Google Play App Download

Tennis News

From around the world

Stephens Strikes Gold In Charleston

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

CHARLESTON, SC, USA – No.7 seed Sloane Stephens was a point from a one-set deficit against 2011 Volvo Car Open finalist Elena Vesnina, but the young American turned the tide in emphatic style, capturing her third title of the season, 7-6(4), 6-2.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Charleston right here on wtatennis.com!

Stephens had lost her only prior encounter with Vesnina back in 2013, but appeared to have weathered the storm after falling behind an early break to take a 5-2 lead in the opening set. Vesnina had to win two matches in qualifying just to reach the main draw, however, and was far from finished as she clawed back to win four games in a row and even hold set point behind a barrage of winners.

The 2013 Australian Open semifinalist nonetheless held her nerve and, saving her best tennis for the ensuing tie-break, reclaimed the initiative and never looked back, breaking serve twice more to clinch the victory on her fourth championship point.

“I just said to myself, ‘You have to fight for every point and compete.’ She’s a great player, so I knew I had to stay in every point,” she told ESPN’s Pam Shriver after the match.

“When I got a couple of opportunities, I took them, so that was great.”

Stephens has now won three titles in 2016, starting with the ASB Classic in Auckland and the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco. The 23-year-old will take her Charleston victory to Europe to start the red clay season in earnest at the Mutua Madrid Open.

“I love red clay, so starting in Madrid, I think I’ll have a lot of fun and just look forward to the French Open.”

Later on in press, Stephens credited a change in mindset with helping her reverse a string of disappointing results in Charleston, a tournament where she had only ever won one main draw match in five career appearances.

“Obviously coming into here I have a lot of anxiety coming into this tournament because I’ve never done well here. I just thought, you know, I’m just going to go have fun. I have nothing to lose. I’ve only won one match here ever, and just go out and play and have fun because I mean it’s just another week, and after this I’ll have a nice little break. I’m going to go to Europe.

“I don’t have anything to lose. My life is great. It’s tennis. And this is what I do every week. So I kind of just changed my mindset, and that worked. So I should just do that every week.”

For Vesnina, losing felt pretty close to winning after seven match wins from the qualifying draw; starting the season having to play Grand Slam qualifying for the first time since the 2005 US Open, the Russian veteran has enjoyed a career renaissance since Australia, nabbing wins over Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki in Doha, Venus Williams in Miami, and Sara Errani on Saturday.

“This final is like a win,” she said in her post-match press conference. “I know that there’s only one winner, and for us, for all the athletes there’s only one place, No.1, but here, today, I feel like I’m a winner because I played so many matches from qualies. I was just counting, I had like eight matches in singles and two in doubles, so ten matches in one week. That’s quite a lot.

“I’m just really happy about my run here, and let’s see how it’s going to be the rest of the year. But I’m really looking forward to that because I think it’s going to be good.”

In the doubles final, French Connection Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic won their first title of the season; the Frenchwomen announced their partnership at the end of 2015 in anticipation of the Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, and after two finals at the Apia International Syndey and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the two struck gold in Charleston, taking out top seeds Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova, 6-2, 7-5.

Source link

Stephens, Vesnina Into Charleston Final

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

CHARLESTON, SC, USA – Sloane Stephens is into her first WTA singles final on clay after the defending champion Angelique Kerber saw herself forced to retire, 6-1, 3-0, in the semifinals of the Volvo Car Open.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Charleston right here on wtatennis.com!

“It’s been a little tough out here but I’m happy to be through to the final,” Stephens said. “It’s sad that it had to be that way. It’s not the way I’d wanted it.

“I wish Angie a speedy recovery – she’s a really nice girl and a really great player.”

Stephens, who already has two titles in 2016 with wins at Auckland and Acapulco, took the first set after a dominating 24 minutes, outhitting a sluggish Kerber. The American scored 10 winners and hit just two unforced errors, while the out-of-sorts Kerber hit just seven winners to 10 unforced errors.

After consulting with the trainer and doctor, Kerber took the court again after a lengthy break trailing a set and 2-0. She was forced to retire from the match after one more game due to viral illness, sending Stephens into the Volvo Car Open final.

“When I was warming up this morning, I felt a little bit like something is wrong,” Kerber said afterwards. “I was thinking that when I’m going on court, the energy will come back and I will feel okay.But after the first few games in the first set I was feeling that, yeah, something is not good.”

Back into a WTA final, Stephens is putting a rough four-week stretch behind her. Despite the roaring start to her 2016 season that saw her claim two titles, she lost in straight sets at the last two tournaments she’s played before heading to the green clay at Charleston.

“Making a final is making a final, but I think there’s kind of a buildup to that,” Stephens said. “It wasn’t just because of today she wasn’t feeling well.I think the matches I played previously, like yesterday I was down a match point and things like that.

“Today I was just looking forward to getting out there, and the same I’ll do tomorrow, just looking forward to getting back on the court.”

