'Extreme level' of superstition behind Fritz's title bid
An "extreme level" of superstition is aiding Taylor Fritz at Wimbledon as the world number five bids for a first major title.The American matched his best run at the All England Club by reaching the quarter-finals on Sunday, after Australian opponent Jordan Thompson retired with injury when trailing 6-1 3-0.After reaching his first major final at the US Open last year, Fritz hopes that sticking to a precise routine off the court can help him take the next step on it."I'm superstitious in a way that it just revolves [around] my routine. I don't have superstitions on court but I take the saying 'you don't change a winning formula' to an extreme," Fritz said."Every single thing I'm doing, I do everything exactly the same. It's like the second I get off the practice court, I eat, I organise my clothes, I go shower. "Everything is in the same order to an extreme level."I'm a little bit superstitious, but when I repeat the same routines, it gives me confidence that I'm going to keep playing well."The 27-year-old was denied a first Grand Slam trophy by world number one Jannik Sinner in New York 10 months ago.However he is in good form on the grass courts, having won titles at Stuttgart and Eastbourne in the build-up to Wimbledon.Russian 17th seed Karen Khachanov now stands in his way of a first Wimbledon semi-final.Khachanov - who, like Fritz, has come through two five-set matches to reach the last eight - recorded a straightforward 6-4 6-2 6-3 win over Poland's Kamil Majchrzak.
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The Guardian
21 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Alcaraz marches past Rublev while Khachanov and Fritz ease into Wimbledon last eight
Every point in tennis is worth the same as the next, but some are more valuable than others. At 3-3 in the third set here on Sunday, after two and a half sets of outrageous hitting, Carlos Alcaraz held a break point to finally move ahead in the match for the first time. He then produced the kind of athleticism and shot-making that make him such an incredible champion, going side to side, sliding across the court and ripping an unstoppable forehand past the onrushing Andrey Rublev. Until that point, the Russian had played outstanding tennis, testing the Spaniard with big serving, huge ground strokes and staying calm, which has not always been the case. But Alcaraz, like all great champions, has an uncanny ability to turn it on when he needs to and from that point on, he pulled away for a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory that takes his winning streak to 22 matches and secures a clash with Britain's Cameron Norrie. Alcaraz hit 22 aces and even served and volleyed 15 times, winning 13 of those points, as he moved into the last eight for the ninth time in his past 10 slams. He has won 18 matches in a row here, too, and remains favourite to win the title for a third straight year. 'Andrey is one of the most powerful players we have on tour,' Alcaraz said of Rublev. 'You kind of feel he's pushing you to the limit on every ball. I am just really happy with the way I moved today. I think I played intelligent, smart today, tactically, which I'm really proud about.' Taylor Fritz, meanwhile, may be beginning to believe that the tennis gods are on his side at Wimbledon this year. After a narrow escape against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France in the first round, when he trailed by two sets to one and 5-1 in the fourth set tie-break, the American was given an easy passage through to the quarter-finals when his opponent, Jordan Thompson, pulled out due to a hamstring injury. The fifth seed was leading 6-1, 3-0 when Thompson called it quits. The Australian had been battling a lower back problem throughout the tournament and pulled up early on clutching his right hamstring. Clearly hampered, especially in his sideways movement, he took a medical timeout at 2-0 down in the second set but after playing one more game, he decided to give up. The match lasted just 41 minutes in all, including the timeout, which Fritz will doubtless be grateful for as he prepares to face Russia's Karen Khachanov, who beat Kamil Majchrzak of Poland 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. Khachanov has won both his matches with Fritz, even if the most recent one was five years ago. 'I think our games are quite similar overall,' Fritz said. 'To be honest, we practise [together] all the time, so we're pretty familiar with each other's games. But I think I improved a ton and have become a much, much better player since the last time we played.'
