Genie Bouchard

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2022 @USOpen Qualifying Finalists Emerging in Flushing Meadows

Posted by Admin on August 25, 2022
Posted in: ATP, New York, US Open, US Open Qualifying, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2022 US Open Qualifying Finalists Emerging in Flushing Meadows

Steve Fogleman in Flushing Meadows

The weather was as hot as it has been for fan week on Thursday and the action on court was fast and furious at US Open Qualifying in Flushing Meadows. 64 singles matches today will set us up for 32 very consequential matches tomorrow. At stake are 16 main draw spots for both the men and women.

Genie Bouchard made an early exit to Linda Noskova in 56 minutes today as the young Czech dominated and never faced a break point en route to the 6-2, 6-3 drubbing. Noskova faces Anastasia Zakharova tomorrow.

Australia’s Maddison Inglis also got by in a 6-4, 6-3 win over wild card Valerie Glozman in 75 minutes to stay fresh for tomorrow’s final against Yue Yuan. She was in good spirits after a fan asked for her to sign an ink drawing of Ingliss for her. After the win, she told us that “the more time you spend on these courts, the better you feel, so I’m excited about the final round.”

Ukraine’s Daria Snigur had a big victory on Court 13 today against former U.S. Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer and she did not disappoint in a comebacker 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over the Belgian. Wickmayer was upset to see her hopes for a 13th U.S. Open main draw berth dashed, and she kicked the gate and stormed off court after the match.

For her part, Snigur says that she never thinks of the war back home during the match, but that every victory here is for Ukraine.

You live by the tiebreak, you die by the tiebreak and you win by the tiebreak. That’s what American Chris Eubanks did today on Court 17, sneaking past Gregoire Barrere of France by a count of 7-6(6), 6-7(2), 7-6(4). He had to win ten points in that deciding tiebreak per new rules. Raul Brancoccio of Italy is the last man standing in his way to play next week in New York.

France’s Corentin Moutet is playing good tennis at the right time this summer. Today, he handled Filip Misolic of Austria, 6-2, 6-4, and will square off against China’s Yibing Wu.

32 matches are on tap for tomorrow beginning at 11:00 a.m.

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2022 @CitiOpen Has Powerful Player Field With Addition of Fan Favorites @KeiNishikori, @Vika7, @GrigorDimitrov and @GenieBouchard

Posted by Admin on June 24, 2022
Posted in: ATP, Citi Open, Washington, WTA. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

Victoria Azarenka, Kei Nishikori, Jessica Pegula, Grigor Dimitrov, Alex de Minaur and Eugenie Bouchard join Citi Open’s growing player field Victoria Azarenka, Kei Nishikori, Jessica Pegula, Grigor Dimitrov, Alex de Minaur and Eugenie Bouchard join Citi Open’s growing player field 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The world’s best men’s and women’s tennis players will compete in Washington D.C. July 30 – August 7 at the Citi OpenÂŽ. New player field additions include two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 player Victoria Azarenka, World No. 9 and 2019 Citi Open champion Jessica Pegula, 2014 Wimbledon finalist and 2017 Citi Open doubles finalist Eugenie Bouchard, 2015 Citi Open champion Kei Nishikori, two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov and 2018 Citi Open finalist Alex de Minaur. 

The tournament’s growing player field now includes four Grand Slam champions, four Citi Open champions and seven current top 20 players.

The new player commitments join 2019 Citi Open champion Nick Kyrgios, D.C. native Frances Tiafoe, World No. 8 Andrey Rublev, 2022 Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz, World No. 18 Reilly Opelka, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, 2015 Citi Open and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the D.C. field, with more player announcements coming soon. 

I’ve been attending this event for years and Kei Nishikori attracted the attention of more fans than any other player in Washington. Except last year, when all eyes were on the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, in his D.C. debut.

“We are thrilled about the incredibly strong and deep field of men’s and women’s players we are building for the 2022 Citi Open, including so many Grand Slam champions, former Citi Open champions and fan favorites,” said Mark Ein, Citi Open Chairman. “With even more player commitments on the near horizon, it will be another unforgettable week of tennis in the nation’s capital for our fans in person and those watching around the world.”

New Citi Open ATP player field additions:

  • Kei Nishikori (WC), 2015 Citi Open Champion: Nishikori is the top Asian men’s tennis player in history. He holds 12 career ATP titles and is the 2015 Citi Open champion, where he has acquired an 18-7 record. Along with his title in D.C., the Japanese player has also reached the tournament’s quarterfinal round and semifinal round twice, respectively. He is a Grand Slam finalist, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist and a nine-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist. In 2021, he reached the semifinals in D.C. and the quarterfinals in Dubai, Rotterdam and at The Olympics.
  • Grigor Dimitrov, World No. 21: Dimitrov holds eight career titles and a career-high ranking of World No. 3. The fan favorite Bulgarian will play the Citi Open for the seventh time this year, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2013. This season, he had semifinal berths in Monte Carlo and Melbourne and quarterfinal appearances in Indian Wells and Delray Beach. Dimitrov has also reached two Grand Slam semifinals and three Grand Slam quarterfinals. 
  • Alex de Minaur, 2018 Citi Open Finalist & World No. 24: de Minaur will compete at the Citi Open for the fourth time in 2022. He reached the D.C. final in 2018. The Australian has captured five ATP titles, including two in 2021 in Eastbourne and Antalya. So far this season, he has reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, quarterfinals in Rotterdam and semifinals in Lyon and Barcelona. He was also a quarterfinalist at the 2020 US Open.  

