Category: Tennis

Amanda Anisimova ended the Wimbledon dream of top seed Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday, winning a gruelling battle of the big-hitters to set up a final clash against Iga Swiatek or Belinda Bencic.

The American 13th seed converted her fourth match point to seal a tense 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory in scorching temperatures on Centre Court.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka had reached the previous three Grand Slam finals but came up short against Anisimova, who matched her blow for blow in a bruising match lasting just over two and a half hours.

“This doesn’t feel real right now, honestly,” said Anisimova. “Aryna is such a tough competitor, and I was absolutely dying out there. I don’t know how I pulled it out.

“We’ve had so many tough battles, and to come out on top and be in the final of Wimbledon is incredible.”

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Anisimova is only the second player in the Open era to reach a women’s final at a Grand Slam after losing in qualifying at the previous year’s event.

“If you told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I would not believe you. It’s indescribable to be honest,” she said.

The 23-year-old, who now has an impressive 6-3 winning record against Sabalenka, won the first set when the Belarusian top seed double-faulted.

But a single break in the second set was enough for Aryna Sabalenka to level the match, and when she broke at the start of the decider, she appeared to have the momentum.

Anisimova, though, was not to be denied, breaking twice and moving into a 4-1 lead.

She wobbled when attempting to serve for the match but sealed the win on Sabalenka’s serve in the following game.

Reaching her first Grand Slam title match is a cathartic moment for Anisimova, who was hailed as a teenage sensation after reaching the 2019 French Open semi-finals aged just 17.

But in 2023, she took an eight-month break from the court for mental health reasons, tumbling out of the top 400.

This time last year, she was on the comeback trail but was ranked too low to qualify for the Wimbledon main draw and fell in the qualifying round.

Since then, she has climbed quickly, winning the WTA 1000 tournament in Qatar earlier this year, and is guaranteed to make her top-10 debut on Monday.

But defeat was a bitter blow for Sabalenka, who has still never been beyond the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

The 27-year-old won last year’s US Open to collect her third major, but suffered agonising defeats in the finals of this year’s Australian Open and French Open.

Polish former world number one Swiatek faces Swiss world number 35 Bencic in the second semi-final on Centre Court.

Swiatek, seeded eighth, has gone under the radar at this year’s Wimbledon as most of the other top women’s seeds have tumbled, dropping just one set so far.

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After slipping down the rankings, the 24-year-old is now back in the world’s top four, having reached her first-ever grass-court final at Bad Homburg last month.

Swiatek, who won junior Wimbledon in 2018, said after her quarter-final victory against Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova that she had worked hard to improve her game on the surface.

“It feels great. Even though I’m in the middle of the tournament, I’ve already got goosebumps after this win. I’m super happy and super proud of myself, and I’ll keep going,” she said.

Bencic returned to action in October, six months after giving birth to her daughter, Bella.

Like Swiatek, the 28-year-old Bencic is a former junior Wimbledon champion.

“I’m very proud. I didn’t say it to myself much before, but since having Bella, I say it to myself every day. It’s not only me, I wouldn’t be able to do it without my amazing family and team,” said the Tokyo Olympic champion.

READ: WATCH: Ireland’s Curtis Campher creates history, becomes first player to achieve rare feat

Novak Djokovic won a testing battle against Flavio Cobolli on Wednesday to reach a record 14th men’s Wimbledon semi-final, which will be a blockbuster clash against world number one Jannik Sinner.

The Serb, chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam singles crown, was given the royal seal of approval by Britain’s Queen Camilla before his 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win on Centre Court.

The seven-time champion was pushed hard by the Italian 22nd seed but ultimately had too much for the 23-year-old, who had never previously been beyond the third round of a major.

Djokovic said Wimbledon was the “most special tournament” in the sport as he was cheered by the crowd.

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“And of course, it means the world to me that I’m still still able at 38 to play the final stages of Wimbledon,” he said.

“Thank you for cheering for my age. I really appreciate it. It’s beautiful. Makes me feel very young.

“And I guess another thing that makes me feel very young is competing with youngsters, you know, like Cobolli today — he’s who knows how many years younger than me.”

The sixth seed prepared for the contest by meeting Camilla, the wife of King Charles III, who said she was keeping her “fingers crossed” for his match.

She watched Djokovic from the Royal Box, along with British actor Hugh Grant.

Cobolli showed early intent, mixing up his play with drop shots and heavy groundstrokes from his flashing orange racquet and unsettling his illustrious opponent.

Novak Djokovic, who has reached every Wimbledon final since 2018, served for the first set at 5-3 but the Italian broke back and won the ensuing tie-break.

Cobolli, who has claimed titles in Bucharest and Hamburg this year, next had to answer the question of whether he could sustain his level against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

But it was a different story in the second set as Djokovic broke twice to level the match in the evening sunshine.

