TENNIS

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Jannik Sinner has reclaimed the world number one ranking after defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 in the Monte Carlo Masters final. The victory over the defending champion marks the first time Sinner has held the top spot since early November. In a match characterized by difficult, windy conditions, both players combined for 83 unforced errors in their first meeting as the world’s top two ranked players since last year’s ATP Championship.

The win gives the 24-year-old Italian his third Masters 1000 title of the year having already triumphed at Indian Wells and Miami, and extends his winning run in Masters series events to 22 matches.

"It has been an interesting week trying to learn how to play again on clay," said Sinner.

"I came here trying to get as many matches as possible and I'm happy to win one big tournament on this surface.

"Having this trophy and getting back to number one means a lot to me.

The world number one delivered another strong performance, securing her place among a select group of players to achieve the Sunshine Double by winning both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season. She becomes the first woman to accomplish this feat since Iga Swiatek in 2022. Previous players to reach the same milestone include Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, and Steffi Graf.

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Britain’s Jack Draper advanced to the Indian Wells quarter-finals after a comeback victory over Novak Djokovic. The defending champion defeated the 24-time Grand Slam winner 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in a match that lasted two hours and 35 minutes. Draper described the win as a potential turning point for his 2026 season.

Djokovic, a five-time winner at Indian Wells, had beaten Draper in the only previous meeting between them at Wimbledon in 2021.

The victory is an important one for Draper as he rebuilds after a torrid eight-month spell plagued with an arm injury.

"To beat Novak is something that is mind-blowing," Draper, who is playing only his second ATP Tour event of the season,said.

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Emma Raducanu delivered a dominant performance to book her place in the semi finals of the Transylvania Open, sweeping aside Poland's Maja Chwalinska in straight sets.

The British number one wasted little time asserting control, racing through the opening set in just 25 minutes without conceding a single game. Raducanu's aggressive shot making and sharp movement left Chwalinska, who is ranked 146th in the world, struggling to find any rhythm early on.

The second set proved more competitive as Chwalinska settled into the match and began to extend rallies. However, Raducanu remained composed and struck at a crucial moment, breaking serve at 3 3 before closing out a 6 0 6 4 victory with confidence.

The win marks only the fourth time Raducanu has reached the semi finals of a tournament since her remarkable US Open triumph in 2021. Speaking after the match, the 23 year old said she was pleased with how she approached the contest from the outset and proud of the way she handled the tougher moments in the second set.