2013/06/18

Kourtin’ Karen’s Tennis News Week in Review

 

(January 7, 2013) NEW YORK, NY –  Kourtin’ Karen’s brief review of the previous week in the world of tennis, on and off-court.

0-15

British Player Hutchins Has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

15-15
Murray Dedicates win to Hutchins

 

15- 30

Walking wounded?

Maria Sharapova withdrew from Brisbane nursing a right collarbone injury

John Isner withdrew from Hopman Cup with a knee injury.

Andrea Petkovic underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in her right knee the result of an injury in her first Hopman Cup match.

 

30-30

Gangnam Style

40-30

Swear I don’t swear

Andy Murray commented that he did not promise not to swear:

 

“I was doing an interview over the phone. I got asked about swearing on the court. I said ‘obviously I don’t mean to do it. I don’t want to do it. Sometimes you get frustrated and you do and obviously I will try to stop.’

“I didn’t make any promises or guarantees that I was going to.

“Then it came out that I’ve said this year I will stop swearing. What I also said was that a lot of players swear on the court and a lot of people say a lot worse things than me – in other languages. It doesn’t get picked up the same.

“So where I would obviously love to stop doing it, I try not to. But I can’t guarantee it.”

40-40

I’m relly boring now

 

Advantage

iPhone

Serena and Venus Williams in an iPhone commercial
Ad -out

Beware of Pedicures

No.  1 Victoria Azarenka blamed “a bad pedicure experience” forced her to pull out before her semifinal match in Brisbane against Serena Williams. Thirty minutes before the match Azarenka said she had undergone a small procedure to correct an ingrown toenail of her right big toe.

 

Deuce

Walking with “Sunshine”

Caro-Rory-Tower8-640x426

Caroline Wozniacki and boyfriend golfer Rory McIlroy took to Sydney’s Skywalk

 

Advantage Time?

The ATP is cracking down on the time taken by players between points this year. Players including Andy Murray  say they agree with the concept but 25 seconds between points is not enough.

 

Deuce

On the market, back off the market?

Recently, ESPN’s Darren Rovell “confirmed” that 25 year-old Maria Sharapova is indeed dating 21-year-old Bulgarian player Grigor Dimitrov dubbed “Baby Fed” for his similar playing style to Roger Federer. At the end of last year tennis journalist Colette Lewis reported this on her twitter account. Sharapova had  split up with her fiancé to basketball player Sasha Vujacic back in the spring.

 

Advantage

Australain Open Wildcards

Men Women
Wu Di (CHN) Asia Pacific Wildcard Play-off Yuxuan Zhang (CHN) Asia Pacific WildcardPlay-off
Benjamin Mitchell AO Play-off winner Bojana Bobusic AO Play-off winner
Rhyne Williams US Open Reciprocal Madison Keyes US Open Reciprocal
Josselin Ouanna French Open Reciprocal Caroline Garcia French Open Reciprocal
Luke Saville Discretionary Olivia Rogowska Discretionary

 

Deuce

Court Coverage

During a a match versus Dustin Brown in Doha, top seed David Ferrer made a hole in the court. Play had to be stopped to fix the court.

 

Advantage

Tennis Queen becomes bowling queen

Billie Jean King now the celebrity owner o of the New York City WTT KingPins, joining Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul and former NFL stars Jerome Bettis and Terrell Owens as celebrity owners in the Professional Bowlers Association’s inaugural PBA League.

 

Game, Set, Match and Champions

Serena Williams captures her 47th WTA title by defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-1 to win the Brisbane International in Brisbane, Australia.

Andy Murray defeated Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(0), 6-4 to win the Brisbane International for his 25th ATP World Tour title.

Richard Gasquet rallied from a set and a break down to beat Nikolay Davydenko 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 to win the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.

Li Na beat Klara Zakopalova 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 to win the inaugural Shenzhen Longgang Gemdale Open in Shenzhen, China.

Janko Tipsarevic over surprise finalist Roberto Bautista-Agut 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 to win the Aircel Chennai Open in Chennai, India, his 4th career title.

