Djokovic tames Murray and defends his 2012 Australian Title

Sunday must have been a great day for the world no.1 Djokovic for successfully defending his 2012 Australian Open title against British no.1 Andy Murray at the Rod Laver Arena.

Andy who after winning the Olympic gold and the US Open title was in high sprits and was perhaps over confident to win the Australian Open, specially when it was against Djokovic whom he beat to win the US Open last year.

But Djokovic was not giving in this time and despite falling in the first set 6-7(2), came back to the game and tamed a rather noisy Andy 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-2.

As can be seen the graph heavily declined against Andy the last two sets seemed Andy just giving in and let the Serbian take the trophy.

By winning the Australian title of 2013, Djokovic becomes the first man of the open era to win three Australian titles.

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Azarenka beats Li - wins Australian Open Women's Singles Title [Watch Screen Shots]

A tearful, yet happy Azarenka hold Australian Open Trophy for the second consecutive time Saturday, 26 January 2013

What a match it was today when world no.1 and the defending champion Victoria Azarenka came to defend her title against world no.6 Chinese Li Na at the Rod Laver Arena. And she really did it at the end despite losing the first set.

A match that started with complete domination of Li in the first set, changed its complexion when Azarenka bounced back to take the second set.

As for the third set,  Azarenka breaks to open third set, just as she did in the first and second. Azarenka takes Li serve and leads 1-0 - and then gives her game. 1-1 And from then on it was a battle for the title.

 

 

But midway the match was interrupted by a beautiful fireworks which illuminated the Melbourne sky with red, yellows and greens.

When the players returned, right on the first point Li Na stumbled and fell on her back hitting her head on the court. She looked worried but medics soon got her over the pain and brought her back to the game.

 And from 2-1 in the third set, the match went over into Azarenka's control who finally won it 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

 

 

 

-->
Congratulations Azarenka for successfully defending your 2012 title and happy start with a Grand Slam and maintaining your world no.1 position for long now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow we witness the match of the titans - the men;s singles final between world no.1 and the defending champion Novak Djokovic and world no. 3 British Andy Murray. Would Djokovic be able to defend his title?

Tomorrow is not that far to know!!

Movin' Sports will provides links for viewing the live free streaming here.

All photos are screen shots courtesy Euro Sport HD 

Follow @MovinSports
Follow us on Facebook

Djokovic marches into Australian Open Fianl to defend his 2012 Title

It was just another day for easy Djokovic when he played the semi final of men's singles of the Australian Open against 4th ranked David Ferrer today.

The match that just ended minutes from now, saw Djokovic much at ease in winning over Ferrer just like that - three straight sets with no worthwhile resistance from the Spaniard.

The 6-2 6-2 6-1 win over Ferrer was nothing . In fact I expected Ferrer to give a good tough time after he ousted Nicolas Almagro 4-6 4-6 7-5 7-6(4) 6-2 in the quarters. But his game today against Djokovic was no where near to that he displayed in the quarters.

Djokovic now wait and see who out of Murray and Federer meets him in the finals, being played on Sunday.

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Azarenka breaks Stephen's Spell - Moves to Australian Open Final to Defend Title against Li

The spell created by Sloane Stephens by knocking out the aging and injured Serena Williams in the quarter final was finally broken by Azarenka in the semi final of the women's singles today at the Rod Laver Arena.

Azarenka breaks Stephen's spell and moves to final of Australian Open to defend title against Li [Photo: AFP]

World no.1 and the defending champion from Belarus Victoria Azarenka found no difficulty to oust the 29th ranked American Sloane Stephens 6-1, 6-4 to march into the finals to meet 6th ranked Chinese La Ni on Saturday.

However, the scare created by Azarenka and her being absent from the court for almost 10 minutes to have medical treatment, claimed to be neck injury, after Stephens had saved five match points, have raised many an eyebrow.

La Ni earlier today morning beat world no.2 and French Open champion Maria Sharapova from Russia in simple straight sets 6-2, 6-2.

It may be added that Sloane Stephens from America, had earlier made headlines by beating the world no.3 and five times Wimbledon champion, US Open and Istanbul champion Serena Williams, who was struggling with her injuries while playing with Stephens.

So the scare created by Stephens is over and now it is Azarenka and Li who will be facing each other in the final of the women's singles final on Saturday.

