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Briton Fearnley reaches Italian Open second round

Britain's Jacob Fearnley is safely through to the second round of the Italian Open with a straight-set victory over home hero Fabio Fognini.

The 23-year-old defeated the veteran Italian - who announced on Tuesday this would be his last Masters 1000 event in Rome - 6-2 6-3 in the first round.

Fearnley will now face another Italian opponent, Matteo Berrettini, on Saturday.


BBC
 
Sinner enjoys 'amazing feeling' in comeback win

Jannik Sinner said it was an "amazing feeling" to be back on court after beating Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the Italian Open in the first match since his doping ban.

The 6-3 6-4 victory was the world number one’s 22nd in a row - a streak interrupted by the three-month suspension he agreed with the World Anti Doping Agency (Wada).

Sinner wrote ‘Che bello’ (How beautiful) on the camera lens at the end of the match, as chants of ‘Ole’ rang around the stadium.

The Italian said the reaction from the home crowd was the best he had ever experienced.

"It has been amazing to go again on court after such a long time, having a great support also in the last days," Sinner said.

His parents were among 10,500 people who offered him a full throated welcome onto the Campo Centrale, but Sinner showed little emotion as he walked on hand in hand with a child mascot.

"From the first day I came here, it has been amazing. I was waiting for this moment quite a long time," he added.

"The whole match, even when it seems quite comfortable, it's a rollercoaster, no?

"Inside we feel that, especially the beginning of the match having, again, the nerves of serving for the first time, trying to move in the best possible way you can."

Huge crowds tried to catch a glimpse of Sinner when he practised on Court Five earlier in the day. A TV camera was rolling throughout, while children balanced on parents' shoulders and others mounted a fire hydrant and a potted plant to get the best possible view.

"Jannik’s day" was the headline on Saturday’s edition of Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport. "The wait is over. From 7pm Rome will embrace … the strongest Italian tennis player of all time," the paper continued.

Sinner signed a lot of autographs this week as he practised with top-10 players like Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud.

He has been greeted with great warmth and excitement - as the overwhelming majority of Italian tennis fans seem to feel a three-month suspension was harsh and are treating his return as a celebration.

There was even a short burst of applause from members of the Italian media when Sinner took his seat in the interview room on Monday afternoon.

The match was Sinner’s first since he successfully defended his Australian Open title in Melbourne in January.

Three weeks later he accepted Wada‘s offer of a three-month ban for two doping violations last year.

Sinner tested positive for clostebol and was originally cleared of any fault by an independent tribunal.

Even though Wada did not dispute the steroid had entered his system because his physio had been using a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his own finger, it initially felt a ban of between one and two years would be appropriate.

Wada later came to the conclusion a suspension of that length would be "unduly harsh" and so entered into negotiations with Sinner’s legal team.

Rome reserved its best weather of the week for the 23-year-old’s return.

As Lazio played Juventus in the Olympic Stadium just a few hundred metres away, Sinner missed his very first serve, but quickly found his stride. He won the first set with a single break of serve and some clean, powerful ball striking.

But the second set was less straightforward as Sinner’s forehand proved increasingly unreliable. He recorded 16 unforced errors off that wing in the match, but by two breaks of serve to one, was still able to complete a straight-set win in one hour and 38 minutes.

His decision making was not as sharp as usual but Sinner had every reason to be delighted with his return.

"I was missing the feedback of official matches, which are the best feedbacks we players can get," Sinner said.

"At least now I have a bigger picture of what I'm doing well and what I have to improve.

"The nerves and everything, it has to go again into my body. It was a great start from my point of view of this tournament and of the comeback."

Sinner’s third-round match on Monday will be against the world number 93, Jesper de Jong - a lucky loser from qualifying.

The Italian Open is the last Masters 1000 event before the French Open, but Sinner has also entered the Hamburg Open in the week before Roland Garros in case he feels he needs more practice on the clay.

BBC
 
Draper smashes racquet during hard-fought Rome win

Great Britain's Jack Draper beat Vit Kopriva to reach the last 16 of the Italian Open but his frustration boiled over during a straight-set win.

Although the fifth seed won 6-4 6-3 in Rome, he was made to work hard to close out the victory and at one point hit the court multiple times with his racquet.

Draper, who came into the tournament on the back of reaching the Madrid Open final, held serve throughout and took the first set in 41 minutes, saving one break point.

But it was by no means plain sailing in the second as Czech qualifier Kopriva saved four break points to cut his deficit to 3-2.

After world number five Draper gave him the game by sending a drop shot into the net, he struck the clay four times with his racquet before slamming it on to the floor by his chair.

The 23-year-old left three divots in the centre of the court - and his racquet in tatters - and received a warning from the umpire.

Kopriva went 40-0 up in the following game but the world number 92 spurned the chance to break back as he sent a straightforward backhand long.

Draper regrouped to hold his serve and take a 4-2 lead, before setting up the chance to break Kopriva for the second time in the set - and the third overall.

Again Kopriva proved stubborn opposition by saving two match points, the second after a bad bounce on one of the divots left by Draper forced an error from the British number one.

But Draper clinched victory at the third time of asking, having hit twice as many winners as Kopriva (21-10), although Draper did notch up more unforced errors (37-27).


BBC
 
Sinner through in Rome but tough test lies ahead

World number one Jannik Sinner kept up his winning return to tennis as a 6-4 6-2 victory over Jesper de Jong carried him through to the last 16 of the Italian Open.

Home favourite Sinner, who returned from a three-month doping ban with a win over Mariano Navone on Saturday, battled past Dutchman De Jong to set up what should prove a trickier match against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.

Following his victory over De Jong, the 23-year-old Sinner said the reaction from the Italian crowd was the best he had ever experienced, and those in attendance in Rome were in equally supportive voice on Monday.

Sinner raced to a 4-1 lead in the opening set but showed signs of rustiness as he gave back the three-game advantage against De Jong, who is at a career-high 93rd in the world rankings.


BBC
 
Djokovic and Murray split after six months

Andy Murray will no longer be working as Novak Djokovic's coach.

The decision, said to be by mutual agreement, means Murray will not be by Djokovic's side when he chases an eighth Wimbledon title in July.

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, joined forces with Murray in November.

Under Murray, the Serb reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, ultimately retiring injured after losing the first set.

The 37-year-old has had a difficult season by his high standards, losing his first match in four of his past five tournaments, as well as being beaten in the Miami Open final by 19-year-old Jakub Mensik.

"Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over last six months on and off the court - really enjoyed deepening our friendship together," Djokovic said.

"Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together, and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months," Murray added.

"I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season."

For all the promise of Melbourne, the Murray-Djokovic partnership ultimately lasted only four tournaments.

Murray was present in Miami, where Djokovic reached the final without dropping a set before losing to Mensik in two close tie-breakers.

Djokovic has taken a wildcard into next week's Geneva Open, having so far failed to win a match on clay this year.

The three-time French Open champion was beaten in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters as the clay-court swing began and missed this month's Italian Open without giving a reason for his absence.

Djokovic said in February that their arrangement was an indefinite one.

"We agreed we are going to work most likely in the [United] States and then some clay-court tournaments and see how it goes after that," he said at the time.

'Like Messi coaching Ronaldo' - analysis

World number 11 Daniil Medvedev probably summed up the coaching partnership best.

"It's like Messi becoming the coach of Cristiano Ronaldo," was the Russian's view of the situation.

It was an enchanting partnership. Here was a former world number one and multiple Grand Slam champion seeking to help an old adversary before the dust had even settled on his own retirement.

Both seemed to gain plenty from it in the short term.

Murray embarked on the "steep learning curve" of a coaching career, which seems likely to form a big part of his future plans.

Djokovic was extremely generous about Murray's input at the Australian Open, and I sense both thought this was one of those opportunities that do not come about often in life.

But opportunities have been limited since Miami. Djokovic has played just two matches on clay, and Murray was only present for one of them.

Djokovic turns 38 three days before the French Open begins on 25 May. His chances of winning a record 25th Grand Slam singles title are diminishing with every month.

His best chance will surely be at Wimbledon - and it would undoubtedly have added to the spectacle if Murray had been court-side.

'His tennis IQ is very high' - Djokovic on Murray the coach

Murray, 37, said he sometimes felt embarrassed by all the attention he was receiving in Melbourne, as Djokovic's wider team had done an "incredible job over many, many years".

He and Djokovic have maintained a good friendship throughout their years on tour, having been born just weeks apart and grown up as junior rivals.

He joined Djokovic's team at a pivotal time. Djokovic won a much-wanted Olympic gold in 2024, but that was the only title he won that year, and lost in the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Speaking in January, Djokovic said he was "pleasantly surprised" with Murray's "dedication and professionalism" as a coach.

"It comes natural to him. His IQ generally and tennis IQ is very high. He observes and speaks when is most important," Djokovic said.

"I think he understands the moment when he needs to say something and what to say and what to ask.

"I must say at the beginning it was a bit of a strange feeling to be able to share the insights with him, not just about the game, but about how I feel, about life in general.

"Not in a negative way, but just in a way I have never done that with him because he was always one of my greatest rivals."

BBC
 
Former champion Wawrinka, 40, gets French Open wildcard

Former champion Stan Wawrinka has been awarded a wildcard entry into the men's singles draw at the 2025 French Open.

Wawrinka defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets to lift the trophy in 2015, the second of his three Grand Slam titles.

Now aged 40, the Swiss player has dropped to 132nd in the ATP rankings.

He reached round two at Roland Garros in 2024, losing to Russia's Pavel Kotov, and hasn't reached the second week of a Grand Slam event since the 2020 Australian Open.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet, 38, who will retire after the tournament, has also received a wildcard for the main draw.

The 2025 French Open will run from 25 May to 8 June.


BBC
 
Draper rues missed chances in Rome loss to Alcaraz

British number one Jack Draper was knocked out of the Italian Open as Carlos Alcaraz showed his quality under pressure to reach the semi-finals.

Draper, 23, was beaten 6-4 6-4 on the Rome clay as world number three Alcaraz battled valiantly to save break points at key moments and take his own chances when they came.

Englishman Draper, who is fifth in the ATP rankings, led 4-2 in the first set before Alcaraz fought back to take the lead.

Looking to build on his run to the Madrid Open final at the start of May, Draper recovered in the second set and constantly applied pressure on Alcaraz's serve.

