Gauff ousted on day of Wimbledon shocks as Djokovic launches history bid
U.S. second seed Gauff arrived at the All England Club with high hopes after winning the French Open last month but was beaten 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 by Ukranian world No. 42 Dayana Yastremska.
Other high-profile casualties on day two of the grass-court Grand Slam were women's third seed Jessica Pegula and fifth seed Zheng Qinwen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Times
an hour ago
- Japan Times
Novak Djokovic builds momentum with dominant victory at Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic showed signs that he is easing into the old routine at Wimbledon as the seven-time champion sauntered into the third round on Thursday while Barbora Krejcikova also made it through as her title defense continued. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner also eased into round three as his pursuit of a first Wimbledon title gathered pace, with the Italian thrashing Australia's Aleksandar Vukic 6-1, 6-1, 6-3. But Britain's big hope, No. 4 seed Jack Draper, ran in to an inspired Marin Cilic and joined the exodus of seeded players from the men's draw which now totals 18 in the opening two rounds. Despite fervent home support on Court One, Draper was outgunned 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 by big-serving Croatian Cilic, who produced the kind of tennis that took him to the 2017 final. "It's not the pressure, it's not the whatever," said Draper, who is regarded as Britain's successor to two-time champion Andy Murray. "I just didn't play good enough today. I lost to a better player. I came up short." This year's tournament has been littered with big names biting the dust early, and while Draper's loss sent shockwaves around the All England Club, Day 4 provided some big statements from players favored to make deep runs. Former women's champion Elena Rybakina arrived very much under the radar and reached the third round while losing just seven games. The No. 11 seed destroyed Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-1 in 62 minutes. Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, surprisingly yet to go past the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, is another who will quietly fancy her chances, and the Pole looked impressive as she rallied from a set down to beat Caty McNally 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. Djokovic struggled past Alexandre Muller on Tuesday when he was hampered by stomach issues. Two days later, however, he was at his ruthlessly efficient best in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 thrashing of popular Briton Dan Evans on Centre Court. The 38-year-old is bidding to equal Roger Federer's men's record of eight Wimbledon titles and claim an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam crown. While most of the talk is about top seed Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz meeting in the final, the Serbian should not be dismissed. He has reached the last six Wimbledon finals and clearly believes he will still be around on July 13. "Technically, tactically I knew exactly what I needed to do, and I executed perfectly," Djokovic said after his 99th match win at Wimbledon since making his debut in 2005. "Sometimes you have these kind of days, where everything goes your way, everything flows, and it's good to be in the shoes and holding a racket on a day like this." Czech Krejcikova, a surprise winner last year, found herself out on Court 2, where the 17th seed produced a typically businesslike display as she battled past American Caroline Dolehide, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. She will face a much more dangerous American next in Emma Navarro after the 10th seed crushed Veronika Kudermetova 6-1, 6-2. With four of the top five women's seeds already gone, the draw looks wide open for players such as Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva, who beat Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 7-6 (7-4). Swiatek will also be fancying her chances as she prepares for a match against American Danielle Collins. Asked to explain the early defeats of so many favored players such as French Open winner Coco Gauff and last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini, Swiatek kept it simple. "Sometimes we will lose early because the schedule is pretty crazy," she said. "You can't win everything." More than half of the 32 men's seeds have perished before the third round, with 13 failing to clear the first hurdle, but those remaining reasserted themselves on Thursday. Australian No. 11 seed Alex de Minaur beat Arthur Cazaux 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0, while powerful Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, seeded No. 15, beat American Marcos Giron 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(7-4) to underline his credentials as a dangerous floater. Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, playing in his 59th successive Grand Slam, may no longer be considered a genuine title threat but, more than a decade since reaching his sole Wimbledon semifinal, he showed he is still a class act as the No. 19 seed beat tricky Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. There were still casualties though. American No. 13 seed Tommy Paul needed treatment on a foot injury on his way to a 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 defeat against Austria's 165th-ranked Sebastian Ofner.
