Category: French Open

Federer savors unexpected title over long-time rival Nadal

Federer savors unexpected title over long-time rival Nadal Roger Federer always believed he had more Grand Slam titles left in him Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2jM07y4 Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates 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. He just didn’t think it would happen like this, playing in his first tournament following a six-month injury layoff.

Australian Open: Rafael Nadal beaten by Roger Federer, but wins self-belief for claycourt campaign

Rafael Nadal’s hopes of a 15th grand slam title were crushed by an inspired Roger Federer in the Australian Open final on Sunday but the rejuvenated Spaniard was already rubbing his hands together with the prospect of a “special” season on clay. Nadal battled back twice from a set down and held a 3-1 lead in the deciding fifth but was powerless to stop Federer’s victory charge and bowed out 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena.

Healthy and confident Nadal hoping for resurgent season

Spain’s Rafael Nadal answers question at press conference following his loss to Switzerland’s Roger Federer in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, early Monday, Jan. 30, 2017. Switzerland’s Roger Federer, right, Spain’s Rafael Nadal, left, and Rod Laver pose for photographers after Federer won the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.

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.

Nadal wins, keeps prospects of Roger-Rafa final alive

Spain’s Rafael Nadal yells while playing Canada’s Milos Raonic during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. Spain’s Rafael Nadal throws a ball back to a ball boy during quarterfinal against Canada’s Milos Raonic at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 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.

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.

The Latest: Roger Federer advances to 3rd round in Melbourne

After winning the first two sets of his second-round match, Roger Federer had to really go to work in the third, recovering from 5-2 down and fending off two set points to defeat American qualifier Noah Rubin 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 . He held serve at love to force the tiebreaker and, after it got to 3-3, reeled off the last four points to clinch the match in 2 hours, 4 minutes.

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.

Record-seeking Djokovic deflects Becker jab

Novak Djokovic said he wasn’t planning to replace Boric Becker in his coaching team and deflected criticism from the German about his work-rate as he prepared to defend his Australian Open title on Saturday. MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic said he wasn’t planning to replace Boric Becker in his coaching team and deflected criticism from the German about his work-rate as he prepared to defend his Australian Open title on Saturday.

Best day ever: Destanee hits with Serena, her inspiration

United States’ Serena Williams, left, talks with Australian player Destanee Aiava during a promotional event on Margaret Court Arena ahead of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. Aiava will be the first player born this century to play in the main draw match at a tennis major.

Bouchard advances to Sydney quarter-finals

Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard continued her resurgent run heading into the Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Dominika Cibulkova on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals at the Sydney International. Bouchard improved her career record to 4-1 against Cibulkova, who was ranked No.

Maria Sharapova set for professional comeback at Porsche Grand Prix in April

Maria Sharapova will make her professional tennis comeback following her doping ban at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart in April. The former world number one is serving a 15-month ban after testing positive for cardiac drug meldonium last January and is eligible to compete again on April 26. The Stuttgart tournament is an obvious comeback event given Porsche is one of her main sponsors, b ut it had been thought she would not be able to play because it starts two days before her suspension runs out.

Wild-card entry Bouchard wins 1st-round match at Sydney

Eugenie Bouchard made the most of her wild-card entry to the Sydney International, beating Zhang Shuai of China 7-6 , 6-2 on Sunday in a first-round match. Bouchard, a 22-year-old former Wimbledon finalist, was beaten in the first round of the Brisbane International last week in her first warmup tournament for the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 16 and where she was a surprise semifinalist in 2014.

Defending champ Djokovic to face top-ranked Murray in final

Defending champion Novak Djokovic survived five match points to beat Fernando Verdasco and set up a final against top-ranked Andy Murray, who had far less trouble winning his semifinal as he recorded a seventh straight victory against Tomas Berdych. On another day of chilly and windy weather Friday, Djokovic prevailed 4-6, 7-6 , 6-3 after the 42nd-ranked Verdasco, a crafty left-hander and former top-10 player, controlled the first two sets until the latter stages of the tiebreaker.

Muguruza beats Stosur in 1st round at Brisbane International

French Open champion Garbine Muguruza finished off a first-round match for the first time at the Brisbane International, and extended Sam Stosur’s unhappy run in the process with a 7-5, 6-7 , 7-5 win on Monday. The fourth-seeded Muguruza saved three set points in the first and rallied from a break down in the third to finish off in 2 hours, 45 minutes on a humid afternoon.

My heart wasn’t in it anymore, says Ivanovic

Former women’s tennis world number one Ana Ivanovic admitted Saturday she retired this week because she felt both physically and mentally unfit to carry on after years of battling injuries. Ana Ivanovic was world number one for a spell in 2008, the same year she won her sole Grand Slam title at the French Open The 29-year-old Serbian — whose sole Grand Slam success came in the 2008 French Open one of her 15 WTA titles — added she wanted to retire while she still loved the sport.