Sports
Sönmez climbs to career-high No. 65, closing in on Turkish record
Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sönmez has pushed her career to a new peak, climbing to No. 65 in the latest WTA rankings released May 4, a rise fueled by a composed and competitive run at the Madrid Open.
The 24-year-old from Istanbul carried momentum onto the clay in Spain, reaching the third round of the WTA 1000 event with two measured wins.
She opened by dispatching Spanish wild card Carlota Martinez Cirez in straight sets, then showed resilience to outlast 27th seed Cristina Bucsa in a three-set battle that underlined her growing confidence at elite level.
Her run ended against Argentina’s Solana Sierra, but the damage had already been done in the rankings.
Those results added crucial points to a season that continues to trend upward.
Sönmez had already been flirting with a personal best earlier this spring, and Madrid provided the final push.
Her 2026 campaign now stands at 15 wins against 10 losses, with earnings nearing half a million dollars for the year and more than $1.7 million across her career.
Sönmez’s rise has been steady rather than sudden.
Since turning professional in her mid-teens, she has built her game through the ITF circuit before translating that consistency onto the WTA Tour.
The breakthrough came in 2024 with her maiden WTA title in Merida, followed by a landmark run to the third round of the 2026 Australian Open as a qualifier.
Earlier this year, she also secured the first Top 10 victory of her career, another signal of her upward trajectory.
Her latest ranking places her within striking distance of Turkish history.
Çağla Büyükakçay remains the benchmark with a career-high of No. 60, set in 2016, a mark that once defined the ceiling for Turkish women’s tennis.
Now, Sönmez is closing in, carrying the weight of expectation while expanding the horizon.
More importantly, she has emerged as the country’s leading active player, combining baseline consistency with improved shot selection on both hard and clay courts.
That versatility was evident in Melbourne and Madrid, and it gives her a platform to sustain progress through the rest of the season.
Fenerbahçe Beko are one win from another EuroLeague Final Four, carrying a 2-0 lead into hostile territory as the series shifts to Kaunas for Game 3.
The Turkish champions face Zalgiris Kaunas on Wednesday night at Zalgirio Arena, with a place in the 2026 Final Four in Athens within reach.
Back-to-back wins in Istanbul, 89-78 and 86-74, have put Fenerbahçe firmly in control of the best-of-five quarterfinal, leaving Sarunas Jasikevicius’s side needing just one more push to seal an eighth appearance on Europe’s biggest stage.
The matchup arrived finely balanced on paper. Fenerbahçe finished fourth in the regular season at 24-14, just ahead of fifth-placed Zalgiris at 23-15.
Yet the opening two games told a different story. Fenerbahçe dictated tempo, tightened defensively, and found scoring depth across the roster.
Tarik Biberovic set the tone early with a standout Game 1 display, while experienced figures like Nicolo Melli steadied the team in Game 2.
Wade Baldwin IV, a constant offensive engine throughout the season, continued to orchestrate with composure, blending scoring and playmaking as Zalgiris struggled to contain the visitors’ balance.
History leans heavily in Fenerbahçe’s favor. They have been a fixture of the Final Four in recent years, reaching five straight editions from 2015 to 2019 before returning in 2024 and 2025. Titles in 2017 and 2025 underlined their pedigree, and another deep run now feels within touching distance.
Their head coach knows Kaunas better than most. Jasikevicius, a former Zalgiris icon, returns to a familiar arena seeking to close out his former club. His emphasis on defensive discipline and structured execution has defined this playoff run, with Fenerbahçe holding Zalgiris below their regular-season scoring rhythm.
That contrast is striking. Zalgiris entered the playoffs as one of the competition’s most potent offenses, averaging 87.6 points per game, compared to Fenerbahçe’s 81.9. They also moved the ball more fluidly, posting nearly 19.4 assists per contest. But through two games, those strengths have been muted.
Sylvain Francisco, their leading scorer, remains central to any comeback hopes, especially in front of one of Europe’s loudest home crowds. Zalgirio Arena has long been a proving ground, and Zalgiris will lean on that energy to extend the series and force a return to Istanbul.
The head-to-head record adds another layer. Fenerbahçe lead 23-13 across 36 EuroLeague meetings and have historically had the upper hand in playoff encounters, including a Final Four semifinal win in 2018 and a 3-1 series victory in 2019. Yet Zalgiris swept both regular-season meetings this year, a reminder that the margin is not as wide as the current series suggests.
