Maria Sharapova certainly means business when she steps onto a tennis court.
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Some thoughts on Thursday's women's semifinals at the Australian Open, where Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka advanced with three-set victories to set up a final in which the winner will become the WTA's new No. 1 ...
In terms of age, just two years separate Australian Open finalists Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka. But in terms of what the two young women have achieved in their tennis careers so far, they are poles apart.
It is a noise that has become synonymous with watching top-level tennis -- the sound of ear-splitting shrieks and grunts as star players battle against each other in a bid to claim the sport's biggest prizes.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off an injury scare to beat fifth seed David Ferrer in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Wednesday, setting up a last-four rematch with 2011 runner-up Andy Murray.
CNN's Don Riddell talks to Boris Becker about the latest action from the Australian Open.
Caroline Wozniacki's quest for a first grand slam title and her reign as world No. 1 both ended on Tuesday after a quarterfinal defeat by defending champion Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open.
Unseeded Russian Ekaterina Makarova upset five-time champion Serena Williams of the United States 6-2 6-3 on Monday to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese male to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open since 1932 when he held on to earn a shock five-set win over sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Monday.
The breaking of plates may be a popular tradition practiced in his homeland, but Cypriot tennis player Marcos Baghdatis has just taken the pastime to a whole new level.
Say this about actors, musicians, writers and other artists: They can age gracefully. Often they perform just fine deep into middle age. And when they can no longer hit the high notes or remember their lines, they can retreat slowly and privately.
Andy Murray tests out a Caribbean twist on the game of tennis, challenging former boxing champion David Haye.
World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki began her latest bid for a first grand slam title with a 6-2 6-1 win over Anastasia Rodionova on Monday, joining last year's finalists Kim Clijsters and Li Na in the second round of the Australian Open.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are used to meeting in grand slam finals, but the dominance of Novak Djokovic in 2011 means the two great rivals will feature in the same half of the draw for the first time in seven years at the Australian Open.
SI.com's Jon Wertheim breaks down the women's seeds at the Australian Open. Read on for the top first-round matchups, dark horses and predictions. Click here for the men's report.
Check back later this week for an Australian Open preview ...
Qatar Open winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga blamed fatigue and a troublesome wind for his straight sets defeat by Jurgen Melzer in the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Petra Kvitova is just two wins away from moving to the top of the women's tennis rankings, after current world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki suffered a quarterfinal defeat at the Sydney International on Wednesday.
Here is an assortment of observations leading into the final tune-up week for the Australian Open:
Venus Williams has announced she is pulling out of the Australian Open due to illness.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga boosted his Australian Open hopes by overcoming difficult conditions to beat fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils in the final of the Qatar Open on Saturday.
Former world number one Thomas Muster talks to Open Court at his vineyard in Austria.
Welcome back. Happy 2012, everyone ...
Rafael Nadal fought back from a break down in the deciding set to beat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in their first round clash at the Qatar Open Tuesday.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic kicked off his preparations for next month's Australian Open with a three-set victory over France's Gael Monfils in Abu Dhabi Thursday.
Three-time major winner Maria Sharapova has been forced to withdraw from January's Brisbane International event because of an ankle injury.
Seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams is in doubt for January's Australian Open after the American pulled out of her planned comeback at the ASB Classic in New Zealand.
A best of three while eagerly awaiting this year's BNP Paribas Showdown event at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 28 ...
CNN's Pedro Pinto talks to tennis great Rafael Nadal, Laureus award winner for "Sportsman of the Year."
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- When we last saw Rafael Nadal, he was teary, sweaty and bitterly disappointed, limping off the court with a torn muscle suffered early in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open. His bid for a "Rafa Slam" spoiled.
Serena Williams talks about her foot injury and what she's been doing in her time off from the game.
Roger Federer had a champion's response at the Australian Open when journalists asked him if a torch was being passed, saying, "Let's talk again in six months." Federer surely can't wait to prove a few points in March, when the prestigious Masters 1000 events will be contested on the hardcourts of Miami and Indian Wells.
Flotsam and jetsam from the 2011 Australian Open.
