Tennis
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Nadal caps comeback with Brazil victory
Rafael Nadal’s comeback from a seven-month injury lay-off gathered pace as he brushed aside Argentine David Nalbandian 6-2 6-3 to win the Brazil Open yesterday, his first title since the 2012 French Open. The Spanish world number five, playing only...
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Zeballos shocks Nadal to win Chilean Open
Argentine Horacio Zeballos sprung a major surprise by beating Rafael Nadal 6-7 7-6 6-4 to win the Chilean Open and clinch the first title of his career. World number 73 Zeballos held his nerve in the final set, breaking Nadal when he was serving to...
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Nadal targets double triumph in Chile
Rafael Nadal and his troublesome knees stood two matches away from enjoying a double celebration last night after the Spaniard reached the singles and doubles finals at his comeback tournament in Vina del Mar. Seven months on the sidelines because...
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Nadal creates athlete and event management company
Rafa Nadal has set up his own company to manage athletes and organise events with his long-term agent Carlos Costa, the world number five announced yesterday. “Together with his manager, Carlos Costa, Rafa Nadal began a new adventure on Jan. 1 in...
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Nadal overcomes slow start to advance
Rafa Nadal overcame a slow start to beat Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-3 6-2 and advance to the third round of the Chilean Open with his first singles victory in seven months. Nadal lost his serve in the first game but quickly hit back, taking...
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Nadal wins doubles match on comeback
Rafael Nadal made a successful comeback after a seven-month injury absence with victory in the first round of the Chilean Open doubles late Tuesday. The former world number one and Argentine partner Juan Monaco overpowered second-seeded Czechs...
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Spain face play-off after defeat to Canada
Spain have found themselves in the unusual position of contemplating a Davis Cup play-off tie to secure their status in the elite World Group after the weakened top seeds were dumped out inthe first round by Canada on Sunday night. Milos Raonic...
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Berdych books Czech spot in quarter-finals
Holders Czech Republic moved into the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup with Tomas Berdych outlasting Swiss opponent Stanislas Wawrinka a day after the pair emerged from a marathon doubles encounter. Berdych enjoyed a comparatively easy 6-3 6-4 3-6...
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France and Serbia cruise into quarters
France and Serbia both sealed quickfire victories to reach the Davis Cup quarter-finals but top seeds Spain were hanging on by their fingernails against Canada ahead of the doubles. French duo Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra thrashed Israel’s...
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Djokovic in groove as Serbia lead Belgium
Novak Djokovic quickly got back in the groove after his Australian Open triumph with a crushing defeat of Olivier Rochus as Serbia surged into a 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup, first round tie in Belgium yesterday. Holders Czech Republic were locked at...
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Tournament at Żebbuġ
The Żebbuġ Tennis Club will be organising the Carnival Tournament for Under-10, Under-12 and Under-15 players at their premises in Żebbuġ. Under the new ITF tennis rules, balls and courts will be adjusted to suit the different age-groups during the...
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Drug testing inadequate, say leading figures
Novak Djokovic’s cheque for winning the Australian Open on Sunday was more than the entire annual budget for anti-doping in tennis, a programme many feel is woefully inadequate. Djokovic and Andy Murray left Melbourne yesterday with a combined $3.8...
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Djokovic seals Aussie title
Novak Djokovic became the first man to win three successive Australian Open titles in the professional era when he beat third seed Andy Murray 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-2 in a battle of attrition yesterday. The Serb, who has now won four of his six grand slam...
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Azarenka retains her title
Victoria Azarenka retained her Australian Open title yesterday with a tense 4-6 6-4 6-3 victory over China’s Li Na, who suffered a sickening ankle injury in the second set and hit her head in the third when she twisted the joint for a second...
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Djokovic, Murray prepare to bring the pain
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s burgeoning grand slam rivalry turns another page today, with the two iron-men of tennis bracing for a world of pain when they clash in the final of the Australian Open. Although good friends off the court dating back...
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Li says wouldn’t use medical time-out
China’s Li Na declined to pass judgement on Victoria Azarenka’s controversial medical time-out during her Australian Open semi-final match, but said she would not do it herself when match points were at stake. Defending champion Azarenka was accused...
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Murray beats Federer to set up Djokovic final
Andy Murray set up an enthralling Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic after a high-quality victory against Roger Federer yesterday. The 25-year-old Briton, who had never beaten Federer in a grand slam previously despite being one of the few...
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Djokovic blasts Ferrer off court
Novak Djokovic produced some of the best tennis of his career and wasted little time in advancing to his third successive Australian Open final with a 6-2 6-2 6-1 destruction of fourth seed David Ferrer in 89 minutes yesterday. The world no.1 was in...
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Azarenka survives panic attack to set up Li final
Defending champion Victoria Azarenka suffered a panic attack trying to close out her Australian Open semi-final against American teenager Sloane Stephens yesterday and needed a long medical time-out before setting up a final against Li Na. Immovable...
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Stephens stuns ailing Serena
Serena Williams went down smashing rackets and screaming as she bowed out of the Australian Open quarter-finals yesterday, hampered by a back injury and beaten in three sets by fellow American Sloane Stephens. The injury robbed Williams of her serve...