The pair swapped service breaks early in the third set but Djokovic pounced again in the 11th game and thundered an ace as he took control of the match.

The fourth set was tight but Cobolli failed to put away a simple winner at the net in the ninth game.

Djokovic slipped and fell awkwardly when serving for the match, grimacing in pain, but got up to finish the job.

He played down the incident in his on-court interview.

“I had a nasty slip, but that’s what happens when you play on the grass,” he said.

“It did come at an awkward moment, but somehow I managed to find a good serve and close it out. Obviously, I’m going to visit this subject now with my physio and hopefully I’ll be well in two days.”

The Serb now owns the all-time record for most Wimbledon men’s singles semi-final appearances, moving one clear of eight-time champion Roger Federer, who reached the last four 13 times.

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He has also reached a 52nd Grand Slam semi-final, extending his all-time record in the men’s game.

Djokovic is now within two wins of breaking his tie with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles for any player, man or woman.

If he reaches and wins Sunday’s final he will also equal Federer’s record of eight men’s titles at the All England Club.

Jannik Sinner, who beat 10th seed Ben Shelton earlier Wednesday, will offer a different level of challenge.

The top seed has won his past four matches against Djokovic, beating him in straight sets in the semi-finals of the recent French Open.

Carlos Alcaraz, who has beaten Novak Djokovic in the past two finals at Wimbledon, takes on US fifth seed Taylor Fritz in the other semi-final on Friday.

READ: Jannik Sinner breaks Shelton’s heart to reach Wimbledon semi-finals

Jannik Sinner eased pre-match injury fears to sweep past Ben Shelton in straight sets on Wednesday, setting up a Wimbledon semi-final against Novak Djokovic or Flavio Cobolli.

Sinner wore a protective sleeve on his right arm during his 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-4 quarter-final victory against 10th seed Shelton in two hours 19 minutes.

But the 23-year-old, who hurt himself in the previous round against Grigor Dimitrov, battled through the discomfort to reach his second semi-final at the All England Club.

Sinner, who grimaced after returning one of Shelton’s serves in the second set, said after the match on Court One that he was on the mend.

“You know, when you are in a match with a lot of tension, you try to not think about it,” said the Italian when asked about his injury.

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“It has improved a lot from yesterday to today. Yesterday, my day was very short on the practice court, 20 minutes with the coaches only.”

But he added: “This is no excuse. There is no better stage to play tennis and think I showed this today. Again, you know, the atmosphere helps me so much, so thank you so much for the support.”

The top seed had sparked fears he may have to pull out of the tournament after falling early in his fourth-round tie against Dimitrov.

The Italian top seed was trailing by two sets and on the brink of a shock exit when the Bulgarian pulled a pectoral muscle while serving and had to retire.

Sinner, a three-time Grand Slam champion, slashed his training schedule on Tuesday and had a scan to determine the extent of his injury.

The world number one, who has never reached the Wimbledon final, is the first Italian man to reach the last four at the All England Club multiple times, following his previous semi-final appearance in 2023.

Beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in an epic French Open final in June, when he blew a two-set lead and squandered three championship points, Sinner had been revitalised in his first three matches at Wimbledon.

He dropped just 17 games to equal a 53-year-old record for the fewest games conceded en route to the Wimbledon men’s last 16.

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Shelton had surpassed his father and coach Bryan, who reached the Wimbledon last 16 31 years ago, but he was no match for Sinner, who is seeking to reach his fourth straight Grand Slam final.

The Italian ground his way through a gruelling first set lasting 52 minutes. Shelton was also in the wars, and the 22-year-old needed his left ankle re-taped late in the set.

Sinner broke in the 10th game of the second set to seize a two-set lead. The third set was a tight affair, going with serve until the 10th game, when Shelton faltered.

Jannik Sinner needed three match points but celebrated when the American went long. The Italian player is set to face Novak Djokovic or F. Cobolli in the semi-final.

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LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi on Wednesday to discuss the promotion of tennis across the country.

During the meeting, Aisam highlighted the ongoing issues related to tennis courts in Islamabad. Responding to the concerns, Mohsin Naqvi immediately directed relevant authorities to address the problems and ensure timely resolutions.

Expressing his commitment to supporting all sports, Naqvi assured the PTF of PCB’s full cooperation in promoting tennis.

“We will also build new tennis courts,” he said, adding that Pakistan is brimming with talent not only in cricket but also in tennis.

Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent across various formats.

“We want Pakistani players to shine in tennis just like they do in cricket,” he stated.

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He also noted the growing popularity of padel tennis among the youth, promising the federation full backing to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

“PTF will have our complete support to help young players benefit from the rise of padel tennis,” he said.

