Tennis News

BIRMINGHAM, England – Jelena Ostapenko defeated Petra Kvitova for the second time this season after prevailing in a topsy-turvy second-round encounter at the Aegon Classic Birmingham.

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Two years ago, Ostapenko was crowned Wimbledon junior champion and this affinity with grass was clear to see as she defused Kvitova, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

“Since juniors, I think I did well on grass. It’s my first time here, but I really like it here,” Ostapenko said. “I think grass is my favorite surface, so I’m looking forward to two more tournaments. I think I can do well on grass because I have good serve and good backhand and forehand, so for grass, I think it’s good.”

There was little in the way of break opportunities until the seventh game, when Ostapenko fended off the first threat. The next game she was presented with a chance of her own when the No.5 seed sent a forehand long. She converted with a stroke of good fortune, her backhand return crashing into the tape before dropping onto Kvitova’s side of the net.

Kvitova responded by moving 3-0 ahead in the second set, only to be halted first by her opponent, who broke back in the fifth game, and then the rain. On the resumption it appeared that Ostapenko’s moment had passed, Kvitova wrapping up the set then breaking to love at the start of the decider.

Earlier this year, Ostapenko fought back to defeat Kvitova en route to the Doha final, and she showed similar gumption to repeat the feat. A couple of pin-point returns helped wipe out the early deficit, Ostapenko then outmaneuvering Kvitova on the baseline to hit the front a short while later. There was still time for a late wobble, Kvitova carving out a couple of break points at 5-3, but the teenager held firm to close out victory. 

Ostapenko’s run this week increases the likelihood of a Wimbledon seeding, and following this victory over a two-time champion expectation levels heading into the year’s third major will soar. “I mean, I think on grass, she’s one of the most dangerous opponents because she won twice Wimbledon. I’m happy to win today.”

The Latvian, who also beat Kvitova in Doha earlier this year, will now face Madison Keys. In another of the early matches, Keys swiftly dealt with qualifier Tamira Paszek, 6-1, 6-3, to keep her hopes of reaching the Top 10 alive.

To do so she will need to reach the final, although her post-match press conference was dominated by other concerns. “I feel like I’m up against the rain this week. Really happy that we were able to get on the court today,” Keys said. “Once I was out there, I was definitely really focused on getting on, playing as efficiently as possible, and hopefully finishing before the rain starts again.”

BIRMINGHAM, Great Britain – No.9 seed Johanna Konta made quick work of Japan’s Misaki Doi, needing just two sets to move past her and into the second round of the Aegon Classic Birmingham.

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Konta stayed toe to toe with Doi for in the first set before going on to dominate in the tiebreak, winning the first six points and converting on her fourth set point. She allowed Doi just one game in the second set, firing off nine aces during the match to advance 7-6(3), 6-1.

Konta, like much of the player field in Birmingham, has struggled with the British summer weather; her first round match against Doi was originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday but a streak of rainy days pushed play to begin today.

She deals with the delays with her usual aplomb and a bit of the typical stiff upper lip her countrymen are known for.

“[I] just really kind of keep a light mind. I am lucky I have my parents around and my coach, having a laugh with them and some of the other girls,” Konta said.

“I think it’s just important to keep reminding yourself to not get stressed about things that are completely out of your control.”

In fact, the rain has thrown off the schedule so much that Konta was originally supposed to play three matches today: along with her first round against Doi, she was slated to play her second round singles match against Yanina Wickmayer and a first round doubles match with partner Elina Svitolina.

“You don’t really think about it. You just prepare like any other day, any other match day. I guess you really need to keep yourself present. You don’t think about it.”

The Brit makes a habit of keeping things in perspective and taking the changes in stride, in everything from rain delays to her meteoric rise to the top.

This time last year, Britain’s No.1 was ranked No.139 – her breakout performance at the US Open would come about a month and a half later. Since then, she’s climbed to No.18 and admits that now she gets stopped for autographs.

“I’ve always wanted to be successful at what I do and I continue to want to be so,” Konta said. “Now, I guess, success in this field comes with maybe more recognition and getting recognized more outside.

“It’s not why I play the sport. It’s not why I want to be the best I can be. It’s just very much a side product.

“But really nothing has changed. I promise you, I’m very much the same.”

MALLORCA, Spain – Former World No.1 Ana Ivanovic enjoyed one of her most emphatic wins of the season, dismantling Sara Sorribes Tormo, 6-1, 6-0, to reach the quarterfinals of the Mallorca Open.

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Playing against her childhood idol, the 19 year old was overawed on the Center Court in Mallorca, lasting just 51 minutes against the 2008 French Open champion, who was hoping to turn around a disappointing season with a second WTA quarterfinal appearance.

“Honestly, grass is not my favorite surface,” the Serb said in her post-match press-conference, “but I’ve loved playing in Mallorca. I really hope I can keep playing well to stay long. The courts and crowd are really nice, so it’s a good feeling.

“I remember the first time I played the Williams sisters; you’re a little bit overwhelmed playing someone you used to look up to. But she’s very young still, and had some good strokes. Hopefully she can get better and move into the top of the game.”

Dropping just seven points behind her first serve, Ivanovic convered five of nine break point opportunities to set up a match against No.6 seed Caroline Garcia.

“I think we’ve been lucky to have perfect weather here; I know they’ve been struggling in Birmingham. I’ve actually had fun playing here. Yesterday, we had fun in doubles too, with Kirsten Flipkens.

“Garcia won the last three times we played, but it’s a different surface, and I’ll have to be extra focused and low on my shots. I have to go into the match knowing it’s going to be close, and look for my opportunities.”

.@AnaIvanovic impone su ley en el #MallorcaOpen. ¡Sólida victoria ante @sara_sorribes 6-1, 6-0. ?? pic.twitter.com/IOP61qYPYQ

— MallorcaOpen (@MallorcaOpen) June 16, 2016

Garcia played earlier in the day and survived a nail-biter of a second set tie-break against unseeded German Anna-Lena Friedsam, advancing, 6-4, 7-6(4).

“It’s good weather and I like when it’s hot. It was two tight sets, but you need a lot of energy on grass and a lot of focus. So every point is very important; I’m happy to be through in two sets.

“Maybe I played the important points better, but it was very tight. That’s grass also, and why you have to stay focused on every point. It’s a very different game, but good to have it for a month – just a month though!”

The Frenchwoman has won her last three matches against Ivanovic – all of which occurred in the spring of 2015 – but the pair have never met on a grass court.

“It’s not very natural for me,” she told press of the surface. “I have to say that the grass here is drier than it usually is in England, so it’s a little bit more comfortable for me. I feel safer on the court and the ball is bouncing higher, especially on my second serve. For your first tournament on grass, you don’t expect much, but I hope to keep going.”

Playing in the inaugural Mallorca Open meant opting out of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, a tournament plagued by rain delays and poor weather.

“I’ve seen all the news on twitter about interruptions and suspensions. It’s frustrating because you can’t practice; you have to go indoors or the gym. When you want to go on grass, you want to at least be practicing. There’s a chance to do this here. Even when you’re done with a match, you can still practice. So I’m very happy with my choice!”

¡Accede a los cuartos de final del #MallorcaOpen @CaroGarcia! Victoria 6-4, 7-6 ante Friedsam. ?? pic.twitter.com/ZYtsnulUdt

— MallorcaOpen (@MallorcaOpen) June 16, 2016

More to come…