Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, after losing in straight sets in the third round of the Australian Open and losing to Australia in straight sets in Fed Cup, found their winning ways again today in Dubai. The 2nd seeds defeated Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik 7-6, 6-4 in the final of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships.
There were nine breaks of serve in the championship match. Llagostera Vives and Martinez Sanchez came back from being 2-5 down in the first set, and were in danger of going down 3-5 in the second.
Showing posts with label Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. Show all posts
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Venus defends Dubai title
When Venus Williams is on her game, she is very, very hard to beat. She was on it today in Dubai, and defeated spirited challenger Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 7-5 to win her second Dubai title in as many years.
Williams' serve was working well for her, she hit seven aces, and her backhand was as good as ever. Throughout the match, Azarenka had to work harder. She served better in the second set, which definitely helped her. And though she lost the final, Azarenka treated every point as a new opportunity, something she has not been able to do in the past. Gone (at least for now) are the meltdowns and negative attitudes that plagued her in the past. If she can keep up this mentality, she really has nowhere to go but up.
In the meantime, Venus Williams now has 42 singles titles to her credit, and--if she keeps playing like she did today--she will increase that number.
Williams' serve was working well for her, she hit seven aces, and her backhand was as good as ever. Throughout the match, Azarenka had to work harder. She served better in the second set, which definitely helped her. And though she lost the final, Azarenka treated every point as a new opportunity, something she has not been able to do in the past. Gone (at least for now) are the meltdowns and negative attitudes that plagued her in the past. If she can keep up this mentality, she really has nowhere to go but up.
In the meantime, Venus Williams now has 42 singles titles to her credit, and--if she keeps playing like she did today--she will increase that number.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Black & Huber upset in Dubai semifinals
The team of Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik may be unseeded in Dubai, but both are accomplished doubles players who, today, took out the number 1 seeds in the semifinals. Peschke and Srebotnik defeated Cara Black and Liezel Huber 6-4, 2-6, 11-9 and advanced to the final. Their opponent will be number 2 seeds Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
Williams and Azarena to meet in Dubai final
Shahar Peer's wonderful Dubai run came to an end today when she could not stop defending champion Venus Williams from going to her second straight Dubai final. Williams defeated Peer 6-1, 6-4.
Williams' opponent in the final will be Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 6-4 in a match that contained some stunning rallies and was quite entertaining. Radwanska has it all--except for a good serve (haven't we heard that before?)--and until she improves that, she is likely to stay out of the elite circle of tennis. That would be a pity because the rest of her game is superior, and a pleasure to watch.
Azarenka continues to come to the net more, and said in her post-match interview that she has recently been inspired by the great Stefan Edberg.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Doubles semifinals set in Dubai
Top seed Cara Black and Liezel Huber are into the Dubai semifinals, and will play Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik. The other semifinal will be played between 4th seeds Nadia Petrova and Sam Stosur, and 2nd seeds Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
Azarenka makes it look easy in Dubai
Vera Zvonareva, who played quite well in Dubai today in her first set against 8th seed Victoria Azarenka, received almost nothing in return for her effort. No matter what she did, Azarenka went her one better. Even when Zvonareva tried to crack her racquet on the court, she was unsuccessful, and had to crack it a second time to get it to break. She told her coach, "I see empty spaces all over the court, and I hit the ball to them, and she gets all the balls. I feel like my feet are stuck."
Azarenka, who was playing almost error-free tennis, did have a bit of a let-down in the second set, which, for a while, didn't seem to matter, because it looked as though Zvonareva were going to self-destruct. But Zvonareva pulled herself together and made the set more competitive. The 4th seed just wasn't good enough, however, to get past Azarenka, who won the quarterfinal match 6-1, 6-3.