But he was unable to convert three break points and, after coming through a lengthy eighth game to hold, reigning French Open champion Alcaraz ran with the momentum.


 
Paul sets up Sinner semi-final after truck repossessed

Tommy Paul says he has been "grinding" to reclaim his repossessed truck after reaching the semi-finals of the Italian Open.

The American 11th seed beat Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to secure a place in the last four in Rome for the second consecutive year.

The 27-year-old prevailed despite telling reporters he had endured a "stressful week" off the court.

"On court everything has been going pretty well," said Paul. "Off court, a little bit of a stressful week.

"I got my truck repossessed. I missed a couple of payments and they took my truck from my house this week. I've been grinding to get my truck back. If you know me, that's my baby.

"I'm excited to get it back. I had to win a couple of matches so I could pay that off."

Paul said he had to pay $1,000 (£752) to secure the vehicle's return.

The former Australian Open semi-finalist is already guaranteed prize money of about £245,000 this fortnight.

He will face world number one Jannik Sinner in the last four on Friday.



 
Sinner & Alcaraz set up huge Italian Open final

World number one Jannik Sinner set up a blockbuster Italian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz by fighting back to beat American Tommy Paul.

Playing on home clay in his first tournament since a three-month doping ban, Sinner overcame an off-key start before overcoming the 11th seed 1-6 6-0 6-3.

In front of a packed and partisan centre court in Rome, the 23-year-old stretched his unbeaten run to 26 matches and moved one win away from being the first Italian men's singles winner at the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

In a topsy-turvy match, Paul raced to a 5-0 lead en route to a stunning first-set success, during which Sinner made 13 unforced errors and just two winners.

But the match flipped from the start of the second set as the home favourite steamrollered past Paul to win nine successive games, and the American could not recover.

Earlier on Friday, Alcaraz dashed home hopes of an all-Italian final by beating Lorenzo Musetti 6-3 7-6 (7-4).

Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz looks in good shape for the French Open later this month.

The reigning Roland Garros champion reached a fourth final of the season by winning in straight sets in just over two hours.

For Musetti, it was a fifth straight defeat to the Spaniard, including a loss when they met on clay in the Monte Carlo final last month.

The 23-year-old Musetti gave up three breaks of serve and made 29 unforced errors in the first set, and was warned by the umpire after slamming his racquet into the clay.

The players exchanged breaks at the start of the second set and Musetti moved 4-3 ahead with some spectacular shots, but Alcaraz broke back in game eight – causing his furious opponent to smash a ball into the stands.

Alcaraz, 22, kept his cool to win the tie-break and pave the way for the final on Sunday that so many tennis fans wanted.

BBC
 
Alcaraz ends Sinner's streak to win Italian Open

Carlos Alcaraz ended world number one Jannik Sinner's 26-match winning streak with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 win in the Italian Open final.

Sinner, playing in his first tournament since a three-month doping ban, was hoping to become the first Italian men's singles winner at the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

But after edging a tense tie-break, four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz was a class above in the second set.

Sinner had two set points in the first set but hit a backhand return wide to let reigning French Open champion Alcaraz off the hook.

The 22-year-old Spaniard took full advantage with some masterful play in the second set, sealing the title with a cross-court volley at the net.


BBC
 
Arthur Ashe Stadium to get revamp under $800m plan

Arthur Ashe Stadium - the US Open's showcase court - is set to be expanded as part of an $800m renovation project at Flushing Meadows, the United States Tennis Association has announced.

The USTA has described the proposed work at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre as the "largest single investment in US Open history".

It includes a plan to increase by around 2,000 the capacity of Arthur Ashe Stadium - which currently holds 23,771, and is the largest tennis arena in the world.

The stadium is set to get a new main entrance, with facilities inside for fans to be modernised.

Further plans include a new player performance centre at Flushing Meadows, with expanded indoor and outdoor warm-up areas for players.

The USTA intends to fund the renovation project itself - with work to be done in phases between tournaments to minimise disruption - and hopes to get it completed by 2027.

Lew Sherr, CEO and executive director of the USTA, said: "This project enables us to maintain the greatest stage in tennis - Arthur Ashe Stadium - which was constructed more than 25 years ago, and modernize it in a way that will set it up for the next 25 years."


 
Watson's French Open hopes ended in qualifying

French Open 2025

Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros, Paris

Heather Watson's hopes of reaching the French Open main draw are over after the Briton was beaten by Daria Saville in the first round of qualifying.

Watson, aiming for an 11th main-draw appearance at Roland Garros, lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 to the Australian.

Britain's Jan Choinski also exited in the opening round of men's qualifying, losing 6-4 7-6 (7-5) to Italian Giulio Zeppieri.

The French Open - the second Grand Slam of the year - begins on Sunday.

Britons Dan Evans and Billy Harris go head-to-head in men's qualifying on Tuesday, while Fran Jones is hoping to progress in the women's competition.

Players have to come through three qualifying rounds in Paris to reach the main draw.

Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are already in the women's main draw, while Jack Draper, Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie will contest the men's.

Momentum swung back and forth in the opening set between Watson and Saville, with the Briton rallying to a 4-2 lead after initially going a break down, only for Saville to level up.

Watson battled back from 40-0 down on serve to move within one game from the opening set, but she was unable to take her first set point.

A tie-break was confirmed by another exchange of breaks - but not before Watson initially refused to continue the match after being given a second time violation by the chair umpire.

She claimed she had been waiting for a ball to be returned to her, rather than deliberately delaying the point, but the umpire disagreed.

Saville ultimately stepped in and asked the umpire to give Watson her first serve back.

The Australian former world number 20 then dominated the tie-break and carried that momentum into the second set, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead.

Watson briefly threatened a comeback when she broke back for 3-2, but Saville was able to reset and closed out victory with another three-game streak.

BBC
 
Evans beats Harris to move closer to French Open place

Dan Evans beat fellow Briton Billy Harris in the first round of French Open qualifying to move a step closer to the main draw.

The 34-year-old Evans fought back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Harris 7-5 6-3 in Paris.

Fran Jones also progressed in the women's competition, but Heather Watson's hopes of contesting an 11th French Open are over.

Watson lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 to Australian Daria Saville, but Jones will face Japan's Mai Hontama in the second qualifying round after defeating Croatia's Lea Boskovic 6-2 6-3.

Jan Choinski exited in the opening round of men's qualifying, losing 6-4 7-6 (7-5) to Italian Giulio Zeppieri.

Players have to come through three qualifying rounds to reach the main draw.

The French Open - the second Grand Slam of the year - begins on Sunday.

Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are already in the women's main draw, while Jack Draper, Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie will contest the men's.


BBC
 
Sabalenka loses only one game in Paris opener

World number one Aryna Sabalenka dropped only one game as she beat Kamilla Rakhimova to get her French Open campaign under way in emphatic style.

Sabalenka needed just one hour to beat Russian Rakhimova 6-1 6-0 in Paris.

The Belarusian ramped up her performance as the match went on, winning nine games in a row to close out the match.

Opening the first day's play on Court Philippe Chatrier, Sabalenka served up five aces, hit 30 winners and broke her opponent's serve five times on her way to a dominant victory under the roof.

A three-time Grand Slam singles champion, Sabalenka has never reached the final of the French Open - her best performance a run to the semi-finals in 2023.

But on this evidence, the 27-year-old is justifying her tag as one of the tournament favourites.

She could face Chinese eighth seed Zheng Qinwen - who beat 2021 runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-3 in her opening match - in the quarter-finals and three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semis.

Before then, Sabalenka will first have to beat Jil Teichmann for a place in the third round, after the Swiss player beat Italian qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini 6-4 6-4.


 
Boulter and Fearnley earn maiden French Open wins

Britain's Katie Boulter finally landed her first French Open main-draw victory at the age of 28 after Jacob Fearnley won on his debut against former champion Stan Wawrinka.

Boulter, ranked 38th in the world, overcame a tense start to win 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 6-1 against French world number 231 Carole Monnet.

"I'm really pleased with myself," said Boulter, who could play reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the second round.

"I sometimes find it really difficult on this surface and I've kind of persevered and tried my hardest to bring some good tennis.

"This one is special for me and it'll go in my books."

Also playing in front of a partisan opposition crowd, 55th-ranked Fearnley made smooth progress with a 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-2 victory over the popular 40-year-old Wawrinka.

The pair were joined in the second round by Emma Raducanu, who fought through "feeling sick" to beat China's Wang Xinyu earlier on Monday.

However, Jodie Burrage was unable to complete a British clean sweep on day two of the clay-court Grand Slam event.

The 25-year-old, playing under a protected injury ranking, lost 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to American former world number seven Danielle Collins.


 
Draper recovers to earn maiden French Open win

Great Britain's Jack Draper recovered from a sluggish start to tick off another career landmark with the first French Open win of his career.

Draper, seeded fifth, moved through the gears to secure a 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory against Italy's Mattia Bellucci.

Draper lost on his first two appearances at Roland Garros but has returned this year as a genuine force on the clay.


 
Alcaraz overcomes blip to progress - but Ruud exits

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a blip in form to beat Fabian Marozsan and reach the French Open third round - but 2021 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is out.

Spaniard Alcaraz started strongly but dropped the second set before recovering to wrap up a 6-1 4-6 6-1 6-2 win over his Hungarian opponent.

But there was no such fortune for Greek 20th seed Tsitsipas, who was stunned by world number 167 Matteo Gigante of Italy, losing 6-4 5-7 6-2 6-4.

Victory was Alcaraz's 17th in 18 matches on clay this year as he looks to become the first man since compatriot Rafael Nadal in 2020 to retain the Roland Garros title.


 
Injured Ruud criticises 'rat race' ATP points system

Norway's Casper Ruud has criticised the ATP's ranking system by describing it as "like a rat race" which forces players to compete with injuries.

Ruud, a two-time runner-up at the French Open, suffered a second-round exit on Wednesday, losing 2-6 6-4 6-1 6-0 to Portugal's Nuno Borges.

The seventh seed won the first set comfortably, but struggled towards the end of the match with a knee injury that he has been carrying since April.

"It's been with me actually the whole clay season on and off," he said.

"As we know, it's a hectic clay season, and I decided to kind of push through it doing some anti-inflammatory pills and painkillers to try to get rid of it, which has helped to a certain degree but not enough.

