Ekaterina Makarova

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It’s Down to the Quarters @ConnecticutOpen after Puig, Sabalenka, Makarova Pull Through

Posted by Admin on August 23, 2018
Posted in: Connecticut Open, US Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

 

Monica Puig, 2018 Connecticut Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Monica Puig, 2018 Connecticut Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Monica Puig continued her winning run in New Haven to book a quarter-final showdown with No.2 seed Caroline Garcia.

The Rio Olympic Games gold medalist defeated Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit for her fifth straight victory, having come through qualifying.

“Anett is one of my best friends on tour so it’s tough to play a friend,” Puig told press after the match. “I just tried to focus on my game and it didn’t come out exactly the way I wanted at the beginning so I’m really happy to walk away with this win.

“I had an injury in the middle of the year and had to miss a couple of weeks so that got me down quite a bit. I’m happy to have regained confidence in my game and I just feel really good right now.”

Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 Connecticut Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 Connecticut Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Aryna Sabalenka ended defending champion Daria Gavrilova’s seven-match Connecticut Open winning streak late early on Wednesday evening, eking out a 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-5 victory.

“Well yeah absolutely it was a crazy match for sure,” Sabalenka said. “Now I’m in a little bit of shock I finished it on my side, but well now I’m so tired and so happy in one time.

“Every point I felt it was more crazy and crazy. I was so angry on myself and I thought you have to do it, you led 4-0, it’s just one way to finish the match.”

Having stormed back from 1-5 and set point down to serve for the second set, Sabalenka looked set to finish on one of those lights-out passages of momentum.

But the dogged Aussie, with her ability to counter-punch and turn defense into offense, broke to send the set to a tie-break.

Daria Gavrilova, 2018 Connecticut Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Daria Gavrilova, 2018 Connecticut Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

A fifth set point went begging for Gavrilova on a double fault but she leveled the clash on her sixth opportunity when Sabalenka was drawn wide on a forehand pass.

With coach Dmitry Tursunov calming his explosive charge down after she saw the second set disappear, Sabalenka again went flat out, racing to 4-0.

“I look at him and he’s calm and I start to be calm,” Sabalenka said. “But today nothing works and I was calling him for the coaching and he was just like ‘Aryna you just have to be more calm on the court’ and I was like ‘What? What are you talking about?’

“He was like ‘OK, OK, just try to focus on your game’. And then it really helped me because I thought maybe I am aggressive too much and it worked.”

Gavrilova, though, has carved out a reputation on tour for giving nothing up cheaply and capitalized on a rising error count from her opponent to peg back  level at 4-4.

Composed when it came to the crunch with the finish line in sight, Sabalenka closed out the win on a break of serve to set a quarter-final showdown with Swiss Belinda Bencic.

Earlier, Russian Ekaterina Makarova backed up her victory over No.4 seed Karolina Pliskova with a hard-fought, rain-interrupted 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova.

Makarova, coming off a doubles triumph in Cincinnati with Lucie Hradecka, will meet fifth seed Julia Goerges in her third quarter-final of 2018.

“The first set was very tough for me,” Makarova said. “She’s a tough opponent. She mixes it up so I needed to stay solid and not be in a rush, but there was too much rushing in the first set.

“Then I think this rain a little bit helped me because I calmed down and thought a little bit to understand what I have to do and then I started to enjoy the tennis again with the crowd.”

 

—K. Spellman, CT Open

CONNECTICUT OPEN – NEW HAVEN, USA
$799,000
17-25 AUGUST 2018

RESULTS:

A.Sabalenka d. (9) D.Gavrilova 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-5

E.Makarova d. M.Rybarikova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3

[Q] M.Puig d. A Kontaveit 6-4, 6-3

[1] A.Sestini Hlavackov/B.Strycova d D.Jurak/R.Olaru 6-3, 6-3

[3] K.Bertens/J.Larsson d. M.Adamcak/O.Kalashnikova 6-3 6-4

ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018
STADIUM start 1:00 pm

E. Makarova (RUS) vs [5] J. Goerges (GER)
[LL] B. Bencic (SUI) vs A. Sabalenka (BLR)
[Q] M. Puig (PUR) vs [2] C. Garcia (FRA)

Not Before 7:00 pm
C. Suárez Navarro (ESP) vs [3] P. Kvitova (CZE)

