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Learn moreThe 2024 Italian Open has arrived, following a bumpy few weeks that saw multiple injury-related upsets plague the ATP tour. Below, we'll break down everything you need to know about the 2024 tournament, including where to watch the Italian Open and when the can't-miss ATP and WTA matches air. Alcaraz and Sinner will sit out the Italian Open, but Medvedev (who won the 2023 competition) is scheduled to play on Friday. Shop at SlingWhere to watch the Italian Open in the UKThe Italian Open is available to watch through Sky Sports in the UK. Where to watch the Italian Open in New ZealandStarting on Sunday, New Zealanders can catch the women's matches live through TVNZ.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Alcaraz, Medvedev, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina, Iga Świątek, Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, Świątek, Aryna, you've, Marta Kostyuk, Magdalena Fręch, Iga, Bernarda Pera, AWST, ExpressVPN Organizations: Business, WTA, BNL, ATP, Madrid, Sky Sports, TVNZ, Tennis Channel, Sling, Tennis Locations: Italian, New Zealand, ExpressVPN, New Zealanders, Zealand

☆ Coco Gauff reaches first Australian Open semifinal with battling win against Marta Kostyuk
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Coco Gauff overcame a significant first-set deficit to reach her first semifinal at the Australian Open, defeating Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 7-6(8-6) 6-7(3-7) 6-2 on Tuesday. The American star has now won 12 consecutive grand slam matches following her victory at the US Open last year. The pair traded breaks throughout a tight second set, and this time it was Kostyuk who triumphed in the eventual tie-break to force a decider. Gauff raced into a 5-0 lead but, despite dropping a serve late on, saw out the match to advance to the third grand slam singles semifinal of her career. Kostyuk pushed Gauff all the way in her first grand slam quarterfinal.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, Gauff, Kostyuk, “, ” Gauff, “ Marta, Aryna Sabalenka, Barbora Krejčíková, Julian Finney, –, ” Organizations: CNN Locations: Melbourne, American

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic held off Taylor Fritz 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in 3 3/4 hours to reach the Australian Open semifinals for the 11th time on Tuesday. After Fritz held in the 11th game, Djokovic was agitated and gesturing to get the attention of his support team, calling for salts. After all that resistance, though, Fritz was broken in the second game of the third set when Djokovic converted his 16th chance. He hit back immediately, converting his second break point with a forehand that clipped the net and dropped for a winner. Djokovic had beaten Fritz in straight sets in all but one of their previous eight encounters, including last year's U.S. Open quarterfinals.

Persons: — Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Djokovic, he’s, Andrey Rublev, Fritz, Taylor, ” Djokovic, Coco Gauff's, Marta Kostyuk, Aryna, ___ Organizations: Melbourne Park, U.S Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia, Ukraine

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Coco Gauff beat Marta Kostyuk 7-6 (6), 6-7 (3), 6-2 in an error-strewn match at the Australian Open on Tuesday to claim a place in the semifinals. The fourth-ranked Gauff saved two set points as she came from 5-1 down to take the opening set on the tiebreaker but was pushed to a deciding set before clinching victory after 3 hours, eight minutes. Gauff hit 51 unforced errors, nine double faults and just 17 winners but survived to set up a meeting with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or No. The American has now won 12 straight matches in Grand Slam tournaments after winning the U.S. Open last September. 1 Novak Djokovic is in action later, taking on Taylor Fritz for a place in the semifinals.

Persons: — Coco Gauff, Marta Kostyuk, Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz Organizations: U.S Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia

☆ Novak Djokovic drops just three games and equals Roger Federer record as he reaches Australian Open quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Novak Djokovic produced a stunning performance to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals with a 6-0 6-0 6-3 victory over France’s Adrian Mannarino on Sunday. It is the 58th time the Serb has reached the last eight of a grand slam, equaling Roger Federer’s all-time record. Taylor Fritz reached his first ever Australian Open quarterfinal. Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP“The last three games of the match I really, really turned it on, almost like [I] was in a trance and everything,” Fritz said afterwards, according to the tournament’s website. “Yeah, I definitely do forget my age a lot.”She become the youngest woman to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals since Agnieszka Radwanska in 2008, where she will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.

