Tennis

The Mutua Madrid Open, the first WTA 1000 event of the clay-court season, promises an exciting opening round with a clash between resurgent former Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu and ex-world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova.Raducanu, the 2021 US Open winner, has shown signs of her former brilliance in recent weeks, reaching the quarterfinals in Stuttgart. Pliskova, meanwhile, enjoyed a strong start to 2024, winning 11 consecutive matches and claiming her first title in four years.The projected top-half quarterfinals feature world No. 1 Iga Swiatek facing Maria Sakkari, while Coco Gauff could meet Ons Jabeur. On the bottom half, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka could face Marketa Vondrousova, who defeated her in Stuttgart.Other notable first-round matches include 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva against Taylor Townsend, Sofia Kenin against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, and Martina Trevisan against Sloane Stephens. Andreeva, the WTA Newcomer of the Year, made a breakthrough in Stuttgart last year, while Stephens won her eighth career WTA singles title in Rouen this week.The tournament also marks the return of former world No. 1s Caroline Wozniacki and Naomi Osaka. Wozniacki, a finalist in Madrid in 2009, will face a qualifier, while Osaka, who reached the quarterfinals in 2019, could meet Liudmila Samsonova in the second round.Despite being expected to play as a wild card, two-time champion Simona Halep is not in the draw.

Danielle Collins' farewell tour has reached its peak at the Miami Open, where the American has stormed into her first WTA 1000 final. Collins' impressive run continued with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova, setting up a championship clash with 2023 finalist Elena Rybakina.Collins' announcement that 2024 would be her final season has been followed by some of her best tennis. The unseeded American has dismissed three seeds en route to the semis, including former world No. 4 Caroline Garcia. Against Alexandrova, Collins' unyielding determination and tactical brilliance proved too much for the Russian.Alexandrova, who had stunned world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula, was unable to match Collins' consistency and precision. Collins broke serve twice in the opening set, forcing Alexandrova into errors. The second set was even more one-sided, as Collins opened with another break and powered to victory with a total of 21 winners to 17 unforced errors.Collins' victory marks her biggest final since the 2022 Australian Open, where she finished runner-up to Ashleigh Barty. She will now face No. 4 seed Rybakina, who leads their head-to-head record 3-1. Collins' lone win over the Kazakh came in their first meeting in San Jose in 2021.Collins' success in Miami is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite announcing her retirement, she has played with renewed vigor and focus. Her ability to overcome adversity and perform at her best under pressure is a testament to her character and unwavering spirit.

Ekaterina Alexandrova continued her giant-killing run at the Miami Open, stunning world No. 5 Jessica Pegula 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semifinals.Alexandrova, ranked 14th, had already upset world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the previous round. Against Pegula, she struggled initially but gradually gained control, using her powerful groundstrokes to dictate the rallies.Pegula, known for her consistent serve and solid baseline play, struggled to find her rhythm against Alexandrova's aggressive style. The Russian broke Pegula's serve twice in the second set to level the match.In the deciding set, Alexandrova's relentless pressure forced Pegula into errors. The American fought back to break Alexandrova's serve once, but the Russian broke back immediately and held on to serve out the match.Alexandrova's victory marks her first win over a Top 10 opponent from a set down. It also extends her impressive run at the Miami Open, where she has now reached the semifinals for the first time.Danielle Collins, the former Australian Open runner-up, will be Alexandrova's opponent in the semifinals. Collins defeated Caroline Garcia in straight sets to reach the last four.Alexandrova's success in Miami is a testament to her hard work and determination. The 29-year-old has been working on improving her physicality and shot accuracy, and it is paying off.She will now face a tough challenge against Collins, who is in excellent form. But Alexandrova has shown that she is capable of beating the best in the world, and she will be confident of reaching her first WTA 1000 final.

