Tennis

Mirra Andreeva, a rising star in the tennis world, has defied expectations and advanced to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros. Her remarkable victory over Varvara Gracheva, a close friend and frequent practice partner, showcased her exceptional mental fortitude and ability to thrive under pressure.Andreeva's triumph was particularly impressive given the partisan crowd at Court Suzanne Lenglen, which overwhelmingly supported Gracheva, a Frenchwoman representing France. However, instead of being intimidated, Andreeva used the crowd's energy to her advantage."I knew it would be hard, but I know how to use the support against myself for myself," Andreeva explained. "When people cheer super hard against me, I use it to cheer myself up. It really helps me."Andreeva's ability to channel the crowd's support into motivation is reminiscent of tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who famously "transmuted" the crowd's support for Roger Federer during the 2019 Wimbledon final."When the crowd is chanting 'Roger,' I hear 'Novak,'" Djokovic said after his victory. "It sounds silly, but it is like that. I try to convince myself that it's like that."Andreeva's victory over Gracheva was not only a testament to her mental strength but also her exceptional talent. The 17-year-old Russian has a powerful serve and a versatile ground game that allows her to adapt to different opponents and court conditions.In her next match, Andreeva will face world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, a formidable opponent who has defeated her twice before. However, Andreeva is confident in her abilities and believes she can continue her impressive run at Roland Garros."I'm just going to go out there and play my game," Andreeva said. "I know it's going to be tough, but I'm ready for the challenge."

Matthew McConaughey, the renowned actor and avid tennis enthusiast, has unequivocally declared Novak Djokovic as the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) following the Serbian's remarkable comebacks at the Roland Garros.Djokovic's relentless spirit and exceptional mental fortitude were on full display as he overcame Lorenzo Musetti in a grueling five-set marathon that concluded at 3:07 a.m. on Sunday. Just 37 hours later, he returned to the court and outlasted Francisco Cerundolo in a four-hour and 39-minute battle.McConaughey, who has witnessed Djokovic's triumphs firsthand, including his record-tying 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, hailed the world No. 1 as "more than a mental machine." The actor's admiration for Djokovic extends beyond the tennis court, as they share a personal connection through McConaughey's wife, Camila Alves."I'm a big fan," McConaughey said. "What a surgeon, and a warrior. The resilience of what he's done, he's amazing."Djokovic's ability to push through adversity and emerge victorious has left an indelible mark on McConaughey. The actor believes that Djokovic's unwavering determination and mental toughness set him apart from his peers.As Djokovic continues his pursuit of tennis history, McConaughey remains a staunch supporter, recognizing the Serbian's exceptional talent and unwavering spirit.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has once again demonstrated his remarkable resilience and fighting spirit by overcoming a two-set deficit to defeat Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in a thrilling five-set encounter at the French Open. The victory marks Djokovic's 15th consecutive quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros, extending his impressive record at the tournament.Despite suffering an injury to his right knee, Djokovic displayed unwavering determination and grit throughout the match. After dropping the first set 6-1, he fought back to win the second 7-5. However, Cerundolo, ranked 23rd in the world, showed great tenacity and took the third and fourth sets 6-3 and 7-5, respectively.Undeterred, Djokovic refused to surrender and rallied in the fifth set. He broke Cerundolo's serve in the 11th game and held his own serve to secure a hard-fought 6-3 victory. The match lasted an grueling four hours and 39 minutes, a testament to the intense battle that unfolded on court.Djokovic's victory is a testament to his exceptional physical and mental strength. Despite the injury and the adversity he faced, he remained focused and determined to overcome the challenge. His ability to dig deep and find a way to win even when the odds are stacked against him is a hallmark of his greatness.The Serbian star will now face Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, a rematch of last year's thrilling semi-final. Nadal, a 13-time French Open champion, will be a formidable opponent, but Djokovic will be confident in his ability to produce another stunning performance and continue his quest for a third consecutive Roland Garros title.