Persons: CNN — Novak Djokovic, France’s Adrian Mannarino, Roger Federer’s, Djokovic, “, I’ve, ” Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Fritz, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, ” Fritz, It’s, Coco Gauff, Poland’s Magdalena Frech, Magdalena Frech, Eloisa Lopez, Reuters Gauff’s, ”, Agnieszka Radwanska, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk Organizations: CNN, ATP, Australian, Poland’s, Reuters

For those Ukrainian players competing at the Australian Open in Melbourne, it’s a gesture that has more meaning than ever. I think it’s important to remember about it and do everything.”Kostyuk said journalists need to keep the news alive. “They want the drama, they wanted news, they wanted all this heating between players and everything,” she said. I still don’t understand what all these (Russian and Belarusian) players are doing here.”When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the plight of Ukrainian players was uppermost in everyone’s minds, with Wimbledon banning Russian and Belarusian players from competing that year and numerous fund-raising events held around the tennis world. Since the war began, Ukrainian players have made a point of not shaking the hands of Russians and Belarusians, sometimes to the confusion of crowds, who have blamed the loser.

Persons: Lesia Tsurenko, Aryna Sabalenka, Tsurenko, Marta Kostyuk, Elina Avanesyan, Dayana Yastremska, ” Kostyuk, ”, “, Victoria Azarenka, Elina Svitolina, it’s, Yastremska, Svitolina, Varvara Gracheva Organizations: Wimbledon, ATP, WTA Tours, U.S, Melbourne Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia, Belarusian, Melbourne, Belarus, “, Ukraine, Sabalenka, Russia, Brisbane, Yastremska

☆ Australian Open: ‘Part of … war machine hurting my country and my people’ says Ukrainian of Russian and Belarusian opponents
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —For Ukrainian tennis players Marta Kostyuk and Lesia Tsurenko, focusing on tennis continues to be challenging. Kostyuk and Tsurenko have continued to avoid the usual post-match handshakes with opponents from either Russia or Belarus, which is being used as a staging ground for the invasion. “My mother sends me videos when there are missiles flying over their house,” Kostyuk told reporters. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka and said playing against players from Russia or Belarus is still “tough.”“They’re part of that … war machine hurting my country and my people,” Tsurenko said. “She said: ‘Great play,’” Sabalenka told reporters.

Persons: Marta Kostyuk, Lesia, Tsurenko, Kostyuk, Russia’s Elina Avanesyan, “, ” Kostyuk, it’s, ”, “ It’s, It’s, Sabalenka, ” Tsurenko, Lesia Tsurenko, Phil Walter, what’s, ’ ” Sabalenka, Maria Timofeeva Organizations: CNN, “, ” CNN, Getty, Kostyuk Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Melbourne, Russian

The war is approaching the end of its second year, and Ukraine’s military needs more manpower to sustain a bloody war of attrition against Russia, a country with more than three times the population of Ukraine. In a recent essay, Ukraine’s top military commander, Valery Zaluzhny acknowledged that training and recruiting troops was becoming a serious challenge. The essay acknowledged a bleak reality: Ukraine needs more people in uniform, and it needs them now. Ukraine fills its ranks with volunteers but also has a system of conscription that allows the state to draft men of military age. If the war continues with the same intensity as it is today, there is no way to avoid conscription.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Valery Zaluzhny, ”, Andriy Demchenko, it’s, Maj, Viktor Kysil, won’t, Mark Holovei, I’m, I’ve, we’re, Maria Zaika, Maria Zaika “, ’, “ I’ve, “, Oleksandr Dyadyushkin, Vlad, Dmytro Kostyuk Organizations: CNN, Russia, State Border Service of, It’s, 5th Assault Brigade, Foreigners Locations: Ukrainian, Washington, Ukraine, Kyiv, State Border Service of Ukraine, Moscow, North Korea, Israel, Gaza, Europe, Russia, Bakhmut

