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United News of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Wimbledon champion Krejcikova suffers first-round defeat at Queen's Club
London, June 11 (UNI) Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova failed to reach the second round at Queen's Club, as the 29-year-old Czech lost to Rebecca Sramkova of Slovakia 6-4, 6-3 at the WTA 500 event here. Krejcikova started her campaign at Queen's Club in west London as the seventh seed in the women's singles main draw, but was outplayed by 28-year-old Sramkova after one hour and 15 minutes on Tuesday. Last year, Krejcikova celebrated her first Grand Slam win since the French Open in 2021, but withdrew from this year's Australian Open due to a back injury and had been out of action until May. World No. 41 Sramkova's next opponent is Emma Raducanu, as the home favorite smashed Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-2. "I think it was a very clean performance. I'm really pleased with what I was able to put out on the court despite any first-round nerves," said the 22-year-old former U.S. Open champion. Raducanu's compatriots Katie Boulter and Heather Watson also enjoyed opening-round wins in front of their home crowd. Boulter, 28, edged out Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-4 after battling against the Australian qualifier in two hours and 21 minutes. Wild card Watson saw off world No.27 Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 6-3 to set up a second-round clash with former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen is the tournament's top seed. The world No.5 has received a first round bye and will play against McCartney Kessler from the United States in the second round on Thursday. UNI/XINHUA BM
United News of India
17-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Winds fill in for Qingdao's sailing ILCA World Championships after four-day calm
Qingdao, May 17 (UNI) The dense fog in Qingdao was finally cleared by strong winds after four days of stillness, allowing more than 230 athletes to set sail on Friday for the 2025 Women's ILCA 6 and Men's ILCA 7 World Championships. Poland's Agata Barwinska leads the ILCA 6 standings with six points after three rounds, followed by France's Louise Cervera with nine points. Fellow Polish sailor Wiktoria Golebiowska is currently in third place. The ILCA 7 class has completed two rounds. British sailor Finley Dickinson and Germany's Ole Schweckendiek are tied for first with five points, while Olympic silver medalist Pavlos Kontides of Cyprus is third. The prolonged calm had nearly drained the athletes' morale. Paris Olympics ILCA 7 bronze medalist Stefano Peschiera, who currently ranks 23rd, remarked, "This has been a challenge for all the athletes and judges. However, I don't want to leave empty-handed. I always focus on my mindset and adjust my thoughts under pressure." According to the latest weather forecast, a 20-knot northern wind is expected on Saturday, when the final race takes place - promising a true test of the sailors' skill and determination. UNI/XINHUA BM
United News of India
26-04-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Host China eyes record 14th Sudirman Cup title
Xiamen (China), Apr 26 (UNI) Host China aims to defend its Sudirman Cup title and secure a record-extending 14th crown in the biennial tournament, as the world badminton mixed-team championship begins Sunday in Xiamen, eastern China's Fujian Province. Established in 1989, the 19th edition of the event will see 16 teams compete across men's and women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Only three nations, including China, South Korea and Indonesia, have ever claimed the trophy, with China dominating recent years by winning the past three editions since 2019. ' Boasting a strong roster, China's squad features four Olympic champions in its women's lineup: Chen Yufei (women's singles), Chen Qingchen, Jia Yifan (women's doubles) and Huang Dongping (mixed doubles). On the men's side, world No. 1 Shi Yuqi leads the singles charge, while the Paris Olympic silver medalist pair Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang anchor the men's doubles. Rising stars like Wang Zhiyi, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin add further depth. In the group stage, teams are divided into four pools, with the top two advancing to the knockout stage. China, in Group A, will face Thailand, led by men's singles world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn. China's Hong Kong also includes star players Lee Cheuk Yiu and newly crowned Asian champions Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet. Algeria rounds out the group as an underdog. Four-time winner South Korea will potentially be China's toughest challenger in the knockouts. Olympic gold medalist An Se-young, unbeaten in her four tournaments this year, spearheads South Korea's women's singles, while their doubles squads remain formidable despite weaker men's singles prospects. Other contenders include Japan, with singles aces Kodai Naraoka and Akane Yamaguchi, plus women's doubles pair Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida. Indonesia and Denmark, meanwhile, field stronger men's teams but lack balanced squads. "Playing at home gives us extra motivation," said China's Shi, competing in his fifth Sudirman Cup. "The team atmosphere, with fans and teammates cheering, will elevate our performance." The tournament will kick off on Sunday, with the final set for May 4. UNI/XINHUA BM
