Wuhan: Halep vs. Shvedova
Simona Halep takes on Yaroslava Shvedova in the third round of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.
Simona Halep takes on Yaroslava Shvedova in the third round of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.
Jelena Jankovic tries her hand at the WTA Frame Challenge.
Agnieszka Radwanska has Wednesday’s shot of the day at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Victoria Azarenka continued her near-perfect start to 2016 by showing vintage form against an out of sorts World No.1 Serena Williams to win the BNP Paribas Open final, 6-4, 6-4, and return to the Top 10.
Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Indian Wells right here on wtatennis.com!
Playing in her first Indian Wells final since 2001, the top seed hadn’t dropped a set through her first five matches but struggled throughout the nearly 90-minute match, converting just one of 10 break point opportunities and striking 33 unforced errors.
Azarenka, by contrast, won 86% of her first serve points, and held off an impressive fightback from the 21-time Grand Slam champion – who won four games in a row with two chances to level the second set from 1-5 down – to win her second Indian Wells title, and first Premier Mandatory event since the 2012 China Open.
A gracious Serena fought back tears during her runner-up speech.
“It was really hard the last moment I had here wasn’t the greatest, so thank you so much,” she said, addressing the crowd.
“Thank you so much for the cheers; I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I can’t even begin to tell you!
“I’m just so happy to be able to stand here again.”
The Belarusian was equally effusive in her praise for Williams, against whom she has now won four of 21 total matches – becoming the only player to defeat the American in more than three championship matches.
“I wanted to first address a personal thank you to Serena. I know how emotional it was for you to be back here and you truly inspired so many people out there to see the type of committment you have to the game. It’s truly inspiring.
“Thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. You are an amazing competitor who changed the game.
“If it wasn’t for you and how hard you work and seeing you play so well, I wouldn’t be as motivated to come back and work so hard. Thank you on behalf of the sport.”
With Sunday’s win, Azarenka will return to the Top 10 for the first time since the summer of 2014, at No.8. Meanwhile, Serena remains atop the WTA rankings heading into the Miami Open, a tournament she has won eight times.
She does it! ?@Vika7 Azarenka captures @BNPParibasOpen crown & is heading back to the Top 10! #WTA https://t.co/bapdsRCuiu
— WTA (@WTA) March 20, 2016
An interview with Svetlana Kuznetsova after her win in the quarterfinals of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Former No.1 Victoria Azarenka capped her return to the Top 10 with a second BNP Paribas Open title, outlasting top seed and 21-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
The two-time Australian Open champion set down with WTA Insider to discuss forming the perfect team, believing in a career without limits, and the poignant reason why she has never been one to waste food.
WTA Insider: You’re the first player to do two Champion’s Corners, because we spoke after Brisbane. Are you still kind of basking in the glow of the win?
Azarenka: I’m very happy. I can’t say that I’m over the moon excited – maybe it didn’t sink in just yet – but I’m just very happy that I’m able to do whatever I want to do on the court. I can move the way I want to move, and see improvements in my game. I’m able to take whatever I’m working on in practice and bring it to the court. This is what gets me more excited, keeps me motivated, and seeing that it works against the best player in the world just brings a little bit extra to work even harder.
WTA Insider: Last year your season ended pretty roughly and you said you wanted to focus on fitness. Big payoff, but what were the toughest moments from that training bloc?
Azarenka: I can’t say there weren’t days that I didn’t want to want to lay down and maybe sleep a little longer. The training bloc was very important, but I think what got me to win here was that I kept working during and after the Australian Open. All this time I was setting little goals to improve whatever it is that I want to. I said in Australia, it’s going to be a process, and I still believe that I’m not there where I want to be. I’m getting there and I’m getting closer and I’m improving, but knowing that I could just be better gets me excited. That’s what helps me wake up in the morning and go after it. There is nothing else I want to do in life right now but give myself the best chance I can to be able to chase my dreams. Set my goals and go after them, and then we’ll see what happens. But I’ll know that I’m the best prepared I’ve ever been – mentally, physically, tennis-wise, tactical-wise – the best prepared. Whatever happens out there is more or less not in my control. But knowing that I’m prepared is the key.
WTA Insider: Do you think you’re more prepared now than in 2012?
Azarenka: I believe I’m a stronger, faster, and a smarter player. I find ways to win when some other things don’t work. I’ve improved my serve a lot. I’m mentally way happier, and I have people with whom I see no limitations. That’s also very important, to surround yourself with energy and with people who believe you have no limits, and not just trying to tell you how to stay the same.
