Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev got his Wimbledon campaign up-and-running with a straight-sets win over a spirited effort from British wildcard Arthur Fery, who finds himself with a decision to make over his college status this autumn. Elsewhere, Daria Kasatkina made quick work of Jodie Burrage, while Jannik Sinner is into R3 after overwhelming Diego Schwartzman.
Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: Kasatkina downs Burrage, Medvedev and Sinner both excel”
Having come close in Surbiton the week before, Britain’s new number one Katie Boulter beat a quartet of compatriots – including Jodie Burrage in Sunday’s final – clinching a maiden WTA Tour-level title at her home tournament in Nottingham. As she conceded afterwards, a career-high attainment this week cannot be understated but consistency is key, starting today in Birmingham. Continue reading “After Sunday’s Nottingham triumph, Katie Boulter must maintain her momentum”
While defending champion Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal remain on course for a much-anticipated rematch of their French Open quarter-final, there are ten players into the last-eight at SW19 for the first time across both draws, including Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner, who extinguished Carlos Alcaraz’s aspirations in an entertaining four-set battle. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2022 – Days 7-8: Nine maiden quarterfinalists in men, women’s singles draws”
Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek – the reigning French Open champions – must improve if they’re to experience straightforward Saturday assignments in round three. Heather Watson’s gritty win over Kaja Juvan means she’s into R4 of a Major for the first time as a 13-year professional, while we’re set for an eagerly-anticipated Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Nick Kyrgios matchup on Day 6 after both won clean on Thursday. Read about all that and more, in this latest SW19 review. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2022 – Days 4-5: Nadal, Swiatek strained, Watson wins again, Tsitsipas-Kyrgios and more”
Novak Djokovic was tested en route to making more history, while Spanish rising star Carlos Alcaraz was embroiled in a five-set battle before Emma Raducanu held her nerve in a tricky R1 test against Belgium’s Alison van Uytvanck during a memorable Centre Court debut for the US Open champion. Read on for reviews and more, on what was another intriguing Day 1 on SW19. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2022 – Day 1: Djokovic and Alcaraz tested, Raducanu rules on Centre Court debut”
Garbine Muguruza’s pursuit of an elusive Australian Open title continues after Alize Cornet stunned the WTA Finals champion. Elsewhere, Anett Kontaveit (#6) and Diego Schwartzman (#13) were among the latest seeds to fall, while US Open semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka had to save her blushes before disappointing three-set defeats for Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu.
Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Muguruza, Kontaveit both lose as shocks flow across Day 4”
Having announced her retirement on Dec. 1, Britain’s Johanna Konta – a three-time Major semi-finalist and former world no. 4 – was plagued by troublesome injuries and some streaky form, underselling the country’s greatest hope in the women’s game across the last decade and more. Here, I look back as the 30-year-old waved goodbye quietly before the new year. Continue reading “Johanna Konta’s retirement: Injuries don’t cloud her legacy as Britain’s tireless hope”
Frances Tiafoe earned his first top-5 win at the 12th attempt to end French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas’ tournament just hours into an eventful Day 1 packed with action, while there were big wins for Sloane Stephens and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray among others elsewhere on a memorable return to the grass in south London after a two-year absence. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Tiafoe and Murray win big as Tsitsipas, Kvitova fall on memorable Day 1”
Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas needed all five sets to outlast home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis, who again proved he can hang with the world’s best at this level – despite his injuries. Before, there was a tearful exit for defending champion Sofia Kenin while top seed Ashleigh Barty survived a scare to beat wildcard Daria Gavrilova and Elina Svitolina beat teenager Cori Gauff. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Kenin crashes out, Tsitsipas survives, Svitolina ruthless”
Johanna Konta, world number 14, has revealed how grateful she is to have been one of the lucky ones permitted to practice for five hours a day – considering 72 others, including compatriot Heather Watson (#58), have been locked in their hotel rooms for two weeks after positive COVID-19 cases were confirmed on flights taking players to Australia earlier this month.
Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Johanna Konta grateful, reflecting on quarantine period”
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