Tennis

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has advanced to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year, defeating Anna Kalinskaya in a match that ended prematurely due to injury.Rybakina, the fourth seed, faced a tough start against Kalinskaya, who took an early 3-1 lead. However, Rybakina rallied back, winning eight consecutive games to take the first set and establish a commanding lead in the second.Kalinskaya, who has been linked to ATP world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, was forced to retire after just 53 minutes on Centre Court due to an undisclosed injury. The Russian-born Kazakh had been playing well in her third main-draw appearance at Wimbledon, reaching the second week without dropping a set.Rybakina, who has been a consistent performer since her breakthrough season in 2020, has emerged as the favorite to win a second Wimbledon title. She has been in impressive form, losing just one game in her third-round match against former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.In the quarterfinals, Rybakina will face the winner of the fourth-round clash between 2023 semifinalist Elina Svitolina and China's Wang Xinyu, who knocked out No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula earlier in the tournament.

Emma Raducanu's decision to withdraw from her mixed doubles match with Andy Murray at Wimbledon has sparked controversy. The 2021 US Open champion cited a stiff wrist as the reason for her withdrawal, which effectively ended Murray's Wimbledon career.Raducanu's decision has been met with criticism, as it shattered Murray's hopes of one last appearance at the All England Club. The two-time Wimbledon champion was unable to play the men's singles due to a spinal cyst surgery and lost in the first round of the men's doubles with his brother Jamie.Murray expressed disappointment over Raducanu's withdrawal, while his mother, Judy, described the move as "astonishing." However, Raducanu defended her decision, stating that she had to prioritize her singles match and her body."I have to prioritize myself, my singles, and my body," Raducanu said. "I stand by the decision. Yeah, obviously it was a tough decision, though."Raducanu's withdrawal has raised questions about the importance of mixed doubles in tennis. Some argue that it is a valuable opportunity for players to compete with and learn from each other, while others believe that it should not take precedence over singles matches.Despite the controversy, Raducanu has expressed her admiration for Murray and his accomplishments. She hopes that he will play in the Paris Olympics and have another farewell there."Obviously disappointed because it's his last match," Raducanu said. "But, yeah, what a champion. I think that hopefully he'll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there."Raducanu's Wimbledon run ended in the fourth round with a loss to New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun. Despite the disappointing result, Raducanu believes that she has rediscovered her passion for tennis."I think that desire and fire is back," Raducanu said. "I just want to keep building on that."

Tenth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov's Wimbledon campaign came to an abrupt end on Sunday when he was forced to retire injured in the first set of his fourth-round clash against fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev.Dimitrov, who had been in impressive form throughout the tournament, started the match strongly, racing to a 3-0 lead. However, Medvedev fought back to break Dimitrov's serve and level the set at 3-3.Disaster struck for Dimitrov in the sixth game when he slipped on Court One. He attempted to continue playing but was clearly hampered by the injury. After losing the next two games, Dimitrov took a medical timeout.Upon returning to the court, Dimitrov struggled to move effectively. He managed to win one more game before Medvedev served three aces to take the eighth game and seal the set. Dimitrov then decided to retire from the match, handing Medvedev a place in the quarterfinals.Medvedev will now face top seed Jannick Sinner in the last eight. The Russian has a 6-5 head-to-head record against the Italian world No. 1, but Sinner has won their last five encounters.Dimitrov's injury is a major blow to his Wimbledon hopes. The Bulgarian had been playing some of his best tennis in recent months and was considered a potential contender for the title. However, he will now have to focus on recovering from his injury and preparing for the upcoming hard-court season.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the 6'8" French sensation, has taken Wimbledon by storm with his monstrous serves, leaving opponents bewildered and fans in awe. As the first men's lucky loser to reach the fourth round since 1995, Mpetshi Perricard has showcased his immense power and determination.His opponents have been left in disbelief, with Sebastian Korda admitting, "There wasn't much to do, just guess where the ball was going." Emil Ruusuvuori echoed the sentiment, calling Mpetshi Perricard "a very tricky opponent on this surface."Mpetshi Perricard's serve has been the talk of the tournament, with the Frenchman joining Ivo Karlovic and John Isner as the only players to tally 100 aces through three rounds in the past decade. Against Korda, he fired 51 aces, while against Nishioka and Ruusuvuori, he recorded 27 aces each.Despite his towering height, Mpetshi Perricard is not just a one-dimensional power hitter. He has shown finesse and variety in his game, particularly with his volleying, which proved crucial against Korda. He also credits his improved return game for his success on the clay in Lyon.Mpetshi Perricard's breakthrough in the last two months has been remarkable, winning the title in Lyon and emulating Arthur Fils' achievement. His ranking is set to climb to 44th, ensuring his participation in major events in the future.While French players are often known for their flair, Mpetshi Perricard's stature and power have set him apart. He is keen to improve his two-handed backhand, taking inspiration from John Isner's game.Despite the challenges of Wimbledon's unpredictable weather, Mpetshi Perricard remains confident and excited for his upcoming match against Lorenzi Musetti. With his powerful serve and growing confidence, he is a force to be reckoned with and a potential dark horse in the tournament.

