Tennis

Iga Świątek, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has extended her winning streak on clay to 12 matches after securing her third Rome title with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory over Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's final.Świątek, who has now won 28 consecutive sets on clay, will enter the French Open as the overwhelming favorite to defend her title. She is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2013 to win both the Madrid and Rome titles on clay in the same season.Despite her impressive form, Świątek remains cautious about her chances at Roland Garros. "Obviously I am confident. I feel like I'm playing great tennis, but that doesn't change the fact that I just want to stay humble," she said. "Grand Slams are different. There's a different pressure on the court and off the court."Świątek's victory over Sabalenka was a clinical display of tennis. She broke Sabalenka's serve twice in the first set and once in the second set to secure the win in just 79 minutes.Sabalenka, who has won the last two Australian Open titles, admitted that she did not play well in the first set. "I wasn't feeling my game well," she said. "In the second set, I tried to stay a little bit more aggressive, but I didn't use my opportunities."Świątek's victory in Rome is a testament to her dominance on clay. She has now won four of the last five clay-court tournaments she has played in, including the French Open in 2020 and 2022.With her victory in Rome, Świątek has extended her lead at the top of the WTA rankings. She is now 2,000 points ahead of second-ranked Sabalenka.

Iga Swiatek's dominance on the WTA Tour continued unabated as she secured her third Internazionali BNL d'Italia title in Rome, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. The victory marked a significant milestone in her career, making her the first player to win four tour-level titles this year and the first to win both Madrid and Rome in the same year since 2013.Swiatek's triumph in Rome was a testament to her unwavering consistency and exceptional form. She has now won all four of her titles this year at WTA 1000 events, a feat that underscores her status as the world's top-ranked player. Her victory in Rome also marked her 10th WTA title overall, a testament to her remarkable rise in the sport.The match against Sabalenka was a rematch of their thrilling encounter in the Madrid final two weeks ago, where Swiatek prevailed in a nail-biting three-hour battle. However, in Rome, Swiatek displayed a clinical performance, controlling the match from start to finish. She broke Sabalenka's serve twice in the first set and once in the second set, securing the victory with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 scoreline.Swiatek's victory in Rome has further solidified her position as the favorite for the upcoming French Open. She has now won 21 tour-level titles in her career, including two Grand Slams, and her current form suggests that she is poised to add to her tally in Paris.

In the highly anticipated Rome semifinal, Iga Swiatek once again proved her dominance on clay, defeating Coco Gauff in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. This victory extended Swiatek's winning streak against Gauff to 10-1, highlighting the vast gap between the two players' clay-court prowess.Swiatek's relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy forced Gauff into numerous errors, particularly on her weaker forehand. The American's second serve, which she has been working to improve, proved to be a liability, with Swiatek capitalizing on its weakness. Gauff saved seven of the 11 break points she faced, but the constant pressure proved too much to handle.Despite Gauff's valiant efforts, Swiatek's all-around game and superior clay-court skills were simply too much to overcome. The Polish star has now won 10 of their 11 career meetings, with Gauff's lone victory coming in Cincinnati last year.Swiatek's victory sets up a potential rematch of the Madrid final against Aryna Sabalenka or a clash with Danielle Collins, who has been enjoying a resurgence this spring. Gauff, on the other hand, will need to find a way to improve her clay-court game if she wants to challenge Swiatek's dominance.

