Despite Summer Losses, Angelique Kerber Still Upbeat About US Open
Angelique Kerber hasn’t had the luckiest summer. She’s been knocked out of four tournaments in the early rounds, including New Haven.
She’s still upbeat about her chances at the US Open, where she made the semis of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. I don’t think her summer suggests another such run, but she does seems to play better tennis when more is on the line.
Caroline Wozniacki tipped her decision to head to New Haven.
“I talked to Caroline. She won here a lot of times. She told me it’s great because everything is the same, it’s not so far, you can have a good preparation here and it’s a great place.”
I like the US series. Everything started in my career in New York two years ago, and its great to be back here. I like America and I have great memories of that time. When I reached the semis, I was like #92 in the rankings. After that, I started to believe in me. I started to practice harder, because I thought I could beat the top players and now I’m one of them. I think my fitness is improved from two years ago. I’m feeling more relaxed. I have more energy now.
On Bartoli’s Retirement:
“I was surprised because I think nobody would know that she would retire so soon after she won Wimbledon. She’s a great player and also a great personality. It’s sad to say goodbye to her.”
On meeting Steffi Graf for the first time:
“I was so nervous. I was waiting for her for 10 minutes and I was feeling like I was waiting for two hours. And then I met her and it was great. We were talking like we knew each other for the last 20 years. She’s a really great person.”
2013 New Haven Open Feature Interview: Auf Geht’s @JuliaGoerges! #NHO13 Stephan Fogleman, TennisEastCoast.com
Julia Goerges is a fun, friendly and well-balanced person off the court. No, she won’t make you laugh so hard your sides hurt. That’s Andrea Petkovic’s job. But Goerges possesses a deep appreciation of her job and her colleagues. She opened up with me at New Haven on Monday after a first round win.
Julia’s had a rocky ride since winning a title and a Porsche in Stuttgart in 2011. Two years later, she’s finally back where she wants. She discussed the on-court and off-court resiliency required to overcome tough opponents and nagging injuries. She also mentioned her love for Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga and reminds us that German footballers follow women’s tennis, too.
How are you feeling right before the 2013 US Open?
Physically, I’m in great shape. I have my team around me all the time. Body-wise, I’m in pretty good shape. Just need to bring it on the court. So far, I’ve had ups and downs in every year in my career so far but I still went up at the year’s end ranking every year. But I had a pretty sloppy last three months. This year, it’s going to be tough. I had some pretty sloppy matches. It’s never easy getting a win under your belt after some tough matches.
On her never give up attitude:
I think you get used to it. You need to have it in your body and your mind. If you do this job, you need to do it 100%. Selling your body and character, as expensive as it can be. If you give your 100%, there’s always a chance you win a match, and that’s how it should be.
How important are the fans to you?
It’s great to have great fans behind you, who are supporting you also in rough times. You can support someone who is always winning, but you always need to stand behind the player you’re a fan of when they’re going sloppy as well. I appreciate it a lot and I can be proud of them. It’s nice to share some thoughts about tour life. It’s nice to give back to them for their support.
On German Tennis Pride:
We have a lot of players in the top 50. German Tennis is doing pretty well at the moment. We get a lot of questions about Steffi (Graf) and the history and will we never achieve what she achieved, but we try to come as close as we can. I actually played an exhibition two years ago in Halle with her. It’s kind of a big moment when you meet her and you get to know her. It’s just amazing when you meet her. She can give you a lot of thoughts and experience on what she achieved in her career. It’s great to share those moments with her.
On Bundesliga:
I’m a Bayern Munich fan. A big one. It’s always been like that. It’s been 10 years now since I’m a fan of them. I’m going a little bit crazy with them. It’s nice that they took all three trophies home last year. We can get a little excited about it.
Eintracht Frankfurt Fan Andrea Petkovic told me there’s a big match coming up between your two teams?
They just played last week and Bayern won 1-0 in Frankfurt!
It’s just great when a lot of players have different clubs to support. It’s just fun when you can make jokes here and there. Overall, I think a lot of soccer guys are interested in tennis. It’s fun when you’re interested in Bundesliga and they’re interested in your sport.
