Osaka Overwhelms Brady For Second Australian Open Title, 4th Grand Slam
Posted by Staff on February 20th, 2021 @ 2:37 pm
Naomi Osaka proved she is the undisputed best hard court player in the women’s game Saturday night in Melbourne, easing past Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 to win her second Australian Open title and fourth Grand Slam.
“I didn’t play my last Grand Slam with fans so just to have this energy it means a lot,” Osaka told the crowd on court.
“Thank you so much for coming. I feel like playing a …
Australian Open Women’s Final: Naomi Osaka vs. Jennifer Brady
Posted by Staff on February 19th, 2021 @ 9:36 pm
Naomi Osaka will look to keep her record perfect when she makes a Grand Slam quarterfinal tonight in Melbourne against American upstart Jennifer Brady.
Osaka, who is 11-0 when reaching a Slam final, is seeking her 4th career title at this level. Brady is appearing in her first Grand Slam final.
The two just met in New York at the US Open in the semifinals where Osaka won a tough three …
Medvedev Blows Past Tsitsipas To Reach First Australian Open Final
Posted by Staff on February 19th, 2021 @ 1:57 pm
Daniil Medvedev kept his win streak alive Friday night in Melbourne blowing past rival Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 in just over two hours to reach his first Australian Open final, and his second Slam title match.
“He was tired after the match with Rafa,” said Medvedev. “During today’s match, I saw that as soon as I was moving him around the court, it was not easy for him.
“As soon as …
Djokovic Into Australian Open Final; Medvedev v Tsitsipas SF, Who’s The Pick?
Posted by Sean Randall on February 18th, 2021 @ 2:53 pm
What ab tear? A week ago there were some serious doubts of the health of Novak Djokovic after sustaining what he called a muscle tear to his abdominal region.
Well, it’s miraculously healed (or, more likely it was never a tear).
Regardless, the Serb played his best match of what has been a tougher-than-expected tournament for him, blowing out the Cinderella story Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 Thursday night at the …
Osaka Stops Serena’s History Chase Again, Will Face Brady For Australian Open Title
Posted by Staff on February 18th, 2021 @ 7:34 am
The much-hyped showdown between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka went the way of the younger generation as the Japanese star overcame an early deficit to take the match 6-3, 6-4 and reach her second Australian Open final.
“I have this mentality that people don’t remember the runners-up,” Osaka said. “You might, but the winner’s name is the one that’s engraved.”
Serena began the match the sharper player as Osaka sprayed errors and …
Tsitsipas Shocks Nadal, Meets Medvedev Next; Djokovic Seeks 9th Australian Open Final
Posted by Staff on February 17th, 2021 @ 10:00 am
Daniil Medvedev wrecked Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
“We had some unbelievable rallies and after the point it’s tough to breathe,” said Medvedev. “I think I’m one of the few players to make Andrey that tired and I’m quite happy about it.
“I know how to neutralize his amazing big shots,” he added. “That was definitely one of the best matches I …
Serena v Osaka In Australian Open SF Thursday; Tight Barty Bounced By Ailing Muchova
Posted by Staff on February 17th, 2021 @ 2:54 am
The women’s semifinals take center stage Thursday at the Australian Open in Melbourne. With fans expected to return during after a 5-day lockdown, Serena Williams takes on Naomi Osaka in a blockbuster meeting.
Osaka leads the legend 2-1 including that incredible US Open win in 2018. Serena, though, is playing well and out for revenge.
“I’ve been watching her and I’m sure she’s been watching me,” Serena said.
“I feel like this …
Djokovic Overcomes Zverev At Australian Open, Karatsev Keeps Winning; Nadal v Tsitsipas
Posted by Staff on February 16th, 2021 @ 11:46 am
Aslan Karatsev continues to be a huge story. The 27-year-old Russian had never played a Grand Slam match until this week, and now finds himself into a Slam semifinal after taking out three straight seeds including Tuesday’s 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win over Grigor Dimitrov.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. Of course it’s my first time playing main draw, first time semis,” Karatsev said. “It’s incredible.”
