Tag: #melbourne
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Australian scientists ‘first to grow’ new coronavirus outside China
Sydney, Jan 29 (AFP/APP): Scientists in Australia have successfully replicated the deadly Wuhan coronavirus, in what they said would be a “game changer” in the fight against a deadly epidemic which has stricken thousands. The Doherty Institute in Melbourne announced Wednesday that it had grown the novel coronavirus in cell culture from a patient sample,…
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‘Miracle’ man Federer saves seven match points to set up Djokovic semi
Melbourne, Jan 28 (AFP/APP): Swiss great Roger Federer said “I believe in miracles” after he saved seven match points in a five-set nail-biter against 100th-ranked Tennys Sandgren to go into an Australian Open semi-final with Novak Djokovic on Tuesday. The six-time champion, struggling physically, saved three match points at 4-5 in the fourth set and…
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Federer roars into record 15th Australian Open quarter-final
Melbourne, Jan 26 (AFP/APP): Roger Federer flicked a switch after losing the opening set to crush Marton Fucsovics and book a record 15th Australian Open quarter-final on Sunday, with unheralded American Tennys Sandgren his next hurdle. The Swiss master took time to work out the Hungarian but when he did it was one-way traffic, romping…
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Wildcard Sharapova dumped out in Australian Open first round
Melbourne, Jan 21 (AFP/APP): Maria Sharapova’s faltering career hit a fresh low Tuesday when the five-time Grand Slam champion was turfed out in the first round of the Australian Open in straight sets. The 32-year-old former world number one carried a haunted look at times in a 3-6, 4-6 defeat to Croatia’s 19th-seeded Donna Vekic.…
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Osaka vows to block out negatives after ‘toughest year’
Melbourne, Jan 18 (AFP/APP): Defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka said Saturday that 2019 was the “toughest year of my life” after the Japanese ploughed through several coaches and suffered a major dip in form. The 22-year-old began last year in spectacular fashion, winning in Melbourne for back-to-back Grand Slam titles and soaring to the…
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Australian Open qualifying delayed due to bushfire smoke
Melbourne, Jan 15 (AFP/APP): Qualifying rounds for the Australian Open were delayed Wednesday as toxic smoke from widespread bushfires continued to choke Melbourne, throwing the Grand Slam’s schedule into chaos. The decision to suspend the action followed heavy criticism when players were affected by hazardous conditions after play was allowed to go ahead on Tuesday.…
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Will bushfires affect Australian Open tennis?
Melbourne, Jan 14 (AFP/APP): The Australian Open tennis Grand Slam starts next week in the midst of a bushfire crisis that has left at least 27 people dead and destroyed more than 2,000 homes. Toxic air pollution clouded Melbourne on Tuesday, halting practice sessions and slightly delaying qualifying. AFP Sport looks at the implications for…
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‘Hopefully not this year’ – Big Three aim to keep young challengers at bay
Melbourne, Jan 14 (AFP/APP): Novak Djokovic admits the next generation of players are edging closer, but tennis’s Big Three remain one step ahead as they aim to extend their dominance at the Australian Open. Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have kept a tight grip on the Majors over the past decade, with the Serb…
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Federer, Serena headline Aussie bushfire charity match
Melbourne, Jan 8 (AFP/APP): Superstars Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal will headline an exhibition match ahead of the Australian Open to raise money for bushfire relief, organisers said Wednesday. Dozens of vast blazes, which continue to burn across eastern Australia, have killed 25 people since the start of the disaster in September and…
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Lyon shoots down Warne call to take a rest for Sydney
Melbourne, Dec 30 (AFP/APP): Australia’s Nathan Lyon on Monday shot down a suggestion from Shane Warne that he take a rest for the Sydney Test against New Zealand this week so leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson can make his debut. Tim Paine’s team have already won the three-match series against the Black Caps after crushing them by…