Tennis News

ROME, Italy – Co-No.1s Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza find themselves in pole position to complete the Santina Slam at the French Open with a 6-1, 6-7(5), 10-3 win over Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina to capture the Internazionali BNL d’Italia title – their first title since February and their first ever on red clay.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Rome right here on wtatennis.com!

Hingis and Mirza were in their third straight final since the start of the clay court swing, falling both times to the streaking Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic in both the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and Mutua Madrid Open. Across the net on Sunday were familiar foes in Makarova and Vesnina, who were playing just their second tournament together since last summer, having briefly split as the former healed a leg injury.

Winners of the last three major titles – and the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global – Santina exploited that ostensible rust early on, roaring through the opening set and carving out a 5-3 lead in the second.

Say Hi to the new womens' double Champions of #ibi16!! What an amazing match @mhingis @MirzaSania made it! ?? pic.twitter.com/5A2zqkb8mf

— Internazionali Bnl (@InteBNLdItalia) May 15, 2016

But the Russians had nearly won their most recent encounter at last year’s Wimbledon final, and wouldn’t accept defeat so easily, quickly leveling the set and later the match in a tie-break.

Hingis and Mirza shook off the hiccup to beat back their opponents and a gloomy forecast to capture their 14th title as a pair, and their fifth of 2016.

Heading into the French Open on a four-match winning streak, Santina next look to complete a box set of Grand Slam titles – a Santina Slam – that began at Wimbledon over Makarova and Vesnina, and took them through victories at the US Open and Australian Open in January.

Another title for @MirzaSania and @mhingis! #ibi16 https://t.co/kRsZ9udpkC pic.twitter.com/ZMCd8YjgH5

— TennisTV (@TennisTV) May 15, 2016

The WTA has signed an exclusive five-year, multi-territory deal with television broadcaster beIN MEDIA GROUP.

The agreement gives beIN broadcast rights for all WTA tournaments, including the 21 Premier events and the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, in over 30 territories worldwide including Spain, the USA, Australia and pan-regionally throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

“We are pleased to continue to provide our subscribers with the best international tennis tournaments. Since its creation, beIN SPORTS has broadcast the greatest sports competitions and the addition of the WTA Tour events further strengthens our promise to deliver the best content to our audiences,” said beIN’s deputy Chief Executive Yousef Al-Obaidly.

In addition to tennis, beIN, which is available on all major pay-TV platforms, holds the rights to the UEFA Champions League and RBS 6 Nations rugby. Starting in 2017 and running until 2021, beIN will hold the media rights for all WTA events in the agreed regions, covering all live matches, replays, highlights and the weekly WTA magazine shows.

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with beIN MEDIA GROUP across multiple regions. This will allow the WTA to take advantage of beIN SPORTS’ dominance in certain territories and their ambitious growth plan in others,” WTA CEO Steve Simon said.

The agreement ties in with the start of the WTA’s new partnership with leading digital sports content and media group, Perform, creating WTA Media, the tour’s dedicated media arm. The live media rights and production deal is worth $525m over 10 years (from 2017 to 2026), the largest in the history of women’s sports.

“Partnering with an aggressive multi-sport network, specifically beIN, allows us to introduce our product to a new fan base,” added WTA Media’s John Learing. “Their stable of internationally attractive sports properties, specifically in soccer and rugby will give us a chance to introduce ourselves to a wider base of different sports fans. The bottom line for our viewers is that beIN Sport is generally available in the basic tier and not just the sports package, this will not only mean drawing a larger audience but will also make it easier for fans to find us.”

PARIS, France – Madison Keys has long been seen as a threat to the game’s established order on the faster surfaces. However, in light of her performances last week in Rome, she is now emerging as a dark horse for the game’s major honors on clay, too.

This viewpoint gained further credibility following Monday’s new WTA rankings – Keys returning to the Top 20 at No.17. The rise is of particular significance given the imminent announcement of the seedings for Roland Garros; with World No.10 Flavia Pennetta retired and Belinda Bencic out injured, Keys will now be among the Top 16 seeds in Paris, thereby avoiding the big names until at least the fourth round. Quatar Total Open finalist Jelena Ostapenko moved up into the Top 32 when former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki announced her withdrawal due to a right ankle injury.

