Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were knocked out of the US Open mixed doubles tournament after losing their opening match to Henry Patten and Katerina Siniakova in New York. The top-seeded pair made a strong start but failed to close out the contest, eventually going down 1-4, 4-2, 10-2.

Djokovic and Sabalenka won the opening set in just 12 minutes, but Patten and Siniakova quickly changed the momentum. The British-Czech combination recovered to take the second set before dominating the deciding super tie-break.

The result ended the much-anticipated partnership between two of the biggest names in singles tennis after just one match.

Djokovic-Sabalenka start strongly

Djokovic and Sabalenka appeared comfortable from the beginning and raced through the opening set 4-1. Their aggressive play helped them establish an early advantage, with the set lasting only 12 minutes.

They also moved ahead early in the second set, but Siniakova and Patten refused to let the match slip away. The pair gradually found their rhythm and won four of the next games to take the set 4-2.

With the match tied, the outcome was decided by a super tie-break.

Patten-Siniakova dominate decider

The deciding phase proved one-sided. Patten and Siniakova quickly established control and eventually won the super tie-break 10-2.

The victory was particularly notable because both Siniakova and Patten are highly accomplished doubles players. Their experience in the format helped them handle the crucial moments despite Djokovic and Sabalenka having the stronger singles profiles.

Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam singles champion, while Sabalenka entered the tournament as the two-time defending US Open women's singles champion.

Star names attracted to new format

The mixed doubles competition has been redesigned to bring more leading singles players into the event. The tournament is played over two days ahead of the main singles draw and uses a shortened scoring format.

Djokovic and Sabalenka were seeded No. 1 based on their combined singles rankings. However, their first-round defeat was not regarded as a major upset given the specialist doubles credentials of their opponents.

The tournament carries a $1 million prize for the winning team.

Svitolina-Monfils reach semifinals

While Djokovic and Sabalenka departed early, husband-and-wife duo Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils advanced to the semifinals.

The pair defeated Siniakova and Patten in the quarterfinals, winning 5-4 (6), 4-5 (3), 10-8. They will now face Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli for a place in the final.

Svitolina and Monfils have both previously reached the US Open singles semifinals. Monfils made the last four in 2016, while Svitolina reached the semifinals in 2019.

Two matches from US Open title

Svitolina and Monfils married in 2021 and are now just two victories away from winning the US Open mixed doubles title together.

The other semifinal will feature Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik against Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev.

With several high-profile singles players competing under the revamped mixed doubles format, the event has provided a different dimension to the US Open ahead of the main singles competition.

The Italian star recovered after losing the opening set to claim a 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 victory and lift the Wimbledon men's singles trophy for the second consecutive year. The win also handed Sinner the fifth Grand Slam title of his career, further cementing his position at the top of the ATP rankings.

The championship match began with Zverev producing some of his best tennis of the tournament. The German edged a closely contested first-set tie-break to move ahead and briefly looked capable of capturing his maiden Wimbledon title.

Sinner, however, responded with the composure that has become a hallmark of his recent success. He raised his level in the second-set tie-break before taking control of the contest with aggressive baseline play, consistent serving and superior shot-making during the final two sets.

The victory marks another milestone in what has been an extraordinary rise for the 24-year-old Italian. Having already claimed Australian Open titles in 2024 and 2025, the 2024 US Open and last year's Wimbledon championship, Sinner has now collected five Grand Slam trophies and established himself as the dominant force in men's tennis.

His route to the title was equally impressive. After surviving a demanding five-set opening-round contest against Miomir Kecmanovic, Sinner did not look back. He comfortably defeated Nuno Borges, Jenson Brooksby, Shintaro Mochizuki and Jan-Lennard Struff before producing one of the standout performances of the tournament in the semi-finals against Novak Djokovic.

Sinner overpowered the seven-time Wimbledon champion 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the final, ending Djokovic's hopes of winning a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title.

For Zverev, the defeat ended another strong Grand Slam campaign on a disappointing note. The German, who arrived in London after winning the French Open earlier this season, was bidding to become the first German men's Wimbledon champion since Michael Stich in 1991.

Despite taking the opening set and competing strongly during the early stages of the final, Zverev struggled to break Sinner's serve as the match progressed. A slip during the third set also appeared to affect his movement, although he completed the contest. The defeat extended his losing streak against Sinner to ten consecutive matches.

Sinner's ability to stay composed under pressure proved decisive once again. He dominated the crucial points, struck more winners than his opponent and maintained remarkable consistency throughout the closing stages, leaving Zverev with few opportunities to mount a comeback.

