Latest news with #ArynaSabalenka
New York Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
French Open recap: Aryna Sabalenka's tennis evolution sees her through at Roland Garros
Follow The Athletic's French Open coverage Welcome to the French Open briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories on each day of the tournament. On day eight, a world No. 1 showed why she has evolved her game, a tale of three match points and World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka went into Sunday's meeting with Amanda Anisimova with a 2-5 head-to-head record, and having lost three of their four meetings on clay. In theory, that put the American No. 16 seed at a pretty big advantage. But four of those five Anisimova wins came before Sabalenka had become a Grand Slam champion — and more importantly, the multi-faceted player she is now. Advertisement Sabalenka offered a reminder of that evolution throughout a comfortable 7-5, 6-3 victory to reach the quarterfinals. Things got tight in the first set when Anisimova came back from 5-2 down to having a couple of break points at 5-5, but Sabalenka proved ultimately too good. She had too much variety for Anisimova, who could more or less match her power but lacks the kind of plan B that Sabalenka now has. In the decisive game of the first set, with Anisimova serving at 5-6, Sabalenka used a drop shot to draw a missed forehand from her opponent for 15-15. Later in the game, Anisimova constructed a couple of points — one of them the break point from which Sabalenka ultimately took the set — with calmness and precision, dragging Sabalenka way out of position. On both of them, a high-margin drop shot would have been a safe way to end the point. But Anisimova only had another powerful groundstroke in her locker, and she missed them both and lost the set. In her news conference afterwards, Sabalenka talked about the importance of keeping her opponent guessing. 'As much as I could, I tried to change the rhythm against her,' she said. 'I think I did it pretty well, and overall I stayed really aggressive. Those little moments (of variety) help me a lot to put extra pressure on her.' She'll play Zheng Qinwen for a place in the semifinals Charlie Eccleshare Every player who has taken a point when they know, deep down, that a chair umpire or a line judge has made the wrong call ought to take a look at some video from Carlos Alcaraz vs. Ben Shelton at Roland Garros. Alcaraz didn't like a call on a Shelton serve during the first set. He complained to the chair umpire that the ball had ticked the net, but didn't get anywhere. Shelton offered to replay the point. Alcaraz turned him down. Advertisement A set later it was Alcaraz's turn to live tennis etiquette in a way so few players do. Early in the second set, Shelton fired a passing shot at Alcaraz. Alcaraz lunged for it and somehow made the volley as his racket flew out of his hand. The chair umpire gave him the point. Alcaraz said no. He knew his racket had made contact with the ball after it left his hand. He gave Shelton the point. Too much class from Carlitos, who gave the point to Ben Shelton after telling the chair umpire he did not have his racket in his hand when contact was made with the ball 👏#RolandGarros — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2025 'I would have felt guilty I didn't say anything about that,' Alcaraz said. 'I have to be honest with myself and with everyone I play,' He said that's what tennis is, or should be. Stuff like this happens a lot in tennis. Here's a simple rule that would solve a lot of problems for players: Be cool. Matt Futterman For an encapsulation of how much more aggressively No. 13 seed Elina Svitolina plays these days, check out the third match point she saved against last year's runner-up, Jasmine Paolini. Svitolina had already saved two match points. Serving down 4-5 in the second set, she got on the front foot in of them; in the other, Paolini went for broke and made an unforced error. The third was the toughest. The set had gone to a tiebreak, and Paolini was serving at 6-5. After seeing off the serve, Svitolina edged her way forward and then ripped a forehand up the line that Paolini could only float back in response. Svitolina, who had anticipated that kind of ball, knifed away a backhand winner to keep herself alive. Svitolina hit 37 winners in total in the match, and pinched the tiebreak 8-6 to level the match at one-set all. Advertisement From there, she kept on attacking and cruised home 6-1 in the decider. Once considered a relatively safe player, Svitolina has dialled up the aggression and it's led to her playing some of the best tennis of her career. Paolini has seen it at closer quarters than most: Svitolina came back from a set down against her at this year's Australian Open, too, winning the final set there 6-0. Next up for Svitolina is a quarterfinal Tuesday against the four-time champion Swiatek, who Svitolina beat at the same stage of Wimbledon two years ago. For Paolini, this defeat will take a bit of getting over. 'I had my chances, and I didn't — I don't know, maybe one match point I could play better, but at the same time, she's a great player,' Paolini said in a post-match news conference. 'She played really well.' Charlie Eccleshare Iga Świątek is the only Roland Garros champion left in the draw… Or is she? Świątek didn't win the last tennis final played on these clay courts: Zheng Qinwen did, beating Świątek on the way to Olympic gold in women's singles last summer. She remains the only player to beat Świątek here since 2021, and she walks the grounds with the swagger of a champion. Zheng outlasted Liudmila Samsonova Sunday, to set up a quarterfinal with Sabalenka, the player she beat in Rome last month. There's no question this is her tennis happy place at the moment. 'I still remember how many times I fall on the ground last year,' she said after the Samsonova win, which she celebrated with the kind of backwards collapse normally associated with Grand Slam titles. 'Even me today I still remember the Olympic Games moment on court. I say to myself during the match, 'Keep fighting, just keep going on, don't look at the score, and let's see what's going to happen.'' Advertisement With that attitude and her recent memories of toppling Sabalenka for the first time in her career, Zheng may be a very tough out for the world No. 1. Matt Futterman Tell us what you noticed on the eighth day… (Top photo of Aryna Sabalenka: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic)
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
How to watch Roland Garros Tuesday: TV coverage, streaming live, match times and more June 3
How to watch Roland Garros Tuesday: TV coverage, streaming live, match times and more June 3 There are two matches at the Roland Garros on June 3, highlighted by No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka versus No. 7 Qinwen Zheng. Looking to stay on top of the action? The Tennis Channel will have live coverage and highlights from the entire world of tennis during Center Court and Center Court Live. Roland Garros key details Tournament: The Roland Garros The Roland Garros Round: Quarterfinals Quarterfinals Date: June 3 June 3 Venue: Stade Roland Garros Stade Roland Garros Location: Paris, France Paris, France Court Surface: Clay Watch the Tennis Channel and more sports on Fubo! Match of the day: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Qinwen Zheng Start time: 5:00 AM ET 5:00 AM ET Round: Quarterfinal Quarterfinal Sabalenka has won two tournaments so far this year, with an overall record of 30-6. The 22-year-old Zheng, who is still seeking her first tournament win of 2025, is 13-8 so far this year. Roland Garros schedule today Elina Svitolina vs. Iga Swiatek, 5:00 AM ET (Quarterfinal) Aryna Sabalenka vs. Qinwen Zheng, 5:00 AM ET (Quarterfinal) Sign up for Fubo to watch tennis today!
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Iga Swiatek finds her mojo as she digs in and stages thrilling comeback to beat Elena Rybakina and avoid punishing French Open knockout
A euro for the thoughts of tournament director Amelie Mauresmo, who runs her prime-time night sessions like a snooty Pall Mall gentleman's club, after four superb women's matches at the French Open. Aryna Sabalenka 's tight straight-sets win over Amanda Anisimova, Zheng Qinwen's three-set victory against Liudmila Samsonova, Elina Svitolina 's Houdini act from a set and 4-1 down to Jasmine Paolini - any of these would have graced Philippe Chatrier under the lights. But the match of the day was Iga Swiatek against Elena Rybakina. The four-time champion Swiatek, so wobbly this year, so vulnerable to sustained aggression, lost eight of the first nine games. At 6-1, 2-0, former Wimbledon champion Rybakina was in sublime form. So close to another humiliating defeat, the real Swiatek emerged and said: Not this time. The No 5 seed dug in and after two sets of sensational ball-striking back and forth, prevailed 1-6, 6-3, 7-5. 'It means a lot,' said the Pole, 24. 'I needed that kind of win to feel I'm able to win under pressure, even if it's not going the right way. It's a great confirmation. I'm happy that I fought and problem-solved.' Swiatek has been doing neither of those things recently, and if she goes on to deliver a fourth title in a row here and relocate her mojo, this match can be chalked up as the turning point. Kudos, too, to her coach Wim Fissette, whose excellent resume has not been improved by presiding over her decline. Swiatek began to stand further back to return Rybakina's serve and that gave her the breathing room she needed. 'Wim convinced me to try it out,' said Swiatek. 'I wasn't sure if that's my thing, because a few years back when I started being more aggressive, I started winning more. 'But girls are serving faster now, there are limits to what you can react to. The coaching really helped me today; I wouldn't come up with this myself.'
New York Times
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Tantalising Świątek-Sabalenka final in the offing?
Follow live coverage of the fourth round at Roland Garros, after Frances Tiafoe joins Tommy Paul in the last eight Getty Images The fourth round of the 2025 French Open is in full swing with two American stars into the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in Paris. Carlos Alcaraz (2) beat Ben Shelton in four sets, but Frances Tiafoe (15) has joined fellow American Tommy Paul (12) in the quarters. Lorenzo Musetti (8) and Holger Rune (10) are on Philippe-Chatrier for the night session, and it's Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Zheng Qinwen (8) and Iga Świątek (5) vs. Elina Svitolina (13) in the women's singles last eight after their wins today. Watch: TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel, Max (U.S.); TNT (UK) TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel, Max (U.S.); TNT (UK) Join the discussion at: live@ GO FURTHER Tennis on clay courts: The unpredictable dance of sun, rain, wind and brick dust at Roland Garros Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images I know we've been burned with this kind of countdown already for a potential Świątek match this tournament, but... we're now just a couple of matches away from an Iga-Sabalenka semifinal. The world No. 1 Sabalenka has just beaten Amanda Anisimova 7-5, 6-3 and is into the quarters to face Zheng Qinwen. Swiatek, meanwhile, will face Elina Svitolina in the last eight. Win that, and if Sabalenka can do likewise against Zheng then a semifinal between the dominant WTA players of the last few years awaits. Remarkably, it would be only their second ever meeting at a major and first anywhere since a semifinal in Cincinnati last August. The third round concludes with four matches on Monday. Top seeds Mate Pavic/Marcelo Arévalo face Édouard Roger-Vasselin/Hugo Nys, with Andrea Vavassori/Simone Bolelli (4) up against John Peers/Matthew Ebden (15). Then, two all-British pairs are in action: Neal Skupski/Joe Salisbury (8) vs. Nuno Borges/Arthur Rinderknech, plus Julian Cash/Lloyd Glasspool clashing with Luke Johnson/Sander Arends. Getty Images FINAL: Sabalenka 7-5, 6-3 Anisimova That's it! Amanda Anisimova, the American and 16th seed, held off the top seed for a little while in a marathon eighth game of the set, saving six match points. But Sabalenka held her serve in the next game to take the match in straight sets. Getty Images Shelton 6-7(8), *0-1 Alcaraz Alcaraz doesn't get his first serve in play, costing him again. Ben Shelton's sixth break point of this game alone. But he retreats deep behind the baseline, a little passive and conservative perhaps. Deuce again. Then Alcaraz comes into the net and whips it away for advantage, and takes it. Bitter taste for Shelton. Getty Images Shelton 6-7(8), *0-0 Alcaraz At 30-all, Alcaraz looks to have stretched and put the ball back onto Shelton's side of the court with a phenomenal shot. Did he let go of the racket before hitting it? Alcaraz, incredibly sportingly, gives the point to Shelton to prevent an awkward decision for the umpire. And it's not any point, it's break point! 30-40... but he rescues it to deuce with a big serve. Another advantage Shelton, another saved with a big serve Shelton can't return effectively. A third break point, and Shelton goes long! Deuce again, fourth advantage to Shelton. It will feel like such a momentum-killer if he can't secure the break here. Oh dear, a tired aerial flicked recovery shot from Shelton just dies and plops into the net. Fifth advantage, and Alcaraz flies into a high volley at the net, puts it away a little recklessly and it just smudges the line. Deuce and we're nearly up to 10 minutes in the first game of this second set. Gorgeous drop shot from Alcaraz again, his first game point and now Shelton saves it with a couple of world-class strokes! Getty Images That may have been Ben Shelton's best chance at the match. Three set points. He might go to sleep thinking about not hitting a first serve out wide at 6-5 to open up the court. He has his reasons surely, but to play for 70 minutes and be a point away three times and have nothing to show for it — that's a big hole to climb out of mentally. Getty Images Sabalenka 7-5, 5-2* Anisimova Break point and match point for top seed Aryna Sabalenka against American Amanda Anisimova (16) on Suzanne-Lenglen. Anisimova saves it, deuce, before Sabalenka goes long, advantage Anisimova... Getty Images Shelton 6-7(8) 0-0 Alcaraz Oh, that's brilliant, a fearsome forehand into the corner that saw Shelton's scooped recovery into the net. Alcaraz pumps his fist and shouts with elation. Getty Images Shelton 6-6 (8-9*) Alcaraz Shelton hits the line and it's 7-6 for a third set point. Alcaraz chunters unhappily to his box. Both players grunting with exertion now, loudly and a little performatively. Alcaraz comes to the net and it's an awkward low return from Shelton but his soft hands see him drop-volley it gently the other side of the net. Now Alcaraz takes set point at 8-7 and he roars approvingly. But Shelton with two smash volleys at the net, the first of which is brilliantly returned by Alcaraz, not many players in world tennis who could do that, the second put away. Strange mistake from Shelton, 9-8 Alcaraz and a second set point, this time on his serve... Shelton 6-6 (6-6*) Alcaraz Ace from Alcaraz to start and from a perilous position at 4-1 down, the Spaniard is now within a point. Eesh, bizarre miscue as the ball hits the edge of his racket and balloons high