Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

So easy for Serena as she rolls into quarter-finals

Seven-times champion Serena Williams prevailed in a Centre Court mothers' meeting on Monday, roaring past Russian qualifier Evgeniya Rodina into the Wimbledonquarter-finals.

The 36-year-old American was untroubled in a 6-2 6-2 victory -- her 90th singles match win at the All England Club.


Rodina, who like Williams combines a tennis career with motherhood, looked overawed at first as she went 3-0 down.

She steadied herself, though, and had a break point when Williams served at 4-2, but her chances were few and far between as her opponent continued to charge through a draw blown wide open by an exodus of seeds.

Rodina left the court for a few minutes at the end of the first set but when she returned Williams continued her domination with an early break in the second.

With her easy power game in sync Williams looked serene as she cruised to victory to set up a clash with Italy's Camila Giorgi, the fifth unseeded player she will have faced in a dream draw on her Wimbledon return.

"I faced a thousand and three seeds in my life, so I'm okay wit that," Williams responded when asked if she would have preferred stiffer tests.

None of the top eight women's seeds have reached the quarter-finals for the first time since seedings were introduced in 1927 -- although Williams' 25th seeding is misleading.

The way she is striking the ball and moving in her second Grand Slam back after childbirth she would arguably be favourite for the title even with the likes of Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep still in contention.

She is unbeaten at the championships since 2014, winning the title in 2015 and 2016. She missed last year because of her pregnancy but is on an 18-match winning run at the All England Club.

As easy as she is making it look, however, the American is not satisfied with her level.

"There's a lot to improve on. This is only my fourth tournament back," she said.

"I feel like I'm getting to where I want to be. For me, there's so much further I want to go to get back where I was, and hopefully go beyond that.

"I'm always striving for perfection. There's a lot of things that I don't know if you can tell, but I really need to work on. Hopefully, I can get there."

More For You

khwaja-smith-getty

Usman Khawaja celebrates with captain Steve Smith after scoring a century during the first day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia on January 29. (Photo: Getty Images)

Khawaja, Smith's put Australia in control against Sri Lanka

Usman Khawaja remained unbeaten on 119, and Steve Smith crossed 10,000 Test runs as Australia reached 261-2 on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

After electing to bat in Galle at the start of the two-match series, Australia lost two wickets in the first session before Khawaja and Smith built an unbeaten 126-run partnership in the afternoon.

Keep ReadingShow less
ICC faces pressure to act on Afghanistan amid women’s rights crisis

The Afghanistan men's cricket team

ICC faces pressure to act on Afghanistan amid women’s rights crisis

Eastern Eye

AFTER years of showcasing Afghanistan’s remarkable rise as a success story, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is under pressure to crack the whip on its member nation, which has seen major curtailment of women’s rights by the Taliban government.

England and South Africa have been urged to boycott next month’s Champions Trophy matches against Afghanistan. Their maiden appearance in the men’s 50-overs tournament as one of the world’s top eight teams is a testament to their growth in recent years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tilak Varma guides India to dramatic win over England

Tilak Varma celebrates after hitting the winning runs against England at MA Chidambaram Stadium. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Tilak Varma guides India to dramatic win over England

TILAK VARMA anchored India's chase with an unbeaten 72 to lead the hosts to a thrilling two-wicket victory over England in the second T20 international on Saturday (25).

Chasing a tricky 166 for victory, India lost regular wickets but Varma kept calm in his 55-ball knock to steer the team home with four balls to spare in Chennai and lead the five-match series 2-0.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jay-Shah-Getty

Shah, who took over as ICC chairperson on December 1 last year, is also a former BCCI secretary and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in cricket. (Photo: Getty Images)

ICC chairperson Jay Shah joins MCC's new advisory board

ICC CHAIRPERSON Jay Shah has been inducted into the newly formed World Cricket Connects Advisory Board, an independent group aimed at addressing challenges and opportunities in the sport. The board will meet during the World Cricket Connects forum at Lord’s on June 7 and 8.

Shah, who took over as ICC chairperson on December 1 last year, is also a former BCCI secretary and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in cricket. His participation in the forum provides an opportunity to share his ideas on a broader platform.

Keep ReadingShow less
djokovic-getty

The 37-year-old, whose left leg was heavily taped after a quarter-final injury, withdrew after losing the first set 7-6 (7/5) to Alexander Zverev. (Photo: Getty Images)

Zverev advances to Australian Open final as Djokovic retires with injury

NOVAK DJOKOVIC retired from the Australian Open semi-finals on Friday due to a muscle tear, ending his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

The 37-year-old, whose left leg was heavily taped after a quarter-final injury, withdrew after losing the first set 7-6 (7/5) to Alexander Zverev.

Keep ReadingShow less