Category: Tennis

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?

Glenn Dyer’s TV ratings

That Roger Federer is something special. His straight-sets win last night over Mischa Zverev was strategic tennis at its best, and the Seven Network bosses from Kerry Stokes down gave thanks, once again.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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: 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.

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.

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.

Djokovic: I played with intensity

Novak Djokovic had to defend himself against accusations of lacking motivation after the 12-time grand slam champion crashed out of the Australian Open. Djokovic fell victim to one of the greatest shocks in grand slam history as he lost 7-6 5-7 2-6 7-6 6-4 to Uzbek wildcard Denis Istomin.

Aus Open PIX: Raonic, Ferrer race into third round, Pliskova cruises

IMAGE: Canada’s Milos Raonic hits a shot during his men’s singles second round match against Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday. Photograph: Issei Kato hird seed Milos Raonic continued his machine-like advance through the Australian Open on Thursday, easing past Gilles Muller 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to reach the third round.

Aus Open PIX: Raonic, Ferrer race into third round, Pliskova cruises

IMAGE: Canada’s Milos Raonic hits a shot during his men’s singles second round match against Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday. Photograph: Issei Kato hird seed Milos Raonic continued his machine-like advance through the Australian Open on Thursday, easing past Gilles Muller 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to reach the third round.