Category: Sport

Australian Open 2018: Talking points (Day Five)

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There was plenty to discuss after yesterday’s action in Melbourne. Money and the weather continued to make the headlines, as did some excellent performances. Here are five talking points from an exhilarating fifth day in Australia.

It’s hot, hot, hot! 

“The extreme hot policy should be re-evaluated!” That’s according to the likes of French player Alize Cornet and top seed in the men’s draw- Rafael Nadal.

Temperatures in Australia have risen to as high as 40 degrees over the last couple of days, and the humidity has taken its toll on some of the players.

Cornet collapsed to the ground during her third round defeat to Elise Mertens due to the heat and Petra Martic, who took two hours to get past Luksika Kumkhum, suffered from blisters because of the sizzling court.

Play was suspended in 2014 due to the rising temperatures on court that year, however the officials have taken a much firmer approach this time around.

Tournament director Craig Tiley insists the rules cannot be altered halfway through the tournament, but admitted that policy will be looked at again once the Australian Open has wrapped up.

Show me the money!

Roger Federer is the latest person to speculate about the ongoing situation over player’s earnings at Grand Slams.

The issue came into the spotlight just as this tournament was beginning after it was reported that Novak Djokovic suggested that the players form their own union separate from the ATP.

The Swiss, who is the former President of the ATP player council, believes that “change only comes when the players demand it and that the Grand Slams only react when people rally together.”

Federer did go on to say that change doesn’t happen in a day, and that both the players and the slams should collaborate together to reach the best possible agreement.

Edmund’s fairytale run continues 

Onto the action itself, and British hopes are still alive after Edmund came from behind to beat Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili.

The 23-year-old won 7-6 3-6 4-6 6-0 7-5 to advance to the fourth round in Australia for the very first time.

The gruelling three hour and 34 minute swung one way and then the other before Edmund firmly took control in the fourth set.

The world number 49 finished with 70 winners but missed 20 of 27 break points. The conditions made it tough and Edmund admitted after the game that physically it was tough to play at his very best.

But it was another test passed for the Brit, who has been on an upward trajectory since making it to the last 16 in the US Open two years ago.

He will face Italian Andreas Seppi in round four.

Only two previous Grand Slam winners remain in women’s draw. 

Latvian Jelena Ostapenko suffered a shock defeat in the third round as another current Grand Slam holder bowed out.

Following Garbine Murguruza’s exit yesterday, world number seven Ostapenko fell to Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit 6-3 1-6 6-3.

The French Open champion was on the back foot from the off, as Kontaveit broke in the very first game.

The Latvian powered through the second set, before the world number 33 went on again to break in the final set and wrap up a win that puts her in the fourth round in Melbourne for the very first time.

Maria Sharapova and Angelique Kerber are now the only two women left in the draw that have previously ever won a Grand Slam. They both face other this weekend.

Nadal looks right at home down under. 

World number one Rafael Nadal cruised into the fourth round and is looking the most likely to challenge Federer for the men’s title.

The Spaniard beat Damir Dzumhur 6-1 6-3 6-1, and is yet to drop a set at this year’s Australian Open.

Nadal has only won down under once before, but he is playing with a ruthless nature and is looking increasingly difficult to beat.

Bosnia’s Dzumhur hardly made a dent in Nadal’s push for glory, with the world number one going on to face Diego Schwartzman – a man he has defeated three times previously – in round four.

 

Australian Open 2018: Top 5 matches (Day Four)

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Some big names were knocked out of the Australian Open on day four. Here are five matches that caused some of the biggest shockwaves and the best entertainment on a very hot Thursday.

Bernarda Pera bt. Johanna Konta (6-4 7-5)

Unseeded American Pera broke British hearts after knocking out ninth seed Konta in straight sets.

The 26-year-old Brit struggled to find any rhythm in the Melbourne heat and Pera’s aggressive nature made it difficult for her to hit any winners.

The world number 123 made light work of Konta’s usually reliant serving and broke serve four times before sealing the most magnificent victory of her career with a fifth match point.

Defeat was Konta’s eighth in 11 matches, leaving her and new coach Michael Joyce with plenty to work on ahead of the clay season.

Pera initially lost in the qualifying rounds and is only in the main draw as a lucky loser, but this win will surely see her rankings rise well above the top 100.

Novak Djokovic bt. Gael Monfis (4-6 6-3 6-1 6-3)

Temperatures reached 40 degrees on Rod Laver Arena as 14th seed Djokovic came from a set down to beat Frenchman Monfis.

Both players complained about the heat after the match, which lasted two hours and 45 minutes.

Djokovic struggled in the opening set, with four double faults in his opening two service games.