The title further enhances Sinner's remarkable consistency across major tournaments over the past three seasons. With back-to-back Wimbledon championships and multiple Grand Slam victories already to his name, the Italian continues to set the benchmark on the ATP Tour.

His latest triumph also reinforces the changing landscape of men's tennis, where the new generation has firmly taken control following the era dominated by Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

As the season moves towards the North American hard-court swing, Sinner will once again enter as the player to beat, carrying both the confidence of another Wimbledon title and the momentum of an increasingly dominant run at the sport's biggest events.

Playing on Centre Court at the All England Club in London, the 24-year-old Italian produced a dominant display to beat Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and book his place in the Wimbledon final for the second consecutive year. The victory also marked a measure of revenge for Sinner, who had lost to Djokovic in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open earlier this year.

At 39, Djokovic was chasing his 25th Grand Slam crown, a milestone that would have taken him further ahead in men’s tennis history. However, the seven-time Wimbledon champion struggled to find answers against Sinner’s aggressive baseline game and relentless consistency throughout the two-hour and 20-minute contest.

Sinner controlled the match from the outset, breaking at crucial moments in each set and never allowing Djokovic to establish momentum. The Italian maintained pressure with powerful groundstrokes and effective serving, preventing the Serbian from winning even a single set.

The defeat extends Djokovic’s wait for another major title. His most recent Grand Slam triumph came at the 2023 US Open. Since then, he has fallen short in several major tournaments despite remaining one of the sport’s leading contenders.

Sinner’s impressive run underlines his status as the dominant force in men’s tennis this season. Having already enjoyed success on the Grand Slam stage, the Italian now stands one win away from lifting another major trophy and further strengthening his claim as the sport’s new leading figure.

In the other men’s singles semi-final, Germany’s Alexander Zverev secured a place in his first Wimbledon final with a 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Britain’s wildcard entrant Arthur Fery. The 29-year-old became the first German man to reach the Wimbledon final since 1995.

Zverev has enjoyed a remarkable campaign, dropping only two sets throughout the tournament. His consistency and strong serving have made him one of the standout performers at this year’s Championships. The German will now face Sinner in Sunday’s title clash, setting up a contest between two of the most in-form players on the ATP Tour.

Away from the action on court, several sporting icons were present in Wimbledon’s prestigious Royal Box. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, India Test captain Shubman Gill, West Indies great Brian Lara and Liverpool football captain Virgil van Dijk were among the notable guests who watched the semi-final action.

Tendulkar, accompanied by Shubman Gill and Anjali Tendulkar, also met tennis legend Roger Federer during the event. Sharing a photograph of the meeting on social media, Tendulkar described Federer as a close friend and said it was always a pleasure spending time with him.

The Royal Box remains one of Wimbledon’s most exclusive traditions. Located on Centre Court, the invitation-only enclosure has hosted members of royalty, former champions, global leaders and sporting legends since 1922.

Meanwhile, attention now turns to the Wimbledon finals weekend. The women’s singles final is scheduled for Saturday, while the men’s title match between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev will take centre stage on Sunday.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner produced a dominant performance to defeat Novak Djokovic in straight sets and book his place in the Wimbledon 2026 men's singles final, where he will face Alexander Zverev in a blockbuster title clash.

Sinner dismantled the seven-time Wimbledon champion 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in Friday's semi-final, ending Djokovic's bid for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. The Italian controlled the contest from start to finish, combining aggressive baseline play with precise serving to overpower the Serbian veteran.

The victory sends Sinner into another Grand Slam final and continues his remarkable dominance over Djokovic in recent meetings. It also marks one of the most convincing wins of his career on Centre Court.

Sinner in Complete Control

Djokovic struggled to match Sinner's pace and intensity throughout the three-set encounter. The top seed broke serve once in each set while limiting the Serbian to very few opportunities.

Reflecting on the defeat, Djokovic admitted that his opponent outplayed him in every aspect of the game.

"I was half a step late on every shot. He was a level or more better than I was. I wasn't sharp enough to play him," Djokovic said after the match.

Despite the loss, the 39-year-old indicated he hopes to return to Wimbledon in 2027, saying he would like "at least one more time" at the All England Club.

Zverev Ends Fery's Fairytale

Earlier in the day, Alexander Zverev secured his place in the final by defeating British wildcard Arthur Fery 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4.

Fery, who had captured the imagination of home fans with a stunning run to the semi-finals, challenged Zverev in a tightly contested opening set before the German gradually took complete control of the match.

The second seed's powerful serving and consistent baseline play proved too much for the British hopeful, ending one of the tournament's biggest surprise stories.

