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☆ What’s it like to play Rafael Nadal on clay? We asked Djokovic, Ruud and Dimitrov
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-10 | by ( Charlie Eccleshare | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +19 min

The players we heard from, including world No 1 Novak Djokovic, almost unanimously described playing Nadal on clay as “the toughest test in tennis”. Ruud’s words call to mind Andy Roddick’s famous “first your legs, then your soul” description of Novak Djokovic, so what exactly makes playing Nadal specifically so terrifying? GO DEEPER Why you should be excited about this year's tennis clay court swingLet’s start with the ultimate, ultimate test — playing Nadal on Chatrier. Nadal beat Monfils in the 2016 Monte Carlo final (Michael Steele/Getty Images)Corentin Moutet, the world No 79, played Nadal at the French Open two years ago. But perhaps it’s fitting that the only person who has properly got the better of Nadal on clay is Rafael Nadal himself.

Persons: Rafael Nadal’s, ” Casper Ruud, Rafael Nadal, Philippe, Chatrier, Roland Garros, Nadal, Ruud, Novak Djokovic, ”, Monfils, Tim Clayton, Corbis, Karen Khachanov, Andy Roddick’s, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Arthur Ashe, Djokovic, Rod Laver, — Djokovic, “, ” Nadal, It’s, Novak, Alexander Zverev, Zverev, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Philippe Chatrier, can’t, ” Zverev, Nadal’s, Sebastian Korda, “ He’s, ” Korda, Korda, Julian Finney, Clive Brunskill, haven’t, Kecmanovic, Rafa, ” Khachanov, “ It’s, there’s, Federer, Grigor Dimitrov, —, ” Dimitrov, Neal Simpson, ” Bergs, Monte, Michael Steele, Moutet, I’ve, Yannick Hanfmann, Nadal didn’t, ” Hanfmann, Bergs, ” Ruud, “ I’m, Fabio Fognini, Andy, Roger, Nole, Hubert Hurkacz, Mike Hewitt, Mateo Villalba, Dan Goldfarb Organizations: Nadal, Getty, PlayStation, Centre Court, Federer, Monte Carlo, Wimbledon, Athletic Locations: Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, German, Chatrier, Paris, Australia

☆ Olympic gold in tennis faces tough competition from injuries, illnesses and dreams of Grand Slam glory
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Carley Breland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Between the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, summer is always a busy season for those chasing an elusive Grand Slam title. This year’s Wimbledon bracket had severe disruptions after nine singles players retired mid-tournament, many abandoning play mid-match, due to injuries. Slated to play singles and mixed doubles with fellow Pole and no. The following day, third-seed women’s singles player Elena Rybakina also withdrew from the Games. In the tennis world, the glory of an Olympic medal doesn’t rival the prestige – or purse – that comes with a Grand Slam trophy.

Persons: Roland Garros, ”, Conor Niland, it’s, –, Niland, Jeff Greenwald, “, ” Ben Shelton, ” Shelton, Shelton isn’t, Madison Keys, Karen Khachanov, Russia –, Hubert Hurkacz, Iga Swiatek, Hurkacz, ” Hurkacz, Holger Rune, Marketa Vondoursova, Greenwald, Sinner, Rybakina, Elena Rybakina, ” Greenwald Organizations: CNN, Games, Wimbledon, ITF, Madison Locations: Paris, London, New York, “, Europe, United States, Jabeur, Tunisia, Russia, Poland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Italy

☆ Daniil Medvedev rants at officials for second successive day as Russian exits Monte-Carlo Masters
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Matias Grez | Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Khachanov, as a result, earned two break points and would eventually capitalize on the second, thanks to a Medvedev double fault. 4 was frustrated with two calls from the line judge on his baseline while serving at 1-2 in the second set. The first disagreement came after the 28-year-old returned a crushing winner from a Monfils forehand, which was called out by the line judge. The very next point, the same line judge called Monfils’ shot in to the dismay of Medvedev, who left the ball expecting an out call to come. He can make a mistake as well, everybody can.”Mohamed Lahyani had to ask Medvedev not to shout at the line judge in Wednesday's match.