Here are the other projected seeds for the French Open:

(1) Serena Williams (USA #1)
(2) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL #2)
(3) Angelique Kerber (GER #3)
(4) Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP #4)
(5) Victoria Azarenka (BLR #5)
(6) Simona Halep (ROU #6)
(7) Roberta Vinci (ITA #7)
(8) Timea Bacsinszky (SUI #9)
(9) Venus Williams (USA #11)
(10) Petra Kvitova (CZE #12)
(11) Lucie Safarova (CZE #13)
(12) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP #14)
(13) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS #15)
(14) Ana Ivanovic (SRB #16)
(15) Madison Keys (USA #17)
(16) Sara Errani (ITA #18)

(17) Karolina Pliskova (CZE #19)
(18) Elina Svitolina (UKR #20)
(19) Sloane Stephens (USA #21)
(20) Johanna Konta (GBR #22)
(21) Samantha Stosur (AUS #23)
(22) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK #25)
(23) Jelena Jankovic (SRB #26)
(24) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS #27)
(25) Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU #28)
(26) Kristina Mladenovic (FRA #29)
(27) Ekaterina Makarova (RUS #30)
(28) Andrea Petkovic (GER #31)
(29) Daria Kasatkina (RUS #32)
(30) Barbora Strycova (CZE #33)
(31) Monica Niculescu (ROU #35)
(32) Jelena Ostapenko (LAT #36)

An all-Russian affair and a tussle between two former Roland Garros finalists highlights the action on Day 6. We preview the key third-round matchups at WTATennis.com.

Friday, Third Round

Samantha Stosur (AUS #24) vs. [11] Lucie Safarova (CZE #13)
Head-to-head: Safarova leads, 11-3
Key Stat: Stosur owns 2-6 record vs. Top 20 players in 2016.

Two former finalists that sauntered into Roland Garros with low expectations and fitness issues suddenly find themselves with a golden opportunity to reach the round of 16. Lucie Safarova’s bacterial infection and reactive arthritis issues have been well-documented, but the Czech has steadily improved her health in the last few months and is now starting to resemble her peak form here in Paris. Last year’s runner-up has dropped just six games in two rounds and says she’s feeling better each day. “I’m taking it step by step, really just enjoying the moment and of course trying to reach the best result,” she said on Wednesday after storming past Viktorija Golubic. Stosur came to Paris with a serious left wrist injury but the Aussie has acquitted herself quite well without full use of her two-handed backhand. Health issues aside, the matchup is not a favorable one for Stosur. Her eleven losses to the Czech have left her shaking her head numerous times in the past. “It’s a tough match-up,” Stosur said. “She’s probably the person I’ve played the most in my career and she’s never easy to beat. I know that.”

Pick: Safarova in three

[2] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL #2) vs. [30] Barbora Strycova (CZE #33)
Head-to-head: Radwanska leads, 4-0
Key Stat: Strycova has a 2-12 lifetime record against Top 10 players at Grand Slams.

So far, so good for Agnieszka Radwanska at Roland Garros. The World No.2 made the unconventional decision to skip Rome in order to practice on the clay at home and the decision is paying dividends. Having won all four sets she’s contested, Radwanska will next face a player that she’s owned in the past for a spot in the second week. But that player, the ever crafty and pugnacious Barbora Strycova, is not one to be taken lightly. The 30-year-old has produced 22 wins this season, including a giant upset of Garbiñe Muguruza at the Australian Open. “She’s playing great tennis, especially on clay,” Radwanska said of the Czech. “For sure another tough match. I’m healthy, in one piece, and I’m just ready for the next one.”

Pick: Radwanska in three

[13] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS #15) vs. [24] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS #27)
Head-to-head: Kuznetsova leads, 4-1
Key Stat: Kuznetsova is contesting the third round at a major for the first time since the 2014 French Open.

Suddenly surging Svetlana Kuznetsova has labelled herself a “black horse” (think dark horse, but a little more menacing) at this year’s French Open. Will the pedigreed Russian gallop into the second week? To do it she’ll have to get by compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who is playing in the third round at a major for the first time in over three years. Kuznetsova holds the significant edge in the pair’s head-to-head, and she possesses the far more impressive clay pedigree, having won Roland Garros and reached the quarterfinals or better seven times, so it’s a very tall order for the World No.27. But Pavlyuchenkova is a world-class ball striker and a former Roland Garros quarterfinalist who is no doubt eager for the chance to demonstrate that she has what it takes to make another deep run at a major.

