By HOWARD FENDRICH , AP Tennis Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — So close to victory, Naomi Osaka suddenly was letting the Australian Open final slip away. Three championship points? Gone. A sizable lead? Soon all gone, too. She was playing poorly. She yelled at herself. Slammed a ball. Tugged at her visor’s pink brim. Trudged to […]
Author Archives: Howard Fendrich
AP Tennis Writer
Posted inNational Sports, Sports
1 Point Away, Serena Stunned by Pliskova at Australian Open
By HOWARD FENDRICH , AP Tennis Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Four times, Serena Williams was only one point — a single point — from closing out a victory in the Australian Open quarterfinals. On the first such chance, at 5-1, 40-30 in the third set, she turned her left ankle awkwardly. The owner of […]
Posted inNational Sports, Sports
Serena Williams Fined Total of $17K at US Open
By Howard Fendrich, AP Tennis Writer Serena Williams has been fined a total of $17,000 for three code violations during the U.S. Open final. The tournament referee’s office on Sept. 9 docked Williams $10,000 for “verbal abuse” of chair umpire Carlos Ramos, $4,000 for being warned for coaching, and $3,000 for breaking her racket. Serena Williams […]
Posted inNational Sports, Sports
Williams Falls to Kerber in Wimbledon Grand Slam Showdown
By Howard Fenrich, AP Tennis Writer Angelique Kerber was not about to be overwhelmed by the setting or the stakes in this Wimbledon final. She knew exactly what to expect — and what to do — against Serena Williams. Two years after losing to Williams with a title on the line at Centre Court, Kerber came […]
Posted inSports
Dusty Baker Gone as Manager of Washington Nationals after 2 NL East Titles
(Updated 10/20/2017) WASHINGTON (AP) — Dusty Baker is done as manager of the Washington Nationals after two seasons, two NL East titles and zero playoff series victories. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he told Baker the news via telephone Friday morning. Baker’s two-year deal with the club is expiring. FILE – In this Aug. […]
Posted inSports
Sloane Stephens Tops Madison Keys in US Open Final for 1st Grand Slam Title
NEW YORK (AP) — Sloane Stephens dominated a shaky Madison Keys in the U.S. Open final and won 6-3, 6-0 on Saturday to earn her first Grand Slam title, capping a remarkably rapid rise after sitting out 11 months because of foot surgery. The 83rd-ranked Stephens is only the second unseeded woman to win the […]
Posted inSports
2 Points from Defeat, Sloane Stephens Edges Venus Williams—Advances to Finals
NEW YORK (AP) — Two points from defeat against Venus Williams at the U.S. Open, Sloane Stephens summoned her best strokes when she needed them the most to reach a Grand Slam final for the first time. Sloane Stephens, of the United States, reacts after defeating Venus Williams, of the United States, during the semifinals […]
Posted inSports
Venus Williams Edges Kvitova for 1st US Open Semifinal Since 2010
NEW YORK (AP) — When her work was done, her first trip to the U.S. Open semifinals since 2010 secured, if just barely, Venus Williams sat in her sideline chair and beamed . Williams reached her third major semifinal of the season — something she last did 15 years ago — by edging two-time Wimbledon […]
Posted inSports
Williams Faces Kvitova in Quarters; Sharapova’s US Open Ends
NEW YORK (AP) — Maybe this was just one three-setter too many for Maria Sharapova. Sharapova tried a bit of everything, even resorting to switching over her racket to hit a few lefty shots. Still, the five-time major champion could not quite keep her Grand Slam comeback from a doping suspension going, losing in the […]
Posted inSports
At 37, Venus Williams into 10th Wimbledon Semi; Konta Next
LONDON (AP) — Venus Williams’ mother could not stop smiling and laughing. She had just watched her 37-year-old daughter reach the Wimbledon semifinals for the 10th time and, well, the whole thing was just a bit hard to believe. “She says, ‘I love my job!’ and she means it. I guess she’s kind of like […]
Posted inSports
Discussing Crash, Venus Williams Sheds Tears at Wimbledon
LONDON (AP) — Venus Williams wiped tears from her eyes during her Wimbledon news conference Monday. She shook her head, fiddled with her hair and sat, silently. Venus Williams of the United States during her Women’s Singles Match against Belgium’s Elise Mertens on the opening day at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London Monday, July […]
Posted inSports
Venus, Muguruza Out; French Open to Have 1st-Time Slam Champ
PARIS (AP) — Garbine Muguruza did not take kindly to the way spectators pulled for her opponent — her French opponent, mind you — at the French Open. Spain’s Garbine Muguruza reacts as se plays France’s Kristina Mladenovic during their fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, Sunday, […]
