×
Sports news

Apr 16, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Everson Pereira (28) watches…

Stuttgart Open 2026: Rybakina, Gauff cruise into quarterfinals

Vondrousova said she had dealt with injury, pressure and “ongoing sleep issues that left me feeling exhausted and fragile” for some time.

She also mentioned the case of her compatriot and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who suffered a career-threatening injury to her hand when she opened the door to a knife-wielding stranger in 2016.

Kvitova took five months to recover from cuts to her left hand. The perpetrator was sentenced to 11 years in jail for serious battery and illegal entry into the player’s flat.

“When someone rang my door late at night without properly identifying themselves or following protocol, I reacted as a person who felt scared,” Vondrousova said on Instagram.

“In that moment, it was about feeling safe… after what happened to Petra, we don’t take strangers at our door lightly.”

Vondrousova’s lawyer Jan Exner told AFP that “the doping control was simply not standard and therefore Marketa had a reason not to submit the sample”.

“You simply face pressure, you even get death threats for ruining someone’s bet slip. So the non-standard doping check sparked an acute stress reaction in Marketa which experts — both Czech and international — have confirmed,” he added.

Exner said he would try to convince the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that this was a valid reason for Vondrousova to decline to submit the sample.

“The proceedings are under way. There will either be a hearing or we will try to agree with the international bodies. We should know more by the summer.”

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Vondrousova #risks #fouryear #ban #shutting #door #doping #officer"> Vondrousova risks four-year ban for shutting door on doping officer  Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, said on Friday she was facing a doping investigation after failing to submit a sample during a check last December.The world number 46 risks up to a four-year ban from tennis for refusing to let in a doping control officer ringing the bell at her Prague home.But she said the check was not standard as the officer from a German agency failed to identify herself.“The recent doping control incident happened because I reached a breaking point after months of physical and mental stress,” the 26-year-old injury-prone Czech said on Instagram.She told the        Sport daily that it “was stressful to see someone I didn’t know asking to enter my living room without showing authorisation”.“At the moment I was thinking this could be anyone,” she added, explaining why she refused to let the officer in.ALSO READ | Stuttgart Open 2026: Rybakina, Gauff cruise into quarterfinalsVondrousova said she had dealt with injury, pressure and “ongoing sleep issues that left me feeling exhausted and fragile” for some time.She also mentioned the case of her compatriot and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who suffered a career-threatening injury to her hand when she opened the door to a knife-wielding stranger in 2016.Kvitova took five months to recover from cuts to her left hand. The perpetrator was sentenced to 11 years in jail for serious battery and illegal entry into the player’s flat.“When someone rang my door late at night without properly identifying themselves or following protocol, I reacted as a person who felt scared,” Vondrousova said on        Instagram.“In that moment, it was about feeling safe… after what happened to Petra, we don’t take strangers at our door lightly.”Vondrousova’s lawyer Jan Exner told        AFP that “the doping control was simply not standard and therefore Marketa had a reason not to submit the sample”.“You simply face pressure, you even get death threats for ruining someone’s bet slip. So the non-standard doping check sparked an acute stress reaction in Marketa which experts — both Czech and international — have confirmed,” he added.Exner said he would try to convince the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that this was a valid reason for Vondrousova to decline to submit the sample.“The proceedings are under way. There will either be a hearing or we will try to agree with the international bodies. We should know more by the summer.”Published on Apr 17, 2026  #Vondrousova #risks #fouryear #ban #shutting #door #doping #officer
Sports news

Stuttgart Open 2026: Rybakina, Gauff cruise into quarterfinals

Vondrousova said she had dealt with injury, pressure and “ongoing sleep issues that left me feeling exhausted and fragile” for some time.

She also mentioned the case of her compatriot and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who suffered a career-threatening injury to her hand when she opened the door to a knife-wielding stranger in 2016.

Kvitova took five months to recover from cuts to her left hand. The perpetrator was sentenced to 11 years in jail for serious battery and illegal entry into the player’s flat.

“When someone rang my door late at night without properly identifying themselves or following protocol, I reacted as a person who felt scared,” Vondrousova said on Instagram.

“In that moment, it was about feeling safe… after what happened to Petra, we don’t take strangers at our door lightly.”

Vondrousova’s lawyer Jan Exner told AFP that “the doping control was simply not standard and therefore Marketa had a reason not to submit the sample”.

