Tennis

Iga Swiatek's relentless dominance at Roland Garros continued on Tuesday as she cruised past Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2 to reach the semifinals. The top seed extended her winning streak to 35 consecutive sets, including three straight bagel sets in Paris.Swiatek's resurgence since her near-elimination against Naomi Osaka in the second round has been remarkable. She has dropped only 10 games in her last three matches, showcasing her exceptional form and mental fortitude. Against Vondrousova, she was in complete control, striking 25 winners to 15 unforced errors.The Czech challenger, who had never won a set against Swiatek in their previous encounters, managed to hold serve once in the second set but was unable to make any significant impact on the match. Swiatek's relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy proved too much to handle.In the semifinals, Swiatek will face No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, who overcame Ons Jabeur in a thrilling three-set battle. The Pole holds a commanding 10-1 head-to-head record against Gauff, including a 4-0 advantage on clay.Swiatek's current form suggests that she is the overwhelming favorite to win her fourth Roland Garros title. Her ability to dominate opponents with such ease is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination.

Rohan Bopanna, India's veteran doubles specialist, has chosen N Sriram Balaji as his partner for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The decision was conveyed to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) in a letter, and is unlikely to face any objections.Balaji, who impressed with his performance at the French Open, has been a consistent performer on the ATP Challenger Tour. His strong serve and impressive net play caught Bopanna's attention, who believes he is the ideal partner for his final shot at an Olympic medal.Bopanna, who is only the third Indian to win a Grand Slam title, came close to winning a medal at the Rio Games in 2016. However, he and Sania Mirza lost the mixed doubles bronze match to the Czech combination of Radek Stepanek and Lucie Hradecka.The 44-year-old Bopanna is determined to make the most of his last opportunity to win an Olympic medal. He believes that Balaji's skills and experience will complement his own, giving them a strong chance of success in Paris.AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar has expressed support for Bopanna's choice, stating that Balaji is a talented player who has proven himself on the international stage. The selection panel, headed by former Davis Cupper Nandan Bal, is also expected to endorse the decision.Yuki Bhambri, India's number two doubles player, was also in contention for the spot. However, Balaji's impressive performance at the French Open and his strong partnership with Bopanna in the past seem to have swayed the decision in his favor.The ATP/WTA rankings on June 10 will be considered for entries, and the ITF has to notify all Associations about their qualified athletes by June 12. All NOCs will have to confirm their entries to the ITF by June 19. The ITF will reallocate the unused quota places on July 8.

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star, has emerged as a beacon of joy and camaraderie at the ongoing Roland Garros tournament. Her infectious enthusiasm and playful antics have brought smiles to the faces of fellow players and fans alike.On Monday, as Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka secured their spots in the quarterfinals, Jabeur played a behind-the-scenes role in their celebrations. After Sabalenka's victory, she joined the Belarusian in a spontaneous dance break, much to the delight of the crowd.Jabeur's playful spirit extended to Djokovic as well. Before his third-round match, she greeted him with a hug and dubbed him the "minister of playing late," a reference to his marathon match the previous night. Djokovic couldn't help but chuckle at her wit.Jabeur's social media presence also reflects her positive attitude. After Djokovic's hard-fought victory, she took to Twitter to praise his resilience, writing, "Never underestimate the heart of a champion."On Tuesday, Jabeur will take center stage when she faces Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals. Her infectious energy and playful nature are sure to create a memorable atmosphere on Court Philippe-Chatrier.Jabeur's presence at Roland Garros has not only been a source of entertainment but also a reminder of the importance of joy and camaraderie in sports. Her ability to spread happiness and connect with others is a testament to her character and the spirit of the game.

