A last-16 hot date at Wimbledon? Demon's not Djok-ing
Alex de Minaur has been put on a collision course to face Novak Djokovic in the last 16 at Wimbledon after the draw threw up the intriguing prospect of the pair enjoying the duel that got away last year.
The duo were scheduled to meet in the quarter-finals in 2024, but de Minaur had to pull out with a hip injury he had suffered at the end of his last-16 match against Arthur Fils.
Friday's draw at the All England Club raised the prospect of a fourth-round meeting between the pair if they negotiate a fairly kind-looking opening week.
De Minaur, who suffered a shock early exit at the French Open, will open up against Spanish clay-court battler Roberto Carballes Baena and could meet fellow Aussie Adam Walton in the second round if the Queenslander can beat French qualifier Arthur Cazaux first-up.
De Minaur's most likely third-round opponent would be Czech 21st seed Tomas Machac, while the main early danger to seven-time champion Djokovic could be American Alex Michelsen, the 30th seed, in the last-32.
De Minaur looks the best hope among the 17-strong Australian singles battalion at Wimbledon, the biggest green-and-gold contingent at a single Championships for 30 years.
Talia Gibson, the 21-year-old from Perth who saved a match point in her final qualifying round before progressing to her maiden Wimbledon, has been handed perhaps the biggest glamour draw against Naomi Osaka, the four-time grand slam champ from Japan who in May won her first tournament since her return from a maternity break.
Priscilla Hon, another Aussie who saved match points on Thursday en route to her maiden Wimbledon appearance, also has a tough task, up against 18th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Maya Joint, the US-born teenager who's enjoying another breakthrough week by reaching her first grass-court semi-final at Eastbourne, has been handed a tough opener against Russian Liudmila Samsonova, the 19th seed who reached the semi-finals at the Berlin Open last week.
In her first Wimbledon representing Australia, Daria Kasatkina, the 16th seed, should beat Colombian Emiliana Arango in the opening round, while Alex Bolt's daunting reward for getting through qualifying to make his fourth main-draw appearance will be a brutal examination from American 10th seed Ben Shelton.
The battle between the two big-hitting lefties appeals to Bolt, who when asked if he felt the US Open semi-finalist was beatable on grass, told AAP: "Yeah, absolutely. On my day, I feel like my level's as good as anyone else. As long as I execute, I think there's no reason why I can't win."
One intriguing tennis "Ashes'' clash will see 20th seed Alexei Popyrin tackling British wildcard Arthur Fery.
Men's champion Carlos Alcaraz kicks off his title defence against the old Italian swashbuckler Fabio Fognini, and world No.1 Jannik Sinner plays on Tuesday against fellow Italian Luca Nardi.
Women's champion Barbora Krejcikova, currently looking an injury doubt, opens her defence on Tuesday on Centre Court against Flilipino Alexandra Eala, and top seed Aryna Sabalenka starts against confident Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine.
WHO THE AUSTRALIANS FACE IN WIMBLEDON FIRST ROUND (prefix number denotes seeding) (Q = qualifier) (WC = wildcard)
MEN
(11) Alex de Minaur v Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP)
(20) Alexei Popyrin v (WC) Arthur Fery (GBR)
Jordan Thompson v Vit Kopriva (CZE)
Aleksandar Vukic v Chun-Hsin Tseng (TPE)
Rinky Hijikata v David Goffin (BEL)
Chris O'Connell v (Q) Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
Adam Walton v (Q) Arthur Cazaux (FRA)
James Duckworth v (25) Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
James McCabe (Q) v Fabian Marozsan (HUN)
Alex Bolt (Q) v (10) Ben Shelton (USA)
WOMEN
(16) Daria Kasatkina v Emiliana Arango (COL)
Kim Birrell v (22) Donna Vekic (CRO)
Maya Joint v (19) Liudmila Samsonova (RUS)
Ajla Tomljanovic v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Olivia Gadecki v Greet Minnen (BEL)
Talia Gibson (Q) v Naomi Osaka (JPN)
Priscilla Hon (Q) v (18) Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS)
Alex de Minaur has been put on a collision course to face Novak Djokovic in the last 16 at Wimbledon after the draw threw up the intriguing prospect of the pair enjoying the duel that got away last year.
