Author Archives: markthatmike

By Agence France-Presse The 2016 Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber lost in three grueling sets as Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova reached the quarter-finals for a third time on Monday. Germany’s Angelique Kerber was pushed all the way by Italy’s Camila Giorgi (David Gray/AFP) The 30th seed Pavlyuchenkova won through against the German 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-2Continue reading “Former champion Kerber squeezed out in Melbourne last 16”

By Reuters Coaches have welcomed the WTA Tour’s decision to allow them to help players from the stands this season after the issue became a hot-button topic in the wake of the 2018 US Open final when Serena Williams was controversially penalized. Tennis – Australian Open – Women’s Singles Final – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne,Continue reading “Coaches welcome WTA trial of allowing coaching from box”

By Hanah Tabios A day before Kobe Bryant’s tragic death Monday in Calabasas City in Los Angeles, the City of Valenzuela unveiled what could now be considered a tribute to one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Now called “House of Kobe,” the court was originally built as a convention center in BarangayContinue reading “Valenzuela City unveils ‘House of Kobe’”

By Reuters Former champion Stan Wawrinka battled past Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev in five sets to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals with a 6-2 2-6 4-6 7-6(2) 6-2 victory on Monday. Stan Wawrinka Medvedev came into the contest having won both their career meetings at Grand Slams in four sets but the 2014 AustralianContinue reading “Wawrinka rallies to take down Medvedev for last eight spot”

By Reuters Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic led the tennis world in mourning for “mentor” Kobe Bryant on Monday after Melbourne Park awoke to the news that the NBA great had died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and seven others. Djokovic had spoken fondly of his relationship with the former Los AngelesContinue reading “Djokovic leads tennis community in mourning ‘mentor’ Bryant”

By Reuters The sporting world was plunged into mourning on Sunday as news of Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash spread leaving the rich and famous, presidents, Hall of Famers and ordinary fans stunned. LA Clippers coaches Jeremy Castleberry and Tyronn Lue react in remembrance of the late Los Angeles Lakers former player KobeContinue reading “Kobe Bryant’s death leaves sports world stunned”

By Reuters Hydrogen will be used for the first time to power the Olympic torch during its journey through Japan, organizers said on Monday, as part of Tokyo 2020’s efforts to hold an environmentally friendly Games. The Olympic torch of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is displayed at a Torch Relay event to mark theContinue reading “Tokyo 2020 to power Olympic torch with hydrogen for first time”

By NICK GIONGCO In this file photo dated September 7, 2019,, Pedro Taduran celebrates after defeating Samuel Salva to bag the IBF minimumweight title at Juardo Hall, Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio, File) Filipino champion Pedro Taduran didn’t waste time in whipping himself into form when he worked out justContinue reading “PH box champ Pedro Taduran in Mexico”

By Reuters Tiger Woods played the final round at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego on Sunday unaware his good friend Kobe Bryant had died in a helicopter crash. The news broke while Woods was in the early part of his round, and though it spread around Torrey Pines quickly, caddie Joe LaCava refrainedContinue reading “Woods plays final round at Torrey Pines unaware of friend Bryant’s death”

By Agence France-Presse World number five Dominic Thiem swatted aside an error-prone Gael Monfils to book a maiden Australian Open quarter-final on Monday, with the Frenchman resorting to an underarm serve in desperation. The two-time Roland Garros finalist proved too wily for his experienced opponent, crushing him 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena. DominicContinue reading “Thiem crushes Monfils to make Aussie Open quarters”