Tennis

In a stunning upset, eleventh-seeded Grigor Dimitrov dethroned top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-4 in the Miami Open quarterfinals, marking his first victory over a top-five player in nearly five years. Dimitrov's triumph sets up a semifinal clash with fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev, who defeated unseeded Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 7-5.Alcaraz, the reigning champion, struggled to find his rhythm against Dimitrov's aggressive play. The Bulgarian broke Alcaraz's serve twice in the first set, taking it 6-2. In the second set, Alcaraz rallied back from a 4-2 deficit, breaking Dimitrov at love and holding serve to level the set at 4-4. However, Dimitrov regained control, winning the final two games to seal the victory.This win marks a significant milestone for Dimitrov, who had not defeated a top-five player since his victory over Roger Federer in the 2019 US Open quarterfinals. It also boosts his confidence ahead of the upcoming clay-court season, where he has historically performed well.On the women's side, fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina battled through a grueling three-set match against No. 27 Victoria Azarenka, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in the semifinals. Rybakina will face either No. 14 Ekaterina Alexandrova or unseeded Danielle Collins in the final.Rybakina, ranked fourth on the WTA Tour, has been pushed to three sets in all but one match this tournament. Despite the physical toll, she remains determined to capture her third title of the year.

Dominic Thiem's recent video message sparked concerns among his followers, but the Austrian star has clarified that he is not retiring. Instead, he is facing a setback in his recovery from a right wrist injury.Thiem skipped the Sunshine Double to participate in ATP Challenger events on clay, but his wrist issues resurfaced. He explained that he and his father had reverted to their old training methods, which aggravated the injury."We started to practice like I did when I was younger with a lot of intensity, a lot of strokes, a lot of hours on the court. Unfortunately, a little bit before the Challenger in Hungary, my wrist started to make some issues again," Thiem said.Despite the setback, Thiem remains optimistic about returning to ATP Tour action next week. He plans to compete in the Estoril Open, which begins on April 24th."Right now the situation is I've turned down the volume a little bit. Chances are good I can make it to Estoril," he said. "That's the plan as well. I want to start playing there again, which is my goal."Thiem's wrist injury has been a persistent problem since 2021. He has struggled to regain his previous form, which saw him reach the Top 3 and win the 2020 US Open.The Austrian is currently ranked No. 90 and has lost his first two tour-level matches of the year. He is hoping to use the Estoril Open as a platform to rebuild his confidence and return to his former heights.

Elena Rybakina, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, is on the cusp of claiming her maiden Miami Open title after a hard-fought victory over former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals. The Kazakh star overcame a second-set setback and a late surge from Azarenka to prevail 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in a thrilling encounter that lasted over two and a half hours.Rybakina, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, started the match strongly, breaking Azarenka's serve in the opening set. However, the Belarusian responded with a dominant second set, winning it to love. The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks. Rybakina eventually regained her composure and won the tiebreaker 7-2 to seal the victory."It was an unbelievable atmosphere," Rybakina said after the match. "I really enjoyed it. It was such a tough battle. For me, this tournament has been a marathon since Day 1, and I'm really happy I made it to the final."Rybakina's victory sets up a championship clash against either Ekaterina Alexandrova or Danielle Collins. The Kazakh has a 4-0 record against Azarenka and will be confident of extending her winning streak in the final.

Roger Federer, the legendary tennis icon with 20 Grand Slam titles to his name, will grace the hallowed halls of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, this summer. On June 9, 2024, the 42-year-old Swiss maestro will address the graduating class and receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.The announcement was made via a captivating YouTube video featuring Federer clad in Dartmouth green, alongside President Sian Leah Beilock and groundskeeper Tommy Shea. "I am so excited and honored to be your Commencement speaker this year," Federer exclaimed. "I hope I see you on the Big Green in June."President Beilock, an avowed Federer fan, expressed her admiration for the tennis great. "Roger Federer is undeniably one of the greatest athletes of all time, but it's the evident joy that he always found on the court that stays with me, and that I think will resonate most with the Class of 2024."Federer's connection to the American college scene has deepened this year. Earlier this month, he made a surprise appearance at Stanford University, where Nico Godsick, son of Federer's longtime agent Tony Godsick and a Dartmouth alum, plays for the Cardinal.Federer witnessed Stanford's 7-0 victory over UNLV and joined the team for dinner. Nico Godsick ensured his teammates were aware of Federer's presence beforehand. "I didn't want them to be at break point, deuce point, first game, then look up and see Roger and then double-fault," Godsick told SFGATE. "They were super excited and I don't think it could have gone any better."Federer's recent appearance in Palo Alto showcased his enduring brilliance on the court. His forehand remains as silky as ever on hard courts, leaving fans eager to witness his artistry on grass at Hanover's Big Green.

Alison Riske-Amritraj, a former Top 20 WTA player, is expecting a baby girl with her husband, former ATP pro Stephen Amritraj. The couple announced the exciting news in a creative video posted on Instagram, which also introduced their new dog, Teddy.Riske-Amritraj, 33, is due to give birth in July, just before the Paris Olympics. She represented the United States at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and is the third Tokyo Olympian to announce her pregnancy in recent months, following Belinda Bencic and Petra Kvitova.The former world No. 18 married Amritraj, the nephew of former world No. 18 Vijay Amritraj, in 2019. Her announcement was met with congratulations from her WTA peers, including Jennifer Brady, Danielle Collins, Lauren Davis, and Johanna Konta.Riske-Amritraj's last match was a first-round loss to Paula Badosa at Wimbledon last summer. She has won three WTA titles and reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2019, where she upset world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.Riske-Amritraj's pregnancy announcement is a reminder that even after retiring from professional tennis, athletes can continue to lead fulfilling lives and pursue their passions. It also highlights the growing trend of female athletes starting families later in their careers, thanks to advances in reproductive technology and a more supportive environment for working mothers.

