French Open winner Alexander Zverev on Thursday continued his smooth transition onto the grass with Wimbledon only days away, booking the ATP Halle quarter-finals with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) defeat of fellow German Yannik Hanfmann  

Zverev never faced a break point in victory, taking 81 minutes to reach the last eight 

“It was a very good-level grass-court match. Both of us were serving extremely well. I used the chances that I had. I didn’t have many, but the ones I did have, I used them well.”

Zverev reached Halle finals in 2016 and 2017 but has never lifted the home trophy in the north of the country.

US seeds Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz will face off again on German grass just four days after Shelton beat his compatriot on German grass to lift the Stuttgart title, his third of 2026/

Fritz earned a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Fabian Marozsan, while Shelton put out Ethan Quinn 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.“It’s a different court, but similar tactic,” Shelton said of the upcoming Fritz rematch. “He’s going to be coming after me hard, as he always does. Same with me coming after him.

“I’m excited to match up with him again. We have a nice rivalry going: a lot of really tight matches.”

Paula Badosa threw tennis ex-boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas under the bus after a Berlin match win, saying the traces relationship had her considering just quitting her sport.

Badosa reached the quarter-finals of the WTA Berlin pre-Wimbledon event and took the opportunity to unload on Greek Tsitsipas, whose game has gone into a major slump from his former top 10 standing to a dismal 80th on the ATP computer.

“You can have an excellent relationship with an ex, because they are normal people and the relationship remains normal,” the No. 142 said. 

“But when that’s not the case… I don’t need to say more. Every day we see the other person making things more complicated.

“When there are toxic things around you, everything becomes much more difficult than a normal breakup.” 

The New York-born 28-year-old Spaniard who once reached second in the world, said worrying about the relationship and its bitter end gave her pause to consider packing in her career due both in her personal life and a run of mainly

 back injuries  which contributed to her rankings plunge.

“After Madrid (late April) I had to stop (until last week); mentally it was too much for me. I couldn’t find a way to see a light (at the end of the tunnel).

“A year ago, I was in the top 10, and seeing where I am now isn’t easy. That’s the professional side. 

“On the personal side, the process hasn’t been easy either, trying to clear a lot of things from my life.”

 “I’ve been in a good environment for a few months, but getting past the toxic things around me wasn’t easy. 

“But it’s something you have to go through as a woman, and I’m feeling strong again.”

Main photo:- Badosa and Tsitsipas in happier days.

Lorenzo Musetti will miss Wimbledon, joining fellow high-profile absentee Carlos Alcaraz on the sidelines when the grass-court major.kicks off in less than a fortnight.

The 15th-ranked Italian who stood fifth last season has not competed since taking a straight-set loss to Casper Ruud in the Rome fourth round a month ago while carrying a thigh injury.

The 2024 Wimbledon semi-finalist who lost in the first round a year ago explained his health situation:“I want to update you on my recovery from the injury I sustained in Rome: rehabilitation is going very well and the medical results are encouraging.

“Unfortunately, as I have not yet been able to begin a full athletic training program, and after careful evaluation, we have come to the difficult conclusion that I will not be able to participate in Wimbledon this year. 

“It is not an easy decision, but it is the right one. My priority is to return to the court at 100 per cent. Thank you for your continued support — see you soon.”

The pullout did have a silver lining for Italy, with 2021 All England club finalist Matteo Berrettini (49th and coming back from injury) now into the main draw as a result of his compatriot’s pullout.