World No.1 Novak Djokovic beat World No.2 Rafael Nadal in straight sets to clinch this year’s Australian Open title Sunday morning.

In a near one-sided match, Djokovic crushed the Spaniard 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to win the Australian Open for a record seventh time and tally his total number of major titles to 15. With the win, Djokovic becomes the third all-time Grand Slam winner just behind Nadal (17) and Roger Federer (20).

“I’m trying to contemplate on the journey in the past 12 months. I had surgery exactly 12 months ago,” Djokovic said. “To be standing now here, in front of you today, managing to win this title and three of the four Slams is truly amazing.”

Djokovic has now won in the 13 of 16 times he’s played Nadal. For the Spaniard, this was the first time has lost in a Grand Slam final in straight sets. Despite the loss, Nadal was full of hope for a better year.

“Even though tonight was not my night, it was very important for me in coming back from injury,” he said. “I believe I played a good two weeks of tennis and it is a great energy and inspiration for what is coming. I will keep fighting and keep practicing to give myself better chances in the future.”

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Japan’s Naomi Osaka persevered a comeback scare to beat Czech’s Petra Kvitova to lift the Australia Open title in a thrilling final on Saturday.

Osaka, 21, shed tears after overcoming the energetic Kvitova to win the match 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-4. Both stars came off different pasts. Osaka was eyeing her second Grand Slam win following her contentious win over Serena Williams last September. The Czech, on the other hand, hoped to win a major title two years after facing a scary knife attack.

“Hello. Sorry, public speaking isn’t my strong point so I hope I can get this,” – Osaka said in her acceptance speech. “I read notes before this but I still forgot what I was meant to say. Thank you everyone, I am really honored to have played in this final.”

Despite the knife attack incident that happened two years ago, Kvitova played resiliently throughout the tournament. In the finals, she came from behind to win the second set. Unfortunate for her, Osaka had regained by that time and initiated a comfortable third set win.

With the Grand Slam, Osaka is only the first player to win back to back major titles since American Jennifer Capriatti did it in 2001. On Monday, she will also be confirmed as the new World No.1 after beating Romania’s Simona Halep for the position.

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Danielle Collins’ dream of winning the Australia Open came to a cruising end Thursday morning when two time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova overpowered her 7-6, 6-0 to advance to the finals.

“It means everything,” – Kvitova said of advancing into the finals. “I worked very hard to be again in the final of a major and finally I’ve made it deep at this major.”

Collins, 25, is a two time NCAA champion at the University of Virginia. On Thursday, her hopes of becoming the first collegiate to win a Grand Slam since fellow American Kathy Jordan accomplished the fete in 1983. However, she didn’t leave the tournament without a record as she equaled Meredith McGrath’s record of becoming the first collegian to reach a Grand Slam semifinals.

As good as Collins’ story to this year’s Australia Open semis is, it’s her opponent Kvitova who had the better night. In 2016, she was repeatedly stabbed in her playing left hand and offered no guarantees of a return to tennis after the incident.

She reached the quarters at the US Open in 2017 but she now has the chance to clinch a major title. The Czech native will face Japan’s Naomi Osaka who beat Karolina Pliskova in straight sets.

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Serena Williams departed the Australian Open in the most dramatic way, losing to Czech’s Karolina Pliskova after leading 5-1 in the deciding set Wednesday morning.

Williams, who was pursuing a 24^th Grand Slam to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Major title wins, had a rocky start to the match. The Czech star was 3-1 in the first set when the American fought back to win the set 6-4.

In the second, the 37-year-old was 5-1 and on her way to a victory. While serving a potential winner, she sprained her ankle and things turned worse there afterward. Not only did Pliskova initiate a comeback in that set to win 6-4, she won the third set 7-5 to bundle out the American.

Despite the injury, Williams refused to use it as an excuse for the loss.

“My ankle seems to be fine. I don’t usually know until the next day,” the American said. “I think she just played lights out on match points, hitting lines. She just played unbelievable on match points.”

With the loss, tennis fans will miss out on a rematch between last year’s US Open winner Naomi Osaka against Williams. Instead, Osaka will face Pliskova. Both of these players will meet in the Australia Open Semi-finals for the first time ever

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Youngster Frances Tiafoe dug deep at the Australian Open on Wednesday to stun No 5 seed Kevin Anderson in four sets for his biggest career win.

The 20-year-old American overcome a 4-6 first set loss to beat the South African 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in one of the best matches at the ongoing Australian Open so far.

“I went to a different place. I dug insanely deep,” Tiafoe said. “It’s all about competing. Guys are so good. It’s just about how badly you want it. I want it real bad.”

In the same night, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal overpowered their opponents Dan Evans and Matt Ebden in straight sets to qualify for the round of 32. An injury in Anderson’s right arm certainly helped Tiafoe emerge victorious. It didn’t matter though as the win gave the 20-year-old a much needed victory.

