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☆ Elina Svitolina says ‘war made me stronger’ as Ukraine tennis star continues remarkable run
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Ukrainian Elina Svitolina says Russia’s invasion of her country has made her “mentally stronger” on the tennis court as she continues her stunning run at Wimbledon. That would cap off a whirlwind period in Svitolina’s career, during which she has been at the forefront of tennis’ humanitarian relief efforts for Ukraine. “I think war made me stronger and also made me mentally stronger,” Svitolina told reporters after her victory against Świątek. “I think she’s incredible with everything,” Svitolina’s next opponent, the unseeded Vondroušová, told reporters on Tuesday. I’m really grateful for this.”

Persons: Elina Svitolina, Svitolina, Vondroušová, “, ” Svitolina, ”, I’m, ” Świątek, Susan Mullane, Reuters Svitolina, Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka, ” Svitolina’s, she’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, Świątek, Julian Finney, Andrey Rublev, Novak Djokovic Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Świątek, Reuters, UNITED24, Charleston, Getty Locations: Czech, Ukraine, London, Belarusian, Russian

☆ Ukraine's Wimbledon semi-finalist Svitolina has no time to lose
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 11 (Reuters) - There is a reason why Elina Svitolina has been an unstoppable force at Wimbledon this year. "I don't have time to lose anymore," the Ukrainian wildcard said on Tuesday after toppling world number one Iga Swiatek to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for a second time in four years. "I think war made me stronger and also made me mentally stronger," she said referring to her homeland being invaded by Russia in what Moscow calls a 'special military operation'. Svitolina credits her rich run of form to the fact that she realises time is her worst enemy. I don't know how many years I will be playing more," said Svitolina, who must beat Czech Marketa Vondrousova to reach a first slam final.

Persons: Elina Svitolina, Skai, Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka, Svitolina, I'm, Roland Garros, Pritha Sarkar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Wimbledon, Centre Court, Thomson Locations: Russia, Moscow, Strasbourg, Czech

☆ Elina Svitolina: Unseeded Ukrainian stuns world No. 1 Iga Świątek to reach Wimbledon semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Unseeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina stunned world No. 1 Iga Świątek on Tuesday, winning 7-5 6-7 6-2 in a Centre Court classic to reach the Wimbledon semifinals. Svitolina only returned to tennis three months ago following the birth of her daughter, Skaï Monfils, in October and, currently ranked world No. Svitolina celebrates after winning match point against Świątek. Svitolina will now face the Czech Republic’s Markéta Vondroušová, another unseeded player, in Thursday’s semifinal after she upset world No.

Persons: Elina Svitolina, Svitolina, Skaï Monfils, – Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka, Świątek –, “, I’ve, ” Svitolina, I’m, Świątek, Julian Finney, Jessica Pegula Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Getty, Court, “ Locations: SW19, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Czech, Thursday’s

☆ Wimbledon: Belarusian Victoria Azarenka says it ‘wasn’t fair’ to be booed after facing Ukrainian Elina Svitolina
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka said “it wasn’t fair” that the Wimbledon crowd booed at the end of her fourth-round match against Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. Instead, Azarenka showed her appreciation towards her opponent with a hand gesture at the net before the crowd booed as she walked off the court. “I thought it was a great tennis match. That’s probably what it is in the end of the day.”Azarenka (left) and Svitolina look on during their 10-point tiebreak at Wimbledon. Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesAfter falling behind early in the second set, Svitolina responded with two breaks of serve to level the match.

Persons: Victoria Azarenka, “, Elina Svitolina, Svitolina –, –, Azarenka, ” Azarenka, Toby Melville, ” Azaenka, “ I’m, ”, Iga, ” Svitolina, Patrick Smith, Svitolina Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Reuters, Azarenka Locations: Belarusian, Paris, Ukrainian

☆ Swiatek continues hunt for maiden grasscourt title in Svitolina clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Aadi Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

I don't know, more experience, for sure, because Belinda is a really, really great player," top seed Swiatek, a former junior champion at Wimbledon, told reporters on Sunday. In Svitolina, Swiatek faces a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, who also secured a hard-fought victory on Sunday, beating Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 2-6 6-4 7-6(9). "I think she's that kind of player who is patient," Swiatek said of 28-year-old Ukrainian wild card Svitolina. DJOKOVICNovak Djokovic, attempting to win a fifth straight Wimbledon title, meets Russia's Andrey Rublev in the men's quarter-finals. He's looking for his first Grand Slam semi-final.

