Carlos Alcaraz continued his unpredictable journey in Rome, reaching the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia by defeating Jack Draper in straight sets on Wednesday. The Spaniard triumphed 6-4, 6-4 at the clay ATP Masters 1000, staging a comeback from 2-4 to secure the first set on Campo Centrale.

Although he relinquished an early break in the second set, he rallied for a one-hour, 38-minute victory in the quarter-finals.

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With this win, Alcaraz not only stays on track for his second Masters 1000 title of the year (following Monte-Carlo) but also secures his rise to No. 2 in the ATP Rankings on Monday, surpassing Alexander Zverev. This guarantees him the second seed for the upcoming Roland Garros, where he is the defending champion, ensuring that he will be placed in the opposite half of the draw from World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

With his Tour-leading 28th win of 2025, Alcaraz advanced to the Rome semifinals for the first time in his second appearance. He will face either defending champion Zverev or local favorite Lorenzo Musetti.

Similar to his previous matches against Laslo Djere and Karen Khachanov, Alcaraz displayed a performance that oscillated between remarkable shot-making and moments of inconsistency. Nevertheless, he maintained the steadiness needed to fend off the fifth-seeded Draper.

In the match, the third-seeded Spaniard recorded 24 winners compared to Draper’s eight, compensating for his 29 unforced errors against Draper’s 18. Alcaraz was also effective on returns, converting all four break points he created, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Following his victory against Draper in their first tour-level encounter on clay, Alcaraz now leads their ATP head-to-head series 4-2.

If Draper had won, he would have climbed above Taylor Fritz to No. 4 in the ATP Live Rankings. Despite the loss, he can take pride in his significant progress on clay, having previously won only nine tour-level matches on the surface before 2025; he has now doubled that number by reaching the second round in Monte-Carlo, the finals in Madrid, and the quarter-finals in Rome.

Diogo Dalot, Manchester United’s fullback, acknowledged that the team has fallen short of the club’s standards this season. He emphasized that securing FIFA Champions League qualification is the very least they can do, as the fans have endured as much hardship as the players.

Currently, Manchester United is positioned 16th in the Premier League, marking their worst domestic season to date. However, they still have the chance to end the season with a trophy after reaching the Europa League finals, where they will compete against fellow English side Tottenham Hotspur.

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“Winning the Europa League would mitigate how disappointing this season has been. It’s clear to everyone that this performance level is far from what the club represents. What we’ve shown this season doesn’t reflect what the club deserves; it’s essential we do this for the fans who have suffered alongside us,” said Dalot in a pre-match press conference.

“We have one last chance to secure a place in the Champions League and win a major trophy. That’s where we aspire to be, and we must seize this opportunity,” Dalot added ahead of the finals next Thursday (IST).

Joining Dalot was head coach Ruben Amorim, known for his candid approach during his brief tenure in England. After suffering a 0-2 defeat against West Ham, he candidly remarked that he might consider stepping down if the results don’t improve.

In response to inquiries about his comments, Amorim stated, “I’m not planning to quit. Since arriving, I’ve emphasized the importance of standards. I can’t stand by and accept these results in the Premier League without taking responsibility.”

While United anticipates a challenging match against Spurs, they can take comfort in the fact that Tottenham is in a precarious 17th position, having faced a difficult season as well.

Neeraj Chopra has achieved remarkable heights in javelin throw, clinching the historic Olympic gold in Tokyo, along with victories in the World Championships and the Diamond League. At just 27 years old, he has already secured a place in sporting history. However, one goal continues to elude him—the 90-metre mark.

With a personal best of 89.94m, Neeraj stands tantalizingly close, just six centimetres shy of this elite milestone.

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This Friday, as he leads India’s largest-ever contingent at the Diamond League in Doha, Neeraj will embark on a new season without the accolades of Olympic champion or world’s best thrower for the first time in four years.

However, the athlete from Panipat is making strides towards crossing that final barrier that distinguishes champions from legends. He has recruited Jan Železný, the greatest javelin thrower in history, as his coach.

Since earning bronze at the 2021 Kuortane Games, Neeraj has maintained an impressive record with 19 consecutive top-two finishes in global competitions. Yet, his experience in Paris served as a wake-up call, transitioning from a second-place finish—a dream for many—to a challenge for himself.

With a proven track record of excellence, including his gold medal in Tokyo and top placements in the Diamond Leagues and World Championships, Neeraj is focused on achieving global dominance by enhancing his performance on all fronts: physically, mentally, and technically.

The 90-Metre Obsession

What was once a symbolic target has become a crucial benchmark in a field where competitors like Anderson Peters and Arshad Nadeem consistently surpass the 90m mark. Neeraj recognizes that gold medals now require more than personal bests; they necessitate excellence.

His frustration from narrowly missing the 90m mark in Lausanne last year, despite winning, highlighted his ambitions. No longer a mere aspiration, the quest for a 90m throw has transformed into a mission, one that begins anew in Doha.

Jan Železný: The Mastermind

As he embarks on this new Olympic cycle, Neeraj is aiming to achieve his goals under the mentorship of Jan Železný, the current world record holder known for his extraordinary 52 throws beyond 90 metres. A three-time Olympic champion, Železný not only brings unparalleled credentials but also a successful coaching history, having trained Czech athlete Jakub Vadlejch into a world-class contender.

Post-Paris, Neeraj stated he will not rest until he has maximized every last centimeter of potential in his throwing capabilities. His collaboration with Železný focuses not just on refining technique or fitness, but also on optimizing every millimeter of energy, force, and trajectory.

The Doha Field—Familiar Foes

The competition in Doha is fierce, featuring multiple Olympic medalists and 90m throwers alongside emerging talents. In this demanding field, even throws in the high 80s might not guarantee a medal. The stakes are higher, and the competition is more intense than ever.

Nevertheless, Neeraj has consistently excelled under pressure, proving his mettle at events like the 2018 Asian Games and his historic gold win in Tokyo. Now, with a legendary coach beside him and a renewed determination, he aims to set a new benchmark—for himself, for Indian athletics, and for the annals of history.

The pursuit of the 90m throw is reignited, but this time it’s deeply personal.

Kishore Jena Joins Neeraj in Doha

India will have two competitors in the men’s javelin throw, as Neeraj is joined by compatriot Kishore Jena, who secured ninth place last year with a throw of 76.31m. Neeraj and Kishore previously dominated the podium, finishing first and second at the 2023 Asian Games in Huanzhou.

Additionally, Gulveer Singh and Parul Chaudhary will represent India in Doha. Gulveer, the national record holder in the men’s 5000m, will make his Diamond League debut, while Parul, the record holder in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, will also be competing.