Jelena Ostapenko

All posts tagged Jelena Ostapenko

BEHOLD THE STACKED CHARLESTON OPEN PLAYER FIELD

Posted by Admin on March 11, 2024
Posted in: Charleston, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Player field highlighted by five Grand Slam champions, five Charleston champions and four top 10 players

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women’s-only professional tennis tournament in North America, has released its preliminary main draw player field for the 2024 tennis tournament, March 30 – April 7 on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina. The tournament is the clay season kick-off on the Hologic WTA Tour and was recently named the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year for the second consecutive season. 

The Credit One Charleston Open preliminary main draw is highlighted by five Grand Slam champions, five Charleston champions and four top 10 players. The field is headlined by World No. 5 and 2023 Montreal champion Jessica Pegula, World No. 6, three-time Grand Slam finalist and 2023 Charleston champion Ons Jabeur, World No. 9 and 2023 Guadalajara champion Maria Sakkari and World No. 10 and 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko. In addition to Ostapenko, Grand Slam champions Victoria Azarenka, Barbora Krejcikova, Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens have entered the field. 

Jabeur joins Stephens (2016), Daria Kasatkina (2017), Madison Keys (2019) and Veronika Kudermetova (2021) as one of five past Charleston champions returning in pursuit of a second title on the green clay of the Credit One Stadium in April. Charleston native and World No. 23 Emma Navarro, who captured her first WTA title recently in Hobart, will also compete on home soil this year.  

“We are very happy with the exceptional quality and depth of our 2024 Charleston player lineup, which showcases an exciting blend of the sport’s elite competitors and emerging young talent,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment. “From Grand Slam champions to players who have recently won their first WTA title, our field highlights the pinnacle of women’s tennis in Charleston. I can guarantee outstanding matches from start to finish for our attendees and viewers tuning in on Tennis Channel.”

Player field stats include:

  • Four Top 10 Players: Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur, Maria Sakkari, Jelena Ostapenko
  • Five Grand Slam Champions: Victoria Azarenka (2012 and 2013 Australian Open), Jelena Ostapenko (2017 Roland Garros), Sloane Stephens (2017 US Open), Sofia Kenin (2020 Australian Open), Barbora Krejcikova (2021 Roland Garros)
  • Five Charleston Open Champions: Ons Jabeur, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Veronika Kudermetova, Daria Kasatkina 
  • Nine American Competitors: Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, Sloane Stephens, Caroline Dolehide, Sofia Kenin, Danielle Collins, Amanda Anisimova and Ashlyn Krueger

Four additional players will join the main draw via wild card entry, to be announced at a later date. To round out the field, six players will earn entry into the main draw via qualifying competition beginning March 30. 

The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open showcases a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 28 players and a doubles draw of 16 players. The event traditionally hosts more than 90,000 attendees on Daniel Island. The tournament recently released its Fan Hub, which showcases special events, food and beverage options, partner activities and more happening throughout the nine-day tournament.

Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages Credit One Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, renovated and modernized the 20-year-old facility in 2022. The city-owned venue underwent upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent to Daniel Island.

The Credit One Charleston Open has been a pioneer in women’s professional sports since 1973, paving the path for female tennis players to receive equal recognition, respect and pay in the sport. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001 and is played on Daniel Island at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to the Credit One Stadium.

Tickets can be purchased online at creditonecharlestonopen.com or by calling (843) 856-7900. For additional information, please email tickets@charlestontennisllc.com or visit creditonecharlestonopen.com. 

—A. Alpino

Player Field Filling Out as Ostapenko, Kasatkina & Kudermetova Commit to 2024 @CharlestonOpen

Posted by Admin on February 29, 2024
Posted in: ATP. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)

GRAND SLAM CHAMPION AND TWO CHARLESTON CHAMPIONS JOIN CREDIT ONE CHARLESTON OPEN PLAYER FIELD 

Charleston field currently features three Grand Slam champions, four top 10 players and five Charleston champions

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A Grand Slam champion and two former Charleston champions have joined the growing player field for the 2024 Credit One Charleston Open, taking place March 30 – April 7, 2024 in Charleston, South Carolina at the state-of-the-art Credit One Stadium. World No. 10 and 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko, World No. 12 and 2017 Charleston Open champion Daria Kasatkina and World No. 19 and 2021 Charleston Open champion Veronika Kudermetova will compete at the largest women’s-only professional tennis tournament in North America next month. The Credit One Charleston Open was recently named the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Veronika Kudermetova, 2019 Western & Southern Open (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

The talented trio join a list of Charleston commits that already includes World No. 5 Jessica Pegula, World No. 6 Ons Jabeur, World No. 9 Maria Sakkari, Americans Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens and Emma Navarro and fan favorites Elina Svitolina, Paula Badosa and Leylah Fernandez. 

