Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Lorenzo Sonego took on Joao Fonseca and a rowdy Brazilian contingent but emerged victorious during a busy day’s play, where four seeds fell but Iga Swiatek and Alex de Minaur won comfortably as Madison Keys kicked off the night session with a three-set victory before compatriot Learner Tien produced a thrilling display over five sets vs. three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 25: Sonego stifles Fonseca in five, Tien topples Medvedev in thriller”
Jasmine Paolini recovered from a set down against Donna Vekic on semifinal Thursday, becoming the first French Open and Wimbledon ladies’ finalist in the same year since Serena Williams’ historic 2016 campaign. Barbora Krejcikova’s fighting spirit saw her oust 2022 champion Elena Rybakina later – an eighth different singles champion in the last eight editions will be sealed on Saturday. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Paolini vs. Krejcikova in Saturday’s final after comeback victories”
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”
As the race to Wimbledon is already underway on grass, the last two ladies’ champions are doubtful to feature at the year’s third Major after retiring from action in Berlin – first defending titlist Marketa Vondrousova after a worrying fall, then Elena Rybakina the following day with an unspecified illness. Continue reading “WIMBLEDON 2024: 2022 champ Rybakina, defending titlist Vondrousova both doubtful after Berlin retirements”
First-time finalist Jasmine Paolini was aggressive in threatening an early scare, breaking Iga Swiatek to lead 2-1 as the Pole sprayed some uncharacteristic errors. Yet she responded precisely as you’d expect the world no. 1 to on her favourite surface: 10 straight games banked en route to another straight-sets French Open final victory – three straight titles in Paris and fifth Major overall.
Continue reading “Iga imperious to sweep another French Open title vs. first-time finalist Paolini”
Mirra Andreeva celebrated her 17th birthday on Madrid clay by earning a quarter-final berth at a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time, backing up her second career top-10 win – over Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova – with a similarly gritty victory to knock out Jasmine Paolini 24 hours later. Continue reading “Birthday girl Andreeva’s maturity in Madrid a welcome sign for years to come”
2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina racked up a third WTA title of the season, less than 24 hours after outlasting world no. 1 Iga Swiatek to extend her impressive deciding set record, swatting aside a wasteful Marta Kostyuk display to seal the Stuttgart spoils as the race to Roland Garros continues. Continue reading “WTA Stuttgart: Swiatek slayer Rybakina reels off third title of 2024, beats Kostyuk”
World number one Iga Swiatek remains on course for a third consecutive Stuttgart title, after enduring more peaks and troughs than usual before finding her best level in the clutch moments late to oust 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu during their competitive quarter-final matchup. Continue reading “WTA Stuttgart: Swiatek holds her nerve vs. Raducanu, as Rybakina rematch beckons”
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