Frenchman Arthur Jia, ranked 56th in the world, toppled American Ben Shelton 7-6 (7-5) and 6-7 (7-3), in the third round of the “Shanghai Thousand Points Masters” tennis tournament on Sunday, making the runner-up of the “Flushing Meadows” champion the most prominent victim of the “Chinese Tournament” so far.
The 21-year-old Frenchman achieved the biggest victory in his professional career.
Shelton, ranked fourth in the world, told reporters: “He clearly outperformed me today.”
He added: “My body was not ready,” in his first tournament in Shanghai since his participation in the US Open, with the exception of the Davis Cup competitions last month.
He had withdrawn from the “Japan Tournament” that concluded last week due to concerns regarding his physical fitness. He continued: “This is how things are sometimes on this tour,” adding that travel fatigue and the time difference also affected him.
In the next round, Gia will meet either Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo or Czech Jakub Menchik. The Frenchman said after his first victory over a player ranked in the top 10: “It is amazing; honestly".
He explained that his performance depended on “focus and attention” and remaining “ready for every point.”
Jia added that he has become “more confident on the field” after a distinguished year that witnessed him winning the first professional title in his career last July in the “Los Cabos Tournament” in the “250 points category.”
The Frenchman started strongly to lead 5-3 in the first set, before the 24-year-old American returned and tied the score at 5-5.
The two players remained equal in the tie-break until Jia succeeded in taking the lead and winning the first point of the set in his favor.
Shelton, the third seed in the tournament, imposed a new tie-break in the second set after the match exceeded the two-hour barrier, but he retreated in the face of the rush of Jia, who sealed the victory from the first opportunity he had.
Italian Marco Betsicki won a well-deserved victory in the Indonesian Grand Prix on Sunday, while Spaniard Jorge Martin came third, regaining the lead in the World Motorcycle Championship - MotoGP category from his compatriot Marc Marquez.
Betsiki, driver of the Aprilia team, snatched the lead from the first-place finisher, Raul Fernandez, during the last third of an exciting race held at the Mandalika International Circuit in hot weather.
Spaniard Fernandez came in second place, while his compatriot Martin came third, both of whom also drive for Aprilia.
As for Marquez, the seven-time world champion and title holder with Ducati, he finished the race in sixth place.
With this result, Martin regained the lead in the overall championship standings, two points ahead of Marquez, with 5 more rounds remaining until the end of the season.
Betsiki, in turn, is still in contention for the title. It ranks 3rd in the overall standings.
Fernandez started perfectly from the first starting position for the first time in his career, despite having to use his middle finger to brake after his index finger was broken during the “sprint” on Saturday.
This was a source of relief for him after he collided with Betsiki, who started next to him on the starting line, and the two fell during the “speed race.”
Marquez had won the Sprint race, seizing the championship lead for the first time from his compatriot Martin.
After a third of the race's 27 laps had passed, Fernandez maintained his lead over the Italian despite his injury.
On the other hand, former world champion Martin was in third place, while his title rival Marquez was chasing him from fifth place.
Fernandez, who had previously won two races in the MotoGP category, maintained his calm under tremendous pressure from Betsicki until the 19th lap, when the Italian succeeded in seizing the lead. From that moment on, Betsicki moved away in front, while Fernandez bravely held on to second place until the end.
Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge, who won two Olympic gold medals, won his first marathon race in three years, after taking first place in Melbourne on Sunday.
The most decorated marathon runner in history crossed the finish line in a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes and 10 seconds, two seconds ahead of the race record.
This is his first victory in a marathon since his victory in Berlin in 2023, as part of his “World Tour” tour, which aims to raise funds for causes he believes in.
The former world record holder, 41 years old, announced in 2025 his intention to complete marathon races on seven continents, including Antarctica, within two years.
Melbourne was the third stop on this tour after South Africa and Brazil.
Kipchoge succeeded in staying away from his competitors during the last 10 kilometers of the race, part of which passed through the Albert Park circuit for Formula 1 races, before ending inside the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Kipchoge, who appeared refreshed at the finish line, said: “The track was really wonderful, and I enjoyed seeing people standing, encouraging and chanting my name.”
He could have set a better time, but slowed down inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground and waved to the fans.
He added: “It was really different, running on a beautiful track, on a Formula 1 track, and above all, finishing the race on a cricket field.”
He continued: “This makes me proud to run with the younger generation and inspire the runner community in Melbourne.”
Australian Thomas Do Canto came in second place with a time of 2:10:35, while New Zealander Camille French took first place in the women's race with a time of 2:28:25.
