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☆ Djokovic returns to world number one, Nadal out of top 100
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 13 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic reclaimed the world number one ranking from Carlos Alcaraz after winning his men's record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Rafa Nadal dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in 20 years. Alcaraz dropped to second place while Daniil Medvedev, who crashed out in the first round, also slid one place down to third. Nadal, a 14-times French Open champion, has endured an injury-plagued season and not played since January because of a hip injury sustained during the Australian Open. In the women's rankings, Iga Swiatek retained top spot after defending her French Open title. French Open finalist Muchova climbed from 43rd to a career-high 16th.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Rafa Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Roland Garros, Casper Ruud, Iga Swiatek, Ash, Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Muchova, Muchova, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Hritika Sharma, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Nadal, French, Swiatek, Reigning Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Paris, Hyderabad

☆ Swiatek reigns supreme at French Open by quelling Muchova
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"First of all congratulations to Karolina," said Swiatek, who became the first woman to successfully defend the Roland Garros women's singles title since Justine Henin in 2007. EMOTIONAL SCENESThat sparked emotional scenes on centre court as Swiatek shed tears of joy before joining her family in the crowd for a celebration. For Muchova, it was a first defeat against a player ranked in the top three in six meetings. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said of the Pole: "She's getting this special relationship with Roland Garros over the years. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Karolos Grohmann in Paris; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Iga, Suzanne Lenglen, Karolina Muchova, Iga Swiatek, Swiatek, Monica Seles, Seles, Naomi Osaka, Karolina, Justine Henin, It's, Philippe Chatrier, Muchova, Swiatek shrugged, We've, Serena Williams, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Amelie Mauresmo, She's, Ivan Dodig, Austin Krajicek, Sander Gille, Joran, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Karolos, Ken Ferris Organizations: Czech, Karolina Muchova REUTERS, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, PARIS, Poland, Prague, Czech, Croatian, American

☆ Tennis-Swiatek aiming for third title, Muchova out to spoil the party
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But the 22-year-old Pole faces an unexpected hurdle in the final with unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova having defied injuries and the odds to book her first Grand Slam final spot. She has confirmed her status as the world's top player, having also lifted the U.S. Open title last year. With an ability to fire off winners even under extreme pressure, Swiatek has few real challengers in the women's game at the moment. She also landed drop shots to force her to the net where she outclassed the Belarusian, displaying what is arguably the most natural volleying ability in the women's game. "I think I have it like that in everything in life, I don't really want to be like anyone else," Muchova said.

Persons: Iga, Serena Williams, Monica Seles, Czech Karolina Muchova, Swiatek, Williams, Muchova, Philippe Chatrier, Karolos, Toby Davis Organizations: Czech, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris

☆ 2023 French Open women’s final: Karolína Muchová faces Iga Świątek
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Saturday’s women’s French Open final proves to be an intriguing one for many reasons, in particular because each player’s recent experiences offer tantalizing narratives. Muchová has had to overcome countless battles with injuries while Świątek has skyrocketed to become a three-time grand slam winner. She has slowly climbed back to her best and has enjoyed a remarkable run at this year’s French Open. In the final, with just a victory between her and a French Open title, this is familiar territory for the Pole. Although she’s familiar with the situation, Świątek said a lot had changed since her first French Open title three years ago.

Persons: Saturday’s, Iga Świątek, Roland Garros, Karolína Muchová, Świątek, Muchová, Rafael Nadal, ”, Philippe Chatrier, Maria Sakkari, Nadia Podoroska, Irina, Camelia Begu, Elina Avanesyan, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Muchova, Clive Brunskill, Indian Wells, “ It’s, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Świątek lunges, Haddad Maia, Andy Cheung, Nadal, “, Rafa, he’s Organizations: CNN, Sabalenka Locations: Prague, Paris, Indian, Dubai, Indian Wells

