Tennis News

DALIAN, China – Aleksandra Krunic suffered a tough first round loss after qualifying for the US Open, but the Serb is back in action at the Dalian Women’s Tennis Open, knocking out local wildcard Lu Jia-Jing, 6-1, 6-2.

Krunic reached the fourth round in Flushing back in 2014, and needed just 61 minutes to dismiss Lu in straight sets, booking a possible second round meeting with No.2 seed Duan Ying-Ying. Duan reached the second round of the US Open before falling to Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

Russia’s Anastasia Pivovarova also advanced on Tuesday with a 7-6(6), 6-2 win over Hiroko Kuwata, and could play No.7 seed Misa Eguchi in the second round. A former World No.93, Pivovarova made her major breakthrough back in 2010 when she reached the third round of the French Open, but has been snakebitten by various injuries throughout her career. Playing her first US Open in six years, Pivovarova lost in qualifying to American Jennifer Brady in a third set tie-break.

In that moment of life, when all I need is a hug… ? #USopen #tennis photo by @spiritbuffalo pic.twitter.com/STvBXfRyCQ

— Anastasia Pivovarova (@A_Pivovarova) September 2, 2016

China’s Wang Qiang is the top seed in Dalian after upsetting No.23 seed Daria Kasatkina to reach the second round of the US Open, and will open her tournament against Nigina Abduraimova.

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Simona Halep became the first player in the top half of the draw to reach the US Open quarterfinals after a straight set win over Carla Suárez Navarro.

Some late service jitters turned a stroll across the line into an altogether tenser conclusion, but Halep recomposed herself to close out a 6-2, 7-5 victory.

The Romanian signaled her positive intent from the off, some sparkling attacking tennis helping her to a 4-0 lead. While Suárez Navarro eventually managed to get on the board it was far too late to rescue the set.

This pattern continued into the second. Halep, despite a slight dip, continuing to control much of the action and building a 5-2 lead. Yet with the end in sight, Suárez Navarro finally loosened up, displaying some terrific shotmaking to draw level.

Fueled by her opponent’s brilliance, Halep unleashed a couple of winners of her own to break once more. Serving for the match a second time she did not waver, recovering from 0-30 to set up a quarterfinal showdown with top seed Serena Williams.

Halep, a semifinalist 12 months ago, has enjoyed a productive summer, winning titles in Bucharest and Montréal, and now feels ready to take the next step. “My game now I feel is the best that I had ever, because I feel strong on my body. I feel that I can control every tactic during the match. I can change. I’m able to the change the tactic when I need.

“It’s tough to talk about the winning a Grand Slam because I never won one, so I don’t know the feeling. But I’m working hard to reach that title, to make that dream come true. So I’m just working, dreaming about it, and if one day it happens I will be very happy!”

.@Simona_Halep easily advances against #Navarro to the quarterfinals! #usopen @MBUSA https://t.co/GkA3WzDMHw

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2016

NEW YORK, NY, USA – World No.1 Serena Williams is back into the quarterfinals at the US Open, advancing in a dominant 6-2, 6-3 performance against Yaroslava Shvedova. With the victory Williams recorded her 308^th Grand Slam win, passing Roger Federer’s all-time record and making her the winningest player – male or female – in the Open Era.

“It’s a huge number,” Williams said of the history-making achievement. “I think it’s very significant actually. I think it’s something that just really talks about the length of my career.”

“I’ve been playing for a really long time, but also, you know, given that consistency up there. That’s something that I’m really proud of.”

Williams was in control of the match from the start, and set the tone early on when she blasted an ace in the very first point. Her powerful, well-placed serves were her biggest weapon; she struck 11 aces in total, as well as an unreturnable 126 mph cracker, the fastest serve of the tournament so far. She didn’t face a break point all match long and won 93 percent of points behind her first serves.

She’ll face No.5 seed Simona Halep for a spot in the US Open semifinals. It’s the first seeded player Williams has faced in the tournament, but the World No.1 knows that figure doesn’t mean much.

“I just think with everyone I play, they play a step up and above their ranking,” Williams explained. “I think that’s the beauty, one of the reasons I’m able to hang. Everyone I’m playing is playing like they’re No. 1.

“To me it doesn’t really matter who I play because I have to expect they’re going to play the match of their life. That’s how I go into these matches now.”

History made. Again.#Serena becomes overall Open Era leader in major match wins, def. Shvedova, 6-2, 6-3. #usopen pic.twitter.com/A8HOAZt4Vz

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2016

NEW YORK, NY, USA – 18-year-old Ana Konjuh notched the biggest win of her career under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking out World No.4 Agnieszka Radwanska in straight sets to reach her first ever Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open, 6-4, 6-4.