Agnieszka Radwanska over Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-4 to win the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand

Spain upsets Serbia 2-1 to win the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.

 

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Spain Upsets Serbia for Hopman Cup Title

 

(January 5, 2013) Spain captured its fourth Hopman Cup title on Satuday when Fernando Verdasco and Anabel Medina Garrigues won the deciding mixed doubles rubber 6-4, 7-5 against top seed Serbia with Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic to clinch the tie 2-1.

Djokovic  won  the men’s singles took the first match for Serbia by overcoming a strong challenge from Verdasco 6-3, 7-5. Medina Garrigues evened it by outlasting Ivanovic 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2. Ivanovic appeared to be suffering from an illness.

Medina Garrigues  who played a pivitol role in the tie win was very emotional.

“I was dreaming all of my career of winning against a great player in a big stadium. I’m 30 years old and finally I take it, so I’m really happy,” Medina Garrigues said. “The crowd is like a Grand Slam and they were supporting me because they wanted a live mixed doubles.”

“It’s one of the best [wins], well I win a Roland Garros doubles it was really exciting also, but here I did not expect to get in the final and then win so  I’m really happy,”  added Medina Garrigues .

“It was an unbelievable week. I enjoyed it a lot to play with her and an amazing doubles win …  and one of the greatest moments of my career winning here today.”

“I think she [played] a big part of this Hopman Cup,” said Verdasco. “She won three singles matches, unbelievable important and she play really good mixed to help me. I cannot win alone of course and like she is a really good doubles player and you can see it out there in the mixed.

Serbia was seeking its first mixed team title.

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Serbia Moves into Hopman Cup Final by Routing Germany

Novak Djokovic Hopman Cup

(January 4, 2013) Serbia surged into Saturday night’s Hyundai Hopman Cup final against Spain with a 3-0 win over Germany  at Perth Arena.

Novak Djokovic played an aggressive game against Tommy Haas from the beginning. The German was no match for Djokovic losing 6-2 6-0.

“It’s been a great performance from beginning to the end,” said Djokovic. “Tommy is always a tricky player and surely he’s not the one to underestimate on the court and you know I tried my best, I was really focused from the start and I just felt drastically better than in the first few days here in Perth so I think that’s also the reason because I’ve been here a few more days and got some rest, got some practice, got used to the balls, the conditions here so I’m glad I brought Serbia a point.”

Ana Ivanovic sealed victory for the top-seeded team, dismantling Germany’s Tatjana Malek, 6-0 6-1.

With Tommy Haas unable to play the mixed doubles rubber due to a foot problem, Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis was drafted in to pair up with Malek against the Serbian duo. The top seeds won match which played more like an exhibition than a competition 6-2 7-5.

Earlier in the day an injury to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga handed No.6 seeded South Africa a 2-1 win over No.7 seeds France.

The tie was level at one rubber apiece after Chanelle Scheepers defeated Mathilde Johansson in the ladies singles 4-6 6-4 6-4, before Tsonga squared the ledger with a 7-6(4) 7-6(3) triumph over Kevin Anderson.

In the decisive mixed doubles Tsonga appeared hampered by a muscle strain high on his left leg and decided to retire with his country trailing 2-6 2-1.

The Hyundai Hopman Cup is the official mixed teams competition of the ITF and runs from Saturday 29 December 2012 until Saturday 5 January 2013 at the spectacular new Perth Arena. The event celebrates its 25th edition in 2013, the start of the ITF’s centenary year.

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Tomic Keeps Australia in Hunt for Hopman Cup

tomic

(January 3, 2012) Bernard Tomic and Ashleigh Barty secured a 2-1 victory over Hopman Cup No.3 seeds Italy on Thursday night, keeping themselves in contention for a finals berth at the ITF’s official mixed teams competition.

Tomic began with a 6-3 7-5 win over Andreas Seppi.  He’s now a perfect 3-0 in singles play also upsetting Novak Djokovic and Tommy Haas.

