2013/05/20

Djokovic and Sharapova Cruise, Del Potro Ousted, Azarenka Withdraws in Miami

Novak Djokovic at BNP Paribas Open players' party

(March 22, 2013) No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Maria Sharapova cruised, while Juan Martin Del Potro and Victoria Azarenka exited the Sony Open on Friday.

Azarenka withdrew from Miami citing an ankle injury she sustained playing the BNP Paribas Open last week.

“I’m very disappointed … But I have to take my health into consideration,” said Azarenka. “I tried everything I could but couldn’t make it. It’s an unfortunate part of our job.”

Azarenka’s withdrawal gave American “lucky loser” Lauren Davis a spot in the draw which she took advantage of when saved three match points in beating countrywoman Madison Keys 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(7).

“I just hoped and I wished and I prayed that I would get in,” said Davis to media. “I was just so happy. I didn’t care if I won or lost. I just was so grateful for the opportunity to play.”

Del Potro had a shocking loss to Germany’s Tobias Kamke 7-6, 6-1.

“I mean, we had some long and tough rallies, but I expected him to play like a little bit faster and that he puts more pressure on me and he gave me a little time, so it helped me a lot in the beginning, “ noted Kamke.

“And, yeah, I saved two set points on 5‑2, and somehow I came back in that set and had the chance to win it.  Second set after the break I felt even better.  Then he missed in the beginning some easy forehands, I think, and he was a little bit frustrated, I think.

“He didn’t play obviously his best tennis, but still I think I did a good job and pretty satisfied with that.”

“Just a bad day and he play really well,” Del Potro told media after the match.  “He took the chance to beat me tonight, and I think that’s it.”

“I never played against him until today.  But he’s a good player, of course.”

The match was interrupted by a rain delay.

Sharapova strolled 6-2 6-0 win over Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard. The only thing that slowed down the Russian was the half hour power outage during the night session which. There was also a three hour rain delay earlier which pushed the match schedule back.

“I have been on the tour for many years and I have been part of a few delays” Sharapova said.  “Maybe not a power outage, but you treat it as maybe a rain delay and you go in, and as soon as you have to get out and just be ready, do a quick warmup, and be ready for the match.”

Djokovic’s game certainly had no power shortage. The two-time defending Sony Open champion dismantled Lukas Rosol 6-1, 6-0 raising his Miami win streak to 13 matches in a row. The match followed the Sharapova win on Stadium court.

“It is a great start,” said Djokovic. “After Indian Wells, I tried to rest. There are different conditions here, but tonight was perfect for tennis. I enjoyed every moment of it and I love this court.”

“I probably had a seven-hour delay in Indian Wells before the fourth round, so this was a mild delay,” laughed a jovial Djokovic. “The hotel where we are staying is nearby, so it’s convenient to rest and prepare.”

David Ferrer, the third seed advanced to the next round when his opponent when Dmitry Tursunov pulled out with acute gastroenteritis.

I’m happy to still be out here playing,  said  the 33-yeat-old world No. 95 James Blake who took out No. 27 Julien Benneteau 6-2, 6-3. “Every year it seems like there is new challenges and stuff and now at this age it’s the challenge of still trying to get better and still trying to improve is not as easy as when I was 22 and 23 still learning a ton of stuff.”

“It’s just a matter of still enjoying it so much that it makes it worth it, “  the American wildcard added.  Days like today make it absolutely worth it.  Makes it a lot of fun.

Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama

Friday, March 22 2013

WTA Singles – Second Round
*[LL] L Davis (USA) d. [WC] M Keys (USA) 61 57 76(7) – saved 3 M.P.
[3] M Sharapova (RUS) d. [WC] E Bouchard (CAN) 62 60
[6] A Kerber (GER) d. F Schiavone (ITA) 67(5) 63 62
[8] S Errani (ITA) d. D Hantuchova (SVK) 63 61
[11] N Petrova (RUS) d. J Zheng (CHN) 63 61
[12] A Ivanovic (SRB) d. U Radwanska (POL) 62 61
[14] M Kirilenko (RUS) d. [Q] B Mattek-Sands (USA) 61 64
[15] R Vinci (ITA) d. C Mchale (USA) 67(2) 61 63
S Kuznetsova (RUS) d. [18] E Makarova (RUS) 64 64
[20] C Suarez Navarro (ESP) d. J Hampton (USA) 57 75 76(3) – saved 1 M.P.
[21] K Zakopalova (CZE) d. A Medina Garrigues (ESP) 63 76(3)
[22] J Jankovic (SRB) d. [WC] V Duval (USA) 63 75
S Halep (ROU) d. [26] T Paszek (AUT) 61 67(4) 75
[28] S Cirstea (ROU) d. [Q] S Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 26 75 62
[29] E Vesnina (RUS) d. [Q] D Vekic (CRO) 64 62
[32] A Cornet (FRA) d. L Robson (GBR) 57 75 61

*[LL] L Davis (USA) replaced [2] V Azarenka (BLR) – right ankle

WTA Doubles – First Round
[WC] S Kuznetsova (RUS) / F Pennetta (ITA) vs [2] A Hlavackova (CZE) / L Hradecka (CZE) – cancelled
[4] E Makarova (RUS) / E Vesnina (RUS) d. N Grandin (RSA) / V Uhlirova (CZE) 67(5) 63 10-6
[5] L Huber (USA) / M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) vs K Mladenovic (FRA) / G Voskoboeva (KAZ) – cancelled
A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / L Safarova (CZE) vs [WC] G Muguruza (ESP) / F Schiavone (ITA) – cancelled
I Begu (ROU) / A Rosolska (POL) vs *[Alt] T Malek (GER) / T Tanasugarn (THA) 55 – postponed