The duo were scheduled to meet in the quarter-finals in 2024, but de Minaur had to pull out with a hip injury he had suffered at the end of his last-16 match against Arthur Fils.
Friday's draw at the All England Club raised the prospect of a fourth-round meeting between the pair if they negotiate a fairly kind-looking opening week.
De Minaur, who suffered a shock early exit at the French Open, will open up against Spanish clay-court battler Roberto Carballes Baena and could meet fellow Aussie Adam Walton in the second round if the Queenslander can beat French qualifier Arthur Cazaux first-up.
De Minaur's most likely third-round opponent would be Czech 21st seed Tomas Machac, while the main early danger to seven-time champion Djokovic could be American Alex Michelsen, the 30th seed, in the last-32.
De Minaur looks the best hope among the 17-strong Australian singles battalion at Wimbledon, the biggest green-and-gold contingent at a single Championships for 30 years.
Talia Gibson, the 21-year-old from Perth who saved a match point in her final qualifying round before progressing to her maiden Wimbledon, has been handed perhaps the biggest glamour draw against Naomi Osaka, the four-time grand slam champ from Japan who in May won her first tournament since her return from a maternity break.
Priscilla Hon, another Aussie who saved match points on Thursday en route to her maiden Wimbledon appearance, also has a tough task, up against 18th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Maya Joint, the US-born teenager who's enjoying another breakthrough week by reaching her first grass-court semi-final at Eastbourne, has been handed a tough opener against Russian Liudmila Samsonova, the 19th seed who reached the semi-finals at the Berlin Open last week.
In her first Wimbledon representing Australia, Daria Kasatkina, the 16th seed, should beat Colombian Emiliana Arango in the opening round, while Alex Bolt's daunting reward for getting through qualifying to make his fourth main-draw appearance will be a brutal examination from American 10th seed Ben Shelton.
The battle between the two big-hitting lefties appeals to Bolt, who when asked if he felt the US Open semi-finalist was beatable on grass, told AAP: "Yeah, absolutely. On my day, I feel like my level's as good as anyone else. As long as I execute, I think there's no reason why I can't win."
One intriguing tennis "Ashes'' clash will see 20th seed Alexei Popyrin tackling British wildcard Arthur Fery.
Men's champion Carlos Alcaraz kicks off his title defence against the old Italian swashbuckler Fabio Fognini, and world No.1 Jannik Sinner plays on Tuesday against fellow Italian Luca Nardi.
Women's champion Barbora Krejcikova, currently looking an injury doubt, opens her defence on Tuesday on Centre Court against Flilipino Alexandra Eala, and top seed Aryna Sabalenka starts against confident Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine.
WHO THE AUSTRALIANS FACE IN WIMBLEDON FIRST ROUND (prefix number denotes seeding) (Q = qualifier) (WC = wildcard)
MEN
(11) Alex de Minaur v Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP)
(20) Alexei Popyrin v (WC) Arthur Fery (GBR)
Jordan Thompson v Vit Kopriva (CZE)
Aleksandar Vukic v Chun-Hsin Tseng (TPE)
Rinky Hijikata v David Goffin (BEL)
Chris O'Connell v (Q) Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
Adam Walton v (Q) Arthur Cazaux (FRA)
James Duckworth v (25) Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
James McCabe (Q) v Fabian Marozsan (HUN)
Alex Bolt (Q) v (10) Ben Shelton (USA)
WOMEN
(16) Daria Kasatkina v Emiliana Arango (COL)
Kim Birrell v (22) Donna Vekic (CRO)
Maya Joint v (19) Liudmila Samsonova (RUS)
Ajla Tomljanovic v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Olivia Gadecki v Greet Minnen (BEL)
Talia Gibson (Q) v Naomi Osaka (JPN)
Priscilla Hon (Q) v (18) Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS)
Alex de Minaur has been put on a collision course to face Novak Djokovic in the last 16 at Wimbledon after the draw threw up the intriguing prospect of the pair enjoying the duel that got away last year.
