SPORTS

Tennis - Lisicki still smiling after final meltdown Sabine Lisicki's smile had returned as she admitted nerves got the better of her as she lost 6-1 6-4 to Marion Bartoli in a one-sided Wimbledon final on Saturday . ....In a battle of the underdogs Bartoli, ranked 15th, kept her composure as world number 24 Lisicki fell to pieces on Centre Court, the occasion clearly too much for the German, who wept during the second set. It was an unusual finish to a bizarre women’s tournament at Wimbledon, with the likes of defending champion Serena Williams and third seed Maria Sharapova dumped out, while Victoria Azarenka was among a rash of players injured by the slippery grass in the early stages. The fall of the giants saw Bartoli, 29, and Lisicki, 23, come through to contest a final with both women searching for their maiden Major titles. It was a scrappy affair, low on quality and ultimately determined by Bartoli’s ability to keep relatively calm as Lisicki imploded from her first service ball. Indeed, Bartoli’s signature double-handed backhands and forehands were close to their best, while Lisicki’s power, accuracy and trusted serve all deserted her on a sunny afternoon in South West London. There was a late fightback from Lisicki, but it was too late as she was already two breaks down, meaning Bartoli was able to serve out the match at the second time of asking. "I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would win Wimbledon, but even so maybe with a backhand winner - not an ace!" Bartoli, a beaten finalist in 2007, joked on court. "I have been practising my serves for so long," she added before tearfully thanking her father, who was previously her long-standing coach but now a mere spectator in the stands. Lisicki acknowledged that she had failed to manage the pressure of her first Grand Slam final. "I think I was just overwhelmed by this whole situation, but credit to Marion she has been in this situation before and handled it so well," Lisicki said afterwards. "She has been around for so long and deserves it, and I hope I will get the chance again," she added, having regained her composure before bursting into tears again. A strange first set saw both women show nerves from the outset as the first two games saw breaks of serve. The unorthodox Bartoli’s deliveries are not one of her strengths, but back-to-back double faults gave the German an early advantage; Lisicki traditionally is an excellent server, so it was odd that she would follow by double-faulting to a break of her own. While the more experienced Bartoli steadied her ship, Lisicki continued to struggle, making repeated errors from all over the court as she flopped with her groundstrokes, volleys, returns and even serves. The set was over in a flash, Lisicki running off court for an early toilet break after losing it 6-1 in half an hour. Perhaps she was able to regain her composure in the loos, because the 23-year-old was much better at the start of the second stanza, holding with ease before giving Bartoli a stern test on serve. But, in a 10-minute game, the Frenchwoman managed to save six break points to hold, seemingly knocking the stuffing out of Lisicki, who was broken immediately afterwards. It would be unfair to solely apportion it to Lisicki’s now fragile mental state – the opening point in that game was a fabulous rally won by a glorious Bartoli pass off the line – but the Frenchwoman was clearly more adept at handling the pressure than her younger adversary. Bartoli is also notoriously laid-back which, coupled with her reportedly genius-level intelligence, more than compensates for a lack of physical prowess and technical accomplishment. Lisicki, meanwhile, was a shadow of the player who beat Williams, Sam Stosur and Agnieszka Radwanska, double-faulting at will although occasionally pulling out some of her brutal winners. Facing down another break point in the second, the German had to wipe away tears as she threatened to fully implode. She saved that one, but fell to another with one of what were frequent shanks off the side of her racquet, followed by an unforced error off the forehand. It was embarrassing to watch but, after facing down and saving three match points at 5-1, Lisicki suddenly clicked into gear, holding and following with a superb break of serve. But Bartoli still had another chance to serve for the championship, doing so with aplomb as Lisicki failed to get a point, the final touch a flashing ace. It is likely to be the crowning glory of Bartoli’s career – she had hitherto only won seven WTA Tour titles – but for Lisicki there is time and hope for another Slam chance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Wimbledon - Djokovic beats Del Potro in epic to reach final In the end, an exhausted, sweat-soaked Djokovic could not stop himself from joining 15,000 hollering fans in giving Argentine warrior Del Potro a standing ovation after an epic display of courage and endurance. Reuters – 21 hours ago . Wimbledon - Inspired Murray ousts Janowicz to set up Djokovic showdown Eurosport - 23 hours ago Wimbledon - Djokovic and Del Potro break new ground with longest semi Eurosport - Fri, Jul 5, 2013 17:31 BST ....A contest that many feared would last only a few minutes after Del Potro damaged his knee so badly that he came close to quitting two days ago, went into surreal territory as Djokovic relied on his survival instincts to reach the final with a rousing 7-5 4-6 7-6(2) 6-7(6) 6-3 win. At four hours 43 minutes, it was the longest semi-final ever played at the All England Club and while the scoreline showed that the Serbian world number one had set up a final date with Andy Murray, for all those lucky enough to on Centre Court, there were no losers. "It was one of my best matches I've been a part of, one of the most exciting. It was so close," the 2011 champion said after being stretched to his fifth five-hour marathon within the space of 18 months. "I could not separate us. That was one of the best matches I've played here, it was at such a high level. I'm just privileged to be the winner of this match." Del Potro's gutsy display won him a new legion of global fans but that was little consolation for the eighth seed as for the second time in less than a year, he suffered a heartbreak of epic proportions on Centre Court. Eleven months after falling to Roger Federer in the Olympic semi-final, which ended 19-17 in the third set after four hours 26 minutes, Del Potro was again left deflated. "It was unbelievable to watch but, of course, I'm sad because I lost and I was close to beating him," said the man nicknamed as the Tower of Tandil. A man who lay on the famous green turf writhing in pain just five points into his quarter-final against David Ferrer seemed to have emerged with a bionic left knee on Friday, albeit heavily strapped. If Djokovic had hoped to inflict more pain on Del Potro and quickly deliver the killer blow in the semi-final, he was in for a rude shock. Instead, it was Djokovic who was left with battered knees, sore elbows and a bruised stomach as Del Potro's brutal forehand sent him diving and lunging around court - often in vain. So monstrous was Del Potro's forehand that it often produced a murderous thud as it flew off his racket. If there was a speed gun around to measuring the velocity of his forehand, it would probably have been off the radar. The sixth game gave a taster of what was to come as it featured a scorching 24-shot rally, five deuces, two double faults, one break point before the Argentine answered a booming cry of "Come on Del Boy" to hold on. Djokovic finally broke in the 12th game of the first set to win it 7-5 after 55 nerve-jangling minutes. When the Argentine called on the trainer while trailing 3-2 in the second set, alarm bells started to ring, and they got even louder in the next game as he fell 15-40 behind. But the Serb fluffed his lines as he wasted four break points and astonishingly got broken to love in