Pegula's sports align ahead of Australian Open quarterfinals
Australian Open Tennis Jessica Pegula of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Maria Sakkari of Greece in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard) (Tertius Pickard)MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The timing for Jessica Pegula's run to the Australian Open quarterfinals has even accommodated another of her sporting passions. “Under our ticket conditions of entry we don’t allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political,” Tennis Australia said in a statement. ___SERVE-VOLLEYAmerican Maxime Cressy is a throwback to a bygone tennis era with a potent serve-and-volley style that has powered him into the Australian Open fourth round. The more I do it, the more natural it is and I feel like, with that game style, it’s very tough for the opponents to have any control.
wftv.comThe Latest at the Australian Open: 2021 champ Osaka wins
Australian Open Tennis Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts during her first round match against Camila Osorio of Colombia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair) (Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The Latest on Monday from the Australian Open at Melbourne Park (all times local):2:30 p.m. Defending champion Naomi Osaka has had a relatively trouble-free 6-3, 6-3 win over Camila Osorio in her first-round match on Rod Laver Arena. She is 13th at the Australian Open, where she won last year and in 2019. Women’s defending champion Naomi Osaka was scheduled to play the second match on Rod Laver Arena, followed by Rafael Nadal.
wftv.comThe Latest at the Australian Open: 5th-seeded Sakkari wins
Australian Open Tennis Maria Sakkari of Greece waves after defeating Tatjana Maria of Germany in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair) (Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The Latest on Monday from the Australian Open at Melbourne Park (all times local):___1:20 p.m.Fifth-seeded Maria Sakkari beat Tatjana Maria 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the first match completed on the main show court in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. Women’s defending champion Naomi Osaka was scheduled to play the second match on Rod Laver Arena, followed by Rafael Nadal. Showing evidence of vaccination has been a requirement for all those entering Melbourne Park on Day 1 of the Australian Open, the morning after nine-time champion Novak Djokovic was deported for not meeting the country’s strict COVID-19 vaccination rules. Fifth-seeded Maria Sakkari is playing Tatjana Maria in the opening match on Rod Laver Arena.
wftv.comSakkari beats Sabalenka to reach semifinals at WTA Finals
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — (AP) — Maria Sakkari needed almost three hours to upset top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (1), 6-7 (6), 6-3 on Monday and advance to a semifinal against Anett Kontaveit at the WTA Finals. Fourth-seeded Sakkari took advantage of Sabalenka´s 19 double-faults in the longest match so far at the tournament in Mexico, lasting 2 hours and 47 minutes. After reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros and the U.S. Open she became the first Greek woman to qualify for the WTA’s season-ending tournament. Sabalenka rallied in the second but still missed three set points before pulling level with a tight win in the tiebreaker. The 23-year-old Belarus star then went ahead 3-1 in the third but self-destructed with double faults, and Sakkari won five straight games to secure the victory.
wftv.comThe Latest: Teens Raducanu, Fernandez meet in US Open final
APTOPIX US Open Tennis Emma Raducanu, of Great Britain, reacts after defeating Maria Sakkari, of Greece, during the semifinals of the US Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):12:30 p.m.A pair of unseeded teenagers will meet at the U.S. Open in one of the unlikeliest Grand Slam final matchups in the history of women's tennis. She is the first qualifier — players who earn a spot in the field by winning three matches in preliminary rounds — in the sport's professional era to reach a Grand Slam final. This is the first Grand Slam final between two teenagers since the 1999 U.S. Open. Saturday's winner will be the youngest Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova was 17 at Wimbledon in 2004.
wftv.comTeen dream: Raducanu, 18, Fernandez, 19, into US Open final
Raducanu became the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final in the professional era by overwhelming 17th-seeded Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4. Appearing in just her second major tournament, Raducanu won all 18 sets she has played during three matches in qualifying rounds and six in the main draw. Quickly, Raducanu was up 5-0 against French Open semifinalist Sakkari and nothing really changed from there. In the second set, Sabalenka regained her form and Fernandez took a step back. Raducanu won that one.
