Sports
Reigning champ Alcaraz, Fritz go grass to wall in Wimbledon semifinal
Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning two-time champion and world No. 2, will face off against Taylor Fritz, the red-hot American seeded fifth, who’s making his first Wimbledon semifinal appearance on Friday.
Alcaraz is chasing history. Still only 22, the Spaniard has won 23 consecutive matches at Wimbledon and is undefeated on Centre Court since 2023.
A third straight title would place him among the game’s greatest grass-court champions, joining names like Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.
But standing in his path is Fritz, a man on a mission.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed the best grass-court season of his career, winning titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne and notching a tour-leading 18 victories on grass this year.
Alcaraz’s route to the final four hasn’t been entirely smooth, but it’s been commanding.
He survived a five-set test against veteran Fabio Fognini in the first round, then dispatched Oliver Tarvet, Jan-Lennard Struff and 14th seed Andrey Rublev before breezing past Cameron Norrie in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
Against Norrie, he produced arguably his cleanest performance of the tournament, blasting 13 aces, firing 39 winners and winning 89% of his first-serve points – his highest mark in any major match to date.
He never allowed the Brit to settle, converting three of five break points and dominating from start to finish.
Alcaraz has already won three clay-court titles this season, including his second straight French Open, and added a Queen’s Club crown on grass.
With 34 wins in 37 career matches on grass and a 23-match win streak across all surfaces, he enters the semifinals as the tournament’s most in-form player.
If he goes on to lift the trophy again, he would become only the fifth man in the Open era to win three straight Wimbledon titles and only the third to complete back-to-back French Open-Wimbledon doubles – a feat not seen since the days of Borg and Nadal.
Off the court, the Spaniard has stayed relaxed, even hitting the golf course with Andy Murray between matches.
Fritz, meanwhile, started his campaign with back-to-back five-set marathons, outlasting Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Gabriel Diallo.
In the third round, he eased past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, then advanced via walkover in the fourth after Jordan Thompson withdrew.
In the quarterfinals, Fritz overcame a nagging foot injury and a momentary third-set collapse to defeat 17th seed Karen Khachanov in four sets.
He dominated the early going with a 90% first-serve win rate and 16 aces but struggled in the third before regaining control in a fourth-set tiebreak.
There was even controversy when Wimbledon’s new electronic line-calling system malfunctioned, forcing a replayed point, but Fritz kept his cool.
This breakthrough run marks a personal redemption arc.
Twice before – in 2022 and 2024 – Fritz had reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals, only to fall in five sets.
He admitted after the Khachanov win that a third heartbreak would’ve been tough to take.
Now, he has a chance to become the first American man in a Wimbledon final since Andy Roddick in 2009 and the first champion since Sampras in 2000.
Though Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 2-0, both matches came on hard courts in 2023, and the two have never met on grass.
That fact alone injects fresh intrigue into the contest.
Alcaraz’s all-court game, movement and shot variety have translated superbly to grass, but Fritz’s booming serve and aggressive baseline play have made him one of the most dangerous players on the surface this year.
Tactically, Alcaraz will aim to attack Fritz’s second serve and extend rallies to draw errors.
His ability to mix in drop shots and take control at the net will be crucial in disrupting Fritz’s rhythm.
On the other side, Fritz must hit a high first-serve percentage – north of 70 – and take control early in points.
His forehand will be a weapon, and he may mix in serve-and-volley tactics to keep rallies short and exploit the low bounce.
The semifinal will be played on Centre Court, where Alcaraz has a perfect 19-0 record since 2023.
London’s unpredictable weather could force the roof to close, potentially favoring Fritz’s flatter power game.
Conditions are expected to be mild, with a chance of light showers, which may speed up the court slightly under the roof.
Predictive models give Alcaraz a 78% chance of advancing to the final, where either world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic awaits.
The Spaniard’s superior grass-court record and proven big-match mentality make him the favorite, but Fritz’s confidence and serving form make him a real threat, especially if he starts strong and keeps the pressure on.
The broader context adds more weight to the moment.
For Alcaraz, a win would mean a third straight Wimbledon final and a chance to raise a sixth Grand Slam trophy. For Fritz, it’s a shot at ending a 25-year drought for American men at the All England Club and etching his name in tennis history.
A Spanish court on Wednesday sentenced Brazil’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, to one year in prison for tax fraud dating back to his tenure as Real Madrid manager in 2014.