The duo were scheduled to meet in the quarter-finals in 2024, but de Minaur had to pull out with a hip injury he had suffered at the end of his last-16 match against Arthur Fils.
Friday's draw at the All England Club raised the prospect of a fourth-round meeting between the pair if they negotiate a fairly kind-looking opening week.
De Minaur, who suffered a shock early exit at the French Open, will open up against Spanish clay-court battler Roberto Carballes Baena and could meet fellow Aussie Adam Walton in the second round if the Queenslander can beat French qualifier Arthur Cazaux first-up.
De Minaur's most likely third-round opponent would be Czech 21st seed Tomas Machac, while the main early danger to seven-time champion Djokovic could be American Alex Michelsen, the 30th seed, in the last-32.
De Minaur looks the best hope among the 17-strong Australian singles battalion at Wimbledon, the biggest green-and-gold contingent at a single Championships for 30 years.
Talia Gibson, the 21-year-old from Perth who saved a match point in her final qualifying round before progressing to her maiden Wimbledon, has been handed perhaps the biggest glamour draw against Naomi Osaka, the four-time grand slam champ from Japan who in May won her first tournament since her return from a maternity break.
Priscilla Hon, another Aussie who saved match points on Thursday en route to her maiden Wimbledon appearance, also has a tough task, up against 18th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Maya Joint, the US-born teenager who's enjoying another breakthrough week by reaching her first grass-court semi-final at Eastbourne, has been handed a tough opener against Russian Liudmila Samsonova, the 19th seed who reached the semi-finals at the Berlin Open last week.
In her first Wimbledon representing Australia, Daria Kasatkina, the 16th seed, should beat Colombian Emiliana Arango in the opening round, while Alex Bolt's daunting reward for getting through qualifying to make his fourth main-draw appearance will be a brutal examination from American 10th seed Ben Shelton.
The battle between the two big-hitting lefties appeals to Bolt, who when asked if he felt the US Open semi-finalist was beatable on grass, told AAP: "Yeah, absolutely. On my day, I feel like my level's as good as anyone else. As long as I execute, I think there's no reason why I can't win."
One intriguing tennis "Ashes'' clash will see 20th seed Alexei Popyrin tackling British wildcard Arthur Fery.
Men's champion Carlos Alcaraz kicks off his title defence against the old Italian swashbuckler Fabio Fognini, and world No.1 Jannik Sinner plays on Tuesday against fellow Italian Luca Nardi.
Women's champion Barbora Krejcikova, currently looking an injury doubt, opens her defence on Tuesday on Centre Court against Flilipino Alexandra Eala, and top seed Aryna Sabalenka starts against confident Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine.
WHO THE AUSTRALIANS FACE IN WIMBLEDON FIRST ROUND (prefix number denotes seeding) (Q = qualifier) (WC = wildcard)
MEN
(11) Alex de Minaur v Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP)
(20) Alexei Popyrin v (WC) Arthur Fery (GBR)
Jordan Thompson v Vit Kopriva (CZE)
Aleksandar Vukic v Chun-Hsin Tseng (TPE)
Rinky Hijikata v David Goffin (BEL)
Chris O'Connell v (Q) Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
Adam Walton v (Q) Arthur Cazaux (FRA)
James Duckworth v (25) Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
James McCabe (Q) v Fabian Marozsan (HUN)
Alex Bolt (Q) v (10) Ben Shelton (USA)
WOMEN
(16) Daria Kasatkina v Emiliana Arango (COL)
Kim Birrell v (22) Donna Vekic (CRO)
Maya Joint v (19) Liudmila Samsonova (RUS)
Ajla Tomljanovic v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Olivia Gadecki v Greet Minnen (BEL)
Talia Gibson (Q) v Naomi Osaka (JPN)
Priscilla Hon (Q) v (18) Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS)
Alex de Minaur has been put on a collision course to face Novak Djokovic in the last 16 at Wimbledon after the draw threw up the intriguing prospect of the pair enjoying the duel that got away last year.
The duo were scheduled to meet in the quarter-finals in 2024, but de Minaur had to pull out with a hip injury he had suffered at the end of his last-16 match against Arthur Fils.
