Svitolina wins Dubai and will debut in top 10

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine celebrates after she defeated Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the final match of the Dubai Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Elina Svitolina of Ukraine is set to debut in the top 10 after winning her second title of the season at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday.

Sarah Jane Smith takes 1-stroke lead at Australian Open

In this Oct. 28, 2016 file photo, Lydia Ko of New Zealand checks her line on the eleventh green during the second round of the LPGA golf tournament at Tournament Players Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A day ahead of the start of the Women’s Australian Open at Royal Adelaide, the 21-year-old Thai golfer Ariya Jutanugarn also says she’s not putting pressure on herself to overtake Ko for the No.

Gasquet and Zverev win to set up Open Sud de France final

Frenchman Richard Gasquet remains on course for a third straight title at the Open Sud de France, where he will face German teen Alexander Zverev in the final Gasquet and Zverev win to set up Open Sud de France final Frenchman Richard Gasquet remains on course for a third straight title at the Open Sud de France, where he will face German teen Alexander Zverev in the final Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2l1ae61 MONTPELLIER, France – Frenchman Richard Gasquet remains on course for a third straight title at the Open Sud de France, where he will face German teen Alexander Zverev in the final.

Diego Maradona to get ambassador role with FIFA

Diego Maradona to get ambassador role with FIFA Diego Maradona is getting an ambassador’s role with FIFA Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2ktI93D Former soccer star Diego Maradona cheers as he attends the Davis Cup first round tennis match between Italy’s Fabio Fognini and Argentina’s Guido Pellain Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. The governing body wants to ensure the Argentina great “has a major role in FIFA’s activities to promote the game across the globe,” including with its Legends team.

India beat New Zealand 4-1 in Davis Cup tie

PUNE: A lanky Ramkumar Ramanathan was fluent in his win over Finn Tearney while Yuki Bhambri struggled past Jose Statham as India completed an emphatic 4-1 victory over New Zealand in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie, here on Sunday. Ramkumar sealed the tie for the hosts by thumping Tearney 7-5, 6-1, 6-0 in two hours in the fourth rubber before Yuki won the dead fifth rubber against Statham 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in one hour and 55 minutes.

Kristina Mladenovic through to final at St Petersburg Ladies Trophy

Kristina Mladenovic continued her brilliant run in the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy as she booked her place in the final against Yulia Putintseva. France’s world number 51 had already put out Australian Open finalist Venus Williams and then added the scalp of 2016 St Petersburg champion Roberta Vinci in the last eight, before a hard-fought semi-final success over wildcard Natalia Vikhlyantseva.

Bolt rediscovers form and his love of tennis

The 24-year-old from Murray Bridge has only recently returned to the court following a year away from the sport but has made an immediate impact. Bolt has been one of the in-form players so far at the 2017 Caterpillar Burnie International and said it was a tough decision to take a break from tennis but it had paid off so far following his return.

‘It is a complete disregard for a reporter doing his job’ – Paul…

‘It is a complete disregard for a reporter doing his job’ – Paul Kimmage hits out at Serena Williams’ press conference behaviour ‘It is a complete disregard for a reporter doing his job’ – Paul Kimmage hits out at Serena Williams’ press conference behaviour Serena Williams earned plenty of praise over the weekend after winning her 23rd Grand Slam at the Australian Open early on Saturday morning, but Paul Kimmage has taken exception to one aspect of the champion’s behaviour during her two weeks in Melbourne.

Rafael Nadal out of Davis Cup after grueling Australian Open

Switzerland’s Roger Federer, left, is congratulated by Spain’s Rafael Nadal after winning the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. less Switzerland’s Roger Federer, left, is congratulated by Spain’s Rafael Nadal after winning the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.

Federer beats Nadal in Australian final to win 18th major

Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates after defeating compatriot Stan Wawrinka during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017.

Federer beats Nadal in epic Aussie final to win 18th major

Switzerland’s Roger Federer kisses his trophy after defeating Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. Switzerland’s Roger Federer kisses his trophy after defeating Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.

History beckons for Serena, Venus in the way

Serena Williams of USA returns the ball to Johanna Konta of Great Britain during their Australian Open women’s singles match at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, Australia on January 25, 2017. Recep ?akar – Anadolu Agency Melbourne: History beckons for Serena Williams at the Australian Open on Saturday as she targets a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title — with her sister, Venus, standing in the way.

It’s Federer vs Nadal in Australian Open finale

Melbourne [Australia], Jan. 27 : Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal on Friday came out with a spirited performance to overcome Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria to enter the finals of the Australian Open. Nadal defeated Dimitrov 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 , 6-7 , 6-4 in a hard-fought semifinal contest that lasted for almost five hours here at the Rod Laver Arena.

Serena Williams wins record 23rd Grand Slam title with victory over Venus in Australian Open final

The Latest on Saturday from the Australian Open : 10:10 p.m. After playing each other for the Australian Open title, Serena and… MELBOURNE, Australia – Serena Williams has won her record 23rd Grand Slam singles title, and her sister was right there on court to give her a congratulatory hug. The all-Williams final &mdash… CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Lindsey Vonn has crashed for the second straight day, and once again appears to have avoided serious injury.

