Swiatek wins first Wimbledon title
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Qatar Tribune
11 hours ago
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Schauffele trying to ‘piece way back' ahead of Open defence
PA Media/DPA London Defending Open champion Xander Schauffele admits it was humbling to see the 'perfect storm' which brought him two majors in three months last summer disappear. A year ago the 31-year-old added the Claret Jug to his US PGA title in a stellar season which also brought 13 other top-10 finishes. However, a rib injury in December restricted him to just one appearance in the first three months of this year and any hope he had of continuing his momentum was lost. 'Going from on top of the moon to, you know, knocked off completely, it's a humbling thing for sure,' Schauffele told the PA news agency at an event for sponsors Callaway in Portrush's famous Harbour Bar. 'Winning my first major, getting the monkey off my back, came at a perfect time - if you want to, call it a perfect storm. 'Feeling completely free and playing unbelievable golf, it's a pretty dangerous thing so I felt like I was riding that wave. 'So I'm just trying to piece my way back, gain a little bit of confidence each and every week with each and every shot to be honest.' His confidence received a boost with only his second top-10 finish in 12 events at last week's Scottish Open. Performing well on a links course was ideal preparation for the defence of the Claret Jug he won at Troon, but the American does not really view it in that manner. 'It's a strange thing to defend when the venue changes. When I handed over the Claret Jug on Monday morning it felt like a defence, but when I'm on the property I'm not remembering the shots I hit when I won,' added Schauffele. 'I'm trying to relearn the course, learn how far the ball's going, what the winds are doing, what bunkers you can and can't hit it in. So it's a weird thing.' What does not change, however, is the fact he has two majors under his belt to give him valuable experience. He said: 'I don't think it hurts. I think it's one of those things where, if I can get myself in a position, I've done it twice now. There'll be a pack of guys who have done it more than that and then there'll be a pack of guys who've never done it. 'So it'll give me a slight advantage in that moment, but we're far away from that and I'm trying to focus on some small things to start. 'My advantage will be if I can put myself in a good position come the weekend.'
Qatar Tribune
11 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Philipsen doesn't blame Coquard for heavy crash at Tour de France
Toulouse: Belgian sprint star Jasper Philipsen said he doesn't blame Bryan Coquard for his heavy crash at the Tour de France. 'It was just a racing incident,' he said during an online news conference on Tuesday. 'I know what it's like to be criticized and labelled the 'bad guy.' In this case, Coquard was singled out, but there was really nothing he could've done differently.' During the third stage, Philipsen crashed at 61 kilometres per hour in an intermediate sprint when he collided with Frenchman Coquard. He suffered a displaced collarbone fracture and at least one broken rib. The 10-time Tour stage winner, who claimed victory on the opening stage in Lille, had briefly worn the yellow jersey but now faces a long road to recovery. 'Given the circumstances, things are moving in the right direction. My wounds have healed, and that shows the body was in top condition - it bounces back faster,' he said. 'Winning the first stage definitely softens the blow - and no one can take the win or that yellow jersey away from me. But I had big ambitions and was in great shape. That's the brutal side of this sport, but it's part of the deal.' The jury of the International Cycling Union (UCI) penalized Coquard for the crash. (DPA)
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Jannik Sinner dethrones Carlos Alcaraz as Wimbledon champion
London Revenge proved a dish best served on grass for Jannik Sinner as he put his Paris heartbreak behind him to claim a first Wimbledon title on Sunday. Only five weeks have passed since Carlos Alcaraz stunningly saved three match points in a French Open final fightback for the ages but his hopes of a third straight victory at the All England Club were dashed by his great rival. This time it was world number one Sinner, who becomes the first Italian to win a Wimbledon singles title, that came from behind, claiming a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory in three hours and four minutes – nearly two-and-a-half hours quicker than their Roland Garros epic. The victory, which Sinner celebrated by thrusting both arms aloft, puts their rivalry back on a knife edge, with the 23-year-old now trailing Alcaraz only by five slam titles to four and putting an end to a five-match losing streak against the Spaniard. It is also Sinner's first slam title away from his favoured hard courts, while Alcaraz suffered a first major final defeat, unable to find the same magic that had brought him back from the brink on the clay. A penny for the thoughts, meanwhile, of Grigor Dimitrov, who led Sinner by two sets to love in the fourth round only for his body to fail him. Perhaps the Italian was due a stroke of luck, and he has made the most of it in superb fashion. The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte were joined in the Royal Box by A-list stars Keira Knightley, Matthew McConaughey and Nicole Kidman as well as seven former Wimbledon champions. Alcaraz was certainly not holding back, slamming down a 136mph ace to start the match and hitting 139 in his second service game – a new record for the Spaniard, until he twice clocked 140 later in the contest. Sinner struck the first blow, a wild Alcaraz forehand handing over the first break in the fifth game, but back came the second seed with three games in a row. Soon that was four, with Alcaraz winning surely one of the best set-winning rallies seen on Centre Court: Sinner's 118mph second serve was returned with interest, Alcaraz angled a forehand out wide, his rival thumped a forehand into the corner only for the Spaniard to somehow conjure a backhand winner. He stood with his finger pointed to his head as the crowd rose to acclaim another piece of tennis wizardry. In four of the 22-year-old's run of victories against Sinner, he had lost the first set, so this was a big statement, but Alcaraz then threw in a poor game to start the second. Sinner, who normally disguises his emotions as well as an Alcaraz drop shot, let out a loud shout of 'Let's go' when he saved a break point in the next game, the Italian determined to hold on to his advantage this time. He was forced to delay his serve at a crucial moment two games later when a champagne cork nearly hit him, prompting boos from the crowd and a rebuke from British umpire Alison Hughes. If Sinner did have Paris in his mind then serving for the set at 5-4 would have been a moment to tighten up but instead he produced a series of greatest hits, chasing down an Alcaraz drop shot, drilling a forehand winner down the line to bring up set point and then crunching another winner cross court. Sinner missed two chances for an immediate break at the start of the third set following a pair of Alcaraz double faults but the match was starting to feel marginally on his racket. He showed his improvisational skills with a tweener drop volley, and at 4-4 it was the world number one who made the breakthrough, a forehand powered into the corner leaving Alcaraz on the floor and helpless as a volley landed mid court. And this time the serve was all Sinner needed to open up a potentially decisive advantage, with the Italian then moving a step closer by breaking again to lead 2-1 in the fourth set. Alcaraz survived a couple of close service games and the crowd willed him to turn it around, roaring as Sinner coughed up two break points at 4-3. Not this time, though, said the Italian as he responded with four points in a row. Moments later he was serving for the title – as he had in Paris – and creating three match points. He netted a backhand on the first but a 137mph serve on the second gave him his moment.
