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  • Canberra Events
    • Apis Canberra International Tennis
      • Canberra Challenger tournament transferred to Bendigo
      • Zoe Hives takes the Apis Canberra International title from Olivia Rogowska
      • Hoyt and Wu win men’s doubles Perez and Rodionova win women’s doubles at the Apis Canberra International
      • Rogowska moves closer to defending her Apis Canberra International title
      • Santillan jumping for joy as Duckworth left smashing
      • Top seed out of the women’s Apis Canberra International tennis tournament
      • Duckworth gives Polmans an early trip home after their round one Apis Canberra International match
      • 2016 Champion James Duckworth faces 2016 Runner-up Polmans in round one action at the Apis Canberra International
  • Australian Tennis
    • Videos
    • Tennis News
      • Sam Stosur becomes a mum
      • Pro tennis is back in Australia
      • Australian Tennis Results 11-17 February 2019
      • Fed Cup USA v Australia preview
      • Peers and Thompson secure Australia’s Davis Cup finals spot
      • Barty advances to the fourth round for the first time at the Aussie Open
      • de Minaur claims his maiden ATP title in his home town
      • Team Germany Secure Their Spot in the Hopman Cup Final 2019
      • Strong Start for Angelique Kerber at the Hopman Cup
      • Tomljanovic and de Minaur march on in Brisbane, Kyrgios falls
      • de Minaur, Kyrgios and Thomson lead men’s Australian charge in Brisbane
      • Federer Claims Victory in Historic Doubles Match Against Serena Williams
      • Australian results for 14 November
      • Australian Tennis Results 5-11 November 2018
      • Stefanos Tsitsipas gets the better of Alex de Minaur to claim the Next Gen ATP Finals
      • Australian Tennis Results 29 October – 4 November 2018
      • Zoe Hives takes the Apis Canberra International title from Olivia Rogowska
      • Top seed out of the women’s Apis Canberra International tennis tournament
      • Hon claims first ITF title in two years at the expense of Perez in Bendigo
      • Thanasi Kokkinakis into the Las Vegas ATP Challenger Final
      • Ellen Perez – forever the bridesmaid?
      • Australian Tennis Results 8-14 October 2018
      • Marc Polmans into the ATP Challenger Stockton $100,000 final
      • Marc Polmans and Jordan Thompson look to setup an all-Australian ATP Challenger final in Stockton
      • Alex de Minaur set to take over as the top ranked Australian
      • Australian Tennis Results for the week of 24-30 September 2018
      • Bernard Tomic Charges into the 70s as he comes back from four match points to win the ATP 250 title in Chengdu
      • Daria Gavrilova Advances Past Jelena Ostapenko – Ash Barty gets the better of Johanna Konta in Wuhan
      • Australian Tennis Results for the week of 17-23 September 2018
      • Bertens denies Tomljanovic her maiden WTA title as she wins the Korea Open title
      • Australian Tennis Results for the week of 10-16 September 2018 – James Duckworth Claims Cary Challenger Title
      • Ash Barty teams up with CoCo Vandeweghe to claime their first Grand Slam doubles title
      • Can John Millman pull off another big upset against Novak Djokovic at the US Open?
      • Tomic wins Challenger event at Rafa’s home patch
      • Millman marches on as Federer outclasses Kyrgios to setup meeting with Millman
      • Ash Barty advances to round 4 for the first time at a grand slam in singles
      • Kyrgios advances after a bizarre pep talk from the umpire – Federer is next
      • Tomljanovic lets a match point slip away before losing second round match in third set tiebreaker
      • Australia’s Alex de Minaur triumphs again in New York
      • Ash Barty has too much firepower for Lucie Safarova
      • Kyrgios Advances at the US Open
      • Gavrilova and Kubler out of the US Open
      • US Open preview for the Australians
      • Maverick Banes wins his maiden ATP Challenger title
      • The fight is on for a ticket to New York and the US Open – updated – Ellen Perez v Lizette Cabrera in final
      • Maverick Banes ends Alexei Popyrin’s win streak in Korea
  • Grand Slams
    • Australian Open
      • 3 Positive COVID-19 tests – Keys out, Sandgren in, Murray maybe
      • Tomic the lone Aussie to advance through qualifying
      • More to get wild about at the Aussie Open
      • Australian Open wild cards so far
      • Australian Open dates confirmed
      • Australian Open dates still up in the air
      • Djokovic is great at eight
      • Ram and Salisbury claim their first Grand Slam doubles title
      • Kenin completes the fairytale as she claims her maiden Grand Slam title
      • Barty blows it twice and Kenin swoops to take her place in the final
      • Could this be the changing of the guard?
      • Saville and Purcell advance to their first Grand Slam semifinal
      • Federer pulls off another escape act to advance to the semis
      • Barty books semifinal spot against Kenin after dismantling Kvitova
      • Kyrgios pushes Nadal to the limit before world no. 1 marches into the quarter finals
      • Barty bounces Riske to setup Kvitova quarterfinal rematch
      • Polmans gets breakthrough win at the Australian Open
      • The rain is the big winner at the Australian Open on day 1 but Barty advances
      • Aussies at the Australian Open – round one matchups and previews
    • French Open
      • Swiatek becomes first Pole to win a singles grand slam
      • Australian lucky losers and protected ranking player advance
      • Nadal the King of Clay reigns supreme at Roland Garros
      • Barty cruises to Grand Slam glory in Paris
      • Barty rides the rollercoaster into the French Open final
      • Barty charges into the French Open semifinals
      • Barty books French Open quarterfinal match against Keys
      • Barty enters new territory at Roland Garros
      • Top Aussies Barty and de Minaur advance at Roland Garros
      • Angelique Kerber is first to lose on the new Philippe Chatrier Court
      • Ash Barty headlines Aussie charge at Roland Garros
      • Nadal Stays Perfect in Roland Garros Finals and Claims Title Number 11
      • Simona Halep Finally Lifts a Grand Slam Trophy after Winning at Roland Garros
      • Gavrilova and Stosur crash out of the French Open
    • Wimbledon
      • Wimbledon cancelled for 2020 due to coronavirus
      • Djokovic fights off two match points to retain the Wimbledon title
