Tennis

Rome: Djokovic wise to put onus on in-form Alcaraz, given their contrasting form

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his second victory against Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina in the men's singles second round during day five...

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”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Ruud, Zverev and Fritz all stunned, Murray weaves his magic again in epic on Day 4

Casper Ruud of Norway reacts in the round two singles match against Jenson Brooksby of the United States during day four of the 2023 Australian Open...

Casper Ruud’s four-set loss to Jenson Brooksby – on a brilliant Day 4 for American players not named Taylor Fritz – marks the first time a Grand Slam’s top two seeds have been knocked out before round three since this very tournament 21 years ago. Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka faces her Major-winning doubles teammate in the next round, Daniel Evans will meet a familiar foe while Andy Murray surpassed his Matteo Berrettini scalp after the longest match of his career.
Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Ruud, Zverev and Fritz all stunned, Murray weaves his magic again in epic on Day 4”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: McDonald beats hobbled reigning champ Nadal, Gauff outworks Raducanu on Day 3

Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye to the crowd on Rod Laver Arena after losing against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States in his round two...

Reigning Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal was soundly beaten by 27-year-old American Mackenzie McDonald, a straight-sets defeat compounded after straining his left hip flexor deep in set two and severely struggled with subsequent movement. Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari had contrasting wins, Felix Auger-Aliassime recovered from two sets down to beat Alex Molcan while Auckland titlist Coco Gauff won a rocky battle against Emma Raducanu elsewhere. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: McDonald beats hobbled reigning champ Nadal, Gauff outworks Raducanu on Day 3”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Kyrgios withdraws, Nadal battles past Draper, Raducanu-Gauff in R2 + more on Day 1

Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts after a point against Britain's Jack Draper during their men's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis...

Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev – last year’s champion and runner-up – won in contrasting circumstances. A genuine title contender withdrew through injury and needs surgery, while Iga Swiatek was pushed by a determined Jule Neimeier, an intriguing contest between Emma Raducanu and Coco Gauff is set for R2 and much more besides. Read on, for Day 1’s round-up. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Kyrgios withdraws, Nadal battles past Draper, Raducanu-Gauff in R2 + more on Day 1”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Nadal, Swiatek and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s first Major starts Monday

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand shot during a practice session ahead of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2023 in...

2023 brings a new year packed with resolutions, time-specific targets and compelling storylines too. With the year’s first Major tournament set to begin on Monday in Melbourne, here’s a news round-up before the big occasion finally gets underway – from player withdrawals, injury scares, progress reports from recent tournaments and my draw analysis for both tours.
Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Nadal, Swiatek and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s first Major starts Monday”

Tennis

Popyrin powers past Auger-Aliassime, De Minaur stuns Nadal and more on another busy day of tennis

Alex de Minaur of Australia celebrates a point in his group D match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during day five of the 2023 United Cup at Ken...

Rafael Nadal’s slow start to the 2023 season continued as home favourite Alex de Minaur became the latest to mount a stirring comeback against the reigning Australian Open champion in the United Cup, while Alexei Popyrin and Linda Noskova were just a few with surprise victories elsewhere as the main draw of other tournaments continued to unfold today. Continue reading “Popyrin powers past Auger-Aliassime, De Minaur stuns Nadal and more on another busy day of tennis”

Tennis

United Cup: Dimitrov, Swiatek among winners before Norrie finally overcomes Nadal in three-set battle

Britain's Cameron Norrie reacts on a point against Rafael Nadal of Spain during their men's singles match on day three of the United Cup tennis...

Grigor Dimitrov and Iga Swiatek were among the day’s winners for their respective nations in contrasting circumstances, before Cameron Norrie ended an eventful 2022 with a long-awaited scalp: recovering from a set down to beat Rafael Nadal for the first time in five attempts, helping Great Britain take an early lead in their United Cup group clash against Spain. Continue reading “United Cup: Dimitrov, Swiatek among winners before Norrie finally overcomes Nadal in three-set battle”

Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz aware a difficult 2023 season awaits him with newfound favourite tag

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain Carlos Alcaraz of Spain receives the trophy as best ATP player of 2022 during day four of the Nitto ATP Finals at Pala...

There’s going to be a lot of pressure and expectation on Carlos Alcaraz’s shoulders in the new year, something the Spanish teenager is aware of, but how will he handle it after his meteoric rise continued with two Masters 1000 titles and the US Open crown in an unforgettable 2022? Continue reading “Carlos Alcaraz aware a difficult 2023 season awaits him with newfound favourite tag”

Tennis

ATP Finals: Djokovic outlasts Ruud to seal record-equalling sixth title, ending a memorable 2022

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning the match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Casper Ruud of Norway during day eight of the Nitto...

2022 started with the now-former world no. 1 being embarrassed in Australia, deported as he prepared to defend his Grand Slam title – an easy target for vilification worldwide given his vaccination stance. It ends with Novak Djokovic clinching a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title despite Casper Ruud’s best efforts, another result during an eventful week in Turin setting up the new season perfectly with plenty of compelling questions now bubbling to the surface. Continue reading “ATP Finals: Djokovic outlasts Ruud to seal record-equalling sixth title, ending a memorable 2022”

Tennis

Day 7-8 – US Open 2022: Kyrgios blitzes Medvedev, Tiafoe topples Nadal in whirlwind 24 hours

Frances Tiafoe of the United States reacts as he changes ends against Rafael Nadal of Spain during their Men’s Singles Fourth Round match on Day...

Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios produced some blistering tennis en route to a four-set win over defending champion Daniil Medvedev, before Frances Tiafoe did the same to earn his career-best result – extinguishing Rafael Nadal’s 22-match Slam winning streak to seal a quarter-final berth: the youngest American in the last-eight since Andy Roddick in 2004.
Continue reading “Day 7-8 – US Open 2022: Kyrgios blitzes Medvedev, Tiafoe topples Nadal in whirlwind 24 hours”

Tennis

US Open 2022: Swiatek and Nadal progress, Slam champs Raducanu and Rybakina ousted on Day 2

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain leaves the court after being defeated by Alize Cornet of France in their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two...

Defending champion Emma Raducanu fought hard, but was undone on her Flushing Meadows return by Alize Cornet’s devastating drop shots and masterful defensive skills. Elsewhere, Rafael Nadal recovered to overwhelm 21-year-old Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata after Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Hubert Hurkacz were all comfortable winners on Day 2.
Continue reading “US Open 2022: Swiatek and Nadal progress, Slam champs Raducanu and Rybakina ousted on Day 2”

Tennis

US Open 2022: Nadal, Raducanu and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s final Major upon us

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece warms up at Arthur Ash Stadium as preparation for the 2022 U.S. Open on August 24, 2022 in New York.

With this year’s final Major tennis tournament set to start on Monday in New York, here’s a round-up of news related to the big occasion that awaits at Flushing Meadows – from player withdrawals, injury scares, making marginal improvements and draw analysis on both tours.
Continue reading “US Open 2022: Nadal, Raducanu and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s final Major upon us”