(Rank/Seed)
The final was everything anyone could have asked for; a classic battle between the world's top 2 players that featured ebbs and flows, drama and passion. In the end, (2/2) Azarenka overcame the odds to defeat (1/1) Williams 26 62 76(6) for only her 3rd victory in their 15 career matches, but her 2nd in 3 this year.
1st Set
Williams was on fire to begin, hitting winners for fun particularly off her forehand. Azarenka in contrast was a bundle of nerves, opening her 1st service game with 2 double faults. She was barely able to move or find the court and Williams romped through in under 30 minutes.
2nd Set
Azarenka changed her tactics, looking to take the ball earlier. It paid off immediately as she broke Williams in the 2nd game for the 1st time. William's forehand began to crumble, as did her serve. She held only once during the set, and that was after saving 8 break points in an intense 11 deuce 6th game.
3rd Set
Azarenka continued to return astutely and crafted herself the 1st break of the set to lead 4-2. Despite leading 30-0 in the next game, Williams came back with a vengeance; her forehand finding its range. Things looked ominous for the world number 2 when Williams broke to serve for the match at 5-4, but once again Azarenka's solid returns (often down the centre of the court to the baseline) caught Williams off guard. The two held serve through to the breaker which was played out nervously. A surprising double fault from Williams at 5-5 saw Azarenka reach match point, only for Serena to save it with a powerful backhand return. Azarenka quickly saw another after hitting an insane forehand volley winner, her 20th winner of the match. Williams responded on the next point by hitting her 46th unforced error of the encounter to give Azarenka the match.
Azarenka hit 30 unforced errors during the match, whilst Williams hit 43 winners and actually won points than her opponent as she was the clear aggressor. Azarenka's win was a testament to her undoubted self belief; never giving in, even after the diabolic 1st set. It was Azarenka's 3rd title of the year and her 1st at Cincinnati. For Williams, it was only her 4th loss of the season as her wait for the title here remains.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Sunday, 18 August 2013
Serena struggles past Li
Both semi finals were slug fests, featuring challenging situations for all involved.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Williams claimed her 8th victory in 9 against (5/5) Li with a hard fought 75 75 victory to take out the defending champion. Serena started lethargically, serving half pace which seemed to take Li by surprise as Serena established a 4-1 lead. However, Li soon found her range on return and won the next 4 games to lead 5-4; often attacking the net. With Serena's forehand errant, Li soon was serving for the set but a double fault up set point saw her chances dissipate and Williams clinched the set. The 2nd set was similar as Serena took a 4-2 lead, only to see Li fight back to lead 5-4 and serve for the set. Once again though, when under pressure Williams grew more relaxed and broke back to love. Throughout, Li had tried to impose herself in the forecourt as often as she could but it proved costly as Williams made her opponent pay for her several missed opportunities. With the win, Williams clinched the 2013 Olympus US Open Series whilst also reaching her 1st final here. For Li, it's a 2nd straight tournament in which she has lost a match where she has had a lead.
2/2 Azarenka edged (15/14) Jankovic 46 62 63 in a match where the serve was practically useless. In 27 games, there was 23 breaks as both players excelled on the return. Azarenka hit 11 double faults and was surprised by Jelena's aggression on the court, but ultimately was able to hold her serve 3 times compared to her opponents 1! She too moves into her 1st final here.
So, Williams versus Azarenka. Serena leads 12-2, but they are tied at 1-1 this year. Both of them want this elusive title. The final's been played recently so I wont predict who will win.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Williams claimed her 8th victory in 9 against (5/5) Li with a hard fought 75 75 victory to take out the defending champion. Serena started lethargically, serving half pace which seemed to take Li by surprise as Serena established a 4-1 lead. However, Li soon found her range on return and won the next 4 games to lead 5-4; often attacking the net. With Serena's forehand errant, Li soon was serving for the set but a double fault up set point saw her chances dissipate and Williams clinched the set. The 2nd set was similar as Serena took a 4-2 lead, only to see Li fight back to lead 5-4 and serve for the set. Once again though, when under pressure Williams grew more relaxed and broke back to love. Throughout, Li had tried to impose herself in the forecourt as often as she could but it proved costly as Williams made her opponent pay for her several missed opportunities. With the win, Williams clinched the 2013 Olympus US Open Series whilst also reaching her 1st final here. For Li, it's a 2nd straight tournament in which she has lost a match where she has had a lead.
