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Articles by Dan Imhoff
New frontiers: Eala leads South-East Asian charge
This article first appeared in the August/September 2026 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine. To order your copy, visit tennismag.com.au. When Alexandra Eala stood atop the podium at the South East Asian (SEA) Games last December, it was the most attention a champion at the closed event had gathered in almost three decades.
US Open: Hunter, Schoolkate qualify for main-draw returns
A 15-strong Australian contingent will feature in the US Open main draw after Storm Hunter’s and Tristan Schoolkate’s contrasting final-round qualifying victories on Friday (Saturday AEST). Hunter swept past Latvian fourth seed Darija Semenistaja 6-4 6-1 to join Maya Joint, Daria Kasatkina, Kim Birrell, Talia Gibson and Taylah Preston in the women's singles.
Sabalenka’s time to turn it around in New York?
Mykonos has a firm hold on Aryna Sabalenka when the going gets tough and the season calls for a necessary reset. The Aegean reboot is a tried and tested means and for the second year running, the world No.1 has pinned hopes on the idyllic Greek island to help resurrect her season. Sabalenka readily admits 2026 to date hasn’t always panned out as she would have hoped.
Marta Kostyuk: Foundation of support
This article first appeared in the June/July 2026 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine. To order your copy, visit tennismag.com.au. In the all-too-often insular world of professional sport, one which underpins a single-minded drive for a competitive edge, Marta Kostyuk has developed a more balanced understanding. Aware of the need to align her mind and body to live up to her early-touted potential, the former junior champion at Melbourne Park is in the most fruitful stretch of her career.
Andreeva: ‘The feeling in real life is so much better’
Newest Slam champion insists she will remain the same unaffected teen In an increasingly homogenised world, Mirra Andreeva doesn’t stick religiously to a script. This is no ordinary teenager and, for better or worse, there’s never a dull moment in the newly crowned Roland-Garros champion’s sphere, keeping all around her on their toes – even if she admits she’s at times a “tough cookie” to handle.
Arnaldi withdrawal sends Cobolli through to first Slam final
Viral illness ends Italian’s campaign ahead of a semifinal against Flavio Cobolli Flavio Cobolli will face Alexander Zverev for the Roland-Garros men’s title after compatriot Matteo Arnaldi’s shock withdrawal ahead of the semifinals due to a viral illness. Arnaldi, who advanced to the last four at a Slam for the first time after fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini retired due to injury during their quarterfinal, was due to face his good friend on Friday night on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Being 'tennis freak' paying off for first-time finalist Chwalinska
Tennis obsession is helping qualifier sets sights on biggest prize in first Slam final Hours on end glued to a screen, watching her idols compete was Maja Chwalinksa’s idea of homework growing up. What ended up as meticulous research started as a hobby, grew to an obsession and helped carry the improbable Pole to a Roland-Garros final on Thursday. From the outside it appeared nothing could have prepared the 24-year-old, ranked 114th in the world, for a run so deep.
Unheralded Chwalinska books maiden Slam final
The 114th-ranked qualifier adds 25th seed Shnaider to her victims Qualifier Maja Chwalinska will contest her first Grand Slam final after foiling a fellow southpaw on Thursday, 25th seed Diana Shnaider, to add another chapter to an unforgettable Roland-Garros run. Heading into this year’s second major, there was nothing to suggest the 24-year-old Pole was about to embark on the most fruitful stint of her short career.
Tsonga: Open draw ‘gives you a boost to fight even harder’
Tension mounts as favourites crumble and new Slam champion guaranteed It's one thing to prepare for crossing into uncharted territory when closing in on that elusive major trophy. It is a whole other matter when no one left in the Roland-Garros men’s draw by the second week has gone all the way before.
Andreeva powers past retiring Cirstea to reach last four
World’s top-ranked teenager advances to second Paris semifinal in three appearances Mirra Andreeva has soared back into the Roland-Garros semifinals after subduing a resurgent and retiring Sorana Cirstea under the roof at Court Philippe-Chatrier on Tuesday. The eighth seed was imperious through a dominant opening set and withstood the Romanian’s attempts to extend what shaped as her final Paris campaign in a 6-0, 6-3 victory.
