Johanna Konta backed to boost Great Britain’s Fed Cup hopes in Tallinn February 7, 2017 Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong has urged her full-strength team to put women’s tennis on the map in this country by making long-overdue progress in the Fed Cup – starting this week. Britain have spent 24 years trying in vain to achieve promotion from the Europe/Africa Zone – the competition’s third tier – and are [...]
Davis Cup drama as Great Britain progress after umpire struck in face by Canada’s Denis Shapovalov February 5, 2017 Great Britain reached the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup in bizarre fashion after Canada teenager Denis Shapovalov was defaulted from the decisive match for smashing the ball into the umpire’s face in temper. British No2 Kyle Edmund had just broken serve and was leading 3-6, 4-6, 1-2 when Shapovalov lost his cool and in a [...]
Only the career grand slam compares to winning the Australian Open on my return from a six-month injury lay-off, says Roger Federer January 29, 2017 Former world No1 Roger Federer toasted one of the most memorable wins of his glittering career after he defeated old foe Rafael Nadal in a gladiatorial Australian Open finale on Sunday. Federer’s 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Nadal in their ninth grand slam final brought the 35-year-old a record-extending 18th major title and [...]
Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Venus Williams reach Australian Open final as old guard roll back the years January 26, 2017 Former world No1 Roger Federer admits that he has surprised even himself by becoming the oldest man to reach a grand slam final for more than 40 years at the Australian Open. The evergreen Swiss overcame compatriot Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3 on Thursday to stay on course for an 18th grand slam [...]
Rafael Nadal stays on course for vintage final with Roger Federer at Australian Open January 25, 2017 Resurgent Rafael Nadal savoured his return to the big time after reaching a first grand slam semi-final for nearly three years at the Australian Open on Wednesday. Ninth seed Nadal, 30, belied Milos Raonic’s status as the top-ranked player left in the men’s draw with a commanding 6-4, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 triumph over the Canadian. [...]
Serena Williams tips Johann Konta for Australian Open crown after ending Briton’s run January 25, 2017 Title favourite Serena Williams hailed Johanna Konta as a future Australian Open champion after ending the Briton’s dazzling run in Melbourne on Wednesday. Williams, who is seeking an Open-era record 23rd grand slam crown, overpowered Konta 6-2, 6-3 to set up a semi-final against unseeded Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. It halted Konta’s run of nine consecutive [...]
Roger Federer and Venus Williams roll back the years on way to Australian Open semi-finals January 24, 2017 Evergreen Roger Federer is plotting the downfall of compatriot Stan Wawrinka after becoming the oldest men’s singles semi-finalist at a grand slam for 25 years. Federer, 35, continued his impressive return from injury at the Australian Open by despatching Sir Andy Murray’s conqueror Mischa Zverev 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. It made [...]
I’m ready to beat Serena Williams, says Johanna Konta, after British No1 sets up showdown with Australian Open favourite January 23, 2017 In-form British No1 Johanna Konta insists she feels ready to take on Serena Williams after setting up an Australian Open clash with the 22-time grand slam winner. Konta is due to meet Williams in the quarter-finals on Wednesday morning after brushing aside 30th seed Ekaterina Makarova 6-1, 6-4 in the fourth round on Monday. Williams [...]
Sir Andy Murray vows to bounce back after Australian Open heartbreak comes early January 22, 2017 World No1 Sir Andy Murray has vowed to come back stronger after suffering a shock fourth-round defeat to German Mischa Zverev at the Australian Open on Sunday. Top seed Murray, fancied to end his run of near misses in Melbourne following the early exit of main rival Novak Djokovic, lost 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 to [...]
Champion Angelique Kerber knocked out of Australian Open as top seeds tumble in fourth round January 22, 2017 Defending champion Angelique Kerber rued another below-par display after her disappointing season continued with a surprise defeat to American Coco Vandeweghe at the Australian Open on Sunday. Kerber suffered the earliest exit by a women’s singles title-holder in Melbourne for a decade as she followed men’s top seed Sir Andy Murray out of the tournament [...]