Jannik Sinner Turns the Tables on Carlos Alcaraz to Win First Wimbledon Title
The possibility of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz squaring off in the Wimbledon final had become a tennis obsession long before they stepped on Centre Court on Sunday. It had begun the moment they closed out their 5.5-hour duel at the French Open last month.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
31 minutes ago
- New York Times
Ella Toone ‘celebrates to the sky' after delivering again at the Euros for England
'Tooney gets joy from creating, assists, goals,' said Georgia Stanway after England's 6-1 win over Wales. 'For me on the other side, I get joy from smashing people.' Sometimes it is as simple as that. Toone has delivered again at the Euros, scoring two goals and registering four assists in the Lionesses' last two games against the Netherlands and Wales. She has now scored four in her last four England games. She is the only player since records began in 2013 to score, assist and complete 100 per cent of her passes (21/21) in a Women's European Championship match, according to Opta. Advertisement Toone has become known for scoring in the big moments: the equaliser against Spain and the opener against Germany in the Euro 2022 quarter-final and final, the first goal in the Finalissima against Brazil and at the 2023 World Cup semi-final against Australia. There are greater challenges to come in Switzerland, with England having booked their place in the quarter-finals against Sweden, but Toone's performances carry an extra layer of significance. She is playing in her first tournament without father Nick, who died last September, three days short of his 60th birthday. Beth Mead, whose mother June died in January 2023, has been a shoulder to lean on throughout this tournament. 'We both said the first game (against France) we really struggled,' said Mead. 'You look to the stands for your person who was standing there and they are not there anymore. My mum was the first person I would look for in the stands so I understand how Ella felt in that moment. 'Tooney was unbelievable. She has really come into her own. Sometimes when you feel a bit low it brings you to the top of your game. I have done that before, been in a tough place and come back. You can see she is giving that energy and she deserves everything she is getting right now. 'There have been moments when she has asked: 'Is this normal? Does that feel normal? Why am I thinking this?' I'm like: 'It's completely normal. I've been there and I still feel like it now.' We talk so easily about it but I've had a little bit longer to process it compared to her. We all deal with it differently but she is dealing with it pretty amazingly now.' Toone was 'absolutely buzzing' for Mead who 'sat a few defenders down' before scoring England's fifth. 'I was buzzing she got that tonight and we both could celebrate to the sky,' said Toone. 'I'm sure they will be up there with a few pints in their hands watching us. 'We have really bonded over such a terrible thing but it's nice to have someone who has been through it. We definitely have each other's backs, we are proud of each other and it's nice we are constantly talking about them. We know we are doing them proud.' Lauren James started ahead of Toone, 25, in the opening 2-1 defeat against France but England were overrun against a technically and physically superior midfield. Sarina Wiegman has since opted to shift James to the right wing and Toone has shown consistency and efficiency in this midfield system. While there was debate heading into the Euros as to who should start in the No 10 role, the Manchester United attacking midfielder could not have done much more to cement her position after competition from Grace Clinton and Jess Park. Advertisement 'We've managed to get both of them (James and Toone) on the pitch at the same time and they are two world-class players,' said player of the match Keira Walsh after the Wales win. Toone might feature fairly low down in most of the categories on the player dashboard below, but it is hard to argue against that when she ranks so highly in goals and assists. Walsh also made sure to highlight Toone's defensive work, covering spaces which her fellow midfielders cannot reach. 'Massive credit to Ella Toone,' she said. 'She's come in and done an incredible job.' Stanway describes the midfield trio of her, Walsh and Toone as having a 'really good dynamic'. 'We communicate, look at each other and speak constantly,' she said. 'I like to be in the pocket, she likes to be in the pocket, Keira (Walsh) likes to be on the ball.' Despite Toone finding the Wales game, as she said, 'really difficult' because the opposition sat in a low block denying her space to run in behind, she still managed to get into good positions. She was disappointed to be taken off at half time with England 4-0 up and replaced by Park but Toone was one booking away from missing the quarter-final. This suggests she has a major role to play against Sweden on Thursday, who will pose a more physically intense battle. Toone's first goal, and England's second, came from best friend Alessia Russo pouncing on Wales' defensive errors. Toone was there to hammer the ball home while her pinpoint cross from the right to assist Lauren Hemp's header for England's third, and her cut-back to Russo for the fourth goal came from neat interchanges with James. The pass map above shows their connections on the right, while at times Stanway hugged the left touchline, rotating with Hemp. 'I know that if she (James) has the ball and she gives it to me, I can give it back to her, in tight areas, I can run off her, I can make an unselfish run and let her run into the space I've created,' explained Toone. Advertisement 'It's the players around me who make me feel at ease: Keira (Walsh) behind me, LJ (James) to the right, Alessia (Russo) up front. Every time I get the ball, I know there's someone to pass to. I feel really good at the minute, really confident and really enjoying my football.'
