Daniela Hantuchova and Agnieszka Radwanska have won the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open doubles championship, defeating 3rd seeds Liezel Huber and Nadia Petrova. Hantuchova and Radwanska won the first set in a tiebreak, then Huber and Petrova quickly took the second set 6-2, but the winners prevailed 10-8 in the super-tiebreak.
Hantuchova will be playing doubles with Maria Kirilenko at the Family Circle Cup, which begins tomorrow. Huber will team with Lisa Raymond, and Petrova will be paired with Meghann Shaughnessy. Radwanska will not be in Charleston.
Showing posts with label Sony Ericsson Open. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sony Ericsson Open. Show all posts
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Azarenka wins Miami
Afraid I might miss a thriller, I left Charleston qualifying (and sacrificed watching the draw) to go back to the hotel in Mount Pleasant and watch the Miami final. I kind of wish I had stayed on Daniel Island. It wasn't a beat-down (well, the first set was), but Azarenka's 6-1, 6-4 victory was a solid one. Sharapova, awash in errors and service problems, and down 0-4 in the second set, eventually came to life. Azarenka got a bit shaky toward the end, too.. But just a bit.
Sharapova was broken eight times, and held serve only once. Azarenka, who won the championship in 2009, has had multiple problems with illness and injury for the past year, so this was a very big win for her.
Sharapova was broken eight times, and held serve only once. Azarenka, who won the championship in 2009, has had multiple problems with illness and injury for the past year, so this was a very big win for her.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Clijsters upset by Azarenka in Miami
It was anything but an exciting match, but 8th seed and 2009 champion Victoria Azarenka probably doesn't care. Azarenka faced a completely flat Kim Clijsters in the Sony Ericsson Open quarterfinals tonight, and pulled off a 6-3, 6-3 victory without having to break much of a sweat. Not that Azarenka didn't have her own problems: She served really well, but she would frequently make unforced errors just when she had set up those good serves to produce winners. Still, the 2nd seed gave the impression that she wanted to be put out of her misery, and Azarenka obliged.
Clijsters has been having some problems with her shoulder ever since the Australian Open, and I don't know whether the injury factored into tonight's meltdown. "I just didn't feel good out there," she said after the match. We haves seen this type of thing before; when Clijsters goes off, she goes way off. But, after getting what looked like an impossible victory against Ana Ivanovic, it did seem odd that the defending champion would have so much difficulty in the quarterfinals.
Vera Zvonareva, the tournament's 3rd seed, was another story. She defeated 9th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5, 63, and will play Azarenka in the semifinals. Meanwhile, on the other end of the draw, Andrea Petkovic will play Maria Sharapova, assuming that Sharapova's ankle is stable enough for her to play.
In doubles, 3rd seeds Liezel Huber and Nadia Petrova defeated wild cards Sloane Stephens and Yanina Wickmayer in straight sets to advance to the semifinals.
Clijsters has been having some problems with her shoulder ever since the Australian Open, and I don't know whether the injury factored into tonight's meltdown. "I just didn't feel good out there," she said after the match. We haves seen this type of thing before; when Clijsters goes off, she goes way off. But, after getting what looked like an impossible victory against Ana Ivanovic, it did seem odd that the defending champion would have so much difficulty in the quarterfinals.
Vera Zvonareva, the tournament's 3rd seed, was another story. She defeated 9th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5, 63, and will play Azarenka in the semifinals. Meanwhile, on the other end of the draw, Andrea Petkovic will play Maria Sharapova, assuming that Sharapova's ankle is stable enough for her to play.
In doubles, 3rd seeds Liezel Huber and Nadia Petrova defeated wild cards Sloane Stephens and Yanina Wickmayer in straight sets to advance to the semifinals.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Clijsters squeaks into Miami quarterfinals
Kim Clijsters won the first set 7-6. Ana Ivanovic won the second, 6-3, then went up 5-1 in the third. She held five match points, too, but it was the 2nd seed who walked away with the win when she prevailed 7-5 in a third set tiebreak. Clijsters double-faulted eleven times in the match, but has to be given credit for making an amazing comeback against the 19th seed.
There were some upsets today. Top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta were defeated by 8th seeds Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Anabel Medina Garrigues. The Spanish team defeated Dulko and Pennetta 7-5, 6-4 in a match that featured twelve breaks of serve. In singles, 6th seed Jelena Jankovic lost her quarterfinal match to 21st seed Andrea Petkovic. Petkovic, who has always had talent but who used to fall short in the nerve department, seetms to have turned that situation around. She defeated Jankovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, giving her an excellent follow-up to her defeat of world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki.
And then there was the quarterfinal match between Alexandra Dulgheru and Maria Sharapova, which seemed like the Match That Wouldn't End. At 5-all in the third, serving at 30-15, Sharapova left the court to have the trainer look at her foot after she turned her ankle (she had called for the trainer earlier, but had changed her mind); she then received medical treatment. Dulgheru can be somewhat of a wall (talk about fitness), and she was happy to hang in and continually retrieve balls and wait for the 16th seed to make errors. They played almost three hours and 29 minutes, and broke each other 18 times. It went on for so long that Dulgheru did a costume change. Once she hurt her foot, Sharapova really started taking it to the 26th seed, with Dulgheru giving it right back, as she moved Sharapova around the court as much as possible.
Sharapova, who made 76 unforced errors (including 17 double faults), won the match 3-6, 7-6, 7-6. Dulgheru's relentless defense game almost paid off, but not quite. How Sharapova will fare in terms of foot strength and energy is unknown, but she put herself back into the top 10, no matter what. She also did a very good job of working around her injury and the feelings that obviously accompanied it.
Several years ago, I watched Nadia Petrova beat down Sharapova, and throughout the match, Petrova's name was mentioned only once. Commentators Mary Joe Fernandez and Cliff Drysdale could not stop talking about Sharapova, even as she was being hammered by her countrywoman. I thought of that tonight when I had Tennis Channel on (the picture is more stable than on Tennis TV, so sometimes I have them both running). To hear Lindsay Davenport go on, Dulgheru wasn't even there. Funny--I saw Dulgheru play her heart out, change the pace when she needed to, switch from defense to offense, and skillfully run down balls that would have created winners against other players. But Davenport would not give her any credit. Even when co-commentator Ted Robinson said "Dulgheru deserves a lot of respect," Davenport changed the subject.
I enjoy watching Sharapova as much as the next person, and--as anyone who reads this blog knows--I have not been part of the "Sharapova's career is over" trend. This isn't about Sharapova: It's about a commentator's ridiculous fawning over a player--which is problematic in itself--and her subsequent dismissal of the opponent. It took Sharapova three and a half error-strewn hours to overcome Dulgheru; maybe the 26th seed could be acknowledged as at least being part of the match?
(And while I'm on the subject of Tennis Channel: The Family Circle Cup in Charleston, a premier event, takes place next week, but according to Tennis Channel, it doesn't exist. The commentators have the women heading straight from Miami to Europe.)
There were some upsets today. Top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta were defeated by 8th seeds Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Anabel Medina Garrigues. The Spanish team defeated Dulko and Pennetta 7-5, 6-4 in a match that featured twelve breaks of serve. In singles, 6th seed Jelena Jankovic lost her quarterfinal match to 21st seed Andrea Petkovic. Petkovic, who has always had talent but who used to fall short in the nerve department, seetms to have turned that situation around. She defeated Jankovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, giving her an excellent follow-up to her defeat of world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki.
And then there was the quarterfinal match between Alexandra Dulgheru and Maria Sharapova, which seemed like the Match That Wouldn't End. At 5-all in the third, serving at 30-15, Sharapova left the court to have the trainer look at her foot after she turned her ankle (she had called for the trainer earlier, but had changed her mind); she then received medical treatment. Dulgheru can be somewhat of a wall (talk about fitness), and she was happy to hang in and continually retrieve balls and wait for the 16th seed to make errors. They played almost three hours and 29 minutes, and broke each other 18 times. It went on for so long that Dulgheru did a costume change. Once she hurt her foot, Sharapova really started taking it to the 26th seed, with Dulgheru giving it right back, as she moved Sharapova around the court as much as possible.
Sharapova, who made 76 unforced errors (including 17 double faults), won the match 3-6, 7-6, 7-6. Dulgheru's relentless defense game almost paid off, but not quite. How Sharapova will fare in terms of foot strength and energy is unknown, but she put herself back into the top 10, no matter what. She also did a very good job of working around her injury and the feelings that obviously accompanied it.
Several years ago, I watched Nadia Petrova beat down Sharapova, and throughout the match, Petrova's name was mentioned only once. Commentators Mary Joe Fernandez and Cliff Drysdale could not stop talking about Sharapova, even as she was being hammered by her countrywoman. I thought of that tonight when I had Tennis Channel on (the picture is more stable than on Tennis TV, so sometimes I have them both running). To hear Lindsay Davenport go on, Dulgheru wasn't even there. Funny--I saw Dulgheru play her heart out, change the pace when she needed to, switch from defense to offense, and skillfully run down balls that would have created winners against other players. But Davenport would not give her any credit. Even when co-commentator Ted Robinson said "Dulgheru deserves a lot of respect," Davenport changed the subject.
I enjoy watching Sharapova as much as the next person, and--as anyone who reads this blog knows--I have not been part of the "Sharapova's career is over" trend. This isn't about Sharapova: It's about a commentator's ridiculous fawning over a player--which is problematic in itself--and her subsequent dismissal of the opponent. It took Sharapova three and a half error-strewn hours to overcome Dulgheru; maybe the 26th seed could be acknowledged as at least being part of the match?
(And while I'm on the subject of Tennis Channel: The Family Circle Cup in Charleston, a premier event, takes place next week, but according to Tennis Channel, it doesn't exist. The commentators have the women heading straight from Miami to Europe.)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Radwanska defeats Schiavone for the first time
Before today, Agnieszka Radwanska had never beaten Francesca Schiavone. The Italian led their head-to-head 4-0 (all matches on hard courts). Radwanska, who said after the match that she wanted to win at least one match against the 5th seed, got her wish. Radwanska, seeded 9th, hit sixteen winners and made only eight unforced errors, defeating Schiavone 6-0, 6-2. Schiavone's forehand betrayed her, and she made one error after another.
Joining Radwanska in the quarterfinals is 16th seed Maria Sharapova, who defeated 4th seed Sam Stosur 6-4, 6-1.
Out of competition in doubles are 7th seeds Bethanie Mattek-Sand and Meghann Shaughnessy. They were defeated by wild card Sloane Stephens (who has an outstanding junior doubles record) and Yanina Wickmayer.
Joining Radwanska in the quarterfinals is 16th seed Maria Sharapova, who defeated 4th seed Sam Stosur 6-4, 6-1.
Out of competition in doubles are 7th seeds Bethanie Mattek-Sand and Meghann Shaughnessy. They were defeated by wild card Sloane Stephens (who has an outstanding junior doubles record) and Yanina Wickmayer.
You make me feel like dancing
Today in Miami, Andrea Petkovic did what Daniela Hantuchova was not quite able to do--the 21st seed took number 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki out of the Sony Ericsson Open. Whereas Hantuchova (who has a history of problems closing big matches) couldn't hold her nerve, Petkovic had no problem in that area. She also had no problem hitting repeatedly to Wozniacki's forehand and moving way inside the baseline to take charge of Wozniacki's second serves.
The German player (known on this blog as Dance Party) said after the match that she went in with a solid plan, and she stuck with that plan, even after losing a set. Petkovic credits working out a game plan with her coach and staying on that plan as the reason she was able to defeat Wozniacki. The top seed held three set points on Petkovic's serve in the first set, but Petkovic saved them all, and went on to hold and break. This kind of mental resolve helped take the 21st seed to victory. "Most players think they can overpower Caroline," Petkovic said, "but that's the wrong approach. She brings every ball back. I mixed it up, and thankfully, it worked in the end."
After the match, Petkovic performed her customary boogie on the court, and she really had something to dance about; she is the first German player to reach the Miami quartefinals since Anke Huber did so ten years ago. Dance Party now faces 6th seed Jelena Jankovic, who defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-1, 6-3 in the fourth round.
The German player (known on this blog as Dance Party) said after the match that she went in with a solid plan, and she stuck with that plan, even after losing a set. Petkovic credits working out a game plan with her coach and staying on that plan as the reason she was able to defeat Wozniacki. The top seed held three set points on Petkovic's serve in the first set, but Petkovic saved them all, and went on to hold and break. This kind of mental resolve helped take the 21st seed to victory. "Most players think they can overpower Caroline," Petkovic said, "but that's the wrong approach. She brings every ball back. I mixed it up, and thankfully, it worked in the end."
After the match, Petkovic performed her customary boogie on the court, and she really had something to dance about; she is the first German player to reach the Miami quartefinals since Anke Huber did so ten years ago. Dance Party now faces 6th seed Jelena Jankovic, who defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-1, 6-3 in the fourth round.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Pavlyuchenkova defeats Kvitova in Miami
12th seed Petra Kvitova, whose game was on fire early in the season, was defeated by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open today. Kvitova sustained an abdominal injury a couple of months ago, and that slowed her down; she has not returned to the form that enabled her to win two titles at the beginning of the year. Pavlyuchenkova, who is seeded 17th in Miami, posted a score of 6-4, 6-7, 6-0.
It took her three sets, but 8th seed Victoria Azarenka was able to fight off an in-form Dominika Cibulkova, Kim Clijsters was taken to three sets by Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, but the 2nd seed prevailed, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. 5th seed Francesca Schiavone defeated Lourdes Dominguez Lino in a close two sets.
Indian Wells champions Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina lost to Daniela Hantuchova and Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round today, and 6th seeds Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova were upset by wild cards Ana Ivanovic and Andrea Petkovic.
Petkovic will meet top seed Caroline Wozniacki in singles play in the fourth round. Petkovic, who is seeded 21st, has never played Wozniacki at a WTA event.
It took her three sets, but 8th seed Victoria Azarenka was able to fight off an in-form Dominika Cibulkova, Kim Clijsters was taken to three sets by Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, but the 2nd seed prevailed, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. 5th seed Francesca Schiavone defeated Lourdes Dominguez Lino in a close two sets.
Indian Wells champions Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina lost to Daniela Hantuchova and Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round today, and 6th seeds Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova were upset by wild cards Ana Ivanovic and Andrea Petkovic.
Petkovic will meet top seed Caroline Wozniacki in singles play in the fourth round. Petkovic, who is seeded 21st, has never played Wozniacki at a WTA event.
Peschke & Srebotnik make second straight first-round exit
Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik, seeded 2nd at the Sony Ericsson Open, were defeated 7-5, 7-6 yesterday in the first round by Shahar Peer and Peng Shuai. They were also defeated in the first round in Indian Wells, where they were the defending champions.
Indian Wells champions Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina upset 5th seeds Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie, and advanced to the second round.
In singles, Daniela Hantuchova came back from a 1-6 first set loss against Caroline Wozniacki, and sent the second set into a tiebreak. Both before and during the tiebreak, Hantuchova had opportunities to win the set, but she was unable to utilize them. Serving at 7-8 in the tiebreak, she double-faulted, giving the top seed the victory. This dynamics of this match were not unusual for Hantuchova: She figured out how to beat her opponent, but she could not go the extra step and execute her plan.
16th seed Maria Sharapova had an easy time of it against wild card Sabine Lisicki, who is less than a shadow of the player she was in 2008. Lisicki has been troubled by illnesses and injuries since winning Charleston, and has not been able to make any type of comeback. Sharapova's next opponent is 4th seed Sam Stosur.
Indian Wells champions Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina upset 5th seeds Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie, and advanced to the second round.
In singles, Daniela Hantuchova came back from a 1-6 first set loss against Caroline Wozniacki, and sent the second set into a tiebreak. Both before and during the tiebreak, Hantuchova had opportunities to win the set, but she was unable to utilize them. Serving at 7-8 in the tiebreak, she double-faulted, giving the top seed the victory. This dynamics of this match were not unusual for Hantuchova: She figured out how to beat her opponent, but she could not go the extra step and execute her plan.
16th seed Maria Sharapova had an easy time of it against wild card Sabine Lisicki, who is less than a shadow of the player she was in 2008. Lisicki has been troubled by illnesses and injuries since winning Charleston, and has not been able to make any type of comeback. Sharapova's next opponent is 4th seed Sam Stosur.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Peng defeats Kuznetsova in Miami
Peng Shuai continued her 2011 success today by upsetting 11th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-1 at the Sony Ericsson Open. Peng, who has yet to drop a set, advances to the Miami quarterfinals for the first time. Kuznetsova won the tournament in 2006.
In second round play yesterday, seeds Kaia Kanepi, Alisa Kleybanova and Tsvetana Pironkova were all defeated. Wild card Dinara Safina took a set off of 3rd seed Vera Zvonareva, but Zvonareva prevailed. Yaroslava Shvedova strained a muscle near her knee--the one in which she sustained the injury--and had to retire against Jarmila Groth. Shvedova reports that she needs to do even more leg strengthening.
In doubles, recently retired Rennae Stubbs showed up, but she and partner Jill Craybas were defeated. Top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta advanced to the second round.
Combined (as in, the WTA and the ATP are both playing on the same days) tournaments are supposed to be good for the WTA. They certainly aren't good for me, as a fan.Tennis TV, the only venue I like to watch with the sound on, is showing 42 ATP matches in Miami, and 12 WTA matches.
In second round play yesterday, seeds Kaia Kanepi, Alisa Kleybanova and Tsvetana Pironkova were all defeated. Wild card Dinara Safina took a set off of 3rd seed Vera Zvonareva, but Zvonareva prevailed. Yaroslava Shvedova strained a muscle near her knee--the one in which she sustained the injury--and had to retire against Jarmila Groth. Shvedova reports that she needs to do even more leg strengthening.
In doubles, recently retired Rennae Stubbs showed up, but she and partner Jill Craybas were defeated. Top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta advanced to the second round.
Combined (as in, the WTA and the ATP are both playing on the same days) tournaments are supposed to be good for the WTA. They certainly aren't good for me, as a fan.Tennis TV, the only venue I like to watch with the sound on, is showing 42 ATP matches in Miami, and 12 WTA matches.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Seeds out in 2nd round in Miami
Li Na, the 7th seed in Miami, was defeated 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 today by Johanna Larsson. The three-hour match, Li's first at the Sony Ericsson Open, was the latest of several disappointing results for the Australian Open runner-up.
10th seed Shahar Peer was upset by Anabel Medina Garrigues, who is showing signs of getting past a very long slump in singles. Iveta Benesova defeated 13th seed Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-0; Pennetta isn't having a good first quarter.
The upsets didn't stop there. Peng Shuai defeated 20th seed Aravane Rezai, and Elena Vesnina defeated 23rd seed Yanina Wickmayer, who was a semifinalist in Indian Wells. Nadia Petrova, seeded 18th, retired against Sabine Lisicki because of an episode of dizziness.
In doubles, 4th seeds Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova were upset by Nuria Llagostera Vives and Arantxa Parra Santonja.
Yesterday, number 1 qualifying seed Jelena Dokic was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Dinara Safina. Safina will play 3rd seed Vera Zvonareva in the second round.
10th seed Shahar Peer was upset by Anabel Medina Garrigues, who is showing signs of getting past a very long slump in singles. Iveta Benesova defeated 13th seed Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-0; Pennetta isn't having a good first quarter.
The upsets didn't stop there. Peng Shuai defeated 20th seed Aravane Rezai, and Elena Vesnina defeated 23rd seed Yanina Wickmayer, who was a semifinalist in Indian Wells. Nadia Petrova, seeded 18th, retired against Sabine Lisicki because of an episode of dizziness.
In doubles, 4th seeds Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova were upset by Nuria Llagostera Vives and Arantxa Parra Santonja.
Yesterday, number 1 qualifying seed Jelena Dokic was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Dinara Safina. Safina will play 3rd seed Vera Zvonareva in the second round.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Marino out in 1st round of Miami qualifying
Rebecca Marino, the number 2 qualifying seed at the Sony Ericsson Open, lost today in the first round of qualifying. Marino was defeated 6-1, 7-5 by Jamie Hampton. 3rd seed Magdalena Rybarikova also went out in the first round. Rybarikova lost to wild card Michelle Larcher De Brito.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Venus Williams withdraws from Sony Ericsson Open
Venus Williams withdrew from the Sony Ericsson Open today because of the abdominal injury she sustained during the Australian Open. Williams is a three-time champion at the Miami tournament, and she was the runner-up last year. The tournament begins on March 22.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Miscellany
To enjoy the U.S. Open even more, you can enter the Match of the Day contest Tennis Now is sponsoring. Predict the score of the featured U.S. Open match, and compete to win a $50 gift card from Tennis Express. And while you're at Tennis Now, you can also enter to win three nights and two days in Miami while you attend the Sony Ericsson Open in March.
There is so much wrong with the ideas promoted in this article in the New York Times, I don't know where to begin. Fortunately, I don't have to, because After Atalanta has said just about everything I want to say. I'm pleased that Gigi Fernandez has children, but the oppressive tone of her comments (passively promoted by the writer) is worrisome. She also seems to have been "shocked" by discovering fairly standard biological realities, and her cautionary message is far more judgmental and needlessly guilt-oriented than it is helpful. (Update: Fernandez has responded to the After Atlalanta post, further explaining some of the difficulties involved in her goal to have children. I respect what she went through, but the tone of the article is nevertheless one that reflects the usual "warnings" our culture gives to female athletes who dare to compete at a top level for more than a few years.)
Just another reminder that Unmatched will premiere on ESPN's "30 for 30" on Tuesday, September 14 at 8 p.m. EST. The documentary covers the rivalry between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, which is the greatest sports rivalry of all time. (Make sure you read The Rivals, too.)
I'm liking Sam Stosur's front-pleat purple Lacoste dress with the white trim. I also like the Addidas dress that Daniela Hantuchova and Ana Ivanovic are wearing.
I can handle only a small portion of Andrea Petkovic's frenzied, and sometimes tangential, prose. But if you enjoy it, you should know that she's blogging for ESPN.
Lindsay Davenport says that the courts are too fast and the wind too strong for top seed Caroline Wozniacki to win the U.S. Open this year.
Now is a good time to get to know Mandy Minella.
There is so much wrong with the ideas promoted in this article in the New York Times, I don't know where to begin. Fortunately, I don't have to, because After Atalanta has said just about everything I want to say. I'm pleased that Gigi Fernandez has children, but the oppressive tone of her comments (passively promoted by the writer) is worrisome. She also seems to have been "shocked" by discovering fairly standard biological realities, and her cautionary message is far more judgmental and needlessly guilt-oriented than it is helpful. (Update: Fernandez has responded to the After Atlalanta post, further explaining some of the difficulties involved in her goal to have children. I respect what she went through, but the tone of the article is nevertheless one that reflects the usual "warnings" our culture gives to female athletes who dare to compete at a top level for more than a few years.)
Just another reminder that Unmatched will premiere on ESPN's "30 for 30" on Tuesday, September 14 at 8 p.m. EST. The documentary covers the rivalry between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, which is the greatest sports rivalry of all time. (Make sure you read The Rivals, too.)
I'm liking Sam Stosur's front-pleat purple Lacoste dress with the white trim. I also like the Addidas dress that Daniela Hantuchova and Ana Ivanovic are wearing.
I can handle only a small portion of Andrea Petkovic's frenzied, and sometimes tangential, prose. But if you enjoy it, you should know that she's blogging for ESPN.
Lindsay Davenport says that the courts are too fast and the wind too strong for top seed Caroline Wozniacki to win the U.S. Open this year.
Now is a good time to get to know Mandy Minella.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Dulko & Pennetta win Miami championship
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Quote of the week
"How many different ways are there to choke? The number seems to be infinite."
Steve Tignor, writing about the Clijsters-Henin Miami semifinal
Clijsters defeats Williams to win Miami
As agonizing as the Thursday night Sony Ericsson Open semifinal was--in retrospect, it's actually looking pretty good, compared with today's final. Again up a set and 3-0, Kim Clijsters had no meltdown today. In fact, it took the 14th seed less than an hour to defeat Venus Williams 6-2, 6-1 and win her 37th Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title.
The problems today were on Williams' side of the net. The 3rd seed, who entered the championship match on a 15-match win streak, made 29 unforced errors, compared with Clijsters' 12. There was only one good rally in the entire match, and Clijsters did a good job of just keeping the ball in the court, as Williams made error after error. Sometimes a player just has a bad day on the court, and today was a bad day for Williams.
With this win, Clijsters gets a ranking of number 10 in the world.
The problems today were on Williams' side of the net. The 3rd seed, who entered the championship match on a 15-match win streak, made 29 unforced errors, compared with Clijsters' 12. There was only one good rally in the entire match, and Clijsters did a good job of just keeping the ball in the court, as Williams made error after error. Sometimes a player just has a bad day on the court, and today was a bad day for Williams.
With this win, Clijsters gets a ranking of number 10 in the world.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Dulko & Pennetta to play Petrova & Stosur in Miami final
The unseeded team of Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta will play 3rd seeds Nadia Petrova and Samantha Stosur in the Sony Ericsson Open doubles championship on Sunday. Dulko and Pennetta upset 4th seeds Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. In the second round, they upset 2nd seeds Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
Petrova and Stosur defeated Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie 6-1, 7-5 in the semifinals.
Raymond, playing with Kveta Peschke, was a finalist last year.
Petrova and Stosur defeated Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie 6-1, 7-5 in the semifinals.
Raymond, playing with Kveta Peschke, was a finalist last year.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Justine & Kim, together again, as you always wanted to see them
When Justine Henin defeated Vera Zvonareva in the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open, I remarked to someone that if she keeps serving like that, no one can stop her.
But she didn't keep serving like that. In fact, she didn't continue to do a lot of things she did against Zvonareva. I wasn't able to tune in to her quarterfinal match against Caroline Wozniacki until it was 4-all in the first set. It was obvious, though, that Henin's serve was off. Her forehand was way off. When she got it working again, her backhand failed her. When she got that working, her serve would go off again. She also had something wrong with her back, and had to receive treatment. It just didn't look like a good day for her.
Henin did serve for the first set, but Wozniacki broke her. Wozniacki went on to win that set in a tiebreak, and she looked so steady and precise--the opposite of Henin--that I was already thinking, "Now, this is going to get Wozniacki some respect."
But even when she isn't playing that well, Henin has reserves of skill and mental strength, and she called on them in the second set, which she won 6-3, breaking Wozniacki just once in five opportunities, but once was enough. She then broke early in the third set, and suddenly--almost out of nowhere, in contrast to her earlier performance--just about everything began working for her. The serve returned, and out came the slice. Henin hit a total of 52 winners and emerged the 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 victor, and--while Wozniacki comported herself well--she just wasn't up to the task of overcoming the likes of Justine Henin.
In the other semifinal, Kim Clijsters showed that aggression pays off. She dominated Sam Stosur just enough to take the first set, 6-3. Stosur took more risks in the second set, but as it grew tight toward the end, there seemed to be a cloud of doubt hovering over her, while Clijsters never let up. Stosur did put on a serving clinic, but it wasn't enough to overcome a quick-moving, opportunity-grabbing Clijsters. At 5-all, the second set looked like it could go either way, but Clijsters broke Stosur, who suddenly could do nothing but make errors. The Belgian then held for 7-5.
Clijsters will play Henin in the semifinals. Just like old times.
But she didn't keep serving like that. In fact, she didn't continue to do a lot of things she did against Zvonareva. I wasn't able to tune in to her quarterfinal match against Caroline Wozniacki until it was 4-all in the first set. It was obvious, though, that Henin's serve was off. Her forehand was way off. When she got it working again, her backhand failed her. When she got that working, her serve would go off again. She also had something wrong with her back, and had to receive treatment. It just didn't look like a good day for her.
Henin did serve for the first set, but Wozniacki broke her. Wozniacki went on to win that set in a tiebreak, and she looked so steady and precise--the opposite of Henin--that I was already thinking, "Now, this is going to get Wozniacki some respect."
But even when she isn't playing that well, Henin has reserves of skill and mental strength, and she called on them in the second set, which she won 6-3, breaking Wozniacki just once in five opportunities, but once was enough. She then broke early in the third set, and suddenly--almost out of nowhere, in contrast to her earlier performance--just about everything began working for her. The serve returned, and out came the slice. Henin hit a total of 52 winners and emerged the 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 victor, and--while Wozniacki comported herself well--she just wasn't up to the task of overcoming the likes of Justine Henin.
In the other semifinal, Kim Clijsters showed that aggression pays off. She dominated Sam Stosur just enough to take the first set, 6-3. Stosur took more risks in the second set, but as it grew tight toward the end, there seemed to be a cloud of doubt hovering over her, while Clijsters never let up. Stosur did put on a serving clinic, but it wasn't enough to overcome a quick-moving, opportunity-grabbing Clijsters. At 5-all, the second set looked like it could go either way, but Clijsters broke Stosur, who suddenly could do nothing but make errors. The Belgian then held for 7-5.
Clijsters will play Henin in the semifinals. Just like old times.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Williams and Bartoli go to Miami semifinals
It wasn't always attractive, but it doesn't have to be. Marion Bartoli and Yanina Wickmayer, meeting for the first time, played a topsy-turvy semifinal in Miami this evening. There were 12 breaks of serve, and Bartoli double-faulted 7 times. 12th seed Wickmayer, when all was said and done, wasn't up to the task of dealing with Bartoli's return of serve, which is her best shot. In fact, when she isn't injured or otherwise preoccupied, it's the shot that wins matches.
The first two games of the first set were long ones, and they were indicative of how the entire match would look. It took her a while, but Bartoli broke Wickmayer four times to take the first set 6-4. In the second set, Wickmayer began to hit with more confidence. Bartoli kept up the pressure, though, and never appeared to waver in confidence, even when things went wrong. For example, she was broken after leading 40-0 in one game, but she handled it calmly. Serving at 4-5, Bartoli went down 0-40, but eventually held. She then broke Wickmayer, and held for a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
The last game of the match was also a microcosm of the whole thing: Bartoli had three match points. She double-faulted the first one, and Wickmayer saved the second one when a netcord roller went her way. But on the third, the 13th seed won a place in the semifinals.
Earlier in the day, 3rd seed Venus Williams defeated 6th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 6-1. This match should have been more competitive, but Radwanksa has issues with her serve. Williams didn't: She had a first serve percentage of 77, and hit 8 aces.
The first two games of the first set were long ones, and they were indicative of how the entire match would look. It took her a while, but Bartoli broke Wickmayer four times to take the first set 6-4. In the second set, Wickmayer began to hit with more confidence. Bartoli kept up the pressure, though, and never appeared to waver in confidence, even when things went wrong. For example, she was broken after leading 40-0 in one game, but she handled it calmly. Serving at 4-5, Bartoli went down 0-40, but eventually held. She then broke Wickmayer, and held for a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
The last game of the match was also a microcosm of the whole thing: Bartoli had three match points. She double-faulted the first one, and Wickmayer saved the second one when a netcord roller went her way. But on the third, the 13th seed won a place in the semifinals.
Earlier in the day, 3rd seed Venus Williams defeated 6th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 6-1. This match should have been more competitive, but Radwanksa has issues with her serve. Williams didn't: She had a first serve percentage of 77, and hit 8 aces.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Miami quarterfinal draw is set
There are only eight women left in the Sony Ericsson Open draw, and three of them are Belgian:
Marion Bartoli (13) vs. Yanina Wickmayer (12)
Venus Williams (3) vs. Agnieszka Radwanska (6)
Samantha Stosur (9) vs. Kim Clijsters (14)
Justine Henin (wc) vs. Caroline Wozniacki (2)
Marion Bartoli (13) vs. Yanina Wickmayer (12)
Venus Williams (3) vs. Agnieszka Radwanska (6)
Samantha Stosur (9) vs. Kim Clijsters (14)
Justine Henin (wc) vs. Caroline Wozniacki (2)
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