Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
As the fallout from this week’s positive drug tests revelation continues, Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner answered 10 minutes’ worth of inevitable questions – against the moderator’s wishes – from the assembled media with poise and clarity at Flushing Meadows in preparation for his first-round encounter early next week hoping the focus is solely on tennis once more. Continue reading “US Open 2024: Sinner fields questions as world no. 1 confirms Ferrara, Naldi out”
In what is widely expected to be the 14-time champion’s final farewell in Paris this coming fortnight as retirement beckons, Rafael Nadal begins his French Open campaign against Rome champion Alexander Zverev after today’s singles draws were unveiled. The pair were engrossed in a thrilling Major semifinal battle here two years ago, before the latter suffered torn ankle ligaments. Continue reading “French Open 2024: Nadal’s nightmare draw starts with Rome champ Zverev in R1”
The 28-year-old spoke about needing a break after a packed calendar where he dealt with a knee injury and Britain’s no. 1 player Cameron Norrie was typically bullish when speaking to media about facing Novak Djokovic during tomorrow’s Davis Cup quarterfinals against Serbia, after Jack Draper looks to give team GB a lead during the tie’s first of two singles matchups against Laslo Djere… Continue reading “Davis Cup: Feeling fresh, Norrie bullish as Great Britain gear up for Djokovic’s Serbia”
Andy Murray clinched his 200th Major victory with a less-than-straightforward win in straight-sets against the unpredictable Frenchman Corentin Moutet, while 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev and America’s top-ranked player Jessica Pegula scored quick opening round victories elsewhere on Day 2 in New York. Continue reading “US Open 2023: Medvedev, Pegula win quick as Murray earns 200th Major victory”
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and Britain’s number one Cameron Norrie both won in contrasting circumstances on a rain-affected Day 2 at this year’s Championships, where only eight matches were completed as persistently poor weather conditions ensured play on the outside courts quickly became unfeasible. It means a rush today to catch up on what was lost, mind… Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: Murray and Norrie through as rain renders Day 2 a false start”
After the injury-laden withdrawals over the past 48 hours before next week’s Monte-Carlo Masters, there was some good tennis news to report: Casper Ruud returned to winning ways on clay in Estoril yesterday, before Britain’s no. 2 player Dan Evans snapped a six-match losing streak in Marrakech today. Continue reading “Casper Ruud, Dan Evans return to winning ways on clay in Estoril, Marrakech”
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”
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”
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”
Maria Sakkari called this one of the best weeks in her career. Jessica Pegula spoke for team USA, stressing their excitement for what’s to come. Poland are deadly in unison and we’re only halfway through: the United Cup’s final four nations were sealed after a manic day’s action – with a few surprising results as expected across tour-level tournaments elsewhere today. Continue reading “Tennis: United Cup’s final four teams confirmed, Rybakina and Andreescu lose in Adelaide and more”
There were straight-set victories for Matteo Berrettini, Maria Sakkari and Stan Wawrinka among others but the big story came in the evening as home favourite Jason Kubler recovered from a 5-0 second set deficit to overwhelm world no. 27 Dan Evans and secure Australia’s first-ever United Cup triumph, on an eventful second day of group action at the tournament. Continue reading “United Cup: Berrettini, Sakkari, Wawrinka all prevail before Kubler clinches big win for team Australia”
Defending champion Emma Raducanu fought hard, but was undone on her Flushing Meadows return by Alize Cornet’s devastating drop shots and masterful defensive skills. Elsewhere, Rafael Nadal recovered to overwhelm 21-year-old Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata after Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Hubert Hurkacz were all comfortable winners on Day 2.
Continue reading “US Open 2022: Swiatek and Nadal progress, Slam champs Raducanu and Rybakina ousted on Day 2”
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