World No. 16 Ekaterina Alexandrova stunned the tennis world on Monday night, defeating reigning No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the round of 16 at the Miami Open. The 6-4, 6-2 victory marked Alexandrova's first career win over a reigning top-ranked player.Alexandrova, a 27-year-old Russian, played with remarkable composure and aggression throughout the match. She broke Swiatek's serve twice in the first set and held her own serve comfortably. In the second set, Alexandrova continued to dominate, breaking Swiatek's serve twice more and closing out the match with a powerful forehand winner.Swiatek, who had won 17 consecutive matches and three consecutive WTA 1000 titles, struggled to find her rhythm against Alexandrova's relentless pressure. The Polish star committed 25 unforced errors, compared to just 10 for Alexandrova.Alexandrova's victory is a testament to her hard work and determination. She has been steadily climbing the WTA rankings in recent years and has now reached her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal. Her win over Swiatek is a major confidence boost and could propel her to even greater heights in the future.The upset has sent shockwaves through the tennis world and has opened up the draw at the Miami Open. Alexandrova will face either No. 8 seed Danielle Collins or No. 10 seed Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals. With her newfound confidence, Alexandrova will be a formidable opponent for any player she faces.

Taylor Townsend's unwavering self-belief and relentless hard work are paying dividends on the tennis court. The American left-hander has been on a roll, qualifying for back-to-back WTA 1000 events and delivering impressive performances.In a recent interview with Tennis Channel's Prakash Amritraj, Townsend emphasized the importance of self-love and positive self-talk. "I'm gonna be my best friend, not my worst enemy," she declared.Townsend's determination was evident in her dominant display at the Miami Open, where she dispatched No. 25 seed Elise Mertens in straight sets. Even an untimely rain delay couldn't dampen her spirits."I just feel incredibly prepared," Townsend said. "I've been working really hard, and now things have started to fall in place."Townsend's recent success is a testament to her unwavering belief in her abilities. "I know that I have everything I need to be a top player in the world," she stated. "I'm playing with that belief."Townsend's goal is to win three main-draw matches in a 1000-level draw for the first time in her career. She has previously reached the third round of Miami as a qualifier in 2017 and also advanced to the same stage at Rome and Guadalajara last season.With her win over Mertens, Townsend is likely to return to the Top 70. She could potentially face last year's finalist Elena Rybakina in the next round, providing her with an opportunity to test her level against one of the game's top players.Townsend's journey is an inspiration to all athletes. Her unwavering self-belief and relentless work ethic serve as a reminder that anything is possible with determination and a positive mindset.

Marta Kostyuk's emotional journey has taken a positive turn in recent months, culminating in her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal appearance at the BNP Paribas Open. The 21-year-old Ukrainian has found a newfound maturity and resilience, both on and off the court.After an emotional runner-up speech in San Diego, Kostyuk has channeled her experiences into a more focused and determined approach. She has learned to manage her emotions and prioritize her goals, recognizing that consistency and improvement are more important than immediate results.Kostyuk's decision to hire coach Sandra Zaniewska has also played a crucial role in her development. Zaniewska's structured and unemotional approach has provided Kostyuk with a grounding influence, helping her to stay focused and avoid the pitfalls of overthinking.Despite her early success as a teenager, Kostyuk believes that her years of experience on tour have given her an advantage over her younger peers. She has faced numerous challenges, including the ongoing war in her home country, but these experiences have only strengthened her resolve.Kostyuk's personal life has also contributed to her newfound maturity. Her marriage has taught her the importance of problem-solving and stress-free decision-making, which has translated into her tennis career. She no longer obsesses over ranking points and instead focuses on raising her level and achieving her full potential.Kostyuk's journey is a testament to the importance of resilience, adaptability, and a strong support system. She has emerged from a challenging period with a renewed sense of purpose and a belief that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.

