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!
BIRMINGHAM, Great Britain – No.9 seed Johanna Konta made quick work of Japan’s Misaki Doi, needing just two sets to move past her and into the second round of the Aegon Classic Birmingham.
Watch live action from Birmingham and Mallorca this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
Konta stayed toe to toe with Doi for in the first set before going on to dominate in the tiebreak, winning the first six points and converting on her fourth set point. She allowed Doi just one game in the second set, firing off nine aces during the match to advance 7-6(3), 6-1.
Konta, like much of the player field in Birmingham, has struggled with the British summer weather; her first round match against Doi was originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday but a streak of rainy days pushed play to begin today.
She deals with the delays with her usual aplomb and a bit of the typical stiff upper lip her countrymen are known for.
“[I] just really kind of keep a light mind. I am lucky I have my parents around and my coach, having a laugh with them and some of the other girls,” Konta said.
“I think it’s just important to keep reminding yourself to not get stressed about things that are completely out of your control.”
In fact, the rain has thrown off the schedule so much that Konta was originally supposed to play three matches today: along with her first round against Doi, she was slated to play her second round singles match against Yanina Wickmayer and a first round doubles match with partner Elina Svitolina.
“You don’t really think about it. You just prepare like any other day, any other match day. I guess you really need to keep yourself present. You don’t think about it.”
The Brit makes a habit of keeping things in perspective and taking the changes in stride, in everything from rain delays to her meteoric rise to the top.
This time last year, Britain’s No.1 was ranked No.139 – her breakout performance at the US Open would come about a month and a half later. Since then, she’s climbed to No.18 and admits that now she gets stopped for autographs.
“I’ve always wanted to be successful at what I do and I continue to want to be so,” Konta said. “Now, I guess, success in this field comes with maybe more recognition and getting recognized more outside.
“It’s not why I play the sport. It’s not why I want to be the best I can be. It’s just very much a side product.
“But really nothing has changed. I promise you, I’m very much the same.”
BIRMINGHAM, Great Britain – 21-year-old Madison Keys is one win away from reaching the Top 10 for the first time in her young career, ousting teenager Jelena Ostapenko, 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-2, to reach her first semifinal at the Aegon Classic.
Watch live action from Birmingham and Mallorca this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
“I think I’ve been playing pretty well this week,” Keys said during her on-court interview. “I had a bit of a slow start in the first set, but I’m happy to be coming back tomorrow.”
Keys is coming off a career-best clay court season, one that saw her reach her first red clay final at the Internazionali BNL d’italia and the second week of the French Open. Back on her beloved grass courts, the American has gone from strength to strength, weathering the storm from a streaky Ostapenko to secure victory in just under two hours.
Ostapenko defeated two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova in the previous round, and was on course to back up the upset early on, edging ahead by a break and eventually taking the first set in a tie-break.
“It’s tough being on the tour for this long and being at the old age of 21; these 19 year olds are tough!” she said with a laugh.
Jelena Ostapenko takes the opening set tiebreak vs Keys 7-6(1)! #AegonClassic https://t.co/GrCcq41gOr
— WTA (@WTA) June 17, 2016
Falling behind a break of serve to start the second, Keys rebounded in style, hitting 43 winners to 30 from the young Latvian, and only 21 unforced errors in the three-set thriller.
“I think I just took a breath and took time away from her a little bit better. At that point, it’s either change tactics or go on to the next tournament.”
The American later elaborated in her post-match press conference.
“This year, I’ve settled into my emotions a little bit more and have been able to play a lot calmer, which I think has helped me make smarter decisions, which in turn maybe makes me look a little bit more mature.”
3rd set!@Madison_Keys battles back to force a decider vs Ostapenko 6-7(1), 6-4! #AegonClassic https://t.co/QHi0Jgygjk
— WTA (@WTA) June 17, 2016
Breaking serve six times, the 2015 Wimbledon quarterfinalist raced out to a double break advantage in the decider and held her nerve to book a semifinal encounter with Carla Suárez Navarro, who pusted reigning Australian Open champion, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.
Should Keys reach the final, she will be assured of a Top 10 debut, becoming the first American to do so since Serena Williams in 1999. The last time three Americans were ranked inside the Top 10 was all the way back in September of 2005, when the Williams sisters were joined by then-No.2 Lindsay Davenport.
“Both are tough. I’ve obviously played Angelique quite a few times. I don’t think I’ve played Carla as many. But no matter what it’ll be a tough match, so definitely looking forward to it.
“Right now I’m just focused on the semis, and if things go well, maybe I can add to my title count!”
BIMRINGHAM, Great Britain – 2014 finalist Barbora Strycova came back from a set and a break down to snap CoCo Vandeweghe’s grass court winning streak, defeating the American 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the final of the Aegon Classic Birmingham.
Watch live action from Birmingham and Mallorca this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
Both players had a rough road to the semifinals, having to play their second round and quarterfinal matches on the same day due to the rain delays that wreaked havoc on the schedule earlier in the week.
Strycova, who’s also in the semifinals of doubles, perhaps faced a tougher task than most.
“I had three matches yesterday and I won all of them,” the Czech said after the match. “Physically it wasn’t easy. But it was the same for [Vandeweghe], she played two matches yesterday. Mentally it wasn’t easy as well, but I just managed to be a little bit better.”
Vandeweghe, who had been on an eight-match winning streak on grass, started off the match in top form and raced ahead to a 5-0 lead. She grabbed the first set 6-2, then earned an early break in the second set.
.@CoCoVandey races through the opening set vs Strycova 6-2! #AegonClassic https://t.co/tZaIjKHxUx
— WTA (@WTA) June 18, 2016
Staring down the barrel of Vandeweghe’s booming serve, Strycova dug her heels in and scratched out a break back to erase the American’s lead. From then, the Czech peppered her game with everything to frustrate Vandeweghe – hitting more drop shots and attacking the second serve – and turned the match completely around.
Vandeweghe’s most trusted weapon – her powerful serve – seemed to abandon her late in the match and she struck a double fault to go down a break once more in the third set.
After two hours and nine minutes, Strycova sealed her fourth match point with an ace, booking her spot in the final.
“It was a rollercoaster I have to say,” Strycova said. “Coco was playing really well in the first set and really fast, and I had to just hang in there.
“In the second set I just tried to win as many serves as I could and then it turned a little bit. I tried to fight every point I could and it turned to my side.”
Earlier in the day, Madison Keys, Strycova’s opponent in the final, clinched her debut into the WTA’s Top 10 by virtue of her win over Carla Suárez Navarro. However, Keys isn’t the only one who made a big ranking move today. Strycova moved up two spots to No.28 with her semifinal run, projected to reach No.22 if she takes home the title.
But first she’ll have to turn around a losing head to head record – it’s been almost two years since Strycova’s scored a win over Keys.
“In the last three weeks I lost to [Keys] twice, so I’ll just try to play the best tennis that I can and try to do something different to the previous matches,” Strycova added.
“It’s going to be such a different match though because it’s on grass.”
Second #AegonClassic Final for @BaraStrycova! ? https://t.co/crP6v2a3LH
— WTA (@WTA) June 18, 2016
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…
KEY INFORMATION:
Tournament Level: Premier
Prize Money: $776,878
Draw Size: 48 main draw (16 byes)/32 qualifying
Qualifying Dates: Saturday, June 18 – Sunday, June 19
First Day of Main Draw: Sunday, June 19
Singles Final: Saturday, June 25, 1pm GMT
Doubles Final: Sunday, June 25, after singles final
MUST FOLLOW SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS:
@WTA
@WTA_Insider – WTA Insider, Senior Writer Courtney Nguyen
@BritishTennis – LTA handle
Get involved in conversations with the official hashtags, #AegonInternational and #WTA.
TOURNAMENT NOTES:
· Former champion Agnieszka Radwanska returning to tournament for the 10th time as top seed.
· Roberta Vinci is No.2 seed while defending champion Belinda Bencic is No.3 seed. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is also in the draw, as are two of last year’s Wimbledon quarterfinalists, Timea Bacsinszky and Madison Keys.
· There have been nine different champions in the past nine years in Eastbourne. Six of the nine are in the field this year – Bencic (2015), Keys (2014), Elena Vesnina (2013), Ekaterina Makarova (2010), Caroline Wozniacki (2009) and Radwanska (2008).
· Click here to see the draw in full.
WILDCARDS:
Naomi Broady (GBR), Tara Moore (GBR)
EASTBOURNE, England – Caroline Wozniacki stepped up her Wimbledon preparations with a confidence-boosting win over Alizé Cornet at the Aegon International Eastbourne on Sunday.
Watch live action from Eastbourne this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
Playing just her third match since March, Wozniacki showed few signs of rustiness, briskly pocketing the first set then coming from a break down in the second to complete a 6-1, 6-3 victory.
The Dane is currently ranked at No.35 in the rankings – her lowest position since May 2008 – after missing much of the season with an ankle injury. And after making her return in Nottingham last week she is refreshed eager to test her mettle ahead of the year’s second major.
“I feel confident on my feet, I’ve worked really hard to get into the best shape possible and do a lot of stability work, so now I’m feeling comfortable on my ankle and the grass,” Wozniacki said.
“It’s nice to be on a nice court with a great crowd and also to get another match in before Wimbledon. I’m just excited every time I go on court now.”
In the other three opening round matches there were wins for Jelena Ostapenko, Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic.
Ostapenko continued the good form that took her to the Birmingham quarterfinals by prevailing in her all-teenage battle with Daria Kasatkina, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Babos edged out Camila Giorgi, 6-4, 7-6(3), while Mladenovic prevailed in an equally close encounter with Yanina Wickmayer, 7-6(6), 6-4.
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.
The ladies hoping to reach the Wimbledon main draw begin their quest out in Roehampton on Tuesday; find out which are the ones to watch on wtatennis.com.
Check out the shots of the week from the Claro Open Colsanitas.