WTA Insider: Talking about your renewed outlook, you seem happier and more zen than in the past. Do you feel like a happier outlook has been more positive for your game?
Azarenka: The difference is trying to find the balance. The off-court stuff, the preparation is something where I feel I’ve completely changed. I’m much more relaxed; I know what’s going to make me feel good. But on the court, I’m going to be a fearless, edgy self. I play with a lot of passion because that’s what makes me the best player. I’ve always said there is a difference between frustration and being angry. I think angry and pumped up is good for you; it gives you emotions. Once you get frustrated, you tip over into that bad side. That’s trouble, but being able to control and navigate your emotions, your body, how you feel, is a craft.
WTA Insider: Can you talk about your emotional evolution on the tennis court? How has time molded you into a better competitor?
Azarenka: I’ve always been a fighter, since a really young age. A fighter is something that I think I was born to be. I never give up at any stage.
WTA Insider: Are there stories your parents might have of you as a kid, where you feel you were born this way?
Azarenka: I think I was born this way, and where I came from, there was no other way. It was always, ‘If you want it, you have to fight for it.’ It’s as simple as being hungry. I had no food sometimes, and that’s something that to this day in my life, it leaves an impact on me. You will never see me not finish one of my meals. How you react to every situation as it’s happening in your life, is up to you. Whatever His plan is, I think is going to happen, but you are in control of how you want to handle it. I was struggling with injuries, mentally, with everything, but I was brave enough to do something about it. That sometimes scares people, because it’s not easy to dig down to all of your emotions and talk about that and be open about it. It’s hard, but once you do it, you realize it’s not that bad, and maybe you should do it more.
Nothing is going to happen if you win or lose; the world is not going to change. It can change for a little bit for your situation, for whatever, but it’s not going to change. Everybody’s going to remember it for a little bit and forget about it after. I learned for me to take care of what I want to do, where I want to go, and that’s it. I’m not trying to please someone who thinks what is right for me. Nobody will know what’s right for me better than I know. I think that, as a young player, it’s important to keep learning and to stay open-minded. But you should also have a strong stance on what you believe in, because that’s something that is in you and you have to apply that. But you have to be open-minded.
WTA Insider: What do you think is that kind of core belief that you think you’ve had to stick to in your career?
Azarenka: I think a difficult thing for women in general is that we get manipulated very easily. It happens a lot on the women’s tour – and it’s just my observation, I’m not going to talk specifically – where coaches try to teach you and put their philosophy on you. But I think a great coach and a great listener is one who is adapting to how you feel, and teaching you through that. That is something that I also had to learn, and what young people have to be aware of. Believe in what you think is right, because your first instinct is always right.
WTA Insider: Do you think that the Vika of five years ago was angrier than the Vika of today?
Azarenka: I felt whatever I didn’t feel was right, was wrong. That would make me frustrated because, ‘I wouldn’t do it that way.’ With time and with experience and a few burned hands, you understand that it’s not your way, it’s how you adapt to situations. If people don’t act in a way that you want them to, you can’t control that. I think that allowed me to show my emotions more, and I don’t believe I was an angry person. I just didn’t know how to react to what were, in my opinion, unfair situations. I think I didn’t understand it before, and thinking it wasn’t fair. The world is unfair, so you have to understand that.
WTA Insider: Your team is fairly unique with what are essentially two head coaches with Sascha and Wim. Can you talk about that set-up and how that’s allowed you to settle into your game?
Azarenka: I have a very strong personality, and I have very strong beliefs of what I think I have to do but, as I said, I’m very open-minded and am willing to listen. What they’ve done great is to listen to how I feel and suggest the things that can make me better. It’s a lot of teamwork; everybody has their own role to do whatever is necessary. Having people around you believe that you have no limits is great because they’re encouraging and pushing you to somewhere where you think, ‘I don’t know if I can get there.’ But you can when they’re really pushing you and believing in you.
They’re also not afraid to say whatever they don’t like; I always want honest in my team, because I can handle whatever comes my way as long as they’re honest. JP, my physio specifically, has been just a soldier; he taught me so much to learn on the court, off the court, the listen, to be present every time. So I’m very grateful for him because he really took me out of my injury, got me healthy, and then everyone started putting their pieces together to help me build a new me.
All photos courtesy of Getty Images.
Simona Halep takes on Madison Keys in the quarterfinals of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.
¡Bienvenido a Miami!