Monfis, who is yet to beat Djokovic in a professional match, then struggled with conditions and had to leave with a doctor after losing the second set.

The Serbian took full advantage of his opponent’s weariness and eased to victory.

Tennys Sandgren bt. Stan Wawrinka (6-2 6-1 6-4)

Former Australian Open champion Wawrinka lost in straight sets to American Sandgren in just his second match back since knee surgery.

The Swiss never looked comfortable on court. The ninth seed was constantly flexing his knee joint, and lost in 88 minutes to the impressive Sandgren.

The world number 93 had never won a Grand Slam match prior to this year’s Australian Open, but now has two back-to-back.

Hsieh Su-wei bt. Garbine Muguruza (7-6 6-4)

Third seed Murguruza also bowed out after suffering a straight sets defeat to Taiwanese Su-wei.

The current Wimbledon champion was another victim of the heat and also need treatment on her foot during the first set.

The Spaniard hit 21 unforced errors against Su-wei, as she now prepares to try and win a second French Open title.

Dominic Thiem bt. Denis Kudla (6-7 3-6 6-2 6-2 6-3)

Austrian Thiem fought back from the brink to defeat American Kudla in a five-set thriller.

The number five seed conceded the first two sets after Kudla produced some masterful tennis, but showed his pedigree in the final three sets to advance.

The 24-year-old has never been past the fourth round at Melbourne Park, but is consider an outside bet to break his Grand Slam duck in Australia.

Other selected results

Men’s

Federer (2) bt. Struff (6-4 6-4 7-6)

Zverev (4) bt. Gojowczyk (6-1 6-3 4-6 6-3)

Benneteau bt. Goffin (7) (1-6 7-6 6-1 7-6)

Women’s

Halep (1) bt. Bouchard (6-2 6-2)

Garcia (8) bt. Vondrousova (6-7 6-2 8-6)

Sharapova bt. Sevastova (14) (6-1 7-6)

 

Australian Open 2018: Top 5 matches (Day Three)

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Kyle Edmund, Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki were all back in action on day three in Melbourne. Here are five matches that caught the eye from an action-packed day.

Kyle Edmund bt. Denis Istomin (6-2 6-2 6-4)

The 23-year-old Brit is through to the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career after a dominant performance over Uzbekistan’s Istomin.

The world number 60 failed to break Edmund throughout the match, with the contest only lasting 89 minutes.

The British number two is now the highest rank player in his section before the quarter finals, and should be confident that he can make a last eight appearance next week.

Istomin needed a medical timeout at the end of the first set, and never looked like the player that knocked Novak Djokovic out of this competition 12 months ago.

Edmund broke serve five times in the match, and is playing without fear and with a sense of freedom that makes him dangerous in all areas of the court.

The 23-year-old looks to be enjoying his tennis at the moment. This could well be a Grand Slam to remember for him if things continue on this upward trajectory.

Marta Kostyuk bt. Olivia Rogowska (6-3 7-5)

Kostyuk is naturing into a real talent in the women’s game after she became the youngest player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since 1997.

The 15-year-old Ukrainian was given a wildcard into the tournament after she won the junior women’s tournament 12 months ago.

The world number 521 has now ended her junior career with her ranking expected to fly into the top 250 by the end of the competition.

Kostyuk was rarely troubled in her second round match by Australia’s Rogowska and has nothing to lose going forward. Perhaps this is a very early glimpse at a future Grand Slam champion? Only time will tell.

Grigor Dimitrov bt. Mackenzie McDonald (4-6 6-2 6-4 0-6 8-6)

American qualifier McDonald almost produced the shock of the tournament so far, but was ultimately beaten by third seed Dimitrov.

The five set thriller – which lasted three hours and 25 minutes – had all the twists and turns of a Grand Slam classic.

Dimitrov, who some predict could win his first Grand Slam title in Australia this year, began sluggishly and struggled with the American’s aggressive style.

Having lost the first set, the Bulgarian picked up his game to take the next two sets before McDonald spectacularly took the match to a deciding set.

Dimitrov hit three double faults but kept his composure to seal a dramatic win.

Caroline Wozniacki bt. Jana Fett (3-6 6-2 7-5)

Denmark’s Wozniacki was a set down and then saved two match points before overcoming world number 119 Fett.

Fett found herself 5-1 up in the final set, but the number two seed battled back to win six consecutive games to seal the win.

Nick Kyrgios bt. Viktor Troicki (7-5 6-4 7-6)

22-year-old Kyrgios continued his impressive start to 2018 with a straight sets victory.

