Serena Williams reached her 10th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal, and kept her bid alive for a record 23rd major title, with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Johanna Konta at the Australian Open on Wednesday. Her opponent in the semifinals, Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, who beat fifth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, had a much longer wait to get back to this stage at a major – nearly 18 years.
Category: Australian Open
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How do you coach a player like Kyrgios?
MELBOURNE: It is a question on everyone’s lips at Melbourne Park: how do you coach a player like Nick Kyrgios?The host country’s most talented player bombed out of the Australian Open in week one amid more criticism of his attitude, behaviour and commitment.The 21-year-old was fined a total of US$5,500 for an audible obscenity and racket abuse on his way to a second-round defeat to Italy’s Andreas Seppi, a match he led by two sets to love.In October, he was banned for eight weeks after clashing with fans and the chair umpire, and walking off court in the middle of a point at the Shanghai Masters.That ban was reduced to three weeks after he agreed to consult a sports psychologist, and after his Melbourne loss Kyrgios admitted it might be time to hire a coach.Many top names have already ruled themselves out of the role, and whoever does take on the job will need to be as strong a character … (more)
Tearful Lucic-Baroni extends fairytale into semis
Melbourne, Jan 25 Courageous Mirjana Lucic-Baroni kept her fairytale Australian Open alive Wednesday by stunning fifth seed Karolina Pliskova to make her first Grand Slam semi-final since Wimbledon in 1999. The unseeded Croat, a former teenage prodigy whose career was derailed by personal trauma, used all her experience to upset the Czech 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a Rod Laver Arena epic, before collapsing on court in tears.
Serena overwhelms Konta to sweep into Melbourne semis
MELBOURNE: Serena Williams remained on course for her 23rd grand slam title by quelling the challenge of in-form Briton Johanna Konta 6-2 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the eighth time on Wednesday.The 35-year-old American served up 10 aces and thumped 25 winners over 75 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to join sister Venus in the last four, where she will play 34-year-old Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.Ninth seed Konta, who reached the semi-finals here last year and won the Sydney warm-up tournament, managed a single break in the second set but was unable… Oscar 2017: Did you know Dev Patel is the third actor of Indian origin to have made it to the Oscars nominations?
Andy Murray not named in initial Great Britain Davis Cup team for Canada tie
Great Britain are set to be without Andy Murray for their Davis Cup clash with Canada next weekend after he was not named in the initial four-man team. Captain Leon Smith has not ruled out adding the world number one should he change his mind about playing in the World Group first-round tie in Ottawa, starting on February 3. “We will continue to speak with Andy in the coming days regarding his potential involvement and if he decides he would like to be part of the team then we can of course change the nominations as necessary,” said Smith.
Nick Kyrgios in but Bernard Tomic makes himself unavailable for Davis Cup
Bernard Tomic has made himself unavailable for Australia’s opening Davis Cup tie against the Czech Republic in Melbourne next month.Australia’s No.2 player was a notable omission from the Australian team named on Thursday, unable to commit to the tie given his schedule and tournament commitments. Monfils incredible shot, that almost went in It may not have gone in, but French tennis star Gael Monfils surprised everyone with his shot against Rafael Nadal.
Davis Cup captain Leon Smith (right) will include Andy Murray in his squad.
Murray flew home from Melbourne on Monday night following his shock Australian Open defeat to Mischa Zverev and must now decide whether to make the trip to Ottawa. Murray had originally planned not to play but the Scot’s early exit from the first grand slam of the year could yet change his thinking.
Roddick came up short at majors, but proud of longevity
Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open, reached the final of Wimbledon three times and was a fixture in the top 10 for much of his career. Still, he didn’t think his induction in the International Tennis Hall of Fame was a sure thing.
Archie on court for third year | Photos
WHILE many of us have been watching the Australian Open from our couches, Archie Harrison has been chasing around balls on court for a third year in a row. Archie is the fifth in his family to work at the grand slam and it is the seventh year with a ball kid for mum Buffy Harrison.
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.
Venus Williams makes history at Australian Open semifinals
When the 36-year-old beat Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 7-6 on Tuesday, the American became the oldest women’s semifinalist at the Australian Open in the Open Era. Whose record did she beat? Younger sister Serena, who was 34 last year in reaching the last four at Melbourne Park.
