tennisring

Author: admin

  • Alex Eala set for WTA Rankings milestone after reaching semi-finals in Auckland

    Alex Eala claimed her first win over Magda Linette at the quarter-finals of the ASB Classic and with it she unlocked a new high in the WTA Rankings.

    Rising star Eala had “difficulties” against the Polish veterans in the past as she lost both their previous meetings in straight sets, but she broke her duck in style at the WTA 250 event as she secured a 6-3, 6-2 victory on the hard courts of Auckland.

    The 20-year-old, though, must have thought “here we go again” when Linette broke in the opening game of the match, but she hit back in the very next game and then broke for a second time in game six before serving out the set.

    The Filipino then raced into 4-0 lead in the second set with back-to-back breaks before the fifth seed managed to get one break back. However, she broke for a third time in game seven and then served the match out to love.

    “Obviously Magda, being such an experienced player, I’ve had difficulties playing against her before. So I’m happy that I’m seeing my level increase and improve,” Eala said after the win.

    WTA Features

    Former Wimbledon champion believes Coco Gauff’s serving woes could have a ‘five minute fix’

    WTA Rankings: What Amanda Anisimova’s Brisbane loss means for her and Coco Gauff

    The fourth seed added: “I did my best. I do what I can and if I see an opening, I think it’s important that I go for it. Today was difficult.”

    WTA Rankings Breakthrough

    Just over a year ago, Eala was at No 136 in the rankings but she started the ASB Classic at No 53 following an incredible 2025 campaign that saw her reach her first final at the Eastbourne International before losing against Maya Joint while she also reached the semi-final of the WTA 1000 Miami Open.

    Her latest win has seen her rise five places in the Live Rankings to a new career-high of No 48.

    And there is an even bigger reward up for grabs if she wins her semi-final, but she will need to get past China’s Wang Xinyu.

    The seventh-seeded Wang, who sits at No 57 in the WTA Rankings, booked her place in the last four when Great Britain’s Fran Jones retired. The 24-year-old was leading 6-4, 4-3 when the Brit retired.

    Victory over Wang – who has peaked at No 32 in the rankings – could see Eala jump to as high as No 43 in the rankings while a win for the Chinese star will see her pass the Filipino.

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    The post Alex Eala set for WTA Rankings milestone after reaching semi-finals in Auckland appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open record with and without playing a warm-up event

    Novak Djokovic will begin his 2026 season at the Australian Open after he withdrew from the Adelaide International, but what is the great Serb’s history of playing warm-up events before the Melbourne major?

    The world No 4 pulled out of the ATP 250 event in Adelaide, which will be held the week before Australian Open main draw action gets underway on January 18.

    “Unfortunately I’m not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week,” the 38-year-old said in a statement.

    Djokovic will arrive at this year’s Australian Open, where he is seeking a record-extending 11th title and 25th major overall, without having played since beating Lorenzo Musetti in the Athens final on November 8.

    When was the last time Novak Djokovic played Australian Open without a warm-up event?

    This will be the first time that Djokovic will enter the Australian Open as his first tournament of the season since 2018.

    The 2018 Australian Open was Djokovic’s first event in six months as he had cut short his 2017 campaign after Wimbledon due to a right elbow injury.

    In Melbourne, Djokovic defeated 63rd-ranked Donald Young in straight sets in the first round, 39th-ranked Gael Monfils in four sets in the second round, and 22nd-ranked Albert Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets in the third round.

    The Serbian then suffered a shock 6-7(4), 5-7, 6-7(3) loss to world No 58 Chung Hyeon, who was one of the brightest talents on the ATP Tour at the time, in the last 16.

    Following that defeat, Djokovic underwent surgery on his right elbow, which was still affecting him, and he did not return to the tour until Indian Wells in March.