The Wimbledon fortnight has witnessed a rollercoaster ride for the top three seeds in the men's draw: Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz. While they have all advanced to the second week, their performances have been far from flawless.Sinner, the top seed, has dropped two sets and faced a set point in a third. Alcaraz, the defending champion, has surrendered three sets and nearly lost to Frances Tiafoe. Djokovic, recovering from knee surgery, has also lost two sets and has struggled with his movement.Djokovic's struggles have been evident in his close fourth-set victories over Jacob Fearnley and Alexei Popyrin. He has admitted to feeling "lucky" to escape trouble and has acknowledged that his knee is still not at its best. However, Djokovic's experience and ability to rise to the occasion could prove crucial in the later stages.Alcaraz, on the other hand, has faced issues with consistency and feel for the ball. He has endured significant dips in his level, particularly against Tiafoe and Ugo Humbert. However, the Spaniard has shown resilience by clinging to his serve and turning around grim situations. His 12-1 record in fifth sets is a testament to his mental fortitude.Sinner has arguably been the most consistent of the top three, winning his last two matches in straight sets. However, he has also experienced lulls, such as losing the feel on his forehand against Ben Shelton. Nonetheless, Sinner's confidence and ability to find a way in the end remain strong.Despite their challenges, the top three seeds remain the favorites for the title. Sinner faces a tough road ahead, with Daniil Medvedev, Alcaraz, and potentially Djokovic or Alexander Zverev standing in his way. However, the Italian's steady play and determination make him a formidable opponent.

Iga Swiatek's remarkable 21-match winning streak came to an abrupt end at Wimbledon on Saturday, as the world number one suffered a shock third-round defeat to Yulia Putintseva. The top seed's hopes of a first Wimbledon title were dashed in a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 loss to the Russian-born Kazakh.Swiatek's struggles at the All England Club continued, as she has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals in her previous appearances. The 21-year-old admitted that the strain of her recent French Open triumph, where she claimed her fourth title at Roland Garros, had taken its toll."For sure, I felt like my energy level went down little bit in the second set. I couldn't really get back up," Swiatek said. "My tank of really pushing myself to the limits became suddenly empty. I was kind of surprised. But I know what I did wrong after Roland Garros. I didn't really rest properly."Swiatek's defeat was a major upset, as she had been the overwhelming favorite to win the tournament. However, Putintseva played with determination and resilience, taking advantage of Swiatek's fatigue and errors.The Kazakh player, who had previously lost to Swiatek in straight sets at Indian Wells earlier this year, was delighted with her victory. "I totally let her come back to the game in the second set. I shouldn't have done that," Swiatek said. "I made some mistakes, as well. But for sure, she used her chance."Swiatek's loss raises questions about her ability to maintain her dominance on different surfaces. The Polish star has been unstoppable on clay, but she has struggled to replicate that form on grass and hard courts."I was playing fearless," Putintseva said. "I have nothing to lose, just go for it. She didn't lose it. I took it."Swiatek's defeat is a reminder that even the best players can be vulnerable when they are not at their peak. The world number one will now have to regroup and prepare for the upcoming hard-court season, where she will be looking to defend her US Open title.

Emma Navarro, the 19th-seeded American, has stunned world No. 2 Coco Gauff in straight sets (6-4, 6-3) at Wimbledon, securing her first Grand Slam quarterfinal berth.Navarro, who is enjoying a breakthrough season, has already defeated former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka en route to her second consecutive Grand Slam second week. Against Gauff, she rallied from an early break down to triumph in one hour and 14 minutes on Centre Court.Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, had cruised through her draw in the first week, dropping only 10 games in three matches. However, Navarro proved too resilient, breaking Gauff twice to clinch the opening set.In the second set, Gauff's frustration grew as her forehand faltered, handing Navarro the opportunity to serve out the match. Despite saving two match points, Gauff succumbed to a final forehand error, resulting in a warm embrace with her childhood friend at the net.Navarro's victory was a testament to her steady play, as she committed only 16 unforced errors compared to Gauff's 25. The American is projected to make her Top 15 debut after Wimbledon and will next face No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini, who advanced after Madison Keys retired due to a leg injury.

Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, emerged as the tournament favorite after Iga Swiatek's surprising defeat. Rybakina's impressive performance against Caroline Wozniacki and her status as the only remaining Wimbledon winner in the draw have solidified her position. However, her opponent, Anna Kalinskaya, poses a significant challenge. Kalinskaya has had a strong season, reaching the Top 20 and nearly winning a grass-court title in Berlin. Their previous encounters have been close, with both players winning one match each.In the men's draw, Taylor Fritz faces Alexander Zverev in a highly anticipated fourth-round clash. Fritz and Zverev have similar playing styles, with powerful serves and aggressive groundstrokes. However, Zverev has a slight edge in their head-to-head record, winning five of their eight matches. Zverev's recent form, including his victory in Rome and near-triumph at Roland Garros, suggests he is the favorite.Novak Djokovic, the 21-time Grand Slam champion, faces a tough test against Holger Rune. Djokovic has been hampered by a knee injury, but he has managed to survive and advance. Rune, despite a disappointing season, has the physicality and confidence to challenge Djokovic. Their previous encounters have been close, with Rune pushing Djokovic to three sets in their last two matches.

Wimbledon's hallowed grounds have witnessed a sartorial transformation as Jannik Sinner's fervent fan club, the Carota Boys, have embraced the tournament's iconic all-white dress code. The carrot-clad squad, known for their vibrant orange costumes, has temporarily shed their signature hue for a more traditional Wimbledon look.Four members of the Carota Boys have donned pristine white suits, complete with the group's signature 'C' logo emblazoned in Wimbledon's signature green and purple colors. The suits bear the inscription "Carota Boys, Wimbledon Edition," paying homage to the tournament's rich history and traditions.The new costumes were unveiled ahead of Sinner's fourth-round match against Ben Shelton on No.1 Court. The group's dedication to Wimbledon's dress code has been met with widespread applause, with fans and followers praising their respect for the tournament's heritage.Despite the change in attire, the Carota Boys' unwavering support for Sinner remained evident. Their cheers and chants reverberated throughout No.1 Court as Sinner secured a hard-fought 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(9) victory over Shelton.Sinner's triumph marked a historic moment for Italian tennis, as he became the first Italian man to reach the quarterfinals at Wimbledon three times or more. The Carota Boys were there to witness this milestone, their white suits a testament to their unwavering support and the enduring traditions of Wimbledon.