DUBAI (AFP) -- Iga Swiatek survived a grueling affair against Sloane Stephens while Aryna Sabalenka blamed unfavorable conditions for her second round defeat to Donna Vekic in Dubai on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Iga Swiatek of Poland (AFP) The top-seeded Swiatek, who clinched her third consecutive Doha...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Aryna Sabalenka said the Australian Open will always be her "special place" after blowing China's Zheng Qinwen off court on Saturday, Jan. 27, to become the first woman to defend her title in more than a decade. Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will clash with Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen in the Australian Open final after both women powered to straight-sets victories in the last four on Thursday, Jan. 25. Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (top) and China's heng Qinwen march into the...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Top seed Novak Djokovic battled into an 11th Australian Open semifinal and a record-extending 48th at Grand Slams on Tuesday, Jan. 23, but a rampant Aryna Sabalenka had a much easier ride. Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts on a point against USA's Taylor Fritz during their men's...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner emphatically stated their Australian Open title credentials on Friday, Jan. 19, surging into the fourth round as a below-par Novak Djokovic prepared for another testing examination. Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka serves against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Novak Djokovic resumes his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title on Wednesday, Jan. 17, against home hope Alexei Popyrin, while fellow defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faces her second consecutive qualifier. Serbia's Novak Djokovic (AFP) Serbian superstar Djokovic dropped a set...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Novak Djokovic survived a fierce test against teenager Dino Prizmic at the Australian Open on Sunday, Jan. 14, as he launched his bid for a historic 25th Grand Slam, but defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka destroyed her opponent 6-0, 6-1. Serbia's Novak Djokovic hits a...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Novak Djokovic launched his bid for Grand Slam history at the Australian Open on Sunday, Jan. 14, against an 18-year-old qualifier after fifth seed Andrey Rublev survived a huge scare to progress. Serbia's Novak Djokovic (AFP) Women's second seed Aryna Sabalenka starts her own...
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...
