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Learn moreThe 2024 Italian Open has arrived, following a bumpy few weeks that saw multiple injury-related upsets plague the ATP tour. Below, we'll break down everything you need to know about the 2024 tournament, including where to watch the Italian Open and when the can't-miss ATP and WTA matches air. Alcaraz and Sinner will sit out the Italian Open, but Medvedev (who won the 2023 competition) is scheduled to play on Friday. Shop at SlingWhere to watch the Italian Open in the UKThe Italian Open is available to watch through Sky Sports in the UK. Where to watch the Italian Open in New ZealandStarting on Sunday, New Zealanders can catch the women's matches live through TVNZ.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Alcaraz, Medvedev, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina, Iga Świątek, Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, Świątek, Aryna, you've, Marta Kostyuk, Magdalena Fręch, Iga, Bernarda Pera, AWST, ExpressVPN Organizations: Business, WTA, BNL, ATP, Madrid, Sky Sports, TVNZ, Tennis Channel, Sling, Tennis Locations: Italian, New Zealand, ExpressVPN, New Zealanders, Zealand

☆ Danielle Collins: US star takes shock Miami Open win in emotional farewell season
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The 30-year-old American, who reached the 2022 Australian Open final, stunned No. 53, produced an imperious display filled with powerful hitting to become the lowest ranked woman to ever win the Miami Open. Collins defeated the 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the Miami Open final. And when the Kazakh faltered and conceded three set points at 6-5, Collins pounced to take the first set. Despite her success in Miami, Collins said she will not reconsider her decision to retire.

Persons: Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, Collins, ” Collins, “, Frey, Collins pounced, Rybakina, ”, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Sloane Stephens Organizations: CNN, Miami, Kazakh, WTA, Sky Sports Locations: American, Miami

We'll show you everything you need to know about where to watch the Miami Open women's final, including how to tune in free from anywhere. Where to watch Miami Open women's final in the USThe entirety of the Miami Open, including the women's singles final, is live streaming through the Tennis Channel in the US. For cord-cutters, this will mean trying a live TV cable alternative that carries the Tennis Channel, like Sling TV or Hulu + Live TV. Hulu + Live TV Hulu + Live TV includes over 90 channels, along with Hulu's on-demand library and access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus. Shop at HuluWhere to watch Miami Open women's final in New ZealandIn New Zealand, the Miami Open women's singles final is available to stream for free through TVNZ.

Persons: Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Caroline Garcia, Collins, Rybakina, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens, We'll, you'll, Hulu's, ExpressVPN Organizations: Business, Miami, Victoria, Tennis Channel, Tennis, Hulu, Sling, Disney, ESPN, Disney Plus, TVNZ, You'll, WTA Locations: United States, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Hulu

Losing the U.S. Open final last September gave her the extra motivation. In the semifinals, she avenged her U.S. Open final loss to No. “For the second time, it’s just such a relief.”Only two things slowed down Sabalenka's progress Saturday to her second Grand Slam singles title. In the third game of the second set, with Zheng serving, the match was interrupted after an activist started yelling out. Then, when she was serving for the match, Sabalenka had three championship points at 40-0 but missed two with unforced forehands errors and another with Zheng's clever drop shot.

Persons: Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen, Elena Rybakina, “, it’s, don’t, Zheng, Coco Gauff, Barbora Krejcikova, Amanda Anisimova, “ I’m, ” Sabalenka, ”, Serena Williams, Jason Stacy, Stacy, Li Na, ” Zheng Organizations: —, U.S, U.S ., Victoria Azarenka Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia, Melbourne, New York

First of all, there's no such thing as a “game clock” in tennis, in general, and no such thing as “too late” at the Australian Open and U.S. Open, in particular. … I haven’t been able to sit through one,” two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka said. The women's and men's professional tours announced just before the start of the Australian Open that they're instituting new rules this month to try to cut back on play after midnight. One problem: Those rules apply only to events run by the WTA and ATP — not Grand Slam tournaments. WHEN DOES MEDVEDEV PLAY NEXT?

