Update: Miami - First, Second & Third Round

Hi everyone,

The Sony Tennis Open is flying by and we're already on to the fourth round!

 

Except for Petkovic's win over Jovanovski: 6-3, 6-1 in the first round, nothing really to report because all the seeded players got a bye in Miami. On to round two where Petkovic played amazingly against Bartoli before the French woman had to retire due to her left foot when trailing: 3-6, 1-4. I guessed wrong about Petkovic reaching the third round but just when I thought she would make it further, Tomljanovic just barely got the edge over her for a fourth round spot: 0-6, 6-4, 7-6(1). Good to see her getting her groove back (and hopefully her Petko-dance too!)

 

 

A lot of high ranked players needed three sets to overcome their opponent in the early rounds. Typical for Wozniacki (5-7, 6-3, 6-3 against Pliskova) and Kvitova (5-7, 6-2, 6-2 against Peng), they did it in Indian Wells also, but Kerber isn't playing her best as well in the second round. The German lost the first set: (5)6-7 against Schiavone before settling the score in the next two sets: 6-3, 6-2.

Two veterans took the court in an epic battle too: 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4 was the score between Venus Williams and Date-Krumm (combined age 74!)

 

 

No such problems for Serena Williams, Radwanska, Na Li and Sharapova who cruised through the second round in straight sets. And what about Azarenka? She's still unbeaten in 2013 but has pulled out of Miami with an ankle injury again. I'm wondering if she'll be fit (and warmed up) for the upcoming Grand Slams! Lucky Loser Davis filled her spot and immediately made a splash saving three match points before grabbing the win against fellow American: 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(7). Unfortunately she didn't withstand Cornet's game in the third round: 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

 

 

To summarize the rest of the third round, I'm refering to these two informative clips:

 

 

 

What it did let out was Belgian Flipkens win over Kvitova: 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 and Wozniacki's upset by Spanish teenager Muguruza: 2-6, 4-6, both quite mention worthy!

 

The upcoming fourth round matches are pretty interesting with: Williams vs. Cibulkova (always in the mood for a big number one upset that tiny Slovak!), Radwanska vs. Stephens and Errani vs. Ivanovic. Keep posted!

Introducing: Sony Open Tennis - Miami

Hi everyone,

Some people are saying Miami is losing its status as 5th Slam in favor of Indian Wells, but with the entire top 32 competing here (except for the injured Stosur), I beg to differ on the WTA side! Miami will be a fierce battlefield, that's for sure.

 

Last year's tournament was a total surprise with Bartoli defeating Azarenka  for the first time in 2012 and Wozniacki beating Serena both in the quarterfinals. But Sharapova and Radwanska were the one to profit from it, both struggling respectively with Serena and Azarenka as nemesis. The Pole took the title with a consistent: 7-5, 6-4 win.

 

 

So now let's check out that draw:

- Seeded players in the top half = Serena, Wozniacki, Na Li, Radwanska, Venus Williams, Bartoli and Kvitova (talk about a packed draw! Serena can get her revenge on Wozniacki in the semi's while Radwanska yet again gets drawn in Venus' half!)

- Seeded players in the bottom half = Errani, Ivanovic, Kirilenko, Sharapova, Kerber, Azarenka (somewhat the easier part of the draw)

 

- Underdog of the tournament = neither William sisters has it easy, but I still chose for Petkovic because she doesn't get a first round bye. First she faces Jovanovski which is quite do-able but she's been on injury break for quite a while now! Next is Bartoli and possibly Goerges in the third round. To get into the quarterfinals, she'll have to get past a determined Kvitova before meeting either Venus or Radwanska there. After that Serena awaits in the semi's and in the final either Sharapova or Azarenka most likely. I'm guessing her impossible draw will end in the second round with a three set loss against Bartoli.

 

 

- Interesting early round matches to look forward to = Serena vs. Pennetta (second round), Bartoli vs. Petkovic (second round), Kuznetsova vs. Makarova (second round), Urzsula Radwanska vs. Ivanovic (second round), Kerber vs. Schiavone (second round), Wozniacki vs. Pavlyuchenkova (third round), Radwanska vs. Barthel (third round) and Venus vs. Stephens (third round)

 

Keep posted!