SPORTMASTER GRANDSTAND start 1:00 pm
S. Hsieh (TPE) / L. Siegemund (GER) vs L. Arruabarrena (ESP) / L. Kichenok (UKR)
[3] K. Bertens (NED) / J. Larsson (SWE) vs A. Rosolska (POL) / A. Spears (USA)

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Super Sascha Zverev Seeks to Defend @CitiOpen Title in 2018

Posted by Admin on June 19, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Citi Open, Washington. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Sascha Zverev. 2017 Citi Open (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Sascha Zverev. 2017 Citi Open (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

 

WASHINGTON (June 19, 2018) — Reigning Citi Open® champions, ATP World No. 3 Alexander Zverev and WTA Star Ekaterina Makarova have committed to the 50th edition of the Washington tournament, along with a stacked list of former champions and next generation players. The tournament will be held July 28 – August 5, 2018, at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

Along with Zverev on the men’s side, Aussie Nick Kyrgios and 2010 Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych return to the Citi Open, as well as 2015 and 2016 Citi Open semifinalist Steve Johnson. Last year’s breakout star, Yuki Bhambri, along with 2012 Citi Open champion Alexandr Dolgopolov also join a thrilling men’s field, which includes former World No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam Champion Andy Murray; three-time Citi Open finalist John Isner; 2015 Citi Open Champion Kei Nishikori; 2017 Citi Open and U.S. Open finalist Kevin Anderson; World No. 9 David Goffin; 2018 Australian Open semifinalist and 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hyeon Chung; youngest player in the Top 30 of the ATP rankings Canadian Denis Shapovalov; Washington-area native, Frances Tiafoe; and Bob and Mike Bryan, who claimed their 116th title in Monte Carlo.

Makarova (Photo: @NickMcCarvel)

Ekaterina Makarova

Joining Makarova on the women’s side, 2014 Citi Open champion and two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova will also return to the tournament. They join World No. 2 and 2018 Australian Open Champion Caroline Wozniacki; 2017 U.S. Open Champion and 2015 Citi Open Champion Sloane Stephens; and 2018 Indian Wells Champion Naomi Osaka.

“This field delivers on a longstanding legacy of tennis greats competing in Washington,” said Keely O’Brien, Tournament Director. “With six of our Past Champions, six Top 10 Players, Grand Slam Champions, Former World No. 1’s, and notable rising stars, we are in for a thrilling week.”

Along with the incredible field on this momentous year, the tournament is hosting its 50th Celebration to commemorate five decades of professional tennis in Washington at the Tournament Site on Friday, July 27, from 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Former World No. 1, eight-time Grand Slam champion, and three-time tournament champion Jimmy Connors, as well as many other special guests to be announced, will attend. Tickets are available now at www.citiopentennis.com.

.@CitiOpen Champ @KateMakarova1 & World No. 16 Sevastova Bring Star Quality To Qualifying Draw @CtOpen

Posted by Admin on August 8, 2017
Posted in: Connecticut Open, New Haven Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2017 Connecticut Open
CITI OPEN CHAMPION MAKAROVA AND WORLD NO.16 SEVASTOVA BRING STAR QUALITY TO QUALIFYING DRAW AT CONNECTICUT OPEN

Doubles wild card awarded to Genie Bouchard and Sloane Stephens

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NEW HAVEN, Conn., August 8, 2017 – Citi Open champion Ekaterina Makarova and runner-up Julia Goerges will headline a qualifying draw full of players recapturing their best form and talented teenagers at the Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies, it was announced today by Tournament Director Anne Worcester.

Katerina Makarova

Wimbledon doubles champion Makarova, who won her first singles title in more than three years after coming from behind to defeat Goerges in Washington DC, will be joined in the 48-player qualifying draw by 2017 Wimbledon semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova (Connecticut Open finalist in 2014) and World No.16 Anastasija Sevastova, who won her first title in seven years at this year’s Mallorca Open after retiring in 2013.

Julia Goerges

Other dangerous names include Czech Katerina Siniakova, who won her second title of the year defeating four-time Connecticut Open champion Caroline Wozniacki in the final of Bastad, and Bucharest champion Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania. On the home front, Americans Shelby Rogers, Christina McHale and Varvara Lepchenko will attempt to reach the main draw.