    Novak Djokovic News

    Why Novak Djokovic’s Adelaide withdrawal is a worrying sign for his Grand Slam hopes

    Novak Djokovic’s rival says ‘nothing is impossible’ for tennis great

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    What is Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open record with and without playing a warm-up event?

    Starting with 2008, when Djokovic won his maiden Australian Open crown, the Serb has played the Melbourne major 17 times (he missed the 2022 edition).

    During this span, Djokovic has played a tournament before the Australian Open 10 times and began his season at the Grand Slam on seven occasions.

    Djokovic has secured six of his Australian Open titles after playing a warm-up event and four when he has began his year in Melbourne.

    The former world No 1’s last Australian Open triumph without playing a tune-up tournament was in 2013.

    Novak Djokovic’s record at the Australian Open when he played a warm-up event (since 2008) 

    • 2009 – lost in the quarter-finals
    • 2015 – won the title
    • 2016 – won the title
    • 2017 – lost in the second round
    • 2019 – won the title
    • 2020 – won the title
    • 2021 – won the title
    • 2023 – won the title
    • 2024 – lost in the semi-finals
    • 2025 – lost in the semi-finals (retired mid-match with injury)

    Djokovic played the Brisbane International in 2009 and 2025, the Qatar Open in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019, the ATP Cup in 2020 and 2021, the Adelaide International in 2023, and the United Cup in 2024.

    Novak Djokovic’s record at the Australian Open when he did not play a warm-up event (since 2008)

    • 2008 – won the title
    • 2010 – lost in the quarter-finals
    • 2011 – won the title
    • 2012 – won the title
    • 2013 – won the title
    • 2014 – lost in the quarter-finals
    • 2018 – lost in the fourth round

    READ NEXT: Novak Djokovic’s ex-rival makes ‘given up’ claim about the Serb challenging Alcaraz & Sinner

    The post Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open record with and without playing a warm-up event appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Grand Slam winner ‘surprised’ by Australian Open decision over mixed doubles event

    Grand Slam winner ‘surprised’ by Australian Open decision over mixed doubles event

    The tennis community was stunned when the USTA announced the mixed doubles competition at last year’s US Open would become an invitation only event that would feature some of the biggest names in the game.

    The doubles specialists who rely on the prize money at the Grand Slams to sustain their season were especially vocal in their criticism of the move, as high earning singles players were placed into an event that retained it’s status as a major title.

    Most observers viewed the event taut took place in the week before the US Open as little more than an exhibition event, but it generated huge interest and was played out before packed crowds in New York.

    The combinations of players like Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu inevitably drew plenty of attention and the final verdict was that the revamped US Open event was a major success.

    Now seven-time Grand Slam winning doubles great Mark Woodforde has given his verdict and while he still has reservations about the event that was won by doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori when they beat Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the final, he believes the experiment was a success.

    More Tennis News

    Tim Henman criticises ‘disrespectful’ US Open mixed doubles revamp: ‘It’s not a Grand Slam event’

    What is the Million Dollar 1 Point Slam? Who will join Carlos Alcaraz in the draw?

    “I was one of the guys that were saying that I think it would be unfair for the US Open, the USTA, to call their mixed doubles event at Grand Slam with the way they did it,” Woodforde told Tennis365 in his role as an ambassador at the Bank of China Hong Kong Open.

    “While it was a success in the end, I still say it wasn’t a leg of the Grand Slam. You know, you don’t hand pick teams to play a Grand Slam. That’s not our competition.

    “To me, it was an exhibition, but it was an exhibition that actually worked extraordinarily well. I was overjoyed to see Errani and Vavasori lift the trophy at the end.

    “They were defending champions and to that that title against all these great players was even more impressive and I liked the principle of doubles teams competing against these hand picked teams of singles players, who were already there preparing for the US Open anyway. In the end, I thought it was extremely well done.”

    Woodforde went to suggest his home Grand Slam could have followed the lead of the US Open with their mixed doubles event, as he hinted what we saw in New York last year may be a sign of things to come.