The Latest: 36, 35, 34 _ Serena says 30s is the new 10

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic makes a backhand return to Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. . Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni makes a backhand return to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017.

AusOpen: Konta joins British charge in fourth round with Murray and Evans

Johanna Konta of Great Britain plays a forehand in her third round match against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark on day six of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 21, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. Britain’s Johanna Konta powered into the fourth round of the Australian Open for the second year in a row on Saturday, comfortably seeing off former world number one Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 6-1 on Margaret Court Arena.

AusOpen: Angelique Kerber demolishes Pliskova to set up Vandeweghe challenge

Angelique Kerber of Germany plays a forehand in her third round match against Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic on day five of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. World number one and reigning champion Angelique Kerber wasted no time in racing into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-0 6-4 victory over Kristyna Pliskova on Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

Australian Open: Williams Advances in Quest for 23rd Grand Slam Title

When Teresa Shook, a grandmother from Hawaii, posted “I think we should march” on Facebook on election night, she never expected the response she would get…. – Officials have called off the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 after an intensive $160-million effort that lasted nearly thre… The top 2 inches of topsoil on all of Earth’s landmasses contains an infinitesimal fraction of the planet’s water – less than one-thousandth of a percent. Yet becaus… Kearney, Neb.

#AusOpen: Serena Williams cruises over Belinda Bencic to reach second round

Serena Williams of the United States prepares to return serve in her first round match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. Serena Williams launched her bid for a 23rd grand slam title with a 6-4 6-3 win over Belinda Bencic at the Australian Open on Tuesday, swatting aside doubts over her fitness and motivation on a sweltering day at Melbourne Park.

#AusOpen: Johanna Konta survives Flipkens scare for a tricky start

Johanna Konta of Great Britain plays a forehand in her first round match against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. Britain’s growing hopes of a first women’s grand slam champion in 40 years moved a step closer on Tuesday when ninth seed Johanna Konta took out Kirsten Flipkens 7-5 6-2 in the blazing sun at Australian Open.

The Latest: Venus says Serena is leading the way, again

Australia’s Destanee Aiava reaches to play a forehand to Germany’s Mona Barthel during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 16, 2017. Germany’s Mona Barthel plays a shot to Australia’s Destanee Aiava during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 16, 2017.

‘I’m pretty good at this,’ says victorious Venus

Venus Williams survived a rocky start to reach the second round of her 17th Australian Open on Monday, putting her 7-6 7-5 victory over Kateryna Kozlova down to hard-earned experience. Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 16/1/17 Venus Williams of the U.S. reacts after winning her Women’s singles first round match against Ukraine’s Kateryna Kozlova.

Breakthrough: Muller wins at Sydney to prevent British sweep

Gilles Muller of Luxembourg holds his trophy as he celebrates his win over Britain’s Daniel Evans in the men’s singles final of the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017. Gilles Muller of Luxembourg, left, and Britain’s Daniel Evans, right, pose for a photo with their trophies with former player Rod Laver after Muller won the men’s singles final at the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017.

Tennis integrity watchdog had its most ‘prolific’ year for prosecutions

Tennis authorities have highlighted the successful conviction of nine players and officials by the Tennis Integrity Unit last year as a pointer to its investment in tackling corruption in the sport was paying off. It’s one year since a Buzzfeed and BBC report on the opening day of the Australian Open thrust the issue of match fixing and spot fixing in tennis back into the spotlight.

Sport24.co.za | Djokovic saves five match points to reach Qatar final

Novak Djokovic saved five match points against world No 42 Fernando Verdasco on Friday to reach the Qatar Open final where he could meet world No 1 Andy Murray. Djokovic won a thrilling match 4-6, 7-6 , 6-3 to progress to his second successive final in Doha but was earlier on the brink of a straight sets defeat as he trailed in the second set tie-break.

US, France level before mixed doubles decider at Hopman Cup

Snow, sleet and freezing rain pelted a wide swath of the South overnight, turning roads icy and impassable in spots as children whooped it up on sleds and others braced for up to a foot of snow in parts of the… A winter storm blanketed parts of North Carolina and Virginia with snow early Saturday as its slow march across the Southeast left grocery store shelves empty and roads icy and impassible. Without a word, the gunman moved through the baggage claim picking off travelers until his handgun ran out of ammunition, leaving five dead and eight wounded in Fort Lauderdale’s airport.

Match-fixing charge surfaces ahead of Australian Open

Victoria state police on Thursday charged an 18-year-old man following an investigation by detectives from the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit into allegations of match-fixing at a lower-tier tournament in Traralgon, 160 kilometres southeast of Melbourne, in October. Police did not disclose the name or other details of the man, but said he will appear at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on March 2 charged with engaging in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome.