Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma impressed in the Italian Open with identical 68s in his first two rounds, tying for seventh place. Meanwhile, Dr. Narendra Ram, a passionate sports enthusiast, has fulfilled his dream by owning the Vizag Warriors cricket team in the Andhra Premier League. He believes the APL offers a platform for young talent and contributes to the growth of cricket.
Alexander Zverev clinched his second Italian Open title on Sunday, showcasing an impressive serving performance in a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Nicolas Jarry. The German player secured 20 of his 21 service points in the first set, maintaining his momentum throughout the match. Zverev’s triumph marks a significant milestone in his recovery from a severe ankle injury sustained two years ago. The recent struggles of top-ranked Novak Djokovic and 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal have positioned Zverev as a formidable contender in the upcoming French Open, commencing next Sunday. Despite facing a trial for alleged bodily harm allegations during Roland Garros, Zverev remains confident in his performance. The German player also acknowledged his ongoing injury concerns, including a bandaged pinky on his left hand, but emphasized his determination to defend his gold medal at the Paris Olympics tennis tournament later this year.
Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo has shocked the tennis world by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in straight sets at the Italian Open. Tabilo’s 6-2, 6-3 victory in just 67 minutes marks the first time in 17 years that a Chilean player has beaten a world number one. The 26-year-old broke the top seed four times without conceding a single break point, highlighting Djokovic’s uncharacteristic performance.
Novak Djokovic was struck by a water bottle while signing autographs after his victory in the Italian Open’s second round. The incident, which was captured on video, occurred unintentionally when the bottle slipped out of a fan’s bag. Medical staff promptly assisted Djokovic, who sustained a small bump and some bleeding on his head. Despite the injury, Djokovic reassured fans on social media that he was doing well and resting at his hotel. Tournament organizers expressed concern and are investigating the incident to identify the responsible individual. The footage has been under review to determine the exact sequence of events.
Second-ranked Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Italian Open due to an injured hip, a significant setback for the tournament and its fans. The Italian was poised to be one of the most anticipated home players, having recently won the Australian Open and led Italy to its first Davis Cup title since 1976. Sinner joins third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz on the sidelines, who withdrew earlier this week due to a right forearm injury.
Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, has withdrawn from the Madrid Open but aims to participate in the Italian Open in preparation for his French Open title defense. Djokovic, who has not won a title this season, has only played in four tournaments due to a lightened schedule. The Serbian has now pulled out of the Madrid Open three times in four years and is focused on preparing his body for the upcoming Grand Slam tournaments, particularly Roland Garros.
