London, June 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) British wildcard Katie Boulter produced the biggest upset of the Queen's Club Championships on Friday, defeating top seed Elena Rybakina 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 to book her place in the semi-finals after a demanding day that also included a second-round victory over Jaqueline Cristian.

The world No. 73 secured her maiden win over Rybakina, having lost to the Kazakh in straight sets in their previous meetings at the 2023 Wimbledon and 2025 Indian Wells, and sending Boulter into her second semi-final of the 2026 season following her title win in Ostrava.

"I think my goal today was just to play better than I did the last time at Wimbledon," Boulter stated. "I felt like I really let the occasion get to me that time and I wanted to prove to myself and to others that I'm a better tennis player than that."

"That loss was painful to take, it really stayed with me, and I wanted to come out today and really swing freely, just really go for it because I held back that time."

Boulter's success over the two-time grand slam champion followed an exhausting day. Due to rain on Thursday, she had to complete her second-round match on Friday morning, beating Romania's Jaqueline Cristian 6-3 6-1, and then later beat the world No.2 in three sets.

Croatia's Donna Vekic will be Boulter's opponent in Saturday's semi-final, having herself played two matches on Friday. Vekic finished a rain-delayed second round match against Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (9) 6-3 on Friday, before beating former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova 6-4 4-6 6-3 in their quarter-final encounter on Friday.

Vekic's win over Pliskova was her third consecutive victory over the veteran, extending her head to head to 3-0 after 12 matches against the Czech.

The win was particularly sweet for Vekic, as it has put her into the last four of the tournament in her second bite of cherry, having entered the main draw as a lucky loser after Marta Kostyuk withdrew through injury. The Croatian is through to her second WTA semi-final of 2026, bidding for her first WTA tour final since Bad Homburg in 2024.

This will be the first meeting between the two in two years; the only previous encounter was in the quarter-finals of the 2024 San Diego Open, where Boulter won 6-4 6-3 before winning the first WTA 500 event of her career.

In the other half of the draw, American teenager Iva Jovic, reached her fourth semi-final of 2026 with an impressive three-set win over fellow countrywoman and 2025 Queen's runner-up Amanda Anisimova. This result marks Jovic's first win against a top-five opponent (in five matches) and came in her first encounter against Anisimova.

Jovic, who has also made semi-finals in Auckland, Hobart and Charleston this year, will face either Britain's Emma Raducanu or Uzbek lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova. Their quarter-final was scheduled to be played on Friday night but was postponed to Saturday due to the delays that occurred during Friday's play.

Earlier on Friday, Raducanu beat Sorana Cirstea in straight sets to book her place in the last eight, and it was lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova who denied an all-British quarter-final with a hard fought 5-7 6-1 7-5 win over wild card Harriet Dart in a contest lasting almost three hours.

Jovic holds a 2-0 record against Rakhimova, including a victory in Dubai earlier this season, while she has never faced Raducanu.

Source: IANS

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London, June 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Emma Raducanu made a triumphant return to winning ways as the British No. 1 swept past Anna Blinkova 6-0, 6-3 in the opening round at Queen's Club on Tuesday, earning her first victory in more than three months and boosting her Wimbledon preparations.

Playing her first grass-court match of the season, Raducanu looked sharp from the start. She raced through the opening eight games without losing a point. She then comfortably finished the match against the Russian qualifier. The victory marked her first win since beating Anastasia Zakharova in the opening round at Indian Wells on March 6.

The 23-year-old's campaign faced a setback due to a post-viral illness that kept her off the WTA Tour for over two months. Upon her return, she suffered first-round losses in Strasbourg and at the French Open. This made her strong performance in London even more encouraging.

Supported by a lively home crowd, Raducanu seemed relaxed and confident throughout the match. She showed little sign of the difficulties that had affected her recent season, reports Xinhua.

"I'm so happy to have come through that match. To be back here playing at Queen's, I haven't won a match in a few months, and there isn't a place I would rather have done it," Raducanu said after the win. "I'm really grateful for all the support."

The former US Open champion hopes this convincing victory will give her momentum heading into Wimbledon. The grass-court swing offers a chance for her to find her best form after a tough few months on tour.

Raducanu later described the performance as an important step in her preparations for the year's third Grand Slam. She expressed hope that the result would be "a really good stepping stone" for the rest of the grass-court season.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, June 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Continuing her meteoric rise on the international junior tennis circuit, the 13-year-old Bengaluru prodigy Srishti Kiran has achieved another significant milestone by becoming the World No. 1 in the Under-13 age group rankings.

The achievement comes on the back of an extraordinary run that saw Srishti win five consecutive ITF junior titles before finishing runner-up at the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J100 Guatemala last week.

Her remarkable consistency and success propelled her to a career-high ITF Junior ranking of No. 357, making her the highest-ranked player globally in the Under-13 category.

What makes the feat even more remarkable is that Srishti achieved the distinction despite competing in only eight ranking events, whereas the rankings are calculated based on a maximum of ten tournaments. The two events she was unable to participate in were missed due to financial and logistical constraints, making her ascent to the top of the Under-13 rankings even more noteworthy.

Despite having two fewer counting tournaments than many of her closest rivals, the young Indian accumulated enough points through her outstanding performances to emerge as the World No. 1 in the Under-13 age group.

"I'm really happy to become World No. 1 in my age group. It's something I wasn't thinking about at the start of the year, but all the hard work with my coaches, family, and support team is paying off," said Srishti.

"The last few weeks have been very special. Winning five titles in a row and then reaching another final has given me a lot of confidence. At the same time, I know there is still a long way to go and many things I need to improve in my game," she added.

Srishti's international campaign is set to continue in Europe. Subject to gaining entry into the main draw, she is expected to compete in a J300 event in the United Kingdom, regarded as one of the premier junior tournaments on the circuit and a key lead-up event to the prestigious Wimbledon Junior Championships.

The youngster is currently preparing for the grass-court season and is eagerly looking forward to the opportunity of competing on one of tennis' most iconic surfaces.

"Playing on grass and hopefully competing at Wimbledon Juniors is a dream for every young tennis player. If I get into the J300 event, it will be a great opportunity to learn and test myself against some of the best juniors in the world," said Srishti.

Source: IANS

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Stuttgart, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) With Alexander Zverev claiming his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, the ATP Tour season moves to grass for the first time this year, with events at Stuttgart and ‘s-Hertogenbosch opening up opportunities for players to prepare for the season's third Major, The Championship at Wimbledon.

Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz headline the field in Germany, while Top 10 stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex de Minaur lead the draw in the Netherlands.

Shelton is the top seed at Stuttgart and will look to bounce back from a disappointing second-round exit at Roland Garros. The American advanced to the semifinals at the grass-court event last year but is chasing his first title on the surface.

Defending champion Fritz is a five-time champ on grass and won in Stuttgart 12 months ago. The American suffered a first-round defeat to Nishesh Basavareddy at Roland Garros in his second event back from injury. The 28-year-old continues his comeback this week, starting against Spaniard Martin Landaluce or a qualifier.

Among the other challengers in Stuttgart is Alexander Bublik, who lifted the trophy on grass in Halle in 2023 and 2025, and the Kazakhstani returns to Stuttgart seeking more success on the surface. The World No. 11 opens his title bid against Jan-Lennard Struff or Alexis Galarneau.

Among the other seeded players, Frances Tiafoe has fond memories in Stuttgart, having lifted the trophy in 2023. Davidovich Fokina is making his tournament debut, with his best grass-court result a semi-final showing in Eastbourne last year.

NextGenATP star Diego Dedura will make his debut on home soil in Germany and face James Duckworth in the first round. The 18-year-old will be joined by countrymen Tom Gentzsch, Daniel Altmaier, Jan-Lennard Struff, and Yannick Hanfmann.

There are some interesting match-ups ahead in ‘s-Hertogenbosch too.

Canadian Auger-Aliassime suffered a heartbreaking quarterfinal loss to Flavio Cobolli at Roland Garros, which left him reflecting on his overall career. The 25-year-old will try to bounce back in the Netherlands, where he advanced to the semi-finals in 2022.

Former champion Alex de Minaur lifted the trophy in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2024 and also triumphed on grass in Eastbourne in 2021. The Australian is the second seed at the ATP 250 event.

Daniil Medvedev’s lone grass-court title came in Mallorca in 2021. The 30-year-old lost in the first round at Roland Garros but has won trophies in Dubai and Brisbane this year.

Sixth seed Tallon Griekspoor leads home hopes in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The 2023 champion meets countryman Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round. Wild card Thijs Boogaard plays Wu Yibing and could meet Medvedev in the second round. Dutch wild card Mees Rottgering starts against a qualifier.

Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov will play together in the doubles draw. Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti are the top seeds, with Robert Cash and JJ Tracy seeded second.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tennis legend Roger Federer will make a highly anticipated return to the U.S. Open this year, seven years after his last appearance at Flushing Meadows, with organisers announcing that the Swiss great will headline a special exhibition event in New York.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion will be part of Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York on August 25, as one of tennis' greatest players comes back to a tournament in which he had many of the best experiences of his career.

