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☆ Lionel Messi, Saquon Barkley and more: Five athletes who stood out this weekend
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Johannes Sasay-Wada | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Chris Arjoon/AFP/Getty ImagesIt was Messi’s second hat-trick in four days, after scoring a treble and registering two assists for world champion Argentina against Bolivia on Wednesday. The Bahamian-born center was awarded the WNBA Finals MVP after averaging 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists across the closely contested series. This year, the 2021 MVP managed to break both ducks and finally claim that elusive WNBA ring alongside the Finals MVP trophy. Jones now joins Australian Lauren Jackson and Belgian Emma Meesseman as the only non-American players to win a Finals MVP. Jones hoists the Finals MVP trophy postgame.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Bayern Munich’s ‘, Jonquel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Lionel Messi Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Messi, Luis Suárez, Xavier Arreaga, Suárez, Messi volleyed, Jordi Alba, Chris Arjoon, Jonquel Jones Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, Jones, Lauren Jackson, Belgian Emma Meesseman, Wendell Cruz, Reuters Saquon Barkley Saquon Barkley, Barkley acrimoniously, Barkley, Al Bello, Bayern hadn’t, Vincent Kompany, Kane, Angelika Warmuth, Reuters Kane, Daria Kasatkina, Mirra, Kasatkina, Andreeva Organizations: CNN, Bayern Munich’s, WNBA, Giants, MetLife, Inter Miami, England, New, Barcelona, Messi, MLS, Argentina, Bolivia, New York Liberty, Liberty, Reuters, New York Giants, NFC East, Philadelphia Eagles, Bayern Munich, Stuttgart, Bundesliga, Leipzig, Bayern, Tottenham, Premier League, Ningbo, Kasatkina, Andreeva, Getty Locations: AFP, Brooklyn, New York, Belgian, Germany

☆ Wimbledon recap day 7: Carlos Alcaraz’s highlight reel and Lulu Sun’s story
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-07 | by ( Charlie Eccleshare | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +19 min

Welcome to the Wimbledon briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories on each day of the tournament. On day seven of Wimbledon 2024, Carlos Alcaraz showed off his tennis diet, Lulu Sun kept building her story, and Daniil Medvedev set up a rematch. To really feel good on a tennis court, Carlos Alcaraz needs to play points that get the crowd off their seats. He lost the third set 6-1 and went on a run of losing four service games in a row. Even in an international sport like tennis, Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun has quite some heritage.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Lulu Sun, Daniil Medvedev, Ugo Humbert, Alcaraz, Humbert, Spaniard, Tommy Paul, — Charlie Eccleshare, Emma Raducanu, Sun, She’s, Julian Finney, Donna Vekic, Zhu Lin, Charlie Eccleshare Will Daniil Medvedev, Jannik, hadn’t, We’ll, Sinner, Medvedev, Adam Pretty, Grigor Dimitrov, Ben Shelton, he’ll, — Charlie Eccleshare Will Jasmine Paolini’s, Keys, Rob Newell, Camerasport, Paolini, Emma Navarro, — James Hansen, Paula Badosa’s, 🇷 F., Paul, 🇸 P., 🇪, 🇷 M., 7 🇦🇷 F, Dani e, C. O, A. T, 🇸 J. Muna, Du, L. N, J, 🇵 Y, Cobo, Mun, i tz 🇩, 🇧 F. J, Ker, B., C. Tau, Carl e, 🇸, Fernandez, 🇳 10 O. J, Golub, Boult e r 7 7 🇩, Mari, 🇴, eva, 🇷, 🇿 26, 🇷 16 E. J, Maia, 🇿, Wang, 🇧 E. R, ina, LL, odon, K, M., D., 🇸 19 E., Coll, Ry Organizations: Wimbledon, Getty, Madison Keys, Shelton, 🇬, Monfils, rgs, Walton, 🇰, 🇺, 🇸, Alcaraz 6, 🇷, 🇱 A. Rus, Navarro Locations: —, Croatian, New Zealand, Switzerland, Devon, Melbourne

☆ 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 4 recap: Swiatek wins, Kenin shocks Garcia, crowds and schedule frustrate
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( James Hansen | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

🇫🇷 Caroline Garcia (21), 6-3, 6-3Caroline Garcia (21), 6-3, 6-3 🇬🇷 Stefanos Tsitsipas (9) def. 🇳🇱 Jesper de Jong (Q), 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2🇳🇱 Jesper de Jong (Q), 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 🇷🇺 Andrey Rublev (6) def. 🇪🇸 Pedro Martinez, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3🇪🇸 Pedro Martinez, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek (1) def. 🇸🇮 Tara Zidansek, 6-3, 6-4🇸🇮 Tara Zidansek, 6-3, 6-4 🇮🇹 Jannik Sinner (2) def. 🇫🇷 Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4🇫🇷 Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 🇷🇺 Pavel Kotov def.

