Tennis

Taylor Fritz has etched his name into the history books of the Rothesay International in Eastbourne, becoming the first man to win the coveted trophy three times. The American star defeated Max Purcell in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to secure his third title at the prestigious grass-court event.Fritz's triumph marks a remarkable achievement in the tournament's 29-year history. He joins an elite group of players who have won the title multiple times, including Greg Rusedski, Jonas Bjorkman, Richard Gasquet, Ivo Karlovic, and Feliciano Lopez. However, Fritz stands alone as the only player to have won the trophy three times.The ATP 250 event has been held in two locations over the years. It was initially held in Nottingham from 1995 to 2008 and then again from 2015 to 2016. Since 2009, the tournament has found a permanent home in Eastbourne, where it has been held every year except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Fritz's victory in Eastbourne is a testament to his exceptional grass-court skills. He has now won three of the four grass-court tournaments he has played this season, including the Halle Open and the Rothesay International. His success on this surface has propelled him to a career-high ranking of No. 12 in the world.The American's triumph in Eastbourne is a significant boost to his confidence ahead of Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year. Fritz has never advanced past the third round at Wimbledon, but his recent form suggests that he could be a contender for the title this year.

Paul Jubb and Billy Harris, two rising stars in the tennis world, have made history by reaching the semifinals of their respective ATP tournaments, the Mallorca Championships and the Rothesay International.Jubb, a 24-year-old qualifier, stunned top seed Ben Shelton in a thrilling three-set battle, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8). The former NCAA champion from the University of South Carolina had not dropped a set in his previous four matches, but Shelton pushed him to the limit.After squandering three match points in the third set, Jubb finally sealed the victory with a clutch first serve and a forehand error from Shelton. "This is obviously huge for me," said Jubb. "I've been working very, very hard to get back to this point."In Eastbourne, Harris, a 29-year-old wild card entrant, also overcame a tough three-set challenge against Flavio Cobolli, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-2. Harris broke Cobolli twice in the final set to secure the victory.Harris will face Australian Max Purcell in the semifinals, while Jubb will take on Sebastian Ofner of Austria. Two-time champion Taylor Fritz, the No. 1 seed in Eastbourne, will meet Aleksandar Vukic in the other semifinal.Both Jubb and Harris have had remarkable weeks, showcasing their talent and determination. They will now have the opportunity to compete for their first ATP titles on home soil, adding to the excitement of these tournaments.

Emma Raducanu's journey to her maiden Top 10 victory at the Rothesay International in Eastbourne was a testament to her resilience and determination. Facing the formidable Jessica Pegula, the 2021 US Open champion displayed unwavering resolve, battling through a rollercoaster match to emerge victorious.Raducanu's path to the quarterfinals was paved with challenges. She faced a match point in the second set tie-break, but summoned her inner strength to win three consecutive points and force a decider. The final set was a grueling affair, with Raducanu serving for the contest three times. Despite facing four break points in the final game, she held her nerve to seal the victory after a marathon two hours and 44 minutes."It's incredibly difficult when you're playing someone who's so in form like Jessica," Raducanu acknowledged. "I'm really pleased with how I managed to navigate against really tough situations. I didn't think, to be honest, that I'd be able to get myself out of it."Raducanu's victory over Pegula marked her second consecutive win against an American opponent, following her triumph over Sloane Stephens. She now faces Daria Kasatkina in the semifinals, who also rallied from a set down to defeat Yuan Yue.Meanwhile, Katie Boulter continued her impressive grass-court form by upsetting Jelena Ostapenko. The Nottingham champion converted five of 18 break points to eliminate the 2021 champion. Boulter will face Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals, who retired Elise Mertens due to a hip injury.Karolina Muchova, returning from right wrist surgery, eased past Magda Linette to set up a clash with reigning title holder Madison Keys. The fourth seed defeated Anhelina Kalinina in straight sets.Wild card Harriet Dart overcame Sofia Kenin to reach the quarterfinals, where she will face Leylah Fernandez. The left-hander rolled past Ashlyn Krueger in straight sets.

Top seed Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Rothesay International in Eastbourne ahead of Wimbledon, citing a "change in schedule." The Kazakh star has been plagued by illnesses throughout the season, forcing her to withdraw from several tournaments, including the WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells and Rome.Despite the setbacks, Rybakina has enjoyed a successful season, winning three WTA 500 titles. She is aiming to clinch her first grass-court title since her historic Wimbledon triumph in 2022.Rybakina's withdrawal from Eastbourne has opened the door for lucky loser Sofia Kenin, who will face Harriet Dart in the second round. Other notable winners on Monday included Jelena Ostapenko, Leylah Fernandez, and Magda Linette.On the men's side, Marcos Giron upset reigning champion Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets, while Jerry Shang defeated No. 7 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a thrilling three-set battle.Rybakina's absence from Eastbourne is a blow to the tournament, but it remains a competitive field with several top players vying for the title. The event serves as a crucial warm-up for Wimbledon, which begins on June 26th.

Seagulls Crash Julia Riera's Hotel Room Ahead of Rothesay InternationalAhead of the upcoming Rothesay International tennis tournament, known for its boisterous seagull population, WTA player Julia Riera encountered an unexpected guest in her hotel room: a brazen seagull.The 22-year-old Argentine, who made her Grand Slam main draw debut at Roland Garros last month, arrived in the seaside town of Eastbourne to find her lodging already occupied by a winged visitor. The seagull was perched on the desk chair, seemingly unfazed by Riera's presence.While Riera escaped the encounter unscathed, her hotel room bore the brunt of the seagull's visit. A video posted to her social media account showed the aftermath, with feathers scattered across the floor and a trail of droppings on the bed. It remains a mystery how the bird managed to enter the room through the seemingly closed window.Seagulls are a common sight at the Rothesay International, which is situated on the coast of the English Channel. Last year, the birds famously interrupted a match between Coco Gauff and Bernarda Pera, and returned to cause more mischief during another of Gauff's matches later in the week.Despite their reputation for causing disruptions, seagulls are also known to be curious and playful creatures. They have been observed watching tennis matches with interest, even in the rain. Some even believe that it is good luck if a bird poops on your head, a superstition that Riera may soon test.As the Rothesay International approaches, Riera will be hoping for a more peaceful stay in her hotel room. However, with the seagulls' reputation for unexpected visits, anything is possible.