      • Halep first Romanian to claim the Wimbledon Ladies singles title
      • Serena doing it for the mums at Wimbledon
      • Riske is rewarded as she bundles Barty out of Wimbledon
      • Kyrgios v Nadal match lives up to the hype as Nadal advances
      • Barty eases through to the third round
      • Tomljanovic and Popyrin lose their round two matches
      • Four Aussies still alive in Wimbledon qualifying draw
      • Mixed day for the Aussie women after a perfect start for the Aussie men at the Wimbledon qualifying
      • Aussies off to a perfect start at Wimbledon qualifying
      • Off Court News – What Have Some of the Players Been Up To Since Wimbledon
      • Novak Djokovic completes the comeback with a surprise Wimbledon title
      • Angelique Kerber Claims First Wimbledon Title
      • Aussies wiped out on Wimbledon’s opening Saturday
      • Barty, Gavrilova, Kyrgios, Ebden and de Minaur advance to the third round at Wimbledon as Tomic falls
      • Top three Australian women safely through to the second round of the Wimbledon Ladies’ singles
      • Day one Wimbledon wrap for the Australians
      • Australian Preview for Gentlemen’s Singles at Wimbledon 2018
      • Kubler, Smith and Bolt win through to the Wimbledon main-draw
      • Five from Eight Australian Men Advance at Roehampton in Wimbledon Singles Qualifiers
    • US Open
      • Mother of all comebacks falls short as Osaka claims title
      • Thiem tramples de Minaur to advance to semifinals
      • de Minaur into his first grand slam quarterfinal
      • Coric defeats Thompson to advance to the quarterfinals
      • Jordan Thompson advances to a grand slam fourth round for the first time
      • de Minaur advances Millman and O’Connell are out
      • Jordan Thompson advances to third round
      • Day two US Open Aussie review
      • Aussies fight hard but only Thompson advances
      • Aussies at the US Open – preview
      • Nick Kyrgios says no to the US Open
      • Barty confirms she won’t be playing the US Open
      • Wang Qiang ends Barty’s US Open
      • Barty and de Minaur take their place in the US Open round of 16
      • Rain sends most players packing at the US Open but Barty marches on
      • A good day for the Aussies in New York
      • Barty recovers from a slow start to Open her US Open campaign
      • Novak Djokovic joins Pete Sampras with 14th Grand Slam singles titles after defeating Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open
      • Ash Barty teams up with CoCo Vandeweghe to claime their first Grand Slam doubles title
      • Japan’s Naomi Osaka claims first Grand Slam title amid Serena coaching controversy
      • Lightning doesn’t strike twice as Djokovic advances past Millman
      • Can John Millman pull off another big upset against Novak Djokovic at the US Open?
      • John Millman claims the biggest win of his career as he knocks off Roger Federer
      • US Open – Barty fails to captilise on break points and bows out to Pliskova
      • Millman marches on as Federer outclasses Kyrgios to setup meeting with Millman
      • Alex de Minaur goes down fighting against Marin Cilic
      • Ash Barty advances to round 4 for the first time at a grand slam in singles
      • Tomljanovic lets a match point slip away before losing second round match in third set tiebreaker
      • Australia’s Alex de Minaur triumphs again in New York
      • Kyrgios advances after a bizarre pep talk from the umpire – Federer is next
      • Ash Barty has too much firepower for Lucie Safarova
      • Gavrilova and Kubler out of the US Open
      • Kyrgios Advances at the US Open
      • US Open preview for the Australians
      • The fight is on for a ticket to New York and the US Open – updated – Ellen Perez v Lizette Cabrera in final
      • Six US Open Winners Headline the 2018 US Open Women’s Singles field
  • Women’s Tennis Association
    • ATP and WTA announce an extension of the COVID-19 suspension
    • Ash Barty wins the WTA Finals to cap off an amazing year but one prize still remains
    • Videos
    • Premier
      • Kenin bundles Barty out of the Rogers Cup – Osaka one win from no. 1 ranking but Pliskova also in the hunt
      • Pliskova sends a warning ahead of Wimbledon
      • Ash Barty is two wins away from no. 1 after advancing past Venus Williams in Birmingham
      • Barty overcomes a tough first round opponent in Birmingham
      • Barty could take world no.1 ranking in Birmingham
      • Barty can’t halt Halep surge for no. 1
      • Barty punctuates her top-ten arrival by claiming Miami Open title
      • Barty beats the rain and Kontaveit to reach the Miami final
      • Barty finally gets the better of Kvitova to advance to the Miami semifinals and lock-in top-ten ranking
      • Andreescu completes her Indian Wells fairytale
      • Barty sets up Svitolina showdown in Indian Wells
      • Perfect day for the Aussies at Indian Wells with wins for Barty, Gavrilova, Bolt and Popyrin
      • Tomljanovic and Thompson advance – Stosur, Millman and Ebden are out at Indian Wells
      • Daria Gavrilova breaks her duck in Indian Wells
      • Bencic claims the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship title
      • Mertens claims another top-10 scalp on the way to the Qatar Total Open title
      • Bertens overcomes a slow start against Vekic to claim the St Petersburg title
      • Bertens and Vekic to face off for the St Petersburg title
      • Vekic ends Kvitova’s win streak in St Petersburg
      • Kvitova begins St Petersburgh Ladies Trophy title defence defeating Azarenka
      • Gavrilova’s 2019 winless streak continues
      • Petra Kvitova breaks Aussie’s hearts as she claims her second Sydney International title
      • Barty defeats Bertens to book her second consecutive final at the Sydney International
      • Barty advances to semifinal showdown against Bertens
      • Kvitova ends Kerber’s title defence at the Sydney International
      • Sydney International Tennis Stars Cruise the Harbour
      • Birrell stuns world no. 10 Kasatkina at the Brisbane International
    • International
      • Konta ends Tomljanovic’s run in Rabat
      • Anisimova denies Sharma her first WTA title as she wins her first in Bogota
      • Astra Sharma advances to her first WTA semifinal after a tricky encounter with Sara Errani
      • Sharma marches into new territory in Bogota
