Sports
The defeat of the favorites in Montreal allows Nadal to aim for number one in…
The defeat of the favorites in Montreal allows Nadal to aim for number one in…
Whatever happens, whoever lifts the trophy next Sunday to the Canadian sky, this edition of the Masters 1,000 in Montreal is already historic. Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas were, from the outset, the three favorites and the top seeds, in that order.
However, the first round (for their rivals it was the second) became a kind of black hole that sucked them in. The defeat of Medvedev and Alcaraz benefits Rafa Nadal, who has already confirmed his presence next week in Cincinnati . If he wins the tournament and the current number one does not advance to the quarterfinals, the player from Manacor will replace him at the top of the table.
In Montreal, the first to fall was Alcaraz against Tommy Paul, number 34 in the ATP ranking. The next victim was the Russian, who was left out after losing to Nick Kyrgios in three sets. Finally, the Greek, surprised by Jack Draper, a 20-year-old who ranks 82nd in the world. Since 2001, the two top seeds have not been left out of a Masters 1,000 in the first round.
The defeat of the favorites in Montreal allows Nadal to aim for number one in…
In that year, Gustavo Kuerten and Andre Agassi lost in their debut in Stuttgart against two much inferior rivals. The subsequent fall of Tsitsipas makes this Montreal edition even more extraordinary. After the elimination of the top three candidates for the title, and the also surprising defeats of Andrey Rublev or Diego Schwartzman, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud, Jannik Sinner and the enraged Nick Kyrgios remain as rivals to beat.
The Australian, with his victory over Medvedev (6-7, 6-4, 6-2), did a huge favor to his antagonist in the sport, Rafa Nadal. The Russian had just won in Los Cabos without major shocks, but this disappointment (if it can be considered that way taking into account the moment that Kyrgios is going through) brings the tennis player from Manacor closer to the possibility of accessing the top of the individual classification the week that comes in Cincinnati. For that, he would need to win the tournament and Medvedev not to reach the quarterfinals. If it doesn’t happen, he could still end the year on the throne if he puts in a strong performance at the US Open.
The clash between Kyrgios and the world number one showed the Australian’s change of heart. After seeing how his rival saved a critical situation and prevailed in the tie break of the first round, he did not lower his head and went up several revolutions. Intractable as always in the service and aggressive to the return, he did an exercise of resistance and constant wear and tear that ended up knocking down the sober Medvedev. “Kyrgios played unbelievable, he will soon be top 10,” acknowledged the Russian at the end of the match, surrendering to the level of a tennis player who has won 14 of his last 15 singles matches.
READ MORE: Daniil Medvedev makes Novak Djokovic US Open ban feelings clear with comments on rivals
Alcaraz’s loss was even more surprising, because it came against Tommy Paul, who despite being above Kyrgios in the ATP rankings cannot currently be compared to him. “Right now I’m angry. I made bad decisions. That has frustrated me,” the Murcian confessed at the press conference after the match. “It was the first time that I couldn’t withstand the pressure and I couldn’t control it. I felt the pressure of being the number two seed, the number four in the world,” he admitted, in some surprising statements for a player of his determination. , but understandable given his age and his lightning rise to the top.
The last to be eliminated in Montreal was Tsitsipas, number five in the world and third seeded in the Canadian tournament. His executioner was Jack Draper, a daring young man who, with his powerful left foot, dropped the Greek in two even sets (7-5, 7-6). Among so many disappointments, it should be noted that, despite the elimination of Alcaraz, it is still a positive championship for Spanish tennis.
In the round of 16 will be Albert Ramos, who surprised the Argentine Schwartzman; Roberto Bautista, who will fight against Casper Ruud; and Pablo Carreño, who will face another hard bone like the Italian Sinner, but who has crushed Holger Rune (6-0, 6-3).
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
H. Marko lashes out at Steiner: Defend Mick Schumacher
Helmut Marko believes Mick Schumacher deserves a return to Formula 1, naming two teams he thinks would consider the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The 81-year-old Austrian lashes out at Guenther Steiner, who sacked the German at Haas F1 just under two years ago.