Persons: CNN — Daniil Medvedev ranted, Karen Khachanov, Carlo Masters, Khachanov, Carlos Bernardes, Cedric Mourier, “, ” Medvedev, It’s, …, Russia's Daniil Medvedev, France's Gael Monfils, Valery Hache, Mohamed Lahyani, Gaël Monfils, Lahyani, Monfils ’, Medvedev, shrugging, ” Lahyani, ” Mohamed Lahyani, Julian Finney Organizations: CNN, Medvedev, France's, Getty Locations: AFP, Russian

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka reached the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday with a 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Lesia Tsurenko. “Last year, Iga (Swiatek) won so many sets 6-0 and this is one of the goals, to try to get closer to her,” Sabalenka joked. The pair did not shake hands — as is the convention for Ukrainian players against opponents from Russia or Belarus — but Tsurenko congratulated Sabalenka verbally. Sabalenka will play Amanda Anisimova, who continued her comeback with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Paula Badosa. 4 Jannik Sinner moved into the fourth round without losing a set, thanks to a dominant 6-0, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Sebastian Baez.

Persons: Aryna Sabalenka, Rod Laver, ” Sabalenka, “, Tsurenko, Sabalenka, Amanda Anisimova, Paula Badosa, Anisimova, I’m, Men’s, Sebastian Baez, Karen Khachanov, Tomas Machac, Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Alex de Minaur, Flavio Cobolli Organizations: —, Ukrainian Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia, Russia, Belarus, Alycia Parks, Italy

☆ ATP roundup: Alexander Shevchenko advances to Metz semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Shevchenko overcame a 10-3 disadvantage in aces by converting two of three break points, to 0-for-3 for Khachanov. Shevchenko advanced to the semifinals Friday against wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who outlasted fellow Frenchman Luca Van Assche 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 on Thursday. Sofia OpenSecond seed Adrian Mannarino and third seed Jan-Lennard Struff avoided upsets with three-set victories Thursday in the quarterfinals in Bulgaria. Mannarino of France eliminated seventh seed Sebastian Ofner of Austria 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3. Mannarino advanced to the semifinals Friday against Russia's Pavel Kotov, who defeated eighth seed Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Persons: Russia's Alexander Shevchenko, Canada's Felix Auger Aliassime, Pierre Albouy, Alexander Shevchenko, Karen Khachanov, Shevchenko, Pierre, Hugues Herbert, Frenchman Luca Van Assche, Ugo Humbert, Frenchman Harold Mayot, Lorenzo Sonego, Fabio Fognini, Adrian Mannarino, Lennard Struff, France, Sebastian Ofner, Germany's Struff, Hungary's Fabian Marozsan, Struff, Great, Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti, Cem Ilkel, Mannarino, Russia's Pavel Kotov, Marton Organizations: Swiss, Basel, Canada's Felix Auger Aliassime REUTERS, Khachanov, Sofia, Thomson Locations: Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland, Metz, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Mannarino, Austria, Turkey, Marton Fucsovics, Hungary

☆ Tsitsipas marches into Paris semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Tennis - ATP Masters 1000 - Paris Masters - AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France - November 3, 2023 Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas speaks to the crowd after winning his quarter final match against Russia's Karen Khachanov REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Stefanos Tsitsipas maintained his stunning form at the Paris Masters with a 6-3 6-4 defeat of Russia's Karen Khachanov to reach the semi-finals on Friday. He will now face Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the final after the Bulgarian beat Hubert Hurkacz 6-1 4-6 6-4. Seventh seed Tsitsipas is yet to drop a set this week in disposing of Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, Germany's Alexander Zverev and now Khachanov. He had far too much variety for Khachanov in the opening set, using his all-court game and accurate serving to great effect. He then moved a break ahead in the second set before Khachanov hit a brief purple patch to get back on terms.

