Ashleigh Barty grabbed her place in the quarterfinals of the Alya Malaysian Open, brushing aside fellow qualifier Miyu Kato, and then with Casey Dellacqua booked a semifinal spot in the doubles.
MADRID, Spain – With a renewed perspective on her career, Sorana Cirstea is ready to get back to work. The 26-year-old reached a career-high No.21 in 2013 thanks to her run to the final of the Rogers Cup that year, but a debilitating shoulder injury a year later sent her results into a downward spiral.
Ranked as low as No.248 in 2015, Cirstea has slowly built her ranking back up by grinding away on the ITF Circuit. In January she reached back-to-back Challenger finals in Brazil, winning a 25K in Bertioga, and made her first WTA semifinal in three years at the Rio Open.
She’s up to No.127 this week and made good on a wildcard into the Mutua Madrid Open, where she beat Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 6-3 in the first round.
WTA Insider sat down with Cirstea after that win to talk about her tough journey back from injury and why she’s relishing the challenge of getting herself back on the regular tour.
WTA Insider: Congratulations. You must be feeling pretty good.
Cirstea: I’m very happy to be back at this type of tournament, and I’m happy to start with a win. I see this as a new career for me coming after the shoulder injury. Every match is important.
WTA Insider: How is the shoulder, in general? Are you 100% back?
Cirstea: My problem is always going to be there, so now it’s a matter of being able to manage it and to do my daily exercises and keep the shoulder [strong] and doing the rehab well.
I need to be careful because my problem is going to be there for the rest of my career. Now I’ve gotten used to it, but it’s very important how I do the things. Now I think I know how to manage it; I’ve changed my serve, and that puts less pressure on my shoulder, and so far things are well. I started the year playing ITF 25Ks in Brazil, and now I do think I’m on the right track.
WTA Insider: Could you give more details on the shoulder injury?
Cirstea: My shoulder is too flexible; it was luxating. That’s the main issue, but then I have some impingement and problems with the biceps and deltoids. Compensation injuries. A whole world of problems there, but as I said, I found a good way to do my daily exercises and I do a good rehab every day. Of course, it takes a lot of time. But I’m happy because it’s working, and for me to be able to be back on the court and actually enjoy playing pain-free. It’s amazing.
WTA Insider: What have you changed in your service motion to take some of the stress away?
Cirstea: I used to have a normal, full extension, and now I just do the abbreviated. For me, the pain was when I was going all the way up. We tried that and it was actually quite good from the beginning, but of course, you need repetition, rhythm and coordination.
So far, it’s going ok and I studied a lot of abbreviated serves. I was looking at Andy Roddick’s, and he had a really good serve! But it was interesting because I started to be more careful, to watch a little bit more and understand tennis from a different perspective. I think all of this has helped me.
WTA Insider: Do you think you’re a different player now, than before?
Cirstea: Definitely. I actually told my coach the other day, ‘If I’d had this head two or three years ago, I’d be in a different place right now,’ but I think it’s about growing up and maturing, and having this team I have right now, I’m very happy. We communicate very well.
The most important thing for me is how I see tennis right now: I’m lucky to be here, and I appreciate it. I’m not taking anything for granted anymore, because I remember when I was staying at home on my couch watching the matches. It’s nice, so I want to enjoy every single day because it goes very quickly.
WTA Insider: Can you enjoy it when you’re grinding on the ITF Circuit?
Cirstea: I think my coach was key in my comeback because I actually started with him in the summer. My shoulder was still not very good so we couldn’t do a lot, but since November it’s been steady and we did a good off-season.
We went to Brazil, and he told me, ‘You know what, Sorana? I appreciate you, because you are trying to come back and fighting through this. You could have put the racquet away and started whatever you wanted. But the fact that you are here, struggling, playing girls who are 17, 18 years old. For me it’s hat’s off. You should see it this way, as a challenge.’
How far can I go? Now it’s a challenge with myself, if I can get back up there again and how far I can go. I’m seeing it from a different perspective.
WTA Insider: So many players who’ve come back have a different perspective on things, and with maturity, a lot of older players will say, ‘When I was younger, I took things for granted.’ When you look back on your first career, what does taking it for granted look like?
