bluetornados
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Aug 28, 2024 8:20:54 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Aug 28, 2024 8:20:54 GMT
Dan Evans reveals he is 'hurting all over' after coming through longest match in US Open history - and insists: 'I'll remember it forever!'..by Matthew Lamberti.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/28/02/89000951-0-image-m-11_1724807792554.jpgDan Evans pulled off some incredible feats of escapology alongside Andy Murray at the Olympics but this was his best trick yet – and a comeback of which the great Scot himself would have been proud. In the longest match in US Open history, Evans trailed Karen Khachanov 4-0, 40-15 in the deciding set but reeled off six games on the trot. 'It was a hell of a match,' said Evans. 'I just tried to keep fighting. I thought I was out, felt a little sorry for myself and then was trying to get myself going. I didn't want to go out in a Slam with not much fight, with a whimper after… I don't even know how long the match was. 'I could see he was struggling a bit and I just tried to just grab a game at a time. My serve was obviously really, really, really bad because of my body, I've got a bad headache now.' He will have to recover from this five hour and 35 minute epic in time to face Argentina's Mariano Navone tomorrow. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/28/02/89000959-0-image-a-13_1724807819214.jpg'I was hurting all over really. I'll obviously be in a bit of discomfort for the next few hours. I pride myself on being pretty fit, so I should hopefully be OK.' Evans was visibly flagging at 4-0 down in the final set but he chipped and volleyed and eked his way back into it. They passed the record of five hours and 26 minutes set by Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang in the 1992 semi-finals as Evans won 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4. The 34-year-old Evans had not won a tour match since March and has even talked of potential retirement but what a performance this was. He relishes chopping a bigger man down to size and he has won all five of his meetings with Khachanov. 'When you're a kid, you're just told to fight until the end,' he said. 'That's rule one. I've done it pretty consistently for my career and it paid off today. 'Just a crazy, crazy match. It's one I'll remember obviously forever but I don't really want to do that again, that's for sure.' i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/28/02/89000963-0-image-a-12_1724807806896.jpg
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bluetornados
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Aug 28, 2024 8:26:49 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Aug 28, 2024 8:26:49 GMT
Former champion Emma Raducanu crashes out in US Open first round..Emily Salley, BBC Sport journalist.i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/28/03/89002117-13786559-image-a-42_1724810442415.jpgEmma Raducanu says she wants to play more matches before Grand Slam tournaments after losing to Sofia Kenin in the US Open first round. Britain's Raducanu, who lost 6-1 3-6 6-4, was searching for her first victory in New York since unexpectedly winning the title in 2021 as a teenage qualifier. She fell in the first round in 2022 and missed last year's tournament as she recovered from wrist and ankle surgery. Raducanu played just one tournament between Wimbledon in July and the US Open, reaching the quarter-finals in Washington earlier this month. The 21-year-old fought back tears in a news conference after her loss to fellow Grand Slam champion Kenin and said she felt "sad" and "down". She said she would "learn from it" and "manage my schedule slightly differently" for future Grand Slams. "I would like to play more matches," Raducanu told BBC 5 Live. "I wouldn't probably still play every single tournament leading up, but I would probably play more than I did this time. "It's a lesson to learn for next year." i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/28/03/89002133-13786559-image-a-44_1724810512001.jpgHaving opted to skip this summer's Olympic Games in Paris, Raducanu also missed WTA 1,000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati in the lead-up to the US Open Raducanu admitted afterwards that she lacked some match sharpness against Kenin. "I got off to a bit of a slow start, but did really well to fight back in sets two and three and there wasn’t much in it," Raducanu said. "I think I worked my way into the match pretty well, but at this level you can’t really afford to have a slow start of the set and start from a set down. "I know when I have a lot of matches, just like every player, you feel really good, you feel like everything's automatic. "I can learn from it and manage my schedule slightly differently." After an injury-plagued 2023, Raducanu returned to the tour in January and reached the second round of the Australian Open. She skipped the clay-court French Open to focus on being fit for the British grass season - a decision that seemed to have paid off when she made an impressive run to the Wimbledon fourth round. "I think I've made progress considering where I was at the start of the year - I didn't play for seven months," the world number 71 added. "I had a month of December training after three surgeries so I think to climb back into the top 100 was a really good achievement." i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/28/03/89002113-13786559-image-a-43_1724810461095.jpg
Sofia Kenin moves on to face either Shelby Rogers or Jessica Pegula in the second round
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bluetornados
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Aug 30, 2024 10:45:20 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Aug 30, 2024 10:45:20 GMT
Dan Evans backs up marathon match with second-round win..by Emily Salley, BBC Sport journalistbritwatchsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Evans-USO20-R1a-Getty-1.jpgBritain's Dan Evans backed up his first-round marathon match at the US Open with a straight-set victory over Argentina's Mariano Navone. Evans played the longest match in US Open history on Tuesday when he defeated Russia's Karen Khachanov in five hours and 35 minutes. The 34-year-old followed that up 48 hours later with a more convincing 6-4 6-3 6-3 win against Navone, the world number 36, to reach the third round. Evans said he needed to remain "mentally" strong to reach the third round following Tuesday's epic endurance test against 23rd seed Khachanov. "I knew it was going to be difficult the longer that it went on," said Evans. "My big goal was to be big mentally today. Obviously I'm tired and when you're tired you can make poor mistakes but I didn't do that. "I came forward great, made him pass a lot and was aggressive. That helped me mentally and physically." Prior to his victory over Navone, Evans had failed to win two successive matches on the ATP Tour this year. The world number 184 found himself 3-0 down in the first set before recovering, winning six of the next seven games to take control of the match. He overturned an early break in the second set before breaking twice more, while he held off a late surge by Navone in the third. Evans celebrated with fans as his opponent fired a forehand long on the second match point after two hours 37 minutes. "It's been different, but it was important to win today," he said. "The record and stuff is obviously great but I'm here to win." He will play Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur, who defeated Finland's Otto Virtanen 7-5 6-1 7-6 (7-3), in the third round.
