Serena And Novak Win Australian Open

It was a happy ending for the top seeds in Australia as both Serena and Novak clinched the much coveted title in Melbourne.

Serena Williams- Australia Open. photo credit Sascha Wenninger
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sufw/3230642357/in/photolist-5VtTqi-5WX5Xq-5WSGyV-5WWE6y-5WSp9V-5WTbg8-5WX92E-5WST22-7wgFZn-5WSzsX-5WXcY1-5WWFej-5WXe9h-5WWXkh-5WXb1q-5WXjas-5WT6oB-5WWHMC-7ACUtq-7Az8Me-5Wiprw-5We3Zg-5We1LH-5WiocQ-5Win9Y-5We8uM-5WdZCz-5VVS6i-sojv-7yhQaj-7Az9cn-7AzdpR-7Aze1p-7Azde2-7Azcp6-7AzdH4-7AzcU8-7ACUPJ-7ACWP7-7Azc72-7ACWzh-7ACW6L-7AzazR-7AzabF-5Wik11-5WdYwZ-dN14Rt-BpW7G

Serena Williams who defeated American Madison Keys in the Semi-final was business like as usual as she crushed Russian and 2nd seed Maria Sharapova in straight sets 6-3!7-6(7-5) to win the Australaian Open title

Serena has not lost to Sharapova since 2004 a record that has spanned up to 16 meetings so it was not a surprise seeing Sharapova lose in such manner.

18th time Grand Slam champion Navratilova presented Serena with her 19th Grand slam title which sees her just three Grand Slam title short off Steffi Graph.

To the Men’s Final, Novak Djokovic secures his 5th Australian Open title having secured a 7-6(7-5),6-7(4-7),6-3,6-0 victory over 6th seed Andy Murray in three hours 38 minutes.

Novak Djokovic – Australian Open, photo credit Richard Fisher-
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The Serb started the game of fire but Murray was not ready to cave in easily as he ensured he won the second set to make the game at 1 set apiece.

It was eventually won when the Scot backhand sentenced him to a fourth final loss in Melbourne Djokovic raised his arms,exhaled,smailed and pointed to his coach Boris Becker and the rest of his entourage.

Djokovic has now won the most singles title at the Australian Open in the professional era and moves past Roger Federer and Andre Agassi who has four titles.

Australian Open: Murray, Serena, Sharapova Through To Finals

Andy Murray came from a set down to beat Czech and 7th seed Tomas Berdych 6-7(6),6-0,6-3,7-5 to book a fourth appearance in the Australian open final.

Murray said “there was a little bit of extra tension-it was a big match. A lot was made about Dani Vallverdu,my former coach working with Tomas. But we’ve been friends since we were 15years old and I felt that the focus was unfair and unnecessary. This is sports and there is more to life than sport”.

According to the Guardian Murray complained to the umpire about something Berdych said on the changeover,and it simmered like a lawsuit from that point.

Murray has never won the Australian Open and is one of only two players to lose three times in the final( Stefan Edberg is the other) but he has high hopes for this one as he awaits the winner of the other semi-final between Djokovic and defending champion Wawrinka.

Serena Williams

In the ladies, Serena ended the fairytale run of fellow American Madison Keys beating her 7-6(5),6-2 in the process.

Keys said she was pleased with her performance and ability to compete with the injury she had.

Serena made her feelings known saying “I was just happy to get through it today. I think i was able to serve big when I needed to. So that really helped a lot. She hits a very,very hard ball,she also hits it very deep. So its a little different trying to prepare for that. So i wasn’t really ready for that”.

The world No. 1 will next face Russian Maria Sharapova in the final who defeated Ekaterina Makarova 6-3,6-2.

Shararpova was too strong for her fellow Russian who really had no Plan B against the former world No.1.

Sharapova has lost 15 times in a row against Williams so she knows she has to be at her best if she is to win the first Grand slam of the year.

Australia Open: Wawrinka, Djokovic Through As Keys Defeats Williams.

2014 Wimbledon semi-finalist and big serving Canadian Milos Raonic lost a chance to play a second Grand slam semi-final after losing to Serb Novak Djokovic in straight sets 7-6(5),6-4,6-2.

The win against Raonic,was Djokovic tenth win without a loss against Canadian opponents.

