ANDREY RUBLEV

Tennis Australia says Novak Djokovic’s father has decided to stay away from the 21-time Grand Slam champion’s semifinal after getting embroiled in a flap involving spectators who brought banned Russian flags to Melbourne Park.

If he makes that 28 in a row with victories over the unseeded Paul and then either No. There was, of course, a pause during Djokovic's streak: He did not play in last year's Australian Open, which is part of what he calls the “something extra” that made made him want “to really do well” this time around. A judge later reinstated the visa and ordered Djokovic's release, ruling he wasn't given enough time to speak to his lawyers. From the moment he arrived in Melbourne, Djokovic has been showered with affection (other than from the occasional persistent heckler ). Sorry, my bad.” As for head-to-head against the semifinalists, Djokovic has never played Paul, is 10-2 against Tsitsipas (winning the last nine) and 8-1 against Khachanov (winning the last seven).

Novak Djokovic is playing about as well as can be at the Australian Open.

The term “choke” is often used when describing a tennis player who misses what looks like an easy shot or loses a match at the Australian Open and other tournaments.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The next stop on Ben Shelton's first trip outside the United States will be a spot in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Now the 89th-ranked Shelton meets yet another unseeded American, 35th-ranked Tommy Paul, who eliminated No. They join Sebastian Korda — his dad won the 1998 Australian Open — to give the U.S. three men in the quarterfinals in Melbourne for the first time since 2000. Shelton, Paul and Korda are all in the final eight at a major for the first time. I’m shaking,” said Rublev, who is 0-6 in Grand Slam quarterfinals for his career.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The next stop on Ben Shelton's impressive debut run at the Australian Open will be the quarterfinals. Shelton is playing in only his second Grand Slam tournament — and he is on his first trip outside of the United States in his life. He joins Sebastian Korda to give the U.S. at least two men in the quarterfinals in Australia for the first time since 2007. Yet another American could join them because Tommy Paul was in fourth-round action Monday, too, going up against No. The Russian kept coming back, kept coming back, kept coming back — from down 5-2 in the fifth set, then facing a pair of match points while trailing 6-5, then from 5-0 and 7-2 in the first-to-10 concluding tiebreaker — before finally putting away No.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — There was a moment at the Australian Open on Saturday that must have felt very much like a chance for a career-defining result for some of the young men moving into Week 2. “Of course, I know what’s happening,” said Rune, who appeared to hurt his ankle and wrist in a fall during a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (5) win against Ugo Humbert and pronounced himself OK afterward. “But mainly I just focus on myself.”Rublev sounded a similar note following his 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. “There were some moments before when I feel there is opportunity to go to semis or even final maybe and, in the end, nothing happened,” said Rublev, who delivered 60 winners. Wolf gets the winner of Ben Shelton vs. Alexei Popyrin, while Paul's next opponent will be Andy Murray or Roberto Bautista Agut.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the third time in four years with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over Dan Evans on Saturday. Fifth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka extended her streak to seven matches as she beat Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3 to reach the fourth round. Sabalenka will now play Belinda Bencic after the Swiss player reached the fourth round for the first time since 2016, beating Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena. Former top-ranked Karolina Pliskova also reached the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Varvara Gracheva. Donna Vekic advanced to the fourth round for the second time in three years with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain.

Talk about going bananas: There was an unusual show of sportsmanship at the Australian Open on Saturday, when one player, Dan Evans, offered a piece of fruit to his opponent, Andrey Rublev. Rublev, a six-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, compiled a whopping 60 winners in the match, with nary a slip-up. The snack-sharing came at a changeover late in the first set, with Rublev leading 5-4.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the third time in four years with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over Dan Evans on Saturday. “Every match I’m playing better and better,” Rublev said. He helped me with the energy.”Belinda Bencic reached the fourth round for the first time since 2016 when she beat Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena. Donna Vekic advanced to the fourth round for the second time in three years with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain. Vekic will meet either Czech players Marketa Vondrousova or Linda Fruhvirtova in the fourth round.

It’s been almost two full decades since this many U.S. men reached Week 2 at the Australian Open.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Andrey Rublev beat wild-card entry Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday to book his place in the second round of the Australian Open. Thiem, a runner-up at the Australian Open in 2020 and the U.S. Open winner the same year, missed much of 2021 due to injuries but has recovered from outside the top 350 last year to a place just inside the top 100. Rublev will now play either the Australian qualifier Max Purcell or Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland. “It wasn’t that easy, I’m super-happy to start with the win,” said Sabalenka, who will play American Shelby Rogers in the second round. Taylor Townsend won her first Grand Slam match since becoming a mother, beating Diane Parry, a wild-card entry from France, 6-1, 6-1.

