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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

☆ Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz to win Olympic gold and career Golden Slam
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Matthew Futterman | James Hansen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +12 min

Relive how Novak Djokovic won Olympic gold against Carlos Alcaraz with game-by-game live coverage from the matchPARIS — Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in the men’s singles Olympic final at Roland Garros in Paris on Sunday. Djokovic won in four. GO DEEPER Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet in a Wimbledon final duel of the extraordinaryThe first set lasted 93 minutes. After the Wimbledon final, Djokovic was largely sanguine about how soundly he had been beaten, saying Alcaraz was simply better in every department. It was a confidence and a quality not seen since that French Open final in 2023 and perhaps the US Open final in the same year.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, PARIS — Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros, Alcaraz, Matt Futterman, James Hansen, Djokovic, Philippe, Chatrier, Miguel Medina, Novak, crunching forehands, Patricia de Melo Moreira, deuce, hadn’t, Lorenzo Musetti, Thibaud Moritz, ” Djokovic, “, Jelena's, ”, Roger Federer, Alex de Souza, Carlos, Rafa, Spain …, Matthew Stockman Organizations: Olympic, PARIS, Djokovic, Wimbledon, Games, Getty, Cincinnati, Olympics, U.S, Serbia, Spain Locations: Paris, AFP, Alcaraz

☆ Zheng Qinwen reaches Olympic tennis final, beating Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS — Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1, will have to settle for a bronze medal at best in the Olympic tennis tournament after losing to Zheng Qinwen of China. Zheng triumphed 6-2, 7-5, coming back from 0-4 down in the second set after the Pole and four-time French Open champion looked to have started rolling downhill. Even when, at 1-2 down in the first set, she immediately broke Zheng back to love, Swiatek could not sustain the shift in momentum. Swiatek will now face either Donna Vekic of Croatia or Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia in the bronze medal match, while Zheng will play the other for Olympic gold.

Persons: Swiatek, Zheng Qinwen, Roland Garros, Simona Halep, Maria Sakkari, Zheng, Carl Recine, Philippe, Chatrier, Germany’s Angelique Kerber, Donna Vekic, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Dimitar Dilkoff Organizations: Olympic, Getty Locations: China, Paris, Croatia, Slovakia, AFP

☆ Coco Gauff loses to Donna Vekic at Olympics after line call controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Nicole Auerbach | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS — The top American tennis player Coco Gauff is out of the Olympic women’s singles under controversial circumstances after a 6-7, 2-6 defeat to Croatia’s Donna Vekic on Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros. Afterward, Gauff, who was the flagbearer for Team USA alongside LeBron James, said that she “felt that they called it before I hit. Play continued with Gauff down a break and she fought back in the next Vekic service game, but Vekic saved multiple break points, and ultimately cruised to an impressive victory by breaking Gauff again in the final game. Down 5-3 in the first set, Vekic broke Gauff at love to turn the match around. “I can’t say I would have won the match if I would have won that point.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Croatia’s Donna Vekic, Philippe, Chatrier, Roland Garros, Gauff, Serena, Williams, LeBron James, “, ”, Patricia De Melo Moreira, ” Gauff, Vekic, Jessica Pegula, Patricia de Melo Moreira Organizations: PARIS, Team USA, Getty, Wimbledon Locations: American

☆ Barbora Krejcikova and Jasmine Paolini’s Wimbledon final met Jana Novotna’s legacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-13 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

WIMBLEDON — The final points were like the match and the tournament itself. There was a flurry of gutsy winners, nervy errors, rising hopes and risks that didn’t pay off — and Jasmine Paolini trying to claw the Wimbledon title away from Barbora Krejcikova one last time. GO DEEPER Game, Set, Match: Barbora Krejcikova beats Jasmine Paolini to win first Wimbledon titleHer fellow finalist is the newest entrant into the tennis list of enticing characters. Jana Novotna, the Czech great of the 1990s, coughed up a 4-1 lead in the third set against Steffi Graf in the 1993 Wimbledon final. Flash forward nearly two decades, to 2014, and Barbora Krejcikova is trying to find her way as a tennis player.