Defending Champion Stanislas Wawrinka continued his impressive title defence with a straight sets 6-3,6-4,7-6(6) over Japanese Kei Nishikori.

“It wasn’t really a bad week for me. It is not easy getting to a quarter final at Grand slams. But I have to keep doing this;playing tough all the time,playing a lot of matches,especially at Grand slams”.Nishikori said after losing to Wawrinka.

Nishikori could not replicate the form that saw him defeat Wawrinka and Djokovic en route his first Grand Slam final.

Wawrinka will now face Djokovic is what promises to be an exciting semi-final clash and Novak has said that “the crowd are definitely expecting a marathon like the last couple of years and am sure both of us will give our best to perform the best possible tennis”.

Novak Djokovic, photo credit David Jones
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In the ladies, America Madison Keys overcame a major injury scare to defeat Venus Williams 6-3,4-6,6-4.

The World No.35 won the opening set in 29 minutes but went behind 4-1 in the second set due to an injury. Keys returned with her leg strapped to finish the second set which she lost but she was too good in the third as she send Venus packing.

“It was definitely a flashback to wimbledon for me”. I have had some problems with that part of my leg so it was kind of an overwhelming moment. It was scary”. Keys said after eliminating Venus.

In the other semi-final Serena Williams just needed 65 minutes to dispatch Dominika Cilbukova in straight sets 6-2,6-2.

Cibulkova admitted that she was definitely second best against the American saying “it was a tough match for me today. She was just playing really well today,I have to say. She was putting so much pressure on the serve and return. I didn’t have a chance to play my game and felt under so much pressure. It was a good day for her”.

Serena will next face her sister conqueror and fellow American Madison Keys in the last four.

Nadal Stunned As Sharapova And Makarova Set Up All Russian Semi-Final

It was another days for upsets as Iron-willed Tomas Berdych defeated 3rd seed and Spaniard Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-2,6-0,7-6(5) to enter his second consecutive Australian Open semi-final.

Berdych joins French man Jo-Wilfred Tsonga as only the second man to defeat Rafael Nadal,Roger Federer,Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

The 7th seed Czech will now set up a meeting with 6th seed and three time finalists Andy Murray who defeated home favourite Andry Krygios in straight sets 6-3, 7-5,6-3.

Andy Murray, photo credit Kate
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Andy Murray had this to say about Krygios “Growing up in the spot light isn’t easy and he’s doing a great job so far,and he is going to continue to learn and keep getting better”.

Murray was good from start to finish as he closed out the match with a barrage of winners.

To the ladies, Maria Sharapova moved closer to her first Australian Open title since 2008 by inflicting a grand slam reality check on 20 year old Canadian Eugenie Bouchard defeating her 6-3,6-2 in the process.

Maria Sharapova photo credit upi.com

Before she walked off Rod Laver Arena Sharapova scrawled on the lens of the camera saying “Fly high,Sing your own song”.

The second seed Russian will now meet plucky left hander Ekaterina Makarova who defeated Simona Halep in straight sets. Sharapova has a 5-0 record over her Russian Opponent but she says its nice to know that a Russian will get to the final of a grand slam.

Australia Open: Novak, Wawrinka & The Williams Sisters Through To Last Eight.

Top seed and Serb Novak Djokovic had little or no work to do in the fourth round of the Australian Open as he breezed through unseeded Gilles Muller from Luxembourg in straight sets 6-4,7-5,7-5.

Novak will now meet big serving Canadian Milos Raonic who snuffed out the challenge of 12th seed Felicaino Lopez from Spain in five sets.

Newfanzone.com player to watch for 2015 Kei Nishikori was too smart for David Ferrer as the Japanese seem to be coping well with the pressure on him from his continent with a commanding 6-3,6-3,6-3 win.

Nishikori now sets up a quarter-final meeting with defending Champion and Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka who ensured his passage by winning a thrilling fourth round tie breaker to beat another Spanish player in Guillermo Garcia Lopez 7-6(7-2),6-4,4-6,7-6(10-8).

Serena Williams

In the ladies game it was a good day in the court for the Williams Sister as both Serena and Venus made it to the last eight.

Venus who suffers from an energy sapping condition defeated Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3,2-6,6-1 and will now meet Madison Keys who unsurprisingly won the battle of the Madison’s as she defeated Madison Brengle 6-2,6-4.

