ATP/WTA: Davis Cup Elite 8 decided

Final 8 flying to Malaga

Sixteen teams where whittled down to eight as a star-laden Davis Cup group stage sent Argentina, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and USA into the mix for November's Finals in Malaga. 

24 ties served up across Bologna, Manchester, Valencia and Zhuhai witnessed plenty of players rising to the occasion in national colours. 

Reigning champions Italy – cheered on by the resting US Open champion Jannik Sinner – soared through courtesy of Matteo Berrettini spearheading the team with a trio of three-set triumphs.

“I’m really happy, really proud of what we’re doing,” said Berrettini. “The team is really big, a lot of strong players. We didn’t play with the best two ranking guys (Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti) and we qualified. So it means that Italian tennis is really healthy.”

Carlos relished team camaraderie

World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz shook off lacklustre early exits at Cincinnati and the US Open to rediscover his dynamic and crowd-pleasing tennis for Spain. 

A 6-3, 6-3 victory over France's Ugo Humbert in Valencia sent David Ferrer's 'La Roja' into the quarter-finals.

"It was probably one of the best matches I have played this year and after my last month I need these kind of matches," said the Roland-Garros champion.

"I need this week, being with the team, with all the players, all the staff from the Federation,” added Alcaraz. “Having them cheer me on in every point. Off the court we have a really good relationship. I need this atmosphere and these matches where I feel I am not playing alone. My energy is getting higher."

2022 champions Canada welcomed the rich vein of form from stalwarts Felix Auger Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov, who both won their three singles bouts.

Elsewhere, 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic, Davis Cup champion in 2010, popped up on home soil to guide his nation to glory over Greece to return to the top-tier qualifiers in 2025.

Frech in banner season

Only three Polish women had won a WTA singles title this century until Sunday. Make that four.

Magdalena Frech joins pretty illustrious company with Agnieszka Radwanska, Magda Linette and Iga Swiatek, having scooped her maiden title. 

The 26-year-old, compiling a career-best campaign, took down Australian qualifier Olivia Gadecki (who is mentored by former world No.1 Ash Barty) 7-6(5), 6-3 in the WTA 500 Guadalajara final.

"Australian Open fourth round, the final in Prague (July), and the title here, it's the most amazing year of my career for sure," said No.5 seed Frech. "I'm super proud about my achievements this year. Hard work from the previous years is paying off right now, and I'm so glad about this. I will try to keep this momentum going."

Kartal masters Monastir

As a reward, Frech has cracked the Top 40 for the first time. In a similar tale, British youngster Sonay Kartal has lifted her first career title and has broken into the Top 100.

The 22-year-old has been hailed champion in Monastir, Tunisia, following a 6-3, 7-5, victory over Rebecca Sramkova to become the only qualifier to win a WTA singles title in 2024.

Rewind to December and Kartal then endured five months on the sidelines with "pretty serious healthy concerns," and ending up outside the Top 300, before battling through qualifying and storming into the Wimbledon third round. Using that platform, Kartal surrendered just one set all week in Tunisia to join the Winner's circle.

"I started the year with the goal of being Top 150, so now I think I've past that," Kartal said, surging up to No.96 already. "I think I'm just trying to end the year in the Top 100. ... It's to put myself in the best position for Australia at the start of the year.

"It's unbelievable. I've had such a good week this week, played some of my best tennis this week, had some of my best wins. I feel like each match I've kind of grown and got better."