☆ Sinner powers past Alcaraz to book Beijing final with Medvedev
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Earlier, second seed Medvedev had an easier than expected 6-4 6-3 semi-final win over familiar rival Alexander Zverev. This was the fifth meeting between the pair this year and although Russian world number three Medvedev won three of the previous four, Zverev had won their most recent clash in Cincinnati. The American's frequent doubles partner Jessica Pegula also had to dig deep for a 6-7(2) 6-2 6-1 win over Anna Blinkova. The 29-year-old faces 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko seeking a fourth win in their fifth meeting. World number two Iga Swiatek progressed with a 6-4 6-1 win over Varvara Gracheva and fifth seed Elena Rybakina beat Tatjana Maria 7-5 6-0 after Ons Jabeur lost 7-6(5) 6-1 to Marta Kostyuk.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Zverev, I'm, Aryna Sabalenka, Katie Boulter, Jasmine Paolini, Sabalenka, Wells, Indian Wells, Coco Gauff, Croatia's Petra Martic, Veronika Kudermetova, Gauff, Martic, Jessica Pegula, Anna Blinkova, Pegula, Jelena Ostapenko, Iga Swiatek, Varvara Gracheva, Elena Rybakina, Tatjana Maria, Marta Kostyuk, Trevor Stynes, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: China, Tokyo, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Russian, Cincinnati, Chengdu, Indian

☆ Medvedev books China Open semi-final with familiar foe Zverev
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I'm happy that I managed to raise my level in important moments, except a game in the second set," Medvedev said. "It's great that I managed to still find in this tough match these moments of consistency, which is enough to win. The 10th-ranked German has lost three times to Medvedev this year but flipped the script in their last meeting in Cincinnati. I'm really happy with that. The Tunisian, who is looking to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals, plays Marta Kostyuk in the second round.

Persons: Russia's Daniil Medvedev, France's Ugo Humbert REUTERS, Florence Lo, Daniil Medvedev, Ugo Humbert 6, Alexander Zverev, Medvedev, Humbert, Zverev, Chile's Nicolas Jarry, it's, He's, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, Grigor Dimitrov, Jannik, Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo, Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva, I've, Swiatek, I'm, Coco Gauff, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Ashlyn Krueger, She's, Marta Kostyuk, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Clare Fallon Organizations: China, National Tennis Center, Rights, Chile's, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai, Miami, Russian, Chengdu, Cincinnati, Ningbo, Osaka, Bengaluru

☆ Olga Kharlan: Ukraine's top fencer granted place at Olympics after disqualification for not shaking hands with Russian opponent
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Svitlana Vlasova Victoria Butenko Tim Lister | Svitlana Vlasova | Victoria Butenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Olga Kharlan, leader of Ukraine’s national fencing team, was earlier disqualified at the tournament after she refused to shake hands with the Russian rival Anna Smirnova she defeated. An athlete’s refusal to shake hands after a contest results in a black card and expulsion, according to International Fencing Federation rules. The federation said it has met with Kharlan and spoken with the International Olympic Committee and finds the reinstatement “in keeping with the Olympic Spirit”. IOC chief’s interventionThat turnaround came came after a pointed intervention from the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, himself a former fencer. Meanwhile, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina took to Twitter to support Kharlan, writing: “We are not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Persons: Olga Kharlan, Anna Smirnova, Smirnova, Kharlan, Thomas Bach, Bach, ”, Olga Kharlan of, Tadashi Miyamoto, “, Dmytro Kuleba, ” Kharlan, Vladimir Putin, Marta Kostyuk, Kostyuk, Aryna Sabalenka, Sabalenka, won’t, Elina Svitolina Organizations: CNN, International Fencing Federation, Paris, Fencing, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Paris Olympics, Fencing Federation, Ukraine’s, Belarus, Aryna, Twitter Locations: Ukrainian, Italy, Russian, Ukraine, Milan, Olga Kharlan of Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Belarusian

CNN —The leader of Ukraine’s national fencing team, Olga Kharlan, said she “acted with my heart” following her disqualification from the world championships for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent. The four-time individual world champion and four-time Olympic medalist also called for a rule change regarding the disqualification of athletes who refuse to shake hands with opponents. CNN has contacted the International Fencing Federation for comment on Kharlan’s disqualification. Tadashi Miyamoto/AFLO/Shutterstock“I did not want to shake hands with that athlete and I acted with my heart,” said Kharlan. Ukrainian tennis stars – namely Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, and Lesia Tsurenko – have all refused to shake hands with Russian opponents.