the next game as Del Potro nosed 4-3 ahead. That allowed him to level the match and if the first two sets were not dramatic enough the crowd demanded more. After seeing a "Mr Serious" Del Potro in the first set, and a "Mr Cool" Del Potro in the second, it was time for "Mr Funny" Del Potro to take charge in the third. He ran on top of the side barriers and, arms flailing, threatened to fall into the lap of a bemused female fan as he took a breather following one gruelling exchange. It was no laughing matter, though, when Djokovic, after watching three set points vanish at 6-5, romped through the tiebreak and took it 7-2 by clubbing a backhand winner. In a battle featuring one sinew-stretching rally after another, the top seed broke in the seventh game of the fourth set but Del Potro broke straight back to extend it into a tiebreak. At 5.04 pm local time, with the help of an astonishing reflex volley winner, Djokovic earned two match points at 6-4 in the breaker. But Del Potro survived a heart-pumping 25-shot rally and waving his arms above his head, he shooed out Djokovic's final lob over the baseline. When a screaming forehand winner made it 6-6, the crowd erupted and two points later they could be heard all around the southwest London when a backhand error from Djokovic made it two sets all. A match that was supposed to be a curtain-raiser for the second semi-final between home hope Murray and Poland's Jerzy Janowicz was now a Wimbledon classic and the fans were on the edge of the seats waiting to see how the fifth act would play out. Djokovic finally ended Del Potro's brave resistance by breaking for a 5-3 lead and was a hugely relieved man when he clinched victory with a searing backhand winner. Among those giving the players a prolonged standing ovation was twice former champion Stefan Edberg, who holds the record of winning the longest ever Grand Slam semi-final, a five hour 26 minute duel against Michael Chang at the 1992 U.S. Open. "I know I was pushed to the limit today," said Djokovic, who is unlikely to forget the 22 aces and 80 winners he produced during the most thrilling match of the 2013 championships. ..Wimbledon - Murray ready to learn from last year's Wimbledon final loss Andy Murray insists he is better prepared than 12 months ago to end a 77-year wait for a British men's winner at Wimbledon. Sportsbeat – 21 hours ago Britain's Andy Murray during his semi-final at Wimbledon against Jerzy Janowicz (AFP) ....Murray was beaten in straight sets by Roger Federer in last year's final and now takes on top seed Novak Djokovic on Sunday brimming with confidence. And he insists the experience of his last final on Centre Court, when he beat Federer to win Olympic gold at London 2012, is also driving him on to make history. "I learned a lot from last year's Wimbledon and the one thing that really stands out is I now know how I need to play to win the big matches," said Murray, who followed up on Olympic success by claiming his maiden Grand Slam title, beating Djokovic in the US Open final a few weeks later. "I didn't come away from that (Wimbledon) final against Federer doubting myself, I didn't have any regrets. "However, I think I'll be in a better place mentally than last year because I've been here before and now I've won a Grand Slam, so I would hope to be a lot calmer. "Winning Wimbledon would be a huge achievement for any tennis player. Winning my first Slam, after failing a lot of times, I don't think anything will top the relief I felt after that match but winning here is the pinnacle of the sport. "I still don't think I will have ever feelings like I had after winning the Olympics. I will never get the opportunity to do that again and I don't think I'll ever top it. But I don't think it brings less or more pressure on Sunday." Murray and Djokovic have played 17 times with the record 11-7 in the Serbian's favour. Sunday will be their fourth Grand Slam final meeting, with Djokovic winning at the 2011 and 2013 Australian Open and losing in a titanic five-hour five set tussle at Flushing Meadows last September. Murray is just a week older than the world number one and he famously won their first-ever match on the junior circuit. He also has the advantage of winning their only ever match on grass - a semi-final victory on the way to gold at London 2012. "Novak and I have a professional friendship, we've spent a lot of time discussing various issues within tennis but it's not more than that right now," he added. "I would hope, when we finish playing, it will be different but it's hard to play in big, big matches, with lots on the line, and still be the best of friends." Murray was made to fight before progressing past world number 24 Jerzy Janowicz 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, turning the match around by winning five consecutive third set games to finally break his Polish rival's stubborn resolve. Janowicz had advanced through the tournament dropping just four service games but Murray played him at his own game. The Scot boomed down 20 aces to his rival's nine, he made just one double fault, in comparison to the Pole's 11. "I'm disappointed, I didn't play my best tennis and that is such a shame," said Janowicz, who was appearing in only the fifth Grand Slam tournament of what looks a promising career. "I was struggling with my serve and just collapsed when I was 4-1 up in the third set. Deep down I should be happy, it's my first Grand Slam semi-final and tomorrow I'm sure I will be okay. "I don't feel like losing against the runner-up, so I wish Andy good luck in the final." Murray had expressed annoyance when the players were called off the court at the end of the third set due to fading light. He had just taken a 2-1 lead after winning five straight games and thought there was enough light to complete the match. Despite this, he went on to win the fourth set under the roof in just 35 minutes. "I don't know what the ruling is but I feel Wimbledon is an outdoor event and you should play outdoors until it is not possible to do that anymore but it worked out okay in the end," he added. "I had all the momentum, it was still very light. It was only 8.40pm, so there was still 45 minutes to an hour of light available. "Once I got back on the court, I wasn't angry. It was frustrating at that moment but I still had a job to do and thankfully I did it." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2013 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS OPEN - JANUARY 14-27, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA Australian Open Day Six: As it happened Updated January 20, 2013, 1:13 am Look back Grandstand's coverage of day six of the Australian Open as the third round continued in both the men's and women's singles: Evening session: Gilles Simon def. Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, 8-6 Milos Raonic def. Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 Earlier highlights: Gilles Simon (14) 6 6 4 1 8 Gael Monfils 4 4 6 6 6 12.32pm: After almost four and three-quarter hours, Gilles Simon won his service game to love to beat Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, 8-6. Simon looks like he was about to pass out when sitting on his chair. He got through it though. "I was almost dying after the second set," Simon said with typical understatement. And that's where we'll leave tonight's live coverage. Thanks for enduring it with us. See you bright and early tomorrow. 12.26pm: Simon has broken Monfils and will now serve for the match once more. First though, he will receive another massage to his left thigh. 12:23pm: Simon levels at 6-6. No tie-break of course. At the end of one epic rally Simon held his chest as if he was going to collapse. He didn't. 12:17pm: Monfils is 6-5 up and the trainer is out for, by my estimation, the 27th time in this match. 