Raducanu eases past Stephens on Eastbourne grass

Britain’s Emma Raducanu celebrates winning against US player Sloane Stephens in their women’s singles round of 32 tennis match at the Rothesay Eastbourne International tennis tournament in Eastbourne on Jun. 25, 2024. (AFP)

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Updated 25 June 2024

AFP

June 25, 2024 17:41

Raducanu eases past Stephens on Eastbourne grass

Britain’s Raducanu recovered from being broken twice in the first set before demolishing her opponent in the second set
Raducanu, who won the US Open as a qualifier in 2021, has slipped to 168th in the world after an injury-plagued 2023 season

Updated 25 June 2024

AFP

June 25, 2024 17:41

LONDON: Emma Raducanu brushed aside Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-0 to advance to the second round of the Eastbourne International on Tuesday in a battle of former US Open champions.
Britain’s Raducanu recovered from being broken twice in the first set before demolishing her opponent in the second set to set up a second-round match against world number five Jessica Pegula.
Raducanu, who won the US Open as a qualifier in 2021, has slipped to 168th in the world after an injury-plagued 2023 season.
The 21-year-old missed the French Open but returned to competition at the Nottingham Open grass-court tournament earlier this month, where she reached the semifinals.
“I think for me it was the case of adapting to the court,” said Raducanu, who has been given a wild card for Wimbledon, which starts on July 1.
“I’ve never played in Eastbourne, I’ve never played on this center court and every court plays a little bit differently. In the beginning, I was trying to figure out what was the best way for me to play and use my game.”
Stephens, who won the US Open in 2017, broke first for a 3-2 lead but failed to hold serve for the rest of the match.
Raducanu, after saving two break points to hold for 5-4, broke the American for a third time to seal the first set and then sprinted to the finish line, completing victory in 76 minutes.
Also in first-round action on England’s south coast, Elize Mertens beat Yuriko Miyazaki 6-1, 6-2 while Ashlyn Krueger overcame Viktorija Golubic 6-1, 6-7 (7/9), 7-5.
In the men’s tournament, Britain’s Cameron Norrie continued his woeful run of form, losing his first-round match against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 7-6 (11/9), 6-3.
Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild also advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 win against Australia’s James McCabe to set up a second-round showdown with top seed Taylor Fritz.

Djokovic suggests ‘nice dancers’ should come on court between sets

Updated 17 January 2025

AFP

January 17, 2025 16:09

Djokovic suggests ‘nice dancers’ should come on court between sets

Some light mid-match entertainment might also help fans and players relax, he said.
“I think that we should try to look to connect more with the younger people“

Updated 17 January 2025

AFP

January 17, 2025 16:09

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic said on Friday that tennis needs to be “more fun” and suggested dancers should be brought on court during breaks.
The Serbian veteran said while the sport had a proud history and tradition, it had been slow in keeping pace with a new generation that does not have “a great attention span.”
He was commenting after admitting he got “hot-headed” with elements of the crowd during his Australian Open third-round win against 26th seed Tomas Machac.
Some light mid-match entertainment might also help fans and players relax, he said.
“I think that we should try to look to connect more with the younger people,” he said. “I want to see a little bit more entertainment.
“For example, why wouldn’t we consider doing something between the sets like the Super Bowl or, I don’t know, the NBA?
“When there is a timeout, they have, you know, dancers come in and this and that. I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
“Nice dancers, there for a few minutes more break so I can relax my nerves and think about something else.
“I feel like it would bring more fun elements and entertainment to tennis, that we know has been quite traditional and maybe conservative in some things.”
Djokovic, who is bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam title in Melbourne, said he respected the traditions of Wimbledon too much to suggest it should occur at the All England Club.
But he was open to new concepts being introduced elsewhere.
“With Wimbledon I wouldn’t change much. I would keep it as it is because it’s so unique, all white and strawberries and cream and everything about it is just so elegant and classy,” he said.
“But all the others, US Open, I mean, in USA, you guys know very well what entertainment is about.
“So I’m up for it, just like maybe gradual changes.
“Dancers first.”

