As another scintillating Australian Open wraps up, it shows us how good a year 2013 could be for tennis.
A new year also brings with it some new faces and the emerging newcomers, with the potential to take the game by storm.
But who will be tennis’ next generation of shining lights?
Well here are our top tips for the year ahead.
Laura Robson has defeated former Wimbledon Champion and 8th seed Petra Kvitova 2-6, 6-3, 11-9 in a match that wasn’t always pretty but was entertaining right to the very end. An end which came at 12.30 am after a three hour match.
Both players struck the ball beautifully at times but the errors mounted for both players, particularly on Kvitova’s serve. Robson his 25 winners to 51 unforced errors and counted 12 double faults to her name by the end of the match. For her part Petra has 42 winners, 41 unforced errors and a colossal 18 double faults. Read more
Posted in Australian Open, Laura Robson, Petra Kvitova
The 2012 US Open has quickly become the stage of two high profile retirements. Kim Clijsters has long been expected to retire for the final time at this years USO. Unfortunately for Kim fans that day came all too soon when she was beaten by Laura Robson 6-7, 6-7.
Clijsters has struggled with almost constant injuries over the last 12 to 18 months as she tried to enjoy the twilight years of her career before leaving to grow her family. Having 3 USO grand Slam titles under her belt and a 22 match winning streak in New York, it seemed only appropriate that Kim retire in NYC. Read more
Posted in Andy Roddick, Bernard Tomic, Injury, Laura Robson, Media, US Open, Wimbledon
We knew Bethanie Mattek-Sands was planning some sort of tennis ball meets Lady Gaga inspired dress but we weren’t sure when it was going to appear. Bethanie has stunned, and not in a good way, the tennis community at the pre-Wimbledon party overnight. The American recently played at Roland Garros with war stripes painted under her eyes.
Other more fashion friendly players such as Maria Sharapova looked fabulous on the night. Meanwhile Serena Williams’ appearance at the players party fueled speculation that the American superstar has undergone plastic surgery during her year long injury time out.
Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic may have looked better, and Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova may have had the most horrendous tan lines on display, but Mattek-Sands was definitely the undisputed worst dressed for the evening (and probably forever) Read more
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The Italian underdogs have deafeated the UK team of Laura Robson and Murray today at the Hopman Cup in Perth.
The doubles match was carried mostly by Francesca Schiavone, with Potito Starace lifting towards the end of the match to claim a 6-7, 7-6, 10-2 victory.
Both Murray and Robson struggled to deal with the Australian heat at the indoor tournament. The heat and humidity was extreme as Murray managed to overcome Starace in the singles earlier to level the meet at 1-1 after Robson was defeated by Schiavone. Despite the 7-5, 6-1 victory Murray said he was having difficulty breathing due to the conditions
“I didn’t feel very fit today. It was very hot and humid and I struggled a bit with my breathing. I felt ok but it will take a few days to get used to it.”
The heat was so intense that Robson started feeling sick in the second set. At one point she was treated courtside for feeling hungry and dizzy.
Posted in Andy Murray, Francesca Schiavone, Hopman Cup, Illness, Laura Robson, Potito Starace
- Feliciano Lopez has snapped a 5 match losing streak by beating Philipp Petzchner 6-4, 7-6 in Brisbane. The Spaniard used 11 aces and just one hour and forty minutes to secure the win. Unfortunately the Spaniard apparently has a virus and as a result wont play doubles with Fernando Verdasco according to his Twitter page. Read more
