Miami: Sunday Highlights
Highlights from third round action at the Miami Open.
The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open pride themselves on being as great as Grand Slams, providing excellent facilities and thrilling matches, but the tournaments also bring top tennis fashion to the table. Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will show us the WTA styles that rocked the prestigious US courts in March.
After ruling the Australian Open fashion scene in the yellow Nike Spring Premier Crop Top and Nike Spring Premier Victory Skirt, world number one Serena Williams again stole the show with the outfit, introducing its omega blue version at Indian Wells. Everything about this combo is stunning, while Serena’s powerful tennis and rocking body make it mind-blowing. The crop top and the flirtatiously-swaying pleated skirt flawlessly suit Serena, while the generous use of mesh is both highly functional and stylish. This look confidently paved the way for crop tops in women’s tennis fashion.
Soft yellow and lilac are dominating Stella McCartney’s summer collection. This month, Andrea Petkovic, Caroline Wozniacki and Garbiñe Muguruza debuted the adidas Summer Stella McCartney Tour Tank, featuring a subtle side floral print, and the adidas Summer Stella McCartney Tour Skirt, highlighted by popular laser-cut details, this time in the shape of hexagon. Stella always manages to make a harmonious marriage between classic athletic and feminine elements.
Fila’s aqua and light grey hues from the Net Set collection perfectly fitted Karolina Pliskova on her way to the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open. The Fila Spring Net Set Racerback Tank is unique for its contrasting pin-tuck detailing down the back, while the pleated skirt stands out with its alternating colors.
Jelena Jankovic showcased the Fila Spring Net Set Dress, specific for its textural chevron pattern at front and back and central contrasting stripe.
Venus Williams’ EleVen is firmly holding on to the place among tennis fashion elite, constantly releasing new designs that successfully compete with sports apparel giants. In the sole match the American played at the 2016 Miami Open, we got to see the new Strike collection, which captivates with its clean and subtle pattern. The multidirectional groups of thin lines create an appealing print that is not loud or distracting, while contrast grey colorblocking at center and back nicely breaks up the pattern, enhancing a feminine silhouette.
The exact items the seven-time Grand Slam champion wore were the EleVen Strike Print Excel Tank and the EleVen Strike Print Jamming Skirt, while the collection also features a wonderful EleVen Strike Miami Dress, which had been promoted as Venus’ choice for the tournament.
New Balance’s young and fresh spring kit perfectly accompanied Nicole Gibbs’ rise to stardom at Indian Wells and Miami. The American recorded breakthrough results at both tournaments, looking stylish in the New Balance Spring Tournament Tank, whose eye-catching orange logo nicely matches Gibbs’ accessories and shoes, while the New Balance Spring Reversible Skirt is coordinated with the logo at the headband and wristbands. Let’s also mention that New Balance has recently added Sorana Cirstea to their family, but the former world No.21 Romanian lost in the Miami Open qualifying, so we didn’t have much chance to enjoy her new clothes.
Tell us now which WTA outfits you dig the most this March:
– Photos via Getty Images/Jimmie 48
Angelique Kerber had Saturday’s shot of the day at the Miami Open.
The top half of the draw will be whittled down to two semifinalists after today’s action in Miami. Here’s a breakdown of the matchups.
Tuesday, Quarterfinals
[15] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS #19) vs. [30] Ekaterina Makarova (RUS #31)
Head-to-head: Kuznetsova leads, 5-1
Key Stat: At 30, Kuznetsova is the oldest player remaining in the draw.
After ending Serena Williams’ 20-match Miami win streak on Monday, Svetlana Kuznetsova’s big task on Tuesday will be to put her feet back on the ground so that she may focus on the next task at hand. It might not be easy, given the character of the Russian’s emotional win over the World No.1. “I have so many people saying congratulations I feel like I won the title already,” joked Kuznetsova after recording her first win over a reigning World No.1 since the 2009 Roland Garros final (d. Safina). When she comes back to earth, Kuznetsova will head into her quarterfinal against compatriot Ekaterina Makarova with confidence to burn. She has won the pair’s last four tilts in straight sets, and is a former Miami Open champion who doesn’t mind the sweltering conditions at Key Biscayne. But Makarova is in good form as well, having knocked off Top 20 opponents in consecutive matches for the first time in over a year to reach her maiden Miami Open quarterfinal.