Persons: Jasmine Paolini, Krejcikova, —, she’ll, Robert Prange, it’s, Naomi Osaka, Jana Novotna, Steffi Graf, Duchess, Kent, Novotna, Henning Bangen, ” Krejcikova, “, ”, Paolini, Shi Tang, Donna Vekic, ” Paolini, isn’t, Clive Brunskill Organizations: WIMBLEDON, Wimbledon, Court, England Locations: Czech, Novotna’s, Africa

☆ Carlos Alcaraz beats Frances Tiafoe at Wimbledon in five-set escape
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Carlos Alcaraz nearly crashed out at Wimbledon on Friday at the hands of a familiar foe. 3 Alcaraz came alive, running away with the fourth-set tiebreak and the fifth set to prevail 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2) 6-2. Tiafoe played his best tennis of the year, or maybe even two. But with his hopes for the tournament resting on the outcome of a fourth-set tiebreak, it was Alcaraz who came alive. Tiafoe played with the fearlessness and confidence that has been missing.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, Alcaraz, “, ” Alcaraz, Tiafoe, Alcaraz’s, Jannik Sinner, American Brandon Nakashima, Ugo Humbert, Novak Djokovic, Ben Shelton, Matteo Arnaldi, Glyn Kirk, unreturnable, ”, Zac Goodwin Organizations: Wimbledon, U.S ., That’s, Alcaraz, U.S, Getty, Croatian Borna, Court Locations: American, —

☆ French Open final analysis: Carlos Alcaraz beats Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Charlie Eccleshare | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev in the French Open final at Roland Garros 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday. But in the second set, Zverev’s impressive durability really kicked in, and he completely flipped things, taking 14 of 20 points that were five-to-eight-shot rallies. Zverev was even able to ride the momentum of the second set into the third, in which, despite the fluctuating scoreline, he was much the better player. Alexander Zverev’s serve has been superb all tournament, but it faltered when he needed it most. He did it again in the final game at 15-15.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Roland Garros, oscillated, Jannik, Alcaraz, Charlie Eccleshare, Matt Futterman, Zverev, moonballs, Alexander, Novak Djokovic, Emmanuel Dunand, Alexander Zverev’s, Clive Brunskill, duff, didn’t, “, I’m, Eurosport Alcaraz, It’s, Tim Goode Organizations: U.S, Wimbledon, Getty, Eurosport Locations: Paris, AFP

☆ Iga Swiatek beats Naomi Osaka in French Open classic
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

With her biggest triumph in years, Naomi Osaka lost to world No. 1 and three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek at the French Open today, Wednesday May 29. Few even considered that Osaka, less than a year after giving birth, with little success on clay, would stand a chance. Swiatek saved a match point, then let Osaka’s errors bring her back on serve. A killer cross-court backhand winner brought her to match point, and then she watched Osaka send one more backhand long.

Persons: Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek, It’s, Swiatek, Roland Garros, Philippe, Osaka, Richard Gasquet, Mateo Villalba Organizations: Wednesday, Osaka, Getty Locations: Osaka, California

☆ French Open Day 2: Nadal leaves Roland Garros door ajar, Andreescu returns
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( James Hansen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

🇺🇸 Chris Eubanks, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4🇺🇸 Chris Eubanks, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 🇹🇳 Ons Jabeur (8) def. 🇬🇷 Maria Sakkari (6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3🇬🇷 Maria Sakkari (6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 🇬🇷 Stefanos Tsitsipas (9) def. 🇨🇿 Karolina Pliskova, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2🇨🇿 Karolina Pliskova, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 🇺🇸 Ben Shelton (15) def. 🇫🇷 Hugo Gaston, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4Hugo Gaston, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 🇺🇸 Danielle Collins (11) def. 🇦🇺 Max Purcell, 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(10)Max Purcell, 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(10) 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek (1) def.

