The French Open
Roland Garros Women’s Day 8
Elina Svitolina continued her post-pregnancy comeback with a place in the French Open quarter-finals on Sunday as she defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 7-6 (5).
The proud Ukrainian received the support that the Lenglen showcourt traditionally has given to her French player husband Gael Monfils.
Svitolina’s defeat of her Russian opponent ended on a second match point, with Kasatkina giving a weak thumbs-up as her opponent avoided shaking hands with the player from the invading country.
The Russian has been one of the few players to risk speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine which began in February 2022; she said at the time she could be unlikely to return to her homeland.
Svitolina is working her way back on the WTA after becoming a mother last October; she will play a Paris quarter-final for the fourth time.
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere, I can be more thankful for the support,” the winner said. “I understand how gael has felt here all these years.
“I would have never dreamed of a quarter-final back when I was giving birth.
“It’s unbelievable to compete here. I want to push even further. I’m motivated to give my everything for the next matches.”
2021 Paris finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova finished her second marathon win, fighting back to overhaul Elise Mertens 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3.
The victory in three hours, nine minutes was slightly longer than her three-hour-plus second round win.
The success over Belgium’s Mertens put the winner into an eighth quarter-final here and first for the one-time No. 11 since a knee injury which kept her out for most of 2022.
Pavlyuchenkova, ranked 333, is competing in her 57th Grand Slam main draw and 15th at Roland Garros.
Mertens saved four match points in the tight closing stages, with her opponent finally getting over the line with a backhand winner on her fifth chance.
“I didn’t have many emotions left after this match,” the winner said. “I’m honestly really tired.
“But I’m really proud of myself; people reminded me that I was 6-3, 3-1, Love-40 down, so actually it felt like a lost match already.
“But I kept on fighting every point, believing, and here I am here.”
Pavlyuchenkova is the third player ranked outside the Top 250 to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final after Martina Hingis and Kaia Kanepi.
“Today was really tough conditions; there was a lot of wind.
“On one side we didn’t even have the clay left actually, with the wind it was flying away.
“I couldn’t really slide on that side anymore, and so it was not easy.
Pavlyuchenko will not make it to Wimbledon with her injury-comeback protected ranking Grand Slam entry quota now filled.
“I’m not going to Wimbledon this year, because my protected ranking allowed me to play only two Grand Slams, and Roland Garros is my second Grand Slam.
“Since the deadline was close before Roland Garros, even with the new ranking points that I got from (here), I (would not) qualify for Wimbledon.
“Because they are using my old ranking which is like 400, so there is no way I can get in. So no grass season for me this year.”
Pavlyuchenkova will line up next against Czech Karolina Muchova, who defeated lucky loser Eina Avanesyan.
ATP
Sinner stages fightback to win second Wimbledon
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 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 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
ATP
Zverev brings the curtain down on Fery-tale run
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
ATP
Player media “strike” suspended after Wimbledon peace talks
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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