|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 5, 2016 4:50:24 GMT
from my blog: Maria Sharapova Suspension Reduced To 15 Months, Eligible To Return April 26th, 2017Maria SharapovaThe Court of Arbitration for Sports handed 5-time Major winner Maria Sharapova one of her biggest career victories by lowering her 2-year meldonium suspension to 15 months. Keep in mind that the ITF was said to have originally wanted to deal Masha a 4-year suspension, effectively a career death sentence in singles at her age, but came down to 2 years. 15 months, as opposed to 18 months (a year and a half), means Sharapova will be back in time for Roland Garros, the year’s second Major, which she has won twice. She can return to the tour on April 26th, 2017. 2014 Roland Garros Champion's PhotoshootThe CAS found Masha to bear no “significant fault”…but some fault, which is why the suspension was not completely voided. They were of the opinion that Sharapova was open about her use of mildronate (a brand name for meldonium) and did not try to cheat. However, she failed to have her team check if mildronate was a brand name of any of the substances on the list. Keep in mind that for the years that she took this substance, it was legal…until January 2016. She claims to have not been aware of the new status of mildronate. Basically, the CAS believed her but still upheld part of the ban since it was still her responsibility to know. 2014 Stuttgart ChampionWTA CEO Steve Simon says that while Masha will have to rebuild her ranking, she will be eligible to receive an unlimited number of wildcards into events. I can’t imagine any tournament director will want to make a moral statement by denying her entry into their event. Other players, however, could be a different case. Will there be any quickie handshakes at the net…or maybe even somebody refusing to shake her hand? I had no problem with people being cross with Masha as it related to using a banned substance, whether it was inadvertent or not. What bothered me as a Sharapova fan was some people going beyond the court to talk about her personality and kick her while she was down. There was an inordinate amount of schadenfreude coming from lower ranked players that couldn’t carry her racquet bag. If Masha is even 75% of what she was before the suspension when she gets back, those lower ranked players will learn she didn’t need any help to beat them. 2012 Roland Garros ChampionAs so the fourth player on my current Mt. Rushmore of favorites will be coming back sooner than I hoped. Of those four, Masha, Petra Kvitova, Simona Halep and top fave Madison Keys, Sharapova is the oldest. I am happy to see her have the opportunity to come back, as the clock is running out on her time as a top player. After being gone for 15-months, she probably will lose some matches out of the gate that she normally would not. Hopefully she can start hitting her stride by the summer American hard court US Open series. Welcome back, Masha! Not quite back in 5 minutes, but good enough!
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 5, 2016 19:01:37 GMT
|
|
|
Post by 18majors on Oct 7, 2016 11:31:58 GMT
That's huge for Madison Keys; beating Petra Kvitova in the 3rd set tiebreaker at China Open.
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 7, 2016 22:32:14 GMT
That's huge for Madison Keys; beating Petra Kvitova in the 3rd set tiebreaker at China Open. My two favorites. Got up at 3AM to watch them. Probably the two streakiest players on tour. Some nice big hitting but periods of sloppy play too.
