Tennis

French Open 2023: Sabalenka, Pegula win before Djokovic handles Fucsovics test

Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and world no. 3 Jessica Pegula experienced contrasting victories to secure their R3 berths, while six more seeds fell across both draws on Day 4. Despite a gripping 89-minute first set, Novak Djokovic ensured there was no repeat of the previous night’s electricity on Philippe-Chatrier – winning in straight-sets against a fearless Marton Fucsovics. Continue reading “French Open 2023: Sabalenka, Pegula win before Djokovic handles Fucsovics test”

Tennis

French Open 2023: Sakkari highest seed to fall on Day 1, while Kokkinakis KOs Evans

40 singles’ matches were played – 20 on each tour – as the French Open main draw kicked off across a busy Sunday of sport worldwide – especially in Europe. The biggest headline featured Maria Sakkari, a tournament semi-finalist two years ago, being stunned in two tight sets 7-6, 7-5 against the same woman who knocked her out prematurely twelve months ago: Karolina Muchova. Continue reading “French Open 2023: Sakkari highest seed to fall on Day 1, while Kokkinakis KOs Evans”

Tennis

Qatar Open: After Sonego scalp, Murray produces another nailbiting three-set win against Zverev

Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates after winning against Alexander Zverev of Germany in their Men's Singles match on day three of the Qatar...

If only he could get the job done in straight-sets. Andy Murray doesn’t do things the easy way, but that makes his tennis more pulsating – win or lose – as the former world no. 1 was clutch again: rallying from 5-4 down in the deciding set to beat Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, earning a Qatar Open quarterfinal where he’ll play French qualifier Alexandre Muller tomorrow. Continue reading “Qatar Open: After Sonego scalp, Murray produces another nailbiting three-set win against Zverev”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Ruud, Zverev and Fritz all stunned, Murray weaves his magic again in epic on Day 4

Casper Ruud of Norway reacts in the round two singles match against Jenson Brooksby of the United States during day four of the 2023 Australian Open...

Casper Ruud’s four-set loss to Jenson Brooksby – on a brilliant Day 4 for American players not named Taylor Fritz – marks the first time a Grand Slam’s top two seeds have been knocked out before round three since this very tournament 21 years ago. Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka faces her Major-winning doubles teammate in the next round, Daniel Evans will meet a familiar foe while Andy Murray surpassed his Matteo Berrettini scalp after the longest match of his career.
Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Ruud, Zverev and Fritz all stunned, Murray weaves his magic again in epic on Day 4”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Murray saves match point against Berrettini, Zverev and Jabeur survive on Day 2

Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates winning a point in their round one singles match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy during day two of the...

Andy Murray ended a near five-year long wait to down a top-20 player in a Major, saving a match point en route to outlasting last year’s semifinalist Matteo Berrettini. Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev and Ons Jabeur both survived some uncomfortable situations while volatile weather – from extreme heat to heavy rain – limited play elsewhere during a disrupted Day 2. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Murray saves match point against Berrettini, Zverev and Jabeur survive on Day 2”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Nadal, Swiatek and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s first Major starts Monday

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand shot during a practice session ahead of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2023 in...

2023 brings a new year packed with resolutions, time-specific targets and compelling storylines too. With the year’s first Major tournament set to begin on Monday in Melbourne, here’s a news round-up before the big occasion finally gets underway – from player withdrawals, injury scares, progress reports from recent tournaments and my draw analysis for both tours.
Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Nadal, Swiatek and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s first Major starts Monday”

Tennis

Tennis: Djokovic, Gauff edge their way to tight victories while Raducanu retires with ankle injury

Novak Djokovic of Serbia competes against Quentin Halys of France during day five of the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 05,...

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”

Tennis

Wimbledon 2022 – Day 3: Raducanu, Muguruza and Murray among biggest losers on lively third day

Andy Murray of Great Britain during his match against John Isner of The United States of America during their Men's Singles Second Round match on day...

US Open champion Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray both suffered frustrating defeats on Centre Court, as Day 3 featured a host of surprising losses for high-seeded players – including French Open runner-up Casper Ruud and two-time Major winner Garbine Muguruza. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2022 – Day 3: Raducanu, Muguruza and Murray among biggest losers on lively third day”

Archives, Specials

Australian Open 2022: Barty secures third Major, first home champion in 44 years

Australia's Ashleigh Barty poses with the trophy after victory in her womens singles final match against Danielle Collins of the US on day thirteen...

This wasn’t vintage tennis but didn’t need to be. World no. 1 Ashleigh Barty recovered from a 5-1 second set deficit to overcome Danielle Collins in straight-sets (6-3, 7-6), clinching a heavily-anticipated home Major for Australia and doing so without dropping a set all tournament long. Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Barty secures third Major, first home champion in 44 years”

Archives

Keys, Badosa, Kokkinakis and Karatsev all clinch titles as warm-up events end

Winner of the ladies final Madison Keys of the USA who defeated Alison Riske of the USA during day seven of the 2022 Adelaide International at...

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”

Archives

Australian Open 2021: Kenin crashes out, Tsitsipas survives, Svitolina ruthless

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates his five set victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia during day four of the 2021 Australian Open at...

Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas needed all five sets to outlast home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis, who again proved he can hang with the world’s best at this level – despite his injuries. Before, there was a tearful exit for defending champion Sofia Kenin while top seed Ashleigh Barty survived a scare to beat wildcard Daria Gavrilova and Elina Svitolina beat teenager Cori Gauff. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Kenin crashes out, Tsitsipas survives, Svitolina ruthless”

Archives

Australian Open 2021: Kenin, Gauff, Medvedev win as Azarenka and Goffin stunned

Sofia Kenin of the US celebrates after winning against Australia's Maddison Inglis during their women's singles match on day two of the Australian...

Defending champion Sofia Kenin wasn’t satisfied but crucially got the job done, while there were comfortable wins for Cori Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal and some surprising results too – David Goffin, Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta all crashed out on Day 2. Continue reading “Australian Open 2021: Kenin, Gauff, Medvedev win as Azarenka and Goffin stunned”