Nadal holds off Monfils, advances to Australian Open quarterfinals
Rafael Nadal held off Gael Monfils, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, to reach the 30th Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career on Monday in a battle of shot-making gladiators at the Australian Open. The Spaniard ran his record over the Frenchman to 13-2 with a second win in the series in Melbourne.
With favourites out, Raonic has opening for slam breakthrough
Milos Raonic, though, has taken a slightly different path in life. He grew up playing tennis in snowy Canada, not sunny Florida.
Is 2017 Australian Open the Most Unpredictable Grand Slam Ever?
… becoming a reality will surprise after this shocking opening week. That is exciting – nothing is more fun in sports than not knowing what will happen. Four out of the last six Australian Opens ended in a Djokovic-Murray final. The Scot had …
The Latest: Monfils struggles with return of serve vs Nadal
Rafael Nadal had issues with his inability to convert break points – just six of 17. Gael Monfils had bigger problems. The Frenchman said his inability to return Nadal’s serve was the biggest reason for his 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 loss to Nadal in a fourth-round match.
Rafael Nadal battles past Gael Monfils to reach Australian Open last eight
Ninth seed Rafael Nadal overcame a spirited resistance from number six seed Gael Monfils to make the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Nadal, a winner in Melbourne in 2009, now faces third seed Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals after a 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-4 win over Monfils.
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.
It wasn’t to be: Andy Murray after Australian Open loss
World No. 1 Andy’s hopes of winning his first Aus Open title ends with 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 shock defeat to World No.
Australian Open: Serena Williams battles pressure and Barbora Strycova to reach quarters
Serena Williams battled a misbehaving serve and scorching heat but stayed cool under pressure in a 7-5 6-4 win over Czech Barbora Strycova to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals on Monday. Second seed Williams was broken three times in the opening set at Rod Laver Arena and again when coasting to the finish line in the second but shifted up a gear when it counted to close out the match in one hour and 46 minutes.
$199.6 Million Invested in Rural Nebraska in 2016 by USDA Rural Development
The Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors met Thursday, January 19, 2017, at the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District office to discuss and vote on January’… — Mischa Zverev defeated world No. 1 Andy Murray in the fourth round of the Australian Open in four sets 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, advancing to the quarterfi… Lincoln, Nebraska, January 20, 2017 -Nebraska’s rural communities received $199.6 million in USDA Rural Development funding in federal fiscal year 2016.
Djokovic to lead Serbia against Russia in Davis Cup
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic gestures to the crowd after losing to Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. BELGRADE, Serbia – Novak Djokovic will lead his native Serbia against Russia in the first round of the Davis Cup next month.
Zverev’s win over Murray caps dramatic career comeback
Germany’s Mischa Zverev celebrates his victory over Britain’s Andy Murray during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. Germany’s Mischa Zverev hits a forehand to Britain’s Andy Murray during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
Djokovic to lead Serbia against Russia in Davis Cup
El serbio Novak Djokovic gesticula durante su derrota ante Denis Istomin en el Abierto de Australia el jueves, 19 de enero de 2017, en Melbourne. El serbio Novak Djokovic gesticula durante su derrota ante Denis Istomin en el Abierto de Australia el jueves, 19 de enero de 2017, en Melbourne.
Zverev’s win over Murray caps dramatic career comeback
Mischa Zverev still remembers one of his earliest losses to Andy Murray, when the two were rising juniors, just 17 years old, and playing in the semifinals of the 2004 U.S. Open boys’ tournament. More than 12 years later, Zverev tried the same tactics against Murray on a far bigger stage – and this time it worked.
Roger Federer beats Kei Nishikori to reach Australian Open quarter-finals
Roger Federer cast off doubts about his fitness by winning a five-set thriller with Kei Nishikori to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals. This was only Federer’s fourth official match since returning from six months out with injury but the Swiss stayed tough on Rod Laver Arena to win 6-7 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-3 in three hours and 24 minutes.
