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They say revenge is a dish best served cold and it certainly was for this year’s Indian Wells champions: Elena Rybakina bested Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in straight-sets, before Carlos Alcaraz ended Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak with aplomb in the men’s final. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Rybakina pips Sabalenka to title, before Alcaraz ends Medvedev’s 19-match win streak”
World no. 1 Iga Swiatek endured some stressful moments but won in straight-sets over Emma Raducanu, who faded physically despite an encouraging display in places. That came after Jack Draper was forced to retire with an abdominal injury against Carlos Alcaraz, who now plays comeback king Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last-eight – who he has never beaten (0-3 H2H) before… Continue reading “Indian Wells: Swiatek stifles Raducanu, Draper’s injury woes return and Norrie’s double-header”
Monday was the day of youth – don’t tell Holger Rune – as Jack Draper followed up Emma Raducanu’s character-building deciding set victory with an unforgettable one of his own against an idol and mentor in former world no. 1 Andy Murray. His reward? A matchup against tournament top seed, Carlos Alcaraz, after he logged his 100th tour-level win over Tallon Griekspoor. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Raducanu-Swiatek, Draper-Alcaraz in R4 after big wins for young duo”
After narrowly losing an exhibition match to the Scot before Christmas, rising British prospect Jack Draper gets a maiden competitive clash against his role model Andy Murray as both won their second-round matches in straight-sets over the weekend. Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu overcame early adversity against Magda Linette and Cameron Norrie did things the hard way overnight. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Draper-Murray set, while Raducanu and Norrie earn contrasting victories”
Australia’s Jordan Thompson is into R3 at a Masters 1000 event for the third time in his career, after holding his nerve against a compromised Stefanos Tsitsipas, winning in a deciding set tiebreak. Elsewhere, Japan’s Taro Daniel added another impressive win to his ever-increasing resume against top players after Olympic champion Belinda Bencic was bested on her Indian Wells debut. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Tsitsipas stunned, Daniel downs Berrettini and Bencic bounced too”
Having both not featured since Melbourne, there were successful returns to competitive action for Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu, who made it 2-0 for Brits on Thursday at Indian Wells. Keeping in theme with his heroics of late, Andy Murray expertly fended off danger in another three-hour epic, outlasting Masters 1000 debutant Tomas Martin Etcheverry to cap an eventful day session. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Draper, Raducanu win in straight-sets before another masterful Murray display”
Emma Raducanu’s participation at this year’s Indian Wells Masters 1000 event looked in serious jeopardy, having withdrawn from scheduled tournaments and exhibitions on the eve of the competition. She’s received some positive words of support before her first-round match against Danka Kovinic later today (from 8pm BST), from the Miami Open tournament director and former world no. 4. Continue reading “Indian Wells: James Blake’s supportive words for injury doubt Raducanu, before her Kovinic clash”
Barbora Krejcikova rallied from a bagel set down to end Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka’s 13-match unbeaten run with a spirited comeback win on another busy day of tennis worldwide. Andy Murray again prevailed in three sets and now faces Andrey Rublev’s conqueror Jiri Lehecka, while Felix Auger-Aliassime hopes for a different outcome at Daniil Medvedev’s expense later today – a repeat of last week’s Rotterdam quarter-final matchup beckons.
“My daughter helps me to understand Coco, they both have a lot of things similar – the way that they deal with the social media… to be the best player you can be, need to be a well-rounded person and have knowledge of what surrounds you,” the 47-year-old recently said. Gauff, who turns 19 next month, has certainly benefited from their partnership. Long may it continue? Continue reading “Coco Gauff’s coach, Diego Moyano, on how having a teenage daughter helps him relate to rising star”
Belinda Bencic made her return to tennis action a triumphant one this past week – having lost to eventual winner Aryna Sabalenka at last month’s Australian Open. The Olympic champion won a trio of matches in straight-sets, but needed to save three match points and recover from a set down to overwhelm Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in yesterday’s Abu Dhabi Open. Continue reading “Bencic gutsy, saves three match points in Samsonova scalp to clinch Abu Dhabi title”
Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has reiterated her happiness with head coach Stefano Vukov’s direct coaching methods after fury over the 35-year-old’s aggressive instructions towards his charge, en route to a maiden runner-up finish at last month’s Australian Open tournament. She said social media comments – from many people who don’t know the inner workings of her nor the support team – ultimately blew things out of proportion. Continue reading ““They don’t know me,” Rybakina insists after internet fury over her coach’s forceful guidance”
The achievement must feel long overdue, but Aryna Sabalenka is now a Major singles champion. She needed four championship points to get the job done – but was courageous on serve and crunched 51 winners over two-and-a-half hours, recovering from a set down to overcome Wimbledon titlist Elena Rybakina in three sets during a nailbiting women’s finale. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Sabalenka rallies from a set down, topples Rybakina and is a first-time Major champion”
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