Stephen Higgins
@crosscourtview.com
Editor of crosscourtview.com - Frequent tennis contributor on RTÉ Radio - Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for tennis news, results, rankings and more: crosscourtview.com/newsletter.html
Unfortunately, it didn't go Ireland's way yesterday as Syria took the Group II play-off tie.
You can read my report of the day here.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/syria-c...
You can read my report of the day here.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/syria-c...
Syria clinch crucial doubles before Al Azmeh relegates Ireland to Group III - Tennis Ireland
By Stephen Higgins Ireland will return to Group III of the Davis Cup after Syria edged a dramatic doubles contest before Taym Al Azmeh overcame Michael Agwi to clinch the […]
www.tennisireland.ie
February 9, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Unfortunately, it didn't go Ireland's way yesterday as Syria took the Group II play-off tie.
You can read my report of the day here.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/syria-c...
You can read my report of the day here.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/syria-c...
Well, I'm back at it again for day two of Ireland's Davis Cup tie with Syria.
We're level at 1-1 after an extraordinary first day. You can follow my live blog here and I will have a report on the day later this evening.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
We're level at 1-1 after an extraordinary first day. You can follow my live blog here and I will have a report on the day later this evening.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
Davis Cup - Ireland v Syria Liveblog - Tennis Ireland
Welcome to the liveblog for day two of Ireland’s Group II play-off decider with Syria Ireland 1 – 1 Syria Day One Recap First Singles: Hazem Naw (SYR) beat Michael […]
www.tennisireland.ie
February 8, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Well, I'm back at it again for day two of Ireland's Davis Cup tie with Syria.
We're level at 1-1 after an extraordinary first day. You can follow my live blog here and I will have a report on the day later this evening.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
We're level at 1-1 after an extraordinary first day. You can follow my live blog here and I will have a report on the day later this evening.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
Match report from an extraordinary day at the UL Sport Arena where the Irish no.2, Peter Buldorini, overcame severe cramps to bring Ireland level for day two.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
Davis Cup: Brave Buldorini brings Ireland level going into day two - Tennis Ireland
By Stephen Higgins Words cannot do justice to the drama that unfolded at the end of day one at the UL Sport Arena. Having notched the first set after a […]
www.tennisireland.ie
February 7, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Match report from an extraordinary day at the UL Sport Arena where the Irish no.2, Peter Buldorini, overcame severe cramps to bring Ireland level for day two.
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
I'm on Davis Cup duty this weekend as Ireland take on Syria in the Group II play-off at Limerick's UL Sport Arena.
I'm doing a liveblog for Tennis Ireland over the weekend and you can follow the action here:
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
I'm doing a liveblog for Tennis Ireland over the weekend and you can follow the action here:
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
Davis Cup - Ireland v Syria Liveblog - Tennis Ireland
Welcome to the liveblog for Ireland’s Group II play-off decider with Syria. On day one (Saturday February 7th 2026), we have two singles rubbers on the schedule. Michael Agwi (IRE) […]
www.tennisireland.ie
February 7, 2026 at 12:01 PM
I'm on Davis Cup duty this weekend as Ireland take on Syria in the Group II play-off at Limerick's UL Sport Arena.
I'm doing a liveblog for Tennis Ireland over the weekend and you can follow the action here:
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
I'm doing a liveblog for Tennis Ireland over the weekend and you can follow the action here:
www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...
I've just sent out a bumper Crosscourt View newsletter with photos and thoughts from the 2026 Australian Open.
Plus a preview of Ireland's Davis Cup tie with Syria this weekend.
It's free to subscribe and is the best way to follow my work. Check it out below:
mailchi.mp/crosscourtvi...
Plus a preview of Ireland's Davis Cup tie with Syria this weekend.
It's free to subscribe and is the best way to follow my work. Check it out below:
mailchi.mp/crosscourtvi...
February 6, 2026 at 7:55 PM
I've just sent out a bumper Crosscourt View newsletter with photos and thoughts from the 2026 Australian Open.
Plus a preview of Ireland's Davis Cup tie with Syria this weekend.
It's free to subscribe and is the best way to follow my work. Check it out below:
mailchi.mp/crosscourtvi...
Plus a preview of Ireland's Davis Cup tie with Syria this weekend.