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bluetornados
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Aug 30, 2024 10:47:06 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Aug 30, 2024 10:47:06 GMT
British men's number one Jack Draper, moved seamlessly into the third round with a 6-4 6-2 6-2 success..by Emily Salley, BBC Sport journalisti.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/29/23/89085055-0-image-a-75_1724972344918.jpgHe will face Botic van de Zandschulp, who stunned third seed and title contender Carlos Alcaraz. Draper has long been seen as the British successor to Murray at the top end of the men's game. Having won his first ATP title at Stuttgart in June, the left-hander is aiming to go even further on the sport's biggest stages as the post-Murray era begins at the US Open. Draper, who reached the fourth round last year in a career-best performance, broke Diaz Acosta in the third game of the match and saw out the first set from there, fending off three break points. The 22-year-old's confidence grew and he cruised through the next two sets, offering up just one more break-point opportunity that Diaz Acosta failed to capitalise on. Speaking after his win and before Alcaraz's shock exit, Draper said he was "looking forward" to a potential battle with the Spaniard, who he defeated at Queen's Club in June. However, Alcaraz's defeat means Draper's side of the draw has opened up favourably for the young Briton. If he can move past Van de Zandschulp, the 25th seed will battle for a quarter-final spot against Belgium's David Goffin or Czech Tomas Machac, who are ranked 78th and 39th respectively. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/29/23/89085021-0-image-a-76_1724972350633.jpg
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bluetornados
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Aug 30, 2024 10:52:22 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Aug 30, 2024 10:52:22 GMT
Katie Boulter suffers 'horrendous' 2nd round defeat to Bouzas Maneiro..by Emily Salley, BBC Sport journalist
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/29/20/89076721-0-image-a-77_1724958257138.jpg
The 28-year-old athlete failed to maintain a level on consistency and lost on straight setsBoulter was heard saying "everything was horrendous" to her team at the side of the court as she found herself trailing Bouzas Maneiro. "A really tricky match for me. Today I was a little too passive and I didn't quite play the way I wanted to play," Boulter told BBC Radio 5 Live. "These players are always going to have a go at you, you're the higher-ranked person, they're going to play better than their ranking. "I have to be ready for that, and I have to be able to play my game better." The 28-year-old has leapt up the rankings after a strong 18 months, but she has yet to reach the second week of a Grand Slam. Coming into the US Open, Boulter admitted she was not as prepared as she might have been for the hard courts, completing just three matches on the surface after playing at the Olympics on the Paris clay. Meanwhile, Bouzas Maneiro was ranked outside the world's top 150 at the start of the year and had played just one Grand Slam main draw match. The 21-year-old has hit an impressive run of form, beating defending champion Marketa Vondrousova on the way to reaching the third round of Wimbledon before retiring injured against eventual winner Barbora Krejcikova. She will play sixth seed Jessica Pegula in the third round after she beat fellow American and former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 7-6 (7-4) 6-3. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/29/21/89080835-13794007-image-a-3_1724963745954.jpgWorld No 74 Bouzas Maneiro pulled off a superb upset after settling into an impressive rhythm
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bluetornados
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Sept 4, 2024 21:10:58 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 4, 2024 21:10:58 GMT
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bluetornados
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Sept 7, 2024 9:07:05 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 7, 2024 9:07:05 GMT
Sick Jack Draper loses to Sinner in dramatic US Open semi-final..Report by Jonathan Jurejko, BBC Sport journalisti2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article29887079.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_JS344437351.jpgBritain's Jack Draper vomited on court during a dramatic US Open semi-final defeat by world number one Jannik Sinner. The 22-year-old British number one's breakout run at a Grand Slam tournament ended in a 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 defeat in New York. In the biggest match of his fledgling career, 25th seed Draper caused problems for Sinner in a tight first set. But as the contest became more physical in the second set, a peaky-looking Draper vomited three times and was unable to inflict enough damage on Sinner's serve. The third set quickly got out of control for Draper, who looked spent as he wearily hugged his good friend Sinner after the Italian moved into his first US Open final. "I'm definitely someone who is quite an anxious human being," said Draper. "I think when you add all that together, sometimes I do feel a bit of nausea on court, and I do feel a little bit sick when it gets tough. "I didn't have any problems before the match, but it obviously just built up." Sinner will go on to face American 12th seed Taylor Fritz in Sunday's final. "It was a very physical match. I tried to stay there mentally. He is tough to beat," said Australian Open champion Sinner, who is aiming for a second major title. i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article29882941.