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Tennis

Canada's Denis Shapovalov reacts as he plays Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis during the final Davis Cup tennis match between Australia and Canada in Malaga, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. Ending last season on a high has given Shapovalov a little extra motivation as he looks ahead to the 2023 campaign. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Joan Monfort

Canada’s Shapovalov feeling motivated after strong finish to 2022 season

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Ending last season on a high has given Canada's Denis Shapovalov a little extra motivation as he looks ahead to the 2023 campaign.

Shapovalov overcame a summer slump by reaching two ATP Tour event finals last fall and he capped the season by helping Canada win the Davis Cup for the first time.

The results have left him feeling confident and determined entering the upcoming Australian Open.

"There's still a lot of things to try to realize and put together and I'm still working in that direction," Shapovalov said. "But I definitely feel like I'm more of a complete player than I did last year or in the years before.

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Canada’s Katherine Sebov qualifies for Australian Open main draw

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canada’s Katherine Sebov qualifies for Australian Open main draw

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

MELBOURNE, Australia - Canada's Katherine Sebov has made it into the main draw of the Australian Open.

The Toronto native defeated Switzerland's Simona Waltert 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday in the final round of qualifying for the first Grand Slam event of the season.

Despite being edged out in aces (0-2) and winners (15-18), Sebov committed just two double faults to Waltert's six and had 35 unforced errors to her opponent's 48.

Sebov, 24, also won 69 per cent of first-serve points and broke on three of her eight opportunities.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Canada's Katherine Sebov has made it into the main draw of the Australian Open. The Toronto native defeated Switzerland's Simona Waltert 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday, January 12 in the final round of qualifying for the first Grand Slam event of the season in Melbourne, Australia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephanie Myles
Canada's Katherine Sebov has made it into the main draw of the Australian Open. The Toronto native defeated Switzerland's Simona Waltert 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday, January 12 in the final round of qualifying for the first Grand Slam event of the season in Melbourne, Australia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephanie Myles

Djokovic, Nadal can only meet in final at Australian Open

Courtney Walsh, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Djokovic, Nadal can only meet in final at Australian Open

Courtney Walsh, The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic was placed on the opposite side of the draw to defending champion and top-seeded Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open on Thursday, meaning they can only meet in the final at Melbourne Park.

In his return to Melbourne after last year’s immigration controversy, fourth-seeded Djokovic will open his bid for a 10th Australian Open title against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.

But the main first-round focus will be on Nadal, who faces a potentially challenging match against British player Jack Draper. Draper, who is 21, was a semifinalist in the Next Gen Championships in November and will also play in a semifinal of the Adelaide International on Friday.

Another opening-round highlight has five-time Australian Open finalist Andy Murray against Italian Matteo Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist who is the No. 13-seeded player.

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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

USA's Coco Gauff poses for a photo with her trophy after she beat Spain's Viktoria Masarova in the final of the ASB Classic tennis event in Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (Andrew Cornaga/Photoport via AP)
USA's Coco Gauff poses for a photo with her trophy after she beat Spain's Viktoria Masarova in the final of the ASB Classic tennis event in Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (Andrew Cornaga/Photoport via AP)

Canada’s Katherine Sebov reaches final round of Australian Open qualifying draw

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canada’s Katherine Sebov reaches final round of Australian Open qualifying draw

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

MELBOURNE, Australia - Canada's Katherine Sebov reached the final round of the Australian Open qualifying draw on Wednesday with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Australia's Priscilla Hon.

Sebov, a 24-year-old from Toronto, had a 16-3 edge in winners and completed the victory in a tidy 62 minutes.

She will next face Switzerland's Simona Waltert for a spot in the main draw of the first Grand Slam event of the season.

Carol Zhao of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., both dropped three-set decisions in their second-round qualification matches.

