Nadal, Djokovic beaten at ATP, setting stage for Medvedev, Thiem final – Newstrends
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Nadal, Djokovic beaten at ATP, setting stage for Medvedev, Thiem final

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Daniil Medvedev sent Rafael Nadal packing after a gruelling slugfest at the ATP Finals in London on Saturday to set up a title match against Novak Djokovic’s conqueror Dominic Thiem.

The Spanish world number two, who has never won the elite event in his illustrious career, faltered when serving for the match in the second set and was beaten 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.

Earlier, US Open champion Thiem recovered from 4-0 down in the third-set tie-break against Djokovic to win 7-5, 6-7 (10/12), 7-6 (7/5).

Russian giant Medvedev — who has won nine matches in a row — put Nadal’s serve under intense pressure in the early stages of their evening match at the empty O2 Arena.

But he was unable to make his chances count and a drop in his level allowed the Spaniard to break to love to lead 5-3 before he served out for the set.

Medvedev immediately found his focus at the start of the second set, winning his first service game to love before Nadal, a two-time finalist at the event, double-faulted to give the Russian a 2-0 lead.

Just when it seemed as though Medvedev was cruising, Nadal, 34, broke back twice to take total control and stepped up to serve for the match.

But in another astonishing twist, the 20-time Grand Slam champion played a sloppy game, allowing the Russian back into the match, and Medvedev won the eventual tie-break.

The deciding set hinged on the seventh game — the Russian produced an overhead winner on his third break point, breaking again to beat Nadal for the first time.

The Spaniard entered the match on a 71-match winning streak after taking the opening set, but 24-year-old snapped that run with a gritty mental and physical performance over two hours and 36 minutes.

“I felt really strange until 5-4 for him in the second set, when he was serving for the match,” said the fourth seed, who lost all three of his matches on his debut at the season-ending tournament last year.

Djokovic agony

Thiem’s victory against Djokovic ended the world number one’s hopes of equalling Roger Federer’s record of six titles at the eight-man event.

The 2019 runner-up faced an uphill battle psychologically after squandering four match points in the second-set tie-break.

But he was quickly back in the groove and rallied from a desperate situation in the final-set tie-break, winning six successive points to earn two match points, taking the second of those.

“It was for sure a mental battle,” said Thiem. “I got so tight in the second-set tie-break, first of all because to play these legends is always going to be something special.”

The Austrian is only the second player in 2020 to win a tie-break against Djokovic, who entered the third-set decider with a 15-1 tie-break record this season.

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Real Madrid play draw with Osasuna, Bellingham sent off

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Real Madrid play draw with Osasuna, Bellingham sent off

La Liga leaders Real Madrid dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna on Saturday in which Jude Bellingham was sent off.

The Spanish champions took the lead through Kylian Mbappe before the referee expelled England international Bellingham for dissent towards the end of the first half.

Ante Budimir levelled for hosts Osasuna from the penalty spot after 58 minutes as Carlo Ancelotti’s side endured a third consecutive league match without victory.

Atletico Madrid, second and two points behind the leaders, host Celta Vigo later Saturday, while third-place Barcelona welcome Rayo Vallecano on Monday.

Bellingham insisted he was expressing his frustration and not insulting the referee.

“It’s difficult when a referee isn’t sure, to determine that I’ve said something that I haven’t, and as a result it kind of hinders the team,” Bellingham told reporters.

“I think you can see clearly in the video, I remember the incident very well, it was an expression to myself.

“I’m not even directing myself towards the referee, but obviously there was a misunderstanding. He’s believed that I’ve said (something insulting) to him…

“There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason I think you can see there was a misunderstanding.”

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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was happy with how Madrid played despite dropping points.

“In a footballing sense we started very well, and we finished well despite having one less player,” said Ancelotti.

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Tennis number one, Jannik Sinner, receives three-month ban for doping 

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Tennis number one, Jannik Sinner, receives three-month ban for doping

 

Tennis number one player (male), Jannik Sinner, has accepted a three-month ban after admitting team mistakes led to testing positive twice for traces of banned substance clostebol in March last year.

The suspension (February 9 to May 4) means Sinner will be free to play in the French Open, the second grand slam of the season, which begins on May 25 at Roland Garros.

In a statement, Sinner said that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted that he “had no intent and did not derive any competitive advantage from the two positive tests”.

Australian Open champion Sinner has always said that clostebol entered his system when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut, then provided massage and sports therapy.

“This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year,” Sinner said.

“I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis, I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a 3- month sanction.”

WADA said separately that “Sinner did not intend to cheat” but that he would serve his suspension as he is responsible for the actions of his entourage.

AFP

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Chelsea suffer humiliation as Brighton run riot with goals

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Chelsea suffer humiliation as Brighton run riot with goals

Brighton delivered a crushing blow to Chelsea in a thrilling Premier League encounter on Friday night, securing a dominant 3-0 victory at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls outclassed their visitors with a display of electrifying football, leaving Enzo Maresca’s side in disarray.

The hosts made their intentions clear early in the game, pressing high and moving the ball swiftly.

Their efforts paid off in the 27th minute when Kaoru Mitoma unleashed a thunderous strike into the bottom right corner, leaving Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen rooted to the spot. It was a moment of sheer brilliance that set the tone for what was to come.

Brighton doubled their lead in the 38th minute, as the ever-lively Yankuba Minteh capitalized on a defensive lapse to stab the ball home from close range.

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The Blues were reeling, unable to muster a meaningful response despite occasional glimpses of attacking threat from Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer.

The final blow came in the 63rd minute when Minteh struck again, this time with a deflected shot that wrong-footed Jorgensen, making it 3-0. Chelsea’s defence was left in tatters, unable to contain Brighton’s relentless onslaught.

Despite a flurry of second-half substitutions, Chelsea failed to break through Brighton’s disciplined backline.

Nkunku came closest to reducing the deficit in the 88th minute, but his low shot was superbly saved by Bart Verbruggen.

Chelsea’s frustration was further compounded by multiple bookings, including Enzo Fernandez for dissent and Moises Caicedo for a reckless challenge.

The Blues’ lack of composure and creativity highlighted their ongoing struggles in the league

Chelsea suffer humiliation as Brighton run riot with goals

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