Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and world no. 3 Jessica Pegula experienced contrasting victories to secure their R3 berths, while six more seeds fell across both draws on Day 4. Despite a gripping 89-minute first set, Novak Djokovic ensured there was no repeat of the previous night’s electricity on Philippe-Chatrier – winning in straight-sets against a fearless Marton Fucsovics. Continue reading “French Open 2023: Sabalenka, Pegula win before Djokovic handles Fucsovics test”
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”
Serena Williams’ last US Open campaign got underway with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-3 win over Danka Kovinic, before a celebratory ceremony for the 23-time Major champion as her illustrious career enters its final days. Casper Ruud and defending titlist Daniil Medvedev eased through in the day session, while Simona Halep and Stefanos Tsitsipas were among the Day 1 casualties… Continue reading “US Open 2022: Tsitsipas and Halep among seeds to fall, Serena wins as celebration begins on Day 1”
Two years after blasting beyond Sofia Kenin in the 2020 final as a teenager, world no. 1 Iga Swiatek wasted no time in doubling her Grand Slam tally while extending her remarkable winning streak to 35 matches with a 68-minute 6-1, 6-3 win over American teen star Coco Gauff. Continue reading “French Open: Swiatek sweeps Gauff aside in straight-sets, secures second Major title”
Despite being 2-2 at one stage in the first season, world no. 1 Iga Swiatek wasted no time extending her remarkable winning streak to 34 with a 6-2, 6-1 win over first-time semi-finalist Daria Kasatkina. She faces Coco Gauff in Saturday’s final, whose mental toughness and composure was key as the teenager eventually overwhelmed an error-prone Martina Trevisan. Continue reading “French Open: Swiatek strolls into second Major final, plays record-breaker Gauff Saturday”
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”
Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa endured a spirited Belinda Bencic display during a high-quality match packed with plenty of peaks and troughs, but ultimately emerged victorious to punch her ticket into the semi-finals. She’ll play Daria Kasatkina in the Sydney semi-finals tomorrow (8am BST), after the Russian inflicted Garbine Muguruza’s first loss of the new year.
Continue reading “Sydney Tennis Classic: Badosa withstands Bencic pressure, clinches semi-final berth”
The crowd on Centre Court is sure to be divided on Saturday, when eight-time champion Roger Federer faces Britain’s Cameron Norrie in an intriguing R3 clash after the pair recorded straight-sets wins. Ashleigh Barty and Cori Gauff had routine wins, Angelique Kerber was involved in an unforgettable thriller before teenage wildcard Emma Raducanu made her mark on Court 12. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Federer sets up Norrie clash, but Raducanu steals the show on Day 4”
Serena and Venus Williams held their nerve after a few shaky moments, tournament favourite Naomi Osaka was ruthlessly decisive while French Open champion Iga Swiatek was solid en route to a comfortable first-round win. Elsewhere, a three-time Slam winner was knocked out in rather emphatic fashion and more besides as Day 1 of the 2021 Australian Open got underway. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Williams sisters, Osaka and Swiatek get off to winning start”
Mo and Sports 