Tennis

Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup team has stormed into the quarterfinals with a dominant 2-0 victory over Germany in Malaga, Spain. Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter showcased their prowess, securing straight-set wins against Jule Niemeier and Laura Siegemund, respectively.Despite a challenging build-up due to severe weather, both teams displayed contrasting approaches. While Germany opted for privacy and limited media exposure, Great Britain exuded a buoyant mood, celebrating Raducanu's birthday with yoga and cake.Raducanu's performance against Niemeier was a testament to her resilience. Despite a long layoff due to injury, she displayed agility and forced Niemeier into extended rallies. Unforced errors and double faults proved costly for the German, who fought valiantly but ultimately fell short.Boulter's victory over Siegemund was equally impressive. The 36-year-old German, known for her versatility and crowd-pleasing abilities, was unable to match Boulter's dominance. Boulter's aggressive play and control of the court led to a swift 6:1, 6:1 triumph.With two individual victories, Great Britain secured their quarterfinal berth without the need for a doubles match. They will now face defending champions Canada, led by Leylah Fernandez. Boulter, as the highest-ranked player, is likely to face Fernandez in a highly anticipated clash."She's a great player and I have a lot of respect for her," said Boulter. "It will be an absolute battle, but I'm looking forward to it."Great Britain's victory is a testament to their team spirit and determination. They have overcome adversity and are now poised to challenge for the Billie Jean King Cup title.

Emma Raducanu's promising momentum has been halted once again due to a sprained ligament in her left foot. The British tennis star announced her withdrawal from the WTA 1000 in Beijing on Monday, citing the injury sustained during her second-round match at the Hana Bank Korea Open in Seoul.Raducanu had taken a medical timeout during her victory in Seoul but was forced to retire after losing the first set of her quarterfinal against Daria Kasatkina. The injury has also prevented her from competing in the China Open, where she was scheduled to face Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the second round.The 2021 US Open champion expressed disappointment over her withdrawal, stating, "I hope to be back as soon as I can." Raducanu had previously emphasized her excitement for the Asian swing, where she feels at home."I stacked the year on the backend heavy, because I'm excited. I thrive in Asia. It's where I truly feel like home," she said. "I'm looking forward to going out there and trying to take it."Raducanu's withdrawal marks the fourth Top 10 player to pull out of the Beijing tournament due to injury. Former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina has also withdrawn due to a back problem that ended her US Open prematurely. Rybakina will miss the entire Asian swing but hopes to return for the season-ending WTA Finals."Due to an ongoing back injury, I regretfully have to withdraw from the upcoming Asian tournaments," Rybakina said. "While I’ve been working hard on my recovery, my medical team and I have decided it's best to prioritize my health at this time."Raducanu's injury is a setback in her quest to improve her ranking. She had moved up 16 spots to No. 54 in this week's rankings after her performance in Seoul. The British star will now focus on recovering and returning to competition as soon as possible.

Daria Kasatkina, the top seed at the Hana Bank Korea Open, is making the most of her first visit to South Korea, both on and off the court.Kasatkina, who received a first-round bye and a favorable draw due to the withdrawals of Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and Elena Rybakina, had plenty of time to explore Seoul before her tournament debut on Thursday. She took advantage of the opportunity to visit an adventure park, a Korean convenience store, and a skincare shop."I had a lot of time before my first match to enjoy some indoor activities in Seoul," Kasatkina said after her 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Hailey Baptiste. "I'm having a good time here!"Kasatkina and her girlfriend, former Olympic figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, also visited an ice rink.On the court, Kasatkina has been in impressive form, not dropping a set in her first two matches. She will face 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the quarterfinals, a player who is also enjoying her time in Seoul."Seoul is one of my favorite cities," Raducanu said. "I think these courts suit her [Kasatkina] because they bounce quite a bit. But for me, every time I get exposure to that top level of opponent, it's invaluable."The quarterfinal clash between Kasatkina and Raducanu promises to be a fascinating encounter. Kasatkina will be looking to reach the semifinals for the first time since Wimbledon, while Raducanu will be aiming to make the last four in Seoul for the second time in three years.

Emma Raducanu's Wimbledon journey came to an end in the fourth round, but the 2021 US Open champion remains optimistic despite the setback. Raducanu's defeat to qualifier Lulu Sun was unexpected, given her recent resurgence on grass and Sun's lack of experience at the highest level.However, Raducanu took to social media to express her gratitude for her progress since recovering from surgeries last year. She posted a photo of herself in a hospital bed alongside a recent image on court, highlighting her remarkable recovery. "Only take a glance back to see how far you've come," she wrote.Raducanu's resilience was evident in her post-match press conference. She acknowledged her disappointment but emphasized the positives, including defeating two Top 10 players in the past two weeks. "I think I have to take confidence from that," she said.The Brit also drew inspiration from the animated film Finding Nemo, promising to "just keep swimming." She believes that the Wimbledon experience will only fuel her determination.Despite her early exit, Raducanu's performance at Wimbledon has been a testament to her progress. She has shown that she can compete with the best in the world and is capable of reaching the latter stages of Grand Slams.Raducanu will now turn her attention to the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open, which begins on July 29. She will be looking to build on her Wimbledon performance and continue her upward trajectory.