Federer, who retired from tennis in 2022 following a legendary 24-year playing career, is the only man to have won five U.S. Open men's singles titles in a row. His appearance is expected to be one of the top events on this year's program.

Federer shared some warm words on his connection to the New York Major after the news broke. "The US Open has always been one of the most special tournaments for me," he said. "So many unforgettable moments of my career happened in New York, and Arthur Ashe Stadium is a place that means a great deal to me. I have missed being part of that atmosphere and feeling the incredible energy that the fans bring every year."

Joining him will be several other American legends, such as a former U.S. Open champion, Andy Roddick, eight-time major winner Andre Agassi, and seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe.

His New York appearance comes just a year after one last shot at the U.S. Open title in 2021, his last official major, where he was beaten by Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets. His comeback to the scene comes shortly after being named a recipient of the 2024 International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles and ended with 103 tour titles, finishing up his legendary career in 2022 at the Laver Cup in London. He is the only man to win 5 titles in a row at the U.S. Open, from 2004 to 2008.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Alexander Zverev finally broke his Grand Slam duck after overcoming a spirited challenge from Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 in a gripping French Open final on Sunday to lift the first major title of his career.

In an enthralling four-hour 20-minute contest on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the German fought back from the disappointment of letting a two-sets-to-one lead slip away and sealed the French Open 2026 crown in the decisive fifth set.

It brought an end to Zverev’s long wait for a Grand Slam title, having suffered losses in three previous finals – at the US Open in 2020, Roland Garros in 2024, and the Australian Open in 2025, but the world No 3 managed to hold his nerve when it mattered, collapsing onto the clay in disbelief when he converted the championship point.

Zverev flew out of the blocks in the final, breaking Cobolli in the opening game, immediately asserting control at the baseline as his serve and groundstrokes were too potent for the Italian, who could not find a rhythm as the first set was over in just 34 minutes.

But Cobolli, in his first ever Grand Slam final, produced a fine response in the second set as the 24-year-old attacked with freedom, mixing in clever drop shots, and he found a breakthrough at 4-4 when Zverev sent a forehand wide.

The Italian held serve with authority, levelling the match to fire up the Paris crowd.

The third set turned out to be crucial. Holding serve all the way until the tenth game, it was a flurry of errors by Cobolli that handed Zverev a vital break which he then sealed when moving within one set of a long-awaited major title.

The nerves, however, began to show in the fourth set with Zverev gifting Cobolli a break in the first game, and then again when serving at 4-3 down.

The German clawed his way back to 5-5, but could not deny the Italian a sensational comeback in the tie-break as he battled back from 1-3 down, sealing it with a stunning forehand winner at set point to send the match into a decider.

With the momentum now firmly with Cobolli, and Zverev faltering yet again, the final appeared to be slipping away.

But the German stepped up to produce the finest tennis of the contest.

Despite his struggles in the fourth-set tie-break, Zverev immediately responded with an improved level in the fifth. Serving superbly and winning 83 percent of first-serve points, coupled with consistent groundstrokes forcing a barrage of Italian errors, the second seed broke Cobolli early and never looked back, saving all four break points he faced to win 6-1.

This is a career-defining title for Zverev, who had already captured two ATP Finals titles, seven Masters 1000 crowns, and an Olympic gold medal, but the 29-year-old can now add a Grand Slam title to his remarkable achievements.

The victory also puts him in the annals of German tennis. He became the first German man to win the French Open since Henner Henkel in 1937, and the first German man to win any Grand Slam title since Boris Becker triumphed at the Australian Open in 1996.

For Cobolli, defeat brought an end to a wonderful tournament, but the Italian departs Roland Garros having reached his first ever major final and set to enter the world’s top 10 for the very first time.

Source: IANS

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Guatemala City, June 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Thirteen-year-old Bengaluru tennis prodigy Srishti Kiran continued her remarkable rise on the international junior circuit, finishing runner-up at the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J100 tournament.

Srishti's impressive run came to an end in the final, where she went down fighting to top seed Ellery Mendell of the USA 4-6, 3-6. Battling cramps and physical discomfort during the latter stages of the match, the young Indian displayed tremendous grit against her higher-ranked opponent.

The final was closely contested in its early stages. Srishti raced to a 2-0 lead and later held a 3-1 advantage in the opening set before Mendell fought back to claim it 6-4. In the second set, the Indian was locked at 3-3 and held two game points that could have given her a crucial 4-3 lead. However, the nagging pain and cramps affected her movement, allowing the American to seize control and close out the match.

Despite the loss, the tournament marked another significant milestone for Srishti, who arrived in Guatemala on the back of an extraordinary run of five consecutive ITF junior titles.

The youngster's journey to the final was highlighted by a series of impressive victories over seeded opponents. She began her campaign with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 win over host city’s Katia Maria Pemuellar in the opening round. In the pre-quarterfinals, she defeated seventh seed Sarah Stoyanov 6-1, 7-6 (1) before overcoming fourth seed Hanne Estrada Cortes of Mexico 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in a hard-fought quarterfinal clash.

Srishti then produced one of her best performances of the week in the semifinals, dismantling second seed Filipa Delgado of the USA 6-2, 6-1 to book her place in the title match.

“It has been a very special tournament for me. Reaching the final and competing against some very strong players has given me a lot of confidence. Of course, I am disappointed not to win the title, but there are many positives that I will take from this week,” said Srishti, who reached her career-best junior ranking of 461 last week and is expected to jump several ranks higher after her latest bridesmaid finish.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva etched her name in the record books by winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, defeating qualifier Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 in the women’s singles final at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris on Saturday.

With this victory, the Russian eighth seed became the youngest women’s singles champion in Paris since Monica Seles lifted her third consecutive title in 1992. The triumph marked another significant milestone in Andreeva’s rapid rise on the international stage.

The teenager’s journey at Roland-Garros has been remarkable. She first appeared in the main draw in 2023 after coming through the qualifying rounds and announced herself with an impressive run to the semifinals. Two years later, she returned to the iconic clay-court tournament and went all the way to claim the coveted title.

After sealing victory in one hour and 22 minutes, an emotional Andreeva dropped to the court in celebration before sharing a heartfelt embrace with coach Conchita Martinez, the former world No. 2 and 1994 Wimbledon champion who has played a key role in her development.

“I've been watching Roland Garros on TV since I was very, very young. It has always been a dream of mine to win this tournament, and I honestly cannot believe that I'm holding this trophy right now,” Andreeva said during the trophy presentation.

The final began nervously, with windy conditions affecting both players. The opening four games featured consecutive service breaks as neither player was able to settle quickly. Chwalinska, ranked No. 114 in the world, briefly delighted the crowd by becoming the first player to hold serve.

However, Andreeva soon found her rhythm and showcased the composure that has become a hallmark of her game. She won nine consecutive games to take complete control of the match, moving from a closely contested opening set to a commanding 6-3, 5-0 lead.

Although she missed an opportunity to serve out the match on her first attempt, Andreeva remained calm and closed out the victory on Chwalinska’s serve, securing the biggest title of her young career and etching her name into French Open history.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The first all-Italian men's singles semifinal at the French Open ended in heartbreak for Matteo Arnaldi as he had to withdraw from his match against Flavio Cobolli due to viral illness in Paris on Friday. This means that Cobolli has advanced to his first Grand Slam final, where he will face Alexander Zverev on Sunday.

Arnaldi has been suffering from a viral illness since the early hours of Friday and informed the organisers that he was not strong or healthy enough to attend the Court Philippe-Chatrier for the second semifinal match.

The No. 34 player in the ATP Live Rankings later revealed that he vomited overnight from Thursday to Friday and was unable to take to the court and compete.

"It's difficult to be here. It's not what I wanted to do, but last night I started to feel not very well," Arnaldi said, who conducted his press conference alongside his compatriot Cobolli. "Yesterday I was feeling okay. I came here to practise. I did everything I had to do, and I was feeling fine.

"Then I had dinner. I started to feel so-so with my stomach. I was, like, 'Alright, just didn't digest very well. But then I woke up at 1 a.m., and I started vomiting, and I wasn't feeling the best," said Arnaldi.

Arnaldi explained that he attempted to sleep at that point, but "couldn't sleep at all". At 6 or 7 a.m., he vomited again.

"This time was pretty bad. We called the doctor in the room. He came, gave me some stuff," Arnaldi was quoted as saying by the ATP Tour on its official website. "I was hoping that it would just be something from dinner or something like that, but then throughout the day, I couldn't eat. Every time we did something or would drink, I would go back to the bathroom."

The last time a player withdrew at this stage of a major was at Wimbledon in 2022, when Rafael Nadal withdrew before facing Nick Kyrgios in the semifinals.

Cobolli had reached the semifinal with a four-set victory over fourth-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was aiming to reach the last four at a major for the third time. In an explosive performance under the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 24-year-old Italian earned a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win. He will now play Zverev in the summit clash.

