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Casper Ruud was pushed into a five-set battle on day one, while #29 seed Linda Noskova became the first seed to fall as heavy rain proved an ever-present theme on Day 1 of this year’s Australian Open tournament, headlined by straightforward straight-set victories for defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and men’s dark horse Alexander Zverev in the night session on Rod Laver Arena. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 25: Sabalenka, Zverev smiling into second-round as Major underway”
Jack Draper clinched his first ATP500 title in Vienna yesterday afternoon, capping a tournament which saw the retiring Dominic Thiem bow out from competition this week while Olympic bronze medallist Lorenzo Musetti and eventual runner-up Karen Khachanov produced runs on the indoor surface giving both renewed confidence they can exceed expectations in bigger events. Continue reading “Vienna: Draper clinches maiden ATP 500 title with straight-sets Khachanov scalp”
Two-time Major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas has, at long last, announced his father Apostolos will no longer be coaching him after publicly criticising the 56-year-old after his straight-sets defeat by Kei Nishikori at the Canadian Open in Montreal this past week. Struggling for consistency and conscious younger rivals are progressing while he stagnates, what next for the 26-year-old? Continue reading “Tsitsipas cuts coaching ties with father Apostolos after Toronto exit – what now?”
Former world no. 1, three-time Major champion and double Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray waved farewell to the Philippe Chatrier court for perhaps a final time in his illustrious career, painfully hobbling off after being worn down during a straight-sets defeat by longtime foe and 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka – a fitting nightcap on Day 1 at this year’s tournament. Continue reading “French Open 2024: Wawrinka downs Murray in nightcap as r-word looms large”
US Open 2014 finalist and world no. 46 Kei Nishikori, often plagued by troublesome injuries, has revealed he’ll miss the Australian swing as he’s been struggling with a hip issue needing more recovery time. Elsewhere, defending champion Novak Djokovic’s situation hasn’t been resolved after being refused entry into Australia despite being granted a medical exemption to play. Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Nishikori withdraws with hip injury, Djokovic situation unresolved”
Olympic champions Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic both got off to a winning start in straight-sets against Sam Querrey and Arantxa Rus respectively, while David Goffin (#27) and Karen Khachanov (#25) were among the seeds to fall within the men’s game. Elsewhere, there was a winning start for Emma Raducanu on her US Open main draw debut as Day 2 unfolded. Continue reading “US Open 2021: Olympic champs Zverev, Bencic progress as Raducanu wins on Day 2”
He was a set and a break down, looking downbeat and furious with himself as a competitive affair was slipping out of his grasp with poor execution. Then, Alexander Zverev stepped up his level, like we know he can, winning eight consecutive games before eventually knocking out world number one Novak Djokovic 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 in their Olympic semi-final matchup on Friday. Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics: Zverev recovers to storm past Djokovic, seals Final berth”
The world number one continued his excellent form of late, dropping just two games in 72 minutes (6-2, 6-0) against home favourite Kei Nishikori, before later also racing through to book his semi-final berth in the Olympics’ mixed doubles section with compatriot Nina Stojanovic.
Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics: Djokovic dismantles Nishikori, as Zverev awaits him tomorrow”
20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and reigning Australian Open titlist Naomi Osaka today both announced they wouldn’t feature at this year’s Championships. The latter confirmed she will compete at the Tokyo Olympics in her native Japan – unlike the 35-year-old Spaniard, preparing to take this summer period off to recover from injuries after listening to his body. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Contrasting reasons see Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka withdraw”
After impressive wins over seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and most recently Alex de Minaur in Rotterdam this week, the 31-year-old is hoping he can sustain these high levels of performance before ultimately reaching the world’s top ten ATP rankings once again – something he hasn’t done since a third-round loss to de Minaur at the US Open in 2019. Continue reading “Rotterdam 2021: Kei Nishikori confident he can return to tennis’ top 10 rankings”
Jannik Sinner will wake up to see a career-high ranking upon his name on Monday, after becoming the youngest ATP champion in 12 years with a three-set win (6-4, 3-6, 7-6) over Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in the Sofia final earlier today. It wasn’t his best match, but he finishes the 2020 season on an unforgettable high that he’ll look to build upon in 2021 and beyond. Continue reading “Jannik Sinner beats Vasek Pospisil, becomes youngest ATP title-winner in 12 years”
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