The Australian government confirmed that Novak Djokovic has been granted a visa to compete in the Australian Open in January a year after he was deported over his stance against COVID-19 vaccination.

Andrey Rublev made a plea for peace amid Russia's incursion in Ukraine as he defeated his compatriot Daniil Medvedev in three sets in Italy.

Third-seeded Casper Ruud eased to a straight-set victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the opening match of the ATP Finals.

The son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, Tiafoe is the first Black American to make the men’s semifinals at the U.S. Open since Arthur Ashe did it fifty years ago.

Carlos Alcaraz has outlasted Jannik Sinner in the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history, advancing to the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3 victory.

Tiafoe managed the tricky task of following up the biggest win of his career, against 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round, with another milestone victory, beating No. “I love to show the world what I can do,” said the 24-year-old Tiafoe, who is seeded 22nd at Flushing Meadows. Roddick also was the last man from the country to win any Grand Slam singles championship, taking the 2003 U.S. Open. The other key moments came at the conclusions of the first two sets; Tiafoe is 6-0 in tiebreakers at this U.S. Open. “But he has to win the Grand Slam first.

Frances Tiafoe defeated Russia's Andrey Rublev on Wednesday in yet another stunning upset at the U.S. Open.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Frances Tiafoe became the first American man to reach the U.S. Open semifinals since 2006 by beating Andrey Rublev 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0), 6-4 behind the backing of a boisterous partisan crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday. 22-seeded Tiafoe played aggressive, offensive tennis and used 18 aces along with strong net play to oust No. Andy Roddick was the last U.S. man to get to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows when he lost to Roger Fededer in the title match 16 years ago. Roddick also was the last man from the country to win any Grand Slam singles championship, taking the 2003 U.S. Open. Tiafoe’s first career Grand Slam semifinal will come Friday against No.

Frances Tiafoe has become the first American man to reach the U.S. Open semifinals since 2006.

Carlos Alcaraz has outlasted Jannik Sinner in the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history, advancing to the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3 victory.

Frances Tiafoe became the first American man into the U.S. Open semifinals in 16 years by beating No. 9 Andrey Rublev 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0), 6-4. Two days after upsetting No. 2 Rafael Nadal, the No. 22-seeded Tiafoe reached the last four of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. Rublev fell to 0-6 in Grand Slam quarterfinals.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Serena Williams, you might have heard, played what's expected to be her last match at the U.S. Open. It’s logical.”Folks have been wondering — and, perhaps, worrying — about when someone new would emerge to take on the mantle in both women's tennis and men's tennis. Djokovic and Nadal combined to win this year's first three major titles and 15 of the past 17 overall. The fans have to be ready for a new generation, as well.”Whether or not TV executives and tournament ticket-sellers agree, that is a popular sentiment among current players: Tennis will be fine. “Unfortunately for all of us,” Murray said, “the sport moves on.”___More AP coverage of U.S. Open tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/us-open-tennis-championships and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Serena Williams played what’s expected to be her last match at the U.S. Open.

“I'm just proud,” Swiatek said, “that I didn't lose hope.”The 21-year-old from Poland will face another first-time U.S. Open quarterfinalist next. The statement added: “Unfortunately, a pop-up sunshower occurred.”The other women's fourth-round matches Monday were two-time Australian Open champion Viktoria Azarenka against two-time major finalist Karolina Pliskova, and No. 7 Cam Norrie 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. She lost to the since-retired Ash Barty at the Australian Open, which Barty ended up winning, then to Swiatek at the French Open, which Swiatek wound up winning for her second championship there. Then, just winning the second set to pull even was quite the struggle for Swiatek.

Frances Tiafoe has ended Rafael Nadal’s 22-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments by beating the 22-time major champion 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the U.S. Open’s fourth round.

Swiatek, a two-time French Open champion, will play Jessica Pegula next. Pegula eliminated two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-2 to get to her third major quarterfinal of 2022. The match in Ashe between two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and No. The two-time French Open champion will try to make the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the first time when she plays unseeded Jule Niemeier. The Ashe program begins at noon with two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova taking on the highest-ranked American woman, Jessica Pegula.

