Tennis Frontier

Tag: simona halep

  • Simona Halep Wins Her Maiden Major at Roland Garros

    Simona Halep Wins Her Maiden Major at Roland Garros

    World Number One Simona Halep has secured the first grand slam title of her career at the French Open by defeating American Sloane Stephens at Roland Garros.

    In a match of momentum swings, Halep prevailed 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to take a major at her fourth attempt.

    Stephens dominated the early proceedings and led by a set and break. Ironically, this was the same situation as Halep had been in against Jelena Ostapenko during the 2017 final before losing the match. The irony was not lost on Halep.

    Halep said. “So I said there is a chance to come back and win it. So I believed in that and my game was more relaxed. I could make more things on court, and that’s why I could win.”

    “All the experience from those three finals that I lost … was a positive thing and gave me a little bit more power to believe,”

    As Halep continued to extend the rallies, Stephens began to tire.  Her unforced error count increased and her serve became less potent.

    Halep wrapped up the second set and then leaped out to a 5-0 lead in the third set before Stephens finally got on the scoreboard. The Romanian then served out the match to secure her first major title.

    http://gty.im/970693644

    Photo by TennisStreaming

  • 2015 Western & Southern Open – Cincinnati Review

    2015 Western & Southern Open – Cincinnati Review

    Roger Federer Serena Williams Cincinnati

    The Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati was a relatively calm and orderly affair compared to the Rogers Cup the week before. There were no sledges made, very few rain delays, and no newcomers making major breakthroughs. But there is always plenty of history and positioning for the upcoming U.S. Open on the line, so the W&S Open is one of the most important tournaments on the tennis calendar, and this year was no different.

    The Unbreakable Maestro
    Before the summer started, Roger Federer announced that he would skip the Rogers Cup, stunning tennis fans from Albania to Zimbabwe. Surely he would lose his World No. 2 ranking and the No. 2 seed at the U.S. Open for this foolish decision. And sure enough, Federer fell to No. 3 after Andy Murray’s victory in Montreal, and when Murray made the semifinals at Cincinnati, the only way for Federer to get the No. 2 ranking back was to win the tournament. What Federer did in this tournament surprised pretty much everybody. He was never broken once in the tournament, did not drop a set, and played a style of tennis that was bold, majestic, and age-defying. The man is 34 years old yet just beat the No. 1 and 2 players in the world successively for the first time in his career. He never dropped his serve in 44 service games. He practically returned serves from the service line. His volleys were Edbergesque. And he now has seven Cincinnati flower vases sitting on his mantle. With Murray’s Montreal win and Federer’s in Cincinnati, the upcoming U.S. Open has become a lot more interesting and unpredictable.

    Survival of the Strongest
    Watching Serena Williams march through a tournament to another title brings back the scene when Scarlet O’Hara was stepping through the wounded soldiers in Atlanta as she looked for someone. Will anyone be fit, healthy, and ready to challenge Serena in New York? Simona Halep seems to be back on track after early losses at Roland Garros and Wimbledon but with her incredibly hard schedule, one has to wonder when she will break down again like she did in the Toronto final against Belinda Bencic. The fact remains that the only person who can beat Serena is Serena herself. The mounting pressure must be incredible, but if anyone can do it, it’s Ms. Williams. And she gets another Cincinnati vase to put on her very crowed mantlepiece.

    Another Record Denied
    Back in June, Novak Djokovic was one win away from completing his career Grand Slam at the French Open. It seemed like it was destiny after finally beating Rafael Nadal for the first time in seven tries. But Stan Wawrinka stood in his way and denied him a record only a few have accomplished. This week, Djokovic was going for another record: a Masters 1000 box set. No one has ever won all nine Masters 1000 tournaments. Federer lacks Rome and Monte Carlo, Nadal has never won Miami and Paris (Bercy), and Andre Agassi is also two titles short of a set. Amazingly, Djokovic has never won in Cincinnati but after his defeat in the Montreal final last week, most thought he would make a statement before the U.S. Open started. But a new and improved Federer, on one of his favorite courts, once again kept Djokovic from making history. Djokovic is at a special place in his career right now. Every time he wins, he takes one more step to glory, but the other side of the coin is that every time he loses, he is denied another record of some sort. It’s an enviable place to be in, and it’s tough to win everything. Djokovic will definitely be looking to make a statement in New York now.

    The Walking Wounded of the WTA
    The number of players who have been injured, dropped out of the tournament, or retired from their matches is becoming alarming. Maria Sharapova (leg injury), Petra Kvitova (mono), Caroline Wozniacki (leg), Belinda Bencic (wrist), Victoria Azarenka (leg), and Venus Williams (illness) are some of the top players who have been struggling with injuries or health during the summer months. At this rate, there won’t be anyone to challenge Serena Williams as she marches full steam ahead to her calendar Grand Slam at the U.S. Open. It’s been disappointing to see and leaving a whole lot of questions for the final Grand Slam of the year.

    Nadal’s Struggles
    For the last 10 years, Rafael Nadal has won at least one Grand Slam every year. Since 2004, when he won his first French Open, he has left his teeth marks on one of the major titles’ trophies, but his record run is in serious jeopardy. After going out in the second round of Wimbledon, Nadal went over to Hamburg and won a tournament on his beloved clay and then was destroyed by Nishikori in the quarterfinals in Montreal, and defeated in the third round in Cincinnati by compatriot Feliciano Lopez. The Nadal we know and expect has just not appeared this year and it looks like his record run of major titles is finally over.

    SledgeGate Continues
    The tournament changed but the uproar over the brash Nick Kyrgios refuses to go away. He said he had apologized to Stan Wawrinka in person, but then Wawrinka said that no such thing happened. He said, he said. After giving out a $10,000 fine, the ATP has been quiet, but Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic condemned the remarks. Kyrgios has really isolated himself from the tennis community and will have to really work hard to gain some trust and acceptance on the tour. He was very quiet in Cincinnati this week, taking only three games from Richard Gasquet.

    Fasten Your Seatbelts Because Here Come the U.S. Open
    There are two more warm-up tournaments in Connecticut and North Carolina this week, and then the final Grand Slam tournament finally comes. The two weeks in Canada and Ohio have given us more questions than clues or answers about what is going to happen on the men’s side, while on the women’s side, the results thus far look like a dress rehearsal. But as is so often the case with the greatest sport on earth, it hasn’t been boring.

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    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): mirsasha

  • Australian Open Day 9: Quarterfinals – Order of Play & Scores

    Australian Open Day 9: Quarterfinals – Order of Play & Scores

    Simona Halep Rafael Nadal Maria Sharapova Andy Murray

    Day 9 of the Australian Open features the quarterfinals for the bottom halves of the draws. Up first on Rod Laver Arena, Simona Halep (3) takes on the Russian Ekaterina Makarova (10). They will be followed by the women’s No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova, who faces the young Canadian Eugenie Bouchard (7). The day session concludes with Rafael Nadal (3) playing the tall Czech Tomas Berdych (7). The night session features three-time finalist Andy Murray (6), who will play the unseeded local favorite Nick Kyrgios.

    The full schedule for Day 9 is listed below (Results to follow). All times are local.

    [divider]

    Rod Laver Arena — 11:00am  

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (10) d. Simona Halep (ROU) (3) — 6-4, 6-0

    Not Before: 12:30pm

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Maria Sharapova (RUS) (2) d. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) (7) — 6-3, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (7) d. Rafael Nadal (ESP) (3) — 6-2, 6-0, 7-6(5)

    Not Before: 7:15pm

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Andy Murray (GBR) (6) d. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) — 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3

    Mixed Doubles – Round 2
    Casey Dellacqua (AUS) / John Peers (AUS) d. Andreja Klepac (SLO) / Chris Guccione (AUS) — 3-6, 6-3, 10-5

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the Nadal/Berdych quarterfinal in the discussion forum.

    Click here to discuss the Sharapova/Bouchard quarterfinal in the discussion forum.

    Click here to discuss the Murray/Kyrgios quarterfinal in the discussion forum.

    Click here to discuss the Halep/Makarova quarterfinal in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

    Margaret Court Arena — 11:00am

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) / Nicolas Mahut (FRA) d. Julien Benneteau (FRA) (2) / Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) (2) — 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3

    Not Before: 12:30pm

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Julia Goerges (GER) (16) / Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) (16) d. Kiki Bertens (NED) / Johanna Larsson (SWE) — 6-2, 7-5

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) (14) / Jie Zheng (CHN) (14) d. Klaudia Jans-Ignacik (POL) / Andreja Klepac (SLO) — 6-1, 6-2

    Mixed Doubles – Round 2
    Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) (3) / Daniel Nestor (CAN) (3) d. Michaella Krajicek (NED) / Florin Mergea (ROU) — 6-4, 7-5

