Mirra Andreeva channels Roger Federer’s inner self to French Open glory

Mira Andreeva was not herself on Saturday. Andreeva’s fans noted her early career that she often seemed to lack the emotional control necessary for consistent winning at the Grand Slam level.

While on tour as a teenager, she sometimes expressed frustration when matches seemed out of her control. Small dips in pace often create visible irritation, whether through body language, hasty decision-making, or moments of audible self-criticism between points.

Earlier this year at Indian Wells, he broke a racket during his third-round exit and expressed his frustration towards the crowd. A few weeks later, she also cried after losing to Marta Kostyuk in the final of the Madrid Open.

But Mira Andreeva who Moved to center court against Maja Chwalinska Was different. She was calm, almost immovable, remaining calm even when the momentum threatened to take her away. Nothing seemed to disturb its rhythm or clarity.

She was calm and patient, as if in a meditative state, showing no signs of nervousness even when Chwalinska broke her serve three times. On the big day, it almost felt as if Roger Federer took over the court through Mirra Andreeva, epitomizing his trademark calmness under pressure.

And why not? Meera, in a way, was trying to emulate her idol. Result: First Grand Slam title.

federer inspiration

Mira Andreeva said that she took inspiration from Roger Federer. Courtesy: Reuters

Federer is remembered for his cool, collected, ice-cold presence on the court, especially in high-pressure moments. However, early in his career, he admitted to being more emotional, sometimes losing control, throwing the racket and showing obvious frustration during matches.

Over time, he worked on refining his temperament and learned to channel those emotions in a more controlled and productive way. Federer has always been a source of inspiration for Mira. Seeing his composure under pressure reinforced the belief that a stable mindset can be as important as technical skills in achieving success.

Mira said after the match, “I’ve watched a lot of Roger’s matches here. Obviously I’ll never have the same aura – no one will have the same aura, but I wanted to try to imitate the way he behaves on the court, because I love watching how he played.”

Federer himself has described his mental approach as a balance between fire and ice: fire is his desire to win, and ice is his ability to accept mistakes and remain calm under pressure. At Roland Garros, Mira held that same duality, there was fire in her heart to finally taste Grand Slam success, and ice in her veins to carry her across the finish line.

mindset reset

Mira Andreeva changed her mindset with the help of her psychologist. Courtesy: Reuters

Controlling natural instincts is never easy, especially during adolescence when emotions run high. For most players, that instability often spills over onto the court under pressure.

However, for Mirra, this change felt less like a technical adjustment and more like an internal shift driven by inspiration. The Russian player, who has spoken openly about his struggles with emotions on the court, said his move toward calm, controlled behavior was not driven by tactical changes, but by a deliberate choice in mindset and temperament.

“Well, I wouldn’t say there was any big reset or something that I decided to completely change or change the approach to the matches. There was nothing like that,” Meera said.

Read this also Mirra Andreeva wins French Open trophy twice in strange upset: Watch

Advice from her psychologist also helped Meira ahead of the high-voltage semi-finals and final, conditions that were unfamiliar to her, having never experienced success at that stage in a Grand Slam before.

Mira credited her psychologist, saying that she spoke to him in a 20 to 25-minute call before both the semi-finals and the final, and said that those conversations helped her unlock a strong fighting spirit within herself.

“I just decided that, as my psychologist says, you can always choose how you will be on the court and how you will play as well as who you will be as a person. So I just decided to choose to be a fighter,” Mira said.

the journey begins now

Mira Andreeva will now look to make an impact on grass at Wimbledon. Courtesy: Reuters

Till Saturday, Mira was not a Grand Slam champion. She won WTA 1000 titles in Indian Wells and Dubai last year, but a Grand Slam title is a different challenge altogether. When she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the Roland Garros quarterfinals In 2024, her clay-court ability was already evident.

That promise has now turned into reality after two years. Becoming the youngest female player to win a French Open title since Monica Seles in 1992 underlines how far she has come since her Grand Slam debut in 2023.

