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Aryna Sabalenka

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2025 Australian Open women’s singles final: The eye of the tiger in Aryna Sabalenka with her two-year title run now over at the hands of first-time champion Madison Keys

by Sports Benches

Tonight’s 2025 Australian Open women’s singles Final at Rod Laver Arena saw one incredible contest where the last two remaining players standing in this draw had to battle it out the best of all three sets for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy.

This time we got a new winner in 29-year-old Madison Keys from the US just eight years following her loss in 2017 US Open Final to her compatriot Sloane Stephenson her second ever attempt on the big dance while the reigning champion’s long two year stranglehold finally came to an unfortunate end from Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) who was forced to relinquish her Australian Open women’s champion status to first time Keys.

The final score was 3-6 to Keys, 6-2 to Sabalenka and 5-7 to Keys after just over two hours of play.

First of all, you can clearly see the disappointment there post-match by Sabalenka who never gave up all along to try and strike towards a three-peat – we know how close she was getting that job done. But again, her poor start and inconsistent serves gave Keys a really good opportunity to strike back and she’s done that with both hands which sums up Sabalenka’s night as second best. 

Having made a name for herself on the hard courts, the time is now for Sabalenka to win the other grand slam tournaments such as the Roland Garros and Wimbledon – the ones she hasn’t yet won so far in her grand slam career. 

There’s the Queen of Clay Court she can beat in Iga Swiatek who is currently a four-time winner, so that’s one. Plus, Wimbledon hasn’t had a consistent championship winner for a while, although the last two different champions are from Czech Republic – Sabalenka to cash in on that next moment as well.

And finally going back to the first time winner, gotta say this was Madison Key’s best career performance to date which is tonight’s women’s singles final match v Aryna Sabalenka at Rod Laver Arena. 

Love her brilliant start with the first set win while she lost her way at times when Sabablenka crawled her way back from rock bottom that sets up a 3rd and final set finish shootout. And yet, Keys did not hold back as long as she’s able to reach Championship Point before she’s finally relieved to call herself a grand slam championship winner for the first time.

What’s next? Make every next game her big game and who knows if Madison Keys can be a 2 x grand slam champion once again?

On home soil would be nice with the next US Open a long while away in late August-early September as Sabalenka is also the reigning champ there. Other than that, winning Roland Garros in Paris wouldn’t be bad and Wimbledon also welcomes first-time winners too, especially in recent years so Keys can join that club herself – no doubt.

14 days done, one night to go with one more match to settle in the men’s singles Final – it’s either Jannik Sinner go back-to-back or Alexander Zverev hoping to join Keys as the next first-time AO champion.

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2025 Australian Open Day 12: Aryna Sabalenka unstoppable over Paula Badosa with Madison Keys sensational with the hope of going one better for this Saturday’s Final

by Sports Benches

Wow! What a night of women’s semi-final Tennis at Rod Laver Arena that began with Aryna Sabalenka always 100% on fire over her bestie Paula Badosa from Spain in straight sets that booked her yet another chance to get the job done for Saturday’s main eveny – final score was 6-4, 6-2.

Who will be there to stop her though? Now this time her opponent will be American Madison Keys who just won the other semi later on over Poland’s Iga Swiatek, having gone from a set down to a two-set comeback including an unreal finish during the 10-set tiebreak race towards the checkered flag and safe to say that she has done it with so much tears & joy!

Here’s the 2nd semi result as it goes 5-7, 6-1 and 7-6 with 10-8 tiebreaker.

We thought the worst of Aryna could come when she has lost her cool at times from her previous match in the QF the other day v Anastasia Pavlychenkova. But her class is always permanent who fought like a tiger that proved her worth as elite grand slam champion both here (2 x times) as well as also the US for the first time a few months ago.

