Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Last season’s Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios withdrew from this year’s tournament at the eleventh hour before his first-round match against David Goffin, having sustained a torn wrist ligament in Mallorca during the build-up to SW19. On Day 1, the French Open champions won clean before American pair Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff battled during a pulsating three-set encounter. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: Kyrgios again injured before Swiatek, Djokovic earn solid wins”
Merely three weeks after the conclusion of this season’s French Open finals, we’re onto another surface on grass and Major tournament as SW19 gets underway proper this coming Monday. Before then, the draws for both tours was confirmed today so here’s a news round-up – one prominent player’s sad farewell and the return of a former world no. 1 – as well as my draw analysis. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: Main draw set – Djokovic, Rybakina + more find their fate”
Novak Djokovic got off to a stressful start but, as we’ve come to expect from the 36-year-old, steadied himself late in set one and ultimately finished strongest during a far-from-straightforward three-set victory over three-time Major finalist Casper Ruud – clinching a record-breaking 23rd Major title by doing so. Continue reading “French Open 2023: Djokovic overcomes slow start to beat Ruud, seals 23rd Major”
Novak Djokovic started fast, Carlos Alcaraz grew in confidence as time wore on, they battled during a series of nailbiting rallies but the intensity took a toll on the world no. 1, cramping and subsequently forfeiting a game early in set three of a tense semi-final encounter suddenly losing its edge. The 22-time Major champion will now have a chance for #23 on Sunday, after his four-set victory.
Continue reading “French Open 2023: Djokovic into Sunday’s final after wearing down cramping Alcaraz”
He plays with a smile on his face, an electric brand of tennis that has fans worldwide clamouring to get a glimpse of him upclose, and his displays have softened the blow felt by 14-time champion Rafael Nadal’s absence. Now with a night session matchup against the 2021 runner-up, can his red-hot form continue as he seeks to secure a second Major title in less than twelve months? Continue reading “French Open 2023: Having demoralised Musetti, will Alcaraz now go all the way?”
Lorenzo Musetti ended Cameron Norrie’s hopes of a deep run, while Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daria Kasatkina were also comfortable winners across the two draws on Day 6. Denis Shapovalov crumbled against Carlos Alcaraz, while Hubert Hurkacz was stunned by a plucky Peruvian but despite a three-set defeat against Novak Djokovic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina did himself proud. Continue reading “Shapovalov crumbles, Hurkacz stumbles – Davidovich Fokina shines in Djokovic loss”
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and world no. 3 Jessica Pegula experienced contrasting victories to secure their R3 berths, while six more seeds fell across both draws on Day 4. Despite a gripping 89-minute first set, Novak Djokovic ensured there was no repeat of the previous night’s electricity on Philippe-Chatrier – winning in straight-sets against a fearless Marton Fucsovics. Continue reading “French Open 2023: Sabalenka, Pegula win before Djokovic handles Fucsovics test”
Monday was busy as the R1 ties in this year’s French Open continued. There were predictably a few surprising results – including early exits for Felix Auger-Aliassime, Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and two-time semifinalist Petra Kvitova. As for the Brits, Jack Draper’s injury woes sadly continued before Cameron Norrie was composed to fend off a motivated Benoit Paire in five sets. Continue reading “French Open 2023: Auger-Aliassime axed, Bencic bounced, Norrie edges it on Day 2”
As 22-time Major champion Novak Djokovic begins the defence of his Rome title this weekend, he’s wise to acknowledge Madrid titlist Carlos Alcaraz is the player to beat right now. Having struggled with an elbow injury and some inconsistent play of late, the Serb’s public declaration in a pre-tournament presser eases pressure off his shoulders as he looks to peak at Roland Garros. Continue reading “Rome: Djokovic wise to put onus on in-form Alcaraz, given their contrasting form”
Before Sunday afternoon, Andrey Rublev had won 12 ATP tour-level singles titles, three in doubles competition as well as Olympic gold in mixed two years ago. By 6pm that day, he claimed the biggest trophy of his career and did so in a manner he’ll never forget: recovering from 4-1 down in the deciding set to topple Paris Masters champion Holger Rune. How will he build on that success? Continue reading “Andrey Rublev’s grind resumes in Bosnia, after clinching maiden Masters 1000 title”
Novak Djokovic stressed in the build-up he was ready to go the distance, given both entered the finale in formidable form and what was at stake for the winner. Instead, he needed just shy of three hours, increasing his level in two tiebreak sets, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in this year’s Australian Open final – meaning he’ll return to world no. 1 – after clinching a record-extending tenth Major in Melbourne, moving level with long-time rival Rafael Nadal on 22 overall. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Djokovic bests Tsitsipas in straight-sets, seals 22nd Major title and back at world no. 1”
Novak Djokovic stuttered early but produced some of his awe-inspiring groundstrokes late on as he booked his place in Sunday’s final after a straight-sets victory over unseeded American Tommy Paul. He’ll face an in-form Stefanos Tsitsipas after the Greek held firm despite a spirited showing by Olympic silver medallist Karen Khachanov in the day’s earlier semifinal. It means the pair – who met in the 2021 Roland Garros final – will do battle for world no. 1 status too. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final with world no. 1 again on the line”
Mo and Sports 