INSIDER
Danielle Collins announces her retirement looms after a 2nd-round loss to Swiatek at Australian Open
Read full article: Danielle Collins announces her retirement looms after a 2nd-round loss to Swiatek at Australian OpenDanielle Collins has announced this season will be her last on the elite women's tour.
The US Open is filled with players making comebacks from retirement, pregnancy or injury
Read full article: The US Open is filled with players making comebacks from retirement, pregnancy or injuryThe 2023 U.S. Open features several players who have made comebacks to tennis after being away for a while.
Prodigy no longer? Gauff makes breakthrough in Paris at 17
Read full article: Prodigy no longer? Gauff makes breakthrough in Paris at 17American 17-year-old Coco Gauff completely overwhelmed Ons Jabeur 6-3, 6-1 at the French Open to become the youngest woman to reach the quarterfinals at any Grand Slam tournament in 15 years.
The Latest: Gauff into French Open 4th round, Brady retires
Read full article: The Latest: Gauff into French Open 4th round, Brady retiresAmerican teenager Coco Gauff is into the French Openās fourth round for the first time after her opponent Jennifer Brady stopped playing because of an injured left foot.
Osaka back to No. 2; Medvedev No. 3; Karatsev jumps 72 spots
Read full article: Osaka back to No. 2; Medvedev No. 3; Karatsev jumps 72 spots(AP Photo/Hamish Blair)Naomi Osaka's Australian Open championship moved her up one spot to No. 2 in the WTA rankings Monday, while men's finalist Daniil Medvedev rose to a career-best No. Aslan Karatsev's historic run from qualifying to the final four before losing to nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic allowed him to vault 72 places from 114th to 42nd. Barty took nearly a full year off, for example, but still has her points from winning the 2019 French Open and reaching the semifinals at the 2020 Australian Open. Aryna Sabalenka now leads the WTA doubles rankings after pairing with Elise Mertens to win the Australian Open women's doubles title.
Hard quarantine didn't stop Brady in Australia; Osaka did
Read full article: Hard quarantine didn't stop Brady in Australia; Osaka didJapan's Naomi Osaka, right, holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating United States Jennifer Brady, left, in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. The 25-year-old American won't be leaving with the Australian Open title after losing to Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday. āI mean, I made my first Grand Slam final. Her Grand Slam record was 15-14, and her overall tour-level mark as a pro was below .500, at 54-57. āI donāt think, you know, sheās God,ā Brady said about Osaka, who is now a four-time major champion at age 23.
Osaka claims 4th Slam trophy by beating Brady in Australia
Read full article: Osaka claims 4th Slam trophy by beating Brady in AustraliaJapan's Naomi Osaka holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup defeating United States Jennifer Brady in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE ā The trouble for Naomi Osaka at Grand Slam tournaments comes in Week 1. She also won the U.S. Open in 2018, and the Australian Open in 2019. AdāTonight it wasnāt meant to be,ā Brady said after participating in her first Grand Slam final at age 25. 1 Novak Djokovic will be seeking his ninth Australian Open championship and 18th Grand Slam trophy overall.
The Latest: Krejcikova, Ram win 2nd Australian mixed title
Read full article: The Latest: Krejcikova, Ram win 2nd Australian mixed title(AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE ā The Latest on the Australian Open tennis tournament (all times local):10:55 p.m.Barbora Krejcikova and Rajeev Ram have combined for their second Australian Open mixed doubles title in three years with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Sam Stosur and Matthew Ebden in the championship match. Krejcikova and fellow Czech Katerina Siniakova lost the womenās doubles final on Friday to Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka. He and Joe Salisbury will attempt to defend their Australian Open doubles title in Sundayās final against Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek. ___9:03 p.m.Naomi Osaka has won her fourth Grand Slam title by pulling away to beat Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 in the Australian Open final. She is 3-0 in previous Grand Slam finals, winning the Australian Open in 2019 and the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020.