Felix breaks new ground
Highest seed in top half steers comfortably clear of Tabilo Slowly but surely, Felix Auger-Aliassime is working his way into contention in his first Grand Slam as a top-four seed, sweeping past Chilean Alejandro Tabilo to reach his maiden Roland-Garros quarterfinal on Monday.
Cobolli holds nerve to reach last eight
Italian 10th seed withstands late fightback from American Zach Svajda Tenth seed Flavio Cobolli will contest his maiden Roland-Garros quarterfinal after steadying his nerves to fend off a late-surging Zachary Svajda in four sets on Monday.
Svitolina sets all-Ukrainian quarterfinal
Seventh seed bounces back to deny Olympic champion in three sets Compatriots Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk will square off to become the first Ukrainian Roland-Garros women’s semifinalist in the Open era after posting contrasting victories on Sunday. Seventh seed Svitolina notched a 10th straight win on clay for the second successive season after defeating 2020 Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Kostyuk stuns four-time champion Swiatek
Ukrainian claims first win over third seed to reach quarterfinals A brave and emboldened Marta Kostyuk will contest her maiden Roland-Garros quarterfinal after upstaging four-time champion Iga Swiatek in straight sets on Sunday. Having failed to take a set in three prior encounters, the Ukrainian flipped the script to scuttle Swiatek’s chance of a first clay-court title in two years and ensure a first-time women’s champion.
Potapova sends Gauff crashing out
Twenty-eighth seed Potapova scrapes through in three sets Reigning champion Coco Gauff’s title defence is over after a hyper-aggressive Anastasia Potapova’s scrappy yet defiant three-set upset in the third round at Roland-Garros on Saturday. Barely in the top 100 at the beginning of last month, the Austrian’s resurgence on clay claimed its biggest victim yet in two hours and 39 minutes.
Sabalenka soars to set Osaka fourth-round clash
World No.1 withstands late fightback from Kasatkina on Lenglen. Aryna Sabalenka has set a blockbuster last-16 showdown against fellow four-time major champion Naomi Osaka after seeing off a late threat from Daria Kasatkina at Roland-Garros on Saturday - the No.1 seed's 100th win at the top of the WTA rankings. The onslaught was relentless early on from Sabalenka before the Australian found her groove with her back to the wall to give the world No.1 a second-set scare in a 6-0, 7-5 result.
Jovic channels mentor Djokovic’s greatest attribute
Teenager still has to pinch herself that Serbian great offers advice. Breakout American teenager Iva Jovic is careful not to push the friendship when a 24-time major champion offers gold nuggets of advice for free. The 18-year-old still pinches herself that her idol, Novak Djokovic, has taken an interest in her career, let alone given his number out should she need to message for tips.
Jodar prevails in five for maiden Slam R4
Spanish teenager holds off Michelsen to break new ground Rafael Jodar will vie for his first Grand Slam quarterfinal spot at Roland-Garros after weathering big-serving American Alex Michelsen over five sets on Friday. The 19-year-old set an all-Spanish showdown against resurgent former world No.10 Pablo Carreno Busta after lifting on serve to turn the screws on Michelsen 7-6(2), 6-7(5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Collignon sweeps past Shelton
Unseeded Belgian follows in coach’s footsteps to fell top-five seed Raphael Collignon has ensured just one top-eight seed remains in a wide-open top half of the men’s draw after humbling fifth seed Ben Shelton to reach the third round at Roland-Garros on Thurday night. On a day when world No.1 Jannik Sinner was sent packing in a five-set boilover, the unseeded 24-year-old went on a tear, harnessing a heavily Belgian crowd on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to derail the American’s bid 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
Tirante writes new chapter in breakout season
Book-loving Thiago Tirante leads Argentine charge at RG Thiago Tirante is in no rush to make his way from the court even after three hours on a sun-baked Parisian afternoon. One of nine Argentines through to the second round at Roland-Garros – the most since 2008 – he was the first of his countrymen through to the last 32 after dismantling the 21st seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Recovery routines could wait.
