Fun off court: Radwanska & Wozniacki

Hi everyone,

 

I'm a little late with some funny clips of Radwanska and Wozniacki, because they date back from the New Haven Open (one of the US Open Series) but they don't lose their humor at all, so enjoy!

First up I just typed Radwanska in youtube and got 'bee killer' automatically added, here's the result:

Second, an awesome interview where Wozniacki has to guess some things about Radwanska and ends up getting them all right! Quite amusing her sceptical look when asked if she could do the same with her boyfriend. Priceless Wozniacki's expression: 'Not a guy?!'

Lastely, really Radwanska as back-up dancer while Wozniacki sings? Did we forget her song 'Oxygen' and if you did: check it here again. I was more impressed by the cute dog in the clip, nevertheless, I would do the same for a good cause or if I had the money!

More annoying than Gangnam style, leave a comment!
If you want more funny clips, you should really just type a player's name and let youtube add the funny bits!

Update: Tokyo - Semi's & Final

Hi everyone,

The two semifinals in Tokyo were very different from each other!

 

On the one hand was the Petrova - Stosur mash-up definitely decided on unforced errors, rather than on winners. Stosur tried to get her game into gear so Petrova was just awaiting her mistakes, which were a lot! The Russian got just a few breakpoints but she was very efficient with it, only in the second set she needed more perseverance to seal a 5-2 lead. At that 5-2, 30-0 score, Stosur threatened with a breakpoint completely out of nowhere but Petrova kept her cool and served out the match: 6-4, 6-2.

 

 

Totally different was the match between Kerber and Radwanska, purely sensational! It was amazing all-court play with impressive volleys, dropshots and lobs. Radwanska did overpower the German who made too many mistakes against the number three. In an hour of shere magical play, the Pole's A-game delivered: 6-1, 6-1. Maybe Kerber deserved more games though, but I know why Radwanska showed no mercy. It's just too much of a coincidence Kerber defeated her younger sister with the same score, so well done Agnieszka, you really proved your sister a service!

 

 

I couldn't have guessed the course of the final even if I tried  harder! Radwanska was definitely the favorite coming into the final against Petrova but a 0-6 score really wiped away that prejudice. Petrova had an amazing 13-1 balance winners vs. unforced errors and Radwanska just couldn't get anything going.

 

 

A lot of work to be done definitely, but Radwanska delivered with a 6-1 of her own. Petrova was starting to make faults and the Pole cruised on her consistency.

The third set had to decide everything and it really could swing in both ways. At 4-3 Petrova broke the Radwanska serve and sealed the deal. The Pole lacked determination to fight back and so Petrova won her biggest tournament to date: 6-0, 1-6, 6-3.

 

 

Radwanska looses around 300 points on the WTA rankings without prolonging her title here, so we'll see how that will affect her third spot. Fortunately number four Serena didn't compete in Tokyo and has already pulled out of the China Open due to illness (her sister with a back injury but it is widely known the Williams sisters are not familiar with 'compulsary' tournaments like the China Open). The number five Kvitova hasn't gathered much points here either so maybe the threat is not as immenent.

 

Keep posted for the China Open!

Update: Tokyo - Road to Semifinals

Hi everyone,

The Tokyo tournament has been flying by and our four semifinalists are known, but before we taddle who it is, let's review how they got there!

 

Round three didn't really bring surprises with it but some seeded players did have to play against each other and that's always interesting!

Azarenka beat Vinci in two sets: 6-4, 6-2 despite dizzy spells during the match. She pulled out in the next round so Kerber got a walkover spot for the semifinals. The German defeated the younger Radwanska before that quite easily: 6-1, 6-1 and faces older sister Agnieszka in the semi's. Revenge for her sister's loss would be quite sweet!

The number three got past a strong Wozniacki in the quarterfinals after the Dane outplayed Na Li previously: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Radwanska proved her defensive skills and Wozniacki really hasn't got the agressive play to get her to quit running from one side to the other. Although the Dane forced rebreaks when trailing, Radwanska fixed her semifinal spot with a 6-4, 6-3 victory. They're obviously good friends, which I have some funny clips of for you later!

On the other side of the draw Stosur will take on Petrova in the semi's and we know that has been giving incredible fireworks in the past! Petrova didn't have it easy, first barely winning against the Kvitova Killer Martic: 7-6(2), (1)6-7, 6-4 and getting past Errani in the quarterfinals after trailing 3-6, 1-4 to win it eventually: 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Stosur also hasn't been spared the least, overcoming Cibulkova in the third round: 6-4, 7-5 before facing Sharapova in the quarters. Losing ten of the eleven previous set-ups mustn't give much confidence, but the Aussie managed to overturn this bad statistic a little when knocking out Sharapova in two heavily battled sets: 6-4, 7-6(10).

So one one side we've got a Kerber - Radwanska mash-up, which I'm really looking forward to, and the other semifinal consists of a Stosur - Petrova duel. Keep posted!

