The DA's Helen Zille has made it clear that the party’s threat to table a motion of no confidence against Cyril Ramaphosa is no idle gesture.
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Helen Zille warns Cyril Ramaphosa as things turn nasty
Defending champ Carlos Alcaraz survives HUGE Wimbledon scare in five-set first-round marathon vs 38-year-old veteran
CARLOS ALCARAZ survived a Centre Court scare – to set up a second round battle against Britain’s best student tennis player.
Two-time defending champion Alcaraz, 22, was staring one of the all-time SW19 upsets in the face against veteran Italian Fabio Fognini as the 38-year-old twice levelled the match to take it to a final set.
Wimbledon 2025 LIVE – follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19
The normally-faultless Spaniard made error after error in an uncharacteristically sloppy display that left the spectators stunned.
But second seed Alcaraz finally found his game as Fognini – playing in his last Wimbledon before retiring – wilted in the brutal heat, finally completing a 7-5 6-7 7-5 2-6 6-1 win in more than four and a half hours.
It was a far cry from the Alcaraz who produced one of the all-time performances to come back from two sets down against Jannik Sinner to lift the French Open crown at Roland Garros last month.
Even when he took the opener, Alcaraz – who has not lost a match since April – was off the pace.
And as he was broken twice in the fourth set, with Fognini starting to sense a huge upset, Alcaraz looked like a player who feared the worst.
Clearly suffering in the brutal heat, Alcaraz wore a look of bemusement as it seemed nothing was working.
It was the first time that a defending champion has been taken to a fifth set in the opening match of his defence since Roger Federer in 2010, with the Swiss ace only making the quarter-finals that year.
Few would expect such an early exit for Alcaraz, who cruised through the decider either side of a 15-minute delay after a fan was taken ill with the champion 3-0 up.
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Alcaraz went from participant to concerned observer as he grabbed a bottle of water and ran across the court to help as the fan received treatment.
But when play resumed, Alcaraz showed he had not lost his composure as he booked his match against British world No733 Oliver Tarvet on Wednesday.
He finished it off with a wide service on his first match point that Fognini could only help back into the net.
Even so, his struggles will give Tarvet, who will doubtless have been watching, even more reason to think he could pull off one of the great British Wimbledon fairy-tales on Wednesday.
Speaking about facing Tarvet in the second round following his epic day one win, Alcaraz said: “The game isn’t going to be personal, guys.
“He is playing great tennis on grass and if he is in the second round of Wimbledon then he is playing at a great level.
“I have to be ready and I will try to put my best tennis out for the match.
“Tomorrow, I will try to improve the things that didn’t work today such as the return and the forehand. Let’s keep enjoying being at Wimbledon as well.”
And Alcaraz was full or praise for Fognini, saying: “I don’t know why it is Fognini’s last Wimbledon because the level he has shown shows he can still play for three or four more years.
“I have to give him the credit for such a great match. He has shown the level and talent he has throughout his whole career and he has shown that once again today, so I’m just a bit sad that this is probably his last Wimbledon.
“I’m happy to have shared the court and locker room many times with him. We got to enjoy the last of him.
“Playing on Centre Court for the first match of any tournament is never easy.
“I’ve been practising pretty well and playing on grass really well, but Wimbledon is special and different. I could feel the difference between Wimbledon and the other tournaments.
“I just tried to play my best but I would say that I could play better. I have to improve in the next round. In general, I still think it was a great match.”
Emma Raducanu strolls past Brit Mimi Xu, 17, and sets up second round against former Wimbledon champion
EMMA RADUCANU survived the heat of Wimbledon’s hottest opening day – but almost got wiped out by a stray champagne cork.
Mimi Xu, a South Wales schoolgirl, was sent back to the classroom she lost 6-3 6-3 to the former US Open champion on her debut.
This was not quite the schooling that many had expected, given the gulf in class, age and experience because Xu, 17, performed admirably on her rookie appearance.
Yet Raducanu’s supremacy, particularly when it came to serving, saw her advance comfortably to round two and she showed no signs of any back problems that had plagued her summer plans.
In fact, the biggest challenge she faced was evading a cork that flew out of a champagne bottle and on to No.1 Court turf.
This happened after Raducanu had taken the first set and she comically offered it back to the culprit in the crowd.
Champagne tennis from the British No.1 will have to wait for another day but this was an encouraging start to her campaign.
It was a sticky 31.7 degrees in south-west London by the time Raducanu began her eleventh singles appearance at Wimbledon.
This arena brings back uncomfortable memories as it was here that she suffered an anxiety attack in her debut year in the last 16 against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.
