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Cincinnati Masters

Swiatek backs up Wimbledon title with Cincy success

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Iga Swiatek gathered her forces on Monday to win her first title at the Cincinnati Masters 7-5, 6-4 over Jasmine Paolini before flying off before midnight to be ready for a Tuesday mixed doubles start at the US Open.

The six-time Grand Slam winner lifted her 11th title at the 1000 level, and stands just two shy of the all-time best of 13 from Serena Williams.

The baffling scheduling of the final on a Monday put a strain on the US Open mixed, which runs over Tuesday and Wednesday in New York and is turning into a Frankenstein scheduling experiment.

Swiatek seemed determined to make her match date with Casper Ruud.

The former world No. 1 who is ready for a rise back to second as Coco Gauff fades with serving problems, needed just under two hours to win.

The final had 16 break-point chances, with Swiatek converting six of 10 while also not dropping a set throughout the bloated 12-day event.

“It’s always tough in Cincy,” the first-time champion told the Tennis Channel.   “This gives me a boost of confidence. I’m happy with the work we’ve been doing. (The team) had to convince me to play in a different way

“I”m now happy with that process; it all feels even better after the match. I”m glad I finished in straight sets.”

Swiatek, with 24 career trophies, heads to the OPen with confidence high as she starts the bid for a second title there after winning in 2022.

Swiatek had stalled twice at the last two editions at the semi-final stage and now 

Italian Paolini, the 2024 Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist, kept her trademark smile even in defeat.

“I’m happy with the level I put in this tournament. 
“Today, maybe I could, I could serve a little bit better, but still,it’s, it’s a positive tournament for me.

“I gave it all today, I did my best. 

“I could do better, yes, I could serve better. But I was there every point trying to come back, even in the bad situations. 

“I have also to see the positive things.”

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ATP

Sinner claims full house with Indian Wells win

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World No. 2 Jannik Sinner became the youngest man to complete the full set of hard-court victories by beating Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (8) 7-6 (7) in the searing heat of Indian Wells.

The 24 year old Italian, didn’t face a break point during the final nor did he drop a set on his way to claiming his first title of the year and his 25th overall.

Sinner has won both hard court Grand Slams, with victories at the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025 and at the US Open in 2024.

In addition he has lifted all six Masters 1000 series hard court titles – adding the Indian Wells title to victories in Miami, Toronto, Cincinnati, Shanghai and Paris plus the season-ending ATP Finals.

Only Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have achieved the same feat.

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner lifts Indian Wells Trophy – by ATPTour.com

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ATP

FAA raises his “standards” to extend QF hot streak

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Felix Auger-Aliassime bounced back after a slow start, with the Canadian raiding his game along with his expectations on Wednesday at the ATP Dubai event.

The top seed survived the loss of his opening serve to prevail 6-4, 6-4 over France’s Giovanni Mpetschi Perricard.

Victory marked the 10th quarter-final or higher at 11 tournament for FAA dating to Cincinnati last August.

The seed’s game is on the mend after a hiccup in the form of an Australian Open first-round loss, with FAA winning the Montpellier title and reaching this month’s Rotterdam final against Alex de Minaur.

Auger-Aliassime said that he tries to set an example to his team by way of keeping his tennis standards high.

“I’m responsible, I’m the one stepping onto the court – I’m the (support) team leader.

“I need to uphold the standards I want for my career.”

The winner who broke three times, said the ball reacted differently as he played for the first time in the afternoon.

“I couldn’t find my serve in the first few games, I needed to get some rhythm. he also made it difficult for me. I’m glad I was able to find a way back into the set.

The Canadian No. 1 improved his record against French opponents to 15-1 since the start of 2025.

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ATP

The heat is on as ATP bows to weather reality

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The ATP has bowed to the inevitability of weather, with a new heat rule for men’s matches due to be put into place for the start of the 2026 season.

While the WTA has long provided a pause after the second set of matches played in extreme hot weather, that’ not been the general case for the men.

Now, players will get a break when temps and humidity factors reach 30.1 C (86.18 F) or higher in the first two sets of a best-of-three-setter.

That triggers a 10-minute cooling break which can be called by either payer and which will apply to both. Competitors can use the brief pause to hydrate, change clothes, shower and receive coaching.

Should the heat exceed 32.2 C the match is called off.

.The new policy will replace the previous system where ATP tournament supervisors made the call with input from on-site medical staff.

The ATP will now fall into line with the WTA system as well as that of the four Grand Slams.

The tipping point came last season, when Jannik Sinner had to quit his third-round October match in Shanghai due to heat exhaustion in admittedly freak conditions for China in the autumn.

Novak Djokovic vomited during a match while France’s Ugo Humbert said players could “die on court” due to the torrid conditions. At the August Masters in steamy Cincinnati, Arthur Rinderknech collapsed on court, another data point which apparently led to the policy change

Main photo US Open New York 06/09/2023 Daniil Medvedev cools down
Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

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