WEATHER ALERT
Dutch wheelchair tennis standout Esther Vergeer awarded ITF Philippe Chatrier Award
Read full article: Dutch wheelchair tennis standout Esther Vergeer awarded ITF Philippe Chatrier AwardDutch wheelchair tennis standout Esther Vergeer has been awarded this year’s ITF Philippe Chatrier Award for her contributions to the sport.
Defending champion Sabalenka beats Coco Gauff, will meet Zheng in Australian Open final
Read full article: Defending champion Sabalenka beats Coco Gauff, will meet Zheng in Australian Open finalAryna Sabalenka has avenged a U.S. Open final loss to Coco Gauff and is the first woman since Serena Williams to reach back-to-back finals at the Australian Open.
Djokovic reaches the Australian Open quarterfinals, matching Federer's Grand Slam record
Read full article: Djokovic reaches the Australian Open quarterfinals, matching Federer's Grand Slam recordNovak Djokovic has beaten Adrian Mannarino 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 to advance to the Australian Open quarterfinals and matched another of Roger Federer’s Grand Slam records.
Defending champion Sabalenka reaches 4th round at Australian Open. Coco Gauff also advances easily
Read full article: Defending champion Sabalenka reaches 4th round at Australian Open. Coco Gauff also advances easilyDefending champion Aryna Sabalenka and U.S. Open winner Coco Gauff are into the fourth round of the Australian Open after commanding wins.
Djokovic says his wrist is OK. He plans to start 2024 like he does most years: with an Aussie title
Read full article: Djokovic says his wrist is OK. He plans to start 2024 like he does most years: with an Aussie titleNovak Djokovic says his injured right wrist is OK and “it's all looking good” as he bids for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title.
US Open 2023: Novak Djokovic is back for the first time in 2 years and seeking a 24th major
Read full article: US Open 2023: Novak Djokovic is back for the first time in 2 years and seeking a 24th majorNovak Djokovic is back in the United States, back in New York and back at the U.S. Open for the first time in two years.
Wimbledon 2023: Carlos Alcaraz wins the title at the All England Club by beating Novak Djokovic
Read full article: Wimbledon 2023: Carlos Alcaraz wins the title at the All England Club by beating Novak DjokovicCarlos Alcaraz has stopped Novak Djokovic's winning streak at Wimbledon and won his first trophy there.
Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic pulls out of Montreal tournament
Read full article: Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic pulls out of Montreal tournamentNovak Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming hard-court tournament in Montreal because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and therefore not allowed to enter Canada.
Escobar hits for cycle, has 6 RBIs as Mets beat Padres 11-5
Read full article: Escobar hits for cycle, has 6 RBIs as Mets beat Padres 11-5Eduardo Escobar hit a two-run triple in the ninth inning to complete his first cycle, giving him six RBIs in boosting Carlos Carrasco and the New York Mets to an 11-5 win against the San Diego Padres.
'Miss,' 'Mrs.' dropped from Wimbledon champion honor board
Read full article: 'Miss,' 'Mrs.' dropped from Wimbledon champion honor boardChris Evert, Serena Williams and other Wimbledon women’s singles champions will now be listed on the All England Club’s honor boards in a Centre Court hallway simply by their first initial and last name instead of including “Miss” or “Mrs.” A spokeswoman for the All England Club confirmed the switch to the women’s honor board has been completed.
The Latest: Special Ks: Kyrgios, Kokkinakis win doubles
Read full article: The Latest: Special Ks: Kyrgios, Kokkinakis win doublesNick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis — the so-called Special Ks — have won the Australian Open men’s doubles title with a 7-5, 6-4 win over fellow Australians Matt Ebden and Max Purcell.
Nadal, Medvedev to meet in history-making Australian final
Read full article: Nadal, Medvedev to meet in history-making Australian finalRafael Nadal advanced to the Australian Open final by beating Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 and is now within one victory of a men’s-record 21st Grand Slam singles title.
The Latest: Medvedev to meet Nadal in Australian Open final
Read full article: The Latest: Medvedev to meet Nadal in Australian Open finalDaniil Medvedev reeled off the last five games to beat Stefanos Tsitispas 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a heated Australian Open semifinal and continue his bid for back-to-back major titles.
