Pope Leo XIV breaks from tradition by wearing hometown baseball cap
Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and the first American pope, wore a White Sox baseball cap during a public appearance at the Vatican, making him the first pope to make such a casual pairing with his white cassocks.
Leo, born Robert Provost, was photographed on Wednesday smiling in the cap during his weekly general audience. During the appearance, he met with newly wedded couples — breaking both traditional papal and wedding attire codes.
Leo's love for the sport was noted immediately upon his election on May 8, but the question remained: Cubs or White Sox? His brother, John, quickly spoke to the press to confirm his White Sox allegiance — and footage has even revealed his attendance at the 2005 World Series, which broke the team's 88-year drought when they won the title.
His devotion to the White Sox was just one of many aspects of Pope Leo's life that quickly pieced together an image of a pontiff-next-door.
After he was elected, following two days of secretive deliberation, the memes came swiftly. He was dubbed 'Da Pope' by the Chicago Sun-Times and quickly pictured in edited or AI images posing with Chicago-style hot dogs and bottles of Jeppson's Malört — the city's beloved gasoline-like liquor. Graduates of Villanova University, where he attended undergraduate school, were also eager to claim him, sharing AI images of Leo in full Villanova garb.
It's not the first time a pope has become the fervid subject of memes; his predecessor, Pope Francis I, famously went viral in an AI-generated image of the pontiff outfitted in a Balenciaga-coded white puffer jacket in 2023.
Though Francis' most iconic sartorial moment wasn't real, his tenure saw broader enthusiasm for evidence of a more contemporary and relaxed papal authority. The Argentinian pope departed from archaic and ornate accessories favoured by Pope Benedict XVI — including his bright red leather loafers — opting for humble, simple robes and sensible black shoes with an orthopaedic sole.
In response, The Cut declared Francis the world's 'normcore pope' in 2015, and he was also honoured by Esquire as 2013's Best-Dressed Man. And though he never donned a jersey (in public), Francis was also a noted sports fan with a love for soccer, specifically his hometown club, San Lorenzo de Almagro.
A month in, Pope Leo's own style has flown under the radar until now, but the statement-making look of the White Sox cap could be a sign of things to come. A new mural in Rome of the pontiff in a twist on the Chicago Bulls jersey may be a harbinger — and, after all, is a classic papal shade of red.
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22 minutes ago
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Australian Open champ joins Wimbledon seeds cull
Madison Keys' dream of completing a famous double is over as the Australian Open champ became the 18th women's seed and latest grand slam champion to be dumped out of this shock-laden Wimbledon. The sixth-seeded American was sent crashing on American Independence Day 6-3 6-3 by the tough German veteran Laura Siegmund as she became the fifth of the top-six seeds, and sixth out of the top-10, to be sent spinning out of the event on Friday. Keys had been out to become the first player since Amelie Mauresmo, in 2006, to pull off the AO-Wimbledon double but the world No.104 Siegemund, playing some of her best tennis at 37, was in inspired mood in the sunshine on No.2 Court. She outplayed the big-hitting American and even when getting nervous with the winning line in sight, held her nerve. "If you don't have nerves, then you're probably dead!" she joked with the crowd afterwards. "I only play for myself, I don't feel like I need to prove anything any more - my boyfriend tells me that," beamed Siegemund, now the oldest player left in the women's draw. "It's important to remember the core of why you are doing this. I'm playing for me and I don't feel pressure this way." She'll next play Solana Sierra, who became the first woman 'lucky loser' to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Spain's Cristina Bucsa 7-5 1-6 6-1. How must this have made Australian Talia Gibson feel? She had knocked out Sierra out in the final match of qualifying, only to get knocked out in the first round herself. Meanwhile, her Argentine victim Sierra got a reprieve and was brought into the draw as a 'lucky loser' and has since won three matches, knocking out another Australian Olivia Gadecki in the opening round and Alex de Minaur's British fiancee Katie Boulter in the second. Earlier, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka's hope of finally getting to the last-16 of a slam that's she's never mastered fell short as she surrendered a one-set lead to go down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The former world No.1, who's