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Roland Garros Women’s Day 12

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Iga Swiatek motored into her third French Open final in the past four years as she held off the big-hitting attack of Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 7-6 (7) on Thursday.

The world No. 1 will play for her third title at Roland Garros on Saturday when she faces Karolina Muchova after the Czech put out second seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-4 after more than three hours.

Swiatek will bid for the fourth Grand Slam title of her career on Saturday after defeating the first Brazilian woman to get this far here since Maria Bueno in 1968.    

The 22-year-old Swiatek is the youngest woman to reach three Paris finals since Monica Seles 1990-1992.

The Pole has not dropped a set on her way into the final.

“It’s a long tournament here,” the winner said. “I really don’t know what made the difference today,

“Bia uses her lefty serve well and hits hard; she has a great game and knows how to attack well with her forehand.

“This was a  match that could have changed at any moment, I was glad to finish it in two sets.”

The unseeded Muchova will rise into the Top 10 if she wins the title after storming back from 5-2 down in the third set against Sabalenka.

“It’s been a roller coaster of 2-5 in the third, but I still kind of knew it’s just one break and I was waiting for my chances,” the Czech said.

“It happened. I managed to break Aryna and then hold my serve. Then, you never know what’s going to happen. 

“I just try to play point by point. I’m super glad that I turned it around and then managed to win the match.”

The 43rd-ranked Muchova goes into the final with Swiatek confident Muchova after defeating first, second and third-ranked players in her career.

“This win shows me that I can play against them. I can compete, and obviously the matches are super close.

“Even today, match ball down, you really never know if I win or lose.

“But it’s great to know that I have the chance to win and I win against the top players, and that for sure boost my confidence.”

Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, lost her first match of the season at a Grand Slam after 12 wins.

“It tough match, she played unbelievable tennis. I had a lot of opportunities, and I didn’t use them. Of course I’m very disappointed.

“I don’t look at this as a negative tournament. I made great improvement on the clay court, – it’s my best result here.

“Right now I’m trying to stay positive no matter what happens on court. Whatever it is, I’ll come back stronger.”

Main photo:- French Open 2023 Day 12 Iga Swiatek celebrates as she wins Women’s Semi-Final by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

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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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