Tennis

Emma Raducanu's stunning 2021 US Open victory, where she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, remains a remarkable achievement. However, the years since have been challenging, with Raducanu struggling to replicate that success.Despite her struggles, Raducanu has shown signs of resurgence this summer on home soil. She reached the semifinals in Nottingham and the quarterfinals in Eastbourne, where she recorded her first Top 5 win over Jessica Pegula.On Friday, Raducanu continued her impressive form at Wimbledon, steamrolling the No. 9 seed, Maria Sakkari, 6-2, 6-3, in front of a packed Centre Court. Raducanu displayed a focused and determined performance, executing her game plan with precision.Her serve was a key factor in her victory, with Raducanu winning points with her wide slice into the deuce court and using her hard, flat first delivery to bail herself out of trouble. She also aggressively fired her two-handed backhand down the line, even against Sakkari's powerful second serve.Raducanu's ground strokes were also impressive, as she gave herself big, safe targets crosscourt but sent the ball there with shape and force. She also showcased her versatility with drop shots and topspin lobs.Raducanu attributed her improved performance to a renewed focus on big points and a more aggressive approach. She also emphasized the importance of having an inner passion in practice and trying to win every day.With her victory over Sakkari, Raducanu has set up a potential clash with Paula Badosa or Donna Vekic for a spot in the semifinals. While it remains to be seen if she can replicate her 2021 US Open success, Raducanu's recent performances suggest that she is on the right track.

Emma Navarro's meteoric rise in professional tennis continues as she prepares to face Coco Gauff in the Wimbledon fourth round. The former NCAA champion has consistently exceeded expectations, showcasing her problem-solving abilities and unwavering determination.After a stunning victory over Naomi Osaka in her Centre Court debut, Navarro faced a formidable challenge in Diana Shnaider. Despite losing the first set, she rallied back with impressive resilience, ultimately securing a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. This comeback highlighted Navarro's ability to adapt and execute under pressure.Navarro's upcoming match against Gauff is a pivotal moment in her career. While she has previously defeated Aryna Sabalenka, the stakes are higher in this all-American clash. Navarro seeks her first Grand Slam quarterfinal berth, a testament to her hard work and belief in her abilities.Gauff, too, has her sights set on a Wimbledon milestone. Despite her previous victory over Navarro in Auckland, she acknowledges the threat posed by her compatriot. Navarro's all-court game and recent tournament performances have earned her respect.Navarro believes she has the potential to overcome Gauff, despite their previous encounter. She has practiced with Gauff this year and believes she has improved since their match in New Zealand.Navarro's journey to the top has been marked by her unwavering determination and ability to learn from her experiences. She has consistently proven that hard work and self-belief can overcome any obstacle. As she prepares to face Gauff, Navarro is confident in her abilities and ready to take the next step in her remarkable career.

Tommy Paul's Wimbledon journey has been marked by both impressive performances and a touch of whimsy. After securing a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Alexander Bublik, Paul sealed the win with a playful pinky tap, a tradition that began during a match in Rotterdam three years ago.Paul's creativity extends beyond his post-match gestures. He has been increasingly aggressive at the net, winning 22 of 28 points from that position. This strategy has helped him overcome the rain and book his spot in the second week of Wimbledon, extending his winning streak to eight matches.Paul's success is the result of a collaborative effort with his coach, Brad Stine. They have been working on improving Paul's net play, and the results are evident in his recent performances. Paul acknowledges that he sometimes misses opportunities to take the ball out of the air, but Stine is quick to point out these missed chances.Despite briefly holding the top American ranking, Paul is now ranked second behind Taylor Fritz. However, his pre-Wimbledon form and favorable draw have made him a contender. He has a 2-2 head-to-head record against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, whom he could potentially face in the quarterfinals.Paul's approach to grass court tennis emphasizes shot selection and aggressive play. He believes in going for big shots when on the run and getting to the net whenever possible. He also emphasizes the importance of serving smart and varying his serves.Before facing Alcaraz, Paul must overcome Roberto Bautista Agut or Fabio Foginini in the fourth round. Regardless of his opponent, Paul is confident in his abilities and determined to continue his impressive run at Wimbledon.

