2013/05/24

Williams Day at the Family Circle Cup

Venus Williams

Venus Williams

(April 5, 2013) CHARLESTON, SC – Ticketholders to Friday’s day session got quite the schedule after rain forced the Family Circle Cup to cancel its Thursday day session due to rain.

Seven singles matches were held on Friday, and rain only slightly held up play between earlier during the first match on Althea Gibson Court.

Billie Jean King Stadium may as well have been renamed Williams stadium for the day as Venus and Serena Williams combined for four straight matches on the main court.

Venus first needed three sets to get past Vavara Lepchenko 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 before Serena took the court against Mallory Burdette. In the pair’s first meeting, Burdette cracked four aces and kept the match competitive throughout but fell 6-4, 6-2 in 77 minutes.

Burdette said she was pleased with how she played against the world #1. “I’m very happy with the way that I played today and how far I’ve come since I turned pro last fall. I love playing against the top players to see how you match up. That was really, really fun, and it’s always a great learning experience.”

Once Serena won, it was Venus’ turn to play again on Billie Jean King stadium. She faced another American in teenager Madison Keys, who had beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 7-6(4), 6-4 earlier Friday. Keys and Venus have similar games, but Venus’ experience saw her win her second match of the day 6-4, 6-4.

Keys had this to say about Venus following the match: “She’s an amazing returner. Just put a ton of pressure on me on my serve. She can move well and she has a good serve, so it’s hard to get on the offense.”

Venus says she had played more than one match a few times in her career and hoped the crowd enjoyed the Williams show. “I was thinking it’s a quadruple header today,” she said. “Hopefully that was a lot of fun for the fans. I don’t know if that’s ever going to happen again. I hope it doesn’t. But it was a really cool thing for the tournament to do to kind of just reward the crowd for hanging in there through this weather.”

Serena Williams

Serena Williams

The final Williams match of the day was a rematch of the 2012 Family Circle Cup final between Serena and Lucie Safarova. In that match, the Czech managed one game but today’s contest was much tighter as Williams lost her serve twice and had to come back from 2-4 down in the first set. The world #1 said she was motivated by her sister’s victories.

“I figured if she can win two matches, I have no excuse not to win my two matches,” Serena said. “Obviously I play Venus. She’s my toughest opponent I’ve ever played, and I think she’s beaten me the most of any player.”

Serena and Venus have not faced each other since the WTA Championships in Doha in 2009, where they actually played twice, with Serena winning both matches (in round robin and the final). Serena leads their head to head 13-10.

In the bottom half of the draw, Jelena Jankovic won her ninth straight clay match of the season in quickly ousting Genie Bouchard of Canada 6-1, 6-2 for her 500th career victory. She joins both Williams sisters, Tammy Tanasugarn, Nadia Petrova, Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta as active players who have more than 500 wins.

“It’s a great achievement to get my 500th win on the WTA Tour, and hopefully I can have many more,” Jankovic said. “It’s nice. I don’t know how many players have done that, and in order to have 500 wins, I think you have to have a pretty long career, be pretty consistent.”

Jankovic will play Stefanie Voegele who upset Caroline Wozniacki.

Serena and Venus are scheduled for a 1pm start on Saturday, followed by Jankovic – Voegele.

Stephanie Neppl is in Charleston covering the Family Circle Cup for Tennis Panorama News. She spends all her spare funds traveling to tennis tournaments and has played since her teen years. She has worked as Social Media Manager for Tennis Auckland’s ATP and WTA tournaments. Follow her live updates on Twitter at @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal Twitter @stephintheus and her blog  http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com.