Persons: Roland Garros, Chatrier, Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Nadal, Mateo Villalba, Bianca Andreescu, Serena Williams —, Andreescu, She’s, Robert Prange, Sara Sorribes Tormo, ”, “, Serena Williams, Leylah Fernandez, Denis Shapovalov, Felix Auger, Aliassime, Jack Draper, Andy Murray’s, Cameron Norrie, Pavel Kotov, Linda Noskova, Harriet Dart, Dan Evans, Katie Boulter, they’re, Evans, Holger Rune, Paula Badosa, Disappointment, Norrie, Andy Murray, Maria Sakkari, Varvara Gracheva, hasn’t, Maria, Elina S vitolina, 🇵, Erika, Elena R ybakin Organizations: Getty, U.S ., National Bank Locations: Philippe, Montreal, British, Rome

☆ Rafael Nadal loses to Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

PARIS, France — There will be no magical run, no age- and injury-defying push into the deep end of the competition. AdvertisementThe end officially arrived at 6:28, with a final miss off the Spaniard’s racket, forced by Alexander Zverev, who prevailed 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. A clump of two dozen that is used to getting choice seats clogged the entryway to the president’s box. Ultimately, that is what doomed him on a chilly and dreary afternoon and evening under the roof on Chatrier. He hit serves that became easy chances for Zverev to go on the defensive, and groundstrokes into the middle of the court that Zverev pounded for winners.

Persons: Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, Alexander Zverev, Nadal, Philippe, Chatrier, ”, Emmanuel Dunand, He’d, hadn’t, Zverev, Brenda Patea, he’d, Mateo Villalba Organizations: Nadal, Getty Locations: PARIS, France, AFP, Paris, German, Berlin, Germany

☆ French Open: ‘I don’t know any other record in any other sport that equals Rafael Nadal’s French Open success,’ says Boris Becker
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

I don’t know any other record in any other sport that equals that.”Becker points to some of tennis’ greats, himself included, that failed to win the French Open to further highlight the absurdity of Nadal’s record in Paris. So there’s no shame in not winning the French Open,” said the 56-year-old German. Nadal won the first grand slam of his career at the 2005 French Open. Nadal, it goes without saying, is always the darling of the French Open crowd and has enjoyed vociferous support in some of his toughest matches. The French Open was the only grand slam Becker failed to win.

Persons: Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, Roger Federer, – Nadal, Nadal’s, Clay, –, “, Boris Becker, ” Becker, Bjorn, Borg, Pete, Sampras, Stefan, Edberg, Becker, ”, Nadal, Christophe Ena, he’s, “ Clay, Philippe Chatrier Organizations: CNN, partizan, Getty Locations: Paris

Losing the U.S. Open final last September gave her the extra motivation. In the semifinals, she avenged her U.S. Open final loss to No. “For the second time, it’s just such a relief.”Only two things slowed down Sabalenka's progress Saturday to her second Grand Slam singles title. In the third game of the second set, with Zheng serving, the match was interrupted after an activist started yelling out. Then, when she was serving for the match, Sabalenka had three championship points at 40-0 but missed two with unforced forehands errors and another with Zheng's clever drop shot.

Persons: Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen, Elena Rybakina, “, it’s, don’t, Zheng, Coco Gauff, Barbora Krejcikova, Amanda Anisimova, “ I’m, ” Sabalenka, ”, Serena Williams, Jason Stacy, Stacy, Li Na, ” Zheng Organizations: —, U.S, U.S ., Victoria Azarenka Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia, Melbourne, New York

☆ Coco Gauff knocked out of Australian Open by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Coco Gauff’s pursuit of back-to-back grand slam titles came to an end on Thursday as she was defeated by Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the Australian Open. Defending champion Sabalenka triumphed 7-6(7-2) 6-4 in Rod Laver Arena for her 13th consecutive win at Melbourne Park. In a tight rematch of last year’s US Open final, during which the 19-year-old Gauff won her first major title, the world No. 2 took control of the contest with a break at 4-4 in the second set before serving out for the match. Another finely-balanced second set followed, although this time neither player could find the all-important break.

