Patty Schnyder retires

Many years ago, I was in a hotel room--I don't recall where--watching one of the majors. I think it was the U.S. Open. Suddenly, on the television screen, I saw a curly-haired young woman with a looping, lefty forehand. She put a lot of spin on the ball, and her body itself moved in a somewhat looping fashion. She was different from any other tennis player I'd ever seen, and I must have become an instant fan.

Later I would learn about the Schnyder drop shot, and I would watch the unconventionally athletic Swiss player slide vertically on clay from the baseline to the net. When she was good, she was confoundingly good, and when she was off, it was generally because of what was going on inside her head.

Patty Schnyder retired from professional tennis today. For some time now, I've wondered what it would feel like to write that sentence: It feels terrible.  Certainly, it was time for her to leave the tour; her results have not been that good for a while, despite an occasional return to form in this or that tournament. But from the standpoint of a fan, no time is a good time for a favorite player to leave the sport.

When I think of Patty, I think not only of her unusual and clever (the sports media wore out the word "crafty" in describing her) game, but also of her long history of serving as a representative of the WTA at draw ceremonies, hospital visits, children's clinics, and multiple meet-and-greet sessions. Schnyder clearly enjoyed every aspect of being on the tour, and she spent a lot of time with her fans.

She could be amusing. During a doubles match, I once saw her run to the net post and prop herself against it, arms crossed, waiting for a moonball to land. In that same match, she dragged Corina Morariu by the shirt collar, all the way to the baseline, to prevent her from engaging in a futile argument with the umpire. My funniest memory of Patty, though, was the time she was having difficulty in a match, her coach was nowhere to be seen, so--for an entire set--she yelled at me instead (she won, too).


The name Patty Schnyder will forever be linked to Charleston, where she had rock star status. Charleston fans were so enthusiastic about Schnyder that, in 2010, when Caroline Wozniacki defeated her in the third round, the famous Danish player was greeted by brief, lukewarm applause, only to hear the crowd go wild when Schnyder left the court.

In 2002 at the Family Circle Cup, an unseeded Schnyder defeated Amelie Mauresmo, Mary Pierce, Serena Williams, and top seed Jennifer Capriati in what remains her most remarkable run in a tournament. Unfortunately, she lost to Iva Majoli (also unseeded) in the final. In 2006, Schnyder had another great run in Charleston, defeating top seed Justine Henin in the semifinals. Once again, though, she lost in the final, this time to Nadia Petrova.

Schnyder, a 17-year veteran of the tour, played in Charleston for 15 consecutive years. This year was her last, and a farewell ceremony took place during the tournament. The Swiss player, obviously moved by the crowd's feelings for her, said that she has never been one to use phrases like "nothing is impossible," but sometimes, in Charleston, that was the way it felt for her.

On many occasions, when discussing her career, Schnyder stated that she simply didn't have the power to compete against some of the top players. And I have always taken the liberty of disagreeing somewhat with that statement. Though she may have been blown off the court from time to time, Schnyder's problem in so many big matches--including finals and matches she played in majors--was in her head. She did acknowledge having trouble dealing with her emotions on the court, and often--just when she was close to a win--she would make unforced errors.

No discussion of Patty Schnyder's career would be complete without mentioning Daniela Hantuchova. Schnyder and Hantuchova participated in the richest rivalry of the last several years, though tennis writers and commentators routinely ignored it. Hantuchova once said that she would rather play anyone than Schnyder. They played each other 19 times, and Schnyder won nine of those matches.

This year's French Open marked Patty Schnyder's 59th appearance in a major tournament. She reached the semifinals of the 2004 Australian Open, and was a six-time quarterfinalist in majors. Schnyder won eleven WTA singles titles and five doubles titles. A long-time  member of the WTA Players' Council, the Swiss player rose to a career-high ranking of number 7 in the world, and she was in the top 10 for 94 weeks. She also represented Switzerland in the Olympic Games on three occasions, and played in 37 Fed Cup ties. This year, her last to participate in Fed Cup, the Swiss star won both of her matches.