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Charleston Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

“The Credit One Charleston Open will welcome a sensational player line-up to the Lowcountry next month,” said Bob Moran, Tournament Director of the Credit One Charleston Open and President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment. “With Ostapenko being a Grand Slam champion, and Kasatkina and Kudermetova both showcasing their skills as past Charleston champions, we’re guaranteed unforgettable tennis. And, off the court our tournament has invested in fan experiences that will keep our attendees engaged and entertained from day to night. We hope to see everyone at Credit One Stadium for our 52nd tournament in April!”

The 2024 Credit One Charleston Open field currently features three Grand Slam champions, four top 10 players, six Grand Slam finalists, five Charleston champions and two Charleston locals. 

Ostapenko holds eight career singles titles, including two this season in Adelaide and Linz. The 26-year-old Latvian won her maiden Grand Slam title in Roland Garros in 2017. Her recent Grand Slam results include a pair of quarterfinal finishes in 2023 at the US Open and Australian Open. 

She reached the Charleston final in 2017 in her tournament debut. The 2024 Credit One Charleston Open will be her third appearance in the field. 

“Reaching the final in Charleston in 2017 was the start of a wonderful clay season for me… ending with my first Grand Slam title at the French Open,” said Ostapenko. “I’m looking forward to coming back to play Charleston again for the first time in five years.”

Kasatkina has strong results in Charleston, winning the tournament in 2017, reaching the quarterfinals in 2016 and 2018, and, most recently, advancing to the semifinals in 2023. She holds a 14-3 win-loss record on Charleston’s green clay. 

“Charleston will always have a special place in my heart and brings back really good memories for me,” said Kasatkina. “I won my first title at this tournament when I was 19 years old and I love playing on the green clay and exploring the city. I’m excited to be back again this year.” 

This season the 26-year-old has already competed in two finals, in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi. She was a 2022 Roland Garros semifinalist. 

Kudermetova also won her maiden WTA title in Charleston in 2021. She won her second title last season in Tokyo, a fellow WTA 500 tournament. The 26-year-old’s 2023 season was also highlighted by semifinal appearances in Adelaide, Rome and Madrid and a final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. She was a 2022 Roland Garros quarterfinalist. 

“Winning the title in Charleston was a big career moment,” said Kudermetova. “It was my first title and being on the list of champions at this incredible WTA tournament makes me really proud. Hoping for good results again here in April.”

The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open showcases a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 24 players, and a doubles draw of 16 players. The event traditionally hosts more than 90,000 attendees on Daniel Island. The tournament recently released its Fan Hub, which showcases special events, food and beverage options, partner activities and more happening throughout the nine-day tournament.

Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages Credit One Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, renovated and modernized the 20-year-old facility in 2022. The city-owned venue underwent upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent to Daniel Island.

The Credit One Charleston Open has been a pioneer in women’s professional sports since 1973, paving the path for female tennis players to receive equal recognition, respect and pay in the sport. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001 and is played on Daniel Island at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to the Credit One Stadium.

Tickets can be purchased online at creditonecharlestonopen.com or by calling (843) 856-7900. For additional information, please email tickets@charlestontennisllc.com or visit creditonecharlestonopen.com. 

2018 Women’s Australian Open Preview, Predictions

Posted by Admin on January 14, 2018
Posted in: Australian Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2018 Women’s Australian Open Preview, Predictions
Niall Clarke, Tennis Atlantic

kerber-2016

We have reached the first Grand Slam of 2018 as the Australian Open approaches. There will be plenty of sunshine and tennis to feast on over the next two weeks, and the womens draw looks as open as ever. Here is a rundown of what to expect in Melbourne.

