Tag: Tennis

Tennis

ATP Finals: Djokovic outlasts Ruud to seal record-equalling sixth title, ending a memorable 2022

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning the match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Casper Ruud of Norway during day eight of the Nitto...

2022 started with the now-former world no. 1 being embarrassed in Australia, deported as he prepared to defend his Grand Slam title – an easy target for vilification worldwide given his vaccination stance. It ends with Novak Djokovic clinching a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title despite Casper Ruud’s best efforts, another result during an eventful week in Turin setting up the new season perfectly with plenty of compelling questions now bubbling to the surface. Continue reading “ATP Finals: Djokovic outlasts Ruud to seal record-equalling sixth title, ending a memorable 2022” →

Tennis

After returning to world’s top 50 and with wife’s blessing, Andy Murray plots busy 2023 schedule

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Andy Murray of Great Britain looks to return a ball against Gilles Simon of France in the first round during Day One of the Rolex Paris Masters...

After surprising many to reach the Stuttgart final back in mid-June, more injuries proved Andy Murray’s bane as the former world no. 1 struggled for consistency before eventually finishing his season with a frustrating loss by the departing Gilles Simon at the Paris Masters on October 31. He’s fully focused for 2023 and amid fitness concerns, is targeting a more active schedule.
Continue reading “After returning to world’s top 50 and with wife’s blessing, Andy Murray plots busy 2023 schedule” →

Tennis

Record-breaker Rune stuns Djokovic in Paris; Garcia bests Swiatek slayer Sabalenka to win WTA Finals

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Holger Rune of Denmark displays his trophy during the awarding ceremony after the men's singles final match between Holger Rune of Denmark and Novak...

Holger Rune, who saved three match points in the tournament’s first round, had nerves of steel under immense pressure to secure a recovery three-set victory over 21-time Major champion Novak Djokovic to cap a whirlwind week at the Paris Masters. Meanwhile overnight, Caroline Garcia pipped Iga Swiatek’s conqueror Aryna Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals in Texas.
Continue reading “Record-breaker Rune stuns Djokovic in Paris; Garcia bests Swiatek slayer Sabalenka to win WTA Finals” →

Tennis

Simona Halep drug suspension: What is Roxadustat, and what’s next for the two-time Slam champ?

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Simona Halep of Romania during practice ahead of the US Open Tennis Championships at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2022...

It’s been three days since the announcement that former world no. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has been provisionally suspended by the ITIA for doping, having tested positive for a banned substance in Roxadustat at the US Open – something she was notified of on October 7. The 31-year-old Romanian has described what is to come as the hardest match of her life, fighting for the truth. So with all of that in mind, what’s next for her? Continue reading “Simona Halep drug suspension: What is Roxadustat, and what’s next for the two-time Slam champ?” →

Tennis

Tennis round-up: Swiatek seals 8th title of 2022, Bencic’s coaching change and Zverev update

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Iga Swiatek of Poland clebebrates with the trophy after defeating Donna Vekic of Czech Republic in the women's singles final during the San Diego...

Iga Swiatek made more history after storming past Donna Vekic in their deciding set, clinching the San Diego title in the early hours Monday – while Olympic champion Belinda Bencic has been revealed as Dmitry Tursunov’s new coaching assignment after the Russian opted against continuing his trial stint with Emma Raducanu. Speaking of Olympic gold medallists, Alexander Zverev’s injury recovery is taking longer than expected, but reportedly for a good reason. Continue reading “Tennis round-up: Swiatek seals 8th title of 2022, Bencic’s coaching change and Zverev update” →

Tennis

Fritz downs Tiafoe in Japan while Djokovic, Mertens and Krejcikova seal titles on busy Sunday

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Taylor Fritz of the United States poses with the trophy after defeating Frances Tiafoe of the United States in the singles final game on day seven of...

New career-highs sealed, valuable points for the year-end finals secured, records broken and more besides across the tennis circuit. Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic, Elise Mertens and Barbora Krejcikova all won their respective finals across Europe, Asia and Africa – read on for more.
Continue reading “Fritz downs Tiafoe in Japan while Djokovic, Mertens and Krejcikova seal titles on busy Sunday” →

Tennis

Japan Open: Tiafoe outlasts Kwon after topsy-turvy clash, friend Fritz awaits in Sunday’s final

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Frances Tiafoe of the United States celebrates winning Soonwoo Kwon of Republic of Korea during on day six of the Rakuten Japan Open at Ariake...

