Looking for Tennis and Racket Sports International News?

Former champion Cameron Norrie continued his love affair with the BNP Paribas Open Tuesday when he defeated Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals in Indian Wells.

The Briton lifted the biggest trophy of his career at the hard-court event in 2021 and moved to within three wins of matching that feat this week after producing one of his best performances of the season to defeat Rublev after 75 minutes.

The 10th seed absorbed Rublev’s power, redirecting the ball to find stunning angles as he pushed the sixth seed wide. Norrie converted all five of his break points, serving out the match at the second time of asking to earn his eighth consecutive win and level his ATP Head2Head series against Rublev at 2-2.

The 27-year-old lefty, who defeated World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz to lift the trophy in Rio de Janeiro last month, has now earned 21 wins in 2023, including four Top 10 victories. Norrie will continue the quest for his sixth tour-level title when he faces American Frances Tiafoe or Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo in the last eight.

Rublev was aiming to improve on his 9-1 record against left handers since the start of 2022, having defeated Ugo Humbert in the third round. The 25-year-old is 11-7 on the year, with his best result a run to the final in Dubai.

Down but not out, Daniil Medvedev extended his red-hot winning streak to 17 matches Tuesday when he recovered from a heavy fall to defeat Alexander Zverev at the BNP Paribas Open.

The fifth seed took a tumble when moving out wide at 2-3 in the second set, yelping in pain as he rolled his right ankle. However, after having his ankle taped, he continued and turned the match around, capturing victory on his second match point to earn a statement 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-5 victory against the 12th-seeded German.

"When I twisted [my ankle], I thought I was going to stand up just fine," Medvedev said. "But then the pain started growing very fast, so I was like 'That is not a good sign.' I felt like I didn't break it but I felt that one of the ligaments was a little injured, so I thought I wasn't going to be able to play. It was one of the first times in my life that the physio had taped my ankle, so I decided to give it a try. What was surprising was it was much easier to run than walk. So when I was walking I was limping and then I was running fine.

"When the adrenaline goes down, it will be pretty painful, so I am going to probably do a scan to see what it is and if I can continue to play."

Photo Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour

The Miami Open presented by Itau announced that Zizou Bergs, Taro Daniel, Emilio Nava and Shang Juncheng will join Dominic Thiem as main draw wild cards at the season’s second ATP Masters 1000 event.

The most in-form player of the group is Daniel, who advanced to the quarter-finals in Acapulco as a qualifier before qualifying in Indian Wells and reaching the third round behind an upset of 20th seed Matteo Berrettini.

[ATP APP]

Nava and Shang competed in the Miami main draw last year, losing in the first round. Bergs will make his Masters 1000 debut.

Thiem will return to Miami for the first time since 2019. The Austrian owns a 7-5 record at the tournament, where he advanced to the quarter-finals in 2015.

A kick serve is a type of tennis serve that involves a lot of topspin, causing the ball to bounce high and kick up off the court. Here are the steps to hit a kick serve: Start with a continental grip. This grip involves placing the base knuckle of your index finger on the third bevel of the tennis racket, which allows for a good wrist snap on the s...

All eight quarter-final spots are up for grabs on Tuesday in Indian Wells, where the 16 remaining players in the draw seek fourth-round success on an action-packed day at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open.

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz continues his campaign at the opening ATP Masters 1000 event of the year — and his bid to return to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings — against big-hitting lefty Jack Draper. Daniil Medvedev seeks to extend his 16-match winning streak in a heavyweight clash against Alexander Zverev, while 11th seed Jannik Sinner faces a rejuvenated Stan Wawrinka.

With Top 10 stars Taylor Fritz, Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime also in fourth-round action, ATPTour.com previews a mouth-watering Day 7 in the California desert.

View Singles Draw | View Doubles Draw | View Schedule

[ATP APP]

Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin saved two match points and 11 of 12 break points to pull off an upset against fourth seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open.

In a 6-7(8), 7-6(5), 11-9 victory, the Mexican-French duo erased those match points at 5-6 in the second set, then overcame a 6/8 deficit in the Match Tie-break to advance to the Indian Wells quarter-finals. They will next take on Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara on Wednesday, after the fifth seeds beat Americans Marcos Giron and J.J. Wolf 6-2, 6-3.

[ATP APP]

Rounding out Monday's doubles action at the ATP Masters 1000, Italians Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini came from behind to score a 1-6, 6-3, 10-5 win against the American duo of Austin Krajicek and Mackenzie McDonald.