Zverev leads Cobolli 3-1 in their ATP head-to-head series. They played in the third round at Roland Garros last year, when Zverev triumphed 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-1.

Second-seeded Zverev will be competing in his fourth major final, while Cobolli will play for a Grand Slam trophy for the first time. The Italian's previous best run at a major came at Wimbledon last year, when he made the quarterfinals.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Alexander Zverev is now one step away from his first Grand Slam title after he defeated rising Czech star Jakub Mensik in the French Open final, winning in four sets on Friday. The score was 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, and the match lasted three hours and one minute on Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris.

With this win, Zverev secured his spot in his second French Open final and the fourth major final of his career.

After coming close to winning the trophy in Paris last year, Zverev gets another chance to end his wait for Grand Slam success in Sunday’s championship match. “He started playing amazingly in the third set,” Zverev said of Mensik after his victory. “He really stepped up to another level. But this is a Grand Slam; it’s best-of-five set matches. Opponents are going to play better. You have to deal with it. I did, and I hope to play another great match on Sunday.”

With early exits for top players like Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, Zverev has taken full advantage of his opportunity. He has lost only two sets in the tournament and has now become just the fifth active men's player to reach multiple Roland Garros finals.

At 29 years old, Zverev has an impressive record in major tournaments. He finished as the runner-up at the US Open in 2020, lost the Australian Open final last year, and famously came one set away from winning the French Open title in 2024. Sunday's final against either Flavio Cobolli or Matteo Arnaldi offers him another chance to secure the one major title missing from his résumé.

This victory also puts Zverev on the same level as Stan Wawrinka, matching his tally of four Grand Slam finals, the fifth-highest among active men's players.

Mensik entered the semi-final with strong momentum and hopes of being the youngest Roland Garros finalist since Rafael Nadal in 2006. However, he struggled to impose his attacking style against Zverev's consistency and tactical discipline.

The match ignited in the first set when Mensik earned the first break points with a stunning sliding backhand winner. Zverev, showing his experience, saved all three break points. He then broke serve at 5-5 to take the opening set.

The second set tilted firmly in Zverev's favour. Mensik tried to play more aggressively, but Zverev consistently countered with precise passing shots and superior control from the baseline. This dominant performance gave him a two-set lead and put him on the brink of the final.

Despite this, Mensik did not back down. After a medical timeout early in the third set, he returned with renewed energy. His mix of drop shots and variation disrupted Zverev's rhythm, leading to him winning the third set and briefly sparking hopes for a comeback.

However, Zverev quickly squashed those hopes. He regrouped well at the start of the fourth set, taking a 3-0 lead and never allowing Mensik back into the match. His experience and calmness were crucial as he closed out the victory, improving his head-to-head record against Mensik to 2-0 after also defeating him in Madrid earlier this year.

Even with the loss, Mensik's impressive run in Paris will boost him 11 spots to No. 16 in the ATP Live Rankings. This highlights his status as one of the sport's brightest young talents.

Zverev recognised the challenge Mensik presented throughout the tournament. “It’s amazing the way he played these past two weeks,” he said. “I knew it was going to be the toughest challenge I had so far. I managed. I won. So I’m happy.”

Source: IANS

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Berlin, June 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former world No. 1 Serena Williams has added the Berlin Tennis Open to her comeback schedule as the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion prepares to return to professional tennis after nearly four years away from the sport

The 44-year-old will begin her comeback at the Queen's Club Championship in London next week, where she is set to compete in the doubles event alongside rising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. The pair have received a wildcard entry into the 16-team doubles draw.

While Berlin Tennis Open tournament organisers have now confirmed that Williams will also play doubles at the prestigious competition, which begins on June 15. Her partner for the WTA 500 event is yet to be announced.

“Every tournament I add to my schedule right now feels special, and Berlin is no exception. I’m excited to compete in front of the German fans and continue building momentum throughout the grass-court season,” Williams said on the official Berlin Open website.

Williams has not played a professional match since the 2022 US Open, where she made what was then considered her farewell appearance. Her return has generated significant excitement across the tennis world as fans prepare to see one of the sport’s greatest players back in action.

The Queen’s Club event will also mark Williams’ first appearance at the historic London venue. Women were unable to compete at Queen’s Club between 1973 and 2024, making this year’s tournament the first opportunity for her to play there

One of the most successful players in tennis history, Williams won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 73 WTA singles trophies during her illustrious career. She also spent 186 consecutive weeks as world No. 1 and finished five seasons as the year-end top-ranked player.

In doubles, Williams enjoyed remarkable success alongside her sister Venus Williams, winning 22 titles, including 14 Grand Slam crowns without losing a final, and four Olympic gold medals.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) World No.114 Maja Chwalinska made history in the French Open on Thursday, beating Diana Shnaider in straight sets to move into Saturday’s women’s final, becoming the first qualifier to reach the women's singles summit clash at Stade Roland Garros in Paris.

Chwalinska produced one of her best performances to overcome Shnaider 7-6(4), 6-4 in the second semifinal and set up a French Open women's singles final against No.8 seed Mirra Andreeva on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Polish player won her ninth match at Roland-Garros - three in qualifying and six in the main draw - to become only the second qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final in the Open era. The only other player to match her achievement is Emma Raducanu, who won the US Open as a qualifier in 2021.

Chwalinska’s brand of variety, her changes of spins, speeds, depths, and her defence, incredible speed and stamina earn her victory in just over two hours.

"It's like a dream," said Chwalinska as she fell to the clay in disbelief at what had just happened. "I don't know what's going on. I don't know what to say. I'm just very happy."

After defeating No. 25 seed Diana Shnaider 7-6 (4), 6-4 in 2 hours and 10 minutes on Thursday, the 24-year-old became the first qualifier in tournament history to reach the final. She is also just the third woman to make the Roland Garros final in her main-draw debut, joining Evonne Goolagong (1971) and Chris Evert (1973).

"It's so challenging to play against the best players in the world, day by day, but it's a Grand Slam, so you just have to give your all and more. I'm not complaining at all."

Chwalinska arrived in Paris with a career-best ranking of World No. 113 and is now knocking on the door of a Top 20 debut. More importantly, she’ll face fellow first-time finalist Mirra Andreeva on Saturday for a chance to win her first -- and a most improbable -- Grand Slam title.

It will be the first meeting between Chwalinska and Andreeva at the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz level, a matchup featuring two of the tour’s more versatile players. It will also mark Chwalinska's first career meeting with a Top 10 opponent.

"I played (nine) matches here already, so there are no secrets," Chwalinska said. "But I watched Mirra a bit. They were playing before us, so I watched her game, and it was incredible. It's just another great experience for me. I will for sure give my all. It's a Grand Slam final."

The matchup will be a stark contrast to the power-versus-precision battle Chwalinska navigated against Shnaider, a gruelling and physically demanding two-set duel that required every ounce of her variety and craft.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) There was no handshake at the net after Marta Kostyuk and Mirra Andreeva completed their French Open semifinal on Thursday, a scene that has become increasingly familiar whenever the Ukrainian faces Russian opponents on the WTA Tour.

The absence of the customary post-match gesture had been anticipated well before the players stepped onto Court Philippe-Chatrier. Regardless of the result, Kostyuk was expected to maintain a position she has consistently upheld since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Following the match, the players acknowledged the end of the contest without shaking hands, continuing a practice that has become a visible symbol of the broader geopolitical tensions that have filtered into professional tennis over the past four years.

Kostyuk has been among the most outspoken Ukrainian players on tour regarding the war in her homeland. Alongside compatriots such as Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska, she has repeatedly declined post-match handshakes with Russian and Belarusian opponents, describing the gesture as a personal expression of solidarity with Ukraine.

The policy has remained unchanged irrespective of the tournament, opponent, or occasion. A similar moment occurred earlier this season at the Madrid Open, where Kostyuk faced Andreeva in the final. After securing the title, the Ukrainian left the court without participating in the traditional handshake, drawing renewed attention to the stance she has maintained throughout the conflict.

Beyond the court, Kostyuk has regularly used her platform to highlight the impact of the war on Ukrainian citizens. Following her quarterfinal victory over fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in Paris, she dedicated the milestone achievement to the people of Ukraine and spoke about another difficult night in the country, particularly in Kyiv.

The World No. 15 revealed that one of her first reactions after learning of the latest developments was to contact family members to ensure they were safe. She also reiterated the importance of continuing to speak publicly about the situation, saying it remains one of the few ways athletes can help keep international attention focused on the ongoing humanitarian toll of the conflict.

While handshakes are traditionally viewed as one of tennis' most enduring displays of sportsmanship, Kostyuk's position has remained firm.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Mirra Andreeva continued her rapid rise on the WTA Tour by securing a place in her first Grand Slam final, producing a commanding display to defeat Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 in the Roland Garros women's singles semifinals on Thursday.

