2013/05/23

Murray Defends Brisbane Title

Andy Murray 12 26 Abu Dhabi

(January 6, 2013) Top seed and World No.3 Andy Murray began 2013 by defending the Brisbane International title with a 7-6(0), 6-4 victory over unseeded 48th ranked Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday.

“I thought the standard of tennis was good today,” Murray said. “There were a lot of high quality rallies and I had to change a few things. He started the match off very well and was extremely aggressive. I managed to start dictating a lot of points and used my forehand well.”

For the Scot it’s his 25th career ATP World Tour title, but it wasn’t easy. Murray rallied from 1-4 in the first set, saved a set point and shut out Dimitov in the first set tiebreak.

“I was up a break and I was actually not playing bad tennis at all I thought,” Dimitrov said. “He’s one of the best returners in the game by far. He picked up couple of my serves on big points, so that gave him extra confidence. Then he stepped up with his serve.

Murray complimented his opponent’s performance: “I thought he has a lot of variety. He seems a bit stronger than when I [last] played him. He seemed to enjoy the occasion, which is also important. It’s his first final, and he came out and started the match extremely well, which is obviously a good sign. It will be interesting to see how the year goes for him.”

“I think it was a great final,“ Dimitrov said. “It was an amazing feeling to go out there today and be able to play tennis like that. I’m not a 100% satisfied, of course, but I have to say, ‘Well done to Andy’. He played some really, really good tennis when he had to. It was actually a lot of fun going out there today. I think we both did a great game.

“I didn’t feel nervous actually at all. I just felt actually quite good. I slept pretty good last night, so I was like, ‘Wow, you’re not that nervous before finals anymore’, even though it was my first at ATP[-level].”

Murray dedicated the victory to an unnamed absent friend. “He’s back home watching … you’re going to get through,” said Murray after the match.

“It’s been a good start to the year, obviously. I trained hard to get ready for this period of the year. I hope that the Australian Open goes a bit better for me than it did last year.”

RESULTS – SUNDAY, 6 JANUARY, 2013

Singles – Final
[1] A Murray (GBR) d G Dimitrov (BUL) 76(0) 64

Doubles – Final
M Melo (BRA) / T Robredo (ESP) d [1] E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS) 46 61 10-5

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Serena Williams Wins Brisbane, Murray, Dimitrov Into Final

Serena Williams smiling in post match news conference

(January 5, 2013) Serena Williams captured her 47th  career title by dominating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-1 in less than an hour in the final of Brisbane International. Williams has won 35 of her last 36 tour matches with triumphs at Wimbledon, the Olympics, the U.S. Open, the WTA Championships.

 

Pavlyuchenkova who  along with Williams, trains at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy said to Williams during the trophy ceremony, “I always feel like I don’t know how to play tennis when I play against you.” Both women were on a recent training trip to Mauritius but did not practice together.

 

“When she’s on fire, well, I feel like there is not much I can do. I mean, she’s a great player and she deserves to win.”

 

Williams says she’s on top of her game, “I was looking at a lot of old matches on YouTube, and I feel like right now I’m playing some of my best tennis….I feel like I want to do better and play better still.”

 

“Everything just came together with the right timing with me wanting to do better, with me wanting to work hard, (Mauratoglou) being there and having everything to work hard, and having the same mind frame of playing matches for the way I like to play,” Williams said. “So I think life is about timing, and it was just good timing.”

“Today was really good. I kind of zoned, where I’m in a really calm place and not panicking, I’m not overthinking it and not just blasting every ball. I get really calm and kind of serene. It was a really good week in Brisbane, for sure. I definitely worked hard for this week, and I’m going to do a little more work so I can be ready in eight days,” Williams added.

Williams, currently at No. 3, can move into the top spot in the rankings by winning the Australian Open. This would make her at the 31, the oldest woman to have the No. 1 ranking since Christ Evert was a month shy of her 31st birthday in 1985.

