Category: Tennis Players

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.

davis cup kits: france vs. japan

Show your colors: “Tennis Tricolore” is alive and well in Tokyo this weekend, where Japan is hosting France in a World Group First-Round Tie. Japan’s roster: Yoshihito Nishioka, Taro Daniel, Yuichi Sugita, Yasutaka Uchiyama.

Trade in African lion bones for Asian market faces scrutiny

In this file photo taken June 15, 2014, lions yawn in the Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. A report from Mozambique’s Niassa National Reserve released Saturday Feb. 4, 2017, raises concerns that the legal export of bones from hundreds of captive-bred lions in South Africa to China and Southeast Asia could spur the market offering high rewards from traffickers for full lion carcasses.

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And there was a collective sigh of rapturous relief Sunday when the Swiss superstar defeated rival Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open — and an elusive 18th grand slam title. Federer’s stunning victory, after a six-month absence from the sport because of injury, prompted an outpouring of love on social media.

Nick hopes team spirit can help overcome Aus Open

At the Australian Open, Nick Kyrgios was jeered off the court by sections of the crowd after squandering a two-set lead and throwing a tantrum in the 1-6 6-7 6-4 6-2 10-8 loss to Italian Andreas Seppi. Nick Kyrgios struggled to deal with the furore over his shock second round meltdown at the Australian Open but said the return to a team environment with Davis Cup had helped him through it.

Federer’s tribute to late Australian coach

Roger Federer has paid homage to his trusted former Australian coaches for helping shape the most prolific grand slam performer men’s tennis has seen. In a poignant tribute to Peter Carter, who died in a car accident in South Africa a week before Federer’s 21st birthday, the ageless maestro says the South Australian moulded him as a man and player and remains the most influential mentor of his storied career.

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.

Sport24.co.za | Melbourne master Federer back in Top 10

Roger Federer has climbed back into the ATP top 10 on the strength of his epic 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. The 35-year-old Swiss great defied old rival Rafael Nadal on Sunday in a thrilling five-setter in Melbourne to move up seven spots to 10th in the latest rankings released on Monday.

Sport24.co.za | No 18 was Federer’s greatest triumph

Sunday’s Australian Open men’s final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will go down in history as one of the greatest ever tennis matches. It was the dream final tennis enthusiasts had longed for: Two giants of the game – both in the twilight of their careers – duelling on the biggest of stages one more time.

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.

Federer savors unexpected title over long-time rival Nadal

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 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.

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.

Protests Build Across the Country Against Trump’s Immigration Order

The linebacker stands at 6-2 and 220 pounds. He didn’t have a high number of offers, but the skills are there for W… — Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal in five sets to win the Australian Open at Melbourne Park Sunday morning.Federer takes home the first Grand Slam sing… — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sounded a warning on President Trump’s decision to temporarily ban immigrants from seven predominantly Musli… — Renee Elise Goldsberry, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Phillipa Soo, original cast members of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Hamilton: An Americ… — President Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration are not sitting well with many leaders in the business community, particularly in the tech industr… — When a precious baby calf ended up in this family after losing its mom, little Kinley Gray took her in with open arms.”

Protests Build Across the Country Against Trump’s Immigration Order

The linebacker stands at 6-2 and 220 pounds. He didn’t have a high number of offers, but the skills are there for W… — Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal in five sets to win the Australian Open at Melbourne Park Sunday morning.Federer takes home the first Grand Slam sing… — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sounded a warning on President Trump’s decision to temporarily ban immigrants from seven predominantly Musli… — Renee Elise Goldsberry, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Phillipa Soo, original cast members of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Hamilton: An Americ… — President Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration are not sitting well with many leaders in the business community, particularly in the tech industr… — When a precious baby calf ended up in this family after losing its mom, little Kinley Gray took her in with open arms.”

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.

Australian Open men’s final: WAGs watch on nervously

And you thought it was tense ON court! The faces of Roger Federer’s wife Mirka and Rafael Nadal’s girlfriend Xisca Perello say it all as they watch their partners battle it out at the Australian Open But for the first time ever Roger Federer’s wife Mirka and Rafael Nadal’s girlfriend Xisca Perello have faced off in the stands at the Australian Open men’s final. The two glamorous WAGs have been courtside regularly over the past fortnight, but their faces told of the importance of Sunday night’s highly-anticipated final – with both women appearing far more nervous as they sat in the stands.

Serena taking it one major at a time after clinching open record

Serena Williams is not prepared to put a number on the haul of majors she might end up winning after claiming her 23rd title with her Australian Open triumph. Serena, who won her first major at the US Open in 1999, drew level with Graf’s tally of 22 at Wimbledon last year and edged ahead of the German with her 6-4, 6-4 victory over her sister Venus on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.

Venus’ run to a Grand Slam final is victory in itself

United States’ Venus Williams, rear, embraces her sister Serena after Serena won the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. United States’ Venus Williams answers questions at a press conference following her loss to sister Serena in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017.

Leading ladies are the star turns: Serena

Tennis: Serena Williams has know won more Grand Slam titles than any other woman, after defeating her sister, Venus, in straight sets. Names like men’s finalist and 17-time grand slam winner Roger Federer and Australian legend Rod Laver are often thrown up, but Williams – who won her 23rd grand slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday night – said that she, Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf all deserve to be top of the discussion.

Venus’ run to a Grand Slam final is victory in itself

More than seven years after her last Grand Slam title match, Venus Williams would be forgiven for being a little nervous when she stepped inside Rod Laver Arena to face her sister, Serena, for the Australian Open championship. It was Venus who was smiling during warm-ups and looked far looser at the start of Saturday’s match – not her sister, the 22-time major winner, who double-faulted three times in a single game to drop serve.

Nadal vs Federer: Dream final becomes reality in Australia

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. MELBOURNE, Australia – As Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal won match after match at the Australian Open, making their unlikely way through opposite sides of the draw, tennis fans couldn’t help but look ahead.

Dimitrov seeing only positives in Australian Open loss

Grigor Dimitrov may have come up agonizingly short of making his first Grand Slam final, but he’s looking at the bright side. At 25, he’s reached the second major semifinal of his career, and he took Rafael Nadal to five sets – in nearly five hours – before finally losing 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 , 6-7 , 6-4 at the Australian Open.

Dimitrov seeing only positives in Australian Open loss

Grigor Dimitrov may have come up agonizingly short of making his first Grand Slam final, but he’s looking at the bright side. At 25, he’s reached the second major semifinal of his career, and he took Rafael Nadal to five sets – in nearly five hours – before finally losing 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 , 6-7 , 6-4 at the Australian Open.

The Latest: Dimitrov fights back to win 4th against Nadal

Grigor Dimitrov has fought back to win the fourth set against Rafael Nadal in a tiebreak, 7-6 , to force a fifth-set decider in their Australian Open semifinal. The two players traded eight breaks of serve in the opening three sets – four apiece – but neither had a break-point chance in the fourth.