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Kyrgios Reveals What Djokovic Has That 'You Can't Teach'

Novak Djokovic is a force to be reckoned with at Wimbledon, a point multiple stars of Netflix’s Break Point made in the hit tennis documentary series.

“He’s played in I have no idea how many Slam finals, probably like 30, 40,” Nick Kyrgios said. “I’m a kid from Canberra. I’m not supposed to be here. But I’m here.”

Today, Djokovic is a 23-time major winner who has reached 34 finals at Grand Slam tournaments. In last year’s Wimbledon final, the Serbian defeated Kyrgios in four sets.

“He’s so mentally in tune with everything,” Kyrgios said.

Watch Episode 7 Trailer:

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Nishikori Continues Comeback With Win At Chicago Challenger

Persistent rain was not enough to stop Kei Nishikori Wednesday on the ATP Challenger Tour.

The former World No.4 ousted sixth seed Alexis Galarneau 7-6(3), 6-1 in the first round of the Chicago Men's Challenger, where rain forced the event to move indoors on Wednesday. Nishikori won 47 per cent of his return points and raced to a 5-0 lead in the second set, eventually converting his third match point to advance after one hour, 24 minutes.

World No. 215 Galarneau is the highest-ranked player Nishikori has beat during his 2023 comeback. The Japanese star will next face Skander Mansouri or James McCabe in the second round.

Back to work ?@keinishikori gearing up for this week’s event in Chicago!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/ueBWJG4SYP

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 10, 2023

The 33-year-old Nishikori, who underwent arthroscopic left hip surgery last year, returned to action last month at the ATP Challenger event in Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico. Despite playing his first tournament since the BNP Paribas Open in October 2021, the 12-time tour-level titlist dropped just one set all week en route to the title. Nishikori also played last week's Cranbrook Tennis Classic in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he fell to American Denis Kudla in the second round.

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Mission Complete: Eubanks Disrupts, Frustrates, Entertains & Learns

Christopher Eubanks kept everything in perspective on Monday despite his dream Wimbledon run coming to an end in the quarter-finals against third seed Daniil Medvedev.

“I’m more than okay with my effort today, how I gave it everything I had. It just didn't go my way. That's tennis. There's only one winner at every single tournament. You have to kind of take the good with the bad, take the positive lessons, learn how you can move [forward with] them,” Eubanks said.

“I think this week, these two or three weeks have been filled with positives. I didn't win today. I'm disappointed about it. It's unfortunate for me. But I think I showed a lot of positive signs that I can take moving forward, so I'm okay with that.”

The American’s story attracted attention throughout the world. Four months ago he had not yet broken into the world’s Top 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Suddenly he was three wins from claiming a major title. The weight of the moment hit him before facing Medvedev.

“It’s been like such a whirlwind of emotions and trying my best to kind of block everything out and just focus on the match,” Eubanks said. “But I think this morning it did kind of set in a little bit after I woke up, just realising that, ‘Man, I'm getting ready to play a Grand Slam quarter-final today.’ That's really, really cool.”

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Alcaraz Seeks Solutions Against 'Octopus' Medvedev

Carlos Alcaraz reached his first Wimbledon semi-final on Wednesday when he defeated 20-year-old Holger Rune. For the Spaniard, it was another memorable moment in his already record-breaking career.

“It's a dream for me to be able to play semi-final here at Wimbledon,” Alcaraz said after his straight sets win.

“I remember the first time that I came here, it was an unbelievable feeling to be able to play here. Right now it's totally different for me. I can't believe that I'm in this position right now in just a short period. It's something crazy for me,” he later continued.

Chasing a second major title after triumphing at the US Open last year, Alcaraz will next face Daniil Medvedev. Alcaraz lost against Medvedev at Wimbledon in straight sets in 2021 when he was No. 75 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. The Spaniard has since risen to No. 1 and lifted 11 tour-level titles. The 20-year-old, who is into his third major semi-final, is hoping to learn from their previous meeting.

“He's playing great here on grass,” Alcaraz said. “He has had a great, great year as well. I lost the first match we played here on grass. So I have to learn about it…. He's a really complete player. I think Rublev said a few times, he's an octopus. He's an amazing athlete.