The Aussie could be the first home champion since 1976 at Melbourne and after winning in Brisbane a couple of weeks ago, the 17th seed powered through with some neat play.

Despite a helicopter hovering over the court, Kyrgios’ maturity shone through. Instead of kicking a fuss, the 22-year-old persevered and was hardly threatened by his opponent.

Is this finally the year that the Aussie breaks out from his controversial shell and makes some great strides in the right direction?

Other selected results 

Men’s 

Nadal (1) bt. Mayer (6-3 6-4 7-6)

Tsonga (15) bt. Shapovalov (3-6 6-3 1-6 7-6 7-5)

Cilic (6) bt. Sousa (6-1 7-5 6-2)

Women’s

Svitolina (4) bt. Siniakova (4-6 6-2 6-1)

Ostapenko (7) bt. Duan (6-3 3-6 6-4)

Cornet bt. Goerges (12) (6-4 6-3)

 

Australian Open 2018: Top 5 matches (Day Two)

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Day two of the Australian Open saw the conclusion of the first round of singles matches in Melbourne. Whilst there were some that impressed, others disappointed. News also broke out of a potential boycott of next year’s competition (with Novak Djokovic playing ring leader) due to player’s pay. Here are my top matches from a busy second day of action.

Johanna Konta bt. Madison Brengle (6-3 6-1)

Australia proves to still be a happy hunting ground for Konta after she comfortably overcame American Brengle in straight sets.

The 26-year-old, who was born and raised in and around Sydney before moving to the UK, put in a good opening performance but not a perfect one. She hit eight aces and 37 winners on the way to victory and was hardly threatened by the world number 90 – who was the last woman to beat Serena Williams in a competitive match before she went on maternity leave.

However, the Brit hit 34 unforced errors, 18 more than Brengle, and scampered three match points before finally sealing the win with her fourth. Given the match situation it didn’t prove to be a massive issue, but moving forward Konta will need to be more precise and ruthless, especially around the net.

The ninth seed needed time to find her groove, but once she did she took complete control. Konta moved a double-break up in the first set to lead 5-2. The American broke back instantly but it was too little to late.

An early break saw Konta take a 3-1 lead in the second set and from there she turned on the afterburners and hurried to the finish.

Roger Federer bt. Aljaz Bedene (6-3 6-4 6-3)

Defending champion and tournament favourite Federer made a solid start to his campaign with a straight sets victory over former Brit Bedene.

Bedene switched his allegiance back to Slovenia ahead of the new season, but he was no match for the Swiss, who is seeking his sixth Australian Open and 20th Grand Slam title.

Federer only dropped three points on serve in the first set and hit 41 winners in what was a commanding performance. The 36-year-old has not been knocked out in the first round of a Grand Slam since 2003 and judging by this performance he won’t be packing his bags anytime soon.

Novak Djokovic bt. Donald Young (6-1 6-2 6-4)

It was a comfortable return to competitive tennis for the 30-year-old Serbian as he brushed Young aside in straight sets.

The number 14 seed was playing for the first time since Wimbledon and played with a cast over his elbow, which didn’t seem to affect his playing style.

Djokovic dropped serve just once throughout and won 11 of the first 12 games to establish a lead he was never going to relinquish.

The Serbian also reacted to reports he had called for a boycott of next year’s Australian Open in a feud regarding player’s revenue.

The Daily Mail claimed that Djokovic had asked all officials to leave the players’ meeting, and that the Serb was accompanied by a lawyer to make the case for setting up a players-only union. (See the article here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-5268709/Novak-Djokovic-career-earnings-82m-wants-more.html)

The 12-time Grand Slam champion denied the claim and rejected the notion that he was ‘greedy’.

Maria Sharapova bt. Tatjana Maria (6-1 6-4)

The five-time Grand Slam champion made a victorious return in what was her first appearance in the Australian Open since her drug ban.

The Russian was suspended for 15 months back in 2016, and struggle at times against the world number 47 on the Margaret Court Arena.

Sharapova hit 28 unforced errors and found herself a break down in the second, but recovered to claim a morale-boosting win.

Lukas Lacko bt. Milos Raonic (6-7 7-5 6-4 7-6)

Former Wimbledon finalist Raonic has been shown the exit door after crashing out to unseeded Slovakian Lacko.

The Canadian was playing for the first time after a injury-hit second half of 2017, and a lack of match fitness ultimately caught up with him.

Lacko, who is ranked 86th in the world, has always performed at his best in Melbourne, having got as far as the third round on two previous occasions. But to have knocked out 22nd seed Raonic is a big scalp for the 30-year-old.