Francisco Comesana, a 23-year-old Argentine tennis player, has made history by becoming the first Argentine man to reach the third round at Wimbledon on his debut since David Nalbandian in 2002. Comesana's remarkable journey began with an upset victory over world No. 8 Andrey Rublev in the first round, marking his maiden Grand Slam win, tour-level win, win on grass, and win over a Top 20 opponent. He then overcame former University of Tennessee standout Adam Walton in a grueling five-set second-round match.Comesana's success on grass is particularly impressive considering his limited experience on the surface. However, his natural skills, including a deft backhand slice and a willingness to approach the net, have served him well. His compatriot, Facundo Diaz Acosta, believes that Comesana's ability to execute precise shots and control the ball's placement gives him an edge on grass.Despite facing financial challenges in his early career, Comesana is now set to pocket a career-high $180,000 for reaching the third round. His performance at Wimbledon has also secured him a spot in the Top 100 of the ATP rankings and a likely berth in the US Open main draw.Comesana's success is a testament to his hard work and determination. He has overcome injuries and setbacks to achieve his dream of playing at Wimbledon. His journey is an inspiration to young tennis players around the world, proving that anything is possible with perseverance and belief.

Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, is set to face Caroline Wozniacki in a highly anticipated third-round clash. Rybakina, known for her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, is the clear favorite on paper. However, Wozniacki, a former world No. 1, is a seasoned veteran who has proven her resilience time and again. Despite being 33 years old, Wozniacki remains a formidable opponent, as evidenced by her recent victory over Leylah Fernandez.Novak Djokovic, the six-time Wimbledon champion, faces a potential threat in Alexei Popyrin. Popyrin, ranked No. 47 in the world, has a big serve and forehand that could trouble Djokovic. However, Djokovic's experience and superior all-around game make him the heavy favorite. Djokovic has admitted that his right knee is still not fully healed, but he remains confident in his ability to overcome any challenges.Alexander Zverev, the No. 3 seed, will face Cam Norrie in another intriguing third-round matchup. Norrie, a rising star from Great Britain, has been in impressive form this season. He has reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in the past and will be looking to make a deep run again this year. Zverev, however, is a formidable opponent with a powerful serve and heavy groundstrokes. Norrie will need to play at his best to have a chance of upsetting the German.

Grigor Dimitrov, the former world No. 3, has revealed that he has significantly reduced his off-court activities in recent years to prioritize his physical well-being and extend his tennis career.At 33 years old, Dimitrov acknowledges that his body can no longer handle the same level of exertion as it did in his younger days. He has therefore made a conscious effort to maximize his time off the court for rest, rehabilitation, and exercise."I think before I could keep up with a lot more things outside the court and make sure that I come back the next day and I feel like fully ready and have fresh legs, fresh mind," Dimitrov said. "But in the same time now I cannot just walk all around London and come back and expect the next day to be fully at its best."Dimitrov's approach has paid dividends in 2024. He reached the final of the Miami Open, his third ATP Masters 1000 final, and completed the career set of Grand Slam quarterfinals with a run to the last eight in Paris. The Miami run put him back in the Top 10 for the first time in 260 weeks, the third-longest gap in the Open Era.Dimitrov's transformation is a testament to his dedication and professionalism. He understands that to remain competitive at the highest level, he must make sacrifices and prioritize his physical well-being."I think when you want to be the best, when you want to chase that higher end, you really need to maximize that in every corner you possibly can," Dimitrov said. "I don't want to have any stone unturned."Dimitrov's approach is a reminder that even as athletes age, they can still achieve great things if they are willing to adapt and make the necessary sacrifices.

Defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and US Open winner Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round on Friday, showcasing their dominance on the grass courts.Alcaraz, the world number three, faced a stern test from close friend Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling five-set encounter. After dropping the first set, Alcaraz rallied to win the next two before Tiafoe forced a fourth-set tiebreak. However, Alcaraz's powerful serve and aggressive play proved too much for the American, as he sealed the victory 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2."It's always a big challenge playing against Frances," said Alcaraz. "He's a really talented player, really tough to face, and he has shown again that he deserves to be at the top and fight for big things."Gauff, the world number two, had an easier time against British qualifier Sonay Kartal, winning 6-4, 6-0. The American dominated the second set, allowing her opponent just eight points."This is my first time playing a British player here, so I was a little nervous because I knew you'd be for her, which is understandable," said Gauff. "Thankfully, you guys were pretty nice to me, so that helped."Other notable results included Tommy Paul's straight-sets victory over Alexander Bublik, Grigor Dimitrov's defeat of Gael Monfils, and Madison Keys' advancement to the second week.Lulu Sun made history by becoming the first woman from New Zealand since 1959 to reach the last 16. The 23-year-old upset Chinese eighth seed Zheng Qinwen in the first round and continued her impressive run with a straight-sets win over Zhu Lin."Practically more sheep and deer than people," joked Sun about her hometown of Te Anau. "I hope this win will be big news there."

Lulu Sun's remarkable Wimbledon debut has propelled her into the round of 16, a testament to her resilience and determination. Her journey to this stage has been marked by both triumph and adversity.During qualifying, Sun faced a daunting challenge against Gabriela Knutson. Trailing 5-6 and facing a match point, she summoned her inner strength to erase the deficit and secure a crucial victory. This triumph set the stage for her subsequent success.In the main draw, Sun stunned eighth seed Zheng Qinwen in a thrilling three-set encounter, marking her first Top 10 win. She repeated this feat against Yulia Starodubtseva, showcasing her ability to overcome adversity.On Friday, Sun faced another stern test against Zhu Lin. Despite saving two set points late in the third set, she ultimately prevailed in a nail-biting tie-break. This victory made her the first New Zealand woman to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon in the Open Era.Sun's multicultural background has played a significant role in shaping her character. Born to a Chinese mother and Croatian father, she has lived in New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States. This diverse upbringing has instilled in her a sense of adaptability and resilience.Her mother's emphasis on education and discipline has been a driving force in her life. Sun pursued her studies at the University of Texas, where she played college tennis and helped the Longhorns win the NCAA Championship in 2021.After graduating, Sun decided to pursue her tennis dreams full-time. Her decision has paid off, as she is now poised to enter the Top 100 for the first time and earn a substantial prize money boost.Sun's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of embracing one's unique background. As she continues her Wimbledon run, she serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere.

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, has stormed into the second week of Wimbledon 2023 with an impressive 6-4, 6-0 victory over British qualifier Sonay Kartal. This marks Gauff's first appearance in the fourth round at the All England Club since 2021, after a disappointing first-round exit last year.Gauff, who made her major breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2019 as a 15-year-old, has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament. She has dropped just 10 games in her first three matches, showcasing her dominance on the grass courts.Kartal, making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, put up a valiant fight in the opening set, rallying from 4-2 down to level the contest. However, Gauff's superior experience and firepower proved too much for the British player. Gauff won the next two games to take the set and then reeled off the final eight games of the match, securing a comfortable victory in just over an hour.Gauff's next opponent will be fellow American Emma Navarro, who overcame a set deficit to defeat Diana Shnaider in three sets earlier on Friday. Navarro, the No. 19 seed, will pose a significant challenge to Gauff, but the No. 2 seed will be confident of continuing her impressive run at Wimbledon.Gauff's resurgence at Wimbledon is a testament to her consistency and determination. Since her 2023 Wimbledon defeat, she has been the most consistent woman at major tournaments, winning the US Open and reaching back-to-back semifinals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.As the world No. 2, Gauff is one of the favorites to win Wimbledon this year. Her powerful serve, aggressive groundstrokes, and exceptional court coverage make her a formidable opponent on any surface. If she can maintain her current form, she will be a serious threat to the title.