been a two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, hadn't been in the last-32 for seven years She looked set to claim a small piece of personal history before failing to capitalise on two break points at 4-4 in set two and subsequently going down 3-6 6-4 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist nine years ago, will next take on the soaring Briton Sonay Kartal, who had the home crowd cheering on No.1 Court as she defeated French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4 6-2 to make the last-16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Kartal, ranked 298 this time last year, will now break into the top 50 and could even finish the tournament as British No.1, ahead of the Emma Raducanu and Boulter. American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova at least avoided the cull of seeds, as she beat Hungary's Dalma Galfi 6-3 5-7 6-3. Madison Keys' dream of completing a famous double is over as the Australian Open champ became the 18th women's seed and latest grand slam champion to be dumped out of this shock-laden Wimbledon. The sixth-seeded American was sent crashing on American Independence Day 6-3 6-3 by the tough German veteran Laura Siegmund as she became the fifth of the top-six seeds, and sixth out of the top-10, to be sent spinning out of the event on Friday. Keys had been out to become the first player since Amelie Mauresmo, in 2006, to pull off the AO-Wimbledon double but the world No.104 Siegemund, playing some of her best tennis at 37, was in inspired mood in the sunshine on No.2 Court. She outplayed the big-hitting American and even when getting nervous with the winning line in sight, held her nerve. "If you don't have nerves, then you're probably dead!" she joked with the crowd afterwards. "I only play for myself, I don't feel like I need to prove anything any more - my boyfriend tells me that," beamed Siegemund, now the oldest player left in the women's draw. "It's important to remember the core of why you are doing this. I'm playing for me and I don't feel pressure this way." She'll next play Solana Sierra, who became the first woman 'lucky loser' to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Spain's Cristina Bucsa 7-5 1-6 6-1. How must this have made Australian Talia Gibson feel? She had knocked out Sierra out in the final match of qualifying, only to get knocked out in the first round herself. Meanwhile, her Argentine victim Sierra got a reprieve and was brought into the draw as a 'lucky loser' and has since won three matches, knocking out another Australian Olivia Gadecki in the opening round and Alex de Minaur's British fiancee Katie Boulter in the second. Earlier, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka's hope of finally getting to the last-16 of a slam that's she's never mastered fell short as she surrendered a one-set lead to go down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The former world No.1, who's been a two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, hadn't been in the last-32 for seven years She looked set to claim a small piece of personal history before failing to capitalise on two break points at 4-4 in set two and subsequently going down 3-6 6-4 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist nine years ago, will next take on the soaring Briton Sonay Kartal, who had the home crowd cheering on No.1 Court as she defeated French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4 6-2 to make the last-16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Kartal, ranked 298 this time last year, will now break into the top 50 and could even finish the tournament as British No.1, ahead of the Emma Raducanu and Boulter. American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova at least avoided the cull of seeds, as she beat Hungary's Dalma Galfi 6-3 5-7 6-3. Madison Keys' dream of completing a famous double is over as the Australian Open champ became the 18th women's seed and latest grand slam champion to be dumped out of this shock-laden Wimbledon. The sixth-seeded American was sent crashing on American Independence Day 6-3 6-3 by the tough German veteran Laura Siegmund as she became the fifth of the top-six seeds, and sixth out of the top-10, to be sent spinning out of the event on Friday. Keys had been out to become the first player since Amelie Mauresmo, in 2006, to pull off the AO-Wimbledon double but the world No.104 Siegemund, playing some of her best tennis at 37, was in inspired mood in the sunshine on No.2 Court. She outplayed the big-hitting American and even when getting nervous with the winning line in sight, held her nerve. "If you don't have nerves, then you're probably dead!" she joked with the crowd afterwards. "I only play for myself, I don't feel like I need to prove anything any more - my boyfriend tells me that," beamed Siegemund, now the oldest player