Rome: Best Shots
The best shots from the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
STRASBOURG, France – No.3 seed Samantha Stosur clinched a second set tie-break to sweep aside Hsieh Su-Wei, 6-3, 7-6(3), to join Alla Kudryavtseva in the quarterfinals of the Internationaux de Strasbourg.
Stosur recovered from an early break in the opening set, and the disappointment of missing the opportunity to end the match in the tenth game of the second.
“I served for it at 5-4 then lost serve,” she told wtatennis.com after the match. “You just need to knuckle down and keep focused, think about what had been working in the match and get back to those things.
“It would have been hard having been serving for the match then playing a third set, and I lost serve again at 6-5. Then it was all about a good start in the tie-break.”
Stosur had never dropped a set in her two previous matches against the former doubles No.1; the pattern held in the ensuing tie-break, which the 2011 US Open champion won to clinch the match in an hour and 37 minutes.
“I don’t remember the other encounters with Su-Wei. Just the scores. They were in different conditions. My coach had a look but two years is a pretty long time in tennis.
“It was another good match against a tricky opponent. It was closer than the score looked.”
Up next for the Aussie is No.10 seed Caroline Garcia, who eased past Jil Teichmann, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Kudryavtseva was the first into the final eight with a thrilling 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Zarina Diyas. The Russian hadn’t reached a WTA quarterfinal since her run at last year’s Brisbane International as a lucky loser, and had to recover from a 5-3 final set deficit to defeat Diyas, and set up a match with either Alison Riske or No.4 seed Kristina Mladenovic, whose match was postponed due to darkness.
Elena Vesnina and Sloane Stephens were the last into the second round in Strasbourg on Tuesday; Vesnina was victorious in the fifth longest match of 2016, taking out Zheng Saisai, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5), while Stephens captured a one-set shoot-out with Donna Vekic, completing a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 win.
Le soleil revient aux #IS2016 ! pic.twitter.com/SqFj1kB9Ig
— WTA Strasbourg (@WTA_Strasbourg) May 17, 2016
Can Caroline Garcia pull off the upset of the tournament in front of her home crowd against World No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska? Check out the Day 4 preview at wtatennis.com.
Simona Halep takes on Naomi Osaka in the third round of Roland Garros.
STRASBOURG, France – For the Czech Republic’s top players, reuniting for Fed Cup finals has almost become an end-of-the-season tradition. The two-time defending champions are back in action this weekend in Strasbourg, where they’re seeking their fifth title in six years.
Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova, Barbora Strycova and Lucie Hradecka will take on the underdogs France in the Fed Cup final – here’s everything you need to know about the team and the tie, right here on wtatennis.com!
Fast Facts:
Tie: Fed Cup Final, France vs Czech Republic
Dates: Nov 12 & Nov 13, 2016
Venue: Rhenus Sport – Strasbourg, France (indoor hardcourts)
Czech Captain: Petr Pala
– The Czech Republic’s last three ties have been decided in the final doubles rubber
– All of the ties in their 2016 campaign have been away, including the final
Meet the team:
Karolina Pliskova
The new Czech No.1 Pliskova earned her career-high ranking of No.5 after the best season of her career saw her lift two titles, including the Premier-level Western & Southern Open – defeating Angelique Kerber in the final – and reach the US Open final, defeating Serena Williams in the semifinals.
After such a banner season, Pliskova is looking to continue her rise with her second Fed Cup crown. Dangerous both in singles and in doubles with partners Barbora Strycova or Lucie Hradecka, the versatile 24-year-old is valuable asset for the Czech team.
Fed Cup debut: 2015
Ties played: 4
Fed Cup win-loss record: 9-2 (singles 6-2, doubles 3-0)
Fed Cup indoor record: 9-2
Petra Kvitova
Fresh from her win at the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, a rejuvenated Kvitova dons the white, blue and red Czech national colors with a renewed sense of purpose. She always shines while playing for her country, and this year she was able to use her impressive run to the Olympic bronze medal as a catalyst to put behind her a disappointing start to the season.
Though her last appearance for the Czech Republic ended in two disappointing defeats, suffering a straight sets loss against Monica Niculescu and a three-set heartbreaker to Simona Halep in the World Group quarterfinal against Romania, Kvitova has been a crucial component to the team for years, competing in all five of their most recent finals.
Kvitova said: “I think the tennis in Czech Republic has a huge [tennis] history. When Navratilova played, all of them, we always kind of been strong for tennis, but the women’s side a little bit stronger right now, and that’s why we playing final again probably.
“Of course we should be confident to get the title for us again. I think we have a great team, and we’re going to do everything what we can. We always love playing. It will be great week for sure, and the weekend will be more special.”
