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Fed Cup Final Preview: Meet Team Czech Republic

Fed Cup Final Preview: Meet Team Czech Republic

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

STRASBOURG, France – For the Czech Republic’s top players, reuniting for Fed Cup finals has almost become an end-of-the-season tradition. The two-time defending champions are back in action this weekend in Strasbourg, where they’re seeking their fifth title in six years.

Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova, Barbora Strycova and Lucie Hradecka will take on the underdogs France in the Fed Cup final – here’s everything you need to know about the team and the tie, right here on wtatennis.com!

Fast Facts:

Tie: Fed Cup Final, France vs Czech Republic
Dates: Nov 12 & Nov 13, 2016
Venue: Rhenus Sport – Strasbourg, France (indoor hardcourts)
Czech Captain: Petr Pala

– The Czech Republic’s last three ties have been decided in the final doubles rubber
– All of the ties in their 2016 campaign have been away, including the final

Meet the team:

Karolina Pliskova

Karolina Pliskova

The new Czech No.1 Pliskova earned her career-high ranking of No.5 after the best season of her career saw her lift two titles, including the Premier-level Western & Southern Open – defeating Angelique Kerber in the final – and reach the US Open final, defeating Serena Williams in the semifinals.

After such a banner season, Pliskova is looking to continue her rise with her second Fed Cup crown. Dangerous both in singles and in doubles with partners Barbora Strycova or Lucie Hradecka, the versatile 24-year-old is valuable asset for the Czech team.

Fed Cup debut: 2015
Ties played: 4
Fed Cup win-loss record: 9-2 (singles 6-2, doubles 3-0)
Fed Cup indoor record: 9-2

Petra Kvitova

Petra Kvitova

Fresh from her win at the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, a rejuvenated Kvitova dons the white, blue and red Czech national colors with a renewed sense of purpose. She always shines while playing for her country, and this year she was able to use her impressive run to the Olympic bronze medal as a catalyst to put behind her a disappointing start to the season.

Though her last appearance for the Czech Republic ended in two disappointing defeats, suffering a straight sets loss against Monica Niculescu and a three-set heartbreaker to Simona Halep in the World Group quarterfinal against Romania, Kvitova has been a crucial component to the team for years, competing in all five of their most recent finals.

Kvitova said: “I think the tennis in Czech Republic has a huge [tennis] history. When Navratilova played, all of them, we always kind of been strong for tennis, but the women’s side a little bit stronger right now, and that’s why we playing final again probably.

“Of course we should be confident to get the title for us again. I think we have a great team, and we’re going to do everything what we can. We always love playing. It will be great week for sure, and the weekend will be more special.”

Fed Cup debut: 2007
Ties played: 19
Fed Cup win-loss record: 26-10 (singles 26-9, doubles 0-1)
Fed Cup indoor record: 24-6

Barbora Strycova

Barbora Strycova

The Czech No.3 Strycova sits at No.20 on the WTA rankings after reaching two finals this year, at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the Aegon Classic Birmingham. She’s added three doubles titles to her impressive haul, too, including a win at Birmingham with her countrywoman Pliskova.

As a result, Strycova is one of the Czechs’ go-to doubles players, though she’s also been showing off more of her singles game lately. She defeated Timea Bacsinszky in straight sets in the World Group semifinal against Switzerland before falling to Viktorija Golubic in three sets.

Strycova said: “All the Czech players, we know how to be a teammates in the week where is Fed Cup. Tennis is individual sport, so we know how to separate it.Most of the time of the year you play for yourself.

“But three weeks in a year we are so close together and we are like really – I can’t describe it, because it’s like a routine for us that we are really doing everything together in the week where we play Fed Cup.”

Fed Cup debut: 2002
Ties played: 15
Fed Cup win-loss record: 16-9 (singles 7-6, doubles 9-3)
Fed Cup indoor record: 5-5

Lucie Hradecka

Lucie Hradecka

As one half of the “Silent Hs” along with partner Andrea Hlavackova, Hradecka’s season in doubles has been a success. The pair started the year with an appearance in the Australian Open final, continued on to reach the quarterfinals or better at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome, then capped it off by lifting two titles, the Coupe Banque Nationale and Kremlin Cup as well as competing at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

As the Czech Republic’s longtime doubles specialist, Hradecka’s role could prove even more crucial this weekend – the team’s last three ties have been decided in the final doubles rubber.

Fed Cup debut: 2010
Ties played: 12
Fed Cup win-loss record: 7-5 (singles 1-3, doubles 6-2)
Fed Cup indoor record: 6-1

– Photos courtesy of Getty Images

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WTA Breakthrough Of The Month: Peng

WTA Breakthrough Of The Month: Peng

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Peng Shuai

Peng Shuai was a few months removed from a US Open semifinal appearance when a back injury took her out of the game for almost a year.

