INSIDER
Osaka's first tournament as a mom ends in a loss to 3-time winner Pliskova in Brisbane
Read full article: Osaka's first tournament as a mom ends in a loss to 3-time winner Pliskova in BrisbaneNaomi Osaka’s first tournament at the elite level since becoming a mother has ended in a second-round loss to three-time champion Karolina Pliskova at the Brisbane International.
Chris Eubanks' magical Wimbledon ends against Daniil Medvedev, who faces Carlos Alcaraz next
Read full article: Chris Eubanks' magical Wimbledon ends against Daniil Medvedev, who faces Carlos Alcaraz nextDaniil Medvedev has ended American Chris Eubanks' surprising run at Wimbledon in the quarterfinals.
Alcaraz, Djokovic 'not otherworldly' in French Open wins over foes making Slam debuts
Read full article: Alcaraz, Djokovic 'not otherworldly' in French Open wins over foes making Slam debutsCarlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic both picked up straight-set victories in the first round of the French Open against opponents ranked outside the Top 100 and making their Grand Slam debuts.
Paul tops Shelton at Australian Open, faces Djokovic next
Read full article: Paul tops Shelton at Australian Open, faces Djokovic nextTommy Paul has reached his first Grand Slam semifinal and ended the surprising run of Ben Shelton by winning their all-American matchup 7-6 (6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 at the Australian Open.
Tiafoe ends Nadal's 22-match Slam streak in US Open 4th Rd
Read full article: Tiafoe ends Nadal's 22-match Slam streak in US Open 4th RdFrances Tiafoe has ended Rafael Nadal’s 22-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments by beating the 22-time major champion 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the U.S. Open’s fourth round.
At surprise-filled French Open, tennis prodigy makes good
Read full article: At surprise-filled French Open, tennis prodigy makes goodThe surprising results in the women's draw at the French Open keep piling up and now only three of the top 10 women's seeds are still in the field before the third round has even started.
Dimitrov downs top-seeded Medvedev in 3 sets at Indian Wells
Read full article: Dimitrov downs top-seeded Medvedev in 3 sets at Indian WellsGrigor Dimitrov beat top-seeded Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open, extending the parade of upsets that has knocked out several top players.
The Latest: Pliskova saves match point to win at US Open
Read full article: The Latest: Pliskova saves match point to win at US OpenTwo-time Grand Slam runner-up Karolina Pliskova has saved a match point and edged 75th-ranked American Amanda Anisimova in three sets to reach the U.S. Open’s third round.
Djokovic's true Slam bid at US Open starts against qualifier
Read full article: Djokovic's true Slam bid at US Open starts against qualifierNovak Djokovic will begin his bid to win the U.S. Open for a men’s-record 21st major tennis championship and to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam by facing a player who comes through qualifying.
2 lucky losers in semis of same ATP tournament for 1st time
Read full article: 2 lucky losers in semis of same ATP tournament for 1st timeLucky losers Max Purcell and Kwon Soon-woo have won quarterfinals at the grass-court Eastbourne tournament to mark the first time in ATP Tour history that more than one man who lost in qualifying reached the semifinals of the same event.
Hobbled Daniil Medvedev limps to 3rd-round win at Miami Open
Read full article: Hobbled Daniil Medvedev limps to 3rd-round win at Miami OpenDaniil Medvedev, of Russia, walks gingerly to the net after defeating Alexei Popyrin, of Australia, during the Miami Open tennis tournament, Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI – Daniil Medvedev could barely walk, much less run. The top-ranked Medvedev held his final two service games despite being hobbled by cramps and beat Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (3), 6-7 (7), 6-4 in the third round at the Miami Open. “Winning a Grand Slam final in straight sets doesn’t feel the way I felt after the match point today,” he said with a grin. Medvedev failed to convert three match points in the second set after taking a 5-2 lead. When Popyrin misfired on a backhand on the final point, Medvedev shuffled to the net with a smile that turned into a wince.
Muchova upsets Barty and will face Brady in Australian semis
Read full article: Muchova upsets Barty and will face Brady in Australian semisKarolina Muchova of the Czech Republic receives medical treatment during her quarterfinal against Australia's Ash Barty at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)MELBOURNE – Top-ranked Ash Barty built a big lead in the Australian Open quarterfinals before her opponent took a medical timeout and left the court. Brady reached her second Grand Slam semifinal, following a run that far at the U.S. Open in September. Muchova played poorly at the start of her second major quarterfinal, and Barty raced to a 5-0 lead while losing only six points. This was the first Grand Slam tournament since last year's Australian Open to permit thousands of people to sit in the stands.
Australian Open goes quiet as lockdown keeps crowds away
Read full article: Australian Open goes quiet as lockdown keeps crowds awayKarolina Muchova of the Czech Republic serves to compatriot Karolina Pliskova during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. Crowds were gone from the Australian Open on Saturday because of a five-day hard lockdown imposed by the state government to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 cases. And with the lack of fans, players were faced with an all-too-familiar feeling: a distinct lack of buzz. The Australian Open was allowed to continue during the lockdown — but without fans. He struggled without a crowd in a warm-up tournament before the Australian Open.
The Latest: Rafa into 4th round in Australia; back seems OK
Read full article: The Latest: Rafa into 4th round in Australia; back seems OKSpain's Rafael Nadal waits for a serve from Britain's Cameron Norrie during their third round match a the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. He reached the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the 14th time in 16 trips. The top-seeded Australian beat Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia 6-2, 6-4 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open for the third straight year. The seventh-seeded Rublev will meet Casper Ruud of Norway in the fourth round. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Mikael Ymer of Sweden 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in the third round.
Feeling pressure: 2020 champ Kenin loses at Australian Open
Read full article: Feeling pressure: 2020 champ Kenin loses at Australian OpenUnited States' Sofia Kenin leaves the court following her second round loss to Estonia's Kaia Kanepi during at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)MELBOURNE – Sofia Kenin knew this would be a tough test at the Australian Open, a potentially early end to her first attempt to defend a Grand Slam title. Upon realizing she probably would be playing big-hitting veteran Kaia Kanepi in the second round, Kenin acknowledged, she “maybe kind of broke down a little bit.”Kenin was right to be worried. Kenin walked off the court crying after a 6-2, 6-2 loss last week in a tuneup event at the site of the Australian Open and explained afterward that her left leg was sore. 21 Alex de Minaur and Mackenzie McDonald, who beat 22nd-seeded Borna Coric 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, and 39-year-old Feliciano Lopez.
The Latest: Nadal beats Mmoh in straight sets in Melbourne
Read full article: The Latest: Nadal beats Mmoh in straight sets in MelbourneSpain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating United States' Michael Mmoh during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)MELBOURNE – The Latest from the Australian Open (all times local):11:50 p.m.Rafael Nadal shrugged off some heckling from a spectator before beating American qualifier Michael Mmoh 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the Australian Open. The Australian Open is the first major in a year to allow sizeable crowds with the government allowing up to 50% capacity. Ad___11:20 p.m.Fabio Fognini and Salvatore Caruso clearly still hadn’t had enough of their all-Italian second-round duel at the Australian Open even after four hours and five sets. ___9:30 p.m.Fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina beat 16-year-old Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3 in the second round of the Australian Open.
'17 French Open champ Ostapenko wants more; Shapovalov upset
Read full article: '17 French Open champ Ostapenko wants more; Shapovalov upset2 seed Karolina Pliskova at the French Open on Thursday, the conversation quickly turned to 2017. And just, like, the world doesn’t stop with winning only one Grand Slam. That’s not very different from where she was three years ago in Paris, ranked 47th and just two days past her 20th birthday when she became an impossible-to-predict Grand Slam champion. Pliskova, who came into the French Open dealing with a leg injury, was not the most gracious foe after Thursday’s loss. The first time I’m in the third round in a Grand Slam.
