TennisToday

ATP & WTA Weekend Winners for May 26, 2012

WTA Brussels - Final

1 Agnieszka Radwanska d Simona Halep - 75 60

This is Aga's 10th WTA title and 3rd on the 2012 season.

She has lost to only 8 matches this year - 6 of them to Victoria Azarenka.

Aga is the #3 seed heading to Roland Garros.

And yep, you guessed it - she's in Vika's half of the draw.

But she'll have to get by Venus Williams in a possible 2nd round match.

And former champ Svetlana Kuznetsova in a possible 3rd rounder.

Yikes.

***

ATP 250 Nice - Final

3 Nicolas Almagro d Q Brian Baker - 63 62

Nico wins his 12th ATP title and 2nd of 2012 - both on clay.

He heads to Paris as the 12th seed. And zero points to defend.

There is definately upward movement in the rankings to be had here.

Proveded he avoids the 'win a title 1 week/lose early the next' curse.

He's seeded to meet Tipsarevic in the 4R & Nadal in the Qf's.

***

WTA Strasbourg - Final

2 Francesca Schiavone d WC Alize Cornet - 64 64

This is Fran's 5th WTA title.

And her first since winning Roland Garros in 2010.

Speaking of... she'll play Kimiko Date-Krumm in the 1st round.

They have a combined age of 70-something.

Possibly the oldest match we'll see all year.

Fran is also in the Petra Kvitova/Li Na quarter.

Li Na Wins Historic Title at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Women's Final

6 Li Na d 5 Francesca Schiavone - 64 76(0)

Li Na becomes the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam title.

In the process she won her very first clay title - and 5th career title.

She beat the defending champion and clay court specialist to do so.

And she beat 4 top 10 players to the trophy lift. It was an amazing effort.

At 29 Li Na became the 5th oldest first-time Slam winner (Open Era).

Added bonus: She will rise to a career ranking high of #4 come Monday.

Li Na: Before this tournament, people said I couldn't do well on clay courts.

Now I think they will change their minds.

She's been to both Slam finals this year - will Wimby be the third?

Who knows but I can't wait to see that bright smile on the grass at SW19.

Photo: Getty Images

Francesca Schiavone Reaches 2nd Roland Garros Final

Roland Garros - Women's Semifinal

5 Francesca Schiavone d 11 Marion Bartoli - 63 63

A year ago Fran's run to the trophy lift seemed improbable.

This year she's proving that that title was no fluke with another final run.

I'm thinking she must be the heavy favorite on Saturday.

To think she was down 16 1-4 to Pavyuchenkova in the Qf's.

Sometimes a near defeat leads straight to the title.

Today Fran not only battled Marion but the crowd was against her too.

Fran: I have to say thanks to my 50 or 100 fans that came today.

For me it's always a pleasure to play in front of the crowd and all these fans.

When I was young I always dreamed of this tournament...

So my inspiration comes from a long, long time ago.

When I come here, I feel something special.

Forza Franzi.

Photo: Getty Images

Francesca Schiavone Wins Thriller to Advance to Semifinals at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Women's Quarterfinal

5 Francesca Schiavone d 15 Anastasia Pavyluchenkova - 16 75 75

Boy talk about digging deep - Fran was 16 1-4 down before waking up.

The defending champ is back in the Sf's - she's now won 12 in-a-row at RG.

Remember, it was at this stage last year when nobody gave her a shot.

Dementieva & Stosur were both supposed to destroy her - didn't happen.

Can she make it back to the final and lift the trophy again?

Without the top 3 players out she's in with a shot.

Photo: Corinne Dubreuil

So Kuznetsova & Schiavone had a rematch today...

Dubai WTA - 3rd Round

16 Svetlana Kuznetsova d 3 Francesca Schiavone - 16 60 75

And of course it was a thriller... well, the 3rd set anyhow.

Remember they played that crazy 16-14 3rd set at Aussie Open.

Fran won that one, so I suppose it was Sveta's turn.

Wouldn't it be great it these ladies like 10 more times this year?

Hey, looks like they are both heading to Doha...

Fingers crossed.

***

Photo: Getty Images

Caroline Wozniacki into Semifinal at Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Quarterfinal

1 Caroline Wozniacki d 6 Francesca Schiavone - 36 63 63

For a moment there it looked like Fran was gonna do the improbable.

