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Iachini Returns as Fiorentina Coach after Prandelli Steps Down

Giuseppe Iachini. (AFP)
Giuseppe Iachini. (AFP)
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Iachini Returns as Fiorentina Coach after Prandelli Steps Down

Giuseppe Iachini. (AFP)
Giuseppe Iachini. (AFP)

Fiorentina have appointed Giuseppe Iachini as head coach to replace Cesare Prandelli, who resigned after a disappointing second spell in charge, the Serie A club said on Wednesday.

Iachini had succeeded Vincenzo Montella as manager in December 2019 but was sacked last November and replaced by Prandelli, who returned for a second stint following a spell between 2005-2010.

But the veteran coach stepped down on Tuesday after overseeing just five league wins to leave Fiorentina languishing in 14th.

"Beppe Iachini has returned as Fiorentina coach," the Serie A club said. "Fiorentina can confirm that Beppe Iachini has been placed in charge of the first team."

Former Sampdoria and Udinese coach Iachini, who managed just 12 wins in 31 league games during his first spell in charge, will conduct his first training session on Wednesday at the Davide Astori Training Center.

Fiorentina visit Genoa on April 3 after the international break.

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Swiatek Weathers Rain Break with Puzzles to Reach Semis, Top Seed Pegula Also Advances

Poland's Iga Swiatek takes a selfie after her match against Russia's Ekaterina Alexandria in their quarterfinal match at the WTA tennis tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP)
Poland's Iga Swiatek takes a selfie after her match against Russia's Ekaterina Alexandria in their quarterfinal match at the WTA tennis tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP)
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Swiatek Weathers Rain Break with Puzzles to Reach Semis, Top Seed Pegula Also Advances

Poland's Iga Swiatek takes a selfie after her match against Russia's Ekaterina Alexandria in their quarterfinal match at the WTA tennis tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP)
Poland's Iga Swiatek takes a selfie after her match against Russia's Ekaterina Alexandria in their quarterfinal match at the WTA tennis tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP)

Fourth seed Iga Swiatek solved crossword puzzles during an hour-long rain interruption on Thursday but kept her focus to earn a 6-4 7-6(5) victory over Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova and reach the Bad Homburg Open semi-finals.

The Pole, who is playing her only grasscourt tournament in the run-up to Wimbledon which starts next week, struggled at times and had 37 unforced errors against Alexandrova before setting up a semi-final against second-seed Jasmine Paolini.

"I think today was all about adjusting to the conditions because it was super windy," Swiatek said. "On one hand to be intense on the other hand being safe."

"Ekaterina is a tough opponent. I have lost against her before. She can play amazing tennis and her flat shots really fit the grass so I am happy I am through."

She won the first set after breaking Alexandrova twice but the match was interrupted midway through the second set with rain starting to fall.

Swiatek said she kept focused by solving crossword puzzles during the break and it seemed to work as she held serve throughout the second set to clinch the tiebreak and face Paolini next. Swiatek currently leads Paolini in their head-to-head 4-0.

The Italian, a Wimbledon finalist last year, recorded her fourth win over Beatriz Haddad Maia in as many meetings with a 7-5 7-5 victory.

It was also her first win over the Brazilian in straight sets as the Italian reached her fourth semi-final of the season.

Top-seed Jessica Pegula joined her in the last four after needing three sets to edge past fellow American and fifth-seed Emma Navarro 6-4 1-6 6-3.

Pegula will face 20-year-old Czech Linda Noskova who outplayed third-seed Mirra Andreeva 6-3 6-3.