    “The Australian Open is often innovative with different formats, so I’m a bit surprised that we haven’t heard from the AO or Roland Garros to say they are doing something like this.

    “I’m sure Wimbledon will be the last event that will stand up for what they will say is traditional tennis, but I’m surprised the other two Grand Slams have not looked to follow what we saw at the US Open last year.”

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    The Australian Open have unveiled a new innovation for 2026, with top players taking on members of the public next Wednesday in the ‘1 Point Slam’ that will feature tennis pros, celebrities and amateurs from across the country – with $1 million prize money on the line for the winner.

    Grand Slam champions Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff, Danill Medvedev and Naomi Osaka are among those taking part.

    Pat Cash and Mark Woodforde

    Pat Cash and Mark Woodforde spoke to Tennis365 at the Bank of China Hong Kong Open

    READ NEXT: Emma Raducanu’s targets laid out by Grand Slam winner after troubled start to 2026

    The post Grand Slam winner ‘surprised’ by Australian Open decision over mixed doubles event appeared first on Tennis365.

  • WTA Rankings: What Amanda Anisimova’s Brisbane loss means for her and Coco Gauff

    The rise of Amanda Anisimova was one of the biggest talking points of 2025, but the American ace has had a far from ideal start to 2026.

    Anisimova was shocked 6-4, 6-3 by Marta Kostyuk in her second match at the Brisbane International on Thursday, with the second seed’s defeat opening up the bottom half of the draw at the WTA 500 event.

    And, her loss to Kostyuk also has implications for herself and compatriot Coco Gauff in the WTA Rankings.

    Official WTA Rankings

    Heading into action this week, Anisimova had overtaken Gauff in the WTA Rankings to become the US No 1 for the first time in her career.

    With Gauff’s 2025 United Cup points coming off her ranking, she officially holds 6,273 points  — just behind Anisimova, who moved to a new career-high of world No 3, on 6,287 points.

    Anisimova had zero points dropping off her WTA Ranking this week, and had the chance to earn up to a maximum of 500 ranking points in Brisbane, where she was the second seed.

    Gauff is also in action at the United Cup this week and, much like in 2025, ranking points are on offer for everyone involved.

    However, the points available are dependent on the ranking of your opponent and the stage of the tournament your team reaches, making things a little more difficult to predict.

    Tennis News

    ‘Mirra Andreeva will shine at the Grand Slams – but she must not let one trait become destructive’

    Emma Raducanu adds tournament to her schedule – and she is set to be the No 1 seed

    As it stands

    Anisimova was hugely impressive in a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Kimberly Birrell on Wednesday, though her loss to Kostyuk in round three on Thursday brings her campaign at the WTA 500 event to an end.

    And, that means that Gauff will move back up to world No 3 — and regain her status as the US No 1 — next Monday.

    Gauff was already provisionally back ahead of Anisimova in the WTA Live Rankings ahead of the latter’s match in Brisbane, with the 21-year-old back in United Cup action for the second straight year.

    Though she lost to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain in round-robin action, she also beat Argentina’s Solana Sierra, and picked up a big quarter-final win over Maria Sakkari of Greece on Wednesday.

    With the United States now in the semi-final of the team competition, Gauff has the chance to earn more ranking points across the rest of the mixed team — potentially allowing her to extend her lead over her compatriot.

    Will it impact the Australian Open draw?

    Next week’s WTA Rankings will set the seedings for the opening Grand Slam event of the year: the Australian Open.

    Action in Melbourne will begin on Sunday, January 18, and both Gauff and Anisimova will be among the leading title contenders in the women’s singles draw.

    However, the impending ranking switch between the two will not impact the hand they are dealt when the draw is made.

    The third and fourth-seeded players are both in the same seeding group and will be drawn in the same half as one of the top two seeds at the event.

