Tennis

The Queen's Club set to host pre-Wimbledon women's event for first time since 1973..By Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent.

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The Queen's Club is poised to stage a pre-Wimbledon tournament for women for the first time since 1973.

If plans are approved, a WTA tournament will be held the week after the French Open in June, on grass courts which will be used by men the following week.

Although no final decision has been made, the LTA and The All England Club are keen to bring a WTA event back to London after more than half a century.

The WTA will need to sanction the new tournament, which could start in 2025.

It is expected to replace Eastbourne as the sole WTA 500 event staged in the UK in the run up to Wimbledon.

Eastbourne will remain in its traditional place, in the week before Wimbledon, but is likely to be downgraded to WTA 250 status. This means fewer ranking points will be awarded, and prize money could potentially fall.

The idea has stemmed from a year-long review of the grass court season, which has also been looking at new ways of maximising the impact of those summer weeks.

If all parties can be persuaded, the new schedule should appear in the 2025 WTA calendar, which is expected to be published in April.

Margaret Court, Chris Evert and Ann Jones all won the women's title at Queen's before the event ended in 1973. It is felt a return to Queen's would boost the visibility and profile of the women's game.

Attracting a field of appropriate quality may prove challenging, however, as many top players prefer not to enter a tournament in the week after a Grand Slam: in this case in anticipation of a deep run on the clay courts of Roland Garros.

Last year, for example, just five top-20 players contested the WTA tournaments in s-Hertogenbosch and Nottingham in the week after the French Open.

Ticket prices may well need to be significantly lower than the hefty sums associated with the men's event. But with the stands going up for the men, and a number of commercial partners already supporting the ATP tournament, the LTA will hope this is also an opportunity to increase revenue.

The courts at The Queen's Club will be put under unprecedented strain, although research carried out for the LTA and the All England Club suggests a week of women's matches causes less stress to grass than a similar load of men's matches.

The women will get first use of the new courts, although some of the men may prefer the harder and less slippery courts they will inherit.

The future of the WTA events in Nottingham and Birmingham is not yet clear. There is no scope for an extra UK grass-court event, so it appears as if one of the two will cease to stage a WTA tournament.

Nottingham has traditionally been the venue in the week reserved for the new Queen's Club tournament. The Edgbaston Priory Club has been staging a tournament in the second week of the grass court season since 1982, but the event has consistently failed to break even.

It remains to be seen whether the playing field at Eastbourne, which last year featured five of the world's top 10, will be affected by the tournament being downgraded to a WTA 250.

There will be fewer ranking points on offer than at the week's other tournament in the German town of Bad Homburg, but many of those who do still want to play in the week before Wimbledon may prefer the shorter journey to The All England Club from the south coast of England.

"The LTA and the All England Club have been reviewing the grass court season with the intention of improving the experience for fans and players," the LTA said in a statement.

"We continue to discuss the future grass court calendar with the ATP and WTA, however, at the moment no final decisions have been taken."

Indian Wells: Andy Murray beats David Goffin to reach second round..

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Britain's Andy Murray claimed a straight-set win over David Goffin to reach the second round of Indian Wells.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, 36, revealed at last month's Dubai Tennis Championships he is not planning to "play much past this summer".

In his first match since then, Murray raced to a routine 6-3 6-2 victory against the Belgian qualifier.

Murray's future has come under increased scrutiny after struggling for wins in recent months, winning just two of his eight matches before Indian Wells.

However, the former world number one looked in good form as he sent down two aces to seal a 34-minute opening set against Goffin.

Murray took an early advantage in the second set and broke again to go 5-2 up and serve out the win with an ace. He will next face Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev.

"That's the best I've served here," said Murray, who is making his 16th appearance at Indian Wells.

"I've always struggled serving, certainly the last 10 years or so, when I've been here for whatever reason."

Murray told BBC Sport: "The conditions here this year definitely help. It's not the same as it has been for the most part of my career here - it's significantly faster than before, which I like. I wish it had been like that for the past 15 years or so."

Indian Wells: Cameron Norrie beats Lorenzo Sonego to reach round three..

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British number one Cameron Norrie beat Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 6-4 to reach round three at Indian Wells.

Norrie, 28, enjoyed a straightforward opening set, breaking Italy's Sonego once and holding on to his own service games to win it.

He broke twice in the second set to lead 5-2 but Sonego, also 28, fought back to win two games before Norrie served out for the win.

Norrie, the 28th seed, will next face Gael Monfils after the French veteran beat the eighth seed, Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, 6-0 6-7 (5-7) 6-2.

This is Norrie's first tournament since he lost in straight sets to Argentine qualifier Mariano Navone in the semi-finals of the ATP Rio Open on 25 February.