“For me, two years ago, I was at a peak level,” Peng said at the China Open. “I could choose whether I would like to play or not. Actually, my friends and family did not agree with my surgery, because it’s too risky. Now I’m near 30 years old.”

The former Chinese No.1 agreed to have surgery, and was determined to get back to playing her best tennis.

“After the surgery, no one could guarantee I could come back to the court. What if I have more injuries if I come back to the court? I’d like to thank them for their support and care. I was a little bit stubborn to have the surgery. My friends and family supported me to undergo this surgery. It was quite a challenge for me.”

Peng began showing flashes of brilliance at home, upsetting former World No.1 Venus Williams in Beijing before finally adding a WTA title to her illustrious resume, winning the Tianjin Open.

Just shy of the Top 100 heading into 2017 (from a low of No.768), Peng is your Breakthrough Player of the Month!

Final Results for October’s WTA Breakthrough Performance Of The Month

1. Peng Shuai (70%)
2. Johanna Konta (23%)
3. Daria Gavrilova (8%)

2016 Breakthrough Performance Of The Month Winners

January: Zhang Shuai
February: Jelena Ostapenko
March: Nicole Gibbs
April: Cagla Buyukakcay
May: Kiki Bertens
June: Elena Vesnina
July: Kristina Kucova
August: Karolina Pliskova
September: Naomi Osaka

How it works:

Finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com

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Gavrilova Dashes Past Lisicki

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

ROME, Italy – 2015 Internazionali BNL d’Italia semifinalist Daria Gavrilova edged past former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki, 6-1, 7-6(3), to set up a second round meeting with Mutua Madrid Open champion Simona Halep in the second round.

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

“It was a tough match,” she said following her win. “I played really well in the first set and then in the second set I had chances to break her in the second game, but then I got broken in the next game. Then I was a break down until 4-2, so it could have gone either way – we were both making a lot of mistakes.

“I’m happy that I could manage my nerves in the tie-break and play a pretty clean tie-break.”

Gavrilova raced through the opening set, but Lisicki, who has only won back-to-back matches once in 2016, was on course to turn things around early into the second by taking a 4-1 lead of her own.

With some help from an on-court coaching session with Nicole Pratt, Gavrilova roared back to serve for the match after winning four games in a row, but Lisicki had one more momentum swing in store, getting to within one game of a decisive set.

Holding serve to force a second set tie-break, the youngster bounded onward and upward to clinch the match in 82 minutes. Though both she and the German each hit 18 winners, Lisicki was ultimately undone by 26 unforced errors to only 17 from Gavrilova. 

“I love it [being back in Rome]. I was very surprised we played on the Grandstand; when I saw the schedule, I was like, ‘Woah, this is so cool.’ And you know the fans here are like really into it, so it means a lot to the players.

Up next for the Aussie is No.6 seed Simona Halep, who is coming off of her second career Premier Mandatory title at the Mutua Madrid Open.

“I know I have Halep next because she had a bye. I know that’s going to be a tough match, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Earlier in the day, No.9 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova eased through her first round match with Caroline Garcia. Though the Frenchwoman has been playing some of her best tennis in doubles with partner Kristina Mladenovic, that success has yet to translate in singles, as Garcia fell, 7-5, 6-2.

“I had a tough one against her in Miami, 7-6 in the third,” Kuznetsova said after the match. “I’m really happy I was able to get it done in two sets today. I don’t think I played my best game, but I feel better playing on clay, for sure.”

Mladenovic also had trouble in her first round with Jelena Ostapenko, as the young Latvian took out the World No.28, 6-3, 6-1.

Mladenovic qualified for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global last fall alongside Timea Babos, who is in the midst of a career-best season in singles; the Hungarian powerhouse blasted past qualifier Kiki Bertens, 6-1, 6-4.

Samantha Stosur saved a match point against Alison Riske in their first round before Gavrilova’s countrywoman pulled through, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-1. Lesia Tsurenko similarly recovered from a set and a break down to defeat qualifier Julia Goerges, 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-3.

No.11 seed Timea Bacsinszky had no problems against Yanina Wickmayer, setting up a second round match with Tsurenko, 6-2, 6-2.

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McHale: Breaking The Ice

McHale: Breaking The Ice

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

ROME, Italy – Christina McHale celebrated her 24th birthday by scoring another good win over a quality opponent, beating Ana Ivanovic, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1 to advance to the Round of 16 at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Currently ranked No.56, McHale has quietly put together a strong four months that has seen her notch wins over Garbiñe Muguruza, Karolina Pliskova, Samantha Stosur, and Caroline Garcia.

Once ranked as high as No.24 in 2012, McHale finally seems to have put her injury and illness woes behind her.

“I think I’m physically stronger now,” McHale told WTA Insider. “I worked a lot on my fitness and I think that’s been a key for me, is to get stronger. In terms of my game I think my game is the same. You definitely try to make improvements to your game but the base of my game hasn’t changed. I try to look for forehands and rely on my movement a lot.