The ATP tour has been a rollercoaster of injuries and upsets in the lead-up to the French Open, with the men's top 5 all facing setbacks. Alexander Zverev, the only top player to avoid injury, reached the Rome semifinals after a scare in his quarterfinal.Meanwhile, the WTA tour has seen a resurgence of star power, with Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka leading the charge. Swiatek and Sabalenka will face off in the Rome semifinals, while Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins will battle in the other semifinal.The shift in momentum between the tours is puzzling, as the ATP has traditionally been more predictable. However, the expansion of the Madrid and Rome tournaments to nearly two weeks may have contributed to the increased injuries and upsets.Despite the setbacks, the men's top players are expected to be healthy for the French Open. Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sinner, and Medvedev will all be aiming to challenge Nadal for the title.On the women's side, Swiatek and Sabalenka are the clear favorites in Rome and will likely be the ones to watch in Paris. Swiatek has a 9-1 record against Gauff, while Sabalenka has a 5-0 record against Collins.The Rome semifinals will provide a glimpse of the potential matchups in the French Open final. Swiatek and Sabalenka have both been in impressive form, and their clash will be a battle between the world's top two players. Collins, in her final season, will be determined to make a statement against Sabalenka, while Gauff will be looking to prove herself against Swiatek on clay.

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek continues her dominant run on clay, reaching the quarterfinals of the Italian Open after defeating Angelique Kerber. Swiatek, who won the Madrid Open last week, is aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2013 to win the "dirt double."Swiatek's victory over Kerber was hard-fought, with the Polish player needing eight set points to secure the opener. However, she faced no such difficulties in the second set, sealing a 7-5, 6-3 victory. Swiatek will next face Madison Keys, who defeated Sorana Cirstea in a match interrupted by an environmental protest.Keys' match was temporarily suspended after two protesters jumped onto the court and threw confetti, while others glued themselves to the stands. The players returned to the locker room, and the protesters were removed by security.Other American players also advanced to the quarterfinals, with third-seeded Coco Gauff rallying to beat Paula Badosa and Danielle Collins easing past Irina-Camelia Begu. Second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka fought back from a set down to defeat Elina Svitolina in a match that finished well after midnight.In the men's tournament, defending champion Daniil Medvedev survived a scare against Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic. Medvedev will face Tommy Paul in the round of 16, while Madrid finalists Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime were eliminated.Other notable winners in the men's draw include Hubert Hurkacz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Sebastian Baez, and Nicolas Jarry.

Rafael Nadal's participation in the upcoming French Open remains uncertain despite his second-round elimination at the Rome Masters. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had previously stated that he would only compete in Paris if he felt competitive, and his recent performance has raised doubts about his readiness.Nadal's defeat to Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets was a disappointing setback, especially considering his impressive run to the last 16 in Madrid. The Spaniard admitted that his physical issues are still a concern, but he is leaning towards playing at Roland Garros."The decision is not clear in my mind today," Nadal said. "But if I have to say what's my feeling, I am going to say to be in Roland Garros and try my best. Physically I have some issues, but not probably yet enough to say I'm not playing in the most important event of my tennis career."Nadal's dominance on clay has been unparalleled, but his recent struggles have raised questions about his ability to compete at the highest level. Hurkacz's victory over him was a testament to the changing landscape of the sport, with younger players emerging as serious challengers.Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has dismissed concerns about his fitness after being hit by a water bottle during a fan signing session. The world number one wore a cycling helmet to practice, joking that he was "prepared" for any further incidents.In the women's tournament, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, and Coco Gauff have all advanced to the last 16. Swiatek, the world number one, is aiming for her third Rome title, while Osaka is making a strong comeback after taking a break to have her first child.

Kendrick Lamar Dominates Tennis World, Sweeps Support from Top PlayersIn a stunning turn of events, Kendrick Lamar has emerged as the undisputed champion of the tennis world, sweeping the support of top players in a best-of-three blowout. Iga Swiatek, the reigning world number one, has become the latest star to throw her weight behind the rapper in his feud with Drake.Swiatek, known for her outspoken opinions on Taylor Swift's music, admitted to being a "lyric kind of girl" and praised Kendrick's complex and meaningful lyrics. "I'm going to go this way," she declared, aligning herself with Team Kendrick.Swiatek joins Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, who have both been vocal in their support for Kendrick. Osaka hailed his latest song as "amazing" and credited it with boosting her confidence on the court. Gauff, citing Kendrick's defense of Serena Williams in his lyrics, stated, "I have to go with him."The absence of any Drake supporters at the Foro Italico suggests that Kendrick has gained overwhelming support within the tennis community. His lyrics, which often explore themes of social justice and empowerment, have resonated with players who share his values.Kendrick's victory in the tennis world is a testament to his lyrical prowess and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. As the feud with Drake continues to dominate headlines, it is clear that Kendrick has emerged as a cultural icon, transcending the boundaries of music and inspiring support from even the most unexpected corners.

