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, […]
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 […]
Shocks galore as Noskova steamrolls Badosa
IT WAS chaos for seeded players everywhere in Abu Dhabi, with the Round of 16 seeing four higher ranked chances bow out and another on the ropes before turning it around. The most comprehensive wins of those upsets went to young Czech Linda Noskova who stormed pst second seed and world number 10 Paula Badosa […]
Ons-wards and upwards for Jabeur in Abu Dhabi
FORMER world number two Ons Jabeur kick-started her Abu Dhabi campaign with a hard-fought win over former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 7-5, to reach the second round of the WTA 500 event. Jabeur suffered knee and shoulder injuries last season that bookended her 2024 campaign and saw her freefall down the rankings. Much […]
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 […]
Keys picks the lock to final eight once again
MADISON Keys’ strong start to the 2025 calendar year has continued, after the American upset Elena Rybakina to move through to the quarter finals for the fourth time at the Australian Open. The tournament’s 19th seed won the first set, had a dip in the second then came back hard in the third to win […]
Lys’ lucky loser ride continues into week two
ONE OF the most remarkable stories of this year’s Australian Open is that of German Eva Lys. From missing out on the final round of qualifying to becoming a lucky loser with five minutes notice, she is now into the second week of the Australian Open after defeating Jaqueline Cristian yesterday. In a hard fought, […]
Raducanu’s roadblock comes to an end
THE SECOND round has been somewhat of a roadblock at the Australian Open for Emma Raducanu, having never managed to get past it any time she has been at Melbourne Park. That changed yesterday after the Brit defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-5 to progress to this year’s third round. “Fourth time lucky,” Raducanu wrote on […]
Mixed emotions as AO hopes find out path to glory
THE FIRST Grand Slam of 2025 is mere days away, and now everyone competing in the main draw knows who they are playing after the draw was conducted in Melbourne yesterday. In the women’s draw, some of the top five seeds got an easier draw than others. Top seed Aryna Sabalenka has got Sloane Stephens […]
