Day 5 was one not to be missed, as Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams and more navigated past potentially tricky matchups while there were surprises on the men’s side of the draw as Aslan Karatsev was ruthlessly efficient in toppling Diego Schwartzman (#8), Kyrgios-Thiem certainly lived up to the hype and an injured Novak Djokovic closed the show in dramatic circumstances. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Osaka and Serena win, Karatsev shines, a Kyrgios-Thiem epic”
Tag: Australian Open 2021
Australian Open 2021: Kenin crashes out, Tsitsipas survives, Svitolina ruthless
Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas needed all five sets to outlast home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis, who again proved he can hang with the world’s best at this level – despite his injuries. Before, there was a tearful exit for defending champion Sofia Kenin while top seed Ashleigh Barty survived a scare to beat wildcard Daria Gavrilova and Elina Svitolina beat teenager Cori Gauff. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Kenin crashes out, Tsitsipas survives, Svitolina ruthless”
Australian Open 2021: Halep’s heroic fightback, gritty wins for Djokovic and Kyrgios
Day 3 was eventful: defending champion Novak Djokovic was pushed in a memorable first encounter against Frances Tiafoe, while world no. 2 Simona Halep and hometown favourite Nick Kyrgios produced gutsy comebacks to cap an action-packed night session after more seeded players fell, including Slam champions Bianca Andreescu (#8) and Petra Kvitova (#9). Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Halep’s heroic fightback, gritty wins for Djokovic and Kyrgios”
Australian Open 2021: Kenin, Gauff, Medvedev win as Azarenka and Goffin stunned
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”
Australian Open 2021: Williams sisters, Osaka and Swiatek get off to winning start
Serena and Venus Williams held their nerve after a few shaky moments, tournament favourite Naomi Osaka was ruthlessly decisive while French Open champion Iga Swiatek was solid en route to a comfortable first-round win. Elsewhere, a three-time Slam winner was knocked out in rather emphatic fashion and more besides as Day 1 of the 2021 Australian Open got underway. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Williams sisters, Osaka and Swiatek get off to winning start”
Australian Open 2021: Ashleigh Barty, Dan Evans and more clinch warm-up event titles
Ashleigh Barty capped her long-awaited return with a win over Garbine Muguruza in the Yarra Valley Classic final, while Britain’s Dan Evans has a new career-high world ranking (#26) after beating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in his warm-up event final. It’s provided the pair with welcome preparation ahead of the Australian Open, which gets underway in a matter of hours. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Ashleigh Barty, Dan Evans and more clinch warm-up event titles”
Australian Open 2021: Injuries pile up as warm-up events draw to close
Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka are just three of the high-profile players who’ve withdrawn from their respective Australian Open warm-up events with niggling injuries as a precaution, just days before the year’s first Grand Slam gets underway in Melbourne. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Injuries pile up as warm-up events draw to close”
Australian Open 2021: Johanna Konta grateful, reflecting on quarantine period
Johanna Konta, world number 14, has revealed how grateful she is to have been one of the lucky ones permitted to practice for five hours a day – considering 72 others, including compatriot Heather Watson (#58), have been locked in their hotel rooms for two weeks after positive COVID-19 cases were confirmed on flights taking players to Australia earlier this month.
Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Johanna Konta grateful, reflecting on quarantine period”
Australian Open 2021: Andy Murray withdraws, unresolved issues after positive COVID-19 test
Despite efforts to find a resolution after news of his positive COVID-19 test broke last week, three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has confirmed he will not be taking part in next month’s Australian Open after all – having been granted a wildcard to feature just last month. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Andy Murray withdraws, unresolved issues after positive COVID-19 test”
Lucas Pouille discusses recovery after elbow surgery, comeback plans for 2021
Lucas Pouille, a former world number 10, underwent season-ending surgery in 2019 and had an elbow operation last summer too during the COVID-enforced tennis shutdown – but has now revealed the extent of his injuries as he’s keen to adopt a gradual approach to this latest comeback, not applying much pressure or heightened expectations for himself going forward. Continue reading “Lucas Pouille discusses recovery after elbow surgery, comeback plans for 2021”
Despite clay struggles, Janko Tipsarevic tips Medvedev for future world no.1 and Slam titles
Former world number 8 Janko Tipsarevic has praised last year’s ATP Finals champion, calling him a future Major champion and world no.1 – despite having reservations over the Russian’s ability to dominate on all surfaces, given his inconsistent results on clay. The 24-year-old is set to return at next month’s Australian Open, where he’s lost in round four the last two seasons. Continue reading “Despite clay struggles, Janko Tipsarevic tips Medvedev for future world no.1 and Slam titles”
Mo and Sports 