Djokovic aware of Verdasco threat as bid for seventh title begins
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – World number two Novak Djokovic needs no reminder of the threat posed by Spain’s Fernando Verdasco as he begins his quest for a seventh Australian Open title on Tuesday.
Federer makes winning return at Melbourne Park
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Roger Federer made a winning return to competitive tennis after six months out of the game on Monday, thrilling a packed Rod Laver Arena as he beat qualifier Juergen Melzer 7-5 3-6 6-2 6-2 to reach the Australian Open second round…
Kenyan athletes welcome anti-doping initiative
ELDORET, Kenya (Reuters) – Kenyan athletes on Monday backed a plan for a team of six internationally accredited doctors to take care of the country’s top-level runners and be responsible for examining samples in an effort to end a series of doping scan…
Knight in rusty armor Murray battles through
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Andy Murray took to Melbourne Park’s center court as top seed at a grand slam for the first time in his career on Monday but the recently knighted Briton’s victory over Illya Marchenko was far from a regal display.
Wehrlein joins Sauber, Bottas move imminent
LONDON (Reuters) – German driver Pascal Wehrlein will race for Sauber this season, the Swiss-based Formula One team said on Monday in a move that clears the way for Finland’s Valtteri Bottas to join world champions Mercedes.
Wawrinka survives scare to reach second round
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka survived a scare from Slovakia’s Martin Klizan on Monday, fighting back from a break down in the final set to move into the Australian Open second round with a 4-6 6-4 7-5 4-6 6-4 victory.
Top seed Kerber overcomes nerves, Tsurenko to advance
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Defending champion Angelique Kerber battled her nerves and blew a match point in the second set before finally overcoming Lesia Tsurenko 6-2 5-7 6-2 to reach the second round of the Australian Open on Monday.
Nishikori to miss Davis Cup, Murray critical of neutral final
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Kei Nishikori is the latest player to skip the Davis Cup because of the packed calendar, the Japanese confirming on Monday that he would be unavailable for his country’s World Group opener against France following the Australian O…
McIlroy set for back scan after painful South Africa defeat
(Reuters) – Rory McIlroy was suffering from a back problem during his South African Open playoff loss to England’s Graeme Storm on Sunday and the Briton will undergo scans this week to learn the extent of the injury and time he could be forced to sit o…
Olympic champion Puig hopes for golden form in Melbourne
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Monica Puig would never trade her surprise singles gold at the Rio Games for any grand slam success but Puerto Rico’s first Olympic champion felt compelled to lock the medal away amid the lean period that followed her greatest ten…