"I will have some more time now to let it heal and rest for a long time."

Ruud said it is difficult to take time off on the ATP Tour to allow an injury to heal.

"It's kind of like a rat race when it comes to the rankings as well," he said.

"You feel you're obligated to play with certain rules that the ATP have set up with the mandatory events."

BBC Sport have approached the ATP for comment.

The ATP and the women's WTA Tour have mandatory requirements, meaning players must appear at a set number of tournaments each season.

The top-ranked ATP players are required to participate in eight of the nine mandatory Masters 1,000 events each year, with Monte Carlo the only exception.

Ruud missed Monte Carlo - the first big clay-court event of the season - but he played at the Italian Open in Rome after winning his first ATP Masters title in Madrid.

The world number eight also feared that he would miss out on defending ranking points, which are used to decide where a player is seeded and whether or not they can gain direct entry into a tournament.

"You feel like you lose a lot if you don't show up and play, both economically, point-wise, ranking-wise and opportunity-wise," Ruud added.

"It's a questionable system because on one hand you don't want to show up injured, and you maybe give the spot to another one."

BBC
 
Draper edges past Monfils in late-night French Open thriller

Jack Draper ensured there will be three British men in the French Open third round for the first time since 1968 by seeing off home favourite Gael Monfils in a memorable late-night thriller.

With the Parisian crowd willing on 38-year-old Monfils, fifth seed Draper stayed focused and regrouped to win 6-3 4-6 6-3 7-5 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Former world number six Monfils threatened to force a decider in an absorbing contest - full of high-quality rallies and entertainment - but could not serve out at 5-3 or take two set points at 5-4.

Draper, 23, maintained his composure superbly to record the finest Roland Garros win of his fledgling career.

"My brain was fried out here," Draper said afterwards.

"I'm not sure if I am going to go to sleep tonight because my brain is just all over the place with what [Gael] was doing out here.

"That's why he has had such a successful career and is loved by all the fans. The players love to watch him play as well but not to play against him."


 
Alcaraz made to suffer in four-set win over Dzumhur

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was forced to fight for his place in the French Open fourth round with a testing victory over a dogged Damir Dzumhur.

The second seed had looked to be making light work of his opponent with a two-set lead, before a revival from the Bosnian pushed their encounter into a fourth set under the lights on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Spaniard Alcaraz, seeking to becoming the first man since compatriot Rafael Nadal in 2020 to retain the Roland Garros title, eventually ground out a 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-4 success.


 
Draper beaten by inspired Bublik at French Open

Jack Draper was given a reality check as world number 62 Alexander Bublik produced a phenomenal fourth-round performance to end British interest in the French Open singles.

Fifth seed Draper lost his way in a 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4 defeat by the maverick Kazakh.

The British number one was largely expected to continue his sharp rise on the clay and tee up a potential quarter-final against top seed Jannik Sinner, who plays his fourth-round match later on Monday.

However, Bublik unleashed an array of spectacular shot-making - using the drop-shot to devastating effect in particular - on his way to a spectacular victory.

A tense finish saw Bublik spurn one match point - and save five break points to Draper - before eventually getting over the line.

It is Draper's worst defeat by ranking since his first-round exit at Roland Garros last year.


 
Sinner Crushes Rublev To Reach Roland Garros Last Eight

Jannik Sinner fired a warning sign to his French Open title rivals as he romped to a comprehensive victory over Andrey Rublev in the French Open last 16 on Monday.

Russian 17th seed Rublev appeared to pose a tricky test on paper for Sinner, but the world number one instead cantered to a 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 win in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.

"Things can go very quickly in a bad way, especially best of five, it can go very long," said Sinner.

"I'm very happy to finish it in three. These night sessions in Paris are very special."

The Italian, who returned from a three-month doping ban in May in Rome, will next face unseeded Kazakh Alexander Bublik in the quarter-finals.

Sinner holds a 3-1 winning record against Bublik in their head-to-head, but did lose their last meeting in 2023 on grass in Halle.

He is aiming for a third consecutive Grand Slam title in Paris after winning last year's US Open and taking his second successive Australian Open crown in January.

Sinner gained a measure of revenge on Rublev for a last-16 defeat at Roland Garros in 2022, when he had to retire injured in the third set.

He was in clinical form on Monday, firing five aces and 25 winners past a bewildered opponent.

"Inside there's a storm going on but tennis is a very mental game and you don't want to show anything to your opponent," Sinner said of his calm on-court demeanour.

"In my young career, the storm was also outside not only inside."

The 23-year-old, who lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 semi-finals, saved two break points in the opening game of the match.

But it was all one-way traffic from there as he powered into a 5-0 lead and clinched the opener despite missing one set point for a first-set bagel.

Sinner broke for a 2-1 lead and wrapped up the second set when Rublev dropped serve again.

With the crowd firmly behind him, 10-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist Rublev upped his level in the third set.

But his only break point since the very first game came and went as Sinner remained rock solid on serve, before the top seed took his first match point when a Rublev forehand clipped the net and spun wide.

 
Alcaraz storms through to semi-final with Musetti

Defending French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz produced a dominant display to beat 12th seed Tommy Paul and reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

The second seed needed only 53 minutes to establish a two-set lead, losing only one game in the process.

American Paul offered plenty of resistance during a more competitive third set, but Alcaraz, 22, broke again for a 5-4 lead and quickly wrapped up a 6-0 6-1 6-4 victory.

The Spaniard will face 23-year-old Lorenzo Musetti for a place in Sunday's final.

The Italian eighth seed defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-2 earlier on Tuesday and is into a Grand Slam semi-final for the second time in his career, having reached the Wimbledon last four in 2024.

Tiafoe, the first American to feature in a French Open quarter-final for 22 years, fought back to take the second set after Musetti dominated the opener.

But the 15th seed fell away after losing a gruelling third set and could not keep up with Musetti's graceful but punishing style.


 
Sinner into semi-finals with ruthless Bublik win

Top seed Jannik Sinner cruised into the French Open semi-finals with a ruthless straight-set victory over Alexander Bublik, bringing the Kazakh's remarkable run in Paris to an end.

The Italian was in imperious form and is still yet to drop a set at Roland Garros as he won 6-1 7-5 6-0.

Sinner is hunting a first major title on the Paris clay having previously only gone as far as the last four, losing a five-set thriller to Carlos Alcaraz last year.

World number 62 Bublik has enjoyed something of a career rejuvenation at the French major, but shook his head and smiled ruefully as he was unable to find any answers to Sinner picking apart his unconventional style.


 
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz moved into his second successive French Open final after Lorenzo Musetti retired injured in the fourth set of their semi-final.

Spanish second seed Alcaraz led 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 when Italy's Musetti, aiming to reach his first major final, was forced to end the match early.
 
Sinner beats Djokovic to set up Alcaraz final

Top seed Jannik Sinner teed up the French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz that many expected after edging past Novak Djokovic in a tense last-four contest.

Italy's Sinner won 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to end Djokovic's hopes of winning a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic, 38, looked emotional as he puts his racquet bags down on Court Philippe Chatrier and waved farewell to an adoring crowd.

Defending champion Alcaraz moved into his second successive Roland Garros final after eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti retired injured in the fourth set of their semi-final earlier on Friday.

Sinner, playing only his second tournament back after a three-month ban for failing two doping tests, meets the Spanish second seed on Sunday.

The pair were the clear favourites before the clay-court Grand Slam tournament and will now write another chapter in their developing rivalry.

Alcaraz led 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 when Italy's Musetti, aiming to reach his first major final, was forced to end the match early.


 
Alcaraz stuns Sinner in classic French Open final

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz recovered from two sets down - saving three championship points on the way - to beat Jannik Sinner in an incredible French Open men's singles final.

Alcaraz's reign on the Roland Garros clay looked to be over when world number one Sinner closed in on victory at 5-3 in the fourth set.

But the 22-year-old Spaniard showed extraordinary fight to win 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (10-2) after five hours and 29 minutes - the longest French Open final in history.

In an electrifying atmosphere on Court Philippe Chatrier, Alcaraz produced the finest performance of his career to claim a fifth major title.

In his victory speech, he told Sinner: "It is a privilege to share a court with you in every tournament and in making history."

The world number two had never previously won a match after losing the opening two sets.

Alcaraz is the first man to win a Grand Slam title after saving match point since Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon final.

Sinner, who was bidding for his maiden Roland Garros triumph, was denied his third successive major after a gruelling, gritty and glorious encounter.


 
Raducanu through at Queen's and will be British number one

Emma Raducanu swept aside Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova to reach the quarter-finals at Queen's and will regain her place as British number one for the first time in two years.

The Briton was largely untroubled against world number 41 Sramkova, winning 6-4 6-1 on a packed Andy Murray Arena.

The 22-year-old smiled between points after overcoming a wobble in the first set where she lost four games in a row while trying to seal the opener.

Raducanu is the last Briton standing at the first women's tournament at Queen's since 1973 after compatriots Katie Boulter and Heather Watson exited in the last 16 earlier on Thursday.

Watson lost 6-4 6-2 to 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, while Boulter fell 2-6 6-3 6-2 to Diana Shnaider and will now relinquish her title as British number one, which she has held since June 2023.

Raducanu, who will face Chinese top seed Zheng Qinwen next, only had to equal Boulter's run at Queen's to overtake her when the official rankings are updated on Monday.

She earned the position after winning the US Open in 2021 but slipped down the rankings after a period of inconsistent form and injury struggles in 2023, when Boulter replaced her.

The rivalry for top spot is perhaps not all that intense, though, as Raducanu wrote "long live Boultucanu" - a nod to their doubles partnership - on the camera lens after her victory, with the pair clearly firm friends.


 
Evans causes upset but Norrie knocked out at Queen's

Great Britain's Dan Evans claimed one of the biggest wins of his career when he upset world number 13 Frances Tiafoe to progress to the last 16 at Queen's but compatriot Cameron Norrie was knocked out on the opening day.

Evans won 7-5 6-2 for his first victory against a top-20 player since he defeated world number 12 Alex de Minaur at the 2023 Davis Cup.

It was only a second career win over a top-20 opponent on grass for Evans following his victory over 16th-ranked Nikoloz Basilashvili at Wimbledon six years ago.