Update: Indian Wells - Quarterfinals, semi's & Final

Hi everyone,

The quarterfinals were quite a let-down with two walkover matches. Azarenka retired because of a right ankle injury while Stosur forfeited with a right calf affliction (she's also not competing in Miami next week!). I would have liked an Azarenka vs. Wozniacki match-up and Stosur taking on Kerber, but the Wozniacki - Kerber semifinal was quite controversial too! After a few moonballing rally's the Dane got Kerber out of here rythm to take the match: 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. It wasn't pretty (the crowd started laughing after a minute, I would be fast asleep after 30 seconds!) but it did the trick and acordingly to Wozniacki, that's all that counts! To read the many comments about it: click here

 

 

On the other side of the draw two Maria's battled their way into the semifinals. Kirilenko continued her great run by defeating Kvitova: 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 after previously sending Radwanska packing the round before. Sharapova had her hands full on Errani in the first set but eventually overcame the Italian: 7-6(6), 6-2.

 

 

So then two Russian blond Maria's had to play their semifinal against each other. The number three got the better of Kirilenko in two sets: 6-4, 6-3.

 

 

In the final Sharapova pushed through her agressive game and Wozniacki didn't have an effective reply (not even moonballing!). It's good to see the Dane in a final again but 33 winners against just 2 just said everything in the end. Score: 6-2, 6-2.

 

 

More interesting is that Sharapova overtakes Azarenka in the rankings! I didn't see that coming at all, but this makes things just more entertaining! So Serena is still on the number one spot, Sharapova on two and Azarenka drops to three. I'm guessing Miami will be the battlefield of the rankings too, I'm dying for some high seed mash-ups, keep posted!

Update: Indian Wells - Third & Fourth round

Hi everyone,

The show is getting on the road while we progress in the third and fourth round of Indian Wells!

 

Some seeded players already had some trouble in the third round. Surprisingly Azarenka needed three sets against Flipkens (go Flipper!). The Belgian took the first set 6-3 and it was extremely tight until 3-3 in the second set. Azarenka upped her game and took the next nine games, finishing it: 3-6, 6-3, 6-0. I was wondering if it would put a dent in her confidence defending her title here, but in the fourth round she had a comfortable win against the younger Radwanska: 6-3, 6-1. I guess we'll see in the quarterfinals!

 

 

Speaking of, not only Urszula Radwanska is out, also Aga! In the third round she pulled off a tough three set win over Cirstea: 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4, after losing an important break in the first set. But in the fourth round a strong Kirilenko overcame the Pole: 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 to take the quarterfinal ticket from the number three seed.

 

On the other hand Sharapova, Kvitova, Kerber and Wozniacki all progressed to the quarterfinals with two straight set wins in the third and fourth round. Sharapova conquered Spain, defeating Suarez Navarro: 7-5, 6-3 first before winning against Arruabarrena-Vecino (oh God, what a name?!): 7-5, 6-0. Wozniacki did the same with two consecutive Russians, first: 6-2, 6-1 against Vesnina and then: 7-6(3), 6-3 against Petrova.

Kerber came out on top after a poor match against Wickmayer: 6-1, 7-6(4) and sending another Spanish player home Muguruza: 6-4, 7-5. Kvitova outplayed Tsurenko: 6-2, 7-6(5) in the third round and met Zakopalova in the fourth round: 6-2, 6-3. It's nice to see the Czech raising to her former game again!

 

It was eventually Bartoli who defeated underdog Kuznetsova: 6-4, 6-3 in the third round. I sweared the Russian would get a round further, but it wasn't meant to be! The French woman encountered a fierce Errani next, where she couldn't score a quarterfinal spot against: 3-6, 2-6.

 

 

German Barthel made quite an impression against Ivanovic: 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 before ending on the losers side against Stosur: 6-4, 2-6, 3-6. I'm wondering if she's good on gravel, she could upset some good players at the upcoming Roland Garros!

 

 

The quarterfinals now consists of following mash-ups: Azarenka vs. Wozniacki, Kerber vs. Stosur, Kvitova vs. Kirilenko and Errani vs. Sharapova.

 

To sum things up: the high ranked players had quite some trouble while the subtoppers had a pretty good day at the office. Maybe we're getting a very surprising victor, so keep posted!

