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 […]
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 […]
Teen wildcard causes Hong Kong upset
IT WAS a dream start to 2024 for Chinese teenager Juncheng Shang, who upset seventh seed Laslo Djere in the opening round of Hong Kong Tennis Open yesterday. Shang, ranked 183rd in the world was able to mastermind the victory over the world number 33, some 10 years his senior, 6-7 6-3 7-6. That included […]
Popyrin ends year with three-hour epic against mate
IT was quite the tiring finish for Alexei Popyrin in Brisbane, as the talented 24-year-old overcame compatriot Christopher O’Connell in an epic three set match that lasted more than three hours at Brisbane International. Having only played one match against each other previously – where Popyrin won in straight sets at the Rome Masters last […]
2024 United Cup preview: Group A
TWO usually star-studded nations go head-to-head in a stacked Group A in what should be an entertaining contest, while a South American underdog looks to upset the apple cart in the 2024 United Cup. Group A features Poland, Spain and Brazil, with just the one automatic qualifier through to the next stage, while the second […]
Djokovic joins in Margaret’s Court with 24th major
SERBIAN world number two Novak Djokovic has joined Margaret Court on a history-equalling 24 Grand Slams after defeating third seed Daniil Medvedev in a three-hour, 17-minute epic US Open final. Djokovic showed his class in a tough three-set contest, eventually taking home the chocolates, 6-3 7-6 6-3. “To make the history of this sport is […]
Novak makes history with 23rd Slam
SERBIAN Novak Djokovic stands alone in history with the most men’s singles Grand Slam titles after winning his third Roland Garros trophy on the weekend. His 23rd major title moved him one clear of Rafael Nadal and three ahead of long-time rival now retired superstar Roger Federer. After overcoming world number one Carlos Alcaraz in […]
Alcaraz fends off Struff for Madrid mantle
SPANISH young gun Carlos Alcaraz clay dominance continued with a second straight title in his home nation, taking out the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Open on the weekend. The 20-year-old defeated German Jan-Lennard Struff in a hard-fought three set match to successfully defend his title in the Spanish capital. After winning the Barcelona Open the […]
Djokovic’s 10/10 performance to win Aus Open
IT was as clinical as any before it, but Serbian Novak Djokovic‘s 10th Australian Open title meant more to him than his previous nine. As his opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas groundstroke went long on the third Championship point, Djokovic turned to his box, pointed to his head and then his heart, indicating the struggles he had […]
Stef looks to break Novak’s 10/10 record
A GRAND Slam title and the world number one ranking spot are both on the line when Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Australian Open final tomorrow. The Greek world number three takes on the Serbian world number six, but their experiences in Grand Slam finals could not be more different. Tsitsipas […]
