Tennis

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, will face off in the French Open semifinals after securing victories on June 4.Gauff, the No. 3 seed, rallied to defeat Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, reaching the semifinals of a third consecutive Grand Slam tournament. Swiatek, the No. 1 seed, followed suit on Court Philippe Chatrier with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, extending her Roland Garros winning streak to 19 matches.Gauff has enjoyed a remarkable run in recent Grand Slams, winning her first major title at the U.S. Open in September and reaching the final four at the Australian Open in January. The 20-year-old American was the runner-up to Swiatek at the French Open in 2022.Overall, Swiatek holds a 10-1 advantage in meetings against Gauff, including a 6-4, 6-3 semifinal win on clay last month en route to the Italian Open title.Despite a tough three-set triumph over four-time major champion Naomi Osaka in the second round last week, Swiatek has been at her dominant best in this French Open, showcasing why she has led the WTA rankings nearly every week since April 2022 and is a popular pick to leave with another title.Excluding the 17 games Osaka managed, Swiatek has dropped a total of only 11 games in her other four matches so far.Swiatek followed up her 6-0, 6-0 shutout of Anastasia Potapova in the fourth round by grabbing the initial seven games against Vondrousova. And make no mistake: Vondrousova is no slouch. In addition to being a Grand Slam champion, she was a finalist at Roland Garros in 2019, won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and is currently ranked No. 6.But she never stood a chance against Swiatek, who compiled 25 winners to just 10 unforced errors. Swiatek, a 23-year-old from Poland, faced just one break point — and, naturally, she saved it.Jabeur's mix of speeds and spins gave Gauff fits at times. And as well-known as Gauff is for her ability to cover the court and play defense, Jabeur managed to keep coming up with winners, finishing with 30 in all."She was playing really well the whole match. She was hitting a lot of winners on me, which is something I’m not used to against anybody,” Gauff said. “So today I was just trying to just be aggressive toward the end.”Gauff pulled away to a 5-2 lead in the last set, then needed a trio of match points to close things out, acknowledging afterward that maybe she grew a little tight down the stretch. The last game was key, with Gauff needing to save a break point, then Jabeur dismissing one match point with a disguised drop shot that earned a roar from the stands that the 29-year-old Tunisian responded to by putting her right index finger to her ear.But on Gauff's next opportunity to seal the victory, Jabeur badly flubbed an overhead. Gauff smiled, then raised her arms and yelled.With the crowd at the main stadium loudly supporting Jabeur at times, Gauff did not play badly in the opening set. But No. 8 seed Jabeur — a three-time major finalist — was superb, winning 17 of 18 first-serve points, never facing a single break point, and accumulating a 12-5 edge in total winners. When she delivered an ace at 114 mph (184 kph) to end the set, Jabeur nodded repeatedly."She’s a tough opponent and she’s well-loved on tour. I could tell by the crowd today — I know you guys wanted her to win. Honestly, whenever she’s not playing (me), I cheer for her, too,” Gauff said. “Even though you guys were for Ons, I really had a lot of fun, even when I lost the first set and they were chanting when I was in the bathroom," Gauff said about her trip off the court after the first set. "I was like, ‘This is just really fun, win or lose.’ It is.”Gauff got going after that, raising her level and trying to gain the upper hand during lengthier exchanges. She put in 16 winners over the last two sets, while breaking serve four times.“I know I have a lot of love here in Paris. Trust me, I know," said Gauff, who won the French Open junior title at age 14. "So I really appreciate it, and hopefully you guys can help me make it through the next round.”

