Tennis News

– Day 1 winners: It was a picture perfect day at the BNP Paribas Open. The sun was out, the soccer field was hopping, and the first round of the tournament got underway.

Despite their respective rankings, the biggest upset of the day went to World No.36 Lesia Tsurenko, who beat an improving and in-form Timea Babos 7-5, 6-4. Tsurenko made the quarterfinals as a qualifier here last year, beating Andrea Petkovic, Alizé Cornet, and Eugenie Bouchard. But she had not won a match in 2016. There must be something in the desert air.

– More winners: Laura Siegemund (d. Begu), Yulia Putintseva (d. Peng), Kateryna Bondarenko (d. Van Uytvanck), Kurumi Nara (d. Pereira), Barbora Strycova (d. Sansnovich), Lucie Hradecka (d. Riske), Vania King (d. Townsend), Dominika Cibulkova (d. Siniakova), Heather Watson d. (Voskoboeva), Carina Witthoeft (d. Falconi), CoCo Vandeweghe (d. Bertens), Yaroslava Shvedova (d. Kr. Pliskova), Nicole Gibbs (d. Dulgheru), Johanna Larsson (d. Maria), Danka Kovinic (d. Crawford).

– Serena & Venus play on Friday: Venus Williams makes her much-anticipated return to the tournament on Friday during the day session, while Serena will headline the evening session.

– Angelique Kerber still riding the high: Kerber is still on cloud nine after her Australian Open triumph, but now it’s time to get back to work. The No.2 seed knows she’ll be playing with a big target on her back.

“It’s a new situation for me and I know every player who will play against me will give everything to beat me,” she said. “But this is also the situation you’re dreaming for, you’re working your whole life to be like, for me, No.2 at the moment. This is something you’re working for.”

Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber says she's still on cloud nine after the win. #BNPPO16 pic.twitter.com/N3HYtpeYf2

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 9, 2016

– Tricky conditions: The conditions at the BNP Paribas Open can be tricky. Not only does the ball fly in the dry desert air, but the gritty hard court plays relatively slowly. It can be a difficult combination for players to adjust to quickly.

“Here when you play in the morning sometimes it’s a little bit cold,” Carla Suárez Navarro explained. “When you play in the night it’s cold also. During the day it’s hot. It’s a little bit slower at night. During the day it flies a little bit. The court is not too fast. I really like that.”

“I feel like the surface is a little bit slow for me,” Petra Kvitova said. “I feel good. I’m healthy, that’s important.”

Welcome to All Access Hour at a Premier Mandatory, Belinda Bencic. A new experience. pic.twitter.com/d5bM4DBFRb

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 9, 2016

– Don’t have a cow, Belinda: This was Belinda Bencic’s first time going through All-Access Hour at a Premier Mandatory event and the attention and flurry of reporters was definitely a new experience.

“I think it’s a learning process,” she said, “For sure I had a couple of press conferences before [but] I never had this for many times, so it’s a little bit more attention off the court as well. But I enjoy it and it means you’re really Top 10, so I really do enjoy it.”

As for the perks of being a Top 10 player? “To be seeded all the time, you get practice courts, you get a better locker. You just have advantages in everything. You get better hotel rooms and gifts. It’s nice.”

So far her best gift has been “a huge fruit basket”. When reminded that Roger Federer was given a cow after winning a Slam, the 18-year-old was having none of it. “I don’t want a cow,” Bencic said with a laugh. “[I want] chocolate, like a huge basket!”

– Getting the band back together: Suárez Navarro and Garbiñe Muguruza, runners up at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global last year, have teamed up again for doubles in Indian Wells. “We play for the Olympics,” Suárez Navarro said. “It’s tough to play every week but this tournament we want to play together and play matches. The draw is really tough. We play Pliskova/Goerges. They made the semifinals in Melbourne. But just to play together again is a big step.”

– Carla psyches out the competition: The Spaniard, up to a career-high of No.6, has been working with a sports psychologist since last fall. She speaks to him every week and he’s on call for her whenever she needs to talk things through.

“I think that I needed it because if you want to be on top the things you have to improve or change are so little or so close,” she said. “You have to do that thing that is better for you. I start to work in October when I was in Asia, just because I was playing in August and I lost match by match and I didn’t find a solution. My coaches helped me a lot but these things are not easy. We think we need a professional person to help.”

– Top players react to Maria Sharapova’s announcement: A roundup of what the players are saying:

Serena Williams, who spoke ahead of the BNP Paribas Showdown on Tuesday (Serena will do her pre-tournament media obligations at 10:30am Thursday): “I think most people were happy she was upfront and very honest and showed a lot of courage to admit to what she had done and what she had neglected to look at in terms of the list at the end of the year,” Serena said.

