Zheng Jie rounded off a stunning week in Auckland with victory over the number 4 seed, Flavia Pennetta in the final. Unfortunately, Pennetta had to retire at the start of the third set because of a back injury trailing at 2-6 6-3 2-0 down. This was Zheng’s fourth title on the WTA tour, but her…
Nine of the top ten players are heading for Sydney in what is an exceptionally strong draw. Caroline Wozniacki is the top seed and has a bye into the second round. Wozniacki competed at the Hopman Cup last week where she won her first two matches before losing a tight three setter to Petra Kvitova. …
Kaia Kanepi capped off a fine week in Brisbane with a comprehensive victory over Daniela Hantuchova in the final, 6-2 6-1. Kanepi, the world number 34 dominated a one-sided encounter with her thumping groundstrokes and solid serve, which was too consistent for Hantuchova to impose herself on this final. It is interesting to note that…
The one striking thing from this weeks draw in Hobart is that there are no stand-out names and that it is a very level playing field; therefore I think there are a host of names that could go all the way and claim the title. The number one seed is Yanina Wickmayer, who will play…
An unlikely final was all set in Friday’s semi-finals as Daniela Hantuchova and Kaia Kanepi both won against struggling opponents. At the start of the week, the names of Kim Clijsters, Serena Williams and Sam Stosur were all being mentioned as possible winners however things have not turned out as many (including me!) predicted in…
Francesca Schiavone saved 2 match points to beat Jelena Jankovic, 5-7 7-6 6-3 and advance to the semi-finals. I mentioned yesterday that I was hoping for more drama and sure enough, they delivered up a treat! Jankovic wasted so many chances in this match; she was up 7-5 4-3 and then had 2 match points…
Kaia Kanepi The first three days of the new season had seen just one seeded player exit the WTA events in Brisbane and Auckland. However normal order was restored on the WTA tour today as the upsets were well and truly flowing! The number 7 seed in Brisbane, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was well and truly thumped…
Ana Ivanovic In one of the most dramatic matches of 2011, Ana Ivanovic wasted 5 match points and a commanding third set lead to lose to Kim Clijsters in the fourth round of Miami. Last night in Brisbane, Ana Ivanovic suffered another painful defeat at the hands of the Belgian as she wasted a 3-0…
There were no shocks in Brisbane today as all the first round matches were completed on day two of the new season. Sam Stosur eased into the second round with a 6-2 6-3 win over Anastasiya Yakimova. Stosur was comfortably the better player and it was a solid performance for the first match of her…
The 2012 tennis season officially kicked off last night in Brisbane with Francesca Schiavone posting the first win of the new season over Ksenia Pervak. Unfortunately, Pervak had to retire at 4-4 in the first set because of a migraine. In other matches, Kim Clijsters made a confident start to 2012 with a 6-1 6-4…
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