“Mick is one of the politest and nicest people in the whole paddock, which is a disadvantage for him. He also has the handicap of a big name,” Marko said in an interview with Sport1.de. “In sporting terms, he has already achieved a lot. He won the Formula 3 championship, he won the Formula 2 championship, that alone made him interesting for Formula 1 teams.”
Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut at Haas F1 in 2021. There, he lasted two seasons. After a disappointing season in 2022, Guenther Steiner showed him the door and they opted for more experience with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Marko: ‘Netflix superstar’ Steiner treated Schumacher unfairly
“As far as we were concerned, there were no sporting reasons why we never got together,” Red Bull Racing’s team advisor explained. “He was a Ferrari junior at the time, but Mercedes took him into the team [afterwards]. So he wasn’t even on the market.”
“At Haas, he was not treated fairly by Netflix superstar Guenther Steiner. That’s a fact. Once you drive outside Formula 1, it becomes a difficult story. But behind the scenes, you only hear good things about him. Toto Wolff praises him to the skies. I think Alpine and Audi are seriously considering him. I wouldn’t begrudge him, because he deserves it,” Marko said.
Verstappen and Hamilton CRASH as FIA take action in Hungary
Max Verstappen was involved in a dramatic collision with Lewis Hamilton for P3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman attempted an overtake on his rival into Turn 1, going though the inside but locking up as Hamilton’s front right collided with Verstappen’s rear left.
In dramatic fashion the Red Bull was launched into the air, and was lucky to remain in the race, falling behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen has been placed under investigation by the stewards, with the FIA calling a 4.50pm UK time summons, where the sport’s governing body confirmed their findings.
F1 RECAP: Piastri claims STUNNING maiden victory as FIA announce Verstappen penalty verdict
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crash in Hungary
A nightmare Hungarian GP for Max Verstappen
It was a difficult race for the champion who went wide on the opening lap, and was forced to give the position back to Lando Norris after claiming P2.
The Red Bull star accused the Brit of running him wide, and continued to deliver a series of furious radio messages to his team during the grand prix.
Verstappen’s frustrations came to the fore as he attempted to overtake Hamilton, with the pair lucky to not be embroiled in more devastating contact.
In the end Hamilton claimed P3 and a podium in Hungary, with Verstappen languishing back in fifth.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
“It’s going to be emotional for me” – Chase Briscoe on honoring Tony Stewart’s legacy
Chase Briscoe, in a recent media session, shared his emotions about racing on the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Briscoe will be driving the No. 14 car, a number famously associated with his current team owner, Tony Stewart.
Stewart won several races and the 2011 championship with this car. He also co-owns NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), which will be shutting down after this season.
NASCAR first raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1994, which was the first race there besides the Indianapolis 500 in 1916. Since then, many different racing series have raced at IMS. As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Brickyard 400 after three years off, Chase Briscoe, who grew up in Mitchell, Indiana, faces an emotional weekend.
“It’s going to be emotional for me, I mean full transparency I cry every year just on the ride around deal so with it being on the oval and doing it in the 14 all that it’s going to be definitely, probably emotional,” said Briscoe.
“It’s really special to be back here at home in Indiana. Every race car driver dreams of racing at Indianapolis, but for me, it’s even more special because I grew up here,” he added.
Chase Briscoe eyes playoff spot and #14 legacy
A win this weekend will help Chase Briscoe secure a spot in the 2024 Cup playoffs. It would also be a fitting end to SHR’s legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Briscoe has raced at the Brickyard before, twice in the Xfinity Series and won on the road course layout in 2020.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to race on the oval. So being able to do it this year means a lot to me,” Briscoe stated.
The #14 car has a special place in NASCAR history. After Stewart retired in 2016, Clint Bowyer took over and won two races in 2018. Chase Briscoe then drove the #14 in 2021 and earned his first win in 2022. Other notable racers like Fonty Flock, Hershel McGriff, and A.J. Foyt, also drove this famed car.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
