timesofindia.indiatimes.com - Wimbledon: Improving Nadal flies past Van de Zandschulp into quarter-finals

Wimbledon: Improving Nadal flies past Van de Zandschulp into quarter-finals

Rafael Nadal took another step forward in his bid for a rare calendar-year Grand Slam on Monday by booking his spot in the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a commanding 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(6) win against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. The All England Club, where the Spaniard has won two of his 22 majors, has been the least rewarding place for Nadal but he arrived this year having won the Australian and French Open titles back-to-back for the first time in his career. A third Wimbledon title and first since 2010 on the manicured lawns and a US Open triumph would see the Mallorcan claim the calendar slam -- a feat last achieved in 1969 by Australian great Rod Laver.

Halep downs Badosa to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Halep won 6-1, 6-2 in just one hour as her Spanish opponent's game fell apart with 21 unforced errors. The Romanian, who was champion in 2019, has yet to drop a set at the tournament.

Ferguson makes 'difficult' decision to leave Everton

Duncan Ferguson announced on Monday that he had left the Premier League club to pursue his own career in management, despite manager Frank Lampard wanting him to stay. Ferguson, who has been an assistant to several managers at Goodison Park, including Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and Lampard, was also the club's caretaker on two occasions -- in December 2019 and January this year. "It's been a massive decision for me.

India vs England, 5th Test Day 4: Root, Bairstow put England on course for ground-breaking win

Jonny Bairstow put England on course for a ground-breaking run chase against India despite Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance on day four of the rescheduled fifth Test, setting up a fitting series finale on Monday. Skipper Bumrah brought India back in the game with wickets on either side of the lunch break after England openers Alex Lees (56 off 65) and Zak Crawley (46 off 76) finally found form and shared a 107-run stand chasing a record 378-run target. As it happened | ScorecardFrom 107 for loss, it soon became 109 for three before the dangerous duo of Root (76 batting off 112) and Bairstow (72 batting off 87) frustrated the Indians with a commanding 150-run partnership off just 197 balls. England were 259 for three at stumps on day four, needing a very gettable 119 runs for a series-levelling victory. Though the wicket did not offer much help, Indian bowlers were unable to maintain pressure on the English batters who played with the aggression that has become the hallmark of the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum's school of cricket.

Why are there so many empty seats at Wimbledon this year?

Millions of desperate local fans usually compete with those living in far-flung places such as the United States, Australia and India to get their hands on Wimbledon tickets which are considered as gold dust. The chance to enter the 13.5-acre, leafy-green grounds of the All England Club and see players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and the Williams sisters battle it out for the most famous trophies in tennis has attracted growing numbers in recent years.

Jasprit Bumrah: Keeping calm under pressure and giving Indian cricket new option

Brendon McCullum gave away very little, but it wasn't difficult to read his facial expression once Alex Lees was run-out after a horrible mix-up with Joe Root. Within minutes, for England it had gone from being 'Bazball' to 'Bust ball' as 107 for no loss turned to 109 for 3. Irrespective of the outcome of this Test match, Indian cricket has got a genuine captaincy material in Jasprit Bumrah, who can lead the 'Men in Whites' for a long time to come if the cricketing establishment reposes its faith in him.

Kyrgios beats Nakashima to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

With Kyrgios's bad-tempered Court One victory over fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas still the talk of the town, the Australian was on his best behaviour in front of the Royal Box as he ground out a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-2 win. Unseeded Chilean Cristian Garin awaits in the last eight, offering Kyrgios a golden opportunity to surpass his quarter-final run at Wimbledon on his debut in 2014.

Fritz flies into Wimbledon quarters to earn family stripes

But with some hefty swipes of a garish coral-coloured racquet on Court One, the American finally earned his family stripes by reaching the quarter-finals of the grasscourt Grand Slam. His 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 win over qualifier Jason Kubler put him into the last eight here, and saw him match the Grand Slam feat of his mother who, as Kathy May, reached three slam quarter-finals in the late 1970s.

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Timesofindia.indiatimes.com Sport News

Wimbledon: Improving Nadal flies past Van de Zandschulp into quarter-finals

Halep downs Badosa to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Ferguson makes 'difficult' decision to leave Everton

India vs England, 5th Test Day 4: Root, Bairstow put England on course for ground-breaking win

Why are there so many empty seats at Wimbledon this year?

Jasprit Bumrah: Keeping calm under pressure and giving Indian cricket new option

Kyrgios beats Nakashima to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Fritz flies into Wimbledon quarters to earn family stripes