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star, is back at Roland Garros with a renewed determination to conquer the clay courts. Despite a challenging start to the season, Jabeur has regained her form and is now a contender for the title.Last year, Jabeur reached the Wimbledon final but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Marketa Vondrousova. The defeat left a deep scar, and Jabeur initially resisted watching the replay. However, she eventually agreed, believing it would be beneficial for her documentary.The experience of reliving that loss has helped Jabeur move forward. She feels more prepared for the challenge this year, both physically and mentally. Jabeur has dropped just one set through four rounds at Roland Garros and is confident in her abilities."I'm here. I know what to do exactly," Jabeur said. "I think that in terms of maturity, I'm more mature than I was last year."Jabeur's mental strength has been tested in the past, particularly in the Wimbledon finals. However, she remains resilient and determined to overcome her setbacks."I'm rebuilding, definitely, but also not everything that I've learned, or I have in me, is completely gone. It's still there," Jabeur said.Jabeur is banking on her experience to guide her through the tournament. She believes that her past successes and failures have made her a stronger player."My experiences are helping me be the player that I am today, the player that can pull off some matches like this," Jabeur said.A win at Roland Garros would be a major breakthrough for Jabeur and would alleviate the pressure she faces at Wimbledon. It would also be a testament to her resilience and determination.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has once again demonstrated his remarkable resilience and fighting spirit by overcoming a two-set deficit to defeat Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in a thrilling five-set encounter at the French Open. The victory marks Djokovic's 15th consecutive quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros, extending his impressive record at the tournament.Despite suffering an injury to his right knee, Djokovic displayed unwavering determination and grit throughout the match. After dropping the first set 6-1, he fought back to win the second 7-5. However, Cerundolo, ranked 23rd in the world, showed great tenacity and took the third and fourth sets 6-3 and 7-5, respectively.Undeterred, Djokovic refused to surrender and rallied in the fifth set. He broke Cerundolo's serve in the 11th game and held his own serve to secure a hard-fought 6-3 victory. The match lasted an grueling four hours and 39 minutes, a testament to the intense battle that unfolded on court.Djokovic's victory is a testament to his exceptional physical and mental strength. Despite the injury and the adversity he faced, he remained focused and determined to overcome the challenge. His ability to dig deep and find a way to win even when the odds are stacked against him is a hallmark of his greatness.The Serbian star will now face Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, a rematch of last year's thrilling semi-final. Nadal, a 13-time French Open champion, will be a formidable opponent, but Djokovic will be confident in his ability to produce another stunning performance and continue his quest for a third consecutive Roland Garros title.

Alex de Minaur, the 25-year-old Australian tennis star, has finally broken through the Grand Slam quarterfinals barrier, thanks to an unlikely source: a super-fan.After reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open in 2020, De Minaur had been stuck in the fourth round at majors, losing five times in that stage. However, in Paris on Monday, he found his "something extra" in the form of a young French teenager who cheered him on loudly during his previous win.De Minaur's new secret weapon worked wonders as he recorded just his third win over former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in nine tries, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. The Aussie's speed, dogged defense, and underrated creativity proved too much for Medvedev, who was also hampered by a blister on his foot."He's managed a miracle," said a smiling De Minaur of his fan. "Might have to get him on tour week in, week out."Despite his previous struggles on clay, De Minaur has found a new love for the surface at Roland Garros. After winning the first set, Medvedev was treated for a blister on his foot, and the match turned. De Minaur broke for the first time at 3-2, and was in control for the next two sets."I always thought that for me to play well on the clay I needed hot, lively conditions," said De Minaur. "But, you know, this whole tournament has proven otherwise, right?"Whatever the circumstances, De Minaur has proclaimed himself a dirt ball convert. When the match was over, he yelled something into the stands in Lenglen. Afterward, he was asked what he had said."I screamed 'I love the clay! I love it here! I can't get enough!"

