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Sinner reaches Madrid Open final with straight-sets win over Arthur Fils  World No. 1 Jannik Sinner beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Madrid Open final on Friday.The Italian won his 22nd straight match to book a place in Sunday’s final, where he will aim to win a record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title.With his chief rival Carlos Alcaraz out injured, Sinner is the firm favourite to triumph at the Caja Magica and add to his recent titles at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo.The 24-year-old will face second seed Alexander Zverev or promising Belgian Alexander Blockx in the final.Beating Sinner right now seems a near-impossible task, and the four-time Grand Slam champion started superbly against Barcelona Open winner Fils, who has impressed since returning from injury in February.The Italian broke in the third game when Fils went long to lead 2-1.Sinner broke again in the fifth game, with Fils, ranked 25th in the world, unable to cope with his power from the baseline.ALSO READ: Japan’s Nishikori, who reached 2014 US Open final, to retire at end of seasonThe Frenchman has not yet reached a Masters 1000 final and, with Sinner in excellent form, it quickly became clear he would have to wait a little longer.Sinner wrapped up the first set on serve after Fils found some resistance to prevent a third break.The second set was far closer, with Fils growing in confidence.The 21-year-old saved two break points to take a 3-2 lead and then put pressure on Sinner’s next service game, although the Italian produced two aces to hold.Sinner broke with a down-the-line backhand winner at the end of an excellent rally to take a 5-4 lead, before serving out the match.Published on May 01, 2026  #Sinner #reaches #Madrid #Open #final #straightsets #win #Arthur #Fils

Sinner reaches Madrid Open final with straight-sets win over Arthur Fils

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Madrid Open final on Friday.

The Italian won his 22nd straight match to book a place in Sunday’s final, where he will aim to win a record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title.

With his chief rival Carlos Alcaraz out injured, Sinner is the firm favourite to triumph at the Caja Magica and add to his recent titles at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo.

The 24-year-old will face second seed Alexander Zverev or promising Belgian Alexander Blockx in the final.

Beating Sinner right now seems a near-impossible task, and the four-time Grand Slam champion started superbly against Barcelona Open winner Fils, who has impressed since returning from injury in February.

The Italian broke in the third game when Fils went long to lead 2-1.

Sinner broke again in the fifth game, with Fils, ranked 25th in the world, unable to cope with his power from the baseline.

ALSO READ: Japan’s Nishikori, who reached 2014 US Open final, to retire at end of season

The Frenchman has not yet reached a Masters 1000 final and, with Sinner in excellent form, it quickly became clear he would have to wait a little longer.

Sinner wrapped up the first set on serve after Fils found some resistance to prevent a third break.

The second set was far closer, with Fils growing in confidence.

The 21-year-old saved two break points to take a 3-2 lead and then put pressure on Sinner’s next service game, although the Italian produced two aces to hold.

Sinner broke with a down-the-line backhand winner at the end of an excellent rally to take a 5-4 lead, before serving out the match.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Sinner #reaches #Madrid #Open #final #straightsets #win #Arthur #Fils

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Madrid Open final on Friday.

The Italian won his 22nd straight match to book a place in Sunday’s final, where he will aim to win a record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title.

With his chief rival Carlos Alcaraz out injured, Sinner is the firm favourite to triumph at the Caja Magica and add to his recent titles at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo.

The 24-year-old will face second seed Alexander Zverev or promising Belgian Alexander Blockx in the final.

Beating Sinner right now seems a near-impossible task, and the four-time Grand Slam champion started superbly against Barcelona Open winner Fils, who has impressed since returning from injury in February.

The Italian broke in the third game when Fils went long to lead 2-1.

Sinner broke again in the fifth game, with Fils, ranked 25th in the world, unable to cope with his power from the baseline.

ALSO READ: Japan’s Nishikori, who reached 2014 US Open final, to retire at end of season

The Frenchman has not yet reached a Masters 1000 final and, with Sinner in excellent form, it quickly became clear he would have to wait a little longer.