Does Djokovic's next foe have hope? 'I was wondering that'
Read full article: Does Djokovic's next foe have hope? 'I was wondering that'Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves against Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis in the second round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)PARIS – At the mere mention of Novak Djokovic’s name, at the mere thought of sharing a court with a 17-time Grand Slam champion and the French Open’s No. He used these phrases: “really, really excited” and “really, really happy” and “really, really special.”Galan is, after all, ranked 153rd and never had won so much as one main-draw match at any major tournament until this week. Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champ, plays 87th-ranked Paula Badosa, who arrived in Paris with a 1-5 Grand Slam record. “Well,” came Galan’s reply, “I was wondering that, to be honest.”And then he launched into a story about how he was “really, really nervous” before playing former top 10-member David Goffin in the Davis Cup Finals last November.
The Latest: Earliest French Open exit for Stephens since '11
Read full article: The Latest: Earliest French Open exit for Stephens since '11(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)PARIS – The Latest from the French Open (all times local):____6:10 p.m.Former runner-up Sloane Stephens lost in the second round for her earliest exit at Roland Garros since a first-round defeat on her debut in 2011. ___4:15 p.m.Novak Djokovic's biggest concern seemed to be dealing with a rare bit of sunshine during his second-round victory at Roland Garros. ___2:30 p.m.Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin reached the third round at Roland Garros by beating Ana Bogdan 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. ____1:10 p.m.Danish teen Clara Tauson's surprise run is over after losing to American player Danielle Collins 6-2, 6-3 in the second round. Pliskova's twin sister, Kristyna, was also playing a former French Open champion when she faced 2016 winner Garbiñe Muguruza.
Mladenovic pins French meltdown on US Open lockdown, no-call
Read full article: Mladenovic pins French meltdown on US Open lockdown, no-callFrance's Kristina Mladenovic plays a shot against Germany's Laura Siegemund in the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)PARIS – Kristina Mladenovic blamed her French Open meltdown on her U.S. Open lockdown — and she wasn’t too pleased about a no-call on a double bounce that helped her opponent avoid ceding the first set Wednesday, either. Mladenovic was furious that chair umpire Eva Asderaki didn’t spot the extra bounce that came during a 10-stroke exchange. “If she would have done it, she would have all my respect and be super fair play,” Mladenovic said. “It’s brutal for the body when you (have) eight days (of) lockdown in a hotel room,” Mladenovic said Wednesday.
French Open: Mladenovic collapses again but blames umpire
Read full article: French Open: Mladenovic collapses again but blames umpireFrance's Kristina Mladenovic plays a shot against Germany's Laura Siegemund in the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)PARIS – Kristina Mladenovic's first match since her nightmarish end to the U.S. Open produced another collapse and a controversial umpire's call at the French Open on Tuesday. The French player lost to Laura Siegemund of Germany 7-5, 6-3 after serving for the first set at 5-1. Mladenovic was furious with chair umpire Eva Asderaki for not spotting a double bounce on set point. Mladenovic slowed up, looked confused, and wound up touching the net, which automatically gave the point to Siegemund.
The Latest: Djokovic drops only 5 games in French Open debut
Read full article: The Latest: Djokovic drops only 5 games in French Open debutSerbia's Novak Djokovic plays a shot against Sweden's Mikael Ymer in the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)PARIS – The Latest from the French Open (all times local):___5:55 p.m.Novak Djokovic's first Grand Slam action since his disqualification at the U.S. Open went as smoothly as can be. ___3 p.m.Danish teenager Clara Tauson earned her first tour-level victory by beating U.S. Open semifinalist Jennifer Brady 6-4, 3-6, 9-7 in the opening round of the French Open. ___1:20 p.m.Second-seeded Karolina Pliskova advanced to the second round of the French Open by beating Mayar Sherif 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-4. The big-hitting Latvian player won the French Open that year.
Osaka tosses racket, overcomes test from teenager at US Open
Read full article: Osaka tosses racket, overcomes test from teenager at US OpenNaomi Osaka, of Japan, serves to Marta Kostyuk, of the Ukraine, during the third round of the US Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in New York. Another past U.S. Open champion moving into the fourth round Friday was 2016 titlist Angelique Kerber, who defeated 20-year-old American Ann Li 6-3, 6-4. Kerbers next opponent is another American, 28th-seeded Jennifer Brady, a 6-3, 6-3 winner against Caroline Garcia. The key moment: Kostyuk held five break points that could have given her a 3-1 lead in the final set. Each time on court during the tournament, Osaka is wearing a different mask in memory of a victim of racial injustice.