Andy Murray moved into the final when his opponent Kei Nishikori was forced to retire with a left knee injury while trailing 6-4, 2-0. No. 3 Murray enters his second straight final in the Brisbane and will face Grigor Dimitrov in the final. Dimitov stopped Marcos Baghdatis 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (5).

 

 

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL
Brisbane, Australia
December 30, 2012-January 5, 2013

Hard/Outdoors

Results – Saturday, January 5, 2013
WTA Singles – Final
(3) Serena Williams (USA) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 62 61

WTA Doubles – Final
Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) d. (4) Groenefeld/Peschke (GER/CZE) 46 64 107 (Match TB)

 

ATP Singles – Semifinals
[1] A Murray (GBR) d [5] K Nishikori (JPN) 64 20 ret. (left knee)
G Dimitrov (BUL) d M Baghdatis (CYP) 63 57 76(5)

ATP Doubles – Semi-finals
M Melo (BRA) / T Robredo (ESP) d G Dimitrov (BUL) / K Nishikori (JPN) W/O (Nishikori – left knee)
SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 6 JANUARY, 2013

PAT RAFTER ARENA start 1:00 pm
[1] E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS) vs M Melo (BRA) / T Robredo (ESP)

Not Before 2:00 PM
[1] A Murray (GBR) vs G Dimitrov (BUL)

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Azarenka Withdraws, Murray Moves Into Brisbane Semis

Victoria Azarenka sits China Open

(January 4, 2013) No. 1 Victoria Azarenka withdrew from her Brisbane International semifinal match-up with Serena Williams with an infected right big toe on Friday.  The defending Australian Open champion pulled out about 30 minutes before the match began.

“I tried everything. We tried medication with taping, and I was playing through the pain for quite a while,” said Azarenka. “It’s just something that I had to do to make sure that I can be fully recovered and ready for Australian Open. It’s that sort kind of compromise I had to take.

“It’s just very unfortunate timing, because I was really looking forward to playing and excited.”

Williams can totally relate since she recent had surgery on her toe. “I had that toe problem just a couple weeks ago and it’s painful … it’s so painful,” noted the 15-time major champion. “Doesn’t sound painful, but it is. You can’t walk with that. I hope she gets better fast.”

Williams will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the final.

Top seed Andy Murray advanced to the semifinals with a 6-4, 7-6 (3) win over Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin.

Murray dusted off some of the rust from his three-set opening match and adjusted well to Istomin’s game.

“For the most part it was pretty good quality,” said Murray of his quarterfinal contest. “He served well for the majority of the first set, and especially well at the beginning the second. So I didn’t really have that many chances on returns, so I needed to serve well today. That helped.”

He’ll play fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan who took out former Brisbane finalist Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 7-6 (3).

The other semifinal will showcase  2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis, who beat third seed Gilles Simon of France 6-3, 6-4 versus Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, who topped Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-3, 6-2.

 
Results – Friday, January 4, 2013
WTA Singles – Semifinals
(3) Serena Williams (USA) d. (1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) w/o (right toe injury)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. (LL) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 46 61 62

WTA Doubles – Semifinals
(4) Groenefeld/Peschke (GER/CZE) d. (1) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) 64 61

ATP Singles – Quarter-finals
[1] A Murray (GBR) d D Istomin (UZB) 64 76(3)
M Baghdatis (CYP) d [3] G Simon (FRA) 63 64
[5] K Nishikori (JPN) d [4] A Dolgopolov (UKR) 64 76(3)
G Dimitrov (BUL) d [7] J Melzer (AUT) 63 62

ATP Doubles – Semi-finals
[1] E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS) d M Baghdatis (CYP) / J Nieminen (FIN) 62 63

SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, 5 JANUARY, 2013

PAT RAFTER ARENA start 12:00 noon
M Baghdatis (CYP) vs G Dimitrov (BUL) – ATP
[1] A Murray (GBR) vs [5] K Nishikori (JPN) – ATP

after suitable rest
G Dimitrov (BUL) / K Nishikori (JPN) vs M Melo (BRA) / T Robredo (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[3] S Williams (USA) vs A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) – WTA
[4] A Groenefeld (GER) / K Peschke (CZE) vs B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) – WTA

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Serena Williams To Face Azarenka In Brisbane Semis, Murray Survives Qualifier

Serena Day 2 Press Conference

(January 3, 2013) In a battle of powerful groundstrokes, Serena Williams defeated fellow American Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-3 to gain the semifinals at the Brisbane International on Thursday.  Williams will meet No. 1 Victoria Azarenka for a place in the final. The Belarusian topped Kazakh qualifier Ksenia Pervak 6-1, 6-0.

Williams pegged her 19-year-old opponent as having great potential “the best in the world one day,” Williams said.

“She definitely pushed me. I’ve always said she’s a really good player. You have to expect that going up against what I would consider a top player.”

“I definitely want to thank (Sloane Stephens) for giving me such a great match, because I’m going up against another good player, great player, tomorrow, so I have to make sure I’m ready.”

Azarenka is looking forward to the match-up against Williams.”Well, it’s a tough match, there is no question about it. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great test for the Australian Open.” Williams holds a career 11-1 record against Azarenka.

“I’m going up against the world’s greatest tomorrow. She had a fabulous (2012) year,” Williams said of Azarenka. “I feel like I have nothing to lose. She’s playing so well, she won I think in 20 minutes today. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.”

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a Brisbane semifinalist two years ago, stunned fourth seed German Angelique Kerber in two tiebreak sets 7-6(3), 7-6(3) to set up a semifinal match-up with Ukrainian lucky loser Lesia Tsurenko.

Andy Murray got a little more than he bargained for in Brisbane on Thursday. The Scot had to battle past Australian qualifier John Millman 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 in over two hours to get through the second round.

“I think it was a pretty high quality match,” said Murray. “He gained in confidence and started going for his shots more. He was returning my first serve extremely well and playing right up on the baseline and just going for big shots. It was tough for me to dictate too many of the points. I made some adjustments with the way I was serving in the third set that turned it around, but he played really, really well for the most part.

“For a first match of the year, that was a perfect match in many ways to go through some tough moments, a lot of long rallies, close games, and important points.”

He’ll face Denis Istomin next, who took out Lleyton Hewitt 7-5, 7-5.The veteran Hewitt was overpowered by No. 43  Istomin knocking 11 aces past his opponent.

January 3, 2013 Results
WTA Singles – Quarterfinals
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (Q) Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) 61 60
(3) Serena Williams (USA) d. Sloane Stephens (USA) 64 63
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. (4) Angelique Kerber (GER) 76(3) 76(3)
(LL) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) d. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 63 64

WTA Doubles – Semifinals
Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) d. Hantuchova/Srebotnik (SVK/SLO) 51 ret. (Hantuchova: left thigh strain)

WTA Doubles – Quarterfinals
(1) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) d. (WC) Gajdosova/Rogowska (AUS/AUS) w/o (Gajdosova: left thigh strain)

ATP Singles – Second Round
[1] A Murray (GBR) d [Q] J Millman (AUS) 61 57 63
G Dimitrov (BUL) d [2] M Raonic (CAN) 63 64
[7] J Melzer (AUT) d D Goffin (BEL) 64 76(4)
D Istomin (UZB) d [WC] L Hewitt (AUS) 75 75

ATP Doubles – Quarter-finals
M Melo (BRA) / T Robredo (ESP) d [2] C Fleming (GBR) / J Murray (GBR) 76(2) 64
M Baghdatis (CYP) / J Nieminen (FIN) d A Falla (COL) / S Giraldo (COL) 64 64
G Dimitrov (BUL) / K Nishikori (JPN) d [Alt] J Peers (AUS) / J Smith (AUS) 76(6) 75

SCHEDULE – FRIDAY, 4 JANUARY, 2013

PAT RAFTER ARENA start 11:30 am
M Baghdatis (CYP) vs [3] G Simon (FRA) – ATP

Not Before 1:30 PM
[4] A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [5] K Nishikori (JPN) – ATP