      • Azarenka Outlasts Kerber to Advance to Final in Monterrey
      • Yastremska claims second WTA title at Toyota Thailand Open
      • Yastremska secures spot in Toyota Thailand Open Final
      • Tomljanovic cruises into Toyota Thailand Open Final
      • Yastremska too hot for Muguruza in Thailand – Tomljanovic, Linette and Zidansek also advance
      • Tomljanovic toughs it out in Thailand
      • Muguruza mounts comeback to oust Barthel at the Toyota Thailand Open
      • Muguruza defeats Lisicki to open Toyota Thailand Open campaign
      • Bertens denies Tomljanovic her maiden WTA title as she wins the Korea Open title
      • Ajla Tomljanovic into Korea Open final after upsetting Hsieh Su-Wei
      • Ajla Tomljanovic battles past Mandy Minella to earn a semifinal spot in Seoul
      • Olga Danilovic is the first-ever lucky loser to claim a WTA singles title
      • Alizé Cornet heads to Gstaad final after Bouchard retirement
      • Sam Stosur Can’t Get Past the Mallorca Defending Champion
    • ITF
      • Ash Barty wins the WTA Finals to cap off an amazing year but one prize still remains
      • Honours even after Fed Cup day one – Australia v Belarus
      • Fed Cup finals spot up for grabs
      • Rogowska adds clay title to her Canberra hard court title
      • Hon to take on Rogowska for the ACT Clay Court International #2 title
      • Aussies shine despite gloomy weather for the ACT Clay Court International #2
      • No. 1 seed Hon advances while the defending champion goes down at the ACT Clay Court International #2
      • Priscilla Hon headlines the ACT Clay Court International #2 tournament
      • Destanee Aiava finally claims a Canberra title
    • Players
      • Angelique Kerber
  • ATP Tour
    • ATP and WTA announce an extension of the COVID-19 suspension
    • de Minaur back in action in Spain
    • Videos
    • Masters 1000
      • Indian Wells tournament called off due to coronavirus fears
      • Kyrgios and Thompson crash out of Miami along with Djokovic
      • Jordan Thompson steps it up in Miami
      • Kyrgios the entertainer marches on in Miami
      • Thiem overcomes Federer for Maiden Masters Title in Indian Wells
      • Perfect day for the Aussies at Indian Wells with wins for Barty, Gavrilova, Bolt and Popyrin
      • Tomljanovic and Thompson advance – Stosur, Millman and Ebden are out at Indian Wells
      • Potential Desert Duel for Kyrgios and Djokovic
      • Matt Ebden loses to Borna Coric in the quarterfinals at the Shanghai Masters
      • Djokovic finally gets his Cincinnati Masters title and completes career Golden Masters
      • Federer and Djokovic set to meet for the 46th time in the Cincinnati Masters final
      • Nick Kyrgios goes walkabout against Juan Martín del Potro
      • Rogers Cup – Barty Collects the Doubles Title in Montreal and Peers wins the Toronto Title
      • Kyrgios feeling the pain after falling to Wawrinka at Toronto
      • Nadal takes Rome Masters 1000 title from Zverev
    • ATP Cup
      • Australia defeats Great Britain in a thriller to advance to the ATP Cup semifinals
      • Australia takes another step toward the ATP Cup quarterfinals after despatching Canada
      • Kyrgios and de Minaur get Australia a winning start at the ATP Cup
    • World 500
      • Kyrgios Claims second ATP 500 title as he defeats Medvedev for the title in Washington – to rise to no. 1 ranked Australian
      • Kyrgios reaches ATP 500 final in Washington after rollercoaster ride against Tsitsipas
      • Nick Kyrgios silences the critics as he caps off an amazing week in Acapulco with title
      • Federer joins exclusive 100 club after claiming Dubai crown
      • Kyrgios ices Isner in Acapulco to book Zverev finals showdown
      • Federer one match away from 100 titles as he takes on his Australian Open conquerer Tsitsipas
      • Kyrgios Conquers Nadal in Acapulco
      • Kyrgios and de Minaur advance Popyrin falls in Acapulco
      • Alex de Minaur earns his first ATP 500 finals berth after epic battle against Andrey Rublev
      • Injured Kyrgios Withdraws from Washington – Duckworth into ATP 500 Third Round
      • Dominic Thiem proves too good for John Millman on the Hamburg clay at the ATP 500 event
      • John Millman Defeats Jan-Lennard Struff at Hamburg ATP 500 Event
      • Cilic Too Good for Kyrgios at the Queen’s Club
      • Kyrgios halts Murray’s comeback at Queen’s Club
      • Borna Coric takes the Halle title from Roger Federer
    • World 250
      • Millman claims his maiden ATP title in Nur-Sultan
      • Humbert defeats de Minaur to claim European Open title
      • de Minaur to take on Umbert for European Open title
      • de Minaur advances in Atlanta – Popyrin and Tomic are out
      • Thompson falls short in first ATP level final
      • Popyrin falls to defending champion in Estoril
      • Thompson fights back from defeat in Houston
      • de Minaur claims his maiden ATP title in his home town
      • Seppi into Sydney International Tennis final
      • John Millman falls short of Sydney International semifinal
      • Some late night Hewitt entertainment at the Sydney International
      • No. 1 seed knocked out of the Sydney International by Andreas Seppi
      • Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andreas Seppi preview
      • de Minaur Overcomes Thompson in an All Aussie Quarterfinal Clash at the Sydney International
      • Local hopes end as de Minaur and Tomljanovic bow out of the Brisbane International
      • Tomic grabs a top-100 ranking as he marches into the Chengdu final
      • Ebden falls to Isner in Atlanta – Thompson and Rodionova advance to finals in Binghamton and Granby
      • Ebden into Atlanta semis as Kyrgios retires against Norrie and Thompson marches on at Binghamton Challenger
      • Federer gets past Kyrgios to claim world no. 1 and reach the Stuttgart final
    • Challenger
      • Polmans wins the Zhangjiagang $54K ATP Challenger Title
      • Polmans overcomes a slow start to defeat Banes in Bangalore at the ATP Challenger Tour $150,000 event
      • Jordan Thompson rockets his ranking up to 73 after back-to-back ATP Challenger titles
      • Thompson aiming for eighth ATP Challenger final in 2018
      • Jordan Thompson wins his second ATP Challenger title for 2018
      • Thanasi Kokkinakis into the Las Vegas ATP Challenger Final
      • Jordan Thompson reaches back-to-back ATP Challenger finals
      • Kokkinakis and Smith roll into Las Vegas semifinals

