Today in Pictures, July 3, 2025
PHOTO: AFP
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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Alcaraz searches for perfect serve at Wimbledon, Raducanu eyes Sabalenka shock
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Oliver Tarvet of Britain at the Wimbledon Championships. LONDON - Carlos Alcaraz will step up his bid for a third successive Wimbledon title when the world No. 2 faces German underdog Jan-Lennard Struff on July 4. And Britain's Emma Raducanu will be aiming to add to the All England Club's spate of giant-killings against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. AFP Sport picks out three matches to watch in the third round on day five at the All England Club: Alcaraz works on service conundrum Carlos Alcaraz knows he must fine tune his serve to keep his Wimbledon title defence on course. The Spaniard has been unimpressed by his serve during wins over Fabio Fognini and Oliver Tarvet in the first and second round, respectively. After winning Wimbledon for the last two years, as well as taking the title in the warm-up event at Queen's Club in June, second seed Alcaraz knows better than most that a deadly delivery is the secret to success on grass. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 Asia Japan urges evacuation of small island as 1,000 quakes hit region Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Indonesian rescuers widen search for missing after ferry sinks World Trump eyes simple tariff rates over complex talks, says letters will start going out on July 4 World Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending Bill wins congressional approval Business More Singapore residents met CPF Required Retirement Sum when they turned 55 in 2024 'I think here in Wimbledon, I'm struggling a little bit with the serve. I'm feeling really different between Queen's and here with the balls, with the speed,' the five-time Grand Slam champion said ahead of a Centre Court clash with German world No. 125 Struff. 'On grass the serve is probably the most important shot. At Queen's I started to serve unbelievable. But after the first round here, I left the court not happy at all with the serve. 'I'm going to pay much attention on the serve. Let's see if in the third round I'll be better.' Raducanu ready to rock Sabalenka Raducanu believes she can add to the growing list of Wimbledon upsets in her Centre Court blockbuster showdown with top seed Sabalenka. The British star produced one of her best performances at the All England Club to defeat former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round on July 2. Now Raducanu, who won the US Open as a teenager in 2021, is gearing up for her first Grand Slam meeting with a world No. 1. Although she is yet to hit top form at SW19 this year, Belarusian star Sabalenka is the only top-five seed still standing with Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen all out. Three-time major winner Sabalenka is chasing a maiden Wimbledon title, having missed the 2024 Championships because of a shoulder injury. Raducanu has endured a difficult time since her stunning breakthrough triumph in New York four years ago, but after back problems plagued her at the start of 2025, the world No. 40 is back in the groove. 'I think having won against Marketa, she's also a really top opponent, so that gives me confidence. I feel amazing,' the 22-year-old said. 'Of course, Aryna is number one in the world, she's been so dominant in the women's game. I know it's going to be a massive challenge.' Osaka bids for uncharted territory Japan's Naomi Osaka will try to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time when she faces Russian world No. 50 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The 27-year-old's four main draw appearances at Wimbledon have ended in two third-round defeats and losses in the first and second round. Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion, but she has not won a major since 2021. Since that triumph at the Australian Open, she is on a dismal run of 11 successive Grand Slam appearances without reaching the fourth round. The former world No. 1, now down to 53rd in the WTA rankings, said: 'When you are young, you fear nothing, and that's one of the really cool things about it. 'But I don't know, with age fear kind of crept along and, I guess, paralysed me in a way. 'Now I'm kind of just getting over that and trying to spread my wings on grass. I think it's working and I'm moving pretty well.' AFP
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Independent Singapore
'There's no pressure at all on me' — Emma Raducanu to face World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka after impressive matches at Wimbledon
In a highly anticipated third-round match at this year's Wimbledon, Emma Raducanu won against the tournament's 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova with a final scoreline of 6-3, 6-3. With this, the young athlete will now face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the next round. Raducanu recently came from a win against fellow Briton Mimi Xu in the opening round, and she seemed to be comfortable on Centre Court. With her impressive performance, she also overcame a tough battle against Vondrousova, who claimed the grass-court title in the Berlin Open. With her win, Raducanu admitted: 'I think today I played really, really well… There were some points I have no idea how I turned around.' She added: 'I knew playing Marketa it was going to be an extremely difficult match. She's won this tournament and it's a huge, huge achievement. I'm so happy with how I focused and put my game on the court.' Highlights of the match Emma Raducanu indeed upped her game by experimenting with the speed and angles of her shots. She then took the lead at 4-2 by hitting a backhand winner down the line to break Vondrousova's serve. Raducanu lost her next service game immediately. However, Vondrousova made two double faults, and this helped Raducanu break serve again. Following this, Raducanu held her serve well and clinched the first set. Raducanu kept it up in the second set, breaking Vondrousova's serve once more to lead at 2-1. Vondrousova looked frustrated by Raducanu's strategies and tactics, especially with the athlete's backhand shots. Raducanu kept her serve strong and won the match. Now facing Sabalenka, Raducanu declared: 'I'm just so happy I get to play another match here. (Sabalenka) is number one in the world, so dominant, has won literally everything. I'm just so happy how I performed. I guess there's no pressure at all on me.' On social media, Raducanu expressed her gratitude to the people who stayed and supported her. She stated in her caption: 'M eans the world having these people by my side 🤍' Netizens also showed their support to the athlete in the comments section by saying: 'Amazing job Emma! We're all so proud of you! Keep going 💪🔥', 'So happy for you! So happy to see you happy. That's what's matters most', 'Emma is so beautiful. Keep fighting mate, fight as hard as you can, against the mighty Sabalenka please 🔥🔥🔥', and 'It's so amazing to see you smile and laugh Emma. Great to see able to put some of the challenges behind you and recover. Well done on looking after yourself. 👍🏻'
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Today in Pictures, July 3, 2025
The Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova serving during her women's singles second round tennis match during the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in south-west London, on July 2, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
