Tennis Frontier

Category: News

General Tennis News from the Tennis Frontier

  • WTA: Week No. 2

    WTA: Week No. 2

    Heather Watson Petra Kvitova

    The second week of the season included a Premier-level event in Sydney, and an International-level event in Hobart. They were the final warm-ups to the Australian Open in Melbourne.

    Our own Correspondent Margaret McAleer watched as Petra Kvitova scored her 15 WTA title in Sydney. She faced fellow Czech Karolina Pliskova in the final and won in two straight tiebreaks, dodging a late surge by Karolina in the second set. Final score: 7-6(5), 7-6(6).

    Kvitova has now scored the most points during the first two weeks of the season, with 590. Currently ranked No. 4, she has an outside chance of becoming No. 1 if she wins the Australian Open, and Serena Williams has an early exit.

    Also, it’s worth noting that Simona Halep withdrew from Sydney due to illness.

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    Click here to discuss the Sydney tournament in the discussion forum.

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    Surprise results came out of a rainy and windy Hobart. Heather Watson became the first British woman in 30 years to score her second WTA title. She overcame a shaky first set to defeat American qualifier Madison Brengle. Final score: 6-3, 6-4. Watson did not drop a set during her run to victory, beating three seeded players, and winning the title on her first match point.

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    Click here to discuss the Hobart tournament in the discussion forum.

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    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Marianne Bevis / VOXSPORTSdotNET

  • Australian Open Day 1: Order of Play & Scores

    Australian Open Day 1: Order of Play & Scores

    Australian Open

    Action on Rod Laver Arena on Day 1 of the 2015 Australian Open begins with Simona Halep (ROU), the No. 3 seed, taking on the Italian Karin Knapp. They will be followed by Ana Ivanovic (SRB), the No. 5 seed, who will play Lucie Hradecka (CZE). Up next, the men’s No. 3 seed, Rafael Nadal (ESP), plays the veteran Russian Mikhail Youzhny. The night session begins with Roger Federer (SUI), the No. 2 seed, who will face Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE). The final match pits the women’s No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova (RUS), against Petra Martic (CRO).

    The full schedule for Day 1 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

    [divider]

    Rod Laver Arena — 11:00am

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Simona Halep (ROU) (3) d. Karin Knapp (ITA) — 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) (5) — 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the Men’s Day 1 matches in the discussion forum.

    Click here to discuss the Women’s Day 1 matches in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

    Not Before: 2:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Rafael Nadal (ESP) (3) d. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) — 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

    Not Before 7:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Roger Federer (SUI) (2) d. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) — 6-4, 6-2, 7-5

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Maria Sharapova (RUS) (2) d. Petra Martic (CRO) — 6-4, 6-1

    [divider]

    Margaret Court Arena — 11:00am 

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) d. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) — 6-3, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Andy Murray (GBR) (6) d. Yuki Bhambri (IND) — 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3)

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) d. Angelique Kerber (GER) (9) — 6-4, 0-6, 6-1

    Not Before 7:00pm

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) (7) d. Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER) — 6-2, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Nick Kyrgios (AUS) d. Federico Delbonis (ARG) — 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3

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    Hisense Arena — 11:00am

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Julia Goerges (GER) d. Belinda Bencic (SUI) (32) — 6-2, 6-1

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) d. Sabine Lisicki (GER) (28) — 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Bernard Tomic (AUS) d. Tobias Kamke (GER) — 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2

    Not Before: 5:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Sam Groth (AUS) d. Filip Krajinovic (SRB) — 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-4

    [divider]

    Show Court 2 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) (10) d. Dustin Brown (GER) — 6-2, 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Caroline Garcia (FRA) d. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) (27) — 6-4, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (7) d. Alejandro Falla (COL) — 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Monica Puig (PUR) d. Arina Rodionova (AUS) — 6-0, 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) (16) — 6-4, 2-6, 8-6

    [divider]

    Show Court 3 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Marinko Matosevic (AUS) d. Alexander Kudryavtsev (RUS) — 6-4, 6-7(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (23) — 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (10) d. An-Sophie Mestach (BEL) — 6-2, 6-2

    Not Before: 6:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) d. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) (11) — 5-7, 6-0, 1-6, 7-6(2), 8-6

    [divider]