New Citi Open WTA player field additions:

  • Victoria Azarenka, 2-time Grand Slam Champion, Former World No.1 & Current World No. 20: Former World No. 1 Azarenka will make her Citi Open debut in 2022. She holds 21 career WTA singles titles and is a two-time Australian Open champion, winning the Grand Slam in 2012 and 2013. She has also played the US Open final three times and has reached the semifinals of both Wimbledon and Roland-Garros. This season, she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and the quarterfinals in Adelaide. Her 2021 season included a finals run in Indian Wells, semifinal appearances in Berlin and Doha and quarterfinal matches in Montreal and Bad Homburg. 
  • Jessica Pegula, 2019 Citi Open Champion & World No. 9: Top 10 player Pegula won her maiden WTA singles title at the 2019 Citi Open. She reached the tournament’s semifinals in 2016 and was also victorious in Washington in 2021, when she was named the Citi Open Women’s Invitational champion. The American has had a strong 2022 season, including a back-to-back Australian Open quarterfinals appearance, a second Grand Slam quarterfinal in Roland-Garros, a finals berth in Madrid and semifinals appearance in Miami.
  • Eugenie Bouchard (WC), 2014 Wimbledon Finalist: Bouchard is returning to tennis this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in 2021. The Canadian has a career-high ranking of World No. 5 and is a Grand Slam finalist and two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. In 2021, she was a finalist in Guadalajara. This will be her seventh time playing the Citi Open, where she reached the singles quarterfinal in 2012 and the doubles final with partner Sloane Stephens in 2017.

The Citi Open is one of only five combined tennis tournaments in the country, featuring professional competition from both men and women. Citi Open’s ATP 500 event will showcase 48 singles players and 16 doubles teams. Its revived WTA 250 event will celebrate its 10th edition in 2022 with a player field featuring 32 singles competitors and 16 doubles teams. The tournament will continue to announce players and updates in the coming weeks.

In April 2019, MDE Sports, owned and led by Washington-based venture capitalist, entrepreneur and civic leader Ein, acquired the management rights of the Citi Open tournament from the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF), a non-profit which provides free tennis and educational programs for children in underserved communities. This acquisition secured the Citi Open’s future in the U.S. and specifically in Washington.

For more than 50 years, the Citi Open has hosted top tennis talent in Rock Creek Park. The tournament was founded to support Arthur Ashe’s vision of playing a professional tennis tournament in a fully accessible public park. The Citi Open has continued to build and expand the event, with the goal of positively impacting the Washington community and creating one of the best events in the world. The WTEF, a longtime beneficiary of the Citi Open, capitalizes on the tournament annually for fundraising and has raised millions for youth programs in the Washington area.

Last year’s tournament was the most successful in the event’s history, shattering previous attendance records and selling out all sessions throughout the week. Full tournament packages and single session tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via citiopentennis.com or by calling (202) 721-9500. To learn more about the tournament, ticket options, player fields, event policies and more, visit citiopentennis.com.

West Virginia to Become Temporary Capital of Tennis World as @FTiafoe, @GenieBouchard, Jack Sock, @MilosRaonic & @MonicaAce93 Puig Join 2020 @WorldTeamTennis

Posted by Admin on June 16, 2020
Posted in: World Team Tennis. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Frances Tiafoe, Western & Southern Open, Photo: Tennis Atlantic

West Virginia to Become Temporary Capital of Tennis World as @FTiafoe, @GenieBouchard, Jack Sock, @MilosRaonic & @MonicaAce93 Puig Join 2020 @WorldTeamTennis

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. (June 16, 2020) – World TeamTennis has added several prominent tennis stars to an already jam-packed lineup of roster players set to compete during the 45th season of World TeamTennis, taking place at The Greenbrier “America’s Resort” in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.

WTT has announced that each player will play the entire three-week regular season, scheduled for July 12-30, with the WTT Semifinals (Aug. 1) and WTT Final (Aug. 2) to follow.

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

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

Rising American Frances Tiafoe, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig, three-time Grand Slam doubles champion Jack Sock and two former Wimbledon singles finalists from Canada – Milos Raonic and Genie Bouchard – will play World TeamTennis this season, joining previously announced players such as reigning Australian Open singles champion Sofia Kenin, 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens and Mike and Bob Bryan, tennis’ all-time winningest doubles team. In addition, six-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters will join U.S. Davis Cup captain Mardy Fish playing for the New York Empire in 2020.

Genie Bouchard, 2017 Citi Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Genie Bouchard, 2017 Citi Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

“I can’t wait for the WTT season to start,” Tiafoe said. “I’ve played WTT for the last three years on the Kastles for some of their home matches in D.C.  I’m excited to go to The Greenbrier to play there for the Kastles next month. Everyone knows 2020 has been a rough year so far. I am definitely looking forward to competing at such a historic venue in such a relaxed setting.”

Sloane Stephens, 2018 US Open (Getty)

Sloane Stephens of the US hits a return to Evgenlya Rodina of Russia during their 2018 US Open women’s match August 27, 2018 in New York. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo credit should read KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images)

Added Sloane Stephens: “I’ve played WTT for, I think, six years now, and it’s always something I look forward to. Especially this year. I know we all miss playing tennis and seeing our friends on the tour, so I’m excited to get to The Greenbrier and get in that environment again. WTT always does such a great job with creating a fun, but competitive, season so I’m ready for that. Plus, I’m playing on Chicago’s team, which is cool because Kamau (Murray) is the coach, so that will be fun.”

Kenin, the 21-year-old Floridian who currently sits at a career-high No. 4 singles ranking in the world, will play for the Philadelphia Freedoms. The Vegas Rollers will feature 2017 Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey and the Bryan Brothers.

Two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren will play for the Orlando Storm while doubles specialists Rajeev Ram (Chicago Smash), 2019 WTT Finals MVP Robert Lindstedt (Springfield Lasers) and brothers Neal (New York Empire) and Ken Skupski (Orlando) return this season.