But Norrie's hopes of replicating his run to the final at Queen's in 2021 were ended by 19-year-old Mensik, who won 7-6 (8-6) 1-6 6-1 in the baking heat in west London.

The win means Mensik becomes just the second teenager to win a main draw match at Queen's in the last decade, after British number one Jack Draper in 2021.

Evans will next play either American Brandon Nakashima or Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France, while Mensik will face Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the quarter-finals.

 
Raducanu and Alcaraz sign up for US Open doubles

British number one Emma Raducanu and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz are one of several eye-catching pairings planning to play the new-look US Open mixed doubles event.

Fellow Briton Jack Draper is set to feature alongside Chinese world number four Zheng Qinwen, with a host of big names - including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Naomi Osaka - also on the entry list.

The US Open mixed doubles will be held as a standalone event on 19-20 August before the hard-court Grand Slam begins on 24 August.

Bringing the mixed doubles forward is a bold and revolutionary move by the United States Tennis Association, which said it hoped would attract more high-profile singles players.

The 16 pairings announced by the USTA on Tuesday are not guaranteed to play in the event, although it is an indication the players involved are keen on participating.

The entry deadline, by which players must confirm if they will play, is 28 July.


 
'Means the world to me' - Draper into first Queen's semi

Jack Draper fulfilled a childhood dream by reaching his first Queen's semi-final with a testing three-set victory over American Brandon Nakashima.

The 6-4 5-7 6-4 win guarantees Draper will be a top-four seed in next week's Wimbledon draw and would therefore not be able to meet world number one Jannik Sinner or defending champion Carlos Alcaraz until the semi-final stage.

Draper, who came through a tough three-setter against Alexei Popyrin in the previous round when he was feeling unwell, found himself in another energy-sapping encounter against Nakashima on a hot day in west London.

Having taken charge of the first set with an early break, the errors crept into Draper's game and Nakashima raised his level to take the second set and force the absorbing encounter into a decider.

Draper made the key breakthrough in the seventh game of the third set, converting his second break point with a powerful forehand and he then served out victory to set up a semi-final against Czech Jiri Lehecka, who had earlier beaten British number two Jacob Fearnley 7-5 6-2.


 
Alcaraz beats Lehecka to seal second Queen's title

World number two Carlos Alcaraz held off a battling Jiri Lehecka to seal his second Queen's title with victory in an absorbing final on Sunday.

The Spaniard won 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 to take his 21st career title but was pushed hard by the in-form Lehecka, who was one of only five players to have beaten Alcaraz this year.

Lehecka had seen off British number one Jack Draper in the last four to secure his place in the final and initially looked unable to deal with the quality of Alcaraz in the first set.

But a much closer second set went the distance, with Lehecka overcoming the disappointment of being lobbed after a superb drop shot in the tie-break to then serve an ace and level the match.

Alcaraz, though, showed why he is such a formidable opponent as he recovered from that disappointment to step it up a gear in the third, breaking early on his way to securing the match and the title.

It was an 18th match win in a row for Alcaraz and a fifth title in 2025 to ensure he starts his bid for a third successive Wimbledon crown as a player in form.


 
Emotional Evans claims superb Paul win at Eastbourne

An emotional Dan Evans said he had been waiting for a chance to prove himself in a tricky season after earning an impressive win over world number 13 Tommy Paul at Eastbourne.

The 35-year-old beat the former Queen's champion 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the late afternoon sunshine to reach the quarter-finals.

It comes two weeks after Evans beat world number 14 Frances Tiafoe at Queen's, while he also beat a top 50 player in Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic in round one at Eastbourne.

Evans threw his arms wide in celebration after securing victory in front of a jubilant home crowd, before becoming visibly tearful in his on-court interview.

"I felt good serving for the match," he said. "I just said to myself, enjoy this - I stopped worrying about what he was doing, and I played good tennis in the end.

"I know I have done the work. Once I got confidence, the work was in the bank.

"If you're ready and the door opens, you will walk through it."


 
GB's Tarvet, ranked 719, reaches Wimbledon main draw

Britain's world number 719 Oliver Tarvet has reached the Wimbledon singles main draw - which will contain the highest number of home players for 41 years.

Tarvet upset Belgian world number 144 Alexander Blockx 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-1 in the final round of qualifying on Thursday.

It was the 21-year-old's first time playing a best-of-five match.

Tarvet's victory means there will be 23 British players - 11 men and 12 women - in the singles draw when Wimbledon begins on 30 June.

That is the most since 1984, when there were nine men and 14 women.

The Englishman, who is from St Albans, competes on the US collegiate circuit and has one year left on his studies at the University of San Diego.

Most college sports in America are strictly amateur, so Tarvet will be unable to claim the vast majority of his £66,000 prize money for reaching the Wimbledon first round.


 
Raducanu to face British teenager Xu at Wimbledon

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

Emma Raducanu has been drawn against teenage wildcard Mimi Xu in an eye-catching all-British first-round match at Wimbledon.

If British number one Raducanu beats 17-year-old Xu, she will face either 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova or 32nd seed McCartney Kessler in the second round.

Raducanu, ranked 38th in the world, fell just short of a seeding for the championships and has been handed a difficult-looking draw.

The 22-year-old could potentially face world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.

Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic – the two other British teenagers given wildcards – have also been handed tough draws against seeded players.

Klugman, 16, faces Canadian 29th seed Leylah Fernandez – who Raducanu memorably beat to win the 2021 US Open.

US Open junior champion Stojsavljevic, also 16, starts against American 31st seed Ashlyn Krueger.

In total, there are 10 British players in the women's singles draw - and half of them have been pitted against seeded players.

Katie Boulter, who Raducanu replaced as the nation's leading player earlier in June, has been drawn against Spanish ninth seed Paula Badosa.

British number three Sonay Kartal faces Latvian 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko, while 33-year-old Heather Watson - also given a wildcard - plays Danish 23rd seed Clara Tauson.

The grass-court Grand Slam begins at the All England Club on Monday.

BBC
 
'I deserve it' - GB qualifier wants prize money change

British qualifier Oliver Tarvet has called for a change in United States college rules after being unable to claim all the prize money he will earn from reaching the Wimbledon main draw.

Tarvet, 21, moved into the first round - where players receive £66,000 - after winning his third and final qualifying match on Thursday.

The Englishman studies at the University of San Diego and has developed his game in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) system.

Under NCAA rules, players are restricted in how much they can claim from professional tournaments.

On Friday, Tarvet explained players are allowed $10,000 (£7,290) in profit every year, as well as any expenses incurred during the events.


 

Kartal gets British women off to winning start at Wimbledon​


Sonay Kartal became the first player through from the 14-strong British contingent in action on day one at Wimbledon with victory over 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko.

On a sweltering day at SW19, Kartal toppled the former French Open champion 7-5 2-6 6-2 to book her place in the second round.

Kartal, 23, is one of 10 British women in action at the All England Club - the most since 1992.

She had to come from behind to win the opening set on a lively court three.

But a dominant deciding set secured her progression to round two for the second time in her career, following a breakout tournament at last year's Wimbledon where she reached the third round.

"That was by far one of the toughest matches I've played," she said after the win, her third over a top-20 player this year.

"I would say that I struggle against the big hitters. I've made a conscious effort this year to play the bigger matches and put myself under the most pressure out on court.

"I knew that I wouldn't get the results straightaway but that it would eventually pay off, and that's what happened today."

There are 23 Britons competing in the men's and women's singles at the All England Club - the most since 1984 - with British number one and two Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu in action later.

Kartal has enjoyed a remarkable rise through the rankings in the past 18 months.

At Wimbledon last year, she arrived as a wildcard ranked 281 in the world and went on to reach the third round.

On her return this year, ranked 230 places above that, she cut a calm and mature figure.

Ostapenko, 28, had beaten Kartal comfortably in the opening round at Eastbourne last week but the Briton maintained her composure as she fell 5-2 behind in the opening set.

A wayward Ostapenko forehand into the net was the catalyst for Kartal to go on and win the next five games, saving set points at 5-4 before motoring ahead to take the set.

Ostapenko was left stunned when Kartal sent a ripping forehand round the net post but the former Wimbledon semi-finalist managed to cut out the errors and take the second set comfortably to level things up.

That said, Ostapenko grew increasingly frustrated throughout the match - muttering under her breath and berating herself while shouting up at her coaches.

Fans in the crowd were also on the receiving end of glaring looks as she complained that they were being too noisy, asking the umpire to tell them to be quiet before shouting at them and raising her arms in exasperation.

But throughout that Kartal remained steadfast and raced through the third set, securing a double break before serving out for an impressive victory.

Source: BBC
 
Alcaraz avoids Fognini shock after fan taken ill

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz avoided a seismic shock against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini in the Wimbledon first round to set up a meeting with British qualifier Oliver Tarvet.

Alcaraz dug deep to win 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 2-6 6-1 as he opened the Centre Court play on a sweltering first day of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.

The 22-year-old Spaniard quickly secured victory when an entertaining contest resumed after a 15-minute pause in the deciding set.

A spectator sat in the sun was taken ill, with Alcaraz going over with a bottle of cold water to help their recovery.

Alcaraz, who is the second seed behind Italian rival Jannik Sinner, struggled on serve and made uncharacteristic errors off the ground throughout a four-and-a-half-hour contest in temperatures topping 32C.

In what is set to be his final Wimbledon appearance before retirement, 38-year-old Fognini twice fought back to force the decider but Alcaraz regained control to extend his winning streak to 19 matches.

Alcaraz claimed his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this month - beating Sinner in an all-time classic final - before lifting the Queen's trophy on his return to the British grass.

Next he will face 21-year-old Tarvet, who gets a shot at one of sport's superstars after beating Switzerland's Leandro Riedi on his Wimbledon debut.


 
French opponent Benjamin Bonzi stunned Daniil Medvedev in the first round of Wimbledon beating him by 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2 on Monday as the ninth seed exited the tournament early.

Bonzi had not won a match on grass for three years before this.
 
Top seed Sinner cruises into Wimbledon second round

World number one Jannik Sinner cruised into the second round at Wimbledon with a dominant straight-set win over fellow Italian Luca Nardi.

Contesting his first Grand Slam match since losing one of the all-time great French Open finals to Carlos Alcaraz last month, the top seed lost just seven games as he dismissed 95th-ranked Nardi.