“It was very difficult to bounce back and focus on tonight’s match but I think I did it extremely well and woke up and did everything on time,” said Tomic after the match. “I feel like I played a very good match today. I’m improving and I couldn’t be more satisfied from the last three matches I’ve won here.

“The confidence I’ve got from this week is going to allow myself a big chance in Sydney and if I keep everything up, I can do well there as well as the summer in Melbourne.”

Australian teenager Barty claimed the biggest win of her career with a 6-0 6-3 demolition of 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in Thursday night’s second rubber.

“It’s amazing coming to Perth and I’ve been given this opportunity to play for Australia and it’s been unbelievable,” said Barty post-match. “I’ve had a great week with Bernie (Tomic), I’m happy I can contribute and get a win.

“Coming out here and paying in front of this many people is unbelievable. Last night was so much fun and to play as well as I did is just amazing.”

Barty’s win gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead over Italy heading into the mixed doubles rubber which was won by the Italians 2-6 6-4 [10-3].

Earlier in the day Spain was handed a walkover by the USA after John Isner withdrew from the tie with a right knee injury.

In the singles Fernando Verdasco defeated Isner’s replacement, 16-year-old Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-6(4) 6-3 before Venus Williams beat Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3 6-4.

In the mixed, the Spanish duo were clearly too good for Kokkinakis and Williams who met for the first time just minutes before playing. The experienced Spaniards, who had won both of their previous mixed doubles matches this week, completed a hat trick of mixed wins, 6-1 6-3, over the scratch USA pairing.

The victory secured Spain’s place in Saturday’s final with Serbia and Australia both in contention for the second finals berth depending on the outcome of Serbia’s match against Germany on Friday night.

Should Germany upset top seed Serbia, Australia would reach the final.

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Isner Out of Hopman Cup Due to Knee Injury

 

(January 3, 2013) John Isner has withdrawn from the mixed teams Hopman Cup competition due to a right knee injury.

“I don’t necessarily know if it’s tendinitis,” the American said. “It’s sore and it’s caused me a little bit of trouble and from that I’m not able to really load the right way and I’m not really going for my shots like I should.

“My plan now is just to treat it as best I can and see how it reacts. I do know I’ve always been a fast healer when I’ve had little injuries pop up here and there, so I’m confident I’m going to be fine for the Australian Open.”

“It’s not a great way to start the year but I’d rather it happen this week than in two weeks (at the Australian Open).”

With Isner out Australian junior Thanasi Kokkinakis steps in as the Team USA replacement.

Spain has now been awarded the tie and will go through to Saturday night’s final as the top-placed team from Group B.

“I’m very very sorry to all the fans here, ” Isner said on-court, “I really wanted to play here against Fernando, so I apologize for that and I hope you guys understand.

“I absolutely love this event, it’s my third time here and it’s very disappointing for me and it’s a tough one to swallow but for me, first and foremost I’ve got to try and get 100 per cent healthy.”

 

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Ivanovic and Djokovic Win Thriller at Hopman Cup

AnaIvanovicBNPPOPartyNovak Djokovic at Desert Smash

(January 2, 2012) The top-seeded Serbian pairing of Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic overhauled a rampant Australian team to clinch a 6-4 6-7(8) [10-6] mixed doubles thriller in front of a capacity crowd of more than 13,500 – a record for a tennis event in Western Australia – at Perth Arena on Wednesday night.

Australia got off to the best possible start in the tie, Bernard Tomic stunning world No.1 Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 with a masterful display of cat-and-mouse tennis.

“This is especially something I needed before the Australian Open,” said Tomic. “I’m playing the best tennis I’ve played the last few years. So I’m really happy with myself. I’m just happy that after training the last few months, this is all coming good.”

Ana Ivanovic leveled the contest for Serbia, her forehand firing in the 6-2 6-3 win over 16-year-old Ashleigh Barty.

“I played a good match tonight and I’m really happy I managed to play a higher level than I did in the first match,” said Ivanovic of her performance. “It was very different, there were lots of shorter points and she (Barty) started off really well. I think she has a really bright future in front of her.”

