Acapulco: Lesia Tsurenko's Shot Of The Day
Lesia Tsurenko has Saturday’s shot of the day at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel.
Lesia Tsurenko has Saturday’s shot of the day at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel.
Lesia Tsurenko came to the Abierto Mexicano Telcel on a mission after a tough loss at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The No.7 seed ended up rolling to her third career title in Acapulco, dismissing February favorite Kristina Mladenovic in straight sets to return to the Top 50 ahead of the BNP Paribas Open, one of her favorite tournaments.
WTA Insider caught up with the Ukrainian after her on-court fiesta to discuss the key to her confidence, her work with a new fitness coach, and how she hopes to hold onto that sombrero given to her during the trophy ceremony.
WTA Insider: I have to start with this: was this your first time wearing a sombrero?
Tsurenko: It was, but that’s because it was my first time winning a title in Mexico! Wearing a sombrero will always be something special for me and I’m glad this was the first time.
WTA Insider: In such a tense second set, what was going through your mind at 4-5 when you were serving to stay in it after all those breaks?
Tsurenko: I think I played really well in the first set, and I felt very confident. In the second, she changed her game a little bit and she started to play more aggressively. I was also getting more nervous because I felt this title was getting closer to me. The most important game was definitely on my serve at 4-5, and I was really happy to hold on. I felt like I could finish that match there.
WTA Insider: Kiki’s had such a good couple of weeks, but you’d beaten her three times before; what is your mindset going in against that type of player?
Tsurenko: I’ve beaten her before, but I also lost to her in Dubai last year. I know how she plays pretty well; she’s got a good serve and forehand. I was trying to focus on the way that I play and on my shots. I think that works well for me because it’s just you on your side of the court, and it makes me more nervous to start thinking about the opponent. Just hit the ball and do your shots; that’s the key, and then just fight for every point.
WTA Insider: You’ve had some tough draws to start the season – playing Angelique Kerber at the Australian Open and Peng Shuai in Dubai. How were you feeling at the start of the week and is this title something of a surprise?
Tsurenko: I was quite disappointed with my disappointment in Dubai, so I was really concentrating here. I really wanted to play well here to show some good tennis after disappointing results in Dubai. That worked really well for me; I was concentrating on each point in every match and it worked well. I’m really happy to get the title.
WTA Insider: You’re a player whose struggled with injuries; when we last spoke, you were dragging around a big ice bag for your knee at the US Open. This week, it was some of your opponents who were having some injury and illness issues. How were you feeling to be on the other end, to be the fitter and healthier player?
Tsurenko: I’ve had quite a few injuries, but I try not to think about those. That’s just how it is and I’m getting fitter and fitter. I’ve been working on my body, and that’s been working well for me, just to feel balanced in every angle of tennis. The beginning of the year was strange for me; I had a virus in Brisbane, and still feeling unwell in Hobart. Everything’s in the past, and I hope to get a lot of confidence from this win.
WTA Insider: You played Acapulco for the first time just a few years ago, and you’ve gone from qualies to being a seed, winning the title. What do you make of how fast some of your improvements have been, winning three titles in the last 18 months?
Tsurenko: I’ve improved my fitness, and I also feel more confident on court, especially with my serve and my groundstrokes. I’m not afraid to make winners and be aggressive. I also feel like I’ve improved my defense; I’m moving well around the court and that gives me some good results.
WTA Insider: Are you a player who feels like they need confidence to be aggressive on the court?
Tsurenko: Fitness is the most important thing for me, because then I feel like I can play without mistakes, and stay on court for a long time. I’m able to stay concentrated in final sets – when I have to play those. For me, fitness is the biggest difference, but I’ve also become more aggressive on my serve and return. These two things are essential in women’s tennis.
.@LTsurenko thanks the @AbiertoTelcel fans for the great support ? #AMT2017 pic.twitter.com/h6lpwtuf4u
— WTA (@WTA) March 5, 2017
WTA Insider: Speaking of fitness, talk a bit about your team; what kind of changes have you made in terms of recovery?
