Brisbane: Tuesday Highlights
Highlights from all of Tuesday’s action on Day 3 of the Brisbane International.
Highlights from all of Tuesday’s action on Day 3 of the Brisbane International.
MADRID, Spain – Dominika Cibulkova marked her 27th birthday with a brilliant display against qualifier Louisa Chirico in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open.
Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Madrid right here on wtatennis.com!
Midday showers in the Spanish capital forced the roof to be shut on Manolo Santana and Cibulkova found the change much to her liking. While Chirico was getting used the unfamiliar conditions, Cibulkova was busy building a lead.
In Chirico’s first service game, the Slovak earned an immediate break point, which she converted when she skipped around to crack a fizzing forehand. She soon stretched her advantage to 5-0 and while the American belatedly got on the scoreboard, it was too little too late, Cibulkova closing out the set with a delicate drop shot.
The second set was a similar story, Cibulkova embroidering a heavy-duty baseline assault with some feathery touches around the net. As the on-court clock approached the hour mark she arrived at match point, rounding off the 6-1, 6-1 triumph by thumping a 24th winner past the helpless Chirico.
Considering the one-sided nature of the encounter, Cibulkova was surprisingly emotional as she saluted her camp: “Of course I’m always more emotional when I win. Even during the match. So it’s part of me. But I was really, really happy, because today’s match was not easy. I made it look easy.
“But I was playing just really well. I was dominating on the court and I was mentally very strong.”
This strength has been on full display this week, the former Australian Open finalist coming through a series of grueling encounters.
“I started today’s match in the best way – I was really aggressive,” she added. “I know what I want to play and I was just going for it. I didn’t wait what’s going to happen on the court.
“I really know the beginning will be really important because she’s new in this situation, so I want to take advantage of it, to be ready for it. That’s what I did perfectly. You know, even I had some chances today, I was just really, really solid. I had my plan and I was really doing what I had to do.”
Cibulkova has never previously reached the final of a Premier Mandatory event, and there she will face either Simona Halep or Samantha Stosur.
“We’ll see. This is the best way. I know I’m in the finals and the opponent is going to play so I can watch them a little bit. Either way I don’t like to choose opponent. It’s going to be whoever plays better tonight.
“I’m just ready. I’m playing good tennis and I want to keep going and playing this way. Doesn’t matter who’s on the other side.”
.@Cibulkova gets an unexpected birthday present during her press conference… #MMOPEN https://t.co/YmmopMRNtG
— Mutua Madrid Open (@MutuaMadridOpen) 6 May 2016
Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska was joined by Simona Halep, Johanna Konta and many more for the glamorous Shenzhen Open player party.
An interview with Simona Halep after her win in the final at the Mutua Madrid Open.
Reports of her retirement were greatly exaggerated, Roberta Vinci declares after kicking the 2017 season by reaching the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International.
“I’m playing match to match,” she told WTA Insider after her second round win over Misaki Doi. “I saved five match points in my first round, not bad. I played in the heat, and another good match against Doi.”
“I don’t have any special goals, just playing and staying confident in mind and body.”
It was the World No.18 herself who announced at the end of 2015 that 2016 would be her last season, but became more uncertain as she continued earning impressive results like winning her first Premier title in St. Petersburg and becoming the oldest woman in WTA history to debut in the Top 10.
“I had lot of discussions with me, with myself in November after Zhuhai. This life isn’t easy but I want to continue. I love this life, this sport; I’ve had a lot of success, and I have a good ranking. In my mind, I said, ‘Ok, try to play and just enjoy without thinking about ranking. Keep going, and that’s it.'”
How much longer will she keep going? The Italian veteran plans to keep that to herself this time.
“One year, two years, but I don’t want to tell you right now so you won’t start asking me if this is my last!”
The turning point came at the US Open, the site of her greatest career triumph. One year removed from her improbable run to the final – ending Serena Williams’ Calendar Year Grand Slam bid en route – the top ranked Italian came to Flushing with an injured foot and all the pressure in the world to defend the points she’d earned. Defying the odds once more, she roared into the quarterfinals, falling to eventual champion Angelique Kerber.
“I fought a lot, and I probably had something special inside where, even though I wasn’t feeling good with my body, and wasn’t feeling confident, the passion and will took over.
“It gave me a lot of confidence in myself and was a big part of my decision to keep playing. You can’t be perfect every day, in form or body, so sometimes an injury can happen, but you can still win with the passion, fire, forehand, slice!”
Vinci ended a solid 2016 season at the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai still uncertain whether she would continue, ultimately announcing her intent to play this season in late November.
Once she cleared up any doubt, it was time to get back on the court.
“The off-season is never enough, but it was nice. I stayed home in Italy with my parents. I had a great pre-season, nothing special, but I feel good, confident. I had two great matches, into the quarterfinals this week.”
Often over-analytic when it comes to ranking points – this was a player who shouted “60 points!” after a first round win at last year’s US Open – Vinci is intent on turning over a new leaf in 2017.
“When I saw the draw, I thought about how a quarterfinal is 100 points, but I’m trying not to think about that anymore. I’m happy.”
With happiness comes a more mature outlook, one the former World No.7 hopes will keep her fresh and healthy in the new year.
“I know it’s hard to work out every day; I’d speak a lot with my coach and say, ‘Today I can’t play. I’m done, finished.’ He’d say, ‘No problem; you have enough experience, and you know your body.’
“I’m happy about this decision. We’ll see from here; there might be some times when I’ll wonder ‘Why?’ but that’s normal. I’m happy, and that’s good. That’s it.”
All photos courtesy of Getty Images and Instagram.
Elina Svitolina produced a spectacular finish to upset World No.1 Angelique Kerber in Thursday’s Brisbane International quarterfinals.
An interview with Roberta Vinci before her opening round match at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Here’s how Alizé Cornet reacted after pulling off a stunning upset over World No.5 Dominika Cibulkova in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International.
Serena Williams takes on Anna-Lena Friedsam in the second round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.