Latest news with #FranciscoCerundolo
National Post
26-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Montreal's Diallo advances to French Open second round with upset of Cerundolo
PARIS — Montreal's Gabriel Diallo earned his first ever French Open main-draw win with a 7-5, 6-3 6-4 upset of 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in first-round action Monday. Article content Article content Diallo picked up a big break to go up 4-3 in the third set when Cerundolo committed an unforced error on game point. The Canadian held serve the rest of the way to finish the straight-set win in two hours 10 minutes. Article content Overall, the 23-year-old Diallo broke Cerundolo four times on 11 chances. Cerundolo, meanwhile, converted the only break point chance he had. Article content Diallo will next face the winner of a match between Marcos Giron of the United States and Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands. Article content Diallo made his Grand Slam main draw debut at last year's French Open where he lost in the first round to Japan's Kei Nishikori.
Times of Oman
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
"Could I play at Wimbledon": Pope Leo XIV shares a laugh with Italy's tennis star Sinner
New Delhi: Italy's Jannik Sinner, the number one-ranked tennis star, who had an off day in the ongoing Italian Open on Wednesday, went to the Vatican City and met Pope Leo XIV. Sinner, his parents Johann and Siglinde, his manager Alex Vittur and a delegation from the Italian Tennis Federation, including president Angelo Binaghi, were among those present during the meeting with Pope Leo XIV. During his audience, the 23-year-old presented Pope Leo XIV, who was elected just six days ago, with one of his racquets. In a video posted by Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Instagram, Pope Leo XIV asked Sinner about his Tuesday night victory against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo, to which the Italian replied, "Yes, we managed." After Sinner presented his racket, Pope Leo XIV shared a laugh with Sinner. "Could I play at Wimbledon?" he asked. Last Thursday, the Vatican conclave chose a new Pope, Robert Prevost, the first American Pope, Vatican News said. The Cardinals gathered in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and elected 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope, who took the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American to lead the Catholic Church. Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti, the senior cardinal deacon appeared on the St. Peter's balcony that overlooks the St Peter's square and announced, "Habemus Papam!" - "We have a pope." Meanwhile, Sinner will be keen on continuing his scorching form in the Italian Open when he squares off against Casper Ruud in the quarter-final clash on Thursday. He secured a spot in the last eight with a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory over Cerundolo. "He's a very tough competitor, it's a great challenge for me. Especially now trying to get used to so many difficult situations on the court. I just tried to stay there mentally, trying to play every point. But I'm very happy because I felt like I raised my level. Game wise, I felt a little bit better. It was very heavy conditions, and it was a long day. The crowd helped me, so I'm happy to go through," Sinner said after the win, as quoted from ATP.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Jannik Sinner among first to be granted an audience with Pope Leo as world No 1 shares joke with keen tennis fan during visit to the Vatican
Jannik Sinner has been given the welcome of a saint returning from the wilderness here in Rome, so it feels appropriate that he was among the first to be granted an audience with the new Pope. The world No1, who is into the quarter-finals of his first event since his three-month anti-doping ban expired, made the brief trip from the Foro Italico to the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, is a keen tennis fan. In 2023 he said: 'I consider myself quite the amateur tennis player.' Sinner presented the 69-year-old with a racket and, taking out a ball, suggested a hit. Glancing around the chandeliers and ornaments of the Vatican reception room, Leo XIV said: 'Not here.' The Pope, conversing in fluent Italian, certainly held the racket like he knew what to do with it. And, gesturing at his all-white papal attire, he quipped that he would be permitted to play at Wimbledon. It was all part of what has been a dream return to the sport for Sinner, in front of his adoring home fans. The 23-year-old claimed to have low expectations, given he had not played competitive tennis since the Australian Open, but he is into the last eight without dropping a set. His last 16 victory against Francisco Cerundolo, who beat him in Rome in 2023, was highly impressive. 'Quarters, it's a great result, no?' he said after that win. 'Coming back, I just tried to put myself in the best possible position to see what's happening. 'I'm glad that today were so many difficult situations. That's exactly what I need to find my rhythm again, trying to find my mental strength again. 'For the first tournament, I'm very, very happy.' On Thursday comes his biggest test yet, against Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud. But with a Papal blessing and the whole country behind his back, who would bet against him?