The San Diego Aviators will boast three past Grand Slam doubles champions in Coco Vandeweghe (2018 US Open), Ryan Harrison (2017 French Open) and Nicole Melichar (2018 Wimbledon). Two-time NCAA singles champion Danielle Collins (Virginia in 2014, 2016) will play for Orlando and two-time NCAA singles champion Steve Johnson (with USC in 2011-2012) will lead the Orange County (Calif.) Breakers.

“Our player rosters are the strongest we’ve ever fielded for a WTT season and include multiple players with Grand Slam titles,” WTT CEO Carlos Silva said. “We have a sampling of current stars like Sloane (Stephens), Sofia (Kenin), Vegas Rollers teammates Sam Querrey and Mike and Bob Bryan, as well as a look at tennis’ future impact players with Brandon Nakashima and Caty McNally. Tennis fans are starving to see some great action on the courts and that’s what we plan to deliver all season.”

World TeamTennis’ schedule will include at least three matches per day at Center Court at Creekside, The Greenbrier’s outdoor stadium. Fans can purchase tickets at www.WTTTickets.com.

The following are the player rosters and coaches for the 2020 WTT season (subject to change with future additions):

Chicago Smash: Brandon Nakashima, Sloane Stephens, Evan King, Genie Bouchard, Rajeev Ram: Coach: Kamau Murray

New York Empire: Mardy Fish, Jack Sock, Kim Clijsters, Sabine Lisicki, Neal Skupski, Kveta Peschke. Coach: Luke Jensen

Orange County (Calif.) Breakers: Steve Johnson, Luke Bambridge, Andreja Klepac, Milos Raonic. Coach: Rick Leach

Orlando Storm: James Ward, Danielle Collins, Ken Skupski, Darija Jurak, Tennys Sandgren. Coach: Jay Gooding

Philadelphia Freedoms: Donald Young, Taylor Townsend, Fabrice Martin, Caroline Dolehide, Sofia Kenin. Coach: Craig Kardon

San Diego Aviators: Ryan Harrison, Christina McHale, Jonny O’Mara, Nicole Melichar, Coco Vandeweghe. Coach: John Lloyd

Springfield (Mo.) Lasers: Mitchell Krueger, Olga Govortsova, Robert Lindstedt, Hayley Carter, Jean-Julien Rojer, Caty McNally. Coach: John-Laffnie de Jager

Vegas Rollers: Sam Querrey, Kristie Ahn, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Asia Muhammad, Monica Puig. Coach: Tim Blenkiron

Washington (D.C.) Kastles: Marcelo Arevalo, Bernarda Pera, Nick Monroe, Arina Rodionova, Frances Tiafoe. Coach: Robby Ginepri

All of WTT’s 2020 regular season and playoff matches will be televised on CBS, CBS Sports Network, Tennis Channel or the ESPN family of networks. In addition, select matches will be live-streamed on ESPN+, Facebook Watch or WTT.com. World TeamTennis’ complete season broadcast schedule will be announced on WTT.com at a later date.

Safety guidelines have been put into place by World TeamTennis with guidance of local and state government officials in West Virginia and an adherence to all health and safety protocols set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Every fan at The Greenbrier will be required to pass a temperature check of 100.4 degrees before entering the grounds. All fans will be checked a second time before entering the outdoor stadium, Center Court at Creekside, or indoor court for any matches and will be denied entry should they fail the temperature check.

—S. Pratt

 

2018 @USOpen Doubles Champion @CoCoVandey Awarded Wild Card Into Central Coast Pro Tennis Open

Posted by Admin on September 20, 2019
Posted in: US Open, USTA Pro Circuit, WTA. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

Coco Vandegwhe

August 26, 2019 – Coco Vandeweghe in action against Sofia Kenin at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA)

Former US Open Doubles Champion CoCo Vandeweghe Awarded Wild Card Into
Third Annual Central Coast Pro Tennis Open

2015 Wimbledon finalist Genie Bouchard is top-seeded player heading into USTA Pro Circuit Women’s $60,000 event at Templeton Tennis Ranch Sept. 23-29

TEMPLETON, Calif. – Sept. 20, 2019 — The player entry list heading into next week’s Central Coast Pro Tennis Open is jam-packed with recognizable current WTA players, and some you will be no doubt be hearing about in the years to come.

The 2018 US Open doubles champion and former US Open Junior Girls’ winner CoCo Vandeweghe has received a USTA wild card into the third annual Central Coast Pro Tennis Open, a USTA Pro Circuit Women’s $60,000 event taking place Sept. 23-29 at the Templeton Tennis Ranch.

The tournament is part of the USTA Pro Circuit and designated as a high-level event just below the WTA Tour. Qualifying matches begin on Monday, Sept. 23, with main-draw matches beginning the following day and concluding with the singles final on Sept. 29. Tickets for all the exciting tennis action are on sale now at http://www.my805tix.com.

The 27-year-old Vandeweghe of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., is a former Top 15-ranked player in the world and has played in three Grand Slam doubles finals during her career. Out for most of the year because of a nagging right ankle injury that ultimately led to surgery, Vandeweghe returned for the recent US Open where she played singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

On the comeback trail, Vandeweghe lost in the first round at the US Open to CCPTO alum Sonya Kenin, who is now ranked in the world’s top 20 in singles.

Twenty-five-year-old Miami Beach resident Genie Bouchard of Canada will be the top-seeded player once the draws are released this weekend. Bouchard burst onto the tennis scene in 2014 when she made the semifinals at both the Australian and French Open. At Wimbledon, Bouchard defeated world No. 3 Simona Halep in straight sets to become the first Canadian-born player representing Canada to make it into a Grand Slam singles final, ultimately falling to Wimbledon 2011 champion Petra KvitovĂĄ in straight sets.

