Tennis
The retired Russian tennis player is on his way to the elite. Destroyed the favorite and didn’t even notice
Roman Safiullin / Photo: © Hu Chengwei / Stringer / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru
Roman Safiullin took out his top opponent in just over an hour.
Russian tennis player Roman Safiullin has reached the third round of the Masters, which is taking place in Shanghai. Our compatriot easily dealt with German Alexander Zverev in the second round. But the opponent is in the top 10 of the world rankings!
But Safiullin didn’t seem to notice this.
Chance for revenge
In China, Roman showed top tennis from the very first draws. At the start of the tournament, the Russian easily dealt with former ATP ranking leader Andy Murray – 6:3, 6:2. Safiullin spent just over an hour and a half to win.
Alexander Zverev missed the first round. This fact, as well as a much higher ranking, made him the favorite in the match with the Russian. The statistics of personal meetings were also on the side of the German: both head-to-head matches were his. The last game between Zverev and Safiullin took place quite recently, at the end of September in Chengdu – then Alexander won the final in three sets.
Roman quickly had a chance for revenge. And there was hope that he would use it.
Space tennis
In the first set, Safiullin started with three games won in a row. Then there was a classic exchange on his serves, and Zverev failed to catch at least one break. Roman showed great tennis with a minimum of mistakes and deservedly took the set – 6:3.
In the second game, the German took the first game on his serve and then stopped. There was only one tennis player left on the court, who dominated in all components. Safiullin had probably never played so inspiredly, and Zverev could only smile sadly after yet another play in favor of his opponent. Roman spent about 35 minutes on the second set and a little over an hour on the entire match – 6:3, 6:1.
Safiullin has never played so powerfully!
“Victory to Roman in the teeth”
Roman’s progress is visible to the naked eye, and experts note this. If the guy maintains the same passion and passion, he may well qualify for the first ATP title in his career.
– After this victory, Roman will be more aggressive and motivated to win every match. Now, with greater grounds, he can claim victory in the tournament. This is tough for him,” noted Honored Coach of Russia Viktor Yanchuk, his words quoted by “Championship”.
In the third round, the Russian will meet Ben Shelton from the USA, who is seeded 19th in Shanghai. Previously, tennis players met only once – in the final of last year’s Challenger in Chicago, Safiullin won. Roman and Ben did not play against each other within the ATP, and it will be all the more interesting to watch their confrontation at a new level.
Source: Sportbox
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
January 18 Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina (WTA 12) The Australian Open will begin its performances in 2026.
In the 1/64 final the Ukrainian team will play against the Spanish representative Christina Buksha (WTA 51). The match will take place in the second start at John Cain Arena after the Feri-Cobolli match. The approximate start time of the match is 04:30 Kyiv time.
The best moments of tennis matches LIVE on Telegram channel Tennis on Sport.ua
This will be the first head-to-head meeting between the rivals.
The winner of the match will face Linda Klimovichova or Francesca Jones in the second round.
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Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
On January 17, the finals took place in the tough tournaments ATP 250 in Adelaide (Australia) and ATP 250 in Auckland (New Zealand).
Czech became champion in Adelaide Tomah Makhach (ATP 35), who made it in the final Hugo Humbert In three batches over 2 hours and 52 minutes.
Toma played the third final of his career and won his second cup. He won the 500 title in Acapulco last season.
ATP 250 Adelaide. Difficult. Final
Hugo Humbert (France) – Tomas Machac (Czech Republic) [8] – 4:6, 7:6 (7:2), 2:6
In the deciding match of the New Zealand competition Yakub Menshik beat (Czech Republic, ATP 18) Sebastian Baez (Argentina, ATP 39) in two sets in 1 hour 24 minutes.
Jakub reached the Tour final for the third time in his career and won his second trophy. He became the Masters champion in Miami in 2025.
Menshik interrupted Baez’s seven-fight hitting streak.
ATP 250 Auckland. Difficult. Final
Sebastian Baez (Argentina) [7] – Yakub Menshik (Czech Republic) [3] – 3:6, 6:7 (7:9)
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Tennis
The champions of the WTA 500 tournaments held in Adelaide and the WTA 250 tournaments held in Hobart have been announced.
On the night of January 17, the final matches of the WTA 500 tournaments held in Adelaide and the WTA 250 tournaments held in Hobart took place.
At the 500 final in Adelaide Victoria Mboko (WTA 17) lost Mirra Andreeva (WTA 8) Two sets in 1 hour.
Mboko played his third decisive match at Tour level and suffered defeat for the first time. In 2025, Victoria became the champion of the WTA 1000 in Montreal and the WTA 250 in Hong Kong.
WTA 500 Adelaide. Difficult. Final
Mirra Andreeva [3] – Victoria Mboko (Canada) [8] – 6:3, 6:1
The competition in Hobart was won by Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Italy, WTA 80). In the final, the Italian defeated 18-year-old Iva Jovic (USA, WTA 30) in two games in 1 hour and 38 minutes.
Cocciaretto won the second trophy of his career. He became the champion on the Lausanne courts in 2023. Elisabetta played in the Hobart final for the second time – losing to Lauren Davis in the cup match in 2023.
WTA 250 Hobart. Difficult. Final
Iva Jovic (USA) [3] – Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Italy) – 4:6, 4:6
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Manchester United beat Manchester City in the English championship match
The crew of the Lithuanian Zala won the Dakar in the truck category, Al-Attiyah won the marathon rally for the sixth time in his career
Elina Svitolina – Kristina Buksha. Watch online. Live broadcast
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