Grigor Dimitrov has etched his name in tennis history by becoming the first Bulgarian to reach the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams. His impressive victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the fourth round of Roland Garros marked a significant milestone in his illustrious career.Dimitrov's journey to the quarterfinals has been a testament to his resilience and determination. He has consistently performed at the highest level, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2017, Wimbledon in 2014, and the US Open in 2019. His victory at Roland Garros completes his career set of Grand Slam quarterfinals, a feat achieved by only a select few players.Beyond his Grand Slam success, Dimitrov has also made a mark in the ATP Masters 1000 series. Earlier this year, he reached the quarterfinals of Miami for the first time, completing his career set of Masters 1000 quarterfinals. He went on to reach the final, eventually finishing runner-up to Jannik Sinner.Dimitrov's achievements are even more remarkable considering that he is one of only two men born in 1990 or later to have a complete set of Grand Slam quarterfinals and Masters 1000 quarterfinals, alongside Daniil Medvedev.His impressive record in both Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events highlights his versatility and ability to adapt to different surfaces and playing styles. Dimitrov's success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his abilities.As he continues his journey at Roland Garros, Dimitrov will be aiming to make history once again. With his exceptional talent and unwavering determination, he has the potential to reach even greater heights in the world of tennis.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has proven that he is still a force to be reckoned with at the age of 37. Despite a challenging start to his Roland Garros campaign, Djokovic rallied to defeat Lorenzo Musetti in a thrilling five-set match that ended at 3:07 a.m.Djokovic's victory was a testament to his unwavering belief in his abilities. "I have always had that conviction inside of me that I can win a Slam," he said. "That's why I'm still competing at this level."The match was a rollercoaster of emotions for Djokovic. He struggled in the third and early fourth sets, but the crowd's support gave him a much-needed boost. "At 2-2 in the fourth set, I became a different player," he said. "That was perhaps the best match I ever played here."Djokovic's performance was a reminder of his exceptional skills and determination. He hit blistering forehands and chased down every ball with relentless energy. Musetti, a rising star in the tennis world, gave Djokovic a run for his money, but in the end, the experience and class of the Serbian prevailed.Djokovic's victory sends a clear message to his rivals: he is not ready to give up his throne. "Beware, one and all," he said. "I have planted my flag in the red dirt."However, Djokovic's late-night triumph comes with a caveat. The grueling schedule and late finish could take a toll on his body in the later rounds of the tournament. "I don't want to get into it," he said of the schedule. "But I have my opinions."Despite the potential physical challenges, Djokovic remains confident in his ability to win another Grand Slam title. "I'm on a high," he said. "I'm not letting go of that stranglehold that I created on Lorenzo."

Iga Swiatek, the world's No. 1 tennis player, celebrates her 23rd birthday today. Her remarkable career has been marked by numerous milestones and achievements, which we commemorate with a special stat for each of her 23 birthdays so far:1: Swiatek has spent 105 weeks as the world's No. 1, and she is guaranteed to retain the top ranking regardless of her performance at Roland Garros this year.2: She has finished the year as No. 1 twice, in 2022 and 2023, becoming the youngest woman to achieve back-to-back No. 1 finishes since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010 and 2011.3: Swiatek has won three Roland Garros titles, including her first in 2020 as an unseeded player ranked No. 54.4: She has a perfect 4-0 record in Grand Slam finals, winning Roland Garros three times and the US Open once.5: Swiatek has won five WTA 500 titles, including Doha and Stuttgart in 2023.6: She won six consecutive WTA titles during her 37-match winning streak in 2022, becoming the first player to achieve this feat since Justine Henin in 2007-2008.7: Swiatek has won her first seven sets in Grand Slam finals, a record for women in the Open Era.8: She has won her last eight WTA finals in a row, including Roland Garros, Warsaw, Beijing, and the WTA Finals in 2023.9: Swiatek has already spent the ninth-most weeks at No. 1 in WTA history, trailing only Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams, and Chris Evert.10: She has won 10 WTA 1000 titles, including four this year alone.11: Swiatek defeated 11 consecutive Grand Slam champions in straight sets between October 2022 and April 2023, the first woman to achieve this since Serena Williams in 2010-2012.12: She is currently on a 12-match winning streak in Doha, where she has won the title three years in a row.13: Swiatek has won 13 WTA titles as the world's No. 1, including four in 2023.14: She is on a 14-match winning streak going into the third round of Roland Garros.15: Swiatek won 15 consecutive matches against Top 10 players in 2022.16: She has