Osaka eyes 4th Slam title in Australian Open final vs Brady
Read full article: Osaka eyes 4th Slam title in Australian Open final vs BradyJapan's Naomi Osaka, left, is congratulated by United States' Serena Williams after winning their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. Sure, itās clearly possible that Osaka could be beaten by the 22nd-seeded American Jennifer Brady in the title match at Melbourne Park on Saturday. She pushed Osaka to three sets before losing to her in the U.S. Open semifinals last September, then shrugged off a two-week hard quarantine in Australia to reach her first Grand Slam final. Who is seeking her second Australian Open title and fourth Slam trophy ā and she is still only 23. Osaka often speaks about wanting more consistency, whether that's at lower-level WTA tournaments or at every Grand Slam event.
Jennifer Brady into 1st Grand Slam final at Australian Open
Read full article: Jennifer Brady into 1st Grand Slam final at Australian OpenUnited States' Jennifer Brady celebrates after defeating Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. Serving for the win against Karolina Muchova in the Australian Open semifinals, Brady needed to get through an 18-point game to close things out. I have earned the right to be sitting here, to be playing in a final," Brady said. Watching a Grand Slam final, you look at two players and youāre, like, āWow, thatās awesome that theyāre in the final.' Actually, Brady thinks that could have been a help, because it forced her to āreset mentally,ā she explained, and rest her body and mind.
Serena stopped: Osaka beats Williams in Australian Open SF
Read full article: Serena stopped: Osaka beats Williams in Australian Open SFUnited States' Serena Williams reacts during a press conference following her semifinal loss to Japan's Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. On Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. local time (3:30 a.m. EST), Osaka will meet first-time Grand Slam finalist Jennifer Brady of the United States for the championship. āMy heart is racing.āShe lost to Osaka in a three-set thriller in the U.S. Open semifinals last September. That stage hasn't been a problem for top-ranked Novak Djokovic, who has won 14 of his last semifinals at Grand Slam events. Djokovic is seeking a ninth Australian Open title and 18th Grand Slam trophy overall.
The Latest: Djokovic into Australian Open final for 9th time
Read full article: The Latest: Djokovic into Australian Open final for 9th timeAll rights reservedMELBOURNE ā The Latest on the Australian Open (all times local):9:45 p.m.Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open final for the ninth time by beating No. ___7 p.m.Barbora Krejcikova has set up a shot at an Australian Open doubles double over the next couple of days. ___3:35 p.m.Naomi Osaka has stopped Serena Williamsā latest bid for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title in the Australian Open semifinals. The 23-year-old Osaka also won last year's U.S. Open and the 2019 Australian Open. Djokovic is seeking a ninth Australian Open title and 18th Grand Slam trophy overall.
223-2: Nadal blows 2-set lead against Tsitsipas in Australia
Read full article: 223-2: Nadal blows 2-set lead against Tsitsipas in AustraliaSpain's Rafael Nadal reacts after winning a point against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)MELBOURNE ā Rafael Nadal entered his Australian Open quarterfinal with a 223-1 record when grabbing the first two sets of a Grand Slam match. Neither Tsitsipas nor Medvedev has won a Grand Slam tournament. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic will face 114th-ranked qualifier Aslan Karatsev, who is making his Grand Slam debut. It looked like it could be a repeat of their 2019 semifinal in Australia, when Nadal overwhelmed Tsitsipas and allowed him to win just six games.
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 ā 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.
The Latest: Nadal loses to Tsitsipas in 5 at Australian Open
Read full article: The Latest: Nadal loses to Tsitsipas in 5 at Australian Open(AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE ā The Latest on Day 10 of the Australian Open (all times local):11:55 p.m.Rafael Nadalās bid for a menās-record 21st Grand Slam title has ended with a five-set loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open quarterfinals. He has been pushed to a fifth set by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open quarterfinals. ___10 p.m.Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam set streak has ended at 35 after he dropped one against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open quarterfinals. The pair were teammates when Russia won the ATP Cup team event on the eve of the Australian Open. Kenin lost to Kaia Kanepi in straight sets in the second round of her title defense at the Australian Open last week.
