- Sainz puts Verstappen, Norris in shade at US Grand Prix practice
- New Zealand edge West Indies to reach Women's T20 World Cup final
- UK's Lammy warns China over support for Russia in Ukraine
- Global coral bleaching event biggest on record: US agency
- UK activist jailed for dyeing fountain outside Buckingham Palace red
- Relief, anxiety in Israel after Sinwar's killing
- Wawrinka, 39, ousts top seed Rublev to reach Stockholm semis
- Harris, Trump descend on Michigan amid blockbuster early voting
- West Indies' Dottin restricts New Zealand to 128-9 in World Cup semi
- Sinwar's killing boosts Netanyahu but still no sign of war ending
- High court throws Kenya deputy president replacement into disarray
- Father of One Direction star Payne arrives in Argentina
- Guardiola says 'part of me will leave' when Begiristain quits Man City
- 'Timebomb' ship highlights hazard of dangerous cargoes
- France charges SUV driver with murder for running over cyclist
- Ex-Fulham Ladies captain Ronnie Gibbons 'groped' by Al-Fayed
- Italy judges reject first migrant detentions in Albania
- What next for Hamas after Sinwar's killing?
- Postecoglou urges inconsistent Spurs to change perceptions
- UN force says 'widespread destruction' in south Lebanon
- New Zealand on America's Cup cusp after double triumph
- New Zealand's Ravindra makes father proud with 'special' Test ton
- Stock markets mixed as investors weigh earnings, China GDP
- Ten Hag slams 'fairy tales and lies' as Man Utd boss comes out fighting
- Hamas mourns Sinwar, vows no hostage release until war ends
- Forest boss Nuno hit with three-game ban
- 'The killings continue': Sinwar death brings no respite for Gazans
- Gaza 'hell on Earth' for one million children: UN
- Maresca 'very happy' with start of Chelsea career
- New Zealand extends America's Cup lead on Britain
- England boss Tuchel deserves unconditional support: Guardiola
- P&G profits dip, says China recovery will take time
- India fight back after Ravindra ton cements New Zealand lead
- US regulator probes Tesla's self-driving mode after crashes
- Four-month-old baby dies as migrant boat sinks off France
- Kenya parliament backs Ruto's nominated new deputy
- Israel strikes Gaza after killing Hamas chief Sinwar
- Mbappe 'seems unaffected' by rape investigation reports: Ancelotti
- N Korea sending 'large-scale' troop deployment to Russia, Seoul spy agency says
- Global stock markets rise on China hopes
- Lebanon slams 'blatant interference' over remarks attributed to Iran official
- Odegaard nearing Arsenal return, says Arteta
- Women priests secretly ordained in the shadow of the Vatican
- Stellantis workers march in Italy over production slump
- Win over England a 'relief' but doesn't fix Pakistan woes, says Masood
- Howe says he was not contacted by FA over England job
- Biden in Berlin vows no let-up on support for Ukraine
- Meta unveils AI tie-up with horror movie producers
- King Charles arrives in Australia for landmark tour
- Stokes sorry for frustration over dropped catches in England loss
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Blond not bombs as Fognini learns to love Wimbledon
Five years after wishing for a "bomb to explode" on the All England Club, fiery Fabio Fognini on Wednesday described the tournament as "the best Grand Slam" after knocking out eighth-ranked Casper Ruud.
At 37, and boasting a striking peroxide blond hairstyle that some online critics have likened to a cross between punk rocker Billy Idol and Bart Simpson, the Italian clinched a 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (1/7), 6-3 win.
He did it the hard way, needing multiple match points to see off Ruud, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up.
"This is why I love and hate this sport at the same time," said Fognini, who is playing the tournament for the 14th time but has yet to make the second week.
"But I was really calm. Even if I was losing this crazy third set, I was thinking, 'OK, I'm two sets to one up. I start again'.
"He's in the top 10 and I'm 37 (years old) so this is a big present for me."
Fognini is a former world number nine but is now down at 94.
He has just six main draw wins all year on the ATP tour and has even drifted down into the second-tier Challenger circuit in an attempt to rediscover some form.
"I still love to play even if the ranking is going down and my age is going up," said Fognini before attempting to mend fences with the tournament.
In 2019, after playing and losing out on Court 14, he was overheard saying: "It's fair to play here? Damn English, really. Damned, really. I wish a bomb would explode on this club. A bomb should explode here."
He later apologised for the remarks.
On Wednesday, in front of a packed if cold Court Two crowd, Fognini confessed to a change of heart.
"It's the best Grand Slam in the world compared to the other three," he told fans.
"I love the competition. I want to enjoy it as much as possible. Maybe this 14th time will be lucky for me."
L.Durand--AMWN