left in the women's draw. "It's important to remember the core of why you are doing this. I'm playing for me and I don't feel pressure this way." She'll next play Solana Sierra, who became the first woman 'lucky loser' to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Spain's Cristina Bucsa 7-5 1-6 6-1. How must this have made Australian Talia Gibson feel? She had knocked out Sierra out in the final match of qualifying, only to get knocked out in the first round herself. Meanwhile, her Argentine victim Sierra got a reprieve and was brought into the draw as a 'lucky loser' and has since won three matches, knocking out another Australian Olivia Gadecki in the opening round and Alex de Minaur's British fiancee Katie Boulter in the second. Earlier, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka's hope of finally getting to the last-16 of a slam that's she's never mastered fell short as she surrendered a one-set lead to go down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The former world No.1, who's been a two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, hadn't been in the last-32 for seven years She looked set to claim a small piece of personal history before failing to capitalise on two break points at 4-4 in set two and subsequently going down 3-6 6-4 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist nine years ago, will next take on the soaring Briton Sonay Kartal, who had the home crowd cheering on No.1 Court as she defeated French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4 6-2 to make the last-16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Kartal, ranked 298 this time last year, will now break into the top 50 and could even finish the tournament as British No.1, ahead of the Emma Raducanu and Boulter. American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova at least avoided the cull of seeds, as she beat Hungary's Dalma Galfi 6-3 5-7 6-3. Madison Keys' dream of completing a famous double is over as the Australian Open champ became the 18th women's seed and latest grand slam champion to be dumped out of this shock-laden Wimbledon. The sixth-seeded American was sent crashing on American Independence Day 6-3 6-3 by the tough German veteran Laura Siegmund as she became the fifth of the top-six seeds, and sixth out of the top-10, to be sent spinning out of the event on Friday. Keys had been out to become the first player since Amelie Mauresmo, in 2006, to pull off the AO-Wimbledon double but the world No.104 Siegemund, playing some of her best tennis at 37, was in inspired mood in the sunshine on No.2 Court. She outplayed the big-hitting American and even when getting nervous with the winning line in sight, held her nerve. "If you don't have nerves, then you're probably dead!" she joked with the crowd afterwards. "I only play for myself, I don't feel like I need to prove anything any more - my boyfriend tells me that," beamed Siegemund, now the oldest player left in the women's draw. "It's important to remember the core of why you are doing this. I'm playing for me and I don't feel pressure this way." She'll next play Solana Sierra, who became the first woman 'lucky loser' to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Spain's Cristina Bucsa 7-5 1-6 6-1. How must this have made Australian Talia Gibson feel? She had knocked out Sierra out in the final match of qualifying, only to get knocked out in the first round herself. Meanwhile, her Argentine victim Sierra got a reprieve and was brought into the draw as a 'lucky loser' and has since won three matches, knocking out another Australian Olivia Gadecki in the opening round and Alex de Minaur's British fiancee Katie Boulter in the second. Earlier, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka's hope of finally getting to the last-16 of a slam that's she's never mastered fell short as she surrendered a one-set lead to go down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The former world No.1, who's been a two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, hadn't been in the last-32 for seven years She looked set to claim a small piece of personal history before failing to capitalise on two break points at 4-4 in set two and subsequently going down 3-6 6-4 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist nine years ago, will next take on the soaring Briton Sonay Kartal, who had the home crowd cheering on No.1 Court as she defeated French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4 6-2 to make the last-16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Kartal, ranked 298 this time last year, will now break into the top 50 and could even finish the tournament as British No.1, ahead of the Emma Raducanu and Boulter. American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova at least avoided the cull of seeds, as she beat Hungary's Dalma Galfi 6-3 5-7 6-3.
