Wimbledon, Day 8: Alex de Minaur v Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner v Dimitrov, Swiatek v Tauson
The clash will kick off a big day at the All England Club, as Djokovic and world number one Jannik Sinner face their stiffest tests of the tournament as they aim to take another step towards a blockbuster semi-final face-off.
Djokovic was in supreme form as he demolished compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-0, 6-4, but the seven-time champion is wary of the threat that lies ahead of him.
De Minaur was forced to pull out of a quarter-final meeting at Wimbledon with the Serb last year due to injury but gets another shot at glory against one of the sport's all-time greats.
A two-time winner of grass court titles, the world number 11 has dropped just one set on his way to the last 16.
'He's playing the tennis of his life. He's definitely knocking on the door of the final stages of Grand Slams,' said Djokovic.
'You're not super excited to play Alex de Minaur on grass, that's for sure, because he's so quick and he's a complete player.'
Sinner does not have the Wimbledon track record of Djokovic or Alcaraz, but the Italian has been the most dominant player in the men's draw in the opening week.
The US Open and Australian Open champion has matched the men's Open Era record at Wimbledon for fewest games lost - 17 - in reaching the fourth round, set by Jan Kodes in 1972.
Sinner is also yet to lose his serve this year at the All England Club, not that his next opponent appears daunted by that prospect.
'We're in the second week of Wimbledon. Let's have fun,' said 34-year-old Grigor Dimitrov.
The Bulgarian appeared destined to be a future Wimbledon champion when he made the semi-finals in 2014, but has never progressed beyond the fourth round since.
Meanwhile, a rare defeat at the French Open has helped Iga Swiatek finally feel at home on the grass as the former world number one eyes just a second Wimbledon quarter-final.
Swiatek reached her first grass-court final in Bad Homburg last week, after which she said there is 'some hope' for her on the surface.
'This year on grass I had some moments where I just felt comfortable and I didn't have to think much. It was just pretty smooth.'
A flurry of early exits for all of the top six seeds other than Sabalenka also means Swiatek could make the final without having to play another top-10 player.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Bernard Tomic batters US billionaire Bill Ackman in truly farcical scenes
Tennis fans have slammed US billionaire Bill Ackman for making a mockery of the sport after he and veteran Jack Sock were destroyed by Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika in a professional match that looked more like a casual hit around with friends than one where prizemoney was on the line. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. The 59-year-old hedge fund manager paired up with his 32-year-old American counterpart for this week's Hall of Fame Open doubles tournament in Newport, but from his opening serve it was clear he didn't belong at all. Tomic and Jasika cruised through the first set 6-1 before appearing to play half-pace as they took the second 7-5, but fair to say they put in minimal effort often letting passing shots go and ballooning balls up to Ackman to volley. The tournament granted Sock and Ackman a wildcard entry to play and Ackman said his teammate would get any of their potential winnings – around $3,000 if they won their first round match. Ackman – who voiced his desire to compete alongside Nick Kyrgios earlier this year before the Aussie's injuries derailed those plans - is no stranger to the world of tennis. He is a large financial backer of a tennis players trade association, and the board chair for the Professional Tennis Players Association. But he looked completely out of place on Thursday (AEDT). As he indulged in his fantasy of being a professional tennis player, at just shy of 60, many felt he made a mockery of the sport. 'I guess when you're worth $9.5 billion, tour players will treat you like a 'Make-A-Wish' child in your ATP Challenger match. Bill Ackman is an absolute joke. Shame on the Tennis Hall of Fame, shame on the ATP Tour for allowing this man to buy a wildcard,' one fan wrote sharing a clip of Ackman. 'This is a joke,' another added. 'Bill Ackman is about as good at tennis as the average guy his age who plays at a country club, embarrassing for the tournament organisers and Bill himself,' a third wrote. There is no denying Ackman loves tennis. On a tennis event he co-founded called the 'Finance Cup', he's listed as a 'two-time NY State High School Doubles Quarterfinalist' who 'Competed in Junior Tournaments in US and Europe'. But playing in a pro tournament is a stretch, given the fact that he hasn't played regularly for many years and this was his debut. Coming into the tournament he played no tournaments in his age category or any for that matter and the match seemed nothing less than a rich man's indulgence. However you spin it, the match wasn't a good look. Tomic and Jasika will meet Blake Bayldon and Trey Hilderbrand in the next round of doubles tomorrow.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
More Red Bull employees employed by and close to Christian Horner sacked as F1 fallout continues
