DAVOS, Switzerland—The 2022 World Cup hosted by Qatar is expected to be watched by 5 billion people around the world, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Monday. The TV audiences for the 2018 World Cup in Russia was a record-breaking 3.5 billion people. Qatar, a small but wealthy Gulf Arab state, will host the first…
So Far so Good for Djokovic as He Keeps French Title Defense on Track
PARIS—World number one Novak Djokovic is pleased with his performance level so far at the French Open and believes everything is heading in the right direction in his title defence and quest for a record-equalling 21st Grand Slam. Djokovic expertly managed some tricky conditions at Roland Garros on Wednesday to complete a solid 6–2 6–3…
US Open Champion Raducanu Loses in 2nd Round at French Open
PARIS—U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu is out of the French Open in the second round. Raducanu lost to Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 3–6, 6–1, 6–1 to end her Roland Garros tournament debut on Wednesday. The 19-year-old Raducanu broke Sasnovich in the fifth game of the opening set, hitting consecutive backhand winners followed by a forehand…
Tears Flow as Tsonga Retires After French Open Defeat
PARIS—Jo-Wilfried Tsonga gave Norway’s eighth-seeded Casper Ruud a run for his money in a tight French Open first round battle but predictably headed into a tear-jerking retirement with a 6–7(6) 7–6(4) 6–2 7–6(0) defeat on Tuesday. The Frenchman, whose career had been hampered by multiple injuries in recent years, fought for almost four hours before…
Daniil Medvedev Cruises in His Opener at French Open
Second-seeded Daniil Medvedev defeated Argentine Facundo Bagnis in straight sets Tuesday to easily advance to the second round of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris. Medvedev blasted 12 aces in winning 6–2, 6–2, 6–2 in an efficient one hour, 38 minutes. Medvedev showed no signs of rust after missing most of the European…
Footballer Kurt Zouma Admits Animal Cruelty Charges After Cat-Kicking Video Went Viral
English Premier League footballer Kurt Zouma has admitted animal cruelty charges after a video taken by his brother of him kicking and hitting a cat went viral. West Ham defender Kurt Zouma, 27, pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates Court in east London on Tuesday to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act of causing unnecessary…
Djokovic Backs ATP Cutting Wimbledon Ranking Points Over Russia Ban; Plans to Play in Wimbledon
PARIS—Novak Djokovic intends to defend his title at Wimbledon and supports the decision by the ATP men’s tour to withhold ranking points from that tournament as a show of unity among players—even though the move will negatively affect his hold on the No. 1 spot. In response to a reporter’s question after his first-round victory…
French Open: Top-Seeded Swiatek Extends Winning Streak to 29
PARIS—World number one Iga Swiatek put on a commanding display against Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko with a 6–2 6–0 opening victory on Monday to kickstart her bid for a second French Open title and extend her winning run to 29 matches. Swiatek, who won the 2020 Roland Garros title without dropping a set, arrived in…
Djokovic Eases Past Nishioka Into Round Two of French Open
PARIS—World number one Novak Djokovic cruised past Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6–3 6–1 6–0 on Monday to advance to the French Open second round in a comfortable start to his quest for a record-equalling 21st Grand Slam. The Serb, who turned 35 on Sunday, needed less than two hours to beat the Japanese world number 99…
Osaka Loses in 1st Round of French Open, May Skip Wimbledon
PARIS—A year ago, Naomi Osaka left the French Open of her own volition, never beaten on the court but determining that she needed to pull out before the second round to stand up for herself and protect her mind. On Monday, Osaka departed Roland Garros against her will—via a 7–5, 6–4 loss in the first…
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