For Badosa, she’s currently on a roll off the back of her good US Open run in the QF last year and now this year by going one better than the last 8 at Melbourne Park, especially on the hard courts. It’s just wasn’t her night though where Sabalenka proved to be too strong as again, she still has unfinished business with the upcoming grand slams to show that she means business in finals this year.

Looking back at that 2nd terrific semi, Iga also had a good run this time around at Melbourne Park which is better than the previous ones in the past apart from the 2022 semi – also defeated by another American in Danielle Collins before Ash Barty managed to steal the show on home turf during that year. It’s just a shame she has lost it following a brilliant start to her shift and even though she was closer than ever at times towards an AO final, Iga just couldn’t hold on a bit longer there sadly.

And for Keys, this will be her 2nd ever grand slam final since the 2017 US Open where she lost to fellow American Sloane Stephens. Yes, it’s been a long time between drinks but she came from a long, long way. Also, the last time she played in an AO semi final was 10 years ago back in 2015 & she too was also defeated by another American in Serena Williams. 

Now it’s up to her how to end Sabalenka’s long-running dominance and what a way it could be if Madison Keys can finish her 2025 AO campaign off in style with her first ever grand slam win by taking home the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy at the age of 29 – turning 30 soon next month. Sure fans would love to back the underdog over the favourite which is something what sport is all about but we shall find out by 9-10pm Saturday night.

In the meantime, it’s the men’s turn as four will become two on its own before the weekend’s main event blockbuster where champions will be crowned. Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev will have to battle it out in the afternoon – can Novak overcome the sunny skies and make this his possible 11th AO title opportunity or will it be Zverev’s turn this time? 

Also, the reigning champion Jannik Sinner who defeated Alex De Minaur the other day will take on American Ben Shelton during the evening. Are we about to see the best of past and present if Sinner wins once again or will another American be represented this time in the men’s and Ben Shelton could be their answer to possibly take on Novak or even Zverev himself?

It’s all to play for going into Day 13 of 15 at Rod Laver Arena & Melbourne Park.

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2025 Australian Open Day 10: Some surprising moments with the women’s singles QF games while the experienced men’s players still hold off with their own wins at Rod Laver Arena

by Sports Benches

The first of the two Quarter-Final days at Melbourne Park was almost full of surprises but with 1-2 seasoned champions still in the race towards their own semi-final battles that will take place tomorrow night for the women and all of Friday with the men.

Who was the surprise winner there? New York-born Spaniard Paula Badosa over American Coco Gauff even though it was a close two set game but only one have won it in straight sets (5-7 & 4-6).

Plus, Anastasia Pavlychenkova almost shockingly stole the spotlight when Ayrna Sabalenka lost the second set that easily along with a small lead before Sabalenka came back and was relieved at the end to see out the Russian with the win (6-2, 2-6 and 6-3).

So the first semi locked in for Badosa v reigning champion Sabalenka.

Meanwhile, Tommy Paul had some good moments of his own at times at the break against the 2nd seed Alexander Zverev while he denied him a straight sets opportunity with a clean strike at the 3rd set. However, the lead was way off his opponent’s radar though especially when given the chance at the tiebreak (sets 1 & 2) when Zverev clearly turned out to be the winner out of a four-set showdown – 6-7 (1-7 tie), 6-7 (0-7 tie), 6-2 and 1-6.

And last but not least, looks like the Novak Djokovic x Andy Murray duo with Murray coaching him has gone to live another day thanks to Novak’s win over Carlos Alcaraz.

The only place where Alcaraz has not won a grand slam title here will have to wait another year. Yes, he had a terrific start as one of today’s and tomorrow’s finest elite Tennis players. However, King Djokovic isn’t done with retirement just yet even at the age of 37, and there he goes to lock the Spaniard out once again like it was at the Paris Olympics gold medal match last August when it comes to the long runs – the final score was 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 & 6-4.

1st semi-final now confirmed between regular semi-finalist Zverev & 10 x Australian Open winner in Djokovic.