    Court 6 — 11:00am

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Shuai Peng (CHN) (21) d. Tatjana Maria (GER) — 6-4, 7-5

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    James Duckworth (AUS) d. Blaz Kavcic (SLO) — 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Sara Errani (ITA) (14) d. Grace Min (USA) — 6-1, 6-0

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Simone Bolelli (ITA) d. Juan Monaco (ARG) — 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1

    [divider]

    Court 7 — 11:00am 

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Klara Koukalova (CZE) d. Storm Sanders (AUS) — 7-5, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    David Goffin (BEL) (20) d. Michael Russell (USA) — 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-0

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Zarina Diyas (KAZ) (31) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) — 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

    Not Before: 6:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Viktor Troicki (SRB) d. Jiri Vesely (CZE) — 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3

    [divider]

    Court 8 — 11:00am

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Martin Klizan (SVK) (32) d. Tatsuma Ito (JPN) — 7-6(6), 6-2, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Polona Hercog (SLO) d. Qiang Wang (CHN) — 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Leonardo Mayer (ARG) (26) d. John Millman (AUS) — 6-3, 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Daria Gavrilova (AUS) — 7-6(8), 5-7, 6-2

    [divider]

    Court 10 — 11:00am 

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. Ana Konjuh (CRO) — 6-4, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Anna Schmiedlova (SVK) d. Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) — 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Lukas Rosol (CZE) (28) d. Kenny De Schepper (FRA) — 4-6, 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4

    Not Before: 6:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Malek Jaziri (TUN) d. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) — 6-2, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(3)

    [divider]

    Court 11 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Lukas Lacko (SVK) d. Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) — 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-1

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. Ying-Ying Duan (CHN) — 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Jurgen Melzer (AUT) d. Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM) — 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Carina Witthoeft (GER) d. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) (17) — 6-3, 6-1

    [divider]

    Court 12 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Ricardas Berankis (LTU) d. Igor Sijsling (NED) — 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Stefanie Voegele (SUI) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) — 6-1, 3-6, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) (22) d. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) — 6-2, 6-2, 6-1

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) — 7-5, 6-1

    [divider]

    Court 13 — 11:00am

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Joao Sousa (POR) d. Jordan Thompson (AUS) — 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) d. Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) — 6-2, 6-7(5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d. Annika Beck (GER) — 7-5, 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 15 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Jeremy Chardy (FRA) (29) d. Borna Coric (CRO) — 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Karolina Pliskova (CZE) (22) d. Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) — 7-5, 6-1

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Christina McHale (USA) d. Stephanie Foretz (FRA) — 6-4, 1-6, 12-10

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Ivo Karlovic (CRO) (23) d. Ruben Bemelmans (BEL) — 6-4, 6-2, 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 19 — 11:00am

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Kevin Anderson (RSA) (14) d. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) — 7-6(5), 7-5, 5-7, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Katerina Siniakova (CZE) d. Elena Vesnina (RUS) — 6-2, 7-5

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) d. Tommy Robredo (ESP) (15) — 2-3 (Ret.)

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Alexandra Panova (RUS) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) — 7-5, 6-0

    [divider]

    Court 20 — 11:00am

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) d. Renata Voracova (CZE) — 6-1, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Richard Gasquet (FRA) (24) d. Carlos Berlocq (ARG) — 6-1, 6-3, 6-1

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Tim Smyczek (USA) d. Luke Saville (AUS) — 7-6(2), 7-5, 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 22 — 11:00am

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Andreas Seppi (ITA) d. Denis Istomin (UZB) — 5-7, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Oceane Dodin (FRA) d. Alison Riske (USA) — 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Dudi Sela (ISR) d. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) — 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5

    [divider]

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Phil’s Fotos

  • 2015 Australian Open Men’s Draw

    2015 Australian Open Men’s Draw

    Australian Open

    The men’s draw for the 2015 Australian Open was released today. In the top half are the No. 1 seed, Novak Djokovic (SRB), and the No. 4 seed, Stan Wawrinka (SUI). In the bottom half are the No. 2 seed, Roger Federer (SUI), and the No. 3 seed, Rafael Nadal (ESP).