Top Quarter:

Simona Halep enters a Grand Slam as the top seed for the first time in her career, and she opens as one of the favourites for the title. The Romanian has an interesting section with a few players who are capable of blowing her off the court. The world number one has shown she is vulnerable in early stages of major events when she is not firing, and with Petra Kvitova potentially waiting in the third round, we could see Halep exit another Grand Slam early. Combined with the fact you have in-form players such as Ashleigh Barty and Camila Giorgi, and young big hitters Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka and Oceane Dodin, the world number one will do well to come through this section.

Prediction: Halep def. Barty

Simona Halep (Photo: S. Fogleman)

Simona Halep

Karolina Pliskova is Halep’s projected quarter final adversary, and we do not know what her form is a like at the moment. The Czech lost to Elina Svitolina in Brisbane and did not look overly convincing in that match. We all know Pliskova can blow anyone off the court with her serve and effortless power, but she has not quite pulled it together during Grand Slams. That may open the door for Johanna Konta to make the last eight. The Brit has reached the quarter finals and semi finals in her two previous visits to Melbourne and if prior history has anything to do with it, she should make the last eight again.

Prediction: Konta def. Pliskova

Second Quarter:

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Garbine Muguruza heading into the Australian Open. The Spaniard withdrew from both her warm up tournaments with injury and there are doubts about how far she can go in Melbourne. She can not be happy with her draw either. Muguruza could face former champions Angelique Kerber and Maria Sharapova on the way to the quarter finals. Kerber in particular is in excellent form heading into the tournament. The other seeds in the section are Agnieszka Radwanska and Anastasija Sevastova, both are awkward opponents with variety in their games. This is undoubtedly the strongest section in the draw.

Prediction: Kerber def. Muguruza

Caroline Garcia finished 2017 in the form of her life and that has led to some lofty expectations for 2018. The Frenchwoman comes into the Australian Open as an outside favourite, but a back injury has left her short of preparation. She is still a heavy favourite to make the last eight though with her biggest test probably being Madison Keys. The American can blow hot and cold, but she often brings her best to the big events. Kristina Mladenovic has landed in this section too, and it will be interesting to see if she can end her losing slump. The Frenchwoman has not won a match since last August and is on a 14-match losing streak.

Prediction: Garcia def. Keys

Third Quarter:

Julia Goerges
Venus Williams is a defending finalist in Melbourne, but there are a few players in her section who can mount an upset. The American opens against Belinda Bencic in arguably the most anticipated round one match as the young Swiss is finding her best form after a long injury layoff. Julia Goerges is arguably the most in form player on  the tour at the moment. The German has won her last three tournaments and is certainly a name to look out for in this tournament. However there are some dangerous floaters in this section too with Australia’s Daria Gavrilova, the ever dangerous Ekaterina Makarova and Hobart champion Elise Mertens looking to cause an upset in this section of the draw.

Prediction: Goerges def. Venus

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)


Elina Svitolina heads into Melbourne as the favourite to lift the trophy in the eyes of many people, and it is easy to see why after her run in Brisbane. The Ukrainian has a pretty soft draw to the last eight too, with the out of form Sloane Stephens being her projected last 16 opponent, though it may end up being Daria Kasatkina. None of the seeds in this section are In good form, so Svitolina will be a huge favourite to advance to the last eight from this section.

Prediction: Svitolina def. Kasatkina

Bottom Quarter:

Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Jelena Ostapenko is the seventh seed in Melbourne and heads into the tournament in poor form having lost her previous two matches. The Latvian has shown she is capable of producing her tennis on the big stage though, she proved that at the French Open last season. This section is full of unpredictable players who can easily go far, making this quarter one to look out for. Ostapenko opens against Italian veteran Francesca Schiavone and could meet the promising Anett Kontaveit in the third round. Upsets could leave the door open for Coco Vandeweghe, who heads into the tournament as the 10th seed. The American is capable of producing big tennis on her day, but she like many others can often blow cold too. With former finalist Dominika Cibulkova, Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig and veterans Cara Suarez Navarro and Sam Stosur in this section, this feels like a section that could do either way.

