French Open

Beaten Serena unsure about Australian Open

Abu Dhabi - Muslimchronicle

A slow moving Serena Williams made an encouraging return to tennis after maternity leave, taking a set off the French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibition match Saturday, but said she has not made up her mind about defending the Australian Open title. In a match featuring a super tie-break and lasting one hour and seven minutes, Ostapenko won 6-2, 3-6,Read more

Mission impossible? Nadal wants New Yorkers to be quiet

New York - Muslimchronicle

Rafael Nadal has conquered the French Open 10 times and battled career-threatening knee and wrist injuries, but his greatest challenge awaits him -- telling rowdy New Yorkers to be quiet. The world number one and two-time US Open champion took his first-round record at the season's concluding Grand Slam to 13-0 on Tuesday with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-2, 6-2 winRead more

Nadal, Osaka shine as rain causes US Open havoc

New York - Muslimchronicle

Roger Federer survived a five-set battle to defeat American teenager Frances Tiafoe and reach the US Open second round on Tuesday, keeping his bid for a record sixth New York title alive. The 36-year-old Swiss, chasing his third major of the year and 20th of his career, prevailed 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 to avoid losing in the first roundRead more

French Open champ Ostapenko falls to US qualifier Lepchenko

Toronto - Muslimchronicle

Qualifier Varvara Lepchenko shocked the reigning Roland-Garros champion while 37-year-old Venus Williams got off to another shaky start in the opening round at the WTA hardcourt tournament in Toronto on Monday. Lepchenko rallied to stun French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko 1-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5). Ninth seeded Williams also needed three sets and close to two hours to eliminate qualifierRead more

Novak Djokovic to warm up for Wimbledon at Eastbourne

London - Muslimchronicle

Three-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic is to play at the ATP tournament in Eastbourne, southern England, in preparation for the grasscourt Grand Slam, it was announced Wednesday. It will be the first time the struggling Djokovic has played a grass-court event between the French Open and Wimbledon since 2010. The 30-year-old Serb saw his French Open title defence come toRead more

Djokovic looking for answers after Monte Carlo disappointment

Monaco - Arab Today

With his French Open title defence starting in five short weeks, Novak Djokovic is desperately searching for the key to lifting his game on clay. The former world number one, who was replaced at the top of the list last November by Andy Murray, joined his rival at the exit of the Monte Carlo Masters after losing a third-setRead more

Pliskova sees off Muguruza to reach Indian Wells semi-finals

Indian Wells - Arab Today

Third-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova turned back a late charge by French Open champion Garbine Muguruza to reach the Indian Wells WTA semi-finals with a 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5) victory. Trailing 5-2 in the second set, Spain's seventh-seeded Muguruza battled back, saving two match points as they went to a second tiebreaker. It was to no avail, however, as Pliskova notchedRead more

Fishing can wait for fired-up

Sydney - Arab Today

Spanish great Rafael Nadal says he would be at home fishing if he felt he could no longer challenge the top names, with his passion undimmed despite being plagued by injuries. The 30-year-old has won 14 Grand Slams in a glittering tennis career, but the last came at the French Open in 2014 and his 2016 season was ruined byRead more

Djokovic 'rejuvenated'

Paris - Arab Today

Novak Djokovic admits that Andy Murray's dramatic last-gasp assault on his world number one ranking has rejuvenated a season which was limping into mediocrity for the 12-time major winner. Djokovic has suffered a worrying dip in form since winning his first French Open and completing the career Grand Slam in June. He had a shock early loss at Wimbledon followedRead more

Thiem stuns Federer in Stuttgart upset

Stuttgart - Arab Today

Roger Federer uncharacteristically failed to nail two match points as Dominic Thiem stunned the top seed on the grass in the rain-disrupted Stuttgart semi-finals on Saturday. The Swiss legend, who is returning from a back injury that ruled him out of the French Open, saw his preparations for Wimbledon unravel as Thiem battled through 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4. The thirdRead more