But the challenge begins now. In less than a month, Mira will step into Wimbledon under completely different circumstances. Grass remains an unfamiliar surface for her, with no run beyond the quarter-finals in this event so far. Later this year, she also awaits the US Open, a tournament where she has never advanced beyond the third round.

There is still a lot left for the Russian teenager. Coco Gauff won her first Grand Slam at the US Open 2023 before adding the Roland Garros title last year, showing the value of versatility on different surfaces.

Mirra will now be expected to build on that same adaptability, developing into a player no longer defined by emotional vulnerability or inconsistency, but by flexibility and control, someone who is a threat on every surface she plays on.

– ends

published by:

Sabyasachi Chaudhary

Published on:

June 7, 2026 05:00 IST

Source link

IND vs AFG: Sriganganagar’s Manav Suthar ends Rajasthan’s 12-year Test drought. cricket news

IND vs AFG: Sriganganagar's Manav Suthar ends Rajasthan's 12-year Test drought

Jaipur: The wait lasted for over a decade, but the dry spell for Rajasthan’s cricket fraternity finally ended on a historic Saturday morning in New Chandigarh. Ever since Pankaj Singh stepped into ancient India, no cricketer from the state has won the coveted Test cap. After a gap of 12 years, the desert state is back in the Test arena thanks to young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar from Sriganganagar.With this monumental feat, 23-year-old Manav entered an elite club, and became only the fifth cricketer from the state to represent the state in Test cricket after the great Salim Durani, Hanumant Singh, Parthasarathy Sharma and Pankaj Singh.Long before the national selectors took notice, the foundations for this historic moment were being laid in the home trenches. Vineet Saxena, former Rajasthan player and coach of the senior men’s team in the 2022-23 season, remembers a quiet morning ranji trophy The match of that year when he got his first glimpse of a human during a competitive game.“He was the guy who was getting players out in defense and slip,” recalls Saxena.For a seasoned guru like him, the wickets on the scorecard can sometimes be misleading, but the technical precision of dismissals reveals the bowler’s true ability. Saxena explains that what really makes Manav an exceptional left-arm spinner is his ability to fundamentally outwit batsmen, defeating them when they are actively trying to protect their stumps.“So generally, when we look at a bowler, the numbers don’t really indicate the way he is taking wickets. But if a bowler is getting the batsman out in his defence, it means that bowler has really good quality,” the former state coach said.Not only did his tactical brilliance catch everyone’s attention, but the incredible physical attributes of his bowling also caught everyone’s attention. Suthar had an innate ability to manipulate the ball in the air, giving it a heavy turn that became a nightmare for the home batsmen.“The other thing I noticed is the revs he puts on the ball, it’s amazing,” says Saxena. “In our language, we say the ball is spinning and flowing, and cutting through the surface. So it has to do with the revs he is able to impart on the ball. That’s something special he has.”That special quality came into reality during Manav’s second Ranji Trophy season in 2022-23. The young spinner tore apart the opposition lineup, taking 39 wickets in just six matches at an incredible economy of 2.90, including two five-wicket hauls and a match-winning ten-wicket haul.Yet, what makes Suthar the ideal modern cricketer, and why many are already looking at him as a potential successor to Ravindra Jadeja, is his immense all-round ability. Suthar was never satisfied with being a one-dimensional expert.“In one game that season, he took five wickets against Pondicherry and missed a century. So it would have been a big achievement,” says Saxena. “He can develop into a good all-rounder. And even in batting, what I saw at that time was that he was very eager to learn. So his mentality and attitude was the same.”Naturally, any young left-arm orthodox spinner who can bat and score massive runs at the domestic level will immediately be compared to Jadeja. As Manav officially begins his Test journey, the hype is palpable, but Saxena urges a balanced perspective while validating the young player’s immense talent.“Jadeja is probably one of India’s greatest all-rounders. So I think it would be wrong to compare humans with them at the moment. Man has to go a very long way to accomplish this,” says Saxena.Suthar’s adaptability became even more evident when he converted these red-ball performances into high-risk white-ball cricket. Saxena recalls how effortlessly the spinner held his own against some of the most dangerous, established pinch-hitters in the country, proving that he is a genuine all-format asset.“Facing a star-studded Mumbai team in the practice games ahead of the Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Ahmedabad, he produced an extraordinary performance against Shivam Dube. Despite Dube’s notorious dominance over left-arm spinners, he reduced the all-rounder’s scoring rate to under a run-a-ball and ended it by dismissing him. That fearlessness was not a one-off,”When the tournament officially began, Manav made his T20 debut against Madhya Pradesh as an impact player, tasked with containing the in-form Venkatesh Iyer.“Iyer is a good striker of the ball. In that game, he scored almost 60 runs off 30 balls. Of those, against Manav, it was just run-a-ball, and Manav bowled him around 8 to 10 balls. So even against pinch hitters, he was able to stop them. He has that skill for T20s as well. He is an all-format player, it’s not like he can only survive in the longer format,” he added. Said.