Tiafoe was a nine-game losing streak prior to Wednesday. He lost all his matches at the Hopman Cup, including the three mixed doubles he was paired with Serena Williams. His losing streak continued at the Next Gen ATP Finals before clinching a win this week.

Wednesday also say another American youngster, Taylor Fritz, upset France’s Gael Monfils in four sets. However, Mackenzie Macdonald, lost to last year’s finalist Marlin Cilic.

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Sisters Serena and Venus Williams cruised into the second round of this year’s Australian Tournament with wins against opponents Tatjana Maria and Mihaela Buzarnescu Tuesday morning.

Serena, 37, beat Maria 6-0, 6-2 in 49 minutes to kick off her chase for a record 24^th Grand Slam in a good way. The 23-time major title champion will become the all-time greatest major title winner should she win this year’s tournament, equaling Australia’s Margaret Court who has 24 titles.

Venus, 38, dug deep to triumph over Buzarnescu after losing the first set 6-7 (3-7) before beating her in the second and third sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. Expectedly, Venus comments after the match described the beauty of winning a game after almost losing it.

“It was pretty hairy there. I hope that this tough match will prepare me for the rest of the tournament.”

Serena dominated her German opponent throughout the match. She won the first set in 18 minutes to win her first Grand Slam match since her problematic loss at the US Open final last year. While she lost, Maria was full of praise for the American calling her the “greatest ever.

Serena will face Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard next while her sister will met France’s Alize Cornet.

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World No 2. Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Brisbane International Competition on Wednesday after suffering a strain to his thigh.

“I still wanted to play,” – the 32-year-old Spaniard said. “But all the recommendations from the doctors (were if) I play here, there is a risk, important to don’t have the chance to play Melbourne. I can’t do my 100 percent. It’s a very small thing, but can become a big thing.”

Nadal was slated to play his first ATP tournament on Thursday, the first time since he withdrew at the semifinals of the U.S. Open in September due to a knee injury.  Last week, the 17-time grand slam champion withdrew from the Mubadala Exhibition in Abu Dhabi after losing to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson.

“I felt a little bit the leg, the tightening in Abu Dhabi,” Nadal said. “I have to be ready to understand that this kind of stuff happens when you’re coming back from injuries. I have to accept and keep going.”

Japan’s Taro Daniel will replace Nadal at the Brisbane tournament, playing against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

While he is hopeful of participating in this year’s Australia Open, Nadal’s bigger goal is to stay healthy and chase trophies.

“My main goal is to stay healthy, stay happy and try to play as long as possible.”

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World No.1 Novak Djokovic beat World No.2 Rafael Nadal in straight sets to clinch this year’s Australian Open title Sunday morning.

In a near one-sided match, Djokovic crushed the Spaniard 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to win the Australian Open for a record seventh time and tally his total number of major titles to 15. With the win, Djokovic becomes the third all-time Grand Slam winner just behind Nadal (17) and Roger Federer (20).

“I’m trying to contemplate on the journey in the past 12 months. I had surgery exactly 12 months ago,” Djokovic said. “To be standing now here, in front of you today, managing to win this title and three of the four Slams is truly amazing.”

Djokovic has now won in the 13 of 16 times he’s played Nadal. For the Spaniard, this was the first time has lost in a Grand Slam final in straight sets. Despite the loss, Nadal was full of hope for a better year.

“Even though tonight was not my night, it was very important for me in coming back from injury,” he said. “I believe I played a good two weeks of tennis and it is a great energy and inspiration for what is coming. I will keep fighting and keep practicing to give myself better chances in the future.”

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Japan’s Naomi Osaka persevered a comeback scare to beat Czech’s Petra Kvitova to lift the Australia Open title in a thrilling final on Saturday.

Osaka, 21, shed tears after overcoming the energetic Kvitova to win the match 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-4. Both stars came off different pasts. Osaka was eyeing her second Grand Slam win following her contentious win over Serena Williams last September. The Czech, on the other hand, hoped to win a major title two years after facing a scary knife attack.

“Hello. Sorry, public speaking isn’t my strong point so I hope I can get this,” – Osaka said in her acceptance speech. “I read notes before this but I still forgot what I was meant to say. Thank you everyone, I am really honored to have played in this final.”

Despite the knife attack incident that happened two years ago, Kvitova played resiliently throughout the tournament. In the finals, she came from behind to win the second set. Unfortunate for her, Osaka had regained by that time and initiated a comfortable third set win.

With the Grand Slam, Osaka is only the first player to win back to back major titles since American Jennifer Capriatti did it in 2001. On Monday, she will also be confirmed as the new World No.1 after beating Romania’s Simona Halep for the position.

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Danielle Collins’ dream of winning the Australia Open came to a cruising end Thursday morning when two time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova overpowered her 7-6, 6-0 to advance to the finals.

“It means everything,” – Kvitova said of advancing into the finals. “I worked very hard to be again in the final of a major and finally I’ve made it deep at this major.”

