Tennis News

What did the top seeds have to say on Day 1 of the Bank of the West Classic? Venus Williams, Dominika Cibulkova, Johanna Konta, and CoCo Vandeweghe all shared their thoughts on their seasons thus far, the Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, and the wedding fever that’s gripped the WTA tour…

Venus Williams

On her break after Wimbledon:
It was a short break, but I’m happy for it because I played a lot of matches where I had to wait three weeks to play, so I’m hoping this will help me keep my momentum and continue to play well.

On the physicality of adding doubles to the schedule:
The doubles is a lot, but it’s what we wanted. We were thrilled ot have been out there and hope to play more toghether this year. If we could play double severy tournament, we would, but it’s a test, and I think I stood up pretty well to it.

On her memories of making her WTA debut in Stanford and nearly beating Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the second round:
I remember being pretty nervous in the warm-up, but once I got into the first game, I wasn’t nervous anymore. I have no idea how I won the match; I had no strategy, and zero understanding on how to win a match. But I guess I was good enough; I would love to see a replay of that match. I always believed I could win any match, but I didn’t know how to win that second match, especially when you’ve almost won the match and then you don’t win another game. I remember more than anything that she took a bathroom break, and after that I didn’t win another game. So, it was a pretty good strategy against a youngin’. But after a while, I got the hang of it.

On being a mature figure on the tour:
I’m pretty much the most mature on tour. There aren’t a lot of people older than me, but I take it as a compliment because I love being out here. It proves you don’t have to go until you’re good and ready. When I’m good and ready, I’ll be gone, but now is not the time.

Dominika Cibulkova

On delaying her honeymoon to the end of the year…
Everybody’s asking, ‘What are you doing here? You should be on your honeymoon!’ But it’s the middle of the season and I’m a professional athlete, so I can’t just go on a honeymoon. We were really happy that we found a date, but we’ll have a honeymoon after the season.

On shifting from Wimbledon to her wedding…
I came home on Wednesday and for two-three nights, I didn’t sleep well because I was so excited about the wedding. I didn’t relax too much, and on Monday I was just so tired, so I took a couple of days off. I talked with my coach and he asked me if I was motivated to play [Stanford], and I said, ‘Of course, because I’m motivated to get into the Top 10.’ It’s a great opportunity.

On American wildcard Caterine Bellis, who defeated her in the first round of the 2014 US Open as a 15 year old:
I haven’t seen her too much since then. I don’t remember too much from the match because I was really nervous and put too much pressure on myself. I’d had a great start to the season that year and at the US Open, I wanted to get points to qualify for Singapore. I was just so stressed and couldn’t play good tennis, but she was playing really good there. For her age, she was playing great. I think this is the first time she’s playing a WTA tournament, so we’ll see. She’s still young.

Johanna Konta

On Andy Murray and Heather Watson’s Wimbledon wins:
It was really exciting. We had the TV on at home and I got to watch Andy and also Heather in the mixed doubles. I’m sure it made the atmosphere that much more electric.

On managing a hectic second half of the season:
It does make the schedule that much more busy because of the Olympics, and it’s that much more important to stay healthy and as fresh-minded as possible, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge. It’ll be my first Olympics, and it’ll be my first time playing here, Montreal and Cincinnati, so I have a lot of firsts coming up. I’m really looking forward to enjoying my time in the US and on this side of the world. I really love this part of the season; I have a lot of good memories in terms of tournaments I’ve played and results I’ve had. In terms of staying fresh, it’s just about being able to switch off when you can, even just little parts of the day, watching an episode of Game of Thrones.

On the one year anniversary of her rise:
I’m playing some of the best events in the world now, and I’m very grateful and happy for that. But in terms of myself, I’m very much the same, same goals and ideals, and desire to keep going. It’s not too surprising because I lived through it. It’s not like I went to sleep and woke up and all this happened. It was a constant battle and constant fight on every single match that I played. I was very lucky to play them and to win a lot of them. I’m trying to keep pushing on; hopefully the best is yet to come.

On what she’s looking forward to most at the Olympics:
It’s really strange because I’m super excited about how it sounds, but I have no idea what to expect. Everyone I’ve spoken to, the first thing they say is, ‘It’s not like any event on tour, it’s not like any other tournament.’ So right now, I’m really tense, like ‘Oh my god, what to expect? I don’t know!’ But I’m really looking forward to the Athlete’s Village. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the disciplines, how they train and eat. I’m going to be one of those weirdos that just stares at everyone. So I’m really looking forward to just being a part of it.

