Raducanu advances to the second round of the Washington Open

Emma Raducana's first-round win over Loisa Chiricio in Washington was the start of her defense of her US Open title later.

Within 87 minutes Emma won 6-4 6-2, taking her first North American win of the hardcourt season.
And then Emma will face Colombia's Camila Osorio in the second round of the Washington Open.

On the other hand, Dan Evans secured a third-half position with a 6-1 6-2 win to then face America's Taylor Fritz or Australia's Alexei Popyrin.

In another match, England's Jack Draper lost to Russia's Andrey Rublev. And Wimbledon Runner-up Nick Kyrgios beat American Marcos Giron 6-3 6-2.

Preparations for the Final Grand Slam

The warm-up tournament of the world's top players to the Grand Slams begins this week.

The world's top tennis player with the status of a Grand Slam champion, chose to play in the lower tournament, namely WTA 250 Washington as a warm-up before the match in New York. The world's top tennis players are Emma Raducanu, Simona Halep, Sofia Kenin, Sloane Stephens, Victoria Azarenka, and Venus Williams.

And Serena Williams became a sparring partner for her sister, Venus, even though she didn't compete. However, the training of the two sisters is always in the spotlight and attracts attention and have even won 30 Grand Slam titles.

Unlike Raducanu to face Washington and defend his title, Raducau was seen accompanied by a new coach, namely former Russian tennis player, Dmitry Tusurnov. And this player-coach collaboration lasts at least until the US opens.

Since becoming the 2021 US Open champion, Raducanu ended the partnership with Andrew Richardson that had led him to the New York Championships, then chose Torben Beltz to be his coach and then it was his fifth month he ended the partnership.

And in addition to the 250 WTA tournament, there will also be an ATP 500 men's tournament that will only be participated by one player in the world's top ten, Audrey Rublev (ranked -8), with a total prize pool of around US$2 million who will compete with the Next Gen tennis player.

In the first seed, Rublev will compete with Denis Shapovalov, Alex De Minaur, and Karen Khachanov. The second seed, Hubert Hurkacz, was challenged by Frances Tiafoe as well as seniors, such as Grigor Dimitrov and Andy Murray.

Meanwhile, the world's top ten players will start their preparations by appearing in the ATP and WTA 1000 category tournaments in two weeks from August 8, namely WTA 1000 Toronto, ATP Masters 1000 Montreal, and ATP/WTA 1000. Cincinnati.

Cameron Norrie defeated by 18 year old Alcaraz

Cameron Norrie of England lost the quarter-finals 6-4 6-3 becoming the second youngest semi-finalist in Indian wells history.
Alcaraz will face Rafael Nadal.
Alcaraz reached the quarter-finals at the US Open last year.

Nadal won his 19th straight game since the start of the year with a 7-6 (7-0) 5-7 6-4 win over Nick Kyrgios.

Norrie's two break ups in the first set didn't work against Alcaraz, who with incredible strength completed her straight win

"I don't feel much different at all, as the reigning champion," said Norrie.

“It's always nice to support that, and know that it's not just a one-off event. I won [the recent ATP tournament at] Delray Beach and then Acapulco, and I feel like I'm playing at the level I want to be. last year."

Nadal was actually chasing a fourth BNP Paribas Open title, but he realized his loss against Alcaraz, who is almost half his age.

"I think he's unstoppable in terms of his career," he said.

“He has all the ingredients. He has passion. He is humble enough to work hard. He reminded me a lot of things I did when I was 17 or 18 years old.
"I think he has passion. He has talent and a great physical component. And I am very happy, even if, of course, he will be a great rival."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/60791141

Ukraine lost in Lyon Open Final to Zhang Shuai

Ukraine represented by Dayana Yastremska failed to win the title after being defeated by Zhang Shuai in the Lyon Open Final, Dayana arrived in Lyon last Saturday saying that she woke up after hearing the sound of bombs from Russia invading Ukraine, Dayana was defeated 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the decider.

And with the money Dayana makes, she will use her prize money of around £12,000 to help Ukraine. And Dayana said that this week was a tough week.

With tears in her eyes and wrapped in her country's flag, Dayana sent a message to her compatriots to stay in Ukraine. And said " If Ukrainians were looking at me, I would like to say that you guys are very strong and amazing, and this gift that I got I will give to a Ukrainian foundation to support Ukraine. Standing at the Lyon Open is not for myself but for the country Ukraine.

Zhang took his third WTA title after coming back from two break downs in the third set.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/60640701

Davis Cup: India VS Denmark 2-0

Taking full advantage of the Danes' discomfort on low-bouncing grass, Ramkumar clinched a 6-3 6-2 win over Christian, a low-ranking 824, in the opening singles match at the Delhi Gymkhana Club.

Yuki Bhambri returned to Davis Cup action with a convincing win while Ramkumar Ramanathan didn't even need his 'Game A' to emerge victorious as India took a 2-0 lead in their World Group I Play-off clash against Denmark, in New Delhi on Friday. Taking full advantage of the Danes' discomfort on the low bouncing grass, Ramkumar clinched a 6-3 6-2 win over Christian Siggsgaard, ranked as low as 824, in the opening singles match at Delhi Gymkhana Club.

There was hardly any fighting in the match, which lasted just 59 minutes, as Christian made it easy for the 170th-ranked Indian with his relentless unforced error.

Yuki, playing in the Davis Cup for the first time since 2017, doubled India's lead with a 6-4, 6-4 second singles win against Mikael Torpegaard, who despite serving and hitting with confidence to keep the Indians in front.

It is clear that India's strategy to host Denmark on grass is working well as dealing with low bounces does bother the visitors.

Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan will now be looking to seal a win for India on Saturday when they take on the doubles clash against Frederik Nielsen and Johannes Ingildsen.

If they win, India will retain their place in World Group I and the singles otherwise will be deemed unimportant.

Even though he had lost his serve in the opening game, Torpegaard did not let Yuki take advantage of the momentum.

Whether it's hitting from the baseline, serving, quick movement down the flanks or hitting the net, Torpegaard did everything to prevent it from becoming a one-sided match like the first singles.

He regained his break in the fourth game and what followed was an exciting game of tennis from both players. Yuki broke his opponent's serve once again -- in the ninth game -- and saved a break in the 10th game to finally take the lead.

The first game of the second set was the fiercest game of the day as it featured five deuce points.

Ironically, it ended in Torpegaard's double fault and all the hard work the Dane put in went to waste. Yuki made it 2-0 by holding back in the next game.

A perfectly placed forehand wedge gave Yuki another chance to break in the third game. Torpegaard only helped Yuki struggle when he scored a half-volley. From then on, it seemed like a formality despite Torpegaard's constant struggle. Yuki lost serve in the eighth game when she served for the match and went straight from 4-1 to 5-4.

Yuki made sure there was no more drama when he served in the 10th game when Torpegaard couldn't return the ball with his backhand.

In the first singles, Christian struggled with his serve, making as many as three double faults in the second game of the opening set and missing a breakpoint but Ramkumar could not capitalize on the opportunity.

Ramkumar mostly uses backhands for returns and remains solid on his serve. Christian again gave Ramkumar another break when he double-faulted at 30-all in the fourth game.

A long rally ensued with both players using their backhand slice strokes but Ramkumar ended up winning.

Few points went as the skinny Indian scored, a strategy he was expected to follow, but Christian's error-prone play made it easy for Ramkumar.

The Indian had three set points in the eighth game but could not convert a single one. He closed the opening set in the next game with a solid serve that Christian couldn't return, hitting a backhand.

In the second set, Christian first winked, trailing 0-40 in the third game. He started with a double fault and Ramkumar put his rival under more pressure with a back winner with a stunning cross. Christian then scored the feedback.

The Dane handed the home side a break when he hit a long backhand on the third breakpoint.

Christian's struggles were endless and Ramkumar ended the match with one ace in the eighth game after failing to convert four match points in the previous game.

https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/davis-cup-ramkumar-puts-india-ahead-with-easy-win-over-sigsgaard-2802965

Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine has reached the quarter-finals of the Lyon Open

The 21-year-old beat Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa 6-2 6-3 and said the win was "for my country".

On February 25, Yastremska wrote on Instagram that she and her 15-year-old sister, Ivanna, had been forced to leave their parents in Ukraine.

Three days later, the pair competed in doubles in Lyon.

They were beaten in the opening round, but Yastremska's impressive form continued with Italian fifth seed Jasmine Paolini waiting in Friday's quarter-finals.

