Serena powers ahead, Thiem and Wawrinka out

Canadian Milos Raonic defeated former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka in 4 tie-break sets to move to the third round. In a match lasting over four hours that began under open skies and finished with the roof closed on Rod Laver Arena following a rain delay, Raonic won 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (13-11), 7-6 (7-5).

19-year old Australian, Alexei Popyrin, upset seventh seed Dominic Thiem, who was forced to retire during their round-two match. Thiem could not continue because of illness. Popyrin led 7-5, 6-4, 2-0 at the time Thiem’s retirement.

Serena Williams was all business in the second round, easily beating Eugenie Bouchard 6-2 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena. Williams said “It wasn’t an easy match tonight. Genie has been to the finals of Wimbledon and the semifinals of other Grand Slams, so I said, ‘You’ve got to come out hot, come out firing.’

“I haven’t had many matches since last year, but it’s okay. I got to spend time with my daughter, and that matters the most to me. I’ve always been told that they grow up so fast, so I wanted to be able to take that time and say I spent it with her. It means a lot to me.”

Continue ReadingSerena powers ahead, Thiem and Wawrinka out

Andy’s Reads – Agassi Coaching Dimitrov and Never Trust Kvitova

My mid-week tennis reads:

Lleyton Hewitt is accused of conflict of interest as players with his management company get Australian Open wildcards. That’s not all. (ESPN)

“Baby Fed” Grigor Dimitrov brings on Andre Agassi as coach to help him reach his potential. (Straits Times).

Andy Murray’s former coach Amelie Mauresmo, “(Taking me as a coach) was not a PR thing. It was a profound conviction he had from his education, his open-mindedness.” (Yahoo Sports)

Petra Kvitova is the master of disaster and the most unpredictable grand slam winner. (Thirty Five Eight)

US men haven’t won a grand slam in a while but tennis channel is thriving. (Sports Pro Media)

Four lower ranked tennis players arrested in match fixing scheme. (ESPN)

Andy Murray might be retiring soon but that doesn’t stop him from moving to a new sponsor. His Under Armor deal expired at the end of 2018. (Sports Pro Media)

Continue ReadingAndy’s Reads – Agassi Coaching Dimitrov and Never Trust Kvitova