The 23-year-old, a three-time major winner, comprehensively outclassed his opponent in a 6-4 6-3 6-0 victory on Court One.

After completing an efficient victory in one hour and 48 minutes on the UK's hottest day of the year, Sinner will face Australian Aleksandar Vukic next.


 
Novak Djokovic overcame physical issues to join Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon second round, but third seed Alexander Zverev was stunned by Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.

Seven-time champion Djokovic, who could meet Sinner in the semi-finals, began his latest pursuit of an outright-record 25th major title by overcoming Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-1 6-7 (7-9) 6-2 6-2 on Centre Court.
 
Gutsy Norrie upsets Tiafoe but Boulter exits

A gutsy Cameron Norrie produced one of the best performances of his career as he fought back to beat Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling encounter and reach the third round at Wimbledon.

The former British number one, who got to the semi-finals of the Championships in 2022, won 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-5.

But there was disappointment for compatriot Katie Boulter as she was knocked out in a surprise 7-6 (9-7) 2-6 1-6 defeat by lucky loser Solana Sierra from Argentina.

Sonay Kartal had earlier become the first Briton to go through on day three, comfortably seeing off Bulgaria's Viktoriya Tomova 6-2 6-2.

Norrie's win did not come as easily but was just as impressive as he battled back from losing the first set to win the next three, undoing the American 12th seed with some brilliant tennis that had the Court One crowd on their feet.


 
Defending champions Patten and Heliovaara go through

Defending champions Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara began their men's doubles title defence with a hard-fought victory over British duo Dan Evans and Henry Searle.

Briton Patten and Finland's Heliovaara prevailed 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 as they chase a third major triumph at their fifth Slam as a pairing.

They won the Australian Open in January after claiming their first doubles title together at Wimbledon 12 months ago, having only joined forces in April last year.

They could face another all-British pairing in the second round, as they wait to see whether Marcus Willis and Billy Harris can overcome Alexander Bublik and Flavio Cobolli.

In the women's doubles, British pair Jodie Burrage and Sonay Kartal came from behind to beat Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers 4-6 6-1 7-5.

But Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden were knocked out with a 3-6 7-6 (7-0) 6-4 loss to McCartney Kessler and Clara Tauson.

It took Patten and Heliovaara one hour and 20 minutes to end the resistance of Evans, who celebrated his first Wimbledon singles win in four years on Tuesday, and teenager Searle.

Excellent serving provided the foundation for their victory; they did not face a single break point in their 11 service games, conceding just eight points in those games.

Evans and Searle did well to limit their opponents' opportunities.

But, after falling short in the first-set tie-break, Evans struck the net with his racquet in frustration after the 2024 winners were presented with the only break point they required in set two to end the contest.

Evans will swiftly turn his attention to his second-round singles match on Thursday when he takes on 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic on Centre Court at 13:30 BST.


 
Paolini out but Sabalenka puts upsets out of mind to advance

Last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini became the latest top-10 seed to make an early exit at Wimbledon, but world number one Aryna Sabalenka put this year's record number of upsets out of her mind in a hard-fought victory.

Italian fourth seed Paolini's 4-6 6-4 6-4 second-round defeat by Kamilla Rakhimova came after eight top-10 seeds across the men's and women's singles draws went out across the opening two days - the most at a Grand Slam in the Open era.

But Sabalenka avoided that same fate with a gritty 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win over Czech world number 48 Marie Bouzkova.

It means the only top-five seed remaining in the women's draw at the All England Club after day three of the Championships is top seed Sabalenka.

The Belarusian is aiming to add a maiden Wimbledon title to her three Grand Slam triumphs at the US and Australian Opens.

After her win, the top seed told the Centre Court crowd: "I hope it is no upsets any more in this tournament, if you know what I mean!"

Sabalenka, 27, has reached the final of both majors this year, but lost to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff at the French Open.

a"Honestly, it is sad to see so many upsets in the tournament in both draws," she added.

"I'm just trying to take it one step at a time. I know if I'm focused, if I'm there, if I'm fighting, I know I'm going to have my chance in each match.

"I think it's really important to focus on yourself and to take it one step at a time - do not really look at the draw.

"This is something that can create a lot of nerves and a lot of doubts."

Sabalenka will face Emma Raducanu in round three after the British number one overcame 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova later on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, American Keys breezed into the third round with a comfortable 6-4 6-2 win over Serbia's Olga Danilovic, while four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka beat Katerina Siniakova 6-3 6-2.

''A touch of class!' - best shots from day three of Wimbledon

After a scorching couple of days at SW19, handheld fans were replaced by umbrellas on a drizzly morning which delayed play on the outside courts by almost two hours but the sun came out in time for Sabalenka's match.

The three-time major winner made tough work of the opening set, struggling to find consistency and, while not playing badly, she was not clinical in crucial moments.

Having watched three of the top five seeds fall on day two, including French Open champion Gauff, Sabalenka would have welcomed a draw that was beginning to open up.

But eye rolling and shouting in frustration at times, she could not conjure a break point in the first set and instead went down a break when she double faulted at 5-5 to hand Bouzkova the lead.

That was met with a big cheer from a Wimbledon crowd desperate to back the Czech underdog, but they were equally as animated when Sabalenka let out a huge roar as she dug deep to force the tie-break.

A more straightforward second set followed as she secured the break in the fifth game, ramping up the aggression and executing each of her signature powerful groundstrokes with a loud grunt.

Paolini's energetic style and personality lit up SW19 last year as she reached a second career Grand Slam final but missed out to Barbora Krejcikova.

This year she is one of 16 seeds to exit the women's draw in the opening two rounds so far.

The 29-year-old slumped to defeat on a shady Court Three, despite taking the first set with ease.

A lengthy game in set two where Russian world number 62 Rakhimova saved break points seemed to be the turning point for Paolini's downfall.

She was broken at 3-3 then could not prevent Rakhimova serving out for the set.

Unable to muster a fightback after immediately being broken in the decider, she cut a disgruntled figure as she saved three match points but went out at the fourth.

While no upsets on day three were as significant as Paolini's, more seeds tumbled out with 12th seed Diana Shnaider, Brazilian 21st seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, Croatian 22nd seed Donna Vekic and Canadian 29th seed Leylah Fernandez all heading out of the door.

BBC
 
'One of toughest losses' - Draper exits Wimbledon early again

British number one Jack Draper's wait for a breakout Wimbledon run continues after a shock second-round defeat by 36-year-old Marin Cilic.

Fourth seed Draper lost 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-4 to Croatia's Cilic, who reached the SW19 final in 2017 but is now ranked 83rd in the world.

It means the 23-year-old Englishman has still not reached the third round in any of his four appearances at the All England Club.

Draper was widely considered as the fourth favourite for the men's title - behind Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.

But, in the first Championships of the post-Andy Murray era, Draper has suffered another frustrating early exit.


 
'That was stressful' - Alcaraz beats Struff to reach round four

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz kept himself on course for a third Wimbledon title in a row by overcoming Jan-Lennard Struff in an enthralling encounter to reach the fourth round.

The world number two has yet to really hit his stride at the tournament but came through some big pressure situations and produced moments of quality in this match to seal a 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4 win.

Alcaraz will next face 14th seed Andrey Rublev - who beat Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-2 6-3 - for a place in the quarter-finals.


 
Raducanu falls short of Sabalenka shock

British number one Emma Raducanu is out of Wimbledon after falling short of beating top seed Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping third-round match on Centre Court.

Raducanu, 22, put the three-time Grand Slam champion - and clear title favourite - under extreme pressure before succumbing to a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 defeat.

"It is a difficult to take right now," Raducanu said.

"It's hard to take a loss like that but at the same time I've pushed Aryna, who is a great champion, so I have to be proud."

Raducanu, ranked 40th in the world, played with clarity and confidence throughout most of a captivating contest.

Had the 2021 US Open champion served out the opener at 6-5 after saving seven set points in the previous game, or converted a set point in the tie-break, the momentum of the lead might have carried her to a notable victory.

However, the deficit proved too much to overturn - even though Raducanu broke to lead 4-1 in the second set.

The long rallies she needed to break down Sabalenka eventually took their toll and Raducanu began to look fatigued as the world number one fought back.

Sabalenka, who is aiming for a first SW19 title, goes on to face Belgian 24th seed Elise Mertens in the fourth round on Sunday.

"Emma played such incredible tennis and she pushed me really hard to get this win," said the 27-year-old Belarusian.

"I had to fight for every point to get this win. I'm pretty sure she will get back to the top 10 soon."

Resilient display shows Raducanu improvement

Coming into her home Grand Slam tournament, Raducanu tried to temper expectations following a difficult build-up.

It was a sensible policy given she is always the centre of attention because of her major-winning status and the furore which surrounds home players at Wimbledon.

The dominant manner of her second-round victory against 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova, however, lifted belief.

Despite producing her best performance in "a long time" against the crafty Czech, Raducanu knew she still had a gap to bridge with the very best - and Sabalenka is the leading marker.

Raducanu's level in the first set was even better than against Vondrousova.

A sign of her intent was creating a break point in the first game of the match and, although Sabalenka's serving alleviated the danger, the Briton took her next chance for a 3-2 lead.

The sharp uplift of volume on Centre Court, accentuated by the greenhouse effect of the covered roof, indicated the home fans believed as much as Raducanu did.

The challenge was maintaining her level.

Errors started to creep in when she served at 4-3 - summed up by a wild forehand long on break point - and her baseline game continued to break down in the next as Sabalenka gathered momentum.

Raducanu was also left frustrated by Wimbledon's newly introduced electronic line calling system, which she claims makes "some dodgy" decisions.

When Raducanu faced seven set points at 5-4, it felt like the match could quickly swing away from her.

But she is a more resilient competitor these days and demonstrated her improved durability by breaking in the 11th game to serve for the set.

Sabalenka, though, showed why is the dominant figure on the WTA Tour by raising her game when it mattered most.

With the crowd against her, Sabalenka's precise and heavy ball-striking was complemented by nerveless drop-shots as she dragged herself over the line in the tie-break.

But Brit still falls short of world's best

Previously, Raducanu would have wilted after losing the first set to a top-level opponent, but there was further evidence she is no longer a soft touch.