Tsurenko: I’m still working with the same tennis coach for the last four years now. I’m very happy with the results we’ve had together. But I do have a new fitness coach, Denis Vaschuk, who is helping to make my body stronger and more balanced. I think that’s the big advantage for me now, having him on my team. We work when I’m in Ukraine, and I also get some exercises from him even when we’re not traveling together. We keep in touch and that makes me feel even more confident in my fitness and movement.
WTA Insider: Up next for you is the BNP Paribas Open, where you’ve played some pretty epic matches over the last couple years. What do you like about that tournament and what are you looking forward to most over the next two weeks?
Tsurenko: First of all, I like hardcourts in general, and I really enjoy the tournament in Indian Wells. I like the atmosphere there, and I think the surface suits me well; it’s not too fast, so I can show everything that I can do on the court. I like the conditions, and the improvements they make every year; they make the tournament so comfortable for players. I’m really excited to go there now because I know they’ve been making even more renovations. I hope to get there Sunday so I can see everything.
WTA Insider: What is the one big memory or big moment you’ll take away from this week?
Tsurenko: The sombrero! I don’t know if they’ll let me keep it, but for sure, I’m going to get some nice photos and some good memories.
Love the Sombrero!
Congrats @LTsurenko, lift that @AbiertoTelcel trophy ? pic.twitter.com/JEGRbw7xAW
— WTA (@WTA) March 5, 2017
23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams announced her withdrawal from both the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open due to a left knee injury.
Karolina Pliskova talks about her feelings and expectations before the BNP Paribas Open.
Ahead of the first Premier Mandatory event of 2017, the top seeds at the BNP Paribas Open convened on All-Access Hour to meet the press and answer questions about World No.1 Serena Williams’ withdrawal, who Agnieszka Radwanska would vote for in wtatennis.com’s Shot Of The Month presented by Cambridge Global Payments poll, and more from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden…
.@Simona_Halep stumped when asked to share something that no one knows about her. Says able to practice pain free, will see in matches. pic.twitter.com/GoulCpfs9E
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Simona Halep
On the impact of Serena’s withdrawal…
I heard she is struggling with the knees, so I understand. After she won the Australian Open she can take a long time off. She will come back at Roland Garros and she will probably win!
On how her personality helps and hurts her game…
I think I struggle with the confidence a little bit. And then on the other side I’m ambitious. And very competitive.
On her decision to play Romania’s next Fed Cup tie against Great Britain…
I think we play in my hometown. It will be great. I said I will play even if I have pain. I spoke with Ilie Nastase and told him I am coming. It will be nice. I can’t wait to be on court with him as a captain. It will be a nice experience and hopefully we can win.
“How's life going for you?” @ARadwanska: “Good. Getting old.” Table laughs. Celebrated her b-day at Cheesecake Factory. “10 year tradition”. pic.twitter.com/f2Cg1gpq4J
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Agnieszka Radwanska
On her toughest competition in the hot shot department…
Kirsten Flipkens. I think she is very good at those shots. Sometimes I thougth she’s gonna win, but then my shots are still better from the fans but if I had to pick, sometimes I’d pick her shots.
On celebrating her birthday in Indian Wells at The Cheesecake Factory…
That’s the tradition. Since 10 years. It’s the 10th year in the Cheesecake Factory. Different cheesecake every time. Oreo is the best one.
.@KaPliskova says she usually declines photoshoots. “I just want to play good tennis. That's the goal. I don't need to be in every magazine” pic.twitter.com/YkOJizjsXQ
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Karolina Pliskova
On avoiding a potential third round clash with her sister Kristyna thanks to Serena’s withdrawal…
I was kind of happy. We were supposed to meet in the third round, so she would have to win two tough matches and me one, so it was not sure that we were gonna play but it’s definitely better to be in the place that I am now.
On what would mean more to her, titles or wins over certain players…
Pliskova: Definitely both titles and some players, which we all know there are some players I don’t like to play. We all know that.
WTA Insider: You mean Aga?
Pliskova: Yeah that’s the one. So I just want to beat those players which I don’t feel comfortable on the court. And then still, it’s the titles. Doesn’t matter which titles, it’s still always a good title, a good week. It gives me a lot of confidence coming to the next tournament. I just want to try at every tournament. I think I have a good chance every week. Doesn’t matter which tournament, doesn’t matter which surface – obviously clay gonna be difficult – I just want to try. Out of four tournaments I made two finals. So I think I have a good chance every week.