Source link

Shubman Gill advised to focus on WTC and ODI World Cup to avoid burnout.

The selection committee has asked Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill to prioritize red ball and 50-over cricket during the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle despite a stellar 2026 IPL, so that he remains fresh for the bigger tasks ahead.

on saturday, T20 squads announced for UK Tour and Asian Games And the stylish Indian Test captain was not considered as he has two major ICC assignments in a chalk-a-block calendar.

Gill scored 732 runs at a healthy strike-rate of over 163 in the recently concluded IPL – his best in the season – but with Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the team, it is difficult to place another quality top-order batsman.

“The selectors are concerned that there is no burn-out issue with Gill.

With the kind of calendar that the Indian cricket team has for the next 18 months, it is almost impossible to stay fresh if one plays three formats.

“Gill is scheduled to lead India in nine WTC Tests and also play around 35 ODIs before the start of the 2027 World Cup,” a BCCI source with knowledge of the development told PTI.

“The communication has been clear that he needs to be fit for these two ICC assignments. He will also be playing the IPL where he will lead Gujarat Titans,” the source said.

Although Gill is not in the T20 plans at the moment, he is expected to be back in action before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or the start of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

He said, “There is still a lot of time left for the two major T20 events in 2028. For Gill, the focus is on the immediate future. Two years from now, no one knows which player will be in what kind of form and fitness. So it is time till the 2027 ODI World Cup.”

– ends

published by:

Sabyasachi Chaudhary

Published on:

June 6, 2026 23:19 IST

Source link

‘Deserve a chance to prove’: Ashwin questions Suryakumar Yadav’s India T20 snub. cricket news

'Deserve a chance to prove': Ashwin questions Suryakumar Yadav's India T20 snub

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin The selectors’ decision to exclude has been questioned Suryakumar Yadav From India’s T20I setup, called it a “historic” and “ruthless” call and suggested that the World Cup-winning captain deserved more time to prove himself. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced India’s T20 squad for the tour of England and Ireland, with Shreyas Iyer named as captain and Tilak Verma as vice-captain.The decision cost Suryakumar both the captaincy and his place in the team, less than three months after leading India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the move was based on form and the team’s plans for the next T20 World Cup cycle. However, Ashwin feels Suryakumar has earned the opportunity to stake one final claim for himself, especially in the upcoming England series.Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Ashwin said that he was surprised by how the decision was taken and believed that Suryakumar’s contribution as captain should also have been taken into account.“Look, I think it’s a very interesting precedent, if I can say so. I just want to put myself in Suryakumar Yadav’s shoes and think for an example how he might be feeling at the moment. I’m sure every player has the right to be disappointed at being dropped from the team and if he’s feeling bad about it then that’s fair, but on the whole occasion, the way it’s been done, I’m a little apprehensive about the whole thing.”“Because I’m thinking in my mind, okay, I’m a T20 World Cup-winning captain. I’m just putting myself in Surya’s shoes and thinking about it. Obviously, my batting form has let me down in the last 18 months or 15 months or whatever. I am not in the best form I could be. But then I managed to win the T20 World Cup for the country. It wasn’t the greatest World Cup as a batsman, but certainly, like everyone else in the team – the coach, the vice-captain, the best performing batsman, the best performing bowler – he has also been the best performing captain, right? He has played his role.Ashwin said he understands the long-term vision of the selectors but feels Suryakumar deserves more support after winning the World Cup.“I watched Ajit’s press conference and I liked what he said: What are we planning for the next two years, which is a good way to look at it. But is there a possibility that they could have given Surya a little more time? And if you feel he is not in your XI, could he have been given the big England series to prove himself as a batsman that he belongs in that place? I think after achieving such a big feat in his career He deserved it.Ashwin said that this decision can become a reference point for future selection calls involving captains.“Is there any instance where a T20 World Cup-winning captain has been dropped without any ultimatum? I’m sure there would have been communication. I have no doubt about that. But if you ask me, it’s quite a historic day in selection, because the next time something like this comes up, it will be taken as some kind of precedent. And let’s not forget, T20 is a high-risk game where batsmen are expected to save their wickets. Those extra limitations Line up to score. You want them to play cricket where the risk is high and so my question is: could a slightly better deal have been made with the captain of the reigning champions?

