Sinner and Alcaraz are forming a men's singles cartel at grand slam tournaments
Federer and Nadal are both retired and although Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semi-finals he will have to roll back the years and produce an epic performance for the ages to win that coveted 25th grand slam and take sole possession of the record he shares with Margaret Court.
Alcaraz and Sinner have now won the last seven major tournaments between them, including the French Open at the beginning of June when the Spaniard battled back from two sets down to Sinner to win in five on the Roland Garros clay and at the All England Club on Sunday when the Italian triumphed in four sets against his great rival despite losing the opener.
It's gripping stuff with some of the extraordinary shots a wonder to behold and debates are certain to rage for age over whether the new kids on the block could have lived with the Big Three and the likes of Andy Murray or, before that, Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg…
American Taylor Fritz and of course Britain's Jack Draper are among those who can upset the apple cart by claiming a slam with Ben Shelton, Joao Fonseca and Alexander Bublik bubbling under many radars and the beauty of sport is that the next generational talent can burst into the big time from apparently nowhere at any given tournament.
But it's hard to see anyone breaking the dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner on a regular basis for the moment and after winning Wimbledon for the first time, the latter is currently no bigger than 6/5 with Betfred to successfully defend his US Open title on the Arthur Ashe Court in New York, in September.
Alcaraz is 2/1 with the same firm and many others with last year's Olympic gold medallist Djokovic, who is now solely focused on gaining that record before retiring, 7/1 with Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral and many more. Draper is 16/1 with Unibet and BetMGM but the smart money is on Sinner, who excels on the hard-court circuit, to prevail.
When it comes to betting on the men's singles at slams, punters who prefer to back players at bigger prices face a long wait before finding a winner as while there's no such thing as a certainty in sport, Sinner or Alcaraz to loft silverware at one of the four major tournaments looks as close as it gets.
To be honest, it's probably a safe bet that the chant 'Let's Go Chelsea, Let's Go' which rang around MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday as the Blues beat Paris Saint-Germain to win the Club World Cup won't catch on at Stamford Bridge this season. More Trending
The 3-0 victory was a shock result given how well PSG were playing in the tournament but while they may have had an off day it is fairer to assume Enzo Maresca's young Chelsea side are starting to mature into a decent outfit which will be serious contenders on all fronts when the new season commences.
There's a lot of unfinished business in the transfer market which could change perspectives but Chelsea are currently 9/1 with Unibet and BetMGM to win the Premier League and 18/1 with Betway and BoyleSports for the Champions League and those prices are not likely to get any bigger.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is enjoying an outstanding season both offensively and defensively and he's 9/1 with Sky Bet to be the MVP at Major League Baseball's All Star Game in Atlanta.
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The Guardian
39 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Cole Palmer's Chelsea finally believe they are Premier League contenders
When Chelsea won the Conference League in May, a victory secured by the standard ice‑cold Cole Palmer performance in a final, the reaction was restrained and there was no internal talk of an impending title challenge. Now the vibe is different. It is hard not to dream when Chelsea perform as they did against Paris Saint‑Germain in the final of the Club World Cup. Nobody is getting carried away. Chelsea know what the rest of us know, which is that they are not the best team in the world. They are not the finished article. They are young and still have much to learn. Yet there is a gold badge on the shirt for the next four years and if Chelsea woke up feeling $100m on Monday morning it will not only have been because of the prize money made during their month in the US. Where does this end? Chelsea have built priceless momentum and will head into the new season with serious aspirations of winning the Premier League and going far in the Champions League. They are youthful, aggressive, motivated and extremely talented. They are champions of the world, an achievement that should not be played down. They were the second-youngest side at the Club World Cup and have benefited from treating it seriously. They have grown as a team, honing their tactical vision and hardening their mentality, and it has done wonders for Enzo Maresca's standing as head coach after a challenging first year. Maresca has seemed on dodgy ground at times. He wobbled during a difficult spell after Christmas and has not found it easy to convince match-going fans to embrace his patient, positional football. The players, though, are different. Maresca clearly has total buy-in from the squad. 