Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Naomi Osaka landed just 41% of her first serves in her defeat to Maria Sakkari

Osaka suffers first defeat since February 2020

Naomi Osaka's 23-match winning streak came to a sudden end at the Miami Open following a straight-sets loss to Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals.

Tennis • 01 Apr 21

Osaka reclaimed the title she won in 2019 with a dominant 6-4 6-3 victory over first-time slam finalist Jennifer Brady

Osaka sees off Brady to claim Australian Open title

Naomi Osaka cemented her status as the dominant force in women's tennis with a fourth grand slam title at the Australian Open.

Tennis • 20 Feb 21

Brady faces ultimate test against 'new boss' Osaka

Jennifer Brady spent two weeks in quarantine gathering mental strength for her tilt at a maiden Grand Slam title and will hope there is plenty in reserve when she takes on Naomi Osaka in the Australian Open final.

Tennis • 19 Feb 21

Serena Williams may have said farewell to the Australian Open for good

Emotional Serena bows out of Australian Open

Serena Williams bid a tearful farewell to the Australian Open amid questions about whether she may have played at the tournament for the last time.

Tennis • 18 Feb 21

Serena Williams is chasing an eighth Australian Open title and joint-record 24th Grand Slam

Serena and Osaka to clash in Australian Open semis

Serena Williams gained revenge for her Wimbledon final loss to Simona Halep to set up a blockbuster Australian Open semi-final against Naomi Osaka.

Tennis • 20 Feb 21

Osaka and Williams safely through at Australian Open

Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka both survived close battles to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Tennis • 14 Feb 21

Serena Williams was channelling her inner Flo-Jo with her opening round outfit

Williams and Osaka ease through in Melbourne

Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka made flying starts to their Australian Open campaigns.

Tennis • 08 Feb 21

Naomi Osaka was named Forbes' highest-paid female athlete

Naomi Osaka invests in NWSL club North Carolina Courage

Japan's three-times Grand Slam tennis champion Naomi Osaka has invested in National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team North Carolina Courage to become a team owner.

Soccer • 28 Jan 21

Hamstring injury forces Osaka to miss French Open

Reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the French Open after suffering a hamstring injury.

Tennis • 18 Sep 20

Naomi Osaka is congratulated by Victoria Azarenka

Osaka overcomes Azarenka to win second US Open title

Naomi Osaka staged a brilliant comeback to defeat Victoria Azarenka and win her third grand slam title at the US Open.

Tennis • 12 Sep 20

Victoria Azarenka has reached this year's final in New York

Azarenka stuns Williams to set up Osaka US Open final

Victoria Azarenka stunned Serena Williams 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the semi-finals of the US Open, denying the American the chance of winning a record-equalling 24th grand slam singles title on home soil this year.

Tennis • 11 Sep 20

Naomi Osaka landed just 47% of her first serves in her win over Shelby Rogers

Osaka and Brady secure semi berths at US Open

Naomi Osaka marched into the semi-finals of the US Open with a commanding straight-sets win over Shelby Rogers, while Jennifer Brady joined her after cruising to victory over Yulia Putintseva.

Tennis • 09 Sep 20

Osaka marches on with victory at US Open

Naomi Osaka underlined her status as US Open favourite as she demolished Anett Kontaveit on her way to the quarter-finals.

Tennis • 07 Sep 20

The 2018 champion was pushed all the way

Osaka needs three sets to see off Kostyuk

Title favourite Naomi Osaka survived a scare against Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk to reach the fourth round of the US Open.

Tennis • 05 Sep 20

Naomi Osaka taps rackets after winning during her Women's Singles first round match against Misaki Doi

Osaka using face masks to highlight injustice

Naomi Osaka vowed to continue highlighting issues of racial injustice after reaching the second round of the US Open with a hard-fought win over Japanese compatriot Misaki Doi.

Tennis • 01 Sep 20

Naomi Osaka in action during the semi-finals

Osaka's withdrawal sees Azarenka claim title

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the final of the Western & Southern Open final with a hamstring injury, casting doubts over her participation at the US Open.

Tennis • 29 Aug 20

'Just because it isn't happening to you doesn't mean it isn't happening at all,' Osaka tweeted

Naomi Osaka speaks out over police brutality in US

Two-time Grand Slam tennis champion Naomi Osaka was among a number of United States-based athletes who have taken to social media to condemn the death of an unarmed black man at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Other sport • 30 May 20

Federer first tennis player to top Forbes' Rich List

Roger Federer has become the first tennis player to top Forbes' list of the best-paid athletes in world sport as overall earnings dropped amid the coronavirus pandemic

Tennis • 30 May 20

Naomi Osaka representing Japan in a 2020 Fed Cup qualifier in February

Naomi Osaka backs postponement of home Olympics

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, the nation's poster girl of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, took to social media on Saturday to show her support for the decision to postpone the Games until next year.

Tennis • 28 Mar 20

Ashleigh Barty won an impressive 80% of points on her first serve

Barty advances at WTA Finals as Andreescu withdraws

World number one Ashleigh Barty booked her place in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals with a comprehensive 6-4 6-2 victory over Petra Kvitova in Shenzhen.

Tennis • 31 Oct 19

Naomi Osaka won the Pan Pacific Open at the weekend

Comedy duo apologise after Osaka 'bleach' remarks

A Japanese comedy duo and their management company have apologised after the pair reportedly said during a live event that Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, who just won the Pan Pacific Open at the weekend, "needed some bleach".

Tennis • 25 Sep 19

The 22-yar-old Swiss knocked out defending champion and top seed Naomi Osaka in the fourth round

Giant killer Bencic reaches first grand slam semi-final

Belinda Bencic defeated Donna Vekic to reach her first grand slam semi-final at the US Open.

Tennis • 04 Sep 19

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine celebrates her victory over Johanna Konta

US Open: Svitolina beats Konta, Osaka crashes out

Elina Svitolina continued her dominant run against Johanna Konta with a 6-4 6-4 win on Tuesday to reach the US Open semi-finals for the first time.

Tennis • 03 Sep 19

2018 US Open champion will not be retaining her title

Defending champion Naomi Osaka crashes out of US Open

Top seed and defending champion Naomi Osaka crashed out of the US Open in the fourth round after a straight-sets defeat by Belinda Bencic.

Tennis • 02 Sep 19

Naomi Osaka invited Coco Gauff to share the post match, on-court interview

Coco Gauff bows out in NY but learns lessons from Osaka

Coco Gauff's US Open came to an abrupt end under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday but the 15-year-old said she would leave New York a better player after falling to world number one Naomi Osaka.

Tennis • 01 Sep 19