Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, has advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, edging out American Tommy Paul in a thrilling quarterfinal match.The No. 2 seed Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June, faced a stern challenge from Paul, seeded ninth, but ultimately prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (7) in just under two hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier.The match was a rematch of their Wimbledon quarterfinal earlier this month, which Alcaraz also won in four sets. However, Paul pushed the Spaniard to the limit in Paris, opening up a 5-2 lead in the second set before Alcaraz rallied to force a tiebreaker.In the tiebreaker, Alcaraz took an early lead and never looked back, winning 7-3 to seal his place in the semifinals."It was a tough match," said Alcaraz. "Tommy played really well, especially in the second set. But I'm happy to have come through and reach the semifinals."Alcaraz will now face either No. 6 seed Casper Ruud or No. 13 seed Félix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals. Ruud and Auger-Aliassime are scheduled to play their quarterfinal match later on Thursday.If Alcaraz wins his semifinal match, he will advance to the gold medal match, where he will have a chance to become the first Spanish man to win an Olympic gold medal in tennis since Rafael Nadal in 2008.

Zheng Qinwen, the rising star of Chinese tennis, has stunned the world by defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the Summer Olympic Games. The 21-year-old Zheng, who had never beaten Swiatek in six previous encounters, displayed remarkable resilience and determination to secure a 6-2, 7-5 victory in Paris.Zheng's victory is a testament to her unwavering belief in herself and her ability to overcome adversity. Despite trailing 0-4 in the second set, she refused to give up and fought back with unwavering determination. Her aggressive play and patience proved too much for Swiatek, who was visibly frustrated throughout the match.Zheng's victory is a significant milestone in her young career. It marks her first victory over a world No. 1 and propels her into the Gold Medal Match, where she will face either Donna Vekic or Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.Zheng's journey to the Olympic semifinals has been nothing short of remarkable. She began the year with a breakout run to the Australian Open final and has continued to impress with her consistent performances throughout the season. Her victory over Swiatek is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in her abilities.Zheng's success is not only a personal triumph but also a source of pride for China. She is the first Chinese player to reach the Olympic tennis final since Li Na in 2012. Her performance has inspired a new generation of Chinese tennis players and has raised the profile of the sport in her home country.As Zheng prepares for the Gold Medal Match, she will undoubtedly face another tough challenge. However, her unwavering determination and belief in herself will give her the confidence to overcome any obstacle and achieve her Olympic dream.

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz's Olympic dream came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as they were defeated by American duo Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the men's doubles quarterfinals. The Spanish pair, dubbed "Nadalcaraz," had captivated the crowds in Paris with their impressive performances in their first two matches. However, they were unable to overcome the doubles specialists Krajicek and Ram, who progressed to the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, was broken in the opening game of the match on Court Philippe Chatrier. Alcaraz also lost his serve, allowing the US pair to take the first set. The Spaniards suffered another costly break in the seventh game of the second set, which proved decisive. Despite battling valiantly in the 10th game, they failed to convert three break points, and Krajicek and Ram sealed the victory on their second match point.Nadal's defeat in the doubles competition follows his painful loss to Novak Djokovic in the singles competition. The 38-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, has hinted that he may make a decision on his future after the Olympics. Alcaraz, on the other hand, remains in contention for a medal in the men's singles competition, where he will face US ninth seed Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.The defeat of Nadal and Alcaraz marks the end of a memorable Olympic campaign for the Spanish duo. They have showcased their exceptional talent and determination throughout the tournament, but they were ultimately unable to overcome the experience and skill of Krajicek and Ram.

Casper Ruud's Olympic journey reached new heights on Wednesday as he notched his 250th career victory and became the first Norwegian tennis player to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Games.The 23-year-old Norwegian overcame Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-4 in a hard-fought round-of-16 clash. Ruud's triumph marked a significant milestone in his career, making him only the second player born in 1998 or later to achieve 250 career wins, after Stefanos Tsitsipas.Ruud's success at the Olympics is a testament to his impressive form on clay courts. He has won 19 of his last 22 matches at Stade Roland Garros, where the Olympic Tennis Event is being held. His run includes back-to-back finals at the French Open in 2022 and 2023, as well as a semifinal appearance in 2024.In the quarterfinals, Ruud will face another rising star, Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada. Auger-Aliassime also made history for his country by becoming the first Canadian tennis player to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics.Auger-Aliassime's victory over Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 5, was his 16th career win over a Top 10 player. He will be looking to extend his impressive record against Ruud, whom he defeated in straight sets in the fourth round of the Madrid Masters earlier this year.The quarterfinal clash between Ruud and Auger-Aliassime promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the most promising young players in the game. Ruud will be aiming to continue his impressive run at the Olympics and make history as the first Norwegian to reach the semifinals.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has advanced to the semifinals of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, overcoming a resilient Danielle Collins in a thrilling three-set encounter.Swiatek, who won her fourth Roland Garros title just over a month ago, dominated the opening set, breaking Collins' serve twice to take a commanding 6-1 lead. However, Collins, who is making her Olympic debut and plans to retire at the end of the year, fought back in the second set, winning 6-2 to level the match.In the deciding set, Swiatek regained her composure, breaking Collins' serve twice to take a 2-0 lead. Collins, visibly frustrated and hindered by physical discomfort, called a medical timeout. Upon returning to the court, she struggled to continue and ultimately retired, handing Swiatek a 6-1, 2-6, 4-1 victory.Swiatek's victory sets up a semifinal clash with No. 6 seed Zheng Qinwen, who earlier in the day defeated former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber. Swiatek must reach the final to guarantee a medal, but her impressive performance against Collins has significantly improved her chances of leaving Paris with a podium finish.Collins, who has been in excellent form since announcing her retirement plans, gave Swiatek a stern test, particularly in the second set. However, Swiatek's resilience and ability to raise her level in crucial moments proved too much for the American.Swiatek's victory is a testament to her dominance on clay, a surface on which she has won all four of her Grand Slam titles. She is now the overwhelming favorite to capture a maiden Olympic gold medal in her second Olympic appearance.

Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three from Spain, has advanced to the last 16 of the Olympic singles tennis tournament after defeating Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 6-1, 7-6 (7/3). Alcaraz, who is aiming for a gold medal to add to his four Grand Slam titles, will face Roman Safiullin in the men's singles round 3 match.Alcaraz, who had been struggling with a leg injury, shrugged off the discomfort to secure his place in the third round. The Spaniard displayed his trademark aggressive style, dominating the first set with powerful groundstrokes and precise serves. In the second set, Griekspoor put up a stronger fight, but Alcaraz remained composed and ultimately prevailed in the tiebreaker.After the match, Alcaraz expressed his determination to be fully fit for his doubles match with Rafael Nadal. "I'm going to fight to be 100 percent for doubles with Rafa," he said. "It's a great opportunity for us to play together and try to win a medal for Spain."The Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin Olympics Men's Singles Third Round match will be played on Wednesday, July 31 (IST) at Roland-Garros - Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The match is scheduled to start at around 6:00 PM IST and will be telecast live in India on Sports 18. It will also be streamed live on the Jio Cinema app.

Lily Ann Zhang, a 28-year-old table tennis player from California, has made history by reaching the top 16 in women's singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Born to Chinese immigrant parents, Zhang has faced the pressure of their expectations for academic excellence and a "normal job."Despite her parents' concerns, Zhang has pursued her passion for table tennis since childhood. She began training professionally at age seven, using her family's dining table as a practice surface. Her mother, a former table tennis player in China, has been a source of inspiration and support.Zhang's journey to the Olympics has been marked by both success and setbacks. She has represented the USA in four previous Olympics, but has yet to medal. However, she remains determined to achieve her goals, recognizing the fragility of a sporting career.Zhang's story highlights the challenges faced by many Asian-American athletes who navigate the expectations of their immigrant parents. Team USA's Chinese-origin coach, Jun Gao, observes that many talented Asian players abandon their athletic pursuits after college due to parental pressure.Zhang's success serves as an inspiration to young athletes who may face similar obstacles. She demonstrates that it is possible to pursue one's dreams while respecting the values of one's heritage.

Emma Navarro's Olympic journey came to an abrupt end in Paris, but not without leaving a lasting impression. After a grueling three-hour battle, the American succumbed to China's Zheng Qinwen in a thrilling three-set encounter. However, it was Navarro's post-match comments that stole the spotlight, as she unleashed a scathing attack on her opponent's "cut-throat" demeanor.Navarro's frustration boiled over at the net, where she confronted Zheng with a barrage of accusations. The American expressed her lack of respect for Zheng's on-court behavior, claiming it created a hostile atmosphere in the locker room. "I just told her I didn't respect her as a competitor," Navarro told AFP. "I think she goes about things in a pretty cut-throat way."Zheng, the No. 6 seed, remained composed in the face of Navarro's outburst. She acknowledged Navarro's concerns and expressed a willingness to improve her behavior. "She told me she doesn't know how I have a lot of fans," Zheng said. "It looks like she's not happy with my behavior towards her. If she's not happy about my behavior, she can come and tell me. I would like to correct it to become a better player and a better person."The incident has sparked a debate about sportsmanship and the boundaries of acceptable behavior on the court. Some have defended Zheng, arguing that her aggressive style of play is simply a reflection of her competitive nature. Others have sided with Navarro, condemning Zheng's alleged lack of respect for her opponents.Regardless of one's stance on the matter, it is clear that Navarro's comments have struck a chord. They have raised important questions about the role of sportsmanship in modern competition and the importance of maintaining a respectful environment for all athletes.

Jimmy Arias, a former world No. 5 tennis player, has dedicated his life to the sport, both on and off the court. From his early days practicing the overhead smash under his father's guidance to his current roles as director of tennis at IMG Academy and television commentator, Arias' passion for tennis remains unwavering.At IMG Academy, Arias oversees the training of approximately 240 students, sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring young players. He believes in the importance of match play and emphasizes the need for players to be aware of their opponents' strengths and weaknesses.Arias' broadcasting career has also been a fulfilling endeavor. He enjoys analyzing the nuances of the game and sharing his insights with viewers. He is particularly fascinated by the evolution of the sport and the ways in which players are constantly adapting their techniques and tactics.One of Arias' concerns is that today's players may not be as aware of their opponents as previous generations. He believes that this lack of awareness can hinder their ability to develop effective strategies and adapt to different playing styles.Arias' return to IMG Academy, where he began his tennis journey, is a testament to his deep connection to the sport. He is committed to passing on his knowledge and helping young players reach their full potential.