Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Russians ruled supreme on day three, as there were straight-sets victories for Daniil Medvedev (#2) and Daria Kasatkina (#25), while Andrey Rublev (#5) had a fiery response after relinquishing three set points to oust Spain’s Pablo Martínez in four. There were also comfortable wins for Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep while defending champ Naomi Osaka had a walkover. Continue reading “US Open 2021: Rublev, Medvedev win but Ruud stunned in four sets on rainy Day 3”
Olympic champions Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic both got off to a winning start in straight-sets against Sam Querrey and Arantxa Rus respectively, while David Goffin (#27) and Karen Khachanov (#25) were among the seeds to fall within the men’s game. Elsewhere, there was a winning start for Emma Raducanu on her US Open main draw debut as Day 2 unfolded. Continue reading “US Open 2021: Olympic champs Zverev, Bencic progress as Raducanu wins on Day 2”
On an opening day marred by several injury-enforced withdrawals, 2012 US Open champion Andy Murray and world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas were engaged in a five-set epic battle, lasting four hours 50 minutes, to start the year’s final Grand Slam tournament with aplomb. Continue reading “US Open 2021: Murray-Tsitsipas lives up to the billing on eventful Day 1”
With the first round of matches at this year’s final Grand Slam starting from Flushing Meadows today, a look back at a memorable matchup from the first: Naomi Osaka saving two match points against Garbine Muguruza during their enthralling fourth-round encounter. She went on to win her fourth Major, and second in Australia, after an eventful fortnight seven months ago.
Continue reading “Match rewind: Naomi Osaka’s remarkable Aus Open recovery win vs. Garbine Muguruza”
Handed another wildcard entry, Emma Raducanu has officially broken into the world’s top-150 after an impressive run to the WTA Chicago 125k Final over the weekend. She lost in three sets against fellow teenager Clara Tauson but while now preparing for US Open qualifiers later this week, former world number one Murray provided a glowing assessment of her future potential. Continue reading “Raducanu finishes runner-up in WTA Chicago; Murray hails her future potential”
Having only played 13 matches in 2021 – nine of them in Grand Slams – 20-time Major winner Roger Federer will again be sidelined indefinitely as he follows medical advice by undergoing further knee surgery to ensure long-term comfort on-court and improved health in future. Continue reading “Roger Federer is again out indefinitely, after needing more knee surgery”
After earning a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 win over 2019 Roland Garros finalist Marketa Vondrousova, Belinda Bencic is an Olympic gold medallist. Having also clinched silver in the doubles alongside Viktorija Golubic, the 24-year-old must believe this memorable moment is the first of many in a career that has already promised much but delivered infrequently in Grand Slam competition. Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics: After seizing gold for Swiss, can Belinda Bencic build on this?”
Best career title so far? Certainly. Alexander Zverev dropped just four games and held his nerve under pressure before ultimately making German Olympic history over the weekend: blasting past Russia’s Karen Khachanov to clinch gold with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in this year’s Tokyo final.
Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics: Alexander Zverev cruises past Karen Khachanov, clinching gold medal”
He was a set and a break down, looking downbeat and furious with himself as a competitive affair was slipping out of his grasp with poor execution. Then, Alexander Zverev stepped up his level, like we know he can, winning eight consecutive games before eventually knocking out world number one Novak Djokovic 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 in their Olympic semi-final matchup on Friday. Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics: Zverev recovers to storm past Djokovic, seals Final berth”
The world number one continued his excellent form of late, dropping just two games in 72 minutes (6-2, 6-0) against home favourite Kei Nishikori, before later also racing through to book his semi-final berth in the Olympics’ mixed doubles section with compatriot Nina Stojanovic.
Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics: Djokovic dismantles Nishikori, as Zverev awaits him tomorrow”
After earning straight-sets victories against China’s Saisai Zheng and last month’s Wimbledon quarter-finalist Viktorija Golubic, world number two Naomi Osaka revealed she was in a better place mentally since taking a break from the tour. Having returned at home in Tokyo, the 23-year-old said she’s putting pressure on herself to perform after lacking match practice of late.
Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics: Naomi Osaka eases into R3, is happy again and fulfilling a dream”
Alexander Zverev, world no.5, is excited to play in this year’s Olympics but importantly outlined he’s there to compete for medals – not just soaking up the atmosphere and experience that comes as Germany’s biggest hope in the sport.
Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics: Alexander Zverev excited to compete, but medals his motivation”
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