Casper Ruud Makes History, Reaches Olympic Quarterfinals

Casper Ruud Makes History, Reaches Olympic Quarterfinals

Casper Ruud’s Olympic journey reached new heights on Wednesday as he notched his 250th career victory and became the first Norwegian tennis player to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Games.

The 23-year-old Norwegian overcame Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-4 in a hard-fought round-of-16 clash. Ruud’s triumph marked a significant milestone in his career, making him only the second player born in 1998 or later to achieve 250 career wins, after Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Ruud’s success at the Olympics is a testament to his impressive form on clay courts. He has won 19 of his last 22 matches at Stade Roland Garros, where the Olympic Tennis Event is being held. His run includes back-to-back finals at the French Open in 2022 and 2023, as well as a semifinal appearance in 2024.

In the quarterfinals, Ruud will face another rising star, Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada. Auger-Aliassime also made history for his country by becoming the first Canadian tennis player to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics.

Auger-Aliassime’s victory over Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 5, was his 16th career win over a Top 10 player. He will be looking to extend his impressive record against Ruud, whom he defeated in straight sets in the fourth round of the Madrid Masters earlier this year.

The quarterfinal clash between Ruud and Auger-Aliassime promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the most promising young players in the game. Ruud will be aiming to continue his impressive run at the Olympics and make history as the first Norwegian to reach the semifinals.

Swiatek Advances to Olympic Semifinals, Collins Retires

Swiatek Advances to Olympic Semifinals, Collins Retires

Iga Swiatek, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, has advanced to the semifinals of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, overcoming a resilient Danielle Collins in a thrilling three-set encounter.

Swiatek, who won her fourth Roland Garros title just over a month ago, dominated the opening set, breaking Collins’ serve twice to take a commanding 6-1 lead. However, Collins, who is making her Olympic debut and plans to retire at the end of the year, fought back in the second set, winning 6-2 to level the match.

In the deciding set, Swiatek regained her composure, breaking Collins’ serve twice to take a 2-0 lead. Collins, visibly frustrated and hindered by physical discomfort, called a medical timeout. Upon returning to the court, she struggled to continue and ultimately retired, handing Swiatek a 6-1, 2-6, 4-1 victory.

Swiatek’s victory sets up a semifinal clash with No. 6 seed Zheng Qinwen, who earlier in the day defeated former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber. Swiatek must reach the final to guarantee a medal, but her impressive performance against Collins has significantly improved her chances of leaving Paris with a podium finish.

Collins, who has been in excellent form since announcing her retirement plans, gave Swiatek a stern test, particularly in the second set. However, Swiatek’s resilience and ability to raise her level in crucial moments proved too much for the American.

Swiatek’s victory is a testament to her dominance on clay, a surface on which she has won all four of her Grand Slam titles. She is now the overwhelming favorite to capture a maiden Olympic gold medal in her second Olympic appearance.

Coco Gauff's Olympic Hopes Dwindle After Doubles Exit

Coco Gauff’s Olympic Hopes Dwindle After Doubles Exit

Coco Gauff’s Olympic campaign in Paris took a disappointing turn on Wednesday as she suffered a second-round exit in women’s doubles, a day after her tearful departure from singles.

Gauff and her American teammate, Jessica Pegula, were the top-seeded women’s pair but were eliminated by the Czech duo of Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova in a thrilling match tiebreaker, 2-6, 6-4, 10-5.

The setback came on the heels of Gauff’s heartbreaking loss to Donna Vekic of Croatia in the third round of singles, where she was seeded second. The American had a heated exchange with the chair umpire near the end of that match over an officiating decision.

Despite the setbacks, Gauff still has a chance to salvage her Olympic experience in mixed doubles, where she is scheduled to partner with Taylor Fritz later Wednesday.

Gauff arrived in France as one of the most highly anticipated athletes in the Games. The 20-year-old from Florida won her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open last September and collected her first major doubles title at the French Open in June.

Muchova, who was the runner-up to Iga Swiatek at the French Open last year, returned to action in June after missing 10 months due to surgery on her right wrist.

Noskova, 18, has emerged as a rising star in the sport. She made history at the Australian Open in January when she became the first teenager to defeat a No. 1-ranked woman at Melbourne Park since 1999.

The match between Gauff and Pegula and Muchova and Noskova was delayed by rain before the Czechs took the second set. They then dominated the match tiebreaker, with Noskova sealing the victory with a volley winner.

Angelique Kerber Retires: A Late-Blooming Tennis Legend

Angelique Kerber Retires: A Late-Blooming Tennis Legend

Angelique Kerber, the German tennis legend who defied expectations to become a multiple Grand Slam champion, has bid farewell to the sport. At the age of 36, Kerber played her final match at the Paris Olympics, representing her country with pride.

Kerber’s journey to the top was an unconventional one. Unlike many tennis prodigies who achieve success at a young age, Kerber emerged as a late bloomer. Her first Grand Slam singles title came at the 2016 Australian Open, where she stunned Serena Williams in the final.

That victory marked the beginning of a remarkable year for Kerber. She reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Williams again, and then triumphed at the US Open, becoming the world No. 1. Kerber’s success was attributed to her relentless determination, her ability to overcome adversity, and her unique playing style.

Despite her initial success, Kerber faced setbacks in the following years. She failed to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal in 2017 and dropped out of the Top 20. However, in 2018, she once again surprised the tennis world by winning Wimbledon for the second time, defeating Williams in the final.

Kerber’s success was not limited to singles. She also represented Germany in the Olympics and Fed Cup, compiling an impressive record. Her legacy as a fierce competitor and a role model for aspiring athletes will continue to inspire generations to come.

Sam Querrey Teases Sequel to Viral Bouchard Bikini Photo Shoot

Sam Querrey Teases Sequel to Viral Bouchard Bikini Photo Shoot

Sam Querrey, the former Wimbledon finalist, is once again teasing a follow-up to his viral copycat rendition of Eugenie Bouchard’s backyard-bikini photo shoot. Querrey, who has a massive online presence with 2.4 million Instagram followers, has been known to poke fun at Bouchard’s penchant for posing in barely-there bikinis.

After his first effort drew a thumbs-up from Bianca Andreescu, Leylah Fernandez, and Reilly Opelka, plus a plethora of tennis fans, Querrey decided to ask the masses if they wanted to see a sequel based off of Bouchard’s newest content.

“Should I do it?” he polled his followers, while holding what appeared to be a white-and-floral-patterned bikini bottom.

The muse herself, though, is not ready for the follow-up.

“Oh God, pls [please] no,” she joked as she reposted Querrey into her own Instagram story.

But whether or not Querrey follows through on his promise, Bouchard won’t just be starring on social media this summer.

In the last week, it was announced that the Canadian was given a wild card to the qualifying tournament at the upcoming WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto. She’ll play in either the main draw or qualifying of her country’s flagship tournament for the 14th time, but hasn’t featured in the main draw since 2019.

Bouchard has only played two professional tennis tournaments this year as she continues to balance her touring career with one in professional pickleball. She reached the quarterfinals of an ITF World Tennis Tour event in Zephyrhills, Fla. in May, and played doubles this week at the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open with Sloane Stephens, where they lost in Tuesday’s first round.

Wimbledon Champ Krejcikova Bows Out of Paris Olympics Singles

Wimbledon Champ Krejcikova Bows Out of Paris Olympics Singles

Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova’s Olympic singles journey came to an end in the quarterfinals, as she succumbed to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia. Schmiedlova’s victory marked the elimination of both Wimbledon finalists, having previously defeated runner-up Jasmine Paolini in the third round.

Krejcikova, seeded ninth in Paris, has enjoyed success on the clay courts of Roland Garros, winning the French Open singles and doubles titles in 2021. However, the oppressive heat and humidity proved to be a challenge for the Czech player.

Schmiedlova, ranked 67th, capitalized on Krejcikova’s unforced errors, which totaled 32 compared to Schmiedlova’s 15. The Slovakian also converted five of her 11 break points, while Krejcikova struggled with her serve, committing five double-faults.

In the men’s draw, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Dominik Koepfer of Germany. Djokovic will face Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, who defeated him in the first two sets of the 2021 French Open final before Djokovic rallied to win.

Other notable results in the men’s third round saw Tommy Paul of the U.S. defeat Corentin Moutet of France, while Taylor Fritz of the U.S. was eliminated by Lorenzo Musetti of Italy.

Djokovic Reaches Olympic Quarterfinals, Nadal and Alcaraz Aim for Doubles Semis

Djokovic Reaches Olympic Quarterfinals, Nadal and Alcaraz Aim for Doubles Semis

Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, continued his pursuit of an elusive Olympic gold medal on Wednesday, reaching the quarterfinals of the men’s singles tournament at the Tokyo Olympics. Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, defeated German Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-3 to become the first man to reach four Olympic singles quarterfinals.

Djokovic, who has only ever won an Olympic bronze medal in 2008, will face 11th-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the quarterfinals. Tsitsipas, who lost to Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final, will be a tough test for the Serbian.

In other men’s singles action, defending champion Alexander Zverev of Germany will face Alexei Popyrin of Australia, while fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia will face Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.

In the men’s doubles, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will face fourth-seeded Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the United States in the quarterfinals. Nadal, a 14-time French Open singles champion, is chasing a third Olympic gold medal after winning the singles title in Beijing in 2008 and doubles in Rio eight years later.

