5th seeds Victoria Azarenka and Maria Kirilenko won the doubles championship in Madrid today. They defeated 2nd seeds Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik 6-4, 6-3 in the final.
Azarenka isn't finished, however; she will play against Petra Kvitova in the singles championship match tomorrow. Azarenka defeated Julia Goerges 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals, ending the German player's 10-match win streak. Goerges appeared to be in a state of mental, if not physical, fatigue throughout much of the match.
Kvitova, seeded 16th, easily defeated 6th seed Li Na 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals. Kvitova's quarterfinal victory puts her in the top 10 for the first time. When the rankings are published next week. she will be number 10 in the world. Azarenka will be number 4.
Showing posts with label Maria Kirilenko. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maria Kirilenko. Show all posts
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
McHale upsets Kleybanova in Charleston
It was a big day for Christina McHale. Not only was she selected as a member of the USA Fed Cup team, but she also pulled off the first big upset of the 2011 Family Circle Cup. McHale, a qualifier, defeated 8th seed Alisa Kleybanova 6-1, 6-0 in the second round. This was Kleybanova's first match on the green clay of Charleston, and it wasn't a comfortable experience. McHale, for her part, gave her opponent only one break opportunity, and Kleybanova could not convert it. The 8th seed won only 43% of her first serves, and a dismal 9% of her second.
In the first round, qualifier Eva Birnerova won the first set against 12th seed Julia Goerges 6-1, and held five match points in the second, but was overtaken 7-5 by the German player. Unfortunately, at 0-2 in the third, Birnerova had to retire because of an ankle injury.
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova really had to work to get her victory. She defeated Andrea Hvlavackova 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(8). Zahlavova Strycova is the tournament's 15th seed.
6th seed Yanina Wickmayer looked very sharp today in her second round match against Zheng Jie, which she won 6-4, 6-0. Also getting a decisive win was 9th seed Maria Kirilenko, who defeated Varvara Lepchenko 6-4, 6-0.
Sabine Lisicki and Irina Falconi made appearances on the new stage on the Great Lawn this evening. Falconi defeated Memphis champion Magdalena Rybarikova in the first round. In the second round, she plays world number 1 and top seed Caroline Wozniacki.
Conditions were windy today after a big storm passed through the Charleston area. Good, mostly sunny, weather is predicted for the rest of the week. Only one match--a doubles event--had to be postponed.
In the first round, qualifier Eva Birnerova won the first set against 12th seed Julia Goerges 6-1, and held five match points in the second, but was overtaken 7-5 by the German player. Unfortunately, at 0-2 in the third, Birnerova had to retire because of an ankle injury.
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova really had to work to get her victory. She defeated Andrea Hvlavackova 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(8). Zahlavova Strycova is the tournament's 15th seed.
6th seed Yanina Wickmayer looked very sharp today in her second round match against Zheng Jie, which she won 6-4, 6-0. Also getting a decisive win was 9th seed Maria Kirilenko, who defeated Varvara Lepchenko 6-4, 6-0.
Sabine Lisicki and Irina Falconi made appearances on the new stage on the Great Lawn this evening. Falconi defeated Memphis champion Magdalena Rybarikova in the first round. In the second round, she plays world number 1 and top seed Caroline Wozniacki.
Conditions were windy today after a big storm passed through the Charleston area. Good, mostly sunny, weather is predicted for the rest of the week. Only one match--a doubles event--had to be postponed.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Dulko & Pennetta win Australian Open doubles championship
When Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta left the court after their semifinal victory, right before they went into the tunnel, they did one final "keep the faith" high-five. On Friday, as they came out of the tunnel and walked onto the court to play the final, they turned and looked at each other for just a moment. It was subtle, but it was an unmistakable "this is it" exchange, maybe with a touch of "let's kick some ass" thrown in. The top seeds served so well and played so well in the semifinal against Liezel Huber and Nadia Petrova, it was easy to believe they had the confidence to win their first major.
But it didn't play that way--not for a while, anyway. Dulko, in particular, looked like a shadow of herself, and had a hard time serving. Victoria Azarenka and Maria Kirilenko, on the other hand, played very aggressively. Azarenka hit the ball really hard, and made a number of flashy volleys. In no time, the 12th seeds had won the first set 6-2.
The pattern continued, with Dulko and Pennetta occasionally showing their number 1 style, but they just didn't have enough going for them to resist the speed and precision of Azarenka, and it didn't seem to occur to them to launch an attack on Kirilenko, who was not playing quite up to her partner's level. Azarenka and Kirilenko went up 4-1, and were a point from going up 5-1, when--perhaps inspired by Li Na--Dulko woke up, so to speak, and went all crazy on them at the net. For the next few games, Dulko was unstoppable.
Azarenka and Kirilenko weren't the same after that, and neither were Dulko and Pennetta. The signature Dulko lobs and Pennetta steady groundstrokes and penetrating volleys began to appear in great numbers, as Azarenka increasingly missed her volleys and hit balls outside the lines. The top seeds won the second set 7-5, and they cruised throught the third, winning it 6-1.
I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone as happy lifting a trophy as Dulko and Pennetta were, especially Pennetta, who is the first Italian player to win a championship at the Australian Open. The two have been very close friends for many years, and they have always played doubles together when they felt like it. Last year, however, they made a commitment to be a regular doubles team, and they shot up to the number 1 spot in the world. This is their first major championship, however, and they won it in a very dramatic way.
But it didn't play that way--not for a while, anyway. Dulko, in particular, looked like a shadow of herself, and had a hard time serving. Victoria Azarenka and Maria Kirilenko, on the other hand, played very aggressively. Azarenka hit the ball really hard, and made a number of flashy volleys. In no time, the 12th seeds had won the first set 6-2.
The pattern continued, with Dulko and Pennetta occasionally showing their number 1 style, but they just didn't have enough going for them to resist the speed and precision of Azarenka, and it didn't seem to occur to them to launch an attack on Kirilenko, who was not playing quite up to her partner's level. Azarenka and Kirilenko went up 4-1, and were a point from going up 5-1, when--perhaps inspired by Li Na--Dulko woke up, so to speak, and went all crazy on them at the net. For the next few games, Dulko was unstoppable.
Azarenka and Kirilenko weren't the same after that, and neither were Dulko and Pennetta. The signature Dulko lobs and Pennetta steady groundstrokes and penetrating volleys began to appear in great numbers, as Azarenka increasingly missed her volleys and hit balls outside the lines. The top seeds won the second set 7-5, and they cruised throught the third, winning it 6-1.
I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone as happy lifting a trophy as Dulko and Pennetta were, especially Pennetta, who is the first Italian player to win a championship at the Australian Open. The two have been very close friends for many years, and they have always played doubles together when they felt like it. Last year, however, they made a commitment to be a regular doubles team, and they shot up to the number 1 spot in the world. This is their first major championship, however, and they won it in a very dramatic way.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Kirilenko a star in Australian Open doubles
Maria Kirilenko, seeded 12th with partner Victoria Azarenka, has reached the final of the Australian Open. Azarenka and Kirilenko will compete against top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta in the final. In mixed doubles, Kirilenko and partner Nenad Zimonjic--seeded number 3--have reached the semifinals. In that round, they will play Katarina Zrebotnik and Zimonjic's former doubles partner, Daniel Nestor. Srebotnik and Nestor received a quarterfinal walkover from Anastasia Rodionova and Mahesh Bhupati.
The other mixed doubles semefinal will feature Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Horia Tecau playing against Chan Yung-Jan and Paul Hanley.
In women's wheelchair singles, top seed Esther Vergeer will play 2nd seed Daniela Di Toro in the final. And in women's wheelchair doubles, top seeds Vergeer and Sharon Walraven will compete in the final against 2nd seeds Aniek Van Koot and Jiske Griffioen. Van Koot and Griffioen won their semifinal match 7-6, 7-6.
The other mixed doubles semefinal will feature Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Horia Tecau playing against Chan Yung-Jan and Paul Hanley.
In women's wheelchair singles, top seed Esther Vergeer will play 2nd seed Daniela Di Toro in the final. And in women's wheelchair doubles, top seeds Vergeer and Sharon Walraven will compete in the final against 2nd seeds Aniek Van Koot and Jiske Griffioen. Van Koot and Griffioen won their semifinal match 7-6, 7-6.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Azarenka and Vinci win Moscow & Luxembourg titles
There was no report yesterday on the Moscow and Luxembourg matches because I was traveling and did not have Internet access. As everyone knows by now, 6th seed Maria Kirilenko defeated Vera Dushevina in the Kremlin Cup semifinals, and 2nd seed Victoria Azarenka defeated 8th seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
Today, Azarenka won the Kremlin Cup by defeating Kirilenko 6-3, 6-4. Top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta won the doubles title, defeating 3rd seeds Sara Errani and Martinez Sanchez 6-3, 2-6, 10-6.
Roberta Vinci won the Luxembourg Open, defeating 8th seed Julia Goerges 6-3, 6-4. In the semifinals, Vinci defeated Anne Keothavong, and Goerges defeated Angelique Kerber. The doubles title was won by 2nd seeds Timea Bacsinzky and Tathiana Garbin. They defeated top seeds Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4, 6-4.
Today, Azarenka won the Kremlin Cup by defeating Kirilenko 6-3, 6-4. Top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta won the doubles title, defeating 3rd seeds Sara Errani and Martinez Sanchez 6-3, 2-6, 10-6.
Roberta Vinci won the Luxembourg Open, defeating 8th seed Julia Goerges 6-3, 6-4. In the semifinals, Vinci defeated Anne Keothavong, and Goerges defeated Angelique Kerber. The doubles title was won by 2nd seeds Timea Bacsinzky and Tathiana Garbin. They defeated top seeds Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4, 6-4.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Jankovic out of Kremlin Cup
Jelena Jankovic has been sick--again--and showed up way under form for her second round match in Moscow. She was easily defeated 6-1, 6-2 by qualifier Zarina Diyas. The number 1 seed had nasal surgery a few years ago to help her with breathing problems, but when she becomes ill, she continues to have respiratory issues. Can someone please put her on an immune-building program right away?
In the meantime, Diyas moves to the quarterfinals, in which she will play 6th seed Maria Kirilenko. Kirilenko dispatched of Kateryna Bondarenko 6-0, 6-0 today. Also, Anna Chakvetadze defeated qualifier Marya Koryttseva, and Vera Dushevina defeated Elena Vesnina.
In Luxembourg, Patty Schnyder--who beat Yanina Wickmayer in the first round--went out to Anne Keothavong in the second round. Ana Ivanovic and Roberta Vinci both won, and 5th seed Daniela Hantuchova was upset by Angelique Kerber.
In the meantime, Diyas moves to the quarterfinals, in which she will play 6th seed Maria Kirilenko. Kirilenko dispatched of Kateryna Bondarenko 6-0, 6-0 today. Also, Anna Chakvetadze defeated qualifier Marya Koryttseva, and Vera Dushevina defeated Elena Vesnina.
In Luxembourg, Patty Schnyder--who beat Yanina Wickmayer in the first round--went out to Anne Keothavong in the second round. Ana Ivanovic and Roberta Vinci both won, and 5th seed Daniela Hantuchova was upset by Angelique Kerber.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Kirilenko out of Osaka with hip injury
The injuries just don't stop occurring. Today, 4th seed Maria Kirilenko retired in the second round of the HP Open. Kirilenko sustained a hip injury during her match, so Chang Kai-Chen, moves to the third round. Top seeds Sam Stosur and Marion Bartoli advanced to the next round, and Tammy Tanasugarn took out Coco Vandeweghe. The match, which Tanasugarn won 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, lasted over three hours.
Not surprisingly, Anastasia Rodionova retired in her first round of play in Linz. Rodionova suffered a strain of the left adductor; she played in all three tennis events last week at the Commonwealth Games, and won two gold medals and one silver.
Not surprisingly, Anastasia Rodionova retired in her first round of play in Linz. Rodionova suffered a strain of the left adductor; she played in all three tennis events last week at the Commonwealth Games, and won two gold medals and one silver.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Petrova goes to Pilot Pen final
Maria Kirilenko was next to perfect in her first set against 8th seed Nadia Petrova today in the New Haven semifinals. Her clean, stylish game (one I always enjoy) got her a 6-2 set win, as Petrova had issues with consistency, and with her backhand. Shortly after that set ended, however, Kirilenko's received treatment for back pain (she has a history of back problems). When she returned to the court following treatment, she was making an obvious effort to keep the points shorter, and it didn't work for her.
At the same time, Petrova pulled her game up to the considerably high level of which she is capable. The backhand began to work very well, and the 8th seed took the last two sets at 6-2 apiece.
Often, when an opponent is injured, a player has some difficulty competing against her, but Petrova said it was Kirilenko's injury that gave her a chance to sharpen her mentality and get her game back on track. Petrova had a setback this summer because of heat illness that she experienced in Cincinnati, and she said she was grateful to get a wild card into the Pilot Pen draw.
She has used that wild card well. In the final, she will play either top seed and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki or 4th seed Elena Dementieva, who also came into the tournament via a wild card.
Petrova hit eight aces in her semifinal match today, and is now the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour ace leader for the season.
As for Kirilenko, she has hurt her back right before a major tournament in which--if healthy--she has the potential to do quite well. Here's hoping this is more of a tweak than an injury--the current situation is getting more serious by the minute.
At the same time, Petrova pulled her game up to the considerably high level of which she is capable. The backhand began to work very well, and the 8th seed took the last two sets at 6-2 apiece.
Often, when an opponent is injured, a player has some difficulty competing against her, but Petrova said it was Kirilenko's injury that gave her a chance to sharpen her mentality and get her game back on track. Petrova had a setback this summer because of heat illness that she experienced in Cincinnati, and she said she was grateful to get a wild card into the Pilot Pen draw.
She has used that wild card well. In the final, she will play either top seed and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki or 4th seed Elena Dementieva, who also came into the tournament via a wild card.
Petrova hit eight aces in her semifinal match today, and is now the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour ace leader for the season.
As for Kirilenko, she has hurt her back right before a major tournament in which--if healthy--she has the potential to do quite well. Here's hoping this is more of a tweak than an injury--the current situation is getting more serious by the minute.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The land of (missed) opportunity
That's where Marion Bartoli resides, in case you want to drop by and have a chat and some coffee. For the entire first set of the 6th seed's quarterfinal match against 4th seed Elena Dementieva in New Haven today, she squandered chance after chance--seven in all--to break, but was able to succeed with only two of them. She was broken four times by Dementieva, who won the first set 6-3.
Bartoli raised her level of play in the second set, which she won 6-3. Dementieva quickly moved out in front in the third, but had trouble closing the match, which she finally did--6-3, 3-6, 6-2--on her seventh match point.
Sometimes this match was hard to watch. Dementieva had some obvious trouble with her injured thigh, but that seemed to go away. She did tell interviewers, however, that she is trying to avoid long rallies. The Russian also muttered and chatted and yelled--often at her mother--throughout the three-hour affair. "...what are you telling her?" Mary Joe Fernandez asked her. "You don't want to know," the 4th seed replied.
Dementieva will play defending champion Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals. Wozniacki won her quarterfinal match by default when she received a walkover from an injured Flavia Pennetta. The top seed's move to the semifinals also means that she has won the U.S. Open Series.
Bartoli double-faulted twelve times, and Dementieva double-faulted seven times. There were 37 break opportunities in the match, and twelve breaks of serve.
The other semifinal will feature two Russians. Maria Kirilenko defeated wild card Dinara Safina 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, and 8th seed Nadia Petrova defeated 2nd seed Sam Stosur 6-2, 6-1. Petrova is now 4-0 against the Australian.
Bartoli raised her level of play in the second set, which she won 6-3. Dementieva quickly moved out in front in the third, but had trouble closing the match, which she finally did--6-3, 3-6, 6-2--on her seventh match point.
Sometimes this match was hard to watch. Dementieva had some obvious trouble with her injured thigh, but that seemed to go away. She did tell interviewers, however, that she is trying to avoid long rallies. The Russian also muttered and chatted and yelled--often at her mother--throughout the three-hour affair. "...what are you telling her?" Mary Joe Fernandez asked her. "You don't want to know," the 4th seed replied.
Dementieva will play defending champion Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals. Wozniacki won her quarterfinal match by default when she received a walkover from an injured Flavia Pennetta. The top seed's move to the semifinals also means that she has won the U.S. Open Series.
Bartoli double-faulted twelve times, and Dementieva double-faulted seven times. There were 37 break opportunities in the match, and twelve breaks of serve.
The other semifinal will feature two Russians. Maria Kirilenko defeated wild card Dinara Safina 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, and 8th seed Nadia Petrova defeated 2nd seed Sam Stosur 6-2, 6-1. Petrova is now 4-0 against the Australian.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Kirilenko wins consecutive doubles titles
Last week, Maria Kirilenko and partner Zheng Jie won the doubles championship in San Diego. Today, the Russian, paired with Victoria Azarenka, won the championship in Cincinnati. Azarenka and Kirilenko defeated 4th seeds Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs 7-6, 7-6.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
She's....back! Kuznetsova wins San Diego
There were times, during the Mercury Insurance Open final, when both opponents played very well. But other times, one would take a turn at being an anxiety-ridden mess. Agnieszka Radwanska, the 4th seed, took the first turn, stepping onto the court with most of the magic of her quarterfinal and semifinal successes eluding her. She was obviously anxious, evidenced mostly by her lack of instinct and her indecisiveness about shot-making. It didn't take Svetlana Kuznetsova long to go up 4-1.
Radwanska straightend herself out a bit, but Kuznetsova took the set 6-4.
When the second set began, the 4th seed was a different player--the player we've watched for the last couple of days. She defended better, though she did go down 3-5. When Kusnetsova served for the match, she was broken. Radwanska easily held. The set ended up in a tiebreak, with Kuznetsova once again in charge. She went up 4-0, then 6-3, and the whole affair appeared to be about over--until Kuznetsova became so anxious, she double-faulted twice, and ended up losing four match points. Radwanska--by this time quite steady--won the tiebreak 9-7.
The third set was a good one, featuring some of the best shot-making of the match. But as the set wore on, it was Radwanska who faded, and Kuznetsova who rose to the occasion, hitting winners left and right. With a 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 victory, the Russian was able to hold the trophy.
For Radwanska fans (count me as one), the loss was tough, but at least everyone got to see a lot of the 4th seed's best tennis throughout this tournament. For Kuznetsova, the win couldn't come at a better time. With the U.S. Open around the corner, the 2004 champion with the mighty forehand has declared herself a contender.
Kuznetsova was not the only one to make a comeback: Zheng Jie, whose doubles stardom has waned, won the San Diego tournament with partner Maria Kirilenko. The 4th seeds defeated 2nd seeds Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs 6-4, 6-4.
Radwanska straightend herself out a bit, but Kuznetsova took the set 6-4.
When the second set began, the 4th seed was a different player--the player we've watched for the last couple of days. She defended better, though she did go down 3-5. When Kusnetsova served for the match, she was broken. Radwanska easily held. The set ended up in a tiebreak, with Kuznetsova once again in charge. She went up 4-0, then 6-3, and the whole affair appeared to be about over--until Kuznetsova became so anxious, she double-faulted twice, and ended up losing four match points. Radwanska--by this time quite steady--won the tiebreak 9-7.
The third set was a good one, featuring some of the best shot-making of the match. But as the set wore on, it was Radwanska who faded, and Kuznetsova who rose to the occasion, hitting winners left and right. With a 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 victory, the Russian was able to hold the trophy.
For Radwanska fans (count me as one), the loss was tough, but at least everyone got to see a lot of the 4th seed's best tennis throughout this tournament. For Kuznetsova, the win couldn't come at a better time. With the U.S. Open around the corner, the 2004 champion with the mighty forehand has declared herself a contender.
Kuznetsova was not the only one to make a comeback: Zheng Jie, whose doubles stardom has waned, won the San Diego tournament with partner Maria Kirilenko. The 4th seeds defeated 2nd seeds Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs 6-4, 6-4.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Baltacha defeats Schiavone in Istanbul
Elena Baltacha defeated top seed Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-2 today in the second round of the Istanbul Cup. Also going out was Johanna Larsson, who has made a bit of a splash on the tour lately. Larsson was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Sorana Cirstea. 3rd seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Jarmila Groth also advanced to the next round.
In Stanford, defending champion and 4th seed Marion Bartoli won her second round match against wild card Ana Ivanovic in straight sets. 5th seed Maria Sharapova defeated Olga Govortsova, 8th seed (and wild card) Victoria Azarenka defeated Melanie Oudin, and Maria Kirilenko upset Shahar Peer twice. In singles, she defeated 6th seed Peer, and in doubles, she and partner Azarenka defeated 3rd seeds Peer and Alisa Kleybanova.
In Stanford, defending champion and 4th seed Marion Bartoli won her second round match against wild card Ana Ivanovic in straight sets. 5th seed Maria Sharapova defeated Olga Govortsova, 8th seed (and wild card) Victoria Azarenka defeated Melanie Oudin, and Maria Kirilenko upset Shahar Peer twice. In singles, she defeated 6th seed Peer, and in doubles, she and partner Azarenka defeated 3rd seeds Peer and Alisa Kleybanova.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Kirilenko retires in 's-Hertogenbosch
3rd seed Maria Kirilenko sustained an abdominal injury today at the Unicef Open, forcing her to retire against Kirsten Flipkens in the second set of their second round match.
7th seed Andrea Petkovic defeated Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-7, 6-1, and qualifier Sandra Zahlavova (aren't we seeing her name a lot these days?) defeated Magdalena Rybarikova 7-6, 4-6, 6-2.
7th seed Andrea Petkovic defeated Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-7, 6-1, and qualifier Sandra Zahlavova (aren't we seeing her name a lot these days?) defeated Magdalena Rybarikova 7-6, 4-6, 6-2.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Defending champion out of French Open in 3rd round
French Open defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova barely escaped a skilled, but nervous, Andrea Petkovic in the second round. Today, countrywoman Maria Kirilenko was just too good for 6th seed Kuznetsova, and defeated her 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
It was an entertaining, and sometimes exciting, match. Kirilenko, the 30th seed, got off to a great start, but then lost five games in a row, went down 0-2 in the third set, and was a point away from going down 0-3. She turned it around, though, breaking Kuznetsova to get to a 5-3 lead, but then getting broken when she served for the match. Kuznetsova then saved a match point on her serve, and even had two break points against Kirelenko at 4-5. Kirilenko saved those break points in style (including a serve-and-volley), and was able to get the job done on her third match point.
An aggressive Alexandra Dulgheru looked very good against 3rd seed Caroline Wozniacki, and led her in both sets, but wasn't able to play some of the bigger points successfully. Dulgheru, the Warsaw champion, hit 29 winners to Wozniacki's 14, but--in what is now typical fashion--Wozniacki emerged the winner, 6-3, 6-4.
5th seed Elena Dementieva, obviously injured, had all she could handle in Aleksandra Wozniak, but won their match 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. It's nice to see Wozniak on the court as a real competitor again.
Given the surface, it's not suprising that 11th seed Li Na went out to 17th seed Francesca Schiavone. Schiavone's 6-4, 6-2 victory put the two remaining Italians into the round of 16. Earlier in the day, 14th seed Flavia Pennetta defeated Palona Hercog 6-3, 6-0.
Li's countrwoman, Zheng Jie, is also out, defeated in straight sets by Anastasia Pivovarova. 7th seed Sam Stosur defeated Rossana De Los Rios 4-6, 6-1, 6-0, and the other seeds--Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Marion Bartoli, Maria Sharapova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Yanina Wickmayer all won their matches. Also winning was Chanelle Scheepers, who defeated Akgul Amanmuradova.
It was an entertaining, and sometimes exciting, match. Kirilenko, the 30th seed, got off to a great start, but then lost five games in a row, went down 0-2 in the third set, and was a point away from going down 0-3. She turned it around, though, breaking Kuznetsova to get to a 5-3 lead, but then getting broken when she served for the match. Kuznetsova then saved a match point on her serve, and even had two break points against Kirelenko at 4-5. Kirilenko saved those break points in style (including a serve-and-volley), and was able to get the job done on her third match point.
An aggressive Alexandra Dulgheru looked very good against 3rd seed Caroline Wozniacki, and led her in both sets, but wasn't able to play some of the bigger points successfully. Dulgheru, the Warsaw champion, hit 29 winners to Wozniacki's 14, but--in what is now typical fashion--Wozniacki emerged the winner, 6-3, 6-4.
5th seed Elena Dementieva, obviously injured, had all she could handle in Aleksandra Wozniak, but won their match 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. It's nice to see Wozniak on the court as a real competitor again.
Given the surface, it's not suprising that 11th seed Li Na went out to 17th seed Francesca Schiavone. Schiavone's 6-4, 6-2 victory put the two remaining Italians into the round of 16. Earlier in the day, 14th seed Flavia Pennetta defeated Palona Hercog 6-3, 6-0.
Li's countrwoman, Zheng Jie, is also out, defeated in straight sets by Anastasia Pivovarova. 7th seed Sam Stosur defeated Rossana De Los Rios 4-6, 6-1, 6-0, and the other seeds--Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Marion Bartoli, Maria Sharapova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Yanina Wickmayer all won their matches. Also winning was Chanelle Scheepers, who defeated Akgul Amanmuradova.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Bondarenko out in Ponte Vedra Beach
2nd seed Alona Bondarenko made a first round exit in Ponte Vedra Beach today. Bondarenko was defeated 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 by Olga Govortsova. Top seed Caroline Wozniacki advanced with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Patty Schnyder.
In Marbella, 6th seed Maria Kirilenko was upset 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 by Sorana Cirstea.
In Marbella, 6th seed Maria Kirilenko was upset 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 by Sorana Cirstea.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wozniacki advances to Miami 4th round
Maria Kirilenko is one of my favorite players to watch. She has a lovely game with a wide variety of shots. When she is focused, she is stunning. She was focused today during her first set against Caroline Wozniacki in their 4th round match in Miami. Kirilenko, seeded 32nd, pulled out just about every shot in the book (her volleys were especially sharp), and made some deadly returns of serve. She took that set 6-1. But in the second set, Kirilenko lost that focus, and Wozniacki began to play better. The number 2 seed took the second set 6-1. The third set looked like it would be Wozniacki's but then Kirilenko re-inserted herself into the match. Right before she broke Wozniacki at love to even things at 4-all, however, Tennis TV (which had only one WTA match on today) went out, so I couldn't watch any more of the match. Wozniacki won it, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4. There were 9 breaks of serve in the match.
Wozniacki took a medical break in the first set. Apparently, she has some type of flu. The trainer checked her blood pressure and listened to her heart and breathing, then rubbed ice over her legs and thighs while Wozniacki put ice on her neck.
There were 10 breaks of serve in the match between wild card Justine Henin and 26th seed Dominika Cibulkova, which Henin won 6-4, 6-4.
Defending champion and 4th seed Victoria Azarenka defeated Lucie Safarova in straight sets. Also advancing were 7th seed Jelena Jankovic, 9th seed Sam Stosur, 11th seed Vera Zvonareva, 14th seed Kim Clijsters, and 22nd seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who defeated 15th seed Francesca Schiavone.
Jankovic and Stosur will meet in the fourth round. Jankovic defeated Stosur just last week in the semifinals of Indian Wells.
In doubles, there was another big upset. Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta took out 2nd seeds Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, 4-6, 6-3, 10-7, in the second round.
Wozniacki took a medical break in the first set. Apparently, she has some type of flu. The trainer checked her blood pressure and listened to her heart and breathing, then rubbed ice over her legs and thighs while Wozniacki put ice on her neck.
There were 10 breaks of serve in the match between wild card Justine Henin and 26th seed Dominika Cibulkova, which Henin won 6-4, 6-4.
Defending champion and 4th seed Victoria Azarenka defeated Lucie Safarova in straight sets. Also advancing were 7th seed Jelena Jankovic, 9th seed Sam Stosur, 11th seed Vera Zvonareva, 14th seed Kim Clijsters, and 22nd seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who defeated 15th seed Francesca Schiavone.
Jankovic and Stosur will meet in the fourth round. Jankovic defeated Stosur just last week in the semifinals of Indian Wells.
In doubles, there was another big upset. Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta took out 2nd seeds Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, 4-6, 6-3, 10-7, in the second round.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Henin and Zheng go to Australian Open semifinals
Nadia Petrova's great run at the Australian Open ended today. Playing with a sore shoulder, Petrova, at times, saw her formidable serve get away from her. After the match, she said she thought she was tossing the ball differently to avoid shoulder pain that became worse in today's match.
But a bad shoulder wasn't Petrova's only problem. She made twice as many unforced errors as her opponent, Justine Henin, and allowed Henin to dominate in many of the big points. Henin's 7-6, 7-5 victory made her the first quarterfinalist to go to the semifinals. Henin struggled with her serve, too, but was able to slice off both sides to grab a number of rallies.
The day's second match, between Maria Kirilenko and Zheng Jie, had the makings of being a delightful contest, and--at times--it was. But Kirilenko--who has been playing singles, doubles and mixed doubles--just wasn't up to the task. She made some good shots, but was a step behind Zheng the entire match, her forehand was often vulnerable, and--to top it all off--she double-faulted at match point. Zheng, on the other hand, was focused and precise, she hit the ball cleanly, and her movement was excellent from start to finish.
Kirilenko's vulnerable thigh gave her trouble and she had to have treatment for it. After she lost the second set, though, Kirilenko picked up her game a bit, and--serving at 3-2--Zheng found herself at 0-40. She would go on to save four break points, and that was the last time she looked truly vulnerable in the set. She won the match 6-1, 6-3, and made only nine unforced errors.
Kirilenko, a player's whose game I have always enjoyed watching, had a good tournament, and is still in the doubles draw. This is Zheng's second semifinal at a major, but she has her work cut out for her: Her next opponent is Henin.
But a bad shoulder wasn't Petrova's only problem. She made twice as many unforced errors as her opponent, Justine Henin, and allowed Henin to dominate in many of the big points. Henin's 7-6, 7-5 victory made her the first quarterfinalist to go to the semifinals. Henin struggled with her serve, too, but was able to slice off both sides to grab a number of rallies.
The day's second match, between Maria Kirilenko and Zheng Jie, had the makings of being a delightful contest, and--at times--it was. But Kirilenko--who has been playing singles, doubles and mixed doubles--just wasn't up to the task. She made some good shots, but was a step behind Zheng the entire match, her forehand was often vulnerable, and--to top it all off--she double-faulted at match point. Zheng, on the other hand, was focused and precise, she hit the ball cleanly, and her movement was excellent from start to finish.
Kirilenko's vulnerable thigh gave her trouble and she had to have treatment for it. After she lost the second set, though, Kirilenko picked up her game a bit, and--serving at 3-2--Zheng found herself at 0-40. She would go on to save four break points, and that was the last time she looked truly vulnerable in the set. She won the match 6-1, 6-3, and made only nine unforced errors.
Kirilenko, a player's whose game I have always enjoyed watching, had a good tournament, and is still in the doubles draw. This is Zheng's second semifinal at a major, but she has her work cut out for her: Her next opponent is Henin.
Spaniards upset in 3rd round of Australian Open
Maria Kirilenko is at it again. The woman who took out Maria Sharapova in the first round of the Australian Open has also--along with partner Agnieszka Radwanska--upset the 3rd seeds in doubles. Kirilenko and Radwanska, seeded 15th, soundly defeated Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in the third round today. The 6-1, 6-2 victory over the winners of the 2009 Sony Ericsson Championships is as surprising an upset as any we have had so far.
Next for Kirilenko and Radwanska are Laura Robson and Sally Peers.
Next for Kirilenko and Radwanska are Laura Robson and Sally Peers.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Henin advances to round of 16
If Alisa Kleybanova wanted (and I doubt she does) to gather all the "what if"s and "if only"s and "almost"s from from her Australian Open third round match against wild card Justine Henin, she would have trouble finding a big enough box to put them in. Up a set and 3-1 and just two points form a 4-1 lead in the second set, Kleybanova fell victim to two mighty forces: the heat, and Justine Henin.
Henin looked a bit tired, was having some trouble with her left leg, and Kleybanova's big hitting put quite a bit of pressure on her. Just when the 27th seed looked like she could win the match in straight sets, however, she began to slow down and show considerable fatigue. After applying ice packs on her body, she looked less weak, but Henin took advantage and changed the momentum of the match. How many times have we seen Henin do this? She's down, then she gets an opening, crawls through it, and takes over.
Henin won the second set, then went up 3-0 in the second. But Kleybanova willed herself back into the match, and got the set back on serve. But then she was broken again, and by this time, Henin was practically performing a ballet on the court, coming out of nowhere with her exquisite backhand and taking control of the rallies. Kleybanova had break points and opportunities over and over, but she couldn't turn Henin back.
Henin's 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory means that, in the round of 16, she will face another Belgian, Yanina Wickmayer. Since Wickmayer had to go through qualifying, she has now played six matches. Today's match was a tough one against Sara Errani, who doesn't mind standing at the baseline for a very long time, getting back a number of balls. Wickmayer and Errani played for over two and a half hours, with Wickmayer winning 6-1, 6-7, 6-3. The Belgian hit 52 winners, including nine aces.
It wasn't all about Belgians. Maria Kirilenko, who upset Maria Sharapova in the first round, defeated Roberta Vinci 7-5, 7-6. And another Russian, 2nd seed Dinara Safina, ended Elena Baltacha's run in just 57 minutes. Safina played expertly, posting a 6-1, 6-2 score, and looking very much like the top-three player she is.
Henin looked a bit tired, was having some trouble with her left leg, and Kleybanova's big hitting put quite a bit of pressure on her. Just when the 27th seed looked like she could win the match in straight sets, however, she began to slow down and show considerable fatigue. After applying ice packs on her body, she looked less weak, but Henin took advantage and changed the momentum of the match. How many times have we seen Henin do this? She's down, then she gets an opening, crawls through it, and takes over.
Henin won the second set, then went up 3-0 in the second. But Kleybanova willed herself back into the match, and got the set back on serve. But then she was broken again, and by this time, Henin was practically performing a ballet on the court, coming out of nowhere with her exquisite backhand and taking control of the rallies. Kleybanova had break points and opportunities over and over, but she couldn't turn Henin back.
Henin's 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory means that, in the round of 16, she will face another Belgian, Yanina Wickmayer. Since Wickmayer had to go through qualifying, she has now played six matches. Today's match was a tough one against Sara Errani, who doesn't mind standing at the baseline for a very long time, getting back a number of balls. Wickmayer and Errani played for over two and a half hours, with Wickmayer winning 6-1, 6-7, 6-3. The Belgian hit 52 winners, including nine aces.
It wasn't all about Belgians. Maria Kirilenko, who upset Maria Sharapova in the first round, defeated Roberta Vinci 7-5, 7-6. And another Russian, 2nd seed Dinara Safina, ended Elena Baltacha's run in just 57 minutes. Safina played expertly, posting a 6-1, 6-2 score, and looking very much like the top-three player she is.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sharapova out in 1st round in Melbourne
Maria Kirilenko, a fan-frustrating under-achiever on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, found all of her strengths today in her 3-hour and 22-minute Australian Open first round match against countrywoman Maria Sharapova. Kirilenko has always had a varied and sometimes elegant game, but her consistency and focus often leave her, especially when things get tough.
Not today. Kirilenko, facing an error-prone and sometimes sluggish Sharapova, held her nerve, repeatedly scooped successful forehands off the ground, and consistently moved her opponent into corners. Down an early mini-break in the first set tiebreak, Kirilenko came back to win it, 7-4. Sharapova won the long second set 6-3, and it wasn't much of a stretch to believe that she could work her way into a match win.
However, Kirilenko quickly went up a break in the third, and then went up 3-0. And even as Sharapova worked to bridge the gap, Kirilenko's confidence did not leave her. She served for the match at 5-3 and was broken, as Sharapova showed the determination for which she is known. Sharapova then held, but if there was doubt in Kirilenko's mind, it didn't show; she won on her second match point.
Because of rain, the match was played with the roof on. Just 11 minutes short of the longest Australian Open women's match in history, the sparring of the two Marias was both competitive and entertaining. Sharapova played only exhibition matches prior to the tournament, which appears to have hurt her. She struggled with her ball toss, and she committed 77 unforced errors, including 11 double faults (she also hit 9 aces).
But credit to Kirilenko, who was a tough and effective opponent, sending the 14th seed home in the first round of a major, and pulling off a newsworthy upset.
Not today. Kirilenko, facing an error-prone and sometimes sluggish Sharapova, held her nerve, repeatedly scooped successful forehands off the ground, and consistently moved her opponent into corners. Down an early mini-break in the first set tiebreak, Kirilenko came back to win it, 7-4. Sharapova won the long second set 6-3, and it wasn't much of a stretch to believe that she could work her way into a match win.
However, Kirilenko quickly went up a break in the third, and then went up 3-0. And even as Sharapova worked to bridge the gap, Kirilenko's confidence did not leave her. She served for the match at 5-3 and was broken, as Sharapova showed the determination for which she is known. Sharapova then held, but if there was doubt in Kirilenko's mind, it didn't show; she won on her second match point.
Because of rain, the match was played with the roof on. Just 11 minutes short of the longest Australian Open women's match in history, the sparring of the two Marias was both competitive and entertaining. Sharapova played only exhibition matches prior to the tournament, which appears to have hurt her. She struggled with her ball toss, and she committed 77 unforced errors, including 11 double faults (she also hit 9 aces).
But credit to Kirilenko, who was a tough and effective opponent, sending the 14th seed home in the first round of a major, and pulling off a newsworthy upset.
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