Back then, she was an unknown teenager, thrust into the spotlight of Wimbledon while in the middle of her A Levels.
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A few months later she passed her biggest exam of them all, winning the US Open in historic fashion and becoming a global superstar.
Xu is in a similar situation to the pre-famous Raducanu verison from that early part of 2021.
Earlier this month, the Swansea star sat her biology A Level and when she came out of the room, she discovered she had received a All England Club wildcard.
The pair both have Chinese parentage – Raducanu speaks to Xu’s mum in Mandarin.
And Xu is coached by Nigel Sears, who was in Raducanu’s box four years ago.
They even dress the same, with similar Nike white clothes, golf visor and hair in a ponytail – though Xu had green underwear on – and celebrated key points in identical manner.
After breaking the Xu serve inside two minutes, Raducanu was instructed by coach Mark Petchey to get her racquet restrung backstage.
That break proved decisive as she moved one-nil up after 36 minutes and then dominated the second set to win her fourth match on grass this month.
The next match will be against Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion from the Czech Republic, and that will be a far harder proposition.
Provided they can both stay clear of champagne corks that is.
Post-match, Raducanu said: “I’m super pleased to have come through that match. It’s so difficult playing another Brit in the first round, when the draw came out.
“I can’t say I was loving it. Mimi is a really dangerous player. She’s so young. Got some amazing weapons at her disposal.
“I am really happy to have come through that and I want to thank everyone for their support on both sides. It was a really nice atmosphere.
“Sometimes it’s difficult (to find rhythm) in the moment with nerves and adrenaline, you don’t have an idea of what is going on. I think I had some really good patches.
“And some moments where I lost my focus and Mimi was able to come back.
“I’m really happy with how I toughed it out in the really crucial games and won the important points today.
“Well, I’m glad people were having fun today. I mean I saw a champagne cork fly on to the court – glad you guys are having a good time. Cheers to you.
“It’s really nice to be back and I just use it as support. I love it. I love playing in this atmosphere. It’s my favourite tournament by far. I’m just so happy to get another match here.”
THREE James Bond frontrunners revealed as 007 race reaches finish line – is your favourite in the mix?
JAMES Bond fans are desperate to know who the next 007 will be – and they may now be one step closer to finding out.
There are three frontrunners as the race reaches the finish line – but is your favourite in the mix?
With Denis Villeneuve on board as the franchise’s next director, Amazon is looking at a 2028 release date for 26th instalment.
Insiders have also told Variety that the studio and producers are interested in casting a British actor under the age of 30.
Saltburn star Jacob Elordi, Spider-Man’s Tom Holland and Babygirl actor Harris Dickinson are at the top of the wish list.
Although Jacob, 28, is Australian, is does not rule him out – especially as Aussie actor George Lazenby having previously played Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969.
While there is still speculation that Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 35,or Henry Cavill, 42, are also in the running – but with them both being over 30, it may rule them out.
While fan favourite Idris Elba, 52, may have missed his chance for the role after years of ducking speculation.
Elsewhere a top US actor could be announced as the new James Bond according to the latest odds from the bookies.
Hollywood hot property Timothee Chalamet has seen his likelihood of becoming 007 increase thanks to his previous collaborations with the acclaimed director.
The star, who has twice been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, worked with Denis Villeneuve on both Dune and Dune: Part Two – with both flicks going on to become box office hits.
It has sparked speculation that their work together in the past could mean that he is a shoe-in to secure the role from Daniel Craig.
According to new odds from Ladbrokes, Timothee has seen his odds rise to a cool 16/1.
Last week, 57-year-old Denis was revealed to have been appointed the director of the 26th James Bond flick by Amazon MGM.
The Canadian film-maker told how some of his “earliest movie-going memories” were linked to the James Bond movie franchise.
He spoke out after his role was made public and said: “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007.
“I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since ‘Dr. No’ with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan.”
In the statement, he added: “To me, he’s sacred territory.
“I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.
“This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.
“Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”
Timeline of James Bond actors
Over the years there have been seven actors who have played 007.
The first ever James Bond film was in 1962, and this is who has played the lead role over the years:
- Sean Connery – The late star was the first ever actor to play Bond, and reprised the role for seven movies.
- George Lazenby – The star only played Bond once, but was the youngest actor to ever play the spy.
- Roger Moore – The late movie star spent 12 years making seven films in the famous franchise.
- Timothy Dalton – The smooth actor took over from Roger Moore and appeared in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.
- Pierce Brosnan – The handsome star played Bond for four movies from 1995 to 2002.
