Tennis News

LONDON, England – Five-time champion Venus Williams got her Wimbledon challenge underway with a hard-fought win over Donna Vekic on the opening Monday.

In a high-quality encounter, Williams held her nerve at the conclusion of both sets to run out a 7-6(3), 6-4 victory.

“The first round is never easy and she played amazing tennis today,” Williams said. “I expect players to feel free and go for it when they play me. In the first set there were some hairy moments but I guess that’s when experience sets in and I had the chance to win the important points.”

Vekic has endured a season to forget, failing to win a WTA main draw match since February. However, if she was short on confidence it did not show against Williams, trading on even terms with the World No.8 for much of their two hours on court.

She had her chances, too, particularly during an opening set, which she served for at 6-5. Perhaps undermined by memories of her recent run, the Croatian saw two sets points slip before Williams pinched it on the tie-break. The second set was just as closely contested, but once again it was the American that finished stronger, a forehand winner bringing her the solitary break in the ninth game.

Williams, who turned 36 a couple of weeks ago and is seeded No.8, is competing at a Grand Slam for a record-equaling 71st time, but still enjoys pitting herself against the new guard: “You got to enjoy the battle because that’s what it is every time you step on the court. You never know what will happen.”

Age is just a number…@Venuseswilliams kicks off her 19th #Wimbledon with a 7-6, 6-4 win over Donna Vekic ? https://t.co/86VTT9bcSG

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) 27 June 2016

One member of the next generation expected to go far this fortnight is No.9 seed Madison Keys. A champion at both Birmingham and Eastbourne over the past few years, Keys is no stranger to success on grass, and displayed her nous to overpower Laura Siegemund, 6-3, 6-1.

The next challenge will be 2013 semifinalist Kirsten Flipkens, after she brushed aside Nicole Gibbs, 6-3, 6-1. Elsewhere, there were contrasting fortunes for another former semifinalist, Ana Ivanovic, who was bundled out by qualifier Ekaterina Alexandrova.

A few days on from squeaking past World No.446 Harriet Dart in the final round of qualifying, Alexandrova elevated her game to another level, surviving a late wobble to triumph, 6-2, 7-5.

Defending champion Serena Williams leads the charge as the top half of the draw takes to the grass on Day 2. We preview a busy slate at SW19 here on wtatennis.com, courtesy of contributor Chris Oddo.

Tuesday

First Round

[1] Serena Williams (USA #1) vs. [Q] Amra Sadikovic (SUI #148)
Head-to-head: First Meeting
Key Stat: Williams is the last women to have won Wimbledon after saving a match point (2009).

Having failed to come away with the title in each of the last three majors, Serena Williams has dusted herself off and is ready to pursue Grand Slam glory at one of her favorite stomping grounds. Her first test will be against Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic, a 27-year-old who has only played six tour-level matches in her career. After briefly retiring from tennis, the Swiss has recently returned to the tour with a renewed sense of purpose. Williams, on the other hand, is hoping to log more matches than six this Wimbledon fortnight. The six-time champion owns a 79-10 lifetime record at SW19 and despite the fact that she’s bidding for a historical 22nd major title for the fourth time, the 34-year-old refuses to be bothered by externalities. “Honestly, I don’t feel any pressure,” Williams told assembled press on Sunday during her champion’s press conference. “I feel good and confident.” Williams arrived in London on Monday to give herself plenty of time to get reacquainted with the grass that she has prowled so efficiently since she made her first Wimbledon appearance in 1998. Despite having made the trek 17 times now, Williams says it’s always special. “It’s a unique experience,” she said. “You know, it’s just that one time a year you just get to get on this amazing, beautiful surface. It feels really good.”

Pick: Williams in two

[13] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS #14) vs. Caroline Wozniacki (Den #45)
Head-to-head: Wozniacki leads 6-5
Key Stat: A three-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist, Kuznetsova has not reached that far at the All England Club since 2007.

Two longtime rivals will meet for the 12th time and the first at Wimbledon on Tuesday when Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kuznetsova lock horns in a highly enticing first-rounder. They are six years apart in age, and 31 spots separate them in the rankings, but in truth there isn’t a whole lot that divides these two, talent-wise. Wozniacki has slipped in the rankings due to an ankle injury that forced her out for two months this spring, but the Dane has put three events under her belt and is feeling much better about her form after a productive three weeks on the grass. “I feel like I’m getting closer to where I want to be,” she told the WTA Insider Podcast at Eastbourne, where she won two matches before falling in a tight three-setter to Monica Puig. Kuznetsova has had her moments in 2016, most notable her upset of world No.1 Serena Williams in Miami, but the Russian has lost her only match on grass to date in 2016.

