Kuala Lumpur: Ashleigh Barty's Shot Of The Day
Ashleigh Barty has the shot of the day in the final of the ALYA Malaysian Open.
Ashleigh Barty has the shot of the day in the final of the ALYA Malaysian Open.
Ashleigh Barty has rocketed herself into the Top 100 after her win at the Alya Malaysian Open but she was not the only one who had a good week.
How have Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep and the rest of the Indian Wells contenders fared in the past?
We all love colorful prints and vibrant colors in tennis outfits, but isn’t it nice to get back to basics from time to time? Let’s hand it over to Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog and see the pure whites that tennis apparel companies prepared for Wimbledon 2016.
Serena Williams will try to defend her title in the NikeCourt Premier Dress, whose mock neck is a new aesthetic in the world number one’s tennis fashion. The skirt design is the continuation of Williams’ looks from the previous 2016 Grand Slams, while two tiers of pleats in the back add a special flash of style.
Eugenie Bouchard and other NikeCourt team athletes will wear the NikeCourt Premier Slam Dress, which means that skirt-top combinations are taking a back seat. Stunning power pleats that stretch all the way from the chest of this simple swing silhouette make this a truly unique piece that has daringly departed quite a bit from a classic tennis dress. When it comes to the much-talked-about length of the dress, Bouchard says that it’s perfect.
adidas’ Climachill collection is equipped with a trio of advanced technologies that provide an instant chilling sensation and lower the body temperature, an ideal choice for high temperatures.
Industry-first 3D aluminium-cooling spheres on the back and neck, the warmest parts of the body, have an immediate cooling effect on contact, mesh-like micro fibres take moisture away from the skin, and SubZero flat yarns containing titanium maximize surface contact with the skin, thus transferring the heat away from the body.
Stella McCartney’s adidas line stands out with the abundance of laser-cut holes that serve both as fashionable elements and as functional features that improve breathability. The collection’s supreme performance is supported by Climacool and Climalite heat regulation.
Caroline Wozniacki has the adidas Fall Stella Barricade Primeknit Dress ready for her Wimbledon campaign. Besides the stylish abundance of holes in the skirt, the dress is specific for its scoop neck and back and engineered mesh fabric in targeted breathability zones. Last year’s runner-up Garbiñe Muguruza is expected to wear one of the top-skirt ensembles from the London collection. One possible combination includes the adidas Stella McCartney Core Tank, which features a large mesh section at upper back, and the adidas Fall Stella McCartney Skirt, that includes exposed elastic waistband.
Venus Williams’ EleVen Game Day Dress is a classy cap-sleeve item with very subtle details: a boomerang-shaped contrast binding at waistband and light silver company logo at center chest.
Agnieszka Radwanska’s clean white Lotto look consists of the Nixia Dress made from lightweight fabrics that even the most demanding players feel comfortable in. The clean and elegant style combines technical and breathable materials with a large mesh back panel for added heat control and touch of femininity. The Stratosphere W shoes are designed to take your footwork to new heights, owing to their advanced cushioning and responsiveness, as well as maximum transpiration.
New Balance’s WTA players, led by Heather Watson, will wear the white version of the popular Spring Tournament Dress, which captivates with its sleek strappy racerback and subtle functional details such as the “N” houndstooth burnout mesh back panel. The 996v2 tennis shoes are made for players that want a stable shoe which rises up to the challenge during sharp lateral movements.
For the second Grand Slam in a row Fila’s Jelena Jankovic will exhibit Marion Bartoli’s tennis designs. The all-white Trophee collection contains six pieces of clothing created by the 2013 Wimbledon champion: a dress, a tank, two skort styles, a blazer, and pants. Details such as mesh inserts and a feminine flounce adorn the collection.
Other representatives of Fila will wear the Lawn collection which boasts a selection of tops, dresses and two different lengths of skorts. These Wimbledon whites are focused on waist-accentuating cut lines stylized with details such as curved seam lines, princess seams, and pintuck accents. The promo image shows Yaroslava Shvedova in the Fila Lawn Full Coverage Tank, which brings all the attention to the waist by a strategic use of pintuck detail at sides and peplum-inspired curved hem.
Lacoste’s designs are never too far from tradition and their Wimbledon collection is along those lines as well, although in these promotional photos of Elena Vesnina, Dominika Cibulkova and Christina McHale we can see that quite a bit of color is included in the clothes prepared for the grass-court Grand Slam, as each item has a pop of blue and fluo yellow colorblocking.
As we can see, even within Wimbledon’s strict clothing rules, there are limitless possibilities for unique and breathtaking designs.
Dominika Cibulkova’s boldest decision has a touch of romance to it.
