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☆ The One-Handed Backhand Is on the Way to Extinction
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Not so long ago, the top ranks of the sport, especially the men’s game, had no shortage of one-handed backhands. Among the top 10 men now, only Stefanos Tsitsipas plays with a one-handed backhand. In more immediate terms, it has been a mostly terrible first week for one-handed backhands in the singles competitions at the U.S. Open. But Tsitsipas, Thiem, Eubanks and Maria all lost in the first days of the tournament. So did Lorenzo Musetti, the rising Italian whose silky one-handed backhand can make tennis cognoscenti drool.

Persons: Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem, Tatiana Maria, Wawrinka, Grigor Dimitrov, “ I’m, that’s, ” Wawrinka, Tomas Etcheverry, Thiem, Eubanks, Maria, Lorenzo Musetti, drool, Carlos Alcaraz, Musetti Organizations: U.S . Locations: Argentina

☆ Murray, Isner come up short at U.S. Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I'm aware what I'm doing, it's unbelievably challenging to play at the highest level as I am now. And yeah, some days it's harder than others," Murray said. Isner, 38, won the longest professional tennis match in history against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010, which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes and took place over three days. The third seed has played second fiddle to Alcaraz and 23-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows but put the field on notice with a first-round demolition of Attila Balazs. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken Ferris and Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andy Murray, Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, Brendan Mcdermid, John Isner, Aryna Sabalenka, Briton Murray, Grigor Dimitrov, Arthur Ashe, Murray, Isner, Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, Michael Mmoh, Jack Sock, Jodie Burrage, France's Clara Burel, Carlos Alcaraz, Lloyd Harris of, Alcaraz, Jessica Pegula, Romanian Patricia Maria Tig, Ashe, Sloane Stephens, Russian Daniil Medvedev, Louis Armstrong, Australian Christopher O'Connell, Novak, Attila Balazs, Amy Tennery, Ken Ferris, Ed Osmond Organizations: U.S, Wimbledon, New, Australian, Flushing, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Belarusian, Flushing Meadows, Lloyd Harris of South Africa, Romanian, New York, Russian

Benton was at Tiafoe’s match on Monday and has been in contact with him over the summer. “He’s a little —” Benton paused and with his arms imitated someone who was experiencing the inevitable weight of expectations, the biggest of which are those Tiafoe has set for himself. A typical Tiafoe sequence occurred Monday during a tight second set against Tien. With the score knotted at 4-4, Tien rose and twisted and snapped a backhand overhead that looked like a certain winner. Then he did his trademark frozen stare into the crowd, his cue for the fans to get loud.

Persons: Benton, “, ” Benton, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, Tien, Tiafoe Organizations: Australian, Tien Locations: Houston, Stuttgart, Germany, Wimbledon

☆ Fritz edges Murray to reach quarters in Washington
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Aug 4, 2023; Washington, D.C., USA; Taylor Fritz (USA) celebrates after match point against Andy Murray (GBR) (not pictured) on day seven of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Fitzgerald Tennis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsLOS ANGELES, Aug 4 (Reuters) - American Taylor Fritz won an entertaining three-hour battle against Andy Murray 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4 in their rain-delayed match on Friday in Washington DC and will face Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals in the evening session. In the tight third set, Fritz took advantage of a sloppy service game from Murray to arrive on the doorstep of victory at 5-4. But Murray was not done and threatened to level when he jumped ahead 0-40 in the next game. Fritz, who crushed 17 aces, managed to serve his way out of trouble and hit a lovely lunging volley to set up match point, which he converted with a cross-court forehand winner.

Persons: Taylor Fritz, Andy Murray, Geoff Burke, Jordan Thompson, Scot, Fritz, Murray, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Frenchman Ugo Humbert, Rory Carroll Organizations: D.C, Citi DC, Fitzgerald Tennis, USA, LOS ANGELES, Washington DC, Los Angeles Our, Thomson Locations: Washington, USA, American, Bulgarian, Los Angeles

CNN —Two more tourists have been caught apparently defacing the Colosseum in Rome, following a similar incident in June. The very next day, a 17-year-old student from Germany was caught allegedly doing something similar. This is the same punishment potentially faced by a 27-year-old British tourist who was filmed apparently carving his name into the wall of the ancient arena last month. Dimitrov allegedly scratched “Ivan+Hayley 23” into the wall of the Colosseum, representing his and his girlfriend’s names. A similar incident also occurred in 2020, when security staff spotted an Irish tourist allegedly carving his initials into the ancient structure and reported him to the police.