The eighth-seeded Russian required just 76 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier to dismantle the in-form Kostyuk, whose 17-match winning streak came to an abrupt end. The victory not only propelled Andreeva into her maiden major final but also confirmed her status as one of the brightest young stars in the sport.

At 19, Andreeva becomes the youngest woman to reach a Grand Slam final since Coco Gauff's breakthrough run at the 2022 French Open. She is also the third-youngest Roland Garros finalist of the 21st century, behind only Gauff and Kim Clijsters, who reached the championship match at 17 in 2001.

The result carried added significance given Andreeva's recent struggles against Kostyuk. The Ukrainian had beaten her in straight sets in both of their previous meetings this season, including the Madrid Open final six weeks ago. This time, however, the Russian turned the tables emphatically.

From the outset, Andreeva dictated proceedings with her aggressive shot-making and exceptional court coverage. She raced through the opening set, allowing Kostyuk little opportunity to establish any rhythm. The second set proved more competitive, but the teenager remained firmly in control, repeatedly forcing errors from her opponent and shutting down any hopes of a comeback.

The victory adds another impressive chapter to what has already been a breakthrough season for Andreeva. The world No. 8 has emerged as one of the most consistent performers on clay in 2026, compiling more than 20 wins on the surface and producing deep runs across the European swing.

Her campaign has included a title triumph in Linz, a semifinal appearance in Stuttgart, a runner-up finish in Madrid, and a quarterfinal showing in Rome. Roland Garros now stands as the biggest milestone of her young career.

Andreeva's achievement also mirrors that of her coach, former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martínez, who reached the Roland Garros final in 2000. The teenager, who leads the WTA Tour in match victories this season with 35 wins, will now have the opportunity to become the first teenage Grand Slam singles champion since Gauff captured the US Open title in 2023.

Standing between Andreeva and a maiden major crown will be either 25th seed Diana Shnaider or qualifier Maja Chwalinska, who face off in the second semifinal later on Thursday. Having already announced herself as one of the game's most exciting talents, Andreeva is now just one victory away from completing a remarkable breakthrough in Paris.

Source: IANS

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London, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Serena Williams' highly anticipated return to competitive tennis has taken an intriguing new turn, with the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion set to partner Canadian star Victoria Mboko in the doubles draw at the Queen's Club Championships.

The pairing was confirmed by Mboko on social media on Thursday, days after Serena announced she would return to the WTA Tour for the first time since her farewell appearance at the 2022 US Open. "The Queen is back. An honour to share the court with one of the greatest athletes of all time this week. Even more excited to play doubles together! Tennis is pretty special,” Mboko wrote on Instagram while sharing the news on Thursday.

The duo have received a wildcard entry into the 16-team doubles competition at Queen's Club, marking the start of the grass-court season ahead of Wimbledon. For Serena, the event will represent her first competitive appearance in nearly four years and her debut at the historic London venue.

Although Queen's Club has long been one of the most prestigious stops on the grass-court calendar, women were unable to compete there between 1973 and 2024, making this year's edition the first opportunity for Serena to play at the tournament.

The announcement adds another notable chapter to the remarkable career of the American great, whose achievements have transformed women's tennis. Serena captured 73 WTA singles titles and spent 186 consecutive weeks as world No. 1, matching one of the longest reigns at the top of the rankings in history. She also finished five seasons as the year-end No. 1 player in the world.

Her doubles legacy is equally impressive. Alongside sister Venus Williams, Serena won 22 titles and compiled one of the most dominant records in the sport, including a perfect 14-0 mark in Grand Slam doubles finals and four Olympic gold medals.

For Mboko, the partnership represents an opportunity to share the court with the player she has admired throughout her life. "I looked up to her. She's my idol, so it's really cool. Me and Serena have stayed in touch, which is really, really nice, because you know, I really look up to her. I mean, the fact that she even knows me is very, it's very exciting," Mboko told reporters after her second-round win at Roland Garros while speaking of Serena.

Serena herself expressed excitement about beginning her comeback on a surface that delivered some of the most memorable moments of her career. “Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter. Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages,” Serena said.

The Queen's Club Championships will run from June 8 to 14 and feature a strong doubles field, including several top-ranked specialists. Yet much of the attention will be fixed on the wildcard pairing of Serena and Mboko, whose cross-generational partnership promises to be one of the headline attractions of the grass-court swing.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten moved within one win of a maiden French Open crown after another commanding display on Thursday, reaching the men's doubles final.

The second-seeded Finnish-British combination defeated the French pair Quentin Halys and Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen, extending their unbeaten run through the tournament and booking their first championship match in Paris.

Already one of the standout doubles teams of the season, Heliovaara and Patten arrived at Roland Garros with titles in Adelaide, Doha, Dubai, and Madrid. Their latest victory keeps them on course for a fifth trophy in 2026 and their first Grand Slam title of the year.

The semifinal remained competitive in the early exchanges, with little to separate the two teams. However, the second seed capitalised on their first opening when Herbert surrendered serve with a double fault, allowing Heliovaara and Patten to seize control of the opening set.

The pair continued to dictate the tempo through strong serving and sharp net play. Heliovaara capped off the first set with a delicate volley before another lapse in Herbert's serve handed the favourites an early break in the second.

Backed by a vocal home crowd, Halys and Herbert sought to mount a late challenge, creating opportunities to prolong the contest. But Heliovaara and Patten stayed composed under pressure, refusing to relinquish their advantage. Serving for the match, Patten showed no signs of tension. The Brit delivered a strong first serve on match point, and Heliovaara finished the job with a crisp volley at the net, sealing victory in one hour and 16 minutes.

The win sends the pair into their third Grand Slam final together. Having already lifted trophies at Wimbledon in 2024 and at the Australian Open in 2025, they remain unbeaten in major finals and now have the chance to reach another significant milestone in their partnership. For Patten, the final also offers the chance to become the first British men's doubles champion in the Open Era at Roland Garros.

Regardless of Saturday's outcome, the duo's impressive run in Paris has already secured another reward, with both players set to share the ATP doubles World No. 1 ranking when the updated rankings are released next week.

In the final, they will face either defending champions Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos or the Italian duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori, who were scheduled to contest the second semifinal.

With confidence high and silverware already piling up this season, Heliovaara and Patten now stand one win away from adding the Roland Garros title to an already remarkable year.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori reinforced their status as the dominant force in mixed doubles by successfully defending their French Open title on Thursday, overcoming Gabriela Dabrowski and Evan King in a hard-fought final on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The Italian top seeds recovered from a set down to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 victory in one hour and 19 minutes, becoming the first pair since 2019 to retain the French Open mixed doubles trophy.

Playing in blustery conditions, Errani and Vavassori were tested early by their opponents, who adapted quickly to the wind and raced into a commanding lead. Dabrowski and King produced sharp all-court tennis to seize control of the opening set and maintained their advantage to move within a set of the title.

The momentum, however, shifted decisively after the changeover.

Errani and Vavassori responded with greater aggression and consistency, taking charge of the second set with an early surge that left their opponents chasing the match. Having forced a deciding championship tiebreak, the defending champions wasted little time asserting themselves, opening up an early lead and never allowing the challenge to gather momentum.

They eventually converted their first championship point to seal another major triumph together and continue their flawless record in Grand Slam mixed doubles finals. “What can I say. I’m still living this never-ending dream,” Errani said.

The victory adds another landmark achievement to Errani's decorated career. The 39-year-old now owns 10 Grand Slam titles across women's and mixed doubles, while Vavassori collected his fourth major mixed doubles crown alongside his compatriot.

During the trophy ceremony, the Italian pair reflected on a partnership that has become one of the most successful combinations in the discipline.

“You are for sure my best friend. You improve me as a player and as a person, and I'm really grateful to have this journey with you – it's something that I do not take for granted,” Vavassori told Errani during the trophy ceremony.

For King, the defeat carried a sense of déjà vu. The American also finished runner-up to the Italian duo in Paris last year, though with a different partner. This time, he joined forces with Canadian doubles specialist Dabrowski in their first mixed doubles campaign together this season.

Despite the loss, King was generous in his praise of the champions. "You guys are amazing for the sport, and inspirations. I wish we would beat you, but you guys are just really good,” King said to the Italian duo on court.

The title run further cemented Errani and Vavassori's place in Roland Garros history. Having become the first all-Italian team to win the mixed doubles title in Paris last year, they have now followed it up with a successful defence, while also becoming the first No. 1 seeds to lift the trophy since Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan achieved the feat in 2009.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) After a hip injury ended Matteo Berrettini's Roland Garros campaign after the Italian retired midway through his quarter-final match with Matteo Arnaldi, the Italian conceded it's the worst feeling ever but admitted, "It's the right thing to do," as it's not the last tournament he was playing in his career.

Trailing 7-5, 5-2, the former Wimbledon finalist Berrettini was forced to retire with a hip injury, a result that made the 104th-ranked Arnaldi just the second man to win a Roland-Garros quarterfinal by retirement in the Open era.

