"Goodnight world" was the last thing U.S. Open 14th seed Maria Kirilenko tweeted yesterday before she went to sleep. She wasn't kidding. I thought her match today against Simona Halep was going to be a must-see affair, proving yet again: What do I know? Kirilenko was barely even there. Halep, fueled by all her recent success and further fueled by her opponent's lack of focus and abundance of unforced errors, ran over Kirilenko, 6-1, 6-0. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. In just 51 minutes, it was over.
The New Haven champion's next task, as she advances to her first-ever major round of 16, will be to play Flavia Pennetta, who has found her old U.S. Open groove. Pennetta defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova for the first time in her career today, and advanced to the round of 16.
(Mike Crispino and Mark Woodforde were the commentators for that match, and what a pair they made. Woodforde gave us shades of Dick Enberg with his insistence on giving us his opinion about Pennetta's appearance, and his comments on grunting were close to hostile. Note to Crispino: The last time I checked, Sara Errani was still a woman.)
Someone had to do it, I guess, and Alison Riske performed the deed. She beat 7th seed Petra Kvitova 6-3 6-0. Ouch. Kvitova, suffering with a viral fever, was seen by a trainer and a physician toward the very end of the match, and at this point, I'm declaring her frail. She has not been able, either physically or mentally (and really, those two cannot be separated) to stand up to the pressure of competition for a while now.
Riske will play Daniela Hantuchova in the next round. Hantuchova had to put up quite a fight to get rid of qualifier Julia Glushko, who gave the Slovakian veteran all kinds of problems, including the opportunity to save four match points in the second set. This mach was kind of fun to watch, and Glushko--though she got careless at the end--showed some real fighting spirit throughout. Hantuchova won, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6. The players were on the court for 2 hours and 46 minutes, and Hantuchova got away with making 58 unforced errors.
Christina McHale served for the match against Ana Ivanovic, but it wasn't to be. Ivanovic wound up defeating her 4-6, 7-5 6-4.
(At her press conference, in reply to a question, Ivanovic mentioned that it's important to have a protein shake after a tough match. The last research, however, indicates, that--for women--ingesting protein after vigorous exercise is contra-indicated and should be avoided.)
2nd seed Victoria Azarenka had a real fight on her hands, too. Alize Cornet, the player who brings what Mary Carillo calls "French flair" to her matches, is now looking like she did several years ago, which is good news for France. The commentators were shocked that Azarenka didn't win easily, when really, Cornet is exactly the kind of player who can give someone like Azarenka trouble. (Do the commentators even watch tennis?).
Quick of foot and armed with a considerable shot repertoire, the Frenchwoman got creative instead of just standing there and hoping to outlast the 2nd seed in long baseline rallies. However, her serve--which helped her take the first set off of Azarenka--then became inconsistent. Cornet hit nine aces and double-faulted ten times, which kind of tells the story.
In the night match, Camila Giorgi of Italy defeated Caroline Wozniacki 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Giorgi, whose aggressive game had Wozniacki on the wrong foot more than once, lived on the edge: She hit 46 winners and made 45 unforced errors. She wasn't afraid to go for the big points, she recovered quickly from disappointment, and her forehand crosscourt was repeatedly successful. Wozniacki, on the other hand, had trouble with her second serve, made errors that she wouldn't have made a couple of years ago, and just wasn't moving the way she used to.
There are three Italian women in the round of 16, and they're all in the bottom half of the draw. Top-ranked Italian player, Sara Errani, of course, is not one of them. Flavia Pennetta defeated Errani in the second round. 10th seed Roberta Vinci defeated countrywoman Karin Knapp today, and in the next round,Vinci plays Giorgi. Why are all the Italians playing each other?!
The Williams sisters advanced to the third round of doubles competition with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears. Next for Serena and Venus are 11th seeds Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Lucie Safarova.
Speaking of doubles, the Mladenovic watch is on: The Frenchwoman and partner Galina Voskoboeva have advanced to the third round, in which they will play 3rd seeds Nadia Petrova and Katarina Srebotnik. In mixed doubles, Mladenovic and Daniel Nestor, the Wimbledon champions, have advanced to the quarterfinals.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
U.S. Open--what they said
Who did you hit the ball to? Who was the ball girl? You were in celebration.
Oh, who did I hit the ball to? I was trying to get it to a specific group of people, and I actually didn't get it there. I heard them throughout the whole match. I thought it was so nice they were cheering for me. I don't know who they were, but they were awesome. I didn't hug a ball girl, so I'm not really sure who that was.
Is it the same kind of sickness you had in Wimbledon?
I think it's the same, because I had a blood test to see if it was bacteria (or) virus and it was virus. I mean, I didn't have any sore throat or anything like that. I had just a very high fever.
Speaking of Cincinnati, you beat Marion Bartoli in Cincinnati. It was the last match for her.
Yes, I was impressed that she retired after the match with me. It was her decision and we have to respect it. We wish her all the best. She was a special player on tour. Was good for me, that tournament, because I played really good there. Against Stosur I played good and I won that match. Against Serena, it was more difficult. I just took the pleasure there.
I like pressure. I think pressure is something that if you want to be on top, you have to deal with. That's what makes you better. You know, you need that to be on top, to be motivated. If you don't have any pressure, if you don't feel, you know, like you have to achieve something, it's not fun. For me, I need that.
Can you talk about the frustrations in Grand Slams this year?
Yeah, that's a life. It's not only in the tennis.
Oh, it's really cool. It's really neat. It's nice that there are more than two people
What was the last match you won that you would describe as a big win?
Well, it's hard to remember. That's a scary thought.
Oh, who did I hit the ball to? I was trying to get it to a specific group of people, and I actually didn't get it there. I heard them throughout the whole match. I thought it was so nice they were cheering for me. I don't know who they were, but they were awesome. I didn't hug a ball girl, so I'm not really sure who that was.
Alison Riske
Is it the same kind of sickness you had in Wimbledon?
I think it's the same, because I had a blood test to see if it was bacteria (or) virus and it was virus. I mean, I didn't have any sore throat or anything like that. I had just a very high fever.
Petra Kvitova
Speaking of Cincinnati, you beat Marion Bartoli in Cincinnati. It was the last match for her.
Yes, I was impressed that she retired after the match with me. It was her decision and we have to respect it. We wish her all the best. She was a special player on tour. Was good for me, that tournament, because I played really good there. Against Stosur I played good and I won that match. Against Serena, it was more difficult. I just took the pleasure there.
Simona Halep
I like pressure. I think pressure is something that if you want to be on top, you have to deal with. That's what makes you better. You know, you need that to be on top, to be motivated. If you don't have any pressure, if you don't feel, you know, like you have to achieve something, it's not fun. For me, I need that.
Victoria Azarenka
Can you talk about the frustrations in Grand Slams this year?
Yeah, that's a life. It's not only in the tennis.
Petra Kvitova
How does it feel to be in the bigger interview rooms?Oh, it's really cool. It's really neat. It's nice that there are more than two people
Alison Riske
Well, it's hard to remember. That's a scary thought.
Ana Ivanovic
Friday, August 30, 2013
U.S. Open--what they said
Are you going to have a bit of a rest because of the wrist, or are you going to be able to carry on training?
Um, I would say a rest just so it settles down completely, and I will see my doctor when I get back. I have to get my wisdom teeth taken out, as well.
That will be fun.
Well, all the other girls in the locker room are telling me their horror stories. Oh, yeah I pulled my gauze out and it was just blood. So that's not too nice.
Do you notice a difference in Sloane, the way she's been playing, going more for her shots?
I actually thought at Wimbledon she played a lot more aggressive. Today I thought she was hitting the ball very short, and I was too far behind the baseline to hurt somebody that moves that fast. I didn't want to come forward until late in the second set and start hitting out on my shots. I was definitely tentative. At Wimbledon, I thought she played a lot more aggressive.
If you could do one thing different during the year between January and now, what would that be?
Nothing.
Wouldn't do anything differently?
No.
Of all the companies that sponsor you, Nike and Mercedes and Rolex, do you have any favorite free gear that you (has) been given to you by those companies?
I like all sponsor.
Um, I would say a rest just so it settles down completely, and I will see my doctor when I get back. I have to get my wisdom teeth taken out, as well.
That will be fun.
Well, all the other girls in the locker room are telling me their horror stories. Oh, yeah I pulled my gauze out and it was just blood. So that's not too nice.
Laura Robson
Do you notice a difference in Sloane, the way she's been playing, going more for her shots?
I actually thought at Wimbledon she played a lot more aggressive. Today I thought she was hitting the ball very short, and I was too far behind the baseline to hurt somebody that moves that fast. I didn't want to come forward until late in the second set and start hitting out on my shots. I was definitely tentative. At Wimbledon, I thought she played a lot more aggressive.
Jamie Hampton
If you could do one thing different during the year between January and now, what would that be?
Nothing.
Wouldn't do anything differently?
No.
Sloane Stephens
Of all the companies that sponsor you, Nike and Mercedes and Rolex, do you have any favorite free gear that you (has) been given to you by those companies?
I like all sponsor.
Li Na
Big Sister Na brings it at U.S. Open
So they met again in the third round of the U.S. Open--Li Na and Laura Robson. But, try as she might, this year, the Brit couldn't do major damage to the 5th seed. Li had first and second serve win percentages of 78 and 50, she had a net win percentage of 100 (9 of 9), and she hit 23 winners, with 21 unforced errors. Oh, and she also hit 11 aces.
Well, that's about as good as it gets, and what it got her was a 6-2,7-5 third round victory. Being consistent and avoiding brain freezes on the court are the major problems the Chinese star always faces; perhaps under the tutelage of Carlos Rodriguez, those problems are decreasing? Time will tell. Li's next opponent will be Jelena Jankovic, who isn't looking too shabby, either. JJ has yet to drop a set in New York. Today, she beat Karumi Nara.
Sloane Stephens had an easy straight-set victory over Jamie Hampton, and--as well as Stephens played--it needs to be pointed out that Hampton seemed to not even be there for much of the match.
Ekaterina Makarova advanced to the round of 16 for the first time with a win over Sabine Lisicki, Angelique Kerber beat Kaia Kanepi 6-0, 6-4, Agnieszka Radwanska took out Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Carla Suarez Navarro beat Zheng Jie.
Defending champions and top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci advanced to the second round with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Daniela Hantuchova and Martina Hingis. Here's hoping that some doubles success will boost Errani's failing morale.
In the all-USA doubles match, Melanie Oudin and Alison Riske beat Lauren Davis and Grace Min, and 8th seeds Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua advanced to the third round.
Will someone please tell Brad Gilbert that the word is "frustrated"? During every major, hearing him mispronounce it makes me so--well, you know. That's alls I can say.
Well, that's about as good as it gets, and what it got her was a 6-2,7-5 third round victory. Being consistent and avoiding brain freezes on the court are the major problems the Chinese star always faces; perhaps under the tutelage of Carlos Rodriguez, those problems are decreasing? Time will tell. Li's next opponent will be Jelena Jankovic, who isn't looking too shabby, either. JJ has yet to drop a set in New York. Today, she beat Karumi Nara.
Sloane Stephens had an easy straight-set victory over Jamie Hampton, and--as well as Stephens played--it needs to be pointed out that Hampton seemed to not even be there for much of the match.
Ekaterina Makarova advanced to the round of 16 for the first time with a win over Sabine Lisicki, Angelique Kerber beat Kaia Kanepi 6-0, 6-4, Agnieszka Radwanska took out Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Carla Suarez Navarro beat Zheng Jie.
Defending champions and top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci advanced to the second round with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Daniela Hantuchova and Martina Hingis. Here's hoping that some doubles success will boost Errani's failing morale.
In the all-USA doubles match, Melanie Oudin and Alison Riske beat Lauren Davis and Grace Min, and 8th seeds Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua advanced to the third round.
Will someone please tell Brad Gilbert that the word is "frustrated"? During every major, hearing him mispronounce it makes me so--well, you know. That's alls I can say.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
U.S. Open--what they said
Did you hear the marriage proposal?
No, I didn't.
Does it surprise you around here?
Some of the fans say some crazy things.
Did you arrive at this tournament feeling good about yourself or were you having some doubts when you got here?
No, I think is some weeks that I'm feeling too much pressure. I don't know why, but I'm not enjoying going on the courts, and that is the worst thing a player can have. Because if you go there and you fight and you lose, not my problem. I always try to. But the problem is if you go there and you are not fighting, that is my best thing that I always had as my good thing. And I have to find a way. I hope to find it.
Do people recognize you in the checkout line at Whole Foods?
Yeah, sometimes. Yesterday I had a big 'fro. When I took out my braids, it was like that. I don't think anybody would. I couldn't recognize myself.
Pam Shriver: It makes everyone at home feel better--the best player in the world (making a big mishit)--
Let's put it this way--it makes Suarez Navarro feel better that she didn't get her head knocked off.
No, I didn't.
Does it surprise you around here?
Some of the fans say some crazy things.
Christina McHale
No, I think is some weeks that I'm feeling too much pressure. I don't know why, but I'm not enjoying going on the courts, and that is the worst thing a player can have. Because if you go there and you fight and you lose, not my problem. I always try to. But the problem is if you go there and you are not fighting, that is my best thing that I always had as my good thing. And I have to find a way. I hope to find it.
Sara Errani
Do people recognize you in the checkout line at Whole Foods?
Yeah, sometimes. Yesterday I had a big 'fro. When I took out my braids, it was like that. I don't think anybody would. I couldn't recognize myself.
Victoria Azarenka
Let's put it this way--it makes Suarez Navarro feel better that she didn't get her head knocked off.
Chris Evert
Errani upset by Pennetta at U.S. Open
Little was said about the all-Italian match held today in Flushing Meadows, but nevertheless, the 4th seed, Sara Errani, was taken out of the event by countrywoman Flavia Pennetta, who defeated her 6-3, 6-1. Errani has been trailing off lately, and is experiencing a kind of burnout, while Pennetta has struggled to come back from various injuries. The Pennetta of old showed up today, however, and displayed the kind of tennis that has made her so wonderful to watch for so long.
Eugenie Bouchard took a set off of Angelique Kerber, but Kerber prevailed in what was a pretty entertaining match. Christina McHale won a three-setter against Elina Svitolina (who upset Dominika Cibulkova in the opening round). McHale won 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, and it took her two hours and 47 minutes. There was a lot of drama. Between them, the players hit 61 winners and made 104 unforced errors.
Vicky Duval was expertly defeated by Daniela Hantuchova before the press and the public had a chance to Oudin her into a life of talk shows and ridiculous expectations. Serena Williams and Victoria Azareanka won in straight sets, though the 2nd seed had a bit of a fight on her hands from Aleksandria Wozniak in the first set. Kurumi Nari won her first-ever match in the main draw of a major, and she did it in style: She took out 19th seed Sorana Cirstea.
2004 champion Svetalana Kuznetsova advanced to the third round, as did Jelena Jankovic and Petra Kvitova. And Simona Halep is still around, too. Her next opponent is Maria Kirilenko, and that's a must-see match for me. (Of course--don't you know?--my ISP's connection with the Watch ESPN app broke this evening, but I'm told the company is working on the problem as I write this.)
Serena and Venus Williams won their opening doubles match. They beat Silvia Soler-Espinosa and Carla Suarez Navarro 6-7, 6-0, 6-3. It's an odd scoreline, I know. The match was pretty interesting, especially with Soler-Espinosa lurking at the net almost breathing down the Williams sisters' necks. The Spaniards had the right idea, but they couldn't quite pull it off.
Tomorrow, Li Na plays Laura Robson (third round, just like last year). Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch much of that one, but I hope to catch a replay. Also tomorrow, Sloane Stephens plays Jamie Hampton. And top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci (Vinci is still alive singles) start their U.S. Open title defense with a match against Daniela Hantuchova and Martina Hingis.
Eugenie Bouchard took a set off of Angelique Kerber, but Kerber prevailed in what was a pretty entertaining match. Christina McHale won a three-setter against Elina Svitolina (who upset Dominika Cibulkova in the opening round). McHale won 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, and it took her two hours and 47 minutes. There was a lot of drama. Between them, the players hit 61 winners and made 104 unforced errors.
Vicky Duval was expertly defeated by Daniela Hantuchova before the press and the public had a chance to Oudin her into a life of talk shows and ridiculous expectations. Serena Williams and Victoria Azareanka won in straight sets, though the 2nd seed had a bit of a fight on her hands from Aleksandria Wozniak in the first set. Kurumi Nari won her first-ever match in the main draw of a major, and she did it in style: She took out 19th seed Sorana Cirstea.
2004 champion Svetalana Kuznetsova advanced to the third round, as did Jelena Jankovic and Petra Kvitova. And Simona Halep is still around, too. Her next opponent is Maria Kirilenko, and that's a must-see match for me. (Of course--don't you know?--my ISP's connection with the Watch ESPN app broke this evening, but I'm told the company is working on the problem as I write this.)
Serena and Venus Williams won their opening doubles match. They beat Silvia Soler-Espinosa and Carla Suarez Navarro 6-7, 6-0, 6-3. It's an odd scoreline, I know. The match was pretty interesting, especially with Soler-Espinosa lurking at the net almost breathing down the Williams sisters' necks. The Spaniards had the right idea, but they couldn't quite pull it off.
Tomorrow, Li Na plays Laura Robson (third round, just like last year). Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch much of that one, but I hope to catch a replay. Also tomorrow, Sloane Stephens plays Jamie Hampton. And top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci (Vinci is still alive singles) start their U.S. Open title defense with a match against Daniela Hantuchova and Martina Hingis.
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