Persons: Ivan Dimitrov, “, regrettably, ”, Alexandro Maria Tirelli, Dimitrov, Ivan, Hayley, Gennaro Sangiuliano Organizations: CNN Locations: Rome, Switzerland, Province of Rome, Germany, Irish

☆ Holger Rune’s mom is inspiring his quarterfinal run at Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

6 Holger Rune has credited his run to this year’s Wimbledon quarterfinals to the love and support shown by his mom. Rune's mom (right) is a major influence on her son's career. Dylan Martinez/Reuters“She’s a huge influence,” he said, speaking about how his mom helps him compete at the top level. “I’m really excited about this match,” Alcaraz told reporters. “I’m really excited about it.

Persons: Holger Rune, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, Carlos Alcaraz, ” Hune, Rune, Novak Djokovic, Dylan Martinez, Reuters “, ”, that’s, Alcaraz, Dane, “ I’m, ” Alcaraz, “ Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Reuters Locations: Danish

☆ Rune's stature keeps growing as he downs Dimitrov to reach Wimbledon quarters
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, July 10 (Reuters) - Fearless Dane Holger Rune's stature in world tennis continued to grow on Monday as he stayed calm and collected in the face of adversity to ride out a 3-6 7-6(6) 7-6(4) 6-3 fourth round win over Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon. Through all that mental turmoil, he never lost belief and the 20-year-old came storming back with some phenomenal shot making as he became the first Dane in 65 years to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals. It was little wonder he was left screaming into the skies and thumping his chest after the near 3-1/2 hour battle ended when Dimitrov's backhand floated into the tramlines on Rune's first match point. He will next meet either fellow 20-year-old and world number one Carlos Alcaraz or big-hitting Italian Matteo Berrettini for a place in the semi-finals. Reporting by Pritha Sarkar, editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dane Holger Rune's, Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, Dane, Carlos Alcaraz, Matteo Berrettini, Pritha Sarkar, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Danish

☆ Dimitrov dispatches Tiafoe with ease to advance at Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

So I was just looking after my game," Dimitrov said. The first things Tiafoe highlighted when asked to give his thoughts on Dimitrov prior to the match were the Bulgarian's first serve, his net game and his slice. When they resumed on Sunday, Dimitrov consolidated an early break and a restless Tiafoe lost his cool in no time. When asked about his next match-up against an even younger Rune, who is 12 years his junior, Dimitrov simply shrugged his shoulders. I'm really focusing on my side of the net and looking after my game," he said with a laugh.

Persons: Grigor Dimitrov, Frances Tiafoe, Holger Rune, Tiafoe, Dimitrov, I'm, Rune, Rohith Nair, Clare Fallon Organizations: Wimbledon, Danish, All England Club, Queen's, Thomson Locations: American, Stuttgart, England, Bulgarian, Bengaluru

☆ Wimbledon: Underarm serve backfires as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina loses to Holger Rune
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina opted for an underarm serve at a crucial point in his third-round Wimbledon match against Holger Rune on Saturday. Rune, the 20-year-old sixth seed, comfortably dealt with the ball – hitting a fierce return winner for match point, eventually clinching an entertaining 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 (10-8) win. Davidovich Fokina returns the ball to Rune during their men's singles match. That was very unexpected, for sure,” the Dane, who had saved two match points, told reporters afterwards. I thought that I would trust my serve and go big, also like I did in the match points, the match point I saved.

Persons: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Holger Rune, Rune, Davidovich Fokina, Adrian Dennis, Dane, “, Michael Regan, ” Rune, Frances Tiafoe, Grigor Dimitrov Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Getty, Reuters Locations: AFP

☆ 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

☆ Who Knew the Colosseum Was So Old? Tourist Apologizes for Defacement.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Elisabetta Povoledo | More About Elisabetta Povoledo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But that made little difference to Colosseum authorities who said that it didn’t change the fact that the act was vandalism. Mr. Dimitrov was eventually identified by Italian military police officers who crosschecked the two lovers’ names with registered guests in Rome and found they had stayed in an Airbnb rental in the Cinecittà neighborhood. Roberto Martina, the police commander who oversaw the operation, said they tracked Mr. Dimitrov to England, where he and his girlfriend, who is not under investigation, live. Three years ago, a spate of incidents prompted lawmakers to stiffen penalties for vandalizing Italy’s venerable cultural heritage. Mr. Tirelli said he was hoping for a plea bargain that will allow his client to pay a fine but serve no jail time.

