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☆ Sabalenka moves into Madrid Open semis, Medvedev upset by Karatsev
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sabalenka was not at her best and made 37 unforced errors in the match, but the Australian Open champion bounced back midway through the second set to win 10 games in a row and take control. Sabalenka saved a set point at 5-1 but Sherif, playing in her first WTA 1000 quarter-final after beating three seeded players, served out to take the opening set. The Egyptian took the lead in the second set too before Sabalenka, who was a break down, finally found her groove to break four times and force a decider. She played unbelievable tennis, she's a claycourt specialist and I'm very happy with this win," Sabalenka said. Karatsev, ranked 121 in the world, has now beaten world number three Medvedev twice in his career with both wins coming on clay.

☆ Mirra Andreeva celebrates her 16th birthday and another astonishing victory at the Madrid Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —It has been quite the weekend for Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva. On Saturday she celebrated her 16th birthday and also continued her remarkable progress at the Madrid Open. Andreeva, ranked world No. The Russian was runner-up at this year’s junior Australian Open and now has 16 professional wins to her name. “I didn’t expect to be here and playing Sabalenka in the round of 16,” Andreeva told the Tennis Channel, according to the WTA.

☆ Swiatek feeling settled as world No.1 ahead of French Open defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 21-year-old beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 in Sunday's Stuttgart Open final for her second successful title defence this year, adding to her victory in Doha. Asked how she settled into her status as world number one, Swiatek she had tuned out the noise and was focused on her game. "Last year was really, really tough, and I felt like this season may be tough, because of what people are saying and expectations from the outside," Swiatek said. "I'm happy that I managed to work through it. "I'm just happy that I'm world number one for more than a year, and it's an exciting time."

☆ Swiatek beats Sabalenka in straight sets to win Stuttgart title
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

STUTTGART, Germany, April 23 (Reuters) - World number one Iga Swiatek cruised past Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 to win the Stuttgart Open on Sunday in a repeat of last year's final to confirm her status as a French Open favourite. The Pole, back from injury and gearing up for her French Open title defence next month, and world number two Sabalenka traded powerful baseline blows before Swiatek earned a second breakpoint at 4-3. She whipped a superb forehand down the line to go 5-3 up before easily holding serve to clinch the first set on her second set point. Belarusian Sabalenka started to pile up unforced errors and struggled with her serve at 2-0 before firing a cross-court forehand to hold. But she could not break Swiatek back and the Pole held serve at 5-4 to seal her second title of the year.

☆ Swiatek to face Sabalenka again in Stuttgart final after Jabeur retires
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

STUTTGART, Germany, April 22 (Reuters) - World number one Iga Swiatek moved into the Stuttgart Open final on Saturday after her opponent Ons Jabeur retired injured three games into the first set. The Pole on Sunday will face Aryna Sabalenka in a repeat of last year's final, following the Belarusian's comfortable straight sets victory over Anastasia Potapova. Australian Open winner Sabalenka needed just 58 minutes to storm into her third straight Stuttgart final with a 6-1 6-2 demolition of Potapova. Sabalenka, who last year lost to Swiatek, raced to a 4-0 lead, breaking her opponent twice. World number 24 Potapova was playing catch-up throughout and was very vulnerable on her weak second serve.

☆ Sabalenka says win over Krejcikova a confidence boost for French Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Tennis - WTA 500 - Stuttgart Open - Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - April 19, 2023 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 16 match against Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova REUTERS/Angelika WarmuthApril 20 (Reuters) - World number two Aryna Sabalenka said beating former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round of the tune-up event in Stuttgart will boost her preparation for the Roland Garros Grand Slam. Sabalenka defeated Krejcikova 6-2 6-3 in one hour and 15 minutes on Wednesday, becoming the first player to book her spot in the quarter-finals. The Belarusian said the victory over the 2021 French Open winner handed her a confidence boost ahead of the May 28-June 11 major on the Parisian clay. "It's tough but an interesting challenge to play the first match against a Grand Slam champion," Australian Open winner Sabalenka, who received a bye in the opening round, told reporters. "It is something unique like you're never going to play the first round against a Grand Slam champion in the bigger tournament.

