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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Tag: Maria Sakkari
Australian Open 2022: Djokovic deported, Jabeur injured, Coco and Cam knocked out on Day 1
On an opening day overshadowed by news confirming defending champion Novak Djokovic had been deported after his visa was once again cancelled, there were big wins for American duo Sebastian Korda and Madison Keys among others — the former edged past 2020 winner Sofia Kenin (#11) in two tight sets, while Korda bested Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie. Continue reading
WTA Finals 2021: Motivated Muguruza makes history against error-prone Kontaveit
After hearing rumours this year-end event would be moved to Mexico, Garbine Muguruza was giddy with anticipation. Despite losing her first group match and trailing a set down to Barbora Krejcikova in match two, the Venezuelan-born Spaniard won eight consecutive sets – four against the same opponent – making history in Latin America as the first Spanish champion.
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Anett Kontaveit astonished by top 10 rankings surge, but she really shouldn’t be
Having sown the seeds for her progression last year with new career-high Grand Slam finishes in Melbourne and Flushing Meadows, Estonian rising star Anett Kontaveit [9] is said to be in disbelief after surpassing Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur to officially qualify for next week’s WTA Finals – another career first as her resume continues to blossom. There’s no reason she should be. Continue reading
US Open 2021: Emma Raducanu beats Leylah Fernandez, seals title on main draw debut
It wasn’t without some dicey moments and two championship points saved, but British teenage qualifier Emma Raducanu held firm despite some ever-growing second set tension to beat Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 6-4 and clinch this year’s US Open title on her main draw debut. Continue reading
US Open 2021: Fernandez vs. Raducanu in battle of first-time teenage Slam finalists
Another day, more history made at this year’s US Open. Two teenagers will contest Saturday’s Grand Slam Final, on their main draw debuts no less, when Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and British qualifier Emma Raducanu duel this weekend. The latter dropped just five games vs. Maria Sakkari (#17), after Fernandez outlasted Aryna Sabalenka (#2) in a three-set battle. Continue reading
US Open 2021: Raducanu-Sakkari, Djokovic-Zverev semifinals set on Day 10
Emma Raducanu’s remarkable run continues, as she recovered from 3-1 down to stifle Olympic champion Belinda Bencic. Maria Sakkari is next, following an impressive win over Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova later on. Speaking of the Olympics, Friday sees a rematch of the Tokyo semis as gold medallist Alexander Zverev looks to snap Novak Djokovic’s hopes of the Golden Slam. Judging by the way the Serb played vs. Matteo Berrettini, expect fireworks this weekend.
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French Open 2021: Djokovic’s defiant defence helps him roar past Berrettini
World number one and last year’s beaten finalist Novak Djokovic won 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 against Matteo Berrettini overnight, booking yet another Grand Slam semi-final – second to only Roger Federer in the all-time ranks (50). However, it wasn’t without a few dicey moments late on…
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Australian Open 2021: Kenin, Gauff, Medvedev win as Azarenka and Goffin stunned
Defending champion Sofia Kenin wasn’t satisfied but crucially got the job done, while there were comfortable wins for Cori Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal and some surprising results too – David Goffin, Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta all crashed out on Day 2. Continue reading
WTA Abu Dhabi: Sabalenka beats Kudermetova for ninth WTA title, first of 2021
Aryna Sabalenka (#4) continued where she left off to cap another memorable week with her ninth WTA title and a new career-high world ranking no. 7 after dispatching unseeded Veronika Kudermetova in straight-sets – 6-2, 6-2 – extending an impressive win streak to 15 ahead of next month’s Australian Open, where the 22-year-old hopes to begin improving her Slam record.
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WTA Abu Dhabi: Sabalenka swiftly dismantles Sakkari for 14th straight win
Aryna Sabalenka (#4) wasted no time in overpowering Maria Sakkari (#9) – 6-3, 6-2 in just under an hour’s play – booking her place in tomorrow’s final with a ruthless showing of striking accuracy and purposeful serving too. She’ll play new world number 36 Veronika Kudermetova in the Abu Dhabi finale, hoping to futher extend an impressive 14-match winning streak. Continue reading
WTA Abu Dhabi: Sakkari rallies to earn for big win vs. Kenin, Sabalenka in semis
Maria Sakkari (#9) dropped her first set of the week, but duly responded emphatically: winning ten games in a row en route to her fifth career win over a top-five player, with a third set bagel against the tournament’s top seed Sofia Kenin. Aryna Sabalenka (#4) awaits in tomorrow’s semi-finals, after she outlasted Elena Rybakina (#6) in three sets earlier on as Day 7 continued. Continue reading
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