ATP
Musetti buries 7-final loss streak
Lorenzo Musetti brought an end to four years of poor luck on Sunday as the Italian ended a seven-match losing streak in ATP finals with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Taylor Fritz to win the Lyon event.
The 24-year-old who has been plagued by recent injuries, became the fourth Italian this season to lift the honours.
Musetti, currently ranked 26th after once hitting fifth in the world, last lifted a trophy at Naples.
He profitted from nearly 30 unforced errors from second-seeded American Fritz in the final which turned his fortunes.
“It is totally unexpected for the history of this tournament for me this week. It is such a roller coaster,” the winner said..
“I saved four match points and played a fantastic final. Before I stepped on court I was feeling pain everywhere.
“But I started to focus on the match and the tennis I think was my best. I am really proud and happy of this.”
Musetti credited his fighting spirit with leading to the welcome victory. “I had an incredible attitude. I have to say thanks to my team.
“The medical staff and physio (got me) back in shape. Today I felt more relaxed inside my head and my tennis was more fluid and it was a great performance…
“It is such a dream I don’t want to wake up,” he said after defeating Fritz, who had reached the final without losing a set this week in France.
Main photo:- Lorenzo Musetti wins in Lyon – by Grand Prix Auvernge-Rhone
Daniil Medvedev conquered his personal demons as he defended an ATP title for the first time on Sunday with a 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-3 Almaty Open win over Nicoloz Basilashvili.
The trophy in Kazakhstan marked the fourth this season for ATP Finals candidate Medvedev and the 25th of his career.
Despite seasons of success, the former world No. 1 had never managed to repeat a finals victory at the same venue.
“I knew it was just a matter of time, luck, the moment,” he said before heading to the Vienna event.
“I was feeling fresh this week, I’m happy to win here again.”
The 30-year-old world No. 5 maintained his Tour lead with the most hardcourt title this season after claiming his 38th in just under two hours against his Georgian opponent, aged 38 who came through qualifying to reach the title match
He has now won eight straight matches in Almaty.
Medvedev was forced to play catch-up after dropping the opening set but kept his comeback confidence high.
“I knew (winning) would not be easy but I had my chances in the first set and the tiebreaker.
“I thought I would be able to turn it around and I’m happy to win, of course.”
Main photo:- Daniil Medvedev with Almaty trophy in Kazakhstan – by ATPTour.com
Daniil Medvedev has come down against any potential favouritism for Novak Djokovic in case the veteran Serb fails to qualify into the field for the eight-man ATP Finals next month.
Djokovic currently stands provisional 11th in the race to the November 15 shootout in Turin, with ninth palace needed to book a place in the season wrapup.
The cut-off has been extended by one place, with Jannik Sinner ending his season early as the world No. 1 struggles with a knee injury.
Djokovic, who won the China Open title in Beijing just weeks ago, will try to add to his points next week as a wildcard at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, hometown of now-retired Roger Federer.
Djokovic, with the record 24 career Grand Slam singles titles, would be a likely candidate for a wild card entry if ATP officials could craft such an unorthodox solution at the year-ender for the sentimental box office drawcard..
But Medvedev, currently sixth in the provisional standings and set to add to his point total after reaching the weekend final in Kazakhstan, is having nothing of it.
“Novak still has two tournaments to try to make it, and in Beijing he played great. I didn’t see any of his matches in Shanghai,” Medevedv told Britain’s Tennishead website.
“He has his chances. But if he’s there, everyone will be happy to see him there because also, he announced he’s going to play this year if he’s there.
“If he’s not, that’s a part of life; let’s see what next year can bring to him.”
Former world No. 1 Medvedev won the Finals in 2020 over Dominic Thiem and lost the final a year later to Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic owns a record seven titles at the elite showpiece. He skipped playing the event at the previous two editions despite qualifying into the field.
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev – by ISFLtd
Stefanos Tsitsipas admitted he felt conflicted as he crushed home wild card Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1, 6-2 on Wednesday to send the veteran Kazakh into retirement at the ATP Almaty Open.
The Greek winner needed just 61 minutes to overpower the veteran who until this week had last played an ATP-level match in January, 2025.
Tsitsipas needed four match points to advance to the quarter-finals where Australian James Duckworth awaits on Friday.
The post-match scene on court was emotional, with Tsitsipas requesting and receiving a shirt signed by his beaten rival.
“It’s a very eerie feeling to play someone in their last career match,” Tsitsipas said. “I don’t want to be in that situation too often.
“It hits you hard and you feel more sympathy for the opponent than in the usual match.
“It’s difficult taking victory know it is the last few points of the other guy’s career. But today it’s all about him, it’s his moment.”
The winner said he has been keeping an eye on his next opponent. “He can play a big game on this surface. I hope to be fit and healthy and bring my “A” game.”
Tsitsipas advanced with 20 winners and 14 unforced errors.
Musetti buries 7-final loss streak
Daniil defeats his demons with first title defence
Medvedev favours no favours for Djokovic
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