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Medvedev: 'I Put Myself Back Together’

A self-proclaimed ‘hard-court specialist’, Daniil Medvedev is playing his best tennis on all three surfaces in 2023. The World No. 3 has captured five titles this year, including his first clay-court crown at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome. On Wednesday, Medvedev reached his maiden Wimbledon semi-final after ending Christopher Eubanks’ dream run in a heavy-hitting slugfest.

Medvedev dug his way out of a tough position against the American, rallying from two-sets-to-one down to advance. After Medvedev and Eubanks traded blows for five thrilling sets, which lasted nearly three hours, the 20-time tour-level titlist stood victorious on No. 1 Court.

“There was a moment in the match I started just losing kind of everything, the focus, the momentum of the match, which can happen of course at this level,” Medvedev said in his post-match press conference. “At one moment, really close to [losing]. But happy that I managed to put myself back together.”

[ATP APP]

Part of what helped Medvedev mount a comeback to oust the crowd favourite was his serve. Medvedev fired 28 aces in the match and won 89 per cent of his first-serve points in the final two sets. The 2021 US Open champion was surprised that he also finished the match with just 13 unforced errors.

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Alcaraz Sinks Rune, Reaches First Wimbledon SF

The future is now.

In a clash between two 20-year-olds, it was Carlos Alcaraz who triumphed over Holger Rune on Wednesday when he defeated the Dane 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4 to reach his maiden Wimbledon semi-final.

Alcaraz’s match against the World No. 6 Rune was the first men’s Wimbledon quarter-final battle in the Open Era (since 1968) to be contested between two players aged under 21 and both played with youthful freedom on Centre Court to entertain the packed crowd.

They went blow for blow with their destructive shotmaking for two hours and 20 minutes, but the World No. 1 Alcaraz had the answers in the big moments, becoming the youngest man to reach the last four at SW19 since a then-20-year-old Novak Djokovic in 2007.

"It is amazing for me," Alcaraz said. "It is a dream since I started playing tennis, making good results here at Wimbledon, such a beautiful and great tournament for me. It is a dream to play a semi-final here. I think I am playing at a great level. I did not expect to play at such a great level on this surface. For me it is crazy."

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Medvedev Ends Eubanks' Dream Run, Reaches Wimbledon SFs

Daniil Medvedev ended Christopher Eubanks’ dream run at Wimbledon on Wednesday, when he clawed past the American 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach the semi-finals at the grass-court major for the first time.

Eubanks, who less than four months ago had not cracked the Top 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, captured the attention of fans throughout the world by advancing to the quarter-finals, and was within a tie-break of blasting his way into the last four at The Championships. But Medvedev did not panic and locked down from the baseline when it mattered most to move on after two hours and 57 minutes.

“After [the] first set for sure, I didn't want to go five. When I lost the third, I wanted to go five because I had no other choice,” Medvedev said, eliciting a laugh from the crowd. “But yeah, there was a moment in the match where I completely lost the game itself and he played well. I started to sink, I started to do a lot of mistakes, not serving well enough.

“Actually, in the third set, I managed to kind of step by step start to build something and not lose, let's say 6-1 again. And then it helped me in the fourth to just be there. I had more opportunities than him unfortunately on his serve, but didn't manage to do it. But starting from the tie-break, I managed to play amazing and [I am] really happy about it.”

Hats off to both @DaniilMedwed & @chris_eubanks96 on a fantastic match! ?@Wimbledon | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/SiArf55rR7

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Eubanks' Memorable Journey To The Wimbledon Spotlight

When Christopher Eubanks walks on No. 1 Court at Wimbledon Tuesday for his Wimbledon quarter-final against Daniil Medvedev, it will be like he is living in a dream. The big difference is that his moment will be real.

Less than four months ago, Eubanks was on the verge of the Top 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, but struggling to break through. For a former college tennis player at Georgia Tech, reaching the Top 100 was more than just a number. It was a sign of belonging.

Little did he know that four months later he would be at a career-high No. 31 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, own an ATP Tour title and be competing for a place in a major semi-final — against one of the best players in the world, Daniil Medvedev. 

Eubanks, who has become known on the Tour for his infectious smile and lively personality, has persevered through the moments when the Top 100 seemed so close but so far. He was never sure if his dream would come true. Now the American has quickly become one of the most feel-good stories in sports.

