Latest news with #ClayTennis
Metro
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Novak Djokovic names the two 'favourites' to win Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic has rejected his former coach's claims that he is the 'favourite' to win Wimbledon. Goran Ivanisevic, who coached Djokovic to many Grand Slam titles and won Wimbledon himself in 2001, recently claimed the 38-year-old was the man to beat in SW19. Djokovic is bidding to equal Roger Federer's tally of eight Wimbledon titles and become the first player in history to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles. The Serbian legend has enjoyed a relatively stress-free run to the quarter-finals, dropping just two sets in his first four wins at the All England Club. Djokovic's latest four-set win came against Alex de Minaur after the Australian number one stunned Centre Court by taking the opener 6-1. Speaking earlier this week, Ivanisevic claimed the player he used to coach was the 'favourite' to triumph at Wimbledon come Sunday evening. 'Here [at Wimbledon], I see his chance,' Ivanisevic told Clay Tennis. 'Looking at the draw, I don't think no one can beat Djokovic before the semis. 'He's never lost to [potential semi-final opponent] Jannik Sinner here. OK, Australian Open and Roland Garros, but here Novak's beaten him twice. 'In my view, Novak's the favourite, no matter how sentimental that sounds. Alcaraz has beaten him twice, but last year Novak came after knee surgery, and in 2023 we all remember how close it was. 'Everyone says this is his last chance – I don't agree. Plus, he's the best grass-court player, experienced, he knows exactly what it takes here. It'll be fascinating.' Ivanisevic's comments were put to Djokovic following his fourth-round win and while the veteran appreciated the support, he disagreed. Tuesday, 8th July Taylor Fritz vs Karen Khachanov Cameron Norrie vs Carlos Alcaraz Wednesday, 9th July Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton Flavio Cobolli vs Novak Djokovic Instead, Djokovic views two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner as the two 'favourites' for the title. 'I love Goran, and I'm happy he loves me back, but I don't think I'm a favourite against these guys at the moment,' Djokovic admitted. 'I think they are, both of them. 'But I do probably have my best chance here against them here, yeah. If it comes down to me facing one of them or two of them, which I hope so, it means I would proceed to the final and then yeah, I'll obviously look for my best game to win. 'I do think have a chance. There's no doubt about it. I think my results on grass even in the previous years are a testament to my confidence on this surface. 'I've been playing some really good tennis this year. So I feel good about myself. I feel confident. I feel motivated to go all the way. Let's see what happens. Alcaraz was taken to five sets by the retiring Fabio Fognini in his opener but has looked commanding since then, beating the dangerous Andrey Rublev last time out. Sinner, meanwhile, had not dropped a set before he was handed a walkover in a match against Gregor Dimitrov in which he was two sets behind. More Trending Dimitrov looked on course to stun the three-time Grand Slam champion but then had to retire in the third set through injury. It was a fortunate break for Sinner as he bids to win Wimbledon for the first time but he too was struggling with an injury concern that he will hope settles down before his quarter-final. Sinner faces America's world number ten Ben Shelton for a place in the semi-finals, while defending champion Alcaraz takes on Great Britain's Cameron Norrie. Djokovic is set to meet Italy's Flavio Cobolli – contesting his first Grand Slam quarter-final – while Taylor Fritz comes up against Karen Khachanov. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Andy Murray slams 'ridiculous' Wimbledon decision during Jannik Sinner match MORE: Wimbledon star leaves BBC presenter Annabel Croft red-faced in interview MORE: Marin Cilic hits out at Wimbledon over two decisions after 'bitter' exit
Metro
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Novak Djokovic's former coach names his 'favourite' to win Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic's former coach and Grand Slam champion Goran Ivanisevic has rejected claims two-time defending champions Carlos Alcaraz is the 'favourite' to win Wimbledon. Alcaraz, who is attempting to become only the fifth player in the Open Era to win three successive Wimbledon titles, beat Jan-Lennard Struff in his third-round clash. The five-time Grand Slam winner was taken to five sets in his opening round against the retiring Fabio Fognini before beating British world No. 719 Oliver Tarvet in straight sets. Alcaraz dropped his fourth set of the tournament against Struff but recovered from