My Performance: Kristina Mladenovic
Kristina Mladenovic talks about her performance at the BNP Paribas Open.
Kristina Mladenovic talks about her performance at the BNP Paribas Open.
TOKYO, Japan – Caroline Wozniacki overcame a mid-match blip to defeat 2015 runner-up Belinda Bencic in the opening round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
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Continuing the form that took her to the US Open semifinals, Wozniacki raced through the first set before building a commanding lead in the second. However, with the finishing line in sight, Wozniacki, who lifted the title in the Japanese capital six years ago, wobbled before recomposing herself in the deciding set to close out a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 victory.
The result ended a run of four straight defeats for Wozniacki against the Swiss, including in the Tokyo semifinals 12 months ago, and her reward is a second-round meeting with No.4 seed Carla Suárez Navarro.
A strong serving display from Wozniacki, who backed up her usual metronomic groundstrokes with 10 aces, provided further reminder of her ability to contest at the business end of the WTA’s flagship events. The only cause for concern came when victory was in sight.
Leading 5-2, the former World No.1 came within two points of victory only to see Bencic escape this game, then pounce on a couple of inviting second serves to break back. As the Dane retreated into her defensive shell, Bencic prowled around the court with intent, clubbing a drive volley to move 6-5 ahead before serving out to love.
This was the signal for Wozniacki to take a bathroom pit-stop and when she returned so too did her focus. A resilient hold was followed by a break, Bencic ending a lengthy exchange with a forehand into the tape. This time there would be no coming back, a run of four unanswered games emphatically quashing her young opponent’s hopes.
Also advancing in the bottom half of the draw were Barbora Strycova and Magda Linette. Strycova ruthlessly ended the run of qualifier Varatchaya Wongteanchai, 6-1, 6-1, while Linette, a qualifier herself, fought back to defeat teenage wildcard Olesya Pervushina, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
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SEOUL, South Korea – No.5 seed Monica Niculescu was the only seeded player to advance on Day 6 at the Korea Open Tennis after a spate of upsets saw defending champion Irina-Camelia Begu, Kirsten Flipkens and Kristina Mladenovic bow out in the second round.
Niculescu faced off against Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova for a spot into the Seoul quarterfinals. The Romanian had little trouble seeing off Schmiedlova, breaking her serve three times in each set to advance in an emphatic 6-2, 6-2 victory in just over an hour and a half.
But the rest of the field wasn’t so lucky, and chaos reigned after Niculescu left the court at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center.
Patricia Maria Tig dodged all of Kirsten Flipkens’ Seoul-ful hot shots on her way to a 6-4, 6-4 upset over the No.6 seed. She books a quarterfinal clash with Sara Sorribes Tormo, who came back from a set down to upset No.4 seed Kristina Mladenovic 1-6, 6-2, 6-4.
The day of surprises ended with the biggest shock of the day, as the No.102 ranked Jana Cepelova ousted the defending champion and top seed Irina-Camelia Begu, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Elena Vesnina has the potential to make it into the singles Top 10, says Svetlana Kuznetsova – the woman she beat in an epic final at the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday.
“Why not? Of course, I mean, she did semis in Wimbledon last year. She won here now. She has to be much more consistent to be in the top 10, but she can make it, for sure,” said the defeated Russian of her compatriot.
.@SvetlanaK27 is moving up a gear! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/QO5bthevKE
— WTA (@WTA) March 19, 2017
Kuznetsova admitted that she had struggled with the daytime conditions, and felt rather frustrated that she had not played as well as she could.
“I didn’t feel comfortable at all today on the court,” said the 31-year-old. “I was trying to do the best I could, you know, but this is the type of day when you don’t play your best tennis and you’ve got to still give your best effort.
“I tried my best and she won because she was more aggressive than I did. I was too passive. That’s it. Too much behind and didn’t serve well, I think it was key points.”
Kuznetsova now moves on to Miami – and is confident that she can recover quickly from the loss to her countrywoman.
“I feel great,” she assured reporters in her post-match press conference. “I didn’t overwork. I think what really is difficult to handle, like, lots of stress. It’s, like, kind of waste you physically a little bit. But the rest matches didn’t get me so much tired. I feel great physically.
“I’m looking forward to have couple days off and hopefully get a good start in Miami.”
Anastasija Sevastova has Thursday’s Shot Of The Day at the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
Chris Oddo | Main draw action at the Miami Open begins on Tuesday and we’re previewing the key first-round matchups right here at wtatennis.com.
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