*[Alt] T Malek (GER) / T Tanasugarn (THA) replaced M Erakovic (NZL) / H Watson (GBR) – Watson (left adductor)
ATP Singles – Second Round
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d L Rosol (CZE) 61 60
[3] D Ferrer (ESP) d [Q] D Tursunov (RUS) w/o (acute gastroenteritis)
T Kamke (GER) d [5] J Del Potro (ARG) 76(5) 61
[7] J Tipsarevic (SRB) d [Q] D Sela (ISR) 62 64
[11] G Simon (FRA) d [WC] L Hewitt (AUS) 63 63
A Ramos (ESP) d [12] J Monaco (ARG) 62 46 63
[13] K Nishikori (JPN) d V Hanescu (ROU) 63 63
[15] T Haas (GER) d I Sijsling (NED) 60 57 63
[19] A Dolgopolov (UKR) d N Davydenko (RUS) 62 63
X Malisse (BEL) d [22] J Chardy (FRA) 63 62
G Zemlja (SLO) d [23] F Mayer (GER) 63 76(3)
[WC] J Blake (USA) d [24] J Benneteau (FRA) 62 63
[26] K Anderson (RSA) d H Zeballos (ARG) 63 76(4)
J Melzer (AUT) d [31] M Granollers (ESP) 63 64
[32] F Fognini (ITA) d M Llodra (FRA) 64 61
S Devvarman (IND) d [LL] E Roger-Vasselin* (FRA) 46 64 75

*[LL] E Roger-Vasselin (FRA) replaced [30] F Lopez (ESP) (left wrist injury)

ATP Doubles – First Round
M Mirnyi (BLR) / M Youzhny (RUS) d [1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) 64 26 10-5
[3] M Bhupathi (IND) / D Nestor (CAN) d R Gasquet (FRA) / E Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 76(3) 63
[4] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d M Klizan (SVK) / A Seppi (ITA) 76(7) 64
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d [6] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) 75 64
M Cilic (CRO) / L Dlouhy (CZE) d D Bracciali (ITA) / J Knowle (AUT) 76(10) 62

 

SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, 23 MARCH, 2013

STADIUM start 11:00 am
[25] V Lepchenko (USA) vs [5] N Li (CHN) – WTA

Not Before 1:00 PM
[6] J Tsonga (FRA) vs V Troicki (SRB) – ATP
B Tomic (AUS) vs [2] A Murray (GBR) – ATP

Not Before 4:30 PM
[19] V Williams (USA) vs [16] S Stephens (USA) – WTA

Not Before 8:00 PM
[1] S Williams (USA) vs A Morita (JPN) – WTA

Not Before 9:30 PM
[25] F Verdasco (ESP) vs A Falla (COL) – ATP

GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
[8] R Gasquet (FRA) vs [Q] O Rochus (BEL) – ATP

Not Before 1:00 PM
[4] A Radwanska (POL) vs M Rybarikova (SVK) – WTA
[20] J Isner (USA) vs I Dodig (CRO) – ATP
[14] M Raonic (CAN) vs [Q] G Rufin (FRA) – ATP

Not Before 5:00 PM
D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) vs [4] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
L Kubot (POL) vs [17] S Querrey (USA) – ATP
T Bellucci (BRA) vs [21] J Janowicz (POL) – ATP
[WC] G Pella (ARG) vs [10] N Almagro (ESP) – ATP
S Giraldo (COL) vs [9] M Cilic (CRO) – ATP

Not Before 5:00 PM
R Oprandi (SUI) vs [13] D Cibulkova (SVK) – WTA

COURT 2 start 11:00 am
[WC] A Petkovic (GER) vs [WC] A Tomljanovic (CRO) – WTA
[9] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs [WC] G Muguruza (ESP) – WTA
[30] K Flipkens (BEL) vs [7] P Kvitova (CZE) – WTA
C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) vs L Kubot (POL) / J Tipsarevic (SRB) – ATP

Not Before 5:00 PM
I Dodig (CRO) / M Melo (BRA) vs [WC] L Hewitt (AUS) / B Tomic (AUS) – ATP-After Suitable Rest

COURT 3 start 11:00 am
[18] P Kohlschreiber (GER) vs D Goffin (BEL) – ATP
J Nieminen (FIN) vs [27] M Klizan (SVK) – ATP
[29] G Dimitrov (BUL) vs S Bolelli (ITA) – ATP
T Bellucci (BRA) / H Zeballos (ARG) vs [8] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) – ATP

COURT 6 start 11:00 am
V Dushevina (RUS) / A Parra Santonja (ESP) vs M Moulton-Levy (USA) / S Zhang (CHN) – WTA
E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS) vs R Bopanna (IND) / R Ram (USA) – ATP

Not Before 3:00 PM
[1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs K Date-Krumm (JPN) / C Dellacqua (AUS) – WTA
[5] L Huber (USA) / M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) vs K Mladenovic (FRA) / G Voskoboeva (KAZ) – WTA
I Begu (ROU) / A Rosolska (POL) vs [Alt] T Malek (GER) / T Tanasugarn (THA) 55 – WTA

COURT 7 start 11:00 am
[16] A Seppi (ITA) vs A Bedene (SLO) – ATP
T Haas (GER) / X Malisse (BEL) vs J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) – ATP

Not Before 3:00 PM
Y Lu (TPE) vs [28] M Youzhny (RUS) – ATP
G Simon (FRA) / V Troicki (SRB) vs [2] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 5:00 PM
[WC] C Harrison (USA) / R Harrison (USA) vs G Dimitrov (BUL) / F Nielsen (DEN) – ATP-After Suitable Rest