There’s two more QF matches today in both the women’s and men’s singles draw:

  • Madison Keys v Elina Svitolina
  • Emma Navarro v Iga Swiatek
  • Ben Shelton v Lorenzo Sonego
  • Jannik Sinner v Alex De Minaur

That last game of the day today is the one we are looking for as Australian sports and Tennis fans as well as some from the UK if you’re a Katie Boulter fan. We all know what was like when Sinner regularly won games against The Demon before but Alex’s full support will be key no matter what the result will be tonight at the RLA.

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Australian Open 2025 Day 1: Sabalenka, Zverev, Ruud among the winners

by Admin

The first day of the Australian Open 2025 set forth plenty of action including the reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka defending the crown for the second time as well as top seeds Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Zheng Qinwen getting a taste of the competition.

Here is everything you need to know about AO 2025 Day 1.

Anca Todoni vs Qinwen Zheng

Chinese tennis star Qinwen Zheng began the Australian Open by facing Romanian Anca Todoni. There was little to differentiate between the two in the first set, which went to a tiebreak. 

After a grueling 75 minutes, Zheng ultimately secured the first set 7-6. The second set was much different. Despite the thunderous weather, the world number 5 looked more comfortable at the Rod Laver Arena. She got the lead 3-0 early into the second set and finished things off 7-6, 6-1 with an ace to qualify for round 2. 

She acknowledged after the match that the first set was “not easy” for her. It is unclear so far who she’ll face in round 2.

Casper Ruud vs Jaume Munar

In men’s singles, world number 6 Casper Ruud took on the tricky Spaniard Jaume Munar. In a five set thriller, Munar showed incredible tennis as he won the second set 1-6 after Ruud secured the first one 6-3. 

The Norwegian went on to win the third set 7-5 and lose the next one 2-6. Munar’s resilience eventually faded away, as he didn’t have much to show in the fifth set which ended in favor of Casper Ruud (6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1).

Casper will either face Jakub Mensik or Nikoloz Basilashvili in the next round. With 48 winners in the match and a close finish in last year’s Roland Garros, the Norwegian looks in good shape and could be up for winning his first ever grand slam title.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Sloane Stephens

Aryna Sabalenka continued her top form from the 2024 season where she captured her second Australian Open title and also the US Open title. The world number 1 tennis star has her eyes set on winning the AO title for the third consecutive time, a feat not very common in the women’s singles.

Sabalenka faced Sloane Stephens (US Open 2017 winner) in her first main draw fixture. While the overall affair was in favor of the defending champion(6-3,6-2), Sabalenka’s serves ignited discussion online. 

Her first serve success rate was at 70%, her second serve fell even below that number. However, this is something that might get better as the tournament progresses. 

Sabalenka will next face Spanish star Jessica Bouzas in round 2.

Lucas Pouille vs Alexander Zverev

Last year Alexander Zverev had his hopes shattered in the Australian Open semi-final against Daniil Medvedev in an iconic 5-set classic. Since then, the German tennis star has played the Roland Garros final and US Open quarter-final.

Now, he looks hell-bent on winning a grand slam in 2025, as he says himself “everybody knows what I’m chasing.” Zverev who entered the tournament as world number 2 played against Lucas Pouille, the Frenchman who was the Australian Open semi-finalist in 2019.

While Pouille showed great tennis skills, it all went down to Zverev’s deadly first serves which also included 18 aces.

The final scorecard as expected was a straight set victory for Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. The German will next face Spanish tennis star Pedro Martinez in the Australian Open round 2.

With Tsitsipas, Sinner, Dimitrov, Djokovic, Gauff, Azarenka, Svitlona, and Collins all scheduled to play their first round matches on Monday, action for Australian Open 2025 day 2 will continue from tomorrow.