- Daniel Craig – The British star was the first blonde James Bond and the sixth actor to win the role in 2005.
Harry Styles’ mystery woman revealed after Glastonbury snog – and she’s VERY different to the women he’s dated before
POP star Harry Styles’ late-night Glastonbury snog was with a producer called Ella Kenny, The Sun can reveal.
The Watermelon Sugar singer, 31, hung out with Ella at the festival before their clinch, which was caught on camera at a VIP bar at 2.30am on Sunday.
It’s not clear whether they already knew each other before the festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset, but he does not follow her on Instagram.
His move on the producer is a break from habit, having had a series of romances with well-known names including singer Taylor Swift, 35, actress Olivia Wilde, 41, and model Kendall Jenner, 29.
A source said: “Harry and Ella had fun together at Glastonbury and shared a kiss on the dancefloor.
“They had a good time in the moment but it doesn’t mean it will evolve into anything. They just got on and had a snog.
“But she seems like a normal, down-to-earth girl which is different from some of the big stars he’s dated before.”
Ella has been working as a producer at a studio in London for almost three years.
The ex-One Direction star’s last relationship with actress Taylor Russell, 30, ended in May last year.
He was seen kissing model Emily Ratajkowski, 34, on a night out in 2023.
Harry arrived at the festival for the first time on Friday in a rare break.
He has been busy working on his upcoming, as-yet untitled, fourth album.
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Who is Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend Morgan Riddle?
MORGAN RIDDLE is the girlfriend of tennis superstar Taylor Fritz – and she has gained a massive social media following documenting his success.
Morgan, 27, has supported Taylor Fritz from the player box of various tournaments and she notably sparked a feud with defeated rival Zverev with a now-deleted video.
Who is Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend Morgan Riddle?
Born July 1997, Morgan Riddle is an influencer who has been heralded the “most famous woman in men’s tennis.”
Her Instagram brims with over 435,000 followers and her TikTok following is over 590,000.
Taylor uses her social media to document Taylor Fritz‘ tournaments as well as showcase her glamorous outfits or ‘tennis fits’.
She grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was a hockey fan.
Wimbledon 2025 LIVE – follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19
How did Taylor Fritz and Morgan Riddle meet?
They met on the members-only dating app Raya.
Morgan Riddle had moved to Los Angeles during the Covid pandemic and downloaded the app to meet new people.
Taylor is the son of former top ranking players Kathy May, ranked 10th in the world in 1977, and Guy Fritz, ranked 301st in the world in 1978.
Since dating Taylor, Morgan has supported him both online and from the player box.
The influencer has documented his first Grand Slam victory in 2022 at Wimbledon and she witnessed the tennis star reach his first ATP 1000 semi-finals at the Indian Wells Masters in 2021.
It was here Morgan found herself on the receiving end of an in-direct dig after she posted a celebratory video of Taylor’s win that she since deleted.
Zverev took a dig at some members of Fritz’s box for their antics during the match – possibly aiming his comments at Riddle.
The German moaned:
I think there’s some other people that maybe are in the box that are not maybe from the tennis world, that are not maybe… particularly watching every single match. They were a bit over the top.
Alexander Zverev
How long have Taylor Fritz and Morgan Riddle been dating?
The couple have been dating since 2020.
Taylor honoured their four year anniversary on June 8 with a post on Instagram that read: “Four years baby!!! @Moorgs love you and can’t imagine doing it all without you.”
What does Morgan Riddle do for a living?
According to Morgan’s LinkedIn she has been a self-employed content creator since 2022.
She uses her YouTube page to vlog exclusive content about Taylor Fritz and all things tennis, including the rules and the fashion from around the world.
Mystery as Glastonbury star’s performance ‘missing’ from iPlayer 24 hours after rave reviews for set
DOECHII fans have complained after noticing their Glastonbury performance is mysteriously missing from BBC iPlayer.
Just 24 hours after receiving rave reviews, the musician’s set was still unavailable on the broadcaster’s streaming service – sparking confusion among fans.
It is currently available to listen to on BBC Sounds, however taking to a Reddit forum, one asked: “Anyone know why the Doechii performance isn’t on iPlayer?
“I heard she killed it so I wanted to go back and watch but I’m not seeing it.”
Another replied: “Highly disappointed – her set was absolutely incredible and was the first one I was going to watch back at home!”
Someone else claimed: “The artist has a right to veto it if they want. Maybe it’s that? Happens sometimes.”
And a fourth claimed: “Artists/teams have the sign clearance forms. It’s way more manic than you would imagine… it one BBC Exec running around back stage getting all the signatures.”
