If Elena Vesnina was red faced after being on the receiving end of a 48-minute 6-2 6-0 semi-final mauling at the hands of Serena Williams—at least it wasn’t as bad as the 19-minute wipeout American Alice Marble inflicted in 1939.
On that occasion, three-times Roland Garros champion Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling probably felt she had hardly warmed up before she found herself walking off the court after suffering the quickest ever semi-final defeat at the All England Club.
Seventy-seven years later, the ease with which Williams made it through to her ninth Wimbledon final once again raised the question of whether the women deserved equal prize-money.
“Yeah, we deserve equal prize money. Yeah, absolutely,” declared Williams with a withering look that clearly said ‘subject closed’.
After years of campaigning by figure-heads such as Billie Jean King, Wimbledon introduced equal prize-money in 2007. But every time there is a lopsided match in the latter stages of the women’s competition, the subject comes up for discussion again.
Just like in 2009, when then world number one Dinara Safina had to defend her prize purse after capitulating in only 51 minutes against Serena’s older sister Venus in another one-sided semi, Vesnina was also quizzed about the issue.
“We deserve what we have right now,” said the Russian, who pocketed $645,000 for making it to the last four.
“We also had good quarter-final matches in the women’s side,” she added, although none of those four encounters spilled into a deciding set.
“It’s not about the score. It’s just amazing that we have such a great champion like Serena on the women’s side.
“I don’t think it’s the right topic to speak about (today)”.
A day after Centre Court ticket holders were treated to more than seven hours of breathtaking shot-making, with Roger Federer and Andy Murray needing five sets to subdue Marin Cilic and Jo-Wilfired Tsonga respectively, those visiting on Thursday were filing out after only two hours of women’s on-court action.
With Thursday’s Centre Court tickets costing almost $190 each, did the fans feel short-changed?
“I was initially disappointed Serena’s match was over so quickly but Vesnina had no chance as Serena was dominating so much,” said Toby from Buckinghamshire.
“But in the end I didn’t feel let down as there is also some element of enjoying someone putting in such a supreme performance.”
It was a sentiment shared by Serena, who eventually shared her thoughts on the topic.
“I would like to see people, the public, other athletes ... just realise and respect women for who they are and what we are and what we do,” said the 34-year-old American, who will be chasing a 22nd grand slam title on Saturday.
“I’ve been working at this since I was three years old. Actually maybe younger, because I have a picture where I’m in a stroller… Venus is pushing me, and we’re on the tennis court.
“Basically my whole life I’ve been doing this. I haven’t had a life. I don’t think I would deserve to be paid less because of my sex, or anyone else for that matter in any job.”
Angelique Kerber, who needed 72 minutes to overcome Venus 6-4 6-4 in the other semi, was also adamant that the combined duration of Thursday’s matches was no reflection on how much entertainment the women had provided.
“We are giving everything on court, everybody,” the Australian Open champion said.
“We give our best. You never know if it’s two hours or, at the end, eight hours.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal fends off a delivery from Brydon Carse during day one of the 2nd Test between England and India at Edgbaston on July 02, 2025 in Birmingham.
ENGLAND won the toss and chose to bowl in the second Test against India at Edgbaston on Wednesday. India made three changes to their line-up and rested fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to manage his workload ahead of the rest of the series.
Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur were left out, while Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Akash Deep came into the playing 11. Bumrah is expected to return for the third Test at Lord’s, which begins on July 10.
“This is an important match for us but the third match at Lord’s — there may be something more in the wicket and we thought we’ll play him (Bumrah) there,” India captain Shubman Gill said.
“We were very tempted to play (Kuldeep Yadav) but looking at the last match we wanted to add some depth to the batting. This year has been a year of chaos, a lot of teams who haven’t won a lot have won, so maybe that’ll change fortunes for us.”
England fielded the same playing 11 that won the first Test by five wickets. Fast bowler Jofra Archer, who was named in the squad, was not included in the team.
“When you bring Jofra Archer back you consider everyone in your squad. It was a really good team performance last week and the bowlers performed well,” England captain Ben Stokes said.
“With the ball you understand the conditions a bit more. We’re in good order here.”
Teams
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wkt), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
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The sixth seed, who is aiming to equal Roger Federer's haul at the All England Club
Novak Djokovic beat Alexandre Muller 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-2 to reach the Wimbledon second round.
The sixth seed is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title and to equal Federer's seven Wimbledon titles.
Djokovic took a medical timeout for a stomach issue in the third set but recovered after receiving treatment.