Pick: Kuznetsova in three

[6] Simona Halep (ROU #6) vs. Naomi Osaka (JPN #101)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Halep has lost four times to players ranked outside of the Top 100 at majors, including this year’s Australian Open.

Simona Halep just wants to put her head down and march through her matches one point at a time. It’s a constant theme in her pressers, and a constant challenge for her on court. Can she deflect the pressure of being a former finalist in Paris so that she may focus on dismantling the game of a talented yet unproven Naomi Osaka in round three? “I just want to do my job here,” Halep said after her second round victory over Zarina Diyas. “I had two good matches here already. I’m looking forward to play the third one.” Halep struggled at times with consistency in defeating Diyas, and this year’s Madrid champion knows that she’ll have to be at her best to take down the dangerous 18-year-old from Japan. “I expect a tough one,” she said. “She’s a young player and she has nothing to lose. It’s going to be good match, and hopefully I will win it. I’m here to win.”

Pick: Halep in two

Around the Grounds: Alizé Cornet and Tatjana Maria had heated words after their three-set thriller on Day 5. On Day 6 they’ll stand across from one another on the doubles court as Cornet and Magda Linette take on Maria and Madison Brengle on Court 4. Popcorn will be essential. American Sloane Stephens will bid to reach the second week at Roland Garros for the fifth consecutive year when she meets Tsvetana Pironkova on Court 1. No.4 seed Garbiñe Muguruza (vs. Wickmayer) and No.10 seed Petra Kvitova (vs. Rogers) will also be looking to reach the second week.

By the Numbers:

5-1 – Garbiñe Muguruza’s record in third-round matches at majors, but the Spaniard lost her last one in Australia to Barbora Strycova.

6 – Number of former Grand Slam champions to reach the third round at Roland Garros this year (Kvitova, Ivanovic, Kuznetsova, Stosur, Serena Williams and Venus Williams).

-Chris Oddo, wtatennis.com contributor

The Williams sisters lead the top half of the draw into the third round on Saturday in Paris. We preview all the action here at WTATennis.com.

Saturday, Third Round

[1] Serena Williams (USA #1) vs. [26] Kristina Mladenovic (FRA #30)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Williams has played the most matches (67), and has the highest match winning percentage (56-11, .836) at Roland Garros among active players with at least 20 matches.

Serena Williams has dropped just five games in her first two matches in Paris, but the 21-time major champion should face more resistance from France’s No.1, Kristina Mladenovic, in the third round. Many players are defeated in their minds before stepping on the court with Williams, but Mladenovic is determined not to let that happen as she faces the game’s greatest for the first time on Saturday. “Why should I be frightened?” Mladenovic said on Thursday. “No, I want this challenge.” Mladenovic is no stranger to big wins at Roland Garros, having knocked out No.2 seed Li Na in 2014 and No.6 seed Eugenie Bouchard last season. “I grew up watching Serena play,” Mladenovic said. “Then I’m going to play against her. I will try and get ready as best I can for this match, and then I’ll have to make no mistakes if I want to do something against her.”

Pick: Williams in three

[9] Venus Williams (USA #11) vs. Alizé Cornet (FRA #50)
Head-to-head: Williams leads, 5-0
Key Stat: Williams is the oldest woman remaining in the draw.

In the true Parisian spirit, Venus Williams is living fully in the present at Roland Garros. When asked on Thursday if there was a moment in her career that gave her particular satisfaction, the seven-time major champion did not hesitate. “This one right now,” she said. “I definitely stay in the moment. I’m just grateful I think with every year that passes and every moment that I play, I’m grateful for this experience and blessed. What else could I ask for, really?” Williams will face France’s Alizé Cornet on Court Suzanne Lenglen on Saturday, hoping to stretch her winning streak to six matches against the Nice native. Cornet has lost all ten sets she’s played against the 35-year-old, but the Frenchwoman has the heart of a lion when she plays on her home soil. Factor in the support of the French crowd and Cornet might have a chance to threaten Williams for the first time. Could this be the day Cornet finally solves the mystery of the American legend, or will Venus push forward in Paris?

