Tennis essentials for 23 October: Goffin’s farewell, Wawrinka one week from Basel, Swiatek ends her season

A week of ATP 250 events has turned into a week of farewells: in Brussels, David Goffin has closed his singles career, in Lyon, Stan Wawrinka has only Basel left, and Iga Swiatek has ended her season. The point of Friday evening, before the semi-finals.

Lyon: Moutet falls after 2hr 46min, the 1991 Davis Cup celebrated

Corentin Moutet held Tommy Paul for two sets before going down after 2hr 46min (6-4, 3-6, 6-3) in Friday’s quarter-finals of the ATP 250 in Lyon, at the LDLC Arena. “With him, you never know what to expect,” said the American, ranked 15th. On Thursday evening the tournament had brought together Yannick Noah, Henri Leconte and Guy Forget, the heroes of France’s 1991 Davis Cup win. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the tournament’s ambassador, still fancies himself as France captain.

Brussels: Goffin closes his singles career, Chidekh stops in the quarters

David Goffin played the last singles match of his career on Thursday, beaten by Alex Michelsen (6-3, 6-4) in the second round of the ATP 250 in Brussels, his home tournament. The former world No 7, 35, is still in the doubles draw alongside Raphaël Collignon. On Friday, Clément Chidekh, a qualifier, fell in the quarter-finals to Francisco Cerundolo (6-2, 6-4).

Wawrinka: only Basel left, after Cobolli’s lesson

Beaten by Flavio Cobolli (6-2, 6-4) in the last sixteen in Lyon on Thursday evening, Stan Wawrinka has one appointment left before his farewell, in Basel next week, at home. “You make me nervous because you are not just any player: you are a legend of our sport,” Cobolli told him after the match. “I think we can say without getting it wrong that their time has come,” said Stefanos Tsitsipas, asked about the departures of the Swiss and Gaël Monfils.

Zverev: Khachanov answers those who question the top spot

A winner at Roland Garros and the US Open this season, and soon to be world No 1, Alexander Zverev has nonetheless lost every one of his matches this year against Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, and some question his right to the throne. “I was asked whether Alexander Zverev deserved the No 1 spot, with the injuries to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner this season. My answer is yes,” Karen Khachanov cut in.

Almaty: the step was too high for Atmane and Mannarino

In Friday’s quarter-finals in Almaty, Térence Atmane, ranked 98th, went down to Daniil Medvedev (6-4, 6-4), the day after his 2hr 50min marathon against Mattia Bellucci (6-7, 7-6, 7-6), and Adrian Mannarino fell even faster against Nikoloz Basilashvili (6-3, 6-1).

Swiatek: the season stops here

A few days ago, Iga Swiatek, injured, brought her season to an end and gave up the race for the WTA Finals. “To come to such a decision is not a matter of a few minutes,” said Kim Clijsters, a guest on the Love All podcast.