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Jannik Sinner was at his clinical best as he successfully defended his Wimbledon title with a bruising four-set victory over French Open champion Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.

The world number one recovered from losing the first set in a match largely dominated by serve, eventually wearing Zverev down to secure a 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-4 win.

“You can feel the nerves on Sunday morning; it is a very special place,” said Sinner, who saved the only break point he faced on Centre Court.

“You never know how many times you are going to come back. I never take it for granted.”

The Italian was rewarded for his perseverance in an attritional contest with his first Grand Slam title since lifting the trophy at the All England Club 12 months ago.

Sinner’s fifth Slam crown is just two behind the major’s tally of his injured rival Carlos Alcaraz after notching his 100th match win at tennis’ four biggest events.

He hit 58 winners against only 25 unforced errors in three hours and 46 minutes on Centre Court, refusing to buckle against an in-form Zverev who brought a 13-match winning streak at the Slams into the final.

“It has been an amazing final once again. It takes two players,” added Sinner, who banks the winner’s prize of £3.6 million ($4.8 million).

“I’m very happy about the win but I’m mostly very happy about the level we played.”

Sinner has banished the memories of his shock second-round exit from the French Open at the hands of Juan Manuel Cerundolo when he blew a two-set lead last month.

The closest Sinner came to crashing out of Wimbledon was in the first round when he had to come from behind to beat Miomir Kecmanovic in five sets.

It was plain sailing from then on for Sinner, who has become a fearsome force on grass.

The 24-year-old now boasts a remarkable 44-3 win-loss record this year after winning his sixth title of the season.

Zverev had never even reached the quarter-finals in nine previous visits to Wimbledon.

He managed to take a first set off Sinner in seven meetings, but could not kick on to snap a now 10-match losing streak against a seemingly unbreakable rival.

Zverev, who was bidding to become the first German man to win the trophy since Michael Stich in 1991, will climb above Alcaraz to second in the ATP rankings on Monday.

“At 29 years old, it’s the first time I actually believe I can win this trophy,” said the second seed.

Zverev left frustrated

Zverev saved the only break point of a tight first set dominated by serve as it went to a tie-break.

The first 15 points of the breaker went with serve, with both men saving set points, before Zverev clinched it with a fizzing forehand winner.

There were no break points in the second set as the players again efficiently bludgeoned their way to 6-6, but this time Sinner stepped it up in the tie-break to level the match.

Zverev finally created his first break point in the seventh game of the third set, but slipped when Sinner dinked over a drop-shot winner.

He clutched his knee and Sinner crossed the net to check on his opponent as the crowd held its breath, but was helped to his feet by the Italian.

Sinner made his move in the next game as Zverev’s serve finally broke down.

Zverev threw his racquet angrily across the turf after looping a forehand long on a break point which had seen Sinner lying flat on the turf earlier in the rally.

The top seed immaculately served it out to love, sealing a two-sets-to-one lead with an ace.

Zverev gamely tried to prolong the contest but his race was run when Sinner broke for a 4-3 advantage in the fourth set.

He wrapped up the title on serve despite a dramatic final game featuring arguably the two best rallies of the match, falling to the turf in celebration after slapping away a forehand winner on his first match point.

AFP

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FIFA has firmly dismissed allegations that referees favored Argentina during the country’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that match officials perform their duties with complete independence and professionalism.

The governing body responded after the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and many football supporters queried several officiating decisions made during the closely contested encounter.

The controversy followed Argentina’s remarkable comeback victory after Egypt had established a commanding 2-0 lead before eventually losing 3-2.

Egyptian officials expressed dissatisfaction with a number of decisions made by the refereeing team, arguing that key moments in the match significantly influenced the final outcome.

Among the issues raised were the disallowing of an Egyptian goal and the decision not to award a penalty after an incident involving Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah.

The disputed calls sparked intense debate across social media and among football analysts, with some supporters accusing the match officials of showing favoritism toward the defending champions.