Prediction: Ostapenko def. Cibulkova

Second seed Caroline Wozniacki has never won a Grand Slam before despite being a former world number one, but with the way thing stand, this may be her best chance yet to end that duck. Wozniacki has been drawn into the lighter half of the draw and is heavily favoured to make the semi finals from this section. The Dane has some dangerous seeds in her section such as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Magdalena Rybarikova, and that is where she could fall into danger territory in the fourth round, but apart from that it should be plain sailing for the second seed until the last eight.

Prediction: Wozniacki def. Rybarikova

Quarter Finals onwards Prediction:

Halep def. Konta
Kerber def. Garcia
Svitolina def. Goerges
Wozniacki def. Ostapenko

Kerber def. Halep
Wozniacki def. Svitolina

Wozniacki def. Kerber
Wozniacki

This is a hard slam to predict as there is no clear favourite to win. Despite the rumours of courts playing pretty quickly, form favours the defensive players so we could end up with some long semi finals. Kerber is in good form and I believe she will go deep if she continues that into Melbourne, but I think the winner comes from the bottom half. Both Wozniacki and Svitolina have good draws until the semi finals where they should meet each other. Despite the Ukrainian’s head to head advantage, she could falter on the big stage here and I think Wozniacki’s experience will tell.

 

WTA @BrisbaneTennis, Shenzhen, @ASB_Classic Previews and Predictions

Posted by Admin on December 30, 2017
Posted in: Auckland, Australian Open, Brisbane, Shenzen, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

WTA Brisbane, Shenzhen, @ASB_Classic Previews and Predictions
Niall Clarke, Tennis Atlantic

simona-halep

Simona Halep

The WTA season of 2018 is up and running and it promises to be a cracker. The season opens up with events in Brisbane, Shenzhen and Auckland and we have a run down of all three draws.

Brisbane

World number two Garbine Muguruza kicks off her season at the Brisbane International that boasts a stacked field of top ten players.

Top Half:

When you look at the top half you look immediately to the possible semi final between Muguruza and fourth seed Caroline Garcia. However both players have some tough matches ahead to reach this point.

Muguruza has a BYE in the opening round, but her tournament really gets going in the quarter finals where she could face the tricky Anastasija Sevastova. The Latvian faces home favourite Sam Stosur first however, and the ever dangerous floater Sorana Cirstea has also landed in this section.

Garcia opens against compatriot Alize Cornet whom she has a good record against. But her quarter final could be very interesting because she has draw Kristina Mladenovic in her section. The Frenchwoman ended 2017 on a losing streak however and that could allow Petra Kvitova through to the last eight.

Bottom Half:

The bottom half hosts a lot of big names including second seed Karolina Pliskova and third seed Elina Svitolina who are projected to meet in the semi finals.
pliskova-2016

Svitolina has a tough draw. Carla Suarez Navarro is an experienced player in round one, then Ana Konjuh is a dangerous youngster in round two. Johanna Konta meets Madison Keys in the match of the first round and the winner of that should make the quarter finals.

Pliskova has a decent draw to the quarter finals. After a first raw BYE she could face Cici Bellis in the second round. But in the quarters it will get tricky with Ashleigh Barty projected for the last eight. The Aussie’s biggest obstacle to the quarter finals is fellow youngster Daria Kastakina which will be a very entertaining second round.

Predictions:

Semi finals:

Garcia def. Muguruza
Barty def. Svitolina

Final
Barty def. Garcia

Shenzhen

Simona Halep begins her campaign in China at the Shenzhen Open, and she is joined by French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and the unseeded Maria Sharapova

Top half:

Simona Halep enters as the favourite here and her half suggests that she should at least make the final.

Maria Sakkari is the biggest challenge in her quarter. The young Greek has a tough potential round two against Monica Niculescu though. Halep opens against Nicole Gibbs then faces the winner of Ying-Ying Duan vs Evgeniya Rodina.

We could end up with an all Romanian semi final match with Irina Begu the fourth seed here. She has a good draw too with Timea Babos the biggest challenge in the quarter finals. The Hungarian has a tougher path with Jana Cepelova or Magda Linette waiting in the second round

Bottom half:

Ostapenko is the highest seed in this half, but she has a possible clash with Sharapova in the semi finals. Will we get this mouth-watering match? Or will someone upset the odds?

Ostapenko has a tough opening round match against big serving Krystina Pliskova, the twin sister of Karolina. Camila Giorgi is also a dangerous floater to have in your section, and that is without mentioning her quarter final against Katerina Siniakova.

