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☆ 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.

☆ Stephens puts down marker on 'favourite court in the world'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 29, 2023 Sloane Stephens of the U.S. celebrates winning her first round match against Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova REUTERS/Clodagh KilcoynePARIS, May 29 (Reuters) - Sloane Stephens relished every moment she spent on her favourite court in the world as the she cruised to a 6-0 6-4 first-round victory over former world number one Karolina Pliskova on Monday to put down an early marker at the French Open. "This is my favourite court in the world and I am super happy to be back," said Stephens, currently ranked 30th. Stephens came into the tournament in improving form on clay after winning her first WTA 125 event and reaching the semi-finals on clay in Rabat last week. "To start like that on your favourite court and favourite surface is great. I wanted to get matches under my belt this year (before the tournament) and I was feeling confident," Stephens said.

☆ French Open preview: With Rafael Nadal absent and Iga Światek's dominance under threat, tournament is hard to call
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —It felt like the beginning of the end of an era at the French Open when Rafael Nadal announced his absence from the tournament earlier this month. How to watchIn the United States, the French Open is available to watch on NBC, streaming service Peacock, Tennis Channel, and Bally Sports. A list of international broadcasters and the full draw are available on the French Open website. “A new generation is here already,” Djokovic said after his quarterfinal defeat at the Italian Open. Questions about scheduling may persist in the coming weeks given the way night sessions were scrutinized at last year’s French Open.

☆ Rybakina targets deep run at Roland Garros after Rome triumph
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Moscow-born 23-year-old bagged her second title of 2023 after her Indian Wells triumph and fifth overall when Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina retired while trailing 6-4 1-0. "I think with my game, I can play good on all the surfaces," said Rybakina, who also reached the Australian Open and Miami finals this season. Rybakina reached the third round at Roland Garros last year and hoped playing in Paris would be easier this time. Kalinina, whose hopes of a first title were dashed due to a leg injury, said Rybakina had the qualities to succeed on clay. She's making winners like no one on tour... anyone can win in Paris, but she has good chances," Kalinina said.

☆ Rybakina defeats Ostapenko in rain-delayed Italian Open semi-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, May 19 (Reuters) - Seventh seed Elena Rybakina beat Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-4 in a rain-delayed semi-final at the Italian Open on Friday and will play Anhelina Kalinina in Saturday's final. Rybakina prevailed in a fairly straight-forward first set in a match delayed by more than an hour - and then interrupted - due to persistent rain. Ostapenko gained momentum in the second set and took a 3-0 lead but Rybakina shortened the distance to 4-2 just before rain briefly forced the players off court. "I didn't start that well the second set. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru and Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Swiatek 'plays it safe' with Rome retirement ahead of French Open defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Top seed and two-time defending champion in Rome, Swiatek was tied 2-2 with Elena Rybakina in the deciding set on Wednesday when she decided she could not continue. "To be ready for Roland Garros I need to recover right now. Swiatek won the Stuttgart Open in April when she beat world number two Aryna Sabalenka. The French Open runs from May 28 to June 11. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Where to watch Man City vs. Real Madrid live stream for free online from anywhere
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Brendan Griffiths | Senior Commerce Director | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

This guide has everything you need to know about where to watch a Man City vs. Real Madrid live stream for free tonight. Where to watch Man City vs. Real Madrid in CanadaSoccer fans in Canada will need to stump up some extra cash to enjoy a Champions League live stream of Man City vs. Real Madrid tonight, as DAZN Canada holds the local viewing rights. Man City vs. Real Madrid free live streamThere are several free options available today. Another option to watch Man City vs. Real Madrid for free online is to tune into the Austrian option via Servus TV or perhaps the Luxembourg channel, RTL Zwee, as both are showing a live stream free of charge. How to watch Man City vs. Real Madrid with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one.

