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☆ Qatar Open: Naomi Osaka reaches first quarterfinal in almost two years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

1 Naomi Osaka has reached her first quarterfinal in almost two years, after her opponent Lesia Tsurenko withdrew with an elbow injury at the Qatar Open. Osaka, who is currently ranked No.747, is the second lowest-ranked woman to reach a WTA 1000 quarterfinal, according to the WTA. Osaka has reflected on how becoming a mother has affected her attitude towards tennis, saying "It feels like I'm starting new." Robert Prange/Getty ImagesThis will be Osaka’s WTA Tour quarterfinal since she reached the Miami Open final in March of 2022, where she lost out to Iga Swiatek. “So just knowing like, I don’t have time to spend on distractions, or just things that aren’t worth my time.”“It feels like I’m starting new.

Persons: Naomi Osaka, Lesia Tsurenko, Osaka, Cordea, “, Caroline Garcia, Petra , Robert Prange, CNN’s Becky Anderson, I’m, Karolina Pliskova Organizations: CNN, Former, Qatar, WTA, Miami, ” Locations: Osaka, Iga, “, ” Osaka

☆ Australian Open women’s final: China’s Zheng Qinwen bidding for first grand slam title against relentless Aryna Sabalenka
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —China’s Zheng Qinwen will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriot and idol Li Na, who was crowned Australian Open champion a decade ago, when she faces Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final. Just go for it.’ That’s enough, I think,” Zheng laughed. So that can’t be more special than here in Australian Open. Beating Gauff was a significant victory for Sabalenka, who lost to the American from a set up in the US Open final at the end of 2023. “As I said before, yeah, I’m defending champion, but worst case … I’m going to lose this tournament and it’s less points to defend next year.

Persons: CNN — China’s Zheng Qinwen, Li Na, Aryna, Zheng, Dayana Yastremska, Li, ” Zheng, ”, Sabalenka, Eloisa Lopez, Lesia, Coco Gauff, Gauff Organizations: CNN, Reuters Locations: Australian, Melbourne, China, Belarusian, ”

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

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

☆ WTA roundup: Zheng Qinwen advances at Zhengzhou Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

She will face Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina, who posted a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Russian qualifier Vera Zvonareva. Hana Bank Korea OpenBelgium's Yanina Wickmayer seized a 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory over third-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia to move on to the quarterfinals in Seoul. Wickmayer will meet Russian Polina Kudermetova, who breezed to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Kathinka von Deichmann of Liechenstein. Fifth-seeded Anna Blinkova of Russia coasted to a 6-1, 6-3 win over Australian Priscilla Hon to advance to the third round. Third-seeded Elise Mertens of Belgium had little difficulty in her 6-1, 6-4 victory over Australian qualifier Daria Saville.

Persons: China's, Zheng, China's Zhu Lin REUTERS, Kim Kyung, Zheng Qinwen, Maria Sakkari, Sakkari, Kalinina, Vera Zvonareva, Italy's Jasmine Paolini, Caroline Garcia of, Ukraine's, Tsurenko, Donna Vekic, Wickmayer, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Kudermetova, Kathinka von Deichmann, Claire Liu, Arantxa Rus, China's Yuan Yue, Slovenia's Kaja Juvan, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Anna Blinkova, Russia coasted, Priscilla Hon, Elise Mertens, Daria Saville Organizations: Tennis Centre, Russian, Caroline Garcia of France, Hana Bank, Hong, Belarus, Thomson Locations: Hangzhou, China, Greece, Zhengzhou, Croatia, Hana Bank Korea, Russia, Seoul, Wickmayer, Arantxa, Netherland, Hong Kong, Brazil, Belgium

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Pegula produces dazzling display to reach first Wimbledon quarters
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - Jessica Pegula enjoyed one of those scarcely believable days straight out of fantasy land as her racket oozed winners left, right and centre in a 6-1 6-3 fourth-round destruction of luckless Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko at Wimbledon on Sunday. Pegula took full advantage of her opponent's woes as she walloped thunderous winners from the baseline to streak into a 5-0 lead in 18 blinding minutes. Tsurenko was lucky not to be completely wiped out from the opening set as the American fourth seed missed a set point in the sixth game. That respite, however, was brief as Pegula went on another three-game winning spree to take a 6-1 2-0 lead. I am so glad to make the final eight and I hope I get my name on a wall, or something."

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Tsurenko, Pegula, Ana Bogdan, Marketa, Serena Williams, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Pritha Sarkar, Clare Fallon Organizations: Wimbledon, Madison, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, American