The Advertiser
24 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
No snail's pace as Tommo breaks new Wimbledon ground
Jordan Thompson's adventures in Wimbledon wonderland have continued with the wounded warrior storming into the fourth round of his favourite event for the first time in his career. Still harbouring a debilitating back injury that had him protesting after his two previous courageous five-set wins that even "snails move faster", Thompson looked in much sharper nick as he had too much grass-court nous for Italian Luciano Darderi in their third-round clash on Friday, prevailing 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3. It booked the battling 'Tommo' his first last-16 appearance at Wimbledon at the ninth attempt and only the second fourth-round date of his grand slam career, matching his US Open performance of last year and 2020. He's the first Australian to reach the fourth round at the grass-court slam this year, with both Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina having the chance to join him when they play on Saturday. In the amphitheatre of Court 18, the 31-year-old also managed to bypass the sort of nerve-shredding drama of his previous two matches, which he'd won in five-set slogs, this time nipping Darderi's attempted comeback in the bud after the Italian had taken the third set. That raised the prospect that marathon man Thompson might be dragged into a seventh career five-setter at Wimbledon - he's won five and lost just one - only for him to reassert his quality against the 23-year-old Darderi whose two wins at Wimbledon this year doubled his career tally of grass-court victories. He'll be relieved to have won in seven minutes under three hours to avoid any more pressure on his back, especially with a daunting last-16 outing awaiting against in-form fifth seed Taylor Fritz, who defeated Spain's 26th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-1. Earlier, Rinky Hijikata's daydream of pulling off the greatest of Wimbledon escapes against American big-hitter Ben Shelton lasted less than a minute when the pair resumed their controversially suspended late-evening match. Hijikata had got the unexpected chance to live to fight another day after saving three match points and then being reprieved by a controversial postponement of play on Thursday night amid farcical scenes as darkness descended. But when the match resumed on No.2 Court in the Friday afternoon sunshine with No.10 seed Shelton serving for the match, everyone could see the funny side once he won all four points in just 55 seconds, including three booming aces, to complete the straightforward 6-2 7-5 6-3 victory in two hours 12 minutes. Sydneysider Hijikata, who had been unable to dent the two-time grand semi-finalist's delivery all match, couldn't help but grin ruefully as any chance of him becoming the fourth Australian to qualify for the third round alongside Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and Daria Kasatkina was blasted away. Shelton's four unreturnable serves were timed at 141mph (ace), 107mph, 140mph (ace) and 118mph (ace) as he was left all smiles as opposed to the previous night when he had been raging over Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell calling off play just when he was about to step up and issue the coup de grace. Hijikata, who had in the last game on Thursday saved three match points to extend the match, tipped his hat to Shelton. "Last night's experience was bizarre ... but that was probably an absolute clinic on how to serve out a match if you've got one game to go," said Hijikata. "Yeah, credit to him. It's not easy to come out and serve out a match when you have a bit of pressure and you've had the night off. I thought it was bloody good effort by him." Jordan Thompson's adventures in Wimbledon wonderland have continued with the wounded warrior storming into the fourth round of his favourite event for the first time in his career. Still harbouring a debilitating back injury that had him protesting after his two previous courageous five-set wins that even "snails move faster", Thompson looked in much sharper nick as he had too much grass-court nous for Italian Luciano Darderi in their third-round clash on Friday, prevailing 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3. It booked the battling 'Tommo' his first last-16 appearance at Wimbledon at the ninth attempt and only the second fourth-round date of his grand slam career, matching his US Open performance of last year and 2020. He's the first Australian to reach the fourth round at the grass-court slam this year, with both Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina having the chance to join him when they play on Saturday. In the amphitheatre of Court 18, the 31-year-old also managed to bypass the sort of nerve-shredding drama of his previous two matches, which he'd won in five-set slogs, this time nipping Darderi's attempted comeback in the bud after the Italian had taken the third set. That raised the prospect that marathon man Thompson might be dragged into a seventh career five-setter at Wimbledon - he's won five and lost just one - only for him to reassert his quality against the 23-year-old Darderi whose two wins at Wimbledon this year doubled his career tally of grass-court victories. He'll be relieved to have won in seven minutes under three hours to avoid any more pressure on his back, especially with a daunting last-16 outing awaiting against in-form fifth seed Taylor Fritz, who defeated Spain's 26th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-1. Earlier, Rinky Hijikata's daydream of pulling off the greatest of Wimbledon escapes against American big-hitter Ben Shelton lasted less than a minute when the pair resumed their controversially suspended late-evening match. Hijikata had got the unexpected chance to live to fight another day after saving three match points and then being reprieved