Andy Murray played down fears that his US Open clash against Lukas Rosol will be a repeat of their last stormy meeting when he described the Czech as being the sport s most hated player. “[And having] a lot of physical therapy”.
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The German has played scintillating tennis from Wimbledon as the German reached her second Grand Slam final of the year, and recorded straight sets victories over Simona Halep and five-time champion Venus Williams without dropping sets until she lost to Serena Williams in the final which was a rematch of their showdown in Melbourne.
Although she has always had huge talent, Keys believes she has finally found the right mindset to be a contender for a grand slam title.
But the Spaniard then went on a marathon run at the Olympics where he lost in the semi-finals of the singles but won gold in the men’s doubles.
With a seventh US Open triumph, she can break Graf’s record and continue her march toward Australian Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam titles.
Williams said her shoulder problem is improving but admits the lack of match practice has been far from ideal. She said Friday that she’s physically as fit as she’s ever been but is concerned about her lack of recent playing time. “But there’s nothing we can do about it”. I hope I’m still playing like this when I’m 38 years old but it’s pretty unlikely so I’m actually using that as a positive that you have to make the most of every opportunity. “That’s all I can do now”.
Novak Djokovic has admitted he was battling personal issues when he was knocked out of Wimbledon in the third round after a shock defeat by Sam Querrey. On Friday he confirmed that “private” problems unrelated to his game or fitness contributed to his poor performance at Wimbledon.
At the age of nine, the Rock Island, Illinois native moved to Florida with her family to train at the academy run by 18-time grand slam victor Chris Evert and her brother John, who became her coach. He emerged from it refreshed.
“Even when my ball toss is going haywire I’m not panicking about it, I’m just taking it a point at a time and it seems to be working”. Ironically, Djokovic’s first-round opponent was Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro, whose own multiple wrist injuries have ruined what might otherwise have been a Hall of Fame career.
The losses were devastating for a player who considers himself an ambassador for his native Serbia.
Williams begins her US Open campaign against experienced Ekaterina Makarova of Russian Federation.
“I have not played a lot, I haven’t practiced a lot, but I’m just now starting to feel a little better”. “I’ll try to keep that peak as consistent and enduring as much as possible”.
“Every year Serena adds to her resume and history in the game, the NY crowds, while she’s never been beloved, I think the appreciation and realisation that the fans are looking at an athlete that comes along once in a blue moon”.
Both Djokovic and Williams face a former Grand Slam semifinalist in the first round.
That match has vanished in Williams’ rearview mirror. She’s made more of a commitment to tennis.
“I’m 29 and believe that I’m at a peak of my abilities as a tennis player”, said the Serb.
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“I spoke to him after the match”.
