Sports

2016 champ Kerber into 2nd round, extends streak to 10 wins

January 17, 2018 03:57·
Maria Sharapova is interviewed on Margaret Court Arena during a ceremony for the official draw Credit AP

Maria Sharapova is interviewed on Margaret Court Arena during a ceremony for the official draw Credit AP

Six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and 2014 victor Stan Wawrinka returned from injuries that had sidelined them since Wimbledon, top-ranked Simona Halep recovered from 5-2 down in her first set and a tumble in the second, and 2016 champion Angelique Kerber continued her unbelievable return to form. I think it will. She refused to be drawn into the draw issue - "I was invited and I kindly accepted", she said.

As Sharapova mugged for the camera with her Russian fans after the match, it was clear that two years after being caught dirty here in Melbourne, she was enjoying being showered with appreciation during her career resurgence.

Australian Open organisers wheeled out Maria Sharapova on Margaret Court Arena on Friday night to conduct the women's draw for the 2018 tournament, where she was interviewed by Seven's Hamish McLachlan.

It was her first match at Melbourne since failing a drugs test at the 2016 event, which led to a 15-month ban. "I feel like with every tournament and every week I have different feelings about different things". "Obviously you're talking about union, you're talking about boycott, you're talking about radical decisions to make.so we can get financial compensations the way we deserve it".

Sharapova did want to discuss how happy she was to return to the tournament after a year's absence.

"Still feel like I'm building physically and getting the match play in".

Sharapova spent longer than usual waving and blowing kisses to spectators at the end of the match and they responded generously enough, although there had been only a few sporadic calls of "Go, Maria!" during the 78-minute contest, which she closed off with an ace that seemed to shout, "Yes, I'm back".

Wawrinka, who had six months out after surgery on his left knee, beat Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis, 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (2).

The 2008 Melbourne Park champion, now ranked 48, battled past Germany's Tatjana Maria 6-1, 6-4 and will next play 14th seed Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia who overcame American Varvara Lepchenko 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Atalanta Sosnoff Capital LLC Has $56.92 Million Stake in Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)
Raytheon comprises about 1.8% of Atalanta Sosnoff Capital LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Eastern Bank decreased its stake in Salesforce.Com (CRM) by 12.09% based on its latest 2017Q3 regulatory filing with the SEC.

Dunkin' Ditches the Word Donuts for New US Store Concept
This month, parent company Dunkin' Brands Group announced it had removed artificial colors from all of its doughnuts in the U.S. The 2,200 square foot store is one of more than 430 new and remodeled stores that will have some variation of the new concept.

Wenger branded ref Dean a 'disgrace'
He was very aggressive leaning towards me, pointing aggressively at me saying "you're not honest" on numerous occasions. There is simply no justification for this behaviour'.

"I'm part of the council, but I don't sit on these negotiation tables", he said. "It's not the way I look at things moving forward".

Kvitova appeared to be on course for victory Tuesday when she saved three match points at 4-5 in the third set.

Barbora Strycova's 6-1, 7-5 win over wild-card entry Kristie Ahn made it 2-12 for the United States women with two yet to play.

No. 4-ranked 4-Alexander Zverev, No. 5 Dominic Thiem, No. 7 David Goffin, No. 19 Tomas Berdych advanced, but No. 20 Roberto Bautista Agut lost to Fernando Verdasco and former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic lost to Lukas Lacko.

Fourth-seeded Karolina Pliskova begins play on Rod Laver Arena in a match Tuesday against Veronica Cepede Royg, with Halep following two matches later against Destanee Aiava.

Other seeded players falling included No. 24 Dominika Cibulkova, the 2014 Australian Open finalist, No. 25 Peng Shuai, and No. 31 Ekaterina Makarova.

With temperatures heating up in Melbourne, the two grand slam winners wasted little time on court.

It was a questionable gesture from tournament organizers toward a player who was suspended for a doping violation at their tournament, even if the Court of Arbitration for Sport did rule that Sharapova had not intentionally cheated.

Recommended News

Join The Conversation

We are pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news.
Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper.
Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.