24 h. ago ‘Gracias Carlos’: Alex de Minaur left stunned after advancing at ATP Finals

Alcaraz’s victory over Lorenzo Musetti completed a remarkable turnaround for De Minaur as he reached the semi-finals

Politics

35 h. ago Carlos Alcaraz secures world No 1 ranking after beating Musetti at ATP Finals

It is the second time in his career that Alcaraz has ended the year at the top of the rankings

Politics

36 h. ago Carlos Alcaraz v Lorenzo Musetti: ATP Finals tennis – as it happened

Already through to the semi-finals, Carlos Alcaraz was far too good for Lorenzo Musetti, a 6-4 6-1 win ensuring he ends the year as world no 1Of course my wife ordered the shopping to arrive, then went to a work dinner. But it’s in, you’ll be relieved to learn, and they’re still knocking up.Alcaraz, meantime, looks focused. He’ll not be taking it easy tonight, I’m sure. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago Carlos Alcaraz beats Lorenzo Musetti to put Alex de Minaur in last four: ATP Finals tennis – as it happened

Already through to the semi-finals, Carlos Alcaraz was far too good for Lorenzo Musetti, a 6-4 6-1 win ensuring he ends the year as world no 1Of course my wife ordered the shopping to arrive, then went to a work dinner. But it’s in, you’ll be relieved to learn, and they’re still knocking up.Alcaraz, meantime, looks focused. He’ll not be taking it easy tonight, I’m sure. Continue reading...

Politics

42 h. ago Alex de Minaur fights back from ‘fair bit of heartbreak’ to keep ATP Finals last

The Australian said a series of tight losses from winning positions was ‘mentally killing’ him but bounced back from his two opening defeats with a dominant display against Taylor Fritz

Sport

2 d. ago ‘It’s killing me’: ATP Finals star in dark place after dramatic collapse

Alex de Minaur is on the brink of exiting the ATP Finals after losing a three-set thriller to Lorenzo Musetti in Turin

Events

3 d. ago ‘Mentally it’s killing me’: Alex de Minaur on brink of ATP Finals exit after third

Australia No 1 defeated by Lorenzo Musetti 7-5 3-6 7-5 in TurinWorld No 7 needs convincing win over Taylor Fritz to reach last fourAlex de Minaur’s hopes of reaching the ATP Finals last four are hanging by a thread after a heartbreaking three-set loss to Lorenzo Musetti.The world No 7 went down 7-5 3-6 7-5 after failing to serve out the match, keeping the Italian in the event and now leaving the Australian needing to convincingly beat Taylor Fritz in his third and final group match to reach the semi-finals. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Carlos Alcaraz battles back to beat Taylor Fritz: ATP Finals tennis – as it happened

Taylor Fritz did all he could, but it still wasn’t enough to beat Carlos Alcaraz, who recovered after losing the first set to win an epic in three*Alcaraz 1-1 Fritz The last thing Fritz will want is for Alcraraz to rush through an easy hold and he makes 0-15, then attacks a second serve with a backhand down the line, as we suggested he should, for 0-30. And, though Alcaraz halves his arrears, Faritz runs around his forehand to clout down the line, raising two break points; the first disappears with an overhit forehand, the second with a service winner. Up advantage, though, Alcaraz errs, and this is already ridiculously enjoyable, Fritz taking control of the next rally by landing a forehand on to the baseline and seeing it home with backhands down the line to earn a third break point. And this time he looks ready to take it, racing to net when a drop sits up but Alcaraz reads him and puts away the volley! The anticipation there was spooky, and there’s something about watching him pl...

Events

3 d. ago Carlos Alcaraz v Taylor Fritz: ATP Finals tennis – as it happened

Taylor Fritz did all he could, but it still wasn’t enough to beat Carlos Alcaraz, who recovered after losing the first set to win an epic in three*Alcaraz 1-1 Fritz The last thing Fritz will want is for Alcraraz to rush through an easy hold and he makes 0-15, then attacks a second serve with a backhand down the line, as we suggested he should, for 0-30. And, though Alcaraz halves his arrears, Faritz runs around his forehand to clout down the line, raising two break points; the first disappears with an overhit forehand, the second with a service winner. Up advantage, though, Alcaraz errs, and this is already ridiculously enjoyable, Fritz taking control of the next rally by landing a forehand on to the baseline and seeing it home with backhands down the line to earn a third break point. And this time he looks ready to take it, racing to net when a drop sits up but Alcaraz reads him and puts away the volley! The anticipation there was spooky, and there’s something about watching him pl...

