Novak Djokovic has shown signs he is easing into the old routine at Wimbledon, with the seven-time champion sauntering into the third round, while defending women’s champion Barbora Krejčíková has also made it through.
This year’s Championships have been littered with seeds biting the dust early, but day four offered some big statements from those fancied for deep runs on the lawns.
Day four Aussie wrap: Aussie caught up in Wimbledon farce, as Kasatkina and de Minaur win
Former women’s champion Elena Rybakina may have arrived very much under the radar but has reached the third round for the loss of a mere seven games, the 11th seed destroying Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-1 in 62 minutes.
Five-time grand slam champion Iga Świątek, surprisingly yet to go past the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, is another who will quietly fancy her chances and the Pole looked impressive as she hit back from a set down to beat Caty McNally 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.
Iga Świątek is through to the third round of Wimbledon. (Reuters: Geoff Burke)
Djokovic struggled past Alexandre Müller on Tuesday when he struggled with stomach issues. Two days later, however, he was at his ruthlessly efficient best in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 thrashing of popular Briton Dan Evans on Centre Court.
The 38-year-old is bidding to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record eight titles and claim an unprecedented 25th grand slam crown and, while the talk is of top seed Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz disputing the final, the Serb should be dismissed at your peril.
He has reached the last six Wimbledon finals and clearly believes he will still be around on July 13.
“Technically, tactically, I knew exactly what I needed to do and I executed perfectly,” Djokovic said after his 99th match win at Wimbledon since making his debut in 2005.
“Sometimes you have these kind of days, where everything goes your way, everything flows and it’s good to be in the shoes and holding a racket on a day like this.”
Czech Krejčíková, a surprise winner last year, found herself out on court two where the 17th seed produced a typically businesslike display as she battled past American Caroline Dolehide, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
She will face a much more dangerous American next in the form of Emma Navarro after the 10th seed crushed Veronika Kudermetova 6-1, 6-2.
With four of the top five women’s seeds already gone, the draw looks wide open for the likes of seventh seed Mirra Andreeva who beat Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 7-6(4).
Nearly half of the 32 men’s seeds have perished before the third round with 13 failing to clear the first hurdle.
Czech teenager Jakub Menšík, the men’s 15th seed, beat American Marcos Giron 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to underline his credentials.
Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, playing in his 59th successive grand slam, may no longer be considered a genuine title threat but more than a decade since reaching his sole Wimbledon semifinal showed he is still a class act as the 19th seed beat tricky Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
Hong Kong’s de-facto central bank bought the city’s dollar again to defend its foreign-exchange peg, as two previous rounds of intervention failed to send funding costs high enough to dampen bearish currency bets.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority bought HK$29.6 billion ($3.8 billion) of the currency in New York trading Thursday, a move which drains liquidity from the financial system and can increase borrowing costs. The amount was higher than the HK$20 billion it purchased earlier this week and more than triple the HK$9.4 billion it purchased last week.
The Fourth of July holiday weekend is upon us and with it a huge array of bargains to be had. If you’ve been thinking about a new Android phone, Motorola is having a big sale on its most popular devices, making these already affordable options even more attainable. With savings of up to $650 on phones in the Razr, Edge and Moto G families, there’s something for every style and budget. Just keep in mind that these deals are likely to fade as fast as fireworks in the sky. We don’t have an exact end date, but “limited time” means if you see something you like, don’t wait.
The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is the company’s competitively priced foldable phone. You can pick one up with 1TB of storage for $1,300, which is $200 off the regular price and available in a variety of colors and finishes. If you prefer the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 model instead, you’ll find that starting at $799, again $200 less than the typical retail price. We spotted this same deal at Amazon right now as well, if you prefer to shop there.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
If the Motorola Edge lineup is more your style for a limited time, you can get the Motorola Edge 2024 for just $350 and the Motorola Edge Plus 2023 for $400, both deals reflecting a $400 savings. We also spotted the Edge 2024 for the same price of $350 at Best Buy.
And for the most wallet-friendly phones, the Moto G phones make a great option. These already super-affordable phones are now even less, including the Moto G Power 5G 2024, which is $210 at Amazon or at Motorola, a price that falls $90 below the regular cost.
More Motorola July 4th phone deals:
MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK
Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.
Why this deal matters
Concerns over the rising cost of tech because of tariffs may have you feeling more urgent about getting a new phone before there’s a further price increase. Between the Fourth of July discounts and forthcoming Prime Day offers, it’s a great time to stock up on tech. Motorola is already known for making some of the more affordable Android phones on the market, including foldable options, so if you’ve been wanting to upgrade or try one out, this July 4th sale is the time to do it.
In a quarter of the women’s draw which included the eliminated Paolini and Chinese fifth seed Zheng Qinwen, American Amanda Anisimova has perhaps benefited most.