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 9, 2016 19:34:11 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Agnieszka Radwanska Wins 2016 China Open; Team Bucie On A Roll In DoublesAgnieszka RadwanskaAgnieszka Radwanska was her usually precise and controlled self in winning the 2016 China Open. Keeping her unforced errors to a minimum, the Polish star defeated Johanna Konta, 6-4 6-2. For Aga, it marked her 2nd China Open title and 20th career singles title. She didn’t drop a set in winning the championship in Beijing and early on looked like she was going to easily dismiss Konta as she went out to a 5-2 first set lead. But you have to give Johanna credit for fighting back to 5-4 before Radwanska finally closed out the opening set. From there, the outcome was never in doubt. Aga will go on to the WTA Finals in Singapore, an event she won last year, while Konta moves into the last qualifying spot for the moment. There are still some possible changes in the next week that could affect whether Johanna is in Singapore as a main draw player or an alternate. Team BucieScheduling might prevent them from playing together as much as we fans would like, but when Team Bucie takes the court, winning usually follows. Lucie Safarova and Bethanie Mattek-Sands beat top seeds Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic, 6-4 6-4, to capture the 2016 China Open doubles title. This is Team Bucie’s third straight championship, following wins at the US Open and Wuhan. Seeded 5th in Beijing, Safarova and Mattek-Sands will not be the top seed at the WTA Finals in Singapore, but they are clearly the hottest team going into the tournament. 5 LUCIE SAFAROVA/BETHANIE MATTEK-SANDS d. 1 Caroline Garcia/Kristina Mladenovic, 6-4 6-4 3 AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA d. 11 Johanna Konta, 6-4 6-2
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 11, 2016 11:54:36 GMT
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 22, 2016 6:53:31 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: 2016 WTA Finals PreviewMadison Keys, Karolina Pliskova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep and Dominika CibulkovaAh, my love/hate relationship with the WTA Finals. On the one hand, it’s probably my favorite event outside of the Olympics and US Open. But it also means the end of the year is near. And what a year it has been. I would never have guessed back on January 1st that Angelique Kerber would end the season as the world #1, Player of the Year and reach 3 Major finals, winning 2. Yet that’s exactly what happened. Even if Serena Williams had chosen to play the 2016 WTA Finals in Singapore, Angie would still have been the top seed. Let me take a quick look at a few of the qualifiers for Singapore and assess their chances. Madison KeysWith Angie being the top seed, I guess I should start with her, right? Haha! This must be your first time reading one of my tennis posts. Of course I am starting off with my two favorite players in the draw, Madison Keys and Simona Halep. Maddie’s problem is that she is in the Red Group with two players that have a style that frustrates her, Kerber and Halep. I would favor her to get out of the White Group and into the semifinals, but in the Red Group she will need to bring her A game to Singapore to get out of the round robin stage. Simona Halep with 2016 Diamond ACES Award, given due to her off-court and charitable activities promoting the gameSimona Halep once gave Serena Williams her worst ever loss at the WTA Finals. I don’t know if Simona will need that level of effort when she faces Angelique Kerber in the round robin of Red Group play, but it wouldn’t hurt. While fans still await Halep’s breakthrough to win a Major, a title at the WTA Finals would be nice until then…much like what Agnieszka Radwanska did in Singapore last year. Garbine MuguruzaGarbine Muguruza is my new Petra Kvitova. The reigning Roland Garros champion can be brilliant, as she was in Paris, or go on walkabouts, as she does from time to time. Of all the players in Singapore this year, I have to admit, Madison Keys fan that I am, Garbine Muguruza is the most talented player in the draw. The problem is, like Petra, Garbi doesn’t always show it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mugu win this or lose all 3 of her initial White Group round robin matches. Karolina PliskovaThe woman who aced Serena out of the 2016 US Open, Karolina Pliskova, has the biggest single weapon at this year’s WTA Finals, her serve. She led the tour in aces this year. Her court coverage and movement has improved, but it is still a weakness. She is a future Major winner, in my opinion. I just don’t think this is the year she wins the WTA Finals. Johanna Konta with 2016 Most Improved Player trophyJohanna Konta, the 2016 Most Improved Player winner, might be new to the party…but don’t for a second think she can’t win this. Jo isn’t my top betting pick to take the title…that would be Angie or Simona, but I would call her my top darkhorse. She was completely worthy of Most Improved Player…and there is still room to grow. A title here in Singapore would make me wonder if next year she could duplicate what Angie did this year. Angelique Kerber with 2016 Player of the Year awardWhat else is there to say about what Angelique Kerber, the 2016 WTA Player of the Year, did this season? I almost feel like she could have won both Player of the Year and Most Improved. She was already a top 10 player, sure…but it was amazing to see where she was and where she went to in her game this year. I would say Singapore is hers to win or lose, except that she did show some signs of vulnerability in recent weeks. It’s one thing to chase #1 and get there. It’s another to stay there and defend your ranking. Agnieszka RadwanskaThe 2015 Singapore champion is back. Then again, why wouldn’t Agnieszka Radwanska be back. She just keeps going and going. She has yet to capture that elusive Major title, but she did win her biggest title here last year. I didn’t think she would take the title last. I will not make the mistake of underestimating the little Tennis Ninja again. It’s so wide open this year with no Serena, no Sharapova, no Azarenka and no Kvitova. I will not say anybody is incapable of winning.