Now the stakes sharpen. A Fenerbahçe win ends the contest and books their ticket to Athens, where the Final Four will be held from May 22 to 24. A Zalgiris response keeps their season alive and shifts the pressure back to Istanbul for Game 4.
Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain reconvene on Wednesday with the Champions League semi-final hanging in the balance, a one-goal margin separating two sides who turned the first leg into a spectacle rarely seen at this stage of the competition.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich must overturn a 5-4 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, a scoreline that only begins to tell the story of a first leg defined by attacking brilliance and defensive collapse in equal measure.
The nine-goal contest in Paris set a new benchmark for semi-final chaos, with momentum shifting almost by the minute.
PSG seized early control through a devastating attacking trio. Ousmane Dembele stretched Bayern’s shape with relentless direct running, Desire Doue exploited pockets between the lines, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia delivered cutting edge in the final third.
Together, they were involved in seven goals during a blistering opening hour that left Bayern chasing shadows and the tie seemingly slipping away.
Yet Bayern’s response was as emphatic as it was alarming for PSG. From 5-2 down, the German side struck twice in four frantic minutes, exposing the same defensive fragility that had plagued both teams throughout the night.
It turned a one-sided contest into a knife-edge battle and shifted psychological momentum ahead of the return leg.
For Vincent Kompany, who watched the first leg from the stands due to suspension, the challenge now is twofold.
Bayern must rediscover defensive control without dulling an attack that has become one of the most prolific in Europe.
Their recent numbers underline the contradiction. Twenty-two goals have been scored across their last three matches, while 59 have been recorded in their previous 11, an average that points to relentless attacking output but also structural vulnerability.
Domestic form has done little to settle nerves.
A chaotic 3-3 draw with Heidenheim extended Bayern’s winless streak, their longest of the season, and required a stoppage-time intervention from Michael Olise to salvage a point. Yet that same unpredictability fuels belief.
Bayern have already staged a 4-3 comeback win from three goals down against Mainz, proof that they remain capable of overwhelming any opponent in bursts.
History, however, is less forgiving. Bayern have lost the first leg of a European semi-final ten times and progressed only once.
That record looms large, especially against a PSG side that has built a reputation for managing two-legged ties with efficiency.
The French champions have advanced in 36 of 43 instances after winning the first leg, including 14 of 17 when the margin was a single goal.
Luis Enrique dismissed suggestions that the first leg exposed defensive weakness, pushing back strongly against that narrative and framing the game instead as a showcase of attacking quality. His team’s recent away form supports that confidence.
PSG have won six straight matches on the road in all competitions, keeping five consecutive clean sheets, a run that suggests a level of control rarely associated with such high-scoring encounters.
Still, Munich presents a different test. Bayern have won five of their last six home meetings with PSG, scoring 15 goals in that stretch, and the Allianz Arena has long been a stage where attacking intent is amplified rather than contained.
Team news could shape the tactical balance. Bayern are close to full strength, with Harry Kane leading the line as he targets a seventh consecutive Champions League match with a goal, a streak that would extend his own record as the first English player to score in six straight games.
Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer return to anchor midfield and defence, while Alphonso Davies adds pace on the flank.
PSG, meanwhile, must adjust without Achraf Hakimi, whose absence removes both defensive stability and attacking width.
Warren Zaire-Emery is expected to slot into a deeper role, allowing Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz to reassemble a midfield trio that balances control with progression.
There is also individual history within reach.
Kvaratskhelia sits on 10 goals in this season’s competition, level with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s club record, and one strike away from setting a new PSG benchmark. Across both teams, the attacking output has been relentless.
PSG have scored 43 goals in this Champions League campaign, Bayern 42, both closing in on Barcelona’s long-standing record of 45 in a single season.
Istanbul will again turn into a global stage for living heritage as the Ethnosport Culture Festival returns for its eighth edition from May 21 to 24, blending traditional sport, culture and community into one of the city’s most immersive public events.
Staged at Ataturk Airport, the four-day festival offers free entry and a full daily program, drawing thousands of visitors into a space where heritage is not just displayed but lived.
Organized by the World Ethnosport Union, the event continues to expand its global reach, attracting athletes and cultural representatives from across Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
What sets Ethnosport apart is its hands-on approach.
