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SCMP Sport

Agence France-Presse

Zheng Qinwen said there was very little difference between her and Coco Gauff after losing to the American in an epic Italian Open semi-final on Thursday.
Zheng had reached the last four in Rome by earning a first-ever win in seven meetings against world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.
But her journey at Foro Italico ended at the penultimate stage after Gauff eventually won their semi-final 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 in more than 3½ hours.
“I don’t think there’s a real gap between us,” Zheng said. “It all came down to a few crucial points.
“Actually, I had chances throughout the entire match. Maybe I should have been bolder or more aggressive in handling those crucial moments.”

Zheng said her narrow defeat to the world No 3 was a good warm-up for the second grand slam of the year.
“This match taught me a lot, particularly highlighting the technical aspects I need to improve,” she said. “It was an excellent clay-court battle as it truly tested my physical endurance.
“Moving forward to Roland Garros, I’ll definitely need better preparation. This match is a valuable warm-up for the French Open.”
Despite her victory, Gauff said she was pushed to her limits by the Olympic gold medallist.
“It was tough for me, finding my rhythm especially at night. It was so slow, I just tried to stay in there,” the former US Open champion said. “I was frustrated. She forced me to get out of my comfort zone.”
Gauff won her third straight match against Zheng, coming through a tie in which she made 15 double faults on serve and where there were a combined total of 156 unforced errors.
Gauff will face home favourite Jasmine Paolini in Sunday’s final in her bid for a first title of the season, after the Italian beat American Peyton Stearns 7-6, 6-1.
On the men’s side, world No 1 Jannik Sinner’s dream return to action following his three-month ban for a doping offence continued as he beat three-time grand-slam finalist Casper Ruud 6-0, 6-1.
The Italian accepted the ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency earlier this year following a positive test for a banned substance in March 2024.
Meanwhile, Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s run at the Tunis Open ended at the quarter-final stage, where he lost 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 to Russia’s Ivan Gakhov.


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WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

‘No gap between me and world’s best’ – Zheng defiant after epic loss to Gauff

Zheng Qinwen makes a return during her Italian Open semi-final defeat by Coco Gauff. Photo: Xinhua

Zheng Qinwen was beaten in the Italian Open semi-finals by Coco Gauff. Photo: Xinhua

Pope Leo receives world No 1 Jannik Sinner at the Vatican after pontiff’s tennis confession

Pope Leo XIV declined when Jannik Sinner handed him a racquet and asked him to play during a private audience at the Vatican. Photo: dpa

Jannik Sinner and Pope Leo with the Davis Cup, which Sinner helped Italy retain last year. Photo: EPA-EFE

Souness urges Premier League starlets to make the most of Hong Kong visit – like he did

Graeme Souness in action for Liverpool during their visit to Hong Kong in 1983. Photo: C.Y. Yu

Graeme Souness (right) with Liverpool teammates Mark Lawrenson (left) and Phil Neal in Hong Kong. Photo: C.Y. Yu

Sport

Tennis

American beats Zheng in match lasting more than 3½ hours at Italian Open, while Jannik Sinner storms into last four


American beats Zheng in match lasting more than 3½ hours at Italian Open, while Jannik Sinner storms into last four.


ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

‘No gap between me and world’s best’ – Zheng defiant after epic loss to Gauff

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}American beats Zheng in match lasting more than 3½ hours at Italian Open, while Jannik Sinner storms into last four

American beats Zheng in match lasting more than 3½ hours at Italian Open, while Jannik Sinner storms into last four