Murray To Play Djokovic In Italian Open Final

 

Murray will return to number two in the world rankings on Monday, even if he loses the Rome final

British number one Andy Murray reached his first Italian Open final with a straight-set victory over unseeded Frenchman Lucas Pouille.

Murray, seeded second, won 6-2, 6-1 in a rain-interrupted semi-final at Rome’s Foro Italico to make Sunday’s final.

He now meets Novak Djokovic – who beat him in last week’s Madrid Open final – after the Serb defeated Kei Nishikori.

In the women’s singles, top seed Serena Williams will face Madison Keys on Sunday in an all-American final.

Murray makes swift progress despite rain

World number three Murray, who will be 29 on Sunday, broke serve four times as he won in 59 minutes.

The first semi-final was delayed by an hour because of heavy rain, and the players were forced off for 15 minutes during the first set.

“I think it is the first time since I’ve been on Tour that I’ve not had a chance to hit balls before going on to the court,” said Murray.

“It pretty much rained non-stop and then they flipped the schedule around so I didn’t feel that comfortable coming on to court.

Djokovic beat Murray in last week’s Madrid Open final

“But he made a few mistakes and I served well to make it easy for myself.”

In between the showers, Murray was at his ruthless best against world number 52 Pouille, playing his first ATP Masters semi-final.

The 22-year-old looked nervous as he dropped serve from 40-0 in the fourth game and – after that brief rain delay – Murray broke again to clinch the set.

It was a similar story in the second set, with Murray repeatedly drawing his opponent into the net and setting up the passing shot.

Two more breaks of serve gave Murray the match and he left the Centrale Court in sunshine, having surpassed his best effort of reaching the last four in 2011.

“A lot of the best players of all time have played, won and competed for the title here, so I’m very happy to get the chance to do that,” added Murray.

“After 10 years of kind of struggling on the clay and especially this event maybe not playing my best, I’m happy to be there.”

Djokovic provides final test

Novak Djokovic converted only two out of 14 break points in a thrilling semi-final against Kei Nishikori

Murray completes his preparation for the French Open, which starts on 22 May, by facing world number one Djokovic in Sunday’s final.

The Serb, 28, needed to dig deep to beat Nishikori in the second semi-final, eventually prevailing 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in a match lasting a minute over three hours.

“Any time you get the chance to play the best players, especially right before a Slam, is great preparation,” said Murray, who has won just one of his past 13 matches against Djokovic.

“Regardless of who I play in the final, I know I will be pushed hard. That’s what you want.”

Murray is bidding to win the third clay-court title of his career after finally succeeding on the surface in back-to-back tournaments last year.

“Clay is not my most natural surface, but because of the wins I’ve had on it in the last few years, once I’ve played a few matches and had a bunch of practice sessions on it, I do start to feel much better,” said Murray, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2011, 2014 and 2015.

“I believe that I can compete with the best players on this surface now, because of the wins I’ve had in the last two years.”

Serena Williams has won 15 successive matches against American opponents since sister Venus beat her at Montreal in 2014

Serena finding form before French Open

Williams reached her fourth Italian Open final with a 6-4 6-1 win over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu.

The world number one missed the start of the clay-court season through illness, but is finding form before her title defence at Roland Garros.

Williams is one Grand Slam victory away from equalling Steffi Graf’s record of 22 singles titles in the Open era.

And, after beating world number 35 Begu in one hour and 26 minutes, she is one victory in Rome away from her 70th career title.

Keys, 21, stands in her way after a shock 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 victory over third seed Garbine Muguruza.

The unseeded American, ranked 24th in the world, had already produced the best European clay-court performance of her career to reach the last four.

BBC

Murray To Play Djokovic In Italian Open Final

Djokovic, Murray, Nadal Through, Federer Out Of Italian Open

Andy Murray defeated Jeremy Chardy to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open in Rome.

The world number three raced through the first set – but had to come from a break down in the second before sealing a 6-0 6-4 victory over a Frenchman.

