Doha: Best Shots Of The Week
Watch all of the best shots of the Qatar Total Open – right here!
Watch all of the best shots of the Qatar Total Open – right here!
NEW YORK, NY, USA – It’s finals weekend at the US Open, as new World No.1 Angelique Kerber looks to solidify her spot atop the WTA rankings with a second Grand Slam title.
Standing in her way is No.10 seed Karolina Pliskova, who kept the German from hitting No.1 at the Western & Southern Open. Pliskova became the first Czech woman to reach a US Open final by becoming the fourth woman to ever beat both Williams sisters at a major tournament – the first since Kim Clijsters in 2009.
Hear from both finalists in their own words in the latest Daily Dispatch from the WTA Insider Podcast:
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A keen tennis fan as well as an outstanding sports journalist, Dan started working on a freelance basis with the WTA in January 2017 and quickly became a key member of the Editorial team in London.
News of his sudden death was announced by his partner Liz Aubrey on Monday and tributes have been paid on social media for his contributions to both sports and music journalism, his other passion.
It is with the greatest sadness I must tell you that my beloved @DanLucas86 has passed away suddenly. He was the best person in the world. pic.twitter.com/wkb21myghr
— Elizabeth Aubrey (@aubrey_writes) March 13, 2017
Dan Lucas (former Louder Than War editor) RIP – Louder Than War https://t.co/CFzKkWwCGu
— john robb (@johnrobb77) March 13, 2017
From Northampton in the English Midlands, Dan lived in London. He had also worked for the Guardian and Telegraph’s sports departments, and music websites Louder Than War and Drowned In Sound.
Carrie Dunn, a friend and fellow content producer at WTA Networks, said: “I first worked with Dan when we were both part of the team doing live online coverage for the 2014 Paralympics. He was a sports enthusiast in the best way – his love for sport extended across disciplines and his thirst for knowledge (and his innate professionalism) meant that, even when he was encountering a discipline he did not know particularly well, he would throw himself into finding out about it. He was also a music journalist and his love for (and strong opinions about) music was also well documented – his social media feeds are testament to that. He was a good man and a good friend. On a professional level, he was a great writer and a good colleague – reliable, assiduous and someone it was fun to work with.”
Reda Maher, Head of Editorial and Social Media at WTA Networks, said: “We are shocked and dismayed by this sad news, Dan was extremely well liked and highly talented, his zest for life and enthusiasm for his craft impressed all he worked with at the WTA. Dan had a big future as part of our team. We send condolences and our deepest sympathies to Liz and Dan’s family.”
CNN Open Court relives Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber’s triumphant homecoming in Leipzig.
After the world was done holding its breath throughout a tense final, the tweets came pouring in for US Open champion Angelique Kerber and finalist Karolina Pliskova.
Check out some of the best tweets, right here on wtatennis.com!
First up, here from the woman herself, who took time from her various post-win duties to post this celebratory message:
US OPEN CHAMPION!!! WOW, I DID IT!!! pic.twitter.com/YpWv5A7jaM
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) September 10, 2016
Some of Germany’s biggest sports stars at home and abroad took to Twitter to celebrate Kerber’s achievement, including NBA star Dirk Nowitzki, F1 pilot Nico Rosberg and a whole host of World Cup winning soccer players.
Angieeeee. Wahnsinn.
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) September 10, 2016
Good luck for the final, Angelique!! ✊?✊? ??? Viel Glück, du schaffst das!!! #tennis #usopen #no1 @AngeliqueKerber pic.twitter.com/2Ux7P6XZ5q
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) September 9, 2016
?????? Gratulation @AngeliqueKerber. Gratulation an die Nummer 1 der Welt! Wow
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) September 10, 2016
A fantastic year: 2 Grand Slams, Olympic silver medallist, new World No. 1! Congrats, @AngeliqueKerber ???? #USOpen pic.twitter.com/E9TPYkfrxv
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) September 10, 2016
Yessss! @AngeliqueKerber #USOpen ????????? Congratulations!
— Maria Höfl-Riesch (@Maria) September 10, 2016
Of course, the WTA’s stars and legends were also tuned in to the final, and they had plenty of words for both of the finalists after the match.