The 13th seed would not face anyone ranked higher than 30th seed Linda Noskova until the semi-finals, where she could meet world number one Sabalenka – although the unseeded Naomi Osaka, a four-time major winner, remains in her quarter.
In the men’s singles, Russian Karen Khachanov can reach the quarter-finals without facing a fellow seed, following defeats for Zverev, ninth seed Daniil Medvedev, 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo and former runner-up Matteo Berrettini.
Norrie could also make it to the quarter-finals without encountering another seed, with Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca or qualifier Nicolas Jarry awaiting in the fourth round if the Briton can first overcome Mattia Bellucci.
Between 2002 and 2019, men’s singles seedings were determined by a surface-based formula reflecting recent grass court achievements, before it aligned with the world rankings used for the women’s draw.
On whether the amount of early shocks this year provides a case for bringing that back, former world number five Durie said: “I do think there should be a consideration because grass is really unlike all the other surfaces. I think it was a good thing at the time. It would be interesting if they brought that back.”
A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo has created a new synthetic polymer inspired by the natural loofah sponge.
The material is strong when dry, flexible when wet, and responds to pH changes, making it suitable for filtration and structural applications.
Designed with sustainability in mind, this loofah-like polymer could transform how lightweight materials are used in electronics, construction, and medical devices.
Filters viruses, responds to pH
The porous material resembles a natural loofah in structure, but it wasn’t intended to look that way.
“We developed a lightweight yet mechanically robust porous polymer, which resembles the fiber network of a natural loofah sponge. Though we did not set out to create something with such an appearance, it was a pleasant surprise,” said Associate Professor Yoshimitsu Itoh from the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Tokyo.
The polymer’s pore network is fine enough to allow fluids to pass through while blocking bacteria and viruses. Importantly, it also kills the viruses it filters.
That functionality, combined with its responsiveness to pH, becoming more rigid or flexible depending on acidity, makes it versatile.
Some of the properties were inspired by real loofahs, which are dried plant husks, not plastic, as many assume.
Like their natural counterparts, the synthetic version is stiff when dry and softens when wet.
Researchers tested the membrane by forcing water through it, revealing 70 nm pores, small enough to filter bacteria and viruses, and showing how it reacts when wet. Credit – UTokyo
Itoh said the team aimed to mimic some of nature’s materials but with synthetic control to allow more functional variations. “So-called polymer materials like this already exist in nature, but we wanted to create something synthetic as it affords us control over its properties such that we can give it various useful functions.”
The new polymer achieves impressive stiffness, up to 11 gigapascals, despite its low density of only 0.5 grams per cubic centimeter. According to Itoh, that’s four times stronger than typical polymers.
“One drawback of lightweight polymers is their mechanical weakness — they tend to be very soft,” he said. “But ours is low density… but has a stiffness of 11 gigapascals.”
This strength, paired with low weight and environmental safety, opens the door to using the material in devices where durability is crucial but mass must be minimized.
The team says it’s made from a substance similar to lignin, a natural component found in wood.
The polymer can also be coated onto other surfaces, expanding its use in manufacturing, especially where minimal raw material use is essential for sustainability.
Thin films, zero post-processing
The polymer’s production is simple. It uses pure water, applied voltage, and a mixture of resorcinol and an aldehyde. These ingredients combine to spontaneously form an ultrathin, porous membrane, with no extra processing needed.
“One big advantage of this membrane is that there is no need for post-processing,” said Itoh. “Usually, thin films are made by first synthesizing the bulk polymer and then processing it into a film. Our method can directly give the product the form of a thin film and is, in principle, applicable to roll-to-roll processing.”
The team is also experimenting with baking the membrane in an inert atmosphere to create a porous carbon version. This could pave the way for nanoscale electronic components like microcapacitors.
While industrial use may still be years away, the low-cost and scalable nature of the process makes the innovation promising for future sustainable technologies.
Nakashima has beaten Bu Yunchaokete of the People’s Republic of China and fellow USA player Reilly Opelka, both in four sets, to make it to the round of 32. His previous best result came three years ago with a run to the fourth round in 2022.
It helps that he feels right at home in London, making the most of his preparation week in the capital to walk the streets and explore. “I have a lot of close friends that live around here, so it’s always nice to see them,” he explains.
Now firmly in his stride and with the all-important self-confidence, what else can the San Diego man produce in south-west London?
Wimbledon 2025 – Brandon Nakashima’s growing grass game
Growing up with Japanese and Vietnamese heritage in California, Nakashima has spent the last 20 years of his life on the tennis courts; naturally in the States, that means his favoured hard courts, but Wimbledon is his favourite tournament.
The world number 34 went into the Championships 2025 with a 4-2 record on the surface this year, managing the rapidly forced adaptation from the classy clay swing into the condensed grass season.