Novak Djokovic's recent string of defeats has prompted a significant change in his coaching team, with Goran Ivanisevic stepping down as his main coach. The decision comes after a disappointing start to the year for Djokovic, who has suffered three losses in 2023.Ivanisevic joined Djokovic's team in 2018 and played a crucial role in the Serb's resurgence, helping him win three Grand Slams in 2023. However, Djokovic's form has dipped since the start of the new year, leading to the decision to part ways with Ivanisevic.The split highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny that top athletes face. Even a brief period of underperformance can lead to major changes in their support staff. Djokovic's losses to Alex de Minaur, Jannik Sinner, and Luca Nardi have raised concerns about his current form and motivation.Djokovic has acknowledged the challenges he faces in the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who have both been sidelined by injuries. The emergence of younger players like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz has also added to the competitive landscape.The decision to part ways with Ivanisevic is a sign that Djokovic is determined to address his recent struggles and regain his dominance. He has already spoken about the need for changes and improvements, and the coaching split is a significant step in that direction.It remains to be seen who will replace Ivanisevic as Djokovic's main coach. The Serb has a history of working with successful coaches, including Boris Becker and Marian Vajda. Whoever takes over will have the task of helping Djokovic rediscover his winning ways and navigate the challenges of the modern tennis era.

The Miami Open quarterfinals are set to witness thrilling clashes between top-ranked players. In the men's draw, world No. 2 Alexander Zverev will face off against rising star Fabian Marozsan. Marozsan has made a remarkable debut in Miami, upsetting higher-seeded opponents and breaking into the Top 40. However, Zverev's experience and consistent performance at ATP Masters 1000 events give him an edge.In the women's draw, Danielle Collins, the last American standing, will face Ekaterina Alexandrova. Alexandrova has been in impressive form, defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula. Collins, who has announced her retirement, is playing with determination and has won 10 consecutive sets with 6-3 scorelines.The most anticipated match of the quarterfinals is between world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov. Alcaraz has been in scintillating form, aiming to become the first ATP player to complete the Sunshine Double since Roger Federer in 2017. Dimitrov, however, is playing with renewed confidence after winning his first trophy in seven years. Their head-to-head record favors Alcaraz, but Dimitrov's recent victory over the Spaniard in Shanghai adds an element of intrigue.The Miami Open quarterfinals promise high-quality tennis and unpredictable outcomes. Zverev's experience, Collins' determination, and Alcaraz's dominance will be tested against formidable opponents. The tournament is poised to deliver thrilling matches and determine who will advance to the semifinals.

Ekaterina Alexandrova continued her giant-killing run at the Miami Open, stunning world No. 5 Jessica Pegula 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semifinals.Alexandrova, ranked 14th, had already upset world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the previous round. Against Pegula, she struggled initially but gradually gained control, using her powerful groundstrokes to dictate the rallies.Pegula, known for her consistent serve and solid baseline play, struggled to find her rhythm against Alexandrova's aggressive style. The Russian broke Pegula's serve twice in the second set to level the match.In the deciding set, Alexandrova's relentless pressure forced Pegula into errors. The American fought back to break Alexandrova's serve once, but the Russian broke back immediately and held on to serve out the match.Alexandrova's victory marks her first win over a Top 10 opponent from a set down. It also extends her impressive run at the Miami Open, where she has now reached the semifinals for the first time.Danielle Collins, the former Australian Open runner-up, will be Alexandrova's opponent in the semifinals. Collins defeated Caroline Garcia in straight sets to reach the last four.Alexandrova's success in Miami is a testament to her hard work and determination. The 29-year-old has been working on improving her physicality and shot accuracy, and it is paying off.She will now face a tough challenge against Collins, who is in excellent form. But Alexandrova has shown that she is capable of beating the best in the world, and she will be confident of reaching her first WTA 1000 final.

Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner continued his impressive start to the 2024 season by reaching the semifinals of the Miami Open for the third time in the past four years. The second-seeded Italian defeated Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday to set up a clash with either Daniil Medvedev or Nicolas Jarry.Sinner, who has won 20 matches this year, broke Machac's serve four times and saved all three break points he faced. The 22-year-old said he was pleased with his performance, especially after Machac's strong start."It was a really tough match, but I was happy about the performance," Sinner said. "He was serving really well in the beginning and he was really aggressive, so it was tough to find a way through. But I think I did a good job of staying patient and waiting for my chances."Sinner's victory extends his winning streak to 10 matches and moves him into the top four of the ATP rankings. He will be looking to reach his third final in Miami, having finished runner-up in 2021 and 2023.On the women's side, Danielle Collins upset No. 23 seed Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-2 to reach the Miami semifinals for the first time since 2018. Collins, who has won 10 of 11 sets in the tournament, will face either Jessica Pegula or Ekaterina Alexandrova for a spot in the championship final.