Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka, the third-ranked player in the world, defeated her Belarusian rival Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling quarterfinal clash at the Washington Open. The victory sets up a semifinal showdown with Czech Marie Bouzkova.Sabalenka, who won the Australian Open in January, fired eight aces in the match, while Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, showed no signs of the shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon."Always tough battles against her," Sabalenka said. "She always brings the best fight she can. I always enjoy playing against her. Just super happy to get through this tough match."Sabalenka, who lost last year's US Open final to Coco Gauff, is looking to regain her form ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam. "I feel like with every set, I play better and better," she said. "Hopefully I can just (keep) building my level and by the US Open, I'll be 100 percent ready."In the other women's semifinal, Spain's Paula Badosa will face American Caroline Dolehide.On the men's side, top seed Andrey Rublev was eliminated by hometown hero Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). Tiafoe will next face US fourth seed Sebastian Korda, who eliminated Australian seventh seed Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-2.US second seed Ben Shelton advanced to the semifinals after Denis Shapovalov was defaulted for unsportsmanlike conduct. Shelton will face Italian 10th seed Flavio Cobolli in the semifinals.

Elena Rybakina, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, has emerged as the frontrunner for this year's title, despite Iga Swiatek's dominance on other surfaces. The WTA's No. 1 player has struggled on grass, creating opportunities for lesser-known players to shine.In recent years, Wimbledon has witnessed Cinderella stories, with Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova claiming major titles as unseeded players. This year, Lulu Sun, Emma Navarro, Donna Vekic, and Barbora Krejcikova have all made surprising runs to the quarterfinals.Rybakina, now seeded fourth, has been in impressive form in 2024, winning titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart. She has also reached finals in Miami and Doha, showcasing her versatility on different surfaces.In her quarterfinal match against Elina Svitolina, Rybakina displayed her dominance, winning in straight sets with a powerful serve-plus-one strategy. She hit 28 winners to Svitolina's eight and won 85 percent of points on her first serve.Despite her success, Rybakina remains humble, acknowledging that she can still improve her first serve percentage. She also credits her ability to read opponents' serves and her consistent groundstrokes for her recent success.However, Rybakina faces a tough challenge in the semifinals against Barbora Krejcikova, who holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against her. Krejcikova has also been in impressive form, winning the French Open in 2021 and reaching the semifinals at Wimbledon last year.As the tournament progresses, Rybakina remains the favorite for the title. Her powerful serve, consistent groundstrokes, and ability to adapt to different opponents make her a formidable force on grass. If she can maintain her composure and overcome the challenge of Krejcikova, she has a strong chance of becoming the first player to win multiple Wimbledon titles since Serena Williams in 2016.

Diana Shnaider Triumphs in Bad Homburg Open, Securing Second WTA TitleBAD HOMBURG, Germany - Rising Russian star Diana Shnaider has etched her name in the annals of the Bad Homburg Open, capturing her second WTA singles title of the year in a thrilling three-set victory over Donna Vekic of Croatia.In a captivating final between two unseeded players, Shnaider displayed her resilience and determination, converting four of her six break chances while fending off 10 of 13 break points against Vekic. The 20-year-old Russian, who entered the tournament ranked 47th in the world, showcased her impressive grass-court prowess throughout the week.Shnaider's triumph in Bad Homburg marks a significant milestone in her young career. She had previously claimed her maiden tour title at Hua Hin in February, and her victory in Germany will propel her to a career-high ranking of 30 on Monday.The Russian's impressive performance has earned her a challenging first-round matchup at Wimbledon, where she will face 2021 runner-up Karolina Pliskova. Vekic, meanwhile, will take on Wang Xiyu in the opening round of the prestigious Grand Slam tournament.Shnaider's victory in Bad Homburg is a testament to her growing confidence and ability on grass. She has proven herself to be a formidable opponent on the surface, and her success in Germany bodes well for her chances at Wimbledon.

Daria Kasatkina's title drought came to an end on Saturday as she defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 6-4 in the Eastbourne International final. The victory marked Kasatkina's seventh career WTA triumph and her first on grass courts.Kasatkina, the No. 6 seed, started the match strongly, breaking Fernandez's serve in the opening game. She maintained her lead throughout the first set, breaking Fernandez again in the eighth game to take it 6-3.The second set was more competitive, with Fernandez battling back from an 0-3 deficit to take a 4-3 lead. However, Kasatkina regained her composure and broke Fernandez twice at love to take the set 6-4 and clinch the title.The victory was a significant one for Kasatkina, who had lost her previous five championship matches. It also moved her up to No. 8 in the race to the WTA Finals.Fernandez, the No. 15 seed, was bidding to become the first Canadian woman to win the Eastbourne title since Eugenie Bouchard in 2014. She had defeated No. 7 seed Barbora Krejcikova and defending champion Madison Keys en route to the final.In the Wimbledon draw, Kasatkina will open her campaign against Zhang Shuai on Monday. Fernandez will face Lucia Bronzetti on Tuesday.

Swiss sportswear brand On, endorsed by tennis legend Roger Federer, is expanding its roster of young tennis prodigies. Following the signing of 17-year-old João Fonseca and 20-year-old Ben Shelton, On has now welcomed 15-year-old German Julia Stusek to its WTA contingent, alongside world number one Iga Swiatek.Stusek made her WTA main-draw debut at the Bad Homburg Open as a lucky loser, showcasing her potential in a competitive 6-2, 7-5 loss to American Peyton Stearns. Her appearance marked the first time she wore On's signature tank and skirt, similar to the attire Swiatek wore during her recent Roland Garros triumph.While Swiatek and Shelton represent On's current tennis presence, Fonseca and Stusek embody the brand's investment in the future. Fonseca, the 2023 junior US Open champion, turned professional this year and has already made history as the first ATP player born in 2006 to win a main-draw match. He also reached the quarterfinals in Rio de Janeiro and won a round at the Madrid Masters 1000.Stusek, on the other hand, is regarded as one of Germany's most promising young talents. At just 13 years old, she won the prestigious Les Petit As title in 2022 and reached the junior Australian Open doubles final this year."I couldn't be more thrilled to become a part of the On team," Stusek expressed on Instagram. "I'm excited to represent this unique, young, and creative brand on and off the tennis court."On's recent signing of Zendaya as a brand ambassador suggests that the brand may be planning to feature these talented teens in future campaigns alongside the likes of Tashi Duncan.

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.

The Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt witnessed a thrilling encounter between Elina Svitolina and Caroline Wozniacki, which was unfortunately suspended due to darkness. Svitolina was leading 3-6, 7-6 (4), 2-1 when the match was halted.The match began with Wozniacki taking the first set, but Svitolina fought back to win the second in a tiebreaker. In the deciding set, Svitolina broke Wozniacki's serve and was on the verge of extending her lead when the match was suspended.Svitolina and Wozniacki have a long history, having faced off five times before their respective maternity leaves. Svitolina holds a 4-1 advantage in their head-to-head record.Both players returned to action last summer, with Svitolina reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, while Wozniacki reached the second week of the US Open. However, injuries and inconsistencies have plagued both players since the start of 2024.Svitolina has been struggling with a back injury since returning to play, while Wozniacki has faced stamina issues. Wozniacki was not offered a wild card into Roland Garros, and she lost in the first round of the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham.Svitolina was playing her first match since losing in the fourth round of Roland Garros, and she struggled early against Wozniacki. However, she found her rhythm in the second set and forced a tiebreaker.In the tiebreaker, Svitolina took an early lead and converted her first set point with a searing forehand putaway.The third set began with Wozniacki threatening to break Svitolina's serve, but Svitolina dug out of a 0-30 deficit. However, Wozniacki suffered a fall and grabbed her left hip, leading to an off-court medical timeout.After the timeout, Wozniacki returned to the court but was unable to prevent Svitolina from breaking her serve. The match was then suspended due to darkness.The match will resume on Center Court Tuesday, with Svitolina looking to close out the victory and advance to the next round.

Yulia Putintseva's triumph at the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham marked a significant milestone in her career, not only for the title itself but also for the exuberant celebration that followed. The Kazakh star, known for her fiery personality, seized the opportunity to express her gratitude and share her joy with everyone present.After recounting her victory and acknowledging her opponent's performance, Putintseva extended her thanks to her parents, the Kazakh tennis federation, and her coach, Matteo Donati. But her speech didn't end there. With a mischievous grin, she declared, "Champagne to everyone!"The crowd erupted in laughter and applause as Putintseva made it clear that the LTA would be footing the bill for the celebratory drinks. Her infectious enthusiasm and willingness to share her moment with others showcased her genuine appreciation for the support she had received.Putintseva's victory in Birmingham was the culmination of a remarkable resurgence this year. After falling to No. 80 in the world rankings in February, she has steadily climbed back up, reaching No. 34 on Monday. Her strong performances in Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid have demonstrated her versatility and adaptability on different surfaces."I don't know what I'm feeling because I wasn't expecting this at all," Putintseva admitted in her victory speech. "It's great and it's confusing because I've always been good on clay, but now all of a sudden, I'm good on grass. I'll take that! It's great!"Putintseva's success on grass has come as a surprise to many, but she is embracing her newfound status as a "grass court specialist." Her victory in Birmingham has given her confidence and momentum heading into next week's tournament in Bad Hombug.As the champagne flowed and the celebrations continued, Putintseva couldn't help but reflect on the significance of her victory. "What a week," she captioned her celebratory Instagram post. "I'm so grateful for all the support and love. I'm ready to keep fighting and achieving my dreams."

Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable streak of never retiring from a WTA tour match came to an abrupt end in Berlin on Saturday. The No. 2 seed at the grass-court ecotrans Ladies Open was forced to withdraw from her quarterfinal match against Anna Kalinskaya due to a shoulder injury.Sabalenka, who has been battling through various physical and mental struggles in recent months, had played every single match she had entered since turning professional in 2014. Her unwavering determination and resilience had become a hallmark of her career, earning her the respect of both fans and opponents.However, the toll of the relentless grind of the WTA tour finally caught up with Sabalenka in Berlin. After losing the first five games of her match against Kalinskaya, she called it quits, citing a shoulder injury. The quarterfinal had been postponed from Friday due to rain, adding to the physical demands on the players.Sabalenka's retirement marked a significant moment in her career. It was the first time she had ever withdrawn from a match at WTA level, highlighting the severity of her injury and the challenges she has been facing.Earlier this month at Roland Garros, Sabalenka had battled through a stomach bug in a three-set quarterfinal loss to Mirra Andreeva. She had told reporters that she never considered retiring from that match, despite playing in visible distress.However, the events in Berlin came just days after Sabalenka announced that she would not compete at the Paris Olympics due to scheduling concerns and to prioritize her health. She alluded to "struggles" that have plagued her in recent months as a factor in her decision, but did not elaborate at the time."I feel I have to take care of my health," she said. "I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I'm ready for the hard courts, and I'll have a good preparation before going to the hard court season. I feel that this is safer and better for my body."Sabalenka's withdrawal from the Berlin tournament is a reminder of the physical and mental demands that professional tennis players face. It also highlights the importance of prioritizing health and well-being, even when it means making difficult decisions.