Update: Miami - Third & Fourth round

Hi everyone,

Not as many surprises in the third round as the massive seeded players outage of the second round! Only one victim Pennetta was defeated by wildcard Muguruza Blanco, a Spanish player who is having the tournament of her life! Score was 2-6, 6-1, (6)6-7.
Another fabulous wildcard battle between Venus Williams and Wozniak! Score was: 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5). It didn't look good for Venus, who had to battle back from a set, a break and a matchpoint down. Eventually she could finish it in a deciding third set tiebreaker, but oh man that was certainly a close one!

Unfortunately, but not entirely unexpected, Kim Clijsters lost to fellow comrade Wickmayer 4-6, (5)6-7. I was really hoping she would go far in this tournament, but it's clear she's still not 100% due to her ankle injury. Very much making clear, she's not quitting!

The fourth round gave us absolutely amazing matches! 
First up was a struggling Azarenka on the brink of defeat against Cibulkova. It's not the top ten who gets her sweating, but so far Barthel (ranked 36) and Cibulkova (ranked 16). She was 1-6, 1-4 down before she battled her way back into the match. The second set came to a tiebreak, reaching a thrilling 9-7 score! And even in the third set, Cibulkova made it tough for the number one, closely losing with 7-5.

But that wasn't all! The number two, Sharapova, didn't have it easy either. Makarova pushed her to a tiebreak in the second set after losing the firstset, just 4-6. From that point on, Sharapova dominated, closing out the tiebreak 7-6(3).
A similar scenario in the match between Wozniacki and Wickmayer. The first set went to a nail-biting tiebreaker with Wozniacki coming out victorious 7-6(6). I was hoping for some more exciting tennis but Wickmayer couldn't follow Wozniacki's strong game and lost the second set 6-0.

Radwanska had it relatively easy against Spanish wondergirl Muguruza Blanco, winning 6-3, 6-2. Bartoli dismissed Kirilenko in two sets: 6-1, 6-2. Na Li defeated Lisicki 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. I must say, I watched this game and absolutely loved Lisicki's coach! He's almost as happy as Lisicki herself (how is it even possible)! He came on after the first set (which Lisicki won) and told her to have more fun in the following sets. She eventually didn't win due to a lot of unforced errors, but it's an excellent message towards all tennis players (pro or not!).

Last, but not least, are the Williams' sisters! They're both having a monster comeback and it showed in round four. Serena Williams took revenge on Stosur with 7-5, 6-3. It's quite strange because Stosur was constantly leading with a break and Serena was producing a lot of unforced errors. In the first set, it were the many aces (20 overall) that kept Serena going while Stosur gave away the break at 4-3 due to double faults. The second set featured a lot of breaks and rebreaks and the amazing game at 2-2. But after Stosur lost the three following games, Serena raced to a 6-3 win.
Venus battled past Ivanovic: (4)6-7, 6-2, 6-2.

Yes, we're back in the era where everybody has to fear the Williams' sisters. This could get very interesting, keep posted!

Update: Miami - First & Second Round

Hi everyone,

Many surprises already in the first two rounds of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami! Especially considering all the seeded players got a bye in the first round.

Wildcard Venus Williams won against Date-Krumm of Japan in two short sets: 6-0, 6-3 to go on and defeat Kvitova 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. She's certainly back, making quite an impression against the number three.

Another veteran, Kim Clijsters, had more trouble against Gajdosova (score: 4-6, 6-1, 6-0) than against Goerges (score: 6-2, 7-5). Kim shows an incredible endgame, coming back a set against Gajdosova and holding her serve in the second set against Goerges after consecutive breaks.

Sharapova had quite a struggle in the second round against Peer, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. But she was one of the lucky ones, a lot of other seeded players got send home already. Jankovic lost against Barthel 0-6, 3-6 (remember Barthel was the one who almost won against Azarenka in Indian Wells). Pavly out against Makarova 1-6, 2-6. Exit Schiavone against Pervak: 4-6, 6-4, 5-7 (hopefully she'll get better on gravel later on).