Britain’s Murray, 28, will meet David Goffin, who thrashed Tomas Berdych 6-0 6-0, for a place in the last four.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both won, but Roger Federer was beaten by world number 15 Dominic Thiem.

Murray, the number two seed, has had his path to the final cleared after Stan Wawrinka – the number four seed and in the same half of the draw as the Scot – was beaten in three sets by Juan Monaco.

The victory over the world number 32 Chardy continues his build-up to the French Open, which begins on 22 May, and follows a run to the semi-finals in Madrid last week.

Asked about Goffin’s one-sided win over Berdych, Murray told BBC Sport: “The scoreline was the big surprise.

“Goffin’s a top quality player so it was a match that could go either way, but a very surprising scoreline – you don’t see results like that much nowadays, at this top level anyway.”

Murray is now guaranteed to return to number two in the rankings next week, following Federer’s defeat.

“It’s not incredibly important but it’s positive,” he said. “Being seeded two is a little bit better than being seeded three or four in the major events, it can help the draw a little bit for sure. It’s a positive thing.”

On court for an hour and 17 minutes, Murray won 87% of points when he landed his first serve and only gave Chardy a sniff when mistakes in the second set followed a virtually error-free first.

But from 3-4 down, three consecutive games, including two breaks, confirmed a passage to the semi-finals.

Federer, who has struggled with a back injury, lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to Austrian Thiem, who moves on to face Kei Nishikori.

The 34-year-old Swiss, a 17-time Grand Slam winner, made 34 unforced errors and said he fears for his chances at Roland Garros.

“I see my chances as not great to have the most unbelievable run,” said Federer.

“But if maybe in three, four days I can practise 100% for next week, then I believe that something is possible again.”

Djokovic bounces back from bagel

World number one Djokovic, who will reach $100m (£69m) in career prize money if he defends his title at the Foro Italico, battled past world number 37 Tomaz Belluci in three sets in strange circumstances.

The Serb was ‘bagelled’ for only the ninth time in his career, winning only eight points in the first set.

He then offered animated celebrations when he scraped a hold of serve in the first game of the second.

From there, though, he moved to a 0-6 6-3 6-2 victory and a quarter-final meeting with Nadal, who defeated Australian Nick Kyrgios in three sets.

BBC

Djokovic, Murray, Nadal Through, Federer Out Of Italian Open

Djokovic Beats Murray In Madrid Open Final

World number one Novak Djokovic beat defending champion Andy Murray 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the Madrid Open final.

The defeat means the 28-year-old Briton will lose his world number two ranking to Roger Federer on Monday.

The Scot was blown away in the opening set, but fought back to level, only to fall to the Serb’s power and accuracy in the decider.

Djokovic now moves ahead of Spain’s Rafael Nadal with a record 29 ATP Masters 1000 titles.

The Serb underlined his current dominance as he claimed his fifth title in the past six Masters tournaments but he was pushed hard by Murray, exemplified by a 14-minute final game as Djokovic survived six deuces and seven break points to hold for the match.

“The first couple of break points I remember making two mistakes,” said Murray.

“It was kind of back and forth from there and unfortunately I couldn’t quite break, which was a shame because both of us on the break points until that last game were pretty clinical.”

Djokovic broke Murray’s serve in the opening game and the 2011 winner gave a masterclass combining powerful ground shots with brutal accuracy as he found the lines with uncanny regularity.

Murray found his second serve coming under huge pressure and Djokovic duly earned a double break before racing to the first set in just 31 minutes.

In the second, however, the Scot’s serve began to click into gear and, having won just 17% of points on his second serve in the first set, he increased it to an impressive 60% in the second.

Djokovic made crucial forehand and backhand errors in the third game before serving a double-fault to be broken for only the second time in the tournament.

The Madrid crowd who were muted as Murray beat local favourite Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-4 in Saturday’s semi-finals were now encouraging the Briton, who responded with some of his best tennis of the week as he won the set with a cheeky drop shot from the back of the court.

It was Djokovic’s turn to regroup and after a comfortable hold needed just one of two break points to take the early initiative in the decider.