Persons: Coco Gauff’s, Aryna Sabalenka, Sabalenka, Rod Laver, Gauff, Zheng Qinwen, Eloisa Lopez, Reuters Sabalenka, old’s, Serena Williams, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Gauff, Reuters, ESPN Locations: Saturday’s, Melbourne

☆ Novak Djokovic takes the U.S. Open title at age 36
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Novak Djokovic won the U.S. Open men's final Sunday, cementing his place as one of the sport's greatest players and fortifying his status as the athlete with its most men's Grand Slam titles. At 36, Djokovic is retirement age in professional tennis. The win may have been redemption for the champion, who lost to Medvedev in the 2021 U.S. Open final. That Russian thwarted Djokovic's attempt to take all four major championships in a calendar year, a rare feat last accomplished in men's open competition by Rod Laver in 1969. That French Open title was the 23rd major singles title for Djokovic, breaking a tie with long-time rival Rafael Nadal, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Russia, USTA Billie Jean King, Clive Brunskill, Djokovic, Russian Daniil Medvedev, Medvedev, Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, Carlos Alcaraz, Billie Jean King, American Blake Shelton, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Djokovich, Roger Federer, Nadal, Federer Organizations: NEW, Serbia, USTA, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, U.S, Russian, Djokovic, Medvedev, Sunday, Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, American Locations: Flushing, Queens, New York City, steamrolled, Russian, American, Flushing Meadows

☆ Carlos Alcaraz reaches fourth grand slam semifinal with comfortable US Open victory against Alexander Zverev
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz continued his impressive form at the US Open with a dominant 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory against Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals. “I think they are at a level of their own at the moment,” Zverev told reporters after facing the Spaniard. The 20-year-old started to assert his superiority from there, breaking Zverev twice in the second set and at 4-4 in the third. “It’s difficult to even compete if you don’t have that.”A year after claiming his first grand slam title, Alcaraz will now contest his fourth major semifinal. “I think I’m more mature now,” he said when asked how he has changed over the past 12 months.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Ben Shelton, Djokovic, “, ” Zverev, Jude Bellingham, ”, Clive Brunskill, Jannik, Medvedev, Daniil, Andre Agassi’s Organizations: CNN —, Wimbledon, Real Madrid, US, Indian Wells Locations: York, Wimbledon

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz found himself in a hint of a predicament 35 minutes into his U.S. Open quarterfinal against Alexander Zverev on Wednesday night. At 3-all in the first set under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Zverev earned the first break points of the match. One more service hold arrived and, just like that, the set belonged to Alcaraz, as did, eventually, a spot in the semifinals. On Wednesday, he saved all five break points he faced and converted each of the four he earned in Zverev's service games. With Alcaraz serving at 3-3 in the early going, it was Zverev who buckled, missing a backhand on each of his break points.

Persons: — Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Arthur Ashe, Zverev, —, Alcaraz, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Ben Shelton, “, ” Alcaraz, “ I've, ”, There’s, Alcaraz whiled Organizations: U.S, Flushing, Djokovic, Sunday’s, Zverev, AP Locations: Alcaraz, Flushing Meadows, Spain, New York

☆ At the U.S. Open, Stifling Heat Causes Some Players to Lose Their Cool
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In most years, there is a very specific climate pattern at the U.S. Open. The tournament starts at the end of the dog days of August, in the lingering heat and humidity of a New York summer. By the final matches, at the end of the first full week of September, it’s a good idea to bring a light sweater or a windbreaker to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Not this year. It is heat and humidity so oppressive that it parks itself in the brain, sparks fear and makes it difficult to focus on anything else, especially returning serves of 130 miles per hour and chasing forehands and backhands around the court for as many as five hours.

Persons: it’s, Billie Jean King, forehands Organizations: U.S ., Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Locations: New York

☆ Seen from Close-up: How the U.S. Open Dials in its Court Speed
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Helmuth Rosales | Geoff Macdonald | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

Seen from Close-up: How the U.S. Open Dials in its Court SpeedFrom the seats in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the tennis court below appears smooth and uniform. The size, shape and density of the sand make up the hardcourt surface and dictate the speed of the ball after it bounces. Of course, players are not always universally happy with the court surface choices made for the tournaments on the pro tours. The court surface used at Flushing Meadows is called Laykold, which is made by Advanced Polymer Technology, an international manufacturer of sports surfaces. The bounce of a tennis ball generally lasts five milliseconds, an instant that will determine how the ball behaves.

