Tennis News

THE WINNERS

Heather Watson roared back from a set down to dispatch Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, to win her third career title at the Abierto Monterrey Afirme.

“I don’t know where to start,” Watson said. “I’m extremely happy today. I was nervous coming into the match, and I’ve never beaten Kirsten before – she’s a great player who really makes you work for it.”

With Johanna Konta also reaching the quarterfinals in Monterrey and Naomi Broady matching the effort in Kuala Lumpur, it was the largest contingent of British women in a WTA quarterfinal in one week since 1978 (Eastbourne).

Read the Monterrey final match recap here.

Elina Svitolina survived a stormy Sunday final against an inspired Eugenie Bouchard to capture her fourth career title at the BMW Malaysian Open, 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-5. Winning in Kuala Lumpur brings Svitolina up to a career-high ranking of No.14, and back into the Top 15 for the first time since last summer.

“It was a long day,” Svitolina said after the match, which was interrupted by rain four times. “Emotionally, I’m really exhausted now.”

Read the Kuala Lumpur final match recap here.

GAME, SET, MATCH: WTA Insider

Game: Heather Watson avoids disaster to win the Abierto Monterrey Afirme.

Things weren’t looking bright for Watson when she landed in Monterrey. She was on a string of three tough three-set losses, her tennis bag was literally being held together by a safety pin, and she lost half her laundry. Sure enough, there she was in the first round struggling against Misaki Doi and about to succumb to full-body cramps.

But she found a way to get the 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 win and went on to lose just one more set en route to her third career title. All this with her mother Michelle serving as her coach – both on and off court – throughout the week. This was the most impressive title run of the week, with the No.84 Watson knocking out No.2 seed Caroline Wozniacki and No.4 seed Caroline Garcia in straight sets.

Heather Watson wins Monterrey, her 3rd title. Shares a moment with her mom Michelle, who was her coach this week. pic.twitter.com/DivLR8Bx1w

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 6, 2016

Heather’s mother Michelle had never been courtside for Watson’s first two title wins. She couldn’t have asked for a better present on Mother’s Day.

Set: Elina Svitolina gets her junior Wimbledon revenge.

In a rematch of the 2012 Wimbledon junior final, Svitolina outlasted both a rain-interrupted final and a resurging Eugenie Bouchard 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-5 to win her first title of the season at the BMW Malaysian Open. The No.2 seed took a wildcard into the event, and though she struggled to get past four players ranked outside the Top 130 to make the final, she saved her best for last against Bouchard.

It was a strong week for both finalists, though Bouchard was undoubtedly disappointed to come so close to her first title since 2014 – she served for the match at 5-4 in the third only to get broken. She has already made two finals this year and didn’t drop a set in Kuala Lumpur until the final. The consistency and decision-making has improved tremendously since last year, though her struggle to remain healthy on-court continues. She complained of dizziness during the final but played through against medical advice.

“The medical staff also strongly advised me not to continue during the second set but there was no way I was going to retire in a final,” she told TheStar.com. “I think I gave it my all and I fought well. Now I just need to go on to my next tournament and do well there.”

Match: Dry spell or oasis?

The tour now turns to two of its biggest events of the season at this week’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California before hitting the opposite coast at the Miami Open. With so many questions lingering about the state of the Top 10, all eyes are on the desert to see whether the tour’s elite can offer some stability after two unpredictable months.

Read more about what to expect during March Madness here.

RANKING MOVERS
Notable singles ranking movers for the week of March 7, 2016.

Heather Watson (GBR), +31 (No.84 to 53): Watson gave her mother the best Mother’s Day gift she could ask for this week. As her mum looked on in the stands, Watson clinched the third title of her career at Monterrey and made biggest ranking jump of the week, vaulting up to No.53.

Naomi Broady (GBR), +20 (No.96 to 76): Broady made her second WTA semifinal of her career at Kuala Lumpur and jumped 20 spots to a career high ranking of No.76.

Kirsten Flipkens (BEL), +14 (No. 73 to 59): Flipkens is back into the Top 60 after a stellar run in Monterrey, which saw her reach her first final since 2013. 

Eugenie Bouchard (CAN), +10 (No.52 to 42): With a final appearance in Kuala Lumpur – her second final of the year – Bouchard continues her upward trend back up rankings with a spot inside the Top 50.