The Madrid court also imposed a fine of 386,000 euros ($452,187) on Ancelotti.
Spanish prosecutors accused him of evading 1 million euros ($1 million) in taxes during 2014 and 2015 and had sought a prison term of up to four years and nine months on two counts of tax fraud.
In March 2024, prosecutors alleged Ancelotti used shell companies – including one based in the Virgin Islands with no real economic activity – to conceal his true earnings.
In Spain, a judge can suspend a sentence of less than two years for first-time offenders.
A staffer on Ancelotti’s team said that his lawyers welcomed the court’s decision, which also ruled that Ancelotti was not formally a Spanish resident in 2015.
The staffer spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Brazil’s football confederation has not publicly commented on the court’s ruling.
The Italian coach is the latest in a string of major football figures to face a crackdown by Spanish authorities over unpaid taxes, although none have actually been sent to prison so far.
That list includes star players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Jose Mourinho, another former Madrid coach.
Ancelotti, who turned 66 last month, is one of football’s most successful coaches. He is the only coach to have won the Champions League five times – three with Madrid and twice with AC Milan – and the only coach to have won domestic league titles in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France.
Ancelotti left his second stint at Real Madrid to take over Brazil’s national team.
This weekend marks a pivotal chapter for Turkish motorcycle racing, as four riders – Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, Bahattin Sofuoğlu, Can Öncü and Deniz Öncü – gear up to make their mark across Europe.
The speedsters will grace two key venues, the World Superbike and Supersport Championships at Donington Park, England, and the Moto2 World Championship at Sachsenring, Germany.
Under Kenan Sofuoğlu, the Turkish Motorcycle Federation’s National Teams captain and multiple-time WSSP world champion, they aim to shine on these fiercely competitive global stages.
At Donington Park, a 4.02-kilometer layout famed for its flowing corners and elevation shifts, the seventh WSBK round promises high-speed drama over three races scheduled across Saturday and Sunday.
Razgatlıoğlu’s dominance
The reigning 2024 World Superbike champion, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, returns on his BMW M 1000 RR, riding with the coveted No. 1 plate as he chases a third WSBK title in what will be his final championship season before moving to MotoGP in 2026 with Prima Pramac Racing.
Toprak’s dominance at Donington is undeniable – last year, he swept all three races with a commanding performance that included a staggering 11.3-second victory margin in the first race and a streak of seven consecutive wins at the track.
Despite a setback last season with a pneumothorax after a crash in Magny-Cours, Toprak’s resilience shone through as he clinched the title at Jerez and returned strong for podiums in subsequent rounds.
His preparation, overseen by Kenan Sofuoğlu, and his recent adjustments to the bike and tires highlight his intent to defend his crown against fierce rivals such as Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega and Alvaro Bautista, as well as British favorites eager to excel on home turf.
Sofuoğlu’s momentum
In the World Supersport Championship, Turkish hope Bahattin Sofuoğlu, also mentored by Kenan, looks to build momentum after a challenging 2024 season.
Riding for Yamaha Motoxracing, Bahattin arrives at Donington aiming to convert potential into points and possibly podium finishes.
The technical demands of the Donington layout suit his riding style, but he faces stiff competition from seasoned riders like Stefano Manzi and compatriot Can Öncü, who also competes in the Supersport class under Kawasaki Puccetti Racing.
Can, a former Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup champion, is hungry for his first WSSP victory.
Although consistency has eluded him, his pace and determination have grown steadily, setting the stage for a breakthrough performance at Donington.
Both Bahattin and Can will contest two races each weekend, with qualifying and practice sessions starting July 11.
Another Öncü
Meanwhile, the Moto2 World Championship’s 11th round unfolds at Germany’s demanding Sachsenring circuit, known for tight corners and technical challenges.
Deniz Öncü, Can Öncü’s twin brother and a promising young talent with the Red Bull KTM Ajo Team, hopes to capitalize on his growing experience to secure a podium finish.
At just 20 years old, Deniz Öncü is carving a path toward MotoGP, facing fierce rivals such as Jake Dixon and Tony Arbolino.
His weekend begins with practice and qualifying on July 12, followed by the 25-lap main race on July 13.
This weekend is not just about races; it’s about the rise of Turkish motorcycle racing on the global stage.
