Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Monday was the day of youth – don’t tell Holger Rune – as Jack Draper followed up Emma Raducanu’s character-building deciding set victory with an unforgettable one of his own against an idol and mentor in former world no. 1 Andy Murray. His reward? A matchup against tournament top seed, Carlos Alcaraz, after he logged his 100th tour-level win over Tallon Griekspoor. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Raducanu-Swiatek, Draper-Alcaraz in R4 after big wins for young duo”
After narrowly losing an exhibition match to the Scot before Christmas, rising British prospect Jack Draper gets a maiden competitive clash against his role model Andy Murray as both won their second-round matches in straight-sets over the weekend. Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu overcame early adversity against Magda Linette and Cameron Norrie did things the hard way overnight. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Draper-Murray set, while Raducanu and Norrie earn contrasting victories”
Australia’s Jordan Thompson is into R3 at a Masters 1000 event for the third time in his career, after holding his nerve against a compromised Stefanos Tsitsipas, winning in a deciding set tiebreak. Elsewhere, Japan’s Taro Daniel added another impressive win to his ever-increasing resume against top players after Olympic champion Belinda Bencic was bested on her Indian Wells debut. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Tsitsipas stunned, Daniel downs Berrettini and Bencic bounced too”
Having both not featured since Melbourne, there were successful returns to competitive action for Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu, who made it 2-0 for Brits on Thursday at Indian Wells. Keeping in theme with his heroics of late, Andy Murray expertly fended off danger in another three-hour epic, outlasting Masters 1000 debutant Tomas Martin Etcheverry to cap an eventful day session. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Draper, Raducanu win in straight-sets before another masterful Murray display”
2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev started assertively and produced more on the big points against a determined Andy Murray display, in an entertaining battle of former world no. 1 players. Having built up confidence and momentum with consecutive ATP titles after Rotterdam last weekend, can the Russian go on to break his hoodoo at the upcoming ATP 1000 events? Continue reading “Plenty to ponder for both after Medvedev outsmarts Murray to clinch Qatar Open title”
Barbora Krejcikova rallied from a bagel set down to end Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka’s 13-match unbeaten run with a spirited comeback win on another busy day of tennis worldwide. Andy Murray again prevailed in three sets and now faces Andrey Rublev’s conqueror Jiri Lehecka, while Felix Auger-Aliassime hopes for a different outcome at Daniil Medvedev’s expense later today – a repeat of last week’s Rotterdam quarter-final matchup beckons.
If only he could get the job done in straight-sets. Andy Murray doesn’t do things the easy way, but that makes his tennis more pulsating – win or lose – as the former world no. 1 was clutch again: rallying from 5-4 down in the deciding set to beat Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, earning a Qatar Open quarterfinal where he’ll play French qualifier Alexandre Muller tomorrow. Continue reading “Qatar Open: After Sonego scalp, Murray produces another nailbiting three-set win against Zverev”
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”
Andy Murray ended a near five-year long wait to down a top-20 player in a Major, saving a match point en route to outlasting last year’s semifinalist Matteo Berrettini. Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev and Ons Jabeur both survived some uncomfortable situations while volatile weather – from extreme heat to heavy rain – limited play elsewhere during a disrupted Day 2. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Murray saves match point against Berrettini, Zverev and Jabeur survive on Day 2”
2023 brings a new year packed with resolutions, time-specific targets and compelling storylines too. With the year’s first Major tournament set to begin on Monday in Melbourne, here’s a news round-up before the big occasion finally gets underway – from player withdrawals, injury scares, progress reports from recent tournaments and my draw analysis for both tours.
Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Nadal, Swiatek and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s first Major starts Monday”
2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu recovered from a set and early break down to prevail against a Czech teenage talent, after ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic was tested in parts but his quality proved too much to handle as both players kicked off their respective 2023 seasons with contrasting victories in their first-round tournament matches. Also, the business end of the team-centric United Cup is hotting up, and there were a few surprises elsewhere… Continue reading “Djokovic, Raducanu begin their 2023 season with contrasting victories as warm-up events continue”
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