“I’m the last one that wants to retire. I'm so tired of it. I just don't want to do it, but sometimes you have to do it,” Berrettini said, as quoted by the ATP tour. “A lot of players have done it in the past, and it's the worst feeling ever, but it's the right thing to do, because it's not the last tournament I'm going to play in my life, and I have to think about my future. I have to think about my recovery.”

Shortly after losing a gruelling 76-minute first set, Berrettini left the court for a medical timeout down 2-1 in the second set, and a love hold seemed to steady him briefly. Though he bravely battled on for three more games, the former world No.6 had nothing left to give, and reluctantly pulled the plug after exactly two hours.

“They told me that the area was really sore and really painful. So I just tried, but then the pain was too much, and I hope that I didn't do any serious damage. I just have to wait and see in the next days for the scans and everything to see what it is.

"Hopefully it's nothing too bad. I'm obviously disappointed, but I think if I kept playing, I would have done way worse and probably the recovery time would have been longer. Unfortunately, I didn't have any other choices than retire," Berrettini said.

The former World No. 6, who was playing his first major quarter-final since the 2022 US Open,

began the tournament at World No. 105 and is now No. 48 in the ATP Live Rankings.

"It's going to be tough, but that's the mentality that I like to — that's how I like to approach these two weeks. And of course I'm disappointed; I'm sad, but I'm also proud of the way I fought through this tournament," the Italian said.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Matteo Arnaldi moved into his maiden Grand Slam semi-final at Roland Garros after his fellow Italian, Matteo Berrettini, retired from the pair’s quarterfinal clash with hip injury.

Trailing 7-5, 5-2, the former Wimbledon finalist Berrettini was forced to retire with a hip injury, a result that made the 104th-ranked Arnaldi just the second man to win a Roland-Garros quarterfinal by retirement in the Open era.

Berrettini clarified that he started to feel something on serve in the first set, but pushed it out of his mind for as long as possible.

"The match was very tough, and I just didn't really think much of it," he said. "I just kept going and I tried to do my best. It was a really tough task today, but then the more that I was playing, the more I was serving, the more I was hitting forehands, the worse I was feeling."

Things started to go sideways for the Berrettini shortly after he lost a gruelling 76-minute first set. He started the better of the two Italians, breaking serve twice in the first three games, and led 3-0 at the first change of ends, French Open reports.

But Arnaldi, who had already logged the most hours on-court en route to a major quarterfinal since 1991, got going after that, and won seven of the next nine games to steal the opening set. A nine-deuce eighth game was a highlight, as Berrettini saved five break points to hold, but he couldn’t repeat the feat in the set's final game.

Berrettini later left the court for a medical timeout down 2-1 in the second set, and a love hold seemed to steady him briefly. Though he bravely battled on for three more games, the former world No.6 had nothing left to give, and reluctantly pulled the plug after exactly two hours.

Arnaldi is the lowest-ranked man to reach the semifinals or better in Paris since Belgian Filip Dewulf got to the final four in 1997 ranked No.122, and just the third man outside the top 100 to do so since 1990.

The 25-year-old has totalled nearly 20 hours on court so far in the tournament and after a day off will face No.10 seeded fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli who he says he's known since they were 11 or 12 years old.

"It's crazy to think I'm in the semifinals," Arnaldi said. "I was feeling actually pretty good. I can't complain. I have been playing a lot, but at the same time I'm happy to be on court and to spend time on court, because I miss the playing. I for sure have some energy left for the next matches."

Awaiting Arnaldi in Friday’s semi-final will be his fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli, who earlier rallied past Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to reach his own first major semi-final.

The 10th-seeded Cobolli and Arnaldi are 1-1 in their ATP Head-to-Head series, with Cobolli winning the pair’s most recent clash in the second round at Roland Garros 2025.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Italy's Flavio Cobolli broke new ground in the French Open on Wednesday, storming into his maiden major semifinal with a four-set victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the men's singles under the Chatrier roof at Stade Roland Garros in Paris.

The Italian 24-year-old hit back from losing the first set to storm back to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory to move into his first semifinal at a major level. With this win, Cobolli will set up a clash with either Matteo Berrettini or Matteo Arnaldi in Friday’s semifinals, which guarantees an Italian presence in the men’s final on Sunday.

The youngster from Rome began the event as the world No.14 and moved up to No.10 in the live ATP list, the highest ranking of his career. "It's been the best week of my life," the Italian said on court.

In an explosive performance under the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 24-year-old Italian earned a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win against fourth-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was aiming to reach the last four at a major for the third time.

"I think we played two different matches today. The first set was incredibly windy and tough to play," Cobolli said of the windy first-set conditions before the roof was closed at the start of the second set. "I went to the toilet to think a bit and change something. This is the best court I have played on in my life because I can bring my best tennis. I said to myself to fight as I felt this would be the chance of my life, and I have to give everything in my matches, and today I did it."

After not dropping a set in his first three matches in Paris, Cobolli showed a few nerves in his win against Zachary Svajda in the fourth round. The three-time tour-level titlist eventually overcame the American in a fourth-set tie-break and looked more assured throughout his three-hour, 23-minute victory against Auger-Aliassime.

The Italian demonstrated great footwork to dictate on his forehand, while he played well on the pressure points, winning 10 of 14 30/30 points in the match. It is the first time Cobolli has defeated a Top 10 opponent at a major (1-6), and he is up four spots to No. 10 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. The 24-year-old will make his Top 10 debut on Monday if Jakub Mensik fails to win the title. The Czech meets Alexander Zverev in the other semi-final on Friday.

Just two wins from winning his maiden major title, Cobolli will play a countryman in the semi-finals: Matteo Berrettini or Matteo Arnaldi. It is the third time two Italians have reached the semi-finals at a major after Nicola Pietrangeli and Orlando Sirola at Roland Garros in 1960 and Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti in Paris last year.

"I will do the same routine as every day. I will go to dinner with my friends. I will go to bed and sleep," Cobolli said when asked if he would watch the second quarter-final. "It will be a Matteo in the semi-finals with me. Two of my good friends from the Tour and I wish them good luck, and I hope they enjoy the match."

With his quarterfinal victory, Cobolli has also guaranteed a first all-Italian men’s major semifinal in history, and there will be an Italian in Sunday's final. The last time an Italian man won Roland Garros was in 1976, when Adriano Panatta triumphed.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Russian youngster Diana Shnaider came from a set and a double break down to win the last 10 games in a row and stunned World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a quarterfinal match in the women's singles section of the French Open on Wednesday, securing a historic maiden entry into the Grand Slam semifinals at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris.

The No 25 seed Shnaider produced a sensational fightback to upset Sabalenka 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 in 2 hours and 12 minutes, snapping the No. 1 seed's streak of six consecutive major semifinals.

Shnaider, 22, looked down and out as Sabalenka set herself up for a routine victory with a commanding lead. But the Russian youngster moved, it isn't over till it is over as she scripted a brilliant comeback. Sabalenka was two points away from victory when she served for the match at 5-4 in the second set before the left-handed Shnaider started to turn things around.

Competing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, Schaider was facing a reigning World No. 1 for the first time. As gusts of wind swirled around Court Philippe-Chatrier, she mastered the conditions and met the moment superbly to make the major semifinal debut.

From 6-3, 4-1 down, Shnaider produced winner after winner with her left-handed forehand to claim 12 of the next 13 games, and the last 10 in a row from 5-3. By contrast, Sabalenka's control over her game abandoned her as she racked up 57 unforced errors -- 17 of which came in the decider alone, the first time she had dropped a 6-0 set since the third set of her 2024 Dubai second round against Donna Vekic

Shnaider, a five-time titlist on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz, claimed her second Top 10 win in 16 encounters, and first since defeating Coco Gauff in the 2024 Toronto third round.

Shnaider won four games in a row to snatch the second set, and then won a crucial 17-point second game of the third set, which helped her pull clear. She finished the match by winning 10 games in a row from 3-5 in the second set.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Poland tennis star Maja Chwalinska has continued her dream run in the prestigious French Open as the World Number 114 has beaten No.22 seed Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3 at Court Philippe-Chatrier on Wednesday to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal.

The 24-year-old will next face the winner of the quarterfinal between world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 25 seed Diana Shnaider for a place in the final for the first time on Thursday.

In a contest dominated by tight rallies and crucial momentum swings, Chwalińska displayed remarkable composure in key moments to overcome the higher-profile Kalinskaya and secure her place in the last four.

The Polish player made the most of her opportunities on return, converting an impressive seven of eight break-point chances compared to Kalinskaya's five conversions from 11 opportunities. Kalinskaya fired the only two aces of the match but was hampered by six double faults, allowing Chwalińska to stay within striking distance throughout the encounter.

Starting the match by losing the opening game, Chwalinska earned successive breaks to gain a 5-1 lead. However, Kalinskaya bounced back by winning four successive games. The set eventually went to the tie-break, which was rather straightforward.

After a tight first set, Chwalinska completely dominated in the next and gave away a little chance of recovery as she won the second straight set by 6-3 and moved to the next round.