Source link

Gautam Gambhir’s faith gave me freedom to perform: Sai Sudarshan credits Indian coach for 81 against Afghanistan

Sai Sudarshan revealed that the support from head coach Gautam Gambhir gave him the confidence and clarity to play his natural game, as the young batsman repaid that faith by scoring 81 on the opening day of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan.

On the eve of the match, Gambhir threw his full weight behind the Tamil Nadu left-hander, making it clear that six matches were not enough to assess a player’s potential and insisting that Sudarshan will be given a long rope as India look towards the future.

India vs AFG 1st Test Day 1: highlighted | Achievement:

The team management’s assurances appeared to have the desired effect as Sudarshan played with confidence and intent, helping India recover from the early setback with a crucial 139-run partnership with KL Rahul for the second wicket.

But I am saying The day’s play is over, Sudarshan said that the trust shown by the coach, captain and team management removed the doubts about the selection and allowed him to focus only on contributing to the team.

“I mean, it gives a lot of freedom. It gives so much certainty mentally when the coach, the team and the captain support you, support you and want you to do well for the country. They want you to do well for the team and win games. It’s an honor first of all,” Sudarshan said.

“Obviously, it gives you a lot of freedom to express yourself and do what you can do best, and not have to think, ‘Am I going to play the next game or not?’ Or whatever that type of idea is. This never happens because you have a lot of freedom from the team. “I think it’s a pleasure.”

While Sudarshan’s innings was one of the standout performances of the day, the left-hander immediately acknowledged Rahul’s role in helping him settle in the middle. The pair put on a partnership of 139 runs, with Sudarshan contributing 81 runs before falling short of his century.

According to Sudarshan, the discussion with Rahul was focused on understanding the conditions and staying one step ahead of the bowlers, and not on determining who would take the responsibility of scoring.

He said, “The conversation was about understanding what’s happening, understanding how the wicket is behaving and who is bowling what. With KL bhai, you know, he gives so much composure. When I bat with him, he gives a lot of certainty. It helps as a batsman, and he sees the game very well, so he gives a lot of useful hints that we will use in the game.”

The innings came as India’s batting unit spent considerable time discussing ways to improve against spin after their struggles on turning surfaces in South Africa. Sudarshan revealed that the focus was not just on surviving against the slow bowlers but also on finding scoring opportunities and maintaining pressure on the opponent.

“I think the biggest conversation was on how well we can play spin, how well we can understand conditions and score runs rather than just playing time. Personally, for me, mentally it was about believing in my abilities and what I can do as a batsman.

“And tactically, we were having a lot of conversations about what we can do to unsettle the bowler, what options we can take so that we keep the scoreboard ticking rather than just biding time and playing, where the pressure is always on.”

Afghanistan are expected to rely heavily on their spin attack as the match progresses, with Sudarshan believing that the surface could become more challenging for the batsmen over the next few days.

