2022 started with the now-former world no. 1 being embarrassed in Australia, deported as he prepared to defend his Grand Slam title – an easy target for vilification worldwide given his vaccination stance. It ends with Novak Djokovic clinching a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title despite Casper Ruud’s best efforts, another result during an eventful week in Turin setting up the new season perfectly with plenty of compelling questions now bubbling to the surface. Continue reading
On a day where two of the world’s top male players both crashed out in the first-round of their respective tournaments, Emma Raducanu acquitted herself well but costly errors late in both sets saw her ultimately lose a competitive clash to Daria Kasatkina. Daniil Medvedev dropped just four games, while Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios excelled on his return to action too. Continue reading
Carlos Alcaraz began with renewed vigour, Casper Ruud pegged him back with some brilliant shot-making as questions over fatigue arose – after setting a record for the longest time played at a Grand Slam on record. The 19-year-old saved two set points in the third, before powering home in four as he earned his first Major title and will be the new world no. 1 come Monday. Continue reading
Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz will go head-to-head once more with a maiden Grand Slam title up for grabs, as well as the world no. 1 ranking on Sunday evening, after they earned contrasting wins over Karen Khachanov and Frances Tiafoe in Friday’s semi-final double-header. Ruud was largely excellent against the Russian despite a third set blip late, while Alcaraz rallied from a set down and again came out on top during another deciding set battle. Continue reading
At least four maiden US Open semi-finalists will feature at Flushing Meadows later this week with new champions to be crowned in both draws, after Casper Ruud raced past an out-of-sorts Matteo Berrettini, Ons Jabeur ended Ajla Tomljanovic’s spirited run, Caroline Garcia’s aggressiveness saw her outgun Coco Gauff and Karen Khachanov withstood a spirited Nick Kyrgios fightback to edge past him in a deciding set beyond midnight New York time overnight.
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With this year’s final Major tennis tournament set to start on Monday in New York, here’s a round-up of news related to the big occasion that awaits at Flushing Meadows – from player withdrawals, injury scares, making marginal improvements and draw analysis on both tours.
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Rafael Nadal recovered from a potentially precarious 3-1 second set deficit, winning eleven consecutive games and losing just eight points across the course of a 30-minute set three as the 36-year-old closed out an impressive straight-sets victory (6-3, 6-3, 6-0) over first-time Major finalist Casper Ruud, making more history with a record-extending 14th Roland Garros title.
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It had been 190 days – six months and nine days – since Novak Djokovic last won an ATP singles title before lifting the Rome Masters trophy for a record-extending sixth time by overwhelming Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday. Given the whirlwind half-year the Serbian has experienced, does the past week prove he’s peaking at the right time to defend his Roland Garros crown next?
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US Open quarter-finalist Carlos Alcaraz made history in Miami, becoming their youngest ever champion and equally the third-youngest player ever to win a title at Masters 1000 level after recovering from 1-4 down in set one, beating Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-4 – capping an unforgettable fortnight for the Spanish teenager, who will rise to world no. 11 in tomorrow’s rankings update. Continue reading
There were comfortable straight-set wins for multiple Grand Slam champions, including two title contenders in WTA Finals winner Garbine Muguruza and Iga Swiatek, while more seeds fell on Day 2 of this year’s Australian Open. Andy Murray made history after gritting through another five-set battle, while Nick Kyrgios and Emma Raducanu shone in the night session.
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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
On an opening day marred by several injury-enforced withdrawals, 2012 US Open champion Andy Murray and world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas were engaged in a five-set epic battle, lasting four hours 50 minutes, to start the year’s final Grand Slam tournament with aplomb. Continue reading
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