Swiatek finds solution to Czech puzzle
Four-time champion to play fellow Pole Linette on Friday Iga Swiatek is reticent about stretching her culinary skills too far after conceding she only really knows one simple yet publicly divisive pasta dish. Fortunately, success opens doors for a six-time Grand Slam champion, one of which includes having a chef come to do the cooking at her Paris accommodation during Roland-Garros.
French teenager shocks former major champion
Wildcard Moise Kouame, 17, thrills home crowd to beat Cilic on debut French 17-year-old Moise Kouame might need to seriously reconsider his dream job after landing an emotional breakthrough against former world No.3 Marin Cilic in his Roland-Garros debut on Tuesday.
Svitolina turns the tables on familiar foe
Ukrainian seventh seed avoids third straight defeat to Hungarian Elina Svitolina summoned one of her grittiest Grand Slam escapes to avoid a first-round exit at Roland-Garros against bogeywoman Anna Bondar on Monday. The seventh seed appeared down for the count trailing 1-3 in the deciding set before reeling in the 58th-ranked Hungarian 3-6 6-1 7-6[10-3] after two hours and 26 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Swiatek cruises past teenage debutant
Four-time champion sees off former junior No.1 in an hour on Chatrier Iga Swiatek’s bid to reclaim the Roland-Garros crown is off to a hasty start after she allowed 17-year-old Emerson Jones just three games at the first hurdle. In full flight under full sun on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the Pole delivered a 6-1, 6-2 clay-court masterclass in exactly 60 minutes – her heavy-kicking forehand keeping the teenage Australian under the pump on serve and on the run.
Switched-on Andreeva turns out lights on wildcard
Eighth seed avoids second straight upset to a Frenchwoman in Paris Mirra Andreeva has snuffed out any threat of a repeat upset from the last time she met a French wildcard in Paris, handling the heat to dismiss Fiona Ferro 6-3, 6-3 in the opening round. The 19-year-old’s previous visit to Court Philippe-Chatrier ended in despair when she succumbed to 361st-ranked Lois Boisson and a vociferous Parisian crowd in the quarterfinals last year.
Emotional Kostyuk into second round
Ukrainian 15th seed cruises to 12th straight victory From the stands of Court Simonne-Mathieu, Marta Kostyuk’s opening victory from the outside comes across as a poised and polished performance to begin her seventh Roland-Garros campaign. Barring a flurry of fist pumps, and the odd wobble on serve, there was nothing to overtly suggest this win – the Ukrainian’s 12th successive on clay – over Oksana Selekhmeteva came while carrying a heavier burden than usual.
Calm and confident, Svitolina at ease on chances
Rome champion brings big-name felling form to Paris Fresh from thwarting three of the top four seeds in Rome – all three multi-Slam champions – Elina Svitolina’s name is being circled among the Roland-Garros favourites with good reason this year. Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff all succumbed in three sets in one of the 31-year-old’s most inspired runs, which landed her third Rome trophy.
Sabalenka 'ready to fight' for maiden Paris crown
Top seed turns to rivals to fine-tune her preparations It is one thing to awaken the beast within, a heart-on-sleeve approach to letting the emotions show, but Aryna Sabalenka knows it can come at a cost. Ever the open book on and off the court, the world No.1 has harnessed it to her advantage to successfully navigate her way to four Grand Slam crowns.
Fruhvirtova back where she belongs
Life comes at you fast with each passing teen-phenomenon benchmark. The oldest of two Czech sisters – both of whom claimed the prestigious Petits As for 12 to 14-year-olds – Linda Fruhvirtova was earmarked for success early. It came initially when four years ago she was the first player born in 2005 to land a WTA title. In 2023, in her banner season to date, Fruhvirtova soared to become the youngest in the WTA top 50 at age 17.
Sherif turns the tables for main-draw return
Egyptian trailblazer finds her groove again after tough year Mayar Sherif can pinpoint the moment it all began to click again, when the confidence that deserted her for more than a year finally returned at the most opportune of times this week. It was not simply fortuitous, given the work the former world No.31 had put in, but it was a long time coming in a season where gruelling three-set defeats had snowballed.
R1 popcorn: Svitolina fresh from Rome win
Krejcikova-Baptiste another standout first round battle In-form seventh seed Elina Svitolina faces a daunting and familiar foe in the opening round of Roland-Garros 2026 - the last woman to have stopped her before she charged to the Rome title last week.
Hong Kong trailblazer Wong eyes Paris breakthrough
Asian hope one win from second Grand Slam main draw It is not out of the ordinary for Coleman Wong to find himself in uncharted territory as Hong Kong’s tennis trailblazer. While yet to crack the top 100, Wong is already his nation’s highest-ranked player in history. Third time lucky The firsts roll around frequently and after reaching the final round of qualifying at Roland-Garros on Wednesday, he stands poised to add a main draw appearance in Paris to that list of Hong Kong firsts.
Stephens rolls on as off-court legacy grows
Sloane Stephens visibly lights up the moment the talk flips to her latest off-court accomplishment, an honour of which she says her grandparents would be incredibly proud. Unexpected accolade For all the sport has brought her, including a career-defining US Open triumph in 2017, it all pales in comparison to being a conduit for less fortunate children to forge a path towards their dreams.
Draw build-up: Ten unseeded danger men
A group of players the 32 men's seeds will want to avoid in Thursday's draw Farewells, form and the fearlessness of youth pit a slew of hungry unseeded challengers in the Roland-Garros main draw. Some have the runs on the board as former top-10 players – one even a Grand Slam champion – while others are champing at the bit, unbridled by expectations. These 10 unseeded men’s hopes are among the names any opponent will be wary of when the draws are made at 2pm in Paris on Thursday.
Fit again Andreescu passes first Paris test
Former world No.4 takes humble route to regain momentum It is difficult for Bianca Andreescu to not at least keep half an eye on a Grand Slam tournament unfolding on the opposite side of the world knowing full well she should be part of it. The easier option would be to ignore all coverage so as not to spike envy levels – to avoid pining for that rush of competition that can only be experienced on the biggest stages.
Multi-Slam champions arrive in Paris
Fans enjoy some star-spotting on Monday as Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka hit the courts Naomi Osaka doesn’t hold the fondest memories of the last time she and esteemed Polish coach Tomasz Wiktorowski were both on Court Philippe-Chatrier under a closed roof.
Goffin: Something I’ve never felt in my career
Belgian winds back the clock in swansong campaign Full-circle moments don’t always appear as vividly as that which David Goffin experienced when he walked nervously onto a packed Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Monday. Inside this arena in 2012, a wide-eyed and wiry Goffin – a late addition to the main draw as a lucky loser – took a set off Roger Federer and left his idol mighty impressed after losing their fourth-round encounter on his Grand Slam debut.
Ranking movers: O’Connell returns to top 100 after Rotterdam run
Chris O’Connell made the biggest jump among his Aussie cohort this week following a run to the Rotterdam ATP 500 quarterfinals. The 31-year-old won four straight matches, including two rounds of qualifying and an upset of world No.27 Cameron Norrie to reach his first tour-level quarterfinal since Chengdu in September. O’Connell jumped 24 places to return to the top 100 for the first time since September.
Jones’ Brisbane title lifts her to career-best mark
Emerson Jones has collected her third title on home soil and reached a career-high ranking after denying former world No.31 Zhu Lin in Brisbane at the weekend. At her home training base at the Queensland Tennis Centre, the 17-year-old downed the Chinese third seed 6-4 7-5 for the W75 Australian Pro Tour trophy. Arguably Jones’ toughest test of the week came in the semifinals when she prevailed in three sets after her compatriot and top seed Talia Gibson served for the match in the second set.
Beyond AO: 10 fearless predictions for 2026
The season’s opening major, Australian Open 2026, is done and dusted, which gives us a chance to look into the crystal ball to predict what could unfold through the rest of the year. Here’s 10 fearless predictions as to what happens from here. Sinner to recapture US Open crown Jannik Sinner’s hopes of becoming the first three-peat men’s champion at Melbourne Park since Novak Djokovic were dashed by none other than the Serbian great himself in a four-hour-plus semifinal.
