Wozniacki Leads Seeds Holding Firm on Day 2 at French Open; Serena Leads Tuesday Highlights
Posted by Staff on May 29th, 2018 @ 7:38 am
It was an odd day of status quo at the French Open on Monday, with only one seeded upset, and only one set lost by the other 10 seeds in action.
No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki led the fine form among the seeds, holding off a spirited attack from two-time NCAA champion Danielle Collins 7-6(2), 6-1.
“It feels great, a little bit less pressure,” said the reigning Australian Open champion Wozniacki afterwards. “I …
Djokovic Advances In Rainy Roland Garros, Wawrinka Ousted; Nadal To Finish Tues.
Posted by Staff on May 28th, 2018 @ 5:21 pm
Novak Djokovic wasn’t at his best but for the former French Open champion got through Brazilian qualifier Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic was broken three times and was just +1 in the winners/errors ratio.
“I’m starting to play better,” said Djokovic after his 60th French Open win. “I feel like, in the past couple of weeks, [I’ve] not been thinking about the elbow [and] playing pain-free, which is the most …
Ostapenko, Venus Shocked on Day 1 of French Open; Monday Matches to Watch
Posted by Staff on May 28th, 2018 @ 6:36 am
There was no easing into this year’s French Open, where on Sunday the tournament lost its defending champion and a former No. 1 in the first round.
No. 5-seeded Jelena Ostapenko, who last year slapped her way to the final with abandon, this year found the spotlight too bright, falling under the “unbelievable pressure” to unheralded Kateryna Kozlova of the Ukraine 7-5, 6-3.
“I think it was terrible day at the office …
Zverev Rolls In French Opener, Kyrgios Withdraws; Nadal, Djokovic Mon.
Posted by Staff on May 27th, 2018 @ 5:42 pm
Alexander Zverev kicked off his 2018 French Open in frightening fashion destroying Ricardas Berankis 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in just 69 minutes.
After a stunning loss to Fernando Verdasco last year, today was a far better opener for the 21-year-old German who is among the favorites behind Rafael Nadal to win.
“I have won two tournaments, made the finals in Rome,’ Zverev said. “Again, losing to Rafa in a close match. I feel …
Dimitrov, Zverev, Ostapenko And Venus Open Play Sunday At French Open
Posted by Staff on May 27th, 2018 @ 6:38 am
The French Open begins Sunday with a star-studded line-up including two former French Open champions, Jelena Ostapenko who opens her title defense and qualifier Francesca Schiavone.
For the women, former runner-up Venus Williams plays her 21st French Open and four seed and tournament favorite Elina Svitolina embarks on her bid not just for a first Slam, but for a first semifinal at a Slam.
US Open winner Sloane Stephens and Brit favorite …
Pavlyuchenkova, Larsson Win WTA Titles Entering French Open
Posted by Staff on May 26th, 2018 @ 11:58 pm
Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Swede Johanna Larsson won titles on Saturday leading into the French Open.
The No. 3-seeded Pavlyuchenkova beat No. 5 seed Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 7-6(6), to win the Internationaux de Strasbourg title, saving two match points.
“It was tough to believe I could win this match, because to me it felt like I was always behind,” Pavlyuchenkova said. “It’s unbelievable. I think it’s maybe the longest …
French Open Women’s Preview: This is Where the Action Is
Posted by Staff on May 26th, 2018 @ 12:00 am
If you’re looking for the best in drama during the French Open, it’s on the women’s side of the draw.
Simona Halep fighting off five other players for the No. 1 ranking? Check.
Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka trying to return to Grand Slam prominence? Check.
Former champion Francesca Schiavone qualifying? Check.
Let’s take a closer look:
TOP QUARTER
Top 4 Seeds: (1) Simona Halep, (7) Caroline Garcia, (12) Angie Kerber, (16) Elise Mertens
Floaters: …
French Open Men’s Draw Preview: Nadal Should Breeze; Djokovic, Zverev, Thiem On Other Half
Posted by Sean Randall on May 24th, 2018 @ 4:13 pm
So it has come down to John Isner or Fabio Fognini in the semifinals, and then maybe Alexander Zverev in the final. And that’s it. Other than a complete physical collapse, those are the only real obstacles for Rafael Nadal at the French Open.