“It’s just taking responsibility, which she admitted that she was willing to do and ready to do. Just hope for the best for everybody in that situation.”

Radwanska: “I was actually in the locker room here watching with all the other players what’s going on. We’re in shock, all of us. But well, nobody expected that for sure.”

Muguruza: “For sure it must be a very difficult situation for her. Well the good thing is that she acknowledged it and she’s facing it. That’s a good thing she’s doing and we’ll see how it goes.”

Kvitova: “I think this is an example we see that they are really trying to have a clean sport. I think the system is working. They are doing a good job in that.”

On Wednesday Sharapova posted a note to fans on Facebook, her first public comments since Monday’s press conference.

Petra Kvitova talks to the press at All Access Hour. Still coachless, here with a hitting partner. #BNPPO16 pic.twitter.com/au84F5bVUN

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 9, 2016

– Kvitova still coachless: Kvitova is in no rush to hire a coach after parting ways with David Kotyza in January. She’s here in Indian Wells with her hitting partner and enjoying the freedom to schedule and plan her own practices.

“I think it was a long time to be with David,” Kvitova said. “All the things we did was really working. I mean I have two Grand Slams and he did a great job. I think I still need to improve a lot of things. I think my aggressive game can still be more consistent. Trying to improve the serve and the first point in the rallies.”

– Put a ring on it: Kvitova will be taking the court with a new accessory: her engagement rink. Kvitova was playfully grilled by reporters about the details of how the proposal went down. It was quick, it happened at home, and yes, he bent down to one knee (“I don’t know if it was the left or right one”).

But she said the proposal wasn’t exactly a surprise. “I think I did expect it a bit for one or two days,” she said. “I just know him. I feel like he was more nervous than normal.”

– Let’s reminisce: I asked Kerber for the best experience she’s had since Melbourne, thinking she would highlight a high-profile celebrity event back home. Not Angie.

“I think for me, the best moment was when I got back home and I was sitting with my family and my friends, eating and thinking about my whole career, the last few years, more than 10 years right now, and that was for me the most special moment after I came back.”

TOKYO, Japan – Unseeded Czech Katerina Siniakova powered past No.6 seed Zhang Shuai to book a spot in the final at the Japan Women’s Open Tennis, where she’ll face No.7 Christina McHale for the title.

Watch live action from Tokyo this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

It’s been a banner year for the 20-year-old Siniakova, who continues to inch closer to a Top 50 berth. Earlier in the season, Siniakova posted her first appearance into the third round of a Grand Slam at Wimbledon, then backed up her results by reaching her first WTA-level final at the Ericsson Open in Bastad.

Now, two months later, Siniakova has kept her momentum going strong and booked a spot into her second career WTA final.

The Czech faced a stern test against No.6 seed Zhang, the highest-ranked player left in the draw. The two players traded breaks seven times during a tense first set, but Siniakova kept Zhang under pressure. The Chinese player won just one point behind her first serve all set long, and Siniakova took every break point that came her way – a perfect seven out of seven. She fired two aces in the final game to serve out the opening set in commanding fashion.

Siniakova broke three more times and rattled off the next six games in a clinical display of aggressive baseline play to see off Zhang 6-3, 6-0.

No.7 seed McHale had a more difficult road to the Japan Women’s Open Tennis final, needing to battle through her fourth three-set match of the tournament against Jana Cepelova.

The momentum swung back and forth between the two players throughout the match, with McHale and Cepelova splitting sets and trading breaks twice in the third set. Cepelova’s aggressive returning kept the American under pressure, but McHale kept her cool – the Slovakian player brought up seven chances to get another break off of McHale but couldn’t convert on any.

McHale broke Cepelova in the final game to take the match 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 and book a spot into her first WTA final since March 2014.

TOKYO/GUANGZHOU/SEOUL – The Asian Swing made its official debut last week but begins in earnest with a trio of tournaments in Tokyo, Guangzhou, and Seoul. What are the biggest storylines heading into the Toray Pan Pacific Open, Guangzhou International Women’s Open, and Korea Open? Find out right here on wtatennis.com…

1) Garbiñe Muguruza leads stacked Tokyo draw.
French Open champion Garbiñe Muguruza headlines the Toray Pan Pacific Open field. The Spaniard could see a US Open rematch against Anastasija Sevastova, who knocked her out in the second round. The draw doesn’t get any easier with No.8 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova as her projected quarterfinal opponent and a potential semifinal with either No.3 seed and US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova or No.6 seed Dominika Cibulkova. Can Muguruza replicate her stellar form from last fall to win her first Tokyo title?