Shuai Zhang is the seed of the section, but all eyes will be on Sharapova. The Russian returns to action against Mihaela Buzarnescu and then could potentially face home crowd favourite Qiang Wang in the second round. There will be plenty for the Chinese fans to get excited about.

Predictions:

Semi Finals:
Halep def. Begu
Ostapenko def. Sharapova

Final:
Halep def. Ostapenko

Auckland
Caroline Wozniacki, New Haven 2015

Caroline Wozniacki headlines Auckland this year with Julia Goerges as the second seed.

Top Half:

Wozniacki vs Agnieszka Radwanska is the stand out matchup when you look at this draw, and if all goes to plan then we will see that match in the semi finals. But there are a few potential spoilers in this section.

The Dane opens up against Madison Brengle first of all, and she could face the dangerous Mona Barthel in the quarter finals. Radwanska may face Lauren Davis in the last eight, but there should not be any major obstacles standing in their way.

Bottom half:

Julia Goerges, New Haven

Goerges

Julia Goerges has a tough draw to the final with Barbora Strycova one of the few players capable of knocking the German out of the tournament.

Arguably the match of round one is Goerges’ opener against Monica Puig. The winner of this should be able to advance to the last eight to face the winner of Donna Vekic vs Kirsten Flipkens which is another stand out match in the opening round.

Strycova faces wildcard Sara Errani in the first round who is still on the comeback from a doping suspension. Yulia Putintseva is the other seed in this section, and she could be on a collision course with Strycova in the quarter finals.

Barbora Strycova

Predictions:

Semi finals:
Wozniacki def. Radwanska
Strycova def. Puig

Final:
Wozniacki def. Strycova

.@DKasatkina to Defend @VolvoCarOpen Title in 2018 #CHS #VolvoCarOpen

Posted by Admin on October 24, 2017
Posted in: Charleston, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

REIGNING VOLVO CAR OPEN CHAMPION DARIA KASATKINA TO DEFEND HER TITLE IN 2018
Kasatkina won her first title at the Volvo Car Open in 2017

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – 2017 Volvo Car Open champion Daria Kasatkina will return to Charleston in 2018 to defend her title. The 20-year-old Russian will join U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitová and U.S. Open finalist Madison Keys in the growing player field.

Kasatkina secured her first title in 2017 in Charleston at the Volvo Car Open where she defeated Jelena Ostapenko 6-1, 6-3 in a rare all-teenage finals match.

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

As of most recent, she was a finalist in the Kremlin Cup in October 2017. This year she also reached the quarterfinals in Sydney, Doha and Beijing. Her season includes wins over several Grand Slam champions and top 10 players, including Angelique Kerber, Jelena Ostapenko, Simona Halep and Roberta Vinci.

In 2016, she advanced to one semifinal and five quarterfinals, including a run during the Rio Olympics.

“Welcoming back a returning champion, especially one who won her first title here is always extra special,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “Daria loves to play on our green clay courts and she was inspired by our fans support! Daria played fiercely and defeated several tough opponents this year, I know she would love to hoist our trophy again in 2018.”

Kasatkina, whose favorite surface is clay, will play in the Volvo Car Open for the third time in 2018, where she holds a 9-1 win/loss record.

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

“Winning my first title was one of the best moments of my life,” said Kasatkina. “I felt the support from the crowd in Charleston, and am excited that I’ll have the opportunity to play in front of them again in 2018.”

The nine-day Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America, attracting an average of 90,000 attendees and more than 100 of the top singles and doubles tennis players.

Tickets for the 2018 Volvo Car Open are available now. Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $525 for the all-inclusive weeklong package. The Volvo Car Open will provide six special ticket packages in 2018, each offering more tennis at a greater value. In addition, the PowerShares Series will return to the Volvo Car Stadium on April 7th. The men’s legends event will feature Andy Roddick, Mark Philippoussis and two players new to the Charleston field.

The Volvo Car Open will also bring back its popular Ace Club from 2017, an exciting membership program for box and ticket package holders. The Ace Club is a recognition program providing unparalleled amenities and benefits during the tournament.  In addition, members have the option to receive access into the Ace Lounge, an exclusive hospitality marquee providing first-class accommodations including, live entertainment, air-conditioning, elevated food options and more.

