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WTA Elite Trophy Ambassador Steffi Graf Lands In Zhuhai

WTA Elite Trophy Ambassador Steffi Graf Lands In Zhuhai

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970
Steffi Graf has landed in Zhuhai, China for the second edition of the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.

Steffi Graf has landed in Zhuhai, China for the second edition of the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.

The former No.1 has fans all around the world, and in Zhuhai it’s no different!

The former No.1 has fans all around the world, and in Zhuhai it’s no different!

She received a warm greeting from her fan club, which received her with posters, artwork and more!

She received a warm greeting from her fan club, which received her with posters, artwork and more!

The tennis legend stopped for a photo with the group.

The tennis legend stopped for a photo with the group.

Graf headed to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for a different kind of tennis match.

Graf headed to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for a different kind of tennis match.

Joined by Caroline Garcia, Graf took part in a fun match on the bridge which connects Hong Kong, Macao and mainland China.

Joined by Caroline Garcia, Graf took part in a fun match on the bridge which connects Hong Kong, Macao and mainland China.

The bridge is one of the city’s most impressive landmarks.

The bridge is one of the city’s most impressive landmarks.

Graf showed off her 22-time Grand Slam winning skills on the bridge against Garcia.

Graf showed off her 22-time Grand Slam winning skills on the bridge against Garcia.

After the match they grabbed a photo with some special guests: Mezle Chung, Vice General Manger of Zhuhai Huafa Group Co.,Ltd., Micky Lawler, President of WTA and dozens of the bridge’s workers.

After the match they grabbed a photo with some special guests: Mezle Chung, Vice General Manger of Zhuhai Huafa Group Co.,Ltd., Micky Lawler, President of WTA and dozens of the bridge’s workers.

When it’s completed, the bridge will be the longest sea-spanning bridge in the world, the worker explained to Graf.

When it’s completed, the bridge will be the longest sea-spanning bridge in the world, the worker explained to Graf.

After the bridge visit, she headed back to the Zhuhai Hengquin International Tennis Center, where the WTA Elite Trophy is contested, for another fun activity.

After the bridge visit, she headed back to the Zhuhai Hengquin International Tennis Center, where the WTA Elite Trophy is contested, for another fun activity.

The former No.1 hosted a charity clinic outside of the Haufa Center Court.

The former No.1 hosted a charity clinic outside of the Haufa Center Court.

Graf ran through the basics with 29 students from primary schools and high schools, including 19 from Macau.

Graf ran through the basics with 29 students from primary schools and high schools, including 19 from Macau.

She had words of wisdom for even the smallest tennis fans!

She had words of wisdom for even the smallest tennis fans!

After the clinic, Graf had time for all her fans, signing autograph after autograph.

After the clinic, Graf had time for all her fans, signing autograph after autograph.

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Konta Races Into Zhuhai Semifinals, Kvitova Also Advances

Konta Races Into Zhuhai Semifinals, Kvitova Also Advances

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

ZHUHAI, China – Top seed Johanna Konta produced a clinical display to brush aside Caroline Garcia and take her place in the knockout stage of the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.

Watch live action from Zhuhai this week at WTA Live Powered By TennisTV!

One hour was all it took for Konta to wrap up a 6-2, 6-2 victory and set up a semifinal against Elina Svitolina. Earlier in the day, No.2 seed Petra Kvitova also advanced, topping her round-robin group after a 6-1, 6-4 win over Barbora Strycova.

Konta confirmed she would finish the year ranked inside the Top 10 following an impressive win against Samantha Stosur in her opening match, and she underlined her status with an even more dominant display second time out.

It did not take long for the Briton to get her nose in front, hooking a passing shot beyond Garcia’s reach to break in the third game. A few games later it was the backhand doing the damage, the World No.10 finding the line to stretch her lead further, before wrapping up the set soon after.

Konta handily won the pair’s previous meeting, at this summer’s Rio Olympics and a run of five straight games in the second set sent her hurtling past the finishing post.

“I really felt I played a very consistent match. I didn’t give he many windows [of opportunity] and I’m very happy I managed to do that today,” Konta said during her on-court interview. ” She has such a big game so I really needed to apply myself on every point.”

“Right now, it’s just one more match tomorrow. I’m not looking any further than that. I’m going to have a very tough one and looking to compete as best I can.”

Petra Kvitova

While Konta takes on Svitolina, in the other semifinal Kvitova meets Chinese No.1 Zhang Shuai.

Kvitova made a flying start against fellow Czech Strycova before encountering some late resistance. However, just as she has so often in her recent resurgence, she found her best tennis when it mattered most, withstanding some late service jitters – and a couple of break points – to take the final three games of the match.

“The second set was a little bit tight. It was really important to serve well in that game, 4-3. I was facing two break points and it was really the key point,” Kvitova said in her press conference.

“And I think that from the time that I started to play more aggressive than I did before, the beginning of the second set, so it helped me actually, to face the two break points to get back on the track and play little bit better and to return better as well. But, I mean, overall it was a good match. I think it was – the serve was really good today; helped me a lot as well. I’m happy that I’m in the semifinal for sure.”

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Muguruza Shocks Serena For First Major

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

PARIS, France – Garbiñe Muguruza played the best tennis of her career to stun defending champion Serena Williams and claim her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.

In a rematch of last year’s Wimbledon final, 22-year-old Muguruza once again came into the match as the underdog: Williams has won three out of their four previous meetings – all at Grand Slam level.

This time, the on-form Muguruza was not cowed by the occasion or by her World No.1 opponent, who was going for a record-equaling twenty-second major title.

“I think we both were very nervous,” Muguruza told NBC’s Mary Carillo after the match. “I was really going for the match so I was not really thinking of who I have in front or where I’m playing.

“I was just like, ‘Come on, go for the match.’ I just said [to myself], ‘Garbiñe be calm, don’t get nervous.’ I practiced all my life for this so you know, that’s the moment.”

Muguruza stayed poised throughout the match’s dramatic twists and turns, tamping down the nerves that have so often gotten the best of her in big moments. She earned the first break of the match for a 3-2 lead, then put a pair of double faults behind her to escape a 0-30 deficit and consolidate it. Williams broke back to level the score, but Muguruza stayed steady to earn a second break and serve out the first set 7-5.

The pair traded breaks to start off the second set, but Muguruza once again stayed composed and got her nose in front and built up a 3-1 lead. Williams fended off four of Muguruza’s championship points on her serve at 5-3, putting up a monumental effort to hold her ground and win a 16-point game to force the Spaniard to serve for the match. And the No.4 seeded Muguruza did: she served it out at love and claimed the match on a backhand lob winner to close out Williams, 7-5, 6-4.

With the win Muguruza not only claims her first Grand Slam title, she also adds her name to Spain’s storied history at Roland Garros: she’s the first Spanish woman to win the title since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario accomplished the feat in 1998.

Muguruza also climbs two spots in the rankings to World No.2, matching another one of Sanchez-Vicario’s feats by becoming the first Spaniard to hold that ranking since 1996. She sits behind Williams, who retains her No.1 ranking.

Both players were understandably emotional during the awarding of the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, presented by WTA founder Billie Jean King and French Tennis Federation president Jean Gachassin. Williams fought back tears as she delighted the Chatrier crowd by delivering her runner-up speech in perfect French, while Muguruza had only praise for Williams, a player she grew up admiring.

“I can’t explain with words how this day means to me. You work all your life to get here,” she said.

“I want to really congratulate Serena because she’s one of the best players.”

For Muguruza, a 22-year-old Venezuelan-born Spaniard of Basque heritage, the victory is not just for Spain but for every part of her multicultural background:

“I’ve grown up playing on clay so for Spain and for me this is just amazing,” she said. “I know [tennis] is very traditional in Spain, but Venezuela is in my heart also, I also play for them.”

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2020 Vision For Venus? Williams Aims For Tokyo Games

2020 Vision For Venus? Williams Aims For Tokyo Games

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Long before the Olympic tennis event kicked off in Rio de Janeiro, Venus Williams toyed with the idea of sticking around for 2020, when the Olympics moved to Tokyo, Japan.

“We have to start looking at 2020,” she said at Wimbledon when asked about her successful doubles tenure with sister Serena. “That would be impressive. If you think this year’s impressive, hold on.

“That would be a blessing if we did play. I’m so grateful for each and every time we’ve had a chance to play and qualify. It’s been beyond our dreams. It means the world to us to play together.”

Venus and Serena have been the story of Olympic tennis since the two first paired up to win gold in women’s doubles back in 2000. Since then, the sisters have each amassed quite a haul, each taking gold in singles – Venus in 2000, Serena in 2012 – and earning three golds in women’s doubles in 2000, 2008, and 2012.

Venus Williams

She narrowly missed out on a fifth gold medal in mixed doubles, winning silver alongside Rajeev Ram in Rio.

“Tokyo is about if I want to be there,” the five-time Wimbledon winner said in August. “If I want to continue to work as hard. It’s a lot of hard work. I have to want to do the work. So we’ll see.”

Her resolve appears to have solidified even more in the off-season, discussing the possibility of playing through 2020 on a soon-to-be broadcast program on the Hallmark Channel.

“I am targeting that to see if it’s possible to play there. While you’re out there playing, I love that challenge, I love the pressure, it’s all a privilege.

“If I can be out there, I will be.”

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.

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Vote: May's WTA Shot Of The Month

Vote: May's WTA Shot Of The Month

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

It’s time to crown May’s WTA Shot Of The Month. There were some incredible shots to choose from this month, and we narrowed it down to the five best – have a look at the nominees in the above video and cast your vote for your favorite shot before voting ends Thursday at 11:59pm ET!

The winner will be announced Friday, June 10.

May WTA Shot Of The Month

How it works: five shots are selected by wtatennis.com, and the winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com.

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