By Alana Mitchelson (January 15, 2014) MELBOURNE - The pairing was always going to be a fun watch. People far and wide had been eagerly awaiting Pat Rafter's surprise return to men's doubles, partnered with fellow Aussie Lleyton Hewitt, but … [Read more...]
Chardy Bests Versatile Dolgopolov in Four Thrilling Sets
By Alana Mitchelson (January 15, 2014) MELBOURNE - Pressured into not one, not two, but three thrilling tie-breaks in a four-set second round epic against the always competitive Alexandr Dolgopolov, Frenchman Jeremy Chardy lapped up the … [Read more...]
Players React to the Heat at the Australian Open
(January 14, 2014) Temperatures topped 42C (108F) at the Australian Open on Tuesday while similar temperatures are expected to continue until Friday. Officials still did not invoke the “Extreme Heat Policy.” Here is the official statement from … [Read more...]
Top Seeds Advance in Melbourne Despite Extreme Heat Conditions
(January 14, 2014) On a day which saw soaring temperatures, the Australian Open saw top seeds advance on day two of the tennis’ first major of the year. Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Juan Martin Del Potro, Maria Sharapova and defending … [Read more...]
Dimitrov Recovers form to best Klahn at Australian Open
By Alana Mitchelson (January 14, 2014) MELBOURNE, Australia - Grigor Dimitrov recovered after being dominated by a fiery unseeded Bradley Klahn in a huge first set tie-break to finally pull through in four sets, 6-7(7) 6-4, 6-4, … [Read more...]
Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic Post Opening Wins at Australian Open
By Alana Mitchelson (January 13, 2014) MELBOURNE - Serena Williams has powered on to round two, dismissing young Australian Ashleigh Barty in straight sets, 6-2 6-1, in under an hour. From the moment this year's draw was revealed, it was … [Read more...]
Pospisil Fights off Groth and Aussie Crowd for First Round Win
By Alana Mitchelson (January 13, 2014) MELBOURNE -Vasek Pospisil has cruised past Sam Groth in straight sets, 6-4 6-3 6-4, to secure a second round match with Australia's Matt Ebden. The Canadian did not allow the keen Aussie fan team, complete with … [Read more...]
Date-Krumm sees top 10 potential in Belinda Bencic
By Alana Mitchelson (January 13, 2014) MELBOURNE, Australia - In her Grand Slam debut at the WTA level, 16-year-old Junior Grand Slam Champion Belinda Bencic has defeated 44-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm, 6-4 4-6 6-3, to progress into round two of the … [Read more...]
Melbourne heating up in time for the Australian Open
By Alana Mitchelson (January 12, 2014) MELBOURNE - Melbourne's heating up just in time for the Australian Open 2014 and the temperature is expected to hit a blistering high of 41ºC (approx. 106ºF) on Tuesday. While most would, quite … [Read more...]
Mixed Reactions to Court Speed at Australian Open
By Alana Mitchelson (January 11, 2014) MELBOURNE - Players have had mixed reactions to the speed of Australian courts this Summer as the first Grand Slam of the 2014 tennis season approaches. While Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley … [Read more...]