Hugh Jackman and Mike Tyson have congratulated him and on Tuesday Eubanks was on Good Morning America with Robin Roberts, one of the most iconic figures in American broadcasting. It has been a special moment for his father, Mark Eubanks Sr., who has watched proudly from Atlanta.

Christopher Eubanks
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The Future Is Now For Alcaraz, Rune In Wimbledon QFs

The 2022 US Open title match between Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud was the youngest New York final by combined age since 1990, when a 19-year-old Pete Sampras beat a 20-year-old Andre Agassi to win his first major crown. Alcaraz was also 19 when he defeated Ruud, then 23, to win his maiden Grand Slam title and clinch a debut atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

The Spaniard will face an even younger opponent on Wednesday in his first Wimbledon quarter-final. Both he and Holger Rune are now 20, with the Top 10 stars born a week apart: Rune on 23 April 2003 and Alcaraz on 5 May.

The pair is only slightly older than Sampras and Agassi were when they met in New York in 1990. And while the American legends combined to win 22 Grand Slam singles titles and 28 ATP Masters 1000s, Alcaraz and Rune could yet eclipse their success.

While Sampras and Agassi had little in common as players apart from their nationalities, Alcaraz and Rune are cut from a similar cloth. Both can dominate from all parts of the court but are most dangerous from the baseline. Alcaraz does his damage with an unbridled sense of joy, while the fiery Rune wields a more steely disposition — but both are fearless no matter the opposition or the occasion.

[BREAK POINT]

Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz
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Djokovic Doubles Down, Considers Himself Wimbledon Favourite

“It ain’t happening!”

Novak Djokovic knows a target is on his back at this year’s Wimbledon, where he is chasing a record-extending 24th major title. Following Tuesday’s quarter-final victory against Andrey Rublev, the Serbian delivered a punchline, "It ain’t happening!" in his on-court interview, when asked about his fellow competitors aim to stop his run at the season’s third major.

The World No. 2 doubled down on his statement in his post-match press conference.

“I don't want to sound arrogant, but of course I would consider myself the favourite,” Djokovic said. “Judging with the results I had in my career here, previous four occasions of Wimbledon that I won, I do consider [myself] the favourite.”

Djokovic will next compete in his 46th major semi-final Friday against Italian Jannik Sinner. It will be the 21-year-old’s maiden major semi-final, but he will have reason to believe he can be the one to upset the seven-time champion. Last year, Sinner led Djokovic two-sets-to-love at Wimbledon before the Belgrade-native stormed back to win.

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Rublev On Djokovic: 'I Feel Like He's Playing Better & Better'

There was good news and bad news for Andrey Rublev on Tuesday at Wimbledon. The good news was that he felt prepared for his first quarter-final at The Championships. The bad news was that he faced seven-time champion Novak Djokovic.

Rublev won the first set, but Djokovic battled back for a four-set victory for a place in the semi-finals.

“I feel like he's playing better and better comparing our matches. I think today I was, for the first time, ready enough to play [a] good match against him,” The previous matches mentally I was not ready at all. Even the match that I beat him in Serbia, I was just lucky. I don't know, he was just not playing [well]. On top of that, he was tired in [the] end of the match. It's not because of my game or something.”

Djokovic now leads Rublev 4-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with two of those triumphs coming in major quarter-finals this year (they also met at the Australian Open). Djokovic converted five of his 12 break points, while Rublev managed to capitalise on only one of eight.

“I think today was the first time that I was ready to play, and I was there, and I had these little chances that in the end I didn't make them. He made them,” Rublev said. “That's why he's the Novak, one of the greatest players in history.”

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Top Seeds Koolhof/Skupski Reach Wimbledon QFs

After picking up their first title of the season on the grass of 's-Hertogenbosch, can Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski transfer their success for their biggest team title at Wimbledon?

The top seeds, who have not dropped a set all tournament, advanced to the quarter-finals Tuesday after defeating Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson 6-3, 7-6(3) in one hour, 36 minutes. The Dutch-British duo fended off six of seven break points faced to reach the last eight.

Aiming for their first major semi-final of the season, Koolhof and Skupski will next meet Ariel Behar and Adam Pavlasek, who upset ninth seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

In other men's doubles action, sixth seeds Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden survived David Pel and Reese Stalder 7-5, 4-6 7-6(5). The Indian-Australian pair Bopanna and Ebden have earned two trophies this season, triumphing in Doha and Indian Wells. Last year, Ebden teamed with countryman Purcell to win their maiden major title at The All England Club.