Pick: Wozniacki in three

[10] Petra Kvitova (CZE #10) vs. Sorana Cirstea (ROU #85)
Head-to-head: Kvitova leads, 4-2
Key Stat: Two-time champion Petra Kvitova is one of three former Wimbledon champions in the draw.

Typically a grass juggernaut, Petra Kvitova encountered some turbulence on her favorite surface this summer when she was knocked out of Birmingham and Eastbourne in the round of 16. But the 2011 and 2014 champion has more than proven herself at Wimbledon, where she owns a 29-6 lifetime record and has produced some of her most electrifying tennis. That means it will take an exceptional effort from Romania’s Sorana Cirstea to challenge the Czech on Tuesday in a place where Kvitova has always been at her menacing best. In their lone Wimbledon meeting Kvitova eased past Cirstea in straight sets, but the world No.85 does own two victories over Kvitova and has undergone a bit of a revival of late, producing her best tennis since her breakout season in 2013 in the last six months.

Pick: Kvitova in two.

[7] Belinda Bencic (SUI #13) vs. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL #71)
Head-to-head: Bencic leads, 2-0
Key Stat: Pironkova is playing in her 43rd consecutive major at Wimbledon. It is the third-longest active streak behind Ana Ivanovic (47) and Jelena Jankovic (51).

Belinda Bencic loves playing on grass and excels on the surface; Tsvetana Pironkova loves playing on grass and also excels on the surface. What’s not to love about this highly anticipated first-round matchup between two talented players who win with touch and placement rather than power? Bencic defeated Pironkova in the first round at SW19 last year, and she will come in as the favorite on paper, but the Swiss has yet to find her top physical form after missing two months due to a back injury. After a semifinal in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Bencic had to pull out of her first match at Birmingham with an injury before being defeated in her first match at Eastbourne by Elena Vesnina. Pironkova has two deep Wimbledon runs under her belt (semifinals in 2010, quarterfinals in 2011) and will surely be hungry to gain revenge on Bencic on Tuesday.

Pick: Pironkova in three

Around the Grounds: Third seed and 2012 runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska will begin her 11th Wimbledon campaign with a first-round battle with Kateryna Kozlova of the Ukraine, who is making her Wimbledon debut. Great Britain’s Johanna Konta defeated Monica Puig in a third-set tiebreaker last year at Nottingham. They’ll meet again in the first round on Tuesday with Konta looking to win for the first time in four tries at Wimbledon.

By the Numbers:

137 – Svetlana Kuznetsova’s win total at the Grand Slam level, which is fourth-most among active players.

31-5 – Caroline Wozniacki’s record in first round matches at majors. The Dane has not dropped a first-rounder since 2012 Wimbledon.

BOGOTA, Colombia – Playing her final season on tour, 36-year-old Francesca Schiavone not only earned her eighth career WTA title at the Claro Open Colsanitas, but also gained valuable ranking points towards guaranteeing what would be her final French Open main draw appearance, outlasting No.4 seed Lara Arruabarrena, 6-4, 7-5.

“I’m very happy and emotional,” she said in her on-court interview. “Today was a disaster match, but winning was the most important thing. Lara is improving a lot; I think she pulled a muscle and couldn’t run as well that she could, but I thank God that I could win the last three games.”

.@Schiavone_Fra's execution on point! ? pic.twitter.com/yNfBtkeLV4

— WTA (@WTA) April 15, 2017

A former World No.4, Schiavone announced 2017 would be her last season in November, and came into the clay court season without winning a main draw match all year.

Just as she first did in 2010, when she won her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, the wildcard found some extra magic on the red clay of Colombia, shocking top seed and 2016 French Open semifinalist Kiki Bertens and No.3 seed Johanna Larsson en route to her first WTA final since the Rio Open last February.

Shot of the match so far?@Schiavone_Fra is on ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/JjOtxPOhkj

— WTA (@WTA) April 15, 2017

It would nonetheless be a tough ask against Arruabarrena, a 2012 champion in Bogota who had enjoyed a career-best run at the Miami Open, where she reached the fourth round.

“There wasn’t a big difference between us. It was very close.”

