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Three weeks after being outplayed in the Wimbledon final, 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic avenged his disappointment with aplomb, producing an inspired display to skilfully outfox Carlos Alcaraz after two thrilling sets of tennis lasting just under three hours as the 37-year-old ended his career-long pursuit of Olympic gold for Serbia while making more individual history. Continue reading “Olympics: Djokovic clinches elusive gold medal after epic straight-sets Alcaraz win”
In the 60th and potentially final H2H matchup between two of the sport’s greatest ever players, the tournament’s top seed Novak Djokovic withstood a wobble late to dispatch Rafael Nadal in straight-sets on Philippe Chatrier. However, the Serb’s sudden sloppy play against his longtime rival will give prospective opponents renewed faith they can prevail in a best-of-three format.
Continue reading “Olympics: Djokovic decisive after Nadal surge, wins 60th – perhaps final – meeting”
The world number one regretfully will miss this summer’s Olympic Games after listening to doctors’ orders advising him against travelling for the quadrennial event with tonsillitis, following reports in Italian media suggesting he’d travel later in the week before round one of singles begins on clay this weekend. Continue reading “Paris Olympics: Sinner withdraws with tonsillitis, Rune’s wrist forces him out too”
Back on Sunday afternoon, Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his title at SW19 and joined rarefied air as the sixth player to complete the Channel Slam – clinching both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon titles in the same season – as the Spaniard started fast, served well and finished assertively against a less-than-100% Novak Djokovic during their final rematch. How did he do it this time? Continue reading “Alcaraz asserts himself in straight-sets Djokovic win during Wimbledon final rematch – but why was this so different?”
On a day where defending champion Carlos Alcaraz fended off another tricky challenge in France’s Ugo Humbert to secure his seventh consecutive Major quarter-final berth, five maiden Wimbledon quarterfinalists were confirmed – headlined by New Zealand-Swiss qualifier Lulu Sun after an aggressive approach paid dividends to stun Emma Raducanu in their round four matchup.
Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Sun slices and sinks Raducanu in three, Sinner-Medvedev set”
Carlos Alcaraz had a serious scare in a five-set duel but emerged with his confidence renewed after some inspired play to overwhelm Frances Tiafoe in their thrilling third-round contest, before home hopeful Emma Raducanu notched another top-10 win as she outplayed Maria Sakkari on Centre Court. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Alcaraz survives Tiafoe scare as Raducanu sweeps Sakkari aside”
Jacob Fearnley’s main experience at SW19 came six years ago, as a practice partner for then-defending champion Roger Federer. Ranked outside the world’s top 500 in early June, the 22-year-old – fresh out of US college like many other rising Brits – seized this wildcard with both hands, pushing seven-time champion Novak Djokovic during what proved a competitive R2 four-set defeat. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Fearnley’s firepower a welcome sign despite Djokovic loss in four”
Emma Raducanu endured an unpredictable start en route to a 7-6, 6-3 win over Mexican lucky loser Renata Zarazúa, as the 2021 US Open champion made a successful Centre Court return on a busy opening day packed with high-profile injury-enforced withdrawals – a trio of seeded women, including Australian Open titleholder Aryna Sabalenka. Plus, it’s likely there are more to come… Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Sabalenka, Azarenka among withdrawals as Raducanu prevails”
Andy Murray’s final hurrah – injury permitting – Novak Djokovic testing his limits again less than a month after knee surgery, new world no. 1 Jannik Sinner looking to unseat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz while Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter fly the Brits’ flag in an intriguing women’s draw. Will any Americans make some noise? How about youngsters with little to lose? Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Draw analysis as SW19 beckons again with storylines brewing”
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a puzzling third set collapse, one set away from a painful defeat. The 21-year-old composed himself once more and produced expert shot-making painting the lines in clutch moments to eventually outlast Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev in a four-hour battle of attrition between two first-time French Open finalists.
Continue reading “Alcaraz beats nerves and Zverev in five-set rollercoaster for maiden French Open title”
Continue reading “Theatre closed indefinitely as Djokovic undergoes surgery after Cerundolo win”
Novak Djokovic was trailing and in trouble against Lorenzo Musetti as a shock result looked likely in the early hours on Sunday. He clicked into gear and produced some inspired tennis under duress, just as the Italian’s level dropped, and now the Serb is into the business end of another Major – where his steely defiance is magnified. A first H2H meeting with Francisco Cerundolo beckons. Continue reading “Cerundolo the next challenge as Djokovic recovers to beat Musetti in five-set thriller”
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