Persons: Daniil Medvedev's, Rod Laver, Zero, Medvedev, “, let’s, Emil Ruusuvuori, That's, ”, John Isner, Isner, — Medvedev, Ruusuvuori, Anna Blinkova's, Elena Rybakina —, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, ” Djokovic, Lleyton Hewitt, Marcos Baghdatis —, Carlos Alcaraz, haven’t, Victoria Azarenka, “ It’s, Andy Murray, ” Murray, you’re, Coco Gauff, Felix Auger, ” Medvedev, John Pye, ___ Howard Fendrich, howard, fendrich Organizations: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Wimbledon, Australian, England, U.S ., U.S, WTA, ATP, Tennis Australia, NEXT Locations: Melbourne, New York, Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Top-ranked Iga Swiatek rallied from 4-1 down in the third set to escape with a narrow 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over 2022 runner-up Collins on Thursday and advance to the third round of the Australian Open. Swiatek absorbed the sustained pressure from Collins’ powerful groundstrokes until she regained momentum and went on a match-winning five-game roll. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesBoth players beat past Australian Open champions in the first round. Swiatek defeated 2020 champion Sofia Kenin and Collins had a three-set win over 2016 winner Angelique Kerber. Swiatek had two match points at 15-40 in the last game but against Collins rallied, saving those and getting a game point with a trademark forehand winner deep to Swiatek’s backhand side.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Collins, Swiatek, ” Swiatek, Sofia Kenin, Angelique Kerber, Elena Rybakina, Daniil Medvedev, Rybakina, Anna Blinkova, Medvedev, Emil Ruusuvouri, ___ Organizations: Collins Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia, Russia, Finland

☆ Emma Raducanu says it’s ‘amazing to be pain-free’ as she marks grand slam return with victory against Shelby Rogers
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Emma Raducanu made light work of her first grand slam match in almost a year, defeating Shelby Rogers in the first round of the Australian Open. “Being my first slam match back, it is definitely a little bit extra sweet,” Raducanu told reporters. Maintaining her high standard in the second set, Raducanu broke in the first game and consolidated her advantage with a further break at 3-1 when a backhand approach from the American landed in the net. 1 Iga Świątek defeated 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 7-6(7-2) 6-2, while third seed Elena Rybakina also progressed in straight sets, overcoming Karolína Plíšková 7-6(8-6) 6-4. Jessica Pegula, the top-seeded American at the Australian Open, is looking to produce a deep run at the tournament after reaching the quarterfinals three times in a row.

Persons: Emma Raducanu, Shelby Rogers, Raducanu, Rogers, ” Raducanu, “, She’s, … I’m, Rogers ’, China’s Wang Yafan, I’d, ”, I’m, Iga Świątek, Sofia Kenin, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Canada’s Rebecca Marino Organizations: CNN Locations: Shelby’s, British, Melbourne

☆ Sabalenka, Rybakina to open new season in Brisbane
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Tennis - WTA Finals - Cancun, Mexico - November 5, 2023 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during her semi final match against Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS/Henry Romero Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 28 (Reuters) - World number two Aryna Sabalenka and number four Elena Rybakina will open their 2024 seasons at the Brisbane International warm-up for the Australian Open, organisers said on Tuesday. The 25-year-old will join her fellow Belarusian and twice Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the 48-player Brisbane field as she prepares for her first Grand Slam title defence at Melbourne Park. "Australia holds a special place in my heart after winning my first Grand Slam there," Sabalenka said in a news release. "I can't wait to make my debut at the Brisbane International and play in front of the Queensland tennis fans." Russian-born Kazakh Rybakina, the Wimbledon champion in 2022, lost to Sabalenka in this year's Melbourne final.

Persons: Poland's Iga Swiatek, Henry Romero, Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka, Sabalenka, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS, Rights, Brisbane International, WTA, United, Victoria Azarenka, Brisbane, Melbourne, Queensland tennis, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Cancun, Mexico, Belarus, Perth, Sydney, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Kazakh

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Iga Swiatek earned her first WTA Finals title and the year-end No. She is the youngest WTA Finals champion since Petra Kvitova was 21 in 2011. Pegula called it “an amazing year.”“You continue to push me to be a better player every single year,” Pegula said. In Cancun, Swiatek defeated Sabalenka in a semifinal that began Saturday, was suspended by rain, then finished on Sunday. The singles and doubles title matches both originally were scheduled to be contested Sunday, then were pushed back after a series of showers affected play during the WTA Finals.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Swiatek, Pegula, Justine Henin, “ We've, ” Swiatek, Petra Kvitova, ”, ” Pegula, “, that’s, Aryna Sabalenka, Sabalenka, Pegula hadn't, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Laura Siegemund, Vera Zvonareva, Nicole Melichar, Martinez, Ellen Perez, hasn't Organizations: WTA, tennis, U.S ., Russia Locations: CANCUN, Mexico, Poland, Cancun, U.S, New York, Florida, Germany, Australia

☆ Coco Gauff advances to the semifinals of the WTA Finals despite conceding 17 double faults in match
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Coco Gauff advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Finals with a hard-fought victory over Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová on Friday, despite conceding 17 double faults during the match. “I felt like I needed to hit through the court,” Gauff said afterwards, according to Sky Sports. When you play her pace and let her move you side to side, it’s tough. If the Belarusian defeats Iga Świątek in their semifinal, she will secure the year-end world No. Świątek secured her semifinal spot by defeating Ons Jabeur 6-1 6-2 while Pegula won all three of her matches in the round-robin group stages to set up a showdown against Gauff.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Markéta Vondroušová, Vondrousova, Caroline Wozniacki, Jessica Pegula, Gauff, “, ” Gauff, it’s, ”, Venus Williams, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Iga Świątek, Świątek, Pegula Organizations: CNN, WTA, Wimbledon, Sky Sports, Gauff Locations: Czech, Cancún, Mexico

☆ Top seed Sabalenka knocks Rybakina out of WTA Finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Nov 3, 2023; Cancun, Mexico; Aryna Sabalenka reacts to a point during her match against Elena Rybakina (KAZ) on day six of the GNP Saguaros WTA Finals Cancun. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsNov 3 (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka outlasted Elena Rybakina 6-2 3-6 6-3 to reach the WTA Finals last four in a win-or-bust group match on Friday that was halted on Thursday due to stormy weather in Cancun. Under bright sunshine but still unrelenting winds, world number one Sabalenka unleashed an ace out wide on match point to send fourth seed Rybakina packing from the year-end tournament. "I didn't really think a lot about this match," Sabalenka told Tennis Channel. Belarusian Sabalenka joins American group winner Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals of the event between the world's top eight players.

Persons: Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, KAZ, Susan Mullane, Jessica Pegula, Kazakhstan's Rybakina, Maria Sakkari, Iga, Coco Gauff, Marketa, Rory Carroll, Ken Ferris Organizations: Cancun, WTA, Tennis, Thomson Locations: Cancun, Mexico, Belarusian, Los Angeles

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Jessica Pegula finished round-robin singles play at the WTA Finals with a 3-0 record a year after going 0-3 at the season-ending championship, heading to the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Maria Sakkari on Thursday night. The fifth-seeded Pegula extended her overall winning streak to eight matches, including a title at the Korean Open last month. The 29-year-old American has won all six sets she's played in Cancun so far and will play in the semifinals on Saturday. Sabalenka won that matchup in January for her first Grand Slam title. Sabalenka was ahead 5-1 in the first set Thursday when play was being delayed because of a storm.

Persons: — Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari, Pegula, she's, ” Pegula, ” Sakkari, Karolina Muchova, “, Coco Gauff, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Marketa Vondrousova, Iga Swiatek, ___ Organizations: WTA, Korean, American, Sabalenka, U.S, Wimbledon Locations: CANCUN, Mexico, Cancun

☆ Pegula upsets top seed Sabalenka at WTA Finals, reaches semis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Oct 31, 2023; Cancun, Mexico; Jessica Pegula (USA) returns a shot during her match against Aryna Sabalenka on day three of the GNP Saguaros WTA Finals Cancun. But Pegula kept her cool and captured the first set after a tense rally ended with a backhand into the net by Sabalenka on set point. Pegula raced out to a 4-0 lead in the second set, but Sabalenka once again rallied, breaking serve to cut Pegula's lead to 5-3. After the match, Pegula pushed back on the notion that her game is lacking in power compared to the likes of Sabalenka. The Kazakh world number four will take on Sabalenka on Thursday in a battle to reach the semis, while Pegula, already through to the semis, will face Sakkari in their final group stage match.

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka, Susan Mullane, Elena Rybakina, Maria Sakkari, Pegula, Sabalenka, Rybakina, Sakkari, Rybakina's, Maria, We're, Rory Carroll, Chiranjit, Lincoln, Sonali Paul Organizations: Cancun, WTA, Estadio Paradisus, Pegula, Tennis, Kazakh, Thomson Locations: Cancun, Mexico, Mexican, Los Angeles

☆ Jessica Pegula: US star defeats world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to reach semifinals of WTA Finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Jessica Pegula defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to advance past the group stage and reach the semifinals of the WTA Finals. Rybakina defeated Maria Sakkari 6-0 6-7 7-6 in Tuesday’s other match, meaning the Greek player has been eliminated after losing her second straight match. Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus plays American Jessica Pegula of United States during day 3 of the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico. It is only the fourth time since 2000 that a player on the WTA Tour has recorded three wins over world No.

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Sabalenka, Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Rybakina, Maria Sakkari, “, ”, I’ve, Aryna, Clive Brunskill, Sakkari Organizations: CNN, WTA Locations: Cancun , Mexico, Kazakh, Belarus, United States

☆ Pegula beats Rybakina in WTA Finals opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 29, 2023; Cancun, Mexico; Jessica Pegula (USA) shakes hands with Elena Rybakina (KAZ) after their match on day one of the GNP Saguaros WTA Finals Cancun. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsOct 29 (Reuters) - American Jessica Pegula won 10 of the last 12 games to beat an error-prone Elena Rybakina and notch a 7-5 6-2 win in Group A at the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico, on Sunday. The big-serving Rybakina looked poised to capture the first set when she stepped to the service line leading 5-3 in the opener but Pegula raised her return game for a crucial break. Pegula, who is seeded fifth, will on Tuesday face eighth seed Maria Sakkari of Greece, who was battling top seed Aryna Sabalenka in Sunday's Group A night match. The Oct. 29 to Nov. 5 Finals features the top eight singles players and doubles teams in the world.

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, KAZ, Susan Mullane, Rybakina, Pegula, Maria Sakkari, Rory Carroll, Michael Perry Organizations: Cancun, WTA, Tennis Channel, Thomson Locations: Cancun, Mexico, Cancun , Mexico, Greece, Los Angeles

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — The women's tennis tour defended the court built for the WTA Finals as meeting its “strict performance standards” after No. “Honestly, it’s another level of disrespect from the WTA for the players, because sometimes they don’t even feel safe to move on this court. That’s not the level I expect from the WTA Finals,” Sabalenka said Sunday night after beating Maria Sakkari 6-0, 6-1 in one of the opening matches in round-robin play. ... Everything was late and (there was) no time to fix anything.”Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesThe venue for this year's WTA Finals was not announced until last month, under a one-year agreement with Cancun. “We’re pleased to host the WTA Finals in Cancun for the first time and worked hard to construct a stadium where the world’s top eight women’s tennis players and doubles teams compete head-to-head.

Persons: Sabalenka, That’s, ” Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari, ”, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, it’s, “ We’re, ___ Organizations: WTA, U.S, Wimbledon Locations: CANCUN, Mexico, Cancun

☆ Sabalenka aiming to thwart Swiatek at WTA Finals, keep top spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 29 (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka has enjoyed a stellar 2023 and the Belarusian will head into the season-ending WTA Finals on Sunday in Cancun, Mexico, aiming to fend off Iga Swiatek and secure the year-end world number one ranking. Australian Open champion Sabalenka leapfrogged four-time major winner Swiatek and claimed the top ranking for the first time after the U.S. Open last month. I won a Grand Slam," said French Open champion Swiatek, who will be making her third consecutive WTA Finals appearance." Joining the mix are U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff and fellow American Jessica Pegula, who are also partners in the doubles competition. Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, Kazakh world number four Elena Rybakina, Tunisian world number seven and Greek world number nine Maria Sakkari will also challenge the field as they look to add gloss to their seasons.

Persons: Sabalenka, Iga, Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Marketa Vondrousova, Elena Rybakina, Maria Sakkari, Shrivathsa Sridhar Organizations: U.S, China, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Belarusian, Cancun , Mexico, Flushing Meadows, Polish, Kazakh, Mexico, Guadalajara, Bengaluru