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2024 US Open Tennis Women’s Singles Final: Aryna Sabalenka so dominant on the hard courts that sealed her third grand slam triumph in straight sets v USA’s Jessica Pegula

by Sports Benches

Aryna Sabalenka is now your 2024 US Open women’s champion following her straight sets win v USA’s Jessica Pegula 5-7 & 5-7 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This is the first time she has won this major at Arthur Ashe Stadium following her runner-up finish last year to Coco Gauff while she continues to defend her 2nd straight Australian Open women’s title from 2023.

So close from Pegula who was so close to turning this around on both occasions including the 2nd set, having won some battles thanks to a brilliant start to the game along the way v the top-ranked opponent. She just couldn’t quite find the finishing touches unfortunately while Sabalenka won them all throughout the Final. It’s been a huge journey though to make it this far, especially when playing on home soil – hopefully we’ll see more of Jessica Pegula next year following a series of previous grand slam Quarter-Finals.

And what a game as always for Sabalenka  who got away with her third grand slam championship this time outside of the Australian Open in New York. There’s a reason or two why she’s so dominant in these hard courts and yet she’s done it once again also against a different grand slam finalist from start to finish. She didn’t even drop a set either when her finishing play was top-notch too as wondering who is really there to challenge Sabalenka now? Maybe Iga Swiatek, even though she’s normally good on clay or Coco Gauff if she can be good consistently on future grand slams other than late 23-early 24.

If the women’s final wasn’t enough, the US Open Saturday’s activities went on with the Men’s Doubles Final featuring own our Aussie pair of Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell v Germany’s duo of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz. Glad to say that Thompson and Purcell has done it in straight sets that marked their first major trophy together with Purcell’s 2nd since the 2022 Wimbledon tournament alongside Matt Ebden, even though their match wasn’t easy having felt so relieved to cross the finish line at the end of the 2nd set tiebreak. Sure that is going to help with Australia’s Davis Cup team run going into next week v France and Czech Republic as they’ve been in the big dance before and there’s no doubt they’re going to smash it once again.

Now that the Women’s Final is done, there’s one more game left on the US Open schedule tomorrow and that will be the Men’s Singles Final from 4am AEST between 2024 Men’s Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner v USA’s Taylor Fritz.

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2024 US Open Tennis Women’s Singles semi-finals Day Review: Aryna Sabalenka off to another final this time v Jessica Pegula after Pegula’s stunning comeback from behind

by Sports Benches

The 2024 US Open women’s singles semi-finals day at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York saw two brilliant matches with one unbelievable comeback during the second match from behind. 

Yes, Americans – particularly the home fans- would’ve loved to see both of their own players play in the big dance this Saturday. But at least one is still not out of the race just yet though when she’ll be going up against one the world’s best as a new champion will be crowned since Coco Gauff was eliminated in the Round of 16.

Semi-Final 1

In the first game, 13th seed Emma Navarro never had an easy time out there against Aryna Sabalenka, having won some early battles in the process including the 2nd set that led into a tiebreak. But again, Sabalenka proved to be world-class as always en route to her 2nd straight US Open Final from start to finish in straight sets (3-6 & 6-7 via 2-7 tiebreak). 

It’s been a great 2nd half grand slam season for Navarro with back-to-back knockout matches as more to come but never an easy game unfortunately against Sabalenka who always been in the finals many times before. 

Speaking of Sabalenka, sure, she may not be good on clay (French Open) & the grass courts (Wimbledon). But she’s been excellent on the hard courts that earned her 2 x recent Australian Open titles & looks like this weekend will finally be perfect moment to add a US Open trophy for the first time.

Semi-Final 2

Now here’s something that’s going to cheer the home crowd up, Jessica Pegula may have had a rough start in the first set v Karolina Muchova, but she fought back though from behind that marked one of her best matches to date. She went from bringing up the 3rd set decider after tying 1-1 apiece with Muchova to booking her spot following an easy finish on what is going to be Pegula’s first grand slam Final right here at home in New York v Sabalenka. The final score was 1-6, 6-4 & 6-2.

