Order Of Play – Singapore, Day Two
The order of play for the second day of action at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
The order of play for the second day of action at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
Svetlana Kuznetsova takes on Agnieszka Radwanska in the round-robin stage of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
Angelique Kerber and the doubles team of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic were named 2016’s ITF World Champions following Grand Slam-winning seasons.
Simona Halep speaks after her straight-sets loss to Angelique Kerber in the round-robin stage of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
Venus Williams
2016 Quick Hits
Week 1 Ranking: No.7
Year-End Ranking: No.17
Season Highlights: Title at Kaohsiung
Best Major Result: SF (Wimbledon)
17 Days left until the 2017 #WTA season! ? pic.twitter.com/azf4fQh5zW
— WTA (@WTA) December 15, 2016
2017 Outlook
Despite turning 36 last summer, Venus Williams continues to challenge for tennis’ biggest honors. She proved this at Wimbledon, where she saw off several of the game’s brightest young talents to became the oldest Grand Slam semifinalist in 22 years.
It was not the only high point of the campaign either; in Kaohsiung she collected a 49th career title, reaching another final at Stanford before teaming up with Rajeev Ram to win mixed doubles silver at the Rio Olympics – her fifth medal at the Games.
There had been whispers that Brazil could be the curtain call on Williams’ wonderful career. However, the American has quashed such talk, outlining her plans to stay on tour until 2018, and even entertaining the possibility of playing until Tokyo 2020.
“I’ve been working hard in the gym and getting back on the court,” Williams said recently. “I just love the game, I really do. I love the challenge. It’s been such a part of my life that it’s hard to imagine life without it.
“I’m just gearing up for 2017 like I’m sure everybody else is.”
Her season opener will come in Auckland, where she will be joined by sister Serena and another thirtysomething still going strong, Svetlana Kuznetsova. Understandably, Williams, who lifted the title in 2015 and reached the final in 2013, is excited about her upcoming visit to the North Island.
“I am so excited to come back to Auckland, which is one of my favorite stops on the circuit,” Williams said. “It will be nice to have Serena there as well this year. “Being in Auckland will be a fantastic way to start 2017 and I am really looking forward to it!”
Angelique Kerber takes on Simona Halep in the round-robin stage of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
The question on everyone’s lips at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global was an obvious one – what does Svetlana Kuznetsova make of her new, self-administered haircut?
Petra Kvitova
2016 Quick Hits
Week 1 Ranking: No.6
Year-End Ranking: No.11
Season Highlights: Wuhan, Zhuhai Champion, Luxembourg RU
Best Major Result: 4R (US Open)
2017 Outlook
Kvitova had plenty of reasons to feel optimistic after a heady finish to 2016, winning the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open and the Huajin Securities Elite Trophy Zhuhai to finish the year just outside the Top 10 at No.11. A difficult first half of the season saw her ranking take a tumble and split with longtime coach, David Kotyza.
An emotional medal-winning performance at the Olympic tennis event – where she won Bronze in Rio de Janeiro – reignited her on-court precision, and helped her reach the second week of a major tournament for the first time all year. Losing a close match to eventual champion Angelique Kerber in Flushing, Kvitova took the momentum to Asia, where she avenged the loss to the World No.1 en route to the title in Wuhan, and roared to the win in Zhuhai without dropping a set.
“I’ve always loved to play tennis, but it can get tough when I’m not feeling confident, and not playing as well as I should,” she told WTA Insider after winning her final match of the season. “These couple of matches that I’ve won in the last couple of weeks have really helped my confidence. I did find myself, and that means I’ve found my game again. I’m not afraid to go for my shots, even if I miss them sometimes. I’m still trying to go for it, serve better, and put pressure on my opponent. That’s something I don’t think I was really doing at the start of the season. Of course, there were other small things also happening in my life, as well.
“But sometimes it’s just important to go through all of these things to find yourself.”
A lingering foot injury looked to derail some of her off-season preparation, but nothing like the shocking events that unfolded on Tuesday. Kvitova fought off a knife-wielding would-be robber in her home in Prostejov, but not without sustaining major injuries to her left and dominant hand.
The two-time Wimbledon winner underwent a nearly four hour surgery to repair lacerations and nerve damage, and is now in a cast for the next six to eight weeks; she won’t be able to bear weight on her left hand for at least three months.
It’s unclear if or when Kvitova will be back on the court, and the start of 2017 won’t be the same without her unique power and competitive spirit.
Watch even more great moments from WTA All Access in 2016, from Simona Halep showing off her footie skills and Timea Bacsinszky’s love for the Spice Girls, to the WTA Spelling Quiz!
After an incredible 14 years on the tour – which saw her rise to WTA World No.1 and claim a Grand Slam title – Ana Ivanovic has announced her retirement from tennis.
The Serbian player made her announcement on her Facebook page, but afterwards she had a special message for her fans.
“We shared victories, losses, smiles, and tears together,” she wrote in a statement. “Thank you for standing by my side no matter the results and believing in me for all these years.”
Check it out in full right here:
