Tennis News

LUXEMBOURG – Top seed Petra Kvitova overcame a slow start to defeat Varvara Lepchenko and take her place in the quarterfinals of the BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open.

Watch live action from Luxembourg & Moscow this week at WTA Live Powered By TennisTV!

The closing stretch of the 2016 season has seen Kvitova make a welcome return to form, and once into her stride against Lepchenko there was no stopping her, running out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 winner in just under two hours.

Lepchenko held her own early on, breaking decisively in the penultimate game of the opening set. The expected Kvitova onslaught finally materialized at the start of the second set, and despite surviving a couple of fraught service games, Lepchenko was merely delaying the inevitable.

Once the Czech did finally hit the front, there was no looking back, winning 10 of the last 11 games to saunter across the finishing line.

A comeback win for @Petra_Kvitova over Lepchenko 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to advance to @Iwtp_lux QF. pic.twitter.com/oLzJCGbWmD

— WTA (@WTA) October 19, 2016

“I probably didn’t play as well as I would want in the first set. But she started very strong and didn’t give me time to do anything, so I was under pressure a little bit,” Kvitova said afterwards to the press.

“In the second set I had to change the game a little bit and when I made the first break in the sixth game I was feeling a little better, more confident and I was just trying to keep going and not have so many unforced errors.”

Elsewhere, an under the weather Caroline Wozniacki dug deep to see off Sabine Lisicki, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Wozniacki, the No.2 seed this week, was suffering from a gastrointestinal illness, but overcame a slow start and a late wobble to triumph.

“I felt nausea during my match. I just feel pretty tired probably from coming from Hong Kong. I played pretty well today but maybe my movement wasn’t quite there. I just hope I feel better for tomorrow,” Wozniacki said to wtatennis.com.

Also among the second-round winners were No.3 seed Kiki Bertens, who brushed aside Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, 6-3, 6-1, while Andrea Petkovic upset No.4 seed Caroline Garcia, 6-1, 6-1.

Simplicity suits Sloane Stephens. The 23-year-old American is up to No.21 in the world after capturing her third title of the season and the biggest one of her career this weekend at the Volvo Car Open. Her run to the title, which included wins over Angelique Kerber (by retirement), Daria Kasatkina, and Daria Gavrilova, was her first at a Premier level event. But the milestone seemed inevitable given Stephens’ recent turnaround. Since snapping an 0-6 record in semifinals last year, Stephens is now 4-0 in finals.

If you ask Stephens for an explanation for the turnaround, you’ll get no precise answer. The change and improvements in her game have been gradual and are clearly tied to confidence. She won her first title last year at the Citi Open under then-coach Nick Saviano. After teaming up with Kamau Murray in the off-season, Stephens has improved in her focus, fight, and execution. When she was behind the eight-ball in Charleston, such as being down match point to Kasatkina in the quarterfinals, Stephens didn’t shirk. She played bolder and more confidently, and pulled the match back on her terms. She did the same in the final, where she nearly let a 5-2 lead slip away in the first set before running away with the tiebreaker to win 7-6(4), 6-2 over Elena Vesnina.

WTA Insider spoke to Stephens via phone after her big win in Charleston.

WTA Insider: Now that the first quarter of the season is over and we’re about transition to red clay, can you look back and assess your first three-four months? You must be happy with how well you’ve started the year.
Stephens: Yeah definitely. Obviously with three titles it’s been good. Going into the clay court season I’m looking forward to it because I love clay. Yeah, it’s been a good start to the year, good start to the clay court season, so I’m excited to get over to Europe.

WTA Insider: What’s the difference between how you’re playing right now as opposed to a year ago?
Stephens: I’m playing better, just competing and fighting and enjoying being out on the court. It’s definitely a long journey. Just taking it step by step, day by day, but learning a lot of about myself and my game, just looking to improve on court which has been the most important.

WTA Insider: When you say you’ve learned a lot about yourself and your game, can you be more specific? What have you learned?
Stephens: Just general things. What I like to do on the court, what makes me comfortable, what works for me basically. I’ve found a way to make things happen for myself and I think that’s the most important.

WTA Insider: Have any of the things you’ve learned about yourself surprised you?
Stephens: Not really. Just a matter of execution and knowing what you have to do on the court. I think at some times there were question marks in my head about what I wanted to do and just to be able to execute and focus on what I need to do is the probably the best thing.

WTA Insider: When I watch you play I’m sometimes reminded of Svetlana Kuznetsova, insofar as you’re both incredible athletes who have the ability to play different gamestyles and hit a variety of shots. Sometimes that variety can make the game complicated. You have so many options that a player can be paralyzed when it comes to decision-making. Does any of that ring true to you?
Stephens: I don’t know, I can hit a lot of shots and adjust well to other players game styles. So I guess…yeah? But being able to hit a lot of different shots and be able to adjust to how my opponents play has been a strong aspect of my game.

In the moment I don’t think you’re thinking about do I hit this shot or that shot. You do what’s natural. You don’t overthink it.

WTA Insider: What is working so well with Kamau Murray?
Stephens: We work well together. He’s a good coach. I’ve had good results. I mean anything that a good coach should have, good chemistry, things are going well, I’m winning tournaments. I couldn’t ask for much more.

WTA Insider: Is he saying things that other coaches have always told you, just in a voice and manner that strikes a chord in you? Or is he bringing something new and different to your game?
Stephens: No, I just think we have good chemistry, we work well together. At this point when I’m No.25 in the world there’s not much in my game that he could change that would make me a different player. There are things that when you click better with a certain coach or understand a different coach better, there are things that work better with certain people. And I think we have a good chemistry so, I don’t know, we make things happen.

WTA Insider: What aspect of your season are you most proud about?
Stephens: Just competing. Just being able to stay in the moment on the court and in the matches. All three of my finals have been tough this year. So it’s been nice to be able to edge those out and stay focused on court. I think that’s been really good.

WTA Insider: You’re not playing Fed Cup and you’re not in action until the Madrid Open. Can you talk through your mindset in how you put together your clay schedule? Why skip Stuttgart?
Stephens: I’ve just always played that schedule. I like Madrid, I like Rome, I like red clay. So it’s easy. I think being an American playing Indian Wells and Miami is tough because there’s a lot going on. So I think for me, Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston, it’s been a lot. So it’ll be nice to take a break and then go back to Europe because we’re going to be there for a month, maybe longer. I think it’s just planning so as to not overwork yourself before you get to clay season.

WTA Insider: So I understand you’re headed straight home to LA tonight. What are you looking forward to the most about LA?
Stephens: My bed. Definitely.

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It was an emotionally challenging week for Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia but it was one that ended in smiles rather than tears. The French duo picked up their first title as a team by beating the streaking Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova 6-2 7-5. After making two finals already this season, it was the perfect result for the pair, who will undoubtedly feature prominently in France’s bid to win the Fed Cup as well as their desire to medal at the Olympics.

WTA Insider caught up with Garcia and Mladenovic after their big win.

WTA Insider: You paired up this year and already made two finals. Now you finally get the title. What does it mean to you?
Mladenovic: It definitely means a lot. Third time’s the charm. We’re both so excited, proud, and relieved we got this one under our belt and the first team trophy for us.

Garcia: We both lost 7-6 in the third in singles. You know that for me it’s been a difficult beginning of the week. [Note: Garcia was the subject of unfounded allegations by the media in her match against Irina Camelia Begu. The WTA conducted a full investigation and found no evidence of misconduct.] A lot of things have been hurting me personally and very deep. I was taking a lot of pleasure in doubles and making me think of something else. Also it made me learn things outside of the court and it helped me play better inside the court.

WTA Insider: You’re both primarily singles players. How do you balance the two disciplines? In Charleston you both lost early in singles.
Mladenovic: It’s not an easy balance. Honestly, doubles is the best practice I can have for my singles. For example, now this is the first week on clay, we can get a lot of matches under our belt. I’m also this week working on a few things in my game. Just to be able to have an opportunity to work on these things on court and competing — an official doubles match can replace practices.

To get trophies and titles like this is very meaningful. It definitely helps my singles game. I feel like today I’m a lot more confident and it for sure helps for the singles game. You just try and push yourself. ‘Ok, I lost in singles but I’m going to try and do great in doubles and to work on things.’

WTA Insider: Does playing doubles make you a better pressure player?
Mladnenovic: Yeah, definitely. I remember for example, I was privileged to win mixed doubles titles with Daniel Nestor in Wimbledon and the Australian Open, and also I remember in the juniors when I won the French Open. All those experiences, with big pressure, big moments, history, all of these little details, this pressure, you practice to feel it so you believe it will be routine.

When I go out there, I have so many examples of matches at home, all these matches — maybe that’s why I’m doing well so far at the French Open — when I get on the big courts I have this feeling inside of me — I’ve been there before, it’s familiar to me. So I know how to handle the nerves and pressure. When you play tennis you want to be a champion. You’re looking every day for this pressure. It’s a feeling I personally live for because I know in the normal life I know i would never find this adrenaline.

Garcia: Maybe it helps you a little bit to manage the stress at the important points. But it’s also different. You are not alone on court, you can talk to the other one, and the other one can talk to you, to encourage you to stay positive. Of course you have to take care of yourself on court.

WTA Insider: Was the motivation any different for you two in Charleston? You had a big Fed Cup tie coming up, plus you lost early in the tournament. Was it difficult to stay committed?
Mladenovic: Before the tournament our Fed Cup Captain Amelie Mauresmo was not really 100% for us playing here because she wanted us to be back in Europe early for the jet lag and everything for the Fed Cup semifinals next week. We decided to play because we needed it for the confidence. We have common goals and when we play we play 100%.

Garcia: We always thought our goal was to win the title but we just take it match by match. But we didn’t care about next week. We were just enjoying our time in Charleston. It’s a great tournament, there are a lot of people who come to watch you. You can’t just pull out and say it doesn’t matter. that is not the point of view of Kristina and I and our teams. So when we enter, we play until the end.

It’s such a good feeling to finish the week like this. That’s the beauty of it. At the end of the week we are the doubles champions of a great event. It’s a lot of confidence and I’m sure it will help us do great next week. That’s the feeling we’re having now. We’re excited to fly and join the rest of the team to try and make the final.

All photos courtesy of Volvo Car Open.

STRASBOURG, France – For the Czech Republic’s top players, reuniting for Fed Cup finals has almost become an end-of-the-season tradition. The two-time defending champions are back in action this weekend in Strasbourg, where they’re seeking their fifth title in six years.

Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova, Barbora Strycova and Lucie Hradecka will take on the underdogs France in the Fed Cup final – here’s everything you need to know about the team and the tie, right here on wtatennis.com!

Fast Facts:

Tie: Fed Cup Final, France vs Czech Republic
Dates: Nov 12 & Nov 13, 2016
Venue: Rhenus Sport – Strasbourg, France (indoor hardcourts)
Czech Captain: Petr Pala

– The Czech Republic’s last three ties have been decided in the final doubles rubber
– All of the ties in their 2016 campaign have been away, including the final

Meet the team:

Karolina Pliskova

The new Czech No.1 Pliskova earned her career-high ranking of No.5 after the best season of her career saw her lift two titles, including the Premier-level Western & Southern Open – defeating Angelique Kerber in the final – and reach the US Open final, defeating Serena Williams in the semifinals.

After such a banner season, Pliskova is looking to continue her rise with her second Fed Cup crown. Dangerous both in singles and in doubles with partners Barbora Strycova or Lucie Hradecka, the versatile 24-year-old is valuable asset for the Czech team.

Fed Cup debut: 2015
Ties played: 4
Fed Cup win-loss record: 9-2 (singles 6-2, doubles 3-0)
Fed Cup indoor record: 9-2

Petra Kvitova

Fresh from her win at the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, a rejuvenated Kvitova dons the white, blue and red Czech national colors with a renewed sense of purpose. She always shines while playing for her country, and this year she was able to use her impressive run to the Olympic bronze medal as a catalyst to put behind her a disappointing start to the season.

Though her last appearance for the Czech Republic ended in two disappointing defeats, suffering a straight sets loss against Monica Niculescu and a three-set heartbreaker to Simona Halep in the World Group quarterfinal against Romania, Kvitova has been a crucial component to the team for years, competing in all five of their most recent finals.

Kvitova said: “I think the tennis in Czech Republic has a huge [tennis] history. When Navratilova played, all of them, we always kind of been strong for tennis, but the women’s side a little bit stronger right now, and that’s why we playing final again probably.

“Of course we should be confident to get the title for us again. I think we have a great team, and we’re going to do everything what we can. We always love playing. It will be great week for sure, and the weekend will be more special.”

Fed Cup debut: 2007
Ties played: 19
Fed Cup win-loss record: 26-10 (singles 26-9, doubles 0-1)
Fed Cup indoor record: 24-6

Barbora Strycova

The Czech No.3 Strycova sits at No.20 on the WTA rankings after reaching two finals this year, at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the Aegon Classic Birmingham. She’s added three doubles titles to her impressive haul, too, including a win at Birmingham with her countrywoman Pliskova.

As a result, Strycova is one of the Czechs’ go-to doubles players, though she’s also been showing off more of her singles game lately. She defeated Timea Bacsinszky in straight sets in the World Group semifinal against Switzerland before falling to Viktorija Golubic in three sets.

Strycova said: “All the Czech players, we know how to be a teammates in the week where is Fed Cup. Tennis is individual sport, so we know how to separate it.Most of the time of the year you play for yourself.

“But three weeks in a year we are so close together and we are like really – I can’t describe it, because it’s like a routine for us that we are really doing everything together in the week where we play Fed Cup.”

Fed Cup debut: 2002
Ties played: 15
Fed Cup win-loss record: 16-9 (singles 7-6, doubles 9-3)
Fed Cup indoor record: 5-5

Lucie Hradecka

As one half of the “Silent Hs” along with partner Andrea Hlavackova, Hradecka’s season in doubles has been a success. The pair started the year with an appearance in the Australian Open final, continued on to reach the quarterfinals or better at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome, then capped it off by lifting two titles, the Coupe Banque Nationale and Kremlin Cup as well as competing at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

As the Czech Republic’s longtime doubles specialist, Hradecka’s role could prove even more crucial this weekend – the team’s last three ties have been decided in the final doubles rubber.

Fed Cup debut: 2010
Ties played: 12
Fed Cup win-loss record: 7-5 (singles 1-3, doubles 6-2)
Fed Cup indoor record: 6-1

– Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Peng Shuai was a few months removed from a US Open semifinal appearance when a back injury took her out of the game for almost a year.

“For me, two years ago, I was at a peak level,” Peng said at the China Open. “I could choose whether I would like to play or not. Actually, my friends and family did not agree with my surgery, because it’s too risky. Now I’m near 30 years old.”

The former Chinese No.1 agreed to have surgery, and was determined to get back to playing her best tennis.

“After the surgery, no one could guarantee I could come back to the court. What if I have more injuries if I come back to the court? I’d like to thank them for their support and care. I was a little bit stubborn to have the surgery. My friends and family supported me to undergo this surgery. It was quite a challenge for me.”

Peng began showing flashes of brilliance at home, upsetting former World No.1 Venus Williams in Beijing before finally adding a WTA title to her illustrious resume, winning the Tianjin Open.

Just shy of the Top 100 heading into 2017 (from a low of No.768), Peng is your Breakthrough Player of the Month!

Final Results for October’s WTA Breakthrough Performance Of The Month

1. Peng Shuai (70%)
2. Johanna Konta (23%)
3. Daria Gavrilova (8%)

2016 Breakthrough Performance Of The Month Winners

January: Zhang Shuai
February: Jelena Ostapenko
March: Nicole Gibbs
April: Cagla Buyukakcay
May: Kiki Bertens
June: Elena Vesnina
July: Kristina Kucova
August: Karolina Pliskova
September: Naomi Osaka