Tennis News

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Anastasija Sevastova claimed the biggest shock thus far at the 2016 US Open, holding her nerve to defeat World No.3 Garbiñe Muguruza, 7-5, 6-4. The win came hours after Caroline Wozniacki had a renaissance of her own on Arthur Ashe Stadium, turning back the clock to take out No.9 seed and longtime rival Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets following a slow start.

In the latest Daily Dispatch from Flushing, hear more from Muguruza and Sevastova in their own words as the WTA Insider team analyze the upsets from Day 3, and make their picks for the most exciting matches on Thursday’s order of play:

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

NEW YORK, NY, USA – This season has provided plenty of ups and downs for World No.5 Simona Halep. To coin an overused sports-writing cliché, it could even be described as a roller coaster.

Over the coming fortnight in Flushing Meadows, Halep hopes to scale the highest peak by lifting her maiden Grand Slam title. Her next obstacle comes in the shape of former Roland Garros finalist Lucie Safarova, but before then the Romanian took a break from the tennis talk to discuss a recent trip to Cincinnati’s Kings Island theme park with the US Open press corps…

“[In]Cincinnati. I tried a roller coaster. First time in my life and never again!

“I felt that I’m dying. Darren [Cahill] said he was going on all the machines, and I said I’m not going to do that. But he said it was a white one, and I didn’t see completely. Like I just saw the end, and the end was straight. He said, Come on. It’s pretty easy. It’s the lightest one.

“I said about what is that? He said, just the speed, but straight. I said, Oh, I love speed, so I can go. When I went there and that machine was going down, I felt that I’m dying. I said, Darren, never again. He was laughing when I said. It was tough, but it was nice. Good experience.”

So how did Halep respond to her white-knuckle experience?

“I did nothing. I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t breathe. No, I didn’t scream.”

NEW YORK, NY, USA – As Caroline Wozniacki hurtled to all corners of the court before unleashing an unerringly accurate winner to close out her upset win over Svetlana Kuznetsova on Wednesday afternoon, it felt as if someone had wound back the clock.

The manner of the comeback drew instant parallels with two displays from the Dane’s pomp against the same player at the same venue. The first of these, during the a fourth round tussle seven years ago, came from a particularly perilous position, Wozniacki trailing the Russian 6-2, 4-1 only to somehow resuscitate her ailing challenge.

“Definitely I was a much different player back then. I love playing here at the Open. I have great memories here,” Wozniacki said. “I have had matches against Sveta so many times before here where she’s been killing literally on court 6-1, 4-1, and then I have managed to come back and win the match in three sets.

“It’s like, You know what? Just keep going, wait for your opportunity and your chance, and I did that today.”

In both 2009 and 2011, Wozniacki went on to reach the latter stages of the tournament; indeed, in 2009 she would come within one win of that elusive Grand Slam title, only to be denied by Kim Clijsters own fairytale run.

Two years ago, Wozniacki returned to the final once more, this time losing out to the imperious Serena Williams. Since then success has been rather thin on the ground, injuries sending her ranking tumbling down to No.74. However, the former World No.1 is not contemplating hanging up the racquets just yet.

“I think, you know, when you’re home for a big amount of time you realize that, you know, life goes on and you kind of get a rhythm at home. I was actually enjoying my time, making the most of the time that I had,” Wozniacki said about her time away from the tour this spring recovering from an ankle injury.

“I haven’t been able to be home for three months in a row for the last probably over 10 years. So, you know, if I have to look at the positive of things, that was a positive. But I always had in my head that I just have to keep working hard and I’ll come back and hopefully play strong and play well. I knew that it’s not easy to come back, and especially, you know, you are going to get tough draws. I’m a player that needs matches to kind of get into the tournament.

“But I wasn’t thinking about quitting. I mean, I know that I have a lot of opportunities, I have a lot of other interests, and my life is going to be good regardless. But, you know, I’m still young. Hopefully I have a few more years in me.”

UPSET ?: Out goes No. 9 Kuznetsova. Two-time #usopen finalist #Wozniacki is into the third round! @Chase https://t.co/WubDV9q2aI

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 31 August 2016

NEW YORK, NY, USA – The high still hadn’t settled in for the No.48-ranked Anastasija Sevastova when she entered the press room late last night at the US Open.

Just hours earlier, she’d dealt Garbiñe Muguruza the biggest shock of the tournament, outing the No.3 seed and reigning French Open champion in straight sets.

It was definitely the win of Sevastova’s career, and certainly an occasion to celebrate. So did she have any big plans?

