WHIZ News
The Latest: No holding back, Nadal advances in 3 sets
5:30 p.m.
If Rafael Nadal has bad back, he didn’t show any signs of it in his 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 win over Laslo Djere in the first round at the Australian Open.
The No. 2-ranked Nadal is aiming to go one better than Roger Federer and win a men’s-record 21st men’s Grand Slam singles title.
He didn’t play for Spain at the ATP Cup last week and has been troubled by stiffness in his lower back.
“Well, it’s been a tough 15 days for me. I had some issues with the back,” Nadal said in his post-match interview. “I needed to survive today. That’s what I did.
WHIZ News
The Latest: 2020 finalist Muguruza advances in Australia
12:30 p.m.
Garbiñe Muguruza has won her opening match at the Australian Open, where she reached the final last year before losing to American Sofia Kenin.
Muguruza, a Spaniard seeded 14th, beat Margarita Gasparyan of Russia, 6-4, 6-0.
Muguruza improved to 9-0 in first-round matches at Melbourne Park. The two-time Grand Slam champion lost only 11 points in the second set.
12:20 p.m.
Ann Li’s off to quite a start to 2021, moving into the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over No. 31 seed Zhang Shuai.
Australian Open: Distressed Azarenka refuses to talk about ailment after shock exit
A distressed 12th seed needed two medical timeouts in the second set before losing 7-5, 6-4, but said players should not have to speak about health issues.
February 9, 2021 07:05 GMT
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka snapped back at questions over her health after she suffered breathing difficulties in a shock straight-sets first round exit at the Australian Open.
A distressed 12th seed needed two medical timeouts in the second set before losing 7-5, 6-4, but said players should not have to speak about health issues.
Azarenka, who endured a hard hotel quarantine on arrival in Melbourne, used an inhaler but gamely fought on before succumbing 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 39 minutes.
Anett Kontaveit is through to the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne after defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Belarus) in straight sets, 7:5, 6:2.
During his chat with media at Melbourne Park on Sunday afternoon, Djokovic was questioned about 25-year-old’s tweet last month.
“I’ve said this before. I think he’s good for the sport,” Djokovic said.
“Obviously, he’s someone that is different. He goes about his tennis, he goes about his off-court things in his own authentic way. I have respect for him.
I have respect for everyone else really because everyone has a right and freedom to choose how they want to express themselves, what they want to do.”
Djokovic praised Kyrgios’ game play, but that is where the positive words ended.