Author: Trisha Ghosal

Barbora Krejcikova emerged victorious in the 2024 Wimbledon women’s singles final, overcoming Jasmine Paolini in a gripping three-set match, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. The win was her second Grand Slam singles title, adding to her French Open triumph in 2021. Krejcikova, seeded 31st, started the final with a flawless display, showcasing her versatile game and dominating the first set. Her performance left Paolini struggling to find her rhythm on the grass court. However, Paolini, seeded seventh, made a remarkable comeback in the second set, playing with increased aggression and determination, levelling the match. The decisive third set was a…

Ravichandran Ashwin is one of India’s greatest match-winners in Test cricket, known for his incredible skills and strategic mind. In ‘I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story’, Ashwin, along with co-author Sidharth Monga, provides an in-depth look at his journey from a health-challenged child to a cricketing legend. Ashwin’s early life, marked by health struggles and the unwavering support of his middle-class family, forms the bedrock of this narrative. The book delves into the everyday joys and challenges of growing up in a cricket-obsessed neighbourhood, offering readers an authentic glimpse into his formative years. One of the book’s most…

India ended their series against South Africa on a high note, with a resounding 10-wicket win in the third and final T20I. This triumph came on the back of a dominant performance throughout the series, which saw India whitewash South Africa 3-0 in the ODIs and win the one-off Test match. Despite a shaky start in the T20I series, India showcased their resilience and prowess to secure a convincing victory. The T20I series didn’t begin as planned for India, as they failed to chase a target of 190 in the first match. The second game was washed out, leaving India…

Naomi Osaka’s second-round defeat to Emma Navarro at Wimbledon 2024 once again underscores the importance of mental health in sport. In her first-round match against Diane Parry, Osaka dominated the first set with a 6-1 win. However, in the second, a few unforced errors visibly affected her composure, leading to increased pressure. Her frustration was palpable as she lost the set 1-6. In the deciding set, Osaka’s unforced errors persisted, but despite going 1-3 down, she managed to recover and win the match. In the post-match interview, Osaka admitted that a lot was going on in her head, which was…

In a remarkable display of dominance and skill, the Indian women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over South Africa in the one-off Test in Chennai. Opting to bat first, India’s opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid a formidable foundation, taking the game away from South Africa in the first session itself. The South African bowling attack, missing the experience of Marizanne Kapp, who couldn’t bowl due to injury, looked in complete disarray and struggled to penetrate the Indian batting lineup. Mandhana’s exquisite knock of 149, adorned with 27 boundaries and a…

South Africa playing Netherlands in a World Cup has given cricket fans across the globe some thrillers and how could it have been any different today? Despite a strong bowling performance by the Netherlands, David Miller’s crucial half-century ensured that South Africa avoided a shock defeat, chasing down a modest target of 104 with just seven balls to spare. SA bowlers take charge South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that paid off handsomely. The Proteas bowlers, led by Marco Jansen, made early inroads into the Dutch batting line-up. South Africa asserted…

The French Open 2024 Women’s Singles final is set to deliver an electrifying showdown between defending champion Iga Swiatek and the tournament’s breakout star, Jasmine Paolini. As anticipation builds for this thrilling encounter on the storied clay of Roland-Garros, we explore the remarkable journeys of both players, their head-to-head record, and their preparations for this career-defining match. Swiatek’s dominance Iga Swiatek has been a tour de force at this year’s French Open, showcasing her unmatched prowess on clay. The defending champion reaffirmed her superiority by defeating Coco Gauff in the semifinals, marking her 11th victory over the American in 12…

In what promises to be an electrifying showdown, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are set to face off in the French Open 2024 semi-finals today, while Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev face each other in the other shootout. This marks the first French Open semi-final in recent history without a member of the Big Three, underscoring the new era of tennis led by these young stars. Sinner and Alcaraz, two rising stars, bring their rivalry to Roland-Garros, each aiming for their first French Open title. Their previous matches have been nothing short of spectacular, and this one promises to be…

Women’s Singles Semi-final: Iga Swiatek v Coco Gauff Swiatek, the world no. 1, is eyeing her fifth Grand Slam title after a series of dominant performances. She has reached the Roland Garros semifinals for the fourth time, showcasing her dominance on clay. Swiatek’s path to the semis included a dramatic second-round win over Naomi Osaka, followed by emphatic victories against Anastasia Potapova (6-0, 6-0) and Marketa Vondrousova (6-0, 6-2). With 19 consecutive wins at Roland-Garros and a 17-match winning streak on clay, she remains a formidable force. “Iga is incredible,” said Gauff, acknowledging the challenge in front of her. “Her…

At the French Open 2024 Quarter Finals, World No. 2 and Rome Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka will face Madrid Open quarter-finalist Mirra Andreeva. As they prepare to take centre stage at Court Philippe Chatrier today, it is noticeable that there is no flag beside their names. Sabalenka hails from Belarus and Andreeva from Russia. Some players have been assigned a white flag or no flag at all, a deliberate choice to represent neutrality for Russian and Belarusian tennis players competing in the event. This measure is a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Belarus as a key staging area,…