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Rafael Nadal vs Michael Berrer Preview – ATP Doha 2015 Round 1

Rafael Nadal vs Michael Berrer Preview – ATP Doha 2015 Round 1

  • Posted: Jan 05, 2015

Rafael Nadal forehand2 Rafael Nadal vs Michael Berrer Preview   ATP Doha 2015 Round 1

 

After a difficult start to his 2015 season in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, Rafael Nadal will continue his gradual return to top form, starting with strong showings in the opening week on the ATP World Tour. The Spaniard will begin his campaign at the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open with a match-up against Germany’s Michael Berrer, whom Nadal has faced twice previously on the tour. Nadal leads the head-to-head series 2-0.

The world No. 3 began his year at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships, where British No. 1 Andy Murray bludgeoned him in alarming fashion. However, while he only won two games against Murray on Friday, he was able to defeat Stan Wawrinka 7-6(1), 6-3 to secure third place at the event.

The Spaniard made it clear that he does not expect perfect performance this early in the season given his plague of injuries and recent surgeries. He does, however, want to perform at him best and remain competitive atop the rankings.

“My goal is try to be competitive in every tournament that I’m going to play,” he said. “It’s normal that I’m going to need some time. But I’m happy; I’m practising well and working very hard. I’m doing the right things with the right attitude.

“I hope to be ready to compete here, and then if I am able to spend some time on court, every moment on court will help me [and] will be positive for my future. [I’m] going to try to play the best tournament possible.” Novak Djokovic, Tomas Berdych and David Ferrer also compete at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament.”

His opponent, Michael Berrer, sits at No. 127 in the rankings and is unlikely to present much of a challenge for Nadal. Of their two previous meetings, Nadal has lost a total of four games to the German, which bodes well for his chances of reaching the second round of the tournament with relative ease.

Prediction: Rafael Nadal in Straight Sets

Tomas Berdych vs Denis Istomin Preview – ATP Doha 2015 Round 1

Tomas Berdych vs Denis Istomin Preview – ATP Doha 2015 Round 1

  • Posted: Jan 05, 2015

berdych london Tomas Berdych vs Denis Istomin Preview – ATP Doha 2015 Round 1

 

After taking part in an exhibition event to warm up ahead of week one on the tour, Czech no. 1 Tomas Berdych will meet Denis Istomin in the opening round of the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open tournament in Doha. Berdych remains undefeated with a 3-0 record in the head-to-head series.

Last week, Berdych took part in the inaugural exhibition tournament, the World Tennis Thailand Championships in Hua Hin, alongside five other players on the tour. In the final, Berdych defeated Milos Raonic 7-6(4), 6-3 to lift the title. He will now look ahead to Doha, where he is faced with a draw that includes world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and world No. 3 Rafael Nadal.

World No. 48 Denis Istomin compiled a 28-26 record on the tour in 2014, with notable performances in Sydney, Montpellier, Dusseldorf and Eastboure. He even reached the third round of the Wimbledon Championships, where he lost to Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in straight sets.

This marks the fourth time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour, with Berdych leading the head-to-head series 3-0. The Czech star won two of those matches in 2010 – one on hard and one at Wimbledon – while the more recent encounter took place on clay at the Rome Masters event in 2013. Unless Berych is weary from his travels over the weekend, he should manage to secure a spot in the second round of the tournament.

Prediction: Tomas Berdych in Three Sets

Maria Sharapova vs Yaroslava Shvedova Preview – Brisbane International 2015 Round 2

Maria Sharapova vs Yaroslava Shvedova Preview – Brisbane International 2015 Round 2

  • Posted: Jan 05, 2015

Sharapova16 Maria Sharapova vs Yaroslava Shvedova Preview   Brisbane International 2015 Round 2

 

A contest pitting two Russians is scheduled to take place in the second round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday afternoon, as world No. 2 Maria Sharapova and fellow countrywoman Yaroslava Shvedova are scheduled to meet for the second time on the professional tour. Sharapova leads the head-to-head series 1-0 and will look to remain undefeated against the Moscow-native.

Maria Sharapova took part in a fantastc 2014 season – a year that saw her return from shoulder surgery and lift her fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open. Apart from simply returning to the professional circuit at full health after shoulder surgery – Sharapova’s only initial goal for the season – the Russian superstar was able to achieve far for during several memorable runs this year. She lifted titles in Stuttgart, Madrid, and Beijing, apart from her second French Open title, all of which boosted her to world No. 2 in the rankings.