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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Carol Zhao, of Canada, returns the ball during a match against Amanda Anisimova, of the USA, at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Carol Zhao, of Canada, returns the ball during a match against Amanda Anisimova, of the USA, at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Canada’s Galarneau and Sebov post first-round qualifying wins at Australian Open

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canada’s Galarneau and Sebov post first-round qualifying wins at Australian Open

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

MELBOURNE, Australia - Canada's Alexis Galarneau and Katherine Sebov earned first-round qualifying wins Tuesday at the Australian Open.

Galarneau, from Laval, Que., defeated Britain's Ryan Peniston 7-6 (5), 6-2. Sebov, from Toronto, upset Linda Noskova of Czechia — the No. 2 seed in the women's qualifying draw — 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Qualifying play continues through the week ahead of the main draw opener on Monday.

Six Canadian players are on the main draw singles entry list for the first Grand Slam of the season.

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Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Alexis Galarneau of Canada returns to Grigor Dimitrov of Belarus during first round of play at the National Bank Open tennis tournament Tuesday August 9, 2022 in Montreal. Galarneau and fellow Canadian Katherine Sebov earned first-round qualifying wins Tuesday at the Australian Open. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Alexis Galarneau of Canada returns to Grigor Dimitrov of Belarus during first round of play at the National Bank Open tennis tournament Tuesday August 9, 2022 in Montreal. Galarneau and fellow Canadian Katherine Sebov earned first-round qualifying wins Tuesday at the Australian Open. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard falls in first-round qualifier at Australian Open

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard falls in first-round qualifier at Australian Open

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

MELBOURNE, Australia - Canada's Eugenie Bouchard dropped a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 decision to American Ashlyn Krueger in first-round qualifying play Monday at the Australian Open.

Bouchard, from Montreal, gave up a service break in the final game as her 18-year-old opponent closed out the match in one hour 53 minutes.

Krueger is ranked 183rd in the world. Bouchard, who reached the semifinals at the Grand Slam event in 2014, holds the No. 317 position in the WTA Tour rankings.

In other first-round qualifying matches, Carol Zhao of Richmond Hill, Ont., posted a 6-3, 6-2 win over Hong Kong's Eudice Chong and Montreal's Gabriel Diallo dropped a 6-3, 6-4 decision to Aleksandar Vukic of Australia.

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Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

Canada's Eugenie Bouchard hits a return to Sara Sorribes Tormo, of Spain, during the women's final in the Abierto of Zapopan tennis tournament in Zapopan, Mexico, Saturday, March 13, 2021. Canada's Eugenie Bouchard dropped a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 decision to American Ashlyn Krueger in first-round qualifying play Monday at the Australian Open. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Refugio Ruiz
Canada's Eugenie Bouchard hits a return to Sara Sorribes Tormo, of Spain, during the women's final in the Abierto of Zapopan tennis tournament in Zapopan, Mexico, Saturday, March 13, 2021. Canada's Eugenie Bouchard dropped a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 decision to American Ashlyn Krueger in first-round qualifying play Monday at the Australian Open. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Refugio Ruiz

Djokovic shrugs off injury scare, wins Adelaide title

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Djokovic shrugs off injury scare, wins Adelaide title

The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic showed no signs of an injury that might derail his Australian Open campaign when he beat unseeded American Sebastian Korda 6-7 (8), 7-6 (3), 6-4 Sunday to win the Adelaide International.

Djokovic worried Open organizers when he said after his semifinal in Adelaide against Daniil Medvedev that he had been troubled by a tight hamstring. He said the injury eased as the match progressed.

If there had been any lingering issue, it likely would have been exposed in Sunday’s marathon final that stretched over more than three hours and finished with Djokovic claiming his 92nd career singles title.

He also took his second Adelaide title 16 years after his first; he won the tournament in 2007, aged 19.

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Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during the final of the Adelaide International tennis tournament against USA's Sebastian Korda in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during the final of the Adelaide International tennis tournament against USA's Sebastian Korda in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)

No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz out of Australian Open with leg injury

Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz out of Australian Open with leg injury

Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press 1 minute read Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz pulled out of the Australian Open on Friday because of an injured right leg.