Konjuh let three match points slip by in their dramatic second-round clash at Wimbledon earlier this year, but she only needed one to get the job done today against Radwanska.

“I’m just really happy,” Konjuh grinned in post-match press. “I played her in Wimbledon. It was a tough match. This time I took opportunities. You know, I was just going for it. It was the key of the match.”

The Croat shook off a shaky start, going down an early break before she found her footing in her debut match at Arthur Ashe. Despite the initial nerves, Konjuh quickly acclimated to the big stage, digging out of a 2-0 deficit and grabbing the break right back, working the court open with vicious angles from her forehand and backhand.

.@anakonjuh connects on 20 winners to take a one-set lead over No. 4 seed #Radwanska. #usopen @MBUSA https://t.co/97R8fyJ5rL

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2016

Her aggressive, crafty tennis proved frustrating to Radwanska, who hit 13 unforced errors – a high figure for the usually stingy player – to just nine winners. Konjuh attacked the vulnerable Radwanska serve and claimed the decisive break at 4-3, managing to out-drop shot Radwanska and beat her at the baseline. She took the match after breaking in the ninth game of the second set, and serving out the biggest win of her career.

“Maybe there was one or two chances,” Radwanska said after the match. She converted just one of three break opportunities. “Then I didn’t really hold my serve. I didn’t serve good enough.”

“Then, well, I’m here not as a winner.”

The 18-year-old Croat won the US Open girls’ title back in 2013, and then two years later became the WTA’s youngest title winner in almost a decade when she captured the Nottingham title. Now, despite a season marred by injury, she’s one match away from the semifinals.

“It’s really a privilege for me to be here, just playing for the finals,” Konjuh said. “I’m 18.I won the juniors here. I have good memories. I love the city. I’m just really happy just to have this chance.”

Konjuh will play Karolina Pliskova, another Grand Slam quarterfinal debutante, for a spot in the US Open semifinals.

Unbelievable performance from 18yo Ana Konjuh, who avenges her heartbreaking Wimbledon loss to beat Radwanska. pic.twitter.com/cctQFS8qMV

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 6, 2016

NEW YORK, NY, USA – As the US Open enters its second week, three runners remain standing in the race for the WTA’s No.1 ranking.

Angelique Kerber is already through to the quarterfinals following her impressive victory over Petra Kvitova. Will Angelique Kerber and reigning No.1 Serena Williams follow her, or will the subplot to the year’s final major take a decisive twist?

Wtatennis.com breaks down the potential scenarios…

Can Kerber Secure No.1 Ranking On Monday?
Angelique Kerber can secure the No.1 ranking on Monday if both Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska lose their fourth-round matches against Yaroslava Shvedova and Ana Konjuh, respectively. If either (or both) advance the race goes on.

Kerber’s next challenge comes in the shape of last year’s finalist, Roberta Vinci, whom she faces in Tuesday’s quarterfinals. If the German clears this hurdle and goes on to reach the final (Caroline Wozniacki and Anastasija Sevastova contest the other bottom half quarterfinal), it would end Radwanska’s hopes of reaching No.1 after the US Open.

Serena Williams has held the No.1 spot for 186 consecutive weeks (since February 13, 2013) but will now need to reach the final in order extend her streak. A potential final with No.2 seed Kerber will not only be for the US Open title, but the No.1 ranking as well. Serena has won all four of her previous encounters with fourth-round opponent Shvedova.

Agnieszka Radwanska still has an outside shot at claiming top spot, but will need to win the title at the US Open to do so. She has a tough path to what would be her first Grand Slam title, facing Konjuh in the last 16, before potential showdowns with first Venus and then Serena Williams to reach the final. As previously mentioned, even if she does successfully run this gauntlet, her chances for becoming No.1 could be dashed if Kerber reaches the final on the other side of the draw.

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Sunday saw the identity of the first four quarterfinalists at this year’s US Open revealed. Among their number is the evergreen Roberta Vinci, her victory over Lesia Tsurenko ensuring Italy has a representative at this stage for the ninth year in succession.

Joining the WTA Insider team on the latest podcast is Italian journalist Luca Baldissera to discuss his compatriot’s chances against World No.2 Angelique Kerber in the last eight.

In the latest Daily Dispatch hear from Anastasija Sevastova’s entertaining and insightful press conference, Madison Keys, Petra Kvitova and a preview of the remaining fourth-round clashes:

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