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Tag: wimbledon

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Hsieh Su-Wei, Elise Mertens clinch Australian Open women’s doubles title | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei and Belgium's Elise Mertens secured the women's doubles title at the Australian Open with a convincing 6-1, 7-5 victory over the Latvian-Ukrainian pair Jelena Ostapenko and Lyudmyla Kichenok on Sunday.The triumph marked the second Grand Slam women's doubles title for the second-seeded duo, adding to their Wimbledon victory in 2021. Hsieh Su-Wei, aged 38, became the second-oldest woman to win a Grand Slam doubles title, following Lisa Raymond.The match started with Hsieh and Mertens breaking in the third game, establishing an early advantage and comfortably closing out the first set. The second set proved more competitive, with Ostapenko and Kichenok initially securing a service break. However, Hsieh and Mertens fought back, breaking twice to take a 5-3 l...
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Aryna Sabalenka crushes Zheng Qinwen to defend Australian Open title | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: 25-year-old Belarusian defending champion and world number two Aryna Sabalenka defeated Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-2 to win the Australian Open women's singles title in Melbourne on Saturday.Sabalenka took just 33 minutes to race through a 6-3 win in the first set at Melbourne Park.This is Sabalenka's second Grand Slam title while Zheng was gunning for a first.Sabalenka became the first woman to defend the Australian Open title since 2013.It capped an incredible display of power and poise from Sabalenka over the past fortnight, with the 25-year-old surging to the title without losing a set through her seven matches.The Belarusian matched the achievement of compatriot Victoria Azarenka, who won the tournament in 2012 and 2013.The Belarusian opened with a comfortable...
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Aryna Sabalenka smashes Lesia Tsurenko 6-0, 6-0 to reach Australian Open fourth round – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka showcased her exceptional form at the Australian Open by dismantling 28th seed Lesia Tsurenko with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory, securing a spot in the fourth round. Sabalenka, the Belarusian second seed and reigning Australian Open champion, has now lost only six games in the entire tournament.Wearing a vivid red outfit, Sabalenka demonstrated her intent right from the start on Rod Laver Arena, completing the match in a swift 52 minutes.Her devastating power left Tsurenko struggling to respond, managing only a mere 11 points in the first set, compared to Sabalenka's 27.In the second set, the story remained the same, as Sabalenka continued her dominance. Despite Tsurenko having two points to get on the board in the second game on her serve, S...
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‘Competitive animal’ Rafael Nadal back for one last hurrah | Tennis News – Times of India

SYDNEY: More than two decades after bursting on the scene, the sun is setting on Rafael Nadal's storied career with the Spanish gladiator hoping his creaking body can hold up long enough to see out the season.The 37-year-old returns to the courts in Brisbane this week, almost a year since he last played professionally before an injury curse that has long plagued him returned with a vengeance.It has been a recurring theme of a record-breaking career which has brought 22 Grand Slam titles and global respect, a painful by-product of his all-action, brutal-hitting style that has led to struggles with serious knee, wrist and foot problems.His most recent setback, at the 2023 Australian Open, resulted in two rounds of hip surgery and fears that he would never grace the courts again.But Nadal ...
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Young rivals have awoken my inner ‘beast’: Novak Djokovic | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Next year, Novak Djokovic will turn 37, but the Serbian player believes that as youthful competitors bring out the "beast" in him, his hunger for glory will only grow.With three of the four Grand Slams won, the world number one had an incredible 2023. This brought his total to 24, two more than his fiercest opponent Rafael Nadal and four more above the retired Roger Federer.But Djokovic did not have it all his own way, as 22-year-old Jannik Sinner dashed his dreams of winning the Davis Cup and 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz denied him a Wimbledon championship."The young guys who are very hungry and very inspired to play their best tennis against me is an additional motivation," Djokovic said on CBS News program "60 Minutes"."I think they kind of awaken a beast in me."Alcaraz was ...
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Novak Djokovic: A look at each of his 24 Grand Slam titles | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title by beating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the US Open final on Sunday.That added to Djokovic's record for the most major singles tennis championships won by a man — Rafael Nadal is next with 22; Roger Federer, who announced his retirement last year, has 20 — and broke a tie with Serena Williams for the most in the Open era, which began in 1968.Like Djokovic, Margaret Court won a total of 24, but some of hers were earned during the sport's amateur era.Here is a look at each of Djokovic's major championships so far — 10 at the Australian Open, seven at Wimbledon, four at the U.S. Open and three at the French Open — starting with the first:No. 1: 2008 Australian Open Final: Beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (2)What He Di...
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Watch: Coco Gauff from dancing in the stands as a kid to winning the US Open title | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Dreams are meant to come true. With sheer will power and immense determination, focus and hard work, anything is possible. It stands true in the case of Coco Gauff who became the first American teenager to win the country's major tennis tournament since Serena Williams in 1999.Gauff burst onto the scene at 15 by becoming the youngest qualifier in Wimbledon history and making it to the fourth round in her Grand Slam debut in 2019. She reached her initial major final at last year's French Open, finishing as the runner-up to Iga Swiatek.As a pro athlete from a young age, as someone of whom greatness has been expected by some and doubted by others, Gauff has always taken it all in and kept moving forward, trying to learn from each setback. And now, at a tournament she used to vis...
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Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic relish US Open collision course | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Novak Djokovic will make his long-awaited return to the US Open next week. He wants to beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and take back the title and world number one position.The 36-year-old Serbian great couldn't get into the U.S. for most of the last two years because he refused to get vaccinated for Covid-19.Last year, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion could only watch from afar as Spanish star Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam tournament and was named the new King of New York. Since that breakthrough victory, Alcaraz and Djokovic have developed the sport's most compelling new rivalry, pushing each other to the limit in an epic five-set Wimbledon final last month that ended with Alcaraz triumphing 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. The two men produced another pulsat...
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Fire still burns as Novak Djokovic prepares for US return | Tennis News – Times of India

