Tennis

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, has made a strong start to her clay-court season, reaching the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. Osaka, who has struggled on clay in the past, has credited a change in mindset and a focus on watching top players like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz for her improved performance.After a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Daria Kasatkina, Osaka admitted that she still needs more experience on clay to earn the nickname "Clayomi." However, she is confident that she is making progress and is grateful to be back on the court after giving birth to her daughter in 2023.Osaka's win over Kasatkina, a 2022 Roland Garros semifinalist, was her second Top 20 victory on clay this season. She had previously defeated Porsche Tennis Grand Prix finalist Marta Kostyuk. Osaka's success in Rome is a testament to her hard work and determination to improve on her least favorite surface.In the past, Osaka has struggled to adjust to the slower pace and higher bounce of clay courts. However, she has spent a significant amount of time practicing and studying the game on clay. She has also been watching videos of top players like Nadal and Alcaraz to learn how to play the surface more effectively.Osaka's next opponent in Rome is Zheng Qinwen, who reached the final of the 2024 Australian Open. Zheng is a big hitter with a powerful forehand and backhand. Osaka will need to be at her best to defeat Zheng and reach her second WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the season.

Zheng Qinwen, the rising Chinese star, has made a triumphant return to action at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome after a right leg injury forced her to retire in Madrid last week. Despite being at 95% fitness, Zheng displayed impressive form in her opening-round victory over American Shelby Rogers, winning 6-2, 6-0.Zheng's injury setback in Madrid came as a surprise after her strong performance at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix the previous week. However, she revealed that she had been playing injured in Stuttgart due to a demanding spring schedule. The jam-packed calendar, including the Billie Jean King Cup and jet lag, took its toll on her body.Despite the injury, Zheng held five match points in her Stuttgart second round against Marta Kostyuk, who eventually reached the final. Zheng acknowledged that she would have won if not for the injury.After a week away from practice, Zheng arrived in Madrid undercooked and was unable to complete her match against Yulia Putintseva. She realized that her body was not ready and her mind was not prepared to push.With the help of coach Pere Riba, Zheng trained in Barcelona and was relieved to have a successful start in Rome. She struck six aces and dominated the match against Rogers, showcasing her impressive movement and shot-making.Zheng expressed her gratitude for being able to play without fear and enjoy the competition. She emphasized the importance of taking care of her diet and recovering properly, believing that small details can significantly impact her performance on court.Despite her love for ice cream, Zheng has refrained from indulging in gelato to prioritize her recovery. She is focused on achieving sweet victories on the court, with her next challenge being a third-round clash against No. 29 seed Linda Noskova.

Zheng Qinwen, the rising star of Chinese tennis, has added another feather to her cap by becoming a Lancôme Brand Ambassador, joining world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in representing the prestigious French luxury brand.The 21-year-old Zheng, known as "Queenwen," has been making waves on the tennis circuit, reaching the Australian Open final earlier this year and achieving a career-high ranking of No. 7. Her impressive performance earned her the WTA's Most Improved Player of 2023 award.Zheng's Lancôme deal comes just a day after Swiatek, the reigning Stuttgart champion, announced her own partnership with the brand. The two players will now represent Lancôme's fragrance and cosmetics lines.Zheng's endorsement portfolio already includes major brands such as Nike, Wilson, and Gatorade. She has also graced the covers of magazines like GQ China.In a recent interview with WTA Insider, Zheng spoke about her journey of self-discovery and the role tennis plays in shaping her identity. "I always try to find who I am," she said. "I don't want to think I am the best in the world. Obviously, that is not the right mentality. But I don't want to be too low, that I'm not good enough. That's not the right way to think. I'm trying to not be disturbed by what others are saying about me, to know who I really am."Zheng's next challenge will be in Stuttgart, where she is seeded fifth and will face either Marta Kostyuk or Laura Siegemund in the second round.

The Miami Open witnessed a dramatic Saturday evening as four of the WTA's Top 10 players were eliminated in a series of thrilling matches.World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, still reeling from the tragic loss of her ex-boyfriend, fell to Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina in a three-set battle. Kalinina, the No. 32 seed, prevailed 6-4, 1-6, 6-1, setting up a fourth-round clash with Yulia Putintseva.Sixth-ranked Ons Jabeur suffered her fourth consecutive defeat, losing 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to Elina Avanesyan. The 21-year-old Avanesyan will face Danielle Collins in the next round.Seventh-ranked Zheng Qinwen was outplayed by three-time Miami champion Victoria Azarenka, who posted a 6-4, 7-5 victory. Azarenka will now face Katie Boulter, who upset 11th-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia.Anna Kalinskaya, the Dubai finalist and Australian Open quarterfinalist, continued her impressive form by defeating world No. 10 Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-1.Elena Rybakina, last year's runner-up, survived a tough challenge from Taylor Townsend, winning 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3. Rybakina will now face 17th seed Madison Keys.The remaining Top 10 players, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Caroline Garcia, all advanced to the fourth round.