WTA Frame Challenge: Daria Kasatkina
Time for another edition of the WTA Frame Challenge – up next, Daria Kasatkina!
Time for another edition of the WTA Frame Challenge – up next, Daria Kasatkina!
BRISBANE, Australia – World No.1 Angelique Kerber came through a testing opening outing of 2017, seeing off Ashleigh Barty in three sets to reach the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International.
While the home crowd gave reigning Australian Open champion Kerber’s a warm welcome, World No.271 Barty did not follow suit, making a mockery of her lowly ranking to push Kerber all the way. In the end, though, Kerber’s class shone through, closing out a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 victory to set up a quarterfinal showdown with Elina Svitolina.
“I'm so happy to be back in Australia – it was my breakthrough last year” – @AngeliqueKerber pic.twitter.com/Eqr7DO4P3r
— WTA (@WTA) January 4, 2017
“It’s always tough to play a match after such a long break, and Ashleigh was playing very well from the first point,” Kerber said. “It’s always different starting the year, and the first matches are always tough.
“You have to get again into the rhythm and play a lot of matches to feel your game.”
Barty, who will not turn 21 until April, is already embarking on her second ascent of the tennis ladder. After a glittering junior career, she enjoyed instant success in the senior ranks, reaching three major doubles finals alongside fellow Australian Casey Dellacqua.
However, the stresses of life on tour soon took its toll on her teenage mind and body, prompting a 17-month hiatus. She has played sparingly since returning but reveled in the atmosphere created by another packed Pat Rafter Arena, playing some sparkling tennis to extend her esteemed opponent. Ultimately, her lack of match sharpness told, Kerber praying on the rising number of unforced errors to establish a decisive third set lead.
#SAPStatOfTheDay: @AngeliqueKerber saved an impressive 70% of break points in three-set win over Barty! #BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/r2JKVDCZQv
— WTA (@WTA) January 4, 2017
“I’m really, really pleased with the form, a bit disappointed we didn’t win but very good things came out of it,” Barty said. “It’s the start of good things to come hopefully. I’m a more developed player this time around.”
Kerber was full of praise for her opponent, whom she expects to only improve: “Working hard and playing like she did tonight I’m sure she will have great results.
“She played so well straight from the first point tonight.”
Australia’s own Casey Dellacqua took some time off from the Brisbane International to cheer up children at the Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland.
Angelique Kerber talks through her second-round win over Ashleigh Barty at the Brisbane International.
Garbiñe Muguruza takes on Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International.
Karolina Pliskova produced a clinical display on Friday night, swatting aside Elina Svitolina to take her place in the final of the Brisbane International.
WTA Insider Courtney Nguyen | After advancing to the Brisbane final, Alizé Cornet took a moment to pay tribute to a man who always reminded her to be thankful for her lot.
Women hear a lot of obnoxious things in their daily lives. World No.1 Serena Williams is ready to do something about it.
In conjunction with her fabulous cover story for Glamour Magazine, Serena starred in a video in which she hit back – literally – at some of the sexist things she and so many women have heard in their every day lives.
“Today I’m here to express some of the frustrations that I have about the obnoxious things that men sometimes say about women,” Serena says in the video. “I’m doing this for all womenkind. I’m kinda doing it a little bit for me, on the low.”
So what are some of the comments that drew Serena’s ire, compelling her to thwack a tennis ball at her padded-up co-star Alec?
– You’re really talented…for a girl.
– You should smile more!
– It’s okay that you’re upset. Girls are supposed to get emotional!
– You get really loud when you play, like really loud.
– Stop being so dramatic!
– So how much time do you spend picking out your competition outfits?
– Do you think you could ever beat a guy, just once?
– Only guy’s sports are worth watching.
Yeah. Don’t say those things. Especially to Serena.
Watch the full video here.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sania Mirza produced a near flawless display to overwhelm Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina, 6-2, 6-3. The result ensures that Mattek-Sands will replace Mirza as the World No.1 when the new rankings are released on Monday.
Highlights from all of Saturday’s finals action at the Brisbane International.