Roger Federer delivered a crushing 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Ruben Bemelmans in just 47 minutes on Wednesday as the Swiss star moved just two wins away from becoming the sport’s oldest world number one. The 36-year-old top seed, a two-time champion at the Dutch indoor event, needs to reach the semi-finals to take back the number one spot from Rafael Nadal.
“I did a good job of winning the longer rallies, even though that’s not really what I wanted to get myself into,” said Sharapova afterwards. It was the 30-year-old’s first appearance in Doha since 2013 and her first match since losing to Angelique Kerber in the third round of the Australian Open last month.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are the headline names in line to play the Miami Open next month after being included on the player list for the event, organisers have confirmed. Andy Murray is the only player from the world’s top 79 not included for the event, which is staged between 21 March and 1 April, with the Briton currently rehabbing after undergoing hip surgery earlier this year. ‘You’ll go insane’ Nadal reveals his stand on matching Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles.
The former world No 1 underwent surgery and was unable to train for more than four months, but battled back in time to compete at the Australian Open. However, he was upset by 21-year-old South Korean sensation Hyeon Chung, who knocked Djokovic out a in straight-sets fourth-round victory.
Roger Federer on Sunday successfully defended his Australian Open crown to land his sixth title in Melbourne and collect a landmark 20th Grand Slam of his career with a five-set victory against Marin Cilic. Federer was pushed all the way by Cilic but came through a dramatic contest 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 6-1 in three hours and three minutes.
Denmark Caroline Wozniacki beat Simona Halep to win her first Grand Slam title and regain the number one ranking at the Australian Open. The second seed won 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-4 in punishing conditions to finally land a major title at the 43rd attempt. Eight years after her first Grand Slam final defeat, and 17 months after she was ranked 74th, the Dane was overcome.