Dream Final Awaits

Sunday's championship match will feature the tournament's top two seeds—Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.

Sinner enters the final with a commanding head-to-head advantage, having won his last nine meetings against Zverev since 2024, including several victories in straight sets. However, Zverev arrives in confident form after winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this season and will look to continue his impressive run on grass.

The title clash promises to showcase two of the ATP Tour's leading stars as they battle for one of tennis' most prestigious trophies.

Meanwhile, the women's singles final will also create history, with Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova set to contest the first all-Czech Wimbledon women's final.

The 39-year-old Djokovic battled past the qualifier 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought fourth-round encounter. The win also secured his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals for a record 17th time, further underlining his dominance at the grass-court Grand Slam.

Djokovic faced stiff resistance from Safiullin, who entered the tournament ranked outside the top tier and had recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff. The Russian threatened an upset early in the contest and even held a significant advantage in the opening set before Djokovic fought back to claim the tie-break.

The Serbian veteran appeared frustrated at times during the match. In the third set, after losing a service game, he hit a ball in anger and received a warning from the chair umpire. Speaking after the match, Djokovic acknowledged his reaction and apologised.

“I am known for showing emotions on court. It happened again today and I apologise for that. Tennis is as much a mental battle as it is physical, and staying focused is never easy,” Djokovic said.

With the victory, Djokovic moved one step closer to equalling Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s singles titles. He is also chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam singles crown, which would extend his all-time record.

In the quarter-finals, Djokovic will face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime. A potential semi-final clash against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner remains on the cards if both players progress.

Sinner continued his impressive run at Wimbledon by defeating Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki in straight sets. The Italian top seed secured a 6-3, 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 victory to reach the quarter-finals for the fifth consecutive year. He will next take on Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.

While Djokovic’s achievement dominated the men’s draw, the women’s competition witnessed one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka produced a stunning performance to defeat current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 (7-2). The victory marked Osaka’s first-ever appearance in the Wimbledon quarter-finals and ended a losing streak against the Belarusian star.

The Japanese player looked in complete control from the outset, using powerful serving and aggressive baseline play to dictate proceedings. Osaka raced through the opening set in just over half an hour before holding her nerve in a tense second-set tie-break.

The result was particularly significant as Sabalenka had won all three of their previous meetings over the past three months. Osaka’s victory signals a strong return to form and places her among the leading contenders for the title.

Elsewhere, American star Coco Gauff advanced to the last eight after overcoming Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in a three-set battle. Gauff will now meet fellow American Jessica Pegula, who also booked her place in the quarter-finals with a comeback win over Iva Jovic.

With several former champions and top-ranked players still in contention, Wimbledon is heading into an exciting final week, highlighted by Djokovic’s historic record and Osaka’s headline-grabbing upset.

The Serbian star secured his 105th Wimbledon singles win with a 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4) triumph on Centre Court, extending his remarkable run at the All England Club. The victory also marked Djokovic’s 18th appearance in the tournament’s Round of 16, underlining his enduring dominance on grass.

Only tennis legend Martina Navratilova remains ahead of Djokovic in overall Wimbledon singles victories, having won 120 matches during her illustrious career.

The 39-year-old looked in control early in the contest, claiming the opening two sets against the 25th-seeded Rinderknech. However, the Frenchman mounted an impressive comeback in the third set, overwhelming Djokovic 6-1 and briefly shifting momentum in his favour.

The fourth set proved to be the decisive phase of the match. Both players held firm on serve before the contest entered a tiebreak. Djokovic’s experience eventually made the difference as he closed out the match after nearly three hours on court.

One of the most memorable moments came on match point. Chasing a delicate drop shot from Rinderknech, Djokovic launched into a full-stretch dive near the net. Both players ended up on the grass, but Djokovic managed to keep the point alive and secure victory, prompting a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd.

Following the win, Djokovic joked about his newly matched record with Federer.

“I propose a 106th match against Roger,” he said with a smile. “Whoever wins gets the record.”

The light-hearted comment drew laughter from spectators while highlighting the mutual respect between two of the greatest players in tennis history. Djokovic also reflected on his journey, saying that becoming part of Wimbledon’s rich history had always been one of his childhood dreams.

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner continued his title defence with a straight-sets victory over American Jensen Brooksby. Sinner won 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to secure his place in the last 16.

The Italian took control early and never allowed Brooksby to build sustained momentum. Although the American managed to break serve in the third set, Sinner responded immediately and wrapped up the contest in convincing fashion.

