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.
Djoker, Kyrgios return for Brisbane
THE first of the 2025 ATP Tour tournament entry lists are out, with former world number one Novak Djokovic and Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios both set to headline the Brisbane International which kicks off at the end of this month. Though technically a 2025 calendar event, the first round of action takes place from December […]
Italy do double; Dutch fall short
ITALY is officially the back-to-back champion of the Davis Cup after successfully defending its title in Malaga overnight. The combination of Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner proved too good for brave Dutch pair Botic Van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor, winning in straight sets against their respective opponents to salute. Since being added alongside SInner […]
Australia goes Down Under Italy’s Davis Cup power
FOR A second successive year, Italy found what it took to upstage Australia in the Davis Cup, defeating the green and gold to move one win away from defending its 2023 title. While spearheaded by Jannik Sinner who steered the Italians to victory 12 months ago, former Top 5 star Matteo Berrettini showed the glimpses […]
Dutch dare to dream in Davis Cup
NETHERLANDS is through to its first ever Davis Cup final after defeating Germany 2-0 in a couple of tight three-set singles matches to reach the decider. The Dutch pair of Tallon Griekspoor and Botic Van de Zandschulp fought past German duo Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier to set up a grand finale against one of […]
Sinner steps up to steer Italy into Davis Cup semis
ITALY is two wins away from going back-to-back at the Davis Cup after coming from behind against a plucky Argentinian outfit. Following a surprise win by Francisco Cerundolo over Lorenzo Musetti, world number one Jannik Sinner had to step up, and step up he did. Sinner won his singles in convincing fashion before teaming up […]
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 […]
