Tennis

French Open 2022: Swiatek, Nadal, Djokovic all progress; Krejcikova, Kontaveit ousted

Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates her victory over Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine in the first round of the women's singles at Roland Garros on May 23,...

There were routine R1 wins for the sport’s two world no. 1s, sandwiched between a welcome return for the King of Clay. Elsewhere, the women’s defending titlist was stunned by a determined Frenchwoman on home soil, before two Major winners almost 15 years apart in age both showed steely resilience, recovering from precarious situations to seal their R2 berths. Continue reading “French Open 2022: Swiatek, Nadal, Djokovic all progress; Krejcikova, Kontaveit ousted”

Tennis

French Open 2022: Gauff grits through R1 on opening day; Jabeur, Muguruza crash out

Garbine Muguruza of Spain looks on against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia in their first round match during the 2022 French Open at Roland Garros on May 22,...

Four seeds fell on Day 1 at this year’s French Open, but none bigger than 2016 champion Garbine Muguruza – despite being a set and 3-2 up against Kaia Kanepi. Ons Jabeur similarly lost from a commanding position against Magda Linette, though the youngster who beat the Tunisian here in R4 last year showed edge to progress without playing well. Read on for more. Continue reading “French Open 2022: Gauff grits through R1 on opening day; Jabeur, Muguruza crash out”

Tennis

French Open 2022: Divisive draws announced, as Djokovic-Nadal-Alcaraz in same half

Rafael Nadal of Spain signs autographs after a practice session at Roland Garros on May 21, 2022 in Paris, France.

Ahead of Sunday’s first-round flurry of matches across both ATP and WTA circuits, an unbalanced men’s draw has predictably caused quite a stir before the year’s second Major. Read on to see which particular players will be fancying their chances of a deep run over the next fortnight on clay, while other rivals in different sections will be rueing their lack of luck… Continue reading “French Open 2022: Divisive draws announced, as Djokovic-Nadal-Alcaraz in same half”

Tennis

French Open 2022: Berrettini, Monfils, Murray among withdrawals before year’s second Major

Last year’s Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, 2022 Australian Open quarter-finalist Gael Monfils and former world no. 1 Andy Murray are just three of those among the notable names who’ve recently announced they’ll be missing this year’s second Slam for various reasons. Continue reading “French Open 2022: Berrettini, Monfils, Murray among withdrawals before year’s second Major”

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ATP describes Wimbledon’s impending ban of Russian, Belarusian players as discrimination

Daniil Medvedev in action during his mens singles' fourth round match against Hubert Hurkacz on day eight of Wimbledon at The All England Lawn Tennis...

After announcing their controversial decision earlier today, Wimbledon chiefs have been accused of discrimination after banning Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s Championships – direct sanctions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This would mean players such as Daniil Medvedev, Aryna Sabalenka and Andrey Rublev wouldn’t be allowed to compete.
Continue reading “ATP describes Wimbledon’s impending ban of Russian, Belarusian players as discrimination”

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Decision felt inevitable: Clijsters confirms third retirement, 20 months after comeback

Kim Clijsters of Belgium in action against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during Expo 2020 Dubai Tennis Week at the Expo Sports Arena in Dubai, United...

20 months after announcing her return from an eight-year second retirement, four-time Major champion Kim Clijsters has definitively pulled the curtain on a professional career lasting almost 25 years at the age of 38 as the Belgian Hall of Famer revealed this week she cannot effectively commit to the sport’s demands with her schedule as a mother with three children. Continue reading “Decision felt inevitable: Clijsters confirms third retirement, 20 months after comeback”

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Miami Open: Alcaraz ascends to rally past Ruud, wins historic maiden Masters 1000 title

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the Butch Buchholz Trophy after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway in the Men's Singles final during the Miami Open...

US Open quarter-finalist Carlos Alcaraz made history in Miami, becoming their youngest ever champion and equally the third-youngest player ever to win a title at Masters 1000 level after recovering from 1-4 down in set one, beating Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-4 – capping an unforgettable fortnight for the Spanish teenager, who will rise to world no. 11 in tomorrow’s rankings update. Continue reading “Miami Open: Alcaraz ascends to rally past Ruud, wins historic maiden Masters 1000 title”

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“No perfect time, but this was mine” – Barty discusses shock retirement in press conference

Ash Barty speaks to the media during a press conference at the Westin on March 24, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. Barty announced her retirement from...

After sending the tennis world into shockwaves late on Tuesday by announcing her immediate retirement from the sport, world number one Ashleigh Barty fielded questions and was content discussing the decision alongside head coach Craig Tyzzer with assembled media reporters in a press conference today – just 53 days after cruising to a historic Australian Open triumph.
Continue reading ““No perfect time, but this was mine” – Barty discusses shock retirement in press conference”

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Indian Wells 2022: Fritz extinguishes Nadal’s unbeaten streak after Swiatek sinks Sakkari

Taylor Fritz Of the United States celebrates winning the men's final of the BNP Paribas Open after beating Rafael Nadal on March 20, 2022 in Indian...

Taylor Fritz earned his first Masters 1000 title the hard way, gritting through the pain barrier to overwhelm a similarly injury-affected Rafael Nadal and snap the Spaniard’s 20-0 unbeaten streak in 2022. Elsewhere over the weekend, 20-year-old star Iga Swiatek beat US Open semi-finalist Maria Sakkari for the second time in 24 days to secure yet another big trophy herself. Continue reading “Indian Wells 2022: Fritz extinguishes Nadal’s unbeaten streak after Swiatek sinks Sakkari”

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Indian Wells 2022: Badosa warns Alcaraz and Raducanu over social media, as latter loses again

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain in action against Petra Martic of Croatia in her third-round match at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 13, 2022...

Paula Badosa, defending her 2021 Indian Wells title this week, is the latest player to issue a social media warning for the sport’s teenage sensations given their rapid rise in recent months. She’s concerned compatriot Carlos Alcaraz and US Open titlist Emma Raducanu in particular might not yet be prepared to carry the weight and pressures that come with their success.
Continue reading “Indian Wells 2022: Badosa warns Alcaraz and Raducanu over social media, as latter loses again”

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Having saved five championship points, ferocious Fernandez retains her Monterrey crown

Leylah Fernandez of Canada celebrates with the champions trophy after winning the singles final match as part of the GNP Seguros WTA Monterrey Open...

It was high-quality tennis but nervy at times, including a 10-minute sequence late on with the match nervously on a knife-edge, but 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez did what she set out to do: retain her Monterrey title, recovering from 4-1 down in the deciding set – saving five championship points – to outlast Colombian youngster Maria Camila Osorio Serrano. Continue reading “Having saved five championship points, ferocious Fernandez retains her Monterrey crown”

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After whirlwind 2021 season, Leylah Fernandez motivated to defend her Monterrey title

Leylah Fernandez of Canada plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 12, 2022 in...

After a rough start to the new campaign, losing early in Adelaide and later stunned in R1 at the Australian Open, 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez is understandably motivated to defend her maiden WTA singles title this week at the Monterrey Open. Having beaten Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in R1, the 19-year-old faces another fresh H2H matchup tomorrow.
Continue reading “After whirlwind 2021 season, Leylah Fernandez motivated to defend her Monterrey title”