Tennis News

Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki’s third meeting in as many weeks will highlight an exciting sextet of Round of 16 tilts on Thursday in Beijing. We preview the action, courtesy of WTATennis.com contributor Chris Oddo.

Thursday

Round of 16

[3] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL #3) vs. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN #22)
Head-to-head: Wozniacki leads, 9-5
Key Stat: Wozniacki has won 14 of her last 16 matches.

They’ve always been good friends off the court and intense rivals on, but never before have Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska played three times in the same tennis season – let alone three weeks in a row. That will change on Thursday in Beijing when the pair meet for the third time in three weeks with a spot in the China Open quarterfinals on the line. Wozniacki has turned around her season with an electrifying run that included a win over Radwanska in the semifinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open, but the Pole hit back last week at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, ending Wozniacki’s seven-match winning streak with a 6-4, 6-2 decision over the Dane in the round of 16. 2011 Beijing champion Radwanska improved her career record at the China Open to 23-7 with a straight-sets win over Ekaterina Makarova in the second round, but she’ll face a tougher challenge in Wozniacki. The Dane owns a 7-5 lifetime record against Radwanska on hard courts, and she has won four of the last five against Radwanska overall.

Pick: Radwanska in three

[1] Angelique Kerber (GER #1) vs. [16] Elina Svitolina (UKR #18)
Head-to-head: Kerber leads, 5-2
Key Stat: Kerber owns 20 Top 20 wins in 2016.

22-year-old Elina Svitolina notched two consecutive victories over Angelique Kerber two years ago at Wuhan and Brisbane, but since then the German has taken the power back, winning three straight over the World No.16. But Svitolina has played Kerber tough, taking her to three sets in each of their last two contests. In fact, Svitolina has always played the Top 10 tough. The Ukrainian owns three Top 10 wins in 2016, including a massive upset of then World No.1 Serena Williams at the Olympic tennis event. Can she produce a similar shock against the current No.1? Kerber comes in confident and ready for battle, having won 22 of her last 26 matches including her second Grand Slam title at the US Open, so the onus will be on Svitolina to produce inspired tennis. That’s what it takes to defeat Kerber these days. Svitolina has the capability to produce it but she’ll need to ratchet up her aggression and take her chances, because Kerber is as stingy as they come – and opportunistic, too.

Pick: Kerber in three

[4] Simona Halep (ROU #5) vs. Zhang Shuai (CHN #36)
Head-to-head: Tied, 1-1
Key Stat: Zhang stunned Halep in the first round of this year’s Australian Open for her first career Grand Slam win.

Zhang Shuai’s fairy tale 2016 kicked into high gear with a first-round upset of Simona Halep at the Australian Open that left the Chinese in tears at Margaret Court Arena. It was her long awaited maiden Grand Slam main draw victory and it marked the beginning of a stunning turn in fortunes for Zhang. Nearly ten months later the Chinese No.1 is 100 spots higher in the rankings and has seven Grand Slam wins under her belt. Zhang, making her first appearance in the round of 16 at Beijing in seven years, will look to produce another epic upset against Halep on Thursday, but this time the Romanian will be gunning for a shot of revenge. Halep had nothing but kind words to say after the loss in Melbourne, but she also felt she could have played with more gusto against Zhang. “She didn’t have fear,” Halep told reporters after the match. “She hit all the balls… but I think I let her play her best tennis. I didn’t hit very strong and I didn’t hit with good strength. So, yeah, it happened and she was better today.” Halep has been one of the best players on tour since Wimbledon, and one of the most consistent. She has gone 26-4 since Wimbledon and reached at least the quarterfinals of every event she has played in that span. Can Zhang shake Halep’s tree again on home soil in Beijing, or is it Simona’s turn to spoil the party?

Pick: Halep in three

[5] Karolina Pliskova (CZE #6) vs. [11] Johanna Konta (GBR #14)
Head-to-head: Pliskova leads, 5-0
Key Stat: Konta has won four of her last six against Top 10 opposition.

With slim Singapore hopes still alive, Great Britain’s Johanna Konta will bid for another Top 10 upset on Thursday in Beijing when she faces Karolina Pliskova. The Czech is playing with house money after saving match point and surviving an epic battle with Russia’s Daria Kasatkina on Wednesday. That type of cliff-hanging win for the powerful yet poised Czech doesn’t come as a surprise. Pliskova has been a pillar of belief since late this summer. It started with her first Premier title in Cincinnati and continued when she finally reached the second week of a major at the U.S. Open. Pliskova raced all the way to the final at New York and though she didn’t win a hard-fought final with Angelique Kerber, she has clearly hit her stride as a big-match player. Will she continue her fine form with a sixth consecutive victory over Konta? The pair’s lifetime head-to-head might appear lopsided to the casual observer but Konta has forced Pliskova to a deciding set in each of their last four meetings. Will Thursday be the day she finally conquers the Czech?

Pick: Pliskova in three

Around the Grounds: A pair of Frenchwomen – Caroline Garcia and Alizé Cornet – will bid for quarterfinal slots on Thursday in Beijing. Cornet will bid to reach her first quarterfinal since she won the Hobart title in January when she takes on Yaroslava Shvedova for the third time. Garcia will look to win for the first time in three tries against Aussie Daria Gavrilova.

MIAMI, FL, USA – It is hard to recall a tennis season in recent memory that has thrown up quite so many surprises as the opening months of 2016.

Showcasing the unprecedented strength and depth of the women’s game, 15 tournaments have witnessed 13 different players lifting silverware. More remarkable still is World No.1 Serena Williams’s failure to enter the winner’s circle, a barren run that will now stretch into May following her fourth-round exit to Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Miami Open.

While it is arguable whether defeat to a two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.2 should classify as a shock, there is no doubt the result underlines the current competitiveness on tour.

“I just think that overall the level is quite equal of other players,” Kuznetsova said in her press conference following the match. “You know, like some players out of like Top 30, they can beat anybody on good day.

“The thing is they cannot keep playing this good game. You can see some surprise wins in first two rounds. Everybody plays good and goes for their shots and everybody is really strong. But not everybody can keep doing this during the whole tournament. I think this is a bit frustrating. But overall, I think every round is extremely tough now.”

The 30-year-old’s next test comes in the shape of compatriot Ekaterina Makarova, herself no stranger to upsetting the apple cart.

Twice a Grand Slam semifinalist, Makarova has quietly been building up a head of steam at Crandon Park, following up a battling win over Lesia Tsurenko with dominant displays against Petra Kvitova and then Elina Svitolina.

Makarova had yet to make her WTA main draw debut when Kuznetsova was crowned Miami champion in 2006. “I’m too old! It was 10 years ago,” Kuznetsova joked. “I’ve been on this court many times. I love playing on this stage; the fans in my Miami are great. I love being back here and I’m really happy with my performance.”

Despite dominating her encounters with Makarova to date, Kuznetsova is wary of looking too far ahead: “I mean, it’s too early to say. You know, I have so many people saying congratulations I feel like I won the title already. It’s not real.

“Now these days the tennis is extremely tough and each opponent is really difficult to play. I’m just focusing for tomorrow’s match. I don’t have too much time to rest. Really looking forward to give my best another day tomorrow.”

MIAMI, FL, USA – No.19 seed Timea Bacsinszky roared into the final four of the Miami Open for the first time in her career with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over No.5 seed Simona Halep.

Watch live action from Miami this fortnight on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Bacsinszky had to battle from behind after dropping the opening set and was undaunted by a gloomy forecast – one that even briefly halted proceedings right when the 2015 French Open semifinalist began to find her rhythm. 

“I came back from a long road,” she told Andrew Krasny during her on-court interview. “The first set was really tough. She’s an awesome player and a great fighter.

“For the last year, she has also been an inspiration for me because I believe in hard work and she’s one of the players who work really hard, so to be able to play that well against her and to catch the win is really amazing.

“I’m really happy with the win.”

Hey @TimeaOfficial: You giving @Laragut a cut of your check? https://t.co/ps1zCpLRuT

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 29, 2016

Using her backhand with deadly accuracy, Bacsinszky rolled through the first four games of the final set, eventually serving out the upset with her 20th winner of the match. Watching from the stands was friend and top skiier Lara Gut, who extended her vacation to continue playing “good luck charm” and watch her countrywoman win another day.

“She’s still here! The Swiss are super happy about it; it was even in the news,” she said, then addressing Gut, “Thanks so much for your support; you’re also a huge inspiration for me.”

Narrowly missing out on the chance to qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, Bacsinszky had just cracked the Top 10 for the first time in her career when a knee injury suffered in Luxembourg and an viral illness after Fed Cup disrupted her start to 2016.

Now back to playing some of her best tennis, she heads into her first Miami Open semifinal with wins over Ana Ivanovic, Agnieszka Radwanska – her first career Top 3 win – and Halep, with the winner of No.15 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and No.30 seed Ekaterina Makarova waiting in the other quarterfinal.

For a young woman who had once left the sport to pursue a career in hotel management, Bacsinszky takes her continued success in stride, even courting support from Halep’s disappointed fans.

“I know there are a lot of Romanians; I know a few words because my grandparents are from Satu Mare, so I’ll just say mulțumesc [thank you] and see you next time!”

? ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/wf3yvZtEcV

— WTA (@WTA) March 29, 2016

MELBOURNE, Australia – It was during the wee hours of the morning for most of the world when Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams in the final of the Australian Open, clinching an Open Era record 23 Grand Slam titles.

But the impact of Serena’s victory was felt all over the world, and the congratulations poured in from big names everywhere – from her tennis peers on the WTA and beyond, to fellow sports stars and celebrities.

One of the first to send her congrats was Karlie Kloss – she gave them to the champion in person. The model was in Melbourne and at Rod Laver Arena with a front row view to Serena’s monumental achievement.

Congratulations @SerenaWilliams on your @AustralianOpen victory!! ? pic.twitter.com/k4Dl8T3nFn

— Karlie Kloss (@karliekloss) January 28, 2017

.@karliekloss and @alexisohanian congratulating the #AusOpen 2017 Champion @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/B1iq2fLxf9

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017

Also in the front row? Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, though you might know him better as Serena’s fiancé:

I'm so proud of you, Serena. https://t.co/i2HhjyeJhv

— Alexis Ohanian (@alexisohanian) January 28, 2017

Serena’s fellow Nike athletes – led by basketball legend Kobe Bryant – sent had a simple yet powerful message for her: “Greatest ever.”

#GOAT pic.twitter.com/38itTeQijV

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 28, 2017

Greatest ever. @SerenaWilliams #justdoit https://t.co/1AIDDsYoXW pic.twitter.com/ETrlYcq5rE

— Eden hazard (@hazardeden10) January 28, 2017

Congrats, Serena! Greatest ever! #justdoit @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/SEYPg0CxWl

— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) January 28, 2017

Congrats on #23 @serenawilliams!?? pic.twitter.com/KbLPCMK1qU

— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) January 28, 2017

The WWE even put Serena’s accomplishment in a category of its own, creating a specially-designed title belt for the 23-time Grand Slam champion. She can add this to the custom surprise she received from one of sports’ biggest legends, Michael Jordan.

The WWE created a special championship belt for Serena Williams after she won her 23rd grand slam this morning. pic.twitter.com/BT5xiAZoEt

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 28, 2017

But as the rest of the world woke up to the news of Serena’s history-making achievement, congratulations began to pour in from all over the Twitter-sphere.

Check out some of the best celebrity tweets:

Exciting to see @serenawilliams make more history. What an amazing tennis weekend. #WilliamsSisters

— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) January 28, 2017

Congrats to #WilliamsSisters #AustralianOpen2017#finals @serenawilliams #23grandslams @Venuseswilliams #history

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) January 28, 2017

Up late for the best reason in the world. Venus & Serena.The tennis nerd in me is filled with fangirl joy. #AustralianOpen #SerenavsVenus

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 28, 2017

You gotta admire these awesome women. V&S show us what family means, how to be unapologetically competitive & what a little swagger can do.

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 28, 2017

Serena and Venus I love you both. Barriers broken smashed and demolished, you represent us all Everytime and we forever love you. Thank you

— Trey Songz (@TreySongz) January 28, 2017

The reason I picked up a tennis racquet #WilliamsSisters

— Minenhle Dlamini (@MinnieDlamini) January 28, 2017

Getting my whole life with @Venuseswilliams and @serenawilliams right now #AusOpen

— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) January 28, 2017

YESSS! congrats @serenawilliams ? “the top is never lonely when your best friend is there” #blackgirlmagic #sistergoals #23 pic.twitter.com/NG42csnNTX

— chloe x halle (@chloeandhalle) January 28, 2017

The Williams Sisters 2 of the most amazing sportspersons of our time …..period!!!!!! @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) January 28, 2017

G.O.A.T ???????????????????????beyond proud my friend @serenawilliams A legend! An icon! Rena congrats on your 23rd… pic.twitter.com/83ZsNd7FAk

— LA LA (@lala) January 28, 2017

Huge congrats to both Williams sisters! @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams You guys are an inspiration! #AusOpen2017

— scott foley (@scottkfoley) January 28, 2017

MIAMI, FL, USA – Everyone needs a little bit of luck sometimes. For No.20 Timea Bacsinszky, she’s had one of the best athletes in the world cheering her on in Miami and it’s paid dividends.

Bacsinszky backed up her big win over No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska with another stunner just 24 hours later, beating No.5 Simona Halep, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the semifinals of the Miami Open on Tuesday. In the stands supporting her all week was Switzerland’s Lara Gut, the No.1 Alpine skier in the world, who just two weeks ago won the Alpine Skiing World Cup. The 24-year-old became the first Swiss woman since 1995 to win.

“She wrote me the Friday before, so it wasn’t official that she was going to be in Miami,” Bacsinszky told WTA Insider. “But she finished her competition on Sunday for the Crystal Globes, and she wrote me on Friday like, ‘Hey, it would be fun if I could come watch you in Miami,’ so I knew she was coming to Miami anyway. It was actually a big thing in Switzerland; no one knew where she was, and I was reading Swiss news headlines that were asking, ‘Where Has Lara Gone For Holidays?'”

“I finished my season last Sunday and it was important for me to have a break,” Gut told WTA Insider after Bacsinszky’s quarterfinal win. “I decided to come to Miami and I found out there was a tennis tournament. So I contacted Timea and she got me a badge. I started coming the first day and I got interested and she was playing so well that I came the second day and she was still winning. I was supposed to fly home yesterday but since she won I tried to stay here for one more day. She’s playing awesome and it’s really fun to watch.”

And the winner is… @TimeaOfficial !! Yeeeeeeeees! ??#WTA @MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/TaFJQUlsMX

— Lara Gut (@Laragut) March 29, 2016

Bacsinszky and Gut first met in 2009 but have become closer recently after Gut began working with Bacsinszky’s manager. Gut was scheduled to leave for Switzerland after Bacsinszky’s win over Radwanska but she knew she couldn’t leave her friend out in the cold.

“Yesterday after Timea’s win I had to call Swiss Air to see if they could change my flight,” Gut said. “I could stay here one day longer because I’m supposed to leave tomorrow for training. So it’s going to be a bit stressful when I come home but it was more important to stay here and cheer on Timea than have more time to pack.”

“In Switzerland it’s a small country. We have a chance to meet other athletes. We have such strong athletes like Timea, Roger, Stan, and Belinda. We were still kids when we first met. It’s cool to see what she has done all these years and that she’s still improving.”

Getting the credential for Gut proved slightly more difficult than Bacsinszky expected. Switzerland may be a skiing-mad country, but trying to explain the situation in Miami proved a little tricky.

“In Switzerland, she can’t walk around, everyone knows her,” Bacsinszky said. “Here too, she didn’t want to attract attention. I know Lindsey Vonn is well-known, but the No.1 [skier] is at your tournament and no one knows it.

“When I asked for a badge for her at accreditation I said, ‘You know Lindsey Vonn?’ and they said, ‘Yeah, yeah,’ and I said, ‘Well, the girl who’s just in front of her in the rankings and just won the Crystal Globe is coming, so provide it now,” she said laughing. “Just Google her name.”

Bacsinszky will play Svetlana Kuznetsova on Thursday for a spot in the Miami Open final. After a slow start to the season after rehabbing from a bad knee injury, Bacsinszky has played herself into form, reaching her best result since the China Open final last fall. A title in Miami would boost her back in the Top 10. It’s all clicking for Bacsinszky and having a great champion in her box this week certainly hasn’t hurt.

“It’s funny to talk about sport and to like exchange what you feel during a race, what do I feel during a match,” Bacsinszky said. “We have so many things to talk about. It gives many, many new [perspectives], views on sports. It was really, really interesting for me. Yeah, lucky charm for sure.”