Insider Podcast: The Great Big 2017 Australian Open Main Draw Preview
WTA Insider | Can Angelique Kerber defend her title in Melbourne? How tough is World No.2 Serena Williams’ draw? The Insider team examines an intriguing Australian Open draw.
WTA Insider | Can Angelique Kerber defend her title in Melbourne? How tough is World No.2 Serena Williams’ draw? The Insider team examines an intriguing Australian Open draw.
An press conference with Agnieszka Radwanska after her final defeat at the Apia International Sydney.
SYDNEY, Australia – Timea Babos and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova hit through top seeds Sania Mirza and Barbora Strycova, 6-4, 6-4, to win their first title as a pair at the Apia International Sydney.
Babos and Pavlyuchenkova were playing just their second event together, playing just once at the end of last season in Moscow. Babos ended her seven-month partnership with Yaroslava Shvedova after the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
“I think at least we found a good balance on this,” Babos said after the match. “It was definitely a great week. We beat some really good teams, the best teams, the last two, three rounds.
“To start like this, our partnership together is important and promising.”
Pavlyuchenkova, by contrast, had opted to focus on singles for most of 2016, though the former Singapore alternate is more than capable on the doubles court.
“It’s amazing, because Timea, she’s more experienced in doubles,” said the Russian. “She has a lot more titles and done great in the Grand Slams, as well.
“I’m really happy, because it’s also nice to win a title in doubles. I feel like we had also been playing really good together.”
.@NastiaPav/@TimeaBabos playing strong! ?
Take a 6-4, 3-0 lead over Mirza/Strycova! #SydneyTennis pic.twitter.com/rLEFFMwdQW
— WTA (@WTA) January 13, 2017
Mirza teamed up with Strycova last summer, and the duo were playing their first event of 2017 together after the former No.1 paired with Bethanie Mattek-Sands to win the Brisbane International, passing the top spot to her good friend after 91 weeks leading the WTA rankings.
Champs! ?@NastiaPav/@TimeaBabos win @SydneyTennis Doubles title!
Defeat Mirza/Strycova 6-4, 6-4! pic.twitter.com/ZyRBmWo2QE
— WTA (@WTA) January 13, 2017
The first set came down to just one break of serve, whereas the second featured four.
“We just went out there and tried to do our game, tried to dictate and play how we always played before and tried, like Timea said, to enjoy and not put too much pressure,” added Pavlyuchenkova.
Babos and Pavlyuchenkova raced out to a 3-0 double break lead in the second set, and though Mirza and Strycova twice clawed the deficit down to one, the unseeded team emerged victorious after one hour and 14 minutes of play. For the fast-rising Hungarian youngster, it was her second title in Sydney.
“This was actually my first year when I played singles here,” said Babos. “Last year I only played doubles. It’s a great tournament. In general, Australia [is] one of my favorite countries if not the favorite. So I really enjoy being here. It’s great atmosphere.”
.@NastiaPav and @TimeaBabos strike a pose with their new @SydneyTennis trophies! ? ? pic.twitter.com/8dhFP412Js
— WTA (@WTA) January 13, 2017
Highlights from the semifinals action on Day 5 of the Apia International Sydney.
Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens is through to her first career WTA final after a 6-4, 6-0 win over Jana Fett at the Hobart International.
Johanna Konta talks through her performance in the semifinals of the Apia International Sydney.
Want to see the Australian Open draw unfold right before your eyes? Look no further – watch the live broadcast of the draw ceremony right here on wtatennis.com!
Agnieszka Radwanska talks through her performance in the semifinals of the Apia International Sydney.
No.2 seed Agnieszka Radwanska earned a seventh straight win over Barbora Strycova to reach the Apia International Sydney final.
Johanna Konta had Thursday’s shot of the day at the Apia International Sydney.