☆ Swiatek feels heat but ends Haddad Maia run to reach final
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The 14th-seeded Haddad Maia, whose career has been hampered by injuries and a 10-month doping ban, had played four consecutive three-set matches to get to the semi-finals. Swiatek's previous clashes had lasted a little over an hour each, while Haddad Maia had spent nearly 13 hours on court. She got a second break for 4-2 when Haddad Maia netted a drop shot attempt and sealed the set with another break. It seemed Swiatek would stroll through the second set, but Haddad Maier, the first Brazilian woman to reach the last four at major since 1968, had other ideas. With two big first serves, Swiatek saved them and staved off another before holding, forcing Haddad Maia to serve to stay in the match.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Haddad Maia, Czech Karolina Muchova, Swiatek, Suzanne Lenglen, Philippe Chatrier, Haddad Maier, Julien Pretot, Pritha Sarkar, Ed Osmond Organizations: Czech, Thomson Locations: Belarus, Polish

Swiatek, who lifted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup last year and in 2020, was put through the wringer by Haddad Maia but held her nerve in a tense tiebreak to see off the 14th seed's challenge. "She has a really nice game for clay courts with a lot of top spin," Swiatek said of Haddad Maia, who beat the Pole in their only other meeting in Toronto last year. There was light at the end of the tunnel for Japan's Miyu Kato after a difficult few days, as she put her women's doubles disqualification behind her to claim the mixed doubles crown with Germany's Tim Puetz. Kato and her Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi had been disqualified from the women's doubles in the third round when Kato hit a ball down the court between points, inadvertently striking a ball girl. I'm doing my best so we can one day return and claim the women's doubles title."

Persons: Haddad Maia, Sabalenka Kato, Iga Swiatek, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Roland Garros, Karolina Muchova, Suzanne Lenglen, Swiatek, Muchova, Jelena Ostapenko, Miyu Kato, Tim Puetz, Canada's Bianca Andreescu, New Zealander Michael Venus, Kato, Aldila Sutjiadi, I'm, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Karolos Grohmann, Julien Pretot, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ed Osmond, Pritha Organizations: PARIS, New Zealander, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Paris, New

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

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

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

☆ Muchova pummels Pavlyuchenkova to book French Open semi-final spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I don't know what to say, it's been an incredible two weeks and I'm glad I'm still in the competition," Muchova said. "I will for sure watch the match (between Sabalenka and Svitolina), I'm not sure if I will watch it live but I'm sure it will be another great match in two days." Muchova appeared more comfortable in the second set and built a commanding 5-1 lead before Pavlyuchenkova showed some signs of resistance. But there was no comeback on the cards as Muchova closed out the match on serve, celebrating the victory when Pavlyuchenkova fired a shot wide. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Karolina Muchova, Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova REUTERS, Kai Pfaffenbach PARIS, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Elina Svitolina, it's, I'm, Muchova, Maria Sakkari, Philippe Chatrier, Pavlyuchenkova, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Czech, Belarus, Ukrainian, Sabalenka

☆ Sabalenka sets up Muchova clash at French Open, takes stand against war
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Having skipped two press conferences at Roland Garros after being grilled by the media about her personal stance on the war, Sabalenka finally addressed reporters again. "I don't want my country to be in any conflict, I don't support the war," second seed Sabalenka said. "I don't support war, meaning I don't support (Belarus President) Alexander Lukashenko right now." "I really felt bad not coming here. I felt really disrespected and felt really bad.

Persons: Sabalenka, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Czech Karolina Muchova, Roland Garros, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Svitolina, Alexander Lukashenko, I'm, Novak Djokovic, Karen Khachanov, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Roland, Thomson Locations: Belarusian, Czech, Russia, Belarus, Paris

☆ Russian Kasatkina feeling bitter after being booed at French Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 4, 2023 Russia's Daria Kasatkina gestures at the net after losing her fourth round match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Benoit TessierPARIS, June 5 (Reuters) - Russian Daria Kasatkina said she left the French Open with a bitter taste in her mouth after being booed off by the crowd following her fourth-round defeat against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Sunday. Svitolina had said she would not shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players at Roland Garros because of Russia's invasion of her country. Kasatkina has been one of very few Russian players to speak out against the war, calling it "a full nightmare". Geopolitics have been at the centre of this year's French Open, with Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus skipping her post-match press conference twice, saying she felt unsafe after being grilled about the war. Last week, two-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic started a controversy after writing on a camera lens "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia" amid unrest in the region.

