Serena Chasing History Again At Australian Open; Osaka, Barty, Muguruza Top Contenders
Posted by Jeremy Davis on February 6th, 2021 @ 5:30 pm
Serena Williams will have another go at catching Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 career Grand Slam titles when the Australian Open gets underway Monday in Melbourne.
The 39-year-old Serena is 0-4 in Grand Slam finals since coming back to the tour as a mother at the 2018 French Open. This week, though, she did look good at the lead-up event in Melbourne where she beat Danielle Collins before …
Italians Making Push In Melbourne, Sinner Seeks Second Straight ATP Title
Posted by Staff on February 6th, 2021 @ 2:19 pm
It’s a big day for Italy Down Under in Melbourne. Italy will walk away with at least one ATP title and maybe two.
In the ATP Cup final, powered by Matteo Berrettini, Italy will meet the Russia and Daniil Medvedev. In the semifinals, Italy downed Spain who was without Rafael Nadal as Berrettini beat Roberto Bautista Agut while Fabio Fognini earned his first career win over Pablo Carreno Busta.
“It’s an …
Osaka, Azarenka Withdraw From Melbourne Lead-Ups, No Final At Grampians
Posted by Staff on February 6th, 2021 @ 2:05 pm
With the short turnaround between the lead-up events and the Australian Open, top players have pulled the plug on playing this weekend.
Saturday in Melbourne saw two former Australian Open champions — Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka — join Serena Williams, who withdrew on Friday, on the sidelines.
Osaka was to play former Australian Open semifinalist Elise Mertens in the Gippsland trophy but the Japanese star opted out of her semifinal.
“Sorry to …
Nadal Seeks Slam Record, Favorite Djokovic Wants 9th Australian Open
Posted by Staff on February 5th, 2021 @ 4:00 pm
There’s a lot on the line in the men’s draw at the Australian Open which begins Monday in Melbourne.
Tournament favorite Novak Djokovic returns having won the title eight times prior including the last two years. Rafael Nadal also lurks but the Spaniard comes into with a lower back issue which, thus far, has kept him out of the ATP Cup.
The Spanish star who won the Australian Open back in 2009 …
Serena Shys Away From Barty Battle In Melbourne; Halep Falls, Osaka Still Streaking
Posted by Staff on February 5th, 2021 @ 3:33 pm
A mouth-water semifinal between Serena Williams and world No. 1 and Australian favorite Ash Barty won’t happen Saturday in Melbourne after Serena withdrew due to a shoulder.
Serena won her quarterfinal over countrywoman Danielle Collins at the Yarra Valley Classic 6-2, 4-6, [10-6] but gave no hint to a shoulder issue which would force her withdrawal.
“I think it will be a good one actually. I didn’t know I was going to …
Djokovic Suffers First Loss At ATP Cup, Serbia Eliminated; Nadal Not Playing Again
Posted by Staff on February 5th, 2021 @ 3:17 pm
Novak Djokovic and team Serbia were eliminated from the ATP Cup Friday in Melbourne. The defending champions failed to make the semifinals after losing a tight contest to Germany 2-1.
Djokovic beat Alexander Zverev in the singles 6-7(3), 6-2, 7-5 to level the tie at 1-all after Jan-Lennard Struff had beaten Dusan Lajovic.
Partnering with unheralded Nikola Cacic, Djokovic’s 11-match win streak in single and doubles came to an and as Zverev/Stuff …
No Tennis Thursday In Melbourne After Positive Test At Hotel
Posted by Staff on February 3rd, 2021 @ 6:41 pm
A hotel worker at a player hotel in Melbourne tested positive for COVID-19 requiring all play to be cancelled for Thursday.
The employee worked at the Grand Hyatt, one of the three player hotels in use in Melbourne. And now under the strict Australian policies, 500-600 players and officials must test negative before returning to play.
Over 60 matches were scheduled for Thursday including play from Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Ash Barty …
Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas Shine At ATP Cup
Posted by Staff on February 3rd, 2021 @ 6:33 pm
The big stars all came out ahead at the ATP Cup Wednesday.