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 24, 2016 9:59:55 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: 2016 WTA Finals Day One: Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber Open With WinsSimona HalepDay one of the 2016 WTA Finals thankfully is over. I always have mixed emotions when two of the players on my current tennis fandom Mt. Rushmore play. In this case it was my top favorite, Madison Keys, taking on Simona Halep (the other two on my current Mt. Rushmore are Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova, both of whom, for different reasons, are not in Singapore). So while I applaud Halepeno for her 6-2 6-4 victory, it’s tough to see Maddie open up round robin play in a hole. Although Agnieszka Radwanska won Singapore last year with 2 losses in round robin play, that’s not an ideal plan to try to qualify for the semifinals with multiple losses. What Aga did was the exception, not the rule. Keys must win against Dominika Cibulkova on Tuesday and should root for Simona to beat Angelique Kerber. Angie outlasted Domi in their opening round robin match, 7-6 (5) 2-6 6-3. If Keys and Halep win their matches Tuesday, it opens the possibility of both of them making the semifinals out of the Red Group if Maddie can go on and defeat Kerber on Thursday. Here’s hoping that scenario comes to fruition. 3 SIMONA HALEP d. 6 Madison Keys, 6-2 6-4 w/Martina Navratilova1 ANGELIQUE KERBER d. 7 Dominika Cibulkova, 7-6 (5) 2-6 6-3
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 25, 2016 5:32:53 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: 2016 WTA Finals Day Two: Karolina Pliskova, Svetlana Kuznetsova Win Three-Set BattlesKarolina PliskovaBefore I give a few quick thoughts about the two opening White Group matches on day two of the 2016 WTA Finals, I have to comment on the Johanna Konta situation. When I did my WTA Finals preview post, Konta was in. But a last minute tournament win by Svetlana Kuznetsova knocked Jo out of the Singapore draw. All that is fair and square. No issues. The problem I have is that the WTA should have a week in between the final qualifying tournament and the Tour Finals. That way you don’t have a player, in this case Johanna Konta, go through all the media pomp and circumstance…and then have to get airbrushed out of the official photo. This was a bad look that the WTA should not let happen again. …now… Sveta showed tremendous heart, and endurance, having flown in from her tournament win in Moscow to take down defending Singapore champion Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets, 7-5 1-6 7-5. I’m not sure if I’m more impressed by Kuznetsova’s resilience or her quick thinking, giving herself a haircut on-court after her ponytail kept getting in her way. Aga won this event with 2 round robin losses last year. It’s probably not a good idea to try that route again. She will need to beat both Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova. Those two also played a three set seesaw battle. Ultimately, Garbi couldn’t hold on to a 5-2 third set lead as Pliskova won the struggle, 6-2 6-7 (4) 7-5. From a personal fan’s perspective, I’d like to see Karolina and Mugu make the semis from the White Group. They both need wins on Wednesday for that possibility to stay alive. 8 SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA d. 2 Agnieszka Radwanska, 7-5 1-6 7-5 4 KAROLINA PLISKOVA d. 5 Garbine Muguruza, 6-2 6-7 (4) 7-5
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 26, 2016 4:46:11 GMT
