Tennis News

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – No.6 seed Eugenie Bouchard continued her serene progress at the BMW Malaysian Open with a straight set win over Cagla Buyukakcay in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Watch live action from Monterrey & Kuala Lumpur this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Even a visit from the trainer midway through the second set failed to derail Bouchard, who recovered from a break down to close out the contest, 6-1, 6-4.

“She was a tough opponent. I felt like I played very aggressive and solid at the same time,” Bouchard said. “I got a little dizzy at the beginning of the second set but I managed to fight through.”

The conditions in the Malaysian capital have proved a thorn in the side of several players this week and they tested Bouchard physically and mentally: “It’s pretty tough here – it’s very humid in Malaysia. Sometimes I was seeing four balls instead of one! But the physio helped me a little bit and I just kept fighting, took it one point at a time and luckily managed to win it in two sets.”

Next the Canadian will face Naomi Broady after she upset No.3 seed Sabine Lisicki, 7-6(4), 1-6, 7-5.

In a match dominated by serve, Broady’s held firm during a tense deciding set to send her through to the second WTA semifinal of her career.

“I’m really pleased that I won. It’s one of the best ranking wins of my career,” Broady said. “It was really a battle of the serves today; Sabine has one of the best serves on the tour and I hope that I will soon have one of the best, too.

“I just tried to keep my composure on my service games and fighting for every point.”

On the other side of the draw, No.2 seed Elina Svitolina faces surprise package Zhu Lin. Svitolina recovered from a nightmare start to defeat Kristina Kucova, 1-6, 6-1, 6-1, while qualifier Zhu won her all-Chinese encounter again Wang Qiang, 6-3, 6-4.

Since her memorable run to the semifinals of the Australian Open, Johanna Konta has been the talk of British sport – back-page domination, feature articles and talk show slots.

However, last week Heather Watson provided a timely reminder of just what she is capable of, outplaying a series of higher-ranked rivals to win the Abierto Monterrey Afirme.

A watertight defense and fit-as-a-fiddle physique were the hallmarks of Watson’s original rise to prominence on tour, bringing her a maiden WTA title and a Top 50 ranking before a debilitating bout of glandular fever intervened.

Since returning the British No.2 augmented her defensive qualities with a newfound aggression. And in Monterrey her positivity paid dividends, bossing former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in their quarterfinal then blowing away the gifted Caroline Garcia in the semis.

She completed the week in dramatic fashion, seeing off an inspired Kirsten Flipkens in the final to lift the third singles title of her career. The result catapults Watson from No.84 to 53 – her highest ranking since last June.

Watson, though, is not the only upwardly mobile Briton.

Naomi Broady (+20, No.96 to No.76): Watson’s compatriot Naomi Broady is no shrinking violet. This week was another eventful one for Broady, whose 46 aces helped her to wins over Klara Koukalova and Sabine Lisicki, a second WTA semifinal and a career-best ranking.

Eugenie Bouchard (+10, No.52 to No.42): Broady’s conqueror, Eugenie Bouchard, narrowly missed out on a second career title, but produced enough signs to suggest that her recent revival is no flash in the plan. With few points to defend over the next few months, the Canadian’s climb up the rankings is unlikely to stall at No.42.

Elina Svitolina (+5 No.19 to No.14): Elina Svitolina does not turn 22 until September, but after her thrilling final victory over Bouchard means she already has four titles to her name. The 280 points picked up in the Malaysian capital also takes her to a career-high No.14 in the rankings.

Kirsten Flipkens (+14, No.73 to No.59): While Flipkens was unable to maintain her electric start to defeat Watson, victories over seeds Alison Van Uytvanck and Konta ensured the tournament remained a highly encouraging one. She is now back inside the Top 60 for the first time since last March.

Anett Kontaveit (+18, No.91 to No.73): Anett Kontaveit progress up the rankings has been steady rather than spectacular. In Monterrey, the Estonian took the latest step in the shape of a first WTA semifinal, a result that edged her 18 places closer to a Top 50 debut.

QUÉBEC CITY, Canada – Barbora Stefkova was a match from reaching the main draw after falling in qualies, but got a lucky break that the Czech youngster took with gusto to knock out defending champion Annika Beck, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, to reach the second round of the Coupe Banque Nationale.

“I was a little bit lucky to get in as a lucky loser,” she said after the match. “It definitely wasn’t an easy match because she doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. She’s really solid from the baseline, running so much. There weren’t too many easy points for me, but I’m happy I made it.:

Stefkova was a late addition to the draw, but made the most of her opportunity against Beck, who’d taken the title in Québec one year ago. Down a set and 5-3, the 21-year-old saved two match points before roaring back to level the match. Recovering from a break deficit in the decider, Stefkova served out the win on her first match point.

