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Straits Times
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Former finalist Paolini stunned at Wimbledon; Raducanu, Osaka go through
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LONDON - Last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini joined the exodus of fancied players at this year's Wimbledon after the Italian fourth seed crashed out 4-6 6-4 6-4 against Russian Kamilla Rakhimova on July 2. The ever-smiling Paolini's sunshine tennis lit up the All England Club during her run to the title clash last year but the 29-year-old cut a grim figure in the final set of her clash with Rakhimova on a shadowy Court Three. Paolini, who was similarly dragged the distance in her opening victory over Anastasija Sevastova, was unable to muster the fight needed to quell the challenge of the unseeded Rakhimova and let her opponent build a 4-2 lead in the decider. Rakhimova, enjoying her best run at the grasscourt Grand Slam, edged closer to victory when Paolini sent a shot long at the baseline in the final game and the 23-year-old wrapped up her first top-10 win on her fourth match point. Paolini's exit means only one of the top five women's seeds - world number one Aryna Sabalenka - will be in the third round. It is only the second time that this has happened in the professional era after Wimbledon 2018. 'It was a tough one. I'm still thinking about the second set. I could do much better. I had many, many chances, I did some stupid mistakes,' Paolini said. 'I need to stay there mentally much better. My attention was going up and down all the time. I don't know why.' In later matches, Britain's Emma Raducanu defeated Czech Marketa Vondrousova 6-3 6-3 in the second round, while unseeded four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan eased past Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova 6-3 6-2. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Trump announces Vietnam trade deal with 20% import tariff Singapore From camping to mentorship, Singapore Scouts mark 115th anniversary of the youth movement Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty World Sean 'Diddy' Combs convicted on prostitution counts but cleared of more serious charges Singapore Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home Wimbledon 2023 champion Vondrousova had arrived at the All England Club fresh from winning the grasscourt title in Berlin, with victories over Australian Open champion Madison Keys and world number one Aryna Sabalenka en route. But it was Raducanu whose game sparkled on Centre Court as she produced the kind of carefree, yet potent, shots that had carried her to the US Open title in 2021. 'Today, I played really, really well. There were some points that I have no idea how I turned around,' a delighted Raducanu told the crowd. 'I knew playing Marketa was going to be an incredibly difficult match. She has won this tournament which is a huge achievement. I'm really pleased with how I played my game the whole way through.' REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Hosts Switzerland beaten 2-1 by Norway in their Women's Euro opener
BASEL, Switzerland - Switzerland took the lead against Norway but fell to a 2-1 defeat on home soil after scoring an own goal on the opening day of the Women's Euro 2025 championship on Wednesday, with Norwegian captain Ada Hegerberg netting the equaliser and missing a penalty. The hosts had plenty of opportunities to grab what would have been a famous victory but the Norwegians dug deep to snatch a narrow win, their third over the Swiss by a single goal in 2025. Having lost to the Norwegians twice in the Nations League earlier in the year, the home side dominated the opening 45 minutes and Geraldine Reuteler came close to giving them the lead in the 24th minute with a shot that cannoned back off the crossbar before Nadine Riesen struck four minutes later to send the St. Jakob-Park Stadium into raptures. Riesen reacted quickly to an attack that broke down, rattling the ball past Vilde Boe Risa and off the near post into the net to send the Swiss fans at St. Jakob-Park into raptures. However, it was a different story after the break and it was Norway's Hegerberg who turned the page. After barely featuring in the first half, she levelled nine minutes into the second with an emphatic header from a corner that briefly silenced the home crowd and four minutes later, under pressure from Hegerberg, Switzerland's Julia Stierli turned a low cross from Caroline Graham Hansen into her own net. Reuteler was sparkling throughout for the Swiss but despite a number of golden chances, she could not get the goal both she and her team deserved, and she conceded a penalty which Hegerberg missed in the 70th minute. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Trump announces Vietnam trade deal with 20% import tariff Singapore From camping to mentorship, Singapore Scouts mark 115th anniversary of the youth movement Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty World Sean 'Diddy' Combs convicted on prostitution counts but cleared of more serious charges Singapore Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home Switzerland were awarded a spot-kick of their own that was overturned after a VAR review and, as the Swiss poured forward, the Norwegians hung on grimly for a victory that puts them top of Group A, with Finland second after their 1-0 win over Iceland earlier in the day. REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Greek firefighters battle wildfire on island of Crete
ATHENS - Greek firefighters on Wednesday battled a blaze that raged on the popular vacation destination of Crete, burning forest land, threatening homes and prompting the evacuation of residents and tourists from at least four settlements on the island. At least 155 firefighters, assisted by 38 engines and water trucks, battled the flames in the municipality of Ierapetra at the southeastern coast of the country's largest island, the Greek fire brigade service said. The blaze, which broke out in the afternoon, was charged by gale force winds that hindered firefighting efforts and rekindled its fronts. More reinforcements were on their way by boat and aircraft from Athens, the fire brigade said. "It is a very difficult fire and it is still in progress," a fire brigade official told Reuters on condition of anonymity, attributing the difficulty of the operation to the strong winds and the type of terrain. Local TV stations reported that some homes had been damaged. So far, there were no reports of injuries. Authorities had earlier ordered the evacuation of Achlia and three more settlements in the wider area. About 3,000 people, who had earlier evacuated villages, were taken to temporary shelters, local officials said. Greece, situated at Europe's southernmost tip, is often hit by wildfires during its hot and dry summers but authorities have blamed a fast-changing climate for fuelling more destructive blazes in recent years. On Wednesday evening, Greek firefighters were also trying to tame a wildfire on the island of Kythira and another blaze in the northern region of Chalkidiki which raged uncontrolled. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Trump announces Vietnam trade deal with 20% import tariff Singapore From camping to mentorship, Singapore Scouts mark 115th anniversary of the youth movement Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty World Sean 'Diddy' Combs convicted on prostitution counts but cleared of more serious charges Singapore Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Big hits, small margins as Rublev rethinks grasscourt game