by a controversial postponement of play on Thursday night amid farcical scenes as darkness descended. But when the match resumed on No.2 Court in the Friday afternoon sunshine with No.10 seed Shelton serving for the match, everyone could see the funny side once he won all four points in just 55 seconds, including three booming aces, to complete the straightforward 6-2 7-5 6-3 victory in two hours 12 minutes. Sydneysider Hijikata, who had been unable to dent the two-time grand semi-finalist's delivery all match, couldn't help but grin ruefully as any chance of him becoming the fourth Australian to qualify for the third round alongside Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and Daria Kasatkina was blasted away. Shelton's four unreturnable serves were timed at 141mph (ace), 107mph, 140mph (ace) and 118mph (ace) as he was left all smiles as opposed to the previous night when he had been raging over Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell calling off play just when he was about to step up and issue the coup de grace. Hijikata, who had in the last game on Thursday saved three match points to extend the match, tipped his hat to Shelton. "Last night's experience was bizarre ... but that was probably an absolute clinic on how to serve out a match if you've got one game to go," said Hijikata. "Yeah, credit to him. It's not easy to come out and serve out a match when you have a bit of pressure and you've had the night off. I thought it was bloody good effort by him." Jordan Thompson's adventures in Wimbledon wonderland have continued with the wounded warrior storming into the fourth round of his favourite event for the first time in his career. Still harbouring a debilitating back injury that had him protesting after his two previous courageous five-set wins that even "snails move faster", Thompson looked in much sharper nick as he had too much grass-court nous for Italian Luciano Darderi in their third-round clash on Friday, prevailing 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3. It booked the battling 'Tommo' his first last-16 appearance at Wimbledon at the ninth attempt and only the second fourth-round date of his grand slam career, matching his US Open performance of last year and 2020. He's the first Australian to reach the fourth round at the grass-court slam this year, with both Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina having the chance to join him when they play on Saturday. In the amphitheatre of Court 18, the 31-year-old also managed to bypass the sort of nerve-shredding drama of his previous two matches, which he'd won in five-set slogs, this time nipping Darderi's attempted comeback in the bud after the Italian had taken the third set. That raised the prospect that marathon man Thompson might be dragged into a seventh career five-setter at Wimbledon - he's won five and lost just one - only for him to reassert his quality against the 23-year-old Darderi whose two wins at Wimbledon this year doubled his career tally of grass-court victories. He'll be relieved to have won in seven minutes under three hours to avoid any more pressure on his back, especially with a daunting last-16 outing awaiting against in-form fifth seed Taylor Fritz, who defeated Spain's 26th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-1. Earlier, Rinky Hijikata's daydream of pulling off the greatest of Wimbledon escapes against American big-hitter Ben Shelton lasted less than a minute when the pair resumed their controversially suspended late-evening match. Hijikata had got the unexpected chance to live to fight another day after saving three match points and then being reprieved by a controversial postponement of play on Thursday night amid farcical scenes as darkness descended. But when the match resumed on No.2 Court in the Friday afternoon sunshine with No.10 seed Shelton serving for the match, everyone could see the funny side once he won all four points in just 55 seconds, including three booming aces, to complete the straightforward 6-2 7-5 6-3 victory in two hours 12 minutes. Sydneysider Hijikata, who had been unable to dent the two-time grand semi-finalist's delivery all match, couldn't help but grin ruefully as any chance of him becoming the fourth Australian to qualify for the third round alongside Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and Daria Kasatkina was blasted away. Shelton's four unreturnable serves were timed at 141mph (ace), 107mph, 140mph (ace) and 118mph (ace) as he was left all smiles as opposed to the previous night when he had been raging over Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell calling off play just when he was about to step up and issue the coup de grace. Hijikata, who had in the last game on Thursday saved three match points to extend the match, tipped his hat to Shelton. "Last night's experience was bizarre ... but that was probably an absolute clinic on how to serve out a match if you've got one game to go," said Hijikata. "Yeah, credit to him. It's not easy to come out and serve out a match when you have a bit of pressure and you've had the night off. I thought it was bloody good effort by him." Jordan Thompson's adventures in Wimbledon wonderland have continued with the wounded warrior storming into the fourth round of his favourite event for the first time in his career. Still harbouring a debilitating back injury that had him protesting after his two previous courageous five-set wins that even "snails move faster", Thompson looked in much sharper nick as he had too much grass-court nous for Italian Luciano Darderi in their third-round clash on Friday, prevailing 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3. It booked the battling 'Tommo' his first last-16 appearance at Wimbledon at the ninth attempt and only the second fourth-round date of his grand slam career, matching his US Open performance of last year and 2020. He's the first Australian to