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Serena Williams Knocked-Out of Australian Open by fellow American Sloane Stephens

Perhaps the biggest upset of the Australian Open tennis is the ouster of world no.3 Serena Williams - the five times Wimbledon champion and recently US Open and Istanbul champion, from the quarters of the Australian Open Wednesday today.

Serena who was aspirant of the Australian Open crown has been on  wining spree since here coming back to tennis after healing his injury was knocked out by none other than her own fellow American 29th tanked Sloane Stephens.

Serena had played against Sloane Stephens only once in her career and that too recently at Brisbane 2013 in the quarters when she beat her 6-4, 6-3. Sloane Stephens' winning over Serena in the quarters of Australian Open today is a sort of revenge taken - but too soon.

-->

Serena had not lost any of her last ten matches, while generally unknown Sloane Stephens had lost twice in her last ten matches at Brisbane and Hobart.

So it is goodbye to Serena, who must be feeling shattered and devastated today. And it is goodbye to Serena's Wilson racquet which paid the price of fury of an knocked-out Serena, who was seen struggling with her injuries throughout the match.

Serena's racquet that paid the price of her defeat

Sloane Stephens now plays against world no.1 Victoria Azarenka in the semi finals Thursday tomorrow. In the other semi final world no.2 Maria Sharapova meets 6th ranked Chinese Na Li, who also upset world no.4 Radwanska in the quarters.

Movin' Sports will provide links for the viewing the women's single semis live free streaming by today evening.

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Na Li upsets Radwanska, meets Sharapova in the Semis

Quarter finals of the Australian Open 2013 on Day 9 started with an upset: 6th ranked Chinese Na Li outclassed an aspiring 4th ranked Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland 7-5, 6-3 to move on to the semis of the tournament.

Radwanska who came into the contest having won 13 straight matches, a run which included title wins in Auckland and Sydney, was simply stunned by the Chinese and was ousted in straight sets.

-->

In the meanwhile, Four-time major winner world no.2 and French Open champion Maria Sharapova advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-2 win over fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova at the Rod Laver Arena Tuesday morning.

Sharapova plays her career's 16th Grand Slam semifinal against Na Li. Li advanced to the Australian Open semis for the third time in four years.

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Day-9: Australian Open: Djokovic, Ferrer, Sharapova and Radwanska Play Quarters

So finally the last 16 stage arrives of one of the most liked and loved tennis tournaments: The French Open.

On the Day-9, Tuesday 22 January, Djokovic, Ferrer and Na Li play the Quarters. The details are as udner:

Men's Singles
01:30 GMT David Ferrer (4 - ESP) v Nicolas Almagro (10 - ESP) [Rod Laver Arena]
08:30 GMT Novak Djokovic (1 - SRB) v Tomas Berdych (5 - CZE) [Rod Laver Arena]

-->

Women's Singles 
00:00 GMT Agnieszka Radwanska (4 - POL) v Na Li (6 - CHN) [Rod Laver Arena]
04:30 GMT Maria Sharapova (2 - RUS) v Ekaterina Makarova (19 - RUS) [Rod Laver Arena]

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Federer, Murray, Azarenka and Williams cruise into the Quarters

On the Day-8 of the Australian Open, the top ranking players moved into the quarters without much of a hassle as was faced by Novak Djokovic on Day-7 in his fourth round match against Wawrinka.

The results of Day-8 are as under:
Men's Singles:
Roger Federer (2 - SUI) def. Milos Raonic (13 - CAN) 6-4 7-6(4) 6-2
Andy Murray (3 - GBR) def. Gilles Simon (14 - FRA) 6-3 6-1 6-3
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (7 - FRA) def. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2

-->

Women's Singles:
Victoria Azarenka (1 - BLR) def. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-2 2-6 7-5
Serena Williams (3 - USA) def. Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 6-2 6-0

The Quarterfinals start from Day-9, 22 January 2013.

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Fourth Round on Day-8 at Australian Open

The Australian Open continues with the fourth round of matches on the 8th day Monday, 21st January.

