Robicia Tennis

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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
      • Osaka claims her second Australian Open title
      • Comeback queen Muchova sends Barty packing
      • Serena too tough for Simona
      • Barty cruises into her third straight Australian Open quarterfinal
      • Osaka sees off two match points before bookin a showdown with Hsieh
      • Barty stands alone after Fognini beats de Minaur
      • Djokovic roars back for win after a slip against Fritz
      • Thiem tames Kyrgios serve to advance
      • Kokkinakis falls short after five set marathon against Tsitsipas
      • Ash overcomes Dash in all-Australian matchup
      • Kyrgios fights off two match points enroute to epic win
      • Halep escapes challenge from Tomljanovic
      • Day 1 wrap for the Aussies
      • Australian Open 2021 – Australian women’s preview
      • Australian Open 2021 – Australian men’s preview
      • 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
    • WTA1000
      • Barty overcoms Sabalenka to keep title defence alive
      • Barty fights back from 2-5 in the third and saves a match point in Miami
    • Videos
    • WTA250
      • Astra Sharm’s five match run comes to an end in Mexico
    • Premier
      • Aussie summer of tennis is go
      • 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
      • Medvedev ends Popyrin’s Miami run
      • Popyrin and Duckworth get opening round wins in Miami
      • 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

Barty to face Muguruza in first final of 2021

February 7, 2021 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

After a delayed start to the 2021 season the Australian summer of tennis sees several finals to be played out at the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne.

Ash Barty during the Yarra Valley Classic. (Photo by Rob Keating)

Australia’s Ash Barty will play Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in the Yarra Valley Classic. It. is both players first final for 2021.

Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi will take on Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the Gippsland Trophy.

In the Grampians Trophy there will be joint title holders as it was decided to have the two winning semifinalists awarded finalists money and points.

This comes following the day lost due to a positive COVID-19 case at the tennis players quarantine hotel. That saw all players that had been at the hotel tested and play was suspended on Thursday as the results were provided.

In 2020 Barty went into the Australian Open after claiming the Adelaide International title. The world no. 1 would then go onto reach the semifinals at the Open.

This time her form has been patchy as she has dominated sets before seeing a drop off in concentration. She is at least in the final and getting valuable match practice.

Muguruza is the beaten finalist from the 2020 Australian Open, losing to Sofia Kenin. She has steamrolled opponents en-route to the final, dropping just 10 games across four matches after receiving a first round bye.

Barty on the other hand has been taken to three sets twice. The Australian received a walkover victory in the semifinal after Serena Williams withdrew.

Muguruza is the bookies favourite at 1.61 with Barty on 2.30.

After having watched Barty this week, including courtside in Margaret Court arena on Wednesday I would expect Muguruza to claim the title.

Robicia Tennis’s Alicia with Garbine Muguruza after a practice session for the Spaniard.

Filed Under: Premier

Aussie summer of tennis is go

February 1, 2021 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

After a delayed start due to the need to sort out suitable quarantine arrangements for around 1,000 tennis players and support, the Australian summer of tennis finally kicked off at Melbourne Park on Sunday.

Sydney, Australia – 7 January 2019: Daria Gavrilova during her round one match at the Sydney International. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)

Plenty of Australians were given a shot at glory on the opening day as numerous wildcard recipients took to the court, but at the end of the day it was only Daria Gavrilova that could get a win.

The former world no. 20 is making a comeback from injury and has a UTR title under her belt.

Gavrilova played a great match to defeat world No.98 Viktoria Kuzmova 6-2, 6-0.

“I played really well. I was pretty happy with my serve,” Gavrilova said after recording victory in 65 minutes.

“I never used to get free points off my serve and today I did. I felt like my second serve was really good, I was able to mix it up well.”

The win setup a tough second round match against fifth seed Serena Williams.

Things did not go so well for the other Australians on the opening day.

Players were split across two tournaments, the Yarra Valley Classic and the Gippsland Trophy, both are WTA 500 level tournaments.

In the Yarra Valley Classic, wildcards Maddison Inglis, Lizette Cabrera and Kimberly Birrill all lost.

(WC) Maddison Inglis Rd 1 lost to Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 6-2, 6-1
(WC) Lizette Cabrera Rd 1 lost to Varvara Gracheva (RUS) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
(WC) Kimberly Birrell Rd 1 lost to Mona Barthel (GER) 7-5, 6-3.

Sam Stosur was also humbled losing 6,2, 6-0 to (16) Marie Bouzkova from the Czech Republic.

In the Gippsland Trophy again all of the wildcards lost.

(WC) Astra Sharma Rd 1 lost to Kaia Kanepi (EST) 1-6, 7-5, 6-2
(WC) Arina Rodionova Rd 1 lost to (12) Caroline Garcia (FRA) 6-3, 6-4
(WC) Olivia Gadecki Rd 1 lost to Bernarda Pera (USA) 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-3

Sharma was closest to winning as she won the first set convincingly against Kanepi and was up a break in the second before not being able to close out the set.

Sharma was serving at 59.3% in the opening set and won 75% of 1st serve points and 63.5% of 2nd serve points.

In the second set you could see Kanepi finally start timing the ball more sweetly and the increased power was what overcame Sharma.

Filed Under: Premier

Sharapova can’t shoulder the load and calls time on her tennis career

February 27, 2020 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

After 28 years of tennis and five grand slam titles, Maria Sharapova has decided to step away from the tennis tour.

The 32-year-old Russian wrote an essay which was published on the Vanity Fair website.

She opened by saying “How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known? How do you walk away from the courts you’ve trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love—one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys—a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?

I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis—I’m saying goodbye.”
Embed from Getty Images
Sharapova enjoyed early success in her career winning the Wimbledon title in 2004 as a 17-year-old. Two years later she won the US Open. In early 2008 she won the Australian Open and then she completed a career Grand Slam in 2012 after claiming the first of two French Open titles. Her last came in 2014.