Persons: Stefanos Tsitsipas, Russia's Karen Khachanov REUTERS, Stephanie Lecocq, Tsitsipas, Russia's Karen Khachanov, Grigor Dimitrov, Hubert Hurkacz, Canada's Felix Auger, Germany's Alexander Zverev, Khachanov, Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic, Denmark's Holger Rune, Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Paris, Rights, ATP, Bulgarian, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Turin, raptures

☆ Safiullin stuns Alcaraz at Paris Masters
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Tennis - ATP Masters 1000 - Paris Masters - AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France - October 31, 2023 Russia's Roman Safiullin in action during his round of 32 match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq Acquire Licensing RightsOct 31 (Reuters) - World number two Carlos Alcaraz crashed to a 6-3 6-4 loss to Russia's Roman Safiullin in the second round at the Paris Masters on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Spaniard seemed to recover as he again broke the feisty 45th-ranked Saffiullin's serve early in the second set to take a 3-1 advantage. Ninth seed Taylor Fritz's hopes of an ATP Finals berth diminished as the American withdrew before his second round match against Daniel Altmaier with an abdominal injury. The world number 10 will be out of the season-ending tournament should Denmark's sixth seed Holger Rune beat Dominic Thiem in his second round match. Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Stephanie Lecocq, Carlos Alcaraz, Saffiullin's, Novak Djokovic, Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry, Taylor Fritz's, Daniel Altmaier, Holger Rune, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Hungary's, Hungary's Marton Fucsovics, Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, American Sebastian Korda, Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, Monfils, Karen Khachanov, Russian Andrey Rublev, Janina Nuno Rios, Toby Davis Organizations: Paris, Wimbledon, Swiss, Serbian, ATP, American, Hungary's Marton, Argentine, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Russian, Turin, Mexico City

☆ Murray bows out of Paris Masters in first round
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Murray lost his serve in the opening game of the match, but came back to lead 5-4 before De Minaur won the opening set in a tiebreak. The Briton took the second set and at 5-2 up in the decider, looked set for victory. Despite serving twice for the match, Murray lost momentum as De Minaur's comeback saw him break his opponents serve three times winning the last five games to claim victory in the battle which lasted three hours. Murray smashed his racquet in frustration after the agonising loss, and he has yet to win a match in this competition since winning the tournament in 2016. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina defeated 15th seed Ben Shelton, the Spaniard overcoming the American 7-6(4) 5-7 6-3, while Karen Khachanov recorded a routine win over Max Purcell, the 16th seed Russian winning 6-4 6-4 against the Australian.

Persons: Andy Murray, Switzerland's Leandro Riedi, Jason Cairnduff, Alex de Minaur, De Minaur, Murray, Minaur's, Frances Tiafoe, Alexander Bublik, Taylor Fritz, Argentina's Sebastian Baez, Tommy Paul, Frenchman Richard Gasquet, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Ben Shelton, Karen Khachanov, Max Purcell, Novak Djokovic, Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Trevor Stynes, Anita Kobylinska, Christian Radnedge Organizations: AO, Paris, ATP, Murray, Briton, Thomson Locations: Britain, Switzerland, Manchester, Turin, American

☆ ATP roundup: Top seed Holger Rune squeaks into Basel semis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

1 seed Holger Rune of Denmark got past Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (6) Friday to reach the semifinals of the Swiss Indoors Basel. But on the 13th point, Rune hit a dead netcord for a flukey, if fortunate, point. Hurkacz rallied past Dutch opponent Tallon Griekspoor 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-4, while Humbert beat Swiss wild card Dominic Stricker 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. 1 seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia needing three sets to beat countryman and eighth seed Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the quarters. 2 seed Jannik Sinner of Italy won 32 of 38 first-service points (84.2 percent) to beat seventh-seeded American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4.

Persons: Holger Rune, Denmark, Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Rune, Felix Auger, Alexander Shevchenko, Hubert Hurkacz, Ugo Humbert of France, Hurkacz, Tallon Griekspoor, Humbert, Dominic Stricker, Daniil Medvedev, Karen Khachanov, Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Croatia's, Italy, Frances Tiafoe, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev Organizations: Swiss Indoors Basel, Russian, Swiss, Erste Bank, Thomson Locations: Canadian, Poland, Vienna

☆ ATP roundup: Daniil Medvedev headlines day of sweeps at Vienna
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Overall, Medvedev won 28 of 31 first-service points while collecting 16 winners against just three unforced errors. Sinner topped American Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 7-5; Gojo ousted Russia's Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 6-3; and Monfils downed Daniel Altmaier of Germany 6-4, 6-4. In second-round action, fifth-seeded German Alexander Zverev downed Great Britain's Cameron Norrie 6-2, 6-4, while No. Swiss Indoors BaselArgentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry rallied to beat Andy Murray of Great Britain 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 in a second-round match at Basel, Switzerland. 4 seed Hurbert Hurkacz of Poland also won his second-round match, sweeping German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-4.