Raducanu has now won only three of her 16 matches against top-10 players, but this was a markedly improved performance from her defeats by Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff this year.

"It does give me confidence because the problem before was I felt I was gulfs away. But at the same time it is difficult to take right now," Raducanu added.

Raducanu regrouped to break early in the second set, stepping in more to return and the subtle change of tactic helped her power into a 4-1 lead.

The 15,000 home fans continued to vociferously get behind Raducanu in a bid to help her over line and force a decider, but the energy expended in the elongated rallies and heat of the battle took its toll.

Looking wearier and more flustered, Raducanu lost her advantage of a single break and Sabalenka dropped just four points in the next three games to secure a hard-fought win.

Raducanu was given a warm ovation as she left court before Sabalenka won the crowd over by praising the home player's efforts.

"What an atmosphere – my ears are still hurting. It was super loud," said Sabalenka.

"I was just trying to tell myself 'they're cheering for me'. I had goosebumps."

BBC
 
'I couldn't open my eyes' - Norrie's next opponent Jarry

There were emotional hugs with his family for Nicolas Jarry as he celebrated reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon after a "year of battles" with his eyesight.

It was a significant moment for the Chilean world number 143, who plays Cameron Norrie - the last British player left in the men's singles - in front of what will be a partisan Court One crowd on Sunday.

Just over a year ago, Jarry woke up and could not open his eyes, struggling with a persistent rolling sensation that affected his vision.

It was not the first time he had experienced it - but this time, it was worse.

The 29-year-old was suffering from vestibular neuritis,, external a condition caused by inflammation of a nerve that connects the ear to the brain.

Symptoms include the sudden onset of vertigo, dizziness and difficulty maintaining balance.

"I remember that I was trying to type in my phone and I couldn't," he told BBC 5 Live.

"I couldn't open my eyes because everything was rolling so much.

"I started crying immediately, to lose things that are so obvious, so natural."

When Jarry's symptoms began, he was ranked inside the world's top 20 and on the rise, having reached the Rome Masters final, where he was beaten by Alexander Zverev.

Jarry was told it would take three weeks to recover but still has episodes a year on. Tennis is a good form of rehabilitation, given the hand-eye coordination it requires, but he has struggled for wins, falling to 143 in the world and suffering six successive first-round Grand Slam exits.

He recalled feeling like everything was "moving like a tornado" in Rome, but it quickly dissipated.

A similar feeling at the French Open before a match left him "not connecting with the ball" and "reading the game bad" before he returned home to Chile, where he experienced the worst incident to date.

Jarry also plays table tennis to help with his recovery, and a positive run at Wimbledon can only be encouraging.

Emotional on court after beating teenage talent Joao Fonseca in four sets on Friday, Jarry said: "It's amazing to put in my best performance here at Wimbledon, my favourite tournament of all."

There is a reason this tournament means so much to him.

This run to the fourth round matches that of his grandfather Jaime Fillol, who reached the same stage at Wimbledon in 1974.

"I came here with him when I was 10 and 11 years old. Since then, I'm in love with this tournament," Jarry said.

"It has been very tough physically, emotionally, psychologically.

"I have been trying to get back to my level and trusting myself again."

BBC
 
Norrie maintains British interest after Wimbledon epic

Cameron Norrie held off a spirited fightback from Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and keep alive British interest in the singles.

British number three Norrie led by two sets - and held a match point in the third-set tie-break - before finally securing a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (7-9) 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 win under the Court One roof.

After missing his first opportunity, the 29-year-old left-hander regrouped admirably to seal his progress - almost two hours later - at the second opportunity.

The piercing roar which greeted victory indicated Norrie's delight at coming through a bruising battle where he needed all of his characteristic determination and endurance.

Asked how he had come through a scrap lasting four hours and 27 minutes, Norrie said: "Honestly, I don't know. Nico did an unbelievable job of sticking with me. I had to keep fighting."

Norrie tumbled to the court in celebration before receiving a few sharp words from his opponent – who had earlier been irritated by the Briton's prolonged ball-bouncing between first and second serves.

Jarry also tried to fire a forehand at Norrie when he came forward in the decider but hit the net.


 
Alcaraz battles back against Rublev to reach quarter-finals

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz produced an impressive fightback to overcome Andrey Rublev and set up a Wimbledon quarter-final against Britain's Cameron Norrie.

Alcaraz edged a step closer to becoming only the fifth man in the Open era to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles with a 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory over the Russian 14th seed under the Centre Court roof.

The 22-year-old Spaniard clinched his only break point in both the second and third sets to turn the match around, before a single break of serve again proved enough to end Rublev's admirable resistance in the fourth.

Alcaraz will face Norrie for a semi-final place after the British number three withstood a fightback from Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry to win in five sets.


BBC
 
Wimbledon announces change after line call controversy

Wimbledon has made changes to its electronic line calling system to remove the possibility of "human error" after it was accidentally deactivated in a controversial episode on Sunday.

An "operator error" meant the ball-tracking technology was turned off for one game in the fourth-round match between Britain's Sonay Kartal and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Centre Court.

"Following our review, we have now removed the ability for Hawk-Eye operators to manually deactivate the ball tracking," the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said in a statement to BBC Sport.

"While the source of the issue was human error, this error cannot now be repeated due to the system changes we have made."

Kartal sent a backhand long when game point down at 4-4, but this was not detected by the line-call system, which instead made two automated calls of "stop".

Umpire Nico Helwerth opted to replay the point - which Kartal won - but was criticised by Pavlyuchenkova and some pundits for not using his authority to overrule and call the ball out.

TV replays had shown the ball was well long and Pavlyuchenkova suggested there should be a video review system, similar to that in football, which would have enabled the umpire to make the call.

The AELTC said Helwerth had "followed the established process", but later added that the issue of video reviews would be "among the matters considered" at the end of the Championships.

Club chief executive Sally Bolton said earlier on Monday that Helwerth was "having a rest day".

"We have rotation of our umpires regularly. A little bit like the players, the umpires also need rest days throughout the tournament," Bolton told BBC Sport.

"He's having a rest day today. He's fine.

"It's really important to say that the umpire followed the protocols in place. He did what he needed to do on court and acted entirely correctly."


 
Devastated Dimitrov retires injured while leading Sinner

A devastated Grigor Dimitrov left Wimbledon in tears after being forced to retire injured when two sets up on world number one Jannik Sinner.

Bulgaria's Dimitrov led an enthralling contest 6-3 7-5 2-2 when he fell to the floor holding his right pectoral after serving an ace.

He appeared to be in serious discomfort following the incident and Sinner immediately rushed over to help.

Dimitrov received medical treatment after returning to his chair and then briefly left court, before returning in tears to shake Sinner's hand.

He left Centre Court to a standing ovation but was barely able to lift his right arm to wave in appreciation, with Sinner accompanying him off court.

It is the latest in a string of injury struggles for the 34-year-old, who retired injured from his first-round matches at the Australian Open and French Open.

It means Italian top seed Sinner is into the quarter-finals at SW19 for a second time - but the three-time major winner said afterwards it was "not the way we wanted it to end".

In a cruel twist of irony, Sinner had also taken a medical timeout midway through the second set for an apparent elbow injury.

He had looked uncomfortable following a fall in the opening game but seemed to be rediscovering some sharpness when Dimitrov's injury occurred.


 
Cobolli ends Cilic run to reach first major quarter-final

Flavio Cobolli, one of tennis' most exciting prospects, reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final with a hard-fought victory over veteran Marin Cilic at Wimbledon.

In his most difficult challenge of this year's tournament, Cobolli was pushed hard in a 6-4 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) win to set up a meeting with his idol Novak Djokovic.

The Italian 22nd seed has impressed with his shot variety and entertaining style during his SW19 run.

The 23-year-old was composed against Cilic, aged 36 and a former Wimbledon finalist and 2014 US Open champion, but dropped his first set of the competition in an absorbing encounter.

After a breakthrough 2024, when he rose from outside the world's top 100 to the top 30, Cobolli is now enjoying his best Grand Slam performance, having previously never gone beyond the third round.

Meanwhile, American Ben Shelton defeated Lorenzo Sonego 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 to deny a record-breaking day for Italy - it would have been the first time three Italian men have reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam.



 
Fritz recovers to reach first Wimbledon semi-final

American Taylor Fritz overcame an unexpected third-set capitulation to beat Karen Khachanov and reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon for a first time.

The fifth seed had looked on course to wrap up the match in straight sets, with his big serving key to a two-set lead.

But things suddenly fell apart for Fritz in the third as he struggled to land his first serve while sending more shots beyond the baseline as Khachanov, 29, took it 6-1.

The 27-year-old then had a medical timeout to address some taping on his foot as he looked to avoid being taken to five sets for the third time in five matches at Wimbledon.

There was a bizarre incident at the start of the fourth set when a malfunction by the electronic line call system meant 'fault' was called during play, and the point was replayed.

But it didn't impact Fritz's return to form as he dug deep to come out on top of a tie-break and progress with a 6-3 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-4) victory over the Russian.


 
Alcaraz masterclass ends Norrie's Wimbledon hopes

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz produced a Wimbledon masterclass to end British hope Cameron Norrie's run and move into the semi-finals once again.

Second seed Alcaraz underlined why he is the tournament favourite with a scintillating 6-2 6-3 6-3 win.

The Spaniard will face Taylor Fritz - the American fifth seed bidding for a first major title - in the last four.

Fritz secured his place in the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time with a 6-3 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-4) victory over Russia's Karen Khachanov.

Alcaraz is seeded behind Italian rival Jannik Sinner because of their respective world rankings, but his superior record on grass courts - and current hot streak - makes him the man to beat.

Victory over Norrie marked a 23rd win in a row for Alcaraz, who is bidding to become the fifth man to win three successive Wimbledon titles in the Open era.


 
Bencic hatching plan 'while falling asleep' to beat Swiatek

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

Belinda Bencic knew what she would be thinking about before she went to sleep on Wednesday night.

The Swiss player uses the time before she drifts off to visualise her gameplan for her next match and her next opponent.

That next match is the small matter of a first Wimbledon semi-final, and against five-time major winner Iga Swiatek.

"She is a big challenge and I'm really excited to play her. We've had some close matches. I will come up with a plan," the 28-year-old former Olympic champion said.

