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Roland Garros 2026 Women’s Day 4

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Iga Swiatek ran her winning record at Roland Garros to 42-3 on Wednesday as the third seed demolished Czech Sara Bejlek 6-2, 6-3 for a spot in the third round on another toasty day.

But there was a shock as second seed Elena Rybakina was bundled out 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) by Yuliia Starodubtseva in a dramatic finish on Lenglen in late afternoon heat.

Rybakina, a double Grand Slam winner who claimed the Australian Open crown in January, exited with more than 70 unforced errors after coming from a break down in the third set.

“It’s just a pity, because I was practising well before French Open, and I thought that I can raise the level,” the Kazakh said. 

“But actually today it was a very bad performance, too many unforced errors. I didn’t feel the greatest. I was trying to find a way, but it clearly didn’t work.”

Four-time Paris title winner Swiatek has only ever lost here to Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari and Simona Halep in eight appearances dating to 2019. She has won 28 of her last 29 matches at the event.

The heatwave which kicked off at the weekend continued with temperatures in the lower 30s Celsius, with no relief expected until Sunday when temperatures are expected to drop to around 24.

“Usually the weather is quite different (chillier) here, but it doesn’t matter. It’s going to change, I feel, in the second part of the tournament,” Swiatek said. 

“I guess this tournament is really about whoever will cope with both of these conditions will win.”

Third seed Swiatek called the contest “a tricky match in terms of the rhythm, because Sara plays differently than most of the players,” after her opponent made life more difficult in the second set..

“But I’m happy with the way I adjusted and how I was making decisions..sometimes, yeah, it was not so obvious when to go and
attack and stay back.”

Swiatek will next face Polish compatriot Magda Linette, who upset 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostpenko 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

Linette stunned former world No. 1 Swiatek two months ago in the Miami second round. 

Tournament seventh seed Elina Svitolina, this month’s Rome champion, rolled through Kaitlin Quevedo 6-0, 6-4 to reach the third round here for an 11th time.

The Ukrainian extended her winning streak to eight matches in a row, marking her 31st of the season.

Swiss former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic advanced with the loss of just four games as she hammered American Caty McNally, breaking six times from seven chances in 86 minutes on court.

The first woman to reach the third round lost just seven points as she ran away with a love second set. 

But Bencic said it was not a flawless performance.  “At the start it was a bit more tricky to get into the rhythm,. With my serving I felt not so great today.

“But I thought I was experienced enough and maybe more smart today to win (without) playing perfect tennis.”

She added: “I’m in the third round. I’m feeling good when I’m practising. I like the

conditions. My aim is to win the next round.”

American Payton Stearns advanced 6-4, 6-0 over Daris Snigur of Ukraine while Swiss Viktorija Golubic beat Alicia Parks 2 and 2.  

ATP

Sinner stages fightback to win second Wimbledon

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Jannik Sinner rallied after dropping a 65-minute opening set, with the Italian lifting his second straight Wimbledon title 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday over Alexander Zverev.

The result between the pair of elites will keep Sinner on world No. 1 while Zverev nudges injured Carlos Alcaraz aside to take the second ranking position as a result of his performance here.

Sinner collected a fifth trophy at a major after fading in the heat six weeks ago to exit the French Open second round but working with his team and taking medical advice to get back on top of the fitness situation.

Sinner’s recovery in his first-round match from two sets to one down took him all the way to the title a fortnight later.

Sinner crushed a forehand to the empty court on match point to clinch victory in three and three-quarter hours.

“It’s been an amazing final one again. Sasha and I gae it all we had,” Sinner said. “I’m happy about the win and the level that we both played.

“thanks to this crowd – there is no better place to play tennis.”

The Championships Wimbledon 2026 Day Gentlemen’s singles final Jannik Sinner kisses the Winners Trophy after he wins in four sets by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

The match began as a slow-moving affair, with each of the first two sets taking an hour as the pair tested each other throughout. Zverev came to Centre Court one month off his breakthrough Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.  

Italy’s Sinner won his first Wimbledon trophy a year ago over Alcaraz, who has been off court since April with a wrist injury and has no return date as of yet.

The victory was his 44th of the season against a mere three defeats and his fifth title of 2026.