On getting offers for photoshoots and magazine spreads back home…
I usually say no to everything. I just don’t need this stuff. I was not raised this way. I just want to play good tennis. For me, that’s the main goal. I don’t need to be in any magazine.
.@SvetlanaK27 holding court. #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/pRgJ5oqHep
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Svetlana Kuznetsova
On whether tournaments are more open with the absence of Serena, Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova, and Petra Kvitova…
For sure it’s a shame for the fans and it’s great to see all these great players playing. But I’m not sure if it’s that open because I believe tennis these past years the level raised a lot. All matches are so difficult. It doesn’t matter who is playing. It’s so difficult to win. Yes, it’s less great players. But still the players are getting better and better and I just look forward for all those players to get back and have those great fields again.
February was packed with plenty of amazing shots – we narrowed it down to the five best.
In the end, it was Angelique Kerber – who is set to return to No.1 after the BNP Paribas Open. The German sucessfully campaigned for the honor at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, even earning the praise of Hot Shot Queen Agnieszka Radwanska. En route to the semifinals in Dubai, the left-handed Kerber threw down the gauntlet by landing a stab volley with her right hand, forcing the error from Mona Barthel .
Click here to watch all of February’s finalists.
Final Results for February’s WTA Shot Of The Month presented by Cambridge Global Payments
1. Angelique Kerber (41%)
2. Kristina Mladenovic (22%)
3. Caroline Wozniacki (20%)
4. Daria Kasatkina (11%)
5. Karolina Pliskova (6%)
2017 WTA Shot of the Month Winners
January: Agnieszka Radwanska
How it works:
Five shots are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
BRISBANE, Australia – Simona Halep met the press at All Access Hour at the Brisbane International on Monday, and one of the hot topics was her potential opening match against Victoria Azarenka.
Watch live action from Brisbane, Shenzhen & Auckland on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
A few hours later, Azarenka turned potential into reality with an impressive win over Elena Vesnina.
“It’s very tough,” Halep told reporters. “I think it will be a nice match. It will be very hard. It will be a big challenge for me. I played against her at the US Open, so I’m looking forward to playing against her again in Brisbane to see how well I can play in that match, in my first match of the new year.
“I’m looking forward to starting this year. I know it won’t be easy, though, because the first match of the year is always difficult mentally as well as physically, and I haven’t played since Singapore.”
That US Open match, a quarterfinal, was one of the matches of the tournament, with both WTA stars littering the stats sheet with winners – Halep finished with a beefy 40 winners to 19 unforced errors.
The Romanian eventually rallied from 2-0 in the third set to edge the Belarusian, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
“I remember that the rain helped me – I cannot forget that,” Halep recalled, referring to a rain delay as she served at 1-2, 40-15 in the third set. “It was a good point that the rain came and we stopped the match, because I was getting too nervous in the third set and I couldn’t manage the emotions.
“But she’s very strong. She’s hitting the ball strong. And she doesn’t give up. I have some good experience against her. She beat me in the past, and I beat her, so it’s good timing to play again.
“I need strong matches and strong opponents to be ready for the Grand Slams.”
Speaking of strong opponents, Halep was also asked about her chief rival – Serena Williams – who is competing in Hopman Cup this week. The World No.1 had to withdraw from her first match, however.
“I didn’t know she withdrew,” Halep said. “But, you know, she’s strong. I know that she can come and play good tennis as always. She’s prepared for that. She has the experience and knows how to manage all the situations. She’s the best player in the world. I just have to relax when I play her.
“But I believe players from the Top 10 can beat her. Many players are playing really good tennis right now. Muguruza as well, and I think I can say Bouchard will come back because she has the game, and she knows how to play in the top, because she was there. So it will be an interesting year, I think.”
Halep and Azarenka are scheduled to play their second round match in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Azarenka leads Halep in their overall head-to-head, 2-1, and is looking forward to the duel too.
“I think it’s going to be a very good test for me,” the former World No.1 said. “In general playing against top players, you always put yourself in a situation where you have got to push yourself.
“To be the best you’ve got to beat the best, so I’m looking forward to that match.”
