VENUS WILLIAMS SET TO BREAK RECORD AS FULL AUSTRALIAN OPEN WOMEN'S WILDCARD LIST CONFIRMED

Venus Williams applauding during a match

Tennis icon Venus Williams has received a wildcard to compete at the 2026 Australian Open, with the full list of wildcard recipients for the women’s singles event now confirmed.

There had been much anticipation to learn if Williams would be given a wildcard for this year’s Australian Open, with the American last having played the Melbourne Grand Slam in 2021.

The former world No 1 and seven-time major singles champion, who is 45, is currently ranked 581st in the WTA singles rankings.

Last year, Williams returned to the tour after an absence of more than a year to play in Washington, Cincinnati and at the US Open.

The Australian Open confirmed today that Williams had received the eighth and final wildcard for the women’s singles main draw.

“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” said Williams.

“I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”

Williams was a runner-up at the Australian Open in 2003 and 2017, while she was also a semi-finalist in 2001 and a quarter-finalist on a further six occasions.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said: “Venus is a true legend and trailblazer of our sport – she’s an inspiration to us all.

“I’m delighted we’ll see her on court again at both the Hobart International and Australian Open.”

At the age of 45, Williams is set to become the oldest woman to play in the Australian Open singles draw. She will break the record held by former Japanese star Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she competed at the 2015 Australian Open.

Australian Open 2026 women’s singles wildcards

• Emerson Jones (Australia)

• Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan)

• Elizabeth Mandlik (USA)

• Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah (France)

• Priscilla Hon (Australia)

• Talia Gibson (Australia)

• Taylah Preston (Australia)

• Venus Williams (USA)

Williams has also been given wildcards to compete at the tournaments in Auckland and Hobart ahead of the Australian Open.

Venus Williams’ schedule at the start of 2026

• ASB Classic, Auckland (WTA 250) – January 5-11

• Hobart International (WTA 250) – January 12-17

• Australian Open – January 18-February 1

- Ewan West

UNITED CUP: ZVEREV TAKES CONTROL AS GERMANY BEAT CHINA 2-1, REACH QUARTERFINALS

Perth:  Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund continued their perfect United Cup record in the mixed doubles on Monday, securing defending champions Germany’s status as Group E winners and a place in the quarterfinals with a victory against China in Group E.

The duo notched a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory over Zhang Zhizhen and Zhang Shuai in the deciding mixed doubles rubber against China, sealing a 2-1 win in favour of the defending champions. Zverev and Siegemund had won each of the four previous mixed doubles rubbers they contested at the event and ensured they kept a clean slate with a rock-solid performance, booking a quarter-final clash with Kazakhstan.

“Triple ZZZ is a very funny guy, we had a great singles and great mixed doubles match with Laura,” said Zverev. “I’m happy that we’re in the quarterfinals and, actually, I’m happy that China are in the quarterfinals too. Congratulations to the Chinese team. It was a really great match,” Siegemund added. “When you play for the first time after a while, you never really know what’s going to happen, and I think it was a great performance.”

Earlier, Zverev shook off a sluggish start to give Germany an initial 1-0 lead in the tie, rallying to a 2-6, 6-0, 6-2 victory over Zhang Zhizhen. Gao Xinyu then fought back for China with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 upset of Siegemund, levelling the tie at 1-1. With her singles win, Gao ensured China finished second in Group E, facing the winner of Group A in the quarter-finals. “I didn’t start well…I was missing more shots from my backhand side, which is normally the most stable,” said Zverev. “He was also playing extremely well, so aggressive. He was not letting me into the match or find my rhythm.

“Then I pushed some balls back in the second set to get some rhythm from the baseline. Then I found my rhythm and I’m happy with my performance in the second and third sets.”

In the men’s singles, Zhang had picked up where he left off from his 54-minute clinic against Thiago Monteiro on Friday with a promising start to the winner-takes-all tie. Zverev’s standout quality has been his serving in recent times, but it was thoroughly tested in the opening set against Zhang. The Chinese star broke Zverev on two occasions, and was imperious behind his own, winning 93 per cent (13/14) of first deliveries, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Zhang, who reached his maiden ATP Tour final in Hangzhou in September, struck cleanly from both wings from the beginning of the match. Yet he was unable to withstand 23-time titlist Zverev once he grew into the encounter and found his range from the baseline. Zverev, significantly aided by the 22 unforced errors that Zhang fired, asserted his dominance with a perfect second-set score. After a stark drop in intensity in the second set, Zhang steadied himself through the first four games of the decider. But after another lapse in the sixth, Zverev raced away with the final four games to improve to 2-0 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

Gao’s victory continues a dream week for the World No.175, who has replaced the absent Zheng Qinwen in singles. Before the United Cup, a professional career that started in 2014 had seen the 27-year-old notch just one tour-level win, in Hua Hin last September, and one defeat of a Top 100 player, over Veronica Cepede Royg in 2017 Beijing qualifying.