For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 800.677.2293.

—A. Alpino, Volvo Car Open

2017 @WTAFinalsSG Preview & Predictions

Posted by Admin on October 21, 2017
Posted in: Niall Clarke, Singapore, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Photo: WTAFinals.com

2017 WTA Finals Preview & Predictions
Niall Clarke, Tennis Atlantic

After a long season full of twists and turns, it comes down to just eight players as we reach the Year End Championships in Singapore. Not only is there a big title available, but also the world number one ranking. It promises to be a great week of tennis to close out the season. Here is a rundown of what to expect in Singapore.

Red Group

[1] Simona Halep (ROU)

[4] Elina Svitolina (UKR)

[6] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)

[8] Caroline Garcia (FRA)

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

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

Simona Halep headlines the Red Group as the world number one and therefore the top seed for the tournament. The Romanian failed to break her grand slam duck this season, but she came within a few games of realising her dream at the French open before being beaten by Jelena Ostapenko in the final. However, she became the world number one for the first time in Beijing, the highlight of her career thus far. Halep’s only title of the year came in Madrid, but her consistency in making the latter stages of events is what got her to the top of the rankings. 

Elina Svitolina has enjoyed her best season to date, winning over 50 matches and claiming five titles whilst achieving a career high ranking of number three. The Ukrainian is also one of the players who can finish the year as number one, so it might get better yet. Three of Svitolina’s titles came at Premier 5 level, the most recent being in Canada. Despite her good results though, Svitolina failed to make a big breakthrough at Grand Slam level, something she will aim to improve for 2018.

Caroline Wozniacki heads into Singapore having won only one title this year, but the Dane’s consistency is what has brought her back into the top ten and back in the year end championships. That title came in Tokyo after losing six previous finals in 2017. Her best Grand Slam performance came at Wimbledon where she made the quarter finals, but like Svitolina, her consistency outside the slams has been remarkable, as shown by her eight finals this season.

Caroline Garcia (Photo: S. Fogleman)

Two months ago, Caroline Garcia barely stood a chance of making Singapore, but an incredible two weeks in Beijing and Wuhan saw her finish the year in the top eight against all odds. The Frenchwoman made a controversial decision to skip Fed Cup and stop playing doubles at the end of last year, and it has seemingly paid off. Before her Wuhan and Beijing double, Garcia was consistent and earned a top 20 ranking as a result. But it was the fortnight in China that made her season. She is the in-form player heading into the tournament having won her last eight matches.

Prediction:

The Red Group is interesting as the defensive players have been pitted together. It is three counter punchers and Garcia, making the possibility of some long matches very possible.

If Garcia can carry her form over to Singapore, it is hard not seeing her advance. She is the player with the most weapons in the group and the highest peak level, but the eighth seed is flaky at the best of times, and if she underperforms, none of her opponents will g gift her a win.

That makes this group wide open. Any of the players can advance with a lot of the head to heads being close minus Svitolina’s 3-0 advantage over Wozniacki. The Ukrainian seems the most likely to win at least two matches, so I believe she will advance. Garcia is the wildcard and picking her will be brave, but Halep is the number one seed for a reason and the Romanian may just edge through in second place.

1st. Svitolina

2nd. Halep

White Group

[2] Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP)

[3] Karolina Pliskova (CZE)

[5] Venus Williams (USA)

[7] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)

Garbine Muguruza, 2017 US Open

Garbine Muguruza’s transformation after failing to defend her Roland Garros title is the main reason why she is here. Prior to Roland Garros, Muguruza struggled with her best result coming in Melbourne where she made the quarter finals. After the French though The Spaniard won her second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon and backed that up with an impressive run to the Cincinnati title a month later. Her fine summer form saw the second seed become world number one for the first time, a ranking she will look to regain this week. Muguruza was the first player to qualify for the WTA finals.

pliskova-2016

Karolina Pliskova started the season strong by winning the Brisbane title and making the quarter finals at the Australian Open The Czech’s biggest title came in Doha where she defeated Wozniacki to claim the title. Her strong start to the season earned Pliskova the world number one ranking for the first time, and she made the semi finals of the French Open in her best Grand Slam showing to date. Pliskova will be aiming for her biggest career title and the world number one ranking this week.