The Guardian
32 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Cameron Norrie sinks Jarry in five-set Wimbledon epic to set up Alcaraz quarter-final
Cameron Norrie was desperately fighting for his survival by the final set of an agonising duel over four hours and 27 minutes on his beloved No 1 Court. As he watched ace after ace fly past him from one of the world's most destructive servers, Norrie's momentum had disappeared along with his two-set lead and match point. The Briton has been on a purposeful journey over the past few years and, after enduring one of the most difficult periods of his career, he has rebounded with even greater courage and self-belief. He drew upon those qualities in the final moments of one of the most significant wins of his career as he held his nerve to close out a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (7), 6-7 (5), 6-3 win over the qualifier Nicolás Jarry. The victory marks Norrie's second grand slam quarter-final, having reached his first en route to the semi-finals at the All England Club in 2022. Despite the greater attention that other players receive, he is again the last British player standing at Wimbledon. After spending such a long time watching his lead shrink against an opponent who fired down 46 aces, Norrie dragged himself over the line, using his supreme competitive spirit and composure to hold on. Next he will face Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion and second seed, after he defeated the 14th seed Andrey Rublev 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, on Tuesday. The recent trajectory of Norrie's career has been fascinating. Having already been struggling with his form in 2024, a left biceps injury compounded his misery. From his career high ranking of No 8, he fell as low as 91st in May. Norrie is an extremely ambitious person and at his lowest point, as he compared his frustrating level to his form when he reached the top 10, he was weighed down by his own expectations. He has found his way by focusing solely on his enjoyment of the sport, finding happiness and satisfaction in every single workout, practice and match, regardless of the result. Now, on the biggest stages, his results are also a source of joy again. This was always likely to be a significant challenge. Having climbed as high as No 16 last year, Jarry has fallen to a ranking of No 143 in large part due to a severe case of vestibular neuritis, an ear condition that has affected his balance, perception and vision, leading to spells of dizziness. The Chilean stands at 6ft 7in and at its best, his serve is untouchable. As Jarry fired down aces at will, shutting his opponent out of his service games for much of the match, Norrie took care of his own service games brilliantly, winning all 25 and courageously saving all eight break points he faced throughout the match. The pair would combine to work through 38 consecutive service holds in the match. After establishing a two-set lead, Norrie held a match point on his serve in the third set tie-break at 6-5, but Jarry took the racket out of Norrie's hand with his relentless attack and serving as he forced a fourth set. More than an hour later, Jarry's flawless serving performance and bold, relentless aggression allowed him to force a fifth set in another tie-break. As Norrie desperately tried to land returns, to chase down every ball and offer his opponent no free points, he was rewarded for his doggedness as the Chilean opened the set with a poor service game, allowing the Briton to seal the decisive break. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Norrie brilliantly held on to his serve throughout the final set, saving three break points as he closed out a monumental win that further re-establishes him at the top of the men's game. As Norrie sealed the match with a running forehand passing shot, a grand slam quarter-finalist once more, he tossed his racket into the air and rolled on the grass in glee. 'Honestly, I don't know. I think credit to Nico, he did an unbelievable job staying with me,' said Norrie. 'He played better than me in both tie-breaks. I didn't want to let his gamestyle bother me so I just kept fighting.' The shifting scoreline was not the only source of drama on No 1 court. Jarry had complained to the umpire Eva Asderaki about Norrie's ball bouncing between first and second serves. Then, as they convened for the handshake, Jarry expressed his displeasure with Norrie's tendency to cheer loudly after almost every successful point. Although their extended discussion prompted boos from the crowd, Norrie and Jarry eventually shook hands and the Briton applauded his beaten foe as Jarry departed: 'He said I was a little bit vocal and I think: 'That's my energy,'' Norrie said. 'I just said: 'Man, you competed so well, you hung in there so well.' It was an amazing, competitive match and I loved it.'
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Cameron Norrie survives fiery Nicolas Jarry clash to reach Wimbledon quarters
Norrie is the last British player standing after taking down the towering Chilean qualifier 6-3 7-6 (4) 6-7 (7) 6-7 (5) 6-3 in four hours and 27 minutes. The 29-year-old led by two sets and had a match point in the third, but was pegged back to a fifth with Jarry firing down 46 aces among 103 winners. But Norrie, who did not drop serve all day, converted his second match point – more than two hours after his first before dropping to the ground in celebration. Jarry had complained to the umpire about the time Norrie was taking between first and second serves, and at one point seemed to mimic his opponent by stopping and starting his service action. It backfired, though, as the South American sent his serve too long and double-faulted. When quizzed about Norrie's excessive bouncing of the ball, Jarry kept his cards close to his chest. He said: 'He's very competitive, so he knows how to make the most of the important games, the important part of the match.' Norrie said he was unaware the 6ft 7in giant from Santiago was making a point – or giving one away as it turned out. 'I thought he was maybe a little bit tight on that second serve,' he said. 'I actually didn't even notice he was upset with that. I want to settle before I hit my second serve. I don't want to rush into it and hit a quick double.' The pair had words at the handshake, and their conversation continued for some time under the umpire's chair. Norrie said: 'I think it's a big match for both of us, we really wanted to win. It was obviously frustrating for him to lose. 'I just told him 'man, that was unbelievable level. You competed so well, and I loved the way you kind of responded'. 'I think he just said I was being a little bit too vocal, but I was aiming directly at my team and pulling from the crowd. The atmosphere was so, so good. WHAT A WAY TO FINISH IT OFF! 🤩 Cameron Norrie is into the quarter-finals of #Wimbledon after being forced to a decider by Nicolas Jarry, but he gets it done by winning 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-7(7), 6-7(5), 6-3 🇬🇧 Just look at what it means 😁 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2025 'Honestly, nothing but credit to Nico for his performance. And to see him not only playing at that level, you know, seeing him enjoying his tennis and coming through quallies so easily and dropping guys, so I wish him all the best.' Jarry's charge through qualifying to the fourth round has been one of the stories of the Championships, his ranking having plummeted from 16 this time last year to 143 due to a health issue which has affected his vision and balance. But Norrie's achievement is quite something, too, for a player who had slipped from eight in the world to 91 after a tough couple of years, and who is now on the verge of a return to the top 50. He will have his work cut out to get much further, though, with two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz awaiting in the quarter-final.