☆ Where to watch Inter Milan vs. AC Milan live stream for free online from anywhere
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Brendan Griffiths | Senior Commerce Director | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Looking for the latest information on where to watch an Inter Milan vs. AC Milan live stream for free tonight? Where to watch Inter Milan vs. AC Milan in CanadaSoccer fans in Canada will need to stump up some extra cash to enjoy a Champions League live stream of Inter Milan vs. AC Milan tonight, as DAZN Canada holds the local viewing rights. Inter Milan vs. AC Milan free live streamThere are several free options available today. The most reliable non-US option for a free live stream of Inter Milan vs. AC Milan is via switching your VPN to Luxembourg and enjoying free coverage over on RTL Zwee. How to watch Inter Milan vs. AC Milan with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one.

☆ Alcaraz stunned by Hungarian qualifier Marozsan in Rome
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Alcaraz raced to a 4-1 lead but Marozsan hit back in superb style to reel off six points and hand the world number two only his second defeat on clay in 22 matches this season. "It's not easy to say something," Marozsan said immediately after the biggest win of his career. World number three Daniil Medvedev earned a hard-fought 3-6 6-1 6-3 win over Spain's Bernabe Zapata Miralles to reach the last 16 in Rome for the first time. In the women's draw, Elena Rybakina saw off Marketa Vondrousova 6-3 6-3 to reach her first claycourt WTA 1000 quarter-final, where she will face either top-ranked Iga Swiatek, the twice defending champion, or Croatia's Donna Vekic. Tsitsipas had taken the first set 6-3 against Sonego while Zverev leads 6-4 3-3 against Wolf.

☆ Alcaraz powers to victory over Ramos-Vinolas on Rome debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Barcelona and Madrid champion Alcaraz, who is chasing his fifth title of 2023 and fourth on clay ahead of Roland Garros, overcame an early loss of serve amid heavy conditions at the Foro Italico to level up the opening set at 2-2. Alcaraz continued to build momentum and raced ahead 3-0 in the second set against a fading Ramos-Vinolas, wrapping up the match on serve to make it 12 wins in a row. "It wasn't easy," said Alcaraz, who will now leapfrog Novak Djokovic into top spot in the rankings on May 22. "The first round of every tournament is really tough and, of course, Ramos-Vinolas is a specialist on clay. Monte Carlo champion Andrey Rublev earlier overcame Alex Molcan 6-3 6-4 in a twice-interrupted match to book his place in the third round.

☆ 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.

☆ Where to watch AC Milan vs. Inter Milan live stream for free online from anywhere
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Brendan Griffiths | Senior Commerce Director | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Looking for the latest information on where to watch an AC Milan vs. Inter Milan live stream for free tonight? Over in Austria, you can stream AC Milan vs. Inter Milan for free via ServusTV. Where to watch AC Milan vs. Inter Milan in CanadaSoccer fans in Canada will need to stump up some extra cash to enjoy a Champions League live stream of AC Milan vs. Inter Milan tonight, as DAZN Canada holds the local viewing rights. AC Milan vs. Inter Milan free live streamThere are several free options available today. There are multiple options around Europe tonight to watch AC Milan vs. Inter Milan for free online.

☆ Kenin moves into Rome second round with battling win, Fernandez out
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

I didn't feel a 100% but it doesn't matter, a win is a win and I'm going to take it," said Kenin, who converted seven of her 21 breakpoints. I felt tired and... after three hours I'd imagine that she was too, so I just had to battle it out." Former U.S. Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez was beaten 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3 by Aliaksandra Sasnovich, while 2019 French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova overcame Kaia Kanepi 6-0 4-6 6-2 in other first round matches. The 37-year-old Czech will take on world number eight Maria Sakkari in the second round. The men's tournament headlined by six-times champion Novak Djokovic and Rome debutant Carlos Alcaraz begins on Wednesday.