Venus Williams is the only player this year to make two grand slam finals, however the oldest player in the top eight failed to add to her tally of major titles. The year was still a resurgent one for Venus, who despite not claiming a title, was one of the more consistent performers of the season. The American backed up her two major finals by making the semi finals of the US Open before being defeated by the eventual champions Sloane Stephens.

Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Jelena Ostapenko is the only one of two players to have won a grand slam this year and compete in the WTA finals. The Latvian had a dream run to the title at Roland Garros as an unseeded player, and announced herself to the tennis world as not only a potential star, but a current one. The youngest player in the tournament backed up her maiden major title with a run to the quarter finals of Wimbledon and a second title in Seoul. Despite her risky style of play, the seventh seed has enjoyed a fair bit of consistency since Roland Garros.

Prediction:

This group is almost impossible to predict as all four of these players strike the ball very hard. One minute they look unbeatable, the next they can not keep the ball in court. That means the two players that will advance are the ones who can peak at the right times In the matches. Unlike the Red Group, matches in this one should be short, which may give the winners an advantage.

Singapore courts traditionally have been on the slow side which favours Muguruza the most as she is the one who has shown the most consistency on slower surfaces. Ostapenko also showed she can play on slower courts with her Roland Garros triumph, but will the pressure of her first WTA finals work against her?

venus-charleston

Venus has the most experience by far, but I think the conditions favour the other players more so I believe she will not advance. Muguruza has struggled against big hitters in the past but I believe these courts are suited to her game so she will advance. Pliskova’s issues have mainly come on clay and I expect her to be solid enough to join Muguruza in the semi finals.

Prediction:

1st. Muguruza

2nd. Pliskova

Semi finals

So the semi finals would pit Muguruza against Halep and Svitolina against Pliskova, coincidently the top four seeds.

Muguruza has a good record against Halep, leading the head to head 3-1 and destroying the Romanian in their most recent meeting. The slow conditions will help the top seed on this occasion, so I expect a tighter contest, but I think Muguruza will prevail.

Pliskova has definitely had the measure of Svitolina throughout their careers, winning five of their six meetings. The Czech has generally had control of their hardcourt meetings, but the Ukrainian defeated Pliskova in their most recent outing in Rome. I think the slower conditions will suit Svitolina, and I think despite their head to head, she will advance to the final.

Final

So I have Muguruza meeting Svitolina in the final and this match is a difficult call. Both players are suited to the courts and their head to head is very close at 4-3 to Svitolina. However, there is a factor of fatigue when you make the final, and I think Muguruza will be the fresher player.

Svitolina will have played many long matches by this point, and combine that with Muguruza’s ability to play well in finals and you have a recipe for a Spanish triumph in Singapore.

Sock, Goffin, Berdych, Ostapenko, Radwanska Upset at @CincyTennis

Posted by Admin on August 16, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Western & Southern Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Sock, Goffin, Berdych, Ostapenko, Radwanska Upset at @CincyTennis

It didn’t take long to get things moving on a hot and muggy day at the Western & Southern Open. Five big names went down yesterday, but the biggest stars remain in contention heading into the latter part of the tournament.

Juan Martin del Potro had the fan support and the support of 17 aces as he came back from the brink to win against 10 seed Tomas Berdych, 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-0. Speaking of aces, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was sprayed by 19 of them from Ivo Karlovic en route to the big man’s 6-4, 7-6(9) tiebreak win. Delpo plays qualifier Mitchell Krueger on Grandstand this afternoon.

Grand slam champion Jelena Ostapenko was forced to play a match on far-flung Court 8, perhaps the most obscure court of all at the tournament. While non-slam winners like Radwanska, Cibulkova, Konjuh and Goerges got show court match ups, Ostapenko got Court 8. And she got Krunic, the qualifier who upset her 6-4, 6-2. Krunic gets Suarez Navarro later today.

Aga Radwanska got a show court, but Julia Goerges was the one who put on the show in a 6-4, 6-4 routining. The German faces Canadian Francoise Abanda next.

David Goffin was no match at all for the plucky Nick Kyrgios. The Aussie breezed past 9 seed Goffin, 6-2, 6-3. Kyrgios meets Dolgopolov next.