Update: Tokyo - Second Round

Hi everyone,

The second round at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo proved a tough round for a lot of seeded players! Let's check out the victims first.

 

 

The number four Kvitova suffered defeat against Martic: 4-6, 4-6. American Hampton knocked out Kanepi out with: 5-7, 6-2, 6-3. Last but not least was Ivanovic. She lost an exciting match against the younger Radwanska: 6-3, 4-6, 2-6. Can't wait for her mash-up against Kerber in the third round!

 

Sharapova survived an early exit scare against Watson after losing the first set in a tiebreak to scream her way to victory: (7)6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

 

 

Na Li needed three sets against Pavly: 7-5, 4-6, 6-2. Same for Stosur against Schiavone, who pushed the Aussie to: 6-4, 2-6, 5-7. No hard feelings there, both opponents weren't the easiest to deal with!

 

 

This photo shows perfectly how I mostly feel during Stosur's matches when she's not playing her best! Glad she feels the same at times.

 

Azarenka had no problem with Paszek: 6-1, 6-1. Wozniacki overcame a difficult first set tiebreak to get past Hantuchova: 7-6(3), 6-1. And last year's victory Radwanska won against Jankovic in two sets: 6-2, 7-5.

 

 

Third round matches to look forward to:

- Urszula Radwanska vs. Kerber = two all-rounders with quite some offensive punches, maybe an upset in the making?

- Na Li vs. Wozniacki = always interesting when these two clash.

 

Keep posted!

Introducing: Toray Pan Pacific Open - Tokyo

Hi everyone,

The Asian season kicks off with the amazing tournament in Tokyo: the Toray Pan Pacific Open. Last year's victor was Radwanska, she has a lot of points to defend in all of the Asian tournaments in fact!

 

 

But she's not getting it handed over because it's a packed draw in Tokyo! Azarenka, Ivanovic and Kerber are drawn in the same quarter while Radwanska will have to get past Kanepi, Wozniacki and Na Li in her quarter to prolong her title. Errani, Bartoli and Kvitova will battle for another semifinal spot while Stosur and Sharapova have more of a breather in the down draw.

 

No real surprises in the first round with all the seeded players getting through although Wozniacki needed three sets against Jovanovski: 6-0, 3-6, 6-4. Maybe she's just a little tired from winning the title at the Korea Open last week by smashing Kanepi: 6-0, 6-1. And it's a shame but Petkovic is already out against Martic after a perfect start: 6-0, 4-6, 3-6.

 

 

 

Interesting second round duels to look forward to: Azarenka vs. Paszek, Ivanovic vs. Urszula Radwanska, Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Jankovic, Wozniacki vs. Hantuchova, Pavly vs. Na Li, Goerges vs. Bartoli and Stosur vs. Schiavone. Enjoy!

 

Keep posted!

Fun on & off court - US Open

Hi everyone,

The US Open doesn't go by without some major fun on and off the court!
First up is the amazing duo Sharapova and Djokovic because they have new clips!

I'm not sure who exactly won the battle, but at least Sharapova could hit him with a tennisball! Djokovic also had some fun with Carly Rae Jepsen at the Kids Day at the US Open.

 

 

Just one question: where did Djokovic get that lawn mower?!

Some more ballboys and girls action when a squirrel appeared on the court:

 

 

This US Open RedFoo from LMFAO caused a lot of dancing! It's best he doesn't start betting on tennis because he first supported Stosur and then Azarenka...

 

 

 

 

To finish off: Watts of the US Open, always funny!

 

 

Keep posted!

US Open - Quarters, Semi's & Final

Hi everyone,

The quarterfinals brought a lot of excitement in the upper draw! First up was Stosur against Azarenka, the Australian was never able to take a set against the number one. This time, she proved a much tougher contender and forced Azarenka to a third set tiebreak after losing the first set quite powerless: 6-1. I was already sighing 'Sammy, Sammy, Sammy, what are you doing? (or better yet: what aren't you doing!)' but she battled back: 6-4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third set absolutely deserved a tiebreak because neither one was ready to surrender. Unfortunately for Stosur, Azarenka took a 4-0 lead and grid her teeth towards: 7-6(5). Nonetheless, it was quite a stressy match for the number one and her relief was clearly visible!

 

 

Sharapova also didn't have a walk in the park against Bartoli. The Kvitova Killer raised her game tremendously but, as I notice sometimes, she lacks the power to really come out on top at the end of three hard sets, especially against someone like Sharapova. Maybe it's all the hopping in between. Bartoli lost in the end: 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

 

 

The down draw worked out like I predicted. Serena smashed Ivanovic off the court: 6-1, 6-3. Errani was very humble when winning her match against her doubles partner Vinci: 6-2, 6-4.