“I think in the coming days it may start to rotate more regularly and may even slow down a bit. I think given the way it’s behaving right now, it may even slow down and slow down.”

His assessment will be encouraging for India’s bowlers, who are likely to get more support as the Test draws to a close. However, for Sudarshan, the opening day was another important step towards establishing himself at the highest level, rewarded with an innings that justified the faith placed in him publicly by Gambhir before the match.

– ends

published by:

-Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

June 6, 2026 19:28 IST

Source link

Suryakumar out, Shreyas and Vaibhav Suryavanshi in: How India’s Ireland and England teams look different from the T20 World Cup. cricket news

Suryakumar out, Shreyas and Vaibhav Suryavanshi in: How India's Ireland and England teams look different from the T20 World Cup
How India’s Ireland and England teams look different from the T20 World Cup (Image: X)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced India’s squad for the upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England, and the selection signals the beginning of a new chapter in the team’s white-ball journey. While the core of India’s T20 World Cup-winning team remains intact, the latest squad features a new captain, several new faces and the absence of some established stars.

Shreyas Iyer has been made captain in place of Suryakumar Yadav.

Perhaps the biggest change is at the top. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as India’s new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The move marks the beginning of a new leadership cycle as India begins preparations for the 2028 T20 World Cup.Tilak Verma has also been promoted to the role of vice-captain, underscoring the management’s confidence in the young left-hander as a future leader.

Six new faces, six major exits

India has made six important changes compared to the T20 World Cup squad.Players who were involved in the World Cup setup but are absent from the Ireland and England tour squads include Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Rinku Singh. While Bumrah and Hardik have been rested and managed keeping long-term fitness goals in mind.The upcoming players are Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav and teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is in the news in the new look squad

No selection has generated more excitement than Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batsman has completed one of the most remarkable feats in Indian cricket history. After dominating the Under-19 World Cup and producing a sensational IPL 2026 season, Suryavanshi has earned his first senior India call-up. The talented left-hander scored 776 runs at a whopping strike rate of 237.30 during IPL 2026 and is now on the verge of becoming the youngest player to represent the India men’s team.

India’s T20 World Cup squad 2026

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dubey, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakraborty, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj (replacement).

India’s T20I squad for Ireland and England

Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dubey, Tilak Verma (vice-captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakraborty, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Source link

Shreyas Iyer includes T20I captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the squad for UK tour

India have ushered in a new era in T20I cricket by appointing Shreyas Iyer as captain for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, moving on from World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav. The decision marks another bold leadership change as the selectors continue to shape the team’s white-ball future.

The much-awaited inclusion of teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi is also likely to be included in the team announcement. After a record-breaking IPL campaign, the 15-year-old has been included in the squad for the first time and is set to be a part of India’s T20I plans for the Ireland and England series as well as the Asian Games later this year.

Many more to follow…

– ends

Published on:

June 6, 2026 13:31 IST

Source link

Who is Manav Suthar? Rajasthan all-rounder handed over Test cap to India against Afghanistan. cricket news

Who is Manav Suthar? Rajasthan all-rounder handed over Test cap to India against Afghanistan
Manav Suthar made his debut for India (Image: BCCI)

The dream of years finally became reality for Manav Suthar on Saturday, when the Rajasthan all-rounder got his first Indian Test cap ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.In a special moment during the pre-match presentation, senior spinner Kuldeep Yadav was handed the coveted Test cap, officially welcoming him into India’s Test fraternity.

Who is Manav Suthar?