12.08pm: Monfils wins his second break point on Simon's serve, who was serving for the game at 5-4 up. This game has still got legs. Ironically neither player has anything left in their own. 12.01pm: We're now locked at 2-2 in sets, 4-4 in games and 40-40. All to play for. 11.37pm: Monfils has broken back to make it 3-3. It is now deuce and there was just a 47-shot rally. I didn't want to sleep tonight anyway. 11.28pm: Simon has broken Monfils again. Surely he'll go on and win the set now. If only it was that straight forward... 11.21pm: Monfils has lost his serve. Unbelievable! And not in a good way. Simon now serving to level up the match at 2-2 in sets and games. 11.16pm: You haven't missed much. Just a marathon Simon service game where he alternated between holding his left leg and right wrist each time he lost a point. Monfils eventually broke him and is 2-0 up in the fifth. 10.55pm: Monfils takes the fourth set 6-1. It's amazing how this match has turned. Can Simon turn the tide in the deciding fifth? 10.41pm: A Simon double fault gives Monfils a 3-1 lead in the third set. 10.27pm: Monfils wins the third set 6-4. Simon is struggling with his left leg, Monfils doesn't look in great fitness himself....This could, quite literally, be a last man standing match. 10.17pm: "We're turning into the Fed-Nadal rivalry," Sloane Stephens said about her and Laura Robson at the press conference. Mmmm.... She was joking. We hope. 10:04pm: The All-France third-round clash is going with serve in the third. Simon, who is two sets to the good, is 3-2 up but now having treatment on his left thigh. 9:52pm: Tomic in press conference: "Full credit to him, he is the best player and greatest of all time." Maybe he should have been saying that before the match... 9:38pm: Simon saves a break point and then holds onto his serve and a brilliant lob forces a set point and he wins a lengthy rally to go two sets up on Monfils. 9:34pm: Jovanovski wins a second set tie-break to end the run of the tournament's elder stateswoman, Date-Krumm, winning 6-2, 7-6. Quite a contrast in her next foe: She plays teenager Sloane Stephens. 9:26pm: In the women's singles, Bojana Jovanovski won the first set against Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-2. The second set is in a tie-break. Can the 42-year-old force the match into a third set? 9:16pm: Back on court, Gilles Simon won the first set against Gael Monfils 6-4. It is currently 3-3 in the second. Roger Federer (2) 6 7 6 Bernard Tomic 4 6 1 9:08pm: Federer wins with an ace to take the match 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 and seal his 250th grand slam match victory. The first man to hit this milestone. 9:06pm: Federer breaks Tomic again to go 5-1 up. Once more, it's going to take someone at the top of their game to beat the Swiss ace this year. 9:00pm: An ace-ace finish sees Federer take his service game to love. 4-1 up. Only a matter of time now. 8:58pm: Tomic holds his serve to stay in the game at 3-1 down. 8:50pm: Tomic did not play badly on his serve but Federer pulled out three consecutive fantastic points to break the Aussie. Federer 2-0 up in sets and in the third. 8:44pm: Two fantastic winners give Tomic a break point but Federer wins three straight points to take the game. Federer 2-0 up in sets and 1-0 in the third. 8:40pm: Raonic has beaten Kohlschreiber in straight sets 7-6, 6-3, 6-4. The winner meets Federer or Tomic. 8:37pm: Federer wins four points on the trot to win the second set. 8:35pm: Federer shows great defence to stay in a point on Tomic's serve and bring the scores back to 5-4 - in-effect back to level pegging. 8:34pm: Back to 4-3 now. Tomic may just get one chance here. 8:33pm: Tomic now 4-1 up. Easily held onto his two service points. Pressure on Fed. 8:32pm: Tomic is 2-0 up in the tie-break. He won his service point then answered a ferocious Federer forehand with one of his own that the Swiss maestro on the run could only put into the net. 8:30pm: And we have a tie-break. Federer famously has a superb record in these. The level of play is increasing all the time. 8:26pm: Tomic seals the game with an ace. 6-5 up in the second set now. Can he deny Fed a two-set lead? 8:25pm: Federer ends a superb rally with a backhand winner on the run to set up a break, but a hammered forehand from Tomic brings it back to deuce. 8:22pm: Pressure? What pressure. Federer holds to love, ending with a referred out call that was overruled an ace. 5-5. 8:19pm: This is such high quality tennis. Tomic saves three break points and holds to put pressure on Federer. Tomic 5-4 up in the second set. 8:10pm: Federer holds to level at 4-4. The players are level at 13 unforced errors apiece. The game has an even feel. It goes without saying this is a set Tomic has to win. 8:00pm: After having to save break points in his first two service games of the second set, Tomic goes 3-2 up winning a game to love, capped off by two aces. 7:57pm: Raonic is two sets up on Kohlschreiber (7-6, 6-3), with the score at 2-1 with serve in the third. 7.53pm: Federer easily holds on to his serve, sealed with an ace. Simon and Monfils are also underway in a match where the winner faces Andy Murray. It is 1-1 there in the first set. 7.50pm: Tomic survives a break point to hold on to his serve in the first game of the second set. 7:43pm: Federer takes the first set 6-4 with a minimum of fuss. 7:38pm: Tomic survived three set points and held onto his serve to ensure Fed is made to serve out to take the set. 5-4 Federer. 7:35pm: Again Tomic forces a deuce on Federer's serve but once more the Swiss ace responds with consecutive points. He leads 5-3. Elsewhere, Sloane Stephens has sealed a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Laura Robson. 7:28pm: Most encouraging returning game so far for Tomic. A sublime forehand brought the scores to deuce, but Federer hit a brilliant cross-court backhand winner and then an ace to seal the game. 4-2. 7:24pm: Federer still too good on his own serve. 3-1 up. Long odds on him not taking a one-set lead. 7:18pm: Better in his second service game from Tomic. Comfortably holding. Now can he make an impression on Federer's serve? 7.11pm: Fairly ominous start you'd have to say: Tomic broken in his first service game. 7:04pm: Four-time champion Roger Federer and Australia's number one Bernard Tomic are on court and hitting up. We are moments away... 6:53pm: Caroline Wozniacki survived a break point in the final game before serving out to complete a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Lesia Tsurenko. 6:45pm: Milos Raonic and Phillip Kohlschreiber are underway on Court 3. The match is 3-2 and going with serve. Must say I'm relieved this had an early start. I have a feeling it could be a long one. The winner of this plays Roger Federer or Bernard Tomic which begins shortly. 6:44pm: Commentator's or blogger's curse, whatever you want to call it - it's happened. Stephens broke Robson's serve and has taken the first set 7-5. 6:41pm: Laura Robson has made an incredible recovery in the first set against Sloane Stephens. From 4-0 down she has pulled it back to 6-5 on serve. 6:30pm: Caroline Wozniacki looks well on her way to the fourth round having won the first set 6-3 and 4-2 up in the second against Lesia Tsurenko. 6:16pm: We are less than an hour away from the match we have been waiting for this tournament. How is Roger Federer shaping up ahead of his clash with Bernard Tomic? Fortunately we spoke to his hitting partner Luke Saville: 6:11pm: Sam Stosur has not been able to find any solace for her singles woes in the doubles, with her and Julia Goerges going out to Vavara Lepchenko/Saisai Zheng 7-5, 3-6, 7-5. Ashleigh Barty and Jack Sock have been eliminated from the mixed doubles by Su-Wei Hsieh and Rohan Bopanna 6-3, 6-3. 6:00pm: Sloane Stephens has started off like a rocket against Australian-born Brit Laura Robson, leading 4-0 in the first set. 5:48pm: Tsurenko broke Wozniacki's serve to take a lead but the Dane restored parity in the following game. 5:38pm: Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki is now on court at Hisense Arena facing Lesia Tsurenko. The two split the opening games of the match on serve. 