MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Aryna Sabalenka said on Friday, Jan. 12, she felt "really great" heading into the defense of her Australian Open title, with a hard grind during the pre-season making her "as ready as I can be". The 25-year-old Belarusian had a breakthrough 2023 in which she claimed a maiden...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Iga Swiatek will be a hot favorite to win a first Australian Open when it begins on Sunday, Jan. 14, but could face a stiff challenge from former champions Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka. Poland's Iga Swiatek (top), Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (bottom left) and Japan's Naomi Osaka...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Iga Swiatek is in scintillating form as she seeks a maiden Australian Open crown, but she could face a stiff test from defending champion Aryna Sabalenka while two-time winner Naomi Osaka is making her comeback. Poland's Iga Swiatek (AFP) World number one Swiatek has won 17 of...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Elena Rybakina will head to the Australian Open full of confidence after demolishing Aryna Sabalenka in the Brisbane International final on Sunday, Jan. 7, while Grigor Dimitrov upset Holger Rune to win his first title since 2017. Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan (left) holds the...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Spanish great Rafael Nadal's comeback to tennis came to an end when he lost a 3hr 25min marathon quarterfinal to Australian Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International on Friday, Jan. 5. Australia's Jordan Thompson (left) and Spain's Rafael Nadal gesture after the former's win...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Aryna Sabalenka admitted on Saturday, Dec. 30, she was feeling the pressure after a breakthrough 2023 saw her claim her a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, but a new mindset was helping her deal with it. Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (AFP) The 25-year-old Belarusian also...
SYDNEY (AFP) -- Aryna Sabalenka will launch preparations for the defense of her Australian Open crown by playing at the Brisbane International, organizers said on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Belarus' tennis star Aryna Sabalenka (AFP) Elena Rybakina -- beaten by Sabalenka in the final in Melbourne at the...
CANCUN -- Second-ranked Iga Swiatek defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday, Nov. 5, to reach the title match of the WTA Finals, where she will face fellow unbeaten Jessica Pegula. Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates after defeating Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during their women's...
CANCUN (AFP) -- World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a rain-disrupted group match on Friday, Nov. 3, to reach the semifinals of the WTA Finals. Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka returns the ball against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their women's singles match of...
CANCUN (AFP) -- Jessica Pegula upset Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals in Cancun on Tuesday, Oct. 31, punishing an error-strewn performance by the world number one to all but guarantee a semifinal berth. USA's Jessica Pegula (AFP) World number five Pegula, who had beaten Sabalenka...
CANCUN (AFP) -- Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova on Monday, Oct. 30, joined world number one Aryna Sabalenka in hitting out at the WTA and the state of the court at the season-ending Finals in Cancun. Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova (AFP) Sabalenka on Sunday said she felt "disrespected"...
CANCUN (AFP) -- World number one Aryna Sabalenka said she feels "disrespected" by tennis' governing body and claimed the hastily-built court being used for the WTA Finals at the Mexican resort of Cancun is "not safe." Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (AFP) Sabalenka eased past Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-0,...
