Thompson stuns Nadal in massive Brisbane upset
IT had to be seen to be believed, but Australian Jordan Thompson caused a huge boilover against former number one and 22-time Grand Slam winner, Rafael Nadal in Brisbane. In what left the crowd a little lost for words, Thompson fought back from a tough first set loss to post an unbelievable win, 5-7 7-6 […]
Rafa rockets into Brisbane quarters
A DISPLAY of sheer power and smarts saw former world number one and 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal make light work of Australian Jason Kubler at the Brisbane International last night. After getting past former major winner Dominic Thiem in the opening round, Nadal crushed the world number 102 to book a spot in […]
Rune rolls into Brisbane quarters after another tough slog
TOP seed Holger Rune is not having the easiest run of matches or playing at his peak performance despite facing lower ranked opponents, but the Dane was still able to secure his place in the Brisbane International quarter finals. After having to come from behind against Australian Max Purcell in the first round, Rune was […]
Red-hot Rinky tames Thanasi
NO MATTER the result, an Australian was going to be the winner as wildcard Rinky Hijikata took on Thanasi Kokkinakis on Show Court 1 at the Brisbane International. In a match that lasted an hour and 37 minutes, it was Hijikata who emerged victorious, shaking off an early Kokkinakis challenge to win 7-6 6-2. Hijikata […]
The story behind wildcard Rinky Hijikata
RISING Aussie tennis star Rinky Hijikata was in Sydney when he received a phone call from his coach Mark Draper in mid-December. Draper, the brother of 2005 Australian Open mixed doubles winner, Scott, was calling to inform the 21-year-old that he had received a wildcard into the Australian Open main draw. “(He said it’s) time […]
US rising talents fly flag in Flushing Meadows
THE future of US men’s tennis was on show in Flushing Meadows with three of the four players out on court from the home nation winning and booking their spots in the US Open third round. Lead by young gun Brandon Nakashima who upset 17th seed Grigor Dimitrov, Frances Tiafoe and Jenson Brooksby also made […]
Norrie produces Paire of Benoit bagels
SEVENTH seed Brit, Cameron Norrie has advanced through to the second round at the US Open courtesy of an unusual straight sets win over Frenchman Benoit Paire. Taking on the former top 20 player – who now resides at 189th in the men’s singles – Norrie might not have the weapons that his opponent has, […]
French resistance in Winston-Salem
IT WAS a good day for the French fans in Winston-Salem as their three hopes all won through to the Round of 16, two of them featuring upsets against seeded opponents. Experienced campaigners Richard Gasquet and Adrian Mannarino both knocked off younger talents Lorenzo Musetti (fifth seed) and Emil Ruusuvuori (ninth), while the 10th seed […]
Thiem hungrier than the Wolf
AUSTRIAN Dominic Thiem showed he was able to outlast American wildcard J.J. Wolf in a three-set epic in the opening round at Winston-Salem. In what will be the Austrian’s final tuneup before the US Open – his first and only Grand Slam title came from Flushing Meadows – Thiem knocked off Wolf 6-7 7-5 7-6 […]
Mandlik reaps reward over Riske in San Jose
AMERICAN 21-year-old Elizabeth Mandlik has won through to the second round of the San Jose WTA 500 event, claiming her first ever WTA Tour main draw win in the process. Having stunned top qualifying seed Jil Teichmann to reach the main draw, Mandlik took down compatriot and former Top 20 player Alison Riske in straight […]