Sydney: Johanna Konta's Shot Of The Day
Johanna Konta had Thursday’s shot of the day at the Apia International Sydney.
Johanna Konta had Thursday’s shot of the day at the Apia International Sydney.
Johanna Konta made short work of Eugenie Bouchard to take her place in the final of the Apia International Sydney.
In today’s SAP stat of the day, Agnieszka Radwanska opened her Top 20 wins count for 2017 in a big way.
As Serena Williams readies to pursue a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, espnW presents the story of how the former No.1 won her first 22.
Johanna Konta takes on Eugenie Bouchardin the semifinals of the Apia International Sydney.
HOBART, Australia – Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens pulled off the latest upset in a surprising week at the Hobart International, stunning top seed Kiki Bertens, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the semifinals.
“I didn’t expect to win, but in tennis anything can happen,” she said in her post-match press conference. “Today was my day; I played at a good level. In the end I was a bit nervous playing against Kiki, but I’m happy I won.
“I’m pleased with my level. I think I’m playing pretty well and I hope I can hold onto this into the next tournaments.”
Bertens had looked in solid form on Wednesday to advance into the last eight, but struggled from the outset against Mertens, losing serve all four times in the opening set.
The 2016 French Open semifinalist steadied herself in the second, breaking in the seventh game and earning a pair of set points at 5-3, but the qualifier saved both and rode the momentum into an 80-minute win.
“It was tough today,” Bertens said. “Elise started really well; credit to her, I think she played a great match. I was searching for rhythm. Of course, I’m disappointed today, but what can I do?
“Before the match, I was trying to play aggressively, and I don’t think I did that well enough today.”
Mertens’ extended stay in Hobart meant she was unable to attend Australian Open qualifying, but a semifinal run seems to have made up for that disappointment.
“I’m happy to be in Hobart and I’m 100% behind my decision. I’m happy to be here and I’m giving everything I have. Kiki’s a great player, so it was a tough match. In the end, I got it done.”
Up next for Mertens is fellow qualifier Jana Fett, who ousted lucky loser Veronica Cepede Royg, 6-1, 6-4.
Agnieszka Radwanska takes on Barbora Strycova in the semifinals of the Apia International Sydney.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA – The Women’s Tennis Association and Cambridge Global Payments have entered into a three-year partnership whereby Cambridge will serve as the Official and Exclusive International Payments Provider of the WTA, responsible for fulfillment of prize money and corporate foreign exchange services for the WTA and its members.
“Cambridge’s in-depth knowledge and expertise in managing many international, and often complicated, financial transactions set them apart – especially when time sensitive payments and on-demand delivery are a must,” said WTA CEO and Chairman Steve Simon. “Their commitment to excellence reflect the high standards we expect at the WTA and we look forward to this partnership.”
Cambridge is one of the largest bank-independent providers of international payments, with offices across North America, Europe and Australia. Their award winning online platform and expertise in the business space has earned them global recognition, specifically for time sensitive payments.
Cambridge will provide the foreign exchange platform for facilitation of the payment of prize money between the WTA’s members – from tournaments to players. The WTA will oversee the handling of the program in conjunction with Cambridge. The WTA itself will also utilize Cambridge Global for all corporate foreign exchange services.
“We are extremely honored and excited to be selected as the Official and Exclusive International Payments Provider for the WTA and their members. As a global leader and specialist in international payments, Cambridge looks forward to working with such a prestigious association and their group of talented players,” said Anil Sawrup, Chief Commercial Officer, Cambridge Global Payments.
An press conference with Agnieszka Radwanska after her semifinal win at the Apia International Sydney.
SYDNEY, Australia – Former champion Agnieszka Radwanska eased past qualifier Duan Ying-Ying and into the semifinals of the Apia International Sydney on Wednesday evening.
At last week’s Shenzhen Open, Radwanska saved three match points to defeat Duan in a tougher-than-expected season opener. This time around it was a far more straightforward outing, the No.2 seed completing a 6-3, 6-2 victory in an hour and 20 minutes.
“Sometimes you play people two or three weeks in a row, like Caroline and I had last year in Asia, but I’m definitely more happy with this performance than in Shenzhen,” Radwanska said in her on-court interview. “It’s another semifinal here, so I’m very happy with that.
“I was warming up at 4pm and it was still very hot, so I was a little bit lucky to play this evening. I was watching the first match here and it was unbelievably hot – the guys were playing amazingly.”
Despite the more hospitable conditions, both players made heavy weather of holding onto their serve early on. But after a succession of breaks, Radwanska finally put some daylight between the two, opening up a 5-3 lead before calmly serving out the set.
.@ARadwanska takes the first set 6-3! #SydneyTennis pic.twitter.com/4JRVJczZYf
— WTA (@WTA) January 11, 2017
Unlike in Shenzhen, there was to be no Duan comeback, Radwanska rattling off the first four games of the second set to ease her way into the last four.
Radwanska lifted the title in 2012, and standing between her and a return to the final is marathon woman Barbora Strycova. Earlier in the day, Strycova withstood the worst of the midday sun to win an epic encounter against Caroline Wozniacki. “Like I said, she was playing unbelievable tennis and she’s really on fire. Last year she also played amazing tennis. I’m just expecting a good match and we’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”
“It's funny when you see your picture (when) walking down the corridor” @ARadwanska on seeing her 2012 champion photo behind the scenes pic.twitter.com/ywMZcAh66K
— Apia Intl Sydney (@SydneyTennis) January 11, 2017