Bolelli/Fognini face defending and two-time desert champions John Isner and Jack Sock in Wednesday's quarter-finals.

Carlos Alcaraz had to work hard for his victory against Tallon Griekspoor Monday night at the BNP Paribas Open, but his reward made the late evening shift well worth it. With a 7-6(4), 6-3 result, the 19-year-old secured a milestone moment in his young career by notching his 100th tour-level win.

Now with a 100-32 record, Alcaraz needed the second-fewest matches to hit the century mark among the 28 World No. 1s in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, behind only John McEnroe, who did it in one match fewer.

While the Spaniard will have his sights set on bigger goals this week — namely, winning the Indian Wells title and returning to World No. 1 — he took a moment to address his latest achievement post-match.

"I'm really proud to get my 100th win on the ATP Tour and I hope it's the first 100 of many," said Alcaraz, who beat his own internal clock to reach the milestone. "Honestly, I searched that stat today, [but] I didn't know. I thought it was in the next round," he admitted through a smile.

Alcaraz won a closely contested opening set, raising his level in the tie-break after the aggressive Griekspoor matched him shot for shot to that point. While the Spaniard did not consistently hit the heights of his opening-round win against Thanasi Kokkinakis, he still produced plenty of show-stopping winners, complete with his usual complement of drop shots.

Carlos Alcaraz’s victory against Tallon Griekspoor on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells was his 100th tour-level win, and the Spaniard’s rapid progression to that milestone places him in prestigious company.

With his 100-32 tour-level record, the 19-year-old Alcaraz has earned second place on the list of fewest matches to 100 wins among players to reach No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings at some stage during their career. Only American great John McEnroe (100-31) reached his century faster than Alcaraz, who sits above Andre Agassi (100-35), Rafael Nadal (100-37), and Mats Wilander/Jimmy Connors (both 100-38) on the list.

To celebrate his achievement, ATPTour.com looks at some of Alcaraz’s most memorable victories from his journey to 100.

Win No. 1: ‘I Will Remember Rio Forever’
The 16-year-old Alcaraz announced himself on the ATP Tour in spectacular fashion at the 2020 Rio Open presented by Claro, where he battled past his countryman Albert Ramos-Vinolas for victory on his ATP Tour main-draw debut.

Then No. 406 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Alcaraz prevailed 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-6(2) in a first-round epic that finished at 3am local time in Rio de Janeiro. "I will remember Rio forever," he later said. "I am very happy to win my first ATP Tour match… There were quite difficult conditions, but if you have the right attitude, the conditions don't matter. You can achieve anything."

Down a set-and-a-break, American Aleksandar Kovacevic rallied to stay alive in the Arizona Tennis Classic qualifying.

The 24-year-old earned a hard-fought 6-7(12), 7-6(6), 6-2 victory on Monday against Frenchman Geoffrey Blancaneaux after three hours, 10 minutes.

In the opening set tie-break, World No. 155 Blancaneaux fended off Kovacevic’s two set points before converting his eighth set point. The Frenchman then served for the match at 5-4 in the second set but Kovacevic increased his level to advance to the second round of qualifying at the Phoenix Challenger.

“Sometimes when you’re in those situations, a guy serving for the match, it’s kind of freeing, you’re thinking ‘I might as well go out swinging!’” Kovacevic said post-match. “If I was going to lose, I wanted to lose the right way, which is playing my game and being aggressive.

Jack Draper was starstruck the first few times he met Andy Murray, but the 21-year-old Briton showcased star power of his own Monday night with a classy performance against his countryman at the BNP Paribas Open.

Draper won the pair's first ATP Head2Head meeting 7-6(6), 6-2 for his second straight victory against a fellow Briton in Indian Wells, having beaten Daniel Evans in the second round. He saved a set point with an ace at 5-6 in the opening set, then rattled off the final four games to seal a famous result, clinching it on a double fault for his third break of the match.

"I've looked up to Andy since I was so young. I watched him win Wimbledon for the first time in 2013 and then I've had the opportunity to get to know him and practise with him often since 2019," the 6-foot-4 lefty said post-match. "He's a really special person, a great champion, great human being and I'm privileged to play against him on this court."

In a two-hour match full of entertaining exchanges, Draper won just enough of them to claim an up-and-down opening set before driving his advantage home in the second by leaning on his lefty serve and forehand. He also attacked the net to great effect throughout, winning 18 of his 26 points from the frontcourt.

"I want to keep on trying to impose my game and use my weapons," Draper said of his ventures forward. "It's not easy in these conditions. It's quite slow tonight, the wind was a bit swirly and obviously playing against Andy, he makes it incredibly awkward for you. It's something I'm looking to improve with my coach and it's definitely starting to pay off a little bit more."