Norrie, who won the tournament at Indian Wells in 2021, struggled with the hot and humid conditions in Rio and has been recovering from illness over the past few weeks.

"I got sick at the end of Rio so I haven't been able to practise too much," Norrie told Sky Sports after his win against Sonego.

"I've been trying to recover and that's why I was happy to be out here. I just need to build back again for Miami and all these matches to try to improve. It's not easy but you take it for granted sometimes when you're not feeling well.

"It's good memories coming here again. I like the courts and facilities. It's always positive memories and I enjoy coming here year after year."

Indian Wells: Britain's Cameron Norrie loses to Gael Monfils in third round..

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British number one Cameron Norrie suffered a third-round loss to Frenchman Gael Monfils after a gruelling three sets at Indian Wells.

Former champion Norrie, 28, took the first set in a tie-break but eventually fell to a 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 defeat after more than three hours.

Monfils, 37, has now won all four matches he has played against Norrie.

He will face Norwegian ninth seed Casper Ruud or French teenager Arthur Fils for a place in the quarter-finals.

Norrie, who struggled with illness following his previous tournament in Rio in late February, made a dominant start and broke his opponents' serve in the opening game on his sixth break point.

But he failed to take any of his nine break points in Monfils' second game, and the world number 54 responded to level the set at 3-3.

Monfils - who saved 18 of the 20 break points he faced in the first set - ensured another twist as he broke back for a second time with Norrie serving for the set, but it was the Briton who eventually prevailed in a fittingly unpredictable tie-break.

Norrie repeated his fast start with an early break of serve to establish a 3-0 advantage in the second set, but Monfils again battled back to force a tie-break - this time edging it to force a decider.

And it was Monfils who struck the decisive blow eight games into the third set before serving out the match to love to complete an epic comeback after three hours and 12 minutes.

"It was pretty gutting to lose it having so many chances," said Norrie.

"But I think looking back, five or six days ago I probably wasn't even going to play the tournament so it's nice to be feeling healthy again.

"I actually felt good out there. Physically in the third set I was not as good as the start of the match, and I think it was a small difference."

Indian Wells: Novak Djokovic knocked out by lucky loser Luca Nardi..

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Italy's Luca Nardi orchestrated a thrilling upset in straight sets against Novak Djokovic in Cali.

World number one Novak Djokovic was beaten by 20-year-old lucky loser Luca Nardi in round three at Indian Wells.

Italian Nardi, ranked 123 in the world, had originally been knocked out in qualifying but reached the main draw after another player's withdrawal.

He hit 34 winners in a 6-4 3-6 6-3 win over the 24-time Grand Slam champion, converting match point with an ace.

"It's crazy," said Nardi, the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic at ATP Masters 1,000 or Grand Slam level.

"I don't know [how I held my nerve], I think it is a miracle, because I am a 20-year-old guy, and beating Novak."

Djokovic, 36, who was beaten by eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, is yet to win a tournament this year.

"No titles this year. That's not something I'm used to," said the Serb, who hit 17 winners but made nine unforced errors.

"I was starting the season most of my career with a Grand Slam win or Dubai win. It's fine. It's part of the sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win, some you lose.

"Hopefully I'll win some more and still keep going. I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great, to break the kind of negative cycle a little bit I'm having in the last three, four tournaments where I haven't really been close to my best."

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Tennis' No. 1 was stunned after his three set loss in the third round to Nardi, who ranks No. 123

Nardi, who was beaten by Belgium's David Goffin in the final round of qualifying, said it was an "amazing feeling".

"I couldn't even imagine to play a match against him, and now I also beat him," he added.

"It's such a dream come true for me. After the match, my coaches told me, Luca, everyone was cheering for you. Incredible. Against Djokovic, he's the best player ever.

"I will keep it, this moment, for the rest of my life."

Nardi will play Tommy Paul in the last 16, with the American progressing courtesy of a 6-4 6-4 win over France's Ugo Humbert.

Billie Jean King Cup qualifying: Emma Raducanu named in Great Britain squad..

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Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu has been named in Great Britain's squad to face France in the qualifying round of the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup.

Raducanu, 21, joins British number one Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart and Heather Watson in what captain Anne Keothavong says is a "full-strength team".

France will host the tie from 12th-13th April after they beat Keothavong's team in Coventry last year.

Keothavong insisted GB were "getting stronger and better".

She told the LTA website, external: "I'm delighted to be travelling with a full-strength team off the back of some terrific results recently.

"The French side will present a significant challenge as always, but we all know how representing GB inspires us."

GB booked their place in this year's qualifiers with a 3-1 play-off win over Sweden in November.

The winner of the best-of-five tie will progress to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals later this year, while the losing nation will compete in the play-offs.

Great Britain and France have faced each other four times in the tournament's history, with both sides securing two victories each.

