Sofia Kenin (#1) survived match point to fight back, edging the second set tiebreak before winning in three tightly-contested sets: 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 – vs. Yulia Putintseva (#13), to book an intriguing quarter-final matchup with Maria Sakkari on Monday, who blasted past Garbine Muguruza 7-5, 6-4 three hours earlier as the action from WTA’s Abu Dhabi 500 event continues. Continue reading
Despite troublesome serving and a sluggish start, Maria Sakkari (#9) recovered from 3-0 down early in the first set to emphatically overcome American teenager Cori Gauff in straight sets: 7-5, 6-2 – setting up a third-round WTA Abu Dhabi encounter vs. Garbine Muguruza (#5) tomorrow. Continue reading
Today features the start of 2021’s first WTA 500 event of the year from Abu Dhabi, with world number 15 Muguruza among those battling for the title as preparation for next month’s Australian Open. A beaten finalist in Melbourne last year, the Spaniard is excited at returning for the start of a new season, one where she’s reassured by health protocols and attention to detail. Continue reading
Andy Murray and world no. 12 Roberto Bautista Agut, as seen in the picture above, are among the high-profile tennis players that have spoken recently about their plans to return – with the US Open on everyone’s minds.
It’s a tough question to ask, and one that is increasingly harder to answer as time passes. Serena Williams’ 36th birthday was earlier this week and in a few months, she’ll make the long-awaited return to professional tennis after having had her first child.
Considering her inconsistent form in 2016, it came as no surprise that Muguruza found herself constantly on the back foot as she tried to contend with McHale’s direct style of play, where the plucky American was aiming to hit forehand winners whenever the chance arose. Rallies were fast-paced and so unpredictable that you could virtually hear the crowd holding their breath, but as McHale found some momentum with her array of shot-selection, it was obvious that Muguruza was starting to get frustrated and understandably so.
