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Former No. 1 Kerber eyeing improvement after rehiring coach Beltz

(Reuters) – Angelique Kerber has not won a title since 2018 but the former world number one is hoping better days lie ahead after rehiring compatriot Torben Beltz as her coach and restoring a partnership that helped the German win two of her three Grand Slam t... More »

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Osaka keen to spread awareness about racial injustice

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Japan’s Naomi Osaka says she wants to spread awareness about racial injustice after the former U.S. Open champion walked onto court with a mask bearing the name of Breonna Taylor on Monday. Osaka, who moved to the United States as a three-... More »

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Osaka allays injury fears in three-set win over Doi

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Japan’s Naomi Osaka showed no signs of discomfort from the injury that forced her to miss a final on Saturday but the former U.S. Open champion had to dig deep to beat compatriot Misaki Doi 6-2 5-7 6-2 in her opener at Flushing Meadows. A ... More »

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Johnson withstands Isner storm to advance at US Open

NEW YORK (Reuters) – John Isner began the U.S. Open in typical fashion on Monday with a barrage of aces and a match that stretched to five sets, but the American failed to find a way past compatriot Steve Johnson as he fell 6-7(5) 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(3). World ... More »

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Djokovic rolls into second round with win over Dzumhur

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic got his campaign to win a fourth U.S. Open, and 18th Grand Slam title overall, off to a flying start on Monday by beating Damir Dzumhur 6-1 6-4 6-1 to advance to the second round. Djokovic broke Dzumhur’s serve for a seventh... More »

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Highlights: U.S. Open day one

NEW YORK(Reuters) – Highlights of the first day at the U.S. Open on Monday (times ET- GMT-4). The Grand Slam, the second this year after Wimbledon was cancelled and the French Open was postponed, is being played without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic:... More »

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Djokovic embracing the pressure as he extends winning streak

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic showed a bit more passion than might have been expected in his first-round win over Damir Dzumhur on Monday but the world number one brushed aside any question that he was feeling the pressure as overwhelming U.S. Open favou... More »

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Nishikori tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of U.S. Open

(Reuters) – Japan’s Kei Nishikori said on Sunday he had tested positive for COVID-19 while in Florida – just two weeks ahead of the U.S. Open that begins in New York on Aug. 31. The 30-year-old former world number four has been staying at the IMG Academy in Br... More »

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Halep wins Prague title, to decide on U.S. Open on Monday

(Reuters) – World number two Simona Halep said she will announce on Monday whether she will play at the U.S. Open. Speaking after her victory over Elise Mertens in the Prague Open final, the 28-year-old Romanian said “she just needed her time” to make a decisi... More »

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Murray wants assurance on quarantine issues before U.S. Open

(Reuters) – Players need assurance that they would not face mandatory quarantine upon returning to Europe from the U.S. Open before travelling to New York amid the COVID-19 pandemic, former world number one Andy Murray has said. Organisers United States Tennis... More »

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Greek Sakkari was ready to swap racket for track spikes

(Reuters) – Greek tennis player Maria Sakkari says she was so desperate for competition during the COVID-19 shutdown that she considered running in the 100m at the national athletics championships. The 25-year-old is seeded third at the WTA’s Palermo Ladies Op... More »

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‘Apprehensive’ Murray mentally switched on for U.S. Open

(Reuters) – Britain’s Andy Murray is still feeling “apprehensive” about travelling to New York for the U.S. Open amid the COVID-19 pandemic but the former world number one says he is mentally preparing for the Grand Slam. The United States has the highest numb... More »

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Djokovic’s event taught us to be cautious: French Open director

MUMBAI (Reuters) – French Open organizers are taking every precaution to ensure the Grand Slam does not meet the same fate as Novak Djokovic’s Adria Tour, which was abandoned after several players tested positive for COVID-19, tournament director Guy Forget ha... More »

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Croatia’s Coric tests positive for COVID-19

