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4 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
“He’s not a one-trick pony. Sometimes, a lot of these big guys, (people) think they’re one-trick ponies.” Reilly Opelka’s traveling coach Denis Kudla said earlier this season, in January, while emphasizing on the 6’11” ATP pro’s potential. “He has got a lot of variety. He is a very all-around, good tennis player,” he further added. Well Opelka showed the signs as well at the start of this year in Brisbane.
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4 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
Emma Navarro won her maiden WTA title this season back in March, at the Merida Open. However, the American star has failed to yield a similar result since then. Her form in subsequent events has been concerning to say the least. Ahead of the French Open, however, she will look to make an impact this weekend in Rome. The World No. 9 has a tough challenge in front of her in R32 on Sunday, where she will face a formidable opponent in Denmark’s Clara Tauson.
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5 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
“She’s playing some great tennis so I’m just super proud of myself. I had to bring my best tennis to win,” a jubilant Sofia Kenin said two years ago, after upsetting Aryna Sabalenka in Rome. The Belarusian had just entered the Italian Open following a title win in Madrid. She was expected to carry the momentum forward. But Kenin broke her hopes. In the second round, the 2020 Australian Open champion pulled off a sensational victory against Sabalenka and edged her out in straight sets.
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5 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
“I think this year is the least amount of tennis I have ever played.” Taylor Fritz said last month ahead of his Madrid Open campaign, citing the situation of abdominal injury that forced him to compete less frequently. In events where Fritz played, he struggled with inconsistency. However, the World No.4 will look to make the most of his opportunity this week when he steps on the Roman clay. The American ATP star and 2024 US Open finalist will take on compatriot Marcos Giron in R64 on Saturday.
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6 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
This week, Coco Gauff is “super happy to be back in Rome, excited to hopefully capitalize and you know, do one better than I did in Madrid.” Few days back, she missed out on clinching her maiden WTA title in Madrid, as the World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka prevented her from emerging victorious in the summit clash. But the American is confident to repeat a similar performance in Rome this week.
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6 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
“I’m really happy to be here in Rome. It’s the second time that I’m going to play here, so I’m excited,” a confident Carlos Alcaraz said on Thursday ahead of his campaign at the Italian Open. After missing out on defending his Barcelona title and withdrawing from Madrid, due to an injury in his adductor, the four-time slam champion is now back to take the clay court by storm.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
“I was aggressive and played with margin. Maybe it wasn’t her best level,” Coco Gauff expressed her true feelings on arch rival Iga Swiatek after dominating her in Madrid. On past occasions, it was the Pole who used to outplay the American. But lately, the 21-year-old has gradually begun to pose tough challenges. Last November, at the WTA Finals, Gauff thrashed Swiatek, followed by a second-straight win in the United Cup final earlier this season.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
Emma Raducanu has witnessed a resurgence in her tennis form in the last month-and-a-half. Her heroics at the Miami Open, making it to the QF, have really boosted the 2021 US Open winner’s confidence ahead of the second major event of the season – French Open. While she couldn’t continue the momentum in Madrid, the 22-year-old Brit has got one last crucial opportunity to prepare for the Parisian clay court challenge in Paris. It’s just weeks away from now.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
“Oh my gosh, this one is so high up there, being Olympic gold champion, being Golden Slam champion in singles and doubles, that’s pretty awesome,” said a jubilant Serena Williams after dominating arch rival Maria Sharapova in the summit clash of 2012 London Olympics. The 23-time slam winner handed a bagel and a breadstick (6-0, 6-1) to the Russian pro. With that, she also completed a Golden Slam after accomplishing the Career Slam back in 2003, winning the Australian Open. But you know what?
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Mintu Tomar |Abhishek Rajan |MK Tomar
“New Balance has supported me since my junior tennis years and has been by my side for the biggest moments of my career,” WTA pro Coco Gauff had previously said. Since the age of 14, the now 21-year-old American tennis sensation has been a part of New Balance’s journey while extending her own tennis career with the Boston-based brand.
