Tennis

Samarth Sahita's valiant victory in his singles match proved insufficient as India succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Hong Kong in the third league encounter of the Asia-Oceania Junior Davis Cup under-16 boys tennis tournament. Despite Sahita's triumph, India's overall performance in the group stage secured them a berth in the quarterfinals.In the opening singles match, Siu Cheng of Hong Kong faced off against Sahita. Cheng displayed resilience, overcoming a 3-6 deficit in the first set to win 7-6(1). However, Sahita regained his composure in the second set, claiming it 6-3. The third set proved to be a nail-biter, with Cheng ultimately prevailing 6-3.In the second singles match, Jack Cheng of Hong Kong faced Aradhya Kshitij of India. Cheng dominated the match, securing a 7-5, 6-1 victory. The doubles match, featuring Jack Cheng and Siu Cheng for Hong Kong and Aradhya Kshitij and Samarth Sahita for India, was a one-sided affair. The Hong Kong duo cruised to a 6-4, 6-1 victory, sealing the tie for their team.Despite the loss, India's second-place finish in the group ensured their qualification for the quarterfinals. They will face Group C topper Taiwan, which defeated Australia 2-1 in the final league match. Cruz Hewitt, son of former World No. 1 and Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt, won his singles match for Australia, but the team ultimately fell short.Other teams to advance to the knockout phase include host Kazakhstan, China, Japan, and Korea. The top four teams from the zone will qualify for the World Group competition to be held later.

Andre Agassi, the legendary tennis icon, will take over as Team World Captain for the Laver Cup in 2025, succeeding John McEnroe. Agassi's appointment marks a significant shift in the leadership of the prestigious team competition.Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, brings a wealth of experience and charisma to the role. His exceptional achievements on the court, coupled with his popularity among fans, make him an ideal choice to lead Team World."Andre is an icon of our sport," said Tony Godsick, Chairman of Laver Cup and CEO of TEAM8. "His outstanding achievements on the court, character, and popularity with fans around the world make him the perfect choice to take over from John next year."McEnroe, who has captained Team World since the Laver Cup's inception in 2017, will step down after the 2024 event. He has been instrumental in the team's success, guiding them to their first victory in 2022 and a dominant title defense in 2023."I am truly honored to accept the invitation to become the Laver Cup Team World Captain," said Agassi. "In just seven short years since the Laver Cup began, it's been so enjoyable for fans, including myself, to watch the greats of the game team up and compete against one another in this incredible team environment."Agassi will make his debut as Team World Captain at the 2025 Laver Cup, facing off against Bjorn Borg's Team Europe. McEnroe will serve as captain for one more year, leading Team World against Team Europe in Berlin in 2024."I want to congratulate Andre on becoming the next Team World Captain, I know he is the right man for the job," said McEnroe. "The Laver Cup is very special to me, a truly incredible competition that I love being a part of. I will be rooting for him and Team World and will support him however I can."Borg, who has captained Team Europe since the Laver Cup's inception, will also step down after the 2024 event. Under his leadership, Team Europe won the first four Laver Cup events.The Laver Cup has quickly become a staple of the tennis calendar, providing fans with an unforgettable spectacle of team competition. The event features some of the greatest players in the world, competing in a unique format that combines singles and doubles matches.

Barbie Honors Venus Williams and Other Trailblazing Athletes with Inspiring Doll CollectionEL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Mattel, the iconic toy company, has unveiled an empowering initiative to celebrate the achievements of nine extraordinary female athletes through its Barbie doll collection. Among the honorees is tennis legend Venus Williams, who has shattered glass ceilings throughout her illustrious career.Joining Williams in this remarkable lineup are:* Gymnasts: Rebeca Andrade and Alexa Moreno* Soccer Players: Mary Fowler and Christine Sinclair* Boxer: Estelle Mossely* Swimmer: Federica Pellegrini* Paratriathlete: Susana Rodriguez* Track and Field Sprinter: Ewa Swoboda"Barbie's mission to inspire girls to reach their full potential aligns perfectly with my own journey," said Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion. "I'm thrilled to be part of this collection that celebrates the transformative power of sports."Mattel's Krista Berger emphasized the significance of this project in fostering self-confidence and empowerment among young girls. "Sports play a crucial role in shaping the next generation, instilling values of determination, resilience, and teamwork."Each doll in the collection embodies the unique spirit and accomplishments of its respective athlete. From Williams' signature tennis attire to Pellegrini's sleek swimsuit, the dolls capture the essence of these trailblazers.The Barbie collection not only celebrates individual achievements but also highlights the collective impact of women in sports. By showcasing the diversity and strength of these athletes, Mattel aims to inspire girls to pursue their dreams and break down barriers.

