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GRIEKSPOOR DEFEATS CORIC TO TAKE TOP HONOURS IN
THE “2023 MGM MACAU TENNIS MASTERS”

Zhang overcomes Fritz to take third place while Kasatkina takes victory over Wang in women’s singles

[December 3, 2023, Macau]  The “2023 MGM Macau Tennis Masters” came to an exciting close today with riveting matches from some of the world’s best tennis players entertaining crowds here at the Macau East Asian Games Done.

Holland’s Tallon Griekspoor, fresh off a breakout season where he reached three finals and picked up his first two career titles, continued his fine form in Macau with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 win over Croatia’s Borna Coric in 61 minutes to emerge as the champion of this inaugural exhibition event.

The in-form 27-year-old Dutchman, currently ranked at No.23, was imperious on serve and did not lose a single service game this weekend, saving the solitary break point he faced today and converting two out of the four he created, one in each set, to complete his winning debut.

As it was the last match of the event, both men put on a show for the crowd that had stayed back, attempting a greater variety of drop shots, overhead lobs and unexpected returns to entertain spectators.

“Whether it is an exhibition or not, you always try your best to win. But it is a little bit easier to play as there is less stress and pressure, and you can try new and different things. I like it and it’s a lot of fun. I hope everybody enjoyed it. Thank you for coming out – I have had an amazing time here in Macau. If you guys want me to come back, I will come back!” said a beaming Griekspoor on court after his win.

Earlier in the afternoon, American world No.10 Taylor Fritz and China’s Zhang Zhizhen took to court for their battle for third place. Playing in front of his home crowd, the plucky world No. 58 put on an impressive display to oust his higher ranked opponent 6-3, 7-6 (1) in 67 minutes, hitting a remarkable 10 aces along the way.

“It was not an easy match against Taylor. My performance was only average in the previous match so I am happy to have redeemed myself today. Taylor has a very strong serve so that motivated me to serve well and play my best. I’m surprised to see so many tennis fans here in Macau, and I appreciate everyone who came out to support me,” said the 27-year-old Shanghai native.

While this may be an exhibition match, it is notably Zhang’s second victory over Fritz this year. The Chinese number one rallied from a set down to defeat the American in their only previous encounter at the 2023 Madrid Masters.

The first match of the day was a women’s singles showdown between Daria Kasatkina and Wang Xinyu. The duo had only faced each other once before, with Wang recording a straight sets victory during their Round of 32 clash at the China Open in October this year. This time, however, it was the 26-year-old Kasatkina who prevailed, winning 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and nine minutes.

Despite struggling with her serve in the first set, in which she notched five double faults, the world No. 18 improved her performance in the second set, hitting two aces and showcasing some fine form to overcome her Chinese world No.36 opponent in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

“I was practicing outdoors before coming here so I took some time to get used to the conditions. There was also some pressure playing against a Chinese opponent in front of her home crowd, so it was tough. Then I realised I did not want to do the loser’s TikTok challenge, so I stepped up my game,” joked Kasatkina after the match, referencing the challenges that all match losers have to perform here at the “2023 MGM Macau Tennis Masters”.

The former world No. 8 and six-time WTA Tour title winner paid tribute to the crowd that came out to support the event: “The crowd was great and very respectful, so thank you for coming! I’m glad to see that Macau is investing to make the sport more popular here. It’s my first time here in Macau and everything has been great. I really like this place and I’m very happy to see more and more people engaging with the sport.”

Following the day’s matches, event organisers held a special after party at the MGM Mansion to thank all the players and their teams for supporting the event.
The “2023 MGM Macau Tennis Masters” is slated to return next year for the second edition to continuous highlight the appeal of the cross-sector integration of “Tourism + Sports”, which also helped to further elevate Macau as a world-class destination of elite sports events.

Co-organised by MGM and IMG, the “2023 MGM Macau Tennis Masters” is honoured to have the support of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Sports Bureau, Macau Government Tourism Office and Macau Tennis Association. The event is further supported by esteemed partners, including FILA as the official outfitter, Bonaqua as the official water sponsor, and official trophy sponsor, Lalique.

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About IMG

IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media. The company manages some of the world’s greatest athletes and fashion icons; owns and operates hundreds of live events annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in licensing, sports training and league development. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.

About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau.

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 5,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central. 

MGM COTAI is the latest integrated resort of MGM in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, Asia’s first dynamic theater, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.

MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at  www.mgmresorts.com.