TennisToday

Petra Kvitova Wins WTA Title at Dubai

WTA Dubai - Women's Final

6 Petra Kvitova d 5 Sara Errani - 62 16 61

With the win Petra moves her title count into double digits: 10.

Also these two ladies swap places in the rankings as Petra moves up to #7.

Maybe she can get back to her 2011 form.

Post match: I'm not thinking this is a turning point or

a turning tournament for me. Yes, it was a lot of great players here and

it was hard to beat them, but I'm still just thinking about my game.

That's the priority for me.

OK, but this still can be a turning point girl.

Serena Williams Set to Return to #1 after Doha Quarterfinal Win Over Kvitova

Doha - Women's Quarterfinal

2 Serena Williams d 7 Petra Kvitova - 36 63 75

Well. This was only a matter of time.

And with not a ton to defend before Wimby she'll stay at #1 for a spell.

On Monday she'll become the oldest #1 in WTA history - nearly 31 1/2.

It also marks Serena's 6th time at #1 - her first: July 8, 2002.

Post match: I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to get back to #1.

It has been a long road back and it's a great feeling.

It has been a lot of hard work but I don't want to stop here.

Oh honey, it won't.

Novak Djokovic & Petra Kvitova Win Canadian Open Titles

ATP Masters 1000 Toronto - Men's Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 14 Richard Gasquet - 63 62

He breaks his tie with Sampras by winning his 12th 1000 title.

Not a bad way to shake off the disappointment of the Olympics.

Post match: I truly did not expect myself to win this tournament...

after the emotional losses in the Olympic Games. I really took it hard.

I tried to bounce back and recover; I've done great, I have to say.

WTA Montreal - Final

5 Petra Kvitova d 10 Li Na - 75 26 63

Better late than never: This marked Petra's first final of the season.

That's a pretty long drought since winning the season-ender in Oct.

This also marked her first final in North America.

Post match: I have asthma so I have trouble breathing sometimes,

but it wasn't too humid here this week. It's only a problem in North America,

unfortunately, because here it's more humid than Europe or Australia,

where it's very hot but not that humid. Humidity is the main problem for me.

Serena Williams Returns to Semifinals at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Quarterfinal

6 Serena WIlliams d 4 Petra Kvitova - 63 75

The legend takes out the defending champion.

This is Serena's 8th trip to the Sf's: 6-1 - she's pretty lethal at this stage.

That one Sf loss was to sister Venus way back in 2000.

Remember: Serena is in the hunt for her 5th Wimby title & 14th Slam.

And she wants it. Bad...

Serena (sounding a lot like Serena) post match: I hate losing.

If you're not first, you're last. If I lose I don't keep the trophy.

I wouldn't bet against her lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday.

Photo: Getty Images

Petra Kvitova Open Wimbledon Defense with Win

Wimbledon - Ladies First Round

4 Petra Kvitova d Akgul Amanmuradova - 64 64

Nerves played a big part in this match - Petra should've taken this easier.

Post match: It’s very different coming back this time.

I was nervous.

It’s the first time for me being here as defending champion...

And it was a huge honour to be on Centre Court.

It was difficult to know what to expect of myself and of my opponent.

A lot of firsts for me today. I stayed calm inside and I’m happy with that.

She probably won't play on Center in round 2 so she'll be more relaxed.

Photo: Getty Images

Maria Sharapova & Petra Kvitova to Meet in Semifinals at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Women's Quarterfinals

2 Maria Sharapova d 23 Kaia Kanepi - 62 63

4 Petra Kvitova d Q Yaroslava Shvedova - 36 62 64

And suddenly we have a rematch of the Wimbledon final from last year.

***

If Maria can make the final she will take over the #1 spot on the WTA.

This is her 3rd trip to the Sf's at RG: 0-2.

Except for that tough 4th round match Maria cruised thru this thing.

Post match: After a tough match in the previous round...

I really wanted to improve some things in this match...

And I'm happy how I did that.

***

Petra's match was a mess - a major mess. But a win is a win.

This is her maiden RG Sf and her 4th Sf at a Slam: 1-2.

Post match: I expected it to be a tough match. She started well.

I was nervous from the beginning. Made easy mistakes. Games were close.

***

2 Maria Sharapova vs 4 Petra Kvitova - H2H: 3-2/MS

Maria has won both matches this year - Petra won their 2 last year.

This is their 3rd Slam meeting: 1-1.

Petra won their Wimbledon final and Maria won their Aussie Sf.

Petra: I played against Maria (before) and it's tough matches.

We have good rallies. I hope it will be the same tomorrow.

If you're betting tho... I'd bet the house on Maria.