Kenin ends Stosur’s dream run in Guangzhou

September 22, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

Australia’s Sam Stosur has come up short as she played for her first singles title since she won the Strasbourg title in 2017.

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USA’s Sofia Kenin won the tile with a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2 win in the final.

Stosur who has seen her ranking fall outside the top 100 will return to around no. 92 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

At 4-4 in the second set Stosur was looking confident and appeared to be heading to another title but Kenin quickly snuffed that out and then powered to victory.

“Sam is such a tough player to play, and the match was not easy,” Kenin said. “I’m just really happy with the way I fought. I knew it was going to be a tough match and I needed to leave everything on the court, and I’m so happy to have won.

“This was my first time being here in Guangzhou, and I loved every minute of it. I really liked it here from the start. I’m so happy about the support that I got from all the fans here, and of course, the title makes it even better.”

“I feel proud of myself. It was a tough match today. She played very, very well for the whole match, and really picked it up in that second and third sets,” Stosur said.

“I still made the final, so there’s lots to be proud of. I think it was pretty close and there wasn’t a whole lot in it, but I didn’t get off to the start in the third that I wanted to, and that’s what made the difference as it went on.”

Filed Under: International

Kenin claims her second WTA title defeating Bencic in Mallorca

June 24, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

USA’s Sofia Kenin has claimed the second WTA title of her career after a 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Belinda Bencic. She adds to her title won in Hobart at the start of the year.

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Bencic had three championship points at 5-4, but all three went begging, the third squandered with a double fault. Kenin then fired a forehand passing winner to reach break point, and after another backhand winner by the American, it was 5-5 and the American had escaped.

Kenin had 48 winners to 38 unforced errors during the final, and converted four of her nine break points, winning over half of the points when facing a Bencic second serve. Bencic had 28 winners to 26 unforced errors; half of those unforced errors were her 13 double faults.

“I’m playing really well, fighting for every point and taking as much advantage as I can,” Kenin stated. “This really is great, and I’m just so happy with how I’m playing.”

Filed Under: International

Konta ends Tomljanovic’s run in Rabat

May 4, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

Former Australian Johanna Konta has defeated former Croatian and now Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the Rabat semifinals.

Konta now playing under the Great Britain flag took the match 6-2, 7-6(7). The Brit dominated the first set breaking Tomljanovic three times to one.

It was Konta that broke in the first game and then backed up that with a love game. Tomljanovic got on the scoreboard as she held for 1-2.

Another hold and another break for Konta and she was out to a 4-1 lead.

Towards the end of the first set, Tomljanovic’ coach told her to activate her legs more. The Australian seemed to lift and she broke back to be serving at 2-4.

That was short lived as the Australian was broken again before Konta sealed the set.

In the second set it was a lot tighter. Both players had one break opportunity, but failed to convert.

Konta had a break point at 30-40 in the third game, Tomljanovic had one at 30-40 in the sixth game.

The second set went to a tie-breaker and it was Konta that looked in control at 4-1 but some good hustle from the Australian kept her in the next point before forcing an error from the Brit.

Konta was sent scurrying across the baseline after Tomljanovic blasted a backhand deep, it resulted in a shot hit wide to get things back on track for Tomljanovic at 3-4.

A double fault by the Australian saw Konta two point from the final at 5-3, but after the Australian won the next point for 5-4, Konta was serving the next two points.

Tomljanovic played a good point to level at 5-5 and then a double fault from Konta gave the Australian a set point.

Konta had a swing at a second serve and had Tomljanovic on the run before stepping in to hit a backhand winner to deny her opponent the set.

At 6-6 Tomljanovic, just missed serving an Ace. Konta took advantage and attacked the second serve that followed before forcing an error from her opponent.

It was now match point for Konta at 7-6. Tomljanovic kept the ball in play and it was Konta that hit an unforced error into the net.

On the next point a bad shot from Tomljanovic where she hit into the net set up another match point. A backhand into the net from Tomljanovic and the match was over.

Konta advanced to her first clay court final on the WTA tour. For Tomljanovic she missed the opportunity to again play the final in Rabat.

In the other semifinal, it was Greece’s Maria Sakkari that defeated Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck 6-4, 6-4.

Filed Under: International

Tomljanovic steps closer to back-to-back finals appearances in Rabat

May 3, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic reached the final in Rabat in 2018 losing to Elise Mertens.

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Photo: Ajla Tomljanovic (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The world no. 43 is again one step away from the final after defeating Sweden’s world no. 62 Rebecca Peterson 6-2, 6-4.

Britain’s Johanna Konta stands in the way of another finals appearance for the Australian after she defeated the no. 2 seed Hsieh Su-Wei 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-4.

Mertens has failed to defend her title after losing 6-4, 7-6(2) to Greece’s Maria Sakkari.

Sakkari faces Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck in the other semifinal.

In the match against Peterson, Tomljanovic was in control during the first set, breaking her opponent twice while not being broken herself.

The second set was drastically different. Both players struggled to hold serve. Tomljanovic would get a break, only to be broken.

Tomljanovic did however finally manage to hold serve after breaking Peterson for the fourth time in the second set. Peterson had broken her Australian opponent three times.

Filed Under: International

Anisimova denies Sharma her first WTA title as she wins her first in Bogota

April 15, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

USA’s Amanda Anisimova had denied Australia’s Astra Sharma a fairytale ending in Bogota. Anisimova claimed her first WTA title by defeating Sharma 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Sharma had gone to Bogota with just one main draw victory in her career, that coming at the 2019 Australian Open. She had just yesterday won the doubles title with Zoe Hives.

