Special Update: News From the World of Tennis
Andy Murray wins Hopman Cup match against Italian Potito Starace
World Number 4 Andy Murray defeated Italian tennis pro Potito Starace in straight sets 7-5, 6-1 in Australia on Monday. This victory marks his first competitive win since he lost out at the ATP World Tour semi-finals to Rafael Nadal in November.
His success levelled the playing field to one all at the Perth event, where French Open title-holder Francesca Schiavone defeated British teen Laura Robson in straight sets 7-5, 6-3.
British Number 1 Murray seemed to be in top form for most of the match, and showed traces of his best tennis. He played from the baseline, hitting easily and comfortably and seizing set points to take the first set. After scoring 7-5 for a win, he seemed
more confident and fought off a break point to win five straight games. This wrapped up both the final set and the match in one hour and seventeen minutes.
Maria Sharapova: If I’m able to win a Grand Slam after my injury it’d be my greatest achievement in my career
Former World Number 1 Maria Sharapova told Auckland reporters, “One of the advantages I have is the experience behind my back of knowing that I've achieved a tremendous amount and more than I ever thought I would as a child. I have that in my bag and I've
come back from something that could have taken me away from the game.”
The Russian pro has approached her injury with a great deal of patience and fortitude, and continues to look at the bright side. She has also called her shoulder injury a "source of motivation and perspective, and says, “I see myself back on the court, training
and getting better and I look at that as a positive. Now I have to take that onto the court and build on it little by little.”
Developments at the Brisbane International
Spanish sixth seed Feliciano Lopez managed to defeat German tennis pro Philipp Petzschner in straight sets 6-5, 7-6(11) in his opening match at the Brisbane International, one of the first tournaments of the year.
On the Women’s Tennis Association side, Australian local player Sally Peers managed to serve Russian pro Alisa Kleybanova with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 upset. Fifth seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated compatriot Alla Kudryavtseva in three sets 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3.
Meanwhile, top seed and defending champion American Number 1 Andy Roddick is yet to play his first match. He will compete in his opening round later today, meeting Australian local player Marinko Matosevic. French Open finalist Samantha Stosur, first seed,
will play an undecided qualifier.
Kim Clijsters may call it quits after 2011
US Open champion Kim Clijsters has announced that 2011 may be her last full season on the WTA Tour.
The Belgian player, who is known as one of the greatest comeback queens in the history of tennis, says, “If I stay free of any injury in 2011, I hope I can achieve good results but also to be able enjoy them. This might very well be the last full season
I'll be playing." The announcements were made on her official website.
Clijsters has retired once before in 2007, when she married National Basketball Association star Bryan Lynch and started a family. She returned to the sport in 2009, and has stated that she will probably continue playing till the London Games in 2012.
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