ATP
Daughters in the stands a sweet surprise for Murray
Emotional Andy Murray bowed out of tennis at Wimbledon with two of his four children on hand at Centre Court as he and brother Jamie lost in the doubles first round.
The 37-year-old icon will have one more go on the grass when he teams with Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles in a weekend prime time spot.
The Murray pair – who have been selected for the British Paris Olympic team – lost in straight sets to the Aussie pair of John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.
During an on- court celebration of his career, the former No. 1 and two-time Wimbledon winner noticed that his two daughters – half of his brood of four with wife Kim – were seated in his player box.
“I didn’t know they were coming. They’ve only been to one other match that I played and sat in the stands before, in Nottingham last year.” Murray said.
“It was nice they managed to make it. Our second kid – yeah, I should call them by their names – was struggling I think.
“It was way past her bedtime …but it was lovely they were able to come and
watch.”
The three-time Grand Slam winner could not help but express his disappointment at being forced to wrap up his career due strictly to physical issues over the years.
“I’m ready to finish playing.. I don’t want that to be the case. I would love to play forever.
“Even though today was a doubles match, it was still really hard for me. My serve speeds are so far behind where they usually would be.
“This year’s been tough with the ankle, then obviously the (June keyhole) back surgery, obviously the hip (two operations).
“I’m ready to finish playing because I can’t play to the level that I would want to anymore.”
Carlos Alcaraz booked his third straight final at the Barcelona Open on a windy Saturday, repeating his win from last week over Arthur Fils.
The Spanish top seed advanced 6-2, 6-4 into Sunday’s title match, where he takes on Holger Rune for the first time on clay.
Rune, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Karen Khachanov, stands 1-2 against Alcraz on the Tour, with the pair meeting 20 times (10-10) in juniors.
In Monte Carlo eight days ago, Alcaraz needed to come from a set down to beat Fils on his way to the title.
The Barcelona meeting was less dramatic for the local world No. 2, owns titles here from 2022 and 2023 (he was injured and did not play in 2024). He has now won his last 14 Barcelona matches.
Alcaraz was helped in the first set as Fils twice lost serve on double-faults, The French challenger lifted in the second set but was still unable to break through.
He drew a code violation for ball abuse after losing ser to trail 2-1 but saved two match points before Alcaraz clinched victory in 76 minutes.
Alcaraz won his ninth straight clay match, with Fils striking a massive 38 unforced errors.
“I’m just glad it was sunny, even if the wind was really tough to deal with,” Alcaraz said. “He was playing fantastic tennis,
“I had to do what I had to do – and I did it pretty well. I focused on my game and hitting the right shot. I’m happy I was able to do that.
“To be in this final again means a lot. I used to watch the Barcelona finals on TV as a little kid. Let’s see if I can end with the trophy tomorrow in front of my people.”
Holger Rune will return to the ATP live ranking top 10 after a near-flawless 6-3, 6-2 display against Karen Khachanov on Saturday which sends the Dane into the final of the Barcelona Open.
Rune needed just 67 minutes to completely dominate in the semi-final on a court named in honour of Rafael Nadal, holding his opponent to just five winners for the match – and only one in the second set.
The No. 13 Scandinavian, by contrast, produced 21 winners and profitted from superb drop shots to ensure the win.
Khachanov was leading 3-2 in the opening set when Rune erupted.
“I was playing very good from the back of the court and mixing up the pace,” the winner said. I played most of the match the right way.
“I was aggressive and hitting through my shots. Rising in the ranking is a motivation, but I was treating this like a training week, trying to get better every day.
“Now it’s becoming more than a training week and I’m happy to be in another final (after Indian Wells in March. I’m happy with how I handled things today.”
Rune will play top seed Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final.
Main photo:- Holger Rune winning in Barcelona – by ATPTour.com
Arthur Fils spent just 20 minutes on court before advancing to the semi-finals in Barcelona on Friday as opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas quit their quarter-final with apparent illness.
The rising Frenchman collected a 2-0 win as the four-time runner-up walked to the net midway through the third game, unable to continue.
Fills will take on two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the title match.
The pair played only last week in Monte Carlos, with Alcaraz posting a comeback quarter-final win.
“I think Stef has a bug, but I’m not sure,” Fils said. “I was ready to battle for a few hours, we always have tough matches.
“I hope he will be ready for the next weeks and Roland Garros.”
The No. 14 said he is pleased with the state of his own game: “I’m playing great, the match in Monte Carlo against Carlitos was positive even if I lost.”
Main photo; Arthus Fils in action -by ISF Ltd
Alcaraz masters tough conditions for third Barca final
Rune puts on masterclass to crush Khachanov
Tsitsipas quits Barca match with illness
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