Explaining her method of preparation, she said: "I'm not so much of a writer. For me it's more like imagining some plays.

"It's important for me to do it before I go to sleep. While I'm falling asleep, I go through it unconsciously.

"It's something that happens naturally and then I'm able to kind of memorise it a little bit."

Bencic was not worried about her sleep being broken by her 14-month-old daughter, Bella, who is with her in London.

"I don't adjust anything, I'm just being a mum at home. When she cries in the night, I'll wake up," said Bencic, who is seeking to become the first mother to win a Wimbledon singles title in 45 years.

"It's not something that's going to affect me for my [match]."

Earlier during Wimbledon, she explained: "I see myself as a mum first, and then tennis player. My priorities are clearly with my family."

It has been nearly six years since Bencic last reached the final four of a Grand Slam, ultimately losing in straight sets to Bianca Andreescu in the 2019 US Open semi-finals.

Having been on maternity leave from September 2023 to October 2024, she said she has been "surprised" by how quickly the positive results have come.

Bencic started the year ranked 489th in the world and is now projected to break back into the world's top 20 after Wimbledon. Success this year has also included winning the Abu Dhabi WTA 500 title in February.

She said motherhood has had a positive impact on her approach to being a professional player, making her "more relaxed" and ensuring she has less time to think about tennis.

'It doesn't end here'

Bencic was joined by Bella in the outdoor gym at Aorangi Park on Wednesday morning. Bella played with medicine balls while her mother prepared for her 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) victory over Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.

She has also been watched by her daughter from a balcony above court 18, which she said was "kind of unreal".

"Sometimes you realise, 'Wow, I'm playing Wimbledon, I have my family here, my daughter is actually watching me'," she said.

"She will not remember anything - she doesn't realise yet - but still it's a very nice feeling."

Bella is too young to be on Centre Court so Bencic's husband - who is also her fitness coach - will once again be absent from the box when she takes on Swiatek.

But Bencic would not want it any other way.

"No, she definitely gets the priority," she added. "I'm really happy when he looks after her.

"It means the world to me to be in the semi-final. It's definitely unreal, but it doesn't end here."

BBC
 
Anisimova stuns Sabalenka to reach maiden final

Amanda Anisimova dealt out more Grand Slam heartbreak to world number one Aryna Sabalenka as she set up a Wimbledon final meeting against Iga Swiatek with victory in a thrilling contest.

American Anisimova, the 13th seed, waved and blew kisses to the crowd after securing a remarkable 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory on a blazing hot day on Centre Court.

The 23-year-old saved 11 of the 14 break points she faced to seal her place in a maiden Grand Slam final, converting her fourth match point of a gruelling contest lasting two hours and 35 minutes.

"This doesn't feel real, I was absolutely dying out there," she said.

"I don't know how I pulled it out. To come out on top today and be in the final of Wimbledon is so incredibly special."

Sabalenka has twice suffered heartbreak in major finals this year - losing in Australia to Madison Keys and then in Paris to Coco Gauff.

This time she will not even feature in Saturday's showpiece, having played in the past three Grand Slam finals.


 
Fitness concerns remain before Djokovic-Sinner match

The prospect of watching of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic take on world number one Jannik Sinner for a place in the Wimbledon final is a mouth-watering one, but fitness concerns remain before Friday's match.

Djokovic, 38, fell awkwardly late on in his quarter-final against Flavio Cobolli, but picked himself up to wrap up victory and progress.

Sinner, meanwhile, hurt his right elbow after slipping in the first game of his fourth-round tie with Grigor Dimitrov on Monday.

The Italian ultimately progressed after his opponent retired through injury, but he had heavy strapping on his elbow in his quarter-final win over Ben Shelton.

Sinner said he would be "100% fit" to face Djokovic, but the Serb has not been quite so definitive and cancelled a scheduled practice session on Thursday.

Sinner cancelled a scheduled session on Tuesday, heading indoors for some light hitting while he awaited the results of a scan.

Djokovic may have done likewise - but it does still cast some doubt over his fitness.


 
Each year I only see English, Indian and Australian cricketers invited at Wimbledon. Why aren't cricketers from other countries invited?
 
'Calm' Alcaraz into third successive Wimbledon final

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz held off a battling Taylor Fritz in a thrilling fourth-set tie-break to reach the Wimbledon final and stay on course for a third successive title.

The world number two produced all the high-quality facets of his game, from powerful serves to hitting shots of unreturnable quality and riding through high-pressure moments, to win 6-4 5-7 6-3 7-6 (8-6)

It was a display that underlines he will be a tough man to beat in Sunday's final, where he will either once again face Novak Djokovic - who he has beaten to the trophy in the past two years - or world number one Jannik Sinner.

Half of Fritz's career wins have come on grass and he did well to hang in there with Alcaraz, giving his all to try to take the match to a decisive fifth set.

At one stage that looked like happening as Fritz took five successive points in the tie-break, but Alcaraz dug deep to save two set points before holding his nerve to fight back for a win that he celebrated by holding out his arms and roaring to the sky.

 
Ruthless Sinner beats Djokovic to set up Alcaraz final

Jannik Sinner will face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final after a ruthless demolition of Novak Djokovic's latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Sinner, 23, swatted aside seven-time champion Djokovic to win 6-3 6-3 6-4 and reach a maiden Wimbledon final, setting up a re-match of last month's epic French Open showpiece.

At least one of Sinner and Alcaraz have contested the men's singles final at the last six Grand Slam tournaments, while Sinner is going for a first title away from the hard courts against Alcaraz, a two-time winner at the All England Club.

Djokovic had admitted before the tournament this was probably his best chance of setting a standalone record of major singles title - on his favoured surface where he has enjoyed so much success.

Having been largely outplayed for two sets, the 38-year-old threatened a comeback in the third but Sinner remarkably won five games in a row on his way to securing a fifth Grand Slam final.

Three-time major winner Sinner has now won the last six meetings against Djokovic but this was the first time on grass.

There were doubts around the fitness of both players before the match and, while Sinner did not seem hampered by his elbow injury, Djokovic did require a medical time out after the second set.

Another final between Sinner and Alcaraz just five weeks after the last one at Roland Garros gives the Italian a chance for revenge after he let slip a two-set lead to lose in five.


 
Swiatek inflicts 6-0 6-0 defeat on Anisimova to win Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek ruthlessly took advantage of Amanda Anisimova's nerves to win her maiden Wimbledon title and inflict the heaviest women's final defeat at the All England Club in more than a century.

Both players were appearing in their first Wimbledon final but Poland's Swiatek looked more assured from the very start as she stormed to a 6-0 6-0 victory over the American in just 57 minutes to win a sixth Grand Slam title.

No woman had won a Wimbledon final with a double bagel - the name given to a victory without dropping a game - since Dorothea Lambert Chambers in 1911.

"It seems super surreal," said 24-year-old Swiatek, whose five previous major titles came on clay or hard courts and who has won every Slam final she has contested.

"Honestly, I didn't even dream of winning Wimbledon because it was way too far.

"I feel like I'm an experienced player, having won other Slams, but I didn't expect this."

Eighth seed Swiatek drew on all of her greater experience to race through the first set in just 25 minutes.

Anisimova, just three months younger than Swiatek, looked tense from the very start and made a flurry of errors in an opener where she won just nine points.

Despite a sympathetic Centre Court crowd willing her on, things did not improve in the second set for the 13th seed.

A total of 28 unforced errors, plus five double faults, starkly illustrated Anisimova's struggles.

Fighting back the tears as she addressed the crowd, Anisimova said: "It's been an incredible fortnight for me - even though I ran out of gas.

"I wish I could have put on a better performance for you today."

Swiatek becomes an all-court great

If Swiatek had not already proved she should be ranked among the greats of the game, she has certainly done so now.

Mastering a surface considered her weakest - even though she won the Wimbledon junior title in 2018 - has added further credibility to her case.

Swiatek has become the youngest woman since 23-time champion Serena Williams in 2002 to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces.

A sixth major takes her clear of Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis, with only a total of 10 women now having won more in the Open era.

Swiatek became known as the 'Queen of Clay' after winning four French Open titles in five years, while her two-year reign as the world number one - ended by Aryna Sabalenka last year - was underpinned by consistent success on the hard courts.

Grass was the surface she had not cracked.

Before this triumph, Swiatek had made the second week at the All England Club only once, when she reached the quarter-finals in 2023.

Losing in this year's Roland Garros semi-finals - early by her previous standards - meant she had longer to prepare on the surface, helping her quickly readjust improve her confidence and game.

Anisimova's struggles meant Swiatek was not fully tested. Nevertheless, the weight and depth of the Pole's ball provided constant pressure which her opponent could not deal with.

Anisimova's inspiring Wimbledon journey ends

While it was a chastening experience for Anisimova in her first major final, it had been an encouraging and inspiring journey to get there.

The big-hitting American has been tipped as a future Grand Slam champion since she was a teenager and reached the 2019 French Open semi-finals as a 17-year-old.

Later that year, the sudden death of her father Konstantin - who was also her coach - contributed to her falling out of love with tennis.

Four years later, Anisimova took a break for her mental health and spent about seven months off the tour.

This time last year she was trying to avoid watching Wimbledon as she had lost in the third round of qualifying while ranked 191st in the world.

But, having climbed back to the verge of the top 10, she has reminded the world of her obvious talent, particularly against world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.

Anisimova was far below her best against Swiatek, however. In the warm-up she looked tense and it showed in the opening points of the match.

Rushing into her shots, Anisimova's groundstrokes were loose and Swiatek continued to take time away from her.

Afterwards, Anisimova revealed she did not practise on Friday because she felt "really fatigued" and also had to take regular breaks during her pre-final warm-up on Saturday.

"If anything, it's my physicality that I need to work on," she said.

"To be able to last two weeks in a Grand Slam is definitely something that you need to work a lot on. It's not an easy feat."

BBC
 
Sinner trying to make a nice come back.

Has the opportunity to go 2-1 up after dropping first set
 
Sinner beats Alcaraz to win first Wimbledon title

World number one Jannik Sinner won his first Wimbledon title by wearing down Carlos Alcaraz in another high-quality Grand Slam final between the dominant forces of the men's game.

Italy's Sinner claimed a 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory at the All England Club, avenging his brutal French Open defeat by Spanish world number two Alcaraz just 35 days ago.

