LATEST
His father was a janitor. Meet potential US Open champion Frances Tiafoe!
Frances Tiafoe has captured the imagination of the American public.
On Wednesday, he became the first American man to reach the U.S. Open semifinals since 2006 beating Andrey Rublev 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0), 6-4.
The last American to reach the semifinals at Flushing Meadows was Andy Roddick when he lost to Roger Fededer 16 years ago.
In fact, Roddick was also the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title, winning the 2003 U.S. Open.
Coming back to Tiafoe, he had eliminated 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round.
All of America will be watching as Tiafoe will play his first ever Grand Slam semifinal against No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.
In the other semi-final, Casper Ruud will clash with Karen Khachanov.
Amongst the quartet, Ruud is the only one to have reached a Grand Slam final having finished runner-up at the French Open this year.
What’s the Tiafoe story
The 24-year-old Tiafoe grew up in Maryland in extremely humble circumstances.
Tiafoe’s parents were immigrants from Sierra Leone who fled owing to civil war in their country.
They made their way to America in the quest for a better life for their twin boys.
His father, Constant Tiafoe took a labouring job building a tennis centre in Maryland, where he also worked as a janitor.
His mother found employment, doing night shifts as a nurse and the family lived in a spare room at the tennis centre, often sleeping on a massage table.
The family could not afford lessons or equipment but Constant was a valued member of staff and the boys got a chance to play for free on the tennis courts.
Frances quickly got interested in the game.
Luckily, coach Misha Kouznetsov soon spotted his talent and started grooming him for a professional career.
Tiafoe went up the rankings in the junior circuit pretty fast.
However, he started making a real breakthrough in his career after hiring former top-10 player Wayne Ferreira as coach in 2020.
We wish Tiafoe all the best for the US Open and hope that this story inspires athletes all over the world to realise their dreams.
LATEST
Chris Evert at 70: A Life of Purpose and Triumph
Chris Evert is at 70! The iconic tennis champion celebrates her 70th birthday while reflecting on a life of achievement and meaning. Evert’s illustrious career boasts 18 Grand Slam titles and a record-breaking reign at the top of the women’s game. Beyond her athletic achievements, she reshaped tennis for future generations, balancing elegance with fierce competitiveness.
Evert’s influence extends off the court. Her tenure as WTA president marked a pivotal era for women’s tennis, strengthening its global presence. As a mother and now a grandmother, Evert values her journey as deeply as her professional success. Chris Evert at 70!
In recent years, Evert battled ovarian cancer twice, emerging as an advocate for early detection and health awareness. Her resilience has inspired countless fans, demonstrating the strength of perseverance. Alongside Martina Navratilova, Evert continues to raise awareness about breast cancer, leveraging her platform for impactful advocacy.
Evert also reflects on her personal growth, embracing her role as a mentor and public speaker. She remains committed to empowering women in sports and beyond, emphasizing purpose and determination in the face of challenges.
As she turns 70, Evert’s legacy as a sports icon, cancer survivor, and champion of change continues to shine brightly. Her journey is a testament to the enduring power of passion and resilience.
BIG NEWS
Janakpur Bolts Clinch Victory in Inaugural Nepal Premier League Final
Nepal Premier League Final! Janakpur Bolts clinched the inaugural Nepal Premier League title by defeating Sudurpaschim Royals in a thrilling final. The Bolts showcased remarkable resilience, chasing down a target of 187 runs with five wickets in hand at the TU International Cricket Ground.
Sudurpaschim Royals, batting first, set a competitive total of 184 for nine wickets, led by Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari. Zaib scored a solid 69 runs, while Bhandari added a crucial 41. However, their middle order failed to capitalize on a strong start, succumbing to disciplined bowling from Janakpur’s attack.
Kishor Mahato and Mohammad Mohisin starred with the ball for Janakpur, each claiming three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi bowled an exceptional spell, conceding just 15 runs, including a maiden over. Their efforts restricted Sudurpaschim from posting a more imposing total.
In response, Janakpur’s Lahiru Milantha led the charge with a stunning 87 runs off 49 balls, including six fours and as many sixes. His innings anchored the chase, despite early pressure from Sudurpaschim’s bowlers. Aasif Sheikh, the Janakpur captain, played a vital supporting role, ensuring a composed finish.
This victory is a milestone for Nepali cricket, highlighting the league’s competitiveness and its potential to elevate local talent. Fans celebrated the intense final, hopeful for the league’s promising future.
Entertainment
Bollywood’s Struggle with Superstar Potential: Insights from Film Experts
Bollywood fans have long admired stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. However, many filmmakers struggle to bring out the full potential of these superstars. In an exclusive discussion with Pinkvilla, YouTuber and film critic Anmol Jamwal, along with marketing director Varun Gupta, highlighted this issue.
They noted that South Indian filmmakers, like Atlee and AR Murugadoss, consistently bring out the best in actors. Atlee’s work with Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan and Murugadoss’ handling of Aamir Khan in Ghajini were key examples. Both directors showcased their stars in new ways, leading to blockbuster successes.
Himesh Mankad, a trade analyst, explained that trust between the actor and director is essential. He mentioned that when actors feel safe with directors, they perform better. He gave an example of Salman Khan’s suggestions during filming. Mankad said it’s up to the director to pick the right ideas and reject the wrong ones.
Anmol Jamwal questioned if Bollywood stars are willing to adapt. He pointed to Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and noted that many films lack strong scripts. He asked if directors like Atlee could bring precision and elevate the material.
Varun Gupta spoke about how directors need to earn an actor’s trust. He pointed out that Ranveer Singh trusts Aditya Dhar because Dhar has proven himself in his genre. Gupta noted that in the South, filmmakers work hard to ensure both the stars and stories succeed.
The trio agreed that the audience plays a key role. Varun explained that watching films in South India is a part of everyday life. In contrast, Bollywood needs to work harder to earn the audience’s trust after disappointing films. The experts concluded that films like Jawan and Kabir Singh prove that great results come when the director and actor trust each other.
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