Topics: Australian Open Novak Djokovic

Sabalenka fights on at Australian Open, Osaka bows out injured

Updated 17 January 2025

January 17, 2025 06:28

Sabalenka fights on at Australian Open, Osaka bows out injured

It was Aryna Sabalenka’s eighth match victory in a row to start the season after winning the Brisbane International 10 days ago

Updated 17 January 2025

January 17, 2025 06:28

MELBOURNE: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka was pushed to the limit in setting up an Australian Open showdown with teenager Mirra Andreeva on Friday but Naomi Osaka’s run ended with an injury retirement in round three.
Also on day six in Melbourne, Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set before surging into the last 16 and Alexander Zverev staked his claim for a first major title with a third straight-sets victory.
Novak Djokovic later steps up his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam crown.
Women’s number one Sabalenka was made to work hard behind a faltering serve before beating Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the third round on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka was broken four straight times at the start of the match but found her groove to win 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 after more than two hours of attritional tennis.
“I’m just super happy that I was able to just stay in the game and I was able to push myself, honestly, to the limit to get this win,” said Sabalenka, who is chasing a rare third Melbourne title in a row.
Her win puts her into a clash against highly rated 17-year-old Andreeva, the 14th seed, who beat Poland’s 23rd seed Magdalena Frech in three sets.
Russia’s Andreeva announced her burgeoning talent by beating Sabalenka in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros last year.
Two-time Melbourne champion Osaka was on a collision course with American third seed Coco Gauff in the next round.
But the former world number one needed treatment on her stomach from the trainer during the first set against Belinda Bencic and called it quits after losing the opener on a tiebreak.
Osaka, who was struggling with an abdominal injury in the build-up to the tournament and retired from the final in Auckland, was in the third round of a Slam for the first time since the birth of her daughter in 2023.
Alcaraz, who raced into the last 32 for the loss of just 12 games, suffered a wobble in the third set against Portugal’s unseeded Nuno Borges.
But the Spanish third seed, who has won four majors but never been beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne, regained his focus to ease through 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2.
Germany’s Zverev also booked his place in the second week of the opening Grand Slam of the year with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.
Zverev came into Melbourne at a career-high number two ranking and has not dropped a set in three matches at the tournament.
Djokovic and Alcaraz are on track for a quarter-final clash.
Ten-time champion Djokovic must first dispose of Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac in a prime-time evening match to reach the last 16.
Jakub Mensik, the Czech teenager who shocked sixth seed Casper Ruud in round two, will make his bid to reach the second week against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Gauff had to battle back from 5-3 down in the second set against Britain’s Jodie Burrage in round two after dropping her serve three times.
She knows she will need to improve against former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, even though she recently beat the Canadian at the United Cup, if she is to meet Bencic in the last 16.
“Obviously I did well at the United Cup. It’s a different match, different story. Anything can happen,” said Gauff, who plays in the night session on Margaret Court Arena.
In other women’s draw early action, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova swept past Germany’s Laura Siegemund, who stunned Zheng Qinwen in the second round, 6-1, 6-2.
The Russian 27th seed will face Croatian 18th seed Donna Vekic for a place in the quarter-finals.
Vekic outlasted another Russian, 12th seed Diana Shnaider, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (3/7), 7-5 in the day’s first match on Margaret Court Arena
Seventh seed Jessica Pegula, the US Open finalist last year, takes on Serbia’s Olga Danilovic.

Topics: tennis Aryna Sabalenka Australian Open

Lebanese sensation Hady Habib’s historic journey comes to an end at Australian Open

Updated 15 January 2025

Arab News

January 15, 2025 20:00

Lebanese sensation Hady Habib’s historic journey comes to an end at Australian Open

The 26-year-old Houston-born player lost to Frenchman Ugo Humbert in three straight sets (3-6, 4-6, 4-6)
A large crowd from the Lebanese community in Australia were present to cheer on Habib

Updated 15 January 2025

Arab News

January 15, 2025 20:00

BEIRUT: The journey of Lebanon’s tennis sensation Hady Habib, who on Sunday became the first Lebanese to ever win a Grand Slam match, ended at the Australian Open after he lost to France’s Ugo Humbert on Wednesday.
In front of a large Lebanese audience in Melbourne that enthusiastically supported Habib, the 26-year-old Houston-born player ended what has been portrayed as a historic journey in the Australian Open tournament after losing three straight sets (3-6, 4-6, 4-6) in the second round.
On Sunday, Habib, who is 216th in the ATP singles ranking, made history after defeating in the first round 22-year-old Chinese player Bu Yunchaokete, ranked 65th in the world, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) to reach the second round, becoming the first Lebanese to win a Grand Slam main draw singles match in the Open Era.

A history making run comes to an end.

The first Lebanese to compete in the main draw of a Grand Slam in the Open Era; from a qualifier to a first round winner.

You've done yourself and your country incredibly proud, @hady_habib1 #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/Z4oEFABO80
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2025

A large crowd from the Lebanese community in Australia were present to cheer on Habib as he challenged an elite player, Humbert, ranked 14th in the world. The clear and obvious difference in experience eventually leaned in favor of the Frenchman.
Habib became the first Lebanese to qualify for one of the four major tennis tournaments, after achieving three consecutive victories in the preliminary rounds by defeating American Patrick Kipson (6-4, 7-6), Taiwan’s Chun-Hsin Tseng (6-4, 7-6) and Frenchman Clement Chedekh (6-4, 3-6, 7-6).
Habib represented Lebanon in the Olympic Games, and lost at Roland Garros to Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz in the first round. He also lost the doubles match with Benjamin Hassan to the Australian duo Matthew Ebden and John Peers.
“It’s absolutely incredible,” he told Arab News earlier this week after his first-round triumph.
“I’m so grateful for their support. I think the Lebanese community, I sort of brought everyone together, and it was really special to win in front of them. Every time I’m playing, there’s a larger and larger crowd. So, yeah, it’s just been amazing,” the 26-year-old said.

Topics: Australian Open Hady Habib Lebanese

Djokovic joins Alcaraz, Sinner in second round of Australian Open

Updated 13 January 2025

AFP

January 13, 2025 21:47

Djokovic joins Alcaraz, Sinner in second round of Australian Open

In front of new coach and former rival Andy Murray, Djokovic struggled to raise a smile in the immediate aftermath

Updated 13 January 2025

AFP

January 13, 2025 21:47

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic survived a scare in his quest for tennis history before following Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Jannik Sinner into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday.

But Greek former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and home favorite Nick Kyrgios both fell at the first hurdle, with the combustible Australian going out swearing and in pain.

In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff powered through with minimum fuss as they launched their bids to dethrone two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Another winner was two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka, who defeated France’s Caroline Garcia 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

On a blockbuster second day in Melbourne, Djokovic lost the first set to 107th-ranked American Nishesh Basavareddy in the prime-time evening match on Rod Laver Arena.

But the Serbian great, hoping to roll back the years and win an 11th Australian Open and record 25th Grand Slam singles title, recovered to ease through 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

In front of new coach and former rival Andy Murray, Djokovic struggled to raise a smile in the immediate aftermath.

“At the end, it was great but I think he was the better player for a set and a half,” said the 37-year-old.

Italian world No. 1 Sinner was warmly welcomed on Rod Laver Arena before defeating Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.

Sinner is playing under a cloud after twice testing positive for traces of a steroid in March.

He denies wrongdoing and was cleared by tennis authorities, but the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed and is seeking to ban him for up to two years.

“I was curious to see how it was. You never know what’s happening,” he said about the reception.

“I was happy about the crowd,” added Sinner, who has not tasted defeat since losing to Alcaraz in the Beijing final in October.

Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion but never a winner in Melbourne, had a couple of hairy moments before seeing off Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko, 6-1, 7-5, 6-1.

“This is a tournament I really want to win one day, hopefully this year,” said the 21-year-old Spaniard.

There was disappointment for home fans as the colorful but temperamental Kyrgios, only recently back from 18 months out with injury, lost 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.

Kyrgios spoke to physios multiple times in the second set after wincing in pain while serving and fired expletives at his coaching box.

The 11th-seeded Tsitsipas became the first major casualty when Alex Michelsen blasted past him 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

The 26-year-old Greek, who played Djokovic in the 2023 final at Melbourne Park, never looked comfortable against the 42nd-ranked American.

“It just sucks in a way that I’ll be hanging around for quite a while now before my next tournament comes in,” said Tsitsipas.

Two-time US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe vomited twice on court before pulling through in five sets against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.

The women’s draw provided few upsets on day two.

Red-hot world No. 3 Gauff laid down a marker as she swept aside former Melbourne champion and fellow American Sofia Kenin.

Gauff is unbeaten this year after leading the US to United Cup glory and eased past the 2020 Australian Open winner 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes.

“I knew it was going to be difficult, but you know, I’m happy with how I played,” said Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion.

World No. 2 Swiatek defeated Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 6-4 to get her tournament up and running.

The Pole has won five Grand Slams but her best performance at Melbourne Park is the semifinals in 2022.

“For sure it wasn’t an easy first round, so I’m happy that I’m through,” said Swiatek.

US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, the seventh-seeded American, blew away home player Maya Joint 6-3, 6-0.

Victoria Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 champion, was a notable early loser as the Belarusian went down 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.

Topics: Australian Open Novak Djokovic

‘It feels like a dream’: Hady Habib becomes first Lebanese in Open Era to win Grand Slam singles main draw match

Updated 12 January 2025

Reem Abulleil

January 12, 2025 19:55

‘It feels like a dream’: Hady Habib becomes first Lebanese in Open Era to win Grand Slam singles main draw match

The 26-year-old upsets Bu of China to reach Australian Open second round

Updated 12 January 2025

Reem Abulleil

January 12, 2025 19:55

DUBAI: Hady Habib admitted his historic run at the Australian Open feels like a dream from which he would rather not wake as he stormed into the second round on Sunday in front of a roaring Lebanese crowd.

Making his major debut this fortnight in Melbourne, Habib became the first Lebanese player in Open Era history to qualify for a singles main draw when he came through a tight three-setter, saving match points en route, to defeat France’s Clement Chidekh last Thursday.