Rafael Nadal's impending retirement from the French Open has sparked an outpouring of emotion and anticipation among his legions of fans. On Tuesday, thousands of devotees flocked to Roland Garros, eager to witness the Spanish legend's practice session, potentially his last at the tournament he has dominated for years.Vanessa Peltier, a 50-year-old fan from central France, embarked on a 500-kilometer journey to catch a glimpse of Nadal. "I woke up at 6 a.m. and drove from the middle of France to be here," she said. "Nadal has always had my support, and the support of France."The line of fans stretched for 200 meters, with many waiting patiently for hours to enter the stadium. Morgan Chevallier, another ardent supporter, said, "I could not pass on this opportunity. He is almost bigger than the tournament itself."Nadal's recent injury struggles have raised questions about his fitness for the tournament. However, his fans remain hopeful, recognizing that this may be their last chance to see him in action at Roland Garros. "I skipped work for Nadal," said Sergiu Popa, 26.During his practice session, Nadal showcased his trademark intensity and skill, drawing cheers and chants of "Rafa, Rafa" from the crowd. Outside the court, fans posed for photos with a life-size cardboard cutout of the Spaniard and purchased merchandise bearing his signature."It's not cheap, but it will be a nice memory once Nadal leaves us," said Frédéric Caubert, who bought a hat with Nadal's signature for his son. "It's like he is part of our family. When he's gone, family dinners won't feel the same."The tournament begins on Sunday, and Nadal's fans are eagerly awaiting his performance. Whether he triumphs or not, his legacy at Roland Garros will forever be etched in the annals of tennis history.

Iga Swiatek and Courteney Cox Hit the Court in ParisFresh from her impressive Madrid-Rome double, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek has arrived in Paris for the French Open. And she's already made a new friend: Courteney Cox, the iconic actress who played Monica Geller on the sitcom "Friends."On Tuesday, Swiatek and Cox hit the court together at a special event organized by On, the performance apparel brand that Swiatek is now representing. The two had previously exchanged pleasantries on Instagram in October 2022, when Swiatek commented on a video of Cox practicing her serve."If we'd play doubles together, no one would have hit you," Swiatek wrote. Cox responded, "Ok come over and we'll take him on! I mean this."Tennis has a special place in the "Friends" universe. In one episode, Monica and Chandler Bing (played by the late Matthew Perry) team up for a doubles match against Bing's boss and wife. Monica, known for her competitive spirit, refuses to let them win."I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you just said," she responds when Bing asks her to let them win.Swiatek can probably relate to Monica's competitive nature. The 22-year-old has been dominating the WTA Tour this year, winning five titles in a row. She is aiming to pull off a Roland Garros three-peat and collect her fourth crown in five years at the season's second Grand Slam event.The draw for the French Open will be revealed on Thursday at 3 p.m. local time. Swiatek will be the top seed and will be looking to extend her winning streak to 35 matches.