    That means that Gauff and Anisimova will either draw No 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka or No 2 Iga Swiatek in their half, and that would have remained the case even if Anisimova had stayed ahead in the WTA Rankings.

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    Read Next: WATCH: Who is the tennis star who double faulted 20 times in bizarre 37-minute loss?

    The post WTA Rankings: What Amanda Anisimova’s Brisbane loss means for her and Coco Gauff appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Emma Raducanu adds tournament to her schedule – and she is set to be the No 1 seed

    Emma Raducanu has added a tournament to her schedule after losing her opening match of the 2026 season at the United Cup.

    The 2021 US Open champion has signed up for the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, Romania — an indoor hard-court WTA 250 tournament.

    It will begin on January 31 — the same day as the Australian Open women’s singles final — and conclude on February 7.

    Raducanu competed at the inaugural edition of the Transylvania Open in October 2021 and reached the quarter-finals.

    The Brit’s father, Ion Raducanu, is from Bucharest, Romania’s capital, and she speaks Romanian fluently.

    Who else will feature at the Transylvania Open?

    Raducanu, who is ranked 29th in the world, is set to be the top seed in Cluj-Napoca as she is currently the highest-ranked player on the entry list.

    Romanian duo Jacqueline Cristian (No 38) and Sorana Cirstea (No 41) are the only other top 50 players who have entered.

    World No 55 Anastasia Potapova, who is the reigning Transylvania Open champion, will compete again this year.

    Tennis News

    Emma Raducanu’s targets laid out by Grand Slam winner after troubled start to 2026

    Emma Raducanu explains racket switch after experimenting during training

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    Given Raducanu will be the top seed, she may not get a much better opportunity to secure her second career title.

    The 22-year-old has not reached a final since her stunning triumph at the 2021 US Open.

    What did Emma Raducanu say after losing to Maria Sakkari at the United Cup?

    In her first match since October 14, Raducanu began her campaign with a 3-6, 6-3, 1-6 defeat to world No 51 Maria Sakkari in Perth as Great Britain exited the United Cup.

    Raducanu, who spent time recovering from a foot injury during the off-season, was positive about her display given her lack of preparation.

    “I am pretty happy with how I was able to play a match of three sets,” the former world No 10 told reporters.

    “Considering I played five or six games in practice, it’s a big effort for me.

    “It’s been a good two and a bit months where I didn’t play. It’s been difficult to kind of increase the load and add the unpredictability of the tennis.

    “I think today, being able to produce that, having not played, is just giving me confidence to what I can do when I do practise more.

    “Initially you feel a little bit alien on the court, in the first set, just playing points again. I know now I just need to get my head down, keep working.”

    READ NEXT: United Cup prize money won by Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Victoria Mboko, & Jasmine Paolini

    The post Emma Raducanu adds tournament to her schedule – and she is set to be the No 1 seed appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Carlos Alcaraz snubbed as Jannik Sinner backed for historic 2026 feat by ex-world No 11

    Former world No 11 Sam Querrey does not think Carlos Alcaraz will add to his major title haul in 2026 as he backed Jannik Sinner to accomplish a calendar Grand Slam.

    Alcaraz and Sinner have shared the last eight Grand Slams between them, having won two each in both 2024 and 2025.

    The outstanding duo met in the last three Grand Slam championship matches, with Alcaraz prevailing at the French Open and US Open, and Sinner triumphing at Wimbledon.

    Alcaraz has won six majors (two French Open titles, two Wimbledon titles, two US Open titles), while Sinner has claimed four (two Australian Open titles, one Wimbledon title, one US Open title).

    Rod Laver is the only male player to achieve the staggering feat of winning all four Grand Slam titles in a single season since the Open Era began in 1968.

    Speaking on an episode of the Nothing Major podcast, Querrey and his fellow retired American ATP stars Jack Sock and John Isner made some bold predictions for the 2026 season.

    “My bold take is Sinner wins all four majors this year,” said Querrey.

