Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz showed why they are the ones to beat at the Shanghai Masters on Oct 5, as they raced into the third round with confident straight-set wins.
Sinner dispatched Japan's Taro Daniel 6-1, 6-4, while earlier in the day Alcaraz made short work of China's Shang Juncheng, winning 6-2, 6-2.
Sinner has said he is not in a "comfortable" situation because of a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal against a decision by tennis authorities to clear him of wrongdoing, after he twice tested positive for a steroid in March.
The world No. 1's recent blistering winning streak was broken by Alcaraz in the China Open final on Oct 2.
But there was no tiredness on display from either player on Oct 5, with 23-year-old Sinner looking completely unruffled in the first set against the 93rd-ranked Daniel.
Daniel fell behind again in the second and despite rallying halfway through to gently test Sinner, the Italian kept his cool, ending the set 6-4.
"I had only one practice session yesterday but I felt very comfortable on the court," he said after the match.
Denne historien er fra October 06, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 06, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Different paths for middle powers India and Australia
A Donald Trump return also brings into sharper focus the dilemma of managing relations with the US and China.
Singaporean households can now claim $300 CDC vouchers
Over 1.3 million households will benefit from move to help cushion impact of rising prices
Neil Young withdraws from Glastonbury music fest
Folk legend Neil Young has pulled out of the Glastonbury music festival in 2025, alleging it has fallen under \"the corporate control\" of its partner BBC.
Rosita Missoni popularised her brand's zigzag motif
Italian designer Rosita Missoni, co-founder of the eponymous fashion house known for its bright and patterned styles, died on Jan 1 at the age of 93, a company official said on Jan 2.
BTS' J-Hope, Squid Game star Yim Si-wan among celebs donating money
South Korean rapper J-Hope of K-pop boy band BTS has joined fellow celebrities in donating money to help the families of the victims of the deadly air crash in Muan county, South Korea.
Meghan Markle's lifestyle show to premiere on Jan 15 on Netflix
Meghan Markle, the former actress wife of Britain's Prince Harry, will launch her new lifestyle and cooking show on Netflix on Jan 15, she announced on social media on Jan 2.
Dungeons & Dragons rolls the dice with new rules about identity
While solving quests in Dungeons & Dragons, the gamers who role-play as elves, orcs and halflings rely on the abilities and personalities of their custom-made characters, whose innate charisma and strength are as crucial to success as the rolls of a 20-sided die.
Wi Ha-joon Was 'Quite Worried' Over Squid Game Role
The actor fretted over how to portray his character and felt a lot of stress
Fast Lane
ICY FUN AT ICE-DRIVING COURSES IN ARCTIC CIRCLE
It seems to lean closer to the Cooper than the Countryman
Like the rest of the Fab Four, drummer Ringo Starr of English rock band The Beatles had a customized Mini Cooper in the 1960s.