Sinner wrapped up the first set on serve after Fils found some resistance to prevent a third break.

The second set was far closer, with Fils growing in confidence.

The 21-year-old saved two break points to take a 3-2 lead and then put pressure on Sinner’s next service game, although the Italian produced two aces to hold.

Sinner broke with a down-the-line backhand winner at the end of an excellent rally to take a 5-4 lead, before serving out the match.

Published on May 01, 2026

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#Sinner #reaches #Madrid #Open #final #straightsets #win #Arthur #Fils

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi began his campaign at the 31st TePe Sigeman & Co tournament on a positive note, holding World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen to a draw in Round 1 in Malmo on Friday.

Carlsen pressed on the queenside with a space-gaining plan, but Arjun defended accurately with 24…b6!, shutting down the passed-pawn threat before activating his knight to force simplification.

Once the rooks were exchanged, White had no clear way through and the players settled for a draw.

Arjun has had a slow start to 2026, finishing 13th at the Tata Steel Masters and sixth at the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship, which Carlsen went on to win.

The tournament, considered one of the strongest classical chess events, features a host of former champions once again competing for the top prize, including 2024 winner Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, 2021 champion Jorden van Foreest and Swedish No. 1 Nils Grandelius.

Published on May 01, 2026

#TePe #Sigeman #Arjun #begins #campaign #draw #World #Carlsen">TePe Sigeman 2026: Arjun  begins campaign with draw against World No. 1 Carlsen  Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi began his campaign at the 31st TePe Sigeman & Co tournament on a positive note, holding World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen to a draw in Round 1 in Malmo on Friday.Carlsen pressed on the queenside with a space-gaining plan, but Arjun defended accurately with 24…b6!, shutting down the passed-pawn threat before activating his knight to force simplification.Once the rooks were exchanged, White had no clear way through and the players settled for a draw.Arjun has had a slow start to 2026, finishing 13th at the Tata Steel Masters and sixth at the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship, which Carlsen went on to win.The tournament, considered one of the strongest classical chess events, features a host of former champions once again competing for the top prize, including 2024 winner Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, 2021 champion Jorden van Foreest and Swedish No. 1 Nils Grandelius.Published on May 01, 2026  #TePe #Sigeman #Arjun #begins #campaign #draw #World #Carlsen

Deadspin | Streaking Quakes may be without key player at Toronto  Apr 25, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Timo Werner (11) celebrates after scoring against St. Louis CITY SC in the second half at Energizer Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images   The league-leading San Jose Earthquakes may not be at full strength Saturday afternoon as they look to continue the best run in franchise history at Toronto FC.  The Earthquakes (9-1-0, 27 points) extended their club-record winning streak to eight matches in all competitions when they eliminated Minnesota United FC in the Round of 16 at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by a score of 4-2 on Tuesday. Jack Skahan, Beau Leroux and Niko Tsakiris each scored in a seven-minute stretch to rally the Quakes from a 2-1 deficit.  It wasn’t all good news for head coach Bruce Arena’s side. April’s MLS Player of the Month Timo Werner, who had played the full 90 minutes three days earlier against St. Louis, was forced off in the 34th minute with a hamstring injury and may not feature in the matinee at Toronto.  “We’re somewhat limited. It’s not like you take Timo off and the next guy can fill that void,” Arena admitted after match vs. Minnesota. “And how we manage it, it’s never perfect, and we try our best, but the part that you manage is how you work every day with the players and you give them the confidence to know that when their numbers fall, they’re ready to play.”  Toronto FC (3-3-4, 13 points) are dealing with their own injury problems in the midst of a four-match winless run.    Center-back Benjamin Kuscevic and midfielder Jose Cifuentes made for two more additions to TFC’s lengthy injury list in their 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United last Saturday. Designated players Djordje Mihailovic and Richie Laryea were among those absent. Deandre Kerr and Walker Zimmerman, who was away for the birth of his daughter, are slated to return.  “I feel like we just have to put our heads down and work and the guys who are available have to step up,” head coach Robin Fraser said on Thursday.  The fixture will mark the two teams’ first encounter in more than three years. Four of their last five clashes have ended in draws, dating back to August of 2018.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Streaking #Quakes #key #player #TorontoApr 25, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Timo Werner (11) celebrates after scoring against St. Louis CITY SC in the second half at Energizer Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

The league-leading San Jose Earthquakes may not be at full strength Saturday afternoon as they look to continue the best run in franchise history at Toronto FC.