It wasn't hard to predict either Serena would brush off Errani in the semifinal: 6-1, 6-2, though it is quite remarkable that the Italian reached two semifinal Grand Slams this year. She can also find comfort in the fact that she won the doubles with Vinci on the US Open and grabs the number one spot.

 

 

The other semifinal featured a fierce battle between Sharapova and Azarenka where the Russian pushed the number one to three sets also. I'm not sure if Azarenka is getting tired at the end of the season or if the other players are getting closer to the number one. That would be quite intriguing for next year! But Sharapova didn't get quite so close to defeating Azarenka yet: 6-3, 2-6, 4-6.

So it's quite a dreamfinal in this year's US Open! On one side the number one Azarenka and on the other Serena, the number one favorite of the Americans.

Serena had her usual flashing start and took the first set: 6-2. After that, she started to get sloppy and practically handed the second to Azarenka: 2-6. I didn't know what I was seeing because the number one really looked like she could win this time! Serena had a whopping 45 unforced errors and Azarenka was serving for the match at 5-4. The American reacted with three games in a row to seal her fourth US Open win: 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. Victory was close for Victoria, but not quite yet.

Keep posted for all the fun stuff left throughout the US Open!

US Open - Road to Quarterfinals

Hi everyone,

 

It's been a while since the last post, I'm sorry, I've been enjoying my last deserved vacation at the beach. But don't worry, now I'm completely back to update you on everything that happened and still is yet to come at the US Open!

 

Let's sum up some of the highlights:

 

First round

 

- Early exit victims = Wozniacki surprisingly lost against Begu: 2-6, 2-6, Lisicki out against the always dangerous Cirstea: 6-4, 2-6, 2-6, Goerges set packing by one of the Pliskova sisters: (4)6-7, 1-6 and Petkovic didn't have much comeback luck against Oprandi: 2-6, 5-7.

 

 

Is it me or are all the black clothed people getting send home?

 

Second round

 

- Clijsters career ends here with an upset against British Robson: (4)6-7, (5)6-7. Although Kim had a 5-2 lead in the first set, the young Robson really put an effort in to force two tiebreaks. Later on Clijsters also loses in the first round doubles and second round mixed doubles with partner Bob Bryan. I'll post something later to reminisce on her years on the WTA tour.

 

We'll be missing that famous Kim split! 

Robson can't believe she'll be the one remembered as ending Kim's career

Kim with fellow countrywoman Flipkens in the doubles 

Having some fun with a victory chest bump with Bob Bryan in the mixed doubles 

 

- The US Open already got an epic second round match between Venus Williams and Kerber (thank god for the draw gods!). It was very powerful tennis, definitely worth seeing the highlights: click here (at day four). Eventually the new generation overclassed in the end: 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 and oh my Kerber was happy with this victory!

 

 

- Radwanska needed three sets against Suarez Navarro: 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, certainly not a good sign.

 

Third round

 

- Robson takes another seeded player's scalp, defeating Na Li: 6-4, (5)6-7, 6-2.

 

 

- Serena Williams got her revenge for her Australian Open upset by Makarova: 6-4, 6-0.

- Radwanska defeated Jankovic in straight sets: 6-3, 7-5, so maybe a better sign.

 

Fourth round

 

- Stosur stops Robson in her great US Open campaign: 6-4, 6-4 but it sure wasn't easy! Breaks were followed by rebreaks and Robson did have her opportunities in this match. Stosur needed nine match points spread over three games to finally secure that quarterfinal spot! It seems that silver mixed doubles medal at the Olympics really launched Robson also in the WTA single rankings.

 

 

- Maria Sharapova had a tough mental battle against Petrova: 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

- Bartoli made an impressive comeback ater losing the first set against the number five Kvitova: 1-6, 6-2, 6-0. I don't have to tell you how psyched she was!

 

 

- Kerber loses an incredible exciting match against Errani: (5)6-7, 3-6. So the German doesn't equal her semifinal spot of last year.

- Vinci surprisingly sent Radwanska packing: 6-1, 6-4. This means the Italian double duo meet each other in the quarterfinal!

 

Quarterfinal Mash-ups:

 

- Stosur vs. Azarenka = the Australian already played someone who anticipates her kick serve quickly, namely Robson. So hopefully she learned a lot out of that because Azarenka will do the same. Stosur is defending a lot of points so it would be good if she could finally win against Azarenka but the 0-6 head to head doesn't really motivates well.

 

- Sharapova vs. Bartoli = we'll have to see how both tennis players recuperate from their tough fourth round battle, my money is on Sharapova though.

 

- Ivanovic vs. Serena Williams = hopefully Ivanovic doesn't get a double bagel that Serena delivered to Hlavackova in the fourth round. I don't see Serena losing her first set of this tournament with this mash-up.

 

- Errani vs. Vinci = the Italian doubles team faces off in the quarterfinal. Their head to head is 3-2 in favor of Errani so maybe this will be the most exciting match of the quarterfinal!

 

Keep posted!