A quick vegemite sandwich while wondering if, this being the Asian/Pacific Slam, Nadal might want to try Eastern Medicine ...
As I write this there are 24 players left in the draw and there have been zero huge upsets. Which makes for a promising final seven days. Herewith, our 2011 Australian Open midterm grades All marks given on the "Gentleman's C" curve...
This has been quite a tournament for the ethics of motivation. While a number of men have departed the Australian Open with their dignity in tatters, Venus Williams defined herself as never before.
I know not much is to be expected since the more newsworthy of the Williams sisters (Serena) isn't competing in the Australian Open this year. The decision to overlook Venus is also bolstered by the almost unanimous prediction of Venus' demise prior to the start of the tournament as well as her "slide" in quality over the past few years. Regardless of this, don't you think her heroic effort [on Wednesday] deserves some mention besides a tweet about the ridiculousness of her dress and a vague psoas references? Thanks. --C.D Allen, Toronto, Ontario
While envisioning Dinara Safina, Donald Young, Ernests Gulbis and Ana Ivanovic in the same corner of the Melbourne watering hole last night, complaining about their rough days at the office ...
Thoughts and observations on the first surge of action from the Australian Open:
A Day 1 vegemite sandwich. Here's some "second screen" diversion as you watch the Australian Open. We'll try and do this daily ...
World number two Roger Federer talks to CNN's Pedro Pinto about his friendship with Rafael Nadal and his targets for 2011.
SI.com's Jon Wertheim breaks down the men's and women's seeds at the Australian Open. Read on for the top first-round matchups, dark horses, and his predicted winners. Have your say here.
SI.com's Jon Wertheim breaks down the men's and women's seeds at the Australian Open. Read on for the top first-round matchups, dark horses, and his predicted winners. Have your say here.
You predicted someone other than Roger or Rafa would win a Grand Slam this year. When does that happen? And is there anyone currently (or in the future) who could match Roger's five consecutive wins at two different events? Do you see anyone matching that ... or winning five consecutive at even one Grand Slam? --Marina, Dallas
The beauty of tennis' new year, aside from the anticipation surrounding the Australian Open, is the chance to isolate certain truths out of nothing. The past week saw a flurry of insignificant events, but there was much to be learned about some of the sport's key players:
Some of the world's top female tennis stars talk about their New Years resolutions for 2011.
The draw holds many treasures. These are some of the matches I'd like to see if things break just right at the U.S. Open:
Lleyton Hewitt ended the Australian Open with surgery and was on crutches afterward, but he is back in action this week at Houston. Serena Williams won the Australian Open, but hasn't played a match since then, claiming she is injured. Maybe it is just me, but something does not seem right about this. --Aaron, Illinois
China's Li Na hit the heights earlier this year when she made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open, beating Venus Williams along the way.
Today's baguette in lightning round mode:
Now that the Aussie Open is reaching the halfway point, time to revise your picks. Of those left standing, who's going to reach the semis and the finals? --Scott Freeman, Atlanta, Ga.
It's Saturday. It's Sunday. It's April. Regardless of what time it is in your precinct, here in Melbourne we're halfway through with our first major. Which means it's time for our 2010 Australian Open midterm grades
CNN's Pedro Pinto discusses the prospects for next week's Australian Open with tennis legend Boris Becker.
Isn't it surprising, Jon? Roger Federer only came up with the "Hit for Haiti" idea on Saturday morning. Television only advertised it on Saturday afternoon and evening, and the papers the next morning. I was there and we had a great time. It is quite astounding that they were able to organize it in one day -- and good on people for coming. Laver was full capacity and it still surprises me, even with the realization that Down Under is a sports-mad society. Props for Tennis Australia, players and fans. A chunk of change was donated, too. -- Deepak, Melbourne
Six-time Grand Slam tennis champion Boris Becker sits down with CNN's Becky Anderson.
Is Nikolay Davydenko the new "Greatest to have not yet won a Slam?" Beating both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal two tournaments in a row surely elevates him on that list? Maybe he's not such a dark horse for the 2010 Australian Open! -- Andrew Roth, Sacramento
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