wftv.comTeens Raducanu, Fernandez advance to US Open women's final
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez are so similar in so many ways: They possess enviable quickness and anticipation. They’ll be back in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday for the first major final between two teens since the 1999 U.S. Open, when Serena Williams, 17, defeated Martina Hingis, 18. Raducanu became the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final in the professional era by overwhelming 17th-seeded Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4. Quickly, Raducanu was up 5-0 against French Open semifinalist Sakkari and nothing really changed from there. In the second set, Sabalenka regained her form and Fernandez took a step back.
wftv.comThe Latest: Raducanu sets up all-teenager US Open final
(AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (Elise Amendola)NEW YORK — (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):11:45 p.m.Emma Raducanu has set up an all-teenager U.S. Open women's final. 17 seed Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4, becoming the first player to come through qualifying to reach a Grand Slam final in the professional era. Raducanu won the first five games and got help from Sakkari, who had 17 unforced errors to seven winners. ___10:25 p.m.Emma Raducanu and Maria Sakkari are playing to determine who will meet Leylah Fernandez in the U.S. Open women’s final. None of the four women remaining in the tournament ever has played in a Grand Slam final.
wftv.comThe Latest: Raducanu, Sakkari playing for US Open final spot
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):10:25 p.m.Emma Raducanu and Maria Sakkari are playing to determine who will meet Leylah Fernandez in the U.S. Open women’s final. 17-seeded Sakkari from Greece is trying to reach her first Grand Slam final, having lost in the semifinals at the French Open. ___9:40 p.m.Leylah Fernandez advanced to the U.S. Open final by edging Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4. 5 seed Elina Svitolina during her surprising run, Fernandez denied the second-seeded Sabalenka from playing in her first Grand Slam final. None of the four women remaining in the tournament ever has played in a Grand Slam final.
wftv.comThe Latest: Djokovic on the court vs Berrettini in US Open
US Open Tennis Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts after reaching break point against Jenson Brooksby, of the United States, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, in New York. Djokovic needs three wins for the first calendar-year Grand Slam by a man since 1969. ___8:40 p.m.Maria Sakkari has reached her second Grand Slam semifinal of the year by beating fourth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-4 at the U.S. Open. Novak Djokovic faces Matteo Berrettini in a night match, hoping to move within two victories of a calendar-year Grand Slam. Djokovic beat Berrettini at Wimbledon for his 20th Grand Slam title, tying Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most among men.
wftv.comThe Latest: Greece's Sakkari reaches 1st US Open semifinal
US Open Tennis Maria Sakkari, of Greece, reacts after winning the first set against Karolina Pliskova, of the Czech Republic, during the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):___8:40 p.m.Maria Sakkari has reached her second Grand Slam semifinal of the year by beating fourth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-4 at the U.S. Open. 7 seed Denis Shapovalov and Reilly Opelka during his best showing in a Grand Slam tournament. Novak Djokovic faces Matteo Berrettini in a night match, hoping to move within two victories of a calendar-year Grand Slam. Djokovic beat Berrettini at Wimbledon for his 20th Grand Slam title, tying Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most among men.
wftv.comThe Latest: Sakkari beats 2019 champ Andreescu at US Open
The 17th-seeded Sakkari will face two-time Grand Slam runner-up Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinals. Sakkari is trying to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the first time. Her best showing at a Grand Slam was a semifinal run at the French Open in June. Another player advanced to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal when unseeded Lloyd Harris handled Reilly Opelka’s big serve and eliminated the No. ___2:45 p.m.Alexander Zverev is into the U.S. Open quarterfinals with his 15th straight victory.
wftv.comThe Latest: Andreescu, Sakkari head to 3rd set at US Open
US Open Tennis Bianca Andreescu, of Canada, reacts after winning her first set against Maria Sakkari, of Greece, during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, in New York. Sakkari is trying to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the first time. Her best showing at a Grand Slam was a semifinal run at the French Open in June. Another player advanced to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal when unseeded Lloyd Harris handled Reilly Opelka’s big serve and eliminated the No. ___2:45 p.m.Alexander Zverev is into the U.S. Open quarterfinals with his 15th straight victory.