5:32pm: So the men's singles action is now on hiatus until Bernard Tomic and Roger Federer do battle, but we will keep an eye on the doubles action where Sam Stosur and Ashleigh Barty are, separately, on court. Stosur playing with Julia Georges is one-all in sets and 3-2 down in the deciding third, to Vavara Lepchenko and Saisai Zheng. Barty is also not fairing great - in the mixed doubles she and the fantastically named Jack Sock from America are 6-3, 1-0 down to Su-Wei Hsieh and Rohan Bopanna. 5:27pm: One more piece of business to take care of in the men's draw, there was a fourth match that finished almost simultaneously and it was a minor upset of sorts, with 21st seed Italian Andreas Seppi beating 12th seed Marin Cilic 6-7, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. Andy Murray (3) 6 6 7 Ricardas Berankis 3 4 5 5:23pm: And Murray has completed a straight sets victory over Lithuania's favourite son, Ricardas Berankis, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. He will play the winner of Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils in a fourth round that has a particular French flavour to it. 5:21pm: Andy Murray has broken straight back and is once more serving for a straight sets victory at 6-5 up in the third set. 5:19pm: And Chardy's compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is also through to the fourth round, he beat Blaz Kavcic 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. Juan del Potro (6) 3 3 7 6 3 Jeremy Chardy 6 6 6 3 6 5:17pm: But one result is in...and its the biggest shock of the torunament so far. Sixth seed Juan del Potro is out, Jeremy Chardy has beaten him 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 6-3. 5:15pm: Just when we thought it was over....it's not. When serving for the match Murray was broken by Berankis. The score now lies at 5-5 in the third set. 5:10pm: On that note I will hand over to Ciaran Baynes and Luke Pentony to take you through the rest of day six, including the marquee matchup of Tomic v Federer. This is Andrew McGarry signing off. 5:08pm: Everything seems to be coming to a crunch right now, with four matches potentially a few games away from finishing. Murray is serving at 4-3 against Berankis, Chardy and Del Potro are on serve in the fifth, Kavcic has broken back against Tsonga and has levelled the third set at 4-4 and Seppi has a break and is serving at 3-2 in the fifth against Cilic. 4:59pm: Tsonga is headed for victory, up a break at 4-1 in the third against Kavcic. 4:56pm: Andy Murray has broken again and leads 3-1 in the third set against Ricardas Berankis. Juan Martin del Potro and Jeremy Chardy are 2-2 in the deciding set, while Andreas Seppi and Marin Cilic are also on serve in the fifth after the Italian took the fourth set 6-4. 4:44pm: On Margaret Court Arena, Tsonga has gone two sets up over Kavcic, after winning the second set 6-1. 4:43pm: Murray isn't setting the world on fire, but he has taken the second set 6-4 against Berankis and a spot in the fourth round against Gael Monfils or Gilles Simon now beckons for the third seed. 4:35pm: Normal service is being resumed, with Andy Murray going on a run of games to lead 5-4 after being down 4-2 in the second set against Ricardas Berankis, while Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is 4-1 up in the second set over Blaz Kavcic. 4:32pm: Beware the wounded Argentinian, it seems - Juan Martin del Potro, despite talking to trainers during a change of ends in the fourth set, has now levelled his match at two sets all against Jeremy Chardy. 4:26pm: Some good news from the juniors, and a good start to a big day for the Tomic family. Bernard's younger sister Sara has beaten Gabriela Pantuckova of the Czech Republic in three sets, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. A reminder, if one were needed, that Bernard Tomic is due on court later this evening to face Roger Federer in one of the most high-profile matches of the tournament. 4:21pm: Ricardas Berankis is not going anywhere - the Lithuanian has broken Andy Murray to lead 4-2 in the second set. Juan Martin del Potro and Jeremy Chardy are 3-3 in the fourth set, while Jo Wilfried-Tsonga has taken the opening set 6-2 against Blaz Kavcic. 4:04pm: On show court 2, Marin Cilic has taken the third set 6-2 to lead Andreas Seppi by two sets to one. On Margaret Court Arena, play is under way between France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Blaz Kavcic, with the seventh seed Tsonga making an early break to lead 2-1. 4:00pm: Good news for Scottish tennis fans, with Andy Murray winning the first set 6-3 against Ricardas Berankis. 3:58pm: The sixth seed is hanging tough on Hisense Arena. Juan Martin del Potro held his serve to take the third set to a tie-break against Jeremy Chardy, then he convincingly won the breaker 7-3. On to a fourth set we go! 3:40pm: Games are on serve at 5-5 in the third set between Jeremy Chardy and Juan Martin del Potro. If the sixth seed has a comeback in mind, he'd better fire up right now. Meanwhile women's 16th seed Roberta Vinci of Italy has been knocked out by Hobart international winner Elena Vesnina of Russia in three sets, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. Richard Gasquet bt Ivan Dodig 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 (2 hr 25 min) 3:34pm: France's Richard Gasquet has sealed a spot in the fourth round, the ninth seed winning in four sets over Croatia's Ivan Dodig 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 in two hours 25 minutes. He will now play the winner of Jo Wilfried-Tsonga and Blaz Kavcic in the next round. 3:26pm: Play is under way on Rod Laver Arena between Britain's Andy Murray and Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis. Murray has started well and is serving with a break at 3-1. 3:20pm: Some results from day one of the junior boys and girls singles competitions involving Australian juniors - Jacob Grills has lost to Duck Hee Lee of South Korea 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), Priscilla Hon has gone out in three sets to China's Ziyue Sun 6-4, 1-6, 0-6, Akira Santillan has opened his Open account with a win over Egypt's Mazen Osama 6-1, 6-2, Lizette Cabrera has been defeated 6-2, 6-2, by Slovakian Natalia Vajdova and Jay Andrijic has been beaten in straight sets by Italy's Filippo Baldi 6-4, 6-2. 3:08pm: Quickly back to Hisense Arena, where a non-plussed Juan Martin del Potro has meekly given his hard-earned break straight back to Jeremy Chardy. Chardy has never been past the third round in a grand slam, but the chances are he will rectify that stat this afternoon. 3:06pm: In other matches, Richard Gasquet has taken a third set tie-break by 7-2 against Ivan Dodig, and the Frenchman is now closing in on victory at 3-0 in the fourth set. Andreas Seppi has broken and leads 4-2 in the second set, although he is a set down to Marin Cilic. And on Margaret Court Arena, it is one set all between 16th seed Roberta Vinci of Italy and Russian Elena Vesnina. 3:01pm: Juan Martin del Potro is in deep trouble on Hisense Arena, losing the second set 6-3 to Jeremy Chardy. The sixth seed, sensing a need to strike, has grabbed a break in the opening game of the third set, but he has a long way home from here. Serena Williams bt Ayumi Morita 6-1, 6-3 (1 hr 6 min) 2:55pm: Well, Serena Williams has closed it out, breaking Ayumi Morita to win 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and six minutes. That was impressive, apart from a brief lapse at the start of the second set. She will now play Russia's Maria Kirilenko in the next round. 2:43pm: Serena Williams has turned things right around against Ayumi Morita, winning four straight games from 0-3 down to be up a break at 4-3. 2:40pm: Marin Cilic has battled back from a break down to take the first set against Andreas Seppi to a tie-break. Cilic has gone on with the job, taking the breaker 7-2. 2:37pm: On Hisense Arena, there is an upset in the wind, with France's Jeremy Chardy a break up at 3-2 in the second set, having won the opening set 6-3 over Juan Martin del Potro. 2:34pm: Japan's Ayumi Morita has had a strong start to the second set, breaking Williams and is serving at 3-1. However she has dropped the opening three points to give Serena a sniff of a break back, and Williams only needed one break point to take the score to 2-3 on serve. 2:17pm: Elsewhere, men's ninth seed Richard Gasquet of France and Croatian Ivan Dodig are one set all on show court 3, while Italian 21st seed Andreas Seppi has a break in the opening set and leads Croatian 12th seed Marin Cilic 5-3. On Rod Laver Arena, Serena Williams has just dropped the hammer with a 207 kmh serve on the way to clinching the first set 6-1 against Ayumi Morita. 2:09pm: Let's go around the grounds for a minute to tell you about what is happening on various courts. On Rod Laver Arena, Serena Williams is apparently cruising at 4-1 in the first set against Japan's Ayumi Morita. There has been an interesting start to the match on Hisense Arena, with Argentinian sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro behind against France's Jeremy Chardy after losing the first set 6-3. 1:53pm: Women's number one seed Victoria Azarenka has prevailed in a tight three-set match over gutsy American Jamie Hampton, who pushed the Belarusian star all the way despite a back injury: Hampton, who has a history of back trouble, took a five-minute timeout late in the second set for treatment on her lower back. Still in obvious pain, the world number 63 was able to clinch the second set before world number one Azarenka steadied to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in a match which lasted for two hours and nine minutes. Hampton, 22, was also treated for cramp in her legs during the third set to the annoyance of her Belarussian opponent. The American's last chance came in the seventh game of the final set when she got to 0-40 on Azarenka's serve, only for the top seed to win five straight points and hold for 5-2. Victoria Azarenka bt Jamie Hampton 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 (2 hr 9 min) 1:23pm: It looks like the end for Hampton, who had three break points in the seventh game only for Azarenka to hold for 5-2. The Belarusian races to 0-40, and converts her first match point to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 after two hours nine minutes. The crowd gives a standing ovation to both players. 1:14pm: An update from the other courts - 14th seed Maria Kirilenko of Russia has won her match against Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium on Hisense Arena, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. On show court 2, Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro and Svetlana Kuznetsova are locked at one set all, with Kuznetsova up 5-3 in the decider. 1:08pm: Hampton nets a return and Azarenka gets the break back for 2-2. 1:04pm: This. Is. Amazing. Jamie Hampton can hardly move on court, but she has held her own serve and then broken Victoria Azarenka to lead 2-1 in the deciding set. The crowd is on their feet at Rod Laver Arena, and the number one seed is in grave danger here. 12:58pm: Jamie Hampton has just levelled things up at one set all, but she is in a lot of pain on Rod Laver Arena, and it looks uncertain whether she can physically last through a draining third set. The American appears to be hurting every time she hits the ball. This is a brave effort, but I expect we may see a retirement shortly. 12:49pm: Hampton has returned to the court after having treatment on her back - she seems somewhat constrained in her play, but she has set up two set points at 40-15, and the American has sent down a tough first serve which Azarenka skied wide cross-court to give Hampton the second set 6-4. Game on! 12:43pm: Not good news for Jamie Hampton - the American failed to convert two break points to take the set in the ninth game, allowing Azarenka to get back to 4-5. Before she could try to hold serve for the set, however, Hampton has called out the trainer at the change of ends and has now left the court to get treatment on an unidentified injury. 12:34pm: The Australian Open Twitter traffic continues apace, with the players posting a variety of messages. Men's eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic has sent a shout-out to fellow Serbian Nikola Milojevic, who begins his junior boys' campaign today against Jurence Zosimo Mendoza of the Phillipines. South Africa's Kevin Anderson has thanked the public for their support after his five set win over Spain's 22nd seed Fernando Verdasco, and Switzerland's Stanislaus Wawrinka has simply said hello: @TipsarevicJanko Juniors start today...That brings back memories.C'mon NIkola @kevinanderson18 Thank you for all the support and messages, it means a lot! It was a great experience playing yesterday in #Hisense arena @australianopen @stanwarinka Good morning Melbourne .... 12:28pm: Women's 14th seed Maria Kirilenko has taken the first set 7-6 (7-4) against Yanina Wickmayer after 64 minutes on Hisense Arena. Meanwhile things have stabilised on Rod Laver Arena, with Jamie Hampton still a break up on Victoria Azarenka at 4-3 in the second set. 12:18pm: As a partial explanation for all the breaks, it is difficult to hold serve when both players are winning roughly 20 per cent of their second serves. However, Jamie Hampton has now managed the feat, holding for a 3-1 lead in the second set. 12:14pm: On Hisense Arena, the match between Yanina Wickmayer and Maria Kirilenko has gone to a first set tie-break after just under an hour's play. 12:12pm: What is happening here? Hampton has now broken Azarenka to make it three breaks of serve in as many games at the start of the second set. She leads 2-1. 12:08pm: Azarenka has now been broken in the opening game of the second set, but Hampton is struggling on her own service and the Belarusian has levelled at 1-1. 12:04pm: Oh dear, it's catching. Hampton has just double-faulted on set-point to give the opener to Azarenka 6-4 in 47 minutes. It has to be said, however that the number one seed is looking a little shaky here - whoever can keep their composure will win through to the fourth round. 11:57am: Now wait a minute, things are changing on Rod Laver Arena. Jamie Hampton is finding her feet and is hitting some powerful groundstrokes that Victoria Azarenka is struggling with. Azarenka has just served her fifth double fault and the American has broken back again to trail 4-5 with her serve to come. 11:49am: Things are going pear-shaped for the young American on Rod Laver Arena, as Jamie Hampton has been broken again in the sixth game of the opening set. Victoria Azarenka is serving for the set at 5-1, but whether it's nerves or something else, the Belarusian world number one throws in three double faults and eventually concedes the game. So Hampton has one break back, but she still trails 2-5. 11:31am: Azarenka has the first break of the match against Hampton - she leads 3-1 in the opening set. On Hisense Arena, Belgian 20th seed Yanina Wickmayer has exchanged breaks with Maria Kirilenko. The Belgian leads 2-1. 