Persons: Russia's Daniil Medvedev, Sebastian Korda, Aly, Daniil Medvedev, Frenchman Arthur Fils, Fils, Medvedev, Italy, Borna Gojo, Gael Monfils, Sinner, Ben Shelton, Gojo, Russia's Aslan Karatsev, Monfils, Daniel Altmaier, Alexander Zverev, Britain's Cameron Norrie, Karen Khachanov, Jiri Lehecka, Basel Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Andy Murray of, Etcheverry, Murray, Lennard, Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger, France's Ugo Humbert Organizations: Shanghai, Sports City Arena, U.S, REUTERS, Erste Bank, Swiss, Basel Argentina's, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Vienna, Croatian, Germany, Russia, Czech, Andy Murray of Great Britain, Basel, Switzerland, Poland

☆ ATP roundup: Sebastian Korda sent packing early in Basel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Korda fired eight aces to Etcheverry's two and won 33 of 39 first-serve points (84.6 percent), but Etcheverry moved on after saving four of six break points and breaking Korda twice in three opportunities. Dutch qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp beat Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-2 in three hours, three minutes. 5 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany made quick work of Austrian wild card Sebastian Ofner, winning 6-4, 6-1 in the first round in Vienna. 8 seed Karen Khachanov defeated Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4 in a match between Russians. Cameron Norrie of Great Britain, Matteo Arnaldi of Italy and Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic also advanced.

Persons: Sebastian Korda, Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo, Aly, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Korda, Etcheverry, Botic van, Zandschulp, Roberto Bautista Agut, Andy Murray of Great, Germany's Yannick Hanfmann, Argentina's Sebastian Baez, Germany's Jan, Lennard Struff, Alexander Zverev, Sebastian Ofner, Ofner, Zverev, Karen Khachanov, Roman Safiullin, Cameron Norrie, Matteo Arnaldi, Jiri Lehecka Organizations: Shanghai, Sports City Arena, Swiss, Basel, Erste Bank, Austrian, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Argentina, Germany, Vienna, Great Britain, Italy, Czech Republic

☆ ATP roundup: Alexander Zverev, Karen Khachanov win titles
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Zverev, 26, recorded 10 aces to dispatch Safiullin and win the match in two hours, 56 minutes. Safiullin, 26, collected 33 winners but was undone, in part, by 15 unforced errors and four double faults. 1 seed Karen Khachanov captured his fifth tour-level title and first since 2018 with a 7-6 (2), 6-1 win over eighth-seeded Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan in Zhuhai, China. Khachanov, 27, recorded 34 winners and nine aces to win the match in one hour, 43 minutes. Nishioka, 27, was bidding for his third tour-level title and first since Seoul last year.

Persons: Safiullin, Italy's Jannik, Hannah Mckay, Alexander Zverev, Zverev, Karen Khachanov, Nishioka Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Germany, Russian, Chengdu, China, Safiullin, Japan, Zhuhai, Seoul

☆ ATP roundup: Alexander Zverev reaches Chengdu final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSeptember 25 - Top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany will meet unseeded Russian Roman Safiullin in the Chengdu Open final in Chengdu, China. Zverev saved all five break points and fired nine aces in a 6-3, 7-6 (2) semifinal win on Monday against No. Zverev is chasing his first hard-court title since the Nitto ATP Finals in November 2021. Standing in the way is Safiullin, who reached the final of the ATP 250 event with a 6-3, 6-4 upset against No. Nishioka advanced Monday with a 6-4, 6-4 win against Russia's Aslan Karatsev.