reach the fourth round at the grass-court slam this year, with both Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina having the chance to join him when they play on Saturday. In the amphitheatre of Court 18, the 31-year-old also managed to bypass the sort of nerve-shredding drama of his previous two matches, which he'd won in five-set slogs, this time nipping Darderi's attempted comeback in the bud after the Italian had taken the third set. That raised the prospect that marathon man Thompson might be dragged into a seventh career five-setter at Wimbledon - he's won five and lost just one - only for him to reassert his quality against the 23-year-old Darderi whose two wins at Wimbledon this year doubled his career tally of grass-court victories. He'll be relieved to have won in seven minutes under three hours to avoid any more pressure on his back, especially with a daunting last-16 outing awaiting against in-form fifth seed Taylor Fritz, who defeated Spain's 26th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-1. Earlier, Rinky Hijikata's daydream of pulling off the greatest of Wimbledon escapes against American big-hitter Ben Shelton lasted less than a minute when the pair resumed their controversially suspended late-evening match. Hijikata had got the unexpected chance to live to fight another day after saving three match points and then being reprieved by a controversial postponement of play on Thursday night amid farcical scenes as darkness descended. But when the match resumed on No.2 Court in the Friday afternoon sunshine with No.10 seed Shelton serving for the match, everyone could see the funny side once he won all four points in just 55 seconds, including three booming aces, to complete the straightforward 6-2 7-5 6-3 victory in two hours 12 minutes. Sydneysider Hijikata, who had been unable to dent the two-time grand semi-finalist's delivery all match, couldn't help but grin ruefully as any chance of him becoming the fourth Australian to qualify for the third round alongside Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and Daria Kasatkina was blasted away. Shelton's four unreturnable serves were timed at 141mph (ace), 107mph, 140mph (ace) and 118mph (ace) as he was left all smiles as opposed to the previous night when he had been raging over Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell calling off play just when he was about to step up and issue the coup de grace. Hijikata, who had in the last game on Thursday saved three match points to extend the match, tipped his hat to Shelton. "Last night's experience was bizarre ... but that was probably an absolute clinic on how to serve out a match if you've got one game to go," said Hijikata. "Yeah, credit to him. It's not easy to come out and serve out a match when you have a bit of pressure and you've had the night off. I thought it was bloody good effort by him."
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Australian Open champ joins Wimbledon seeds cull
Madison Keys' dream of completing a famous double is over as the Australian Open champ became the 18th women's seed and latest grand slam champion to be dumped out of this shock-laden Wimbledon. The sixth-seeded American was sent crashing on American Independence Day 6-3 6-3 by the tough German veteran Laura Siegmund as she became the fifth of the top-six seeds, and sixth out of the top-10, to be sent spinning out of the event on Friday. Keys had been out to become the first player since Amelie Mauresmo, in 2006, to pull off the AO-Wimbledon double but the world No.104 Siegemund, playing some of her best tennis at 37, was in inspired mood in the sunshine on No.2 Court. She outplayed the big-hitting American and even when getting nervous with the winning line in sight, held her nerve. "If you don't have nerves, then you're probably dead!" she joked with the crowd afterwards. "I only play for myself, I don't feel like I need to prove anything any more - my boyfriend tells me that," beamed Siegemund, now the oldest player left in the women's draw. "It's important to remember the core of why you are doing this. I'm playing for me and I don't feel pressure this way." She'll next play Solana Sierra, who became the first woman 'lucky loser' to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Spain's Cristina Bucsa 7-5 1-6 6-1. How must this have made Australian Talia Gibson feel? She had knocked out Sierra out in the final match of qualifying, only to get knocked out in the first round herself. Meanwhile, her Argentine victim Sierra got a reprieve and was brought into the draw as a 'lucky loser' and has since won three matches, knocking out another Australian Olivia Gadecki in the opening round and Alex de Minaur's British fiancee Katie Boulter in the second. Earlier, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka's hope of finally getting to the last-16 of a slam that's she's never mastered fell short as she surrendered a one-set lead to go down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The former world No.1, who's been a two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, hadn't been in the last-32 for seven years She looked set to claim a small piece of personal history before failing to capitalise on two break points at 4-4 in set two and subsequently going down 3-6 6-4 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist nine years ago, will next take on the soaring Briton Sonay Kartal, who had the home crowd cheering on No.1 Court as she defeated French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4 6-2 to make the last-16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Kartal, ranked 298 this time last year, will now break into the top 50 and could even finish the tournament as British No.1, ahead of the Emma Raducanu and Boulter. American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova at least avoided the cull of seeds, as she beat Hungary's Dalma Galfi 6-3 5-7 6-3.
