Tennis Frontier

Category: WTA Tour

Tennis Frontier News from the WTA Tour

  • Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Wins the Open GDF SUEZ

    Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Wins the Open GDF SUEZ

    Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

    Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova ended a memorable week in Paris by defeating Sara Errani at the Open GDF SUEZ. The Russian reeled off 48 winners en route to taking the match 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

    In a match of many momentum swings, Pavlyuchenkova began by racing out to a 3-1 lead in the opening set. She then dropped seven consecutive games to leave Errani firmly in the driving seat with a set lead and a 2-0 buffer in the second.

    The Russian then awoke from her slumber and took seven consecutive games of her own behind strong serving and huge groundstrokes. With the second set sealed, the match was carefully balanced as it progressed into the deciding stanza.

    Pavlyuchenkova took the opening game but her advantage was short-lived, with Errani reeling off three more consecutive frames to move out to a 3-1 lead.

    The see-saw battle turned on its head again – this time decisively, with Pavlyuchenkova recovering her rhythm and dropping only six more points throughout the remainder of the match. She won the remaining five games without reply to secure the biggest title of her career.

    “I just want to keep working hard and improving my game, and if I keep doing those things it will show in rankings and results,” said the Russian after the match.

    It was Pavlyuchenkova’s sixth career title and it was well earned. Earlier in the week, she defeated Carla Suárez Navarro, Angelique Kerber, and top seed Maria Sharapova.

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    Cover Photo: karlnorling, Creative Commons License (Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova)

  • Makarova Wins Pattaya Open

    Makarova Wins Pattaya Open

    Ekaterina Makarova

    Ekaterina Makarova won her first title in nearly four years clinching the Pattaya Open in Thailand with a 6-3, 7-6 (7) victory over Karolina Pliskova.

    The Russian took the match in 1 hour 36 minutes and fought off two set points in the second set tiebreak to take the championship.

    “It was a nervous ending and a really tough match, and she was playing really great tennis today,” stated Makarova after the match.

    [divider]

    Cover Photo: angela n, Creative Commons License (Ekaterina Makarova)

  • Li Na Third-Time Lucky in Australia

    Li Na Third-Time Lucky in Australia

    AO WTA Winner Li Na

    The Chinese superstar and world No. 4 Li Na won her first Australian Open title on her third try, defeating Dominika Cibulkova, 7-6(3), 6-0.  This is the second Major title for Li, 31, who won the French Open in 2011. Li is the first player from China to win the Australian Open, and Cibulkova is the first Slovakian to reach the final of any Major.

    Cibulkova, 24, ranked 21, and standing just 5’3″, was a surprise finalist. After the tournament saw off the top-seeded Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, Li’s draw opened up. But Cibulkova had to personally dispense with Maria Sharapova, rising star Simona Halep, and the tricky Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the final.

    Li broke the Slovakian in the first game of the match, but a low first serve percentage and too many unforced errors kept Cibulkova in the hunt. She proved a worthy opponent in a competitive and entertaining first set, which eventually went to a tiebreak. The veteran proved too much for the first-timer, however, whose serve let her down in the crunch. With the first set in hand, Li found her form and never looked back, closing the second set at love.

    Photo credit:  globalite (Creative Commons License)

     

     

  • Australian Open Day 12 Federer/Nadal Semifinal Schedule of Play / Scores: Friday, January 24

    Australian Open Day 12 Federer/Nadal Semifinal Schedule of Play / Scores: Friday, January 24

    [Scores added as known.]

    Rod Laver Arena — 3:00 P.M.    

    Mixed Doubles – Semifinals
    Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) / Matthew Ebden (AUS) d. Sania Mirza (IND) (6) / Horia Tecau (ROU) (6) — 2-6, 6-3 [10-2]

    Not Before: 4:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Final
    Sara Errani (ITA) (1) / Roberta Vinci (ITA) (1) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (3) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (3) — 6-4, 3-6, 7-5

    Not Before: 7:30 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Semifinals
    Rafael Nadal (ESP) (1) d. Roger Federer (SUI) (6) — 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-3

    [divider]

    Margaret Court Arena

    Mixed Doubles – Semifinals
    Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) / Daniel Nestor (CAN) d. Jie Zheng (CHN) / Scott Lipsky (USA) — 6-3, 6-1

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Marianne Bevis

  • Cibulkova Thrashes Radwanska in Australian Open Semifinal

    Cibulkova Thrashes Radwanska in Australian Open Semifinal

    AO WTA Finalist - Cibu

    Dominika Cibulkova dominated Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska en route to a 6-1, 6-2 victory and a place in the Australian Open final.

    Radwanska, who had previously defeated defending champion Victoria Azarenka, struggled to negate the aggression and physicality of the Slovakian throughout the match.

    Cibulkova was in control from the outset, dominating the exchanges from the baseline and attacking the Radwanska serve with impunity.

    The first set was barely a contest as she ran out a convincing 6-1 winner, closing out the set with a monstrous backhand winner.

    The same patterns of play continued in the second set with Radwanska repeatedly defending way behind the baseline as Cibulkova dictated proceedings with pure power tennis.

    Radwanska had three break points at 0-2 down in the second set but failed to capitalize and only managed to finally break at 0-4. She held serve in the next game but it was a temporary respite as Cibulkova regained her poise and closed out the set 6-2 to take the match in convincing fashion and book her place in the final.

    Her opponent for the championship decider is China’s Li Na, who defeated young Canadian Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-4.

    [divider]

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): robbiesaurus

  • Li Na Advances to the Australian Open Final

    Li Na Advances to the Australian Open Final

    Li Na 2014

    China’s Li Na reached the Ladies Australian Open final for the third time in four years with a 6-2, 6-4 win over young Canadian revelation Eugenie Bouchard.

    Li dominated the opening stanza, rushing out to a 5-0 lead in only 16 minutes before Bouchard finally registered a game on the scoreboard. She added another before Li closed out the set behind penetrating groundstrokes and strong serving.

    The Canadian steadied her nerves in the second set and made a match of it before her experienced opponent broke and closed out the set with a crosscourt backhand.

    Li Na will meet the winner of Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova and Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska who face off in the other semifinal.

    [divider]

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): globalite

  • Radwanska Unseats Defending Champ Azarenka

    Radwanska Unseats Defending Champ Azarenka

    Agnieszka Radwanska

    Victoria Azarenka’s defence of her Australian Open title has been brought to an end by fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska in Melbourne.

    Radwanska prevailed 6-1, 5-7, 6-0 in two hours. It continued a stream of upsets, coming in the wake of shock defeats to Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. It also snapped Radwanska’s own seven match losing streak to the World No. 2.

    The match began with Radwanska racing out to a 5-0 lead before Azarenka registered on the scoreboard. That game prevented the bagel but the Belorussian was powerless to prevent the Pole from closing out the first set.

    Azarenka rallied in the second set, making her move when Radwanska was serving to stay in the set at 5-6. She returned aggressively and finally got her reward by taking the game and the set with a powerful crosscourt winner.

    With the match carefully poised at one set each, the momentum switched again with Radwanska storming back on the back of some superb winners. Azarenka was visibly frustrated and it crept into her game.

    Radwanska was not to be denied and took the set with a 6-0 bagel to end the champion’s reign.

    “Play aggressive and go for every shot that I could. That was what I was trying to do and it worked today,” stated Radwanska after the match.

    [divider]

    Cover Photo: globalite, Creative Commons License

  • Australian Open Day 11 Semifinals Schedule of Play / Scores: Thursday, January 23

    Australian Open Day 11 Semifinals Schedule of Play / Scores: Thursday, January 23

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    [Scores added as known.]

    Rod Laver Arena — 11:00 A.M.    

    Men’s Doubles – Semifinals
    Eric Butorac (USA) / Raven Klaasen (RSA) d. Daniel Nestor (CAN) (8) / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) (8) — 6-2, 6-4

    Not Before: 1:30 P.M.

    Women’s Singles – Semifinals
    Na Li (CHN) (4) d. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) (30) — 6-2, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Semifinals
    Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (20) d. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (5) — 6-1, 6-2

    Not Before: 7:30 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Semifinals
    Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) (8) d. Tomas Berdych (CZE) (7) — 6-3, 6-7(1), 7-6(3), 7-6(4)

    [divider]

    Margaret Court Arena — Not Before: 12:30 P.M.

    Men’s Doubles – Semifinals
    Lukasz Kubot (POL) (14) / Robert Lindstedt (SWE) (14) d. Michael Llodra (FRA) (13) / Nicolas Mahut (FRA) (13) — 6-4, 6-7(12), 6-3

    Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Sania Mirza (IND) (6) / Horia Tecau (ROU) (6) d. Julia Goerges (GER) / Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) — 6-3, 6-4

    Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) / Daniel Nestor (CAN) d. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) / Leander Paes (IND) — 6-3, 6-3

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): pasukaru76

  • Australian Open Day 10 Quarterfinals Schedule of Play / Scores: Wednesday, January 22

    Australian Open Day 10 Quarterfinals Schedule of Play / Scores: Wednesday, January 22

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    [Scores added as known.]

    Rod Laver Arena — 11:00 A.M. 

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (20) d. Simona Halep (ROU) (11) — 6-3, 6-0

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (5) d. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) (2) — 6-1, 5-7, 6-0

    Not Before: 2:00 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Rafael Nadal (ESP) (1) d. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) (22) — 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(7), 6-2

    Not Before: 7:30 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Roger Federer (SUI) (6) d. Andy Murray (GBR) (4) — 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-3

    Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) / Matthew Ebden (AUS) d. Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (2) / Rohan Bopanna (IND) (2) — 7-5, 6-3

    [divider]

    Margaret Court Arena — Not Before: 12:30 P.M.

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Michael Llodra (FRA) (13) / Nicolas Mahut (FRA) (13) d. Leander Paes (IND) (5) / Radek Stepanek (CZE) (5) — 6-2, 7-6(4)

    Women’s Doubles – Semifinals
    Sara Errani (ITA) (1) / Roberta Vinci (ITA) (1) d. Kveta Peschke (CZE) (4) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (4) — 6-1, 6-4

    Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Jie Zheng (CHN) / Scott Lipsky (USA) d. Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) (5) / Bruno Soares (BRA) (5) — 3-6, 6-4 [10-7]

    [divider]

    Show Court 2 — Not Before: 12:30 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Semifinals
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (3) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (3) d. Raquel Kops-Jones (USA) (8) / Abigail Spears (USA) (8) — 7-5, 3-6, 6-3

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Lukasz Kubot (POL) (14) / Robert Lindstedt (SWE) (14) d. Max Mirnyi (BLR) / Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) — 6-4, 5-7, 6-2

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): skamaica

  • Australian Open Day 9 Quarterfinals Schedule of Play / Scores: Tuesday, January 21

    Australian Open Day 9 Quarterfinals Schedule of Play / Scores: Tuesday, January 21

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    [Scores added as known.]

    Rod Laver Arena — 11:00 A.M.    

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Na Li (CHN) (4) d. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) (28) — 6-2, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) (30) d. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) (14) — 5-7, 7-5, 6-2

    Not Before: 2:30 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (7) d. David Ferrer (ESP) (3) — 6-1, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4

    Not Before: 7:00 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) (8) d. Novak Djokovic (SRB) (2) — 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 9-7

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Daniel Nestor (CAN) (8) / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) (8) d. Alex Bolt (AUS) / Andrew Whittington (AUS) — 6-2, 7-6(1)

    [divider]

    Margaret Court Arena — Not Before: 1:00 P.M.

    Mixed Doubles – Round 2
    Jie Zheng (CHN) / Scott Lipsky (USA) d. Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) (1) / Alexander Peya (AUT) (1) — 2-6, 7-6(5) [10-5]

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (3) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (3) d. Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) (7) / Lucie Safarova (CZE) (7) — 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(4)

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Sara Errani (ITA) (1) / Roberta Vinci (ITA) (1) d. Cara Black (ZIM) (6) / Sania Mirza (IND) (6) — 6-2, 3-6, 6-4

    Not Before: 5:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Kveta Peschke (CZE) (4) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (4) d. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) / Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO) — 7-5, 4-6, 6-4

    [divider]

    Show Court 2 — Not Before: 2:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Raquel Kops-Jones (USA) (8) / Abigail Spears (USA) (8) d. Shahar Peer (ISR) / Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) — 6-4, 6-0

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Eric Butorac (USA) / Raven Klaasen (RSA) d. Treat Huey (PHI) (12) / Dominic Inglot (GBR) (12) — 6-7(3), 7-6(6), 6-4

    Mixed Doubles – Round 2
    Julia Goerges (GER) / Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) d. Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) (4) / Max Mirnyi (BLR) (4) — 6-3, 6-4

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Rexness