Djokovic battles past Cobolli to reach record 14th Wimbledon semi-final
The Serb, chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam singles crown, was given the royal seal of approval by Britain's Queen Camilla before his 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win on Centre Court.
Djokovic was pushed hard by the Italian 22nd seed but ultimately had too much for the 23-year-old, who had never previously been beyond the third round of a major.
The sixth seed prepared for the contest by meeting Britain's Queen Camilla, the wife of King Charles III, who said she was keeping her "fingers crossed" for his match.
Camilla watched 38-year-old Djokovic from the Royal Box, along with British actor Hugh Grant.
Cobolli showed early intent, mixing up his play with drop shots and heavy groundstrokes from his flashing orange racquet and unsettling his illustrious opponent.
Djokovic, who has reached every Wimbledon final since 2018, served for the first set at 5-3 but the Italian broke back and won the ensuing tie-break.
Cobolli, who has claimed titles in Bucharest and Hamburg this year, next had to answer the question of whether he could sustain his level against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
But it was a different story in the second set as Djokovic broke twice to level the match in the evening sunshine.
The pair swapped service breaks early in the third set but Djokovic pounced again in the 11th game and thundered an ace as he took control of the match.
The fourth set was tight but Cobolli failed to put away a simple winner at the net in the ninth game.
Djokovic slipped and fell awkwardly when serving for the match, grimacing in pain, but got up to finish the job.
The Serb now owns the all-time record for most Wimbledon men's singles semi-final appearances, moving one clear of eight-time champion Roger Federer, who reached the last four 13 times.
He has also reached a 52nd Grand Slam semi-final, extending his all-time record in the men's game.
Djokovic is now within two wins of breaking his tie with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles for any player, man or woman.
If he reaches and wins Sunday's final he will equal Federer's record of eight men's titles at the All England Club.
Sinner, who beat 10th seed Ben Shelton earlier Wednesday, will offer a different level of challenge.
The top seed has won his past four matches against Djokovic, beating him in straight sets in the semi-finals of the recent French Open.
Carlos Alcaraz, who has beaten Djokovic in the past two finals at Wimbledon, takes on US fifth seed Taylor Fritz in the other semi-final on Friday.
By John Weaver
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IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Springboks redeem themselves in Gqeberha to wrap two-Test series in against Italy
Springbok winger and Player of the Match Edwill van der Merwe dives over in the corner for one of his two tries against Italy on Saturday in Gqeberha. Image: BackpagePix Doctor Rassie Erasmus and his Springboks pulled out all the stops to entertain the crowd in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as they romped to a thrilling 45-0 victory over Italy in the second Test in Gqeberha. The seven-try win emphatically seals the two-Test series, and it opens the door for Erasmus to experiment even further against Georgia in Nelspruit in the final mid-year match this coming Saturday. Not even the 21st-minute red card to eighth man Jasper Wiese for a headbutt could spoil the enterprising play the world champions dished up in front of a capacity crowd. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The action started at the kick-off already, where a pre-worked-out short kick from flyhalf Manie Libbok caught everyone off guard, even the Italians. No one knew that start was coming, except of course the Boks, and it resulted in a scrum. Unfortunately, an early engagement didn't result in a full scrum and an opportunity for the Bok machine to lay the marker at that scrum. There were rumours that the Boks trained the kick-off move this week, but even for an Erasmus innovation, that stunt seemed a bit far-fetched. Who starts a game wanting a scrum after seconds of play? But then again, Erasmus has never had his thoughts inside the box when it comes to coaching and tactical play, and that was a proper move away from the conventional start to matches. That is outrageous. Yes, copied, but in Test rugby, you pull off that move. In the air ball and a maul and the #Springboks score #RSAvITA — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) July 12, 2025 That little ingenuity was not all the back-to-back World Cup winners had up their sleeve, though. And they showed their hand early on. A lineout type of lift in open play to catch a pass was orchestrated in the Italian 22m area. From that catch, a maul was manufactured and led to a penalty advantage with the Italians trying to collapse it. Outside centre Canan Moodie busted through a couple of defenders to score the fourth try ahead of the break from that maul. In the second half, hooker Malcolm Marx scored off the same type of manufactured maul, with the move paying off again. Some slick backline play led to the opening try by Grant Williams, where Libbok assisted alongside winger Makazole Mapimpi, while the mercurial Bok flyhalf also had a hand in the first score of home debutant, right wing Edwill van der Merwe. Van der Merwe's second five-pointer came after a neat little chip by centurion Willie le Roux, who delivered a solid performance in his 100th Test. 