She was up a set & a break - then she ran into that mean bitch: exhaustion.

The scoreline doesn't really reflect the effort Fran put into this thing.

Her fight was inspiring.

***

As for Caro, the win secures her #1 ranking no matter who takes the title.

She's still seeking a maiden Slam - which many feel will justify her ranking.

Caro advances to her 3rd Slam Sf: 1-1.

Advancing to her 2nd Slam final won't be easy - as she faces inform Li Na.

And she'll need to steer clear of those pesky kangaroos.

Caro on being down: Well, I don't mind playing three setters in general.

I feel in good shape, and I can keep playing out there.

So I was just thinking just try to stay in the match. She still hasn't won it.

When I went to the third set, I was really pumped and

ready to go out there and fight until the last ball.

Photo: Getty Images

Francesca Schiavone Defeats Svetlana Kuznetsova in an Epic Thriiler at Australian Open

Austrailian Open - Women's Fourth Round

6 Francesca Schiavone d 23 Svetlana Kuznetsova - 64 16 16-14

Longest match in women's Slam history - 4 hours and 44 minutes.

I know we're only in Jan. but this could turn out to be the match of the year.

And I went to bed when they were locked at 7-7. Couldn't keep my eyes open.

Sveta had 6 match points... Franny served for it 3 times & was broken.

And as the match got deeper into the 3rd - the level of play went UP!

This win will lift Fran into the top 5. It's impossible to not cheer for Fran.

Fran: This is one of the most emotional moments of my life.

To me, this was personally really fantastic.

I hope one day to show this DVD to my son.

I told Svetlana she did a really good job and she's great, fantastic.

She said the same. We respect each other a lot.

Fran advances to her 6th Slam Qf: 1-4. Her 1st was at RG back in '01.

Her only Qf win, of course, last year at RG - she went on to win the title.

Best of luck: An exhausted Fran will next face Caroline Wozniacki. Um...

***

I sure hope Sveta isn't gutted by this loss for tooooooo long.

Sveta: At some stage I was like, 'What's the score? Who's serving?

What's going on here anyway?' I had no clue sometimes.

***

I's gonna speak for fans everywhere: Thanks for a great match ladies.

XOXO

Photos: Getty Images

Australian Open Day 5: A Quick Summary

The following are all third round matches, natch.

8 Andy Roddick d Robin Hasse - 26 76(2) 62 62

Rough start. Picked it up in the 2nd. Then cruised to victory.

Remember Robin was voted 'most improved' by the ATP last season.

Semi bound year: Odd years find A-Rod in the Sf's: '03, '05, '07, '09.

To get there he'll need to get thru Wawrinka next & probably Federer.

Andy vs Stan - H2H: 2-1/SW. Both Stan wins were from Andy retirements.

14 Maria Sharapova d Julia Goerges - 46 64 64

Talk about gutting one out. This was a thriller from 1st to last ball struck.

This is furtherest she's been at the Aussie Open since she won in '08.

This is also her 3rd straight 4th round showing at a Slam.

I've said it here many times last year: She's due a good Slam result.

9 Fernando Verdasco d Kei Nishikori - 62 64 63

He picked this up right where he left us with Tipsarevic.

And in his Clavin's no less.

The '09 Sf'ist has now matched last years result.

To improve on that he'll have to get thru Tomas Berdych - H2H: 6-4/TB.

That will be a really great 4th rounder for sure.

1 Caroline Wozniacki d Dominika Cibulkova - 64 63

Caro turned the tables on the half-pint that beat her last week in Sydney.

Then went into the presser and wowwed the journos by interviewing herself.

Google it. It's funny.

6 Francesca Schiavone d Monica Nicolescu - 60 76(2)

Has she yet been on a bigger court tha Margaret Court?

This is Fran's 14th visit to a Slam 4th round: 5-8.

She have a fun one next against Svetlana Kuznetsova: 8-4/SK.

6 Tomas Berdych d 28 Richard Gasquet - 62 76(3) 62

Here's a shocker: Tomas is 3-9 in Slam 4th round matches.

Two of those 3 wins came last year at Roland Garros & Wimbledon.

And he followed them up with Sf & RU runs respectively.

Also, he has David Ferrer breathing down his neck for that #6 ranking.

And nothing is certain with Verdasco next.