Photos: Maria from Getty Images - Petra from FFT

Azarenka & Sharapova to Play for Stuttgart Title

WTA Stuttgart - Semifinal Results & Final Preview

1 Victoria Azarenka d Agnieszka Radwanska -61 63

2 Maria Sharapova d 3 Petra Kvitova -64 76(3)

1 Victoria Azarenka vs 2 Maria Sharapova - H2H: 5-3/VA

No time to post a real story.

But, going into tomorrow's final Vika has destroyed Maria twice this year.

And in 2 big finals: Australian Open and at Indian Wells.

Their 1 meeting on clay came last year - Maria won it by retirement.

Screamfest 2012 part 3 tomorrow - adjust TV volume accordingly.

Photos: Getty Images

Christina McHale Downs Petra Kvitova at Indian Wells

WTA Indian Wells - 3rd Round

32 Christina McHale d 3 Petra Kvitova - 26 62 63

This is the 19 year-old's 4th win over a top 10 player.

Christina: It was definitely one of my biggest wins.

Ya think? You just downed the reigning Wimbledon champion girl!

She is looking for her 2nd Qf showing on the season.

To do so she'll need to get thru Angelique Kerber - winnable, surely.

As for Petra, something tells me she'll make more noise in Miami.

Photo: Reuters

Women's Tennis: All the 2011 Slam Winners Crash Out in the 1st & 2nd Rounds at Their Next Slam

That's a crazy - a troubling - stat.

The latest victim came yesterday at the Australian Open...

Sam Stosur was sent off by Sorana Cirstea 76 63 in the 1st round.

Telling the truth tho Sam has never faired well in her home Slam.

She follows AO.11 champ Kim Clijsters who lost in the 2nd R at the French.

RG.11 champ Li Na in the 2nd R at Wimbledon.

And W.11 champ Petra Kvitova in the 1st R at the US Open.

Let's hope this trend curse comes to an end.

Photos: Reuters and Getty Images

Your 2011 Wimbledon Champions

Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic

Women's Champion: Petra Kvitova

Men's Doubles: Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan

Women's Doubles: Kveta Peschke & Katarina Srebotnik

Mixed Doubles: Iveta Benesova & Jurgen Melzer

Photos: Getty Images

Petra Kvitova Wins Wimbledon Title

Wimbledon Women's Final

8 Petra Kvitova d 5 Maria Sharapova - 63 64

What an amazing display of power and control Petra showed today.

She wins her maiden Slam at the tender age of 21.

The youngest to win since Ana Ivanovic won the French 3 years ago.

Petra: It's hard to find words standing here with the trophy and...

Seeing all of the great players in the Royal Box. I was nervous...

Because I thought I could win Wimbledon, but I just focused on each point.

Petra is the first lefty to win Wimby since Martina Navratilova in 1990.

A #8 seed has never won a Slam before today.

BTW, Petra was my pick to win at the start of the tournament.

Photo: Getty Images

 

Petra Kvitova Wins WTA Title at Madrid

Madrid WTA - Final

16 Petra Kvitova d 4 Victoria Azarenka - 76(3) 64

Petra wins her 4th career WTA title and her 3rd on the season.

She is tied with #1 Caroline Wozniacki with most title so far this year.

The win will bump her from #18 to #10.

This is her first visit into the top 10 - becoming the 6th Czech to do so.

Petra has opted not to play next week in Rome.

Watch out: Suddenly we have a very serious contender Roland Garros.

Photo: Reuters

Petra Kvitova & Victoria Azarenka to Meet in Madrid Final

Madrid WTA Semifinals

16 Petra Kvitova (left) d 6 Li Na - 63 61

4 Victoria Azarenka (right) d Julia Goerges - 64 62

Both wins earn each lady a new rankings high...

Petra will move into the top 10 for the 1st time - 6th Czech lady to do so.

Petra: When I was young, I was inspired by Martina Navratilova.

She was Czech, played very offensive tennis and had very good volleys.

She was also left-handed. She was a star.

Victoria will move to a career high of #4 - highest ranked Belarusian ever.

***

4 Victoria Azarenka vs 16 Petra Kvitova - H2H: 2-1/VA

Vika won their 1st two matches; Petra won their last - at Wimby last year.

Both ladies are looking to win their 3rd titles on the season.

Vika rolling: She's won 19 of her last 21 matches - retiring in those 2 losses.

Vika: It's going to be my last match here and I'm looking forward to it.

She's a great player and I'm really motivated.

It'll be a fun match with two women facing each other on the rise.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Women's Semifinal's Set at WTA Madrid

Madrid WTA Semifinal Preview

16 Petra Kvitova vs 6 Li Na - H2H: 0-0

Petra's win today moves her into the top 10 - 6th Czech woman to do so.

Awe, that make me think of Hana Mandlikova. I loved her.