Fed Cup debut: 2007
Ties played: 19
Fed Cup win-loss record: 26-10 (singles 26-9, doubles 0-1)
Fed Cup indoor record: 24-6
Barbora Strycova
The Czech No.3 Strycova sits at No.20 on the WTA rankings after reaching two finals this year, at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the Aegon Classic Birmingham. She’s added three doubles titles to her impressive haul, too, including a win at Birmingham with her countrywoman Pliskova.
As a result, Strycova is one of the Czechs’ go-to doubles players, though she’s also been showing off more of her singles game lately. She defeated Timea Bacsinszky in straight sets in the World Group semifinal against Switzerland before falling to Viktorija Golubic in three sets.
Strycova said: “All the Czech players, we know how to be a teammates in the week where is Fed Cup. Tennis is individual sport, so we know how to separate it.Most of the time of the year you play for yourself.
“But three weeks in a year we are so close together and we are like really – I can’t describe it, because it’s like a routine for us that we are really doing everything together in the week where we play Fed Cup.”
Fed Cup debut: 2002
Ties played: 15
Fed Cup win-loss record: 16-9 (singles 7-6, doubles 9-3)
Fed Cup indoor record: 5-5
Lucie Hradecka
As one half of the “Silent Hs” along with partner Andrea Hlavackova, Hradecka’s season in doubles has been a success. The pair started the year with an appearance in the Australian Open final, continued on to reach the quarterfinals or better at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome, then capped it off by lifting two titles, the Coupe Banque Nationale and Kremlin Cup as well as competing at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
As the Czech Republic’s longtime doubles specialist, Hradecka’s role could prove even more crucial this weekend – the team’s last three ties have been decided in the final doubles rubber.
Fed Cup debut: 2010
Ties played: 12
Fed Cup win-loss record: 7-5 (singles 1-3, doubles 6-2)
Fed Cup indoor record: 6-1
– Photos courtesy of Getty Images
Peng Shuai was a few months removed from a US Open semifinal appearance when a back injury took her out of the game for almost a year.
“For me, two years ago, I was at a peak level,” Peng said at the China Open. “I could choose whether I would like to play or not. Actually, my friends and family did not agree with my surgery, because it’s too risky. Now I’m near 30 years old.”
The former Chinese No.1 agreed to have surgery, and was determined to get back to playing her best tennis.
“After the surgery, no one could guarantee I could come back to the court. What if I have more injuries if I come back to the court? I’d like to thank them for their support and care. I was a little bit stubborn to have the surgery. My friends and family supported me to undergo this surgery. It was quite a challenge for me.”
Peng began showing flashes of brilliance at home, upsetting former World No.1 Venus Williams in Beijing before finally adding a WTA title to her illustrious resume, winning the Tianjin Open.
Just shy of the Top 100 heading into 2017 (from a low of No.768), Peng is your Breakthrough Player of the Month!
Final Results for October’s WTA Breakthrough Performance Of The Month
1. Peng Shuai (70%)
2. Johanna Konta (23%)
3. Daria Gavrilova (8%)
2016 Breakthrough Performance Of The Month Winners
January: Zhang Shuai
February: Jelena Ostapenko
March: Nicole Gibbs
April: Cagla Buyukakcay
May: Kiki Bertens
June: Elena Vesnina
July: Kristina Kucova
August: Karolina Pliskova
September: Naomi Osaka
How it works:
Finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
Before the Serena Williams and Garbiñe Muguruza face off on Philippe Chatrier for the 2016 French Open title, here are 10 points to ponder…
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.
Game. Set. Match MUGURUZA! Say hello to our newest #RolandGarros champion. ? https://t.co/X8PfeZ7S8V
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2016
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.”
? ? pic.twitter.com/oQz7Hyf4xl
— WTA (@WTA) June 4, 2016
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.
How it works: five shots are selected by wtatennis.com, and the winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com.
The ITF has issued a ruling in the case of Maria Sharapova. An independent tribunal has found that Sharapova has committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation, and has therefore been imposed a period of ineligibility of two years, commencing on January 26, 2016.
“It is important at all times for players to be aware of the rules and to follow them,” says WTA CEO Steve Simon. “In this case, Maria has taken responsibility for her mistake from the outset. The WTA supports the process that the ITF and Maria have followed. The ITF has made its ruling and, under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, the decision may be appealed to the Court Arbitration for Sport. The WTA will continue to follow this closely and we hope it will be resolved as soon as possible.”
Sharapova released the following statement on her official Facebook page:
For more information, click here.