Known for the weather, Art Deco architecture, pristine beaches, all-night parties on South Beach and cigar shops on Calle Ocho, Miami is a leading destination for travelers from all over the world.
The stars of the WTA leave the desert and head towards the beach for the second Premier Mandatory of the year and to compete for the chance to be crowned champion of the 2016 Miami Open.
Miami-resident Monica Puig has joined in on the fun for this edition of the WTA Travel Guide: Miami and gives you her recommendations for must-sees and must-dos in the Magic City.
WATCH THE MATCHES
Within the bright lights and big city of Miami, nestled on the island town of Key Biscayne, the Miami Open offers the perfect combination of world-class tennis and a premier entertainment experience.
New to this year’s event is the Taste of the Miami Open, where fans can sample a variety of dishes from celebrity chefs and local restaurants. If you’re looking to hop aboard the food truck trend, check out one of the three food trucks on site providing a variety of culinary offerings. Click here for all of the delicious dining options for you to sample during your visit.
Qualifying runs March 21 – 22, with matches beginning at 10:00am. Main draw is March 22 – April 3, with day sessions beginning at 11:00am. Night sessions begin March 23 and start at 7:00pm. Looking for tickets? Click here.
WHERE TO STAY
One of the most visited cities in the world, there is no shortage of first-class hotel accommodations for you to choose from when visiting Miami.
For a true luxury beach escape with convenient access to the Miami Open, the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne is the place to stay. With a 20,000 square-foot spa, four restaurants, access to water activities on Biscayne Bay and the largest tennis facility of any Ritz Carlton property in the Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center, there is no shortage of ways to entertain people of all ages.
If you’re looking to venture off Key Biscayne, the Four Seasons Miami offers 221 deco-inspired rooms in the heart of the sophisticated neighborhood of Brickell. With two pools, and free access to Equinox gym and more than 100 fitness classes offered each week, the Four Seasons can ensure you stay active after a day of watching the world’s best athletes.
The JW Marriott Marquis not only provides guests with the opportunity to eat at celebrity Chef Daniel Boulud’s restaurant db Bistro Moderne, but also a chance to explore two floors worth of entertainment including the indoor Mariano Bartolome Indoor Golf School with a simulator, a virtual bowling alley and a NBA-approved basketball court.
Included on Travel + Leisure’s “500 World’s Best Hotels 2015” the Epic Hotel, guests can enjoy boutique-style accommodations but with big-city luxury. Relax by the pool or enjoy Miami nightlife at Lit Lounge.
The Conrad Hotel offers beautiful minimalist designed rooms, with a bar on the 25th floor to give guests a panoramic view of the city. Rooftop tennis courts and a pool, as well as a 24-hour fitness center are all excellent options if you’re looking to be active during your stay.
WHERE TO EAT
Miami offers seemingly unending culinary options, but here are a few of our favorite for your dining pleasure.
For a true taste of Latin America, head to Coya Restaurant for traditional Peruvian food and bespoke pisco cocktails.
If you’re looking to experience the informal Japanese dining style called izakaya, visit Zuma Restaurant in the heart of downtown, for modern Japanese flavors.
In the beautiful neighborhood of Coconut Grove, Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar and Latam Grill is known for their fresh Ceviche Spoon Bar, as well as their take on modern Mexican food. They also offer a well curated selection of South American wines and a signature cocktail list.
Voted OpenTable’s Diners Choice Award for Most Vibrant Bar Scene in Miami, Bulla Gastrobar specializes in Spanish and Catalan dishes. The casual dining experience stays true to providing diners with the chance to sample the most popular tapas in Spain without leaving Coral Gables.
Named Ocean Magazine’s “Best Place to Brunch in Midtown,” Apeiro Kitchen & Bar features Mediterranean cuisine gives diners the opportunity to enjoy lunch, brunch, happy hour or dinner both in a rustic indoor and outdoor setting.
MONICA PUIG‘S FAVORITE SPOTS
Although she was born in Puerto Rico, Monica Puig calls Miami home and is one of the few players who has the opportunity to play an event in front of her hometown crowd. When she isn’t on court, here are a few of her favorite must-see spots in Miami:
The beach is my happy place. There are so many beautiful beaches in Miami. Click here for a great list of all sandy spots you can visit.
My favorite activity when I’m at home is to go out to eat with my family. For traditional Cuban food, I love Sergio’s for a healthy and fast breakfast. For a great meal in Coral Gables, my go-to spot is Hillstone. They have amazing spinach dip and ahi tuna tartare and then after dinner you can walk the famous Miracle Mile for more shopping and bars. If you’re craving an awesome steak dinner, I love Morton’s, located in the Financial District.
Miami has no shortage of amazing shopping. When I’m not at the beach or on court, I love going to the Miami Design District to check out the high-end stores. For great outlet shopping, Dolphin Mall is the place to go, with stores like Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus all at discount prices.
And finally, don’t forget to come out and cheer me on during my matches at the Miami Open. See you there!
What did the top seeds have to say before play began at the Miami Open? The WTA stars told all at the pre-tournament Media Day…
Serena Williams
On her New York Times Op-Ed on keeping the Miami Open in Miami…
This is the tournament that I’ve grown up coming to. Being a local, it’s so easy for me to go home, come here and it’s also been just so great to tennis for decades. So it’s just been a wonderful place to have this event.
Watch live action from Miami this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
On “friendly rival” Victoria Azarenka’s return to the Top 10…
It’s really impressive. She’s been through a lot, a lot of disappointments, and obviously so many injuries. But she’s always been a really good player, and she’s just continued to prove that. She’s always been a big fighter as well. For me, I’m always excited to see the success of someone else, just to do well. It motivates me to do better, and I think we just have to always motivate each other. I think that’s exciting.
On equal prize money…
Women’s tennis is the biggest sport for women, period, stop, end all, done. Men’s tennis is probably not the biggest sport for men, but it’s still a huge sport. But you do have football, soccer, basketball. Every athlete, men and women, work extremely hard. I think it just boils down to, if I had two kids, I would never tell my son or my daughter that one deserves more because of their sex.
Simona Halep
On whether it’s harder to get to the Top 5 or stay there…
To get there is tough because first you have to win many matches, many tournaments in a row to get to the top. But to stay there, you have to repeat what you have done already. It’s tough, both of them, but that’s why it’s special to be in the Top 5, and that’s what I’m working hard for, to stay there.
On the Romanian fans who attend her matches…
Not only Romanians, also others! I want to thank them for their support. It’s amazing that they are coming always to support me, everywhere I go. I want to thank all the fans, actually, because it’s nice when I go out, they want my autograph or a picture with me. It’s nice. I’m enjoying this moment; I think it’s one of the best and I’m trying to be ok all the time but sometimes it’s tough. When you lose, it’s tough to smile. I’m trying to do it, stay close to them with Instagram and Facebook. But I’m not very good in that way. I’m trying just to stay relaxed, to thank them by playing my best when they come to see me.
Petra Kvitova
On how she plans to explore Miami…
I’ve been on the beach before I started practicing here; it was great. I’m planning some shopping as well. Of course, we are most of the time on the court, and on site, but if I find any time, it’s great to do something else.
On preparing for the Rio Olympics…
I just feel that the Olympic Games is just one more Grand Slam coming up. It’s as big a goal for me, definitely, and I will do my best over there as well. I’m not pretty sure what I can do there. I’m going to focus on tennis, definitely, and if I have time afterwards, I will watch some other sports probably.
Angelique Kerber
On the resurgence of tennis’ popularity in Germany…
It feels good because now I am seeing that tennis is going up again in Germany. Football is the biggest sport there, and I love to watch it; I’m a big football fan. It’s great to see, after Steffi Graf and Boris Becker, that now again the people are watching tennis and the focus is getting bigger on tennis again. This feels good and I’m proud that I am the person that makes tennis so popular again.
Agnieszka Radwanska
On the balancing her schedule with the Olympic experience…
I’m always trying to see other sports when I’m there, but sometimes it’s very tough with the schedule. You just go there and try to prepare as best you can. It’s not that easy to go somewhere, and when you’re done, you’re going to some other tournament, it’s not like any other sport where you’re done for a year. Next week, we have another tournament and three weeks later we have a Grand Slam. It’s never over for us, so it’s sometimes hard.
Belinda Bencic
On her adjustment to the WTA from juniors…
I don’t think it went really fast. At the start, I played a couple of tournaments, and then I went back to juniors, and then came back. It was like I already knew what was coming to me. I think you get used to it, and obviously, it’s great to be around all these champions and great players, and it was very inspiring for me. That’s why I felt quite good here, and I’m starting to really feel like I’m a part of this whole thing.
On her social media presence…
I think it’s nice to let the fans know what you’re doing off the court. When I was younger, I would also like to know what my idols were doing off the court, not always on.
All photos courtesy of Getty Images.