FAMILY CIRCLE CUP – CHARLESTON, SC, USA

$ 795,707.00
MARCH 30 – APRIL 07, 2013

RESULTS – APRIL 05, 2013
Women’s
Singles – Quarterfinals
[1] S Williams (USA) d [6] L Safarova (CZE) 64 61
S Voegele (SUI) d [2] [WC] C Wozniacki (DEN) 36 64 63
[5] V Williams (USA) d M Keys (USA) 64 64
[9] J Jankovic (SRB) d [Q] E Bouchard (CAN) 62 61
Third Round
[1] S Williams (USA) d [Q] M Burdette (USA) 64 62
[5] V Williams (USA) d [12] V Lepchenko (USA) 62 46 62
[6] L Safarova (CZE) d [11] S Cirstea (ROU) 63 57 61
M Keys (USA) d [WC] B Mattek-Sands (USA) 76(4) 64

Women’s
Doubles – Quarterfinals
A Barty (AUS) / A Rodionova (AUS) d [2] R Kops-Jones (USA) / A Spears (USA) 64 36 10-6
K Mladenovic (FRA) / L Safarova (CZE) d [3] V King (USA) / L Raymond (USA) 76(5) 61
M Moulton-Levy (USA) / S Zhang (CHN) d [4] J Goerges (GER) / Y Shvedova (KAZ) 57 63 10-5

ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY, APRIL 06, 2013
BILLIE JEAN KING start 1:00 pm
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [5] V Williams (USA)
[9] J Jankovic (SRB) vs S Voegele (SUI)
[1] A Hlavackova (CZE) / L Huber (USA) vs M Moulton-Levy (USA) / S Zhang (CHN)
K Mladenovic (FRA) / L Safarova (CZE) vs A Barty (AUS) / A Rodionova (AUS)

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Serena Williams Returns to the Family Circle Cup

 Serena Day 2 Press Conference
By Stephanie Neppl

(April 1, 2013) CHARLESTON, SC – Two-time champ and defending champion Serena Williams leads a stellar field for the 2013 Family Circle Cup in Charleston this week. Coming off a record sixth title in Miami, there’s no time for the world No. 1 to rest as she kick starts her clay season on the green clay.

Last year’s Charleston win kick started a stellar 12 months for Williams, which saw her win two slams, two Olympics gold medals and the year-end championships plus retain the number one ranking.

Williams said her semis and final last year here were amazing. She dropped just two games against Sam Stosur in the semis before winning the final 6-0,  6-1 against Lucie Safarova. “I really don’t know if I’ve played better, ever. Hopefully I can kind of rekindle some of that fire,” she said.

When discussing her Miami win, Williams said she was happy she was able to solve problems on her own when she was down, and commented that on-court coaching is not for her.

“I don’t do it so much,” she said. “For me I like to solve problems and I think in Miami I solved a lot of problems. I was down in several matches and I was able to solve and figure it out on my own.”

Although Williams doesn’t use the on-court coaching, she says she definitely notices when other players do. “I do think about it and I think like ‘OK, ha I’m in now’ so it makes me feel good,” she said.

Williams will launch her 2013 Family Circle Cup against Camila Giorgi of Italy during Tuesday’s day session.

2011 champion Caroline Wozniacki and 2010 winner Sam Stosur are the 2nd and 3rd seeds, with Sloane Stephens as the 4th seed.

Stephanie Neppl is in Charleston covering the Family Circle Cup for Tennis Panorama News. She spends all her spare funds traveling to tennis tournaments and has played since her teen years. She has worked as Social Media Manager for Tennis Auckland’s ATP and WTA tournaments. Follow her live updates on Twitter at @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal Twitter @stephintheus and her blog  http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com.

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Sharapova Crushes Wozniacki for Second Indian Wells Title

Sharapova 1

(March 17, 2013) Maria Sharapova defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-2 to win the BNP Paribas Open, her first title of the year. For Sharapova it her second Indian Wells title, the last one coming in 2006. It’s Sharapova’s 28th career title and first since winning the French Open last year.

Sharapova dictated the match from beginning to end in the 81 minute match. Sharapova compiled 33 winners to a mere two hit by her opponent.

“Of course she was putting pressure on me from the start, ” said Wozniacki.  “She was serving very well.  You know, I felt like everything that she wanted to do today was going in.  I mean, she was making very few errors, and if she did, then it was really at the times where it didn’t really matter.

“You know, I have to say she just played too well today.  You know, I tried.  I tried to do my best out there, but, yeah, it just wasn’t good enough today.”