Madison Keys makes her 2017 debut and Venus Williams takes on the BNP Paribas Open’s longest tenured player. We break down today’s key second-round matchups at WTATennis.com.
Saturday, Second round
[2] Angelique Kerber (GER # 2) vs. Andrea Petkovic (GER # 79)
Head-to-head: Kerber leads, 7-3
Key Stat: Kerber will begin her 21st week at No.1 on the Monday after Indian Wells.
As a result of Serena Williams’ injury withdrawal, Angelique Kerber will make her return to the top of the WTA rankings following Indian Wells no matter how she fares. But the German is adamant about not letting this good news cause any complacency in her tennis. She’s here to compete, and to hopefully kickstart a season that hasn’t panned out exactly the way she would have liked in the first two months. Kerber is 7-5 on the season, but she has yet to reach a final and she has gone 2-5 against the Top 50. “I was coming here to win matches,” Kerber told reporters on Wednesday. “This is what I love and this is what I was practicing for the last weeks. This is more what I’m focusing on. I will try and really stay with my focus because this is my priority and I will try now not to think about getting No.1 again.”
Kerber is set to square off with compatriot Andrea Petkovic for the 11th time on Saturday. The pair will meet for the first time since 2015, when Kerber won a straight-setter in the Charleston semis.
Pick: Kerber in three
[12] Venus Williams (USA # 13) vs. Jelena Jankovic (SRB # 51)
Head-to-head: Jankovic leads, 7-6
Key Stat: Jankovic is making her record 16th appearance at the BNP Paribas Open.
A pair of legendary thirtysomethings will lock horns for the 14th time on Saturday for a spot in the third round when Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic continue a rivalry that started over a decade ago in the quarterfinals at the 2005 Bank of the West Classic in Northern California. A lot of time has passed since then, but Williams (36) and Jankovic (32) continue to turn back the clock with brave tennis, big personality and an unquenchable lust for the competition that exists on tour. Williams made her return to Indian Wells for the first time in 15 years last season but was upset in her first match by Japan’s Kurumi Nara. She’d like to extend her stay a little longer this time, but she’ll have her hands full with Jankovic, who took the pair’s last hardcourt meeting at Hong Kong in 2015.
While Williams may still be re-familiarizing herself with the playing conditions in the desert, Jankovic has played some of her best tennis here. She won the title in 2010 and reached the final in 2015.
Pick: Williams in three
[20] CoCo Vandeweghe (USA #22) vs. Lucie Safarova (CZE # 40)
Head-to-head: Safarova leads, 2-1
Key Stat: After finishing 2016 with five consecutive losses, Vandeweghe is 8-3 in 2017.
American CoCo Vandeweghe was a set away from her first career Grand Slam final before she fell to Venus Williams in a thrilling three-setter at the Australian Open semifinals this winter. Now she’s looking to make some noise on her home soil, but the California native will have to get past a very accomplished veteran if she hopes to reach beyond the third round for the first time. Lucie Safarova has been playing very solid tennis this season, and has a final at Budapest and an 11-5 record to show for it. She has taken her last two meetings with Vandeweghe, both on hard courts, but the American is a more confident player than she ever has been before.
Pick: Safarova in three
[9] Madison Keys (USA # 9) vs. Mariana Duque-Mariño (ESP # 112)
Head-to-head: Keys Leads, 1-0
Key Stat: Keys has never been past the third round at Indian Wells.
Madison Keys will make her return to the tour after missing the first two months due to a minor wrist surgery. Keys has also been reunited with former coach Lindsay Davenport, and the pair will move forward hoping to recreate the success that they achieved in 2015, when the American reached her only career Grand Slam semifinal at the age of 19. For her first hurdle she’ll face Spain’s Mariana Duque-Mariño, a 27-year-old qualifier who earned her first ever BNP Paribas Open main draw win on Thursday when she defeated Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig.
The matchup is a good one for Keys, but how quickly can the 22-year-old shake off the rust that surely exists? In her first match since last October Keys will need to be sharp—Duque Mariño has already won two rounds of qualifying in addition to her first-round win and she’ll be hungry for the upset.
