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Sabalenka passes Mertens test to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Sabalenka passes Mertens test to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Business Recorder17 hours ago
LONDON: Aryna Sabalenka maintained her stranglehold over Belgian Elise Mertens with a hard-fought 6-4 7-6(4) victory on Sunday to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals as she bids for a maiden title at the grasscourt Grand Slam.
The Belarusian top seed came into the match on Centre Court having beaten Mertens 10 times in 12 meetings - the most for her against any player on the WTA Tour - and the one-sided rivalry looked set to continue after she made a strong start.
That impression would change, however, as Sabalenka dropped her level and wasted a 4-1 lead but the three-times major winner recovered quickly and claimed the opening set with a break on the back of a searing backhand crosscourt winner.
Djokovic hits century to lead veterans into last 16, Krejcikova crashes
'I'm super happy with the performance. It was a battle. She always brings great tennis on court and I'm happy I was able to get this win,' said Sabalenka, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament this year.
'I mean, it's tough to play against someone you're quite close to, and she's a great player, a great person. It's tricky facing her. I know how smart she is.
'I know that she's going to fight till the very end and she'll be trying to find something. She really challenged me today so it's tough.'
Sabalenka hit a cheeky volley that clipped the net cord in the opening game of the second set but her former doubles partner responded with some solid returning in the next to break and surge ahead.
Her momentum did not last long, though, as Sabalenka drew level after six games and the world number one stepped up again at crucial points in a see-saw tiebreak, which she finished with a crisp forehand volley.
Sabalenka, who has reached 11 quarter-finals in the last 11 majors she has played in, next takes on 37-year-old 104th-ranked German Laura Siegemund and the belief will be growing that she can finally claim the title at the All England Club.
'With your support, guys, I think everything is possible,' she said, addressing the crowd which has warmed to her over the last week.
'It's such a beautiful tournament. I've always dreamed of winning it. Every time I'm on this court, I'm trying to bring my best tennis. I'm trying to fight for every point.
'I'm trying to give my best and really hoping for the best.'
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Sabalenka passes Mertens test to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals
Sabalenka passes Mertens test to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Business Recorder

time17 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Sabalenka passes Mertens test to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

LONDON: Aryna Sabalenka maintained her stranglehold over Belgian Elise Mertens with a hard-fought 6-4 7-6(4) victory on Sunday to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals as she bids for a maiden title at the grasscourt Grand Slam. The Belarusian top seed came into the match on Centre Court having beaten Mertens 10 times in 12 meetings - the most for her against any player on the WTA Tour - and the one-sided rivalry looked set to continue after she made a strong start. That impression would change, however, as Sabalenka dropped her level and wasted a 4-1 lead but the three-times major winner recovered quickly and claimed the opening set with a break on the back of a searing backhand crosscourt winner. Djokovic hits century to lead veterans into last 16, Krejcikova crashes 'I'm super happy with the performance. It was a battle. She always brings great tennis on court and I'm happy I was able to get this win,' said Sabalenka, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament this year. 'I mean, it's tough to play against someone you're quite close to, and she's a great player, a great person. It's tricky facing her. I know how smart she is. 'I know that she's going to fight till the very end and she'll be trying to find something. She really challenged me today so it's tough.' Sabalenka hit a cheeky volley that clipped the net cord in the opening game of the second set but her former doubles partner responded with some solid returning in the next to break and surge ahead. Her momentum did not last long, though, as Sabalenka drew level after six games and the world number one stepped up again at crucial points in a see-saw tiebreak, which she finished with a crisp forehand volley. Sabalenka, who has reached 11 quarter-finals in the last 11 majors she has played in, next takes on 37-year-old 104th-ranked German Laura Siegemund and the belief will be growing that she can finally claim the title at the All England Club. 'With your support, guys, I think everything is possible,' she said, addressing the crowd which has warmed to her over the last week. 'It's such a beautiful tournament. I've always dreamed of winning it. Every time I'm on this court, I'm trying to bring my best tennis. I'm trying to fight for every point. 'I'm trying to give my best and really hoping for the best.'

Djokovic marks 100th Wimbledon win as Krejcikova exits
Djokovic marks 100th Wimbledon win as Krejcikova exits

Express Tribune

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Djokovic marks 100th Wimbledon win as Krejcikova exits