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_2024-US-Open-Day-10.jpgLong heralded as the future of British men’s tennis, Draper has enjoyed a boundary-breaking season where he has won his first ATP title, become his nation’s leading player and reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. Fittingly, his run to the US Open last four – on a medium-fast hard court which suits his explosive game – came in the first major since Andy Murray retired. The left-hander from Surrey has ran with the baton passed by former world number one Murray. However, he was unable to become the first British man to reach a major final since the Scot. The early part of Draper’s career was littered with fitness issues and building up his body to withstand the rigours of a brutal sport has been the catalyst for his success this year. Nervous tension, though, has been a factor. He was sick immediately after securing victory in the Australian Open first round back in January, putting that down to the "psychological stress" of the situation. "Sometimes in the match you're anxious and it builds up in certain moments," said Draper. "I definitely felt 5- 5 in the first set was a big game. I threw in a couple of double faults, it was deuce a few times. "When I came out for the first game in the second set he was trying to get the break in the first game, and I managed to hold him off, but I was starting to not feel great in that moment." Once the disappointment settles, he will reflect with huge pride on an encouraging two weeks which indicates there are more exciting times ahead for British tennis fans. Draper was ranked 123rd in the world this time last year but will become a top-20 player for the first time next week. i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article29864199.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_2024-US-Open-Day-8.jpg
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bluetornados
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Sept 7, 2024 9:12:59 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 7, 2024 9:12:59 GMT
Taylor Fritz ends 15-year wait for American male Slam finalist..i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/07/04/89382263-13823665-Taylor_Fritz_is_in_the_US_Open_final_after_beating_fellow_Americ-m-134_1725680761119.jpgTaylor Fritz became the first American man in 15 years to reach a Grand Slam singles final as he beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe in a five-set US Open thriller. Fritz fought back to beat his good friend Tiafoe 4-6 7-5 4-6 6-4 6-1 under the lights in New York. Andy Roddick was the last American man to win a major singles title, having triumphed at the US Open in 2003. Roddick was also the last American man to reach a Grand Slam singles final - at Wimbledon in 2009 - as well as being the last to reach a US Open final in 2006. Fritz will face world number one Jannik Sinner in Sunday's final at Flushing Meadows. The 12th seed had previously never made it beyond the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam in four attempts. "He overwhelmed me at the start and I was freaking out a little," Fritz, 26, said. "I did all I could to stay in it. If I hadn't done that, I'd regret it forever." It is a second semi-final loss in two years for Tiafoe, who was beaten by eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz at the same stage in 2022. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/07/04/89382123-13823665-image-a-147_1725680857599.jpgFritz enjoyed a positive start in front of a packed house on Arthur Ashe, breaking Tiafoe at the first opportunity to race into a 3-0 lead. But Tiafoe, one of the sport's most engaging players, readjusted, winning six of the following seven games to wrap up the first set. Fritz was much more competitive in the second set, dropping just one point on serve before breaking Tiafoe as he attempted to force a tie-break. However, any momentum was soon ripped away from Fritz. Tiafoe broke in the opening game of the third and his powerful serve, combined with some impressive athleticism, saw him take a two-sets-to-one lead. However, the pressure told. Serving at 4-5, Tiafoe double faulted twice to slip from 40-15 to deuce, before two wild errors gifted the set to Fritz. Tiafoe struggled to regain his intensity, with Fritz charging into a 4-0 lead before his opponent, willed on by the crowd, regained a break. However, it was not enough, with Tiafoe immediately going 0-40 down on serve to be broken straight back, and Fritz confidently served out the win.
