Jannik Sinner has successfully advanced to the semi-finals of the Vienna Open following a series of withdrawals by other competitors. This development underscores the ongoing challenges faced by players in the current tennis season.
Sinner’s Progress at the Vienna Open
Sinner’s journey at this tournament has been notable. The Italian player joins Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic as the first four to secure spots in the ATP Finals, which will take place in November.
Zverev’s Path to the Semis
- Alexander Zverev, seeded second, reached the semi-finals after Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor withdrew.
- Zverev will compete against either Lorenzo Musetti or Corentin Moutet.
Swiss Indoors: A Different Story
In contrast, the Swiss Indoors faced significant disruptions. Three out of four quarter-final matches became walkovers due to player withdrawals.
Quarter-final Outcomes
- Norway’s Casper Ruud retired after a first-set tie-break against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
- Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew after dropping the first set 6-3 to Jaume Munar.
- Denis Shapovalov conceded to Joao Fonseca after finishing 3-6, 6-3, and trailing 4-1 in the third set.
- The only completed match featured Ugo Humbert defeating Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7-0), 6-4.
Concerns Over Player Well-being
The high number of withdrawals highlights ongoing concerns regarding player health. Several well-known athletes have faced early season-ending injuries.
Calls for Change
Jack Draper, the British number one, suggested in early October that the tennis calendar needs adjustments to protect players’ longevity in the sport. This sentiment comes after Iga Swiatek expressed similar concerns last month, stressing the current season’s intensity and length.