☆ Swiatek survives scare to set up Svitolina clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Poland's Swiatek looked in big trouble against Switzerland's Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and saved two match points in the second set before clawing out a 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-3 victory. As the evening gloom set in, Swiatek eventually got a handle on her opponent's game, moving clear in the final set before wrapping up victory after more than three hours. Bencic will look back at the two match points she had at 5-6 in the second set, the first saved with a powerful Swiatek forehand and the second with a backhand winner. "I don't know if I even came back from match point down in my career," Swiatek said in her on court interview. "I thought it was a great tennis match.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Switzerland's Belinda Bencic, Dylan Martinez, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Poland's Swiatek, Belinda Bencic, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Bublik, Novak Djokovic, Hubert Hurkacz, Roger Federer's, Sinner, Colombia's Daniel Galan, Swiatek, Svitolina, Azarenka, Jessica Pegula, Pegula, Marie Bouzkova, Rublev, Russian Roman, Denis Shapovalov, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Switzerland's Belinda Bencic REUTERS, Dylan Martinez LONDON, Wimbledon, Switzerland's Olympic, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, Roger Federer's Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, tennis, Belarus, Russia, Belarusian, American, French, Russian

☆ Wimbledon day seven
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

1925 SWIATEK SURVIVES AGAINST BENCICPoland's top seed Iga Swiatek rallied from a set down and saved two match points to beat Swiss 14th seed Belinda Bencic 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-3 and reach her first Wimbledon quarter-finals. 1245 TEENAGER ANDREEVA BEATS POTAPOVARussian qualifier Mirra Andreeva beat 22nd-seeded compatriot Anastasia Potapova 6-2 7-5 to enter the fourth round, where she will face American Madison Keys. The 16-year-old Andreeva is making her first-ever appearance in the Wimbledon main draw. 1225 VONDROUSOVA MOVES INTO QUARTER-FINALSVondrousova moved into the quarter-finals after beating fellow Czech and 32nd seed Marie Bouzkova 2-6 6-4 6-3. Ukrainian wildcard Elina Svitolina will face Belarusian two-time major winner Victoria Azarenka in the fourth round.

Persons: Elina Svitolina, Victoria, SWIATEK, BENCIC, Iga Swiatek, Belinda Bencic, Bencic, Andreeva, Nadal, Shapovalov, Dimitrov, Tsitsipas, Ukraine's, Boulter, Andreescu Alcaraz, Jarry, Fokina, Rune, Jannik Sinner, Colombia's Daniel Elahi Galan, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Bublik, Rublev, SAFIULLIN, Safiullin, Denis Shapovalov, Jessica Pegula, Marketa Vondrousova, DIMITROV, Frances Tiafoe, Grigor Dimitrov, ANDREEVA, Mirra Andreeva, Anastasia Potapova, Vondrousova, Marie Bouzkova, Novak Djokovic, Iga, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Aadi Nair, Rohith Nair, Janina Nuno Rios, Clare Fallon Organizations: Wimbledon, AZARENKA Ukrainian, Victoria Azarenka of, Swiss, Wimbledon Vondrousova, Bouzkova, Belarusian Azarenka, Medvedev, Kazakh, Court, Madison Keys, Czech, Victoria Azarenka, Christian, Thomson Locations: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, Russian, Bulgarian, Belarusian

☆ 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

☆ WTA roundup: Russian stars to clash in Dutch final
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

7 Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in Saturday's semifinals of the WTA 250 grass-court event. Kudermetova is 2-1 against Alexandrova, who won the last meeting in the semifinals of this tournament last year en route to the title. Rothesay OpenKatie Boulter and Jodie Burrage will meet in Nottingham, England, on Sunday in the first all-British WTA Tour final since 1977, when Virginia Wade beat Sue Barker in San Francisco. Boulter advanced with a 6-4, 7-5 win over another countrywoman, Heather Watson, while Burrage took down France's Alize Cornet 7-5, 7-5 in her semifinal match at the WTA 250 grass-court tournament. Boulter overcame a 4-3 deficit in the opening set and dug out of a 4-1 hole in the second set against Watson.

Persons: Jodie Burrage, Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko, Paul Childs, Veronika Kudermetova, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Kudermetova, Slovakia's Viktoria, Alexandrova, Katie Boulter, Virginia Wade, Sue Barker, It's, Heather Watson, Burrage, France's Alize, Boulter, Watson, Cornet Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko REUTERS, Slovakia's Viktoria Hruncakova, Hruncakova, Sasnovich, British WTA, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Netherlands, Belarus, Saturday's, Kudermetova, Rothesay, Nottingham, England, San Francisco, Leicester

☆ Iga Świątek continues defense of French Open title with straight sets victory over American Coco Gauff
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Iga Świątek remains on course to retain her French Open title after easing past Coco Gauff 6-4 6-2 to reach the semifinals at Roland-Garros. In a rematch of last year’s final, Świątek ultimately had too much quality for Gauff to handle as her relentless power and consistency eventually broke the American down. It wasn’t easy, especially with the wind today, but I’m happy I’m through to the semifinal.”Swiatek remains on course to successfully defend her French Open title. It proved to be the beginning of the end for Gauff, who was powerless to stop Świątek’s inevitable march to victory. Świątek, according to Opta, is the first player since Conchita Martinez in 1995 to reach the semifinals at the French Open having dropped 15 games or fewer.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Garros, Świątek, Gauff, Beatriz Haddad Maia, “, Swiatek, Julian Finney, Lesia Tsurenko, Conchita Martinez, Sabalenka, Karolína Muchová, Ted Lasso, ” Świątek Organizations: CNN, Roland, WTA, Tennis, Getty, Świątek, Garros, Madam Locations: Paris