But this was a different Murray from the opening set and the Scot immediately broke back with Djokovic again serving a double fault at the crucial moment.

Again, however, the world number one raised the bar and this time it proved crucial with a decisive break in the sixth game.

“When you play against the best players, you are probably not going to win every single time,” said Murray. “But you want to make the matches extremely difficult for them: physically and mentally, so it’s not comfortable. So I think at least today I did that, but unfortunately didn’t get the win.

“It’s been a positive week for me this week overall – a few years ago I wouldn’t have thought I’d be winning against Rafa and then pushing Novak this close on a clay court.”

“Murray began the match a shadow of the man who had played so well in Madrid all week. The first set wasn’t a contest, but once given an opening by the world number one early in the second, Murray started playing with real conviction, and pushed his man to the limit.

“At 2-2 in the decider the match was genuinely in the balance. Djokovic’s response, though, was characteristically brilliant, and after surviving a bout of jitters and a 14-minute final game, he deservedly clinched his record 29th Masters series title.”

BBC

Djokovic Beats Murray In Madrid Open Final

Murray To Face Djokovic In Madrid Open Final

Defending champion Andy Murray will face world number one Novak Djokovic in the Madrid Open final on Sunday.

British number one Murray beat nine-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-4 in the first semi-final.

Djokovic then racked up a seventh victory in a row over Japan’s Kei Nishikori, going through 6-3, 7-6, (7-4).

Murray is looking to hold on to his world number two ranking, which he will lose to Roger Federer unless he retains his title in Madrid.

Murray, who sent down eight aces and saved 11 of 13 break points, said he was “going back in the right direction again” after losing early in Indian Wells and Miami in March.

“I think it’s big – it’s not easy. Not loads of players have won against Rafa on clay throughout his career,” he said.

“To beat him in Spain on a clay court is obviously a big challenge. It’s a big step for me from where I was four or five weeks ago.”

Murray established an early lead in the opening set of the semi-final, earning three break points in Nadal’s second service game and holding his composure to break the Spaniard.

The momentum appeared to swing Nadal’s way when he responded by taking Murray’s serve, but it was the Scot who took the first set with a winning forehand that broke the home favourite for a second time.

World number five Nadal, 29, was looking for a third successive tournament victory following wins in Monte Carlo and Barcelona last month.

But Murray followed his only double fault with an ace at 2-2 to hold in the second set before immediately breaking Nadal.

Nadal repelled a first match point with a break of his own, but Murray did not waste a second opportunity to repeat his victory over the same opponent 12 months ago.

The Spaniard believed he “was a little bit unlucky” in the second set but acknowledged that Murray “adapted better than me” to the cool, cloudy conditions, which meant the ball did not bounce as high as he would have liked.

“I think in the first set he played better than me. I think in the second it was a different story,” said Nadal.

“I played more aggressive, I increased the intensity and rhythm of the game and had more opportunities than him in the second.”

Dominant Djokovic powers to another win

Djokovic moved closer to his second Madrid crown and his 14th successive victory over other top 10 players.

The Serb took the only break point on offer in a tight opening set and looked to have ended Nishikori’s resistance when he won against the serve again in the fifth game of the second.

Djokovic was on course for a comfortable win, but he momentarily lost his concentration while serving for the match at 5-4 and paid the penalty.

He mistimed a simple overhead while up three match points and then served a double fault on the way to losing his first service game of the tournament.

Nishikori had shown his battling qualities but ran out of steam in the tie-break and Djokovic needed just one of his two match points to seal victory.

On the prospect of only his fourth meeting with Murray on clay, Djokovic told Sky Sports: “Andy has improved tremendously on clay and has proved he is definitely one of the best in the world on this surface.

“The rivalry continues and we’ve had so many good finals. I look forward to another one.”

BBC

Murray To Face Djokovic In Madrid Open Final

Simona Halep Wins Madrid Open Title

Simona Halep beat Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-4 to win the Madrid Open.

The Romanian world number seven, 24, took both her break point opportunities in the first set while Slovakia’s Cibulkova missed all three of hers.