The 19-year-old from Spain wrote on social media that he got hurt “through a chance, unnatural movement in training.”

Alcaraz won the U.S. Open last September and rose atop the ATP rankings. He is the youngest man to finish a season at No. 1 since the computerized men's tennis rankings began a half-century ago.

___

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Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain Casper returns the ball to Ruud of Norway, during a match for the third place of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain Casper returns the ball to Ruud of Norway, during a match for the third place of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Djokovic beats Shapovalov; advances to face Medvedev in Adelaide semis

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Djokovic beats Shapovalov; advances to face Medvedev in Adelaide semis

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic beat Canada's Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4 at the Adelaide International on Friday to set up a semifinal with Daniil Medvedev.

The combined ATP-WTA event is a warmup for this year’s Australian Open, which the top-seeded Djokovic missed last year after being barred from the country because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Medvedev, the runner-up last year to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open, defeated fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 on Friday.

“It’s never easy to play your compatriot,” Medvedev said. "I’m happy that I managed to really raise my level, especially in the end of both sets, and really happy to be through to the semis.”

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Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

Serbia's Novak Djokovic makes a backhand return to Canada's Denis Shapovalov during their quarter final match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic makes a backhand return to Canada's Denis Shapovalov during their quarter final match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)

Canada’s Fernandez falls in straight sets at ASB Classic quarterfinals

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canada’s Fernandez falls in straight sets at ASB Classic quarterfinals

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez fell 4-6, 2-6 to Belgium's Ysaline Bonaventure in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic tennis tournament Thursday.

Fernandez, the third seed in the event, hit three aces but committed four double faults in the match. The Laval, Que., native also went 1-for-6 on break point opportunities and won 60 per cent of first-serve points.

Bonaventure had a single ace while also committing four double faults but won 71.9 per cent of first-serve points. She also broke on 4-of-8 chances.

The Belgian had defeated Vancouver native Rebecca Marino 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals.

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Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023

Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez returns to Latvia's Daniela Vismane during a Billie Jean King Cup qualifier singles tennis match, in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez returns to Latvia's Daniela Vismane during a Billie Jean King Cup qualifier singles tennis match, in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Djokovic, Shapovalov to meet in Adelaide quarterfinals

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Djokovic, Shapovalov to meet in Adelaide quarterfinals

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Top-seeded Novak Djokovic has reached the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International where he will face Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

Djokovic defeated Quentin Halys 7-6 (3) 7-6 (5) on Thursday, and Canadian Shapovalov beat Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-3 to advance.

Djokovic and other top players are using this event as a warm-up for the Australian Open beginning Jan. 16. Djokovic missed the Australian Open last year because he was unvaccinated. He’s been allowed to enter this year as COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed.

Djokovic lauded Halys' play in a very tight match.

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Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023

Canada's Denis Shapovalov makes a backhand return to Russia's Roman Safiullin during their Round of 16 match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)
Canada's Denis Shapovalov makes a backhand return to Russia's Roman Safiullin during their Round of 16 match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)

Canada’s Shapovalov moves on to Adelaide International tennis quarterfinals

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canada’s Shapovalov moves on to Adelaide International tennis quarterfinals

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023

ADELAIDE, Australia - Canada's Denis Shapovalov advanced to the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International tennis tournament, defeating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday.

The Richmond Hill, Ont., native fired seven aces, won 84 per cent of first-serve points and converted on four of his 11 break point chances.

Meanwhile, Safiullin was good for his lone break point opportunity and had three aces to three double faults in the one-hour, 21-minute match.

Shapovalov, the seventh seed in the tournament, is now 2-0 against the Russian.