“I just tried to keep my game, tried to play fast, and hope for the best!”

A stunned Stefkova was extra exhilarated to learn just how big her win over the No.2 seed was after the match.

“She won last year? I didn’t know that, or check her profile. So it’s a nice result for me! I just knew my first round, so I’ll need to check now!”

Stefkova next plays Alison Van Uytvanck, who began the day with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Elitsa Kostova.

It was a tough day for seeds as No.4 seed Julia Goerges bowed out to the big-hitting Ekaterina Alexandrova (who beat Ana Ivanovic in the first round of Wimbledon), 6-4, 7-6(1), and No.5 seed Naomi Broady fell to Oceane Dodin, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. For Dodin, today’s win marked her first on the WTA level, though she had already won two main draw matches at Grand Slams.

Young Canadian Francoise Abanda ended the night with a straight-set win over Mona Barthel.

INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Players are making themselves at home in the desert as they prepare for the BNP Paribas Open which gets underway at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Wednesday. Famous for the surrounding mountain ranges and its hot climate, the BNP Paribas Open is the first WTA Premier Mandatory tournament of the year.

While some players have been enjoying the practice courts under the palm trees and Californian sun, others have been taking in views of a different kind as they soak up the sights of the Golden State.

Chan Yung-Jan admired the view over downtown Los Angeles while exploring the Griffith Observatory.

Amazing view from #GriffithObservatory #americandays ??????? pic.twitter.com/PDL5OqVo2v

— ???~YungJan Chan (@YungJan_Chan) March 6, 2017

Daria Kasatkina experienced colder climes at the top of this mountain.

Quite high pic.twitter.com/XeRZYE739i

— Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) March 6, 2017

With a stunning mountain range in the background, Belinda Bencic enjoyed her practice.

Nowhere is a better place to Tennis???? #thedesert @bnpparibasopen#autosternzürichsee #mercedesbenz #wädenswil #picstars pic.twitter.com/tkNYLoaLS8

— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) March 6, 2017

Alison Riske was up early to hit the courts.

early mornings have never been better???? #indianwells ?? pic.twitter.com/WNZ2ngVP2k

— Alison Riske (@Riske4rewards) March 5, 2017

)>Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is excited to be back at the BNP Paribas Open.

Hi Indian Wells???? pic.twitter.com/izCosDjBOK

— A. Pavlyuchenkova (@NastiaPav) March 6, 2017

Julia Goerges and Elena Vesnina were all smiles after their practice.

Thanks for the great practice @EVesnina001 ???? @BNPPARIBASOPEN #suchagreatevent #beautifulplace pic.twitter.com/HkspD2GlLj

— Jule Goerges?????? (@juliagoerges) March 6, 2017

Roberta Vinci basked in the early morning sun on Monday.

Good morning, Indian Wells!
Early mornings couldn't be better!! ?☀️?? @BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/kdeJ6EzSJp

— Roberta Vinci (@roberta_vinci) March 6, 2017

Tsvetana Pironkova is also happy to be back at the BNP Paribas Open.

Hello @BNPPARIBASOPEN ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/HLKWo2d1kR

— Tsvetana Pironkova (@TPironkova) March 5, 2017

INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – CiCi Bellis will be looking to continue her meteoric rise to tennis superstardom as the American teenager enters a star-studded field at this week’s BNP Paribas Open.

Following on from some impressive victories of late, including a win over Agnieszka Radwanska to become the youngest quarterfinalist at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships since 2001, Bellis has climbed to No.55 in the WTA rankings and a certain Chris Evert thinks it won’t be long before the precocious talent rises even higher.

“There are a handful of players who are going to overpower her right now, but by the end of the year I wouldn’t be surprised if she was Top 20,” Evert said in a recent interview with the NY Times.

“Her legs are rock hard. I think the off-court training has helped her a lot. Two years ago, she would counterpunch and would sort of absorb power from her opponent, and now she’s giving it.”

.@cicibellis99 doing her thing at the Tennis Channel shoot today ? pic.twitter.com/zZ5onxHUQX

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 7, 2017

It’s hard to believe that Bellis will only turn 18 on April 8. But Evert, who has been mentoring Bellis through a USTA program, has been impressed with a maturity and willingness to learn that could take her to the very top of the game.

“I’ve been so impressed by her maturity and self-reliance and just the hunger she has to learn. Her eyes are wide open to any information that you can give her. Bottom line is no drama. Some of these other girls, when they are practicing, it’s yelling and up and down and emotions and body language, and with her, it’s steadfast.”

Bellis is set to play Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens in the opening round of her first Indian Wells and, if successful, will face French Open Champion Garbiñe Muguruza in the second round.