Napoli's title hopes shaken by late Genoa equaliser as Inter close in
NAPLES, Italy :Napoli's Serie A title hopes suffered a late setback on Sunday when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Genoa, setting up a thrilling season finale with Inter Milan just one point behind.
Napoli remain top with 78 points, holding a slim lead over Inter, who won 2-0 at Torino earlier on Sunday, with two rounds remaining.
Scott McTominay delivered a perfect pass into the box where Romelu Lukaku got rid of his marker before guide his shot into the bottom corner to give Napoli the lead in the 15th minute.
Genoa equalised in the 32nd minute when Honest Ahanor's header hit the bar, with Napoli keeper Alex Meret initially parrying it into the post, only for the rebound to bounce off his body and into the net for an own goal.
The sombre mood at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium lifted in the 64th minute when Giacomo Raspadori drilled a screamer from close range, restoring Napoli's lead and sending the blue-and-white supporters into a frenzy.
However, a Johan Vasquez header six minutes from time silenced the crowd as the realisation hit that the title race had been blown wide open again.
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Sinner joins France in toasting Roland Garros heroine Boisson
PARIS : Jannik Sinner geared up for his French Open quarter-final on Wednesday by hitting with Lois Boisson and the world number one said he was unsurprised by the wildcard's dream run on home soil this year. Sinner continued his bid for a maiden Roland Garros title with an efficient 6-1 7-5 6-0 win over Kazakh Alexander Bublik shortly after world number 361 Boisson lit up Court Philippe Chatrier by stunning sixth seed Mirra Andreeva 7-6(6) 6-3. The duo began their day by practising under the closed roof of the main showcourt and Sinner was left impressed by Boisson's unusual style for a woman. "The level she produces is amazing," Sinner told reporters. "Very consistent, claycourt style with the forehand and a lot of top-spin. Today it was raining, so I called the desk if there were some free spots, because I don't want to risk to go on court without warming up. So we arrived quite early. "She straightaway said yes and we hit some balls. It was a consistent warmup for a different game style for a woman because the ball is quite high and quite spinny. "Physically she's very strong. She deserves to be in the position where she is right now, and we wish her all the best for the future." Boisson, who knocked out world number three Jessica Pegula in the previous round, has become the toast of an adoring nation and will at least break into the world's top 70 next week. Her success comes a year after she suffered a serious knee injury a week before Roland Garros that denied her a Grand Slam debut. "It's amazing, no? I think that's exactly what France needs, something very new, very special, great mentality. She's someone who is quite calm on the court, at least she seems like it," Sinner said. "She had knee surgery not long ago, so even that, gives her some great confidence hopefully for her future. We actually were in the same centre for a little while back in the day, and we practised sometimes together even there. "I know her. I saw her before the tournament in the gym in Jean Bouin. We talked a little bit about how things are and she was happy. Having a wildcard here, it's a special tournament for her, being French." ($1 = 0.8753 euros)
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Fit and firing Boisson dares to dream as stunning French Open run rolls on
PARIS :At Roland Garros, a venue that has crushed generations of French players, world number 361 Lois Boisson is daring to dream of an improbable triumph after she stormed into the French Open semi-finals on Wednesday to continue her magnificent run. The 22-year-old, in a Grand Slam main draw for the first time, beat Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals having knocked out world number three Jessica Pegula in the previous round. Her WTA ranking belies the true level of Boisson, who was hovering around the 150th place when she sustained a serious knee injury a year ago. Now that she's fit, she is firing and has her eyes firmly fixed on the biggest prize. "For sure, every tennis player dreams of winning a Slam - and for a French player, Roland Garros even more so. I'll go for it because my dream is to win the final, not the semi-final,' Boisson, who will at least break into the world's top 70 next week, told a press conference. The daughter of a former professional basketball player, she has lit up the clay courts in Paris with her gutsy performances and calm demeanour under pressure — a far cry from how she used to be. "When I started tennis, I was very nervous, very emotional on court," Boisson, who faces world number two Coco Gauff on Thursday, told reporters. "It was hurting me too much. I realised I wouldn't go far if I stayed like that. I learned to control it." Boisson, who overcame Andreeva in a tense quarter-final, spoke of how her preparation remains constant whether she is facing a top-10 player or a qualifier. "The preparation is pretty much the same, whether it's against a number 300 or a top 10,' she said. "We analyse the opponent, then I focus on what I have to do with my gameplan.' GOOSEBUMPS Asked about the growing attention on her following her unexpected run, Boisson, who will pocket at least a 690,000 euro ($788,532) cheque for her participation in the semi-finals and can expect almost as much in endorsements and sponsorships, said: 'I don't really think about what's next. I just try to stay focused on this tournament. I'm enjoying what I receive on court and outside the court - it's incredible." The support from the French crowd has been electric, with chants and La Marseillaise ringing around Court Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday. 'At the warm-up, when they played La Marseillaise, I wasn't expecting it - it gave me goosebumps,' she said. 'Having the public behind me like this, it's a real boost.' Boisson said she had learned to embrace the pressure of playing at home - a prospect that has frozen generations of French players at Roland Garros. "Every player feels pressure, maybe more so for a French player at Roland Garros. But you have to deal with it, otherwise you can't win any matches," she said. "I can deal with it — it's okay." Her form has not improved by chance, she stressed. 'It's not a miracle. Maybe a little bit of luck, yes, but it's a lot of hard work too — especially after last year and my rehab.' Boisson, whose varied game has unsettled opponents throughout the tournament, said her natural style has always been one of variety and flair. "My game has always been like that, with a lot of variation. The more I train, the more I can fine-tune it. Maybe my forehand ball is a little different from the other girls'."
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Boisson lights up French Open, Sinner advances to semis
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