‘How?!’ – Gauff Battles Into First Wimbledon Semi-Final

LONDON, United kingdom, Jul 7 – Coco Gauff surprised even herself by overcoming her recent grass-court struggles to reach a first Wimbledon semi-final with a battling victory over Jessica Pegula. afsport.lat

Two-time Grand Slam singles champion Gauff had never previously gone beyond the fourth round at the All England Club and suffered a first-round exit last year.

The American arrived at this year’s championships having not won a singles match on a grass court since the third round of Wimbledon in 2024.

However, she recovered from an error-strewn start against world number four Pegula to win 4-6 6-3 6-3.

The 22-year-old is the youngest player to reach the semi-finals at all four Grand Slams since Maria Sharapova, who achieved that feat at the 2007 French Open.

Gauff’s past four matches have all gone to three sets but the seventh seed’s fighting spirit and supreme athleticism has seen her through to the last four.

“It feels really special considering the results I’ve had of late, especially on this surface,” Gauff said.

“I think I’m able to relax a bit because I just feel, regardless of how the rest of this tournament goes, I’ve found a breakthrough on grass.

“I’m just proud of myself. Obviously I’m not satisfied – I want to go all the way.”

Gauff will face Karolina Muchova for a place in the final after the Czech 10th seed ended Naomi Osaka’s impressive run in a high-quality contest.

Muchova reached a first Wimbledon semi-final – having lost at this stage in 2019 and 2021 – with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win over Japan’s Osaka on Court One.

Gauff appeared visibly frustrated as she was hindered by four double faults and 17 unforced errors in the opening set.

But as she has done all tournament, the seventh seed showed excellent fighting spirit to become the first woman to reach the singles semi-finals with four three-set wins for 30 years.

When her victory was confirmed, Gauff turned to her team and asked “how?”.

“I’m confident in myself and the player that I am, but I know tennis. If I wasn’t myself, I would [pick] her to win that game with the style she has on this surface,” said Gauff, explaining that reaction.

“But because I am me, I pick myself. I think it was just more so that reaction came from like a third-person point of view, rather than necessarily me in the moment.

After an excellent opening set, Pegula was ultimately punished for failing to take her opportunities early in the second, having forced three break points in her opponent’s first two games.

The momentum flipped when Gauff capitalised on a poor game from Pegula, breaking to love and maintaining her composure to battle back from 0-30 down as she served out the set to level the match.

The topsy-turvy nature of the contest continued in the final set, but it was Gauff who was able to raise her level when it mattered.

The 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open champion offered an immediate response to take a 4-3 lead after Pegula had broken back, and celebrated victory on Pegula’s serve with a first match point.

The loss means Pegula’s wait for a first Grand Slam singles title goes on – and she may be left to rue a missed opportunity.

Muchova ends Osaka’s run

Osaka has been one of the stories of this year’s championships, proving a showstopper both on and off the court.

The 28-year-old four-time major winner stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a brilliant performance to reach the last eight and has dazzled crowds with her various walk-on outfits – including paying tribute to her nation’s culture in a kimono.

But that impressive run came to an end against Muchova, who raised her level to dominate the first-set tie-break before ending Osaka’s resistance deep in the second set.

Muchova was solid from the back of the court and made significantly fewer unforced errors (21) than her opponent (32) to edge a competitive match, defined by beautiful ball-striking as both players landed 24 winners.

Rizière Fc du Noun annonce les couleurs. Le champion de la région de l’Ouest affrontait Victoria United de Limbé ce mardi au centre d’excellence de la Caf à Mbankomo. C’était à l’occasion des 32e de finale de la coupe du Cameroun. Le porte-étendard de la région de l’Ouest aux interpoules était attendu. Sans se faire […]

L’article CDC 2026 : Victoria United voit le feu contre Rizière Fc du Noun est apparu en premier sur Camfoot.com.

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the first two fixtures of their pre-season tour to Spain, where new head coach Fernando Da Cruz will begin preparations for the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.

Amakhosi will travel to Murcia for a nine-day training camp from 10 to 19 July, with two friendly matches scheduled against international opposition.

According to Soccer Laduma, their first outing will be against Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood on Wednesday, 15 July at 11:00 at the Pinatar Arena Football Centre.

Amakhosi will then take on Spanish club Elche CF on Saturday, 18 July, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00.

Fernando Da Cruz begins Kaizer Chiefs rebuild

The pre-season camp will provide Da Cruz with his first opportunity to work extensively with the squad since being appointed on a two-year contract.

The French coach has been tasked with leading the club’s latest rebuilding project after Kaizer Chiefs finished third in the Betway Premiership last season.

