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
Tag: Denis Shapovalov
ATP Dubai: Vesely ousts Djokovic in quarters, Medvedev confirmed as new world no. 1
After emerging unscathed through two qualifying rounds to reach the Dubai main draw, then beating both Marin Cilic and Roberto Bautista Agut (#8) in straight-sets, Jiri Vesely’s week went from commendable to masterful after an inspired showing against Novak Djokovic, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to knock the 20-time Grand Slam champion off his perch as the world’s best player. Continue reading
Australian Open 2022: Nadal-Berrettini, Keys-Barty semifinals set as Day 9 excites
Rafael Nadal withstood a spirited Denis Shapovalov comeback to oust the Canadian in five sets, before Matteo Berrettini similarly held firm under Gael Monfils’ pressure in a night session showdown lasting almost four hours, becoming the first Italian ever to reach this tournament’s semis. Elsewhere, Ashleigh Barty made quick work of her last-eight clash with Jessica Pegula and now faces another American in Barbora Krejcikova’s conqueror Madison Keys on Thursday.
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Australian Open 2022: Zverev, Sakkari and Badosa all knocked out on busy Day 7
Adelaide champion Madison Keys booked her place in an eighth Grand Slam quarter-final with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Sydney titlist Paula Badosa to kick off a busy day of action where multiple seeds fell, including Maria Sakkari [5] and a worryingly off-colour Alexander Zverev [3].
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Australian Open 2022: Barty and Badosa ease into R3, Nadal tested on lowkey Day 3
After an easy R1 match, Wimbledon titlist Ashleigh Barty also breezed past Italian qualifier Lucia Bronzetti. Elsewhere in the women’s draw, some intriguing R3 matches are set after comfortable victories for Paula Badosa (#8) and Victoria Azarenka (#24). Meanwhile 20-time Major champion Rafael Nadal had to work hard but still emerged as the challenges intensify.
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Rafael Nadal update: Spaniard returns from foot injury in Abu Dhabi exhibition
Despite losing 6-3, 7-5 against familiar foe Andy Murray during his return from a troublesome foot injury, the 20-time Grand Slam titlist revealed he was happy with his own performance on memorable soil before what promises to be an intriguing 2022 campaign for both champions. Continue reading
US Open 2021: Djokovic, Raducanu record very different wins on Day 6 as Barty, Shapovalov fall
On another action-packed day at Flushing Meadows, Kei Nishikori’s high-quality provided a stern test for Novak Djokovic but the world no. 1 recovered from a set down to win 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu dismantled Sara Sorribes Tormo to reach the second week at successive Slams, where she’ll face Ashleigh Barty’s conqueror Shelby Rogers on Monday.
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Improving: Bianca Andreescu, Denis Shapovalov confident for different reasons
After struggling for consistency so far this year, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu (world no. 8) said she’s enjoying herself again under a new coach in Sven Groeneveld, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova. Meanwhile, Canadian compatriot Denis Shapovalov (#10) is excited and itching to continue his momentum after a successful grass court season.
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Wimbledon 2021: Determined Djokovic eventually ousts Berrettini, secures 20th Slam
It was dicey at times, but world number one Novak Djokovic levelled Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam men’s singles’ titles of all-time with 20 – three consecutive Majors – after recovering from a set down to beat first-time finalist Matteo Berrettini in four sets.
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Wimbledon 2021: Berrettini into his first Final, plays defending champ Djokovic on Sunday
Sunday will be a big day for Italian sport: the football team play England in the EURO 2020 final, after history-maker Matteo Berrettini (#7) contests his first Grand Slam final against defending champion Novak Djokovic. He earned a four-set win over fellow semi-final debutant Hubert Hurkacz (#14), before the Serb’s gritty three-set thriller to outlast Denis Shapovalov.
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Wimbledon 2021: Djokovic wins clean, Hurkacz knocks Federer out on wacky Wednesday
There was unmistakable sadness in the air as eight-time champion Roger Federer bowed out of Wimbledon – losing handily in straight-sets vs. Daniil Medvedev’s conqueror Hubert Hurkacz on Centre Court. Novak Djokovic avoided a banana skin against Marton Fucsovics, while there were big wins for Matteo Berrettini and especially Denis Shapovalov as the final four is now set. Continue reading
Wimbledon 2021: Key wins for Jabeur and Korda, Shapovalov ends Murray’s run
Ons Jabeur recovered from a set down to knock out 2017 Wimbledon titlist Garbine Muguruza, tournament debutant Sebastian Korda rode the wave of momentum well enough to oust Britain’s no. 1 Dan Evans in four sets before another youngster – tenth seed Denis Shapovalov – oozed quality as he ruthlessly ended the hopes of a favourite in Andy Murray on Centre Court. Continue reading
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