Kerber sails, Venus outlasts Jankovic at Indian Wells

REUTERS: Angelique Kerber, who will reclaim the world number one ranking on Monday, breezed to a 6-2 6-1 second-round victory over fellow German Andrea Petkovic at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday.Second-seed Kerber broke Petkovic to open the match and needed only 58 minutes to claim the victory in glaring sunshine in the California desert.” It was not so easy ,” said Kerber after the match.

Sport24.co.za | Record-setting Serena back at No 1

Australian Open winner Serena Williams replaced Angelique Kerber as world No 1 in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday. The American moved up one place courtesy of her victory in Melbourne where she got the better of sister Venus 6-4, 6-4 in the final on Saturday for a record 23rd Grand Slam title.

The Latest: Williams levels AO semifinal vs Vandeweghe

Venus Williams has beaten CoCo Vandeweghe 6-7 , 6-2, 6-3 to reach the final of the Australian Open, becoming the oldest finalist in the tournament’s history The Latest: Venus reaches 1st Aussie Open final in 14 years Venus Williams has beaten CoCo Vandeweghe 6-7 , 6-2, 6-3 to reach the final of the Australian Open, becoming the oldest finalist in the tournament’s history Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2jrxyYE United States’ Venus Williams celebrates after defeating compatriot Coco Vandeweghe during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.

Federer, Williams sisters – 30s in vogue in Australian semis

Switzerland’s Roger Federer, left, is congratulated by Germany’s Mischa Zverev during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. Switzerland’s Roger Federer, left, is congratulated by Germany’s Mischa Zverev during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017.

Vandeweghe seals place in Australian Open semi-final

Coco Vandeweghe blasted her way into her first grand slam semi-final with a dominant display of power tennis to destroy French Open champion Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-0 at the Australian Open. The 25-year-old American, who was equally as impressive in dispatching world No 1 Angelique Kerber in the previous round, controlled the match from the seventh game of the first set when she achieved her first break of serve.

The Latest: Dimitrov into Australian Open quarterfinals

Germany’s Angelique Kerber makes a backhand return to United States’ Coco Vandeweghe during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. Germany’s Angelique Kerber makes a backhand return to United States’ Coco Vandeweghe during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.

The Latest: Pliskova into 4th round with win over Ostapenko

U.S. Open runner-up Karolina Pliskova rallied from 5-1 down in the third set to beat Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 6-0, 10-8 and reach the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time. She saved a match point before holding in the 12th game, prolonging the match for another six games until fifth-seeded Pliskova finally broke serve again.

The Latest: 2016 semifinalist Konta through to 3rd round

Johanna Konta is through to the third round of the Australian Open after a 6-4, 6-2 win over Naomi Osaka to open play at Rod Laver Arena. Konta, who advanced to the semifinals on debut here last year before losing to eventual champion Angelique Kerber, will next play either 17th-seeded Caroline Wozniacki or Donna Vekic.

Birthday greetings, Kerber into 3rd round at Australian Open

Angelique Kerber smiled and waved her arms like an orchestra conductor as the Rod Laver Arena crowd sang “Happy Birthday” after her 6-2, 6-7 , 6-2 second-round win on Wednesday at the Australian Open. The defending champion wasn’t completely on song on her 29th birthday, angrily swiping her racket in the second set in a burst of frustration that momentarily threw her off her game – and allowed Carina Witthoeft back into the match.

Top seed Kerber battles into Open second round

Germany’s Angelique Kerber celebrates her victory against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko during their women’s singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 16, 2017. AFP / PETER PARKS Melbourne: World number one Angelique Kerber battled past Lesia Tsurenko to get her first Grand Slam title defence off to a stuttering start at the Australian Open Monday.

The Latest: 4th-seeded Halep loses to American Shelby Rogers

The Puerto Rican player, seeded 29th, was the first player to win a match at Melbourne Park this year, defeating Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig 6-0, 6-1 in 53 minutes. Puig was close to shutting Tig out completely, known in tennis as a “double bagel,” but made several unforced errors to give the Romanian her first game at 6-0, 5-1.

Staying number one harder than getting there, says Kerber

Melbourne Park was ground zero for the stunning breakthrough of Angelique Kerber’s tennis career so the German has naturally savoured some golden memories before the defence of her Australian Open title. The emotions bubbled to the surface as the late-blooming left-hander was driven through the Melbourne Park gates for the first time since coming back this year.

Will Serena Williams Return As the No. 1 Player in 2017?

Serena Williams lost a second-round match at the ASB Classic on Wednesday, but it will only awaken the American superstar to find her form before the Australian Open draw on Jan. 13. After not playing competitive tour tennis since the U.S. Open and all but relinquishing her No. 1 ranking to Angelique Kerber, Serena is putting on her game face.