Tennis-Kudermetova and Mertens win Wimbledon women's doubles title
It was the first major title for Russia's Kudermetova, who was on the losing side in the 2021 final against Mertens and Hsieh. The second Wimbledon crown for Belgian Mertens took her to five Grand Slam doubles titles.
"It's been incredible," a tearful Mertens said as she summed up a memorable Wimbledon campaign, having also reached the fourth round in the singles.
In the first set, Kudermetova held to go 3-1 up but the fourth seeds then won five straight games. The 28-year-old Russian led the charge in the second set, holding twice as the pair got three breaks in a row to force a third set.
Hsieh, who has won seven majors in women's doubles including four Wimbledon titles, won a prolonged exchange with Kudermetova from the baseline to get the first break of the third set, before Ostapenko held without losing a point to take 4-2 lead.
But erroneous returns from Hsieh hit the net as the eighth seeds broke back, and Kudermetova held to go 5-4 up before Ostapenko went long to lose a 26-shot rally and bring up match point.
Kudermetova's backhand from close range cut across the court to secure the match, finally fulfilling her dream of lifting the trophy at the All England Club.
"A few years ago I was playing in the final here against Elise... I lost that final and it was so painful. Today I said to myself, I really want this," Kudermetova said.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Deccan Herald
Sinner banishes Roland Garros demons to de-throne Alcaraz at Wimbledon
Alcaraz, whose bid to become only the fifth man in the professional era to win three successive Wimbledon titles was watched from the Royal Box by Spain's King Felipe, saved one match point.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Don't torture me': Andre Agassi explodes at BBC over Royal Box obsession during Wimbledon broadcast
'Don't torture me': Andre Agassi explodes at BBC over Royal Box obsession during Wimbledon broadcast (Image via getty) Fans tuning in for Friday's Wimbledon semifinal between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz got more than just tennis. During a short pause in the match, BBC analyst Andre Agassi voiced clear frustration live on air. What started as a normal broadcast turned into an awkward moment between Andre Agassi and fellow commentator Andrew Castle and the reason might surprise you. Andre Agassi calls out BBC focus on Royal Box during Carlos Alcaraz vs Taylor Fritz match For the BBC, Andre Agassi and Andrew Castle were offering live commentary for the Wimbledon semi-final played at Centre Court. Andrew Castle switched the focus to the Royal Box during a brief pause by Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz, noting celebrities seated there, including singer Elaine Paige. Andre Agassi destroys Andrew Castle (not sticking to the narrative) Andre Agassi, clearly eager to stick to the match, tried to highlight Taylor Fritz's bold playing tactics. He noted that Taylor Fritz had increased risk on his serve and backhand. But Andrew Castle interrupted to discuss more celebrities. This led Andre Agassi to pause and respond with the now-viral line: 'Don't torture me. Let me finish my point.' Viewers on social media quickly took Andre Agassi's side, saying they tuned in to hear expert commentary, not celebrity spotting. During this exchange, BBC cameras showed more shots of guests in the Royal Box than the match itself. Andre Agassi and Andrew Castle spark debate over Wimbledon coverage focus After Andre Agassi made his tennis analysis clear, Andrew Castle continued naming high-profile figures in the audience, including Nick Clegg, the former UK Deputy Prime Minister. This led Andre Agassi to directly say, 'People watching are watching for tennis. Not for this.' Also Read: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf's son Jaden Agassi shows love for girlfriend Catherine Holt's bold new photo from bedroom series Questions about the BBC's coverage priorities were raised by the circumstances. Many believe that one of the best tennis players in history, such as Andre Agassi, should be given the opportunity to concentrate on tennis insights instead of being dragged into irrelevant discussions. While Andrew Castle may have been following direction from producers, the moment created a visible on-air clash. Andre Agassi's comment sparked debate online about whether sports broadcasts should stick to game analysis or entertain with celebrity coverage. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Sinner sweeps aside Alcaraz, wins first Wimbledon title
Mumbai: Between the French Open and Wimbledon, Jannik Sinner spent a few sleepless nights. Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 at the Wimbledon to claim his fourth Grand Slam at the age of 23. (REUTERS) Between the French Open and Wimbledon, his single with legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli, titled 'Dust and Glory', was released. Between the French Open and Wimbledon, he went from dust on the dirt to glory on the greens. Playing the same man at the same stage of a Grand Slam within a month. How's that for a redemption song? Tune up to your new Wimbledon champion – Jannik Sinner. The world No.1, so in sync with his tennis on grass, made even the two-time defending champion at Wimbledon and his conqueror at Roland Garros dance to his tunes at Centre Court on Sunday. Carlos Alcaraz was the favourite and frontrunner, yet it was Sinner who flipped things for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory. If that French Open final was an exhaustive five-setter in which Sinner saw three championship points turn into a crushing defeat, this Wimbledon final was a cat-and-mouse four-setter in which the Italian let the first set slip but remained supreme thereafter. And so, this time when on the second championship point, the Italian's serve did not return, he stood with his arms spread wide on Centre Court. The 23-year-old had finally got the better of his most fierce rival, who'd beaten him five times in a row, at the most iconic Grand Slam. Sinner has indeed moved on. From the French Open agony to Wimbledon ecstasy. From joining Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray as the only men to have played all four Slam finals in the last three decades, to clinching the first Wimbledon final without either of the four since 2002. From recording his first musical in a studio to scripting history as the first Italian – male or female – to carve a name on the Wimbledon trophy. Defeats in Grand Slam finals can linger. Defeats in Grand Slam finals from being one good hit away from history can drown even the world No.1 in a wave of daze. Sinner found himself down there fighting the never-ending what-ifs chain of thought. It took him a few days and some ping pong games to snap it. With his tennis, he was back up there at Wimbledon. So far so good, but how about fronting up with the same man for another final? Brings back harrowing memories? 'If it would be a lot in my head,' answered the Italian before the final, 'I would not be in the situation to play a final again, I guess.' Not just play a final, win it. After setting the tone for their encore with an ace, Alcaraz was under early pressure when his first serves dropped. Sinner attacked his second serves and extracted errors to fetch the break in the fifth game. The polished baseliner was showing spunk in moving forward, albeit with mixed success, while also mixing it up with drops and volleys. But as Alcaraz brought out his own drop shot and ramped up his baseline intensity, he got back level at 4-4. The Spaniard began making shots he was missing and finding his first serves. Sinner now began losing his serves, and when he also lost his footing around the worn out brown patch at the baseline, a set point stared at him. So did another, after the first was saved. Alcaraz wasn't letting a second one slip. He came out on top of a brutal baseline exchange by ekeing out the acutest of angles for a backhand get at full stretch which floated across the net and dropped dead. The final had been brought to life. That was typical Alcaraz. As was what followed. In three of his previous six matches, Alcaraz squandered the second set after having sailed through the shores in the first. In the final too, out of nowhere, Alcaraz had a dip to land in troubled 0-40 waters at the start of the second set, and soon went down a break. Sinner was up in front, yet hardly in complete control. His service games were taken to deuce territory, the strapped elbow tested and the legs pushed. Still, the world No.1 stood tall and firm. And, this time, the Italian wasn't going to cave in at the business end of the set. This time, it was Sinner signing off with a gasp-inducing point serving for the set. This time, it was Sinner finding the acutest of angles for a crosscourt forehand winner after a baseline tussle. There was early pressure on the Spaniard's serve again in the third set, where he was made to thwart a couple of break points in the first game. Sinner was growing to Sinner-like levels in the contest, even feeling the comfort to attempt a between-the-legs shot at the net. Alcaraz was slipping in his serving and concentration levels. At 4-4, with Alcaraz's first strikes dwindling -- he made just 43% first serves to his opponent's 68% -- Sinner pounced on his second serves. A brilliant return of serve followed by a cracking winner set up a break point. And as Sinner broke, Alcaraz stumbled. Alcaraz couldn't get back up in the third set, or even in the fourth. He was flat, Sinner was firing. A break in the third game came, fittingly, with a backhand return winner from Sinner off Alcaraz's susceptible second serve. Unlike in Paris, he wouldn't let this advantage slip in London. Sinner has moved on from that French Open. He's now a Wimbledon champion.