(Reuters) – Croatia’s Borna Coric, who played in Novak Djokovic’s Adria Tour exhibition tournament at the weekend, said on Monday he had tested positive for COVID-19. Coric’s positive test follows that of Grigor Dimitrov, who said on Sunday he had contracted t... More »

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Tennis: USTA cuts 110 jobs due to COVID-19 fallout

(Reuters) – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) said on Monday it will eliminate 110 jobs and close its White Plains, New York office as part of belt-tightening measures brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak. The USTA said in a statement the measures wer... More »

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Spain’s Bautista Agut still eyeing elusive ATP Finals spot

MUMBAI (Reuters) – Qualifying for the season-ending men’s ATP Finals, which features the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams, is one of the goals for Roberto Bautista Agut before he retires, the Spaniard has said. The 32-year-old came close to ... More »

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Peruvian player gets two-year doping ban

MUMBAI (Reuters) – Peruvian player Arklon Huertas Del Pino has been handed a two-year ban for doping, the International Tennis Federation has said. The 25-year-old was handed a provisional suspension in December after his sample, which he provided during a tou... More »

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ITF plans on new relief fund to support lower-level players

MUMBAI (Reuters) – The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has said it is working on additional measures, including a new relief fund, to support lower-ranked professionals who have been left in the lurch due to coronavirus-led lockdowns. The professional te... More »

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Fritz, Rae win glitchy Mario Tennis charity tournament

TOKYO (Reuters) – American tennis player Taylor Fritz and his doubles partner, Tik Tok personality Addison Rae, won the virtual Stay At Home Slam on Sunday as real-life tennis remains on hold because of the coronavirus crisis. The likes of the Williams sisters... More »

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Nadal pessimistic over chances of return to normal for tennis

(Reuters) – Rafa Nadal has said he is very pessimistic about the possibility of tennis returning to normal any time soon because of the new coronavirus pandemic that shut down the sport last month. Professional tennis has been suspended until the end of July, ... More »

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Thiem not keen on plan to assist struggling players

(Reuters) – World number three Dominic Thiem has rejected the notion that the top tennis players should chip in to help lower-ranked competitors who are struggling financially due to the pause in tournaments because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. World num... More »

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Tough for Murray to win another Slam, says Rusedski

LONDON (Reuters) – The extended lockdown of tennis will help Andy Murray’s return from injury but it will be “a big ask” for him to add to his three Grand Slam titles, according to former British number one Greg Rusedski. Murray underwent hip re-surfacing surg... More »

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Coronavirus shutdown has exposed ‘inequities’ of tennis: King

MUMBAI (Reuters) – Tennis great Billie Jean King says the financial fallout from the coronavirus shutdown has exposed the unfairness of the sport and that it is important for the top players to lead the cause for change. The tennis season was suspended in Marc... More »

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Italian girls take to rooftop tennis amid coronavirus lockdown

(Reuters) – Two young girls in Italy took their tennis games to a higher level despite a nation-wide coronavirus lockdown as they staged a remarkable rally from the rooftops of neighbouring buildings. The girls in the Ligurian town of Finale Ligure coolly mana... More »

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ITTF chief mulls scrapping individual world championships

SYDNEY (Reuters) – International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) chief Steve Dainton has suggested the sport’s annual individual world championships be scrapped, with champions instead decided by the winners of the new “Grand Smash” mega tournaments. The world ... More »

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Jabeur mulls swapping rackets for dancing shoes in lockdown

MUMBAI (Reuters) – Tunisian trailblazer Ons Jabeur is holed up in New York due to the coronavirus pandemic and says she is contemplating taking up dancing to remain fit as the tennis world finds innovative ways to deal with the lockdown. The 25-year-old became... More »

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Venus inviting others to join her virtual workouts

Venus Williams continues to welcome all interested parties to join her for workouts. Let’s be clear- Williams is not asking fans to deviate from social distancing as the world battles the coronavirus. Rather, the seven-time Grand Slam champion is asking for ot... More »

