Little more than a year after re-committing to tennis, Barty won her first WTA singles title in Malaysia on Sunday, raising fresh hopes the former Wimbledon junior champion might be on track to fulfil her potential. There may have been a modest field competing in Kuala Lumpur but it was hard graft for qualifier Barty, who had to win six matches before beating Japan’s Nao Hibino in the final.
Category: US Open
reply
Let’s call it a brief hiatus. Last year it was my sad duty to write that while sports like basketball, baseball, football and tennis were the topic of conversations and panel discussions at the largest gathering of sports analysts, golf was nowhere to be found.
2017 U.S. Open to feature select field, improved pattern integrityThe …
The U. S. Open traditionally has been known for its challenging lane conditions and test of versatility, and a new select field and format changes in 2017 are designed to enhance the event’s integrity and prestige. The 2017 U.S. Open will be held at the 40-lane Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool, New York, from Oct. 25-Nov. 1. Competitors again will bowl 24 games of qualifying over three days, but the number of competition lanes will be limited to just 24, so all bowlers will visit the same lanes and see them the same amount of times during qualifying, while each experiencing the three phases of the oil pattern – fresh, burn and double-burn.
Wozniacki to face Pliskova in rain-delayed Qatar Open final
Former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki will face second-seeded Karolina Pliskova in the final of the Qatar Open after both were forced to play back-to-back matches in the quarterfinals and semifinals on Friday night due to rain playing havoc the schedule. Wozniacki swept past Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig of Puerto Rico 6-1, 6-2 to reach her second final in Doha – six years after her first, which she lost to Vera Zvonareva .
Fired for Venus Williams remark, ex-commentator sues ESPN
Doug Adler, a tennis commentator dropped by ESPN for a remark about Venus Williams during the Australian Open, sued the sports network Tuesday for wrongful termination Fired for Venus Williams remark, ex-commentator sues ESPN Doug Adler, a tennis commentator dropped by ESPN for a remark about Venus Williams during the Australian Open, sued the sports network Tuesday for wrongful termination Check out this story on lakecountrynow.com: http://usat.ly/2lgJMoD Serena Williams beat her sister Venus in straight sets to win the Australian Open and now stands alone as the all-time leader in women’s Grand Slam titles in the Open Era.
Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev Lead Mid-February’s Winners and Losers
There are two versions of world No. 7 Marin Cilic . At his best, “Champion Cilic” is a powerful ball striker and one of the best players on fast surfaces like Wimbledon.
Why tennis can’t afford to lose Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal — just yet
… a former president of the ATP Players’ Council, the 35-year-old Swiss superstar should know what he is talking about. Sports thrives on strong rivalries and in tennis, nothing has come close to 18-time major winner Federer taking on 14-time grand …
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 | 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.
Australian Open notes: Upstart duo denies doubles record
John Peers, left, and Henri Kontinen hoisted their trophy after beating Bob and Mike Bryan – who sought a record 17th Grand Slam title – in the men’s doubles final at the Australian Open. – Henri Kontinen and John Peers captured the men’s doubles title at the Australian Open on Saturday, thwarting Bob and Mike Bryan’s attempt to win a record-equaling 17th Grand Slam title.
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.
Serena Williams defeats sister Venus to win record 23rd grand slam title
Serena Williams rewrote tennis history books once again, this time with sister Venus across the net and her fiance Alexis Ohanian watching from the stands. When Serena beat her older sibling in the Australian Open final 6-4 6-4, she collected a 23rd grand slam title to surpass Steffi Graf for the Open Era lead.
Australian Open: Serena Williams defeats sister Venus, wins record 23rd major
Serena Williams has won her record 23rd Grand Slam singles title, and her sister was right there on court to give her a congratulatory hug. The all-Williams final — the first at the Australian Open since Serena won the first edition of the family rivalry here in 2003 — went to the younger sibling 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday night.
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.
Australian Open 2017: Serena Williams vs Venus Williams Women’s…
Two great Williams sisters all set to lock horn for a great summit clash in the Australian Open at the Rod Lever Arena in Melbourne today. The match will begin at 2 pm Indian Standard Time .
Australian Open 2017: Serena Williams vs Venus Williams Women’s…
Two great Williams sisters all set to lock horn for a great summit clash in the Australian Open at the Rod Lever Arena in Melbourne today. The match will begin at 2 pm Indian Standard Time .
Why to we prefer nostalgia over novelty in sport?
… some way to explaining why seeing champions from the recent past competing for the highest honours one more time gets sports fans pretty delirious. And maybe why the Rolling Stones are still touring to sell-out crowds nearly 50 years after their …
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.
Gordon Reid clinches doubles career Grand Slam with Australian Open triumph
Great Britain’s Gordon Reid completed a career Grand Slam of doubles titles after winning the Australian Open wheelchair event with Belgian Joachim Gerard. Reid’s defence of his singles title in Melbourne ended at the hands of Gerard on Wednesday but the pair united in the doubles to beat Briton Alfie Hewett and Argentinian Gus Fernandez 6-3 3-6 1-0 .
The Latest: Mattek-Sands and Safarova win women’s doubles
Bethanie Mattek-Sands, left, of the U.S. and Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic celebrate after defeating Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic and Peng Shuai of China in the women’s doubles final at the Australian Open tenni… .
Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova win Australian Open women’s doubles
Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova enhanced their reputation as the dominant duo by winning the Australian Open women’s doubles final 6-7 , 6-3, 6-3 over Andrea Hlavackova and China’s Peng Shuai. It extended the pair’s unbeaten record to 12 matches at Melbourne Park – they won the 2015 doubles title, but didn’t play together last year because Safarova was ill.
Serena, Venus say all-Williams Aussie final is a win-win
United States’ Serena Williams celebrates after defeating Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. United States’ Serena Williams celebrates after defeating Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.
Williams sisters and Federer advance to Australian Open finals
The 35-year-old Williams arrived in Australia bidding for a 23rd Grand Slam title, aiming to break the Open-era record she shares with Steffi Graf. By winning, she’d also regain the No.
Australian Open Final: Williams vs. Williams
Ten days of tennis and 126 competitors later, it’s the Williams Sisters who will verse each other in the final of the Australian Open where age is continually triumphant over youth. Older sister Venus defeated young American Coco Vandeweghe in two hours 26 minutes to reach her first grand slam final since Wimbledon in 2009, changing tactics in the second set after dropping her first set of the tournament against an opponent “who is just on fire.”
Federer edges Wawrinka thriller to reach final
Roger Federer edged a five-set thriller against his fellow Swiss and close friend Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open on Thursday to become the oldest Grand Slam finalist in 43 years. The 17-time Grand Slam champion saw off the world number four 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and five minutes and will face either Rafael Nadal or Grigor Dimitrov in Sunday’s final.
Case dropped against man jailed 25 years in tourist slaying
Prosecutors dropped a case Wednesday against a man who spent a quarter-century behind bars in an infamous tourist killing before getting his conviction overturned. Johnny Hincapie’s eyes moistened as prosecutors said they wouldn’t retry him in a case that once symbolized a city roiled by random crime.
Williams, Lucic-Baroni win at throwback Australian Open
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: 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: 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.
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.