“You simply face pressure, you even get death threats for ruining someone’s bet slip. So the non-standard doping check sparked an acute stress reaction in Marketa which experts — both Czech and international — have confirmed,” he added.

Exner said he would try to convince the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that this was a valid reason for Vondrousova to decline to submit the sample.

“The proceedings are under way. There will either be a hearing or we will try to agree with the international bodies. We should know more by the summer.”

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Vondrousova #risks #fouryear #ban #shutting #door #doping #officer">Vondrousova risks four-year ban for shutting door on doping officer

Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, said on Friday she was facing a doping investigation after failing to submit a sample during a check last December.

The world number 46 risks up to a four-year ban from tennis for refusing to let in a doping control officer ringing the bell at her Prague home.

But she said the check was not standard as the officer from a German agency failed to identify herself.

“The recent doping control incident happened because I reached a breaking point after months of physical and mental stress,” the 26-year-old injury-prone Czech said on Instagram.

She told the Sport daily that it “was stressful to see someone I didn’t know asking to enter my living room without showing authorisation”.

“At the moment I was thinking this could be anyone,” she added, explaining why she refused to let the officer in.

ALSO READ | Stuttgart Open 2026: Rybakina, Gauff cruise into quarterfinals

Vondrousova said she had dealt with injury, pressure and “ongoing sleep issues that left me feeling exhausted and fragile” for some time.

She also mentioned the case of her compatriot and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who suffered a career-threatening injury to her hand when she opened the door to a knife-wielding stranger in 2016.

Kvitova took five months to recover from cuts to her left hand. The perpetrator was sentenced to 11 years in jail for serious battery and illegal entry into the player’s flat.

“When someone rang my door late at night without properly identifying themselves or following protocol, I reacted as a person who felt scared,” Vondrousova said on Instagram.

“In that moment, it was about feeling safe… after what happened to Petra, we don’t take strangers at our door lightly.”

Vondrousova’s lawyer Jan Exner told AFP that “the doping control was simply not standard and therefore Marketa had a reason not to submit the sample”.

“You simply face pressure, you even get death threats for ruining someone’s bet slip. So the non-standard doping check sparked an acute stress reaction in Marketa which experts — both Czech and international — have confirmed,” he added.

Exner said he would try to convince the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that this was a valid reason for Vondrousova to decline to submit the sample.

“The proceedings are under way. There will either be a hearing or we will try to agree with the international bodies. We should know more by the summer.”

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Vondrousova #risks #fouryear #ban #shutting #door #doping #officer

Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, said on Friday she was facing a doping investigation…

Sports news

Apr 16, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Mason Miller (22)…

World news

Pope Leo XIV is on his third day in Cameroon before he heads to Angola…

Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Madrid Open 2026

Earlier on Friday, fourth seed Svitolina moved past Czech Linda Noskova 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 to book her final four spot.

The in-form Ukrainian has now reached five semifinals this season.

Svitolina told reporters she had re-discovered her fighting spirit after a difficult 2025.

“I had a really difficult end of last year, struggling a bit mentally,” Svitolina said. “I think my fighting spirit is back this year. I’m very pleased with that.”

Later on Friday, third seed Iga Swiatek takes on rising star Mirra Andreeva while top seed Elena Rybakina faces Leylah Fernandez.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Stuttgart #Open #Muchova #breaks #losing #streak #Gauff #semifinal"> Stuttgart Open 2026: Muchova breaks losing streak against Gauff to make semifinal  Karolina Muchova broke through for a first win over Coco Gauff on Friday, eliminating the French Open champion in three sets in the quarterfinal in Stuttgart.Muchova had never beaten world number three Gauff in six matches, including a loss in the fourth round of this year’s Australian Open, but prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to reach the Stuttgart semifinal for the first time.The 12th-ranked Muchova will face Elina Svitolina for a place in the final.After ensuring Gauff exited the tournament in the quarterfinal for the third straight year, Muchova said she tried not to let the daunting record impact her preparation.“It was a great fight. I’m just happy that I finally, finally beat her,” Muchova said.“This was actually our first match on a clay court. On clay we were 0-0 in the matches — I tried to keep it positive.”ALSO READ | Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Madrid Open 2026Earlier on Friday, fourth seed Svitolina moved past Czech Linda Noskova 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 to book her final four spot.The in-form Ukrainian has now reached five semifinals this season.Svitolina told reporters she had re-discovered her fighting spirit after a difficult 2025.“I had a really difficult end of last year, struggling a bit mentally,” Svitolina said. “I think my fighting spirit is back this year. I’m very pleased with that.”Later on Friday, third seed Iga Swiatek takes on rising star Mirra Andreeva while top seed Elena Rybakina faces Leylah Fernandez.Published on Apr 17, 2026  #Stuttgart #Open #Muchova #breaks #losing #streak #Gauff #semifinal
Sports news

Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Madrid Open 2026

Earlier on Friday, fourth seed Svitolina moved past Czech Linda Noskova 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 to book her final four spot.

The in-form Ukrainian has now reached five semifinals this season.

Svitolina told reporters she had re-discovered her fighting spirit after a difficult 2025.

“I had a really difficult end of last year, struggling a bit mentally,” Svitolina said. “I think my fighting spirit is back this year. I’m very pleased with that.”

Later on Friday, third seed Iga Swiatek takes on rising star Mirra Andreeva while top seed Elena Rybakina faces Leylah Fernandez.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Stuttgart #Open #Muchova #breaks #losing #streak #Gauff #semifinal">Stuttgart Open 2026: Muchova breaks losing streak against Gauff to make semifinal

Karolina Muchova broke through for a first win over Coco Gauff on Friday, eliminating the French Open champion in three sets in the quarterfinal in Stuttgart.

Muchova had never beaten world number three Gauff in six matches, including a loss in the fourth round of this year’s Australian Open, but prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to reach the Stuttgart semifinal for the first time.

The 12th-ranked Muchova will face Elina Svitolina for a place in the final.

After ensuring Gauff exited the tournament in the quarterfinal for the third straight year, Muchova said she tried not to let the daunting record impact her preparation.

“It was a great fight. I’m just happy that I finally, finally beat her,” Muchova said.

“This was actually our first match on a clay court. On clay we were 0-0 in the matches — I tried to keep it positive.”

ALSO READ | Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Madrid Open 2026

Earlier on Friday, fourth seed Svitolina moved past Czech Linda Noskova 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 to book her final four spot.

The in-form Ukrainian has now reached five semifinals this season.

Svitolina told reporters she had re-discovered her fighting spirit after a difficult 2025.

“I had a really difficult end of last year, struggling a bit mentally,” Svitolina said. “I think my fighting spirit is back this year. I’m very pleased with that.”

Later on Friday, third seed Iga Swiatek takes on rising star Mirra Andreeva while top seed Elena Rybakina faces Leylah Fernandez.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Stuttgart #Open #Muchova #breaks #losing #streak #Gauff #semifinal

Karolina Muchova broke through for a first win over Coco Gauff on Friday, eliminating the…

Fashion news

"I get asked to do things like this quite often, and I, on the whole, say no because it’s not…

Hollywood news

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Boys season 5, episode 3, "Every One of…

Sports news

Apr 16, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates with…

Barcelona Open 2026: Musetti beats Moutet, to face Fils quarterfinal

Zverev, whose most recent title came in Munich a year ago, is chasing a record fourth triumph at the tournament, having also won in 2017 and 2018.

On the other side of the draw, American second seed Ben Shelton overcame Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to keep hopes of a 2025 Munich final rematch with Zverev alive.

Shelton, the world number six, won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and will take on either Denis Shapovalov or Alex Molcan in the semifinals.

The American has never won a clay court tournament, having lost in straight sets to Zverev in Munich a year ago. Earlier, Cobolli was the first to book a spot in the final four after he defeated Czech Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2.