Other selected results

Men’s singles

Zverev (4) bt. Fabbiano (6-1 7-6 7-5)

Thiem (5) bt. Pella (6-4 6-4 6-4)

Goffin (7) bt. Bachinger (6-7 6-3 6-2 6-4)

Wawrinka (9) bt. Berankis (6-3 6-4 2-6 7-6)

Del Potro (12) bt. Tiafoe (6-3 6-4 6-3)

Berdych (19) bt. De Minaur (6-3 3-6 6-0 6-1)

Women’s singles

Halep (1) bt. Aiava (7-6 6-1)

Muguruza (3) bt. Ponchet (6-4 6-3)

Pliskova (6) bt. Cepede Royg (6-3 6-4)

Garcia (8) bt. Witthoeft (7-5 6-3)

Barty (18) bt. Sabalenka (6-7 6-4 6-4)

Putintseva bt. Watson (7-5 7-6)

Australian Open 2018: Top 5 matches (Day One)

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The opening day of this year’s Australian Open didn’t disappoint. We, as well as the thousands that flocked into Melbourne, were all provided with thrilling matches, dominant performances and a few shock exits. By the end of the day 12 American players had been beaten, including some high-profile names. Here are my top five matches from day one.

Kyle Edmund bt. Kevin Anderson (6-7 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4)

A match that as close and as entertaining as their previous encounter at Roland Garros last year, Edmund showed how strong he is mentally after claiming the best win of his career to date over 11th seed Kevin Anderson.

The big South African came into the match in good form. He had reached the final of the US Open back in August and had started the 2018 season in fine spirits by making it to the final in Pune.

Twice Anderson led the match in terms of sets and in the decider he broke early to take a 2-0 lead, but the Brit dug deep to claw himself back into contention and ultimately come away victorious.

Edmund, ranked 49th in the world, produced some excellent tennis in the epic that lasted a minute shy of four hours. He had been working hard on returning serves in the off-season and proved it against a giant of a man who usually dominates with his serving prowess.

This victory was another step in the right direction for the 23-year-old, who will ultimately have to step up to the mantle of British number one once Andy Murray abdicates the crown. If he carries on performing like he did against Anderson, he could go further in this tournament than many anticipate.

Rafa Nadal bt. Victor Estrella Burgos (6-1 6-1 6-1)

Number one seed Nadal needed just 94 minutes to complete a routine win on Rod Laver Arena.

The Spaniard is on the hunt for just his second Australian Open title and only dropped three games against Dominican Republic’s Burgos.

Nadal will have more competitive contests in future rounds but the match was a good workout for his knee, which he injured last November. The injury forced him to miss Brisbane a couple of weeks ago, but he insists he is feeling good and is ready to compete.

Belinda Bencic bt. Venus Williams (6-3 7-5)

Bencic is powering back up the rankings after beating Venus Williams. (Image Credit: AP via. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-belinda-bencic-dumps-venus-williams-in-first-round/news-story/9feeefe1cd156e00b378e31c31f2a2ea)

Labelled as the next Swiss prodigy, 20-year-old Bencic produced the best performance of her young career to stun number five seed Venus Williams.

Bencic reached the top 10 aged just 18 before a wrist injury saw her fall back down the WTA rankings again. But after this showing it will only be a matter of time before she’s once again challenging at the top.

The Swiss pressed last year’s runner up Williams throughout the match, forcing errors and breaking serve numerous times to wrap up the straight sets win.

Victory was Bencic’s 16th in a row and despite being unseeded the world number 78 will be a difficult opponent for even the very top players.

Zhang Shuai bt. Sloane Stephens (2-6 7-6 6-2)

US Open champion Stephens is yet to win a single’s match since the final at Flushing Meadows after she crashed out at the first hurdle in Melbourne to world number 34 Zhang.

The number 13 seed was serving for the match in the second set before China’s Zhang fought back to win the tiebreak.

Stephens then capitulated in the deciding set and has now lost eight matches in a row since her maiden Grand Slam victory in New York.

 Timea Babos bt. Coco Vandeweghe (7-6 6-2)

 Tenth seed Vandeweghe received two court violations during her defeat to Hungarian opponent.

Last year’s semi-finalist refused to restart play due to a ‘lack of bananas on court’ before later swearing at Babos.

The world number 51 didn’t let Vandeweghe’s temperament affect her performance, as she breezed the American aside in the second set.

