logo
Teenager Andreeva shows her mettle, Pegula advances at French Open

Teenager Andreeva shows her mettle, Pegula advances at French Open

Straits Times29-05-2025

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 29, 2025 Ashlyn Krueger of the U.S. in action during her second round match against Russia's Mirra Andreeva REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 29, 2025 Jessica Pegula of the U.S. reacts during her second round match against Ann Li of the U.S. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 29, 2025 Russia's Mirra Andreeva in action during her second round match against Ashlyn Krueger of the U.S. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 29, 2025 Russia's Mirra Andreeva shakes hands with Ashlyn Krueger of the U.S. after winning her second round match REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
PARIS - Mirra Andreeva underlined her claycourt credentials again at the French Open when the Russian teenager methodically took apart Ashlyn Krueger, and third seed Jessica Pegula also moved into the third round on Thursday.
Andreeva, a surprise Roland Garros semi-finalist in 2024, confirmed her calibre on the sport's slowest surface with runs to the Madrid and Rome quarter-finals this season, and she had to be at her inventive best to beat the powerful Krueger 6-3 6-4.
The 18-year-old sixth seed found herself an early break down on Court Simonne Mathieu but fought back to secure the first set, before mixing up her game with exquisite sliced forehands in the next to see off her American opponent.
"This match wasn't easy, I'd lost to her at the U.S. Open," Andreeva said, reflecting on her second-round defeat by Krueger in New York last August.
"She's a powerful and aggressive player. I knew I had to play well ... I suffered and struggled with my serve, but I'm happy I found a way to stay calm.
"I pushed myself to fight until the end."
Pegula, Krueger's frequent doubles partner this season and French Open third seed, had to battle hard against fellow American Ann Li but found her best level when it mattered to prevail 6-3 7-6(3) in windy conditions.
Up next for the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up is former Paris finalist Marketa Vondrousova, after the Czech sent 25th seed Magdalena Frech packing 6-0 4-6 6-3.
On the men's side, Vondrousova's compatriot Jiri Lehecka took out Spanish 26th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-2 while Kazakh Alexander Bublik upset Australian ninth seed Alex De Minaur 2-6 2-6 6-4 6-3 6-2.
Three-times French Open champion Novak Djokovic continues his bid for more history and a record 25th Grand Slam trophy when he plays Frenchman Corentin Moutet later on Thursday.
Top seed Jannik Sinner resumes his hunt for a maiden title on Parisian clay when he meets another local favourite in Richard Gasquet, who will retire when his campaign at his home Grand Slam comes to an end. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

DeChambeau not seeking LIV Golf exit: 'they see the value in me'
DeChambeau not seeking LIV Golf exit: 'they see the value in me'

Straits Times

time15 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

DeChambeau not seeking LIV Golf exit: 'they see the value in me'

Jun 10, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Bryson DeChambeau speaks with the media during practice rounds for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images REUTERS DeChambeau not seeking LIV Golf exit: 'they see the value in me' OAKMONT, Pennsylvania - Bryson DeChambeau, who has evolved into one of the game's most popular players, revealed on Tuesday that his contract with LIV Golf expires next year and that he has no plans to take his big-hitting talents elsewhere. DeChambeau joined LIV in 2022 and his future with the Saudi-backed circuit has been the source of speculation, with some suggesting the two-times major champion turned down a proposal for a new contract and is looking to return to the PGA Tour. But DeChambeau, speaking to reporters at Oakmont Country Club ahead of his U.S. Open title defence this week, said he feels the team element of LIV Golf is a viable option and one he wants to be a part of. "We're looking to negotiate end of this year, and I'm very excited," said DeChambeau, who is captain of LIV Golf's Crushers GC. "They see the value in me. I see the value in what they can provide, and I believe we'll come to some sort of resolution on that. Super excited for the future." LIV Golf, which features no-cut, 54-hole events, held its inaugural event in June 2022, and through mega-money contracts and lucrative purses has lured some of golf's biggest names. The PGA Tour and Saudi backers of rival LIV Golf have yet to reach an official deal that would unite the game of golf despite agreeing to a "framework agreement" two years ago to merge and form one unified commercial entity. "I think that LIV is not going anywhere," said DeChambeau, who headlines the list of 14 LIV Golf players in the U.S. Open field this week. "(Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan) has been steadfast in his belief on team golf, and whether everybody believes in it or not, I think it's a viable option. I think it's a viable commercial option." DeChambeau said he feels there is a "sustainable model" for team golf. "Our team has been EBITDA positive for the past two years, so we're starting to grow and move in the right direction, just like TGL," said DeChambeau. "TGL has done a great job. They've got some teams that are making some money, and I believe there is a sustainable model out there." TGL is a tech-infused indoor golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy that held its first season earlier this year and featured players hitting shots at a simulator screen before moving to a green that can rotate 360 degrees, creating hole-to-hole variations. "How it all works with the game of golf, who knows, but I know my worth. I know what LIV brings to the table," DeChambeau added. "And I'm excited for the future of what golf is going to be." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Engel claims upset win in first professional match on grass in Stuttgart
Engel claims upset win in first professional match on grass in Stuttgart