The match was closely contested from start to finish, with Chwalińska winning 82 total points to Kalinskaya's 69 and claiming 43 receiving points.

For the 24-year-old qualifier, who has never been ranked higher than No. 113, it was already her eighth win at Roland Garros this year.

Chwalinska has also registered her name in the history books as she became only the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach the Roland Garros women's singles semifinals after Nadia Podoroska achieved the feat in 2020. No qualifier has reached the French Open final in the Open Era, and she is now one win away from accomplishing that milestone.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jakub Mensik held his nerve to convert the seventh match point to overcome Brazil's Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) and sealed his first major semi-final at Roland Garros.

The match was the youngest men's Paris quarterfinals since Nadal defeated Djokovic in 2006. Moreover, the 20-year-old Mensik became the first man born in 2004 or later to reach the last four of a major tournament.

The contest marked a significant milestone for both players, who were competing in their first major quarter-final. Yet it was Mensik who rose to the occasion and became the first Czech man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in almost a decade, since top 10 mainstay and 2010 Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych reached the last of his major semifinals at Wimbledon in 2017.

Fonseca sprayed three forehand errors in the fifth game to surrender an early break, while Mensik relied on his booming serve and disciplined baseline patterns to frustrate his opponent and establish a one-set advantage, ATP reports.

“We started a little bit nervous, then at the end of the match, there were some incredible shots,” Mensik said in his on-court interview. “I’m super happy that I came back. In the third set, I was a couple of breaks down, so I’m happy I managed to stay focused and keep fighting until the end.”

Mensik, who had also come through two five-setters en route to the last eight, maintained his authority in the second set, where he repeatedly moved forward to disrupt Fonseca's rhythm. The Czech showcased exquisite touch at the net, producing a string of deft drop volleys that left Fonseca with little answer.

After not facing a breakpoint across the first two sets, Mensik trailed 5-3 in the third and also saved a set point at 5-4. He quickly regained his footing, and, although he failed to convert six match points in the 12th game of the set on Fonseca's serve, he made a dramatic return to clinch the tie-break and secure victory under a closed roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

"The last game and the tiebreak were some of my best performances so far," Mensik said. "It was really tough to stay focused until the end. I'm happy I managed to come back in the tiebreak and still move my game a little forward."

After a thrilling win over Fonseca, the Czech player set a date with No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev with a spot in the Roland-Garros final at stake.

Zverev will take a 1-0 head-to-head lead into the semifinal against Mensik, following a 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3 win just weeks ago in Madrid.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Second seed Alexander Zverev kept his French Open aspirations alive with a dominant 7-6 (3) 6-1 6-3 victory over teen prodigy Rafael Jodar to reach the Roland Garros semifinals for the fifth time in six years.

A finalist here last year, Zverev was given a tough time by the Spanish 19-year-old in the opening set on Court Philippe-Chatrier, but the 29-year-old was unfazed as he rallied from 2-5 down to secure a victory which took two hours and 17 minutes.

"It was tough," he admitted after the match. "He was in rhythm, perfect rhythm, in the first set. And I wasn't. I was very short and very defensive. Conditions under the roof are very different. The string tension is different, and the ground is different.

"The ball wasn't jumping as high, and really heavy topspin wasn't good here, and I had to be a little bit flatter."

The German conceded that Jodar was all over him in the opening set of the clash. "He was playing great, and he was better at the beginning of the first set, but I was able to come back, and he played a bit nervously when he was serving for the set, and I took my chances then, and it was a good match from there."

Despite reaching the quarter-finals of this event, leading the way with 19 clay court wins this season, the 19-year-old looked set to snatch the opening set as he broke serve for a 5-2 lead, but Zverev's class told, with the German winning five of the next six games to force a tie break. Zverev then raced to 3-3 before rattling off four straight points to claim the set.

From there, Zverev dominated. Winning 71% of points behind his first serve and hitting a host of forehands, as he strung seven consecutive games together from 1-1 in the second set to establish a two-set and break advantage.

That dominance was underlined by his seven straight games between the second and third sets. He has now lost just one set in five here this year and, with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic out of the draw, Zverev must consider himself the favourite for a first Grand Slam.

Jakub Mensik or Joao Fonseca await Zverev in either a clash of young guns or a duel of the old, but either way, despite reaching another Roland Garros semi-final, Zverev is not looking at what lies beyond for now.

"I want to continue," he said. "I want to be in the tournament, I want to win the matches that I haven't been (winning). My goal.

"I feel like today was a very tough test against a very good player, and I did manage, I did win it. Of course, I'm happy to be in the semi-finals, but only for now. That's it."

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Marta Kostyuk made history in Ukrainian tennis on Tuesday by defeating her fellow countrywoman Elina Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in the first all-Ukrainian Grand Slam quarterfinal of the Open Era. This win secured her place in her first major semifinal at Roland Garros.

The 23-year-old, seeded 15th in Paris, triumphed over the seventh-seeded Svitolina in one hour and 49 minutes. She finished strong, winning 13 of the last 14 points to clinch her spot in the semifinals. With this victory, Kostyuk extended her impressive clay-court winning streak to 17 matches, having already won titles in Rouen and Madrid this season.

The event held meaning beyond tennis. It came less than 24 hours after a tragic Russian attack across Ukraine that reportedly killed at least 18 people. During an emotional on-court interview, Kostyuk dedicated her historic win to her country. "I want to start with this historic match that we played today with Elina," Kostyuk said. "We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv. So many people are dead. I want to give this match to the Ukrainian people and to their resilience."

With this win, Kostyuk became the first Ukrainian woman in the Open Era to reach the Roland Garros semifinals and only the third Ukrainian player to advance to a Grand Slam semifinal, following Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska.

For Svitolina, who is considered the most accomplished Ukrainian player in WTA history, the loss marked a disappointing sixth defeat in Paris quarterfinals, bringing her record to 0-6. Despite a strong 10-2 record against fellow Ukrainians on tour before this match, she could not stop Kostyuk's momentum.

The match was thrilling. Kostyuk took the first set 6-3, but Svitolina responded by winning the second set 6-2 to level the match. However, the younger player elevated her game in the final set, dominating the closing stages and securing a memorable victory.

This result also improved Kostyuk's head-to-head record against Svitolina to 2-1. Their rivalry began at the 2018 Australian Open, where a 15-year-old Kostyuk lost to Svitolina in her Grand Slam debut. Since then, Kostyuk has steadily closed the gap, with Tuesday's win mirroring her earlier 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Svitolina in Toronto in 2024.

Despite her significant achievement, Kostyuk was quick to recognise Svitolina's role in Ukrainian tennis. "And of course, I want to point out Elina and her incredible impact on Ukrainian tennis, on Ukrainians and on me," she said. "Everyone who's watching, she's an unbelievable fighter. I'm so happy to be in the semifinals, but I want to thank her again for this incredible match."

With this victory, Kostyuk ended Svitolina's 10-match winning streak on clay. She will now face eighth seed Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals, a rematch of this year's Madrid Open final. Both players are looking for their first Grand Slam final appearance. Kostyuk has won both their meetings this season, defeating Andreeva in Brisbane and Madrid.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva put on a near-perfect performance to reach the semifinals of the French Open for the second time in her career, defeating Romania's Sorana Cirstea convincingly 6-0, 6-3 in 56 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier at Stade Roland Garros on Tuesday.

Two years on from her maiden Grand Slam semifinal appearance at Roland Garros, the teenager eased her way into the final four, further establishing her presence on the WTA tour.

Under the closed roof of Philippe Chatrier, Andreeva dictated play from the outset. The Russian conceded just nine points throughout the first six games and offered the 36-year-old Cirstea not one game point, let alone a break point opportunity, as she raced through the first set in just 22 minutes.

The match-up was the biggest age disparity at a women's Grand Slam singles quarter-final since Martina Navratilova faced Jennifer Capriati at Wimbledon in 1991, but the youthful exuberance and pinpoint precision of Andreeva was ultimately too much to overcome.

Cirstea, in her second Grand Slam quarterfinal, eventually opened her account on the board at the beginning of the second set and then stayed level with Andreeva in the first six games as both players traded service holds to level the set at three-all. Andreeva immediately reasserted her authority in the contest, winning the next three games without dropping a point and sealing the 6-0, 6-3 triumph.

In statistics, Andreeva fired 18 winners to 20 Cirstea errors while making just six unforced errors of her own. Cirstea, on the other hand, only managed 4 winners to 17 errors, with the Russian converting every single one of the six break points she created.

The result improves Andreeva's career head-to-head record against Cirstea to 2-0 and puts her in the lead on the WTA Tour for the number of matches won this season, including team events, to 34. Andreeva's 20th clay court victory of the year means she has the most wins on the surface on the WTA tour in 2026.

