Great Britain and Italy Book Davis Cup Finals Slots

Great Britain and Italy Book Davis Cup Finals Slots – Great Britain and Italy secured two of the eight Davis Cup finals berths on Sunday as they defeated their respective foes in the last-16. Great Britain outclassed France, 2-1, while Italy defeated Sweden via the same score. The two nations joined Serbia, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Australia, Finland and defending champions Canada in the finals set on November 21-26 in Malaga, Spain. The results have set the stage for an eight-team showdown that will bring excitement for fans around the world and raise the stakes for available online parlays for tennis.

Evans, Skupski Beat French Foes as Great Britain Claim Finals Ticket

Dan Evans and Neal Skupski came from behind to give Great Britain one of the Davis Cup finals berths on Sunday. Evans and Skupski bounced back from a set down to beat Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, 1-6 7-6(7-4) 7-6(8-6). The pair gave some 13,000 fans in Manchester something to cheer on as nerves were all over the court. The French team could have won the three-hour match  but failed to capitalize on four match points, thanks to a series of unforced errors. Skupski, who won the Wimbledon men’s doubles title with Wesley Koolhof, thanked Evans for his effort despite mainly focusing as a men’s singles player. Evans took the first match with a three-set victory over French teenager Arthur Fils, 3-6 6-3 6-4. Ugo Humbert forced a decider as he outclassed Cameron Norrie, 7-6(7-5) 3-6 7-5.

Italy Edge Sweden, Secure Davis Cup Finals Berth

Italy gained one of the eight Davis Cup finals slots as they defeated Sweden, 2-1, in a team showdown held in Bologna. Victories from Matteo Arnaldi and Lorenzo Sonego handed the Italians a commanding 2-0 lead. The 22-year-old Arnaldi defeated Leo Borg, 6-4 6-3, to draw first blood. Sonego handed the Italians the outright victory in the tie as he defeated Elias Ymer, 6-4 6-4. Filip Bergevi and Andre Goransson claimed the no-bearing doubles match, defeating Simone Bolelli and Lornezo Musetti, 4-6 7-6(7-4) 10-8. The Italians progressed to the showpiece event in Malaga in November. They have now advanced to the Davis Cup quarter-finals five times since 2016.

Great Britain and Italy Book Davis Cup Finals Slots – American Teenager Wins Japan Open

Ashlyn Krueger snared her first Women’s Tennis Association title, defeating Zhu Lin of China in the final of the 2023 Japan Open on Sunday. The 19-year-old American outplayed her Chinese opponent, 6-3 7-6(8-6), to capture her first WTA 250 crown. The victory by the World No123 capped a splendid week for Krueger, who has not lost a set in the tournament. It was the Texas native’s first final of her career and 11th WTA tournament. Playing as the underdog, Krueger had no pressure and her power took control of the game. She outclassed Lin with seven aces and did not give the Chinese favorite a chance to force a decider. Meanwhile, the loss scuppered Lin’s hopes of winning her second WTA title. The World No35 won her first women’s crown in the Thailand Open in February.

Krejcikova Beats Kenin to Win San Diego Open

Former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova dispatched Sofia Kenin, 6-4 2-6 6-4, in the women’s singles final of the San Diego Open. It was the second victory of the year for the 27-year-old Krejcikova and seventh overall in the Women’s Tennis Association Tour. In a clash that featured short rallies and inconsistent shotmaking, it was Krejcikova who grinded out a big win over Kenin and secured a US$120,150 winner’s check and a glass trophy. She also received a new surfboard as a bonus. The surfboard symbolizes the tournament’s close proximity to the beach. 

The seven-time women’s doubles champion took home the San Diego Open crown seven months after winning her first title of the year in Dubai. It was the first final since the 2020 French Open for the 24-year-old Kenin. The World No93 was satisfied with her performance in the San Diego Open as she progressed to the final. It was a big improvement from last year’s competition as she lost in the opening round.

A WTA 500 event, the San Diego Open offers a total purse of US$780,637 and 500 ranking points. Krejcikova’s victory improves her chance of securing a slot in the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico, from October 29 to November 5. The Czech player is currently ranked No10 in the world and there are still several ranking tournaments for her to sneak in the top eight, which would give her an automatic slot in the WTA Finals. Betting for tennis remains exciting in the latter part of the year as there are more events to be held in the next three months of the year.