Medvedev saves match point, moves into Australian Open semis
Read full article: Medvedev saves match point, moves into Australian Open semisU.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev rallied from two sets down and saved a match point before beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in a marathon five-setter to move into the Australian Open semifinals.
The Latest: Collins advances to Australian Open semifinals
Read full article: The Latest: Collins advances to Australian Open semifinalsDanielle Collins swung the match in her favor with a key service break in the final game of the opening set on her way to a 7-5, 6-1 quarterfinal win over Alize Cornet.
Nadal fends off Shapovalov, advances to semis in Australia
Read full article: Nadal fends off Shapovalov, advances to semis in AustraliaRafael Nadal fended off Denis Shapovalov in five sets to reach the Australian Open semifinals for the seventh time and keep his bid on track for a men’s-record 21st Grand Slam singles title.
The Latest: Berrettini into Australian Open quarterfinals
Read full article: The Latest: Berrettini into Australian Open quarterfinalsWimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini has completed a Grand Slam set by advancing to the Australian Open quarterfinals with a 7-5, 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over 19th-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta.
The Latest: Alexander Zverev into 3rd round in Australia
Read full article: The Latest: Alexander Zverev into 3rd round in AustraliaOlympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev advanced to the third round at the Australian Open and continued a streak at Grand Slam tournaments by beating Australian veteran John Millman 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.
Djokovic admits travel declaration had incorrect information
Read full article: Djokovic admits travel declaration had incorrect informationNovak Djokovic has acknowledged that his Australian travel declaration form contained incorrect information, as the government nears a decision on whether to deport the Serbian tennis star, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, on public interest grounds.
Upsets send Fritz, Basilashvili to semis at Indian Wells
Read full article: Upsets send Fritz, Basilashvili to semis at Indian WellsTaylor Fritz beat No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3) to reach the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open in front of a hometown crowd, scoring the biggest win of his young career.
Serbia cries with Djokovic over lost chance to make history
Read full article: Serbia cries with Djokovic over lost chance to make historySerbia awoke to disappointment after Novak Djokovic failed in his attempt to make tennis history by becoming the first man in more than 50 years to win a calendar-year Grand Slam.
1 to go: Djokovic into US Open final, nears year Grand Slam
Read full article: 1 to go: Djokovic into US Open final, nears year Grand SlamNovak Djokovic has moved one victory away from completing the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men’s tennis since 1969 by beating Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the U.S. Open final.
Teen dream: Raducanu, 18, Fernandez, 19, into US Open final
Read full article: Teen dream: Raducanu, 18, Fernandez, 19, into US Open finalBritish teenager Emma Raducanu has become the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final in the professional era by beating 17th-seeded Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 at the U.S. Open.
What makes Novak Djokovic great? Shots, yes, but also mind
Read full article: What makes Novak Djokovic great? Shots, yes, but also mindNovak Djokovic enters his U.S. Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev needing two wins to complete the first calendar-year Grand Slam by a man in more than a half-century.
Djokovic tops Berrettini in Open QF to close in on true Slam
Read full article: Djokovic tops Berrettini in Open QF to close in on true SlamNovak Djokovic has moved within two wins of the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men’s tennis since 1969 by beating Matteo Berrettini 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the U.S. Open semifinals.
Laver would welcome Djokovic to calendar Grand Slam 'club'
Read full article: Laver would welcome Djokovic to calendar Grand Slam 'club'“Rocket” Rod Laver will be at the U.S. Open to welcome Novak Djokovic into a remarkably exclusive club if the 34-year-old from Serbia manages to complete the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men’s tennis in 52 years.
Djokovic's true Slam bid at US Open starts against qualifier
Read full article: Djokovic's true Slam bid at US Open starts against qualifierNovak Djokovic will begin his bid to win the U.S. Open for a men’s-record 21st major tennis championship and to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam by facing a player who comes through qualifying.
Comeback! Djokovic tops Tsitsipas at French Open for Slam 19
Read full article: Comeback! Djokovic tops Tsitsipas at French Open for Slam 19Novak Djokovic came all the way back after dropping the first two sets to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the French Open final for his 19th Grand Slam title.