Pick: Keys in two
By the Numbers:
36 – The age of Venus Williams, who is the oldest player in this year’s BNP Paribas Open draw.
20 – Amount of weeks that Kim Clijsters and Angelique Kerber have spent at No.1 as of today. Kerber will pass Clijsters when she begins her second stint at the top of the rankings on Monday March 20th.
47 – Number of BNP Paribas Open matches won by Lindsay Davenport, which is most all-time. The American also holds the record for most final appearances with six.
28 – Agnieszka Radwanska leads all players in this year’s draw with 28 wins at Indian Wells. She’ll bid for her 29th against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo today.
World No.1 Serena Williams was forced to cut short her first match of the season, retiring down a set at the US Hopman Cup match against Australia.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – No.21 seed Caroline Garcia recovered from a set down to survive No.11 seed Johanna Konta, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(1), to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open for the second time in three years.
“Maybe it’s the haircut!” she joked with WTA Insider. “Sometimes small things make a big difference on the court. I tried to forget what happened outside of tennis and just focus on myself, what I could improve. I feel more energized and better on the court; it’s great to have this mentality again.”
.@CaroGarcia with the forehand winner! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/C5SjqAFhmO
— WTA (@WTA) March 12, 2017
Konta enjoyed a bright start to the season with a second WTA title at the Apia International Sydney and a run to the Australian Open quarterfinals, but a nerve issue in her left foot forced her to sit out the Middle East Swing following a successful week at Fed Cup.
“I don’t believe I played a great match today,” Konta said after the match. “She did what she had to do to get through that, and she did a better job of finding a way than I did. I would have liked to have played better, but it just didn’t happen today.
“There were a number of shots that let me down today; quite honestly, I don’t know why, but I’m keen on improving and doing better next time.”
Playing her first WTA event since Melbourne, Konta took the opening set in decisive style against Garcia, who hadn’t won back-to-back matches since January, but the tide began to turn in the middle of the second.
.@CaroGarcia finds an amazing angle at the net! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/FP7qUbCAmt
— WTA (@WTA) March 12, 2017
“The last time I played against her in China, she played unbelievably; it was just unreal,” Garcia said. “I knew I had to play a good match, and that if I got any opportunities, I would have to be ready to take them. That’s what I managed to do in the second set when I broke her; in the tie-break, I was more aggressive and more consistent.”
.@CaroGarcia's ace takes us into a final set tiebreaker! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/nGjtW1yMGO
— WTA (@WTA) March 12, 2017
Garcia earned the only break of that set to level the match, and served out some sticky situations by match’s end to force a tie-break, which she took with ease after a two hour and 11 minute tussle.
“I didn’t do enough with the opportunities that I did get,” Konta said. “Some of the break points, she served well, and others, I wasn’t brave enough. I don’t think I did enough to really take them. I was a little too passive in parts.”
In a high quality match, both players hit just 15 unforced errors each, with Garcia leading the winner count 28 to 23 – despite 12 aces from the big-serving Brit.
“This win means a lot because the beginning of the year hasn’t been easy,” she said. “Konta is a difficult player, and she’s been pretty solid most of the year. This match was a bit weird, some ups and downs and not too many rallies. I’m happy with the way I kept my focus to the end; even if I played a bad return, I stayed positive and finished with a great tie-break.
“I think it was more of a mental match because physically, I wasn’t even tired – there were no rallies! I was just working on moving from one point to another. Mentally, it wasn’t easy to keep the intensity. In the end, I brought what I did well in the match, and I returned better. I just had to win that tie-break, and I’ll keep the last point.”
.@CaroGarcia is first through to @BNPPARIBASOPEN Round of 16!
Turns tables on Konta 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1)! pic.twitter.com/vFWJkabYN2
— WTA (@WTA) March 12, 2017
Not too far from a career-high ranking of No.23, Garcia next plays No.8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, who dug out a three set win over No.26 seed Roberta Vinci, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1.
“I expect longer rallies than today, for sure!” Garcia said. “She’s a great player with a lot of experience. She’ll enjoy these conditions with the bouncy court. I’ll have to put as much pressure as I can, not let her dictate with the forehand.
“You can learn a lot from a match like this because she has a very tactical game. I’ll try to be more aggressive.”