won the title seven times including the last two, cited an injury but most expected the Serb, with his reduced schedule, wasn’t keen on making the appearance anyway.

“I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week,” he posted on social media. “Apologies …

2024 WTA Finals Day 4: Swiatek v Gauff; Sabalenka Reaches SFs

Posted by Staff on November 4th, 2024 @ 10:50 pm

One of the four semifinal spots is already locked up three days into the WTA Finals. Aryna Sabalenka was the first to reach the last four with a 6-3, 7-5 win Monday over Jasmine Paolini in the round robin.

“I think the intensity she put in and the …

2024 WTA Finals Day 3: Sabalenka To Face Paolini; Swiatek Rallies, Gauff Bests Pegula

Posted by Staff on November 3rd, 2024 @ 11:53 pm

Two days down and all eight players have seen action at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

Sunday, the Orange Group saw action with Coco Gauff cruising past countrywoman Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-2.

“I think maybe I served better than previous times and this is our first time, …

Zverev Rolls Past Humbert To 7th Masters Title In Paris

Posted by Staff on November 3rd, 2024 @ 11:39 pm

Alexander Zverev closed the 2024 Masters season in the best way collecting his first Paris Indoors title thumping French hope Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2.

The win was Zverev’s 7th at the Masters level and 23rd of his career.

“I knew I had to play like this to …

WTA Finals Day 2: Gauff v Pegula; Sabalenka, Paolini Winners

Posted by Staff on November 3rd, 2024 @ 12:03 am

Top seed and tournament favorite Aryna Sabalenka eased to her fourth win of the season over Zheng Qinwen with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

The US Open champion has now won 21 of her last 22 matches and stands two wins away from locking up her first-ever year-end …

Zverev, Humbert To Meet For Paris Masters Title

Posted by Staff on November 2nd, 2024 @ 11:53 pm

The last two former champions — Holger Rune and Karen Khachanov — were sent out of the Paris Masters in the semifinal round Saturday.

Alexander Zverev took care of Rune for the third time this season with a 6-3, 7-6(4) victory to reach his second Paris …

2024 WTA Finals Day 1: Sabalenka v Zheng, Rybakina v Paolini

Posted by Staff on November 1st, 2024 @ 11:33 pm

The WTA Finals start Saturday in Riyadh with top seed and tournament favorite Aryna Sabalenka opening play against familiar face Zheng Qinwen.

Sabalenka and Qinwen of course faced off in the Australian Open finals and again at the US Open and in Wuhan, all won by Sabalenka who overall is 4-0 against the gold medalist.

At stake this week for Sabalenka is also the year-end No. 1 ranking, and …