Politics

5 d. ago Tennis LIVE: ATP Finals day two as Jannik Sinner begins title defence in Carlos Alcaraz hunt

The latest news from across the tennis tours with updates from the ATP Finals featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to claim victory in the WTA Finals

Politics

5 d. ago Carlos Alcaraz up and running at ATP Finals with win over Alex de Minaur

Top seed beats Australian 7-6 (5), 6-2Alcaraz has never won ATP FinalsCarlos Alcaraz opened the ATP’s season-ending championships, and the battle for the year-end No 1 ranking, in ideal fashion as he confidently navigated a turbulent opening set before easing to a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win over the seventh seed, Alex de Minaur, in Turin.Alcaraz, the top seed, is attempting to win the ATP Finals for the first time and hold off Jannik Sinner to finish the season as the top-ranked player. Despite ceding significant ground to the Italian in recent weeks by losing to Cameron Norrie in his opening match at the Paris Masters, which Sinner won, Alcaraz still holds a clear advantage this week since the Italian is defending his title from last year. The Spaniard must win all three of his round-robin group stage matches or reach the final in order to secure the top ranking. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago ATP Finals tennis: Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alex de Minaur – as it happened

Alex de Minaur had a chance to win the first set, leading 5-3 in the tie-break, but Carlos Alcaraz would not be denied, coming back to take it 7-5 before playing a wondrous second and here comes the genius. Here comes the Demon Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago America’s men’s grand slam drought is not Taylor Fritz’s burden to carry

Back at the ATP finals one year after reaching the last hurdle, Fritz remains a top-five talent. It’s a reminder that a certain major-title drought is not his burden to bearI would like to have some words with ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler about what he said after Novak Djokovic beat Taylor Fritz, for the 11th straight time, in the US Open quarter-finals. Look – Fritz is American, Fowler is American – and sports often lend themselves to nationalism. A little bit of disappointment was appropriate. Instead, Fowler invoked the continued drought of American men at the majors: none of them had lifted a trophy since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Fritz had been the last one standing in the tournament.We all love a narrative, myself included. But come on. Even if Fritz had beaten Djokovic for the first time, force of nature Carlos Alcaraz was waiting in the next round, who Fritz has yet to beat in an official match. And if he’d somehow survived that, it would have been defending champion Jannik...

Politics

9 d. ago WTA Finals tennis: Anisimova sends Swiatek out; Rybakina beats Alexandrova – as it happened

Amanda Anisimova came back from a set down to advance to the semi-finals and eliminate Iga SwiatekAlexandrova 3-3 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina sends down a blistering serve to Alexandrova’s backhand; it’s not one for returning. At 30-all, Alexandrova returns with a stonking forehand winner: break point. Rybakina’s whippy backhand makes it deuce and she saves another break point to hold.*Alexandrova 3-2 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina attacks Alexandrova’s second serve, coming inside to hit a deep forehand return that makes it 15-30. The former steps into a backhand winner to make it 30-40, but Alexandrova resists, closing the game with an ace. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago WTA Finals tennis: Sabalenka fends off Pegula; Gauff beats ailing Paolini – as it happened

Aryna Sabalenka dug deep to beat Jessica Pegula 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 while Coco Gauff cleaned up her service game to win 6-3, 6-2 against Jasmine PaoliniGauff 3-1 Paolini* (* denotes server): Gauff nets two backhands in a row as the Italian plays her first ball with a bit more power than in the first three games. But Guaff uses the court to make Paolini chase the ball at the baseline and gets to deuce after a weak second serve from the Italian. The two trade advantages for a while and at the fifth deuce, Gauff nets a backhand return. Paolini finally sees out the 8min 58sec game after Gauff sends one long.*Gauff 3-0 Paolini (* denotes server): A long rally ends with the Italian powerfully slicing a winner and following it up with another crosscourt forehand that Gauff strains to reach. But she sends three returns long in back-to-back break points, putting her arms up in the air in frustration. Gauff gets the advantage and turns the game around to take the set after another poor return from ...

Politics

2 w. ago Cameron Norrie hails ‘biggest win’ after roaring back to beat Carlos Alcaraz in Paris

British No 2 recovers to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in second roundAlcaraz’s fine run ends with tally of 54 unforced errorsCameron Norrie produced the greatest win of his career as he recovered from a set down to topple the world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Masters.Although he has defeated Alcaraz on two previous occasions, Norrie’s triumph marks his first ever victory over a reigning No 1. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Cameron Norrie beats Sebastian Baez in Paris to set up clash with Carlos Alcaraz

The British number two triumphed 6-3 6-4 at the Paris Masters

Politics