ATP Auckland: Cobolli withdraws in derby with Nardi, Sonego advances with chill

Luca Nardi and Lorenzo Sonego fly to the round of 16 of the Auckland ATP 250. The Marche player benefits from the withdrawal of Flavio Cobolli at the score of 6-2 1-1 after only 45 minutes, while the Piedmontese wins the marathon match with Gabriel Diallo at the tie-break of the third set (7-6 2-6 7-6) after nearly three hours of play.

Lasting only just over a set, the all-blue derby between Nardi and Cobolli. After a clear 6-2 in favor of the former, in fact, the Roman raised the white flag at the beginning of the second set due to a right thigh problem, probably preferring the precautionary route a few days before the start of the Australian Open.

Victory with a chill for Sonego. After winning the first set in a tie-break 7 points to 5, the Turinese clearly surrendered the second set (2-6). In the third and decisive set Sonego bounced back from 2-5 down, even annulling a match point to the Canadian in the final tie-break, won by 8 points to 6.

In the round of 16, Nardi will challenge Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs, number 66 in the ATP rankings, while Sonego will face U.S. Alex Michelsen, the eighth seed and world number 41.

Jannik Sinner restarts with a victory

Jannik Sinner picks up where he left off. In his first match in 2025, the world number one beat Alexei Popyrin, number 25 in the ATP rankings, in two sets, defeated with a final score of 6-4 7-6 in nearly one hundred minutes of play, in the exhibition match for the Australian Open Opening Week.

In the first set, Sinner conceded crumbs on serve, with Popyrin never getting to a break ball. The South Tyrolean, however, already has two chances in the third game and as many in the seventh but the Australian manages to save himself. In the ninth game forò the blue does not forgive: he goes up 5-4 and closes the first partial on serve (6-4).

Second set moreù complicated for Jannik, who in the sixth game loses the serve (2-4). Popyrin confirms the break and goes up 5-2 but here comes the reaction of the world number one who recovers the disadvantage, ties at 5-5 and drags the set to the tie-break, dominated by 7 points to 2.

“The first Slam of the season canò be loaded with tension but I am aware of the work of these weeks and all the efforts made and so I am confident” commented the Italian at the end of the match, in the words reported by SuperTennis.

NBA night results

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Nine matches were staged in the NBA night. Strike of the Phoenix Suns who routed Philadelphia (99-109), deprived of Joel Embiid, thanks to a super Bradley Beal, for the first time in sixth man version, who finished with 25 points. Out for three games for personal reasons, Simone Fontecchio returned to the court in the Detroit Pistons’ win that knocked out the Portland Trail Blazers (118-115) with 10 points from the blue and 32 from Cade Cunningham.

Damian Lillard (25 points) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (triple-double from 11 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists) lead the Milwaukee Bucks to an outside win over the Toronto Raptors (104-128). Fall again the New York Knicks, in their third consecutive knockout, defeated at home by the Orlando Magic (94-103), dragged by a 24-point Cole Anthony.

The Indiana Pacers have an easy time against the Brooklyn Nets: Tyrese Haliburton’s 23 points and Bennedict Mathurin’s 20 allow the guests to conquer the Barclays Center (99-113). Minnesota came back to win, on a comeback, led by Anthony Edwards who with 37 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists knocked out the Los Angeles Clippers (108-106).

Finally, the Dallas Mavericks, without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, lose again to the Memphis Grizzlies (119-104), led by a super Jaren Jackson Jr. (35 points, 13 rebounds). Also fall the San Antonio Spurs to whom a Victor Wembanyama from 23 points, 14 rebounds and 8 stoppages is not enough: at the United Center the Chicago Bulls (114-110) pass with Zach Lavine decisive (35 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists). The Miami Heat surrendered only in the second overtime with the Sacramento Kings, victorious 123-118 thanks to two decisive baskets by DeMar DeRozan (30 points).