Nine Top 50 players, six of whom have won at least one WTA singles title this year, will compete in the top-quality qualifying competition of the WTA Premier event that begins on Friday, August 18 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. Tickets to the action on Friday and Saturday cost $7.

Also competing for a spot in the prestigious main draw are a bevy of talented teenagers, headlined by Japan’s Naomi Osaka, 19, and the Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova, 18. Vondrousova began the season ranked outside the Top 400 before winning her first WTA title in Biel/Bienne and making her Top 100 debut.
Also in the mix are former teenage phenoms Ashleigh Barty and Donna Vekic plus rising stars Natalia Vikhlyantseva of Russia, France’s Oceane Dodin, and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia.
“Our qualifying draw is full of exciting players who have proven themselves on the biggest stages in tennis and future stars who are breaking through,” said Worcester. “Rybarikova, Makarova and Sevastova are all playing some of the best tennis of their careers while Vondrousova and Osaka are the new kids on the block. The top of women’s tennis is so competitive right now and the strength in depth of our qualifying draw proves that. For $7 a ticket on Friday and Saturday, fans will be in for a real treat.”

Worcester also announced a doubles wild card for crowd favorites Sloane Stephens and Genie Bouchard (both of whom are receiving singles wild cards), who paired up to reach the final of the Citi Open last week.

For the first time in its history, the tournament guaranteed a wild card for a member of the Yale University tennis team. The lucky recipient is 18-year-old Samantha Martinelli from Denver, Colorado. Martinell’s impressive junior career included winning the 2015 U-16 Asics Easter Bowl and the 2015 U-16 National Clay Courts Singles title, as well as being ranked as high as No.2 in the United States U-16.

Martinelli will join Grand Slam legend Martina Navratilova in a mixed doubles exhibition following the 7pm night session match on Monday, August 21. For one of the two sets, Navratilova will play mixed doubles with Cameron Lickle, a former captain of the United States Naval Academy tennis team, against his business partner, seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Mats Wilander and a WTA player to be named.

The second set will be a Yale extravaganza with Navratilova appearing with and against former Yale No.1 Marc Powers (class of ’13), Martinelli (’21) and Jeff Dawson (’09), a New HYTEs board member and another former top Bulldog. For more information about the 2017 Connecticut Open, to volunteer to be part of our team and to purchase tickets visit http://www.ctopen.org
or call 203-776-7331.

Your Washington Women’s Champion is @KateMakarova1!

Posted by Admin on August 6, 2017
Posted in: Citi Open, Washington, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Your Washington Women’s Champion is Kate Makarova
Steve Fogleman in Washington

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Today’s Citi Open women’s final between Ekaterina Makarova and Julia Goerges couldn’t be more evenly matched on paper, with two players born in 1988 who each hold two pro career titles, one premier and one international. And as it turns out, it was evenly matched on court too.

Makarova had the advantage of far more experience playing in the Washington’s hot hard courts, having competed at the Citi Open for 6 of the 7 years of the WTA events existence. Makarova had also beaten Goerges in straight sets in their only prior meeting at the 2015 Australian Open. And she beat her again today, with Makarova coasting to home in 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-0 victory for the D.C. title.

It was Goerges who came out swinging early and playing error-free tennis. But Makarova broke her early in the second set and we all thought it was going three. Goerges was patient from that point forward and managed to level the set at 5-all and tried to serve it out at 6-5. She failed and lost the tiebreak 7-2. Goerges hadn’t won a pro title in over 6 years, and her inability to seal the victory is a prime example of her difficulties in tough situations.

Although it was an entertaining final, you have to feel that Washington was an opportunity missed by the WTA and tournament organizers, who had counted on Halep in the final to bring some press to this side of the action. In the end, Makarova’s and Goerges’ back stories are good, but the women’s side really could have used some more juice in the final. There’s always next year.

Halep’s Out @CitiOpen; Open Path for Semifinalists #CO17

Posted by Admin on August 4, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Citi Open, Washington, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Halep’s Out at CitiOpen; Open Path for Semifinalists
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Simona Halep, 2017 Citi Open, (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)Ekaterina

During the first set of the Citi Open quarterfinal in Washington between Simona Halep and Ekaterina Makarova today, there wasn’t a breeze in sight. The 90 degree sun had few clouds to fend off. The heat reflected off of the metal bleachers on Grandstand 1 court while Jack Sock and Milos Raonic and Jack Sock played in the slightly more forgiving confines of the concrete Stadium next door.