Persons: Dimitrov, Roberto Martina, ’ ”, Alexandro Maria Tirelli, Tirelli Locations: Rome, Cinecittà, England, Italy

☆ Just Stop Oil protesters disrupt match at Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Just Stop Oil activists disrupted two matches at Wimbledon on Wednesday after running onto Court 18 and sprinkling orange confetti and jigsaw puzzle pieces on the playing surface. In the first incident, security was able to quickly usher one activist away while another, wearing a Just Stop Oil T-shirt, sat crossed legged on the court before finally being taken off. “Following an incident on Court 18, two individuals have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage and these individuals have now been removed from the Grounds,” Wimbledon tweeted after the incident. Ground staff removed pieces of confetti from Court 18 before play got back underway. In a statement after the first protest, Just Stop Oil said the two activists at Wimbledon were “demanding that the UK government halts all new licences and consents for oil, gas and coal.”In a statement published by Just Stop Oil, one of the protesters said: “Forget strawberries and cream, scientists are warning of impending food shortages, mass displacement and war.

Persons: Grigor Dimitrov, Sho Shimabukuro, ” Wimbledon, Katie Boulter, Daria Saville, Alastair Grant, ” Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, London Metropolitan police

☆ Djokovic, Swiatek advance as climate protesters disrupt rain-hit Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Earlier, Kostyuk battled from a set down and overcame three rain interruptions to beat eighth seed Sakkari 0-6 7-5 6-2. She became only the third women's player to beat a top-10 seed at Wimbledon in the Open Era after losing the first set 6-0. American world number 10 Frances Tiafoe saw off China's Wimbledon debutant Wu Yibing 7-6(4) 6-3 6-4 before compatriot Taylor Fritz completed a 6-4 2-6 4-6 7-5 6-3 victory over Yannick Hanfmann. Sixth seed Holger Rune sailed through to the second round for the first time with a 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2 victory over British wildcard George Loffhagen. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond and Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Serbia's Novak, Australia's Jordan Thompson, Dylan Martinez, Medvedev, Fritz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo, Daria Kasatkina, Jodie Burrage, Daniil Medvedev, Arthur Fery, Marta Kostyuk, Maria Sakkari, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Dominic Thiem, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Japan's Sho Shimabukuro, Katie Boulter, Australian Daria Saville, Dimitrov, Briton Fery, Arthur, Kostyuk, Frances Tiafoe, Wu Yibing, Taylor Fritz, Yannick Hanfmann, Holger Rune, George Loffhagen, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ed Osmond, Toby Davis Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon, All England Club, Stop Oil, Bulgarian, Security, Briton, British, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Australian, Belarusian, British, Bengaluru

☆ Alcaraz makes semi-finals at Queen's with win over Dimitrov
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Tennis - ATP 500 - Queen's Club Championships - Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 23, 2023 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his quarter final match against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov Action Images via Reuters/Peter CziborraLONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - Top seed Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals at the Queen's Club Championships with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Friday as the Spaniard warms up for Wimbledon. "The movement on grass, I try to move easy and move well," Alcaraz told the BBC. I'm playing at such a great level and feeling really, really comfortable playing on grass." He will face big-serving American Sebastian Korda, who beat Briton Cameron Norrie 6-4 7-6(1) to extend his Queen's debut. "I'm playing really well on grass and feeling really comfortable," said Korda.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, Peter Cziborra LONDON, Carlos Alcaraz, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Alcaraz, I'm, American Sebastian Korda, Briton Cameron Norrie, Alex de Minaur, Adrian Mannarino of, De Minaur, Dane Holger Rune, Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Korda, Norrie, I've, Rune, Musetti, He's, Lori Ewing, Ken Ferris Organizations: Queen's, Bulgarian, Wimbledon, BBC, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, American, Adrian Mannarino of France

☆ Queen's tennis: How to watch Alcaraz vs. Dimitrov live stream for free from anywhere
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Brendan Griffiths | Senior Commerce Director | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

We can show you how to watch an Alcaraz vs. Dimitrov live stream for free. Look below for all the links you need to watch Alcaraz vs. Dimitrov online from anywhere. Alcaraz vs. Dimitrov live stream quick links: UK: BBC 2 / iPlayer (free)Not in the UK? Where to watch Alcaraz vs. Dimitrov live stream in the UKYou can watch Alcaraz vs. Dimitrov on BBC 2 around 6:10 p.m. BST this afternoon. Watch Alcaraz vs. Dimitrov.

Persons: Dimitrov, There's, Norrie, Korda, you'll, ExpressVPN Organizations: Queen's, Wimbledon, BBC Locations: Glastonbury

☆ Djokovic says 'Big Four' rivalries made him tougher
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Luckily for me, in my career, I managed to win more matches than I lost when I was facing difficult circumstances," Djokovic said. "I got stronger because of the rivalries, particularly with Federer, Nadal and Murray," he added. Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray were dubbed the 'Big Four' as they won a combined 67 Grand Slam titles in an unprecedented period of dominance and were involved in some of the most memorable matches over the last two decades. "Staying the course, staying patient and believing in the process and the journey," Djokovic said. "Understanding what works for you best, what's your winning formula mentally and also physically and emotionally, and then sticking to it."