    [divider]

    Show Court 2 — 11:00am  

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Michaella Krajicek (NED) (13) / Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) (13) d. Raquel Kops-Jones (USA) (5) / Abigail Spears (USA) (5)  — 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3)

    Mixed Doubles – Round 2
    Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) (4) / Alexander Peya (AUT) (4) d. Hao-Ching Chan (TPE) / Jamie Murray (GBR) — 3-6, 6-4, 10-5

    Not Before: 2:00pm

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Ivan Dodig (CRO) (4) / Marcelo Melo (BRA) (4) d. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) / Max Mirnyi (BLR) — 6-0, 3-6, 7-6(4)

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (3) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (3) d. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) / Lucie Safarova (CZE) — 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2

    Mixed Doubles – Round 2
    Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (2) / Marcelo Melo (BRA) (2) d. Daria Gavrilova (AUS) / Luke Saville (AUS) — 6-3, 6-2

  • Australian Open Day 3: Order of Play & Scores

    Australian Open Day 3: Order of Play & Scores

    Rafael Nadal Maria Sharapova Roger Federer Simona Halep

    The bottom halves of the draws contest their second round matches on Day 3 of the Australian Open. On Rod Laver Arena, the women’s No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova (RUS), plays compatriot Alexandra Panova. They’re followed by the men’s No. 2 seed, Roger Federer (SUI), who will take on the unseeded Italian Simone Bolelli. The night session kicks off with Rafael Nadal (3) facing the American Tim Smyczek, and the final match on center court features Simona Halep (ROU) (3), who plays Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS).

    The full schedule for Day 3 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

    [divider]

    Rod Laver Arena — 11:00AM  

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (10) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) — 6-2, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Maria Sharapova (RUS) (2) d. Alexandra Panova (RUS) — 6-1, 4-6, 7-5

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Roger Federer (SUI) (2) d. Simone Bolelli (ITA) — 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

    Not Before 7:00PM

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Rafael Nadal (ESP) (3) d. Tim Smyczek (USA) — 6-2, 3-6, 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-5

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Simona Halep (ROU) (3) d. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) — 6-2, 6-2

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the Men’s Day 3 matches in the discussion forum.

    Click here to discuss the Women’s Day 3 matches in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

    Margaret Court Arena — 11:00AM  

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Julia Goerges (GER) d. Klara Koukalova (CZE) — 6-3, 4-6, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Andy Murray (GBR) (6) d. Marinko Matosevic (AUS) — 6-1, 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Sara Errani (ITA) (14) d. Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) — 7-6(3), 6-3

    Not Before 7:00PM

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) (7) d. Kiki Bertens (NED) — 6-0, 6-3

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Bernard Tomic (AUS) d. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) (22) — 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(6), 7-6(5)

    [divider]

    Hisense Arena — 11:00AM 

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Shuai Peng (CHN) (21) d. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) — 6-1, 6-1

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Karolina Pliskova (CZE) (22) d. Oceane Dodin (FRA) — 7-5, 5-7, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) (10) d. Lukas Lacko (SVK) – 6-3, 6-7(10), 6-3, 6-3

    Not Before: 6:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Sam Groth (AUS) d. Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) — 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1

    [divider]

    Show Court 2 — 11:00AM 

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. Monica Puig (PUR) — 6-2, 7-6(6)

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Richard Gasquet (FRA) (24) d. James Duckworth (AUS) — 6-2, 6-3, 7-5

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) (11) / Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) (11) d. Irina Falconi (USA) / Petra Martic (CRO) — 6-3, 6-3

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Andreas Seppi (ITA) d. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) (29) — 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1

    [divider]

    Show Court 3 — 11:00AM  

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (7) d. Jurgen Melzer (AUT) — 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-2

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) / Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Hao-Ching Chan (TPE) (8) / Kveta Peschke (CZE) (8) — 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) — 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

    Not Before: 5:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Nick Kyrgios (AUS) d. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) (23) —  7-6(4), 6-4, 5-7, 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 6 — 11:00AM 

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Carina Witthoeft (GER) d. Christina McHale (USA) — 6-3, 6-0

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) d. David Goffin (BEL) (20) — 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Chris Guccione (AUS) / Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) d. Federico Delbonis (ARG) / Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) — 6-3, 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Caroline Garcia (FRA) d. Stefanie Voegele (SUI) — 6-3, 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 7 — 11:00AM