In the singles final against 17-year-old world no. 76 it was Sharma that got a break in the opening game. The first break point coming when Anisimova reached for a forehand that she then hit long for 30-40. A forehand winner sealed the game.

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Photo: Amanda Anisimova (right) of the United States and Astra Sharma of Australia with the trophies during day 7 of the WTA Claro Open Colsanitas 2019 at El Carmel Club on April 14 2019 in Bogota Colombia. (Photo by Luis Ramirez/Vizzor Image/Getty Images)

An instant break back was on the cards when Anisimova hit with power to force an error from Sharma to earn three break points. A forehand sent long by Sharma conceded the break to level the score at 1-1.

Both players were having trouble finding their range, but Sharma did sweetly time a forehand return to hit deep and force an error from Anisimova to again earn break points at 15-40. Another error from the American when she hit into the net gave Sharma a second break.

Anisimova had a chance to break back immediately, and she did with a forehand winner to make it four games in a row without a service hold.

After seeing Anisimova hit long, Sharma had a chance to break for the third straight game. A double fault from the young American handed the game to Sharma.

Sharma hit her first Ace of the match to go to 30-0 in the sixth game. That was followed up by a double-fault. A good wide serve setup a short ball for Sharma to hit away for a 40-15 score. A Sharma shot sent well long after some good hitting from Anisimova saw the score at 40-30 but another good first serve saw someone finally hold serve. Sharma was now up 4-2.

In the next service game, Anisimova was finally able to hold serve.  Sharma would go from 40-15 to facing a break point in the next service game. With the American hitting with more authority, she forced an error from her opponent to get back on serve.

As we had seen many times in the first set, Anisimova was again broken after several errors despite fighting back from 0-40 to deuce. A backhand sent wide conceded the game to allow Sharma to serve at 5-4.

An Ace and two forehand winners helped the Australian hold serve to love and take the first set 6-4.

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Photo: Amanda Anisimova of the United States returns the ball against Astra Sharma of Australia during day 7 of the WTA Claro Open Colsanitas 2019 at El Carmel Club on April 14 2019 in Bogota Colombia. (Photo by Luis Ramirez/Vizzor Image/Getty Images)

During this week, Anisimova had twice lost the opening set 6-4 before fighting back to win the next two sets. She did that in the opening round against Sabine Lisicki and in the semifinal against Beatriz Haddad Maia, she would have to pull that off for a third time to earn her first WTA title.

Things got off to the worst possible start in the second set for Anisimova when she was again broken. Some loose shots contributing to the break.

Sharma served her fourth Ace of the match to move to 40-30, another Ace gave her the game for 2-0. The title was looking likely to be claimed by the Australian.

The Australian missed an easy shot at 30-0 to the American. She followed up with two great points to move to 40-30, before hitting long to see the American get a crucial hold. Things may have been different if she landed the shot in court at 30-0.

Anisimova’s coach Jamie Cortés gave her some advice before Sharma came out to serve at 2-1. He said as the match progresses you will get more feeling and keep improving, he also said you will break several times.

A drop shot from Anisimova helped her win the opening point, then a shot into the net from Sharma saw the American at 0-30. A double fault saw Sharma suddenly facing three break points. Sharma would save one, but then she hit just wide to concede the game.

Anisimova was again under pressure on serve as she was twice taken to deuce before badly missing a shot that hit the back fence to go down a break point. She answered with a big forehand that forced an error from Sharma. Anisimova was swinging freely to pressure Sharma and she missed another shot for Ad to the American.

Sharma found the line and then Anisimova hit long for deuce, another missed shot and again Sharma had a break point. She got the break as Anisimova hit into the net.

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Photo: Astra Sharma of Australia prepares to serves to Amanda Anisimova of the United States during day 7 of the WTA Claro Open Colsanitas 2019 at El Carmel Club oon April 14 2019 in Bogota Colombia. (Photo by Luis Ramirez/Vizzor Image/Getty Images)

The Australian was now ready to serve at 3-2. At 30-15 she served her fifth double fault, then her sixth to face a break point at 30-40. A tired-looking shot went wide from Sharma and Anisimova was back on level terms at 3-3.

Perhaps the heavy workload was starting to affect Sharma, she had played doubles as well, winning the title.

Anisimova, on the other hand, had a spring in her step and she finally won a service game easily to lead 4-3.

Sharma opened the eighth game with a double fault.  The next point saw the American racing all over the court to stay in the point, she finally stepped into court to cut off a Sharma volley and hit it into an open court for 0-30. Back-to-back shots into the net from Anisimova got the Australian back to 30-30. Another netted shot from Anisimova, then a shot over the baseline and Sharma was able to hold to tie the set at 4-4.

Sharma turned defence into an attack to win the opening point of the ninth game. Anisimova answered with a big winner. Sharma was equal to the task, blasting a return to force an error for 15-30. A good first serve saw Anisimova get to 30-30 before badly missing a backhand to face a break point.

If Sharma could convert she would be serving for her first WTA title. Sharma hit the return wide, the Anisimova attacked on the next point to move to Ad. Sharma hit the next return into the net to see the American escape and move to 5-4.

At 15-15 some big hitting had Sharma on the run and she missed a shot to fall to 15-30. Anisimova then hit a backhand that skipped through onto the line to give her two break points. It took just one as Sharma hit a midcourt shot over the baseline.

Anisimova opened the deciding set and held serve to lead 1-0. In the next game Sharma again served a double fault to face a break point. A shot into the net and it was Anisimova that was out to a 2-0 lead.

Sharma was handed two break back points after Anisimova sent a shot over the baseline. Sharma wasted them both when she hit back-to-back shots into the net. Anissimova was at Ad after Sharma hit long.

Anisimova survived from 15-40 down to take the game after a good first serve had Sharma reached for the ball, she sent it sailing wide.

The pressure was on Sharma to mount a comeback from 3-0. The Australian was down a break point at 30-40, the American hit the return over the baseline, then another shot went long to give Sharma Ad. A missed shot from Sharma had the score at deuce before an Ace gave her game point. A bad miss saw her hit into the net for another deuce.

