Tennis

Ruud disposes of Shelton and advances to the quarter-finals

Published

3 years ago

April 18, 2023

Nancy

Ruud disposes of Shelton and advances to the quarter-finals

PHOTO JOSEP LAGO, FRANCE-PRESSE AGENCY

The Norwegian ended the second-round duel after 70 minutes of play.

(Barcelona) It wasn’t easy, but Casper Ruud earned his spot in the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Tennis Open by beating American Ben Shelton 6-2, 7-6 (1 ), Tuesday.

The Norwegian ended the second-round duel after 70 minutes, despite the American overcoming a 3-5 deficit in the second set to force a tiebreaker. This victory of the third player in the world on Catalan clay allowed him to level his career record at 1-1 against the 20-year-old left-handed tennis player.

Ruud quickly took control of the match by exploiting his excellent first serve and powerful forehand, jostling Shelton relentlessly.

The 24-year-old then used his experience – he’s been a runner-up in nine clay-court tournaments so far in his career – to stem the rise of the 37^e world racket in the second set. Ruud thus erased four of the five break points offered to his opponent, who was playing only a fifth career game on this playing surface.

Ruud will face in the quarter-finals the winner of the duel between the 15^e seeded Francisco Cerundolo and Italy’s Francesco Passaro. The Norwegian, who also advanced to this stage of the competition at Barcelona last year, will be hoping to build on his momentum after winning the title at Estoril earlier this month.

In addition, Diego Schwartzman easily took the measure of China’s Wu Yibing 6-2, 6-2. The Argentinian will now cross swords with the fourth seed, the Italian Jannik Sinner.

Among the other players who triumphed on Tuesday were Argentinian Pedro Cachin, Colombian Emilio Gomez, Italian Matteo Arnaldi and Russian Alexander Shevchenko.

Tournament favorite Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will make his debut later today against Portugal’s Nuno Borges, 79^e player in the world. American Frances Tiafoe (no 5) and Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut (no 13) will also be in action.

As for the Ontarian Denis Shapovalov, he should begin his course in Barcelona on Wednesday, against the Slovak Jozef Kovalik.

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

Svitolina’s opponent in the 2026 Australian Open 1/8 final has been announced

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Nancy

Svitolina’s opponent in the 2026 Australian Open 1/8 final has been announced

Ukraine’s first racket Elina Svitolina (WTA 12) has determined her opponent in the Australian Open 2026 1/8 final.

In the fourth round of the major in Melbourne, the Ukrainian will play against the seventh “neutral” racket in the world Mirra AndreevaDefeated the Romanian representative in the third round match Elena-Gabriela Ruse (WTA 79).

The best moments of tennis matches LIVE on Telegram channel Tennis on Sport.ua

Andreeva defeated Ruse in two sets with scores of 6:3 and 6:4 in 1 hour and 37 minutes.

Svitolina had played against Andreeva only once before – in March 2025, Elina lost to Mirra in the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 competition in Indian Wells.

Svitolina knocked out another “neutral” Diana Schneider in the 1/16 final of the Australian Open.

Australian Open 2026. 1/16 final

Elena-Gabriela Ruse (Romania) – Mirra Andreeva [8] – 3:6, 4:6

Video review of the match

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.

Tennis

SVITOLINA: “I was hoping to continue the service. I was a little disappointed in myself.”

Published

4 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Nancy

SVITOLINA: “I was hoping to continue the service. I was a little disappointed in myself.”

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina In a flash interview on the court, she commented on her victory over Diana Schneider in the 1/16 final match of the Australian Open 2026:

– Elina, congratulations. When you turned the match score you had the biggest smile on your face. It was a tough match, wasn’t it? Relaxation?

– Yes definitely. It was a difficult match. I was really hoping to continue the service. We took a few breaks and I was a little disappointed in myself. But at the end of the day, I’m very, very happy with my performance. And of course it’s really great to play in front of you and win. Thank you.

– You went from point to point in the first set. You played great in the tiebreaker match. In the second game you won 3:1 and had the game ball. You didn’t apply it. How disappointed are you? Because I saw you taking very deep breaths.

“This is how you deal with disappointments.” Of course, when you miss a few opportunities, it feels like the world is ending. Of course you want to get back into the game and fight. I was very happy and tried to take out this frustration with my fists and hit even harder.

– You did a great job. And your husband – is he still here? Yes he’s still here [смотрит на Гаэля Монфиса]. He doesn’t like us talking about him but I have to ask you. – unfortunately he lost in the first round – What’s the best tennis advice he’s ever given you? Or you may have problems (laughs).

– I’m thinking of being calmer (laughs). It taught me to be calmer. We play a lot of matches. We started playing tennis when we were very young. I started playing tennis at the age of four. He started playing tennis at the age of three. We spend our whole lives on the field and I think it’s important to find things you enjoy off the field as well. We have a wonderful family with our daughter Skye. This is such a wonderful gift for us. It’s a special moment for us to spend Gael’s final year together and enjoy it as much as possible.

– You definitely become more comfortable during the match (Elina laughs). After the previous game, you were asked what you were going to do for the rest of the day. You said you were going to take Gael’s credit card and go shopping. What did you buy?

– I bought a few bags. Thank you very much [обращается к Гаэлю]. I really liked it. You are a very good husband. Now I think he’s going to ask me to get my credit card to pay for his purchases.

– Don’t do this. Don’t give it to him, Elina. Congratulations on your victory and your two bags. Cheers to Elina Svitolina!

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.

Tennis

Australian Open Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff resist and advance to the round of 16

Published

4 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Nancy

Australian Open Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff resist and advance to the round of 16

(Melbourne) Favorite Aryna Sabalenka beat Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Sabalenka is seeking a third crown in four years, at the Australian leg of the Grand Slam. Her next rival will be the young Canadian Victoria Mboko, 16^e in the world.

“I never really spoke to him. I never had the chance to interact or train with her. I saw her outside, she said of the 19-year-old Torontonian. She is a very good player and a fighter. She plays very good, aggressive tennis. »

Sabalenka led 40-0 in the 12th^e game of the first set, before having to play a tiebreaker. She took control 3-0, but lost the next three games.

The favorite snatched the set with a backhand along the line, on a second ball from her rival.

In the second set, Sabalenka blew a 4-0 lead, making the score 4-4. She once again had to win the tiebreaker.

“Anastasia was incredible,” Sabalenka said, on the field. I was always on my heels. There are days when you just have to keep fighting. It was a serious battle. »

Last year, Sabalenka was defeated in the final by Madison Keys at this tournament.

Later in the day, American Coco Gauff (No. 3) drew on her resources to come from behind and defeat her compatriot Hailey Baptiste in three sets of 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

The Czech Karolina Muchova easily corrected the Polish Magda Linette 6-1, 6-1, while the Kazakh Yulia Putintseva ended the fairy tale of the Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3.

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.