logo
Sabalenka passes Mertens test to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Sabalenka passes Mertens test to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Straits Times6 days ago
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 6, 2025 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her round of 16 match against Belgium's Elise Mertens REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
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.
Sabalenka followed up with a cheeky volley that clipped the net cord in the opening game of the next set but her former doubles partner responded with 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 forehand volley to book a last-eight meeting with Laura Siegemund. REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fiji trample over undermanned Scotland in Suva
Fiji trample over undermanned Scotland in Suva

Straits Times

time4 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Fiji trample over undermanned Scotland in Suva

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Fiji overwhelmed a depleted Scotland 29-14 in tropical Suva on Saturday to dent the Scots' chances of a seeding for the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Missing eight players on British & Irish Lions duty, the Scots conceded three yellow cards and were a man down for the last 14 minutes when winger Darcy Graham was sent to the sin-bin for an off-side penalty. Graham's infringement gave the Fijians a penalty try and a 15-point lead that proved unassailable. The Fijians' third win over Scotland turned around their 57-17 thrashing in the teams' previous meeting in Edinburgh in November. REUTERS

Boxing-Taylor holds off Serrano to retain crown in trilogy bout
Boxing-Taylor holds off Serrano to retain crown in trilogy bout

Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Boxing-Taylor holds off Serrano to retain crown in trilogy bout

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Apr 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Katie Taylor speaks during a press conference ahead of a boxing match against Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images/File Photo NEW YORK - Katie Taylor retained her undisputed super lightweight championship on Friday, completing a trilogy sweep against Amanda Serrano on a history-making night atop the first all-women's boxing card at Madison Square Garden on Friday. The two fighters brought women's boxing to new heights through their fierce rivalry as a sell-out crowd at the world's most famous arena watched the Irishwoman just edge out her opponent. The judges scored the fight 95-95, 97-93. Their first meeting at Madison Square Garden three years ago was billed as the biggest fight in women's boxing, as they were the first women to headline a fight at the arena. Taylor triumphed by judges' decisions in their prior two meetings as well, including a controversial clash in November, where the referee docked Taylor a point for head butts. Friday's fight on Netflix marked the streaming giant's latest foray into live sports, which experts say has driven subscriber growth after the debut of National Football League games late last year. REUTERS

Hosts Ecuador draw 2-2 with Uruguay in Copa America Feminina opener
Hosts Ecuador draw 2-2 with Uruguay in Copa America Feminina opener

Straits Times

time6 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Hosts Ecuador draw 2-2 with Uruguay in Copa America Feminina opener

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox An 78th-minute goal from substitute Emily Rosa Arias Espinales earned hosts Ecuador a 2-2 draw with Uruguay in their Group A Copa America Feminina opener at the Complejo Independiente del Valle in Quito on Friday. Ecuador found themselves a goal down inside 11 minutes after Belen Aquino whipped a shot from outside the box. They then conceded a penalty in the 53rd minute when Danna Pesantez fouled Pilar Gonzalez, with Pamela Gonzalez stepping up to make it 2-0 for Uruguay after lashing a shot into the top right corner. Yannel Correa's own goal reduced Ecuador's deficit before Espinales netted a late goal to secure a point. Group A consists of Argentina, Chile and Peru. REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store