Connect with us

The French Open

Roland Garros Women’s Day 4

Published

on

Iga Swiatek struggled but mounted a third-set fightback to extend  her spring win streak on a wet Wednesday at the French Open as a majority of matches were postponed due to the weather.

The top seed and three-time Roland Garros winner triumphed in a thriller over fellow multiple Grand Slam champion and one-time No. 1 Naomi Osaka 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5 under the closed roof of the Chatrier showcourt.

The world No. 1 rallied from 5-2 down in the final set and saved a match point in the ninth game as nerves got the better of Japan’s Osaka, playing this spring for the first time since trakin 2023 off to give birth.

Swiatek broke again for 6-5 and closed out her narrow escape a game later on her first march point at the three-hour mark.

She has now won her last 14 matches on clay.

“It was really intense and on a really high level. I was in huge trouble in the third set, but I managed somehow to win this match, which is kind of abstract, but I’m glad that I didn’t give up,” Swiatek said.

“I honestly didn’t believe I could win, because I would be pretty naive. 

“But it didn’t change the fact that I just tried to do work to play better. I

actually managed to be more focused at the end of the match, which went pretty badly In first and second sets.

“I felt like I’m not completely in the zone. When I was under the biggest pressure I was able actually to switch that and maybe that made the difference.”

Osaka took defeat with a positive attitude: “I cried when I got off the court. But I think I’m doing pretty well. 

“I’m also just trying not to be too hard on myself. I feel like I played her on her better surface. 

“I’m a hard-court kid, so I would love to play her on my surface and see what happens.”

Third seed Coco Gauff posted a 6-3, 6-4 win over former semifinalist Tamara Zidansek.

“I definitely didn’t think it was as strong as my first round. I felt like I could have,

especially in the second set, probably won it a little bit sooner,” Gauff said.

“There’s always things you can do better, but I try not to over-analyse everything..

2023 quarter-finalist and eighth seed Ons Jabeur battled past an upset-minded Camila Osorio, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 to win her 15th career win in the Paris second round.

Tunisia’s three-time Grand Slam runner-up took a tumble onto the clay in the second set, slightly upsetting her rhythm and allowing her Colombian opponent to start comeback and win her first set in her series with Jabeur.

But the seed recovered in a third set containing five service breaks, with Jabeur edging out victory with the help of 31 winners.

“They were obviously tough conditions for me,” Jabeur said. “I don’t like when the ball gets too heavy. 

“I didn’t know how to manage much in the second set, but I’m glad I turned it back in the third.”

She added: “I just tried to focus a lot on my serve. I was trying to be more aggressive.

“I felt it was a bit humid inside that court. I had the game to win this match. I just

needed to believe more.”

Sofia Kenin sent Carolina Garcia out in their first career Grand Slam meeting and left the French crowd disappointed with a 6-3, 6-3 win in 85 minutes.

The American played the 2020 final here, losing to Swiatek four months after winning her lone Grand Slam trophy in Australia.

Kenin broke four times from nine chances to reach the third round in Paris for the fourth time.

“I love red clay, I feel like it suits my game. I try to use it to my advantage, and I love the courts here,” Kenin said.

“Playing on Philippe-Chatrier was even more special and memorable. I feel like I’m super comfortable on that court. I’ve got some amazing memories there, so I try to use that to my advantage.” 

Garcia, twice a Paris doubles champion, was playing her home major for the 14th time and now stands 3-8 in second-round play here; she reached the quarter-finals seven years ago.

“I felt like I played super well. The atmosphere was very equal. I
enjoyed it very much,” the winner said. “Winning today obviously meant a lot to

me, especially beating Caro.”

ATP

Sinner stages fightback to win second Wimbledon

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

ATP

Zverev brings the curtain down on Fery-tale run

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

ATP

Player media “strike” suspended after Wimbledon peace talks

Published

on

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.”

Continue Reading

Trending