Three days later, Habib further etched his name in the history books by upsetting China’s Bu Yunchaokete — who is ranked more than 150 places higher than Habib — 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) to reach the Australian Open second round and become the first Lebanese to win a Grand Slam main draw singles match in the Open Era.

One of the biggest goals Habib had set for himself entering 2025 was to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam event, now he finds himself in the second round. (Reuters)

One of the biggest goals Habib had set for himself entering 2025 was to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam event. He managed to check that target from his bucket list, and even surpass it, less than two weeks into the new tennis season.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” the Texas-born Lebanese told Arab News after his first-round triumph.

“I achieved my first goal, which was to qualify, and now I’m in the second round. It just feels like I need to wake up from a dream. Everything’s been happening so fast. And then I’m in Round 2 of the Aussie Open, and I just can’t believe it right now, I’m lost for words.”

Habib had cousins fly over from Sydney to attend his matches in Melbourne, and the stands on Court 13 on Sunday were packed with his supporters, given the large Lebanese diaspora in Australia.

“I'm so grateful for their support. I think the Lebanese community, I sort of brought everyone together, and it was really special to win in front of them. Every time I’m playing, there’s a larger and larger crowd. So yeah, it’s just been amazing,” the 26-year-old said.

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A post shared by Reem Abulleil (@reemabulleil)

The support Habib has received has not come just from the stands. With five Arab players competing in women’s singles, men’s singles and men’s doubles at the Australian Open this fortnight, support is also coming from the locker room.

Tunisian Ons Jabeur and Egyptian Mayar Sherif are representing the region on the women’s side in singles, while Tunisians Aziz Dougaz and Skander Mansouri are competing in singles and doubles, respectively.

“When I won my last match, since it was a very close one, all the players were watching in the locker room. And I walked by Ons, and she congratulated me, and I was extremely happy just to see a fellow Arab player acknowledging my win, it just means the world,” Habib said.

“Especially what she’s done for Tunisian tennis, and the Arab world in general, it’s amazing to get congratulations from her. And also seeing Aziz do well. I think he’s playing tomorrow (against Yoshihito Nishioka). I really hope he gets the win as well.

“It’s good for Arab tennis and Arab sports in general. And I hope they can do great things this week.”

Habib has produced a series of clutch performances in the past three months, clinching a maiden Challenger title, a Grand Slam debut, a first Grand Slam victory, and a new career-high ranking of at least 163 in the world.

In his final round of Australian Open qualifying against Chidekh, he saved three match points to force a decider in the third set before he secured the win and a place in the main draw.

“I think winning matches only gives you confidence, and I know when it comes to clutch moments that I’ve put in the work,” he said.

“I would like to say that I’m an extremely hard worker, and I try to do the right things every day. So when it comes to clutch moments, I just trust in myself, and the training that I’ve put in and the preparation. That’s what gives me the trust to play like that on these important points.”

Up next for Habib in Melbourne is French world No.14 Ugo Humbert.

“I actually played him once before in a Challenger in 2022. I lost in straight sets. But let’s see,” Habib said of the French lefty.

“I think he is at his best ranking right now. I want to go out there and do what I've been doing the last couple matches, just play my game and just do my best.”

Arabs at the 2025 Australian Open

Monday

First round: Aziz Dougaz v Yoshihito Nishioka

Tuesday

First round: Ons Jabeur v Anhelina Kalinina, Mayar Sherif v Dayana Yastremska

Wednesday

Second round: Hady Habib v Ugo Humbert

TBD

Doubles first round: Skander Mansouri/Ivan Dodig v Blake Ellis/Thomas Fancutt

Topics: tennis Australia Australian Open Hady Habib

Raducanu eases past Stephens on Eastbourne grass

Raducanu eases past Stephens on Eastbourne grass

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Lebanese sensation Hady Habib’s historic journey comes to an end at Australian Open

Lebanese sensation Hady Habib’s historic journey comes to an end at Australian Open

‘It feels like a dream’: Hady Habib becomes first Lebanese in Open Era to win Grand Slam singles main draw match

Habib is 1st Lebanese player in Open era to play in a Grand Slam men’s singles draw

Djokovic joins Alcaraz, Sinner in second round of Australian Open

Djokovic joins Alcaraz, Sinner in second round of Australian Open

Australian Open: Olympic champ Zheng Qinwen starts her bid for another final on a rainy Day 1

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‘It feels like a dream’: Hady Habib becomes first Lebanese in Open Era to win Grand Slam singles main draw match

‘It feels like a dream’: Hady Habib becomes first Lebanese in Open Era to win Grand Slam singles main draw match

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Raducanu eases past Stephens on Eastbourne grass

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