wftv.comThe Latest: Sakkari beats 2019 champ Andreescu at US Open
Maria Sakkari has eliminated 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu in the latest-finishing women’s match in tournament history to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the first time. Sakkari came back to win 6-7 (2), 7-6 (6), 6-3 as Andreescu had trouble with a left leg that was taped by a trainer during a medical timeout in the third set.
news.yahoo.comThe Latest: Raducanu storms into 4th round at U.S. Open
US Open Tennis Emma Raducanu, of Great Britain, returns a shot to Sara Sorribes Tormo, of Spain, during the third round of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig)NEW YORK — (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):___4:45 p.m.Emma Raducanu continues to roll at the U.S. Open, using a straight-sets victory to advance to the fourth round. Raducanu, who was born in Canada and represents Britain, is into the fourth round at the U.S. Open after getting to Week 2 of Wimbledon in her major debut at age 18. ___2 p.m.Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic and French Open semifinalist Maria Sakkari are back in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows after straight-set victories. Next for her will be a match against either two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova or 17th-seeded Maria Sakkari.
wftv.comThe Latest: German Otte is 3rd qualifier in US Open 4th Rd
US Open Tennis Oscar Otte, of Germany, reacts during a first round match with Lorenzo Sonego, of Italy, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in New York. It's also the first time at any Grand Slam tournament that three male qualifiers reached Week 2 since the 1995 French Open. He is the lowest-ranked man to get to the fourth round in New York since No. Bencic was a semifinalist at the 2019 U.S. Open for her best Grand Slam showing. Also on Saturday's schedule on a sunny day: 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
wftv.comThe Latest: Bencic, Sakkari return to 4th round at US Open
US Open Tennis Bianca Andreescu, of Canada, reacts after defeating Greet Minnen, of Belgium, during the third round of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig)NEW YORK — (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):___2 p.m.Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic and French Open semifinalist Maria Sakkari are back in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows after straight-set victories. Bencic was a semifinalist at the 2019 U.S. Open for her best Grand Slam showing. ___12:25 p.m.Bianca Andreescu is now 10-0 for her U.S. Open career and back in the fourth round of the tournament she won in 2019. Also on Saturday's schedule on a sunny day: 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
wftv.comThe Latest: Svitolina 6th top-10 seed to lose at Wimbledon
Britain Wimbledon Tennis Ukraine's Elina Svitolina plays a return to Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck during the women's singles first round match on day three of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday June 30, 2021. 3 Elina Svitolina became the sixth top-10 seeded woman to be eliminated in the first two rounds at Wimbledon. ___1:55 p.m.American Shelby Rogers knocked out French Open semifinalist Maria Sakkari to reach the third round of Wimbledon for the second time. French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova advanced with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Andrea Petkovic. The 17-year-old Coco Gauff takes on Elena Vesnina in another Centre Court match.
wftv.comOsaka to skip Wimbledon but compete at Tokyo Olympics
French Open Osaka Tennis FILE - Naomi Osaka, of Japan, reacts during her match against Maria Sakkari, of Greece, in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open tennis tournament in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Wednesday, March 31, 2021, file photo. Stuart Duguid wrote Thursday in an email that Osaka “is taking some personal time with friends and family. She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans.”Osaka, a 23-year-old who was born in Japan, withdrew from the French Open after the first round, saying she needed a mental health break. ___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
wftv.comThe Latest: Mattek-Sands, Swiatek reach FO doubles final
(AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):5:10 p.m.Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States and Iga Swiatek of Poland are into the doubles final at Roland Garros. Krejcikova will try this weekend to become the first woman to sweep the Roland Garros titles since Mary Pierce in 2000. Krejcikova also made it to the singles final on Thursday by beating Maria Sakkari 7-5, 4-6, 9-7 after saving a match point. Krejcikova also made it to the singles final by beating Maria Sakkari 7-5, 4-6, 9-7 after saving a match point on Thursday. The 24-year-old Zverev has won one of the two major semifinals he has played, making it to the US Open final last year.
