Debuting a newly revamped Match Points post for 2017, this is my review of the first week of the year at the Brisbane International. I started with intent with tournament summaries last season but it just got too much during the middle of the season. In a new simplified format, i’m hoping to keep up with them for the rest of the year! Read on for Brisbane’s Match Points…
Singles Champion
Karolina Pliskova produced a simply sensational display to defeat Alizé Cornet, 6-0 6-3 in a 66-minute final. It was a flawless display from the Czech player who won 90% of points behind her first serve and for the second straight match, was not broken on serve. Cornet battled hard in the second set but Pliskova was simply too good.
Doubles Champions
Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands won the doubles title with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova. By virtue of the win, Mattek-Sands will be the new doubles number one in Monday’s rankings. It was wonderful to see such a great crowd for the doubles final. You rock, Brisbane.
Super Snap
Love this shot of Alizé during her quarter-final win from the Brisbane International Twitter account.
Super Stat
One of the stories of the week was the 16-year-old, Destanee Aiava who qualified for the Brisbane main draw. She dropped just eight games through three qualifying rounds and then came from a set down to defeat Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the first round. One to watch…
Comeback Kid
Roberta Vinci produced an incredible comeback in her first round match against Kateryna Bondarenko. This will be tough to beat all year in terms of drama!
Memorable Match
Brisbane had some quality three setters this week but there’s one match that stands out… Garbiñe Muguruza saved a match point to defeat Daria Kasatkina in a second round thriller, 7-5 3-6 7-6(7) that lasted two hours and 58 minutes. If anyone finds full match highlights then please let me know!
Best Point
From that Muguruza-Kasatkina match, this was Daria at her very best.
Super Sportsmanship
Elena Vesnina had led Alizé Cornet, 6-3 4-1 at one stage during their first round match but Cornet battled back to win in a third set tiebreak. As always, Vesnina was classy in defeat despite a tough loss.
Cracking Quote
Loved Cornet’s take on Elina Svitolina’s game.
Tennis Draw Challenge Champion
Congratulations to Wozzy who won the Draw Challenge for Brisbane. To join in the fun, you can enter Tennis Draw Challenge and join the Moo’s Tennis Blog league.