The Italian kept up her impressive form to start Saturday’s final, winning her ninth straight set as Arruabarrena got the upper hand in the second, breaking serve and holding four set points to force a decider.

FORZA! ?@Schiavone_Fra captures @CopaWTABogota title! pic.twitter.com/ZOUJFKdlmp

— WTA (@WTA) April 15, 2017

Schiavone showed off her signature fighting spirit to save all four and roll through the final four games of the match to earn her 600th career win bring her ranking back to within striking distance of the Top 100.

“I’m not thinking about retirement,” she said after striking 28 winners to just 21 unforced errors. “I’m enjoying tennis.”

.@Schiavone_Fra cheesin' with the trophy ? pic.twitter.com/NxSCHrS66H

— WTA (@WTA) April 15, 2017

A beloved figure on the tour for nearly two decades, current and former players alike sent out their congratulations to the veteran:

Gradeeeeeeeeeeeeeee????! Si naaaaaa putenzzzzzzzzzz. Tvb stronzetta @Schiavone_Fra https://t.co/Nhlw0uazSG

— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) April 15, 2017

Gradeeeeeeeeeeeeeee????! Si naaaaaa putenzzzzzzzzzz. Tvb stronzetta @Schiavone_Fra https://t.co/Nhlw0uazSG

— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) April 15, 2017

You're eternal girl! You're an inspiration!! Forza @Schiavone_Fra ❤ ! Well done Chica @laraarrua ! Love you both! ???☀️?? https://t.co/wtyfj3KDFd

— Timea Bacsinszky (@TimeaOfficial) April 15, 2017

More to come…

ZHENGZHOU, China – It was straightforward work for Peng Shuai at the Biyuan Cup Zhengzhou Women’s Tennis Open as the top seed cruised past Shuko Aoyama, 6-1, 6-1.

In fact, all eight first-round matches played on Day 1 were concluded in straight sets.

That meant progress for second seed Wang Qiang, who beat Hiroko Kuwata 6-1, 6-1, and No.3 seed Duan Ying-Ying, who defeated qualifier Peangtarn Plipuech of Thailand by the same scoreline. Japan’s Nao Hibino, seeded fourth, beat compatriot Akiko Omae 6-1, 6-2.

The closest match of the day was between eighth seed Liu Fangzhou and Thailand’s Varatchaya Wongteanchai. The qualifier took the Chinese player to a first-set tiebreak, but eventually fell, 7-6(4), 6-2.

In the other clashes, Valentini Grammatikopoulou of Greece beat wildcard Xu Yi-Fan, 6-1, 6-3; Eri Hozumi of Japan beat qualifier Guo Hanyu by the same margin; and in the battle of the wildcards, Yang Zhaoxuan beat Tang Hao Chen, 6-1, 6-2.

With two titles and a couple of runner-up finishes to her name, no one can deny that Dominika Cibulkova has a nose for success in 2016. Quite literally in fact.

Tennis players are a superstitious bunch, and Cibulkova is no different. However, her pre-point ritual does not involve ball bouncing, lines or adjusting bottles. No, instead before serving Cibulkova gets a good whiff of the ball she is about to use.

It is a quirk that has not gone unnoticed, and ahead of her third-round meeting with Eugenie Bouchard the BBC’s Rishi Persad investigated just how sophisticated the Slovak’s sense of smell is…

19th seed Dominika Cibulkova has the weirdest superpower ever… https://t.co/l6pR8H96lo

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) 2 July 2016

ZHENGZHOU, China – Top seed Peng Shuai charged on at the Biyuan Cup Women’s Tennis Open, beating Japan’s Riko Sawayanagi in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.

She will be joined in the third round by second-seeded Wang Qiang, who came from behind to edge a tight match with Valentini Grammatikopoulou of Greece, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Nao Hibino of Japan, seeded fourth, also made it through, beating her compatriot Eri Hozumi, 6-3, 6-2.

Eighth seed Liu Fangzhou also progressed as she beat countrywoman Yang Zhaoxuan, 6-1, 6-4.

And then there were eight! It’s quarterfinal day at the All-England Club and we’re previewing each of the four matchups at WTATennis.com, courtesy of contributor Chris Oddo.

Tuesday

Quarterfinals

[1] Serena Williams (USA #1) vs. [21] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS #23)
Head-to-head: Williams leads, 5-0
Key Stat: Pavlyuchenkova has only won one set against Williams in five previous tilts.