One break was enough in the second set as Halep sealed victory with her third ace after one hour and 20 minutes.

Cibulkova had won three of their four previous encounters but was unable to make an impression on the 24 year old, who has now won 12 WTA Tour titles.

Cibulkova, the world number 38, had spent over four hours longer on court than Halep in reaching the final.

BBC

Simona Halep Wins Madrid Open Title

Djokovic To Face Nishikori In Madrid Open Semi-Finals

Serbia’s world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic will play Kei Nishikori of Japan in the semi-final of the Madrid Open tournament on Saturday after both came through their quarter-final encounters on Friday.

Top-ranked Djokovic beat Milos Raonic 6-3, 6-4 to reach his fifth semi-final of the year, and sixth-ranked Kei Nishikori edged Nick Kyrgios 6-7 (6), 7-6 (1), 6-3 in a thriller that lasted 2 1/2 hours. Coming off a final loss to Nadal in Barcelona, Nishikori overcame 18 aces by Kyrgios, getting his lone break to go up 3-1 in the decisive set.

Djokovic got past the 10th-ranked Raonic to win his 31st match of the year in a rematch of the final in Indian Wells, where Djokovic also won. The Serb has won 13 straight matches against top-10 players, winning 29 of 30 sets during that run.

“It was a long match,” Djokovic said. “It could have gone a different direction if I had lost the serve on that last game. But you know, that’s what happens when you play somebody like Milos, one of the best servers in the game. It’s very difficult to play against him, you are constantly under pressure.”

Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, celebrating her 27th birthday, reached the women’s final by beating American qualifier Louisa Chirico 6-1, 6-1 in less than an hour. She will play Simona Halep, who defeated Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-0 in the other semifinal. Halep, the 2014 finalist in Madrid, was the only seeded player to make it to the semis.

Djokovic To Face Nishikori In Madrid Open Semi-Finals

Victoria Azarenka Withdraws From Madrid Open

Fourth seed Victoria Azarenka has joined the list of Madrid Open withdrawals with a back injury.

The 26-year-old had been scheduled to play Louisa Chirico of the United States in round three on Wednesday, but pulled out during the warm-ups.

Belarusian Azarenka said she will have medical tests before deciding whether to play in Rome before the French Open, which starts on 22 May.

Her departure means the top five seeds are out of the Spanish tournament.

Agnieszka Radwanska, Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza exited in previous rounds while fifth seed Petra Kvitova lost 6-3 6-4 to Australia’s Daria Gavrilova on Wednesday.

Azarenka, who had recently won titles at Indian Wells and Miami, said she “tweaked” her back during her opening Madrid match against Laura Robson and that the pain persisted during her second round victory over Alize Cornet.

She follows world number world 13 Lucie Safarova – who had to withdraw earlier in the week with food poisoning – and British number one Johanna Konta who retired in the first round with a respiratory illness.

The men’s event also lost Roger Federer – the world number three another player out with a back injury.

BBC

Victoria Azarenka Withdraws From Madrid Open

Serena Williams Out Of Madrid Open With Flu

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Madrid Open because of flu organizers have said.

Agnieszka Radwanska takes over as top seed for the tournament, which starts on Saturday, while Williams is now due to start her clay-court season in Rome.

The 34-year-old world number one has only played four tournaments since August, failing to win any of them.

She lost in the US Open semi-finals in September, before defeats this year in the Australian Open and Indian Wells finals and a round-four loss in Miami.

Serena Williams Out Of Madrid Open With Flu

Hearts Set To Open Ticket Sales For Kotoko Clash

Accra Hearts of Oak has today submitted 36,000 match day tickets to the National Sports Authority (NSA) for verification as the club readies to begin sales for their match week 10 clash against fiercest rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

Sportscrusader.com source revealed the club has implored this strategy of early tickets sale to prevent ticket rush that is quiet often associated with the games between Ghana’s two most glamorous and successful football clubs.

The 2000 CAF Champions league winners have increased ticket prices for the various stands for the game.