“Just like our first two years, we once again have a first-class field of top American and international up-and-coming WTA players in our field,” said Ralph Goehring, CCPTO tournament director Templeton Tennis Ranch owner. “It always amazes me how the Central Coast Pro Tennis Open has been able to attract some of the biggest names ready to break through on tour. With the addition of CoCo and Genie, we have two of the biggest names currently on the WTA Tour.”

Also receiving a USTA wild card into the tournament is former world top 20 player Varvara Lepchenko and former University of Michigan star Emina Bektas.

Others notables in the main draw include: former French open quarterfinalist Shelby Rogers, as well as fellow former collegiate stars Irina Falconi (Georgia Tech) and Danielle Lao (USC). Santa Barbara’s Kayla Day has also made the main draw as the former US Open Girls’ Junior champion has a current WTA ranking just inside the world No. 350.

Former Arroyo Grande High star Sophie Whittle has concluded her college career at Gonzaga University where she was the Western State Conference Player of the Year and will play in qualifying on Monday, as will 2018 USTA Girls’ Nationals 18s singles champion Ashley Kratzer and 2019 Girls’ Nationals winner Katie Volynets. Both players are past wild-card entrants into the main draw at the US Open.

—S. Pratt

The Kids Are Alright: @Coco Gauff Advances to @CitiOpen Main Draw on Kid’s Day

Posted by Admin on July 28, 2019
Posted in: ATP, Citi Open, Washington, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

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The Kids Are Alright: @Coco Gauff Advances to @CitiOpen Main Draw on Kid’s Day
Steve Fogleman in Washington

It was unbelievably fitting that the first Sunday of the Citi Open would be Kid’s Day, because 15-year-old Coco Gauff delivered for the under 21 crowd in a big way.

Nick Kyrgios, 2019 Citi Open (Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Nick Kyrgios, 2019 Citi Open (Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Earlier, D.C.-area students gathered to hit with the likes of Genie Bouchard, Nick Kyrgios, Sonia Kenin, local legend Frances Tiafoe and yes, Coco Gauff. I understand that Kyrgios was on his best behavior today and I had been a little worried. I remembered the last time I saw him around kids at last year’s US Open, when a young fan asked for an autograph. He sheepishly said, “I’ll give you an autograph for 20 quid.” The kid predictably replied, “What’s a quid?”

Nick Kyrgios, 2019 Citi Open (Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Nick Kyrgios, 2019 Citi Open (Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

19-year-old Destanee Aiava came close to booking her way into the main draw alongside Gauff but came up short to Sachia Vickery in three sets. After failing to qualify in Atlanta, Donald Young’s month has a nice finish to it as he made another Citi Open main draw. Young, a 2014 Citi Open semifinalist, also needed to mount a comeback to get the job done after dropping the first set 6-2 to Gojowczyk.

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Denmark’s Mikael Torpegaard had to survive a 3-setter in the heat yesterday while Ilya Ivashka (and three other players) received a bye and a day off. After taking the first set from Torpegaard, he started to fade, and as is so common in these situations, Torpegaard’s more extensive recent knowledge of the court was likely a key.

Former UVA NCAA All-American Thai-Son Kwiatkowski, jumped out to take the first set against Vik Troicki and after two hours, was able to upset the Serbian in three to advance to the main draw. Anna Kalinskaya won a tight first set before cruising to a straight sets victory over Fanny Stollar.

Anna Kalinskaya, 2019 Citi Open (Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)
And finally, the main event. It shouldn’t surprise that you Cori Gauff qualified with a 6-1, 6-2 clinic over Hiroko Kuwata in an hour and four minutes today. She beat the world #338 yesterday and the #265 today. These are the kind of ranked matches that you could see going down at an ITF event like Charlottesville. Playing on Citi Open stadium court is almost the exact halfway point, size-wise, between Wimbledon and the Charlottesville ITF and it’s clear Gauff is comfortable playing anywhere. D.C. is lucky to keep her around for at least one more match, and the biggest parlor game going on right now is where will she land in the draw. I don’t know a single player who’d love to draw her.

.@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.

Wats-Up! @HeatherWatson92 Shocks Defending Champ Domi @AegonTennisEB

Posted by Admin on June 26, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Eastbourne, Wimbledon, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Heather Watson shocks defending Eastbourne International champion Dominika Cibulkova
Elliot Cornish in Eastbourne

Embed from Getty Images

A determined Heather Watson roused a raucous home crowd to knock out defending Eastbourne International champion Dominika Cibulkova 7-5 6-4 in the second round on Monday afternoon.

There were also victories for last year’s runner-up Karolina Pliskova, who won in straight sets over Alison Riske, and for French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, who fought past Carla Suarez Navarro in three sets on Court 1 on a toasty day on the south coast of England. But there was disappointment for 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard, who fell to Barbora Strycova in three, and for Britain’s Naomi Broady, who also lost in a decider against Kristyna Pliskova.

In the first round of the men’s ATP 250 draw, 21-year-old Cameron Norrie chalked up his first ATP main draw win 6-4 7-6 over Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos to fix up a second round encounter with French second seed Gael Monfils. However, Kyle Edmund’s Wimbledon preparations hit another snag with a three-set defeat to Donald Young to go with his loss at Queen’s Club last week to Denis Shapovalov. Meanwhile, Vasek Pospisil’s reward for his 6-3 6-4 trouncing of Jiri Vesely is a Tuesday morning match with Novak Djokovic.

Watson wows in Eastbourne sun

Embed from Getty Images

Showing no signs of weariness from her three-hour battle with Lesia Tsurenko a day earlier, Watson made early headway – breaking the Slovak twice – only to be pegged back both times. Controversy struck deep in the first set when Cibulkova correctly challenged an out call, only to be awarded a first serve instead of the point. A fruitless exchange with the umpire merely drew ire from an already partisan crowd, but Cibulkova kept her nerve to dig out a hold for 5-5.