I was able to see the last half of the third set between Agnieszka Radwanska and Regina Kulikova, and I wish I had seen the whole thing. Radwanska, seeded 7th, apparently had all she could handle in Kulikova, the Russian player who defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round. I was impressed with what little I saw of Kulikova, and I was really impressed with Radwanska, who--at least in the part of the match I saw--was serving better than usual. Kulikova grew tired in the third set, and--after being broken--had a couple of chances to break back, but could not do so. When she threw a backhand volley into the net at 3-5, it seemed obvious that her chances were gone. Radwanska won, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Li Na had to retire in the second set in her quarterfinal match against Shahar Peer. Li sustained a back injury, and all we can do is hold our collective breath and hope this isn't another of those injuries that keeps Li off the tour for months. She really is cursed with some of the worst luck of any player.
Finally, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova just wasn't ready to play her best game today. She made too many errors and was a bit sluggish, allowing Venus Williams to take control of rallies and to take control of the match, 6-3, 6-4. It took Williams seven match points to get the job done, though, partly because Pavlyuchenkova fought back so hard, but also because the 3rd seed was having so much trouble with her ball toss. Throughout the match, Williams had to re-toss the ball before serving. Pavlyuchenkova and Williams, by the way, are now 2-2 in head-to-head competition.
In the semifinals, Peer will play Williams, and Azarenka will play Radwanska.
Azarenka, who was playing almost error-free tennis, did have a bit of a let-down in the second set, which, for a while, didn't seem to matter, because it looked as though Zvonareva were going to self-destruct. But Zvonareva pulled herself together and made the set more competitive. The 4th seed just wasn't good enough, however, to get past Azarenka, who won the quarterfinal match 6-1, 6-3.
I was able to see the last half of the third set between Agnieszka Radwanska and Regina Kulikova, and I wish I had seen the whole thing. Radwanska, seeded 7th, apparently had all she could handle in Kulikova, the Russian player who defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round. I was impressed with what little I saw of Kulikova, and I was really impressed with Radwanska, who--at least in the part of the match I saw--was serving better than usual. Kulikova grew tired in the third set, and--after being broken--had a couple of chances to break back, but could not do so. When she threw a backhand volley into the net at 3-5, it seemed obvious that her chances were gone. Radwanska won, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Li Na had to retire in the second set in her quarterfinal match against Shahar Peer. Li sustained a back injury, and all we can do is hold our collective breath and hope this isn't another of those injuries that keeps Li off the tour for months. She really is cursed with some of the worst luck of any player.
Finally, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova just wasn't ready to play her best game today. She made too many errors and was a bit sluggish, allowing Venus Williams to take control of rallies and to take control of the match, 6-3, 6-4. It took Williams seven match points to get the job done, though, partly because Pavlyuchenkova fought back so hard, but also because the 3rd seed was having so much trouble with her ball toss. Throughout the match, Williams had to re-toss the ball before serving. Pavlyuchenkova and Williams, by the way, are now 2-2 in head-to-head competition.
In the semifinals, Peer will play Williams, and Azarenka will play Radwanska.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Two top seeds out of Dubai in the 3rd round
Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kuznetsova, seeded 1 and 2 at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, both went out today in the third round of play. A resurgent Shahar Peer defeated Wozniacki, 6-2, 7-5, and Kuznetsova was upset by countrywoman Regina Kulikova, 5-7, 7-6, 6-4. Kulikova, ranked number 99 in the world, stuck it out with the world number 4 for over three hours and sixteen minutes.
An injured Flavia Pennetta lost to Agnieszka Radwanska, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets, and 6th seed Jelena Jankovic was upset, 6-3, 6-2, by 12th seed Vera Zvonareva. Zvonareva did everything right, including putting on the kind of down-the-line exhibition we used to see from Jankovic. She was dominant throughout most of the match.
What has happened to JJ? Losing a first set never used to mean that much with her, but she has lost her edge, and is making errors she never used to make. She has returned to the Bollettieri Academy, where I hope they can put her back together. I miss the Jankovic who could turn so many defensive shots into offensive points, and who stretched and slid her way to so many victories.
Here is the quarterfinal draw:
Shahar Peer vs. Li Na
Venus Williams vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Vera Zvonareva vs. Victoria Azarenka
Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Regina Kulikova
An injured Flavia Pennetta lost to Agnieszka Radwanska, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets, and 6th seed Jelena Jankovic was upset, 6-3, 6-2, by 12th seed Vera Zvonareva. Zvonareva did everything right, including putting on the kind of down-the-line exhibition we used to see from Jankovic. She was dominant throughout most of the match.
What has happened to JJ? Losing a first set never used to mean that much with her, but she has lost her edge, and is making errors she never used to make. She has returned to the Bollettieri Academy, where I hope they can put her back together. I miss the Jankovic who could turn so many defensive shots into offensive points, and who stretched and slid her way to so many victories.
Here is the quarterfinal draw:
Shahar Peer vs. Li Na
Venus Williams vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Vera Zvonareva vs. Victoria Azarenka
Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Regina Kulikova
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Plenty of injuries in Dubai
Elena Dementieva, who just won the Paris indoor championship, had to retire today in Dubai because of a right shoulder injury. Daniela Hantuchova was the beneficiary of the retirement. Anabel Medina Garrigues, playing Svetlana Kuznetsova, retired with a lower back injury, and Kateryna Bondarenko, who opponent was Victoria Azarenka, retired with a left knee sprain. All three retirements took place during second round matches.
There were some tight matches today, but the only upset in singles was of 14th seed Francesca Schiavone, who lost to Olga Govortsova. In doubles, Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik upset 3rd seeds Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs, 6-1, 4-6, 10-7.
There were some tight matches today, but the only upset in singles was of 14th seed Francesca Schiavone, who lost to Olga Govortsova. In doubles, Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik upset 3rd seeds Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs, 6-1, 4-6, 10-7.
Monday, February 15, 2010
First round upsets in Dubai
First round play continued today in Dubai, and there were some significant upsets. Tathiana Garbin defeated 9th seed Samantha Stosur 3-6, 6-2, 7-6, and Shahar Peer defeated 13th seed Yanina Wickmayer 3-6, 6-2, 7-5. This is the second week in a row that Wickmayer has gone out in the first round; last week, she lost to Petra Martic in the first round of the Open GDF SUEZ .
Also going out in the first round was 15th seed Nadia Petrova, who was defeated 7-6, 7-6 by Stephanie Voegele.
And of note: Andrea Petkovic defeated Alona Bondarenko 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Also going out in the first round was 15th seed Nadia Petrova, who was defeated 7-6, 7-6 by Stephanie Voegele.
And of note: Andrea Petkovic defeated Alona Bondarenko 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Zheng, Kirilenko and Kleybanova out in first round in Dubai
Qualifiers took out 16th seed Zheng Jie, wild card Maria Kirilenko and Alisa Kleybanova in the first round of play in Dubai today. Alicia Molik, working on a comeback, defeated Zheng 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Regina Kulikova defeated Kirilenko 6-3, 6-0, and Anna-Lena Groenefeld won her match against Kleybanova, 1-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Other qualifiers advancing were Kirsten Flipkens and Anastasija Sevastova. Also winning their first round matches were 11th seed Marion Bartoli, Sabine Lisicki, 14th seed Francesca Schiavone, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Daniela Hantuchova, and Kateryna Bondarenko. Pavlyuchenkova defeated Katarina Srebotnik, who is making her post-injury return to the tour.
Other qualifiers advancing were Kirsten Flipkens and Anastasija Sevastova. Also winning their first round matches were 11th seed Marion Bartoli, Sabine Lisicki, 14th seed Francesca Schiavone, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Daniela Hantuchova, and Kateryna Bondarenko. Pavlyuchenkova defeated Katarina Srebotnik, who is making her post-injury return to the tour.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Serena Williams withdraws from Dubai
It is no surprise that Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships; she has been having difficulty with her leg.
Dinara Safina, struggling with a back injury, has also withdrawn, and it appears that Ana Ivanovic, who complained of shoulder pain during Fed Cup play, has withdrawn, too.
Caroline Wozniacki will be the number 1 seed in Dubai.
Dinara Safina, struggling with a back injury, has also withdrawn, and it appears that Ana Ivanovic, who complained of shoulder pain during Fed Cup play, has withdrawn, too.