The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, Alanis Morisette, Rod Stewart, and Charli XCX are just some of the sets already up on the iPlayer, with more to come when they are ready.
It comes after the festival dealt with an overcrowding issue after declaring fans to AVOID one of the major stages.
As Neil Young took to the main Pyramid stage as the headliner of the evening, pop fans ditched the rocker in favour of other acts.
Charli XCX had been set to perform on the Other Stage at 10.30pm, with Scissor Sisters on the third biggest stage, Woodsies, and Doechii on the West Holts stage.
However, nearly an hour before the set was due to start, the crowd at Woodsies had got so big that they were forced to close access.
The team simply posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), declaring: “No access to Woodsies.
“Please head to another area of the site – thank you.”
It’s also been reported the Other Stage was closed off, as was West Holts, however Glastonbury did not issue a statement for any other diversions apart from Woodsies.
But Mark Savage, BBC entertainment correspondant, wrote of the Other Stage: “I just abandoned my post at Neil Young and sprinted up to The Other Stage to catch a quick moment with Charli XCX. No dice.
“Even with backstage access and BBC passes, the Other Stage is closed. I can hear her, I can see the lights.”
This marked the second time Woodsies had been forced to shut down for crowd control – with Lorde’s early Friday morning surprise set also causing chaos.
The New Zealand singer appeared on stage to celebrate the release of her new album, Virgin, in a last minute appearance.
So the news came as a massive annoyance to ticketholders, who have criticised the team for poor organisation.
They’ve been particularly critical of putting big names like Charli XCX and Doechii against each other on the line-up, and on smaller stages that don’t have the capacity needed for the crowd.
“Terrible programming throughout, you need a massive re think for your next festival,” wrote one.
“doechii and charli clashing at glasto is EVIL WORK!!” said another.
“I’m not being funny but I’m struggling to stay awake for Doechii watching Neil Young…” noted one more.
Tragic Liam Payne given heartbreaking tribute at start of Netflix’s Building the Band – but there’s bad news for fans
NETFLIX talent contest Building The Band kicks off with a special dedication to the memory of the late Liam Payne and his family.
Before the competition starts, show host and Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean, appears on screen to pay tribute to the One Direction star.
Featuring as a guest judge on the programme was one of Liam’s final projects before he tragically fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Argentina, aged just 31, in October last year.
AJ says: “When we came together to film Building The Band, we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend, Liam Payne.
“Liam is a guest judge in later episodes and through his presence we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice.
“It is through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.”
Building The Band, which features Nicole Scherzinger as the main judge and mentor, will begin to drop on the streaming giant next Wednesday after Liam’s loved ones signed off on his scenes in the show.
But fans hoping to see him straight away in the ten-part season will be disappointed as he will only appear from episode seven onwards alongside fellow guest judge Kelly Rowland.
The first batch of four, hour-long episodes will land next week, followed by another three on July 16. The remaining three episodes will go out on July 23.
It was a bittersweet moment for fans of Liam and One Direction last week when Netflix dropped the trailer for the show, and featured him extensively throughout.
Filmed last August, he is seen coaching a wannabe band, telling them: “You’ve got a lot of work to do vocally — I need to feel that connection between you guys.”
In another moment, he seemingly refers to his own One Direction past when he comments on the show’s selection process.
It sees 50 musicians having to form six pop groups — choosing their bandmates through voice and compatibility alone, without seeing them.
One Direction were formed on The X Factor in 2010, although the five bandmates got to meet each other before the group was put together.
On Building The Band, Liam says: “How these bands are put together is not normal — we were not put together that way.”
Toff love with Downton back
LADY Mary finds herself firmly in the spotlight in the final outing of Downton Abbey – only this time she’s a figure of scandal.
The toff, played by Michelle Dockery, is seen increasingly taking over the reins of the estate from her father, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville).
But as divorcee she first has to navigate the prejudices of polite society, particularly a fellow aristocrat played by Joely Richardson.
The action in the third and final film, out in September and subtitled The Grand Finale, takes us from the stately home to London’s West End and a day out at the races.
As the Downton estate faces an uncertain future, the Earl is seen in the trailer asking his wife what his dearly departed mother would have done in his situation.
And he’s heard saying: “It’s hard to accept that it’s time to go.”
I think we can all agree on that.
A good Cause for gags
WHEN Alan Carr and Daisy May Cooper stepped down from ITV quiz show Password, fans worried it might not deliver quite the same volume of laughs.
But they need not stress, because I can reveal that Strictly Come Dancing funnyman Chris McCausland has stepped into the breach.