Novak Djokovic said he still had fire in his belly as the 23-times Grand Slam champion prepares to return to action at this week's Cincinnati Open after losing the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz last month.Djokovic's bid for a calendar year Grand Slam after winning the Australian Open and French Open titles ended in a five-set defeat at the All England Club, but the 36-year-old said he was over that disappointment in a day.The Serbian will now aim to finish the season strongly, starting with the US hardcourt swing. He is returning to the country for the first time in two years after being denied entry due to being unvaccinated for COVID-19."I like the feeling that I have after 20 plus years of professional tennis. There's still a fire going," Djokovic said on the ATP website ahead of...
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Just Stop Oil protesters set off orange flare at British Open | Golf News – Times of India

A group of protesters from "Just Stop Oil" caused a disturbance by setting off an orange flare next to the 17th green during the second round of the British Open at Hoylake on Friday.The sight of orange powder near the edge of the green raised concerns, but fortunately, it didn't affect the gameplay, and the second-round play continued without any delay.The police swiftly responded to the situation and drove the protesters off the course using a golf buggy to ensure the safety and smooth functioning of the tournament.The "Just Stop Oil" protesters have been known for disrupting major sporting events in England throughout the year. Prior to this incident at the British Open, they had previously disrupted the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the Ashes Test at Lord's, causing concern and...
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Carlos Alcaraz: The boy wonder | Tennis News – Times of India

Alcaraz wows tennis world with stunning show in Wimbledon final; Djokovic calls him 'complete player'LONDON: It's a long trudge to Centre Court for the Wimbledon finalists, through the slightly curved corridor of the club house - the sun-kissed, glass-paneled walls on one side and The Championships documented through the years on the other. Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic's eyes sparked a monk-like focus, Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old phenom, took in the large gathering at the entrance of the club.He smiled, perhaps to release the tension.Then they descended the stairs, the 36-year-old first, washed in the light of chandeliers, cameras trained at them. Prize fighters.Some five hours later, following a 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 win over the 23-time major winner Djokovic, Alcaraz w...
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When Carlos Alcaraz was compared to Virat Kohli | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: There will certainly be multiple answers when fans will be asked who is the current face of world cricket and pundits can be divided with their own opinions but if a tennis commentator is to be believed it is none other than Indian star Virat Kohli.After Carlos Alcaraz clinched his maiden Wimbledon title on Sunday, an old video of a commentator doing the rounds on social media in which he was heard comparing tennis star Alcaraz to Kohli.In the viral clip, Alcaraz was seen playing against Stefanos Tsitsipas on a clay surface. During the match, Alcaraz played a beautiful drop shot that Tsitispas failed to return.The shot seemed to have impressed the commentator which forced him to draw comparisons with the greats of other sports."It's like watching Virat Kohli in cricket or Mic...
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Watch: Novak Djokovic’s wife Jelena and son Stefan congratulate Carlos Alcaraz after Wimbledon win

After Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic to lift the Wimbledon Championship on Sunday, there was a heartwarming moment when both Djokovic’s wife Jelena and son Stefan congratulated the young Spanish star. After Djokovic lost the battle, the Serbian admitted that Alcaraz was a class apart and he had never faced a player quite like the Spaniard. “I didn’t expect him to play so well this year on grass, but he’s proven he’s the best player in the world,” Djokovic said after his loss. “I haven’t played a player like him ever, to be honest. I think people have been talking in the past 12 months or so about his game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself. I would agree with that. “He’s got basically the best of all three worlds. He’s got this Spanish bull mentality, fight...
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‘He’s got best of all three worlds’: Novak Djokovic says Carlos Alcaraz’s game consists certain elements from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and himself