Friday's draw at the All England Club raised the prospect of a fourth-round meeting between the pair if they negotiate a fairly kind-looking opening week.
De Minaur, who suffered a shock early exit at the French Open, will open up against Spanish clay-court battler Roberto Carballes Baena and could meet fellow Aussie Adam Walton in the second round if the Queenslander can beat French qualifier Arthur Cazaux first-up.
De Minaur's most likely third-round opponent would be Czech 21st seed Tomas Machac, while the main early danger to seven-time champion Djokovic could be American Alex Michelsen, the 30th seed, in the last-32.
De Minaur looks the best hope among the 17-strong Australian singles battalion at Wimbledon, the biggest green-and-gold contingent at a single Championships for 30 years.
Talia Gibson, the 21-year-old from Perth who saved a match point in her final qualifying round before progressing to her maiden Wimbledon, has been handed perhaps the biggest glamour draw against Naomi Osaka, the four-time grand slam champ from Japan who in May won her first tournament since her return from a maternity break.
Priscilla Hon, another Aussie who saved match points on Thursday en route to her maiden Wimbledon appearance, also has a tough task, up against 18th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Maya Joint, the US-born teenager who's enjoying another breakthrough week by reaching her first grass-court semi-final at Eastbourne, has been handed a tough opener against Russian Liudmila Samsonova, the 19th seed who reached the semi-finals at the Berlin Open last week.
In her first Wimbledon representing Australia, Daria Kasatkina, the 16th seed, should beat Colombian Emiliana Arango in the opening round, while Alex Bolt's daunting reward for getting through qualifying to make his fourth main-draw appearance will be a brutal examination from American 10th seed Ben Shelton.
The battle between the two big-hitting lefties appeals to Bolt, who when asked if he felt the US Open semi-finalist was beatable on grass, told AAP: "Yeah, absolutely. On my day, I feel like my level's as good as anyone else. As long as I execute, I think there's no reason why I can't win."
One intriguing tennis "Ashes'' clash will see 20th seed Alexei Popyrin tackling British wildcard Arthur Fery.
Men's champion Carlos Alcaraz kicks off his title defence against the old Italian swashbuckler Fabio Fognini, and world No.1 Jannik Sinner plays on Tuesday against fellow Italian Luca Nardi.
Women's champion Barbora Krejcikova, currently looking an injury doubt, opens her defence on Tuesday on Centre Court against Flilipino Alexandra Eala, and top seed Aryna Sabalenka starts against confident Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine.
WHO THE AUSTRALIANS FACE IN WIMBLEDON FIRST ROUND (prefix number denotes seeding) (Q = qualifier) (WC = wildcard)
MEN
(11) Alex de Minaur v Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP)
(20) Alexei Popyrin v (WC) Arthur Fery (GBR)
Jordan Thompson v Vit Kopriva (CZE)
Aleksandar Vukic v Chun-Hsin Tseng (TPE)
Rinky Hijikata v David Goffin (BEL)
Chris O'Connell v (Q) Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
Adam Walton v (Q) Arthur Cazaux (FRA)
James Duckworth v (25) Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
James McCabe (Q) v Fabian Marozsan (HUN)
Alex Bolt (Q) v (10) Ben Shelton (USA)
WOMEN
(16) Daria Kasatkina v Emiliana Arango (COL)
Kim Birrell v (22) Donna Vekic (CRO)
Maya Joint v (19) Liudmila Samsonova (RUS)
Ajla Tomljanovic v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Olivia Gadecki v Greet Minnen (BEL)
Talia Gibson (Q) v Naomi Osaka (JPN)
Priscilla Hon (Q) v (18) Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS)
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Ayora hits front as List keeps within striking distance
Angel Ayora has shot a bogey-free round of 65 to put himself top of the leaderboard after day two of the Italian Open while Australia's Danny List remains firmly in contention. Englishman Dan Bradbury held the clubhouse lead heading into the second day, but he sits a shot behind in a tie for second despite going two under par for the day. Ghana-born List, meanwhile, who is in his first year on the tour, followed up an opening-round 68 with a 67 on Friday to leave himself four shots off the lead. Ayora was two shots behind the leader coming into the second day in Monte Argentario and after the 20-year-old started with eight straight pars, he holed four successive birdies from the ninth to reach nine under. Bradbury's day got off to the worst possible start as he double bogeyed the first, but he recovered with five birdies, along with another dropped shot, to remain in contention. Sitting in second alongside Bradbury at eight under were the trio of Martin Couvra, Andreas Halvorsen and