Australian Open Day 10: Murray To Face Raonic
Locker Room
January 27, 2016
Andy Murray’s on-court tantrums don’t always work in his favour – often quite the reverse. But it was a different story during his gutsy victory over David Ferrer in their Australian Open quarter-final, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-3. If ever there was a sportsman who needed to release some tension and frustration, it was the […]
Australian Open Day 9: Fantastic Federer To Face Djokovic
Locker Room
January 26, 2016
The incredible Roger Federer just keeps producing a quality of tennis that proves too much for most younger men. He knows he has to play aggressively, because he can’t afford to drop sets and slip into marathon contests at the age of 34 – not if he is to remain fresh enough to compete genuinely […]
Australian Open Day 8: Raonic Stuns Wawrinka
Locker Room
January 25, 2016
Milos Raonic has knocked out 2014 Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka in a five-set thriller in Melbourne, making a mockery of his odds at the start of the tournament. It was the first time in five tries that Raonic had beaten Wawrinka – and he was clearly delighted afterwards. GOALS ‘This is the next step […]
Day 7 Australian Open: Nishikori Impresses, Novak Pushed To Limit
Locker Room
January 24, 2016
Kei Nishikori produced some truly sparkling tennis to defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – and in doing so avenge his five-set loss to the Frenchman at Roland Garros last year. Yesterday’s contest was more straightforward, but only because the hero of Japan was so brilliantly self-assured in what should have been an evenly-matched contest. Instead it ended in an emphatic 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 […]
Australian Open Day 6: Murray and Konta Through, Muguruza Out
Locker Room
January 23, 2016
Andy Murray defeated Joao Sousa, apparently unaware that his father-in-law, Nigel Sears had collapsed in the stands while watching the player he currently coaches, Ana Ivanovic. By the time Murray had clinched his 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Sousa, the family crisis seemed to be over. Sears, 58, who had apparently fallen heavily on steps at Rod Laver […]
Australian Open Day 5: 600 Wins For Sharapova – Kyrgios Out
Locker Room
January 22, 2016
Maria Sharapova enjoyed the 600th win of her glittering career after she safely negotiated a rollercoaster ride against the unfancied Lauren Davis. Meanwhile Roger Federer also dropped a set in a tense battle with Grigor Dimitrov, before notching his own admirable landmark of 300 victories in Grand Slams. SPOONFULS Popular Maria cruised through the first set against Davis […]
Murray and Azarenka Sparkle…Hewitt Bows Out
Locker Room
January 21, 2016
Only two people can stop Andy Murray, the way he is playing – Novak Djokovic and Murray’s wife Kim. World number two Murray defeated big-serving Sam Groth after the local hero let slip that he was about to enter unfamiliar Melbourne territory. Reflecting on his 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 victory, Murray explained: ‘I was standing right […]
Aussie Gavrilova Stuns Kvitova!
Locker Room
January 20, 2016
Aussie sensation Daria Gavrilova pulled off the surprise of the day in Melbourne by dumping two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova out of the tournament. The crowd went wild as the 21-year-old defeated sixth-seeded Kvitova 6-4, 6-4 to register one of the best victories of her career. Meanwhile defending champion Serena Williams encountered no such problems […]
Nadal and Halep Shocked in Melbourne
Locker Room
January 19, 2016
Rafa Nadal suffered his only first-round exit from the Australian Open when he was outgunned by the outrageous aggression of Fernando Verdasco. An incredible 90 winners seemed to come from another planet as Verdasco roared to a 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 victory with a power and accuracy rarely seen before. He was […]
Wozniacki and Stephens Crash Out in Melbourne
Locker Room
January 18, 2016
Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki suffered the humiliation of a first-round exit at the Australian Open – thanks to an interesting psychological ploy from her opponent, the little-known Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan. The secret to winning is, apparently, simple – pretend you’re losing. Putintseva explained her strategy as though it was the easiest psychological […]