“It’s two completely different surfaces,” Nakashima explains, “the footwork, the speed at which you play, the tactics out there on the court too. I feel like we’ve handled the transition pretty well, I’m feeling more and more comfortable on the grass.”
TOKYO — A microsatellite operated by Japanese textile maker Seiren has successfully photographed the Earth’s surface in detail, according to the company, which says the technology has potential for environmental applications.
In January, Seiren launched the FUSION-1 satellite, which measures only about 30-centimeters long and 10-cm wide and deep.
– U.S. Space Force award for development and production of two satellites with options for two more, to deliver resilient space-based nuclear, command, control, and communications (NC3) for the President of the United States and joint strategic forces worldwide
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 3, 2025 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $2.8B contract for the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program, the space-based component of the U.S….
ISLAMABAD – Biometric verification is becoming important for online transactions in Pakistan with rising concerns over identity theft, fraud, and misuse of government aid. Pakistanis using mobile wallet services need to make this from now onwards.
State Bank of Pakistan rolled out new mechanism towards enhancing security of digital financial services, and all cash transactions must be conducted through mobile wallet platforms like Easypaisa and JazzCash. The new rule came into effect on July 1, 2025.
EasyPaisa and JazzCash users will need to verify their identity via biometric authentication when making cash deposits or withdrawals at retail outlets across Pakistan to prevent fraud, strengthen user protection, and ensure that all transactions are safely and accurately processed.
The news sparked concerns among users as authorities clarified that no user accounts will be blocked and all funds remain secure. The biometric requirement solely applies to physical cash transactions conducted through authorized agents and has no impact on existing accounts or balances.
Easypaisa and JazzCash agents are already in place to assist customers with their transactions. Any deposit or withdrawal made without biometric verification will not be processed under new rules.
Biometric rule is said to introduce secure digital banking in Pakistan as Biometric verification not only adds an extra layer of security but also builds greater trust among users. The move could further accelerate Pakistan’s transition toward a more secure and cashless economy, especially as mobile wallet adoption continues to rise across urban and rural areas.
With over 50 million active mobile wallet users in Pakistan, the implementation of biometric verification marks a significant milestone in the country’s digital financial landscape.
It’s not uncommon for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to mention sperm counts when he makes a public appearance.
In recent television interviews, political speeches and congressional hearings, Kennedy has repeatedly claimed that teenage boys today have half the sperm that men in their 60s do — a stat that’s not exactly accurate. Kennedy has cited the talking point as evidence of a broader health crisis in the U.S.
“We have fertility rates that are just spiraling. A teenager today, an American teenager, has less testosterone than a 68-year-old man. Sperm counts are down 50%,” he told Fox News’ Jesse Watters in April, adding: “It’s an existential problem.”
Contrary to Kennedy’s claims, sperm counts decline with age, so young men have much higher counts than older men. And data about sperm counts in teen boys largely does not exist.
Some researchers contend that men’s overall sperm counts are lower than they were generations ago, based mostly on two papers published in the last decade. Others say there’s no convincing evidence of the trend. And many agree that even if sperm counts are declining, it does not amount to a full-blown fertility crisis.
“This is a very contentious issue in our field, and for every paper that you find that suggests a decline and raises an alarm for this issue, there’s another paper that says that the numbers aren’t changing, and that there’s no cause for concern,” said Dr. Scott Lundy, a reproductive urologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesperson, said Kennedy is “sounding the alarm on a public health issue others are too timid, or too politically cautious, to confront.”
The secretary’s warning feeds on a burgeoning narrative that men today face a fundamental threat to their fertility. Similar claims have been spread by various wellness influencers, tech startups and young men on social media. Young men concerned about a decline in virility have opted to freeze their sperm, abstain from sex or undergo testosterone replacement therapy. A 2022 study found that “semen retention” was the most popular men’s health subject on TikTok and Instagram.
Meanwhile, adherents of the “pro-natalist” movement have argued that more families should be having children to compensate for a decline in fertility and birth rates in the U.S. The most prominent figure among them, Elon Musk, has cited the declining birth rate as an omen of humanity’s collapse.
Researchers who study male fertility say the reality is far more complicated and little cause for panic. Fertility and birth rates in the U.S. are declining, in part, because people are choosing to have fewer children or delaying having kids until later in life. Though some men do struggle to have kids, in many cases the issue can be corrected through medical interventions or lifestyle changes.
In 1993, scientist Louis Guillette shocked Congress when he testified at a hearing that “every man sitting in this room today is half the man his grandfather was.”
Guillette was referring to a generational decline in sperm count. A year before his testimony, a review of papers published from 1938 to 1991determined that the average sperm count had fallen around 50%.
But many researchers have since found flaws in the review — among them, that it included relatively little data from the first few decades of the analysis, the men in the studies were evaluated using different methods and the data analysis did not account for the fact that many men’s sperm counts fall within a lower range.
