Tennis

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek's Wimbledon 2024 campaign came to an abrupt end in the third round, as she was stunned by Yulia Putintseva in a thrilling encounter. The 29-year-old Russian-born Kazakhstani displayed remarkable resilience and determination to overcome the top seed 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.Swiatek, who has been in dominant form this season, winning the French Open and two WTA 1000 titles, started the match as the clear favorite. She broke Putintseva's serve twice in the opening set to take an early lead. However, the Kazakhstani refused to be intimidated and fought back with unwavering resolve.In the second set, Putintseva raised her game to a new level. She played with precision and power, forcing Swiatek into uncharacteristic errors. The Polish ace struggled to find her rhythm and was unable to match Putintseva's intensity. The Kazakhstani cruised through the set, winning it 6-1.The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading blows. Swiatek managed to break Putintseva's serve early on, but the Kazakhstani responded with a break of her own. The momentum shifted back and forth, but it was Putintseva who ultimately prevailed. She broke Swiatek's serve again in the eighth game and served out the match to secure a memorable victory.Putintseva's triumph marks a significant upset in the women's singles draw at Wimbledon. She has never reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam before and will now face a tough test against former champion Petra Kvitova. Swiatek, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have her Wimbledon run cut short, but she will have plenty of opportunities to bounce back and reclaim her dominance.

Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, continued his impressive return to action at the 2024 Championships with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 victory over British wild card Jacob Fearnley.Despite undergoing surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his right knee just weeks ago, Djokovic showed no signs of rust as he dominated the opening two sets. However, Fearnley, making his Grand Slam main draw debut, put up a spirited fight, breaking Djokovic's serve for the first time in the tournament to take the third set.Undeterred, Djokovic regained control in the fourth set, saving two break points in the sixth game and breaking Fearnley's serve in the 10th game to seal the victory.Djokovic's performance was a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the injury setback, he has returned to the court with the same level of intensity and focus that has made him one of the greatest players of all time.Fearnley, on the other hand, can take heart from his performance against one of the sport's legends. The 22-year-old showed glimpses of his potential, hitting some impressive shots and putting Djokovic under pressure at times.With the victory, Djokovic advances to the third round, where he will face either No. 30 seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry or Aussie Alexei Popyrin. The Serb will be looking to continue his impressive run at Wimbledon and add to his record-breaking tally of Grand Slam titles.

Daria Kasatkina, the No. 14 seed, made a resounding statement at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on Thursday, crushing British wild card Yuriko Lily Miyazaki 6-0, 6-0 in just 50 minutes on Court 18. This dominant victory marks Kasatkina's first double bagel on the tour level since 2015.Kasatkina, fresh off her seventh career WTA title at the Rothesay International Eastbourne, extended her winning streak to seven matches. The Russian star was relentless against Miyazaki, who had previously thrilled the home crowd with her first-ever main-draw victory at Wimbledon.Kasatkina's serve was untouchable, as she lost only three points behind her first serve and faced no break points. She struck 10 clean winners while committing only seven unforced errors. In contrast, Miyazaki struggled with her consistency, committing a staggering 31 unforced errors.This victory marks Kasatkina's second consecutive appearance in the third round of Wimbledon. She reached the quarterfinals in 2018 and will now face former world No. 2 Paula Badosa in the next round.Beyond her tennis prowess, Kasatkina has gained popularity for her YouTube channel, *What The Vlog?*, which she co-hosts with her girlfriend and fellow Olympic athlete Natalia Zabiiako. The channel has amassed over 50,000 subscribers and nearly six million video views.While fans will have to wait for Kasatkina's Wimbledon episode to air, they can expect her to provide an entertaining and insightful behind-the-scenes look at her Independence Day victory.

Wimbledon 2024: Holger Rune and Boris Becker Trade Barbs Ahead of TournamentThe 2024 Wimbledon Championships are set to begin, and the drama is already heating up off the court. Former world No. 1 Boris Becker, who briefly coached Holger Rune in 2023-2024, has raised questions about the Dane's current coaching situation.Becker tweeted his confusion over whether Rune and his current coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, were still working together, claiming not to have seen them together in the lead-up to Wimbledon. Rune, seeded No. 15 at SW19, responded swiftly, calling out Becker for making his inquiry public."Super strange you don't ask me this question directly as we text together about other stuff," Rune tweeted. "The answer to your question is yes we work together. Sharing the tournaments between us as planned."The exchange highlights the complex dynamics between players and coaches in the high-stakes world of professional tennis. Rune, a rising star who reached the French Open quarterfinals in 2023, is seeking to make a deep run at Wimbledon. A potential fourth-round clash with Novak Djokovic looms large, but Rune must first overcome first-round opponent Soon-woo Kwon.Kwon, a former world No. 52, has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Rune, including a four-set victory at the 2022 Australian Open. Rune will need to be at his best to overcome the South Korean and advance in the tournament.The Becker-Rune exchange adds an extra layer of intrigue to Wimbledon 2024. As the tournament unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how the relationship between the two men evolves and whether it has any impact on Rune's performance on the court.

Wimbledon 2024 Poster Unveiled: A Masterpiece Celebrating Legacy and Hidden TreasuresAs the countdown to the 100th day of Wimbledon 2024 commences, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has unveiled an enchanting official poster that captures the essence of the tournament's rich history and enduring legacy.Crafted by renowned graphic designer Bella Grace, the poster is a visual masterpiece that seamlessly blends the iconic Wimbledon trophies with the vibrant flora of the hallowed grounds. Upon closer inspection, viewers will discover a captivating array of 14 hidden elements embedded within the two pieces of champion's hardware.Among the hidden treasures are scorecards adorning the petals of hydrangeas, a nod to the tournament's meticulous record-keeping. The watchful gaze of Rufus the Hawk, Wimbledon's beloved mascot, adds a touch of whimsy to the design.The poster's intricate details and layered symbolism invite viewers to delve deeper into the tournament's storied past. It celebrates the legacy of Wimbledon as a grand stage for unforgettable tennis moments and the unwavering spirit of the players who have graced its courts.In 2023, Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova etched their names into Wimbledon history as first-time winners. As the tournament approaches its 137th staging on July 1, 2024, the official poster serves as a reminder of the enduring allure and timeless appeal of Wimbledon.