Emma Raducanu's decision to withdraw from her mixed doubles match with Andy Murray at Wimbledon has sparked controversy. The 2021 US Open champion cited a stiff wrist as the reason for her withdrawal, which effectively ended Murray's Wimbledon career.Raducanu's decision has been met with criticism, as it shattered Murray's hopes of one last appearance at the All England Club. The two-time Wimbledon champion was unable to play the men's singles due to a spinal cyst surgery and lost in the first round of the men's doubles with his brother Jamie.Murray expressed disappointment over Raducanu's withdrawal, while his mother, Judy, described the move as "astonishing." However, Raducanu defended her decision, stating that she had to prioritize her singles match and her body."I have to prioritize myself, my singles, and my body," Raducanu said. "I stand by the decision. Yeah, obviously it was a tough decision, though."Raducanu's withdrawal has raised questions about the importance of mixed doubles in tennis. Some argue that it is a valuable opportunity for players to compete with and learn from each other, while others believe that it should not take precedence over singles matches.Despite the controversy, Raducanu has expressed her admiration for Murray and his accomplishments. She hopes that he will play in the Paris Olympics and have another farewell there."Obviously disappointed because it's his last match," Raducanu said. "But, yeah, what a champion. I think that hopefully he'll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there."Raducanu's Wimbledon run ended in the fourth round with a loss to New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun. Despite the disappointing result, Raducanu believes that she has rediscovered her passion for tennis."I think that desire and fire is back," Raducanu said. "I just want to keep building on that."

Defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz sets his sights on the quarter-finals as he faces piano-loving Frenchman Ugo Humbert on Sunday. Humbert, ranked 16th in the world, is a passionate pianist who finds solace in music away from the tennis court.Alcaraz, the world number three, aims to become the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back. Despite trailing by a set twice against Frances Tiafoe in the third round, Alcaraz's resilience and ability to push his opponents to their limits proved decisive.British fans are hopeful that Emma Raducanu can replicate her 2021 US Open triumph at Wimbledon. The 21-year-old, now ranked 135th, has a potential path to the semi-finals if she can overcome Lulu Sun and either Paula Badosa or Donna Vekic. Raducanu's victory over Maria Sakkari on Friday marked her second win over a top 10 player in as many weeks.American Ben Shelton is following in his father's footsteps at Wimbledon. Thirty years after Bryan Shelton reached the fourth round, Ben has matched his father's achievement. On Sunday, he faces world number one Jannik Sinner for a place in the quarter-finals. Shelton defeated Sinner in their first meeting in 2023 but has since lost twice to the Italian.

Andy Murray's Wimbledon farewell has been cut short after Emma Raducanu withdrew from their mixed doubles match due to a wrist injury. The pair were scheduled to play on Saturday evening, but Raducanu's withdrawal means Murray's Grand Slam career has come to an end.Murray, 37, was honored with a special tribute on Centre Court on Thursday night after losing his men's doubles opener with brother Jamie Murray. The tribute marked the end of an era for British tennis, as Murray is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.Raducanu's withdrawal is a major blow to Murray's hopes of ending his career on a high. The 21-year-old is one of the most promising young players in the world, and her partnership with Murray would have been a formidable one.However, Raducanu's wrist injury has forced her to withdraw from the tournament. In a statement, she said: "Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist, so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight. I'm disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care."Murray's mother, Judy, expressed her disappointment at Raducanu's withdrawal on social media. She wrote: "Astonishing. Emma Raducanu withdraws from mixed doubles with Andy Murray at Wimbledon due to a 'stiff wrist'. She played 3 tough sets yesterday and looked fine. Makes no sense."Murray is expected to retire from tennis after the Paris Olympics later this month. He has entered singles and men's doubles with Dan Evans.

Emma Raducanu's stunning 2021 US Open victory, where she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, remains a remarkable achievement. However, the years since have been challenging, with Raducanu struggling to replicate that success.Despite her struggles, Raducanu has shown signs of resurgence this summer on home soil. She reached the semifinals in Nottingham and the quarterfinals in Eastbourne, where she recorded her first Top 5 win over Jessica Pegula.On Friday, Raducanu continued her impressive form at Wimbledon, steamrolling the No. 9 seed, Maria Sakkari, 6-2, 6-3, in front of a packed Centre Court. Raducanu displayed a focused and determined performance, executing her game plan with precision.Her serve was a key factor in her victory, with Raducanu winning points with her wide slice into the deuce court and using her hard, flat first delivery to bail herself out of trouble. She also aggressively fired her two-handed backhand down the line, even against Sakkari's powerful second serve.Raducanu's ground strokes were also impressive, as she gave herself big, safe targets crosscourt but sent the ball there with shape and force. She also showcased her versatility with drop shots and topspin lobs.Raducanu attributed her improved performance to a renewed focus on big points and a more aggressive approach. She also emphasized the importance of having an inner passion in practice and trying to win every day.With her victory over Sakkari, Raducanu has set up a potential clash with Paula Badosa or Donna Vekic for a spot in the semifinals. While it remains to be seen if she can replicate her 2021 US Open success, Raducanu's recent performances suggest that she is on the right track.

Emma Raducanu, Britain's No. 3 tennis player, has drawn inspiration from England's national football team during her impressive run at Wimbledon. After a topsy-turvy first-round victory, Raducanu cruised into the third round with a dominant performance against Elise Mertens.Off the court, Raducanu has been showing her support for the Three Lions by wearing the national team shirt and carrying a limited-edition Dior canvas book tote. The Christian Dior ambassador has also been rocking pieces from the Nike Court Slam collection during matches, adding a touch of luxury with a delicate pearl bracelet.Raducanu's success at Wimbledon has been a welcome sight for British tennis fans, who have been eager to see her replicate her stunning US Open victory in 2021. However, the 21-year-old has faced scrutiny and criticism since her Grand Slam triumph, something she can relate to the England football team's experience."They're all under the microscope," Raducanu said. "I do feel for the scrutiny, because I feel like tennis is just a much smaller scale. The whole nation is watching the football. The fans are very, very passionate... I think it just comes with success. It just comes with being at the top."Raducanu's next challenge will be against No. 9 seed Maria Sakkari in the third round. She is also set to team up with Andy Murray in mixed doubles during the latter's Wimbledon farewell.