Blink and it’s ova as Kessler cruises past Russian
IN-FORM American talent McCartney Kessler crushed first round Indian Wells opponent Anna Blinkova en route to the Round of 64, only dropping three games in a 62-minute domination. Kessler was initially forced to qualify for the WTA1000 event after a tough schedule turnaround between the Texas and California tournaments but continued her remarkable run in […]
Navarro double bagels debutant in Merida mauling
THERE was nowhere to hide for first-time WTA Tour finalist Emiliana Arango in the Merida Open decider, as world number 10 Emma Navarro double-bagelled the Colombian qualifier in just 55 minutes on court. Top seeded at the event and clear tournament favourite, Navarro belted her way to the trophy to win what is just her […]
Cirstea’s giant-killing run continues
ROMANIAN veteran Sorana Cirstea is on the verge of a return to the Top 100 after amassing her third Top 20 victory in a fortnight overnight. The 34-year-old Cirstea – who turns 35 in April – fought through a tough challenge against second seed and world number 13 Diana Shnaider in Austin to book her […]
Oh Maya! Joint destroys Donna in Merida shock
THE LID is officially off for Australia’s newest teenage star with Maya Joint dismantling Croatian Top 20 player Donna Vekic in Merida today. The WTA Tour 500 event taking place in Mexico saw the 18-year-old completely outplay Vekic who has been suffering some repercussions from a recent knee injury to get up 6-1 6-2 in […]
Deadly Dane shocks Sabs in Dubai domination
FOR THE greatest current hard court player, world number one Aryna Sabalenka sure is making a habit of losing on hard courts of late. Since her run to the Australian Open final – and narrowly missing a three-peat – the Belarussian has won just one match – against qualifier Veronika Kudermetova – and lost three, […]
Analysis: Coco Gauff’s forehand woes return
FOR SUCH an incredibly talented young player, world number three Coco Gauff has two major weaknesses in her game. The first is her serve, which she deliberately targeted at the end of the 2024 WTA Tour season by hiring technical coach Matt Daly to improve her high number of double faults that were costing her […]
Doha finalists defeated in Dubai
MAKING the final in the Qatar Open proved to be a poison chalice for the Dubai Tennis Championships as both Doha champion Amanda Anisimova and runner-up Jelena Ostapenko suffered shock losses in the first round overnight. Ansimova had just cracked the Top 20 for the first time but went down to compatriot McCartney Kessler 6-2 […]
Swiatek swishes past Sakkari as Doha history beckons
SEARCHING to make WTA Tour history in Doha, world number two Iga Swiatek‘s 2025 Qatar Open got off to a flying start by casting aside former Top 10 player Maria Sakkari in straight sets to reach the Round of 16. In a one-sided affair, the Polish star – who despite having one of the most […]
Sun rises in Abu Dhabi
A DOMINANT display from New Zealand 2024 big improver Lulu Sun was the standout result from day one of the 2025 WTA Abu Dhabi Open. The Kiwi-born – but has represented Switzerland and even Croatia prior – completely dismantled French wildcard and former Top 5 player Caroline Garcia 6-1 6-3 in 77 minutes to snap […]
Zheng seizes control to take out Uchijima in Tokyo
A DOMINANT purple patch when 5-4 down in the first set lit the flame of top seed Qinwen Zheng in Tokyo as the Chinese talent won the last nine games of the match against local hope Moyuka Uchijima to reach the Pan Pacific Open quarter finals. Uchijima took it up to Zheng early, was no […]