Marcel Schneider. Frenchman Couvra fired the lowest round of the day, hitting eight birdies and a bogey in his 63 to sit in the chasing pack behind Ayora. Adrien Saddier is alone in sixth after he produced his lowest round of season so far with a six-under 64 to catapult his way into contention for a maiden DP World Tour win. Spanish pair Ivan Cantero and Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra, and Italian Francesco Laporta are all tied in seventh on six under par. Australia's David Micheluzzi carded a 69 to be three under and six shots off the front. Elvis Smylie is two over and Jason Scrivener a further shot adrift. Angel Ayora has shot a bogey-free round of 65 to put himself top of the leaderboard after day two of the Italian Open while Australia's Danny List remains firmly in contention. Englishman Dan Bradbury held the clubhouse lead heading into the second day, but he sits a shot behind in a tie for second despite going two under par for the day. Ghana-born List, meanwhile, who is in his first year on the tour, followed up an opening-round 68 with a 67 on Friday to leave himself four shots off the lead. Ayora was two shots behind the leader coming into the second day in Monte Argentario and after the 20-year-old started with eight straight pars, he holed four successive birdies from the ninth to reach nine under. Bradbury's day got off to the worst possible start as he double bogeyed the first, but he recovered with five birdies, along with another dropped shot, to remain in contention. Sitting in second alongside Bradbury at eight under were the trio of Martin Couvra, Andreas Halvorsen and Marcel Schneider. Frenchman Couvra fired the lowest round of the day, hitting eight birdies and a bogey in his 63 to sit in the chasing pack behind Ayora. Adrien Saddier is alone in sixth after he produced his lowest round of season so far with a six-under 64 to catapult his way into contention for a maiden DP World Tour win. Spanish pair Ivan Cantero and Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra, and Italian Francesco Laporta are all tied in seventh on six under par. Australia's David Micheluzzi carded a 69 to be three under and six shots off the front. Elvis Smylie is two over and Jason Scrivener a further shot adrift. Angel Ayora has shot a bogey-free round of 65 to put himself top of the leaderboard after day two of the Italian Open while Australia's Danny List remains firmly in contention. Englishman Dan Bradbury held the clubhouse lead heading into the second day, but he sits a shot behind in a tie for second despite going two under par for the day. Ghana-born List, meanwhile, who is in his first year on the tour, followed up an opening-round 68 with a 67 on Friday to leave himself four shots off the lead. Ayora was two shots behind the leader coming into the second day in Monte Argentario and after the 20-year-old started with eight straight pars, he holed four successive birdies from the ninth to reach nine under. Bradbury's day got off to the worst possible start as he double bogeyed the first, but he recovered with five birdies, along with another dropped shot, to remain in contention. Sitting in second alongside Bradbury at eight under were the trio of Martin Couvra, Andreas Halvorsen and Marcel Schneider. Frenchman Couvra fired the lowest round of the day, hitting eight birdies and a bogey in his 63 to sit in the chasing pack behind Ayora. Adrien Saddier is alone in sixth after he produced his lowest round of season so far with a six-under 64 to catapult his way into contention for a maiden DP World Tour win. Spanish pair Ivan Cantero and Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra, and Italian Francesco Laporta are all tied in seventh on six under par. Australia's David Micheluzzi carded a 69 to be three under and six shots off the front. Elvis Smylie is two over and Jason Scrivener a further shot adrift. Angel Ayora has shot a bogey-free round of 65 to put himself top of the leaderboard after day two of the Italian Open while Australia's Danny List remains firmly in contention. Englishman Dan Bradbury held the clubhouse lead heading into the second day, but he sits a shot behind in a tie for second despite going two under par for the day. Ghana-born List, meanwhile, who is in his first year on the tour, followed up an opening-round 68 with a 67 on Friday to leave himself four shots off the lead. Ayora was two shots behind the leader coming into the second day in Monte Argentario and after the 20-year-old started with eight straight pars, he holed four successive birdies from the ninth to reach nine under. Bradbury's day got off to the worst possible start as he double bogeyed the first, but he recovered with five birdies, along with another dropped shot, to remain in contention. Sitting in second alongside Bradbury at eight under were the trio of Martin Couvra, Andreas Halvorsen and Marcel Schneider. Frenchman Couvra fired the lowest round of the day, hitting eight birdies and a bogey in his 63 to sit in the chasing pack behind Ayora. Adrien Saddier is alone in sixth after he produced his lowest round of season so far with a six-under 64 to catapult his way into contention for a maiden DP World Tour win. Spanish pair Ivan Cantero and Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra, and Italian Francesco Laporta are all tied in seventh on six under par. Australia's David Micheluzzi carded a 69 to be three under and six shots off the front. Elvis Smylie is two over and Jason Scrivener a further shot adrift.