His draw should feel like a cool springtime breeze in Paris. And he might run through the tournament and reach 11 just like he did in …
Poll: Who’s The Second Favorite Behind Nadal To Win The French Open?
Posted by Staff on May 22nd, 2018 @ 8:44 pm
Rafael Nadal has made picking the favorite at the French an afterthought once again, but with just two other former champions in the field – Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka – who both are question marks and only one other to have made the final (David Ferrer), there’s a good chance we’ll see someone new battling Nadal in the title match on the last Sunday.
Dominic Thiem has made the semifinals …
Stephens, Barty Headline Pre-French Events at Nurnberg, Strasbourg; WTA Previews
Posted by Staff on May 20th, 2018 @ 4:27 pm
Sloane Stephens is the lone Top 10 player looking to get some extra match play in prior to the start of the French Open, heading the field this week in Nurnberg, Germany.
Aussie Ashleigh Barty leads the field in Strasbourg where Sam Stosur defends her championship from last year.
NURNBERGER VERSICHERUNGS CUP 2018
NURNBERG, Germany; surface: clay
Seeds: Sloane Stephens, Julia Goerges, Kiki Bertens, Zhang Shuai, Irina-Camelia Begu, Sorana Cirstea, Alison Van Uytvanck, Katerina …
Svitolina Scorches No. 1 Halep in WTA Rome Final
Posted by Staff on May 20th, 2018 @ 3:52 pm
The Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina hasn’t had the opportunity to take her turn at the rotating WTA No. 1 ranking over the last 18 months with the absence of Serena Williams from the tour, but that could be rectified during this claycourt season in short order.
Svitolina on Sunday rolled over current No. 1 Simona Halep 6-0, 6-4 in a power display to raise the Italian Open title for the second straight …
Nadal Overcomes Rain, Zverev for Comeback Championship Win at ATP Rome
Posted by Staff on May 20th, 2018 @ 3:23 pm
Rafael Nadal continues to be challenged, but continues to meet the challenge during the 2018 claycourt season.
On Sunday he overcame a second-set thrashing to defeat Alexander Zverev 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 for an eighth career Italian Open title, in the process moving back to No. 1 on the ATP rankings.
“It has been an amazing week,” said Nadal. “Such an important week to have this trophy with me again after losing in …
Serena Williams Was Among The Celebrities To Attend The Royal Wedding [Video]
Posted by Tom Gainey on May 20th, 2018 @ 12:29 pm
The royal wedding was the news of the day yesterday, but pro tennis was represented at the star-studded event. Serena Williams and husband Alexis Ohanian made the appearance, dressed to the T.
Here are the some of the visuals:
Watch @serenawilliams arrive with husband @alexisohanian at the #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/eTx6NEmhbE
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 19, 2018
Serena Williams
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Serena Williams Is Already In Paris Practicing At The French Open
Posted by Tom Gainey on May 20th, 2018 @ 12:19 pm
After missing the clay season to date (and after attending the royal wedding yesterday!), Serena Williams was on Court Chatrier Sunday practicing for the start of next Sunday’s French Open.
That’s good news for the 23-time Grand Slam champion! Serena last played in Paris in 2016 when she lost to Garbine Muguruza in the final. Overall, Serena has won 13 of her last 14 matches in Paris.
But we’ll see how the …
Milos Raonic Withdraws From French Open
Posted by Tom Gainey on May 20th, 2018 @ 12:08 pm
For the second time after 2015, Milos Raonic will miss the French Open. The oft-injured Canadian couldn’t play Rome due to a right knee injury.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am withdrawing from @rolandgarros,” Raonic posted in Social Media. “I have many great memories there, but I know I need to continue working hard to put myself in the best position when I step out on the court. …