More pics and video on my blog: 2016 WTA Finals Day Three: Madison Keys Wins, Still Alive For Semis; Simona Halep Falls To KerberMadison KeysI’ve made no secret of my hope that Madison Keys and Simona Halep make the semifinals of the 2016 WTA Finals out of the Red Group. Unfortunately, there is only one scenario in which that can happen. Maddie took care of Dominika Cibulkova 6-1 6-4 on day three, but Simona fell to Angelique Kerber, 6-4 6-2. That leaves Angie at 2-0, Simona at 1-1, Maddie at 1-1 and Domi at 0-2 so far in round robin play. On Thursday, Maddie plays Angie while Simona plays Domi. Based on tiebreaker rules, for Halep and Keys to both advance, each has to win their match on Thursday in straight sets. Even though Halep should be favored to beat Cibulkova, Domi plays her very well. That could go three sets. And if Simona does manage to beat Domi in straight sets in Thursday’s first match, Angie will know she needs to at least win one set against Maddie to advance. It will be tough enough for Keys to try to beat world #1 Kerber. If Angie knows she needs to put her foot on the gas, it will be extremely difficult on Maddie. But these are the kind of matches that can be career breakthroughs. DOUBLES DRAW CEREMONY Team Bucie (Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova) The Chan Sisters (Yung-Jan [Yongran] & Hao-Ching) Martina Hingis, Sania Mirza and Ekaterina Makarova1 ANGELIQUE KERBER d. 3 Simona Halep, 6-4 6-2 6 MADISON KEYS d. 7 Dominika Cibulkova, 6-1 6-4
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 27, 2016 5:34:30 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: 2016 WTA Finals Day Four: Garbine Muguruza Eliminated From Semifinal Contention; Svetlana Kuznetsova First To QualifyGarbine MuguruzaWhile I am unabashedly rooting for Madison Keys and Simona Halep to advance to the semifinals from the Red Group at the 2016 WTA Finals, in the White Group it was all about Garbine Muguruza for me. Well, Garbi will make it to the semifinals of the year-end tournament…one day, just not this year. After Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Mugu 7-6 (1) 6-3 and the indefatigable Svetlana Kuznetsova took down Karolina Pliskova, 3-6 6-2 7-6 (6), Garbi cannot advance to the semifinals, regardless of the outcome of her upcoming match on Friday with Sveta. In fact, that match means nothing to either of them. Kuznetsova, 2-0 in round robin play so far, is already guaranteed to make the semis. The winner of the Agnieszka Radwanska v Karolina Pliskova match will join Sveta. As I said on the eve of play starting, Mugu is the new Petra Kvitova. When she is at her best she is nearly unbeatable, but we so rarely see that side of her. She could have won this event or lost all three of her round robin matches. Since Sveta has nothing to play for Friday, I imagine Garbi will win their match and avoid an 0-3 round robin record as Kuznetsova conserves energy for the semifinal round. 8 SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA d. 4 Karolina Pliskova, 3-6 6-2 7-6 (6) 2 AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA d. 5 Garbine Muguruza, 7-6 (1) 6-3
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 28, 2016 5:39:44 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: 2016 WTA Finals Day Five: Team Bucie Advances To Semifinals In Doubles; Madison Keys Ousted In SinglesTeam BucieAnd so ends my 2016 tennis season as a fan. Ok, not really. But it feels like a lot of wind was let out of my balloon as Madison Keys, Simona Halep and Garbine Muguruza all failed to get out of the round robin stage at the 2016 WTA Finals. As a lifelong tennis fan, I’ll still watch the rest of the singles play, but my hardcore rooting interest now turns to doubles. Help me, Team Bucie. You’re my only hope. Oh my, they almost crashed out of Singapore, too. Lucie Safarova and Bethanie Mattek-Sands, aka Team Bucie, had to fight off 3 match points against them to finally eliminate Timea Babos and Yaroslava Shvedova in a super tiebreak 5-7 7-6 (6) [10-2]. I say they are my only fandom hope, but there is another. The Chan Sisters, Hao-Ching and Yung-Jan (Yongran), also play on Friday. But they have a tough task taking on the reunited Team Santina, Sania Mirza and Hall of Famer Martina Hingis. I hope the Chan sisters prevail. However, even if they don’t I still have Team Bucie at least making