However, Watson’s pressure eventually tolled, as she snared the opening set at the first opportunity with a third break of the Cibulkova serve – this time to love. Watson would only grow in the contest from thereon, regularly out-rallying her opponent as she opened a 5-2 lead in the second. But a big win was never likely to be without some drama, and after Cibulkova saved match point to hold, the Brit relinquished a 40-15 advantage on serve as the world number nine rolled off four points to break back. But once again, Cibulkova undid her good work, surrendering her serve for a fifth time as Watson wrapped up the win on her fourth match point.
After the match, Watson, who has slipped to 126 in the WTA rankings from a high of 38, said, “The atmosphere was incredible, I was getting goosebumps at the end. I got a little nervous but I’m pleased I got through it in that last game.

“She’s a hard worker and a fighter so I knew it was never going to be easy. She’s very aggressive but I’m OK with that. I have some wheels so I’ve got to use them.”
Playing her first match since losing to Simona Halep in the French Open semi-final, Karolina Pliskova looked solid throughout in her 6-4 6-3 dispatching of American Alison Riske. Typically, it was the Czech’s serve which proved the foundation for her win, and the two break points which she faced and saved in the opening game of the match was the only time Riske threatened.

Watson will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in round three after the Russian overturned a one-set deficit to down Elise Mertens, while Pliskova’s last 16 test will come in the form of Timea Bacsinszky or Peng Shuai.

On her first outing since storming to the Roland Garros title, Ostapenko was up and down. Suarez Navarro was powerless in the opener as the Latvian’s penetrating groundstrokes told, but the Spaniard raced through the second, dishing out a bagel as Ostapenko faltered. But the latter showed the necessarily steel in set three to notch a 6-3 0-6 6-4 triumph and a potential third-round encounter with local star Johanna Konta.

Sorana Cirstea capitalised on her lucky loser berth with a comfortable win over Katerina Siniakova and will be Konta’s round two opponent. Naomi Osaka rattled past Risa Ozaki 6-0 6-1 in an all-Japanese clash and will play sixth seed Caroline Wozniacki in the second round.

Australia’s Bernard Tomic saw off Norbert Gombos 7-6 6-3, while Jared Donaldson scraped past Diego Schwartzman 7-5 in the third to book a round two match with compatriot Donald Young.

More Women’s Singles results
Veronica Cepede Royg defeated Su-Wei Hsieh 4-6 6-3 6-3
Peng Shuai defeated Francesca Schiavone 6-3 6-4
Zhang Shuai defeated Varvara Lepchenko 6-2 6-1
Lara Arruabarrena defeated Daria Gavrilova 6-2 2-6 6-3
Lauren Davis defeated Kristina Kucova 6-4 6-2
More Men’s Singles results
Robin Haase defeated Nicolas Mahut 6-4 7-6
Kyle Anderson defeated Thomaz Bellucci 6-3 6-1

Djokovic to enter the fray on Tuesday
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Top seed and surprise wildcard Novak Djokovic starts his tournament at 11am on Tuesday morning on Centre Court against Vasek Pospisil. In Monday’s press conference, Djokovic confirmed that new coach Andre Agassi would not be in attendance this week, but would be present with the Serb at Wimbledon.
Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep will also open their Eastbourne campaigns on Tuesday against Kristyna Pliskova and Duan Yingying respectively. Depending on results, Halep could theoretically overtake Kerber and become world number one for the first time.

Kerber will be in action second on Centre, while Halep is first on Court 1. In the other Centre Court matches Cirstea takes on Konta before Young dukes it out with Donaldson.

Big serving Sam Querrey is second on Court 1 against Daniil Medvedev before grass specialist Richard Gasquet plays the talented Frances Tiafoe.

Washington’s @CitiOpen Offers Strong Field With Zverev, Bouchard, Thiem, Monfils, Del Potro

Posted by Admin on June 13, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Washington, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
CITI OPENÂŽ TENNIS TOURNAMENT COMPETITION HEATS UP WITH WORLD NO. 10 ALEXANDER ZVEREV & CANADIAN STAR GENIE BOUCHARD
Zverev vs. Jaziri 2016 Citi Open
American fan favorite Steve Johnson also committed to play; Joins dynamic field including Monfils, del Potro, Isner, Puig, and the Bryan Brothers

WASHINGTON (June 13, 2017) — D.C.’s summer just got hotter as 20-year-old phenom Alexander Zverev and Canadian starlet Eugenie Bouchard join this year’s Citi Open® Tennis Tournament player field.

Genie Bouchard (Photo: S. Fogleman)

In addition, American fan favorite Steve Johnson has also committed to compete in the 49th edition of the Washington tournament.

Bouchard, Zverev, and Johnson join previously announced players, including defending Citi Open champion Gael Monfils, three-time Citi Open champ Juan Martin del Potro, World No. 8 Dominic Thiem, 2015 finalist John Isner, and Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig. The Citi Open® also welcomes back the world’s winningest doubles team, Bob and Mike Bryan.. The tournament will be held July 29 – August 6 at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center and benefits underserved and low-income kids in the D.C. community through the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation.

So far this year, the last few months have been a highlight of Zverev, Bouchard, and Johnson’s seasons. Zverev became the youngest ATP Masters 1000 champion since 19-year-old Novak Djokovic in 2007, when he captured the title in Rome. In the meantime, Bouchard defeated former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova in the second round of the Madrid Open — a three-set thriller that has already been touted as one of the best matches of the year. Johnson, a two-time Citi Open semifinalist, captured the second title of his career in Houston.