The determined Russian was world no. 1 for the first time on August 22, 2005 and last held the top spot on June 25, 2012.

Things started to go south for Sharapova after her admission that she had tested positive for the recently banned substance Meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, where she had reached the quarterfinals. A 24-month suspension—later reduced to 15 months.

She won a total of 36 singles career titles, 645 singles matches and more than $38 million in on-court prize money. The Russian also amassed a fortune away from the court through endorsement and business.

Sharapova hinted at what will be in her future, ”

In the meantime, there are a few simple things I’m really looking forward to: A sense of stillness with my family. Lingering over a morning cup of coffee. Unexpected weekend getaways. Workouts of my choice (hello, dance class!).

Tennis showed me the world—and it showed me what I was made of. It’s how I tested myself and how I measured my growth. And so in whatever I might choose for my next chapter, my next mountain, I’ll still be pushing. I’ll still be climbing. I’ll still be growing.”

In the end her shoulder injuries became too much to overcome and that was where she said, “My body had become a distraction.”

All the best to Maria in what might come next.

Filed Under: Premier

Aussie Tennis – Year in Review

January 3, 2020 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

At the start of 2019 we saw Ash Barty as the top-ranked female player at no. 15. Her goal was to crack the top-ten. Alex de Minaur was the top Aussie male at no. 31.

Sydney, Australia – 6 January 2018: Australia’s Ashleigh Barty wearing a Fila hoody on-board the super yacht ‘Cooroboree’ during a media opportunity for the Sydney International tennis. The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are in the background. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)

Both of the top Aussies got off to a great start early in 2019. Barty reached the final in Sydney losing to Petra Kvitova while de Minaur won his first ATP winning in Sydney.

Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2019: Alex de Minaur during his Sydney International quarterfinal match on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)

Barty would go on to achieve her best ever Australian Open result losing again to Kvitova, this time in the Quarterfinals. Next was the big breakthrough for Barty as she won the Miami Premier Mandatory event.

Bigger things were to come for Barty. The Queenslander claimed her first Grand Slam singles title at the French Open and she would rise to the no. 1 ranking on 24 June.

Naomi Osaka took the top spot back for a few weeks before Barty capped off an amazing year by winning the Shiseido WTA Finals in Shenzhen where she took home the largest prize money cheque of $4,420,000 US.

Unfortunately for Barty she was not able to complete the best of the best dream year when Australia lost the Fed Cup final to France.

Of the other Australian women’s players it was not such a good year for Daria Gavrilova. Poor form and injury saw her ranking tumble in 2019. She started the year at no. 34 and fell to no. 242 by year’s end.

Ajla Tomljanovic took over the no. 2 spot in the Australian rankings behind Barty. She started the year at no. 45 before rising to a career-high no. 39 in April. She ended the year at no. 51 and had the bonus of finally being cleared to play Fed Cup for Australia.

The highlights for Tomljanovic were reaching the Toyota Thailand Open final losing in controversial fashion to Dayana Yastremska and also reaching the semifinal at the Premier level tournament in Zhengzhou losing to Karolina Pliskova.

Other players that did well in 2019 were Astra Sharma who reached a career-high at no. 85 and also reached the final in Bogota losing to Anna Anisimova.

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

Maddison Inglis took her ranking from no. 361 to a career-high of 128 on November 18 before ending the year at no. 130

Canberra, Australia – 28 March 2019: Maddison Inglis from Australia in a round two match. (Photo by Rob Keating http://robiciatennis.com )

The Australian Men

It was Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios leading the way for the Australian men. Both players claimed titles on the ATP tour.

de Minaur won his home tournament in Sydney, the last before the ATP Cup takes over that time slot on the calendar. He also added the Atlanta and Zhuhai titles and took his ranking to a career-high at no. 18.

Kyrgios won titles in Acapulco and Washington, both at the ATP 500 level. At the Acapulco event he defeated Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 and then easily beat Alexander Zverev in the final.

Washington was again a very impressive showing from Kyrgios. He defeated the hottest player on tour over the American swing, Daniil Medvedev. He also defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semis.

2019 was a mixed bag for Kyrgios. He had the highs of winning the two titles but he made headlines for all the wrong reasons when at the Cincinnati Masters he had a meltdown in his match against Russia’s Karen Khachanov and he was later fined $US113,000 for his behavior.

Another Australian player that made his mark in 2019 were Alexei Popyrin. He took advantage of a wildcard into the Australian Open and reached the third round where he lost a tough five set battle against France’s Lucas Pouille. Popyrin would also go onto play in all of the three remaining Grand Slam main draws reaching the third round of the US Open. He climbed to a career-high at no. 87 in July.

Jordan Thompson made the most of his rise in the rankings in 2018 achieved through good Challenger results. He reached s-Hertogenbosch final and reached his career-high ranking of no. 43 in July.

Sydney, Australia – 6 January 2018: Jordan Thompson from Australia serving in the first set against France’s Adrian Mannarino during a round one match at the Sydney International tennis on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)

James Duckworth battled his way into the top-100 with some good results on the ATP Challenger tour winning titles in Pune, Playford, Baotou and Bangkok. He took his ranking from no. 238 at the start of 2019 to end the year at no. 100.

Photo of Australian tennis player James Duckworth at the Apis Canberra International. Photo by Rob Keating
Canberra – 30 October: Australia’s James Duckworth against Marc Polmans in the second set of their round one match. (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com)

Christopher O’Connell made a late season run up the rankings going from no. 596 on 28 January to a career-high at no. 119 by early December. This came on the back of a Challenger title in Cordenons in August and then he was runner up in Sibiu won Fairfield and he was again runner up in Knoxville.

Christopher O’Connell warming up for his match against Gavin Van Peperzeel in the ATP Challenge Tour qualifying tournament.

