SAP Coaches View: Svitolina Flips The Script In Zhuhai
Elina Svitolina flipped the script in her Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai against Johanna Konta, rallying to a three-set victory; SAP Coaches View shows how she got it done.
Elina Svitolina flipped the script in her Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai against Johanna Konta, rallying to a three-set victory; SAP Coaches View shows how she got it done.
MIAMI, FL, USA – Former No.1 Victoria Azarenka continues her climb back to the top, overpowering Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-2 in the final to claim the Miami Open title and secure her return to the WTA Top 5.
Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Miami right here on wtatennis.com!
Azarenka, a two-time champion here in Miami, won her third title of 2016 in dominating fashion without dropping a set. Even more impressive, her back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami complete the Sunshine Double, a feat last achieved 11 years ago.
The on-form Belarusian, who has only lost one match all year, broke in Kuznetsova’s opening service game and quickly held for a 2-0 lead. That lone hold of serve would turn out to be vital, as Azarenka was able to weather the seven consecutive breaks that followed and still hang on to the lead.
In the second set Azarenka’s powerful game came together as she wore down Kuznetsova from the baseline, running the Russian all over the court. Azarenka kept up the intensity throughout the match, hitting 23 winners to Kuznetsova’s 8 while Kuznetsova struck 22 unforced errors to her opponent’s 18.
Sunshine Double ☀️
Indian Wells AND Miami champion, @Vika7! ? #WTA https://t.co/hYMG1vBWcI
— WTA (@WTA) April 2, 2016
After Azarenka claimed the match and the Miami title in an hour and 17 minutes, Kuznetsova had nothing but praise for her in-form opponent in her runner-up speech.
“I’d like to congratulate Victoria for doing such a good job this year and in these four weeks,” Kuznetsova said, delighting the Miami crowd by delivering the speech in both English and Spanish.
Azarenka was similarly effusive in her praise for Kuznetsova, who she’s played nine times since 2007.
“I want congratulate Sveta for the great result,” Azarenka said. “I know you’ve had a lot of ups and downs in your career and I’m so happy to see you again in top form producing some great tennis.”
The Belarusian also had an emotional dedication for the win, her twentieth career title:
“I want to dedicate this win to my family, for my parents, who I don’t see very often but my parents taught me some really great things.
“They gave me roots so I always know where I come from and they gave me wings so I can fly, so I can be here. Thank you so much.”
With the win, Azarenka also cements her position as No.1 on the Road To Singapore Leaderboard, leapfrogging Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber for the top spot.
The WTA hit the South Carolina Aquarium for the Volvo Car Open player party – who had the best moves under the sea? See for yourself…
Angelique Kerber headlines the only green clay court stop on the tour, while Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova returns to the site of her big breakthrough.
On this episode of WTA Behind The Tour, go inside the high-tension world of our team of stringers who work tirelessly to ensure all WTA players are armed and ready for every match.
Irina-Camelia Begu takes on Caroline Garcia in the first round of the Volvo Car Open.
The No.1 doubles team faces off in this episode of the WTA Frame Challenge! Who won – Caroline Garcia or Kristina Mladenovic?
It’s time to vote for March’s WTA Player of the Month!
Have a look at the nominees and cast your vote before Thursday at 11:59pm ET! The winner will be announced Friday, April 8.
March 2016 WTA Player Of The Month Finalists
Victoria Azarenka: Former No.1 Victoria Azarenka became the third woman in WTA history to capture the elusive Indian Wells-Miami “Sunshine” Double – joining Steffi Graf (1994, 1996) and Kim Clijsters). Azarenka showed grit and determination through the BNP Paribas Open, edging past Samantha Stosur and Karolina Pliskova in a pair of tight three-setters before stunning World No.1 Serena Williams in the final, defeating the 21-time Grand Slam champion for the first time since 2013 (Cincinnati). The two-time Australian Open champion backed up her two weeks in Indian Wells by a near-perfect display at the Miami Open, racing through six matches without dropping a set and avenging her Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Angelique Kerber in the semis. With two more titles under her belt for a tour-leading three in 2016, Azarenka is back in the Top 5 for the first time since 2014 and regains the top spot on the Road to Singapore leaderboard.
Serena Williams: Williams continued her solid start to the season with a run to the finals Indian Wells, her first since 2001. The American didn’t drop a set heading into a final but ran into an inspired Azarenka in the final; even then, the American nearly pulled off one of her signature second set comebacks in winning three straight games towards the end of the match. Her quest for a ninth Miami Open title ended in the fourth round at the hands of Svetlana Kuznetsova, who went on to reach the final. Her successful month of March ends with her still atop the WTA rankings and No.3 on the Road to Singapore leaderboard
Svetlana Kuznetsova: Kuznetsova has been another one of the in form players to start 2016. Having already won a title at the Apia International Sydney, Kuznetsova served out a third career victory over Serena Williams and won a total of four three-set matches to reach her first Miami final since she won the title in 2006. Her best match of the tournament, however, came in a two-set victory over Timea Bacsinszky when she overcame multiple break points to defeat the resurgent Swiss in the semifinals.
2016 Winners
January: Angelique Kerber
February: Carla Suárez Navarro
How it works:
Finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
KATOWICE, Poland – Kirsten Flipkens has only been in Katowice a few days but it has already been a highly productive stay.
At Sunday’s player party she took home the much-coveted Katowice Open frame juggling title, before getting back to the business in hand the following evening, booking a second-round spot with a brisk win over Donna Vekic.
However, not content, the Belgian spent her day off in search of another prize: the Ricoh camera on offer for the player who could hit the most ‘tweeners’ in 30 seconds.
After completing seven in the allotted time, Flipkens found herself tied for first place with Demi Schuurs. In the subsequent tie-break, things did not go entirely to plan…
Now you all know why they call me Flipper (the flippin' dolphin!) ???? https://t.co/k7pjYZ9f0e
— Kirsten Flipkens (@FlipperKF) April 5, 2016
LONDON, Great Britain – Heather Watson is coming off a career year that saw her earn hometown glory at the Wimbledon Championships in mixed doubles and win another WTA title in Monterrey.
Sitting down with Elle Magazine UK, the Brit had a no holds barred discussion about the differences between singles and doubles, getting into the right pre-match mindset, and how she injects her personal style into her on-court kits.
“In terms of mixed doubles, it’s a whole other ball game,” she said of her Wimbledon win with Henri Kontenin. “Personally, it’s just fun and I think that’s down to having had some incredible partners, which makes a big difference.
“I think I need to bring more of the mindset of ‘it doesn’t matter what the outcome is I’m just going to do what I need to do’, into my singles more.”
Watson also played mixed doubles with countryman Andy Murray, who went on to clinch the ATP World No.1 ranking earlier this fall.
“Andy is an incredible athlete. He’s so competitive, hardworking and so nice to be around. He’s not what people think he is. I find him quieter, very chilled and more relaxed off the court.”
Check out the full interview with Watson right here at ElleUK.com.