Moscow: Kuznetsova vs. Cornet
Svetlana Kuznetsova takes on Alizé Cornet in the second round of the Kremlin Cup.
Svetlana Kuznetsova takes on Alizé Cornet in the second round of the Kremlin Cup.
Daria Kasatkina takes on Carla Suárez Navarro in the second round of the Kremlin Cup.
An interview with Julia Goerges after her win in the quarterfinals of the Kremlin Cup.
Agnieszka Radwanska talks through her quarterfinal win at the Apia International Sydney.
Here’s what they’re all playing for: the Billie Jean King Trophy, awarded to the winner of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
But before that, there were a few things to take care of, like the draw ceremony and the Iconic Photo! Agnieszka Radwanska and Karolina Pliskova got made up together…
… along with Finals debutante Madison Keys…
…and WTA World No.1 Angelique Kerber.
That’s why she’s the fan favorite! WTA Finals defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska always has time for a selfie with her fans.
The stars headed to Marina Bay Sands for the official draw ceremony, but not before they were presented with their WTA Year-End Awards. Angelique Kerber picked up 2016 WTA Player Of The Year…
…And Simona Halep was also among the winners, being awarded the 2016 Jerry Diamond ACES Award for helping promote tennis throughout the season.
The groups were decided with Radwanska leading the White Group, which includes Garbiñe Muguruza, Pliskova and the yet-to-be-determined eighth qualifier.
Madison Keys was drawn into the Red Group, along with Kerber, Dominika Cibulkova and Halep.
What do you think of the draw, Domi?
With the draw ceremony done and dusted, the players headed to Merlion Park on the Singapore waterfront to take part in the Iconic Photo, the official photo of the WTA Finals.
Johanna Konta was also in attendance as she awaits to hear the fate of the eighth qualification spot.
Of course, before the Iconic Photo comes the iconic selfie – the unofficial photo of the WTA Finals!
And here is the Iconic Photo, featuring the seven confirmed qualifiers for the WTA Finals! Who will emerge on top against the greatest eight in women’s tennis?
An press conference with Agnieszka Radwanska after her semifinal win at the Apia International Sydney.
The 2016 Aces For Humanity campaign was launched by USANA and the WTA at the BNP Paribas Open and continued in Charleston at the Volvo Car Open, where every ace hit by a WTA player at Premier-level events translates into a donation to the USANA True Health Foundation, whose mission is to provide the most critical human necessities to those who are suffering or in need around the world. For every ace hit by any player the WTA donates $5, and for every ace hit by a USANA Brand Ambassador, it’s $10.
USANA Brand Ambassadors Eugenie Bouchard, Samantha Stosur, Kristina Mladenovic, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Monica Puig, and Zheng Saisai (Caroline Wozniacki and Alizé Cornet did not play in Charleston) hit 33 of the 192 aces on Daniel Island – raising a grand total of $1,125 throughout the week.
Read more about the campaign here and see below to find out who’s hit the most aces so far!
#AcesForHumanity Fan Giveaway
It’s simple: before each WTA Premier tournament guess how many total aces will be hit.
Next up is the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. Last year there was a total of 153 aces hit. It’s now your turn, take your best guess of how many will be hit this year.
How To Enter:
• Follow @WTA and @USANAFoundation on Twitter and before each WTA Premier tournament tweet the number of aces you predict will be hit during the whole tournament (Singles, Main Draw)
• Include the hashtag #AcesForHumanity
• Charleston deadline is April 20th at 11:59pm ET
• The winner will be announced April 25th
Aces For Humanity is a joint WTA and USANA initiative that benefits the USANA True Health Foundation, which provides critical human necessities to those in suffering or in need around the globe.
For full rules on how to enter, click here.
SINGAPORE – Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic have been named 2016 WTA Doubles Team Of The Year.
The pair won their first-ever Grand Slam title in 2016 at Roland Garros, the first all-French team to reach the French Open doubles final since 1971. They also reached the final of the US Open and the Wimbledon quarterfinal.