There is a retractable roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but it wasn't closed until after a downpour soaked the court. Play has resumed between two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and No. Shortly after they picked back up, Rublev closed out the second set for a 6-4, 6-4 lead in their fourth-round contest. The two-time French Open champion will try to make the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the first time when she plays unseeded Jule Niemeier. The Ashe program begins at noon with two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova taking on the highest-ranked American woman, Jessica Pegula.

Play has resumed between two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and No. Shortly after they picked back up, Rublev closed out the second set for a 6-4, 6-4 lead in their fourth-round contest. Rain is delaying play in all matches at Flushing Meadows — even in the two arenas with retractable roofs, Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. The two-time French Open champion will try to make the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the first time when she plays unseeded Jule Niemeier. The Ashe program begins at noon with two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova taking on the highest-ranked American woman, Jessica Pegula.

Play has resumed between two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and No. 8 seed Jessica Pegula in Arthur Ashe Stadium after a rain delay of 45 minutes while they waited for the retractable roof to close and the court to be dried. Rain is delaying play in all matches at Flushing Meadows — even in the two arenas with retractable roofs, Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. The two-time French Open champion will try to make the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the first time when she plays unseeded Jule Niemeier. The Ashe program begins at noon with two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova taking on the highest-ranked American woman, Jessica Pegula.

It’s going to be a U.S. Open quarterfinals matchup of two rising stars when third-seeded Carlos Alcaraz plays No. 11-seed Jannik Sinner.

Nadal has won 34 straight sets against Gasquet and needed just over 2 hours to move into the fourth round of the U.S. Open. Tiafoe, the first American man since Mardy Fish in 2010-12 to get to the U.S. Open’s fourth round in three consecutive years. Rublev advanced to the U.S. Open quarterfinals in 2017 and 2020 and also lost in the fourth round in 2019. ___4:59 p.m.Carlos Alcaraz has become became the youngest man since Pete Sampras in 1989 and ’90 to reach the fourth round in consecutive U.S. Brooksby was 20 last year when he went to the fourth round, where Novak Djokovic eliminated him in four sets.

7 Cameron Norrie in the fourth round. Rublev advanced to the U.S. Open quarterfinals in 2017 and 2020 and also lost in the fourth round in 2019. ___4:59 p.m.Carlos Alcaraz has become became the youngest man since Pete Sampras in 1989 and ’90 to reach the fourth round in consecutive U.S. Brooksby was 20 last year when he went to the fourth round, where Novak Djokovic eliminated him in four sets. Here’s how close this one was: Kvitova won 109 total points, Muguruza 108.

Much like for so many other folks, Serena Williams’ last match at the U.S. Open was must-see TV for players still in the tournament, so Jessica Pegula and Petra Kvitova tuned in from their hotel rooms the night before their victories led off Saturday’s schedule and set up a fourth-round showdown.

American Madison Keys upset No. 1 Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday to reach the Western & Southern Open quarterfinals.

It's been quite a week for Russia’s professional tennis players.

Nick Kyrgios has followed up his run to the Wimbledon final by winning the Citi Open title for the second time.

Nick Kyrgios has reached a second consecutive tournament final for the first time in his career.

Nick Kyrgios beat American Marcos Giron in his first match at the Citi Open in Washington.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has lost in the second round to big-serving American John Isner.

France Tennis French Open Croatia's Marin Cilic celebrates winning his quarterfinal match against Russia's Andrey Rublev in five sets, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10-2), at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Cilic delivered 33 aces to get to the final four at the French Open for the first time, edging No. 7 seed Andrey Rublev 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10-2) on Wednesday in a 4-hour, 10-minute test of strength and will. Cilic was the runner-up to Federer at Wimbledon in 2017 and the Australian Open in 2018; the latter had been Cilic's most recent trip to a Slam semifinal. The other men's semifinal is 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, who eliminated Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, against No.

Marin Cilic has reached his first French Open semifinal at age 33 with the help of 33 aces.

Top-seeded Iga Swiatek has moved into the French Open semifinals with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over American Jessica Pegula.

Marin Cilic has dominated a fifth-set tiebreaker against seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev to advance to his first French Open semifinal.

Iga Swiatek’s 20-set winning streak ended but her run of consecutive match victories is now up to 32 as she heads to the French Open quarterfinals.

It took until the fourth round, but now it’s the high-seeded men who are exiting the French Open.

It took until the fourth round, but now it's the high-seeded men who are exiting the French Open. No. 2 Daniil Medvedev bowed out with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 loss to No. 20 Marin Cilic in a matchup between two past U.S. Open champions at Court Philippe Chatrier on Monday night. Medvedev joins No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas, last year's runner-up, on the way out of the bracket.