the setback to safely book his place in the fourth round, where he will face prolific Grand Slam quarter-finalist Andrey Rublev. Wimbledon champion Alcaraz is the bookmakers' favourite to lift the trophy at the All England Club but Ivanisevic disagrees with that verdict. Instead, the 2001 Wimbledon champion views the player he used to coach, seven-time winner Djokovic, as the man to beat in SW19. Djokovic, desperate to claim a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, overcame physical issues to beat Alexandre Muller in his opening round before knocking out Great Britain's Dan Evans. The 38-year-old faces his fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic on Centre Court on Saturday evening for a place in the fourth round. 'Here [at Wimbledon], I see his chance,' Ivanisevic told Clay Tennis. 'Looking at the draw, I don't think no one can beat Djokovic before the semis. 'He's never lost to [potential semi-final opponent] Jannik Sinner here. OK, Australian Open and Roland Garros, but here Novak's beaten him twice. 'In my view, Novak's the favourite, no matter how sentimental that sounds. Alcaraz has beaten him twice, but last year Novak came after knee surgery, and in 2023 we all remember how close it was. 'Everyone says this is his last chance – I don't agree. Plus, he's the best grass-court player, experienced, he knows exactly what it takes here. It'll be fascinating.' Djokovic's possible semi-final opponent, world number one Sinner, has enjoyed a seamless path through to the fourth round. The 23-year-old dropped just 17 games as he thumped his first three opponents in straight sets. Sinner has two fewer Grand Slam titles than Alcaraz and is on a five-match losing run to the Wimbledon champion. Asked about the difference between Alcaraz and Sinner, successful tennis coach Ivanisevic added: 'Sinner had three match points and served for it [in last month's French Open final]. More Trending 'In 2022 at the US Open he had match point too. In Paris, he tightened up a bit, especially on the third match point, but what Alcaraz played at the end – that was unreal. 'I think their matches will always be close – you won't see blowouts. Their styles are a bit different, which makes for exciting matchups. 'The problem is people now expect every match to be like the Roland Garros final – they've set the bar as high as it gets. It can't be like that every time, but we'll see plenty more incredible matches.' Among the men's players hoping to spring an upset at Wimbledon are Eastbourne champion Taylor Fritz, US Open winner Marin Cilic and British star Cameron Norrie. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Wimbledon respond to Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper complaints over key change MORE: I coach a Russian Wimbledon title hopeful playing today – here's what she's really like MORE: Why was Jannik Sinner banned from tennis? Doping suspension explained
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pegula battles into French Open tie with last home hope Boisson
Third seeded American Jessica Pegula next meets France's last remaining hope Lois Boisson in the fourth round of Roland Garros (Anne-Christine POUJOULAT) American third seed Jessica Pegula battled into the last 16 of the French Open on Saturday with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Czech Marketa Vondrousova. Pegula, last year's US Open runner-up, next meets unheralded Lois Boisson, ranked 361, the last French player competing in Roland Garros. Advertisement Boisson fought through the pain to see off 138th-ranked countrywoman Elsa Jacquemot 6-3, 0-6, 7-5. Pegula, who missed the 2024 tournament at Roland Garros due to injury, is hoping to better her previous best run in Paris which was a quarter-final appearance three years ago. The 31-year-old has been boosted by her recent title win on clay in Charleston. But she was pushed hard by former Wimbledon champion Vondrousova -- a losing finalist in Roland Garros in 2019 -- now ranked 96th in the world. "Really tough today," said Pegula. "I know playing Marketa is always going to be a battle, especially I know we haven't played on clay before, but I know she's had really good results here. Advertisement "It's also super humid today. I felt like it was just a really tough match mentally and physically." After failing to create a single break point in the first set, Pegula powered back to break Vondrousova three straight times in the second, setting up a decider. The American converted all three of her breaks in the third set with a Vondrousova double-fault handing Pegula a 5-2 lead. She then watched the end of the all-French clash between Boisson and Jacquemot on Court Simonne Mathieu. "I was watching the end of the match. That was crazy," said Pegula. Boisson, 22, needed her left leg massaged between the first and second sets during the match, which last two hours and 23 minutes. Advertisement The last time a French woman recipient of a wildcard reached the round of 16 was in 2014, with Pauline Parmentier. "Obviously.. going to have some crazy support," said Pegula. "I'm pretty good at kind of zoning out. I have played in some pretty rowdy crowds. I think it will be fun. It will be cool to be a part of that." ea/nf