Listen to article Seven-times champion Novak Djokovic scored his 100th match win at Wimbledon and led the march of the old guard into the last 16 on Saturday while an ailing Barbora Krejcikova's title defence ended in defeat and tears. World number one Jannik Sinner was at his ruthless best yet again as the Italian gathered momentum in his quest for a maiden All England Club title while American Ben Shelton and Australian Alex de Minaur announced themselves as dark horses. Djokovic is on an altogether different plane as he looks to capture his eighth title to match Roger Federer's record on the pristine lawns of London and his 25th major overall to surpass Margaret Court on the all-time list of champions. The 38-year-old showed exactly why Wimbledon could be his best chance of achieving the elusive targets when the 2023 and 2024 runner-up dismantled Davis Cup teammate Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3 6-0 6-4 in a little under two hours. A ton of victories put him among elite company as the sixth seed became only the third player to achieve that feat at the tournament after nine-times champion Martina Navratilova and Swiss great Federer. "Wimbledon is a favourite and a dream tournament for not just myself, but probably the majority of players. Growing up, most of the kids dream of playing here and winning here," Djokovic said. Done. Dusted. Djokovic. The seven-time #Wimbledon champion produces an incredible performance to defeat fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 Onto the next ➡️ — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2025 "I've been blessed to do it multiple times. Any history that I make in my favourite tournament, I'm blessed." Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian 34-year-old, also scored his 100th match win across the four Grand Slams when he quelled the challenge of Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-3 6-4 7-6(0). Joining him was fellow veteran Marin Cilic, the Croatian 36-year-old getting past spirited Spaniard Jaume Munar 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 to book a meeting with Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli who took apart big-serving Czech teenager Jakub Mensik 6-2 6-4 6-2. While Cobolli may not be relishing a meeting with the tricky Cilic, his compatriot Sinner will welcome the chance to test his metronomic hitting against Dimitrov's elegant approach in what promises to be a classic. Sublime Sinner A sublime Sinner booked that clash with a 6-1 6-3 6-1 hammering of Pedro Martinez. The top seed, who has lost just 17 games in his first three matches, equalled the professional era record for fewest games dropped to make the Wimbledon fourth round along the way. "About the games lost, this is whatever," Sinner said, his grounded nature coming into sharp focus. "I'm not looking on these kind of records. I know everything can change very quickly from one round to the other." Sensazionale 🇮🇹 Lorenzo Sonego wins a five-set thriller in over five hours, defeating Brandon Nakashima 6-7(5), 7-6(8), 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(3)#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2025 After the unexpected high of last year's title triumph, Krejcikova came crashing down when she was beaten 2-6 6-3 6-4 by American 10th seed Emma Navarro in a disjointed Court One contest. The distressed 29-year-old Czech, who has endured her share of injuries this season, was in tears as she prepared to serve to stay in the tournament at 3-5 in the deciding set before eventually crashing out. "It was tough, neither of us played our best tennis, she was dealing with some injuries and I was dealing with whatever I was dealing with," Navarro said, adding that it was difficult to focus when her opponent was struggling. "It's not easy to be composed. Part of you is saying just put a bunch of balls in the court and that's all you need to do. But then you trick yourself into not playing the way that you want to play." Krejcikova's exit and 2022 champion Elena Rybakina's 7-6(6) 6-3 defeat by Danish powerhouse Clara Tauson means a first-time women's champion will be crowned at the Grand Slam for the eighth consecutive year. Iga Swiatek will hope she can be the one after the five-times major champion secured a 6-2 6-3 victory over American Danielle Collins, whose compatriot Hailey Baptiste crashed to 18-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva 6-1 6-3. Shelton gave Americans something to smile about when the powerful left-hander made quick work of Hungarian lucky loser Marton Fucsovics 6-3 7-6(4) 6-2 while De Minaur swatted aside Dane August Holmgren 6-4 7-6(5) 6-3 to go through.

‘Rarely been so angry': Bayern boss Kompany seethes over Musiala injury
‘Rarely been so angry': Bayern boss Kompany seethes over Musiala injury

Business Recorder

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‘Rarely been so angry': Bayern boss Kompany seethes over Musiala injury

ATLANTA: Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany said he was furious after Jamal Musiala sustained a horrific injury during the first half of their Club World Cup quarter-final defeat by Paris St Germain in Atlanta on Saturday. The 22-year-old Germany international was injured in added time before the break following a collision in PSG's penalty area. As Musiala challenged defender William Pacho for the ball, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma inadvertently rolled over Musiala's left ankle, twisting it at an alarming angle and leaving him lying in agony on the pitch. 'I've rarely been so angry at halftime, not against my players. There's many things in life that are important, much more important than this. But in the end, for these guys it's their life,' Kompany told reporters after the 2-0 loss. 'And someone like Jamal lives for this and he came back from a setback. And then it happens in the way it happens and you feel powerless… 'When I'm sat here next to you now, the thing that gets my blood still boiling at the moment, it's not the result. I understand this is football. But it's the fact that it happened to someone who, one, enjoys the game so much but also very important for us.' Bayern's medical team rushed on to the pitch as Donnarumma, visibly shaken, dropped to the ground with his hands on his head in disbelief at the severity of the injury. Players from both teams formed a circle around Musiala who was carried off the field on a stretcher. The German daily Bild reported he could be sidelined for up to five months. Milan sign Italy midfielder Ricci from Torino Bayern goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer said Donnarumma's dive was 'risky' and that he had spoken to his Italian counterpart after the incident. 'You just accept that your opponent might get injured. It could even be a teammate,' he added. 'So I went over to him and said: 'Don't you want – because it was half-time anyway – don't you want to go over there? Jamal is lying there, he'll probably stay in the hospital, he has a serious injury, and I think it's only right to go over there out of respect and wish him well and just say a little sorry.' 'After that, he went over to Jamal… Fairness is always important, and I would have reacted differently.' After the match, Donnarumma posted on Instagram: 'All my prayers and well wishes are with you Jamal.'

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