Andreeva faces the winner of the seventh seed, Elina Svitolina, and the fifteenth seed, Marta Kostyuk, in her next match. She holds a 1-1 career record against Svitolina but lost their first meeting this season; she has yet to overcome Kostyuk, having lost to the Ukrainian on two occasions in 2026.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Matteo Arnaldi conjured up yet another five-set epic at French Open as he staged a remarkable comeback to outlast Fancis Tiafoe to book his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final.

The 25-year-old hauled No.19 seed American the distance in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The gripping 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 clash spanned five hours and 26 minutes.

The Italian has now spent an astonishing 17 hours and 42 minutes to reach the Roland Garros quarter-finals, one hour and 58 minutes longer than any other player has taken to make the quarter-finals at any Grand Slam tournament since the ATP Tour began recording match times in 1991.

The duo split the opening sets, before the American pulled clear with some devastating tennis combining finesse and power.Tiafoe appeared destined for back-to-back Roland-Garros quarterfinals by building a 4-1 double break lead in the fourth set.

Into the tiebreak and the 25-year-old’s front-foot play was making the difference during a series of high-octane exchanges. Arnaldi even went airborne to strike a piercing backhand down the line and moments later had earned a decider.

Arnaldi was in free flow by this stage and a series of firecracker groundstrokes yielded a commanding 4-2 advantage. Tiafoe would dig deep again with a whipped forehand the standout strike to level at 4-4 with the match clock ticking over five hours.

It was pure cinema. Tiafoe fell not once, but twice, in one rally alone, with Arnaldi stealing back the momentum and eventually converting his third match point.

Arnaldi will next play fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini. Notably, Arnaldi, alongside Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli, become the first Italian trio in the Open era to reach the men’s singles quarterfinals at the same Grand Slam.

The most recent occurrence came at the Australian Open in January, when Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti and Luciano Darderi all reached the fourth round.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Aryna Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka in a thrilling fourth-round match at Roland Garros, securing a 7-5, 6-3 victory to advance to her 14th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal.

Sabalenka is the only player left in the women's draw who's played in a major final. She will face No. 25 seed Diana Shnaider next, who booked her first career Grand Slam quarterfinal with a three-set win over No. 19 seed Madison Keys.

Osaka won the first two games of the match as Sabalenka struggled to get going. Five unforced errors -- including a double fault on break point -- handed Osaka the early advantage.

The top seed quickly shook that off. Two clean forehand winners helped pocket a break back, and she cruised on serve for the rest of the match. Not only did she not face a break point for the rest of the match, she was barely pushed past deuce, WTA reports.

The only game that went to deuce on Sabalenka's serve was the sixth game of set two, with Osaka ahead 3-2. A tight tussle in a six-minute game, which immediately followed a 2-2 hold by Osaka where Sabalenka failed to convert break point, sparked a four-game run for Sabalenka that ended the match.

After falling just short of her first French Open title 12 months ago, Sabalenka is fully focused on finishing the job this year.

"I'm not really overthinking, I was able to kind of, like, separate myself from what's going on this year at the Roland Garros," she said. "I have been around. Anything can happen. That's tennis. That's sport, you know?

"I'm just trying, once again, you know, to be focused on myself and make sure that when I'm there competing, I'm bringing my best level that I have, and I'm there, I'm fighting, and you know, I'm doing everything I can to get this trophy."

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian star N. Sriram Balaji and his Brazilian partner Marcelo Demoliner caused a major upset at the French Open, stunning sixth-seeded Germans Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz to continue their impressive run into the quarterfinals of the men's doubles section at the Stade Roland Garros on Monday.

The Indo-Brazilian pair came up with a composed performance to win their pre-quarterfinal match 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 25 minutes in the clay court major, thus making their maiden quarterfinal entry in Grand Slams for both Balaji and Demoliner.

This is their third successive win in the tournament and underlined their growing confidence as a team. Their entry into the quarterfinals caps a strong week for Balaji and Demoliner, who had earlier registered a convincing second-round victory over Germany's Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner, sealing a 7-5, 6-2 win in one hour and 27 minutes.

However, there were some setbacks for India in the men's doubles competition as India's Yuki Bhambri and New Zealand's Michael Venus suffered a 3-6, 4-6 defeat to the experienced Italian combination of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the second round.

Bhambri and Venus had started their campaign strongly, defeating Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo and Mariano Kestelboim 7-5, 6-2 in the opening round. Bhambri, however, remains alive in the tournament after progressing in the mixed doubles alongside partner Alexandra Panova.

In the mixed doubles, Yuki Bhambri and Russia's Alexandra Panova endured a tough defeat in the second round. The pair went down 1-6, 3-6 to last year's semifinalists Neal Skupski (GB) and Desirae Krawczyk of the USA.

In the junior competition, Arnav Paparkar continued his successful run, advancing to the boys' singles Round of 16 with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over 15th seed Kuan-Shou Chen of Chinese Taipei. Paparkar will also compete in the boys' doubles event, where he and Thailand's Kunanan Pantaratorn will take on Great Britain's Mark Ceban and Russia's Kirill Filaretov.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Nearly four years after stepping away from professional tennis, Serena Williams is ready to make a remarkable return to the WTA Tour. She will restart her career at Queen's Club, a pre-Wimbledon tournament, adding a new chapter to one of the greatest stories in sports history.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, who retired in 2022, will return to competition as a mother of two daughters — Olympia, born in 2017, and Adira, born in 2023. Her comeback has generated excitement throughout the tennis world, with many seeing it as another groundbreaking moment in a career that has repeatedly changed the landscape of the sport.

“Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all time, with a legacy that goes far beyond the court,” said Valerie Camillo, Chair of the WTA.

“Her return shows her passion for competition, and I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players. Serena is not just a great champion; she’s a successful entrepreneur and a strong advocate for important issues. She is one of the most iconic women in the world. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this exciting time for women’s tennis.”

Williams joins an exclusive group of former world No. 1 players who returned to professional tennis after giving birth. This group includes Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who also made a comeback after retirement, believes Williams’ return will inspire a new generation of players. “Serena brought the game to another level. It is incredible for the sport that she’s pushing the boundaries and coming back,” Navratilova said.

“To many younger players, they never had the chance to play against her; some may have never even watched her on TV, so this will be a new and exciting experience.”

Williams' return comes more than 30 years after she played her first WTA qualifying match in Quebec City in 1995. She made her main-draw debut in Moscow in 1997 as a 15-year-old and quickly rose through the ranks. By the end of 1998, she had broken into the Top 20, and in 1999 she won both her first WTA title in Paris and her first Grand Slam crown at the US Open.

She became World No. 1 for the first time on July 8, 2002, at age 20. Williams spent 319 weeks atop the rankings, including a record-tying streak of 186 consecutive weeks. She finished as year-end No. 1 five times and became the oldest woman to hold the top ranking in April 2017 at age 35.

Her achievements go far beyond singles. Williams won 23 doubles titles, 22 of them alongside her sister Venus Williams. The pair went unbeaten in 14 Grand Slam finals. They also held the world No. 1 doubles ranking and won multiple Olympic gold medals.

Serena is the only player in tennis history, male or female, to complete a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles. She won all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold medals in both events.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Paraguayan tennis player Adolfo Daniel Vallejo has been fined $65,000 (£48,300) by organisers of the French Open for what they called “unacceptable” comments about a female umpire after his second-round defeat at Roland Garros.

The 22-year-old World No. 71 faced criticism after he questioned Brazilian chair umpire Ana Carvalho in an interview with Clay magazine. This came after his loss to French teenager Moise Kouame. Vallejo said Carvalho was too weak to manage the atmosphere created by the supportive home crowd. He suggested that a match of that importance should have been officiated by a man.

French Open organisers strongly condemned the remarks, stating that they were “unacceptable” and that they “strongly condemn all sexist remarks.”

Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo confirmed that Vallejo received one of the largest fines in Grand Slam history. “It is roughly half of his prize money,” Mauresmo said.

“Clearly, this is something we do not accept as a tournament. Words like this should not be used in this arena.”

Players who reach the second round of the men’s singles draw receive €130,000 ($`151,000 or £112,000) in prize money. This means the fine accounts for nearly half of Vallejo’s earnings from this year's tournament.

After the announcement of disciplinary action, Vallejo released a public apology on social media. “I have respect for the umpires, and for the job they do. After a five-hour battle, I was very heated and felt a lot of emotions. I apologise,” Vallejo wrote on Instagram.

According to the Grand Slam rulebook, players can be fined up to `$100,000 (£74,200) for unsportsmanlike conduct. Vallejo’s fine was less than the maximum but ranks among the most severe penalties at a major tournament.

This controversy overshadowed Vallejo’s Roland Garros campaign, which ended in the second round against rising French star Moise Kouame. It also renewed discussions about conduct and respect toward officials in professional tennis.

Source: IANS

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Paris, June 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Anna Kalinskaya won one of the most dramatic matches of the Roland Garros fortnight, defeating Anastasia Potapova in a thrilling three-set match to reach the French Open quarter-finals for the first time in her career.