Red Bull F1 team boss Christian Horner's allies have followed him out the door after he was sensationally sacked on Wednesday, with a massive payday to come. The Sun has revealed several senior staffers at the F1 team were fired along with Horner, Red Bull's only even team principal, whose announcement he would be dumped from his role after more than 20 years with the F1 powerhouse shocked motorsport. Horner's contract was set to expire in 2030, with a salary of more than $18.5 million a year. With over four years remaining, he could be set to receive a whopping $74 million in payouts, however nothing has yet been confirmed. It was revealed employees close to the Red Bull boss and many who had been appointed to their roles by Horner were told to follow him out, leaving Horner to announce the news in an emotional speech. 'I was informed by Red Bull that operationally, I would no longer be involved with the business or the team moving forward,' Horner told his team. 'It came as a shock to myself. 'I've had a chance to reflect over the last 12 hours and wanted to stand in front of all of you to break this news and to express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20-and-a-half years. 'Watching and being part of this team has been the biggest privilege of my life.' He received a standing ovation from engineers and designers before shedding a tear, saying he was proud of their success. Horner has been instrumental to Red Bull's success since entering F1, leading them through two dominant periods and helping Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen to four world championships each in his time. The fallout of losses atop Horner's produces a predicament for the Red Bull team. 'A number of staff had been brought in by Christian, and when he was told to go, they were too,' a source said. 'Some of them had a very close relationship with Christian, which has proved to be a double-edged sword.' Horner has since been replaced by Laurent Mekies, the French team principal of Red Bull's sister team, Racing Bulls. In a statement, Red Bull said: 'After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO. We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work. He has been instrumental in building this Team into one of the most successful in F1, with eight Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' Championships. 'Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team's history.' The move was reportedly made after one of Horner's biggest supporters — and the most powerful figure in the organisation — buckled under mounting pressure to swing the axe. Horner's position had always previously been protected by Red Bull majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya. That seems to have changed after a number of high-stake meetings in recent weeks. Horner previously survived accusations of inappropriate behaviour towards a colleague – and was twice cleared in internal investigations of wrongdoing. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against him in February 2024 by a female team member were dismissed following an appeal last summer.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
History-chasing Djokovic sets up Wimbledon showdown with Sinner
Novak Djokovic set up a mouthwatering Wimbledon semi-final against world number one Jannik Sinner as he moved a step closer to claiming a historic 25th Grand Slam title. The Serb won 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 against Flavio Cobolli in front of Britain's Queen Camilla on Wednesday to reach the Wimbledon last four for a record 14th time in the men's game. Earlier, three-time major champion Sinner eased pre-match injury fears to sweep past US 10th seed Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-4 in an impressive display. In the women's draw, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek and former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic both reached the semi-finals for the first time and will clash for a place in the final. Seven-time champion Djokovic was pushed hard by Italian 22nd seed Cobolli but ultimately had too much nous and craft for the 23-year-old. "It means the world to me that I'm still able at 38 to play the final stages of Wimbledon," he said on court. "Thank you for cheering for my age. I really appreciate it. It's beautiful. Makes me feel very young. "And I guess another thing that makes me feel very young is competing with youngsters like Cobolli today." The sixth seed prepared for the contest by meeting Camilla, the wife of King Charles III, who said she was keeping her "fingers crossed" for his match. She watched Djokovic from the Royal Box, along with British actor Hugh Grant. There was a collective gasp when the Serbian slipped fell awkwardly while serving for victory but he played down injury fears. "I had a nasty slip, but that's what happens when you play on the grass," he said. "I'm going to visit this subject now with my physio and hopefully I'll be well in two days." 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. But Sinner 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. Sinner had sparked fears he may have to pull out of the tournament after falling early in his fourth-round tie against Grigor Dimitrov on Monday. He was trailing by two sets and on the brink of a shock exit when the Bulgarian pulled a pectoral muscle while serving and had to retire. Sinner wore a protective sleeve on his right arm against Shelton and said his injury had "improved a lot" after his practice was curtailed on Tuesday. Carlos Alcaraz, who has beaten Djokovic in the past two finals at Wimbledon, takes on US fifth seed Taylor Fritz in Friday's other semi-final. - 'Dream come true' - Attention will switch Thursday to the women's semi-finals. Eighth seed Swiatek said she had "goosebumps" after her 6-2, 7-5 win against Russian 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova. The Polish former world number one has won four titles on the clay at the French Open, as well as the US Open in 2022, but her previous best result at Wimbledon was a run to the quarter-finals in 2023. "It feels great. Even though I'm in the middle of the tournament I've already got goosebumps after this win. I'm super happy and super proud of myself and I'll keep going," she said. She faces Switzerland's Bencic, who shocked Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/2). The 28-year-old had a daughter, Bella, in April 2024, but has already risen back up to 35 in the world since returning from maternity leave. "It's crazy, it's unbelievable. It's a dream come true. I tried not to think about it at the match point. I'm just speechless," Bencic said. World number one Aryna Sabalenka plays American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova in the other women's semi-final on Thursday.
