03/06/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 3, 2026

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Sabalenka marches on Belarusian overcomes Osaka to move a step closer to a maiden French Open title

A RYNA SABALENKA passed one of her sternest tests yet in her pursuit of a maiden French Open crown yester day, overpowering Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in a pulsating duel to power into the quarterfinals of the claycourt Grand Slam. Playing in the first women’s night-ses sion match at

and to be up in the score and have a bit of advantage to finish the match. “When it

“I was definitely nerv ous,” she said. “I meant like some moments when after losing my serve, at 5-5 in the third set, being 40 love up and then losing the game. “I was frustrated because I

“I’m happy with how I was able to put back the pressure on her. It’s amazing to play the night session in front of all of you guys. “I’m super happy with my serve. I’m super pleased overall with the performance today.” She next takes on Russia’s Diana Shnaider, who Madison Keys 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 in another stunning upset of a major champion at the claycourt Grand Slam this year. Anna Kalinskaya also continued her journey into a maiden French Open quarterfinal with a 6-4 2-6, 7-6(7) win over 28th seed Anastasia Potapova, marking only the second time that the Russian has entered that stage of a Grand Slam. shrugged off a sec ond set blip to over come American

action on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The error-prone Potapova was not the only one paying a costly price, as Paraguayan Adolfo Daniel Vallejo was fined US$65,000 (RM257,738) after suggesting female umpires lacked the courage to control rowdy crowds following his defeat on Friday. Diane Parry, the last Frenchwoman standing at Roland Garros, was defeated 6-3, 6-2 by Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska. With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner knocked out, Flavio Cobolli ensured Italian presence in the last eight by beating American Zachary Svajda 6 2, 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(5), before Matteo Berrettini downed Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-6(6). Both were joined by compatriot Matteo Arnaldi, who survived another marathon, beating American 19th seed Frances Tiafoe 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 3-6, 7 6(3), 6-4 after five hour and 26 minutes. “I don’t know how I am standing here,” said

didn’t work, I was upset. But it was a very fast changeover, so I had to reset and continue to play.” Potapova rued

wanted to win that g a m e

Roland Garros in three years, the Belarusian recov ered from a ragged opening to extend her remarkable con sistency at majors, where she has reached at least the quarterfinals in her last 14 appearances.

several missed opportunities during what the Russian-born 25-year-old described as a “mental” match to kick off the d a y ’ s

“She is such a great player, she plays super aggressive tennis,” Sabalenka said on court before delighting the crowd by showing off a playful moonwalk.

SHORTS

Arnaldi, adding that he had been hobbled by a foot injury earlier in the year. It was his second con secutive five-hour match after his five-set win over Raphael Collignon in the previous round. “In the third set I was so tired,” he said. Canadian fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime dismissed Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 and completed his set of Grand Slam quar terfinal appearances. – Reuters

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Berrettini powers into last eight MATTEO BERRETTINI stormed into his first Grand Slam quarterfinal in four years with an impressive straight-sets victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the French Open last 16 yesterday. The former Wimbledon finalist, who has been plagued by injuries, won 6-3, 7-6(7-3), 7-6(8-6) against Argentinian Cerundolo, who had dumped out world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the second round. “This (tennis) is the love of my life, I guess, otherwise I wouldn’t keep coming back after all the setbacks, the injuries,” said Berrettini. “There were moments it was really tough to come back and hit a ball… But now I’m back and it’s thanks to them (his team), my character and my resilience.” Berrettini, the world No. 105, is the lowest ranked Roland Garros men’s quarterfinalist since Igor Andreev in 2007. “I feel great, I feel happy,” he added. “That’s why I’m here, I just want to enjoy this atmosphere with SERENA WILLIAMS confirmed her return to tennis yesterday after an absence of nearly four years, with the American great set to compete in women’s doubles at Queen’s Club next week. The 44-year-old, who has not played competitively since the 2022 US Open, has been granted a wild card for the grass court London tournament, which starts on June 8. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion will reportedly play alongside teenage Canadian Victoria Mboko. Rumours have swirled in recent months that the former world No. 1 was on the verge of a return and yesterday’s confirmation sent the tennis world into a frenzy. Williams shared a video on social media of herself on a tennis court containing the caption: “Guess everybody heard the news”, with her phone buzzing repeatedly in the background. A post from the seven-time Wimbledon champion alongside the video said: “Good news travels fast.” Tournament chiefs said her return would be “one of the biggest sporting moments of the year so far”. “Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” Williams said in a statement from organisers. “Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.” my team, with my family.” Serena’s second act

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Youthquake rocks French Open

THE young kings of tennis have been deposed and as the French Open reaches its quarterfinals today, the sport’s even younger princes will be strutting on the clay. Between them 24-year-old Jannik Sinner, and 23-year-old Carlos Alcaraz have won the last nine majors. But the Spaniard is injured and Sinner could not stand the Paris heat and lost in the second round. In their place are three striplings playing a first Grand Slam quarterfi nal. The next in the line of Spanish clay monsters, 19-year-old Rafael Jodar, faces the top remaining man, Alexander Zverev. The honour of ending the first day when all the main-draw matches can be fitted onto Court Philippe Chatrier, has been handed to 20-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik and the phenomenon of the tour nament, 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca. The third 19-year-old in quarter final action overnight is, by com parison, a grizzled veteran of Grand Slam late rounds. Of all the majors, the French Open most favours young men. Of the five youngest men to have won majors in the Open era, Michael

does have the fear. None of them do,” the Swede said. “No pressure, no nerves. I don’t think, I know.” “They don’t have any history of losing,” the Swede said. “So you’re losing the quarterfinals? It’s not gonna hurt, and then they realise that it hurts to lose. And then sud denly things change.” Wilander is a fan of Fonseca who is “going to be a great player”. Fonseca came from two sets down to beat first Dino Prizmic and then tennis titan Novak Djokovic, before conquering Casper Ruud. “It’s great to have new genera tions,” the Brazilian declared after beating Djokovic. “The next generation is doing pretty well. Not only Jodar and Mensik and me, but also Learner, (Alex) Michelsen. “There is (Martin) Landaluce… It’s good to have them around, pushing me for sure, doing some great battles.” Chang has been impressed by Jodar. “On the clay, he just took off,” said Chang. “He’s just he’s just riding a wave of great tennis right now. I don’t think he’s thinking a whole lot. He’s going out there and playing some great tennis.” – AFP

Chang, Mats Wilander, Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg all did it at Roland Garros. Of 16 women who have won majors in their teens, Monica Seles, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Steffi Graf, Iga Swiatek, Chris Evert and Evonne Goolagong all did so in Paris. Chang and Wilander were at Roland Garros on Monday for an annual reunion of former champi ons. The American, who won aged 17 in 1989 and now coaches rising American Learner Tien, said youth gave advantages. “I think it can be easier on some aspects if you’re not dwelling too much on it,” he said before adding that for some the spotlight was already bright. “I think there’s also a lot of pres sure for some of these young guys because there are expectations. That doesn’t necessarily give them freedom to go out there and play. “When I was 17, nobody expected me to win. So I had the freedom to be the underdog… in the second week.” Wilander, who won the first of his three French Open crowns at 17 in 1982, was clear the youngsters had a mental edge. “You find me a 19-year-old that

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