Persons: Olga Kharlan, “, ” Kharlan, Kharlan, Russian Anna Smirnova, Smirnova, Tadashi Miyamoto, ”, ” Mikhailo Ilyashev, Ilyashev, Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk Organizations: CNN, Fencing Federation, International Fencing Federation, Ukrainian Fencing Federation, Olympics, Wimbledon Locations: Russian, Milan, Ukrainian

☆ IOC urges sensitivity in handling Ukrainian, Russian athletes after fencer's disqualification
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

July 28 (Reuters) - International federations should handle situations involving Ukrainian and neutral athletes with sensitivity, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said after a Ukrainian fencer was disqualified for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent. "Therefore, we encourage International Federations to handle situations involving Ukrainian and Individual Neutral Athletes with the necessary degree of sensitivity. "We continue to stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian athletes and the Olympic community of Ukraine." Kharlan said she stands by her decision not to shake hands with Smirnova. "When I have a choice... where I shake hands I will never shake hands with her.

Persons: Ukraine's Olga Kharlan, Anna Smirnova, Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Kharlan, Kharlan's, Smirnova, Tommy Lund, Aadi Nair, Claudia Greco, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Christian Radnedge Organizations: International Olympic Committee, Ukrainian Fencing Federation, Olympic Games, IOC, Reuters, Olympic, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Russian, Milan, Ukraine, Moscow, Belarus, Russia, Bengaluru

☆ Ukraine’s top fencer disqualified from world championship after refused handshake with Russian
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Svitlana Vlasova | Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The leader of Ukraine’s national fencing team, Olga Kharlan, has been disqualified from participating in the world championships after she refused to shake hands with Anna Smirnova, who is from Russia. Kharlan had just beaten Smirnova at the tournament in Milan, but rather than shake hands the Ukrainian offered her sabre to tap blades. Mikhailo Ilyashev, President of the Ukrainian Fencing Federation, told Ukrainian television that Ukraine would protest the decision, saying the referee had not disqualified Kharlan, who was banned later. But the refusal to shake hands after a contest results in a black card and expulsion, according to federation rules. Meanwhile, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina took to Twitter to support Kharlan, writing: “We are not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Persons: Olga Kharlan, Anna Smirnova, Kharlan, Smirnova, Vadym Guttsait, ”, Mikhailo Ilyashev, Andreas Solaro, Marta Kostyuk, Kostyuk, Aryna Sabalenka, Sabalenka, won’t, Elina Svitolina Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian Sports, Facebook, Ukrainian Fencing Federation, International Fencing Federation, Getty, Fencing Federation, Belarus, Aryna, Twitter Locations: Russia, Milan, Ukraine, AFP, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Belarusian

☆ Ukraine's Kharlan disqualified after refusal to shake hands with Russian opponent
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 27 (Reuters) - Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan has been disqualified after refusing to shake hands with Russian Anna Smirnova at the World Championships in Milan on Thursday. Kharlan, a four-time Olympic medallist and world champion, won the individual sabre bout 15-7 and then refused to shake hands with her opponent. Smirnova remained on the piste for over half an hour after the incident, speaking with a number of officials before leaving. In fencing's rules, shaking an opponent's hand is mandatory and failure to do so results in a 'black card'. The women's team sabre event begins on July 29.

Persons: Olga Kharlan, Anna Smirnova, Smirnova, Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Mykhailo Illiashev, Illiashev, Kharlan, Aadi Nair, Anna Pruchnika, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Fencing Federation, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Milan, Ukraine, Moscow, Belarus, Russia

☆ Wimbledon 2023: 500 days after the invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian players are playing at Wimbledon. Here’s how it’s going
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

During the opening week, fans at Wimbledon have generally been quite warm to the Russian and Belarusian players but they’ve been especially enthusiastic to the Ukrainians. Unfortunately, they could not fight the professional Tours and others on their own,” added Zukin, who also said the ATP and WTA could do more to support Ukrainian players. CNN reached out to the WTA, ATP and The Russian Tennis Federation for comment. Tension simmers behind the scenesAway from the crowds and the cameras, Russian and Ukrainian tennis players revealed there are also strained relationships in Wimbledon’s locker rooms. Sabalenka condemned the booing and said she understands why Ukrainian players won’t shake her hand.

