Tennis News

From around the world

News | WTA Tennis English

News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MELBOURNE, Australia – No.7 seed Garbiñe Muguruza survived a scare in her opening match against Marina Erakovic to move into the second round at the Australian Open in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.

“Marina and I played a couple of times and it’s always a tough match,” Muguruza said in her on-court interview. “I’m happy, even with my body, that I won. It was very tough.”

Earlier in the season in Brisbane, Muguruza was forced to retire from her semifinal against Alizé Cornet due to a right thigh injury, and it seemed like the pain still lingered in her Melbourne opener.

Despite taking a close opening set, Muguruza’s movement appeared to be hampered and she struggled with her timing, her usually powerful groundstrokes at times lacking their bite.

Marina Erakovic

The Spaniard’s problems multiplied in the second set, as Erakovic took every opportunity Muguruza’s condition handed her and went up a 4-1 lead.

“It was very tough. You’re playing, then suddenly you start to feel pain in your body,” Muguruza explained. “Obviously I was nervous, so I just tried to be calm, to have a good attitude and keep fighting for the match.”

The New Zealander wasn’t able to hang on to that lead for very long, as Muguruza – with great effort – came roaring back. Erakovic seemed to lose her confidence as Muguruza climbed back up the scoreboard, finally rattling off five straight games to take the match.

Through to the second round in the Australian Open for the fifth straight time, Muguruza awaits the winner of the match between Samantha Crawford and ASB Classic champion Lauren Davis.

Source link

News | WTA Tennis English

News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MELBOURNE, Australia – The first Grand Slam of the year is almost here as the Australian Open kicks off in Melbourne on Monday. The doubles draw is out, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands reunites with Lucie Safarova in hopes of defending her No.1 ranking against a trio of challengers.

But Serena Williams and Venus Williams threaten to blow the draw right open as they will take the court together to compete in doubles for the first time since the Olympic Games.

Click here to see the full singles and doubles draws.

POTENTIAL QUARTERFINALS:

[1] Caroline Garcia / Kristina Mladenovic vs [5] Martina Hingis / CoCo Vandeweghe
[3] Ekaterina Makarova / Elena Vesnina vs [7] Julia Goerges / Karolina Pliskova
[8] Vania King / Yaroslava Shvedova vs [4] Sania Mirza / Barbora Strycova
[6] Chan Yung-Jan / Chan Hao-Ching vs [2] Bethanie Mattek-Sands / Lucie Safarova

Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic

STORYLINES TO WATCH:

Garcia & Mladenovic are making their 2017 debut: The No.1 seeds Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic are set to play together for the first time in 2017 at the Australian Open. The reigning French Open champions have always been adamant that their focus was on the singles competition, and at times seemed almost baffled by their continued doubles success. But the pair are back together for the first major of the year, and even have a shot at becoming co-No.1s.

“As we repeated well enough, we are singles players, our priority is singles,” Mladenovic told WTA Insider at the WTA Finals, where they reached the semifinals. “[But] even if we are singles players, just to be able to say that you’ve been No.1 in the world in doubles, is such a pride.”

The French team will play Belinda Bencic and Ana Konjuh in the first round.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands

The No.1 ranking could change hands again: Newly-crowned World No.1 Bethanie Mattek-Sands has barely had time to savor her rise to the top before her ranking is back into play. Garcia, Mladenovic and Elena Vesnina all have a shot at becoming World No.1 by the end of the fortnight.

Of course, should Mattek-Sands and Safarova take home the Australian Open title, the ranking will stay with the American. But that’s easier said than done….

Serena Williams and Venus Williams join forces: Looming in Mattek-Sands and Safarova’s side of the draw are Serena Williams and Venus Williams. The veteran doubles team is joining forces for the first time since the Olympic tennis event, where they lost in the first round to Czech duo Safarova & Strycova. Between the two of them they’ve amassed 14 Grand Slam titles in doubles, making them a veritable threat in any major tournament.

Seeded No.15, they could potentially book a third-round clash with Mattek-Sands/Safarova, throwing a wrench in the works for Mattek-Sands’ defense of her newly-gained top ranking.

– Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Source link

News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MELBOURNE, Australia – The 2017 Australian Open begins on Monday in Melbourne, with World No.1 and defending champion Angelique Kerber headlining the first night session on Rod Laver Arena. What else do you need to know about your favorite WTA stars as the first Grand Slam tournament of the season gets underway?

Click here for a full analysis of the draw, courtesy of WTA Insider.

1. Kerber contends for first-ever major title defense.
Kerber came away with an impressive haul of Grand Slam titles in 2016, bookending the season with wins Down Under and the US Open – taking the No.1 ranking at the latter. 2017 is a new ballgame for the German, who will seek to defend a major title for the first time in her career. Her first opponent is Lesia Tsurenko, with the likes of Eugenie Bouchard and Roberta Vinci looming in her section of the draw.

2. Serena could reclaim No.1 in Australia.
In the other half of the draw stands 22-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, who is firmly in the hunt for her seventh Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy in Melbourne. The American would have to reach the final to have a chance at wresting the No.1 ranking from Kerber; click here to find out how it would all have to shake out.

3. Radwanska feeling in Grand Slam rhythm.
Armed with a new racquet, No.3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska is the high seed in Serena’s half of the draw, projecting a rematch of their 2016 semifinal encounter Down Under. Radwanska shrugged off a tough week in Shenzhen to reach the final at the Apia International Sydney, but has a potentially tricky opener against Tsvetana Pironkova. The Bulgarian beat Radwanska in their most recent meeting at last year’s French Open.

4. Halep in hot pursuit of first major title.
No.4 seed Simona Halep also started her year in Shenzhen, but arrived last week for some early preparation in Melbourne on the advice of coach Darren Cahill. The Romanian opens against American Shelby Rogers, and is aiming to build on her pair of quarterfinal appearances earned in 2014 and 2015. 

5. Cibulkova seeking Singapore stepping stone.
No.5 seed Dominika Cibulkova ended 2016 on an all-time high, winning the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global and reaching a best-ever ranking of No.5. The Slovak’s biggest major success came in Melbourne, where she reached the final back in 2014.

6. Is this Pliskova’s breakthrough moment?
Karolina Pliskova fell before the second week in her first 17 Grand Slam appearances, but made up for lost time in style at the US Open, where she rolled past both Williams sisters en route to the final. The Czech looked just as tough in Brisbane to start 2017, winning the tournament alongside new coach David Kotyza and moving back up to a career-high of No.5.

7. Muguruza feeding off good Melbourne memories.
Garbiñe Muguruza enjoyed a strong start to the season before injury forced her to retire from the Brisbane International semifinals. Still, the the No.7 seed feels fit and fresh ahead of the Australian Open, starting off against New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic on Monday.

8. Kuznetsova rounds out Top 8.
Kuznetsova burned some serious rubber on the Road to Singapore last fall, narrowly qualifying to become the story of the tournament, reaching the semifinals. This year, Kuznetsova is feeling calm as she hopes to surpass the quarterfinals, her previous best finish in Australia.

9. Venus & Serena headline the doubles draw.
The Australian Open women’s doubles draw came out on Sunday, with Wimbledon winners Venus and Serena Williams coming in as the most dangerous floaters in the draw, seeded No.15. The pair could play No.2 seeds Lucie Safarova and new World No.1 Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the third round.

10. No.1 up for grabs in Australia.
The singles No.1 isn’t the only ranking under threat at the Australian Open. Mattek-Sands narrowly took the top spot from Sania Mirza in Brisbane, ending the Indian star’s 91-week reign. But Elena Vesnina and the French team of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic all have a shot of taking No.1 during the fortnight. Click here to find out how.

Source link

Photos | WTA Tennis English

Photos | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)

Source link

News | WTA Tennis English

News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Tennis apparel companies are ready for the 2017 Australian Open, and Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will show us the latest performance wear that will help WTA players bring their A-game to the sunny courts in Melbourne.

2017 AUS Open Collection _Kerber 1.jpg

Angelique Kerber will defend her title in a stunning blue and orange outfit inspired by the tournament’s environment: the mystery blue reflects the Australian Open courts, the layers of the adidas Melbourne Tank symbolize depth of the ocean and sky combined with sun-washed graphic, while pops of bright orange represent the ever-present Australian heat.

