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Vacherot beats cousin Rinderknech to clinch Shanghai Masters title

SHANGHAI: Monegasque Valentin Vacherot completed a fairytale run at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, rallying from a set down to defeat his cousin, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the final and secure his first ATP 1000 title. The 26-year-old’s victory made him the first player from Monaco to win an ATP singles title and set a record as the lowest-ranked player to triumph at an ATP Masters 1000 event. The victorious Vacherot was overwhelmed with emotion, before sharing a heartfelt embrace with his older cousin Rinderknech, 30. Vacherot’s remarkable run means he will break into the ATP top 100 for the first time, while Rinderknech, ranked 54th, is set to rise into the top 40 when the latest rankings are released on Monday. “I mean, I’m just all like, crying, it’s just, it’s unreal what just happened. I have no idea what’s happening right now, I’m not in a dream, it’s just crazy.

‘Feels great’: Coco Gauff relishing return to defend her title at WTA Finals in Riyadh

DUBAI: When an 18-year-old Coco Gauff qualified for her first WTA Finals in 2022, she lost all six matches she played across singles and doubles that week in Fort Worth, Texas.

Pro-Palestinian march in Oslo ahead of Israel v Norway match

OSLO: Hundreds of people attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Oslo on Saturday ahead of Israel’s World Cup qualifier against Norway, chanting “Free Palestine” to protest against Israel’s “genocide,” AFP journalists reported. Many demonstrators wore Palestinian keffiyeh shawls draped over their shoulders and waved Palestinian flags as they gathered in the city center before walking in a procession to the Ullevaal stadium. Smoke flares were lit but the atmosphere remained calm.

Coco Gauff overcomes 7 double faults to beat Jasmine Paolini and reach Wuhan final

WUHAN: Coco Gauff had more struggles with her serve but overcame seven double faults to beat Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3 and reach the Wuhan Open final on Saturday. With both top-10 players struggling with their service games, Gauff edged Paolini winning the battle of converted breaks seven-to-five. The third-ranked Gauff fought back from three breaks in the second set and won the final four games to advance to the final. Gauff, who changed her serving coach in August, leads the women’s circuit this season with 378 double faults, over 120 more than the next player. Fifth-ranked Paolini had eliminated Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka faces Jessica Pegula in the other semifinal on Saturday.

Vacherot surprises himself as he puts Monaco on the map

SHANGHAI :Valentin Vacherot said he surprised himself by how he managed his Shanghai Masters semi-final upset win over Novak Djokovic as the world number 204 beat the 24-times Grand Slam champion 6-3 6-4 to march into the final.

Schauffele grabs share of Japan lead in bid to break drought

YOKOHAMA: Xander Schauffele closed in on his first win of the year after grabbing a share of the lead Saturday heading into the final day of the US PGA Tour’s Baycurrent Classic in Japan. The American carded a third-round four-under-par 67 at a rain-soaked Yokohama Country Club to move level with Max Greyserman on 12-under, three shots clear of their nearest challengers. Schauffele won the British Open and the PGA Championship in 2024 but has yet to lift a trophy this year and has only finished in the top 10 three times. The 31-year-old, part of the losing US Ryder Cup team two weeks ago, said confidence was “a tricky thing.” “It takes a while to grow and then it goes away quickly,” he said. “I’m just trying to put one walk after the other and slowly grow that confidence.

‘Filling a moral vacuum’: Ashish Prashar leads global campaign to eject Israel from football

DUBAI: On Sept. 17, New Yorkers and tourists in Times Square were greeted by a billboard that said: “Israel is committing genocide. No genocide on the pitch.”

Ailing Djokovic beaten in Shanghai semis by qualifier Vacherot

SHANGHAI: An ailing Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters semifinals on Saturday by world number 204 Valentin Vacherot. The 26-year-old qualifier from Monaco beat Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 to deny him a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai. A hobbling Djokovic, 38, threw up courtside and received medical treatment multiple times. Vacherot will face either his cousin, the unseeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, or Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final. “I’m trying to pinch myself, is this real,” said Vacherot after the biggest win of his career. “I know not many of you guys wanted me to win,” he told the crowd, who had cheered thunderously for 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic. “To have Novak on the other side of the court was first of all an invaluable experience for me. “I have a hundred feelings right now.” Djokovic, the former world number one, said Vacherot’s unlikely run in the tournament was “an amazing story.” Vacherot is the lowest-ranked player to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final since the format’s introduction in 1990. “I told him at the net that he’s had an amazing tournament, but more so his attitude is very good...so it’s all about him,” said Djokovic. “I wish him all the best in the finals and the better player won today.” Health issues Djokovic declined to answer questions about his physical state. He had said after his last match that he was concerned after battling vomiting bouts, leg injury scares and fatigue throughout the tournament. However, he looked alert and seemed to be having a dream start when he broke in the first game. But the satisfaction was short-lived as Vacherot broke back instantly. The Serb began having issues in his left leg at the start of the seventh game, stopping to

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Tennis Sport News

Vacherot beats cousin Rinderknech to clinch Shanghai Masters title

‘Feels great’: Coco Gauff relishing return to defend her title at WTA Finals in Riyadh

Pro-Palestinian march in Oslo ahead of Israel v Norway match

Coco Gauff overcomes 7 double faults to beat Jasmine Paolini and reach Wuhan final

Vacherot surprises himself as he puts Monaco on the map

Schauffele grabs share of Japan lead in bid to break drought

‘Filling a moral vacuum’: Ashish Prashar leads global campaign to eject Israel from football

Ailing Djokovic beaten in Shanghai semis by qualifier Vacherot