Persons: Elina Svitolina, Swiatek, Belinda Bencic, Belinda, I'm, She's, Jessica Pegula, DJOKOVIC Novak Djokovic, Russia's Andrey Rublev, Djokovic, that's, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Wimbledon, Bad, Olympic, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Wimbledon day eight
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 9, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Poland's Hubert Hurkacz pack their equipment up as play is interrupted during their fourth round match REUTERS/Dylan MartinezJuly 10 (Reuters) - Highlights of the eighth day at the Wimbledon tennis championships on Monday (times GMT):1209 KEYS SEALS COMEBACK WIN OVER ANDREEVAAmerican 25th seed Madison Keys reached the quarter-finals with a 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2 victory over 16-year-old qualifier Mirra Andreeva of Russia. Keys will play in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the first time since 2015. READ MOREDark horse Berrettini prepared for 'great fight' with AlcarazOrder of play on MondaySwiatek survives scare to set up Svitolina clashDjokovic leads despite Hurkacz ace barrageTop seed Swiatek fights back from the brink to beat BencicPegula produces dazzling display to reach first Wimbledon quartersRublev flying high after learning to diveSvitolina comes out on top in blockbuster battle with AzarenkaAzarenka booed off court for failing to offer Svitolina obligatory handshakeSinner not saintly but reaches Wimbledon quarter-finalsRublev tames Bublik fightback to reach Wimbledon quartersRussian teenager Andreeva uses Nadal as role modelSafiullin knocks out Shapovalov to reach maiden major quarter-finals at Wimbledon1006 PLAY UNDERWAYPlay began under cloudy skies, with the temperature hovering around 21 degrees Celsius. Reporting by Hritika Sharma and Aadi Nair; editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, Dylan Martinez, Madison Keys, Mirra Andreeva, Keys, Berrettini, Swiatek, Bencic, Svitolina, Azarenka Azarenka, Andreeva, Nadal, Shapovalov, Hritika Sharma, Aadi Nair, Clare Fallon Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon, Madison, Alcaraz, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Russia

☆ Svitolina comes out on top in blockbuster battle with Azarenka
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

After soaking up all the tension for close to three hours, world number 76 Svitolina finally toppled 19th seed Azarenka with an ace on her second match point and promptly collapsed onto her back in her moment of triumph. Bizarrely, the crowd booed Azarenka as she left the court, obviously not realising the reason why the Belarusian did not offer Svitolina the obligatory post match handshake. "I thought it was a great tennis match. Svitolina frustrated Azarenka for over 11 minutes in the fourth game of the match which dragged on for five deuces, with the Ukrainian missing a break point chance in the process. Seconds later she had levelled the contest after Azarenka swiped a forehand long to surrender her serve.

Persons: Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Victoria Azarenka, Toby Melville LONDON, Elina Svitolina, Svitolina, Martina Navratilova, Azarenka, misfiring, Azarenka swiped, Skai, trickled, Pritha Sarkar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Belarus, Victoria, Victoria Azarenka REUTERS, Wimbledon, Azarenka, Belarusian, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Belarusian, Ukraine, Moscow, Belarus

☆ Swiatek fights back from the brink to beat Bencic
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - World number one Iga Swiatek lived to fight another day after clawing her way back from a set down and saving two match points before beating Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-3 on Sunday to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final. The 14th-seeded Swiss proved a frustrating obstacle for Swiatek, with the four-time Grand Slam champion struggling to master her opponent for the majority of what proved an intriguing tussle on Centre Court. 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 of compelling twists and turns. Bencic had been stubborn in her resistance in the opening set, saving six break points before taking it on a tiebreak and then fighting back after falling behind in the second. Four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek saved two match points at 5-6 in the second set and then levelled the contest in another tiebreak.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Belinda Bencic, Swiatek, Bencic, Victoria Azarenka, Elina Svitolina, Toby Davis, Ken Ferris Organizations: Olympic, Wimbledon, Court, All England Club, Thomson Locations: Swiss

☆ Azarenka booed off court for failing to offer Svitolina obligatory handshake
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Asked in a press conference if she felt that she was being victimised by the crowd, Azarenka snapped: "Victim? "She doesn't want to shake hands with Russian, Belarusian people. But this conversation about shaking hands is not a life-changing conversation." While it seemed everyone was only focussing on the events that unfolded after Svitolina had sealed her place in the last eight with an ace, Azarenka felt the on-court duel deserved more plaudits. Svitolina thought such situations could be avoided if tournament organisers issued a statement to fans to make clear that "there will be no handshake between Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian players."

