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What a way to wrap up the 2023 Triple Crown season of Thoroughbred Racing at the 155th Belmont Stakes after we witnessed such an unbelievable finish where Arcangelo got away against a bunch of other late front runners just in time for the win. Current Preakness Stakes winner National Treasure was looking to bow out two of three Triple Crown wins with a great start to lead the pack & hung in there for the majority. But then it all changes everything going into the final homestretch where National Treasure began to slip away from top spot, with Arcangelo becoming the new leader.

The race isn’t still over just yet with about 100-200 metres left as a few other new front runners took place of National Treasure – whose momentum declined even further down the field – in the hope of steal the race off Arcangelo before the finish line approaches at the last minute. 

But Arcangelo held on top spot really well against the likes of Forte, Tapid Trice & Hit Show where they were all sniffing right behind him before he crossed the finish line first unscathed that marked their breakthrough moments in Belmont Stakes history by both jockey Javier Castellano & female trainer Jena Antonucci – how good!

And speaking of how good, it’s great to hear the dulcet tones of Tom Durkin once again for new rights holder FOX in conjunction with New York Racing Association after his initial retirement from calling nearly a decade ago. I’m sure he will hopefully continue calling for them on a one-off annual basis going forward. Yes, it’s far from ideal to see NBC carry the first two Triple Crown races now while still airing the Breeders’ Cup. But the Belmont Stakes is still an excellent race to wrap up the third and final leg nonetheless as can’t wait to start all over again beginning with the 150th Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2024.

What a weekend to reflect from the women’s & men’s singles main event deciders of the 2023 Roland Garros at Court Phillipe Chatrier, as we turn our attention to the grass courts at Wimbledon early next month in London.

We saw some competitiveness from Karolina Muchkova along the way following an excellent response to Iga Swiatek’s quick 1st spell that sets up a 3rd set deciding shootout before Swiatek still reigns on clay towards the finish line (6-2, 5-7, 6-4). Then over in the men’s, Casper Ruud played some excellent shots that comes with a good build-up base while trying to stay in this fight. But Djokovic has got the better pull & lead momentum though on what has been his grand slam title No.23 (7-6 (7-1 tiebreak), 6-3, 7-5).

First of all, hats off to Swiatek with another grand slam win on clay where it has been somewhat more competitive this time after an easy start. However, she responded really well under pressure before she saw light at the end of the tunnel with the win. Looking at Muchkova now, it wasn’t easy to get the ball rolling that fast especially when it’s her first grand slam final. She never gave Swiatek a free ride with some excellent fight in a bid to stay in the mix that includes a great 3rd set restart, but sadly just couldn’t hold off under pressure towards the end there.

So unlucky to have fallen short once again fom Ruud, having got away with a brilliant start earlier on. But the executions weren’t there to find his way out unscathed, especially when trying to get the job done under pressure before Djokovic has won it all along. And on the men’s singles champ, he’s still standing where he’s got the experience needed to pull his way past such a talented challenger. That’s all I can say when a good 1st set lifeline puts him in a great position towards an easy 2nd set & then took his time well thanks to a huge lead advantage he’s got on the run home.

Day 13 of the 2023 Roland Garros marked the end of the semis ahead of the weekend’s big final starting later today with the women’s singles between Iga Swiatek & Karolina Muchkova. Novak Djokovic still standing tall v Carlos Alcaraz after a fiery first half at 1-1 before Djokovic easily wrapped up the match (3-6, 7-5, 1-6, 1-6). So does Casper Ruud v Alexander Zverev when the dominated the court with a great start followed by overcoming close 2nd set battle & then an easy finish in straight sets (6-3, 6-4, 6-0).

So gutted to see Alcaraz being dropped out from the last 4, having fought back really well with a mix of impressive shots that saw him won the 2nd set. Sadly, not only he had a rough opening stage but couldn’t find top spot to build on that fightback where he was wiped out easily by Djokovic. Speaking of Djokovic, he had a great game particularly during the 2nd half after Alcaraz won the 2nd set. He knows his opponent is a great challenger who has high hopes for grand slam glory in the years to come as seen during the 2nd set. But he still has the experience & energy to rebound all the way quicksmart towards another grand slam final on clay.