Taylor Fritz’s title defence at the BNP Paribas Open moved into high gear Monday when the American dropped just three games in a scorching third-round win over Sebastian Baez.

After needing to rally from a set down in Saturday’s opener against countryman Ben Shelton, Fritz dominated the World No. 35 Argentine 6-1, 6-2 to set up a fourth-round meeting with Hungarian veteran Marton Fucsovics.

Defending 1000 points this week, 25-year-old Fritz finds himself at No. 10 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, having come into the tournament at a career-high No. 5. The California native is acutely aware what’s at stake, but showed no signs of the pressure he is playing under against Baez.

“I'm trying to take it like it's any other tournament, but I'm reminded that I'm defending the title every, like, hour or so,” Fritz said with a smile. “It's tough to forget that, but I am trying to take it like how it is.”

Fritz said that he was focussed more on the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin, hoping to return to the Nitto ATP Finals after making his debut in Turin last year. “We start over at zero, the race, the race is the race. I'm just trying to have good results to put myself in the best position to end the year at the highest spot in the race.

Standing at 6’6”, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev's attributes have helped them reach the top of the game. The pair crush serves and are good defenders, using their long levers to hang in points and turn the tables.

When facing off, Medvedev and Zverev have had tight clashes on Tour. Zverev won the first four matches of their rivalry, but Medvedev has since responded, winning five of their past six encounters. Locked at 6-6 in their ATP Head2Head series, they will meet again on Tuesday in the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open.

"I'm sure we're going to have a lot of rallies," Medvedev said looking ahead to the clash. "It's going to come down to who makes after 20 shots, the best shot to try to put your opponent off balance, which is not easy to do here.

"He's coming back, he's playing better and better. I think he's not yet at where he was when he got injured, but every new match against a top player is an opportunity for him to bring back this level. So I'm going to have to try to play my best, and postpone it for at least [the] next tournament."

Ahead of their 13th encounter, ATPTour.com looks at three of their past blockbusters.

Stan Wawrinka recovered from a second-set collapse against Holger Rune at the BNP Paribas Open Monday, overcoming the seventh seed 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 to earn his 550th tour-level win and reach the fourth round at an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time since 2020.

In a meeting between the experienced 37-year-old Wawrinka and 19-year-old young gun Rune, it was the former World No. 3 who looked set to earn a comfortable victory in Indian Wells, where he led 6-2, 5-3. However, the Swiss star squandered one match point on serve at 5-3 and a 5/2 lead in the second-set tie-break, giving the 19-year-old Rune a foothold into the match.

However, Wawrinka would not be denied, winning 85 per cent (17/20) of his first-serve points in the third set to prevail. With his two-hour, 38-minute win, he gained revenge for his defeat against Rune in Paris last year in their only previous meeting.

"I feel good," Wawrinka said. "The last 45 minutes was tough. I had the match in control, was playing well. I was putting a lot of pressure, I should have won the match way before. I started feeling nervous and hesitated a little bit. He came back in the match. He is an amazing player, a young player. But it is special to keep winning. It was important to stay there mentally because I am playing well.

"I was trying to stay calm with myself. I lost to him already in Paris. All my career I know only one way. To keep fighting, working, pushing myself and stay positive. I am super happy with the win."

Felix Auger-Aliassime was left bloodied but unbeaten Monday after he caught himself with his racquet during his 7-5, 6-4 victory against Francisco Cerundolo at the BNP Paribas Open.

At 2-0 in the first set, the Canadian accidentally struck himself on the chin when returning the Argentine’s serve. The 22-year-old immediately walked to his chair where he was bandaged up before returning to court to book his spot in the fourth round after two hours and 10 minutes.

Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Pedro Martinez in his opening match, played aggressive, front-foot tennis throughout the clash. He hit through Cerundolo and overcame a late wobble when trying to serve out the match. After failing to hold at 5-2, the eighth seed eventually sealed victory at the second time of asking, converting his fifth match point to improve to 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head series.

Auger-Aliassime is chasing his first ATP Masters 1000 crown and maiden tour-level title of the season this week in California. He is up to No. 7 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings following his 10th win of the season.

The four-time tour-level champion has advanced to the quarter-finals at the past five ATP Masters 1000 events he has played and will aim to make it six when he takes on Tommy Paul. The 22-year-old is aiming to jumpstart his season in Indian Wells, after suffering early exits in Adelaide, at the Australian Open and Dubai earlier this year.

