Alcaraz beats Draper at Italian Open, Sabalenka felled by Zheng
Third seed Carlos Alcaraz overcame a nervy start to beat Briton Jack Draper 6-4 6-4 on Wednesday and reach the Italian Open semi-finals for the first time.
Alexander Zverev Sport News
Carlos Alcaraz Sails Past Jack Draper, Enters Italian Open Semi-Finals
Carlos Alcaraz strode into the semi-finals of the Italian Open on Wednesday after putting in a powerful display to down Jack Draper in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Third seed Alcaraz will face one of reigning Rome champion Alexander Zverev and home hope Lorenzo Musetti, the day's final pairing on centre court, in the last four at the Foro Italico. His impressive win over Draper kept alive his chances of a third title of the season and also moved him up to number two in the world rankings behind Jannik Sinner.
Coco Gauff Defeats Mirra Andreeva, Marches Into Italian Open Semi-Finals
Coco Gauff marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open on Wednesday by beating Mirra Andreeva in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5). American Gauff has guaranteed herself number two in the world rankings with her solid displays in Rome, where she saw off seventh seed Andreeva on centre court. Former US Open winner Gauff could face tournament favourite Aryna Sabalenka in the last four with the world number one taking on Zheng Qinwen later on Wednesday. Gauff is looking for her first title of the season, ahead of Roland Garros starting later this month, after losing the Madrid final to Sabalenka.
Alcaraz beats Draper at Italian Open, Gauff overpowers Andreeva
Third seed Carlos Alcaraz overcame a nervy start to beat Briton Jack Draper 6-4 6-4 on Wednesday and reach the Italian Open semi-finals for the first time.
Sinner moves through gears to reach Italian Open quarters
ROME: Jannik Sinner came through the first true test of his comeback from a doping ban with Tuesday’s straight-sets win over Francisco Cerundolo which took the world number one into the Italian Open quarter-finals. Italian Sinner bested 17th seed Cerundolo 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in a match which was delayed by a couple of hours due to a torrential downpour to set up a last-eight clash with either Casper Ruud or Jaume Munar. Cerundolo knocked out Sinner in the last 16 the last time he played here in 2023, but that was before the 23-year-old had became the tournament-winning machine he is today. Sinner is finding his feet in Rome, his first tournament since the end of a three-month suspension accepted in February from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) following two positive tests for traces of clostebol in March last year. His true target is the French Open which follows his home event and he showed some signs of rediscovering the form which has won him three Grand Slams and last year’s ATP Finals. Sinner had to battle through the first set against spirited Cerundolo but once he prevailed in the tie-break he built up an unassailable lead by winning four games in a row in the second. The packed center court stands hailed their hero after he took the win at the fourth time of asking and continue his bid for a first Rome title. The rain which delayed Sinner’s match had a much bigger impact on his compatriot Lorenzo Musetti, who reached the last eight after having to wait nearly three hours at match point before he could finish off his victory over Daniil Medvedev. World number nine Musetti will face either reigning Rome champion Alexander Zverev in the last eight after seeing off Medvedev 7-5, 6-4. Musetti held his nerve to win on
Novak Djokovic And Coach Andy Murray Part Ways After Six Months
Novak Djokovic announced on Tuesday that he will be parting ways with his former rival and current coach, Andy Murray, after a stint of six months. Djokovic, 37, had brought Murray to his coaching staff ahead of the Australian Open 2025. Taking to Instagram, Djokovic said, "Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over last six months on and off the court. I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together." The partnership started in a promising way, with the icon defeating Carlos Alcaraz to make it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, the first Slam of the year. However, an injury forced him to retire from the tournament during the semifinal against Alexander Zverev. Djokovic though, was full of praise he received from his long-time rival.
Zverev says out-of-form Djokovic can become dangerous again
Novak Djokovic’s tennis prowess is beyond question despite a sharp dip in form during the European claycourt swing and the veteran Serb can return to his devastating best again if he wants to, world number two Alexander Zverev has said. Djokovic turns 38 three days before the French Open, which begins on May 25, and the 24-times Grand Slam winner’s preparations have been far from ideal, with opening losses at Masters tournaments in Monte Carlo and Madrid last month. After skipping the ongoing Italian Open without giving a reason, Djokovic will make one final attempt to rediscover his rhythm at next week’s Geneva Open after accepting a wild card and Zverev warned against writing off his friend completely. “Maybe he didn’t play up to his standard or his liking, but who does sometimes? If you’re a top guy and you’re not winning the tournament, you always go home a little bit upset,” Zverev told reporters in Rome on Sunday. “I believe once he finds his game, he’s still one of the most dangerous players in the world.” World number six Djokovic, who is chasing his 100th tour-level title, has struggled to assert his dominance after winning three out of the four Grand Slams in 2023. However, he stepped up his game at the Paris Olympics last year to win gold, outclassing four-times major champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final at Roland Garros. “There’s no question about his ability at all,” said Zverev, who advanced to this year’s Australian Open final after Djokovic retired injured midway through their clash. “It’s more whether he still wants to put in the work. That’s a question to him.
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic ‘will no longer be working together’
Andy Murray’s partnership with Novak Djokovic has come to an end after the pair announced they would no longer be working together.