Persons: Roland Garros, Naomi Osaka Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek, Ash Barty, Philippe, Chatrier, Swiatek, Tim Clayton, Corbis, she’s, “, ”, Naomi Osaka, Ben Shelton, Kei Nishikori, queueing, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Jannik, Richard Gasquet, Sofia Kenin, Caroline Garcia, Garcia didn’t, Jesper de Jong, Jesper De Jong, olin e Garcia, Garcia, 7-5, Coco Gauff, 6-4 🇮🇹, 🇫🇷 Rich, Katie V, Dani, oren, Mathieu 🇺🇸 Madi, Clive Br Organizations: Getty, Swiatek, Philippe Locations: Osaka, Swiatek, Paris, 6-2, 6

☆ 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

☆ Iga Świątek: How ‘introverted’ tennis star became a four-time grand slam champion and the world’s highest-paid female athlete
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Calm and understated, Iga Świątek rarely appears flustered by the triumphant highs and heart-breaking lows of professional tennis, but discovering that she would be crowned world No. Since rising to the top of the rankings, the Polish star has been a dominant force in women’s tennis, winning 16 titles – 21 in total – and only once dropping from the No. “When we started working in 2019, I was really, really introverted,” says Świątek. Last year, she became the first female athlete to be sponsored by sportswear brand On and has helped to develop the company inaugural tennis range. Świątek was estimated by Forbes to be the world's highest-paid female athlete last year.

Persons: Świątek, ”, “, –, ” Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka, Susana Vera, Roland Garros, you’re, there’s, hasn’t, “ We’re, Yves Herman, Daria Abramowicz, Karolína Muchová, Julien de Rosa, it’s, Eileen Gu, Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Aryna, Williams, Maria, Sharapova, ” Max Eisenbud, Taylor Swift, Andre Agassi, Lindsey Vonn, Robert Prange, Eisenbud, I’ve, ” “, Monica Seles, Justine Henin – Organizations: CNN, tennis, CNN Sport, Madrid, Reuters, Porsche, Rolex, Getty, Forbes ’, Tennis, Forbes, Serena, Brands Locations: Madrid, Rome, AFP, American, Świątek

☆ Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka defends women’s title, defeating Zheng Qinwen in dominant fashion
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her Australian Open women’s title on Saturday, dismantling China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-2 in the final in Melbourne and completing a dominant tournament in which she did not drop a single set. And she clinched her second grand slam title in similar fashion, becoming the first woman to win two consecutive Australian Open titles since her compatriot Victoria Azarenka achieved the feat more in 2012-13. China's Zheng Qinwen hits a return against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during the women's Australian Open final. Aryna Sabalenka serves against Zheng Qinwen in the final. And by sealing victory with such a dominant display, she became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2007 to win the Australian Open final without dropping a single service game.

Persons: Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen, Victoria Azarenka, “ It’s, “, I’m, Zheng, China's Zheng Qinwen, Lillian Suwanrumpha, Sabalenka, David Gray, Serena Williams Organizations: CNN, Belarus, Getty Locations: Melbourne, Belarusian, AFP, Zheng’s

☆ 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

☆ Emma Raducanu out of Australian Open after suffering with apparent illness during defeat
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Emma Raducanu’s Australian Open campaign came to a valiant end on Thursday as she fell to a three set – 4-6 6-4 4-6 – defeat to Wang Yafan. Raducanu had called for a medical assessment after going 2-0 down in the deciding set and had her blood pressure checked. While waiting for trainers to make their way onto the court, the tennis star sat slumped in her chair with a towel over her head. The apparent illness pushed Raducanu to finish rallies earlier and the 2021 US Open champion started digging deep to test her opponent with booming groundstrokes. Julian Finney/Getty ImagesFor Raducanu, who has struggled physically since bursting onto the women’s tour, it’s yet another lesson to learn.

