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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"> 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
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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">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…

Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal

“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.

“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.

“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”

While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.

“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros"> Madrid Open: Fils ready for Sinner clash ahead of Roland Garros Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run ​to the Madrid Open semifinals shows he has fully ‌recovered from a long-term back problem and is ​ready to make a real statement ⁠at the French Open on home soil.A stress fracture in his lower back suffered at Roland Garros last year all ‌but wiped out the remainder of Fils’ season, with his brief return in Toronto in ‌August proving to be premature and forcing ‌another ⁠long period of rehabilitation.Since returning in February, ⁠Fils has made deep runs at Doha, Indian Wells and Miami before going all the way in Barcelona, where he downed Andrey ​Rublev in the final ‌to win his first title since his comeback.Fils beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid quarters on Wednesday to further heighten expectations before the ‌French Open begins on May 24, but ​the 21-year-old is shutting out all the noise.READ | Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros
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Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal

“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.

“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.

“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”

While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.

“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros">Madrid Open: Fils ready for Sinner clash ahead of Roland Garros

Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run ​to the Madrid Open semifinals shows he has fully ‌recovered from a long-term back problem and is ​ready to make a real statement ⁠at the French Open on home soil.

A stress fracture in his lower back suffered at Roland Garros last year all ‌but wiped out the remainder of Fils’ season, with his brief return in Toronto in ‌August proving to be premature and forcing ‌another ⁠long period of rehabilitation.

Since returning in February, ⁠Fils has made deep runs at Doha, Indian Wells and Miami before going all the way in Barcelona, where he downed Andrey ​Rublev in the final ‌to win his first title since his comeback.

Fils beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid quarters on Wednesday to further heighten expectations before the ‌French Open begins on May 24, but ​the 21-year-old is shutting out all the noise.

READ | Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal

“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.

“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.

“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”

While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.

“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros

Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run ​to…

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…