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
Tag: Serena Williams
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
Australian Open 2021: Serena Williams reveals delay helped Achilles injury recovery
Serena Williams, a seven-time Australian Open champion, revealed she wouldn’t have featured in this year’s first Grand Slam if not for the COVID-19 enforced delays. Her Achilles injury sustained at the US Open took longer than expected to fully heal, but she’s recovered in time. Continue reading
French Open 2020: Serena Williams withdraws with Achilles heel injury
Just minutes before she was scheduled to go on court in her second-round match against world no.132 Tsvetana Pironkova, three-time Roland Garros champion Serena Williams pulled out of the French Open today – revealing she’s been ordered to rest an Achilles injury that has worsened since sustaining it against Victoria Azarenka at the US Open earlier this month. Continue reading
US Open 2020: Osaka recovers from set down vs. Azarenka, wins second title
Naomi Osaka came back from a set and a break down to clinch her second US Open title, and third Grand Slam of her young career – thus ending Victoria Azarenka’s triumphant return to Flushing Meadows in just under two hours during Saturday’s entertaining showpiece event. Continue reading
Cori Gauff ready to return, as critics say she can surpass Serena Williams in future
The teenage prodigy, world no.52, said she’s ready to return to action and travel for events soon. This update comes after pundits lavished praise on her, saying she’s capable of surpassing Serena Williams as the greatest ever tennis player. Continue reading
Maria Sharapova’s retirement: Her lasting legacy, memories and controversy
It’s been a month since Maria Sharapova announced her retirement from tennis. With the coronavirus pandemic taking precedence, there hasn’t been much time to truly analyse the four-time Grand Slam champ departing. So without further ado…
