MELBOURNE, Australia
Sloane Stephens snapped her three-match losing streak at the Australian Open, defeating fellow American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-2 in the first round on Monday. The 25-year-old, who made her first Slam semifinal here in 2013, was in good spirits after the win.
MELBOURNE, Australia
Maria Sharapova was in emphatic form to kick off play at the 2019 Australian Open. Despite warm conditions, she breezed through a first round clash with Harriet Dart, 6-0, 6-0 on Rod Laver Arena.
Serena Williams speaks to her coach Patrick Mouratoglou during a practice session ahead of the 2019 Australian Open
SYDNEY, Australia
Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic pulled off a comeback win in a Sydney International final barnburner on Saturday, outlasting top-ranked Aussie and crowd favorite Ashleigh Barty, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(3), to win the title in Sydney for the second time.
HOBART, Australia
Two weeks, two trophies: American Sofia Kenin finished off a fortnight of perfect preparation for the Australian Open on Saturday.
The 20-year-old rolled to her first-ever WTA singles title at the Hobart International against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, 6-3, 6-0, for her second tour-level crown in as many weeks to begin 2019.
Serena Williams of The United States and her coach Patrick Mouratoglou look on during a practice session ahead of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova takes on first-time finalist Sofia Kenin in an all-unseeded title match at the Hobart International. Scroll down for full order of play.
Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark poses with the the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup during the Official Draw ahead of the 2019 Australian Open
Petra Kvitova claimed a 6-4, 6-1 victory over defending Sydney International champion and WTA World No.2 Angelique Kerber
SYDNEY, Australia
Timea Bacsinszky is through to her first quarterfinal at the Sydney International after battling past local hope Samantha Stosur in a tough three-setter.
Bacsinszky, who didn’t win a WTA main draw singles match last year until Tianjin after injury woes derailed her season, has already made the perfect start to 2019, coming back from a set down to oust the former finalist Stosur 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
She had the former US Open champion on the ropes, serving for the match and two points away from victory in the second set - but Stephens found a way to get the job done, coming back from a set down to win 0-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(3).