Under Kenan Sofuoğlu’s mentorship, the quartet of Toprak, Bahattin, Can, and Deniz symbolizes Türkiye’s growing presence and ambition in the sport.
Toprak’s title defense and record-chasing runs at Donington, combined with the Öncü twins’ potential in Supersport and Moto2, frame a narrative of resilience, youth, and tactical mastery.
With British riders like Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes pushing hard at home and top Supersport and Moto2 contenders in pursuit, the battles on track will be fierce and unpredictable.
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are headed for a seismic semifinal clash at Wimbledon, where the world No. 1 Italian and the seven-time champion Serbian will meet on Friday.
At the same time, the women’s draw promises intrigue as Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic prepare to square off for a place in the final.
Sinner, 23, has stormed into his second consecutive Wimbledon semifinal, riding a wave of form and growing belief.
He swept past American Ben Shelton in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, despite carrying an elbow injury sustained during a harrowing fourth-round battle with Grigor Dimitrov.
That match had seen Sinner fall awkwardly in the first game and require a medical timeout.
Down two sets, he clawed back before Dimitrov was forced to retire due to his own injury.
Against Shelton, Sinner wore a sleeve and strapping on his racquet arm, playing through discomfort and relying on painkillers to stay sharp.
He also switched to new shoes designed for extra grip on the slick grass, a tactical adjustment after slipping earlier in the tournament.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, he said, “The pain is getting better. I played today with some painkillers which helped me to get through. I played with completely new shoes to have more grip.”
Now comes the real test. While Sinner has won his last four matches against Djokovic – including a straight-sets triumph in the French Open semifinals just weeks ago – he has yet to beat the Serbian on Wimbledon’s grass.
“I’ve never won against him here in Wimbledon, so it’s going to be a very, very tough challenge,” Sinner said.
On the other side of the net, Djokovic continues to defy age and expectation.
At 38, the Serbian advanced to his 14th Wimbledon semifinal, breaking Roger Federer’s record for most appearances at this stage of the tournament.
His four-set win over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli wasn’t without drama; leading 5-4 in the fourth set, Djokovic slipped awkwardly while serving for the match, prompting concerns over his physical condition.
“There is a concern, but we’ll see in the next 24 to 48 hours,” Djokovic told BBC Sport. “It was an awkward, nasty fall.” Still, he closed out the match and extended his all-time record to 52 Grand Slam semifinal appearances. He knows what lies ahead. “It’s going to take the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik,” he said, emphasizing the physical demands he expects from the upcoming duel.
Their head-to-head is rich with storylines.
While Djokovic holds two previous Wimbledon victories over Sinner – in the 2022 quarterfinals and the 2023 semifinals – the Italian has turned the tide in recent meetings.
The contrast in styles is sharp: Sinner’s aggressive baseline game and flat, powerful groundstrokes against Djokovic’s unmatched court sense and shot variation.
Both come into the match nursing injuries, adding an unpredictable layer to an already heavyweight encounter.
Women on fire
As the men’s semifinal draws most of the spotlight, the women’s competition is building its own compelling narrative.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek reached the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Liudmila Samsonova, while Olympic champion Belinda Bencic eased past 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 6-2. Swiatek, long dominant on clay and hard courts, is now chasing her first Wimbledon title, the final piece in her surface sweep.
Bencic, meanwhile, has rediscovered her rhythm on grass, using her all-court game and steady mentality to navigate a tough draw.
Their semifinal presents an intriguing contrast.
Swiatek’s heavy topspin and relentless baseline pressure will face a stern test against Bencic’s adaptability, clean timing, and grass-court intelligence. Both players have looked composed, clinical, and confident heading into this stage.
At this point in the tournament, everything sharpens – movement, mind, margins.
Sinner is aiming to announce himself as the new face of men’s tennis. Djokovic is fighting to extend his reign and add a 25th Grand Slam title to a record-smashing career.
Swiatek seeks to expand her dominance across surfaces, while Bencic is bidding for a breakthrough on the sport’s biggest stage.
As Turkish football gears up for the 2024-25 season, Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu delivered a firm warning to referees and a rallying cry for unity and reform across all levels of the game.
Speaking at the TFF’s Ordinary Financial General Assembly in Ankara, where the federation’s 2024-25 fiscal activities were up for approval, Hacıosmanoğlu opened by honoring the 12 Turkish soldiers who died during the Pençe-Kilit Operation.
He later congratulated Galatasaray and ABB Fomget on their league titles, expressing gratitude to every club, player, and official contributing to Turkish football.
“Since assuming this role on July 18, 2024, we’ve taken off our club jerseys to serve the entire football family,” he said. “We’ve embraced transparency, stayed equidistant to all clubs, and worked for the game’s growth.”
‘No room for deliberate errors’
The president’s most striking message targeted match officials.
“I believe our referees will steer clear of anything beyond human error this season,” Hacıosmanoğlu said. “Those who don’t, won’t walk this path with us.”
Referencing concerns from the latter half of last season, he cited fears among some referees about leadership turnover and loyalties within the federation.
“Some said, ‘Let’s wait three months, he’ll be gone.’ Then it became six,” he said. “I never asked for loyalty to me or any executive. I asked only for referees to uphold the dignity of their role – for themselves, their families, their cities, and this institution.”
Hacıosmanoğlu stressed that referees must be free from external influences and make decisions solely based on integrity. “On the pitch, I can’t interfere,” he added. “But off the pitch, if you’re making deliberate errors, you’re not part of this vision.”
‘Build value through competition, not conflict’
The TFF president called for a stronger football brand built on “qualified competition, not quarrels,” echoing the sentiments of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who urged for a football culture based on sportsmanship, not tension.
“We must grow clubs with stronger finances and youth systems,” Hacıosmanoğlu said. “That’s how we’ll raise competition and win on the international stage. It’s how Turkish football will earn global respect.”
He called for unity to meet state-backed goals and satisfy rising fan expectations.
“Let’s fill the stands with brotherhood,” he said. “Let’s walk this path hand in hand – for Turkish football, and for its future.”
The 2025/26 Turkish Super Lig season is shaping up with a flurry of headline-grabbing transfers as Beşiktaş, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe race to strengthen their squads.
Orkun Kökçü up for Beşiktaş switch
Beşiktaş are closing in on a marquee signing with 24-year-old Turkish midfielder Orkun Kökçü set to leave Benfica.
A lifelong Beşiktaş fan, Kökçü has reportedly turned down offers from Europe’s elite – Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Inter Milan – and Saudi giants Al-Nassr to join the Black Eagles.
Kökçü’s rise has been steady and impressive: from Feyenoord (175 games, 32 goals, 26 assists) to Benfica, where he’s contributed 19 goals and 22 assists in 98 appearances.
Despite a 30 million euro-plus valuation ($35.1 million), Benfica demand up to 40 million euros.
Beşiktaş president Serdal Adalı’s direct negotiations in Portugal indicate the club is exploring loan-to-buy and partial rights deals, aiming to finalize the transfer soon.
The midfielder’s fallout with Benfica coach Bruno Lage, highlighted during the FIFA Club World Cup clash with Auckland City, has accelerated his desire to leave.
If sealed, Kökçü’s creativity and leadership will bolster Beşiktaş’s midfield, joining recent signings David Jurasek and Tammy Abraham, signaling high ambitions under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Victor Osimhen set to stay at Galatasaray
After an electrifying loan spell, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen looks poised to make his stay at Galatasaray permanent.
The 26-year-old, Süper Lig’s Golden Boot winner with 37 goals in 41 matches, has reportedly agreed to a four-year deal worth 16 million euros net annually, with Galatasaray ready to trigger Napoli’s 75 million euro release clause.
Osimhen’s retention marks a major coup for the Turkish champions, who also signed Leroy Sane this window.
While Napoli courts other offers, the player’s preference for Istanbul has pushed the deal close to completion, with announcements expected soon.
This focus has deprioritized Galatasaray’s earlier interest in Orkun Kökçü.
Goalkeeper search intensifies at Galatasaray
With veteran captain Fernando Muslera aging gracefully at 39, Galatasaray is eyeing fresh goalkeeping talent.
Muslera kept 12 clean sheets in 36 games last season but the club’s ambition calls for a long-term successor.
Targets include Fenerbahçe’s Dominik Livakovic – a tough acquisition given his form and rival status; Manchester United’s Altay Bayındır, a Turkish keeper familiar with the Süper Lig; and Porto’s Diogo Costa, whose 45 million euro price tag and Premier League interest make him a distant hope.
After a quiet falling-out with Barcelona following the arrival of Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has reportedly emerged as a potential target for Galatasaray, though concrete details remain scarce.