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the 2015 Australian Open Men’s Draw in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

    First Quarter

    Novak Djokovic (SRB) (1)
    Aljaz Bedene (SLO)

    Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS)
    Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)

    Go Soeda (JPN)
    Elias Ymer (SWE)

    James Ward (GBR)
    Fernando Verdasco (ESP) (31)

    John Isner (USA) (19)
    Jimmy Wang (TPE)

    Laurent Lokoli (FRA)
    Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUT)

    Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)
    Gilles Muller (LUX)

    Dominic Thiem (AUT)
    Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) (13)

    Feliciano Lopez (ESP) (12)
    Denis Kudla (USA)

    Blaz Rola (SLO)
    Adrian Mannarino (FRA)

    Hiroki Moriya (JPN)
    Jerzy Janowicz (POL)

    Lucas Pouille (FRA)
    Gael Monfils (FRA) (17)

    Julien Benneteau (FRA) (25)
    Benjamin Becker (GER)

    Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
    Ze Zhang (CHN)

    Donald Young (USA)
    Tim Puetz (GER)

    Illya Marchenko (UKR)
    Milos Raonic (CAN) (8)

    [divider]

    Second Quarter

    Stan Wawrinka (SUI) (4)
    Marsel Ilhan (TUR)

    Marius Copil (ROU)
    Pablo Andujar (ESP)

    Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
    Andrey Golubev (KAZ)

    Matthias Bachinger (GER)
    Pablo Cuevas (URU) (27)

    Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) (21)
    Paolo Lorenzi (ITA)

    Sam Querrey (USA)
    Vasek Pospisil (CAN)

    Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
    Peter Gojowczyk (GER)

    Alejandro Gonzalez (COL)
    Fabio Fognini (ITA) (16)

    David Ferrer (ESP) (9)
    Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)

    Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)
    Dusan Lajovic (SRB)

    Marcel Granollers (ESP)
    Stephane Robert (FRA)

    Robin Haase (NED)
    Gilles Simon (FRA) (18)

    Santiago Giraldo (COL) (30)
    Jan Hernych (CZE)

    Kyle Edmund (GBR)
    Steve Johnson (USA)

    Ivan Dodig (CRO)
    Joao Souza (BRA)

    Nicolas Almagro (ESP)
    Kei Nishikori (JPN) (5)

    [divider]

    Third Quarter

    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (7)
    Alejandro Falla (COL)

    Jurgen Melzer (AUT)
    Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM)

    Jiri Vesely (CZE)
    Viktor Troicki (SRB)

    John Millman (AUS)
    Leonardo Mayer (ARG) (26)

    Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) (22)
    Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)

    Tobias Kamke (GER)
    Bernard Tomic (AUS)

    Sam Groth (AUS)
    Filip Krajinovic (SRB)

    Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)
    Ernests Gulbis (LAT) (11)

    Kevin Anderson (RSA) (14)
    Diego Schwartzman (ARG)

    Ricardas Berankis (LTU)
    Igor Sijsling (NED)

    Blaz Kavcic (SLO)
    James Duckworth (AUS)

    Carlos Berlocq (ARG)
    Richard Gasquet (FRA) (24)

    Lukas Rosol (CZE) (28)
    Kenny De Schepper (FRA)

    Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
    Dudi Sela (ISR)

    Luke Saville (AUS)
    Tim Smyczek (USA)

    Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
    Rafael Nadal (ESP) (3)

    [divider]

    Fourth Quarter

    Andy Murray (GBR) (6)
    Yuki Bhambri (IND)

    Alexander Kudryavtsev (RUS)
    Marinko Matosevic (AUS)

    Jordan Thompson (AUS)
    Joao Sousa (POR)

    Tatsuma Ito (JPN)
    Martin Klizan (SVK) (32)

    David Goffin (BEL) (20)
    Michael Russell (USA)

    Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)
    Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS)

    Maximo Gonzalez (ARG)
    Lukas Lacko (SVK)

    Dustin Brown (GER)
    Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) (10)

    Tommy Robredo (ESP) (15)
    Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA)

    Malek Jaziri (TUN)
    Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)

    Federico Delbonis (ARG)
    Nick Kyrgios (AUS)

    Ruben Bemelmans (BEL)
    Ivo Karlovic (CRO) (23)

    Jeremy Chardy (FRA) (29)
    Borna Coric (CRO)

    Andreas Seppi (ITA)
    Denis Istomin (UZB)

    Juan Monaco (ARG)
    Simone Bolelli (ITA)

    Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE)
    Roger Federer (SUI) (2)

    [divider]

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): skamaica

  • 2015 Australian Open Women’s Draw

    2015 Australian Open Women’s Draw

    Australian Open

    The women’s draw for the 2015 Australian Open was released today. In the top half are the No. 1 seed, Serena Williams (USA), and the No. 4 seed, Petra Kvitova (CZE). In the bottom half are the No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova (RUS), and the No. 3 seed, Simona Halep (ROM).