“The paper was widely, wildly cited,” but “the statistics were not solid,” said Dolores Lamb, who researches male infertility at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.
In a follow-up review of studies published from 1992 to 2013, eight studies showed a decline in semen quality, 21 showed no change or an increase, and six showed ambiguous or conflicting results. Based on that, Lamb said, “the preponderance of the data suggests that there was no decline.”
In 2021, reproductive epidemiologist Shanna Swan reignited the debate with her book “Count Down,” which warned of falling sperm counts “imperiling the future of the human race.”
A paper Swan and her co-authors published in 2017 determined that from 1973 to 2011, sperm counts declined by 52% in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. A follow-up analysis in 2022 showed a similar trend worldwide. In an interview with The Guardian, Swan said her work implied that the median sperm count could reach zero by 2045.
The research was picked up by men’s rights groups, which pointed to it as evidence that men were losing their masculinity. It even inspired a viral publicity stunt to raise awareness about a possible future where people couldn’t reproduce: A crowd gathered to watch sperm cells race under a microscope.
HHS’ Nixon said the 2017 and 2022 papers support Kennedy’s claims about declining reproductive health.
“A growing body of peer-reviewed research shows significant declines in sperm counts over the past decades, and pretending this isn’t a serious trend is irresponsible,” he said. “The data is real, the stakes are high and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.”
Lamb said the analyses from Swan and her co-authors had a major weakness in their methodology. They assumed that laboratories in different parts of the world were collecting and testing semen in the same way, she said, when in fact the methods likely varied.
Swan stood by her team’s results, telling NBC News in an email that they accounted for differences in methodologies across studies, as well as the challenges of getting accurate sperm counts.
Lundy, of the Cleveland Clinic, said measuring sperm counts can be hard to do consistently. The count itself can go up and down depending on the frequency of ejaculation, time of year, or whether someone is injured or has a fever.
His analysis last year found a subtle decline in sperm count among men in the U.S. from 1970 to 2018, but one that likely wouldn’t impact fertility in real life.
“What it has done is showed that there’s no cause for widespread panic for the typical U.S. male,” Lundy said.
Vaping, cigarette smoking and binge drinking can also decrease sperm counts.Christopher Furlong / Getty Images file
Researchers who believe sperm counts are declining said it might be influenced by two factors: obesity and environmental chemicals.
“We know that obesity is one of the strongest predictors of serum testosterone, and also to a lesser extent, of sperm counts,” said Jorge Chavarro, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In particular, he said, obesity can decrease the secretion of key hormones in the brain that regulate reproduction in both men and women.
A 2023 study also found an association between exposure to pesticides and significantly lower sperm concentrations.
Pesticides “can imitate or interfere with naturally occurring hormones, and those hormones are necessary for the production of healthy sperm,” said Melissa Perry, the study’s author and dean of the College of Public Health at George Mason University.
Kennedy has blamed both factors for falling sperm counts in the U.S., but some researchers say it’s too soon to draw a link to national or worldwide trends.
Vaping, cigarette smoking and binge drinking can also decrease sperm counts. (Research on marijuana use is mixed, with one study suggesting it can increase sperm counts and another finding the opposite.) Testosterone replacement therapy — a treatment that has exploded in popularity among young men looking to feel more energized or to increase their sex drive — can also shut off sperm production entirely.
“Men on testosterone are almost uniformly azoospermic and totally infertile, and sometimes that is only partially reversible if they’ve been on high-dose testosterone for many years,” Lundy said.
Kennedy himself told Newsmax in 2023 that he takes testosterone replacement as part of an “anti-aging protocol.” Most doctors say the treatment should be reserved for people with a medical condition and is not meant to counteract the normal aging process or increase vitality in young men.
While sperm count can influence fertility, it’s not the only factor. The shape and movement of sperm can also have an effect, since slow or misshapen sperm can have trouble reaching or fertilizing an egg. Swollen veins in the scrotum called varicoceles can play a role, too.
“If you lined up 100 men who are having fertility problems, about 35% or 36% would have varicoceles,” said Dr. Stanton Honig, a urology professor at Yale School of Medicine. “That’s one of the most treatable, reversible causes of male factor infertility.”
Honig said doctors tend to get concerned when sperm counts fall below 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen, or less than 31% of sperm being mobile. But even then, a suboptimal sperm count doesn’t necessarily mean an inability to reproduce.
“You have to get to pretty low sperm concentration levels before you start seeing an impact on a couple’s ability to become pregnant,” Chavarro said.
Even men with high sperm counts may struggle to have kids. Up to half of male infertility cases have an unknown cause, according to a 2007 study.
Lundy said the issue deserves more attention to better understand men’s health — not because of any fears about humanity dying out.
“This is not the end of our species as we know it,” he said.