a 16-match winning streak at Roland Garros.17: Swiatek has reached the third round or better at the last 17 Grand Slams in a row.18: She won 18 consecutive matches between Beijing 2022 and the Australian Open 2023.19: Swiatek won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 2020 at the age of 19, becoming the youngest woman to win the title since Monica Seles in 1992.20: She lost only 20 games en route to the WTA Finals title in 2022, the fewest games lost by any player since the tournament switched to a round-robin format in 2003.21: Swiatek has won 21 career WTA titles, the most among players born in the 2000s.22: She has recorded 22 bagels (6-0 sets) at Grand Slams in her career.23: Swiatek has the potential to break numerous records in the coming year, including becoming the youngest player to win four consecutive Grand Slams.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, survived a thrilling three-set battle against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to reach the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.The match, which was billed as the "match of the tournament," lived up to its hype as both players showcased their exceptional skills and determination. Swiatek, who is seeking her fourth Roland Garros title in five years, rallied from a 2-5 deficit in the third set and saved a match point to secure a hard-fought 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5 victory.The first set was a closely contested affair, with both players trading blows from the back of the court. Osaka, who has been working hard to improve her clay-court game, showed signs of progress as she rallied from 2-4 down to earn a set point in the 10th game. However, Swiatek held her nerve and dominated the ensuing tiebreaker, winning it 7-1.Osaka turned the tables on Swiatek in the second set, blasting the ball through the court and confounding her opponent with a barrage of winners. Swiatek, who had won 12 straight matches this spring, looked out of sorts as Osaka leveled the match with a 6-1 victory.The third set began with a pair of titanic service games, with both players earning opportunities to break. Osaka drew first blood, holding on from three break points down to open the decider. However, Swiatek refused to go down without a fight and surged ahead 0-40 in the next game. Osaka saved five break points in that game alone, but Swiatek eventually broke through to level the set at 2-2.The intensity continued to build as both players refused to give an inch. Osaka struck a powerful forehand to put herself a game away from the upset, but Swiatek dug deep and saved the match point with a strong second-serve return.Errors began to creep into Osaka's game as Swiatek continued to apply pressure. The Japanese star double faulted to lose a fourth straight game, handing Swiatek the chance to serve for the match.Outrallying Osaka, Swiatek set up two match points with a thunderous backhand winner. Osaka saved the first match point, but Swiatek converted the second when Osaka erred wide off the backhand side after just under three hours on court.Swiatek's victory sets up a third-round clash with either Marie Bouzkova or Croatian lucky loser Jana Fett. The Pole will be aiming to continue her impressive run at Roland Garros, where she has won 16 straight matches and is yet to drop a set.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's second-ranked tennis player, has emerged as a vibrant personality on and off the court. Known for her powerful serve and groundstrokes, Sabalenka has also gained recognition for her infectious laughter and bubbly demeanor. However, she admits that it took time for her to embrace her personality, especially during the intense atmosphere of Grand Slams like Roland Garros.In a recent interview, Sabalenka reflected on her journey of self-expression. "I think it all comes with experience," she said. "When I first came here, I was so tight and intense because it's a Grand Slam. But with the years, you realize this is just another tournament and you have to have fun."Sabalenka's approach has evolved over the years. She now embraces her fun-loving nature, creating pre-tournament TikTok videos with her coaching team and actively engaging with her fellow WTA players on social media. These efforts aim to reduce stress and maintain a positive mindset."You have to be positive because there's enough tension on court," Sabalenka explained. "If you bring that tension off court, it's just too much. So for me, the better way to loosen up and keep it mentally good is to have fun."Sabalenka also values tradition, particularly those she creates herself. During her title defense at the 2024 Australian Open, she initiated a unique ritual of signing the bold head of her fitness coach, Jason Stacy. "We just like to do weird shit!" she joked. "We started this before the first match, and after I won, I told Jason, 'Well, I guess it's a routine right now.'"The ritual proved successful, as Sabalenka secured her second Grand Slam title. She confirmed that the tradition has continued in Paris, potentially posing a threat to her upcoming opponents.Sabalenka's journey highlights the importance of self-expression and finding a balance between intensity and enjoyment in competitive sports. As she advances to the second round of Roland Garros, her vibrant personality and unwavering determination will undoubtedly continue to captivate fans.