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Wimbledon will be canceled, says German tennis official – report

(Reuters) – Wimbledon organizers will announce the cancellation of the grasscourt Grand Slam this week due to the coronavirus pandemic, German Tennis Federation (DTB) vice-president Dirk Hordorff has told Sky Sports. All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) offici... More »

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Factbox: Sports events around the world hit by coronavirus pandemic

(Reuters) – Major sports events around the world that have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic: OLYMPICS * The International Olympic Committee and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe concluded the Tokyo 2020 Olympics must be postponed and held no later than the... More »

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Factbox: Sports events hit by the coronavirus epidemic

(Reuters) – The following is a list of international sports events hit by the outbreak of the new coronavirus: ATHLETICS ** The World Athletics Indoor Championships, scheduled for Nanjing from March 13-15, were postponed until next year. World Athletics is wor... More »

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Opelka fires 27 aces in beating Nishioka in Florida

(Reuters) – Towering American Reilly Opelka beat Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in three sets to win his second career ATP Tour title at the Delray Beach Open in Florida on Sunday. The fourth-seeded Opelka clinched victory in style, pounding his 27th ace of the ma... More »

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ATP roundup: Tsitsipas goes back-to-back in Marseilles

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece defended his title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Open 13 Provence final Sunday in Marseille, France. The No. 2 seed broke the seventh-seeded Canadian three times and saved four of five break points in... More »

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‘United by Emotion’ chosen as Tokyo 2020 motto

TOKYO (Reuters) – ‘United by Emotion’ was revealed as the motto for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics on Monday as organizers look to hammer home the message of diversity and inclusion. Tennis player Naomi Osaka, who was born in Japan to a Haitian father... More »

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Sport: Events affected due to coronavirus epidemic

(Reuters) – The following is a list of international sports events affected by the coronavirus that has killed over 900 people and infected more than 40,000 in China after it first emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province, late last year: ATHLETICS * The World Athleti... More »

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LPGA cancels Thailand, Singapore events due to coronavirus

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – The LPGA Tour, the elite women’s professional golf circuit, said on Monday it was cancelling tournaments in Thailand and Singapore later this month due to the coronavirus outbreak. More than 40,000 people have been infected by the flu-li... More »

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Sports events affected due to coronavirus epidemic

(Reuters) – The following is a list of international sports events affected by the coronavirus, which has killed over 300 people and infected more than 14,000 in China after it first emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province, late last year: ATHLETICS * The World Athle... More »

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Wawrinka rallies to take down Medvedev for last eight spot

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Former champion Stan Wawrinka battled past Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev in five sets to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals with a 6-2 2-6 4-6 7-6(2) 6-2 victory on Monday. Medvedev came into the contest having won both their ... More »

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Counter-punching Halep beats Mertens to reach quarters

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Simona Halep had to be at her counter-punching best to fight off another determined second-set comeback bid from Elise Mertens on Monday as the Romanian world number three advanced to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Halep, a be... More »

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Highlights: Day eight at the Australian Open

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Highlights of the eighth day at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, on Monday (times AEDT- GMT+11): 1633 MUGURUZA MARCHES INTO LAST EIGHT Unseeded Spaniard Garbine Muguruza continued her charge toward a third... More »

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Coaches welcome WTA trial of allowing coaching from box

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Coaches have welcomed the WTA Tour’s decision to allow them to help players from the stands this season after the issue became a hot-button topic in the wake of the 2018 U.S. Open final when Serena Williams was controversially penalized. ... More »

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Djokovic leads tennis community in mourning ‘mentor’ Bryant

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic led the tennis world in mourning for “mentor” Kobe Bryant on Monday after Melbourne Park awoke to the news that the NBA great had died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and seven others.... More »

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Muguruza powers past Bertens into last eight