Now, including an opening career-best win over Beatriz Haddad Maia, Gao has posted two more of each. Though she had been beset by a leg injury during the 3-hour, 22-minute marathon against Haddad Maia, Gao emerged against Siegemund both moving and swinging freely. By contrast, Siegemund’s timing and touch were both off in the first set, during which she committed 14 unforced errors to Gao’s seven.

(IANS)

- OMMCOM NEWS

CHINESE PADDLERS WIN MIXED DOUBLES AT ASIAN TABLE TENNIS

Kuai Man (L) and Lin Shidong of China win the mixed doubles title at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 12, 2024. /CFP

Lin Shidong and Kuai Man of China battled from behind to defeat Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) 9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 15-13 in the mixed doubles final at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Saturday, winning China's second title at the continental competition.

Ri and Kim made their impact felt by knocking out Japanese favorites Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata, and giving Chinese gold medalists Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha a tough battle at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in August.

The DPRK duo beat Paris 2024 bronze medalists Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin of South Korea in the semifinals in Kazakhstan's capital.

Ri and Kim gave Lin and Kuai stymied in the first game, leading 10-6. Although the Chinese pair were resilient enough to cut the deficit to one point, they failed to reverse the momentum, and dropped the next game to trail 1-0 in the match.

The two sides continued to exchange leads in the second game, before Lin and Kuai tied things at 10-10 with a lucky bounce, and then converted back-to-back points to level the contest at 1-1.

Kuai Man (L) and Lin Shidong of China win the mixed doubles title at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 12, 2024. /CFP

After adjusting to the opposing duo's style of play, the Chinese pair tied the third game at 7-7, before surging into the lead. The DPRK side pushed back to level things at 9-9, but Lin and Kuai grabbed consecutive points to claim the game and seize a 2-1 lead.

China's paddlers earned two match points after jumping out to a 10-8 in the fourth game, but continued to miss out on the decisive play until the score reached 14-13, when Lin and Kuai refused to let the opportunity slip away again and secured the title.

- CGTN 

GRAND PRIX OF KAZAKHSTAN POSTPONED UNTIL LATER 2024

 The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports announce that the Grand Prix of Kazakhstan has been postponed until later in 2024

The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports announce that the Grand Prix of Kazakhstan has been postponed until later in 2024.

Unprecedented weather conditions have led to flooding across Central Asia, causing a national emergency in Kazakhstan and displacing much of the population. It would not be responsible for MotoGP™ to add any additional burden on the authorities or services as they work to help the tens of thousands of people affected across the country.

Sokol International Racetrack will therefore not host MotoGP™ on the dates previously announced, and any further updates will be published once confirmed.

As our utmost priority, MotoGP™ sends our condolences and support to the people of Kazakhstan and all those affected by the flooding in Central Asia. We hope the nation, region and communities affected can recover as soon as possible.

- MotoGP.com

GREECE VS KAZAKHSTAN | HIGHLIGHTS | EURO 2024 QUALIFIER

 

SLOVENIA SET UP BLK CUP SEMI-FINALS AGAINST ITALY

Kaja Juvan. Reuters 

Slovenia reached the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time despite Tamara Zidansek retiring hurt during the second singles against Kazakhstan in their Group B clash in Seville on Friday.

Slovenia will face Group D winners Italy on Saturday.

KAZAKHSTAN IN 4K | ASTANA | ASTANA 2022

 

TENNIS: SERENA WILLIAMS WINS 1ST ROUND AT INDIAN WELLS

Serena Williams managed to beat Zarina Diyas from Kazakhstan...

BOXING: GENADY GOLOVKIN GETTING READY FOR DANIEL JACOBS FOR AN INTERESTING BOUT ON SATURDAY AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin is set to face Daniel Jacobs inside Madison Square Garden in New York this coming Saturday...

BOXING: KELL BROOK'S CORNER THROWS A TOWEL PROTECTING HIM FROM A BRUTAL GOLOVKIN

Kell Brook's trainer threw in a towel in the 5th round after his fighter was being brutally knocked by Gennady Golovkin...

GGG broke Brooks eye socket in-front of plenty of celebrities including Manchester United's Zlata Ibrahimovic and one of the best US fighters Bernard Hopkins who was with the USA cable network HBO crew...

Kell Brook did box well on the 2nd round and late in the 1st round with a fury of punches but that was all as the boy from Kazakhstan was stoppable with his heavy blows surrounded by a sellout 02 Arena of 18,000 spectators...

GGG is unstoppable and the next fight will be a tough one for his opponent but as of now he has cemented his unbeatable run and enjoying it...Kell Brook is due for surgery to fix his fractured eye socket thanx to GGG. 

US OPEN 2016: SERENA WILLIAMS SETS A NEW GRAND SLAM WORLD RECORD

World No.1 Serena Williams set a new grand slam record by surpassing Roger Federer with 308 victories...She managed to do that after beating Yoroslava Shevdova 6-2 6-3 from Kazakhstan ...She's now in the quarter-finals of the US Open and she will face 5th seed Simona Halep from Romania...Halep beat Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2 7-5...Congrats Serena Williams.