2017 AUS Open Collection _Kerber 2.jpg

The super-lightweight performance clothes combats the scorching heat with ClimaLite materials, which encourage quick evaporation of sweat, and Climacool technology, which enhances the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.

2017 AUS Open Collection _Kerber 3.jpg

The adidas Melbourne Skirt, featuring printed compression shorts and wrap design, nicely matches the top’s spaghetti straps, as well as orange adidas adizero Ubersonic shoes that the world number one Kerber is set to launch at the first Grand Slam of 2017.

458118.jpg

Garbine Muguruza will wear the new slim-fit adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Dress in hypergreen and white. The item combats extreme heat with Clima™ technologies and seamless structures with mesh cutout details. The reigning Roland Garros champion will complete the look with the flexible and supportive adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade footwear.

458104.jpg

Switching from dresses to separates, Caroline Wozniacki will sport the form-fitting seamless adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Tank in vibrant hypergreen and bold blue alongside the matching skirt that features the designer’s signature laser-cut holes. The Dane’s adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Boost 2017 shoe is crafted from premium materials and features BOOST technology, about which the former world number one says: “BOOST is something you need to feel to believe; my game is more energised and I’m lighter and faster on my feet.”

Serena-Williams-Australian-Open-2017-Nike.jpg

After dominating last year’s Australian Open with her yellow crop top and pleated skirt, Serena Williams is ready to once again blow us off our feet with her Nike Spring Serena Premier Power Dress, whose outstanding features are the striking print that resembles piano keys at the extended bottom hem, stylish thin vertical slits at upper back and solid panels at the bust and upper back that contrast the slightly sheer body of the dress.

Eugenie-Bouchard-Australian-Open-2017-Nike.jpg

Eugenie Bouchard will also rock a black and white look, debuting the Nike Spring Premier Crop Top, featuring half-length raglan sleeves and rounded side vents, and the Nike Power Spin Premier Skirt, which stretches as you move, but then recovers its shape for supreme support.

Screenshot from 2017-01-14 17:29:16.png

Venus Williams will sport the Competitor Dress from the EleVen Thika collection.

Venus-Williams-EleVen-Australian-Open-2017 (1).jpg

The print’s hues resemble a tropical sunset, with the blurred crossing lines representing the last sunrays of the day.

Agnieszka-Radwanska-Australian-Open-2017-dress.jpg

Lotto’s Agnieszka Radwanska will showcase the Nixia III Dress, which we have already seen during the Pole’s first two tournaments of the season, the Shenzhen Open and the Apia International Sydney. Lotto Stratosphere II shoes will be Radwanska’s choice for the Australian Open, created for players who cover the entire court, therefore requiring a shoe that is stable while providing advanced mobility and reactivity during fast movements.

Fila-Heritage-Australian-Open-collection.jpeg

Fila’s athletes will present not one but two outstanding collections.

Karolina Pliskova and Jelena Jankovic are set to wear pieces from the new Heritage collection, which reflects the brand’s rich history in the game with its clean color palette and a variety of timeless designs. Paying homage to Fila’s original Italian aesthetic, the range offers three silhouettes of tops that can be paired with two skort styles, while the highlight piece is the Heritage Polo Dress.

Fila-Sleek-1.jpeg

The Sleek Streak collection, to be worn by Yaroslava Shvedova, Timea Babos and Irina-Camelia Begu, takes a bold approach to on-court styling, complete with vibrant hues, eye-catching graphic prints, and standout finishes.

Heather-Watson-Australian-Open-2017-New-Balance-outfit.jpg

New Balance’s Heather Watson will rock the printed Yarra Tank, an athletic racerback piece featuring stylish slit openings along armholes, and the Tournament Skort in color firefly, featuring an engineered elastic waistband with cutouts and printed built-in compression short. The shoes that complement this look are New Balance 996v3, equipped with ProBank technology that keeps your foot stable and in optimal position during fast lateral movements.

Nicole-Gibbs-Australian-Open-2017-New-Balance-outfit.jpg

Nicole Gibbs is set to promote the same kit, only her ensemble is pink and white.

Judging by the Australian Open designs, we can look forward to another stylish year on the WTA circuit.

Source link