CoCo Vandeweghe

On how she spent her post-Wimbledon break:
Nothing I was supposed to get done got done. I was supposed to get my phone fixed; it had a crack in it since January. I managed to do it the day I was leaving. But hopefully I can express a little bit of the tan I was working on at the beach. I spent time with friends, went to a concert. I played a little golf, but mostly just vegged. Hopefully the week I spent at home will help keep me rejuvenated and excited to play through the summer.

On missing out on a singles spot at the Olympics:
I’m a singles player. Bethanie Mattek-Sands and I were talking about playing together, but it was up to the USTA, so it wasn’t set in stone. They could have said no. It was disappointing for me to miss singles, and now to see players pulling out because I wanted it so bad and they don’t want it as bad as I do. Whatever reasons they have are their own, but I can’t wrap my head around it.

On Serena Williams:
I think Serena is an amazing athlete and an amazing tennis role model for all players. She’s one of the greatest players of all times. I think Serena should definitely be praised for all of her accolades on and off the court. She’s definitely a role model for all players to look up to.

On the court surface at Stanford:
I did pretty well at Wimbledon and the grass court season with quick courts, so I think it definitely suits my game more than it goes against it. The practice courts here are pretty fast, and I’ve been practicing well, but we’ll see on the day. Perfect practice makes perfect play, so all I can do right now is focus on my practice and routines to get me ready and raring to go.

STANFORD, CA, USA – World No.1 Serena Williams might not be in the draw at the Bank Of The West Classic, but she’s never too far away from the action. Eagle-eyed fans who turned up to top seed Venus Williams’ practice session got a treat as she was joined on court by her younger sister.

Venus started out the day the way she normally does at a new tournament: hitting the practice courts. The No.1 seed hit a few balls as she warmed up on center court ahead of her opening match tomorrow.

Good morning from @Venuseswilliams on main draw day here at @GoStanford! #BOTWClassic pic.twitter.com/G96YznB4Zg

— BOTW Classic (@BOTWClassic) July 18, 2016

But who was there on the sidelines, keeping a close eye on her older sister’s practice session and dance break?

One court, two Williams sisters. Coach #Serena? #BOTWClassic pic.twitter.com/XUBk3vRrSW

— BOTW Classic (@BOTWClassic) July 18, 2016

World No. 7 @Venuseswilliams with the ultimate @BrunoMars dance break. #BOTWClassic pic.twitter.com/dRzIOFrHML

— BOTW Classic (@BOTWClassic) July 18, 2016

After a quick warmup of her own, Serena decided to join in on the action and hit the tennis court herself as the Williams sisters tuned up their doubles.

Together! @serenawilliams can't help join in on a little fun with @Venuseswilliams. #BOTWClassic pic.twitter.com/sSAE2ju4oB

— BOTW Classic (@BOTWClassic) July 18, 2016

Practice is always better with your best friend. Olympic preview? @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams #BOTWClassic pic.twitter.com/KRhnaseheh

— BOTW Classic (@BOTWClassic) July 18, 2016

You can watch every minute of Venus and Serena’s impromptu training session in Stanford right here. Check out the full live stream courtesy of Stanford and Tennis On Facebook:

THE WINNERS

Top seed Simona Halep was nearly flawless in the final of the BRD Bucharest Open, putting on a clay court masterclass in her 6-0, 6-0 win against Anastasija Sevastova to claim her second hometown title in three years.

“I am very happy, especially because I won like this,” Halep said. “I was very strong, I was confident and I can also say I was determined from the very beginning.

“It was a beautiful final and it’s also my 13th title. I will never forget this day.”

Read the match recap here.

Over in the Swiss Alps, local favorite Viktorija Golubic capped off a dream week by winning her first WTA title at the inaugural Ladies Championship Gstaad. Golubic defeated Kiki Bertens 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 after a two-hour battle to claim the title in her home country.

Earlier in the year, Golubic’s performance at the Ricoh Open turned heads when she reached her first ever WTA-level quarterfinals. Now just over a month later, the 23-year-old has claimed her first WTA title.

“Yeah, it’s really amazing,” Golubic reflected on her meteoric rise. “In March, I qualified for Katowice and won one round – that was the first time in more than a year that I qualify for a WTA event. In ‘s-Hertogenbosch, I played quarterfinals. That was such a new experience too.

“From that point on I improved even more, and to be here now as a winner is really incredible and amazing feeling.”

Read the match recap here.

RANKING MOVERS:
Notable singles ranking movers for the week of July 18, 2016.

Viktorija Golubic (SUI) +33 (No.105 to 72): Golubic’s performance at the Ladies Championship Gstaad earned her a maiden WTA title in front of her home crowd, as well as this week’s biggest ranking jump. The 23-year-old now sits at a career-high of No.72.

Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) +17 (No.66 to 49): Despite the lopsided score line in the Bucharest final,

Kiki Bertens (NED) +5 (No.26 to 21): Golubic’s opponent in the Gstaad final also notched a big ranking jump this week. Bertens continues her steady climb with a new career-high of No.21, a hair away from breaking into the Top 20 for the first time.

Timea Bacsinszky (SUI), +2 (No.17 to 15): Another deep run – this time to the semifinals at her home tournament in Gstaad – bumps up Bacsinszky two spots to No.15.

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

Bank Of The West Classic
Standford, USA
Premier | $687,900 | Hard, Outdoor
Monday, July 18 – Sunday, July 24

Citi Open
Washington DC, USA
International | $226,750 | Hard, Outdoor
Monday, July 18 – Sunday, July 24

Ericsson Open
Bastad, Sweden
International | $226,750 | Hard, Outdoor
Monday, July 18 – Sunday, July 24

Rogers Cup
Montreal, Canada
Premier | $2,413,663 | Hard, Outdoor
Monday, July 25 – Sunday, July 31

Brasil Tennis Cup
Florianopolis, Brazil
International | $226,750 | Hard, Outdoor
Sunday, July 31 – Friday, August 5

Jiangxi Women’s Tennis Open
Nanchang, China
International | $226,750 | Hard, Outdoor
Monday, August 1 – August 7

TOP 20 PLAYER SCHEDULES
1. Serena Williams – Montreal
2. Angelique Kerber – Bastad, Montreal
3. Garbiñe Muguruza – Montreal
4. Agnieszka Radwanska – Montreal
5. Simona Halep – Montreal
6. Victoria Azarenka
7. Venus Williams – Stanford, Montreal
8. Roberta Vinci – Montreal
9. Carla Suárez Navarro – Montreal
10. Svetlana Kuznetsova – Montreal
11. Madison Keys – Montreal
12. Dominika Cibulkova – Stanford, Montreal
13. Petra Kvitova – Montreal
14. Samantha Stosur – Washington DC, Montreal
15. Timea Bacsinszky –
16. Belinda Bencic – Montreal
17. Karolina Pliskova – Montreal
18. Johanna Konta – Stanford – Montreal
19. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova – Stanford, Montreal
20. Elina Svitolina – Montreal

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Best wishes to those celebrating birthdays this week:

Teliana Pereira (BRA) – July 20, 1988
Luksika Kumkhum (THA) – July 21, 1993

BASTAD, Sweden – A relieved Anna Karolina Schmiedlova returned to winning ways with a straight set victory over Susanne Celik in the first round of the Ericsson Open on Monday afternoon.

Watch live action from Bastad, Stanford and Washington DC this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Schmiedlova’s 6-1, 6-3 win was her first at a WTA event since January and sets up a second-round meeting with either Katerina Siniakova and Jana Cepelova.

“I’m really happy that I won because I lost, I don’t know how many – I didn’t count – maybe 15 matches in a row, so it’s a special feeling and I’m very happy,” Schmiedlova said.

“It was a good match. She played well – I didn’t know her very well as I hadn’t played her – and I think she can be a good player. But I’m really happy that I won, even thought I was a little bit nervous at the end.”

If Schmiedlova was feeling pressure at the end, she masked it well, reeling off the final three games to close out a morale-boosting victory. Having lost so matches – many from commanding positions – the overriding feeling after finally making it across the line was of relief.

“I’ve been playing better the past weeks. I also played well at Roland Garros – I lost against Muguruza, but it was three sets and I really felt good. Also last week [in Bucharest] I lost from match point up, so I’ve already played tough matches and maybe today I was a little bit more experienced than her at this level,” she added.

Elsewhere in the top half of the draw, Karina Knapp defeated Denisa Allertova, 6-2, 6-4. Meanwhile, in the final round of qualifying, there were wins for Katerina Siniakova, Kateryna Kozlova, Lucie Hradecka, Jana Cepelova and Sara Sorribes Tormo.

Every week on wtatennis.com we bring you 10 Things To Know about the week – who is playing, where and much more. This week the Road To Singapore goes through Stanford, Washington DC and Bastad…

1. Vintage Venus Williams is Stanford top seed.
No.1 seed Venus Williams, two-time champion (2000, 2002) and five-time runner-up (1998-1999, 2004-2005, 2009) at Stanford is back in action after coming off a semifinal finish at Wimbledon.

