The rest of the WTA can't even play points like this in their dreams, let alone deep in the third-set TB in a Grand Slam semi-final. Especially after Gauff whiffed on MP, just absurd stuff.

Karolína Muchová, you were born to play on Centre Court.

Tennis is matchup dependent even at the worst of times, but given the sheer depth of quality and variety in the WTA atm, it's arguably become even further amplified in recent times. It's not even about getting a specifically easy draw, but like Paolini this year, one compatible to skillset.

Just for funsies cause I'm a data nerd and I'm curious. The conversion rate for centre-backs after 4 penalty shootouts so far this #WorldCup is very low (40%), while attacking midfielders and wingers are leading the way for penalties converted in a shootout (80% both).

Catching up from overnight and Đoković really is the boogeyman for every player in the 90s/00s gen with the exception of Sincaraz. Countless times, he's just aura'd his way past opponents, and that fifth-set TB against FAA was no exception. As soon as the opponent becomes passive, he smells blood.

Martina on the world feed fangirling

That return to clinch the first set 😗👌🏼

Today I feel Belgian

Not today Karo pls

Coco whenever she loses the first set

cambi3 Enterprises seated for Sinner-Struff and then Muchová-Osaka on No. 1 Court

Instead of the Belgian FA moaning to UEFA so they release an inconsequential statement, should have boycotted the match instead. From 48 teams and the consequent active/reactive nonsense to the ad-hoc administering of the rules, this World Cup is a joke and the Portugal match broke me.

Presenting the cambi3 Enterprises CEO 🥰

Despite all the shots in her bag, and the overall level in this one, Karo spamming the serve-volley whenever it's crunch time in a service game is the best part of it all. Big Lenka we're coming for you

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I just feel sad for Iga when I watch her matches now :(

Dalić's tenure has gradually been a case of better the devil you know in relation to Croatian coaches, despite his general inability to optimise the talent pool while blindly leaning on experience at the cost of balance/function. As such, Bilić coming back would make that monumentally worse.

Iga-Eala after 2.5 games

🫣 #AUSEGY #FIFAWorldCup

#PORCRO #FIFAWorldCup

The streets will never forget

The more I watch Jodar, especially now on the faster surface, the more I am moved by his ability to return serve at this stage of his career. Exceptional absorption of pace off the first serve, super aggressive on the second. His own serve will get there too. Đoković disciple.

"If a coach could make prototype of a striker on computer, he would have made Edin. A perfect striker, considering how tall he is, aggressive and with good technique." - Don Luciano Spalletti More than holds his own with the absolute best 9s of his generation, both for club and country. Salute.

Honestly one of the stranger direct FK goals I’ve seen in recent times; Tillman can’t exactly smack it from that distance to get it up and under, yet totally within Vasilj’s grasp and he’s been just bamboozled by the ball flight. Jabulani 2.0.

This KO stage is quite the showcase of CAF/AFC teams still suffering some stupid nosebleeds, in both coaching decisions and player composure. Much more understandable for 🇨🇩 with the inexperience, but for the leading continental figures like 🇯🇵 and 🇸🇳, grow up and figure it out already ffs. #BELSEN

AND NOW FOR THE MAIN EVENT #USABIH #FIFAWorldCup

It should never have gotten to 2-2, but the circumstances for this winning penalty at the death are brutal for Senegal; Tielemans’ sole intention is to get clipped in the penalty area, like he was actually going to control a cutback in the box. AFCON/WC double whammy. #BELSEN #FIFAWorldCup

FAA I wish your BH was as profound as your intellect 🥲

With the exception of Salenko, trying to think who these "random" players are in Golden Boot races in the backpass era.

*scans the bookshelf and blows dust off an old classic* Adrien Rabiot in transition/Adrien Rabiot against a set defence

Gooreeeeetzkaaaaaaaaaaaaa (derogatory)

Hey guys, we posted our projections for Wimby and "don't forget to like share and subscribe" 🥰

This was even the case for Federer but the pants just look clunky and inelegant, defeating the purpose of wearing a white suit onto a tennis court and evoking style/tradition. Simply because it's easier not to take the shoes off, the pants look more like basketball tear offs than anything else.

Hajime Moriyasu there is blood on your hands. #BRAJPN #FIFAWorldCup

However much optimising Kamada's role can be definitive for Japan, lamentable how inevitable it was Japanese Dalić was not going to start Tanaka in a match like this. Have the players/opportunity to run rings around Brazil's midfield but chooses mid-block instead. Tiring. #BRAJPN #FIFAWorldCup

Your Wimbledon 2026 champion

Hard to understate just how much of a cornball you have to be to make citizens of the world turn on Canada, the nicest country and people on the planet

Deeply disturbed by South Africa press-baiting being roundly booed when Red Bull Canada have been as bad as they have in possession since the very start of the tournament. It’s not even the u-shape stuff, but elementary technical errors under minimal pressure. #RSACAN #FIFAWorldCup

Just on conjecture with Ghana's equaliser; however much there is a possibility of impacting from offside, this is embarrassing set piece defence from Croatia. Given wide free kick meta in 2026, loading up front zone is made worse by loose marking with 1v1 out the back. #CROGHA #FIFAWorldCup

This Baturina #realhooper group stage, however:

I am Jack's Mind-Numbing Ball Circulation.

Only just clocked and dreaded the narrative gymnastics and political footballing that awaits us if the Sokkahroos do end up facing Iran, but in a way I'll still be satisfied we'd finally get this match. Closest we came to it I feel since joining AFC was the 2015 AC, denied by Ben Williams in the QF.

Back in Australia for this one so *presses mute*. #PARAUS #FIFAWorldCup

#USAAUS #FIFAWorldCup

Naomi-Big Lenka as classic cat-dog CB pairing

It shatters my heart but Karo as a footballer:

I put an unhealthy amount of thought into FC WTA but this XI would absolutely cook and I will accept no opinions to the contrary. (Ostapenko as all-action B2B #8 as contingency for when Muchová inevitably pings her hammy, and Rybakina as big target #9 in the event we're chasing late.)

I am ready to be hurt again. #ENGCRO #FIFAWorldCup