The 13th seeds Jamie Murray and Michael Venus ousted fourth seeds Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski 6-4, 6-3. The 10th seeds Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz downed fifth seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

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'Much Stronger' Sinner Explains His Evolution

Jannik Sinner feels that his physical and mental development have been crucial in him taking the next step at Grand Slam tournaments.

The 21-year-old has reached a career-high No. 8 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and lifted eight tour-level trophies. However, the Italian had lost in the quarter-finals at all four majors before his victory on Tuesday at Wimbledon against Roman Safiullin.

“For sure physically I have improved. I'm much stronger,” Sinner said after improving to 1-4 in Slam quarter-finals. “I can stay on court for many hours without suffering. Also mentally you're going in a slightly different mental side on court knowing you are also Top 10 player. It is a little bit different. You might go as a favourite most of the time on the court until certain rounds of the tournament.

“Also this is different. I think game-wise or tennis-wise I feel better. If I have to play the slice, I can play now without thinking. Before [it] was always a little bit different. I can go to the net knowing that I have good volleys. I have some good things now in my game and hopefully I can use it in the right way.”

Sinner, who has dropped just two sets en route to the semi-finals, works with coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill. The Italian feels their team dynamic has been important in his recent success.

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'It Ain't Happening!': Djokovic Denies Rublev In Wimbledon QFs

After completing his 100th Wimbledon match on Monday, Novak Djokovic returned to Centre Court for the third straight day to earn victory in his 400th Grand Slam match on Tuesday. The Serbian's four-set win against Andrey Rublev saw him through to his 46th major semi-final, equalling Roger Federer's mens' singles record.

With patience and precision, Djokovic earned a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 victory to stay on track for his fifth straight crown on the London lawns, his record-tying eighth Wimbledon title overall and his 24th major trophy. The result also lifted him to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, for now. He must better the Wimbledon result of Carlos Alcaraz — who will play Holger Rune in the quarters on Wednesday — to reclaim the top spot from the Spaniard in the next edition of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

All these numbers make Djokovic very much the man to beat at SW19. After a big-serving effort from Hubert Hurkacz fell short in the fourth round, the Serbian fought off a hot start from Rublev to once again deny a younger challenger a career-defining victory.

"I love it," he said of having the proverbial target on his back. "I think any tennis player wants to be in a position where everyone wants to win against you. I think it is a privilege, as Billie Jean [King] said. Pressure is part of what we do, it's part of our sport. It's never going to go away...

"I know that they want to get a scalp, they want to win. But it ain't happening, still," he added with a laugh. "Very humble!"

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Sinner Soars To First Slam SF At Wimbledon

Jannik Sinner reached his first Grand Slam semi-final on Tuesday when he overcame a mid-match dip to end Roman Safiullin’s run at Wimbledon.

In a heavy-hitting two-hour, 14-minute clash on Court 1, the Italian recovered from squandering a break advantage in the second set against the World No. 92, increasing his level in the third and fourth sets to earn a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory.

Sinner, who is only 21, became the third Italian man to reach the last four at Wimbledon, joining Nicola Pietrangeli (1960) and 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini.

"It means a lot to me," Sinner said on reaching his first major semi-final. "We have put a lot of work in and a lot of sacrifices for this moment. It means a lot to me. It is a very nice moment for me. I just try to play my tennis and each match has its own story. I am happy to be in the semi-finals."

The World No. 8 is 37-10 on the season and will meet World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who rallied from two sets to love down to defeat Sinner in the quarter-finals last year, or seventh seed Andrey Rublev on Friday.

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Koolhof/Skupski Advance To Wimbledon Third Round

Top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski produced a strong serving performance Monday to reach the third round of Wimbledon.

The Dutch-British duo defeated Australian Open champions Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler 7-6(3), 6-2 after winning 31 of 35 first-serve points and not facing a break point throughout the one-hour, 20-minute contest.

Koolhof and Skupski, who won the ATP 250 event in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, will next meet another Aussie duo, Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson. Last year, the 25-year-old Purcell teamed with Matthew Ebden to win the Wimbledon men’s doubles title.