Muller fought back to win the second set tiebreak, but Djokovic regained control in the final two sets.
Djokovic said he always believes he can win Wimbledon, calling grass the surface where he plays his best tennis.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic was made to work hard after a strong start as he began his bid for a 25th Grand Slam title by beating unseeded Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-1 6-7(7) 6-2 6-2 to reach the second round on Tuesday.
The sixth seed, who is aiming to equal Roger Federer's haul at the All England Club and move past Margaret Court in the all-time list of major champions, will take on British wild card Dan Evans in the next round.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I have a chance, to be honest," Djokovic said.
"I think I always have a chance, I've earned my right to feel I can go all the way to the title. I've had arguably the most success of any Grand Slam here in the last decade.
"It's just the beginning of the tournament. There are many fantastic players in the draw. I'm going to be playing a Briton in the next round. That's going to be a tough one, but I look forward to it.
"I've always felt like grass, particularly in the second part of my career, was really the surface where I played my best tennis, so why not do it again?"
Djokovic, who endured a poor year before lifting his 100th tour-level trophy in Geneva ahead of a run to the semi-finals of the French Open, powered through the opening set against Muller by winning six games on the trot.
Muller put up much more of a fight in the next set, saving five breakpoints to hold for 4-4 before forcing a tiebreak where he raised his game again to battle from 2-5 down and draw level in the match.
Djokovic caught his breath when the Centre Court roof was closed and then took a medical timeout early in the third set for a stomach problem, before going up 3-2 with a break after Muller hit his sixth double fault of the match.
Having wrapped up the third set, Djokovic racked up a 4-2 advantage in the fourth set with an exquisite backhand winner and there was no looking back from there as he completed the victory by holding to love.
"I went from feeling my absolute best for a set and a half to my absolute worst for about 45 minutes," Djokovic added.
"Whether it was a stomach bug, I don't know what it was, but I just struggled with that. The energy kicked back in after some doctor's miracle pills.
Coco Gauff was knocked out in the Wimbledon first round, losing 7-6(3), 6-1 to Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska.
The French Open champion admitted struggling with the transition from clay to grass and said she lacked match practice on the surface.
Gauff, 21, was emotional in her post-match comments, saying she felt mentally overwhelmed after her win in Paris.
She acknowledged Yastremska’s strong performance and said she may reconsider her pre-Wimbledon schedule in future.
Gauff followed fellow American Jessica Pegula in exiting early, noting that Wimbledon often sees first-round upsets.
A tearful Coco Gauff said she had not coped well with the switch from Paris clay to Wimbledon grass after she was dumped out of the championships in the first round on Tuesday.
The French Open champion looked uncomfortable under the roof on Court One and failed to find any serving rhythm as she succumbed 7-6(3) 6-1 to Ukrainian world number 42 Dayana Yastremska.
Gauff was eager to give her big-hitting opponent credit for the win but said she would probably change her tactics in future during the three weeks between Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
"I just feel like the surface I maybe could have used more matches. It's like finding the puzzle," the American second seed said.
"It's a quick turnaround, so I think just trying to learn on whether it's better to train more and maybe play Bad Homburg or Eastbourne."
Gauff, 21, was knocked out in the first round at Berlin and had little other grasscourt practice before Wimbledon.
Her win in Paris was the second Grand Slam victory of her career following last year's U.S. Open triumph.
"I feel like mentally I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards, so I didn't feel like I had enough time to celebrate and also get back into it," she said.
Gauff wiped away tears as she discussed her disappointment at failing to adjust to the surface, which she said was harder to adapt to than from clay to hard court.
"I have faith that if I can make these adjustments, I can do well here. I really do want to do well here. I'm not someone who wants to write myself off grass this early in my career, but I definitely need to make changes if I want to be successful here," she said.
"I'm trying to be positive. After the match, I definitely was struggling in the locker room. I don't like losing."
Gauff slipped over several times early in the match, while Yastremska looked sure-footed as she pummelled the American with winners from the baseline.
The Ukrainian had reached the final of the Nottingham tournament as well as the quarter-finals at Eastbourne in the run-up to Wimbledon.
"Dayana played great. I felt like I wasn't playing terrible in some points, and she was hitting winners."
Gauff followed compatriot and third seed Jessica Pegula out of the tournament in the first round on Tuesday.
"I feel like historically Wimbledon always has so many upsets in first rounds here... it's always a topic."
Despite taking 5-83 in the first innings at Headingley, Bumrah went wicketless in the second as England chased down a target of 371, with opener Ben Duckett scoring 149.
