The reigning champion at the Australian Open Stan Wawrinka continued his run to defend that title on Wednesday, defeating fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(6) to advance to the final four in Melbourne. “I think I’m playing better [than last year],” said Wawrinka. “But I think we all improve every year. I’m more…
When Venus Williams made her pro debut in 1994, Madison Keys had yet to be born. Fast-forward to 2015, and the 19-year-old Keys finds herself into her first Grand Slam semifinal after knocking off Williams 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals Wednesday. “First of all, I’m very happy I’m into the semifinals, but the moment’s definitely…
While the Northeast part of the United States was blasted with a blizzard on Tuesday, the weather was in the mid-60s and sunny on the other side of the world in Melbourne, Australia for the Australian Open quarterfinals. On a mildly cool day for an Australian summer, seventh-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych put on a cold-blooded…
Maria Sharapova put on a nearly flawless performance on Tuesday, blowing past seventh-seeded Canadian Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-2 to reach the Australian Open semifinals. In a very highly-anticipated match, Sharapova got things going early. She broke the young Canadian in the opening game and from there the match was hers. She broke again in the…
Andy Murray essentially played a road match on Tuesday, battling through Nick Kyrgios and the Australian crowd for a 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 quarterfinal victory Tuesday. Playing in his sixth consecutive Australian Open quarterfinals, Murray stifled Kyrgios with his serve early. He lost just five points on serve in the opening frame and broke the teenager…
Milos Raonic became the first Canadian in the Open Era to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, defeating the 12th-seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-3 on Monday in Melbourne. The match was evenly played throughout as both players exchanged sets through the first four. Even in the fifth-set, both Lopez and…
Venus Williams continues to play some of the best tennis of her entire career to begin the 2015 season as the 18th seeded American outlasted sixth-seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 on Monday to move into the Australian Open quarterfinals. Venus was the more aggressive player all match long. She fired 43 winners compared…
Kei Nishikori powered his way into the Australian Open quarterfinals, defeating ninth-seeded David Ferrer 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 on Monday. The fifth-seeded Nishikori notched six break points, displaying his outstanding baseline defense, to seize control of each set and reach the final eight in Melbourne. “I’m really new to be number five, so I’m still not…
After being on the brink of elimination in her second-round match on Wednesday, second-seeded Maria Sharapova avoided that situation on Friday as the Russian cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over 31st seeded Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan. “I think I rebounded well,” said Sharapova. “I had a good hit yesterday. I thought about what I…
Tomas Berdych and Andy Murray continued their excellent starts to the Australian Open, as each rolled in straight sets to advance to the fourth round on Friday. The sixth-seeded Murray won his third consecutive straight-set match in Melbourne, cruising past Portugal’s Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-1, 7-5 to push into the fourth-round. Murray ripped 39 winners…