☆ Gauff charges past Schmiedlova into quarter-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 5, 2023 Coco Gauff of the U.S. in action during her fourth round match against Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova REUTERS/Benoit TessierPARIS, June 5 (Reuters) - Last year's French Open runner-up Coco Gauff overcame an early wobble to outclass Slovakian Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 7-5 6-2 and reach the quarter-finals, where she could face a potential rematch with holder Iga Swiatek. Gauff won her previous clash with Schmiedlova in Madrid last year, dropping only two games, and the American made a quick start again with a break in the opening game to pull away and leave her 100th-ranked opponent facing an uphill task. The 19-year-old Gauff tightened her grip in the next set, working the angles and deploying the drop shot to devastating effect as she closed out the victory without any more drama. Gauff will now await the winner of the fourth round match between world number one Swiatek and Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Coco Gauff, Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova REUTERS, Benoit Tessier PARIS, Slovakian Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Iga Swiatek, Gauff, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Slovakian, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Madrid, American

☆ Swiatek through to last eight as Ukrainian Tsurenko retires unwell
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, June 5 (Reuters) - Defending champion Iga Swiatek needed only 31 minutes to reach the French Open quarter-finals on Monday as her Ukrainian opponent Lesia Tsurenko retired after feeling unwell. World number one Swiatek was 4-1 up in the opening set when Tsurenko called on the trainer and had her blood pressure and pulse checked. Following a five-minute medical timeout, the match resumed but Tsurenko threw in the towel after losing the following game to love. "I'm sorry, playing Iga was my priority, I'm very sorry," Tsurenko told a press conference. "Obviously it's not the way you want to win a match," Swiatek told a press conference.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Lesia Tsurenko, Tsurenko, Iga, I've, Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Roland Garros, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris, Pritha Organizations: Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: American

☆ Swiatek no fan of 'Iga's Bakery' memes after serving up another double bagel
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, June 4 (Reuters) - Iga Swiatek underlined her credentials as a firm favourite for the French Open title on Saturday after serving up double bagels yet again with a 6-0 6-0 win, but the world number one refused to be swept up in the "Iga's Bakery" social media craze. But when a question about "Iga's Bakery" was put to Swiatek after her victory, her smile vanished before the top seed said she wanted to remain respectful to her opponents. loading"Look, I don't want to really talk about that. I really get why people do that because it's fun and tennis is entertainment and everything," Swiatek told reporters. Swiatek will next face Lesia Tsurenko, who lost 6-2 6-0 to her in Rome last month.

Persons: Swiatek, Wang, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, I'm, Lesia Tsurenko, Tsurenko, Rohith Nair Organizations: Thomson Locations: Rome, Paris, Ukrainian, 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

☆ 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

☆ Djokovic battles past Dimitrov in Rome, Swiatek cruises
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The former world number three did however reel off four straight games from 2-4 to take the second set and force a decider. But the world number one hit back to claim the next 12 for a 6-2 6-0 victory that extended her Rome win streak to 13 matches. Sixth seed Coco Gauff later crashed out against Marie Bouzkova, who sealed a 4-6 6-2 6-2 win. Daniil Medvedev broke his Rome duck on his fourth attempt with a clinical second-round win over Emil Ruusuvuori. "It's a little bit (of a relief)," Medvedev said after his 6-4 6-2 win.

☆ Wawrinka makes short work of Ivashka in Rome opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It was a good first match and I'm really happy to get through again," Wawrinka said. This year I'm playing much better, but I need to win more matches. Former world number one Andy Murray will take on Italian wild card Fabio Fognini later in the evening as he continues his preparations for the French Open starting later this month. STEPHENS CRUISESIn the women's tournament, former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens beat Nadia Podoroska 6-4 6-1 to open her Rome campaign in style following her triumph in Saint Malo last week. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Kasatkina thankful Russian players still able to compete
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 1 (Reuters) - Daria Kasatkina said she is thankful that Russian tennis players are still able to compete in international tournaments while other sports have banned them due to the war in Ukraine. Some sports have recently begun to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes following recommendations issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last month. Wimbledon banned players from the two countries last year but said in March it would accept them as neutral athletes. "I'm happy that we will be able to come back this year and to be honest we are (in) the luckiest sport as we are able to compete still." "The saddest part is the war is still going on, so of course the players from Ukraine have got a lot of reasons to not shake our hands," Kasatkina said.

☆ Daria Kasatkina: Russian says it 'makes a lot of sense' for Ukrainian tennis players to receive support
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Daria Kasatkina, Russia’s top-ranked female tennis player, has praised the decision of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Wimbledon to support Ukrainian tennis players during the grass-court tennis season. A number of Ukrainian players have refused to shake the hands of Russian opponents on the tours since the war began and Kasatkina says she understands their decision. “So of course, players from Ukraine have got a lot of reasons to not shake our hands. Lesia Tsurenko didn't shake Daria Kasatkina's hand aftter their match. Tennis – Wimbledon last year aside – didn’t follow suit, instead allowing players from Russia and Belarus compete as neutral athletes and Kasatkina said she feels fortunate to still be able to play tennis.

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