Netflix tennis docuseries ‘Break Point’ short on surprises
Less than 10 minutes into the first episode of "Break Point," the Netflix docuseries about professional tennis that launches Friday, Nick Kyrgios is seen practicing before last year's Australian Open and is heard contemplating aloud whether he ever will appear again at the tournament. That captures the vibe around tennis lately, what with the retirements of Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Ash Barty all arriving in 2022. Barty’s historic championship at the Australian Open and stunning retirement soon after are left unexplored. The emphasis is on current players’ tales and travails, although do not expect a ton of gossip or infighting. “That’s why I think tennis is really brutal.”___Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HowardFendrich___AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.
wftv.comTeam USA beats Italy to win inaugural United Cup
SYDNEY — (AP) — The United States claimed the inaugural United Cup on Sunday in convincing fashion with an overpowering display over Italy in the final of the mixed teams event. 9-ranked Taylor Fritz gave the U.S. an unassailable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup when edging former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7). Similarly to Fritz’s 7-6, 7-6 victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday, the clash between Fritz and Berrettini was dominated by serving. 3-ranked Pegula said that as her team’s top-ranked player of either sex, she wanted to lead by example. 19, was in a dominant position against Musetti when the Italian ended the match on the opening point of the second set.
wftv.comItaly to face US in United Cup final after Bronzetti victory
Italy will play the United States in the final of the inaugural United Cup in Sydney after defeating Greece in a semifinal of the mixed teams competition on Saturday. Stefanos Tsitsipas kept Greek hopes alive by defeating Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 in a clash between two Grand Slam finalists after Italy won the first two singles on Friday. 4 held his nerve in an enthralling contest before breaking Berrettini for the first time midway through the deciding set to maintain his unbeaten record in the United Cup. All five matches in the final between the United States and Italy will be played in Sydney on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday, Taylor Fritz beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) to clinch the U.S. a spot in the final.
wftv.comFritz blasts past Zverev as USA leads Germany at United Cup
SYDNEY — (AP) — Taylor Fritz took advantage of a dominant serve to beat Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4 as the United States took an early 1-0 lead over Germany Monday at the United Cup mixed teams event in Sydney. Ninth-ranked Fritz won 96 percent (26/27) of first serve points and backed that up with accurate ball-striking to beat 12th-ranked Zverev in 64 minutes. He kept the pressure on to beat Zverev who was playing for only the second time since June when he damaged ligaments in his right ankle during his semifinal against Rafael Nadal at the French Open. The 25-year-old Fritz is now 3-4 in head to head meetings with Zverev and is 2-0 at the United Cup after beating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in his opening match. If the United States beats Germany or loses by a 2-3 margin it will qualify for the quarterfinals from Group C.Madison Keys was due to follow Fritz on court, looking to extend the United States’ lead in her singles against Jule Niemeier.
wftv.comDavis Cup: Fritz pulls US level with Italy in quarterfinals
MÁLAGA, Spain — (AP) — Taylor Fritz pulled the United States level with Italy at 1-1 in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Thursday after Frances Tiafoe lost his singles. 9-ranked Fritz beat Lorenzo Musetti 7-6 (8), 6-3 on the indoor hard-court in Málaga after Lorenzo Sonego used his big serve to defeat Tiafoe a 6-3, 7-6 (7). American pair Tommy Paul and Jack Sock were slotted to play Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini in doubles. Sonego clinched the win after Tiafoe netted a forehand following a long rally to end the second-set tiebreaker. Sonego saved two set points while serving 6-5 down in the second set to force the tiebreaker.
wftv.comFritz beats Tiafoe in Japan Open final
TOKYO — (AP) — Taylor Fritz defeated Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in an all-American Japan Open final on Sunday. It was a perfect five days for Fritz in Tokyo, who arrived at the tournament just after the end of his seven days of quarantine in Seoul following a positive COVID-19 test. “(It is) crazy, I don’t even think it’s set in just how fast the last four or five days have been,” Fritz said after becoming the first American to win the Japan Open since Pete Sampras last won it in 1996. “It’s so crazy, and I couldn’t have written it any better.”Tiafoe had come into the final on the back of winning 13 straight singles tiebreakers, but Fritz dominated the final with his aggressive hitting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
wftv.comNick Kyrgios withdraws from Japan Open just before quarterfinal match
Fifth-seeded Nick Kyrgios, just minutes before his Japan Open quarterfinal match against third-seeded Taylor Fritz was expected to start on Friday, withdrew from the event with a knee injury. Kyrgios also pulled out of the doubles draw, where he and Thanasi Kokkinakis had reached the semifinals. Fritz advances to the semifinals against seventh-seeded Denis Shapovalov, who defeated ninth-seeded Borna Coric 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals Friday. Astana OpenThird-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the semifinals in Kazakhstan with a 7-6, 6-3 victory over seventh-seeded Hubert Hurkacz. Djokovic, who is looking for his 90th ATP singles titles, faces Karen Khachanov, while Medvedev battles Roberto Bautista Agut.
wftv.comRetired Federer offers advice to Laver Cup sub Berrettini
LONDON — (AP) — Roger Federer's tearful farewell to his playing career is over. “Having the chance to live what we lived yesterday is something that’s going to be stuck in my heart and my brain forever. “Roger told me to hit my forehand decisively ... with more weight,” Berrettini said. Yeah, it was pretty tough to not be crying.”Norrie also got help from Federer, who suggested trying to serve-and-volley on one particular point. Like Federer, Nadal withdrew from the three-day competition following their doubles loss to the team of Tiafoe and Sock.
wftv.comRetired Roger Federer offers advice to Laver Cup teammates
Roger Federer's tearful farewell to his playing career is over. A day after heading into retirement with a Laver Cup doubles match alongside longtime rival Rafaal Nadal — the pair sat crying, side by side, when it ended — Federer was back on the sideline Saturday, offering coaching tips during a victory by his Team Europe fill-in for singles, Matteo Berrettini, and chatting with Novak Djokovic during his first match in months.
news.yahoo.com'Most stressful thing' in tennis creates angst at Wimbledon
Britain Wimbledon Tennis Spain's Paula Badosa reacts as she plays Romania's Simona Halep in a women's singles fourth round match on day eight of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, July 4, 2022. Match victories are rewarded with points, which generally remain on a player’s record for 12 months, then drop off. "It's the most stressful thing about our job," said Paula Badosa, a Spaniard who entered Wimbledon at No. 3 in the women's rankings. At Wimbledon, the Grand Slam tournament that concludes Sunday, there is an additional — and unprecedented — source of angst: No one is earning any ranking points at all.
wftv.comWimbledon updates | Nadal defeats Fritz to reach semifinals
Rafael Nadal advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals after winning a fifth-set tiebreaker against Taylor Fritz of the United States. Nadal beat the 11th-seeded American 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10-4) on Centre Court. The 36-year-old Spaniard will next play Nick Kyrgios for a place in Sunday’s final.
news.yahoo.comQuieter Kyrgios overcomes shoulder, US foe at Wimbledon
The unseeded Kyrgios improved to 6-0 over his career in five-setters at the All England Club and collected his tour-leading 11th grass-court victory of the season. Against Nakashima, an unseeded 20-year-old from California, Kyrgios repeatedly was visited during changeovers by a trainer, who massaged and manipulated his shoulder. This will be Kyrgios' third appearance in a major quarterfinal. Garin, who is ranked 43rd, reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal in his 15th major appearance. Fritz, a 24-year-old American, has yet to drop a set and will be making his major quarterfinal debut after defeating qualifier Jason Kubler 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.
wftv.comWimbledon updates | No. 1 Swiatek loses, streak ends at 37
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) (Kirsty Wigglesworth)WIMBLEDON, England — (AP) — The Latest from Wimbledon (all times local):___5:30 p.m.Top-ranked Iga Swiatek is out of Wimbledon in the third round and her winning streak is over at 37 matches. ___4 p.m.Taylor Fritz of the United States advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time after a straight-set victory over Alex Molcan. The 20th-seeded Anisimova has now reached the fourth round in three straight Grand Slam tournaments. The German player who criticized Harmony Tan for pulling out of their doubles match at Wimbledon has contracted COVID-19. She has continued her run, and has reached the fourth round.
wftv.comWimbledon updates | US player Fritz advances to 4th round
(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) (Alberto Pezzali)WIMBLEDON, England — (AP) — The Latest from Wimbledon (all times local):___4 p.m.Taylor Fritz of the United States advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time after a straight-set victory over Alex Molcan. The 20th-seeded Anisimova has now reached the fourth round in three straight Grand Slam tournaments. The German player who criticized Harmony Tan for pulling out of their doubles match at Wimbledon has contracted COVID-19. She has continued her run, and has reached the fourth round. ___2:15 p.m.Cristian Garin of Chile reached the fourth round at Wimbledon for the second straight year with a 6-2, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory over 29th-seeded Jenson Brooksby of the United States.
wftv.comMost American men reach Wimbledon's 3rd round since 1995
APTOPIX Britain Wimbledon Tennis Taylor Fritz of the US returns to Britain's Alastair Gray in a second round men's single match on day four of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Thursday, June 30, 2022. Gauff, the French Open runner-up, became the fourth U.S. woman in the third round, joining No. Then there’s this: In 2013, zero men from the United States reached Wimbledon’s third round -- something that hadn’t happened since 1912, when no Americans entered the event. 29 Brooksby beat France’s Benjamin Bonzi 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 — along with four U.S. men who will play in the third round Friday: No. “We have so many guys seeded in the top 32, so many guys making second, third round.
wftv.comNadal out injured at least 1 month in lead-up to French Open
“I was getting to a very important part of the season feeling well and with good results,” Nadal said. Nadal’s winning streak to begin 2022 included his record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January. The third-ranked Nadal will try to win a record-extending 14th French Open title at Roland Garros this year. He is not likely to play in the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open next month. Nadal had already decided to skip this week’s tournament in Florida and head home to Spain to prepare for the clay-court season.
wftv.comAiling Nadal's 20-match win streak ends in loss to Fritz
American Taylor Fritz upset an ailing Rafael Nadel 6-3, 7-6 (5) Sunday to win the BNP Paribas Open and snap the 21-time major champion’s 20-match winning streak this year. “It’s an honor to even be on the same court as this guy,” Fritz told the crowd. Nadal's usual fighting spirit was on full display, but he came into the match bothered by painful breathing that he first experienced in a three-set semifinal win Saturday.
news.yahoo.comNadal outlasts teen Alcaraz in 3 sets to go 20-0 on year
The 21-time major champion staved off three break points on his serve in the fifth game of the third set and then broke Alcaraz with a forehand volley winner to go up 5-3. Nadal served out the match with a love game, punctuating the 3-hour, 12-minute struggle with a 95-mph ace. Nadal threw his head back, smiled and raised both arms in triumph, having escaped an aggressive Alcaraz. He served a love game to open the match and then promptly broke Rublev and held again for a 3-0 lead. They've known each other since the junior ranks, where Rublev beat Fritz in three of their four meetings.
wftv.comFritz into Indian Wells final with 2-set win over Rublev
Indian Wells Tennis Taylor Fritz reacts during his men's singles semifinals match against Andrey Rublev, of Russia, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — (AP) — Taylor Fritz ended Andrey Rublev’s 13-match winning streak with a 7-5, 6-4 victory Saturday in the BNP Paribas Open semifinals. Fritz advanced to the final Sunday against either Rafael Nadal or 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who met in the other semifinal. Andre Agassi was the last American man to win Indian Wells in 2001. In the second set, Fritz came up with a big hold at 5-4, firing an ace down the T after fighting off two break points. They've known each other since the junior ranks, where Rublev beat Fritz in three of their four meetings.
wftv.comSwiatek, Sakkari advance to Indian Wells final
Swiatek saved two set points in the first-set tiebreaker when she overcame deficits of 3-1 and 5-3. In 2021, Fritz came into Indian Wells ranked 39th in the world. “I feel like my level as a player has gone up a ton.”Fritz has recorded many milestones at Indian Wells, where he's always a crowd favorite. Fritz made his debut in a Masters 1000 main draw at Indian Wells and notched his first top-10 win here in 2017. “Just the energy is completely different.”Fritz is the first American to reach consecutive semifinals at Indian Wells since Andy Roddick in 2009-10.
wftv.comSwiatek beats Halep to reach Indian Wells final
Swiatek saved two set points in the first-set tiebreaker when she overcame deficits of 3-1 and 5-3. In 2021, Fritz came into Indian Wells ranked 39th in the world. “I feel like my level as a player has gone up a ton.”Fritz has recorded many milestones at Indian Wells, where he's always a crowd favorite. Fritz made his debut in a Masters 1000 main draw at Indian Wells and notched his first top-10 win here in 2017. “Just the energy is completely different.”Fritz is the first American to reach consecutive semifinals at Indian Wells since Andy Roddick in 2009-10.
wftv.comFritz rising, Rublev rolling into semifinals at Indian Wells
In 2021, Fritz came into Indian Wells ranked 39th in the world. “I feel like my level as a player has gone up a ton.”Fritz has recorded many milestones at Indian Wells, where he's always a crowd favorite. Fritz made his debut in a Masters 1000 main draw at Indian Wells and notched his first top-10 win here in 2017. “Just the energy is completely different.”Fritz is the first American to reach consecutive semifinals at Indian Wells since Andy Roddick in 2009-10. ___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comWhere is Peng Shuai? T-shirts will be OK at Australian Open
Australian Open Tennis Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley watches the fourth round match between Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and Taylor Fritz of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, early Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Simon Baker) (Simon Baker)MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Restrictions which resulted in the removal of a spectator for wearing a T-shirt supporting Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai at the Australian Open have been overhauled after international backlash. With reports of activists planning to distribute hundreds of shirts branded with the question “Where is Peng Shuai?” in time for Saturday’s Australian Open women’s final, the message shouldn’t be hard to find. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told The Associated Press it would be OK for people to wear the shirts at Melbourne Park, as long as they didn’t congregate in large groups or cause problems for other spectators. Tennis great Martina Navratilova, a three-time Australian Open singles champion, posted a tweet saying: “That’s just pathetic.
wftv.comUpsets send Fritz, Basilashvili to semis at Indian Wells
Indian Wells Tennis Taylor Fritz, of the United States, reacts after defeating Alexander Zverev, of Germany, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — (AP) — Taylor Fritz beat No. “The crowd pushing me on meant so much.”Fritz was the clear favorite at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where 83-year-old Hall of Famer Rod Laver looked on. After Zverev held with the court nearly half in shadow from the searing late afternoon sun, Fritz held again to force the tiebreaker. Basilashvili held at love to win the first set before Tsitsipas cruised through the second set. “I got really tight in the end of the match,” Basilashvili said.
wftv.comThe Latest: Fritz's comeback reaches 3rd round at Wimbledon
___6:30 p.m.Former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber needed 3 hours, 19 minutes to get past unseeded Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 in the second round. The German won Wimbledon in 2018 and has three Grand Slam titles overall. Sorribes Tormo has never been past the second round at a major. Alcaraz has drawn similar praise from countryman Rafael Nadal and made the third round at the French Open this year. It's Switzerland vs. France again when Roger Federer takes on Richard Gasquet in the second round at Wimbledon.
wftv.comThe Latest: Fritz to undergo meniscus surgery on right knee
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (Christophe Ena)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___9:30 p.m.American Taylor Fritz says he’ll require surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, and he hopes to recover in time to play at Wimbledon. ___3:15 p.m.Kei Nishikori followed up two consecutive five-setters with a one-set victory at the French Open. Play is resuming on the outer courts at the French Open after a rain delay of less than an hour. Rain has forced play to be suspended on all courts at the French Open besides the main stadium — where the roof is closed. The left-handed Delbonis will be trying to reach the fourth round at a major tournament for the first time against 27th-seeded Fabio Fognini.
wftv.comSmashing success: Djokovic beats Zverev, into Australian SF
Serbia's Novak Djokovic smashes his racket during his quarterfinal match against Germany's Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)MELBOURNE – Novak Djokovic smashed a racket, sending a piece of the frame flying. He dropped the opening set against Alexander Zverev, one of the young guys trying to shove aside Djokovic and the rest of the Big Three. And this is Djokovic at the Australian Open, where no man ever has been better. So, naturally, Djokovic pulled himself together and pulled out the victory, reaching his ninth semifinal at Melbourne Park by eliminating No.
Injured Djokovic advances to quarters at Australian Open
Serbia's Novak Djokovic hits a backhand return to Canada's Milos Raonic during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. For anyone curious about the severity of his injury, he put it into context after qualifying for the Australian Open quarterfinals for the 12th time. The eight-time Australian Open champion planned to spend most of the next two days recovering ahead of his quarterfinal against sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev. “If you’re here, it’s for a reason - there’s no doubt about it,” Dimitrov said after his 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 win. AdAnd not since Patrick McEnroe — John’s brother — in 1991 has a man ranked as low as 114th made it to the Australian Open quarterfinals.
The Latest: Djokovic beats Raonic, reaches QFs in Australia
AdHe said: “If it’s any other tournament than a Grand Slam, then I’d withdraw from that event, that’s for sure. Defending champion Novak Djokovic has started his fourth-round match against Milos Raonic at the Australian Open. He'll play either U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem or Grigor Dimitrov next and he says he doesn't have a preference. Their match is to be followed by eight-time Australian Open champion Djokovic against 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic — assuming Djokovic decides he can play. Other men in action include reigning U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem and the man he beat in that final, Alexander Zverev.
Reilly Opelka Loses Epic Five-Setter Against Best Friend Fritz at Australian Open
In the fourth set, after the best buddies traded service breaks, Opelka raced out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth set tiebreak, a mere two points from victory. But then Fritz, the highest-ranked American men’s player in the Australian Open draw, reached down and found some magic. He forced three straight Opelka errors on groundstrokes, and went on to win six straight points in the breaker to snatch it, 7-5, and keep his hope alive. It was also the fourth five-setter Opelka has played at the Australian Open, with him winning one of them. 1, and eight-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the third round.
flaglerlive.comNotching Opening-Round Win at Australian Open, Palm Coast’s Opelka Plays Best Friend Next
The former Indian Trails Middle School student notched his second career win at the Australian Open (he beat John Isner previously, in 2019) played very well against an outgunned opponent. But Opelka broke right back and played a strong second-set tiebreak, winning it 7-2, and then cruised from there. Opelka and Fritz are extremely close friends: Opelka was in Fritz’s wedding. 1 Novak Djokovic, and could play Djokovic if both advance to the third round. The total purse for this year’s Australian Open is $62 million ($80 million in Australian dollars).
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