BNP Paribas Open: Top 16 Seeds’ Histories
How have Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep and the rest of the Indian Wells contenders fared in the past?
How have Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep and the rest of the Indian Wells contenders fared in the past?
An interview with Victoria Azarenka after her win in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.
TOKYO, Japan – Elina Svitolina produced one of her best performances of the year to upset top seed Garbiñe Muguruza in the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
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Having knocked out CoCo Vandeweghe and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the previous two rounds, Svitolina produced another intelligent performance to defuse one of the WTA’s most fearsome ballstrikers. In the end a break in the penultimate game of the match proved the difference as the Ukrainian closed out a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory.
“It was a great performance from me and I think we both played really well,” Svitolina said during her on-court interview. “In the second and third sets it was great tennis and I hope everyone enjoyed this match.
“It was pretty consistent tennis. I was playing really well from the first point. Maybe Garbiñe didn’t expect this but it was a great match and I’m really happy that it finished my way!”
In her last five events, Elina Svitolina is 2-1 vs. Top 5 players. Beat Serena (Olympics), Muguruza (Tokyo), lost to Radwanska (New Haven). https://t.co/LZGKnwZawH
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 23, 2016
Svitolina upset Muguruza earlier this year in Dubai and was clearly unfazed at the prospect of repeating this feat, taking barely 20 minutes to race into a 5-0 lead. While Muguruza would eventually get on the scoreboard, it was only delaying the inevitable, her unseeded opponent wrapping things up with a rasping backhand drive.
This level proved difficult to match in the second set. And when she dipped, Muguruza was waiting to pounce, teasing a string of unforced errors to claim the decisive break. Both players had their opportunities in the decider, but surprisingly it was the underdog that held her nerve, producing some dogged defense to edge 5-3 ahead. Serving for the match there was no let-up, a trio of pin-point deliveries powering her to victory.
In the semifinals she will face another big-hitter in the shape of Japanese wildcard Naomi Osaka.
Dominika Cibulkova’s boldest decision has a touch of romance to it.
She and her then-boyfriend, Miso Navara, had been dating for a year when they decided that he would leave his job to travel on the tour with her.
“It was after one year, and we didn’t know how it was going to turn out,” she recalls in an exclusive WTA interview.
As she points out, it turned out pretty well: “We are together for seven years, we got married last year and we are one happy couple,” she beamed.
Marriage proved a good omen for the 27-year-old, as she finished the year as the WTA World No.5, her highest year-end ranking. It capped a brilliant run of form for Cibulkova: her four WTA titles in 2016 were more than any other player and she picked up her 400th career WTA win in the quarterfinals at 2017 Doha. And last season, she ended the year in spectacular style, winning the biggest title of her career so far at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
Cibulkova was marking International Women’s Day, which has ‘Be Bold For Change’ as its 2017 theme.
International Women’s Day falls on March 8 every year, and celebrates women’s contributions to culture, the economy, politics and society.
Naomi Osaka takes on Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
Karolina Pliskova talks about her feelings and expectations before the BNP Paribas Open.
TOKYO, Japan – Former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki continued her late-season resurgence by upsetting Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
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Continuing the form that took her to the US Open semifinals, Wozniacki, who lifted the title in the Japanese capital six years ago, returned to the final after a thrilling 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory over the No.2 seed.
Radwanska had her chances, serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set, but ultimately Wozniacki, who committed just 29 unforced errors during their two hours and 51 minutes on court, was just too consistent.
“I think every time I play her, we play really tough matches – and long ones. Luckily I managed to win that second set and then we both fought so hard in that third one,” Wozniacki said.
In the final she will face Japanese wildcard Naomi Osaka, who fought back to reach her maiden WTA final with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Elina Svitolina.
“I don’t really think too much about it,” Osaka said. “I just know [Wozniacki] is gonna get a lot of balls back and I feel like I’m just going to have to be patient and stick to the game plan – when I think of a plan.”
Osaka entered the tournament having never won a match at Toray, and has now become the first Japanese finalist since Kimiko Date-Krum 21 years ago. It’s also the first WTA-level final for the 18-year-old.
“I don’t really feel pressure here since the first match, since everyone is ranked higher than me. I’m a wildcard, so I just try to do my best. But this, for sure, it’s my best tournament.”
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Former World No.38 Heather Watson got off to a good start on the first day of main draw play at the BNP Paribas Open, surviving a strong challenge from Nicole Gibbs, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, to book an exciting second-round clash with countrywoman and No.11 seed Johanna Konta.
? on the backhand winner from @HeatherWatson92! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/ZVm80ZFAaF
— WTA (@WTA) March 8, 2017
“The first set was very close; I think I just made a few more errors than I usually do,” she said during her on-court interview. “I tried to go for bigger targets to have bigger margin; I think that worked!”
Watson and Gibbs split their last two encounters, with the Brit recovering from a set down in their most recent meeting at last year’s French Open.
AMAZING pass from @HeatherWatson92! ? #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/VJXe1wXpp9
— WTA (@WTA) March 8, 2017
“I’m good friends with Nicole off the court,” added Watson. “She’s a great player, and her strengths lie in her grit and fight on the court. I knew she’d be fighting her hardest no matter what today, so I just had to make sure that I was playing well and fighting back.”
Unseeded in Indian Wells, the 24-year-old had yet to win a WTA main draw match in 2017. She nonetheless roared back from a set down against Gibbs, hitting 26 winners to 15 from her American opponent to advance in one hour and 49 minutes.
Up next for Watson is a familiar face and Fed Cup teammate in Konta; the pair won a decisive doubles rubber just three weeks ago to clinch a spot in World Group II Play-Offs for Great Britain.
.@HeatherWatson92 finishes a great rally in style! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/klBqgXrUlq
— WTA (@WTA) March 8, 2017
“Jo’s another good friend of mine; we just played Fed Cup together,” said Watson. “She’s playing brilliantly; she’s really shot up in the last year and a half. I look forward to it, and look forward to the challenge.”
Konta hasn’t played a match since, withdrawing from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to a left foot injury.
Over on Stadium 2, Monica Niculescu also came back from a set down to knock out fellow Romanian Sorana Cirstea, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Niculescu next plays No.15 seed Timea Bacsinszky.
WUHAN, China – Lucie Safarova returned to winning ways after edging past Varvara Lepchenko on the opening day of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.
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A difficult summer for Safarova brought just two wins in four outings, and her 7-5, 6-3 triumph will provide some much-needed confidence heading into the final stretch of the season.
In a closely contested opening set, the Czech whipped a brilliant forehand return to claim the decisive break in the penultimate game then held onto the momentum to take her place in the second round, where she will face compatriot and No.5 seed Karolina Pliskova.
Elsewhere, Belinda Bencic’s injury-riddled season continued when she was forced to retire following a nasty tumble against No.9 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Belinda Bencic takes a rough fall on court vs. Kuznetsova. Tripped over her foot and landed on her backside. Worrisome given past injury.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) 25 September 2016
The Swiss teenager began the year in fine fashion, reaching the second week of the Australian Open and becoming the youngest player in nearly seven years to break into the Top 10.
Since then, though, it has been one injury mishap after another; a back injury stalled her progress in spring – forcing her to miss the French Open – before a wrist problem forced her to retire from Wimbledon then pull out of the Olympics.
“I felt it in exactly the same place where I was injured – I think it’s the coccyx bone. I’m going to get some tests to figure out more, and we will see,” Bencic said.
Def one of the thoughest years for me ever. But every single one of your supporting messages are making me feel better. THANK YOU everyone❤️
— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) September 25, 2016
Kuznetsova was leading 6-3, 3-4 when the match came to its premature conclusion. In the next round she will meet Heather Watson or Madison Brengle.
And Bencic was not the only big name to suffer misfortune. No.12 seed and 2014 quarterfinalist Timea Bacsinszky retired with a viral illness when trailing 6-3, 4-3 against Louisa Chirico.
Also advancing were No.13 seed Roberta Vinci, who defeated Olympic champion Monica Puig, 6-3, 6-3, and Ekaterina Makarova, a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 winner over wildcard Sabine Lisicki.
Ahead of the first Premier Mandatory event of 2017, the top seeds at the BNP Paribas Open convened on All-Access Hour to meet the press and answer questions about World No.1 Serena Williams’ withdrawal, who Agnieszka Radwanska would vote for in wtatennis.com’s Shot Of The Month presented by Cambridge Global Payments poll, and more from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden…
.@Simona_Halep stumped when asked to share something that no one knows about her. Says able to practice pain free, will see in matches. pic.twitter.com/GoulCpfs9E
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Simona Halep
On the impact of Serena’s withdrawal…
I heard she is struggling with the knees, so I understand. After she won the Australian Open she can take a long time off. She will come back at Roland Garros and she will probably win!
On how her personality helps and hurts her game…
I think I struggle with the confidence a little bit. And then on the other side I’m ambitious. And very competitive.
On her decision to play Romania’s next Fed Cup tie against Great Britain…
I think we play in my hometown. It will be great. I said I will play even if I have pain. I spoke with Ilie Nastase and told him I am coming. It will be nice. I can’t wait to be on court with him as a captain. It will be a nice experience and hopefully we can win.
“How's life going for you?” @ARadwanska: “Good. Getting old.” Table laughs. Celebrated her b-day at Cheesecake Factory. “10 year tradition”. pic.twitter.com/f2Cg1gpq4J
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Agnieszka Radwanska
On her toughest competition in the hot shot department…
Kirsten Flipkens. I think she is very good at those shots. Sometimes I thougth she’s gonna win, but then my shots are still better from the fans but if I had to pick, sometimes I’d pick her shots.
On celebrating her birthday in Indian Wells at The Cheesecake Factory…
That’s the tradition. Since 10 years. It’s the 10th year in the Cheesecake Factory. Different cheesecake every time. Oreo is the best one.
.@KaPliskova says she usually declines photoshoots. “I just want to play good tennis. That's the goal. I don't need to be in every magazine” pic.twitter.com/YkOJizjsXQ
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Karolina Pliskova
On avoiding a potential third round clash with her sister Kristyna thanks to Serena’s withdrawal…
I was kind of happy. We were supposed to meet in the third round, so she would have to win two tough matches and me one, so it was not sure that we were gonna play but it’s definitely better to be in the place that I am now.
On what would mean more to her, titles or wins over certain players…
Pliskova: Definitely both titles and some players, which we all know there are some players I don’t like to play. We all know that.
WTA Insider: You mean Aga?
Pliskova: Yeah that’s the one. So I just want to beat those players which I don’t feel comfortable on the court. And then still, it’s the titles. Doesn’t matter which titles, it’s still always a good title, a good week. It gives me a lot of confidence coming to the next tournament. I just want to try at every tournament. I think I have a good chance every week. Doesn’t matter which tournament, doesn’t matter which surface – obviously clay gonna be difficult – I just want to try. Out of four tournaments I made two finals. So I think I have a good chance every week.
On getting offers for photoshoots and magazine spreads back home…
I usually say no to everything. I just don’t need this stuff. I was not raised this way. I just want to play good tennis. For me, that’s the main goal. I don’t need to be in any magazine.
.@SvetlanaK27 holding court. #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/pRgJ5oqHep
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Svetlana Kuznetsova
On whether tournaments are more open with the absence of Serena, Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova, and Petra Kvitova…
For sure it’s a shame for the fans and it’s great to see all these great players playing. But I’m not sure if it’s that open because I believe tennis these past years the level raised a lot. All matches are so difficult. It doesn’t matter who is playing. It’s so difficult to win. Yes, it’s less great players. But still the players are getting better and better and I just look forward for all those players to get back and have those great fields again.