"It's overwhelming feelings, and I'm going to need some time," the 32-year-old Schnyder said of her decision to leave pro tennis, which she called "a very emotional" one. Schnyder said she was "...thankful and proud of all the moments I have been able to share on and off the court with fans from all over the world and with the champions and legends from many decades."

There are so many things I'll miss about Patty--her inimitable tennis style, her intellect, her humor, and her sense of realism about both herself and the game. There will never be another like her.

Wozniacki wins inaugural event in Brussels

Caroline Wozniacki won her 16th title today, at the new WTA Brussels Open. This win is special, however, since it is the world number 1's first time to win a championship on red clay.

It wasn't an easy win. A 12-deuce game early in the second set gave spectators a taste of how tough both players were. Each player experienced ups and downs in quality and energy, but in the end, it was Peng whose game became error-strewn, and Wozniacki who was able to take advantage of those errors. The world number 1 continued her new trend of playing more offensively and hitting more winners. After two hours and 35  minutes, she defeated Peng 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to become the first Brussels champion.

The doubles champions are Andrea Hlavackova and Galina Voskoboeva, who defeated 2nd seeds Klaudia Jans and Alicja Rosolska 3-6, 6-0, 10-5.

Patty Schnyder blogged during the tournament, and on Thursday, she described her visit to the Atomium. Schnyder also writes about her own tennis, and about her anticipation of the French Open.

Passing shots

The WTA site has a feature story on Patty Schnyder's emotional farewell in Charleston.

Francesca Schiavone has withdrawn from Stuttgart because of exhaustion. Yanina Wickmayer has also withdrawn, in order to give her knee some rest.

"I’m a younger player with not as much experience and I played some stupid things," Bojana Jovanovski said of her Fed Cup loss to Dominika Cibulkova.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands reports that competitive shooting is her latest interest.

You know about her skills with a soccer ball, but here, you can learn even more about Sara Errani.

Fed Cup miscellany

In order to determine the order of play against Ukraine in the Fed Cup World Cup play-offs, the Australian and Ukrainian teams enlisted the help of the Banks Rowing Club. Boats bearing the names of Ukrainian team members on their bows raced on the Yarra River in Melbourne. Olga Savchuk's boat won the race; hence, she played Jarmila Groth in the first rubber.

Erasmus Pelli, the vice-mayor of Lugano, hit some balls with Patty Schnyder during a "kidstennis" event held last week in observance of the Fed Cup play-offs.

Maria Sharapova has expressed interest in joining the Basketballers' Wives Club. The club was founded by Australian Fed Cup coach Nicole Bradtke, who actually said: "We're reasonably tall girls, so we need men with extra height. We can wear our high heels." Sorry, all you men who are under six feet tall--you're out of luck.

And, while we're on the subject of sexism, the Slovak Republic's Fed Cup team members were told by the master of ceremonies at the official dinner that they appeared to be part of a beauty contest as much as a tennis contest. The team members were then invited to parade in cat-walk fashion in front of all the guests. They declined.

As promised, Andrea Petkovic did not dance after she won her rubber against Christina McHale. The Petko Dance is really done.

Team USA has won the most Fed Cup titles--17--in history. However, if Melanie Oudin loses the first rubber on Sunday, the USA will be relegated to World Group II.

Charleston says goodbye to Patty Schnyder

Tonight, after the featured doubles match was played at the Family Circle Cup, there was a brief ceremony to honor Patty Schnyder, a huge Charleston favorite who has played in the tournament for fifteen consecutive years. This is Schnyder's final year in Charleston, where she was twice a singles finalist and was also a doubles finalist. Schnyder is so popular in Charleston, it's hard to imagine the tournament without her. The crowds always go wild with enthusiasm for her, and her rock star status at the Family Circle Cup is one of those things that makes the tournament unique. It's certainly hard for me to accept the reality that Patty won't be here anymore, and the ceremony was quite sad for me. Schnyder received roses and a piece of customized tournament art, and she gave a touching farewell speech.

Schnyder and Daniel Island native Shelby Rogers played in the preceding doubles match, which was highly entertaining and very close. Schnyder and Rogers were defeated 6-4, 7-6, 10-6 by Alla Kudryavtseva and Anastasia Rodionova.

Shnyder out of Charleston in 1st round

Patty Schnyder played in her 15th consecutive Family Circle Cup today, and--to the disappointment of a very partisan crowd (Charleston loves Patty)--she went out. Chanelle Scheepers, who lost to Schnyder in the first round last year, defeated the 13th seed 6-4, 6-4. Schnyder looked a bit flat, and when she went down 1-4 in the second round, it looked like Scheepers might run away with the match. But some switch got turned on in Schnyder, who then proceeded to delight fans with her signature drop shots, lobs and spins. Her serve got better, too. I thought we were going to a third set, but Scheepers was able to close it in the second.

If you've never been to the Family Circle Cup, then it may be hard to appreciate how wild the crowd goes for Schnyder. Last year, there was quick, polite applause for Caroline Wozniacki when she beat Schnyder, then the crowd broke out in yells when Schnyder made her exit. Today was sad. Schynder is still around for doubles, but this was, she said, her last ever Charleston singles match. For Charleston, it is definitely the end of an era, and the Family Circle Cup just won't be the same without her.

Patty Schnyder was a finalist in Charleston in 2002, but lost in the final to Iva Majoli; both were unseeded. Before she reached the final, Schnyder had a remarkable run in which she defeated Amelie Mauresmo, Mary Pierce, Serena Williams, and Jennifer Capriati. In 2006, after upsetting Justine Henin in the semifinals, Schnyder lost the championship match to Nadia Petrova.

Qualifying begins in Charleston

Defending champion Sam Stosur practiced in the stadium today

Heather Watson won her 1st round qualifying match

It was cool and sunny today on Daniel Island, as qualifying for the Family Circle Cup got under way.  The top two seeds, Coco Vandeweghe and Sania Mirza, both won their first round qualifying matches.

The main draw for singles was made today, with Patty Schnyder and Shelby Rogers (who are doubles partners at this tournament) assisting. In an odd twist of fate, Schnyder plays Chanelle Scheepers in the first round for the second year in a row. Last year, Schnyder prevailed. In another odd twist, should Schnyder and Rogers both win their opening rounds, they will play each other in the second round. Last year, Schnyder--who is quite a star in Charleston--teamed with Rogers to play an exhibition doubles match.

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki has a bye in the first round, and in the second round, she will play the winner of a match between Memphis champion Magdalena Rybarikova and a yet-to-be named qualifier. Defending champion Sam Stosur, who is seeded 2nd, has a first round bye, and will play either Patricia Mayr-Achleitner or Zhang Shuai in the second round.

Maria Sharapova is not in the draw, though she was offered a wild card and would have also been seeded.

Maggie Maleeva drops in and gives Bulgiaria a doubles boost in Fed Cup

Retired WTA star Magdalena Maleeva has been playing doubles with Tsvetana Pironkova in this week's Fed Cup competition, and she is now 2-0 in doubles. On day 1, Maleeva and Pironkoava defeated the Polish team of Claudia Jans and Alicsja Rosolska in straight sets. On day 2, the pair defeated Luxembourg's Anne Kremer and Claudia Schaul in straight sets.

Pironkova, on the other hand, has lost both of her singles rubber. She was defeated by Polish star Agnieszka Radwanska, and by Mandy Minella of Luxembourg.

World number 1 Caroline Wozniacki, playing for Denmark, defeated Swiss veteran Patty Schnyder 6-3, 6-3 today. On day 1, Schnyder defeated Great Britain's Anne Keothavong 6-1, 6-2. Schnyder and Timea Bacsinszky, paired in doubles, defeated Wozniacki and partner, Mai Grage.

On day 1, Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands defeated Romanian star Alexandra Dulgheru, and on day 2, Rus defeated Hungary's Greta Arn, who recently won the championship in Auckland.

This time, it's Schnyder

In the third round of the U.S. Open, Yanina Wickmayer defeated Patty Schnyder 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 in an all-out thriller. Today in the first round in Luxembourg, Schnyder beat 3rd-seeded Wickmayer 6-4, 6-4.

The third seed wasn't the only one to make an exit. In the second round, 2nd seed Aravane Rezai was run over 6-0, 6-1 by Kirsten Flipkens, and Iveta Benesova defeated 7th seed Jarmila Groth 6-4, 7-5.

In Moscow, doubles 2nd seeds (and ad hoc team) Elena Vesnina and Liezel Huber were defeated 6-7, 6-4, 12-10 by Olga Govortsova and Alla Kudryavtseva. In singles, all the seeds who played today--Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, Alisa Kleybanova and Victoria Azarenka--advanced to the third round. Also, Dominika Cibulkova defeated Tsvetana Pironkova.

Ivanovic wins championship in Linz

Ana Ivanovic won her first title in two years today, defeating Patty Schnyder 6-1, 6-2 in the final of the Generali Ladies Linz. Finals, unfortunately, have been Schnyder's undoing for much of her career, and today was no different.

Ivanovic, who was seeded 7th, won the Linz title in 2008. Until recently, she has struggled with both her serve and her confidence. Before her problems began, Ivanovic won the 2008 French Open.

2nd seeds Renata Voracova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova won the doubles title. They defeated top seeds Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik 7-5, 7-6.

Schnyder and Ivanovic to meet in Linz fnal

She did it the hard way (or, as one commentator said, "just another day at the office for Patty"), but Patty Schnyder reached her third Linz final today by defeating 6th seed Andra Petkovic in the semifinals. Schnyder won the first set, then went up a break in the second, but Petkovic suddenly found more of a comfort level in the match and caught up. She broke Schnyder again and took the second set. Carrying her momentum into the last set, Petkovic looked fresh, while Schnyder--whose signature drop shot failed her again and again--appeared to stumble.

Somehow, though, the Swiss veteran stayed in the match, though it was not as easy for her to hold her serve as it had been earlier. She looked like she was about to tumble out in the latter half of the set, but a break back followed by a very difficult hold kept her in. She saved two match points, then broke Petkovic at 5-6, and--while fans very likely were holding their collective breath, wondering if Patty could close--she surprised perhaps even herself by immediately going up 40-0. On her second match point, Schnyder won the whole thing 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

Schnyder's opponent in the final will be 7th seed Ana Ivanovic, who defeated Roberta Vinci 6-3, 7-5. Vinci probably could have done more to confound Ivanovic, but was a bit flat. Nevertheless, it was another occasion in which Ivanovic showed fans that her serve is definitely back. For emphasis, she hit eight aces.

Schnyder to play Petkovic in Linz semifinals

Patty Schnyder beat her long-time rival, Daniela Hantuchova, for the first time in five years today at the Generali Ladies Linz. The unseeded Schnyder went down a break in the first set, but came back to take it 6-4. At 3-all in the second set, Hantuchova went down 0-40, but she managed to win the game. Schnyder broke at 4-all, however. In the second set, Schynder didn't seem as sure of herself, but after winning a very long game, she was able to pull some errors out of the 2nd seed and to break her at 4-all. When she served for the match, Schnyder--not atypically--became nervous, and she went down 0-30 right away. Once again, though, she steadied herself, and won the quarterfinal match 6-4, 6-4 on her first match point.

7th Ana Ivanovic won her quarterfinal match against Julia Goerges. The first set was close, and Ivanovic won it in a tiebreak. She then relied on her serve to take the second set 6-2. Of all the players who have had service problems, Ivanovic is the only one who has returned to form.

She may have her hands full in the semifinals, however. She will play Roberta Vinci, whose so-called "old school" (I call it clever and interesting tennis) game gave her a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win over countrywoman and doubles partner Sara Errani. Errani was seeded 9th.

Finally, 6th seed Andrea Petkovic defeated qualifier Eleni Daniilidou 6-3, 6-2. Petkovic will play Schnyder in the semifinals.

In Osaka, Kimiko Date Krumm upset 1st seed and defending champion Sam Stosur, and Tammy Tanasugarn defeated Chang Kai-Chen. 2nd seed Marion Bartoli defeated Jill Craybas 6-1, 6-2, and 3rd seed Shahar Peer defeated 7th seed Iveta Benesova 6-2, 6-0.

Schnyder advances to 3rd round in Linz

Linz has always been a good tournament for Patty Schnyder. She played in the final in 2005 but injured her hand in the middle of the match and couldn't do much after that (the winner was Nadia Petrova, collecting her first tour victory). Schnyder made it to the semifinals in 2006, but lost to Maria Sharapova (7-5, 7-5). She was a finalist again in 2007, when Daniela Hantuchova, Schnyder's long-time rival, took the title.

Today, Schnyder advanced to the third round with a 6-2, 6-0 win over 8th seed Klara Zakopalova. Hantuchova, who is seeded 2nd, also won her second round match. 5th seed Petra Kvitova, however, was upset 6-2, 6-1 by Julia Goerges.

In the next round, Schnyder and Hantuchova will play each other for the 19th time. Their victories are currently split at 10-8, with Hantuchova taking the lead. Hantuchova has, in fact, won the last five times they have played. Schnyder's last victory over Hantuchova took place in Linz in 2005.

In Osaka, the seeded players--Kimiko Date Krumm, Shahar Peer and Iveta Benesova--all won their second round matches today. Also, Jill Craybas defeated Olga Savchuk 6-1, 6-1.

Cibulkova upset in Linz

Qualifier Eleni Daniilidou upset Linz 4th seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-4 today in the first round of play. Also in the first round, Roberta Vinci defeated 3rd seed Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 6-2.

Patty Schnyder brought her career record against Gisela Dulko to 5-0; Schnyder defeated Dulko 6-2, 6-3.

In Osaka, qualifier Laura Robson lost to 6th seed Kimiko Date Krumm. Date Krumm broke four times for a 6-3, 6-3 victory.

Schynder advances to 2nd round of China Open

Patty Schnyder made a good start in Beijing today, defeating Yaroslava Shvedova 6-1, 6-4 in the first round. Also advancing were Kimiko Date Krumm, who defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues, and Olga Govortsova, who defeated Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. Other first-round winners were Andrea Petkovic (def. Lucie Safarova), Elena Vesnina (def. Agnes Szavay) and Timea Bacsinszky (def. Julia Goerges).


Schnyder's next opponent will probably be Shahar Peer, and Jankovic will play a qualifier.

Wickmayer wins thriller against Schnyder

If you're a fan of Patty Schnyder, I feel your pain.

Actually, I may be too preoccupied with feeling my own pain.

Wickmayer defeated Schnyder 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 today in Flushing Meadows, and now advances to the U.S. Open round of 16. Wickmayer, who was a semifinalist last year, was visibly relieved to escape Schnyder, who pulled out every shot for which she is known--and then some--against the 15th seed. The Swiss veteran dropped, spun, served out wide, changed pace, kicked the ball up in the wind, and generally made a nuisance of herself against a player who likes to play short  points.

The first set was tense, and Wickmayer won secured the tiebreak 7-5. In the second set, Schnyder appeared to conquer the wind, and was able to play her classic lefty, spinning, dropping, "I don't care how hard you want to hit the ball" game. She took the set 6-3.

The third set was so tension-filled, it was impossible to take your eyes away from it. Each player had multiple opportunities to get ahead, and--serving at 3-4--Schnyder saved three break points to hold serve. She then forced Wickmayer into a deuce service game, but the 15th seed hit a huge serve, which was followed by a point won on a mis-hit from Schnyder. Soon after, Wickmayer held a match point, which Schnyder saved, and the pair wound up in a second tiebreak.

As a viewer, I was exhausted at this point, and I could only imagine how the players felt, especially since the wind sometimes made it so hard for them to hit toward the lines. And just when you thought that one of them might let up mentally, a winner or a stunning defensive shot would be produced.

Schnyder went up 5-3 in the tiebreak, but could not hold on to the mini-break. Later, she held a match point, but Wickmayer saved it. Schnyder then saved another match point, and there was every reason to believe in her mental strength at that point. But at 6-7, she missed a serve out wide, and the second serve (which she either hit too far out wide, or it was carried a bit by the wind) went out, also. And just like that, it was over.

The match lasted two hours and 33 minutes, though it seemed to go on much longer. Schnyder hit 40 winners and made 41 unforced errors. Wickmayer hit 31 winners and made 47 unforced errors. It was hardly a clean match for the Belgian, but she fought impressively for every point she made, and was able to defeat not only a very clever opponent, but one whom she had never before played.

Peng upsets 9th seed Radwanska at U.S. Open

Commentators and writers usually talk about Agnieszka Radwanska's moving "under the radar" at a major tournament. She has advanced under the radar at this year's U.S. Open, too, but Peng Shuai managed to locate her and escort her to the exit. The unpredictable Peng, when she's playing at her top level, can have a go at the best of them, and tonight, she defeated 9th seed Radwanska 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. Earlier in the day, Radwanska's sister, Urszula, was defeated by Lourdes Dominguez Lino.

I was pleased when a New York Times tennis writer suggested that fans watch the second round U.S. Open match featuring Patty Schnyder and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. I could watch both clever lefties play for hours, with their drops and spins and sometimes artistic strategies. 22nd seed Martinez Sanchez hasn't played much lately because of a knee injury, but she was nevertheless entertaining. Schnyder lost some opportunities to win the first set, but she won it via a tiebreak, and then won the second set 6-3. With her career winding down (I'm in some denial about that), it was great to see her get to the third round.

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki defeated Chang Kai-Chen 6-0, 6-0, and Maria Sharapova defeated Iveta Benesova 6-1, 6-2. The two are now very close to a round of 16 meeting, and all eyes will be on that match.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands lost a close match to Andre Petkovic. The German danced even more tonight. If she continues to win, she's going to need a deejay. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Vera Zvonareva and Maria Kirilenko all advanced, making it a strong day for the top Russians.

It was a very hot, very windy, very difficult day, but that didn't tempt either ESPN or U.S. Open website officials to let us get even a glimpse of a match that lasted three hours and thirteen minutes. In fact, Dominka Cibulkova and Kateryna Bondarenko spent an hour and 42 minutes just working out their third set. Cibulkova defeated Bondarenko 6-2, 5-7, 7-6. Is there a back or hip injury coming soon? I hope not, but Cibulkova has a significant history of back and hip problems.

A final note: Kaia Kanepi, Yanina Wickmayer, Chan Yung-Jan, and Alexandra Dulgheru all advanced to the third round.

Szavay defends Budapest title

Agnes Szavay defended her title in Budapest today by defeating Patty Schnyder 6-2, 6-4 in the final. Szavay was the 7th seed. Szavay defeated Schnyder in last year's final, also.

Timea Bacsinszky and Tathiana Garbin won the doubles title, defeating top seeds Sorana Cirstea and Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3, 6-3. Bacsinszky and Garbin were seeded 2nd.

Szavay and Schnyder return to Budapest final

Last year's Budapest final will be repeated tomorrow, at least in terms of the participants. Defending champion and 7th seed Agnes Szavay defeated 2nd seed Alexandra Dulgheru 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 today in the semifinals. Patty Schnyder defeated qualifier Zuzana Ondraskova 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. Schnyder is last year's runner-up; Szavay defeated her 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the 2009 final. Schnyder was last year's top seed.

In doubles, 2nd seeds Timea Bacsinszky and Tathiana Garbin will compete for the title against top seeds Sorana Cirstea and Anabel Medina Garrigues.

Dulgheru advances to Budapest semifinals

2nd seed Alexandra Dulgheru defeated Anastasja Savastova 6-7, 6-2, 7-6  in the Budapest semifinals today in a match that lasted two hours and 41 minutes. Also advancing were Agnes Szavay, who defeated wild card Alize Cornet, and Zuzana Ondraskova, who defeated 4th seed Anabel  Medina Garrigues in a mactch that lasted almost two hours and 58 minutes.

Patty Schnyder took advantage of a shaky Polona Hercog, and defated her 7-5, 1-6, 6-4.