Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
24 hours. Two stunning results on Arthur Ashe. Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, as well as defending titlist Novak Djokovic both beaten before the second week at a Major for the first time in a while, just weeks removed from their Olympic exertions on Parisian clay left the pair undercooked and lacking energy needed for a deep Flushing Meadows foray. Continue reading “US Open 2024: Olympic hangover sees Alcaraz, Djokovic both stunned in 24 hours”
Six-time Major champion Boris Becker announced Thursday he’ll return to the tennis circuit as Holger Rune’s new coach, having served an eight-month prison sentence last year for failing to hand over assets and trophies, repaying debt after being declared bankrupt five years earlier. While the headlines will surround the German right now, the talented Dane needs more than new voices in his ear hopeful he can stop stuttering form as the season draws to a close. Continue reading “Holger Rune needs more than a returning Boris Becker to arrest his alarming slump”
Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev – last year’s champion and runner-up – won in contrasting circumstances. A genuine title contender withdrew through injury and needs surgery, while Iga Swiatek was pushed by a determined Jule Neimeier, an intriguing contest between Emma Raducanu and Coco Gauff is set for R2 and much more besides. Read on, for Day 1’s round-up. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Kyrgios withdraws, Nadal battles past Draper, Raducanu-Gauff in R2 + more on Day 1”
Jannik Sinner recovered from a set down to ice a home hopeful in the night session, after Petra Kvitova was pushed into a deciding set ten-point tiebreak as she edged past two-time Major champion Garbine Muguruza. Elsewhere, Cameron Norrie and Frances Tiafoe prevailed before Naomi Osaka’s conqueror Danielle Collins added another tricky opponent onto her resume.
Continue reading “US Open 2022: Muguruza, Bencic among big losers as Rublev-Shapovalov taken to brink on Day 6”
This year’s Major marks the first Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2011 where the men’s top 12 seeds have all advanced through into round three – but it was certainly a gritty battle particularly for three of the favourites, one having to save match point, two being down 2-0 and recovering in five. How will that impact their chances of a deep run over the next nine days? Continue reading “French Open 2022: Zverev, Tsitsipas and Alcaraz survive scares – but for how long?”
On an opening day overshadowed by news confirming defending champion Novak Djokovic had been deported after his visa was once again cancelled, there were big wins for American duo Sebastian Korda and Madison Keys among others — the former edged past 2020 winner Sofia Kenin (#11) in two tight sets, while Korda bested Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie. Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Djokovic deported, Jabeur injured, Coco and Cam knocked out on Day 1”
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”
Mo and Sports 