The Australian pairing showed flashes of pure brilliance in the mixed doubles, coming back from match point down to clinch the second set in a tiebreak. They took their experienced opponents to the brink in a world class deciding super tiebreak but ultimately the Hopman Cup-honed Serbian duo ran out the winners, 10 points to six.

In the day session the Italian pairing of Francesca Schiavone and Andreas Seppi closed out a hard-fought contest over Germans Tatjana Malek and Tommy Haas.

Haas won a comprehensive 7-6(3) 7-6(7) singles rubber over Seppi and Francesca Schiavone had to fight hard to close out a 3-6 6-3 6-3 win over Malek. The match was decided in the mixed doubles, the Italians running out the winners over Germany 6-4 7-5.

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Venus Williams and Isner Rally for Hopman Cup Win Over France

 

(January 1, 2013) The United States rallied for a 2-1 victory past France on Tuesday for second straight win in the Hopman Cup mixed teams competition in Perth. Venus Williams and John Isner won the mixed doubles rubber 6-7 (5), 6-2, 10-8, winning the last seven points in the match tiebreaker.

France was victorious in the opening singles when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dominated Isner 6-3, 6-2. Williams evened up the tie coming back to defeat Mathilde Johansson 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Williams said of the comeback, “I was just thinking: ‘ man I’ve got to work on my game, the Australian Open is coming up’ so I didn’t want to let my team down. I always believe in myself so that’s the first thing, and if that’s the only thing you can do on a court is believe, that goes a long way.”

Williams, who appeared to be playing with some discomfort, said that she was “OK.”

“She hits the ball hard and low and I’m tall so it was hard to get down that low all the time. I have to give her a lot of credit for a tough match.”

Isner who has lost both of his singles matches in Perth, had his knee wrapped due to what he described as “a little tendinitis.”

“Normally, it takes me a while to get going,” Isner said. “I’m not worried about it though. I remember three years ago when I first played this event I didn’t play so well here but I won the next tournament.

“It certainly wasn’t my best. I was missing shots I would have liked to have made. I’m not freaking out about it.”

“It’s never easy against John,” Tsonga said. “So I’m happy with the way I played tonight.

“It’s a really good start for 2013 and I hope I will have some more like this. I was a bit quicker on court than before so I think it’s a good sign for the rest of the competition and for Melbourne.”

On Wednesday, Italy plays Germany and Australia faces Serbia in continuing Hopman Cup competition.

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Venus Williams Leads Team USA Over South Africa in Hopman Cup

Venus Williams photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

Venus Williams photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

Team USA’s Venus Williams and John Isner saw them clinch the mixed doubles rubber 6-3 6-2 to capture a 2-1 win over South Africa on Day two at Hyundai Hopman Cup 2013 in Perth.

Seven-time Major champion Venus Williams made a good start to the USA’s campaign winning a three-set battle against Chanelle Scheepers that lasted well over two hours, 4-6 6-2 6-3.

“I’m not expected to be perfect now but I’m thinking that my game will get better every match and I think the doubles will help as well to hone everything,” said Venus after the match. “More than anything I was just so excited to be out there playing and just ready to go for it.”

Anderson leveled the tie at 1-1 with a 7-6(0) 7-6(5) victory over Isner in a service dominated match before Team USA sealed the win in the mixed doubles rubber. It was another tough day for the South Africans who also conceded a live mixed doubles rubber on Saturday against Spain.

Andrea Petkovic withdrew from the Hyundai Hopman Cup on Sunday after rupturing the medial meniscus of her right knee. She is returning to Germany this week for further treatment.

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Spain and Australia Open Hopman Cup With Wins; Petkovic Injured

Hopman_Cup

Spain has secured the first victory of Hyundai Hopman Cup 2013 with a tense two rubbers to one win over South Africa at the Perth Arena.

The  Spanish pair of Anabel Medina Garrigues and Fernando Verdasco combined well to dispose of South Africa’s Chanelle Scheepers and Kevin Anderson in three sets, 6-4 6-7(3) [10-8].