Benesova knocked Kuznetsova out of the tournament: 1-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(6). Wish I had seen that match, those tie breaks had to be fenomenal! Also Zvonareva out 4-6, 3-6 against Muguruza Blanco (have to admit, never heard of this wildcard). I'm surprised about Kerber and Kanepi, struggling against average players. Kerber lost against Zheng (4)6-7, 1-6 and Kanepi against Soler-Espinosa 5-7, 3-6. Two wildcards managed to upset Safarova and Niculescu.

Don't worry, a lot of seeded players are still in the running. Keep posted to hear about their progress!

Introducing: Sony Ericsson Open - Miami

Hi everyone,

The Indian Wells memories haven't sunk in that much yet, and already another tournament on the way! We're in sunny Miami in Florida and lots of contenders will fight for this desirable title!

Hopefully everybody's recovered from stomach viruses, injuries and other little troubles, because the draw isn't generous.

Let's just sum up some interesting matches to come:

Second round:

Kvitova v. Venus Williams (as a wildcard, just strange!)

Goerges v. Kim Clijsters (how the mighty have fallen down the rankings)

Third round:

Kanepi v. Radwanska (don't really know how she's doing after the 6-0, 6-2 defeat against Azarenka)

Kim Clijsters v. Wickmayer (patriotic treat!)

Fourth round:

Bartoli v. Schiavone (if she's fully recovered from sickness, this could be fun!)

Azarenka v. Kerber (the German keeps getting the number one, unlucky bird)

Stosur v. Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters v. Wozniacki

Sharapova v. Jankovic, Lisicki v. Na Li.

In one quarter of the draw I can't decide if Kvitova or Venus Williams will play Ivanovic and if Zvonareva will have to battle against Kanepi or Radwanska, much uncertainty here!

Prediction for the quater finals:

Azarenka v. Bartoli

Serena Williams v. Kim Clijsters (just would love to see that!)

Sharapova v. Lisicki and

(let's make a humble guess) ... Kvitova v. Radwanska.

And if you have been getting all that, you notice Kim Clijsters has the most difficult task ahead! First against Gajdosova, secondly Goerges, then Wickmayer, further Wozniacki and Serena Williams to reach the semi's against Azarenka. How bad can it get?!

Oh god, can't wait! Stay tuned!



Update: Indian Wells - Final

Hi everyone,

This says it all, doesn't it?

But I'm certainly not as surprised as Azarenka! She needed just two sets to beat Sharapova: 6-2, 6-3. The gap between Azarenka and the rest of the WTA is just growing by the second! I'm curious who will interrupt her winning streak (now up to 23!).

The final left little to the imagination, Sharapova just wasn't playing her best and Azarenka kept forcing her to make mistakes. The Russian just managed to break Azarenka once, at a score of 0-3 in the second set. So all her effort was just too little, too late.

Up next is Miami, and of course Azarenka will be there too. Who will step up to deny her another title: Clijsters (or is she not yet up to speed?), Sharapova take three?, or someone completely unexpected (remember, Barthel was the closest to defeat the number one so far!)

Update: Indian Wells - Quarter & Semi Finals

Hi everyone,

There have been some surprising matches in the quarter finals. First of all, Kerber managed to upset Na Li with 6-4, 6-2. She's been having a wonderful run for months now, so nobody can deny we have got another serious contender for the Grand slams on our hands!

Another match involved Azarenka simply crushing Radwanska with 6-0, 6-2. It would have been her first double bagel if she didn't break the number one in the last game (her reaction when finally getting a game: watch picture below). I was hoping for a more exciting clash but I certainly got what I was asking for in the match between Sharapova and Kirilenko. It looked really bad for the number two when facing 3-6 and a break deficit in the second set. However Kirilenko seemed to crack under the pressure and let the match slip: 6-3, 5-7, 2-6.

One of the most high quality sets of the tournament occured in the match between Ivanovic and Bartoli. Their first set was a battle of wills with a lot of good tennis. In the end Ivanovic managed to capture the break and the first set: 6-3. I thought the second set was going to be as nerve wrecking as the first, but Bartoli didn't look as fit and jumpy as she normally does. My guess: the stomach virus and I must say it's a real shame. Bartoli dropped an early break in the second set and lost in the end: 3-6, 4-6.

