Racket STAR Blogs

She may have withdrawn from the US Open wildcard play-off but it's for good reason - Priscilla Hon remains alive in the $100,000 ITF in Vancouver after advancing to the quarterfinals.

Vancouver, BC, Canada, 18 August 2017 | tennis.com.au

Priscilla Hon has built a five-match winning streak in a stunning run to the quarterfinals of the $100,000 ITF event in Vancouver, Canada.

The 19-year-old Queenslander began the week in qualifying but now features in the last eight after beating 92nd-ranked Jana Cepelova of Slovakia, the tournament’s No.3 seed.

Hon, ranked No.354, will next line-up against Belgian Maryna Zanevska.

Nick Kyrgios will resume his third-round match against Ivo Karlovic on Friday after rain wreaked havoc with Thursday's schedule in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati, OH, USA, 18 August 2017 | AP

Nick Kyrgios has been forced to wait to play for a place in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters after his clash with Ivo Karlovic was delayed by rain.

The match will resume on Friday after bad weather interrupted the third-round encounter; Karlovic leads the Australian 4-3, with games going on serve.

> Cincinnati order of play: Friday 18 August

No.6 seed Caroline Wozniacki has ended Ash Barty's dream run in Cincinnati, defeating the young Aussie in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals.

Cincinnati, OH, USA, 18 August 2017 | AAP

Caroline Wozniacki has given Ash Barty a reality check one day after the 21-year-old Australian recorded the biggest win of her career.

Wozniacki won their Cincinnati Open third-round clash 6-4 6-2 on Thursday, barely 24 hours after Barty eliminated Wimbledon and Australian Open runner-up Venus Williams to record her first top-10 win.

The Dane next faces the winner of the match between top seed and world No.1 Karolina Pliskova and Italy’s Camila Giorgi.

Thursday17.08.201715:55Главная | Регистрация | Вход | RSSStats Archive- Выберите месяц -2012 May2012 June2012 July2012 August2012 September2012 October2012 November2012 December2013 January2013 February2013 March2013 April2013 May2013 June2013 July2013 August2013 September2013 October2013 November2013 December2014 January2014 February2014 March2014 April2014 May2014 June2014 July2014 August2014 September2014 October2014 November2014 December2015 January2015 February2015 March2015 April2015 May2015 June2015 July2015 August2015 September2015 October2015 November2015 December2016 January2016 February2016 March2016 April2016 May2016 June2016 July2016 August2016 September2016 October2016 November2016 December2017 January2017 February2017 March2017 April2017 May2017 June2017 July2017 AugustГлавная » 2017 » August » 17 » PHOTOS/VIDEO: 2017 Cincinnati R2 Rafael Nadal vs. Richard Gasquet

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PHOTOS/VIDEO: 2017 Cincinnati R2 Rafael Nadal vs. Richard Gasquet

 

2017 Cincinnati R2 Rafael Nadal bt. Richard Gasquet  6/3 6/4

Next opponent - Albert Ramos-Vinolas

"Just the start of the tournament. Was important start for me," Nadal said afterward. "Always important to win the first match, especially after what happened last week, losing the match that way. So, just happy for the way that I played, and of course for the victory, no? So let's see. Tomorrow another tough match against, you know, against Albert. I know him very well. He know me very well. Going to be a tough one. I hope to be ready to play well."

Nick Kyrgios will face big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic at the Cincinnati Masters after subduing qualifier Alexandr Dolgopolov in straight sets on Wednesday.

Cincinnati, OH, USA, 17 August 2017 | AAP

Nick Kyrgios has fought back to beat Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov and advance to the third round of the Cincinnati Masters.

Kyrgios recovered from dropping an early break in the first set to win 6-3 7-6(6) in a match which saw both players bemused to learn they had been serving with women’s balls for six points.

While the balls used on the men’s and women’s tour generally have the same size and pressure, the men usually use extra-duty felt to slow the speed of the ball down while the women use regular-duty balls which have a different logo.

Ash Barty has now won eight of her last nine matches after stunning world No.9 Venus Williams to reach the third round in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati, OH, USA, 17 August 2017 | AAP

Ash Barty has found form ahead of the US Open to claim the biggest scalp of her tennis career, beating seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams at the Cincinnati Open.

Australian qualifier Barty upset world No.9 Williams 6-3 2-6 6-2 on Wednesday in the second round of the key lead-up event for Flushing Meadows.

It was her first-ever win over a top-10 player.

Ash Barty and Casey Dellacqua continued their quest for a place at Singapore's WTA Finals in October with a first-round win on Tuesday in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati, OH, USA, 16 August 2017 | Matt Trollope

Ash Barty and Casey Dellacqua are in prime position to qualify for the WTA Finals in Singapore.

The Aussie doubles duo are currently in fourth place in the Race to Singapore standings and are hopeful of claiming one of the eight berths at the prestigious season-ending championships.

With 3627 points, Barty and Dellacqua are well clear of the ninth-placed Andrea Hlavackova and Timea Babos, who have accrued 1897 and are currently one place outside the qualifying cut-off.

Sam Groth, who has risen almost 70 places in the rankings in the last two months, is feeling the ball well again as US Open qualifying looms.

16 August 2017 | tennis.com.au

Former world No.53 Sam Groth is feeling good about his game as he targets a strong showing in US Open qualifying.

The Australian, in his latest “My Tennis Life” column for Tennis Channel, detailed his most recent results on the ATP Challenger tour which have pushed him up from No.240 in early June to his current ranking of 174th.

Groth’s last week reached the semifinals in Aptos, California; prior to that he made the second round at the ATP grasscourt event in Newport as a qualifier.

Sam Stosur remains hopeful of contesting the US Open despite having to withdraw from next week's Connecticut Open in New Haven.

Melbourne VIC, Australia, 16 August 2017 | tennis.com.au

Sam Stosur’s comeback from a hand injury has hit another hurdle with the Australian withdrawing from the WTA Connecticut Open in New Haven.

The Australian, who hasn’t played since suffering a stress fracture in her right hand at Roland Garros, was due to make her comeback next week at the US Open tune-up event, held at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale.

Stosur still hopes to return to action at the US Open, where she was a champion in 2011.

Nick Kyrgios defeated No.9 seed David Goffin at the Cincinnati Masters to set up a second-round showdown with another talented shotmaker in Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Cincinnati, OH, USA, 16 August 2017 | AAP

Nick Kyrgios is into the second round of the Cincinnati Masters ATP event, grimacing and limping his way to a 6-2 6-3 win over Belgium’s David Goffin.

Kyrgios served 10 aces in the 66-minute victory, but appeared to still be struggling with fitness as he works his way back from a hip injury that led to him withdrawing from defending his title at the Atlanta Open in July.

The 22-year-old Australian won the first set after 31 minutes and despite the world No.23 at times struggling with his movement, it was his world No.13 opponent who called for the trainer at the end of the set.

Ash Barty has set up a second-round match against Venus Williams in Cincinnati after the Aussie qualifier continued her excellent form on US hard courts.

Cincinnati, OH, USA, 16 August 2017 | AAP

Ashl Barty beat Varvara Lepchenko 6-4 6-4 on Tuesday to progress to the second round at the Cincinnati WTA event.

Australian Barty, the world No.48, needed one hour and 24 minutes to beat her American opponent in their first career meeting. Both women earned a start in the tournament through qualifying.

Barty will now play No.9 seed Venus Williams in the second round, after Williams beat fellow American Alison Riske 6-2 6-0, also on Tuesday.

Tuesday15.08.201715:55Главная | Регистрация | Вход | RSSStats Archive- Выберите месяц -2012 May2012 June2012 July2012 August2012 September2012 October2012 November2012 December2013 January2013 February2013 March2013 April2013 May2013 June2013 July2013 August2013 September2013 October2013 November2013 December2014 January2014 February2014 March2014 April2014 May2014 June2014 July2014 August2014 September2014 October2014 November2014 December2015 January2015 February2015 March2015 April2015 May2015 June2015 July2015 August2015 September2015 October2015 November2015 December2016 January2016 February2016 March2016 April2016 May2016 June2016 July2016 August2016 September2016 October2016 November2016 December2017 January2017 February2017 March2017 April2017 May2017 June2017 July2017 AugustГлавная » 2017 » August » 15 » PHOTOS/VIDEO: Rafael Nadal MEDIA DAY at W&S Open 2017 in Cincinnati.

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PHOTOS/VIDEO: Rafael Nadal MEDIA DAY at W&S Open 2017 in Cincinnati.

 

“Obviously it's bad news for the event that Roger is not playing. For me personally obviously to be back to that position is something special,” Nadal said.

“A lot of things have happened since the last time I was in this spot. Injuries and some tough moments, of course, but I have held the passion and the love for the game, and that's why I have the chance to be back in that position again. So I'm just trying to enjoy the moment and just trying to be ready to compete well here. That's the most important thing for me now.”

“I am having a great season,” Nadal said.

Alex De Minaur has notched another milestone in his breakthrough season, awarded a wildcard into the main draw of the US Open.

New York, NY, USA, 15 August 2017 | tennis.com.au

Eighteen-year-old Alex De Minaur has been awarded a wildcard into the US Open.

The rising Aussie star has had a breakthrough season which has seen his ranking soar from world No.351 in January to a career-high of 186th this week.

He reached his first ATP Challenger final in Spain last week and won his first professional title, an ITF Futures, in Portugal last month.

From Grand Slam to grassroots: The AO is investing in community tennis.

15 August 2017 | Tennis Australia

From Grand Slam to grassroots, Tennis Australia is investing back into the community through the AO Community Grants program.

During the past 12 months, Tennis Australia has invested in community tennis programs which focus on improving diversity and inclusion across Australia.

Grand Slam champion Sam Stosur last week visited one of the AO Community Grants recipients, Vicky Lee, to congratulate her on her achievement.

Eight Australian women will this week in New Haven compete for a US Open main draw wildcard.

New Haven, CT, USA, 15 August 2017 | tennis.com.au

Arina Rodionova heads an eight-player Australian field battling it out for US Open women’s main draw wildcard.

The world No.131, enjoying a career-best season in 2017, will be joined by several young Aussie women also on the rise, including Destanee Aiava, Lizette Cabrera and Jaimee Fourlis.

Also in the field is last year’s US Open wildcard play-off winner Ellen Perez, and Olivia Rogowska, Kimberly Birrell and Priscilla Hon.

Daria Gavrilova came through a tense encounter against 13th seed Kristina Mladenovic to set up a second-round meeting with Camila Giorgi at the Western & Southern Open.

Cincinnati, OH, USA, 15 August 2017 | AAP

Daria Gavrilova fought off nerves and some serious serving problems to beat French world No.13 Kristina Mladenovic in the first round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Gavrilova won a rollercoaster ride of a match 6-0 7-6(6) to claim a big scalp and book a second-round showdown with Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi.

Giorgi advanced with a straight-sets win over Czech Katerina Siniakova.

Tuesday15.08.201703:55Главная | Регистрация | Вход | RSSStats Archive- Выберите месяц -2012 May2012 June2012 July2012 August2012 September2012 October2012 November2012 December2013 January2013 February2013 March2013 April2013 May2013 June2013 July2013 August2013 September2013 October2013 November2013 December2014 January2014 February2014 March2014 April2014 May2014 June2014 July2014 August2014 September2014 October2014 November2014 December2015 January2015 February2015 March2015 April2015 May2015 June2015 July2015 August2015 September2015 October2015 November2015 December2016 January2016 February2016 March2016 April2016 May2016 June2016 July2016 August2016 September2016 October2016 November2016 December2017 January2017 February2017 March2017 April2017 May2017 June2017 July2017 AugustГлавная » 2017 » August » 14 » PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal's practice at W&S Open in Cincinnati, 14 Aug 2017Comments: 0 Original link

Monday14.08.201721:55Главная | Регистрация | Вход | RSSStats Archive- Выберите месяц -2012 May2012 June2012 July2012 August2012 September2012 October2012 November2012 December2013 January2013 February2013 March2013 April2013 May2013 June2013 July2013 August2013 September2013 October2013 November2013 December2014 January2014 February2014 March2014 April2014 May2014 June2014 July2014 August2014 September2014 October2014 November2014 December2015 January2015 February2015 March2015 April2015 May2015 June2015 July2015 August2015 September2015 October2015 November2015 December2016 January2016 February2016 March2016 April2016 May2016 June2016 July2016 August2016 September2016 October2016 November2016 December2017 January2017 February2017 March2017 April2017 May2017 June2017 July2017 AugustГлавная » 2017 » August » 14 » Rafael Nadal will be the new world number one!

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Rafael Nadal will be the new world number one!

 

Rafael Nadal is guaranteed to return to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings Monday 21 August, capping his incredible comeback season in 2017. Nadal ended his 2016 season early due to injury but returned to the ATP World Tour in 2017 playing some of the best tennis of his career. Nadal, 31, has won four tournaments this year, including historic 10th titles at Roland Garros, Monte-Carlo and Barcelona. He has also reached three other finals, including the Australian Open and Miami.Nadal has spent 141 weeks at the top spot but hasn't been No. 1 since 6 July 2014.He first ascended to No. 1 on 18 August, 2008 at the age of 22. The Spaniard is the top seed this week at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. Nadal's return to No. 1 was guaranteed today when Roger Federer was forced to withdraw from Cincinnati due to a back injury.

Source: ATP 

Views: 25 |Added by: tanika | Tags: Rafael Nadal, 2017, Tennis, world number one| Rating: 0.0/0Comments: 0 Original link

 

The 10th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2017 (MWTC) is set to be a historic occasion with Rafael Nadal confirmed to defend his current title and vying to secure his fifth. Joining Nadal for his ninth appearance at the event are current world number eight Dominic Thiem, and world number ten Milos Raonic.   

This year’s MWTC, an event that has built its legacy as a must-attend experience as it throws spectators right into the equivalent of a Grand Slam quarter-final, will run from Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 December at the International Tennis Center at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. A sell-out crowd of over 5,000 per day are expected to attend and experience the thrilling on-court line-up.  Whilst off-court, the Tennis Village will be offering an action packed schedule, with plenty of fun for the whole family to experience.

This one of a kind Championship has been a firm favourite in the UAE sports calendar since its launch with crowds getting a unique opportunity to see explosive performances from six of the world’s top players as they battle it out across three days. Historically, all events have featured at least one of the ‘big four’; Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and this year will be no different.

Nadal has recently climbed to number two in the ATP world rankings following an impressive comeback season. After beating Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Madrid Open, the Spaniard won his 30th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, tying with his semi-final opponent, for the all-time record. This was shortly followed by ‘La Decima’ – his historic 10th French Open victory. With the US Open around the corner, Nadal is eyeing a return to the top of the world rankings, and looking to add a 16th Grand Slam to his already vast resume.

There were several exciting results for our Aussie women at the weekend, with Sara Tomic and Isabelle Wallace hoisting ITF trophies.

Melbourne VIC, Australia, 14 August 2017 | Bede Briscomb

Promising Australians Sara Tomic and Isabelle Wallace have claimed titles in Thailand and Belgium respectively at the weekend.

Tomic took out her third career pro title in brutally humid conditions in Nonthaburi, defeating China’s Yue Yuan 6-4 4-6 6-1. It followed an impressive semifinal victory over former world No. 20 Alisa Kleybanova.

“I’m feeling great that I managed to win the tournament,” Tomic told the Gold Coast Bulletin.