It's free to subscribe and is the best way to follow my work. Check it out below:
mailchi.mp/crosscourtvi...
I'm on the way to Limerick for Ireland's Davis Cup contest with Syria tomorrow.
The Irish need to win to remain in Group II.
You can check out my preview below:
crosscourtview.com/irish-tennis...
The Irish need to win to remain in Group II.
You can check out my preview below:
crosscourtview.com/irish-tennis...
Preview | Ireland v Syria
Ireland hope to retain status in Group II against competitive Syrian side
crosscourtview.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I'm on the way to Limerick for Ireland's Davis Cup contest with Syria tomorrow.
The Irish need to win to remain in Group II.
You can check out my preview below:
crosscourtview.com/irish-tennis...
The Irish need to win to remain in Group II.
You can check out my preview below:
crosscourtview.com/irish-tennis...
I've trawled through the photos and put together a gallery from my week at the Australian Open.
It's a bumper one with Federer, Agassi, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Sinner and lots more.
crosscourtview.com/gallery/2026...
It's a bumper one with Federer, Agassi, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Sinner and lots more.
crosscourtview.com/gallery/2026...
Gallery | 2026 Australian Open
A collection of my photos from the 2026 Australian Open featuring Federer, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sinner, Sabalenka and more
crosscourtview.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:56 AM
I've trawled through the photos and put together a gallery from my week at the Australian Open.
It's a bumper one with Federer, Agassi, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Sinner and lots more.
crosscourtview.com/gallery/2026...
It's a bumper one with Federer, Agassi, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Sinner and lots more.
crosscourtview.com/gallery/2026...
Great to see Alcaraz respond to the first set with improved accuracy on the serve and his groundstrokes seem to have settled down.
A dip from Djokovic has also helped mightily.
Looks like we'll be a set apiece shortly.
A dip from Djokovic has also helped mightily.
Looks like we'll be a set apiece shortly.
February 1, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Great to see Alcaraz respond to the first set with improved accuracy on the serve and his groundstrokes seem to have settled down.
A dip from Djokovic has also helped mightily.
Looks like we'll be a set apiece shortly.
A dip from Djokovic has also helped mightily.
Looks like we'll be a set apiece shortly.
This is a simple equation at the moment:
Djokovic is playing well while Alcaraz is sub par.
The Spaniard is really struggling to hit his spots on serve and that's perilous with the Serb.
And Djokovic is teeing off with the forehand every opportunity.
Only one winner if this trend continues.
Djokovic is playing well while Alcaraz is sub par.
The Spaniard is really struggling to hit his spots on serve and that's perilous with the Serb.
And Djokovic is teeing off with the forehand every opportunity.
Only one winner if this trend continues.
February 1, 2026 at 9:21 AM
This is a simple equation at the moment:
Djokovic is playing well while Alcaraz is sub par.
The Spaniard is really struggling to hit his spots on serve and that's perilous with the Serb.
And Djokovic is teeing off with the forehand every opportunity.
Only one winner if this trend continues.
Djokovic is playing well while Alcaraz is sub par.
The Spaniard is really struggling to hit his spots on serve and that's perilous with the Serb.
And Djokovic is teeing off with the forehand every opportunity.
Only one winner if this trend continues.
What a start from Djokovic.
So clean and purposeful while Alcaraz oscillates between the odd brilliant dropshot and costly errors.
Couldn't be going better for him so far.
So clean and purposeful while Alcaraz oscillates between the odd brilliant dropshot and costly errors.
Couldn't be going better for him so far.
February 1, 2026 at 9:09 AM
What a start from Djokovic.
So clean and purposeful while Alcaraz oscillates between the odd brilliant dropshot and costly errors.
Couldn't be going better for him so far.
So clean and purposeful while Alcaraz oscillates between the odd brilliant dropshot and costly errors.
Couldn't be going better for him so far.
Elena Rybakina takes the 2026 Australian Open title.
It's the second grand slam of her career after Wimbledon 2022.
The Kazakh has won 14 of her last 15 matches.
As for Sabalenka, a surprising emotional dip just when she looked in control.
It's the second grand slam of her career after Wimbledon 2022.
The Kazakh has won 14 of her last 15 matches.
As for Sabalenka, a surprising emotional dip just when she looked in control.
January 31, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Elena Rybakina takes the 2026 Australian Open title.
It's the second grand slam of her career after Wimbledon 2022.
The Kazakh has won 14 of her last 15 matches.
As for Sabalenka, a surprising emotional dip just when she looked in control.
It's the second grand slam of her career after Wimbledon 2022.
The Kazakh has won 14 of her last 15 matches.
As for Sabalenka, a surprising emotional dip just when she looked in control.
The emotional swing here is incredible. Rybakina a game away.
January 31, 2026 at 10:56 AM
The emotional swing here is incredible. Rybakina a game away.
Rybakina faltered at the end there, looked like stress in her game and Sabalenka took advantage.
Sabalenka looks primed to take this match unless Rybakina can rediscover the mojo.
Sabalenka looks primed to take this match unless Rybakina can rediscover the mojo.
January 31, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Rybakina faltered at the end there, looked like stress in her game and Sabalenka took advantage.
Sabalenka looks primed to take this match unless Rybakina can rediscover the mojo.
Sabalenka looks primed to take this match unless Rybakina can rediscover the mojo.
Rybakina has such a fabulous, clean serve.
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Rybakina has such a fabulous, clean serve.
I'd say this is going as we expected.
Rybakina got the edge early and was able to clinch the first set behind that serve and +1 combo.
But as always, Sabalenka fights back and it's either woman's contest at this point.
Rybakina got the edge early and was able to clinch the first set behind that serve and +1 combo.
But as always, Sabalenka fights back and it's either woman's contest at this point.
January 31, 2026 at 9:54 AM
I'd say this is going as we expected.
Rybakina got the edge early and was able to clinch the first set behind that serve and +1 combo.
But as always, Sabalenka fights back and it's either woman's contest at this point.
Rybakina got the edge early and was able to clinch the first set behind that serve and +1 combo.
But as always, Sabalenka fights back and it's either woman's contest at this point.
So Sabalenka v Rybakina
- First serve percentage will be huge for both women because they both take huge cuts on return
- Very tight head-to-head at 8-6 to Aryna
- Played four times in 2025 and shared them 2-2
- Honestly, a coin toss on who wins for me
- First serve percentage will be huge for both women because they both take huge cuts on return
- Very tight head-to-head at 8-6 to Aryna
- Played four times in 2025 and shared them 2-2
- Honestly, a coin toss on who wins for me
January 31, 2026 at 8:29 AM
So Sabalenka v Rybakina
- First serve percentage will be huge for both women because they both take huge cuts on return
- Very tight head-to-head at 8-6 to Aryna
- Played four times in 2025 and shared them 2-2
- Honestly, a coin toss on who wins for me
- First serve percentage will be huge for both women because they both take huge cuts on return
- Very tight head-to-head at 8-6 to Aryna
- Played four times in 2025 and shared them 2-2
- Honestly, a coin toss on who wins for me
What a day of semi-finals, capped off by a miraculous effort from the 10-time Australian Open champion.
Sinner didn't give it to Djokovic, the 38-year-old earnt that historic victory. His forehand was the stuff of legend today.
So Djokovic v Alcaraz in the men's final. Yes please.
Sinner didn't give it to Djokovic, the 38-year-old earnt that historic victory. His forehand was the stuff of legend today.
So Djokovic v Alcaraz in the men's final. Yes please.
January 30, 2026 at 2:36 PM
What a day of semi-finals, capped off by a miraculous effort from the 10-time Australian Open champion.
Sinner didn't give it to Djokovic, the 38-year-old earnt that historic victory. His forehand was the stuff of legend today.
So Djokovic v Alcaraz in the men's final. Yes please.
Sinner didn't give it to Djokovic, the 38-year-old earnt that historic victory. His forehand was the stuff of legend today.
So Djokovic v Alcaraz in the men's final. Yes please.
The level that Djokovic can still play at aged 38 is extraordinary.
Let's hope we have an awesome final set.
Let's hope we have an awesome final set.
January 30, 2026 at 1:35 PM
The level that Djokovic can still play at aged 38 is extraordinary.
Let's hope we have an awesome final set.
Let's hope we have an awesome final set.
That's probably it.
It's such an incredible challenge for Djokovic to hang over five sets with these two guys with a 14-year age gap.
He can play to a supreme standard for a set or so, but Sinner and Alcaraz just last and last...like he did for so long.
