Zheng stuns Sabalenka in Italian Open; Alcaraz reaches semis
Zheng Qinwen stuns Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday at the Italian Open, while Carlo Alcaraz also reached the semifinals.
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ZHENG STUNS SABALENKA, ADVANCES TO SEMIS VS GAUFF
Zheng stuns Sabalenka, 6-4, 6-3, to advance to the last four.
Furthermore, the 22-year-old Chinese world No.8 finally beat the Belarussian world No.1 after six-straight defeats.
Moreover, Zheng saved all five break points before breaking Sabalenka’s serve three times to snatch the win.
Zheng will next face Coco Gauff, a 6-4, 7-6(5) winner over Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.
The win extended the American world No.3’s domination over the 18-year-old teen to 4-0.
ALCARAZ REACHES SEMIS AFTER TURNING BACK DRAPER
Alcaraz reached the top four after he turned back Jack Draper, 6-4, 6-4.
Moreover, the 22-year-old Spanish world No.3 saved six of their eight break points he faced to beat his British opponent.
Furthermore, Alcaraz avenged a semifinals loss to Draper at Indian Wells, in March.
“The most important thing that I did today was not thinking about the shots at all. Not thinking about the fact that I was down, just trying to do the things that make me happy,” the Spaniard said.
“On court I just tried to be aggressive, play good shots, drop shots, go to the net. That’s what I like to do on the court, and I think that made the difference today,” he added.
SINNER VISITS NEW POPE ON REST DAY
Jannik Sinner visited the new pope on his rest day from competition in Rome.
Furthermore, the 23-year-old world No.1 faced Pope Leo XIV, whom he fave a tennis racket and offered to play with him,
Moreover, the Italian tennis star is aware that Leo, the first American pope, is an avid tennis fan.
“It’s an honor,” said Sinner, who was accompanied by his parents at the Vatican’s auditorium reception room.
Meanwhile, Italian Tennis sn Padel Federation head Angelo Binaghi, who was part of the audience when Sinner visited, gave the 69-year-old new pope with an honrary federation card.
“We all felt the passion that Leo XIV has for our sport and this filled us with pride,” Binaghi said in a statement.