Marc Polmans was solid but he could not close some key wins that could have seen him push close the top-100. He lost his first round match over five sets at the Australian Open after receiving a wildcard. And he lost a round of 32 match at the the ATP 500 event in Washington losing in a third set tie-breaker.

Canberra - 30 October: Men's round one singles match - Australia's Marc Polmans on centre court in his match against fellow Australian James Duckworth. (Photo by Rob Keating - http://robiciatennis.com)
Canberra – 30 October 2018: Men’s round one singles match – Australia’s Marc Polmans on centre court in his match against fellow Australian James Duckworth. (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com)

Polmans did however claim Challenger titles in Zhangjiagang and Traralgon and reached his career-high of no. 132 in November.

2019 Australian player results for WTA and ATP tours

Davis Cup finals

Australia d Colombia 3-0
Nick Kyrgios d Alejandro Gonzalez 6-4, 6-4
Alex de Minaur d  Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4, 6-3
John Peers and Jordan Thompson d Juan-Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6).

Australia d Belgium 2-1
Nick Kyrgios d Steve Darcis 6-2, 7-6
Alex de Minaur d  David Goffin 6-0, 7-6
John Peers and Jordan Thompson lost to Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 6-0, 6-0 after injury withdrawal

Quarterfinal lost to Canada 2-1
John Millman lost to Vasek Pospisil 7-6(7), 6-4.
Alex de Minaur d Denis Shapovalov 3-6 6-3 7-5
John Peers and Jordan Thompson lost to Vasek Pospisil and Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-4.

Next Gen ATP Finals

Alex de Minaur (1) Rd Robin match 1 d Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (7) ESP 4-2, 3-4(5), 4-1, 4-1. RR match 2 d Miomir Kecmanovic 4-1, 4-3(4), 1-4, 4-0. RR match 3 d Casper Ruud 4-1, 4-0, 4-2. Semifinal d Frances Tiafoe 4-2, 4-1, 0-4, 4-2. Final lost to Jannik Sinner ITA 4-2, 4-1, 4-2.

Fed Cup Final

Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Kristina Mladenovic 6-1, 6-1
Ash Barty d Caroline Garcia 6-0, 6-0
Ash Barty lost to Kristina Mladenovic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(1)
Ajla Tomljanovic d Pauline Parmentier 6-4, 7-5
Ash Barty and Sam Stosur lost to Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia 6-4, 6-3.

WTA Finals Shenzhen

Round Robin Red Group – Ash Barty(1) d Belinda Bencic SUI (7) 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. Match two lost to Kiki Bertens 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Match three d Petra Kvitova CZE 6-4, 6-2. Semifinal d Karolina Pliskova CZE 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Final d Elina Svitolina UKR 6-4, 6-3.

ATP Masters 1000 Paris

Alex de Minaur d Laslo Dejere SRB 6-1, 6-4. R2 d Roberto Bautista Agut (9) ESP 7-6(2), 7-6(1). R3 v Stefanos Tsitsipas (7)

ATP 500 Basel

Alex de Minaur d Hugo Dellien BOL 6-1, 7-5. R2 d Taylor Fritz USA 6-3, 6-3. QF d Jan-Lennard Struff GER 6-4, 7-6(4). SF d Reilly Opelka USA 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 7-6(3). Final lost to Roger Federer (1) SUI 6-2, 6-2.
Alexei Popyrin (Q) lost to Fabio Fognini (5) 6-2, 6-4

ATP Challenger Traralgon

Final – Marc Polmans d Andrew Harris 7-5, 6-3

ATP 250 Stockholm

John Millman lost to Pablo Carreno Busta (5) ESP 6-4, 6-3.
Alexei Popyrin (Q) d Oscar Otte (LL) GER 7-6(6), 7-6(5). R2 lost to Denis Shapovalov (4) CAN 6-4, 7-6(3).

WTA Moscow

Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Varvara Gracheva (Q) RUS 6-3, 6-2.

ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai

Alex de Minaur lost to John Isner USA  7-6(1), 6-4.
John Millman (S) d Guido Pella ARG 6-3, 7-5. R2 lost to Andrey Rublev RUS 6-2, 6-0.

WTA International Tianjin

Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Veronika Kudermetova RUS 6-4, 6-2.
Sam Stosur (W) d Zh Yang (W) CHN 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. R2 lost to Yulia Putintseva KAZ 6-1, 6-2.
Astra Sharma lost to Yulia Putintseva KAZ 6-1, 1-6, 7-5.
Arina Rodionova (Q) lost to Wang Qiang (2) CHN 6-3, 6-4.

WTA Premier Event Beijing

Ash Barty (1) Rd 1 bye. R2 d Yulia Putintseva KAZ 6-4, 6-2. R3 d Zheng Saisai 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2. QF d Petra Kvitova (7) CZE 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. SF d Kiki Bertens (8) NED 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7). Final lost to Naomi Osaka JPN 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Ajla Tomljanovic d Wang Qiang 5-7, 4-5 retired. R2 lost to Alison Riske USA 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

ATP 500 event Beijing

no Australians

ATP 500 event Tokyo

Alexei Popyrin lost to Novak Djokovic (1) SRB 6-4, 6-2.
Jordan Thompson d Juan Ignacio Londero ARG 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. R2 lost to Taro Daniel JPN 6-4, 7-6(3).
Alex de Minaur lost to Lloyd Harris RSA 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(8).
John Millman d Adrian Mannarino FRA 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. R2 d Lloyd Harris RSA 6-3, 6-2. QF d Tara Daniel JPN 6-4, 6-0. SF d Reilly Opelka USA 6-3, 7-6(3). Final lost to Novak Djokovic (1) SRB 6-3, 6-2.

