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!):

Update: Dubai Duty Free

Hi everyone,

Let's try to get a whole tournament in one post, shall we?
It's the end of February, that means looking for a place where it isn't too freakin' cold to play tennis! I introduce you Dubai, where it's a comfortable 25 degrees (77 Fahrenheit):

Wish I could be there (oh right, for the tennis as well of course!).

The draw looked promising and when Azarenka had to withdraw because of an ankle injury, anything was possible!

I'm watching the final as we speak and it's remarkable that both Radwanska and Goerges had a tough first round match. Radwanska struggled against Wozniak (I'm so glad it's at least an 'i' different, otherwise I would always get confused!): 6-1, (6)6-7, 7-5. Goerges battled Kuznetsova in the first round (whoever did the draw, is my hero!): 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4. Fortunately they got through, because they're playing one hell of a final right now! No such luck for Schiavone and Bartoli, who both got knocked out immediately in the first round.

I watched two interesting matches:
- Radwanska v. Lisicki = 6-2, 6-1. Yes of course, Radwanska won (otherwise I wouldn't be watching her battling it out with Goerges for the title) but how, is definitely worth mentionning! Because really, this wasn't a match. Lisicki was just piling up the unforced errors, I've never seen her play this bad! She actually had to put her jacket back on while Radwanska did an amazing knee spinning thing to keep herself warm. It would have been 6-0 if Lisicki didn't have some lucky shots at the end of the second set.

- Goerges v. Wozniacki = Now, this was a match! Wozniacki struggled with Goerges high balls but fought back from a 5-3 deficit to eventually lose it in the tiebreak (3)6-7. Goerges was playing amazing! She just shattered the Danish wall with fabulous forehands and beautiful backhands (and yes, I've been searching for that alliteration since yesterday!). The second set began with one break after the other and Wozniacki was the first to hold and lead 4-2. After that, she missed her chances and made too many mistakes. She got that frustrated, she even argued with hawkeye (you do now it's a machine, right?). Goerges took advantage and won with 7-5 in the second set.

Wozniacki's game has been slipping since she lost the number one ranking and Goerges leads the head-to-head with 3-2 now.

And now the final of course! Radwanska against Goerges. I was really excited to see this match. On the one hand Radwanska is so incredible consistent and on the other hand Goerges is having a dream of a tournament at Dubai.

Radwanska started really good by taking a break and leading 4-2. The next 3 games went to Goerges but the Pole stayed calm and took the first set 7-5. The played amazing games and the first set almost took an hour. Goerges lost her concentration in the second set and was quickly trailing 1-4. Surprisingly she broke Radwanska and even forced a breakpoint when the Pole was serving for the match. In the end Goerges made too many unforced errors and Radwanska won the tournament in her first try in Dubai with 7-5, 6-4. She'll jump to the fifth place, the highest in her career so far.

See you next for Indian Wells, March 5th!

Update: Open GDF Suez Paris - Qatar Total Open 2012

Hi everyone,

Sorry to keep you in the dark for the past few weeks but I can't help it, tennis keeps on going while I'm on (a very deserved) vacation!

First of all: Open GDF Suez in Paris.

That has to be the single most boring advertisement, I have ever seen. But the fact that the tournament is played in the city of romance, makes up for a lot! A pity it already ended February 12th and didn't last until Valentine!
Back to tennis! Na Li had to retire from her match against Pironkova in the first round due to a back injury which will keep her from playing in Qatar as well. She had lost the first set in a tiebreak (5)6-7 and was trailing 2-3 in the second.
Wickmayer played a superb tournament but encountered an even better Kerber and lost in three close sets: 7-6, 3-6, 4-6. Next up, Kerber demolished Sharapova with 6-4, 6-4 to set up a match against Bartoli, who had a quite straight forward path to reach the final.

And it was Kerber who came out victorious with 7-6, 5-7, 6-3. Since that wonderful run in the US open of last year (she reached the semifinal by defeating Radwanska and Pennetta but eventually fell to later champion Stosur), she's getting more and more wins in other tournaments as well.

Next up: Qatar Total Open in Doha.

This was the tournament where most seeded players failed in the first or second round. Hantuchova, Pavly, Zvonareva, Jankovic, Goerges, Peng, Ivanovic, they all couldn't pull out their best tennis to advance in this tournament.
Notable was the second round win of Wickmayer against Schiavone with 7-6(4), 6-4 and Wozniacki's loss against Safarova 6-4, 4-6, (3)6-7. It seems losing her number one spot, left her without much confidence. And I want to see battles been fought for that highest ranking, so come on Wozniacki! Win like a Grandslam, just to give the critics a heartattack!

Four seeded players eventually withstood the test and battled it out in the semi's. Azarenka smashed Radwanska aside with 6-2, 6-4. Bartoli, who is having a good start of the season, had to retire against Stosur after losing the first set 6-3.

I saw the final between Azarenka and Stosur and Sammy wasn't playing her best. Just too much unforced errors and never having a chance on the Azarenka serve. On the other hand the Belarussian broke Stosur's serve three times in the first set to take it 6-1. Stosur didn't really get in the match when facing an early break in the second set as well. When heading 40-15 in her own service game, she still let Azarenka break her to win the match with 6-2 and the tournament was hers!

It's been all Azarenka this past month! And while doing a little dance when winning, she seals her 17th consecutive win. The question now is: who is going to defeat her? I have to admit, she's a good number one but I still have to get used to it.

Last, but nog least, let's check the rankings where Sharapova jumps over Kvitova to take the number two spot. Kerber heads into the top 20 with her win in Paris. Kuznetsova drops a shocking 9 places from 18 to 27. More dropping is happening for Kim Clijsters, now down to 35 (the seeded players spot is in jeopardy at the Grandslams!). Hopefully, she'll make up for it in Miami which starts March 21th. First up is Indian Wells coming up, March 3th so keep posted!