Tennis News Blog

Sharapova cruises to win in Aussie final (AP)
When Maria Sharapova walked on court for the Australian Open final, she kept thinking about the sage advice of another champion. “Champions take chances, and pressure is a privilege,” Billie Jean King had written in a text message that Sharapova saw when she woke up. “I took mine,” fifth-ranked Sharapova said after beating Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 6-3 Saturday for her third Grand Slam title.

Doubles joy for Ukrainian sisters
Unseeded Ukrainian sisters Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko win the Australian Open doubles title.

Aussie Open photos
Pictures from the men’s final at the Australian Open

Djokovic beats Tsonga to win Aussie Open (AP)

Novak Djokovic didn’t have to do an impersonation this time. He’s a Grand Slam champion for real. Serving notice that his rapid rise in the rankings last year was no fluke, third-ranked Djokovic ended the Cinderella story of the Australian Open by beating unseeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (2) in Sunday night’s final.

Report: Women’s final moving to nights? (AP)
Maria Sharapova could be the last Australian Open women’s champion crowned in daylight hours. Melbourne’s The Age newspaper reported Sunday that the women’s final is likely to be shifted from its Saturday afternoon slot to Saturday night in a move driven by the demands of television broadcasters. Sharapova beat Ana Ivanovic in straight sets on Saturday in a match beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Djokovic relief at first Slam win
Novak Djokovic is delighted to land his first Grand Slam in Australia after coming close several times before.