The least rate for the game is GHC 10.00, while the highest seat (VVIP) will go for GHC 100.00

Hearts go into the tie holding the advantage after winning their last game against defending league champions, Obuasi Ashantigold.

Hearts Set To Open Ticket Sales For Kotoko Clash

Tiger Woods Registers To Play At US Open

Tiger Woods has formally registered to play in the US Open, suggesting he is close to a return to competitive golf.

The 14-time major championship winner has had three operations to fix back problems and last played a tournament in August 2015.

His exempt status means he is free to play if he wishes, but his registration is no guarantee he will compete at Oakmont on 16 June.

His agent Mark Steinberg told ESPN the paperwork was “simply procedural”.

Woods missed the cut at last year’s US Open at Chambers Bay, one of three occasions in the 2015 majors that he failed to reach the weekend.

He did not take up his invitation to play in this year’s Masters at Augusta National as he recovered from surgery on his back last September.

BBC

Tiger Woods Registers To Play At US Open

Venus Williams Fails To Reach Quarter Final At Volvo Car Open

Former world number one Venus Williams’ attempt to win her 50th WTA title at the Volvo Car Open ended when she lost to Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva.

The 35-year-old American lost 7-6, (7-5), 2-6, 6-4 in the last 16 in Charleston.

Putintseva’s victory over the third seed, who is seventh on the WTA’s all-time wins list, set up a quarter-final with Italy’s Sara Errani.

It was the first time the 21-year-old had beaten Williams in four career meetings.

Credit:BBC

Venus Williams Fails To Reach Quarter Final At Volvo Car Open

Djokovic Targets French Open After Sixth Miami Title

Novak Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori in straight sets to win the Miami Open for a record-equalling sixth time.

The world number one matched Andre Agassi’s Miami tally with a 6-3, 6-3 triumph in one hour and 26 minutes.

Djokovic, 28, also moves ahead of Rafael Nadal with a record 28 Masters tournament wins in his career.

“It’s quite amazing,” said the Serb. “I’m very thrilled about it and hopefully I can make many more records.”

He also becomes the first man to win the Indian Wells-Miami double three years in a row, and surpasses Roger Federer as the ATP’s leading prize money winner on $98.2m (£69m).

‘It’s tough to find his weakness’

Japan’s Nishikori broke serve in the opening game but was broken straight back, and after a scrappy start to the match Djokovic took charge from 4-3.

He won four games in a row to move a break up in the second set and broke for a fifth time to win the match.

“I thought he started very well, breaking my serve in the first game and coming up with some aggressive play,” said Djokovic.

“I needed to answer right back, which I did in the following game – that helped me mentally.”

Nishikori, 26, said: “It’s tough to find his weakness, honestly. The biggest thing is he has great defence and it’s tough to open up the space.

“I had a couple of strategies before the match, but I don’t think I did them well enough to beat him today.”French Open the next target

Djokovic has only one loss to his name in 29 matches this year – and that was a retirement with an eye infection in Dubai.

With 11 Grand Slam titles, the Serb is already among the very best ever to have played the game – and catching Federer’s record tally of 17 majors is in his thoughts.

“Of course it is in the back of my mind somewhere but I don’t have that as a main motivation, because it can present some kind of distraction that I don’t need,” he said.

The next few months could go a long way to making his case as he gets the chance to land the two biggest titles to have eluded him – the French Open and Olympic gold.

“I don’t feel too exhausted,” he said. “I don’t think I will have any difficulty to make the transition to the clay courts quickly. Let’s see what happens.

“Clay courts are the most physically demanding surface, so also looking at the big picture, the French Open is the biggest goal that I have on the clay courts. I’ll try to adjust to that tournament as well.”

Credit: BBC

Djokovic Targets French Open After Sixth Miami Title

Victoria Azarenka Wins Miami Open Title

Victoria Azarenka secured back-to-back WTA titles with a straight-set victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Miami Open final.

The Belarusian won 6-3, 6-2 in 77 minutes to add a third Miami title to her victories in 2009 and 2011.

