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Eleven Past Champions Headline 2021 @CincyTennis Singles Fields

Posted by Admin on July 21, 2021
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Western & Southern Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Eleven Past Champions Headline 2021 Western & Southern Open Singles Fields

CINCINNATI, Ohio (July 21, 2021) -Ashleigh Barty and Novak Djokovic, the No. 1 ranked players in the world who are fresh off Wimbledon titles, highlight the initial singles entry list for the 2021 Western & Southern Open. 


The Top 20 players in both the ATP Tour and WTA Tour rankings have entered the event, which will be held Aug. 14-22. The field also includes 11 former tournament winners, including the defending champions Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, both two-time Western & Southern Open winners.

Cincinnati will welcome five former champions in the WTA field, featuring Karolina Pliskova (2016), Garbiñe Muguruza (2017) and Madison Keys (2019) along with two-time champions Serena Williams and Azarenka. In addition to Djokovic, former ATP champions returning to Cincinnati in 2021 include Daniil Medvedev (2019), Rafael Nadal (2013), Grigor Dimitrov (2017), Marin Cilic (2016) and seven-time champion Roger Federer. 


The women’s field is also highlighted by 13 total Major champions, with recent winners including 2020 Western & Southern Open finalist Naomi Osaka (2020 US Open, 2021 Australian Open), Barbora Krejcikova (2021 French Open), Sofia Kenin (2020 Australian Open) and Iga Swiatek (2020 French Open). Eight entrants have held WTA’s No. 1 ranking, with Azarenka, Barty, Osaka, Pliskova, Muguruza and Williams being joined by multi-time Cincinnati finalists Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber. 

In addition to the wealth of experience among the women’s field, 10 participants are 23 or younger. Leading the WTA youth movement is 17-year-old Cori “Coco” Gauff, who will make her debut in Cincinnati following a quarterfinal finish in the 2021 French Open. 


Djokovic’s Western & Southern Open title defense will come as he chases history this season. The winner of the year’s first three Majors, he is bidding to be the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete a calendar Grand Slam. The trio of Major titles this season has drawn him level with Federer and Nadal atop the all-time list, with each having won 20 titles at Grand Slam tournaments. A trio of former US Open champions are also on the Cincinnati entry list: Dominic Thiem (2020), Stan Wawrinka (2016) and Cilic (2014). 

Stan Wawrinka, 2019 Western & Southern Open (Photo: Mike Renz)


The men’s field comprises the top 43 players in the ATP rankings and will have 11 players aged 23-or-younger competing. Leading the ATP youth charge is 19-year-old Jannik Sinner, who held a career-high ranking of 17 earlier in 2021 and reached the 2020 French Open Quarterfinals. 

The top eight seeds in both draws will receive first round byes. Eight women and seven men will be added to the fields through a two-round qualifying tournament that will be held Aug. 14-15. Four men and as many as five women will be awarded wild card entries into the main draw singles fields.


Tournament action will take place Aug. 14-22, where first serve will take place at 10 a.m. on Aug. 14 for the qualifying tournament. The men’s and women’s singles finals will take place on Sunday, Aug. 22. The full schedule is available here.

–W & S Open

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6 Grand Slam Champs, 3 Former #1 Players Highlight @VolvoCarOpen Player Field

Posted by Admin on March 10, 2021
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment


6 Grand Slam Champs, 3 Former #1 Players Highlight @VolvoCarOpen Player Field

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Volvo Car Open, to be held without fans April 3 – 11 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC, has announced its preliminary player field for the 2021 tournament. The field for the premier women’s-only professional tennis tournament in North America is led by World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and features some of the top players in the world.

The Volvo Car Open’s 56-player draw is made up of 43 direct entries into the tournament, five wild cards and eight qualifiers. Kim Clijsters has already accepted a wild card for the event. Four additional players will join the main draw via wild card entry, to be announced at a later date.