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Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023

Canada's Denis Shapovalov makes a forehand return to Russia's Roman Safiullin during their Round of 16 match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kelly Barnes
Canada's Denis Shapovalov makes a forehand return to Russia's Roman Safiullin during their Round of 16 match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kelly Barnes

Djokovic beats Lestienne for winning start to 2023

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Djokovic beats Lestienne for winning start to 2023

The Associated Press 3 minute read Monday, Jan. 2, 2023

ADELAIDE, Australia - World No. 1 Novak Djokovic kept up his winning streak in singles matches in Australia, beating Constant Lestienne of France 6-3, 6-2 Tuesday in the first round of the Adelaide International.

It was Djokovic's 30th straight singles victory on Australian soil in a streak that goes back to 2018.

Tuesday’s win was Djokovic’s first in singles this season and keeps him on course for a semifinal match in Adelaide with 7th-ranked Daniil Medvedev, the third seed, who earlier beat Lorenzo Sonego of Italy 7-6 (6), 2-1 when Sonego was forced to retire with a right arm injury.

Djokovic’s match was close at first but he took control after breaking Lestienne to go up 4-2 in the first set. He won the first four games of the second set and took the match on his first match point.

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Monday, Jan. 2, 2023

Russia's Daniil Medvedev makes a backhand return to Italy's Lorenzo Sonego during their Round of 32 match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)
Russia's Daniil Medvedev makes a backhand return to Italy's Lorenzo Sonego during their Round of 32 match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)

Leylah Fernandez progresses at ASB Classic

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Canada's 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez opened her 2023 season with an emphatic 6-1, 6-1 win Monday over 15-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova in the first round of the ASB Classic.

Third-seeded Fernandez needed only 61 minutes to sweep by the Czech teenager, who entered the main draw on a wild card.

Fernandez beat three top-5 players, including defending champion Naomi Osaki, on her way to the 2021 US Open final where she was beaten by Britain’s Emma Raducanu, who also is in the main draw at Auckland.

The 20-year-old said life had been tough since her final appearance at Flushing Meadows, which substantially raised expectations of her performance.

Bianca Andreescu rallies to beat Muguruza at Adelaide International

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Bianca Andreescu rallies to beat Muguruza at Adelaide International

The Associated Press 3 minute read Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Canada’s Bianca Andreescu rallied to beat Garbine Muguruza of Spain 0-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1 in a clash of Grand Slam champions Sunday in the first round of the Adelaide International.

The 2019 US Open champion Andreescu trailed 0-6, 2-5 before staging a remarkable comeback to beat two-time major titlist Muguruza in two hours, 12 minutes. Andreescu improved her head-to-head record against former top-ranked Muguruza to 3-0.

“In the second set I really had to change my gameplan,” Andreescu said. “I told myself to go for it (and) whatever happens happens.

“I put more returns in the court, more serves in the court. I’m so glad I pulled that out. I have no idea how.”

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Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023

Canada's Bianca Andreescu celebrates her win over Spain's Garbiñe Muguruza during their Round of 32 match at the Adelaide International tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)
Canada's Bianca Andreescu celebrates her win over Spain's Garbiñe Muguruza during their Round of 32 match at the Adelaide International tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)

Novak Djokovic back in Australia a year after deportation

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Novak Djokovic back in Australia a year after deportation

The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022

SYDNEY (AP) — Novak Djokovic has arrived in Australia almost a year after he was deported over his stance against COVID-19 vaccination, Tennis Australia confirmed Wednesday.

Djokovic will open his 2023 campaign in Adelaide as he prepares for a shot at a 10th Australian Open title.

The 21-time major winner has been granted a visa by the Australian government and is listed to play at the Adelaide International, which starts Sunday.

The 35-year-old Serb arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday night, the governing body confirmed.

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Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022

Serbia's Novak Djokovic of Falcons, serves to Austria's Sebastian Ofner of Kites, during a match of the World Tennis League at Coca-Cola Arena, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic of Falcons, serves to Austria's Sebastian Ofner of Kites, during a match of the World Tennis League at Coca-Cola Arena, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

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