It’s a time-honored tradition at Wimbledon. As the second week kicks in Serena Williams lifts her game to another level. The 21-time major champion did just that on Day 8, easing past Svetlana Kuznetsova, 7-5, 6-0 on Centre Court to move a step closer to a seventh Wimbledon title. On Tuesday she’ll face Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for the sixth time. Is Serena emotionally ready for another battle on Day 9? “I wake up since I was three years old to do this,” Williams told reporters after her victory on Monday. “These are the moments that I live for. The passion and the intensity that I have is what makes me Serena. I can’t change, nor would I ever want to be different.” Though she’s defeated Pavlyuchenkova all five times she’s faced her, Williams is not taking anything for granted heading into her 45^th career Grand Slam quarterfinal. “I just know that going into that match, I definitely need to be ready,” she said. “I’ve lost to players that have never beaten me in the past in some big situations. I definitely don’t want that to happen.”

Pick: Williams in two

Elena Vesnina (RUS #50) vs. [19] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK #18)
Head-to-head: Tied, 3-3
Key Stat: Cibulkova has won nine matches in a row.

The magical ride continued for Dominika Cibulkova at Wimbledon on manic Monday as the Slovakian outlasted Agnieszka Radwanska in a three-set, three-hour thriller that was being tabbed as the best match of the fortnight around the grounds. Cibulkova gave every inch of her being to get past Radwanska and was thankful to get through after saving a match point late in the third set. “Today was the most physically tough, it was the toughest match for me I would say my whole career,” she said. “I felt really, really tired when the match was going on.” On Tuesday she’ll have to dig deep again against surprise quarterfinalist Elena Vesnina if she intends to reach her first career Wimbledon semifinal. Vesnina squeaked by her doubles partner Ekaterina Makarova on Monday, 5-7, 6-1, 9-7, to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal in her 42^nd appearance at a major.

Pick: Cibulkova in three

[5] Simona Halep (ROU #5) vs. [4] Angelique Kerber (GER #4)
Head-to-head: Halep leads, 3-1
Key Stat: Kerber is one of three former Grand Slam champions remaining in the draw, along with Venus and Serena Williams.

Two WTA elites backed up their seeds nicely on Day 8, and on Tuesday Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber will vie for a spot in the semifinals at SW19. Halep holds the edge in the pair’s head-to-head but Kerber can claim the confidence that comes with being crowned a Grand Slam champion earlier this year at the Australian Open. “I was feeling that my tennis is getting better and better every day,” said the German after dispatching Misaki Doi in straight sets on Monday. “This is what counts in the second week of a Grand Slam.” Halep, who edged Madison Keys in a tough round of 16 tussle on Monday, is ready for another big challenge in the quarterfinals. “I know Angelique very well,” Halep said. “I’m confident. I have to be. I am playing well. I am into the tournament already, so I had tough matches before. I’m looking forward to play against her, and I know it’s going to be tough.” Expect this battle of former Wimbledon semifinalists to be epic. Both players are dialing in their best form, and both are hungry to advance.

Pick: Halep in three

[8] Venus Williams (USA #8) vs. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ #96)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Williams has reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time in six years.

A Wimbledon legend, finding her mojo at the scene of her first Grand Slam triumph. That’s the story of 36-year-old Venus Williams, the oldest woman remaining in the draw but also a very legitimate threat to recapture the glory of Wimbledons past here at SW19. Williams was in stellar form on Monday, taking out Carla Suárez Navarro in straight sets to set up a quarterfinal clash with unseeded world No.96 Yaroslava Shvedova. Despite the fact that Williams hasn’t pushed this deep in a Wimbledon draw since 2010, the five-time champion is confident that she’s ready to keep this run going. “Yeah, it’s been a few years,” Williams said. “But I’ve been here before. I’m not, like, a deer in the headlights. So, of course, I want more. That’s what anybody would want in a quarterfinal.”

Pick: Williams in three

By the Numbers:

81 – Combined number of major quarterfinals Venus and Serena Williams have reached in their career. Serena owns a 31-13 record in major quarterfinals; Venus owns a 19-16 record.

36 – Number of three-set matches played in the first four rounds at Wimbledon out of a possible 120.

77– Percentage of first-serve points won by Serena Williams. The American has won the highest percentage of first-serve points among the remaining participants in the draw.

1 – Players to have reached the round of 16 without the loss of a set (Kerber).