    Tennis News

    Tennis stars turned pundits predict if Alcaraz or Sinner will win more Grand Slams in 2026

    Former Wimbledon champion fears Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner domination may be a problem for tennis

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    Querrey also posed the following question: “What’s more likely: Sinner winning all four, or someone other than Sinner and Alcaraz winning one?”

    Sock replied: “Sinner winning all four [is more likely].”

    Isner disagreed as he claimed Alcaraz and Sinner will not sweep the Grand Slams again this year.

    ” I think, on the men’s side, we will have a Grand Slam winner who is not Sinner or Alcaraz,” said Isner, a former world No 8.

    Sam Querrey admitted he made an “awful take” about Carlos Alcaraz in 2024

    At the end of the 2024 season, Querrey made the huge claim that Alcaraz would finish the 2025 season as the world No 5 after the Spaniard had endured a dip in form.

    “I can see him ending next year at like five in the world,” Querrey said on Nothing Major. “Not like two or three; five!”

    After Alcaraz won the 2025 US Open to reclaim the world No 1 ranking, Querrey conceded that his ranking prediction the previous year had been an “awful take.”

    “It was an awful take from me last year,” said the American. “Awful take. My apologies, Carlos. I was dead wrong! We swing and miss occasionally.”

    READ NEXT: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Patrick Mouratoglou: ‘You’re not in the best position to correct me’

    The post Carlos Alcaraz snubbed as Jannik Sinner backed for historic 2026 feat by ex-world No 11 appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Andrey Rublev gets some candid advice from a former Wimbledon champion at Hong Kong Open

    Andrey Rublev gets some candid advice from a former Wimbledon champion at Hong Kong Open

    Andrey Rublev took a few steps back in his career in 2025 and now he has been given some advice by former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash as he looks to get back to the top in this new season.

    The Russian finished in the top 10 of the ATP Rankings for five years starting from 2020, but he struggled to find his best form for large sections of last season and headed into the new year looking to make up ground on players who have leapt ahead of him.

    Rublev was one of the players who would have been hoping to have his day in the spotlight when the era dominated by Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic came to an end, but he has been left in the rear view mirror by some of the game’s young and rising stars.

    Now 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has suggested Rublev could challenge the new generation in men’s tennis by adding some variety to his game, as he suggested he should make bette use of his net game.

    “He’s a great ball striker and has had some great results, but he is one of those players who is looking to make a breakthrough at the very top,” Cash told Tennis365, in his role as an ambassador for the Bank of China Hong Kong Open. “He has been to so many quarter-finals in the Slams and he needs to find a way to get over that hurdle.

    More Tennis News

    Former Wimbledon champion fears Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner domination may be a problem for tennis

    Who is Coleman Wong? Rising star shining at home Hong Kong event

    “Rublev can bludgeon you into submission from the back of the court and he is actually very good at the net. He is a very good doubles player and that is an obvious area he could add to his game.

    “It feels like he is a lucent volleyer, but he doesn’t need to be in my view.

    “I look at Alex de Minaur and the way he has developed his game and maybe Rublev could learn from him. Alex is a great mover, he has added more to his game in recent years and you can see where he is in the rankings now.

    “That’s the kind of player Rublev could look to and try and to add some layers to his game, but you look at De Minaur and he is also struggling to get past quarter-finals in the Slams.

    “We look at the top players and they make it easy to get to the latter stages of all the big tournaments, but it’s not easy and Rublev and De Minaur confirm that.”

    Rublev has been working hard on his game in the off-season with coach Marat Safin, and he told former British No 1 Greg Rusedski that he has been suffering ahead of the 2026 season.

    “For me, it’s crazy because now with Marat and members of my team, they are killing me,” said Rublev, speaking on the Off Court with Greg podcast.

    “I can’t remember another year when they have done this to me. It is fitness to begin with for two and a half hours. Then it is tennis for two hours and he is killing me.