Persons: London CNN —, ”, they’ve, Sabalenka, I’m, Shi Tang, Russian Veronika Kudermetova’s, Elina Svitolina, ” Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Tim Clayton, Corbis, Dmytro Kuleba, “, ” Kubela, Ian Hewitt, Yevhen Zukin, Kudermetova, Ben Rothenberg, Rothenberg, It’s, ” “, Marta Kostyuk, Javier Garcia, Kostyuk, Aryna Sabalenka, won’t, Anastasia Potapova, Iga, Slovakia’s Anna, Karolína, Svitolina, Daniil Medvedev Organizations: London CNN, Wimbledon, Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, CNN, Russian, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, Azarenka, Ukraine’s, Russia, All England, Tennis Federation of, Tennis Association, ATP, WTA, Russian Tennis Federation, Tennis, CNN Sport, Belarus, Aryna, Spartak Moscow, Melbourne Locations: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Belarusian, Russian, Svitolina’s, Odesa, Tennis Federation of Ukraine, Ukrainian, Kyiv, ” Russian

☆ Alcaraz sparkles at Wimbledon but home hopes dashed as Murray, Norrie fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"I feel like I'm ready to play more matches, to play more great matches on that court," U.S. Open champion Alcaraz said after reaching the third round. "It would be amazing to play a final here in Wimbledon. British hopes were further dashed as American Christopher Eubanks claimed the biggest win of his career by stunning 12th seed Cameron Norrie 6-3 3-6 6-2 7-6(3) on Court One. Twice former champion Petra Kvitova cruised into the third round after the ninth seed brushed aside Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-2. Last year's quarter-finalist Jannik Sinner of Italy, seeded eighth, recovered from a poor start to beat Frenchman Quentin Halys 3-6 6-2 6-3 6-4, while Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev downed Adrian Mannarino 6-3 6-3 7-6(5).

Persons: Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, France’s Alexandre Muller, Andrew Couldridge, Muller, Murray, Eubanks, Norrie Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Andy Murray, Frenchman Alexandre Muller, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, Novak, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andy, I'm, Tsitsipas, Christopher Eubanks, Cameron Norrie, Liam Broady, Denis Shapovalov of, SABALENKA, shrugged, Varvara Gracheva, Lesia Tsurenko, Ana Bogdan, Bai Zhuoxuan, Petra Kvitova, Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, Paula Badosa, Badosa, Italy, Frenchman Quentin Halys, Daniil Medvedev, Adrian Mannarino, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, France’s Alexandre Muller REUTERS, Court, Brit, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, U.S, Wimbledon, Denis Shapovalov of Canada, Belarus, Romania, Russian, Bengaluru

☆ Kostyuk makes light of rain breaks to stun eighth seed Sakkari
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Every time I was going into a rain break I was going into different emotions," said Kostyuk, who was also emotional several times during the match. Sakkari initially looked undisturbed by the rain suspension, taking the first set soon after the restart. Her new training partnership with former Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis looked to be paying off with Sakkari in complete control. Kostyuk, however, turned the tables in the second set with aggressive play that forced Sakkari into more unforced errors. Sakkari was wilting by then and Kostyuk took nine consecutive games en route to a 5-1 lead before sealing victory on her first match point.