Alex de Minaur, the 25-year-old Australian tennis star, has finally broken through the Grand Slam quarterfinals barrier, thanks to an unlikely source: a super-fan.After reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open in 2020, De Minaur had been stuck in the fourth round at majors, losing five times in that stage. However, in Paris on Monday, he found his "something extra" in the form of a young French teenager who cheered him on loudly during his previous win.De Minaur's new secret weapon worked wonders as he recorded just his third win over former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in nine tries, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. The Aussie's speed, dogged defense, and underrated creativity proved too much for Medvedev, who was also hampered by a blister on his foot."He's managed a miracle," said a smiling De Minaur of his fan. "Might have to get him on tour week in, week out."Despite his previous struggles on clay, De Minaur has found a new love for the surface at Roland Garros. After winning the first set, Medvedev was treated for a blister on his foot, and the match turned. De Minaur broke for the first time at 3-2, and was in control for the next two sets."I always thought that for me to play well on the clay I needed hot, lively conditions," said De Minaur. "But, you know, this whole tournament has proven otherwise, right?"Whatever the circumstances, De Minaur has proclaimed himself a dirt ball convert. When the match was over, he yelled something into the stands in Lenglen. Afterward, he was asked what he had said."I screamed 'I love the clay! I love it here! I can't get enough!"

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden displayed resilience and determination to overcome a spirited challenge from N Sriram Balaji and MA Reyes-Varela Martinez in the French Open men's doubles third round. The second-seeded Indo-Australian duo rallied from a one-set deficit to secure a hard-fought 6-7(2) 6-3 7-6 (10-8) victory on Monday.The opening set was a closely contested affair, with both pairs holding serve comfortably. However, Balaji and Reyes-Varela seized the initiative in the tie-break, racing to a 4-1 lead. Despite Bopanna and Ebden's efforts, the unseeded pair converted their first set point with a wide serve.Undeterred, Bopanna and Ebden regrouped in the second set. They broke Balaji's serve early on and maintained their advantage throughout, forcing a third set. The deciding set was a tense battle, with neither pair able to gain a decisive edge.As the set progressed, the games were held at love, highlighting the intensity of the competition. Ebden faced pressure serving at 5-6 but delivered under duress. The Super Tie-breaker was equally gripping, with the pairs locked at 6-6.However, Balaji's double fault at 7-8 handed Bopanna and Ebden two match points. They saved the first when Ebden's overhead smash went into the net, but the Australian found a winner on the next to seal the victory.Bopanna, who is yet to finalize his partner for the Paris Games, will have been impressed by Balaji's performance. The seasoned Coorgi is only the third Indian to win Grand Slam titles and has the choice to select his partner for the Games.

Bianca Andreescu's triumphant return to Grand Slam tennis at Roland Garros has ignited a renewed sense of optimism within the Canadian star. After a 10-month hiatus due to a stress fracture in her back, Andreescu showcased her resilience and determination by defeating two formidable opponents before bowing out in the third round.Andreescu's journey back to the court has been marked by introspection and a shift in perspective. She acknowledges that she previously defined herself solely through her sport, but now seeks a more balanced approach. This newfound self-awareness has fueled her recovery and given her a renewed sense of purpose.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Andreescu expressed her gratitude for the support she has received during her latest adversity. She emphasized that her career has been challenging, but it has also taught her invaluable life lessons.Andreescu's candor has been a refreshing aspect of her comeback. She openly discusses the physical and mental toll her injuries have taken, but she remains unyielding in her pursuit of success. She believes that her experiences have made her a stronger and more mature athlete.Despite her current ranking of 228, Andreescu is confident in her abilities. She is using a protected ranking to compete at Wimbledon next month, where she hopes to continue her resurgence.Andreescu's return to form is a testament to her unwavering spirit and the power of perseverance. Her journey serves as an inspiration to all athletes who face setbacks and challenges in their careers.

