ATP
Eala keeps a smiling face after marathon loss at USO
Filipina breakout Alexandra Eala went down in a three-hour epice to Iva Jovic but maintained her sunny disposition even in defeat in the third round of the US Open.
Jovic, the 14th-ranked American, defeated No. 18 Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to set up a fourth-round test against countrywoman Coco Gauff.
Jovic erased a deficit in the third set to duplicate her fourth round showing at Wimbledon.
Crowd drawcard Eala took defeat in her stride against the teenager.
“I’m happy with the match; of course there is disappointment in losing, but trying to see the positive side, I think it was a really good match. The level was really high. So congrats to Iva for pushing through.”
Jovic, whose own local support was overwhelmed by Philippine love for Eala, converted on nine of 17 break points while losing her own serve eight times in the back-and-forth struggle.
“That felt like a marathon, and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match,” the winner said,
“But it’s really worth it for this feeling. I’m usually not one that shows that many emotions, but this one really meant a lot to me. It’s everything to have another match here at the US Open.”
There were also night-time wins for former champion Naomi Osaka over Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 and second seed Elena Rybakina, who defeated Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine 7-6 (6), 6-3.
Men’s top seed Alexander Zverev drastically cut his workload after taking nine hours on court to win his previous two matches.
Just for a change, the world No. 2 German managed a straight-set win, taking a modest two and a half hours to dispatch Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-2 and keep alive his hopes for a second Grand Slam title this season after winning Roland Garros.
“”Today was definitely much better than the last couple of days, I improved a lot from the baseline,” Zverev said.
“I was not happy with the end of the second set. I lost focus a little bit. I was not
moving as well. But the first and third sets were a big improvement to the other days.”
The seed now faces Italian Luciano Darderi for a quarter-final place. “Of course, the draw is not going to get easier. We have 16 players left in the tournament, so I’m expecting tough matches.
But I hope my form is also improving and I can show it on the court.”
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
Musetti buries 7-final loss streak
Daniil defeats his demons with first title defence
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