A shot that went wide from Anisimova gave Sharma another Ad but she again hit into the net to fail to close out the game. A stunning winner got the Australian another game point which she finally converted to get on the scoreboard in the deciding set.

Anisimova had a love service game to move another step closer to the title.

Sharma was at 40-15 in the sixth game but failed to hold after Anisimova hit a winner for 40-30. A backhand winner got her to deuce. A double fault from Sharma saw her suddenly facing a break point. Anisimova hit long to keep Sharma in the game.

Sharma decided to hit a slice approach but it was an easy shot for Anisimova to hit the pass. When Sharma hit into the net Anisimova was on the brink of her first title with a double break and serving for the championship.

She would hold two match points at 40-15 but hit long on the first. On the second match point a good first serve sent Sharma wide. Anisimova played a drop shot which Sharma reached and also hit a drop shot. Eventually, Anisimova would find the open court to claim her first WTA title. The final score was 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

With a fist pump as she looked across at her coach the Bogota title was hers.

“It was an incredible atmosphere,” said Sharma. “It was my first time playing in a final like this and just such a memorable experience.

“I’d like to thank everybody back home – my coaches, my family and my friends, who have been sending me all these messages of love and support. It has been an unreal experience.”

It was not the highest quality match, but Anisimova is still champion. The winners were 19 to the American and 17 for the Australian. The unforced errors overshadowed winners with 34 for Anisimova and 36 from Sharma. What hurt Sharma was 11 double faults.

It was a great week for both players. Sharma announced herself as she went all the way to the final and Anisimova claimed what will most likely be the first of many WTA titles.

Sharma now sits at her career high of no. 102 on the rankings while Anisimova jumped to a career-high no. 54. She is the highest ranked 17-year-old.

 

Filed Under: International

Sharma advances to her first WTA final and closes in on a top-100 ranking

April 14, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

Australia’s Astra Sharma has continued her dream run in Bogota to advance to her first ever WTA tour final. Sharma defeated the 2012 champion and runner-up for the past two years, Spain’s world no. 106 Lara Arruabarrena. The final score was 7-5, 6-1.

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Photo: Australian Astra Sharma has reached her first WTA final. (Photo by Vizzor Image/Getty Images)

Sharma came out on the court in Adidas gear after previously wearing Nike. Not sure if that is a new deal after he excellent showing in Bogota. She also was wearing a Vanderbilt tracksuit top, showing where she studied medicine and had a stellar college tennis career. After seeing her still wearing a Nike hat it appears unlikely she is sponsored. Someone should make a move to sign her up.

Going into the match you would have favoured the Spaniard as she seems to lift for her time in Bogota. She had not won a main-draw singles match since the 2018 US Open, but had reached the final in Bogota in 2017-18 and had put together a run of three matches at this tournament.

Sharma could not be easily written off. She has played at a high level. He serving has been excellent and she moves well around the clay courts and hits with power.

The Australian world no. 138 opened the serving. She lost the first point but then an out shot from Arruabarrena was followed by two Aces by Sharma. A double-fault then Sharma hit long to see the opening game at deuce.

Another big first serve helped Sharma take the next point, then Arruabarrena hit long to give Sharma the first game. Arruabarrena then held to love.

In the ninth game, Sharma was up 40-15 but then a missed drop shot followed to two over hit shots gave Arruabarrena a break point. Arruabarrena was handed the break after Sharma blasted a forehand well wide.

After looking so comfortable on serve, Sharma now found herself having to break Arruabarrena to stay in the first set. Sharma called on some words of advice from her coach for the week Louise Pleming.

Pleming suggested returning serve straight at Arruabarrena’s body, saying she is not that comfortable in that area. Pleming was also confident Sharma would break as she had gone close before. The coach also suggested some sliced serves out wide if Arruabarrena was standing deep.

Arruabarrena caught Sharma moving to the centre of the court on a second serve and served wide. Sharma missed the return. Arruabarrena then hit into the net, followed by a double fault to give Sharma a look at 15-30. Arruabarrena then hit a winner to level the scores.

Sharma just missed the sideline in the next rally to give Arruabarrena set point but her second double fault of the game saw that gone. Arruabarrena then hit wide and now Sharma held a break back point. A shot long from Sharma saw her waste that opportunity.

The Australian had a big swing at a second serve, only to see that shot sail well over the baseline. Both players were finding it hard to keep the ball in play. Sharma fired back a return that Arruabarrena could not handle, hitting into the net.

Arruabarrena was gifting Sharma points, serving her third double fault, then conceding the game with a shot over the baseline.

Some huge first serves helped Sharma take the next game to see her at 6-5. She served and volleyed the final point.

The pressure was now on Arruabarrena to stay in the set after she failed to close it out on her previous service game.

The Spaniard jumped out to 30-0 love but then hit a shot long for 30-15. Sharma returned the favour, hitting long to take Arruabarrena to one point from a tie breaker. Arruabarrena hit a shot into the net to keep Sharma in the game.

Sharma was hitting with depth and Arruabarrena made an unforced error hitting long. Another Sharma error and it was Ad, but then Arruabarrena missed long for deuce.

The Australian then got a lucky net cord that saw her have a look at a break point. The Spaniard conceded the first set with a double fault, her fourth.

In the opening game of the second set, Sharma kept the pressure on Arruabarrena with a good service hold. Arruabarrena held serve for 1-1, but then Sharma won the next five games to earn a spot in her first WTA final.

Sharma served out in style dropping just one point. She pumped her fist as she saw her winner zip past Arruabarrena.

Sharma faces USA’s Amanda Anisimova the world no. 76 who defeated world no. 165 from Brazil Beatriz Haddad Maia 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2. Her live ranking is now no. 101. A title win and she will jump to around no. 86.

After her singles match, Sharma backed up to win the doubles title with Zoe Hives, also from Australia.

Filed Under: International

Astra Sharma advances to her first WTA semifinal after a tricky encounter with Sara Errani

April 13, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

Australia’s Astra Sharma faced 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani in the quarterfinals in Bogota. Errani has struggled with her serve this week and has been serving underarm just to get into points.

Canberra - 2 November, 2018: Australia's Astra Sharma against Apis Canberra International 2016 Champion Risa Ozaki from Japan. (Photo by Rob Keating - http://robiciatennis.com) #ApisCBRIntl #protour

Canberra – 2 November, 2018: Australia’s Astra Sharma against Apis Canberra International 2016 Champion Risa Ozaki from Japan. (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com) #ApisCBRIntl #protour Sharma has gone onto reach her first WTA semifinal in Bogota.

For Sharma, this was the biggest match of her WTA career. Coming into this week she had only won one match beyond the ITF tour. That came at the 2019 Australian Open.

With Errani just not able to get serves into play she again had to employ an underarm serve. Sharma crushed the Italian in the first set, winning 6-1. Errani served at 38% to 61%. Sharma was, on the other hand, serving well, sending down five Aces.

Despite Errani’s woeful serving, when she got the ball in play she was hitting with great power. Sharma broke in the second game to lead 2-1. The concern for the Australian was the number of errors she was making.

Errani’s comeback

Errani was able to break Sharma for the first time in the match in the fourth game. Now she was in the battle.

In the fifth game, Errani was using underarm serves and Sharma was struggling. Errani won the game after Sharma hit into the net off a weak underarm serve.

In the next game, Sharma found herself down 0-30 before hitting three straight winners to get things back on track. Errani had another look at a break point when she got Ad. Sharma would hold for 3-3.

Sharma was struggling against underarm serves, often overplaying a shot. Errani was holding serve until the ninth game. Astra got the break to have the opportunity to serve for the match at 5-4. The break coming from a brilliant volley.

The Australian won the first point of the tenth game but then Errani fired back a good return that Sharma hit long. Sharma was almost there as she moved to 30-15 but then a badly missed backhand gave Errani some hope as it was 30-30.

An Errani drop shot got Sharma into the net and the Italian then hit a winner to have a break point. A big forehand helped Sharma save the first, but a shot into the net from Sharma presented another opportunity.

Sharma stepped around a forehand but hit wide to keep Errani alive in the match.

With Errani now exclusively serving underarm, she won the first point. Sharma jumped all over the next serve to go to 15-15, then a double fault had Sharma edge ahead. The Australian was not getting accustomed to the underarm serves and was finding her range on the returns to pressure Errani.

Now with a second opportunity to serve for the match and advance to her first WTA level semifinal Sharma started well by landing two big first serves and jumping out to 30-0. Another first serve in play and then a lucky net cord for Sharma gave her three match points.

It took just one, this time off the second serve that kicked and took Errani wide. A short return was gratefully accepted and Sharma hit a short ball into the open court for the winner. She raised her arms in victory taking the match 6-1, 7-5

When you look at the stats Errani did well to push Sharma as she did.

Sharma hit 32 winners to four from Errani. It was 7-0 in the Aces column and Sharma converted five from seven break points to two from nine for Errani.

What kept Errani in the match was 35 unforced errors from Sharma, to 15 from the Italian. Sharma will need to reduce her unforced errors if she is to make it into the final. Her next match should be more conventional.

After starting the year at no. 231, Sharma is closing in on the top-100. Her quarterfinal win pushes her up to no. 113 on the live rankings. Another win and she will sit at no. 101.

Sharma will play world no. 106 from Spain Lara Arruabarrena. The Spaniard had earlier defeated world no. 67 from Slovenia Tamara Zidansek 6-4, 6-2. Arruabarrena was champion in Bogota back in February 2012 and was runner-up in 2017 and last year.

Sharma has also reached the doubles semifinal with fellow Australian Zoe Hives.

Filed Under: International

Sharma marches into new territory in Bogota

April 12, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

In just her sixth tour-level appearance, Australia’s Astra Sharma has pulled off her third straight tour-level win to advance to the quarterfinals in Bogota. The world no. 138 defeated world no. 85 and no 8 seed Magda Linette from Poland 6-4, 6-3.

Canberra – 3 November, 2018: Apis Canberra International singles semifinal – Astra Sharma (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com) #ApisCBRIntl #protour

The Australian has previously just won a single match on the WTA tour or in Grand Slams, that came at the 2019 Australian Open when she defeated fellow Australian Priscilla Hon in round one after earning a main draw spot through qualifying.

Sharma is perhaps the accidental tennis pro after having gone to Vanderbilt University to study for a medical degree, but she chose Vanderbilt for a reason. She chose Vanderbilt for the ability to “go to an amazing school, and play top-level tennis”.

The Australian took that all the way to a national title with Vanderbilt in 2015 as well as being named 2017 All-American in singles and doubles.

In Bogota, Sharma took the first game of the match by breaking her opponent, then served and held comfortably to consolidate the break. Sharma would not face a break point in the match.

The Australian held serves to take the first set 6-4.

In the second set, it was again Sharma that got an early break, this time in the third game to lead 2-1. Sharma again had break points in the seventh game but the Polish player fought her way out of that game.

Sharma held serve, despite being taken to deuce but then broke Linette in the next game to seal the match when Linette hit long at 30-40.

Sharma pumped her fist and let out a yell as she moved into her first WTA quarterfinal.

The Australian hit 18 winners to 14, but it was the unforced errors that made a difference. Sharma had 17 to Linette’s 22.

The live ranking for Sharma now jumps to a career-high no. 120. Sharma started 2019 at no. 230 and would move well into the top-100 if she can go all the way to the title in Bogota, a finals appearance will see her right around the top-100. But there are plenty of tough matches ahead.

Next up for Sharma is the winner of the match between Italy’s lucky-loser Sara Errani and qualifier Bibiane Schoofs from the Netherlands.

The top-ranked player still in the drawer is Tamara Zidansek, the world no. 67. Zidansek defeated Sharma in the opening round at the 2017 Canberra International. They could meet again in the semis.

Astra Sharma’s Vanderbilt profile

Filed Under: International

Azarenka Outlasts Kerber to Advance to Final in Monterrey

April 7, 2019 by Alicia Keating Leave a Comment

In a battle of former world no. 1’s, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka defeated German Angelique Kerber, the no. 1 seed 6-4 4-6 6-1 in the semi-final of the Monterrey Open.