'He is building something special,' Palmer said after leading the destruction of PSG with two goals and an assist for João Pedro before half-time. 'He's a top coach,' Malo Gusto said before the final. 'He's always watching his next opponent and doing analysis. That helps us.' Maresca's plan was perfect against PSG. Chelsea were coherent and disciplined. 'The first 10 minutes, the team was there to showed that we were there to win,' Maresca said. Chelsea were physical from the start. They went direct, beating Luis Enrique's ferocious pressing system, and targeted PSG's left flank. 'That's where we tried to win the game,' Maresca said. 'But you can give the players a plan – in the end it's them who have to execute it.' Chelsea delivered, the collective combining to create conditions for Palmer's quality to shine. It should do wonders for their confidence. They are back in the Champions League after a two-year absence and will believe they can compete with the best after doing to PSG what the French club have been doing to everyone else in Europe during the past eight months. This is a project moving in the right direction. Palmer is the jewel in the crown – incredibly he was unwell last week but still left PSG feeling under the weather – but it is a team effort. The work conducted by the recruitment team of Paul Winstanley, Joe Shields, Laurence Stewart and Sam Jewell cannot be overlooked. They have faced external criticism but will earn more respect after this triumph. The question is whether Chelsea can push on. They were reluctant to say that they were challengers last season, even when two points off the top just before Christmas. But something shifted when they got over the line during the run-in and finished fourth. Champions League qualification gave them belief; thumping PSG enhances it. 'I said at the start of this tournament that our plan is to win it and people looked at me as if I was crazy,' Levi Colwill said. 'I'm going to say the exact same thing now going into the Premier League and Champions League. I think we're ready.' Chelsea look stronger. João Pedro has transformed the attack in the space of two weeks, impressing with his pressing, mobility and link play. Maresca has options. He was able to bring on Liam Delap against PSG and use the striker's pace on the break. Chelsea have different modes of attack. They can counter with Pedro Neto's pace on the flanks. Jamie Gittens and Estêvão Willian are joining and will provide more depth on the flanks. Another positive from the tournament? Estêvão proving he can take on English defences by scoring against Chelsea in his final game for Palmeiras. The unknown is whether Chelsea are going to be more adept at breaking down low blocks. There was space against PSG but other sides will not be as accommodating. Chelsea are going to come up against a lot of deep defences. It is partly why João Pedro has been signed; Maresca regards the Brazilian's versatility as a way to unlock tight games. Enzo Fernández's development as a box-crashing midfielder is another plus. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion There will be challenges, not least when it comes to dealing with the physical impact of the Club World Cup. Chelsea have three weeks off before returning for pre-season and host Crystal Palace in their opening Premier League game. It is hard to know how this plays out. They could use the positive vibes to hit the ground running but there may come a point when they crash. Or they may start slowly and find themselves in another battle for the top four. The additional demands of an expanded Champions League further complicates matters. Chelsea were able to rest their A‑listers in the Conference League but that is not an option this time. It is acknowledged that Maresca needs cover for Marc Cucurella at left-back. But the squad does not need a lot of work. It is said that Robert Sánchez is not a title-winning goalkeeper but he was outstanding against PSG. There has been a lot of talk about a new centre-back but Chelsea gave