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NBA playoffs: LeBron James hits 19 points as Lakers beat Rockets

“I have big ambitions on clay,” Shelton added. “It is a surface I want to improve on each year. It is slowly becoming one of my favourite surfaces.”

Cobolli, who had impressed in the semifinal with a win over Zverev, could not replicate that level in the final.

Shelton dominated the opening set, breaking in Cobolli’s first two service games. The Italian saved eight set points, six on his own serve, before conceding the set on the ninth.

The second set was more closely contested, with both players holding serve until 5-5. A double fault from Cobolli handed Shelton a crucial break, and the American served out the match in one hour and 31 minutes.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Shelton #defeats #Italian #Cobolli #lift #Munich #title #extends #claycourt #surge"> Shelton defeats Italian Cobolli to lift Munich title, extends clay-court surge Second seed Ben Shelton won the ATP 500 clay-court title in Munich for the first time, beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-5 in the final on Sunday.A year after finishing runner-up to Alexander Zverev, the World No. 6 secured the fifth ATP title of his career and his second of the season after Dallas.“I came out at a really high level and have done that before against him,” Shelton said. “The toughest thing is maintaining it as he raises his level. I managed to do that in the second set and played some great tennis.“I’m happy with my performance this week. I got better and better as the week went on, and I’m happy with the work my team and I put in.”Shelton, who won an ATP 250 clay-court title in Houston in 2024, also became the first American man since Andre Agassi at the Rome Masters in 2002 to win a title at a higher level on clay.ALSO READ: NBA playoffs: LeBron James hits 19 points as Lakers beat Rockets“I have big ambitions on clay,” Shelton added. “It is a surface I want to improve on each year. It is slowly becoming one of my favourite surfaces.”Cobolli, who had impressed in the semifinal with a win over Zverev, could not replicate that level in the final.Shelton dominated the opening set, breaking in Cobolli’s first two service games. The Italian saved eight set points, six on his own serve, before conceding the set on the ninth.The second set was more closely contested, with both players holding serve until 5-5. A double fault from Cobolli handed Shelton a crucial break, and the American served out the match in one hour and 31 minutes.Published on Apr 19, 2026 #Shelton #defeats #Italian #Cobolli #lift #Munich #title #extends #claycourt #surge
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NBA playoffs: LeBron James hits 19 points as Lakers beat Rockets

“I have big ambitions on clay,” Shelton added. “It is a surface I want to improve on each year. It is slowly becoming one of my favourite surfaces.”

Cobolli, who had impressed in the semifinal with a win over Zverev, could not replicate that level in the final.

Shelton dominated the opening set, breaking in Cobolli’s first two service games. The Italian saved eight set points, six on his own serve, before conceding the set on the ninth.

The second set was more closely contested, with both players holding serve until 5-5. A double fault from Cobolli handed Shelton a crucial break, and the American served out the match in one hour and 31 minutes.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Shelton #defeats #Italian #Cobolli #lift #Munich #title #extends #claycourt #surge">Shelton defeats Italian Cobolli to lift Munich title, extends clay-court surge

Second seed Ben Shelton won the ATP 500 clay-court title in Munich for the first time, beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-5 in the final on Sunday.

A year after finishing runner-up to Alexander Zverev, the World No. 6 secured the fifth ATP title of his career and his second of the season after Dallas.

“I came out at a really high level and have done that before against him,” Shelton said. “The toughest thing is maintaining it as he raises his level. I managed to do that in the second set and played some great tennis.

“I’m happy with my performance this week. I got better and better as the week went on, and I’m happy with the work my team and I put in.”

Shelton, who won an ATP 250 clay-court title in Houston in 2024, also became the first American man since Andre Agassi at the Rome Masters in 2002 to win a title at a higher level on clay.

ALSO READ: NBA playoffs: LeBron James hits 19 points as Lakers beat Rockets

“I have big ambitions on clay,” Shelton added. “It is a surface I want to improve on each year. It is slowly becoming one of my favourite surfaces.”

Cobolli, who had impressed in the semifinal with a win over Zverev, could not replicate that level in the final.

Shelton dominated the opening set, breaking in Cobolli’s first two service games. The Italian saved eight set points, six on his own serve, before conceding the set on the ninth.