COURT 8 start 11:00 am
C Black (ZIM) / A Rodionova (AUS) vs J Gajdosova (AUS) / S Lisicki (GER) – WTA
[WC] S Kuznetsova (RUS) / F Pennetta (ITA) vs [2] A Hlavackova (CZE) / L Hradecka (CZE) – WTA
H Chan (TPE) / J Husarova (SVK) vs [3] N Petrova (RUS) / K Srebotnik (SLO) – WTA
E Birnerova (CZE) / V Lepchenko (USA) vs [7] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) – WTA
A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / L Safarova (CZE) vs [WC] G Muguruza (ESP) / F Schiavone (ITA) – WTA

 

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Victoria Azarenka Withdraws from Miami

Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka

By Amy Fetherolf‏

(March 22, 2013) MIAMI – Minutes before her opening match against Madison Keys, World No. 2 Victoria Azarenka withdrew from Miami due a recurring foot injury.

“The decision was really hard to make,” Azarenka said. “In one case, it was really hard to make. In the other case, it was really obvious what the decision was couple days ago already. It’s just, I wanted to give my 100% possibility to play, and today was my last test. The last two days, I tried to practice on it, which did not get better. Just got to a point where I kind of stopped at Indian Wells. It just gives me a very obvious indication that it’s not possible for me to play.”

“I could have said that, you know — yesterday already was for sure, but I wanted to make sure that, you know, 100% to be sure that I won’t be able to participate, because I was really looking forward to play the tournament. I feel like I’m in good tennis shape, not physical shape right now.”

Azarenka said she has not yet made a decision on playing her next scheduled tournament in Monterrey.

“I have no idea right now. In Indian Wells I heard that two, three weeks’ possibility. Obviously, I don’t have that time here, so I feel like I took a step back with my recovery trying to play here and trying to push. So it probably will go back to the two weeks maybe. Maybe less. We will see how the progress. The progress was better than the doctor said, but it wasn’t enough.”

Azarenka was replaced in the draw by “Lucky Loser” Lauren Davis who saved three match points in defeating Madison Keys 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(7).

Amy Fetherolf‏ is covering the Sony Open as media for Tennis Panorama News (@TennisNewsTPN).  She is a co-founder of The Changeover.  Follow her on twitter at @AmyFetherolf.

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Davis Wins Dow Corning Tennis Classic

Lauren Davis

By  McCarton Ackerman

(February 10, 2013) The Dow Corning Tennis Classic at the Midland Community Tennis Center concluded on Sunday with two marathon matches in the singles and doubles finals. The fighting spirit that No. 1 seed Lauren Davis of the US has shown all week was on full display in her third-set tiebreaker win over unseeded Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia, while the unseeded pairing of Melinda Czink of Hungary and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia prevailed in the doubles final.

In a match that took well over two hours, Davis took the title with a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (2) win over Tomljanovic. The teenagers are no strangers to each other, having practiced together many times at the Evert Tennis Academy in Florida.

Tomljanovic struggled to find the range on her shots early on in the match, allowing Davis to comfortably take the opening set. The wear and tear on the American’s body after numerous long matches this week began to show in the second set as Tomljanovic reeled off five consecutive games on her way to the second set.

“After the first set, my energy level went down,” said Davis. “But if you want something bad enough, you’ve got to find the energy.”

Things looked bleak for Davis in the final set as she went down 2-0 to the Croatian. But as she has done all week, the No. 1 seed showed remarkable resistance in clawing her way back into the match. She fought off break points on her serve at 4-4 and 5-5 to help bring the match into a tiebreaker and saved her best tennis for the end. As she continued to track down balls that would be winners against most players, Tomljanovic began to overhit on her forehand. Winning the first four points of the tiebreaker, Davis rode the momentum the rest of the way and converted on her second match point.

Davis, currently ranked No. 90, had never won a title at the $100,000 level before. Currently ranked No. 90 on the WTA Tour, she is projected to rise to around No. 75 in the rankings.

“I have so many dreams and so many visions, and this is part of it,” said Davis. “It’s another step to where I want to go.”

In the doubles final, Melinda Czink and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni rallied from a set down to defeat the Brazilian-British team of Maria-Fernanda Alves and Samantha Murray 5-7, 6-4, 10-7.

“I’ve had such a great week here,” said Czink. “Some of the WTA tournaments should come here and see how you guys run this because it really is a great tournament.”

The Dow Corning Tennis Classic has completed its 25th year on the USTA Pro Circuit, making it the longest-running women’s event on the USTA Pro Circuit. Several former competitors at the event have gone on to win Grand Slam titles and reach the top 10 in the rankings. Past competitors include seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and Olympic gold medalist Justine Henin, three-time Grand Slam singles champion Maria Sharapova, two-time Grand Slam singles champion Mary Pierce, 2011 French Open singles champion Na Li, 2010 French Open singles champion Francesca Schiavone, and two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Anna Kournikova.

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Lauren Davis and Ajla Tomljanovic to Square Off in Midland Final

Lauren Davis

Lauren Davis

(February 9, 2013) MIDLAND, Mich. – The  Dow Corning Tennis Classic at the Midland Community Tennis Center continued on Saturday with all semifinal singles and doubles matches taking place. Unseeded Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia continued her dream run with a win in the day session over American Mallory Burdette, while No. 1 seed Lauren Davis in the US had yet another major comeback win in the evening session against No. 8 seed Monica Puig of Puerto Rico.

