Tag: tennis
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Battling Barty sets up Adelaide final, Rublev wins thriller
Adelaide, Australia, Jan 17 (AFP/APP): World number one Ashleigh Barty will warm up for the Australian Open with a final at the Adelaide International after a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) comeback win over Danielle Collins on Friday. The Australian, whose matches have been 5,000-strong sellouts all week at Memorial Drive, will face Dayana Yastremska on…
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Wimbledon champion Halep knocked out in Adelaide quarter-finals
Adelaide, Australia, Jan 16 (AFP/APP): Two-time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep will head into the Australian Open with room for improvement after being upset 6-4, 6-2 by Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday at the ATP-WTA Adelaide International. The reigning Wimbledon champion and former world number one dropped serve five times and was flattened in the second…
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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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‘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 to add to Australia bushfire appeal as tennis donations swell
Melbourne, Jan 13 (AFP/APP): Roger Federer said he would donate to the Australia bushfires appeal on Monday after tennis players pledged hundreds of thousands of dollars to the disaster relief fund. The Swiss great, who has been criticised by environmental activists including Greta Thunberg over a sponsor’s links to fossil fuel investments, said he would…
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Impressive Williams races into Auckland final against Pegula
Auckland, Jan 11 (AFP/APP): Serena Williams delivered a masterclass in her semi-final at the WTA Auckland Classic on Saturday, needing only 43 minutes to down rising star Amanda Anisimova and set up a showdown against Jessica Pegula. The unsung and unseeded Pegula stunned Caroline Wozniacki in a three-set semi-final 3-6, 6-4, 6-0. Top-seed Williams, at…
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Barty not concerned despite first up loss
Brisbane, Australia, Jan 9 (AFP/APP): World number one Ashleigh Barty remains upbeat about her Australian Open preparations despite losing her opening match of the season at the Brisbane International on Thursday. American qualifier Jennifer Brady notched up her first ever win over a top 10 player when she beat Barty 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on Pat…
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Serena drops set before reaching Auckland quarters
Auckland, Jan 9 (AFP/APP): Serena Williams rallied from a set down to beat journeywoman Christina McHale at the WTA Auckland Classic on Thursday, but said it was just the workout she needed. With her focus on winning a 24th Grand Slam at the Australian Open, Williams said she needs all the court time she can…
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First Punjab Junior Tennis Championship 2020 opens
LAHORE, Jan 08 (APP): Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti on Wednesday inaugurated First Sports Board Punjab Junior Tennis Championship 2020 here at Punjab Tennis Stadium, Nishtar Park Sports Complex. The minister along with other guests also witnessed exciting exhibition matches played by young boys and girls. The 4-day…
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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…