She will now look to maintain that momentum throughout the new year, starting with the challenging draw at the Brisbane International.

“It’s one of the toughest fields in the three tournaments that are going on around the globe for the women’s tour this week,” Sharapova commented. “You always want to start off with the toughest competition. It’s a tournament I love coming back to – I tried to play here for many years and it was my first time on court here last year, so it’s great to be back. I had a wonderful experience.

“I’m looking forward to getting the year started on a good note.”

World No. 66 Yaroslava Shvedova began her season with a surprising upset victory over Germany’s Sabine Lisicki on Monday afternoon. After losing the first set 6-0, Shvedova rebounded in style to close out the contest 0-6, 7-5, 6-4. She will look to carry that confidence over to her second match of the season against Sharapova.

This marks the second time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour, and the first time in over five years. Their last meeting took place in 2009 at the French Open. This is their first meeting on a hard court and will likely favour Sharapova, although it could last three sets.

Prediction: Maria Sharapova in Three Sets

Venus Williams vs Jana Cepelova Preview – WTA Auckland 2015 Round 1

Venus Williams vs Jana Cepelova Preview – WTA Auckland 2015 Round 1

  • Posted: Jan 05, 2015

Venus Williams US Open Venus Williams vs Jana Cepelova Preview   WTA Auckland 2015 Round 1

 

Former world No. 1 Venus Williams is refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to embark on another fruitful season on the WTA tour. Following her remarkable return to form in 2014, the American will be keen to start the season right with some strong showings at the ASB Classic in Auckland, starting with Jana Cepelova on Monday afternoon. This marks just the second time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour, with Williams leading the head to head series 1-0.

After taking part in a great year on the tour, one that included titles and even a runner-up finish in the Rogers Cup in Montreal, Venus Williams is in the Top 20 on the WTA tour for the first time since 2010. However, she has not contested a match on court since an illness forced her out of the China Open three months ago. Given that she is a runner-up last year at this event, she will be looking duplicate her efforts this season.

“Last year was so amazing and I got so close – just ran into a better player. It was the first of four finals for me last year. I was just reflecting on that as I came through security, I was like ‘last year wasn’t bad’. I’d love to make it a lot better.

“I’m happy to be back here, I definitely feel the energy and I’ve been hitting well and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

World No. 57 Jana Cepelova reached the final in Charleston last year and completed semi-final showings in Osprey, Bastad and Suzhou. She also managed to reach the second round of the US Open for the first time in her career.

This marks just the second time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour, with Williams leading the series 1-0. The American defeated her Slovakian adversary at the Cincinnati Masters event back in 2013. While it is always difficult to gauge a player’s preparedness in their first match of the season, particularly the inconsistent Venus, it is likely that she will edge Cepelova in a close straight sets battle.

Prediction: Venus Williams in Straight Sets

Laura Robson Officially Out of Australian Open, Comeback Uncertain

Laura Robson Officially Out of Australian Open, Comeback Uncertain

  • Posted: Jan 05, 2015

laura robson wta tennis Laura Robson Officially Out of Australian Open, Comeback Uncertain

 

20-year-old Laura Robson will officially miss the Australian Open due to a wrist injury suffered at the start of 2014.

The BBC first reported the news.

The former British No. 1 was forced onto the sidelines in January with a left wrist injury and watched her hard work and ranking deteriorate whilst other competitors rose to prominence over the year. She has not played a match since her first round loss to Kirsten Flipkens in the opening round of the Australian Open.

Robson reached a career-high of No. 27 on the tour and reached the fourth round of Wimbledon Championships, as well as the third rounds of the Australian Open the French Open and the U.S. Open. However, since her absence from the tour, she has dropped from No. 27 to No. 916.

After parting ways with coach Miles Maclagan in the fall of 2013 and having Nick Saviano snatched full time by Bouchard, Robson has been working with coach Mauricio Hadad, and plans to continue working with him for the foreseeable future. He previously worked with Heather Watson and works for Nick Bolletteri in Florida.

While her ranking is low, Robson will likely get wildcard offers into events when she plans to return in February. She will also take part in ITF events to boost her ranking.

Lleyton Hewitt vs Sam Groth Preview – Brisbane International 2015 Round 1

Lleyton Hewitt vs Sam Groth Preview – Brisbane International 2015 Round 1

  • Posted: Jan 04, 2015

Lleyton Hewitt6 Lleyton Hewitt vs Sam Groth Preview – Brisbane International 2015 Round 1

 

After lifting the title for the first time in his career last season with a victory over 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt has returned to the Brisbane International to defend his title and start his 2015 season on the right track. The Australian will begin his year with a match-up against fellow countryman Sam Groth, a youngster with a notable upside to his game.

