12:44 - WTA Tour
How long can Vika hold on?
TENNIS - Can Viktoria Azarenka hold on to her throne? Alessio Morra analysies the current state of affairs in the WTA, where the draw is as open as ever. What will the Belarusian have to do to keep top spot? Who are her rivals? Translated by Edoardo Dalmonte
WTA rankings: 1- Azarenka 8585(W) 2- Kvitova 7690(SF) 3- Sharapova 7560(F) - 4 Wozniacki 7085(QF)
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16:40 - Fed Cup
Sharapova and Kuznetsova sparkle
TENNIS - Russia are 2-0 up in their first round Fed Cup tie against Spain, after Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova quickly got rid of Silvia Soler-Espinosa and Carla Suarez-Navarro. It was the worst start imaginable for Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario's captaincy, as neither of Spain's players ever looked like winning. Russia are set to book their place in the second round, where they'll meet either Serbia or Belgium. Daniele Vallotto, translated by Edoardo Dalmonte
12:45 - Australian Open
Enzo Cherici's Aussie Open Report Card
TENNIS – Enzo Cherici’s puts down his cane to mark some of the recent Open’s pupils, from the class geeks to their lazier contemporaries. Will his spectacular bran of tennis be enough to get Dolgopolov a good mark? Murray's close to getting top marks, whilst Tsonga, Gasquet and Tipsarevic have been sent to detention. From Jonty Rhodes and RoboNole to Goodfellas and Kei Nishikori, we’ve just about got it all covered…Translated by Edoardo Dalmonte
05:20 - Australian Open
Novak may soon join the greatest player list
TENNIS - The debate is over. Both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are among the greatest tennis players ever. And Novak Djokovic may be joining the group soon if he has a few more periods like his last 54 weeks. With four titles in his last five Grand Slam tournaments, even the most avid Nadal fans surely admired Djokovic's will to win and ability to pick himself up off the canvas and overcome their hero. James Beck
05:21 - AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Nole's lethal weapon? His service returning
TENNIS - It has been evident for more than a year now how Novak Djokovic's return game has elevated from merely brilliant to unsurpassed magnificence. We saw it when he shattered Roger Federer's nerve in the semifinal of last year's U.S. Open, we saw during last two weeks: Nole played 231 total games in seven Aussie Open matches, winning 46 percent of his return games. Charles Bricker
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Djokovic wins a record final in 6 hours
TENNIS – The 100th edition of the Australian Open ended with the longest ever match in Australian Open history and the longest Grand Slam final ever. Djokovic defeated Nadal for the seventh time in a row and for the third in a Slam final. In Paris he could complete his “personal Slam”. Its the fourth ever defeat for Rafa in a five set match. Alessandro Mastroluca translated by Paul Sassoon
Australian Open
Queen Victoria the Novak of the women's tour?
TENNIS - Don't expect this crazy revolving door of women's Grand Slam tournament champions to continue the way it has the last two years. Don't be surprised if all of that changes with the arrival of Victoria Azarenka as a Grand Slam champion. Azarenka is the best player in the game at this point in time, bar none, including Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and, of course, Maria Sharapova. James Beck
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Djokovic vs Nadal for the 30th time
TENNIS – Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will play each other for the thirtieth time in official competitions and there is no better occasion than the first Grand Slam final of 2012. This match will tell us if the Serb will continue to dominate as he did in 2011 or if the deposed Spanish king can come back to challenge for the world number 1 spot. Luca Pasta translated by Paul Sassoon
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Victoria wins the trophy
and the crown.
TENNIS – Djokovic-Murray lasted 4 hours and 50 minutes, it took Victoria Azarenka 1 hour and 22 minutes to humiliate Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-0. The Russian failed to win a set against a Grand Slam final debutant for the second time. Finally there is a Grand Slam winner at the top of the rankings after Wozniacki's 67 week reign. From Melbourne Ubaldo Scanagatta translated by Paul Sassoon
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
A perfect match
for Azarenka
TENNIS – Vika Azarenka played the perfect match against Maria Sharapova. She won 6-3 6-0 I 1 hour and 22 minutes, winning 12 out of 13 games. The Byelorussian won her first Slam and she is also the new world number 1. She played flawlessly and there was no sign of the of her emotional difficulties that has troubled her in the past. Is this just the start? From Melbourne Massimiliano Di Russo translated by Paul Sassoon
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Victoria Azarenka's numbers
TENNIS – Victoria Azarenka dropped just three games against Maria Sharapova. Only twice before has the loser won less games: in 1962 and 1994. Vika Azarenka is now the 111th player to win a Grand Slam and the 41st to win the Australian major. It's her tenth career title. Stefano Rosato and Guido Tirone translated by Paul Sassoon
Australian Open
Murray has
the potential
TENNIS - The complete dominance that Novak Djokovic exerted over men's professonal tennis in 2011 certainly was a rarity. Such domination may never happen again on the ATP Tour. That doesn't mean it isn't possible for some other player to duplicate Djokovic. Andy Murray probably is capable of doing anything that Djokovic can do on a tennis court. James Beck
Australian Open
Murray falls to Djokovic in thriller
TENNIS - Andy Murray's dream of finally winning a Grand Slam will have to wait, as Novak Djokovic prevailed after a gruelling five set encounter. The Scot will no doubt rue the numerous chances he had of booking his place in the final, not least in the fifth when he broke the Serb to love to come back into the match. The Serb has the chance of winning his third consecutive Slam, whilst Ivan Lendl will doubtless have his work cut out... Daniele Malafarina, translated by Edoardo Dalmonte
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05 Feb 2012 03:00
Fed Cup - US off to good start
05 Feb 2012 02:42
ATP Santiago results
05 Feb 2012 01:09
Fed Cup - Russians, Czechs start well
26/01/2012 10:59
Encouraging results for British juniors
23/01/2012 13:14
Wozniacki's Crown at Risk
23/01/2012 09:57
Record number of retirements in Melbourne
Some Tommy highlights for the Haas addicts out there...
- Ann Liguori's column each week as she covers the world of sports
For more information, visit www.annliguori.com
"I've got £10m in prize money but I'd pay it all back to win at Wimbledon"
Andy Murray before the Championships
January 20, 1920
Rebound Ace, the controversial court surface of the Australian Open since 1988, is thrown under microscope and criticized as two players, Gabriela Sabatini and Mark Woodforde,suffer ankle injuries that force them to leave the court in wheelchairs in third-round matches.
From "On this day in Tennis History" by Randy Walker