WTA Premier Event Wuhan

Ash Barty (1) R1 bye. R2 d Caroline Garcia FRA 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. R3 vs Sofia Kenin (15) USA. QF d Petra Martic CRO 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-3. SF lost to Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 6-4.
Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Dayana Yastremska7-6(5), 6-2
Sam Stosur lost to Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

ATP 250 Chengdu

Alexei Popyrin lost to Fernando Verdasco ESP 6-2, 7-5

ATP 250 Zhuhai

Alex de Minaur (7) d John Millman 6-1, 6-3. R2 d Andy Murray 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. QF d Borna Coric CRO (4) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. SF d Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-2. Final d Adrian Mannarino FRA 7-6(4), 6-4

WTA International Event Seoul

Ajla Tomljanovic d Stefanie Voegele SUI 6-0, 6-2. R2 lost to d Priscilla Hon 6-3, 5-7, 6-1.
Priscilla Hon d Mihaela Buzarnecu ROM 6-3, 6-4. R2 d Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. QF lost to Karolina Muchova (3) CZE 6-3, 6-3.

WTA International Event Guangzhou

Sam Stosur d Tereza Matincova (Q) CZE 6-2, 6-4. R2 d Bernarda Pera USA 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(5). QF d Nina Stojanovic SRB 6-2, 7-6(1). SF d Viktorija Golubic SUI 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-1. Final lost to Sofia Kenin (3) USA 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2.

WTA Premier Event Zhengzhou 

Ajla Tomljanovic d Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove (Q) NED 6-2, 6-0. R2 d Kiki Bertens NED 6-4, 7-6(1). QF d Zheng Saisai CHN 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-4. SF lost to Karolina Pliskova CZE 6-3, 6-2.

US Open

Women
Ashleigh Barty (2) d Zarina Diyas KAZ 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. R2 d Lauren Davis USA 6-2, 7-6(2). R3 d Maria Sakkari (30) 7-5, 6-3. R4 lost to Wang Qiang CHN 6-2, 6-4
Samantha Stosur (W) lost to Alexandrova Ekaterina RUS 6-1, 6-3.
Daria Gavrilova lost to Fiona Ferro FRA 6-3, 6-4
Alja Tomljanovic d Marie Bouzkova CZE 1-6, 7-5, 6-1. R2 lost to Anett Kontaveit (21) EST 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Astra Sharma lost to Magda Linette POL 6-3, 6-4
Priscilla Hon (LL) lost to Margarita Gasparyan RUS 7-6(4), 6-4

Men
Nick Kyrgios (28)  d Steve Johnson USA 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-4. R2 v Antoine Huang (W) FRA. R3 lost to Andrey Rublev RUS 7-6(5), 7-6(5), 6-3
John Millman lost to Rafael Nadal (2) ESP 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Alex de Minaur d Pierre-Hugues Herbert FRA 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(6), 7-5. R2 d Cristian Garin (31) CHI 6-3, 7-5, 6-3. R3 d Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. R4 lost to Grigor Dimitrov BUL
Jordan Thompson d Joao Sousa POR 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. R2 lost to Matteo Berrettini (24) ITA 7-5, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-1.
Alexei Popyrin d Federico Delbonis ARG 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(5). R2 d Mikhail Kukushkin KAZ 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2. R3 lost to Matteo Berrettini ITA 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-6(2)
Thanasi Kokkinakis d Ilya Ivashka (Q) BLR 6-3, 7-6(10), 6-7(4), 6-2. R2 lost to Rafael Nadal (2) ESP walkover

Winston-Salem

John Millman round 1 bye. R2 d Marco Cecchinato ITA 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3.  QF lost to Steve Johnson USA 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.
Alexei Popyrin d Thiago Monteiro BRA5-7, 6-4, 7-6(7). R2 lost to Miomir Kecmanovic SRB 7-6(5), 6-3.

Cincinnati

Nick Kyrgios d Lorenzo Sonego ITA 7-5, 6-4. R2 lost to Karen Khachanov (8) RUS 6-7( 7-6(4), 6-2 and fined US$113,000.
Jordan Thompson lost to Yoshihito Nishioka (Q) 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.
Alex de Minaur d Marco Cecchinato ITA 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-2. R2 d Reilly Opelka 7-6(3), 6-4. R3 lost to Yoshihito Niskioka 7-5, 6-4.

Ash Barty (1) Rd 1 bye. R2 d Maria Sharapova RUS 6-4, 6-1. R3 d Anett Kontaveit EST4-6, 7-5, 7-5. QF d Maria Sakkari 5-7, 6-2, 6-0. SF lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova (W) RUS 6-2, 6-4

Montreal Masters 1000

Nick Kyrgios lost to Kyle Edmund GBR 6-3, 6-4
Alex de Minaur lost to Dan Evans (Q) GBR 6-4, 7-6(6)
Jordan Thompson lost to John Isner (12) USA 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6)
Bernard Tomic (Q) lost to Roberto Bautista Agut (10) ESP 6-3, 6-2
John Millman (LL) d Feliciano Lopez (Q) ESP 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-3

Toronto Premier 5

Ash Barty (1) Rd 1 bye. R2 lost to Sofia Kenin 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4
Ajla Tomljanovic (Q) lost to Iga Swiatek (Q) POL 4-1 Ret

Washington ATP 500

Alex de Minaur (12) bye. Rd 2 lost to Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 7-6(6)
Nick Kyrgios d Thai-Son Kwiatkowski (Q) USA 7-5, 6-4. R2 d Gilles Simon (11) FRA 6-4, 7-6(5). Rof16 d Yoshihito Nishioka JPN 6-2, 7-5. QF d Norbert Gombos (LL) SVK 6-3, 6-3. SF d Stefanos Tsitsipas (1) GRE 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7). Final defeated Daniil Medvedev (3) RUS 7-6(6), 7-6(4).
Marc Polmans d Malik Jaziri TUN 6-2, 6-4. R2 lost to Benoit Paire (10) FRA 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(5)
Jordan Thompson d Jack Sock (W) USA 7-5, 6-3. R2 d Jan-Lennard Struff (14) GER 6-7(8), 6-4, 7-5. Rof16 lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas (1) GRE 6-3, 7-6(4)
Matthew Ebden lost to Tim Smyczek (Q) USA 6-4, 6-4.
Alexei Popyrin lost to Miomir Kecmanovic SRB 7-6(6), 6-3
Bernard Tomic – withdrew due to a finger injury

Los Cabos ATP 250

Thanasi Kokkinakis (W) d Maxime Janvier (Q) FRA 6-4, 6-4. R2 d Lucas Pouille (4) FRA 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. QF lost to Radu Albot (7) MDA 6-3, 6-3.

Atlanta ATP 250

Alex de Minaur R1 bye, R2 d Bradley Klahn USA 6-4, 6-4. QF d Bernard Tomic 6-2, 3-0. SF d Reilly Opelka 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-3. Final d Taylor Fritz (2) USA 6-3, 7-6(2)
Jordan Thompson lost to Cameron Norrie GBR 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3
Alexei Popyrin d Denis Kudla USA 6-3, 6-4. R2 d Pierre-Hugues Herbert (4) FRA 7-5, 6-3. QF lost to Cameron Norrie GBR 7-5, 6-4.
Bernard Tomic d Frances Tiafoe (5) USA 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). R2 d Matt Ebden AUS 6-4, 7-6(3). QF lost to Alex de Minaur AUS 6-2, 3-0 Ret back injury
Matt Ebden d Kamil Majchrzak (Q) POL 7-6(3), 6-3. R2 lost to Bernard Tomic AUS 6-4, 7-6(3).

Palermo WTA International

Daria Gavrilova lost to Jill Teichmann SUI 7-6(3), 7-5

Newport ATP 250

Jordan Thompson (3) Rd1 bye. R2 lost to Marcel Granollers ESP 6-2, 7-6(6)
Matthew Ebden Rd1 d Brayden Schnur CAN 6-1, 2-6, 6-3. R2 d Denis Kudla USA 6-2, 6-2. R3 lost to John Isner (1/W) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Alex Bolt (Q) lost to Alexander Bublik KAZ 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(4)

Lausanne WTA International

Daria Gavrilova R1 d Ylena in-Albon 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. R2 lost to Natalia Vikhlyantseva RUS 6-3, 6-2
Sam Stosur R1 d Barbara Haas (Q) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. R2 d Allie Kiick (Q) USA 6-3, 7-5. R3 lost to Fiona Ferro FRA 6-4, 6-2.

Bucharest WTA International

Jaimee Fourlis (Q) Rd 1 d  Irina Bara (WC) ROM 6-3, 7-6(6). R2 lost to Viktoria Kuzmova (2) SVK 7-5, 6-2.

Wimbledon

Ladies

Ash Barty (1) d Zheng Saisai CHN 6-4, R2 d Alison Van Uytvanck BEL 6-1, 6-3. R3 d Harriet Dart (W) GBR 6-1, 6-1. R4 lost to Alison Riske USA 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
Ajla Tomljanovic d Daria Kasatkina (29) RUS 6-3, 6-1. R2 lost to Victoria Azarenka BLR 6-2, 6-0.
Daria Gavrilova lost to Elina Svitolina (8) UKR 7-5, 6-0
Astra Sharma lost to Sofia Kenin (27) USA 6-4, 6-2
Sam Stosur lost to Carla Suarez Navarro (30) ESP 6-2 7-5
Arina Rodionova (Q) lost to Taylor Townsend USA 6-2 6-3 

Gentlemen’s 

Alex de Minaur (25) d Marco Cucchinato ITA 6-0, 6-4, 7-6(5), R2 lost to Steve Johnson USA 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Nick Kyrgios d Jordan Thompson 7-6(4)3-6, 7-6(10), 0-6, 6-1, R2 lost to Rafael Nadal ESP 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(3)
Jordan Thompson lost to Nick Kyrgios 7-6(4)3-6, 7-6(10), 0-6, 6-1
John Millman d Hugo Dellien BOL 6-2 6-3 6-4, R2 d Laslo Dere SRB 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. R3 lost to Sam Querrey USA 7-6(3), 7-6(8), 6-3
Matthew Ebden lost to Diego Schwartzman (24) ARG 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 
Bernard Tomic lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 
Alexie Popyrin (Q) d Pablo Carreno Busta ESP 7-6(2), 7-5, 6-2. R2 lost to Daniil Medvedev (11) RUS 6-7(6), 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Eastbourne

John Millman lost to Fernando Verdasco (5) ESP 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1

Ash Barty withdrew due to an arm injury
Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova RUS 6-2, 7-6(1)
Sam Stosur (Q) d Sofia Kenin USA 6-2, 6-3. Rd 2 lost to Angelique Kerber GER 6-4, 6-4
Daria Gavrilova (LL) d Viktorija Golobic (LL) SUI 6-0, 6-7(2), 7-6(6). R2 lost to Shuai Zhang CHN 6-3 6-1

Antalya

Jordan Thompson (3) Rd 1 bye. R2 d Bradley Klahn USA 7-6(7), 6-3. QF d Damir Dzumhur (5) BIH 7-5, 1-0 Ret. SF lost to Miomir Kecmanovic SRB 6-7(5), 6-7(5), 7-6(1)
Bernard Tomic d Andreas Seppi (7) ITA 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. R2 d Peter Gojowczyk GER 7-6(3), 6-3. QF lost to Pablo Carreno Busta (4) ESP 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-4
Matthew Ebden lost to Damir Dzumhur (5) BIH 6-4, 7-5

Wimbledon Qualifying

Men’s

James Duckworth d Jan Choinski GBR 6-1, 7-5. R2 lost to Viktor Galovic CRO 3-6, 6-3, 11-9
Marc Polmans d Mohamed Safwat EGY 6-1, 6-3. R2 lost to Soonwoo Kwon (24) KOR 6-2, 6-2
Andrew Harris d Enrique Lopez Perez ESP 6-2, 7-5. R2 d SergiyStakhovsky (17) UKR 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Rd3 lost to Corentin Moutet (1) FRA 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Jason Kubler d Henri Laaksonen (2) SUI 6-2,5-7, 7-5. R2 d Norbert Gombos SVK 7-6(5), 7-6(1). Rd3 lost to Yasutaka Uchiyama JPN 3-6, 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
Alexei Popyrin (4) d Federico Coria ARG 6-2, 7-5. R2 d Mats Moraing GER 6-1, 3-6, 6-1. Rd3 d Bjorn Fratangelo (27) USA 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-7(4), 7-6(6)
John-Patrick Smith d Nicolas Mahut FRA 6-3, 6-4. R2 lost to Salvatore Caruso (18) ITA 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Alex Bolt d Jannik Sinner ITA 2-6, 7-5, 12-10. R2 lost to Dennis Novak (14) AUT 6-4, 6-2
Akira Santillan d Jurij Rodionov 6-3, 6-1. R2 lost to Ruben Bemelmans BEL 6-7(5), 6-3, 12-10

Women’s

Zoe Hives lost to Anna Blinkova (2) RUS 6-1,7-5
Destanee Aiava lost to Martina Di Giuseppe ITA 7-6(3), 6-4
Kimberly Birrell lost to Misaki Doi (4) JPN 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
Arina Rodionova d Asia Muhammad USA 7-6(6), 6(2)-7, 8-6. R2 d Misaki Doi (4) JPN 6-4, 6-2. Rd3 d Danielle Lao USA 0-6, 6-1, 6-1
Priscilla Hon (23) d Katarina Zavatska UKR 7-5, 6-3. R2 lost to Catherine McNally USA 6-4, 6-4.
Ellen Perez lost to Elena Rybakina (8) KAZ 6-1, 6-4
Kaylah Mcphee d Maia Lumsden GBR 6-4, 6-4. R2 lost to Liudmila Samsonova (31) RUS 6-2, 7-6(5)

London / Queen’s Club ATP 500

Alex de Minaur lost to Aljaz Bedene (Q) SLO 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Nick Kyrgios d Roberto Carballes Baena ESP 7-6(4), 6-3. R2 lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime (8) 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 7-5.

Halle ATP 500

John Millman lost to Roger Federer (1) SUI 7-6(1), 6-3
Matthew Ebden lost to Radu Albot MDA 5-7, 6-1, 6-4

Birmingham WTA Premier

Ashleigh Barty (2) d Donna Vekic CRO 6-3, 6-4. R2 d Jennifer Brady USA 6-3, 6-1. QF d Venus Williams (W) USA 6-4, 6-3. SF d Barbora Strycova CZE 6-4, 6-4. Final d Julia Goerges GER 6-3, 7-5 to claim world no. 1.

Mallorca WTA International

Ajla Tomljanovic d Monica Puig PUR 6-4, 7-5. R2 lost to Anastasija Sevastova (2) LAT 6-2, 6-1
Samantha Stosur (W) d Zheng Saisai CHN 6-4, 7-5. R2 lost to Elise Mertens (4) BEL 6-3, 6-3

s-Hertogenbosch ATP 250 and WTA International

Alex de Minaur (3) R1 bye. R2 d Andreas Seppi ITA 7-5, 6-3. QF lost to Jordan Thompson 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Matt Ebden lost to Pierre-Henri Herbert FRA 6-4, 7-5
Jordan Thompson d Tommy Paul (Q) USA 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. R2 d Frances Tiafoe (6) USA 6-3, 6-2. QF d Alex de Minaur (3) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. SF d Richard Gasquet (8) FRA 7-5, 6-3. Final lost to Adrian Mannarino FRA 7-6(7), 6-3

Women

Priscilla Hon (Q) lost to Paula Badosa Gibert (Q) ESP 6-4, 6-3
Destanee Aiava (W) d Aryna Sabalenka (2) 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-4. R2 lost to Veronika Kudermetova RUS 6-3, 6-1

Stuttgart ATP 250

John Millman lost to Dustin Brown (Q) GER 6-4, 7-6(3)
Nick Kyrgios lost to Matteo Berrettini ITA 6-3, 6-4
Alexei Popyrin lost to Milos Raonic  (6) CAN 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(4)

Nottingham WTA International

Ajla Tomljanovic (6) d Danielle Lao (Q) USA 6-2, 6-3. R2 d Harriet Dart GBR 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-2. QF lost to Tatjana Maria (9) GER 6-3, 7-6(7)
Astra Sharma d Magdalena Rybarikova SVK 6-1, 0-0 Ret. R2 lost to Kristina Mladenovic (8) FRA 6-1, 7-5
Ellen Perez (Q) lost to Ivana Jorovic SRB 6-3, 6-4

French Open – Roland Garros

Men’s Singles

Bernard Tomic lost to Taylor Fritz USA 6-1, 6-4, 6-1
Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the tournament
John Millman lost to Alexander Zverev (5) GER 7-6(4), 6-3, 2-6, 5-7(5), 6-3
Matthew Ebden lost to Gregoire Barrere (W) FRA 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1
Jordan Thompson d Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (LL) ESP 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(3). R2 d Ivo Karlovic CRO 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3. R2 lost to Juan-Martin Del Potro (8) ARG 6-4, 6-4, 6-0
Alexei Popyrin (W) d Ugo Humbert FRA 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(10), 6-3. R2 lost to Laslo Djere (31) SRB 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-4
Alex de Minaur (21) d Bradley Klahn USA 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. R2 lost to Pablo Carreno Busta ESP 6-3, 6-1, 6-1

Women’s Singles

Priscilla Hon d Timea Babos (LL) Hun 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. R2 lost to Madison Keys (14) USA 7-5, 5-7, 6-3
Ashleigh Barty (8) d Jessica Pegula USA 6-3, 6-3. R2 d Danielle Collins USA 7-5, 6-1. R3 d Andrea Petkovic GER 6-3, 6-1. R4 d Sofia Kenin USA 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. QF d Madison Keys (14) USA 6-3, 7-5. SF d Amanda Anisimova USA 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3. Final d Marketa Vondrousova CZE 6-1, 6-3
Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Simona Halep (3) ROM 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
Daria Gavrilova lost to Aleksandra Krunic SRB 6-3, 2-2 Ret
Sam Stosur d Barbora Strycova CZE 6-2, 7-6(3). R2 lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova RUS 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
Astra Sharma lost to Shelby Rogers USA 6-3, 6-3

ATP Tour

Geneva ATP 250

Matt Ebden (7) lost to Nicolas Jarry CHI 6-2, 7-6(4)
Jordan Thompson lost to Denis Kudla USA 5-7, 6-2, 6-4

Lyon ATP 250

Bernard Tomic lost to Steven Diez (Q) CAN 6-4, 4-1 ret.
John Millman d Pablo Andujar ESP 6-1, 6-3. R2 lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime CAN 7-6(3), 7-5

WTA Tour

Strasbourg International 

Astra Sharma (Q) d Zhang Shuai CHN 6-4, 6-1. R2 lost to Monica Puig PUR 6-3, 6-2
Daria Gavrilova d Diana Marcinkevica (LL) LAT 7-5, 7-5. R2 d Amandine Hesse (W) FRA 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. QF lost to Chloe Paquet FRA 6-3, 7-6(1)
Sam Stosur d Jessica Pegula USA 6-3, 6-1. R2 lost to Diana Yastremska (6) UKR 6-0, 6-2

Nürnberg International 

Ajla Tomljanovic (3) d Sabine Lisicki (W) GER 6-2, 7-5. R2 lost to Tamara Zidansek SLO 6-3, 6-4

Filed Under: Premier, Tennis, World 500

Ash Barty wins the WTA Finals to cap off an amazing year but one prize still remains

November 4, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

Australia’s world no. 1 Ash Barty faced Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the WTA Finals final. The winner would walk away with the largest winner’s purse in tennis history.

Barty opened the serving and dropped just three points on serve over the opening three games against Svitolina the defending champion.

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Ukraine’s Svitolina went into the final unbeaten and also held a 4-0 head-to-head record against the Australian world no. 1.

Both players were holding serve with ease and no player face deuce until Barty in the ninth game after she hit an unforced error into the net.

The first break opportunity came on the next point when Svitolina hit a winner. She could not convert as she hit wide. Barty brought up Ad with a great down the line passing shot.

Another Barty unforced error saw her go back to deuce. A few points later Barty was able to escape from that game to lead 5-4.

In the tenth game Svitolina opened with two unforced errors to fall behind 0-30. Barty eased the pressure when she missed badly on a second serve forehand return, then another unforced error got it to 30-30.

Barty earned her first break point when she hit a forehand winner from mid-court. It was also a set point for the Australian but she pushed a forehand wide to waste that opportunity. A well hit forehand which forced Svitolina to lob saw Barty smash a winner to earn a second set point.

Barty made a move to the net looking to claim the set but Svitolina handled the pressure and slotted a passing shot down the line.

A kind net cord for Barty saw the ball trickle over to bring up a third set point. Svitolina presented Barty a short second serve that Barty stepped into and hit a forehand winner to take the first set 6-4.

Barty held easily to open the second set before putting pressure on Svitolina’s serve in the second game but the Ukrainian escaped the game to see the score at 1-1.

Barty sliced long to fall to 15-30 in the third game of the set. A repeat of an unforced slice error, that this time went into the net gave Svitolina two break points. A double-fault handed the game to her opponent.

After Barty hit a drop shot to bring Svitolina to the net and then hit a second shot down the line that just caught the edge of the line the Australian was at 30-30.

A forehand winner gave her a break-back-point which she converted after great court coverage that was sealed by a smash winner.

Barty held to love to move to 3-2.

Svitolina called her coach to the sideline after that game.

A shot that was called in on the sideline was challenged by Barty and was shown to be out for Barty to move to 0-15 in the sixth game.

An unforced error from Barty and then a winner from Svitolina as she attacked the net saw the defending champion at 30-15 before she hit wide to have the score at 30-30.

A break point was for Barty after Svitolina hit a forehand into the net. As Barty had done earlier in the set it was a double fault by Svitolina that handed the break to her opponent. Barty was now ahead 4-2.

Some amazing court coverage by Barty on the third point saw her move to 30-15 but then a backhand into the net have Svitolina some hope. A double-fault served up a break-back-point to the Ukrainian. With the court open down the line Barty pushed her shot wide to let Svitolina back into the match.

The seventh game showed how quickly momentum could change. Barty looked set to move to 5-2 however a few errors and it was back on serve at 3-4 with Svitolina serving.

The players traded winners to open the eighth game. Another winner from Barty gave her 15-30. Barty was toying with Svitolina on the next point and she worked her way to the net to volley for 15-40.

The net cord this time favoured Svitolina as a Barty shot hit the net cord and then fell back on the Australian’s side. An unforced error then a forced error saw Svitolina move to Ad.

Svitolina hit a backhand into the net to see the score at deuce. Barty looked to be in control of the next point before a good lob from Svitolina saw her push Barty to the baseline before the Australian made an error.