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bluetornados
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Sept 8, 2024 22:22:57 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 8, 2024 22:22:57 GMT
Jannik Sinner storms past Taylor Fritz to win first US Open title..by Emily Salley, BBC Sport journalisti.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/08/21/89424203-13827461-image-a-17_1725829172011.jpgWorld number one Jannik Sinner stormed past Taylor Fritz to win the US Open and secure a second Grand Slam title of the year. Italy's Sinner, who won his first major title at the Australian Open in January, held off a late charge from American 12th seed Fritz to win 6-3 6-4 7-5. It comes just 19 days after it was revealed he had been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance in March. The 23-year-old held his arms aloft and looked up to the sky as he became the first player since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season. He is also the first Italian man to win the singles title at Flushing Meadows. Sinner said the title "meant so much because the last period of my career was not easy" before he became tearful and dedicated the victory to his aunt. "My aunt is not feeling well health-wise and I don't know how much longer I have her in my life," he said. "It's nice I can still share these moments with her. She is an important person in my life and still is. "If there was a wish I could make, I would wish good health on everyone but unfortunately it's not possible." Fritz, meanwhile, was unable to become the first American male Grand Slam singles champion in 21 years. Andy Roddick, who was watching from the stands, remains the last American man to lift a major singles trophy, having won the US Open in 2003. "I know we have been waiting for a champion for a long time so I'm sorry I couldn't get it done this time," said Fritz. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/08/22/89424527-13827461-image-a-23_1725829571994.jpg
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bluetornados
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Sept 8, 2024 22:26:57 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 8, 2024 22:26:57 GMT
Aryna Sabalenka 'living best life' after solving US Open struggles..by Emily Salley, BBC Sport journalisti.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/08/17/89418081-13826959-image-a-69_1725812012026.jpgAfter previous heartache in New York, Aryna Sabalenka has finally got her hands on the US Open trophy. The Belarusian was reduced to tears following her loss to Coco Gauff in last year's final after winning the opening set comfortably. In 2022, she let a 4-2 lead slip in the deciding set of her semi-final against Iga Swiatek, while she fell to a shock defeat by Leylah Fernandez at the same stage a year earlier. But the 26-year-old said she was "the happiest person in the world" after beating American Jessica Pegula 7-5 7-5 in Saturday's showpiece to finally triumph at Flushing Meadows. "I'm speechless. I remember all the tough losses here," Sabalenka said. "They say you're going to see the reason later. I see the reason right now. "That's why it's very special, because no matter what, every time I was coming back stronger and I was learning. I never gave up on this dream." i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/07/23/89402865-13825331-image-a-24_1725748752698.jpgi.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/07/23/89403355-13825331-image-a-29_1725749738339.jpg
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bluetornados
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Sept 15, 2024 23:33:10 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 15, 2024 23:33:10 GMT
GB's Sonay Kartal claims maiden WTA title in Tunisia..by Craig Nelson, BBC Sport journalisti.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/03/16/86881235-0-image-a-1_1720019126698.jpgBritish number four Sonay Kartal held off the nerves to clinch a maiden WTA title with victory over Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova in the Jasmin Open final in Tunisia. The 22-year-old won 6-3 7-5 and will move into the world's top 100 for the first time on Monday. After dominating her higher-ranked opponent in the middle of the match, Kartal lost three consecutive service games with success in sight, before eventually settling herself to serve it out. Sramkova, number 136 in the world, fired long for a 39th unforced error of the match to hand the Briton her landmark victory on the first of two championship points. "I've played some of my best tennis this week, had some of my best wins," said Kartal, after coming through qualifying and dropping just one set in the tournament in Monastir. "I feel like each match I've grown and grown. I tried so hard to put the occasion and the score behind me." Both women were playing in their first final at this level and Kartal warned beforehand that the player who handled the occasion best would come out on top. After an early wobble, dropping her serve in the opening game, she showed the greater tactical acumen to exert control. Kartal won the final three games of the opening set and opened a 4-1 lead in the second before her serve started to let her down, albeit under intense pressure from a resurgent Sramkova. She overcame that pressure, breaking her 27-year-old opponent a total of four times in a second set that lasted 71 minutes, eventually sealing the win in just under two hours. "I started the year with the goal of being top 150, so now I have passed that," added Kartal, who was 298 in the world before reaching the third round of Wimbledon this year. "I'm just trying to end the year in the top 100."
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bluetornados
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Sept 16, 2024 0:35:39 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 16, 2024 0:35:39 GMT
GB's Davis Cup Finals hopes over as Dan Evans & Jack Draper lose..upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Logo_Davis_Cup.svg/413px-Logo_Davis_Cup.svg.pngi2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article33674404.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200d/0_Canada-v-Great-Britain-Davis-Cup-2024-Group-Stage-Finals-AO-Arena.jpgGreat Britain's Davis Cup Finals hopes are over after Dan Evans and Jack Draper both suffered defeats against a strong Canadian team. Leon Smith's side needed to beat Canada 3-0 in Manchester to progress to November's knockout stages in Malaga. But their fate was sealed early on Sunday, with Evans' 6-0 7-5 loss to Denis Shapovalov meaning GB will finish outside the top two in Group D. That was followed by British number one Jack Draper losing 7-6 (10-8) 7-5 to Felix Auger-Aliassime. Evans said afterwards he was thinking "long and hard" about ending his Davis Cup career. Britain's captain Smith said he would talk to Evans about his Davis Cup future "in a couple of days". "I've done it for 14 years and he has been in the majority of the squads, played huge important ties and won some amazing moments," Smith added. The doubles match with debutant Henry Patten partnering Neal Skupski to a 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 consolation win against Gabriel Diallo and Alexis Galarneau.
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bluetornados
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Sept 16, 2024 22:33:17 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 16, 2024 22:33:17 GMT
Katie Boulter & Emma Raducanu in GB team for Billie Jean King Cup..by Russell Fuller, Tennis correspondenti.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/08/15/89416037-13826723-image-a-6_1725805092388.jpgEmma RaducanuKatie Boulter and Emma Raducanu have both been named in the British team for November’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and doubles specialist Olivia Nicholls complete the five-woman team for the competition in Malaga from 13th-20th November. GB qualified for the knockout stage courtesy of an unlikely win over France on an indoor clay court in Le Portel in April. Raducanu - in just her second appearance for her country - levelled the tie by fighting back to beat Caroline Garcia on the opening day. After Boulter had beaten Clara Burel in the first Saturday singles match, Raducanu won the tie for GB by beating Diane Parry in a third-set tie-break. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/07/82826279-0-image-a-6_1711267052158.jpgKatie BoulterThe team could look quite different come November, as captain Anne Keothavong can make as many as three changes up until a day before GB’s first-round match against Germany. Both form and fitness are unpredictable, and Sonay Kartal is one with a chance of pushing herself into the team. The 22-year-old won her maiden WTA title in Tunisia at the weekend, and has risen more than 200 places in the rankings in just two and a half months to become the fourth British player in the WTA top 100. If GB are able to beat Germany, they would face defending champions Canada in the quarter-finals. "Our team have created excellent memories over the last couple of years and will relish the opportunity in November,” Keothavong said.
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bluetornados
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Sept 18, 2024 2:21:55 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 18, 2024 2:21:55 GMT
Emma Raducanu battles to win over Peyton Stearns at Korea Open..i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/17/12/89771731-13859779-image-a-87_1726572701213.jpgEmma Raducanu earned a hard-fought win in a "tough" match against Peyton Stearns in the first round of the Korea Open in Seoul. The Briton, who is number 70 in the world, was playing her first match since her first-round US Open exit and emerged a 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) victor against her 48th-ranked American opponent after two hours and 43 minutes. "I'm proud to have made it through to the next round. It was tough and very humid," said Raducanu. "It was a tough match to get through. I haven't played many matches in the last few months. "Peyton is a really good player in good form so I'm really pleased." Raducanu started strongly by breaking Stearns in the opening game and, despite losing the next game on her serve, again broke her opponent to lead 2-1. It was a sign of things to come as there were eight breaks of serve in a fluctuating first set, which Raducanu eventually won on a tie-break after 74 minutes. Both players saved break points in the second set before Raducanu took one to lead 5-3. However, in keeping with the match, she was broken when serving for the match, while Stearns also failed to hold her serve when 6-5 up. The match went to another tie-break which Raducanu won to secure victory, after a second set lasting 89 minutes. Raducanu will play China's Yue Yuan, who is 40 in the world rankings, in the next round. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/17/12/89771739-13859779-image-a-88_1726572921331.jpg
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Sept 19, 2024 16:58:14 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 19, 2024 16:58:14 GMT
