Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz, the third-seeded Spaniard, stormed into the Wimbledon third round with a dominant 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 6-2 victory over Aleksandar Vukic. Alcaraz's triumph sets up an intriguing clash with fellow crowd favorite Frances Tiafoe, who defeated Borna Coric in straight sets.Alcaraz, who is aiming to become the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon titles back-to-back, expressed his eagerness for the challenge against Tiafoe, whom he defeated in the 2022 US Open semifinals.Meanwhile, eccentric Italian Fabio Fognini stunned eighth-seeded Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (1/7), 6-3 in a thrilling encounter. Fognini, known for his unpredictable style, twice served for the match before sealing victory in the fourth set.Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, overcame a slow start to defeat Alexandre Muller of France 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-5.In the women's draw, world number two Coco Gauff cruised into the third round with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni. Gauff, who made her Wimbledon breakthrough as a 15-year-old qualifier in 2019, will face British qualifier Sonay Kartal next.Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka returned to Centre Court for the first time in five years, securing a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Diane Parry. Osaka, who is ranked 113th, will face America's Emma Navarro in the third round.In an all-Italian clash, world number one Jannik Sinner will take on former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini. Italian men's tennis has been on the rise, with five players in the top 50 and a Davis Cup victory last season.Chinese tennis could also have a memorable day, with teenager Shang Juncheng facing 10th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov and 32nd seed Zhang Zhizhen taking on Jan-Lennard Struff.

Fabio Fognini, the former world No. 9, has made history by reaching the second week of Wimbledon for the first time in his career. The 37-year-old Italian, now ranked No. 94, defeated No. 8 seed Casper Ruud in a thrilling four-set battle, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (1), 6-3.Fognini's victory marks his first Top 10 win since the 2023 French Open and his first at Wimbledon since 2010. It also extends his streak of reaching the second week at every major except Wimbledon.The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Ruud rallying from 2-5 down in the third set and saving a match point to force a tiebreak. However, Fognini remained composed and eventually broke Ruud's serve in the fourth set to seal the victory.Fognini's success at Wimbledon is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite being an underdog, he has consistently performed well on the grass courts of the All England Club. In 2010, he reached the third round for the first time and came close to making the round of 16 in 2014.Fognini's victory over Ruud is a major upset and has sent shockwaves through the Wimbledon draw. He will now face either compatriot Lorenzo Sonego or former semifinalist Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.Ruud, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have exited Wimbledon so early. The Norwegian was bidding to reach the third round for the first time in five attempts. He will now turn his attention to clay, where he is scheduled to play Bastad and Kitzbuhel in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics.

Fabio Fognini's platinum blonde hair has become the talk of Wimbledon 2023, making a bold fashion statement at the prestigious tennis tournament. The 37-year-old Italian debuted his striking new look earlier this month, sparking a viral reaction on social media.Fognini's bleach-blonde locks have drawn comparisons to various pop culture icons, including Billy Idol, Naruto, Beavis, and even Bart Simpson. The Italian's daring hair choice has been met with both praise and amusement, with many fans declaring it his best look yet.The former Top 10 player has embraced the attention, asking his followers to rate his new style on a scale of 1 to 10. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many users expressing their admiration for Fognini's bold fashion statement.Despite the buzz surrounding his hair, Fognini remains focused on his tennis. He kicked off his 14th Wimbledon main-draw campaign with a convincing 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 victory over French lucky loser Luca Van Assche.Fognini's platinum blonde hair is not just a fashion statement; it also reflects his unpredictable and charismatic personality. Known for his fiery on-court demeanor and flamboyant style, Fognini has always been one to stand out from the crowd.Whether he's hitting blistering forehands or sporting a bleach-blonde mane, Fabio Fognini is a true original. His bold fashion choice at Wimbledon has once again proven that he is not afraid to make a statement, both on and off the court.

Fabio Fognini, the enigmatic Italian tennis star, has unveiled a striking new look that has set social media abuzz. On Saturday, Fognini took to Instagram to showcase his bleached-blond highlights, a departure from his signature dark brown hair. The 37-year-old cheekily asked his followers to "Rate from 1 to 10," sparking a flurry of reactions.Fognini's hair transformation is not unprecedented in the world of tennis. Roger Federer, Richard Gasquet, Dominic Thiem, and Casper Ruud have all experimented with lighter roots at various points in their careers. However, Fognini's decision to embrace the trend at this stage of his career has raised eyebrows.Former Australian Open doubles champion Robert Lindstedt couldn't resist a playful jab, asking, "Did the Mrs. (Flavia Pennetta) approve this?" Fognini's wife, Flavia Pennetta, is a retired tennis player who won the US Open in 2015.Fognini's new look is reminiscent of a previous style he debuted in Los Cabos, which featured beads and tiny braids. At the recent Roland Garros, Fognini won his opening match before bowing out to Tommy Paul. It remains to be seen whether his highlighter hair will survive the upcoming grass-court season.Fognini's bold fashion choices have always been a talking point. His eccentric style and outspoken personality have made him a fan favorite. Whether his new hairdo will become a permanent fixture or a fleeting experiment, it is sure to generate plenty of discussion in the tennis world.