“The world of live sporting events has had to make many difficult decisions over the past year,” said Bob Moran, Tournament Director for the Volvo Car Open. “We wish we could host a stadium full of fans in 2021 to appreciate the world-class talent represented in our player field, from WTA’s top-ranked Ashleigh Barty and our defending champion Madison Keys, to next generation tennis stars like Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff. We are grateful that our broadcast partner Tennis Channel will air first ball to last ball main draw matches, providing our fans with more than 70 hours of live tennis and an opportunity to watch the powerful and entertaining competition on our courts this year. We look forward to getting back to normal in 2022 with a newly renovated stadium and celebrating 50 years of professional women’s tennis.”

Highlights from the main draw include:

  • 21 countries represented in the international player field, including 10 Americans
  • Three past Volvo Car Open champions: Madison Keys (2019), Kiki Bertens (2018) and Sloane Stephens (2016)
  • Six Grand Slam champions: Sofia Kenin (2020 Australian Open), Ashleigh Barty (2019 French Open), Garbiñe Muguruza (2016 French Open and ‘17 Wimbledon), Sloane Stephens (2017 US Open), Jelena Ostapenko (2017 French Open) and Kim Clijsters (2005, ‘09 & ‘10 US Open and ‘11 Australian Open)
  • Three Former World No. 1 Ranked Players: Ashleigh Barty (current), Garbiñe Muguruza and Kim Clijsters
  • Debut player field appearance by Coco Gauff and Kim Clijsters
  • Charleston native Shelby Rogers to compete in hometown tournament again

At the top of the Volvo Car Open player field is current World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty. The 2021 Volvo Car Open will mark the Australian’s second time playing in Charleston. She has held the top WTA singles ranking for the past two seasons, stemming from winning her first Premier Mandatory title at the Miami Open, her first Grand Slam title at the French Open and her first WTA Finals title.

American Sofia Kenin celebrated her first Top 10 season in 2020. She earned her first Grand  Slam title at the 2020 Australian Open and ended the year as World No. 4. The 2021 Volvo Car Open will be the 22-year-old’s fourth time competing in Charleston.

2018 Volvo Car Open champion Kiki Bertens will play the Volvo Car Open for the fifth time. The Dutch player finished 2020 in the top 10 for the third year in a row and has amassed 10 career WTA titles.

Rounding out the top-four in Charleston’s player field is Garbiñe Muguruza. Since her last appearance at the Volvo Car Open in 2013, the Spanish player has captured seven career titles, including the 2017 Wimbledon and 2016 Roland-Garros titles, and reached the World No. 1 ranking.

Current Volvo Car Open champion Madison Keys will also return two years later to defend her title. Keys defeated Caroline Wozniacki in the 2019 Volvo Car Open final to capture her fourth career WTA title and her first on clay.

The 2021 Volvo Car Open will be held without fans due to the ongoing pandemic. The tournament has partnered with the WTA and the Medical University of South Carolina to develop its health and safety protocols for the event, which will allow the team to create a safe atmosphere for players, essential staff and operational partners. Both Tennis Channel and WTA Media have agreed to broadcast the 2021 Volvo Car Open, providing a full week of coverage and more than 70+ hours of live tennis for fans both in the U.S. and abroad.

The Volvo Car Open was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since 1973, the tournament has been a pioneer in women’s professional sports, 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 now played on Daniel Island at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to the Volvo Car Stadium.

Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages the Volvo Car Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, recently announced plans to renovate and modernize the 20-year-old Volvo Car Stadium. The city-owned facility will undergo 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.

For more information on the Volvo Car Open, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.

—A. Alpino, Volvo Car Open

Defending Champions @Madison_Keys, @DaniilMedwed Lead 2020 @CincyTennis Singles Fields

Posted by Admin on July 29, 2020
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Western & Southern Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Defending Champions Keys, Medvedev Lead 2020 Western & Southern Open Singles Fields

CINCINNATI (JULY 29, 2020) – Ten former champions headline the players on the initial singles entry lists for the 2020 Western & Southern Open that will be held Aug. 20-28 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.


The initial entries include both defending champions: Daniil Medvedev for the ATP Tour and Madison Keys for the WTA. 

