Sinner More Confident Ahead of Wimbledon After First Grasscourt Title 

Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)
Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)
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Sinner More Confident Ahead of Wimbledon After First Grasscourt Title 

Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)
Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)

Jannik Sinner is primed for a Wimbledon title tilt after picking up his first grasscourt trophy at Halle on Sunday and the Italian said he is more confident on the surface heading into the Grand Slam that begins next week.

The 22-year-old became the eighth man since the ATP rankings were first published in 1973 to win his first tournament as the world number one after beating doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(8) 7-6(2) in Germany.

"I'm looking forward to it (Wimbledon). Last year I made the semi-finals, I played some good tennis. Let's see what's coming this year," said Sinner, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this year.

"I'm more confident for sure. And on this surface, obviously the grass might be a bit different from here and Wimbledon. But I have one week now to prepare for it, so hopefully it's going to be a good tournament."

It was not all good news for Sinner, however, as his girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya was beaten 6-7(0) 6-4 7-6(3) by Jessica Pegula in the Berlin final.

"My girlfriend Anna played in Berlin. She lost, with six (five) match points. I'm very sorry for her," said Sinner.

"She also had an amazing week."

Wimbledon runs from July 1-14.



PFL Announces Fight Card for Riyadh's 'Battle of the Giants'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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PFL Announces Fight Card for Riyadh's 'Battle of the Giants'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has finalized the fight card for its highly anticipated "Battle of the Giants" event, set to take place in Riyadh on October 19, SPA reported.
The main event will feature a heavyweight clash between mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Francis Ngannou and reigning PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. This title fight will determine the inaugural PFL Super Champion.
In the co-main event, women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg will face off against Larissa Pacheco, the two-division PFL champion, in a highly anticipated match to crown the greatest fighter in MMA history.
The card also includes a rematch between middleweight world champion Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, who also faced off in 2023, with Eplin securing victory via technical knockout.
Former featherweight world champion A. J. McKee will square off against rising star Paul Hughes in another exciting matchup. Hughes, with an impressive professional record of 11 wins and one loss, is considered a dangerous contender in the featherweight division.
The "Battle of the Giants" promises to be an action-packed event featuring top-tier MMA talent.