Norrie Eliminated by Berrettini in Thrilling Vienna Match

Cameron Norrie’s bid for a long-awaited return to the ATP Tour quarter-finals came to an abrupt end as he was defeated by Matteo Berrettini at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. The match concluded with a score of 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (11-9), 6-4, marking a disappointing exit for the British player, who had recently secured an impressive victory over world No. 15 Andrey Rublev in the previous round.

Norrie demonstrated resilience throughout the match, especially in the opening set where he had four opportunities to take a commanding lead at 5-1. However, he ultimately lost the set in a closely contested tie-break. The second set saw Norrie save a match point during another tie-break, which allowed him to push the match to a decisive third set. The contest lasted three hours and 16 minutes, showcasing the intensity and competitiveness of both players.

Matteo Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist, will advance to the quarter-finals where he is set to face Australian player Alex de Minaur. De Minaur secured his place by defeating home wild card Filip Misolic with a score of 6-4, 6-4.

In the day’s other matches, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, the tournament’s top seed, is scheduled to play fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli. Should Sinner prevail, he will meet either Alexander Bublik or Francisco Cerundolo in the next round.

The Erste Bank Open has been a notable event for Norrie, who was aiming to regain his momentum after a challenging season. Meanwhile, Britain’s Jack Draper, currently sidelined due to an arm injury, previously won this tournament in 2024, defeating Karen Khachanov to secure his first ATP 500 title.

Saudi Arabia to Host New Masters 1000 Event

In a significant development for professional tennis, it has been announced that Saudi Arabia will host a new Masters 1000 event, expected to commence around 2028. This addition will bring the total number of Masters 1000 tournaments to ten, joining existing events in locations such as Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, and Paris.

Saudi Arabia’s involvement in tennis has been on the rise, with the country previously hosting the WTA Finals, the Next Gen ATP Finals, and the Six Kings Slam. Their Public Investment Fund has also established sponsorship deals with both the ATP and WTA, covering the rankings and the WTA’s maternity programme.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi expressed enthusiasm about the plans for the new tournament, stating, “They’re really amazing and I think they’re going to raise the bar in terms of both player experience and fan experience.” He emphasized that this development is a proud moment for the ATP, reflecting years of commitment to enhancing tennis at all levels in Saudi Arabia.

As the tennis community looks forward to these exciting developments, fans can stay updated with live broadcasts of the ATP and WTA Tours on platforms like Sky Sports or through contract-free streaming options.