It's such an incredible challenge for Djokovic to hang over five sets with these two guys with a 14-year age gap.
He can play to a supreme standard for a set or so, but Sinner and Alcaraz just last and last...like he did for so long.
January 30, 2026 at 12:43 PM
That's probably it.
It's such an incredible challenge for Djokovic to hang over five sets with these two guys with a 14-year age gap.
He can play to a supreme standard for a set or so, but Sinner and Alcaraz just last and last...like he did for so long.
It's such an incredible challenge for Djokovic to hang over five sets with these two guys with a 14-year age gap.
He can play to a supreme standard for a set or so, but Sinner and Alcaraz just last and last...like he did for so long.
The tragedy of that for Zverev at the end.
Seems like just at the crucial moment, his body started to give in after a gargantuan effort to that point.
As for Carlos. Maybe the only man around who could compete on one leg until the cramps subsided.
At the end, he was magnificent.
Seems like just at the crucial moment, his body started to give in after a gargantuan effort to that point.
As for Carlos. Maybe the only man around who could compete on one leg until the cramps subsided.
At the end, he was magnificent.
January 30, 2026 at 9:18 AM
The tragedy of that for Zverev at the end.
Seems like just at the crucial moment, his body started to give in after a gargantuan effort to that point.
As for Carlos. Maybe the only man around who could compete on one leg until the cramps subsided.
At the end, he was magnificent.
Seems like just at the crucial moment, his body started to give in after a gargantuan effort to that point.
As for Carlos. Maybe the only man around who could compete on one leg until the cramps subsided.
At the end, he was magnificent.
Not the fault of the players, but a couple of awful semi-finals so far.
January 29, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Not the fault of the players, but a couple of awful semi-finals so far.
That was shocking from Coco. Wonder what's going on?
On the other hand, great to see an aggressive and clinical Svitolina.
The Ukrainian had so many painfully passive exits at slams over the years, so fair play to her on playing the matches on her terms now.
On the other hand, great to see an aggressive and clinical Svitolina.
The Ukrainian had so many painfully passive exits at slams over the years, so fair play to her on playing the matches on her terms now.
January 27, 2026 at 9:15 AM
That was shocking from Coco. Wonder what's going on?
On the other hand, great to see an aggressive and clinical Svitolina.
The Ukrainian had so many painfully passive exits at slams over the years, so fair play to her on playing the matches on her terms now.
On the other hand, great to see an aggressive and clinical Svitolina.
The Ukrainian had so many painfully passive exits at slams over the years, so fair play to her on playing the matches on her terms now.
Well it's taken a while, but I've finally completed the career grand slam...for attendance obviously!
Melbourne has been a brilliant experience and I'm incredibly lucky to have seen the variety of players I have over the past week, let alone the great city.
Hopefully, I'll make it back.
Melbourne has been a brilliant experience and I'm incredibly lucky to have seen the variety of players I have over the past week, let alone the great city.
Hopefully, I'll make it back.
January 23, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Well it's taken a while, but I've finally completed the career grand slam...for attendance obviously!
Melbourne has been a brilliant experience and I'm incredibly lucky to have seen the variety of players I have over the past week, let alone the great city.
Hopefully, I'll make it back.
Melbourne has been a brilliant experience and I'm incredibly lucky to have seen the variety of players I have over the past week, let alone the great city.
Hopefully, I'll make it back.
Poor ADF is whatever the opposite of locked in is.
That's a bad situation in a grand slam, particularly against Tommy Paul.
American cruising here.
That's a bad situation in a grand slam, particularly against Tommy Paul.
American cruising here.
January 23, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Poor ADF is whatever the opposite of locked in is.
That's a bad situation in a grand slam, particularly against Tommy Paul.
American cruising here.
That's a bad situation in a grand slam, particularly against Tommy Paul.
American cruising here.
Some proper Dublin weather in Melbourne now. Chilly breeze and overcast.
Feels like home.
Might wreck this Parks-Muchova match though.
Feels like home.
Might wreck this Parks-Muchova match though.
January 21, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Some proper Dublin weather in Melbourne now. Chilly breeze and overcast.
Feels like home.
Might wreck this Parks-Muchova match though.
Feels like home.
Might wreck this Parks-Muchova match though.