Joining Stephens in the Volvo Car Open final is Russian qualifier Elena Vesnina, who’s into her first WTA singles final since 2013 after battling past Sara Errani 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

Vesnina had a tough 2015 season, recording 13 first-round losses (across all levels), but 2016 has seen her come up from the qualifying rounds to score consistent main draw wins. Playing in her first semifinal of the year, former No.21 Vesnina found herself up against Errani, a clay court heavyweight – seven of the Italian’s nine titles have been won on clay, along with 12 of her 19 finals appearances.

“I had some great memories from being in that final five years ago, and I knew that I can do that again,” Vesnina said. “But of course, I knew that it was going to be very difficult coming from the qualifying.I was just thinking match by match, to improve my game on the clay.

“I’m pretty impressed with my game level, today as well because Sara is a clay court specialist. She had most of her wins on this surface and she really understands the strategy on this surface.”

Errani applied her tried-and-true clay court prowess early on, breaking Vesnina’s serve to go up a 3-1 lead. Vesnina got the break back to level up the score at 4-4, and her sudden changes of pace gave the Italian trouble, winning the first set with a drop shot that barely edged over the net.

A drawn out battle at 3-3 in the second set changed the momentum for Errani, giving her a lead to take back the second set. In the decider, Vesnina was more focused and sharper on the big points; she created and converted more break chances – three conversions for five chances – than Errani.

“It’s going to be a little bit different match tomorrow against Sloane because Sloane is playing in a different style than Sara,” Vesnina said. “It’s going to be difficult to show the same level in the final, and in general in the finals it’s really difficult to show your best tennis.

“You need to be solid.You need to be consistent.You need to come on the court and you have to know what you have to do there.

“So you have to be ready, and hopefully tomorrow it will be a great match between me and Sloane.”

Source link

Giorgi, Cibulkova Book Katowice Clash

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

KATOWICE, Poland – No.5 seed Camila Giorgi and No.8 seed Dominika Cibulkova overcame tough semifinal opponents to set up a clash for the Katowice Open title on Sunday.

Watch live action from Katowice this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Giorgi booked her spot into the final after a win over Qatar Open finalist and No.3 seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-3. The two had never played before, but their similar style of big-hitting tennis provided for many tense baseline rallies.

The 18-year-old Latvian kept pace with Giorgi as the two traded four consecutive breaks of serve in the first set.

“I just played my game today,” Giorgi said after the match. “I did not have any special tactics, but I played very well and I am happy to be back in the final.”

Though she’s into the Katowice final for a third straight year, the Italian has yet to win the title – finishing runner-up to Alizé Cornet in 2014 and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in 2015.

“I like the surface very much and the fans make playing in Poland very special for me,” Giorgi added.

“I hope tomorrow I can finally win the trophy.”

Standing across the net from Giorgi on her third attempt for the title will be Cibulkova, who made her way to her second final of the year after overpowering Pauline Parmentier 7-5, 6-0.

Initially up 5-2 in the first set, Cibulkova let her lead slip and allowed the Frenchwoman an edge back into the match. Although she pushed her way back, Cibulkova – a 2014 Australian Open finalist – was able to seal the set after almost an hour. The next set came much quicker for the Slovak, shutting out Parmentier after an hour and twenty five minutes.

“I was mentally strong, even in those tough moments in the first set,” Cibulkova said. “In the second set I was even more aggressive, I was dominating on the court and I didn’t give her any chance.

“That second set was probably one of the best sets ever, for me.”

Cibulkova will need to come up with that same level in the final against Giorgi, an opponent who’s defeated her in their previous two encounters.

“It’s gonna be a tough match. She’s an aggressive player trying to go for, really, everything,” Cibulkova said. “I just hope my coach and I find a good tactic, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Source link

Kerber Blasts Past Begu

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

CHARLESTON, SC, USA – Top seed Angelique Kerber eased into the Volvo Car Open semifinal with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Irina-Camelia Begu.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Charleston right here on wtatennis.com!

Kerber had lost two of her three encounters with the big-hitting Romanian in 2015, but Begu had a much tougher road to reach the quarterfinals, saving a match point to defeat Monica Puig in a third set tie-break on Thursday night.

“I think I was mentally there,” the Australian Open champion told Andrew Krasny during her on-court interview. “I was trying to focus on myself because it’s always tough to play against her. Sometimes you lose your rhythm against her, so that’s what I was focusing on: just trying to go for it, move good on clay and just win the match because I remember the last match against her, I lost! So I was trying my best to win the match.

“I feel the love. The people here are so nice, so I’m just feeling welcome here. You have the best food here and I have so many great memories from last year, so it gives me confidence to play good tennis.”

Begu tried her best to force in the issue in the second set, hitting 23 winners to 18 from Kerber overall, but 35 unforced errors proved her undoing as Kerber hit only nine through the 72 minute match – four in the second set alone.

“I’m feeling better and better on clay. I think I’m getting used to it and it’s just so great to be back in the semis. I love Charleston and I’ve had a great week so far, so I’m just enjoying it here and hoping to have two more matches!”

Kerber needs to defeat Sloane Stephens to hold onto the No.2 ranking – which she briefly lost to WTA Finals champion Agnieszka Radwanska after Indian Wells – but the win over Begu has already guaranteed her return to the top of the Road To Singapore leaderboard, ousting Sunshine Double winner Victoria Azarenka.

“Sloane, she’s a great player, I know, and I played a few times against her already,” she said after the match. “I will just try to go out against her and try to take the challenge, playing a good match. So just enjoy it against her.”

Stephens won a marathon encounter with Kasatkina, who was in her first Premier level quarterfinal on clay courts. Rolling through the opening set, things were tight in the second as Kasatkina snuck away with a late break of serve to level the match. Down a match point, the young American caught fire once more, winning the final 11 points to book an ecounter with Kerber on her 37th winner.

“You guys were awesome,” she said after the match, addressing the crowd. “I’m so excited to be in the semis. it’s my best result in six years, so it’s about time I won some matches here!

“I was just fighting for every point. Obviously the conditions were really tough and I was playing a really good player. She’s had some really good results, so I knew from the beginning that it was going to be a battle. The wind and we’re on clay court were a lot of factors, so I’m happy I stayed calm and played my game.”

Source link

Vesnina Puts On Clay Court Clinic

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

CHARLESTON, SC, USA – Former World No.21 Elena Vesnina has tended to play some of her best tennis on green clay throughout her career, and this week has seen the Russian’s resurgent season hit new heights at the Volvo Car Open, overcoming some blustery conditions and an inspired opponent in Laura Siegemund to win, 7-5, 6-4, and reach the semifinals in Charleston.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Charleston right here on wtatennis.com!

“I’m really enjoying my time here in Charleston,” Vesnina told Andrew Krasny during her on-court interview. “I love the city, the tournament, and I love this crowd! I’m playing well, even today with really tough conditions to play in.

“I was talking to myself about the wind, arguing with the wind, asking him to stop blowing that hard. It didn’t work! That’s why I had to work hard to win this match.”

Vesnina reached the final of Charleston back in 2011, and showed some of that vintage form early in the match against Siegemund as she raced out to a 4-1, double break lead. In the midst of a career-best season herself, Siegemund didn’t take the deficit lying down, eventually earning both breaks back to level the opening set at 5-5.

Undaunted, Vesnina broke once more to clinch the opening set and move out to an early break in the second. Three points from victory, Vesnina was about to put away a forehand volley when Siegemund’s hat flew from her head, causing a let to be called. The mishap led to one last surge from the German, who got within two points of leveling the second set as she did the first, but the top doubles threat weathered the storm and earned a sixth straight victory in straight sets.

“I was trying not to rush the points because I was controlling the rally,” Vesnina said, having hit 22 winners to 24 unforced errors, and venturing to net 18 times, winning 11 of those exchanges. “I was the one attacking, coming in and trying to hit aggressive from the back.

“It was a little bit tricky with the wind and after 4-1 Laura played really well, much better than at the beginning of the match. I was just trying to play and fight.

“With these conditions, it’s impossible to show your best tennis. You just have to go and fight for every point.”

Vesnina’s opponent was decided by the last match of the day, won by former French Open finalist Sara Errani, who turned around a tricky opening set to defeat Yulia Putintseva, 7-6(2), 6-1. In the meantime, the newlywed has generously fielded questions as to whether her autumn marriage to Pavel Tabuntsov has led to her uptick in form.

“[Tournament Manager] Eleanor Adams, she was like, ‘I know why you’re playing good.’ She told me this morning. I’m like, ‘Why?’ ‘Because you’re still on the honeymoon.’

“I’m like, ‘Eleanor, he’s not even here. I’m alone.’ She’s like, ‘doesn’t matter.'”

Errani appeared out of sorts to start the match, falling behind an early break and finding herself two points from a one set deficit as Putintseva served for it at 5-4. From there, the Italian veteran gritted her way through an ensuing tie-break only to run away with the match in under two hours. In all, she hit 21 winners to only 18 unforced errors – Putintseva hit 25 winners but 35 errors – an maintained an always-impressive 89% first serve percentage.

“The first set was one hour and 15 minutes,” she told Andrew Krasny during her on-court interview. “It was really long, really tough and every game was, ‘Advantage, deuce, advantage deuce!’ But it was good and in the second, a bit more easy. I started to play a little bit better.”

Into the Volvo Car Open semifinals for the first time in her career, Errani has already struck gold by winning the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and will have an opportunity to reach yet another Premier final on Saturday.

“I’m really happy to be in the semifinals; for me it’s amazing. I know every match is really tough, so I’m really happy.”

Source link