Persons: Victoria Azarenka, Elina Svitolina, Azarenka, Svitolina, I'm, It's, Elina, I've, Pritha Sarkar, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Belarusian, Ukraine, Moscow, Belarus

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Svitolina comes out on top in battle-of-the-mums with Azarenka
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 9, 2023 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina celebrates after winning her fourth round match against Belarus' Victoria Azarenka REUTERS/Toby MelvilleLONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - It turned out to be the mother of all battles and Victoria Azarenka produced some telling blows in an electrifying contest but in the end she lacked the chutzpah to prevent Elina Svitolina securing a place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals. Sunday's 2-6 6-4 7-6(11-9) win handed the Ukrainian wildcard a first win over Azarenka in a battle between the last two mums left standing out of the six who started in the singles draw as she snapped a five-match losing run against the Belarusian 19th seed. After soaking up all the tension for close to three hours, world number 76 Svitolina finally toppled Azarenka with an ace on her second match point and promptly collapsed onto her back in her moment of triumph. She will next face world number one Iga Swiatek for a place in the semi-finals. Reporting by Pritha Sarkar, editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Victoria Azarenka, Toby Melville LONDON, Elina Svitolina, Svitolina, Azarenka, Pritha Sarkar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Belarus, Victoria, Victoria Azarenka REUTERS, Wimbledon, Azarenka, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Belarusian

Wildcard Svitolina will be looking to get the better of Azarenka for the first time, having lost to the former Grand Slam champion in their last five meetings. Yeah, I'm looking forward to this challenge," Svitolina said after she dispatched Sofia Kenin in the third round. "It's another match but in a way, a lot of Ukrainians will be watching, will be supporting me. While Svitolina took a year off for the birth of her daughter Skai with husband and fellow tennis player Gael Monfils, her return to the Tour in March was seamless. Azarenka, however, said she was happy for Svitolina after she had a baby and returned to the court.

Persons: Elina Svitolina's, Aryna Sabalenka, Azarenka, Svitolina, Sofia Kenin, Skai, Gael Monfils, Russia's Andrey Rublev, Alexander Bublik, Iga, Belinda Bencic, Novak, Hubert Hurkacz ., Djokovic, He's, Rohith Nair, Clare Fallon Organizations: Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, Wimbledon, neutrals, Olympic, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Sunday's, Ukraine, Moscow, Belarus, Sabalenka, Belarusian, Kazakhstan, Bengaluru

☆ 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

☆ Djokovic faces Kyrgios-backed Thompson as Wimbledon organisers pray for sun
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Aadi Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Defending champion Djokovic faces Thompson on Wednesday, and though the odds will be heavily stacked in the Serbian's favour, his 70th-ranked opponent has an ace up his sleeve, having consulted with Kyrgios ahead of the second-round clash. "Nick's beaten him a couple of times," Thompson told reporters on Monday. It's not every day you play Novak at Wimbledon. Third seed Daniil Medvedev and fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will also complete their postponed first-round matches. Women's top-10 seeds Maria Sakkari, Petra Kvitova and Barbora Krejcikova will play their opening matches of the tournament.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Jordan Thompson's, Djokovic, Thompson, Nick's, Nick doesn't, It's, Novak, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, Stan Wawrinka, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos, Iga Swiatek, Sara Sorribes Tormo, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Garcia, Maria Sakkari, Petra Kvitova, Barbora, Aadi Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Wimbledon, Djokovic, All England, Britain's Met, Thomson Locations: Tunisian, French, Bengaluru

☆ Azarenka feeling the love on Wimbledon return
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Christian Radnedge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

As part of their return, players from the two nations are playing as neutrals and are not allowed to receive state funding or have sponsorship from Russian or Belarusian companies. Britain is a major ally of Ukraine and continues to provide military support but there was no animosity from the crowd towards former world number one Azarenka as she edged past China's Yuan Yue 6-4 5-7 6-4 in the first round. "There are of course some incidents sometimes happens (at other events), but I felt like I was very welcomed everywhere. The world number two begins her Wimbledon campaign against Hungary's Panna Udvardy on Tuesday. Reporting by Christian Radnedge, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Victoria Azarenka, China’s Yue Yuan, Andrew Couldridge, Azarenka, Yuan Yue, Vika, Aryna Sabalenka, Hungary's Panna Udvardy, Christian Radnedge, Ed Osmond Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Victoria, Wimbledon, ATP, WTA, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Belarus, China’s Yue Yuan REUTERS, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Belarusian

☆ Tennis-Reaction to Djokovic winning 23rd Grand Slam singles title
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 11 (Reuters) - Following are reactions to Novak Djokovic winning a men's record 23rd Grand Slam singles title by beating Casper Ruud in the French Open final on Sunday. AMERICAN TENNIS GREAT BILLIE JEAN KINGCongrats to Djokovic, Men's Singles title for the third time. He now has a record 23 Grand Slam tournament singles titles. AUSTRALIAN TENNIS GREAT ROD LAVERCongratulations on winning 23 majors... and cementing your legacy in another command performance at Roland Garros. TWO TIMES GRAND SLAM WINNER VICTORIA AZARENKAUnreal Djokovic.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Ruud, Rafa Nadal's, THOMAS BACH Chapeau Novak, Roger, Federer, Rafael, Nadal, RAFA NADAL, BILLIE JEAN KING Congrats, Djokovic, ROD LAVER, Roland Garros, AZARENKA, AZARENKA Unreal Djokovic, Tommy Lund, Toby Davis Organizations: INTERNATIONAL, Olympic Games, AZARENKA Unreal, Thomson Locations: Serbian, Norwegian, Gdansk

