Rome: Keys Interview
An interview with Madison Keys after her win in the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
An interview with Madison Keys after her win in the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Madison Keys takes on Barbora Strycova in the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Highlights from quarterfinal action at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Serena Williams takes on Irina-Camelia Begu in the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
An interview with Serena Williams after her win in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Elina Svitolina has moved into the Top 10 of the WTA rankings on the back of her sensational victory last week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The new WTA World No.10 moved up three places from No.13, overtaking Britain’s Johanna Konta and becoming the first Ukrainian ever to break into the Top 10.
Speaking after her straight-sets win over Caroline Wozniacki, the 22-year-old said: “It’s big relief, because I knew that if I was going to win this match, I would be in the Top 10. There was extra pressure.”
So happy with a @WTA tittle number 6️⃣ ?????????? @DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/GNXMnrP9IH
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) February 25, 2017
Svitolina’s rise – the only movement in the Top 10 – is reward for a run of 12 straight victories, which have seen her lift two titles already this year. Her win in Dubai follows success at the Taiwan Open in Taipei and she is now looking to defend her title at the Alya WTA Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur, where she is the No.1 seed. Her streak also includes successive Fed Cup wins.
Here are more of the biggest ranking moves this week after Dubai and Budapest:
Timea Babos +6 (No.33 to 27): Hungary’s Timea Babos climbed to No.27 thanks to her success at the Hungarian Ladies Open on Sunday. The 23-year-old entered the tournament with an 0-5 win-loss record in 2017, and rediscovered her best tennis to beat Lucie Safarova in a three-set thriller in Budapest and claim her second WTA title.
Wang Qiang +16 (No.76 to 60): China’s Wang Qiang continues her steady rise up the rankings, backing up her appearance in the Shenzhen quarterfinals in January with a stunning run to the quarterfinals in Dubai. She posted wins over Jelena Ostapenko and Kristina Mladenovic, two Top 50 players, along the way.
CiCi Bellis +14 (No.70 to 56): 17-year-old Cici Bellis’ dream run to the Dubai quarterfinals – her first ever Premier 5 quarterfinals – have rocketed the American to No.56, her career-highest ranking. Bellis backed up her first round upset of No.17 seed Yulia Putintseva by completing the shock of the tournament over World No.6 Agnieszka Radwanska in the round of 16.
Click here to see the full updated WTA rankings, as of February 27.
The story of the tournament from the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
No.3 seed Annika Beck was among the first to arrive.
Doubles partners Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Kveta Peschke stepped out on the step and repeat.
American Irina Falconi was also on hand and ready for her close-up.
Julia Goerges was met by some extra special friends on the red carpet.
Lesia Tsurenko caught up with Simba the Bear as well.
Top seed Roberta Vinci was feeling right at home in Nürnberg in this group shot.
No.2 seed Laura Siegemund was dressed to the nines at the Player’s Party…
…and caught up with countrywomen Annika Beck and Anna-Lena Friedsam to take home some extra-special souvenirs.
The WTA stars were treated to a sumptuous dinner, and it was clear some magic was in the air…
…and sure enough, some magicians were on hand to entertain the players; Sabine Lisicki tries her luck and finding her card.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Players are making themselves at home in the desert as they prepare for the BNP Paribas Open which gets underway at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Wednesday. Famous for the surrounding mountain ranges and its hot climate, the BNP Paribas Open is the first WTA Premier Mandatory tournament of the year.
While some players have been enjoying the practice courts under the palm trees and Californian sun, others have been taking in views of a different kind as they soak up the sights of the Golden State.
Chan Yung-Jan admired the view over downtown Los Angeles while exploring the Griffith Observatory.
Amazing view from #GriffithObservatory #americandays ??????? pic.twitter.com/PDL5OqVo2v
— ???~YungJan Chan (@YungJan_Chan) March 6, 2017
Daria Kasatkina experienced colder climes at the top of this mountain.
Quite high pic.twitter.com/XeRZYE739i
— Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) March 6, 2017
With a stunning mountain range in the background, Belinda Bencic enjoyed her practice.
Nowhere is a better place to Tennis???? #thedesert @bnpparibasopen#autosternzürichsee #mercedesbenz #wädenswil #picstars pic.twitter.com/tkNYLoaLS8
— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) March 6, 2017
Alison Riske was up early to hit the courts.
early mornings have never been better???? #indianwells ?? pic.twitter.com/WNZ2ngVP2k
— Alison Riske (@Riske4rewards) March 5, 2017
)>Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is excited to be back at the BNP Paribas Open.
Hi Indian Wells???? pic.twitter.com/izCosDjBOK
— A. Pavlyuchenkova (@NastiaPav) March 6, 2017
Julia Goerges and Elena Vesnina were all smiles after their practice.
Thanks for the great practice @EVesnina001 ???? @BNPPARIBASOPEN #suchagreatevent #beautifulplace pic.twitter.com/HkspD2GlLj
— Jule Goerges?????? (@juliagoerges) March 6, 2017
Roberta Vinci basked in the early morning sun on Monday.
Good morning, Indian Wells!
Early mornings couldn't be better!! ?☀️?? @BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/kdeJ6EzSJp— Roberta Vinci (@roberta_vinci) March 6, 2017
Tsvetana Pironkova is also happy to be back at the BNP Paribas Open.
Hello @BNPPARIBASOPEN ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/HLKWo2d1kR
— Tsvetana Pironkova (@TPironkova) March 5, 2017
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – CiCi Bellis will be looking to continue her meteoric rise to tennis superstardom as the American teenager enters a star-studded field at this week’s BNP Paribas Open.
Following on from some impressive victories of late, including a win over Agnieszka Radwanska to become the youngest quarterfinalist at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships since 2001, Bellis has climbed to No.55 in the WTA rankings and a certain Chris Evert thinks it won’t be long before the precocious talent rises even higher.
“There are a handful of players who are going to overpower her right now, but by the end of the year I wouldn’t be surprised if she was Top 20,” Evert said in a recent interview with the NY Times.
“Her legs are rock hard. I think the off-court training has helped her a lot. Two years ago, she would counterpunch and would sort of absorb power from her opponent, and now she’s giving it.”
.@cicibellis99 doing her thing at the Tennis Channel shoot today ? pic.twitter.com/zZ5onxHUQX
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 7, 2017
It’s hard to believe that Bellis will only turn 18 on April 8. But Evert, who has been mentoring Bellis through a USTA program, has been impressed with a maturity and willingness to learn that could take her to the very top of the game.
“I’ve been so impressed by her maturity and self-reliance and just the hunger she has to learn. Her eyes are wide open to any information that you can give her. Bottom line is no drama. Some of these other girls, when they are practicing, it’s yelling and up and down and emotions and body language, and with her, it’s steadfast.”
Bellis is set to play Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens in the opening round of her first Indian Wells and, if successful, will face French Open Champion Garbiñe Muguruza in the second round.