Tennis

Magdalena Frech's remarkable season continues to soar as she notched her first career Top 10 victory at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open. The 26-year-old Pole outlasted world No. 8 Emma Navarro in a thrilling three-set battle, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.Frech's triumph marks a significant milestone in her career, having previously been 0-15 against Top 10 opponents. Her previous Top 20 wins this year included victories over Caroline Garcia, Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Diana Shnaider.The match was a testament to Frech's resilience and determination. After dropping the second set, she regrouped and regained control in the decider. "It was a really great battle," Frech said. "I just tried to stay calm during the two hours. It's my first Top 10 win, so I'm really happy."Frech's success in Wuhan is a culmination of her hard work and dedication. She has consistently improved her game throughout the season, and her recent breakthroughs are a testament to her progress.The Polish player's victory is also a significant moment for her country. Frech is the first Polish woman to defeat a Top 10 player since Agnieszka Radwanska in 2016.Frech's performance in Wuhan has further solidified her status as a rising star in the WTA. She is now projected to move up to a career-high ranking in the top 25. With her newfound confidence and momentum, Frech will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming tournaments.

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.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto, the unseeded Italian, has captivated Roland-Garros with her stunning performances and infectious personality. After defeating two Top 20 players, including No. 17 seed Liudmila Samsonova, Cocciaretto has reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.Cocciaretto's journey to the fourth round has been marked by her resilience and determination. In her first-round match against No. 13 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, she rallied from a set down to secure a memorable victory. Against Samsonova, she faced a similar challenge, trailing 6-5 in the first set. However, she refused to be deterred, digging deep to win the set in a tiebreaker.Beyond her on-court prowess, Cocciaretto has also charmed the Parisian crowd with her warmth and humor. During her post-match interview with Mats Wilander, she greeted the crowd with a cheerful "Bonjour, Paris," eliciting thunderous applause. She then joked about her French language skills, admitting that she still had room for improvement.Cocciaretto's ability to connect with the crowd has been a refreshing sight at Roland-Garros, where the atmosphere has been somewhat subdued in the first week. Her infectious enthusiasm and willingness to embrace the French culture have endeared her to the fans."I'm really, really happy to have this support," Cocciaretto said. "It helped me a lot on the match point. It keeps me to be more aggressive, to go to win the point, so I'm really, really grateful about it, and I hope you'll come to support me for the next match."Cocciaretto's next challenge will be against No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, a 2022 finalist at Roland-Garros. The Italian will be aiming for her second career Top 10 win, having previously defeated Petra Kvitova in the first round of last year's tournament.With her captivating tennis and endearing personality, Elisabetta Cocciaretto has emerged as a crowd favorite at Roland-Garros. As she continues her journey through the tournament, she is sure to leave a lasting impression on the Parisian crowd and tennis fans around the world.