[ATP APP]

In other action, sixth seeds Ebden and Rohan Bopanna defeated Jacob Fearnley and Johannus Monday 7-5, 6-3. Fourth seeds Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski moved past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Adrian Mannarino 7-6(3), 6-4. Robert Galloway and Lloyd Harris rallied to upset second seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 6-1.

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Eubanks Finds A Wimbledon QF Comes With Perks

“Insane, whirlwind, dream.”

Christopher Eubanks is living a ‘pinch-me’ moment at Wimbledon. The American booked his ticket to his first major quarter-final Monday when he upset World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 27-year-old is finding out that his breakthrough at The All England Club comes with a few benefits outside of a spot in the last eight and a US$437,410 payday.

“Everything from realising that I have two credentials at Wimbledon for the rest of my life, to checking my phone and seeing my name as an ESPN alert, to realising how much I disliked grass at the beginning of the grass court season, to now look at where I am. There's so many different ways I could go about it,” Eubanks said in his post-match press conference.

“I just think the entire experience all together has just been a whirlwind. It's been something that you dream about. But I think for me I didn't really know if that dream would actually come true. I'm sitting here now, so it's pretty cool.”

Eubanks’ rapid rise has been one of the stories of the season. He first cracked the Top 100 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in April, following a quarter-final run at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami and prior to arriving at his Wimbledon main-draw debut, the former Georgia Tech University standout lifted his maiden tour-level title at the Mallorca Championships. He has not slowed down.

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Alcaraz Passes Berrettini Test At Wimbledon

Carlos Alcaraz passed a tough test on Monday when he defeated 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time.

Alcaraz withstood an early barrage of power from Berrettini, who has long excelled on grass. But once the Spaniard found his return rhythm on Centre Court, he never relinquished it en route to a three-hour, four-minute victory.

“I knew that it was going to be really tough,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. “Matteo is a great player. He made the final here on grass, so I know he is playing great. Of course it is not easy after losing the first set. I knew I would have my chances. I needed to stay focussed and to stay there and [that is] something I am working on, to stay focussed, not lose my mind and I think I did great in that part and [I am] really happy to come back and play a great match.”

The top seed seized control by the time the players reached 2-2 in the fourth set, when tournament officials decided to close the roof due to impending darkness. But the near 15 minutes between points — and the change in conditions — did not give Berrettini, who was unsure if he would play the tournament due to injury, enough time to flip the momentum.

Another @Wimbledon first-time quarter-finalist! ?@carlosalcaraz knocks out Berrettini 3-6 6-3 6-3 6-3 to advance to the last 8!#Wimbledon

pic.twitter.com/MZkbgFDFVn

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Rune Downs Dimitrov, Seals QF Berth At Wimbledon

Holger Rune broke new ground on Monday at Wimbledon, where he overcame Grigor Dimitrov 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals at The Championships for the first time.

The 20-year-old Dane, who is making his second appearance on London's lawns, rallied from a set and a break down to earn just his second Top 30 win on grass. In a heavy-hitting three-hour, 20-minute clash on Court 1, Rune struck with destructive power and was the more aggressive player in the two tie-breaks played. After sealing victory on his first match point, the sixth seed raised his arms and let out a roar.

"Today was a crazy match," Rune said. "Grigor is an incredible player and he pushed me to the limit. We both pushed each other. I think it was a great match and a tough match.

"I fight until the end always. That is what I focus on, especially when I am in a tough situation. I tell myself that there is Wimbledon once a year, so I am going to fight so I have a chance to win."

[ATP APP]

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Hotel Upgrade? Safiullin Sticks With Budget Option

Roman Safiullin came into Wimbledon as World No. 92 with just six match wins on the season. It made sense that he wouldn't be staying at the Ritz-Carlton.

If we're being generous, his budget hotel, about a 30-minute drive to The All England Club, can be described as 'boutique'. There's barely room on the floor to plonk a tennis bag and certainly no gym for stretching.

Yet it seems to be working for the reserved 25-year-old. Despite a guaranteed pay day of around US$435,000 by reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals on debut, Safiullin isn't ready to break with his routine and upgrade to a hotel with more spacious rooms and better amenities.

“Why should I change it? Nice hotel. Of course it's not like five stars, but I like the bed,” he said. “Everything for me fits. It's not so far actually to go and not so much traffic. Why should I change it?”

[ATP APP]

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