Australian Open: Nadal Sweep Mayer; Serena Williams Beat Bencic

Belinda Bencic

Rafael Nadal

Serena Williams

MELBOURNE, Australia - Rafael Nadal get back on track to win the first round at the Australian Open on Tuesday beating Florian Mayer 6-3 6-4 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena. He lost in the first round last season. Nadel and Mayer last met on clay at Rome in 2012, when Nadal won in straight sets.

Milos Raonic defeated Dustin Brown 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.  Raonic, 26 is playing in his seventh Australian Open and in his 24th major. His best result so far has been a run to the Wimbledon final last year.

Serena Williams easily handled Belinda Bencic with a 6-4, 6-3 win. Williams broke the Swiss player's service in the 10th game to clinch the first set. In the second set, she pulled out to a 5-0 lead but Bencic staged a comeback, breaking Williams' serve the first time she served for the match.

Johanna Konta has won her opening match against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 7-5, 6-2 to open play Tuesday at Margaret Court Arena.

Wimbledon 2016 Results

 

Serena Williams defeated Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-3 to win Wimbledon 2016 title. Her win on Centre Court means she moves level with Steffi Graf's Open-era record 22 major triumphs and just two short of Margaret Court's all-time best 24.

For the men's single Andy Murray claims his second Wimbledon crown. He won his second Wimbledon crown and third major championship overall as he defeated Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2).

In mixed doubles Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen wins the crown defeating Cololmbian Robert Farah and Anna-Lena Gronefeld of Germany 7-6 (7-5) 6-4. Heather Watson became the fourth British player to secure a title on Wimbledon's final day.

Garbine Muguruza Defeated Serena Williams to win French Open

Garbine Muguruza earn her 1st grand slam title at the age of 22 last Saturday June 4, 2016 she said that this is "For Spain and for me, this is amazing." Garbine Muguruza won the 2016 French Open against Serena Williams.

The world No. 4 defeated rank 1 Williams 7-5, 6-4 to capture her first Grand Slam title. She is the first Spanish woman to win a major title since 1998.

Muguruza was tough and she match the intensity of the defending champion, she also traded power hits and dictate play. Williams, who is clearly against a young and powerful opponent that is 12 years her junior, struggled with her movement.

After being presented with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, Muguruza, 22, said: "I can't explain with words what his day means to me. You work all your life to get here.

"I want to really congratulate Serena because she's one of the best players.

"Of course I want to say thank you to my team, my coach, everyone there [in the players' box], my family, for sure.

"I've grown up playing on clay, so for Spain and for me this is just amazing."

Victoria Azarenka is Back, Crushes Serena Williams to Win the Title

Former number 1 Victoria Azarenka from Belarus is back in her deadly form securing straight-sets victory over world number one Serena Williams to claim the BNP Paribas Open title 6-4 6-4.

This is her first title since the 2013 Australian Open at the Brisbane International in January, and added a second in 2016 with a dominant display, consigning a frustrated Williams who also lost to Angelique Kerber in Melbourne in January. This is Williams consecutive final losses for the first time since 2004.

Azarenka got an early lead of 2-0 displaying her intelligence and skills producing a brilliant ace to make up for a double-fault in her first service game. Williams was able to pull off a run to come back to 3-2, but she paid the price for a number of unforced errors 33 in total.

The Belarusian did not let up and took a 3-0 lead in the second set, with Williams' frustration evident as she subsequently smashed two racquets at a change of ends to earn a points penalty.

Williams displayed her power and determination to rally back from 5-1 and gain two break points for the opportunity to draw level in the second set. But Azarenka has another thing in her mind she recovered to serve out the match and secure a return to the top 10 in the world rankings, regaining the title she last won in 2012.

Australian Open 2016: Maria Sharapova Lose Again to Serena Williams

Well this is just sad, Maria Sharapova loses again to Serena Williams. Serena is the hurdle that she can't seem to overcome no matter how she try. Early in the game Maria Sharapova started well against Serena Williams at the Australian Open, but Williams is just too strong. It's their 18th straight game against each other.

Williams soundly defeated Sharapova 6-4 6-1 and she's now in the semi-finals. She'll meet Agnieszka Radwanska next which a lot of people expected that she'll have an easier time since Serena has been dominant against Radwanska.

Sharapova hadn't beaten Williams since 2004 but taking a 2-0 lead on a sunny day, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), must have given fans of the Russian, who is world's richest female athlete, hope. Well, that was just hope in the end Williams still got her number.