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Perfect timing: Swiatek set for first grass-court title
Is Iga Swiatek finally discovering a real taste for grass-court tennis? The Polish five-time grand slam champion brushed aside last year's Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini 6-1 6-3 on Friday to reach the Bad Homburg Open final, her first championship match on the surface, and sounded like a woman at last learning to love playing on the lawns. "I am super happy and I was not expecting this. I just did my job and I knew what I wanted to play and I went for it," said a delighted Swiatek, who has won her grand slams on clay and hard courts but has never been beyond the Wimbledon quarter-finals in five attempts. "I'm happy I kept the momentum going until the end of the match. Jasmine, you can't let her get back in the game because she's a fighter. I just wanted to go for it, and go for my shots." Swiatek will face American top seed Jessica Pegula, who had to battle from behind to beat Czech Linda Noskova 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 6-1 in just over two hours. This is the 24-year-old's only grass tournament of the season ahead of Wimbledon, having opted instead to train for a week in Mallorca before competing in the German event. It felt like a big win for her against the buoyant Italian, as she raced through the first set in 29 minutes with three breaks of serve and then went on the attack to take a 4-2 lead in the second stanza. Pegula knows it's going to be a tough ask against a player who's "firing on all cyclinders" again. "That's why she is a champion and was world No.1. I hit pretty low and flat and that hopefully could disrupt the rhythm," said the American. With agencies Is Iga Swiatek finally discovering a real taste for grass-court tennis? The Polish five-time grand slam champion brushed aside last year's Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini 6-1 6-3 on Friday to reach the Bad Homburg Open final, her first championship match on the surface, and sounded like a woman at last learning to love playing on the lawns. "I am super happy and I was not expecting this. I just did my job and I knew what I wanted to play and I went for it," said a delighted Swiatek, who has won her grand slams on clay and hard courts but has never been beyond the Wimbledon quarter-finals in five attempts. "I'm happy I kept the momentum going until the end of the match. Jasmine, you can't let her get back in the game because she's a fighter. I just wanted to go for it, and go for my shots." Swiatek will face American top seed Jessica Pegula, who had to battle from behind to beat Czech Linda Noskova 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 6-1 in just over two hours. This is the 24-year-old's only grass tournament of the season ahead of Wimbledon, having opted instead to train for a week in Mallorca before competing in the German event. It felt like a big win for her against the buoyant Italian, as she raced through the first set in 29 minutes with three breaks of serve and then went on the attack to take a 4-2 lead in the second stanza. Pegula knows it's going to be a tough ask against a player who's "firing on all cyclinders" again. "That's why she is a champion and was world No.1. I hit pretty low and flat and that hopefully could disrupt the rhythm," said the American. With agencies Is Iga Swiatek finally discovering a real taste for grass-court tennis? The Polish five-time grand slam champion brushed aside last year's Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini 6-1 6-3 on Friday to reach the Bad Homburg Open final, her first championship match on the surface, and sounded like a woman at last learning to love playing on the lawns. "I am super happy and I was not expecting this. I just did my job and I knew what I wanted to play and I went for it," said a delighted Swiatek, who has won her grand slams on clay and hard courts but has never been beyond the Wimbledon quarter-finals in five attempts. "I'm happy I kept the momentum going until the end of the match. Jasmine, you can't let her get back