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Peace with Sinner: Tennis fan Pope Leo XIV meets with top-ranked player during Italian Open off-day
Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after defeating Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in a round of sixteen match against at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after defeating Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in a round of sixteen match against at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates a winning point during a round of sixteen match against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Italy's Jannik Sinner returns a shot during a round of sixteen match against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Italy's Jannik Sinner returns a shot during a round of sixteen match against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after defeating Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in a round of sixteen match against at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after defeating Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in a round of sixteen match against at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates a winning point during a round of sixteen match against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Italy's Jannik Sinner returns a shot during a round of sixteen match against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has apparently made peace with Jannik Sinner. The top-ranked tennis player visited the new pope on Wednesday, gave him a tennis racket and offered to play, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open, the Vatican said. Advertisement Leo, the first American pope, is an avid tennis player and fan and had said earlier this week that he would be up for a charity match when it was suggested by a journalist. But at the time, Leo joked 'but we can't invite Sinner,' an apparent reference to the English meaning of Sinner's last name. Sinner said it was 'a good thing for us tennis players' that the new pope likes to play the sport. The top-ranked player has a quarterfinal match on Thursday in his first tournament back after a three-month ban for doping that was judged to be an accidental contamination. Sinner will next face either freshly crowned Madrid champion Casper Ruud or Jaume Munar. Sinner is attempting to become the first Italian man to win the Rome title since Adriano Panatta in 1976. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Swiatek and Sabalenka power into Madrid quarterfinals a day after blackout. Top seed Zverev loses
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] MADRID (AP) — Power was restored at the Caja Magica tennis complex Tuesday and the Madrid Open resumed with a packed schedule that included second-ranked Iga Swiatek advancing to the quarterfinals after a 'more relaxed' day because of the blackout . Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka made into the last eight by defeating Peyton Stearns in straight sets, while on the men's side, top-seeded Alexander Zverev was upset by 21st-ranked Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina. Following the major blackout that prompted 22 matches to be postponed on Monday, Swiatek returned to the center court and defeated Diana Shnaider 6-0, 6-7 (3), 6-4 to stay on track to defend her title in the Spanish capital. 'I liked yesterday. I think the whole world was just more relaxed, kind of, obviously the people who didn't lose because of this,' she said. 'I enjoyed the time off, and I tried to just recover, because we need to savor these free days, for sure.' Swiatek said she took away food from the tournament site and relaxed at the hotel until the power came back on. 'I just chilled and used that time to not think about what I should do,' she said. 'There was no signal, so basically no one used their phones. It was nice, I liked it.' Most parts of Madrid regained power overnight, but the Caja Magica was still without electricity early Tuesday, causing a delay in the opening of the gates for fans. The power came back quickly, though, and organizers did not have to alter the day's schedule of matches, although there was the possibility of the night session being delayed because of the high number of matches during the day. Swiatek to face Keys Swiatek cruised in the first set but had to save 11 of 13 break points to seal a hard-fought victory against the 13th-seeded Shnaider. Swiatek has not lost before the quarterfinals in seven tournaments this season but hasn't gone past the semifinals since Roland Garros last year. She will next face Madison Keys, who defeated Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3. It will be Swiatek's first meeting with Keys since she lost despite having match point in the semifinals of the Australian Open that was won by Keys . 'We played last year here, but I think it was a night session or something,' Swiatek said. 'I don't know, I think it was like colder or a little bit different, so for sure we'll watch that match.' Sabalenka reaches last eight again Sabalenka defeated 44th-ranked Stearns 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the Madrid quarterfinals for the fourth time in five years. It was the WTA Tour-leading 28th win this season for the two-time Madrid champion. She was tied with Jessica Pegula with 27. Sabalenka lost last year's final to Swiatek. Zverev ousted Cerundolo defeated the second-ranked Zverev 7-5, 6-3 to continue his quick rise in the rankings. Cerundolo, who also defeated Zverez last year in Madrid, broke serve once in each set and saved the only break opportunity he conceded at center court. who also defeated Zverev last year in Madrid. Zverev was coming off the title in Munich and will move on to defend his title in Rome. 'He played better than me today,' Zverev said. 'He definitely played better than me last year when we played here. But to be honest, I didn't play terrible, he just played better than me.' Berrettini out with injury In the men's side, 31st-ranked Matteo Berrettini withdrew with an abdominal injury after losing the first set 7-6 (2) to sixth-ranked Jack Draper. Sixth-seeded Alex de Minaur tied Carlos Alcaraz with a tour-leading 24th win this season by getting past Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (3). The seventh-ranked De Minaur will next face Lorenzo Musetti, who beat 2019 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 7-6 (3). Americans Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe both won their matches. The 11th-seeded Paul defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, while the 16th-seeded Tiafoe beat Alexandre Muller 6-3, 6-3. Paul was among the players having to play doubles on the same day as their singles matches. Another was 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, the Miami winner who defeated Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-2 before having to play his doubles match on the same court a bit later. The 27-year-old Bublik joked in a conversation with the match's referee during a changeover. 'Remember when tennis was easy? Like five years ago it was super easy to play tennis,' the four-time winner on tour said. 'A bunch of random people in the top 50, barely moving. Now this guy is not even top 5, not even top 10. What is that?' Ninth-seed Daniil Medvedev matched his career-best result in Madrid by reaching the last eight with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over American Brandon Nakashima. Fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz was another American eliminated, losing 7-5, 6-4 to Casper Ruud. Refunds for ticket holders There were huge lines outside the complex, and people with tickets for Monday's matches were not allowed back in on Tuesday. 'Nobody said anything yet,' said Juan Duato, who was denied entry when he arrived on Monday during the power outage. 'They said we couldn't come in and asked us to contact customer support. Apparently they will send us an email.' Organizers said later Tuesday that anyone who purchased tickets for Monday would receive a full refund for the purchase. That process would be carried out automatically over the next few days. ___ AP tennis:
