Tennis News

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – The comeback continued for two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist Tamira Paszek on Monday, as the Austrian dispatched 2005 French Open quarterfinalist Sesil Karatantcheva, 7-6(3), 6-4, to reach the main draw of the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy.

Watch live action from St. Petersburg & Kaohsiung this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Once a Top 30 player, Paszek came back to the game last spring and has rocketed up nearly 140 spots in the rankings since last fall. Starting the season at No.172, she had to play qualifying at the ASB Classic and the Australian, going on to reach the semifinals of the former to put herself within striking distance of a Top 100 return.

“The good part about playing qualies is that you get a lot of matches, and you get a good rhythm, which is especially important at the beginning of the year,” the 25-year-old told WTA Insider in January. “I’ve always been the type of person that tries to see the positive aspect of things, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Awaiting the Austrian in the main draw is Carina Witthoeft; the two played once before in French Open qualifying back in 2014, with Paszek winning, 6-0, 6-1.

Joining Paszek in the main draw is Klara Koukalova; the former World No.20, who took out Patricia Maria Tig, 6-4, 6-3.

All four qualifiers will be in action again on Tuesday, along with Fed Cup heroines Monica Niculescu – who nearly led an upset of defending champion Czech Republic with a win over two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova – and Barbora Strycova, who took part in the decisive doubles rubber to defeat Romania, 3-2.

Niculescu begins her tournament as the No.9 seed – so bumped when Anna Karolina Schmiedlova withdrew due to a right ankle sprain – and takes on local wildcard Natalia Vikhlyantseva. Strycova takes on one of the qualifiers, Kateryna Kozlova; Kozlova defeated top qualifying seed Laura Siegemund, but the German nonetheless found her way into the main draw as a lucky loser.

Closing out play on Tuesday will be a pair of Russians, No.5 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and the fast-rising Margarita Gasparyan, who take on Koukalova and Bojana Jovanovski, respectively.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Playing in her home country, No.5 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova won a thrilling first round encounter with qualifier and former Top 20 player, Klara Koukalova, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Down 0-3 to start the match, the 24-year-old won six of the next seven games to take the opening set, but it came down to the wire against the Czech veteran, who had beaten her in their last two meetings.

“She started really well; actually she played really good the whole match,” the Russian said in her on-court interview. “She played three matches in qualifying, so I think that was the key for her. I had a really slow start and didn’t feel in good shape, but the only thing I did was fight.

A new event on the WTA calendar, Pavlyuchenkova was impressed by some of the in-match entertainment, including an intricate light show to announce the players.

“That was amazing. Maybe that’s why I had a slow start,” she said with a laugh. “I was still thinking and looking around.

“The crowd was amazing, as well. I love playing at home. It’s Russia!”

The Russian was equally effusive in her praise of the event before main draw action began at the gala dinner.

“It’s good for Russian tennis and great for Russian fans to have another WTA tournament in this country. St Petersburg is a beautiful backdrop for this event. I’m very happy to be here and proud to welcome players from all over the world to my home country.”

Clocking in at just over two hours, Pavlyuchenkova booked a spot in the second round, where she’ll play German youngster, Carina Witthoeft.

“I’m really old already, 24! But it’s not about age. I think she’s good. She’s fresh, and didn’t have a bad start to the year. I have to be really focused and play a lot better than today.”

Earlier in the day, Witthoeft had dispatched qualifier and former World No.26 Tamira Paszek, 6-3, 6-3. Fellow qualifier Kateryna Kozlova had better luck, upsetting Fed Cup heroine Barbora Strycova, 6-3, 6-4. No.9 seed Monica Niculescu had few problems taking out local wildcard Natlia Vikhlyantseva, 6-0, 6-3, and Yanina Wickmayer set up a second round with No.2 seed Roberta Vinci when she beat Jelena Ostapenko, 6-4, 6-3.

Rising Russian starlet Margarita Gasparyan played the final match of the night in St. Petersburg, dismissing Bojana Jovanovski, 6-1, 6-2.

In her downtime in Montréal a few weeks ago at the Rogers Cup, Petra Kvitova paid a visit to the WTA Media TV truck to find out a little bit more about the people who broadcast her matches all around the world.

She learned about everything that goes into producing a tennis match, from switching between the eight to 12 cameras per court, keeping match stats, creating slow motion replays, and much more.

“It’s amazing how many cameras there are at the same time on the same court!” Kvitova said. “When I play, sometimes I just see one camera!”

A joint venture between the WTA and Perform Group, WTA Media will produce all main draw singles matches and semifinals and finals of all doubles matches from 2017.

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan – Venus Williams has no intention of winding down any time soon. That much was made abundantly clear at the tail end of 2015, when the seven-time major winner rolled back the years to lift titles in Wuhan and Zhuhai, climbing back into the Top 10 in the process.

Even a stuttering start to the new campaign has failed to dampen the evergreen American’s enthusiasm. Williams is back in Asia this week for the inaugural Taiwan Open, in Kaohsiung, where she is top seed.

As headline act, Williams is afforded the luxury of a Wednesday start and the opportunity to sit down with wtatennis.com to talk sisterly inspiration, Taiwanese tennis and turning it up to EleVen.

On the inspiration behind her enduring success…
“Well I have this inspiration called Serena Williams! So that helps a lot. But also I love the game and it’s been wonderful to play this game. And when you love it it’s easy to give everything, every time.”

On Taiwan…
“I’ve already hit for a couple of hours on the court so I haven’t had the chance to see a lot. I’d love to see the mountains and the city. But from the plane it looked amazing!”

On the Amazing Chan Clan…
“First of all they’re really wonderful people. They welcomed me here and told me if I needed anything to let them know – so I think I’ll take them up on that. This year or last year I was watching them at the WTA Finals and it was unbelievable doubles – so exciting to watch it. Never played against them at the same time – I’ve played against them when they weren’t playing together and that was never easy. I guess now they’re going to be representing the country in the Olympics and that’s so awesome for tennis and so exciting for Taiwan.”

On her Olympic legacy…
“Oh the Olympics are very special. For me, the most important moments in my career were at the Olympics, especially being able to play with my sister. I’m hoping to have the honor to play again this year. Of course if you win it’s unbelievable but to participate is everything as well. I’m really looking forward to it – if I make it!”

On going all the way up to EleVen…
“I design a collection called EleVen by Venus and that stands for being better than a 10 and every time bringing your best. I just enjoy it. I love making active wear and I think one day we need to come to Taiwan – sooner rather than later.”

CINCINNATI, OH, USA – No.5 seed Agnieszka Radwanska won the last nine games of a late-night third round encounter with No.10 seed Johanna Konta, 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-0, to complete the quarterfinal line-up at the Western & Southern Open.

Watch live action from Cincinnati this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

“She’s a great player,” Radwanska said during her on-court interview. “We never played before, but I’ve seen many of her matches, and she’s played great tennis. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, and it was an exciting match playing together for the first time. I’m just so happy with the win.”

Konta needed to reach the semifinals in Cincinnati to have a chance of making her long-awaited Top 10 debut, and appeared on course to keep that dream alive when she reeled off the last seven points of the first set tie-break.

“It was a very tight match in the beginning. The tie-break slipped away too quickly, that’s for sure.”

Flick lob from @ARadwanska! ? https://t.co/0EUn8aOrGp

— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2016

A tired looking Radwanska trailed the Brit 4-3 on serve in the second set but somehow caught fire when it mattered most, hitting 27 winners throughout the three-setter to 31 unforced errors, and converting six of her 10 break point opportunities.

What was the Pole’s secret to success as Thursday night became Friday morning?

“I was able to break at the end of the second set, and I think I started to play better tennis and much more aggressive. I think I woke up because I had eight ladies dancing in front of me; that just woke me up!”

Shutting Konta out after midnight, Radwanska booked the last remaining spot in the quarterfinals, where she’ll play No.3 seed Simona Halep, who is riding a 12-match winning streak.

“I’m just very happy to make the quarterfinals here, especially since it’s always a strong tournament with no easy matches,” she said after the match. “Andrea, Johanna in the first two matches, and now Simona in the next match. I just hope I can play the same good tennis tomorrow.

“I think against Simona, I have nothing to lose; she’s having a great season and playing really good tennis. I’m just going to go out and enjoy.

“But first, rest tonight!”

How did @ARadwanska pull out the win?

Eight dancing ladies @CincyTennis! ???? https://t.co/4JktDPxOWW

— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2016

CINCINNATI, OH, USA – And then there were eight! It’s quarterfinal Friday at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. Chris Oddo previews the match-ups for wtatennis.com.

Friday, Quarterfinals

Center Court
[2] Angelique Kerber (GER #2) vs. [9] Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP #12)
Head-to-head: Kerber leads, 4-3

Key Stat: Kerber could ascend to the No.1 ranking with the title in Cincinnati.
Angelique Kerber is focused on the day-in, day-out aspects of being a top WTA pro. The rest of us? We’re curious to see if the German has what it takes to end Serena Williams’ remarkable 183-week reign atop the WTA’s rankings. Kerber could achieve that milestone with a title run, but it’s the furthest thing from her mind at the moment. While we watch the story unfold on Friday when Kerber meets Carla Suárez Navarro for a spot in the semis, the World No.2 will be concentrating on process. “On the court I’m really trying to focus and play my best tennis,” she said on Thursday after defeating Barbora Strycova in straight sets. “And my goal is always to go on court and win the match. Of course I mean it’s a goal to be one day the No.1, but let’s see if it happens, when it happens, whatever. I will not be putting this pressure on myself – I’m just trying to play step by step.” It’s the best way to proceed for Kerber, and so far in Cincinnati she has been able to deflect the pressure and play the type of tennis that got her to this point. Will she be able to continue her rise against the feisty Spaniard who defeated her earlier this summer in Birmingham? Or will Suárez Navarro, already one of three Premier 5 titlists this season, make her own story unfold?

Pick: Suárez Navarro in three

[3] Simona Halep (ROU #4) vs. [5] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL #5)
Head-to-head: Radwanska leads, 5-4

Key Stat: Halep stretched her win streak to 12 with a straight-sets victory over Daria Gavrilova on Wednesday.
Red-hot Simona Halep is loving life in Cincinnati. And why shouldn’t she be? The Romanian is well-rested, suited aptly for the fast-playing conditions at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, and gaining confidence with each successive victory. Halep made it 12 in a row on Thursday when she rolled past Aussie qualifier Daria Gavrilova, and afterwards she cited her legs as the biggest contributor to her recent success. She says her recent training block with Gil Reyes, former trainer of Andre Agassi, has helped her fitness immensely, and she also confirmed that the injuries that sabotaged her play early in the season are behind her. It all adds up to a very formidable Halep, one that is looking more and more like a title contender each day. She’ll have to be formidable on Friday if she is to get by No.5-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska. Radwanska reached her fourth Cincinnati quarterfinal in five years on Thursday by coming from behind to defeat Johanna Konta in three sets. Will Radwanska be able to stop the run of surging Halep in their 10th meeting, or will the Romanian’s scorching form prove too much to handle yet again?

Pick: Halep in three

Grandstand
[7] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS #10) vs. [15] Karolina Pliskova (CZE #17)
Head-to-head: First meeting

Key Stat: Kuznetsova improved to 15-4 in deciding sets this year with her win third-round win over Timea Bacsinszky.
It has been a fantastic season for 31-year-old Svetlana Kuznetsova. She achieved her first win over a reigning world No.1 since 2009 in Miami when she snapped Serena Williams’ 20-match winning streak at the event. And that’s not even the half of it. Kuznetsova, now the top-ranked Russian and inside the Top 10 for the first time since 2010, has won 30 matches, claimed her 16th career title, and been a threat to go deep in every draw she has played. Occupying the 10th spot in the Road to Singapore standings, the Russian is playing for valuable points in the next months, and she’ll look to continue pushing her momentum forward when she meets 15th-seed Karolina Pliskova for the first time on Friday. The bomb-serving Czech still hasn’t made her mark at the Slams but she has been lethal elsewhere, with four semifinals, two finals and a title to her name this season. Here in Cincinnati, she has yet to drop a set in two matches.

Pick: Kuznetsova in three

[4] Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP #3) vs. [Q] Timea Babos (HUN #41)
Head-to-head: Muguruza leads, 3-0

Key Stat: Their last two battles have gone to three sets.
There is fire in the eyes of Garbiñe Muguruza this week in Cincinnati, and that’s bad news for her competitors. The Spaniard had an understandable dip in level after winning her maiden Grand Slam in Paris this year, but she appears to be very determined to put that behind her as she prepares to ramp up her game ahead of the year’s final major. Muguruza has yet to drop a set in Cincinnati and though she was pushed at times by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Thursday, she played a very solid match, particularly from the service stripe where she saved six of seven break points and won 31 of 41 first-serve points. On Friday she’ll face one of the tour’s most improved players in 23-year-old Timea Babos. The Hungarian produced an upset on Thursday in defeating eighth-seeded Dominika Cibulkova. It was the Hungarian’s biggest win of the year rankings-wise, but she’s 1-10 against the Top 10 lifetime and 0-3 against Muguruza. She’ll need something magical to push past a resurgent Muguruza on Friday.

Pick: Muguruza in two

By the numbers…
306 – Number of weeks that Serena Williams has held the No. 1 ranking, which is third-most all time behind Martina Navratilova (332) and Steffi Graf (377).ber of consecutive weeks that Serena Williams has held the No. 1 ranking, which is third-most all time behind Martina Navratilova (332) and Steffi Graf (377).
41 – Babos’ position in the world rankings – the lowest of the draw’s eight remaining players.
19-2 – Halep’s record since the start of Roland Garros this year.
7 – Number of seeded players that have advanced to the quarterfinals in Cincinnati.