Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Eight days ago, Carlos Alcaraz completed the one feat many didn’t expect: beat four-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, on Centre Court, at Wimbledon. The size of this achievement is yet to be realised, but how did the charismatic young Spaniard manage to recover from behind, during a five-set epic with momentum swings plenty – where both could’ve played even better? Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: Alcaraz ascends past Djokovic in five-set epic – how did he do it?”
Ons Jabeur showed mental toughness and brilliant shot-making in tight moments, recovering from a set down to beat reigning champion Elena Rybakina – the exact opposite of their 2022 final. She must beat Madison Keys’ conqueror Aryna Sabalenka to return there, while Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev is next on Friday after different wins by one-time Major champions. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: Jabeur avenges defeat in Rybakina rematch, Alcaraz-Medvedev set”
It was a bittersweet day as two players enjoying career-best Wimbledon runs had them cut short via injury against a defending champion and former world no. 1 respectively, while Christopher Eubanks continued his inspiring run with a rousing five-set victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas and the 27-year-old’s compatriot recovered from a set and 4-1 down to end a talented teenager’s run elsewhere.
Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: Haddad Maia + Lehecka retire injured, Eubanks stuns Tsitsipas”
2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev got his Wimbledon campaign up-and-running with a straight-sets win over a spirited effort from British wildcard Arthur Fery, who finds himself with a decision to make over his college status this autumn. Elsewhere, Daria Kasatkina made quick work of Jodie Burrage, while Jannik Sinner is into R3 after overwhelming Diego Schwartzman.
Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: Kasatkina downs Burrage, Medvedev and Sinner both excel”
After consecutive night sessions fell flat, Gael Monfils relished his role as the party starter on home soil and recovered from a seemingly improbable position to beat Sebastian Baez in a near four-hour thriller on Philippe-Chatrier. Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev both won clean while world no. 2 Daniil Medvedev was stunned by Brazil’s 23-year-old Thiago Seyboth Wild. Read on, for more… Continue reading “French Open 2023: Monfils-Baez exceeds expectations as Day 3 full of surprises”
Olympic champion Alexander Zverev has endured some teething problems on his return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with a Dubai semi-final his best result since recovering from an ankle injury that needed surgery last June. However, the 26-year-old is right to be introspective about his topsy-turvy form and cited other recent examples that give him cause for future optimism. Continue reading “Alexander Zverev introspective as he talks inconsistent form after serious injury”
Before Sunday afternoon, Andrey Rublev had won 12 ATP tour-level singles titles, three in doubles competition as well as Olympic gold in mixed two years ago. By 6pm that day, he claimed the biggest trophy of his career and did so in a manner he’ll never forget: recovering from 4-1 down in the deciding set to topple Paris Masters champion Holger Rune. How will he build on that success? Continue reading “Andrey Rublev’s grind resumes in Bosnia, after clinching maiden Masters 1000 title”
It felt inevitable as the threat of expulsion and further fines were surfacing over recent months. Now it’s been confirmed: Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to compete at Britain’s grass-court tennis tournaments – including Wimbledon – this summer if they sign neutrality agreements after the All England Club and Lawn Tennis Association reversed their controversial ban. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: AELTC, LTA reverse ban on Russian, Belarusian players competing”
They say revenge is a dish best served cold and it certainly was for this year’s Indian Wells champions: Elena Rybakina bested Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in straight-sets, before Carlos Alcaraz ended Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak with aplomb in the men’s final. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Rybakina pips Sabalenka to title, before Alcaraz ends Medvedev’s 19-match win streak”
World no. 1 Iga Swiatek endured some stressful moments but won in straight-sets over Emma Raducanu, who faded physically despite an encouraging display in places. That came after Jack Draper was forced to retire with an abdominal injury against Carlos Alcaraz, who now plays comeback king Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last-eight – who he has never beaten (0-3 H2H) before… Continue reading “Indian Wells: Swiatek stifles Raducanu, Draper’s injury woes return and Norrie’s double-header”
2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev started assertively and produced more on the big points against a determined Andy Murray display, in an entertaining battle of former world no. 1 players. Having built up confidence and momentum with consecutive ATP titles after Rotterdam last weekend, can the Russian go on to break his hoodoo at the upcoming ATP 1000 events? Continue reading “Plenty to ponder for both after Medvedev outsmarts Murray to clinch Qatar Open title”
Barbora Krejcikova rallied from a bagel set down to end Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka’s 13-match unbeaten run with a spirited comeback win on another busy day of tennis worldwide. Andy Murray again prevailed in three sets and now faces Andrey Rublev’s conqueror Jiri Lehecka, while Felix Auger-Aliassime hopes for a different outcome at Daniil Medvedev’s expense later today – a repeat of last week’s Rotterdam quarter-final matchup beckons.
Mo and Sports 