Andy Murray beaten by Mischa Zverev at Australian Open
A clear penalty, a Jesus strike that never was and a Lloris clanger: Guardiola frustrated as City draw with Spurs in game that had it all Seven things you missed from City against Spurs: Lloris loses the plot and a very famous face in the crowd Humphrey responds on Twitter after ‘slip’ joke to Gerrard during BT Sport’s coverage of City’s draw with Tottenham Kyrgios: A maverick, an eccentric, but is he really just not trying? He doesn’t deserve the criticism from McEnroe Putin ‘was at the heart of the Russia drug scandal’ alleges ‘doper-in-chief’ who claims he doped half of his country’s 72 London 2012 medalists SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I’ve loved England’s approach but they don’t scare anyone yet… here’s my four-point plan to change that Conte fires warning to Costa not to wreck his hard work that has propelled the Blues to top of the Premier League GLENN HODDLE: Van Basten’s new rule … (more)
Huge Australian Open boilover as Murray is dumped out by Zverev
The Australian Open has witnessed another sensational shock result with world number one Andy Murray dumped out of the year’s first major in the fourth round by Germany’s Mischa Zverev. Zverev played the match of his life to secure a 7-5.
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.
Rafael Nadal takes heart from Alexander Zverev victory
Rafael Nadal says his five-set win against Alexander Zverev has given him a huge boost of confidence for the rest of the Australian Open. Nadal defied doubts about both his fitness and form during a pulsating four-hour contest on Rod Laver Arena, at the end of which he had beaten the talented Zverev 4-6 6-3 6-7 6-3 6-2.
Rafael Nadal surpasses a fierce five-set battle against rising star Alexander Zverev1 hour ago
Rafael Nadal surpassed a fierce challenge against one of the rising stars in the game German teenager Alexander Zverev in 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 , 6-3, 6-2 battle to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open on Saturday. The Champions of 2009 had to be at his best to come out on top after more than four hours of fierce rallies and shot-making which earned both players a huge ovation from the spectators at the Rod Laver Arena.
The Latest: Johanna Konta easy winner over Wozniacki
Johanna Konta has moved into the fourth round at Melbourne Park with a 6-3, 6-1 win over former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki at Margaret Court Arena.
The Latest: Hingis, Vandeweghe out of doubles in 2nd round
United States’ Jennifer Brady, right, is congratulated by Russia’s Elena Vesnina after winning their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni celebrates after defeating Maria Sakkari of Greece in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017.
Andy Murray is the favourite to win in Melbourne
Andy Murray believes the decline of Novak Djokovic has been exaggerated and insists the Serb is just a victim of his own success. Murray beat Sam Querrey to move into the Australian Open fourth round on Friday, less than 24 hours after Djokovic had crashed out to wildcard Denis Istomin.
The Latest: American qualifier Brady advances to 4th round
United States’ Jennifer Brady, right, is congratulated by Russia’s Elena Vesnina after winning their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. U.S. qualifier Jennifer Brady has advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 7-6 , 6-2 win over 14th-seeded Elena Vesnina.
American Brady stuns 14th seed Vesnina to reach Open fourth round
American Jennifer Brady has produced the first upset of day six at the Australian Open, ousting Russian 14th seed Elena Vesnina at Melbourne Park. The 21-year-old Brady beat Vesnina 7-6 , 6-2 on Show Court Two to qualify for the fourth round of the tournament.
The Latest: Consistent Nishikori into 4th round in Melbourne
Kei Nishikori advanced to the fourth round at the Australian Open for the sixth straight year with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Lukas Lacko, a qualifier ranked 121st. The 2014 U.S. Open finalist has not lost to a player ranked outside the top 100 since he was beaten by 179th-ranked qualifier Daniel Evans in the first round at the 2013 U.S. Open.
Chinese sportswear brand makes inroads in tennis world
… wears on court. “She will tell us she wants some kind of design and also the colors and materials,” Vivienne Wang, a sports marketing sponsorship supervisor at the company, said by telephone from China. “We’ll also have some special designs – …
Johanna Konta, pictured, breezed past Naomi Osaka in round two in Melbourne
Johanna Konta uses big words, according to Naomi Osaka, but the British number one had bigger shots too in her straight-sets win over the Japanese at the Australian Open. Osaka is widely considered a future star of the women’s game, with her booming serve and blistering forehand, but Konta handed the 19-year-old a lesson in ruthlessness on Rod Laver Arena.
Time for a career change, Novak? The time Djokovic showed off his secret football skills
The tennis ace may be licking his wounds after suffering an embarrassing loss, but there is another sport he might be able to fall back on Dumped out of the Australian Open, tennis’ first major tournament of the season, it might be time for Novak Djokovic to consider a career change. The Serb lost his world number one ranking to Andy Murray at the end of 2016 and is destined to fall further behind the Scot after being dumped out of the competition in Melbourne by Denis Istomin, who is not considered one of the best 100 players in the game.