Next up are the semi finals!
I had high expectations for the match between Kerber and Azarenka. Unfortunately the German made too many mistakes and Azarenka took advantage. Score was: 4-6, 3-6. Still, I keep forgetting they're playing the number one, so actually this isn't such a bad score (thinking back she almost defeated Radwanska with a double bagel!)

I was particulary interested in the match between Sharapova and Ivanovic. The Serbian is definitely making her come-back splendidly but a hip injury meant she had to retire at 4-6, 0-1. Indian Wells is really turning out to be a tough struggle to reach the end with all the retirements.

Well, well, we're going to get another loud final with Azarenka against Sharapova. I should be getting used to this, they are number one and two after all. Very excited to see who is going to be victorious, stay tuned!

Update: Indian Wells - Fourth round

Hi everyone,

The stomach virus may have caused some great players to leave the tournament, but the fourth round matches were nonetheless fantastic!

Sharapova had an easy win over Vinci with 6-2, 6-1 but her next opponent, Kirilenko, had to overcome a relentless Petrova: 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 to reach the same quarter finals. Hopefully Kirilenko will take that determination into her match with Sharapova and push her to three sets also.

The next quarter final features Bartoli against Ivanovic. Yes, she did it, she beat Wozniacki! Ivanovic didn't even need three sets to do it: 6-3, 6-2 was enough. To compare: Bartoli lost an equal amount of games to Safarova: 6-1, 6-4. But can we really call it an upset? We sure can call it revenge because Ivanovic hasn't won a match against Wozniacki since 2008.

Na Li defeated Zakopalova: 6-1, 6-0. But one of the fantastic matches I was telling you about was McHale against Kerber. Don't you just love it when two great upsetters clash against each other? I was very sleepy towards their third set and when McHale had a 3-6, 6-3 3-0 lead, I just went to sleep, thinking she would be able to finish it off. What I should have done was keep watching that amazing third set because Kerber won it 7-6(4)! I'm glad we get to see more of her in the quarter final.

The last quarter final will be played between Azarenka and Radwanska. I watched Goerges unsuccesfully try to get the number one in a difficult position. She played too much unforced errors and the match was just slipping away too fast for her. Score was: 6-3, 6-1. Still, it was an interesting match to watch. What I didn't care for was Azarenka's complaining of Goerges quick game. She held her hand up multiple times to slow Goerges' serving down, have you never heard of following the server's speed? Come on Azarenka, you're not a newbie anymore!
Radwanska got a quite challenging opponent: Jamie Hampton. Unfortunately the American was exhausted from her previous matches and had to give up in the third set, after defaulting two games due to cramps. Score was: 6-3, 4-6, 3-0.

Stay posted for some more exciting matches in the quarter finals of Indian Wells!

Fun off court: WTA Quiz + Wozniacki - Sharapova

Hi everyone,

It's time for some fun off court!
Don't you just love it when they gather players to answer questions about each other? BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) even succeeded in gathering the top 8!
(By the way, too make things easier if you don't know everybody's first name or nickname:
1. Victoria (Vika) Azarenka, 2. Maria Sharapova, 3. Petra Kvitova, 4. Caroline (Caro) Wozniacki, 5. Agnieszka (Agi) Radwanska, 6. Samantha (Sam) Stosur, 7. Marion Bartoli, 8. Na Li or Li Na, whatever you prefer).

Just watch this:

Fun remarks: at least Sharapova knew her own question (who is in the top eight, really?!). Wozniacki just had one tactic: answering Sam (while unfortunately she was the answer to the last question). Oh, that her dog died, was so sad (you could hear the interviewer say: 'oh god!'). Kvitova didn't seem to know much either but it was almost her birthday, so she's forgiven!

And what did you think about Wozniacki trying to scare Radwanska? In this video, she tries to do a prank on Sharapova but hilariously fails:

This is from Sharapova's perspective (fastforward to 1:20), especially her: 'Now I have to do this interview all over again' is fantastic!

Stay tuned for more fun on and off court!

Update: Indian Wells - Road to fourth round

Hi everyone,

I knew Indian Wells promised to be special and that was totally confirmed in the first three rounds!
First of all: what's up with that strange stomach virus? It's taking on more players than wondergirl Azarenka could ever beat. Now there are two unresolved questions in this tournament: who is gonna beat Azarenka and who will outlive the virus? (sounds like the trailer for a terrible horrormovie!).
The victims so far are: Vania King, Rybarikova, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Zvonareva, Schiavone and Kvitova (not to mention another four players on the men's side).

On the healthy side of the draw: Kuznetsova dissapointed against Azarenka (1-6, 2-6). The number one had more trouble in the second round against Barthel: 6-4, (4)6-7, 7-6(6). How close was that match?! Barthel had two chances to serve out the match in the third set but Azarenka battled back every time. Her winning streak of 2012 (19-0!) is getting Djokovician!

She'll face Goerges in the fourth round. Maybe she can stop Azarenka's amazing run!

Jamie Hampton defeated Jankovic in the second round with 6-4, 6-3. The American had more trouble against Gajdosova 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the next match. Will she be able to defeat another great player or will Radwanska advance to the quarter finals?

Another major upset in the third round: McHale winning against Kvitova (we've seen her do incredible stuff before, like beating Wozniacki in Cincinnati last year). Score was: 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. Maybe she got a little lucky with the stomach virus (Kvitova had to dissapoint her doubles partner Azarenka by withdrawing the next day, suggesting she wasn't feeling that well before too).

McHale will face Kerber in the fourth round, who got walk-over against Vania King.

The last upperdraw fouth round features Na Li against Zakopalova (walk-over of Zvonareva).

The down draw fourth rounds are:

- Bartoli v Safarova (after winning the first set 6-2, Schiavone retired)

- Ivanovic v Wozniacki (as was expected, should be interesting!)

- Kirilenko v Petrova (beating Stosur, again with epic scores: 6-1, (6)6-7, 7-6(5) in 2h 46m)

- Sharapova v Vinci (who came back strongly after losing the first set against Cibulkova).

Be sure to keep yourself posted in this very exciting tournament!

Introducing: BNP Paribas Open - Indian Wells

Hi everyone,

Finally another great tournament, at a time I don't have any exams or major (life altering!) papers for a change! Let's introduce the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (yes people, we're on American hardcourt again!):

First the serious part: the draw analyse.

It's a packed tournament with the entire  top 20 competing, except for Serena Williams and Petkovic (word is she's getting better, thank god!).

Some interesting matches in the third round to look forward to:

- Azarenka v Kuznetsova (she's not been able to win a lot of matches this year and Azarenka will probably win this, but hopefully after three beautiful sets!)

- A Chinese meeting between Na Li and Zheng

- Stosur v Petrova (just remember that epic US Open match lasting 3h 16!)

Last year finalists: Wozniacki defeated Bartoli in three sets 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.

Interesting (but oh so great!) pairing for the doubles tournament: Lisicki and Goerges!

  

My prediction for the fourth round contestants:

- Azarenka v Goerges

- Kvitova v Kerber (I give her a winning shot against Pavly)

- Bartoli v Schiavone (or will Kanepi stun Bartoli the round before?)

- Wozniacki v Ivanovic (wouldn't you rather see them mudwrestle?)

- Lisicki v Stosur 

- Wickmayer v Radwanska (a little bit of patriotic wishful thinking because Wickmayer has to beat Jankovic for it)

- Zvonareva v Na Li (haven't seem them play for a while, so just for old times sake!)

- Sharapova (really couldn't decide her opponent, not a lot of competition on her draw)

Now the fun part! BN Paribas Open organised an exhibition match between Wozniacki and Sharapova. Two blonds facing each other, both with sporty boyfriends and fabulous dance moves! And Wozniacki even called McIlroy on the court but still lost 3-6, 4-6. 

Here a little video of the best parts (you gotta love exhibition matches!):