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

Engel claims upset win in first professional match on grass in Stuttgart

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Hamburg European Open - Am Rothenbaum, Hamburg, Germany - May 21, 2025 Germany's Justin Engel reacts during his round of 16 match against Russia's Andrey Rublev REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo Engel claims upset win in first professional match on grass in Stuttgart German teen Justin Engel had never played a professional tennis match on grass but on Tuesday he showed he could be a force to reckon with at the Stuttgart Open when he overcame Australian James Duckworth, who sits 187 rungs above him in the rankings. Engel, ranked 281 in the world, arrived at the tournament having played only five matches on the ATP Tour, with the 17-year-old a regular on the Challenger Tour where he has played on clay and hardcourts. After slowly coming to grips with the green surface, Engel forced a decider but found himself a break down and even needed treatment for dizziness before triumphing 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) in nearly 2-1/2 hours. When Duckworth's return on match point found the net, the Australian nearly smashed his racket but controlled himself while a relieved Engel sank to the grass in disbelief before throwing his cap into the air in delight. "I'm really proud of myself, it was my first grass match," said Engel, who fired 32 winners past Duckworth. "I know this match was tough and I'm pretty happy with this result. I can't wait to play the next round." American 19-year-old Learner Tien also advanced from his first match on grass but only after his opponent Yoshihito Nishioka retired when Tien had levelled the match at one set apiece. Meanwhile, Arthur Rinderknech led a bevy of Frenchmen into the second round when he upset fifth seed Denis Shapovalov 6-4 2-6 6-0. Rinderknech has not had the best of starts this season with only four wins and 14 losses heading into his first grasscourt tournament. His compatriots Corentin Moutet and Quentin Halys also went the distance in their respective matches to come out on top against a pair of Italians. While Moutet beat Italian wildcard Fabio Fognini 6-4 6-7(3) 6-3, Halys came from behind to get the better of Lorenzo Sonego with a 6-7(6) 7-5 6-4 victory. However, 38-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils was knocked out when American seventh seed Alex Michelsen won 6-4 4-6 6-3. Top seeds Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Felix Auger-Aliassime received direct entries into the second round. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

McIlroy hits reset button ahead of U.S. Open
McIlroy hits reset button ahead of U.S. Open

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

McIlroy hits reset button ahead of U.S. Open

Jun 10, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Rory McIlroy reacts on the tenth green during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images REUTERS OAKMONT, Pennsylvania - Rory McIlroy conceded on Tuesday that he did not know how hard it would be to stay motivated after completing a long-sought career Grand Slam at the Masters in April but hopes to hit the reset button in time for this week's U.S. Open. McIlroy, speaking to reporters at Oakmont Country Club ahead of Thursday's opening round, has struggled since the Masters and will need to rediscover both his hunger and form off the tee if he hopes to be in the mix at the year's third major. "I've always been a player that struggles to play after a big event, after I win whatever tournament," said McIlroy. "I always struggle to show up with motivation the next week because you've just accomplished something and you want to enjoy it and you want to sort of relish the fact that you've achieved a goal. "Chasing a certain goal for the better part of a decade and a half, I think I'm allowed a little bit of time to relax a little bit. But here at Oakmont, I certainly can't relax this week." In his last two starts, McIlroy finished 47th at Quail Hollow for the PGA Championship, where he struggled off the tee using a backup driver after his preferred one was deemed non-conforming, and missed the cut last week in Canada. While his recent results are well below the five-times major champion's expectations, McIlroy knows they came while he was enjoying the fruits of his labour and also feels they ultimately serve a purpose. "Weeks like Quail Hollow or even weeks like last week, it makes it easier to reset in some way, to be like, okay, I sort of need to get my stuff together here and get back to the process and sort of what I'd been doing for that seven months from October last year until April this year," said McIlroy. The Northern Irishman, like everyone in the 156-player field this week, will have his work cut out for him at Oakmont given errant tee shots on the par-70 layout will be swallowed up by penal rough. During his media availability, McIlroy said he shot an 81 last week at Oakmont after birdies on the final two holes. "It felt pretty good. It didn't feel like I played that bad," said McIlroy. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store