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“Zverev is one of those players that you watch and quickly find yourself cheering him on to take out one of the giants. He is an unbelievable player and has such a bright future ahead of him,” said Tournament Director Keely O’Brien. “As for Bouchard, you always want the ‘it’ girl at your event and she certainly is that. Genie has been playing with a little extra motivation this season, so I hope she goes the distance here in DC. And Stevie, a Citi Open fan favorite, is playing 100% with his heart and that can make him unstoppable.”

Single session tickets, weeklong packages and other ticket plans are on sale now at www.citiopentennis.com or by calling the hotline 202.721.9500.

Each ticket provides fans access to the action on all six courts, with both men’s and women’s matches, for as many as 24 matches per session. Tickets to gain admission to the tournament’s signature events will be announced soon.

The Citi Open Tennis Tournament is one of only 13 elite ATP World Tour 500-level events worldwide and the only one held in the United States. The tournament represents a WTA International event and having both ATP and WTA players 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 five U.S. tournaments that include both men’s and women’s fields. Main draw matches of the tournament will be broadcast starting Monday, July 31, on Tennis Channel.

–S. Pegarido, Citi Open

Day 3 @MutuaMadridOpen: Bouchard Ousts Sharapova

Posted by Admin on May 8, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Madrid, Niall Clarke, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Madrid Day 3: Bouchard Ousts Sharapova
Niall Clarke from Madrid

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Eugenie Bouchard upset Maria Sharapova in a feisty grudge match at the Mutua Madrid Open in a day which also saw Karolina Pliskova make a shock exit.

Sharapova knocked out by Bouchard

Eugenie Bouchard did not hold back on her thoughts on Maria Sharapova making her return to the tour. The Canadian labelled her a ‘cheat’ and said she should be ‘banned for life’ and it was fitting they were to meet in Madrid.

It was a feisty affair in which both players exchanged looks and fierce groundstokes, but ultimately it was Bouchard that prevailed 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in two hours and 53 minutes.

The first set was predictably close with five breaks of serve, but it was Bouchard who got the crucial one at 5-5. The world number 60 served out the set 7-5, and Sharapova was once again forced into trying to come from behind.

The response was like the Sharapova of old. Like all great champions she scratched and clawed and levelled the match with two breaks of serve, the last of which sealing the second 6-2 in her favour. It was to be a tense final set on Manolo Santana.

Both players missed numerous break point opportunities in the decider, but it was Bouchard who struck first at 3-3. Sharapova managed to break straight back, but the visually fatigued Russian dropped serve again the follow game. Serving out was not simple for Bouchard as she had to save two break points, but on the second match point she closed out the match.

It was the second time since her comeback that Sharapova has lost to a player that openly criticised her. First Kristina Mladenovic got the better of her in Stuttgart, and now Bouchard in Madrid.

“I definitely had some extra motivation going into today.” Said Bouchard post match. “

Obviously I had never beaten her before. Also given the circumstances…

“I was actually quite inspired before the match because I had a lot of players coming up to me privately wishing me good luck, players I don’t normally speak to, getting a lot of texts from people in the tennis world that were just rooting for me.

“So I wanted to do it for myself, but also all these people. I really felt support.”

It was one of Bouchard’s best performances since 2014 where she made the Wimbledon final. For Sharapova, it was a disappointing defeat as she had her chances to win this match. But it is another step towards re-capturing her prior form.

“I definitely thought I should have taken care of the first set.” Sharapova said post match.

“I had a letdown, being up a break. I was happy with the way I changed things around in the second, stepped in, was a little bit more aggressive inside the baseline.

“Then the third, kind of felt like it was a similar pattern: set up opportunities, breakpoints, and just did not convert them today.”

Pliskova upset by Sevastova

Karolina Pliskova became the first seeded casualty on day three of the Mutua Madrid Open as she was defeated 6-3, 6-3 by Anastasija Sevastova on Manolo Santana stadium.

The first set started out an even contest with both players not giving up much on serve, but in the sixth game of the set, Pliskova was the first to earn a break opportunity. Two break points came and went though as Sevastova held and went on to break the following game. The Latvian continued to play well, defending the power of her opponent and using her variety to keep the second seed moving. Another break sealed the set 6-3, and the world number three was now in trouble.

Things got from bad to worse for Pliskova as she was broken for a third time in a row by Sevastova early in the second set. Pliskova had opportunities to break back but failed to capitalise as her opponent kept saving break points. A match point came and went on the Pliskova serve leaving the question, can se serve it out? Despite her tendencies to get nervous in the big moments, Sevastova successfully served out the match to upset the second seed and seal one of her biggest career victories.
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It was a bad day a the office for Pliskova who follows her sister out of the Mutua Madrid Open. Clay has never been a kind surface to the Czech, and she reflected on the performance post match.

“Every loss is frustrating. But I just have to move forward. I don’t think was that bad for the score. One break in each set. So could be different.

I had six breakpoints. I didn’t do one. She did two, which she needed. Was about those chances what I didn’t do. That could be different. The seventh game of the first set – was it the seventh, sixth maybe, yeah – I could play different. I think I was up two breakpoints in that game. I could be break up first. That could change the situation quite a lot. Didn’t happen.

I didn’t serve well, so was tough for me sometimes to even hold the serve. Just to break, anything could happen in the second set. I could come back. I was 40-15 up in, what was it, 4-2 down, 40-15 for coming back. Didn’t quite manage it. Didn’t play any great shot, didn’t play any terrible shot. Just was not enough.

So, yeah, not really happy still with the way how I was playing. Definitely a little bit better than in the first round.”

Kerber survives Siniakova scare

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Angelique Kerber came back from 5-3 down in the final set to defeat Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 in a dramatic second round match on Manolo Santana stadium.

The top seed looked in full control fo the match early and raced through the first set 6-2. But Siniakova upped her game in the second and levelled the score with a 6-1 second set.