On this day, Simona Halep was up 4-0 in the first set, and then 4-1. When the changeover occurred, she looked nervous, nothing like a top seed with a big lead would in that situation.  She later admitted that she felt “dead” on court after she retired in defeat 2-6, 6-3, 1-0.

In the same set, Ekaterina Makarova, who has played in this event for 6 of its 7 years as a WTA concern, had the experience with Washington heat and humidity to get through.

“In the middle of the day, it was very hot, but for me, I tried to stay stronger,” Makarova said. She added that she felt like her “face was burning” in the first set and after she iced it in the second, she had no trouble with the conditions.

Ekaterina

“I like to play in the daytime,” she told the small gathering at the post-match press conference. “I played against Puig in the nighttime. You get used to it. You prepare for the match. If you don’t like it, there’s nothing to do. So you cannot change it.”

She’s never played Oceane Dodin, a 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(4) winner over Sabine Lisicki, and faces her tomorrow not before 4:00 p.m.

Romanian fans lost another player in the tournament shortly after Halep’s retirement as Monica Niculescu was no match for Julia Goerges, 6-3, 6-4. She’ll play the resurgent Andrea Petkovic or Bianca Andreescu, who’s had a brilliant run, tomorrow not before 9:00 p.m.

Nishikori and Del Potro Make Winning Starts @CitiOpen

Posted by Admin on August 2, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Citi Open, Steen Kirby, Washington. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Nishikori and Del Potro Make Winning Starts at the Citi Open
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

Embed from Getty Images

An afternoon rain delay sent play late into the night once again at the 2017 Citi Open, fan favorites Kei Nishikori and Juan Martin Del Potro made winning starts. Nishikori was pushed deep into the third set against Donald Young. The first set was up and down, with Young going down 1-4, and coming back a bit but dropping the first set in the end 6-3. Set 2 would go Young’s way 6-4 as he scored two breaks, and even though he missed a break point on his return game up 5-3, he served out the second set to force a third. The third set had no breaks, but Nishikori had break points in most of Young’s service games, and kept the pressure on, generating three match points. Nishikori would get three more match points in the third set tiebreak, and finally took the match 6-3 4-6 7-6.

Del Potro had an easier time of things against Lukas Lacko, winning 7-5 6-2 as Lacko went away after a close first set that featured five breaks of serve, the last one going the way of the Argentine. Del Potro really picked up his game in the second set.

Other winners on the men’s side included Dominic Thiem and Jack Sock, Thiem lost just a handful of points on his serve against Henri Laaksonen, winning 6-3 6-3, Sock defeated Marius Copil in two tiebreaks. Marcos Baghdatis put a beating on first time main draw participant Edan Leshem, Jordan Thompson dispatched Ruben Bemelmans 6-3 6-2, Kyle Edmund took advantage of Hyeon Chung’s struggles 6-3 6-1, Malek Jaziri beat Alessandro Bega 7-5 7-5.

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Dmitry Tursunov won his first match of the season 6-4 6-7 6-4 over Mitchell Krueger, American Tennys Sandgren had better luck against Go Soeda winning 7-6 6-3, and Argentina’s Guido Pella upset Mischa Zverev 6-7 7-6 6-3. Zverev’s poor form on hard courts is starting to put his career best rankings as of late at risk.

A good number of WTA singles matches were cancelled because of rain, but Simona Halep, Ekaterina Makarova, Monica Puig, and Patricia Maria Tig all came away winners in straight sets. Three American women, Sloane Stephens, Jamie Loeb, and Luisa Chirico were their victims, along with Britain’s Heather Watson.

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Four teams have reached the quarterfinals in men’s doubles. Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares, Cerretani/Polmans, Rojer/Tecau, and Kubot/Melo are those teams, with four more spots to be determined.

In women’s doubles the quarterfinalists so far are Mirza/Niculescu the top seeds, Abduraimova/Tig, Lister/Lu, and Aoyama/Voracova the #2 seeds.