“The scoreline, you know, looks a lot easier than I think the match actually was, ” Sharapova said.  “I think it was a tough match, a tough battle, and there were a lot of games that went to deuce and a lot of long games.

“You know, they could have easily swung the other way, especially some opportunities she had in that second set.  I always felt like I was always a foot ahead, especially with the breaks.  I was able to serve well today, and that helped me.”

During her run in the tournament Sharapova dropped a total of only 28 games.

Sharapova is now 14-2 on the year and will move up to No. 2 in the world when the rankings come out on Monday, dropping Victoria Azarenka to No. 3. Serena Williams remains at No.1.

 

More to follow after the news conferences…..

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Wozniacki Grinds Past Kerber To Reach BNP Paribas Open Final

Caroline Wozniacki

(March 15, 2013) Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki rallied to upset No. 4 seed Angelique Kerber 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the final of the BNP Paribas Open, her third time in the finals in the past four years.

Wozniacki, seeded eighth won Indian Wells in 2011 after being a losing finalist in 2010, held off a late surge by Kerber to eke past the German in  two-and-a-half hours, despite at one point being down 2-6 0-2.

The match was flooded with service breaks – 14 in total.

The critical game in the match came in the second set at 3-3, when Wozniacki survived five break points going on to win the set and even tha match. “Somehow I managed to come back and hold my serve,” Wozniacki said. “We had a really long game there… but I managed to turn it around.”

“I actually don’t remember right now really, because it was so close match and I was just focusing on every point each, “Kerber said of the seventh game of the second set.  “There was a lot of points like close ones.”

“I led 4-1 in the third and should have finished it off there but she’s a great fighter,” said a joyful Wozniacki courtside, after the match. “I played a bit short and she was all over it.”

“It was a tough match from the beginning,” Kerber said.  “I start very well, but, yeah, she find to her game in the second set.

“And it was not easy for me, but I think it was a close and good match.

“At the end I think she won important points, and, yeah, and won the match.”

Wozniacki implemented the use of hitting high balls also known as “moonballs” beginning in the second set.

“I just took it as it came, “ Wozniacki said.  “I was trying to figure out a way to win.  And it doesn’t really matter how, you know.  It’s just important to win the points basically.

“I felt like I got some nice points out of it, and I felt like I could go from defense to offense that way, as well.”

Wozniacki will do battle for the title on Sunday against the winner of the Maria Sharapova- Maria Kirilenko match.

“Both great competitors, both fighting for every point,“ said the Dane commenting on her potential opponents. “Sharapova playing very aggressively and trying to take every ball on the rise and plays very flat.

“Kirilenko plays with a bit more spin; comes to the net a bit more; mixes it up.  She runs well, as well.  So it’s a little bit of a different opponent, really.”

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Kourtin’ Karen’s Tennis News Week in Review

delpoNadalStillerdoubles

(March 11, 2013) NEW YORK, NY –  Kourtin’ Karen takes brief look at the week that was week in the offbeat world of tennis.

15-0

BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden in New York City

March 4 was World Tennis Day. BNP Paribas sponsored two showdowns -  in Hong Kong and the other in New York City.

Highlight of the Madison Square Garden event – Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro were in the middle of the second set of the showdown whe Nadal pulled out Ben Stiller to play with him. Del Potro brought out 9-yeear-old left Rebecca Suarez who proved to be the best player on the court for the “doubles” match

 

BNP Paribas Showdown Debuts in Hong Kong with Wozniacki, Radwanska, McEnroe and Lendl

 

15-15

Jelena Jankovic’s Fila Heritage Carwash tennis dress at Indian Wells

Jelena JankovicJ Jankovic skirt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30-15

BNP Paribas Open Players’ Party

_MG_0377

On the Green Carpet – Photos from the 2013 BNP Paribas Open Players’ Party

Many of those in the tennis media are not really fans of these type of events and exhibitions, but it draws people who are not normally fans of the game. I’m for whatever draws people to watch tennis.

All of the majors should have a “red carpet” event like this. It’s all in good fun and fans and journalists alike can play “Fashion Police.”