Persons: Roland Garros, Daria, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina REUTERS, Benoit Tessier PARIS, Daria Kasatkina, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Svitolina, Kasatkina, Zemfira, I’ve, Elina, Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Julien Pretot, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Moscow, Russian, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Belarusian, Belarus, Russian, Ukraine, Kosovo, Serbia

☆ Ruud roars, Jabeur races into French Open quarter-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"If we had gone five sets I don't know how long we would have played," said Ruud on court Philippe Chatrier. He next faces either Dane Holger Rune in a re-match of last year's quarter-final, or Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo. Jabeur moved into the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the first time with a 6-3 6-1 win over American Bernarda Pera and hoped that the romantic atmosphere of Paris will help her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title. The Tunisian had reached the Australian Open quarter-final in 2020 and finished runner-up to Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open title clashes last year. "For now, I just want to take it one match at a time," added Jabeur.

Persons: Roland Garros, Bernarda Pera, Benoit Tessier PARIS, Casper Ruud, Chile's Nicolas Jarry, Ruud, lanky claycourt, Jarry, Philippe Chatrier, Dane Holger Rune, Francisco Cerundolo, Jabeur, Elena Rybakina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Sara Sorribes Tormo, Maria Bueno, Haddad Maia, Bueno, Daria Kasatkina, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, I've, Kasatkina, Elina, Sabalenka, Svitolina, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Jabeur, Bernarda, U.S, REUTERS, Tunisian, Wimbledon, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Tunisian, Iga, Belarusian, Ukraine

CNN —Tennis player Elina Svitolina called her opponent, Russian Daria Kasatkina, a “brave one” following the Ukrainian’s upset win on Sunday. Last month, Kasatkina, Russia’s top-ranked female tennis player, also expressed her sympathy for Ukrainian tennis players who refuse to shake her hand after matches. She’s [a] really brave person to say it publicly, that not so many players did,” Svitolina said, after advancing to the quarterfinals of the French Open. “She’s a brave one.”Instead of a hand shake, Kasatkina gave her opponent a thumbs up at the net after losing match point. Russian and Belarusian players are currently still competing on the tours as neutral athletes without their flag or country displayed.

Persons: Elina Svitolina, Daria Kasatkina, Svitolina, “, ” Kasatkina, Kasatkina, ” Svitolina, Benoit Tessier, it’s, ” Sabalenka, Sabalenka, ” Organizations: CNN —, New York Times, Ukrainian, Svitolina, Reuters, – Locations: Belarusian, Ukraine, Ukraine – Belarus, Russia

☆ Sabalenka survives first set implosion to overcome Stephens
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sabalenka, the hardest-hitting player on the women's tour and the 2023 Australian Open champion, raced to a 5-0 lead with Stephens winning a total of just eight points. With her own first serve wilting, Sabalenka, in complete freefall by now, missed another two set points at 5-4 on Stephens' serve before her opponent spectacularly levelled and then held to take it to a tiebreak. The Belarusian, looking win a second Grand Slam trophy, managed to pull herself together at the last moment, clinching the first set on her fourth opportunity. She cut down on the unforced errors in the second set but again Stephens battled back from 4-2 down to level before Sabalenka broke again to go 5-4 up and serve out the match. I'm super happy with this win," Sabalenka said in comments given to women's governing body WTA after she refused to do a post-game interview for the second time in a row.

Persons: Roland Garros, Sabalenka, Sloane Stephens, Kai Pfaffenbach PARIS, American Sloane Stephens, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Stephens, Karolos Grohmann, Ken Ferris, Pritha Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, American, WTA, Svitolina, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Belarus, Belarusian, Ukraine

