Charleston: Daria Gavrilova Pre-Tournament Interview
Hear Daria Gavrilova’s thoughts prior to the start of the tournament.
Hear Daria Gavrilova’s thoughts prior to the start of the tournament.
MONTERREY, Mexico – No.2 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova completed a Russian sweep of WTA titles this week, shocking top seed and World No.1 Angelique Kerber, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 to win her fourth Abierto GNP Seguros title.
I’m really overwhelmed and don’t think I realized that I just won my fourth Monterrey trophy,” she said in her post-victory press conference. “Some people just have four trophies in total, and I have four here! It’s very special and it’s a special place in my heart; it’s where I won my first title and since won three more.
“But a trophy is a trophy; I’m so happy to hold it.”
Gutsy way to save break point from @NastiaPav! ? #AbiertoGNPSeguros pic.twitter.com/wlR0CwvYc1
— WTA (@WTA) April 9, 2017
Following countrywoman Daria Kasatkina’s title run at the Volvo Car Open, Pavlyuchenkova got out to the early advantage in Sunday’s final, taking the only break of the first set on her third set point.
“Playing the final against the No.1 player in the world is already very special, because everyone wants to compete against the No.1. You don’t get so many chances to do it, so it was one opportunity for me today. Beating here feels amazing, but I’m just enjoying the moment right now.”
Kerber was looking for her first title of the season and aimed to turn the tables on the big-hitting Russian, winning a long third game to break serve and run away with the second set to level the match.
.@NastiaPav firing at the start of the second! #AbiertoGNPSeguros pic.twitter.com/ZT9R0oJaVq
— WTA (@WTA) April 9, 2017
“Honestly, I didn’t have much energy left in the tank during the second set. First, it was really hot today, and tough conditions. Angelique was making me play every single point, so I felt as though I’d already given a lot in the first set. The first three games in the second were really long and I felt, ‘That’s it. I don’t have anything left.’
“But it’s a final; I said I’d try my best and give everything I had. So I had to find something somewhere, what little energy I did have, and put that into the match. I’m so happy I managed to do that.”
Absolutely genius from @NastiaPav! ? #AbiertoGNPSeguros pic.twitter.com/CLLPwvkY9z
— WTA (@WTA) April 9, 2017
Pavlyuchenkova is in the midst of a career best start to her year, making quarterfinal finishes at the Australian Open and BNP Paribas Open since hiring new coach Simon Goffin.
With Goffin in her corner, she raced out to a 5-0 lead in the final set, ultimately serving out her ninth career title in just under two hours.
How did @NastiaPav reach this forehand?! ? #AbiertoGNPSeguros pic.twitter.com/lv6SvWQZyr
— WTA (@WTA) April 9, 2017
Despite – or perhaps because of – her ability to adapt to the conditions, the Monterrey press still ribbed the Russian over her description of the tough conditions, those in which she nonetheless hit 49 winners to 31 unforced errors – compared to 14 winners to just 10 unforced errors from Kerber.
“I like to complain! Let me complain,” she laughed. “I feel sorry for myself sometimes, like it’s so hot and so tough. Let me complain. But it’s not complaining that much because the conditions aren’t easy here in general. Coming from other tournaments, it feels different to play here.”
“Wow! Fourth one, huh?” -@NastiaPav #AbiertoGNPSeguros pic.twitter.com/eOLHmtxjbj
— WTA (@WTA) April 9, 2017
Thanks to their strong results in Monterrey, both women are set to make big leaps on the Road to Singapore leaderboard, with Kerber inching just outside the Top 8 at No.10, while Pavlyuchenkova is two spots behind at No.12.
“I’ll probably enjoy this win for a few more days, but in tennis, you’ve got another one in a couple of weeks. I’ll have Fed Cup, playing for my country. But I really hope to bring this form with me throughout the year, improve, and be fitter for the next tournaments.”
Special message from @Abierto_GNP champ @NastiaPav to her fans ? pic.twitter.com/06S3IbOeMO
— WTA (@WTA) April 9, 2017
In the doubles final, top seeds Alicja Rosolska and Nao Hibino recovered from a break down in the second set to defeat Dalila Jakupovic and Nadiia Kichenok, 6-2, 7-6(4).
“Our opponents really stepped up in the second set, played more solid and put a lot of pressure on us. We couldn’t play our game style as freely,” Rosolska said after the match.
“We had to be more focused from the first ball, so we tried putting in more first serves and be more aggressive so we wouldn’t be under as much pressure.
“There was a very important game at 2-4 where we won the deciding point and helped us win the second set.”
The pair previously paired up to win an ITF challenger title, but as the Pole noted, “It’s our WTA first!”
All photos courtesy of Abierto GNP Seguros.
BOGOTA, Colombia – It’s the Claro Open Colsanitas – and here are some of the best photos from the first days of action there.
Kiki Bertens, Johanna Larsson, Sara Errani and Irina Falconi are just four of the players on court in Bogota.
They’ve been battling with changeable conditions, with the rain pouring down – but the crowds have been happy to sit tight and wait for some more top-class tennis.
Check out some of the best sneak peeks here!
As the top seed at the Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem, Timea Bacsinszky was treated to a special tour.
Bacsinszky got to visit Rabat’s medina and walk through the historic maze-like streets.
There’s much to see in Old Rabat: the entire quarter is listed as a World Heritage site.
Bacsinszky also saw “La Rue Des Consuls,” a part of the old town with local traditional shops.
There she was able to check out Rabat’s well known craftsmanship and jewelry.
After shopping, the Swiss player was treated to another Morocco tradition…
…she learned the art of bartering!
Check out Bacsinszky’s new necklace!
Rabat is the WTA’s lone stop in Africa, and has been staged in several cities in Morocco including Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech and finally the Moroccan capital.
PRAGUE, Czech Republic – Lucie Safarova’s clay court revival at the J&T Banka Prague Open gathered further momentum on Thursday with a straight set win over Hsieh Su-Wei.
Watch live action from Prague & Rabat this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
Going into her home tournament, Safarova had not registered a win all season, but after unraveling Hsieh’s unorthodox game in two tight sets she now has three in as many days.
In a topsy-turvy encounter, Safarova failed to serve out the opening set at 5-4, before coming within a few points of losing it two games later. In the tie-break, it was the Czech that held her nerve, taking it when Hsieh miscued a backhand into the tramlines.
Hsieh continued to pose problems in the second set, but once again it was Safarova that came out on top at the crucial moments, returning from a late rain delay to reach the semifinals
Safarova’s 7-6(3), 7-5 victory followed on from an even more impressive performance from her compatriot and next opponent, Karolina Pliskova. Eager to minimize her time exposed to the elements on another chilly day in the Czech capital, defending champion Pliskova blew away Camila Giorgi, 6-2, 6-1, in just 51 minutes.
Pliskova and Safarova met only last week in Stuttgart, the former coming through a third set shootout, to add to victories over her Fed Cup teammate the previous year in Antwerp and Dubai.
Following her showing in Stuttgart and her run this week Safarova is feeling positive heading into the rematch. “I was on the way back already in Stuttgart, where I had a great match, and I was hoping the results would come. I’m happy and excited that it’s going this well.
“It was a tough match today; she’s always a very tricky player, defending the court very well and I’m very excited to be through to the semis.”
BOGOTA, Colombia – Playing her final season on tour, 36-year-old Francesca Schiavone not only earned her eighth career WTA title at the Claro Open Colsanitas, but also gained valuable ranking points towards guaranteeing what would be her final French Open main draw appearance, outlasting No.4 seed Lara Arruabarrena, 6-4, 7-5.
“I’m very happy and emotional,” she said in her on-court interview. “Today was a disaster match, but winning was the most important thing. Lara is improving a lot; I think she pulled a muscle and couldn’t run as well that she could, but I thank God that I could win the last three games.”
.@Schiavone_Fra's execution on point! ? pic.twitter.com/yNfBtkeLV4
— WTA (@WTA) April 15, 2017
A former World No.4, Schiavone announced 2017 would be her last season in November, and came into the clay court season without winning a main draw match all year.
Just as she first did in 2010, when she won her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, the wildcard found some extra magic on the red clay of Colombia, shocking top seed and 2016 French Open semifinalist Kiki Bertens and No.3 seed Johanna Larsson en route to her first WTA final since the Rio Open last February.
Shot of the match so far?@Schiavone_Fra is on ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/JjOtxPOhkj
— WTA (@WTA) April 15, 2017
It would nonetheless be a tough ask against Arruabarrena, a 2012 champion in Bogota who had enjoyed a career-best run at the Miami Open, where she reached the fourth round.
“There wasn’t a big difference between us. It was very close.”
The Italian kept up her impressive form to start Saturday’s final, winning her ninth straight set as Arruabarrena got the upper hand in the second, breaking serve and holding four set points to force a decider.
FORZA! ?@Schiavone_Fra captures @CopaWTABogota title! pic.twitter.com/ZOUJFKdlmp
— WTA (@WTA) April 15, 2017
Schiavone showed off her signature fighting spirit to save all four and roll through the final four games of the match to earn her 600th career win bring her ranking back to within striking distance of the Top 100.
“I’m not thinking about retirement,” she said after striking 28 winners to just 21 unforced errors. “I’m enjoying tennis.”
.@Schiavone_Fra cheesin' with the trophy ? pic.twitter.com/NxSCHrS66H
— WTA (@WTA) April 15, 2017
A beloved figure on the tour for nearly two decades, current and former players alike sent out their congratulations to the veteran:
Gradeeeeeeeeeeeeeee????! Si naaaaaa putenzzzzzzzzzz. Tvb stronzetta @Schiavone_Fra https://t.co/Nhlw0uazSG
— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) April 15, 2017
Gradeeeeeeeeeeeeeee????! Si naaaaaa putenzzzzzzzzzz. Tvb stronzetta @Schiavone_Fra https://t.co/Nhlw0uazSG
— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) April 15, 2017
You're eternal girl! You're an inspiration!! Forza @Schiavone_Fra ❤ ! Well done Chica @laraarrua ! Love you both! ???☀️?? https://t.co/wtyfj3KDFd
— Timea Bacsinszky (@TimeaOfficial) April 15, 2017
More to come…
ZHENGZHOU, China – It was straightforward work for Peng Shuai at the Biyuan Cup Zhengzhou Women’s Tennis Open as the top seed cruised past Shuko Aoyama, 6-1, 6-1.
In fact, all eight first-round matches played on Day 1 were concluded in straight sets.
That meant progress for second seed Wang Qiang, who beat Hiroko Kuwata 6-1, 6-1, and No.3 seed Duan Ying-Ying, who defeated qualifier Peangtarn Plipuech of Thailand by the same scoreline. Japan’s Nao Hibino, seeded fourth, beat compatriot Akiko Omae 6-1, 6-2.
The closest match of the day was between eighth seed Liu Fangzhou and Thailand’s Varatchaya Wongteanchai. The qualifier took the Chinese player to a first-set tiebreak, but eventually fell, 7-6(4), 6-2.
In the other clashes, Valentini Grammatikopoulou of Greece beat wildcard Xu Yi-Fan, 6-1, 6-3; Eri Hozumi of Japan beat qualifier Guo Hanyu by the same margin; and in the battle of the wildcards, Yang Zhaoxuan beat Tang Hao Chen, 6-1, 6-2.
It’s time to crown April’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, May 6.
How it works: five shots are selected by wtatennis.com, and the winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com.
Check out the shots of the week from the Claro Open Colsanitas.
MADRID, Spain – 2014 Mutua Madrid Open finalist Simona Halep got her outdoor clay court campaign off to a flying start on Court Manolo Santana; opening the night session on Sunday, the Romanian eased past Japan’s Misaki Doi, 6-0, 6-3, to reach the second round.
Watch live action from Madrid this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
“It was a good match, a good start for me,” she said after the match. “The first set was fast; I had a good start because I was confident, and practicing very well the last few days here. In the second set, she started to hit faster, and I was hitting flatter than I was at the start of the match. That was good for her.
“I had to make it more of a clay court game, and that’s why I won.
Halep was suffering from the lingering effects of an ankle injury and breathing problems in a stunning loss to Laura Siegemund just two weeks ago in Stuttgart, but exhibited none of those health concerns in Madrid, racing through the first eight games of the match, hitting five aces and 19 winners in the match.
A dangerous floater, Misaki Doi came closest to preventing Angelique Kerber’s Australian Open run back in January – having held a match point on the German in their first round encounter – and leveled the second set by winning three games in a row after falling behind a break. Halep’s coach Darren Cahill took to the court to advise his charge, who brushed off the string of games to win the final four of the match to reach the second round.
Converting six of eight break point opportunities, Halep maintained an impressive 66% first serve percentage and won all four of her points at net.
Awaiting the former World No.2 in the second round will be Italy’s Karin Knapp. Knapp has spent much of the season dealing with a right knee injury, played some emphatic tennis to defeat rising Russian Margarita Gasparyan, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
“I have great memories from two years ago, so the game is ok here. It was a bit cold, but it’s always cold here in the evenings. It was ok, I was playing good and it was a good day for me.”
In just twenty-two minutes, @Simona_Halep drops a bagel on Doi 6-0! #MMOpen https://t.co/kXbyMNb3JZ
— WTA (@WTA) May 1, 2016
Sunshine Double winner and former No.1 Victoria Azarenka maintained an unbeaten streak that now stretches to 15 matches (including Fed Cup) with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Laura Robson. A former No.1 in Great Britain, Robson has been off the court for much of the last two and a half years, and had entered Madrid’s main draw with a protected ranking.
Nonetheless, she kept things close against the two-time Australian Open champion – particularly in the first set, where she maintained even footing until the crucial ninth game, in which the Belarusian broke serve to run away with the match. Azarenka’s next opponent will be Frenchwoman Alizé Cornet; though she trails 4-0 in their head-to-head, the last three matches have gone three sets.
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix finalist Laura Siegemund had retired from her doubles match on Saturday citing dizziness, but pushed through another impressive singles result on Sunday, dispatching 2015 Madrid runner-up and No.9 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3. A qualifier in Madrid, Siegemund is currently the No.4 German; should she hold onto that position, she is a likely candidate to qualify for the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She will next play fellow qualifier Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, who won a second straight match over Kristina Mladenovic, having narrowly taken out the young French star in a third set tie-break in Charleston. Mladenovic’s countrywoman and doubles partner Caroline Garcia reached the second round when Australian Open semifinalist Johanna Konta was forced to retire in the second set of their first round, citing an upper respiratory illness.
Earlier in the day, 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic captured a thrilling three-set win over qualifier Katerina Siniakova; the No.14 seed emerged victorious out of a titanic final game to win, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. No.11 seed and J&T Banka Prague Open champion Lucie Safarova enjoyed a seamless win over American CoCo Vandeweghe, while Romanian wildcard and former World No.21 Sorana Cirstea continued her charge back up the rankings with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Jelena Jankovic.
25th win of 2016! ?@Vika7 Azarenka tops Robson 6-4, 6-2 in @MutuaMadridOpen first round! pic.twitter.com/J2DhcNZ0V0
— WTA (@WTA) May 1, 2016