Pick: Kuznetsova in three
[5] Simona Halep (ROU #5) vs. [19] Timea Bacsinszky (SUI #20)
Head-to-head: Halep leads, 2-0 (1-0 at Tour-level)
Key Stat: Bacsinszky recorded her fourth career Top 5 win (first Top 3) on Monday (4-13 overall).
Two players rounding into peak form will clash in a must-see quarterfinal on Tuesday, and while Simona Halep will come in as the favorite against 26-year-old Timea Bacsinszky, expect the Swiss to come out hungry for a shot of revenge. The last time Bacsinszky attempted to win back-to-back matches against Top 5 opponents she was shut down by Halep in the 2015 Shenzhen Open final, where she only managed four games. On Monday, Bacsinszky reached her first career quarterfinal at Miami with a gritty comeback against Agnieszka Radwanska, impressively wrestling control of the match from the World No.2 after a nervous start. Halep, who has won all six sets she’s played in Miami, should prove to be a tougher matchup for Bacsinszky. Many players struggle to contend with the Swiss’ world-class backhand, but the Romanian is such an exceptional mover, and so steady from both wings, that she should be able to weather the storm in the backhand rallies so that she may exploit the Swiss’ less steady forehand wing.
Pick: Halep in three
-Chris Oddo, wtatennis.com contributor
Angelique Kerber takes on Kiki Bertens in the third round of the Miami Open.
MIAMI, FL, USA – Former World No.2 Svetlana Kuznetsova recovered from a hotly contested opening set to earn her first victory over top seed Serena Williams since 2009, upsetting the 21-time Grand Slam champion in the fourth round of the Miami Open, 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-2.
Watch live action from Miami this fortnight on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
“I’m really thrilled,” Kuznetsova told Andrew Krasny during her on-court interview. “I’m sorry, fans who are disappointed that Serena’s not going to keep playing, but for sure she’ll be at more events than here.
“I’m really happy with my performance; I tried to stay at a good level the whole game, put as many balls back. I think I did that pretty well and I’m happy with the way I served today.”
Beginning the season with a title at the Apia International Sydney, the two-time Grand Slam champion hadn’t defeated a reigning World No.1 since winning the French Open almost seven years ago and needed three sets to beat both Carina Witthoeft and Caroline Garcia just to reach the fourth round. Narrowly missed out on a one-set lead after dropping the tie-break 7-3, a strong service game to start the second set her up in good stead against the American, going on to win 10 straight points between the second and third sets.
Serena gets one break back as Kuznetsova floats FH slice long. 3-1*.
Last time Serena lost as early as R16 in Miami: 2000 (l. Capriati).
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 28, 2016
Williams had reached the final in each of her two WTA appearances this season, but struggled to find her best form at a tournament she was looking to win for a ninth time. Earning two hard-foughts wins over Christina McHale and Zarina Diyas, she hit 43 winners on Monday but was undone by 50 unforced errors in the two hour match.
Kuznetsova was far more consistent throughout, hitting 27 winners to only 13 unforced and surviving a hiccup in the middle of the decider to serve out the upset on the first time of asking – starting the game with one of her eight aces.
“It’s my profession; I play tennis and I have to do my job on the court. I was just focused on my game, just trying to do what I do best.”
Into the quarterfinals for the first time since 2009, Kuznetsova next plays the winner of No.12 seed Elina Svitolina and No.30 seed Ekaterina Makarova – neither of whom had made their WTA main draw debut when the Russian last won in Miami in 2006.
“I’m too old! It was 10 years ago. I’ve been on this court many times. I love playing on this stage; the fans in my Miami are great. I love being back here and I’m really happy with my performance.”
Great hustle from @SvetlanaK27! ?? pic.twitter.com/IjnqLGTfxq
— WTA (@WTA) March 28, 2016
Victoria Azarenka takes on Magda Linette in the third round of the Miami Open.
MIAMI, FL, USA – No.2 seed Angelique Kerber needed three sets, but dispatched young Hungarian Timea Babos in emphatic style, striking a screaming forehand passing shot to win, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, and complete the quarterfinal line-up at the Miami Open.