☆ Rybakina pulls out of French Open due to illness
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, June 3 (Reuters) - Fourth seed Elena Rybakina pulled out of the French Open ahead of her third-round meeting with Sara Sorribes Tormo on Saturday due to a viral illness as the Roland Garros tournament lost one of its main contenders for the women's title. Kazakhstan's Rybakina, 23, was among the title favourites alongside holder Iga Swiatek and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka after winning the Rome title in the build-up to the claycourt Grand Slam. "I'm really upset not be able to play, but I guess that's life," Rybakina added. Moscow-born Rybakina said she hoped to be fully fit for the European grasscourt swing ahead of her Wimbledon title defence. Spain's Sorribes Tormo moves into the fourth round where she will take on 23rd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova or 14th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Persons: Elena Rybakina, Sara Sorribes Tormo, Roland Garros, Sorribes Tormo, Philippe Chatrier, Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, I'm, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ed Osmond Organizations: Wimbledon, Rome, Thomson Locations: Paris, Moscow, Berlin, Eastbourne, Wimbledon

2 Aryna Sabalenka did not participate in a customary post-match press conference after her third-round win at the French Open on Friday, saying she didn’t feel safe when participating in a press conference held earlier this week. Normally, press conferences by players are required. Reuters also reported that French Open organizers said that they want to “protect” Sabalenka and that whether she attends other post-match press conferences will be her decision. CNN has reached out to the French Tennis Federation, the organizers of the French Open, for comment. In 2021, Naomi Osaka of Japan sparked headlines and debate when she had announced she wouldn’t participate in press conferences during the French Open, citing her mental health.

Persons: Aryna Sabalenka, “, ” Sabalenka, Sabalenka’s, Roland Garros, Naomi Osaka, ’ Sabalenka, Sabalenka, ” Organizations: CNN, Reuters, French Tennis Federation, Roland, – Locations: Belarusian, Ukraine, Belarus, Paris, Japan, “

☆ Sabalenka Skips French Open News Conference Citing Her Mental Health
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Aryna Sabalenka’s day began with a routine demolition of Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia that propelled the world’s second-ranked player, who is from Belarus, into the second week of the French Open as expected. But then Sabalenka put herself, the tournament and tennis once more at the center of the debate over sports and the war in Ukraine by refusing to attend the mandatory post-match news conference. She said she had felt unsafe during a previous news conference this week when a journalist from Ukraine asked Sabalenka about her support of President Alexandr G. Lukashenko of Belarus, which has supported Russia’s war against Ukraine. “On Wednesday I did not feel safe in press conference,” Sabalenka was quoted as saying at the beginning of a transcript of her statements following her 6-2, 6-2 win over Rakhimova. “I should be able to feel safe when I do interviews with the journalists after my matches.

Persons: Aryna, Sabalenka, Alexandr G, Lukashenko, ” Sabalenka, “, ” Cédric Laurent Organizations: Ukraine, “ Locations: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, French

☆ Sabalenka powers into French Open fourth round, Khachanov survives
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka swatted aside Kamilla Rakhimova to remind her rivals of her French Open title credentials while Russian 11th seed Karen Khachanov also moved into the fourth round by stopping wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis on Friday. Sabalenka, the big-serving world number two, beat Russian Rakhimova 6-2 6-2 on a sunbathed Court Philippe Chatrier to set up a clash with American Sloane Stephens or Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in her quest for a second Grand Slam title. "So I have to do it with my legs, with the brain, and try to squeeze the maximum I can." Last year's semi-finalist Kasatkina will need to show her best form again in the next round where she can potentially meet former world number three Elina Svitolina. Novak Djokovic, who is seeking a 23rd Grand Slam title, is in action against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina while world number one Carlos Alcaraz will play Denis Shapovalov in the evening session.

Persons: Karen Khachanov, Kokkinakis, Sabalenka, Philippe Chatrier, Sloane Stephens, Yulia Putintseva, Khachanov, Jessica Pegula, Elise Mertens, Mertens, Daria Kasatkina, Peyton Stearns, Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina, Anna Blinkova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia Potapova, Novak Djokovic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Carlos Alcaraz, Denis Shapovalov, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Kokkinakis, Thomson Locations: Kazakhstan, Paris