🏉 ℂ𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕃𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕀𝕟𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 🏉 𝐓𝐑𝐘: The first try of the match by Grant Williams! 🇿🇦 🆚 🇮🇹 🚨 LIVE 📺 SABC 2 🌐 #Springboks #RSAvITA — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 12, 2025 Van der Merwe, named Player of the Match, chased the kick, and after a fumble by the Italians, he kicked it through and chased the ball down behind the posts to dive over. In his second try, where he was almost tackled out, Libbok threw a brilliant flat pass to get him in space to dive over in the corner. The four first-half tries were stunning, and the Gqeberha crowd lapped up every little bit of play of the world champions. After the maul try by Marx, the entertainment died down a bit on the field, especially when Erasmus brought on the substitutions systematically. Here and there, some moments of magic flared up, but it was a largely physical second half, coupled with box kicks that the Boks chased with a lot of success. That physical dominance, especially at the rolling maul, led to the sixth try that Mapimpi scored in front of a jubilant crowd. Libbok again played a big role with his distribution as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu took a drifting pass after André Esterhuizen started the move. Speaking about Esterhuizen, he was outstanding alongside Marx. The duo led the physical charge. The inside centre was prominent amongst the forwards to do the dirty work, but he also carried strongly on the offensive and tackled hard to help keep the Italians scoreless. While the talk will be about the attack, defending with such precision after receiving a red and yellow card in the game must be applauded. Even the few times Italy broke the defensive line, the scrambling of the world champions was brilliant. They said they will right their wrongs from last week. Apart from the cards, the Boks did just that. The players acquitted themselves well of their task, and despite the number of changes to the team, they played like a polished unit. That bodes well for the rest of the 2025 Tests. Springboks: 45 (24): Tries: Grant Williams, Edwill van der Merwe (2), Canan Moodie, Malcolm Marx, Makazole Mapimpi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Conversions: Manie Libbok (5). Italy 0.
IOL News
3 hours ago
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Iga Swiatek destroys Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 to win first Wimbledon title
Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning against US player Amanda Anisimova during their women's singles final tennis match on the thirteenth day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 12, 2025. (Photo by Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP Image: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP Iga Swiatek demolished Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the most one-sided women's Wimbledon final for 114 years to win her sixth Grand Slam title. The Polish eighth seed, who has now won all six major finals in which she has competed, was in charge from the first point and wrapped up victory in just 57 minutes. It is the first time a woman has won a final at Wimbledon without dropping a game since 1911. And Swiatek, 24, is just the second player in the Open era to win a major title without losing a game in the final after Steffi Graf beat Natalia Zvereva at the 1988 French Open. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Iga Swiatek Reflects on Her Surreal Wimbledon Victory and Unforgettable Moments 'It seems super surreal,' said Swiatek, who is the first Wimbledon singles champion from Poland in the Open era. 'I didn't even dream, for me it was way too far. I feel like I am already an experienced player after winning the Slams before but I never expected this one. 'This year I really, really enjoyed it and feel I improved my form here. 'I am always going to remember the opening of champagne bottles between serves. It is a sound that will keep me awake at night.' Swiatek Dominates Anisimova in Wimbledon Final: A Brutal Demolition Job Swiatek, who reached the final of the grass-court tournament at Bad Homburg two weeks ago, has looked increasingly strong while the top seeds tumbled at the All England Club. She lost just one set in her run to the final. US 13th seed Anisimova was expected to prove a stern test after ousting world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals, but Swiatek performed a brutal demolition job. Anisimova made a nervous start in hot conditions on Centre Court, with Catherine, Princess of Wales, watching from the Royal Box. She was broken in the first game, soon slipping 2-0 behind and the signs looked ominous. The American appeared to have found her feet in her next service game but the merciless Swiatek refused to give ground and recovered to move 3-0 ahead when Anisimova double-faulted. Anisimova Faces Swift Defeat as Swiatek Claims Wimbledon Title At 4-0 down Anisimova was facing a first-set wipe-out but she was powerless to halt the rampant Swiatek, who sealed the first set 6-0 in just 25 minutes. The American won just six points on her serve in the first set and committed 14 unforced errors. An increasingly desperate Anisimova could not stem the tide in the second set, double-faulting again in the third game to give her opponent game point and then netting a backhand. The crowd got behind her but to no avail as Swiatek kept up her level, serving out to win and celebrating before consoling her devastated opponent. Swiatek is Wimbledon's eighth consecutive first-time women's champion since Serena Williams won her seventh and final title at the All England Club in 2016. The distraught Anisimova left court briefly before returning for the trophy presentation. She broke down in tears again during her speech on court. 'You're such an incredible player and it obviously showed today,' she said, addressing Swiatek. 'You've been such an inspiration to me. You've had such an incredible two weeks here. Getting to your first Wimbledon final here and winning is so special.' AFP