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek has won 31 consecutive matches and 48 of her past 49 sets as she heads toward the fourth round of the French Open.

A player at the French Open was allowed to continue her match — and ended up winning it — after she threw her racket and it bounced into the stands.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has ended his career as a singles tennis player with a 6-7 (6), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (0) loss to Casper Ruud in the first round of the French Open.

The usual trophies and prize money will be on the line for Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and other top players at Wimbledon, but there is a significant change there this year.

Naomi Osaka’s return to the French Open will be a tough test against the player who beat her at the Australian Open, No. 27 Amanda Anisimova.

John Isner believes in his chances against Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Italian Open.

Novak Djokovic is optimistic about his game going into the French Open despite going another week without a title.

Novak Djokovic is off to a good start at the Madrid Open after a 6-3, 6-2 win over Gael Monfils in the second round.

Placeholder while article actions loadOrganizers of the famous Wimbledon tennis tournament in England announced last week that players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to play in the 2022 championships. Lots of people, including the top-ranked male player, Novak Djokovic, as well as tennis legend and nine-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova, do not think the ban is fair. In some ways, telling tennis players that they cannot play in an important tournament just because they are from a certain country is unfair. In February, Putin ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine, an independent country that was not threatening Russia. The punishment may not be perfectly fair, especially for the athletes, but I think it is the right thing to do.

All England Club officials are defending the decision to bar players from Russia and Belarus from Wimbledon this year because of the invasion of Ukraine.

Carlos Alcaraz has moved up to No. 9 in the ATP rankings at age 18.

Banning players from Russia and Belarus does more to preserve the tennis tournament as a politics-free zone than support Ukraine’s war effort.

Among the prominent players affected by the ban are reigning U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who recently reached No. Belarus has aided Russia in the war. Wednesday’s move — first announced in a statement posted on Twitter — signals the first time a tennis tournament has told players from Russia and Belarus they are not welcome. The French Open, which starts on May 22, will be the first Grand Slam tournament held since Russia invaded Ukraine in February and is expected to permit Russian and Belarussian players to compete. ___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Russian and Belarusian tennis players have been banned from competing at this year’s Wimbledon tournament because of the war in Ukraine.

For now, the Russians can participate in tournaments as “neutral” players, but they may not be able to stay neutral much longer.

The 21-time major champion staved off three break points on his serve in the fifth game of the third set and then broke Alcaraz with a forehand volley winner to go up 5-3. Nadal served out the match with a love game, punctuating the 3-hour, 12-minute struggle with a 95-mph ace. Nadal threw his head back, smiled and raised both arms in triumph, having escaped an aggressive Alcaraz. He served a love game to open the match and then promptly broke Rublev and held again for a 3-0 lead. They've known each other since the junior ranks, where Rublev beat Fritz in three of their four meetings.

Indian Wells Tennis Taylor Fritz reacts during his men's singles semifinals match against Andrey Rublev, of Russia, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — (AP) — Taylor Fritz ended Andrey Rublev’s 13-match winning streak with a 7-5, 6-4 victory Saturday in the BNP Paribas Open semifinals. Fritz advanced to the final Sunday against either Rafael Nadal or 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who met in the other semifinal. Andre Agassi was the last American man to win Indian Wells in 2001. In the second set, Fritz came up with a big hold at 5-4, firing an ace down the T after fighting off two break points. They've known each other since the junior ranks, where Rublev beat Fritz in three of their four meetings.

Rafael Nadal outlasted Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the BNP Paribas Open final and improve to 20-0 this year.

In 2021, Fritz came into Indian Wells ranked 39th in the world. “I feel like my level as a player has gone up a ton.”Fritz has recorded many milestones at Indian Wells, where he's always a crowd favorite. Fritz made his debut in a Masters 1000 main draw at Indian Wells and notched his first top-10 win here in 2017. “Just the energy is completely different.”Fritz is the first American to reach consecutive semifinals at Indian Wells since Andy Roddick in 2009-10. ___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Iga Swiatek rallied from a break down in each set to beat Simona Halep 7-6 (6), 6-4 and reach the final of the BNP Paribas Open.

Ovechkin, one of the most prominent Russian athletes in the U.S., made a plea for peace while talking with reporters after practice in Philadelphia. “Please, no more war,” Ovechkin said Friday. “It doesn’t matter who is in the war, Russia, Ukraine, different countries. "heRussian tennis player Daniil Medvedev spoke Thursday at the Mexico Open about waking up to news that his country had invaded Ukraine. “By being a tennis player, I want to promote peace all over the world,” Medvedev continued.

Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev has written “No War Please” on a TV camera moments after advancing to the final at the Dubai Championships.

As much as Daniil Medvedev cares about taking over the No. 1 ranking in men’s tennis, he also knows there are more serious matters happening involving his home nation of Russia.

France Tennis Open 13 Provence Andrey Rublev of Russia celebrates with the trophy after winning the men's singles final of the Open 13 Provence tennis tournament against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in Marseille, south of France, Sunday, Feb.20, 2022. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) (Daniel Cole)MARSEILLE, France — (AP) — Second-seeded Andrey Rublev beat No. 3 Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 7-6 (4) to win the Open 13 tournament on Sunday, clinching his ninth career title and first for almost a year. “I had to increase my level otherwise I would have had no chance against Felix,” Rublev said. But somehow I was able to raise my level and in the end it was tough.”___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Second-seeded Andrey Rublev beat No. 3 Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 7-6 (4) to win the Open 13 tournament and clinch his ninth career title.

APTOPIX Australian Open Tennis Marin Cilic of Croatia celebrates after defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill) (Andy Brownbill)MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The Latest at the Australian Open on Saturday (all times local):11:50 p.m.Former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic has upset No. 5-seeded Andrey Rublev to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open. De Minaur, seeded 32nd, beat Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in the first of the night matches on Day 6 on the main show court at Melbourne Park. 2-ranked Medvedev had a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win over Botic Van de Zandschulp in the third round, two days after a challenging second-round win over Nick Kyrgios.

Former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic has upset No. 5-seeded Andrey Rublev to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Daniil Medvedev overcame Nick Kyrgios and all his tricks and the constant noise of a boisterous crowd to advance to the third round of the Australian Open.

A verdict is expected later Sunday in tennis star Novak Djokovic’s appeal against a deportation order that threatens his participation in the Australian Open.

At least Novak Djokovic knows who he'll face in the first round of his Australian Open title defense — if he’s allowed to play.

Not long after Serena Williams’ name was absent from the entry list for the Australian Open, she confirmed the obvious: the seven-time champion won’t play the 2022 edition of the season-opening major in January.

Spain Davis Cup Tennis The Russian Tennis Federation team celebrate with the trophy after winning the Davis Cup tennis final at the Madrid Arena in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (Bernat Armangue)MADRID — (AP) — Russia's 15-year wait for a Davis Cup title ended Sunday after another clutch performance by Daniil Medvedev. It was the fifth consecutive straight-set victory in the Davis Cup for the No. Russia's other Davis Cup title was in 2002. The triumph also capped a special week for Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev, the longest-serving Davis Cup captain.

CORRECTION Spain Davis Cup Tennis CORRECTS NAME OF PLAYER Russian Tennis Federation's Andrey Rublev celebrates a point against Croatia's Borna Gojo during their Davis Cup tennis finals at Madrid Arena in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (Manu Fernandez)MADRID — (AP) — Andrey Rublev beat Borna Gojo in straight sets to give Russia a 1-0 lead over Croatia in the Davis Cup final on Sunday, leaving Daniil Medvedev with the chance to secure his country's first title in the team event since 2006. Russia is seeking its third Davis Cup title after triumphs in 2002 and 2006. Russia can complete a sweep of team events after the women's team won the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Prague last month. Victory would also cap a special week for captain Shamil Tarpischev, the longest-serving Davis Cup captain.

Russia’s 15-year wait for a Davis Cup title has ended after another clutch performance by Daniil Medvedev.

TURIN, Italy — (AP) — Novak Djokovic advanced to the semifinals of the ATP Finals by beating Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday. The top-ranked Djokovic is attempting to match Roger Federer’s record of six titles at the season-ending event for the top eight players in the world. Djokovic was again almost perfect on his serve, although Rublev managed to break him in the opening game. Djokovic broke twice in each set and won the match with his 12th ace. He beat Casper Ruud in his opening group match.

Novak Djokovic has advanced to the semifinals of the ATP Finals by beating Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-2.

Five-time champion Novak Djokovic has reopened his ATP Finals account and beaten Casper Ruud 7-6, 6-2 in Turin.

Strong serving and consistent baseline play propelled U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev to a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 win over first-time qualifier Hubert Hurkacz in the opening match of the ATP Finals.

