Sports
2024 MGM Macau Tennis Masters
[10 December 2024, Macau] The stage is set for an electrifying showdown at the 2024 MGM Macau Tennis Masters, which will host Asia’s first mixed-gender team format tournament featuring two legendary tennis stars as captains. Over two thrilling days—24th and 25th December—major finalists, 1000-level champions, and Chinese national stars will battle it out in a festive celebration unlike anything Macau has seen before.
This year’s tournament promises to be a unique blend of sports and holiday cheer, as the event celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau SAR, as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with an extraordinary showcase of top tier tennis action. In this exciting new format, tennis legends and Hall of Famers Li Na and Michael Chang will each captain a team of three stars from the ATP and WTA Tours.
Team Li Na will comprise of rising Chinese stars Shang Juncheng and Wang Xinyu, alongside Norwegian Casper Ruud. On the opposing side, Chang will guide an equally formidable trio featuring world-class players Andrey Rublev, Karolina Muchova, and Lorenzo Musetti.
“This is going to be a lot of fun and excitement,” said Luiz Carvalho, Tournament Director and IMG Senior Vice President. “We have such a fantastic line-up of players, and having two absolute legends and household names like Li Na and Michael Chang leading the teams makes this event even more special.
“Each day of play will begin at 1 pm, starting with the Captain’s Challenge, which promises to be a unique highlight of the event. We’ll share more details about how the Captain’s Challenge will work closer to the time, but I can say that both captains are thrilled about it, and fans are going to love the experience.”
On Tuesday, 24th December, the action kicks off with the Captain’s Challenge at 1 pm and will be followed by the first men’s singles, in which Casper Ruud will take on Lorenzo Musetti. Their head-to-head record currently stands at 1-1, setting the stage for a fascinating battle. That will be followed by Shang Juncheng facing off against Andrey Rublev. The two have clashed once before on the regular tour, with Rublev coming out on top in Hong Kong. Closing out Day 1 will be an exciting mixed doubles encounter, as Shang partners with Wang Xinyu to face Rublev and Karolina Muchova.
On Christmas Day, the first match following the Captain’s Challenge will see Wang Xinyu take on Karolina Muchova, with the latter holding a 1-0 lead in their official head-to-head. Next up will be another intriguing men’s singles encounter, as Casper Ruud faces Andrey Rublev. Their rivalry tilts in Rublev’s favour, with a head-to-head record of 5-3. The final match of the event will be a blockbuster clash between Shang Juncheng and Lorenzo Musetti. Shang leads their tour-level series 1-0, having triumphed over the Italian in the Chengdu Open final earlier this year.
“I think it will be a tremendous few days at MGM Macau Tennis Masters, and I am really looking forward to it while trying to come up with a plan against Michael’s team,” Li Na said. “I’m excited to have two great Chinese players, Juncheng and Xinyu, on my side, and to have someone like Casper with us is going to be great.”
Chang, widely recognised during his playing days as one of the quickest thinkers on the court, will undoubtedly have his strategic acumen tested in this unique format.
“We will be ready for whatever comes our way from Li Na and her team,” Michael Chang said. “I am thrilled with the players I have, and I know they will give it everything they’ve got. My players have enjoyed plenty of success in Asia and have felt comfortable playing here, so we are up for the challenge.”
The format for the 2024 MGM Macau Tennis Masters promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats over the two days of play. Matches will be contested in a best-of-three sets format, with a super tiebreak deciding the final set if needed. Each of the two Captain’s Challenge matches will be worth one point. On Day 1, the three other matches will award two points for a win, while on Day 2, the stakes will be higher, with three points up for grabs in each match. At the conclusion of the second day, the team with the highest total points will be crowned the MGM Macau Tennis Masters champions.
Co-organised by MGM and IMG, the “2024 MGM Macau Tennis Masters” is honoured to have the support of the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government, Macao Government Tourism Office, and the Macau Tennis Association, together with our distinguished partners, including the official outfitter FILA, official airline Eva Air and the official water Bonaqua.
Tickets for the two-day tournament are available through www.MGM.mo and www.Damai.cn. Daily tickets are priced from MOP180 to MOP580 for VIP seats. Two-day passes start from MOP250 up to MOP1,000 for VIP seating.
For more information, please visit the official event website at www.MGMMacauTennis.com.
MIAMI (FNN SPORTS) — Argentina avoided what could have been one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, surviving a major scare from Cabo Verde with a 3-2 extra-time victory Friday in the Round of 32.
Leo Messi. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Argentina Survives Despite Lackluster Performance
The defending World Cup champions delivered an uneven and uninspiring performance, appearing too comfortable after taking a 1-0 first-half lead on a goal by Lionel Messi.
But Argentina’s complacency proved costly as Cabo Verde, one of the tournament’s Cinderella stories, continued to press and eventually found an equalizer through Deroy Duarte.
Messi Goal Not Enough to Settle Match
Messi gave Argentina the early advantage, but the team failed to build on the lead or control the match with authority. Argentina’s attack lacked urgency for long stretches, allowing Cabo Verde to grow in confidence and push the match into extra time.
Extra-Time Drama
Argentina regained the lead in the 93rd minute when center back Lisandro Martínez scored to make it 2-1. Cabo Verde answered 11 minutes later with a stunning equalizer from Sidny Cabral, who curled a spectacular shot past Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez from the corner of the box.
The dramatic strike may stand as one of the best goals of the tournament.
Argentina Advances to Face Egypt
Argentina finally escaped when Cristian Romero headed a corner kick that glanced off a Cabo Verde player and into the net, giving Argentina the narrow win.
With the victory, Argentina advances to face Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta.
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