In the day session, Tomljanovic stood her ground in the hard-hitting baseline rallies with Burdette, reeling off the final eight games of the match to win 7-5, 6-0. Burdette fought hard to rally from 2-5 down in the first set, but it was the last bit of momentum she would have in the match.

“At 5-5, she had the momentum and it could have gone either way. But after I held serve and broke again, I felt like it was my turn to dominate,” said Tomljanovic.

Tomljanovic, currently ranked No. 370, was sidelined by mononucleosis for most of 2012 and was limited to just six events. So far in 2013, she has already reached the finals of the $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in Innisbrook, Flor. “I was prepared for it to take a while for my form to come back, but I had a really good off-season and knew that I would eventually pick my form up and do something big,” she said. “I’m not too surprised to be hitting the ball like this, but I’m welcoming it.”

In the evening session, Davis rallied from 1-6, 1-4 down to defeat Puig 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. The world No. 116 Puig seemed unable to miss throughout much of the early stages of the match, reeling off five straight games to take the opening set. Midway through the second set, Davis started to add more variety to her game and displayed a willingness to attack the net when the opportunity came. She won 11 of the final 13 games in the match.

“At 1-4 in the second set, I started to get more balls back and make her play more in the rallies,” said Davis. “I have no idea how I pulled that out though.”

The 19-year-old Davis has come into her own over the last six months, breaking into the world’s top 100 on the back of strong results including quarterfinal finishes at WTA events in Quebec City, Canada and Hobart, Australia, as well winning two USTA Pro Circuit titles last fall at the $75,000 challenger in Albuquerque, N.M. and $50,000 event in Las Vegas.

Despite needing over two hours to win tonight and spending roughly ten hours on court throughout her four matches this week, Davis said she was confident that she’ll have enough in the tank for Sunday’s final.

“I feel so fresh and so new, so I’ll be fine for tomorrow,” said Davis. “I’ve been working hard on my fitness, especially during the off-season and it’s paying off for me.”

In doubles action, the Brazilian-British team of Maria-Fernanda Alves and Samantha Murray moved into the doubles final with a 6-3, 6-1 win over No. 3 seeds Julia Cohen of the US and Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia. They will play the winners of the evening session doubles match between Americans Jill Craybas and CoCo Vandeweghe and the Hungarian-Croatian team of Melinda Czink and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

The singles and doubles finals of the Dow Corning Tennis Classic will kick off tomorrow at 1:00pm. Lauren Davis and Ajla Tomljanovic will be up first in the singles final, followed by the doubles final between Maria-Fernanda Alves and Samantha Murray against either Jill Craybas and CoCo Vandeweghe or Melinda Czink and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

The Dow Corning Tennis Classic is in its 25th year on the USTA Pro Circuit, making it the longest-running women’s event on the USTA Pro Circuit.
Dow Corning Tennis Classic
A USTA Pro Circuit Event
Saturday, February 9
Midland Community Tennis Center
Midland, Mich.
Purse: $100,000
Surface: Hard-Indoor

Saturday, February 9 – RESULTS

Main Draw Singles – Semifinals
Lauren Davis, United States (1), def. Monica Puig, Puerto Rico (8), 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
Ajla Tomljanovic, Croatia, def. Mallory Burdette, United States, 7-5, 6-0

Main Draw Doubles – Semifinals
Maria-Fernanda Alves, Brazil, and Samantha Murray, Great Britain, def. Julia Cohen, United States, and Alla Kudryavtseva, Russia (3), 6-3, 6-1

Sunday’s February 10 – SCHEDULE

Stadium Court – starting at 1 p.m.
Lauren Davis vs. Ajla Tomljanovic, followed by Maria-Fernanda Alves/Samantha Murray vs. Jill Craybas/Coco Vandeweghe or Melinda Czink/Mirjana Lucic-Baroni

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Top Seed Davis Holds Off Kudryatseva at Dow Corning Tennis Classic

LaurenDavis9-27

Lauren Davis

By McCarton Ackerman

(February 8, 2013) MIDLAND, Mich.The hallmark 25th anniversary of the Dow Corning Tennis Classic at the Midland Community Tennis Center continued on Friday with all quarterfinal singles matches and remaining quarterfinal doubles matches taking place. Two of the four semifinalists in the singles draw are Americans, with top seed Lauren Davis and 2012 NCAA singles finalist Mallory Burdette prevailing in tough matches on Stadium Court.

In the comeback of the tournament, top seed Davis rallied from behind on numerous occasions to defeat Alla Kudryatseva of Russia 5-7, 7-6 (4), 7-5, after more than three hours of play. Kudryavtseva served for the match at 5-4 in the second set and led 4-0 in the tiebreaker. In the third set, the Russian led 5-2 and had a match point on her serve at 5-3, but was unable to convert. Davis converted on her first match point opportunity with a backhand winner down the line.

“I just never stopped believing in myself,” said Davis. “It seemed like it was almost impossible to come back at that point, so I just asked God to give me strength and help make the impossible to be possible.”

The 19-year-old Davis has come into her own over the last six months, breaking into the world’s top 100 on the back of strong results including quarterfinal finishes at WTA events in Quebec City, Canada and Hobart, Australia, as well winning two USTA Pro Circuit titles last fall at the $75,000 challenger in Albuquerque, N.M. and $50,000 event in Las Vegas.

Burdette and No. 7 seed Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia engaged in a hard-hitting baseline match that took over two hours to complete, but Burdette utilized some markedly improved defense to hang in the rallies and prevail 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. “Today was obviously about first strike tennis, but this is the best I’ve ever felt in terms of my movement and the ability to play defense,” said Burdette. “I’ve been doing a ton of fitness, especially during the off-season and pushing it as hard as I can in that regard.”

Burdette didn’t even have a WTA Tour ranking last July, but opted not to return for her senior year at Stanford University after a stellar summer that included winning the $10,000 futures event in Evansville, Ind., $100,000 challenger in Vancouver, Canada and reaching the third round of the US Open.

“I really wanted to give myself a shot at this and in order to do that, I had to put all of my time and energy into my tennis,” said Burdette. “It’s been great so far. There have definitely been some rough patches, but I’m just trying to do the best I can on a daily basis.”

In the final match of the day session, No. 8 seed Monica Puig of Puerto Rico defeated American teen Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5. Puig, ranked No. 116, is the only singles semifinalist who has yet to lose a set. In the evening session, Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia defeated American Maria Sanchez 6-2, 6-2. The 19-year-old, currently ranked No. 370, is enjoying the best tournament of her career after an injury-plagued 2012 limited her to just six events. The lone match to be completed as of press time is an all-American doubles quarterfinal between Jill Craybas and CoCo Vandeweghe against Chieh-Yu Hsu and Shelby Rogers.

All semifinal singles and doubles matches will take place during Saturday’s play, which begins at noon. The day session will see the American-Russian team of Julia Cohen and Alla Kudryavtseva take on the Brazilian-British team of Maria-Fernanda Alves and Samantha Murray, followed by Mallory Burdette against Ajla Tomljanovic. In the night session, Lauren Davis will square off against Monica Puig, followed by the Hungarian-Croatian team of Melinda Czink and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni against the American team of either Jill Craybas and CoCo Vandeweghe or Chieh-Yu Hsu and Shelby Rogers.

The Dow Corning Tennis Classic is in its 25th year on the USTA Pro Circuit, making it the longest-running women’s event on the USTA Pro Circuit.

Dow Corning Tennis Classic
A USTA Pro Circuit Event
Friday, February 8
Midland Community Tennis Center
Midland, Mich.
Purse: $100,000
Surface: Hard-Indoor

Friday, February 8 – RESULTS

Main Draw Singles – Quarterfinals
Lauren Davis, United States (1), def. Alla Kudryavtseva, Russia, 5-7, 7-6 (4), 7-5
Mallory Burdette, United States, def. Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, Croatia (7), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Monica Puig, Puerto Rico (8), def. Jessica Pegula, United States, 6-3, 7-5
Ajla Tomljanovic, Croatia, def. Maria Sanchez, United States, 6-2, 6-2

Main Draw Doubles – Quarterfinals
Julia Cohen, United States, and Alla Kudryavtseva, Russia (3), def. Nicole Melichar and Chiara Scholl, United States 6-4, 6-2
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, Croatia, and Melinda Czink, Hungary, def. Alexa Glatch and Asia Muhammed, United States, 6-3, 6-3

Saturday’s February 9 – SCHEDULE

Stadium Court – starting at 10 a.m.
Julia Cohen/Alla Kudryavtseva vs. Maria-Fernanda Alves/Samantha Murray, followed by Mallory Burdette vs. Ajla Tomljanovic

Stadium Court – starting at 7 p.m.
Lauren Davis vs. Monica Puig, followed by Melinda Czink/Mirjana Lucic-Baroni vs. Jill Craybas/CoCo Vandeweghe or Chieh-Yu Hsu/Shelby Rogers

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Uncle Sam at the Down Under Slam – Day 1 Edition

Venus Williams photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

Venus Williams photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

(January 14, 2013) Looking at how American tennis players fared on day one of the 2013 Australian Open.

American tennis players went  6-3 on the first day of the Australian Open with Venus Williams leading the way with a 6-1, 6-0 victory against Galina Voskoboeva.

“Obviously it’s nice to spend less time on the court, and not be in long sets,” Williams said after the match. She  had a first-serve percentage of 70 percent and converted on 6 of 11 break point chances.

“I don’t think my opponent quite got the hang of – you know, it’s hard to play the first match in a major, first thing of the year, and that can be a lot of pressure.” Williams said of her opponent “I did my best to just close it out.”

Sam Querrey, who is the highest ranking American man, due to the withdrawal of 13rh ranked John Isner, came back from a set down to defeat Daniel Munoz-De La Nava of Spain 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

Querrey will take on another American in the second round, Brian Baker, who defeated American turned Russian Alex Bogomolov Jr. 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-7 (0), 3-6, 6-2.

Ryan Harrison came back from a set down to advance, defeating Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.  Bad news for Harrison – he’ll face top seed Novak Djokovic in the second round.

Spain’s Nicolas Almagro, the 1th0 men’s seed outlasted American qualifier Steve Johnson in a first round five-set marathon 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-2. Johnson was the first reigning NCAA champion to qualify for the Australian Open.

Tim Smyczek came into the tournament as lucky loser, and thanks to housemate John Isner’s withdrawal  due to a right knee injury, made it into the main draw. Smyczek was a winner on Monday with a 6-4, 7-6, 7-5 victory over Ivo Karlovic.

Veteran Michael Russell fell to No. 5 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.

Touted as “one to watch” seventeen year-old Madison Keys won her first match in Melbourne on Monday with a 6-4, 7-6 (0) victory against Casey Dellacqua of Australia.

Sorana Cirstea had no problems beating American Coco Vandeweghe  6-4 6-2 in first round action.

Americans scheduled for Tuesday play in Melbourne include No. 3 Serena Williams, 29 seed Sloane Stephens, Vania King, Jamie Hampton, Melanie Oudin, Vavara Lepchencko, Lauren Davis, Rajeev Ram, and Rhyne Williams.

Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News

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Lauren Davis Beats Shelby Rogers for Party Rock Open Singles Title

Photo by Craig Glover / Party Rock Open

By Steve Pratt
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 30, 2012) – The physical toll of the last three weeks of pro-level tournament tennis – including two consecutive USTA Pro Circuit finals — finally hit Lauren Davis on the final day of the Party Rock Open.
Davis had to call a medical timeout down a set but up 5-2 in the second against 19-year-old Shelby Rogers and got physically sick while seated in her chair. But unlike coming up on the losing end in last week’s Albuquerque final, Davis bounced out of her chair and proceeded to win the next game and then dug deep to win the third set to capture the first Party Rock Open singles title in the Las Vegas USTA Women’s $50,000 Pro Circuit event sponsored by international celebrity Redfoo, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2.
“I think I was just dehydrated,” said Davis after the match. “That’s never happened to me in a match like that (throwing up on court), but it has in practice. I had three late night matches and I think it was all just a little bit too much.”
Davis, 18, will crack the world WTA Top 100 rankings for the first time in her career when the new rankings are released on Monday. She will also stop off at the bank to deposit her winning $7,315 check.
“At the start of the year I had a goal to break into the Top 100 before my 19th birthday, so I guess I made it,” said Davis, who turns 19 in two weeks.
The week before Albuquerque, Davis qualified and then reached the quarterfinals of a WTA event in Quebec City.
In the doubles final, the top-seeded team of Anastasia Rodionova and Arina Rodionova beat Elena Bovina of Russia and Edina Gallovits-Hall of Romania, 6-2, 2-6, 10-6.
Sunday’s Final Singles Score
Lauren Davis (2), U.S., def. Shelby Rogers, U.S., 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2
Sunday’s Final Doubles Score
Anastasia Rodionova, Australia-Arina Rodionova (1), Russia, vs. Elena Bovina, Russia-Edina Gallovits-Hall (4), Romania, 6-2, 2-6, 10-6
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
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Notes and Quotes from Day 2 of the 2012 French Open

Li Na – Remember Paris, Forget Rome

I was just arrive in Paris.  All of the airport I think I doing well last year and here.  So today I come to center court I was feeling ‑‑ I was walking to the center court, and I saw the national fly, I was behind, and I was thinking about, oh, I did well here last year.  Last year also the last match was playing on center court, and this year first year on center court, as well.

So I was tell myself, okay, wish you can doing better, because, you know, last week, no, maybe one week ago the final in Rome still killing me.  After final I tell everyone don’t talk to me about tennis like three days.  I can’t quiet every second.

 

Victoria Azarenka on committing 60 unforced errors in her comeback win over Alberta Brianti:

I think it says it all.  Bad days happen.  Unfortunately today I had way more mistakes than I usually do, but, you know, it happens sometimes.

The first match, they’re not easy.  But in the end of the day I still won the match, I manage to go through those 60 mistakes and still win the match.  I think that’s pretty good statistics.

If it would be 60 winners and I would lose that match, or win this match this way, I think that would suck a little bit more.

 

Balls Banter

Novak Djokovic: Yes, the ball change is obvious.  I think last year they have made that switch with balls, and they were really fast and tough to control with conditions that are present in the Roland Garros, which are a little bit different from other clay court events, and the conditions here are a little bit faster than maybe comparing to Monte‑Carlo or Barcelona or Rome.
But, you know, many players complained a little bit about the speed of the balls last year, so it was really difficult to control.
So this year, they’re a little bit heavier, which I like.  I really don’t have any complaints about it.

 

Roger Federer:  I think they’re heavy.  I think the balls are heavy.  I think they’re slower than last year.

Conditions here are always faster during the day.  Courts are on the harder side, especially when it’s with good weather like today.  Feels like it’s faster.

I feel the balls are not the fastest ones.  I just think that also is just taking some adjustments to that, because the ball is different here again than the last six, seven weeks for us.

I think that also maybe takes some getting used to, which is normal.  That’s why I’m happy to be through to the second round, having more information on how actually the court and the balls play here.

 

David Nalbandian: I felt the balls were faster, faster than other years.  They fly more.  They’re more like lively balls.

But on the Suzanne Lenglen Court, usually it’s a court that’s slower than the other courts; whereas, you know, I had the impression that the balls were faster and more difficult to control.

 

 

Women’s 30th seed German Mona Barthel reflecting on her loss to American teen Lauren Davis:

Of course I’m a little bit sad about it, but these things happen in life.  That’s the way tennis goes.  You win; you lose.

Yeah, that’s it.

 

Lauren Davis responding to a reporter’s question about how do people from Cleveland get adjusted to red clay:

Well, I played on indoor hard since I was 16, and this is actually like my third clay court tournament.  I mean red clay.

But, yeah, my game is well‑suited for clay.

 

Lleyton Hewitt asked about what makes the French Open so special:

Lleyton Hewitt:  (Smiling.)  The scores are in French.  I don’t understand.  I’ve got to look up at the scoreboard to know what the score is.

 

American in Paris on clay clay or mud it’s all the same

John Isner:  Well, for me, personally, I don’t mind clay.  I don’t care what surface I’m playing on.  I don’t care if it’s mud.

My serve is my serve.  I like to think I’m gonna hold serve a lot.  Whether it’s clay, grass or hard, I’m always gonna have that on my side.

But besides from that, with me, you know, a lot of times the ball bounces higher, which is good for me obviously, with me being so tall.

I hope that a lot of Americans can ‑‑ you know, can do well here.  I know myself and Jesse Levine have won.  I don’t know about anyone else.  I hope we can have a bunch of guys advance after tomorrow.