2. Newlywed Dominika Cibulkova seeks a second crown…
2013 Champion and No.2 seed Dominika Cibulkova is back to earth after her fairytale fortnight at Wimbledon. She’s looking to make another deep run in Stanford, following a nine-match winning streak by clinching the title at Eastbourne and reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

3. …while British No.1 Johanna Konta makes her Stanford debut.
At this time last year, Britain’s Johanna Konta was ranked in the 120s and playing ITF events leading up to her big breakthrough later in the fall. Now, she sits at a career-high ranking of No.18 and is making her Stanford debut.

4. Kerber makes her Bastad comeback…
World No.2 Angelique Kerber returns to Bastad for the first time in five years. The German is coming off her second Grand Slam final appearance at Wimbledon. She gets Swedish wildcard Cornelia Lister in the first round.

5. … but three former champions are also back in the hunt.
Three former Bastad finalists are back in this year’s main draw: Mona Barthel (2014 champion, 2015 runner-up), Polona Hercog (2011, 2012 champion), Johanna Larsson (2011, 2013 runner-up, 2015 champion).

6. And Kiki Bertens is still red hot.
No.3 seed Kiki Bertens will be looking to continue her clay-court success in Bastad, as the 24-year-old Dutch woman won her second WTA title at Nurnberg before reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros. She’s also fresh off a run to the final in Gstaad.

7. Cagla Buyukakcay looks to make her mark.
Turkey’s No.1 Buyukakcay is one to watch in Bastad: she won her first WTA career singles title at her home tournament in Istanbul this year, also qualifying her for her first Grand Slam main draw at Roland Garros, reaching the second round

8. Can Sloane Stephens make it four?
Defending champion and No.2 seed Sloane Stephens returns to Washington DC where she captured her first WTA title in 2015. Now, the American has won three more titles – Auckland, Acapulco and Charleston – all this year. Can Stephens defend her title and make it four titles in 2016?

9. Another young American looms in the draw…
Unseeded Shelby Rogers is sitting at a career-high ranking of No.59 after reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros, where she took out three seeds (No.17 Pliskova, No.10 Kvitova, No.25 Begu).

10) Find out where you can watch live action this week.

GSTAAD, Switzerland – Local favorite Victorija Golubic capped off a dream week by winning her first WTA title at the inaugural Ladies Championship Gstaad. Golubic defeated Kiki Bertens 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 after a two-hour battle to claim the title in her home country.

More to come…

Geschafft!!!!! Viktorija Golubic gewinnt die Ladies Championship Gstaad!!!! #wtagstaad pic.twitter.com/M32RvfI4WI

— Ladies Open Gstaad (@WTA_Gstaad) July 17, 2016

BUCHAREST, Romania – Simona Halep reached her first final since early May with a hard-fought three set win over Vania King at the BRD Bucharest Open.

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

Two years ago, Halep triumphed at the inaugural staging of the tournament, and she stayed on course for a second title on home soil with a 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3 victory.

“I felt the audience’s support, they were wonderful, keeping in mind that I lost the first set, they were more and more energetic. It was good, they motivated me and I fought every ball, and that helped me win tonight,” Halep said.

Competing in the semifinals of a WTA event for the first time in two years, King recovered from a slow start to take the first set and stun the partisan crowd. Things went from bad to worse for the Romanian at the start of the second set, King rifling a backhand down the line to earn two chances for an immediate break. She only needed one, this time the forehand wing doing the damage.

The American followed this up with a gutsy hold, but could not hold onto the initiative, Halep forcing the match the distance by taking the final three games of the set.

Now bossing the baseline exchanges for the first time, Halep turned the screw at the start of the third set, duly building a 4-1 lead. King battled gamely to the end, reducing her arrears to 4-3, before Halep made it across the finishing line thanks to one final push.

“I think I was a little stronger mentally, more powerful in the game, I was more focused in the important balls and I won the important ones,” Halep added. “I started dominating the game close to the end, I lost two games when I had 4-1, and that was my fault. But I am happy that I resisted and that I won the following two.

“I was expecting her game to be good, fast and aggressive. I played well and I think it was a beautiful match for everyone.”

In the first semifinal, Anastasija Sevastova saw off No.4 seed Laura Siegemund, 6-3, 6-2, to continue her recent resurgence. Sevastova, who recently reached the final in Mallorca, actually holds a winning record over Halep, although with the most recent of these coming almost five years ago it is unlikely to have too much bearing on Sunday’s showdown.

“I don’t recall those matches, but I know I played against her,” Halep said when asked about her three defeats at the hands of Sevastova. “It’s going to be a tough match – every final is difficult – but I will try to enjoy it as much as possible.

“I’m in another final here in Bucharest and that makes me feel very good. I hope I win, I’m looking forward to it but I expect a difficult match. She has a different game, but I will try not to give up any point, just like today.”