Paris, France | AFP | Garbine Muguruza officially became world number one for the first time on Monday, as Sloane Stephens soared back into the top 20 after her surprise US Open triumph. Wimbledon champion Muguruza takes over from Karolina Pliskova at the top of the rankings, after the Czech’s quarter-final …
Read More »Nadal hails ‘best season’ and ‘incredible era’
New York, United States | AFP | Rafael Nadal described the year 2017 as “one of the best of his career” on Sunday after winning a third US Open and 16th Grand Slam. World number one Nadal defeated South Africa’s world number 32 Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in …
Read More »Stephens marvels at money and journey to US Open glory
New York, United States | AFP | Worries didn’t end for Sloane Stephens after winning her first Grand Slam title Saturday at the US Open, recalling the fabulous photographs of past champions she admired along the hallways of Arthur Ashe Stadium. “Everyone has the cutest photos on the wall in here …
Read More »Nadal eyes sweet sixteen against Anderson
New York, United States | AFP | Rafael Nadal can wrap up a 16th Grand Slam title and third at the US Open on Sunday but has to find a way past the almost unbreakable spirit of South Africa’s Kevin Anderson. The 31-year-old Spaniard, who captured a 10th Roland Garros …
Read More »Stephens routs Keys for US Open title, first Slam crown
New York, United States | AFP | Sloane Stephens, sidelined for 11 months by a left foot injury until returning in July, captured her first Grand Slam title by routing fellow American Madison Keys 6-3, 6-0 in Saturday’s US Open final. Stephens took a $3.7 million (3.07 million euros) top …
Read More »Anderson stands tall as South Africa trailblazer
New York, United States | AFP | Kevin Anderson stands out at 6ft 8ins (2.02m) as the South African readies to tackle Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s US Open final. Tall in stature, the 31-year-old has also had to develop a thick skin. Born in Johannesburg, but a long-time resident of …
Read More »Serena ends silence, praises US Open runs of Keys, Stephens
New York, United States | AFP | Former world number one and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams made her first public comments since giving birth to a daughter one week ago, tweeting praise Friday to the US Open women’s finalists. Williams was pregnant when she won the Australian Open …
Read More »‘Over the moon’ and onto flower pot, Anderson into Open final
New York, United States | AFP | Moments after qualifying for his first Grand Slam final, South Africa’s Kevin Anderson raced to hug his friends and family in the players’ box, standing on a large flower plot to reach them. His joy and enthusiasm were evident after his impressive 4-6, 7-5, …
Read More »Anderson seeks place among South Africa sport legends
New York, United States | AFP | Kevin Anderson is one victory from joining a select group of South African sports champions by capturing his first Grand Slam title in Sunday’s US Open final against top-ranked Rafael Nadal. Golfing compatriots and major winners Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen watched him …
Read More »‘Angry’ Del Potro backs Nadal to clinch US Open
New York, United States | AFP | Juan Martin del Potro admitted he was “angry” over his US Open semi-final loss to Rafael Nadal before backing the Spaniard to claim a third New York title and 16th Grand Slam triumph. Del Potro dominated the first set as he sought to defeat …
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