11:28am: Looking past the Australian challenge on day six, there are are a number of top seeds in the men's and women's singles draws who are appearing on the main courts during the day session. Getting things started on Rod Laver Arena is number one seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who is playing American Jamie Hampton. Azarenka has dropped all of six games in the first two rounds combined, and she has started off strongly on serve for 2-1. Second up in the main stadium is third seed Serena Williams, who has been in deadly form despite concerns over an ankle injury. She takes on Japan's Ayumi Morita. Then men's number three seed Andy Murray, who will play Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis - the conqueror of Germany's 25th seed Florian Mayer in round two. On Hisense Arena, we start with women's 14th seed Russia's Maria Kirilenko v 20th seed Yanina Wickmayer, before Argentinian men's sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro takes on France's Jeremy Chardy. Later, women's 10th seed Caroline Wozniacki will play Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko. On Margaret Court Arena, men's seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - who fancies his chances of taking the scheduled spot in the semi-finals for absent Big Four member Rafael Nadal - will be third match on against Slovenia's Blaz Kavcic, the man who put paid to Australian James Duckworth's Open campaign in five hot draining sets the other day. 11:10am: There are a number of Australians in action today, mostly in men's, women's and mixed doubles. The obvious highlight, of course, is a certain young man who is still undefeated in 2013 coming up against perhaps the greatest player in the history of the game. Umm ... no pressure, though, Bernard Tomic - you can take on Roger "17 Slams" Federer tonight at 7:00pm on Rod Laver Arena. For the rest of the schedule look below to see who's playing who, when and where. aus Gajdosova/Ebden v Lisicki/Nielsen Show Court 3 after 11:00am aus Goerges/Stosur v Lepchenko/Zheng Show Court 3 not before 12:00pm aus Barton/Millman v Anderson/Ehrlich Court 6 after 11:00am aus Barty/Sock v Hsieh/Bopanna Court 6 after 12:00pm aus Black/Rodionova v Aoyama/Falconi Margaret Court Arena after 7:00pm aus Bernard Tomic v Roger Federer Rod Laver Arena after 7:00pm aus Dellacqua/Smith v Hlavackova/Bracciali Rod Laver Arena after 7:00pm There are also a string of young Australians hitting the courts for the start of the junior boys' and girls' singles. Check below for courts and times. aus Jacob Grills v Duck Hee Lee Court 5 after 11:00am aus Akira Santillan v Mazen Osama Court 5 after 11:00am aus Naiktha Bains v Olga Fridman Court 5 after 11:00am aus Marc Polmans v Nicolas Jarry Court 5 after 11:00am aus Sara Tomic v Gabriela Pantuckova Court 8 after 11:00am aus Oliver Anderson v Brayden Schnur Court 11 after 11:00am aus Stefani Stojic v Shilin Xu Court 11 after 11:00am aus Jake Delaney v Hyeon Chung Court 11 after 11:00am aus Priscilla Hon v Ziyue Sun Court 15 after 11:00am aus Lizette Cabrera v Natalie Vajdova Court 15 after 11:00am aus Ellen Perez v Ana Konjuh Court 15 after 11:00am aus Jay Andrijic v Filippo Baldi Court 20 after 11:00am aus Brooke Rischbieth v Carol Zhao Court 22 after 11:00am 11:05am: Good morning tennis fans and welcome to the sixth day of the first grand slam of the year. Things move fast at Melbourne Park, we are nearing the end of week one and the top seeds all appear to be in fine form. Aside from women's number eight seed Petra Kvitova, who exited the Open on night four at the hands of Britain's Laura Robson, big upsets have been about as rare as the dodo. Time will tell us whether that will change on day six. As always, you can keep in touch with us via or , where we'll be asking for your thoughts on the tennis as the day goes on. Date Session START TIME Public Gates Opening Time Provisional Feature Matches Rod Laver Arena Hisense Arena Outside courts Wed 9 10.00am 9.30am Thu 10 10.00am 9.30am Fri 11 10.00am 9.30am Sat 12 12.00pm 9.30am Sun 13 no play n/a Mon 14 Day 11.00am 11.00am 11.00am 10.00am 1st singles round Night 7.00 pm 5.00pm Tue 15 Day 11.00am 11.00am 11.00am 10.00am 1st singles round Night 7.00 pm 5.00pm Wed 16 Day 11.00am 11.00am 11.00am 10.00am 2nd singles round Night 7.00 pm 5.00pm Thu 17 Day 11.00am 11.00am 11.00am 10.00am 2nd singles round Night 7.00 pm 5.00pm Fri 18 Day 11.00am 11.00am 11.00am 10.00am 3rd singles round Night 7.00 pm 7.00 pm 5.00pm Sat 19 Day 11.00am 11.00am 11.00am 10.00am 3rd singles round Night 7.00 pm 7.00 pm 5.00pm Sun 20 Day 11.00am 11am 11.00am 10.00am 4th singles round Night 7.00 pm 5.00pm Mon 21 Day 11.00am 11am 11.00am 10.00am 4th singles round Night 7.30 pm 5.00pm Tue 22 Day 11.00am no play 11.00am 10.00am Quarterfinal Singles Night 7.30 pm 5.00pm Wed 23 Day 11.00am no play 11.00am 10.00am Quarterfinal Singles Night 7.30 pm Thu 24 Day 11.00am no play 11.00am 10.00am (Match TBA) not before 1.30pm 2 x Women’s Singles Semifinal Night 7.30 pm 5.00pm 1 x Men’s Singles Semifinal followed by "Magic Moments" exhibition match Fri 25 Twilight 3.00pm no play 3.00pm 2.00pm Mixed Doubles Semifinal not before 4.00pm Women’s Doubles Final not before 7.30pm 1 x Men’s Singles Semifinal Sat 26 Twilight 1.00pm no play 1.00pm 12.00pm Girl’s Singles Final followed by Boy’s Singles Final (subject toGS Final completion by 4pm) 7.00pm* (*Australia Day Ceremony) 7.30pm Women’s Singles Final followed by Men's Doubles Final Sun 27 Twilight 4.00pm no play no play 3.00pm Mixed Doubles Final 7.00pm* (* Pre-Final Entertainment) 7.30pm Men’s Singles Final This schedule & format is provisional and is subject to alteration without notice (eg. the starting time may change if extreme heat is forecast, or the tournament is behind schedule). Junior matches on outside courts Sun 19 Jan onwards - may start up to one hour earlier than above stated outside court start time. Singles events quarter final matches are proposed to be scheduled on Tue 22 and Wed 23 Jan. Night session RLA Doors will not be opened for patron access before 6.30pm for 7pm sessions, and 7pm for 7.30pm sessions, or less than 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Day session, whichever is later. Public gate opening times may be altered if required for safety or other reasons. It is intended to schedule four (4) matches at Hisense Arena Mon 14 - Thurs 17 Jan, and Sun 20 - Mon 21 Jan. It is intended to schedule three (3) Day session matches and two (2) Night session matches at Hisense Arena Fri 18 and Sat 19 Jan. The last match on Margaret Court Arena Mon 14 - Sat 19 Jan, will be scheduled not before 7.00pm. Completed Matches - Day 3Home > Scores > Completed MatchesAll EventsMen's SinglesWomen's SinglesMen's DoublesWomen's DoublesMen's Qualifying SinglesWomen's Qualifying SinglesExhibition QualifyingTournament1Wednesday, 09 January2Thursday, 10 January3Friday, 11 January4Saturday, 12 January 1Monday, 14 January2Tuesday, 15 January3Wednesday, 16 January4 Thursday, 17 January5 Friday, 18 January6 Saturday, 19 January7 Sunday, 20 January8 Monday, 21 January9 Tuesday, 22 January10 Wednesday, 23 January11 Thursday, 24 January12 Friday, 25 January13 Saturday, 26 January14 Sunday, 27 JanuaryRod Laver Arena - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 33Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [4]66Match StatsRod Laver Arena - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Guillaume Rufin (FRA) 224Tomas Berdych (CZE) [5]666Match StatsRod Laver Arena - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Jie Zheng (CHN) 617Samantha Stosur (AUS) [9]465Match StatsRod Laver Arena - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Venus Williams (USA) [25]66Alize Cornet (FRA) 33Match StatsRod Laver Arena - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1]666Ryan Harrison (USA) 123Match StatsHisense Arena - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Nicolas Almagro (ESP) [10]666Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 412Match StatsHisense Arena - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Na Li (CHN) [6]67Olga Govortsova (BLR) 25Match StatsHisense Arena - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Tatsuma Ito (JPN) 6322Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) [28]3666Match StatsHisense Arena - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Misaki Doi (JPN) 00Maria Sharapova (RUS) [2]66Match StatsMargaret Court Arena - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Angelique Kerber (GER) [5]66Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 31Match StatsMargaret