Caroline Wozniacki will be the number 1 seed in Dubai.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Black and Huber win Dubai title
Cara Black and Liezel Huber defeated Agnieszka Radwanska and Maria Kirilenko in Dubai today to take the 2009 doubles title. The top seeds posted a score of 6-3, 6-3, and won their third title in a row.
We have our hero, and he's not in the WTA
In her editorial about the Shahar Peer situation, Aaress at On the Baseline turned the tour's marketing phrase, "Looking for a Hero," on its head. Well, we finally have a hero, and his name is Andy Roddick. Roddick, the defending champion in Dubai, has withdrawn from the tournament because of the Dubai officials' refusal to grant Peer a visa.
This is one tennis fan who sends a big virtual bouquet to Roddick for taking a stand that includes action.
This is one tennis fan who sends a big virtual bouquet to Roddick for taking a stand that includes action.
Venus takes Dubai and wins her 40th title
The first set in the Dubai final between Venus Williams and Virginie Razzano was filled with really great tennis from both players, and was a pleasure to watch.
You do the Hantuchova
and you turn yourself around...
One of Razzano's tactics was to turn her back on Williams before Williams served, thus slowing down the pace, at least symbolically. Razzano's serves were nothing to sneeze at, and she used her first serve very effectively throughout the set.
Before the set was over, though, Razzano would complain of lower back pain and would call for a trainer. She received treatment and continued play, but was broken by Williams when she served at 4-5, giving Williams the first set.
The second set was a completely different story, with Razzano double-faulting five times, and making errors even when she was handed great opportunities by Williams, whose serve also fell apart toward the end. It was because Williams' serve went to pieces, in fact, that Razzano avoided a second set bagel. Williams took the match, 6-4, 6-2.
Was Razzano's back problem what did her in in the second set? Maybe. Or perhaps it was just exhaustion. Or playing Williams. Or all of the above.
At any rate, Williams has now won her fortieth tour singles title, and is starting the 2009 season very impressively.
You do the Hantuchova
and you turn yourself around...
One of Razzano's tactics was to turn her back on Williams before Williams served, thus slowing down the pace, at least symbolically. Razzano's serves were nothing to sneeze at, and she used her first serve very effectively throughout the set.
Before the set was over, though, Razzano would complain of lower back pain and would call for a trainer. She received treatment and continued play, but was broken by Williams when she served at 4-5, giving Williams the first set.
The second set was a completely different story, with Razzano double-faulting five times, and making errors even when she was handed great opportunities by Williams, whose serve also fell apart toward the end. It was because Williams' serve went to pieces, in fact, that Razzano avoided a second set bagel. Williams took the match, 6-4, 6-2.
Was Razzano's back problem what did her in in the second set? Maybe. Or perhaps it was just exhaustion. Or playing Williams. Or all of the above.
At any rate, Williams has now won her fortieth tour singles title, and is starting the 2009 season very impressively.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tour sets conditions and fines Dubai
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has fined the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships $300,000 for its refusal to allow Shahar Peer into the country to play in the tournament. The tour has also made plans to provide Peer with ranking points and payment, and to compensate her doubles partner, Anna-Lena Groenefeld. There are several new caviats involved in the tour's agreement with Dubai, which you can read about here.
Williams to meet Razzano in Dubai final
Toward the end of 2007, Virginie Razzano did something she had never done before--she won a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournament. Then, the following week, she won a second one, in Tokyo. Her opponent in that final was Venus Williams, whom she defeated 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.
Razzano had a lot of momentum then, but did not win any tournaments in 2008. In fact, she was not able to defend her Tokyo title because of a back injury. The world number 58 has been a streaky player for some time, and one hopes that her success in Dubai this week will put a stop to that pattern. This week, Razzano defeated both world number 2 Dinara Safina and world number 5 Vera Zvonareva. Now--having defeated Kaia Kanepi in straight sets in the semifinals--she has reached the final of a very big event, and waiting for her, once again, is Venus Williams.