 

John Isner – ATP poster boy for going to college

Yeah, I hope kids in high school kinda do look up to me and the path that I personally took.  You know, for me, going to Georgia was 100% the absolute right play for me.  Going there for four years was also the right choice for me.  And, you know, I feel like I made a lot of good decisions throughout my junior career.  Best decision I ever made in my life was going to Georgia.  Wasn’t any other school for me.

Going there for four years, being coached by Coach Diaz was fantastic for me.  I became just a lot stronger physically.  My game got a lot better.  From that I also got a college degree.

It was a very good decision, and I don’t regret it at all.  I mean, I think kids nowadays should at least look at the college route at least for one year at the very minimum.  This game is so physical now.  You don’t see many 18‑year‑old kids inside the top 100, top 50 in the world.  For guys, it takes a little bit longer for, you know, kids, guys, to develop.

 

 

Michael Llodra on Strategy: Strategy? No, I have no strategy. Really, you know, serving, moving to the net, I don’t want to give him too much time, and even more for Berdych, you know. If he’s got both feet within the lines, he can hit you so much with his forehand, backhand. He shouldn’t dictate the game.

This is what I will have to do, to be aggressive during the whole match.

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US Women go 10 for 10 in First Two Days of French Open

Who says Americans can’t play on clay? In the first two days of the French Open, the ladies from the United States are a perfect 10 for 10 in wins. It’s the first time since 2003 that so many US women have gained a berth in the second round in Paris. In 2003 11 US women made the second round.

The US women can still add to their total in the second round, as two more women Serena Williams and Jamie Hampton take the court on Tuesday for their first round matches.

Monday, May 28th results

Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. (12) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 64 63
(Q) Lauren Davis (USA) d. (30) Mona Barthel (GER) 61 61
Christina McHale (USA) d. (Q) Kiki Bertens (NED) 26 64 64
Vania King (USA) d. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 64 62
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) 62 67(6) 64
Sloane Stephens (USA) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 64 76(6)

Sunday, May 27th results

Venus Williams (USA) d Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 46 61 63
Irina Falconi (USA) d Edina Gallovits-Hall (ROU) 36 63 61
(Q) Alexa Glatch (USA) d Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 63 57 64
(WC) Melanie Oudin (USA) d Johanna Larsson (SWE) 63 63

In five of the past seven years, a mere four American ladies made it out of the first round in Paris.

“A couple years ago everyone was asking me the opposite questions on why American tennis was so bad, said Bethanie Mattek-Sands who upset 12th seed Sabine Lisicki on Monday.  “I told them, I think we have some great young players coming up.  It’s just the WTA right now has a lot of depth.

“It really shows that some of the Americans are coming through playing tough, grinding it out here on the clay, and it’s awesome, I think.”

“It’s exciting.” Sloane Stephens said about all of the American women coming through. “I was just talking to Christina (McHale) in the locker room.  I’m like, Who do you play?  She’s like, I play Lauren Davis.  I’m like, Oh, my God.  I play Bethanie.

“So all the Americans are playing Americans, but it’s good that we’ll have people in the third round.  So that’s always nice.”

In terms of American women on clay”I don’t think anything’s changed,” Stephens continued.  “It’s always been the same.  Maybe people got tough draws before.  I don’t know what methods people are using or what’s been different, but we’re winning.”

“Maybe it’s a little bit extra firepower or some extra come ons or some heart.  I’m not sure.

“But to everyone that got a win, that is really exciting, because everyone always says that we’re not good on clay.

“That’ll prove ‘em wrong.”

 

As for the US men, although Andy Roddick and Ryan Harrison crashed out in the first round, John Isner, Jessie Levine, and comeback player Bryan Baker are through to the second round. Sam Querrey, James Blake, Donald Young will face huge challenges to advance to the second round when they play their first round matches on Tuesday.

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Tough Day in Memphis for Young Americans Sloane Stephens, Lauren Davis, Madison Keys and Alexa Glatch

By Brad Hunter

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (February 20, 2012) – The first match I sat down to watch at The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships was the Court 1, first round WTA match between 17-year old American Lauren Davis and 25-year old American Varvara  Lepchenko.  Davis was awarded a wildcard into the event, and Lepchenko was fresh off a Round of 16 run in Doha where she beat Alexandra Wozniak and Julia Goerges before falling to Agnieska Radwanska.  Lepchenko, ranked 90, started quickly by powering her way to a 2-0 lead, blasting groundstroke winners and mixing in touch angle volleys and paralyzing Davis’ game.  Lefty Varvara , who plays a bit like Petra Kvitova , can seemingly hit clean groundstroke winners from all over the court, off both sides and from many court positions.  She was a bit agitated from the start though, taking looks at the line judges for calling two foot faults on her early and quickly getting angry at herself for making errors.  Davis, ranked 221, began hitting her topspin forehand deeper into the court, and using her flatter backhand to pounce on short balls.   Davis, who trains at the Evert Academy, is a good competitor, and showed this by sneaking in to knock off volleys on important points and building herself a 5-2 1st set lead.  A frustrated Lepchenko took the opportunity to call her coach out for a quick chat and it helped her calm herself and win the last 5 games of the set to take it 7-5.  Lepchenko kept her edge the rest of the match, taking the 2nd set and the match 6-3.  Her play was patchy at times, possibly due to some fatigue from making the trip from Doha but her more powerful ground strokes and ability to consistently end points from midcourt and the net was too solid for quick, sparky Davis.

Before the end on the Davis/Lepchenko match on Court 1, 25-year old Russian Vera Dushevina and 17-year old American Madison Keys started their match on the adjacent Grandstand court.  Keys, ranked 256 and a wildcard entrant who also trains at Evert Academy, is one of the most talked about young Americans after her splashy US Open performance last year.  Dushevina, ranked 89, who famously gave Venus a 1st round 3-set scare in US Open in 2009, used her experience to take the match 6-2, 7-5.