Persons: Emma Raducanu’s, Wang Yafan, Brit, China’s Wang, Raducanu, Wang, Zheng Qinwen, Julian Finney, Nick Cavaday Organizations: CNN, Melbourne, Brit

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Top-ranked Iga Swiatek rallied from 4-1 down in the third set to escape with a narrow 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over 2022 runner-up Collins on Thursday and advance to the third round of the Australian Open. Swiatek absorbed the sustained pressure from Collins’ powerful groundstrokes until she regained momentum and went on a match-winning five-game roll. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesBoth players beat past Australian Open champions in the first round. Swiatek defeated 2020 champion Sofia Kenin and Collins had a three-set win over 2016 winner Angelique Kerber. Swiatek had two match points at 15-40 in the last game but against Collins rallied, saving those and getting a game point with a trademark forehand winner deep to Swiatek’s backhand side.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Collins, Swiatek, ” Swiatek, Sofia Kenin, Angelique Kerber, Elena Rybakina, Daniil Medvedev, Rybakina, Anna Blinkova, Medvedev, Emil Ruusuvouri, ___ Organizations: Collins Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia, Russia, Finland

☆ Australia outclass Finland to return to Davis Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MALAGA, Spain, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Australia reached a second successive Davis Cup final when Alex de Minaur overpowered Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4 6-3 after Alexei Popyrin beat Otto Virtanen 7-6(5) 6-2 to earn the 28-time champions a 2-0 win over Finland on Friday. "Extremely proud moment but I could have not done it without these guys," De Minaur said, pointing to his team. Popyrin, a late switch for the injured Thanasi Kokkinakis, grabbed the first break in the second set when Virtanen hit two successive double faults as Australia sensed an opportunity. "It's nerves that I've never experienced before in my life, the nerves playing the first tie, the first rubber of a Davis Cup, winning my first live rubber of a Davis Cup. De Minaur said Australia would be tricky opponents for any team in the final and tipped the doubles duo of Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell to play a vital role.

Persons: Alex de Minaur, Emil Ruusuvuori, Alexei Popyrin, Otto Virtanen, Lleyton Hewitt's, De Minaur, Alexei hasn't, Popyrin, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Virtanen, I've, Matthew Ebden, Max Purcell, We've, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis, Ed Osmond, Ken Ferris Organizations: Davis, Finland, Friday, men's, Finns, Ruusuvuori, Canada, Australia, Thomson Locations: MALAGA, Spain, Australia, Canada, United States, Serbia, Italy, Finland, Malaga, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Fuengirola, Bengaluru

☆ Sinner dispatches Tsitsipas in dream start to ATP Finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TURIN, Italy, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Jannik Sinner made a dream start to the ATP Finals with a comprehensive 6-4 6-4 defeat of Stefanos Tsitsipas in their opening Green Group clash on Sunday. World number one Novak Djokovic begins his Green Group quest later on Sunday when he faces Danish youngster Holger Rune. Sinner wrapped up the opening set in 40 minutes and when he broke serve at the start of the second set he never looked like relinquishing control against a flat-looking Tsitsipas. "It was a long week before coming here and I was excited to finally step on court," the 22-year-old Sinner said. Djokovic, bidding for a record seventh title at the event, will seal the year-end world number one ranking for an eighth time if he wins one group match.

Persons: Stefanos, Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Holger Rune, ender, Djokovic, Martyn Herman, Clare Fallon Organizations: ATP, Group, Thomson Locations: TURIN, Italy, Pala

Julien Farel puts the finishing touches on tennis player Austin Krajicek's hair at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on August 30. Will Lanzoni/CNNA tennis ball sits in a display case at Farel's salon inside Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Video Ad Feedback He usually charges $1250, but US Open players get this little known perk for free 02:28 - Source: CNNFarel’s salon at Arthur Ashe does not take appointments. Zverev, in particular, has earned a nickname for his mane: the “Lion.”“For women, I always love bangs, and layers on long hair,” Farel continued. Tennis player Austin Krajicek shows off a fresh haircut at Julien Farel's salon inside of Arthur Ashe stadium in New York on August 30.

Persons: Borna Gojo, Novak Djokovic, Novak, He’s, Gojo, Venus Williams, Andre, Roger Federer’s, Billie Jean King’s, Julien Farel, Austin Krajicek's, Arthur, Will Lanzoni, Arthur Ashe, ”, ” Julien Farel, Austin Krajicek, Jessica Pegula, Magdalena Fręch, Farel, “, Rafael, Nadal’s, ” Farel, Nadal, he’s, Julien Farel's, Sascha Zverev’s, Zverev, Gabriela Sabatini’s, Caroline, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Alcaraz, Gauff, “ I’ve, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova’s Organizations: York, York City CNN —, verve, Gojo, Wimbledon, CNN, Farel, “, Tennis, August’s, Washington , D.C Locations: York City, Flushing , New York, New York, France, Farel, New York City, Palm Beach , Florida, Manhattan, Farel's, Washington ,

☆ Big-hitting Shelton blasts way past Tiafoe into US Open semis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Feeling like I left it all out here tonight," said the 47th ranked Shelton, who is still searching for his first ATP Tour win. "He (Djokovic) has won 23 of these (Grand Slams), it doesn't get much better than that," said Shelton. Shelton came out guns blazing, with his groundstrokes struck with such venom they drew gasps from the capacity crowd. After holding his first two serves Tiafoe had no answers for his opponent's explosive forehand as Shelton claimed five straight games to snatch opening set. Another break at 5-2 and Tiafoe's fate was sealed with Shelton holding serve for the win.