Williams, for her part, put herself ahead 10-9 today, in Williams sisters match competition. She defeated Serena Williams 6-1, 2-6, 7-6.
Razzano had a lot of momentum then, but did not win any tournaments in 2008. In fact, she was not able to defend her Tokyo title because of a back injury. The world number 58 has been a streaky player for some time, and one hopes that her success in Dubai this week will put a stop to that pattern. This week, Razzano defeated both world number 2 Dinara Safina and world number 5 Vera Zvonareva. Now--having defeated Kaia Kanepi in straight sets in the semifinals--she has reached the final of a very big event, and waiting for her, once again, is Venus Williams.
Williams, for her part, put herself ahead 10-9 today, in Williams sisters match competition. She defeated Serena Williams 6-1, 2-6, 7-6.
Quote of the day
"I think my serve has gone somewhere on vacation and I need to go there and catch up with it."
Serena Williams
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Williams to meet Williams again
Venus Williams defeated Elena Dementieva today in Dubai in straight sets, and her sister defeated Ana Ivanovic, also in straight sets. The sisters will now meet in the semifinals.
Joining them will be 16th seed Kaia Kanepi, who defeated qualifier Elena Vesnina 6-3, 7-5. Kanepi's opponent will be Virginie Razzano, who played a stunning 7-6, 7-5 match to defeat Vera Zvonareva. The match was dramatic and tense--so much so that Razzano wept when it was over. It took Razzano too long to close the match, but close it she finally did, after hitting a stupendous fifty winners.
Joining them will be 16th seed Kaia Kanepi, who defeated qualifier Elena Vesnina 6-3, 7-5. Kanepi's opponent will be Virginie Razzano, who played a stunning 7-6, 7-5 match to defeat Vera Zvonareva. The match was dramatic and tense--so much so that Razzano wept when it was over. It took Razzano too long to close the match, but close it she finally did, after hitting a stupendous fifty winners.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Quarterfinals set in Dubai and Memphis
Here are the quarterfinal draws:
Dubai
Serena Williams vs. Ana Ivanovic
Elena Dementieva vs. Venus Williams
Elena Vesnina vs. Kaia Kanepi
Vera Zvonareva vs. Virginie Razzano
Memphis
Caroline Wozniacki vs. Michaella Krajicek
Anne Keothavong vs. Marina Erakovic
Sabine Lisicki vs. Lucie Safarova
Pauline Parmentier vs. Victoria Azarenka
Dubai
Serena Williams vs. Ana Ivanovic
Elena Dementieva vs. Venus Williams
Elena Vesnina vs. Kaia Kanepi
Vera Zvonareva vs. Virginie Razzano
Memphis
Caroline Wozniacki vs. Michaella Krajicek
Anne Keothavong vs. Marina Erakovic
Sabine Lisicki vs. Lucie Safarova
Pauline Parmentier vs. Victoria Azarenka
Ford speaks out about the Dubai situation
Bonnie D. Ford, writing for ESPN about Shahar Peer's visa denial, has taken to task everyone from cowardly officials of the United Arab Emirates to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour leadership to the players themselves. Ford interviewed ESPN commentator and former tour star Pam Shriver about the situation. Says Shriver:
Says Ford:
The tournament should automatically lose the right to exist. I know that carries unbelievable financial and political ramifications, and sometimes you have to be willing to live in a two-faced environment. But if this tournament is going to send out invitations and only ask who they want, if that's the way they want it to be, then they're an exhibition.According to Ford, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour chairman and CEO Larry Scott said he has been concerned about the situation for more than a year. "I saw firsthand that there were some issues," Scott said. "I met with government officials and I told them I expected Shahar Peer would want to play the following year, and that whatever issues they had needed to be solved."
Says Ford:
If we question the United Arab Emirates' ethics, the WTA's decision to invest in Dubai in 2003 and the tour's judgment in allowing the event to go forward without Peer, we probably also should question why the 55 players on site didn't caucus when they found out she was on the other side of the barbed wire and try to imagine how it would feel if it happened to them on the basis of race, religion or passport.
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