They duo enjoyed success on clay all year, winning the Volvo Cars Open in Charleston, Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and Mutua Madrid Open. Garcia and Mladenovic were also four-time finalists on hard courts as they finished as runners-up at Apia International Sydney, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, US Open, and China Open.
The French doubles pair will be the top seed in the doubles competition at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, where they will have a chance to claim the 2016 Year-End World No.1 Doubles Ranking, presented by Dubai Duty Free.
Congrats @KikiMladenovic and @CaroGarcia!#WTA Doubles Team of the Year! pic.twitter.com/UZiBQ59V5C
— WTA (@WTA) 21 October 2016
In a tight field, they finished with 20 points ahead of Lucie Safarova and Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who got 17, Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza on eight, while Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina got four.
WTA Doubles Team Of The Year Winners
2016: Caroline Garcia / Kristina Mladenovic
2015: Martina Hingis / Sania Mirza
2014: Sara Errani / Roberta Vinci
2013: Sara Errani / Roberta Vinci
2012: Sara Errani / Roberta Vinci
2011: Kveta Peschke / Katarina Srebotnik
2010: Gisela Dulko / Flavia Pennetta
2009: Serena Williams / Venus Williams
2008: Cara Black / Liezel Huber
2007: Cara Black / Liezel Huber
2006: Lisa Raymond / Sam Stosur
2005: Lisa Raymond / Sam Stosur
Complete listing of the historical WTA Awards.
Johanna Konta had Thursday’s shot of the day at the Apia International Sydney.
LUXEMBOURG – Third time’s a charm for Monica Niculescu, who upset the top seed Petra Kvitova to win the title in her third appearance at the BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open final.
Watch live action from Moscow & Luxembourg this week at WTA Live Powered By TennisTV!
The Romanian made back to back runs to the final here in 2011 and 2012, but each time fell just short of capturing the title. But this time, Niculescu started out strong and finished even stronger, steamrolling to a 6-4, 6-0 victory to claim her first WTA title of the year.
“It was my best match this year!” Niculescu said in her post-match press conference. “I felt fantastic on the court, and after I took the first set I felt even better. I was feeling very light on the court and was catching every ball. I felt like nothing surprised me.”
“But, wow, to beat Petra in the final? That’s the best moment in my life, I think!”
A sensational performance from Monica Niculescu gives her a third career title, winning @Iwtp_lux over Kvitova 6-4, 6-0. pic.twitter.com/Gytaa7kZLe
— WTA (@WTA) October 22, 2016
Niculescu peppered her game with her signature slices, giving Kvitova plenty of trouble from the start. She broke comfortably in Kvitova’s opening service game and once again to widen the gap and earn a 4-1 lead. The Czech grabbed one of the breaks back but Niculescu clung to her lead, covering the court and powered on to take the opening set.
From here it was all Niculescu, as the Romanian rattled off the next six games to diffuse Kvitova’s lefty serve and completely shut her out of the match, claiming her first title at Luxembourg after an hour and eight minutes.
“I just have to congratulate ‘Moni’ on a great week,” Kvitova acknowledged at the trophy ceremony. “You caught everything today, it’s too bad I had to play against you! Congrats to your team and enjoy your off season.”
In her happy @Iwtp_lux trophy speech, Monica Niculescu said today is her mom's birthday, making her 3rd title a great gift! pic.twitter.com/e7JCOnYvkW
— WTA (@WTA) October 22, 2016
She also sent a shout out to the Czech U-21s National Football Team, who were out in full force to support their compatriot during the final.
Niculescu was similarly full of effusive praise for her opponent after the final.
“You had a great week, you are a very nice person I think it was a very nice final,” she enthused during her speech. “I know you’re not done – I know you still have Zhuhai! I wish you all the best and I know you can do it!
“I wish you all the best for Zhuhai – you’re a great player and I know you can do it!”