In the women’s singles, world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland will face Danielle Collins of the United States in the quarterfinals. Swiatek, who has won the French Open four times, is looking to claim her first Olympic gold medal.

Three-time major winner Angelique Kerber of Germany will face Zheng Qinwen of China in the quarterfinals. Kerber, who will retire after the Olympics, is looking to end her career on a high note.

Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic will face Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia in the quarterfinals. Krejcikova, who won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year, is looking to add an Olympic medal to her collection.

In the remaining women’s quarterfinal, Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine will face Donna Vekic of Croatia. Vekic, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon this year, will be looking to upset Kostyuk and reach the semifinals.

Poonacha and Verdugo Triumph in Lexington Challenger Doubles

Poonacha and Verdugo Triumph in Lexington Challenger Doubles

Niki Poonacha and Hans Verdugo, a formidable doubles duo, showcased their prowess at the $82,000 Challenger tennis tournament in Lexington, Kentucky. The pair displayed exceptional teamwork and strategic play, ultimately defeating Govind Nanda and Cooper Williams in the doubles pre-quarterfinals with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory.

In the first set, Poonacha and Verdugo established their dominance early on, breaking their opponents’ serve in the second game. They maintained their momentum, holding their own serves comfortably and capitalizing on Nanda and Williams’ unforced errors. The set concluded with Poonacha and Verdugo securing a 6-3 advantage.

The second set proved to be a more competitive affair, with both teams trading breaks of serve. However, Poonacha and Verdugo’s resilience and determination shone through. They broke Nanda and Williams’ serve in the crucial ninth game, putting them on the brink of victory. With unwavering focus, they held their own serve in the following game, sealing the set 6-4 and securing their place in the next round.

In other matches, S. Mukund of India registered a hard-fought victory over Chung Yun Seong of South Korea in the first round of the $25,000 ITF men’s tournament in Taipei. Mukund’s consistent groundstrokes and aggressive net play proved too much for his opponent, who retired in the second set with the score standing at 6-1, 2-1.

Meanwhile, in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the same tournament, the Indian duo of Sai Karteek Reddy and Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul of Thailand displayed their chemistry and coordination. They cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Takuya Kumasaka and Taiyo Yamanaka of Japan, showcasing their ability to control the pace of the game and execute well-timed volleys.

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Olympic Singles Third Round, Eyes Doubles Glory with Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Olympic Singles Third Round, Eyes Doubles Glory with Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three from Spain, has advanced to the last 16 of the Olympic singles tennis tournament after defeating Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 6-1, 7-6 (7/3). Alcaraz, who is aiming for a gold medal to add to his four Grand Slam titles, will face Roman Safiullin in the men’s singles round 3 match.

Alcaraz, who had been struggling with a leg injury, shrugged off the discomfort to secure his place in the third round. The Spaniard displayed his trademark aggressive style, dominating the first set with powerful groundstrokes and precise serves. In the second set, Griekspoor put up a stronger fight, but Alcaraz remained composed and ultimately prevailed in the tiebreaker.

After the match, Alcaraz expressed his determination to be fully fit for his doubles match with Rafael Nadal. “I’m going to fight to be 100 percent for doubles with Rafa,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to play together and try to win a medal for Spain.”

The Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin Olympics Men’s Singles Third Round match will be played on Wednesday, July 31 (IST) at Roland-Garros – Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The match is scheduled to start at around 6:00 PM IST and will be telecast live in India on Sports 18. It will also be streamed live on the Jio Cinema app.

Sreeja Akula Makes History, Reaches Paris Olympics Pre-Quarterfinals

Sreeja Akula Makes History, Reaches Paris Olympics Pre-Quarterfinals

Sreeja Akula, India’s rising table tennis star, has etched her name in history by becoming the second Indian woman to reach the pre-quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics. On her 26th birthday, Akula displayed remarkable resilience and determination to overcome Singapore’s Jian Zeng in a thrilling 4-2 victory.

Akula’s journey to the pre-quarterfinals was not without its challenges. She dropped the opening game but rallied back with unwavering spirit, winning the next three games to take a commanding lead. Zeng fought back to claim the fifth game, but Akula remained composed and sealed the deal in the sixth game, securing her place in the next round.

Akula’s victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication. Last month, she achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 24, displacing Manika Batra as India’s top women’s singles player. Akula’s triumph at the WTT Contender singles title in Lagos in June further solidified her status as a rising star in the sport.

In the pre-quarterfinals, Akula will face a formidable opponent in China’s world number one Sun Yingsha. Despite the daunting task ahead, Akula is confident in her abilities and determined to make history once again.

Akula’s success is not only a personal achievement but also a significant milestone for Indian table tennis. It marks the first time that two Indian women have reached the pre-quarterfinals of the Olympics, a testament to the growing strength and depth of the sport in India.

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