Even without any of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic on the roster, Team Europe clinched its fourth consecutive Laver Cup victory by going up 14-1 against Team World on Sunday. Tokyo Olympics singles gold medalist Alexander Zverev of Germany and Andrey Rublev of Russia gave Team Europe an insurmountable lead by beating Reilly Opelka of the U.S. and Denis Shapovalov of Canada 6-2, 6-7 (4), 10-3 in a match tiebreaker in doubles to open Sunday's play.

The pandemic-delayed fourth edition of the Laver Cup — and first without Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic participating — began Friday with Team Europe taking a 3-1 lead over Team World thanks to victories in singles from Matteo Berrettini, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev. Italy's Berrettini, the runner-up to Djokovic at Wimbledon in July, saved 12 of 13 break points and came back to edge Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in a match tiebreaker 6-7 (3), 7-5, 10-8.

Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez has followed up her upset of defending champion Naomi Osaka at the U.S. Open by beating another past title winner at Flushing Meadows.

US Open Tennis Andrey Rublev, of Russia, wipes sweat from his face during the second round of the US Open tennis championships against Pedro Martinez, of Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):___3:35 p.m.Daniil Medvedev eased into the third round of the U.S. Open with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Dominik Koepfer. Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev also advanced but 15th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, a semifinalist in the 2019 U.S. Open, retired after losing two tiebreakers and trailing 4-0 in the third set against Alexei Popyrin. ___1:25 p.m.Simona Halep is into the third round of the U.S. Open for the first time since 2016. 5 seed Andrey Rublev and 15th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov were among the players who got started late after play was delayed on the courts that aren't covered.

Zverev, too, had a relatively easy time in the Cincinnati final, winning the first four games en route to a 6-2, 6-3 victory over seventh-ranked Andrey Rublev. The match lasted 58 minutes, a welcome result for Zverev after a grueling three-set semifinal win over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday. “It's been an awesome week,” said Zverev, who lost to Dominic Thiem in last year's U.S. Open final. “It’s been an awesome week," Barty said. “I was very happy with my week," Teichmann said.

(AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (Christophe Ena)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___10:20 p.m.Carla Suárez Navarro has made her return to Grand Slam competition after being treated for cancer. ___7:15 p.m.Rafael Nadal's bid for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title has started with a straight-set victory at the French Open. The American veteran's 24th appearance at the French Open ended in a 6-3, 6-1 defeat against Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia. ___4:35 p.m.Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova says on Instagram that she has pulled out of the French Open because of an ankle injury. Barty played 13 matches on clay in the build-up to the French Open, winning 11.

France Tennis French Open United States's Coco Gauff plays a return to Serbia's Aleksandra Krunic during their first round match on day three of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. ___7:15 p.m.Rafael Nadal's bid for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title has started with a straight-set victory at the French Open. The American veteran's 24th appearance at the French Open ended in a 6-3, 6-1 defeat against Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia. ___4:35 p.m.Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova says on Instagram that she has pulled out of the French Open because of an ankle injury. ___12:40 p.m.Australian Open runner-up Jennifer Brady breezed past Anastasija Sevastova to reach the second round and match her best performance at the French Open.

The American veteran in her 24th appearance at the French Open lost 6-3, 6-1 to Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia. ___5 p.m.Seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev has lost in the first round of the French Open. ___4:35 p.m.Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova says on Instagram that she has pulled out of the French Open because of an ankle injury. ___2:50 p.m.Teenage wild card Oceane Babel's inexperience was too much for her to overcome on her Roland Garros debut. ___12:40 p.m.Australian Open runner-up Jennifer Brady breezed past Anastasija Sevastova to reach the second round and match her best performance at the French Open.

France Tennis French Open Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova returns the ball to Belgium's Greet Minnen during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___5 p.m.Seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev has lost in the first round of the French Open. It's the first time Rublev has lost so early at Roland Garros since his debut at the tournament in 2017. ___4:35 p.m.Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova says on Instagram that she has pulled out of the French Open because of an ankle injury. ___12:40 p.m.Australian Open runner-up Jennifer Brady breezed past Anastasija Sevastova to reach the second round and match her best performance at the French Open.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images(CNN) - Roger Federer has suffered his fastest defeat in 16 years after crashing out of the Cincinnati Masters Thursday. The 20-time grand slam champion was roundly beaten 6-3 6-4 by Russian qualifier Andrey Rublev in just 62 minutes. Defense, offense, serving well," Federer said of his opponent after the match. No 70 was clearly emotional after beating Federer and can now look forward to a quarterfinal match up with fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev. "It's the biggest and most emotional win," said Rublev, before turning his attention to praising Federer.