While the league campaign represented an improvement on previous seasons, the Soweto giants remain determined to end a trophy drought that has stretched for more than a decade.

Preparations gather pace

Kaizer Chiefs have already begun baseline fitness work at their Naturena headquarters ahead of their departure for Spain.

The overseas camp is expected to play a key role in helping Da Cruz implement his tactical ideas, assess his squad and integrate new signings before the new season gets underway.

Further pre-season fixtures will be announced before Amakhosi return to South Africa.

With expectations once again high among the club’s supporters, Da Cruz will be hoping the Spain tour lays the foundations for a successful 2026/27 campaign.

MOSCOW, Russia, Jul 7 – Russian athletes could be allowed to compete for their country at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted their suspension.

The IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in 2023 in response to the war in Ukraine.

But it says that ban is “no longer applicable”, external and athletes from Russia can compete again as long as they “meet relevant anti-doping requirements”.

No decision has yet been taken on whether Russia can display its flag, colours and anthem at the Olympic ‌Games.

The IOC said it will continue to “not organise IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events”.

Some Russian athletes competed at both the 2024 Paris Games and this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan as neutrals.

Just 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics as approved neutrals, and combined to win five medals. The Russian team had more than 300 athletes at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and won 71 medals.

Russia welcomed the IOC’s decision, saying the Games must be “free from politics”.

“The IOC is sending a clear signal: the Olympic movement must remain free from politics,” Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev said on Telegram, adding that Russia planned to participate in qualifiers for the 2028 Olympics.

The IOC says it still “strongly condemns” the Russian invasion of Ukraine but “recognises that an athlete’s participation in international competition should not be limited by the involvement of their government in a war or conflict”.

In May, World Athletics rejected a recommendation by the IOC that a ban on Belarusian athletes and teams competing under the flag of their nation should be lifted.

Analysis: A controversial decision – but not a surprise

Given Russia’s war with Ukraine continues, this will be a highly controversial decision by the IOC, and one likely to be condemned by European countries in particular.

However, it is not a surprise.

In February, IOC president Kirsty Coventry spoke about the importance of keeping sport, “a neutral ground – a place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments.”

Although she did not directly reference any particular country, the comments were widely interpreted to be hinting at a potential lifting of the partial Olympic ban on Russia, and it soon became clear that the IOC was considering reinstatement.

In March, came another crucial step when the International Paralympic Committee ended Russia’s long exile from global sports events, with the country’s athletes allowed to compete under their national flag at the Winter Paralympics for the first time since 2014.

The decision was condemned by Ukraine and other European countries but it paved the way for the IOC to follow suit.

It will have noted no athletes boycotted the actual Paralympic competition, although some did stay away from the opening ceremony, and it will be interesting to see whether the same happens in Los Angeles.

The IOC has always insisted Russia was banned not because of the invasion per se, but because the Russian Olympic Committee effectively took over regional sports organisations in occupied Ukrainian territories.

It now claims that this is no longer the case, and so legally the ban should not stand.

What has gone unsaid is that many within the IOC were also mindful of the current geopolitical landscape, and accusations of double-standards if the sanction against Russia was maintained, while other countries who have launched military action against other nations escape punishment.

Critics however will insist that Russia’s ban should only end when and if it withdraws from Ukraine, and that the IOC’s move risks emboldening President Vladimir Putin, and handing him a propaganda win.

Bafana Bafana legend Siyabonga Nomvethe believes Mbekezeli Mbokazi is good enough to play for big teams in Europe.

The 20-year-old defender impressed during the FIFA World Cup where he played a huge role in helping Bafana reach the round of 32.

Having left Orlando Pirates to join Chicago Fire, Mbokazi has been one of the most talented defenders in the African continent.

Nomvethe, who played in two World Cup, feels the young defender is good enough to play for the likes of Real Madrid.

Mbokazi praised by Bafana legend

“I am very proud of Mbokazi. He showcased his God-given talent to the world. I hope the biggest teams in Europe come knocking. He can play for the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, or even Manchester United.

“He looks very focused and settled well in Chicago. We are delighted to have a player of his calibre in the national team,” Nomvethe told sportsboom.co.za.

Mbokazi was one of the few Bafana players based outside the country. Nomvethe believes that the PSL has enough talent to produce top players for the national team.

The number of local players in the national team demonstrated once more that there is talent in the Premier Soccer League. It is not even about the players that were picked by Coach Hugo Broos. There were still debates about players left behind who are playing in our league,” he said.

Having helped Bafana reach the round of 32, Mbokazi has been linked to several European teams.

Should Mbokazi move to Europe?