Medvedev recalls long-ago practice session with Djokovic
Read full article: Medvedev recalls long-ago practice session with Djokovic1 and was accumulating Grand Slam titles; Medvedev had yet to crack the Top 300. But Medvedev is still chasing that elusive Grand Slam title — he also lost in a final at the 2019 U.S. Open to Rafael Nadal. But none of those contests came against Djokovic in the Australian Open final. After dropping the first set, Medvedev broke to open the second, signaling he was still in the contest. Afterward, Djokovic said he figures it is only a matter of time until Medvedev wins a Grand Slam title, although he suggested he wouldn't mind if that took a few years.
The Latest: Djokovic tops Medvedev for 18th Grand Slam title
Read full article: The Latest: Djokovic tops Medvedev for 18th Grand Slam title4-seeded Medvedev was trying to collect his first Grand Slam title Sunday. Djokovic is now one set away from his ninth championship at Melbourne Park and 18th Grand Slam title overall. Djokovic is seeking a ninth Australian Open trophy and 18th Grand Slam title overall. He is seeking a ninth trophy at Melbourne Park and 18th Grand Slam title overall. Novak Djokovic is bidding for a ninth Australian Open singles title in the final later Sunday against fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev.
The Latest: Krejcikova, Ram win 2nd Australian mixed title
Read full article: The Latest: Krejcikova, Ram win 2nd Australian mixed title(AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE – The Latest on the Australian Open tennis tournament (all times local):10:55 p.m.Barbora Krejcikova and Rajeev Ram have combined for their second Australian Open mixed doubles title in three years with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Sam Stosur and Matthew Ebden in the championship match. Krejcikova and fellow Czech Katerina Siniakova lost the women’s doubles final on Friday to Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka. He and Joe Salisbury will attempt to defend their Australian Open doubles title in Sunday’s final against Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek. ___9:03 p.m.Naomi Osaka has won her fourth Grand Slam title by pulling away to beat Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 in the Australian Open final. She is 3-0 in previous Grand Slam finals, winning the Australian Open in 2019 and the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020.
Djokovic keeps perfect record in Australian Open semifinals
Read full article: Djokovic keeps perfect record in Australian Open semifinalsSerbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Russia's Aslan Karatsev in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021..(AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)MELBOURNE – Novak Djokovic had a perfect record in Australian Open semifinals, and he was playing almost flawless tennis to protect it. He's now 9-0 in semifinals at the season-opening major, and one win from a ninth Australian title. Ad“The more I win, the better I feel coming back," the top-ranked Djokovic said. Given his past success in Melbourne, Djokovic should feel confident going into another championship match. After the win, Djokovic said Karatsev deserved plenty of praise for his amazing major breakthrough.
Serena stopped: Osaka beats Williams in Australian Open SF
Read full article: Serena stopped: Osaka beats Williams in Australian Open SFUnited States' Serena Williams reacts during a press conference following her semifinal loss to Japan's Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. On Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. local time (3:30 a.m. EST), Osaka will meet first-time Grand Slam finalist Jennifer Brady of the United States for the championship. “My heart is racing.”She lost to Osaka in a three-set thriller in the U.S. Open semifinals last September. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. Aslan Karatsev, a qualifier from Russia who is ranked 114th and playing in his first Grand Slam tournament. Djokovic is seeking a ninth Australian Open title and 18th Grand Slam trophy overall.
The Latest: Djokovic into Australian Open final for 9th time
Read full article: The Latest: Djokovic into Australian Open final for 9th timeAll rights reservedMELBOURNE – The Latest on the Australian Open (all times local):9:45 p.m.Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open final for the ninth time by beating No. ___7 p.m.Barbora Krejcikova has set up a shot at an Australian Open doubles double over the next couple of days. ___3:35 p.m.Naomi Osaka has stopped Serena Williams’ latest bid for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title in the Australian Open semifinals. The 23-year-old Osaka also won last year's U.S. Open and the 2019 Australian Open. Djokovic is seeking a ninth Australian Open title and 18th Grand Slam trophy overall.
