insert_link Sport Djokovic ready for Wimbledon ‘fireworks’ as Putintseva eyes another scalp Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic has his sights set on reaching a seventh successive Wimbledon quarter-final on Monday. Diminutive giant-killer Yulia Putintseva will target another upset against former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, while lucky loser Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard aims to make more Wimbledon history. AFP Sport looks at three fourth-round matches to watch on the eighth day of action at the All England Club: Novak Djokovic has hit […] todayJuly 8, 2024 12
insert_link Sport Sinner, Alcaraz move on at Wimbledon as Osaka slumps on Centre Court return Title rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz reached the Wimbledon third round on Wednesday as Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka was demolished on her return to Centre Court after a five-year absence. Australian Open champion Sinner defeated Italian Davis Cup teammate Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a three-hour 42-minute duel. Berrettini, the 2021 runner-up, fired 65 winners, including 28 aces, past the top seed and […] todayJuly 4, 2024 11
insert_link Sport Alcaraz plays down chasing ‘impossible’ Nadal, Djokovic records Carlos Alcaraz said emulating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's successes seems "impossible" after winning his maiden French Open title on Sunday with victory over Alexander Zverev. The 21-year-old came from behind to win 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 and claim his third Grand Slam triumph. Alcaraz's victory made him the youngest man to win Slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts. With Roger Federer retired, Nadal expected […] todayJune 10, 2024 2
insert_link Sport Alcaraz tackles Tsitsipas at French Open as Swiatek targets semis Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas square off Tuesday in a repeat of their French Open quarter-final from last year, while Iga Swiatek looks to stay on track for a third consecutive Roland Garros title. Alcaraz appears to be moving through the gears in Paris after an injury-hit preparation, taking care of 21st seed Felix Auger-Aliassime with minimal fuss to make the last eight here for the third year on […] todayJune 4, 2024 4
insert_link Sport Battle-tested Swiatek looks for French Open birthday boost Reigning champion Iga Swiatek will hope for an easier third round at the French Open as she turns 23 Friday after saving a match point against Naomi Osaka, while Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both target a place in the last 16. Swiatek has emerged as the dominant women's force at Roland Garros, where she holds a 30-2 record and is a three-time winner following her breakthrough Grand […] todayMay 31, 2024 4
insert_link Sport Zverev assault trial to open as he contests French Open A Berlin court will on Friday start hearing an appeal by Alexander Zverev against a fine for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, as the German tennis star competes at the French Open. Zverev, the world number four player, received a 450,000-euro ($487,000) fine in October but has appealed the ruling. The 27-year-old indicated last week that he would skip the opening of the proceedings in Berlin, which falls in the […] todayMay 31, 2024 13
insert_link Sport Djokovic moving in ‘positive direction’ at French Open Novak Djokovic believes he's moving in a "positive direction" as he targets a place in the last 32 of the French Open on Thursday. The world number one, chasing a fourth title at Roland Garros and record 25th Grand Slam, arrived in Paris in the midst of a worrying dry spell. For the first time since 2018, the 37-year-old has not made a final let alone add a title […] todayMay 30, 2024 10
insert_link Sport Osaka ‘really excited to face’ Swiatek at French Open Naomi Osaka says she is "really excited" to face red-hot tournament favourite Iga Swiatek in the French Open second round on Wednesday, when men's title contenders Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are also in action. Former world number one Osaka won a match at a Grand Slam event for the first time since the 2022 Australian Open with her opening victory over Lucia Bronzetti. The Japanese star returned […] todayMay 29, 2024 9
insert_link Sport Seventh seed Ruud into French Open second round Norway's Casper Ruud started his bid for a maiden French Open title, after final defeats in each of the past two years, with a comfortable win against Brazilian qualifier Felipe Meligeni Alves on Tuesday. Ruud, who won clay-court titles in Barcelona and Geneva in the build-up to Roland Garros, cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory and will next face either Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain or Monegasque […] todayMay 28, 2024 5
