Jannik Sinner meets Pope Leo XIV© AFP Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner had an audience on Wednesday with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, himself a keen tennis player, the Vatican said. Sinner was invited to the Vatican along with his parents and a delegation from the Italian Tennis Federation. Leo joked earlier … Read more
Coco Gauff in action.© AFP Coco Gauff marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open on Wednesday by beating Mirra Andreeva in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5). American Gauff has guaranteed herself number two in the world rankings with her solid displays in Rome, where she saw off seventh seed Andreeva on centre … Read more
Carlos Alcaraz strode into the semi-finals of the Italian Open on Wednesday after putting in a powerful display to down Jack Draper in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Third seed Alcaraz will face one of reigning Rome champion Alexander Zverev and home hope Lorenzo Musetti, the day’s final pairing on centre court, in the … Read more
Carlos Alcaraz joined reigning Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev in the last 16 in Rome after seeing off Laslo Djere 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 on centre court on Sunday. Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz reached the fourth round at the Foro Italico for the first time after a battle with spirited Djere. In the … Read more
Former Indian tennis player Sania Mirza has shared powerful message on social media, reacting to two women officers briefing the media on India’s execution of ‘Operation Sindoor’ on Wednesday. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh flanked Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday morning during the briefing about Operation Sindoor, which was … Read more
Casper Ruud joked seven was his lucky number after claiming the most important trophy of his career in his seventh big final as he beat Jack Draper on Sunday to win the Madrid Open. The Norwegian, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, earned his first Masters 1000 triumph with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory … Read more
Last year’s runner-up Aryna Sabalenka survived a gritty Marta Kostyuk and an untimely rain interruption to complete a 7-6(7/4), 7-6(9/7) win over the Ukrainian and reach the Madrid Open semi-finals for a fourth time on Wednesday. The top-seeded Sabalenka needed 84 minutes to take the opening set before securing the win in cold, … Read more
World number two Alexander Zverev was taken to the limit by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a gripping Madrid Open third round battle on Sunday, progressing 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/0). The Spaniard, roared on by the partisan home crowd, broke in the first and third games to claim the first set with ease. … Read more
Novak Djokovic admits he may have played his last-ever match at the Madrid Open after he crashed out in his opening round encounter on Saturday, while Iga Swiatek advanced to the last-16 on the women’s side of the draw. Djokovic’s bid for a 100th career title was scuppered by Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who … Read more
Defending Madrid Open champion Iga Swiatek survived a scare to beat rising teenage star Alexandra Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday and reach the third round in the Spanish capital. The 19-year-old Filipina, who beat Swiatek in straight sets on a shock run to the Miami Open semi-finals in March, claimed the first … Read more