by Jim SLATER Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — World number one Rafael Nadal, nagged for years by knee injuries but enjoying a stellar season, already has a prize more treasured than another Grand Slam title — a healthy campaign chasing them. The 31-year-old Spaniard, who ousted Juan Martin del Potro on Friday to reach Sunday’s US Open final, said the year he has enjoyed has brought a happiness no Slam crown can match after past […]
Tag: tennis
Tennis: South African Kevin Anderson advances to US Open final
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — South Africa’s Kevin Anderson advanced to his first Grand Slam final on Friday by defeating Spanish 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. Anderson, seeded 28th, will play for the $3.7 million (3.07 million euros) top prize Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium against the later winner between world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain and Argentina’s 24th-seeded Juan Martin del Potro. © Agence France-Presse
Rafael Nadal discusses possible meeting with Federer in the U.S. Open semis
NEW YORK CITY, USA (Reuters) — Rafael Nadal raced into the United States Open semifinals on Wednesday (September 6) with a one hour 37 minute 6-1 6-2 6-2 win over Russian teenager Andrey Rublev. The lopsided victory cleared the path for a possible showdown with rival Roger Federer. Amazingly the two tennis greats have never played each other in Flushing Meadow. Federer plays 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro on Wednesday evening. It […]
Tennis: Injured Murray says likely to miss rest of season
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain’s Andy Murray said on Wednesday he is unlikely to play again this season due to a hip injury that forced him to pull out of the US Open. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete in the upcoming events in Beijing and Shanghai, and most likely, the final two events to finish the season in Vienna and Paris due to my hip injury which has been bothering me the last […]
Tennis: All in the family as Vandeweghe makes Open last eight
by Jim Slater Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — When CoCo Vandeweghe says she’s trying to become the best athlete in her family as well as a US Open champion, it’s more impressive company than one might imagine. There’s her Olympic swimmer mother Tauna, the NBA trio of her uncle Kiki, grandpa Ernie and great-uncle Mel plus ex-beach volleyball pro uncle Bruk and aunt Heather, the US polo team captain. “My grandfather always said he was the […]
Tennis: Sharapova knocked out while Venus advances at US Open
by Jim Slater Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Maria Sharapova’s Grand Slam return after a 15-month doping ban ended in defeat Sunday at the US Open but the former world number one considered it a major step in her comeback. Latvian 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova rallied to eliminate the five-time Grand Slam champion 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, booking a quarter-final against American Sloane Stephens, who ousted Germany’s […]
Delight as Serena Williams ‘welcomes baby girl’
MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Tennis superstar Serena Williams gave birth to a baby girl on Friday, US media reported, prompting an outpouring of delight from fellow professionals, celebrities and fans of the sporting icon. Williams, who will turn 36 later this month, was admitted to the St Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on Wednesday before going into labor overnight. There was no immediate confirmation of the birth from Williams’ representatives. […]
Tennis: ‘No question that I’m feared again’ says Sharapova
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Maria Sharapova made the US Open last 32 Wednesday, insisting she has instilled renewed fear into her rivals and rekindled the love from her fans. The former world number one and five-time major winner pulled off a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-1 win over Timea Babos of Hungary. It was her second three-set match, having seen off world number two Simona Halep on Monday in what was her first Grand Slam match since […]
Tennis: Tearful Sharapova downs Halep in thrilling US Open return
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Maria Sharapova marked her first Grand Slam appearance since her doping ban ended with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Romanian second seed Simona Halep at the US Open on Monday. The 30-year-old five-time major winner and former world number one was hit by a 15-month suspension after failing a drugs test at the 2016 Australian Open. The ban ended in April but she missed this year’s French Open […]
Tennis: Venus celebrates 20 years at US Open, awaits Serena return
by Jim SLATER Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Venus Williams celebrated her 20th anniversary at the US Open on Monday as the tournament celebrated 20 years of Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she claimed two of her seven Grand Slam titles. Williams was a 17-year-old upstart with beads in her hair when she rallied to defeat Latvia’s Larisa Neiland 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 in the first round of the 1997 US Open in […]
Tennis: Muguruza advances, Konta out as Sharapova returns at US Open
by Jim SLATER Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Reigning Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza advanced and British seventh seed Johanna Konta was ousted Monday at the US Open as Maria Sharapova’s long-awaited return to Grand Slam tennis neared. Spanish third seed Muguruza defeated American Varvara Lepchenko 6-0, 6-3 for her first triumph in Arthur Ashe Stadium, which celebrated its 20th anniversary on the first day of New York hardcourt matches. Muguruza, last […]
Tennis: Sharapova receives US Open wildcard for first post-ban Slam
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Five-time major champion Maria Sharapova of Russia will play her first Grand Slam event since serving a 15-month doping suspension after receiving a wildcard Tuesday into the US Open. The move by the US Tennis Association (USTA) comes after Sharapova, ranked 148th this week, was rejected for a wildcard spot into the French Open and missed Wimbledon with a thigh injury. Sharapova tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 […]