Visitors step directly into the action, testing their skill in disciplines such as traditional archery, horseback riding and various forms of wrestling, from oil wrestling to belt and shalwar styles.
Indigenous games like mangala and ashyk sit alongside high-intensity showcases such as kokboru and mounted javelin, turning the grounds into a dynamic arena of both competition and cultural exchange.
Beyond sport, the festival unfolds as a living village.
Nomadic-style tents, oba settlements and themed cultural zones recreate traditional lifestyles, offering an immersive window into the past.
Workshops in crafts and traditional arts invite participation, while stages host performances, music and theatrical shows that carry the rhythm of diverse cultures.
Food remains another cornerstone. Gastronomy areas present a wide range of traditional cuisines, allowing visitors to taste the shared heritage of different regions in one setting.
The festival’s international identity remains one of its strongest draws.
Countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Korea and Tunisia have previously showcased their traditions, contributing to a vibrant cultural mosaic that positions Istanbul as a meeting point of civilizations.
Family remains central to the experience.
Dedicated children’s zones, interactive games and inclusive programming ensure accessibility for all ages and backgrounds.
Special initiatives also aim to engage disadvantaged groups, reinforcing the festival’s broader message that cultural heritage belongs to everyone.
Since its early editions in the mid-2010s, Ethnosport has grown into more than an annual gathering.
It stands as a platform for preserving collective memory while adapting it to the modern world, bridging generations through sport, art and shared experience.
Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sönmez arrives at the Italian Open carrying growing confidence from a more productive clay-court swing, as she targets consistency, physical resilience and deeper runs against elite opposition at the WTA 1000 level.
Sönmez, who has steadily climbed the WTA Rankings this season, said the difference compared to last year lies in preparation, match volume and a clearer sense of control on clay.
The 22-year-old enters Rome in the main draw, reflecting both her improved ranking position and a season that has already included noticeable steps forward at major events, including the Australian Open.
She describes the clay season as “more efficient and more stable” than in 2025, pointing to increased match play and a better adaptation period as key factors behind her progress. While she avoids overcomplicating expectations, she believes her game is increasingly suited to the demands of the surface.
The physical strain of clay remains central to her thinking. Rather than setting result-based targets, Sönmez is prioritising durability through a packed schedule, especially with the European swing intensifying ahead of French Open.
Her approach is simple: stay healthy, stay on court, and let repetition build rhythm.
The memory of last season still lingers as a reference point rather than a setback. Early exits in qualifying rounds and a first-round loss at Roland Garros have become benchmarks for how far she has progressed since. This year, she returns to both events in a stronger position, with direct access to main draws and a clearer competitive identity.
“I want to take lessons from every match and improve within the tournament,” she said in reflecting on her goals. The emphasis, she adds, is less about a single result and more about sustaining performance across multiple matches, something she struggled to string together last season.
Exposure to top-ranked players has also become a regular part of her development. Training and competing in the same environment as players inside the top 10 and top 20, she said, no longer feels unfamiliar. Instead, it has become a standard part of life on tour, offering both tactical learning and mental adjustment.
Away from clay, her attention is already drifting toward grass, where Wimbledon remains her standout target. She describes the surface and atmosphere as unique, adding that she enjoys the transition despite the technical challenge it presents after the grind of clay.
Still, she is careful not to look too far ahead. The immediate focus remains Rome, where managing energy, avoiding injury and building match rhythm take priority over ranking points or long-term projections.
That ranking, however, continues to move in the right direction. Now inside the top 70, Sönmez downplays the numbers, saying she rarely follows them closely and prefers to receive updates from her team rather than track fluctuations herself. For her, the more important signal is internal: whether her level feels higher from week to week.
Behind the scenes, she credits her support system for keeping her stable through constant travel and competition. Her team, family and close circle, she said, provide the emotional balance required to handle the demands of the tour, particularly during the physically taxing clay stretch.
Inter Milan secured their third Serie A title in six seasons on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Parma, sparking celebrations inside a packed San Siro and across the city.
Marcus Thuram opened the scoring just before halftime with a composed side-foot finish before Henrikh Mkhitaryan sealed the result in the second half to effectively clinch the Scudetto.
With three matches remaining, Inter hold a 12-point lead over defending champions Napoli and are 15 points clear of city rivals AC Milan in third.