Persons: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, USTA Billie Jean King, Danielle Parhizkaran, Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, Lorenzo Musetti, Safiullin, Karen Khachanov, Sebastian Korda, Korda, Nishioka, Russia's Aslan Karatsev, Karatsev Organizations: USTA Billie, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Zhuhai, Adelaide, Thomson Locations: Flushing , NY, USA, Germany, Spain, Russian, Chengdu, China, Italy, Russia, Japan, Zhuhai

☆ US Open: Home crowd favorites Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys make the perfect start
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Home crowd favorite Jessica Pegula made the perfect start to her US Open campaign, beating underdog Camila Giorgi in straight sets. Pegula made light work of her Italian opponent, breezing to a 6-2 6-2 opening-round victory in just an hour and 22 minutes. Pegula impressed winning 6-2 6-2 in straight sets. Elsewhere on the women’s side of the draw, Pegula’s compatriot Madison Keys was also able to make her way into the second round. Buoyed by the home crowd, Mmoh stormed to a 6-2 6-2 6-4 victory to march onto round two – matching his best ever US Open result.

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Camila Giorgi, breezing, Pegula, Giorgi, Sarah Stier, ” Pegula, “, Madison Keys, Keys, Arantxa Rus, Manu Fernandez, Patricia Maria Țig, Rebecca Marino, Belgium’s Yanina, Michael Mmoh, Karen Khachanov, Khachanov, Mmoh, John Minchillo, John Isner, breezed, Facundo Diaz Acosta, Isner Organizations: CNN, US, Madison, Arantxa, U.S ., Argentinian Locations: Flushing Meadows

☆ Abdominal strain forces Murray out of Cincinnati
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Andy Murray pulled out of the Cincinnati Open late on Monday as the Briton continues to recover from an abdominal strain in a bid to compete in the U.S. Open that begins later this month. Murray, 36, withdrew from last week's Canadian Open before his round of 16 clash with eventual champion Jannik Sinner due to the issue he picked up after spending nearly five hours on court in wins over Lorenzo Sonego and Max Purcell. The three-times Grand Slam champion and former world number one travelled to Cincinnati where he hoped to be fit in time to face Russian Karen Khachanov but he will now be replaced by a lucky loser, men's tennis governing body ATP said. Murray is currently number 36 in the world - his highest ranking since hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 - and was named in Britain's Davis Cup team for their Finals group stage ties that will take place after the Aug. 28-Sept. 10 U.S. Open. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andy Murray, Murray, Jannik, Lorenzo Sonego, Max Purcell, Karen Khachanov, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Muralikumar Organizations: Cincinnati, Briton, U.S ., ATP, Britain's Davis, Thomson Locations: Cincinnati, Britain's, Bengaluru

☆ Khachanov withdraws from Wimbledon with stress fracture in back
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 23 (Reuters) - Karen Khachanov has been forced to withdraw from the Wimbledon Championships next month after the Russian said on Friday he had suffered a stress fracture in his back at the French Open. Ranked number 11 in the world, Khachanov reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros where he took a set off Novak Djokovic before losing to the Serbian who eventually won the title. "Due to an unfortunate injury I picked up at the French Open(stress fracture and a partial fracture in sacrum S1 bone), I will not be able to participate at Wimbledon for the second year in a row," Khachanov said on Instagram. Khachanov was unable to play at Wimbledon last year due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players. The Wimbledon Championships begin on July 3.

Persons: Karen Khachanov, Khachanov, Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic, Rohith Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Wimbledon, Slams, U.S, Thomson Locations: Serbian, Belarusian, Bengaluru

☆ 2023 French Open men's final: Novak Djokovic on cusp of historic 23rd grand slam as he faces Casper Ruud for title
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Now, with Federer retired and Nadal injured, Djokovic has an opportunity to stake his own claim in that unending debate and win a record 23rd grand slam title on Sunday at the French Open, surpassing the mark he currently holds with Nadal. Standing in Djokovic’s way is Casper Ruud, who has now reached three of the last five grand slam finals, including last year’s final at Roland Garros where he was dismantled 6-3 6-3 6-0 by Nadal. If Djokovic can win on Sunday, he will also return to the top of the world rankings and become the first male player to win each grand slam tournament at least three times. Casper Ruud was defeated by Nadal in last year's French Open final. That semifinal performance will galvanize Ruud ahead of the final, as he seeks to upset the odds and take a first grand slam title.