Persons: Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Mike Segar, Shelton, Michael Chang, Novak Djokovic, Arthur Ashe, James Blake, Donald Young, Ashe, Djokovic, I've, Tiafoe, Steve Keating, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Tennis, U.S, REUTERS, ATP, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, American, New York, Tiafoe

☆ John Isner Says Goodbye to Pro Tennis at the U.S. Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Lola Fadulu | More About Lola Fadulu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Josh Zipin of Manhattan rushed over from Arthur Ashe Stadium to the Grandstand court of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Thursday hoping to catch the final set of John Isner’s singles match. Zipin, 34, said he had never seen Isner play live, and wanted to see what his “insane” serve looked like in person. “Somebody behind me was asking if Isner served to you 100 times, how many times could you return it in the court and the person sitting behind me said one,” Zipin said. “I think that’s probably being generous.”For 16 years, Isner, the 38-year-old American star, has wowed fans around the world with his signature game, which combined a booming serve, powerful groundstrokes, and quick hands at the net with volleys and overheads.

Persons: Josh Zipin, Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, John Isner’s, Isner, ”, “, ” Zipin Organizations: Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Locations: Manhattan

☆ How to Recognize a Tennis Prodigy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Tom Shroder | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

You may have seen it if you’re a tennis fan. The ad begins with a young boy of 10 or 11, sitting in a humble apartment watching Venus Williams on a tiny antique television. Of course the young Tiafoes in the ad were the product of a casting call, not the actual young Frances. But the producers did a good job finding someone who looked like the 11-year-old boy I met in 2009, when I spent a couple of months writing about the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Md., a then-obscure tennis training academy which had shockingly produced three boys in world’s top 20 of junior tennis. But here’s the relevant bit: During my reporting at the tennis center, I spent a day with a boy the coaches seemed to have a strange regard for.

Persons: Venus Williams, He’s, Hey Frances, ”, —, Frances Tiafoe, Frances, Denis Kudla, Mitchell Frank, Kudla Organizations: United States, Junior Tennis, Center Locations: men’s tennis, College Park, Md, world’s

☆ Gauff beats Muchova to win Cincinnati Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Aug 19, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Coco Gauff, of the United States, celebrates after defeating Iga Swiątek, of Poland, in their semifinal match at the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsAug 20 (Reuters) - Coco Gauff beat Karolina Muchova 6-3 6-4 to win the biggest title of her young career at the Cincinnati Open on Sunday and extend her outstanding run of form on North American hard courts ahead of the U.S. Open. Gauff had some trouble getting over the finish line, failing to convert three match point opportunities while serving at 5-2 thanks to some tentative groundstrokes. But on her next chance to serve for the title she did not falter, Muchova's return landing wide as Gauff jumped up and down in jubilation. Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Iga Swiątek, Albert Cesare, Karolina Muchova, Muchova, Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Rory Carroll, Toby Davis Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, Cincinnati, U.S ., Wimbledon, Flushing, Washington D.C, Canadian, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, United States, Poland, Czech, Ohio, jubilation, New York, Flushing Meadows, Washington, U.S, Los Angeles

☆ Top seed Swiatek toppled by Svitolina in Wimbledon quarter-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, July 11 (Reuters) - Even the world's best players are not immune to crippling nerves as Iga Swiatek discovered when her Wimbledon dreams were turned to dust in a 7-5 6-7(5) 6-2 quarter-final defeat by Ukrainian wildcard Elina Svitolina on Tuesday. That sequence included breaking Swiatek's serve twice in succession, with the Polish top seed surrendering the first of those to love with a double fault. That interlude gave Swiatek a chance to re-evaluate her tactics and she came back to break Svitolina for a 2-1 lead in the second set. Swiatek earned two more break points in the ninth game but once those went begging neither player could break the deadlock and they headed into the tiebreak. There was no coming back for Swiatek from that gaping abyss and a forehand into the net handed Svitolina a remarkable win.

Persons: Swiatek, Elina Svitolina, Svitolina, Belinda Bencic, Pritha Sarkar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Wimbledon, Court, Thomson Locations: Polish

☆ Keys ends Andreeva's dream run to reach second Wimbledon quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 28-year-old Keys began the match in typically aggressive fashion, firing off powerful returns and groundstrokes to break serve and go 2-0 ahead. The breaker seemed to take the wind out of Andreeva's sails. Keys stormed into an early 2-0 lead in the third set after the Russian double faulted in her opening service game, before finishing off her opponent in a shade over two hours. In her second quarter-final at Wimbledon, Keys will face either second-seeded Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka or another Russian in Ekaterina Alexandrova, the 21st seed. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Madison Keys, Russia's Mirra Andreeva, Toby Melville LONDON, Anna Kournikova, Keys, groundstrokes, Andreeva, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Madison, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Russian, Bengaluru

☆ Alcaraz aims to make Wimbledon's Centre Court his own
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Clare Lovell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Now, with one Centre Court victory under his belt, he has his sights set on making Wimbledon's famous show court his own - and for many years to come. I feel like I'm ready to play more matches, to play more great matches on that court," he said. "There's a lot of great players playing here on grass, that feel really, really comfortable on grass. I have to be really, really focused until the final. Today was really, really good for me.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, France's Alexandre Muller, Alcaraz, Novak, Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Muller, Clare Lovell, Ken Ferris Organizations: Court, U.S, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Wimbledon

☆ Pegula races to second-round victory over Spain's Bucsa
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Clare Lovell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Florida-based Pegula made a business-like job of wrapping up the first set before Bucsa, 25, had really settled. Pegula then raced to a 4-0 lead in the second, getting the better of the baseline rallies with pounding groundstrokes. But Bucsa found some form mid-set, producing deft drop shots and fine angles to claw back four games as Pegula's intensity waned. "I definitely feel I can go deep here ... a short-term goal to get into the second week." Pegula will meet Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round.

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Spain's Cristina Bucsa, Dylan Martinez, Cristina Bucsa, Pegula, Bucsa, Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Clare Lovell, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Spain's Cristina Bucsa REUTERS, Dylan Martinez LONDON, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, American, Florida, Pegula

☆ Rublev downs fellow Russian Karatsev to reach third round
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It's really, really tough to play against him," Rublev said. The forecourt had been uncharted territory for Rublev early in the match but he then started coming to the net purposefully. The pair looked evenly matched for much of the near-three-hour contest as Karatsev entertained the crowd with his powerful groundstrokes. He struggled to break Rublev, however, and it was the five break points converted by Rublev to Karatsev's two that proved the difference and the seventh seed clinched victory on his first match point. Rublev, who did not play at Wimbledon last year due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, will next face wildcard David Goffin or qualifier Tomas Barrios Vera.

Persons: Andrey Rublev, Russia's Aslan Karatsev, Toby Melville LONDON, Aslan Karatsev, Karatsev, Rublev, Aslan, It's, David Goffin, Tomas Barrios Vera, Rohith Nair, Ed Osmond Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon, Halle, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Dubai, Belarusian, Bengaluru

☆ Kasatkina speeds through to Wimbledon's third round
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 5, 2023 Russia's Daria Kasatkina celebrates winning her second round match against Britain's Jodie Burrage REUTERS/Dylan MartinezJuly 5 (Reuters) - Daria Kasatkina made swift and short work of her second round match at Wimbledon thumping British wildcard Jodie Burrage 6-0 6-2 in an hour on Wednesday. Burrage, who accumulated only eight points in the first set, dropped her first service game with a double fault and served another to hand Kasatkina the first set. But her brief flurry was curbed when Kasatkina broke back immediately before the players were ushered off court because of a shower. Kasatkina won the match with another break of serve when Burrage heaved a forehand long. Kasatkina reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2018 and plans to do better this year.

Persons: Daria Kasatkina, Britain's Jodie Burrage, Dylan Martinez, Jodie Burrage, Kasatkina, Caroline Dolehide, Burrage, Clare Lovell, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon, Court, Briton, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Russian

☆ After a Fall, Venus Williams Is Eliminated on Wimbledon’s First Day
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But facing break point in the third game, Williams charged the net and then crumpled onto the grass with a scream as she clutched her right knee, which was wrapped in a support band. Williams remained on the ground for several minutes, with Svitolina placing a towel under her head for support. “I was literally killing it — then I got killed by the grass,” Williams said. The effort lasted just six games: Serena Williams had to withdraw in the first round because of an ankle injury. Serena Williams returned to Wimbledon last year at the start of what seems to have been a final summer of professional tennis, though one never knows these days.

Persons: Williams, Svitolina’s, —, ” Williams, “, Serena, Serena Williams Organizations: Svitolina, Wimbledon

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