Connect with us

Indian wells

Gauff does it tough while Sabalenka rolls

Published

on

Aryna Sabalenka sprinted to an opening win at the Indian Wells Masters on Saturday while fellow seed Coco Gauff had to struggle past a stiff Asian challenge to end a mini losing streak.

Top seed Sabalenka swept American McCartney Kessler 7-6 (4), 6-3 in 93 minutes while Gauff took an hour longer to subdue Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4).

Third-seeded Gauff, a semi-finalist here a year ago, was weighed down by 21 double-faults among more than 70 unforced errors in the sloppy success.

“I’ve been in the (habit) of trying to fix things on my serve,” Gauff said. “It was just an up-and-down process. It’s tough out there.

“But, I mean, if I’m able to win matches playing kind of like (Grade) D tennis, then it gives me confidence just when I’m able to mesh things together, like I did earlier this season.”

The 2023 US Open winner will face a re-run of last year’s semi-final here when she plays in the third round against Maria Sakkari of Greece. who put out Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria 6-0, 6-3.

The Greek leads Gauff 5-3 after winning the 2024 semi.

Sabalenka, loser in three of her last four matches including the Australian Open final to Madison Keys, turned the tide on that losing run with her victory over 48th-ranked Kessler.

“It felt like a Grand Slam final — the atmosphere … it was so much fun,” Sabalenka said. “She’s playing incredible tennis, such a tough opponent. 

“Honestly, I was just trying to focus on myself, on staying aggressive, put as much pressure as I could on her.

“I’m really super-happy that I was able to manage all the emotions and get this tough win.”

Dubai

Andreeva sister showdown ended by injury

Published

on

Mirra Andreeva advanced 6-2, 6-0 on Wednesday at the WTA Stuttgart event when her big sister Erika was forced to quit their match with a right knee injury.

Her 17-year-old sibling advanced to the last 16 on the indoor clay in this German car-making capital in 41 minutes,

Erika, a lucky loser from qualifying, held the edge in the sister series after a Tour win last autumn in Wuhan.

She needed a visit from the trainer for her strapped knee at the first changeover of the match and was never in with a chance against her sister, ranked seventh in the world.

Mirra, winner of back-to-back 1000-level titles this season in Dubai and Indian Wells, said her 20-year-old sibling led her into tennis

“”She started playing some tournaments and she showed me the way. Because of her, it was easier for me to start playing bigger tournaments right away.”

Mirra said it felt strange facing her close relative. “I honestly have weird emotions,. I should be a little bit happy that I won the match, but still I’m super sad it ended like that.”

The win came on the birthday of Mirra’s coach Conchita Martinez, who was serenaded by the crowd post-match.

Main photo:-Erika and Mirra Andreeva – by WTATennis.com

Continue Reading

Indian wells

Sabalenka wins Miami with 3rd defeat of Pegula

Published

on

Aryna Sabalenka shook off a one-hours rain delay as she defeated Jessica Pegula for the third time in a row, winning the Miami Masters on Saturday 7-5, 6-2.

The world No. 1 kept a firm grip on the top ranking spot after dismissing her American opponent after finals wins over Pegula in Cincinnati and New York last season.

Victory in just under 90 minutes was the second title of the season for Sabalenka, who lost 2025 finals at the Australian Open and earlier this month at Indian Wells to teenaged Mirra Andreeva.

The final began an hour late due to rain in South Florida.

Sabalenka broke on six of her 14 chances while dropping her own serve four times.

Sabalenka finally lifted the trophy here on her seventh appearance after reaching quarter-finals in 2021 and 2023.

The winner claimed her eighth title at the 1000 level while improving her record over Pegula to 7-2.

Sabalenka owns 19 career trophies including back-to-back Australian Opens and the US Open last September.

Continue Reading

ATP

Djoko closes in on his magic 100th title

Published

on

Novak Djokovic moved to within one victory of his record 100th career title, with the Serb hammering out a 6-2, 6-3 defeat of longtime rival Grigor Dimitrov on Friday to reach the final at the Miami Masters.

Former world No. 1 Djokovic, holder of the record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, will join Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) in the 100 club if he can win the South Florida title match in 48 hours.

Djokovic reached the Sunday final without losing a set in south Florida; he has now defeated Dimitrov in 13 of their 14 career meetings.

The 37-year-old Serb had a match point chance in the penultimate game on his opponent’s serve, which Dimitrov saved with a crisp service winner.

But Djokovic wrapped up victory a game later after 69 minutes to keep his eye on the prize as he reached his eighth Miami final and his first here in nine years.

He will be competing in his 60th masters 1000 final after his first 18 years ago in Indian Wells.

The winner again credited his serve with paving the way to victory as he finished with just five unforced errors.

Djokovic was watched in the stands by Argentine football legend Lionel Messi.

“I think it’s my firs time playing live in front of him,” the winner, who called his serve “the highlight of the match.” said.

“Serving well makes my life so much easier on court.”

Djokovic said that since winning his last title at the Paris Olympic last summer. he has been concentrating on cracking his trophy century.

“I’ve known at every tournament since then that I’m going for 100. Hopefully, I’ll achieve that on Sunday.

“My tennis now is as good as it’s been in a long time.

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic celebrates in Miami – by ISF Ltd

Continue Reading

Trending