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USANA & The WTA's Montréal Aces

USANA & The WTA's Montréal Aces

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

The 2016 Aces For Humanity campaign was launched by USANA and the WTA at the BNP Paribas Open and continued in Montréal at the Rogers Cup, where every ace hit by a WTA player at Premier-level events translates into a donation to the USANA True Health Foundation, whose mission is to provide the most critical human necessities to those who are suffering or in need around the world.

For every ace hit by any player the WTA donates $5, and for every ace hit by a USANA Brand Ambassador, it’s $10.

USANA Brand Ambassadors Eugenie Bouchard, Samantha Stosur, Kristina Mladenovic, Madison Keys, Monica Puig, Sloane Stephens, Zheng Saisai, Alizé Cornet and Caroline Wozniacki hit 72 of the 320 aces at Stanford – raising a grand total of $1960 throughout the week. Keys hit the most with 43 aces.

Read more about the campaign here and see below to find out who’s hit the most aces so far!

 USANA

USANA

#AcesForHumanity Fan Giveaway

It’s simple: before each WTA Premier tournament guess how many total aces will be hit.
Next up is the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. Last year there was a total of 359 aces hit. It’s now your turn, take your best guess of how many will be hit this year.

How To Enter:
• Follow @WTA and @USANAFoundation on Twitter and before each WTA Premier tournament tweet the number of aces you predict will be hit during the whole tournament (Singles, Main Draw)
• Include the hashtag #AcesForHumanity
• Eastbourne deadline is August 16 at 11:59pm ET
• The winner will be announced August 22nd

Aces For Humanity is a joint WTA and USANA initiative that benefits the USANA True Health Foundation, which provides critical human necessities to those in suffering or in need around the globe.

For full rules on how to enter, click here.

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Keys Out Of Australian Open, Reunites With Coach Davenport

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Madison Keys has confirmed she is once again working with former No.1 Lindsay Davenport as her coach.

Under Davenport’s tutelage, the 21-year-old American made her first major semifinal in 2015, beating Petra Kvitova and Venus Williams to make the Australian Open semifinals. Their partnership ended after that season due to scheduling problems, but Keys confirmed on Friday that Davenport will be her coach in 2017.

“I am very excited to be working with Lindsay again as she’s helped me reach great results in the past and we make an excellent team,” Keys wrote on Twitter.

Unfortunately the partnership won’t debut on court for at least another month. Keys also announced she would be unable to compete at the Australian Open next month as she is still recovering from off-season arthoscopic wrist surgery. When entry lists were released earlier this month, Keys’ name was notably absent from any Australian Open lead-up tournaments.

“While I’ve been training with Lindsay and at USTA in Orlando for a few weeks, I don’t want to rush back and need to take my time to be fully able to perform at my best on court,” Keys said.

Keys is coming off her most consistent season to date, finishing the season at No.8 after qualifying for her first BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global in October. After the season she announced a surprise split with veteran coach Thomas Hogstedt due to personality conflicts.

With Davenport she has reunited with a close friend and mentor who has keen insight into Keys’ familiar, powerful game.

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Ana Ivanovic: A Career In Snapshots

Ana Ivanovic: A Career In Snapshots

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970
Born on November 6, 1987, Ivanovic made her WTA debut in 2003, and played her first main draw in 2004. By the start of 2005, Ivanovic won her first of 15 career titles in Canberra, where, as a qualifier, she earned the rare distinction of beating the same player twice at the same event. She ousted Melinda Czink in the final round of qualifying, and later in the final.

Born on November 6, 1987, Ivanovic made her WTA debut in 2003, and played her first main draw in 2004. By the start of 2005, Ivanovic won her first of 15 career titles in Canberra, where, as a qualifier, she earned the rare distinction of beating the same player twice at the same event. She ousted Melinda Czink in the final round of qualifying, and later in the final.

A few months after winning her first title, Ivanovic burst out onto the global stage with a big win over Amélie Mauresmo en route to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros.

A few months after winning her first title, Ivanovic burst out onto the global stage with a big win over Amélie Mauresmo en route to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros.

Ana was quickly becoming a household name as she cultivated a legion of fans, who tuned in to watch her win her second career title in 2006, defeating Martina Hingis in straight sets at the Rogers Cup.

Ana was quickly becoming a household name as she cultivated a legion of fans, who tuned in to watch her win her second career title in 2006, defeating Martina Hingis in straight sets at the Rogers Cup.

In just her third French Open appearance, Ivanovic roared into her first major final, dispatching Maria Sharapova in the semifinals with the loss of just three games.

In just her third French Open appearance, Ivanovic roared into her first major final, dispatching Maria Sharapova in the semifinals with the loss of just three games.

Ana finished runner-up to Justine Henin, but it was clear a star had been born.

Ana finished runner-up to Justine Henin, but it was clear a star had been born.

Proving to be a player for all surfaces, Ivanovic went on to the very next major - the 2007 Wimbledon Championships - and reached the semifinals, winning a classic encounter against Nicole Vaidisova along the way.

Proving to be a player for all surfaces, Ivanovic went on to the very next major – the 2007 Wimbledon Championships – and reached the semifinals, winning a classic encounter against Nicole Vaidisova along the way.

Ivanovic played her third major semifinal out of four at the 2008 Australian Open, where she staged an odds-defying comeback against Daniela Hantuchova to reach her second Grand Slam final.

Ivanovic played her third major semifinal out of four at the 2008 Australian Open, where she staged an odds-defying comeback against Daniela Hantuchova to reach her second Grand Slam final.

Ana was proving more ready for primetime, losing a tense two-setter to Sharapova in Melbourne. Undaunted, Ivanovic went on to win the BNP Paribas Open, but the best was yet to come.

Ana was proving more ready for primetime, losing a tense two-setter to Sharapova in Melbourne. Undaunted, Ivanovic went on to win the BNP Paribas Open, but the best was yet to come.

It all came together for Ivanovic that year in Paris, where she played her best tennis of her career to win her maiden major title.

It all came together for Ivanovic that year in Paris, where she played her best tennis of her career to win her maiden major title.

Ana mounted another epic comeback against countrywoman Jelena Jankovic in the semifinals, which helped her become one of just 22 women in WTA history to ascend to World No.1. Ivanovic held onto the top spot for a total of 12 weeks.

Ana mounted another epic comeback against countrywoman Jelena Jankovic in the semifinals, which helped her become one of just 22 women in WTA history to ascend to World No.1. Ivanovic held onto the top spot for a total of 12 weeks.

Ivanovic was on top of the world, defeating Dinara Safina in straight sets to not only win her first match as No.1, but also the 2008 French Open title.

Ivanovic was on top of the world, defeating Dinara Safina in straight sets to not only win her first match as No.1, but also the 2008 French Open title.

As champion, Ivanovic earned $1.55 million; throughout her career, she earned $15.5 million on the court, the 20th-highest total of all time.

As champion, Ivanovic earned $1.55 million; throughout her career, she earned $15.5 million on the court, the 20th-highest total of all time.

Injuries and inconsistencies plagued her next two seasons, but the Serb still showed some thrilling tennis indoors, winning back-to-back titles at the WTA Tournament of Champions in Bali, along with two titles in three years in Linz.

Injuries and inconsistencies plagued her next two seasons, but the Serb still showed some thrilling tennis indoors, winning back-to-back titles at the WTA Tournament of Champions in Bali, along with two titles in three years in Linz.

Ana achieved the Career Last Eight Club honor at the 2012 US Open. Reaching her first quarterfinal in Flushing, Ivanovic fell to eventual champion Serena Williams.

Ana achieved the Career Last Eight Club honor at the 2012 US Open. Reaching her first quarterfinal in Flushing, Ivanovic fell to eventual champion Serena Williams.

Ivanovic avenged the loss less than two years later, where she took one of the biggest wins of her career at the 2014 Australian Open, outlasting the then-World No.1 in three sets.

Ivanovic avenged the loss less than two years later, where she took one of the biggest wins of her career at the 2014 Australian Open, outlasting the then-World No.1 in three sets.

Ivanovic qualified for the WTA Finals three times in her career; her stellar 2014 season helped her return to Singapore for the first time since 2008.

Ivanovic qualified for the WTA Finals three times in her career; her stellar 2014 season helped her return to Singapore for the first time since 2008.

After winning a career-best four titles and 58 matches in 2014, Ivanovic kicked off 2015 by playing one of the best finals of the year, narrowly losing the Brisbane International final to Sharapova in a three-set thriller.

After winning a career-best four titles and 58 matches in 2014, Ivanovic kicked off 2015 by playing one of the best finals of the year, narrowly losing the Brisbane International final to Sharapova in a three-set thriller.

The rest of 2015 saw her struggle with more injuries, but the Serb saved some magic for the French Open, reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal since 2008 at the tournament where it all began for Ivanovic.

The rest of 2015 saw her struggle with more injuries, but the Serb saved some magic for the French Open, reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal since 2008 at the tournament where it all began for Ivanovic.

Ivanovic qualified for three Olympic Games, playing two in 2012 and 2016. Her last Olympic appearance came in Rio de Janeiro.

Ivanovic qualified for three Olympic Games, playing two in 2012 and 2016. Her last Olympic appearance came in Rio de Janeiro.

Ivanovic played her final career match at the US Open, and announced her retirement on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

Ivanovic played her final career match at the US Open, and announced her retirement on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

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Petra Kvitova: At The Crossroads

Petra Kvitova: At The Crossroads

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Petra Kvitova finds herself caught at the crossroads of two tennis eras – but she quite likes it that way.

The big hitting lefty is not quite in the generation of WTA veterans like Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams. But in turn, she’s not in the crowd of new stars likes Garbiñe Muguruza, Simona Halep and fellow Czech Karolina Pliskova who are fast on the rise. Kvitova remains the first and only Grand Slam winner – male or female – born in the 90s.

How does the two-time Wimbledon champion feel about being the most accomplished member of this ‘in between’ group?

“I don’t feel any pressure,” Kvitova told China’s CCTV in Shenzhen. “I know that Serena has been there for a long time – she’s still the biggest champion that we have. And the younger generation is coming up and they are pushing us a lot. I think it’s good that we can see many [new] faces playing so well.

“There’s room in tennis right now – it’s very open. It’s nice to compete and not really be expecting who can win. It’s more difficult and less predictable this way.”

Kvitova experienced first-hand the unpredictability of the emerging younger generation: at last year’s Australian Open, she was stunned by a then 19-year-old Madison Keys in the third round.

The Australian Open is Kvitova’s toughest major: her best results in Melbourne have been an appearance in the quarterfinal in 2011 and in the semifinal in 2012. But if she could choose which of the four slams she’d like to win, the Czech is up for the challenge.

“If I could have another Grand Slam, I would pick either the Australian Open or the French Open,” she said. “At the Australian Open, the hard courts, I just love that Grand Slam a lot. I feel so relaxed in Australia.”

To make that wish come true, Kvitova is facing an uphill climb. She was forced to withdraw from Shenzhen in her first round match and later from Sydney – where she was the defending champion – due to a stomach virus. The last time she played a complete match was at the Fed Cup final, when she helped propel the Czech Republic to victory more than two months ago.

If Kvitova can shake off the off-season rust and beat her lingering illness, the Czech is poised for a deep run in Melbourne – as long as she can make it past the initial hurdles and build up the confidence she needs.

“I don’t really like the beginning of the tournaments, for sure,” Kvitova said. “But that’s how it is – it’s probably normal that I’m improving my game with each match in a tournament.

“And then when the finish line comes, I’m feeling better about my game.”

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Muguruza Halts Stosur Comeback In Brisbane

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

BRISBANE, Australia – Garbiñe Muguruza withstood a spirited comeback from Samantha Stosur to triumph in a thrilling opening-round encounter at the Brisbane International on Monday.

To the disappointment of a partisan crowd, Brisbane native Stosur was unable to prevent Muguruza winning, 7-5, 6-7(2), 7-5, in  just under three hours.

Historically Stosur has struggled to produce her best tennis in Brisbane, winning only four matches in her six appearances. And under the roof of the Pat Rafter Arena she was in trouble early on, falling behind 0-30 and facing a break point at 2-2 only  to bail herself out with a couple of heavy-duty deliveries.

They stayed locked on serve until very last game of the set, when Stosur took advantage of a lapse from Muguruza to bring up three set points. But the Spaniard refused to crack under pressure, crushing a deep backhand deep to reach the safety of deuce. A flurry of errors from Stosur in the next give Muguruza the opening she needed to take the set.

Targeting the Stosur backhand, Muguruza twice broke at the start of the second. Each time the hometown favorite hit right back, going on to level in a one-sided tie-break. She carried this momentum into the decider, yet despite forging 4-2 ahead, the ghosts of past appearances came back to haunt her as the No.4 seed produced the more authoritative – and assured – tennis to take a place in the second round.

There she will face Daria Kasatkina. Should she come through that test, another russian, No.5 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, is her likely quarterfinal foe. Kuznetsova enjoyed a more straightforward start to 2017, registering her 600th career win by easing past Louisa Chirico, 6-2, 6-4.

Also advancing was No.8 seed Roberta Vinci, after she dig deep to see off lucky loser Kateryna Bondarenko, 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 7-6(5).

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Azarenka Wins, First Round Wraps Up

Azarenka Wins, First Round Wraps Up

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MELBOURNE, Australia – Victoria Azarenka, who won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013, didn’t drop a single game in the first match of her quest for a third title at the Happy Slam on Tuesday.

The No.14-seeded Azarenka was absolutely ruthless against Alison Van Uytvanck in the feature night match on Rod Laver Arena, rolling past the Belgian up-and-comer in just 53 minutes, 6-0, 6-0.

“I’m pretty happy – I don’t think I’m looking for perfection, I’m looking for effort. I’m looking for focus,” Azarenka told reporters afterwards. “I like that I was very composed today from the first point to the last point. Like it didn’t matter what the score was in the match, I was there on every point.

“So that’s what I’m very happy about today.”

The former World No.1 was asked whether she was sticking to the dab – the American Football-inspired post-match celebration she debuted during her run to the Brisbane title – this fortnight.

“For now, yeah,” she said, after which she was asked whether it was for luck.

“I just like doing it,” Azarenka replied. “I don’t believe in luck – I believe in hard work.”

Azarenka has gotten off to a perfect start to the 2016 season, not dropping a set en route to her first WTA title in almost two and a half years at the Brisbane International a few weeks ago – losing just 17 games in five matches, in fact – and she’s now 6-0 on the year after her first win in Melbourne.

Not all of the favorites flourished, though, with five more seeds going out, most notably No.2 seed Simona Halep, who was stunned by Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai, 6-4, 6-3 (read more here) and No.8 seed Venus Williams, who succumbed to British No.1 Johanna Konta, 6-4, 6-2 (read more here).

Johanna Larsson beat No.29 seed Irina-Camelia Begu, 6-3, 6-2, Varvara Lepchenko beat No.31 seed Lesia Tsurenko, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3, and Barbora Strycova outdid No.32 seed Caroline Garcia, 6-2, 6-4.

Most of the seeds in action moved through, though, including No.3 seed Garbiñe Muguruza, who out-hit Anett Kontaveit, 6-0, 6-4, and No.7 seed Angelique Kerber, who won a thriller against Misaki Doi, saving a match point down 6-5 in the second set tie-break to survive, 6-7(4), 7-6(6), 6-3.

Other winners on Tuesday included No.9 seed Karolina Pliskova, No.11 seed Timea Bacsinszky, No.15 seed Madison Keys, No.18 seed Elina Svitolina, No.19 seed Jelena Jankovic, No.20 seed Ana Ivanovic (read about her win here), No.21 seed Ekaterina Makarova and No.30 seed Sabine Lisicki.

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