Chris, who last year took home the glitterball trophy on the BBC One contest, will be one of the panel of celebrities that try to help out contestants.
Just like his time on the Strictly dancefloor, Chris is guaranteed to combine being competitive with delivering plenty of giggles along the way.
And contestants will be hoping that some of Chris’s success will rub off on them.
After all, the last final of Password had a jackpot of £10,000 up for grabs.
In for a Laing one
DISNEY+ is making a reality show with Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo – who is expecting their first child – as they tackle parenthood.
It says Jamie and Sophie: Raising Chelsea will take viewers on “a no-holds-barred whirlwind journey of the next chapter in their lives.”
Heatwave the pits for Luke
LUKE HAMNETT, the TikToker pal of former Love Islander Maura Higgins, is fast becoming a star himself, with slots on the show’s spin-off programme Aftersun.
And now he has launched a podcast with his mum, Jan.
But it doesn’t sound like the showbiz world has gone to his head yet.
On the first episode of Live, Laugh, Luke, he said: “I went to the TV Baftas and I wore this brown suit and a vest and it was so f***ing hot. At points I was getting a napkin and dabbing my pits.”
On this week’s episode, he told his powerful coming-out story to mark Pride month.
Luke was horrifically bullied for his sexuality at school.
He said: “People’s stories are very different. But it was the best thing that happened to me because it made me be my true self.”
Traitors feel the tension
LOTS of whispers are leaking out about the upcoming series of The Celebrity Traitors, which has already been filmed and looks set to air on BBC One in September.
Apparently emotions run surprisingly high on the show, hosted once more by Claudia Winkleman, even though many of the stars are no strangers to taking part in telly contests.
Things start off friendly, with the contestants comfortable in each other’s company having known one another for years.
But tensions quickly rise as the competition intensifies.
I can reveal that, behind the scenes, one of the celebrities was particularly cross about being voted off.
Another actually bursts into tears when they are shown the door.
And that person struggles to hold it together as they deliver their departing speech and inform the other contestants whether they are a traitor or not.
I can tease that it’s not the kind of star who is known for being a fragile soul, either.
And the other competitors are rather surprised when they dissolve into tears.
Literally counting down the weeks now . . .
New job for Dob
SHE is fresh from her turn as a ghostly Angie Watts in EastEnders 40th anniversary episode and playing a baddie in the most recent series of Doctor Who.
Now Anita Dobson is preparing for Channel 5 drama Play For Today.
But it’s meant facing something far more spooky than Albert Square or The Tardis – learning lines.
Anita, who’s been married to Queen legend Brian May for almost 25 years, told me: “These days it’s an absolute nightmare. It never gets better and the older you get the harder it gets.
“But if you’ve got a gut feeling about something and you’ve got a good team behind you, then you just have to put the work in.”
At 76, hardworking Anita is putting us all to shame.
Heartbreaking tributes to Brit woman, 43, killed in jet ski crash at Costa Del Sol resort
THE Brit mum killed in a horror smash between a jet ski and a speedboat in the Costa del Sol has been named a 43-year-old Debra Wright.
Friends have paid tribute to Debra, who is the the wife of Ashton Town FC chairman Chris Wright.
Spanish cops arrested a man described as a friend of the victim after the accident on Saturday night.
He appeared in court on Sunday to face charges of manslaughter and an alcohol-related offence after cops reported he failed a breathalyser test.
Police said the speedboat crashed into the jet ski at 7.25pm on Saturday at a beach called Los Toros – just west of the popular Spanish holiday resort of Estepona.
Debra is believed to have died at the scene.
Ashton Town FC, which plays this season in First Division North, confirmed the tragedy in a statement this evening.
The club said: “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that on behalf of Ashton Town FC we announce the tragic death of Debra Wright, the wife of Chris our Chairman who was tragically killed whilst on holiday in Spain on Saturday evening.
“Our family are in mourning at this sad time and we ask for time for Chris and his family and everyone at the club to be able to start to come to terms with this tragedy.
“RIP Debra, fly high sweetheart x.”
Pilkington Football Club offered its support by saying: “Really sorry to hear this. sending all of our love to Chris and family.”
Well-wisher Ben Jenkins added: “So sorry for your loss Chris. All thoughts going out to you and all the family.”
A spokesperson for the Civil Guard in Malaga said: “I can confirm the dead woman is a 43-year-old British national.
“She was a passenger on the jet ski.”
Another police source said: “The jet ski was being driven by her partner.
“They appear to have been hit from behind by a friend at the wheel of a speedboat.”
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign Office said they were supporting the family of a British woman who died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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