Persons: Arthur Ashe, ”, Ben Depoorter, “, Suresh Ponnusamy, Helmuth Rosales, Daniil Medvedev, ” Medvedev, Medvedev, Indian Wells, Carlos Alcaraz, Swiatek –, Rafael Nadal, hardcourts, Wesley Baum, Taylor Fritz, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Roger Federer, — Swiatek, Aryna, Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic — Organizations: U.S, U.S ., United States Tennis Association, BNP, Tennis Federation, Polymer Technology, Helmuth Rosales Professional, Wimbledon, Miami, Indian, Advanced Polymer Technology, Flushing Locations: Ashe, Indian Wells, Calif, Indian, Miami, Flushing Meadows

The swashbuckling Spaniard got off to a nightmare start as Hurkacz jumped out to a 3-0 first set lead in just six minutes en route to capturing the first set. FOKINA TOPPLES RUUDEarlier, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina battled back from a third set deficit to beat Casper Ruud 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4) and deny the third seed a place in the Canadian Open quarter-finals. Ruud was two points away from victory at 5-3 30-0 before Davidovich Fokina served his way out of trouble. Ruud dug himself into an early hole in the breaker with some tentative serving and poor forehands and Davidovich Fokina claimed the win with a drop shot. Up next for Davidovich Fokina is American Mackenzie McDonald, who reached his first quarter-final of a Masters 1000 tournament by dispatching Canadian Milos Raonic 6-3 6-3.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Hubert Hurkacz, Dan Hamilton, Hurkacz, Tommy Paul, Marcos Giron, Scot Andy Murray, Italy's, FOKINA TOPPLES RUUD, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Casper Ruud, Ruud, Davidovich Fokina, Fokina, Mackenzie McDonald, Milos Raonic, Raonic's, McDonald, FRITZ FIZZLES Australia's Alex De Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Fritz, De Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, Medvedev, Rory Carroll, Ken Ferris Organizations: Sobeys, Wimbledon, Canadian, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Toronto, Alcaraz, Marcos Giron ., Norwegian, Los Angeles

☆ Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic in 5 sets to win Wimbledon for his second major trophy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

The age gap between the two was the widest in any men's Slam final since 1974. Still, this is all relatively new to him: Djokovic's record 35th Grand Slam final was Alcaraz's second. Yet it was Alcaraz who won a 32-pointCarlos Alcaraz said he wanted another shot at Novak Djokovic. The age gap between the two was the widest in any men's Slam final since 1974. He's used these sorts of intermissions to gather himself and shift momentum and, sure enough, he pushed this terrific match to a fifth set.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Glyn KIRK, GLYN KIRK, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Said, Alcaraz, Djokovic, He's, pointCarlos Alcaraz, Novak, Fergus Murphy, —, That's, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, enders, I've, Spain's King Felipe VI Organizations: England Tennis Club, Getty, Wimbledon, All England Club, Court, Australian, Spaniard Locations: Wimbledon, London, AFP, Serbia, Spain

☆ Deadly Djokovic repels Rublev to reach Wimbledon semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Inspired seventh seed Rublev snatched the opening set but it was akin to poking a sleeping grizzly bear as Djokovic exacted painful punishment to stay on track for a fifth straight title. Rublev played brilliant tennis that would have accounted for pretty much any other player in the world. But it was not enough to stop the 36-year-old Djokovic reaching his 46th Grand Slam semi-final, equalling the record of eight-time champion Roger Federer. But before Rublev had even had time to process his lead he was 5-0 down in the second set as Djokovic bounced back. The second seed was in control as he broke serve early in the third set but Rublev was not done.