Novak Djokovic shared high praise for Carlos Alcaraz after their Wimbledon final clash saying the youngster’s game is a mixture of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and himself. “I didn’t expect him to play so well this year on grass, but he’s proven he’s the best player in the world,”Djokovic told reporters. Alcaraz de-throned the 36-year-old Serb on Centre Court on Sunday, winning a riveting Wimbledon final by 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. a game-style Djokovic later described as like facing a blend of the big three — himself, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. Classy words from the seven-time champion. An emotional Novak Djokovic speaks after his #Wimbledon final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz… pic.twitter.com/Lvg980Sbn8 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023 Novak Djokovic said he has never faced a p...
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Carlos Alcaraz is no Boris Becker and this is more significant than Federer beating Sampras

There’s this Michael Jordan story from the time when the ageing Magic Johnson was still the unquestionable GOAT of basketball. It is from the pre-1992 Olympics camp, where the Dream Team was split into two for a practice game. What was to be a routine morning workout turned out to be a clash of big egos where no one gave an inch. Jordan was on roll that day, his electric play reminded Johnson that he wasn’t quite unbeatable. After the game, as Johnson sat with other legend Larry Bird on the side, Jordan swaggered towards the two legends. “There’s a new sheriff in the town,” he said with a sneaky smile. With a throaty laugh, Johnson told Bird: “He isn’t lying”. It is said to be basketball’s epic moment of power shift, like it was at Wimbledon on Sunday when Carlos Alcaraz beat the tennis...
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You have given us immense joy today: Rafael Nadal lauds Carlos Alcaraz after Wimbledon victory

Rafael Nadal was among the first ones to congratulate compatriot Carlos Alcaraz after he made history by defeating Novak Djokovic and claiming his first Wimbledon crown on Sunday. “Congratulations @carlosalcaraz. You have given us immense joy today and I am sure that our pioneer in Spanish tennis, Manolo Santana, has also been cheering wherever he is. A very strong hug and enjoy the moment, Champion!!!,” Nadal posted on Twitter. Alcaraz heralded the changing of the guard in men’s tennis as he ended Djokovic’s long reign at Wimbledon with a rip-roaring 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory. Enhorabuena @carlosalcaraz . Nos has dado una alegría inmensa hoy y seguro que nuestro pionero en el tenis español, Manolo Santana, también ha estado animando allá dónde esté como de Wimbledon al que hoy te...
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Carlos Alcaraz factfile | Tennis News – Times of India

LONDON: Factfile on Carlos Alcaraz who on Sunday won his first Wimbledon title and second career major:Name: Carlos AlcarazDate of birth: May 5, 2003Place of birth: El Palmar, Murcia, SpainProfessional debut: 2018Career earnings: $19,634,952World ranking: 1 Career honoursTitles: 12Grand Slams: 2US Open (1) -- 2022Wimbledon (1) -- 2023Year ending world number one (1) -- 2022 Alcaraz's path to Wimbledon 2023 title1st rd: Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 6-0, 6-2, 7-52nd rd: Alexandre Muller (FRA) 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-33rd rd: Nicolas Jarry (CHI x25) 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 7-54th rd: Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3QF: Holger Rune (DEN x6) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-4SF: Daniil Medvedev (x3) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3Final: Novak Djokovic (SRB x2) 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4!(function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) { funct...
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Husband’s tears of joy cap Marketa Vondrousova’s ‘impossible’ Wimbledon fairytale | Tennis News – Times of India

LONDON: Marketa Vondrousova said her husband's unexpected show of emotion after Saturday's shock Wimbledon final victory against Ons Jabeur was the perfect end to her "impossible" triumph.Vondrousova became the first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon as she stunned the Tunisian world number six on Centre Court.The 24-year-old held her nerve in a tense 6-4, 6-4 win, securing her first major title four years after losing her only previous Grand Slam final at the French Open.So unexpected was her Wimbledon run that the world number 42 told her husband Stepan Simek to stay at home in Prague to look after their cat Frankie, until a pet sitter was found to allow him to travel to London for the final.Twelve months after their wedding, Simek cried tears of joy when he saw Vondrousova after the ma...
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Wimbledon Final: Is Carlos Alcaraz, the challenger, ready to dethrone Novak Djokovic?

Wimbledon has hosted major changing of the guard moments in men’s tennis in recent years.A wide-eyed Roger Federer defeated Pete Sampras on the ground he was most dominant in 2001. A brawny, defiant Rafael Nadal getting the better of Federer, in their third successive final, in an all-time classic in 2008.Try as one may, a win for Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old World No. 1, over the ever-present king of this sport Novak Djokovic, in the final on Sunday, will feel like an equally weighty moment. We're hungry for it.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/fnPAH8NuJY — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2023 Even more so, considering Djokovic has looked as peerless as he has been throughout any of his last four consecutive title runs at SW19. The Serb has not lost a completed match there since 2016, and...