A SHOULDER injury to world number three, Naomi Osaka threw a curveball into the Shiseido WTA Finals, with Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens taking her spot in the Red Group to ensure play continued. Remarkably, she not only showed that she was a worthy fill-in, but stunned world number one, Ash Barty by defeating her 3-6 6-3 6-4 to hand Barty her first loss of the tournament.
It meant Barty moved to 1-1, alongside Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic who had to use all three sets to knock off Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova, 6-3 1-6 6-4. The one saving grace for Barty is that the only undefeated player prior to that was Osaka, who due to withdrawing, meant Barty still tops the Red Group. The Australian talent will face Kvitova for a guaranteed spot in the semi-finals should she win, while Bencic will take on Bertens, with the winner to take the other semi-final spot.
In today’s action, reigning WTA Finals title holder, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina will hope to make it two from two to start the 2019 edition, taking on Romania’s Simona Halep, while Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova meets Canada’s Bianca Andreescu. The winner of the Svitolina-Halep clash will guarantee herself a spot in the semi-finals.
Aussies upstage US after doubles shock move
AUSTRALIA is through to the 2024 Davis Cup semi-finals for a chance at redemption against Italy after taking down a star-studded United States lineup. The green and gold had the Malaga stadium pumping when Thanasi Kokkinakis stunned Top 25 talent Ben Shelton, and then the experienced doubles duo of Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson used […]
Germany charges into 2024 Davis Cup semis
GERMANY is on a mission to break a 31-year drought at the Davis Cup, and ticked off the first challenge with a victory over 2022 winners Canada overnight. The Germans last won a Davis Cup way back in 1993 during a golden era for the nation, winning three titles in a six-year span between 1988-1993. […]
Italy goes one better to win 2024 BJK Cup
AFTER suffering a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Canada 12 months ago, Italy has transformed from bridesmaid to the bride with a 2-0 victory over Slovakia in the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup overnight. Winning both the singles matches meaning there was no requirement to play the doubles, Italy showed it was the team […]
Slovakia makes history by reaching BJK Cup final
A TRUE underdog tale is emerging in Malaga with world number 10s Slovakia – expected to essentially make up the numbers coming into the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup Finals – reaching the decider for just the second time in the nation’s history. The small European country – least population of any nation at the […]
Dutch dash dream Rafa retirement party
THERE was no room for sentiment from the Dutch at the Davis Cup Finals, with Netherlands sending off 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal by eliminating his Spanish side in the quarter finals. Going down to the deciding doubles tie, the experienced doubles talent of Wesley Koolhof worked well with Botic Van de Zandschulp against […]
Italy holds nerve to reach BJK Cup final
IT WAS far from easy for the Italian Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup side, with the reigning runners-up having to overcome a fierce challenge from Poland to books its place in the 2024 final. Having achieved the feat 12 months ago but fallen a win short of ultimate glory, the second ranked side will now […]
2024 Davis Cup Finals preview
EIGHT nations will vie for glory in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals that kicks off overnight in Malaga. Headlined by reigning champions Italy with world number one Jannik Sinner named for his nation, the only element that tops it is the fact that 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will bid farewell to tennis at […]
Reigning champs out as Brits bounce into BJK Cup semis
A NEW Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup champion will be crowned this week after reigning titleholders Canada were knocked out of the event overnight. Great Britain proved too strong for the North Americans, cruising to a 2-0 result to rubber stamp its entry into the final four and the chance to reach the deciding match. […]
Sinner strikes for maiden ATP Finals title
WORLD number one Jannik Sinner has had quite the year, rising to top spot in the world rankings, winning the Australian and US Opens among eight titles, recording more victories than any other player on the ATP Tour, and now becoming an ATP Finals champion. The Italian joined Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the […]