In the team competition, Germany to the end to Canada as Alexander Zverev hung on in a final set breaker to beat Denis Shapovalov 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4).
“It was kind of a typical first match of the season where I had a lot of chances but let them go a little bit,” Zverev said after his first career ATP Cup …
Osaka, Halep Advance At Gippsland; French Champ Swiatek Out
Posted by Staff on February 3rd, 2021 @ 6:11 pm
Tournament favorites and former No. 1s Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep both made it into the quarterfinals of the Gippsland Trophy Wednesday in Melbourne.
Osaka had to come from a set down to deny Brit Katie Boulter 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. The 3-time Grand Slam winner won 12 of the last 16 games after dropping the opener, and her win streak now stands at 13.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better, preparation …
Serena Sails Into YVC QFs, Will Face Collins; Kvitova Upset; Kenin-Muguruza Rematch Set
Posted by Staff on February 3rd, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
Serena Williams sailed into the Yarra Valley Classic quarters Wednesday night with a strong win over Tsvetana Pironkova 6-1, 6-4.
“It’s definitely nice to get another win,” Williams said. “She’s clearly a great player, so it wasn’t easy, but it was good to come through.
“Last time it was an incredible three set match,” Williams said of her last meeting against the Bulgarian star. “So today I was like, all right, let’s …
Kvitova Downs Venus In YVC Thriller; Serena v Pironkova Wed.
Posted by Staff on February 2nd, 2021 @ 3:38 pm
The marquee match of the day in Melbourne on Tuesday lived up to the expectations as multi-Slam winners Petra Kvitova and Venus Williams battled to a rousing finish with the Czech coming from a break down in the first to win it 7-6 (6), 7-5.
“I knew it would be difficult,” Kvitova told the crowd. “I thought it was a good quality match from both sides.
“We are playing similar games. It’s …
Gauff Upended By Boulter In Gippsland Melbourne; Osaka Makes Strong Start
Posted by Staff on February 2nd, 2021 @ 3:14 pm
It was a tough day for 16-year-old phenom Coco Gauff in Melbourne on Tuesday. Playing at the Gippsland Trophy event against Katie Boulter, Gauff served for the match at 6-3, 5-4 before the Brit stormed back winning 9 of the last 12 games to take it 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Boulter’s win put her up against 3-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka who blew past Alize Cornet in her 2021 debut.
“I remember …
Kyrgios Victorious In Melbourne Return; Wawrinka Plays Wednesday
Posted by Staff on February 2nd, 2021 @ 2:56 pm
Nick Kyrgios made the most of his first match back on tour in 11 months with 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Alexandre Muller of France at the Murray River Open being played on the Australian Open grounds.
Kyrgios, who last played in Acapulco in February 2020, cracked 22 aces to pace a win.
When I lost the first set I never really panicked,” said Kyrgios. “I was actually just still finding my …
Djokovic Wins, Nadal Withdraws, Thiem Shut Out At ATP Cup
Posted by Staff on February 2nd, 2021 @ 2:44 pm
Day one of the ATP Cup turned out to be quite eventful with three big stories.
Novak Djokovic paced Serbia’s win over Canada beating Denis Shapovalov in singles 7-5, 7-5 then teaming Filip Krajinovic to beat Shapovalov and Raonic.
“We don’t get to see crowds in the tennis stadiums these days so much, so it’s definitely a blessing. I’m really grateful to see you guys here in the stands,” Djokovic said.
“It was …
Roger Federer Confirms March 8 Doha Return
Posted by Staff on February 2nd, 2021 @ 2:28 pm
After two surgeries on his right knee and over a year off the tour, Roger Federer confirmed he will make his return mid-March in Doha.
The Swiss, who last played at the 2020 Australian Open, will join countryman Stan Wawrinka along with Andrey Rublev and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the March 8 event.
“I thought for a long time when and where I should come back. Australia was still a bit too early …