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Garbine Muguruza powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-3 demolition of ninth-seed Kiki Bertens in just 68 minutes on Monday. Muguruza, a former French Open and Wimbledon champion, was unseeded at Melbourne Park and ... More »

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Rust-free Federer launches Melbourne campaign with sublime win

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Roger Federer showed no sign of rust despite a lack of match practice ahead of the Australian Open as he launched his bid for a record-extending 21st Grand Slam title by hammering Steve Johnson 6-3 6-2 6-2 in the first round on Monday. Pl... More »

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Gauff completes double eclipse of Venus

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Coco Gauff shone on her Australian Open debut on Monday as she knocked Venus Williams out of the first round in a repeat of her stunning victory over the seven-times Grand Slam champion in the Wimbledon opener last year. The 15-year-old A... More »

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Briton Evans pats stomach after fulfilling comeback win

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Dan Evans, urged to “miss a few meals” earlier this month by Britain captain Tim Henman, patted his stomach after completing a brave five-set comeback win over American Mackenzie McDonald to reach the second round of the Australian Open o... More »

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Serena puts aside air quality concerns to clear first hurdle

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Serena Williams put aside her concerns about the air quality at Melbourne Park as she breezed into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday to remain on course for a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title. Buoyed by securing her f... More »

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Sports need to do more to combat climate change: lobby group

(Reuters) – The bushfire smoke that hampered the buildup to the Australian Open highlights the need for Tennis Australia to be doing much more to combat climate change, the country’s national environmental lobby group said. The Australian Open, the season open... More »

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Shapovalov shouts at chair umpire in shock first-round exit

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Canadian young gun Denis Shapovalov raged at the chair umpire before succumbing to nerves as he crashed out of the Australian Open first round 6-3 6-7(7) 6-1 7-6(3) to unseeded Hungarian Marton Fucsovics. Shapovalov, seeded 13th and widel... More »

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Osaka fires back at social media troll after Melbourne win

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Defending champion Naomi Osaka fired back at a social media user who jeered her arrival on court before her 6-2 6-4 victory over Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova in the Australian Open first round on Monday. The 22-year-old from Japan next... More »

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Weight lifted for Serena as Melbourne beckons

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – The length of time Serena Williams held her arms aloft after clinching her first WTA title in almost three years spoke volumes on Sunday as the American prepares for the latest tilt at a 24th Grand Slam title in Melbourne next week. The ... More »

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Williams destroys Anisimova to set up Pegula showdown

(This Jan. 11 story corrects spelling of Anisimova in headline and first paragraph) WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Serena Williams showed no signs of sentiment as she clinically dispatched teenager Amanda Anisimova 6-1 6-1 in just 45 minutes on Saturday to advance to ... More »

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ATP makes $500,000 donation for Australian bushfire relief

(Reuters) – The ATP will donate $500,000 to the WWF Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund as part of the bushfire relief efforts, the governing body of men’s tennis said on Sunday. The donation from players was announced by Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal... More »

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Djokovic leads Serbia to ATP Cup glory

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic inspired Serbia to victory in the inaugural ATP Cup team event in Sydney after defeating his long-term Spanish rival Rafael Nadal in singles on Sunday before playing a pivotal role in the deciding doubles match. With the final... More »

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Australia edge Britain out of ATP Cup in knife-edge quarter-final

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Untested doubles pairing Alex De Minaur and Nick Kyrgios sealed a nail-biting 3-6 6-3 18-16 victory for Australia in the deciding match of their quarter-final clash with Great Britain at the inaugural ATP Cup team event in Sydney on Thursday... More »

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Tennis: ‘You can’t curse,’ Gauff admonishes dad during match

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Parents normally tell their teenagers to watch their language, but Coco Gauff turned the tables on her father on Thursday during her second round clash with Laura Siegemund at the Auckland Classic. The 15-year-old Gauff had taken the fir... More »

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Williams struggles but advances to quarters in Auckland