☆ Sabalenka, Djokovic hoping to steer clear of controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Aadi Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Another match featuring political overtones is the clash between Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Russia's Anna Blinkova. Asked about the message following his straight sets win over Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday, Djokovic told reporters: "It's something that I stand for. Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who reached the final in 2021, will play Diego Schwartzman. British 14th seed Cameron Norrie is in action against 17th seed Lorenzo Musetti, who now leads Italy's charge for a first French Open men's winner since Adriano Panatta in 1976 after Jannik Sinner's elimination on Thursday. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Iryna Shymanovich, Benoit Tessier, Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Anna Blinkova, Svitolina, Djokovic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Aleksandar Kovacevic, Marton Fucsovics, Davidovich Fokina, Monte, Monte Carlo Masters, Carlos Alcaraz, Denis Shapovalov, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Diego Schwartzman, Cameron Norrie, Lorenzo Musetti, Adriano Panatta, Jannik, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Belarus, Iryna Shymanovich REUTERS, Strasbourg, NATO, Marton, Monte Carlo, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Belarus, Ukraine, Belarusian, Kosovo, Serbia, Belgrade, Zvecan, Spanish, Barcelona, British, Nashik, India

☆ Title contender Rybakina marches past teenager Noskova into third round
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 1, 2023 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in action during her second round match against Czech Republic's Linda Noskova REUTERS/Lisi NiesnerPARIS, June 1 (Reuters) - Fourth seed Elena Rybakina booked her third round spot with a 6-3 6-3 victory over rising Czech teenager Linda Noskova on Thursday, confirming her status as one of the front-runners for the title. Rybakina, a member of the new 'Big three' along with fellow title contenders, world number one Iga Swiatek and second seed Aryna Sabalenka, struggled with Noskova's powerful serve and thundering forehand. It was instead Noskova who carved out two break points at 3-3 but Rybakina, who won the title at Indian Wells and Rome this season while also reaching the final at the Miami Open, saved them both. She responded in kind at the very next game to break Noskova and go 5-3 up before clinching the match with an ace on her fourth match point. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Elena Rybakina, Linda Noskova, Lisi Niesner PARIS, Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Karolos Grohmann, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Czech, Wimbledon, French, Miami, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Czech, Indian Wells, Rome

☆ How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has impacted tennis
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Every sport in Europe – from soccer to fencing to UFC – has had to grapple with the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and tennis is no exception. Player tensionFor some Ukrainian players, having to face opponents from Russia and Belarus has been a point of frustration. 2 said she struggled to understand the “hate” she encountered in the locker room amid strained relations with some players following Russia’s invasion. The “Z” symbol is viewed as a sign of support for Russia, including its invasion of Ukraine. Last year, she told CNN Sport that Russian and Belarusian players have a responsibility to take a stance against the war.

Persons: UFC –, Toby Melville, Daria Kasatkina, ”, Marta Kostyuk, Aryna Sabalenka, Sabalenka, won’t, ” Sabalenka, ” Kostyuk, Kai Pfaffenbach, Lesia Tsurenko, Iga Świątek, Daniil Medvedev, “, ” Tsurenko, Poland’s Świątek, Slovakia’s Anna, Karolína, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina –, Świątek, Tim Clayton, Svitolina, Anastasia Potapova, Srdjan Djokovic, Novak Djokovic, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, UFC, ATP, WTA, Wimbledon, Reuters, BBC, Belarus, Aryna, –, Kostyuk, Sabalenka, Ukrainian, ”, Russian Government, Miami, de Strasbourg, Spartak Moscow, Melbourne, CNN Sport Locations: Europe, Ukraine, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Russian, Russia, Belarus, Kyiv, Reuters Ukrainian, Indian, Vladimirec, Kostyuk, ” Russian, Australian

☆ Second seed Sabalenka tames qualifier Shymanovich to advance
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 25-year-old, who will take over top spot from Poland's Iga Swiatek with victory at the Paris Grand Slam, did not have an easy start with qualifier Shymanovich, ranked 214th, matching her power with every groundstroke. Shymanovich started moving her opponent around, playing the angles and forcing her to the net with audacious drop shots as she tried to stop Sabalenka imposing her own rhythm on the match. The second seed wasted two set points at 6-5 but bagged the set on her third opportunity, chasing down yet another drop shot from her opponent. She took a two-game lead at the start of the second set but had to fight tooth and nail for every single point before sealing victory on her second match point. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Iryna Shymanovich, Benoit Tessier PARIS, Sabalenka, Shymanovich, Karolos Grohmann, Ed Osmond Organizations: Belarus, Iryna Shymanovich REUTERS, Shymanovich, Paris, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Belarus