Emma Raducanu reaches Korea Open quarter-finals with victory v Yue Yua..by Harry Poole, BBC Sport journalisti2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article33705165.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200d/0_Emma-Raducanu-ADVANCES-to-the-Korea-Open-quarter-finals.jpgGreat Britain's Emma Raducanu moved through to the quarter-finals at the Korea Open by beating China's Yue Yuan in straight sets. Raducanu, 21, seized control of the match by winning six successive games to wrap up the opening set and then take charge of the second. The 2021 US Open champion, ranked 70th in the world, eventually took her seventh match point to win 6-4 6-3 and reach the last eight in Seoul. Raducanu will play Daria Kasatkina for a place in the semi-finals on Friday after the Russian top seed beat American Hailey Baptiste 6-4 6-2. "I think these courts suit [Kasatkina] because they bounce quite a bit," Raducanu said. "But for me, every time I get exposure to that top level of opponent, it's invaluable. It allows me to build confidence. It's a match where I don't really have anything to lose." Yue, the world number 40, recovered an early break in the opening set but Raducanu landed another blow in the ninth game before taking her first set point on serve. Having come from 4-3 behind in the first set, Raducanu maintained her momentum at the start of the second, establishing a 3-0 advantage with a quick-fire double break either side of holding serve to love. The Briton's charge to the finish line was slowed as Yue reduced the deficit to 3-2; but, with her opponent growing in confidence, Raducanu saved a break point to hold serve in a crucial sixth game. After breaking Yue's serve for a third time in the set, Raducanu was unable to take any of her first five match points as she attempted to serve out the contest, before Yue clinched her fourth break point in an epic eighth game. Unfazed, Raducanu recovered from that frustration to complete a hard-fought victory on Yue's serve. i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article33532343.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200d/0_GettyImages-2167853427.jpg
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bluetornados
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Sept 21, 2024 20:09:49 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 21, 2024 20:09:49 GMT
Emma Raducanu retires injured against Daria Kasatkina in Korea..i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/21/09/89936243-0-image-a-2_1726907715249.jpgBritish number two Emma Raducanu retired from her Korea Open quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina with an injury to her left foot. Raducanu struggled with the issue in the previous round against Yue Yuan and continued to look uncomfortable in the opening exchanges against the Russian top seed. The 21-year-old was broken in the second game but, despite breaking straight back, struggled to serve and was unable to chase returns around the court. She needed a medical time out after the fifth game and decided she could not continue after losing the opening set 6-1. "I feel sorry for Emma," said Kasatkina after the match. "It's a pity to get injured, especially in the deeper stages of the tournament. I wish her a speedy recovery." In the semi-finals, Kasatkina beat compatriot Diana Shnaider 6-3 6-4 to set up a final meeting with Beatriz Haddad Maia, who progressed following a 6-4 6-4 victory against Vernika Kudermetova. Raducanu had been hoping to beat Kasatkina to reach her first semi-final above WTA 250 level since her 2021 US Open victory. The world number 70 has sustained a number of injuries since her Flushing Meadows triumph. She was restricted to just nine matches in 2023 due to having surgery on both of her hands and left ankle. Raducanu returned at the start of this year and reached the second round of the Australian Open, before skipping the French Open to focus on her fitness. She reached the fourth round at Wimbledon to return to the world's top 100, but suffered a first-round defeat by American Sofia Kenin at last month's US Open. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/21/09/89936199-0-image-a-1_1726907355672.jpg
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bluetornados
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Sept 23, 2024 14:24:46 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 23, 2024 14:24:46 GMT
Injured Emma Raducanu withdraws from Beijing Open..by Jonathan Jurejko, BBC Sport tennis news reporteri.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/18/18/89832641-13865445-image-a-94_1726679613461.jpgEmma Raducanu has pulled out of this week's China Open in Beijing because of a foot injury. The 21-year-old Briton had to retire injured from her Korea Open quarter-final in Seoul on Saturday because of the issue. Raducanu's name appeared in the Beijing draw when it was released on Monday before she withdrew shortly afterwards. "I sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need some more time to heal," she wrote on X. "It means I can't play in Beijing but I hope to be back competing as soon as I can." The world number 54 was due to face a qualifier in the first round, with Chinese fifth seed Zheng Qinwen potentially waiting in the next round. In Seoul, Raducanu took a medical timeout after five games against Russia's Daria Kasatkina and decided to stop after losing the opening set. The British number two, who famously won the 2021 US Open as a teenage qualifier, is next scheduled to play in Wuhan, China on 7th October.
