Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Azarenka-Rybakina, Khachanov-Tsitsipas set in semifinals on eventful Day 9

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates after victory against Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka in their men's singles quarter-final match on day nine of...

Victoria Azarenka started well and didn’t let up, as she ended Jessica Pegula’s eight-match winning streak – to punch her ticket into a ninth Major semi-final. She’ll face reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Thursday, who dropped just one more game against Jelena Ostapenko. Elsewhere, Karen Khachanov will target a first competitive H2H win over Stefanos Tsitsipas after their contrasting wins over Sebastian Korda and Jiri Lehecka on Day 9. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Azarenka-Rybakina, Khachanov-Tsitsipas set in semifinals on eventful Day 9”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Swiatek, Gauff beaten in straight-sets, Tsitsipas survives Sinner fightback on Day 7

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in action against Iga Swiatek of Poland in her fourth round match on Day 7 of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park...

Neither played badly, but both were second best on the biggest points as world no. 1 Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff suffered straight-sets defeats against a pair of Grand Slam champions in Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko on a busy Day 7 at this year’s Major. Elsewhere, Jiri Lehecka’s giantkilling run continued and he’ll face an in-form Stefanos Tsitsipas on Tuesday. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Swiatek, Gauff beaten in straight-sets, Tsitsipas survives Sinner fightback on Day 7”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Korda outplays Medvedev, Lehecka downs Norrie, Zhu stuns Sakkari and more on Day 5

Sebastian Korda of the United States celebrates after winning a point during the third round singles match against Daniil Medvedev during day five of...

Adelaide 1 finalist and 29th seed Sebastian Korda produced some brilliant ball-striking as he stunned two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev in straight-sets to steal the show on an eventful Day 5 at this year’s Australian Open, with Jiri Lehecka a big winner after some tasty fourth-round ties on the women’s side were confirmed, including Swiatek-Rybakina and Pegula-Krejcikova. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Korda outplays Medvedev, Lehecka downs Norrie, Zhu stuns Sakkari and more on Day 5”

Tennis

USA secure United Cup, Sabalenka and Gauff win clean while Djokovic saves match point to pip Korda

Novak Djokovic of Serbia mens champion after defeating Sebastian Korda of the USA during day eight of the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial...

What a day of finals action. USA swept Italy in the inaugural United Cup, before American teenager Coco Gauff and world no. 5 Aryna Sabalenka both prevailed in straight-sets to clinch their first WTA singles titles since May 2021 while Novak Djokovic recovered from the brink – match point down – to eventually overwhelm Sebastian Korda to win his 92nd ATP title. Continue reading “USA secure United Cup, Sabalenka and Gauff win clean while Djokovic saves match point to pip Korda”

Tennis

USA vs. Italy sealed for United Cup final, Gauff-Masarova and Djokovic-Korda finals plus more

Greeces Stefanos Tsitsipas embraces Italys Matteo Berrettini after their mens singles in the semi-final of the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney...

USA vs. Italy awaits in the United Cup final after both nations took care of business. Coco Gauff faces Spanish qualifier Rebeka Masarova in tomorrow’s finale, while Tallon Griekspoor became a first-time ATP tour-level titlist with a recovery win over Benjamin Bonzi. Elsewhere, Sebastian Korda’s steady tennis helped him book a final berth, but not before witnessing an emotional outburst – while Novak Djokovic bested Daniil Medvedev despite weathering an injury scare. Continue reading “USA vs. Italy sealed for United Cup final, Gauff-Masarova and Djokovic-Korda finals plus more”

Tennis

USA and Italy lead in United Cup semis, Noskova-Jabeur and Djokovic-Medvedev confirmed

Jessica Pegula of the United States celebrates winning match point in the Semifinal match against Iga Swiatek of Poland during day eight of the 2023...

Jessica Pegula ended a four-match losing streak against the world no. 1, while Martina Trevisan played spoiler to sting Greece as the United Cup semi-finals got underway. Elsewhere, there were big wins for Sebastian Korda and Linda Noskova, while two first-time finalists will play each other in Pune. It’s always fun to get a Djokovic-Medvedev matchup too, right? Continue reading “USA and Italy lead in United Cup semis, Noskova-Jabeur and Djokovic-Medvedev confirmed”

Tennis

Tennis: Djokovic, Gauff edge their way to tight victories while Raducanu retires with ankle injury

Novak Djokovic of Serbia competes against Quentin Halys of France during day five of the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 05,...

Novak Djokovic recovered from 5-2 down in set one and emerged without enduring a three-set battle against another determined Frenchman, setting up another intriguing clash with Denis Shapovalov. Coco Gauff avenged a defeat three years in the making, before Emma Raducanu tearfully withdrew after sustaining a freak ankle injury midway through her R2 match… Continue reading “Tennis: Djokovic, Gauff edge their way to tight victories while Raducanu retires with ankle injury”

Tennis

Djokovic, Raducanu begin their 2023 season with contrasting victories as warm-up events continue

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates winning her singles match against Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic during day two of the 2023 ASB...

2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu recovered from a set and early break down to prevail against a Czech teenage talent, after ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic was tested in parts but his quality proved too much to handle as both players kicked off their respective 2023 seasons with contrasting victories in their first-round tournament matches. Also, the business end of the team-centric United Cup is hotting up, and there were a few surprises elsewhere… Continue reading “Djokovic, Raducanu begin their 2023 season with contrasting victories as warm-up events continue”

Tennis

Dominic Thiem ends his 2022 season exhausted, but happy with progress – as he should be

Austria's Dominic Thiem reacts during the men's singles round of 16 tennis match against Daniil Medvedev at the ATP Vienna Open tennis tournament in...

He finished just shy of his goal – a return to the world’s top 100 – but 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem is exhausted after a busy few months on tour and spoke to Austrian news this week about the progress he’s made after a troublesome time with injuries in recent seasons. All things considered, 2023 has all the ingredients of a renaissance year for the 29-year-old – with fans and critics alike purring about performances against high-ranked competition of late.
Continue reading “Dominic Thiem ends his 2022 season exhausted, but happy with progress – as he should be”

Tennis

French Open 2022: Zverev, Tsitsipas and Alcaraz survive scares – but for how long?

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates against Zdenek Kolar of Czech Republic during the Men's singles Second Round on Day Five of the 2022 French...

This year’s Major marks the first Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2011 where the men’s top 12 seeds have all advanced through into round three – but it was certainly a gritty battle particularly for three of the favourites, one having to save match point, two being down 2-0 and recovering in five. How will that impact their chances of a deep run over the next nine days? Continue reading “French Open 2022: Zverev, Tsitsipas and Alcaraz survive scares – but for how long?”

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Australian Open 2022: Barty and Badosa ease into R3, Nadal tested on lowkey Day 3

Australia's Ashleigh Barty celebrates after winning the match against Italy's Lucia Bronzetti during their women's singles match on day three of the...

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.
Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Barty and Badosa ease into R3, Nadal tested on lowkey Day 3”

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Australian Open 2022: Djokovic deported, Jabeur injured, Coco and Cam knocked out on Day 1

Sebastian Korda of United States celebrates winning his first round singles match against Cameron Norrie of Great Britain during day one of the 2022...

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 “Australian Open 2022: Djokovic deported, Jabeur injured, Coco and Cam knocked out on Day 1”