☆ Tsitsipas, Alcaraz soar at French Open, Djokovic row simmers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Unlike after his opening match on Monday, however, there was no message on the camera lens the Serbian signed and the 22-times Grand Slam champion looked to draw a line under the issue. Djokovic missed last year's Australian Open and was deported from the country due to being unvaccinated for COVID. He won the Melbourne title this year despite a row that erupted after his father posed with some fans holding Russian flags. "A drama-free Grand Slam, I don't think it can happen for me," Djokovic added. Anna Blinkova dashed French hopes with a stunning 4-6 6-3 7-5 victory over fifth seed Caroline Garcia, wrapping up victory on her ninth match point.

Persons: Roland Garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena, Benoit Tessier, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Garcia, Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Jiri Vesely, Roberto Carballes Baena, Japan's Taro Daniel, Denis Shapovalov, Ismet Krasniqi, Amelie Oudea, Castera, Elina Svitolina, Australian Storm Hunter, Svitolina, Sabalenka, Iryna Shymanovich, Marta Kostyuk, I've, Jelena Ostapenko, Peyton Stearns, Barbora, Lesia Tsurenko, Swiatek, Suzanne Lenglen, Jessica Pegula, Camila Giorgi, Anna Blinkova, Caroline Garcia, Kokkinakis, Stan Wawrinka, Andrey Rublev, Corentin, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis, Ed Osmond Organizations: Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena REUTERS, Tennis Federation, Serbian, Marton, COVID, Melbourne, Kosovo Olympic, International Olympic Committee, Kosovo's Olympic, International Tennis Federation, Australian Storm, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Kosovo, PARIS, Serbia, Marton Fucsovics, Serbian, Ukrainian, Ukraine

☆ Top seed Swiatek enjoys winning start to French Open title defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, May 30 (Reuters) - World number one Iga Swiatek launched her French Open title defence on Tuesday by easing past Spain's Cristina Bucsa 6-4 6-0 to move into the second round. The Pole, chasing a third French Open title in four years, got off to a sluggish start on a windy afternoon on Philippe Chatrier court. The top seed heeded the early wake-up call and bounced back towards the business end of the set, breaking back to seal it. She made amends for her first-set wobble with a bagel as she looks to add to her 2020 and 2022 French Open titles and protect her top spot from world number two Aryna Sabalenka. "Of course I feel pressure, we all feel pressure," said Swiatek, who turns 22 on Wednesday.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Spain's Cristina Bucsa, Philippe Chatrier, Swiatek, Karolos, Toby Davis, Christian Organizations: PARIS, WTA, Thomson Locations: Paris

☆ Too much 'rubbish' being talked about Ukraine on tour, says Svitolina
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) - Discussions about the war in Ukraine on the tennis circuit avoid the important issues and are just empty words that do not support people who are suffering, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina said on Monday. The 28-year-old former world number three stopped playing shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. She returned to action in April this year following the birth of her first child but said she was disappointed by what she has been hearing on the tour regarding Ukraine. "We are missing the main point that people at this time need help as never before. "We are missing the main point and talking, talking, talking about nothing," she said.

☆ Women’s Tennis Suddenly Has a Big(ish) Three
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

And yet something has been happening with this group lately in the rivalry-starved women’s game — something that could all come together in a glorious rumble during the next two weeks at the French Open. The first of the three to play at Roland Garros, Sabalenka, started her tournament with a win over Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in a match tinged with wartime bitterness. Ever since Ashleigh Barty of Australia retired while atop the rankings in March 2022 at age 25, Swiatek, Rybakina and Sabalenka have been hogging nearly all of the most prestigious trophies. Swiatek has been among the most outspoken critics of Russia’s invasion, helping to raise millions of dollars to support relief efforts in Ukraine. Rybakina and Sabalenka hail from the two countries perpetrating the war, as Kostyuk reminded everyone Sunday.

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