The Earthquakes (9-1-0, 27 points) extended their club-record winning streak to eight matches in all competitions when they eliminated Minnesota United FC in the Round of 16 at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by a score of 4-2 on Tuesday. Jack Skahan, Beau Leroux and Niko Tsakiris each scored in a seven-minute stretch to rally the Quakes from a 2-1 deficit.

It wasn’t all good news for head coach Bruce Arena’s side. April’s MLS Player of the Month Timo Werner, who had played the full 90 minutes three days earlier against St. Louis, was forced off in the 34th minute with a hamstring injury and may not feature in the matinee at Toronto.

“We’re somewhat limited. It’s not like you take Timo off and the next guy can fill that void,” Arena admitted after match vs. Minnesota. “And how we manage it, it’s never perfect, and we try our best, but the part that you manage is how you work every day with the players and you give them the confidence to know that when their numbers fall, they’re ready to play.”


Toronto FC (3-3-4, 13 points) are dealing with their own injury problems in the midst of a four-match winless run.

Center-back Benjamin Kuscevic and midfielder Jose Cifuentes made for two more additions to TFC’s lengthy injury list in their 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United last Saturday. Designated players Djordje Mihailovic and Richie Laryea were among those absent. Deandre Kerr and Walker Zimmerman, who was away for the birth of his daughter, are slated to return.

“I feel like we just have to put our heads down and work and the guys who are available have to step up,” head coach Robin Fraser said on Thursday.

The fixture will mark the two teams’ first encounter in more than three years. Four of their last five clashes have ended in draws, dating back to August of 2018.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Streaking #Quakes #key #player #Toronto">Deadspin | Streaking Quakes may be without key player at Toronto  Apr 25, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Timo Werner (11) celebrates after scoring against St. Louis CITY SC in the second half at Energizer Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images   The league-leading San Jose Earthquakes may not be at full strength Saturday afternoon as they look to continue the best run in franchise history at Toronto FC.  The Earthquakes (9-1-0, 27 points) extended their club-record winning streak to eight matches in all competitions when they eliminated Minnesota United FC in the Round of 16 at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by a score of 4-2 on Tuesday. Jack Skahan, Beau Leroux and Niko Tsakiris each scored in a seven-minute stretch to rally the Quakes from a 2-1 deficit.  It wasn’t all good news for head coach Bruce Arena’s side. April’s MLS Player of the Month Timo Werner, who had played the full 90 minutes three days earlier against St. Louis, was forced off in the 34th minute with a hamstring injury and may not feature in the matinee at Toronto.  “We’re somewhat limited. It’s not like you take Timo off and the next guy can fill that void,” Arena admitted after match vs. Minnesota. “And how we manage it, it’s never perfect, and we try our best, but the part that you manage is how you work every day with the players and you give them the confidence to know that when their numbers fall, they’re ready to play.”  Toronto FC (3-3-4, 13 points) are dealing with their own injury problems in the midst of a four-match winless run.    Center-back Benjamin Kuscevic and midfielder Jose Cifuentes made for two more additions to TFC’s lengthy injury list in their 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United last Saturday. Designated players Djordje Mihailovic and Richie Laryea were among those absent. Deandre Kerr and Walker Zimmerman, who was away for the birth of his daughter, are slated to return.  “I feel like we just have to put our heads down and work and the guys who are available have to step up,” head coach Robin Fraser said on Thursday.  The fixture will mark the two teams’ first encounter in more than three years. Four of their last five clashes have ended in draws, dating back to August of 2018.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Streaking #Quakes #key #player #Toronto

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