Eight-time champion Serena Williams will open accounts at the Miami Open on Thursday, as the seeds on the top half of the draw play their first matches of the week. Here’s a preview of what to watch.
Thursday, Second Round
[1] Serena Williams (USA #1) vs. Christina McHale (USA #56)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Williams owns a 64-5 record at Miami.
Though she’s been in dazzling form in 2016, Serena Williams has yet to hold a trophy aloft this season. After dropping finals at the Australian Open (Kerber) and Indian Wells (Azarenka) Williams has now lost back-to-back finals for the first time since 2004. Will a return to the scene of so many breathtaking triumphs provide Williams with the inspiration to claim her fourth consecutive title (ninth overall) at Crandon Park? Williams will open against compatriot and Fed Cup teammate Christina McHale in second-round action on Thursday. The 23-year-old New Jersey native knocked off Japan’s Misaki Doi in first-round action on Wednesday.
Pick: Williams in two
[3] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL #2) vs. Alizé Cornet (FRA #42)
Head-to-head: Radwanska leads, 6-1
Key Stat: Radwanska is one of five former champions in the Miami draw, along with Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Venus Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Off the tour with a back injury for nearly two months, Alizé Cornet won her first tour-level match since the Australian Open on Wednesday when she defeated Galina Voskoboeva in straight sets. Before her injury, Cornet was making big strides against the WTA’s elite, and she’ll be tasked with picking up where she left off on Thursday. Though she enters Miami with a 9-38 lifetime record against the Top 10, Cornet has won seven of her last 13, and also owns four Top 2 victories. But the match-up could prove too difficult for the talented Frenchwoman on Thursday when she faces 2012 champion and current World No. 2 Agnieszka Radwanska. The Pole has been in scintillating form all season. She leads the WTA in wins with 17 and has reached at least the semifinal of all four events she has played in 2016.
Pick: Radwanska in two
[5] Simona Halep (ROU #5) vs. Daria Kasatkina (RUS #36)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Kasatkina is playing with a Top 40 ranking for the first time.
One of the more heavily anticipated match-ups of the second round pits fifth-seeded Simona Halep against rising Russian Daria Kasatkina. Both players are coming off quarterfinal appearances at Indian Wells, and though Halep will come in as the heavy favorite, all eyes will be on 18-year-old Kasatkina for two reasons: one, to see how the Russian will handle the challenge of backing up her breakout performance at Indian Wells, and two, to discover how Kasatkina matches up against one of the elite forces of the game in Halep. The Romanian was in good form at Indian Wells before falling to Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, and she has told reporters that she is feeling 100 percent healthy for the first time all season. Will her improving health mean another bump up in form for the Romanian?
Pick: Halep in two
[12] Elina Svitolina (UKR #16) vs. Zhang Shuai (CHN #68)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Zhang has already doubled her 2015 tour-level win total in 2016.
It’s been an incredible, emotional year for China’s Zhang Shuai, and the season isn’t even three months old. After qualifying for the Australian Open in January, Zhang went on a magical run to the quarterfinals, snapping her 0-for-14 streak at the majors by upsetting Halep in the first round. Zhang took a wild card into Indian Wells after winning a Challenger title in February and upset Caroline Wozniacki in the WTA’s longest match of the season (3:24) before falling to eventual champion Victoria Azarenka in the third round. China’s No.2 player will face a tough second-round test in No.12 seed Elina Svitolina on Thursday in Miami. The Ukrainian No.1, who recently hired seven-time major champion Justine Henin as a special consultant to her team, is seeking to reach the third round for the third consecutive year in Miami with a win.
Pick: Svitolina in three
[19] Timea Bacsinszky (SUI #20) vs. Margarita Gasparyan (RUS #41)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Gasparyan is making her main draw debut in Miami.
One of the bigger breakout performers of 2015 is in the process of rebuilding her game – and health – in 2016. Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky had to spend seven weeks without picking up a racquet this off-season after suffering a knee injury in her last event of the season in Luxembourg. Cheated out of a crucial training block during the winter, the 26-year-old has elected to build her fitness while playing events this season. The results have been mixed, but after a big win over Eugenie Bouchard last week at Indian Wells it appears that the Swiss is rounding into form. But she’ll be tested early in Miami when she faces Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan. The 21-year-old reached the second week at the Australian Open this winter, and has already notched eight wins on the season. She comes into Miami carrying a career-best ranking of No.41.
Pick: Bacsinszky in three
-Chris Oddo, wtatennis.com contributor