in the game because she's a fighter. I just wanted to go for it, and go for my shots." Swiatek will face American top seed Jessica Pegula, who had to battle from behind to beat Czech Linda Noskova 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 6-1 in just over two hours. This is the 24-year-old's only grass tournament of the season ahead of Wimbledon, having opted instead to train for a week in Mallorca before competing in the German event. It felt like a big win for her against the buoyant Italian, as she raced through the first set in 29 minutes with three breaks of serve and then went on the attack to take a 4-2 lead in the second stanza. Pegula knows it's going to be a tough ask against a player who's "firing on all cyclinders" again. "That's why she is a champion and was world No.1. I hit pretty low and flat and that hopefully could disrupt the rhythm," said the American. With agencies Is Iga Swiatek finally discovering a real taste for grass-court tennis? The Polish five-time grand slam champion brushed aside last year's Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini 6-1 6-3 on Friday to reach the Bad Homburg Open final, her first championship match on the surface, and sounded like a woman at last learning to love playing on the lawns. "I am super happy and I was not expecting this. I just did my job and I knew what I wanted to play and I went for it," said a delighted Swiatek, who has won her grand slams on clay and hard courts but has never been beyond the Wimbledon quarter-finals in five attempts. "I'm happy I kept the momentum going until the end of the match. Jasmine, you can't let her get back in the game because she's a fighter. I just wanted to go for it, and go for my shots." Swiatek will face American top seed Jessica Pegula, who had to battle from behind to beat Czech Linda Noskova 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 6-1 in just over two hours. This is the 24-year-old's only grass tournament of the season ahead of Wimbledon, having opted instead to train for a week in Mallorca before competing in the German event. It felt like a big win for her against the buoyant Italian, as she raced through the first set in 29 minutes with three breaks of serve and then went on the attack to take a 4-2 lead in the second stanza. Pegula knows it's going to be a tough ask against a player who's "firing on all cyclinders" again. "That's why she is a champion and was world No.1. I hit pretty low and flat and that hopefully could disrupt the rhythm," said the American. With agencies
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Swans narrow focus as Bulldogs chew AFL finals hopes
Sydney coach Dean Cox concedes he can't look further than next week after the Swans were dealt a massive blow in their unlikely bid to gatecrash the AFL finals. After a horror start to the year, Sydney had looked to have revived their season this month with consecutive wins and the return of guns Errol Gulden, Callum Mills and Tom Papley. But the resurrection was brought to a halt in a 16.9 (105) to 14.12 (96) defeat to the Western Bulldogs at the SCG on Friday night. It left last year's beaten grand finalists nursing a 6-9 record ahead of another difficult home assignment against top-eight side Fremantle in round 17. "I can't look too far ahead at the moment," first-year coach Cox said. "We've got Fremantle, who are another team like the Bulldogs. "They've won five in a row ... they're playing some really good footy. "So we'll make sure that we get as much as we can out of learning from this game and then our attention will go straight onto Fremantle to try to quell their influence and get the result we're after." Set shot goal-kicking is bound to be on Cox's agenda after inaccuracy again plagued Sydney against the Bulldogs. They kicked 4.10 from set shots to the Dogs' 8.5, which proved costly in a tight contest. It came six days after the Swans posted a total of 9.17 (71) in a win over Port Adelaide. "The last two weeks it's been an issue. It's something that we need to train," Cox said. "We need to make sure that we're also having shots from decent spots on the ground to give ourselves the best chance to maximise that. "But having said that, when we do get our chance, we need to take control and execute." Sydney should regain Tom McCartin for the Fremantle clash, after the key defender was a late withdrawal against the Bulldogs through illness. But there are concerns over Dane Rampe, who was subbed out with calf tightness, while Aaron Francis faces scrutiny over a swinging arm to Lachie Bramble's body. There is also a watch on the SCG surface, which has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April. Players repeatedly slipped over on the patchy surface at the Paddington end of the ground during the Swans-Dogs clash. "There's been some