Tennis News

ROME, Italy – Christina McHale celebrated her 24th birthday by scoring another good win over a quality opponent, beating Ana Ivanovic, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1 to advance to the Round of 16 at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Currently ranked No.56, McHale has quietly put together a strong four months that has seen her notch wins over Garbiñe Muguruza, Karolina Pliskova, Samantha Stosur, and Caroline Garcia.

Once ranked as high as No.24 in 2012, McHale finally seems to have put her injury and illness woes behind her.

“I think I’m physically stronger now,” McHale told WTA Insider. “I worked a lot on my fitness and I think that’s been a key for me, is to get stronger. In terms of my game I think my game is the same. You definitely try to make improvements to your game but the base of my game hasn’t changed. I try to look for forehands and rely on my movement a lot.

“But in the past couple of months in particular I’ve been healthy, which is key for me. I had the mono a few years back and I had a shoulder injury last season. Knock on wood I’ve been healthy. If you can train for matches, anything can happen.”

Her win over Muguruza at the BNP Paribas Open was her first over a Top 10 player since she beating Caroline Wozniacki at the Aegon International in 2012. Later that fall, McHale was diagnosed with mononucleosis and she was unable to back up her results in 2013, falling to as low as No.114 in the rankings. As she fought to get back into the Top 50, a shoulder injury stalled her entire 2014 off-season.

“I had a small SLAP tear,” McHale said. “I felt it on my serve. I didn’t serve once the entire off-season. Then I went to Australia and tried to play through that and it just wasn’t getting any better. After Australia I had to take a whole month off and do a bunch of rehab or therapy on it. “

Given her rise through the rankings four years ago it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking the New Jersey native is still one of the young guns on the tour. But at 24-years-old, McHale even admits she’s much more wary about the wear and tear on her body these days. Gone were the days she could just walk on court with minimal warm-up and play a three-set match. She’s had to become much more professional in how she treats and protects her body.

“I notice I have to take a lot more care of my body now,” McHale said with a laugh. “I have a whole routine I do for my shoulder, just to keep it good. All the stretching and stuff that I didn’t do in the beginning of my career.”

But her resilience has paid off. Last month she scored a key win for the United States Fed Cup team in sealing a win over Australia, beating Stosur in a tough three sets. Of all the wins she’s racked up this season, this was the sweetest.

“It was just so special to have a win that meant so much for the team and playing Fed Cup is such an honor,” she said. “I think it had been four years since I had a Fed Cup win so it was really exciting for me.”

Next up for McHale is the ultimate test in tennis: Serena Williams. The two Americans will face off for the second time in two months. McHale took Serena to three sets at the Miami Open in April, only to lose 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.

“It was the first time I had played her in a match,” McHale said. “It’s really good that I’ve had that experience, but she’s the type of player that when she’s on there’s really not much you can do. But I’m going to compete really hard and try and impose my game like I did in Miami.”

Asked whether there were rumblings in the locker room about the possibility of some signs of vulnerability from Serena this season, McHale beamed a knowing smile. Come on, you guys. This is Serena.

“In my opinion, you can never count her out,” she said. “She’s done everything she’s done for a reason. You have to be ready. No matter what the circumstances are she’s super tough.”

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.

MIAMI, FL, USA – Simona Halep comes to the Miami Open ready to get back on the treadmill. And that’s not just a metaphor for the tour’s non-stop grind.

“Yesterday was the first day after two months that I was on the treadmill, so I’m really happy,” a spirited Halep told press during All-Access Hour. “I can train hard; I already played two hours today with no pain.

“I’m happy about that and I’m much better than last week.”

The Romanian has struggled with health issues at the start of her last two seasons, and feels the experience will ultimately prove beneficial – especially as the year wears on.

“I’ve learned that I have to protect my body more to prevent injuries, and do certain exercises for that. After having to do them every day, I’m already sick of them, but I have to keep doing them. It’s a routine, and routine is hard to maintain at this level, but if it helps me, I won’t stop.”

The former No.2 is nonetheless eager to get into her Miami routine; the former semifinalist has good memories of the last big hardcourt event before the clay swing starts.