23 Svetlana Kuznetsova d 11 Justine Henin - 64 76(8)

Shocker #1: This is only Sveta's 3rd win over Justine in 19 matches.

Shocker #2: This is the very first time she won a tie-break over Justine.

Shocker #3: Sveta really tried to give this match away to Justine.

Ok, that last one isn't a shocker - but when you serve for it twice...

***

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Australian Open Day 3: A Quick Summary

I've been to busy to keep up. So here is one giant post.

As you read keep in mind all of yesterday's matches were second round...

2 Roger Federer d Gilles Simon - 62 63 46 46 63

A genuine bonafide thriller.

Roger hadn't been dumped from a Slam this early since RG '03.

He improved his career record of winning with a 2 set lead to 166-0.

Gilles still remains 1 of 3 active players with a winning H2H over Fed.

Nadal & Murray are the others. He can only (potentially) face 1 - in the final.

4 Venus Williams d Sandra Zahlavova - 76(6) 60 64

An incredible match of fighting spirit.

V pulled a groin muscle at the end of the tie-break.

She leaves court for treatment only to return to serve-up a bagel.

Although injured V has never retired from a Slam match.

Let's see how that feels tomorrow though.

9 Fernando Verdasco d Janko Tipsarevic - 26 46 64 76(0) 60

This thing was an absolute head-stracher.

Janko served for it twice and completely bungled 3 match points.

And once he lost that 4th set TB - he basically lost all heart to play.

This is probably sting for awhile.

6 Francesca Schiavone d Rebecca Marino - 63 57 97

Yet another of the crazy matches played yesterday.

This is Fran's 6th visit to the 3rd round: 2-3. She's never been to the Qf's.

3 Novak Djokovic d Ivan Dodig - 75 76(8) 60 62

Little signs of struggle and frustration in those 1st 2 sets.

But no doubt Novak is happy with the last 2 sets.

This is his 5th straight year thru to the 3rd round: 4-0.

Nole will next face fellow Serb and good friend Viktor Troicki: 6-1/ND.

Remember, Troicki very nearly got him at the US Open last year.

14 Maria Sharapova d Virginie Razzano - 76(3) 63

The former champion, Maria won the last of her 3 Slams here in 2008.

In the 9 Slams she's played since she has gotten to the Qf's (and lost) once.

Stupid shoulder.

Good news: She lost 1st round last year so her ranking will pop a bit.

8 Andy Roddick d Igor Kunitsyn - 76(7) 62 63

I often wonder if Andy let's himself daydream about tennis w/o Federer.

Cuz they are on yet another collision course to meet here in the Qf's.

Observation: Too many slice backhands. That won't cut it next week.

30 Andrea Petkovic d Anne Keothavong - 26 75 60

From the brink Petko digs deep for the magic.

She has only ventured past the 2nd round at a Slam once before:

Her Sf showing at the US Open last year.

She next plays Venus who, as we mentioned before, is quite injured.

29 Viktor Troicki d Nicolas Mahut - 64 62 16 63

It sure feels like that Davis Cup high has lingered, doesn't it?

Too bad DC teammates must play in the next round.

I wonder whose hair is growing back faster?

Viktor has now been to the 3rd round at all 4 Slams. Never further.

8 Victoria Azarenka d Andrea Hlavackova - 64 64

This is Vika's 14th visit to a 3rd round in a Slam: 6-7.

Remember last year she was wheeled off her Qf match after fainting.

One to watch: She has a legitimate shot at a deep run this year.

14 Nicolas Almagro d Igor Andreev - 75 26 46 76(10) 75

Hey whoa whoa whoa, I thought you were a clay courter.

Even so, this is Nico's 3rd straight year to the 3rd round: 1-1.

One might even fancy his chances in his next round against Ljubicic.

I said: Might.

28 Richard Gasquet d Adrian Mannarino - 63 76(4) 64

Lovely to see Richard winning a couple rounds in a Slam.

He lost 1st round here last year so he'll be happy to be collecting points.

He will next face Tomas Berdych with whom has a winning H2H: 2-1.

That should be a real fun one.

***

Phew, now I can get a few things done before Day 4 begins.

This time difference between Melbourne & Los Angeles is a killer.

Photos: AP/Reuters/Getty Images

One more thing about Fed Cup last week...

I really didn't think I could love Franny any more.

I'm sure this has been on many tennis blogs already but oddly enough...

