Tennis

Jannik Sinner, the newly crowned world No. 1, has continued his impressive form on grass, reaching the semifinals of the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, Germany. The Italian star defeated Jan-Lennard Struff in a thrilling three-set battle, 6-2, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (3).Sinner, who won the Australian Open earlier this year, has now improved to 3-0 against Struff, having beaten him twice in straight sets in 2024. The 22-year-old looked sharp from the start, breaking Struff's serve twice in the opening set to take it in just 30 minutes.However, Struff fought back in the second set, saving a break point in the fourth game and forcing a tiebreaker. The German dominated the tiebreaker, winning the first four points and converting his first set point to level the match.Sinner regained control in the decider, creating two break points in the ninth game. Struff saved both, but Sinner remained relentless. In the final-set tiebreaker, Sinner raced to a 3-0 lead and eventually converted his second match point to seal the victory after two hours and 29 minutes.Sinner's victory sets up a semifinal clash with either American Christopher Eubanks or China's Zhang Zhizhen, who upset former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev earlier in the week. Sinner will be aiming to reach his fourth final of the season, having already won titles in Montpellier, Rotterdam, and Dubai.

Roger Federer's Final Days Immortalized in Epic PromosAmazon Prime's release of "Twelve Final Days," a documentary chronicling Roger Federer's final two weeks as a professional tennis player, has sparked a global marketing campaign that has left fans in awe.In London, where Federer played his final match at the 2022 Laver Cup, the city's iconic Tower Bridge became a canvas for a breathtaking promo. The Federer of 2022 was seen hitting against his younger self, draped on the bridge's canvas. A tennis ball floated between the two towers as the dueling Federers rallied, before the film's poster materialized between them.The same imagery was replicated in New York's Times Square, where Federer rallied with himself across Broadway. The promos have garnered widespread acclaim on social media, with fans hailing them as "insanely cool marketing" and the "holy s— of advertising."Federer himself expressed his admiration for the promos, commenting on Instagram, "These are so cool."The promotional circuit for the film also included screenings in both London and New York ahead of its June 20 premiere. The documentary features exclusive footage and interviews from Federer's final tournament, including insights from his wife, Mirka Federer, and rivals Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal.The promos for "Twelve Final Days" have not only captured the attention of fans but have also set a new standard for sports marketing. The innovative use of iconic landmarks and the seamless animation of the tennis ball have created a truly unforgettable experience that celebrates the legacy of one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Alizé Cornet, the former world No. 11, recently retired from professional tennis after a remarkable career that included four Olympic appearances. Despite falling short of qualifying for a fifth Olympics, Cornet had the honor of participating in the torch relay for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games in her hometown of Nice.Cornet's retirement announcement in April marked the end of an era for French tennis. With 69 consecutive Grand Slam appearances, she holds the record for the most consecutive Grand Slam appearances and is third overall with 72 appearances. Her unwavering national pride was evident throughout her career, as she represented France in four Olympics and 24 Billie Jean King Cup ties, contributing to the team's victory in 2019.While the French Olympic team has yet to be officially announced, several countries have unveiled their rosters. The United States will be led by reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff, while Italy will field world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in singles and doubles. The highly anticipated doubles pairing of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal is expected to represent Spain.The 2024 Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, with the tennis event scheduled for July 27 to August 4 on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Cornet's participation in the torch relay serves as a fitting tribute to her legacy and the spirit of the Olympic Games.

Ash Barty Returns to Wimbledon for Legends' DoublesFormer world No. 1 Ash Barty will make her triumphant return to the All England Club for the first time since her 2021 Wimbledon victory, but this time in the Legends' doubles event.Barty, who shocked the tennis world with her sudden retirement in 2022, will reunite with her best friend and fellow Aussie Casey Dellacqua for the invitational doubles tournament during The Championships. The pair have a successful history together, reaching four Grand Slam doubles finals, including Wimbledon in 2013."We're just gonna have a great time and enjoy just being back together as friends on a tennis court, which we have loved to do our whole life," Dellacqua said. "I'm actually really excited about it."Since retiring, Barty has pursued other passions, including releasing a children's book, taking up golf, and preparing for her role as a commentator during the Olympic Games. In July 2022, she welcomed her first son, Hayden, with her husband, golf pro Garry Kissick.Barty's return to Wimbledon, albeit in a different capacity, is sure to evoke fond memories for fans who witnessed her historic victory in 2021. Her presence at the All England Club will undoubtedly add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.

Katie Boulter, the Leicester-born tennis star, is poised to make a significant impact at Wimbledon this year. Growing up in the verdant outskirts of Leicester, Boulter developed a deep love for the sport, honed on the grass courts of Leicestershire Lawn Tennis Club.Despite a spinal stress fracture in 2019 and the challenges of the pandemic, Boulter has emerged as the clear-cut British women's No. 1. Her resilience and determination mirror the fighting spirit of her beloved Leicester City Football Club, which famously won the Premier League in 2016.Boulter's rise to the Top 30 has been marked by impressive victories, including a Top 5 win over Jessica Pegula at the United Cup. She has also defended her title in Nottingham, showcasing her dominance on grass.With her boyfriend, Alex de Minaur, also performing at a high level, Boulter is surrounded by support and motivation. She credits their relationship with bringing out the best in both players.As Wimbledon approaches, Boulter is expected to be seeded, giving her a favorable draw. Her form and experience on grass make her a genuine contender for the title. A victory would not only be a personal triumph but also a historic moment for British tennis.

