logo
Wimbledon champion Krejcikova crashes out in tears, Djokovic reaches century

Wimbledon champion Krejcikova crashes out in tears, Djokovic reaches century

The Sun2 days ago
BARBORA Krejcikova made a tearful Wimbledon exit as the defending champion crashed to a three-set defeat against Emma Navarro, while Novak Djokovic powered to his 100th All England Club victory on Saturday.
Men's top seed Jannik Sinner crushed Pedro Martinez to reach the last 16, but it was the contrasting fortunes of Krejcikova and Djokovic that took the spotlight.
Krejcikova appeared to be struggling with injury as she wept in the closing stages of the third-round clash on Court One.
Navarro took advantage to cause the latest upset in the women's tournament following the exits of five of the top six seeds.
Krejcikova had to fight back from a set down to beat rising star Alexandra Eala in the first round before another tense three-set win over Caroline Dolehide in the second round.
There would be no dramatic escape for Krejcikova this time, with the 17th seed's fitness problems finally catching up with her against American 10th seed Navarro.
Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam champion, has endured a difficult time since defeating Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final last year.
She was out of action until May after suffering a back injury and lost in the second round of the French Open.
Krejcikova also pulled out of the recent Eastbourne Open before the quarter-finals with a thigh problem.
'I was definitely enjoying myself and I was feeling quite well. Suddenly out of nowhere I just lost all my energy and I couldn't really gain it back,' Krejcikova said.
'I was actually feeling worse and worse with time. It's very sad for me and very unfortunate.'
Djokovic reached his landmark century by demolishing Serbian Davis Cup team-mate Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 in one hour and 47 minutes on Centre Court.
The 38-year-old Serb's 100-win tally at the All England Club is only surpassed by eight-time champion Roger Federer, who won 105 times, and Martina Navratilova, who chalked up 120 victories.
'It's very historic. It sounds very nice. I am very grateful to be in this position,' said Djokovic, who persuaded his daughter to perform his post-match 'pump it up' celebration from the players' box.
'Wimbledon is a favourite tournament and a dream for so many players. Any history I make at my favourite tournament, I'm blessed.'
He is into the fourth round for the 17th time in his 20th appearance at Wimbledon and will face Australian 11th seed Alex De Minaur, who beat Denmark's August Holmgren in three sets.
Djokovic is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam crown as the seven-time Wimbledon champion looks to break his tie with the long-retired Margaret Court.
Sinner in the groove
Sinner, who could face Djokovic in the semi-finals, took just one hour and 55 minutes to rout 52nd-ranked Martinez 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 in a Centre Court masterclass.
The 23-year-old Italian next plays Bulgarian 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov, a straight-sets winner over Austria's Sebastian Ofner.
Sinner has lost just 17 games across his first three matches at this year's tournament, equalling the previous lowest Open era total of games dropped to reach the last 16 in the men's event set by Jan Kodes in 1972.
'About the games lost, this is whatever. I'm not looking at these kind of records. I know that everything can change very quickly from one round to the other,' said Sinner, who has never made the Wimbledon final.
Croatian world number 83 Marin Cilic followed his shock win over British fourth seed Jack Draper by making the fourth round for the first time since his run to the final in 2017.
Hampered by injuries in the twilight of his career, the 36-year-old former US Open winner defeated Spain's Jaume Munar 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
American 10th seed Ben Shelton beat Hungarian lucky loser Marton Fucsovics in straight sets.
Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina made a surprise exit, losing to Denmark's Clara Tauson 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.
Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, reached the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-3 rout of American Danielle Collins.
Teenage Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva thrashed American world number 55 Hailey Baptiste 6-1, 6-3 in just 78 minutes. - AFP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tennis-Paolini parts ways with coach after early Wimbledon exit
Tennis-Paolini parts ways with coach after early Wimbledon exit

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

Tennis-Paolini parts ways with coach after early Wimbledon exit

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2025 Italy's Jasmine Paolini in action during her second round match against Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo (Reuters) -World number four Jasmine Paolini has parted company with coach Marc Lopez just days after her second-round exit from Wimbledon, the Italian said. Paolini, who last year became the first Italian woman in the Open era to reach the Wimbledon final, lost 4-6 6-4 6-4 to Russian Kamilla Rakhimova last week. The 29-year-old began working with Lopez in April after ending a decade-long partnership with Renzo Furlan. Under the guidance of Lopez, a former doubles world number three who was once part of Rafa Nadal's coaching team, Paolini won her second WTA 1000-level crown at the Italian Open and also lifted the women's doubles title at the French Open. "We had some great results together. Especially in Rome and Paris," Paolini wrote on social media on Monday. "I appreciate all the hard work and energy Marc gave every day. "Now that this part of the season is over, I've decided to make a change. "I've learned a lot and made good progress. And now I'm taking the time to reflect on what the next step will be. Thank you again, Marc, for everything." (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Djokovic advances to Wimbledon quarter-finals after tough battle
Djokovic advances to Wimbledon quarter-finals after tough battle

