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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”
Belinda Bencic made her return to tennis action a triumphant one this past week – having lost to eventual winner Aryna Sabalenka at last month’s Australian Open. The Olympic champion won a trio of matches in straight-sets, but needed to save three match points and recover from a set down to overwhelm Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in yesterday’s Abu Dhabi Open. Continue reading “Bencic gutsy, saves three match points in Samsonova scalp to clinch Abu Dhabi title”
Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has reiterated her happiness with head coach Stefano Vukov’s direct coaching methods after fury over the 35-year-old’s aggressive instructions towards his charge, en route to a maiden runner-up finish at last month’s Australian Open tournament. She said social media comments – from many people who don’t know the inner workings of her nor the support team – ultimately blew things out of proportion. Continue reading ““They don’t know me,” Rybakina insists after internet fury over her coach’s forceful guidance”
It was high-quality tennis but nervy at times, including a 10-minute sequence late on with the match nervously on a knife-edge, but 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez did what she set out to do: retain her Monterrey title, recovering from 4-1 down in the deciding set – saving five championship points – to outlast Colombian youngster Maria Camila Osorio Serrano. Continue reading “Having saved five championship points, ferocious Fernandez retains her Monterrey crown”
Six months out injured, unsure if he would even be playing this tournament. Down two sets to love, seemingly out and physically drained. Rafael Nadal refused to lose faith, fighting his way back to produce a remarkable comeback and beat US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in an epic Grand Slam Final lasting more than five hours. Not a bad way to clinch a 21st Major title. Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Nadal recovers to beat Medvedev in five-hour marathon, seals 21st Major”
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