Archive of posts tagged France

What to Watch on Day 4 of the US Open

Posted by on

Day 4 at the US Open promises to be a blockbuster as second-round action kicks off with some of the biggest names in tennis taking the court. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz look to continue their progress, while American fans will be cheering on 2024 runner-up Jessica Pegula. Women’s top seed and defending champ Aryna Sabalenka and 2021 champioon Emma Raducanu also face tough tests.

Ben Shelton

Djokovic’s Next Test

Four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic, 38, survived a gritty first-round win over Learner Tien but admitted he struggled with fitness and recovery during long exchanges. “I don’t have any injury or anything. I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points,” Djokovic said.

After two days of rest, Djokovic will face American qualifier Zachary Svajda on Wednesday. The Serbian, who hadn’t played since Wimbledon, is looking to find his rhythm and start building momentum in New York.

American Men in Action

Day 4 at Flushing Meadows will feature several big American vibes. 2024 finalist Taylor Fritz and No. 6 seed Ben Shelton will be on court, with Fritz facing a challenging opponent while Shelton takes on Pablo Carreno Busta.

Two-time US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe will meet qualifier Martin Damm, and Marcos Giron goes up against the man who toppled Daniil Medvedev, France’s Benjamin Bonzi. Overall, eight of the remaining 11 American men in the draw will be in action on Day 4.

A Big Day For Teens

Day 4 at the US Open will also spotlight the next generation, with several teenage players in action. Joao Fonseca, Mirra Andreeva, Iva Jovic, and Jakub Mensik will all take to the court, giving fans a glimpse of the sport’s rising stars and plenty of exciting young talent to watch in Flushing Meadows.

Philippine sensation Alexandra Eala and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen will also be back in action, each looking to make history for their countries. Eala, the first player from the Philippines to ever win a Grand Slam match faces Cristina Bucsa of Spain, while Indonesian star Tjen takes on 2021 champion Emma Raducanu.

Biarritz Cup, Dubuisson wins in the playoffs

Posted by on

2014 Ryder Cup

Frenchman Victor Dubuisson won the Biarritz Cup with a 188 (62, 65, 61, -19) stroke. This is one of Europe's oldest amateur events, founded in 1899, and for its 126th edition, it was organized in collaboration with the Alps Tour, which also included amateurs. After finishing tied with Spaniard Jorge Maicas (188 – 67, 61, 60), the Frenchman then overtook him with a birdie on the second playoff hole. Dubuisson, a 35-year-old from Cannes, was the undisputed favorite. He has played 226 matches on the DP World Tour, including two titles and a 2014 Ryder Cup appearance on the victorious Team Europe.

Biarritz Cup, results

On the par-69 Golf de Biarritz course in France, two Italians finished in the top ten: Matteo Cristoni, seventh with a 193 (63 63 67, -14) and Filippo Grossi, ninth with a 194 (69 61 64, -13).

Behind the two protagonists is Irishman Ronan Mullarney, leader after two rounds and third with a 189 (-18), knocked out by a bogey on the 17th hole. In fourth place with a 191 (-16) is Frenchman Quentin Debove, fifth with a 192 (-15), Spaniard Asier Aguirre Izcue and Frenchman Augustin Hole, while his compatriot Victor Veyret joined Matteo Cristoni.

Of the other Italians, Jacopo Vecchi Fossa finished 12th with a 195 (-12), and Alessandro Nardini and Manfredi Manica also cashed in, finishing 25th with a 200 (-7), Mattia Comotti, 33rd with a 201 (-6), and Luca Memeo and Andrea Romano, 40th with a 202 (-5).

In the third round, a hole in one was achieved by French amateur Gregoire Hoyeau (25th with Nardini and Manica) who hit the 171-metre par 3 7th hole directly from the tee using a 6-iron.

The rules of golf are relatively complicated compared to other sports because they are played outdoors, close to nature and animals. Respecting the rules is a fundamental element in the game of golf, which, almost always based on self-control and the free conscience of the players, often sees distorted results, sometimes consciously, but often unconsciously or through carelessness, due to the failure of many players to comply with the rules of the game. In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct, known as etiquette, which generally means playing the game with due respect for the golf course and other players. Etiquette is an essential component of this sport.

How Ted Scott’s advice helped Scheffler conquer the greens at Olympics

Posted by on

France

Scottie Scheffler excelled at the Olympics in Paris, winning the gold medal last year. The American golfer was a dominant figure before, and it was expected that he could make a big step in France. 

His caddy, Ted Scott, was an important figure along the way. 

During a guest appearance on one of the podcasts, Scottie Scheffler referred to the golden medal in Paris, placing a special emphasis on the caddy. 

The American golfer is delighted with Scott's behavior, manners, and attitudes.

Although some often downplay the role of caddies in the success of golfers like Scottie Scheffler, the famous golfer stresses that Scott has always been a person whose advice was key for him.

“Teddy is an amazing caddie. He is a great person. He is one of those guys that when he meets somebody they feel like they are his best friend because he treats people so well. He is an amazing guy to be around. Everybody is his best friend. He is extremely likeable,” Scheffler said.

“So having him on the bag, he works as hard as I do, if not harder. So when he gives me information out on the golf course I can really trust knowing that he is not just making stuff up. He knows exactly what slope is up there and how the ball is going to react. He just knows his stuff so I can just go out there and try and hit the shot. I feel like with both of us out there his preparation is so important to what we do. He is just a great asset to me on the golf course and he’s one of my best friends in the whole world too, he’s just an all round great guy.”

