Author: Michael Dickens

Simona Versus Serena In Aussie Showcase

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 15, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) As the Australian Open women’s quarterfinals begin Tuesday at Melbourne Park, one of the showcases of the Aussie fortnight will be a prime-time showdown between World No. 2 Simona Halep of Romania and […]

What A Difference A Year Makes, Ask Pegula

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 15, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) My, how things can change in a year. Just ask American Jessica Pegula. A year ago, Pegula bowed in the first round of the Australian Open to fellow American Taylor Townsend in straight […]

Trio of Americans Rooting For One Another

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 14, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) Three American women – none of them named Serena Williams – highlight play in the upper half of the women’s singles draw at the Australian Open on Monday. Unseeded Jessica Pegula starts the […]

Osaka, Hsieh Set Up Melbourne Quarterfinal

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 14, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) As the second week of the Australian Open commenced without fans at Melbourne Park on Sunday, five Grand Slam champions looked to gain passage into the quarterfinal round. Indeed, Day Seven was an […]

Plenty of Star Power As Australian Open Reaches Second Week

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 13, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) The Australian Open has reached the second week – albeit without fans at least through Wednesday, due to a surge in COVID-19 in Melbourne. With both the men’s and women’s singles draws narrowed […]

Muchova Wins Battle Of Karolinas In Melbourne

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 13, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) Watch World No. 6 Karolina Pliskova and 25th seed Karolina Muchova long enough and you’ll realize this: There are absolutely no secrets between the two Czech players, who faced off at the Australian […]

No Fans Allowed At Melbourne Park Next Five Days

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 12, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) On Friday afternoon, word spread quickly across the grounds of Melbourne Park, site of the Australian Open, that a new COVID-19 lockdown in Victoria state would directly impact the year’s first major. Players […]

Under Pressure, Sabalenka Is Delivering Her Best

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 12, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) On Day Five at the Australian Open, a Friday filled with plenty of star power provided by the lower half of the women’s draw – World No. 2 Simona Halep, No. 3 Naomi […]

Unbeaten Tsitsipas Left It All On The Court

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 11, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) After Stefanos Tsitsipas completed his four-hour and 32-minute heroic victory against Aussie favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round of the Australian Open Thursday, the Rod Laver Arena crowd showed their appreciation for […]

Kanepi Ousts Reigning Champion Kenin

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, February 11, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) Kaia Kanepi is a veteran tour pro from Tallinn, Estonia, who nobody wants to face early in a Grand Slam draw. Just ask defending Australian Open champion and current World No. 4 Sofia […]