Brits Fall on Rain-Hit Day in Eastbourne

Posted by Admin on June 20, 2016
Posted in: Eastbourne, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Brits Fall on Rain-Hit Day in Eastbourne
Elliott Cornish for Tennis Atlantic from Eastbourne

eastbourne rain

 

EASTBOURNE—British trio Heather Watson, Tara Moore and Naomi Broady all suffered first-round defeats on a rain-affected day at the Aegon International in Eastbourne.

Watson, the British number two, would have been hopeful of a deep run on home soil in the last Wimbledon warm-up but missed chances throughout against Elena Vesnina, losing 6-2 6-3 in an hour and 12 minutes.

The Russian saved all six break points she faced – three in each set – ensuring she was always in control of the contest. Vesnina also prevailed when the pair last played at Eastbourne in 2013, and will now face defending champion Belinda Bencic in round two.

Wildcard Moore failed to capitalise on a productive past few weeks, falling 7-5 6-4 to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova in the second match of the afternoon. The Brit begun brightly in the apparent mismatch – she is ranked 190 places below Makarova at 229 – breaking for a 5-3 lead in the eighth game.

However, three set points spurned on serve, followed by two more in the following game, put paid to her chances. After losing two lengthy games, Moore succumbed quickly from 5-5, dropping the final eight points of the set.

Makarova broke midway through the second to assert further command, but was made to work for the victory after she was broken while serving for the match. However, Moore’s inexperience eventually showed, as Makarova broke for a fourth time to seal the win and a second-round meeting with the second seed Roberta Vinci.

Kate Makarova (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots)

Kate Makarova (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots)

Broady, sister of ATP player Liam, was unable to get a foothold against qualifier Monica Puig, picking up just two games in a 60–minute rout. The Puerto Rican broke the Briton’s serve five times, while Broady could not create even a single break point.

Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard made swift work of Varvara Lepchenko on Court 1, breezing through 6-1 6-2 in under an hour. The Canadian, who has slipped to 48th in the rankings, will play Irina-Camelia Begu in the last 32.

Andrea Petkovic, Ladies Linz Open 2010, Courtesy Kicker.de

Elsewhere, Andrea Petkovic scraped through against China’s Saisai Zheng in the day’s only three-setter. The lucky loser snatched the first set 7-5, but a determined Petkovic fought back – winning the last two sets 6-2 6-4 – to advance in two hours 42 minutes.

Heavy rain prevented any play before 3pm, and only six matches were completed on Monday after play on all outside courts was called off. However, the tournament will be confident in making up for lost time with the forecast looking much brighter for the rest of the week.

Tuesday’s matches

Top seed Agniezska Radwanska and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will enter the fray on Tuesday. The former will take on either Denise Allertova or Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, while Kvitova is first on Centre Court versus Timea Babos.

Monday’s cancelled match between Caroline Wozniacki and Sam Stosur will be second on Centre, and 11th seed and home favourite Johanna Konta will also open her bid on Tuesday against Lesia Tsurenko or Zhang Shuai.

In Tuesday’s other selected matches, Timea Bacsinszky will face Kristina Mladenovic and Vesnina will square off against Bencic.

2015 WTA @CitiOpen Preview and Predictions #CitiOpen

Posted by Admin on August 3, 2015
Posted in: Citi Open, Niall Clarke, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2015 WTA Citi Open Preview and Predictions
Niall Clarke, Tennis Atlantic

Vika's not here now, Mrs. Torrance.

Vika is here in (promotional) spirit

Taking its place alongside the Bank of the West classic In Stanford is Citi Open in Washington, an ATP and WTA joint event.

The tournament started as an ATP event in 1969 as one of the first open tournaments in the United States. After the WTA held an event in College Park, Maryland, in 2011, the ATP and WTA staged a joint tournament in 2012 at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center in the Rock Creek Park section of Washington, DC.

Magdalena Rybarikova has won here in two of the four years this event has been staged. The maiden winner as Nadia Petrova in 2011, with Svetlana Kuznetsova claiming the title last year. Tennis Atlantic has provided live on-site coverage of this tournament each year since its inception.

Citi Open
Tier: International
Location: Washington DC, USA
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $226,750
Date: August 3rd-9th 2015

The eight seeded players (Ranking)
1. Ekaterina Makarova (11)
2. Sam Stosur (21)
3. Belinda Bencic (22)
4. Svetlana Kuznetsova (24)
5. Alize Cornet (28)
6. Irina Begu (29)
7. Coco Vandeweghe (32)
8. Zarina Diyas (33)

Victoria Azarenka and Eugenie Bouchard were scheduled to play here, but both pulled out prior to the tournament.

