WTA Finals & ATP Paris Masters Daily Preview: Jabeur, Pegula, Sabalenka Fight for Advancement - UBITENNIS
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WTA Finals & ATP Paris Masters Daily Preview: Jabeur, Pegula, Sabalenka Fight for Advancement

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Ons Jabeur during media day in Fort Worth (twitter.com/wta)

The final round of round-robin play begins on Friday in Fort Worth.  Maria Sakkari is 2-0 and has already qualified for the semifinals.  But Ons Jabeur (1-1), Aryna Sabalenka (1-1), and Jessica Pegula (0-2) can all still claim the second semifinal spot in this group.  Here are Friday’s advancement scenarios, as per the WTA:

In Paris, it’s quarterfinal day featuring top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, and a match between two of the ATP’s hottest players: Felix Auger-Aliassime and Frances Tiafoe.

Each day, this preview will analyze the most intriguing matchup from both the WTA Finals and the ATP Paris Masters, while highlighting the other matches on the schedules.  Friday’s play in Paris begins at 2:00pm local time, while play in Fort Worth begins at 3:00pm local time.


Frances Tiafoe (16) vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime (8) – 2:00pm on Court Central in Paris

These were two of the big reasons why Team World finally earned their first victory over Team Europe at September’s Laver Cup.  Auger-Aliassime defeated Novak Djokovic, and Tiafoe defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas.  Both also earned important points for their team in doubles.  And both have been exceling outside of Laver Cup as well.  Felix is on a 15-match win streak, having won back-to-back-to-back titles the last three weeks.  Frances reached his first Major semifinal at the US Open, where he upset Rafael Nadal and nearly took out eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.  He followed that up with a run to the final in Tokyo.  FAA leads their head-to-head 2-0, with a four-set victory in the fourth round of last year’s US Open, and a straight-set win earlier this year on clay in Barcelona.  And based on his current streak on indoor hard courts, it’s hard not to pick Auger-Aliassime to prevail again on Friday.


Ons Jabeur (2) vs. Maria Sakkari (5) – Not Before 7:00pm in Fort Worth

Regardless of the result of the Pegula/Sabalenka match earlier in the day, Jabeur will have a chance to qualify for the semifinals if she can defeat Sakkari, though she may need to win in straight sets if Sabalenka does the same.  Jabeur lost a tight three-setter to Sabalenka on Monday, but came back from a set down against Pegula on Wednesday.  Sakkari defeated both Sabalenka and Pegula in straight sets.  At tour level, Jabeur and Sakkari have split two previous meetings.  Maria was victorious two years ago in Ostrava on a hard court, while Ons prevailed earlier this season in Rome on clay.  Both matches went the distance.  On Friday, another extended contest would not be surprising.  But having won six of her last seven matches, dating back to her run to the final in Guadalajara, Sakkari is the favorite to remain undefeated.


Other Notable Matches on Friday:

Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs. Hulger Rune – It’s the top seed at the 2021 ATP Next Gen Finals against the projected top seed at the upcoming 2022 event.  Alcaraz has not dropped a set in two matches this week.  Rune has claimed 16 of his last 18 matches, and earned impressive victories this week over Stan Wawrinka, Hubert Hurkacz, and Andrey Rublev. 

Novak Djokovic (6) vs. Lorenzo Musetti – Djokovic is on a 12-match win streak in Bercy, dating back to 2019.  Musetti won a hard court event last month in Naples, and already upset Marin Cilic and Casper Ruud this week.  Lorenzo had a two-set lead over Novak at last year’s Roland Garros before succumbing to the eventual champion.  He also lost to Djokovic in straight sets this year in Dubai.

Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) vs. Tommy Paul – Tsitsipas was only 2-4 lifetime at this event prior to this week, but is yet to lose a set.  Tommy Paul has defeated three consecutive Spaniards this week: Roberto Bautista Agut, Rafael Nadal, and Pablo Carreno Busta.  Stefanos is 2-0 against Tommy.

Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (7) – Sabalenka has a strong chance of advancing with a win, but Pegula will need some considerable help even with a victory.  Aryna is 3-1 against Jessica, having claimed their last three encounters, though those were all on clay.  Pegula took their only hard court matchup back in 2020.


Friday’s full Order of Play at the WTA Finals is here, and the Paris Masters schedule is here.

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Wrist Injury Threatening To End Holger Rune’s Olympic Dream

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Holger Rune will have a second medical opinion on Monday before deciding if he is fit enough to play at the Olympic Games, according to his team. 

The Danish world No.17 recently retired from his quarter-final match at the Hamburg Open due to a knee injury. The hope at the time was that his withdrawal would be just a precautionary measure ahead of the Olympics. However, he is also dealing with a second issue that appears to be more serious.

According to TV 2 Sport, Rune has been struggling with a wrist issue and underwent a scan on Sunday which his mother Aneke says ‘doesn’t look promising.’ Aneke is also the manager of her son’s career. Rune’s Olympic dreams now rest on the outcome of a second medical expert that he will visit tomorrow who has a better understanding of the sport. 

“Unfortunately, it does not look promising after the first medical opinion after the review of the scan of the wrist,” Aneke Rune told TV 2 Sport.

“We are waiting for two tennis-specific doctors who will give a second opinion tomorrow (Monday). Tennis wrists look different from regular wrists, so we’ll hold out hope for one more day.” 