CNN
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Coco Gauff makes history with dominant victory over Emma Raducanu to advance to Italian Open quarterfinals
American tennis star Coco Gauff put on a dominant display as she eased past Emma Raducanu on Monday to book her spot in the Italian Open quarterfinals. The No. 4 seed dropped just three games in her convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over her British opponent in Rome, needing just 79 minutes to secure victory. In reaching the quarterfinals, the 21-year-old becomes the youngest player to reach four quarterfinals in WTA 1000 clay tournaments since the top-level events were introduced in 2009. Gauff will face world No. 7 Mirra Andreeva in the final eight on Wednesday after the 18-year-old came back to beat Clara Tauson in three sets. Gauff is showing impressive form on clay at the right time with the French Open just around the corner. The American has won eight of her last nine matches on the surface, with her only loss coming in the final of the Madrid Open to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff revealed after her victory over Raducanu that she has been focusing on her footwork over the last two weeks in preparation for playing at Roland Garros, and highlighted her forehand – which has been inconsistent of late – as a key factor in her win on Monday. 'I think, today, (it) was the reason why I won the match,' Gauff told reporters. 'Especially on this surface, I think I can do a lot with it.' Gauff was in control from the outset against Raducanu on Campo Centrale and never let up. She won 39 of her 59 service points and broke Raducanu's serve four times. She admitted that it has taken some time to get adjusted to playing on a different surface in Italy but feels good about where she is now. 'It still feels so slow compared to Madrid,' Gauff said, 'but I'm getting used to it with each match. I feel really happy with how I played. I think I really was the one dictating the match for the most part.' Elsewhere on Monday, Sabalenka held of a stiff challenge from Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk to book her spot in the quarterfinals, winning 6-1, 7-6 (8) in two hours and five minutes.
CNN
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Coco Gauff makes history with dominant victory over Emma Raducanu to advance to Italian Open quarterfinals
American tennis star Coco Gauff put on a dominant display as she eased past Emma Raducanu on Monday to book her spot in the Italian Open quarterfinals. The No. 4 seed dropped just three games in her convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over her British opponent in Rome, needing just 79 minutes to secure victory. In reaching the quarterfinals, the 21-year-old becomes the youngest player to reach four quarterfinals in WTA 1000 clay tournaments since the top-level events were introduced in 2009. Gauff will face world No. 7 Mirra Andreeva in the final eight on Wednesday after the 18-year-old came back to beat Clara Tauson in three sets. Gauff is showing impressive form on clay at the right time with the French Open just around the corner. The American has won eight of her last nine matches on the surface, with her only loss coming in the final of the Madrid Open to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff revealed after her victory over Raducanu that she has been focusing on her footwork over the last two weeks in preparation for playing at Roland Garros, and highlighted her forehand – which has been inconsistent of late – as a key factor in her win on Monday. 'I think, today, (it) was the reason why I won the match,' Gauff told reporters. 'Especially on this surface, I think I can do a lot with it.' Gauff was in control from the outset against Raducanu on Campo Centrale and never let up. She won 39 of her 59 service points and broke Raducanu's serve four times. She admitted that it has taken some time to get adjusted to playing on a different surface in Italy but feels good about where she is now. 'It still feels so slow compared to Madrid,' Gauff said, 'but I'm getting used to it with each match. I feel really happy with how I played. I think I really was the one dictating the match for the most part.' Elsewhere on Monday, Sabalenka held of a stiff challenge from Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk to book her spot in the quarterfinals, winning 6-1, 7-6 (8) in two hours and five minutes.