Sinner will now face Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki in the fourth round. Speaking after the match, the top seed said he had never faced Mochizuki before and was fully focused on recovery and preparation for the next challenge.

The women’s singles competition also produced one of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko. The match featured aggressive baseline exchanges, with Sabalenka using her powerful serve and attacking game to maintain control throughout.

Waiting for her in the Round of 16 will be four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time in her career.

Osaka delivered one of the most dominant performances of the day, defeating Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-3 in just 65 minutes. The Japanese star looked comfortable on grass and showed the form that once made her one of the sport’s biggest names.

The upcoming clash between Sabalenka and Osaka is expected to be one of the standout matches of the tournament. The pair have met five times previously, with Sabalenka winning four of those encounters.

As Wimbledon enters its second week, Djokovic’s pursuit of another title and the blockbuster Sabalenka-Osaka showdown are set to dominate the spotlight at the All England Club.

In one of the most stunning upsets in recent Grand Slam history, 19-year-old Brazilian prodigy Joao Fonseca knocked 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic out of the French Open 2026 on Friday night. The third-round match on Court Philippe-Chatrier, which lasted nearly five hours, saw the teenage sensation script an unbelievable comeback from two sets down to win 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5, ending Djokovic’s campaign for a historic 25th major title.

Epic Court Philippe-Chatrier Drama

The legendary Serbian looked to be cruising early on, using his signature baseline depth to pocket the first two sets comfortably. However, as the intense Parisian heat began taking a visible physical toll, the match turned into a grueling test of endurance. Djokovic was seen using ice packs during changeovers to cope with the scorching conditions.

The mounting frustration boiled over at one point in the third set, with an visibly exhausted Djokovic fuming at a television cameraman, asking the crew to step back and grant him space.

Late Night Brazilian Renaissance

Despite trailing against the world number three, Fonseca refused to back down. The 28th-seeded teenager grew in confidence as the match progressed, matching Djokovic’s baseline intensity and finding critical angles.

After wrestling away the third set, Fonseca clawed his way back from the brink of a fourth-set defeat to force a decider. In the dramatic final set, Fonseca stayed composed under intense pressure, breaking Djokovic late before closing out the monumental victory with three consecutive aces.

Special Milestone For Young Prodigy

The victory places Fonseca in an elite bracket, making him the first-ever teenager to defeat Novak Djokovic at a Grand Slam event. He is also just the second player in tennis history to overturn a two-set deficit against Djokovic at Roland Garros.

“I actually did not believe I could win,” Fonseca admitted during his post-match media interaction, as reported by the ATP website. “I just played, I just enjoyed being on court. What a pleasure it was, and what an idol we have. It is my first time stepping on court against him, so just thanking him, and I am very happy.”

Double Blow For Indo-Kiwi Pair

While the singles arena witnessed historic drama, Indian fans faced disappointment on the outer courts. India's Yuki Bhambri and his New Zealand partner Michael Venus crashed out of the men's doubles event following a straight-sets defeat in the second round.

The Indo-Kiwi combination went down 6-3, 6-4 to the fifth-seeded Italian pairing of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. The clinical Italian duo broke early in the fourth game of the opening set and repeated the feat in the seventh game of the second set, wrapping up the contest in exactly one hour and 20 minutes.

India’s Remaining Roland Garros Hopes

Despite the men's doubles exit, Bhambri’s journey at the French Open 2026 is not entirely over. The Indian player remains alive in the mixed doubles draw alongside partner Alexandra Panova.

After successfully navigating their opening-round fixture, Bhambri and Panova face a formidable challenge in the second round, where they are scheduled to clash against the fourth-seeded duo of Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski. Meanwhile, India's N Sriram Balaji kept the flag flying high in men's doubles, advancing to the third round alongside Marcelo Demoliner after a straight-sets win over their German opponents later in the day.

Novak Djokovic credits Virat Kohli for cricket fandom, confirms India visit

Tennis icon opens up

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic has revealed that Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is the sole reason he started following cricket. The 24-time Grand Slam champion made this disclosure on the sidelines of the Laureus World Sports Awards held on Tuesday. Djokovic also confirmed that he plans to travel to India soon to meet the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain.

 Kohli sparked cricket interest

The Serbian tennis star admitted he had no prior engagement with the sport before Kohli entered his orbit. “Yes, Virat is a friend and someone I, of course, respect and admire. He’s actually, to be honest, the reason why I started following cricket. I haven’t followed it. So through him, I started following it more,” Djokovic told Times Now.