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Running for my adopted home at games feels right'
A Manx runner has said it "feels right" to represent her adopted home of Orkney at the Island Games as it is was where "a major chapter" of her running journey began. Katie Cubbon, who moved to Stromness in 2018, will compete in the half-marathon event at the competition, which sees 24 island nations face-off in 12 sports. Advertisement Katie said: "I'm so proud to be Manx and Orkney is my home now, so I've got both flags up in our garden, because it doesn't feel right to not have both." With Orkney's population predicted to swell by 10% across the week, she said she imagined the atmosphere will be "like TT week when's really busy and vibrant" on the Isle of Man. Originally moving for studies on marine biology, meeting her Orcadian partner has meant Stromness is now her home. "There's a really nice close-knit community, which is quite similar to Castletown which is where I grew up," she said. Advertisement Crediting the Orkney Athletic and Running Club with helping her get into her competitive stride in recent years, she said representing her current home "came about naturally". But her participation in the games had been touch-and-go, with a last-minute calf strain making recent weeks "stressful". But, having overcome that, she said felt "really fortunate" to be pulling on the Orkney kit to compete in Kirkwall on Friday. "It feels right because it is where a major part of my running journey has been," she said, But she admitted although "it'll be really nice" to see Manx flags flying in Scotland, "it'll tug on the heart strings for sure". Advertisement And Katie is not the only member of the Orkney team with strong Manx connections - sport lead for football at the competition Karl Adamson said he "basically grew up on the Isle of Man". Born on the Scottish island, spend his childhood on the Isle of Man before returning in 1990. Still known as "the fella from the Isle of Man" in Orkney, he moved south at the age of three with his family as his dad was a lighthouse keeper. Playing for the Isle of Man's under-14 team and Castletown FC, he developed a love for the sport but said being picked to play for his birthplace aged 29 felt like "it was me representing my island". Advertisement He said he was now "very proud" to be supporting the team at a home games. About 2,000 competitors from across the world will travel to Orkney for the games [BBC] A coach for many years afterwards, and having been the Orkney team manager for six years - including at the 2017 Gotland games - Karl is a familiar face to Orcadian football fans. For the 2025 event, he said he thought his "satisfaction would come at the end, once the final whistle is blown and the medals are given out and we can hopefully say that was a well run competition". "But the fact that the Isle of Man and Orkney teams have been drawn in the same groups is going mean plenty of conversation for me," he said. Advertisement "I'm really looking forward to watching those matches." Both the men's and women's squads have been drawn to play each other on Tuesday at Kirkwall Grammar School 1. The 2025 Island Games run until 18 July. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. More on this story Related internet links
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Price wins ninth Euro title with Baltic Sea victory
Gerwyn Price swept aside Gary Anderson to win the final of the Baltic Sea Darts Open in Kiel, Germany. Scot Andersen led 2-1 before Price reeled off six straight legs on his way to an 8-3 victory and back-to-back successes following his win at the previous weekend's Poland Masters. Advertisement The 40-year-old Welshman has now won nine European Tour titles, joining Peter Wright in second spot on the all-time winners list. "I think I played pretty well all weekend, so I'm really chuffed," Price told the PDC website. "Gary wasn't at his best in the final and obviously I can play better, but I'm just really pleased to get over the line and get another European Tour title under my belt." Price had survived a major scare in his last-16 tie as Wessel Nijman missed two match darts. The former rugby player went on to ease past world number one Luke Humphries and Chris Dobey, dropping just three legs in each contest. Advertisement Two-time world champion Anderson beat Krzysztof Ratajski, Andy Baetens, Jonny Clayton and James Wade on his way to the final. "To get to the final of any tournament is great, so I'll pat myself on the back," said Anderson. "Gezzy has been playing really well, and he played really well throughout the whole tournament, but we'll be back." The player's attention now turns to the Betfred World Matchplay, running from 19-27 July, a trophy 2021 world champion Price is yet to win. "I've lost in the final before, so now I need to lift that trophy," said Price, who was runner-up to Michael van Gerwen in 2022. Advertisement "I won in Poland, so to come here and win here definitely puts me in good stead ahead of the World Matchplay. "I'm playing really well at the moment, but it's all on the day. There are so many good players in the tournament, so anybody can win it."
