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News | WTA Tennis English

News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Tennis clothing companies typically make their product launches at Grand Slams, but some brands decided to release new designs at the Miami Open, and together with outfits from previous months that got in the spotlight this fortnight, we’re enjoying a fashionable tennis period.

Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will give us a quick overview of who’s been rocking the WTA courts in Miami:

Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki debuted the red version of the adidas Summer Stella McCartney Sleeveless Polo and the adidas Summer Stella McCartney Pleated Skirt, which we had first seen in black and white on Garbiñe Muguruza during the BNP Paribas Open.

The slim-fit top offers high-end performance climalite® fabric that wicks sweat away and keeps players cool during long matches, while vintage charm is provided by ribbed details and polo collar. Adjustable front zipper in orange and generous side slits on the hem bring added flair and functionality.

The smooth jersey skirt and its crisp traditional pleats perfectly complement the polo’s retro feel. Ultimate comfort is provided by soft elastic waistband and inner tights that offer full coverage.

Angelique Kerber

Just as in Indian Wells, Angelique Kerber rocked the mystery blue version of her lightweight Australian Open tank. The German World No.1 paired the airy top with the orange adidas Melbourne Skirt, whose discreet wrap design nicely matches the ocean-inspired layers of the tank. The sun bleached print of the integrated compression shorts brings an edge to this feminine look.

Simona Halep

Simona Halep also looked amazing in adidas’ spaghetti-strap top and knit skirt, while during warmup we could see the stylish adidas Spring Advantage 3/4 Sleeve Top with one print sleeve and one solid color sleeve.

Venus Williams

Venus Williams and EleVen have a new collection for practically every event, and while the tennis legend debuted the Intrepid collection in Indian Wells, at the very next tournament, in Miami, the Datura collection hits the courts. The EleVen Datura In Bloom Dress has an A-line fit, square neckline and contrast boomerang-shaped waistband.

Patricia Maria Tig

Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig showcased several Tonic outfits during her Miami Open run which included wins over Heather Watson and seed No.22 Kristina Mladenovic, while my favorite was the colorful one we saw in the third round against Venus Williams.

The World No.95 energized the atmosphere with the Tonic Spring Statik Tank whose pinhole mesh print side panels match the print layer of the red Tonic Spring Ambition Skirt, which can be exposed more or less, depending on how tightly you tie the front ties. What’s also amazing is that both products offer UV protection and are made in Canada.

Tell us your favorites in the poll below!

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News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

The top half of the draw will round out the semifinals on Wednesday in Miami.

Wednesday

Quarterfinals

[3] Simona Halep (ROU #5) vs. [10] Johanna Konta (GBR #11)
Head-to-head: Konta leads, 1-0
Key Stat: Halep can climb back to No.4 in the rankings by reaching the final in Miami.

Not only has Simona Halep won consecutive matches for the first time all season this week in Miami, now the Romanian is also pulling rabbits out of hats. Halep saved a match point in the second set to edge No.14-seeded Sam Stosur 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Monday to book a clash with Johanna Konta in the quarterfinals. Could this inspirational victory be a turning point for Halep in 2017? Maybe, but first and foremost the Romanian is just happy to be showing the world that she can still play at a high level. “Match point down and I came back,” she said after the win. “I’m happy about this, shows I can still play some tennis.”

As for the challenge of facing red-hot Johanna Konta, Halep is cautious, but eager for the test. “It will be tough,” Halep said. “She’s in a good form now, she’s near Top 10. And she plays great. It’s going to be a tough one, but here every match is tough so I don’t expect an easy one.” Konta improved to 16-3 with her Round of 16 win over Spain’s Lara Arruabarrena. The British No.1 was pleased about how she was able to find her level against the World No.72 on Monday. “As the match went on, I felt clearer and clearer on how I wanted to play and what I wanted to do out there from my perspective,” Konta told reporters afterwards.

Konta defeated Halep in their lone meeting at Wuhan in 2015 when she was still outside of the Top 50. She would break into the Top 50 the following week and never look back. Will she continue her climb up the rankings by reaching her first Miami Open semifinal, or will Halep build on her momentum with another noteworthy win?

Pick: Konta in three

[1] Angelique Kerber (GER #1) vs. [11] Venus Williams (USA #12)
Head-to-head: Kerber leads, 4-2
Key Stat: Kerber is 0-3 against Top 20 competition this season.

Two former Grand Slam champions will clash in a marquee quarterfinal on Wednesday as World No.1 Angelique Kerber and Venus Williams lock horns for the seventh time. It was Kerber who emerged victorious when the pair last met at last year’s Wimbledon semifinals. The German executed very well in that contest, winning 43 percent of first-serve return points and breaking Williams’ serve five times on eleven opportunities. She was aggressive, because she knew she had to be. “I was trying to move her,” Kerber said. “That was the plan. That is always the plan when you play against Venus because when she has the ball on the racquet she just hits the ball from left to right, and you just run.”

Nine months later it will be interesting to see if Kerber can implement and execute a similar gameplan. The German has struggled to summon her best tennis this season, and she has lost six of eight matches against Top 50 opponents. Will she have the confidence to attack an in-form Williams?

Williams was in stellar form on Monday as she worked her way past No.7-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets. The American saved three of four break points and won 78 of her first-serve points, and she’ll need to be strong on serve again in order to defeat Kerber and earn her first win over a Reigning World No.1 since 2014.

Pick: Williams in three

By the Numbers
1 – Number of unseeded players to reach the quarterfinals this year at Miami (Safarova).
2 – Konta has reached the quarterfinals at Miami in her two career appearances at the event.
3 – Venus Williams is the only former remaining champion remaining in the draw. The three-time champion last won the title in Miami in 2001.
9 – Halep snapped a nine-match losing streak when losing the first set on Monday when she defeated Samantha Stosur in three.
13 – Williams owns 13 wins over reigning World No.1s, seven of which have come against Martina Hingis.

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News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MIAMI, FL, USA – One lucky tennis fan got their hands on one of Caroline Wozniacki’s Stella McCartney-designed Adidas tennis dresses after the Dane marched into the semifinals of the Miami Open on Tuesday.

Wozniacki had just defeated Lucie Safarova 6-4, 6-3 and was clearly in the mood to make someone’s day after her impressive display.

“Any girls that play tennis want this skirt?” offered Wozniacki, before handing one of her red dresses to a very grateful fan.

Victory for Wozniacki means that she now faces Karolina Pliskova for a place in the final, having previously defeated Dominika Cibulkova in straight sets.

Wozniacki enjoys a 3-1 head-to-head against Pliskova, but it was the Czech who won the last encounter, having defeated her in the finals of the Qatar Total Open.

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News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Jarmila Wolfe has announced that she and her husband are expecting a baby.

The Australian revealed the news on social media.

Unsurprisingly, she was immediately deluged with congratulations.

Wolfe retired from tennis at the start of 2017.

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