Tennis News

From around the world

Venus Issues Statement On WADA Hack

Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Venus Williams has issued the following statement in response to Tuesday’s hack on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s databases, which led to the public release of her confidential medical data:

“I was disappointed to learn today that my private, medical data has been compromised by hackers and published without my permission. I have followed the rules established under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program in applying for, and being granted, ‘therapeutic use exemptions’.

“The applications for TUEs under the Tennis Anti-Doping program require a strict process for approval which I have adhered to when serious medical conditions have occurred. The exemptions posted in the hacked report are reviewed by an anonymous, independent group of doctors, and approved for legitimate medical reasons. I am one of the strongest supporters of maintaining the highest level of integrity in competitive sport and I have been highly disciplined in following the guidelines set by WADA, USADA, the ITF and collectively the Tennis Anti-Doping Program.”

Travis Tygart, CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency also issued a statement denouncing the hack and supporting the athletes.

“It’s unthinkable that in the Olympic movement, hackers would illegally obtain confidential medical information in an attempt to smear athletes to make it look as if they have done something wrong. The athletes haven’t. In fact, in each of the situations, the athlete has done everything right in adhering to the global rules for obtaining permission to use a needed medication. The respective International Federations, through the proper process, granted the permission and it was recognized by the IOC and USADA.”

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Cepelova Ends Home Hopes In Tokyo

Posted: Jan 01, 1970

TOKYO, Japan – Jana Cepelova ended home hopes at the Japan Women’s Open Tennis with a hard-fought victory over Kurumi Nara in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Watch live action from Tokyo this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Nara, the final Japanese representative in the draw, started brightly but it was Cepelova that finished the stronger to run out a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 winner.

After losing three straight games to drop the first set, Cepelova soon fell a break behind in the second. Rahter than dwell on this setback, the Slovakian used it as a turning point, winning four of the next five games to level the match.

Her dominance continued into the decider a couple of early break giving her stranglehold she would not relinquish.

Since coming through qualifying to reach the third round of Wimbledon, Cepelova’s form has been mixed; clay court outings in Gstaad and Bastad both ended in the first round before she fell in the final round of qualifying for the US Open.

Now she is through to her first quarterfinal at a WTA tournament since last summer, where she will face No.7 seed Christina McHale after she battled past Viktorija Golubic, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.

Meanwhile, in the top half of the draw, Katerina Siniakova will take on the highest-ranked player left in the draw, No.6 seed Zhang Shuai.

Siniakova followed up her marathon encounter against Louisa Chirico with a far more straightforward 6-2, 6-4 win over Alison Riske. Zhang was made to work harder, recovering to beat Varvara Lepchenko, 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-3.

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RTS Update: Who Joins Kerber & Serena In Singapore?

Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Angelique Kerber and Serena Williams have already booked their spots in the upcoming BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, and while Karolina Pliskova can’t assure herself of a spot this week, her results at the Toray Pan Pacific Open could make her road to qualification even easier as the Asian Swing kicks into high gear.

Seeded No.3 in Tokyo, the US Open runner-up is the highest-ranked woman on the Road to Singapore leaderboard playing this week. RTS No.3 Simona Halep was forced to withdraw due to a left hamstring injury, but is still in pole position to reach Singapore for a third straight year. Set to return to the court in time for the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, the Mutua Madrid Open and Rogers Cup champion could book her ticket by reaching the final, possibly the semifinal based on other results.

As it stands now, Pliskova would have to win Wuhan to guarantee her WTA Finals debut, having narrowly missed out on qualification in 2015 – but a good run in Tokyo will likely take the pressure off as the race heats up.

The same goes for defending WTA Finals winner Agnieszka Radwanska, who is seeded No.2 in Tokyo and last year’s champion. Ranked No.5 on the Road to Singapore leaderboard, the Pole can lessen her Wuhan load with a strong swing through the Japanese capital.

Further back from Radwanska is French Open champion Garbiñe Muguruza, who reached the semifinals last year in her debut with a perfect 3-0 round robin record. Muguruza is the top seed in Tokyo, and has a 500 point lead over No.7 Dominika Cibulkova. Her chances of a second straight Singapore appearance are strong, but replicating last year’s stellar fall swing would doubly assure her chances of a return.

In doubles, Sania Mirza appears to be aiming for a second qualification spot, despite already assuring herself of a return to Singapore with former partner Martina Hingis. Pairing up with Barbora Strycova at the Western & Southern Open, Mirza is ranked No.19 with her new partner, but is set to play the Toray Pan Pacific Open this week and could narrow the 500 point gap between her and the Top 8 with a title in Tokyo.

Click here to learn more about the doubles storylines and qualification scenarios in the latest Insider Doubles Take.

Check out the Top 8 and click here for the full Road to Singapore leaderboard:

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How SAP Analytics For Coaches Assists Kerber Before Big Matches

Posted: Jan 01, 1970

The SAP Analytics for Coaches App has quickly become an essential tool for coaches and players through all three stages of a tennis match. Before the players even hit the court, the analytic insight gives teams an insider perspective on how to strategize for any given match.

“I look at the SAP app to see how the opponent is serving, how she’s placing the ball, and what she’s doing at crucial times,” said Torben Beltz, coach to World No.1 Angelique Kerber. “We try to focus on that to get Angie ready for the match.”

“We sit down together before the match to discuss the tactics against the next opponent,” Kerber added. “He’s able to explain with the technology where I can have more chances to go for it, and see how my opponents have been playing their matches that week.”

Watch the video above to hear how Kerber, Lucie Safarova, and Daria Gavrilova – in concert with their coaching teams – use SAP Tennis Analytics prepare for a match.

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Tokyo: Sasnovich vs Pliskova

Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Aliaksandra Sasnovich takes on Karolina Pliskova in the second round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.

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Radwanska Halts Puig, First Into Tokyo Semifinals

Posted: Jan 01, 1970

TOKYO, Japan – Agnieszka Radwanska kept her Tokyo title defense on track with an emphatic win over Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig, defeating her 6-2, 6-3 to claim her fifth semifinal berth at the Toray Pan Pacific Open.

Watch live action from Tokyo this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

As SAP’s Behind The Numbers revealed, Radwanska’s game flourishes post-US Open, and is especially lethal during the WTA’s Asian Swing. She holds the record for most matches and most titles won in the Asian swing since 2011, and looks set to add to her tally after straight sets victory over Puig.

“I definitely played my best tennis today,” Radwanska said in her on-court interview. “I was serving well and keeping the ball very well. Obviously I knew [Puig] is a really great player, playing in a very top form. So I’m really glad I could do everything today, in my game.”

Radwanska hit 16 winners and allowed just 10 unforced errors during the one hour and 16 minute encounter, not giving Puig much to work with as the Puerto Rican hit 19 winners to 30 unforced errors.

Radwanska’s serve played a decisive role in the match, bailing her out of tricky situations time and time again. She struck eight aces – including a rare second serve ace to bring up set points – and won 66 percent of points behind her first serve.

“I just felt like John Isner for a little bit there!” Radwanska joked with the Japanese crowd. “I think I was serving very well today, and of course that helped me a lot. Especially because from her side the ball is coming so fast, so the serve was the key today as well.”

Radwanska awaits the winner of the day’s second quarterfinal between Caroline Wozniacki and Magda Linette for a spot in the semifinals and a shot at a third Tokyo trophy.

5th @TorayPPO Semifinal for @ARadwanska! ? pic.twitter.com/7JjtpbhMFr

— WTA (@WTA) September 23, 2016

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Wuhan Player Party: WTA Stars Halep & Pliskova Headline The Red Carpet

Posted: Jan 01, 1970

WUHAN, China – Before main draw action got underway at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, the WTA stars set to take the court took to the red carpet for the Player’s Party. No.4 seed Simona Halep and No.5 seed Karolina Pliskova each struck a pose for the cameras, along with some of the biggest names in women’s tennis.

Check out the best photos courtesy of Getty Images:

Simona Halep (ROU)