Wimbledon mixed champion Verbeek gets Centre Court to sing Happy Birthday to dad
Te"I know he's going to hate this but I'm going to love it. It's my dad's birthday today! His name is Frank. If we could all sing happy birthday to him, it would mean so, so much," Verbeek said during his on counrt speech after the win.The title was not just Verbeek's first Grand Slam, but also only the third doubles trophy of his career. The 31-year-old and Siniakova had never played together before this tournament, but they found instant chemistry. Their run included a win over top seeds Harri Heliovaara and Anna Danilina in the first round.According to reports, one of them had not even planned to enter the mixed doubles until just before the tournament began. But the decision paid off, as the pair went all the way without dropping a set in the final.Verbeek's win was already a big moment in his career — but by turning it into a surprise celebration for his father, he made it even more memorable for everyone watching.- Ends
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India Today
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- India Today
Canadian Open: Defending champion Jessica Pegula stunned by World No.386 in major upset
Anastasija Sevastova shocked the tennis world by beating defending champion Jessica Pegula at the Canadian Open in Montreal on August 1, 2025. Sevastova, ranked No. 386 and returning from injury and maternity leave, came back from a set down to win 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 in one of the tournament's biggest ranked No. 5 and the two-time defending champion, started strong. She took the first set easily and was up 2–0 in the second. But Sevastova stayed calm and slowly turned the match around. She began hitting more winners and made fewer mistakes, while Pegula started to struggle under don't know. Somehow, I was down 2-0 in the second set and started to play better and better. Third set, I played really well. Just trying to stay on the court as long as possible,' Sevastova said after the match. 'Just trying to stay on the court' In the final set, Sevastova dominated. She broke Pegula's serve three times and played confidently on her own serve. She saved 9 of 13 break points and converted 6 of 10 chances to break Pegula. It was a complete turnaround from the start of the 35, was out of tennis for over a year due to a torn ACL and the birth of her child. She returned to competition just 13 months ago using a protected ranking. This win is her biggest since coming back and shows she can still compete with the upset in Montreal Anastasija Sevastova defeats defending champion Jessica Pegula to advance at #OBN25 Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 1, 2025With the win, Sevastova ends Pegula's 11-match winning streak at the Canadian Open. She now moves on to face Naomi Osaka in the fourth round — another big test for the veteran Latvian."Somehow, I was down 2-0 in the second set and started to play better and better. Third set, I played really well. Just trying to stay on the court as long as possible,' Sevastova is next set to lock horns with four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who beat 22nd seed Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4 in the Round of 32.- Ends
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Tennis icon Djokovic invests in French football club Le Mans along with ex-F1 stars Massa, Magnussen
Djokovic, Massa and Magnussen are part of a group of investors that also includes Latin American sports investment firm OutField and Georgios Frangulis, the founder and chief executive of OakBerry who also happens to be the boyfriend of tennis star Aryna Sabalenka. read more Novak Djokovic in action during his semi-final meeting with Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon. Reuters Novak Djokovic has turned his attention towards football, with the Serbian tennis legend part of a group of investors who have bought a stake in French second-tier team Le Mans. Besides Djokovic, ex-Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen are also part of the group of investors, the club revealed in a statement on Friday. Le Mans said in a statement that they join other new financial investors into the club, including Latin American sports investment firm OutField and Georgios Frangulis, the founder and chief executive of OakBerry. Frangulis is the boyfriend of three-time women's Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The uniqueness of this fund also lies in its contribution from high-level athletes,' Le Mans president Thierry Gomez said in the statement. 'Novak Djokovic, Felipe Massa, and Kevin Magnussen will be part of the adventure.' No financial details were given. 𝐋𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝐔𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐔 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐑 Le communiqué officiel 👉 🔴🟡 — LE MANS FC (@LEMANSFC) August 1, 2025 Djokovic is the owner of a men's record 24 Grand Slam titles in tennis. The 38-year-old Serb has won 100 career titles overall, and had won his maiden Olympic gold medal in Paris last year. The last of his victories in the Majors had come at the 2023 US Open, which took him level with Margaret Court for most Grand Slam titles. Massa won 11 races and secured 41 podiums in his F1 career. When driving for Ferrari, the popular Brazilian was within a whisker of winning the 2008 title, only for Lewis Hamilton to beat him in a dramatic finish at the last race. Hamilton won the title by 98 points to 97. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 32-year-old Magnussen drove close to 200 races in F1, securing one podium and one pole position. But the Danish driver was not retained by Haas at the end of last year when his contract expired. Le Mans football club, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, begins its league campaign on 9 August. Le Mans — a small city in northwestern France — also hosts the famed 24-hour endurance car race. With AP inputs
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Ligue 1 transfer news: Marseille signs Brazilian winger Paixao to boost attack
Ligue 1 club Marseille has bolstered its attack by signing Brazilian winger Igor Paixao from Feyenoord in a deal that could rise to €35 million ($40.6 million). The 25-year-old Paixao scored 18 goals in 47 games last season and was voted the Dutch player of the season. Marseille beat competition from newly promoted Premier League team Leeds United to sign him. Marseille announced the deal late Friday without giving further details, but French media reports valued the deal at €30 million with an additional five million in performance-related bonuses. Marseille paid a club-record €32 million to Portuguese club Braga to sign forward Vitinha in early 2023. Vitinha failed to settle and scored only six goals in 43 games before being sold to Genoa. Paixao showed his full repertoire of skills during a Champions League game against AC Milan in February, scoring in a 1-0 win and giving the Milan defense a torrid time all game with his quickness. Igor Paixão: big game player. 😮💨 — Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) August 1, 2025 Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 last season behind Paris Saint-Germain and qualified directly for the Champions League. Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi has made several moves in the transfer market this summer, including bringing back veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League. The 36-year-old Aubameyang scored 21 goals for Al-Qadsiah last season, after having spent the 2023-24 campaign at Marseille — where he netted 30 goals overall and became a fan favorite in the southern port city. Attacking midfielder Angel Gomes joined from Lille and gritty central defender Facundo Medina arrived from Lens. The arrivals of Aubameyang and Paixão bring extra firepower to an attack that already features Mason Greenwood — who scored 21 league goals last season and Amine Gouiri. Marseille opens the new Ligue 1 season when it travels all the way up the country to face Brittany-based Rennes on Aug. 15.