Persons: Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, Greece's Maria Sakkari, Andrew Couldridge, Marta Kostyuk, Maria Sakkari, Kostyuk, Sakkari, Mark Philippoussis, Karolos Grohmann, Ed Osmond Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Greece's Maria Sakkari REUTERS, Wimbledon, Ukrainian, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Ukrainian

☆ Djokovic, Swiatek advance as climate protesters disrupt rain-hit Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Earlier, Kostyuk battled from a set down and overcame three rain interruptions to beat eighth seed Sakkari 0-6 7-5 6-2. She became only the third women's player to beat a top-10 seed at Wimbledon in the Open Era after losing the first set 6-0. American world number 10 Frances Tiafoe saw off China's Wimbledon debutant Wu Yibing 7-6(4) 6-3 6-4 before compatriot Taylor Fritz completed a 6-4 2-6 4-6 7-5 6-3 victory over Yannick Hanfmann. Sixth seed Holger Rune sailed through to the second round for the first time with a 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2 victory over British wildcard George Loffhagen. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond and Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Serbia's Novak, Australia's Jordan Thompson, Dylan Martinez, Medvedev, Fritz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo, Daria Kasatkina, Jodie Burrage, Daniil Medvedev, Arthur Fery, Marta Kostyuk, Maria Sakkari, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Dominic Thiem, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Japan's Sho Shimabukuro, Katie Boulter, Australian Daria Saville, Dimitrov, Briton Fery, Arthur, Kostyuk, Frances Tiafoe, Wu Yibing, Taylor Fritz, Yannick Hanfmann, Holger Rune, George Loffhagen, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ed Osmond, Toby Davis Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon, All England Club, Stop Oil, Bulgarian, Security, Briton, British, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Australian, Belarusian, British, Bengaluru

☆ Undercooked Rybakina targets successive Wimbledon titles
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Aadi Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The third seed opens her defence against 49th-ranked American Shelby Rogers and will be looking to match Serena Williams - who won her sixth and seventh Wimbledon titles in 2015 and 2016. Rybakina holds a 3-2 head-to-head advantage over Rogers, but with the defending champion having won both prior meetings on grass courts, she will take an edge into the encounter. An action-packed women's singles schedule on Tuesday also features Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka taking on Hungary's Panna Udvardy, while last year's losing finalist Ons Jabeur is up against Poland's Magdalena Frech. Greek eighth seed Maria Sakkari will face Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, with two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic also in action. The confidence grew a lot," U.S. Open winner Alcaraz told reporters.

Persons: Elena Rybakina, Shelby Rogers, Serena Williams, Rybakina, It's, Rogers, Aryna Sabalenka, Panna Udvardy, Poland's Magdalena Frech, Maria Sakkari, Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, Petra Kvitova, Carlos Alcaraz, Alcaraz, Novak, Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Briton Arthur Fery, Tsitsipas, Dominic Thiem, Andy Murray, Ryan Peniston, Aadi Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Wimbledon, All England Club, Kazakh, U.S, Court, Thomson Locations: Eastbourne, Czech Republic, U.S, Belarusian, Bengaluru

☆ How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has impacted tennis
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Every sport in Europe – from soccer to fencing to UFC – has had to grapple with the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and tennis is no exception. Player tensionFor some Ukrainian players, having to face opponents from Russia and Belarus has been a point of frustration. 2 said she struggled to understand the “hate” she encountered in the locker room amid strained relations with some players following Russia’s invasion. The “Z” symbol is viewed as a sign of support for Russia, including its invasion of Ukraine. Last year, she told CNN Sport that Russian and Belarusian players have a responsibility to take a stance against the war.

Persons: UFC –, Toby Melville, Daria Kasatkina, ”, Marta Kostyuk, Aryna Sabalenka, Sabalenka, won’t, ” Sabalenka, ” Kostyuk, Kai Pfaffenbach, Lesia Tsurenko, Iga Świątek, Daniil Medvedev, “, ” Tsurenko, Poland’s Świątek, Slovakia’s Anna, Karolína, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina –, Świątek, Tim Clayton, Svitolina, Anastasia Potapova, Srdjan Djokovic, Novak Djokovic, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, UFC, ATP, WTA, Wimbledon, Reuters, BBC, Belarus, Aryna, –, Kostyuk, Sabalenka, Ukrainian, ”, Russian Government, Miami, de Strasbourg, Spartak Moscow, Melbourne, CNN Sport Locations: Europe, Ukraine, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Russian, Russia, Belarus, Kyiv, Reuters Ukrainian, Indian, Vladimirec, Kostyuk, ” Russian, Australian