The matches for Day-8 of the ranking players are as under:

Rod Lave Arena:
01:30 GMT: Victoria Azarenka (1 - BLR) v Elena Vesnina (RUS) *
03:00 GMT: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (7 - FRA) v Richard Gasquet (9 - FRA)
08:00 GMT: Serena Williams (3 - USA) v Maria Kirilenko (14 - RUS) *
09:30 GMT: Roger Federer (2 - SUI) v Milos Raonic (13 - CAN) *

-->

Hisense arena
06:00 GMT: Andy Murray (3 - GBR) [3] v Gilles Simon (14 - FRA) *

Click on the matches with (*) for watching the live free streaming

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Djokovic defends his fourth round against extremely resilient and motivated Wawrinka | Watch screen shots of 5th set

I have been watching Grand Slams and other tennis greats since long, but what I witnessed today was something classic - something that will be remembered as an epic Australian Open match - a match by two men who did not fail themselves till the very last and it was just a thin line separating the two from victory and defeat till the very last ball.

Djokovic celebrates his hard earned win after 12-10 in the fifth set [Screen shot: Euro Sport]

Yes I am talking of the fourth round encounter between the world no.1 and the defending champion Novak Djokovic and 17th ranked Stanislas Wawrinka Sunday evening today.

Having lost his first set Wawrinka 1-6, Djokovic won the next two sets 7-5 6-4. Now everyone thought that the world no.1 would take the fourth set and move on - but that wasn't to be so as Wawrinka came back to game once again to win the fourth set 7(7)-6(5).

 

 

 

With two sets equal, the real battle started - the battle to move to the quarters. And what a battle it was. Wawrinka recoiled from every move Djokovic made and the equalized game started to a never ending thing. After 6-6, it was all consecutive numbers  7-7, 8-8. 9-9. 10-10. And it was here the game started to tilt in Djokovic's favour who finally made it 12-10 and won the match.

-->

But the match Wawrinka played and the battle he fought will be remembered forever - for he showed that with resilience, hard worked, determination and positiveness  one can make wonders and wonders he did, making it extremely difficult for the Serbian to clinch the game from him.

And Djokovic too showed his determination to win and literally snatched away the last set from the teeth of Wawrinka, he wasn't letting it to go.

Two true players shaking hands after the match

Today's match was Novak Djokovic's 171st Slam  match, but first that has ever gone past 7-7 in fifth and won over 12-10. Stanislas Wawrinka, meanwhile, won 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-2, 6-7 (8), 11-9 over Ivo Karlovic in Wimbledon 2006, his only previous match past 7-7.

But one thing is for sure - in days to come, a new name in the top ranking players is to emerge soon: Stanislas Wawrinka, who in the absence of Nadal, and soon the void to be created by aging Federer, will shine and be number one some day.

All screen shots are courtesy Suro Sport

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Australian Open Day 6 Results: Federer, Azarenka and Serena move on, Del Potro goes home

The day 6 of the Australian Open 2013 is over and the third round matches as well.

All went well today, except one major set back in case of 6th ranked Argentinian Del Potro who was ousted Jeremy Chardy of France after a fierce reistance and battle by Del Potro in a five set match.

The results of men's and women's singles category (of ranking players) are as under:

Men's Singles
Roger Federer (2 - SUI) def Bernard Tomic (AUS) 6-4 7-6(5) 6-1
Andy Murray (GBR) def Ricardas Berankis (LTU) 6-3 6-4 7-5
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (7 - FRA) def Blaz Kavcic (SLO) 6-2 6-1 6-4
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def Juan Martin Del Potro (6 -ARG) 6-3 6-3 6-7(3) 3-6 6-3

-->

Women's Singles
Victoria Azarenka (1- BLR) def Jamie Hampton (USA) 6-4 4-6 6-2
Serena Williams (3 - USA) def Ayumi Morita (JPN) 6-1 6-3

For detailed results, please refer to official website of Australian Open

Follow @MovinSports
Follow us on Facebook

Australian Open - Third Round: Matches on Day-5 Friday 18 January

With the last important match of Second Round between world no.2 Roger Federer and Nikolay Davydenko, the 40th ranked from Russia, Roger Federer and the Australian Open have reached the third round of matches commencing Friday, 18 January.