Aisam-ul-Haq, meanwhile, congratulated Mohsin Naqvi on the successful hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and lauded his efforts to promote cricket in the country.

He also expressed his gratitude to the PCB Chairman for taking steps to resolve tennis infrastructure issues and for pledging to construct new courts.

It’s worth noting that PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed was also present during the meeting.

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Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire from his Wimbledon fourth-round match against world No 1 Jannik Sinner on Monday night after suffering a pectoral muscle injury during the third set.

According to ESPN, it was another unfortunate end to a Grand Slam match for Grigor Dimitrov, who has now failed to finish a match in each of the last five majors, the longest such streak by any male player in the Open era.

The 33-year-old Bulgarian looked strong early in the match, winning the first two sets 6-3, 7-5 and putting pressure on Sinner, who was also dealing with an elbow issue after slipping in the opening game.

However, at 2-all in the third set, Grigor Dimitrov suddenly clutched his chest in pain after serving, took a few steps, and crouched on the grass.

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Sinner immediately walked over to check on his opponent.

“My pec,” Grigor Dimitrov told him before heading to the sideline to receive medical attention. A trainer and doctor examined him while Sinner knelt nearby.

After a few minutes, Grigor Dimitrov left the court with the medical team but later returned to inform officials he could not continue.

It marked Grigor Dimitrov’s 10th retirement in a Grand Slam match, a tough statistic for a player who was once a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2014 and has reached the final four at three different majors.

He also retired earlier this year at the Australian Open and the French Open, as well as at last year’s Wimbledon and the US Open.

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Jannik Sinner, who was leading 3-2 in the third set when Dimitrov retired, will now undergo an MRI scan on his own injured elbow.

The Italian star will face Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, provided he is fit to continue.

For now, Grigor Dimitrov’s injury adds another sad chapter to his recent run of misfortune at the Grand Slams. Fans and fellow players alike will be hoping for a speedy recovery and a return to full fitness for the talented Bulgarian.

READ: Pakistan women cricketers’ fitness camp commences in Karachi

Novak Djokovic survived a scare to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a tense four-set victory over Alex de Minaur on Monday, staying on course for a blockbuster clash with world number one Jannik Sinner.

Seven-time champion Djokovic endured a nightmare start to his last-16 match against the Australian 11th seed on Centre Court but eventually battled back to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Fresh from his 100th win at Wimbledon on Saturday — making him the third player to achieve that feat after Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer — Novak Djokovic reached his 16th quarter-final at the tournament.

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Aged 38, Djokovic is aiming to win a record 25th major title, breaking a tie with the long-retired Margaret Court, and a record-equalling eighth men’s crown at the All England Club.

That would make him the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in the Open era.

“It wasn’t a great start for me, it was a great start for Alex de Minaur obviously. I kind of reset myself in the second set,” Novak Djokovic said.

“I was very pleased to hang in tough in the right moments and win this one.”

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Sixth-seeded Djokovic’s 101st victory at Wimbledon came under the gaze of Federer, who was sitting in the front row of the royal box alongside his wife Mirka.

“It’s probably the first time he’s watching me and I’ve won the match,” said Djokovic. “The last couple I lost, so good to break the curse.

“No, it’s great, obviously, great to have Roger, a huge champion and someone that I admired and respected a lot.

“We shared the stage for so many years, and it’s great to have him back.”

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Taylor Fritz booked a place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals in double-quick time on Sunday after Australia’s Jordan Thompson retired injured with the score at 6-1, 3-0.

The US fifth seed faced gruelling five-set battles in his opening two matches but it was a different story in his fourth-round encounter on Court One.

The Eastbourne champion broke Thompson twice to seal the first set in just 21 minutes and led 3-0 in the second set.

The Australian then had a medical time-out to deal with an apparent thigh problem.

He returned to the court and slipped 40-0 down in the fourth game before deciding he was unable to continue, with the match lasting just 41 minutes.

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“He’s been playing five-setters,” said Fritz, 27. “He was out playing a long doubles match yesterday you know, so he’s been battling out here and I respected him for coming out.

“Obviously his body’s not right. So, you know, I feel bad for him.”

Thompson, 44th in the rankings, was taken to five sets in his opening two singles matches at Wimbledon.

Fritz, seeking to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final, will next face Russian 17th seed Karen Khachanov, who earlier beat Kamil Majchrzak with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 on Court Two.

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Fritz won a record fourth Eastbourne title last month and was pushed to his limits in his opening two matches at the All England Club.

The world number five rallied from the brink to defeat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in five sets before going the distance against Gabriel Diallo in the second round.

He then downed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in four sets, taking his time on court over three rounds to nearly 10 hours.

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Australian Open champion Madison Keys became the latest star to crash out of Wimbledon as the American sixth seed was stunned by Laura Siegemund on Friday.