Meanwhile, it wasn’t the exit Zverev was hoping for when he finally got the ball rolling with some excellent fightback, having fell short in the 2nd stage. While he did the best he can including a good restart to level Ruud at 1–1, but a poor start saw him fell behind as the match goes on & it was simply too much for him to climb back in the end. And on Ruud, he was brilliant thanks to a great start while taking his time to get past Zverev with a 2-0 lead. That way, he easily found the finish line where Ruud is now one match way from hopefully going third time lucky this time v Djokovic in the final tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s women’s singles final in this year’s Roland Garros has been set between Karolina Muchkova & Iga Swiatek after two excellent semi final matches yesterday. One match was the best of three where Muchkova was held back by Aryna Sabalenka at 1-1 before she found her way out with patience for the win  (7-6 (7-5 tie), 6-7 (5-7 tie), 7-5). And another looked a bit different where Swiatek got away with an easy first set, but that 2nd stage was really competitive where Beatriz Haddad Maia made some lost time along the way. But it was Swiatek who stood tall once again that ended for Brazilian’s fairytale run from the semi-finals in straight sets (6-2, 7-6 (9-7 tie)).

Gotta feel sorry for Sabalenka there who not only fired off really well but also showed some excellent fightback including that 2nd set tiebreak that led into a 3rd set decider. However, she just couldn’t hold on under pressure while leading briefly before she fell short to Muchova. Speaking of Muchkova, she kept it simple by taking her time all along when facing the current Aus Open champ in Sabalenka. She might have been held back following the 2nd stage of tiebreaks when the pressure began is on Muchkova to turn things around. But she has stuck to the approach that was working & here she is finding her way out unscathed en route to her first grand slam final – unbelievable.

Then we look back at the other semi tie now as Haddad Maia got away with a good start, but then was largely behind throughout the first set. Although her 2nd set run was improving where she threw the pressure back at Swiatek at times, but just couldn’t get the job done under pressure, even though she fell short from setting up a 3rd set decider in the tiebreak. And hats off to Swiatek who was class all along with the win. She got away with an easy first stage before she took her time with patience to grasp more of her opponent’s game while leading the 2nd set. Yes, it wasn’t easy but she credits that tiebreak as her lifeline where she went on to stand out on top.

Now we turn our attention to the men’s singles last 4 later tonight (or today over in Paris) – first up Carlos Alcaraz v Novak Djokovic then straight after this opening semi is Casper Ruud v Alexander Zverev.

After Day 11, the men’s singles Final Four draw has also been finalised for Day 13 throughout tomorrow at least in the daytime ahead of Sunday’s final day – with Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz for semis No.1 as well as Alexander Zverev & Casper Ruud in the 2nd semis tie. Zverev & Tomas Martin Etcheverry both players shared the lead at 1-1 before Zverev went on to win the final two sets, even though it wasn’t easy (6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4). Then we saw another thrilling contest to close the Final 8 bracket where Holger Rune won the 3rd set after being easily blown away during the first half. But then couldn’t stop Ruud all along despite trying to stay in contention as of late (1-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3).

Etcheverry never gave Zverev an easy run, having kept a close eye on him who is about as tall as his opponent. He did well to share the lead at 1-1 apiece but just didn’t have the 2nd half momentum & execution to hold him back further in his tracks. Meanwhile, Zverev was so aware of Etcheverry’s game who got away with the opening set lead before he was held back after the 2nd set loss. But he replied really well to maintain his top spot position before things starting to be easier going into the fourth set & he has nailed it towards the end without any rush thanks to that winning advantage he’s got there.

Then Holger Rune came from behind to stop Ruud from wrapping up in straight sets while continuing to stay in this fight in the hope of a 5th set decider & finish it off his way But it doesn’t mean he can stop Ruud for the whole match itself where his 1st half display wasn’t good from the start before Rune did the best he can to hang & it was simply too much to grasp with loads of pressure for him. And Ruud really had the best start and 1st half momentum where he was way ahead of Rune. Yes, he had to be wary of Rune’s 2nd half resurgence, but took his time well to find his way out unscathed for the win.

Tonight’s women’s singles semi-finals (or later today over in Paris) are all set at Court Phillipe Chatrier where four players will become two for a shot on Saturday’s big final – it’s Karolina Muchkova v Aryna Sabalenka followed by Iga Swiatek v Beatriz Haddad Maia. We saw Beatriz Haddad Maia rise up from the opening set down to beat Ons Jabeur after she held on really well that went all the way through the tiebreak as not only she set up the 3rd set decider, but she too has won as well (3-6, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreak) & 6-1). And not too long later, Iga Swiatek got away with a competitive opening stage battle v Coco Gauff before she was being too good in straight sets (6-4, 6-2).

Jabeur is disappointed with the loss there after an easy start. However, she struggled to build on that good start where not only she couldn’t find the sweet spot going into the 3rd set decider, but was also easily run down by Maia in the end as well. Speaking of Maia, she had a great game to turn this around from the 1st down. She might have built that momentum that late before Jabeur had that 1-0 lead, but grasped her opponent’s game well to stay in the fight before these two lifelines gave Maia the better pull towards punching that semi-finals ticket.

Meanwhile, Gauff showed some excellent response from the beginning to keep Swiatek in check, especially when facing such a difficult opponent who is the top-ranked seed of this draw. But then her momentum began to go downhill where not only she fell short ahead of Set 2, but just couldn’t hold on under pressure before it was too late. Meanwhile, Swiatek was really patient along the way that allowed her to find some time before she found that checkpoint with the opening set lead. And that puts her in a great position with the 1-0 advantage going into the 2nd set where she was good in the end.

We saw two excellent match-ups to begin this year’s Quarter Finals in the men’s singles draw of the Roland Garros – one is where Carlos Alcaraz being too good following an easy win v Stefanos Tsitsipas (6-2, 6-1, 6-6 (7-5 tie)), while the other was a bit more intense between Novak Djokovic & Karen Khachanov (4-6, 6-6 (7-0 tiebreaker), 6-2, 6-4). That now puts both Alcaraz & Djokovic head-to-head for Friday’s 1st semi-final match-up (Day 13).

Not the day Tsitsipas wanted to see out on clay this year where he fired off not bad as well as being able to try and save himself in contention particularly during the third set & go from there, even though it might be a long hill to climb back. Sadly, his performance today wasn’t on par with the Spaniard where he fell way behind while beaten easily as this tie goes on. For Alcaraz, he was simply too good all around from start to finish. Yes, he had some challenges along the way during the 3rd set. But he was tested really well to hang in there before that tiebreak period gave him another chance to get the job done & he has done it en route to the last 4 here – legend v emerging grand slam champ for a spot in the Final, can’t wait!!

Commiserations to Khachanov who challenged Djokovic really well at times for the majority & knows how to get the ball rolling, having won the opening set + some near wins during 2nd & 4th set spells. But when it comes to being tested under all sorts of pressure, that is when his momentum began to nosedive during the 2nd set tiebreak & couldn’t rebound much through the rest of this tie. And Djokovic might had fell short in the opening set, but he never gave up by fighting back really well where he credits the 2nd set tiebreak as his turning point; So he can go on by overtaking Khachanov for the lead and finish this tie off calm & composed.

There’s two more QF ties left for Day 11 on the road for the 2nd semis match now with Alexander Zverev v Tomas Martin Etcheverry followed by Casper Ruud v Holger Rune.

Meanwhile, there were also two women’s singles quarter-finals to commence Day 10 before the men’s singles QFs take over at Court Phillipe Chatrier. Karolina Muchkova & Anastasia Paulychenkova both had a really competitive first set spell, but Muchkova had the better pull in straight sets (7-5, 6-2). Then in the second QF straight after the Muchkova v Paulychenkova tie between Elina Svitolina & Aryna Sabalenka, it was somewhat more competitive right through until the end of each set. But again, there can only be one winner & Sabalenka managed to get the job done also in straight sets (4-6, 4-6) where she will now face Muchkova in the 1st semis match tomorrow (Day 12).

So close from Paulychenkova where she responded well to Muchkova’s fast start with a few rebounds of her own before it all the way through the tiebreak. But she just lacked the execution there to pull off while struggling to catch up under pressure before it was too late after a good restart to the 2nd set. On the other hand, great game by Muchkova when not only she fired off well but stayed patient too that helped her tick off both sets.

Looking back at the other tie now & oh so close as well from Svitolina who showed some excellent fightback including these good starts & restarts to stay on track. But sadly, she lacked the other half momentum where she couldn’t get the job done to finish off the 1st set, before trying to hold back Sabalenka in the hope of a decider & it was simply just too late. And speaking of Sabalenka, she’s so relieved after overcoming some great battles v Svitolina. Her patience was tested really well where she may have been challenged at times, but she found the execution to escape with the 1-0 lead & did the exact same thing again towards the finish line.

We now look forward to Day 11 tonight to see out the other two Final 8 ties with Ons Jabeur v Beatriz Haddad Maia followed by Iga Swiatek v Coco Gauff.