Another American wildcard entrant into this event, 18-year old American Sloane Stephens, started strongly on the Grandstand court against 23-year old New Zealander Marina Erakovic, winning the 1st set 6-4 by hitting an array of backhand winners.  Sloane, ranked 86, and known for her powerful forehand and run to the 3rd round of the US Open last year never looked settled.  She lost 12 of the last 13 games and the match to 54th ranked Erakovic.

Taking the Grandstand court in the next match, was 22-year old American qualifier Alexa Glatch and 22-year old Ukranian Lesia Tsurenko.  Glatch, ranked 186, looked like the clear favorite to win, using her qualifying momentum, heavy forehand and versatile backhand slice to build a 6-2, 5-3 lead.  Many times, between points, Lesia was breathing heavy and loudly and grabbing her midsection.  Whatever her ailment was, Lesia, ranked 125, found a better level to her game and began playing an aggressive all-court game to overwhelm Glatch and steal the match.  Lesia even fought off a match point on the 2nd set tiebreak.

Although a tough day for Stephens, Keys, Glatch and Davis, all four ladies are still around in the Memphis tourney and will be back on the court playing doubles tomorrow.  Keys and Davis team up to play Erakoviv and Pervak and Stephens and Glatch team up to play fellow Americans Jamie Hampton (who took out defending champion Rybarikova yesterday in the first round) and Melanie Oudin (who plays Foretz Gacon in the first round on Tuesday).  Also seen scouting the American gals, Lead National Coach of Women’s Tennis, Tom Gullikson.

Brad Hunter is in Memphis covering the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Memphis International as media for Tennis Panorama News.

Upset of the day on the men’s side – Croatia’s Ivan Dodig ousted No. 8 seed Bernard Tomic of Australia 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (8) on Monday. Dodig saved two match points on the way to victory.

“I was really happy after the match because I’ve been losing tight, tight matches,” Dodig said. “This is going to give me more confidence.”

RESULTS – MONDAY, 20 FEBRUARY, 2012

Women’s Singles – First Round
(Q) Camila Giorgi (ITA) d. (1) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 64 62
(3) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 63 61
(4) Marina Erakovic (NZL) d. Sloane Stephens (USA) 46 60 61
Michaella Krajicek (NED) d. (6) Elena Baltacha (GBR) 62 61
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) d. Heather Watson (GBR) 62 63
Vera Dushevina (RUS) d. (WC) Madison Keys (USA) 62 75
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. (WC) Lauren Davis (USA) 75 63
Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) d. (Q) Alexa Glatch (USA) 26 76(5) 62 (saved 2mp)

Doubles – First Round
(1) Hlavackova/Hradecka (CZE/CZE) d. Pavlovic/Rodina (FRA/RUS) 60 63
(2) Dushevina/Govortsova (RUS/BLR) d. Dolonts/Foretz Gacon (RUS/FRA) 46 62 108 (Match TB)
(4) Krajicek/Tatishvili (NED/GEO) d. Kondratieva/Lefèvre (RUS/FRA) 62 60
Watson/Woehr (GBR/GER) d. Brianti/Parmentier (ITA/FRA) 63 61
Lee-Waters/Moulton-Levy (USA/USA) d. (WC) Hibberd/Welcher (AUS/USA) 60 60
Men’s Singles – First Round
I Dodig (CRO) d [8] B Tomic (AUS) 57 64 76(8) – saved 2 M.P.
D Young (USA) d G Dimitrov (BUL) 76(4) 46 76(6)

Doubles – First Round
J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) d [4] S Gonzalez (MEX) / C Kas (GER) 76(1) 76(2)
SCHEDULE – TUESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY, 2012

STADIUM start 10:00 am
[WC] M Oudin (USA) vs S Foretz Gacon (FRA) – WTA
R Marino (CAN) vs [2] K Pervak (KAZ) – WTA
J Blake (USA) vs R Sweeting (USA) – ATP
[WC] S Querrey (USA) vs A Falla (COL) – ATP
Not Before 7:00 PM
[1] J Isner (USA) vs G Muller (LUX) – ATP
[WC] R Harrison (USA) vs [WC] J Sock (USA) – ATP

GRANDSTAND start 10:00 am
[Q] R Kendrick (USA) vs S Stakhovsky (UKR) – ATP
[7] J Larsson (SWE) vs V Lepchenko (USA) – WTA
V Dushevina (RUS) vs [Q] J Hampton (USA) – WTA
[5] P Parmentier (FRA) vs A Hlavackova (CZE) – WTA
O Govortsova (BLR) vs M Krajicek (NED) – WTA
S Arvidsson (SWE) / J Larsson (SWE) vs [3] L Dekmeijere (LAT) / N Petrova (RUS) – WTA

COURT 1 start 10:00 am
[4] M Erakovic (NZL) vs E Rodina (RUS) – WTA
J Benneteau (FRA) / O Rochus (BEL) vs [2] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) – ATP
A Bogomolov Jr. (RUS) / L Kubot (POL) vs S Lipsky (USA) / R Ram (USA) – ATP
T Huey (PHI) / X Malisse (BEL) vs [3] F Cermak (CZE) / F Polasek (SVK) – ATP
M Erakovic (NZL) / K Pervak (KAZ) vs [WC] L Davis (USA) / M Keys (USA) – WTA
A Glatch (USA) / S Stephens (USA) vs J Hampton (USA) / M Oudin (USA) – WTA

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