logo
Aryna Sabalenka's impressive grand slam streak goes on at Wimbledon

Aryna Sabalenka's impressive grand slam streak goes on at Wimbledon

Glasgow Times3 days ago
The world number one is yet to drop a set but has been pushed in all of her matches so far, with her latest scrap seeing her overcome former doubles partner Mertens 6-4 7-6 (4).
There was not the same sense of jeopardy as there had been in Sabalenka's late-night duel with Emma Raducanu in the third round, with the top seed never behind but unable to shake off Mertens until the second-set tie-break.
'Roland Garros was also quite challenging,' said Sabalenka, who has now made at least the quarter-finals on her last 11 appearances at grand slams.
'I love these challenges. I think every time you go through these tough matches, you kind of bring your game to the next level, and it helps to improve your game as well.
'I feel like, with every match I'm playing here, I'm getting better and better mentally and also physically. So I love these tough challenges. I only hope to get better and better in each round.'
The victory was her 46th of the season – way ahead of any other player, with only four women managing more wins in the whole of 2024.
Aryna Sabalenka hits a backhand (Adam Davy/PA)
Sabalenka is extending her lead at the top of the rankings with every success having missed Wimbledon last year through injury, but she is desperate to add a fourth grand slam title to her CV after heartbreaking losses in the finals of the Australian Open and French Open this year.
She is yet to reach a Wimbledon final but it would be a huge shock if she falls before then this year, with numerous upsets on her side of the draw meaning she finds the unlikely figure of Laura Siegemund awaiting her next.
The 37-year-old German had won only two singles matches here in her career prior to this year but made it through to the last eight with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Argentinian lucky loser Solana Sierra.
Siegemund has an unusual game based on heavy slice and attacking the net, and she insisted she will not be fazed by facing Sabalenka.
Laura Siegemund is a surprise quarter-finalist (John Walton/PA)
She said: 'Of course I am surprised. If you would have told me I play quarter-finals here, I would have never believed it.
'On the other hand, it's a very simple math always in tennis. You have an opponent, either you find good solutions and you execute well, you go forward, or you don't, and you don't go forward.
'As I said after big wins before, I have this game and this maybe boldness to take out big names. I've always had that, just maybe because I don't care who is on the other side. In a positive, respectful way, I don't care.'
It is proving to be a good tournament for the veterans, with 34-year-old Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova ending a nine-year wait to make a second quarter-final by seeing off Britain's Sonay Kartal 7-6 (3) 6-4.
In the last eight, Pavlyuchenkova will take on 13th seed Amanda Anisimova, who reached this stage of Wimbledon for the second time with a 6-2 5-7 6-4 victory over young Czech Linda Noskova.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Djokovic survives Cobolli onslaught to reach record 14th Wimbledon semi-final
Djokovic survives Cobolli onslaught to reach record 14th Wimbledon semi-final

The Guardian

timean hour ago

  • The Guardian

Djokovic survives Cobolli onslaught to reach record 14th Wimbledon semi-final

The siren call of a record 25th grand slam title grows ever louder for Novak Djokovic. But he was given a scare by the punchy young Italian Flavio Cobolli, as well as a nasty fall on match point, before coming through a pulsating quarter-final to win 6-7 (8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4. Djokovic's reward is a record 14th Wimbledon semi-final, one ahead of Roger Federer, and a meeting with the world No 1, Jannik Sinner, on Friday. It is a battle he is clearly relishing. 'It motivates me to see how much I can still keep going with these guys toe to toe,' he said. 'For me, this is what actually counts the most. Being in the last stages of grand slams and playing against the best player in the world right now. And Jannik and Carlos Alcaraz are the leaders of men's tennis today.' Djokovic hit 39 winners and made just 22 errors against Cobolli, and reached shots that would have flown past lesser opponents. But he admits that Sinner, and potentially Alcaraz in the final, will prove a far tougher physical test. 'I am pleased with the way I'm playing,' Djokovic said. 'Physically I hope that I'll be able to sustain that. That's more of a concern than game‑wise. I think game-wise the way I'm feeling the ball when I'm fit and ready, I feel like I can go toe to toe with those guys and even beat them if I'm playing my best.' Beforehand the tale of the tape was so overwhelmingly in Djokovic's favour that few gave Cobolli a shot. The Italian, after all, came into this match with a 1-11 record against the world's top 10. His career record on grass stood at a modest nine wins and six defeats. And he was up against the greatest of all time, the seven-time champion here, and someone who had thrashed him 6-1, 6-2 in their only meeting. But this was a different Cobolli, one determined to roll the dice and with the confidence to believe he could provide the biggest shock of Wimbledon this year. In the last 16, Alex de Minaur had tried to defeat Djokovic by mixing deft spins and devilish unpredictability, and using the swirling wind as his friend. Cobolli's approach was more blunt. He simply wanted to blast Djokovic off the court. It nearly worked, too. Djokovic said: 'He played at a really high level. And at some parts of the match he was just serving so good that I wasn't able to read or attack it.' Initially the Italian looked to be feeling the pressure of his first grand slam quarter-final. His first shot – a return of serve – scooted into the net. And his second was a mis-hit. But Cobolli was determined to hit himself out of trouble. Serves were thundered down at more than 130mph, forehands were struck flat and hard, and he kept digging himself out of potential potholes. It said everything about the Italian's game that even when down 5-3 in the first set, he broke back immediately and then took it on a tie‑break after a 137mph serve. Perhaps understandably, given this was his first time on Centre Court and he was playing his idol, Cobolli then had a wobble. From 2-1 up in the second set, he lost seven games in a row. In truth, it looked over. From nowhere, however, Cobolli's radar suddenly started working again. At 2-0 down in the third set he broke back and led 5-4 before nerves got the better of him. Still the Italian kept fighting. But at 4-4 and 30-30 in the fourth set, the tension became too much. A double-handed backhand went halfway up the net before a drop volley was fluffed. It left Djokovic serving for the match. But there was still time for more drama as, on the second match point, the Serb fell face first on to the grass after another Cobolli winner flashed past him and he appeared to hurt his hip. 'It was a nasty fall,' Djokovic said. 'It was very awkward. That happens on the grass. I've had quite a few of those throughout my grass court career. 'Obviously, my body is not the same today like it was before, so I guess the real impact of what happened I will feel tomorrow. So let's see. I'm hoping the next 24-48 hours that the severity is not too bad, that I'll be able to play at my best and be free of pain in two days.' After the fall it took him a while to get up. Yet two points later, his hands were pointing skyward in triumph. Djokovic continues to confound expectations. Against Sinner he will have to do so again.

Wimbledon 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Sinner and Djokovic THROUGH, Shelton OUT as Swiatek reaches semi-final
Wimbledon 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Sinner and Djokovic THROUGH, Shelton OUT as Swiatek reaches semi-final

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

Wimbledon 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Sinner and Djokovic THROUGH, Shelton OUT as Swiatek reaches semi-final

WIMBLEDON 2025 is in its final week with some huge names still in the hunt for the men's and women's titles! Novak Djokovic has BEATEN Flavio Cobolli on Centre Court, and will face world No1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals after his straight sets win over American Ben Shelton. Iga Swiatek booked her spot in the semi-final with a straight set victory but Mirra Andreeva crashed out to Belinda Bencic. On Tuesday, the final Single's Brit Cam Norrie was well beaten by champion Carlos Alcaraz in their Centre Court quarter-final, losing in straight sets to the flying Spaniard. By Connor Greaves Good morning and welcome to SunSport's live blog of Wimbledon! Today's action features some huge names, with the likes of Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner looking to progress to the quarter-finals. The Serbian great faces a tricky test in Alex de Minaur in the first match on Centre Court, while Sinner closes the day on Wimbledon's most iconic stage against Grigor Dimitrov. Ben Shelton is looking to extend his best-ever run at the All England Club as he faces surprise package Lorenzo Sonego in the last-16. A first-time champion is guaranteed in the women's contest - and three top 10 seeds will feature in SW19 today. Mirra Andreeva and Emma Navarro meet on Centre Court in a blockbuster clash while former world No1 Iga Swiatek faces Clara Tauson.

