Happy Barty Hails Hard Work In Malaysia
The loquacious Ashleigh Barty was uncharacteristically short of words after winning her first singles title at the ALYA Malaysian Open.
The loquacious Ashleigh Barty was uncharacteristically short of words after winning her first singles title at the ALYA Malaysian Open.
Before heading to the desert for Indian Wells, Garbiñe Muguruza and Venus Williams stopped at New York City’s Madison Square Garden for the BNP Paribas Showdown.
Played in honor of World Tennis Day, the 10th anniversary of the BNP Paribas showdown was a night of exhibition matches that pitted the world’s best players against each other.
Venus and Garbiñe were joined by some of the ATP’s past and present stars like: Jack Sock, Juan Martin del Potro, Andy Roddick, Nick Kyrgios, Kei Nishikori and Lleyton Hewitt.
Before the Showdown, the players took to the JW Marriott Essex House for a meet and greet, where they signed lots of autographs.
This year’s Showdown pitted Team America against Team World. Garbiñe and Kei represented Team World, alongside Nick Kyrgios and Lleyton Hewitt…
…with Venus and Andy representing Team America, alongside Jack Sock and Juan Martin del Potro.
Madison Square Garden was packed on Monday night as the BNP Paribas Showdown kicked off.
Players take the court for a night of fun and world-class tennis.
Venus teamed up with Juan Martin for mixed doubles.
They took on Team World’s Garbiñe and Kei.
It was Team World who emerged victorious, winning 5-3 against America.
In fact, it wasn’t a good day at the office for Team America, as Team World won almost every match.
Venus rescued Team America from a total shutout, though.
She beat Garbiñe 5-4 for Team America’s lone win.
23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams announced her withdrawal from both the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open due to a left knee injury.
Monica Puig takes on Danielle Collins in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Jelena Ostapenko scored her first win at the BNP Paribas Open while Monica Niculescu emerged victorious from an all-Romanian clash – catch up on more Day 1 results right here.
Dominika Cibulkova talks about the BNP Paribas Open.
Check out the highlights as Annika Beck took on Eugenie Bouchard at the first round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Watch Simona Halep hit the practice courts at the BNP Paribas Open.
An interview with Samantha Crawford after her quarterfinal win at the Brisbane International.
BRISBANE, Australia – Angelique Kerber put on a rock solid performance against Carla Suárez Navarro on Friday to become the first player into the final of the Premier-level Brisbane International.
Watch live action from Brisbane, Shenzhen & Auckland on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
The two players had played four times before and split them evenly, 2-2, but this time it was one-sided traffic as the No.4-seeded Kerber was on her game from the get-go, breaking straight away and needing just an hour and 15 minutes to finally put away the No.6-seeded Suárez Navarro, 6-2, 6-3.
“I think it was a good match from me. I was feeling very well from the first point,” Kerber said.
“I knew I had to play aggressively against her, and I was trying to go for it, trying to let her move, and if I had the chance, just going for it. It worked well today, so I’m happy with my performance.”
Kerber finished with a +6 differential of winners to unforced errors, 25 to 19, while Suárez Navarro finished at -9, 13 to 22. But the biggest stat may have come on the Kerber serve – the German held all eight of her service games during the match, and she fought off both of the break points she faced.
But overall, Kerber was lethal whether she was on offense or defense – the perfect balance.
“For me it’s good to find the middle,” she said about her game earlier in the week. “I like to be more aggressive, but also still running everywhere and trying to get every single ball back. I was practicing that a lot the last few weeks, to make the transition better from defense to aggressive playing.
“I still think I should be more aggressive on my second serve and the next few shots, though.”
The World No.10 is now through to the 18th WTA final of her career. She has a 7-10 record in her first 17, but she’s done much better in WTA finals recently, winning four of her last five (all in 2015).
The big picture goal, however, is getting matches in before the big one – the Australian Open.
“I’m just trying to get out there and play like I’ve been practicing the last few weeks, trying to transfer it all into my matches, being more aggressive and serving better than I did in the last few months.
“I think it’s working well. I think I’m on a good way to being 100% ready for Melbourne.”
Forehand, backhand, it doesn't matter! @AngeliqueKerber just crushing the ?! #WTA pic.twitter.com/LYzgcUE2PC
— WTA (@WTA) January 8, 2016