ATP
Super Sinner sends Italy to Davis final

Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic for the second time in 11 days on Saturday to spark Italy’s 2-1 victory into Sunday’s Davis Cup trophy match against Australia.
The flame-haired world No. 4 saved three match points at 5-all in the third set to produce a 6-2, 2-6 7-5 single win, levelling the tie at one apiece after compatriot Lorenzo Musetti lost to Miomir Kecmanovic 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-1.
But Sinner’s work in Marbella was not done.
The 22-year-old who defeated the to-ranked Djokovic in a Turin round-robin match last week at the ATP season finals before losing the final to the Serb 16 years his senior, fronted up for doubles, with Djokovic on the other side of the net.
Italy prevailed with Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-4 over Djokovic and Kecmanovic.
The Italians will play a first Davis final since 1998.
“We just tried to push on every single point. It helped this 0-40 game for the confidence,” Sinner said of the doubles.
“Playing doubles in the deciding match in the semi-finals – we had a lot of pressure but we handled it really well. Every one of us is happy to be here.”
In singles Sinner got the better of the Djokovic serve with a pair of first-set breaks to dominate the opener before the 36-year-old Serb struck back to square at a set each.
But Sinner rose to the challenge in the 10th game of the deciding set as he salvaged the trio of Djokovic match-winners and held after coming from 0-40 down.
He broke a game later and served out victory to complete the upset scenario after two and a half hours.
It marked only the fourth time in his career that 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic had lost a match after holding a match point.
‘It was a roller coaster,” Sinner said. “I was starting off really well.
“In the second set he played much better than me. Third set I tried to serve really well, and also on match points down I served well.
“We’re happy to still be in the competition. We were one point away from being out.”
Captain Filippo Volandri could not contain his joy: “We are family. We had a lot of emergencies today but we never gave up. Davis Cup takes and Davis Cup Gives. We’re looking forward to tomorrow.”
Sinner saved seven of nine break points – five of them in the final set – winning 13 of the last 16 points in the thriller.
Main photo:- Jannik Sinner celebrates beating Novak Djokovic twice in 11 days
ATP
Rune rises to the occasion with defeat of Alcaraz

Holger Rune battled past injured Carlos Alcaraz to spoil the Spanish Easter party at the Barcelona Open, with the Dane lifting the trophy 7-6 (6), 6-2.
The pair of 21-year-olds were familiar foes, having played 20 times in juniors before hitting the Tour; Rune won the first 500 series title of his career and his fifth overall.
Alcaraz was treated three times in the second set after an apparent injury to his upper right thigh/groin after duelling hard in the opening set at the Real Club.
The loss will send Alcaraz back to third in the rankings, with Alexander Zverev moving back to second behind Jannik Sinner as a result of winning the Munich title on Sunday.
Rune, a first-round victim last week in Monte Carlo, reversed his clay momentum in Spain, handing Alcaraz a first loss of a set for the week.
The Spanish top seed’s two final shots both clipped the top of the net and fell back as Rune raised his hands in celebration after 97 minutes on court in the Catalan capital.
“This means the world,” the winner said. “I started the match stressed, he was playing big-time tennis.
“I was able to find my rhythm after he broke me (3-2 in the opening set) and I got more into the match.
“The first set was a big battle with a lot of important points. It was super-important to win the set and gain momentum.
“I’m so proud of myself.”
Rune ended with 18 winners while the ailing Alcaraz produced 33 unforced errors. The Dane claimed his 50th match win on clay and levelled his Tour record in the series to 2-2.
Rune said he channeled Novak Djokovic’s Paris Olympic gold medal win from last summer over Alcaraz as he struggled to turn his game around in Barcelona.
“I asked myself what Novak did to win that final. I (realised) that I didn’t need to hit every ball on the line. I need to make him play and hit a lot of balls.”
Rune, who won the elite Paris Bercy Masters 1000 title in 2022, finally began reversing a 13-match loss streak against top five opponents.with his title victory.
Alcaraz may be racing for fitness with the Madrid Masters starting on Wednesday as the ATP ploughs ahead with an unpopular two-week format for Masters tournaments despite growing protest from exhausted players.
Main photo:- Holger Rune celebrates Barcelona win – by ATPTour.com
ATP
Zverev grabs a birthday gift with third Munich title

Alexander Zverev turned 28 on Sunday and awarded himself a third title on his home Munich clay as he beat Ben Shelton 6-2,6-4 to win the ATP event.
The 2017 and 2018 champion here is now threatening Carlos Alcaraz as the pair duel for the world No. 2 position which the Spaniard took over last week after winning Monte Carlo.
Zverev schooled lefthander Shelton in 70 minutes for a second win in their series. The winner becomes the second to hold three Munich titles after countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber (2007, 2012, 2016).
“I’m enjoying my birthday so far,” Zverev said. “It’s extremely special to win in Germany, the most special thing I can do.
January’s Australian Open finalist added: “It’s definitely a great birthday present, I knew I had to play my best today, conditions were very hot and very fast.They were perfect for me.”
The winner broke three times while never facing a challenge to his serve from Shelton as he claimed a sixth career title at the 500-Tour level.
Main photo:- Alexander Zverev with his “birthday” trophy – by BMW Open/Bitpanda
ATP
Zverev fulfils home fan dreams to line up against Shelton

Alexander Zverev gave fans in Munich what they were after as the top seed rolled into the final of the clay ATP in Bavaria with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 defeat of Fabian Marozsan.
World No. 3 Zverev, who won the titles in 2017 and 2018 needed 91 minutes to advance into a title match with Ben Shelton.
The American earned his spot with a .2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4 defeat of Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
Zverev advanced with nine aces and broke twice in the tidy win over his Hungarian opposition.
“It’s awesome. The entire week has been great. Everybody is really enjoying the weather as well as the new Center Court,” the winner said. .
“I’m enjoying myself and hopefully I will have another great day tomorrow.”
Shelton reached his fourth career final, becoming the first American man to reach a clay final above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi won the Rome Masters 23 years ago.
“It’s a big win for me. To get a win on clay against a guy like him gives me a lot of confidence,” Shelton.
“I’m really happy and excited to be in a 500-level final in Europe, my second clay-court tournament this season.
“I’ve been playing well this week and I’m not too stressed right now.”
Main photo:-Alexander Zverev winning in front of his home crowd – by ATPTour.com
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