First round matches to watch:

(2) Sam Stosur vs Kristina Mladenovic

Belinda Bencic & Kiki Mladenovic (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots)

Belinda Bencic & Kiki Mladenovic (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots)

If you asked Sam Stosur which un-seeded player she would like to avoid, I am sure Kristina Mladenovic would have been near the top of the list. As it happens, the tennis gods have paired these two together for the pick of the first round matches.

The Aussie, coming in off a title win in Bad Gastein, will be looking to continue that good form during the US hard court series. This season has been kind to Stosur in the past as the second seed won the US Open four years ago.

Mladenovic showed some good form over the clay court and grass season as she continues her bid to become the French number one. The 22-year-old only just missed out on a seeding here, with her ranking being 38 at this moment. Can the Frenchwoman continue her good progress with a nice start to the US hardcourt series?

The 3-0 head to head shows that Stosur has had her opponent’s number so far. Their latest meeting was on the clay in Strasbourg earlier on in the year, which Stosur ran out the winner in three sets. However, Mladenovic has showed some good signs of progress and the change in surface can often provide upsets.

(1) Ekaterina Makarova vs Alison Van Uytvanck

Kate Makarova (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots)

Kate Makarova (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots)

 

Alison Van Uytvanck caught the eye with her run to the quarter finals at the French Open. She will now look to catch the attention of everyone again by taking out the top seed Ekaterina Makarova in Washington.

Since breaking the top 10, Makarova has struggled to really replicate the form that got her there. Now ranked at 11 in the world, the Russian will be looking to break back in to that elite company. Makarova is playing her first match since losing in the second round of Wimbledon to Rybarikova. Can she bounce back in Washington?

Van Uytvanck failed to capitalise on a breakthrough tournament at Roland Garros, only winning one match during grass season. Hard courts suit her game more than grass, so maybe the Belgian can regroup and continue her ranking climb. She is currently ranked 50 in the world.

Alison Van Uytvanck

                                                                             Alison Van Uytvanck

Makarova will be a heavy favourite, but it is foolish to count Van Uytvanck out. The 21-year-old has shown she is capable of playing excellent tennis at Roland Garros, and on form she can certainly catch the top seed out.

Draw Analysis:

As mentioned above, top seed Makarova will face van Uytvanck in a tough first round clash, with a second round match against the winner of Jarmila Gadjosova vs Naomi Broady being very winnable. Irina Begu is the other seed in this section, and faces some interesting challenges in the form of Madison Brengle and Polona Hercog. You should expect the seeded players to meet in the quarter finals, where again Makarova will be favourite. The Romanian has had a solid year though and could provide an upset.

Belinda Bencic (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots)

                Belinda Bencic (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots)

Third seed Belinda Bencic is coming off an excellent grass season that saw her claim her first WTA title in Eastbourne. Touted as one of the tour’s brightest prospects, the Swiss is looking to break the top 20 for the first time in the upcoming weeks. Tereza Smitkova is a should-win in round one, but former two time champion Rybarikova could possibly await in round two. The winner of that will likely face wildcard Coco Vandeweghe in the quarter finals.

Sam Stosur

Second seed Stosur headlines the bottom half, but like I mentioned earlier Mladenovic will provide a very tough round one. The winner will face either Irina Falconi or young wildcard Taylor Townsend in the second round. Zarina Diyas is the other seed in this section, but with the Kazakh’s game an upset is likely. Can Lauren Davis in round one, Monica Niculescu, or Lara Arruabarrena knock the eighth seed out?

Sloane Stephens

Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova will begin her title defence against qualifier Sanaz Marand. It will be round two where things will get interesting for the two time grand slam champion, with Sloane Stephens likely waiting in the wings. Alize Cornet is the other seed in this section, and she herself could face a tough round two against Heather Watson.

