Tennis

Opening day at Australian Open: Serena Williams wins easily

Andreas Milano 3 weeks ago

MELBOURNE, Australia — Serena Williams had a wobbly start at the Australian Open — for one game.

After briefly falling behind, Williams swept 10 consecutive games and beat Laura Siegemund 6-1, 6-1 on the first day of the tournament Monday.

The victory marked the start of Williams’ latest bid for a record-tying 24th major title. As she left the court, she flexed her biceps, and later she donned a T-shirt that read “Unstoppable Queen.”

“This was a good start — vintage ’Rena,” she said. “It’s definitely good. I’m pretty good at pacing myself at a Grand Slam.”

Williams wore a

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Serena Williams breezes in first round as play opens in Melbourne

Andreas Milano 3 weeks ago

“This was a good start — vintage ’Rena,” she said. “It’s definitely good. I’m pretty good at pacing myself at a Grand Slam.”

Williams wore a colorful one-legged catsuit, and her game looked flashy, too. She lost only nine points on her serve and hit 16 winners.

Her sister, Venus, won a Grand Slam match for the first time since 2019. Playing in her 21st Australian Open, the elder Williams beat Kirsten Flipkens, 7-5, 6-2.

At 40, Venus is the oldest woman in this year’s draw and just the sixth player in her 40s to compete at the Australian Open.

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Kudos to Andreescu, Marino for Australian returns

Andreas Milano 3 weeks ago

Bianca Andreescu’s shouts of “Let’s go!” and “Come on!” rang through the mostly empty arena at the Australian Open, heralding her first appearance at a tournament in 15 months.

Also making it clear the 2019 U.S. Open champion was back on the scene: The clutch play she displayed at the most pivotal of moments at Melbourne Park on Monday, serving at 3-all, love-40 in the third set of a first-round match against Mihaela Buzarnescu.

Andreescu produced a pair of forehand winners and a backhand winner right there to start a five-point run that gave her that game — and a

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Andreescu makes a return after 15 months on sidelines

Andreas Milano 3 weeks ago

Bianca Andreescu began her first news conference at her first tournament in 15 months with a broad smile and more than a hint of giddiness.

“Well, first of all: Hi, people. It’s been a while,” the 2019 U.S. Open champion said. “Um, yeah, it’s been a very long while, but I’m happy to be back.”

As well she should be. As should her entire sport. Because no matter how the No. 8-seeded Andreescu fares at the Australian Open — where she was scheduled to take the court today in the first round against Mihaela Buzarnescu — and no matter the

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Serena Williams, 39, Says 43-Year-Old Tom Brady Is ‘Super Inspiring For Me At My Ripe Young Age’

Andreas Milano 3 weeks ago

Serena Williams played her first match at the Australian Open during the Super Bowl on Sunday night, and then couldn’t wait to finish her post-match interview so she could go watch Tom Brady and the Buccaneers finish off Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Told in

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Showy Serena starts fast in taking first-round win

Andreas Milano 3 weeks ago

MELBOURNE, Australia — Serena Williams had a wobbly start at the Australian Open — for one game.

After briefly falling behind, Williams swept 10 consecutive games and beat Laura Siegemund 6-1, 6-1 on the first day of the tournament Monday.

The victory marked the start of Williams’ latest bid for a record-tying 24th major title, and as she left the court, she flexed her biceps.

“This was a good start — vintage ‘Rena,” she said. “It’s definitely good. I’m pretty good at pacing myself at a Grand Slam.”

Williams wore a colorful one-legged catsuit, and her game looked flashy, too.

… Read More