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☆ Kvitova draws on experience to triumph in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/7] Apr 1, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Petra Kvitova (CZE) celebrates with the Butch Buchholz championship trophy after her match against Elena Rybakina (KAZ) (not pictured) in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsApril 1 (Reuters) - Petra Kvitova said she drew on her deep well of experience to come through an epic first set tie-breaker and upset Elena Rybakina 7-6(14) 6-2 for her first Miami Open title on Saturday. "Experience today played a good role in my mind," Kvitova told reporters after the match. With the win Kvitova became the second-oldest women to triumph at the Miami Open, after Serena Williams in 2015. Kvitova said athletes from those countries should also not be allowed to compete at the Paris Olympics.

☆ Kvitova upsets Rybakina to win first Miami Open title
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Apr 1, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Petra Kvitova (CZE) reacts after winning a first set tiebreaker against Elena Rybakina (KAZ) (not pictured) in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsApril 1 (Reuters) - Petra Kvitova turned back the clock to upset Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina 7-6(14) 6-2 on Saturday to win her first Miami Open crown and ninth WTA 1000 title. The veteran Czech player, seeded 15th, ended an epic, 22-minute first set tiebreak by converting her fifth set point when 10th-seeded Rybakina's forehand landed in the net. The 33-year-old Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014 and who had recently contemplated retirement, put her hands on her head in astonishment when Rybakina's forehand sailed long to seal the win. Kvitova, who fended off five set points in the see-saw tiebreak, said capturing it was the key to the match.

☆ Alcaraz, Rybakina stay on course for 'Sunshine Double' in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsMarch 28 (Reuters) - Indian Wells champions Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina stayed on course to complete the 'Sunshine Double' with straight sets wins at the Miami Open on Tuesday. Paul fell behind an early break again in the second set on a missed forehand for 2-1. Alcaraz is now three wins away from the 'Sunshine Double,' something he needs to retain his world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic. The 10th-seeded Kazakh deployed her clean groundstrokes and feasted on the Italian's soft second serve in the tight first set. "I would say that, of course, maybe I'm moving not as good as I was moving in Indian Wells but overall I think that I'm trying to keep that level from Indian Wells," she told reporters after reaching the semi-finals.

☆ Potapova upsets Gauff in third-round Miami thriller
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 25 (Reuters) - Russian Anastasia Potapova produced some of her best tennis to upset American Coco Gauff 6-7(8) 7-5 6-2 in a third-round thriller at the Miami Open on Saturday. "I had this belief in me that I can do this, that I just wanted to fight through and just to show my best tennis and not focus on the score," she told the Tennis Channel. Up 5-2 in the first set, it looked as though it might be an easy day for Potapova. But world number six Gauff turned the tables when she converted break point chances in the ninth and 11th games and closed the tiebreak with a lethal backhand. She failed to earn a single break point as Potapova dropped only one first-serve point and won the final five games.

☆ 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.

☆ 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.

☆ Dominant Swiatek wins second straight Doha title
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The victory capped off a dominant campaign during which Swiatek recorded 6-0 6-1 wins over both Danielle Collins and Veronika Kudermetova and received a quarter-final bye, dropping just five games in three matches. It is Swiatek's first title of a year, and follows her shock fourth-round exit in the Australian Open at the hands of Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. "I feel like I found my rhythm here after a tough beginning to the season," said Swiatek, after claiming her 12th WTA singles title. Swiatek lent her support to the people in Ukraine following her win in the last edition of the tournament, and reiterated that message on Saturday. "I feel like we all have pretty short memories, but we should all support Ukraine and Ukrainians in everything they cope with every day," Swiatek said.

☆ Swiatek accepts she can't always be perfect ahead of Doha defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 21-year-old was hot favourite to win the year's first Grand Slam in Melbourne but crashed to a 6-4 6-4 defeat against Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. "I really wanted to focus on getting my expectations lower and not expect from myself that I'm going to play perfectly all the time," she told reporters. I feel I could really focus on the technical stuff and just improve as a player." Swiatek said she was not approaching the Qatar Open as a defending champion. "I want to start this tournament as any other player, and we all do that and start from the same spot," Swiatek said.

☆ 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.

☆ 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 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.

☆ 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.

☆ Soccer mom Azarenka ordered to take off PSG shirt at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Self-described "obnoxious soccer mom" Victoria Azarenka was ordered to take off her Paris St Germain shirt at the Australian Open on Thursday before bowing out of the Grand Slam with a straight sets defeat by Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals. After an exchange of words with the chair umpire at Rod Laver Arena, Azarenka took off the PSG shirt before warming up in her regular kit against Rybakina. "They told me to take it off twice because I had a different shirt," the 22nd seed told reporters after losing 7-6(4) 6-3 to Kazakh Rybakina. "My son wore the white jersey today to his practice, and I tried to wear a white jersey to my match but couldn't. "But give me a couple of hours and I can have probably a better outlook on this month in Australia.