Here are the best messages from Kerber and Pliskova’s WTA peers:
Congratulations @AngeliqueKerber on your @usopen championship & being the new #1 player in the world. @WTA
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 10, 2016
Congrats @AngeliqueKerber ??! And @KaPliskova for an amazing #USOpen so proud of you?
— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) September 10, 2016
What an amazing week for @AngeliqueKerber ! Number 1 and #USOpen Champion ?? Congratulations!???? @usopen pic.twitter.com/WrieS6X8hZ
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) September 10, 2016
Congrats @AngeliqueKerber 4 your 1st @usopen title & n° #1 ranking @WTA,but so impressed by @KaPliskova @FilaTennis pic.twitter.com/PByoi32r0O
— Marion bartoli (@bartoli_marion) September 10, 2016
Congrats to @AngeliqueKerber ?Started the year #10 & made a great career, phenomenal in 9 months!!!??#1????
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) September 10, 2016
A big congrats to @AngeliqueKerber on her 2nd major of the year AND becoming the worlds #1. It's a feat only a few have accomplished….??
— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) September 10, 2016
So much valuable experience 4 @KaPliskova @usopen This just beginning.Belief behind powerful groundies & serve✅Getting stronger✅Major-soon.
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) September 11, 2016
Congrats @AngeliqueKerber for an amazing #USOpen brava ragazza!!!?
— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) September 11, 2016
Kerber ☝ #fav
— Daria Gavrilova (@Daria_gav) September 10, 2016
Amazing from both girls. @AngeliqueKerber that's why your now the world no1 ?
— Melanie South (@melaniesouth) September 10, 2016
Wow wow wow what a season @AngeliqueKerber ?! 2 slams ??, the olympic silver medal?, new world number one ☝, that's pretty cool!!! #congrats
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) September 11, 2016
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Sloane Stephens might be sidelined from the action at the BNP Paribas Open, but that doesn’t mean she’s been far away from the tennis courts.
While recovering from surgery on her left foot injury – which will leave her away from the tour until summer 2017 – Sloane has been taking to her new role as a reporter for Tennis Channel.
my boot adds character to every outfit I wear ? pic.twitter.com/OrFDPfeUjV
— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) March 14, 2017
“I’ve been able to hang out, watch some tennis – not what I would usually be doing at a tennis tournament!” she said on a Tennis Channel broadcast. “For the first time I’ve been able to be normal, and I’ve really had fun!”
From getting cooking lessons from celebrity chefs to player interviews to going undercover, Sloane has been making the most of her stint as a reporter. Check out some of her most memorable moments from the Indian Wells fortnight!
Working undercover a BNP Paribas Open info desk attendant:
A must watch. ?@WTA Pro @SloaneStephens went undercover for Tennis Channel Live as an info booth attendant at #BNPPO17.
Watch!!! ?? ?️ ? pic.twitter.com/voDplLBlq3
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 12, 2017
Interviewing American wildcard Kayla Day, who reached the third round at Indian Wells:
.@SloaneStephens and @kaylaeday having fun @TennisChannel. pic.twitter.com/4LxBvWJyH2
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 13, 2017
Mingling with famed chef and restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa:
.@SloaneStephens on the job with Tennis Channel & Nobu Matsuhisa #BNPPO17 ?? pic.twitter.com/zbgArm5VOi
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 7, 2017
.@SloaneStephens ready to cook up a storm today at #BNPPO17 ?? pic.twitter.com/ZVWr9yaef1
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 7, 2017
Interviewing Vasek Pospisil after he scored a victory over ATP World No.1 Andy Murray:
If you missed it, our fav line of the day:
“I hear that you're single & ready to mingle.”
– @SloaneStephens to @VasekPospisil ?? ❤️ ?? pic.twitter.com/uUkuJQLAZY— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 14, 2017
“Everyone’s been like, ‘oh we loved it!'” Sloane said of the feedback she’s been receiving. “And you know how certain fans love certain players? When I did that thing on Dustin Brown, everyone was like ‘oh my god I love him, I love his hair!’
“So I’ve gotten really good feedback. But it’s mostly my family that’s been telling me it’s so cool.”
February was packed with plenty of amazing shots – we narrowed it down to the five best.
In the end it was Agnieszka Radwanska who, in a match full of highlights against Roberta Vinci at the Qatar Total Open, played one of those shots to rule them all in the quarterfinals. As Radwanska makes her way to net, you know something magical is about to happen; sure enough, the Pole taps a volley from behind the back to put an exclamation point on an already-entertaining rally in Doha – taking home this month’s top votes.
Click here to watch all of February’s finalists.
Final Results for February’s WTA Shot Of The Month
1. Agnieszka Radwanska (84%)
2. Jelena Jankovic (6%)
3. Elina Svitolina (4%)
4. Garbiñe Muguruza (3%)
5. Belinda Bencic (3%)
2016 WTA Shot of the Month Winners
January: Caroline Wozniacki
How it works:
Five shots are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Venus Williams had to come back from a set down to oust Chinese qualifier Peng Shuai and make her way into the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
After battling back from match point down earlier in the week against Jelena Jankovic, Venus was able to pull off another turnaround against Peng, advancing 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.
“There were some up-and-downs and errors. It was so frustrating,” Venus admitted in her post-match press conference. “But I feel like I got my focus more in that second set and towards the end of the third, because — I don’t know. I’m just a competitor.
“So if things get closer, then I think my better tennis is going to come. But obviously I don’t want things to get close. I want to try to run away with it.”
.@VenusesWilliams bossing the second set! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/YOLZzAR5wt
— WTA (@WTA) March 14, 2017
It was one-way traffic for the Chinese player in the opening set, though, as Venus found herself down an early break almost as soon as she took to the court. Peng bossed the rallies with her tricky two-handed groundstrokes off both wings, and she quickly took the opening set with another solid break.
But it was a completely different story as the seven-time Grand Slam champion roared to life in the second. Venus found her rhythm to break Peng four times – the Chinese player avoided a shutout by grabbing one of the breaks back, but couldn’t stem the tide as the former World No.1 sent the match to a decider.
Comeback complete ✅@VenusesWilliams advances to @BNPParibasOpen Quarterfinals with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over Peng! pic.twitter.com/Du4ECgViqw
— WTA (@WTA) March 14, 2017
With the momentum – and the vocal southern California crowd – firmly behind her, Venus powered through the final set. She traded breaks early on, but got her second opening when a Peng double fault gifted her the chance to serve out the match.
Venus took her spot in the final eight with ease, moving into the Indian Wells quarterfinals after just under two hours.
She’ll play the winner of No.2 seed Angelique Kerber and Elena Vesnina for a spot in the semifinals.
SINGAPORE – The Russian team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina has qualified for this year’s BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
Makarova and Vesnina are set to make their third appearance as a team at the WTA Finals in Singapore. The pair reached the final on their debut appearance in 2013, and fell in the opening round in 2014. The Russians also qualified for the year-end event in 2015, but had to withdraw due to an injury to Makarova.
“Congratulations to Ekaterina and Elena on qualifying for the BNP Paribas Finals Singapore presented by SC Global,” said WTA CEO Steve Simon. “This team is a favorite in any tournament, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to Singapore.”
Makarova and Vesnina began their partnership in 2012 and together have won seven titles, including two Grand Slams at 2013 Roland Garros and 2014 US Open. This year the Russian duo began the year as a team at the Mutua Madrid Open in April, where they reached the semifinals. The pair continued their success by clinching back-to-back titles at the Rogers Cup in Montréal and the Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics. In addition, they reached two finals at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome and Roland Garros. As a result, they have earned the third slot in the doubles field at the WTA Finals Singapore.
“It’s definitely very exciting to qualify for the WTA Finals in Singapore,” said Vesnina. “It was our goal when we started playing, started winning matches and started winning good tournaments, we knew that we wanted to be there. We were there two years ago and we really liked it. Last year, unfortunately, we couldn’t go because of the injury. It’s an amazing tournament – we have some great memories from there and we’re really looking forward to being there.”
“The WTA Finals is such a great tournament – and for our first year when we came out on the court, it was a full stadium for doubles,” added Makarova. “It was so fun to play out there and the fans are so excited and supportive. The whole organization and the country, it’s nice to be there.”
The current Road to Singapore Leaderboard as follows (as of September 12, 2016):
Karolina Pliskova talks about her performance at the BNP Paribas Open.