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Kerber appeared well in control of the contest as she took the opening set, but Babos, buoyed by a strong on-court coaching session with Thomas Drouet, leveled the match and led by a break in the third before the reigning Australian Open champion recovered the plot – capturing five of the final six games to reach the last eight in Miami and reclaim the No.2 ranking from Agnieszka Radwanska.
“Timea was playing very well,” the German told Andrew Krasny during her on-court interview. “I started the match good and I played a good first set but she came back stronger.
“I was trying to fight until the last point; I was down in the third set and I was just believing in myself that I could turn it around.”
The two hour and eight minute match bled into Tuesday, but Kerber is no stranger to the lateness of the hour, once battling to 3:10am to outlast Daria Gavrilova at last year’s Apia International Sydney.
“I won it and to be in the next round is just a great feeling – after midnight, but it’s good to be still in the tournament.”
SHOT! Angie Kerber. Tracks down a drop shot from Babos and hits a great curler for a winner. #MiamiOpen
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 29, 2016
With Radwanska and World No.1 Serena Williams bowing out in the fourth round, Kerber is the highest-ranked woman left in the draw, and is looking close to the level that took her to the title in Melbourne just two months ago – hitting 20 winners and converting seven of eight break point opportunities.
“I wasn’t thinking about this on court,” she said when asked about the upsets. “I’m just trying to play my game and focus on me, improve my tennis playing round to round. It’s good to be back here in Miami; it’s amazing you guys stayed here until this time, thank you so much!”
Up next for Kerber is No.22 seed Madison Keys, who strolled into the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Irina-Camelia Begu. The two last played in the finals of the Volvo Car Open, which the German narrowly won in three tight sets.
“Madison is a great young player; she plays great matches against me and we’ve had tough battles in the past. I’m looking forward; she’s at home here, and I will just try to take the challenge against her and play a good match.”
.@AngeliqueKerber backhand down the line coming right at ya! #WTA pic.twitter.com/T9TlBylaZf
— WTA (@WTA) March 29, 2016
Madison Keys takes on Roberta Vinci in the third round of the Miami Open.
MIAMI, FL, USA – Timea Bacsinszky came back from a set down to oust World No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska and earn her first ever quarterfinal berth at the Miami Open, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Watch live action from Miami this fortnight on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
The Swiss No.2 hadn’t played in Miami since 2011, but her current campaign has been her most successful yet – her previous best result here was a round of 16 appearance in 2010.
Motivated by her win against Ana Ivanovic in the last round, Bacsinszky headed into her clash with Radwanska with the confidence of having already defeated the Polish player in their last encounter.
Bacsinszky had a hard time finding her footing once play began, though, quickly falling into a 4-1 hole. Radwanska pulled from her arsenal of trick shots and variety to take the opening set at 6-2, hitting just seven unforced errors to Bacsinszky’s 19.
Dropping the first set just served to galvanize the Swiss, who grabbed her first break of the match early in the second. With a lead finally in her pocket, Bacsinszky’s confidence boosted and she swung more freely, her game clicking together as her groundstrokes found bigger angles. Though she was broken serving for the set at 5-3, Bacsinszky stayed steady to take it at her next chance, 6-4.
Nice touch, @TimeaOfficial! ? https://t.co/TVE9tNyHJx
— WTA (@WTA) March 28, 2016
It was one-way traffic from there as Radwanska, who normally plays a clean and tidy game, found her errors piling up at the worst time and hitting 11 in the third set alone. Bacsinszky was exceptionally solid at the net, too, winning 14 of her 16 net points. In the end, an error from Radwanska sealed the match, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. The win is the biggest of Bacsinszky’s career and her first over a Top 3 player.
“Even when I wasn’t playing quite well in the first set, I told myself, it might be a long match,” Bacsinszky said of mounting her comeback. “So I always tried to get a little more balls in and make her work.
“But I started to calm down a little bit – in the first set I was kind of nervous.”
“I feel great, it's been a long journey.” -@TimeaOfficial #WTA https://t.co/4xQkJpyBop
— WTA (@WTA) March 28, 2016
Bacsinszky’s reward comes in the form of a quarterfinal clash with No.6 seed Simona Halep, who made quick work of Heather Watson to advance 6-3, 6-4.