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bluetornados
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Sept 27, 2024 14:00:16 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 27, 2024 14:00:16 GMT
Joe Salisbury to play with Neal Skupski in 2025 after Ram split..by Jonathan Jurejko, BBC Sport tennis news reporter www.tennisworldusa.org/world/media/image107536.jpgBritish doubles players Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski have agreed to play together on a full-time basis in the 2025 season. Salisbury, 32, has recently split with long-time partner Rajeev Ram after winning four Grand Slam titles together. That has paved the way for Salisbury to link up with 34-year-old Skupski, who is also a former world number one and major champion after winning the Wimbledon doubles title in 2023. The pair represented Britain together at the Paris Olympics, losing in the first round, and also teamed up for the ATP Tour event in Madrid earlier this year. Their full-time partnership will begin at the start of next season, which gets under way in Australia at the end of December. Salisbury's split with veteran Ram was announced by the American earlier this week. After linking up six years ago, they forged one of the most successful partnerships in the game. Their first major came at the 2020 Australian Open in their second season together. Further success came at the US Open, where they won three consecutive titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Reaching world number one and winning two end-of-season ATP Finals were other measures of their success. "Joe and I had some amazing wins, some epic matches and moments, and some gut-wrenching losses," said 40-year-old Ram. The pair started the 2024 season by winning an ATP 250 title in Adelaide and reached the final of the Montreal Masters - a ATP 1000 event - in August. But they could not add to their trophy haul and did not go beyond the quarter-finals in any of the four Grand Slam events this year. The pair are ranked as the 11th best team in the world this season. Their final tournament as a team was the US Open where, as three-time defending champions, they lost in the third round. |
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bluetornados
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Sept 30, 2024 19:15:53 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Sept 30, 2024 19:15:53 GMT
Teenager Charlie Robertson dreams of being 'better than Andy Murray'..by Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland senior reporter
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/20/20/88737727-0-image-a-62_1724182889620.jpg
Young Scot Charlie Robertson has his eye on success as a senior on the pro tennis tourHe could have perhaps shown Raygun a dance step or two at the Paris Olympics, but instead Charlie Robertson is concentrating his fancy footwork on becoming "as good, if not better" than fellow Scot and "amazing role model" Andy Murray on the tennis court. Ranked 10th in the world junior rankings after progress to this season's US Open semi-finals, the early signs are promising for the 17-year-old Dundonian as he tells BBC Scotland: "You have got to dream big." Like many a talented young athlete, Robertson "would do so many different sports" - trying his hand at rugby, football and golf. More surprising perhaps is his revelation that: "I actually did a bit of dancing when I was younger as well - street dance." Ideal preparation considering, from split-step to hops and slides, good footwork is one of the most important parts of the armoury of top tennis players. "I love to dance and that is my personality," Robertson says. "If music is on in the gym or whatever during tennis, I always like to dance." However, like Murray, Robertson is leaving thoughts of Strictly Come Dancing to the former world number one's mother, Judy, and dedicating his life to hitting a tennis ball. "I think my first couple of classes were at Arbroath Tennis club," he recalls. "I have a brother and sister, I am the youngest, and I just got brought to all their sports classes. "I actually wasn't old enough for the tennis classes, but I was just brought along and I just started hitting off the tennis wall when I was really little." Finally allowed into class, because he turned out to be "pretty good" despite still being "too young", he quickly caught the tennis bug. "And seeing Andy at that point was doing so well also, winning Wimbledon and stuff like that, I just found it really exciting and have just loved it since then," he says. Robertson's profile soared earlier this month when he reached the semi-finals of the US Open Juniors in New York. He would lose in straight sets to top seed and beaten finalist Nicolai Budkov Kjaer of Norway, but it sparked the inevitable comparisons with Murray, who had won the event two decades earlier. "Andy helps me," he reveals. "We started our relationship from the grass season. He is just an amazing role model for me and he has been a great help to my game. "He was still playing at that point, so I was hitting with him and felt I could ask him questions and he would give his honest advice, which was really helpful, and to hear it from Andy Murray means a lot." i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/20/20/88737725-0-image-a-63_1724182899780.jpgRobertson reached the last-16 at both Wimbledon and the French junior Open this yearThat close-up experience - and having watched Murray's Grand Slam successes from afar - has fuelled Robertson's belief that he can "become as good as him if not better". The Scot, who was raised in Forfar, will be aiming to further add to his own growing reputation at the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals in China in the middle of October, by which time he will have turned 18. Then, from January, he will begin his professional journey in the senior ranks in which fellow Scotsman Jake Fearnley has just broken into the world top 100. "I have to restart again in the men's circuit - my 10th in the world in the juniors will not mean anything anymore and I will have to restart again, which is exciting," Robertson says. "The ultimate goal is to be a top 100 ATP player. Going into the pro circuit, now that is everyone's goal and I think, as soon as you get to that top 100, you want to push for even more. "Everyone wants to be number one in the world - why not? You have got to dream big, so that is the goal." While the ambition is clear, Robertson accepts that taking the first few big steps towards it will not be cheap on the Futures and Challengers tour merry-go-round. "It is definitely not a cheap sport, tennis," he says. "I guess it brings you to reality, but this is my decision to do it and I have just got to believe in myself that I can make a living out of tennis, which is what I dreamed about when I was a little kid. "When you are playing these Futures and Challengers, you are giving out more than you are bringing in. It is going to be very challenging, but getting support is going to be key to reaching the top. "I see it as an exciting journey now, but I know it is not going to be easy. I am going to have to work a lot to reach the top and I think everyone in the men’s game is fighting for their mortgage. I am looking forward to it."