☆ 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.

☆ Alcaraz relishing Zverev rematch in Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 30, 2023 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his round of 32 match against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov REUTERS/Isabel InfantesMay 1 (Reuters) - World number two Carlos Alcaraz said he is looking forward to facing Alexander Zverev at the Madrid Open again, nearly a year after defeating the German in the final of last year's edition. Alcaraz eased past Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 7-5 on Sunday to set up a last-16 showdown with Zverev, who demolished Frenchman Hugo Grenier 6-1 6-0. The pair met twice during last year's clay swing, with Alcaraz beating Zverev in Madrid to win his second ATP Masters 1000 title before Zverev got his revenge in the French Open quarter-finals a few weeks later. "I know that Zverev is a really good player, a really aggressive one with good serves. Alcaraz meets world number 16 Zverev on Tuesday.

☆ ATP roundup: Jiri Lehecka upsets Doha top seed Andrey Rublev
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

1 seed Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Thursday in Doha. Lehecka will face Great Britain's Andy Murray in the semifinals after Murray rallied past French qualifier Alexandre Muller 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. 7 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Thursday while Medvedev battled past Christopher O'Connell of Australia 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. 1 seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland dropped his first set before rallying past Switzerland's Leandro Riedi 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in second-round action at Marseille, France. Third seed Alex de Minaur of Australia beat Swiss qualifier Alexander Ritschard 6-3, 6-3, while fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Dutch qualifier Gijs Brouwer.

☆ Shared Korda 'tennis DNA' helping coach Stepanek produce early results
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"It's a beautiful circle of life that after Petr coached me for so long I'm now in Sebi's camp," Stepanek, who began working with the younger Korda last year, told reporters. "I believe you'll see compared to last year changes in how Sebi is handling himself on the tennis court. I think that's the biggest improvement he's made and he's getting early results." "If it happens here or happens later that's the future, we can only affect the present. He's on the right path and I believe if he stays the course, then it's a question of time."

☆ Djokovic backs up Murray's concerns over 'gruelling' schedule
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

When asked for his opinion on Murray's comments, nine-times champion Djokovic told reporters: "I think that players' input is always important for tournament organisation. "I would agree with his (Murray's) points... For the crowd, it's entertaining, it's exciting, to have matches (end at) midnight, 1, 2, 3 am. "Even if you go through and win, prevail in these kind of matches, you still have to come back. Yeah, something needs to be addressed I guess in terms of the schedule after what we've seen this year." Djokovic next faces Australian Alex de Minaur in the fourth round on Monday.

☆ Nick who? De Minaur steps out of Kyrgios shadow
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But De Minaur has filled the breach superbly at a tournament where Australians are now in short supply. "I'm very happy, I can't lie," De Minaur told the centre court crowd. Inflatable kangaroos bobbed in the Rod Laver Arena terraces and Mexican waves surged around the stadium in the third set as De Minaur put the foot down against Bonzi. "I wasn't sure what to expect, but to see a packed Rod Laver Arena was pretty special," he said. "I hope everyone that's on this court is going to go and support Alexei Popyrin," De Minaur said in a rallying cry to the Laver crowd.

☆ Djokovic dismisses Dimitrov to soldier on at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his third round match against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov REUTERS/Hannah MckayMELBOURNE, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic continued his charge towards a 10th Australian Open title with a superb 7-6(7) 6-3 6-4 victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov to reach the fourth round on Saturday but fears about the durability of his injured left hamstring only grew. The Serbian, who is eyeing a 22nd major to match Rafa Nadal, looked uncertain in his movement in a roller-coaster opening set where he began with a break, squandered three set points at 5-3 and dropped serve late on before edging a thrilling tiebreak. A heavily-strapped but more aggressive Djokovic emerged from a medical timeout and built pressure with his relentless returns from the back, going up 4-2 as 27th seed Dimitrov hit the net to surrender his serve, and went on to wrap up the second set. A half-fit Djokovic can still be a handful for most players but the fourth seed looked a little more certain of his mobility in the third set and a double break to start helped him subdue the error-prone Dimitrov who failed to make a late comeback. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Hamstrung Djokovic, exhausted Murray look to soldier on at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The injury has clearly taken its toll on the 35-year-old Serbian, who dropped a set in the second round. "My situation with my injury is not ideal," said Djokovic, who took a medical timeout during his four-set win over French qualifier Enzo Couacaud. So I'm going to keep going. I'm going to try to play and compete with, of course, a great player Dimitrov." But one player who has defied belief in advancing to the third round is three-times Grand Slam champion Andy Murray.

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