TennisIf anyone knows how Novak Djokovic feels after sweating and scrapping for almost five hours in the Australian Open semifinals, it's his next opponent - Rafael Nadal. A day after Nadal beat Roger Federer in four compelling sets, Djokovic dug deep to overcome Andy Murray 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5 on Friday night after 4 hours, 50 minutes.
Tennis
Bryan brothers denied record 12th title (AP)
Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek denied Bob and Mike Bryan their record 12th Grand Slam doubles title, beating the American twins 7-6 (1), 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open. The Woodies could probably sleep a little easier Saturday night. The 33-year-old Bryans were attempting to secure their place as the most decorated doubles team since the Open Era began in 1968.
Teen Harrison selected for US Davis Cup (AP)
U.S. Davis Cup captain Jim Courier has selected teenager Ryan Harrison to the four-man squad that will play Switzerland next month in the first round. The 19-year-old Harrison joins Mardy Fish, John Isner and Mike Bryan on the team that will play on clay indoors in Fribourg, Switzerland, from Feb. 10-12.
Murray leaves Australia confident (AP)
Andy Murray prepared to fly out Saturday to return to his London home for the first time in nearly two months, defeated in the Australian Open semifinals but not deflated from the experience. Murray has been the beaten finalist the past two years at Melbourne Park, failing to win a set from either Roger Federer in 2010 or Novak Djokovic in 2011.
Murray leaves Australia confident (AP)
Andy Murray prepared to fly out Saturday to return to his London home for the first time in nearly two months, defeated in the Australian Open semifinals but not deflated from the experience. Murray has been the beaten finalist the past two years at Melbourne Park, failing to win a set from either Roger Federer in 2010 or Novak Djokovic in 2011.
Kuznetsova, Zvonareva win doubles title (AP)
With singles play on their minds, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva nearly forgot to sign up in time for doubles at the Australian Open. The Russians were lucky they got in under the wire. On Friday, they rallied to beat the Italian duo of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to win the women's doubles championship.
Kuznetsova, Zvonareva win doubles title (AP)
With singles play on their minds, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva nearly forgot to sign up in time for doubles at the Australian Open. The Russians were lucky they got in under the wire. On Friday, they rallied to beat the Italian duo of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to win the women's doubles championship.
Tomic issued 2 traffic tickets (AP)
Police issued two traffic tickets to Bernard Tomic after waiting outside his home while he spoke to a lawyer in the latest episode of a feud between the teenage Wimbledon quarterfinalist and local officers. Australian media reported that officers tried to pull over Tomic, who did not stop but drove his BMW sports car back to his home at Southport on Australia's Gold Coast.
Tomic issued 2 traffic tickets (AP)
Police issued two traffic tickets to Bernard Tomic after waiting outside his home while he spoke to a lawyer in the latest episode of a feud between the teenage Wimbledon quarterfinalist and local officers. Australian media reported that officers tried to pull over Tomic, who did not stop but drove his BMW sports car back to his home at Southport on Australia's Gold Coast.
Sharapova withdraws from Brisbane (AP)
Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Brisbane International because of her continuing recovery from a left ankle injury. Sharapova was hurt at the Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo in September. Sharapova told Brisbane tournament officials in a statement released Saturday that "unfortunately my ankle is not 100 percent and I won't be able to make it this year." It would have been...
Chardy, Rezai given Aussie wild cards (AP)
French players Jeremy Chardy and Aravane Rezai have been given wild cards into the Australian Open under a reciprocal agreement between the French Tennis Federation and Tennis Australia. Tennis Australia said in a statement Saturday said the French federation selected Chardy and Rezai and, as part of the agreement, two Australian players will be invited to compete at the French Open in May.
Sony Ericsson to end sponsorship of WTA (AP)
Sony Ericsson is ending its sponsorship of the WTA tour at the end of the 2012 season. Sony Ericsson became the title sponsor of the women's tennis tour in 2005 tour under a six-year, $88 million deal. Although the contract was extended through the end of 2012, the mobile phone company's name was dropped from the tour's title in 2011.
Sweden's Renard given 6-month suspension (AP)
Swedish teenage tennis player Lucas Renard has been given a six-month suspension after admitting he violated the sport's anti-corruption rules. The Tennis Integrity Unit said Friday that the 19-year-old Renard was also fined $5,000, but that four months of the ban were suspended on condition he attends anti-corruption education training.
Drewett appointed head of ATP (AP)
Former Australian player Brad Drewett was hired Thursday as the new head of the men's professional tennis tour. The 53-year-old Drewett signed a three-year contract as executive chairman and president of the ATP. He succeeds Adam Helfant, an American who announced in June that he was stepping down at the end of 2011 after the expiry of his three-year deal.
Indian Wells ups winners' prizes to $1M (AP)
The BNP Paribas Open will become the first joint ATP/WTA tournament to award both the men's and women's singles champions $1 million in prize money. Tournament director Steve Simon announced the change in a release Tuesday. The total purse for the 2012 tournament will increase to more than $11 million.
Venus won't make return in New Zealand (AP)
Venus Williams has pulled out of January's ASB Classic in New Zealand where she was scheduled to play her first competitive match since August. The 31-year-old Williams is still recovering from the immune system disease Sjogren's syndrome, which can cause fatigue and joint pain. Williams has played in several exhibition matches recently, but organizers of the Auckland tournament beginning...
Bogomolov: I want to play for Russia (AP)
American tennis player Alex Bogomolov Jr. said Tuesday he wants to play for Russia, describing it as a dream to play for the country where he was born. The 28-year-old Bogomolov Jr. was born in Moscow but moved to Mexico with his family when he was 9 and then to the United States in 1992. He has represented the U.S.
WTA extends CEO Allaster until 2017 (AP)
The Woman's Tennis Association has extended the contract of CEO Stacey Allaster until 2017. The WTA announced Monday that Allaster, who has been in charge since 2009, was given a five-year extension after an unanimous vote by its board of directors. Board representative Steve Simon says Allaster "has done a tremendous job," adding that her "innovative thinking has positioned the...
McEnroe wins Champions Series finale (AP)
John McEnroe won the Champions Series season-ending HSBC Tennis Cup on Saturday night, beating Todd Martin 8-5 for his first victory since 2009. "Wow! To finally get a win on the series this year feels amazing," the 52-year-old McEnroe said. "I thought I had a chance tonight, and got off to a great start in the finals against Todd.
Falconi, McHale may be next US stars (AP)
American tennis players Irina Falconi and Christina McHale will be playing for medals at the Pan American Games on Friday, and it might not be long before they'll be contending at a Grand Slam. The promising duo already made an impression at this year's U.S. Open, making it to the third round, and their game has been improving at such a pace that they might soon become the next stars in...
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