If there’s one person out there who will try to stop Sabalenka in its tracks, it’s Jessica Pegula with her best grand slam campaign at age 30. She proved to Sabalenka what it takes to fight from behind in the hope of winning her first grand slam singles title also on home turf. She’s come from a long, long way whose parents are business people and NFL owners of the Buffalo Bills & no doubt this next match for Jessica is like her own Super Bowl but she will be up against one of the world’s elite stars in Sabalenka.

And Muchova did the best she can to secure a grand final spot since the 2023 Roland Garros tournament, especially when she just came back playing here following a wrist injury as she had a great run along the way up. She thought she could get there thanks to a flying start but just couldn’t keep it up unfortunately when it comes to her long form where Pegula turned out to be the better player. Will we see more of her next year? Sure as long as she can keep her good grand slam record up from here like regular 2nd week ties including an extended finals shot, etc.

Post-Notes

Now that the Pegula v Sabalenka women’s singles Final is all set, the US Open semi-finals day continues tomorrow with the men’s action. First up is Jannik Sinner v Rising Briton Jack Draper (who defeated Alex De Minaur in the QF the other day) followed by an all-American affair between Taylor Fritz & Francis Tiafoe.

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2024 AO Tennis, women’s singles semi-final night review being done in straight sets with Sabalanka v Zheng now set for tomorrow night’s main event match at Rod Laver Arena

by Sports Benches

Time flies so fast but the Australian Open women’s semi finals night was all done as tomorrow’s last two challengers line-up is now set for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy at Rod Laver Arena. Coco Gauff fell short both ways earlier on but defending champion Aryna Sabalanka didn’t lose her game at all by booking herself in another Final by in straight sets (6-7 with 2-7 tiebreak & 4-6). Then it was a battle for the first timers and same thing happened to Dayana Yastremska with the early pace form as that 2nd semi match was dominated by China’s Quinwen Zheng also in straight sets (4-6 & 4-6). Now the men’s semi-finals will roll out throughout today with Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner in the afternoon followed by Daniil Medvedev v Alexander Zverev at night.

Looks like Gauff has almost got it after a poor start she closed herself in towards the opening set. But not so fast when she just could not hold stop a patient Sabalenka in her tracks before Gauff was unable to bring a 3rd set decider also after falling short again in the 2nd set. She will get better with experience as this is her 2nd grand slam knockout finals match & the first outside USA. Sabalanka on the other hand will get another chance to hopefully take home the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy for the second time tomorrow night on what has been a tremendous win last night the opponent she lost at the US Open Final a few months ago. She was outstanding all along where Sabalanka fired off comfortably before she eventually found her opponent’s weaknesses while Gauff caught up as the game goes on & then tricks her during each and every stage, which is exactly she wants to do to set the benchmark for AO title win No.2 v Zheng.

Speaking of Zheng, the 21-year-old Chinese player will now be playing in first grand slam final as Li Na has last done so here back in 2014 with the big win v Lucie Safarova. She simply found a way to get the ball rolling to win the other half form that Yastremska couldn’t do after a slow start before Zheng didn’t hesitate to lose her game where she found the finish line first for the win. And Yastremska’s time is now over after a great fairytale run from the bottom up prior to this at Melbourne Park, having got a strong build up base to get off the mark including an improved 2nd set performance. But unfortunately, she wasn’t quite close as she hoped for when it comes to the execution, which is a key area she has struggled v Zheng. Let’s hope she can continue to inspire more with a consistent last 16/8 run from here.