The second set was more closely contested, with both players holding serve until 5-5. A double fault from Cobolli handed Shelton a crucial break, and the American served out the match in one hour and 31 minutes.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Shelton #defeats #Italian #Cobolli #lift #Munich #title #extends #claycourt #surge

Second seed Ben Shelton won the ATP 500 clay-court title in Munich for the first…

Binaghi noted that the Madrid Open is introducing practice courts inside Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, so the San Siro could be an option: “For once, we wouldn’t be the first to do it.”

Italy previously hosted a WTA tournament on grass in Gaiba from 2022-24. The federation is also hosting the ATP Finals, currently in Turin, through 2030 and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna through next year.

Meanwhile, the federation is preparing to host the Italian Open next month.

After Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo Masters final on Sunday, organisers are optimistic that he could become the first Italian man to claim the singles title at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago.

“We’ve got to try and win the men’s singles. The time is right,” Binaghi said at the tournament presentation, noting that Italy has three other players ranked in the top 25: No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 16 Flavio Cobolli and No. 21 Luciano Darderi.

Alcaraz beat Sinner in last year’s Rome final in Sinner’s first tournament back from a three-month doping ban; while Jasmine Paolini earned Italy the titles in both women’s singles and doubles (with partner Sara Errani).

Work on a retractable roof for Campo Centrale is slated to start immediately after this year’s Italian Open and be ready for the 2028 edition.

Capacity for the revised stadium will increase from 10,500 to 12,400 for tennis; and more for other sports such as basketball.

Binaghi also said he still hopes to make the Italian Open a fifth Grand Slam to join the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open as the sport’s biggest tournaments.

Binaghi first raised the idea last year — which would upend a century of tennis history. His federation is interested in acquiring the license for the Madrid Open, which immediately precedes Rome in the tennis calendar. The idea is that by eliminating Madrid and making Rome bigger, it could constitute a fifth Slam.

“I think about it every day,” Binaghi said. “There’s only a brief window when we can achieve this. … Italy would benefit from it for 100 years. It’s our dream.”

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#Italy #host #grasscourt #ATP #event #prior #Wimbledon"> Italy to host grasscourt ATP event prior to Wimbledon from 2028 The ATP Finals. The Davis Cup Finals. And now a Wimbledon tuneup on grass courts that could be played on the football pitch inside Milan’s San Siro stadium.Led by top-ranked Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis movement keeps on adding new events.The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation has purchased the rights for a 250-level ATP Tour tournament in Brussels that is held in October, federation president Angelo Binaghi announced on Tuesday.The event will be held each June starting in 2028.“There’s still time to decide where to play it,” Binaghi said. “For climate reasons, it will probably be held in northern Italy.”Un altro grande passo per il tennis italiano. 🌱🇮🇹Dal 2028 il nostro Paese ospiterà per la prima volta un evento ATP su erba, ampliando l’offerta di grandi eventi internazionali e rafforzando la crescita del movimento. pic.twitter.com/tdWget6BoX— FITP (@federtennis) April 14, 2026Binaghi noted that the Madrid Open is introducing practice courts inside Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, so the San Siro could be an option: “For once, we wouldn’t be the first to do it.”Italy previously hosted a WTA tournament on grass in Gaiba from 2022-24. The federation is also hosting the ATP Finals, currently in Turin, through 2030 and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna through next year.Meanwhile, the federation is preparing to host the Italian Open next month.After Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo Masters final on Sunday, organisers are optimistic that he could become the first Italian man to claim the singles title at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago.“We’ve got to try and win the men’s singles. The time is right,” Binaghi said at the tournament presentation, noting that Italy has three other players ranked in the top 25: No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 16 Flavio Cobolli and No. 21 Luciano Darderi.Alcaraz beat Sinner in last year’s Rome final in Sinner’s first tournament back from a three-month doping ban; while Jasmine Paolini earned Italy the titles in both women’s singles and doubles (with partner Sara Errani).Work on a retractable roof for Campo Centrale is slated to start immediately after this year’s Italian Open and be ready for the 2028 edition.Capacity for the revised stadium will increase from 10,500 to 12,400 for tennis; and more for other sports such as basketball.Binaghi also said he still hopes to make the Italian Open a fifth Grand Slam to join the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open as the sport’s biggest tournaments.Binaghi first raised the idea last year — which would upend a century of tennis history. His federation is interested in acquiring the license for the Madrid Open, which immediately precedes Rome in the tennis calendar. The idea is that by eliminating Madrid and making Rome bigger, it could constitute a fifth Slam.“I think about it every day,” Binaghi said. “There’s only a brief window when we can achieve this. … Italy would benefit from it for 100 years. It’s our dream.”Published on Apr 15, 2026 #Italy #host #grasscourt #ATP #event #prior #Wimbledon
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Binaghi noted that the Madrid Open is introducing practice courts inside Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, so the San Siro could be an option: “For once, we wouldn’t be the first to do it.”

