Tennis Frontier

Tag: sara errani

  • Roland Garros French Open Day 11: Quarterfinals

    Roland Garros French Open Day 11: Quarterfinals

    2014 RG QF 02

    Day 11 of the French Open features the remaining men’s and women’s quarterfinals. First up on Court Philippe Chatrier is the Italian Sara Errani (10), the 2012 Roland Garros finalist, and Andrea Petkovic (28), from Germany. Two-time Major winner Andy Murray (7) will then face off against local favorite Gael Monfils (23).

    On Court Suzanne Lenglen, 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova (27) will play the rising Romanian star Simona Halep (4). Eight-time champion and World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and his Spanish compatriot David Ferrer (5) will conclude the day’s action.

    The full schedule for Day 11 is listed below (Results to follow)…

    [divider]

    Court Philippe Chatrier – 2:00 P.M.  

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Andrea Petkovic (GER) (28) d. Sara Errani (ITA) (10) — 6-2, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Andy Murray (GBR) (7) d. Gael Monfils (FRA) (23) — 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0

    [divider]

    Court Suzanne Lenglen – 2:00 P.M.    

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Simona Halep (ROU) (4) d. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) (27) — 6-2, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Rafael Nadal (ESP) (1) d. David Ferrer (ESP) (5) — 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-1

    [divider]

    Court 1 – Not Before: 2:30 P.M.

    Mixed Doubles – Semifinals
    Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) / Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) d. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) (3) / Bruno Soares (BRA) (3) — 3-6, 7-6(4) [10-5]

    Not Before: 5:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Garbine Muguruza (ESP) / Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) d. Kveta Peschke (CZE) (4) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (4) — 6-4, 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 2 – Not Before: 2:30 P.M.

    Mixed Doubles – Semifinals
    Julia Goerges (GER) (8) / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) (8) d. Timea Babos (HUN) / Eric Butorac (USA) — 6-2, 6-2

    Not Before: 5:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Lucie Hradecka (CZE) / Michaella Krajicek (NED) d. Marina Erakovic (NZL) (16) / Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) (16) — 7-5, 6-3

  • Serena Williams Defends in Rome

    Serena Williams Defends in Rome

    Serena Williams

    World No. 1 Serena Williams defended her title at the Internazionale BNL d’Italia, defeating an injured Sara Errani 6-3, 6-0.

    Williams broke the Italian No. 1 in her first service game, but Errani broke back in the seventh, to the delight of the wildly partisan Rome crowd, who were hoping to have their first female champion since 1950. In the next game, Errani came up lame, and Serena got the break back. The Italian was taken off the court by the trainer for treatment. A short while later, she jogged out onto the court with her left thigh strapped, but Serena served the set out.

    In the second set, it became clear that the injury was definitely impairing the Italian’s movement, and there was nothing to do but hang on for the sake of honor while the American served the set out, which she won at love. Serena’s celebration was subdued, given her injured opponent. Errani couldn’t contain her tears in her speech to her fans at the trophy presentation.

    It ended up being a double disappointment for the Italians today, as Errani and her partner, Roberta Vinci, also of Italy, were forced to retire from the doubles final due to Errani’s injury, and the win went to Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik, 4-0 by retirement.

    For Williams, this is her third title in the Italian capital, having won in 2002 and again last year. In both of those years, Serena went on to win the French Open, which begins next week, and where she will go in as the favorite.

    [divider]

    Photo credit (Creative Commons License): Yann Caradec

  • 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.

    [divider]

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

  • Li Na, Kvitova and Errani Prevail on Day 4 of the WTA Championships

    Li Na, Kvitova and Errani Prevail on Day 4 of the WTA Championships

    Errani Kvitova Li

    Li Na, Sara Errani, and Petra Kvitova win their matches on Day 4 of the WTA Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

    (4) Li Na (CHN) d. (2) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) — 6-2, 6-1
    (6) Sara Errani (ITA) d. (7) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) — 6-4, 6-4
    (5) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. (8) Angelique Kerber (GER) — 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-3

    [divider]

    Schedule of play for Saturday, October 26, 2013:

    Center Court (Not Before 15.00hrs)

    1. Li Na vs. Petra Kvitova
    2. Serena Williams vs. Jelena Jankovic

  • US Open – Women’s Draw

    US Open – Women’s Draw

    Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska in top half; Victoria Azarenka and Sara Errani in bottom half.

    Click here to discuss the US Open Women’s Draw in our discussion forum.

    The full draw:

    First Quarter

    Serena Williams (USA) (1)
    Francesca Schiavone (ITA)

    Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ)
    Monica Niculescu (ROU)

    Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)
    Olga Puchkova (RUS)

    Qualifier
    Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) (29)

    Jamie Hampton (USA) (23)
    Lara Arruabarrena (ESP)

    Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)
    A.Medina Garrigues (ESP)

    Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
    Urszula Radwanska (POL)

    Mandy Minella (LUX)
    Sloane Stephens (USA) (15)

    Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) (12)
    Venus Williams (USA)

    Kiki Bertens (NED)
    Jie Zheng (CHN)

    Qualifier
    Qualifier

    Lauren Davis (USA)
    Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) (18)

    Kaia Kanepi (EST) (25)
    Vania King (USA)

    Stefanie Voegele (SUI)
    Anna Schmiedlova (SVK)

    Karolina Pliskova (CZE)
    Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)

    Lucie Hradecka (CZE)
    Angelique Kerber (GER) (8)

    [divider]

    Second Quarter

    Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (3)
    Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP)

    M.Torro-Flor (ESP)
    Marina Erakovic (NZL)

    E.Cabeza Candela (ESP)
    Ashleigh Barty (AUS)

    Virginie Razzano (FRA)
    A.Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (32)

    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (24)
    Polona Hercog (SLO)

    Mathilde Johansson (FRA)
    Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)

    Paula Ormaechea (ARG)
    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN)

    Qualifier
    Sabine Lisicki (GER) (16)

    Jelena Jankovic (SRB) (9)
    Madison Keys (USA)

    Monica Puig (PUR)
    Alisa Kleybanova (RUS)

    Qualifier
    Alexandra Cadantu (ROU)

    Qualifier
    Sorana Cirstea (ROU) (19)

    Laura Robson (GBR) (30)
    Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP)

    Caroline Garcia (FRA)
    Shelby Rogers (USA)

    Petra Cetkovska (CZE)
    Sofia Arvidsson (SWE)

    Olga Govortsova (BLR)
    Na Li (CHN) (5)

    [divider]

    Third Quarter

    Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) (6)
    Qualifier

    Chanelle Scheepers (RSA)
    Qualifier

    Jana Cepelova (SVK)
    Qualifier

    Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)
    Klara Zakopalova (CZE) (31)

    Elena Vesnina (RUS) (22)
    Annika Beck (GER)

    Karin Knapp (ITA)
    Qualifier

    Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)
    Lucie Safarova (CZE)

    Timea Babos (HUN)
    Roberta Vinci (ITA) (10)

    Maria Kirilenko (RUS) (14)
    Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)

    Qualifier
    Eleni Daniilidou (GRE)

    Donna Vekic (CRO)
    Mariana Duque-Marino (COL)

    Heather Watson (GBR)
    Simona Halep (ROU) (21)

    Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) (27)
    Mallory Burdette (USA)

    Shuai Peng (CHN)
    Yvonne Meusburger (AUT)

    Nicole Gibbs (USA)
    Flavia Pennetta (ITA)

    Ayumi Morita (JPN)
    Sara Errani (ITA) (4)

    [divider]

    Fourth Quarter

    Petra Kvitova (CZE) (7)
    Misaki Doi (JPN)

    Bojana Jovanovski (SRB)
    Andrea Petkovic (GER)

    Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL)
    Alison Riske (USA)

    Johanna Larsson (SWE)
    Mona Barthel (GER) (28)

    Nadia Petrova (RUS) (20)
    Qualifier

    Qualifier
    Sachia Vickery (USA)

    Maria Sanchez (USA)
    Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)

    Qualifier
    Samantha Stosur (AUS) (11)

    Ana Ivanovic (SRB) (13)
    Anna Tatishvili (GEO)

    Varvara Lepchenko (USA)
    Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)

    Julia Goerges (GER)
    Christina McHale (USA)

    Elina Svitolina (UKR)
    Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (17)

    Alize Cornet (FRA) (26)
    Qualifier

    Qualifier
    Qualifier

    Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN)
    Vesna Dolonc (SRB)

    Dinah Pfizenmaier (GER)
    Victoria Azarenka (BLR) (2)

     

    Credits: Cover Photo:  Adam Isserlis (Creative Commons License)

  • Serena Williams & Sara Errani Move Into Roland Garros Semifinals

    Serena Williams & Sara Errani Move Into Roland Garros Semifinals

    Serena Williams, the top seed, came back from a set down in her Roland Garros quarterfinal against the Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, to win 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

    The Italian Sara Errani, the No. 5 seed, beat Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, the No. 4 seed, 6-4, 7-6(6) to advance to the semifinals.

    Williams and Errani will face off on Thursday to determine who will be in the final.

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the Serena Williams/Errani SF on our discussion boards.

  • S. Williams/Radwanska Advance To French Open Quarterfinals

    S. Williams/Radwanska Advance To French Open Quarterfinals

    Former Roland Garros champion Svetlana Kuznetsova beat the German Angelique Kerber, the No. 8 seed, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Sunday afternoon, becoming the first woman to advance to the French Open quarterfinals. It was a significant victory for the unseeded Russian, who had recently lost a long three-setter to Kerber in Madrid.

    Next up on Court Philippe Chatrier was the No. 1 seed, Serena Williams, also a former French Open champion, who beat the No. 15 seed, the Italian Roberta Vinci, 6-1, 6-3, setting the stage for the first women’s quarterfinal.

    The Italian Sara Errani (5) defeated Carla Suarez Navarro (20) of Spain, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.  The final spot in the quarterfinals was determined when Agnieszka Radwanska (4), of Poland, beat the former French Open champion Ava Ivanovic (14), 6-2, 6-4.

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the Williams/Kuznetsova quarterfinal, and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion boards.

    Click here to discuss the Radwanska/Errani quarterfinal, and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion boards.

  • “Sharapova Retires, Errani in the Semi-finals v. Azarenka” (From: Gazzetta dello Sport)

    “Sharapova Retires, Errani in the Semi-finals v. Azarenka” (From: Gazzetta dello Sport)

    [divider]

    Translated from: “Tennis, Internazionali Roma: Sharapova si ritira, Errani in semifinale con Azarenka” (Gazzetta.it, May 17, 2013)

    Discuss this and more with fellow tennis fans in our community forums.

    [divider]

    Masha is out of the Rome Open with physical issues; Sara will face the Bielo-Russian.  

    Serena overwhelming.

    _____

    Maria Sharapova retired out of the Internazionale BNL d’Italia with a physical problem.  The announcement, made around 11:20am (local time) opens the way for Sara Errani to the semi-finals, a first in her career.  This was the first surprising result from the Foro Italico today.  Errani will meet the ex-number one, Vika Azarenka, who beat Samantha Stosur in 3 sets (6-4, 1-6, 6-3).

    Surprise:  In a tournament full of retirements (Andy Murray being the most notable), no one expected that the 2012 Women’s champion would be among them.  The Russian seemed in perfect form in her first 2 matches, winning 6-2, 6-2 against the Spaniard Muguruza, and 6-2, 6-1 against the US player Stephens.  Errani got the news after breakfast, and was understandably surprised, before reorganizing her schedule and pre-match routine.  In the end, she arranged to spend the afternoon with family.

    [The following is a transcription of the Errani interview on the video featured on the link below.  I didn’t translate the first video, or twitters, as they would have been originally in English, anyway.  But do watch the charming Errani in her native Italian.  This is what she said:]

    Errani:

    Yes, I’m lucky, but I have to stay calm.  It would have been great to have played a match against her [Sharapova] today.  I don’t understand exactly why she couldn’t play, but for me the tournament goes on.  I have to stay concentrated, calm, to be ready for tomorrow.  It’s not bad to have a day off to get back to a little bit of form.

    Yes, the ranking matters, the #5 is a big accomplishment for me.  In terms of being “in form,” the “form” changes from one day to the next.  One day you can be in excellent shape, and two days later you might feel not so great, so it’s not like “form” lasts so much time, at a clip.

    I’m happy because this year I’ve been consistent.  So many great matches, so many great results, so many positives for me.

    For sure they’re really strong players [Stosur and Azarenka].  That goes without saying.  Stosur is so strong on clay, and Azarenka is strong everywhere.  So we’ll see who I play against.  I’ll talk with my team when I know who the opponent is.  [Translator’s note:  The opponent will be Azarenka.]

    [Re: memories]  I came here [Rome] as a little girl and I wanted to ask the players for their autographs, but I was too shy.  I remember getting close to some of the players, but I never had the nerve to ask.

    I remember [Vince] Spadea, actually, because he was one of the ones I managed to ask.  (Laughter.)  One of the strongest memories; that one stays with me because I finally had the nerve to ask for an autograph.  I don’t remember any others. I don’t remember.  I had a poster of Mary Pierce (that I dragged around.)

    Maybe one of my biggest memories is when I played Hingis after the qualifiers on Campo Centrale.  I lost 6-1, 6-0, but that was one of my clearest early memories at the Foro Italico.

     

  • Italian Open Women’s Semifinalists Are Set

    Italian Open Women’s Semifinalists Are Set

    Women’s semifinalists at the Italian Open have been determined:

    Serena Williams [1] v. Simona Halep

    Victoria Azarenka [3] v. Sara Errani [7]

    Click here to discuss the Williams/Halep match, and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion boards.

    Click here to discuss the Azarenka/Errani match, and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion boards.

  • Ladies Final Four in Madrid

    Ladies Final Four in Madrid

    The final four will play out the Ladies semifinals on Saturday with both top seeds still in the draw. World number #1 and top seed Serena Williams meets Sara Errani, and Maria Sharapova faces off against former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic.

    Quarterfinal Results:

    [7] Sara Errani (ITA) d Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 6 – 4, 6 – 3
    [16] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d [6] Angelique Kerber (GER) 6 – 3, 6 – 1
    [1] Serena Williams (USA) d Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 6 – 3, 0 – 6, 7 – 5
    [2] Maria Sharapova (RUS) d Kaia Kanepi (EST) 6 – 2, 6 – 4

    Click here to discuss this and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion board.