Daughter of Bills, Sabres owners into all-US QF in Australia
Read full article: Daughter of Bills, Sabres owners into all-US QF in AustraliaUnited States' Jessica Pegula celebrates after defeating Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. āIām just happy Iām here; she's been playing some good tennis, solidifying herself as a top player.āAdThe 61st-ranked Pegula beat No. āA lot of people were complaining, and I told myself I wasnāt going to complain,ā Brady said. Also on that half of the draw, Rafael Nadal moved closer to a men's-record 21st Grand Slam trophy by overwhelming No. āIām super excited for her making her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Medvedev in 5, finally, advances to 4th round in Australia
Read full article: Medvedev in 5, finally, advances to 4th round in AustraliaRussia's Daniil Medvedev gestures after defeating Serbia's Filip Krajinovic in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)MELBOURNE ā Daniil Medvedev finally worked out how to a win a five-setter. The fourth-seeded Medvedev was 0-6 in Grand Slam matches that went to five sets, and his Australian Open third-round match against No. here I was really calm to finish the match," Medvedev said. Medvedev, the U.S. Open finalist last year, will next play McDonald, a player he compared with Roger Federer in style.
The Latest: Greek player tested negative in Australia
Read full article: The Latest: Greek player tested negative in Australia(AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE ā The Latest from the Australian Open (all times local):12:45 a.m.Australian Open organizers say the player from Greeceās ATP Cup team who tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival in South Africa had returned a negative result the day he left Melbourne. Michail Pervolarakis played in the Greek team with Stefanos Tsitsipas last week in one of the six tuneup tournaments for the Australian Open. The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported that Tennis Australia confirmed Pervolarakis tested negative for the coronavirus on Feb. 9. 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.
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 ā 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 āmaybe kind of broke down a little bit.āKenin 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.
'Bad timing and bad luck': Injured Serena out of French Open
Read full article: 'Bad timing and bad luck': Injured Serena out of French OpenāIf it was my knee, that would be more really devastating for me. I feel like my body is actually doing really, really well,ā said Williams, who turned 39 on Saturday. Williams took a long pause, clutched at that leg and then took a medical timeout so a trainer could wrap it. I was able to get it somewhat better, but just looking long-term in this tournament, will I be able to get through enough matches? And so, for me, I donāt think I could,ā Williams said Wednesday.
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 ā Kristina Mladenovic blamed her French Open meltdown on her U.S. Open lockdown ā and she wasnāt 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 didnāt spot the extra bounce that came during a 10-stroke exchange. āIf she would have done it, she would have all my respect and be super fair play,ā Mladenovic said. āItās brutal for the body when you (have) eight days (of) lockdown in a hotel room,ā Mladenovic said Wednesday.
DQ forgotten, Djokovic leaves French Open foe 'suffocated'
Read full article: DQ forgotten, Djokovic leaves French Open foe 'suffocated'Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after missing 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. āWinning a 6-love first set is the best possible way to start a Grand Slam," he said. With Dominic Thiem, the U.S. Open champion and two-time French Open runner-up, watching from the stands in a black winter coat, Djokovic broke Ymer nine times and ended up with a 32-12 edge in total winners. Others feeling that way on Day 3 at the yearās last Grand Slam tournament included No. Tsitsipas trailed Jaume Munar before advancing 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, while Rublev knelt on court and covered his face with his hands after turning things around to beat Sam Querrey 6-7 (5), 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4, 6-3.
Clipped wings: Virus turns tennis pros' flights into ordeals
Read full article: Clipped wings: Virus turns tennis pros' flights into ordealsJennifer Brady of the U.S. prepares to serve against Denmark's Clara Tauson in the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. But tennis players cannot home-work. And so, as now-rare world travelers, they've also become unwitting first-hand witnesses of how the pandemic is battering the airline industry. But the novelty wore off after near-constant flying became part of her tennis job, until āI really didn't like it, especially long-haul." āThe best thing during the lockdown was that I didnāt have to go on the plane.ā___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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 ā 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.
The Latest: Osaka, Azarenka set for US Open women's final
Read full article: The Latest: Osaka, Azarenka set for US Open women's finalVictoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts after defeating Serena Williams, of the United States, during a semifinal match of the US Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK ā The Latest on on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):___3:30 p.m.Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka were supposed to play two weeks ago in Flushing Meadows. Osaka and Azarenka will meet in the U.S. Open women's final, with the winner earning her third Grand Slam singles title. She went on to win another in 2019 at the Australian Open, a title Azarenka won twice. Azarenka won that tournament, normally held in Ohio but moved because of the coronavirus pandemic, when Osaka had to pull out of the final with a hamstring injury.
