Tennis News

ZHUHAI, China – Sunday marks 100 days until the start of the final event on the 2016 tennis calendar, the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.

This year’s tournament promises to build on the overwhelming success of its inaugural staging, which saw fans flock and former World No.1 Venus Williams walk away with the trophy.

While the line-up for 2016 will not be finalized for several months yet, one bona fide star is already confirmed to be making the trip to southern China. Stefanie Graf – winner of 107 WTA singles titles, 22 Grand Slam singles titles and global ambassador for the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai – will be present this November to greet players and fans at the Hengqin Tennis Center, Zhuhai.

“With a fantastic player field, increased domestic and international coverage, exciting on site entertainment activities, and a special appearance by our global ambassador Stefanie Graf, the 2016 WETZ definitely is not to be missed,” said Tournament Director Peter Johnston.

Once again the event will be organized by Zhuhai Huafa Group and APG, who in addition to the singles and doubles competitions will lay on a variety of off-court entertainment, including the unique opportunity for players and fans to enjoy the taste of famous Michelin restaurants from around the world at the on-site SAVOUR Festival. Last year’s success has also encouraged several well-known domestic and international brands to lend their support, including Peak Sports, USANA, Yonex, Guodao Gold, Liri Tent Technology, Eulong and Rossini.

“We are proud to see the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai making breakthroughs this year,” said Zhong Ming, Chairman of the Organizing Committee & Vice General Manager of Zhuhai Huafa Group. “We are determined to create the most unforgettable event for our fans with the highest level of matches and world-class entertainment activities.”

The tournament will run from November 1 to 6, and like last year the singles draw will feature 11 of the top ranked players and one wildcard, with the winner collecting 700 rankings points. The doubles will be comprised of four leading teams, plus two wildcard pairings.

“The inaugural Elite Trophy Zhuhai achieved a remarkable level of success,” added Steve Simon, CEO of the WTA, “As the 2016 event approaches the 100 days out mark, we are confident that WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai will grow to even greater heights in delivering a premier, and compelling global experience that engages our fans around the world.”

Tickets for the tournament will go on sale on July 28, and can be purchased on the official website www.wtaelitetrophy.com.

SHENZHEN, China – One of China’s biggest stars made her return to action at the Shenzhen Open on Monday. Winning her first match in over a year, former World No.14 Peng Shuai took an important step in her comeback from back surgery, winning a first round doubles encounter with partner Liang Chen over wildcads Li Yixuan and Sheng Yuqi, 6-2, 6-1.

Peng was hitting new heights in the summer of 2014 when she reached the US Open semifinals – losing a heartbreaking match to former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in a retirement – but within a few months, the Chinesewoman was struck by a career-threatening back injury that forced her to end her season at last year’s French Open. Taking the match in under an hour was that much sweeter for a player who wondered if she would ever compete again.

“I thought about giving up many times,” she admitted after the match. “Before the surgery I went to see the doctors in US and Germany; both of them said even I took the surgery, they can’t guarantee that I can be 100% fit again.

“The surgery was very successful, but no one knows how the recover could be. And this injury could happen again.”

That concern has caused her to take extra precaution in reacclimating her body to the grind of professional tennis. Playing only in the doubles event this week in Shenzhen, Peng plays a fuller comeback in February, following the Australian Open.

“I’m going to play in Kaohsiung, then probably in Dubai. I will try my best to play more matches in singles and doubles. It’s been about five months after surgery, and I recovered faster than I expected. But I’m still working on getting my power back.

“I want to take it step by step, not to make it rush, becuase I don’t want to get injured again. Now even though I’m not able to run and jump like what I can do before, I feel I’m getiing better, and at least I can play the match. I’m looking forward the matches in February.”

No.3 seed Irina-Camelia Begu was equally emphatic in her opening round match against Lara Arruabarrena, winning 6-3, 6-2, while Zarina Diyas and Monica Niculescu also reached the second round – the latter in three sets over Anastasjia Sevastova. No.8 seed Annika Beck was the highest ranked player to fall on Monday, losing in three sets to Alison Riske. 

UPDATE: Serena Williams withdrew from the tournament on Sunday citing inflammation in her shoulder, leading to a reshuffling of the draw that caused the following shifts:

– Halep has been drawn into the bottom half of the draw, along with No.2 Angelique Kerber, and No.8 Roberta Vinci, and No.10 Svetlana Kuznetsova. Before Serena’s withdrawal she had a tricky road to the final, but with No.3 Garbiñe Muguruza now moving up to replace Serena in the top half of the draw, Halep’s path is slightly easier. She opens up against either Daria Gavrilova or Annika Beck, with a potential third round match against Karolina Pliskova. Her projected quarterfinal opponent could be either Kuznetsova or Petra Kvitova.

– Muguruza replaced Serena on the top line of the draw and will open against either Monica Puig or a qualifier. She could play Stanford finalist Johanna Konta in the third round with either Dominika Cibulkova or Carla Suárez Navarro looming in the quarterfinals. If the draw holds to form, she could see Venus Williams, Agnieszka Radwanska, or Madison Keys in the semifinals.

Can Simona Halep match her 2015 summer season?

This time last year Simona Halep was down in the dumps. She was still smarting from two bad early losses at the French Open and Wimbledon, and in her mind her season was over. That mentality freed her up to play some of her best tennis of the season, making the final in Toronto, final in Cincinnati, and her first-ever semifinal at the US Open.

Now she has to defend it.

So can Halep, currently ranked No.5, replicate or better that run? One thing is for sure: her decision to skip the Olympics can only help. The Romanian star announced last week that she would opt out of Rio due to concerns over the Zika virus. While missing the Olympics will be disappointing, the decision does free Halep up to focus on a real shot at winning the US Open. In fact with the bulk of the players interrupting their season by heading down to the Olympics, she could be the who takes advantage of an unfocused, fatigued, depleted field this summer.

Can Garbiñe Muguruza get back on track?

It took a month and a half before Angelique Kerber came down from the high of winning her first major title at the Australian Open. But by the end of March she was back to playing high-quality tennis and imposing herself in the draws. Since winning the French Open, Muguruza has gone 1-2, losing to Kirsten Flipkens in Mallorca and Jana Cepelova at Wimbledon. Again, a dip is expected earning your first major title, but when will it turn around for Muguruza?

The summer offers a big opportunity for the young Spaniard. She floundered here last year – again, after making her first Slam final at Wimbledon – winning just one match through the entire Emirates Airlines US Open Series (including the US Open). That opens up a big point grab for her this year, where she can gain some ground on Kerber and Serena in the rankings.

Can Angelique Kerber play healthy?

The World No.2 withdrew from Bastad last week due to an elbow injury and is now in a tough situation of balancing her need to play with her need to rest, especially with the upcoming Olympics.

Can Venus Williams ride that momentum?

Could we see Venus in Singapore for the BNP WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global? She’s currently 18th in the Road to Singapore rankings but she could make a big move if she continues her current form. After making the fourth round of the French Open and the Wimbledon semifinals, she’s into the semifinals of the Bank of the West Classic this weekend. She looks relaxed and calm on court, and when she’s needed it she’s been able to elevate her game to get some tough wins. Another deep run in Montréal could really boost her chances not only to qualify for Singapore but also get her back in the Top 5.

First Round Matches to Watch: Lucie Safarova vs. Eugenie Bouchard, Monica Niculescu vs. Jelena Ostapenko, Yulia Putintseva vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Madison Keys vs. Elena Vesnina, Caroline Garcia vs. Barbora Strycova, Alizé Cornet vs. Andrea Petkovic, Misaki Doi vs. Daria Kasatkina.

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.