☆ Sabalenka, Djokovic hoping to steer clear of controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Aadi Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Another match featuring political overtones is the clash between Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Russia's Anna Blinkova. Asked about the message following his straight sets win over Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday, Djokovic told reporters: "It's something that I stand for. Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who reached the final in 2021, will play Diego Schwartzman. British 14th seed Cameron Norrie is in action against 17th seed Lorenzo Musetti, who now leads Italy's charge for a first French Open men's winner since Adriano Panatta in 1976 after Jannik Sinner's elimination on Thursday. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Iryna Shymanovich, Benoit Tessier, Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Anna Blinkova, Svitolina, Djokovic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Aleksandar Kovacevic, Marton Fucsovics, Davidovich Fokina, Monte, Monte Carlo Masters, Carlos Alcaraz, Denis Shapovalov, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Diego Schwartzman, Cameron Norrie, Lorenzo Musetti, Adriano Panatta, Jannik, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Belarus, Iryna Shymanovich REUTERS, Strasbourg, NATO, Marton, Monte Carlo, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Belarus, Ukraine, Belarusian, Kosovo, Serbia, Belgrade, Zvecan, Spanish, Barcelona, British, Nashik, India

☆ Tsitsipas, Alcaraz soar at French Open, Djokovic row simmers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Unlike after his opening match on Monday, however, there was no message on the camera lens the Serbian signed and the 22-times Grand Slam champion looked to draw a line under the issue. Djokovic missed last year's Australian Open and was deported from the country due to being unvaccinated for COVID. He won the Melbourne title this year despite a row that erupted after his father posed with some fans holding Russian flags. "A drama-free Grand Slam, I don't think it can happen for me," Djokovic added. Anna Blinkova dashed French hopes with a stunning 4-6 6-3 7-5 victory over fifth seed Caroline Garcia, wrapping up victory on her ninth match point.

Persons: Roland Garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena, Benoit Tessier, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Garcia, Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Jiri Vesely, Roberto Carballes Baena, Japan's Taro Daniel, Denis Shapovalov, Ismet Krasniqi, Amelie Oudea, Castera, Elina Svitolina, Australian Storm Hunter, Svitolina, Sabalenka, Iryna Shymanovich, Marta Kostyuk, I've, Jelena Ostapenko, Peyton Stearns, Barbora, Lesia Tsurenko, Swiatek, Suzanne Lenglen, Jessica Pegula, Camila Giorgi, Anna Blinkova, Caroline Garcia, Kokkinakis, Stan Wawrinka, Andrey Rublev, Corentin, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis, Ed Osmond Organizations: Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena REUTERS, Tennis Federation, Serbian, Marton, COVID, Melbourne, Kosovo Olympic, International Olympic Committee, Kosovo's Olympic, International Tennis Federation, Australian Storm, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Kosovo, PARIS, Serbia, Marton Fucsovics, Serbian, Ukrainian, Ukraine

☆ Women’s Tennis Suddenly Has a Big(ish) Three
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

And yet something has been happening with this group lately in the rivalry-starved women’s game — something that could all come together in a glorious rumble during the next two weeks at the French Open. The first of the three to play at Roland Garros, Sabalenka, started her tournament with a win over Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in a match tinged with wartime bitterness. Ever since Ashleigh Barty of Australia retired while atop the rankings in March 2022 at age 25, Swiatek, Rybakina and Sabalenka have been hogging nearly all of the most prestigious trophies. Swiatek has been among the most outspoken critics of Russia’s invasion, helping to raise millions of dollars to support relief efforts in Ukraine. Rybakina and Sabalenka hail from the two countries perpetrating the war, as Kostyuk reminded everyone Sunday.

☆ Too much 'rubbish' being talked about Ukraine on tour, says Svitolina
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) - Discussions about the war in Ukraine on the tennis circuit avoid the important issues and are just empty words that do not support people who are suffering, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina said on Monday. The 28-year-old former world number three stopped playing shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. She returned to action in April this year following the birth of her first child but said she was disappointed by what she has been hearing on the tour regarding Ukraine. "We are missing the main point that people at this time need help as never before. "We are missing the main point and talking, talking, talking about nothing," she said.

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