Other selected results

Men’s singles

Dimitrov (3) bt. Novak (6-3 6-2 6-1)

Cilic (6) bt. Pospisil (6-2 6-2 4-6 7-6)

Sugita bt. Sock (8) (6-1 7-6 5-7 6-3)

Carreno-Busta (10) bt. Kubler (7-5 4-6 7-5 6-1)

Tsonga (15) bt. King (6-4 6-4 6-1)

Ebden bt. Isner (16) (6-4 3-6 6-3 6-3)

Kyrgios (17) bt. Dutra Silva (6-1 6-2 6-4)

Nishioka bt. Kohlschreiber (27) (6-3 2-6 6-0 1-6 6-2)

Women’s singles

Wozniaki (2) bt. Buzarnescu (6-2 6-3)

Svitolina (4) bt. Jorovic (6-3 6-2)

Ostapenko (7) bt. Schiavone (6-1 6-4)

Georges (12) bt. Kenin (6-4 6-4)

Rybarikova (19) bt. Townsend (6-0 7-5)

Gavrilova (23) bt. Falconi (6-1 6-1)

Cibulkova (24) bt. Kanepi (6-2 6-2)

 

 

 

Australian Open 2018 preview: Who will triumph in Melbourne?

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The days of Christmas turkey and pigs in blankets are truly behind us as the first Grand Slam of the new year is about to get underway.

We may only be two weeks into 2018 but the biggest stars in tennis are all in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open.

Injuries and late withdrawals have yet again plagued the build up to the tournament, which has been a constant theme since Wimbledon last summer.

So who’s in the running to lift the trophies at the Rod Laver Arena in two weeks time? Here’s all you need to know ahead of tomorrow’s curtain raiser.

THE FAVOURITES (MEN’S SINGLES)

The men’s tournament looks set to be a three-horse race according to the bookies. Roger Federer – who looked back to his best in 2017 – will be hoping he can add a sixth Australian Open title to his overcrowded trophy cabinet. Having overcome Rafael Nadal in last year’s magnificent final, the champion beings his title defence against Aljaz Bedene, who switched his allegiance back to Slovenia after three years representing Great Britain.

Returning to competitive tennis after a six-month absence is former world number one Novak Djokovic. The Serbian has not played since Wimbledon but the 30-year old could follow in Federer’s footsteps. The Swiss came back after a long lay-off last year to win two Grand Slam titles, and that should boost Djokovic’s confidence of success. However a tough draw pairs him with American Donald Young in round one, and a potential clash with Frenchman Gael Monfis, who won in Qatar earlier this year, in round two.

Federer and Djokovic could then meet in the semi-finals should they both make it that far.

Nadal may not have played any tennis since the ATP Finals in London last November, but the current world number one says he is ready to challenge for the men’s title. The Spaniard won his tenth French Open and also the US Open in 2017. Last year’s runner up plays Victor Estrella Burgos, the world number 81 from Dominican Republic, in his opening match.

ONES TO WATCH (MEN’S SINGLES)

ATP Finals’ champion Gregor Dimitrov comes into 2018 with a career high ranking of third. The Bulgarian made the semi-finals of this tournament 12 months ago and has now experienced enough Grand Slam tennis to make a serious push for a maiden title. His playing style matured in 2017, and comes into the tournament in the best form of his career.

Alexander Zverev is a star in the making. The 20-year-old German is ranked at world number four and if he continues this radical rise it will be a question of when he wins a major, not if. But a lack of five-set tennis could hinder his chances. Zverev has never made it past the fourth round of a Grand Slam and after being drawn in the same half as Federer and Djokovic, the German will need to get over his inability to beat a ‘top four’ player in a five-set contest quickly if he is to clinch his maiden major title.

THE FAVOURITES (WOMEN’S SINGLES)

Karolina Pliskova is the favourite for the women’s title after making the semi-finals at Brisbane a couple of weeks ago. The Czech’s consistency could be a key asset in her arsenal but she also has a powerful serve in her locker that could steer her through the tougher times on court. She may not have won a Grand Slam yet, but she has all the skills to change that.

Simona Halep is the current world number one but has struggled in Melbourne in the past. She exited in round one for the last two years and has never made it past the quarter finals. The Romanian has also yet to win a Grand Slam and her game may not be suited to the fast courts in Australia. However on her day she can beat anyone and can’t be ruled out entirely.

Garbrine Muguruza has struggled in the build-up to the tournament. The two-time Grand Slam champion retired in Brisbane and withdrew in Sydney with a thigh injury and could be touch-and-go in Melbourne. If she can get through to second week she will one to watch out for.

ONES TO WATCH (WOMEN’S SINGLES)

Elina Svitolina burst onto the scene in 2017, winning five WTA titles. Her 2018 season started successfully after winning in Brisbane and now has her sights on a first Grand Slam title. At just 23, she still has some development to do before she is the full package, but like Zverev in the men’s’ draw, it could be a matter of when, not if.