Court Arena - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Julia Goerges (GER) [18]66Romina Oprandi (SUI) 32Match StatsMargaret Court Arena - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345David Ferrer (ESP) [4]6746Tim Smyczek (USA) 0563Match StatsMargaret Court Arena - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [13]716Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) 564Match StatsMargaret Court Arena - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Xavier Malisse (BEL) 132Fernando Verdasco (ESP) [22]666Match StatsShow Court 2 - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) [15]664Valeria Savinykh (RUS) 786Match StatsRetiredShow Court 2 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Tobias Kamke (GER) 364Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) [15]677Match StatsShow Court 2 - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Maria Joao Koehler (POR) 6652Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [22]2776Match StatsShow Court 2 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Lukas Lacko (SVK) 34665Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) [8]66347Match StatsShow Court 3 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Carlos Berlocq (ARG) 6441Kei Nishikori (JPN) [16]7766Match StatsShow Court 3 - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Madison Keys (USA) 66Tamira Paszek (AUT) [30]21Match StatsShow Court 3 - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Vesna Dolonc (SRB) 50Marion Bartoli (FRA) [11]76Match StatsShow Court 3 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 224Radek Stepanek (CZE) [31]666Match StatsCourt 5 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) 466Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino (ESP) Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) 632Match StatsRetiredCourt 5 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Robert Lindstedt (SWE) [7] Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) [7]37Michael Llodra (FRA) Nicolas Mahut (FRA) 65Match StatsCourt 5 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Michael Kohlmann (GER) Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 77Colin Fleming (GBR) Jamie Murray (GBR) 55Match StatsCourt 5 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Lukas Rosol (CZE) Viktor Troicki (SRB) 34Flavio Cipolla (ITA) Andreas Seppi (ITA) 66Match StatsCourt 5 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Jeremy Chardy (FRA) Lukasz Kubot (POL) 66Frantisek Cermak (CZE) [15] Michal Mertinak (SVK) [15]42Match StatsCourt 6 - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 66Klara Zakopalova (CZE) [23]10Match StatsRetiredCourt 6 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Sam Querrey (USA) [20]30621Brian Baker (USA) 30771Match StatsCourt 6 - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [19]66Stephanie Foretz Gacon (FRA) 33Match StatsCourt 6 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Julien Benneteau (FRA) [32]477777Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 656565Match StatsCourt 7 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) [10] Sania Mirza (IND) [10]643Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 776Match StatsCourt 7 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Polona Hercog (SLO) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 24Ashleigh Barty (AUS) Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 66Match StatsCourt 7 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) [13] Scott Lipsky (USA) [13]45Eric Butorac (USA) Paul Hanley (AUS) 67Match StatsCourt 7 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 14Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) [15] Shuai Peng (CHN) [15]66Match StatsCourt 7 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345James Duckworth (AUS) Chris Guccione (AUS) 37765Samuel Groth (AUS) Matt Reid (AUS) 66177Match StatsCourt 8 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Somdev Devvarman (IND) 7126105Jerzy Janowicz (POL) [24]6103667Match StatsCourt 8 - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) 6672Heather Watson (GBR) 4796Match StatsCourt 8 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 154Kevin Anderson (RSA) 676Match StatsCourt 10 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Melinda Czink (HUN) Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 4677Simona Halep (ROU) Arantxa Rus (NED) 6262Match StatsCourt 10 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) Go Soeda (JPN) 47106Julian Knowle (AUT) [14] Filip Polasek (SVK) [14]6683Match StatsCourt 10 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) Christina McHale (USA) 43Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) [2] Lucie Hradecka (CZE) [2]66Match StatsCourt 10 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) Potito Starace (ITA) 776Benjamin Becker (GER) Frank Moser (GER) 603Match StatsCourt 11 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Rika Fujiwara (JPN) Mervana Jugic-Salkic (BIH) 14Jill Craybas (USA) Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 66Match StatsCourt 11 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Mathilde Johansson (FRA) Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 7947Kiki Bertens (NED) Tatjana Malek (GER) 6765Match StatsCourt 11 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Ivan Dodig (CRO) [10] Marcelo Melo (BRA) [10]57765Daniele Bracciali (ITA) Lukas Dlouhy (CZE) 76177Match StatsCourt 11 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 626Annika Beck (GER) Liga Dekmeijere (LAT) 161Match StatsCourt 13 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Alicja Rosolska (POL) Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) 264Maria Kirilenko (RUS) [3] Lisa Raymond (USA) [3]616Match StatsCourt 13 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) [23]664263Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) 377636Match StatsCourt 13 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Mike Bryan (USA) [1] Bob Bryan (USA) [1]76Oliver Marach (AUT) Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 53Match StatsCourt 13 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Rohan Bopanna (IND) [12] Rajeev Ram (USA) [12]66Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 24Match StatsCourt 15 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) [6] Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) [6]66David Goffin (BEL) Simon Stadler (GER) 31Match StatsCourt 15 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Alex Bolt (AUS) Greg Jones (AUS) 3677Alejandro Falla (COL) Santiago Giraldo (COL) 6265Match StatsCourt 15 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Dustin Brown (GER) Christopher Kas (GER) 2667Marcel Granollers (ESP) [3] Marc Lopez (ESP) [3]6379Match StatsCourt 15 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Pablo Andujar (ESP) Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 24Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) [5] Daniel Nestor (CAN) [5]66Match StatsCourt 19 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Simone Bolelli (ITA) Fabio Fognini (ITA) 66Johan Brunstrom (SWE) Frederik Nielsen (DEN) 33Match StatsCourt 19 - Men's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Jurgen Melzer (AUT) [26]6466366Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 7737732Match StatsCourt 19 - Women's Singles - 2nd RoundPts12345Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) 632Sorana Cirstea (ROU) [27]166Match StatsCourt 19 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Natalie Grandin (RSA) [14] Vladimira Uhlirova (CZE) [14]66Viktorija Rajicic (AUS) Storm Sanders (AUS) 44Match StatsCourt 20 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) Shahar Peer (ISR) 03Darija Jurak (CRO) Katalin Marosi (HUN) 66Match StatsCourt 20 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Shuko Aoyama (JPN) Irina Falconi (USA) 6577Vania King (USA) [11] Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) [11]3762Match StatsCourt 20 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Sara Errani (ITA) [1] Roberta Vinci (ITA) [1]776Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) Johanna Larsson (SWE) 632Match StatsCourt 20 - Men's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Leonardo Mayer (ARG) Albert Ramos (ESP) 637866Robin Haase (NED) Igor Sijsling (NED) 776678Match StatsCourt 22 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Petra Martic (CRO) Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6468Mandy Minella (LUX) Megan Moulton-Levy (USA) 26710Match StatsCourt 22 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Andreja Klepac (SLO) Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 6655Xinyun Han (CHN) Yi-Miao Zhou (CHN) 1777Match StatsCourt 22 - Women's Doubles - 1st RoundPts12345Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) Lucie Safarova (CZE) 66Timea Babos (HUN) Laura Robson (GBR) 24Match Stats AOTV Australian Open TV Live Coverage Night Session Highlights: Day Thr... Novak Djokovic Press Conference Highlights: Djokovic v Harrison Latest NewsWatson back from the brink 16 JAN: British No.1 Heather Watson saves three match points in the second set and rallies to beat Ksenia Pervak 4-6 7-6(7) 6-2 on Wednesday. 0 comments•Nishikori knows how to serve it up •Ferrer rock solid against lucky loser •New coach, new game and new Li •Goerges safely through to third round ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPORTS: TENNIS


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October 30, 2011 03:01 PM

With her first WTA title in tow, Petra Kvitova will rise to a year-end World No. 2 ranking
© Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Kvitova falls to the court, celebrating her sixth WTA win of the 2011 season.

ISTANBUL (AP) - Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova won her first WTA Championships title on Sunday, beating Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 for a victory that will also put her at No. 2 in the world rankings.

Kvitova raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set, but Azarenka rallied to level it at 5-5. The Czech player finally converted her fifth set point when Azarenka's forehand sailed out.
Azarenka settled into a consistent baseline game in the second set, and the Belarusian clinched it with a forehand winner on the line. Kvitova saved three break points in the first game of the final set and then broke to take the early lead.
Kvitova started the year outside the top 30 and was playing in the season-ending tournament for the first time.
"It's unbelievable to play here," said Kvitova, who beat Azarenka in the Wimbledon semifinals on her way to winning her first Grand Slam title this year.
Kvitova has won six titles this year, the same number as No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and twice as many as Azarenka.
"It's hard to lose but I'm glad I lost to such a champion," Azarenka said during the awards ceremony. "I gave it all today."
The Czech holds a 4-2 head-to-head record over Azarenka, who was playing in the championships for the third time and will return to a career-high No. 3 in the new rankings by reaching the final. It was the first time she advanced beyond the round-robin stage.
Both players will overtake Maria Sharapova, who had a chance to surpass Wozniacki as No. 1 going into the tournament, but withdrew with an ankle injury after losing her first two group-stage matches.
Kvitova took home $1.75 million and Azarenka collected $775,000.
About 13,700 spectators watched the final, continuing a high attendance level for the weeklong tournament for the top eight players in the world. Turkey does not have a strong tennis tradition, but low ticket prices and heavy government support boosted the event, which was held in Istanbul for the first time.
WTA chief executive Stacey Allaster said the high turnout invited comparisons to the ``glory days'' of the event, when it was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City decades ago.
Istanbul's ability to host the tournament was seen as integral to the national campaign to host the 2020 Olympics. The sprawling city of more than 13 million has built or renovated major stadiums, and officials seek to alleviate the city's heavy traffic congestion.
"The best way to go to the Olympics or to bid (for the) Olympics is to show that you are good in organizing great events," said Francesco Ricci Bitti, president of the International Tennis Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee.
Before the final, an announcer asked the crowd not to smoke, a request that would not be necessary at more established tennis venues around the world. The fans, though, displayed an affinity for the game, applauding at key moments or when a momentum shift was imminent.
"Azarenka, We love your scream," read a poster held up by one fan. Azarenka exhales loudly when she hits the ball.
Greek chair umpire Eva Asderaki announced the score in Turkish and then English.
Last month, Serena Williams was cited for a code violation and fined $2,000 for verbally abusing Asderaki during her loss to Samantha Stosur in the U.S. Open final.
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Djokovic makes winning return at Swiss Indoors
1 hour, 6 minutes ago

BASEL, Switzerland (AP)—Novak Djokovic made his return after missing six weeks with a back injury and defeated Xavier Malisse 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in the first round of the Swiss Indoors on Tuesday.
The top-ranked Serb overcame some difficult moments before improving his record this season to 65-3.

Djokovic arrived on the court for the first time since Sept. 18 wearing a fright mask resembling rock star Alice Cooper the night after Halloween. Dressed all in black, Djokovic broke his Belgian opponent’s first service game.
However, Malisse rallied against the U.S. Open champion in the second set and broke in the ninth game.
Djokovic then broke to a lead in the decider, and Malisse required a medical time out one game later after colliding with the umpire’s chair when racing to retrieve a drop shot.
However, Djokovic failed to serve out the match at 5-3 and wasted a match point chance in the next game.
The Serb then quickly closed out the last two games to complete a 2-hour, 13-minute win.
In Djokovic’s previous match, he retired in a Davis Cup singles match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina.
Earlier, fifth-seeded Mardy Fish retired against fellow American James Blake after just one game because of a hamstring injury.
Fish held serve in the opening game and lost the first point of the next game when he decided the pain in his left leg was too much to continue.
Fish is hoping to qualify for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals for the first time. He stands in the eighth and final qualifying spot for the tournament starting in London on Nov. 20.
Although Fish cannot be overtaken this week, the last qualifying tournament is next week in Paris.
Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, sixth in the ATP points race, also missed an opportunity to improve his chances for a spot in London. The fourth-seeded Berdych was ousted by wild-card entry Kei Nishikori of Japan, who won 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
After third-seeded Roger Federer’s victory Monday, Switzerland had two more first-round wins.
Michael Lammer, ranked No. 327, beat 37th-ranked Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, 6-4, 6-3 for his first tour win this year.
Swiss No. 2 Stanislas Wawrinka beat Ivan Dodig of Croatia 6-4, 6-4.
Jarkko Nieminen of Finland fought back to beat Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3; Italy’s Andreas Seppi edged Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 6-2; and Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia beat Frenchman Michael Llodra 7-5, 6-4.