Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari is through to the second round of Wimbledon after defeating Russian opponent Anna Blinkova 6-4, 6-4 in 78 minutes on Court 8.
Currently ranked No. 77 in the world, Sakkari started strong in the opening set, breaking early to take a 5-2 lead. However, she allowed Blinkova (ranked No. 78) to fight back to 5-4, saving three set points in the process. Sakkari eventually held her nerve to close out the set in 42 minutes.
Sakkari d. Blinkova 6-4 6-4 at Wimbledon
Good start for Maria
She’s never been past the 3rd round at this event
Trying to work her way back after ending last season with an injury
Her ranking’s dropped, but she still has the level & experience
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 1, 2025
The second set was a tighter contest, with both players holding serve through the opening games.
Sakkari pulled ahead to 4-2, only for Blinkova to immediately respond with a break of her own and level the score at 4-4. From there, Sakkari relied on her powerful serve to regain control, holding for 5-4 before securing the decisive break to claim victory.
Sakkari will now face either Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan or Russia’s Elena Rybakina in the second round of the prestigious Grand Slam tournament.
Let me paint you a picture. One without the glossy finish or perfect edges. I’m sitting at a dimly lit table in the epicentre of Athens, Monastiraki. I’ve officially been in Greece for two weeks, and as much as I’ve been living strictly on a go with the flow basis, I would now please like to know in which direction the flow is coming from, where it will take me, and perhaps when I should expect its arrival.
So me, myself, and my multiple personalities are sitting with a glass of rosé, trying to quiet the mind the only way I know how – writing.
My thoughts on the matter of moving overseas are that you’re allowed about two minor breakdowns and only one major. I’m merely being efficient and getting the first two out of the way. Because when you’re used to a strict routine, your favourite pad thai for takeaway, and the safety of your couch with Love Is Blind rolling in the background, Athens hostels, temporary beds, and no reality TV can be, to say the least, terrifying.
Moving abroad isn’t a foreign concept, and the roadmap towards it should be pretty clear by now. It usually starts with an inspired conversation with a friend about how “they have dinner at 9pm in Europe and come home at 7am” or “There’s just no place like London” – both true, mind you. Next steps are to pop into a newsagent (or Officeworks if you’re feeling fancy) for a brand-spanking-new A4 notebook with fresh sheets of lined paper, ready to be inked up with ‘To-Do Lists’, ‘Places to Visit’, and ‘What to Pack’ (mostly adapters, portable charger banks and don’t forget your underwear).
The excitement can be exhilarating – and as it should be, you’re about to move overseas. But in a room of type A’s, I’m happy to stand loud and proud for the type B’s – mostly the younger siblings, always the fun ones. But fun sometimes leaves little room for logic, and when you’ve bought a one-way ticket overseas, a little logic doesn’t go astray.
I’ve been living (surviving) in Athens for two weeks by this point, only bringing with me a spilling 30 kilogram suitcase, a vague idea of where I might live, and a growing list of hindsights crafted from tasks I probably should’ve done by now. It seems as though I’ve unintentionally delegated the task of personally discovering whether chaos is really a strategy – and if blind optimism will, after all, prevail (here’s hoping).
But let me take you back to the start. And by the start, I mean back in 2008 when Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep, and Amanda Seyfried graced us with the gift that is Mamma Mia. Not to sound childish, but I wanted Sophie’s life back then and dang it, I want it now, too.
Reaching the pointy end of my 20’s, I don’t subscribe to the idea that you have to be of a certain age to do anything or that it’s ever too late for a change. But I do know that if I don’t make all of the reckless decisions my heart desires now – while I have no kids and no major responsibilities – inescapable regret will inevitably rear its head later down the line. And I just don’t like the sound of that.
My tips from a newborn solo traveller to the next are as follows: Lock the door in your hostel toilet. Otherwise, a complete stranger from America will walk in on you. In this instance, it turned into a beautiful friendship filled with drinks and day trips, sharing secrets from our lives across the globe (but you might not be so lucky). Wear walking shoes – always – because you’ll be doing a hell of a lot of it. Ask questions. You’ll most likely find the best answer comes straight from the mouth of a local shop owner rather than your phone. I’ll keep you updated with any more.
So while I scramble to secure that pretty little life I so desire, I won’t shy away from the fact that I at times get scared and stressed, and don’t expect that to stop any time soon.
So book the ticket.
Disclaimer – I hold no accountability if you absolutely have the worst time and regret every second (but I doubt that’s going to happen).
Currently serving a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty in hopes of avoiding the death penalty, Voulgaris claimed she was unwittingly caught up in a “black money scam.”
10 News+ alleged that Voulgaris’ husband was caught up in the “scam” when he asked his ex-wife to travel.
“I wouldn’t think that he would hurt you, his children,” she told her children in a tearful video call, aired on the programme.
The episode presented text messages allegedly sent by Mr Voulgaris, including: “Brother, I’m sending my ex-wife. Better nothing goes wrong,” and later, “You are risking money, I’m risking the mother of my children.”
The show claimed Mr Voulgaris asked Debbie to travel to Laos twice to retrieve suitcases, unaware they were being used to smuggle drugs.
Debbie was arrested in December 2023 at Taoyuan International Airport with 7kg of heroin and cocaine in her suitcase. Her new lawyer, Michael Hsu, insists, “Debbie definitely has no intention to trafficking any drugs into Taiwan.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that she is receiving consular support but refrained from further comment, citing diplomatic protocol.
After two tough losses during their double-header in round 12 of the Basketball NSW Waratah League, the St George Saints Mens White team were on a mission to avenge previous losses.
With four squad members unavailable for last Saturday’s match on the road against the Inner West Bulls, the Saints called on their depth and fringe players to step up in a big way.
The Saints determination to bounce back was clear from the start, with Yianni Trikilis and Jayden Tanevski leading by example with their relentless defence and impressive ball movement.
Jack Ticic also stood tall, offering excellent support on both ends of the floor.
The spirited Saints closed out the opening quarter on the front foot, leading the Bulls 27-17 and their momentum continued into the second quarter closing out the first half ahead by fifteen points (60-45).
The third quarter saw a spirited challenge from the Bulls, with the hosts ramping up the physicality, however the Saints were up to the challenge.
The visitors held their own during the third period taking a twelve-point lead into the final quarter (86-74).
The final quarter was a total team performance from the Saints, with every player contributing.
The visitors continued to lift the intensity, executing on both ends of the floor to close out the Bulls with a commanding 117-94 victory.
This performance was a testament to the Saints putting in a consistent four-quarter performance and was a well-earned victory.
Following their victory Saints head coach George Aliferis was impressed with his team’s response to recent losses.
“I was extremely proud that we kept it together for all four quarters,” he said.
“We deserved this win after some recent close losses… We now need to focus and prepare for this weekends big challenge against league leaders Tamworth [Thunderbolts].
“They’ve only lost one game all season and this game will show the true character of our group.”
Saints stars Yianni Trikilis and Jayden Tanevski both delivered standout performances to help inspire their team to victory.
Trikilis finished with 14 points and was a menace on the defensive end of the floor pulling in a lot of rebounds.
Tanevski finished with a game high 40 points in a standout performance for the visitors.
The Saints now look ahead to this weekends blockbuster matchup when they host league leaders Tamworth Thunderbolts on Saturday 5 July.
St George Saints Senior Reps results – Saturday 28 July 2025
Youth League Mens White
St George Saints 90-109 Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders
Youth League Mens Red
Marrickville Spirit 64-120 St George Saints
Mens White
Inner West Bulls 94-117 St George Saints
St George Saints Senior Reps results – Sunday 29 July 2025
Cyprus’ upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026 is being hailed by President Nikos Christodoulides as a “unique opportunity” to enhance the country’s role as a reliable and strategic partner in a region of major geopolitical significance.
Reflecting on his involvement in Cyprus’ 2012 presidency, he described it as “one of my best professional actions” and said he now recognises the full value and complexity of the role.
Η ανάληψη της Προεδρίας του Συμβουλίου της ΕΕ αποτελεί μια μοναδική ευκαιρία για την πατρίδα μας. Μας δίνει τη δυνατότητα να αναδείξουμε τα ποιοτικά και θετικά της χαρακτηριστικά και να προβάλουμε με πράξεις τον ρόλο της ως ωφέλιμου και αξιόπιστου εταίρου 🇨🇾🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/2slO5toF7z
— NikosChristodoulides (@Christodulides) June 30, 2025
Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna added that preparations are well underway, with priorities and venues such as the Filoxenia Conference Centre already at an advanced stage. She emphasised the aim to showcase Cyprus’ added value in the EU and its role as a regional bridge between Europe and the Middle East.
“We will invite the Turkish president as we will invite all the leaders,” he said, adding that geography cannot be changed and Turkey will always be a neighbour. “It is solely up to Turkey to move forward with its obligations.”
Judge Doria Varoshiotou, who ruled that the 2005 death of Cypriot Australian national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou was not suicide but a criminal act, will not be made a permanent judge after completing her two-year probationary term.
According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), lawyers were notified via a court notice in Limassol that her judicial service had concluded, with pending cases now to be reassigned.
In 2024, Varoshiotou delivered a landmark ruling overturning previous conclusions of suicide and stating Nicolaou had died by strangulation.
Judge Doria Varoshiotou ruled the 2005 death of Cypriot Australian national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou was not suicide but a criminal act.
The verdict sparked public applause and emotional reactions in the courtroom, having come after years of legal battles with state prosecutors.
Following her decision, Varoshiotou was reassigned from the criminal division to the civil division. She later revealed that the president of the Limassol court had attempted to pressure her into altering the findings of two separate inquests — an attempt she formally resisted.
CNA noted that it is highly unusual for a judge not to be confirmed after their probationary period, but no official comment has yet been made by the Supreme Judicial Council.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth has accused a group calling itself the “Soldiers of God” of attacking the historic site on Sunday evening while it was closed.
According to a statement posted on Facebook, the group forcibly removed the outer gate and rang the church bell without permission.
“The Orthodox Community Council will not allow the desecration of a holy place, has filed a police complaint, and will follow up on it,” the church said.
A broken gate at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, June 29, 2025. Photo: Jerusalem Post.
Footage circulating on social media appears to show a Greek Orthodox priest attempting to calm the scene, while demonstrators waved Israeli and Israeli-Christian flags. The Jerusalem Post reported that protesters were seen striking others in the crowd with wooden crosses.
Senior church leaders confronted the group and called police.
The National Democratic Assembly in Nazareth condemned the incident, stating: “The Assembly considered the attack on the church as an attack on Nazareth and its people, an unsuccessful attempt to desecrate the city’s national position and its people, and an attempt to sow discord and promote foreign and strange agendas to our community.”
The Church of the Annunciation — also known as the Church of Saint Gabriel — is built over a spring believed by Greek Orthodox tradition to be the site of the Annunciation. A major Christian pilgrimage destination, Nazareth is home to both Muslim and Christian communities and holds deep religious significance for Christians worldwide.
An appeals court prosecutor has recommended the conditional release of Ilias Kasidiaris, the former MP and convicted leader of the neo-Nazi criminal organisation Golden Dawn.
Kasidiaris, currently serving a 13-year prison sentence handed down in 2020, is said to have fulfilled the legal prerequisites for early release, including completing the mandatory portion of his sentence and maintaining good conduct in prison.
If granted, his release would come with strict conditions, including a travel ban and mandatory regular reporting to a police station. The final decision now lies with the appropriate judicial council.
Imprisoned former deputy leader of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party, Ilias Kasidiaris. Photo: Ekathimerini.
Kasidiaris, 44, served as an MP from 2012 to 2019 and was convicted along with other Golden Dawn leaders for orchestrating violent attacks, including fatal assaults, against migrants and left-wing activists.
In 2020, he went on to establish the National Party–Greeks. After the party was barred from contesting the 2023 national elections, Kasidiaris declared his support for the Spartans political party. However, earlier this month, Greece’s Special Highest Court annulled the election of three Spartan MPs, including their leader, ruling that electoral fraud had occurred and that Kasidiaris was the party’s de facto leader.
The Greek government has unveiled an ambitious €8 billion programme, funded by the European Union, aimed at addressing key national challenges in energy, housing, transport, and social support.
The initiative, announced at an inter-ministerial press conference led by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, will draw funds from the Social Climate Fund, the Modernisation Fund, and the newly created Island Resilience Fund.
Among the priorities are the electrical interconnection of the Dodecanese, North Aegean, and Cyclades islands — expected to reduce utility costs for consumers — and subsidies for energy upgrades to homes and commercial buildings.
Ένα νέο ευρωπαϊκό πακέτο που ισοδυναμεί με «μισό Ταμείο Ανάκαμψης», με έντονο κοινωνικό χρώμα, παρουσιάσαμε σήμερα με τους συναρμόδιους υπουργούς. Πρόκειται για μια πολύ ουσιαστική παρέμβαση για την προστασία του περιβάλλοντος, τη στήριξη της οικονομίας και της ανάπτυξης, τη… pic.twitter.com/9qQRH5smpH
A strong focus is being placed on support for low-income households, including heating allowances, rent subsidies, and the development of social housing. University dormitory renovations are also included to ease student accommodation shortages.
Transport improvements feature heavily, with plans to procure electric buses for Athens and Thessaloniki and a significant upgrade of the Athens metro. Water scarcity will be tackled through desalination and dam projects.
Further measures include targeted support for micro-enterprises to modernise their energy use, investments in industrial energy-saving technology, subsidies for public sector workers in housing-stressed regions, and efforts to improve the energy efficiency of ships in collaboration with Greek shipyards.
Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas was forced to retire from his Wimbledon first-round match against French qualifier Valentin Royer due to a persistent back injury.
The 24th seed and former world number three was trailing 6-3, 6-2 when he withdrew, later admitting to reporters, “I’m battling many wars these days. It’s really painful to see myself in a situation like this.”
Tsitsipas revealed he has been struggling with the injury since withdrawing from the ATP Tour Finals in 2023. Despite his win in Dubai earlier this year, the problem has persisted, impacting both his performance and his rankings.
“I feel like I’m left without answers. I don’t know. I’ve tried everything,” he said, adding, “Right now, I’m just absolutely left with no answers.”