Italy previously hosted a WTA tournament on grass in Gaiba from 2022-24. The federation is also hosting the ATP Finals, currently in Turin, through 2030 and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna through next year.

Meanwhile, the federation is preparing to host the Italian Open next month.

After Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo Masters final on Sunday, organisers are optimistic that he could become the first Italian man to claim the singles title at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago.

“We’ve got to try and win the men’s singles. The time is right,” Binaghi said at the tournament presentation, noting that Italy has three other players ranked in the top 25: No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 16 Flavio Cobolli and No. 21 Luciano Darderi.

Alcaraz beat Sinner in last year’s Rome final in Sinner’s first tournament back from a three-month doping ban; while Jasmine Paolini earned Italy the titles in both women’s singles and doubles (with partner Sara Errani).

Work on a retractable roof for Campo Centrale is slated to start immediately after this year’s Italian Open and be ready for the 2028 edition.

Capacity for the revised stadium will increase from 10,500 to 12,400 for tennis; and more for other sports such as basketball.

Binaghi also said he still hopes to make the Italian Open a fifth Grand Slam to join the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open as the sport’s biggest tournaments.

Binaghi first raised the idea last year — which would upend a century of tennis history. His federation is interested in acquiring the license for the Madrid Open, which immediately precedes Rome in the tennis calendar. The idea is that by eliminating Madrid and making Rome bigger, it could constitute a fifth Slam.

“I think about it every day,” Binaghi said. “There’s only a brief window when we can achieve this. … Italy would benefit from it for 100 years. It’s our dream.”

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#Italy #host #grasscourt #ATP #event #prior #Wimbledon">Italy to host grasscourt ATP event prior to Wimbledon from 2028

The ATP Finals. The Davis Cup Finals. And now a Wimbledon tuneup on grass courts that could be played on the football pitch inside Milan’s San Siro stadium.

Led by top-ranked Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis movement keeps on adding new events.

The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation has purchased the rights for a 250-level ATP Tour tournament in Brussels that is held in October, federation president Angelo Binaghi announced on Tuesday.

The event will be held each June starting in 2028.

“There’s still time to decide where to play it,” Binaghi said. “For climate reasons, it will probably be held in northern Italy.”

Binaghi noted that the Madrid Open is introducing practice courts inside Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, so the San Siro could be an option: “For once, we wouldn’t be the first to do it.”

Italy previously hosted a WTA tournament on grass in Gaiba from 2022-24. The federation is also hosting the ATP Finals, currently in Turin, through 2030 and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna through next year.

Meanwhile, the federation is preparing to host the Italian Open next month.

After Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo Masters final on Sunday, organisers are optimistic that he could become the first Italian man to claim the singles title at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago.

“We’ve got to try and win the men’s singles. The time is right,” Binaghi said at the tournament presentation, noting that Italy has three other players ranked in the top 25: No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 16 Flavio Cobolli and No. 21 Luciano Darderi.

Alcaraz beat Sinner in last year’s Rome final in Sinner’s first tournament back from a three-month doping ban; while Jasmine Paolini earned Italy the titles in both women’s singles and doubles (with partner Sara Errani).

Work on a retractable roof for Campo Centrale is slated to start immediately after this year’s Italian Open and be ready for the 2028 edition.

Capacity for the revised stadium will increase from 10,500 to 12,400 for tennis; and more for other sports such as basketball.

Binaghi also said he still hopes to make the Italian Open a fifth Grand Slam to join the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open as the sport’s biggest tournaments.

Binaghi first raised the idea last year — which would upend a century of tennis history. His federation is interested in acquiring the license for the Madrid Open, which immediately precedes Rome in the tennis calendar. The idea is that by eliminating Madrid and making Rome bigger, it could constitute a fifth Slam.

“I think about it every day,” Binaghi said. “There’s only a brief window when we can achieve this. … Italy would benefit from it for 100 years. It’s our dream.”

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#Italy #host #grasscourt #ATP #event #prior #Wimbledon

The ATP Finals. The Davis Cup Finals. And now a Wimbledon tuneup on grass courts…