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Podcast #4 – 2024 Australian Open Wrap-Up
Listen to insights on the incredible 2024 Australian Open. Here’s my take on everything important and how it sets up the rest of the year. I cover the women, the men, the “moms” and the Americans. Let’s talk tennis!
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Krajicek and Ram Lift U.S. to Davis Cup World Group
Photo credit: Saulius Čirba The U.S. delivered a double dose of commitment to return to the Davis Cup World Group. Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram beat Illya Beloborodko and Oleksii Krutykh, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 clinching the U.S. Davis Cup win over Ukraine and return to the World Group today. The victory gave the United States an insurmountable 3-0 lead over Ukraine in…
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Montpellier QF previews and predictions: Coric vs. Cobolli, Bublik vs. Shevchenko
Borna Coric and Alexander Bublik have capitalized on first-round byes to make their ways to the Montpellier quarterfinals. They will go up against Flavio Cobolli and Alexander Shevchenko, respectively, on Friday.(4) Borna Coric vs. Flavio CobolliCobolli projects to be one of the tour’s breakout stars in 2023. That effort is certainly off to a good…
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Australian Open semifinal expert picks: Djokovic vs. Sinner
Expert picks are back for the Australian Open semifinals on Friday, when 10-time champion Novak Djokovic faces world No. 4 Jannik Sinner. A three-team panel previews the action and makes its predictions. (1) Novak Djokovic vs. (4) Jannik Sinner Ricky: Given the lofty standards currently being set by Djokovic and Sinner (when they are on the court…
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Gauff, After Tough Aussie Open Loss to Sabalenka: Only Up From Here
The American was disappointed to not win her second major as a teenager, but still believes she’s on an upward trajectory in the sport. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 25, 2024 Coco Gauff’s final Grand Slam as a teenager ended in disappointment, but the American is trying to see the positives after…
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Zheng Qinwen Reaches Australian Open Final vs. Champion Aryna Sabalenka
Qinwen Zheng of China celebrates match point in their semifinal singles match against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine during the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Melbourne’s motto is four seasons in a day. Beneath the closed roof of Rod Laver Arena, Zheng Qinwen calmly threw…
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Top 7 best tennis players from the USA in 2024
This year has been special for American tennis. While there were bright spots and breakthroughs, the year overall was a bit of a drag. Tommy Paul reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, and Christopher Eubanks ended his career with a successful performance at Wimbledon. However, Taylor Fritz was unable to establish himself in the…
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De Minaur: I’m Absolutely Devastated
“It’s not a match that I thought I lost physically,” Aussie No. 1 said after a four hour, 14-minute AO loss to Andrey Rublev. By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, January 21, 2024 Elated Aussie fans erupted in a wall of sound as home hero Alex de Minaur squared off against Andrey Rublev for a dramatic…
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Matches Finishing Late: Everyone Agrees Something Needs to Change, But What?
Late finishes down under are part of a larger problem in pro tennis. By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Sunday, January 21, 2024 Elated Aussie fans erupted in a wall of sound as home hero Alex de Minaur squared off against Andrey Rublev for a dramatic fifth set on Rod Laver Arena A ruthless Rublev battered barriers,…
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Podcast #3 – 2024 Women’s Preview
Ready for 2024? Let’s talk tennis! Here’s my take on everything important in 2024 Women’s tennis. There’s a great story going on. Enjoy!
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Podcast #2 – 2024 Men’s Preview
Ready for 2024? Let’s talk tennis! Here’s my take on everything important in 2024 Men’s tennis. Enjoy!
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Australian Open Draws and Schedule for Day 1: Sunday, January 14, 2024
The 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark will play 20th-seeded Magda Linette of Poland in her Australian Open return on Sunday in Melbourne. Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images Australian Open Melbourne ParkMelbourne, AustraliaJanuary 14-28, 2024A$86.5 million ($58.91 million U.S. dollars)Hard Court History At Stake at 2024 Australian Open Ten-time AO champion Novak Djokovic…
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Australian Open R1 previews and predictions: Sinner vs. Van de Zandschulp, Tiafoe vs. Coric
The Australian Open gets underway on Sunday and Jannik Sinner will be in action in Rod Laver Arena against Botic van de Zandschulp. Another big-name matchup in round one features Frances Tiafoe and Borna Coric.(4) Jannik Sinner vs. Botic van de ZandschulpSinner pretty much took the tennis world by storm in 2023, especially in the…
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Podcast #1 – Introduction
Well, here it is! You asked. I’ve delivered. This begins First Ball Forehand’s podcast journey. Here is my introduction. Let’s talk tennis!
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18-Year-Old Shang Displaying Grace Under Pressure as 2024 Kicks Off
The Chinese teen has saved match points to win in both of his matches at Hong Kong. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday January 3, 2024 China’s Juncheng Shang is one of six teenagers inside the ATP’s Top 200 and generally thought of as a rising talent that could be a future top player.…
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United Cup Draws and Schedule of Play for Thursday, January 4, 2024
Caroline Garcia leads France against Team Norway in United Cup action on Thursday. Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images United Cup RAC Arena and Ken Rosewall ArenaPerth and Sydney, AustraliaDecember 29, 2023-January 7, 2024 Surface: Hard Court Eighteen Nations Battle for United Cup The United Cup is back for a second time, with the unique and…
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Valentine’s Bash: Delray Beach Date with Fritz
Taylor Fritz will launch his Delray Beach defense on Valentine’s night. By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, December 21, 2023 Book your spot for a Valentine’s Delray Beach date with Taylor Fritz. World No. 10 Fritz will launch his Delray Beach title defense on Valentine’s night, Wednesday, February 14th, 2024. Nadal: Ready to…
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Nadal completes Kuwait training with Fils, now back in Mallorca
Rafael Nadal’s training for the 2024 tennis season has been heating up in December. At first he was at home in Mallorca, Spain playing at his academy. He then traveled to Kuwait for a weeklong session with Arthur Fils. The 37-year-old Spaniard is now back in Mallorca training with both Richard Gasquet and Jan-Lennard Struff,…
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Sinner the big winner of 2023 ATP awards
Winners of the 2023 ATP Awards were announced earlier this month. As expected, Jannik Sinner was the big story. Sinner was named the tour’s Most Improved Player after climbing from 15th in the rankings to fourth. The 22-year-old’s season was highlighted by his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto plus three other titles and runner-up…
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Novak Djokovic, GOAT of Boring
Congratulations Novak Djokovic, GOAT of Boring!! “Screeching halt! Really? You’ve got to be kidding?” Before the hate mail comes in, hear me out. Novak’s US Open victory was brilliant, masterful, and a dagger into the hearts of anyone who believes that Nadal or Federer challenge his GOAT status. Here we are about 2 weeks past…