With the first round of matches at this year’s final Grand Slam starting from Flushing Meadows today, a look back at a memorable matchup from the first: Naomi Osaka saving two match points against Garbine Muguruza during their enthralling fourth-round encounter. She went on to win her fourth Major, and second in Australia, after an eventful fortnight seven months ago.
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Tag: Serena Williams
US Open 2021: Williams sisters withdraw with injuries, Kenin out with COVID
The list of high-profile withdrawals ahead of the year’s final Grand Slam continues, with Venus and younger sister Serena Williams revealing they won’t feature at Flushing Meadows. After news of Roger Federer (knee) and Rafael Nadal (foot) shutting down their 2021 seasons in the last fortnight, this will be the first Slam tournament without the latter trio playing since 1997. Continue reading
Tokyo Olympics update: Gauff, Berrettini withdraw with COVID and injury issues
In a field weakened by notable absences including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Simona Halep and Serena Williams, America’s prodigious teenager Coco Gauff and first-time Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini have withdrawn from this year’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. Gauff tested positive for COVID-19, while Berrettini has been struggling with a lingering thigh injury. Continue reading
Wimbledon 2021: Serena Williams withdraws mid-match, sustains ankle injury
Serena Williams’ quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam triumph, on the surface where she’s clinched six Major titles since beating older sister Venus to first win in 2002, is over on Day 2 – but not as you’d expect. The sixth seed slipped awkwardly behind the baseline, limped towards her chair and it was quickly clear she wouldn’t be able to continue through the pain. Continue reading
French Open 2021: Djokovic, Federer and defending champion Nadal in same half
Play starts Sunday, and it won’t be an easy run into the deep stages for any of the Big Three – as they all look to improve upon their respective Grand Slam singles title tallies.
Australian Open 2021: Naomi Osaka beats Serena Williams, earns another Final berth
Naomi Osaka (#3) recovered from a sluggish start, down an early break and needing to save points to avoid a 3-0 deficit, to beat Serena Williams 6-3, 6-4 in an hour 15 minutes as fans returned, watching in awe as the 23-year-old once again put her idol’s aspirations for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title on ice – booking another Final appearance this weekend. Continue reading
Australian Open 2021: Osaka-Williams semi-final awaits, error-laden Djokovic sinks Zverev
A Naomi Osaka vs Serena Williams semi-final is set in stone for Thursday after both were comfortable winners during their respective matchups, Aslan Karatsev’s record-breaking run in Melbourne has continued at an injured Grigor Dimitrov’s expense while defending champion Novak Djokovic recovered from a set down to beat Alexander Zverev in a chaotic four-set clash.
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Australian Open 2021: Comebacks aplenty as Osaka, Halep and Karatsev all recover
Naomi Osaka (#3) saved two match points, world no. 2 Simona Halep set up an exciting quarter-final clash vs. Serena Williams after both earned gritty three-set wins over Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka respectively. Elsewhere, Aslan Karatsev’s historic run continued against all odds while Novak Djokovic continued his unbeaten H2H streak at Milos Raonic’s expense.
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Australian Open 2021: Osaka and Serena win, Karatsev shines, a Kyrgios-Thiem epic
Day 5 was one not to be missed, as Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams and more navigated past potentially tricky matchups while there were surprises on the men’s side of the draw as Aslan Karatsev was ruthlessly efficient in toppling Diego Schwartzman (#8), Kyrgios-Thiem certainly lived up to the hype and an injured Novak Djokovic closed the show in dramatic circumstances. Continue reading
Australian Open 2021: Halep’s heroic fightback, gritty wins for Djokovic and Kyrgios
Day 3 was eventful: defending champion Novak Djokovic was pushed in a memorable first encounter against Frances Tiafoe, while world no. 2 Simona Halep and hometown favourite Nick Kyrgios produced gutsy comebacks to cap an action-packed night session after more seeded players fell, including Slam champions Bianca Andreescu (#8) and Petra Kvitova (#9). Continue reading
Australian Open 2021: Williams sisters, Osaka and Swiatek get off to winning start
Serena and Venus Williams held their nerve after a few shaky moments, tournament favourite Naomi Osaka was ruthlessly decisive while French Open champion Iga Swiatek was solid en route to a comfortable first-round win. Elsewhere, a three-time Slam winner was knocked out in rather emphatic fashion and more besides as Day 1 of the 2021 Australian Open got underway. Continue reading
Australian Open 2021: Injuries pile up as warm-up events draw to close
Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka are just three of the high-profile players who’ve withdrawn from their respective Australian Open warm-up events with niggling injuries as a precaution, just days before the year’s first Grand Slam gets underway in Melbourne. Continue reading
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