Persons: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic –, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Roland Garros, “ I’m, it’s, ” Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Tim Clayton, Corbis, Karen Khachanov, Alcaraz, Djokovic coasted, Ruud, “, Rafa, Novak, ” Ruud, “ I’ve, Lisi Niesner, Reuters “, I’m, Holger Rune, Alexander Zverev, galvanize Ruud Organizations: CNN, tennis, ATP, Djokovic, cramp, Nadal, Guardian, Reuters Locations: Norwegian

☆ Major 23 still on the cards as Djokovic springs into French Open last four
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The twice Roland Garros champion could not find a weakness in the 11th-seeded Khachanov's serve at first, but once he took the second set tiebreak there was no looking back for the Serbian. Djokovic, however, was not completely happy with his performance but knew victory would not come easy. He has a big serve but maybe doesn't move as well so I tried to expose him and played unpredictable. There were no break points in the second set but Khachanov started to struggle and paid for his efforts, failing to score a point in the tiebreak as Djokovic levelled the contest. Djokovic got the early break thanks to a netcord in the third and stole Khachanov's serve again to move one set from victory with apparent ease.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Karen Khachanov, Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic, Khachanov, Khachanov's, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris, Toby Davis Organizations: Serbian, Thomson Locations: Russian, Serbian

☆ Sabalenka sets up Muchova clash at French Open, takes stand against war
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Having skipped two press conferences at Roland Garros after being grilled by the media about her personal stance on the war, Sabalenka finally addressed reporters again. "I don't want my country to be in any conflict, I don't support the war," second seed Sabalenka said. "I don't support war, meaning I don't support (Belarus President) Alexander Lukashenko right now." "I really felt bad not coming here. I felt really disrespected and felt really bad.

Persons: Sabalenka, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Czech Karolina Muchova, Roland Garros, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Svitolina, Alexander Lukashenko, I'm, Novak Djokovic, Karen Khachanov, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Roland, Thomson Locations: Belarusian, Czech, Russia, Belarus, Paris

☆ Novak Djokovic progresses to a record 17th French Open quarterfinal
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —On a sun kissed but windy Parisian afternoon Novak Djokovic broke one of Rafael Nadal’s French Open records as he progressed to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. A straightforward 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas on Sunday ensured Djokovic progressed to the last eight at the French Open for a record 17th time, surpassing the absent Rafael Nadal on 16. The win also inched the Serb closer to a men’s record 23rd career grand slam. He was no match for world No.3 Djokovic, however, who will next play Russian Karen Khachanov, the 11th seed. So that’s all.”“A drama-free grand slam, I don’t think it can happen for me,” he added on Wednesday.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal’s, Roland Garros, Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas, Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Nadal, Varillas, Russian Karen Khachanov, ” Djokovic, Hungary’s Márton, ”, “ Organizations: CNN, Roland, “ Locations: Russian, Kosovo, “ Kosovo, Serbia

☆ Djokovic, Alcaraz stay on track for French Open semi-final showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Djokovic, who is chasing a men's record 23rd Grand Slam to leapfrog Spaniard Rafa Nadal in the injured champion's absence, blazed past Peruvian marathon man Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3 6-2 6-2 in a lopsided last-eight clash. World number one and top seed Alcaraz, another tenacious Spaniard who is backed to take the mantle of 14-times champion Nadal, bulldozed his way to a 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over Italian Lorenzo Musetti. Pavlyuchenkova, who has slipped to world number 333 after being forced to stop playing for five months last year, is the lowest-ranked French Open quarter-finalist in the Open Era. She (Kato) didn't do it on purpose, she (the ball girl) didn't get injured," Juge said. She's crying," Sorribes Tormo said, pointing to the ball girl.

