Source :- THE AGE NEWS
There is a week to go and Felix Auger-Aliassime may yet intervene, but it is already hard to shake off the feeling that defending Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner will be facing seven-time winner Novak Djokovic in the men’s semi-final for the third time here.
In 2023 Djokovic won, as he did in January’s Australian Open semi, while last year Sinner triumphed.
Both completed tricky second-round matches in straight sets on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), dismissing Nuno Borges and Stefanos Tsitsipas respectively.
Sinner needed two tiebreaks and laboured at times, but rarely looked in danger as he won 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.
Alex de Minaur believes Wimbledon represents his best chance to win a grand slam title as a shock early exit from a projected quarter-final rival presents him with a golden opportunity.
Australia’s world No.6, who has his wedding to look forward to post-tournament, withstood an early challenge from Argentine grasscourt novice Roman Andres Burruchaga before posting a runaway 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, 6-0 victory to begin in style.
De Minaur’s hopes of reaching a maiden major semi-final spiked on Tuesday when American fourth seed Ben Shelton – his potential last-eight opponent – suffered a shock five-set defeat to Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen.
London: No one gave Maya Joint a chance. At least anyone not Australian, or with a foot in Joint’s camp. They were wrong.
Faced with the daunting prospect of being Serena Williams’ first opponent in her celebrated Wimbledon comeback as a 44-year-old mother-of-two – after almost four years away – Joint shocked the world with a 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 victory over the former world No.1.
There were no histrionics. That is not Joint’s style.
Instead, she rose her arms in triumph, shared a polite handshake with Williams, then had a moment of introspection at her courtside chair as she soaked up a career-best win. Her overjoyed mum, Katja, was up in the stands and held aloft Joint’s stuffed toy, “Doggy”.
“I really don’t know what to say right now. I don’t know what just happened,” a disbelieving Joint said.
G’day everyone and welcome to our special Wimbledon live blog as Australian stars Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint prepare for matches on court No.3 tonight.
First up will be de Minaur who is scheduled to open play at 8pm AEST with Joint listed as the next game following her win over the returning Serena Williams in the first round.
Nine, owner of this masthead, is scheduled to show tonight’s matches but you can also find them and other Wimbledon coverage on Stan.
Enjoy the evening to come.