Persons: Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Russia's Andrey Rublev, Andrew Couldridge, Novak, Andrey Rublev, Rublev, Roger Federer, Roman, Federer, Serena Williams, I've, Djokovic, he's Novak, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Russia's Andrey Rublev REUTERS, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Italian, Russian, Serbian

☆ Djokovic calls for earlier Centre Court starts
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, July 10 (Reuters) - Wimbledon should start matches earlier on Centre Court to avoid players falling foul of the strict 11pm curfew, defending champion Novak Djokovic said on Monday after needing two days two beat Hubert Hurkacz in the fourth round. For the second match in succession the 36-yrear-old Djokovic faced a race against the clock to finish when he stepped on court at around 8.30pm on Sunday to face Hurkacz. Play starts at 1pm on Court One and 11am on the outside courts at the All England Club with the late Centre Court start partly to accommodate those with hospitality tickets. Djokovic said that walking on to Centre Court not knowing whether there is time to finish added to the stress. "Andrey Rublev is a fantastic player who's got one of the best forehands in the game," Djokovic said.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Hubert Hurkacz, Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Russia's Andrey Rublev, Andy Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Wawrinka, Swiatek's, Elina Svitolina, Rublev, Andrey Rublev, who's, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Court, All England Club, Wimbledon, Russian, Thomson Locations: Wimbledon

☆ Alcaraz passes test at Wimbledon, Rybakina on fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

In the men's draw, third seed Daniil Medvedev and fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas both swept through while 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini set up a showdown with Alcaraz. With the big-serving Berrettini up next, Alcaraz, who was a break down in the fourth set, said Saturday's test was just what he needed. Rybakina ensured a demoralising 48 hours for Britain as she demolished Katie Boulter 6-1 6-1 to end home hopes in the singles. But she lasted only 57 minutes as Kazakhstan's Rybakina sent out an ominous warning to those wanting her title. Second seed Sabalenka is also in the groove heading into the second week after a 6-2 6-3 defeat of Anna Blinkova.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Chile's Nicolas Jarry, Toby Melville LONDON, Carlos Alcaraz, Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Petra Kvitova, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos, Matteo Berrettini, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, Berrettini, Alexander Zverev, Medvedev, Hungary's Marton Fucsovics, Rybakina, Katie Boulter, Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie, Liam Broady, Kazakhstan's Rybakina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Sorana, Maria Bueno, Anna Blinkova, Canada's Bianca Andreescu, Serbia's, Holger Rune, Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Rune, Christopher Eubanks, Chris O'Connell, Tsitsipas, Martyn Herman, Clare Fallon Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Chile's, Wimbledon, Queen's, Court, Serbian, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Belarusian, Ukraine, U.S, Berlin

☆ Alcaraz blasts past Chardy into second round
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Under the roof, the 20-year-old Alcaraz subjected the unfortunate Chardy to a high-profile pummelling, firing down ferocious serves and rasping forehands with frightening power. Chardy, the former world number 25 who reached the fourth round here in 2014 and boasts a win over Federer, finally got on the scoreboard with a service hold greeted by warm applause. Tougher tests will come for Alcaraz with the likes of Germany's Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur lurking in his section of the draw. He has that game style and consistency and then he's also the showman," the Australian told the BBC. "He's got a bit of Novak, he's got a bit of me and a bit of Rafa.

Persons: Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, France’s Jeremy Chardy, Andrew Couldridge, Carlos Alcaraz, Jeremy Chardy, Roger Federer, Alcaraz, Chardy, Germany's Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur, Nick Kyrgios, He's, he's, Novak, Rafa, It's, Martyn Herman, Ed Osmond Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Spaniard, Federer, BBC, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

☆ Garcia takes French hopes into Wimbledon second round
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Clare Lovell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Garcia, seeded five, has a game suited to grass and used her speed and agility at the net as well as powerful returns to grind down her 21-year-old opponent. Garcia, 29, who has twice reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, suffered a brief wobble at the start of the second set, spraying unforced errors around the court and Volynets took advantage, breaking serve twice for a 3-0 lead. The Californian, whose only previous Wimbledon main draw appearance in 2021 ended in first-round defeat, could not cope when Garcia put her game back together. "I had to have a reaction and I was able to come back quickly," Garcia said in an on-court interview. When play resumed Garcia did not hang about, winning the fifth game in a row when Volynets served a double fault then serving for the match.

Persons: Caroline Garcia, Katie Volynets, Toby Melville LONDON, drizzle, Garcia, Volynets, volleying, Clare Lovell, Ed Osmond Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, U.S, REUTERS, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

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