"It Means To Be A Champion": Serena Williams On 'Being Serena'
Serena Williams discusses what ‘being Serena’ means in her post-match press conference at the Australian Open.
Serena Williams discusses what ‘being Serena’ means in her post-match press conference at the Australian Open.
CoCo Vandeweghe takes on Agnieszka Radwanska in the first round of the Aegon Classic.
Watch Daria Gavrilova’s practice session at the Australian Open.
Nineteen-year-old Jelena Ostapenko showed great resolve in holding off Petra Kvitova for a 6-4 4-6 6-3 Thursday as the 2014 Wimbledon junior champion defeated the 2014 Wimbledon champion in Birmingham at the Aegon Classic. The SAP Tennis Analytics for Coaches shows one of the keys to her victory was forcing Kvitova to rely heavily on her backhand during the final set.
Kvitova hit 61% of shots during third set rallies from her backhand Thursday. While she only had one unforced error from that side, she did not hit any backhand winners during that final set.
That high percentage of backhand shots for the left-handed Kvitova really stands out when compared to the 36% of rally shots from the backhand side in the second set, which she won. During her straight sets opening round win, Kvitova hit just 40% of her rally shots from the backhand side.
Ostapenko kept Kvitova under pressure the entire third set. In addition to dictating play to the backhand, she had break points in all five of Kvitova’s service games, converting three, while also winning eight of nine second serve points.
The SAP Coaches View combines scoring information direct from the chair umpire with tracking data from HawkEye to allow for an in depth look at five different aspects of a match. Each tracking option can be filtered to narrow the focus to specific situations within a match, such as break points. This information is available directly to coaches in real-time during a match on their SAP tablet and also available to them online after matches.
“Rally hit from” tracking shows where each ball is struck during a rally. The display differentiates between forehands and backhands. This data can be filtered by a particular score or to only show winners, unforced errors, the last shot of a rally or the third shot (first rally ball hit by the server).
For Ostapenko on Thursday, forcing Kvitova to hit from her backhand side was a winning strategy.
MELBOURNE, Australia – Six years after her four-hour epic against Francesca Schiavone at this very tournament, No.8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova came out on the winning side of Friday’s titanic three-setter against former No.1 Jelena Jankovic, 6-4, 5-7, 9-7, to reach the fourth round at the Australian Open.
“It was crazy,” Kuznetsova admitted in her inimitable way after the match. “I was up set and 4-1 with a double break. Then I found myself down 3-0 and 15-40 on my serve in third set.
“It was a bit insane, but it’s a tennis match, anything can happen; it’s never done until you shake the hand.”
Kuznetsova is no stranger to long matches in Australia, having narrowly lost to Schiavone, 6-4, 1-6, 16-14 in what remains the longest Grand Slam match in WTA history back at four hours and 44 minutes in 2011.
There were few signs from the outset that her encounter against Jankovic would approach that duration, as the Russian raced out to a set and double break lead, serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set. Jankovic turned the tables on Kuznetsova at the 11th hour to win the final three games of the second set and force a decider.
Serving second in the final set, the No.8 seed twice fell behind a break as Jankovic served for a 5-2 lead. Kuznetsova promptly broke back and earned a chance to serve out the match; not to be outdone, Jankovic leveled proceedings at five games apiece and kept things on serve until the fateful 15th game.
“It’s so tough, especially after three and a half hours of playing, that one of us had to lose,” Jankovic said after the match. “Unfortunately, it was me. I’m quite disappointed after such a battle, and it’s not easy to accept. I had my chances and I gave myself the opportunity to win the match.
“After 3-0, I wasn’t making as many first serves in; I don’t know if it was because I got tired spending a lot of hours out there. I haven’t competed much, and my percentage of first serves went down, so I couldn’t hold my serve for a while.
“I still have to work hard to get back to my best level, but at the end, Sveta was fitter than me in the end. I tried so hard, but I couldn’t move anymore and she was the one still standing.”
Svetlana #Kuznetsova is through after 3 hours and 36 mins #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/kMr2owinb5
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2017
The third time proved lucky for the three-time Australian Open quarterfinalist, who served out the win on her first match point after three hours and 36 minutes on court.
Up next for Kuznetsova is No.24 seed and compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who earned the biggest upset thus far on Day 5 by knocking out No.11 seed Elina Svitolina in three sets.
4R awaits Svetlana #Kuznetsova #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qyd07fiQcp
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2017
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.”
MELBOURNE, Australia – The second week is about to get underway at the Australian Open, and World No.1 Angelique Kerber and French Open champion Garbiñe Muguruza headlining Day 7 Down Under.
We preview all the day’s biggest matchups right here on wtatennis.com.
Sunday, Fourth Round
[1] Angelique Kerber (GER #1) vs CoCo Vandeweghe (USA #35)
Head-to-head: Kerber leads, 2-0
Key Stat: Vandeweghe is one of four Americans in the Round of 16.
After two tough matches to start her title defense, Kerber looked much stronger in an emphatic third round win over Kristyna Pliskova. The top seed faced down the Czech youngster’s intimidating serve by winning more than half of her points on return as she advanced into the second week for the second straight year.
Her next opponent is into the second week of a major tournament for just the second time in her career, as CoCo Vandeweghe recovered from 4-2 in the final set against Eugenie Bouchard to pull off the win. Vandeweghe hit 11 aces and won 85% of her first serve to topple the former World No.5, and will need a similarly efficient serving day against the defending champion.
Can Kerber keep her hopes of a third Grand Slam title alive?
Sorana Cirstea (ROU #78) vs [7] Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP #7)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Cirstea is enjoying her best Grand Slam finish since the 2009 French Open.
Muguruza’s first week in Melbourne could well serve as a microcosm of her ups and downs since winning her maiden major title last spring. While the Spaniard hasn’t dropped a set through three wins, she still had a scare halfway through her first round, when she took a medical timeout for fear of exascerbating the right thigh injury that forced her to retire at the Brisbane International.
Despite the hiccup, Muguruza has played her best tennis at a major tournament since last year’s Roland Garros, and will be a tough out for Cirstea, a former World No.21.
The Romanian appeared to be at the height of her career just three years ago when she roared into the Rogers Cup final, but a shoulder injury stunted her progress and led her to re-work her service motion. Winning her first matches in Melbourne since 2014, Cirstea bettered her previous best finish Down Under with wins over Irina Khromacheva, No.10 seed Carla Suárez Navarro, and an in-form Alison Riske.
Can Cirstea cause the first big upset of the second week?
Around the Grounds…
Starting off Day 7 on Rod Laver Arena is an all-Russian affair between No.8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and rival No.24 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who stunned No.11 seed Elina Svitolina in three sets. No.13 seed Venus Williams follows on Laver against qualifier Mona Barthel.
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!”
No.24 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova put together a dominating performance to upset her countrywoman Svetlana Kuznetsova and reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time.
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