Raducanu is continuing her comeback after an injury-hit 2023 season - her latest match ended in a straight-set defeat in the third round at Indian Wells on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Boulter, 27, won her first WTA 500 title earlier this month after coming from a set down to beat Marta Kostyuk in the San Diego Open final.

Emma Raducanu withdraws from Miami Open with lower back injury..

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Britain's Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Miami Open with a lower back injury - but her management company say the issue is "nothing serious".

The 21-year-old was due to face China's Wang Xiyu in the first round on Tuesday.

However, she does not want to risk aggravating the injury by playing in the tournament in the United States.

It is a blow to Raducanu's comeback following an injury-disrupted 2023 season.

"I have been experiencing lower back pain and at this stage of my return to competition I don't want to risk anything happening," Raducanu said in a statement issued by tournament organisers.

"I really tried my best to be ready and I'm sad to be pulling out of Miami as it's a cool tournament, but wish the event all the best."

The 2021 US Open champion was beaten in straight sets by world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the third round at Indian Wells last week.

It is not known whether the injury will impact Raducanu's selection in Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup squad for their qualifying-round tie with France from 12-13 April.

Before her defeat by two-time Australian Open winner Sabalenka, Raducanu had recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since winning three in a row at Indian Wells 12 months ago.

She made her return to the tour in January following an eight-month absence, during which she had operations on both of her wrists and her left ankle.

Now ranked 288th in the world, Raducanu - who was given a wildcard for the Miami Open - said earlier this month she was "not too concerned" about results as her focus this year is on developing her game.

Miami Open: Andy Murray beats Matteo Berrettini..By Jonathan Jurejko, BBC Sport.

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Britain's Andy Murray earned a much-needed win by beating former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini - who almost fainted in the second set - in a tricky Miami Open first-round draw.

Murray, 36, fought back to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 as Italy's Berrettini indicated he was struggling with dizziness.

Murray, who plans to retire later this year, was able to earn only his fourth win in 11 matches this season.

He wrote "life in the old dog yet" on a camera lens after sealing victory.

British number four Murray, ranked 62nd in the world, will next face Argentine 29th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who beat him in a subdued Australian Open first-round exit earlier this year.

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Murray's scrawled message on the television camera - which is customary for the winner - indicated his satisfaction at extending what is expected to be the two-time champion's final appearance in Miami.

The former world number one, who turns 37 in May, recently said he does not "plan on playing much past the summer" when pressed about his retirement plans.

Murray has been candid about his struggles in recent months and looked to be heading to another defeat against former world number six Berrettini, who was playing his first ATP Tour match in almost seven months.

Berrettini, whose own career has been stalled by a succession of long-term injuries, demonstrated he has not lost his strong service game by landing 78% of his typically-hefty first serves in an impressive first set.

Three-time major champion Murray, rarely one to roll over, improved considerably in the second set and turned the match around.

More proactive in the points and making fewer unforced errors, the Scot was rewarded by taking his third break point of the game for a 4-2 lead.

Then came a dramatic and concerning moment when Berrettini, serving to stay in the set at 5-2, wobbled as he was preparing to play.

The 27-year-old needed treatment from a doctor for dizziness before being able to continue, but also took a long break off the court before the deciding set.

With Berrettini still looking uncomfortable, Murray maintained his intensity to break at the fourth time of asking in a 12-minute opening game and it was enough to secure a much-needed success.

His celebration was respectfully reserved given the circumstances and he made sure his first act was to ask Berrettini how he felt when they shook hands at the net.

Miami Open: Andy Murray beats Tomas Martin Etcheverry to reach third round..

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Andy Murray gained a measure of revenge against Tomas Martin Etcheverry by beating the Argentine in the second round of the Miami Open.

Etcheverry had beaten the Briton in the first round of the Australian Open earlier this year, but Murray won 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 this time around.

The match resumed at 3-3 after being suspended because of rain on Friday.

Murray convincingly won a first set tie-break before one break in the second was enough to secure victory.

The 36-year-old produced a delightful backhand cross-court lob on the way to breaking Etcheverry in the sixth game of the second set.

Murray survived a break point in the next game and went 5-2 up with a hat-trick of aces.

Serving for the set, Murray was 0-40 down before getting to deuce with a backhand that just caught the line.

He then secured victory in two hours 16 minutes when Etcheverry, ranked 30th in the world, sent a forehand long and wide on match point.

Overall, Murray served 10 aces, hit 28 winners compared to 17 from his opponent, and saved seven of seven break points.

He will play Tomas Machac, who is 60th in the men's rankings, of the Czech Republic in the last 32.

Murray is a two-time champion of the tournament but this is expected to be his final appearance in Miami as he plans to retire later this year.