Elina Svitolina (UKR), +5 (No.19 to 14): Svitolina captured the title in Kuala Lumpur and took home an even sweeter prize: a brand new career-high ranking of No.14.

Read Ranking Watch for in-depth analysis of this week’s ranking jumps.

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

BNP Paribas Open
Indian Wells, USA
Premier | $6,134,605 | Hard, Outdoors
Wednesday, March 9 – Sunday March 20

Miami Open
Miami, USA
Premier | $6,134,605 | Hard, Outdoors
Tuesday, March 22 – Sunday, April 3

TOP 20 PLAYER SCHEDULES

1. Serena Williams – Indian Wells, Miami
2. Angelique Kerber – Indian Wells, Miami
3. Agnieszka Radwanska – Indian Wells, Miami
4. Garbiñe Muguruza – Indian Wells, Miami
5. Simona Halep – Indian Wells, Miami
6. Carla Suárez Navarro – Indian Wells, Miami
7. Maria Sharapova – Miami
8. Belinda Bencic – Indian Wells, Miami
9. Petra Kvitova – Indian Wells, Miami
10. Roberta Vinci – Indian Wells, Miami
11. Flavia Pennetta – (retired)
12. Venus Williams – Indian Wells, Miami
13. Lucie Safarova – Indian Wells, Miami
14. Elina Svitolina – Indian Wells, Miami
15. Victoria Azarenka – Indian Wells, Miami
16. Sara Errani – Indian Wells, Miami
17. Svetlana Kuznetsova – Indian Wells, Miami
18. Ana Ivanovic – Indian Wells, Miami
19. Karolina Pliskova – Indian Wells, Miami
20. Jelena Jankovic – Indian Wells Miami

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Best wishes to those celebrating birthdays this week:

An-Sophie Mestach (BEL) – March 7, 1994
Petra Kvitova (CZE) – March 8, 1990
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) – March 9, 1982
Belinda Bencic (SUI) – March 10, 1997
Stefanie Voegele (SUI) – March 10, 1990
Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) – March 12, 1981
Andreja Klepac (SLO) – March 13, 1986

Today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations.

IWD has been celebrated on March 8 since 1977, when the United Nations proclaimed the date as a time to reflect on progress made for women’s rights, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

The WTA marked the date with the #MySuperwoman campaign, and the stars of the WTA also took to Twitter to celebrate International Women’s Day 2016. 

Here’s what they had to say:

#perfection #happyinternationalwomensday❤️ pic.twitter.com/7VG8duT3Mz

— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) March 8, 2016

#OneDayIWill achieve equal rights and opportunities for all. Share your aspiration using #OneDayIWill this #IWD! pic.twitter.com/pw9fKQ2HEf

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) March 8, 2016

I got the first flowers of the day from my coach this morning ? #womensday pic.twitter.com/RLcvCJTaCz

— Sorana Cirstea (@sorana_cirstea) March 8, 2016

Девочки,сегодня наш день! Давайте постараемся нести больше позитива,добра и света,ведь этого так не хватает нам! ❤️? pic.twitter.com/6jm0OcMIpn

— Svetlana Kuznetsova (@SvetlanaK27) March 8, 2016

Happy women's day?❤️? to all women out there but most importantly to do most inspiring women in… https://t.co/aAjlIWm3KQ

— Daniela Hantuchová (@dhantuchova) March 8, 2016

@TimeaOfficial @SteffiBuchli SuperWoman ! ?

— Patrice Touchard (@PatriceTouchard) March 8, 2016

#IWD2016 ???? pic.twitter.com/OqsvxG9PzW

— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) March 8, 2016

Девочки,с8 марта!Желаю всем вам весны,любви, признаний,объятий,а так же искренних слов и исполнения всех желаний!??? pic.twitter.com/tTJXpGwSbB

— Elena Vesnina (@EVesnina001) March 8, 2016

Happy #InternationalWomenDay everyone! https://t.co/jd9o3CUcWQ

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) March 8, 2016

#MySuperwoman is My mother! ?
What about your Superwoman? #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2016 #loveyoumum pic.twitter.com/VaDtalJcOX

— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) March 8, 2016

Here’s to women’s STRENGTH, BEAUTY & BRILLIANCE just like a diamond!
After all you are… https://t.co/x7H1QdsbSq

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) March 8, 2016

Venus Williams has issued the following statement in response to Tuesday’s hack on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s databases, which led to the public release of her confidential medical data:

“I was disappointed to learn today that my private, medical data has been compromised by hackers and published without my permission. I have followed the rules established under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program in applying for, and being granted, ‘therapeutic use exemptions’.