The 22nd-seeded Russian fought for two hours and 49 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen before winning 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7) against the 28th-seeded Austrian. The match saw frequent shifts in momentum and could have gone to either player at several points.

Kalinskaya's progress to the quarter-finals is only her second at a Grand Slam, following her breakthrough at the 2024 Australian Open. Notably, she reached Paris after winning only one main-draw match at Roland Garros before this year's tournament.

Moments after the match ended, the Russian admitted she was still processing what had just unfolded. “I'm shocked. I can't believe the match is over,” Kalinskaya said during her on-court interview.

The match was marked by dramatic momentum swings. Kalinskaya came back from 4-1 down in the first set to take an early lead, but Potapova responded strongly by winning the second set and forcing a final decider.

The last set featured even more surprises. After being behind 4-1, Potapova rallied to get back into the game and had two chances to serve for the match at 5-4 and 6-5. However, Kalinskaya stayed determined each time, extending the match into a tie-break.

Even then, the drama persisted. Potapova took a 4-1 lead in the tiebreak and seemed headed for victory, but a series of costly errors allowed Kalinskaya to mount a comeback and complete a stunning turnaround

In her reflection on the match, Kalinskaya commended her opponent, praised the intense competition and summed up the contest in similarly emotional terms.

“A really long fight from both of us 'til the last seconds. I've played her many times, but this one was definitely special. She improved a lot, so today was super challenging. It was an unbelievable fight from both of us until the last second,” she said.

One of the defining features of the deciding set was Kalinskaya's ability to remain composed despite repeatedly finding herself on the brink of defeat. Asked later how she handled the pressure when Potapova was serving for the match, the Russian revealed an unexpectedly simple approach.

“I don't have any nerves any more whatsoever. I was hoping to stay focused, and things didn't work. So I was a little bit like, whatever.”

That shift in mindset helped her reset and focus on the fundamentals. “So I could relax a little bit and get the rhythm, focus on my breathing and try to break her. I'm super happy I could do it.”

The victory improves Kalinskaya's head-to-head record against Potapova to 3-0 and sends her into just the fifth clay-court quarter-final of her career. Standing between her and a maiden Grand Slam semi-final will be either French hope Diane Parry or Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska.

Source: IANS

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Paris, May 31 (SocialNews.XYZ) Alexander Zverev fought back from a slow beginning and a tough challenge from Jesper de Jong to reach the Roland Garros quarter-finals for the sixth straight year, continuing his quest for his first Grand Slam win.

The second-seeded German player in Paris overcame an early deficit to beat lucky loser De Jong 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-1 in a fourth-round match on Court Philippe-Chatrier that took two hours and 14 minutes.

De Jong, ranked World No. 106, began confidently and quickly took a 3-0 lead in the first set, momentarily challenging one of the tournament favourites. Nevertheless, Zverev gradually adjusted from the baseline, gaining control of the match and ultimately defeating the Dutch player through his greater consistency and better shot selection.

“In the beginning it was a bit difficult. I didn’t start off strong and he started off really fast and really well. But once I found my rhythm, I felt very comfortable on the court and that’s the most important thing for me. I feel like my game is there, now it’s about showing it on the match court,” Zverev said in his on-court interview.

The victory continues a remarkable streak of consistency for the 29-year-old at Roland Garros. By advancing to the quarter-finals for the eighth time in his career, Zverev tied for sixth place in the Open Era records for most last-eight appearances at this clay-court Grand Slam.

Having finished as the runner-up in Paris last year and reaching three Grand Slam finals overall, Zverev remains a strong contender for his career's biggest prize. In the match against De Jong, he converted four out of seven break points created and grew more dominant as the match went on.

The German's path to the semi-finals now leads through one of the ATP Tour's most promising young players. Zverev will next compete against 19-year-old Rafael Jodar, who made a remarkable comeback to beat Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 and advance to the quarter-finals.

Jodar's swift ascent has been a highlight of the 2026 clay-court season. Initially ranked outside the top 100, the young player has rapidly climbed into the top 20 and currently holds the lead on the ATP Tour with 19 clay-court wins this year.

“He’s a very young player, incredibly talented. He’s come on the scene this clay-court season, from being ranked outside the Top 100 to now being almost Top 20, within two months. So he’s playing incredible tennis and it’s going to be a very difficult challenge, but I have to trust myself and I’ll be ready for it,” Zverev said of Jodar.

With several high-profile players exiting the men's draw, Zverev has become one of the main contenders for the title. Only two Top-10 players remain in the tournament, with World No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime the other top seed. A win against Jodar on Tuesday would advance Zverev to the Roland Garros semi-finals for the fifth time and bring him closer to finally achieving Grand Slam success.

Source: IANS

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Paris, May 31 (SocialNews.XYZ) Rafael Jodar continued his remarkable breakthrough campaign with a stirring comeback victory over compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, recovering from two sets down to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Spaniard looked headed for defeat after dropping the opening two sets but responded in emphatic fashion, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in a gripping three-hour, 41-minute battle on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

Busta, seeking a third Roland Garros quarter-final appearance, made the stronger start. The former world No. 10 controlled the early exchanges with his trademark consistency from the baseline, repeatedly exposing openings with his backhand to edge both the first and second sets by identical 6-4 scorelines.

With the experienced Spaniard firmly in command, Jodar needed a dramatic shift in momentum to keep his tournament alive. That turning point arrived at the start of the third set.

The teenager began playing with greater patience, cutting down on unforced errors and refusing to be drawn into rushed exchanges. The change in approach immediately paid dividends as he raced through the third set 6-1, suddenly swinging the momentum in his favour.

“It’s difficult because he has a great backhand. When we’re playing cross with the backhand, it’s difficult to change because he’s playing deep in the court. I tried not to rush the shots and not make a lot of unforced errors. I think that was the key in the first two sets, so I tried to change that,” Jodar was quoted by ATP.

Busta's challenge became more complicated when he required a medical timeout on his right shoulder after the third set. Jodar capitalised on the opportunity, maintaining his intensity and powering through the fourth set 6-2 to force a decider.

The fifth set featured one final moment of danger for the youngster when he faced a 0-30 deficit early on serve. He survived the scare, held firm and gradually pulled away as Carreno Busta struggled to stem the tide.

Jodar closed out the deciding set 6-2 to complete his third five-set victory from as many attempts and continue a clay-court season that has transformed him into one of the Tour's most exciting young talents. The victory makes him only the fifth man this century to reach the Roland Garros quarter-finals on debut. It also continues a meteoric rise that has seen him climb from outside the world's top 700 a year ago to the brink of the ATP Top 20.

Jodar will next face either second seed Alexander Zverev or Dutch lucky loser Jesper de Jong for a place in the semi-finals.

Source: IANS

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Paris, May 31 (SocialNews.XYZ) 17 years after first breaking into the latter stages of Roland Garros, Sorana Cirstea returned to familiar territory on Sunday, defeating China's Xiyu Wang 6-3, 7-6(4) to secure a place in the quarter-finals and continue a remarkable late-career resurgence.

For a player preparing to retire at the end of the season, the achievement represented another milestone in what is becoming the most memorable campaign of her career. The Romanian 18th seed arrived in Paris carrying strong form and left Court Suzanne-Lenglen with a third Grand Slam quarter-final appearance to her name, and her first at the French Open since 2009.

The contest was expected to test Cirstea's consistency against a dangerous qualifier who had not dropped a set throughout the tournament. Instead, the Romanian's experience proved decisive in key moments as she controlled long stretches of the match before holding her nerve when Wang mounted a late challenge.

Cirstea established her authority early. Using her depth of shot and superior court positioning, the 36-year-old broke serve twice in the opening set to race into a commanding 5-1 lead. Wang, whose season only resumed in March after a lengthy shoulder injury layoff, eventually settled into the contest and recovered one of the breaks to narrow the deficit.

The momentum shift, however, proved temporary. Cirstea quickly regrouped and closed out the opening set 6-3, ensuring that Wang's revival never fully gathered pace. The second set developed into a far tighter battle.

Once again, Cirstea appeared headed for a comfortable finish after securing two breaks and moving within a game of victory at 5-2. Yet Wang produced her best tennis of the afternoon when facing elimination, stringing together an impressive run of games to level the score at 5-5 and suddenly place the Romanian under pressure.

With the match threatening to slip into a deciding set, Cirstea leaned on her vast experience. She steadied herself in the closing stages, protected her serve and guided the contest into a tiebreak. There, the gulf in big-match experience became increasingly evident. While Wang struggled to sustain her momentum, Cirstea remained composed, winning the breaker 7-4 to seal victory after one hour and 55 minutes.

The result continues an extraordinary season for the Romanian veteran. Having already broken into the world's top 20 and claimed the first victory of her career over a reigning world No. 1 by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in Rome, Cirstea has now added another landmark achievement to her farewell campaign.

Still yet to drop a set in Paris, she advances to the quarter-finals, where she will face either eighth seed Mirra Andreeva or Switzerland's Jil Teichmann, with a place in the final four now within touching distance.

Source: IANS

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