2/2 Azarenka edged (15/14) Jankovic 46 62 63 in a match where the serve was practically useless. In 27 games, there was 23 breaks as both players excelled on the return. Azarenka hit 11 double faults and was surprised by Jelena's aggression on the court, but ultimately was able to hold her serve 3 times compared to her opponents 1! She too moves into her 1st final here.
So, Williams versus Azarenka. Serena leads 12-2, but they are tied at 1-1 this year. Both of them want this elusive title. The final's been played recently so I wont predict who will win.
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Azarenka beats Wozniacki
The quarter final matches were all straight set victories.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Williams comfortably beat (25/-) Halep 60 64. In the 1st set she hit 12 winners to a mere 3 unforced errors; Halep winning only 6 points. The 2nd set was closer but it was never in any doubt that Serena would reach her 2nd career Cincinnati semi final. Still, this was Halep's 2nd Premier 5 level quarter final of the year as she surely looks headed to be a top 20 player shortly .
2/2 Azarenka had a difficult time holding serve against (10/10) Wozniacki, but won 63 76(5). Azarenka had to battle through some long rallies, often opening up the court to finish on the drive volley. In the 2nd set, she saw a 2-0 lead become a 3-4 deficit as she trailed a break to an increasingly aggressive Wozniacki, who showed positive signs that she was starting to use her forecourt game. In the end, despite a number of double faults, Azarenka was more solid under pressure and claimed only her 3rd win over Caroline in 8 meetings; her 1st since Rome 2009!
15/14 2009 champion Jankovic felt 'like a top player' as she commanded a 60 64 victory over (12/12) Vinci, having trailed 2-4 in the 2nd set. This is Jelena's 3rd semi final here in her last 5 attempts.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Williams comfortably beat (25/-) Halep 60 64. In the 1st set she hit 12 winners to a mere 3 unforced errors; Halep winning only 6 points. The 2nd set was closer but it was never in any doubt that Serena would reach her 2nd career Cincinnati semi final. Still, this was Halep's 2nd Premier 5 level quarter final of the year as she surely looks headed to be a top 20 player shortly .
2/2 Azarenka had a difficult time holding serve against (10/10) Wozniacki, but won 63 76(5). Azarenka had to battle through some long rallies, often opening up the court to finish on the drive volley. In the 2nd set, she saw a 2-0 lead become a 3-4 deficit as she trailed a break to an increasingly aggressive Wozniacki, who showed positive signs that she was starting to use her forecourt game. In the end, despite a number of double faults, Azarenka was more solid under pressure and claimed only her 3rd win over Caroline in 8 meetings; her 1st since Rome 2009!
15/14 2009 champion Jankovic felt 'like a top player' as she commanded a 60 64 victory over (12/12) Vinci, having trailed 2-4 in the 2nd set. This is Jelena's 3rd semi final here in her last 5 attempts.
Friday, 16 August 2013
Wozniacki conquers Kvitova
The third round was full of star names but most of the top players progressed.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Williams handled the ever dangerous big hitting Barthel well with a 64 61 win.
2/2 Azarenka beat in form Rybarikova 63 64 in a match featuring 13 breaks of serve. Therefore, Azarenka moved into her 1st quarter final here.
4/4 Radwanska cruised past Vesnina 60 62, but was then forced to withdraw from the tournament as she has to attend her granddad's funeral on Saturday.
5/5 Li was much sharper than her previous match in a repeat of last year's final against (9/9) Kerber. Having initially led 64 40, she eventually subdued the scrappy German 64 64.
6/6 Errani was handily beaten by her best friend and doubles partner (12/12) Vinci 64 63, having led 4-2 in the 1st set. It's the 2nd time this summer she's lost to Vinci, whilst also being the 1st time this year she failed to reach the quarter finals of a Premier 5/Mandatory level event!
7/7 Kvitova was beaten by a resurgent (10/10) Wozniacki 36 62 63. The Dane trailed 1-3 in the 3rd set before coming back to beat Kvitova for the 1st time since Beijing 2010; the match that saw her become world number 1! It was also only her 2nd top 10 win of the year.