The Latest: Americans Li, Rogers pull off upsets at US Open
Read full article: The Latest: Americans Li, Rogers pull off upsets at US Open(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):6:40 p.m.Unseeded Americans Ann Li and Shelby Rogers have pulled off upset victories in the second round of the U.S. Open. ___6:05 p.m.Top-seeded Karolina Pliskova has been upset in the second round of the U.S. Open by Caroline Garcia of France. It was the first time since 2008 that the top-seeded woman lost in the second round at the Open. Pliskova was a finalist at the Open in 2016 for the best Grand Slam result of her career. Seeking his fourth U.S. Open title, Djokovic lost a physical first set that took more than an hour.
'Didn't play good': No. 1 Pliskova won't dissect Open loss
Read full article: 'Didn't play good': No. 1 Pliskova won't dissect Open lossI didnt play good, Pliksova said, so thats it.When another member of the media said this back-and-forth must be boring to Pliskova, she said, Yeah, a little bit. Three Americans turned in upsets of seeded women. Other seeded women who were eliminated: No. Pliskova had chances to take the second set against Garcia, who had been 0-8 against top-five opponents at Grand Slam tournaments. On the second, Garcia smacked a quick-strike forehand to a corner and Pliskova's running reply found the net.
The Latest: 2018 champ Osaka edges Doi in 3 sets at US Open
Read full article: The Latest: 2018 champ Osaka edges Doi in 3 sets at US Open___11:25 p.m.Two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is headed to a third set against Misaki Doi in the first round of the U.S. Open. ___9:55 p.m.Naomi Osaka wore a black mask with the name of Breonna Taylor emblazoned across the front before the start of her U.S. Open match. ___9:30 p.m.Top-seeded Novak Djokovic breezed past Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 at the U.S. Open. ___12:50 p.m.Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber is sticking around longer at Flushing Meadows than she did a year ago. Kerber eliminated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-4 in a nearly empty Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Talk of 'fake bubble,' 'bubble in bubble' on US Open's Day 1
Read full article: Talk of 'fake bubble,' 'bubble in bubble' on US Open's Day 1A member of the USTA crew watches a match during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in New York. But Monday was significant for introducing terms to the tennis lexicon such as bubble in the bubble and fake bubble." Mladenovic and Mannarino spoke about the situation after wins Monday, saying they were part of a group that played cards with Paire. Baptiste said she was unaware that her opponent was one of the players who had been in contact with Paire. Mannarino said he's been forced to take the stairs to his seventh-floor hotel room to avoid contact with other players.
Osaka-Goff rematch could happen in US Open's 3rd round
Read full article: Osaka-Goff rematch could happen in US Open's 3rd roundTwo-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and 16-year-old Coco Gauff could face each other at the U.S. Open again after Thursdays, Aug. 27, 2020, draw for the Grand Slam tournament set up a possible third-round rematch. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)American teenager Coco Gauff and two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka could face each other at the U.S. Open again after Thursdays draw for the Grand Slam tournament set up a possible third-round rematch. Osaka, who won the 2018 U.S. Open and 2019 Australian Open, beat Gauff, then just 15, 6-3, 6-0 in the third round at Flushing Meadows a year ago. 1-ranked Ash Barty and 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu. The defending mens champion, Rafael Nadal, and 20-time Grand Slam title winner Roger Federer are also among those absent in New York this year.
Pain in the neck: Djokovic gets by in 1st post-hiatus match
Read full article: Pain in the neck: Djokovic gets by in 1st post-hiatus matchA trainer works on the neck of Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during his match with Ricardas Berankis, of Lithuania, during the second round at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in New York. 1-ranked Djokovic was playing his first ATP match in six months because of the coronavirus pandemic; he pulled out of the doubles event Sunday because of his neck. That major championship's site in Flushing Meadows is hosting the Ohio-based Western & Southern Open, too, as part of an unusual doubleheader with no spectators. Like Djokovic, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka emerged with difficult wins, while two-time Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova, the No. Djokovic now meets American Tennys Sandgren, a 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (5) winner over No.