Trophies were lifted on a silverware Sunday, whilst the WTA Finals launched in Cancun.
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTTennis fans in the stands or watching on TV, online, were treated to a spectacle of tennis over the weekend.
There were instant classic matches and a host of players proving why they belong at the very top of the sport. Here are the headlines you may have missed…
A very talented skier, World No.4 Jannik Sinner grew up near the Italian/Austrian border. Taking that into account, with friends and family in the stands, it was an extra-special week for the 22-year-old.
Sinner launched into the ATP 500 Vienna final without dropping a set and then served up one of the matches of the season over the net from defending champion Daniil Medvedev.
The ball-striking, the raw athleticism, was off the charts in the three-hour modern thriller. Sinner prevailed 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3 to lift his 10th career title, his fourth trophy in 2023. Find the highlights, they aren't to be missed.
"It took a lot of physical and mental stuff," said an exhausted Sinner.
"Obviously to finish the match, it was really a mental thing, but I’m very happy about how I managed today and very happy for another title.”
Sinner and Medvedev have collided in four finals this season. Sunday's triumph levelled that mini-series at 2-2, after the world No.3 took top honours in Rotterdam and Miami. Then at the start of October, Sinner ruled in Beijing to provide the platform for the pulsating Vienna victory.
"For sure in the top three, top five matches (of my life), because playing finals is always special, but against Daniil where usually I lost so many times," stated Sinner, improving his record in their duels to 2-6. "Last time when I won (Beijing) gave me confidence for today."
Sinner and Medvedev move onto the Rolex Paris Masters. Let's hope we can see more of this simmering rivalry soon, perhaps in the French capital or even at the ATP Finals in Turin next month.
Since Felix Auger-Aliassime was hailed champion in Basel last October, it's been a rocky road for the Canadian.
Injuries, undulating form, the 23-year-old arrived in Switzerland this time round with a 17-18 season record. Time for a resurgence.
Auger-Aliassime erased match point at 5-4 in the decider to Alexander Shevchenko in the quarter-finals and never looked back.
The world No.19 swatted top seed Holger Rune aside to the loss of just five games and then struck with authority and freedom to hold off fourth seed Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(3), 7-5(5) on Sunday.
“I’m definitely back. I let my racquet talk. That's always been the motto of my career," declared Auger-Aliassime.
"I've had the conviction that I can be a top player since I'm a kid, but there were many doubts this year about my performances and why.
“I’m happy that I was able to prove to everybody that I still belong among the best players in the world, that I can play this level. I never doubted it, but it's good to confirm it on the court.”
Over to Mexico and the season's very best are vying for the prestigious WTA Finals silverware.
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek headline the 'Bacalar' and 'Chetumal' groups in Cancun. In an extra plot, Sabalenka and Swiatek, with a number of permutations, are fighting for the season year-end No.1 ranking.
Joining Australian Open champion Sabalenka in the 'Bacalar' group will see a Melbourne re-match with Elena Rybakina. Jessica Pegula, featuring in the doubles event too, alongside Greek Maria Sakkari form the round-robin quartet.
Over to the 'Chetumal' group, there will be a reunion for Roland-Garros champion Swiatek and New York champion Coco Gauff. Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova and her SW19 final opponent Ons Jabeur complete the all-star roster.
The top finisher from each group will face the second-placed player from the opposite group.
Roland-Garros semi-finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia capped a stellar season with WTA Elite Trophy glory in Zhuhai.
The Brazilian edged an enthralling 7-6(11), 7-6(4) final with Chinese prodigy Zheng Qinwen, to capture her first title of 2023.
"It's a very special week for me. When I came to Asia, I had stitches in my fingers in the first round of Beijing," stated the 27-year-old."Now I'm finishing the season with a trophy in my hands."
ROLAND-GARROS
20 May - 9 June 2024
