Tennis

A Swiss-Australian final

Published

3 years ago

November 12, 2022

Nancy

PHOTO LESLEY MARTIN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic and Belinda Bencic secured qualification by winning both singles matches in their semi-final against the Czech Republic.

(Paris) Switzerland, finalist last year, will face Australia on Sunday in Glasgow in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup (ex-Fed Cup) to try to win its first title in the national team competition.

Australia will aim for an 8^e title in the competition, the first since 1974.

On Saturday, Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic and Belinda Bencic secured qualification by winning both singles matches in their semi-final against the Czech Republic.

Golubic (77^e) gave Switzerland the lead by beating Karolina Muchova (149^e), 6-4, 6-4.

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Returning to play singles after being rested for the crucial game against the United States the day before, Karolina Pliskova (32^e) pushed Belinda Bencic (12^e) in a tiebreaker in the second set, but the Swiss ensured the qualification of her team 6-2, 7-6 (8/6).

The double opposing the Swiss Belinda Bencic and Jil Teichmann to the Czechs Katerina Siniakova and Marketa Vondrousova is without stake.

Switzerland were beaten last year in the final by Russia, excluded this year from the competition in retaliation for the war in Ukraine.

For its part, Australia qualified by winning in the super tie break the decisive double against Great Britain 7-6 (7/1), 6-7 (5/7), 10/6.

PHOTO ED SYKES, ACTION IMAGES BY REUTERS

Members of the Australian team celebrate their promotion to the tournament final.

Storm Sanders (237)^e world) first gave Australia the advantage by beating Heather Watson (133^e) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). But the Australian N.1 Ajla Tomljanovic (33^e) could not conclude and was dominated by Harriet Dart (98^e) 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.

The Storm Sanders / Samantha Stosur pair then brought the point of qualification by winning the double against Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls.

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Source: lapresse

Nancy

I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.

Tennis

Kyrgios wins ‘Battle of the Sexes’ against Sabalenka

Published

5 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Nancy

Kyrgios wins ‘Battle of the Sexes’ against Sabalenka

(Paris) Nick Kyrgios won the exhibition match presented as a new episode of the “Battle of the Sexes” against Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday in Dubai.

The rules had been modified to balance the debates, the Australian playing on a field 9% larger than the Belarusian, which immediately made any interpretation of the result difficult. Furthermore, the two opponents only had one serving ball.

Kyrgios, former Wimbledon finalist (2022) fell beyond 650^e world number one, who is preparing to make yet another return to the circuit at the age of 30, won 6-3, 6-3, against the world No.1 without running much or hitting the ball very hard, without us knowing if it was because the field opposite was smaller or for other reasons.

The title of the event referred to another “Battle of the Sexes”, which in 1973 pitted former American champion Bobby Riggs, then aged 55, against the two best players of the time, Margaret Court Smith and then Billie Jean King.

At that time, it was about women asserting their worth while their professional circuit was being organized and King’s victory over Riggs, who had initially dominated Court Smith, had a certain impact.

Nothing like this this time, because women’s tennis is firmly established, as shown, among other things, by the equality of winnings in major tournaments.

This return still attracted 17,000 spectators to Dubai, including celebrities like Brazilian footballer Ronaldo, who did not attend a major tennis match.

The Australian seemed to control the situation and allowed himself some fantasies like a spoon serve (winning), a weapon he had already used in serious matches.

Source: lapresse

Nancy

I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.

Tennis

Sabalenka said she wants a rematch against Kyrgios

Published

6 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Gary

Sabalenka said she wants a rematch against Kyrgios

Arina Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios / Photo: © Christopher Pike / Stringer / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

The first racket of the world, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, said that she would like to have a rematch against Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios.

On Sunday, Sabalenka lost to Kyrgios with a score of 3:6, 3:6 in an exhibition match in Dubai (UAE). According to the regulations, athletes could only serve with the first ball – if a mistake was made, the opponent received a point. In addition, the size of the side of the court where Sabalenka played was 9% smaller than the standard.

“I feel great, I fought really well.” Nick struggled, and I’m glad the man had a hard time in the match against me. I liked the show. I think next time I will already know his tactics, strengths and weaknesses. I want revenge, I would play again.

Of course, playing against a man is a completely different tennis, everything happens faster. I hope that I will recover in a couple of days. I understand that I’m ready for the season,” Sabalenka said after the game.

Kyrgios admitted that Sabalenka at times played at the level of a good tennis player.

— Honestly, it was very difficult. Sabalenka is a very serious opponent. I didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be quite a battle. It was a great opportunity for me. I had to work hard, because Arina performed great shots. I’d love to play with her again.

I was a little nervous because I was in a difficult position. Arina almost made a break, and I had to answer. Due to the injury, I couldn’t really play with my right hand,” Kyrgios noted.

Source: Sportbox

Gary

I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.

Tennis

Battle of the sexes. Kyrgios beat world number one Sabalenka in straight sets

Published

6 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Nancy

Battle of the sexes. Kyrgios beat world number one Sabalenka in straight sets

Australian tennis player and entertainer Nick Kyrgios (ATR 671) won Battle of the Sexes in women’s singles against world number one Arina Sabalenko.

The exhibition match, which took place in Dubai (UAE) on December 28, ended with Kyrgios winning in two sets in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Battle of the sexes. Dubai (UAE), 28 December

Arina Sabalenko Nick Kyrgios – 3:6, 3:6

In the second match, Sabalenka won 3:1, but Nick made a comeback and won the match in two sets.

Each had only one serve without a second ball.

It is also worth noting that the share of the field on which Sabalenka plays has decreased by 9%. Despite this, Arina still could not keep up with the blows of Kyrgios, who was already playing at half strength.

Photo gallery of the match

Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine

Source: Sport UA

Nancy

I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.