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool eye British men's doubles history at Wimbledon
Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool eye British men's doubles history at Wimbledon

Rhyl Journal

time3 hours ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool eye British men's doubles history at Wimbledon

Cash and Glasspool saved three match points against defending champions Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara to reach their first grand slam semi-final. Britain's Patten and Finn Heliovaara claimed an unexpected first major title last summer and then backed it up by winning the Australian Open, but they were edged out 6-4 4-6 7-6 (10/8) in a tense clash. Julian Cash & Lloyd Glasspool's incredible run continues!!! 🔥 They save three match points and beat the reigning champions to reach a first Grand Slam semi-final as a pair#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #Wimbledon — LTA (@the_LTA) July 9, 2025 Fifth seeds Cash and Glasspool have now won 12 successive matches, taking in tournament wins at Queen's and Eastbourne, and if they can win two more they will become the first all-British pair to win the men's doubles titles here since 1936. 'I've never done it in my life before,' said Glasspool of their current success. 'You kind of get in that mindset where you just expect to win almost, even if you're completely delusional. 'It kind of takes the nerves out. We're coming up against one of the best teams in the world and we expect to beat them.' Glasspool hopes their achievements will earn them a bit of attention, with the 31-year-old adding: 'I saw an article yesterday saying all British hopes out of the Wimbledon draw now because (Cameron) Norrie lost. 'And I was like, 'Well there's actually three teams still in on the men's side'. It is a little bit annoying but it's nothing new and if you keep winning then maybe you get some more coverage.' They could have found themselves facing British opposition again but Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski lost out in two tie-breaks to fourth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in a repeat of the French Open final. It will be another tough test for Cash and Glasspool, but they could not be more confident, with Cash saying: 'It's very special (to be in the semi-finals) but we're here to win the title. For us there's nothing to celebrate yet. If we bring our game and deliver, I think we take down any pair.' Patten faces losing nearly a quarter of his prize money after being handed the biggest fine of the tournament so far, 12,500 US dollars (approximately £9,200), for swearing at a member of staff at the practice courts the day before the tournament. The 29-year-old has appealed the punishment and hit out at Wimbledon in a statement earlier this week, criticising the fact it was made public and saying: 'I do not believe that there has been a full or proper investigation, nor has Wimbledon acted reasonably or fairly with due process.' Patten will not hear the result of his appeal until after the tournament but insisted it had not affected him on court. 'I think I did a pretty good job of focusing on my tennis,' he said. 'We were happy with how we played today. Obviously it hurts now.' There is also still home interest in the wheelchair events and juniors, with Hannah Klugman and Mimi Xu, who both received wild cards for the women's singles, through to the quarter-finals of the girls' event. Joe Salisbury & Luisa Stefani are into the mixed doubles FINAL! 🤝#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #Wimbledon — LTA (@the_LTA) July 8, 2025 Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid began their quest for a seventh straight wheelchair doubles title by beating Takuya Miki and Casey Ratzlaff 6-3 6-2 while Greg Slade reached the semi-finals of the quad wheelchair singles. On Thursday, Salisbury will bid for a seventh grand slam title in the mixed doubles final alongside Brazilian Luisa Stefani. The pair, who will take on Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands and Czech Katerina Siniakova, only entered at the last minute after Salisbury's original partner, Jodie Burrage, suffered an ankle injury. Salisbury has trophies from all the other slams across men's and mixed doubles but is yet to lift silverware at Wimbledon. 'It would be amazing,' he said. 'For me it's the main one, to win Wimbledon is the biggest tournament, biggest title. I'm mostly focused on the men's titles but winning the mixed doubles is amazing as well and it would be a Wimbledon title and have your name in history forever.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store