Angelique Kerber won this tournament two years ago to start a memorable 2016. That year she became world number one but things changed drastically for the German in 2017. Early tournament exits saw her drop to world number 22, and will need to be consistent and on top form to get out of a tough quarter of the draw.

REPRESENTING GREAT BRITAIN 

Johanna Konta will be leading the British contingent over in Melbourne. The ninth seed has made it to the quarter and semi-finals in her previous two visits but faces a potentially tough route to the final.

Her opening match is a potential banana skin against USA’s Madison Brengle. Should she get past that test, she may have to overcome women’s favourite Pliskova in the fourth round before a likely last eight contest with top seed Halep.

Ahead of the tournament, the 26-year old left the nation on tenterhooks when she withdrew from Brisbane with a hip injury over her own. She recovered enough to take part in Sydney last week, despite losing her opening match to Agnieszka Radwanska.

Konta insists she will be ready to go from Monday, and she will have the whole country behind her as she looks for her first Grand Slam title.

Heather Watson joins Konta in the women’s draw, and starts against Kazakstan’s Yulia Putintseva.

Kyle Edmund has shrugged off an ankle injury, but faces a tough opener against 11th seed Kevin Anderson. The big serving South African won their only other encounter in a Grand Slam.

ANDY MURRAY AND SERENA WILLIAMS MISS OUT 

Three-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one Andy Murray will miss the tournament and the spring season after undergoing surgery on his persistent hip injury.

The 30-year-old hasn’t played a competitive match since Wimbledon, and decided to have the operation in Brisbane before flying back to London to rest and recover.

Serena Williams was hoping to be back in time for this one following the birth of her baby girl Alexis Olympia. However, she felt that she wasn’t yet at the level to be competitive and now looks to add to her 23 single Grand Slams in Paris later on this year.

OTHER NOTABLE ABSENTEES 

World number 22 Kei Nishikori has not played since August because of a wrist injury and the Japanese star has not recovered in time for Melbourne.

Victoria Azarenka will also miss out due to a court hearing, which has yet to finalise. With the Belarusian unable to leave the US with her 11-month old son, she has decided to stay and fight for custody despite her love for Melbourne.

CHANGES TO THE FORMAT

A shot clock will be introduced at the Australian Open after it was trialled last year. The clock will mean players must serve within 25 seconds between points.

The idea has been met with some criticism from players, including Nadal, but the Grand Slam board has decided to go with it in a number of changes planned.

Rules regarding prize money have also been changed. Any main draw singles player who is unfit to play and who withdraws after 12:00 noon on the Thursday before the start of the main draw will now receive just 50% of the first round prize money. The replacement lucky loser will receive the remaining 50% plus any additional prize money earned thereafter.

Other possible changes in the future could see the number of seeds drop from 32 to 16 in Grand Slam tournaments from 2019.

We may be without some of the big names, but that won’t stop this being a enthralling two weeks of tennis. The courts in Melbourne are notorious for their fast pace, which should suit a majority of the stars on show.

With the younger generation of players starting to break through the ranks, these Grand Slam tournaments are looking more and more open each year. When that’s the case, we are all usually in for shocks, thrills and memorable matches.

Anthony Joshua defeats Wladimir Klitschko in rocky-esc battle to become the new big dog of the heavyweight division.

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It was all out war at Wembley Stadium in a contest many will see as the greatest fight of the century.

For the first time in his professional career, Anthony Joshua looked in serious trouble.

Wladimir Klitschko, one of the all-time greats of the heavyweight division, hit the 28-year-old Brit with a hard right hook that had him fall on his backside during the sixth round of their epic clash at Wembley Stadium.

It was the first time since turning pro that Joshua had been put on the canvas. One round prior to that he had put the Ukrainian on the floor with a flurry of blows, but that seemed to use up all of his energy and now needed to try and survive until the bell.

Like true champions both rose back to their feet and battled on. Here we had two gladiators full of mutual respect for each other giving it everything they got.

The fight, which had as many twists and turns in it as one we’d expect to see in a Rocky film, lived up to the expectations fans, critics and fellow boxers had all expressed in the build-up.

With Klitschko looking to have established control as the contest entered its final few rounds, Joshua unleashed an uppercut from hell – a blow that almost ripped the 40-year-old’s head off his body – which left the legend vulnerable.

Joshua sensed his opportunity used everything he had left in his arsenal to not only fall the Ukrainian once but twice in the eleventh round, before American referee David Fields rightfully stopped the fight.

There were a record 90,000 people in attendance inside Wembley Stadium that night, with the fight was broadcast in over 140 countries. This victory not only furthered Joshua’s heroic status in the UK, but it also won him many admirers abroad.