The details of matches by top ranking players on Day-5 is as under:

Men's Singles:
Rod Lave Arena
Novak Djokovic (1 - SRB) v Radek Stepanek (31 - CZE) *
David Ferrer (4 - ESP) v Marcos Baghdatis (28 - CYP)
Fernando Verdasco (22 - ESP) v Kevin Anderson (RSA)

Hisense Arena
Tomas Berdych (5 - CZE) v Jurgen Melzer (26 - AUT)

-->

Women's Singles
Rod Laver Arena
Angelique Kerber (5 - GER) v Madison Keys (USA)
Na Li (6 - CHN) v Sorana Cirstea (27 - ROU)
Maria Sharapova (2 - RUS) v Venus Williams (25 - USA) *

Hisense Arena
Agnieszka Radwanska (4 - POL) v Heather Watson (GBR) *
Ana Ivanovic (13 - SRB) v Jelena Jankovic (22 - SRB)

For other matches, please consult official website of Australian Open

Click on matches marked with (*) for Links for Free Live Streaming

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Australian Open: Day-4 Results | Azarenka, Serena, Murray & Tsonga move to Third Round

The Day-4 of the Australian Open is till in progress, with Roger Federer's match against Russian Nikolay Davydenko yet to commence.

The reuslts so far compeleted are as under:

Men's Singles:
Andy Murray (3 - GBR) def Joao Sousa (POR) 6-2 6-2 6-4
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (7 - FRA) def Go Soeda (JPN) 6-3 7-6(1) 6-3
Bernard Tomic (43 - AUS) def Daniel Brands (GER) 6-7(4) 7-5 7-6(3) 7-6(8)

-->

Women's Singles:
Victoria Azarenka (1- BLR) def Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) 6-1, 6-0
Serena Williams (3 - USA) def Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 6-2 6-0
Maria Kirilenko (14 - RUS) def Shuai Peng (CHN) 7-5 6-2

For detailed results of Day-4, refer to official site of Australian Open

Follow @MovinSports
Follow us on Facebook

Australian Open: Djokovic and Sharapova move to third round

World no.1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic beat 20 years old American Ryan Harrison 3-0 and moves to the third round of the Australian Open tennis championship.

Playing on the Rod Laver Arena, the Serbian beat the American 6-1 6-2 6-3. In the third set at 4-2, the American put up a stiff resistance and played deuce after deuce to finally win the his game to take the score to 4-3. However, Djokovic won the next two games to win the third set 6-3.

In the women's single category, world no.2 Maria Sharapova of Russia beat Japanese Misaki Doi in straight sets 6-0 6-0 to move to the third round.

-->

The other matches that were played today were as under:
Men's Singles:

David Ferrer (4 - ESP) def Tim Smyczek 6-0 7-5 4-6 6-3
Tomas Berdych (5 - CZE) def Guillaume Rufin 6-2 6-2 6-4
Nicolas Almagro (10 - ESP) def Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-4 6-1 6-2

Women's Singles:
Maria Sharapova (2 - RUS) def Misaki Doi 6-0 6-0
Agnieszka Radwanska (4 - POL) def Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3 6-3
Angelique Kerber (5 - GER) def Lucie Hradecka 6-3 6-1
Jie Zheng (CHN) def Samantha Stosur (9 - AUS) 6-4 1-6 7-5
Venus Williams (25 - USA) def Alize Cornet 6-3 6-3
Na Li (6 - CHN) def Olga Govortsova 6-2 7-5
Ana Ivanovic (13 - SRB) def Yung-Jan Chan 7-5 1-6 6-4

The upset of the day was the match between world 9 Australian Samantha Stosur and 40th ranked Chinese Jie Zheng. The Chinese beat the Australian  6-4 1-6 7-5 and ousts world no.9 from the Australian Open.

On Day-4, 17th January, world no.2 Roger Federer, world no.3 Andy Murray, world no.7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will play their second round matches.

In the women's singles world no.1 Victoria Azarenka , world no.3 Serena Williams, world no.8 Petra Kvitova and world nho.10 Caroline Wozniacki will play theiur second round of matches.

Complete results are given at the official website of Australian Open 

Follow @MovinSports
Follow us on Facebook

Top Stars move on to second round of Australian Open

The matches of first day of the first round of Australian Open are almost over and the top stars of the tennis world successfully overcame their opponents and move to the second round of the Australian Open.