“I go to Five Guys maybe, eat a burger,” she answered with no hesitation, before bursting into laughter.

“I don’t know. Maybe have some drinks. My mom is here but she’s leaving tomorrow. It’s her first Grand Slam.”

“And my best friend [is here too]. We’ll maybe go somewhere. They will drink; I will watch.”

Burgers and peanuts seem like a modest plan for a player who’s just scored the win of her career and reached her best result at a Grand Slam in five years, but not for Sevastova.

Sevastova was a rising star back in 2011 when she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open at 20 years old. But injuries soon sapped the desire away from the young Latvian, who hung up her racquets two years later, and was off the tour for two years more.

So while last night’s win over the World No.3 stands as her biggest victory since her return, Sevastova is keen to stay grounded and keep the perspective she gained from her years away from the sport.

“It’s not like it’s my last match. It’s not like it’s over, the tournament,” she mused. “It’s only second round. The third round is in two days. Tomorrow I have to play doubles, so…

“Yeah, it’s a good feeling. We can enjoy it today, but tomorrow is a new day. There are other matches. Nobody thinks about the previous match. You have to think forward. But tonight I can enjoy.”

How will Anastasija Sevastova celebrate her big win? Hey @five_guys, you still open? #USOpen pic.twitter.com/TpE1dCs0Jr

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 1, 2016

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Two-time finalist Caroline Wozniacki overcame a 0-4 deficit in the opening set to complete a titanic turnaround and upset No.9 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-4, 6-4 for a spot in the third round of the US Open.

“At one point I was like, ‘we’ve been playing for 30 minutes and it’s 4-0 for her, it’s not looking good for me,” Wozniacki laughed after the match. “I wanted to give the crowd a little more tennis to watch today.”

Coming into the match, the pair’s long rivalry was tied at 6-6, with Kuznetsova winning their two most recent encounters and Wozniacki winning their previous two US Open meetings.

A clash that would normally be worthy of the second week of Slam became a second-round affair, due in large part to Kuznetsova’s 2016 renaissance – returning to the Top 10 in her best season since 2009 – and Wozniacki’s dip in form – a spate of injuries derailing her season and bringing her down to No.74.

“To be honest, I stopped looking at the rankings when I fell out of the Top 10. I was like, ‘I wanna get back up there and once I do I’ll start looking at the rankings again,'” Wozniacki told ESPN’s Pam Shriver after the match.

“It’s been a tough year, I’ve had a lot of injuries, but I feel like I belong at the top. I just beat someone who’s been playing really well this year, so that’s definitely gonna build my confidence.”

After a slow start that saw her down 4-0, @CaroWozniacki roars back to take the first set 6-4. #usopen @Chase https://t.co/Kr03DMnyYH

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2016

The innocuous-looking 6-4, 6-4 score line belies the quality of the tortuous battle between the two great champions. 2004 champion Kuznetsova came out of the gate firing, striking winners from every angle of the court and completely shutting out Wozniacki. The Dane had only struck one unforced error by the time Kuznetsova put her down 4-0.

Facing a break point for a 5-0 deficit, Wozniacki’s game finally started to come together. She took advantage of a drop in Kuznetsova’s energy level to storm back, winning seven unanswered games to take the opening set and hold serve in the second.

Wozniacki served for the match at 5-3, but Kuznetsova placed an incredible topspin forehand lob right on the back line to bring up break point, sealing it with an inside out forehand to keep herself in the match.

But at 5-4, 30-30, just as it looked like the match held one more twist for the pair, Kuznetsova smacked a forehand into the net to bring up Wozniacki’s match point. The Dane sealed her passage into the next round with a pinpoint forehand winner into the back corner of the court.

Wozniacki is set to play Monica Niculescu in the third round after the Romanian advanced with a 6-0, 6-1 win over countrywoman Ana Bodgan.

First Top 10 win of 2016 for @CaroWozniacki!

Knocks out 2004 champ Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-4! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/vddiQsuTPd

— WTA (@WTA) August 31, 2016

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Three seeds were planted early on Tuesday – including former No.1 Ana Ivanovic – but as play continued, the game’s biggest names largely found a way to win, and comfortably so.

World No.1 Serena Williams shook off the rust and lingering doubt about the health of her right shoulder with a comprehensive, 6-3, 6-3 victory over 2014 semifinalist Ekaterina Makarova. How is the top seed feeling after a tough opening round test? Listen in on her press conference as she discusses the match, her shoulder rehab, and the inspiration behind her new eye-catching outfit, sleeves and all. 

.@ARadwanska with US Open Series trophy ? ? ? ❤

Congratulations Aga! #Radwanska #ProudOfAga #TeamAga #TrzymajAga pic.twitter.com/xmNydKeONm

— AgaRadwańskaFanClub (@AgaRadwanskaFC) August 31, 2016

Meanwhile, Connecticut Open and Emirates Airline US Open Series winner Agnieszka Radwanska roared past American qualifier Jessica Pegula, dropping just two games en route to the second round. WTA Insider caught up with the Pole on the eve of what she considers to be her least favorite major tournament, and how the former No.2 is feeling about her season thus far.

Plus, get the Insider team’s favorite moments from around the grounds, all in the latest Daily Dispatch from Flushing Meadows:

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

NEW YORK, NY, USA – No.8 Madison Keys and No.14 seed Petra Kvitova notched straight set wins today on their way to the third round at the US Open.

After her record-setting 2 a.m. finish in the first round, Keys is certainly pleased that her straight sets victory over fellow American Kayla Day went much quicker. Keys needed just 49 minutes to complete the 6-1, 6-1 victory.

“It’s funny because this is still technically a late finish, but I’ll take this one over the 2:00 a.m. any day,” Keys joked in her post-match press conference. “I was really happy that I got on the court, kind of went out there and did what I wanted to do from the start, and was able to get off the court as a semi-decent hour.”

At 16 years old, Day was the youngest woman in the second round after she advanced past an ailing Madison Brengle. She was thoroughly outgunned and outplayed by Keys, who hit 25 winners to 14 unforced errors against Day’s six and 15. Keys was dominant on serve – winning 96 percent of points behind her first serve – as well as at the net, winning 92 percent of points at the net.

Earlier in the day, Kvitova faced a stern challenge from Turkish trailblazer Cagla Buyukakcay, 7-6(2), 6-3.

Buyukakcay continued her historic 2016 season at Flushing Meadows, where last round she became the first player from Turkey to feature in the US Open main draw. She entered the tournament at a career-high rank of No.66, but her meteoric rise was halted by two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova.

The No.16-ranked Czech weathered a slow start against Buyukakcay, who broke her serve to start the match. Kvitova grabbed the break back, but neither player could hang on to a lead for very long, sending the opening set into a tiebreak.

The Czech rattled off seven points in a row to shut Buyukakcay out of the first set, then a pair of late breaks in the second secured her spot in the third round.

“I’m happy how I handled the first set, especially when I was up and I couldn’t really make it in on the first set,” Kvitova explained.

“And the second set I know that she can still play, and she did at the end of the first set. I was trying still to be focused.

“I think the serve was a little bit better in the second set, but still I think my forehand helped me a lot today. I was just waiting for the chance to break her then.”

Kvitova will face the No.22 seed Elina Svitolina for a spot in the fourth round.

NEW YORK, NY, USA – With 186 straight weeks at the top, World No.1 Serena Williams is sure to have a few recovery tricks up her long Nike sleeves. In her post-match press conference after her straight sets win over Ekaterina Makarova, Williams revealed that she’s a believer in cupping therapy.

Cupping, an ancient therapeutic modality used to promote healing and recovery, came into the spotlight recently during the Rio Olympics after American swimmer Michael Phelps was seen winning gold medals with dark red circles across his shoulders and back.

According to WTA Sports Science & Medicine team member Kathy Queen: “In cupping, a cup is placed on the skin and a vacuum is created, using a flame or mechanical device, that lifts the skin and immediate layers underneath, including fascia. This allows for an increased flow of fresh blood and fluid in the area and, if moved along the body’s surface (called “sliding”), helps break up fascial adhesions. The temporary bruising created from the vacuum effect also plays an anti-inflammatory role.

“Athletes often feel immediate relief after treatment and increased range of motion and flexibility.”

But while Phelps used the therapeutic suction as a method for recovery, Williams has been using it for relaxation.

“I’ve always done that. I didn’t know it was something for recovery,” Williams said. “If I go to my lady in Palm Beach, it’s part of acupuncture.

“I love getting it, it makes me relax. I was like, Wow, you can do that for recovery?”

So what exactly does cupping feel like?

“It feels like a suction. It feels like an octopus, although I don’t know what an octopus feels like,” Williams tried to explain to press. “I think I snapped once a while back. It looks weird, the cupping. Yeah, I always do it, but I just did it for fun, so…

“But, yeah, so it just feels like it’s suctioning and it just feels good.”