☆ Rybakina takes down Azarenka to reach first Australian Open final
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 22nd-seeded Rybakina was broken as she served for the set but Azarenka double-faulted to concede three match points in the next game, allowing the Kazakh to close out an emphatic win. Rybakina shrugged it off then broke Azarenka twice, repeatedly outrallying the powerful Belarusian. Running full tilt, she saved a set point with a forehand passing shot and put the pressure back on Rybakina. Though failing to land a first serve 11 times in succession, Rybakina saved three break points at 5-5 before momentum shifted again when Azarenka tightened up in the tiebreak. Rybakina wobbled when serving out the match, a double-fault coughing up three break points and opening the door for Azarenka.

☆ Belarusian and Russian charge in Melbourne throws spotlight on Wimbledon ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

On Friday, Russia's Karen Khachanov faces Stefanos Tsitsipas as he bids to reach his first Grand Slam final. With the conflict in Ukraine showing no sign of ending, a decision about Russian and Belarussian players competing at the All England Club is pressing. Australian Open organisers even banned Russian and Belarusian flags from Melbourne Park last week after a complaint from Ukraine's ambassador to the country. 'SITUATION NO-ONE WANTS'Nine-times Australian Open champion Djokovic has urged Wimbledon to allow Russian and Belarus players to enter the 2023 tournament, a view also backed by American great John McEnroe. "I disagreed with it last year that Wimbledon didn't allow the Russians or Belarusian players to play.

☆ Djokovic romps on towards 10th Australian title, Linette stuns Pliskova
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Djokovic is making a mockery of the theory that the second week of Grand Slam tournaments get tougher. Fifth seed Rublev has now lost all seven Grand Slam quarter-finals which he contested. "I'm really excited, man. So I'm really grateful." Linette had no problems serving out her quarter-final against twice Grand Slam finalist Pliskova, whose 36 unforced errors sabotaged yet another bid to win a first major.

☆ Azarenka up for the challenge as Sabalenka seeks calm
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Although Sabalenka and Magda Linette of Poland will be playing in their first semi-finals at Melbourne Park, Azarenka returns to final-four action after a decade away when she takes on Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Now a self-confessed "obnoxious" soccer mom, the 33-year-old Azarenka looked every inch the player who won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2012 and 2013 when she took apart in-form third seed Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals. "It will be a great matchup," said Belarusian Azarenka, who lost their only meeting in straight sets at Indian Wells last year. Sabalenka, who has played three previous Grand Slam semi-finals and lost them all, knows that her biggest battle on Thursday will most likely be with her own emotions. "I think it's going to be a great test for me, if I can actually keep myself calm in key moments," Sabalenka said.

☆ Korda retires to send Khachanov into Australian Open semis, Rybakina through
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 24, 2023 Russia's Karen Khachanov in action during his quarter final match against Sebastian Korda of the U.S. REUTERS/Jaimi JoyMELBOURNE, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Karen Khachanov reached the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time on Tuesday after Sebastian Korda retired injured while trailing 7-6(5) 6-3 3-0, dashing the American's hopes of emulating his father Petr's 1998 Melbourne Park triumph. Khachanov had also reached the last four of the 2022 U.S. Open and said it felt great to be back in a Grand Slam semi-final. "I'm super happy to be in the semi-finals for the first time," said Rybakina. "Of course, I was nervous, particularly in the last game, but I'm happy I managed my emotions. Rybakina will take on third seed Jessica Pegula or twice Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka next.

☆ Ruthless Rybakina rolls into Australian Open semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina became the first player into the Australian Open semi-finals after outmuscling Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-4 in a one-sided contest on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday. Rybakina, who ousted top seed Iga Swiatek in the fourth round, broke straight back, however, and saved four break points with some brilliant tennis in the next game to consolidate. "I'm super happy to be in the semi-finals for the first time," said Rybakina. Ostapenko was clearly second best but might take solace at her best Grand Slam showing since she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2018, a year after she won the Roland Garros title. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Jessica Pegula Is Suddenly a Favorite in Australia as Top Seeds Falter
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

MELBOURNE, Australia—When Jessica Pegula woke up on Sunday morning here, she was still in the hardest section of the Australian Open. Potential matches against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek or fellow American Coco Gauff lay ahead if Pegula could just stick around long enough. But by the time she took the court for her fourth-round match, the draw was collapsing around her. Swiatek had fallen apart against the surprise Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, and Gauff had lost to Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, the player who won the 2017 French Open and hasn’t reached a Grand Slam final since.

☆ Coco Gauff in tears after defeat at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

A frustrated Coco Gauff broke down in tears after her 7-5 6-3 defeat by Jelena Ostapenko at the Australian Open on Sunday, with the 18-year-old American saying she just could not come up with the answers to the Latvian’s game. “I think every loss is somewhat in my control because I do feel like I’m a good player, but today she just played better,” Gauff, seeded seventh, told reporters. “There were balls I was hitting deep and she was hitting them on the line and hitting them back deep, like, over and over again. “I think it’s because I worked really hard and I felt really good coming into the tournament and I still feel good,” Gauff said. “But when you play a player like her and she plays really well, it’s like there’s nothing you can do.

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