The results of the first day are as under:

Men's Singles
Novak Djokovic (1-Serb)      defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu (Fra) 6-2, 6-4, 7-5
Nicolas Almagro (10-Esp)     defeated Steve Johnson 7-5 6-7(4) 6-2 6-7(6) 6-2
Fernando Verdasco (22-Esp) defeated David Goffin 6-3 3-6 4-6 6-3 6-4

-->

Ladies' Singles
Maria Sharapova (2-Rus)             beat Olga Puchkova (Rus) 6-0, 6-0
Agnieszka Radwanska (4-Pol)      beat Bojana Bobusic 7-5, 6-0
Samantha Stosur (9-Aus)              beat Kai-Chen Chang 7-6(3), 6-3
Venus Williams (25-USA)           beat Galina Voskoboeva 6-1, 6-0
Li Na (6-Chn)                               beat Sesil Karatancheva 6-2, 6-3
Angelique Kerber (5-Ger)            beat Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4

For complete results follow official site of Australian Open

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Australian Open - the first Grand Slam of 2013 | 14-27 January

The 101st edition of the Australian Open and the first Grand Slam of the year 2013 gets underway in Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia from Monday 14 January with the first round of matches and will terminate with the final of the men's singlets on January 2013.

The men's singles is always the centre of attraction of the event. But this year, Nadal's absence will be greatly felt as he has still not recovered from his knee injury, for which he missed major events in 2012. It was expected that he would figure out in Doha, the last tennis tournament of the year, but retracted at the last moments. Likewise he also excused himself from the Australian Open just days ago. This thus leave the top three in the arena.

As for the big three, the defending champion Serbian Novak Djokovic with three Australian Open titles would definitely want to commence his tennis year by defending his title.

But he is threatened this year more by Andy Murray of Britain than Roger Federer. Murray won two major titles last year: the Olympic gold and the US Open. And he is concentrating to start his Grand Slam quest right from Australian Open this year - some even think that he can do it.

-->

As for Federer, the 17 Grand Slam holder, is 31 years now and age does tell on the tennis courts. Though, Federer has not shown any signs of aging so far, but he is now playing selectively to conserve himself in the longer run rather than wearing him out by playing each and every tournament.

“I intend to spend more time in Switzerland and I am going to practice more, rather than play in all the tournaments, because I am preparing for the longevity aspect. I would like to play for as long as I can. I just don’t want to fizzle out. That’s not the goal here."

As for the ladies, Serena Williams, although aged like Federer, has shown no signs of aging. In fact last year she played far better than world numbers 1 and 2. The five-time Serena Williams is very likely to be the centre of attraction this year as she was last year and likely to move up leaving behind Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka - in her quest for the 'Serena Slam' of holding all four major titles at once.

The Australian Open, basically a clay court event, will played on three main arenas: The Rod Laver arena, the Hense Arena and the Margaret Court Arena, beside almost two dozens courts for low ranking players.

On the Day-1, the first round of matches will see Maria Sharapova, Samantha Stosur, Ana Ivanovic, Venus Williams, Agnieszka Radwanska and Na Li figuring out in the women singles event. While in the men's singles category, Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic, David Ferrer and Tomas Berdych will be the main players.

Keep referring to the Movin' Sports for links for free live streaming of some of the important matches as the competition progresses till its culmination on 27 January.

Follow @MovinSports

Follow us on Facebook

Australian Open Wild Card Play Off [USA] : Watch Live Free Streaming

With the announcement of the Wild Card Play Offs for the Australian Open, the headlines news for the forth coming Australia Open seem to be getting hot.

USA has made public a list of eight men and eight women for the wild card play offs as under:

Men's Division
Chase Buchanan
Christian Harrison
Bradley Klahn
Daniel Kosakowski
Denis Kudla
Tennys Sandgren
Tim Smyczek
Rhyne Williams

Women's Division
Mallory Burdette
Julia Cohen
Irina Falconi
Alexa Glatch
Madison Keys
Bethanie Mattek-Sands
Maria Sanchez
Alison Riske

These eight men and eight women will compete in the fourth annual Wild Card Playoffs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with each winner earning a singles main draw wild card into the 2013 Australian Open. The USTA secured the opportunity through a reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia, where the two national tennis federations exchanged wild cards for the 2012 US Open and 2013 Australian Open.

The wild card play offs will be held December 14-16, at Life Time Athletic & Tennis at Peachtree Corners in Norcross, Ga., a certified USTA Regional Training Center.

Watch the matches being played at 23:00 GMT from Friday-Sunday at Life Time Athletic & Tennis at Peachtree Corners in Norcross, Ga

If you are one of the fans located at different destination and miss the chance to visit the stadium to watch your favorite team, You can now watch the match live on your laptop or desktop computer, FREE, provided you have an internet connection, from the links given below:

-->

Link#1    Link#2    Link#3    Link#4    Link#5
* Please read our Disclaimer Policy with regard to free live streaming

Follow @MovinSports
Follow us on Facebook