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Top seed Serena Williams was made to work hard against fellow American Christina McHale before she prevailed 3-6 6-2 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Auckland Classic on Thursday. The 23-times Grand Slam champion looked a comp... More »

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Barty stunned by qualifier Brady in straight sets in Brisbane

(Reuters) – American qualifier Jennifer Brady claimed the first top 10 win of her career with an upset 6-4 7-6(4) straight sets victory over world number one Ash Barty on Thursday to advance to the Brisbane International quarter-finals. With the tournament mov... More »

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Osaka appoints Belgian Fissette as coach: Kyodo

TOKYO (Reuters) – Two-time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka has appointed Belgian Wim Fissette as coach, Kyodo news agency on Sunday quoted the Japanese player’s management as saying, as she gears up to defend her Australian Open title. Osaka has been without a c... More »

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Nadal delivers glory for Spain as Davis Cup starts new era

MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s talisman Rafael Nadal sealed a sixth Davis Cup title for his country on Sunday when they beat Canada 2-0 in the final of the revamped event. After a week of relentless tension and late-night heroics it was perhaps asking too much for... More »

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Lopez praise for superhero Nadal after Cup win

MADRID (Reuters) – Feliciano Lopez praised an “amazing” Rafael Nadal after the world number one sealed Spain’s sixth Davis Cup title on Sunday with another superhuman display at La Caja Magica. Spain captain Sergi Brugera was forced to juggle his squad through... More »

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New Davis Cup format must be given chance to succeed: Murray

(Reuters) – The revamped Davis Cup format making its debut this week is fantastic for tennis and must be given a chance to succeed, Britain’s Andy Murray has said. The week-long tournament in Madrid’s Caja Magica, involving 18 teams split into six groups of th... More »

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Federer up against it after Thiem defeat

LONDON (Reuters) – Roger Federer said he had no more margin for error if he wanted to avoid an early exit at the ATP Finals after losing his opening group match to Dominic Thiem on Sunday. The 38-year-old Swiss, bidding for his seventh title at the event but h... More »

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Djokovic thrashes Berrettini, Thiem stuns Federer

LONDON (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic ruthlessly took Matteo Berrettini apart at the ATP Finals on Sunday as he began his quest to reclaim the number one ranking by winning his opening group match 6-2 6-1. Roger Federer already faces an uphill task to win the titl... More »

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Nadal, longtime girlfriend tie knot

Rafael Nadal and longtime girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello were married during the weekend in Mallorca, the Spanish tennis great revealed via social media on Sunday. Nadal, 33, revealed the news via his academy’s social media feed. He and Perello have been t... More »

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Murray beats Wawrinka to win first title since hip surgery

(Reuters) – Andy Murray claimed his first ATP title since having career-saving hip surgery as he fought off Stan Wawrinka in an engrossing duel in the European Open final in Antwerp on Sunday. Former world number one Murray, who appeared on the brink of retire... More »

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Kvitova qualifies for WTA Finals in Shenzhen

(Reuters) – World number seven Petra Kvitova has become the sixth player to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen, the WTA said on Monday. The 29-year-old Czech, who won the title on her debut in 2011, will join Ash Barty, Karolina Pliskova, Sim... More »

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Djokovic finds fitness is no match for flab in sumo workout

(Reuters) – Novak Djokovic may be one of the fittest athletes in the world but the world number one wrestled with rare feelings of being hopelessly out of shape during a workout with retired sumo professionals on Monday. The 32-year-old Serb, who is in Tokyo t... More »

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Tennis: Federer to give Murray early workout at ATP Cup

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Roger Federer is set to give Andy Murray’s hip an early season workout, with Switzerland drawn to face Great Britain in the group phase of the inaugural ATP Cup. Former world number one Murray has played only a handful of singles matches ... More »

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Djokovic’s U.S. Open title defence derailed by injury