Barty had Svitolina on the run before forcing an error from the Ukrainian for another break point. A backhand that went wide from Svitolina saw Barty move to 5-3 and with the opportunity to serve for the Billy Jean King trophy.

Svitolina was again off target as she hit wide to give Barty the first point. A backhand wide to the other sideline saw Barty two point from victory. Barty pushed Svitolina deep and it was championship point for Barty.

The title was hers after Svitolina hit a forehand into the net. The final score was 6-4, 6-3 after 1 hour 26 minutes.

Barty’s winning check of $4.42 million is the biggest ever in professional tennis.

This capped off an amazing year for Barty on the WTA tour but there is one more goal for the Australian as she will fly to Perth to lead Australia in the Fed Cup final against France.

France’s Kristina Mladenovic teamed up with Timea Babos to defend their doubles title. They defeated Hsieh Su-Wei and Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-3.

Mladenovic will be facing Barty in Perth as part of the French team.

At the start of the year Robicia tennis shared a cruise on Sydney Harbour with Barty and several other players including then no. 1 Simona Halep.

Barty spoke about having all four of her wisdom teeth pulled out at the start of the off season, and about her four dogs who are “energetic and a good use for four extra pillows when you need them.” Barty also shared that her ultimate goal for the year is to get in the top 10, and she also wants to go deeper in the grand slams.

The likeable Australian exceeded all expectations in 2019.
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Filed Under: Premier

Barty fights back to book WTA finals berth

November 3, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

World no. 1 Ash Barty has come back from a set down to defeat world no. 2 Karolina Pliskova and advance to the final where she will face the defending champion Elina Svitolina.

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The score was 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 with the match lasting 1 hour and 53 minutes.

Pliskova had eight break point opportunities in the first set and claimed one to give her the early advantage.

After dropping the first set the Australian had a chat with her coach and made some adjustments to her game. They paid off as she broke her Czech opponent twice in the second set.

It was Barty again that got the first break in the deciding set and that was enough to see her complete the win to advance to the final for the first time.

Barty hit 11 Aces and 36 winners to 23 for Pliskova. The unforced errors were 26 from Barty and 30 from Pliskova.

It was Barty’s movement around the court that helped her get the win.

Filed Under: Premier

Barty gets the better of Kvitova again to advance to the WTA finals semis

November 1, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

After two tough losses to start the year against Petra Kvitova, Australia’s Ash Barty has recorded her third straight win over the Czech.
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This win came in a Red Group match to decide who would advance to the semifinals of the WTA finals in Shenzhen. Barty defeated Kvitova 6-4, 6-2.

Kvitova had defeated Barty in the Sydney International final and then at the Australian Open in the quarterfinals.

Barty secured top spot after the win.

The Australian served much better than during her previous match where she lost to Kiki Bertens. Barty was also cool under pressure and secured a break of serve in the fifth game of the first set.

Barty raced away with the match in the second set before securing the victory.

Belinda Bencic won her match after Bertens conceded the match at 1-0 in the second set. That win took the Swiss player into the semis.

Filed Under: Premier

Bertens subs in for Osaka and beats Barty for the first time

October 29, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

Kiki Bertens has stepped in as an alternate to take the place of Naomi Osaka and face off against world no. 1 Ash Barty.

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Barty was in control in the first set and was twice up a break in the second set. Bertens however would not go away. She changed tactics and was often seen rushing the net.

A more aggressive game plan paid off and it was Bertens that took the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Osaka had injured her shoulder a few weeks ago in Beijing and thought after rest it would recover however after a tough match against Petra Kvitova she decided it was not up to playing another match.

Barty serving at 48% wasn’t good enough to fight off Bertens who served at 56%.

The winners favoured Bertens with 30 to 25 and the unforced errors were close with Bertens making 43 to Barty’s 41.

Red group is now wide open with all four players able to advance although if Bencic loses tonight she will be eliminated.

Filed Under: Premier

Tomljanovic into Round 2 of the China Open

September 30, 2019 by Alicia Keating Leave a Comment

Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic was two points away from being sent packing in the first round of the China Open in Beijing, but her opponent, Chinese no. 1 Qiang Wang couldn’t finish the match due to heat cramping. Tomljanovic advanced to the second round, 5-7, 4-5 (ret.).

The match could have been over a lot sooner, with Wang storming out to a 5-1 lead, and serving for the first set, but the Australian found her form and fought back to level the score at 5 all. It still wasn’t enough for Tomljanovic, as Wang quickly finished up the last two games to win the first set.

Once again the Chinese dominated to lead 4-0, but Tomljanovic fought back again to 4 all as Wang began to suffer cramps in her right leg. She managed to hold on for one more game to lead again at 5-4, but with just two points from the second round, the pain became too much for Wang, and she couldn’t continue. She tried to stretch out her leg, with the Australian running over to help her, however, it did her no favour as her other leg began to cramp also. Wang was wheeled off court in a wheel chair with the Beijing crowd watching on in despair, having also just witnessed Chinese no. 2 Shuai Zhang lose a thriller to Angelique Kerber in the previous match.

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Photo: BEIJING, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 29: Qiang Wang of China gets injured while Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia tries to help during the women’s singles first round match of 2019 China Open at the China National Tennis Center on September 29, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Xinyu Cui/Getty Images)

Tomljanovic will face American Alison Riske in the second round.

Filed Under: Premier

Barty loses chance to return to no. 1

August 18, 2019 by Rob Keating Leave a Comment

Australia’s Ash Barty has lost to Russian wildcard Svetlana Kuznetsova. The former US and French Open champion winning the match 6-2, 6-4.

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Kuznetsova was down 2-0 and stormed back to win six straight games to claim the first set.
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If Barty reached the final she would have returned to no. 1. As it is Naomi Osaka will hold onto the top spot.

Barty had a poor serving performance, serving at just 51% compared with 73% from her opponent.

Filed Under: Premier

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