Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Players forced by Cincinnati weather to double up on Wednesday

 


Today was all about catch-up at the Western & Southern Open. There was rain this morning, but this time, when the sky cleared, it stayed that way. Some players who played today will have to play tonight also because of all of the matches that were held over from yesterday.

Kristina Mladenovic, Andrea Petkovic, Johanna Larsson, and Kurumi Nara will make repeat appearances later, provided the dry (I use the term loosely--the humidity is brutal) weather holds up. Mladenovic, who defeated qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko earlier today, will play on center court against Olympic silver medal winner Angelique Kerber. The two have met only once before, on a hard court in Brisbane in 2014, and Kerber won that match in straight sets.

Petkovic was victorious in three sets over Lucie Safarova today, and tonight, she'll face off against Aga Radwanska. Both Kerber and Radwanska are tired from their ordeals regarding Rio, so that seems to add up to four weary players. Should be interesting.

Qualifier Alize Cornet retired in her match against Carla Suarez Navarro, qualifier Timea Babos upset 13th seed Belinda Bencic, and qualifier Daria Gavrilova upset 17th seed Elina Svitolina. Other second round winners today were Simona Halep, Misaki Doi, Johanna Konta, Roberta Vinci.

Of interest (it goes without saying) is Barbora Strycova, who has now defeated both Genie Bouchard and 14th seed Sam Stosur in straight sets. Strycova is serving quite well. In the next round, she'll get either 2nd (and top) seed Angie Kerber or Kiki Mladenovic, who are about to begin play on Center Court.

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