Playing on his favourite surface, the fourth seed won the opening set and cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second. He missed two match points on Kopriva’s serve before finishing it off in the following game.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Munich #Open #Zverev #fights #Cerundolo #reach #semifinal"> Munich Open 2026: Zverev fights past Cerundolo to reach semifinal  Top seed Alexander Zverev battled back from a set down to beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo on Friday and book a spot in the semifinals of the Munich ATP tournament.The three-time Munich champion won 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 and will take on Italy’s Flavio Cobolli on Saturday for a place in the final.Zverev burst out of the blocks and served for a 5-1 lead in the opening set but appeared to suddenly lose his rhythm, winning just one more game as Cerundolo powered back to take the opening set.As the second set began, and with the support of the home crowd, the 28-year-old found his form as swiftly as he had lost it, bouncing back to win the final two sets while dropping just two games.“Even in the first set when I was up 4-1, he started playing unbelievable. He started returning unbelievable,” Zverev said.“My first-serve percentage was very high, and he started returning a foot in front of the baseline. So there was nothing I could do, to be honest,” he added.The German came into Friday’s match holding a 4-3 career advantage over the fifth-seeded Cerundolo but had never previously beaten the Argentine in three matches on clay.“Definitely happy to get the win today against Francisco, for the first time on clay,” Zverev said on court after the win.ALSO READ | Barcelona Open 2026: Musetti beats Moutet, to face Fils quarterfinalZverev, whose most recent title came in Munich a year ago, is chasing a record fourth triumph at the tournament, having also won in 2017 and 2018.On the other side of the draw, American second seed Ben Shelton overcame Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to keep hopes of a 2025 Munich final rematch with Zverev alive.Shelton, the world number six, won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and will take on either Denis Shapovalov or Alex Molcan in the semifinals.The American has never won a clay court tournament, having lost in straight sets to Zverev in Munich a year ago. Earlier, Cobolli was the first to book a spot in the final four after he defeated Czech Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2.Playing on his favourite surface, the fourth seed won the opening set and cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second. He missed two match points on Kopriva’s serve before finishing it off in the following game.Published on Apr 17, 2026  #Munich #Open #Zverev #fights #Cerundolo #reach #semifinal
Sports news

Barcelona Open 2026: Musetti beats Moutet, to face Fils quarterfinal

Zverev, whose most recent title came in Munich a year ago, is chasing a record fourth triumph at the tournament, having also won in 2017 and 2018.

On the other side of the draw, American second seed Ben Shelton overcame Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to keep hopes of a 2025 Munich final rematch with Zverev alive.

Shelton, the world number six, won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and will take on either Denis Shapovalov or Alex Molcan in the semifinals.

The American has never won a clay court tournament, having lost in straight sets to Zverev in Munich a year ago. Earlier, Cobolli was the first to book a spot in the final four after he defeated Czech Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2.

Playing on his favourite surface, the fourth seed won the opening set and cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second. He missed two match points on Kopriva’s serve before finishing it off in the following game.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Munich #Open #Zverev #fights #Cerundolo #reach #semifinal">Munich Open 2026: Zverev fights past Cerundolo to reach semifinal

Top seed Alexander Zverev battled back from a set down to beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo on Friday and book a spot in the semifinals of the Munich ATP tournament.

The three-time Munich champion won 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 and will take on Italy’s Flavio Cobolli on Saturday for a place in the final.

Zverev burst out of the blocks and served for a 5-1 lead in the opening set but appeared to suddenly lose his rhythm, winning just one more game as Cerundolo powered back to take the opening set.

As the second set began, and with the support of the home crowd, the 28-year-old found his form as swiftly as he had lost it, bouncing back to win the final two sets while dropping just two games.

“Even in the first set when I was up 4-1, he started playing unbelievable. He started returning unbelievable,” Zverev said.

“My first-serve percentage was very high, and he started returning a foot in front of the baseline. So there was nothing I could do, to be honest,” he added.

The German came into Friday’s match holding a 4-3 career advantage over the fifth-seeded Cerundolo but had never previously beaten the Argentine in three matches on clay.

“Definitely happy to get the win today against Francisco, for the first time on clay,” Zverev said on court after the win.

ALSO READ | Barcelona Open 2026: Musetti beats Moutet, to face Fils quarterfinal

Zverev, whose most recent title came in Munich a year ago, is chasing a record fourth triumph at the tournament, having also won in 2017 and 2018.

On the other side of the draw, American second seed Ben Shelton overcame Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to keep hopes of a 2025 Munich final rematch with Zverev alive.

Shelton, the world number six, won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and will take on either Denis Shapovalov or Alex Molcan in the semifinals.

The American has never won a clay court tournament, having lost in straight sets to Zverev in Munich a year ago. Earlier, Cobolli was the first to book a spot in the final four after he defeated Czech Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2.

Playing on his favourite surface, the fourth seed won the opening set and cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second. He missed two match points on Kopriva’s serve before finishing it off in the following game.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Munich #Open #Zverev #fights #Cerundolo #reach #semifinal

Top seed Alexander Zverev battled back from a set down to beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo…