Indian Wells: Azarenka Interview
An interview with Victoria Azarenka after her win in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
An interview with Victoria Azarenka after her win in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
Take a look inside the glamour and excitement of the Dubai Player Party with Dubai Duty Free Ambassadors Caroline Wozniacki and Zhang Shuai!
Highlights from the quarterfinal action at the BNP Paribas Open.
Highlights from the second round action at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.
An interview with Anastasija Sevastova after her victory in the quarterfinals at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Serena Williams has Friday’s shot of the day at the BNP Paribas Open.
Petra Kvitova takes on Angelique Kerber in the third round of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.
DUBAI, UAE – Top seed Angelique Kerber needed just over an hour to move into her first semifinal of 2017 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after defeating Ana Konjuh in straight sets.
The World No.2 employed her solid brand of tennis against the big hitting 19-year-old, staying calm against Konjuh’s barrage of winners to advance 6-3, 6-2.
“I’m really happy about the match today,” Kerber told press after the victory. “I mean, it was a tough one, because Ana is a tough opponent. She’s going for it. You have to play until the last point so it’s nice to get through in two sets.”
Speed and soft hands from @AngeliqueKerber! ? pic.twitter.com/Ti8X0o1Ej5
— WTA (@WTA) February 23, 2017
Kerber got off to a roaring start, shutting out Konjuh to build up a daunting 4-0 lead.
The Croat stopped the rot with a break of serve, reeling off three straight games to cut into Kerber’s advantage. But a string of double faults – including two in the 5-3 game – and loose errors off the ground handed Kerber the opening set.
Konjuh held her ground in the second, hanging with the World No.2 in the early exchanges and showing flashes of the brilliance that caused her to be named one of the most promising young players of the WTA. Kerber stayed firmly in control, though, and broke twice to reel off four games in a row and close out the match after an hour and fifteen minutes.
“I'm feeling good and really looking forward to play my first Semifinal at @DDFTennis!” -@AngeliqueKerber pic.twitter.com/KlNLPjZ4Sq
— WTA (@WTA) February 23, 2017
Kerber hit a scant seven winners to Konjuh’s 24, but allowed just eleven unforced errors compared to her opponent’s 35.
She’ll play Elina Svitolina for a spot in the final with an eye on the WTA’s top ranking: should Kerber win the title in Dubai she’ll return to World No.1.
“I think it will be a tough match again,” Kerber said. “I think we will have a lot of rallies. I have to be aggressive and just like the last days here. I mean, I have to be really focused on my game, on my rhythm.
“Just trying to enjoy the next match here on the Centre Court, and of course I will try to go out there and to win another match here.”
The best WTA players joined Miami’s top chefs at the W South Beach for Taste of Tennis Miami, a night of food, fashion, entertainment and tennis.
Last year’s Miami Open semifinalist Simona Halep made her appearance on the green carpet with her coach Darren Cahill.
Best friends Belinda Bencic and Kristina Mladenovic struck a pose…
…as did Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Lucie Safarova and Andrea Hlavackova.
Victoria Azarenka joined DJ Mad Linx to set the mood and put on some music.
Fresh off of her big win at Indian Wells, Azarenka’s got plenty to dab about!
Chan Yuan-Liang and Chan Hao-Ching, the world’s No.2 doubles team, joined Chef Fabio Fichera in serving up some treats.
Yanina Wickmayer showed off her excellent plating technique…
…While Elina Svitolina preferred to taste test the sushi, prepared by Miami’s Khaleel Ali.
CoCo Vandeweghe and Rachel Lim seemed more excited about the desserts than anything else!
WTA legend Arantxa Sanchez Vicario grabbed a picture with Dustin Ward as they served up some small plates.
Did you make enough for everyone, Lauren Davis?
Eugenie Bouchard swapped her tennis racquet for a paddle and showed off her table tennis skills.
It just wouldn’t be Miami without some great art… and a portrait of nine-time Miami Open champion Serena Williams, up for silent auction.
Highlights from the round of 16 action at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.