Julia Goerges plays Sloane Stephens tonight in prime time on New Haven’s Stadium Court. She’s sure to give 100%. New Haven has been ripe for upsets this week. Anything can happen here.
Stefanie Graf, U.S. representative Rachel Lim, and WTA touring pro Sabine Lisicki pose for a photo on Saturday in Paris
Three generations of players come together for the
Longines Future Tennis Aces Tournament Roland Garros 2012
Paris (France) / St. Imier (Switzerland), 9 June 2012 – After two days of highly emotional tennis, the final of the Longines Future Tennis Aces Roland Garros 2012 tournament was held over the final weekend at Roland Garros. Destanee Aiava from Australia won the tournament, beating Haruna Arakawa from Japan. This exciting duel was followed by an exhibition match that brought together three generations of players. The two finalists of the Longines Future Tennis Aces Roland Garros 2012 tournament teamed up with Stefanie Graf and Sabine Lisicki, with Mansour Bahrami also joining in the fun. Afterwards, Longines presented the two youngsters with an annual bursary of $2,000 to pay for their tennis equipment until their 16th birthday.
The U.S. was represented in Paris by Rachel Lim, a 12-year-old, from Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., who won the Longines Future Tennis Aces qualifying tournament for U.S. participants last month. Lim, USTA ranked No. 22 in the 12-and-under division, lost in the first round last Thursday against the top-seeded player from Russia.
The Longines Future Tennis Aces Roland Garros 2012 tournament was a huge success. Through this tournament, Longines – the official partner of Roland Garros – aims to look for tomorrow’s tennis champions and to promote sport as well as respect, fair play and tolerance, which are essential for the enjoyment of sport. Over two days, the 16 players, all under the age of 13 and from all corners of the world, did their best to qualify for the final on Saturday morning.
A press conference was held in the Tennis Museum at Roland Garros to wind up the Longines Future Tennis Aces Tournament Roland Garros 2012, with the presence of Walter von Känel, President of Longines, Graf, Lisicki, Florence Ollivier-Lamarque, General Director Swatch Group France, Gilbert Ysern, General Director of the French Tennis Federation and Director of the French Open and Nelson Montfort.
US REPRESENTATIVE RACHEL LIM TO COMPETE AT LONGINES FUTURE TENNIS ACES TOURNAMENT AT ROLAND GARROS, JUNE 7-9, 2012
Lim to Compete for a Chance to Play with Tennis Legend
Stephanie Graf Prior to the French Open Final
WEEHAWKEN, NJ – May 30, 2012 – Rachel Lim, the United States representative for the ‘Longines Future Tennis Aces’ is on the road to the French Open tournament at Roland Garros, and is currently training near her home in Briarcliff Manor, NY in preparation for her first International tournament. Lim qualified for the all-expense-paid trip to Paris following a victory at last month’s Future Tennis Aces U.S. qualifying event at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, site of the U.S. Open, in Flushing Meadows, NY. Ranked No. 22 nationally in the 12-and-under division, Lim will compete against 15 finalists from around the world during the final weekend of the French Open.
In addition to winning an all-expense paid trip to Roland Garros, Lim will compete for a chance to play with former world No. 1 and Longines Ambassador of Elegance Stefanie Graf and member of the Longines Rising Tennis Stars Sabine Lisicki (ranked 12th at the WTA) in an exhibition match prior to the French Open Women’s Final, and financing for her tennis equipment until her 16th birthday, courtesy of Longines.
“I’m very excited to meet and play against other players from around the world,” said Lim. “I can’t wait to experience their different styles of play. This will be my first trip overseas to play a tennis tournament. I am very excited to finally be able to visit the Eiffel tower, learn about the French culture and go to the French Open at Roland Garros and have the chance of a lifetime to play on the brick clay.”
Lim started playing tennis at 5 years of age and appeared in her first national competition at age 8. Last November, she won her first USTA National Open in the 12-and-under singles division and most recently captured her second national title at the USTA National Open at Owning Mills, MD. She also placed 3rd in doubles at the same tournament.
Longines Future Tennis Aces is part of the brand’s global commitment to support and develop tennis’ superstars of tomorrow. All the players who qualified for the World Final event in Paris will have the opportunity to attend the French Open Women’s Final on June 9.
Longines is the official timekeeper of the French Open of Roland Garros. Countries competing at the Longines Future Tennis Aces World Final include: Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italia, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States.
A complete schedule of events follows:
Longines Future Tennis Aces World Championship Tournament
Date: Thursday and Friday, June 7-8
Time: 10 am – 6 p.m. local time Paris
Location: Roland Garros Courts 14 & 16
Longines Future Tennis Aces World FINAL
Date: Saturday, June 9
Time: 10:15 am local time
Paris Location: Roland Garros Court 7
Stefanie Graf Exhibition Match featuring finalists from Longines Future Tennis Aces
Connor Hance, 13, Stuns Top Seed in Boys’ 16s
at USTA International Spring Championships
Local from Torrance Played Agassi and Graf’s Son Against
Taylor Dent in 2005 Genworth Financial Commercial
By Steve Pratt
CARSON, Calif., (Wednesday, April 4, 2012) – Ever wonder what happened to the cute little boy who played Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf’s son in that 2004 Genworth Financial commercial co-starring Taylor Dent?
Well Connor Hance, who turned 13 in November and lives just eight miles away, has put the acting and commercials on hiatus and has been making some noise on the junior tennis circuit of late, especially on Wednesday when he upset No. 1-seeded Ruadhan De Bruges of Australia, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the third round of the boys’ 16s at the eighth annual USTA International Spring Championships being played at the Home Depot Center.
“I started to play more aggressive and drive the ball more,” said Hance, of what he changed after dropping the first set. “And I started getting my first serve in. That was the difference.”
Both Hance’s parents are teaching professionals at the South Bay Tennis Center in Torrance. His father Ken and mother Courtney were both on hand to watch him record the shocking win. “I just kept saying to myself please keep the ball in play because I knew his opponent was tiring,” Courtney said. “And he did and it worked out for him. It’s pretty exciting.”
The qualifier Hance, who won the 2011 USTA Clay Court Nationals in the 12s, will next face No. 10 seed Logan Smith of Carlsbad, Calif., in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Connor’s sister Kenadi is a top-ranked 14s player who lost in the 16s on Tuesday. During his match, she said he gave up acting and really started focusing on his tennis several years ago when he lost out on the role of actor Steve Carell’s son in the 2007 feature film “Evan Almighty,” only because he didn’t look anything like Carell.
Another 13-year-old who was turning heads but in the girls’ 18s on Wednesday was Tornado Ali Black, who was given a wild card into the tournament and is currently ranked No. 141 in the ITF world rankings.
Black, who has a younger sister who is a top-ranked 12s player named Hurricane, is from Englewood, Colo., and won the Eddie Herr 16s back in December. She has already signed a pro contract with Octagon and is being coached by USTA coach Freddie Rodriguez who was on site Wednesday to watch her upset No. 13 seeded Kelsey Laurente of Miramar, Fla., 6-3, 6-1, in the second round.
Defending 18s champion Samantha Crawford, the No. 5 seed, was beaten in straight sets by Makenzie Craft of Frisco, Texas, 7-6 (4), 6-3. The unseeded Craft said she went two full months to start the year without hitting a ball as she was recovering from three torn ligaments in her left ankle.
“I beat Kyle McPhillips last year at Claremont, but I would say this is my biggest win,” Kraft said. “I was trying to stay focused. I really wasn’t thinking about what I was doing out there. Before the match I was just hoping to keep it close. Samantha obviously didn’t play her best. It might take three or four hours for it to set in.”
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Boys’ 18 Singles (Second Round)
Ernesto Escobedo West Covina, CA def. Lucas Gomez San Ysidro, CA 6-3, 6-4
Noah Rubin (3) Rockville Centre, NY def. Tommy Mylnikov Bradenton, FL 7-6(6), 6-0
Martin Redlicki Boca Raton, FL def. Deiton Baughman Carson, CA 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(2)
Henrik Wiersholm Kirkland, WA def. Jordan Daigle Lafayette, LA 7-6(4), 6-1
Austin Siegel (6) Tarrytown, NY def. Mohd Merzuki Bradenton, FL 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
Ronnie Schneider Bloomington, IN def. Paul Oosterbaan Kalamazoo, MI 6-1, 6-2
Mackenzie McDonald (4) Piedmont, CA def. Gage Brymer Irvine, CA 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
Luca Corinteli Alexandria, VA def. Pak Long Yeung Hong Kong, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
Carter Lin Bradenton, FL def. Spencer Papa (2) Boca Raton, FL Wo (inj)
Stefan Kozlov Pembroke Pines, FL def. Thomas Pura Pacific Palisades, CA 6-0, 6-2
Henry Craig Murrieta, CA def. Grant Solomon Dallas, TX 6-0, 6-1
Trey Strobel Bradenton, FL def. Chun Hun Wong 6-1, 6-4
Nikko Madregallejo Monrovia, CA def. Thai Kwiatkowski (7) Charlotte, NC 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
Alexios Halebian (5) Glendale, CA def. Alan Nunez Aguilera 6-0, 6-3
Mitchell Krueger (1) Aledo, TX def. Jack Murray Beverly Hills, MI 6-3, 6-4
John Richmond Pawleys Island, SC def. Jared Donaldson Cumberland, RI 7-6(5), 6-1
Boys’ 18 Doubles (Second Round)
Milen Ianakiev / Santiago Munoz def. Jack Murray / Bayo Philips 6-4, 6-1
Brendan McClain / Thomas Pura def. Charles Boyce / Ronnie Schneider 1-6, 6-4, 10-3
Carter Lin / Mohd Merzuki (8) def. Robbie Bellamy / Gregory Garcia 7-5, 6-0
M. Mackenzie. McDonald / Trey Strobel (2) def. Maxx Lipman / John Richmond 6-4, 6-2
Alexios Halebian / Mitchell Krueger (1) def. Justin Butsch / Michael Mmoh 6-4, 6-2
Thomas Colautti / Josh Hagar def. Eduardo Bringold / Ivar Contreras 6-1, 6-3
Thai Kwiatkowski / Martin Redlicki (5) def. Jose Pablo Gil / Federico Ruiz Acevedo 6-3, 6-3
Lucas Gomez / Ricardo Medinilla (4) def. Ernesto Escobedo / Javier Restrepo 1-6, 7-6(2), 10-2
Boys’ 16 Singles (Round of 16)
Connor Hance Torrance, CA def. Ruadhan de Bruges (1) Cherrybrook, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Jake Devine Boca Raton, FL def. Yancy Dennis Reisterstown, MD 6-0, 6-2
Aidan Jiang Ojai, CA def. Christian Langmo (6) Boca Raton, FL 7-6(3), 6-4
Sameer Kumar Carmel, IN def. Jean Thirouin Houston, TX 6-3, 6-2
Robert Levine Bedford, NY def. Alexandru Gozun (4) Sarasota, FL 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2
Roman Safiullin San Diego, CA def. William Blumberg Greenwich, CT 6-4, 6-1
Logan Smith Carlsbad, CA def. Tommy Paul Deerfield Beach, FL 6-3, 6-3
Francis Tiafoe College Park, MD def. German Aragon Chula Vista, CA 6-2, 4-6, 6-0
Boys’ 16 Doubles (Second Round)
Tommy Paul / Aron Pierce (3) def. German Aragon / Riley Smith 1-6, 6-0, 10-0
Artemie Amari / Alex Rybakov (1) def. Oscar Janglin / Stephen Madonia 6-1, 6-2
Carsten Fisher / Anudeep Kodali def. Aidan Jiang / Fabian Schaefer (6) 4-6, 6-3, 10-5
Jake Devine / Nathan Ponwith def. Steven Chen / Michael Nguyen (8) 7-5, 6-2
Yancy Dennis / Francis Tiafoe def. Kial Kaiser / Logan Smith (7) 7-5, 3-6, 10-7
Darius MacKenzie / Keivon Tabrizi def. Kevin Lam / Ruadhan de Bruges (2) 6-2, 6-4
Augustus Ge / Jean Thirouin def. Nikolas Ramadan / Nikola Samardzic (5) 6-1, 6-2
Sameer Kumar / Christian Langmo (4) def. Kimo Barrere / Garrett Mak 6-3, 6-2
Girls’ 18 Singles (Second Round)
Blair Shankle Comfort, TX def. Kendal Woodard Stockbridge, GA 6-2, 6-0
Christina Makarova (6) San Diego, CA def. Alexandra Morozova Plantation, FL 6-2, 6-1
Stephanie Nauta Bradenton, FL def. Desirae Krawczyk Rancho Mirage, CA 6-3, 6-2
Taylor Townsend (1) Stockbridge, GA def. Breaunna Addison Lake Worth, FL 6-3, 6-3
Mayo Hibi Irvine, CA def. Nadia Echeverria Alam Doral, FL 7-6(4), 2-0 Ret (inj)
Alexandra Kiick (7) Plantation, FL def. Jana McCord San Diego, CA 6-0, 6-1
Caroline Doyle San Francisco, CA def. Victoria Rodriguez Mercedes, TX 6-3, 6-4
June Lee West Windsor, NJ def. Catherine Harrison Germantown, TN 2-6, 7-5, 6-2
Chalena Scholl (3) Pompano Beach, FL def. Usue Arconada Rio Piedras, PR 6-1, 6-1
Mia King Cornelius, NC def. Rebecca Weissmann Loveland, CO 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-3
Alicia Blacker Englewood, CO def. Kelsey Laurente Miramar, FL 6-3, 6-1
Gabrielle Andrews (4) Pomona, CA def. Eden Silva Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 6-0, 6-0
Makenzie Craft Frisco, TX def. Samantha Crawford (5) Tamarac, FL 7-6(4), 6-3
Kyle McPhillips (2) Willoughby, OH def. Alyssa Smith Laguna Niguel, CA 2-6, 7-5, 6-0
Jennifer Brady (8) Boca Raton, FL def. Denise Starr Brooklyn, NY 7-5, 6-3
Belinda Bencic Bradenton, FL def. Brooke Austin Indianapolis, IN 6-4, 6-3
Girls’ 18 Doubles (Second Round)
Kristina Chasovskikh / Jacqueline Zuhse def. Caroline Doyle / Mia King 6-3, 2-6, 10-7
Stephanie Nauta / Chalena Scholl (2) def. Breaunna Addison / Catherine Harrison 6-2, 6-1
Kelsey Laurente / Alexandra Morozova (8) def. Mayci Jones / Cassidy Spearman 6-2, 7-5
Jennifer Brady / Kendal Woodard (6) def. Dasha Ivanova / Jamie Loeb 6-4, 6-2
Alexandra Kiick / Ayaka Okuno (3) def. Belinda Bencic / eden silva 6-2, 6-2
Louisa Chirico / Blair Shankle def. Alicia Blacker / Johnnise Renaud (7) 6-3, 2-6, 10-8
Gabrielle Andrews / Taylor Townsend (1) def. Christina Makarova / Kimberly Yee 6-1, 6-1
Samantha Crawford / Josie Kuhlman (4) def. Usue Arconada / Marie Norris 6-2, 6-3
Girls’ 16 Singles (Round of 16)
Jessica Ho Wexford, PA def. Terri Fleming Alpharetta, GA 6-0, 6-0
Emma Higuchi Los Angeles, CA def. Mary Haffey (8) Naples, FL 6-1, 6-1
Raquel Pedraza Claremont, CA def. Meredith Xepoleas Huntington Beach, CA 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4
Kaitlyn McCarthy (5) Cary, NC def. Ellie Zogg Dallas, TX 6-3, 6-3
Dominique Schaefer Ventura, CA def. Emma Critser Mountain View, CA 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
Jada Hart Colton, CA def. Mira Ruder-Hook Denver, CO 6-4, 6-1
Nicole Frenkel (1) Winchester, MA def. Ndindi Ndunda Burke, VA 6-3, 7-6(9)
Andie Daniell Douglasville, GA def. Bianca Moldovan Livonia, MI 6-2, 7-6(3)
Tennis Atlantic 