There were comfortable straight-set wins for multiple Grand Slam champions, including two title contenders in WTA Finals winner Garbine Muguruza and Iga Swiatek, while more seeds fell on Day 2 of this year’s Australian Open. Andy Murray made history after gritting through another five-set battle, while Nick Kyrgios and Emma Raducanu shone in the night session.
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Tag: Tennis
Keys, Badosa, Kokkinakis and Karatsev all clinch titles as warm-up events end
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
Adelaide International 2: Keys recovers to sting Gauff, plays friend Riske in Saturday’s final
A first meeting between American duo Coco Gauff and Madison Keys didn’t disappoint despite a sluggish start by the latter, as the US Open 2017 runner-up rallied back from a set down to outlast Gauff and earn her first WTA Final in two years. She’ll play training partner Alison Riske in tomorrow’s finale, after the 31-year-old benefited from a walkover vs. Tamara Zidansek.
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Sydney Tennis Classic: Badosa withstands Bencic pressure, clinches semi-final berth
Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa endured a spirited Belinda Bencic display during a high-quality match packed with plenty of peaks and troughs, but ultimately emerged victorious to punch her ticket into the semi-finals. She’ll play Daria Kasatkina in the Sydney semi-finals tomorrow (8am BST), after the Russian inflicted Garbine Muguruza’s first loss of the new year.
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Adelaide International 2: Gauff ousts Kostyuk in three-set battle of attrition
In a duel between two promising teenagers, the tournament’s third seed Coco Gauff was pushed to the brink but battled to win in a competitive three-set clash vs. Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk – winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. She’ll play Croatia’s Ana Konjuh in the Adelaide 2 quarter-finals tomorrow (2.30am BST), after the Croatian’s gutsy comeback win over Marketa Vondrousova. Continue reading
Sydney Tennis Classic: Ruthless Rybakina makes quick work of returning Raducanu
After losing last week’s Adelaide final, Elena Rybakina returned to winning ways with aplomb – dismantling US Open champion Emma Raducanu in less than an hour, cruising to a 6-0, 6-1 win to kick off this week’s Sydney Tennis Classic. The 22-year-old will play France’s Caroline Garcia for a spot in the tournament’s quarter-finals, after she overcame Jessica Pegula this morning. Continue reading
Naomi Osaka focusing on having fun, admits overly caring about results and rankings
After beating France’s Alize Cornet in her first match of the new year earlier today, Australian Open defending champion Naomi Osaka spoke about her desire to focus on her mental health this upcoming season – while revealing she cared too much about results and rankings. Continue reading
Australian Open 2022: Stefanos Tsitsipas’ elbow flare-up a concern as Slam nears
Stefanos Tsitsipas (#4) is a doubt to feature in this month’s Australian Open, after a flare up of the elbow injury which needed surgery in November during ATP Cup action to kick off 2022. He withdrew from a scheduled group stage match vs. Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, watching with a heavily strapped elbow revealing it was a precautionary step to “ensure I make Melbourne.” Continue reading
Rafael Nadal update: Spaniard returns from foot injury in Abu Dhabi exhibition
Despite losing 6-3, 7-5 against familiar foe Andy Murray during his return from a troublesome foot injury, the 20-time Grand Slam titlist revealed he was happy with his own performance on memorable soil before what promises to be an intriguing 2022 campaign for both champions. Continue reading
Tennis coaches of 2021 revealed, Alcaraz and Tsitsipas target strong 2022
This year’s ATP and WTA Coaches of the Year have been announced, while Roland Garros finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero both publicly expressed their ambitious plans as they target achieving a better 2022 after contrasting experiences in 2021. Continue reading
Closing the Slam circle? Muguruza bullish about 2022 goals, as she should be
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.
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Mats Wilander: Emma Raducanu needs to have fun and develop on her own
The seven-time Grand Slam champ has delivered his verdict on what Emma Raducanu should look to do in 2022 and beyond, as the British teenager’s world has been transformed this year after a record-breaking run to the US Open title as an 18-year-old qualifier in September. Continue reading
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