All posts tagged: Overcomes

Alexander Zverev overcomes nerves to win a grand slam in five-set thriller

Alexander Zverev overcomes nerves to win a grand slam in five-set thriller

Published by Sam Flores

In his fourth major final, Alexander Zverev can finally call himself a grand slam champion, holding his nerve to beat Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1. Both men were their own worst enemies at times, as the unforced error count mounted. But it was the favourite who was finally able to celebrate, falling backwards onto the clay in tears that were prompted by a mixture of both joy and relief. In 2024, when Zverev played his last Roland Garros final, his fortnight was overshadowed by a domestic violence trial that was discontinued the morning of the men’s semi-finals by a criminal court in Berlin. This time around, he has been the standout favourite since Jannik Sinner was undone by a combination of illness and heat in the second round. Only a year ago, Zverev proclaimed that “didn’t want to be the best player in history without a grand slam” and on Sunday, he ensured he would not be. The German had an ideal opportunity at the US Open in 2020 to win a …

Chakravarthy overcomes surface tension to end Kolkata’s losing streak

Chakravarthy overcomes surface tension to end Kolkata’s losing streak

Published by Sam Flores

NEW DELHI, April 20 : Varun Chakravarthy’s return to form helped Kolkata Knight Riders snap their winless streak on Sunday, but the 34-year-old said he and his fellow spinners are struggling to make an impact due to the Indian Premier League’s batting-friendly tracks. Chakravarthy was the joint highest wicket-taker at the Twenty20 World Cup, which India won earlier this year, and was expected to play a key role in Kolkata’s pursuit of a fourth IPL title. However, the leg-spinner began his campaign with three wicketless outings before claiming 2-34 in a loss to Gujarat Titans on Friday. On Sunday, it was a more familiar sight at Eden Gardens as Chakravarthy tormented batters on a slow track to claim 3-14 and set up Kolkata’s four-wicket victory against Rajasthan Royals, their first win in seven matches. Chakravarthy, who was named Player of the Match, said it would be difficult to consistently reproduce those kind of numbers due to the conditions. “Just because I’ve taken three wickets today, I don’t want to make a sweeping statement,” he told …

Sinner Overcomes Cramps, Heat to Continue Australian Open Title Defense. Djokovic Gets 400th Win

Sinner Overcomes Cramps, Heat to Continue Australian Open Title Defense. Djokovic Gets 400th Win

Published by Sam Flores

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Limping and desperately trying to stretch out cramps in his arms and legs, Jannik Sinner had just gone down a break in the third set when the extreme heat rules saved him. After being on the verge of an unlikely exit — one of his coaches, Darren Cahill, was urging the 24-year-old Italian just to stick it out for a few more games — Sinner won five of the next six games to take the set against No. 85-ranked Eliot Spizzirri. Another 10-minute “cooling break” between the third and fourth sets followed — an allowance under the extreme heat policy — and Sinner returned for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory that highlighted a dramatic contrast of intense light and shade. “I struggled physically today. I got lucky with the heat rule,” Sinner said, agreeing that the cooler indoor conditions suited him much more than the energy-sapping heat of the first two sets. “I try to stay calm even in a moment like this. If he keeps playing the way he …