Earlier in the session Anderson gave South Africa the lead defeating Verdasco in straight sets, 7-6(5) 6-4. Spain hit back to level the tie at one all with Medina-Garrigues proving too strong for Scheepers, 6-4 6-2.

A gutsy performance from Bernard Tomic and a knee injury to a tearful Andrea Petkovic saw Australia take a 3-0 victory over Germany in Saturday night’s Hyundai Hopman Cup 2013 at Perth Arena.

Tomic fought to defeat world No.21 Tommy Haas 7-6(6) 3-6 7-5 in the singles..

Petkovic won the first set 6-4 over 16-year-old Queenslander Ashleigh Barty in the opening set of the women’s singles rubber.

But the former world No.9 was then forced to make a tearful retirement due to a right knee injury.

“It’s unfortunate for Andrea, she’s a great player,” Ashleigh Barty said.

“I hope Andrea has a speedy recovery so she can play in the Australian Open.”

Petkovic’s withdrawal meant Australia was handed a 6-0 6-0 win in the mixed doubles, giving the eighth seeded nation a 3-0 tie win ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with top-seeded Serbia.

South Africa is in action again in tomorrow’s day session, up against number two seeded United States while Spain returns to the court on Sunday night to tackle France.

Venus Williams versus Chanelle Scheepers will open the day session on Sunday, followed by John Isner against Kevin Anderson.

World No.8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga versus Fernando Verdasco will open the night session, followed by Mathilde Johansson up against Anabel Medina Garrigues.

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Tennis Channel Announces Live Hopman Cup Coverage Schedule

(December 27, 2012) LOS ANGELES – Tennis Channel will bring viewers tournament coverage from the 2013 Hyundai Hopman Cup beginning Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 3:30 p.m. ET. The network’s telecast will include U.S. competitions and the championship final of the annual international mixed-doubles tournament. All Hopman Cup matches, which feature teams consisting of one man and one woman, will take place at the Perth Arena in Australia, Dec. 29-Jan. 5.

 

The United States continues to lead all nations in Hopman Cup titles, claiming its sixth crown in the 2011 competition when Bethanie Mattek-Sands and John Isner defeated Belgium’s Justine Henin and Ruben Bemelmans 2-1. This year’s mixed-doubles team features seven-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1, Venus Williams, and U.S. Davis Cup regular Isner, who is competing for his third year. Williams won her fourth Olympic gold medal when she paired with her sister Serena in the women’s doubles event in London. She also holds 13 Grand Slam doubles titles and two mixed doubles titles. Isner, currently the top-ranked American male player, won ATP World Tour titles at Winston-Salem and Newport in 2012, and defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic en route to the final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

 

The Americans’ first challenge is France’s Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga and his country’s top female player, Mathilde Johansson. Tsonga, World No. 8, will make his Hopman Cup debut this weekend. The Frenchman had an impressive run at this year’s Wimbledon semifinals before falling to finalist Andy Murray. In 2012 he captured two ATP tournament titles and reached the finals at Beijing and Stockholm.

 

Coverage from Perth, Australia (all times EST):

Tuesday, Jan. 1:

3:30 p.m. – USA v. France

 

Thursday, Jan. 3:

3:30 p.m. – USA v. Spain

 

Sunday, Jan. 6:

8 a.m. – Championship

8 p.m. – Instant Encore, Championship

 

In their second competition, the Americans will face Spain’s Fernando Verdasco and Anabel Medina Garrigues. Verdasco became only the seventh player in eight years to beat former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal on clay when he defeated his fellow countryman in the second round of the Madrid Open in May. He reached the finals at the Mexican Open in Acapulco this year before falling to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer. Verdasco’s best performance at a Grand Slam came in the 2009 Australian Open semifinal, where he lost to Nadal after a grueling five-hour-and-fourteen-minute battle.

 

A number of top-ranked tennis stars are competing for this year’s Hopman Cup. This includes Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic, Germany’s Tommy Haas, Italy’s Francesca Schiavone and Australia’s Bernard Tomic.

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