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News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MIAMI, FL, USA – Johanna Konta became the first British woman to reach the Miami Open semifinals after coming back from a set down to oust No.3 seed Simona Halep.

Putting an injury-plagued start of the season behind her, Halep came into the matchup after winning consecutive matches for the first time all season here in Miami. And in the quarterfinals, the Romanian even saved match point in her late-night thriller against Sam Stosur.

But she couldn’t pull off the escape once again against Konta, falling 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 after a rollercoaster two hours and thirty minutes.

The Brit had to overcome a slow start against Halep, though, as the Romanian came out of the gates firing and would take an early break in the opening set. Loose unforced errors during the initial exchanges cost Konta, and Halep didn’t allow her to settle into a rhythm with her changes of pace.

Dropping the first set only galvanized Konta, as the Brit notched an emphatic break to love and a 3-0 lead. But that’s when things got complicated, and Halep dodged a pair of break points and leveled the match a few games later.

She served for the match at 5-4, and was two points away from victory when Konta denied her, keeping her serve under pressure and rewarded with loose errors.

Into a tiebreaker, Halep once again saw her lead erased as Konta came roaring back from 5-3 down and edged through 9-7.

With the wind in her sails Konta grabbed the lead once again but this time didn’t allow Halep back in. She broke Halep twice to reel off the final five games and complete the comeback.

“It was a really tough match, very high level,” Halep told WTA Insider after the match. “I was so close to winning, I was two points away in the tiebreak, but she played very strong and deserved to win today.

“I’m happy to be here after the break that I had. I’m just disappointed I lost a match I had in my hands. But my confidence is there, the game is there – I just need to play matches.”

Konta be rewarded with a clash against the winner between World No.1 Angelique Kerber and Venus Williams for a chance to go even further and win a spot into her second career Premier Mandatory final.

Should she reach the final, she’s projected to return to the Top 10 after the WTA rankings are released on Monday.

“Whoever I’m playing, I’ll have a battle on my hands that’s for sure,” Konta said. “I’ve played Venus and Angie a few times. They’re going to have a tough battle tonight, and I’m looking forward to playing either of them. Either of them will be a great opportunity for different reasons.”

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News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MIAMI, FL, USA – Former World No.1 Venus Williams played stellar tennis from start to finish to upset top-ranked Angelique Kerber, 7-5, 6-3, to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open.

“It was an interesting match,” she said in her press conference. “I was controlling it. I had more errors than I like and lower first serve percentage than I would like. For me, I’m looking at it from a standpoint of how can I get better.

“I have to play well against the No. 1 in the world. She’s on top of her game and she played well, so I had to find a way to play a little better.”

Williams and Kerber last played in the semifinals of Wimbledon last summer, where the German won in straight sets, and appeared on course for a similar decision at the start as she broke to open the match.

But Venus employed a hyper-aggressive gameplan throughout the one hour and 39 minute match, striking crisp groundstrokes and finishing quite a few points at the net to stay ahead of last year’s Australian Open and US Open champion.

Kerber tried to find her way back in the second set, staying within one break and saving four match points – three with searing forehand winners – but Venus ultimately proved too strong, striking 32 winners to 27 from the German.

“She was really aggressive from the beginning, and was hitting the balls really hard,” Kerber said after the match. “I think I didn’t move too well today, and made a lot of mistakes, which isn’t normal for my game. It wasn’t my best game, but she deserved to win because she played really well tonight.

“This wasn’t the best start I would have wished for,” she added of her season, “but it’s not a drama because I’m still playing good and winning matches. I’m looking forward to playing again.”

Up next for the American is British No.1 Johanna Konta, who enjoyed a comeback win over No.3 seed Simona Halep earlier on Wednesday.

“She played well, served well,” Venus said of their last meeting, which Konta won in the Bank of the West Classic final. “Tomorrow is an opportunity for me to come out and play hopefully better than today. There are a few things I would like to work on. Outside of that, just come out fresh eyes, fresh feet, and big shots.

“That’s my plan.”

Someone particularly proud of Venus tweeted her support after the match; it was none other than little sister and 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams:

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News | WTA Tennis English

News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MIAMI, FL, USA – Nearly two decades after her first Indian Wells/Miami “Sunshine Double,” former World No.1 Martina Hingis is on the precipice of a third with new partner and fellow top doubles star, Chan Yung-Jan.

Hingis’ first double came with two different partners back in 1999, winning the BNP Paribas Open with Anna Kournikova and the Miami Open with Jana Novotna; the Swiss Miss followed that up at long last with Sania Mirza in 2015, kickstarting what became the most dominant partnership of the last decade, foreshadowing a 41-match winning streak and a run through three straight major titles at Wimbledon, the US Open, and Australian Open.

The idea to partner with Chan first came about Down Under, when Hingis was still playing with CoCo Vandeweghe and the Taiwanese No.1 was one half of a sister act with Chan Hao-Ching.

“It started at a practice in Melbourne, when we were sharing a court,” Chan, who also goes by Latisha, told WTA Insider after their straight-set win over Andreja Klepac and María José Martínez Sánchez. “I was hitting with Angel, my sister. Martina and I stayed on the same side of court and played some points together.

“At one point, she said that if Angel can’t play with me because of injuries or some other reason, to give her a call, and she’d be happy to play with me. I was so flattered! But I didn’t tell her that.”

The sisters split after defending their home title in Chinese Taipei, and she found herself back on the same side as Hingis by the start of the Middle East Swing.

“My sister and I didn’t do well at the Australian Open and we started to talk about splitting up, and I think it was great timing.

“We still practice together and watch her matches. It’s kind of like three against two because we have Angel behind us against the other teams.”

The pair stuck through tough losses at the Qatar Total Open and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the former for which Hingis takes full responsibility.

“When we started in Doha, I wasn’t quite up to it in the super tie-break, and wasn’t much of a help,” Hingis said. “Otherwise, I think we could have done better there. But Doha and Dubai helped us get a feel for each other and to trust each other, so we know what to do on the court.”

On an eight-match winning streak since winning in Indian Wells, it was clear the duo were already in sync.

“It’s not fair for her to say she wasn’t playing well at the beginning,” Chan immediately disagrees. “I had a similar partner like her, a net player. For me it was easier to adapt, but for her, I might be a little bit different than her previous partners, so she needed more time to understand and get a rhythm.”

“It was good to know that there was actually some consistency from somebody,” Hingis banters back. “I could trust with her, that she was going to put the ball in!”

Both agreed that the fortnight in the California desert was key for their confidence, winning the title without dropping a set against tough teams like Mirza and Barbora Strycova, and World No.1 Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova.

“In Indian Wells, we got two weeks to practice and be together, having cheesecake and going shopping!” Hingis laughed. “That helped a lot with our communication, and that brought us closer together. That’s why we won and that’s why we’re in the semifinals here.”

Martina Hingis, Chan Yung-Jan

Standing between them and a second straight final is Mirza and Strycova in a rematch of last week’s quarterfinal.

“Playing them, it’s one of the best teams out there. We have to take it seriously, and I know they’ll probably want to get back at us from Indian Wells…” Hingis started.

“Everyone around here is going to give you a tough match, and they’re very strong,” Chan finished.

“We’ll just try to play our best tennis and we’ll see how it goes.”

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.

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News | WTA Tennis English

News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Tennis clothing companies typically make their product launches at Grand Slams, but some brands decided to release new designs at the Miami Open, and together with outfits from previous months that got in the spotlight this fortnight, we’re enjoying a fashionable tennis period.

Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will give us a quick overview of who’s been rocking the WTA courts in Miami:

Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki debuted the red version of the adidas Summer Stella McCartney Sleeveless Polo and the adidas Summer Stella McCartney Pleated Skirt, which we had first seen in black and white on Garbiñe Muguruza during the BNP Paribas Open.

The slim-fit top offers high-end performance climalite® fabric that wicks sweat away and keeps players cool during long matches, while vintage charm is provided by ribbed details and polo collar. Adjustable front zipper in orange and generous side slits on the hem bring added flair and functionality.

The smooth jersey skirt and its crisp traditional pleats perfectly complement the polo’s retro feel. Ultimate comfort is provided by soft elastic waistband and inner tights that offer full coverage.

Angelique Kerber

Just as in Indian Wells, Angelique Kerber rocked the mystery blue version of her lightweight Australian Open tank. The German World No.1 paired the airy top with the orange adidas Melbourne Skirt, whose discreet wrap design nicely matches the ocean-inspired layers of the tank. The sun bleached print of the integrated compression shorts brings an edge to this feminine look.

Simona Halep

Simona Halep also looked amazing in adidas’ spaghetti-strap top and knit skirt, while during warmup we could see the stylish adidas Spring Advantage 3/4 Sleeve Top with one print sleeve and one solid color sleeve.

Venus Williams

Venus Williams and EleVen have a new collection for practically every event, and while the tennis legend debuted the Intrepid collection in Indian Wells, at the very next tournament, in Miami, the Datura collection hits the courts. The EleVen Datura In Bloom Dress has an A-line fit, square neckline and contrast boomerang-shaped waistband.

Patricia Maria Tig

Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig showcased several Tonic outfits during her Miami Open run which included wins over Heather Watson and seed No.22 Kristina Mladenovic, while my favorite was the colorful one we saw in the third round against Venus Williams.

The World No.95 energized the atmosphere with the Tonic Spring Statik Tank whose pinhole mesh print side panels match the print layer of the red Tonic Spring Ambition Skirt, which can be exposed more or less, depending on how tightly you tie the front ties. What’s also amazing is that both products offer UV protection and are made in Canada.

Tell us your favorites in the poll below!

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