Former tennis star Sania Mirza has hinted that she is still searching for love after her separation from ex-Pakistan cricket team captain Shoaib Malik. In January 2023, Malik announced his marriage to Pakistani actor Sana Javed, confirming rumors of his split with Sania.During a recent appearance on "The Great Indian Kapil Show," Sania made a special appearance with other current and former Indian athletes. When host Kapil Sharma reminded her of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's offer to play her love interest in a biopic, Sania quipped, "Abhi mujhe pehle love interest dundna hai (I have to find a love interest first)."In 2016, Shah Rukh Khan launched Sania's biopic, "Ace Against Odds," and expressed his willingness to produce and star in a film based on her life. "Whenever there is a movie made on Sania, I think it will be very inspiring and it will be fantastic. And I don't know... ask her if she will let me play her love interest. But, I will produce it for sure," Khan had said.Sania and Shoaib married in Hyderabad, India in 2010, with their Walima ceremony taking place in Sialkot, Pakistan. They welcomed a son, Izhaan Mirza Malik, in 2018. However, after Malik's announcement of his marriage to Sana Javed, Sania's team confirmed their separation in a statement."Sania has always kept her personal life away from the public eye. However, today the need has arisen for her to share that Shoaib and she have been divorced for a few months now. She wishes Shoaib well for his new journey ahead. At this sensitive period of her life, we would like to request all fans and well-wishers to refrain from indulging in any speculation and to respect her need for privacy," the statement read.

French Open 2024: Preview and Predictions for Quarterfinal MatchupsThe French Open 2024 is heating up, with the quarterfinals set to feature some tantalizing matchups. Here's a closer look at three of the most anticipated clashes:Carlos Alcaraz vs. Stefanos TsitsipasTheir rivalry has been one-sided so far, with Alcaraz holding a perfect 5-0 record against Tsitsipas. However, Tsitsipas has shown impressive form on clay this season, winning in Monte Carlo and reaching the final in Barcelona. Alcaraz, on the other hand, has been battling an arm injury but has looked increasingly sharp with each round. Despite Tsitsipas' improved form, Alcaraz's dominance in their head-to-head and his recent resurgence make him the slight favorite.Coco Gauff vs. Ons JabeurGauff has been in scintillating form this year, reaching the final of the Australian Open and winning the WTA Finals. Jabeur, known for her flamboyant shot-making, will be eager to avenge her 6-0, 6-1 defeat to Gauff in Cancun last year. Both players are comfortable on clay, but Gauff's consistency and speed should give her the edge.Jannik Sinner vs. Grigor DimitrovSinner, like Alcaraz, has overcome an injury to find his rhythm in Paris. He has dropped only one set so far and has looked increasingly dominant. Dimitrov, a former world number three, has also played well but faces an uphill battle against Sinner's powerful baseline game. Sinner's recent victory over Dimitrov in the Miami Masters final on a hard court suggests he should be favored on clay as well.

Ons Jabeur and Coco Gauff are set to face off in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros on Tuesday, June 4, in a highly anticipated clash. The last time these two met, Gauff dominated Jabeur with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at the 2023 WTA Finals. However, Jabeur has since regained her form and is now a serious contender for the title.Jabeur's recent resurgence has seen her win eight of her last 11 matches, including an impressive straight-set victory over Clara Tauson in the previous round. She is now ranked No. 9 in the world and is playing with the confidence of a Grand Slam champion.Gauff, on the other hand, has not dropped a single set at Roland Garros so far. However, she has not faced any significant competition, with her wins coming against players ranked outside the top 50.The key to this match will be Jabeur's ability to exploit Gauff's weaknesses. Gauff has struggled with her serve and forehand in recent matches, and Jabeur will look to take advantage of these areas.Jabeur's slice shots and drop shots will also be a major threat to Gauff, who is one of the best movers on tour. However, if Jabeur can strike the ball cleanly and keep Gauff off balance, she will have a good chance of winning.Overall, this is a very close matchup, but Jabeur's recent form and experience at the Grand Slam level give her a slight edge. She is a dangerous opponent for anyone, and Gauff will need to be at her best to beat her.