In Monterrey, world number 15 Elina Svitolina battled past Bulgarian qualifier Viktoriya Tomova 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals.

Svitolina, who will donate all her prize money from the Monterrey Open to the Ukrainian army, said seeing her national flag in the crowd helped her during the two-hour match.

"Ukraine flag helped me a lot today to fight. I really fought until the end, and I found my game in the end," he said.

Djokovic gets French Open boost after vaccine rule change
Former world number 21 Yastremska described how she was "wake up by a bomb" in Odessa before crossing the Danube by boat to reach Romania.

He wrote on Instagram: "After spending two nights in an underground parking lot [a bomb shelter], my parents made the decision at any cost to send my little sister and I out of Ukraine!

"Mom, Dad, we love you so much, take care of yourself!"

Yastremska arrived on the pitch to face Busca with the Ukrainian flag on her shoulder and after her win said she felt the tournament was "very emotional".

"I'm still very nervous because I really want to win matches for my country," said the world number 140.

"I'm so happy that I'm here, that I'm in a safe place with my sister, and I'm happy to be doing what I love, playing tennis.

"Every point I've played here, I've enjoyed it a lot, and especially with the situation we have now, I've enjoyed it a thousand times over.

"This is another victory for me and another victory for my country."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/60612815

Heather Watson through in Monterrey after Katie Boulter win at Lyon

Rise to beat sixth seed konjuh of croatia 5-7 6-0 6-3
With Katie's win at Lyon, England advance to the round of 16.

Securing her place in the next main round, the 25-year-old will face Anna Bondar of Hungary.

Heather Watson, her English teammate, won her first-round match at the Monterrey Open, beating Jule Niemeir of Germany.

Watson, ranked 107th in the world won 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7-4) and is trying to get back-to-back matches in the WTA main draw for the first time this year.
And will face Spain's sixth seed Nuria Parriraz Diaz or Japan's Misaki Doi.

Elina Svitolina from Ukraine will face Russian tennis players in the tournament.
However, due to the Russian invasion players from Ukraine refused to play Russian or Bellarussian players until they were said to be neutral.

And now the nationality of the Russian player has been removed from the website. Their ranking list - but still not comment publicly on Svitolina's demands.

Novak Djokovic did not become number one after being beaten by Jiri Vesely in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships

The Serbian is currently replaced by Daniil Medvedeb at the top of the rankings for the men's category.

Vesely said that he didn't think that he would actually stand a chance against noval, and it was a really great feeling.

Medvedev of Russia will become the first player besides Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to climb to the top of the rankings in 18 years.

Vesely beat the 20-time Grand Slam champion in 2016 on clay on Monte Carlo and repeated the feat on Dubai hardcourts.

Djokoavic's double fault on a breakpoint in the opening set gave Vesely the initiative to take charge of the match to serve

In the second set Djokovic fought back and equalized, but in the tie-break Djokovic slipped

Lorenzo Musetti defeated by Novak Djokovic in the Dubai Tennis Championships

Winning the Dubai Tennis Championships in his first match was the best experience Novak Djokovic had after his vaccinations and visa saga in preparation for the Australian Open.

When he was deported from Australia on January 16 last, it became the talk of the world news. But now he's back with a win over Lorenzo Musetti
and it becomes a pleasant experience.

Thanking the crowd at his first game of 2022 "I couldn't have chosen a better place to start the season - it was the best experience tonight.

"Overall, it was a straight-sets win so of course I have to be content, especially after not playing for two and a half, almost three months."

Novak Djokovic saved seven break points against world number 58 Musetti
and will face either Russia's Karen Khachanov or Australia's Alex de Minaur in the second round.

Novak Djokovic also said I am very grateful and very happy

Cameron Norrie beats Reilly Opelka in the final

It was the 26-year-old's top seed, having lifted trophies at Indian Wells and Los Cabos in 2021.

Norrie failed to pick up any of her five break points but won both sets of tough matches in a tie-break with Opelka based at Delray Beach in Florida.

He is the first left hander to win the tournament since 2004.

"I really enjoyed my time on the court at Delray this week," said Norrie after winning in one hour 51 minutes.

"You move great. You play great," he told the world number 20 Opelka. "I'm sure you'll be in the top 10 soon."

source :
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/60457453