 

 

30-30

No American Men in the Top 20?

With John Isner’s loss to Lleyton Hewitt in his first match at the BNP Paribas Open, depending on how Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish do, there would be no US men in the top 20 of the rankings – this has never happened since the rankings began in 1973.

 

30-40

TMZ Alert

TMZ as well as other media outlets were reporting that there was an arrest warrant out for Jennifer Capriati in conjunction with an alleged assault on her ex-boyfriend Ivan Brannan. Capriati’s publicist denied reports that a warrant had been issued for her arrest.

“What happened has been over-exaggerated. When the full story comes out Jennifer will be vindicated of these charges,” said the spokesperson in a written statement.

 

Deuce

Redfoo sightings

Victoria Azarenka and Redfoo

_MG_0241

Let’s face it,  pop singer Redfoo is here to stay.  Not only is he a big tennis fan, he supports a USTA Pro Circuit event – the Party Rock Open and is now the significant other of No. 2 Victoria Azarenka.

 

Advantage exhibitions

Pete Sampras adn Novak Djokovic

Tennis was back in Los Angeles with the LA Tennis Challenge featuring, Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras, Mardy Fish, James Blake, Bob and Mike Bryan.

Djokovic, Sampras, Fish and the Bryan Brothers Among Those to Particpate in LA Tennis Challenge

 

 

Deuce look-a-likes

thing1 &thing2_MG_0415

Separated at birth, the hair anyway – Redfoo and Thing 1 and Thing 2 of Dr. Seuss fame.

 

Advantage Karaoke

 1-DSC_0957-001V. Azarenka

In the post-match news conference at the BNP Paribas Showdown, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka announced that they revealed that they will be shooting a karaoke video to Rihanna’s “Stay.”

Deuce

The Rumor Mill

"Austin Powers" and Caroline Wozniacki

“Austin Powers” and Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki put to bed rumors that she and her boyfriend golfer Rory McIlroy had split.

A British tabloid speculated that the reason the golfer had pulled out of the Honda Classic was due to relationship problems with Wozniacki. Meanwhile, why did Wozniacki attend the BNP Paribas Open Players party with Austin Powers. (See above photo)

 

Advantage news

Tennis will introduce biological passports this year and increase the number of blood tests.

Nadal Returns to Hardcourt with Indian Wells Win; Still Unhappy with 25-Second Rule

 

Mardy Fish

Game, Set and Match – Welcome back Mardy Fish

Mardy Fish has returned to the tour from a heart ailment, his first event since the US Open.

 

Photo galleries from the past week

Photos by Curt Janka, Jennifer Knapp, Maria Noble and Karen Pestaina.

 

 

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BNP Paribas Showdown Debuts in Hong Kong with Wozniacki, Radwanska, McEnroe and Lendl

Wozniacki Radwanska at BNP Paribas Showdown Hong Kong

By Natalie Ho

(March 4, 2013) HONG KONG – The BNP Paribas Showdown exhibition matches held at Madison Square Garden has a new sister event this year, held 13 time zones away in Hong Kong. While Hong Kong has the same amount of sky scrapers to match the Big Apple, Hong Kong’s tennis development is a long way behind, especially after losing the city’s men’s tour event some years ago. It is therefore to local tennis lovers’ great delight that a star-studded lineup had been confirmed to play the BNP Paribas Showdown Hong Kong that is part of a marathon of tennis events held across the world today to celebrate World Tennis Day.

 

World Tennis Day is an ambitious ITF grassroots campaign aimed at popularizing tennis. The main event here in Hong Kong was the exhibition between John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl, followed by Agniezka Radwanska taking on Caroline Wozniacki. Still sidelined Li Na was originally slated to play, but World No. 4  Radwanska is an equaly matched replacement in rankings. The two close friends Waozniacki and Radwanska said in the pre-match news conference that they hadn’t had a chance to see the city. Shame that the media couldn’t get in their favorite shopping question!

 

As for the matches, they were fun, lighthearted, and an opportunity for the players to try some flashy shot making.  Old rivals Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe met on court again after 17 years, with Lendl leading their head-t0-head record 21-15. This time it was McEnroe who won the pro set match 8-5. As usual he’s good money for any exhibitions, throwing his famous tantrums, questioning line calls, complaining about bad ball bounces that got the crowd into the match. Lendl responded in kind and the two together showed off some volleys, passes, dropshots and huge forehands that earned oohs and ahhhs from the audience.

Radwanska versus Wozniacki had more intense rallies but the mood was equally flamboyant. The good friends were uninhibited when it came to trying out fancy shots. A long groundstrokes and volley exchange in practice mode drew huge applause, and the ladies offered great entertainment with their exchange, dancing and inviting an former Hong Kong  player to play. In the final game Wozniacki requested coaching from her dad. It turned out to be futile as Radwanska closed it out 6-4, 6-4.

 

Again it was all smiles at the post-match news conference. McEnroe joked that this was the most memorable match in his rivalry with Lendl, who said he hoped his pupil  Andy Murray didn’t watch this match as it was 3:30am in California. The ladies were happy to be in Hong Kong despite their short stay. So that wrapped up the Hong Kong leg of World Tennis Day’s BNP Paribas Showdown, only to be continued immediately with the activities in New York City!

This is an exhibition but it’s still interesting to hear what the ladies had to say about playing friends on court as this pretty much happens week in, week out. To this Wozniacki said, “once you’re on court it’s a fight, and you fight for your life basically, and then when you’re off the court you’re friends agains and probably an hour or two after the match you just want to cool down, but then it’s a toss.”

 

Radwanska agreed, “We’re good friends because I think we can separate our private life and tennis and when we go on court, we both focus and we both want to win and then we shake hands and we’re friends again. We’ve been friends for 15 years!”

 

Naturally there were a lot of questions for Lendl about coaching strategies for Andy Murray. In typical Lendl manner he kept it tight-lipped. “My job is to coach Andy not to assess him in public. If I have something we need to work on, or I think Andy needs to work on, we do that. I never discuss it with anyone other than Andy.”

 

World Tennis Day is about helping tennis reach a bigger audience so as to ultimately benefit the sport. On trying to find the next big thing in America, McEnroe said, “Everyone in America, as well as many other countries, are looking for that next great player and the more that the game becomes accessible to youngsters and hopefully sexy in the way for kids to want to play in America. I can’t speak for every country, but it’s not that affordable.”

 

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Radwanska Replaces an Injured Li Na in Hong Kong BNP Paribas Showdown

WTD_Logo

(February 27, 2013) HONG KONG – Wimbledon finalist and current World No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska has been announced to join the field March 4 at the BNP Paribas Showdown at Asia-World Arena in Hong Kong on World Tennis Day. Radwanska will play two-time year-end No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki following a men’s match featuring long-time rivals Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe.

 

Radwanska will replace China’s Li Na who has been forced to withdraw due to the ankle injury she sustained in last month’s Australian Open final.

 

“It is very unfortunate that Na has to pull out of the event and I know no one is more disappointed than she is, but I am very pleased to be able to welcome Agnieszka to the BNP Paribas Showdown line-up” said Jerry Solomon, Promoter of the BNP Paribas Showdown. “The very painful injury Na incurred in the final of the Australian Open last month has not responded enough to intense treatment.

 

“We send Na our best wishes for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her next year but in the meantime we look forward to welcoming Agnieszka to Hong Kong for the Showdown.”

 

The Chinese star expressed her disappointment and said she would be back in Hong Kong to play the 2014 BNP Paribas Showdown.

 

“I am very sad to announce that I won’t be able to play in the BNP Showdown in Hong Kong,” said Li. “Unfortunately, the ankle injury I had in the Australian Open final is still not ready for me to compete. I know I have some of the best fans who live in Hong Kong and I was looking forward to playing for them. I promise I will be back next year.”

 

Radwanska owns 12 career titles, including wins already this season in Auckland and Sydney as well as a quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open.

 

“Li Na is a great ambassador for our sport in Asia and across the world so I’m very honored to be invited to Hong Kong to be her replacement,” Radwanska said. “We are both very evenly matched in the world rankings right now so I’m confident the standard of tennis will be just as high.