Elsewhere, in form (25/-) Halep upset (11/11) Stosur for the 1st time in 4, 64 46 62 and former champion (15/14) Jankovic edged home favourite (17/-) Stephens 36 75 75. Stosur subsequently split with her long time coach David Taylor.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Williams handled the ever dangerous big hitting Barthel well with a 64 61 win.
2/2 Azarenka beat in form Rybarikova 63 64 in a match featuring 13 breaks of serve. Therefore, Azarenka moved into her 1st quarter final here.
4/4 Radwanska cruised past Vesnina 60 62, but was then forced to withdraw from the tournament as she has to attend her granddad's funeral on Saturday.
5/5 Li was much sharper than her previous match in a repeat of last year's final against (9/9) Kerber. Having initially led 64 40, she eventually subdued the scrappy German 64 64.
6/6 Errani was handily beaten by her best friend and doubles partner (12/12) Vinci 64 63, having led 4-2 in the 1st set. It's the 2nd time this summer she's lost to Vinci, whilst also being the 1st time this year she failed to reach the quarter finals of a Premier 5/Mandatory level event!
7/7 Kvitova was beaten by a resurgent (10/10) Wozniacki 36 62 63. The Dane trailed 1-3 in the 3rd set before coming back to beat Kvitova for the 1st time since Beijing 2010; the match that saw her become world number 1! It was also only her 2nd top 10 win of the year.
Elsewhere, in form (25/-) Halep upset (11/11) Stosur for the 1st time in 4, 64 46 62 and former champion (15/14) Jankovic edged home favourite (17/-) Stephens 36 75 75. Stosur subsequently split with her long time coach David Taylor.
Thursday, 15 August 2013
Bartoli announces retirement
The Wimbledon champion, 28 year old Marion Bartoli announced her immediate and shocking retirement from the sport after her 2nd round loss to Halep in Cincinnati.
Bartoli cited recent struggles with injury as the major cause in her decision to call it a day. In order to win Wimbledon, she felt that she had applied as much physical and mental energy as she could possibly muster; something she feels she could never replicate.
Obviously, Bartoli's retirement is no doubt also linked to the fact that 2013 has seen her achieve some major career goals. She achieved her dream of winning a Wimbledon title;her 1st major. She also demonstrated the maturity to break from her dad's coaching partnership, whilst reconciling a long strained relationship with the French Tennis Federation.
Bartoli finishes her career having won 8 singles titles and 3 doubles titles. She reached a career high of number 7 whilst reaching at least the quarter finals at all 4 slams. She earned over $11 million dollars in on court earnings whilst beating just about everyone; both Williams sisters, Henin, Davenport, Ivanovic, Jankovic, Wozniacki, Azarenka just to name a few.
Bartoli's fist pumping, shadow swinging passion for the game will surely be missed. So too will her unorthodox style and eccentricity off court. An exuberant and articulate woman, Bartoli will always be remembered as someone who persevered until she achieved her dream before going out at the very top. Goodbye Marion Bartoli.
Bartoli cited recent struggles with injury as the major cause in her decision to call it a day. In order to win Wimbledon, she felt that she had applied as much physical and mental energy as she could possibly muster; something she feels she could never replicate.
Obviously, Bartoli's retirement is no doubt also linked to the fact that 2013 has seen her achieve some major career goals. She achieved her dream of winning a Wimbledon title;her 1st major. She also demonstrated the maturity to break from her dad's coaching partnership, whilst reconciling a long strained relationship with the French Tennis Federation.
Bartoli finishes her career having won 8 singles titles and 3 doubles titles. She reached a career high of number 7 whilst reaching at least the quarter finals at all 4 slams. She earned over $11 million dollars in on court earnings whilst beating just about everyone; both Williams sisters, Henin, Davenport, Ivanovic, Jankovic, Wozniacki, Azarenka just to name a few.
Bartoli's fist pumping, shadow swinging passion for the game will surely be missed. So too will her unorthodox style and eccentricity off court. An exuberant and articulate woman, Bartoli will always be remembered as someone who persevered until she achieved her dream before going out at the very top. Goodbye Marion Bartoli.
Stephens stops Sharapova in her tracks
It's been 1 year since I began blogging, so I'm obviously celebrating my 1st anniversary! The tennis in Cincinnati has already been very intriguing through the 1st and 2nd rounds. The top 8 seeds had 1st round byes.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Williams had a slow start against former junior Wimbledon champion Bouchard, ultimately losing her 1st set since Wimbledon before winning 46 62 62. She struggled in the 1st set as she acclimatised to the hot, slow conditions in Cincinnati whilst also no doubt being a little tired after her Toronto triumph just on Sunday.
2/2 Azarenka was a little out of sorts against qualifier King, winning 61 76(6). The American's decision to mix up the game allowed her to take a 3-0 lead in the 2nd set, as well as holding a set point in the tiebreak.
3/3 Sharapova made a rocky return to competition having been out for 7 weeks since her early Wimbledon exit with a hip injury, losing for the 1st time in 4 to (17/-) Stephens 26 76(5) 63. This was Maria's debut with new coach Jimmy Connors and for a while, Sharapova was patient and collected. However, as Stephens lifted her game from 0-2 down in the 2nd set, Sharapova became increasingly tense and was soon spraying the ball wildly. She hit a mere 16 winners to an incredible 62 unforced errors as she struggled to find her range when pressed, most likely due to her lack of match practice. Stephens still struggled to close it out; double faulting on 2 match points. It was the 1st time since Tokyo 2010 that Sharapova had lost her opening match at an event.
4/4 Radwanska came from 2-4 down in the 1st set to beat Lepchenko 64 60 .
5/5 Li opened her title defence nervously with a 46 61 61 win over wild card Davis.
6/6 Errani initially led 64 42 before ultimately beating qualifier Hercog 64 57 64.
7/7 Kvitova won a scrappy match against qualifier Erakovic 64 67(7) 63.
8/8 Bartoli suffered with an Achilles injury in her loss to in form Halep 36 64 61 before making a shock announcement.
9/9 Kerber struggled in the 1st round past Knapp 67(8) 60 61 before edging come back queen Kleybanova 76(3) 62 in the 2nd round, having trailed 3-5 in the 1st set.
10/10 Wozniacki handled Peng 61 61 in the 1st round before beating lucky loser Niculescu 64 63, having been 2-4 down in the 2nd round.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Williams had a slow start against former junior Wimbledon champion Bouchard, ultimately losing her 1st set since Wimbledon before winning 46 62 62. She struggled in the 1st set as she acclimatised to the hot, slow conditions in Cincinnati whilst also no doubt being a little tired after her Toronto triumph just on Sunday.
2/2 Azarenka was a little out of sorts against qualifier King, winning 61 76(6). The American's decision to mix up the game allowed her to take a 3-0 lead in the 2nd set, as well as holding a set point in the tiebreak.
3/3 Sharapova made a rocky return to competition having been out for 7 weeks since her early Wimbledon exit with a hip injury, losing for the 1st time in 4 to (17/-) Stephens 26 76(5) 63. This was Maria's debut with new coach Jimmy Connors and for a while, Sharapova was patient and collected. However, as Stephens lifted her game from 0-2 down in the 2nd set, Sharapova became increasingly tense and was soon spraying the ball wildly. She hit a mere 16 winners to an incredible 62 unforced errors as she struggled to find her range when pressed, most likely due to her lack of match practice. Stephens still struggled to close it out; double faulting on 2 match points. It was the 1st time since Tokyo 2010 that Sharapova had lost her opening match at an event.
4/4 Radwanska came from 2-4 down in the 1st set to beat Lepchenko 64 60 .
5/5 Li opened her title defence nervously with a 46 61 61 win over wild card Davis.
6/6 Errani initially led 64 42 before ultimately beating qualifier Hercog 64 57 64.
7/7 Kvitova won a scrappy match against qualifier Erakovic 64 67(7) 63.
8/8 Bartoli suffered with an Achilles injury in her loss to in form Halep 36 64 61 before making a shock announcement.
9/9 Kerber struggled in the 1st round past Knapp 67(8) 60 61 before edging come back queen Kleybanova 76(3) 62 in the 2nd round, having trailed 3-5 in the 1st set.
10/10 Wozniacki handled Peng 61 61 in the 1st round before beating lucky loser Niculescu 64 63, having been 2-4 down in the 2nd round.
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