☆ Belarusian Sabalenka says Lukashenko's comments 'not helping'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

read more"I'm pretty sure that it's not helping," Sabalenka told reporters in Stuttgart on Tuesday when asked about Lukashenko's comments. "I don't know what to say because he can comment (on) my game, he can comment whatever he wants to. The 24-year-old said she kept away from the internet as much as possible to avoid reading negative comments. Sabalenka is playing at the Stuttgart Open this week after withdrawing from the Charleston Open with a minor injury. She will face Barbora Krejcikova in the second round of the claycourt event after receiving a bye in the opener.

☆ Tennis should have banned Russian, Belarusian players: Swiatek
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 2022 tournament was the first time players were excluded on grounds of nationality since the immediate post-World War Two era, when German and Japanese players were banned from the championships. "After World War Two, German players were not allowed as well as Japanese and Italian (players), and I feel like this kind of thing would show the Russian government that maybe its not worth it," Poland's Swiatek told the BBC on Wednesday. "Tennis didn't really go that way, but now it would be pretty unfair for Russian and Belarusian players to do that because this decision was supposed to be made a year ago." Russian and Belarusian players have been competing on the tours and at the other Grand Slams as neutral athletes. Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, who won this year's Australian Open, has said she struggled to understand the "hate" in the locker room.

☆ Wimbledon lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian players who will compete as 'neutral athletes'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Amar Mehta | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Wimbledon logo amongst flowers The Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2019 in London, England. Wimbledon has lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian players from its tournament this year, with players agreeing to sign neutral declarations. Last year, players from Russia and Belarus were banned from Wimbledon in response to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The Lawn Tennis Association was hit with a fine and world ranking points were removed from last year's Championships. Earlier this month, Russian player Daniil Medvedev said ahead of Indian Wells that he would respect any decision taken by organisers.

☆ Alcaraz dominates Lajovic, Andreescu breezes past Kenin in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Mar 26, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) hits a forehand against Dusan Lajovic (SRB) (not pictured) on day seven of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsMarch 26 (Reuters) - Carlos Alcaraz swatted aside Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-0 7-6(5)to keep his title defense on track at the Miami Open on Sunday, as Canadian Bianca Andreescu cruised past American Sofia Kenin in straight sets. "Everything was under control," said Alcaraz, who greeted the Miami Heat's six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler courtside after the match. Former U.S. Open champion Andreescu harnessed her mighty serve to topple Kenin 6-4 6-4, sending over seven aces as the 2020 Australian Open winner failed to mount much of a defense after an early exit from Indian Wells. Later on Sunday, second-seeded Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka plays 31st seed Marie Bouzkova and last year's twice Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud, seeded third, plays the Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp.

☆ Rybakina beats Sabalenka to claim Indian Wells title
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 19 (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina beat a misfiring Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(11) 6-4 on Sunday to claim the Indian Wells title and avenge her loss to the Belarusian in the Australian Open final. Rybakina, playing in her first WTA 1000 final, came back from a break down to grab a tightly-contested first set during which second seed Sabalenka committed 10 double faults and the Kazakh 10th seed never trailed the rest of the way. Despite her struggles, Sabalenka had her chances in the opener but squandered three set points while also turning aside five set points before finally sending a forehand long to give Rybakina control. Rybakina opened the second set with a break before Sabalenka finally settled into her game but the Kazakh sensed her chance and quickly closed the deal on her first championship point when her opponent sent a service return into the net. Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rybakina knocks out defending champion Swiatek to reach Indian Wells final
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

March 17 (Reuters) - Elena Rybakina knocked out defending champion Iga Swiatek with a 6-2 6-2 semi-final victory at Indian Wells on Friday to set up a clash against Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Two months after Rybakina knocked Swiatek out of the Australian Open in the fourth round, the Wimbledon champion once again put in an impressive display against the world number one. Rybakina was in control from the start, breaking early to take a 2-0 lead, before going on to clinch the first set when Swiatek produced a double fault on set point. "I really played well today, it was a really nice atmosphere tonight," Rybakina said in her on-court interview. Rybakina will be out for revenge when she faces Sabalenka, who defeated her in the Australian Open final in January.

