Tennis News

MONTREAL, Canada – 2015 Rogers Cup runner-up Simona Halep arrived in Montreal, the site of compatriot Nadia Comaneci’s Olympic triumph, in time to ring in the 40th anniversary of her Perfect 10s at 1976 Summer Games.

A dynamic gymnast, Comaneci won three gold medals, registering six perfect scores – including the first ever recorded – along the way.

“When I was 14, I didn’t understand what was happening because I was too young,” she said, reflecting on the other-worldly achievement. “As time goes by, I treasure more and more what happened and I realize it was a big deal.”

Check out tweets from Comaneci and Halep, who have become friends as the young Romanian has risen up the ranks. After winning her second Premier Mandatory title at the Mutua Madrid Open, Halep was presented the trophy by Comanci during the winner’s ceremony.

Thank you @Simona_Halep and @darren_cahill for being with us in Montreal for the 40 th anniversary of the perfect10 pic.twitter.com/Uj7o4IYthD

— Nadia Comaneci (@nadiacomaneci10) July 22, 2016

Congratulations, @nadiacomaneci10 – 1976-2016! #nowords #respect #theperfect10 #montreal1976 #olympics pic.twitter.com/P6KuThG5Bk

— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) July 22, 2016

BASTAD, Sweden – Johanna Larsson moved one step closer to reclaiming her Ericsson Open title by knocking out No.4 seed Annika Beck in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Watch live action from Bastad, Stanford and Washington DC this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Appearing at this stage for the fifth time in the past six years, Larsson looked surprisingly ill at ease early on, at one point even dropping her racquet mid-rally as she slipped 3-1 behind. However, urged on by a supportive crowd, she did not trail for long, a run of four straight games turning the set on its head.

While the Swede was unable to serve out the set at 5-4, she hit back immediately, guiding a forehand winner down the line to earn three more break points. Beck surrendered with a backhand into the net and when the same wing let her down a few minutes later the set was over.

As the disappointment lingered, Larsson sensed her moment establishing an early second set lead and wrapping up a 7-5, 6-1 victory after an hour and 20 minutes.

Larssons break ball to 4-1 in 2d was as important as it was spectacular. #ericssonopen @WTA pic.twitter.com/6nacZQsuvz

— Swedish Open Tennis (@swedish_open) July 22, 2016

“I played very well today, I’m happy with my performance – I thought I was really solid out there, I took advantage of the crowd and was just really happy to be out there,” Larsson said. “I think I’m on a good path – today was a good match – and if I can just keep going and keep solid, and if I can keep going and take my chances I’ll have a very good chance in the semifinals.”

There she will face Katerina Siniakova after she upset No.2 seed Sara Errani, 7-6(2), 6-3. On the other side of the draw, Laura Siegemund and Julia Goerges succeeded where their compatriot Beck failed by advancing to the semifinals.

In the schedule’s opening match, Siegemund defeated Lara Arruabarrena, 7-5, 6-3, before Goerges followed up with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Karin Knapp. 

KEY INFORMATION:
Tournament Level: Premier 5
Prize Money: $2,413,250
Draw Size: 56 main draw (8 byes)/48 qualifying
Main Draw Ceremony: Friday, July 22, 5.30pm EDT
Qualifying Dates: Saturday, July 23 – Sunday, July 24 
First Day of Main Draw: Monday, July 25
Singles Final: Sunday, July 31, 1pm EST
Doubles Final: Sunday, July 31, following singles final

MUST FOLLOW SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS:
@WTA
@WTA_Insider – WTA Insider, Senior Writer Courtney Nguyen
@CoupeRogers – official tournament handle
Get involved in conversations with the official hashtags, #CoupeRogers and #WTA.

TOURNAMENT NOTES:
· Defending champion Belinda Bencic is one of several high-profile absentee, missing out due to a nagging wrist injury.
· There have been 12 different champions in the past 13 Rogers Cups. There are three returning champions in the field this year – Petra Kvitova (2012), Agnieszka Radwanska  (2014) and Serena Williams (2013, 2011, 2001).
· While Williams has lifted the title three times, on each occasion it has been in Toronto (where the tournament is staged during odd numbered years).
· For the rest of the major storylines following Friday’s draw, read the WTA Insider’s analysis.

WILDCARDS:
Françoise Abanda (CAN), Caroline Garcia (FRA), Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN)

WITHDRAWALS:
Victoria Azarenka (pregnancy), Irina-Camelia Begu, Belinda Bencic (left wrist), Jelena Jankovic (left leg), Lesia Tsurenko (left thigh), Caroline Wozniacki (left elbow)