☆ WTA Finals: How to watch and everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —After a season filled with absorbing storylines, the top players on tour will converge at the WTA Finals this week with the year-end No. After reaching at least the semifinals in every grand slam and winning the Australian Open, Sabalenka is currently the world No. 1 and will be joined by Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová, US Open champion Coco Gauff, French Open champion Świątek, Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur, Elena Rybakina and US star Jessica Pegula. In one group Sabalenka, Rybakina, Pegula and Sakkari will face each other while Swiatek, Gauff, Jabeur and Vondrousova will play each other in the other. Sabalenka defeated Rybakina in the Australian Open earlier this year, while Rybakina exacted her revenge in the Indian Wells final.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Świątek, Markéta Vondroušová, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Swiatek, Emmanuel Wong, Muchová, Greece’s Maria Sakkari, Vondrousova, Sabalenka, Rybakina, “ I’m, ” Gauff, ” Coco Gauff, Gauff, Elise Mertens, Storm Hunter, Veronika Kudermetova Organizations: CNN, WTA, Tennis, Tennis Channel, Amazon Prime, Wimbledon, Świątek, Getty, Indian Wells, “ Locations: USA, Ireland, French, Indian, Cancun, Mexico, Guadalajara

☆ WTA Finals: Records, history and the evolution of showpiece event of women’s tennis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —By pitting the world’s best players against each other every year, the WTA Finals have been a celebration of women’s tennis for over half a century. The end-of-year championship sees the eight top-ranked singles players and eight top-ranked doubles pairings battle it out to be crowned the ultimate champions of the year. In 1973, after a meeting with more than 60 other players, King founded the WTA – a new tour uniting all of women’s professional tennis. Mark Foley/APWith women’s tennis entering a new, more prosperous era, the WTA Finals returned for a second year. This year’s WTA Finals begin on October 29, with the final taking place on November 5.

Persons: Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, King, Bobby Riggs, ” Chris Evert, Mark Foley, Evert, Serena Williams, Julian Finney, Monica Seles ’, Gabriela Sabatini, Caroline Garcia, Aryna Sabalenka, Markéta Vondroušová, Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Muchová, Greece’s Maria Sakkari, Aryna, Sarah Stier, Gauff, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Margaret Court, Virginia Wade Organizations: CNN, WTA, Virginia Slims, American, women’s, Garden, Apple, Getty, Guadalajara, Wimbledon Locations: Boca Raton , Florida, “, Los Angeles, New York’s, Oakland, Spain, Turkey, Singapore, Cancun , Mexico, Mexico, French

BEIJING (AP) — Second-ranked Iga Swiatek ended Coco Gauff's 16-match winning streak as she advanced to the China Open final with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory over the U.S. Open champion on Saturday. Swiatek will meet No.22-ranked Liudmila Samsonova in Sunday's final, after the Russian ousted fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina 7-6 (7), 6-3. Swiatek maintained her vice-like grip on the match, breaking Gauff at the start of the second set to lead 2-0. SHANGHAI MASTERSThird-ranked Daniil Medvedev beat Cristian Garin 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday for his 60th win of the season. Sixth-seeded Jannik Sinner, fresh from his China Open final win, had a 7-6 (7), 6-2 victory over Marcos Giron.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff's, Elena Rybakina, Swiatek, “ I’m, ” Swiatek, I’m, It’s, Samsonova, Daniil Medvedev, Cristian Garin 6, Medvedev, Garin, Sebastian Korda ., Tsitsipas, Rinky, Tommy Paul, Sebastian Ofner ., Marcos Giron, Sebastian Baez, Nicolas Jarry, Matteo Arnaldi, Carlos Alcaraz, Frenchman Gregoire Barrere, ___ Organizations: BEIJING, China, U.S, Samsonova, Rybakina, SHANGHAI, Shanghai Masters, China Open Locations: Montreal, Cincinnati, Flushing Meadows, Swiatek, Sunday's, Russian, Shanghai, Italian

☆ Swiatek ends Gauff's 16-match winning streak to reach Beijing final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But Swiatek, who had surrendered her top ranking to Aryna Sabalenka after losing to Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round of the season's final Grand Slam last month, regained her grip on her rivalry with Gauff to reach a seventh final this year. Up next for Swiatek is Samsonova, who beat former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 7-6(7) 6-3 to improve her head-to-head record over the Moscow-born Kazakh world number five to 4-0. "Every time it's a battle with Elena ... She's a champion," Samsonova said. The 24-year-old Samsonova, who is ranked 22, has now beaten three former Grand Slam champions in Beijing with victories over Petra Kvitova and Ostapenko in earlier rounds. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Florence Lo, Swiatek, Coco Gauff's, Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Jelena Ostapenko, I'm, It's, Elena Rybakina, Elena, Samsonova, Petra Kvitova, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Hugh Lawson Organizations: National Tennis Center, United, United States REUTERS, Rights, China, Russian, Cincinnati, U.S ., Wimbledon, Kazakh, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, United States, Rights BEIJING, Moscow, She's, Bengaluru