☆ Pegula upset with Madrid organisers after finalists denied speeches
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 10 (Reuters) - World number three Jessica Pegula has criticised Madrid Open organisers after the American and her fellow women's doubles finalists were not allowed to make speeches at the trophy ceremony. Pegula and Coco Gauff lost the women's doubles final 6-1 6-4 to Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia on Sunday and none of the players were given the chance to address the audience. The men's doubles finalists were allowed to do so following their match a day earlier. I had a feeling something was going to happen," Pegula told reporters on Tuesday ahead of the Italian Open. "I have a lot of finals, so it's not about that," she told reporters.

☆ 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.

☆ Madrid Open causes controversy: 'Sexist' ball girl outfits, silencing the women's finalists and small birthday cakes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —One of the most prestigious tennis tournaments outside of the four grand slams, the Madrid Open attracts the biggest names in the sport. However, this year’s edition has drawn as much attention for off-court controversy as it has for the action on the clay surface. Following the backlash, the skirts were swapped for long shorts in Sunday’s final, but the crop tops remained. “In the end, it is a form of sexist violence that is so widespread because people don’t even notice it.”The ball girl outfits were changed slightly for the final. Julian Finney/Getty ImagesThe Madrid Open and IMG – the tournament is part of the sports management company’s roster of tennis events – weren’t immediately available for comment when contacted by CNN Sport.

☆ WTA roundup: Top seeds roll in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

February 22 - The top two seeds in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships lost a combined three games while cruising to second-round wins on Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland, the reigning French Open and U.S. Open champion, routed Canada's Leylah Fernandez 6-1, 6-1, and No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the reigning Australian Open champion, demolished the United States' Lauren Davis 6-0, 6-1. Third-seeded Jessica Pegula of the United States, who lost to Swiatek in the Doha final, got past Bulgaria's Viktoriya Tomova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 in the second round at Dubai. Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, had lost her first-round matches at Auckland, New Zealand; Hobart, Australia; and the Australian Open to begin the year.

☆ Rybakina to enter top 10 but says career boost won't change her
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I don't think tomorrow I'm going to feel different just because of the ranking now," she told reporters. I'm going to be seeded. Rybakina said reaching a second major final so quickly after her first had eased some of the pressure of expectations. Even I would say I'm trying to not think about expectations and everything," Rybakina said. "Hopefully this great performance at the Australian Open will mark the start of a successful year of play for Elena."

☆ Belarusian Sabalenka crowned first 'neutral' Grand Slam champion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The big-hitting Belarusian overhauled Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the final at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday while barred from representing the eastern European nation. Had Rybakina not switched allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018, the Russia-born player would also have competed as a neutral. "I think everyone still knows that I'm Belarusian player. Asked whether missing Wimbledon made her Australian Open win sweeter, Sabalenka was non-committal. The Belarus tennis federation was quick to extend congratulations to the country's second tennis player to win a Grand Slam, following on from twice Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, who was knocked out in the semi-finals.

☆ Rybakina meets Sabalenka in clash of big hitters for Australian Open crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

While that victory brought prestige and financial reward, it did not boost her up the rankings. Rybakina would have climbed into the top 10 had the ranking points been available but she has proved she belongs in the spotlight at Melbourne Park, knocking out three Grand Slam champions en route to this year's title clash. "I think it was a great challenge for me because for sure, they have experience of winning Grand Slams, so it was nothing new for them," Rybakina, who beat Azarenka 7-6(4) 6-3 in the semi-finals, said. With Russian and Belarusian players only allowed to compete as individual athletes without national affiliation at Melbourne Park, Sabalenka could become the first neutral athlete to win a Grand Slam. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rybakina takes down Azarenka to reach first Australian Open final
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 22nd-seeded Rybakina was broken as she served for the set but Azarenka double-faulted to concede three match points in the next game, allowing the Kazakh to close out an emphatic win. Rybakina shrugged it off then broke Azarenka twice, repeatedly outrallying the powerful Belarusian. Running full tilt, she saved a set point with a forehand passing shot and put the pressure back on Rybakina. Though failing to land a first serve 11 times in succession, Rybakina saved three break points at 5-5 before momentum shifted again when Azarenka tightened up in the tiebreak. Rybakina wobbled when serving out the match, a double-fault coughing up three break points and opening the door for Azarenka.

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