Manav Suthar is a 23-year-old rising Indian cricketer who plays as a bowling all-rounder. A traditional slow left-arm orthodox spinner and utility lower-order batsman, Suthar represents Rajasthan in domestic cricket and is part of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). For Suthar, the occasion marks the culmination of a remarkable rise from the border town of Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan to the highest level of international cricket.The left-arm spinning all-rounder has long been seen as one of India’s most talented red-ball prospects. With Ravindra Jadeja rested for the Afghanistan Test, the selectors have given Suthar a chance to make his debut as they continue to assess India’s next generation of spin-bowling all-rounders.Suthar earned his first Test call-up after excellent performances in domestic cricket and for India A. He first gained national attention during the 2022–23 season. ranji trophy He finished the season as Rajasthan’s leading wicket-taker with 39 wickets in just six matches. Suthar entered international cricket with an impressive first-class record of 129 wickets and 945 runs in 29 matches. His performance for India ‘A’ has been excellent. He finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker during the unofficial Test series against Australia ‘A’ (which included an extraordinary 5/107) and excelled at the 2023 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

Toss update, India batted first

India won the toss against Afghanistan in Mullanpur and captain Shubman Gill decided to bat first. The playing XI for the one-off Test match is as follows:India (Playing XI): KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh KrishnaAfghanistan (Playing XI): Sediqullah Atal, Rehmanullah Gurbaz, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Afsar Zazai (w), Azmatullah Umarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote, Ziaur Rehman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi.

Source link

French Open women’s singles final live streaming, Mirra Andreeva vs Maja Chvalinska: Head-to-head, road to final and all you need to know

The women’s singles final at the 2026 French Open is set to provide a new champion and a compelling storyline as teenage sensation Mira Andreeva faces Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska at Court Philippe-Chatrier on Saturday, June 6.

Very few people would have predicted this matchup at the beginning of the tournament. Yet after a fortnight full of surprises, 19-year-old Andreeva and 24-year-old Chvalinska find themselves one win away from a first Grand Slam title.

For Andreeva, the final is another milestone in a rapid progression that has established her as one of the brightest young talents in women’s tennis. For Chwalinska, it’s the culmination of a remarkable Cinderella run that has captured fans’ imagination and defied expectations at every turn.

Andreeva’s moment to announce herself

Mira Andreeva will play her first Grand Slam final. Courtesy: Reuters

Andreeva arrived in Paris carrying the burden of expectations. Ranked 8th in the world rankings, she has long been seen as a future Grand Slam champion, and her run to the final has reinforced that belief. Last year, she announced herself as a genuine title contender by capturing WTA 1000 crowns in Dubai and Indian Wells, proving that she belongs on the sport’s biggest stage.

The Russian teenager has grown stronger with each passing round at Roland Garros. After losing a set in the second round, she progressed to the later stages of the tournament with ease, including a set Won 6-1, 6-3 win over Marta Kostyuk in the semi-finals. The win not only ensured Andreeva’s first Grand Slam final appearance, but also broke Kostyuk’s 17-match clay-court winning streak this season.

At just 19 years old, Andreeva is the youngest Grand Slam finalist since 2022 and the first player to reach a major singles final since 2005. Her record in Paris is equally impressive, with 17 wins from her first 20 main-draw matches at Roland Garros, a feat bettered only by Chris Evert, Margaret Court, Monica Seles and Iga Swiatek.

Andreeva’s credentials on clay are unquestionable. Already a multiple-time WTA champion, she has combined powerful shot-making with remarkable patience, showing a level of maturity rarely seen in a player her age.

A win on Saturday would not only give Andreeva her first Grand Slam title, but also confirm her arrival among the elite, fulfilling the huge promise she has shown since arriving on the tour as a teenager.

Chwalinska’s story grows

Maja Chwalinska has put in a dream performance at Roland Garros. Courtesy: Reuters

Standing in Mira Andreeva’s way is the tournament’s most unlikely finalist: Maja Chvalinska.

Chwalinska entered the French Open ranked world No. 114 and had to win three qualifying matches to enter the main draw. After nine wins, she became the first qualifier to reach the French Open women’s final in the Open era and the only Second female qualifier to make it to the Grand Slam finalAfter Emma Raducanu in 2021.

The race to the pole is built on resilience, strategic intelligence and unwavering faith. Unlike many of his powerful contemporaries, Chwaliska relies on variation, angles and deft touches. His use of slices, drop shots and changes of pace has repeatedly troubled higher ranked opponents.

Her semi-final win over Diana Schnyder displayed those qualities again, as she overcame physical discomfort and immense pressure to win in straight sets.

Ahead of the tournament, Chwalinska grappled with financial uncertainty, including concerns over housing costs, while prize money was pending pending the conclusion of the event. Polish company OSHEE later stepped in to cover her hotel expenses.

On paper, Andreeva remains the favourite. Her high ranking, heavy groundstrokes and experience against elite opposition give her a clear advantage. Yet Chwalinska has spent the last two weeks proving that rankings can mean nothing in a tournament driven by confidence and momentum.

road to final

mira andreeva

  • 1R: def. Fiona Ferro 6-3, 6-3
  • 2R: def. Marina Bassols Ribera 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
  • 3R: def. Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2
  • 4R: def. Jill Teachman 6-3, 6-2
  • QF: def. Sorana Cristea 6-0, 6-3
  • SF: def. Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3

maja chwalinska

  • Ability 1: Defeated. Amandine Rem 6-0, 6-3
  • Ability 2: Defeated. Carol Monet 6-0, 6-1
  • Qualifying Final: def. Suzanne Lammens 7-6(4), 7-5
  • 1R: def. Qianwen Zheng 6-4, 6-0
  • 2R: def. Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-0
  • 3R: def. Maria Sakkari 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
  • 4R: def. Dianne Perry 6-3, 6-2
  • QF: def. Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3
  • SF: def. Diana Schneider 7-6(4), 6-4

Mira Andreeva vs Maja Chvalinska face to face

Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chvalinska have not yet faced each other at the senior level. They will meet for the first time on the WTA Tour in the upcoming final.

When to watch the French Open women’s singles final

The women’s singles final between Mira Andreeva and Maja Chvalinska will not start before 6:30 pm IST.

Where to watch the French Open women’s singles final

Sony Sports Network holds the broadcast rights to the French Open. Live streaming of the women’s singles final will be available on Sony Liv and FanCode.

– ends

published by:

Sabyasachi Chaudhary

Published on:

June 6, 2026 06:00 IST

Source link

England vs New Zealand: Emilio Gay creates history on home soil, becomes the first batsman since Andrew Strauss to… cricket news

England vs New Zealand: Emilio Gay created history on home soil, becoming the first batsman after Andrew Strauss...
Emilio Gay and Andrew Strauss (Getty Images)

Batsman Emilio Gay etched his name in the record books on English cricket’s grandest stage with a composed half-century at Lord’s during the opening Test against New Zealand on Friday.The left-handed opening batsman scored 57 runs in 95 balls in England’s second innings and played a key role in giving the hosts the lead in a tightly contested match. While the innings ended when Nathan Smith edged Tom Blundell, Gay had already achieved a milestone that places him with some illustrious company.With his maiden Test half-century, Gay became the first England male opener to score a half-century on Test debut. keaton jennings Achieved the feat against India in Mumbai in 2016. More importantly, he became the first England opening batsman to score a half-century on Test debut on home soil. Andrew Strauss Scored 112 against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2004.Playing his first Test in the longest format, Gay displayed remarkable composure against a disciplined New Zealand attack. After coming under pressure from England early in the innings, he mixed flow with patience and hit eight fours and handled the new ball with confidence.His opening partnership of 52 with Ben Duckett provided England with a solid platform in the second innings, before he added another valuable partnership with Jacob Bethell. At a time when wickets were falling at regular intervals, Gay’s calm presence ensured that England remained in control of the contest.The 26-year-old’s innings was particularly impressive given the conditions at Lord’s, where New Zealand’s pace quartet had enjoyed movement and bounce all day. Despite facing consistent challenges from Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke and Nathan Smith, Gay displayed good technique and flair.Although he missed a dream century, the innings offered a glimpse of England’s future at the top of the order. By joining Strauss in an exclusive club and ending a 22-year wait for such a feat on home debut, Gay made a memorable debut in Test cricket.

Did Gay’s innings give you hope for England’s batting line-up?

Source link