Rune is one of three Danish players entered into the Olympic tennis event along with Caroline Wozniacki and Clara Tauson. The country has only won one medal in tennis before which was at the 1912 Games when Sofie Castenschiold won silver in the women’s indoor singles event. 

So far this season, the 21-year-old has won 27 matches on the Tour but is yet to claim a title. He reached the final of the Brisbane International and then the semi-finals of three more events. In the Grand Slams, he made it to the fourth round of the French Open and Wimbledon. 

It is not known when a final decision regarding Rune’s participation in Paris will be made.

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Hubert Hurkacz Undergoes ‘Knee Procedure’ Ahead of Olympic Bid

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Poland’s top player on the ATP Tour is not giving up on his dream of winning a medal at the Olympic Games despite recently undergoing a medical procedure.

World No.7 Hubert Hurkacz suffered a knee injury during his second round clash at Wimbledon against France’s Arthur Fils. In the fourth set tiebreak of their clash, Hurkacz dived for a shot but landed badly on his knee and required on-court medical attention. He then played two more points before retiring from the match. 

In a social media post published on Wednesday, the  27-year-old confirmed he underwent a procedure on his knee earlier this week but didn’t provide any further details.  Although Hurkacz has stated his intention to play at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, where the tennis event will be held on the clay at Roland Garros. 

“I had a knee procedure this Monday, but I’m feeling better already and my team and are dedicating extensive time each day to the rehab process.” He wrote on Instagram. 

“It’s a dream for every athlete to represent their country at the Olympics, and I want to make sure I am fully fit and ready before making the final decision to step on court. The aim is not only to participate, but to win a medal for my country.”

So far this season Hurkacz has won 34 out of 48 matches played on the Tour. He won the Estoril Open in April and was runner-up to Jannik Sinner in Halle. 

The Olympic tennis event is scheduled to begin a week Saturday on July 27th. Poland is yet to win a medal in the event but expectations are high with women’s No.1 Iga Swiatek also taking part. 

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Motivation, Pressure And Expectations – Novak Djokovic Targets History At Wimbledon

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image via x.com/wimbledon

Novak Djokovic has broken numerous records throughout his career but he still feels the pressure of trying to make history in the sport. 

The world No.2 is through to his 10th Wimbledon final where he will play Carlos Alcaraz, who beat him at this stage of the tournament 12 months ago. There is plenty on the line for the Serbian who could equal Roger Federer’s record for most men’s titles won at SW19 and break the overall record for most major singles won in the sport if he triumphs over the Spaniard. Djokovic currently has 24 Grand Slam trophies to his name which is the same as Margaret Court, who won some of her titles before the Open Era started. 

“Obviously I’m aware that Roger [Federer] holds eight Wimbledons. I hold seven. History is on the line.” Djokovic said on Friday after beating Lorenzo Musetti.

“Also, the 25th potential Grand Slam. Of course, it serves as a great motivation, but at the same time it’s also a lot of pressure and expectations.”

Coming into Wimbledon, there had been doubts over Djokovic’s form after he underwent surgery to treat a knee injury he suffered at the French Open. However, he has defied the odds to reach the final. His run has also seen him beat Alexi Popyrin and Holger Rune before getting a walkover in the quarter-finals from Alex de Minaur, who sustained an injury during the tournament. Then on Friday, he overcame a spirited Musetti in three sets. 

Despite the challenge, Djokovic has insisted that his expectations to do well are always high no matter what the situation is. During what has been a roller-coaster first six months of the season, he is yet to win a title this year or beat a player currently ranked in the top 10. Although he will achieve both of these if her beats Alcaraz on Sunday. 

“Every time I step out on the court now, even though I’m 37 and competing with the 21-year-olds, I still expect myself to win most of the matches, and people expect me to win, whatever, 99% of the matches that I play.” He said.

“I always have to come out on the court and perform my best in order to still be at the level with Carlos [Alcaraz] or Jannik [Sinner] or Sascha [Zverev] or any of those guys, Daniil [Medvedev]. 

“This year hasn’t been that successful for me. It’s probably the weakest results the first six months I’ve had in many years. That’s okay. I had to adapt and accept that and really try to find also way out from the injury that I had and kind of regroup.”

Djokovic hopes that a Wimbledon win will help turn his season around like it has done in the past for him. 

“Wimbledon historically there’s been seasons where I wasn’t maybe playing at a desired level, but then I would win a Wimbledon title and then things would change.” He commented.

“For example, that was the case in 2018 when I had elbow surgery earlier in the year, dropped my rankings out of top 20, losing in fourth round of Australian Open, I think it was quarters of Roland-Garros, and just not playing the tennis that I want to play. Then I won Wimbledon and then won US Open and then later on became No.1 very soon.”

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Alcaraz is hoping to stop Djokovic in his tracks. Should he defend his title at Wimbledon, he would become the first player outside the Big Three to do so since Pete Sampras more than 20 years ago. He has won their only previous meeting on the grass but trails their head-to-head 3-2. 

“I’m sure he knows what he has to do to beat me,” said Alcaraz.

“But I’m ready to take that challenge and I’m ready to do it well.”

When the two players take to the court to play in the Wimbledon final, Djokovic will be 15 years and 348 days older than Alcaraz. Making it the largest age gap in a men’s Grand Slam final since the 1974 US Open. Whoever is victorious will receive £2,700,000 in prize money. 

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