Not Before 4:00 PM
[1] A Murray (GBR) vs D Istomin (UZB) – ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[1] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [3] S Williams (USA) – WTA
A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs [LL] L Tsurenko (UKR) – WTA

SHOW COURT 1 start 2:00 pm
[7] J Melzer (AUT) vs G Dimitrov (BUL) – ATP

Not Before 2:30 PM
[1] E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS) vs M Baghdatis (CYP) / J Nieminen (FIN) – ATP

Not Before 5:00 PM
[1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs [4] A Groenefeld (GER) / K Peschke (CZE) – WTA

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Kerber Survives Puig in Brisbane

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BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL
Brisbane, Australia
December 30, 2012-January 5, 2013
$1,000,000/Premier
Hard/Outdoors

Results – Wednesday, January 2, 2013
WTA Singles – Second Round
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Sabine Lisicki (GER) 63 63
(4) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. (Q) Monica Puig (PUR) 36 64 76(7)
Sloane Stephens (USA) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 63 64
(LL) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) d. (WC) Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) 16 61 64

WTA Doubles – Quarterfinals
Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) d. (2) Huber/Martínez Sánchez (USA/ESP) 62 63
(4) Groenefeld/Peschke (GER/CZE) d. Amanmuradova/King (UZB/USA) 61 62
Hantuchova/Srebotnik (SVK/SLO) d. Pavlyuchenkova/Safarova (RUS/CZE) 62 64
ATP Singles – Second Round
[3] G Simon (FRA) d A Falla (COL) 76(5) 76(5)
[4] A Dolgopolov (UKR) d J Nieminen (FIN) 62 41 ret. (migraine)
[5] K Nishikori (JPN) d T Robredo (ESP) 63 63
M Baghdatis (CYP) d [6] F Mayer (GER) 64 62

ATP Doubles – Quarter-finals
[1] E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS) d J Melzer (AUT) / M Raonic (CAN) 64 36 10-4

Doubles – First Round
[2] C Fleming (GBR) / J Murray (GBR) d D Goffin (BEL) / G Muller (LUX) 76(5) 64
*[Alt] J Peers (AUS) / J Smith (AUS) d B Baker (USA) / R Harrison (USA) 64 64

*[Alt] J Peers (AUS) / J Smith (AUS) replaced O Rochus (BEL) / R Stepanek (CZE)

SCHEDULE – THURSDAY, 3 JANUARY, 2013

PAT RAFTER ARENA start 11:30 am
A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs [4] A Kerber (GER) – WTA

Not Before 1:00 PM
[1] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [Q] K Pervak (KAZ) – WTA
[WC] L Hewitt (AUS) vs D Istomin (UZB) – ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[3] S Williams (USA) vs S Stephens (USA) – WTA
[1] A Murray (GBR) vs [Q] J Millman (AUS) – ATP

SHOW COURT 1 start 11:30 am
D Hantuchova (SVK) vs [LL] L Tsurenko (UKR) – WTA
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs [2] M Raonic (CAN) – ATP
[7] J Melzer (AUT) vs D Goffin (BEL) – ATP
D Hantuchova (SVK) / K Srebotnik (SLO) vs B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) – WTA
[1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs [WC] J Gajdosova (AUS) / O Rogowska (AUS) – WTA

SHOW COURT 2 start 2:00 pm
M Melo (BRA) / T Robredo (ESP) vs [2] C Fleming (GBR) / J Murray (GBR) – ATP

Not Before 3:00 PM
M Baghdatis (CYP) / J Nieminen (FIN) vs A Falla (COL) / S Giraldo (COL) – ATP

Not Before 4:00 PM
[Alt] J Peers (AUS) / J Smith (AUS) vs G Dimitrov (BUL) / K Nishikori (JPN) – ATP

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Serena Williams Powers Past Cornet in Brisbane

SerenaWilliamsIstanbul

(January 1, 2013) Serena Williams nailed six aces in sailing  past Alize Cornet of France 6-2, 6-2 on Tuesday at the Brisbane International.

Williams dominated with her power rocking one of her aces at 124 mph (200 kilometers per hour).