Helped by net, bad call, Osaka gets past Brady in US Open SF
Read full article: Helped by net, bad call, Osaka gets past Brady in US Open SFAnd now Osaka, still just 22, is one victory away from a third Grand Slam title. Osaka served at up to 120 mph; Brady reached 117 mph. Thatās when, at 2-1 in the third set, Osaka earned her first break point with a backhand that clipped the net tape and trickled over. In the second set, though, it was Osaka who blinked, and Brady who collected the first break of the evening. Heady stuff for Brady, a 25-year-old from Pennsylvania who never had been past the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament before this week.
The Latest: Osaka begins US Open semifinal vs Brady
Read full article: The Latest: Osaka begins US Open semifinal vs BradyNaomi Osaka, of Japan, walks on the court before playing Jennifer Brady, of the United States, during a semifinal match of the US Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK ā The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):___Naomi Osaka is trying to return to the U.S. Open women's final, facing first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Jennifer Brady. Osaka was the 2018 champion at Flushing Meadows and followed that up by winning the Australian Open the next January. Pavicās lob winner produced another break to give his team a 4-2 lead in the final set, and he served out the match at love. Naomi Osaka will play American Jennifer Brady in the first women's semifinal, and Serena Williams will take on Victoria Azarenka.
The Latest: American Brady advances to US Open semifinals
Read full article: The Latest: American Brady advances to US Open semifinalsJennifer Brady, of the United States, serves to Yulia Putintseva, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinals of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times EDT):___1:30 p.m.American Jennifer Brady has become this year's first U.S. Open semifinalist by beating Yulia Putintseva 6-3, 6-2. The quarterfinals at the U.S. Open are underway, with American Jennifer Brady facing No. Brady, seeded 28th, is the first former college player to reach the women's quarterfinals at the Open since Gigi Fernandez in 1994. In the other women's match Tuesday, two-time major champion Naomi Osaka will play American Shelby Rogers, who is ranked 93rd.
American Jennifer Brady reaches 1st major semifinal at Open
Read full article: American Jennifer Brady reaches 1st major semifinal at OpenJennifer Brady, of the United States, reacts after defeating Yulia Putintseva, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinals of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK American Jennifer Brady said she was nervous at the start of her first career Grand Slam quarterfinal, but it didn't show. Brady notched the biggest victory yet in her breakout run at the U.S. Open, beating Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan on Tuesday, 6-3, 6-2. Brady, 25, is playing in her 13th Grand Slam event and is seeded in a major tournament for the first time. The last couple of times I played her, I got caught in playing her game, Brady said.
The Latest: Jennifer Brady reaches 1st US Open quarterfinal
Read full article: The Latest: Jennifer Brady reaches 1st US Open quarterfinalJennifer Brady, of the United States, serves to Angelique Kerber, of Germany, during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):12:45 p.m.Jennifer Brady has extended her dominant showing at the U.S. Open and reached the quarterfinals for the first time. The hard-hitting, 25-year-old Brady knocked off Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-4 in the opening match Sunday. Brady, who is one of four American women still alive in singles, will face either Petra Martic or Yulia Putintseva in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal match. The day begins with Angelique Kerber a three-time Grand Slam champion who won at Flushing Meadows in 2016 trying to extend her strong run through the bracket, facing 28th-seeded Jennifer Brady.
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.
Jennifer Brady preps for US Open by winning 1st tour title
Read full article: Jennifer Brady preps for US Open by winning 1st tour titleJennifer Brady holds the championship trophy after defeating Jil Belen Teichmann in the WTA tennis tournament championship match in Nicholasville, Ky., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. Brady won 6-3, 6-4 on the way to her first WTA title. Maybe I wasn't using my legs enough ... or the toss was coming a little bit to the left. A little bit of everything, said Brady, who eliminated 16-year-old Coco Gauff in the semifinals. I put a little bit more expectations on myself to perform well, so I was getting a little bit frustrated.