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star, is back at Roland Garros with a renewed determination to conquer the clay courts. Despite a challenging start to the season, Jabeur has regained her form and is now a contender for the title.Last year, Jabeur reached the Wimbledon final but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Marketa Vondrousova. The defeat left a deep scar, and Jabeur initially resisted watching the replay. However, she eventually agreed, believing it would be beneficial for her documentary.The experience of reliving that loss has helped Jabeur move forward. She feels more prepared for the challenge this year, both physically and mentally. Jabeur has dropped just one set through four rounds at Roland Garros and is confident in her abilities."I'm here. I know what to do exactly," Jabeur said. "I think that in terms of maturity, I'm more mature than I was last year."Jabeur's mental strength has been tested in the past, particularly in the Wimbledon finals. However, she remains resilient and determined to overcome her setbacks."I'm rebuilding, definitely, but also not everything that I've learned, or I have in me, is completely gone. It's still there," Jabeur said.Jabeur is banking on her experience to guide her through the tournament. She believes that her past successes and failures have made her a stronger player."My experiences are helping me be the player that I am today, the player that can pull off some matches like this," Jabeur said.A win at Roland Garros would be a major breakthrough for Jabeur and would alleviate the pressure she faces at Wimbledon. It would also be a testament to her resilience and determination.

Alexander Zverev's resilience was tested once again at the French Open as he battled through a grueling five-set marathon against Holger Rune in the last 16. The German fourth seed emerged victorious after four hours and 11 minutes of intense play, securing a 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 triumph.Zverev's victory sets up a quarter-final clash against Alex de Minaur. It also marks the second-latest finish in the tournament's history, ending at 1:40 am local time, just behind Novak Djokovic's 3:07 am win over Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday morning."What a match," exclaimed Zverev after the epic encounter. "I'm lucky to be through."The German is aiming for his fourth consecutive Roland Garros semi-final appearance, having reached the last eight for the sixth time in seven years. However, his performance comes amidst an ongoing trial in Berlin over allegations of assaulting an ex-girlfriend.Zverev's path to the quarter-finals has been far from straightforward. In the third round, he overcame Tallon Griekspoor in a deciding set, despite trailing by a double-break at 4-1."I've played a total of eight-and-a-half hours over the last three days, so I need to recover," said Zverev. "I need to do everything possible to be ready for the quarter-final match."Zverev's victory highlights his determination and ability to overcome adversity. Despite the challenges he faces both on and off the court, he remains a formidable force in the world of tennis.

Seventh seed Casper Ruud has reached the Roland Garros quarterfinals for the third consecutive year, setting up a highly anticipated rematch with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.Ruud overcame a spirited challenge from 12th-seeded Taylor Fritz, prevailing 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. The Norwegian saved a set point in the opening tie-break and rallied from a break down in the third set to secure the victory."It was a tough match," Ruud said. "I had to stay focused and fight for every point. I'm happy to have come through in the end."Ruud's victory sets up a tantalizing clash with Djokovic, who has won the French Open twice in the past three years. The pair last met in the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters in April, where Ruud emerged victorious.However, Djokovic has a formidable record at Roland Garros, having won the tournament 24 times. He has also shown resilience in this year's edition, battling back from two sets down in the second round against Francisco Cerundolo.Despite Djokovic's recent physical struggles, Ruud is not taking anything for granted."I don't expect him to surrender at all," Ruud said. "I have to expect him to be fresh, ready, and that it's going to be a tough match."Ruud has also faced challenges en route to the quarterfinals, dropping four sets in the process. He was pushed to five sets by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round and came through in four against Tomas Martin Etcheverry."I think, honestly, I ended up in a pretty tough section of the draw," Ruud said. "But I've been able to overcome some good players."Ruud's success at Roland Garros is a testament to his exceptional clay-court skills. He has won eight titles on the surface, including the Geneva Open earlier this year.The Norwegian is confident in his ability to challenge Djokovic, but he knows it will be a daunting task."I'm going to try to learn from last year's final," Ruud said. "I got an early break in the first set, but I lost it on the tiebreak. It was a long, tough, physical set. I'm going to try to be better prepared this time."