Diego Schwartzman, the 2020 Roland Garros semifinalist, has joined Dominic Thiem in advancing to the next stage of qualifying at the French Open. Schwartzman, seeded 29th in the men's field, defeated Lukas Neumayer of Austria 6-2, 6-3 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.Schwartzman, who is set to retire in February 2025, capitalized on five of his seven break points to secure the victory in 70 minutes. "Being honest, the first two games I was so nervous," Schwartzman said after the match. "I was not feeling my body—playing good, but it was tough to make good decisions with the game.""After that I started to play much better, trying to enjoy, trying to smile and enjoy the people no matter if I do well or not."Schwartzman will next face Quentin Halys, who defeated Alexis Galarneau 7-5, 6-3. Their section of the draw opened up on Monday when Ugo Blanchet stunned top seed Cristian Garin in three sets.In other qualifying action, eighth seed Zizou Bergs rolled over wild card Clement Chidekh 6-1, 6-1, while American J.J. Wolf, the No. 2 seed, held off Ryan Peniston 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2.In the women's qualifying draw, top seed Sara Errani launched her campaign by defeating Ann Li 6-3, 6-4. Errani, who has 23 main-draw wins at Roland Garros, will next face Alice Tubello.Former semifinalist Tamara Zidansek, seeded 25th, dismissed Polona Hercog 6-2, 6-4, while eighth seed Katie Volynets also cruised 6-1, 6-2 against Lucrezia Stefanini.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has declared Rafael Nadal as his favorite to win the upcoming French Open despite Nadal's recent fitness struggles. Djokovic, who is preparing for the second Grand Slam of the year at the Geneva Open, believes that Nadal's unparalleled record at Roland-Garros makes him the frontrunner."When you talk about Roland-Garros and Nadal is there, he is always the biggest favorite for me," Djokovic said. "After everything he has done on the courts at Roland-Garros, it's normal, respectfully to put him as the biggest favorite."Djokovic acknowledged that Nadal's level of play has declined slightly due to injuries, but he emphasized that the Spaniard's experience and dominance on clay make him a formidable opponent. "Obviously it's a little different with his level of play," Djokovic said. "But it's Roland-Garros, and it's Nadal."Djokovic also identified other contenders for the French Open title, including Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, he believes that Nadal's legacy and familiarity with the surface give him an edge."This year is more open," Djokovic said. "But when you talk about Roland-Garros and Nadal is there, he is always the biggest favorite for me."Djokovic, who turns 37 on Wednesday, is seeking to regain his form ahead of the French Open. He has not won a title in the season so far and is using the Geneva Open as a warm-up."I'm searching for my highest possible level," Djokovic said. "It's not an obligation. It's truly my desire, my feeling, my passion, my love for tennis. That's the most important. I'm seeking to stay connected with that feeling."Djokovic expressed his fondness for Geneva, where he has cousins and a close connection to the local football club, Servette. He attended the Stade de Geneve on Monday to witness Young Boys win the Swiss football championship.

Ben Shelton's Roland Garros preparations suffered a setback as he bowed out of the Gonet Geneva Open in the second round, succumbing to a 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-2 defeat against Flavio Cobolli.Shelton, seeded fourth, had hoped to build on his impressive clay-court form this season, which included a title in Houston and third-round appearances in Madrid and Rome. However, Cobolli, ranked 22nd, proved too strong, rallying from a set and a break down to secure his third ATP quarterfinal of the year.The American started brightly, breaking Cobolli's serve in the opening set and serving it out comfortably. He carried that momentum into the second set, breaking again and taking a 4-2 lead. But Cobolli refused to be deterred, breaking back in the eighth game and forcing a tiebreaker.In a stunning reversal, Cobolli dominated the tiebreaker, winning it 7-1 and leveling the match. The Italian continued to grow in confidence in the third set, breaking Shelton's serve twice and consolidating his lead with strong serving.Shelton, who had been serving and volleying effectively throughout the match, retreated to the baseline as the match reached its critical phase. Cobolli took full advantage, breaking Shelton's serve again and serving out the match with an ace.Cobolli's victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko, who advanced via walkover. Shelton, meanwhile, will have to regroup and refocus his preparations for Roland Garros, which begins on May 28.

Roland Garros 2023: Betting Preview and Players to WatchThe upcoming Roland Garros tournament promises to be an intriguing affair, with several top players facing uncertainties heading into the event. Carlos Alcaraz, the betting favorite, has been sidelined with a forearm injury, while defending champion Novak Djokovic lacks confidence and is seeking to regain form at a lower-level event. Jannik Sinner, the Australian Open champion, is also dealing with a hip injury that could potentially hinder his performance.Given these concerns, betting on Roland Garros presents a unique challenge. However, there are several players who stand out as potential contenders or value picks.Fliers:* Taylor Fritz (70-1): Despite his long odds, Fritz has shown impressive form on clay recently, reaching the semifinals in Madrid and quarterfinals in Rome. His improved serve and movement on the surface make him a potential dark horse for a deep run.* Karen Khachanov (95-1): A two-time Roland Garros quarterfinalist, Khachanov possesses a solid all-around game and has a history of performing well against top players. His ability to serve and back it up from the baseline makes him a potential value pick for a quarterfinal or semifinal berth.Fades:* Rafael Nadal (17-1): While Nadal's 14 Roland Garros titles make him a tempting pick, his recent form on clay has been disappointing. His performance rating on the surface is below average, and he has struggled to maintain his signature defensive style.* Holger Rune (33-1): Rune has shown flashes of brilliance but has also suffered some embarrassing losses. His return game and baseline play have declined this year, making him a risky bet at his current odds.Pick to Win:* Jannik Sinner (+460): Despite his hip injury, Sinner remains a formidable contender. He has won three tournaments this season, including the Australian Open, and is fully capable of succeeding on clay. If he decides to participate, his odds offer great value for an elite player.