Persons: Roland Garros, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Peru's Juan Pablo Varillas, Lisi Niesner PARIS, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz inched, Elina Svitolina, Djokovic, Spaniard Rafa Nadal, Juan Pablo Varillas, Nadal, Lorenzo Musetti, Daria Kasatkina, Skai, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Karen Khachanov, Pavlyuchenkova, Czech Barbora Krejcikova, Elise Mertens, Lorenzo Sonego, Khachanov, Miyu Kato, Aldila Sutjiadi, Kato, Alexandre Juge, Czech Marie Bouzkova, Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo, didn't, Juge, Sorribes Tormo, Bouzkova, disqualifying Kato, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Clare Fallon, Pritha Organizations: Peru's Juan Pablo Varillas REUTERS, Russian, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Czech, New York, Melbourne

☆ Thanasi Kokkinakis: Tennis star in heated exchange with umpire over a toilet break
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

During his third-round match at the French Open, Australian tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis was left dumbfounded after seemingly being refused a toilet break by the umpire. After losing the second set, Kokkinakis – who had taken a toilet break after the first set – approached chair umpire Katarzyna Radwan-Cho. “F**king sh*t, we get two for a match,” he added, referencing the number of toilet breaks permitted in five setters. “You have to sprint, but the problem is on [court] Simonne-Mathieu the bathrooms just aren’t quite as close as they are on Chatrier and Lenglen. “You can see his frustration because he’s trying to get there as fast as possible, but it’s just physically not going to happen … but at least it didn’t happen on court.”

Persons: Thanasi Kokkinakis, Kokkinakis –, –, Katarzyna Radwan, Cho, ”, I’ve, ” Kokkinakis, Karen Khachanov, Laura Robson, Mathieu Organizations: CNN, Eurosport Locations: Australian, British

☆ Sabalenka powers into French Open fourth round, Khachanov survives
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka swatted aside Kamilla Rakhimova to remind her rivals of her French Open title credentials while Russian 11th seed Karen Khachanov also moved into the fourth round by stopping wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis on Friday. Sabalenka, the big-serving world number two, beat Russian Rakhimova 6-2 6-2 on a sunbathed Court Philippe Chatrier to set up a clash with American Sloane Stephens or Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in her quest for a second Grand Slam title. "So I have to do it with my legs, with the brain, and try to squeeze the maximum I can." Last year's semi-finalist Kasatkina will need to show her best form again in the next round where she can potentially meet former world number three Elina Svitolina. Novak Djokovic, who is seeking a 23rd Grand Slam title, is in action against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina while world number one Carlos Alcaraz will play Denis Shapovalov in the evening session.

Persons: Karen Khachanov, Kokkinakis, Sabalenka, Philippe Chatrier, Sloane Stephens, Yulia Putintseva, Khachanov, Jessica Pegula, Elise Mertens, Mertens, Daria Kasatkina, Peyton Stearns, Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina, Anna Blinkova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia Potapova, Novak Djokovic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Carlos Alcaraz, Denis Shapovalov, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Kokkinakis, Thomson Locations: Kazakhstan, Paris

She added the Ukrainian did not deserve to leave the main showcourt in the manner she did, but Kostyuk urged Sabalenka to take a stronger, more personal stand against the war. "She (Sabalenka) never says that she personally doesn't support this war, and I feel like journalists should change the questions you ask these athletes because the war is already there," Kostyuk said. Fifth seed Tsitsipas was made to work hard by Vesely, who is on the comeback trail following a lengthy injury absence, before winning 7-5 6-3 4-6 7-6(7). With temperatures at 22 degrees and expected to reach 26 in the afternoon, the water vending stands were busy. Serbian Djokovic is bidding for his third French Open title.

☆ Dream big, think big - Alcaraz wants to become one of the greats
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 'Big Three' of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic have dominated men's tennis for nearly 20 years, collectively winning 64 Grand Slams. While only Djokovic and Nadal of the three are still active, Alcaraz said reaching their level will be a daunting task. "Well, my dream in tennis right now is to become one of the best players in history," Alcaraz told reporters after beating Karen Khachanov 6-4 7-5 in the Madrid Open quarter-finals on Wednesday. "In this world, you have to dream big and you have to think big, as well," Alcaraz said. "I want to be part of the best tennis players in history and I'll work for it."

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