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the 2015 Australian Open Women’s Draw in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

    First Quarter

    Serena Williams (USA) (1)
    Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL)

    Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
    Ons Jabeur (TUN)

    Olivia Rogowska (AUS)
    Nicole Gibbs (USA)

    Jana Cepelova (SVK)
    Elina Svitolina (UKR) (26)

    Garbine Muguruza (ESP) (24)
    Marina Erakovic (NZL)

    Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)
    Saisai Zheng (CHN)

    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN)
    Anna Tatishvili (USA)

    Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)
    Jelena Jankovic (SRB) (15)

    Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (11)
    Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)

    Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL)
    Heather Watson (GBR)

    Romina Oprandi (SUI)
    Denisa Allertova (CZE)

    Shuai Zhang (CHN)
    Alize Cornet (FRA) (19)

    B.Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) (25)
    Timea Babos (HUN)

    Jie Zheng (CHN)
    Kai-Chen Chang (TPE)

    Sloane Stephens (USA)
    Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

    Taylor Townsend (USA)
    Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) (8)

    [divider]

    Second Quarter

    Petra Kvitova (CZE) (4)
    Richel Hogenkamp (NED)

    Donna Vekic (CRO)
    Mona Barthel (GER)

    Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)
    Madison Keys (USA)

    Yvonne Meusburger (AUT)
    Casey Dellacqua (AUS) (29)

    Samantha Stosur (AUS) (20)
    Monica Niculescu (ROU)

    Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
    Coco Vandeweghe (USA)

    Irina Falconi (USA)
    Kaia Kanepi (EST)

    Madison Brengle (USA)
    Andrea Petkovic (GER) (13)

    Flavia Pennetta (ITA) (12)
    Camila Giorgi (ITA)

    Tereza Smitkova (CZE)
    Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO)

    Lauren Davis (USA)
    Aleksandra Krunic (SRB)

    M.Torro-Flor (ESP)
    Venus Williams (USA) (18)

    Varvara Lepchenko (USA) (30)
    Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS)

    Shelby Rogers (USA)
    Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS)

    Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS)
    Johanna Larsson (SWE)

    Kurumi Nara (JPN)
    Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (6)

    [divider]

    Third Quarter

    Ana Ivanovic (SRB) (5)
    Lucie Hradecka (CZE)

    Polona Hercog (SLO)
    Qiang Wang (CHN)

    Storm Sanders (AUS)
    Klara Koukalova (CZE)

    Julia Goerges (GER)
    Belinda Bencic (SUI) (32)

    Karolina Pliskova (CZE) (22)
    Evgeniya Rodina (RUS)

    Alison Riske (USA)
    Oceane Dodin (FRA)

    Roberta Vinci (ITA)
    Bojana Jovanovski (SRB)

    An-Sophie Mestach (BEL)
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (10)

    Sara Errani (ITA) (14)
    Grace Min (USA)

    S.Soler-Espinosa (ESP)
    Annika Beck (GER)

    Renata Voracova (CZE)
    Lara Arruabarrena (ESP)

    Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)
    A.Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (23)

    Sabine Lisicki (GER) (28)
    Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)

    Ying-Ying Duan (CHN)
    Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)

    Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)
    Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)

    Karin Knapp (ITA)
    Simona Halep (ROU) (3)

    [divider]

    Fourth Quarter

    Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) (7)
    Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER)

    Kiki Bertens (NED)
    Daria Gavrilova (AUS)

    Stefanie Voegele (SUI)
    Pauline Parmentier (FRA)

    Caroline Garcia (FRA)
    Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) (27)

    C.Suarez Navarro (ESP) (17)
    Carina Witthoeft (GER)

    Stephanie Foretz (FRA)
    Christina McHale (USA)

    Elena Vesnina (RUS)
    Katerina Siniakova (CZE)

    Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
    Angelique Kerber (GER) (9)

    Lucie Safarova (CZE) (16)
    Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

    Monica Puig (PUR)
    Arina Rodionova (AUS)