☆ Defending champions Fritz, Swiatek headline Indian Wells main draw
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Facing a depleted men's field, Fritz could run into Denmark's Holger Rune in the quarter-final. Seventh-seed Rune also won his first masters title last year when he outlasted 22-times major winner Novak Djokovic in Paris. On the women's side, Swiatek looks as though she could have little trouble collecting a second straight title in the southern California desert after cruising to victory a year ago amid a blockbuster unbeaten streak. She has the chance to exact a little bit of revenge against potential fourth-round foe Barbora Krejcikova, after the 2021 French Open winner ended her 13-match winning streak in Dubai last month. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Krejcikova stuns top-ranked Swiatek to claim Dubai crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 25 (Reuters) - Barbora Krejcikova beat an out-of-sorts Iga Swiatek 6-4 6-2 in the Dubai Tennis Championships final on Saturday to end the top-ranked Pole's winning run in the Middle East swing and capture her first WTA title of 2023 and sixth overall. It was the first set that Doha champion Swiatek had dropped in the past two weeks and the 21-year-old found herself trailing 4-2 in the second set as Krejcikova took control of the match. Krejcikova, who defeated Australian Open champion and world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals and the third-ranked Jessica Pegula in the semis, closed out the match on serve to join an elite club. "It's a huge achievement," Krejcikova, who won her first WTA 1000 title, added. Krejcikova is set to climb from number 30 to 16 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

☆ WTA roundup: Coco Gauff reaches Dubai semis
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Tennis - WTA 1000 - Dubai Tennis Championships - Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - February 23, 2023 Coco Gauff of the U.S. celebrates winning her quarter final match against Madison Keys of the U.S. REUTERS/Satish KumarFebruary 24 - Fifth-seeded Coco Gauff won an all-American quarterfinal on Thursday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, beating Madison Keys 6-2, 7-5 in the United Arab Emirates. Gauff saved the only break point she faced in the 81-minute match, and she converted four of her five break opportunities. The result moves Gauff into a semifinal matchup with top-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland, the reigning French Open champion. The other semifinal will feature third-seeded Jessica Pegula of the United States and Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic. In the last match of the night, fourth-seeded Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic downed Belgium's Ysaline Bonaventure 6-0, 7-5.

☆ WTA roundup: Top seeds roll in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

February 22 - The top two seeds in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships lost a combined three games while cruising to second-round wins on Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland, the reigning French Open and U.S. Open champion, routed Canada's Leylah Fernandez 6-1, 6-1, and No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the reigning Australian Open champion, demolished the United States' Lauren Davis 6-0, 6-1. Third-seeded Jessica Pegula of the United States, who lost to Swiatek in the Doha final, got past Bulgaria's Viktoriya Tomova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 in the second round at Dubai. Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, had lost her first-round matches at Auckland, New Zealand; Hobart, Australia; and the Australian Open to begin the year.

☆ Sabalenka says Grand Slam win has fuelled hunger for success
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

I believed in myself but I was waiting for so long, working so hard and couldn't get it. I had tough losses in the semi-finals," said Sabalenka, who will return to the tour for the first time since her Melbourne Park triumph. Sabalenka said her major win had "definitely changed" her mindset a little bit but she would not get complacent. Adelaide champion Sabalenka, who is unbeaten in 11 matches this year, will meet Jill Teichmann or Linz champion Anastasia Potapova in the Dubai second round after being handed a bye but said she was not too focused on the draw. Sometimes you look too far, then you lose the first match because you're already thinking about your semi-final match," Sabalenka said.

The United States has in place a vaccine requirement for foreign air travellers that is not expected to be lifted before main draw action kicks off on March 9. Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas recently said that it would be a "disgrace" if Djokovic was not allowed to compete at Indian Wells and other tournaments in the United States this year. read moreHaas said Indian Wells organisers would do everything to help Djokovic's chances of playing. Even if Djokovic is unable to compete at Indian Wells there will still be plenty of talent on show. Spanish great Rafael Nadal, teenage world number two Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Taylor Fritz were among those named on Wednesday's entry list.

☆ Australian Open sets Grand Slam attendance record
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 31 (Reuters) - The Australian Open set a Grand Slam attendance record with more than 900,000 spectators visiting over three weeks, organisers said on Tuesday, despite the absence of some big-name players and schedule disruptions due to rain. A record 839,192 fans flocked to Melbourne Park from Jan. 16-29 for the first tournament in two years free of COVID-19 restrictions, beating the previous mark of 812,174 set in January 2020. The figures eclipse last year's attendance numbers at other Grand Slam main draws - 515,164 visited Wimbledon, 613,500 were at the French Open and 776,120 went to the U.S. Open. The tournament, missing the retired Serena Williams, Roger Federer and last year's homegrown champion Ash Barty, broke its single-day attendance mark with 94,854 fans visiting on Jan. 21. Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to win his 10th Australian Open crown, drawing level with Rafa Nadal on 22 majors, and reclaim the world number one rankingAryna Sabalena won her first Grand Slam title with victory over Elena Rybakina on Saturday.

☆ Aryna Sabalenka Wins Australian Open, Her First Major Title
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

MELBOURNE, Australia—For the past two seasons of her career, Aryna Sabalenka had been the semifinal specialist of women’s tennis. She would muscle her way through the draw, all the way to the final four, and give herself a shot to claim a Grand Slam title. Then she would fall apart.

☆ Rybakina to enter top 10 but says career boost won't change her
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I don't think tomorrow I'm going to feel different just because of the ranking now," she told reporters. I'm going to be seeded. Rybakina said reaching a second major final so quickly after her first had eased some of the pressure of expectations. Even I would say I'm trying to not think about expectations and everything," Rybakina said. "Hopefully this great performance at the Australian Open will mark the start of a successful year of play for Elena."

☆ Belarusian Sabalenka crowned first 'neutral' Grand Slam champion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The big-hitting Belarusian overhauled Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the final at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday while barred from representing the eastern European nation. Had Rybakina not switched allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018, the Russia-born player would also have competed as a neutral. "I think everyone still knows that I'm Belarusian player. Asked whether missing Wimbledon made her Australian Open win sweeter, Sabalenka was non-committal. The Belarus tennis federation was quick to extend congratulations to the country's second tennis player to win a Grand Slam, following on from twice Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, who was knocked out in the semi-finals.

☆ Sabalenka subdues Rybakina to win maiden Grand Slam at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka bludgeoned her way to a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win over Kazakh 22nd seed Elena Rybakina on Saturday in a thrilling final between two of the most exciting power-hitters in the women's game. "Thank you so much for an amazing atmosphere," said Sabalenka, who received the trophy from former world number one Billie Jean King. "And of course my team, the craziest team on tour, I would say. Sabalenka served with venom and hammered deep returns in the decider to punch holes through Rybakina's defence for a 5-3 lead. It was an amazing two weeks for me and hopefully I'm going to have the same results and even better."

☆ Rybakina meets Sabalenka in clash of big hitters for Australian Open crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

While that victory brought prestige and financial reward, it did not boost her up the rankings. Rybakina would have climbed into the top 10 had the ranking points been available but she has proved she belongs in the spotlight at Melbourne Park, knocking out three Grand Slam champions en route to this year's title clash. "I think it was a great challenge for me because for sure, they have experience of winning Grand Slams, so it was nothing new for them," Rybakina, who beat Azarenka 7-6(4) 6-3 in the semi-finals, said. With Russian and Belarusian players only allowed to compete as individual athletes without national affiliation at Melbourne Park, Sabalenka could become the first neutral athlete to win a Grand Slam. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ An Australian Open Women’s Final Built for Power
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Elena Rybakina has one of the most powerful serves in the women’s game. MELBOURNE, Australia—The most dangerous weapon in women’s tennis is heading to another Grand Slam final. Elena Rybakina’s serve—a fluid, ferocious action that tops out at more than 120 mph—had already carried her to an unexpected title at Wimbledon last summer. Now Rybakina is back in a groove at the Australian Open and aiming to claim a second major title in the space of six months when she faces world No. 5 Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final here.

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