ATP
Alcaraz overcomes Djokovic to win Wimbledon title

Carlos Alcaraz out-duelled 23-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 on Sunday, becoming the third Spaniard to win Wimbledon.
The 20-year-old top seed who will hold onto the No. 1 ranking triumphed in one of the longest men’s finals at Wimbledon – four hours, 42 minutes.
The record of four hours 57 minutes was held by Djokovic and Roger Federer from 2019. Alcaraz follows Spanish champions Manolo Santana and Rafael Nadal
Defeat ended Djokovic’s Wimbledon win streak at 34 matches, the result of him winning the last four editions here; he was bidding to tie Federer on eight Wimbledon trophies.
Alcaraz set up match point with a service winner which was followed by Djokovic delivering the ball into the next to end the marathon.
“This is a dream come true, the winner said. “It’s great to win but even if I had lost I would be proud of myself for making history at this beautiful tournament.
“To be able to play at this. I didn’t expect things to happen so fast.”
Djokovic, winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 years older than the 20-year-old winner, was able to swallow his massive disappointment
“It’s not such a good afternoon for me – better one for Carlos.
“It’s amazing the quality at the end of the match. Carlos came up with big serves, big plays. You deserve this win.
“I didn’t think I would have this much trouble with you on the grass – just clay and hardcourt.
“It’s amazing the way you’ve adapted to the surface,” he told the pre-Wimbledon winner at Queen’s last month.
Djokovic added: “I never like to lose matches like this, it’s a tough one to swallow when you are so close. But when the emotions have settled, I have to be grateful.
:”I’ve won a few tight finals here, maybe I should have lost a few of them – so this is even Steven.
“I lost to a better player and can move on and be stronger.”
With Djokovic running out the first five games, it took 32 minutes for Alcaraz to get onto the scoreboard as he finally held for 1-5. But that minor success was followed minutes later by a winning over head smash on set point from the Serb.
Alcaraz got into rhythm in the second set as he broke his opponent for 2-0, with Djokovic immediately breaking back.
But the tight set went to a tiebreaker, with Alcaraz coming from 0-3 down and saving a set point before converting his own on a Djokovic backhand error to level the match after two hours.

Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
The Spaniard began the third with a break and moved into domination mode, with Djokovic arguing along the way with chair umpire Fergus Murphy about a time violation as he went for the backcourt towel.
Alcaraz built up confidence as he broke the second seed for 4-1 in a 26-minute game with 13 deuces; Djokovic saved six break points before netting a forehand on the seventh.
Alcaraz took a two-set-to-one lead with a concluding break, for his own 6-1 scoreline; Djokovic left the court for a lengthy seven-minute toilet break, getting some jeers when he returned.
The veteran fought off two break points in the second game of the fourth to hold for 1-1 as he tried to get back into the final. The tactic worked a treat as Djokovic broke twice to square the match at two sets each.

With tensions running high, Djokovic was first to lose serve, dropping to 1-2; during his losing effort he slipped down, got up in time to return the next ball and was finally passed by the youngster.
A racquet smashed in anger into the net post earned a code violation for the second seed.
Main photo:-Wimbledon 2023 Carlos Alcaraz celebrates as he wins Men’s Singles Final by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
ATP
Alcaraz masters tough conditions for third Barca final

Carlos Alcaraz booked his third straight final at the Barcelona Open on a windy Saturday, repeating his win from last week over Arthur Fils.
The Spanish top seed advanced 6-2, 6-4 into Sunday’s title match, where he takes on Holger Rune for the first time on clay.
Rune, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Karen Khachanov, stands 1-2 against Alcraz on the Tour, with the pair meeting 20 times (10-10) in juniors.
In Monte Carlo eight days ago, Alcaraz needed to come from a set down to beat Fils on his way to the title.
The Barcelona meeting was less dramatic for the local world No. 2, owns titles here from 2022 and 2023 (he was injured and did not play in 2024). He has now won his last 14 Barcelona matches.
Alcaraz was helped in the first set as Fils twice lost serve on double-faults, The French challenger lifted in the second set but was still unable to break through.
He drew a code violation for ball abuse after losing ser to trail 2-1 but saved two match points before Alcaraz clinched victory in 76 minutes.
Alcaraz won his ninth straight clay match, with Fils striking a massive 38 unforced errors.
“I’m just glad it was sunny, even if the wind was really tough to deal with,” Alcaraz said. “He was playing fantastic tennis,
“I had to do what I had to do – and I did it pretty well. I focused on my game and hitting the right shot. I’m happy I was able to do that.
“To be in this final again means a lot. I used to watch the Barcelona finals on TV as a little kid. Let’s see if I can end with the trophy tomorrow in front of my people.”
ATP
Rune puts on masterclass to crush Khachanov

Holger Rune will return to the ATP live ranking top 10 after a near-flawless 6-3, 6-2 display against Karen Khachanov on Saturday which sends the Dane into the final of the Barcelona Open.
Rune needed just 67 minutes to completely dominate in the semi-final on a court named in honour of Rafael Nadal, holding his opponent to just five winners for the match – and only one in the second set.
The No. 13 Scandinavian, by contrast, produced 21 winners and profitted from superb drop shots to ensure the win.
Khachanov was leading 3-2 in the opening set when Rune erupted.
“I was playing very good from the back of the court and mixing up the pace,” the winner said. I played most of the match the right way.
“I was aggressive and hitting through my shots. Rising in the ranking is a motivation, but I was treating this like a training week, trying to get better every day.
“Now it’s becoming more than a training week and I’m happy to be in another final (after Indian Wells in March. I’m happy with how I handled things today.”
Rune will play top seed Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final.
Main photo:- Holger Rune winning in Barcelona – by ATPTour.com
ATP
Tsitsipas quits Barca match with illness

Arthur Fils spent just 20 minutes on court before advancing to the semi-finals in Barcelona on Friday as opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas quit their quarter-final with apparent illness.
The rising Frenchman collected a 2-0 win as the four-time runner-up walked to the net midway through the third game, unable to continue.
Fills will take on two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the title match.
The pair played only last week in Monte Carlos, with Alcaraz posting a comeback quarter-final win.
“I think Stef has a bug, but I’m not sure,” Fils said. “I was ready to battle for a few hours, we always have tough matches.
“I hope he will be ready for the next weeks and Roland Garros.”
The No. 14 said he is pleased with the state of his own game: “I’m playing great, the match in Monte Carlo against Carlitos was positive even if I lost.”
Main photo; Arthus Fils in action -by ISF Ltd
-
Dubai3 weeks ago
Kasatkina confirms move to Australia
-
ATP4 weeks ago
Henman joins Team Europe as Noah’s assistant
-
ATP4 weeks ago
Dimitrov casts his spell on Khachanov
-
Miami Open4 weeks ago
Paolini powers past Osaka in Miami
-
ATP3 weeks ago
Badosa aims for back injury return by Madrid
-
Miami Open4 weeks ago
Raducanu wins Miami “Emmafest”
-
Rouen4 days ago
Dart apologizes for “stinky” opponent jibe
-
Miami Open4 weeks ago
Raducanu set for huge rankings boost after Miami Open win