“I don’t remember my first time in Miami, maybe five-six years ago. I like the weather; it’s perfect here. I like to be here; it’s a great tournament. Everyone is here, boys and girls, so it’s good that it’s mixed.

“I enjoy my time, and I’m enjoying it even more because I’m healthy and I can play. I’m just trying my best every moment.”

Halep is set to rejoin a tour that has already seen some seismic shifts, and has tried to keep up with the latest impact players during her time off.

“I’m watching matches when I’m in the room and have nothing to do, when I’ve finished my work on the courts. I like watching tennis, but I can’t say I get into it too much; I just watch for fun.”

Most striking for the Romanian has been Elena Vesnina’s stunning run to the BNP Paribas Open title, an achievement that has helped her reassess her own opinions on how long she plans to keep playing.

“Elena played really good and she’s a great player. She’s won Grand Slams in doubles, so she’s right there. She’s also over 30, so the players at that age are playing much better than before. So I still have some time, no?

“For the last year, I’ve started to think that I have many years ahead. That makes me feel more relaxed, but I’m trying to take it easy. At the beginning of my career, I’d say 28, last year I said 30. Now I’m thinking more like 32.”

Halep may be putting off a drive into the sunset, but she’s already settled on her vehicle of choice, becoming the new Romanian ambassador for Mercedes Benz

“I have weird passions. I love watches and cars. Maybe that’s a little bit weird, but I love cars, and I’m really happy with this partnership.”

She begins her tournament against Japanese teenager Naomi Osaka; the pair last played at the French Open, where the No.3 seed won in three sets.

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.

Despite the disappointing news that Serena Williams will not be competing this year, older sister Venus returns to the scene where she won three of the greatest finals ever contested in Miami.

2001: Williams defeats Capriati 4-6, 6-1, 7-6

Two years after seeing off her sister in the Miami final for the first time, Venus took centre stage again, this time to take on fellow American Jennifer Capriati and yet again those lucky enough to have finals tickets were treated to another thriller.

It was Capriati who started the better, edging a tight opening set 6-4 before Williams roared back to dominate the second set and set up a decider in which she saved a remarkable eight match points before sealing a dramatic victory.

The title marked Williams’ third and final triumph in four brilliant years in Miami but it would be sister Serena who would triumph a year later, beating Capriati to complete a sister double over the New Yorker. They now boast 11 Miami titles between them.

Serena Williams first won WTA Miami 15 yrs ago in 2002, sister Venus Williams first won the title 19 yrs ago 1998!! 11 titles between them pic.twitter.com/cixAx4GBiB

— Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker) March 21, 2017

1999: Sisters take centre stage for the first time

An historic first meeting between the two most dominant siblings in tennis ended with older sis Venus taking away the honours. This was the first all-sister final since Maud and Lillian Watson contested the 1884 Wimbledon final but it certainly wouldn’t be the last, Serena now enjoying a 17-11 head-to-head against her sister.

On this landmark occasion, however, it was Venus who came out on top over three tight sets, winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

1998: Venus wins teenage tussle, defeats Kournikova 2-6, 6-4, 6-1

Seeded a lowly 23rd in the women’s draw, Russian teenage sensation Anna Kournikova became the first WTA player to defeat four Top 10 players in a single event, the 15-year-old upsetting Monica Seles, Conchita Martínez, Lindsay Davenport and Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario en route to setting up a dream showdown with fellow rising star and 11th seed Venus Williams in the final.

It was the glamour finale that the crowd wanted and there was little to separate the pair throughout, Kournikova racing out of the blocks to take the opener 6-2 with a dazzling array of winners before Williams took the match to a decider by edging a tight second set 6-4.

And with the momentum behind her, it was Williams who eased to victory, crushing Kournikova 6-1 in the final set.

“Sometimes people get on fire, and you have to be able to extinguish that no matter who they are; but I was nervous. It’s like the fifth biggest tournament, so I’m pretty happy about that,” Williams told the NY Times afterwards. “I was able to feel what it was like to win, and I think that will really help me, especially this year. Sometimes you have to make that extra step, so you can make the extra step in the slams.”