☆ Where to watch Real Madrid vs. Man City live stream for free online from anywhere
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Brendan Griffiths | Senior Commerce Director | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Looking for the latest information on where to watch a Real Madrid vs. Man City live stream for free tonight? How to watch Real Madrid vs. Man City online from anywhereA VPN is the best way to get around geo-restrictions and is a viable option for today's game. Where to watch Real Madrid vs. Man City in CanadaSoccer fans in Canada will need to stump up some extra cash to enjoy a Champions League live stream of Real Madrid vs. Man City tonight, as DAZN Canada holds the local viewing rights. Real Madrid vs. Man City free live streamThere are several free options available today. How to watch Real Madrid vs. Man City with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one.

☆ Sabalenka seeking revenge in Madrid showdown with Swiatek
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, May 5 (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka said she was relishing the challenge of playing Iga Swiatek in Saturday's Madrid Open final, with revenge on her mind having lost to the world number one in the Stuttgart title clash last month. Swiatek cruised past Belarusian Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 to win the Stuttgart crown in a repeat of last year's final to confirm her status as favourite for the French Open later this month. World number two Sabalenka said she was prepared for another tough battle in the pair's latest clash, as she bids to improve her 2-5 win-loss record against Swiatek. I would just go one more time, try better and fight for this title," Sabalenka said after beating Maria Sakkari 6-4 6-1 in the semi-final. "Before, like our first matches last season when I didn't feel my best, it was really tough because I didn't have so many weapons.

☆ Surgery rules Raducanu out of French Open, Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Tennis - WTA 500 - Stuttgart Open - Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - April 18, 2023 Britain's Emma Raducanu in action during her round of 32 match against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko REUTERS/Angelika WarmuthMay 3 (Reuters) - Britain's Emma Raducanu will miss the French Open and Wimbledon while she recovers from surgery on her wrists and ankle, the former U.S. Open champion said on Wednesday. "I'm having a minor procedure done on both hands to resolve the issues. I'm disappointed to share that I will be out for the next few months and while I am at it will have another minor procedure that is due on my ankle." Raducanu, who has struggled with form and fitness since her fairytale run to the U.S. Open title as an 18-year-old qualifier in 2021, withdrew from the Madrid Open last month citing an injury to her right hand. She also lost in the first round in Miami and Stuttgart and was beaten in straight sets by Coco Gauff in the second round of the Australian Open.

☆ Sky's Storti named CEO of WTA's new commercial entity
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 3 (Reuters) - Sky broadcast executive Marina Storti has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of WTA Ventures, the new commercial entity of the governing body of women's tennis. Storti, who most recently ran Sky's sport, cinema and entertainment streaming platform NOW after becoming its managing director in April 2019, is expected to begin her new role in August and will also be on the WTA Ventures board. WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon said the appointment would help drive the new entity forward. "Her ambition, passion and commitment positions her perfectly to help guide WTA Ventures in this next innovative era of the WTA," he added. Private equity fund CVC Capital Partners became the WTA's commercial partner in March with a minor stake in the governing body.

☆ No substitute for experience as Sabalenka rallies past Sherif
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sabalenka, who won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this year, said the top players were able to take their opportunities by staying focused while younger players tended to overthink things. You're not going over-crazy about things. "As a top player, you understand ... you're calmer and understand things better. World number 59 Sherif will return to the top 50 next Monday after becoming the first Egyptian to reach the quarter-final of a WTA 1000 tournament. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sabalenka moves into Madrid Open semis, Medvedev upset by Karatsev
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sabalenka was not at her best and made 37 unforced errors in the match, but the Australian Open champion bounced back midway through the second set to win 10 games in a row and take control. Sabalenka saved a set point at 5-1 but Sherif, playing in her first WTA 1000 quarter-final after beating three seeded players, served out to take the opening set. The Egyptian took the lead in the second set too before Sabalenka, who was a break down, finally found her groove to break four times and force a decider. She played unbelievable tennis, she's a claycourt specialist and I'm very happy with this win," Sabalenka said. Karatsev, ranked 121 in the world, has now beaten world number three Medvedev twice in his career with both wins coming on clay.