The club is prioritizing experience and leadership between the posts, with no deal imminent but negotiations expected to heat up.
Fenerbahçe’s bold pursuit of Marcus Rashford
Fenerbahçe has emerged as a surprising suitor for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, who struggled in the last Premier League season with just eight goals.
Manager Jose Mourinho, familiar with Rashford’s potential, is reportedly keen to reunite.
Despite high wages (15 million euros annually) and a hefty transfer fee demand (40 million euros), Fenerbahçe sees Rashford as a marquee addition to complement recent signings Jhon Duran and Alexis Sanchez.
The deal faces stiff competition from Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich and remains speculative.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe solidified their defense by signing Milan Skriniar permanently from PSG and extended Jayden Oosterwolde’s contract, signaling their determination to challenge Galatasaray and Beşiktaş for Süper Lig supremacy.
As the 2025-26 Süper Lig season approaches, Fenerbahçe are stepping up its pursuit of marquee talent, and few targets signal ambition such Marco Asensio.
Jose Mourinho’s Turkish giants have been reportedly in advanced negotiations to sign the 29-year-old Spanish playmaker from Paris Saint-Germain, a move that could reshape the club’s creative engine for the coming campaign.
Asensio, long heralded for his technical flair, vision, and knack for long-range goals, has seen his career span several top clubs.
Born in Palma, Mallorca, he began his rise through his hometown club before spells at Espanyol and Real Madrid, where he won three Champions League titles, three La Liga crowns, and etched his name into one of Europe’s most storied sides.
Despite these accomplishments, injuries and fluctuating minutes saw his influence at Madrid diminish, prompting a free transfer to PSG in 2023.
His time in Paris was mixed, but a productive loan spell at Aston Villa during the second half of the 2024-25 season reignited his reputation.
Across all competitions with PSG and Villa, Asensio tallied 10 goals and five assists in 37 appearances, impressing in both domestic and continental fixtures.
His standout Premier League run with Villa, where he scored eight times in 21 matches, reminded European suitors of his enduring value.
Fenerbahçe’s interest intensified in late June.
Under Mourinho and with club president Ali Koç leading negotiations, the Istanbul-based side made an initial loan offer, later revised to a permanent 15 million euro ($17.6 million) proposal.
The deal includes a lucrative 12 million euro annual salary for Asensio, positioning him among the Süper Lig’s top earners.
Yet despite this, there are key sticking points: Asensio is pushing for a four-year contract, while Fenerbahçe has offered three, and a 2-2.5 million euro gap in salary demands remains.
President Koç’s personal relationship with PSG’s Nasser Al-Khelaifi has helped facilitate discussions, with PSG reportedly willing to accept the offer – especially with Asensio’s contract expiring in 2026.
Mourinho has also personally lobbied the Spaniard, laying out a central role in Fenerbahçe’s tactical plans as they look to dominate domestically and compete seriously in the Champions League.
Aggressive assault
Fenerbahçe’s interest is part of a broader squad overhaul, with Jhon Duran recently signed and further reinforcements being sought, including Milan Skriniar, Kyle Walker, and Wilfred Ndidi.
The idea is to build a balanced side capable of asserting itself both in the Süper Lig and on the European stage. Asensio, with his ability to operate as a No. 10 or on either wing, would give Mourinho a versatile creative option in his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
However, Fenerbahçe are not alone in the race.
AC Milan have made contact with Asensio’s camp, and the Serie A side’s Champions League status and competitive familiarity give them an edge.
Villarreal have also registered interest.
While PSG are open to selling, Asensio has not yet committed to the Süper Lig, reportedly preferring to remain in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Still, Mourinho’s influence and the financial package on offer keep Fenerbahçe firmly in contention.
Asensio’s current market value stands at 20 million euros, and Fenerbahçe’s 15 million euro offer, though slightly below that, reflects PSG’s willingness to cash in before his deal runs down.
The total investment, considering a potential salary package over three years, could approach 46 million euros, making this one of the club’s biggest financial commitments in recent memory.
As of July 8, talks are in their final stages, and a decision from Asensio is expected in the coming days.
Should he accept the offer, it would be a statement signing that would not only bolster Mourinho’s squad but also rattle the competition – most notably archrivals Galatasaray, who themselves are reportedly closing in on Victor Osimhen.
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