The Sun

time3 hours ago

  • The Sun

Djokovic advances to Wimbledon quarter-finals after tough battle

LONDON: Novak Djokovic fought back from a shaky start to defeat Alex de Minaur and secure his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals. The seven-time champion recovered from a first-set stumble to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in a gruelling three-hour, 18-minute match. Djokovic admitted he struggled early, committing 16 unforced errors in the first set alone. 'It wasn't a great start for me, it was a great start for him obviously,' he said. However, the Serb found his rhythm, breaking De Minaur at crucial moments to turn the match around. The victory keeps Djokovic on course for a record 25th Grand Slam title. A win on Sunday would also tie Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon men's singles titles. Federer, watching from the royal box, saw his long-time rival overcome a stern challenge. 'It's probably the first time he's watching me and I've won the match,' Djokovic joked. 'The last couple I lost, so good to break the curse.' De Minaur started strongly, racing through the first set with aggressive play. But Djokovic responded, breaking early in the second set and battling through a marathon 19-minute game. The Australian fought hard but faltered in key moments, allowing Djokovic to seize control. The third set proved decisive as Djokovic broke in the ninth game. De Minaur briefly rallied in the fourth, leading 4-1, but collapsed under pressure as Djokovic reeled off five straight games to seal victory. Djokovic now holds the second-most Wimbledon quarter-final appearances (16) in men's tennis, trailing only Federer's 18. His next opponent will be determined as he continues his quest for history. - AFP

Sinner advances after Dimitrov retires in tears, Djokovic battles into Wimbledon quarters
Sinner advances after Dimitrov retires in tears, Djokovic battles into Wimbledon quarters

Malay Mail

time3 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Sinner advances after Dimitrov retires in tears, Djokovic battles into Wimbledon quarters

LONDON, July 8 — Jannik Sinner progressed to the Wimbledon quarter-finals yesterday after a tearful Grigor Dimitrov pulled out injured while in total control of the match while Novak Djokovic survived a scare. World number one Sinner and seven-time champion Djokovic remain on course for a mouthwatering semi-final clash but the top seed's match on Centre Court was overshadowed by Dimitrov's heartbreak. The Italian was staring at the exit door trailing 3-6, 5-7, 2-2 before the Bulgarian 19th seed pulled up holding his right pectoral muscle and was unable to continue. Sinner rushed to his aid but his 34-year-old opponent was barely able to wave to acknowledge the crowd's warm ovation. 'Honestly I don't know what to say,' said Sinner. 'He is an incredible player, I think we all saw this today. 'He's been so unlucky in the past couple of years. An incredible player, a good friend of mine also. We understand each other very well off the court too. 'Seeing him in this position, honestly, if there would be a chance that he could play the next round, he would deserve it.' The injury-prone Dimitrov has now been forced to retire in each of his past five Grand Slam appearances. Sinner himself suffered a nasty fall in the opening game of the fourth-round clash and appeared to be suffering discomfort in his right elbow. The three-time Grand Slam champion had been in regal form in the first three rounds at the All England Club, dropping just 17 games. Sinner, who is due to face American 10th seed Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals, said he would be having an MRI scan on Tuesday to assess the extent of the damage to his elbow. Shelton beat Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in four sets. Federer 'curse' Earlier, sixth seed Djokovic endured a nightmare start to his match against Australian 11th seed Alex de Minaur but battled back to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Fresh from his 100th win at Wimbledon on Saturday, making him the third player to achieve that feat after Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer, Djokovic reached his 16th quarter-final at the tournament. Aged 38, the Serb is aiming to win a record 25th major title, breaking a tie with the long-retired Margaret Court, and to equal Federer's record of eight men's crowns at the All England Club. That would make him the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in the Open era. Djokovic's 101st victory at Wimbledon came under the gaze of the Swiss great, who was sitting in the front row of the royal box alongside his wife Mirka. 'It's probably the first time he's watching me and I've won the match,' he said. 'The last couple I lost, so good to break the curse. 'No, it's great, obviously, great to have Roger, a huge champion and someone that I admired and respected a lot. 'We shared the stage for so many years, and it's great to have him back.' In the last eight, Djokovic faces Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli, who beat former Wimbledon runner-up Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/3). In the women's draw, Iga Swiatek coninued her serene progress with a 6-4, 6-1 rout of Danish 23rd seed Clara Tauson. Swiatek, fourth in the rankings, is a five-time Grand Slam winner but has never made a Wimbledon semi-final. The 24-year-old is in a strong position in the second week of the tournament after the exit of so many of the top seeds. 'Honestly it's pretty amazing. It's the first time I really enjoyed London, sorry guys,' Swiatek said, referring to her previous Wimbledon woes. 'We are tennis players, so we feel well off the court when we feel well on the court.' The Polish player next faces Russian 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova, who beat Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-5, 7-5. Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva, 18, reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time with a 6-2, 6-3 win against American 10th seed Emma Navarro, who ended Barbora Krejcikova's reign as champion on Saturday. Andreeva next plays Swiss former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who beat Russian world number 17 Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. — AFP pic

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