Ted Scott's importance

Scheffler had a lot of trouble on the greens, but his caddy played a key role by offering to help him read putts on the remaining nine holes. 

Scheffler then played great, as he hit almost all the putts and in the end won the gold medal. 

The 29-year-old admitted that he probably wouldn't have been able to win the gold if Scott hadn't been by his side at the time.

European Young Masters, Germany triumphs

Posted by on

advisor , and captain

Italy (Matteo Manini, Anita Marrone, Alice Alexandra Negroni, Leonardo Zanardi) finished 14th with a score of 663 (220, 220, 223, +15) in the European Young Masters, which concluded on the par-72 Golf du Racing Club de France – La Boulie course in Versailles, France. Germany won with a score of 635 (214, 210, 211, -13), ahead of defending title holders France, who finished second with a score of 640 (-8), and the Czech Republic, third with a score of 642 (-6). Spain and England finished fourth with a score of 643 (-5).

European Young Masters, results

In the men's individual rankings, Czech Stepan Plasek (204 – 67 68 69, -12) took the win, leading the race, leaving Germany's Colin Barmann and Bjarne Murr and Switzerland's Kai Notteboom (208, -8) four strokes behind. In fifth place was Spain's Samuel Love Li with a score of 209 (-7), Zanardi (Croara) in 31st with a score of 224 (72 71 81, +8), and Manini (Le Fonti) in 41st with a score of 228 (75 79 74, +12).

In the women's race, England's Ellie Lichtenhein prevailed with a score of 213 (70 70 73, -3), ahead of compatriot Annabel Peaford and France's Axelle Guillemard and Salomè Lumbaca (215, -1). Spain's Adriana Garcia Terol and Denmark's Jessica Dyreskov finished fifth with a score of 217 (+1), while Negroni (Villa Condulmer) finished 12th with a score of 222 (73, 74, 75, +6), and Marrone (Turin) finished 22nd with a score of 228 (79, 75, 74, +12). Coach Alessandro Bandini, an advisor, and captain Giovanni Bartoli, accompanied the Italians.

The last Italian victory in the event, now in its 30th edition, was achieved by Natalia Aparicio in 2023 (with Italy finishing second in the team event) in the women's individual event, twenty-five years after Diana Luna, who won the title in 1998, preceded by Barbara Paruscio, in the inaugural tournament in 1995, and Giulia Sergas (1997).

Italy has also won the Nations Cup four times (1997, 1998, 2007, 2012) and three men's individual titles with Roberto Paolillo (1997), Matteo Manassero (2007), and Renato Paratore (2012).

Italy ranks fourth in national team victories with four, preceded by Spain and Germany with eight, and France with five. The Czech Republic follows with three, Finland, and Sweden with one.

Djokovic's Last Wimbledon Dance?

Posted by on

The Grand Slam king talks up his chances ahead of his Alexandre Muller

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday June 28, 2025

He’s 38. He’s done everything there is to do in the sport. Well, almost everything…

Tennis Express

Novak Djokovic doesn’t stand atop the all-time Wimbledon men’s singles titles list, and he isn’t the oldest man to ever win a major singles title. If he can somehow find a way to be the last man standing at the end of this Wimbledon fortnight, he could add a few select chapters to his voluminous legacy.

At Wimbledon, most agree that it is Djokovic’s best chance. The Serbian legend himself said so on Saturday during his pre-tournament media conference. Maybe it’s even his last chance?

“I would probably agree that Wimbledon could be the best chance [for a 25th Grand Slam title] because of the results I have had, because of how I feel, how I play in Wimbledon, just getting that extra push mentally and motivation to perform the best tennis at the highest level,” he said.

Djokovic, who enters these Championships with a 97-12 record on his hallowed Wimbledon grass, hopes it isn’t his last dance at Wimbledon, but he admits it is a possibility.

“Whether it could be my last dance, I'm not sure,” he said. “My wish is to play for several more years. I would love to be healthy physically and also mentally motivated to keep on playing at the highest level. That's the goal, but you never know at this stage.”

Djokovic has been defeated in the final by Carlos Alcaraz in successive years, in five sets in 2023 and in straight sets last year.

He hopes that his form at the majors means he’ll be able to find his way back to another final, and maybe even win it.

Grand Slams stay quite consistent, quarters or semi-finals except for the US Open. That's a good sign. These tournaments give me the biggest drive still. Australia and at Roland-Garros showed me that I can still play on a very high level at the later stages.”

Djokovic will face France’s Alexandre Muller in the first round at Wimbledon.

Americans Land Eight in Roland-Garros Round of 16, Most Since 1985

Posted by on

It's been a banner year for Team USA on the Parisian clay. Boisson

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday May 31, 2025

Paris – American tennis has smashed a record that stood for 40 years at Roland-Garros. Eight Americans – five women, three men – have reached the singles Round of 16 at the French Open for the first time in 40 years.

Tennis Express

The last time the Roland-Garros fourth round featured eight or more American players was 1985, also with five women and three men.

On the women’s side, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova and Hailey Baptiste reached the fourth round. On the men’s side, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe made it through.

The American men have placed three in the second week for the first time since 1995. All three Americans will be in action on Sunday in Paris, with Shelton taking on Alcaraz, Paul facing Alexei Popyrin and Tiafoe facing Daniel Altmaier.

On the women’s side, Anisimova will face Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday.

Keys will face Baptiste in an all-American clash on Monday, Pegula will take on France’s Loic Boisson, while Gauff will face Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia.