Looking for Tennis and Racket Sports International News?

The RacketSTAR Tennis News Blog and Article Feed gives you up to the minute news and information about the Players and Sports Updates.

Queen’s: Kokkinakis brought back to Earth

London, UK, 23 June 2017 | AAP/tennis.com.au

Thanasi Kokkinakis was sent crashing out of Queen’s Club by ruthless Russian Danill Medvedev 6-2 6-2 in less than an hour on Thursday.

Kokkinakis secured the biggest win of his career on Tuesday by beating world No.6 Milos Raonic but struggled to replicate that form against the talented Medvedev, who is ranked 60th in the ATP standings.

The South Australian got off to the worst possible start when he was broken in the first game of the match and had no answer to the serving and returning game of the 21-year-old from Moscow, who wrapped up the victory in 59 minutes.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1586 Hits

Querrey ends Thompson’s Queen’s run

London, UK, 23 June 2017 | AAP

Jordan Thompson’s Queen’s Club adventure is over after going down 7-6(3) 3-6 6-3 to experienced American Sam Querrey.

Thompson, who shocked world No.1 Andy Murray in the first round, fought hard to fight back against the big-serving Californian but can now head to Wimbledon in confident form after a respectable showing in west London this week.

“I hadn’t been broken all match, then got broken twice in a row,” Thompson said.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1494 Hits

Dasha moments to remember

A quarterfinal run at Birmingham sees Daria Gavrilova on the cusp of a top-20 breakthrough – providing us with good reason to look back on some Dasha moments to remember.

22 June 2017 | Vivienne Christie

Hopman Cup heroics:  We saw the best of Dasha as she teamed with Nick Kyrgios to win the Hopman Cup for Australia in 2016. Gavrilova was at her most heroic when she saved a clutch match point in the doubles rubber with France to send Australia into the final.

And Dasha never stopped smiling: A favourite with fans and media throughout her debut at the team event, the bubbly Melburnian showed how the love was mutual when she joyfully (and hilariously) discussed that run to the final.

 Fed Cup debut: Dasha quickly became a Fed Cup favourite when she debuted in the Australian team alongside Sam Stosur, Casey Dellacqua and Arina Rodionova at Brisbane in 2016. Gavrilova was a superstar in her most recent appearance against Serbia in  April’s World Group II Play-off, surrendering just seven games as she claimed important wins over Ivana Jorovic and Nina Stojanovic.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1448 Hits

Ashleigh Barty: By the numbers

A career-best win in Birmingham is one of many things to celebrate about this rising Australian star.

Birmingham B15 2TT, UK, 22 June 2017 | tennis.com.au

Ashleigh Barty has just scored the biggest win of her singles career, defeating world No.22 Barbora Strycova to reach the Birmingham quarterfinals.

But that’s just one of many numbers worth celebrating about this talented Australian player.

1: Ashleigh won her first WTA singles title in Kuala Lumpur in March, winning the title as a No.158-ranked qualifier.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1523 Hits

Brilliant Barty beats Barbora in Birmingham

Birmingham, UK, 22 June 2017 | tennis.com.au

Ash Barty on Wednesday moved through to the quarterfinals of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham after a hard-fought win over Barbora Strycova.

The Australian beat the eighth seed 6-3 3-6 6-1, and will next take her place across the net from either second seed Elina Svitolina or Italy’s Camila Giorgi.

Barty began brilliantly against the Czech, racing to a 4-0 lead in 15 minutes.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1552 Hits

Gavrilova fights through to Birmingham quarters

Birmingham, UK, 21 June 2017 | AAP/tennis.com.au

Australian No.1 Daria Gavrilova has edged into the quarterfinals of the Wimbledon warm-up event in Birmingham with a 7-5 2-6 6-4 win over Czech Katerina Siniakova.

The world No.21 battled with her serve in hot conditions in England’s second city, being broken six times, but showed great character to see off her 40th-ranked rival in just under two-and-a-half hours.

Gavrilova recovered from 4-2 down in the opening set and despite letting slip a 2-0 lead in the third set, re-focused to break serve again in the fifth game – an advantage she maintained for the rest of the match.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1467 Hits

Tomic’s Halle campaign ends

Halle, Germany, 21 June 2017 | AAP

Bernard Tomic has been sent out of the Halle ATP grasscourt event in Germany by a sweet-swinging Richard Gasquet, 6-3 6-3.

Buoyed by Tuesday’s excellent win over wily German Tommy Haas, the Queenslander was looking to build on that victory ahead of Wimbledon, starting on 3 July.

However, he made a less-than-ideal start as the world No.30 broke his serve in the opening game and again in the 10th to seize the early initiative.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1465 Hits

Why we love Thanasi Kokkinakis

If there’s one thing that’s bigger than Thanasi Kokkinakis’ power-packed game it’s his huge natural appeal. Here’s why fans love the rising Aussie star:

21 June 2017 | Vivienne Christie

He’s talented: Kokkinakis’ exciting natural ability – showcasing power and athleticism – was evident early; a runner-up to Nick Kyrgios at the AO2013 boys’ event, he described his first main draw Australian Open win over Igor Sijsling the following year, when he overcame serious cramp, as career-defining. Bigger things soon followed: at AO2014, Kokkinakis saved a match point as he defeated No.13 Ernests Gulbis 8-6 in the fifth set.

Cheeky: At a pre-AO2014 function for racquet sponsor Babolat, the then 17-year-old interviewed Rafael Nadal. “If we both win our first round match here we play each other. Will you be nervous?” Thanasi mischievously enquired. Among those who promptly roared with laughter, was of course Rafa himself.

Respectful: When that AO match with Nadal eventuated, the young Aussie competed with natural respect. It’s the flipside to a natural humour for Kokkinakis, who talks often about the history of tennis and heroes he’d love to emulate. Fellow South Australian Lleyton Hewitt is always a special mention.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1484 Hits

Getting to know Jordan Thompson

London, UK, 21 June 2017 | tennis.com.au

Jordan Thompson has just scored the biggest win of his career, stunning world No.1 and defending champion Andy Murray in the opening round at Queen’s.

Just who is this 23-year-old Sydney talent? We’ve compiled some fast facts to help you get to know him better.

Currently ranked No.90, Jordan achieved a career-high singles ranking of No.63 in February. He set a new career-high doubles ranking this week, rising to No.81.Jordan started playing tennis when he was four with his father, a prominent tennis coach. Steven Thompson, who is based in the Sydney suburb of Cherrybrook, was awarded an Australian Tennis Award for Talent Development Coaching Excellence in 2016.As a junior Jordan’s best result was reaching the boys’ doubles final at the 2012 US Open alongside Nick Kyrgios. The duo teamed up again at the French Open earlier this month, where they knocked out the second seeds in a run to the third round.His victory over Andy Murray was his first match against a world No.1-ranked player and marks his first top 10 victory. His previous best win was against world No.15 Jack Sock in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in Brisbane in April.Remarkably the victory over Murray was also Thompson’s first grass court win at ATP level.Jordan is the first Australian player to beat Murray in an ATP-level singles match.He lists playing Davis Cup as one of his best career achievements. “I always wanted to play tennis for Australia and be in the Davis Cup team,” Jordan revealed after making his debut in February. He boasts an unbeaten record from the three singles rubbers he has played.His first Australian Davis Cup experience was as an orange boy in 2014 and his initiation involved him singing the Ylvis song “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” at the pre-tie formal dinner.His Australian Davis Cup team-mates have labelled him the healthiest member of the team. “He drinks apple juice at dinner,” John Peers revealed.Jordan is a huge rugby league fan and supports the West Tigers. He admits it is a sport he’d love to play professionally if he could: “I don’t think I’ve got the body frame to be a rugby league player, but I love the game.”Former world No.1, and now Australian Davis Cup captain, Lleyton Hewitt is his tennis idol. They played doubles together at Wimbledon last year, reaching the second round in what was Hewitt’s final professional appearance.Jordan is now coached by former Australian player Des Tyson, who won the Australian Tennis Award for High Performance Coaching Excellence in 2016.Jordan’s mantra is “hard work always pays off”. “I pride myself on working hard, practicing hard and getting in the gym,” he says.After making his Olympic debut in Rio last year, Jordan got the Australian Coat of Arms and Olympic rings tattooed on his right bicep to mark the milestone.In his spare time Jordan likes to surf YouTube, especially for tennis and rugby league highlights. “I just like to watch sports highlights,” he admits.Batman is his favourite superhero. “He doesn’t have any super powers, he’s just a man,” Jordan reasoned.

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1658 Hits

Dr Carolyn Broderick appointed Chief Medical Officer

Melbourne VIC, Australia, 21 June 2017 | tennis.com.au

Highly credentialed senior medical practitioner Dr Carolyn Broderick has been appointed Chief Medical Officer for Tennis Australia.

Dr Broderick’s impressive resume includes:

Team Physician, Australian Fed Cup team since 2007Deputy Medical Director, Australian Olympic Team, Rio 2016 OlympicsMedical Director, Australian Team, Youth Olympic Games, Nanjing China 2014Physician, Australian Olympic Team, London 2012 and Sydney 2000 Olympic GamesHead of Clinical Services, Children’s Hospital Institute of Sports MedicineSenior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine,  UNSW SydneyTeam Physician, Australian Women’s Basketball Team (Opals) 1996-2001Member, NRL Medical Advisory Panel since 2015.

As a leading practitioner and scholar in sports medicine, Dr Broderick will be responsible for athlete performance, including coordinating and improving sport medicine infrastructure and support, as well as Australian Open services.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1599 Hits

Tremendous Tomic halts Haas in Halle

Bernard Tomic produced one of his best performances of the season to eliminate German veteran and crowd favourite Tommy Haas in Halle.

Halle, Germany, 21 June 2017 | AAP

Don’t write off Bernard Tomic’s 2017 season just yet.

Taking to the court in Halle, the 24-year-old Australian, who has fallen to 61st in the world during a lacklustre year on the ATP Tour, wiped the floor with German veteran Tommy Haas to record a 6-4 6-4 opening-round victory.

Tomic appeared a far cry from the player who had struggled to a 6-12 yearly win-loss record in 2017.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1425 Hits

Thompson sends world No.1 Murray packing

London, UK, 21 June 2017 | AAP

Jordan Thompson has claimed the biggest scalp of his young career sending world No.1 Andy Murray packing in the first round at Queen’s Club.

The luckiest of lucky losers Thompson took Aljaz Bedene’s place in the main draw then beat Murray 7-6(4) 6-2 in a huge boilover at the traditional Wimbledon lead-up.

> READ MORE: Lucky loser Thompson to face Murray

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1470 Hits

Gavrilova, Barty victorious in Birmingham

Birmingham, UK, 21 June 2017 | AAP

The Australian grasscourt charge has started well at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham with both Daria Gavrilova and Ash Barty recording straight-sets wins in their first round matches.

Ninth-seed Gavrilova recorded a regulation 6-4 6-4 win over Taiwanese qualifier Su-Wei Hsieh.

Gavrilova broke Hsieh routinely throughout the match, taking a 4-1 lead in the first set before ultimately serving it out and then broke her another three times in the second to close out the match.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1411 Hits

Kokkinakis stuns Raonic at Queen’s

London, UK, 21 June 2017 | AAP

Thanasi Kokkinakis has claimed the biggest win of his career, beating world No.6 Milos Raonic 7-6(5) 7-6(8) in the opening round at Queen’s Club.

The South Australian, in just his fifth match in almost a year following shoulder surgery and groin, abdominal and pec injuries, saved eight break points in the opening set before pinching a vital point on the Canadian’s serve in the tiebreak.

The second set followed a similar path before Kokkinakis claimed victory after another tight tiebreaker against last year’s beaten finalist at both Queen’s and Wimbledon.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1378 Hits

Lucky loser Thompson to face Murray

London, UK, 20 June 2017 | AAP

Australian Jordan Thompson has been elevated into the main draw at Queen’s but has the unenviable task of playing world No.1 Andy Murray in the opening round.

Thompson was initially eliminated in the final round of qualifying for the Wimbledon tune-up tournament, beaten by Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in three sets.

But with the withdrawal of Murray’s slated first round opponent Aljaz Bedene, due to a wrist injury, world No.90 Thompson got a reprieve as a lucky loser.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1443 Hits

2 MinuteTennis Zone gives you the goods, on the 2017 DENVER CITY OPEN, brought to you by Game Set Match!

Your browser sent an invalid request.

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  2138 Hits

Injured Kyrgios limps out of Queen’s

London, UK, 20 June 2017 | AAP

Nick Kyrgios’ Wimbledon preparations have received a huge blow after he retired hurt from his first round match at Queen’s Club against Donald Young.

The world No.20, who was playing with strapping on his right leg, slipped at the back of the court midway through the opening set, with the score at 4-4, appearing to re-injure his hip on the grass surface.

After receiving a medical time-out, Kyrgios returned to the court but after losing out in a tiebreaker (7-3) to the left-handed American, ranked 50th in the world, he packed his bag and conceded the match.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1351 Hits

Kokkinakis putting injury woes behind him

Having shown glimpses of his best in a four-set loss to Kei Nishikori in Paris, Thanasi Kokkinakis is targeting the next stage of his comeback on the lawns of Queen's Club.

London, UK, 19 June 2017 | AAP

Thanasi Kokkinakis admits he’s still fighting his injury demons as he attempts to kickstart his burgeoning tennis career.

The South Australian played just one match in 2016 due to shoulder, groin and pectoral problems and subsequently saw his world ranking plummet from 69 to 993.

However, thanks to his 12-month protected ranking status, Kokkinakis is still able to compete at the Grand Slams and a selection of ATP events where he’s not granted a wildcard.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1401 Hits

Tennis Australia strengthens safeguarding children measures

Tennis Australia has embarked on an education and information campaign aimed at strengthening safeguarding children measures across the country.

Melbourne VIC, Australia, 19 June 2017 | tennis.com.au

Tennis Australia has embarked on an education and information campaign aimed at strengthening safeguarding children measures across the country.

The campaign is part of Tennis Australia’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe environment for all participants.

The head of Tennis Australia’s Integrity and Compliance Unit, Ann West – a leading sports administrator and former law enforcement officer, has been tasked with implementing the new measures which include a 24-hour telephone reporting and assistance service, online form for lodging complaints and a dedicated child-safety section on the Tennis Australia website.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1455 Hits

Adamczak and Sanders claim first WTA title

Nottingham, UK, 19 June 2017 | tennis.com.au

Monique Adamczak and Storm Sanders have claimed their first WTA title, combining to win the Nottingham doubles event.

The duo defeated British pair Jocelyn Rae and Laura Robson 6-4 4-6 10-4 in the final.

It capped a stunning week for the pair, who defeated top seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Olga Savchuk in the opening round, and extends their winning streak to eight matches after also winning an ITF title in Surbiton last week.

Continue reading

Copyright

© Tennis.Com.AU

  1509 Hits

RacketStar.com