223-2: Nadal blows 2-set lead against Tsitsipas in Australia
Read full article: 223-2: Nadal blows 2-set lead against Tsitsipas in AustraliaSpain's Rafael Nadal reacts after winning a point against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)MELBOURNE – Rafael Nadal entered his Australian Open quarterfinal with a 223-1 record when grabbing the first two sets of a Grand Slam match. Neither Tsitsipas nor Medvedev has won a Grand Slam tournament. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic will face 114th-ranked qualifier Aslan Karatsev, who is making his Grand Slam debut. It looked like it could be a repeat of their 2019 semifinal in Australia, when Nadal overwhelmed Tsitsipas and allowed him to win just six games.
The Latest: Nadal loses to Tsitsipas in 5 at Australian Open
Read full article: The Latest: Nadal loses to Tsitsipas in 5 at Australian Open(AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE – The Latest on Day 10 of the Australian Open (all times local):11:55 p.m.Rafael Nadal’s bid for a men’s-record 21st Grand Slam title has ended with a five-set loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open quarterfinals. He has been pushed to a fifth set by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open quarterfinals. ___10 p.m.Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam set streak has ended at 35 after he dropped one against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open quarterfinals. The pair were teammates when Russia won the ATP Cup team event on the eve of the Australian Open. Kenin lost to Kaia Kanepi in straight sets in the second round of her title defense at the Australian Open last week.
Daughter of Bills, Sabres owners into all-US QF in Australia
Read full article: Daughter of Bills, Sabres owners into all-US QF in AustraliaUnited States' Jessica Pegula celebrates after defeating Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. “I’m just happy I’m here; she's been playing some good tennis, solidifying herself as a top player.”AdThe 61st-ranked Pegula beat No. “A lot of people were complaining, and I told myself I wasn’t going to complain,” Brady said. Also on that half of the draw, Rafael Nadal moved closer to a men's-record 21st Grand Slam trophy by overwhelming No. “I’m super excited for her making her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Injured Djokovic advances to quarters at Australian Open
Read full article: Injured Djokovic advances to quarters at Australian OpenSerbia's Novak Djokovic hits a backhand return to Canada's Milos Raonic during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. For anyone curious about the severity of his injury, he put it into context after qualifying for the Australian Open quarterfinals for the 12th time. The eight-time Australian Open champion planned to spend most of the next two days recovering ahead of his quarterfinal against sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev. “If you’re here, it’s for a reason - there’s no doubt about it,” Dimitrov said after his 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 win. AdAnd not since Patrick McEnroe — John’s brother — in 1991 has a man ranked as low as 114th made it to the Australian Open quarterfinals.
Hey, Australian Open TV viewers: Those claps aren't real
Read full article: Hey, Australian Open TV viewers: Those claps aren't realMarketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic smashes the ball to Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei in front of rows of empty seats during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. The Australian Open continues but without crowds after the Victoria state government imposed a five-day lockdown in response to a COVID-19 outbreak at a quarantine hotel. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)MELBOURNE – Hey, Australian Open TV viewers: The crowd's loud clapping and mid-match chatter you hear on the telecasts are not real. It just happened here.”Aslan Karatsev is a 27-year-old Russian who is ranked 114th and needed to go through three rounds of qualifying just to get into the main draw at the Australian Open. And not since Patrick McEnroe — John's brother — in 1991 has a man ranked as low as 114th made it to the Australian Open quarterfinals.
Down but not out, Serena Williams into Australian Open QFs
Read full article: Down but not out, Serena Williams into Australian Open QFsUnited States' Serena Williams falls during her fourth round match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE – Serena Williams tumbled to the ground, her heavily taped right ankle turning, her body contorting, her racket flying. Grabbing the last two games, Williams pulled out 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory over No. Oh, my goodness.”Sabalenka — a 22-year-old from Belarus playing in only her second fourth-round Slam match — was visibly and audibly frustrated. Dominic Thiem — the Australian Open runner-up and U.S. Open champion in 2020 — looked physically compromised in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 loss to three-time major semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov.