“I just really went for it. I’ve hit 200 before, but they never go in so I was really excited that it went in,” Williams said. “I tried to be more aggressive.

Williams has lost once in her last 34 tour matches.

Maria Sharapova withdrew from the tournament still nursing a right collarbone injury, while seeds Petra Kvitova and Sara Errani were upset. With the defeats of Kvitova, and Errani, the tournament has lost five of its top ten seeds.

“This tournament was a really tough draw, everybody’s playing,” 2011 Brisbane winner Kvitova told media. “After the offseason, it’s hard to be on the court against some opponents.”

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL
Brisbane, Australia
December 30, 2012-January 5, 2013
Hard/Outdoors

Results – January 1, 2013

WTA Singles – Second Round
(3) Serena Williams (USA) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 62 62
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (5) Sara Errani (ITA) 46 61 75
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. (6) Petra Kvitova (CZE) 64 75
(Q) Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 36 62 76(6) (saved 4mp)

WTA Doubles – First Round
(1) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) d. Jurak/Marosi (CRO/HUN) 62 64
(2) Huber/Martínez Sánchez (USA/ESP) d. Birnerova/Hradecka (CZE/CZE) 63 63
(4) Groenefeld/Peschke (GER/CZE) d. Cibulkova/Llagostera Vives (SVK/ESP) 16 64 108 (Match TB)
(WC) Gajdosova/Rogowska (AUS/AUS) d. Grandin/Uhlirova (RSA/CZE) 64 62

 

ATP Singles – First Round
[7] J Melzer (AUT) d [Q] D Kudla (USA) 26 64 64
D Istomin (UZB) d [8] M Klizan (SVK) 61 62
[Q] J Millman (AUS) d T Ito (JPN) 64 61
[WC] L Hewitt (AUS) d [LL] I Kunitsyn (RUS) 63 46 62
T Robredo (ESP) d [Q] R Harrison (USA) 64 76(4)
A Falla (COL) d [Q] J Levine (USA) 61 76(8)
D Goffin (BEL) d [WC] M Ebden (AUS) 62 62
G Dimitrov (BUL) d B Baker (USA) 63 76(8)

ATP Doubles – First Round
M Baghdatis (CYP) / J Nieminen (FIN) d [3] J Cabal (COL) / R Farah (COL) 63 63
A Falla (COL) / S Giraldo (COL) d F Mayer (GER) / F Moser (GER) 63 76(5)
M Melo (BRA) / T Robredo (ESP) d [WC] M Ebden (AUS) / M Matosevic (AUS) 64 63

SCHEDULE – WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY 2, 2013

PAT RAFTER ARENA start 11:30 am
[Q] M Puig (PUR) vs [4] A Kerber (GER) – WTA
[WC] J Gajdosova (AUS) vs [LL] L Tsurenko (UKR) – WTA
[6] F Mayer (GER) vs M Baghdatis (CYP) – ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[1] V Azarenka (BLR) vs S Lisicki (GER) – WTA
[4] A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs J Nieminen (FIN) – ATP

SHOW COURT 1 start 11:00 am
D Hantuchova (SVK) / K Srebotnik (SLO) vs A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / L Safarova (CZE) – WTA
S Stephens (USA) vs S Arvidsson (SWE) – WTA
A Falla (COL) vs [3] G Simon (FRA) – ATP
T Robredo (ESP) vs [5] K Nishikori (JPN) – ATP
B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) vs [2] L Huber (USA) / M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) – WTA

SHOW COURT 2 start 11:00 am
[4] A Groenefeld (GER) / K Peschke (CZE) vs A Amanmuradova (UZB) / V King (USA) – WTA
D Goffin (BEL) / G Muller (LUX) vs [2] C Fleming (GBR) / J Murray (GBR) – ATP
[1] E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS) vs J Melzer (AUT) / M Raonic (CAN) – ATP
B Baker (USA) / R Harrison (USA) vs O Rochus (BEL) / R Stepanek (CZE) – ATP

 

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Maria Sharapova Withdraws From Brisbane

Sharapova10042012

(January 1, 2013) World No.2 Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Brisbane International with a right collarbone injury.