INDIA will take a last-minute call on whether to include Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test against England, starting Wednesday at Edgbaston in Birmingham, as they look to level the five-match series.
Bumrah, currently the top-ranked Test bowler, would usually be a straightforward selection after India’s five-wicket defeat in the opening Test at Headingley. However, the fast bowler is returning from a back injury and had earlier said he expected to play only three of the five Tests.
Despite taking 5-83 in the first innings at Headingley, Bumrah went wicketless in the second as England chased down a target of 371, with opener Ben Duckett scoring 149. The rest of India’s bowling attack struggled to support Bumrah during the chase.
“Bumrah is ready to play,” India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said on Monday. “It's how we manage these four Tests. So if we feel like there's value in playing him in this Test, we'll make that call at the very last minute.”
Kuldeep Yadav could return; batting collapses hurt India
India, who have now lost seven of their 11 Tests under head coach Gautam Gambhir, may consider changing the balance of their bowling line-up. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who did not play at Headingley, is an option. He has taken 56 wickets at an average of 22.16 in 13 Tests.
India’s defeat in the first Test came despite scoring five individual hundreds. Batting collapses of 7-41 (from 430-3) and 6-31 (from 333-4) proved costly. The team also dropped several straightforward catches. Harry Brook, who was dropped off a no-ball before scoring, went on to make 99 after further chances on 46 and 82.
Shubman Gill, leading India for the first time, scored 147 in the first innings. India were without former captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, both of whom also scored centuries, were seen actively directing field placements during the match.
“At one point I felt there were too many captains,” former India spinner Murali Karthik told Cricbuzz. “I just couldn't understand that. KL Rahul was making hand movements, Rishabh Pant was also doing it... There is only one captain.”
England name unchanged team for Edgbaston Test
England, after completing the tenth-highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test history, have named an unchanged team for the second Test.
Jamie Smith, who hit the winning runs in the first Test and finished 44 not out, said during a media interaction with series sponsor Rothesay: “I think the really important thing is for the team to be quite ruthless and once you're on top, try to put them to bed.”
While England’s bowlers were ineffective with the new ball in the first innings at Headingley, they improved as the match progressed. Despite speculation, Jofra Archer was not recalled to the playing XI. He remains in the Edgbaston squad, but his Test return will wait.
Chris Woakes will lead the bowling attack on his home ground in the absence of retired pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Woakes, 36, has taken 182 wickets in 58 Tests.
“I played a lot of my England games with Jimmy and Broady so it is different not having them around but also it's a great opportunity for myself,” Woakes said. “I've enjoyed that role so far and it's good to pass on some knowledge to the younger guys that haven't played as much Test cricket.”
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Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines
Emma Raducanu defeated fellow Briton Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3 in the Wimbledon first round.
Xu, 17, was making her Grand Slam debut and appeared overwhelmed early on.
Raducanu dropped just three points on serve in the first set.
Despite a series of breaks in the second set, Raducanu regained control to seal victory.
She described the all-British clash as “difficult” but was pleased with the result.
The biggest home assault on Wimbledon for 41 years got off to a great start on Monday when Emma Raducanu triumphed in an all-British clash.
British tennis is enjoying a buoyant period, and although former U.S. champion Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines, 23 local players started in the men's and women's singles this week, the most at Wimbledon since 1984.
With Draper not in action until Tuesday, British women's number one Raducanu was the main attraction, although home loyalties were somewhat split as she faced 17-year-old Welsh wildcard Mimi Xu, making her Grand Slam debut.
Xu had not beaten a top 50 player and never looked likely to break that duck on Number One court as she went down 6-3 6-3. Raducanu, desperate for a deep run in her home slam after a previous best of two fourth-round exits, did not have to do anything too extraordinary against a rival who for a while seemed intimidated by the occasion.
After Xu swung wildly for a rare air shot and then tumbled to the pristine turf after a slip, the 318th-ranked teen got what no young player wants to hear – some sympathy applause.
Raducanu swept to the first set, dropping only three points in her four service games, and with a lack of tension on court, the obligatory “come on Britain” shout drew the usual ripple of Wimbledon laughter usually reserved for any lingering pigeon.
Xu settled in the second set, however, finally getting to grips with the Raducanu serve during a run of five successive breaks, but the favourite got back on track to come through.
Raducanu moves into round two
Home favourite Emma Raducanu claimed a 6-3 6-3 win over fellow Briton Mimi Xu, who was making her Grand Slam debut."I'm super pleased to have come through that match. It is so difficult playing against another Brit in the first round," Raducanu said after her victory on Court One.