Maria Sharapova will Meet Serena Williams next

MELBOURNE – Russian Maria Sharapova will meet defending champion Serena Williams next in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

The 28-year-old, five-time major winner is playing her 13th Australian Open since 2003. She hit 21 aces as she battled to a 7-5 7-5 win over Swiss Belinda Bencic. While, top seeded Williams, who beat Sharapova in last year's final, crushed Margarita Gasparyan 6-2 6-1 in 55 minutes.

The 34-year-old American is chasing her 22nd Grand Slam title and seventh in Australia.

Serena Williams Had an Easy time Reaching the Wimbledon finals, Drub Sharapova 6-2, 6-4

 

Serena Williams sweep her way to the Wimbledon final drubbing fourth ranked Maria Sharapova in an uneventful semifinal match, 6-2, 6-4.

The crowd at the All England Club seemed bored throughout the match, they saw Sharapova clearly outmatched by the much bigger and powerful American. Williams closed out the game and built a seemingly insurmountable 5-3 lead. Williams has now beaten Sharapova 17 times in a row, dating back to 2004.

Williams will be facing 21-year-old Garbine Muguruza, who will be playing in her first major final. Muguruza advanced with a three-set win over No. 13 Agnieszka Radwanska earlier Thursday.

 

Event organizer might as well give the trophy to Serena, no way she'll lose to Garbine.

Wimbledon 2015: Serena Williams Beat Azarenka face Sharapova in semis

Serena Williams was too strong for Victoria Azarenka as she got the win 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. It is her 17th victory over the Azarenka in 20 matches.

Williams is now two wins away from obtaining all four grand slam titles. Top seeded Williams will now face fourth seeded Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Serena Williams Successful Return to Indian Wells

It was an emotional return for Serena Williams to Indian Wells, Oracene her mother and her sister Isha were seen in tears after Serena defeated Monica Niculescu in straight sets 7-5, 7-5 . It was Serena's first game in Indian Wells since winning the title when she was just 19 years old in 2001. Back in that year, she was the subject of racial abuse by fans.

This year her fans gave her the standing ovation as she proceed into the center court, at the start of the game it seems that the memory of the events has affected her game as she found herself trailing 2-0. But she soon found her way and finished the game with 7-5, 7-5 victory in two hours four minutes.

"I feel like I've already won this tournament," Serena said. "I don't feel like I have to actually hold the trophy at the end of this. I feel like I'm already holding up a trophy. I have never felt that way before. I feel like just being here is a huge win. Not only for me, but for so many people. It's a wonderful feeling."

Serena Williams beats Sharapova 6-3 7-6 (7-5)

Top seed Williams wins 19th Grand Slam beating Maria Sharapova 6-3, 7-6 (5) at the Australian Open. Williams is now ahead of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova at 19 majors. She also won the U.S. and Australian Opens back to back for the 3rd time in her career and first since 2009.

Sharapova can't seems to beat Serena she is now 2-17 against her.

Serena Williams in WTA Finals after she defeats Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki

Simona Halep

Serena Williams of USA will be meeting Simona Halep of Romania in the WTA Finals title match. Serena was struggling in the early set of the game against Caroline Wozniacki but was able to regroup and dominate the 2nd set. She defeated Wozniacki in an exciting tie-breaker to win the game 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

Williams will be up against Halep in Sunday's final, Halep humiliate Serena with a 6-0, 6-2 win. Halep was brilliant in her run in Singapore with a 6-2, 6-2 beatdown of Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. Halep is ranked fourth.

Serena Williams smash her tennis racket at Singapore in match against Caroline Wozniacki

U.S. Open Final: Serena Williams beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-3

Serena Williams won her 3rd consecutive U.S. Open championship and 18th major title overall after defeating Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-3. Serena and Caroline are friends off-court they were even sharing selfies at a club after Serena beat her as seen on the picture above. The game was just 75 minutes long.

Williams now reached Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova with 18 Grand Slam singles titles, the 4th in history.

Serena Loses to Alize in Dubai Semifinals

Alize Cornet of France celebrates her win

Serena Williams

 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - France's Alize Cornet defeated Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-final game of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Febuary 21, 2014.

Cornet is ranked 26 and this is her first win against a number 1 ranked player.

Venus Williams

Caroline Wozniacki

In another semi final game, her sisteer Venus Williams was luckier as she won against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark. Venus secured her spot in the final by dominating 8th seed Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-2.