“We feel for Maria because we saw first-hand how badly she wanted to play for the people of Brisbane. She has been fantastic since she got here and worked hard in the gym, on court and in the medical room to do everything she could to get herself right. Unfortunately she didn’t make it. We hope that she can recover sufficiently from the injury to take the court for the Australian Open and wish her all the best for the summer,” Brisbane tournament director Cameron Pearson said.

Sharapova said that she would head to Melbourne to prepare for the Australian Open which begins January 14.

“I still have quite a bit of time to prepare for Australia. I’m on the right track, been training really well, so I just don’t want to jeopardize what I’ve gained in the offseason so far,” Sharapova said. “Just have to make a smart move here.”

“I had a bit of inflammation in my collarbone, and I sent (scan results) to a doctor in New York and he told me I couldn’t really do much overhead training for about a week. So to be fair, I haven’t really given myself a chance to pretty much hit any serves or anything over my head ….. I just kind of ran out of time here.”

Sharapova withdrew from a recent exhibition event in South Korea last month.

Australia’s Jarmila Gajdosova benefits from Sharapova’s departure, she’ll move into the quarterfinals.

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Stosur and Wozniacki Upset In Brisbane

Brisbane_International_logo

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL
Brisbane, Australia
December 30, 2012-January 5, 2013
$1,000,000/Premier
Hard/Outdoors

Results – Monday, December 31, 2012
WTA Singles – First Round
(4) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 62 46 62
(5) Sara Errani (ITA) d. (Q) Olga Puchkova (RUS) 61 63
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) d. (7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(4) 75
(Q) Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) d. (8) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 26 63 76(1)
Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 62 64
Alizé Cornet (FRA) d. (Q) Bojana Bobusic (AUS) 26 63 61
Sloane Stephens (USA) d. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 62 63
(Q) Monica Puig (PUR) d. (WC) Olivia Rogowska (AUS) 62 63

WTA Doubles – First Round
Pavlyuchenkova/Safarova (RUS/CZE) d. (3) Kops-Jones/Spears (USA/USA) 62 67(6) 106 (Match TB)
Amanmuradova/King (UZB/USA) d. Parra Santonja/Rosolska (ESP/POL) 63 60
Hantuchova/Srebotnik (SVK/SLO) d. Jugic-Salkic/Panova (BIH/RUS) 64 64
Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) d. Dushevina/Govortsova (RUS/BLR) 64 62

ATP Singles – First Round
[5] K Nishikori (JPN) d M Matosevic (AUS) 75 62
[6] F Mayer (GER) d S Giraldo (COL) 64 64
J Nieminen (FIN) d J Benneteau (FRA) 63 26 61
M Baghdatis (CYP) d [WC] B Mitchell (AUS) 64 64

Doubles – First Round
J Melzer (AUT) / M Raonic (CAN) d M Klizan (SVK) / S Lipsky (USA) 64 64

SCHEDULE – TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

PAT RAFTER ARENA start 11:30 am
[5] S Errani (ITA) vs D Hantuchova (SVK) – WTA
T Robredo (ESP) vs [Q] R Harrison (USA) – ATP
[WC] M Ebden (AUS) vs D Goffin (BEL) – ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[3] S Williams (USA) vs A Cornet (FRA) – WTA
R Stepanek (CZE) vs [WC] L Hewitt (AUS) – ATP

SHOW COURT 1 start 11:00 am
D Istomin (UZB) vs [8] M Klizan (SVK) – ATP
T Ito (JPN) vs [Q] J Millman (AUS) – ATP
[6] P Kvitova (CZE) vs A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) – WTA
U Radwanska (POL) vs [Q] K Pervak (KAZ) – WTA
[1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs D Jurak (CRO) / K Marosi (HUN) – WTA
M Melo (BRA) / T Robredo (ESP) vs [WC] M Ebden (AUS) / M Matosevic (AUS) – ATP