The 26-year-old, who won in Indian Wells two week ago, will return to the world’s top five in the latest women’s rankings.

Russian Kuznetsova, 30, was bidding for her second title of the year after her victory in Sydney in January.

Azarenka becomes just the third woman to achieve the Indian Wells-Miami double after Steffi Graf (1994, 1996) and Kim Clijsters (2005).

“I’ve been reminded of this since the quarter-finals on social media – ‘She’s going for the Sunshine Double,"” Azarenka said.

“I’ve done really well not to get distracted by the future and concentrate on the present.”

Form returns with fitness for Azarenka

Azarenka, a former world number one and twice winner of the Australian Open, has rediscovered her best form this season after failing to win a WTA title as injuries hampered her in 2014 and 2015.

She began the year with victory in Brisbane in January and last month overcame Serena Williams to win at Indian Wells.

“Being fit and being prepared helps a lot,” she said. “I definitely have a different approach and perspective from a couple of years ago.

“I worked a lot on myself outside the court to understand how to be present and make better priorities. That helps me to be in a relaxed way. I know I’m prepared and I don’t focus on the result.”

Keen to prove people wrong on clay

With just one defeat this year heading to the clay-court season, Azarenka, who has now won 20 career WTA titles, is hopeful that she can keep up her form on what is perceived to be her weakest surface.

“I’m definitely very motivated for the clay season,” she said. “I’ve always been a favourite of proving people wrong. That’s what motivates me a lot.

“When people say it’s not my favourite surface, I’m going to work really hard to make sure it’s my favourite surface.”

And with world number one Williams yet to win a title in 2016, the Belarusian does not rule out challenging her at the top of the rankings later in the year.

“We’ll see what happens,” said added. “Serena is one of the players who makes me push myself to the limit.

“She’s the toughest competitor there is and for me it’s a great challenge to have her, because it will always push me to improve.”

Credit: BBC

Victoria Azarenka Wins Miami Open Title

Nick Kyrgios Into Miami Open Semi-Finals

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios beat Canadian Milos Raonic at the Miami Open to reach his first Masters semi-final and break into the world’s top 20.

Kyrgios beat the 12th seed 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to set up a semi-final against Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

The result means Kyrgios, who turns 21 on 27 April, will become the youngest man in the top 20 for seven years.

In the women’s draw, Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova and Belarusian Victoria Azarenka won their semi-finals.

Kyrgios learning after ‘rollercoaster’

Raonic had not dropped serve all week in Miami, but Kyrgios broke the Canadian in the first game – the only break of the contest.

“That definitely set the tone,” said Kyrgios. “I’ve really learned how to return this year and I’m moving really well, so I’m giving myself more opportunities.”

Kyrgios fended off five break points and restricted Raonic to four aces over the course of one hour and 44 minutes.

Having won his first ATP title in Marseille last month, the Australian has now broken new ground at the elite Masters level.

“I’m feel as if I’m a lot stronger, a lot fitter and I’ve just got more experience,” he said. “The last couple of years on tour have been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’ve learned a lot.”

Asked about the new ranking, he said: “It’s pretty cool, but there are 19 guys in front of me.”

Nishikori saved five match points to win a dramatic quarter-final against Frenchman Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

Kuznetsova back in final after a decadeFormer US and French Open champion Kuznetsova reached the Miami Open final for the first time since she won in 2006 with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Swiss Timea Bacsinszky.

The 30-year-old, ranked 19th, beat Serena Williams in the fourth round and will return to the top 10 for the first time in six years if she takes the title.

“I don’t think if I get to top 10 or not,” she said.

“When I go and I see the rankings I am confident I can beat these players and players from the top 10.”

The in-form Azarenka avenged her only defeat of the season against Angelique Kerber at the Australian Open as she beat the German 6-2, 7-5.

Azarenka, 26, is now one win away from emulating Steffi Graf and Kim Clijsters by winning back-to-back Indian Wells and Miami titles.

“I have a job to do on Saturday, regardless if it’s going to make history,” said Azarenka. “I’m ready, I’m prepared and I’m going out there hungry.”