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Springboks blank Italy: Four talking points
The Springboks shook off a 20th minute red card to Jasper Wiese to power to an impressive 38-0 win in the end. Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe chases a chip from fullback Willie le Roux, on his way to score his second try against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday night. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images The Springboks produced a superb all-round performance, fronted by a ferocious defensive effort that led to them blanking Italy 45-0 in the second Test of their incoming series at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday night. It was still not a perfect performance, but was a step up from their 42-24 first Test win over the Italian visitors at Loftus last weekend, made more impressive by them being down a man for most of the game after a first half red card. Also, with a large number of changes made for the match, the Boks should be satisfied with their night's work. Here are four talking points from the game: Rassie's tricks and early scrum troubles Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is a genius innovator and he was at it again as from the starting kick-off, the Boks purposefully kicked it short, setting up an early scrum from which they could try and assert early dominance over the Italian scrum. However it didn't go to plan as Thomas du Toit was penalised for early engagement, which gave Italy a free kick. It was the start of a short but difficult night for Du Toit. Italy received a second free kick from another early engagement from Du Toit, followed him being penalised with a long arm after another scrum infringement. His difficult night came to an end in the 30th minute when he was replaced by Ox Nche, with the Bok scrum immediately demolishing the Italian scrum when he came on. Du Toit is a very good player, and hopefully this was just a blip and he will be back to his best when he next gets a chance. Willie's 100th and all action Edwill Springbok stalwart Willie le Roux was given a great reception by the Nelson Mandela Bay crowd when he ran out for his 100th appearance for the national team. They also loudly cheered his first touch of the ball, which unfortunately ended in a knock on. But he soon settled into the game and enjoyed a decent day out in his milestone match, including setting up a try with a clever chip over the Italian defence. If there ever was a player who is taking his chance when given, it is Edwill van der Merwe. He was incredibly unlucky to get injured last year after his man-of-the-match debut against Wales. In his second match for the Boks against Italy, he was again brilliant, sparking the move that led to the teams first try, while he finished off their second in the corner, and scored their third after a dink from Le Roux. Overall it was another magnificent action-packed performance from the winger. Jasper's red card The Springboks went down to 14-men in the 20th minute when eighthman Jasper Wiese was shown a red for a flash of anger in a scuffle. Wiese connected with a headbutt on an Italian player, and although the impact wasn't heavy, it was still a deserved sending off for foul play, and a very silly way to end his game. It also meant that he wouldn't be able to play with his brother Cobus for the first time in their professional career, when he came off the bench in the second half. Despite being down a man, with them 10-0 up at the time, it didn't seem to slow the Boks down as they ran in another two tries over the rest of the half, to take a 24-0 lead into the break. The Boks were then down to 13 in the 44th minute, after Wilco Louw was yellow carded for head contact in a tackle, but Italy was down to 14 men themselves a few minutes later after repeated penalties, and in this time the Boks scored their fifth try. Full 80 showing Last week in the first Test at Loftus the Boks produced a decent first half effort to score four tries and lead 28-3 at the break. But followed that up with a poor second half performance that saw Italy fight back, with an eventual end score of 42-24. This weekend saw a similar showing in the first half, the Boks dotting down four tries to lead 24-0 at the break, but they followed that up with a solid second half to make sure it was a top all-round effort on the night. Despite being down to 14-men after Wiese's 20th minute red card, and even 13-men when Wilco Louw was yellowed in the second half, the Boks didn't panic, continued to dominate at the breakdown and played the territory game, kicking deep into Italy's territory and making the visitors play from deep. They also added to their try tally through a maul try to Malcolm Marx, and scores in the corner from Makazole Mapimpi and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, while their brilliant defence kept the Italians scoreless on the night.