The win extends Azarenka’s dominant head-to-head record to 8-1. The only time Kerber has defeated the Belarussian was in the quarters at the Australian Open in 2016, a tournament she went on to win.

This week in Monterrey it is the first time Azarenka has put together this many wins in a week. She had won her first three matches without dropping a set.

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Photo: Victoria Azarenka into her first final since Miami in 2016.

Kerber took the early lead, breaking in the first game, and had the chance to lead by a double break at 3-1, but after multiple deuces two consecutive aces saw the Belarusian hold for 3-2. Azarenka lead for the first time after the ninth game and then a shot into the net by Kerber brought up set point on the German’s serve, which Azarenka converted with a backhand return winner. Kerber should have seen the score at 5-5 but missed a sitter of a shot with game point. She sent Azarenka wide and then had an open court to hit into, but pushed a shot long.

Once again, Kerber broke in the first game, but Azarenka was able to break back immediately to level the score at 1-1. Azarenka was not able to hold her next service game, giving the German the lead again at 2-1. A double fault by Azarenka in the seventh game brought up another break point for Kerber. She lead by a double break when a backhand by Azarenka was overruled as out by the chair 5-2.

The German was unable to serve out the set the first time. She hit a forehand winner in the next game to earn a set point, but she hit a backhand long in the next point to allow Azarenka to hold on for another game. Kerber successfully served out the set the second time to take the match to a decider.

Azarenka stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the third set and had a match point in the sixth game when Kerber sent a backhand into the net. She couldn’t convert it as she returned the serve into the net, giving Kerber her first game of the third set. The Belarusian was able to serve it out, despite facing a break point. Kerber hit a forehand out on match point, handing Azarenka her ticket into her first tour-level final in just over three years.

Kerber had too many unforced errors throughout the match with 40 to 32 and it was 35 winners for Azarenka to 30 for Kerber. Throughout the match Azarenka broke six times from 12 opportunities. Kerber broke four times.

She will play no. 2 seed and defending champion, Garbiñe Muguruza for the title. Muguruza easily overcame Magdaléna Rybáriková in straight sets 6-2 6-3. Both Muguruza and Azarenka have only dropped one set each on their road to the final.

Filed Under: International

Yastremska claims second WTA title at Toyota Thailand Open

February 3, 2019 by Alicia Keating Leave a Comment

18-year-old Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine has come back from 5-2 down in the deciding set to snatch the championship trophy from the hands of Australia’s Ajla Tomljaovic. She won in a three-set showdown 6-2 2-6 7-6(3).

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Photo: Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska hits a retun against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic during the final of the WTA Thailand Open tennis tournament in Hua Hin on February 3, 2019. (Photo CHALINEE THIRASUPA/AFP/Getty Images)

Yastremska started strong, breaking in the second game. Tomljanovic had a chance to break back in the next game, but she sent the ball into the net on break point. Yastremska brought out a great number of winners to gain a 5-0 lead. Tomljanovic won her first game of the match in the sixth game and then broke in the next when Yastremska was trying to serve out the match, but the Ukrainian then broke Tomljanovic again in the eighth game to win the set.

Tomljanovic had a break point in the first game of the second set, and she almost got the break when a second serve from Yastremska was called out. But the Ukrainian challenged the call successfully, and then Tomljanovic returned the next serve long, preventing her from converting the break point. Yastremska went on to hold.

Tomljanovic held to love and then have another two chances to break in the third game, bringing up a double break point with a forehand winner. Yastremska gifted her the break with a double fault. The Ukrainian then broke back immediately to level the score at 2-2.

Another double fault by Yastremska brought up two break points for Tomljanovic, she couldn’t convert the first as she didn’t return the serve, but Yastremska doubled faulted to once again gift the Australian the break. Tomljanovic continued to win all the next games to win the second set and take the match to the distance.

Yastremska got an early lead in the third set, breaking in the second game to lead 2-0, but Tomljanovic found her form again to win the next five games, saving four break points along the way.

Tomljanovic attempted to serve out the match but did so unsuccessfully as she hit a ball into the net to give Yastremska a break point. This first break point was saved as Yastremska made the same error, but then two forehand winners by the Ukrainian kept her alive in the match. Yastremska then held her serve.

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Photo: Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic hits a return against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska during the final of the WTA Thailand Open tennis tournament in Hua Hin on February 3, 2019. (Photo CHALINEE THIRASUPA/AFP/Getty Images)

During the change of ends between the ninth and tenth game, Yastremska called a trainer for her left knee, which Tomljanovic wasn’t happy about, complaining to the umpire and shaking her head in frustration. The Australian had a second chance to serve for the championship, but once again could not do so, giving Yastremska the second break back with a double fault.

Both players held to love in the next two games, taking the match to a tiebreaker. Tomljanovic got the mini-break on the first point when Yastremska hit the ball into the net, but she couldn’t keep her lead as the Ukrainian got three championship points brought up when Tomljanovic hit a backhand into the net. Yastremska won the match with a forehand winner.

In her speech following the match, Yastremska said that she dedicates the win to her mother, who recently had an accident and underwent surgery. From this win, the young Ukrainian will jump 13 places to reach a career-high ranking of 34 in the world. Tomljanovic also has reached a career-high ranking of 41.

“The match was really tough for me,” Yastremska told the press. “The first set I played maximum, and the second set, I felt that I can’t play like that, like how I played the first set, and I didn’t know what’s going on. I tried my best, and I tried to do the same things I was doing in the first set, but it’s just feelings like you’re empty, completely empty. I don’t know how to describe that.”

“But in the third set, when I was losing 5-2, I remembered one thing, which happened before this tournament, and it really helped me to go through and take extra power, and finish with a win,” Yastremska continued. The youngster was referring to an accident her mother had with an exploding champagne bottle at the Australian Open, which left her eye injured.

“She did the operation in Australia and she [flew] back to Ukraine, and it was really tough for me to play because I didn’t sleep well for nights, because she had a long operation,” Yastremska admitted. “But now she’s good, and that extra motivated me to win.”

Filed Under: International

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