into the Parisian sky. 5-3 Shelton. What a point that is! Point of the match, definitely. Maybe even point of the tournament so far. Alcaraz retrieves the serve, Shelton puts him in the corner, Alcaraz retrieves the drop shot brilliantly and goes down the line, Shelton somehow gets there and flips it back to him behind the back but Alcaraz's volley at the net lands on the line as Shelton falls on his back to watch it just about kiss the line. Shelton smiles wryly, Alcaraz gives his opponent a tiny nod. 5-4, then two set points to Shelton at 6-4. Alcaraz saves one for 6-5... Body serve is out, second serve is well returned, and Shelton nets! 6-6! Getty Images Shelton 6-6 (*4-2) Alcaraz Mini-break to Shelton at 2-0 up, before Alcaraz volleys it away powerfully. A couple of overhand smashes take Shelton to 3-1 and he scrunches up his face, nodding to his box. USWNT soccer star Trinity Rodman, his girlfriend, is watching on approvingly. Alcaraz errs and it's 4-1, eliciting a roar from Ben Shelton. Serve over to Carlos Alcaraz, and he wins a crucial point to make 4-2 at the changeover. Shelton 6-6 (0-0*) Alcaraz Yep, Carlos Alcaraz with a blinder of a game and we are 6-6 in the first set, into a tiebreak. Let's go. A reminder: you can contact us with any comments, thoughts, or questions at: live@ and we'll do our best to answer you. Get in touch! Top-tier tennis in the City of Light. Getty Images It was nice to see the two players battling it out have a polite, friendly little chat at the net between games earlier in the set. Carlos Alcaraz was saying he heard something and thought Ben Shelton's serve might have clipped the net. Shelton sportingly offered to replay the point, to which Alcaraz smiled and thanked him but said it was fine and he was happy to move on. We like to see it. Getty Images These two are not good friends but they like each other a lot. They played an exhibition at Madison Square Garden together last year. They both like to put on a show, sometimes to their detriment. It's not yet clear Carlos is locked into this match the way he is when he's playing one of his near-equals. He's in a dangerous part of the set, when a lapse has made his job difficult in the past. Getty Images It's currently 5-5 in the first set between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz. Only one break point so far, to Alcaraz, but it was saved. Careering towards a fascinating tiebreak on the show court. Getty Images A humdinger of a first set on Lenglen between Sabalenka and Anisimova which the world No. 1 edges 7-5. Sabalenka had a set point on her serve at 5-3, but couldn't take it, and was then down two break points at 5-5. At that point, as so often happens with the best players, she locked in: holding serve and then pinching the set in the next game. The weight of shot both players produce is staggering, but the greater variety Sabalenka possesses with her far superior drop shot and net game is just giving her the edge so far. Getty Images There's your top seed. Sabalenka broke Amanda Anisimova of the United States in the final game of their first set to take it 7-5. Into the second we go. Anisimova needs to go the distance to reach the last eight. All four third-round men's doubles matches today have been completed. As aforementioned, Horacio Zeballos/Marcel Granollers (5) steamrollered American Austin Krajicek and Santiago González 6-2, 6-1. While second seeds Henry Patten/Harri Heliövaara beat Rohan Bopanna/Adam Pavlásek 6-2, 7-6(5). Ninth seeds Evan King/Christian Harrison got past Yuki Bhambri/Robert Galloway 6-4, 6-4, while Orlando Luz/Ivan Dodig eliminated John-Patrick Smith/Fernando Romboli thanks to a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 win.
Reuters
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
No more outside courts for me, only centre court from now on, says Sabalenka
PARIS, June 1 (Reuters) - World number one Aryna Sabalenka is done playing on the outside courts in Paris and wants only the centre court from now on as she chases her first French Open crown. The top seed has played two of her four matches so far on the Suzanne Lenglen court -- the second court with a capacity of 10,000 -- including Sunday's straight sets win over American Amanda Anisimova. The Belarusian three-time Grand Slam champion, however, now wants her quarter-final against China's seventh-seed and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen to be scheduled on the Philippe Chatrier court, which fits 5,000 more fans than the Lenglen. "If you ask me what I prefer, I prefer to play on Philippe Chatrier," Sabalenka told a press conference. "Why the decision was to put me on that court for the second time, I don't know. Hopefully from now I'm going to be playing only on Philippe Chatrier. I think I should be, right?," she said. Sabalenka said while playing on the smaller court gave fans without tickets to the showcase court the opportunity to watch her play, the Philippe Chatrier had a different aura and a bigger audience. "When you play on the biggest courts, they show those matches on the TV, so more people are watching and you can show yourself to more people," Sabalenka said. "Also, the court is so beautiful, and it's much bigger. The moment you step on the Chatrier, you feel like, okay, this is a big stage, and this is where I'm meant to be." "This is where I want to compete, and I want to fight, and I want to bring my best tennis. So I think it's all about the energy of the stadium."
