Vera Zvonareva, seeded number 1 in Carlsbad, advanced to the semifinals yesterday when she defeated 12th seed Sabine Lisicki 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Lisicki was noticeably upset after she lost the first set, and her game did improve in the second. However, she made repeated unforced errors (including nine double-faults), and frequently squandered opportunities. (Note to the broadcast staff I heard via Tennis TV: There is no one named Laszinsky playing for the WTA.)
Zvonareva's semifinal opponent will be Ana Ivanovic, who began her match against 4th seed Peng Shuai down 1-4. Then a couple of things happened: Ivannovic had a word with her coach, and Peng's long-time hip injury flared. It was all Ivanovic after these events, and the 5th seed walked away with a 6-4, 6-2 victory.
3rd seed Andrea Petkovic dominated wild card Sloane Stephens, and won their quarterfinal match 6-2, 6-1. Stephens' one winning game in the second set came was the result of her breaking Petkovic when she served for the match at 5-0.
Petkovic will play 3rd seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals. Radwanska defeated 8th seed Daniela Hantuchova 0-6, 6-4, 6-4. Radwanska sustained a shoulder injury during the match, but continued to play.
In doubles quarterfinal play, 2nd seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta were defeated 7-5, 2-6, 12-10 by Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears.
I enjoyed seeing Stephens for the first time. I thought she had some strong strokes off of both wings.
ReplyDeleteShe has an especially good forehand. Stephens is a good doubles player, and one hopes that--as she matures--she can incorporate those skills into her singles game.
ReplyDelete(I also thought she was pretty funny yesterday when she broke Petkovic.)
In a ideal world A. Radwanska would be a regular Grand Slam contender. Such a fun player to watch... underpowered, but fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would rather watch Radwanska, I think, than any other player currently on the tour. I wish she could develop a second serve (her first serve has improved); she has such a big bag of tricks, and is so quick with her hands.
ReplyDelete