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Zhang Continues Fairytale Season In Zhuhai

Zhang Continues Fairytale Season In Zhuhai

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

ZHUHAI, China – The fairytale continues for Zhang Shuai in Zhuhai.

The wildcard won a second straight match at the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, guaranteeing her a place in the semifinals and a first career finish inside the Top 25.

“It’s amazing because I never thought I could play this tournament, and now I’m in the semifinals,” she told WTA Insider on Thursday. “I prepared a lot for this week, so I’m really happy.”

Her storybook season began in Australia by way of Tokyo. Zhang was ranked just inside the Top 200 when she won an inaugural ITF 100K Challenger there last fall – foreshadowing what was to come Down Under. The Chinese No.1 plans to return to the Tokyo tournament next week, where she will be top seed.

“I have a lot of good memories there and want to go back. I also have a lot of friends in Japan and Tokyo; they’re waiting for me already, so it’s very exciting!

“The tournament has good food, good hotel, and good courts. I always look forward to going to Tokyo.”

Zhang Shuai

Zhang’s season won’t end there. Her final stop of 2016 brings her to Hawaii, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

“I’ve never had the chance to go. I’m already ranked in the Top 50, so I couldn’t enter a WTA 125K event, so I have to thank the tournament for giving me a wildcard.”

She found out about the wildcard into Zhuhai three weeks ago in Beijing; she had just defeated Simona Halep for the second time in nine months, the first coming in that fateful first round in Melbourne.

“She’s a really great player. My coach always says I have to learn from her, because she plays really beautiful tennis. I like her as a person too; she’s a very nice girl.

“It was amazing, even after the Australian Open, I didn’t think I could beat her again. But I’ve since been able to not only beat her, but also other Top 20 players like Timea Bacsinszky and Samantha Stosur.

“Now I believe I can do anything.”

That limitless mentality has helped her achieve a career-best season after a year in the tennis wilderness. It was just two years ago that Zhang was ranked in the Top 30 and seeded at Grand Slams, but until beating Halep, she had never won a major main draw match in 14 previous attempts.

Zhang Shuai

“Now I’m more focused on the court, focused on myself. I don’t think…anything, really! I’m not thinking about ranking or points; I just try my best, trying to play my tennis and my style. I don’t really care about whom I’m playing, or how they play. I just go!”

Zhang plans to roll into the off-season with similar gusto, hoping to maintain the momentum gained from her Asian Swing surge and bring it back to Australia for an encore performance.

“I don’t think I’ll change much about my pre-season. I’ll just try to train hard, give 100% of my heart and focus on tennis. We’re always trying to make improvements, so we’ll try to do that, too.

“But this year, I played really well, so I think I’m doing things the right way. I just want to keep going.”

Forward motion is a recurring motif from Zhang, which certainly makes sense; if you were living her dream, would you want to wake up?

“This whole year has been filled with so many amazing memories. I can’t pick just one, but of course, I can’t forget the Australian Open. I’ll remember that week forever. I also made the quarterfinal at the China Open, now the semifinals here in Zhuhai.

“This year has been a dream come true.”

All photos courtesy of WTA Elite Trophy.

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Wozniacki Resurgence Continues

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Caroline Wozniacki’s US Open revival gathered further momentum as she brushed aside Monica Niculescu to reach the fourth round.

Having arrived at Flushing Meadows with little form to speak of, Wozniacki has been one of the stories of the opening week, following up her upset of No.9 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova with another impressive showing. The two-time finalist dissected Niculescu’s unorthodox game to win, 6-3, 6-1.

As she did against Kuznetsova, the Dane delivered a tidy performance, her sprightly movement betraying no signs of the ankle injury that sidelined her for much of the spring. After trading a couple of early breaks, Wozniacki struck again to edge 3-1 ahead, maintaining this advantage – despite a fraught final service game – to close out the set.

The Romanian had failed to take a set from Wozniacki in their six previous meetings and never looked like breaking this spell, quickly slipping 3-0 behind. With the former No.1 prevailing in the battle of wills from the baseline match point soon arrived, Niculescu surrendering as a drop shot drifted tamely wide.

“I think it’s fun to play against her but also really frustrating because she makes you feel like you can’t play tennis,” Wozniacki said. “You have to be mentally prepared to grind it out. It wasn’t pretty, but I got a good workout running after her drop shots. I just need to step in and hit the ball and go for it. Otherwise, I have no chance.”

Meeting Wozniacki for a place in the quarterfinals will be Madison Keys, who kept alive hopes of a maiden Grand Slam title by producing what she described as the comeback of her career. Trailing Naomi Osaka 5-1 in the final set, the No.8 seed looked dead and buried only to capitalize on some finishing line nerves to somehow turn the match around.