Japan Times
3 hours ago
- Japan Times
Max Verstappen sidesteps questions about future ahead of British GP
Max Verstappen refused to be drawn on questions about discussions with Mercedes and exit clauses in his Red Bull contract when he spoke to reporters on Thursday ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix. Facing a succession of questions about his future, following reports in Italy that he had agreed to join Mercedes next year, the Dutchman was polite, but evasive in his answers, stressing that for him it would be ideal to complete his career with one team — Red Bull. "I am happy where I am," he said. "There are always rumors, but only one who decides, and that is me and the team. I control my own destiny, and I am happy and in control of where I'm at." Sky Sport Italia on Wednesday reported that he had agreed to join Mercedes, sparking speculation that he was set to replace archrival George Russell, but the Briton earlier stated he was confident of keeping his seat. Russell said he expected to confirm his new contract with Mercedes — the team believed to be best prepared for the regulation changes next year — within a few weeks. "I've nothing to add to last week," Verstappen said. "Of course, other people write stuff and that's great, but it's not me ... Happy with my team? In life, you can always see other things and think, as they say, the grass is greener on the other side. "But I think it is best to stay calm and up to now we have had success except for some time this season and this can happen, and you have to accept it. "I know what I have and what we can do and that's fine, but, to be honest, I have nothing to add to last week. I am focused on the team and to improve." Asked if he felt he needed to be in the fastest car to win races and titles, Verstappen said it is "difficult in F1 to be in the fastest car ... Who would know that two years ago who will be fastest? "I don't focus much on it, I just try to improve my own situation and where we want to be next year. If you chase the fastest car now it may not be the fastest car next year. Sometimes you can luck in and then win four, or five or six titles ..." The 27-year-old shared that being a one-team man was an interesting prospect for him, while stating that he had never been tempted to leave Austrian constructor Red Bull. "I'm gonna say no," he said when asked if he had ever felt tempted to take a seat elsewhere in the paddock. "I don't want more headlines. It would be ideal to finish my career at Red Bull with one team. That would be something amazing, and I am still trying to achieve that. "We are fighting for podiums now and that's not too bad!" Reports suggested Verstappen's contract contained exit clauses that could be activated if he is not in the top three in the drivers' championship at the end of July. But the four-time world champion bluntly refused to reveal any details about his deal with Red Bull. "To be honest, I am not speaking about my contract. It's easier like that," he said.
Japan Today
9 hours ago
- Japan Today
Djokovic steps up bid for Wimbledon history; Sinner strolls into round three
tennis By Steven GRIFFITHS Novak Djokovic crushed British wildcard Dan Evans in the Wimbledon second round as he stepped up his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title, while world number one Jannik Sinner cruised into round three on Thursday. But there was heartbreak for home favourite Jack Draper as he crashed out to former finalist Marin Cilic. Djokovic avoided becoming one of the host of big names eliminated in week one in south London as the Serb needed just one hour and 47 minutes to dispatch Evans in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 victory on Centre Court. "It means I've been playing quite a long time!" Djokovic said when told he had just secured his 99th Wimbledon match victory. "I still enjoy it. This court has given me so much. Wimbledon has a special place in my heart. Any history made here is obviously extra special." Djokovic is dreaming of putting an exclamation point on his incredible career by becoming the most successful singles player in tennis history. The 38-year-old has been tied with Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam titles since winning his most recent major prize at the 2023 U.S. Open. Despite losing the last two Wimbledon finals to Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic believes the lawns of southwest London provide his best chance to win that elusive 25th major. "I'm aware of the history on the line. I'm thinking about the big things I can do in this tournament," he said. Sinner is yet to reach a Wimbledon final, but the U.S. and the Australian Open champion has been ruthless in dropping just 12 games in his opening two matches. The Italian thrashed Australia's Aleksandar Vukic 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 to set up a third round clash against Spaniard Pedro Martinez. "We saw there have been so many upsets this tournament so we try to stay focused and raise our level," said Sinner. Draper's dream of following in the footsteps of Andy Murray as a British champion were dashed as 36-year-old Cilic rolled back the years. The Croatian, who is making his first Wimbledon appearance for four years after major knee surgery, blasted 53 winners in a 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory. "The emotions I'm feeling are incredible," said Cilic, who lost the final to Roger Federer at the All England Club in 2017. "It's been a long journey but I never lost any doubt. This was a huge challenge, to come back and play at this level against Jack, in front of this crowd." Only one of the top five seeds in the women's draw -- world number one Aryna Sabalenka -- is still standing. But defending champion Barbora Krejcikova and five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek avoided joining the big name casualties with hard-fought three-set wins. Krejcikova has had a miserable time with injuries this year and arrived at Wimbledon with just six matches under her belt in 2025. Despite not feeling 100 percent, she overcame American Caroline Dolehide 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to set up a meeting with Emma Navarro. "Definitely a huge relief," said the Czech. "I wasn't feeling that well but I was fighting for every ball. I'm really happy I won the third set." Swiatek has previously struggled on Wimbledon's lush lawns despite being a former junior champion at the All England Club. The former world number one dropped the first set to American Caty McNally before roaring back to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. "For sure second and third set I played how I wanted to play," said Swiatek. Elena Rybykina, Wimbledon winner in 2022, demolished Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-1. Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva, aged 18, beat Italy's Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 7-6 (7/4). © 2025 AFP
