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
Tag: Maria Sakkari
Indian Wells 2022: Fritz extinguishes Nadal’s unbeaten streak after Swiatek sinks Sakkari
Taylor Fritz earned his first Masters 1000 title the hard way, gritting through the pain barrier to overwhelm a similarly injury-affected Rafael Nadal and snap the Spaniard’s 20-0 unbeaten streak in 2022. Elsewhere over the weekend, 20-year-old star Iga Swiatek beat US Open semi-finalist Maria Sakkari for the second time in 24 days to secure yet another big trophy herself. Continue reading
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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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