Credit: BBC

Nick Kyrgios Into Miami Open Semi-Finals

Novak Djokovic Into Last Four Of Miami Open

World number one Novak Djokovic extended his winning run over Tomas Berdych to 10 matches with a straight-sets win at the Miami Open.

The top seed won their quarter-final 6-3, 6-3 and will next face Belgian David Goffin.

Djokovic had treatment on his back in the second set, but asked about the issue he told BBC Sport: “No concerns, not at all.”

The 28-year-old is trying to win his sixth Miami title and third in a row.

It is three years since Berdych earned one of only two wins over Djokovic in 24 meetings – and again it was the Serb who dominated.

In blustery conditions, Djokovic broke twice in the first set and he took control of the second after Berdych followed a woeful smash with a double fault.

The only alarm came when he called the trainer, but Djokovic resumed in the same dominant form and sealed victory with another service break.

“I was trying to find the rhythm on the serve,” he said. “Evidently we both struggled with that.

“The swirly conditions on the court were quite tough. Once you toss the ball you can’t predict where it’s going to end up.

“That’s why I had a little bit of a spasm in the back but Paul from the ATP did a great job.”

Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka remain on course for the Indian Wells-Miami double, after both won in California two weeks ago.

Two-time Miami champion Azarenka, who reached the semi-finals with a 6-4 6-2 win over Britain’s Johanna Konta, will play German second seed Angelique Kerber on Thursday.

“I still feel that I’m far from my best and that’s what’s really exciting for me, to be motivated, to keep improving,” said Azarenka.

Kerber impressed in a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of American Madison Keys, setting up a rematch with Azarenka after she beat the Belarusian on her way to winning the Australian Open in January.

“She had a great start of the year, of course,” said Kerber. “She is on fire, I think, right now.”

Credit: BBC

Novak Djokovic Into Last Four Of Miami Open

McDan Open Goes International

The McDan Open Tennis Championship goes international this year with the finest local talent expected to face a stern challenge from tennis players from other African countries.

The winner of the 2016 edition of the biggest event on the Ghanaian tennis calendar is rumoured to take home a lucrative cash prize of $30,000 which organisers believe will be enough to attract the best African players to participate.

The General Secretary of the Ghana Tennis Federation, Phillipina Frimpong disclosed to sportscrusader.com that she was working tirelessly to get the McDan Open on the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) circuit which would guarantee that elite tennis players will turn-up when the event gets underway.

The Chief Executive Officer of McDan Group of Companies, Mr. Daniel McKorley who sponsors the championship said that his main intention for the event going international was for Ghanaian players to test themselves against the best players in world.

He added that, most of the Ghanaian tennis players were at an age where they must play the best if they want to improve.

Meanwhile, this year’s Tennis Professionals of Ghana (TPG)/GTF National Ranking tournament will be held next month in Kumasi.

As part of preparations for the ranking tournament, officials of the Ghana Tennis Federation and its Ashanti regional executives, organisers of the tournament together and the TPG, are locked in negotiations on a GHC 40,000 sponsorship deal with the McDan Group of Companies.

McDan Open Goes International

Appiah Open To Ghana Return

Former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says he is open to the idea of working in Ghana again after spending two years in Sudan.

 

Appiah insist he is thoroughly enjoying his spell as Al Khartoum coach as he looks to build a side that will break the Al Hilal, Al Merreikh duopoly in the league.

 

But he is also aware coaching evolves and keeping his options open. He said :”you never know, in our line of work there is nothing like I will not do this again.

 

It’s always important to make yourself open and allow God to lead you and as to whether you will coach here or there depends on the day, the people around and whether you are prepared to work with them at any particular time.

 

It also depends on the available package. There are so many factors that will influence the call you make in that regard.”

 

Working with the Black Stars exposed Appiah to an income level that no Ghanaian side is capable of marching but Appiah admits Sudan has been good in financial terms

“Personally I will say it’s much better than here, for me where I am is even better than when I was with the Black Stars.”

By Benoni Teye

Appiah Open To Ghana Return