She and her then-boyfriend, Miso Navara, had been dating for a year when they decided that he would leave his job to travel on the tour with her.
“It was after one year, and we didn’t know how it was going to turn out,” she recalls in an exclusive WTA interview.
As she points out, it turned out pretty well: “We are together for seven years, we got married last year and we are one happy couple,” she beamed.
Marriage proved a good omen for the 27-year-old, as she finished the year as the WTA World No.5, her highest year-end ranking. It capped a brilliant run of form for Cibulkova: her four WTA titles in 2016 were more than any other player and she picked up her 400th career WTA win in the quarterfinals at 2017 Doha. And last season, she ended the year in spectacular style, winning the biggest title of her career so far at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
Cibulkova was marking International Women’s Day, which has ‘Be Bold For Change’ as its 2017 theme.
International Women’s Day falls on March 8 every year, and celebrates women’s contributions to culture, the economy, politics and society.
LONDON, England – There are fast starts and there are fast starts. And Sabine Lisicki’s opening game at this year’s Wimbledon certainly falls into the latter category.
Three aces and another booming serve down the T saw Lisicki wrap up the opening game of her first-round match with Shelby Rogers in just 52 seconds.
The German, a finalist at the All England Club in 2013, barely slowed down as the match progressed, living up to her ‘Boom Boom’ nickname by hitting 19 winners and wrapping up a 6-1, 6-3 victory after a minute shy of one hour on court.
In the second round she will face Samantha Stosur, a 7-5, 6-3 winner over Magda Linette.
Sabine Lisicki wastes no time.
She won her first #Wimbledon 2016 game in under a minute. https://t.co/6mq8IcASjj pic.twitter.com/rfpHZg2Gou
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) June 27, 2016
Karolina Pliskova talks about her feelings and expectations before the BNP Paribas Open.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Former World No.38 Heather Watson got off to a good start on the first day of main draw play at the BNP Paribas Open, surviving a strong challenge from Nicole Gibbs, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, to book an exciting second-round clash with countrywoman and No.11 seed Johanna Konta.
? on the backhand winner from @HeatherWatson92! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/ZVm80ZFAaF
— WTA (@WTA) March 8, 2017
“The first set was very close; I think I just made a few more errors than I usually do,” she said during her on-court interview. “I tried to go for bigger targets to have bigger margin; I think that worked!”
Watson and Gibbs split their last two encounters, with the Brit recovering from a set down in their most recent meeting at last year’s French Open.
AMAZING pass from @HeatherWatson92! ? #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/VJXe1wXpp9
— WTA (@WTA) March 8, 2017
“I’m good friends with Nicole off the court,” added Watson. “She’s a great player, and her strengths lie in her grit and fight on the court. I knew she’d be fighting her hardest no matter what today, so I just had to make sure that I was playing well and fighting back.”
Unseeded in Indian Wells, the 24-year-old had yet to win a WTA main draw match in 2017. She nonetheless roared back from a set down against Gibbs, hitting 26 winners to 15 from her American opponent to advance in one hour and 49 minutes.
Up next for Watson is a familiar face and Fed Cup teammate in Konta; the pair won a decisive doubles rubber just three weeks ago to clinch a spot in World Group II Play-Offs for Great Britain.
.@HeatherWatson92 finishes a great rally in style! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/klBqgXrUlq
— WTA (@WTA) March 8, 2017
“Jo’s another good friend of mine; we just played Fed Cup together,” said Watson. “She’s playing brilliantly; she’s really shot up in the last year and a half. I look forward to it, and look forward to the challenge.”
Konta hasn’t played a match since, withdrawing from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to a left foot injury.
Over on Stadium 2, Monica Niculescu also came back from a set down to knock out fellow Romanian Sorana Cirstea, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Niculescu next plays No.15 seed Timea Bacsinszky.
Ahead of the first Premier Mandatory event of 2017, the top seeds at the BNP Paribas Open convened on All-Access Hour to meet the press and answer questions about World No.1 Serena Williams’ withdrawal, who Agnieszka Radwanska would vote for in wtatennis.com’s Shot Of The Month presented by Cambridge Global Payments poll, and more from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden…
.@Simona_Halep stumped when asked to share something that no one knows about her. Says able to practice pain free, will see in matches. pic.twitter.com/GoulCpfs9E
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Simona Halep
On the impact of Serena’s withdrawal…
I heard she is struggling with the knees, so I understand. After she won the Australian Open she can take a long time off. She will come back at Roland Garros and she will probably win!
On how her personality helps and hurts her game…
I think I struggle with the confidence a little bit. And then on the other side I’m ambitious. And very competitive.