    Ana Konjuh (CRO)
    Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK)

    Tatjana Maria (GER)
    Shuai Peng (CHN) (21)

    Zarina Diyas (KAZ) (31)
    Urszula Radwanska (POL)

    Anna Schmiedlova (SVK)
    Chanelle Scheepers (RSA)

    Alexandra Panova (RUS)
    Sorana Cirstea (ROU)

    Petra Martic (CRO)
    Maria Sharapova (RUS) (2)

    [divider]

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): brassynn

  • Roger Federer Joins Elite 1,000 Match Winner Club

    Roger Federer Joins Elite 1,000 Match Winner Club

    Roger Federer

    Today’s final in Brisbane brought Roger Federer the chance to win his 1,000th match. It also meant he could add win his 83rd title — the most of all active players. With a three-set victory over Milos Raonic, Federer earned all of above. He now joins only two other players who have achieved this feat in the Open Era: Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan Lendl (1,071).

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss Roger Federer’s Brisbane win in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

    Going into the Australian Open, the 33 year old is also now firmly seated at No. 2 in the world, ahead of Rafael Nadal and trailing only Novak Djokovic, both multiple Slam winners. Roger Federer has been in the Top 10 since October of 2002. He also has a tour leading 17 Grand Slam titles though he hasn’t won a Major since 2012. (He last won the Australian Open in 2010.)

    Considering he posted a 73-12 record in 2014, Federer is now projected to get past Ivan Lendl late this year or early next year.

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Marianne Bevis

  • WTA: Week No. 1

    WTA: Week No. 1

    Maria Sharapova Venus Williams Simona Halep

    The 2015 tennis season started with multiple events in different cities. Brisbane, Auckland, and Perth in Australia, plus Shenzhen in China were all hosting events. All this serving as warm-up to the first Grand Slam of 2015 in Melbourne, Australia.

    The first title of the season went to one of the oldest players on tour. Venus Williams scored her 46th career title in Auckland in a drama-filled three-set encounter against Caroline Wozniacki. The two former world No. 1’s delighted a packed crowd on a bright, windy, sunny afternoon for close to two hours. The final score was 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in favor of Venus.

    Ana Ivanovic was in the same position as Venus, but she was competing in Brisbane, the only Premier-level event of the week, though Ana was the second seed and across the net was the top seed again. Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic delivered and made the final in a dream match-up. Both former No. 1’s fought for 2 and 1/2 hours before Maria finished first in the three-set match. The first set alone took over an hour. Final score:  6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3.

    With Li Na’s retirement, Shenzhen was left without a defending champion in its third year of existance but WTA delivered two Top 10 stars in the form of Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova. In the end, the two stars delivered. Simona Halep won her first title of 2015, and her ninth overall in a little over an hour via straight sets; Petra Kvitova lost the semifinals to eventual runner-up Timea Bacsinszky.

  • Brisbane International – Monday, January 5 – Order of Play & Scores

    Brisbane International – Monday, January 5 – Order of Play & Scores

    Victoria Azarenka Bernard Tomic

    The night session on Pat Rafter Arena features two matches. Up first, Victoria Azarenka (BLR) takes on Karolina Pliskova, followed by local boy Bernard Tomic, who will play the American Sam Querrey. The full schedule is below.

    [Scores added as known. All times are local.]

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    Monday, January 05, 2015

    Pat Rafter Arena — Start 11:00 am

    (4) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) v Madison Keys (USA)

    (6) Gilles Simon (FRA) v (WC) James Duckworth (AUS)

    (8) Julien Benneteau (FRA) v (WC) Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)

    Not Before 7:00 pm

    Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Karolina Pliskova (CZE)

    Bernard Tomic (AUS) v Sam Querrey (USA)

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    Click here to discuss the ATP matches in the discussion forum.

    Click here to discuss the WTA matches in the discussion forum.