The Brit then defended his belts last month in Cardiff with a a less than convincing TKO win over Carlos Takam. Still undefeated, the 28-year-old’s record now reads 20 fights, 20 wins and 20 stoppages.

So what next for Joshua in 2018? He holds two of the four heavyweight belts after defeating Klitschko (The WBA and IBF belts), and now looks like he wants to challenge one of the other two title-holders in another unification tussle.

New Zealand’s Joseph Parker looks the more likely to be Joshua’s next opponent early next year. The WBO champion has recently moved to the UK to try and raise his profile in the country, and according to his agents he has a more realistic deal in place should the fight go ahead.

However the fight everyone wants to see is Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder, the WBC champion.

The American is just as big, just as strong and just as confident as the Brit and he hasn’t been afraid to hold back and call for Joshua’s agent Eddie Hearn to make it happen whilst both are at the top of their game.

Then there is the returning Tyson Fury to also watch out for. Having been the one to initially defeat Klitschko in Germany and end his reign as king of the heavyweights two years ago, Fury has not fought since due to a drugs ban and had his belts stripped from him.

But now he looks destined to return to the ring in 2018, and he wants his belts back with a vengeance.

The two British fighters have had a war of words on social media in the past and could now be about to put their fists where their mouths are. However I personally wouldn’t expect that fight to happen until 2019.

Looking down the line, if Joshua were to win both unification fights and then go on to defeat Fury, his name would not only be forged in boxing greatness forever, but he would become arguably the best British boxer of all-time.

Sergio Garcia finally gets his hands on a major.

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The popular Spaniard beat England’s Justin Rose in a tense play-off to win the 81st Masters at Augusta.

It’s a famous saying: Never give up on your dreams. Most of us are guilty of doing that very quickly when things are starting to look grim. The same cannot be said of Sergio Garcia, who after 73 failed attempts finally got to experience that feeling of winning a major.

Dubbed as the ‘best golfer to never win a major’ by the fans, Garcia’s victory was an emotional one. Yes, he was finally able to extinguish that burden of never winning one of the sport’s top prizes, but he also did it on what would have been his idol and fellow Spaniard Seve Ballesteros’ 60th birthday.

It had been a long time coming. In 1999 he broke onto the scene as a 19-year-old low amateur at the Masters, before finishing second to Tiger Woods at the USPGA that same year.

In 2007 he heartbreakingly missed a putt to win the Open, before losing the subsequent play-off to Irishman Padraig Harrington. That was just another of his four agonising runner-up finishes prior to his win at Augusta.

The Spaniard had finished in the top 10 at 22 previous majors and in 2012 he seemed to have given up, famously saying in an interview: “I’m not good enough. I’ve come to the conclusion that I will always be fighting for second and third place.”

This made Garcia’s win even more special. He didn’t just beat 92 other golfers that weekend, he also proved himself wrong.

The 37-year-old had been in three winning Ryder Cup teams previously, but nothing means more to a golfer than to win a major on your own.

Initially though there were times that a familiar story was threatening to emerge on the final day.

Garcia saw a three-shot lead turn into a two-shot deficit with just seven holes left to play. The 37-year old needed a semi-miracle, but a birdie-eagle run on the 14th and 15th holes saw him level things up with leader Rose. Both missed great birdie chances on the 18th to take the contest to a play-off- the first at the Masters since 2013.

Rose struggled, driving wide into the pines and scuffing his second shot. The 2016 Olympic champion could only manage a bogey, which opened the door for Garcia. The Spaniard composed himself and calmly got to the green in two, before putting confidently for victory.

“It was the calmest I’ve ever felt coming into a Sunday at a major championship,” the Spaniard said afterwards.

“To do it on Seve’s 60th birthday and to join him and Jose Maria Olazabal – my two childhood idols – as the only Spanish golfers to win a major championship, it’s amazing!”

Garcia is living proof that if you don’t first succeed than try, try and try again. He is the perfect role model for any young sportsman currently finding it difficult in their field and struggling for motivation. The Spaniard’s green jacket – awarded to the winner of the Masters every year- is a symbol of perseverance and self-belief.

If you believe in yourself, you can accomplish your dreams, and Sergio did just that.

Exeter Chiefs’ momentous rise continued with maiden Aviva Premiership title.

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In 1996 the Devon club were competing down in the fourth tier of English rugby. Now 21 years later they’ve become the Champions of England after beating Wasps in an enthralling final.