away little against Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. There is depth in a lot of other positions. Not that it will be quiet before the window shuts. Chelsea's bank balance has been boosted and they are nothing if not afraid to trade. Noni Madueke is going to Arsenal and another attacker could be targeted if Nicolas Jackson or Christopher Nkunku leaves. Tyrique George has a lot of wingers in front of him. Chelsea have been fined by Uefa for breaching financial fair play rules and must generate positive income if they are to register new players in their Champions League squad. The goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is joining Bournemouth for £25m. Chelsea have outcasts to sell; plenty of ways to bring in money. Buyers must be found for Raheem Sterling, João Félix, Axel Disasi and many more. That element of the approach led by Clearlake Capital, the club's majority owner, leaves some observers cold. It is important that Chelsea embrace stability and keep the core group together. 'We've got the best players in our team, young players, and that's our plan: to win the biggest trophies for Chelsea,' Colwill said. 'No matter what, we've got to stick together.' He was on top of the world. Chelsea have no intention of crashing back to earth. They think this is just the beginning.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Isla Fisher narrowly avoids ex Sacha Baron Cohen at Wimbledon as she arrives with her brother after finalising divorce
Isla Fisher narrowly avoided ex-husband Sacha Baron Cohen at Wimbledon on Sunday as she arrived alongside her older brother Daniel - after finalising her divorce. English actor Sacha, 53, was seen chatting to a guest in the stands during the Gentlemen's Single Final at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Isla, 49, and Sacha, who met in 2001 and wed in 2010, announced they had finalised their £120million (approximately $250million AUD) divorce on June 14. In a message posted simultaneously on both their Instagram sites to confirm their divorce, the pair said: 'Our divorce has now been finalised. 'We are proud of all we've achieved together and, continuing our great respect for each other, we remain friends and committed to co-parenting our wonderful children. 'We ask for the media to continue to respect our children's privacy.' They were believed to have one of the strongest marriages in showbusiness before quietly separating in 2023. They then publicly announced their break-up in April 2024, and it now appears they have amicably resolved any differences. A source said: 'It's all sorted. Now Sacha and Isla both just want to get on with the rest of their lives and focus on their family's well-being.' The pair announced their separation last year with a picture of themselves wearing tennis whites. They confirmed in an accompanying message: 'After a long tennis match lasting over 20 years, we are finally putting our racquets down.' In an enthralling four-set encounter, Italian player Jannik Sinner defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to win the first Wimbledon title of his career. The Australian actress had her brother on her arm at the Champagne Lanson event at Agapanthus Suite. She also has another brother called Edward. Isla was glowing as she posed beside him, who warmly rested his arm around her waist as the pair beamed for photos against the media wall. The star added a pair of white leather high heels in a patent finish and sported a pair of designer sunglasses, while carrying a wicker purse Isla opted for a cream ensemble which included a blouse worn under a blazer and a matching pleated midi-skirt. Her handsome brother coordinated with Isla, wearing a white shirt with a cream suit and a pair of trainers. The duo stuck close together at the event, and were also seen arriving together with Isla walking a little in front of her pal. Isla was also the picture of happiness last week as she stepped out looking glamorous in a busty floral dress for day one of the Wimbledon Championships. Isla and Sacha - who have three children together - first met at a party in Sydney, Australia, in 2001. Speaking of their first encounter, Sacha recalled quickly noticing Isla was 'hilarious'. He remembered: 'We were at a very pretentious party, and me and her bonded over taking the mick out of the other people at the party. I knew instantly. I don't know if she did,' he added. Speaking earlier this year of their break-up, Isla said: 'It's the most difficult thing that I've been through and I've learnt so much about myself in the process. 'I never imagined my family being separated but we are committed and loving parents.'