Predictions:

Quarter finals:
Makarova def. Begu
Bencic def. Vandeweghe
Stephens def. Cornet
Mladenovic def. Davis

Semi finals:
Bencic def. Makarova
Stephens def. Mladenovic

Final:
Bencic def. Stephens

Niall Clarke (Sofia)

A Stacked Field @CitiOpen With @Andy_Murray @Vika7 @GenieBouchard @KeiNishikori @KateMakarova1

Posted by Admin on June 25, 2015
Posted in: ATP, Citi Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

CITI OPEN® ANNOUNCES ONE OF ITS STRONGEST MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FIELDS IN ITS 47-YEAR HISTORY
Men’s field led by Murray, Nishikori, Cilic; Azarenka, Makarova, Bouchard headline women’s roster

Genie Bouchard (Photo: S. Fogleman)

WASHINGTON (June 25, 2015) — The Citi Open® Tennis Tournament boasts one of its strongest men’s and women’s fields in its 47-year history with the announcement of its world-class roster. Collectively, the international fields, representing 31 countries worldwide, include an impressive 10 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam finals, two former World No. 1s, and 234 ATP/WTA singles titles.

Kei Nishikori (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots for TennisEastCoast.com)

Kei Nishikori (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots for TennisEastCoast.com)

The impressive men’s list includes World No. 3 and two-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray; World No. 5 and 2014 U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori; 2014 U.S. Open winner and World No. 9 Marin Cilic; and World No. 11 Grigor Dimitrov. World No. 14 and recent Queen’s Club finalist Kevin Anderson; World No. 16 Feliciano Lopez; top American and Washington finalist in 2009 and 2013 John Isner, currently World No. 17; and World No. 20 Richard Gasquet round up eight top 20 players ranked on the ATP World Tour committed to the tournament.

Others committed to the Citi Open include former Washington champions Lleyton Hewitt (2004), who will be granted a main draw singles wildcard, and Alexandr Dolgopolov (2012), along with former finalists Vasek Pospisil (2014), Marcos Baghdatis (2010), and Viktor Troicki (2008). Ones to watch as future stars of the game include American Jack Sock, Australians Thanasi Kokkinakis and Bernard Tomic, and German Alexander Zverev. Rounding out the Americans in the field include Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, Tim Smyczek and Donald Young.

Ekaterina Makarova

Ekaterina Makarova


In the women’s field, former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka makes her Washington debut. Current World No. 8 Ekaterina Makarova, and World No. 12 and 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard have also committed to play.

The impressive women’s roster, with a rankings cut-off at a strong No. 71, also includes former top ten players Sara Errani (World No. 19); 2011 U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur (World No. 22); Grand Slam champion and defending Citi Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova (World No. 27); top stars Sloane Stephens, Daniela Hantuchova, and Alize Cornet; and rising Swiss star Belinda Bencic (World No. 31). Other Americans in the field include Madison Brengle, Christina McHale, and fan favorite Taylor Townsend who has accepted a main draw singles wildcard.

Bob Bryan and Victoria Azarenka_French_Open_Trophy

In addition, Mike and Bob Bryan, World No. 1 men’s doubles champions, who have compiled a record 106 titles, have confirmed their participation. The full doubles field is expected the week of July 13. Players are subject to change due to injury or other unforeseen circumstances.

Citiopen Official Site

Courtside box seats, a variety of all-session and multi-session ticket packages, group packages, and single session/daily tickets are available online at http://www.citiopentennis.com. Courtside hospitality suites are also available by calling the tournament hotline at 202.721.9500.

The Citi Open, the Capital Tennis Tradition is scheduled for August 1-9, 2015, at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. It is one of only 13 elite ATP World Tour 500-level events worldwide and the only one held in the United States. The Citi Open Tournament also features a WTA International Tournament since 2012, which provides fans the opportunity to watch simultaneous competitions of both world-class men’s and women’s tennis throughout the nine-day event. It is one of only four U.S. tournaments that include both men’s and women’s fields.

The tournament’s owner and beneficiary, the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF), provides underserved children in the D.C.-area with a safe environment to learn critical life skills both on and off the courts through academic and athletic enrichment.

For more information, visit the Citi Open Tournament on the Web at http://www.citiopentennis.com. The Citi Open Tournament is a Lagardère Unlimited production. Citi Open is a registered service mark of Citigroup Inc.