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2025 Russia's Andrey Rublev in action during his second round match against South Africa's Lloyd Harris REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge LONDON - Andrey Rublev got the win but no easy ride at Wimbledon on Wednesday, as he fought past Lloyd Harris 6-7 6-4 7-6 6-3 in a bruising second-round duel on Court Three. The 14th seed, who has reached 10 Grand Slam quarter-finals without converting any into a semi-final appearance, came off court sounding less relieved than reflective. "Now the level is different," Rublev said. "Everybody knows how to hit the ball. Everybody can be dangerous. Everybody knows how to serve over 200 (kph). Now it's more about who is more stable, more focused, who is more ready." Rublev beat South African Harris at Wimbledon in 2021 but the intervening years have levelled the playing field in ways that surprised even the experienced Russian. "Three years ago, I felt like if I just focused, there was no chance I would lose. Today, even with full focus, it was really tough to beat him," he said. "The level is different. Everybody knows how to shoot hard now. They are going for the shots. In or out, it doesn't matter, 50/50, because then they know that they serve 200 (kph), they hold the serve. "Before it was more (tactical), more strategy, how you play, how you defend, how you bring the balls back. Now, okay, you have tactic. Okay, I want to play like this. The guy serve 220, ace. Okay, you return. He shoot full power next set. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Trump announces Vietnam trade deal with 20% import tariff Singapore From camping to mentorship, Singapore Scouts mark 115th anniversary of the youth movement Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty World Sean 'Diddy' Combs convicted on prostitution counts but cleared of more serious charges Singapore Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home "Tactics don't really work that much anymore. Only when it's slower courts, and then yes. Then we see more rallies, then more tactics. Then the guy who is more prepared physically normally wins. Here when it's fast, now we see that everybody can shoot the ball hard, and that's why everybody have chances." Next up is crafty French veteran Adrian Mannarino who promises to test Rublev's patience in entirely different ways. "We've played many times. He can drive everybody crazy," Rublev said. "He's super talented. You need a lot of patience. He knows how to defend well, how to bring the balls back. That makes you go for extra risk, which makes you miss more." With the draw opening up and the grass playing fast, Rublev may never have a better opportunity to finally reach a Grand Slam semi-final – assuming he can navigate the new reality of tennis where everyone can "shoot the ball hard." REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
US ex-criminology student pleads guilty to four murders in Idaho
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty on July 2 to stabbing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. LOS ANGELES - A 30-year-old man pleaded guilty on July 2 to murdering four students in the US state of Idaho in an agreement with prosecutors that allowed him to avoid the death penalty – and enraged some relatives of the victims. Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology student, was facing trial in August for the November 2022 stabbing deaths that rocked the small town of Moscow and made national headlines. University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were attacked around 4am while they slept in their off-campus group house and stabbed to death. Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder at a hearing on July 2 in the city of Boise. 'Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?' Judge Steven Hippler asked. 'Yes,' Kohberger replied. The judge also acknowledged that some relatives were upset with the plea agreement reached between prosecutors and defence lawyers that took the death penalty off the table. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Trump announces Vietnam trade deal with 20% import tariff Singapore From camping to mentorship, Singapore Scouts mark 115th anniversary of the youth movement Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty World Sean 'Diddy' Combs convicted on prostitution counts but cleared of more serious charges Singapore Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home 'This court cannot require the prosecutor to seek the death penalty, nor would it be appropriate for this court to attempt to do that,' Judge Hippler said. Sentencing was set for July 23. Kohberger faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Goncalves family, in a statement shared by their lawyer, expressed outrage over the plea agreement. 'After more than two years, this is how it concludes with a secretive deal and a hurried effort to close the case without any input from the victims' families on the plea's details,' the family wrote. The Goncalves family had demanded the death penalty, and successfully advocated for the passage of a new law in Idaho which allows death row inmates to be executed by firing squad. On a Facebook page, the Goncalves family called the plea deal 'shocking and cruel'. 'Bryan Kohberger facing life in prison means he would still get to speak, form relationships, and engage with the world. Meanwhile, our loved ones have been silenced forever,' they said. Kohberger was arrested and charged after investigators found his DNA on a knife sheath recovered at the crime scene. A video showed a car similar to Kohberger's driving in the victims' neighbourhood around the time of the murders. No motive for the murders was ever established. At the time of the murders, Kohberger was studying for his PhD in criminology at Washington State University, about 15km away from Moscow, across the state border. AFP