Cirstea: I think for me, I started very young. At 17, I was already in the Top 100, so I got in very quickly into this. I don’t think I was mature enough, and maybe I needed my parents a little bit more. They were busy, so they couldn’t travel that much, and I needed support in that time because you’re basically all alone in the world with your coach or team. I think I didn’t really know how to communicate.
For example, after a loss, I wasn’t able to handle it. Those were very tough; I would lose and two-three days later, I was still sad about that match and suddenly the next tournament was coming and I wasn’t ready. It was different, but it’s about maturing and that’s a tough side that people don’t see. When you come to the tour so young, you really need stability from your family and to have the right people around you, that can guide you on the right path and keep you there.
Of course at 17, 18, I was 30 in the world and wondering, ‘Why aren’t I Top 10?’ I think this is taking things for granted instead of saying, ‘I’m 18, I’m No.30 in the world, let’s work to get better.’ I think that’s life; unfortunately you can’t have it all.
WTA Insider: Why is it so hard to have that perspective when you’re young?
Cirstea: People don’t teach you how to handle losses. As a junior, I was always winning, but you get to the point where you’re playing professionals, and this is the top, this is the end. In juniors, I was really good at 14, I go to 16. I was really good at 16, you go to 18, so it’s always another level. Now you’re here and the first year is really good because you’re young and have adrenaline. But then people start to learn your game, and then it’s very important to actually have your feet on the ground.
It’s hard because I think, ‘Why did I stress so much?’ But when you’re there in the point, losing a match seems like the end of the world and you put so much pressure on yourself. It’s a tough sport, mentally, so that’s why I do believe it’s important to have that mental support at a young age.
WTA Insider: When you sit down with your team, what are you goals for the year?
Cirstea: Now I’m not so focused on the ranking, because I think ranking is a consequence of the things you do. I’m not so desperate as I was before; if I would practice well, I wanted the result to come straight away. Now I know that if I’m doing things right, the results will come sooner or later.
I think I have a good schedule with training, physical, rehabbing, strengthening. I think I found a right way to do things that for me, it’s good because it keeps my mind busy and I’m working all day. I put my head down, I stay there, and for me it works. It’s a good way, and like I said, the main thing is training and doing the right things. Before, it didn’t matter if I lost a match, no matter how I played. Now, if I can take something positive out of the match, it’s a step forward, even if I lost.
All photos courtesy of Getty Images.
ACAPULCO, Mexico – No.2 seed Kristina Mladenovic suffered no letdown after her three hour thriller against Heather Watson, dispatching Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens, 6-4, 6-3, to reach the final four at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel.
“I’m very happy,” the French star said after the match. “I had great sensations when I woke up this morning; I was very satisfied with my effort last night because the work is paying off for me to win a three and a half hour battle and wake up pretty fine. My physio did a good job as well.
“We finished very late, but the advantage of playing here in Acapulco is getting to have most of the next day to work and rest. I came out very strong and didn’t even warm-up today – just fitness after three and a half hours of tennis.”
Mladenovic recovered well from playing the second longest match of the season, hitting 21 winners to just 13 unforced errors in the 82 minute match.
Solid slice from @KiKiMladenovic ? #AMT2017 pic.twitter.com/dssgWkzPzp
— WTA (@WTA) March 3, 2017
“It was similar conditions today, and I think I played really good. I fixed the big problem I had on my serve yesterday, when I hit 20 double faults! Only five today! I think overall it was a great match; I had to be very consistent but also aggressive because Kirsten has a lot of variety, and it’s not easy to control her slices here.
“The ball is flying here, but I think I did a good job playing aggressive but also being patient with her tricky game. I’m just very happy to come back after yesterday’s tough win.”
The St. Petersburg champion earned big leads to start each set, winning the first three games of the match and racing out to a quick 4-0 lead to start the second set, but Flipkens – a 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist – gave Mladenovic all she could as the match headed to a dramatic conclusion.
Powerful backhand shot from @KiKiMladenovic ? #AMT2017 pic.twitter.com/cywlI0Zhc3
— WTA (@WTA) March 3, 2017
“The first was very close, and I continued on the same path. She might have wanted to change her game at the start of the second, so she tried going for more and ended up giving me a few more unforced errors that made the difference.
“It gave me a big lead, but she kept fighting until the end, and came up with some incredible shots at the end. I had to really dig deep there, especially at 4-2 on my serve. I was in danger most of the game, but I survived and held, which was very important because had I lost serve, it would have been a different match.
JUST clips the line! ?
Impressive stuff from @FlipperKF! #AMT2017 pic.twitter.com/H19v2cohLX
— WTA (@WTA) March 3, 2017
“The last game wasn’t easy to close out either; I could feel like she was playing freely at that point and she was going for her shots. It’s obviously a great feeling to be in the semifinals here, especially after such an epic match. It feels like I’ve been in the office all day long.”
.@KiKiMladenovic defeats Flipkens 6-4, 6-3!
Sets @AbiertoTelcel Semifinal vs @ChristinaMcHale! #AMT2017 pic.twitter.com/nNfA4kVQzP
— WTA (@WTA) March 3, 2017
Up next for Mladenovic is Christina McHale, a 2014 finalist in Acapulco who ousted reigning Olympic Gold medalist Monica Puig in straight sets in the first quarterfinal. The pair last played at this very tournament, with McHale winning en route to the final.
? & a ? from @KiKiMladenovic! #AMT2017 pic.twitter.com/JccEXKygn9
— WTA (@WTA) March 3, 2017
Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza made a confident start to their Mutua Madrid Open challenge, seeing off Chuang Chia-Jung and Daria Jurak in under an hour.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Magda Linette will play Nao Hibino for a place in the Alya Malaysian Open final after seeing off Duan Ying-Ying in three sets, winning 7-6, 4-6, 6-1.
An extremely tight opening set saw not a single break point against the serve and it was no surprise to see it decided by a tiebreak. And it was the Pole who grabbed the opening mini-break before a piece of extraordinary luck saw her shot, going well wide, grip the net cord and divert back in court.
First Semifinal since 2015!@MagdaLinette edges Duan 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-1 for a spot in @alyawtamo Semifinals! pic.twitter.com/lkq9ZXIDYp
— WTA (@WTA) March 3, 2017
Despite her first serve percentage teetering at around 50%, Linette made the most of her good fortune to take the breaker 7-3 and with it the set as Duan fired long.
The pair had met just once previously, Linette coming out on top in straight sets in the 2015 Wuhan Open. But this was a much tighter affair and it was the fifth seed who grabbed the opening break of the match, sufficient for the Chinese to take it all the way.
Although the momentum was seemingly turning towards Duan, it was Linette who took the initiative in the decider, breaking twice in the final set to make only her second WTA final and perhaps even go one better than in the 2014 Tokyo Open.
During the match, Linette appeared to be irritated by a series of close calls that seemed to go against her and after the match she apologised for not reacting in the way she should have.
“It was difficult to stay focused, it was very late,” said Linette after the rain-interrupted tussle. “You go onto the court and then you go off the court. You think maybe you’re not going to play the match. It’s never easy like this and you could see I was very nervous and I was not behaving well but I’m glad that after the second set I could start from the beginning and actually show my best tennis at the end and make up a little bit for my bad behaviour.”
She next faces the challenge of Japan’s Hibino, a 7-6, 6-3 victor over qualifier Lesley Kerkhove.
“I haven’t played her before so I don’t know how she plays,” said Hibino. “I will talk with my coach and figure out a game plan.”
MADRID, Spain – No.8 seed Carla Suárez Navarro was down an early break to the always dangerous Sabine Lisicki, but the Spaniard hit back against the former Wimbledon finalist, winning five of the next six games to run away with the match, 6-3, 6-2, and reach the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open.
Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Madrid right here on wtatennis.com!
“I wasn’t expecting a match in two sets given how I was feeling today,” she told press after the match. “I tried to be out there on the court. I tried to focus and go point by point, game by game.”
With countrywoman Garbiñe Muguruza bowing out late last night, the pressure for hometown glory was firmly on Suárez Navarro as the day session headed into its second match on Court Manolo Santana. Capable of pulling off an upset on any given day, Lisicki looked game for the challenge early on, breaking serve to start and holding to earn a 2-0 lead.
Though dealing with the effects of an upper respiratory illness – one that would later force her and Muguruza to pull out of their second round doubles match against Alla Kudryavtseva and Vania King – Suárez Navarro remained steady, and while Lisicki’s full power game was on display throughout – hitting ten more winners than her higher-ranked opponent – she was ultimately undone by her number of errors (37 to 16).
“Today I have really bad cold so I tried to be on court. I tried to play my game. You know, I was one hour or court.
“I feel good. I win. It’s the most important for me right now.”
For her part, the crowd favorite broke the German’s serve five times, and wrapped up the match in just over an hour, winning the final three games of the match and serving out the win to love.
Up next for Suárez Navarro is former French Open finalist Samantha Stosur, who advanced earlier today when Lucie Safarova was forced to withdraw due to a gastrointestinal illness.
“I’m really sorry to have to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open,” the J&T Banka Prague Open champion said in a statement. “I’m unfortunately too unwell to compete. The tournament is so well run and Madrid is an amazing city. I’m really sad to not be able to play. I’ve always been well supported here in Madrid and the fans here are amazing, and i look forward to returning next year.”
Suárez Navarro has split her six encounters with the Aussie, but won their most recent match earlier this year in Brisbane, and their only previous clay court encounter – also in Madrid, back in 2013.
“She is a very dangerous player because she serves well and good forehands and experience in the tour,” Suárez said of her next opponent. “She knows what it is to compete at the maximum level and how to compete here in Madrid. She knows me, so I think that it’s going to be a match where I have to give my 100%.
“I will have to rest good. Let’s see if I can recover and feel better. Let’s see if I’m prepared to play tomorrow.”
Speedy @CarlaSuarezNava ?? https://t.co/cBKI3dSzNQ
— WTA (@WTA) May 3, 2016
Check out the best shots from the week’s action at the ALYA Malaysian Open.
MADRID, Spain – No.6 seed Simona Halep is the highest ranked player left in Madrid, and the former World No.2 lived up to her billing in emphatic style on Wednesday, dispatching rival Timea Bacsinszky, 6-2, 6-3, to reach her second Mutua Madrid Open quarterfinal in the last three years.
Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Madrid right here on wtatennis.com!
Runner-up at the Premier Mandatory event back in 2014, Halep has had a up and down season thus far, but has largely been on an upward trend since reaching back-to-back quarterfinals in Indian Wells and Miami. Bacsinszky beat her in the last eight of the latter, going on to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open and capture her first title of 2016 at the GP SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem last week. Dealing with a 24-hour turnaround from winning in Rabat, the Swiss star increased her winning streak to seven by reaching the third round of Madrid, but Halep proved too strong in the end, running away with the win in just over an hour.
“I like more to play on clay,” Halep said after the match when asked how she earned her revenge. “I changed tactics. I played less power today and I just tried to mix up the game, to be more creative on court, and to open the court better, to play more on her forehand.
“So I did a good job, and I think I adjusted my game very well to hers.”
The Romanian enjoyed another clean victory, hitting 19 winners to 18 unforced errors, and was the aggressor throughout – coming to net a whopping 19 times and winning 15 of those forays. Bacsinszky wasn’t able to step into the court in the same way that she has for much of the spring, but fatigue was largely a factor in what was her eighth match in nine days.
“I played the best I could today, but obviously against such a good player, it’s not enough,” Bacsinszky said after the match. “For sure, in these kinds of tournaments, you’re hoping not to play a player as fierce as Simona. She’s a great sportswoman and physically she’s always ready.
“Last time we met, I was doing really well physically and hadn’t played as many matches as I have here. Energy-wise, I was really on a high level in Miami and I had a lack of that today. Sadly, it’s tough to admit sometimes that you’re not better on the day; it was quite even at the beginning of the match. On the key points, you need to be fresh in your mind to make good decisions on the court, because it goes so quickly. Even if I’ve gained confidence from winning all those matches, when you have a lack of energy, it could make a huge gap between you and your opponent.”
Halep’s win guaranteed a Romanian woman in the semifinals as compatriot Irina-Camelia Begu backed up her stunning upset of Garbiñe Muguruza with yet another three-set thriller, this time recovering from a set down to defeat Christina McHale, 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-4.
“You know, I like playing for at least two hours!” Begu said with a laugh, having won her third three-setter in a row to reach the quarterfinals.
“It was a tough match; I started a little bit slower at the beginning. I had some chances, but I was too slow and she was trying to hit the ball a little bit faster. But even like this, I had a set point. I was a little disappointed after losing that set but I was trying to fight, but I’m in the quarterfinals again!”
With Romanian and former ATP player Ion Tiriac the owner of the tournament, Madrid has always been a special place for Halep, who credits the wildcard Tiriac offered her in 2013 with kickstarting her career.
“It’s a Romanian tournament, I can say,” she said with a smile. “I feel like home here. I feel good always. I have great memories from 2014. I just try to make it best tournament for myself. I try just to enjoy it, because I like it very much.
“Of course many Romanians are on the draw and they keep winning. It’s a good thing for our country.”
.@Simona_Halep making it look easy! ? #MMOPEN https://t.co/KQZ2lRWu40
— WTA (@WTA) May 4, 2016
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – USANA Health Sciences and the WTA tour have kicked off the fourth annual Aces for Humanity campaign in support of the USANA True Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide immediate and long-term assistance to suffering populations worldwide. USANA is a global nutritional company and has been a longstanding partner of the WTA since 2006.
Beginning with the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California this week, every ace served at a Premier-level WTA event will translate into a donation for the Foundation. For every ace served by the four USANA Brand Ambassadors (Caroline Wozniacki, Eugenie Bouchard, Monica Puig and Zheng Saisai), the WTA will contribute $20 toward the campaign, while every ace served by any other WTA player will translate into a $5 donation.
Collectively, 493 aces were recorded by USANA Brand Ambassadors during the 2016 campaign, and through this program and other charitable efforts, the WTA has contributed over $140,000 to the USANA True Health Foundation since 2011.
“We are thankful to be partnering with the WTA and our Brand Ambassadors for another year of Aces for Humanity,” said Brian Paul, the Foundation’s Executive Director of Communications.
“One hundred percent of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly toward charitable purposes, and the money raised through this campaign has allowed us to aid thousands of lives each year. We look forward to continuing our efforts alongside the WTA and doing our part to make the world a happier and healthier place.”
In 2016, money raised through several fundraising projects, including Aces for Humanity, allowed the Foundation to do the following:
• Provide over 6.2 million meals through its partnership with the Children’s Hunger Fund.
• Supply over $180,000 to support health education programs, food and home construction.
• Give $738,722 in Usanimals children’s multivitamins to orphanages, clinics and mercy networks throughout the world.
• Donate $180,234 in additional relief to New Zealand, Philippines, Hong Kong, France, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Mexico.
“I’m proud to be a USANA Brand Ambassador not only because I believe in the products but because USANA is committed to making a difference in the lives of those suffering and in need,” said Olympic Gold Medalist Monica Puig. “USANA is all about health and wellness, and through the USANA True Health Foundation, it’s for all people. I’m honored to help raise awareness for this worthwhile cause.”
This year the program will also involve regular social giveaways, including autographed tennis balls and USANA products. For official rules, head to wtatennis.com.
“The WTA is proud to continue its support of the remarkable efforts of the USANA True Health Foundation,” said Steve Simon, WTA CEO and Chairman. “Through our longstanding partnership with USANA and the Aces for Humanity campaign, we are able to provide meaningful assistance to those in need, which is something we greatly value.”
#AcesForHumanity Fan Giveaway
It’s simple: before each WTA Premier tournament guess how many total aces will be hit.
First up is the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Last year there was a total of 489 aces hit. It’s now your turn, take your best guess of how many will be hit this year.
How To Enter:
• Follow @WTA and @USANAFoundation on Twitter and before each WTA Premier tournament tweet the number of aces you predict will be hit during the whole tournament (Singles, Main Draw)
• Include the hashtag #AcesForHumanity
• Indian Wells deadline is Thursday, March 9 at 11:59pm ET.
• The winner will be announced Monday, March 20.
Aces For Humanity is a joint WTA and USANA initiative that benefits the USANA True Health Foundation, which provides critical human necessities to those in suffering or in need around the globe.
For full rules on how to enter, click here.
