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TBT: London 2012 Olympics

TBT: London 2012 Olympics

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970
The 2012 Olympics was held in London and played on grass for the first time since the return of tennis as an Olympic sport.

The 2012 Olympics was held in London and played on grass for the first time since the return of tennis as an Olympic sport.

Britain’s No.1 Andy Murray joined the then-three-time gold medalist Venus Williams to pass on the Olympic torch.

Britain’s No.1 Andy Murray joined the then-three-time gold medalist Venus Williams to pass on the Olympic torch.

The competition was held at the All England Club, where the Wimbledon Championships had been held just weeks earlier - except this time the venue looked decidedly more colorful.

The competition was held at the All England Club, where the Wimbledon Championships had been held just weeks earlier – except this time the venue looked decidedly more colorful.

Although as much as venue changed, the rainy London weather stayed the same, washing out the second day of play.

Although as much as venue changed, the rainy London weather stayed the same, washing out the second day of play.

Also, regular tennis fans William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were in attendance as well to cheer on the Brits.

Also, regular tennis fans William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were in attendance as well to cheer on the Brits.

Heather Watson was Britain’s No.1 at the time, and she was joined in the draw by Laura Robson, Anne Keothavong and the late Elena Baltacha.

Heather Watson was Britain’s No.1 at the time, and she was joined in the draw by Laura Robson, Anne Keothavong and the late Elena Baltacha.

With the All England Club’s strict all-white dress code broken for the first time ever, players got creative and colorful with their national team attire (and their hair, like Venus Williams here).

With the All England Club’s strict all-white dress code broken for the first time ever, players got creative and colorful with their national team attire (and their hair, like Venus Williams here).

United States’ Serena Williams, the eventual champion, was the No.4 seed.

United States’ Serena Williams, the eventual champion, was the No.4 seed.

Serena defeated Russia’s Maria Sharapova in the final to claim the gold medal, while Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka won bronze.

Serena defeated Russia’s Maria Sharapova in the final to claim the gold medal, while Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka won bronze.

Although she was already a three-time gold medalist in doubles, London 2012 was where Serena earned her first singles gold medal on this day four years ago.

Although she was already a three-time gold medalist in doubles, London 2012 was where Serena earned her first singles gold medal on this day four years ago.

Azarenka also won her first gold medal in the mixed doubles competition, which returned to the Olympics for the first time since 1924.

Azarenka also won her first gold medal in the mixed doubles competition, which returned to the Olympics for the first time since 1924.

Serena came back to Centre Court the next day and joined Venus for doubles, where they defeated Czech Republic’s Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka for the gold medal, while Russia’s Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova won bronze.

Serena came back to Centre Court the next day and joined Venus for doubles, where they defeated Czech Republic’s Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka for the gold medal, while Russia’s Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova won bronze.

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Bouchard Aces Olympic Style In Vogue

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Canada’s No.1 Eugenie Bouchard definitely shows her own style on the tennis court, but now it’s her off-court style that caught Vogue’s eye. The American fashion magazine named her as one of the five most stylish Olympic athletes to watch in Rio, and it’s no surprise why.

Here’s how the magazine described Genie’s famous street-style:

“With her all-Nike wardrobe, tennis ace Eugenie Bouchard displays plenty of style on the court, but during her off days she ditches the sporty gear for streetwise fashions. Often showing up in the kinds of limited-edition items that fashion insiders covet, Bouchard’s accessories game is on point. With a collection that includes Nike x Liberty trainers and straight-off-the-runway Chanel clutches, Bouchard understands the value of a statement piece.”

Click here for the full list of Vogue’s most stylish Olympians, and while you’re at it check out a couple of Genie’s best style moments, courtesy of her Instagram account:

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WTA Stars Shine At Opening Ceremony

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

RIO DE JANIERO, Brazil – Friday saw the curtain raised on the XXXI Olympiad with a colorful opening ceremony at the magnificent Maracana stadium.

Broadcast to an audience of over three billion, it celebrated Brazil’s culture, history and nature, before former marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima lit the Olympic cauldron. The WTA was well represented on the night, with Caroline Wozniacki carrying in the flag for Denmark.

But what were Wozniacki and company up to before, during and after the show?

However, with many in the singles and doubles draws beginning their tournament the following morning, not everyone could enjoy the festivities…

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Olympics Monday: Second Wave

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Action is hot and heavy in Rio on Monday as all 16 second-round clashes will take place. Wtatennis.com contributor Chris Oddo previews the action.

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Svitolina Shocks Struggling Serena

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – No.15 seed Elina Svitolina ended the Rio run of 22-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, 6-4, 6-3, to reach the quarterfinals of the Olympic tennis event.

“The feeling is unreal, and I still can’t believe this match ended with a win for me,” she said after the match.

“I was trying to be focused because she’s a great player with great experience coming back in many amazing matches. In the end, it was just point by point.”

Working with coaching consultant Justine Henin, a former World No.1 and recent International Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee, Svitolina has shown steady signs of improvement in the last two seasons, reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal and peaking at No.14 in the world following a title run at the BMW Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

But Svitolina had taken just one set from Serena in their previous four meetings, and was by all accounts the underdog against the four-time Olympic gold medalist.

Navigating through tense opening exchanges, Svitolina recovered from losing her early break advantage to reclaim the initiative and serve out the opening set in 34 minutes.

The second set saw a struggling Serena, one who appeared to aggravate a right shoulder injury that forced her out of the Rogers Cup last week, roar back from a break down to level the contest at three games apiece, but it wasn’t enough on Tuesday night.

“In that moment, I was just trying to stay in the moment and focus on every point. She was struggling a bit, and I could see that if I pushed a little more, I could be on top. This was the key.”

Serena had given kudos to her opponent following her second round win, something which made the win all the sweeter for Svitolina, who grew up idolizing the World No.1.

“It’s amazing, and one of my dreams to play against her. I don’t think I ever dreamed of beating her. I think I’ll enjoy this moment so much, especially at the Olympics; I’ve always wanted to play here.”

Up next for the Ukrainian is No.11 seed Petra Kvitova, who is hoping to better her quarterfinal finish from the London Olympics in 2012. Kvitova won a titanic three-setter over Ekaterina Makarova earlier in the day.

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Did Puig Predict Medal Run in Rio?

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig is set to become Puerto Rico’s first women to win an Olympic medal as she advanced to the gold medal match with a three-set win over Petra Kvitova, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

As a result, Puig will become the first woman representing Puerto Rico to win an Olympic medal and has the chance to become the first athlete from Puerto Rico – man or woman – to win a gold medal.

#PicaPower, the world No.34’s rallying cry on social media, became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter following her victory.

Entering the gold medal match, Puig has won a career-best 36 main draw matches in 2016, more than she won in the previous two seasons.

But perhaps most impressive… did Puig forecast her success in Rio back on July 27 when she shared with her Twitter following that she introduced “Rio Puig” to the Twitter-verse?

While Puig will become the first woman representing Puerto Rico to win an Olympic medal, Gigi Fernandez, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, won two gold medals in doubles for the United States playing alongside Mary Joe Fernandez in 1992 and 1996. Gigi was quick to join in the celebration.

No matter what happens in Saturday’s Gold Medal match, we know Puig will have one fan firmly in her corner:

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Rio: The Gold Medal Matches

Rio: The Gold Medal Matches

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970
The Gold Medal match in women's singles was one to remember as Monica Puig took on World No.2 and reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber.

The Gold Medal match in women’s singles was one to remember as Monica Puig took on World No.2 and reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber.

Puig pulled off the upset of Olympics to knock Kerber out in three tight sets, becoming the first Puerto Rican to win a gold medal.

Puig pulled off the upset of Olympics to knock Kerber out in three tight sets, becoming the first Puerto Rican to win a gold medal.

Puig had made it her season goal to win the Olympics - even naming her dog Rio - but the yougster could hardly believe her dream had come true after the match.

Puig had made it her season goal to win the Olympics – even naming her dog Rio – but the yougster could hardly believe her dream had come true after the match.

Puig led a star-studded podium featuring Kerber, who became the first German to win a medal in tennis since Stefanie Graf, and two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova taking the bronze.

Puig led a star-studded podium featuring Kerber, who became the first German to win a medal in tennis since Stefanie Graf, and two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova taking the bronze.

Pairing up for the Olympic Games four years ago in London, Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina came straight from winning the Rogers Cup to roar into the Gold Medal match in women's doubles on Sunday.

Pairing up for the Olympic Games four years ago in London, Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina came straight from winning the Rogers Cup to roar into the Gold Medal match in women’s doubles on Sunday.

Taking the Russians on were a tough team composed of World Co-No.1 Martina Hingis - who was playing her first Olympic Games since 1996 - and Timea Bacsinszky, who replaced Belinda Bencic after injury ruled her out of the games. Hingis and Bacsinszky saved a match point in their semifinal against Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.

Taking the Russians on were a tough team composed of World Co-No.1 Martina Hingis – who was playing her first Olympic Games since 1996 – and Timea Bacsinszky, who replaced Belinda Bencic after injury ruled her out of the games. Hingis and Bacsinszky saved a match point in their semifinal against Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.

Makarova and Vesnina spent 10 months apart as the former addressed injury concerns, but the pair reunited in the spring and have amassed a 25-5 record since Madrid, winning a ninth straight match to oust Hingis and Bacsinszky in straight sets.

Makarova and Vesnina spent 10 months apart as the former addressed injury concerns, but the pair reunited in the spring and have amassed a 25-5 record since Madrid, winning a ninth straight match to oust Hingis and Bacsinszky in straight sets.

The women's doubles podium was complete when Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova - who began the tournament by knocking out three-time women's doubles gold medalists Venus and Serena Williams - won the all-Czech bronze medal match in straight sets.

The women’s doubles podium was complete when Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova – who began the tournament by knocking out three-time women’s doubles gold medalists Venus and Serena Williams – won the all-Czech bronze medal match in straight sets.

The final Gold medal match of the day was in mixed doubles, with Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock taking on four-time Olympic Gold medalist Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram.

The final Gold medal match of the day was in mixed doubles, with Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock taking on four-time Olympic Gold medalist Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram.

Venus was aiming to become the first player to win gold in all three tennis events, but couldn't convert a one-set lead or a 6-3 advantage in the match tie-break. Still, the American leaves Rio with a fifth Olympic medal in five appearances.

Venus was aiming to become the first player to win gold in all three tennis events, but couldn’t convert a one-set lead or a 6-3 advantage in the match tie-break. Still, the American leaves Rio with a fifth Olympic medal in five appearances.

Mattek-Sands has struggled with injuries in the last few years, and recovered from a false alarm when Sock appeared to seal victory on their first match point to capture the gold medal one point later.

Mattek-Sands has struggled with injuries in the last few years, and recovered from a false alarm when Sock appeared to seal victory on their first match point to capture the gold medal one point later.

Mattek-Sands wins a gold medal in her Olympic debut, while Lucie Hradecka adds to her Olympic silver medal from 2012 alongside Radek Stepanek by taking the bronze.

Mattek-Sands wins a gold medal in her Olympic debut, while Lucie Hradecka adds to her Olympic silver medal from 2012 alongside Radek Stepanek by taking the bronze.

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