2) Two-time Tokyo champ Radwanska seeded second.
Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska aims for title No.20 in Tokyo. Hoping to shake off a fourth round defeat to Ana Konjuh in Flushing, Radwanska could face a tough row of opponents including Barbora Strycova, No.7 seed Petra Kvitova, and either No.4 seed Carla Suárez Navarro or No.5 seed Madison Keys to reach the final.

3) Pliskova has Singapore in her sights.
Karolina Pliskova’s phenomenal run to the US Open final saw her shoot up to No.4 on the Road to Singapore leaderboard. She can’t guarantee qualification in Tokyo, but the No.3 seed could boost her chances 2015 winner Radwanska and 2015 semifinalist Muguruza not far behind at No.5 and No.6, respectively. Pliskova plays her first match against either a qualifier or Yanina Wickmayer.

4) Mirza looking for a second Singapore berth?
Sania Mirza was one half of the first team to qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global alongside Martina Hingis, but could be making a push for a second spot with new partner Barbora Strycova. Mirza and Strycova won the Western & Southern Open in their first tournament together, and the US Open quarterfinalists are seeded second in Tokyo.

5) Osaka the wildcard in Tokyo.
Naomi Osaka received a main draw wildcard after her US Open heroics, where she narrowly lost to Madison Keys in the third round. The personable Japanese star kicked off the Asian Swing by joining Twitter, and will play countrywoman Misaki Doi in the first round.

6) Tough draw for Errani, top seed in Guangzhou.
Sara Errani leads the field at the Guangzhou International Women’s Open, but could face 2015 finalist Denisa Allertova in the second round. Unseeded in Guangzhou, Allertova beat former No.1 Ana Ivanovic in straight sets at the US Open.

7) Jankovic hoping to rebound from injury woes.
Jelena Jankovic took home the title in Guangzhou last year, and hopes for a repeat as the former No.1 tries to turn around a tough season. “I haven’t competed much this year because of two ruptures in my shoulder,” she said at the US Open. “So, I’m a little rusty, I think that shows. I have to stay healthy and hang in there because you have to be ready for every point.” The Serb will be playing doubles with Hingis and opens against qualifier You Xiaodi in singles.

8) Begu adds some Seoul to the mix.
Irina-Camelia Begu is the No.1 seed at the Korea Open and the defending champion after winning the event last year. The Romanian opens against local wildcard Jang Su Jeong and could play countrywoman Monica Niculescu in the quarterfinals.

9) Larsson looks to build on strong summer.
Seeded No.2 in Seoul, Larsson reached the semifinals of the Connecticut Open as a lucky loser, upsetting Timea Bacsinszky and Roberta Vinci en route. The Swede followed that up by reaching the third round of the US Open for the second time in three years. Cutting her ranking in half since a July low of No.82, Larsson hopes to keep going against American Grace Min in the first round, with another American Louisa Chirico looming in the last eight.

10) Find out where you can watch the action from Asia here!

INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Japanese qualifier Kurumi Nara ended Venus Williams’ fairytale comeback to Indian Wells, where she was playing in her first match back in 15 years.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Indian Wells right here on wtatennis.com!

Walking out on court to the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” Williams was given a hero’s welcome to the BNP Paribas Open. The packed Stadium 1 crowd roared as she waved and gave them a big smile, touching her hand to her heart.

The stage was set for a triumphant return, but Nara didn’t read the script.

Undaunted by neither the occasion nor the crowd – who cheered every service hold and point won by Williams – the Japanese kept her head down and proved why she was once ranked as high as No.32, keeping her game clean and tidy as Williams’ frustration – and unforced error count – began to grow.

With the wind swirling and clouds threatening overhead, both players came out solid, trading service holds until the rain finally broke through and halted play at 3-3.

Williams drew first blood when play resumed after the 35-minute delay, breaking Nara for her first lead of the match. It would turn out to be her only one, as Nara quickly leveled the score and grabbed the next three games to close out the opening set.

She rode the momentum and continued her ruthlessly methodical game, forcing error after error off of Williams’ racquet. The American broke Nara twice, powered on by the boisterous crowd, but each time the 24-year-old held on. She remained steady until the end, calmly serving out the biggest match of her career to win 6-4, 6-3.

For Nara, who had to fight through qualifying to book her encounter against Williams and had only defeated one Top 20 player in her previous 16 attempts, this is a moment she won’t soon forget.

“Yes, I’m very happy, this is the biggest win of my career,” Nara enthused after the match.

Despite the experience ending in a defeat, Williams will take only positives from her return to the Indian Wells desert.

“It was enough of a fairy tale to come here and play,” she said in her post-match press conference. “A win would have been nice, but that means I have to come back and play next year.”

“I would definitely love to come back.”

Welcome back! ? ? ?@VenusesWilliams returns to the @BNPParibasOpen after 15 years! #WTA https://t.co/wr7FU9gZ9X

— WTA (@WTA) March 12, 2016