Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic looks to make more history at the Major where he’s been most successful during his illustrious career, while Aryna Sabalenka returns to the scene of her career-best achievement twelve months ago knowing no woman has successfully defended their title since Serena Williams in 2014. Judging by the draws, completed yesterday, it’s easy to see why. Continue reading “Australian Open 2024: Draw analysis, storylines as year’s first Major beckons”
Last season’s Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios withdrew from this year’s tournament at the eleventh hour before his first-round match against David Goffin, having sustained a torn wrist ligament in Mallorca during the build-up to SW19. On Day 1, the French Open champions won clean before American pair Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff battled during a pulsating three-set encounter. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: Kyrgios again injured before Swiatek, Djokovic earn solid wins”
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”
Maria Sakkari called this one of the best weeks in her career. Jessica Pegula spoke for team USA, stressing their excitement for what’s to come. Poland are deadly in unison and we’re only halfway through: the United Cup’s final four nations were sealed after a manic day’s action – with a few surprising results as expected across tour-level tournaments elsewhere today. Continue reading “Tennis: United Cup’s final four teams confirmed, Rybakina and Andreescu lose in Adelaide and more”
It was promising in places, predictably patchy in others but US Open champion Emma Raducanu made a successful return Stateside on her first appearance since being outfoxed by France’s Caroline Garcia during a second-round exit at Wimbledon in late June – beating American qualifier Louisa Chirico 6-4, 6-2 to progress into R2 at this year’s Citi Open.
Continue reading “Citi Open: Emma Raducanu rolls past error-prone Louisa Chirico on her US return”
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”
Madison Keys thrived in what resembled a mismatch vs. close friend Alison Riske, winning her first WTA title since Aug. 2019. Elsewhere, Paula Badosa won her second piece of silverware in three months while Thanasi Kokkinakis won his first ATP title, on home soil no less. Shortly afterwards, Aslan Karatsev’s power proved key in overwhelming a spirited Andy Murray. Continue reading “Keys, Badosa, Kokkinakis and Karatsev all clinch titles as warm-up events end”
After making history at this season’s WTA Finals in Guadalajara, two-time Slam winner Garbine Muguruza wants to build on her success next year and given the way she’s played, why not? The 28-year-old revealed a desire to round out the Career Grand Slam, having lost the 2020 Australian Open Final and achieved a joint-best R4 finish at Flushing Meadows in September.
Continue reading “Closing the Slam circle? Muguruza bullish about 2022 goals, as she should be”
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 “US Open 2021: Williams sisters withdraw with injuries, Kenin out with COVID”
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 “Tokyo Olympics update: Gauff, Berrettini withdraw with COVID and injury issues”
World number one Ashleigh Barty was made to work for it, but eventually outlasted Karolina Pliskova (#8) 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 to secure her second Grand Slam title – making history by being the first Australian since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980 to win the Venus Rosewater Dish too.
Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Bullish Barty battles past tricky Pliskova, seals second Slam title”
Andy Murray finished later than his four-set thriller with Nikoloz Basilashvili, but importantly clinched a five-set victory over German qualifier Oscar Otte after three hours 51 minutes to secure successive Grand Slam wins for the first time since he was last here, four years ago. 12 seeds fell across both the men and women’s singles matches today, as R1 is also officially over. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Murray magic ends Day 3 on a dramatic high as many seeds fall”
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