Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
After the injury-laden withdrawals over the past 48 hours before next week’s Monte-Carlo Masters, there was some good tennis news to report: Casper Ruud returned to winning ways on clay in Estoril yesterday, before Britain’s no. 2 player Dan Evans snapped a six-match losing streak in Marrakech today. Continue reading “Casper Ruud, Dan Evans return to winning ways on clay in Estoril, Marrakech”
Today’s results mean there could be as many as five more first-time quarterfinalists in this year’s Australian Open, including teenage duo Holger Rune and Linda Fruhvirtova. Rune will face Andrey Rublev after the Russian was on form vs. Dan Evans, while the 17-year-old ousted compatriot Marketa Vondrousova with Donna Vekic next. Elsewhere, Grigor Dimitrov made Novak Djokovic sweat before Roberto Bautista Agut ended Andy Murray’s memorable run. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Straightforward victories for most on Day 6, as Fruhvirtova and Shelton big winners”
Casper Ruud’s four-set loss to Jenson Brooksby – on a brilliant Day 4 for American players not named Taylor Fritz – marks the first time a Grand Slam’s top two seeds have been knocked out before round three since this very tournament 21 years ago. Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka faces her Major-winning doubles teammate in the next round, Daniel Evans will meet a familiar foe while Andy Murray surpassed his Matteo Berrettini scalp after the longest match of his career.
Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Ruud, Zverev and Fritz all stunned, Murray weaves his magic again in epic on Day 4”
Rafael Nadal’s slow start to the 2023 season continued as home favourite Alex de Minaur became the latest to mount a stirring comeback against the reigning Australian Open champion in the United Cup, while Alexei Popyrin and Linda Noskova were just a few with surprise victories elsewhere as the main draw of other tournaments continued to unfold today. Continue reading “Popyrin powers past Auger-Aliassime, De Minaur stuns Nadal and more on another busy day of tennis”
Russians ruled supreme on day three, as there were straight-sets victories for Daniil Medvedev (#2) and Daria Kasatkina (#25), while Andrey Rublev (#5) had a fiery response after relinquishing three set points to oust Spain’s Pablo Martínez in four. There were also comfortable wins for Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep while defending champ Naomi Osaka had a walkover. Continue reading “US Open 2021: Rublev, Medvedev win but Ruud stunned in four sets on rainy Day 3”
Former world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero – winner at the 2003 French Open – has cautioned critics quick to apply pressure on Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz as Rafael Nadal’s successor long-term – instead saying more gradual progression is important for him to have a fruitful career.
Continue reading “Don’t compare exciting teen Carlos Alcaraz to Rafael Nadal, warns Juan Carlos Ferrero”
Defending champion Sofia Kenin wasn’t satisfied but crucially got the job done, while there were comfortable wins for Cori Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal and some surprising results too – David Goffin, Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta all crashed out on Day 2. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Kenin, Gauff, Medvedev win as Azarenka and Goffin stunned”
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