    “No mistakes from the baseline, high intensity from the baseline until you make it. This push is all for me. It is always about yourself.”

    Pat Cash and Mark Woodforde

    Pat Cash and Mark Woodforde spoke to Tennis365 at the Bank of China Hong Kong Open

    READ NEXT: Andrey Rublev identifies why Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have a big advantage over the rest

    The post Andrey Rublev gets some candid advice from a former Wimbledon champion at Hong Kong Open appeared first on Tennis365.

  • ‘Mirra Andreeva will shine at the Grand Slams – but she must not let one trait become destructive’

    Russian former WTA star Anna Chakvetadze has hailed Mirra Andreeva’s character and potential as she expressed her belief that her young compatriot “will shine at the Grand Slams.”

    Andreeva, a former world No 1 Junior, has long been tipped for special things, with many in the tennis world viewing the 18-year-old as a future WTA No 1 and Grand Slam winner.

    Legendary coach Rick Macci, who has worked with five players who became world No 1, confidently told Tennis365 last year that he expects Andreeva to reach “double digits” for Grand Slam titles.

    Andreeva is already an elite player; she is currently ranked ninth and reached her career-high ranking of fifth in July last year.

    The Russian has won three WTA Tour singles titles, having lifted her maiden title at the WTA 250 event in Iasi in 2024 and claimed back-to-back WTA 1000 crowns in Dubai and Indian Wells in early 2025 (before her 18th birthday).

    The 18-year-old has recorded 10 wins over opponents ranked in the top 10 and has beaten Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina — three leading stars of women’s tennis — twice each.

    Andreeva’s best Grand Slam result to date was reaching the semi-finals at the 2024 French Open, while she was a quarter-finalist at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the summer of 2025.

    What did Anna Chakvetadze say about Mirra Andreeva?

    In an exclusive interview, Tennis365 asked Chakvetadze how close Andreeva is to challenging Sabalenka, Swiatek and Coco Gauff for Grand Slam titles.

    “Mirra only needs to improve a few small details in her game,” the former world No 5 said.

    “She is already a very high-quality, strong player, even despite a slight dip in form towards the end of the [2025] season.

    “What I like most about her is that she is a real fighter. She doesn’t like to lose, and I believe that makes her highly motivated to keep improving.

    Exclusive Interviews

    Ex-WTA star Anna Chakvetadze reflects on her standout memories – and a match fans still talk about

    Emma Raducanu’s targets laid out by Grand Slam winner after troubled start to 2026

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    “Her game is quite solid and safe for now, but we have already seen that she can beat players like Swiatek and Sabalenka — she has done it at big tournaments. That shows her potential very clearly. She just needs a few adjustments to gain even more confidence in her game.

    “She has strong character, and if she stays motivated and focuses not on what she already achieved, but on continuous improvement, I truly believe she can get there.”

    Chakvetadze went on to urge Andreeva not to be overly demanding of herself to the point it becomes “destructive.”

    “She is very demanding of herself, and I understand that very well,” the eight-time WTA title winner continued.

    “The most important thing is that this self-criticism does not become destructive.

    “Sometimes being strict with yourself helps, but during longer difficult periods, it’s important to allow yourself some freedom, to feel support, positivity and motivation from the outside.

    “I truly believe that Mirra will find her own path and that she will shine at the Grand Slams.”

    Anna Chakvetadze’s career

    Like Andreeva, Chakvetadze — who made her WTA Tour debut at age 16 in 2003 — knows what it is like to make a big impression at a young age.

    The Russian won her biggest title at the 2006 Kremlin Cup when she was 19 before reaching the US Open semi-finals and peaking at fifth in the world the following year, when she was 20.

    Chakvetadze’s illustrious career was cut short due to a chronic back injury in 2013, when she was just 26.