After claiming their maiden ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2022, Finland’s Otto Virtanen and Hungarian Fabian Marozsan returned to the winners’ circle this week and are both now at career-high marks in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.

Virtanen, 21, claimed the Lugano Challenger while Marozsan won on the clay courts of Antalya, Turkey.

In Switzerland, Virtanen defeated Turkish qualifier Cem Ilkel 6-4, 7-6(5) in the final to collect the Challenger BancaStato Citta Di Lugano and climb to No. 139 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.

A two-time Challenger titlist, Virtanen earned his first Challenger title this past October when he advanced through qualifying en route to winning the Bergamo Challenger.

Pickleball is a popular sport that is played on a court with a paddle and a plastic ball. Here are some basic rules for pickleball: Court dimensions: A pickleball court is similar in size to a doubles badminton court, measuring 20 feet wide by 44 feet long.Serving: The serve must be made underhand and must be hit below the server's waist. The ball ...

The premiere of the ATP Challenger Tour 175 category kicks off this week at the Arizona Tennis Classic, where a star-studded field features World No. 23 Matteo Berrettini and Argentine Diego Schwartzman.

All eight seeds in Phoenix are Top-60 players, including Jiri Lehecka, Richard Gasquet, and Alexander Bublik.

VIEW DRAW

A new innovation for 2023, the Challenger 175 tournaments are held during the second week of the ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Madrid, and Rome. Highly-ranked players who lose early at the Master 1000s can decide to compete at the following week’s Challenger tournament.

Berrettini, Schwartzman, and Gael Monfils were given wild cards into Phoenix after falling in the opening rounds of Indian Wells. The Italian Berrettini is aiming to repeat his success in Phoenix from 2019, when the-then World No. 57 collected the title.

The Miami Open presented by Itau will hold the third edition of its successful ‘MIAMI OPEN UNITES’ campaign on Monday, March 20, 2023. This day of service brings together ATP and WTA players, Miami Open staff, and volunteers to help South Florida’s most vulnerable in various philanthropic initiatives across Miami-Dade County. ATP, WTA, Miami Open and Hologic are thrilled to also be able to show support with a financial contribution to participating organizations.

[ATP APP]

10:00 AM - Volunteers will assist Rebuilding Together in rehabilitating the home of Miami-Dade County's veteran, Thomas Coates, retired Air Force E6 Sergeant. The players will paint and landscape, providing much-needed assistance to the organization. For more information on Rebuild Together, go to https://rebuildingtogether.org/ and @RebldgTogthr.

11:00 AM - The Humane Society of Greater Miami will have players and volunteers helping to groom animals, increasing their chances of adoption. The initiative aims to create a better life for the animals that need care and love. For more information the Humane Society of Greater Miami, go to http://www.humanesocietymiami.org/ and @HumaneMiami.

1:00 PM - Players will also help plant seedlings at Health in the Hood's community garden, with all produce grown distributed free-of-charge to families, local food pantries, churches, and community centers. For more information on Health in the Hood, go to www.healthinthehood.org/ and @HealthInThehood.

Editor's note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es

The 2023 ATP Tour season is just three and a half months old, but Francisco Cerundolo has already hit an important milestone. On 13 February, the 24-year-old leapfrogged Diego Schwartzman to become the highest-ranked Argentine in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time.

A strong start to his main-draw debut at this fortnight's BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells means Cerundolo will meet eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime on Monday for a spot in the last 16. Yet there are some aspects of the World No. 32’s tennis journey that might surprise fans…

Until how recently did he string his own racquets on Tour? How has becoming more well-known helped him (and his friends!) when out on the town in Buenos Aires? Why did he ask his practice partner Fabio Fognini for a selfie? ATPTour.com caught up with the Argentine for the latest edition of our ‘Last Time’ Q & A series.

[ATP APP]

The ATP Tour has today announced the awarding of a single-year tournament licence to Tel Aviv for 2023.

The Tel Aviv Watergen Open, an indoor hard-court ATP 250 event, will be staged in the Tel Aviv International Convention Centre from 5-11 November, the same week as the Moselle Open in Metz, France. Qualifying will be played 4-5 November.

View updated 2023 ATP Tour calendar

[ATP APP]

It is the second consecutive year that the ATP Tour will visit the Israeli city. Last September, Tel Aviv hosted an ATP Tour event for the first time since 1996. Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic, Diego Schwartzman and Dominic Thiem all competed at the Tel Aviv Watergen Open, with top-seeded Djokovic taking the title.