Dimitrov, a former Australian Open semifinalist in …
Serena Slams Halep, Sets Osaka Semifinal At Australian Open; Barty Wants To Join SF Party
Posted by Staff on February 16th, 2021 @ 10:03 am
The super semifinal showdown is set between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka Thursday afternoon at the Australian Open.
Today, Osaka had no trouble blowing past the tricky Su-Wei Hsieh 6-2, 6-2.
“Today it was really important to have a plan, just because she’s an opponent that I’m not really sure what’s going to happen,” said Osaka after reaching her fourth Slam semifinal.
“I feel like every time I play her, it’s really …
Barty Closing In On Australian Open Title, Svitolina Sent Off; Serena v Halep Headline QFs
Posted by Staff on February 15th, 2021 @ 10:25 am
Ash Barty is now just three wins from becoming the first Australian woman to take her home Slam in 43 years as she entered the quarterfinals after eliminating American Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-4.
Barty has made three straight Australian quarterfinals. The World No. 1 now meets Karolina Muchova. The Czech overcame a 4-0 opening set deficit to beat former Australian Open semifinalist Elise Mertens 7-6(5), 7-5 to reach her second Grand …
Nadal Breezes Into Australian QFs, Russians Advance; Djokovic v Zverev Tues.
Posted by Staff on February 15th, 2021 @ 9:54 am
Rafael Nadal continued to strengthen rolling the dangerous Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to advance to his 13th Australian Open quarterfinal.
Fognini, who beat Nadal from two sets down the last time they met at a Slam back at the 2015 US Open, got up a break in the second but otherwise Nadal had very little trouble on a match that lasted just over two hours.
“When you go on court against …
Serena, Osaka, Halep Win 3-Setters At Australian Open; Barty Back Monday
Posted by Staff on February 14th, 2021 @ 2:13 pm
A much-anticipated fourth round line-up in the women’s draw at the Australian Open lived up the hype Sunday in Melbourne.
Naomi Osaka and Garbine Muguruza opened Rod Laver and played perhaps the best women’s match of the event. In this first-time meeting, Osaka jumped ahead early before Muguruza caught fire, running away with the first and going up a break in the second.
Osaka steadied and grabbed the second. But Muguruza was …
Thiem Tumbles Out Of Australian Open, Djokovic OK, Karatsev Continues Run; Nadal v Fognini Mon.
Posted by Staff on February 14th, 2021 @ 2:10 pm
Dominic Thiem laid an egg against Grigor Dimitrov. The Austrian star barely showed up against Dimitrov in a listless 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 loss in the fourth round Sunday at the Australian Open.
Thiem had lost two straight to the Bulgarian, but the World No. 3 had won the US Open and made the finals in Melbourne a year ago. However, there was none of that fighting spirit Thiem showed in those …
Nadal Getting Stronger While Djokovic In Doubt At Australian Open
Posted by Staff on February 13th, 2021 @ 1:58 pm
The third round wrapped up Saturday at the Australian Open. Rafael Nadal is putting that back injury of his in the past as the 20-time Grand Slam winner look good in a 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 win over Cameron Norrie.
Nadal had his serve back to form, though was broken early in the first, and otherwise was pleased with the result and his back.
“Back was not getting better each day,” Nadal said. …
Barty, Svitolina Cruise Into Australian Open 4R; Super Sunday With Osaka-Muguruza, Serena-Sabalenka
Posted by Staff on February 13th, 2021 @ 9:29 am
Ash Barty continued her journey at the Australian Open Saturday. With no fans due to the 5-day lockdown in Mebourne, Barty created her own energy in blasting past the dangerous Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The French champion should no wobbles like she did in the last round against countrywoman Daria Gavrilova. Barty is now three wins from becoming the first Australian woman to win the Open since 1978.
Barty will now meet American star …