Frances Tiafoe will contest his second ATP final of 2022 after enduring a rollercoaster ride to eventually overcome Soonwoo Kwon 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 in their Japan Open semi-final. He’ll play Taylor Fritz in Sunday’s showpiece event, after his compatriot and friend similarly did things the hard way to extinguish Denis Shapovalov’s hopes of securing consecutive tour-level finals. Continue reading “Japan Open: Tiafoe outlasts Kwon after topsy-turvy clash, friend Fritz awaits in Sunday’s final” →

Tennis

Round-up: Alcaraz, Ruud stunned in straight-sets, Kasatkina outwits Raducanu in Ostrava and more

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Emma Raducanu of Great Britain in action against Daria Kasatkina of Russia during her first round match on Day 2 of the Agel Open at Ostravar Arena...

On a day where two of the world’s top male players both crashed out in the first-round of their respective tournaments, Emma Raducanu acquitted herself well but costly errors late in both sets saw her ultimately lose a competitive clash to Daria Kasatkina. Daniil Medvedev dropped just four games, while Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios excelled on his return to action too. Continue reading “Round-up: Alcaraz, Ruud stunned in straight-sets, Kasatkina outwits Raducanu in Ostrava and more” →

Tennis

Djokovic downs Cilic to clinch Tel Aviv title, Astana Open with Alcaraz and Medvedev awaits

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Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy after winning against Marin Cilic of Croatia in the final match of the Tel Aviv Watergen open...

21-time Major champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off a wrist injury to seize the 89th title of his career with a straight-sets victory against Marin Cilic in Tel Aviv last night, and now the 35-year-old ventures to Astana with US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev among the top seeds this week. How will the Serb fare in a draw featuring the new world no. 1 and more?
Continue reading “Djokovic downs Cilic to clinch Tel Aviv title, Astana Open with Alcaraz and Medvedev awaits” →

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Wimbledon ban a blessing in disguise for in-form Samsonova, who’s firing on all cylinders

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Liudmila Samsonova of Russia poses with the champions trophy after defeating Qinwen Zheng of China in the final match on Day 7 of the Toray Pan...

Currently at a career-high ranking at world no. 22, the 23-year-old Russian has won 18 of her last 19 matches on tour – seizing titles in Washington, Cleveland and most recently Tokyo just last week. She attributed the divisive Wimbledon ban of Russian and Belarusian players as a key training block helping her form drastically improve of late. Can she sustain it long-term? Continue reading “Wimbledon ban a blessing in disguise for in-form Samsonova, who’s firing on all cylinders” →

Tennis

Leading 6-4, 2-1 against Ostapenko in Saturday’s semi-final, what happened to Raducanu in Seoul?

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Emma Raducanu of Britain receives medical check-up during a women's singles semifinal match with Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia at the Korea Open tennis...

As Jelena Ostapenko prepares to play her third WTA singles final of the season against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in South Korea this morning (start time from 7am BST), there will be an overwhelming sense of what could’ve been for another Grand Slam champion whose injury struggles cruelly returned at precisely the worst moment in Saturday’s semi-final encounter. Continue reading “Leading 6-4, 2-1 against Ostapenko in Saturday’s semi-final, what happened to Raducanu in Seoul?” →

Tennis

US Open – Day 14: Alcaraz topples Ruud in four sets, clinches first Major title and is new world no. 1

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Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway during their Men’s Singles Final match on Day...

Carlos Alcaraz began with renewed vigour, Casper Ruud pegged him back with some brilliant shot-making as questions over fatigue arose – after setting a record for the longest time played at a Grand Slam on record. The 19-year-old saved two set points in the third, before powering home in four as he earned his first Major title and will be the new world no. 1 come Monday. Continue reading “US Open – Day 14: Alcaraz topples Ruud in four sets, clinches first Major title and is new world no. 1” →