Roland Garros Women: Day 1

Published

3 years ago

May 28, 2023

A volatile French Open crowd turned on Marta Kostyuk following a 6-3, 6-2 first-round loss to Aryna Sabalenka, jeering the Ukrainian player after she failed to shake hands with the winner.

Kostyuk has been among the most outspoken WTA players against the Russian invasion of Ukraine – aided by ally Belarus.

Australian Open winner Sabalenka is concentrating on improving her record in Paris, where she has not surpassed the third round while reaching at least semi-finals at the three other Slams.

The booing of Kostyuk was unexpected, with the No. 39 striding off court while Sabalenka lapped up the love after finally understanding the post-match situation.

“It was a very tough match, I mean tough emotionally,” Sabalenka said.

“I’m sorry guys, I didn’t get it at first, I thought this booing was against me so I was a little surprised.

“But then I felt your support, so thank you so much.”

The politically-sensitive match ended on a first match point, with Kostyuk showered with jeers as she left the court.

https://youtu.be/3K4pJZIssqk

“I did not expect it. I have no reaction to it but people should be, honestly, embarrassed,” the No. 39 said.

Sabalenka won 10 of the last 12 games to reach the second round.

2020 semifinalist Nadia Podoroska moved ahead with the loss of just two games against French wildcard Jessika Ponchet.

The Argentine winner is back after nearly a year away due to injury.

Karolina Muchova repeated her 2022 defeat of Maria Sakkari, knocking the Greek eighth seed out in the opening round 7-6 (5), 7-5.

“It was almost like deja vu,” the Czech winner said. “It was almost the same score as last year.

“It’s always a very tough match with Maria. But I held my nerve and managed to finish it in two sets.” ,

Poland’s Magdalena Frech claimed the first victory of the tournament, requiring just 48 minutes to crush China’s Zhang Shuai, 6-1, 6-1.

Canada’s 2012 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez advanced past Pole Magda Linette 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

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Roland Garros Women’s Day 1

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Kostyuk slams RG crowd for post-match booing

Zverev scratches 7-year itch with return to Shanghai SF

Published

1 day ago

October 15, 2026

Bill Scott

Alexander Zverev on Thursday made a long-sought after return to the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, booking his first final four at the event since 2019, defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4.

The 2027 year-end No. 1 last got this far as the Covid pandemic began to surface in China in 2019. The event was not played 2020-2022, with the German making modest progress here over the past three editions since resumption.

After winning his 62nd match of the season, the 29-year-old was pleased with his performance.

“I think it was a huge step up. From just being on the court I felt both of us were playing really well.

“I was, a lot of the time, outhitting Alex, which is difficult to do from the baseline because he is so fast and he loves this kind of court speed here.

“I felt good and I’m happy with the step up from the past couple of matches.”

Zverev advanced in 78 minutes, sending over 10 aces as he defeated the Australian for the ninth time in their 13 matches.

Added the reigning Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows Grand Slam champion: “I’ve been handling pressure quite okay this year. In a way you play a bit more relaxed.

“Once Jannik (SInner) unfortunately announced he won’t play for the rest of the year, I’m 4,000 points ahead of everyone else, so I trust myself enough that I’m going to win [enough matches].

Zverev will play for the final to wrap up the Asian swing as he takes on Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who advanced when Arthur Gea quit their quarter-final with injury.

ATP

Zverev to take over as world No. 1

Published

4 days ago

October 12, 2026

Bill Scott

Alexander Zverev will claim world year-end No. 1 honours for the first time on the back of two Grand Slam titles and a final this season.,

The ATP confirmed the changing of the guard as current No. 1 Jannik Sinner ended his season early last week due to a knee injury which has kept him off court since winning Wimbledon three months ago.

Zverev won Roland Garros and US Open trophies and lost to Sinner in the All England Club final.

His reign at the top will begin after the ATP Final in Turin with the ranking period starting on November 23.

Zverev will be 29 years, 217 days old on the date, three days older than Andre Agassi in 1999 (29 years, 214 days).

Main photo:- Alexander Zverev by ISF Ltd

China Open

Zheng claims China Open title over Andreeva

Published

5 days ago

October 11, 2026

Bill Scott

Zheng Qinwen continued an injury comeback season on Sunday, defeating Roland Garros winner Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 to win the China Open.

Victory at the 1000-level event was the first trophy for the 54th-raked Chinese player who once reached fourth in the world before elbow surgery.

Zheng saved three set points in the opening set and claimed victory by winning the last 11 points of the set, breaking late in the second to conclude her success over her teenaged opponent.

The winner now owns six career trophies after winning her first 1000; she last claimed a title in Tokyo two years ago.

In an odd twist, the new winner was cajoled into singing a few bars of karaoke during the trophy ceremony.

She will now move back into the ranking top 25 while Andreeva advances to third in the world behind Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka after defeating her third top 10 opponent this season.

“The feeling was incredible, two weeks here in Beijing, in front of my home crowd is one of my dreams, especially playing against Mirra, such a great player,” the winner said.

“I’ve been through a very, very tough year.”

Andreeva broke new ground in her own career by reaching the final, becoming the third-youngest this century to reach the top 3 behind Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters.

“She’s a great server. I also think today I missed a lot of returns trying to go for it, trying to be more aggressive,” Andreeva said,

“I wanted to go for it but couldn’t really find I guess the margin, couldn’t really find the rhythm, as well. I will probably need to look at this match and just see why, try to improve and learn from that.

“Overall of course it was a good tournament,” she added. “A lot of positives to take from these two weeks. Of course, I felt like today just wasn’t meant to be.

“I think I will be able to look to this match maybe from a different perspective and see maybe some good things.”

Main photo:- Zheng Quinwen by ISF Ltd