Keys slumped to a 6-3, 6-3 loss against the German world number 104 in the third round on Court Two.

The 30-year-old is the fifth player among the top six seeds in the women’s draw to suffer a surprise exit from this year’s tournament.

Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen had already bowed out, though world number one Aryna Sabalenka is still alive.

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Keys, who beat Sabalenka to clinch her maiden Grand Slam crown in Melbourne in January, is yet to make it past the quarter-finals in 11 visits to the All England Club.

She made 31 unforced errors in a lacklustre display against Siegemund.

It was a miserable way to spend the fourth of July for Keys while her compatriots celebrated the Independence Day holiday back in the United States.

Siegemund, who beat former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the second round, is through to the Wimbledon last 16 for the first time.

At 37, she is the oldest player left in the women’s tournament, with her best Grand Slam singles run coming when she made the French Open quarter-finals in 2020.

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“When you beat a great player like Madison you have to be really happy,” said Siegemund. “I managed to keep my nerve in the end. If you don’t have nerves in this moment you are probably dead.

“It was a big opportunity. You just take a deep breath and remember your strategy.

“All the girls on the tour are perfectionists. I’m the same but there was no pressure for me. I don’t feel like I need to prove anything anymore.”

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Wimbledon paid tribute to Diogo Jota after the Liverpool star’s death as Portugal’s Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon during his doubles match on Friday.

Cabral was allowed to put the ribbon on his shirt sleeve for the second-round tie after the All England Club relaxed its strict all-white dress code to allow tributes to the Portugal forward.

Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in northern Spain while traveling to catch a ferry to England ahead of the start of pre-season training.

The accident came just days after Jota’s wedding to Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.

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Cabral said he was driving to Wimbledon when he heard the news and praised Jota as “an idol, such an icon, such a good person”.

“I know what he’s been through, what he conquered through his career and through his life. So he’s just very inspiring for me,” he said after losing with Austrian partner Lucas Miedler against Czech duo Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.

“I just wish all the best for his family. I know they have good people around them so I hope they can get through it.”

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British doubles player Neal Skupski, a passionate Liverpool fan, had also brought a black armband for his match on Thursday but opted not to wear it.

He suggested he may wear one later in the tournament, saying: “Maybe in the next couple of days.”

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo’s heartfelt reaction to Diogo Jota’s tragic passing

Novak Djokovic stepped up his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title as he moved into the Wimbledon third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 rout of British wildcard Dan Evans on Thursday.

Djokovic needed just one hour and 47 minutes to dispatch Evans with a ruthless display in the second round on Centre Court.

The sixth seed struggled with stomach issues in his four-set win against Alexandre Muller, praising the “miracle pills” he took during the first round for his strong recovery.

There were no lingering effects for the seven-time Wimbledon champion as he overwhelmed Dan Evans with 46 winners.

“It means I’ve been playing quite a long time!” Djokovic said when told he had just secured his 99th Wimbledon match victory.

“I still enjoy it. This court has given me so much. Wimbledon has a special place in my heart. Any history made here is obviously extra special.”

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Novak Djokovic is dreaming of putting an exclamation point on his incredible career by becoming the most successful singles player in tennis history.

The 38-year-old has been tied with Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam titles since winning his most recent major prize at the 2023 US Open.

And despite losing the last two Wimbledon finals against Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic believes the lawns of south-west London provide his best chance to win that elusive 25th major.

“I’m aware of the history on the line. I’m thinking about the big things I can do in this tournament,” he said.

“I don’t reflect on it for now. I think that will come when I sip a margarita on the beach with (Roger) Federer and (Rafael) Nadal!”

After losing to top seed Jannik Sinner in the recent French Open semi-finals, Djokovic is in the unusual position of no longer being regarded as the Wimbledon title favourite, having failed to make the championship match in his previous three Grand Slam appearances.

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Djokovic, who won his 100th tour-level title in May in Geneva, has been dogged by questions about when he will retire since fulfilling his long-held desire for Olympic singles gold in Paris last year.

But he would draw level on a record eight men’s Wimbledon singles titles with Federer if he wins the grass-court event for the first time since 2022, and on this evidence, he is in the mood to make history at his favourite tournament.

Dan Evans, 35, had won his only previous meeting with Djokovic on clay in Monte Carlo four years ago, and the Serb claimed he was the kind of tricky opponent he would have preferred to avoid.

But Djokovic had never lost a Grand Slam match to a player ranked as low as world number 154, Evans, and he wasn’t about to make unwanted history.

“I knew it would be a special atmosphere on Centre Court. A Brit in Britain is always hard to face,” Djokovic said.

“Technically and tactically, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and I executed perfectly. Sometimes you have these kinds of days when everything goes your way.”

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