The third began very close with six straight holds. Siniakova saved three break points in the sixth game of the set and rode that momentum to break in the seventh. It looked like another top player would exit the womens draw when the Czech served for the match, but a mixture of nerves and Kerber’s fighting abilities saw the German break back to level the score at 5-5. Kerber then held serve to keep the pressure on her young opponent. Siniakova served to take it to a final set tiebreak, but the nerves were too much and Kerber went on to secure the win.

“I think it was from my side a really up-and-down match.” Kerber said post match.

“I played really good in the first set, then in the second set the first few games at the beginning of the second set, it was really close.

“Then she started playing better. I mean, she started to moving good, bring a lot of balls back. I did, yeah, too many mistakes in the second set. In the third set, I was just trying to finding my game back.

“But, yeah, she played a good match, I think. I think she played one of the best matches in this year. But, yeah, I was trying at the end coming back. I know that I can come back and winning matches like that when I’m down. So that was actually what was going on in my mind in the third set.”

WTA Round up

Svetlana Kuznetsova almost became another seeded casualty, but the Russian saved match point to beat Alison Riske 2-6, 7-6(9) 6-2.  The American also served for the match at 5-4 in the second set but was unable to convert her chances.

Kristina Mladenovic also overcame a tough American opponent to reach the second round. The Frenchwoman won the first set 6-3 against Lauren Davis but was pegged back 6-1 in the second. The third set saw six breaks of serve but it went al the way to a tiebreak which was dominated by Mladenovic 7-1.

The Spanish women had success today as both Carla Suarez Navarro and Lara Arruabarrena made it to the third round. Suarez Navarro overcame Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 whilst Arruabarrena defeated Barbora Strycova 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

ATP Round up

Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils played out one of the most bizarre matches you will see this year. The two Frenchman went back and forth for two hours and Simon eventually ran out a 0-6, 6-0 7-6(0) winner. Not only was the score-line strange, Monfils took a medical time out due after rolling his ankle and then failed to serve out the match.

Tomas Berdych kicked off his Madrid campaign with a straight sets win over qualifier Denis Istomin. The Czech needed just over an hour to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Berdych will play Robin Haase in the second round after the Dutchman defeated Dan Evans 7-5, 6-2.

Grigor Dimitrov booked his spot in the second round with a 7-6,6-4 win over Phillip Kohlschreiber. The Bulgarian will face the winner of Roberto Bautista-Agut vs Ivo Karlovic in round two. Nick Kyrgios also made a good start to his tournament by defeating Marcos Baghdatis 7-6(1) 6-4. Pablo Cuevas defeated Thomaz Bellucci 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-6(6).

It was a mixed day for the Spanish men. David Ferrer came from a break down in the second set to defeat Mikhail Kukushkin 2-6, 7-6, 6-4. Compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez was not as fortunate as he lost out to Marius Copil. The win for Copil means he will break the top 100 for the first time and also play Andy Murray on Tuesday. Marcel Granollers went out to Florian Mayer 7-5, 7-5

 

Kerber, Halep Dominate Sunday Play @MutuaMadridOpen, Sharapova Wins in 3

Posted by Admin on May 7, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Madrid, Niall Clarke, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Kerber, Halep Dominate Sunday Play @MutuaMadridOpen, Sharapova Wins in 3
Niall Clarke, Tennis AtlanticHalep, New Haven

Maria Sharapova made a winning return to the Mutua Madrid Open after battling from a set down to defeat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. That and much more in our day two wrap up.

Maria Sharapova returns to Madrid with a win
Much has been made of the decision to give Sharapova a wildcard into the tournament after serving a year long doping ban, but despite the critics the Russian made a winning return to the Caja Magica.

The former world number one dropped her opening service game but immediately broke back in a topsy-turvy first set that saw five breaks of serve. Crucially, Lucic-Baroni scored the final one and was able to hold on to take the set 6-4.

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Like many times in the past, Sharapova had to come from behind. The world number 262 wasted little time getting a break in the second set, but after failing to take any of the four set points on her opponent’s serve, Sharapova failed to serve the set out. She recovered quickly though and immediately broke again to level proceedings 4-6, 6-4.

From there, Sharapova would not go on to lose another game. Sensing the chance to strike, the five time grand slam champion raced through the third set and delivered a bagel to cap off her winning return in Madrid.

“I’m not quite sure how to describe the match because it feels like it happened so fast.” Sharapova said post match.

“I thought she played really well. I was playing against, like, a human slingshot for a while there. Balls were coming so fast and deep. I mean, for a couple of sets, I don’t believe we had too many rallies over three balls.

You know, I wasn’t really happy with my percentage of serve in the first couple of sets. I definitely improved that in the third. I think that really helped me. I got a better read on her serve, as well.

You know, she goes for it. You have to be patient. Sometimes there’s not much you can do. Those are great shots, on the line. I mean, the breakpoints, I missed a couple of second-serve returns. That was obviously an error from my side.

But she came up with some great winners. Just got to hand it to her.”

Sharapova moves on to face Eugenie Bouchard in the second round. The already intriguing affair has added spice due after the Canadian labelled the former world number one a ‘cheater’ and claims she should be ‘banned for life’, something that slightly motivates the Canadian to get the victory more.

“Once I step on the court, everything will be to the side.” Bouchard said after her win vs Alize Cornet.

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“But, you know, inside myself, I think I’ll have a bit more motivation. But it’s very important, once I step on the court, no matter who is on the other side, to focus on the tennis. Or else I think it’s easy to lose concentration.”

Kerber cruises in opener
In the opening match of the day on Manolo Santana stadium, top seed Angelique Kerber cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 victory against Timea Babos.

The German made a quick start to the match, racing into a 3-0 lead with two breaks of serve. Babos was able to claw one break back, but after spending much of the opening set under pressure, she lost out 6-4 to the top seed.