Former men’s champions who have entered the ATP Masters 1000 also include the top two players in the ATP Rankings – No. 1 Novak Djokovic (2018 winner) and No. 2 Rafael Nadal (2011) – along with Grigor Dimitrov (2017) and Marin Cilic (2016). 
Two-time champion Serena Williams (2014-15) will join Keys, Kiki Bertens (2018), Garbiñe Muguruza (2017) and Karolina Pliskova (2016) as past WTA champions in the Premier 5 field. 

The women’s field includes five Major champions in Williams, Muguruza, Sofia Kenin, Petra Kvitova and Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2019 W&S Open runner-up. Three men’s entrants – Cilic, Djokovic and Nadal – are past Major winners.

The women’s field, which features 39 of the top 53 players in the WTA Rankings, includes seven players aged 21-or-under. Sixteen-year-old Coco Gauff will make her Western & Southern Open debut and will be joined by fellow teens Amanda Anisimova (18) and Iga Swiatek (19) to join a youth movement that also includes 20-year-old Dayana Yastremska. Kenin, a 2019 Western & Southern Open semifinalist who won the 2020 Australian Open, leads a group of 21-year-olds that includes Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova. 

Forty of the top 43 ranked ATP players have entered on the men’s side. One teenager, 19-year-old Felix Auger Aliassime, leads five men aged 21-or-under in the field. Four of the entrants from the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings are under the age of 25: No. 5 Medvedev (24), No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas (21), No. 7 Alexander Zverev (23) and No. 8 Matteo Berrettini (24).  The top eight seeds in both draws will receive first round byes. Twelve players will be added to each field through a two-round qualifying event that will be held Aug. 20-21. The deadline for players to enter the qualifying event is Aug. 3. Four men and five women will be awarded wild card entries into the main draw singles fields.
Main draw play for the Western & Southern Open will begin on Aug. 22. Both singles finals will be held on Friday, Aug. 28, with the WTA final taking place at 2 p.m., and the ATP Tour’s at 4 p.m.

Further details for the 2020 tournament will be announced in the coming weeks, and all aspects of the event are subject to change. 

Who Says You Can’t Do The Charleston in 2020? Women’s Tennis Resumes Next Week With @CreditOneBank Invitational #Tennisisback

Posted by Admin on June 17, 2020
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Who Says You Can’t Do The Charleston in 2020? Women’s Tennis Resumes Next Week With @CreditOneBank Invitational
CREDIT ONE BANK INVITATIONAL ANNOUNCES MATCH SCHEDULE, SCORING AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Tournament will receive live coverage on Tennis Channel June 23 – 28 daily at 4pm EST
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Competitive professional tennis returns to Charleston, SC next week with the new Credit One Bank Invitational, contested June 23 – 28 at LTP Daniel Island. The 16-player team event will receive more than 40 hours of live coverage on Tennis Channel and raise funds for frontline healthcare workers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

The public has played an important role in MUSC’s response to the pandemic. To date, community donations have supported testing, medical research and relief for MUSC healthcare workers experiencing financial hardships due to the virus. Throughout the tournament, viewers wishing to support these efforts can make gifts online at give.musc.edu/CreditOneBank.

Sloane Stephens, 2018 US Open (Getty)

Sloane Stephens  (Photo credit:KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images)

The tournament will kick off on Tennis Channel on June 22 at 8pm EST with the Credit One Bank Invitational draft with team captains, Madison Keys (Team Kindness) and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (Team Peace). The captain who wins the coin toss, happening at a media online press conference earlier in the week, will have first draft pick, then the captains will alternate until all selections have been made. Tennis Channel will air each player’s profile during the draft with information on their Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) for singles and doubles. Results from the tournament will be counted towards each player’s individual UTR.

Tennis Channel will air live coverage of the Credit One Bank Invitational every day at 4pm EST from June 23 – June 28.

Screen Shot 2020-06-15 at 3.24.48 PM.png

“We are excited to support the Credit One Bank Invitational and its exciting team format with Universal Tennis’ innovative tools and technology,” said Mark Leschly, Universal Tennis Chairman & CEO. “When matches count for UTR, local play has a global impact. Every tennis player in the world, from the pros in Charleston to recreational players, can view their rating, monitor their competitive ability and register for events on MyUTR.com for free.”

Sofia Kenin, Charleston 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)

The Credit One Bank Invitational’s player field includes reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin as well as Keys, Mattek-Sands, Sloane Stephens, Victoria Azarenka, Amanda Anisimova, Monica Puig, Ajla Tomljanovic, Danielle Collins, Alison Riske, Shelby Rogers, Genie Bouchard, Jennifer Brady, Leylah Fernandez, Emma Navarro and Caroline Dolehide. Bianca Andreescu was originally slated to play in the tournament, but has withdrawn from the event. Dolehide has taken her place in the field.

The event has worked closely with MUSC throughout the planning process to ensure a secure environment for all players and staff. MUSC developed the event’s official health and safety protocol plan, and their ‘Back to Work’ team established the tournament’s health guidelines, which include: on-site testing, daily temperature tests and health questionnaires, sanitizing equipment at high touch areas and mandatory face masks for all personnel. Housing for players will also be located within walking distance of the stadium.

To maintain social distancing guidelines, each competitor will have her own lounge around the stadium, where she can cheer on her teammates. Tennis Channel will air behind-the-scenes content filmed by players throughout the tournament and check-in with players in their lounges during the broadcast for updates.

On court, players will call their own lines and the tournament will only use one official. Two ball crew members will wear gloves and use equipment to avoid touching the tennis balls. Players will be responsible for handling their own towels and refreshments.

The tournament will be conducted without fans and media. It is currently the largest-scale tennis event to be confirmed since the sport went on hiatus to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Credit One Bank Invitational is part of Tennis Channel’s Re(Open) Tour, a series of events and exhibitions taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Tough Slog to a Home Title for @AshBarty at @BrisbaneTennis; 2020 @WTA Brisbane International Preview, Predictions

Posted by Admin on January 5, 2020
Posted in: Australian Open, Brisbane, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

A Tough Slog to a Home Title for @AshBarty at @BrisbaneTennis; 2020 @WTA Brisbane International Preview, Predictions
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

If it’s the Coco and Serena show in Auckland, then the Brisbane International is the home of the Grupo Del Muerto. And indeed, there’s no place like home…unless you’re seeded in the Group of Death.

Top seed and world #1 Ash Barty hoped to take a bit of a victory lap down under and win a big home country tournament or two before the Australian Open, but the gods of the draw decided to have a little fun with her at the Brisbane International, a premier-level WTA tour event. In order for Barty to get out of her quarter, she’ll need to get by Maria Sharapova, Sloane Stephens, Petra Kvitova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

After Barty’s bye, she’ll face a very wild card in Maria Sharapova, provided Sharapova dispatches a qualifier. Barty beat Sharapova in their one and only meeting at the Western & Southern Open last summer, but you truly never know which Sharapova will show. I’ll give Barty the edge and send her on to the third round against Sloane Stephens, who beat the Australian in their only meeting at the 2017 US Open. Barty’s quest for a title to open 2020 will likely end with a Stephens victory in the quarterfinals.

TENNIS-AUS-ATP

(Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP)

4 seed Elena Svitolina’s quarter is also dangerous, with Angelique Kerber, Madison Keys, Donna Vekic and Danielle Collins waiting in the wings. The Ukrainian will get past the plucky Danielle Collins in the opening round and Donna Vekic in the second before being eliminated by an in-form Madison Keys, who must defeat Kerber to get there.

Naomi Osaka, 2018 Citi Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Naomi Osaka, 2018 Citi Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)


Naomi Osaka, a year wiser, is used to getting her own quarter these days and what to do with such a blessing. In a trip-up match with Sakkari, she should prevail before facing another major test in Sonia Kenin. It’s a test she should also pass before dispatching Kiki Bertens in the quarterfinals.

pliskova-2016

Karolina Pliskova has become more of a sure thing over the last year, a compliment to her maturity as a player. As such, I believe she’ll use that bye and a second round match against an Australian wild card to polish her early-season form. She’ll need the tune-up before beating Naomi Osaka in 3 sets to advance to the final against Madison Keys. In three sets, I’ll predict it’s Pliskova who begins 2020 with the Brisbane title.

World #12 American Phenom @SofiaKenin Booked for 2020 @Volvo CarOpen

Posted by Admin on October 29, 2019
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Sofia Kenin, Charleston 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)

Sofia Kenin, Charleston 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)

WORLD NO. 12 AMERICAN PHENOM SOFIA KENIN BOOKED FOR 2020 VOLVO CAR OPEN

Kenin has won three singles titles and two doubles titles during the 2019 season

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – World No. 12 Sofia Kenin has entered the player field for the 2020 Volvo Car Open, happening April 4 – 12 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC. The 20-year-old American will be joined in Charleston by reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, 2019 Volvo Car Open champion Madison Keys and two-time Grand Slam champion Garbiñe Muguruza, among other top WTA tennis players.

Kenin has found significant success during her 2019 season, winning her first ever career WTA singles and WTA doubles titles. In total, she captured singles titles in Hobart, Mallorca and Guangzhou. She also won the doubles titles in Auckland and Beijing.

Kenin_0534

“Sofia climbed the junior rankings and has now solidified herself as a true contender and top player in the tennis world,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “Our fans have the opportunity to cheer on the future generation of tennis, and Sofia’s fourth appearance in our field solidifies our commitment to always finding and attracting rising stars.”

Outside of Kenin’s titles this season, she also appeared in the finals in Acapulco and the semifinals in Toronto and Cincinnati. She defeated Ashleigh Barty in Toronto and Naomi Osaka in Cincinnati, both of whom were ranked World No. 1 at the time. Additionally, she defeated Serena Williams in the third round of the French Open to reach her best Grand Slam result to date.

Sofia Kenin 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)

Sofia Kenin 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)

As a result of her success this season, Kenin qualified for the 2019 Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

“I have had a really amazing season and will be looking to build upon it in 2020,” said Kenin. “I have always enjoyed my time in Charleston at the Volvo Car Open and am hoping to go even further in the tournament next year.”

The 2020 Volvo Car Open will be Kenin’s fourth time competing in the tournament’s main draw.

The Volvo Car Open will celebrate its 20th year in Charleston in 2020. The tournament relocated to Charleston from Hilton Head Island, where it was held from 1973 – 2000.

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

Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $540 for an all-inclusive weeklong package with complimentary access into a private hospitality suite. The Volvo Car Open also offers packages that include premium seats, ticket savings and membership into the tournament’s Ace Club.

For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.

—A. Alpino, VCO

After 2 Straight First Round Losses, She’d Much Rather be in Charleston: @Madison_Keys Commits to 2020 @VolvoCarOpen

Posted by Admin on August 7, 2019
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Madison Keys (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

VOLVO CAR OPEN CHAMPION MADISON KEYS RETURNS TO CHARLESTON

Keys has reached the quarterfinals or better in five of the last eight Grand Slam tournaments

CHARLESTON, S.C. – After winning the 2019 Volvo Car Open in April, Madison Keys has committed to defending her title in 2020. Next year’s event will be Keys’ eighth consecutive Charleston tournament. The 2020 Volvo Car Open will take place April 4 – 12 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC.

“Madison’s win in Charleston this year was something our fans have been rooting for since she started competing in the Volvo Car Open in 2013,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “Her personality shines when she plays and our fans have loved watching her grow up on our courts. We’re ecstatic that she’ll be back in 2020 to defend her well-deserved title.”

Keys holds a 16-6 record in Charleston, where she captured the title in 2019, reached the semifinals in 2018 and was a finalist in 2015.

Her 2019 season also includes a quarterfinal appearance at the French Open and fourth round berth at the Australian Open. In addition, she was a member of the US Fed Cup team. The 24-year-old has remained in the WTA’s top 20 for the past five seasons.

“Winning the Volvo Car Open after coming so close in the past was the most amazing feeling,” said Keys. “Charleston has always been one of my favorite tournaments and being able to win the title was such a special moment. I’m excited to come back next year to play in front of the best fans around.”

Keys was awarded a key to the City of Charleston by Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg during the singles final trophy presentation. The Volvo Car Open also honored her with the 2019 Player Who Makes A Difference award for her work with the anti-bullying nonprofit, Fearlessly Girl.

The Volvo Car Open will celebrate its 20th year in Charleston in 2020. The tournament relocated to Charleston from Hilton Head Island, where it was held from 1973 – 2000.

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

Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $540 for an all-inclusive weeklong package with complimentary access into a private hospitality suite. The Volvo Car Open also offers packages that include premium seats, ticket savings and membership into the tournament’s Ace Club.

Tickets for the 2020 Volvo Car Open will go on sale on Monday, September 9.

For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.

—A. Alpino, Volvo Car Open

Madison Keys Prepares for French Open with Charleston Triumph

Posted by Admin on April 11, 2019
Posted in: WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe that Madison Keys is still only 24 years old. The Rock-Island-born player has been a regular on the WTA circuit since breaking through in 2012, but she hasn’t been able to live up to her early promise. Despite plenty of hype during the initial stages of her career, Keys has never previously won a clay-court title, but she’s finally broke her duck when wrapping up the Volvo Car Open in Charleston on April 7th.

Keys beat Caroline Wozniacki 7-6(5), 6-3 to secure $141,420 in prize money, as she became the 16th different winner on the WTA Tour this calendar year. She fought off two break points in the eighth game to force a tie-break, and avoid falling behind to the powerful Dane. It was a pivotal moment which helped swing the match in her favour.

She’d also previously beaten close friend Sloane Stephens in the quarter-finals of the competition, despite an error-strewn opening set.

It was her seventh visit to Charleston, and she’s always been a hugely popular figure at the tournament. The crowd got behind the right-hander throughout the final, and she admitted that it’s always been one of her favourite venues to play. Keys told reporters that it “feels like I’m at home” and spoke glowingly about the partisan support that she received from the stands.

The tournament, which is played on green clay, has previously been won by Serena Williams, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, and it regularly attracts a high-quality field. It is one of the oldest events on the calendar, and prior to 2015 it was known as the Family Circle Cup. Over 90,000 tennis fans watched the tournament this year, and the locals always turn up in their droves.

It is one of a number of events throughout April which are generally regarded as a precursor to the French Open, which gets underway on May 26th. Madison Keys reached the semi-finals of the second Grand Slam of the season in 2018, but was defeated by her compatriot Sloane Stephens. It was viewed as a significant step forward for the American, who had crashed out in the first round of the competition 12 months earlier. As a result of her success in Charleston, her odds for the 2019 French Open have shortened, and she’s 22/1 in the latest tennis betting to secure her inaugural Grand Slam title at Roland Garros this year.

She cites Paris as her favourite city to visit, and her 2018 performance in the French capital was hugely encouraging. Although there is still plenty more tennis to be played ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam, she is likely to be feeling quietly confident heading into the clay-court event.

Keys has had her fair share of coaches over the years, but she’s recently been reunited with Juan Todero. She had previously worked with the Argentine five years ago, and he has been credited with helping her break into the top 40 of the WTA rankings. She recently split from Lindsay Davenport and Jon Leach, and has previously worked with both Jesse Levine and Thomas Hogstedt.

Amazingly, this was just her fourth WTA title, and her first since 2017. She’s previously been successful at Stanford, Birmingham and Eastbourne, but reaching the final of the 2017 US Open will also surely be amongst her career highlights. Remarkably, three of her four titles have arrived in tournaments held on the green clay.

It’s a step in the right direction for Madison Keys, and she’ll be keen to build upon her success in South Carolina. She spoke of her desire to “keep this up at a kind of high bar”, and she’ll be hoping to carry that momentum into the French Open and throughout the summer months.

Windy Wednesday @VolvoCarOpen Leaves 16 Standing

Posted by Admin on April 5, 2018
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Petra Kvitova (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Petra Kvitova (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Windy Wednesday at Volvo Car Open Leaves 16 Standing
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

The winds picked up on Wednesday at the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, South Carolina and swept 16 players into the third round. It also swept a few seeded players out of the action.

Naomi Osaka hasn’t dropped a set yet and looked good in a 6-3, 7-6(8) win over Laura Siegemund on Stadium court. Osaka opens today’s schedule against Julia Goerges, who needed three sets to dispatch Kristie Ahn yesterday.

Naomi Osaka (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Naomi Osaka (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Irina Begu beat American Claire Liu, 6-4, 6-2 yesterday and will face defending champ Daria Kasatkina.

Alize Cornet (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Alize Cornet (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Looking to book a spot in the quarterfinal is today’s “Quartier Francaise” matchup: Top seed Caroline Garcia vs. compatriot Alize Cornet. Cornet has looked strong this week as she notched another quick straight sets victory, this time over Polona Hercog. I think Cornet has a good chance of notching the upset tonight.

Camila Giorgi (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Camila Giorgi (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Camila Giorgi stepped up her game to overcome a resurgent Daria Gavrilova in three sets yesterday and earned the right to play Madison Keys, who needed three sets to dispatch Lara Arruabuena.

Fanny Stollar (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Fanny Stollar (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Johanna Konta was one and done after Fanny Stollar dominated her in straight sets. Stollar is on to the round of 16 for the second year in a row here. Stollar plays Kiki Bertens this afternoon.

The big upset of the day was reserved for Petra Kvitova and the best thing you could say about the match is that Kvitova never saw it coming. After she grabbed a routine 6-1 first set, Kvitova seemed the spectator and lost the last two sets badly to Kristyna Pliskova, 6-1. 6-3. Pliskova draws Elena Vesnina.

RESULTS – APRIL 4, 2018
Women’s
Singles – Second Round
K. Pliskova (CZE) d [2] P. Kvitova (CZE) 16 61 63
[5] J. Goerges (GER) d K. Ahn (USA) 26 64 76(1)
[Q] F. Stollar (HUN) d [6] J. Konta (GBR) 63 64
[7] M. Keys (USA) d L. Arruabarrena (ESP) 61 36 63
[8] A. Sevastova (LAT) d [Q] C. Dolehide (USA) 75 67(5) 61
[9] A. Barty (AUS) d T. Maria (GER) 46 63 62
[10] N. Osaka (JPN) d L. Siegemund (GER) 63 76(8)
C. Giorgi (ITA) d [11] D. Gavrilova (AUS) 62 26 63
[12] K. Bertens (NED) d A. Krunic (SRB) 64 62
[13] I. Begu (ROU) d [Q] C. Liu (USA) 64 62
[14] A. Cornet (FRA) d P. Hercog (SLO) 62 63
[WC] S. Errani (ITA) d [15] M. Buzarnescu (ROU) 36 76(5) 62
[16] E. Vesnina (RUS) d T. Townsend (USA) 64 61
B. Pera (USA) d [LL] D. Yastremska (UKR) 76(4) 16 64

Women’s
Doubles – First Round
K. Bondarenko (UKR) / A. Krunic (SRB) d [4] B. Krejcikova (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE) 62 16 10-5
M. Buzarnescu (ROU) / H. Watson (GBR) d [WC] M. Doi (JPN) / C. Mchale (USA) 36 63 10-8

ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
VOLVO CAR STADIUM start 11:00 am
[5] J. Goerges (GER) vs [10] N. Osaka (JPN)
[13] I. Begu (ROU) vs [3] D. Kasatkina (RUS)
C. Giorgi (ITA) vs [7] M. Keys (USA)
[12] K. Bertens (NED) vs [Q] F. Stollar (HUN)

Not Before 7:00 pm
[1] C. Garcia (FRA) vs [14] A. Cornet (FRA)
A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) / K. Srebotnik (SLO) vs [2] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / A. Sestini Hlavackova (CZE)

ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 11:00 am
[8] A. Sevastova (LAT) vs [9] A. Barty (AUS)

Not Before 12:00 noon
B. Pera (USA) vs [WC] S. Errani (ITA)
[16] E. Vesnina (RUS) vs K. Pliskova (CZE)
[3] A. Klepac (SLO) / M. Martínez Sánchez (ESP) vs [WC] L. Arruabarrena (ESP) / S. Errani (ITA)

 

 

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