L.A. Times - Tennis

U.S. beats Roger Federer again to oust Switzerland in Davis Cup

Wire reports — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:02:00 PST

Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan defeat Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka, the reigning Olympic doubles champions, to give Americans a 3-0 lead in best-of-five series.

Given a supremely tough draw in the 2012 Davis Cup, the United States is off to an exhilarating start.

U.S. takes 2-0 lead over Switzerland in Davis Cup

Wire reports — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:56:00 PST

John Isner upsets Roger Federer, handing the Swiss his first defeat in a Davis Cup singles match in eight years.

John Isner jolted Roger Federer with his big serve and booming groundstrokes Friday, winning 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 and giving the United States a 2-0 lead against Switzerland in the first round of the Davis Cup at Fribourg, Switzerland.

Williams sisters help U.S. defeat Belarus in Fed Cup play

Wire reports — Sun, 5 Feb 2012 21:29:00 PST

The Americans win all five matches to advance out of World Group II and into a playoff in an attempt to reach the top tier again.

Venus Williams returned from a five-month layoff, and Serena Williams and Christina McHale won singles matches Sunday, sending the United States past Belarus, 5-0, in the first round of the Fed Cup at Worcester, Mass.

Tweener Sunday provides some super fireworks

Bill Dwyre — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:05:00 PST

As the sports world tries to rest up for the Super Bowl, tennis and golf tournaments pop up to deliver drama worthy of a Roman numeral.

Sunday was supposed to be the day the sports potatoes got off their couches.

Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal for Australian Open title

Associated Press — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:40:00 PST

The top-ranked player successfully defends his championship with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 victory to earn his fifth major title in the longest Grand Slam men's final at 5 hours 53 minutes.

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Novak Djokovic ripped off his shirt and let out a primal scream, flexing his torso like a prize fighter after a desperate, last-round knockout.

Novak Djokovic's win over Rafael Nadal is as good as tennis gets

By Diane Pucin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:00:00 PST

Commentary: No. 1 Novak Djokovic's epic five-set defeat of No. 2 Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open is the longest Grand Slam singles final ever — 5 hours 53 minutes. And for fans, it's tennis nirvana.

So many times sleep approached.

Novak Djokovic defeats Andy Murray to reach Australian Open final

Associated Press — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:44:00 PST

The defending champion and No. 1-ranked male tennis player needed 4 hours 50 minutes for a 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5 victory. Djokovic faces Rafael Nadal on Sunday for the title.

MELBOURNE, Australia — If anyone knows how Novak Djokovic feels after sweating and scrapping for almost five hours in the Australian Open semifinals, it's his next opponent — Rafael Nadal.

Victoria Azarenka beats Maria Sharapova for Australian Open title

Associated Press — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:55:00 PST

Azarenka, 22, from Belarus, wins her first major and claims the No. 1 ranking in women's tennis with 6-3, 6-0 victory over Sharapova, the 24-year-old Russian seeking her fourth Grand Slam event title.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Victoria Azarenka started celebrating, then suddenly did a double-take to ask her coach, "What happened?"

Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka reach Australian Open final

Associated Press — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:37:00 PST

Sharapova beats Petra Kvitova and can take the No. 1 ranking in the world if she beats Azarenka in the final Saturday. Azarenka advances with a win over defending champion Kim Clijsters.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Maria Sharapova advanced to the Australian Open final and gave herself a chance to regain the No. 1 ranking after beating Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, on Thursday.

Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer to reach Australian Open final

Associated Press — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:52:00 PST

Nadal's four-set victory gives him an 8-2 edge over Federer in Grand Slam matches. Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka will meet for the women's title Saturday.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Only the trophy and the tears were missing from this latest Grand Slam installment of Rafa vs. Roger.