wftv.comThe Latest: Krejcikova aiming for titles sweep in Paris
France Tennis French Open Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova blows a kiss after defeating Maria Sakkari of Greece in their semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (Christophe Ena)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___1:30 p.m.A day after the marathon win that booked her a spot in the French Open final, Barbora Krejcikova is back on court at Roland Garros -- in doubles this time. Krejcikova is bidding to become the first woman to sweep Roland Garros titles since Mary Pierce in 2000. The last woman to make the final of both events in Paris was another Czech, Lucie Safarova. ___More AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comSakkari tops 2020 French champ Swiatek; 4 in 1st Slam SFs
France Tennis French Open Maria Sakkari of Greece reacts as she defeats Poland's Iga Swiątek during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Wednesday, June 9, 2021 in Paris. Sakkari, who can become Greece's first Grand Slam singles champion, and Krejcikova, who is from the Czech Republic, are both 25. Sakkari lost her first seven third-round Slam matches, which raised some doubts that have since been erased. “But this year I proved (to) myself that I’m actually playing really good.”Both Sakkari and Krejcikova dealt with early deficits Wednesday. In the day's first quarterfinal, Gauff led 3-0 at the outset, then 5-3, and held a total of five set points in the opener, but failed to convert any.
wftv.comNadal drops set, beats Schwartzman to reach French Open SF
APTOPIX France Tennis French Open Spain's Rafael Nadal shouts as he plays Argentina's Diego Schwartzman during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Wednesday, June 9, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)PARIS — (AP) — Rafael Nadal's French Open set streak is over. His pursuit of a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title — including 14 at Roland Garros — remains very much intact. Nadal, who turned 35 last week, is now 105-2 for his career at Roland Garros. Nadal entered his quarterfinal with a 35-set run at Roland Garros that began during the 2019 final.
wftv.comThe Latest: Nadal drops set but moves into French Open SF
(AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___6:20 p.m.Rafael Nadal dropped a set for the first time at this year's French Open but ultimately advanced to the semifinals for a record-extending 14th time. The men’s Grand Slam record is held by Bjorn Borg, with 41 consecutive sets won at the French Open. Some tennis players have expressed reservations and French Open semifinalist Tamara Zidansek said she will not participate in the Olympics for Slovenia. The WTA and ATP rankings after the French Open ends Sunday will help determine which players are eligible to compete in Japan. ___1 p.m.Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic reached the French Open semifinals by defeating American teenager Coco Gauff 7-6 (6), 6-3.
wftv.comThe Latest: Pavlyuchenkova and Rybakina lose in doubles
France Tennis French Open Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, right, hugs Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina after winning their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (Christophe Ena)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___4 pmBoth Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Rybakina ended the day in the losing column this time. A day after Pavlyuchenkova came from a set down to beat Rybakina and reach the French Open semifinals, the doubles teammates were back on the same side of the court at Roland Garros. Some tennis players have expressed reservations and French Open semifinalist Tamara Zidansek said she will not participate in the Olympics for Slovenia. The WTA and ATP rankings after the French Open ends Sunday will help determine which players are eligible to compete in Japan.
wftv.comSakkari stops 2020 champ Swiatek's French Open streak in QFs
France Tennis French Open Maria Sakkari of Greece reacts as she plays Poland's Iga Swiątek during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Wednesday, June 9, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — Maria Sakkari ended defending champion Iga Swiatek's 11-match and 22-set winning streaks at the French Open on Wednesday and reached the semifinals of a major tournament for the first time. Sakkari, who is from Greece, and Krejcikova, who is from the Czech Republic, are both 25. But Sakkari, who also beat 2020 French Open runner-up Sofia Kenin, used clean strokes — accumulating 26 winners, nine more than her opponent — and a strategy of serving to Swiatek’s forehand to gain control. Krejcikova ended the nine-match run of the 24th-seeded Gauff, who is based in Florida and was the youngest French Open quarterfinalist since 2006.
wftv.comThe Latest: Sakkari ousts French Open champion Swiatek
France Tennis French Open Maria Sakkari of Greece reacts as she defeats Poland's Iga Swiątek during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Wednesday, June 9, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___Maria Sakkari powered past defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 to reach the French Open semifinals for the first time. Defending champion Iga Swiatek takes on 17th-seeded Maria Sakkari, who is making her Grand Slam quarterfinal debut. ___1 p.m.Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic reached the French Open semifinals by defeating American teenager Coco Gauff 7-6 (6), 6-3. ___10.45 a.m.American teenager Coco Gauff is bidding for a spot in the French Open semifinals against Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic.
wftv.comThe Latest: Swiatek down early, 22-set winning streak ends
(AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___2:15 p.m.Iga Swiatek’s 22-set winning streak at the French Open is over. In the second set Swiatek was broken immediately and went down 2-0 before calling for a medical timeout. Defending champion Iga Swiatek takes on 17th-seeded Maria Sakkari, who is making her Grand Slam quarterfinal debut. The 33rd-ranked Krejcikova will play her first semifinal at a major tournament against either defending champion Iga Swiatek or Maria Sakkari. Defending champion Iga Swiatek then faces Maria Sakkari.
wftv.comThe Latest: Kenin loses in 4th round to Sakkari at French
(AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___5:25 p.m.American Sofia Kenin has lost in the fourth round at the French Open to Maria Sakkari of Greece, 6-1, 6-3. Sakkari, seeded 17th, advanced to her first career Grand Slam quarterfinal and earned her sixth win against a top-20 player this year. He beat 19-year-old Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, who retired with an injury two games from defeat in the fourth round at the French Open. 1, Djokovic remained in contention for his second French Open title, and his 19th at a Grand Slam. She also reached reached her first quarterfinal at a major by beating 2018 French Open runner-up Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-0.
wftv.comSponsors hail Naomi Osaka's 'courage' on mental health
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, said Monday, May 31, she was withdrawing from the French Open for mental health issues. Today, at least for Naomi Osaka's corporate sponsors, it is being hailed as refreshingly honest. The four Grand Slam tournaments reacted to Osaka's withdrawal by pledging to do more to address players' mental health issues. Marketing consultant Adamson believes Osaka’s decision to come forward will encourage many more athletes to divulge their own mental health battles. “We are moving from mental health and mental illness as a ‘they” thing to a ‘we’ thing,” he said.
wftv.comOsaka's 23-match win streak ends against Sakkari in Miami
Maria Sakkari, of Greece, reacts after winning a point against Naomi Osaka, of Japan, during the quarterfinals of the Miami Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Sakkari won 6-0, 6-4. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI – As Naomi Osaka's 23-match winning streak neared an end Wednesday, she paused before serving to crane her neck and study the sky, as if seeking intervention from above. 23-seeded Maria Sakkari, who upset Osaka 6-0, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open. Good job.”Osaka made just 41% of her first serves and paid a price, because Sakkari aggressively attacked the second set. “I just did what I had to do.”Osaka took a 40-0 lead in the opening game, but didn’t win another point on her serve until the second set.
Barty goes distance, tops Azarenka to reach Miami quarters
Ashleigh Barty of Australia, returns to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, during the Miami Open tennis tournament, Monday, March 29, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)MIAMI – Ash Barty is tough to beat under any circumstances, especially when she’s on the ropes. The world’s top-ranked player has reached the Miami Open quarterfinals, getting there by holding off 14th-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-1, 1-6, 6-2. This, too, was cool: The match lived up to its showdown potential, with the reigning Miami Open champion and current world No. 1 in Barty facing someone who has won the Miami title three times and a previous world No. Svitolina will play unseeded Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia in the quarters; Sevastova was a 6-1, 7-5 winner over wild-card Ana Konjuh of Croatia.
The tennis crowd: players thrive with fans back in Australia
There was no certainty until last month that the Australian Open would even be staged. Wimbledon was canceled in 2020, there were no fans permitted at the U.S. Open and very few allowed at Roland Garros. The three-week delay to start the Australian Open this year will mean a slightly different atmosphere — the summer holidays are over, for a start — but that’s unlikely to upset organizers or players. “That’s the first thing I’m looking forward to when I come to Australia, so it was great. Ad“I don’t have a professional tournament back home, so ... every time I come back to Australia, it feels like I’m at home.”___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Kenin beats Putintseva to reach Abu Dhabi quarterfinals
Kenin is the top-seeded woman in Abu Dhabi, where the first womens tour-level tennis event of 2021 begins main-draw play on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)ABU DHABI – Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States came back from match point down to beat Yulia Putintseva and reach the quarterfinals of the Abu Dhabi Open on Saturday. Kenin posted 57 unforced errors to Putintseva's 43 but still prevailed 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 over the 13th-seeded Putintseva. Kenin dropped the opening set for the second consecutive match in Abu Dhabi. Also, Aryna Sabalenka recorded her 12th consecutive win in tour matches with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Ons Jabeur.