“The applications for TUEs under the Tennis Anti-Doping program require a strict process for approval which I have adhered to when serious medical conditions have occurred. The exemptions posted in the hacked report are reviewed by an anonymous, independent group of doctors, and approved for legitimate medical reasons. I am one of the strongest supporters of maintaining the highest level of integrity in competitive sport and I have been highly disciplined in following the guidelines set by WADA, USADA, the ITF and collectively the Tennis Anti-Doping Program.”

Travis Tygart, CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency also issued a statement denouncing the hack and supporting the athletes.

“It’s unthinkable that in the Olympic movement, hackers would illegally obtain confidential medical information in an attempt to smear athletes to make it look as if they have done something wrong. The athletes haven’t. In fact, in each of the situations, the athlete has done everything right in adhering to the global rules for obtaining permission to use a needed medication. The respective International Federations, through the proper process, granted the permission and it was recognized by the IOC and USADA.”

TOKYO, Japan – No.6 seed Zhang Shuai ended Naomi Osaka’s hopes at the Japan Women’s Open Tennis with a straight set victory in their second-round clash on Thursday.

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

Making the most of fast starts to both sets, Zhang completed a 6-3, 6-2 win in style, firing a wonderful forehand winner into the corner.

This year Osaka has started to deliver on her boundless potential, but against Zhang was unable to find the consistency to match her shotmaking. She netted a forehand to fall an early break behind and despite reducing her arrears to 4-3 was unable to rescue the first set.

Zhang continued to play the steadier tennis in the second set, punctuating her metronomic groundstrokes with occasional moment of inspiration; with Osaka serving at break point down in the second game, Zhang soaked up a series of heavy-duty groundstrokes before arrowing a pin-point forehand onto the baseline.

Another break soon followed as she confidently set up a quarterfinal meeting against Varvara Lepchenko.

Elsewhere there were contrasting fortunes for Zhang’s fellow seeds, Yulia Putintseva and Christina McHale.

To the delight of the crowd Kurumi Nara produced one of her best performances of the year to swat aside No.3 seed Putintseva and keep live homes of a Japanese champion. McHale, the No.7 seed, was made to work considerably harder, coming within two points of defeat against qualifier Rebecca Peterson before pulling through, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(4).

“It was a very tough match, very physical – the points were very long – so I’m really happy to have won and be moving on to the next round,” McHale said.

Fellow American Alison Riske continued her impressive progress through the draw, easing past Misaki Doi’s conqueror, Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 6-3, 6-1, while Viktorija Golubic defeated last year’s finalist Magda Linette, 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3.

INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Former World No.5 Eugenie Bouchard became the last woman to enter the second round of the BNP Paribas Open with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over qualifier Risa Ozaki.

“My opponent played really well,” Bouchard said during her on-court interview, adding, “She was getting a lot of balls back, and she really made me work for it. It was a tough first round here, but I’m glad to be through to the second round.”

Ozaki has been in good form of late, pushing Elina Svitolina to three sets last week at the BMW Malaysia Open, where Bouchard reached the final – also falling to Svitolina in three sets.

Bouchard was five points from defeat in the second set; despite leading by a break multiple times, Ozaki kept it close and had chances to force the former Wimbledon finalist to serve to stay in it.

“Thank you for your belief,” Bouchard said, joking with interviewer Andrew Krasny, who commented on the closeness of the match.

Despite hitting 47 errors in the match, the Canadian managed 31 winners – 21 more than Ozaki, and showed improved initiative to finish points off at the net, venturing forward 20 times.

“I just kept fighting; I definitely felt a bit off. The conditions are different from where I’ve been. I traveled recently and just kind of adjusting to everything is definitely a bit tough. But I tried to put that aside and tried to play tennis, and somehow it worked out.”