Coco Gauff, the American tennis sensation, made a triumphant return to the U.S. soil at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. After a remarkable "Summer of Coco" that culminated in her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open, Gauff faced a tough challenge in her opening match against Clara Burel.Despite a shaky start, Gauff displayed her trademark resilience and determination, rallying from a set down and a 2-5 deficit in the final set to secure a hard-fought 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) victory.Gauff's initial struggles were evident as she lost six consecutive games, her serve faltering and her returns lacking precision. However, she gradually found her rhythm, embracing the "Winning Ugly" mentality instilled by her coach, Brad Gilbert.In the second set, Gauff broke back from 2-1 down and eventually leveled the match. The third set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Burel breaking Gauff twice to take a 3-0 lead. But Gauff refused to give up, breaking back at love and saving three break points to level at 3-3.As the match reached its climax, Burel faltered under pressure, double faulting to hand Gauff the break. The American then held her nerve in the tiebreak, securing the victory with a defensive flair that forced Burel into a wide crosscourt backhand.Gauff's victory marked her 50th win at the WTA 1000 level and extended her winning streak on home soil to 17 matches. She credited her mental toughness and ability to perform under pressure for her success."It wasn't my best tennis, but it's not about how you show up on your good days, it's how you show up on your bad ones," Gauff said. "I'm happy with how I showed up today."

Elena Rybakina Withdraws from BNP Paribas Open Title Defense Due to IllnessWorld No. 4 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open, the first WTA 1000 event of the season, due to illness. The reigning champion was set to begin her title defense on Friday but was forced to pull out hours before her first match.Rybakina's withdrawal is a significant blow to the tournament, as she entered as the tour's leader in wins this year with 17. She had won titles in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi and reached the final in Doha.Last year, Rybakina stunned the tennis world by defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals and Aryna Sabalenka in the final to claim her first WTA 1000 title. Her victory made her the first Kazakh player to win a WTA 1000 event.Rybakina expressed her disappointment at having to withdraw, saying, "It's with great sadness that I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open. Those close to me know how much this tournament means to me and how much I wanted to come back and defend my title."Prakash Amritraj, a former Indian tennis player and commentator, said Rybakina's withdrawal is a "massive void in the draw" and a "massive opportunity for players in her section."Rybakina's withdrawal has led to a reshuffling of the draw. Argentina's Nadia Podoroska, who was originally scheduled to face Rybakina, will now face American Kayla Day. The match will be played on Stadium 3.The all-American second-round match between Madison Keys and Hailey Baptiste has been moved to Stadium 1 and will be played not before 8:00 p.m. local time.

Angelique Kerber's remarkable comeback reached a new milestone at the BNP Paribas Open, where she secured her first WTA 1000 victory since returning from maternity leave. The former world No. 1 defeated Petra Martic 6-3, 6-4, showcasing her unwavering determination and resilience.Kerber's journey back to the court has been nothing short of inspiring. After announcing her pregnancy in 2022, she welcomed her daughter Liana in February 2023. True to her promise, she returned to action at the start of 2024, eager to prove that motherhood had not diminished her competitive spirit.Despite a slow start to the season, Kerber looked rejuvenated in Indian Wells. She dispatched Martic in 90 minutes, demonstrating her trademark consistency and unwavering focus. The Croatian, ranked No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko, awaits Kerber in the second round.Kerber and Martic's rivalry dates back to 2008, when a young Kerber faced a lower-ranked Martic in Slovenia. Both players have since established themselves among the world's elite, with Kerber claiming three Grand Slam titles and reaching the pinnacle of the rankings.The match began with Martic struggling to find her rhythm against Kerber's relentless pressure. The German broke serve early, but Martic fought back to level the score. Undeterred, Kerber regained the initiative and served out the opening set.The second set followed a similar pattern, with Kerber breaking serve early and maintaining her advantage. Martic showed glimpses of her fighting spirit, saving three break points, but Kerber remained unyielding. Serving for the match, Kerber converted her second match point to seal the victory.Kerber's triumph is a testament to her unwavering determination and the power of motherhood. It serves as an inspiration to all athletes who aspire to balance their personal and professional lives. As she prepares to face Ostapenko, Kerber will be confident in her ability to continue her remarkable comeback and challenge for more titles.