 A meeting in India soon

Djokovic expressed strong intent to turn his virtual bond into a real-life meeting on Indian soil. “And, you know, we keep in touch. And hopefully when I come, I don’t want to say if, when I come to India, hopefully he can join, and then we could do a little bit of tennis, a little bit of cricket, and have fun and just spread positive, good vibes with people and celebrate sport,” he added.

 Mutual respect on display

The bond between the two sporting greats has been visible over the past year. Last season, Kohli attended Wimbledon and watched Djokovic’s match against Alex de Minaur. Following Djokovic’s victory, Kohli posted a congratulatory message on social media, which the tennis star warmly acknowledged. Such cross-sport admiration has rarely been seen at this scale involving an Indian cricketer.

 Djokovic feels India calling

Beyond his equation with Kohli, Djokovic spoke at length about his deep emotional connection with Indian fans. He said he has felt a strong urge to visit the country for several years. “My message is always love, respect, and appreciation for all the support over the years that I personally have been receiving from all the Indian tennis fans and Indian sports fans around the world. There are so many that I’ve been meeting all this time,” he said.

 A promise to Indian supporters

The Serbian ace did not hold back his enthusiasm about an India visit. “So I really hope that I’ll be able to come to India and do an event, play a match, or whatever it is. I really wish for that because I feel very close to Indian people,” Djokovic stated. His comments have already triggered speculation about a possible exhibition match or fan event involving both Djokovic and Kohli.

 Impact beyond cricket

Virat Kohli’s global influence continues to expand beyond cricket stadiums. As the ongoing IPL 2026 season draws massive viewership, Kohli remains the face of the league. His social media following surpasses several top NBA and football stars. When podcast host Joe Rogan recently learned that Kohli has more Instagram followers than LeBron James, he expressed genuine surprise. Moments like Djokovic’s open admiration further cement Kohli’s status as a truly global sporting icon.

 What next for fans

With Djokovic confirming an India visit, discussions are already underway about potential dates and venues. Sources indicate that the event could take place later this year, possibly in Mumbai or Delhi. If realised, a combined tennis-cricket exhibition featuring Djokovic and Kohli would be the first of its kind in India. For now, fans of both sports are eagerly waiting for an official announcement. The latest news today from India suggests that this cross-sport friendship is only set to grow stronger in the coming months.

Carlos Alcaraz Outlasts Alexander Zverev in Historic Australian Open Semifinal Thriller

In a monumental display of grit and skill, Carlos Alcaraz has secured his first-ever Australian Open final berth after a grueling five-set victory over Alexander Zverev. The match, which lasted a staggering 5 hours and 27 minutes, has entered the record books as the longest men's semifinal in the tournament's history.

The Spanish superstar ultimately triumphed with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(6), 7-5. This victory edges him closer to a career Grand Slam, needing only the Australian Open title to complete the coveted set of all four major championships.

A Marathon Match Tested Physical Limits

The battle was anything but straightforward. Alcaraz surged ahead, capturing the first two sets and seemingly controlling the tempo. However, the tide turned as Zverev, the World No. 3, mounted a fierce comeback, claiming the next two sets in tie-breakers to level the playing field.

The match's intensity peaked in the deciding fifth set, where Alcaraz broke Zverev's serve late to clinch the victory at 7-5. The total duration makes it the third-longest match ever played at the Australian Open, a testament to the sheer physical and mental fortitude required from both athletes.

Controversy Erupts Over Mid-Match Medical Timeout

The semifinal was not without drama. During the third set, Alcaraz appeared to experience significant physical distress, crouching down and grabbing his quadriceps. He subsequently received treatment during a changeover, a move that sparked immediate controversy.

German star Alexander Zverev was heard confronting the match official, alleging the treatment was for cramping, which is not permitted under Grand Slam rules for a medical timeout. According to sports journalist Olly Tennis, Zverev protested, stating, “It's unbelievable that he gets treated for cramps, it's BS.” This incident adds a contentious layer to an already epic showdown, though it did not derail Alcaraz's ultimate path to victory.

A Date with Destiny in the Final

Having sealed his final berth, Carlos Alcaraz now awaits the winner of the second semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner. A final against the legendary Djokovic would set up a blockbuster clash for the ages, while a matchup with the in-form Sinner promises a thrilling battle of youth and power.

Regardless of his opponent, Alcaraz will enter the final having been tested like never before. His ability to overcome not just a top-tier rival like Zverev, but also intense physical strain and match-length pressure, proves his championship mettle. The tennis world will watch closely this Sunday as the young Spaniard bids to make history and claim his place among the sport's immortals with a career Grand Slam.