Exeter Chief’s head coach Rob Baxter refused to call this a fairy-tale story. Instead he described it as the end of a ‘very long journey.’ Having been associated with the club for over 20 years, you could imagine the jubilation he felt when the final whistle blew at Twickenham and his side had completed their quest to become a real force in the domestic game.

The Devon outfit have been on a steady upward trajectory since the late 90s, and after moving to their Sandy Park stadium in 2006, people were beginning to take notice. They won promotion to the Premiership in 2010 after beating Bristol in a two-legged play-off, before winning the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2014 (their first ever major trophy).

But not everything has been plain sailing for Baxter’s side.

In 2016 they were beaten in the Premiership final by Saracens- a defeat that saw the team crash back down to earth with a heavy bump. That loss seemed to still be on the player’s minds at the beginning of last season, as they lost four of their opening six games in the league and were thrashed at home by Clermont in the European Champions Cup.

But the team dug deep, irradiated their problems, found their inner belief, and were rightfully crowned champions after a 17-game unbeaten run in the league that stretched back to October 2016 (equalling the unbeaten record set by Leicester Tigers in 1999-2000).

Two of the most influential players during that 23-20 win over Wasps in May were Gareth Steenson and Phil Dollman. Dubbed ‘the originals’ by the fans, Steenson had kicked 24 points in the game that saw Exeter promoted from the Championship seven years ago. It was therefore only fitting that once again the fly-half that was at the centre of the action, kicking the winning points in extra-time to send the Chiefs into ecstasy.

Dollman had also contributed for Exeter, scoring with a try before being forced off with injury.

Winger Jack Nowell, who has 32 caps for England, finished in the corner for Exeter’s first try of the game and the Chiefs found themselves 14-3 up before a Wasps fight back made it 17-20 with minutes remaining.

Ice-cool Steenson levelled it up with his reliable boot, before the 33-year old scored the winning points with just three extra-time minutes remaining.

Baxter admitted that this maiden title has now got to be a starting block for the team – they look to improve even further – with the next objective for the Devon club being to mount a serious challenge in European competition.

Going into 2017-18 as champions unearthed new challenges and pressure for the Chiefs, but they have all seemed to have taken it in their stride.

10 games into the season and Exeter sit pretty at the top of the Premiership table, with an eight-point cushion over second-placed Gloucester.

They also sit top of their pool in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and second in their European Champions Cup group behind Leinster.

2018 could potentially be an ever greater year for the Exeter, as they look to begin to stake a claim as one of the best domestic sides in the northern hemisphere, a label that would truly complete their fairy-tale rise to the top.

A memorable night in Houston for the New England Patriots.

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Records tumbled at the NRG Stadium as Tom Brady inspired the Patriots to the most unlikely of victories.

Atlanta Falcons were 25 points to the good halfway through the third quarter of the 2017 Superbowl.

Never before had they ever won the Vin Lombardi Trophy, with their only previous appearance at the NFL mega-event coming way back in 1994.

Their opponents couldn’t have been more of a polar opposite. The New England Patriots had won the Superbowl four times previously, with this being their record ninth appearance at the spectacle.

Patriots quarterback Brady and head coach Bill Belichick both brought a lot of invaluable experience of this enormous event to the playing field. They had both been involved in each of New England’s Superbowl victories, but this time they looked helpless, as the Falcons overpowered them for almost an hour in Houston.

However, a costly fumble from Atlanta’s Matt Ryan proved to be the catalyst that sparked a quite remarkable comeback. Within a blink of an eye the game had gone from 28-3 to 28-28 (thanks to a 19-0 fourth quarter for New England) and as a result, the Superbowl went into overtime for the first time in its 50-year history.

Brady was now finding his range, and he consistently got the Patriots’ offence deeper into Atlanta territory. It was to be New England’s running back James White who eventually rushed in for the match-winning touchdown – making it 34-28 on the scoreboard. Victory sent the team, coaches and fans into raptures after most had been staring into the barrel of defeat not so long before.

The records had tumbled; no team had ever come back from such a deficit to win the Superbowl before. Brady became the first quarterback to win five Superbowls and the first ever NFL player to be awarded the Superbowl MVP award on four occasions. His passing yards of 416 were the highest ever recorded in the spectacle’s history and Belichick also became the most successful coach at the event, with five victories to his name.

I doubt any of those previous wins had felt sweeter than this one.

Brady had missed the first four games of the regular season whilst he served out the Deflategate suspension the NFL had imposed on him for his role in the infamous scandal, so this victory was the fairy-tale ending to a season that started like a nightmare for the 40-year-old.

Above all, victory in Houston further cemented the claim that the New England Patriots have had the best quarterback, the best coach and the best roster out of any of the NFL Franchises since the turn of the century.