Tennis

Jannik Sinner, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has vehemently denied recent tabloid reports claiming he secretly married his girlfriend, WTA world No. 13 Anna Kalinskaya.During a post-match press conference in Shanghai on Sunday, Sinner humorously addressed the rumors, saying, "It was new also for me, to be honest!" after defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry to reach the fourth round."No, I didn't ask, and nothing, nothing happened," Sinner clarified. "I just read the details a little bit that it happened after US Open, but it's all false, false news. Thank you."Kalinskaya had earlier taken to social media to dismiss the reports, writing on Instagram, "To clarify things about fake rumors, this is not true," accompanied by a laughing emoji.The couple began dating earlier this year, with Sinner confirming their relationship during Roland Garros. Kalinskaya has had a successful season in 2024, and the couple shared a kiss on camera after Sinner's US Open victory in September.While Sinner competes in Shanghai, Kalinskaya is participating in the WTA 1000 in Wuhan, where she defeated Anna Bondar on Monday to reach the second round. Both players will resume their respective tournaments on Wednesday after a day off on Tuesday.Sinner's denial of the marriage rumors has put an end to the speculation surrounding his personal life. The 21-year-old Italian remains focused on his tennis career, aiming to maintain his position at the top of the rankings.

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has advanced to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year, defeating Anna Kalinskaya in a match that ended prematurely due to injury.Rybakina, the fourth seed, faced a tough start against Kalinskaya, who took an early 3-1 lead. However, Rybakina rallied back, winning eight consecutive games to take the first set and establish a commanding lead in the second.Kalinskaya, who has been linked to ATP world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, was forced to retire after just 53 minutes on Centre Court due to an undisclosed injury. The Russian-born Kazakh had been playing well in her third main-draw appearance at Wimbledon, reaching the second week without dropping a set.Rybakina, who has been a consistent performer since her breakthrough season in 2020, has emerged as the favorite to win a second Wimbledon title. She has been in impressive form, losing just one game in her third-round match against former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.In the quarterfinals, Rybakina will face the winner of the fourth-round clash between 2023 semifinalist Elina Svitolina and China's Wang Xinyu, who knocked out No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula earlier in the tournament.

Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, emerged as the tournament favorite after Iga Swiatek's surprising defeat. Rybakina's impressive performance against Caroline Wozniacki and her status as the only remaining Wimbledon winner in the draw have solidified her position. However, her opponent, Anna Kalinskaya, poses a significant challenge. Kalinskaya has had a strong season, reaching the Top 20 and nearly winning a grass-court title in Berlin. Their previous encounters have been close, with both players winning one match each.In the men's draw, Taylor Fritz faces Alexander Zverev in a highly anticipated fourth-round clash. Fritz and Zverev have similar playing styles, with powerful serves and aggressive groundstrokes. However, Zverev has a slight edge in their head-to-head record, winning five of their eight matches. Zverev's recent form, including his victory in Rome and near-triumph at Roland Garros, suggests he is the favorite.Novak Djokovic, the 21-time Grand Slam champion, faces a tough test against Holger Rune. Djokovic has been hampered by a knee injury, but he has managed to survive and advance. Rune, despite a disappointing season, has the physicality and confidence to challenge Djokovic. Their previous encounters have been close, with Rune pushing Djokovic to three sets in their last two matches.

Can Kalinskaya and Sinner Become the Next Power Couple to Triumph on the Same Weekend?After Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur's impressive double victory last week, Anna Kalinskaya and Jannik Sinner are poised to replicate their feat. The budding couple has been making headlines since their public display of affection at Roland Garros, and they are now on the cusp of achieving a significant milestone.Kalinskaya, ranked 24th in the world, has reached her first career grass-court final in Berlin. She overcame Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka in consecutive matches, showcasing her resilience and determination. Her boyfriend, Sinner, has also secured a spot in the Terra Wortmann Open final, marking his first grass-court final appearance.In a post-match interview, Kalinskaya expressed her admiration for Sinner's accomplishments and her desire to emulate his success. "I'm just trying to be a little bit as good as him," she said with a smile. "He's had an amazing year."Kalinskaya's victory on Sunday would be particularly significant as it would be her first WTA tour singles title. She has never reached a final before, making this an even more momentous occasion. Her opponent in the final will be either Coco Gauff, whom she defeated in Dubai, or Jessica Pegula.The potential for Kalinskaya and Sinner to become the next power couple to triumph on the same weekend is tantalizing. Their love and support for each other could provide the motivation and inspiration they need to reach the pinnacle of their respective sports.

Italy's Jasmine Paolini has etched her name in tennis history by capturing the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title, becoming the second Italian woman to triumph in the prestigious WTA 1000 event.Paolini's victory over Anna Kalinskaya in an all-unseeded final marked a remarkable turnaround for the 26-year-old, who had lost to her opponent in the fourth round of the Australian Open just last month.The match was a thrilling affair, with both players showcasing their resilience and determination. Kalinskaya, ranked 40th in the world, appeared poised to claim the title when she led 6-4, 3-1 and served for the championship at 5-4 in the decider.However, Paolini refused to be denied. She rallied back with unwavering resolve, winning 16 of the last 19 points to secure a stunning 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory."I think maybe the key game was when I was down 2-0 in the second set," Paolini said. "I was serving. I said, 'C'mon, you have to try to play every point, you have to try to do something. Just think about simple things. Try to serve more maybe on the backhand, some more speed on the serve, try to move the ball.'"Paolini's triumph in Dubai is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has steadily climbed the WTA rankings in recent years and is now poised to break into the Top 15."I think every person has her own steps, story," Paolini said. "I need some more time to believe maybe that I could play at this level how I did this week. It's not going to be like this I know every week. It's tough. It's the best players in the world."Kalinskaya, despite falling short in the final, made history by becoming the first qualifier to reach the championship match of a WTA 1000 event since the format was introduced in 2009. Her impressive run included victories over three Top 10 players, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.