Then, Sinner led by two sets - and held three championship points - before Alcaraz roared back to win a five-set classic lasting more than five hours.

Now, the 23-year-old has responded by taking two-time defending champion Alcaraz's crown on the SW19 grass, following another gripping contest which again showcased the pair's shot-making, athleticism and star power.

Sinner, who served a three-month doping ban earlier this year, has claimed the fourth Grand Slam title of his career and a first major victory not on a hard court.

A composed and clinical performance from the top seed ended Alcaraz's 24-match winning streak.

The manner in which he served out victory from going a break up at 3-1 in the fourth set - given his experience in Paris last month - was admirable.

There was a moment of knowing consternation among Sinner's supporters when he missed a first match point, but he reset to take his second opportunity before dropping to his haunches at the net.

Sinner's win also stopped 22-year-old Alcaraz from becoming only the fifth man in the Open era to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles.


 
Numbers behind Swiatek's dominant Wimbledon win

If history has taught us anything about Iga Swiatek, it is that once she breaks her opponent's serve a dominant victory is on the cards.

That is what happened in Saturday's Wimbledon final as she claimed the title for the first time with a ruthless 57-minute 6-0 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova.

It was undoubtedly tough on the American, but she is not alone in being on the receiving end of such a result.

In 2021 Swiatek beat former world number one Karolina Pliskova by the same scoreline in the Italian Open final.

This year alone, 12 players have lost a set 6-0 to Swiatek, including Dayana Yastremska (twice), Emma Raducanu, Belinda Bencic and Victoria Azarenka.

At January's Australian Open, Swiatek registered 6-0 sets in three of her first four matches - and now those same scorelines are appearing on the grass courts.


 
Both the Men's and Women's Wimbledon champions have recently failed drug tests. What a terrible look for the sport.
 
Alcaraz seemed off-key and made a lot of unforced errors.
He was getting blasted from both wings. He was off-key because he was unable to match Sinner on return or off the ground.

Sinner was hitting with great depth and power off both wings and his defence, especially wide on the BH wing was off the charts.

Sinner however won this match with this serve/return combo - it was leagues above Alcaraz.
 
Grand slam organisers ready to make concessions for players amid dispute

Wimbledon and the three other grand slam tournaments are willing to make concessions to the players in an attempt to resolve a dispute over prize money, pensions and player representation.

The Guardian has learned that during discussions with representatives of several top-10 world-ranked men and women players at Wimbledon last week, the All England Club offered to hold talks over creating a player council to give athletes a voice in decisions over scheduling, as well as indicating a willingness to contribute to their pension and healthcare provision for the first time.

Similar offers are understood to have been made by the other major championships, the Australian Open, French Open and US Open, with the discussions set to resume at the final grand slam of the year in New York next month. The details have yet to be agreed with the players planning to submit a formal proposal later this year.

Player representatives held two meetings with Wimbledon and French Open officials, and executives from the Australian Open and US Open, at SW19 with sources involved on all sides describing the discussions as positive. The talks had begun in May at Roland Garros, where leading players, including Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff, met with the grand slam heads and made a series of demands, including a greater proportion of their revenue to be shared in prize money; contributions from the four majors to player healthcare, pensions and maternity pay; and a formal say in decisions regarding tournament scheduling.

The offer to begin talks over creating a player council for the grand slams is seen as a significant concession by the players, who have always insisted that the dispute is not primarily about prize money. All the grand slams have introduced significant changes to their playing conditions in recent years without consulting the players, including Sunday starts at the Australian and US Opens, playing on the first Sunday at Wimbledon and more evening sessions everywhere, which has led to 3am finishes in Melbourne and Paris in particular.

Many of the players feel such changes have had a detrimental effect on their preparation for tournaments and want a formal say on such decisions in the future, particularly as there is a feeling some of the grand slams want to introduce Saturday starts to give them three full weekends of action to sell to broadcasters. While the issue of prize money was not discussed in detail at Wimbledon there is an acceptance by the players that it has continued to increase significantly each year, with the All England Club paying out £53.5m this year, a rise of 7% on 12 months ago.

Wimbledon declined to comment on the details of private conversation, but confirmed discussions had taken place during the championships.

“We always welcome the opportunity to engage with the players and are regularly in touch with them year-round,” a spokesperson said. “We were happy to continue those conversations at Wimbledon. Listening to the players’ feedback and maintaining a constructive relationship with them is very important to us and these discussions will continue.”

The grand slams are also facing potential legal action from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the international players’ union set up by Novak Djokovic, who filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and International Tennis Federation in March, accusing the sport’s governing bodies of suppressing competition, manipulating prize money and imposing a restrictive ranking system on the players.

The PTPA filed an amended complaint against the tours in New York last week, which included an addendum that they would hold off naming the grand slams as co-defendants. Ahmad Nassar, the PTPA chief executive, said that they have since held productive discussions with the grand slams and expressed confidence they can reach an agreement.

“We filed a 180-page amended complaint, but we also filed a one-page letter about our talks with the grand slams, saying that we want 90 days to continue those discussions,” Nassar said. “Ninety days is the timeline in the letter we filed with the court that said that we’re holding off on naming the grand slams as defendants in our court case. We’ve been having productive discussions with them about resolving the issues that we outlined in the 180-page complaint.

“The one page to me means far more than 180 pages. That’s the window to really roll up our sleeves and address the issues over the schedule, player representation, and compensation.”

 
Venus Williams makes winning doubles return aged 45

Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams has celebrated victory in the last 16 of the women's doubles at the Washington Open after 16 months away from tennis.

The 45-year-old former world number one, who accepted a wildcard for the tournament, had not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024 - and last won at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.

Williams and fellow American Hailey Baptiste beat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1.

"It was inspiring to be out here," Williams told Sky Sports. "I love this game and still hitting it big."

She will face another American, Peyton Stearns, in the first round of the singles competition on Tuesday.

Williams, who was playing doubles for the first time in three years, joked she wished she could have partnered with 23-year-old Baptiste, the world number 50, instead of her sister Serena - the 23-time major champion.

She said: "I think from the first point I could see that we were going to be a good team. We just should have started playing earlier, years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way."

Venus, who does not have a ranking, won 14 major titles alongside Serena in the women's doubles, as the Williams sisters dominated the sport for many years.

Evans and Norrie advance to second round

In the men's singles, Britain's Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie are through to the second round in Washington.

Evans beat Belgian Zizou Bergs 3-6 6-4 6-3 in the first round and will take on American Alex Michelsen next.

Meanwhile, Norrie defeated British qualifier Billy Harris 6-3 7-6 (7-4) but faces a tough test in the next round against French Open semi-finalist and second seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy.

Evans won the first ATP 500 title of his career at the Washington Open two years ago, but he opted not to defend his title last year as he focused on the Olympic Games in Paris.

The 35-year-old former British number one was awarded a wildcard to compete and overcame a slow start against Bergs to triumph in three sets.

Bergs, ranked 52 in the world, edged ahead with a break in the final set but Evans secured his victory by winning four successive games.

"I didn't just want to take the wildcard and lose," Evans told Sky Sports. "I felt I needed to pay them back a bit and try to 'defend' my title, because I couldn't last year."

BBC
 
Brits Raducanu & Norrie cause upsets in Washington

Britain's Emma Raducanu and Cameron Norrie both secured impressive victories at the Washington Open on Tuesday.

Raducanu upset Ukraine's world number 27 and seventh seed Marta Kostyuk 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 in the first round.

She faces Naomi Osaka next after the four-time Grand Slam winner overcame Yulia Putintseva 6-2 7-5.

In the men's singles, Norrie had to dig deep to beat second seed and world number seven Lorenzo Musetti 3-6 6-2 6-3 - his first success over a top-10 player in two and a half years - in the second round.

The 29-year-old will play American 14th seed Brandon Nakashima in the last 16.

Raducanu, the British number three, took the opening set after a gruelling 71 minutes, despite sacrificing a 4-0 lead in the tie-break.

She then held a 3-0 advantage in the second set but Kostyuk, who had lost five singles matches in a row since May, rallied to break and draw level at 4-4.

Having forced Kostyuk to serve to stay in the match, the Ukrainian double faulted to hand Raducanu two match points, which the Briton took on her second chance.

The 2021 US Open champion said it was an "extremely good win".

"I'm happy with the way I fought through the first set and in the second, stayed tough when I needed to," she added.

Norrie, meanwhile, managed only three winners in the first set, two of them on aces, but dominated the second to force a decider.

After saving five break points in the fifth game of the final set, he broke Musetti, who had a first-round bye, in the sixth to take a 4-2 lead.

The Italian saved two match points in the final game - one on a Norrie double fault - but then sent a backhand beyond the baseline, handing the Briton victory after two hours and seven minutes.

Admitting he was playing "like a kid again", Norrie said: "I just kind of let go of the expectations and I'm playing tennis more to enjoy it now.

"You've got to enjoy it otherwise you can get burned out on this long schedule."

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Tsitsipas parts company with coach Ivanisevic

Stefanos Tsitsipas has parted ways with Goran Ivanisevic after a "brief but intense" coaching spell.

Greece's Tsitsipas began working with Ivanisevic in May after winning only two matches in his past four Grand Slam appearances.

However, he won only one match during the grass-court season and was two sets down against qualifier Valentin Royer in the Wimbledon first round before retiring injured.

Croatian Ivanisevic - a former Wimbledon champion who worked with Novak Djokovic for six years - was also critical of Tsitsipas' fitness., external

"I'm thankful for the time, effort and energy Goran dedicated to me and my team," Tsitsipas, 26, wrote on Instagram.

"As we are now following our separate ways, I have only respect for Goran - not just for what he's achieved in tennis, but also for who he is as a person."

Tsitsipas has been as high as number three in the world and was runner-up to Djokovic at the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open.

He is currently 29th in the rankings and has not gone beyond the second round of a major since last year's French Open.

"I've talked to him a lot of times. If he solves some things outside of tennis, then he'll return to where he belongs," Ivansevic told Serbian outlet Sportklub after Tsitsipas' Wimbledon exit.

"I have never seen a more unprepared player in my life. With this knee, I am three times more fit than him. This is really bad."

Ivansevic also had a short spell working with former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina at the start of the year.

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