Schwartzman misses chance at ATP Finals; Raonic wins

Associated PressNov 6, 2020, 4:05 PM EST

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PARIS — Diego Schwartzman missed securing a place in the season-ending ATP Finals after losing to Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-1 in the Paris Masters quarterfinals on Friday.

A semifinal berth would have sealed the last place at the finals in London from Nov. 15-22.

Schwartzman remained favored to qualify, however, because Pablo Carreno Busta needs to win this tournament and the Sofia Open next week in Bulgaria, or win here and lose the other final to anyone but Schwartzman.

Also, Carreno Busta faced top-seeded Rafael Nadal later Friday, trailing him 6-0 in their matches. Alexander Zverev was taking on Stan Wawrinka in the last match on center court.

Medvedev, the 2019 U.S. Open runner-up, was first on court and off just one hour later.

“The level today was really good, so that’s a level I want to be all the time,” he said. “But it’s impossible in tennis.”

The big-hitting Russian did not face a break point and was near perfect on first serve winning 27 of 28 points. He was clinical, too, breaking Schwartzman twice in each set.

“Against Daniil, you have to put every single point, 15, 20 balls, not trying to do winners quickly,” said Schwartzman, who has lost all four career matches against him. “I didn’t have the patience to do it today.”

Medvedev next faces 2014 runner-up Milos Raonic, who saved two match points in beating unseeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7) in their first meeting.

The Canadian saved the match points in a nail-biting tiebreaker, then concluded on his second match point with his 25th ace.

Humbert missed a big chance at the start of the deciding set, failing to punish Raonic when he was 0-40 down on serve.

Then, Humbert led 5-1 in the tiebreaker and earned match point when Raonic’s forehand went long. But Raonic held his nerve to save it with a forehand winner at the net following a long rally, and saved the second match point with a strong serve that Humbert patted into the net.

After Humbert saved match point at 7-6, he fluffed a routine backhand down the line to make it 8-7 to Raonic, who let out a loud shout after an ace.

Alcaraz, Sabalenka advance to 4th round of Miami Open

Associated PressMar 27, 2023, 12:13 PM EDT

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz of Spain beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-0, 7-6 (5) and will face American Tommy Paul.

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus cruised past Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday.

“I lost the first and only match that I played against Tommy” Alcaraz said. “I know that he’s a really talented and really tough player, so I have to play at my best. Let’s see what’s going to happen on Tuesday.

Paul and fellow American No. 10 Taylor Fritz advanced in straight sets.

Bianca Andreescu of Canada – the 2019 U.S. Open champion – beat 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin of the United States 6-4, 6-4.

Andreescu advanced to the tournament’s fourth round for the third time. She had seven aces to Kenin’s one, and double-faulted only once as she won the third straight matchup between the Grand Slam champions. Andreescu converted all three of her break opportunities.

In other matches, Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic outlasted American Madison Keys 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Also, Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia defeated world No. 9 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, the gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, 7-6 (8), 6-3; Marketa Vondrousova ousted Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-2 in an all-Czech matchup; Sorana Cirstea of Romania beat Karolína Muchová of the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-1; and Varvara Gracheva of Russia defeated Magdalena Frech of Poland 6-1, 6-2.

On the men’s side, Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands outlasted world No. 4 Casper Ruud of Norway 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Van de Zandschulp had 12 aces to Ruud’s six, but they each had three double-faults. Van de Zandschulp will face Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland in the next round.

Paul beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain 6-3, 7-5, helped by eight aces. Fokina had six double-faults.

Fritz defeated Denis Shapovalov of Canada 6-4, 6-4. Shapovalov had seven double-faults. Fritz will face world No. 8 Holger Rune of Denmark, who defeated Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 6-4, 6-2.

“It’s going to be a tough match I think for a round of 16,” Fritz said. “Myself playing Holger is a very tough draw. I’m excited to play him. We’ve never played before. I’m not entirely I guess sure what to make of his game. Obviously, he’s very good.”

Also, Andrey Rublev of Russia dispatched Miomir Kecmanović of Serbia 6-1, 6-2.

Andreescu, Paul advance to 4th round at Miami Open

Associated PressMar 26, 2023, 6:06 PM EDT

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Bianca Andreescu of Canada – the 2019 U.S. Open champion – beat 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin of the United States 6-4, 6-4 in the third round of the Miami Open.

In other matches, Australian Open winner and world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus defeated Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-2; and Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic outlasted American Madison Keys 7-6 (4), 6-3.

On the men’s side, Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands outlasted world No. 4 Casper Ruud of Norway 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Van de Zandschulp had 12 aces to Ruud’s six, but they each had three double-faults. Van de Zandschulp will face Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland in the next round.

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-0, 7-6 (5). Alcaraz faces American Tommy Paul on Tuesday.

“Yeah, today has been a great match, great level. I hope to play at this level on Tuesday,” Alcaraz said. “I lost the first and only match that I played against Tommy. I know that he’s a really talented and really tough player, so I have to play at my best. Let’s see what’s going to happen on Tuesday.”

Paul and fellow American No. 10 Taylor Fritz advanced in straight sets.

Paul beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain 6-3, 7-5, helped by eight aces. Fokina had six double-faults.

Fritz defeated Denis Shapovalov of Canada 6-4, 6-4. Shapovalov had seven double-faults. Fritz will face world No. 8 Holger Rune of Denmark, who defeated Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 6-4, 6-2.

Also, Andrey Rublev of Russia dispatched Miomir Kecmanović of Serbian 6-1, 6-2.