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AO Tennis 2024, Day 1 of the Quarter-Finals review with Djokovic & Sinner both unstoppable over Fritz & Rublev while Sabalenka was too good for Krejcikova

by Sports Benches

The rest of last night during the opening day Australian Open Quarter-Finals other than the three hour, three set women’s match was massive that began with a four set showdown followed by back-to-back straight sets successions as we head into the other half last 8 matches later today & tonight at Rod Laver Arena. Taylor Fritz went so close before he won the 2nd set on what has been a great 1st half effort but Novak Djokovic still holds the court all along to book his place in the semi-final while Jannik Sinner got around Andrey Rublev in the closest of matches & he too has done in straight sets going into Friday as Djokovic’s next opponent. Plus, it’s going to be Coco Gauff v Aryna Sabalenka again this time in the semi after Sabalenka was too good for Barbora Krejcikova.

For Fritz, he had amazing display that pushed Djokovic to the limit earlier on where he was oh so close in the first set followed by a 2nd set win at last to share the lead at 1-1. But just couldn’t kick on when it comes to the 2nd half form unfortunately and that’s where Djokovic eventually caught him out in the end as he had another great finals run here. As for Djokovic, he had some early setbacks against an early finals challenger despite having the early lead. He was able to respond really well like an seasoned champion though for the majority that got him over the line first and the Djoker is ready to take on a challenger who is tipped to win a grand slam trophy sooner rather than later in Italian Jannik Sinner.

Meanwhile, Rublev’s time is over as always where he has still yet to play past the Quarter-Finals after he broke the hearts of Alex De Minaur the other day in the fourth round. He wasn’t bad at the start where he had some great challenges to keep it up with his opponent. But just didn’t have the execution needed to stop Sinner in his tracks unfortunately despite being so close earlier on. On the other hand, Sinner is having the form of his life right now ahead of his 2nd grand slam semi-final after Wimbledon last year this Friday. He had a wonderful start while he never gave up and was being patient the whole way through to win all three sets to become Djokovic’s next opponent, which should be a cracker to watch. A young rising star v an experienced grand slam champ is something Sinner won’t want to hide & show he can live up to his potential at 22 after a great 2nd half of 2023 that includes the Davis Cup title win for Italy.

And looking back at the 2nd Quarter-Final women’s singles game, that was one was so quick in contrast to what we saw between Coco Gauff & Marta Kostyuk earlier in the afternoon. Krejcikova knows how to get the ball rolling but wasn’t consistent unfortunately where she just could not keep it up with Sabalenka for the overall lead. She hasn’t been bad in her last few AO appearances but needs to kick on from here, having had a great 2021 season with her French Open title as well as another Quarter-Final in the US Open before there not much else since then. Sabalenka on the other hand has been so dominant to meet all ends of the court including the other half bridge in particular that blew Krejcikova away. But she has a tough match-up ahead tomorrow night against someone who defeated her in the US Open Final a few months ago named Coco Gauff. She has gone through a series of easy challenges so far up until this next match, but she is the reigning champion here & have been a regular finals competitor throughout last year as Sabalenka won’t take Gauff lightly in order to try & take another grand slam title, which is the same Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

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Tennis News, 2021 Wimbledon Women Singles Semi-Final review

by Sports Benches

Great semi final matchup from Ash Barty at the Championships in Wimbledon, where she fired off well in the first set 5-3.

Although, Angelique Kerber began to chase her down when she led the majority of this next set 3-5.

But it’s Barty who eliminated Kerber with a brilliant comeback from behind, as she clinched the tiebreaker 7-6 (6-3). That is enough to advance into the final through straight sets.

Then we look at the other semi clash between Karolina Pilskova & Aryna Sabalenka.

Great start from the beginning in Sabalenka during a close first set battle, having gone ahead early at 5-7.

However, you cannot underestimate Pilskova where she dominated most of this 2nd semis game.

The competitiveness against one another is not easy along the way, but Pilskova managed to get the job done with the next two set wins, 6-4, 6-4.

Now we’re down between just Ash Barty & Karolina Pilskova in the women’s singles final this Saturday. It will be such a wild contest for sure & see who will lift this crown first.

#wimbledon #thechampionships #tennis #grandslam #ashbarty #angeliquekerber #arynasabalenka #karolinapilskova #centrecourt

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