Swiatek Reigns Supreme at French Open

Poland's Iga Swiatek raises the trophy Suzanne Lenglen following her victory over Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on June 10, 2023. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
Poland's Iga Swiatek raises the trophy Suzanne Lenglen following her victory over Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on June 10, 2023. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
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Swiatek Reigns Supreme at French Open

Poland's Iga Swiatek raises the trophy Suzanne Lenglen following her victory over Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on June 10, 2023. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
Poland's Iga Swiatek raises the trophy Suzanne Lenglen following her victory over Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on June 10, 2023. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)

Poland's Iga Swiatek continued her dominance on Parisian clay with a third French Open crown in the last four years, defeating unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova 6-2 5-7 6-4 in a thrilling final to capture her fourth Grand Slam title on Saturday.

Swiatek has now lost only two out of 26 Grand Slam matches since moving to world number one in April last year and the 22-year-old became the youngest woman to bag consecutive trophies at Roland Garros since Monica Seles, who triumphed from 1990-92.

The US Open champion also joined Seles and Naomi Osaka as the only women in the Open Era to emerge victorious in each of their first four major finals but she was made to work hard despite a fast start.



Neymar Still Out of Brazil Squad for World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay

 Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)
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Neymar Still Out of Brazil Squad for World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay

 Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)

Neymar is back in action after more than a year out due to a torn ACL but he won’t be playing in Brazil’s last two World Cup qualifiers this year.

Brazil coach Dorival Júnior did not include the star striker in his squad on Friday for matches at Venezuela on Nov. 14 and against Uruguay five days later.

Neymar returned for Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal on Oct. 21 in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Júnior said he’s talked to Neymar three times in the last two months and the striker wanted to play for the national team.

“He is fully recovered, but he has had just a few minutes of play, and that was a big reason,” Júnior said. “By next year, he will have had more time playing, he will totally recover his confidence.”

Júnior also left out teenage striker Endrick.

Brazil is fourth in South American qualifying, six points behind leader Argentina after 10 rounds. The top six teams secure automatic berths in the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil:

Goalkeepers: Weverton (Palmeiras), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City).

Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Vanderson (Monaco) Abner (Lyon), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Murillo (Nottingham Forest) Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain).

Midfielders: André (Wolverhampton), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Gerson (Flamengo), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Raphinha (Barcelona).

Forwards: Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Savinho (Manchester City).