MADRID, Spain – When the quarterfinals begin at the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday, half of the tournament’s final eight will be flying the Romanian flag with pride. While it’s no surprise to see 2014 finalist Simona Halep in the mix, Romania’s alpha is joined by Irina-Camelia Begu, qualifier Patricia Maria Tig, and wildcard Sorana Cirstea in a tournament owned and operated by Romanian legend Ion Tiriac.
It seems the Bucharest Open has come a couple of months early.
“It’s a Romanian tournament, I can say,” Halep said with a laugh after her strong 6-2, 6-3 win over Timea Bacsinszky. “I feel [at] home here. I feel good always. I have great memories from 2014. I just try to make it best tournament for myself. I try just to enjoy it, because I like it very much.”
Halep is the only seed left in the draw and will face Begu on Thursday, ensuring Romania will have a representative in the semifinals. Begu has never been further than the quarterfinal stage at a Premier Mandatory, while Halep made back-to-back quarterfinals in March in Indian Wells and Miami. The two have played three times with Halep winning all six sets, but they have not squared off in over four years.
“I expect a tough match,” Halep said. “She plays well on clay. Last year she did quarterfinals here, so [that] means that she likes the court.
“I know her pretty well, since long time ago, but officially we didn’t play too many matches. It’s a big challenge for me tomorrow.”
The big surprises in the draw were Cirstea and Tig. Cirstea has made good on a wildcard into the tournament to make her first Premier Mandatory quarterfinal. The former No.21 has not lost a set in three matches, beating Jelena Jankovic, Danka Kovinic, and Laura Siegemund to join her compatriots among Madrid’s Elite Eight.
“I think that’s amazing,” Cirstea said. “Four girls in the quarterfinals means half of the girls are Romanians, which I think is impressive coming from a country like Romania. I think everyone knows we don’t have a system or anything. We were each separate and trying to find a way. I think it’s amazing that we are one of the biggest forces now in tennis.”
At 26 years old, Cirstea is the oldest of the bunch. “We grew up together,” she said. “I played Simona when I was eight years old. “We both had short hair, we were very boyish. Our parents were there [pushed up] against the fence [watching]. It’s funny how we all grew up together and now to be all here is really impressive.”
“Patricia is younger but I remember her skinny legs when she was 14 when we went to a winter camp together. She was this quiet girl. We’ve known each other for a very long time. I’m happy to see all of us here and all of us succeeding and having a good run.
“I think it shows if you really have character and if you really want this and you work hard, you can do it.”
With her run to the quarterfinals, Cirstea will return to the Top 100 for the first time since January 2015 (read more about her journey back here). Not bad for a player who was ranked No.248 last November and has played ITFs for most of the year. On Thursday she’ll play Dominika Cibulkova, who got past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets.
Last but most assuredly not least is 21-year-old Tig, the most improbable quarterfinalist of them all. Ranked No.134, Tig has racked up an impressive list of wins this week as a qualifier, beating Nicole Gibbs and Maria Sakkari in qualifying, and then Daria Kasatkina, Sloane Stephens, and Madison Keys for the biggest result of her career.
“I’m feeling unbelievably happy,” Tig told WTA Insider. “It was a great week for me. I didn’t expect this to happen. But since I was working so hard, I think sometimes you don’t know when you get rewarded.”
Before this week, Tig’s best result came last year when she made the final in Baku. Her successful qualifying campaign here put her into the main draw of a Premier Mandatory for the first time in her career and she’s on the verge of breaking into the Top 100.
“Actually when I first came here I felt so good being here. I had a feeling that everything was going to be fine. I had a first practice which was going good. I thought, “OK I just have to go on the court and play the best I can for every point and don’t expect anything.'”
Tig’s straight-set win over Gibbs in the first round of qualifying gave her the belief that she could compete with the top quality field in Madrid. On Thursday she’ll find out how her game stacks up against a Slam champion in Sam Stosur, who defeated Carla Suárez Navarro in three sets to make the quarterfinals.
“I mean I was watching her for 10 years playing on TV,” Tig said. “I really like her and her game. She’s a really top player. She’s going to make me do some stupid things but I’m going to try not do them,” she said with a laugh.
“I cannot say anything about the match because I’m not expecting anything. I just want to go on court and just play the best I can and whatever is going to happen I will be so happy with it anyway.”
All photos courtesy of Getty Images and Mutua Madrid Open.