Happy Friday, everyone!
This week on the Served 5 Setter: new support programs for athletes under investigation, players speak out after brutal conditions in Shanghai, and a major coaching change for Jack Draper. Plus, updates on the Six Kings Slam and why Timothée Chalamet’s upcoming table tennis movie is generating buzz.
Watch or listen now to stay ahead of the game. Keep scrolling for bonus stories that didn’t make the episode!
Cousins Rinderknech, Vacherot Reach Shanghai Semis
Cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot are enjoying memorable runs in Shanghai, each earning career-best wins en route to their first Masters 1000 semifinal.
World No. 54 Rinderknech upset Felix Auger-Aliassime on Friday for his third consecutive Top 20 win after beating Alexander Zverev and Jiri Lehecka. The Frenchman’s cousin and former Texas A&M University teammate Vacherot was on hand to celebrate.
“The whole family is following from home. We are in our own little world here. It has been incredible,” Rinderknech said.
World No. 204 Vacherot stunned Holger Rune on Thursday to reach the semifinals. The 26-year-old qualifier from Monaco has won four matches over Top 30 opponents in Shanghai and will face Novak Djokovic in Saturday’s semifinal. He’s predicted to enter the Top 100 for the first time.
Nike to Debut Carlos Alcaraz’s Signature Logo at ATP Finals
When Carlos Alcaraz takes the court at next month’s ATP Finals, he’s expected to unveil his signature Nike logo, a promise made when the World No. 1 signed an extension with the sportswear giant last spring.
According to the Spanish news outlet Murcia Plaza, Alcaraz has approved the design. With no reporting or leaks of what the logo looks like, the tennis world will be watching closely to see what the six-time major winner wears in Turin, Italy.
Nike used a similar marketing tactic last year when it launched Jannik Sinner’s signature ‘Fox’ logo. Along with Sinner, the company has developed player-specific logos for Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Aryna Sabalenka, and Naomi Osaka.
The ATP Finals will be held from November 9-16.
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‘Million Dollar 1 Point Slam’ Headlines AO Opening Week
Before Alcaraz attempts to capture the career Grand Slam at next January’s Australian Open, the superstar will participate in the ‘Million Dollar 1 Point Slam’ contest during the major’s new and improved Opening Week schedule.
The challenge will pit 10 amateurs against 22 pros in a, you guessed it, one-point match. ‘Rock, paper, scissors’ will be used to determine who serves or receives. For our Australian readers, start warming up because ‘qualifying’ will begin soon across the country.
The Australian Open said its new elevated viewing platform will give fans a “fresh perspective on the action.”
There will also be more opportunities for fans to interact with players in the Practice Village and on the Grand Slam Oval, daily live music, and the return of the Pickleball Slam
WTA Finals Race Intensifies in Wuhan
The race to the WTA Finals is heating up at the Wuhan Open, the last 1000-level event of the season. Jess Pegula officially secured her spot after advancing to the semifinals on Friday.
Now it’s down to Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, and Mirra Andreeva chasing the final two spots for next month’s showdown in Riyadh. Paolini scored a crucial win over Iga Swiatek on Friday to reach the semifinals. Rybakina lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the quarters, while Andreeva was eliminated in the fourth round.
Sabalenka, Swiatek, defending champion Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys were the first five players to qualify for Riyadh.
The WTA Finals will be held from November 1-8.
Felix Auger-Aliassime reached his 60th ATP quarterfinal, the most by any player born in the 2000s.
Since the inaugural ATP Tour season in 1990, Valentin Vacherot is just the second Monegasque player to reach a semifinal at an ATP-level event.
Since 1990, Alex de Minaur is the third Australian to win 50 ATP matches in a season, joining Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.
In the 5 Setter Podcast we asked: What is the highest grossing tennis movie of all time?
The answer: Challengers (2024). By raking in more than $96M at global the box office, the movie ranks ahead of ‘King Richard’ and ‘Battle of the Sexes’.
Weekend Draw
Shanghai Masters (ATP 1000)
As previously mentioned, Valentin Vacherot meets Novak Djokovic in Saturday’s semifinal. Vacherot can reach his first ATP final, while Djokovic can win his fifth title in Shanghai.
Arthur Rinderknech will face Daniil Medvedev, who beat Alex de Minaur in the quarters. The final is scheduled for Sunday.
Wuhan Open (WTA 1000)
Can anyone beat Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan? The three-time champ is now 20-0 at the event and meets Jess Pegula in Saturday’s semifinal.
Coco Gauff beat Laura Siegemund on Friday to reach the Final Four where she’ll meet Jasmine Paolini. The final will also be on Sunday.
Full international WTA & ATP broadcast list.
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