After struggling for consistency so far this year, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu (world no. 8) said she’s enjoying herself again under a new coach in Sven Groeneveld, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova. Meanwhile, Canadian compatriot Denis Shapovalov (#10) is excited and itching to continue his momentum after a successful grass court season.
Continue reading “Improving: Bianca Andreescu, Denis Shapovalov confident for different reasons”
Tag: WTA
Tokyo Olympics: After seizing gold for Swiss, can Belinda Bencic build on this?
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?”
Tokyo Olympics: Naomi Osaka eases into R3, is happy again and fulfilling a dream
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”
Tokyo Olympics update: Gauff, Berrettini withdraw with COVID and injury issues
In a field weakened by notable absences including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Simona Halep and Serena Williams, America’s prodigious teenager Coco Gauff and first-time Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini have withdrawn from this year’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. Gauff tested positive for COVID-19, while Berrettini has been struggling with a lingering thigh injury. Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics update: Gauff, Berrettini withdraw with COVID and injury issues”
Wimbledon 2021: Bullish Barty battles past tricky Pliskova, seals second Slam title
World number one Ashleigh Barty was made to work for it, but eventually outlasted Karolina Pliskova (#8) 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 to secure her second Grand Slam title – making history by being the first Australian since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980 to win the Venus Rosewater Dish too.
Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Bullish Barty battles past tricky Pliskova, seals second Slam title”
Wimbledon 2021: First-time finalists Barty and Pliskova to collide on Saturday
Saturday afternoon will feature two first-time Wimbledon finalists, as world no. 1 Ashleigh Barty and 2016 US Open runner-up Karolina Pliskova (#8) were victorious in their respective semi-final matches earlier today – against former SW19 titlist Angelique Kerber and Aryna Sabalenka (#2). Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: First-time finalists Barty and Pliskova to collide on Saturday”
Wimbledon 2021: Djokovic wins clean, Hurkacz knocks Federer out on wacky Wednesday
There was unmistakable sadness in the air as eight-time champion Roger Federer bowed out of Wimbledon – losing handily in straight-sets vs. Daniil Medvedev’s conqueror Hubert Hurkacz on Centre Court. Novak Djokovic avoided a banana skin against Marton Fucsovics, while there were big wins for Matteo Berrettini and especially Denis Shapovalov as the final four is now set. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Djokovic wins clean, Hurkacz knocks Federer out on wacky Wednesday”
Wimbledon 2021: Barty-Kerber, Pliskova-Sabalenka semis sealed, Hurkacz stuns Medvedev
Tuesday’s action promised plenty on paper but ultimately wasn’t as entertaining as it could’ve been, though there are three first-time semi-finalists during a day where all four Ladies’ singles quarter-final matchups ended with straight-sets victories for the respective winners. Among them, world no. 1 Ashleigh Barty and Aryna Sabalenka (#2), breaking new ground at SW19. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Barty-Kerber, Pliskova-Sabalenka semis sealed, Hurkacz stuns Medvedev”
Wimbledon 2021: Djokovic, Barty and Kerber all win, Rublev and Swiatek out
Manic Monday certainly lived up to the billing, as Wimbledon champions Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber navigated past bullish opponents with straight-set wins on Centre Court while Ons Jabeur (#21) and unseeded Hungarian Marton Fucsovics provided surprise results to knock out Iga Swiatek (#7) and Andrey Rublev (#5) respectively. Afterwards, there was more drama… Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Djokovic, Barty and Kerber all win, Rublev and Swiatek out”
Wimbledon 2021: Raducanu roars on, Kyrgios injured and Federer continues
British wildcard Emma Raducanu’s memorable week continued as she beat Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, while fellow teenager Coco Gauff punched her ticket into week two dropping just six games against Kaja Juvan. Nick Kyrgios (abdominal) retired vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime, before bullish title challenger Roger Federer ended Cam Norrie’s hopes in four sets on Super Saturday. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Raducanu roars on, Kyrgios injured and Federer continues”
Wimbledon 2021: Key wins for Jabeur and Korda, Shapovalov ends Murray’s run
Ons Jabeur recovered from a set down to knock out 2017 Wimbledon titlist Garbine Muguruza, tournament debutant Sebastian Korda rode the wave of momentum well enough to oust Britain’s no. 1 Dan Evans in four sets before another youngster – tenth seed Denis Shapovalov – oozed quality as he ruthlessly ended the hopes of a favourite in Andy Murray on Centre Court. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Key wins for Jabeur and Korda, Shapovalov ends Murray’s run”
Wimbledon 2021: Federer sets up Norrie clash, but Raducanu steals the show on Day 4
The crowd on Centre Court is sure to be divided on Saturday, when eight-time champion Roger Federer faces Britain’s Cameron Norrie in an intriguing R3 clash after the pair recorded straight-sets wins. Ashleigh Barty and Cori Gauff had routine wins, Angelique Kerber was involved in an unforgettable thriller before teenage wildcard Emma Raducanu made her mark on Court 12. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Federer sets up Norrie clash, but Raducanu steals the show on Day 4”
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