“Caroline and I are great friends but also long-standing rivals, so I expect a hard fought contest. I’m also looking forward to catching up with my Asian fans who are always good to me. I am really excited to get to Hong Kong and take part in the BNP Paribas Showdown.”

 

Wozniacki has a 5-4 edge in the nine career meetings between the two players, however Radwanska has won their last three matches, including earlier this month in the quarterfinals in Doha.

 

On the same night tennis legends and Hall of Famers John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl will rekindle their historic rivalry which will no doubt provide fans with plenty more thrilling tennis. Lendl won 21 of their 36 pro career meetings.

 

The BNP Paribas Showdown Hong Kong is the start of World Tennis Day, www.worldtennisday.com, which is held in conjunction with the International Tennis Federation to promote Tennis10s, which tailors the game to its youngest players with smaller racquets, lighter balls and modified scoring. The cornerstones of World Tennis Day are grassroots opportunities for young players to participate in the sport at the local level.

 

The HKTA will be hosting special clinics to introduce kids to the sport. Among the many nations participating in World Tennis Day are USA, Canada, Argentina, China P.R., Czech Republic and South Africa.

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Azarenka in Fine Form, Meets Refreshed Kuznetsova in Quarterfinal

 

Azarenka smiles

By Jaclyn Stacey

 

(January 21, 2013) MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – Victoria Azarenka kept her Australian Open title defense on track on Monday after comfortably disposing of Hobart champion Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-1 in 58 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

 

She moves into a quarterfinal matchup with Svetlana Kuznetsova after the Russian defeated Caroline Wozniacki in a grueling encounter 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.

 

Kuznetsova will carry a 4-3 head-to-head lead into the match against Azarenka and will be determined after re-discovering her passion for the game during her six month hiatus from the sport in the second half of 2012 due to a knee injury.

 

Kuznetsova won the 2004 US Open and the 2009 French Open and was asked how it felt to make a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam on the comeback trail.

 

“Yeah, it’s amazing. It’s my best result. I have been two times to quarterfinals, so I’m just kind of replaying that.”

 

“It’s very good result for first tournament, for first Grand Slam, and especially I don’t remember when I was in quarters.”

 

Kuznetsova raced to a one set lead over the Dane and said she was feeling so good that she stopped and before she knew it she was into a decider and needing to fight for the match.

 

“I was very happy with the first set, so happy that I stopped to do anything.”

 

“And third set I just had to fight every ball as I could, try to still dictate, try to do the things what I was doing well.”

 

Kuznetsova said that the knee injury was the one of the best things to happen to her as it forced her to take time off from the tour and re-discover her passion for tennis.

 

“Here I think it was time to just stop. My body was not able to hold anymore, and mentally I was not there, as well.”

 

“Never had a thought of stopping tennis. I was just laying in bed, and I was like, thanks my knee. At least I can rest, you know.”

 

“But anyway, I had time home and just refresh my mind, and then I just understood that I want to play this game. I mean, I always loved it, but I wanted to have this desire to bring me back; this is what happened.”

 

Kuznetsova said that her quarterfinal opponent will be tough to beat, saying that the Belarusian is a more complete player and has been able to rein in her emotions in the big points of a match.

 

“But, I mean, she’s tough; she’s No. 1; I have nothing to lose; she has all the pressure. I know I got the game to give her some problems, and I will just do my best and just try to enjoy it.”

 

Azarenka knows how hard it will be to take on Kuznetsova and said, “I think it’s going to be very tough match. I can see Sveta came back much fresher, much stronger. She knows how to handle big stages, big tournaments. She’s a Grand Slam champion, as well.”

 

Jaclyn Stacey is a Melbourne based freelance journalist covering the Australian Open tournament as media for Tennis Panorama News.  Follow her Australian Open updates on @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal twitter @JackattackAU.

