Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Belinda Bencic made her return to tennis action a triumphant one this past week – having lost to eventual winner Aryna Sabalenka at last month’s Australian Open. The Olympic champion won a trio of matches in straight-sets, but needed to save three match points and recover from a set down to overwhelm Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in yesterday’s Abu Dhabi Open. Continue reading “Bencic gutsy, saves three match points in Samsonova scalp to clinch Abu Dhabi title”
After her coach Craig Tyzzer’s comments last month, saying she was exhausted and needed a long rest, the world no. 1 has confirmed exactly that: quarantine restrictions mean her 2021 season is over, with an eye on next year’s Australian Open – a Grand Slam she’s itching to win. Continue reading “Barty confirms her 2021 season is over, instead focusing on Australian Open 2022”
World number four Alexander Zverev fufilled a personal milestone as he finally added Andy Murray to his Big Four collection, beating the former world no. 1 in their fourth and most compelling H2H meeting. Beforehand, America’s Shelby Rogers recovered from a set down to outsmart US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, on a day with surprises at this year’s Indian Wells. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Zverev outguns gutsy Murray, after Rogers recovers to beat Fernandez”
World no. 1 Ashleigh Barty is exhausted and needs a long rest after more than six months playing away from home, according to her coach Craig Tyzzer. He also criticised the decision to move this year’s WTA Finals to Guadalajara while hinting the Wimbledon champion may skip that event, scheduled in early November, to avoid quarantine restrictions upon going home.
Continue reading “Ashleigh Barty is exhausted and needs extended rest, per coach Craig Tyzzer”
Emma Raducanu is a US Open quarter-finalist after overcoming a nervy start to blitz past Shelby Rogers, while Novak Djokovic faces Matteo Berrettini next. The world no. 1 came from a set down – beating the last American man standing – 20yo wildcard Jenson Brooksby. Olympic champions Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic also earned big wins, among others on Day 8. Continue reading “US Open 2021: Raducanu’s run continues, Djokovic downs spirited Brooksby on Day 8”
On another action-packed day at Flushing Meadows, Kei Nishikori’s high-quality provided a stern test for Novak Djokovic but the world no. 1 recovered from a set down to win 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu dismantled Sara Sorribes Tormo to reach the second week at successive Slams, where she’ll face Ashleigh Barty’s conqueror Shelby Rogers on Monday.
Continue reading “US Open 2021: Djokovic, Raducanu record very different wins on Day 6 as Barty, Shapovalov fall”
Casper Ruud was forced to retire midway through his first fourth-round match at a Grand Slam, no. 9 seed Matteo Berrettini didn’t take to court against Stefanos Tsitsipas (#5) with a worsening abdominal strain while Karolina Muchova (#25) recovered from 5-2 down in the first set to stun Belgium’s Elise Mertens – but also has a pre-existing ab injury and was wincing mid-match.
Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Injuries, retirements overshadow Day 8 as more quarter-finals set”
Naomi Osaka exacted some long-awaited revenge against Shelby Rogers with an impressive straight-sets victory during their quarter-final on Arthur Ashe. The two-time Grand Slam champion needed just 80 minutes to secure passage into her third career Slam semi-final, where she’ll play against Jennifer Brady on Thursday evening. Continue reading “US Open 2020: Naomi Osaka eases past Shelby Rogers to reach semi-finals”
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