☆ Sinner powers past Alcaraz to book Beijing final with Medvedev
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Earlier, second seed Medvedev had an easier than expected 6-4 6-3 semi-final win over familiar rival Alexander Zverev. This was the fifth meeting between the pair this year and although Russian world number three Medvedev won three of the previous four, Zverev had won their most recent clash in Cincinnati. The American's frequent doubles partner Jessica Pegula also had to dig deep for a 6-7(2) 6-2 6-1 win over Anna Blinkova. The 29-year-old faces 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko seeking a fourth win in their fifth meeting. World number two Iga Swiatek progressed with a 6-4 6-1 win over Varvara Gracheva and fifth seed Elena Rybakina beat Tatjana Maria 7-5 6-0 after Ons Jabeur lost 7-6(5) 6-1 to Marta Kostyuk.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Zverev, I'm, Aryna Sabalenka, Katie Boulter, Jasmine Paolini, Sabalenka, Wells, Indian Wells, Coco Gauff, Croatia's Petra Martic, Veronika Kudermetova, Gauff, Martic, Jessica Pegula, Anna Blinkova, Pegula, Jelena Ostapenko, Iga Swiatek, Varvara Gracheva, Elena Rybakina, Tatjana Maria, Marta Kostyuk, Trevor Stynes, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: China, Tokyo, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Russian, Cincinnati, Chengdu, Indian

☆ Swiatek on board with WTA's performance byes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Byes are usually reserved for top seeds at events but the performance rule meant world number two Swiatek, who lost in the Tokyo quarters, went into the first round in China. World number one Aryna Sabalenka and number three Coco Gauff missed out on byes as they had not played since the U.S. Open. The Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo was a WTA 500 event, while the China Open is a WTA 1000 tournament. The WTA said it would continue to implement performance byes on a trial basis at its events during the rest of the season and throughout 2024, with adjustments made when required. Elena Rybakina pulled out of last week's Pan Pacific Open citing fitness issues, days after slamming the women's governing body for the introduction of performance byes at the event.

Persons: Iga, Slovenia's Kaja Juvan, Brendan Mcdermid, Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Veronika Kudermetova, Coco Gauff, it's, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Sakkari, Caroline Garcia, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Peter Rutherford, Pritha Organizations: Tennis, Slovenia's Kaja Juvan REUTERS, Tokyo, U.S ., Pan, WTA, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Tokyo, China, Guadalajara, Mexico, Bengaluru

☆ Flawless Kudermetova dismantles Pegula to claim Tokyo title
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It was Kudermetova's second win over Pegula this season - following her victory in the Madrid quarter-finals - and a fifth win in her last six matches against top-10 opponents. It's my second title and I'm proud of myself," said Kudermetova, whose previous title was also a WTA 500 crown at Charleston in 2021. "I prepared myself for a tough match as Jessica is a great player and a great fighter... Pegula counted the positives after a good week in which she did not drop a set until the final. "It's always great to give yourself a chance to win the tournament," Pegula said.

Persons: Russia's Veronika Kudermetova, Jessica Pegula, Androniki, Veronika Kudermetova, Iga, I'm, Jessica, It's, Pegula, Aryna, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Shrivathsa Sridhar, William Mallard, Michael Perry Organizations: Pan, Ariake, U.S, REUTERS, Rights, Pan Pacific, Charleston, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, American, Russian, Madrid, Beijing, Cancun , Mexico, Bengaluru

☆ Rybakina withdraws from Pan Pacific Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Byes for the Pan Pacific Open were given to Maria Sakkari, who won the Guadalajara Open title on Saturday, and Caroline Garcia, who reached the semi-finals. Both players are ranked lower than Rybakina, who was drawn against Linda Noskova in the first round. "As a player I want to give my all on the court and at the moment my body is not ready to do that," Rybakina said on Instagram. "That's why I decided to listen to my body and withdraw from the tournament. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Elena Rybakina, Hannah Mckay, Maria Sakkari, Caroline Garcia, Linda Noskova, Rybakina, Japan, Aadi Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon, Pan, Guadalajara, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Tokyo, Bengaluru

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