Zverev accepted defeat and joked during the trophy ceremony: “Jannik, I’m not sure I like you any more. You’ve beaten me 10 times in a row

“But congratulations, Jannik showed why he’s the best player in the world. It was great to share Centre Court with you.

“Unfortunately it did not go my way, but me and my team have had a pretty good two months even if I lost this final.

“I came here never reaching the quarter-finals. At age 29 I actually feel that I can win this trophy.”

The Championships Wimbledon 2026 Gentlemen’s singles winner Jannik Sinner (ITA) with Winners Trophy shows off the trophy from the members balcony after four set -Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

The German, who went through a serious knee injury drama several seasons ago, suffered a scare in the third set as he slipped while chasing a Sinner dropshot.

“The 29-year-old sat on the grass favouring his right knee as Sinner came around the net to help him to his feet. Zverev played on after the incident without any medical intervention.

Zverev drew first blood by winning the opening set to end a 14-set losing streak against Sinner.

But the Italian top seed slowly turned the momentum as his game kicked  in.

After winning the second and third sets, Sinner moved towards domination of his German opponent in the fourth set 

The holder came from 0-30 down to square at two games apiece and broke on his third opportunity of the seventh game to take 4-3 command, backing that up with a love game, 5-3.

Sinner claimed the trophy three games later, firing 15 aces among more than 50 winners. 

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner falls to the ground to celebrate as he wins Men’s Singles – by Roger Parker/ISF LTD

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Zverev brings the curtain down on Fery-tale run

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Alexander Zverev dominated from the start to end the unexpected victory run of Arthur Fery at Wimbledon, with the British wild card going down 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-4 in the Friday semi-final.

The 23-year-old  Paris-born Brit dubbed “Cross-Channel Fery” by tabloid media, lost his bid to become the first local to reach the Wimbledon final since Andy Murray and only the fourth Briton overall to get that far here.

With his dominating victory in two and a quarter hours, German’s Zverev became the 13th man to reach the final at all four Grand Slams; he won his only title at a major a month ago at Roland Garros over Flavio Cobolli.

Zverev will be playing in his fifth Grand Slam final.

The mis-match ended on the second seed’s first match point, which he earned  with a winning stab volley at the net.

The German took victory a point later as  Wimbledon local Fery’s return landed long over the baseline.

Zverev will now face the winner from top seeded holder Jannik Sinner and seven-time Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic for the title.

“It’s amazing, this is the Grand Slam where I’ve struggled the most and all of a sudden I’m in the final,” the 29-year-old winner said.

“I’m incredibly happy and proud. But we have one more match to go and that’s what the focus is on.” 

Zverev paid credit to Fery, calling his run to semi-final glory “amazing.”

“Credit to Arthur, he’s just beginning his career and I’m sure he will do great things on the court.”

Zverev said he does not care whom he plays in the Sunday final. “No matter who it is, it won’t be easy. I have to trust myself and believe that I can win. That’s what I’m gonna do.”

Zverev has won his last nine matches against British opponents dating to 2023.

Main photo:- Alexander Zverev celebrates straight sets win – by Roger Parker/ISF Ltd

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Player media “strike” suspended after Wimbledon peace talks

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Peace talks behind tightly closed doors at Wimbledon have resulted in a suspension of a top player media strike during the Championships.

A consulting firm representing players who are seeking a rise in prize money to at least 20 percent of tournament takings at the four Grand Slams, broke the news on Monday as opening day play got underway.

It cited “constructive meetings” with Wimbledon bosses over the weekend.

Leading players including world No. 1’s Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka limited their time during pre-event media to just 15 minutes – the same protest they staged five weeks ago at Roland Garros.

Wimbledon increased prize money by 20 percent for this edition, but the total is still less than what players are seeking.

Wimbledon officials were quick to spin the truce as a win-win.

“I think it’s great news that we and they can now just concentrate on the championships and on the tennis,” All England Club boss Sally Bolton said.
“We’ve had some really fruitful conversations over the weekend. They’ve been really positive.”

While the pause will last over the Wimbledon fortnight, the prize money issue still remains, with the player side saying “the underlying matters remain unresolved.”

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