On her decision to play Romania’s next Fed Cup tie against Great Britain…
I think we play in my hometown. It will be great. I said I will play even if I have pain. I spoke with Ilie Nastase and told him I am coming. It will be nice. I can’t wait to be on court with him as a captain. It will be a nice experience and hopefully we can win.
“How's life going for you?” @ARadwanska: “Good. Getting old.” Table laughs. Celebrated her b-day at Cheesecake Factory. “10 year tradition”. pic.twitter.com/f2Cg1gpq4J
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Agnieszka Radwanska
On her toughest competition in the hot shot department…
Kirsten Flipkens. I think she is very good at those shots. Sometimes I thougth she’s gonna win, but then my shots are still better from the fans but if I had to pick, sometimes I’d pick her shots.
On celebrating her birthday in Indian Wells at The Cheesecake Factory…
That’s the tradition. Since 10 years. It’s the 10th year in the Cheesecake Factory. Different cheesecake every time. Oreo is the best one.
.@KaPliskova says she usually declines photoshoots. “I just want to play good tennis. That's the goal. I don't need to be in every magazine” pic.twitter.com/YkOJizjsXQ
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Karolina Pliskova
On avoiding a potential third round clash with her sister Kristyna thanks to Serena’s withdrawal…
I was kind of happy. We were supposed to meet in the third round, so she would have to win two tough matches and me one, so it was not sure that we were gonna play but it’s definitely better to be in the place that I am now.
On what would mean more to her, titles or wins over certain players…
Pliskova: Definitely both titles and some players, which we all know there are some players I don’t like to play. We all know that.
WTA Insider: You mean Aga?
Pliskova: Yeah that’s the one. So I just want to beat those players which I don’t feel comfortable on the court. And then still, it’s the titles. Doesn’t matter which titles, it’s still always a good title, a good week. It gives me a lot of confidence coming to the next tournament. I just want to try at every tournament. I think I have a good chance every week. Doesn’t matter which tournament, doesn’t matter which surface – obviously clay gonna be difficult – I just want to try. Out of four tournaments I made two finals. So I think I have a good chance every week.
On getting offers for photoshoots and magazine spreads back home…
I usually say no to everything. I just don’t need this stuff. I was not raised this way. I just want to play good tennis. For me, that’s the main goal. I don’t need to be in any magazine.
.@SvetlanaK27 holding court. #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/pRgJ5oqHep
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Svetlana Kuznetsova
On whether tournaments are more open with the absence of Serena, Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova, and Petra Kvitova…
For sure it’s a shame for the fans and it’s great to see all these great players playing. But I’m not sure if it’s that open because I believe tennis these past years the level raised a lot. All matches are so difficult. It doesn’t matter who is playing. It’s so difficult to win. Yes, it’s less great players. But still the players are getting better and better and I just look forward for all those players to get back and have those great fields again.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Angelique Kerber is set to return to No.1 after the BNP Paribas Open, but her focus over the fortnight is finding her game.
Kerber’s return to the No.1 ranking comes after Serena Williams announced her withdrawal from both the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open due to a left knee injury. The news meant Kerber, who ceded the top spot to Serena after the American won her Open Era record-breaking 23rd major title at the Australian Open in January, would move back up without swinging her racquet.
“I’ve been there already, but at the end, of course it feels good to reach the spot again,” Kerber told reporters at All Access Hour at the BNP Paribas Open, “but for me I came here to really focus not on becoming No.1 or the ranking.
“I was coming here to win matches. This is what I love and this is what I was practicing for the last weeks. This is more what I’m focusing on. I will try and really stay with my focus because this is my priority and I will try now not to think about getting No.1 again.”
Good to be back at one of my favorite tournaments ? #BNPPO17 #TeamAngie pic.twitter.com/OiYamDyUCK
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) March 6, 2017
Reflecting on her 7-5 start to the season, Kerber believes her best is just around the corner.
“Of course it was so-so,” Kerber said, rating her start. “It could be better. But in the end I’m still feeling good. I’m positive. So I practiced good. I think it’s just one or two matches that I have to win again and then I’m in my rhythm.”
Kerber is coming off her best result of the year so far, a semifinal run at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships two weeks ago, where she lost to Elina Svitolina. The 29-year-old picked up a knee and back injury in Dubai and hopes those problems will not flare up again when she gets back to competitive play.
“After Dubai I went back home and had treatments and everything and I started practicing here again,” she said. “That’s why I came here earlier.
“The knee is fine. I don’t how it is during a match, it’s always different. But for the moment it’s fine.”
A two-time semifinalist in Indian Wells, the German will be looking to snap a four-match losing streak in the California desert, having lost in her opening round the last three years.
Kerber opens her tournament on Saturday against either Andrea Petkovic or Vania King.