☆ Mirra Andreeva celebrates her 16th birthday and another astonishing victory at the Madrid Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —It has been quite the weekend for Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva. On Saturday she celebrated her 16th birthday and also continued her remarkable progress at the Madrid Open. Andreeva, ranked world No. The Russian was runner-up at this year’s junior Australian Open and now has 16 professional wins to her name. “I didn’t expect to be here and playing Sabalenka in the round of 16,” Andreeva told the Tennis Channel, according to the WTA.

☆ Russian Andreeva, 15, stuns Fernandez in Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 27 (Reuters) - Russian 15-year-old Mirra Andreeva became the third-youngest player to win a main draw match at a WTA 1000 event by stunning 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 6-3 6-4 in the opening round of the Madrid Open on Wednesday. Andreeva, ranked 194th in the world, saved five of the six break points she faced against world number 49 Fernandez of Canada. She will face Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round later on Thursday at the claycourt tournament. Andreeva said she had needed time to recover from her defeat in the Australian Open girls' final earlier this year, where she lost the match after winning the first set. "My coach said to me after maybe five years you will not even remember that you played the Australian Open final or against who.

☆ Raducanu pulls out of Madrid before first round
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Tennis - WTA 500 - Stuttgart Open - Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - April 18, 2023 Britain's Emma Raducanu in action during her round of 32 match against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko REUTERS/Angelika WarmuthMADRID, April 25 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu withdrew from the Madrid Open shortly before she was due on court to play Viktoriya Tomova in the first round on Wednesday. The 20-year-old British player cited an injury to her right hand as the reason for her withdrawal. It is the latest setback for Raducanu who has struggled for form and fitness since her fairytale run to the title at Flushing Meadows in 2021 as an 18-year-old qualifier. She lost in the first round in Miami and Stuttgart and by missing Madrid she will likely fall outside the top 100 in the WTA rankings for the first time since her stunning breakthrough. Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 10 Things in Tech: Charlie Bell speaks, Amazon RTO, and the lucrative side of teaching ChatGPT
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Amazon needs to watch out for Charlie Bell. A founder of Amazon Web Services and the firm's "best person in the room," Bell shook the industry last September when he joined Microsoft. Bell will be overseeing a new cybersecurity division at Microsoft — but insiders at both Amazon and Microsoft wonder if he'll go more directly up against his former employer. My colleague Ashley Stewart examines the growing threat of Microsoft now that Bell is free from his noncompete purgatory. Look into the future here for Bell — and Microsoft — without Amazon's restrictions.

CNN —Wimbledon will cover accommodation costs for Ukrainian tennis players competing at this year’s tournament, organizers announced on Tuesday. Last month, organizers announced that Russian and Belarusian players would be able to participate at Wimbledon as “neutrals” having been barred from competing last year amid the war in Ukraine. Russian and Belarusian flags will be prohibited, while any symbols or signs of support for the war or for either the Russian or Belarusian regime won’t be allowed. Bolton said that the tournament won’t be shown in Russia or Belarus and that Russian media will not be welcome at this year’s event. Wimbledon, the third grand slam of the calendar year, runs from July 3 to 16.

☆ Tennis Polish airline says it refused boarding to Russian tennis player
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Tennis player Vitalia Diatchenko said on Monday she was refused boarding to a LOT flight in Cairo, with German airline Lufthansa then also refusing to sell her a ticket. The European Union has banned all flights from Russia and has agreed to limit issuing free-travel Schengen zone visas. In September, Finland joined the Baltic states and Poland in closing its borders to Russian tourists. Unlike many other sports, tennis did not introduce a blanket ban on players from Russia and its ally Belarus after the invasion of Ukraine. Russian and Belarusian players have been competing on the tours and at the other Grand Slams as neutral athletes.

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