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina continued their impressive runs at the 2024 Roland Garros, securing their spots in the quarterfinals with dominant straight-set victories on Monday.Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, extended her streak of consecutive major quarterfinals to seven with a 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Emma Navarro. The Belarusian star showcased her power and precision, firing 14 winners in the opening set and breaking Navarro's serve twice in the second.Rybakina, the No. 4 seed, also advanced with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina. The Kazakhstani player displayed her consistent baseline game and strong serve, saving a break point in the first set and breaking Svitolina twice in the second.Both Sabalenka and Rybakina have been in impressive form throughout the clay-court season. Sabalenka reached the finals of the Mutua Madrid Open and the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, while Rybakina has lost just 12 games in her first three matches at Roland Garros.In the quarterfinals, Sabalenka will face Jasmine Paolini, who upset Elina Avanesyan in three sets. Rybakina will take on the winner of the match between Varvara Gracheva and Mirra Andreeva.Sabalenka and Rybakina are both considered among the favorites to reach the semifinals, where they could potentially face each other in a highly anticipated clash. The Belarusian and Kazakhstani players have both shown their ability to perform at the highest level on clay, and they will be eager to continue their impressive runs at Roland Garros.

Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner, will aim to extend his record-breaking streak of 14 consecutive French Open quarter-finals on Monday. However, his latest victory came at a cost, setting an unwanted record for the latest finish in Roland Garros history.Djokovic's five-set epic against Lorenzo Musetti concluded at 3:07 a.m. Sunday, leaving the 37-year-old Serbian questioning the scheduling. "Certain things could have been handled differently," he said. "There is a certain beauty in winning at three in the morning if it's the last of the tournament, but this wasn't the case."Despite the late finish, Djokovic remains focused on his goal of reaching the last eight. He will face Argentine 23rd seed Francisco Cerundolo, who stunned Alexander Zverev on clay earlier this season. Cerundolo has never met Djokovic before, but he has shown impressive form in Paris, reaching the last 16 in 2023.Zverev, who defeated Rafael Nadal in the first round, survived a scare against Tallon Griekspoor in the third round, battling back from 4-1 down in the final set. The German is playing under the shadow of an ongoing trial in Berlin over allegations of assaulting an ex-girlfriend.Holger Rune, a two-time quarter-finalist in Paris, will face fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev reached the quarter-finals in 2021, ending a run of four successive first-round losses. Casper Ruud, the runner-up to Nadal and Djokovic in the last two years, will tackle Taylor Fritz for a quarter-final spot.In the women's tournament, world number two Aryna Sabalenka will play American 22nd seed Emma Navarro. Sabalenka has made at least the last four at her past six Grand Slams, while Navarro is in the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time.Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will face experienced Ukrainian 15th seed Elina Svitolina. Rybakina is the only woman to defeat world number one Iga Swiatek on clay this season. Moscow-born French player Varvara Gracheva will play 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, the Russian teenager who is the youngest woman to reach the last 16 on all three Slam surfaces since Anna Kournikova in 1998.

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek emerged victorious in their respective matches at the French Open on Sunday, setting up intriguing quarterfinal clashes.Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish sensation, produced a dominant performance to defeat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Despite a recent injury setback, Alcaraz showcased his exceptional talent, hitting 34 winners and displaying impressive consistency. He will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas, who overcame a spirited challenge from Matteo Arnaldi in a thrilling four-set encounter.Meanwhile, Swiatek, the world number one, continued her relentless pursuit of a third consecutive Roland Garros title with a ruthless 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Anastasia Potapova. The Polish star conceded a mere 10 points in the shortest completed match of her career, showcasing her unwavering focus and determination.In other men's action, Jannik Sinner overcame a slow start to defeat Corentin Moutet 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. The Italian will face Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.Coco Gauff, the 2022 French Open runner-up, cruised past Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-2. The American will now take on Ons Jabeur, who defeated Clara Tauson in straight sets.As the tournament progresses, the competition intensifies, with Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Swiatek, and other top contenders vying for a place in the semifinals. The French Open continues to captivate tennis fans worldwide with its thrilling matches and unpredictable outcomes.