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Wozniacki Defeats 16-Year-Old Vekic to Advance in Australian Open

Caroline Wozniacki

By Jaclyn Stacey

 

(January 17, 2013) MELBOURNE PARK, Australia - Caroline Wozniacki needed just 72 minutes to overcome Donna Vekic on Hisense arena Thursday afternoon at the Australian open. She defeated her Croatian opponent in straight sets 6-1 6-4 and advances to a third round meeting with qualifier Lesia Tsurenko on Saturday.

 

At just 16 years of age Vekic was the youngest player in the Australian Open draw and held her own against the world number ten. She produced 17 winners overall in comparison to the 13 hit by her more experienced opponent but made more unforced errors with 32 compared to the 15 committed by Wozniacki.

 

“Yeah, I thought I played really well in most parts of the match. I had a couple of games there at 4-1 where I maybe lost a little bit of concentration. You know, she came back, did a few good

serves. All of a sudden it’s 4-3 and you really need to step it up again.”

 

“But, yeah, in general I was happy with my game and the way I was playing.”

 

At 22, Wozniacki is six years older than her opponent. She said that while she still feels young she can notice the difference between herself and the younger players.

 

“Yeah, I feel a difference. I can see some young ones coming up. I thought she didn’t look like a 16-year-old just because she’s so tall. You can see she can develop physically and still be stronger at things. Yeah, I guess I felt older when I was 16 than, you know, looking at 16-year-olds nowadays. But I guess you always feel a bit different when you’re in it.”

 

On the high temperatures Wozniacki said “When I went out for my warm up this morning, I was like, Oh, it’s not too bad. You know, it’s 39, but I didn’t really feel it. It’s cloudy. It’s okay. But I knew once I was going to go out on court the sun is going to break through and it’s going to be crazy hot.”

 

“Of course, that happened. It’s maybe less pleasurable when you’re out in that heat. You’re winning. It just gives — you know, it’s why you work hard in the off-season, why you have to be in good shape, because you have to be prepared for everything.”

 

Jaclyn Stacey is a Melbourne based freelance journalist covering the Australian Open tournament as media for Tennis Panorama News.  Follow her Australian Open updates on @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal twitter @JackattackAU.

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Kuznetsova Quietly Breezes Through Australian Open Draw

Cicma nd Kuznetsova Tennis Panroama News BNPBK

By Jaclyn Stacey

 

(January 17, 2013) Svetlana Kuznetsova needed only 52 minutes to dispose of twenty-sixth seed Hsieh Su-Wei and progress through to a third round meeting with Spaniard Carla Suarez-Navarro on Saturday.

 

The two time Grand Slam champion missed much of the second half of the 2012 season due to a knee injury and fell outside of the top 50 for the first time in 11 years, ending her season ranked number 72.

 

Kuznetsova spoke of her renewed passion for the game in Sydney last week where she qualified for the main draw and produced an upset win over Caroline Wozniacki before losing in the quarterfinals to Angelique Kerber. She has managed to remain committed to the game while the majority of her Russian contemporaries have retired, including 2004 Roland Garros champion Anastasia Myskina, Beijing gold medallist Elena Dementieva and former world number one Dinara Safina.

 

Kuznetsova raced to a 4-0 lead in the first set and allowed her opponent only two games before closing it out the set in 23 minutes. Hsieh broke Kuznetsova in the first game of the second set and it would prove to be the only game she would win, her opponent winning the next six games and the match 6-2 6-1.

 

Kuznetsova was pleased with her performance after the match saying “It was good. I thought it was not going to be an easy match because she’s a tough opponent, she’s unpredictable. So I was trying to stay focussed and do what I could.”

 

The heat was not an issue for Kuznetsova, and said playing in the Sydney heat wave last week was handy preparation. “It was 52 minutes so I’m happy to be out there before an hour. But it was alright, I had a good practice last week as well.”

 

On her third round match up against Suarez-Navarro she says “It’s going to be a tough match. Carla is never easy, she’s a very stable opponent but I did practice with her back in Spain so more or less I know how to play.”

 

Jaclyn Stacey is a Melbourne based freelance journalist covering the Australian Open tournament as media for Tennis Panorama News.  Follow her Australian Open updates on @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal twitter @JackattackAU.

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