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    Show Court 1 — Start 11:00 am

    (WC) Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) v Shuai Zhang (CHN)

    (Q) Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) v Sabine Lisicki (GER)

    (3) Angelique Kerber (GER) v Caroline Garcia (FRA)

    Chris Guccione (AUS) / Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v (WC) James Duckworth (AUS) / Marinko Matosevic (AUS)

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    Show Court 2 — Start 11:00 am

    (Q) Daria Gavrilova (RUS) v Alison Riske (USA)

    (8) Garbine Muguruza (ESP) v Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)

    Jeremy Chardy (FRA) v Andrey Golubev (KAZ)

    (2) Rohan Bopanna (IND) / Daniel Nestor (CAN) v Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) / Kei Nishikori (JPN)

    (4) Eric Butorac (USA) / Sam Groth (AUS) v Jurgen Melzer (AUT) / Gilles Simon (FRA)

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    Court 6 — Start 11:00 am

    Rhyne Williams (USA) v Matt Reid (AUS)

    Not Before 1:00 pm

    (2) Viktor Troicki (SRB) v (6) Denis Kudla (USA)

    Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) v Christina McHale (USA)

    (Q) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) v (Q) Madison Brengle (USA)

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    Court 14 — Start 11:00 am

    Frank Dancevic (CAN) v Lukasz Kubot (POL)

    (3) Marsel Ilhan (TUR) v Marius Copil (ROU)

    Jelena Jankovic (SRB) / Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) v Raluca Olaru (ROU) / Shuai Zhang (CHN)

    (2) Raquel Kops-Jones (USA) / Abigail Spears (USA) v Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) / Alexandra Panova (RUS)

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Steven Pisano / Marianne Bevis

  • Navratilova to Coach Agnieszka Radwanska

    Navratilova to Coach Agnieszka Radwanska

    Agnieszka Radwanska Martina Navratilova

    World No. 6 Agnieszka Radwanska has hired 18-time Major champion Martina Navratilova to be part of her coaching team.

    Radwanska made the official announcement on Twitter: “So happy to announce @Martina as the newest member of my coaching team!”

    Navratilova then Tweeted this follow-up: “Am very excited to be working with @ARadwanska and her team:), should be a fun ride!!!”

    This will be Navratilova’s first endeavor as a coach, but she’s enthusiastic about it: “I did not sleep very well last night, thinking about getting back into match mode and the competitions. I am really excited about this opportunity to join Agnieszka’s team and work with Tomasz and it is going to be a fun challenge. I was delighted when Agnieszka asked me if I would collaborate with Tomasz and I can’t wait to get started.”

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    Click here to discuss “Navratilova to Coach Agnieszka Radwanska” in the discussion forum.

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    Radwanska echoed her sentiments: “I am absolutely delighted that Martina has agreed to help me and my team next season. She is my idol in tennis and I am honored we will be working together. Her achievements speak for themselves and I hope that I can learn from all her experience. My goal is to win a Grand Slam, so to have someone with Martina’s accomplishments in my corner is going to be hugely advantageous and give me a big boost. We are originally from a similar part of the world so we share an understanding about tennis and life, which I’m sure will translate into a successful relationship.”

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Marianne Bevis / VOXSPORTSdotNET

  • Roger Federer Secures Switzerland’s Historic Davis Cup Win

    Roger Federer Secures Switzerland’s Historic Davis Cup Win

    Roger Federer Stan Wawrinka

    With his 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over France’s Richard Gasquet, Roger Federer secured Switzerland’s historic first Davis Cup win.

    Switzerland beat France 3-1: on Friday, Stan Wawrinka beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2), then Federer lost to Gael Monfils (6-1, 6-4, 6-3); on Saturday, Federer and Wawrinka teamed up to defeat the French team of Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet (6-3, 7-5, 6-4); and finally on Sunday, Federer demolished Gasquet (6-4, 6-2, 6-2).

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    Click here to discuss the Davis Cup Final in the discussion forum.

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    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): O.Cartu.

  • 2014 Davis Cup Final – Day 3, Sunday, November 23: Order of Play and Scores

    2014 Davis Cup Final – Day 3, Sunday, November 23: Order of Play and Scores

    Roger Federer Richard Gasquet

    The 2014 Davis Cup Final concludes on Sunday, November 23. The Swiss are up 2-1 after Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka teamed up to beat the French doubles team of Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet. Now it’s down to the remaining singles matches: Federer will take on Richard Gasquet; if Gasquet wins, then Stan Wawrinka will face Gael Monfils.

    [Scores added as known. All times are local.]

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    1:00 P.M.:

    Federer d. Gasquet — 6-4, 6-2, 6-2

    Wawrinka vs. Monfils [Not Played]

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    Click here to discuss the Davis Cup Final in the discussion forum.

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