Serena Williams battled back from a set down to defeat Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 2-6,6-3,6-2 and still be on course to win her 19th grand slam title.

In the quarter-final for Serena will be Dominika Cibulkova. Cibulkova who was a runner-up in Melbourne last year defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-2,3-6,6-3 in the fourth round.

A win for both William sisters will re-ignite one of the all time battles in tennis- Venus against Serena in the last four.

Australian Open: Sharapova, Bouchard, Nadal & Murray Through To The Last Eight

Russian Maria Sharapova storms into the quarter-final of the Australian Open with a 6-3,6-0 win over No.21 seed Shuai Peng.

The 2nd seed Russian will now meet Eugenie Bouchard in what seem to be a mouth watering quarter-final fixture. Bouchard had to work hard on sunday to see off Irina Carmelia Begu 6-2,5-7,6-2.

10th seed Ekaterina Makarova posted a 6-3,6-2 win over Julia Jorges and will now get to face 3rd seed Simona Halep in the last eight who beat yanina Wickmayer 6-4,6-2.

Maria Sharapova photo credit upi.com

In the Men’s, world No.3 and Spaniard Rafael Nadal had a difficult game against South-African Kevin Anderson but still progressed with a 7-5,6-1,6-4 win and he will now meet Czech Tomas Berdych who had a 6-2,7-6(3),6-2 win over Australian Tomas Berdych.

In the other fourth round fixture,Andy Murray fended off racket smashing Grigor Dimitrov with a 6-4,6-7(5),6-3,7-5 win that lasted from started on Sunday into the early hours of Monday.

The British No.1 will now face a precocious player in Nick Krygios who came from 2 sets down to send Italaian and Federe conqueror Andreas Seppi home with a 5-7,4-6,6-3,7-6(5),8-6 on Hisense Arena in Australia.
Krygios has developed quite well and he certainly will be a tough match against the Scott.

Australian Open: Kvitova Stunned By A Teenager As The Australian Open Enters Its Fourth Round Plus Tennis Titbits

Top seed Novak Djokovic had a minor test but still came strong to defeat Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-6(10-8),6-3,6-4 on saturday.

Djokovic who has yet to drop a set was made to work in the first set by the 31st seeded Spaniard. The Serb then broke once in each of the next two sets to finish in 2 hours 21 minutes.

Novak will next meet Gilles Muller who defeated American John Isner in straight sets 7-6(7-4),7-6(8-6),6-4.

Defending champion and fourth seed Satnislas Wawrinka cruised into a 6-4,6-2,/f-4 win ove Jarkko Nieminen.

Wawrinka next face a more familiar opponent in the fourth round in person of Guillermo Garcia Lopez who beat Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-2,6-4,6-4.

Japanese Kei Nishikori also struggled in the first set but still advanced into the last 16 with a 6-7(7-9),6-1,6-2,6-3 win over American Steve Johnson and the Newfanzone.com player to watch for 2015 will now meet Spaniard David Ferrer who beat Gilles Simon 6-2,7-5,5-7,7-6 (7-4) in a thrilling encounter.

Eight seed Milos Raonic will also have a date in the round of 16 with another Spaniard Feliciano lopez who defeated Jerzy Janowicz 7-6(8-6),6-4,7-6,(7-3).

Petra Kvitova, photo credit Marianne Bevis, https://www.flickr.com/photos/mariannebevis/10086228865/in/photolist-gnhyrF-a6Jxxf-a6JwMb-dbnSuS-c3D2vq-c3D2Qo-gnhVdZ-dbnPWa-dbnSBh-cFJoHq-oX4hhZ-oVhV2w-eWWtRR-o11zEV-bpYb1y-bCT7Ye-bpYb8Q-o2M6x4-nXX8gG-oZGTxy-oHgsNr-oHh28f-oHffvd-oHgBsm-oXH2Bq-oHgNy6-oZKsyH-oXJaU5-anMAVu-cmYmuN-c3D1YE-cFJcUj-cGYtTL-cFJtoq-cFJBTA-cGYgsb-cFJyNd-cFJhDb-cFJmdm-cFJjwo-cFJfob-6WGNab-9VtCSq-ejbZbf-cmYkwf-cmYoTS-nWRKLY-cmYo51-cmYnGC-oZKxyT

In the ladies,world No. 35 and American Madison Keys stunned Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in straight sets 6-4,7-5 to secure her place in the fourth round of a Grand slam for the first time in her career.