I don't read very many of them. Weird, huh?

Italian Women Win the Fed Cup in San Diego

Oh yea, this happened over the weekend:

Italy d USA 3-1

Sorry for not keeping up with this guys, I'm not really a fan of Fed Cup.

And I watched the matches too - well, the TV was on in the background.

Italy has now won this thing 3 of the last 5 years. Kind of an odd dynasty.

'10 MIA's: Serena & Venus have to play in '11 - for Olympic qualification.

Neener-Neener

Great win for Melanie Oudin over Fran - Mel has not played well this year.

Wonder how they celebrated the win? Tourists love that Gaslamp District.

The WTA 2010 season is officially over.

Photos: Reuters

WTA Doha Championships: A Whopper of a Day 3

Doha WTA Championships - Round Robin Day Three

1 Caroline Wozniacki d 5 Francesca Schiavone - 36 61 61

3 Kim Clijsters d 8 Victoria Azarenka - 64 57 61

7 Elena Dementieva d 6 Samantha Stosur - 46 64 76(4)

***

So I bitched the last couple days about crappy matches...

Well, we got a great slate of 3-setters today.

With Caro's win she sealed the deal for year-end #1. Congrats!

Like I've said before - she reminds me so much of Martina Hingis.

At 20 Caro is the youngest YE #1 since the Swiss Miss.

Kim moves into the Sf's & keeps hopes of year-end #2 alive.

Sam needed to win a set to clinch a Sf birth - done.

So tomorrow the matches will decide who plays each other on Saturday:

Caroline Wozniacki will play the Vera Zvonareva/Kim Clijters winner.

Samantha Stosur will obviously play the Vera/Kim loser.

Any way you slice it - we are looking at a great weekend of tennis.

Photo: Reuters

WTA Doha Day 1: BOOOO-RING

Day One Round Robin Results

1 Caroline Wozniacki d 7 Elena Dementieva - 61 61

5 Samantha Stosur d 4 Francesca Schiavone - 64 64

2 Vera Zvonareva d 6 Jelena Jankovic - 63 60

***

Hey, the top 2 players played like the top 2 players today.

What a boring day tho when the 3 defeated opponents muster 13 games.

The only real excitement today was Sam come back from 0-4 in the 1st.

What the hell with Elena and Jelena. To be fair, niether was 100%

Don't be surprised to see alternates Shahar Peer & Li Na thi week.

Ok, I'm not feeling well so hopefully I'll have more for you tomorrow.

Here's a video recap on the day:

Photo: AP

WTA Championships in Doha Start Tomorrow - A Look at the Players

Fran, Kim, Vera, Caro, Jelena, Elena & Sam. Vika not pictured.

Last years finalists (Serena d Venus) both qualified but have withdrawn.

The gals have been split into 2 groups of 4 for round-robin play:

White Group: Vera, Kim, Jelena, Victoria

Maroon Group: Caroline, Francesca, Samantha, Elena

2 players from each group will move to the knockout Sf round.

*** The Players ***

Caroline Wozniacki

Ranking: 1

Previous best was a Sf here last year.

She has won 6 titles this season including 4 of the last 5 she's played.

Caro owns a tour-leading 59 match wins (and counting) for 2010.

Vera Zvonareva

Ranking: 2

She was a runner-up at the WTA Championships in 2008.

She played in 6 finals this year winning only 1: Pattaya City.

She was the runner-up at Wimbledon and at the US Open.

Kim Clijsters

Ranking: 4

She has previouly won the WTA Championship in 2002-03.

Kim won 4 titles this season including her 3rd at the US Open.

She ha not lost to a top 10 player all year: 6-0.

Francesca Schiavone

Ranking: 6

This is her first trip to the WTA Championships.

She won 2 titles in 2010 including her famous win at Roland Garros.

Where she became the first Italian woman to win a Slam.

Samantha Stosur

Ranking: 7

This is her first appearance at the WTA Championships.

Sam has won 1 title in 2010 and was runner-up at Roland Garros.

She has served 280 aces this season - 2nd only yo Nadia Petrova.

Jelena Jankovic

Ranking: 8

Previously she has reached the Sf's twice: 2008-09.

She won 1 title in 2010 - at Indian Wells.

In Rome became the 7th player to beat Serena & Venus in the same tourny.