The Latest: Djokovic beats Raonic, reaches QFs in Australia
Read full article: The Latest: Djokovic beats Raonic, reaches QFs in AustraliaAdHe said: “If it’s any other tournament than a Grand Slam, then I’d withdraw from that event, that’s for sure. Defending champion Novak Djokovic has started his fourth-round match against Milos Raonic at the Australian Open. He'll play either U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem or Grigor Dimitrov next and he says he doesn't have a preference. Their match is to be followed by eight-time Australian Open champion Djokovic against 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic — assuming Djokovic decides he can play. Other men in action include reigning U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem and the man he beat in that final, Alexander Zverev.
Australian Open goes quiet as lockdown keeps crowds away
Read full article: Australian Open goes quiet as lockdown keeps crowds awayKarolina Muchova of the Czech Republic serves to compatriot Karolina Pliskova during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. Crowds were gone from the Australian Open on Saturday because of a five-day hard lockdown imposed by the state government to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 cases. And with the lack of fans, players were faced with an all-too-familiar feeling: a distinct lack of buzz. The Australian Open was allowed to continue during the lockdown — but without fans. He struggled without a crowd in a warm-up tournament before the Australian Open.
The Latest: Rafa into 4th round in Australia; back seems OK
Read full article: The Latest: Rafa into 4th round in Australia; back seems OKHe reached the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the 14th time in 16 trips. The top-seeded Australian beat Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia 6-2, 6-4 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open for the third straight year. The seventh-seeded Rublev will meet Casper Ruud of Norway in the fourth round. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Mikael Ymer of Sweden 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in the third round. ___3:35 p.m.Unseeded American Mackenzie McDonald has matched his best Grand Slam result by reaching the round of 16 at the Australian Open.
Australian Open: No-look shot in Serena's win; COVID fan ban
Read full article: Australian Open: No-look shot in Serena's win; COVID fan banCompetition at the year's first Grand Slam tournament will be allowed to continue, but no fans can attend as of Saturday. Hopefully it will be all right.”A year ago, Williams dropped just three games against Potapova in the first round. But the 2016 Wimbledon junior champion double-faulted five times in that game, including twice on set point. 8 Diego Schwartzman became the highest-seeded man to lose so far, eliminated 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 by Aslan Karatsev, a qualifier from Russia ranked 114th and making his Grand Slam debut at age 27. AdIn other action, 2020 U.S. Open runner-up Alexander Zverev won in straight sets and now takes on No.
The Latest: Nadal beats Mmoh in straight sets in Melbourne
Read full article: The Latest: Nadal beats Mmoh in straight sets in MelbourneSpain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating United States' Michael Mmoh during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)MELBOURNE – The Latest from the Australian Open (all times local):11:50 p.m.Rafael Nadal shrugged off some heckling from a spectator before beating American qualifier Michael Mmoh 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the Australian Open. The Australian Open is the first major in a year to allow sizeable crowds with the government allowing up to 50% capacity. Ad___11:20 p.m.Fabio Fognini and Salvatore Caruso clearly still hadn’t had enough of their all-Italian second-round duel at the Australian Open even after four hours and five sets. ___9:30 p.m.Fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina beat 16-year-old Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3 in the second round of the Australian Open.
Djokovic holds off Tiafoe; Venus hobbles out in Australia
Read full article: Djokovic holds off Tiafoe; Venus hobbles out in AustraliaSerbia's Novak Djokovic makes a forehand return to United States' Frances Tiafoe during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. 1, had never beaten anyone in the Top 5, and now he'd just won a tiebreaker against Novak Djokovic to level their second-round match at the Australian Open. But it wasn't quite enough to beat the eight-time Australian Open champion, who won the 3 1/2-hour afternoon match 6-3, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (2), 6-3. AdAnother U.S. Open champion, Naomi Osaka, needed only an hour to sweep Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-3. 29 Ugo Humbert 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 in a rollicking night cap full of turns and twists.
Nadal, Barty advance in straight sets at Australia Open
Read full article: Nadal, Barty advance in straight sets at Australia OpenSpain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his first round match against Serbia's Laslo Djere at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. Daniil Medvedev extended his winning streak to 15 matches with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win over Vasek Pospisil and seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev beat Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. 9 Matteo Berrettini defeated Kevin Anderson, a two-time finalist at majors, 7-6 (9), 7-5, 6-3. Barty lost to Sofia Kenin in the Australian Open semifinals last year and then skipped the U.S. Open and her title defense at the French Open because she stayed in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. AdTwo-time Australian Open quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren also went through the hard lockdown.
Djokovic: "makes my heart full" to see Aussie Open crowd
Read full article: Djokovic: "makes my heart full" to see Aussie Open crowdSerbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating France's Jeremy Chardy during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. I really, really appreciate your support in coming out tonight." 7 Aryna Sabalenka, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, French Open winner Iga Swiatek and 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu, returning from 15 months on the sidelines. Playing in her 21st Australian Open, the elder Williams beat Kirsten Flipkens 7-5, 6-2. Two weeks in hard lockdown didn't help 2016 Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber, who lost to Bernarda Pera.
The Latest: Shapovalov edges teenage Sinner in 1st round
Read full article: The Latest: Shapovalov edges teenage Sinner in 1st roundThe 10th-seeded Frenchman is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, but he can't seem to win anywhere at the moment. ___4:55 p.m.U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem has moved into the second round at the Australian Open, where he was the runner-up to Novak Djokovic a year ago. Thiem had been 0-3 in Grand Slam finals until emerging for the championship at Flushing Meadows in September. The first tournament of this year’s Grand Slam season began after a three-week delay because of the coronavirus pandemic. Serena Williams begins her latest bid for a 24th Grand Slam singles title in the following match against Laura Siegemund.
Nadal sidelined; team Djokovic wins to open ATP Cup defense
Read full article: Nadal sidelined; team Djokovic wins to open ATP Cup defenseSerbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Canada's Denis Shapovalov in their ATP Cup match in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE – Rafael Nadal didn't make it for Spain's ATP Cup opener because of a sore back, deciding it wasn't worth the risk a week ahead of the Australian Open. Nadal played more of a hand in that, with Djokovic limiting his time on court because of a blister. Back at Melbourne Park, where he has won a record eight Australian Open titles, he had plenty of energy to consume. Osaka, who won the U.S. Open last year and the Australian Open in 2019, will next face No.
Wimbledon champ, Tennis Hall of Famer Alex Olmedo dead at 84
Read full article: Wimbledon champ, Tennis Hall of Famer Alex Olmedo dead at 84Olmedo, who won the Wimbledon and Australian Championships singles titles in 1959 and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987, has died. Citing Olmedos son, Alejandro Jr., the Hall of Fame said Thursday that Olmedo died of brain cancer on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. Alejandro Alex Olmedo was born in Peru in 1936 and moved to the United States as a teenager. Citing Olmedo’s son, Alejandro Jr., the Hall of Fame said Thursday that Olmedo died of brain cancer on Wednesday. Alejandro “Alex” Olmedo was born in Peru in 1936 and moved to the United States as a teenager.
2021 Australian Open: Smaller crowds, player bio-security
Read full article: 2021 Australian Open: Smaller crowds, player bio-securityAustralian Open organizers have settled on a plan to host the 2021 tournament complete with bio-security and fewer spectators. Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley will be looking at the running of both the U.S. Open and delayed French Open to help plan contingencies for the first Grand Slam tournament of 2021. But the 15% we get from overseas will likely not be here.The pandemic forced the cancellation of Wimbledon and the postponement of the French Open to Sept. 27 to Oct. 11. I know everyone wants to play the U.S. Open and French Open and they are adamant on wanting to do that. Tiley believes they were fortunate in Melbourne to have played the Australian Open before the worst of the coronavirus shutdown set in.
AP Was There: McEnroe wins tiebreaker, Borg wins Wimbledon
Read full article: AP Was There: McEnroe wins tiebreaker, Borg wins WimbledonOne rivalry is known for one particularly memorable match involving one particularly memorable tiebreaker: John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg in the 1980 Wimbledon final. McEnroe won the tiebreaker 18-16; Borg won the title. Seven match points, and I failed to do it. He served like a master in the final set and became Wimbledon champion for the fifth straight time. McEnroe himself had six set points in the tiebreaker before he cracked Borg with a backhand return at 18-16.