challenges with the surface throughout the year, but I look in at other things," Cox said. "That's where I spend my time, things that I can try and control." Sydney coach Dean Cox concedes he can't look further than next week after the Swans were dealt a massive blow in their unlikely bid to gatecrash the AFL finals. After a horror start to the year, Sydney had looked to have revived their season this month with consecutive wins and the return of guns Errol Gulden, Callum Mills and Tom Papley. But the resurrection was brought to a halt in a 16.9 (105) to 14.12 (96) defeat to the Western Bulldogs at the SCG on Friday night. It left last year's beaten grand finalists nursing a 6-9 record ahead of another difficult home assignment against top-eight side Fremantle in round 17. "I can't look too far ahead at the moment," first-year coach Cox said. "We've got Fremantle, who are another team like the Bulldogs. "They've won five in a row ... they're playing some really good footy. "So we'll make sure that we get as much as we can out of learning from this game and then our attention will go straight onto Fremantle to try to quell their influence and get the result we're after." Set shot goal-kicking is bound to be on Cox's agenda after inaccuracy again plagued Sydney against the Bulldogs. They kicked 4.10 from set shots to the Dogs' 8.5, which proved costly in a tight contest. It came six days after the Swans posted a total of 9.17 (71) in a win over Port Adelaide. "The last two weeks it's been an issue. It's something that we need to train," Cox said. "We need to make sure that we're also having shots from decent spots on the ground to give ourselves the best chance to maximise that. "But having said that, when we do get our chance, we need to take control and execute." Sydney should regain Tom McCartin for the Fremantle clash, after the key defender was a late withdrawal against the Bulldogs through illness. But there are concerns over Dane Rampe, who was subbed out with calf tightness, while Aaron Francis faces scrutiny over a swinging arm to Lachie Bramble's body. There is also a watch on the SCG surface, which has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April. Players repeatedly slipped over on the patchy surface at the Paddington end of the ground during the Swans-Dogs clash. "There's been some challenges with the surface throughout the year, but I look in at other things," Cox said. "That's where I spend my time, things that I can try and control." Sydney coach Dean Cox concedes he can't look further than next week after the Swans were dealt a massive blow in their unlikely bid to gatecrash the AFL finals. After a horror start to the year, Sydney had looked to have revived their season this month with consecutive wins and the return of guns Errol Gulden, Callum Mills and Tom Papley. But the resurrection was brought to a halt in a 16.9 (105) to 14.12 (96) defeat to the Western Bulldogs at the SCG on Friday night. It left last year's beaten grand finalists nursing a 6-9 record ahead of another difficult home assignment against top-eight side Fremantle in round 17. "I can't look too far ahead at the moment," first-year coach Cox said. "We've got Fremantle, who are another team like the Bulldogs. "They've won five in a row ... they're playing some really good footy. "So we'll make sure that we get as much as we can out of learning from this game and then our attention will go straight onto Fremantle to try to quell their influence and get the result we're after." Set shot goal-kicking is bound to be on Cox's agenda after inaccuracy again plagued Sydney against the Bulldogs. They kicked 4.10 from set shots to the Dogs' 8.5, which proved costly in a tight contest. It came six days after the Swans posted a total of 9.17 (71) in a win over Port Adelaide. "The last two weeks it's been an issue. It's something that we need to train," Cox said. "We need to make sure that we're also having shots from decent spots on the ground to give ourselves the best chance to maximise that. "But having said that, when we do get our chance, we need to take control and execute." Sydney should regain Tom McCartin for the Fremantle clash, after the key defender was a late withdrawal against the Bulldogs through illness. But there are concerns over Dane Rampe, who was subbed out with calf tightness, while Aaron Francis faces scrutiny over a swinging arm to Lachie Bramble's body. There is also a watch on the SCG surface, which has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April. Players repeatedly slipped over on the patchy surface at the Paddington end of the ground during the Swans-Dogs clash. "There's been some challenges with the surface throughout the year, but I look in at other things," Cox said. "That's where I spend my time, things that I can try and control."