The second set was plain sailing for Kerber. She did not face a single break point and in turn inflicted two breaks of serve on the over-matched Babos. The German successfully served the match out for a 6-4, 6-2 victory, and the perfect start to her Madrid Open campaign.

Kerber reflected on the performance post match: “Once I step on the court, everything will be to the side. But, you know, inside myself, I think I’ll have a bit more motivation. But it’s very important, once I step on the court, no matter who is on the other side, to focus on the tennis. Or else I think it’s easy to lose concentration.”

Halep in a hurry
Simona Halep began her Madrid Open title defence with a crushing 6-1, 6-2 win over Kristyna Pliskova on Manolo Santana court.

The third seed quickly raced into a 5-1 lead as she exposed the slow movement of her opponent. Haleo did not face a single break point in the entire set as she closed it out 6-1. The momentum rolled into set two where an early break of serve set the tone for the second set. Halep broke again later on in the set and almost a third time as Pliskova served to stay in the match. The Czech held however and forced Halep to serve the match out. The Romanian struggled to close the match out and faced two break points before finally converting on the fourth match point.

It was a convincing win for the defending champion against a tough in form opponent. To break the big serve of Pliskova four times in the match is quite an impressive feat, so is winning in under an hour.

“It was quick because I started aggressive.” Halep Said in her post match press conference.

“I had this in my mind, to play my style, to play aggressive, to take her fast. She did great in Prague. She came yesterday. Maybe she didn’t have time to get used to this court.

“But I wanted to do my job from the beginning. I think I did pretty well. I finished strong.”

Muguruza’s Madrid Woes Continue
Garbine Muguruza continues to struggle at her home tournament as once again she lost early, this time to Timea Bacsinszky in the opening round.

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Despite getting off to the perfect start with a break, the Spaniard was unable to sustain a good level and struggled on serve as the Swiss rallied to win six straight games to take the opening set.

Muguruza started the second set better than the first, this time converting her break into a 3-0 lead. But once again the wheels came off and Bacsinszky won six straight games for the second time In the match to knock the fifth seed and home favourite out of the tournament.

Madrid has always been a difficult place for the Spanish number one. Despite having big success on clay, she has been unable to perform at her best in front of her home fans, and she has never made it past the third round of the tournament.

“Honestly, I have zero expectations here because I never really play well here.” Muguruza said post match.

“Maybe there’s circumstances or the conditions. I don’t know what it is exactly.

“But I wish I could perform better today because I’ve been training pretty hard. You know, when the match comes, it’s just not there, you kind of feel, like, sad.”

Carla Suarez Navarro came within a game of going out herself at the hands of Shuai Peng, but the Spaniard was able to win the last nine games to secure a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 victory and at least send a section of the crowd home happy.

WTA round up
It was a positive day for the American women. Lauren Davis came out on top in a thrilling three set contest against Monica Puig 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3). Cici Bellis scored a big three set win of her own against Daria Gavrilova 7-5, 5-7, 6-2. CoCo Vandeweghe had less trouble and defeated Ana Kontaveit 6-4,7-6(7).
Kristina Mladenovic progressed to the second round after her opponent Ana Konjuh was forced to retire after the second set. The Croatian won the first 7-5, but after dropping the second 6-3 the teenager decided she could not continue and thus Mladenovic advances. Her compatriot Caroline Garcia was not so fortunate. In her return from back injury, Garcia lost to Chinese qualifier Qiang Wang 6-4, 6-3 on court seven. It was a mixed day for the French as Oceane Dodin recorded a straight sets win over Andrea Petkovic, whilst Pauline Parmentier lost 6-1, 6-0 to Katerina Siniakova.

Svetlana Kuznetsova made a winning start to the tournament by overcoming Yaroslava Shvedova 6-4, 6-3. It was not a good day for the Kazakh hopefuls as Yulia Putintseva also suffered a straight sets loss to Donna Vekic. Sam Stosur had little problem in her match though as she destroyed Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 6-0. Caroline Wozniacki also made it through 7-5, (3)6-7, 6-4 against Monica Niculescu.

There was an upset on court five as 11th seed Elina Svitolina exited the tournament at the hands of Shuai Zhang. It appeared to be plain sailing for the Ukrainian after she took the first set 6-2, but the Chinese player fought back to get a hard earned 2-6,7-6(4),6-2 win.

Francesca Schiavone waved goodbye to the Mutua Madrid Open for the last time as she crashed out to Jo Larsson 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. Mriana Duque-Marino was also victorious over Julia Goerges.

In the all-Czech affair between Barbora Strycova and Lucie Safarova, the seeded player came out on top from a set behind. Strycova emerged victorious 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 on court six. Sorana Cirstea capped off a good day for Romanians with a three set win over the in-form Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

ATP roundup
The WTA took centre stage on the opening Sunday, but the ATP portion of the tournament also kicked off with two first round matches and the final qualifying matches taking place.

David Goffin kicked off his tournament with a 6-2 7-6 (8) win against Karen Khachanov. The Belgian impressively took the first set with a double break, but he was made to work harder for the second by his Russian opponent. Khachanov took an early lead in the second, but Goffin broke straight back and a tiebreak was needed to separate the two players. It was a long breaker, but the higher ranked Goffin came through 10-8 to book his place in the second round.

Fabio Fognini joined the Belgian in the round of 32 after a straight sets win over Joao Sousa. A break in the middle of both sets allowed for an unusually routine win for the every entertaining Italian who faces Rafael Nadal in the second round.

Adrian Mannarino, Denis Istomin, Thomaz Bellucci, Andrey Kuznetsov, Pierre-Hughes Herbert, Mikhail Kukushkin, and Ernesto Escubedo confirmed their entry into the main draw with qualifying wins.