The Czech Republic team of Petra Kvitova and Tomas Berdych has entered the final of the 2012 Hopman Cup. Kvitova defeated Caroline Wozniacki 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, and Berdych then won his singles match, which clinched the finalist spot for his country. Kvitova wasn't easy to watch, I should add. She made so many unforced errors and missed so many opportunities, and the match dragged on and on. This was the "old" Kvitova, but with a twist: When it came time to win huge points and make a difference, she just focused and took care of the task. Not a good career strategy, but at least she knows how to do it.
On the other hand, one could say that--with all the opportunities handed to her on a platter by Kvitova--Wozniacki still lost the match. For the first two sets, however, Wozniacki was quite impressive, sometimes taking the ball fast and returning with more aggression than we've come to expect from her.
Kvitova looked tired to me, and I have to wonder whether playing Sydney is a good idea. Wozniacki, however, looked like her indefatigable self throughout the match.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Charleston to host WTT finals again
Charleston, South Caroline will again be the scene of the World Team Tennis finals, it was announced yesterday. The finals will be held at the Family Circle Tennis Center September 14-16, 2012. The WTT season ends in July, but the finals are being postponed so that those players who are eligible can compete in London at the Olympic Games. Last year, Charleston hosted the World Team Tennis finals for the first time.
Finals weekend will also include a national grassroots WTT Recreational League event.
Tickets for the WTT Finals Weekend presented by GEICO go on sale at the 2012 Family Circle Cup, March 31-April 8. Weekend package prices will range from $45 to $150, and single session ticket prices will range from $15 to $50.
"We are very excited to host the World TeamTennis Finals Weekend for a second consecutive year,” said Bob Moran, General Manager of the Family Circle Tennis Center. "Charleston is the perfect getaway destination for this world class tennis event. WTT fans from across the country will enjoy Lowcountry beaches, history and southern charm as they cheer their teams on to a League Championship in the Best Tennis Town in America."
Ilana Kloss, WTT CEO/Commissioner, said, in making the announcement, "The Family Circle Tennis Center were tremendous hosts last year and all of our teams are excited about the opportunity to play for the title in Charleston again. "Tennis fans in Charleston are very knowledgeable and quickly took to the WTT format last year.The additional time to promote the Finals will give fans from the participating team markets more time to make travel plans to be a part of this exciting weekend."
The WTT Marquee Player Draft will take place on February 14, and team rosters will be completed on March 13.
Finals weekend will also include a national grassroots WTT Recreational League event.
Tickets for the WTT Finals Weekend presented by GEICO go on sale at the 2012 Family Circle Cup, March 31-April 8. Weekend package prices will range from $45 to $150, and single session ticket prices will range from $15 to $50.
"We are very excited to host the World TeamTennis Finals Weekend for a second consecutive year,” said Bob Moran, General Manager of the Family Circle Tennis Center. "Charleston is the perfect getaway destination for this world class tennis event. WTT fans from across the country will enjoy Lowcountry beaches, history and southern charm as they cheer their teams on to a League Championship in the Best Tennis Town in America."
Ilana Kloss, WTT CEO/Commissioner, said, in making the announcement, "The Family Circle Tennis Center were tremendous hosts last year and all of our teams are excited about the opportunity to play for the title in Charleston again. "Tennis fans in Charleston are very knowledgeable and quickly took to the WTT format last year.The additional time to promote the Finals will give fans from the participating team markets more time to make travel plans to be a part of this exciting weekend."
The WTT Marquee Player Draft will take place on February 14, and team rosters will be completed on March 13.
France advances to Hopman Cup final
The team of Marion Bartoli and Richard Gasquet, representing France, has advanced to the final of the 2012 Hopman Cup competition. In play against Spain, Bartoli defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues in straight sets, and Gasquet defeated Fernando Verdasco with the same 6-2, 6-4 scoreline. That was enough to take France into its second Hopman Cup final.
The Australian team beat China 2-1; China's only win in this session was Li Na's victory over Jarmila Gajdosova.
If the top-seeded Czech Republic defeats Denmark in the next session, then the Czechs will go straight to the final. But if Denmark wins, then both Denmark and Bulgaria will also be contenders to face France in the final. Bulgaria will play the USA in th next session.
The Australian team beat China 2-1; China's only win in this session was Li Na's victory over Jarmila Gajdosova.
If the top-seeded Czech Republic defeats Denmark in the next session, then the Czechs will go straight to the final. But if Denmark wins, then both Denmark and Bulgaria will also be contenders to face France in the final. Bulgaria will play the USA in th next session.
Top seed Stosur out of Brisbane in 2nd round
Though Iveta Benesova has since been defeated by Kim Clijsters, the Czech player removed the top seed during her stay in Brisbane. Benesova beat Stosur in straight sets (when Benesova's serve is working, it's pretty dangerous).
Stosur wasn't the only one to go. Serena Williams gave Daniela Hantuchova a walkover in the quarterfinals after she sprained her ankle in her match against Bojana Jovanovski. Williams' health for the Australian Open is in question, but this isn't the first time that she has had physical issues prior to the commencement of play in Melbourne.
Number 2 seed Andrea Petkovic also failed to get past the quarterfinals. She was defeated 5-1, 7-6 by Kaia Kanepi. Kanepi hit 12 aces in the match.
3rd seed Francesca Schiavone is bringing the drama early this year. In a 2-hour, 56-minute match, the Italian saved two match points and defeated Jelena Jankovic 5-7, 7-6, 6-3.
Meanwhile, in Auckland, top Sabine Lisicki retired (surprise!) in her quarterfinal match against countrywoman Angelique Kerber; Lisicki has an abdominal injury. 2nd seed Peng Shuai was defeated in the second round by Lucie Hradecka.
Stosur wasn't the only one to go. Serena Williams gave Daniela Hantuchova a walkover in the quarterfinals after she sprained her ankle in her match against Bojana Jovanovski. Williams' health for the Australian Open is in question, but this isn't the first time that she has had physical issues prior to the commencement of play in Melbourne.
Number 2 seed Andrea Petkovic also failed to get past the quarterfinals. She was defeated 5-1, 7-6 by Kaia Kanepi. Kanepi hit 12 aces in the match.
3rd seed Francesca Schiavone is bringing the drama early this year. In a 2-hour, 56-minute match, the Italian saved two match points and defeated Jelena Jankovic 5-7, 7-6, 6-3.
Meanwhile, in Auckland, top Sabine Lisicki retired (surprise!) in her quarterfinal match against countrywoman Angelique Kerber; Lisicki has an abdominal injury. 2nd seed Peng Shuai was defeated in the second round by Lucie Hradecka.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Passing shots
Sam Stosur is now wearing ACICS apparel, and has signed a multi-year contract with ACICS. I'll wait and see, but I never like seeing any player bid farewell to Lacoste.
Now that Tennis TV has removed the choice of ATP, WTA or a package of both, some of us (at least one of us) have grumpily gone about buying the whole package. It isn't that I don't watch ATP--I do, a lot--but I can generally watch ATP matches on actual television, and don't feel a need to watch it on Tennis TV. I'm not very happy that I'm being forced to buy the whole package.
Katarina Srebotnik took only two days off at the end of the season.
Vania King has a brand new website.
Monica Niculescu is blogging from Auckland.
Several bloggers and tennis writers have compiled the best quotes of the 2011 season, but really, did anyone (except perhaps Serena Williams) say anything that topped Flavia Pennetta's comments after she lost to Petra Kvitova at the Australian Open? You won the first set, then what happened after that? "She won the second and the third." (I can't fault you, though, if you picked "You're a hater, and you're just unattractive inside.")
Now that Tennis TV has removed the choice of ATP, WTA or a package of both, some of us (at least one of us) have grumpily gone about buying the whole package. It isn't that I don't watch ATP--I do, a lot--but I can generally watch ATP matches on actual television, and don't feel a need to watch it on Tennis TV. I'm not very happy that I'm being forced to buy the whole package.
Katarina Srebotnik took only two days off at the end of the season.
Vania King has a brand new website.
Monica Niculescu is blogging from Auckland.
Several bloggers and tennis writers have compiled the best quotes of the 2011 season, but really, did anyone (except perhaps Serena Williams) say anything that topped Flavia Pennetta's comments after she lost to Petra Kvitova at the Australian Open? You won the first set, then what happened after that? "She won the second and the third." (I can't fault you, though, if you picked "You're a hater, and you're just unattractive inside.")
Top seeds out of Brisbane in 1st round
Natalie Grandin and Vladimira Uhlirova, seeded 1st at the Brisbane International, were upset in the opening round yesterday by Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua. Also out in the first round, but notable for making an appearance, is Janette Husarova, who appears to have taken her "retirement" cue from Renee Stubbs. Husarova made a few appearances last year, too.
In Auckland, Chrisina McHale advanced to the second round with a win over Alexandra Dulgheru, and Julia Goerges needed three sets to beat Greta Arn.
Meanwhile, in Hopman Cup play, Marion Bartoli disposed of Jarmila Gajdosova 6-0, 6-0. Petra Kvitova won her match against Tsvetana Pironkova, but the Czech Republic lost in mixed doubles, when the team from Bulgaria won a supertiebreak 11-9. Here are the scores at this point:
Group A
Denmark, 2-1
Czech Republic, 2-1
Bulgaria, 1-2
USA, 1-2
Group B
France, 5-1
Spain, 4-2
China, 2-4
Australia, 1-5
Coming up are sessions 7 and 8; Denmark plays Bulgaria, and the top-seeded Czech Republic plays the USA, which is seeded 4th.
In Auckland, Chrisina McHale advanced to the second round with a win over Alexandra Dulgheru, and Julia Goerges needed three sets to beat Greta Arn.
Meanwhile, in Hopman Cup play, Marion Bartoli disposed of Jarmila Gajdosova 6-0, 6-0. Petra Kvitova won her match against Tsvetana Pironkova, but the Czech Republic lost in mixed doubles, when the team from Bulgaria won a supertiebreak 11-9. Here are the scores at this point:
Group A
Denmark, 2-1
Czech Republic, 2-1
Bulgaria, 1-2
USA, 1-2
Group B
France, 5-1
Spain, 4-2
China, 2-4
Australia, 1-5
Coming up are sessions 7 and 8; Denmark plays Bulgaria, and the top-seeded Czech Republic plays the USA, which is seeded 4th.
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