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Alex Bolt (AUS) / Andrew Whittington (AUS) d. Marin Draganja (CRO) (15) / Henri Kontinen (FIN) (15) — 7-6(4), 7-6(4)

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Bob Bryan (USA) (1) / Mike Bryan (USA) (1) d. John Millman (AUS) / Benjamin Mitchell (AUS) — 6-3, 7-5

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Martina Hingis (SUI) (4) / Flavia Pennetta (ITA) (4) d. Belinda Bencic (SUI) / Katerina Siniakova (CZE) — 7-6(3), 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Dudi Sela (ISR) d. Lukas Rosol (CZE) (28) — 7-6(2), 5-7, 7-5, 6-3

    [divider]

    Court 8 — 11:00AM  

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) (2) / Sania Mirza (IND) (2) d. Maria Irigoyen (ARG) / Romina Oprandi (SUI) — 6-2, 6-0

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Viktor Troicki (SRB) d. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) (26) — 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) (15) / Casey Dellacqua (AUS) (15) d. Shuai Peng (CHN) / Yi-Fan Xu (CHN) — 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(5)

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) — 7-6(3), 7-6(6)

    [divider]

    Court 10 — 11:00AM  

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Jamie Murray (GBR) (16) / John Peers (AUS) (16) d. Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) / Juan Monaco (ARG) — 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-4

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) (8) / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) (8) d. Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) / Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) — 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-3

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Garbine Muguruza (ESP) (6) / Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) (6) d. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) / Anna Tatishvili (USA) — 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Michaella Krajicek (NED) (13) / Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) (13) d. Marina Erakovic (NZL) / Monica Puig (PUR) — 6-7(9), 7-6(6), 6-3

    [divider]

    Court 11 — 11:00AM  

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) / Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) d. Frantisek Cermak (CZE) / Jiri Vesely (CZE) — 6-3, 6-2

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Ivan Dodig (CRO) (4) / Marcelo Melo (BRA) (4) d. Andre Begemann (GER) / Robin Haase (NED) — 7-6(2), 6-2

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Mona Barthel (GER) / Mandy Minella (LUX) d. Oksana Kalashnikova (GEO) / Kurumi Nara (JPN) — 6-3, 7-5

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) / Monica Niculescu (ROU) d. Lauren Davis (USA) / Christina McHale (USA) — 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

    [divider]

    Court 12 — 11:00AM 

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Omar Jasika (AUS) / John-Patrick Smith (AUS) d. Rameez Junaid (AUS) / Adrian Mannarino (FRA) — 6-2, 2-6, 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. Polona Hercog (SLO) — 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) (12) / Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (12) d. Shuko Aoyama (JPN) / Renata Voracova (CZE) — 6-2, 7-6(5)

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (3) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (3) d. Madison Keys (USA) / Alison Riske (USA) — 7-5, 6-1

    [divider]

    Court 13 — 11:00AM  

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) d. Katerina Siniakova (CZE) — 7-5, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Kevin Anderson (RSA) (14) d. Ricardas Berankis (LTU) — 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3)

    Women’s Singles – Round 2
    Zarina Diyas (KAZ) (31) d. Anna Schmiedlova (SVK) — 3-6, 6-2, 8-6

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) / Arina Rodionova (AUS) d. Naiktha Bains (AUS) / Sara Tomic (AUS) — 6-2, 6-2

    [divider]

    Court 15 — 11:00AM

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Austin Krajicek (USA) / Donald Young (USA) d. Marcel Granollers (ESP) (3) / Marc Lopez (ESP) (3) — 7-6(6), 2-6, 7-5

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Monique Adamczak (AUS) / Olivia Rogowska (AUS) d. Daria Gavrilova (AUS) / Storm Sanders (AUS) — 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Benjamin Becker (GER) / Artem Sitak (NZL) d. Gilles Muller (LUX) / Igor Sijsling (NED) — 6-3, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Malek Jaziri (TUN) d. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) — 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3

    [divider]

    Court 19 — 11:00AM

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Dominic Inglot (GBR) (14) / Florin Mergea (ROU) (14) d. Matthew Ebden (AUS) / Matt Reid (AUS) — 6-2, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 2
    Joao Sousa (POR) d. Martin Klizan (SVK) (32) — 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 1-0 (Ret.)

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1

    Julian Knowle (AUT) (13) / Vasek Pospisil (CAN) (13) d. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) / Dominic Thiem (AUT) — 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(4)

    [divider]

    Court 20 — 11:00AM  

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Raven Klaasen (RSA) (10) / Leander Paes (IND) (10) d. Scott Lipsky (USA) / Rajeev Ram (USA) — 6-4, 7-6(6)

    Not Before: 12:30pm

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Pablo Cuevas (URU) / David Marrero (ESP) d. Jonathan Marray (GBR) / Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) — 6-4, 7-6(6)

    Men’s Doubles – Round 1
    Jonathan Erlich (ISR) / Treat Huey (PHI) d. Dusan Lajovic (SRB) / Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) — 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3

    [divider]

    Court 22 — 11:00AM

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Gabriela Dabrowski (CAN) / Alicja Rosolska (POL) d. Cara Black (ZIM) / Saisai Zheng (CHN) — 6-1, 6-4

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Klaudia Jans-Ignacik (POL) / Andreja Klepac (SLO) d. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) / Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) — 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(2)

    Women’s Doubles – Round 1
    Shelby Rogers (USA) / Donna Vekic (CRO) d. Alize Cornet (FRA) / Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4

  • Australian Open Day 1: Order of Play & Scores

    Australian Open Day 1: Order of Play & Scores

    Australian Open

    Action on Rod Laver Arena on Day 1 of the 2015 Australian Open begins with Simona Halep (ROU), the No. 3 seed, taking on the Italian Karin Knapp. They will be followed by Ana Ivanovic (SRB), the No. 5 seed, who will play Lucie Hradecka (CZE). Up next, the men’s No. 3 seed, Rafael Nadal (ESP), plays the veteran Russian Mikhail Youzhny. The night session begins with Roger Federer (SUI), the No. 2 seed, who will face Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE). The final match pits the women’s No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova (RUS), against Petra Martic (CRO).

    The full schedule for Day 1 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

    [divider]

    Rod Laver Arena — 11:00am

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Simona Halep (ROU) (3) d. Karin Knapp (ITA) — 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) (5) — 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the Men’s Day 1 matches in the discussion forum.

    Click here to discuss the Women’s Day 1 matches in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

    Not Before: 2:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Rafael Nadal (ESP) (3) d. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) — 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

    Not Before 7:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Roger Federer (SUI) (2) d. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) — 6-4, 6-2, 7-5

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Maria Sharapova (RUS) (2) d. Petra Martic (CRO) — 6-4, 6-1

    [divider]

    Margaret Court Arena — 11:00am 

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) d. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) — 6-3, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Andy Murray (GBR) (6) d. Yuki Bhambri (IND) — 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3)

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) d. Angelique Kerber (GER) (9) — 6-4, 0-6, 6-1

    Not Before 7:00pm

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) (7) d. Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER) — 6-2, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Nick Kyrgios (AUS) d. Federico Delbonis (ARG) — 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3

    [divider]

    Hisense Arena — 11:00am

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Julia Goerges (GER) d. Belinda Bencic (SUI) (32) — 6-2, 6-1

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) d. Sabine Lisicki (GER) (28) — 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Bernard Tomic (AUS) d. Tobias Kamke (GER) — 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2

    Not Before: 5:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Sam Groth (AUS) d. Filip Krajinovic (SRB) — 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-4

    [divider]

    Show Court 2 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) (10) d. Dustin Brown (GER) — 6-2, 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Caroline Garcia (FRA) d. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) (27) — 6-4, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (7) d. Alejandro Falla (COL) — 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Monica Puig (PUR) d. Arina Rodionova (AUS) — 6-0, 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) (16) — 6-4, 2-6, 8-6

    [divider]

    Show Court 3 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Marinko Matosevic (AUS) d. Alexander Kudryavtsev (RUS) — 6-4, 6-7(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (23) — 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (10) d. An-Sophie Mestach (BEL) — 6-2, 6-2

    Not Before: 6:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) d. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) (11) — 5-7, 6-0, 1-6, 7-6(2), 8-6

    [divider]

    Court 6 — 11:00am

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Shuai Peng (CHN) (21) d. Tatjana Maria (GER) — 6-4, 7-5

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    James Duckworth (AUS) d. Blaz Kavcic (SLO) — 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Sara Errani (ITA) (14) d. Grace Min (USA) — 6-1, 6-0

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Simone Bolelli (ITA) d. Juan Monaco (ARG) — 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1

    [divider]

    Court 7 — 11:00am 

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Klara Koukalova (CZE) d. Storm Sanders (AUS) — 7-5, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    David Goffin (BEL) (20) d. Michael Russell (USA) — 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-0

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Zarina Diyas (KAZ) (31) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) — 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

    Not Before: 6:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Viktor Troicki (SRB) d. Jiri Vesely (CZE) — 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3

    [divider]

    Court 8 — 11:00am

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Martin Klizan (SVK) (32) d. Tatsuma Ito (JPN) — 7-6(6), 6-2, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Polona Hercog (SLO) d. Qiang Wang (CHN) — 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Leonardo Mayer (ARG) (26) d. John Millman (AUS) — 6-3, 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Daria Gavrilova (AUS) — 7-6(8), 5-7, 6-2

    [divider]

    Court 10 — 11:00am 

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. Ana Konjuh (CRO) — 6-4, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Anna Schmiedlova (SVK) d. Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) — 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Lukas Rosol (CZE) (28) d. Kenny De Schepper (FRA) — 4-6, 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4

    Not Before: 6:00pm

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Malek Jaziri (TUN) d. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) — 6-2, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(3)

    [divider]

    Court 11 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Lukas Lacko (SVK) d. Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) — 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-1

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. Ying-Ying Duan (CHN) — 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Jurgen Melzer (AUT) d. Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM) — 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Carina Witthoeft (GER) d. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) (17) — 6-3, 6-1

    [divider]

    Court 12 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Ricardas Berankis (LTU) d. Igor Sijsling (NED) — 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Stefanie Voegele (SUI) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) — 6-1, 3-6, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) (22) d. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) — 6-2, 6-2, 6-1

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) — 7-5, 6-1

    [divider]

    Court 13 — 11:00am

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Joao Sousa (POR) d. Jordan Thompson (AUS) — 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) d. Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) — 6-2, 6-7(5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d. Annika Beck (GER) — 7-5, 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 15 — 11:00am 

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Jeremy Chardy (FRA) (29) d. Borna Coric (CRO) — 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Karolina Pliskova (CZE) (22) d. Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) — 7-5, 6-1

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Christina McHale (USA) d. Stephanie Foretz (FRA) — 6-4, 1-6, 12-10

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Ivo Karlovic (CRO) (23) d. Ruben Bemelmans (BEL) — 6-4, 6-2, 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 19 — 11:00am

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Kevin Anderson (RSA) (14) d. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) — 7-6(5), 7-5, 5-7, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Katerina Siniakova (CZE) d. Elena Vesnina (RUS) — 6-2, 7-5

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) d. Tommy Robredo (ESP) (15) — 2-3 (Ret.)

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Alexandra Panova (RUS) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) — 7-5, 6-0

    [divider]

    Court 20 — 11:00am

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) d. Renata Voracova (CZE) — 6-1, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Richard Gasquet (FRA) (24) d. Carlos Berlocq (ARG) — 6-1, 6-3, 6-1

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Tim Smyczek (USA) d. Luke Saville (AUS) — 7-6(2), 7-5, 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 22 — 11:00am

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Andreas Seppi (ITA) d. Denis Istomin (UZB) — 5-7, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 1
    Oceane Dodin (FRA) d. Alison Riske (USA) — 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3

    Men’s Singles – Round 1
    Dudi Sela (ISR) d. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) — 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5

    [divider]

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Phil’s Fotos

  • 2015 Australian Open Women’s Draw

    2015 Australian Open Women’s Draw

    Australian Open

    The women’s draw for the 2015 Australian Open was released today. In the top half are the No. 1 seed, Serena Williams (USA), and the No. 4 seed, Petra Kvitova (CZE). In the bottom half are the No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova (RUS), and the No. 3 seed, Simona Halep (ROM).

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the 2015 Australian Open Women’s Draw in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

    First Quarter

    Serena Williams (USA) (1)
    Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL)

    Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
    Ons Jabeur (TUN)

    Olivia Rogowska (AUS)
    Nicole Gibbs (USA)

    Jana Cepelova (SVK)
    Elina Svitolina (UKR) (26)

    Garbine Muguruza (ESP) (24)
    Marina Erakovic (NZL)

    Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)
    Saisai Zheng (CHN)

    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN)
    Anna Tatishvili (USA)

    Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)
    Jelena Jankovic (SRB) (15)

    Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (11)
    Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)

    Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL)
    Heather Watson (GBR)

    Romina Oprandi (SUI)
    Denisa Allertova (CZE)

    Shuai Zhang (CHN)
    Alize Cornet (FRA) (19)

    B.Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) (25)
    Timea Babos (HUN)

    Jie Zheng (CHN)
    Kai-Chen Chang (TPE)

    Sloane Stephens (USA)
    Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

    Taylor Townsend (USA)
    Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) (8)

    [divider]

    Second Quarter

    Petra Kvitova (CZE) (4)
    Richel Hogenkamp (NED)

    Donna Vekic (CRO)
    Mona Barthel (GER)

    Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)
    Madison Keys (USA)

    Yvonne Meusburger (AUT)
    Casey Dellacqua (AUS) (29)

    Samantha Stosur (AUS) (20)
    Monica Niculescu (ROU)

    Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
    Coco Vandeweghe (USA)

    Irina Falconi (USA)
    Kaia Kanepi (EST)

    Madison Brengle (USA)
    Andrea Petkovic (GER) (13)

    Flavia Pennetta (ITA) (12)
    Camila Giorgi (ITA)

    Tereza Smitkova (CZE)
    Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO)

    Lauren Davis (USA)
    Aleksandra Krunic (SRB)

    M.Torro-Flor (ESP)
    Venus Williams (USA) (18)

    Varvara Lepchenko (USA) (30)
    Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS)

    Shelby Rogers (USA)
    Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS)

    Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS)
    Johanna Larsson (SWE)

    Kurumi Nara (JPN)
    Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (6)

    [divider]

    Third Quarter

    Ana Ivanovic (SRB) (5)
    Lucie Hradecka (CZE)

    Polona Hercog (SLO)
    Qiang Wang (CHN)

    Storm Sanders (AUS)
    Klara Koukalova (CZE)

    Julia Goerges (GER)
    Belinda Bencic (SUI) (32)

    Karolina Pliskova (CZE) (22)
    Evgeniya Rodina (RUS)

    Alison Riske (USA)
    Oceane Dodin (FRA)

    Roberta Vinci (ITA)
    Bojana Jovanovski (SRB)

    An-Sophie Mestach (BEL)
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (10)

    Sara Errani (ITA) (14)
    Grace Min (USA)

    S.Soler-Espinosa (ESP)
    Annika Beck (GER)

    Renata Voracova (CZE)
    Lara Arruabarrena (ESP)

    Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)
    A.Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (23)

    Sabine Lisicki (GER) (28)
    Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)

    Ying-Ying Duan (CHN)
    Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)

    Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)
    Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)

    Karin Knapp (ITA)
    Simona Halep (ROU) (3)

    [divider]

    Fourth Quarter

    Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) (7)
    Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER)

    Kiki Bertens (NED)
    Daria Gavrilova (AUS)

    Stefanie Voegele (SUI)
    Pauline Parmentier (FRA)

    Caroline Garcia (FRA)
    Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) (27)

    C.Suarez Navarro (ESP) (17)
    Carina Witthoeft (GER)

    Stephanie Foretz (FRA)
    Christina McHale (USA)

    Elena Vesnina (RUS)
    Katerina Siniakova (CZE)

    Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
    Angelique Kerber (GER) (9)

    Lucie Safarova (CZE) (16)
    Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

    Monica Puig (PUR)
    Arina Rodionova (AUS)

    Ana Konjuh (CRO)
    Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK)

    Tatjana Maria (GER)
    Shuai Peng (CHN) (21)

    Zarina Diyas (KAZ) (31)
    Urszula Radwanska (POL)

    Anna Schmiedlova (SVK)
    Chanelle Scheepers (RSA)

    Alexandra Panova (RUS)
    Sorana Cirstea (ROU)

    Petra Martic (CRO)
    Maria Sharapova (RUS) (2)

    [divider]

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): brassynn

  • WTA: Week No. 1

    WTA: Week No. 1

    Maria Sharapova Venus Williams Simona Halep

    The 2015 tennis season started with multiple events in different cities. Brisbane, Auckland, and Perth in Australia, plus Shenzhen in China were all hosting events. All this serving as warm-up to the first Grand Slam of 2015 in Melbourne, Australia.

    The first title of the season went to one of the oldest players on tour. Venus Williams scored her 46th career title in Auckland in a drama-filled three-set encounter against Caroline Wozniacki. The two former world No. 1’s delighted a packed crowd on a bright, windy, sunny afternoon for close to two hours. The final score was 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in favor of Venus.

    Ana Ivanovic was in the same position as Venus, but she was competing in Brisbane, the only Premier-level event of the week, though Ana was the second seed and across the net was the top seed again. Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic delivered and made the final in a dream match-up. Both former No. 1’s fought for 2 and 1/2 hours before Maria finished first in the three-set match. The first set alone took over an hour. Final score:  6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3.