Jack Sock was sent off early with a fine performance by Yuichi Sugita on Center Court, 7-5, 6-4. Sugita advanced to face qualifier Joao Sousa tonight.

And of course tonight is the night of Rafael Nadal, who opens his campaign against Richard Gasquet. More heat and humidity in store today, but the real sizzle is the on-court action.

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
Embed from Getty Images
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.

Daria Kasatkina Wins @VolvoCarOpen

Posted by Admin on April 10, 2017
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Daria Kasatkina Wins Volvo Car Open
Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

The Volvo Car Open concluded where a new champion was crowned and a star is born. Daria Kasatkina, the 19-year old from Russia took her first WTA title away from another 19-year old seeking her first WTA title, Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 6-3, 6-1.

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Kasatkina played steady and seemed unnerved being in a WTA final. She played consistent, mixing up power and slice throwing off Ostapenko’s power game.
The serve of Kasatkina was the key advantage over Ostapenko by winning 69% first serves points to 57% from Ostapenko. The match lasted one-hour-and-six-minutes.

Ostapenko said she wasn’t feeling the ball as well as she had been during the tournament. “It was just probably not my day,” Ostapenko said.

After the win, Kasatkina dropped to her knees on the green clay before rising with her mouth covered holding back the tears. That didn’t last too long as she wept in her chair just before the trophy presentation.

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

The tears kept flowing during her winner’s speech thanking all of her family and coaches in her player’s box.

“I don’t realize it yet, so I’m just enjoying it every moment, every second. And really, when I was on the court after the last point, I just wanted the moment to stop because it was one of the best moments in my life,” Kasatkina admitted in post match press.

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

With a great week now behind the two teen stars, Kasatkina will jump into the Top 30 while Ostapenko will reside in the Top 50 as they both look forward to the European clay court season leading up to the French Open.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

The World’s No. 1 doubles team and the tournament’s No. 1 seed Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova downed 4th seed team of Lucie Hradecka and Katerina Siniakova in a third set, super tiebreak 6-1, 4-6, 10-7 to win their first Volvo Car Open coupled together as a team.

Youth Serve Notice: We’ll Take @VolvoCarOpen Trophy

Posted by Admin on April 9, 2017
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Youth Serve Notice: We’ll Take @VolvoCarOpen Trophy
Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Youth served notice at the 2017 Volvo Car Open when two 19-year olds square off for their first WTA Tour victory of their career.

Russian Daria Kasatkina will improve on her world ranking of 42 with the successful run she’s had at Charleston. She will be facing fellow teen Jelena Ostapenko of Latvian who will also gain spots from her current world ranking of 66.

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

First up on Stadium court was Laura Siegemund of Germany as she faced Kasatkina. Siegemund was having a career tournament making it to the semis at 29-years old before going down to Kasatkina 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a two-hour-and-eighteen-minute match.

Siegemund was the tournament’s seed-slayer when she downed No. 3 Venus Williams, No. 15 Lucie Safarova, and No. 8 Anastasija Sevastova before losing to Kasatkina in the semi-finals.

Against Siegemund, Kasatkina played steady tennis even though she dropped the first set. Siegemund successfully used the drop shot the entire tournament but went to the well too many times before the patient Kasatkina marched through the second and third sets.

“So it was a tough, tough match,” Kasatkina said in post match press. “It was more about mental than about the game.”

Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Eleventh seed 35-year old Mirjana Lucic-Baroni squared off with the second teenager of the day in 19-year old Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, who dismissed No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals on Friday.

The veteran Lucic-Baroni took out China’s Shuai Zhang, the 7th seed Kiki Bertens and local hometown favorite Shelby Rogers before facing Ostapenko in the semis.

Lucic-Baroni pushed the teen sensation losing a close match 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 that took a little over two-hours.

Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Ostapenko had a chance to close out the match in two sets when she was up 5-3 in the second but emotions crept in opening the door for Lucic-Baroni. “I actually was quite emotional in the second set when I was 5-3 up and I couldn’t finish the set, but she liked when I was emotional,” Ostapenko said. “It kind of gave her confidence ’til then.”

Ostapenko collected herself in the third set by keeping her emotions in check gunning it out with the ever battling Lucic-Baroni and finally taking the third set 6-4.

Kasatkina and Ostapenko will face each other at 1 p.m.