Showing posts with label 🦘. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 🦘. Show all posts
Monday, 28 September 2026
Tuesday, 15 July 2025
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Sunday, 26 January 2025
JANNIK SINNER BEATS ALEXANDER ZVEREV IN 3 SETS
 |
| Jannik Sinner of Italy gestures as he carries the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) |
MELBOURNE, Australia — There’s all sorts of ways beyond merely the score to measure just how dominant Jannik Sinner was while outplaying and frustrating Alexander Zverev during the 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory Sunday that earned the 23-year-old Italian a second consecutive Australian Open championship.
The zero break points Sinner faced. Or the 10 he accumulated. The 27-13 advantage in points that lasted at least nine strokes. Or the way Sinner accumulated more winners, 32 to 25, and fewer unforced errors, 27 to 45. The way Sinner won 10 of 13 points that ended with him at the net. Or the way he only let Zverev go 14 of 27 in that category, frequently zipping passing shots out of reach.
And here is one more bit of evidence: Listen to what Zverev told Sinner during the on-court trophy ceremony: “You’re the best player in the world, by far. I was hoping that I could be more of a competitor today, but you’re just too good. It’s as simple as that.”
That’s coming from the guy who is ranked No. 2 behind Sinner, who has held the No. 1 spot since last June and is not showing any signs of relinquishing it. This was the first Australian Open final between the men at No. 1 and No. 2 since 2019, when No. 1 Novak Djokovic defeated No. 2 Rafael Nadal — also in straight sets.
“It’s amazing,” Sinner said, “to achieve these things.”
That includes being the youngest man to leave Melbourne Park with the trophy two years in a row since Jim Courier in 1992-93 and the first man since Nadal at the French Open in 2005 and 2006 to follow up his first Grand Slam title by repeating as the champion at the same tournament a year later.
Since the start of 2024, Sinner has won three of the five major tournaments, including the U.S. Open in September, and his record in that span is 80-6 with a total of nine tournament titles. His current unbeaten run covers 21 matches.
The only thing that’s clouded the past 12 months for Sinner, it seems, is a doping case in which he was cleared by a ruling that was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. He tested positive for a trace amount of an anabolic steroid twice last March but blamed it on an accidental exposure involving two members of his team who have since been fired. Sinner initially was exonerated in August; a hearing in the WADA appeal is scheduled for April.
While Sinner became the eighth man in the Open era (which began in 1968) to start his career 3-0 in Grand Slam finals, Zverev is the seventh to be 0-3, adding this loss to those at the 2020 U.S. Open and the 2024 French Open.
Those earlier setbacks both came in five sets. This contest was not that close. Not at all.
“We’re trying to do all the right work,” Zverev said. “I’m just not good enough.”
Just before Zverev began speaking into a microphone during the trophy ceremony, a voice cried out from the stands, making reference to two of the player’s ex-girlfriends who accused him of physical abuse.
During the match, there truly was only one moment that felt as if it contained a hint of tension. It came when Zverev was two points from owning the second set, leading it 5-4 and at love-30 on Sinner’s serve. But a break point — and a set point — never arrived.
Zverev dropped the next four points, making it 5-all, and Sinner emerged with the ensuing tiebreaker. No surprise there: He went 4-0 in those set-deciders over the past two weeks and has grabbed 16 of his past 18.
A year ago, Sinner went through a lot more trouble to earn his first Slam, needing to get past Novak Djokovic — who quit one set into his semifinal against Zverev on Friday because of a torn hamstring — first, before erasing a two-set deficit in the final against 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev.
This time, the 6-foot-3 (1.91-meter) Sinner applied pressure with an all-around style that does not really appear to have any holes as his sneakers squeak from a sprint to a slide that often nearly ends in the splits and he uses his long limbs to deliver deep groundstrokes.
On this night, he proved superior in just about every meaningful way, other than aces.
Returning serves from Zverev that reached 138 mph (223 kph), Sinner got the lone break of the opening set with a passing shot for a 5-4 lead. Zverev walked back behind the baseline, shaking his head while talking to his father and brother, who were seated in the front row of their courtside coaches’ box.
There was more negative body language after Sinner served out that set at love to continue his crescendo, the final note an ace at 120 mph (194 kph). Zverev trudged to his bench, shoulders sagging, and dropped his racket on an equipment bag, a gesture that conveyed annoyance more than anger. Later, it became the latter: Zverev cracked one racket on the court and used a racket to hit another on the sideline.
Understandable, given what Sinner was doing on the other side of the net.
- Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press
Saturday, 18 January 2025
Tuesday, 14 January 2025
Friday, 10 January 2025
NOVAK DJOKOVIC CLAIMS HE WAS POISONED DURING 2022 DETENTION IN MELBOURNE
Novak Djokovic was "poisoned" by the food he ingested while detained during his 2022 Australian Open visa saga, the former world No. 1 told GQ in an interview released on Thursday.
The Serbian 24-time Grand Slam winner had his visa cancelled ahead of the tournament following days of drama over Australia's COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status, and he was detained in a Melbourne hotel shared with asylum-seekers.
"I realized that in that hotel in Melbourne I was fed with some food that poisoned me," said Djokovic, who is known to strictly monitor his diet.
"I had some discoveries when I came back to Serbia. I never told this to anybody publicly, but discoveries that I was, I had a really high level of heavy metal. Heavy metal. I had the lead, very high level of lead and mercury."
GQ said Australia's Department of Home Affairs had declined to comment on the matter, citing privacy reasons.
Djokovic told Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper this week that he still has trauma from his experiences three years ago and feels stress when arriving at the city's airport.
The 37-year-old begins his campaign for a record-extending 25th major title at the Australian Open next week.
- Reuters
Thursday, 9 January 2025
Sunday, 1 December 2024
Tuesday, 17 September 2024
RAFAEL STUICK SIGNING TURNS INDONESIAN EYES ON BRISBANE
 |
| Rafael Struick, 21, has joined Brisbane Roar from Dutch club ADO Den Haag. Angelo Blankespoor/Soccrates/Getty Images |
The Brisbane Roar will be banking on similar on-field impact from Indonesia striker Rafael Struick after his signing sent the A-League club's social media following soaring.
The 21-year-old, who led Indonesia's line in their country's scoreless World Cup qualification draw with the Socceroos in Jakarta last week, was confirmed as the Roar's latest acquisition on Monday night.
In less than 24 hours the club's Instagram following has swelled from 69,000 to almost 100,000, a rise attributed to the fanatical Indonesian support base.
The post announcing Struick's arrival dwarfed the engagements garnered by posts confirming high-profile pair Juan Mata and Douglas Costa to the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC respectively.
"I'm happy to be here and I can't wait to get started," Struick said. "Brisbane is a very big club, playing in a very strong competition.
"I'm excited to play in the A-League and make this move to the other side of the world to make a step outside of my comfort zone.
"I want to help the team as much as possible with my qualities; to score goals and provide assists."
Struick scored a double, including the goal of the tournament, for Indonesia in this year's under-23 Asian Cup quarterfinal victory over South Korea. They reached the semifinals of a campaign that included a win against Australia.
The Netherlands-born talent, eligible for Indonesia through his Javanese grandmother, has made 14 appearances for the country's senior team, coached by former Roar player Shin Tae-Yong.
Struick honed his trade in the Dutch youth system and has played for ADO Den Haag in the Netherlands' second tier since 2022.
The Roar's A-League Men's season begins against Auckland FC on Oct. 19.
-
Saturday, 10 August 2024
Friday, 12 April 2024
AUSTRALIA TO HOST OPENING RACE OF 2025 FORMULA ONE SEASON
 |
| Melbourne will host the opening race of the 2025 season. WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images |
Formula One has released the race dates for next year's 24-round season which includes the return of Australia as hosts of the season opener on March 16.
The 2025 calendar, which marks the 75th anniversary of the F1 world championship, will see Melbourne host the opening round for the first time since 2019.
Bahrain, which has been the first race of the season for the last four years, will become the fourth race, one week after the Japanese Grand Prix and one week before Saudi Arabia.
Both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia needed to move later in the year to avoid a clash with Ramadan.
The Chinese Grand Prix -- which will make its return to F1 on April 21 after a four-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic -- will be the second race of the 2025 season and will be held back-to-back with Australia.
As was the case with this year's schedule, F1 claims the calendar was designed to create "a better geographical flow" across the year.
The 2025 schedule released on Friday did not reveal the venues for next year's sprint races, which will be confirmed at a later date.
F1's three U.S. rounds will remain in their usual places on the calendar, with Miami on May 4, Austin on Oct. 19 and Las Vegas on Nov. 22.
As with this season, 2025 will end with a triple header across Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
"2025 will be a special year as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the FIA Formula One World Championship, and it's that legacy and experience that allows us to deliver such a strong calendar," F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said.
"Once again, we'll visit 24 incredible venues around the world, delivering top class racing, hospitality, and entertainment, which will be enjoyed by millions of fans worldwide."