    READ NEXT: 2026 WTA Adelaide International entry list, prize money, ranking points, key dates: Pegula, Keys lead field

    The post ‘Mirra Andreeva will shine at the Grand Slams – but she must not let one trait become destructive’ appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Coco Gauff reveals key to improved serving as she recovers from one of her ‘worst-ever’ matches

    Coco Gauff has revealed a more positive mentality was the key to her bouncing back from “one of my worst matches” at the 2026 United Cup.

    The tw0-time Grand Slam champion earned a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over world No 51 Maria Sakkari in Perth to give USA a 1-0 lead against Greece in the United Cup quarter-finals.

    Gauff then teamed up with Christian Harrison to defeat Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 in the decisive doubles match after Tsitsipas had downed Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-5 to level the tie.

    In her previous singles match, the world No 4 suffered a brutal 1-6, 7-6(3), 0-6 defeat to 42nd-ranked Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in USA’s group stage tie against Spain.

    Coco Gauff’s much-improved serving was key in Maria Sakkari win

    In her heavy loss to Bouzas Maneiro, Gauff’s serving troubles resurfaced as she won only 59% of her first serve points and just 19% of her second serve points, having committed 14 double faults. She lost nine of her 13 service games.

    It was a completely different story against Sakkari as Gauff posted some impressive statistics on serve — including facing just a single break point.

    Coco Gauff’s serving numbers vs Maria Sakkari

    • Aces: 1
    • Double Faults: 6
    • First Serve Percentage: 68%
    • First Serve Points Won: 76%
    • Second Serve Points Won: 50%
    • Break Points Saved: 0/1
    • Service Games Won: 8/9

    Tennis News

    Coco Gauff posted alarming stats in heavy United Cup loss – is her serve still a concern?

    Coco Gauff reacts to criticism for saying US tennis fans are ‘the worst’ at supporting overseas

    What did Coco Gauff say after beating Maria Sakkari?

    Following her triumph over the 30-year-old Greek, Gauff gave a brutally honest assessment of her loss to Bouzas Maneiro as she discussed her significant increase in level.

    “Yeah, I think for me it felt like one of my worst matches of my career,” said Gauff.

    “So I was like, okay, I felt like I was practising well, and I’m playing practice sets well, and my first match went well. So I tried to erase it and learn from it.

    “I don’t think I was the most positive that match, so I just tried to stay positive regardless of what happened today.”

    The 21-year-old American was also asked if anything changed to contribute to her improved serving display.

    “I think just mentality,” she said. “I think just going for bigger targets, making her play knowing that I off the ground can hang in there or beat almost everyone. So just adjusting.

    “It was difficult like with the first match with the sun on the other side. I don’t think I made the right adjustments, and it was negative.

    “Today, it was the opposite. Yeah, I think just being positive and the mentality is everything when it comes to that, yeah.”

    What next for Coco Gauff at the United Cup?

    The USA will play either Poland or Australia in the semi-finals of the United Cup in Sydney on Saturday January 10.

    Gauff could, therefore, be set for a blockbuster showdown with Polish star and world No 2 Iga Swiatek if Poland progress.

    If Australia advance, Gauff will likely face Australian No 1 Maya Joint in her singles match.

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    READ NEXT: Australian Open prize money hits record high: How much could Sinner, Alcaraz, Sabalenka, Swiatek and co earn?

    The post Coco Gauff reveals key to improved serving as she recovers from one of her ‘worst-ever’ matches appeared first on Tennis365.

  • 2026 ATP Adelaide International entry list, prize money, ranking points, key dates: Fonseca, Vacherot, Paul star

    It is less than two weeks until the opening Grand Slam event of the year at the Australian Open, and the Adelaide International will be a key stop for several ATP stars ahead of Melbourne.

    The likes of Novak Djokovic, Andrey Rublev, and Gael Monfils have all triumphed at the revamped event since it returned to the calendar in 2020, and a string of big names will be eyeing up the title in 2026.