Fun off court: Indian Wells

Hi everyone,

Indian Wells is known for their little 'fun facts top 8' quiz which is always hilarious! From last year we remember: 'Who is in the top 8?' - Sharapova, Wozniacki's constantly answering Stosur, 'Damn, I don't have her on Facebook!' - Azarenka and the 'Oh, dear Lord!' from the quiz master!

 

 

This year we're missing Na Li but Errani is so cute with her Italian accent (how she says Kerber is amazing!) and the German is just constantly laughing it seems. Their expressions when they don't know a question is just hilarious! Love Kvitova's: 'Pink? That's me!'. Birthdays and favorite bands seem to be very difficult though and as usual Sharapova didn't seem to know anything while everybody got the Sharapova-question right!

 

 

Indian Wells also hosts a players party with this year a lot of cars it seemed, check out my favorite photos:

 

Beautiful smile check

 

Height difference check

 

Adorable sister's photo check

 

Extremely weird fashion check!

 

Last but not least, what is Jankovic wearing for God's sake and which cheerleader should she give it back to?!

 

 

Update: Indian Wells - First & Second round

Hi everyone,

 

Since most of the seeded players (up until number 35 Peng) had a bye in the first round, the tournament didn't really start until the second round. And despite losing a round to warm up, not many high ranked players were surprised in their first match at Indian Wells.

Both Wozniacki and Kvitova had to play three sets but to be honest, that isn't all that strange right? Their score was exactly the same: 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 against Cornet and Govortsova respectively.

 

Azarenka, Kerber, Stosur, Ivanovic, Bartoli and Radwanska advanced in straight sets towards the third round. Only Pavluychenkova didn't survive the second round, losing against Swedish Larsson: 5-7, 1-6.

Little sister to the number four, Urszula Radwanska, had a convincing win over American Stephens: 6-3, 6-4 in the second round. Indian Wells hasn't been nice to the young players anyway, also Laura Robson and Heather Watson are already out.

 

The underdog of the tournament Kuznetsova accomplished task one and two in her impossible scheme to win Indian Wells, defeating Hlavackova: 6-3, 6-1 and winning the battle against Jankovic: 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 to secure her third round match against Bartoli!Schiavone on the other hand had a solid win over fellow country woman Pennetta: 7-5, 6-1 before falling to Sharapova in the second round: 2-6, 1-6.

The most interesting third round matches to look forward to: Ivanovic vs. Barthel and Kuznetsova vs. Bartoli.
And don't forget about the players party yet to come, so keep posted!

Introducing: BNP Paribas Open - Indian Wells

Hi everyone,

We're back on American soil with the duo-tournaments Indian Wells & Miami in consecutive weeks. First up is the BNP Paribas Open:

 

 

The draw is literally packed (it got two pages for god's sake!) with only three players missing from the top 35! Na Li is still out with an ankle injury and both the Williams sisters aren't playing either (something about a conflict between their faither and the tournament director). But Serena hasn't played here in years, so this doesn't jeopardize her number one spot. Actually Azarenka needs to win the title here as she did last year to have any shot at regaining the top spot in Miami next.

 

 

So this is a quick analysis of the draw:

 

- Top half = Azarenka, Stephens, Petrova, Wozniacki

- Middle half (top) = Kerber, Makarova, Ivanovic, Barthel, Stosur

- Middle half (bottom) = Kvitova, Cibulkova, Radwanska

- Bottom half = Errani, Pavlyuchenkova, Jankovic, Bartoli, Sharapova

 

Predictions on quaterfinals: Azarenka vs. Wozniacki, Makarova vs. Stosur, Kvitova vs. Radwanska, Bartoli vs. Sharapova

 

Underdog of the tournament: Kuznetsova. The Russian didn't have to play qualies this time thank god, but her path to victory is quite ... impossible. Her first round is against Hlavackova, more known as a doubles player but still dangerous. Then Jankovic follows with a possible third round match-up against Bartoli. Next is either Pavlyuchenkova or Errani before clashing with most likely Sharapova for a quarterfinal spot. And then she'll have to get past Kvitova or Radwanska to play the final possibly against Azarenka. Good luck Kuznetsova!

 

Interesting early round matches: Schiavone vs. Pennetta (first round), Goerges vs. Robson (second round), Kerber vs. Watson (second round), Jankovic vs. Kuznetsova (second round), Sharapova vs. Schiavone (second round), Ivanovic vs. Barthel (third round), Errani vs. Pavlyuchenkova (third round).

 

Keep posted!