Title, trophy, tattoo: Alcaraz’s methodical march to history
All the greats vividly picture holding a Grand Slam trophy from a young age. Few, though, gain such a crystal-clear picture of the commemorative tattoo they plan to add once their dream becomes reality. Earmarked for success early, Carlos Alcaraz has never shied from outlining his ambitions with each milestone passed. MORE: Alcaraz v Djokovic match statistics Success came quickly – and with each breakthrough at the respective majors, the body ink.
Trust yourself: Rybakina rides internal mantra to trigger turnaround
Struggling to hear her team above the crowd deep into a Grand Slam final, Elena Rybakina accepted it was ultimately on her how she responded when her opponent found her second wind. MORE: Rybakina v Sabalenka match statistics For all the advice that was flowing from her corner courtside under a closed Rod Laver Arena roof on Saturday night, Rybakina took the initiative, found her inner calm and quietened the emotions swirling inside her head.
Alcaraz, Djokovic on cusp of history-making Australian Open final
Novak Djokovic has it down pat how to best manage his emotions while patiently waiting in the wings for hours, ready to be called on court for his showdown at the pointy end of a major. Even still, there’s only so much pacing the halls, stretching, card games and breathing exercises one can do beneath Rod Laver Arena, careful not to expend too much energy while the longest men’s semifinal at Melbourne Park in history plays out.
"Mature" Alcaraz on the brink of tennis history at AO 2026
Carlos Alcaraz remembers a time when pushing his mind and body to its limits didn’t always seem worth the pain. It can be difficult to fathom given his evolution as one of the sport’s modern-day warriors and particularly in light of his near stumble turned great escape against Alexander Zverev in the longest Australian Open semifinal in history on Friday.
Alcaraz survives Zverev in longest AO semifinal to reach first final in Melbourne
Carlos Alcaraz has booked a date with destiny after hauling his body across the line to survive third seed Alexander Zverev in the longest Australian Open semifinal in history. In his 10th major semifinal – his first at Melbourne Park – Alcaraz was in a commanding position at two sets up before his body began to fail him just two games from victory.
AO 2026 Day 13 preview: Men’s semis in the spotlight
Just two men stand to foil Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s pursuit of a 15-year first at Melbourne Park on Friday when the top four seeds square off in the semifinals of Australian Open 2026. MORE: Day 13 schedule of play Not since Novak Djokovic denied Rafael Nadal for three of the four Slams from Wimbledon 2011 to Roland Garros 2012 have two rivals contested four successive major finals between them.
‘Always feel on edge’: Proud Pegula unable to resist Rybakina power
Jessica Pegula’s hopes of a second Grand Slam final – her first off US soil – are back on ice after falling short in her AO 2026 semifinal against Elena Rybakina at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night. MORE: All the scores from Day 12 at AO 2026 Following three unsuccessful attempts to pass the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park, the sixth seed broke fresh ground this fortnight, and saved her best to the bitter end only to stumble with a third set in sight against the former Wimbledon champion.
Coming back stronger: Sabalenka learns from adversity
Resistance to change can be a dangerous portent for a future unfulfilled and Aryna Sabalenka remembers facing the uncomfortable reality in her formative years. It came to a head in the now world No.1’s professional journey when struggling enormously with her serve during her Australian Open campaign four years ago.
Rybakina sounds warning with quarterfinal win over Swiatek
Elena Rybakina has done well to sneak so quietly under the radar this Australian Open, but after scuttling world No.2 Iga Swiatek’s hopes in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, she has sounded a warning loud and clear. The 26-year-old emphatically entered the chat in discussions of title favouritism following a dominant 7-5 6-1 victory at Rod Laver Arena.
Zverev halts Tien's run at AO 2026 to reach semifinal
Alexander Zverev’s recent mastery of left-handed foes has extended after ending 20-year-old Learner Tien’s best run at a major for a fourth Australian Open semifinal berth. The German reached his 10th Grand Slam semifinal at the 25th seed’s expense 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1 7-6(3) to set a high-profile clash against either world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz or Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
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