The two-time Grand Slam champion and 30 title winner will commence yet another year on the professional tour – one that will be filled with challenges, including younger competitors from his own nation. Apart from Groth, Hewitt will have to maintain his spot against Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios, both of whom are hungry and ambitious players. After lifting his first title on Australian soil since 2005 here last season, Hewitt is focused on retaining that crown before looking ahead.

“It’s great to be back,” said Hewitt,. “I like playing all the tournaments in Australia and [I’m] obviously coming back from such good memories here last year.

“In my off season I always work pretty hard so I feel comfortable and I’m happy with how the body is feeling at the moment,” said Hewitt. “I’ve just got to go out there and play my game and hopefully execute. I’ve been training really hard and doing all the right things.”

World No. 81 Sam Groth has drawn Hewitt in his first professional match of the year. A win would be a significant upset over the defending champion, while a loss would simply be expected at this point in time. However, Groth does believe he is a considerable foe across the net.

“I definitely think the guys see me as a dangerous player – especially early in tournaments and early in the year. I don’t know too many guys [who] want to see me throwing rockets down at them and getting into the net and lot letting them find much rhythm.”

This marks the first time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour. Based on Hewitt’s resume and his past performances at this event, he should remain the favourite to win this contest and advance to the next round.

Prediction: Lleyton Hewitt in Straight Sets

Victoria Azarenka vs Karolina Pliskova Preview – Brisbane International 2015 Round 1

Victoria Azarenka vs Karolina Pliskova Preview – Brisbane International 2015 Round 1

  • Posted: Jan 04, 2015

Victoria Azarenka6 Victoria Azarenka vs Karolina Pliskova Preview   Brisbane International 2015 Round 1

 

After taking part in a disappointing, injury-plagued season on the tour, former top-ranked talent Victoria Azarenka will begin her 2015 season at the Brisbane International, where she will contest an opening round match against Karolina Pliskova. The Belarusian leads the head-to-head series 1-0.

The former world No. 1 concluded her 2014 season after withdrawing from the Wuhan Open. She finished her year ranked outside the Top 20 for the first time in seven years after missing seven scheduled events and dealing with a slew of injuries over the year. She also went through a depressing period in her life but is happy to have worked her way out of it.

“I feel great, you know those things you go through in life,” she said. “It is just because you are a public person and sometimes you feel like you don’t want to have it out in the open for people to discuss. You have to find your own way through it and I found my way to be happy regardless of what the situation is.”

As for this season, Azarenka hopes to get off to a strong start like she did last year when she finished runner-up to Serena Williams at the tournament. It was downhill from there but she is determined to make 2015 a different season – starting with a strong performance against Karolina Pliskova on Monday.

World No. 23 Karolina Pliskova had an impressive year on the tour in 2015, where she won two titles and finished with a 54-29 record for the year. She reached the third round of the US Open and the second round of the remaining Grand Slam tournaments, which was an improvement from previous years. She will hope to maintain her upward trajectory in 2015, beginning with a victory over a former world No. 1.

This marks just the second time that these two competitors will cross paths on the professional tour, with Azarenka leading the series 1-0. Not only will be it be difficult to effectively gauge the winner ahead of their first match of the season, it will be particularly difficult with Azarenka, who has not been in a professional tennis match since September.

Prediction: Karolina Pliskova in Three Sets

Simona Halep vs Annika Beck Preview – WTA Shenzhen 2015 Round 1

Simona Halep vs Annika Beck Preview – WTA Shenzhen 2015 Round 1

  • Posted: Jan 04, 2015

Simona Halep16 Simona Halep vs Annika Beck Preview   WTA Shenzhen 2015 Round 1

 

After completing undoubtedly her best season on the professional tour, Simona Halep is hungry to add to her accomplishments and with solid performances at all tournaments this season. She will begin her year at the Shenzhen Open, where she will contest an opening round contest against Germany’s Annika Beck. Halep leads the head-to-head series 2-1.

Halep took part in another breakthrough season in 2014, as she followed up on her gradual rise the previous year with several remarkable accomplishments. The Romanian reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open, reached the final of WTA Finals, and ended her season ranked below Serena Williams and Sharapova at world No. 3.

“The stadium is big and very nice,” Halep said of the 4,000-seat Centre Court at the Longgang Tennis Centre. “I really like practicing there and I’m looking forward to starting the tournament here.

“My goal is to play in Singapore again this year, so I have to play my best at every tournament. I’ll just go match by match and tournament by tournament, and I hope to be in the Top 8 again.”

World No. 53 Annika Beck won one title in 2015 and complied a 33-30 record on the WTA tour. She also reached the second round of the Australian Open in both singles and doubles.

This marks the fourth time that Halep and Beck will meet on the WTA tour. While the Romanian leads the series 2-1, it was Beck who won their most recent encounter: a grass court matchup at the s-Hertogenbosch event earlier in the season. Considering their latest encounter is on a hard court, Beck’s tactics will not be enough to defeat the ambitious Halep.

Prediction: Simona Halep in Three Sets

Petra Kvitova vs Ying-Ying Duan Preview – WTA Shenzhen 2015 Round 1

Petra Kvitova vs Ying-Ying Duan Preview – WTA Shenzhen 2015 Round 1

  • Posted: Jan 04, 2015

Petra Kvitova14 Petra Kvitova vs Ying Ying Duan Preview – WTA Shenzhen 2015 Round 1

 

Petra Kvitova will follow the Romanian top seed Simona Halep on court on Monday afternoon, as she kicks off her 2015 season at the Shenzhen Open. Kvitova will meet local talent Ying-Ying Duan in the opening round – an opponent she has never crossed paths with on the professional tour. While this could produce unforeseen upsets early in the season, it is unlikely to be the case in this particular contest.

In 2014, Kvitova compiled a 43-16 record on the WTA tour, which included three titles on the WTA Tour. She won the Wimbledon title with a thrashing of Canadian starlet Eugenie Bouchard. The Czech No. 1 also helped her nation win yet another Fed Cup title at the end of the season.

Ahead of the start of the season, Kvitova suggested that she was ready to make an even bigger run this year and had set her sights on claiming the world No. 1 ranking.

“I have some clear goals in my mind. I want to have better results at the Grand Slams and of course one day I want to be Number One in the world. I have been close already, but I really hope that day will come. Those clear goals are motivating me to work harder than ever before.”

World No. 119 Ying-Ying Duan won her first ITF singles title last season on the tour and compiled a 30-16 record outside of WTA action. She also managed to earn $107,217 for her efforts that year.

This marks the first time that these two competitors meet on the WTA circuit. Duan is likely to be thoroughly outmatched during the encounter, as Kvitova is one of the toughest players to get past in the upper echelon of the tour. Given her motivation to succeed early on, it is unlikely that we will see an upset I the making on Monday.

Prediction: Petra Kvitova in Straight Sets

Madison Keys vs Dominika Cibulkova Preview – Brisbane International Round 1

Madison Keys vs Dominika Cibulkova Preview – Brisbane International Round 1

  • Posted: Jan 04, 2015

Dominika Cibulkova WTA Madison Keys vs Dominika Cibulkova Preview – Brisbane International Round 1

 

The first official week of the 2015 tennis season has officially begun and the opening Monday of action will feature an entertaining opening match between top-ranked American youngster Madison Keys and former Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova. This marks the third time that these two competitors wil meet on the professional tour, with Keys leading the series 2-0.

The world No. 30 won her first WTA title at Eastbourne ahead of the Wimbledon Championships. She would later reach the third round at SW 19 for the first time in her career. She finished her season with a quarter-final loss to Luksika Kumkhum in Osaka.

During the off season, the American made headlines when she announced that she had joined forces with Lindsay Davenport for the 2015 season. The former champion is expected to accompany Keys to all four Grand Slam events.

“It originally started that Lindsay would help me for the off-season, not so much being my coach, and we both enjoyed it so much she said she was open to doing it full-time. Jon is amazing. He is willing to help and he’ll be in Sydney and in Brisbane I have a hitting partner, Lester Cook, with me. Then Lindsay gets in towards the end of the week before the Australian Open.”

After starting the year in fantastic fashion with a runner-up finish at a Grand Slam final, Dominika Cibulkova was unable to do much with the remainder of her season on the tour. She failed to win more than one title that year and finished the season with a 33-24 record. She also failed to go past the third round of any event since April 2014. Given her poor showings for the better part of the past eight months, it is difficult to understand how Cibulkova has remained in the Top 10 in the rankings.

This marks the third time that Keys and Cibulkova will meet on the professional tour, with the American leading the head-to-head series 2-0. Both those wins took place on hard courts, which gives the big-hitter the advantage on Monday afternoon.

Prediction: Madison Keys in Three Sets