
Paolini parts ways with coach after early Wimbledon exit
Paolini, who last year became the first Italian woman in the Open era to reach the Wimbledon final, lost 4-6 6-4 6-4 to Russian Kamilla Rakhimova last week.
The 29-year-old began working with Lopez in April after ending a decade-long partnership with Renzo Furlan.
Under the guidance of Lopez, a former doubles world number three who was once part of Rafa Nadal's coaching team, Paolini won her second WTA 1000-level crown at the Italian Open and also lifted the women's doubles title at the French Open.
"We had some great results together. Especially in Rome and Paris," Paolini wrote on social media on Monday. "I appreciate all the hard work and energy Marc gave every day.
"Now that this part of the season is over, I've decided to make a change. "I've learned a lot and made good progress. And now I'm taking the time to reflect on what the next step will be. Thank you again, Marc, for everything."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
23 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Fritz defies Khachanov fightback and line-call blooper to reach Wimbledon last four
Taylor Fritz survived a mid‑match dip, a bold fightback from his opponent and even another line‑calling malfunction as he beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4) on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the first time. The American coasted through the first two sets with some imperious serving, not facing a single break point, only to dip markedly in the third to allow Khachanov back into the match. However, after falling a break behind early in the fourth set, the No 5 seed rediscovered his focus and played a near flawless tie-break to advance to a clash with the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz. 'It's an amazing feeling,' said Fritz, who hit 16 aces. 'Having played the quarter-finals here twice and lost in five [sets] twice, I don't think I could have taken another one. I'm really happy I'm going to get to play the semis here. I'm feeling great to get through it. The match was going so well for me for two sets, I've never really had a match just flip so quickly, so I'm really happy how I came back in the fourth set and got it done. I think momentum was not going to be on my side in the fifth.' Another malfunction in the electronic line-calling system occurred at the start of the fourth set, when a forehand from Khachanov, which landed four feet inside the baseline, was called 'fault'. The umpire, Louise Azemar-Engzell, stopped the point, got on the phone to reset the system and the point was replayed. Fritz ended up being broken as Khachanov moved ahead. However, the American broke back for 2-2 and from then on the two men raised the level and began to play outstanding tennis. The Russian held serve at 5-5 from 0-30, thanks to a brilliant lunging volley. Fritz was impregnable on serve again, though, and in the tie-break he began with a 138mph ace, hit two more and finished it off with a smash into the open court. Four years ago, after he lost against Alexander Zverev here in the third round, Fritz wrote a note on his girlfriend's phone, saying: 'Nobody in the whole world is underachieving harder than you, you are so good but 40 in the world, get your shit together.' Now, he is in the top five, reached his first grand slam final at the US Open last year and is one match away from a first Wimbledon final. 'At the time, my ranking was slipping,' he said. 'I was coming back from a surgery and I felt like I was not playing to the level I felt like I should be playing. That note was never supposed to be public. I was ranting to my girlfriend about it, she said: 'Write it down, look at it.' I'm really happy with how I've turned my career around over the last four years or so. I've put in a lot of work and it's good to see the results.' Standing between Fritz and a first Wimbledon final is Alcaraz, who ended British interest with an impressive victory against Cameron Norrie. The pair have played each other twice, both on hard courts, with Alcaraz winning both times. The Spaniard has won the title in each of the past two years here but Fritz believes that if he can find his level, he has a fighting chance. 'I'm happy that we're not playing at the French Open on clay with the French Open balls because that would be an absolute nightmare,' he said, laughing. 'I think grass is very much so an equaliser. So, trust in how I'm playing. I truly know the way that I played the first two sets today, there's not much any opponent on the other side can do.' And as an American, Fritz says he has already experienced the most pressure he is ever likely to face, when beating Frances Tiafoe to reach the US Open final last year. 'It's given me a lot of confidence in those moments and situations, just having been there, that I can do it again,' Fritz said. 'I've played the pressure matches. I don't think anything's going to get more stressful than me playing Frances in New York for a spot in the final.'


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Luis Enrique dodges Kylian Mbappe talk as PSG prepare for hostile reunion in Real Madrid showdown
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique refused to be drawn into comparisons between his Champions League -winning squad and the team that previously featured Kylian Mbappe as his side prepare for a frosty reunion with their former talisman. Mbappe left PSG on a free transfer last summer following a drawn-out contract saga, joining Real Madrid in a move that infuriated Parisians. While, on the surface, losing arguably the world's best striker appeared a hammer blow, his departure allowed Enrique to truly transform PSG into the powerhouse we know today, prioritising the collective over individuality to create the side that at long last ended the club's wait for a Champions League title. Mbappe could be in for a hostile reception from the travelling PSG fans when he takes to the MetLife Stadium on Wednesday - but Enrique is not concerned with comparing the club's fortunes with and without Mbappe. "This is a question about the past and I'm not here to talk about the past, I'm only thinking about the future," Luis Enrique said at his pre-match press conference. Mbappe, who spent the group stage sidelined after being hospitalised with gastroenteritis, was back on the scoresheet as Real edged past Borussia Dortmund. The Spanish coach did acknowledge that facing his former player adds spice to the encounter, saying that "playing against the most successful team in the world" is "definitely extra motivation". "Playing against Real Madrid will be a special match, no doubt about it,' he added. 'At the same time, we like playing these kinds of games because it means you've done your job well and you're in a position to play in a semi-final.' He also refused to compare his star right-back Achraf Hakimi with Real Madrid's marquee arrival Trent Alexander-Arnold, who akin to Mbappe the Galacticos poached on a free after he ran down his contract at boyhood club Liverpool. 'I'm not a fan to analyse or compare players because here in this competition, all of them are top quality,' he added. 'But at the same time, I have to say that Hakimi is without a doubt one of the best right-backs that I have not only trained but watched in my career.' Enrique was the only manager to partake in press duties on Tuesday evening, with Xabi Alonso 's press conference being cancelled due to Real Madrid's late arrival.


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Thirty years after Gazza signed for Rangers, Mail Sport recalls the madness and the magnificence of the England superstar's spell in Scotland
It was a long way to ask a short question. Arriving at Glasgow Airport for an early morning flight to Rome in the summer of 1995, Walter Smith travelled as much in hope as expectation of hearing the answer he wanted. Paul Gascoigne 's Italian odyssey had run its course. After a promising first season in which he'd helped to restore the fortunes of Lazio, the mutual attraction had faded, and a parting of the ways was deemed best for both parties.