SHOW COURT 2 start 11:00 am
E Birnerova (CZE) / L Hradecka (CZE) vs [2] L Huber (USA) / M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) – WTA
[Q] J Levine (USA) vs A Falla (COL) – ATP
[7] J Melzer (AUT) vs [Q] D Kudla (USA) – ATP
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs B Baker (USA) – ATP
[3] J Cabal (COL) / R Farah (COL) vs M Baghdatis (CYP) / J Nieminen (FIN) – ATP

COURT 10 start 1:00 pm
[4] A Groenefeld (GER) / K Peschke (CZE) vs D Cibulkova (SVK) / N Llagostera Vives (ESP) – WTA
N Grandin (RSA) / V Uhlirova (CZE) vs [WC] J Gajdosova (AUS) / O Rogowska (AUS) – WTA

Not Before 3:00 PM
F Mayer (GER) / F Moser (GER) vs A Falla (COL) / S Giraldo (COL) – ATP

Tennis Australia Update:

Marcos Baghdatis has put in a measured first-round performance to hold off Gold Coast wildcard Ben Mitchell on Pat Rafter Arena on New Year’s Eve. The unseeded Cypriot defeated the 20-year-old Australian 6-4, 6-4 to advance to a second-round clash with sixth-seeded German Florian Mayer.

Australia’s Sam Stosur experienced a straight-sets first-round defeat to Swede Sofia Arvidsson at the Brisbane International on New Year’s Eve. In a blow to her Australian Open preparations, Stosur exited 7-6(4) 7-5 to Swede Sofia Arvidsson to be the second top-10 star upset on Pat Rafter Arena on Monday.

Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki was the first big-name casualty of the tournament after the eighth seed was upset in three-sets 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) by Kazakh qualifier Ksenia Pervak.

 

Men’s fifth seed Kei Nishikori (JPN) has made an impressive start to his Brisbane campaign, ending the hopes of newly crowned Australian No.1 Marinko Matosevic 7-5, 6-2 on Pat Rafter Arena late Monday

 

Brisbane local John Millman has won his way through qualifying to reach the men’s main draw for the third time. Millman, ranked 199th, upset American leftie Donald Young in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 and will await news of who he has drawn to meet in the first round.

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Brisbane International Schedule for December 30, 2012

Brisbane_International_logo

Brisbane International

Brisbane, Australia (+10 hours GMT)
30 December, 2012 – 6 January, 2013
Surface: Hard
SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

PAT RAFTER ARENA start 11:30 am
R Vinci (ITA) vs [WC] J Gajdosova (AUS) – WTA
[6] P Kvitova (CZE) vs C Suarez Navarro (ESP) – WTA
[3] S Williams (USA) vs V Lepchenko (USA) – WTA

Not Before 2:00 PM
[1] E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS) vs [WC] C Guccione (AUS) / L Hewitt (AUS) – ATP

SHOW COURT 1 start 11:00 am
U Radwanska (POL) vs T Paszek (AUT) – WTA
L Hradecka (CZE) vs A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) – WTA
D Hantuchova (SVK) vs L Dominguez Lino (ESP) – WTA

Not Before 2:00 PM
G Dimitrov (BUL) / K Nishikori (JPN) vs [4] M Elgin (RUS) / D Istomin (UZB) – ATP

SHOW COURT 2 start 10:30 am
Qualifying – D Young (USA) vs M Zverev (GER) – ATP
Qualifying – J Millman (AUS) vs A Bogomolov Jr. (RUS) – ATP
Qualifying – G Muller (LUX) or I Kunitsyn (RUS) vs J Duckworth (AUS) – ATP
Qualifying – R Harrison (USA) vs B Knittel (GER) – ATP

COURT 10 start 10:30 am
Qualifying – [WC] B Bobusic (AUS) vs K Pliskova (CZE) – WTA
Qualifying – L Tsurenko (UKR) vs O Puchkova (RUS) – WTA
Qualifying – D Kudla (USA) vs R Berankis (LTU) – ATP
Qualifying – H Moriya (JPN) vs S Johnson (USA) – ATP