Sania Mirza and Mohammed Shami, two of India's most celebrated sportspersons, have recently been the subject of unfounded marriage rumors. However, these rumors have been swiftly dismissed by Sania's father, Imran Mirza, who stated, "This is all rubbish. She has not even met him."Sania Mirza, India's greatest female tennis player, recently embarked on a pilgrimage to Hajj, seeking spiritual renewal and guidance. She expressed her hope to return as a better human being with a humble heart and stronger faith.Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami, a champion pace bowler, played a pivotal role in India's journey to the final of the ODI World Cup 2023. His impressive performance has solidified his status as one of the country's top cricketers.Despite their shared success and recent personal changes, there is no basis for the marriage rumors. Sania Mirza remains focused on her personal growth and spiritual journey, while Mohammed Shami continues to excel on the cricket field.Sania Mirza's recent appearance on a comedy show provided insights into her illustrious career, particularly her partnership with Martina Hingis. She described their six-month winning streak as a time when they were "in the zone," a state of exceptional focus and performance.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champions of the last two Grand Slams, are poised to dominate the tennis landscape for years to come. Their all-court prowess makes them formidable contenders at all four majors, including Wimbledon, where they are the favorites.Alcaraz, the defending Wimbledon champion, is a force to be reckoned with on grass. Sinner, despite losing to Novak Djokovic in the past two years, has also shown impressive form on the surface. However, with Djokovic's absence due to injury, the path is clear for one of these young stars to claim another major title.While Sinner and Alcaraz are the frontrunners, Wimbledon presents opportunities for other players with big serves and powerful baselines. Here are a few betting options to consider:* Matteo Berrettini (14-1): Despite an early exit in Halle, Berrettini has been in excellent form on grass, reaching the final in Stuttgart. His powerful serve and forehand make him a threat on quick surfaces.* Hubert Hurkacz (16-1): Hurkacz's exceptional serve gives him an advantage on grass, where he has a higher winning percentage than on any other surface. His ability to force tiebreakers makes him a potential threat to anyone.* Taylor Fritz (28-1): Fritz's high hold percentage on grass and his ability to win both quick and long rallies make him a contender at Wimbledon.* Sebastian Korda (50-1): Korda's impressive ball-striking and movement make him a dark horse on grass. His recent wins over Karen Khachanov and Grigor Dimitrov at Queen's Club demonstrate his potential.With the absence of Djokovic, Wimbledon 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament with multiple contenders. While Sinner and Alcaraz remain the favorites, the opportunity is ripe for an upset by a player who can harness the power of their serve and baseline game on the grass courts of the All England Club.

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, will lead the U.S. team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Gauff, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, will be joined by a formidable team of Jessica Pegula (No. 5), Danielle Collins, and Emma Navarro in women's singles. The men's team will feature Taylor Fritz (No. 12), Tommy Paul (No. 13), Chris Eubanks, and Marcos Giron.Gauff, who missed the Tokyo Olympics due to a COVID-19 infection, is a rising star in the tennis world. She is the reigning U.S. Open champion and has reached the semifinals at the Australian and French Opens this year. Gauff is also a formidable doubles player, having won the French Open doubles title with Pegula this month.Pegula, a 30-year-old veteran, is returning to action after a neck injury that forced her to miss the French Open. She was a singles quarterfinalist at Roland Garros in 2022. Collins, a 29-year-old who has announced this will be her final season on the tour, has won two titles this year and reached the final of the Australian Open in 2022.The U.S. team also includes six first-time Olympians, including Navarro, who reached the fourth round at Roland Garros this year. In the men's competition, Fritz is the highest-ranked American, followed by Paul, Eubanks, and Giron. Paul and Giron competed at the Tokyo Games.The U.S. will also send 40-year-old Rajeev Ram to his third Olympics. Ram, who has four major doubles titles, will be paired with Austin Krajicek in Paris. Fritz and Paul will also join forces in doubles. The USTA will announce one mixed doubles team for Paris at a later date.The American team will be looking to improve on its performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where it won one gold medal in mixed doubles. The U.S. has a strong history in tennis at the Olympics, having won 21 gold medals in singles and doubles combined.

Jack Draper, the newly-crowned British No. 1, stunned the tennis world by defeating world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the cinch Championships on Thursday. The 22-year-old Draper, who captured his first ATP title at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart just last week, extended his winning streak to seven matches with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory over the Roland Garros champion.Draper's triumph marks the biggest win of his young career and comes as a major upset, given Alcaraz's impressive form on grass. The Spaniard had won Queen's Club and Wimbledon back-to-back last summer and was looking to build on his unbeaten run on the surface in 2023.However, Draper, who is playing at a career-high ranking of No. 31, proved to be too strong for Alcaraz on this occasion. The Brit, who had defeated former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in the BOSS Open final, carried his momentum into Queen's Club and played with confidence and aggression throughout the match.The first set was a tight affair, with both players holding serve comfortably. However, Draper seized the initiative in the tiebreaker, racing through the first four points and ultimately sealing the set 7-3.Draper continued to impress in the second set, earning the match's first break point when Alcaraz served down 2-3. The Brit converted the break point and saved a break point of his own to edge within a game of the upset.Alcaraz fought back bravely, saving a pair of match points down 15-40 and a third as the game sprawled across six deuces. However, Draper remained composed and served out the match to secure a famous victory.Up next for Draper is an opportunity for another upset in No. 5 seed Tommy Paul, who is yet to drop a set at Queen's Club. Draper leads Paul 3-1 in their head-to-head meetings.