The San Siro was awash in blue and black as fans celebrated the club’s 21st Italian league title, with thousands more gathering outside the Duomo in central Milan to mark the occasion.
The triumph caps a strong response to last season’s painful finish under head coach Cristian Chivu, who took charge last summer with limited top-level managerial experience and has since guided the squad through a composed and consistent campaign.
Less than a year after losing the 2025 title race by a point and falling 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, Inter are back at the top.
“Today, we are all happy, but we must not forget all the work accomplished, because it was very difficult to start again after the end of last season when we lost in all the competitions we could win,” Inter captain Lautaro Martinez said.
Chivu’s rejuvenating effect
Inter owe much of this success to Chivu, the club’s former player and a surprise appointment in June to replace Simone Inzaghi, who won six trophies and reached two Champions League finals in four seasons before leaving for a lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia.
With small steps and few new signings, Chivu has breathed new life into the side.
Inter can complete a league and cup double if they beat Lazio in the Coppa Italia final on May 13 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Juventus missed a chance to take third place in Serie A after a 1-1 draw at home with relegated Hellas Verona.
The Turin club moved three points clear of Como in the race for fourth place and a Champions League qualifying spot.
AC Milan had already surrendered their slim hopes of catching Inter, falling 2-0 at midtable Sassuolo.
Milan endured a difficult afternoon in Reggio Emilia, suffering a fourth defeat in their last seven matches.
Juventus remained two points behind Milan after struggling to break down Verona, who were relegated on Friday.
While Juve dominated possession, they fell behind when Domagoj Bradaric pounced on a poor pass and delivered a low cross that Kieron Bowie finished.
It was one of Verona’s only two shots on target. Bowie later forced Michele Di Gregorio into a save from distance in the final minutes.
Juventus, meanwhile, had 23 shots, with six on target.
Dusan Vlahovic equalized in the 61st minute with a free kick from 25 meters.
In Reggio Emilia, Sassuolo took the lead in the fifth minute through Domenico Berardi.
Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan side played with 10 men for most of the match after Fikayo Tomori was sent off in the 24th minute.
Armand Lauriente doubled Sassuolo’s lead in the 47th minute, and a series of substitutions from Allegri failed to change the outcome.
“I understand our fans’ frustration; we all want to secure Champions League qualification as soon as possible,” Allegri told DAZN.
“In these difficult times, we must keep our heads held high. We have three matches left, and with two wins, we’ll be in the Champions League.”
Real Madrid delayed Barcelona’s title celebrations with a composed 2-0 win over Espanyol on Sunday, powered by a clinical second-half brace from Vinicius Junior that kept La Liga’s outcome on ice for at least another week.
Barcelona had been poised to seal back-to-back titles if Madrid slipped in Catalonia, but Alvaro Arbeloa’s side showed resolve despite an inconsistent run, trimming the gap to 11 points with four games left.
The title race now rolls into a decisive Clasico next weekend, where only a Madrid victory can extend the fight.
Madrid arrived under pressure, short of form and without injured star Kylian Mbappe, having won just three of their previous nine league matches.
Espanyol, meanwhile, were desperate for points in their battle to steer clear of relegation, but their resistance ultimately faded after the break.
The first half lacked cutting edge.
Vinicius came closest, striking the post with a deflected effort, while Federico Valverde and Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera tested both goalkeepers in a tightly contested spell.
A flashpoint arrived when Omar El Hilali was initially sent off for a challenge on Vinicius, only for VAR to downgrade the decision to a yellow card.
Madrid found their rhythm early in the second half.
Vinicius broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, exchanging passes with substitute Gonzalo Garcia before gliding past defenders and finishing sharply at the near post.
He struck again 11 minutes later, this time with finesse, curling into the top corner after a clever backheel assist from Jude Bellingham.
The Brazilian’s double underlined his growing influence and silenced doubts about his partnership with Mbappe.
Madrid threatened more through Bellingham, Garcia and Franco Mastantuono, but two goals proved sufficient.
Espanyol’s struggles continued, extending their winless run to 17 matches.
They sit 13th, five points above the drop zone, with pressure mounting as the season winds down.
Elsewhere, Rayo Vallecano beat Getafe 2-0 ahead of their Conference League semifinal second leg against Strasbourg, while Celta Vigo boosted their European hopes with a 3-1 win over Elche.
Real Betis also strengthened their top-five push, easing past bottom-placed Oviedo 3-0.
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