Sweden’s Johanna Larsson upset her favorite player, Madison Keys, 7-6 (4), 6-3 at the Stockholm Open on Friday to become the top seed’s first loss of the season and move into the quarterfinals.
Williams’ double faults keep winning streak alive
Despite 16 double faults, which contributed to both her double-digit losses and to her inability to advance past the fourth round at the Brisbane International this week, Serena Williams entered this weekend’s tournament as a favorite to win again. That might have been an overstatement, as she failed to break down her opponent’s second serve throughout the match and was unable to avenge her semifinal loss to Ashleigh Barty in Brisbane last year. Her countrywoman Julia Goerges won the match 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.
Wimbledon semifinalist Min Osaka withdraws from Australian Open
Top-seeded Min Osaka didn’t make it out of the first round at the Hobart International, with world No. 33 Alison Van Uytvanck playing four sets in beating her 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 on Friday. Osaka and van Uytvanck were well on their way to deciding their match before Van Uytvanck won a deciding tiebreaker to end the two-set set.
French Fed Cup team ousted from playoffs, before draw
A center-court dispute between coaches at the French Fed Cup tie between home team France and an opponent in Romania at Estoril happened on Monday. The France Fed Cup team, as well as European Tennis Federation officials, learned about it Wednesday. Neither side was fined, although the French Federation did receive a penalty from the Federation Cup.
Ivo Karlovic wins Korynenko’s replacement in ATP Race to London
Ivo Karlovic won a seeded match at the ATP Miami Open on Friday and ensured that teammate Ivo Karlovic made the final to the top-level men’s London. The burly Croatian, who has won multiple majors, won his second match of the tournament 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 over Tatsuma Ito. Ito pulled out at the last minute with a left ankle injury and the loss secured third-seed Karlovic a shot at No. 1 seed Kei Nishikori. Stan Wawrinka missed the tournament and is not eligible to play if it is close to the cutoff date for the ATP Race to London, which means Karlovic will play the top seed in the finals.
Stephen Huss moves into 500-1 lead
Stephen Huss moved into the lead in the season-ending $1 million Pegasus World Cup Preview with a runner-up finish in the opening day of the $1 million Pegasus Futures Classic at Gulfstream Park. Huss, a Rosary High graduate, had the lead after the first race but faded and settled for second. His entry paid $2.80.
—Field Level Media