COURT 14 start 10:30 am
Qualifying – M Puig (PUR) vs B Mattek-Sands (USA) – WTA
Qualifying – V King (USA) vs K Pervak (KAZ) – WTA
Qualifying – J Levine (USA) vs F Dancevic (CAN) – ATP
Qualifying – I Minar (CZE) vs D Wu (CHN) – ATP

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Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova to Play Brisbane 2013

Newly crowned US Open champion Serena Williams and 2012 French Open champion Maria Sharapova today confirmed they have signed on for the Brisbane International 2013.

Williams is looking forward to her second appearance at the Brisbane International. “I love the tournament, it’s great,” said Williams, whose US Open triumph this week capped off a golden tennis year that included Olympic gold in both singles and doubles as well as the Wimbledon title.

“[The Brisbane International] it helps me prepare. I get a great tournament … tough field,” said Williams.

 

“I had so much fun this year but unfortunately it ended fast for me with a disaster of an injury, I want to do well there [in Brisbane] … the city was great, I did a lot of shopping and I stayed in a great hotel,” the current world No. 4 continued.

The 30-year-old American reached the quarterfinals of the 2012 event but withdrew prior to the match with a left ankle sprain.

 

Throughout her career Williams has captured an impressive 45 WTA singles titles and on 4 August 2012 she became only the second woman after Steffi Graf to complete a career Golden Grand Slam, winning all four Grand Slams plus an Olympic gold medal.

 

World No.2 Sharapova is set to make her first appearance at the Brisbane International in January and like Williams, is excited to be starting her year in Brisbane.

 

“I am so looking forward to coming to Brisbane for the Brisbane International. It will be my first time attending so I can’t wait to see all my fans there,” Sharapova said.

 

“Going into Australia after a long off season you always want to have the best possible matches. I tried to put Brisbane on the map last year but unfortunately couldn’t make it out of injury … I have heard so many great things about it. It is such a big event for all the players,” Sharapova added.

 

Coached by father Yuri Sharapov and Thomas Hogstedt, Sharapova has enjoyed a stellar 2012, reaching the final of the Australian Open, being crowned the French Open champion, winning an Olympic silver medal and having the honour of bearing the flag for the Russian Olympic team.

 

Sharapova has won 27 WTA singles titles and in 2011 was named Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete.

 

Brisbane International Tournament Director, Cameron Pearson, said the announcement of Williams and Sharapova is great news for fans.

 

“These global superstars are an exciting addition to our player field, which of course already includes Andy Murray – the newly crowned US Open men’s singles champion, and we look forward welcoming them to Queensland and providing fans with some great tennis action.

 

“Having Serena and Maria, the world’s top female players, choosing to start their year in Queensland, is testament to the quality of the Brisbane International and the competition on offer,” Pearson added.

 

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, welcomed the female tennis champions to Brisbane.

“Queensland tennis fans will be thrilled to welcome Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova to Brisbane for the 2013 tournament,” said Ms Stuckey.

 

“The Brisbane International is a great event on our calendar, last year attracting a record 92,802 attendees, giving Queensland world-wide exposure.

 

“Events like this are a major contributor to the state’s economy, playing an important role in the Newman Government’s goal to establish Queensland as Australia’s number one tourist destination.”

 

In 2012 the ATP recognised the Brisbane International for the best fan experience of any tournament in the ATP International Group, which includes the Middle East, Asia and Pacific regions.

Brisbane International 2013 presented by Suncorp is made possible by the support of Events Queensland and will take place at the Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane, from 30 December 2012 to 6 January 2013.

 

Brisbane International 2013 series packages will go on sale at 9:00 am (AEST), Wednesday 3 October 2012 and from 9:00 am (AEST), Wednesday 10 October 2012 single tickets plus series packages are available.

 

Ground passes for the event are $16.90.

 

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au/brisbaneinternational or call 1300 888 104. For further tournament information please visit www.brisbaneinternational.com.au

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