Serena Williams into US Open semifinals, closer to 24th Slam
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts during a match against Tsvetana Pironkova, of Bulgaria, during the quarterfinals of the US Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, in New York. Two more victories for Williams would allow her to claim a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title. Williams last lost before the semifinals in New York all the way back in 2007, when Justine Henin eliminated her in the quarterfinals. Another 15 strokes followed, with Williams hitting a forehand passing shot that Pironkova volleyed into the tape of the net. That afforded Williams a third break point, which was converted for a 1-0 lead when Pironkova sent a forehand long.
'It's how you finish': Serena Williams into Open semifinals
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts during a match against Tsvetana Pironkova, of Bulgaria, during the quarterfinals of the US Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, in New York. Williams last lost before the semifinals in New York in 2007, when Justine Henin eliminated her in the quarterfinals. Another 15 strokes followed, with Williams smacking a forehand passing shot that Pironkova volleyed into the net tape. A couple of times, Pironkova drew Williams forward with a drop shot, then took the point with a perfectly arced lob. But after compiling only five unforced errors in the first set, Pironkova had 21 over the last two.
The Latest: Serena Williams in 4th-round action at US Open
NEW YORK The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times EDT):12:05 p.m.Serena Williams and Maria Sakkari are on court in Arthur Ashe Stadium to warm up for their fourth-round meeting at the U.S. Open. It is a rematch of a contest Sakkari won less than two weeks ago at the Western & Southern Open, a hard-court tournament played this year at Flushing Meadows. Williams owns six U.S. Open titles and 23 Grand Slam singles championships in all. Sakkari, a 25-year-old from Greece, is trying to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. The winner will face Alize Cornet or Tsvetana Pironkova next.
Down but not out, Serena Williams yells herself to Open win
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts after defeating Maria Sakkari, of Greece, during the quarterfinals of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK Theres no crowd at the U.S. Open this year to pull for Serena Williams and try to push her to victory. Shouting at herself point after point, Williams came back from a third-set deficit against a woman she lost to less than two weeks ago, and took another step closer to Grand Slam title No. When the match ended, Williams turned and yelled toward her husband, who stood at his front-row seat and yelled right back. She sent a backhand return long to give Sakkari her fifth set point, then pushed a forehand out.
The Latest: Williams-Stephens on tap at sunny US Open
NEW YORK The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):11:30 a.m.Day 6 has started at the year's second Grand Slam tournament the U.S. Open normally closes the major tennis championship season but the pandemic caused changes to the calendar. The sun is shining and the temperature is in the mid-70s Fahrenheit (mid-20s Celsius) as the third round continues Saturday. The highlight of the afternoon is expected to be Serena Williams against Sloane Stephens in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Williams owns 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including six in New York. Stephens won the 2017 U.S. Open.
Williams takes 10 of 12 games to beat Stephens at US Open
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts during a match against Sloane Stephens, of the United States, during the third round of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK In danger of her earliest exit at the U.S. Open since her debut 22 years ago, Serena Williams turned things around and took over against Sloane Stephens. Williams collected 10 of the last 12 games by lifting her level, to be sure. You know, Serena is Serena," Sakkari said after advancing earlier Saturday by beating 19-year-old American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-1. Quickly, that set belonged to Stephens, who held at love when all four points ended with Williams miscues.
Osaka withdraws in protest; W&S put on hold Thursday
Naomi Osaka, of Japan, leaves the court after winning her match with Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the quarterfinals at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in New York. Soon after, the whole tournament was put on hold for a day. Osaka tweeted that as a Black woman, she feels compelled to pull out of the tournament to put a focus on police shooting Black people. "Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of the police is honestly making me sick to my stomach. I have to be patient, to try to enjoy every single match I play here after six months without competing.