Pick: Williams in three

[14] Ana Ivanovic (SRB #16) vs. [18] Elina Svitolina (UKR #20)
Head-to-head: Ivanovic leads, 7-0
Key Stat: Svitolina became the first Ukrainian woman to reach the quarterfinals of Roland Garros last year.

Ana Ivanovic has held sway over Elina Svitolina ever since the first time they met at the 2012 US Open. Even here in Paris where Svitolina has played her best tennis, Ivanovic has dealt the rising Ukrainian losses in back-to-back years. But that doesn’t mean the 2008 champion doesn’t have a healthy amount of respect for Svitolina. “I played Svitolina last year here in the quarterfinal,” she said “We always have tough matches. She’s a good player, young player. I think in the future we’re going to see a lot of her.” Svitolina hasn’t yet solved the Ivanovic puzzle, but the 21-year-old has clearly come into her own as a player over the last year. A tireless worker, Svitolina is hoping that adding seven-time Roland Garros champion Justine Henin to her coaching team will help her in exactly these kinds of matches. She’ll have to come out of her defense-first shell and play aggressively against Ivanovic in order to have a chance.

Pick: Ivanovic in three

[12] Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP #14) vs. [22] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK #25)
Head-to-head: Cibulkova leads, 3-1
Key Stat: Suárez Navarro has lost her last three encounters against Top 25 opposition on clay.

A pair of Roland Garros stalwarts are set to do battle in what promises to be an intriguing contest between polar opposite personalities and tacticians on Saturday. Cibulkova, boisterous and dynamic, likes to roll the dice and shoot to kill. Suárez Navarro, pragmatic and poised, prefers a patient game based on movement, margin and angles. Cibulkova owns the 3-1 edge in the pair’s head-to-head but Suárez Navarro took their last meeting at Moscow last autumn. “Cibulkova is a tough opponent,” the Spaniard said after defeating China’s Qiang Wang on Thursday. “It will be a tough match. Physically I’m okay. Tomorrow I will be able to rest, so I will be in form on Saturday.”

Pick: Cibulkova in three

Around the Grounds: Daria Kasatkina has played three Grand Slams and reached the round of 32 each time. Can the Russian take it one step further on Saturday? She’ll meet Kiki Bertens, who is currently on a nine-match winning streak, on Court 1. Madison Keys and Monica Puig are also looking to reach the second week here in Paris for the first time. They’ll battle on Court Suzanne Lenglen for a coveted Round of 16 slot.

By The Numbers

3 – Number of former Grand Slam champions in action on Day 5 (Serena and Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic).

133 – Combined number of Grand Slam appearances by the Williams sisters. Serena (70) and Venus (63) are No.1 and No.2 on the active list.

4 – Number of former Roland Garros Girls’ Singles champions in action today (Mladenovic, Cornet, Svitolina and Kasatkina).

-Chris Oddo, wtatennis.com contributor

PARIS, France – Samantha Stosur dodged the rain and rolled back the years to dash Simona Halep’s French Open hopes on Tuesday.

Resuming at 5-3 down in the first set, Stosur powered through the heavy conditions and Halep’s defenses to triumph, 7-6(0), 6-3.

Halep was very much in ascendency when the match was originally stopped on Sunday evening. However, on their return 2010 runner-up Stosur was a different proposition entirely, winning the first seven points. A netted backhand ended the streak but did not halt the momentum, an inside-out forehand winner drawing her level at 5-5.

This vintage form continued into the tie-break, Stosur steamrolling Halep to complete the turnaround. The only thing that threatened the Australian’s dominance was the rain, which duly arrived at 3-2 in the second set.

This merely delayed the celebrations, though, Stosur returning to complete the job when Halep sent a drive volley sailing long.

Stosur arrived in Paris carrying a wrist injury, which forced her to withdraw from her final tune-up event.

“I didn’t know what kind of result or performance I was going to have regardless of the wrist injury, but I said after my first round I did exactly what I needed to do for that and sort it out and came here early.

“It was unfortunate I had to pull out of Strasbourg, but I needed those days to recover. Thankfully, touch wood, it’s been okay so far. I’m not struggling with it at all. I’m not even thinking about it now. I still have it taped, but it’s not bothering me and I’m able to play some of my best tennis.”