Elena Dementieva

Ranking: 9

Previously she has reached the Sf's in 2000 & 2008.

This is her 10th trip to the WTA Championships.

She has won 2 titles this in '10 & is 1 of 4 active players with 500 tour wins.

Victoria Azarenka

Ranking: 10

Vika booked her spot in Doha after winning in Moscow just last week.

Previously she lost in the round-robin here a year ago.

She won 2 titles in 2010 - at Stanford and Mocow.

She is the only player in the field to have not played in a Slam final.

***

The 8 players have a combined title count for 2010 of 19.

That seems fairly low if you ask me.

Women's Tennis Season-Ending Players Set for Doha '10

Here are your 8 combatants for the season-ending championships in Doha.

1. Caroline Wozniacki 2. Serena Williams 3. Vera Zvonareva

4. Kim Clijsters 5. Samantha Stosur

6. Francesca Schiavone 7. Jelena Jankovic 8. Elena Dementieva

Venus & Justine would've qualified but have ended her years owing to injury.

The tournament begins on Oct. 25 and will be aired live on Tennis Channel.

Hopefully without that annoying ticker...

Wozniacki & Dementieva to Play for Tokyo WTA Title

Tokyo WTA - Women's Final

1 Caroline Wozniacki vs 7 Elena Dementieva - H2H: 3-3

They've played once this year - a Sf in New Haven - 76(5) in the 3rd.

Revenge: Today Elena defeated Francesca Schiavone (64 75) to advance.

It was a retirement in the Sf's at Roland Garros that got Fran to that final.

Caroline is looking for a tour-leading 5th title for 2010 - Elena her 3rd.

Caro played a 3 hour Sf in beating Victoria Azarenka - could be a factor.

She is also 1 of 5 contenders playing to finish the year at #1.

If not for that injury at RG Elena would be in the hunt as well.

Should be an entertaining affair - watch it live on Tennis Channel tonight.

I've already turned down a dinner party for this...

Photos: Getty Images

Venus Williams Edges into Semifinals at US Open

US Open - Women's Quarterfinal

3 Venus Williams d 6 Francsesca Schiavone - 76(5) 64

5th match and 5th dress. Can't wait to see wait she has in store on Friday.

Venus is now the only American left in the Open - men and women.

This is V's 8th trip to the Open Sf's and 1st since '07.

She made her 1st Sf (and final) in '97. In fact, she made the Sf's '97-'02.

In Slam play this will be V's 19th Sf: 14-4.

Odd that she's only been to 3 Sf's at the Australian & French conbined.

Photos: Getty Images

Venus Williams & Francesca Schiavone Set Up Quarterfinal at US Open

US Open - Women's Fourth Round

3 Venus Williams d Shahar Peer - 76(3) 63

6 Francesca Schiavone d 20 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - 63 60

3 Venus Williams vs 6 Francesca Schiavone - 7-0

They've played two 3-setters this year - both before Fran was a Slammer.

This is Fran's 2nd time to the US Open Qfs - an '03 loss to Jennifer Capriati.

For Venus this round is familiar territory - her 10th: 7-2.

Look out Venus: 6 of Fran's 8 sets have been 0, 1 & 2.

Onr thing is for sure, Venus will sparkle - win or lose.

Photos: Reuters

Francesca Schiavone Hits Her Own 'Tweener' to Advance at the US Open

US Open - Women's 3rd Round

6 Francesca Schiavone d 29 Alona Bondarenko - 61 75

This is Fran's 5th trip to the 4th round of the US Open: 1-3.

The ROland Garros champ was a quarterfinalist here in 2003.

Today she hit her own 'tweener' - take that Roger!

Melanie Oudin Loses 2nd Round Match at US Open

US Open - Women's Second Round

29 Alona Bondarenko d Melanie Oudin - 62 75

Aw. No Cinderella run for Melanie this year. Shoulda stuck with 'Believe'.

Mel made a late charge in the 2nd set & tried to make things interesting...

Not enough. But guys, this was NOT an upset.

Having reached the Qfs last year her ranking will surely take a big hit.

As for Alona, this is her 10th trip to a Slam 3rd round: 1-8.

She'll next play Roland Garros champ Francesca Schiavone - H2H: 4-3/FS.

This will be Fran's 23rd match in a 3rd round at a Slam: 12-10.

Photo: Reuters