Latest news with #PierreHuguesHerbert
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Wimbledon recap: Injury-hampered Jordan Thompson creates history - but Rinky Hijikata's dream is over
Jordan Thompson's impressive Wimbledon march has continued, with the wounded warrior storming into the fourth round for the first time in his career. Ominously, he then declared: 'I'm not anywhere near 100 per cent - but I'm still fighting my a** off every point.' Harbouring a debilitating back injury that made him moan after his two previous courageous five-set wins that even 'snails move faster', Thompson looked in sharper nick on Friday as he beat Italian Luciano Darderi 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3 in their third-round showdown. It booked the battling 'Tommo' his first last-16 appearance at Wimbledon at the ninth attempt, and only the second fourth-round date of his Grand Slam career, matching his US Open performance of last year and 2020. Thompson believes he can prevail in a mouth-watering last-16 clash on Sunday with in-form fifth seed Taylor Fritz, the big-serving American he beat on the grass at Queen's Club last year. 'It's a pathetic outlook if I go out there thinking I can't win. I won last time on grass, but very different grass, in different circumstances,' the 31-year-old from Sydney said post-match. 'So, you know, it'll be a new day.' On the eve of the Championships, the injury-plagued Thompson wasn't sure he would be fit to play because of the painful sacroiliac joint problem in his back. He has also battled on in the doubles, so as not to let down partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Thompson is the first Australian to reach the fourth round at the grass-court slam this year, with both Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina having the chance to join him on Saturday. Elsewhere, Rinky Hijikata's daydream of pulling off the greatest of Wimbledon escapes against Ben Shelton lasted less than a minute when the pair resumed their match that was suspended controversially with the 10th seed about to serve for the match. When the match resumed on No.2 Court in the Friday afternoon sunshine, everyone could see the funny side once Shelton won all four points in just 55 seconds, including three booming aces, to complete the 6-2 7-5 6-4 victory in two hours and 12 minutes. Sydneysider Hijikata, who had been unable to dent the two-time grand slam semi-finalist's delivery all match, couldn't help but grin ruefully.
CNA
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Star attraction Fonseca weathers noise level, Herbert to continue French Open run
PARIS :Rising star Joao Fonseca lit up the crowds at the French Open on Thursday, beating local hope Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6(4) 7-6(4) 6-4 to reach the third round, as the fans' decibel level matched the Brazilian teenager's rapidly rising star status. The 18-year-old, arguably the most exciting prospect in the men's game who draws crowds like few others wherever he plays, lived up to the hype, as French and Brazilian fans battled it out in the stands for vocal supremacy in a seesawing clash. Fonseca needed some time to find his footing and the pair traded two breaks apiece before going into a first set tiebreak. The teenager, seen by many as a potential future Grand Slam champion, got the upper hand with a mini break early on and bagged the tiebreak with a thundering ace. In a packed Court 14 with standing room only, the raucous French crowd threw their support behind Herbert, with the Brazilian fans clearly outnumbered but far from silenced. They had already made their samba-tinged presence felt in his first round win earlier this week and at every changeover songs, chants and cheers filled the court. Fonseca doubled his lead after another tight set and raised his level a few notches in the third set to complete the victory before sharing a warm embrace with his opponent and soaking up the cheers from his fans. He then distributed his towels and sweatbands and took selfies with fans eager for early souvenirs from a player who reached the third round of a major for the first time but has the world at his feet. Court 14, one of the outside ones, was far too small for the many spectators queuing outside, desperate to catch a glimpse of the teenage sensation, with officials almost certain to assign a much larger court in the next round.
Reuters
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Star attraction Fonseca weathers noise level, Herbert to continue French Open run
PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) - Rising star Joao Fonseca lit up the crowds at the French Open on Thursday, beating local hope Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6(4) 7-6(4) 6-4 to reach the third round, as the fans' decibel level matched the Brazilian teenager's rapidly rising star status. The 18-year-old, arguably the most exciting prospect in the men's game who draws crowds like few others wherever he plays, lived up to the hype, as French and Brazilian fans battled it out in the stands for vocal supremacy in a seesawing clash. Fonseca needed some time to find his footing and the pair traded two breaks apiece before going into a first set tiebreak. The teenager, seen by many as a potential future Grand Slam champion, got the upper hand with a mini break early on and bagged the tiebreak with a thundering ace. In a packed Court 14 with standing room only, the raucous French crowd threw their support behind Herbert, with the Brazilian fans clearly outnumbered but far from silenced. They had already made their samba-tinged presence felt in his first round win earlier this week and at every changeover songs, chants and cheers filled the court. Fonseca doubled his lead after another tight set and raised his level a few notches in the third set to complete the victory before sharing a warm embrace with his opponent and soaking up the cheers from his fans. He then distributed his towels and sweatbands and took selfies with fans eager for early souvenirs from a player who reached the third round of a major for the first time but has the world at his feet. Court 14, one of the outside ones, was far too small for the many spectators queuing outside, desperate to catch a glimpse of the teenage sensation, with officials almost certain to assign a much larger court in the next round.