Up next for Bouchard is No.21 seed Sloane Stephens, who is looking for her first major result in 2016 after winning two International titles in Auckland and Acapulco. Stephens leads their overall head-to-head 2-1 – winning their most recent match at the 2013 China Open, and both have worked with coach Nick Saviano. Though Bouchard will be playing in front of Stephens’ home crowd, the Canadian fan support has helped her feel like Indian Wells is further up north than any map would indicate.

“I feel like I’m home in Canada. I think 95% of you come up to me and say, ‘I’m from Canada too!’ I love that; thank you guys. I love all the flags!”

Earlier in the day, Russia’s Daria Kasatkina closed Thursday’s day session with an emphatic 6-2, 6-4 win over wildcard and two-time BNP Paribas Open champion Daniela Hantuchova.

The Slovak burst onto the WTA scene back in 2002, when she upset Martina Hingis for the biggest title of her career; repeating the feat in 2007, Hantuchova has been ranked as high as No.5, but had few answers for the new teen in town. Kasatkina was all business on her Stadium Court debut, matching Hantuchova’s 21 winners and hitting 17 errors to her veteran opponent’s 33.

“It’s my first time here and I’m really happy to be here. It’s a nice tournament,” Kasatkina said, before commenting on the unfamiliar echo, “It’s so difficult when you can hear you voice!”

The 18-year-old, one of three in the Top 50 – the biggest contingent since April 2009 – quickly regained her composure, finishing the interview by wishing her mother a happy birthday.

“It’s always difficult to play your first match of the tournament, especially against such a good player like Daniela, and it’s my first match on such a big court!”

Kasatkina will look to earn another big scalp when she faces No.6 seed Carla Suárez Navarro.

“I didn’t know I’m playing her because I didn’t see the draw. But she’s playing very well; she won her last tournament, so I have to play my best tennis to beat her.”

Fellow Russian Margarita Gasparyan also made a splash in the California desert on Thursday, dispatching Belarus’ Olga Govortsova, 6-1, 6-3; she will play No.9 seed Roberta Vinci for a spot in the third round. Annika Beck silenced the home crowd when she defeated American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 6-2, 6-2, while Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig laid down a stunning display to defeat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, 6-1, 6-2. Americans Shelby Rogers and Madison Brengle survived tricky encounters against Mariana Duque-Mariño, respectively, while Australian Open quarterfinalist Zhang Shuai set up a second round with former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki after edging past Pauline Parmentier in a first set tie-break, leading the French veteran to retire due to an upper respiratory illness.

INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – In her first outing as Australian Open champion, Angelique Kerber was brought back to earth with a bump, slumping to a shock defeat at the hands of Zheng Saisai at the Qatar Total Open.

By her own admission, Kerber struggled to deal with the occasion, her metronomic groundstrokes breaking down under the strain. “That was a new situation – it was the first match after my biggest title and I think I had so many things in my mind,” Kerber said during her All Access Hour at the BNP Paribas Open.

It was an experience the German, now enjoying the status as the world’s second best player, is keen to accentuate the positives from. After a brief break, she was back on the practice court, gearing up for one of the biggest events on the tennis calendar.

“After Doha I took maybe five or six days off. I really tried to get relaxed and enjoy this feeling of being No.2 in the world and getting used to it for the next tournaments that are coming up,” she added.

“I had a nice start to practicing hard again at home with my team around me.”

Few players have a bad word to say about Indian Wells and Kerber is no different. Down the years the tournament has provided memories both good – back-to-back semifinals in 2012 and 2013 – and bad – first round exits on her past two visits – and after that Doha blip she is hungry to add to the former list.

“I think now I got used to it [the No.2 ranking] and I’m looking forward to playing my next match here and I think I’m ready to go out there and play great tennis again.”

Kerber finds herself in a relatively open section of the draw; potential engagements with Johanna Konta and Ana Ivanovic await should she survive a far-from-straightforward opener against Denisa Allertova.

“I’m looking forward to being here, to play my matches and I have a lot of confidence from the last few weeks. I’m feeling good, I’m healthy, I was practicing very well here in the last few days so I think I’m ready for the tournament to start!”