I Still Scout Venus's Game-Plan, Says Serena
Serena Williams says it’s important to scout her sister’s game-plan before the Australian Open final…
Serena Williams says it’s important to scout her sister’s game-plan before the Australian Open final…
An interview with Belinda Bencic after her win in the quarterfinals of the Apia International Sydney.
MELBOURNE, Australia – When Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams in the final of the Australian Open, her historic victory was felt around the world. She clinched a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam and returned to the WTA World No.1 ranking.
Here’s the best moments from Twitter as the world reacted to the 28th edition of Williams vs Williams – and Serena’ monumental victory.
It was a final nobody expected to see again – but a final that delighted the world.
Congrats @Venuseswilliams @serenawilliams I'll be recording the final so my two little girls can watch history and have strong role models
— James Blake (@JRBlake) January 26, 2017
Legends wished them luck…
Good luck @serenawilliams & @Venuseswilliams – You have both come so far from the day we met at the @WorldTeamTennis clinic in Long Beach!
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 28, 2017
Need I say more @AustralianOpen women's final!! @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams pic.twitter.com/Yxg2fzH0cj
— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) January 28, 2017
…and the new generation felt like they were back in their childhoods.
Venus vs Serena. I feel like I'm 8 years old. ???
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) January 28, 2017
After all the talk, it was time to play. Some people looked on with admiration and envy.
Ok… I'm gonna need both of their serves. HEY SANTA?? Come back around, I want to trade my presents ?
— Vicky Duval (@vicky_duval95) January 28, 2017
And some people had problems deciding who to cheer for.
Loving the fans calling out “Come on, Williams!” That would totally be me.
— Katie Bee (@breakpointsaved) January 28, 2017
Serena took the first set…
How good is @SerenaWilliams when winning the 1st set?
20-0 in Grand Slam finals! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/OQRViJTnox
— WTA (@WTA) January 28, 2017
Everyone was enjoying the quality of tennis on display…
Watching these two champions battle it out! High quality tennis from the real queens of the tennis world #SerenavsVenus #AusOpen
— Leander Paes (@Leander) January 28, 2017
…and it wasn’t too long before Serena made history.
.@SerenaWilliams captures record 23rd Grand Slam title at @AustralianOpen!
Defeats Venus 6-4, 6-4! #MakeHistory #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/khMOPajHWc
— WTA (@WTA) January 28, 2017
It was her sister, the runner-up, who paid the most touching tribute.
“Serena Williams. That's my little sister guys. Your win has always been my win”
We're welling up at Venus ?https://t.co/D5SyvBR5pS pic.twitter.com/hEGwZ0bCiD
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) January 28, 2017
And the champion repaid the compliment.
#Serena, on #Venus: “There's no way I would be at [No.23] without her. Without her, the 'Williams Sisters' wouldn't exist.” #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/wGeK512QL0
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017
The congratulations poured in for both champions after the historic moment of victory…
Congrats @serenawilliams on your 23rd major title and return to the top of the@WTA rankings. You are a history maker and a trailblazer.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 28, 2017
Congratulations @serenawilliams ?2️⃣3️⃣#WilliamsSisters continuing to make history, break records, and inspire. #AusOpen ??
— Shelby Rogers (@Shelby_Rogers_) January 28, 2017
History made!! #23 #legends
— Daria Gavrilova (@Daria_gav) January 28, 2017
What a match and surreal battle we just witnessed… Two legends. Inspiration for all ????.
— Vicky Duval (@vicky_duval95) January 28, 2017
Witnessed this. History maker ?? @serenawilliams
— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) January 28, 2017
#Inspiring https://t.co/A4WCAcgkxk
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) January 28, 2017
Hey if you're gonna take an L, it may as well contribute to breaking a record. Huge congrats to @serenawilliams on 23. ??? https://t.co/MsGceFG2Nb
— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) January 28, 2017
The way they were…..#SHEROES.
Sister Act. ? pic.twitter.com/V6RWo03o09— judy murray (@JudyMurray) January 28, 2017
Simona Halep takes on Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinals of the Apia International Sydney.
NANCHANG, China – Duan Ying-Ying fought back to knock out No.8 seed Han Xinyun and book a spot in the quarterfinals of the Jiangxi Open on Thursday.
Watch live action from Nanchang this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
Long-time rivals on the ITF Circuit, this was the first time the players had met at a WTA event, and it was Han that reacquainted herself the quicker. However, after dropping the first set Duan slowly came back into contention in the second, pinching it after getting the better of a flurry of late service breaks.
She rode this momentum into the decider, opening up an early lead before reeling off the final three games to close out a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory.
“It’s been a while since I last played her so it took me some time to get used to her game, especially because she’s a lefty,” Duan said. “I lost the first set but changed strategy in the second and third and it worked.
“I’m happy with my performance today. And felt quite lucky that I won in the end. She moves very well on court. It’s quite difficult to play her.”
Elsewhere, there were mixed fortunes for the Chinese contingent; Liu Fangzhou provided further home cheer with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Jang Su Jeong, while Misa Eguchi ended the run of qualifier Zhu Lin, 6-4, 6-2.
Doubles star Abigail Spears kicked off her final year on tour by winning her first Grand Slam title with Juan Sebastian Cabal, defeating No.2 seeds Sania Mirza and Ivan Dodig in two sets.
Dropshot Podcast: Breaking down the Australian Open draw, are we headed for a Serena vs. Vika final in Melbourne?
On this Dropshot episode of the WTA Insider Podcast, Senior Writer Courtney Nguyen is joined by Web Editor David Kane to analyze the 2016 Australian Open draw, which is notably top-heavy, offering top seed Serena Williams a tricky path to her 22nd major title, and a bottom half that sees one name in particular stand out: Victoria Azarenka.
Nguyen and Kane discuss whether Simona Halep’s decision to play through pain at the Apia International Sydney will impact her chances in Melbourne, Camila Giorgi’s high-risk/high-reward game, Agnieszka Radwanska’s chances for her first major title, and much, much more.
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on any podcast app of your choice; reviews are always helpful, so if you like what you’ve heard so far, leave us one.
You can also get new episode alerts by following us on Twitter @WTA_Insider and stay tuned for more podcast episodes on the WTA website at wtatennis.com.
WTA Insider Courtney Nguyen | What are the biggest stories worth following at what promises to be an exciting Olympic Games? Check out a full draw analysis right her at wtatennis.com!
January was defined by four breakthrough players who brought some impressive performances on and off the court. Which one soared the highest?
Have a look at the nominees for January’s Breakthrough of the Month and cast your vote before Thursday at 11:59pm ET! The winner will be announced Friday, February 3.
January 2017 WTA Breakthrough of the Month Finalists:
Katerina Siniakova: Siniakova started the season at the Shenzhen Open, where she won her first title with wins over Simona Halep and Johanna Konta before knocking out 2016 finalist Alison Riske in the championship match. The win brought the Czech youngster to a career-high ranking of No.37.
Elise Mertens: Mertens made her Top 100 debut after winning the Hobart International the week before the Australian Open. Though she missed the deadline for Melbourne qualifying, the powerful Belgian blew through the draw, roaring through qualifying to defeat top seed Kiki Bertens and Monica Niculescu in the final.
Lauren Davis: Another player to take home their maiden WTA title was young American Lauren Davis, who started the year at the ASB Classic. Unseeded in Auckland, Davis beat four seeds to the title, including Bertens, Barbora Strycova, Jelena Ostapenko, and Ana Konjuh.
CoCo Vandeweghe: Vandeweghe made her major breakthrough at the Australian Open, getting back-to-back wins over two of 2016’s three Grand Slam champions in World No.1 Angelique Kerber and Garbiñe Muguruza. Making her first Grand Slam semifinal, the American pushed eventual finalist Venus Williams to three tough sets.
2016 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
October: Peng Shuai
How it works:
Finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
An interview with Svetlana Kuznetsova after her win in the semifinals of the Apia International Sydney.