    With Li Na’s retirement, Shenzhen was left without a defending champion in its third year of existance but WTA delivered two Top 10 stars in the form of Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova. In the end, the two stars delivered. Simona Halep won her first title of 2015, and her ninth overall in a little over an hour via straight sets; Petra Kvitova lost the semifinals to eventual runner-up Timea Bacsinszky.

  • Serena Superb in Singapore

    Serena Superb in Singapore

    2014 Singapore WTA Finals Winner – Serena Williams

    The WTA Finals, as it’s termed now, featured world No. 1 Serena Williams against the top Romanian, No. 4 seed Simona Halep.  This was the first time Simona Halep made the trip to the year-end championship, whereas Serena was looking for her third WTA Finals title in a row.

    Williams needed just 1 hour and 9 minutes to defeat Halep with a score of 6-3, 6-0.  The match was close early in the first set but at 3-3 Serena took the next nine games to close it in a hurry.

    The inaugural event in Singapore, where the year-end championship dubbed WTA Finals was held this year and shall be for next four years, was more than just the competition between the top eight ladies in tennis; this was a spectacle of show, passion, mishaps, missed opportunities, triumph, and of course defeat.  It was obvious from the beginning this will be a championship like none before since it all started at a packed 21st Century resort’s shopping center.

    In addition to the regular competition, this year the WTA added mini-events titled “Rising Stars” and “Future Stars”, as well as legends matches, stretching the show to 10 days.

    Round Robin competition brought many surprises.  Both top seeds suffered losses and only one made the semifinals.  At the end, No. 4 seed, Simona Halep, and No. 8 seed, Caroline Wozniacki, led their respective groups.

    Although routed in straight sets by Simona Halep in the Round Robin stage in one of the worst defeats of her career, Serena Williams returned the favor by only allowing three games in the final match, and none in the second set.

    Williams will retain her No. 1 ranking for the remainder of the year and beyond.  Halep improved to No. 3.

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the Serena Williams/Simona Halep final in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): VOXSPORTSdotNET

  • Singapore BNP Paribas WTA Finals – Day 7: Final – Serena Williams vs. Simona Halep – Order of Play & Scores

    Singapore BNP Paribas WTA Finals – Day 7: Final – Serena Williams vs. Simona Halep – Order of Play & Scores

    2014 Singapore Day 7- Serena Halep

    The BNP Paribas WTA Finals concludes today with the singles and doubles finals. Serena Williams (1) will face Simona Halep (4) in the championship match. In their round-robin encounter, Halep beat Williams 6-0, 6-2.

    [Scores added as known. All times are local.]

    [divider]

    Center Court —  4:00 P.M.

    Cara Black/Sania Mirza (3) d. Su-Wei Hsieh/Shuai Peng (2) — 6-1, 6-0

    Not Before 7:00 P.M.

    Serena Williams (1) (USA) d. Simona Halep (4) (ROU) — 6-3, 6-0

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the Serena Williams/Simona Halep final in the discussion forum.

    [divider]

  • Singapore BNP Paribas WTA Finals – Day 6: Semifinals – Order of Play & Scores

    Singapore BNP Paribas WTA Finals – Day 6: Semifinals – Order of Play & Scores

    Serena Williams Caroline Wozniacki Simona Halep Agnieszka Radwanska

    Day 6 of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals features the semifinals. First up are Serena Williams (1) and Caroline Wozniacki (8). They’re followed in the evening session by Simona Halep (4) and Agnieszka Radwanska (6).

    [Scores added as known. All times are local.]

    [divider]

    Center Court — 12:00 P.M.

    Su-Wei Hsieh/Shuai Peng (2) d. Alla Kudryavtseva/Anastasia Rodionova — 6-1, 6-4

    Not Before 2:30 P.M.

    Serena Williams (1) (USA) d. Caroline Wozniacki (8) (DEN) — 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(6)

    Not Before 6:00 P.M.

    Simona Halep (4) (ROU) d. Agnieszka Radwanska (6) (POL) — 6-2, 6-2

    Cara Black/Sania Mirza (3) d. Kveta Peschke/Katarina Srebotnik — 4-6, 7-5, 11-9

    [divider]

    Click here to discuss the Williams/Wozniacki semifinal in the discussion forum.

    Click here to discuss the Halep/Radwanska semifinal in the discussion forum.

    [divider]