Indian Wells: Pliskova Interview
An interview with Karolina Pliskova after her win in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
An interview with Karolina Pliskova after her win in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
Karolina Pliskova had Thursday’s shot of the day at the BNP Paribas Open.
ZHUHAI, China – After some seismic shifts to the Zhuhai leaderboard after the US Open, the rankings stayed the same once all was said and done at the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
Madison Keys and Johanna Konta continue to lead the field, but Keys trails Carla Suárez Navarro by just one point on the Road To Singapore leaderboard; a switch could be close and the Spaniard could end up the top seed at the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.
The year’s final tournament will take place in Zhuhai and will run from November 1 to 6. Like last year, the singles draw will feature 11 of the top ranked players and one wildcard, with the winner collecting 700 rankings points.
Here’s the latest leaderboard update for the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai as of September 26, 2016:
Day 8’s stat of the day from the Miami Open, presented with SAP.
Victoria Azarenka takes on Karolina Pliskova in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
Agnieszka Radwanska takes on Caroline Wozniacki in the third round of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.
MIAMI, FL, USA – Former World No.1 Venus Williams played stellar tennis from start to finish to upset top-ranked Angelique Kerber, 7-5, 6-3, to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open.
“It was an interesting match,” she said in her press conference. “I was controlling it. I had more errors than I like and lower first serve percentage than I would like. For me, I’m looking at it from a standpoint of how can I get better.
“I have to play well against the No. 1 in the world. She’s on top of her game and she played well, so I had to find a way to play a little better.”
.@VenusesWilliams is just unstoppable right now! ? #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/Yluxlg2vED
— WTA (@WTA) March 30, 2017
Williams and Kerber last played in the semifinals of Wimbledon last summer, where the German won in straight sets, and appeared on course for a similar decision at the start as she broke to open the match.
But Venus employed a hyper-aggressive gameplan throughout the one hour and 39 minute match, striking crisp groundstrokes and finishing quite a few points at the net to stay ahead of last year’s Australian Open and US Open champion.
Kerber tried to find her way back in the second set, staying within one break and saving four match points – three with searing forehand winners – but Venus ultimately proved too strong, striking 32 winners to 27 from the German.
.@VenusesWilliams defeats World No.1 Kerber 7-5, 6-3!
Secures the last spot in @MiamiOpen Semifinals! pic.twitter.com/gm9m6iBZy5
— WTA (@WTA) March 30, 2017
“She was really aggressive from the beginning, and was hitting the balls really hard,” Kerber said after the match. “I think I didn’t move too well today, and made a lot of mistakes, which isn’t normal for my game. It wasn’t my best game, but she deserved to win because she played really well tonight.
“This wasn’t the best start I would have wished for,” she added of her season, “but it’s not a drama because I’m still playing good and winning matches. I’m looking forward to playing again.”
Up next for the American is British No.1 Johanna Konta, who enjoyed a comeback win over No.3 seed Simona Halep earlier on Wednesday.
“It's an amazing feeling to be better than the World No.1!” -@VenusesWilliams #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/bi6JxrA7ts
— WTA (@WTA) March 30, 2017
“She played well, served well,” Venus said of their last meeting, which Konta won in the Bank of the West Classic final. “Tomorrow is an opportunity for me to come out and play hopefully better than today. There are a few things I would like to work on. Outside of that, just come out fresh eyes, fresh feet, and big shots.
“That’s my plan.”
Someone particularly proud of Venus tweeted her support after the match; it was none other than little sister and 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams:
@Venuseswilliams yea great job! I knew you would do it. ❤❤❤
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) March 30, 2017
An interview with Serena Williams following her loss in the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
Angelique Kerber and Petra Kvitova’s 41-shot rally at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open was Wednesday’s rally of the day.