Responding to the criticism, Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, strongly defended the integrity of the refereeing team.Soccer

He emphasized that referees selected for the FIFA World Cup are appointed based on merit, competence, and professional performance, and that their decisions are made independently without outside influence.

Collina also dismissed suggestions that FIFA leadership could interfere with officiating decisions, stressing that not even FIFA President Gianni Infantino has the authority to influence referees during matches.

According to him, maintaining the independence of match officials remains one of FIFA’s highest priorities in preserving the credibility of international football competitions.

While acknowledging that refereeing decisions often generate passionate debate, Collina warned that accusations questioning officials’ integrity without evidence could have serious consequences.

He noted that such allegations frequently expose referees and even their families to online abuse, threats, and harassment.

FIFA reiterated that all referees participating in the World Cup undergo rigorous selection processes and continuous assessments to ensure they meet the highest international standards.

The organization maintained that the officiating throughout the tournament has been conducted according to established rules and procedures designed to guarantee fairness for all competing teams.

The Argentina-Egypt encounter has become one of the tournament’s most discussed matches, not only because of Argentina’s comeback victory but also due to the controversy surrounding several key decisions.

Despite the complaints, FIFA has given no indication that it intends to review or overturn any of the refereeing decisions made during the match.Soccer

Football analysts note that disputes over officiating are common in major tournaments, particularly during high-stakes knockout matches where individual decisions can significantly influence the outcome.

Many observers have also pointed out that the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has reduced, though not completely eliminated, disagreements over refereeing decisions.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup progresses, FIFA says it remains committed to ensuring that all matches are officiated fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

The governing body has also called on players, officials, and supporters to respect match officials while continuing to uphold the spirit of fair play throughout the tournament.

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Defending champions Argentina will face England in the semifinals of FIFA World Cup 2026 after beating ten-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time thanks to a decisive long-range effort by Julian Alvarez.

Alexis Mac Allister headed in a 10th-minute cross by Lionel Messi to hand Argentina the lead at Kansas City Stadium on Saturday.

It was far from the dominant display that the South Americans would have hoped for thereafter, and the Europeans deservedly levelled in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye slotted home from close range.

The Swiss controversially lost Breel Embolo to a second yellow in the 72nd minute for simulation. VAR had to intervene, however, to request the referee to review whether the booking given to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was a case of mistaken identity – a new VAR rule for this tournament.

Embolo appeared to dive to win the free kick and Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro changed his decision, which resulted in an inconsolable Embolo given his marching orders.

Argentina pressed for the winner in normal time and nearly found their reward with virtually the last kick of the period when Lisandro Martinez flung himself at a loose ball in the box, but his scissor-kick didn’t have the power to beat the keeper.

Messi had himself come close when through, one-on-one, but his chip was saved. The referee’s assistant raised his flag to suggest the effort would have been offside anyway, although replays show a goal may well have stood – it would have been Messi’s ninth in six appearances at the tournament.

It was Alvarez who stole the show on this occasion, however, with a fizzing effort from 25 yards which rifled into the top right corner of the goal in the 112th minute.

As the Swiss threw bodies forward in the dying seconds, there were huge holes left at the back and Lautaro Martinez capitalised deep into stoppage time in extra time to slot home a third after a counterattack led by Thiago Almada, whose initial shot deflected kindly into his teammate’s path.

Argentina will now face England in the semifinal on Wednesday in Atlanta. Spain play France, the team Argentina defeated in the final at Qatar 2022, on Tuesday in the other last-four clash.

Only two nations have previously defended a World Cup title, Italy and Brazil.

The taxing nature of the competition, which saw Argentina also pushed to extra time in the round of 32 by Cape Verde, may play a part.

England, though, also needed extra time to beat Norway on Saturday, and 39-year-old Messi seems determined to defy time and can’t be ruled out from finding yet more magical moments.