Collins, 25, is a two time NCAA champion at the University of Virginia. On Thursday, her hopes of becoming the first collegiate to win a Grand Slam since fellow American Kathy Jordan accomplished the fete in 1983. However, she didn’t leave the tournament without a record as she equaled Meredith McGrath’s record of becoming the first collegian to reach a Grand Slam semifinals.

As good as Collins’ story to this year’s Australia Open semis is, it’s her opponent Kvitova who had the better night. In 2016, she was repeatedly stabbed in her playing left hand and offered no guarantees of a return to tennis after the incident.

She reached the quarters at the US Open in 2017 but she now has the chance to clinch a major title. The Czech native will face Japan’s Naomi Osaka who beat Karolina Pliskova in straight sets.

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Serena Williams departed the Australian Open in the most dramatic way, losing to Czech’s Karolina Pliskova after leading 5-1 in the deciding set Wednesday morning.

Williams, who was pursuing a 24^th Grand Slam to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Major title wins, had a rocky start to the match. The Czech star was 3-1 in the first set when the American fought back to win the set 6-4.

In the second, the 37-year-old was 5-1 and on her way to a victory. While serving a potential winner, she sprained her ankle and things turned worse there afterward. Not only did Pliskova initiate a comeback in that set to win 6-4, she won the third set 7-5 to bundle out the American.

Despite the injury, Williams refused to use it as an excuse for the loss.

“My ankle seems to be fine. I don’t usually know until the next day,” the American said. “I think she just played lights out on match points, hitting lines. She just played unbelievable on match points.”

With the loss, tennis fans will miss out on a rematch between last year’s US Open winner Naomi Osaka against Williams. Instead, Osaka will face Pliskova. Both of these players will meet in the Australia Open Semi-finals for the first time ever

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Youngster Frances Tiafoe dug deep at the Australian Open on Wednesday to stun No 5 seed Kevin Anderson in four sets for his biggest career win.

The 20-year-old American overcome a 4-6 first set loss to beat the South African 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in one of the best matches at the ongoing Australian Open so far.

“I went to a different place. I dug insanely deep,” Tiafoe said. “It’s all about competing. Guys are so good. It’s just about how badly you want it. I want it real bad.”

In the same night, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal overpowered their opponents Dan Evans and Matt Ebden in straight sets to qualify for the round of 32. An injury in Anderson’s right arm certainly helped Tiafoe emerge victorious. It didn’t matter though as the win gave the 20-year-old a much needed victory.

Tiafoe was a nine-game losing streak prior to Wednesday. He lost all his matches at the Hopman Cup, including the three mixed doubles he was paired with Serena Williams. His losing streak continued at the Next Gen ATP Finals before clinching a win this week.

Wednesday also say another American youngster, Taylor Fritz, upset France’s Gael Monfils in four sets. However, Mackenzie Macdonald, lost to last year’s finalist Marlin Cilic.

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Sisters Serena and Venus Williams cruised into the second round of this year’s Australian Tournament with wins against opponents Tatjana Maria and Mihaela Buzarnescu Tuesday morning.

Serena, 37, beat Maria 6-0, 6-2 in 49 minutes to kick off her chase for a record 24^th Grand Slam in a good way. The 23-time major title champion will become the all-time greatest major title winner should she win this year’s tournament, equaling Australia’s Margaret Court who has 24 titles.

Venus, 38, dug deep to triumph over Buzarnescu after losing the first set 6-7 (3-7) before beating her in the second and third sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. Expectedly, Venus comments after the match described the beauty of winning a game after almost losing it.

“It was pretty hairy there. I hope that this tough match will prepare me for the rest of the tournament.”

Serena dominated her German opponent throughout the match. She won the first set in 18 minutes to win her first Grand Slam match since her problematic loss at the US Open final last year. While she lost, Maria was full of praise for the American calling her the “greatest ever.

Serena will face Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard next while her sister will met France’s Alize Cornet.

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World No 2. Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Brisbane International Competition on Wednesday after suffering a strain to his thigh.

“I still wanted to play,” – the 32-year-old Spaniard said. “But all the recommendations from the doctors (were if) I play here, there is a risk, important to don’t have the chance to play Melbourne. I can’t do my 100 percent. It’s a very small thing, but can become a big thing.”

Nadal was slated to play his first ATP tournament on Thursday, the first time since he withdrew at the semifinals of the U.S. Open in September due to a knee injury.  Last week, the 17-time grand slam champion withdrew from the Mubadala Exhibition in Abu Dhabi after losing to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson.

“I felt a little bit the leg, the tightening in Abu Dhabi,” Nadal said. “I have to be ready to understand that this kind of stuff happens when you’re coming back from injuries. I have to accept and keep going.”

Japan’s Taro Daniel will replace Nadal at the Brisbane tournament, playing against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

While he is hopeful of participating in this year’s Australia Open, Nadal’s bigger goal is to stay healthy and chase trophies.

“My main goal is to stay healthy, stay happy and try to play as long as possible.”

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