2025 Schedule
March 16 -- Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne
March 23 -- Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai
April 6 -- Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
April 13 -- Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir
April 20 -- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah
May 4 -- Miami Grand Prix, Miami
May 18 -- Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola
May 25 -- Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco
June 1 -- Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona
June 15 -- Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal
June 29 -- Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg
July 6 -- British Grand Prix, Silverstone
July 27 -- Belgian Grand Prix, Spa Francorchamps
August 3 -- Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest
August 31 -- Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort
September 7 -- Italian Grand Prix, Monza
September 21 -- Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku
October 5 -- Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore
October 19 -- U.S. Grand Prix, Austin
October 26 -- Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City
November 9 -- Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo
November 22 -- Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas
November 30 -- Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail
December 7 -- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina
- Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor
Thursday, 28 March 2024
Sunday, 24 March 2024
HAMILTON ON WORST F1 SEASON START: I'M FOCUSED ON THE BIGGER PICTURE
 |
| Getty |
MELBOURNE, Australia -- After making his worst start to a Formula One season in his 17-year career, Lewis Hamilton said he is remaining positive by focusing on the "bigger picture."
An engine failure at Sunday's Australian Grand Prix means the Mercedes driver has scored just eight points from the opening three races and lies ninth in the drivers' standings.
Although he has scored more points in the first three races than he managed in 2009 with McLaren when F1 ran under a different points system, the first three results are the worst he's had at the start of a new campaign.
"This is the worst start to a season I have ever had," Hamilton said. "It's even worse than 2009, I think."
But asked how he has dealt with the disappointing start, Hamilton, who is set to leave his Mercedes team for Ferrari next year, said he is still taking positives from the year so far.
"Surprisingly, I feel pretty good," he said. "I think I'm trying to keep things in perspective, you know?
"It could be so much worse, I'm really grateful and have really enjoyed my time here in Australia. I'm still enjoying working with the team.
"Of course, I'd love to be fighting for wins and finishing races, it's never a great feeling when you come all this way and don't even see half of the race, but what I know is that we will bounce back and will get there, we just have to chip away at it."
Hamilton suffered an engine failure on lap 17 of the Australian Grand Prix while running 11th, which is also where he qualified.
Rather than be frustrated by the result, the seven-time champion said he was only focusing on matters he could control.
"I think it's easy to be caught up in the moment and focus on this one thing, but the bigger picture is definitely the focus at the moment and also just realising that you can't control everything," Hamilton said.
"You can get frustrated because you don't have control, but if you can just let go and be in the moment, that's what I'm trying to do.
"It's not great, I'm not happy, but I'm going to have a great day tomorrow and train hard this week."
- Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor
Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Saturday, 20 January 2024
WORLD NO. 1 IGA SWIATEK EXITS AUSTRALIAN OPEN IN A 3RD-ROUND LOSS TO CZECH TEENAGER LINDA NOSKOVA
 |
| AP Photo |
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Already down a set and facing a break point against Iga Swiatek, No. 50-ranked Linda Noskova decided she had nothing to lose.
She won 11 of the next 12 points to take the second set and swing momentum in their third-round match Saturday, ultimately becoming the first teenager to beat a No. 1-ranked woman at the Australian Open since 1999.
With a big serve and equally big groundstrokes, she unsettled Swiatek and held her cool, even under pressure in the last game to serve it out, for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory that means there's no top 10 players in the top half of the draw.
“I’m just really kind of exhausted mentally and physically,” Noskova said in her post-match news conference following the upset. “I just believed my game tonight. I just really wanted this.”
Swiatek is a four-time major winner but has never been past the semifinals at Melbourne Park. Even so, she was on an 18-match winning streak and expected to account for the 19-year-old Noskova, who is making her main draw debut at the tournament.
Swiatek beat 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the first round and had to rally from 4-1 down in the third to overcome 2022 finalist Danielle Collins in the second.
Friday, 19 January 2024
NO HANDSHAKES AS SABALENKA DOWNS UKRAINE'S TSURENKO IN THIRD ROUND
 |
| Reuters |
Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka blocked out the political overtones of her third-round match against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko at the Australian Open on Friday to ease into the second week of the Grand Slam with an easy 6-0 6-0 victory.
Sabalenka was last scheduled to face the Ukrainian at Indian Wells last year but Tsurenko withdrew after suffering a panic attack when talking with officials about the response of tennis to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, for which Belarus was used as a staging ground.
Reigning champion and second seed Sabalenka is playing at Melbourne Park without official national affiliation under conditions imposed on Russian and Belarusian players by tournament organisers since the invasion.
The match itself was a one-sided affair played out in a muted atmosphere on Rod Laver Arena as Sabalenka ruthlessly handed 28th seed Tsurenko the dreaded "double bagel" in 52 minutes.
There was no traditional handshake over the net at the end of the match with the players merely acknowledging each other with a wave before heading off court.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)