    From the entry list and top seeds, to the prize money and ranking points on offer, we take you through all you need to know about the event.

    Who is in action?

    Projected top seed Djokovic pulled out of the tournament on Monday, joining Jack Draper, Corentin Moutet, and Arthur Fils on the withdrawal list.

    World No 14 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is now set to be the top seed in the singles draw, with world No 19 Jiri Lehecka — champion here in 2024 — seeded second.

    Tommy Paul is set to be seeded third, with the American looking to bounce back from an injury-disrupted 2025, while Francisco Cerundolo is currently set to be the fourth seed.

    Tallon Griekspoor and Arthur Rinderknech are set to be seeded fifth and sixth, respectively, while Joao Fonseca and Valentin Vacherot are set to round out the eight seeds.

    Fonseca will hope he is back fit and firing after withdrawing from the Brisbane International, while all eyes will be on whether Vacherot can continue adjusting towards life at the top of the sport.

    Tennis News

    Australian Open prize money hits record high: How much could Sinner, Alcaraz, Sabalenka, Swiatek and co earn?

    Grand Slam finalist reveals big problem with the tennis schedule after Alcaraz & other stars complained

    Stefanos Tsitsipas will also be in action, while home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis has received a wildcard.

    What ranking points are on offer?

    As per any ATP 250-level tournament, this year’s men’s singles champion in Adelaide will take home 250 ranking points after their triumph.

    A further 165 ranking points will be awarded to the tournament runner-up, with 100 ranking points on offer to the two beaten semi-finalists.

    Each beaten quarter-finalist will earn 50 ranking points, while the players who exit in round two will be awarded 25 ranking points — though there will be zero ranking points for anyone beaten in round one.

    Champion: 250 points
    Runner-up: 165 points
    Semi-finalists: 100 points
    Quarter-finalists: 50 points
    Round 2: 25 points
    Round 1: Zero points

    What prize money is on offer?

    As per the ATP Tour website, this year’s men’s singles champion will be awarded $106,490 for their triumph in Adelaide.

    That is a slight increase from 2025, when champion Felix Auger-Aliassime was awarded $103,525 for his victory.

    This year’s beaten finalist will take home $62,115 in winnings, while the two semi-finalists will earn $36,520 in prize money.

    Quarter-finalists will take home $21,155, with players beaten in round two earning $21,155, and those who fall in round one earning $7,510.

    Champion: $106,490
    Runner-up: $62,115
    Semi-finalists: $36,520
    Quarter-finalists: $21,155
    Round 2: $12,285
    Round 1: $7,510

    Key dates

    Main draw action in Adelaide is set to take place from January 12-17, with the tournament finishing one day before the start of the Australian Open.

    The men’s singles quarter-finals are set to take place on January 15, with the semi-finals on January 16, and the championship match on Saturday, January 17; the full schedule is dependent on the weather.

    The main draw for the men’s singles event will likely be revealed on Saturday, January 10, just ahead of the start of the tournament.

    Entry list (as of January 7, 2026)

    1) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
    2) Jiri Lehecka
    3) Tommy Paul
    4) Francisco Cerundolo
    5) Tallon Griekspoor
    6) Arthur Rinderknech
    7) Joao Fonseca
    8) Valentin Vacherot
    Brandon Nakashima
    Stefanos Tsitsipas
    Tomas Machac
    Ugo Humbert
    Jaume Munar
    Gabriel Diallo
    Zizou Bergs
    Daniel Altmaier
    Sebastian Korda
    Alexei Popyrin
    Reilly Opelka
    (WC) Thanasi Kokkinakis
    Further qualifiers and wildcards tbc

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    Read Next: 2026 WTA Adelaide International entry list, prize money, ranking points, key dates: Pegula, Keys lead field

    The post 2026 ATP Adelaide International entry list, prize money, ranking points, key dates: Fonseca, Vacherot, Paul star appeared first on Tennis365.