Serving for the match at 5-2, Osaka missed a presentable forehand volley that left her fighting back the tears. And while she regrouped admirably to force a tie-break, her moment had passed, Keys powering towards a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(3) victory.

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Venus Soars Past Siegemund

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Two-time US Open champion Venus Williams dispatched No.26 seed Laura Siegemund, 6-1, 6-2, to waltz into the second week in Flushing Meadows for the 14th time in her illustrious career.

“I’m happy with putting wins under my belt,” she said after the match. “I’m always in search for perfection. If it’s not perfect, I’m back to the drawing board

“Today was a more straightforward win, but not perfect. So I’ll be working on perfection.”

Playing her first night match of the tournament, Venus played solid tennis against Siegemund, who was into the third round for the first time ever. Hitting 11 winners and breaking serve six times, the elder Williams sister survived several long games against the German veteran – one of the longest coming as she served for the opening set.

“Everything I’ve gone through has proven to me that I love the game, because to be out here is an effort, to say the least. So it’s proved that I love this clearly enough to go through this. And to reach perfection is something I still expect from myself, no matter what, whatever it is I’m going through.”

Saving four break points, Venus took the first set on her second opportunity and immediately broke to start the second. Making no mistake when it came time to serve out the match, she held to 15 and booked the last remaining spot in the round of 16, where she will play No.10 seed Karolina Pliskova.

“Each match is different. I approach them differently. We play kind of a similar game. So it’s about one of us playing that game better.

“I haven’t played her that often. So go out there and put the ball in the court, try to win.”

Pliskova reached the second week of a major tournament earlier on Saturday by knocking out 2011 quarterfinalist and No.17 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-2, 6-4.

“It definitely was always my goal,” she said in her post-match press conference. “So I’m really happy that I got there. I was trying to get there for a long time, but before it probably wasn’t meant to be. So I’m happy to be there now, especially at the US Open, especially on hardcourt, which is my best surface.

“I’m also really happy with the match, how I got through.”

The two have played just once before, with Venus narrowly edging the Czech star in the final of the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.

“It’s not that long ago, when we played. I remember the match. It was pretty good match from I think both of us. She was playing really good tennis there.

“Obviously with her it’s tough. She’s serving pretty well both serves, playing aggressive on the return. There is not much to do.

“I just have to serve well. That’s the most important thing.”

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Graf Hosts Charity Clinic At WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai

Graf Hosts Charity Clinic At WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

ZHUHAI, China – After visiting one of the city’s most impressive landmarks, tennis legend and WTA Elite Trophy ambassador Steffi Graf continued her whirlwind tour of Zhuhai at the Huafa Tennis Center for a charity clinic.

Click here for a photo gallery of all of Steffi’s activities in Zhuhai!

Graf was joined by over thirty talented youngsters from primary and junior high schools in the area, including 19 from Macao as well as from Huajin Securities, tournament ball kids, selected staff and one lucky iQYI SuperFan.

Yang Yanling, who was selected from the iQIYI iSuperFan campaign, got an extra treat; he enjoyed a special one-on-one conversation up close with the former World No.1. Yang was thrilled by Graf’s encouragement to continue playing tennis, and more importantly, to enjoy what tennis will bring to his life and future.

Check out all the best photos from the event right here, courtesy of the WTA Elite Trophy!

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf

 

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Insider Podcast: Week One Recap

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Week 1 is in the books at the US Open, and catch up with all the best moments on Day 6’s Daily Dispatch from the WTA Insider Podcast.

Save for a three-set struggle from No.5 seed Simona Halep, all the big names progressed into the second week with relative ease on Saturday, include World No.1 Serena Williams, No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, No.6 seed Venus Williams, and No.10 seed Karolina Pliskova, who reached the fourth round at a major for the first time in her young career.

Analyzing the week that was, the WTA Insider team looks ahead to Day 7, and whether there might be an upset or two on the table come Sunday.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn or on any podcast app of your choice to ensure you never miss an episode when they go live. Reviews are always helpful, so if you like what you’ve heard so far, leave us one. You can also get new episode alerts by following us on Twitter @WTA_Insider.

Follow @WTA_Insider

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Graf Plays Part In Zhuhai Final Festivities

Graf Plays Part In Zhuhai Final Festivities

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

ZHUHAI, China – Since her retirement 17 years ago, WTA legend Stefanie Graf has largely shied away from the limelight. However on Sunday she took center stage once more, gracing the final of the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai between Petra Kvitova and Elina Svitolina.

Tournament ambassador Graf continued her busy weekend in Zhuhai, conducting the coin toss before taking in Kvitova’s masterclass.

Twenty-four hours earlier, in her first public activity ever in mainland China, Graf visited the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, where she played mini-tennis with Caroline Garcia.