Serena Williams bows out from Australian Open, lost to Ana Ivanovic

Melbourne - Serbia's Ana Ivanovic Sunday was victorious against a Top seeded and struggling Serena Williams who is plagued by injuries. The lost denies her an 18th major title and the chance to win a rare calendar-year Grand Slam.

Serena got the 1st set but Ivanovic was too much and capitalized on Serena's errors as she power her way through a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.

The lost also means that she will not be able to join Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on 18 Grand Slams, and draw nearer to Steffi Graf's Open-era record of 22.

Ivanovic, the former world number one who is resurgent under new coach Nemanja Kontic, will now play either up-and-coming Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, 19, or Australia's Casey Dellacqua.

Serena Williams wins WTA title defeated Li Na

ISTANBUL — Serena Williams got her 2nd straight WTA Championship and 11th title of the year she defeated Li Na 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 on Sunday.

Serena became the 8th woman to win 11 or more titles a year and the first since Martina Hingis had 12 in 1997.

Li had a quick 2-1 lead, she was quick to break serve. However, in the start of the 2nd set Williams won a key game that went to 9 deuces and lasted 11 minutes. Li served an ace that tied it to 3-3. But she had a double-fault and a forehand error that gave Williams a chance to serve out the set. Williams needed three set points to close it out.

Li had another double-fault that gave Williams a break of serve at the start of the third, and Williams never look back.

US Open final: Men's Rafael Nadal(2) vs Novak Djokovic (1), Women's Victoria Azarenka (2) vs Serena Williams (1)

Rafael Nadal has an easy time going into the US Open final with a 21-match hardcourt unbeaten streak while world number one Novak Djokovic had to withstand a five-set, limit-testing struggle to join him.

Second-ranked Spaniard Nadal, whose 12 Grand Slam titles include the 2010 US Open, routed French eighth seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6 (7/1), 6-2, to reach his third final in four years. Nadal missed the 2012 event with knee injuries.

 

While in Women's, World number one Serena Williams 31, will try to capture her 17th Grand Slam title and become the oldest women's champion in US Open history in a repeat of last year's final which she won in three sets. She will be against familiar foe world number two Victoria Azarenka on Sunday.

Azarenka, a 24-year-old from Belarus, sees herself as a more versatile and dangerous player than when she lost to Williams 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in the final a year ago.

Serena Williams trump over Stephens now in Quarter Finals

NEW YORK -- In an intense, close and very entertaining game Sloane Stephens stayed right with Serena Williams. In the fourth round of the U.S. Open the top two American women put on a show as both hit powerful serves topping 115mph.

The Stephens 20, time at the top of tennis may come but for now, Serena Williams is still the top dog. Taking eight of the last nine games, defending champion Williams returned to the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows by beating Stephens 6-4, 6-1.

"When you give her that opportunity to take that step forward, she definitely makes her move," Stephens said. "Unfortunately, today she made her move. I just couldn't get back in."

Still, all in all, it was remarkably compelling and, within individual points, rather evenly played for what turned out to be such a runaway.

"I definitely think it was a high-quality match," said Williams, 64-4 with eight titles this year. ''We both came out today to play."

She advanced to play No. 18 Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain, who defeated No. 8 Angelique Kerber of Germany 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3). Asked whether there's any chance of a letdown after getting past Stephens, Williams replied: "Absolutely not. I mean, I've been at this for a long time, so for me in my career, there are no letdowns."

In Sunday's other fourth-round women's matches, No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska lost 6-4, 6-4 to No. 24 Ekaterina Makarova, and 2011 French Open champion Li Na eliminated 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 6-0.

In men's third-round action, the last of 15 Americans in the field lost, making this the first U.S. Open in history without at least one representative from the host country in the fourth round. Wild-card recipient Tim Smyczek, who is ranked 109th, was beaten 6-4, 4-6, 0-6, 6-3, 7-5 by Marcel Granollers of Spain.

Azarenka clinches Cincinnati title, shocks Serena Williams

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Victoria Azarenka toppled world No. 1 Serena Williams 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) to claim the Cincinnati WTA title and establish herself as a contender for the US Open.

The two-and-a-half-hour epic featured multiple momentum shifts after Azarenka, the second seed from Belarus, began the afternoon with two double faults to lose the opening set in under 30 minutes.

She managed to steady herself and held on to beat the top-seeded Williams for only the third time in 15 matches.

It was her second victory over the American this year, after a triumph in the final at Doha.

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” said Azarenka who earned her 17th career title and first in Cincinnati. “It was a tough match and we both fought really hard. It was an incredible week for me.

“I’m feeling very good. Obviously, it’s a big win. It was a great match. I’m really, really pleased with the way I pulled it out. It was a great battle.”

Azarenka had played sporadically over the past months due to injuries suffered at both Wimbledon and this month in California. The Belarussian was competing in only her 10th event of an injury-hit season.

“I’m really excited to be back playing,” said the former world No. 1. “The last month was really tough.”

Azarenka lost a second set in which Williams saved eight break points in the sixth game. With the sets level, the third went to a decider as the pair traded four breaks in five games.

Williams double-faulted for a match point in the tiebreaker, but Azarenka gave it back with an error. Azarenka then shipped over a winner for a second winning chance and followed through for the win a point later.

Williams had been trying for two major hard-court titles in a row after winning Montreal last weekend.

“She played really aggressive in the last two sets, which really changed momentum,” said Williams.

“She’s a great player. There’s a reason why she’s winning Grand Slams and doing so well. I have tough matches, particularly against her,” Williams said.

“We go against each other really tough. It’s a good rivalry. I’m number one, she’s number two. So we have that rivalry which consists of meeting in the final, which makes it even more so exciting.”

Between them, Williams and Azarenka have claimed five of the last seven Grand Slam singles titles dating to the 2012 Australian Open.

Williams beat her rival in the US Open final a year ago. — AFP

Williams beat Li Na will face Azarenka for Cincinnati crown

World number one Serena Williams fought a hard battle and beat defending champion Li Na 7-5 7-5 to reach the final of the Western and Southern Open on Saturday and close in on one of the few titles that elude her.

The 31-year-old Serena can fill that hole in her resume on Sunday when she takes on Belarusian world number two Victoria Azarenka, who was a 4-6 6-2 6-3 winner over 2009 champion Jelena Jankovic of Serbia.

Williams, who has been critical of her performance in Cincinnati despite making it to the final for the first time, was not at her dominating best against Li but it was a good enough effort to put herself in line for a $1 million bonus.

Her appearance in Sunday's final combined with a win last week in Toronto has put Williams at the top of the U.S. Open Series bonus challenge and sends her to Flushing Meadows with a chance to compete for the largest payout ever awarded at the year's final grand slam.

Williams can pocket $3.6 million, with the million-dollar bonus supplementing the $2.6 million cheque for winning the women's singles at the U.S. Open.

In a career that has generated 54 singles titles including 16 grand slams, Williams has won just about everything there is to win in her sport but Cincinnati, one of the WTA Tour's most prestigious tournaments, is not among them.

Li stepped onto centre court well-rested having received a walkover into the semi-finals when Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska withdrew from the tournament to attend her grandfather's funeral.

But the 31-year-old fifth ranked Chinese got off to a sluggish start as Williams recorded the early break to move ahead 4-1.

Li hit back, sweeping through the next four games to pull in front 5-4, but Williams upped her game when needed, breaking her Chinese opponent twice more to take the set.

Williams and Li held serve to open the second but the set would soon dissolve into series of breaks.

In the end, Williams claimed the decisive one when Li double-faulted.

While Williams and Li may have struggled with their serves, their problems were minor compared to Azarenka and Jankovic, who managed to hold serve a grand total of just four times over three ugly sets.

Of the 27 games played, 23 ended in breaks, with the miserable serving display marred by 20 double-faults, 11 by Azarenka and nine from Jankovic.

Serena Williams ousted from Wimbledon by Sabine Lisicki

London - Serena Williams has joined the list of marquee names eliminated early at this wild and unpredictable Wimbledon.

World No.1, defending champion, and five-time Wimbledon winner Serena Williams was defeated by 23rd seed Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 in the fourth round of Wimbledon on Monday, becoming the latest tennis giant to make a surprise exit from the tournament. It also ended Williams' career-best 34-match winning streak.

Williams join second seed Victoria Azarenka and world number three Maria Sharapova out of the women's tournament, while defending champion Roger Federer and two-time Wimbledon winner Rafael Nadal suffered shock exits from the men's draw in the first week.

"I probably couldn't be more disappointed," Williams said. "I think I may have backed off of a success. I was playing something successful. I didn't continue that path. The result didn't go the way it could have gone had I continued to play the way I did in the second set."