Tennis

Casper Ruud, Dan Evans return to winning ways on clay in Estoril, Marrakech

Casper Ruud of Norway celebrates against João Sousa of Portugal during the 2 nd round of the Millennium Estoril Open tournament at CTE- Clube de...

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”

Tennis

Indian Wells: Draper-Murray set, while Raducanu and Norrie earn contrasting victories

Jack Draper of Great Britain celebrates against Dan Evans of great Britain in the second round of BNP Paribas Open on March 11, 2023 in Indian Wells,...

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”

Tennis

Indian Wells: Draper, Raducanu win in straight-sets before another masterful Murray display

Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates in his match agains Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina during the BNP Paribas Open on March 09, 2023 in...

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”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Nadal, Swiatek and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s first Major starts Monday

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand shot during a practice session ahead of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2023 in...

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”

Tennis

Tennis: United Cup’s final four teams confirmed, Rybakina and Andreescu lose in Adelaide and more

Greece's Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrate with teammates their win over Croatia's Petra Martic and Borna Gojo at the end of their mixed...

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”

Tennis

United Cup: Berrettini, Sakkari, Wawrinka all prevail before Kubler clinches big win for team Australia

Jason Kubler of Australia celebrates victory in the Group D match against Daniel Evans of Great Britain during day two of the 2023 United Cup at Ken...

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”

Tennis

US Open 2022: Swiatek and Nadal progress, Slam champs Raducanu and Rybakina ousted on Day 2

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain leaves the court after being defeated by Alize Cornet of France in their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two...

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”

Tennis

Jack Draper: Ruusuvouri defeat will help me learn lessons, with SW19 returning this month

Jack Draper of Great Britain looks dejected against Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland during day three of the cinch Championships at The Queen's Club on...

It’s easy to declare post-match that you’ll learn lessons from a loss, especially a humbling one during the notoriously short grass court season, but 20-year-old Jack Draper’s case feels slightly different than most. Considering Wimbledon’s just around the corner, here’s why… Continue reading “Jack Draper: Ruusuvouri defeat will help me learn lessons, with SW19 returning this month”

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Murray’s R1 Madrid Open win over Thiem should also give Austrian some perspective

Dominic Thiem of Austria shakes hands with Andy Murray of Great Britain after their First Round match on day five of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja...

Playing only his fourth match of 2022 after enduring a troublesome year packed with persistent injuries, the US Open champion showed enough in his 6-3, 6-4 defeat to be happy about, against a legendary Major winner who turns 35 later this month but has persisted when things looked increasingly ominous, having himself struggled with injuries for over a half decade now. Continue reading “Murray’s R1 Madrid Open win over Thiem should also give Austrian some perspective”

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Australian Open 2022: Muguruza and Swiatek through, Ruud injured and more on Day 2

Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates after winning her first round singles match against Harriet Dart of Great Britain during day two of the 2022...

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.
Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Muguruza and Swiatek through, Ruud injured and more on Day 2”

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Adelaide International 2: Keys recovers to sting Gauff, plays friend Riske in Saturday’s final

Madison Keys of the USA waves to the crowd after she defeated Cori Gauff of the USA to advance to the final during day six of the 2022 Adelaide...

A first meeting between American duo Coco Gauff and Madison Keys didn’t disappoint despite a sluggish start by the latter, as the US Open 2017 runner-up rallied back from a set down to outlast Gauff and earn her first WTA Final in two years. She’ll play training partner Alison Riske in tomorrow’s finale, after the 31-year-old benefited from a walkover vs. Tamara Zidansek.
Continue reading “Adelaide International 2: Keys recovers to sting Gauff, plays friend Riske in Saturday’s final”

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US Open 2021: Rublev, Medvedev win but Ruud stunned in four sets on rainy Day 3

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”