For the past two decades, spring tennis has been synonymous with Rafael Nadal's dominance on clay. However, this year, a new era is emerging, with Iga Swiatek becoming the undisputed queen of the red dirt.Since 2022, Swiatek has won all three top-tier WTA clay titles in Stuttgart, Madrid, and Rome. At just 22 years old, she has already claimed three Roland Garros titles, establishing herself as the heir apparent to Nadal's throne.While Swiatek's dominance may not yet match Nadal's at her age, her performances on clay have been equally impressive. She has won 58 consecutive matches on the surface after taking the first set, showcasing her ability to maintain an iron grip on her opponents.With injuries sidelining the ATP's top stars, Swiatek has seized the opportunity to cement her status as the world's leading player. Her recent victory in Madrid, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final, further solidified her dominance.Swiatek's success is not limited to the court. She has graced the cover of Elle magazine in Poland and has held the No. 1 ranking for 102 of the past 106 weeks. Despite her demanding schedule, she remains enthusiastic about her life on tour."I love the food, the different vibe, the courts, the nature, and the fans," Swiatek said of the Rome tournament. "It's pretty crazy here usually with the fans. They're loud and they're everywhere."Swiatek's ability to adjust to different clay conditions is a testament to her versatility. She has no trouble transitioning from the faster clay in Madrid to the slower surface in Rome, where her backhand return has proven to be a devastating weapon.Despite her success, Swiatek remains grounded and focused on enjoying her time on tour. She recognizes the importance of maintaining a healthy perspective and not putting too much pressure on herself."This year I feel pretty comfortable because I felt like I played well," Swiatek said. "I just want to enjoy, honestly, being on tour, and not put too much baggage on my shoulders because we have to survive to November."As the clay-court season reaches its climax, the question remains: Can Swiatek extend her Peak Iga season through Roland Garros? With her current form, it would be unwise to bet against her.

Iga Swiatek: A Swiftie with a Playlist of Favorites from 'The Tortured Poets Department'World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has shared her thoughts on Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department" (TTPD), revealing that she has a playlist of seven songs she particularly enjoys.Swiatek, who is known for her love of Swift's music, listened to the album after her victory at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. She praised the album's lyrical complexity, noting that Swift focused more on the words than the music itself."I feel like the words are so complicated that she focused more on that than the music itself," Swiatek said. "It's less poppy. There's not much beat or whatever."Despite her preference for the dreamlike production of Swift's previous albums, "Folklore" and "Evermore," Swiatek still appreciates the different vibe of TTPD."I feel like the melody is kind of adjusting to the words, if you know what I mean...but I like it. Totally different vibe than Midnights," she said.Swiatek's favorite songs from the album include "So Long, London," "The Alchemist," "The Albatross," "Fortnight (featuring Post Malone)," "Florida!!! (featuring Florence and the Machine)," and "Chloe...""I'm not the best kind of Swiftie, but... Don't judge me!" she joked, acknowledging that she may not remember all the song titles perfectly.Swiatek's love of Swift's music extends beyond her personal listening habits. She is also hoping to attend The Eras Tour in 2024, where Swift will perform songs from her entire career.Swiatek's success on the tennis court has drawn comparisons to Swift's prolific excellence in the music industry. Coming into the seventh WTA 1000 tournament of the season, Swiatek has already won three Grand Slams and is the top seed in Rome.As she aims for another "Fortnight" to remember in Rome, Swiatek will undoubtedly have Swift's music on her playlist, providing inspiration and motivation for her on-court performances.