—S. Pegarido, Citi Open

Wacky Wednesday @FamilyCircleCup; Thursday’s Order of Play #FCC2015

Posted by Admin on April 9, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Family Circle Cup, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Wacky Wednesday @FamilyCircleCup; Thursday’s Order of Play #FCC2015
Kristi Tredway for Tennis Atlantic

Danka Kovinic

Danka Kovinic

After play on Wednesday, only half of the seeds remain at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, heading into the third round.

Ekaterina Makarova, the #2 seed, began today’s play with a win over Shuai Zhang, 5-7 6-3 6-2; however, a gastrointestinal illness forced her to withdraw providing a walkover for Irina-Camella Begu, the #13 seed, who beat Yaroslava Shvedova today 6-0 6-7(4) 6-4. Begu is the first player into the quarterfinals with the walkover.

In a shock, Lara Arruabarrena beat fan-favorite Sam Stosur today, 6-3 3-6 6-4. Arruaberrena will play Angelique Kerber, the #5 seed, who won yesterday. The winner of this match will play Begu in the quarterfinals.

American Madison Brengle had an excellent win today over Donna Vekic 6-1 6-3. Vekic had knocked out Heather Watson, the #16 seed, in the first round. Brengle next faces Andrea Petkovic, the defending champion and #3 seed, in the third round.

A surprise in the third round is Danka Kovinic. She beat Belinda Bencic, the #12 seed, 4-6 6-3 6-2, and will face her idol and Jelena Jankovic, the #6 seed.

As expected, Caroline Garcia, the #8 seed, is into the third round and will face the surprise qualifier, Lucie Hradecka.

SST

SST


Sara Sorribes Tormo, also a qualifier, has made it to the third round and will face Sara Errani, the #4 seed who beat Jana Cepelova, last year’s finalist, today 6-3 7-6(5).

The one seed to have a seemingly easy time getting to the third round is Madison Keys, the #7 seed. She beat Kateryna Bondarenko, a qualifier, today 6-2 6-1. Keys next faces Andreea Mitu.

Mona Barthel, the #15 seed, beat fan-favorite Sloane Stephens today 6-3 7-6(2). She next faces Lauren Davis who knocked out the #1 seed Eugenie Bouchard today 6-3 6-1.

RESULTS – APRIL 08, 2015
Women’s
Singles – Second Round
L. Davis (USA) d [1] [WC] E. Bouchard (CAN) 63 61
[2] E. Makarova (RUS) d S. Zhang (CHN) 57 63 62
[4] S. Errani (ITA) d J. Cepelova (SVK) 63 76(5)
[7] M. Keys (USA) d [Q] K. Bondarenko (UKR) 62 61
L. Arruabarrena (ESP) d [9] S. Stosur (AUS) 63 36 64
[Q] D. Kovinic (MNE) d [12] B. Bencic (SUI) 46 63 62
[13] I. Begu (ROU) d Y. Shvedova (KAZ) 60 67(4) 64
[15] M. Barthel (GER) d S. Stephens (USA) 63 76(2)
A. Mitu (ROU) d A. Tomljanovic (CRO) 62 62
[Q] S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) d S. Rogers (USA) 75 61
M. Brengle (USA) d D. Vekic (CRO) 61 63

Women’s
Doubles – First Round
[1] M. Hingis (SUI) / S. Mirza (IND) d A. Rodionova (AUS) / A. Rodionova (AUS) 67(7) 63 10-5
M. Erakovic (NZL) / A. Petkovic (GER) d [WC] A. Riske (USA) / S. Rogers (USA) 64 62

ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, APRIL 09, 2015
FAMILY CIRCLE STADIUM start 11:00 am
[Q] L. Hradecka (CZE) vs [8] C. Garcia (FRA)

Not Before 1:00 pm
M. Brengle (USA) vs [3] A. Petkovic (GER)
A. Mitu (ROU) vs [7] M. Keys (USA)
M. Erakovic (NZL) / A. Petkovic (GER) vs [4] T. Babos (HUN) / A. Groenefeld (GER)

Not Before 7:00 pm
[6] J. Jankovic (SRB) vs [Q] D. Kovinic (MNE)
B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / A. Tomljanovic (CRO) vs A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) / A. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)

ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 11:00 am
[5] A. Kerber (GER) vs L. Arruabarrena (ESP)

Not Before 12:30 pm
L. Davis (USA) vs [15] M. Barthel (GER)
[4] S. Errani (ITA) vs [Q] S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP)