Tennis

Elena Rybakina Withdraws from Paris Olympics, Shaking Up Women's Singles DrawShortly after the release of the women's singles draw for the Paris Olympics on Thursday, the withdrawal of Elena Rybakina sent shockwaves through the tournament. The No. 3 seed, behind Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, was slated to face a challenging path in the draw.No official reason was given for Rybakina's withdrawal, but the Kazakh has struggled with illnesses throughout 2024. She has withdrawn from several tournaments, including Indian Wells, Rome, Eastbourne, and Dubai. She also retired from her second-round match in Berlin.Rybakina's absence has significant implications for the draw. Caroline Garcia moves into her slot as the No. 17 seed, facing Jaqueline Cristian in the first round. Australia's Daria Saville now takes Garcia's place against sixth seed Zheng Qinwen.In mixed doubles, Rybakina and Alexander Bublik have been replaced by Argentina's Nadia Podoroska and Maximo Gonzalez, who will face third seeds Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz.Rybakina's withdrawal is a major blow to the women's singles competition. The 25-year-old is a former Wimbledon champion and one of the most dangerous players on tour. Her absence opens up the draw for other contenders, including Swiatek, Gauff, and Zheng.Rybakina's focus now shifts to the North American hardcourt swing, where she is scheduled to compete at the National Bank Open in Toronto beginning on August 6. It remains to be seen if she can regain her form and make a deep run in the remaining Grand Slams of the season.

A fortnight ago, a Wimbledon women's singles final between Barbora Krejcikova and Jasmine Paolini would have been an unlikely prospect. However, on Saturday, they will face off for the prestigious Venus Rosewater Dish, becoming the eighth different singles champion at the All England Club in as many years.Both players enter the summit clash on the back of hard-fought three-set victories. Krejcikova overcame the power-hitting Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, while Paolini outlasted Donna Vekic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(8) in an epic that lasted nearly three hours.Krejcikova may have spent less time on the court, but her victory was equally challenging. The Czech was also competing in the doubles draw until late Wednesday, losing a three-set quarterfinal with partner Laura Siegemund.Despite their demanding schedules, both Krejcikova and Paolini will be sufficiently rested for the weekend final. Krejcikova's experience and Slam-winning pedigree (French Open 2021) make her the slight favorite. Her all-around skills, including her powerful groundstrokes and deft touch at the net, will be crucial.However, Paolini has been the surprise package of the season. The 28-year-old Italian has impressed with her boundless energy and aggressive style of play. She started the year with just four main draw match wins at the Majors, but has now reached two finals. Her quick footwork, explosive groundstrokes, and never-say-die attitude make her a formidable opponent.Krejcikova and Paolini have met once before, in the first-round qualifying at the Australian Open in 2018. Both players were relatively unknown at the time, but their paths have diverged significantly since then.The Wimbledon final promises to be a captivating clash between two talented and determined players. Krejcikova's experience and all-court game may give her an edge, but Paolini's youthful exuberance and fearless approach could upset the odds.

Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open champion, has reached the Wimbledon 2024 women's singles final after a thrilling three-set victory over Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals on Thursday.Krejcikova, seeded 15th, dropped the first set 3-6 to the 20th-seeded Rybakina, who was making her first appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final. However, the Czech player showed her resilience and determination, fighting back to win the second set 6-3.In the deciding set, both players traded breaks early on. Krejcikova eventually broke Rybakina's serve in the seventh game and held on to her own serve to take a 5-3 lead. Rybakina saved two match points in the ninth game, but Krejcikova sealed the victory on her third match point with a forehand winner.Krejcikova's victory marks her second Grand Slam final appearance, and she will now face the winner of the other semi-final between Ons Jabeur and Tatjana Maria.Rybakina, who was playing in her first Wimbledon semi-final, showed great promise and will be one to watch in the future.

Jasmine Paolini's remarkable journey at the 2024 French Open was a tale of bittersweet triumph and missed opportunity. The 28-year-old Italian reached the women's singles final, a career-defining moment, but ultimately fell short against the indomitable Iga Swiatek.Paolini's run to the final was a testament to her newfound belief in her abilities. Having spent years playing in lower-tier tournaments, she had come to accept that beating the top players was a distant dream. However, a shift in mindset and a string of impressive wins in the lead-up to Roland-Garros gave her the confidence to challenge the elite.In the final, Paolini faced an insurmountable task against Swiatek, who extended her Grand Slam winning streak to four. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Paolini showed glimpses of her potential, winning three games and showcasing her exceptional footwork and baseline prowess.While the singles final ended in disappointment, Paolini's tournament was far from over. She partnered with compatriot Sara Errani in the women's doubles final, but they were unable to overcome the experienced duo of Katerina Siniakova and Coco Gauff.Despite the setbacks, Paolini's performance at Roland-Garros marked a significant turning point in her career. She climbed seven spots in the world rankings to enter the top 10 for the first time, a testament to her newfound consistency and belief.Paolini's journey is a reminder that dreams can come true with hard work and a shift in perspective. Her late-blooming success is an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere, proving that it's never too late to reach for the stars.