Author: Trisha Ghosal

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,…

In a shocking turn of events at Roland Garros, defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrew from the French Open just before his quarter-final match against Casper Ruud. The 37-year-old Serbian cited a knee injury, diagnosed as a torn medial meniscus in his right leg, following a scan on Tuesday. Djokovic had been vocal about the slippery conditions of the Roland Garros clay courts, attributing his aggravated knee problem to these challenging surfaces during his gruelling fourth-round victory over Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo. Despite playing through visible discomfort and repeatedly calling for medical assistance, Djokovic secured a hard-fought 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3…

For the first time since 2013, the top four women’s seeds have all made it to the Round 4 at Roland Garros. This rare occurrence highlights the extraordinary talent and consistency of these players in what is arguably the most challenging Grand Slam. Defending champion, Iga Swiatek, Australian Open winner, Aryna Sabalenka, 2022 French Open runner-up Coco Gauff, and 2022 Wimbledon winner, Elena Rybakina have all advanced, setting up an exciting second week at the French Open. Round 4 Matches of the Top Four Seeds Iga Swiatek vs. Anastasia Potapova, today at 2:30 pm on Court Philippe-Chatrier Aryna Sabalenka vs.…

In the thrilling world of professional tennis, where rivalries are intense as well as legendary, there exists a unique dynamic between certain players—a balance between fierce competition on the court and genuine camaraderie off it. These players, often referred to as ‘frenemies,’ redefine the traditional notions of sportsmanship and friendship. As Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa gear up to face each other in the third round of the French Open, their matchup serves as a poignant reminder of tennis frenemies—individuals who embody the essence of being great friends off the field and fierce rivals on it. Aryna Sabalenka and Paula…

Three years ago, Naomi Osaka’s world turned upside down at the French Open. Her decision to speak openly about her mental health struggles sparked a maelstrom of controversy. The backlash she faced for prioritising her well-being over obligatory press conferences was both harsh and unsparing. Today, after she nearly toppled IgaSwiatek, the World No. 1, in a thrilling second-round match on May 29, her journey to this point feels like poetic justice—a story of resilience, courage, and redemption. In May 2021, amidst the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, Osaka made a bold stand for mental health. Declaring that she would…