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
From Palmer and domes to Musiala and turf: Club World Cup winners and losers
Fifa: The world's governing body had hoped to gain more of a foothold in the club game with the expanded version of this tournament. Now that it has taken place without major disruption or mass protest, chances are it won't go away any time soon. In many respects, that alone is mission accomplished – Fifa now runs a property that will allow it to control the global profile of some of the world's biggest soccer properties, which had been mostly out of its reach. There are also plenty of positive storylines Fifa can pick to tout (more than 2.4m cumulative attendance and any number of highlights on the field), even if some of those are balanced out by some less flattering realities (more than 1.5m empty seats). Uefa: For all the talk early in the tournament about how South American sides had come to play and were giving Uefa's big names a run for their money, the end result confirmed what the soccer world already knew: the best teams play in Europe. In 35 games against non-Uefa opposition at the Club World Cup, Uefa teams won 23, drew seven and lost five. Uefa teams were awarded more than $340m (£253m) of performance-related prize money, which is more than 70% of the total available. Cole Palmer: The England international was electric in the final against Paris Saint-Germain, scoring twice and assisting on a third as Chelsea ran away as surprise winners. Palmer took over the No 10 shirt for Chelsea this season and it seems the pressure that number tends to bestow upon its wearer has been a benefit to him, rather than a hindrance. His performance in the final followed solid showings in the group stage and knockouts, in which he played a variety of roles behind the striker. Chelsea will hope that he will carry over his great form stateside into the next Premier League season, rather than reproduce the pedestrian showings that marked much of last season. Roofs, domes and the Pacific north-west: Heat and weather delays were among a few hiccups that disrupted portions of this tournament, except in locations where they were rendered irrelevant. Domed venues, such as Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, were cool and comfortable even amid a mid-tournament heatwave. Seattle's Lumen Field, which hosted six games, was naturally comfortable thanks to its location and the climate in that part of the country. Even Pasadena's Rose Bowl, which experienced one high-heat game among the worst of them, was temperate enough most of the time, with an average temperature of 80F/26C and not too much humidity. Fifa's president, Gianni Infantino, admitted to reporters in the lead-up to the final that heat was an issue at this tournament, and that it would address it by playing games under roofed stadiums at next year's World Cup. He seemed to be suggesting that more daytime games would be played at one of the indoor or covered stadiums, but it is not yet known how Fifa would accomplish this given that the schedule has been determined (though kick-off times have not). Most of the players involved: Fifpro, the global union for professional football players, has repeatedly pointed out that the timing of the Club World Cup could cause real harm to the players. Given the ever-increasing number of games in a grueling club season, the tournament always had the potential for unnecessary injuries – never more true than in the case of Bayern's Jamal Musiala, who sustained a broken and dislocated ankle in a collision with PSG's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma that will keep him out for most of the next year. The temperatures were hot, the games intense and the players involved, other than those who came to the tournament mid-season, will have weeks fewer than usual for rest and recovery before heading back into pre-season training. The long-term effects of the Club World Cup might not be fully known until well into the upcoming season, but they're unlikely to be good. PSG: Luis Enrique's side stormed through the tournament, looking every bit the team that demolished Inter 5-0 in the Champions League final. They were the odds-on favorites to win in the final after rolling through Real Madrid, which would have left no doubt about who the best team in the world are (however much of that there was to begin with). Instead, PSG are left to deal with arguably the worst possible outcome: the maximum amount of time spent extending the season, the least amount of rest before the next season, and a measly $88m or so (at minimum) for their trouble. Those winnings are nothing to sneeze at in a vacuum, and could be a help for financial fair play regulations, but the figure also does not represent a significant addition to the coffers of the owner QSI, which has a net worth in the hundreds of billions. Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson Jonathan Wilson brings expert analysis on the biggest stories from European soccer after newsletter promotion Any confederation other than Uefa and Conmebol: If you were a team hailing from anywhere in the world outside the two power centers of club football, chances are you had a bad time at the Club World Cup. The Asian, African, Oceanian and North and Central American teams in the tournament combined to win 12% of their games on average, with only three of them making the knockout round. Make no mistake, there were fantastic moments such as Al-Hilal's big win over Manchester City in the last 16. But on the whole, the other confederations will hope the next four years bring about some drastic rebalancing of the club game. The turf: In several venues, including MetLife Stadium where the final was hosted, artificial turf was overlaid by sod for the Club World Cup. The resulting surface was most certainly better than artificial turf, but it still drew complaints from players and coaches alike. (Said Chelsea's Reece James of MetLife: 'The venue is top. The pitches are not so good. Hopefully there's some changes for the World Cup next year.') In the final, Fifa extended cooling breaks to five minutes and brought out sprinklers to water the grass in that time, which a spokesperson said was in response to complaints about the surface becoming too dry in the sun. Next year, the turf at each venue will have a full seven weeks to bed in before it gets used in the tournament. Plenty of interested parties will hope that the extra time makes a difference.