Check out the best photos from finals day, courtesy of the WTA Elite Trophy!

Steffanie Graf

Steffanie Graf

Stefanie Graf

Click here for a photo gallery of all of Graf’s activities in Zhuhai.

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Konjuh Conquers Radwanska Rematch

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – 18-year-old Ana Konjuh notched the biggest win of her career under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking out World No.4 Agnieszka Radwanska in straight sets to reach her first ever Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open, 6-4, 6-4.

Konjuh let three match points slip by in their dramatic second-round clash at Wimbledon earlier this year, but she only needed one to get the job done today against Radwanska.

“I’m just really happy,” Konjuh grinned in post-match press. “I played her in Wimbledon. It was a tough match. This time I took opportunities. You know, I was just going for it. It was the key of the match.”

The Croat shook off a shaky start, going down an early break before she found her footing in her debut match at Arthur Ashe. Despite the initial nerves, Konjuh quickly acclimated to the big stage, digging out of a 2-0 deficit and grabbing the break right back, working the court open with vicious angles from her forehand and backhand.

Her aggressive, crafty tennis proved frustrating to Radwanska, who hit 13 unforced errors – a high figure for the usually stingy player – to just nine winners. Konjuh attacked the vulnerable Radwanska serve and claimed the decisive break at 4-3, managing to out-drop shot Radwanska and beat her at the baseline. She took the match after breaking in the ninth game of the second set, and serving out the biggest win of her career.

“Maybe there was one or two chances,” Radwanska said after the match. She converted just one of three break opportunities. “Then I didn’t really hold my serve. I didn’t serve good enough.”

“Then, well, I’m here not as a winner.”

The 18-year-old Croat won the US Open girls’ title back in 2013, and then two years later became the WTA’s youngest title winner in almost a decade when she captured the Nottingham title. Now, despite a season marred by injury, she’s one match away from the semifinals.

“It’s really a privilege for me to be here, just playing for the finals,” Konjuh said. “I’m 18.I won the juniors here. I have good memories. I love the city. I’m just really happy just to have this chance.”

Konjuh will play Karolina Pliskova, another Grand Slam quarterfinal debutante, for a spot in the US Open semifinals.

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Vote: October's WTA Breakthrough Of The Month

Vote: October's WTA Breakthrough Of The Month

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

October's WTA Breakthrough Of The Month

October was defined by three breakthrough players who brought some impressive performances on and off the court. Which one soared the highest?

Have a look at the nominees for October Breakthrough Performance of the Month and cast your vote before Thursday at 11:59pm ET! The winner will be announced Friday, November 11.

October 2016 WTA Breakthrough Performance of the Month Finalists:

Daria Gavrilova: One of the tour’s fastest rising stars had an October to remember. The Russian-born Aussie kicked off the month with her first win over a reigning No.1, defeating Angelique Kerber in Hong Kong. Gavrilova took that momentum into Moscow to reach the final of the Kremlin Cup in both singles and doubles with partner and good friend Daria Kasatkina.

Johanna Konta: Konta made her biggest breakthrough yet on the WTA level, reaching her first Premier Mandatory final at the China Open. Seeded No.11 in Bejing, Konta upset No.5 seed and US Open runner-up Karolina Pliskova and No.8 seed Madison Keys en route to the championship match, where she fell to Agnieszka Radwanska.

Peng Shuai: Impressive though her resume had been, a WTA singles title had long eluded 2014 US Open semifinalist Peng Shuai, who missed most of the 2015 season due to a back injury. Upsetting Venus Williams in Beijing, Peng rolled into the Tianjin Open high on confidence, finally winning her first WTA title.

2016 Winners:

January: Zhang Shuai
February: Jelena Ostapenko
March: Nicole Gibbs
April: Cagla Buyukakcay
May: Kiki Bertens
June: Elena Vesnina
July: Kristina Kucova
August: Karolina Pliskova
September: Naomi Osaka

How it works:

Finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com

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Ivanovic To Sit Out Rest Of 2016 Season

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

After a disappointing year of injuries and inconsistencies, Ana Ivanovic took to Twitter on Tuesday, announcing her intention to skip the remaining tournaments in 2016 so that she may be fully fit for the upcoming 2016 season.

Check out her full statement: 

Ivanovic had enjoyed a career renaissance in 2014 and had a strong start to 2015, peaking at No.5 just before the toe injury mentioned in her statement. Though she went on to reach the semifinals of the French Open that year, the former No.1 hasn’t made it past the third round in any of the last seven major tournaments. She last played at the US Open, where she fell in the first round to Denisa Allertova, 7-6(4), 6-1.

The Serb spoke with WTA Insider before the start of the Open on her season, career, and the concept of luck in tennis; catch up on that interview below:

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