logo
Boisson jumps 296 places in WTA rankings after French Open

Boisson jumps 296 places in WTA rankings after French Open

Lois Boisson received a wildcard entry a year after undergoing surgery on her left knee. (AP pic)
PARIS : France's Lois Boisson, a surprise French Open semi-finalist, has jumped 296 places in the latest WTA rankings released today to a career-high 65.
Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff hold the top two spots after their run to the final in Paris where American Gauff defeated world No 1 Sabalenka in three sets.
Boisson received a wildcard entry a year after undergoing surgery on her left knee, playing her first Grand Slam ranked 361th in the world.
The 22-year-old beat world No 3 Jessica Pegula and sixth ranked Mirra Andreeva before falling to Gauff in the semi-finals.
Iga Swiatek, the defending three-time French Open champion, falls two places to seventh after her semi-final defeat to Sabalenka.
China's Zheng Qinwen moves up to fifth after reaching the quarter-finals in Paris where she won Olympic gold last year.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fifa's US$1b Club World Cup: A cash cow for the elite, but is it too much for players to handle?
Fifa's US$1b Club World Cup: A cash cow for the elite, but is it too much for players to handle?

Malay Mail

time8 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Fifa's US$1b Club World Cup: A cash cow for the elite, but is it too much for players to handle?

PARIS, June 11 — Fifa's expanded Club World Cup which gets underway in the United States this weekend is a controversial addition to the global football calendar and one that could have a far-reaching impact on the sport in the years to come. The 32-team tournament, with one billion dollars in prize money on offer, has been crammed into an already overloaded schedule leading to concerns it will push elite players to breaking point. It also threatens to upset the balance of domestic and continental club competitions, giving competing teams huge financial advantages over rivals. Consider the leading clubs in Europe, which is sending 12 teams including Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea. The chances are high that some will go deep into the Club World Cup, with a maximum of seven games to be played up to the July 13 final. The riches on offer are extraordinary, up to a possible US$125 million for the top-performing European team. 'The Club World Cup model affects the ecosystem of national leagues, especially in Europe,' Javier Tebas, the president of Spain's La Liga, told radio station Cadena Cope. But while the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona will not be in the United States and so will miss out on the cash prizes, they will be able to give players a much-needed rest. 'I think it will have a huge impact and it will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage in the next season to not be there,' said England manager Thomas Tuchel when asked about the consequences for the Premier League. Lavish sums Those clubs are already among the world's wealthiest without taking into account the sums being lavished by FIFA, but what about teams elsewhere. It will become harder for clubs in South Africa to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns once they leave with a guaranteed minimum of almost US$10 million — the equivalent of the prize money for winning nine domestic titles. The amateurs of Auckland City already dominate in Oceania before being handed over US$3.5 million just as an appearance fee. But if taking part here will be perhaps the ultimate career highlight for their players, it just adds to the demands on those at top clubs. The introduction of the competition was met with opposition in Europe, and global players union FIFPro has warned that the wellbeing of many of its members is being threatened by the huge workload they face. Too many games? Portugal midfielder Vitinha has played 52 matches for PSG this season, including the Champions League final win over Inter Milan on May 31. There have also been eight games for Portugal, including the Nations League finals last week. Now he is off to the United States with PSG, with potentially no holiday until mid-July. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players walk on the tarmac after landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on June 10, 2025 ahead of Fifa Club World Cup 2025. — AFP pic The next French season is then due to start in mid-August, at the same time as the Premier League and La Liga. And at the end of next season Vitinha should be back in North America with Portugal at the expanded 48-team World Cup. Such demands on leading stars are why player unions in Europe last year raised the threat of strike action in a bid to cut down on the number of matches. 'The problem is the accumulation of excessively long and intense seasons back to back,' said Maheta Molango, chief executive of England's Professional Footballers' Association. 'Players don't think just about the summer, they think about how they are not going to have a holiday for the foreseeable future.' Meanwhile, domestic leagues do not see why they should change to accommodate Fifa's new tournament. 'International organisations and especially Fifa have increased the number of matches they organise, so now we have a calendar that is beyond saturation,' said Mathieu Moreuil of the Premier League. Other competitions are being devalued because the Club World Cup is taking place at the same time, like the Concacaf Gold Cup, also being played in the United States. USA coach Mauricio Pochettino is unable to call on leading players like Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah because they are at the Club World Cup with Juventus. 'That is the circumstance that we have and we need to adapt,' said Pochettino, the former PSG coach who may disagree with the view of Luis Enrique, currently in charge of the French side. 'I think it is an incredible competition,' he remarked looking ahead to the Club World Cup. — AFP

Man City sign midfielder Reijnders ahead of Club World Cup
Man City sign midfielder Reijnders ahead of Club World Cup

Free Malaysia Today

time10 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Man City sign midfielder Reijnders ahead of Club World Cup

Tijjani Reijnders made 104 appearances for AC Milan and was named Serie A's best midfielder last season. (EPA Images pic) MANCHESTER : Manchester City confirmed the signing of midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan on a five-year contract today and said the Netherlands international will be available for this month's Club World Cup. Financial details were not released but a City team source has put the transfer fee at €55 million. 'City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities. Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles, and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years,' Reijnders said in a statement. 'It is also a dream come true to play in the Premier League. This league has seen many of the best Dutch players perform through the years and it's an inspiration to follow in their footsteps. ' The 26-year-old, who has been capped 23 times, joined Milan in 2023 on a five-year contract before extending it until 2030 in March. He made 104 appearances for the club in all competitions, winning the Italian Super Cup and was named Serie A's best midfielder last season. 'He arrives here with extensive top-level experience in Europe both at club level as well as on the international stage with the Netherlands,' City's director of football Hugo Viana said. Reijnders is City's fourth addition of the transfer window after leftback Rayan Ait-Nouri, winger Rayan Cherki and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. The expanded 32-team Club World Cup runs from June 14 to July 13 in the US with US$1 billion in prize money at stake.

Depay kept ‘hungry' after equalling van Persie's scoring record
Depay kept ‘hungry' after equalling van Persie's scoring record

Free Malaysia Today

time10 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Depay kept ‘hungry' after equalling van Persie's scoring record

Memphis Depay has 50 goals in 102 international appearances for the Netherlands. (EPA Images pic) GRONINGEN : Memphis Depay was denied the chance to complete a hattrick today, and take sole possession of the Dutch national team's all-time scoring record in the process, as coach Ronald Koeman said he wanted to keep him hungry for goals. Forward Depay scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes of the Netherlands' 8-0 win over Malta in a World Cup qualifier to equal Robin van Persie's record of 50. Both players have 50 goals in 102 international appearances. 'I equalled van Persie, I am happy with that,' said Depay, who was taken off in the 72nd minute with the Dutch 4-0 up. 'But this is just an interim total. Of course I am also going for 51, 52 and also 53. If I had played longer, I might have scored one more tonight,' he told reporters. 'I didn't say anything about the fact that the coach took me off early. I was already happy that I could do what I've been doing for years… scoring.' Depay scored his first international goal against Australia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but it has not always been smooth sailing over the years with the national team. 'We have had some turbulence over the years,' he said. 'There have been many coaches and many players have come and gone. The times have shaped me and made me realise what I want. 'Ultimately, it's important that we're at the World Cup and that we go far.' Koeman has consistently backed Depay over his two spells in charge of the Dutch, even when he struggled with his club form. 'I've always thought Memphis is a great player. I think he deserves a great compliment. He's had a year full of injuries, but he's fit and hungry now,' said Koeman. 'It's great that he didn't score the third, because then he stays hungry,' he quipped on Dutch television.

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