Latest news with #AucklandOpen
7NEWS
06-08-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Clara Tauson learns of grandfather's death after win over world No.3 Iga Swiatek at Canadian Open
Denmark's rising tennis star Clara Tauson has revealed she was told her grandfather had died after her upset win over world No.3 Iga Swiatek in Montreal. Tauson, ranked 19th in the world, reached the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 triumph over Swiatek on Monday local time (Tuesday AEST) to set up a clash with Australian Open champion Madison Keys. Her strong run of form continued with a stunning 6-1 6-4 victory on Tuesday local time (Wednesday AEST), after which Tauson shared what she had been through in the 24 hours between matches. 'I'm still in shock,' Tauson said in her on-court interview. 'Two days ago my grandfather unfortunately passed away. I really wanted to win for him today.' The emotions spilled over and Tauson paused to wipe away tears, the crowd rallying around the 22-year-old with a loud ovation. 'Hopefully he's watching,' she said. 'I really wanted to come out here and show my best tennis for him.' Tauson will play through the grief again in a semi-final on Wednesday (Thursday AEST). She won two WTA titles in 2021 but had to wait until January this year to claim her third, winning the Auckland Open. While trophies have been few and far between Tauson has risen from world No.50 at the start of the year to an expected career-high 15th after Montreal — and higher if she wins her semi-final and potential final. Ninth seed Elena Rybakina and Canadian teen sensation Victoria Mkobo will face off in the other semi-final on Wednesday (Thursday). On the men's side, Australian star Alex de Minaur will face American fourth seed Ben Shelton for a spot in the semis.
The Star
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Harith caps stunning run in Auckland with first PSA Challenger title
All smiles: Harith Danial Jefri (left) and Low Wa Sern posing with their prizes after the Auckland Open final. — SRAM PETALING JAYA: Rising squash player Harith Danial Jefri put the cherry on his birthday cake after securing his first PSA Challenger title at the Auckland Open yesterday. Having just turned 19 on Saturday, Harith took the win in the final after defeating compatriot Low Wa Sern 11-5, 2-11, 16-14, 10-12, 11-6 at the North Shore Squash Club.
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Duncan denied in Aussie final but duo advance in Auckland
KUALA LUMPUR: Duncan Lee's hopes of winning his sixth title went up in smoke after losing to top seed Muhammad Ashab Irfan of Pakistan in the men's final at the South Australian Open today (May 24). Duncan, ranked No. 142 in the world, went down 11-8, 12-10, 11-9 in 43 minutes to Ashab (No. 62) in Adelaide. Reaching the final was nevertheless a positive achievement for the eighth seed. The Sabahan, 22, had earlier beaten Andes Ling of Hong Kong 11-9, 11-9, 11-3 in the semi-finals. Meanwhile at the Auckland Open, world No. 576 Low Wa Sern upset world No. 276 Jooyoung Na of South Korea 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 to reach the final. Jooyoung was a silver medallist at last year's World Junior Championships. Wa Sern, 18, will face compatriot Harith Danial (No. 473) for the title tomorrow. Harith, seeded 12th, came from a game down to upset New Zealand's Benjamin Ratcliffe (No. 196) 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 in 47th minutes to book his spot in the decider. National coach Ajaz Azmat said he was impressed by the Malaysian duo's performances "It is a big boost for Wa Sern to upset Jooyoung in preparation ahead of the World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt (July 21-26)," said the Pakistani coach.
Forbes
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Elina Svitolina Wins Rouen Open, Her First Title In Nearly Two Years
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina won her first title in nearly two years after beating Serbian Olga Danilovic 6-4, 7-6(8) in the Rouen Open final in France on Sunday. Svitolina, the top seed, needed an hour and 58 minutes to beat third seed Danilovic to lift the trophy at the WTA 250 clay-court tournament. The last time Svitolina won a title was in Strasbourg in May 2023, less than two months into her comeback from maternity leave. Her only final since then came at the Auckland Open in January 2024 when she lost a three-set battle to Coco Gauff, the current world No. 4. Against Danilovic on Sunday, the Ukrainian had to dig deep in the second set, saving two set points down 6-4 in the tiebreak before converting her fourth championship point. Svitolina, wife of French player Gael Monfils, has played in 22 career WTA finals, losing only four times. She did not lose a set all week. "I feel very good, it was a good tournament for me," said Svitolina said after her victory. "Not an easy final, but very happy I could win all my matches in two sets and play good matches. I'm happy with the start of the season.' The Rouen Open title is Svitolina's 18th career title and seventh on clay. With the win, the former World extended her record in WTA singles finals to 18-4. "I feel confident about my game, I trust my game," the 30-year-old said. "The way it was from the beginning of the tournament, some players played really well, but I stayed calm and kept fighting,' Svitolina concluded. Finalist Danilovic also shared words of praise for champion Svitolina. 'First of all Happy Easter everyone. Second of all, congrats to Elina. Great tournament. Great week. You are a champion. I'm not gonna use any more words for you, because you are amazing," the 24-year-old Serbian said.
Reuters
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Andreescu delays comeback after appendectomy
Feb 7 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu will delay her start of the 2025 season after undergoing an emergency appendectomy, the 24-year-old said on Thursday. After withdrawing from the season-opening Auckland Open and the Australian Open for a second straight year, the 2019 U.S. Open champion was set for her comeback at the Merida Open in Mexico, running from February 24 to March 2. Andreescu's return to full fitness is not expected until the clay court season. She had earlier delayed her season citing personal reasons and also missed much of 2023-24 with a back injury. "Training was going so well and I was very excited for the Merida Open to be my first tournament of the 2025 season," Andreescu wrote on Instagram. "However, I unexpectedly started experiencing some sharp pain in my stomach, which led to an emergency appendectomy. The surgery went smoothly, and I'm on the road to recovery. My plan is to be back on the court for the clay season, stronger than ever." The Canadian played in 10 tournaments last year including the Olympic Games, Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
