Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Continue reading “Theatre closed indefinitely as Djokovic undergoes surgery after Cerundolo win”
Andy Murray waved goodbye on Sunday and 24 hours later, it was the turn of 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal to begrudgingly do the same on Philippe Chatrier after an entertaining three-hour tussle against Olympic champion Alexander Zverev capturing everyone’s attention – family, fellow pros and the world’s media – as the Spanish legend’s uncertain future continues. Continue reading “French Open 2024: Zverev spoils the party for Nadal, who leaves door open to return”
In what is widely expected to be the 14-time champion’s final farewell in Paris this coming fortnight as retirement beckons, Rafael Nadal begins his French Open campaign against Rome champion Alexander Zverev after today’s singles draws were unveiled. The pair were engrossed in a thrilling Major semifinal battle here two years ago, before the latter suffered torn ankle ligaments. Continue reading “French Open 2024: Nadal’s nightmare draw starts with Rome champ Zverev in R1”
A niggling back injury has clearly played its role, but Stefanos Tsitsipas’ rough form across all surfaces over the past six months has seen many critics question what he’s doing, if anything, to keep pace with his younger counterparts at a juncture in the sport where the new generation – led by Carlos Alcaraz and new first-time Major champion Jannik Sinner – are quickly breaking new ground. Continue reading “Keen to steady his form, Tsitsipas knows Alcaraz and Sinner forcing him to evolve”
Third time’s a charm after all. Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner was in scintillating form and dropped just four games en route to his first Miami Open title, and second Masters 1000 silverware, dismissing an error-prone Grigor Dimitrov display during Sunday’s final – a result which sees him rise to world no. 2, a feat no other Italian regardless of gender has achieved in the sport. Continue reading “Miami Open: Sinner sinks Dimitrov easily to clinch second career Masters 1000 title”
Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner will hope it’s third time lucky in Miami come Sunday, when he contests another final after producing a clinical showing to outclass Daniil Medvedev, inflicting his joint-worst career defeat in their semi-final. The Italian will now play an in-form Grigor Dimitrov, who overcame Olympic champion Alexander Zverev in three pulsating sets of tennis overnight.
Continue reading “Miami Open: Sinner sublime to sweep Medvedev, Dimitrov now in Sunday’s final”
He was aggressive, served beautifully for large periods and kept the defending champion honest during their longer rallies, but it wasn’t enough as Taylor Fritz suffered yet another defeat to Novak Djokovic as his Australian Open campaign ended in the last-eight. The American no. 1 should take heart from his display nonetheless, as Jannik Sinner prepares to face the Serb in Friday’s semifinals. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 24: Fritz faltered sure, but American can take heart from four-set loss”
Andy Murray departed the Australian Open with a painful whimper on Monday, two other former champions have decisions to make after early exits elsewhere but the former world no. 1’s dilemma feels more pressing as retirement lingers. Meanwhile, the media adulation for a returning Emma Raducanu must be tempered if she’s to blossom as many expected would happen much sooner. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2024: Murray must regroup again, Raducanu back refreshed and more”
Germany survived an inspired Alex de Minaur singles display to punch their ticket into the United Cup finals, where they’ll play last year’s semifinalists Poland overnight. Elsewhere, a rematch of last season’s Australian Open final serves as just one of three intriguing finals across Australia and New Zealand on both tours as the warm-up events before the year’s maiden Major hot up. Continue reading “Poland vs. Germany to decide United Cup as Sabalenka-Rybakina, Gauff-Svitolina and Rune-Dimitrov finals set elsewhere”
Two champions, with seven Major titles between them at different stages of their respective careers, are poised to return at the United Cup (Dec. 29 – Jan. 7) after a year-long absence as both were pregnant with their first children – Kerber giving birth to daughter Liana in February, while Osaka welcomed baby girl Shai five months later. Now, they’ll ramp up training over the coming weeks before travelling down under in December to kick off an intriguing 2024 season. Continue reading “Osaka and Kerber set to return at United Cup over the new year, entry list reveals”
Having sustained a stress fracture in his back en route to the French Open quarterfinals, the two-time Major semifinalist secured a first ATP title since 2018 after enduring a forgettable few months rehabbing from an issue that saw him miss Wimbledon and ice his aspirations for another deep US Open run. Continue reading “After nagging back injury wiped out his summer, Karen Khachanov riding high”
Three-time Major champion and former world no. 1 Andy Murray conceded for the first time that perhaps he needs to accept, internally, that deep runs at Major tournaments are no longer possible after being soundly beaten in straight-sets (6-3, 6-4, 6-1) by a familiar face in Grigor Dimitrov on Thursday. The 36-year-old hasn’t reached the second week at a Grand Slam for six years. Continue reading “US Open 2023: Murray now has more to mull over, after Dimitrov’s slice showcase”
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