***

4 Victoria Azarenka vs Julia Goerges - H2H: 1-0/JG

Their previous match was played 2 weeks ago in the R16 at Stuttgart.

A win tomorrow for Vika would make her the highest ranked Belarusian ever.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Petra Kvitova Upsets Kim Clijsters to Win Paris Title

Paris WTA - Final

4 Petra Kvitova d 1 Kim Clijsters - 64 63

Petra overpowered Kim - plain and simple. She is the real deal.

Both 20: With Caroline Wozniacki they are the 2 best under 21-year-olds.

This is Petra's 3rd WTA title & 2nd of the year - already.

She is currently ranked #18 but I think that will be rising quickly.

This was her 6th win over a top 10 player & 2nd over a #1 (Safina).

Well kind of: Technically Kim doesn't become #1 until tomorrow.

As for Kim, I think it's time to get home and relax. She has played a lot.

In '11 so far she has played 3 finals (1-2) and Fed Cup. Next: Indian Wells.

No Lemon: Also this week Kim learned that Alec Baldwin has a crush on her.

Lastly: Always lovely to see you Amelie. You are missed.

Photo: Getty Images

Vera Zvonareva into Semifinals at Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Quarterfinal

2 Vera Zvonareva d 25 Petra Kvitova - 62 64

Let's hear it for Vera - she's into her 3rd straight Slam Sf: 2-0.

This is her 4th trip to a Slam Sf & 2nd at the Aussie Open - she lost in '09.

Vera: Every single match is very difficult...  and she's very tough opponent.

So I was trying to keep to stick to my game plan and what I had to do today.

I was trying to stay aggressive, and just keep fighting.

Photo: Getty Images

Australian Open Day 8: A Quick Summary

The following are all 4th round matches.

1 Rafael Nadal d 15 Marin Cilic - 62 64 63

Much has been made of Rafa's lingering illness the last few days, well...

Rafa: Today I felt very good, no? I didn't sweat like the other days.

Today was the first day that I felt perfect physically.

There you go.

Rafa advances to his 5th AO Qf: 2-2. He lost to Murray in the Qf last year.

He has only faced 16 break points in 4 matches - losing serve just 3 times.

3 Kim Clijsters d Ekaterina Makarova - 76(3) 62

Kim has not looked terribly great in her last two matches. But still gets thru.

Ut-oh: This is Kim's 6th trip to the Qf's - a round in which she has never lost.

Kim will face Agnieszka Radwanska - Kim destoyed her in their only match.

5 Andy Murray d 11 Jurgen Melzer - 63 61 61

UNBELIEVABLE: In 4 matches Andy has lost only 22 games.

Half of the 12 sets he has played have had this score: 6-1.

Another two went to: 6-2. The rest went to: 6-3. That's all. Totally crazy.

Upside: Welcome to the top 10 Jurgen. Well deserved.

2 Vera Zvonareva d Iveta Benesova - 64 61

As we all know, Vera is looking for her maiden Slam.

Vera: The assessment? Well, I think I did pretty good overall. You know,

I started off okay, but then she was able to go 4 2 up in the first set.

I thought I was a little bit slow, a little bit passive. But then...

I was able to find the right momentum, stay a little bit more aggressive.

I kept that till the end of the match and I'm really happy about that.

7 David Ferrer d Milos Raonic - 46 62 63 64

I think a lot of people were predicting an upset here & after the 1st set...

David showed them. In the end he made 10 unforced errors in the match.

But hey, there is no denying Milos is going to be huge - SOON.

This is David 2nd trip to the Qf's: 0-1. As a reward - he get's Rafa next.

But he must think he's in with a chance - he's beaten Rafa 3 times.

12 Agnieszka Radwanska d Shuai Peng - 75 36 75

Well, we knew from the history of these 2 that is was going deep in the 3rd.

This is Agnieszka's 4th trip to a Slam Qf: 0-3.

Remember, she recently had surgery on her ankle.

Ag: Yeah, I think I should have surgery before every Grand Slam definitely.

Hey, whatever works!

Alexandr Dolgopolov d 4 Robin Soderling - 16 63 61 46 62

Shock of the tournament. Could very well go down as the upset of the year.

This, in only his 4th Slam main draw.

Vowels: Doesn't it look like he's missing a letter in both names? An E & an O.

Alex: I was on tour all the time when my father was a coach.

Then I started to play myself. It's a lot of work.

Now I'm happy something's paying off and I'm getting my goals together...

25 Petra Kvitova d 22 Flavia Pennetta - 36 63 63

This is Petra's 2nd Slam Qf: 1-0. She got to the Sf's at Wimby last year.

With a 2nd round loss her last year look for her ranking to get a nice bump.

Consolation: Flavia is seeded #1 in doubles with Gisela Dulko & still alive.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images