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic’s U.S. Open title defence came unstuck on Sunday when a nagging shoulder injury forced the world number one to retire from his fourth-round match against Stan Wawrinka, prompting a chorus of boos from the crowd at Flushing M... More »

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Highlights: Tennis-U.S. Open day seven

(Reuters) – Novak Djokovic’s U.S. Open title defense ended in agony on Sunday when the Serb retired from his fourth round match against Swiss Stan Wawrinka because of a shoulder injury. Wawrinka converted his fourth break point to lead 6-4 7-5 2-1 when world n... More »

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Serena mentor on coaching at 2018 final: ‘I’d do it again’

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Patrick Mouratoglou, whose courtside coaching of Serena Williams in last year’s dramatic U.S. Open final triggered heated debate, said on Sunday he would not change a thing about his actions. Beaten finalist Williams was given a warning fo... More »

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Svitolina serves her way past Keys into quarter-finals

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina delivered a solid serving performance to beat American Madison Keys 7-5 6-4 on Sunday and secure a spot in the U.S. Open quarter-finals. With Keys, who finished runnerup in 2017, struggling with her bac... More »

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Serena on extent of ankle injury: ‘We’ll see tomorrow’

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Serena Williams charged into the U.S. Open quarter-finals on Sunday but it may have come at a price as the six-times champion suffered a right ankle injury. Williams, who twisted her left ankle during a quarter-final loss at the Australian... More »

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Osaka, Nadal headline Day Eight at U.S. Open

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Defending champion Naomi Osaka will seek a spot in the U.S. Open quarter-finals when she returns to the court on Monday while second seed Rafa Nadal faces former winner Marin Cilic in last 16 action. Osaka, who brought 15-year-old American... More »

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Federer overcomes Nagal scare to reach second round

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Roger Federer gave India’s Sumit Nagal a harsh introduction to Grand Slam tennis as the five-time champion weathered an early storm for a 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 win on Monday to reach the second round of the U.S. Open. When the match began it was... More »

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Serena proves too strong for Sharapova in U.S. Open showdown

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Serena Williams trounced old foe Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-1 in their blockbuster first-round clash at the U.S. Open on Monday to get her quest for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title off to a flying start. Williams, returning to the U.S. Ope... More »

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Same old story for Sharapova as Williams proves too strong

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Maria Sharapova slipped back into an all-too-familiar routine on Monday as the Russian came up short for the 20th time in 22 matches against Serena Williams to exit the U.S. Open in the first round. A stone-faced Sharapova was left to pond... More »

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Serena puts U.S. Open rivals on notice with Sharapova stroll

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Serena Williams delivered one of her most complete performances since returning to the game after the birth of her daughter to rout a helpless Maria Sharapova in the first round of the U.S. Open on Monday. The ruthless American needed less... More »

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Osaka, Nadal, Coco open campaigns on day two of U.S. Open

NEW YORK (Reuters) – World number one Naomi Osaka begins her U.S. Open title defense on day two of the championships on Tuesday but there is likely to be as much interest in Cori “Coco” Gauff’s main draw debut at Flushing Meadows. In the men’s draw, three-time... More »

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Tsurenko withdraws from U.S. Open with elbow injury

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko has withdrawn from the U.S. Open with a right elbow injury, tournament organisers said on Monday. Tsurenko, who lost in the New York quarter-final last year to eventual champion Naomi Osaka, was scheduled to face B... More »

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Nishikori already has sights set on 2020 Tokyo Olympics

(Reuters) – There are still four Grand Slam events that will be contested before medals can be won at the Tokyo Olympics but as far as Kei Nishikori is concerned, all roads from now on lead to one destination. “For me it (the Olympics) will be the biggest even... More »

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Pera, Cornet advance as thunderstorms rumble in the Bronx

(Reuters) – American Bernarda Pera and France’s Alize Cornet advanced to the second round with straight sets victories at the rain-hit Bronx Open in New York on Sunday. Pera, who lost to Veronika Kudermetova twice this year, got her revenge with a convincing 6... More »

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Berdych ends drought with opening win at Winston-Salem Open

(Reuters) – Tomas Berdych earned his first ATP win in six months with a 6-1 3-6 6-3 first round victory over Andreas Seppi at the Winston-Salem Open on Sunday. The Czech, who missed four months prior to Wimbledon with a back injury, had not recorded a triumph ... More »

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ATP roundup: Medvedev outserves Goffin to claim Cincinnati title

Daniil Medvedev finished off David Goffin in style on Sunday with three straight aces to record a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win in the title match of the Western & Southern Open near Cincinnati. The ninth-seeded Medvedev had 10 aces overall and won 90 percent of his first-... More »

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WTA roundup: Keys downs Kuznetsova to win Cincinnati title

Madison Keys served 13 aces and won the fifth singles title of her career on Sunday when she posted a 7-5, 7-6 (5) victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the Western & Southern Open near Cincinnati. The 16th-seeded Keys registered 43 winners while ov... More »

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Marathon man Medvedev beats Goffin for Cincinnati crown

(Reuters) – Russian Daniil Medvedev survived cramps and tantrum where he cracked a racquet to clinch his first Masters 1000 title on Sunday with a 7-6(3) 6-4 win over David Goffin in the final of the Cincinnati Masters. Medvedev saved two breaks points while s... More »

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Fatigued Nadal withdraws from Cincinnati Open

(Reuters) – World number two Rafa Nadal has withdrawn from this week’s Cincinnati Open due to fatigue, the tournament’s organizers said on Sunday. The Spaniard, Cincinnati champion in 2013, beat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev to claim his fifth Rogers Cup in Montrea... More »

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Timely break sees Isner advance in Cincinnati

(Reuters) – John Isner blasted 27 aces in his first-round match against Serbian Dusan Lajovic on Sunday but it was a timely break of serve that saw the American advance 7-6(3) 1-6 7-5 at the Cincinnati Open. Lajovic shook off the loss of a first set tiebreak t... More »

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Murray ready to go it alone in Cincinnati

(Reuters) – Andy Murray has sharpened his game on the practice courts with some of the best players in the world but the Scot says now is the time to really test himself with a return to singles action at the Cincinnati Masters. Murray had hip resurfacing surg... More »

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Zheng wins first WTA title at Silicon Valley Classic

(Reuters) – China’s Zheng Saisai beat Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-3 7-6(3) Sunday to capture the Silicon Valley Classic and win hermaiden WTA title. Unseeded Zheng powered through the draw with several upset triumphs before finishing it off by defeating secon... More »

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Kyrgios fights off back spasms to win Citi Open title

(Reuters) – Nick Kyrgios overcame early back spasms to get the better of Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in a pair of tiebreakers and win the Citi Open in Washington on Sunday. The Australian won 7-6(6) 7-6(4) over a frustrated world number nine Medvedev for his sixt... More »

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Pegula breezes past Giorgi for first WTA title

(Reuters) – Home favorite Jessica Pegula made quick work of Italy’s Camila Giorgi to win her maiden WTA title at the Citi Open in Washington on Sunday. The 25-year-old American breezed to a 6-2 6-2 win over the outplayed Italian in just 59 minutes, claiming th... More »

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India Davis Cup team set to tour Pakistan

MUMBAI (Reuters) – An Indian team will travel to Pakistan for a Davis Cup tie in September, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) has said, despite strained relations between the nations. The nuclear-armed neighbors have gone to war three times since indepen... More »

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Lack of love fuels Djokovic desire to be top dog

LONDON (Reuters) – Maybe when the fans start serenading Novak Djokovic in a Centre Court love-in it will be time for the Serb to call it a day. When he starts receiving the same adoration reserved almost exclusively for Roger Federer in Sunday’s epic Wimbledon... More »