“But in the past couple of months in particular I’ve been healthy, which is key for me. I had the mono a few years back and I had a shoulder injury last season. Knock on wood I’ve been healthy. If you can train for matches, anything can happen.”

Christina McHale

Her win over Muguruza at the BNP Paribas Open was her first over a Top 10 player since she beating Caroline Wozniacki at the Aegon International in 2012. Later that fall, McHale was diagnosed with mononucleosis and she was unable to back up her results in 2013, falling to as low as No.114 in the rankings. As she fought to get back into the Top 50, a shoulder injury stalled her entire 2014 off-season.

“I had a small SLAP tear,” McHale said. “I felt it on my serve. I didn’t serve once the entire off-season. Then I went to Australia and tried to play through that and it just wasn’t getting any better. After Australia I had to take a whole month off and do a bunch of rehab or therapy on it. “

Given her rise through the rankings four years ago it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking the New Jersey native is still one of the young guns on the tour. But at 24-years-old, McHale even admits she’s much more wary about the wear and tear on her body these days. Gone were the days she could just walk on court with minimal warm-up and play a three-set match. She’s had to become much more professional in how she treats and protects her body.

Christina McHale

“I notice I have to take a lot more care of my body now,” McHale said with a laugh. “I have a whole routine I do for my shoulder, just to keep it good. All the stretching and stuff that I didn’t do in the beginning of my career.”

But her resilience has paid off. Last month she scored a key win for the United States Fed Cup team in sealing a win over Australia, beating Stosur in a tough three sets. Of all the wins she’s racked up this season, this was the sweetest.

“It was just so special to have a win that meant so much for the team and playing Fed Cup is such an honor,” she said. “I think it had been four years since I had a Fed Cup win so it was really exciting for me.”

Christina McHale

Next up for McHale is the ultimate test in tennis: Serena Williams. The two Americans will face off for the second time in two months. McHale took Serena to three sets at the Miami Open in April, only to lose 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.

“It was the first time I had played her in a match,” McHale said. “It’s really good that I’ve had that experience, but she’s the type of player that when she’s on there’s really not much you can do. But I’m going to compete really hard and try and impose my game like I did in Miami.”

Asked whether there were rumblings in the locker room about the possibility of some signs of vulnerability from Serena this season, McHale beamed a knowing smile. Come on, you guys. This is Serena.

“In my opinion, you can never count her out,” she said. “She’s done everything she’s done for a reason. You have to be ready. No matter what the circumstances are she’s super tough.”

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.

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Learn To Make Genie Bouchard's Favorite Shake

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Earlier this year, Canada’s No.1 Eugenie Bouchard showed us how to make the perfect parfait, and now she’s back to shake things up with her favorite USANA MySmart Shake.

Watch to find out how to make a great on-the-go snack or a quick, nutritious breakfast with just five ingredients – and a packet of USANA MySmart Shake Whey Protein.

USANA is the Official Vitamin & Supplement Supplier of the WTA, and over 170 Athletes – including 8 out of the Top 10 and 15 out of the Top 20 use USANA products. Former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, Samantha Stosur, Eugenie Bouchard, and Madison Keys are among several USANA ambassadors, and 2016 marks the 10th Anniversary of the USANA-WTA partnership.

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Halep Reflects On 2016 Improvements In Forbes Interview

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Simona Halep finished a third straight season as a Top 5 player, and credits some of her game’s biggest improvements to work done with coach Darren Cahill.

“I am more aggressive, but not crazy aggressive,” the Romanian told Forbes’ Danielle Rossingh during the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open. “More smart aggressive because I cannot stay all the time close to the baseline. I have to go out and back and come in many times.

“I think I improved in myself, my forehand is stronger. We worked on every shot and I think all my game is better now.”

Halep believes another key improvement has come on serve, specifically her ball toss.

“He told me to change it, to toss it lower, and I think it helps me. I feel like the timing is better.”

The results began to come in streams by spring, when she won her second Premier Mandatory title at the Mutua Madrid Open, owned by countryman and Romanian tennis legend Ion Tiriac.

“He helps me with advice, he talks with me,” she said. Tiriac gave her a wildcard into Madrid back in 2013, a move Halep says kickstarted her pro career.

“He’s into my tennis and always we have a good discussion, sometimes he’s coming to my practices.”

A lot of his advice centers around Halep’s ultimate goal of Grand Slam glory; the former World No.2 reached the French Open final in 2014, and will aim to take that career-best major finish one step further in 2017.

“He tells me that I have everything to win a Grand Slam, I have just to believe. It’s good to have such an important man in my life and in my career.”

Click here to read the full interview with Halep as she discusses her celebrity status in Romania and the rise of Year-End No.1 Angelique Kerber.

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