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bluetornados
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Oct 10, 2024 10:55:21 GMT
Post by bluetornados on Oct 10, 2024 10:55:21 GMT
Tennis legend Rafa Nadal to retire after Davis Cup Finals..by Jonathan Jurejko and Amy Lofthouse, BBC Sport senior journalistsi.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/10/11/90689331-13945069-image-a-79_1728556563757.jpgRafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, will retire from tennis at the end of this season. The 38-year-old will represent Spain in his final appearance at next month's Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Nadal has barely played over the past two seasons because of injuries and suggested last year he could retire at the end of the 2024 season. In a video message released on Thursday, Nadal said: "I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis. "The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially. "I don't think I have been able to play without limitations." Nadal retires as the second-most successful men's singles player of all time, behind only long-time rival Novak Djokovic. Dubbed the 'King of Clay', Nadal won the French Open singles title a record 14 times, winning 112 of his 116 major matches at Roland Garros. Nadal is also a four-time US Open champion and won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice. He also won Olympic singles and doubles gold and helped Spain to five Davis Cup titles, most recently in 2019. Alongside enduring rivals Djokovic and 20-time major champion Roger Federer, Nadal formed the 'Big Three' that dominated the men's game from the early 2000s and drew in legions of fans. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/10/11/90689345-13945069-image-a-81_1728556584366.jpgWhy Nadal has decided now is the right time ?When announcing he would not play in the 2023 French Open, Nadal said he planned to retire at the end of 2024 because of the series of injuries which were taking their toll on his body. But, having returned earlier this season, Nadal became increasingly non-committal about his future. The former world number one regularly said he wanted to keep playing as long as his body let him. Now, after a chastening defeat by long-time rival Djokovic at the Paris Olympics in July, he has decided the time is right. "It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. “But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end." After returning to competitive action in Brisbane in January, Nadal was sidelined again with a thigh injury, missing the Australian Open. Nadal played four tournaments during the European clay-court season, culminating in a first-round defeat at the French Open. Since then he has played just two more tournaments - in Bastad and the Olympic Games at Roland Garros. Last month he was included in Spain's squad for the Davis Cup Finals, which takes place between 19-24 November. "I think it's the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could ever have imagined," Nadal said. "I’m very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country." i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/10/10/90686945-13945069-image-a-68_1728553643052.jpgFrom Mallorca kid to the King of Clay..Nadal was aged three when he was introduced to tennis by his uncle Toni, who encouraged him to transition to playing left-handed after seeing how strongly he could hit the ball. He turned professional aged 15 and three years later helped Spain win the 2004 Davis Cup as they beat the United States, with Nadal defeating world number two Andy Roddick. The following year, he began his dominance of the French Open, beating Argentina's Mariano Puerta in the final. Nadal's five-set win over Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final - an epic that finished 12 minutes short of five hours - is regarded as one of the best matches in history and one of the pinnacles of their 15-year rivalry. In between those two finals, he won the 2009 Australian Open for the first time with another five-set victory over Federer, and completed the career Grand Slam at the 2010 US Open. Although he won all four majors, Nadal will forever be synonymous with the French Open, where a metallic statue of him hitting his trademark forehand was built in 2021. From 2005 to 2014, he won nine of 10 Roland Garros titles and then five of six between 2017 and 2022. In 14 final appearances, he was never taken to five sets, beating Federer in four finals and Djokovic three times. Of his four French Open losses, Djokovic defeated him twice with Alexander Zverev this year and Robin Soderling in 2009 the other two men to topple him. Fittingly, his final major title came at the French Open in 2022, two days after his 36th birthday. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/10/11/90689329-13945069-image-a-83_1728556803774.jpgRafa Nadal's statement in full..Hello everyone, I’m here to tell you that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play with out limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me a long time to make. But in this life everything has a beginning and an end. And I think this is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could ever have imagined. But I am very exited that my last tournament will be the finals of the Davis Cup an representing my country. I’ve come full circle because one of my first great joys as a tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004. I feel super super lucky for all the things I've been able to experience. I want to thanks the entire tennis industry, everyone involved in the sport. My long-time colleagues, especially my great rivals. I have spent many, many hours with them and I have lived moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. Talking about my team is a little bit more difficult for me because in the end my team has been a very important part of my life. They are not just coworkers they are friends. They have been by my side all the times I have really needed them. Very bad moments, very good moments. Moments when I had to be pushed, moments they gave me more slack. We have lived so much together that it is hard to explain. My family is everything to me. My mother: I think she has made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we would always have everything. My wife, Mery, we’ve been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you have done. I think you’ve been the perfect travel companion during all these years of my career. To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the necessary energy to continue. My sister, we have always had an incredible relationship. My uncle, who is the reason I started playing tennis. I believe that thanks to him, I have also been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sporting career. And to my father who has been a source of inspiration for me in every sense of the word. He has been an example of effort, of overcoming. Many, many thanks to my father in a very, very special way. And finally, you, the fans. I cant thank you enough for what you have made me feel. You have given me the energy I have needed at every moment. Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true. I leave with the absolute peace of mind having given my best, of having made an effort in every way. I can only end by saying: a thousand thanks to all and see you soon.
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