Madison keys will next face another American in Brengle Madison for a spot in the final eight.

Victoria Azarenka had a 6-4,6-4 win over Barbara Strycova,while Alize Cornet lost to Cibulkova 7-5,6-2.

TENNIS TITBITS

* Fifth seed and the first Asian Man to reach a Grand Slam final Kei Nishikori says he feels the huge burden of expectation on his shoulders by his home country Japan.

* Spaniard and 12th seed Feliciano Lopez has apologised to the ball-boy he struck with a ball in the Groin at the on going Australian Open.

* Social Media was agog with Roger Federer’s loss to Andreas Seppi and here are some pictures that tells the story.

Australin Open Update: Federer, Errani Out Nadal,Sharapova In Plus Tennis Updates

The biggest upset of the tournament so far has seen No.2 seed Roger Federer knocked out of the Australian Open tournament by Italian Andreas Seppi 6-4,7-6(5),6-4,7-6(5) in the third round on Friday.

Seppi who had lost all his 10 previous matches against the Swiss won the first two sets against the 17 time Grand Slam champion.

Federer fought back to take the third set but the Italian took the fourth set into a tie-breaker after Federer raced to a 3-1 lead. Seppi fired a passing shot out pf reach of Federer to complete the major upset.

“I just tried to play on the center court again,I just tried to do my best” Seppi said during his post match interview.

Federer has said he will rest through much of February and his scheduled to play in Dubai late next month.

Andreas Seppi will nest face the winner between home favourite Nick Krygios and Tunisian Malek Jaziri.

Roger Federer Australian Open photo credit Chip_2904 https://www.flickr.com/photos/76384935@N00/3248048505/sizes/l

Spaniard Rafael Nadal bounced back from a draining second round battle to beat Israeli Dudi Sela in straight sets 6-1,6-0,7-5.

Rafael Nadal will now meet South African and 14th seed Kevin Anderson who defeated French man Richard Gasquet.

Sixth seed Andy Murray defeated Portugal’s Joao Sousa 6-1,6-1,7-5 to reach the round of 16 and will now face Grigor Drimitrov who rallied from a set down to beat Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 4-6,6-3,3-6,6-3,6-3.

Tomas Berdych was the first man to reach the fourth round with a resounding 6-4,6-4,6-3 win over Victor Troicki.

To the ladies, Canadian Eugenie Bouchard was pushed to the limits in the first set but still had a resounding 7-5,6-0 win over Carolina Garcia to reach the fourth round.

A crowd favourite at Melbourne and Newfanzone.com female tennis player to watch for 2015,Bouchard is on track to match her semi-final record of 2014.

The Canadian will now face Irina Carmelia Begu who defeated 19 year old German Carina Witthoeft to continue her best ever run in a Grand slam tournament.

Fired up Maria Sharapova cruised into the last 16 of the Australian Open by beating Zarina Diyas (31)of Kazakhstan in straight sets 6-1,6-1

Third seed Simona Halep moved into the fourth round in Melbourne with a 6-4,7-5 win over Bethanie Mattek-Sands on Friday.

The third seed will now face Yanina Wickmayer,who defeated Sara Errani(14) 4-6,6-4,6-3.

Russian 10th seed Ekaterina Makarova defeated Czech Karolina Pliskova(22) 6-4,6-4 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open for 5 years in a row.

Makaraova will next face German Julia Georges who defeated Lucie Hradecka 7-6(8-6),7-5.

Chinese and 21st seed Shuai Peng also progressed into the last 16.

In the Doubles, it was a sad day for Indian tennis players as Rohan Bopanna, Sania Mirza,Leander Paes
Lost their respective doubles matches.

The mixed doubles will see Mahesh Bhupati Partner up with Jamilia Gajdosova of Austrtalia, Rohan Bopanna combines with Czech Zahalova Strycova and Laender Paes is set to partner Martina Hingis.

TENNIS TITBITS

* Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has said that Andy Murray should not have sacked former coach Ivan Lendl after he has struggled to recapture his form under new coach Amelie Mauresmo.

* 33 year old Lleyton Hewitt has admitted that he is unsure of how long he will be in the game after his second round exit in Australia.

* World No.2 Roger Federer has confirmed that he will be supporting South-Africa at the Rugby world cup and also said he watches cricket frequently.

* Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki claimed that she has been cursed at the Australian Open after losing to Belarusian Victoria Azarenka.

Australian Open Update: Nadal, Sharapova Survives Scare In The Second Round Plus Tennis Titbits.

Spaniard Rafael Nadal survives scare as he battled his way into the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday. The 3rd seed who had a stomach problem,produced a rousing effort to overcome Tim Smyczek 6-2,3-6,6-7,(2-7),6-3,7-5.

Nadal will now face Dudi Sela who defeated 28th seed Lukas Rosol 7-6,(7-2),5-7,7-5,6-3.

Andy Murray was so comfortable in his game as he breezed through Marinko Matosevic in straight sets 6-1,6-3,6-2. Murray’s next opponent is Joao Sousa who sent Martin Klizan packing.

Swiss legend Roger Federer dropped the first set but eventually claimed a 3-6,6-3,6-2,6-2 win over Simone Bolelli. Roger will next face Andreas Seppi who defeated Jeremy Chardy in four sets.

Home Favourite Nick Krygios defeated Croatian Ivo Karlovic (29) 7-6(6-4),6-4,5-7,6-4.

Other qualifiers into the round of 32 include;Gael Monfils, Kevin Anderson,Richard Gasquet, Tomas Berdych, Sam Groth,Frigor Dimitrov,Victor Troicki and Cypriot Macos Baghdatis.

To the ladies, 2nd seed Maria Sharapova saved two match points but survived a scare as she defeated fellow Russian Alexandra Panova 6-1,4-6,7-5. Sharapova will next face Zarina Diyas (31).

Newfanzone.com female player to watch for 2015 needed just 54 minutes to breeze past Kiki Bertens 6-0,6-3.

Other round of third round qualifiers include Ekaterina Makarova (10),Shuai Peng (21) and Caroline Pliskova.

TENNIS TITBITS

* Former U.S Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro has had another operation on his left wrist in order to make a lasting comeback.

* Heather Watson has attributed her first round Australian Open exit to her period saying she experienced dizziness,nausea and low energy levels that were so bad that she had to call the doctor at the end of the first set

* Australian and World No.82 Sam Groth has described his entry into the third round of the Australian Open as an “amazing journey” after he defeated compatriot Thannasi Kokkinakis to set up a a meeting with another Australian in Bernad Tomic.

Australian Open Update: Serena, Novak Into The Next Round Plus Tennis Titbits

Five time Australian Open winner Serena Williams made her intentions known of winning a sixth title with a 6-0,6-4 straight sets win over Belgian Alison van Uytvnck who is ranked 106.

Eight seed Caroline Wozniacki also booked her place in the Second round with a 7-6(1),6-2 win over Taylor Townsend. The former world No.1 will now meet Victoria Azarenka in the next round who defeated Sloane Stephens 6-3,6-2.

Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova and No.6 Agnieszka Radwanska also cruised the second round while No.18 seed Venus Williams beat Maria Torro 6-2,6-2.

Other first round winners include last year finalist Dominika Cibulkova,2011 U.S Open champion Sam Stosur,Alize Cornet (19),Garbine Muguruza (24) and Barbora Strycova(25)

In the Men’s Four time winner and top seed Novak Djokovic shrugged of the effects of the cold to beat Aljaz Badene 6-3,6-2,6-4 to advance into the next round.

Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka began his quest to defend his title with a convincing 6-1,6-4,6-2 win over Marsel Ilhan who is ranked 100.

Newfanzone.com player to watch for 2015 Kei Nishikori beat Nicolas Almagro 6-4,7-6(1),6-2 while Milos Raonic had enough in his arsenal to go past Illya Marchenko.

David Ferrer (9), Feliciano Lopez (12),Roberto Bautista (13), Gilles Simon (18), John Isner (19) also made it to the next round.

The biggest upset in the men was Fabio Fognini (16) who lost in four sets to Alejando Gonzalez.

TENNIS TITBITS

* Caroline Wozniacki is saddened by the impending exit of Steven Gerrard and she is even considering a trip to Los Angeles to watch him play.

* Serena Williams has admitted that she always suffers from “first round jitters” after defeating belgian Alison Uytvnck in straight sets.

* 34 year old Venus Williams has said starting a family is one of the biggest job in the world following the announcement of Na Li that she was expecting a child this summer.