it to Saturday’s semifinal stage. I usually focus on the winners in the picture and video section, but since this is the last I’ll see of Maddie and Simona in WTA sanctioned play until January, I’m just going to post their photos along with Team Bucie. I’ll get back to the singles semifinalists Saturday. THE CHAN SISTERS PHOTOSHOOT WTA LEGENDS AMBASSADORS Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Mary Pierce, Monica Seles, Iva Majoli and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario3 SIMONA HALEP lost to 7 Dominika Cibulkova, 3-6 6-7 (5) 6 MADISON KEYS lost to 1 Angelique Kerber, 3-6 3-6
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 29, 2016 4:44:38 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: 2016 WTA Finals Day Six: Goodbye, Garbine (and the Chan Sisters, too)Garbine MuguruzaI bid goodbye already to Madison Keys and Simona Halep, two of my top favorites at the 2016 WTA Finals. They are officially gone, and after day six so is Garbine Muguruza. Well, really she was eliminated from semifinal play a few days ago. Her match against Svetlana Kuznetsova on Friday was meaningless to both of them. No matter the outcome, Sveta is heading to the semis while Mugu is heading home. That Garbi won 3-6 6-0 6-1 just means Kuznetsova wasn’t willing to expend any energy she will need on Saturday. It has been a rough WTA Finals as a fan for me. All of my top favorites are either not here or not advancing. The Chan sisters, Yung-Jan (Yongran) and Hao-Ching, also bowed out to Team Santina, Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis. So as I did yesterday, I will focus the photo and video section on my top favorites and return to the winners after the semifinals have been played. All I have left in Singapore are Lucie Safarova and Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Go Team Bucie! HAO-CHING CHAN/YUNG-JAN CHAN lost to Sania Mirza/Martina Hingis, 6-7 (10) 5-7 5 GARBINE MUGURUZA d. 8 Svetlana Kuznetsova, 3-6 6-0 6-1
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 30, 2016 3:54:53 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: 2016 WTA Finals Day Seven: Elena Vesnina/Ekaterina Makarova Advance To Doubles Final, Will Play Team BucieElena Vesnina and Ekaterina MakarovaAs all my rooting favorites fell in singles at the 2016 WTA Finals and my attention turned to my two favorite doubles pairs, Team Bucie and the Chan sisters, I overlooked another duo for whom I root, Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova. With their 3-6 6-2 [10-6] victory over Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza, Kate and Elena will advance to the championship match against Team Bucie, who knocked out top seeded doubles team Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic, 6-3 7-5. In a match between the reigning US Open champions, Team Bucie, and the reigning Olympic Gold Medalists, Vesnina and Makarova, I’m Team Bucie all the way. However, I will still be happy should Kate and Elena take the title. 3 BETHANIE MATTEK-SANDS/LUCIE SAFAROVA d. 1 Caroline Garcia/Kristina Mladenovic, 6-3 7-5 7 DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA d. 8 Svetlana Kuznetsova, 1-6 7-6 (2) 6-4 1 ANGELIQUE KERBER d. 2 Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-2 6-1 4 EKATERINA MAKAROVA/ELENA VESNINA d. 2 Martina Hingis/Sania Mirza, 3-6 6-2 [10-6]
|
|
|
Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 30, 2016 23:41:28 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: 2016 WTA Finals Day Eight: Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina Win Doubles TitleEkaterina Makarova and Elena VesninaThe 2016 WTA Finals might have disappointed me in singles, but at least the doubles championship featured my favorite duo, Team Bucie, against another of the top pairs, Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina. So while I was pulling for Team Bucie, a 7-6 (5) 6-3 title victory by Kate and Elena is still cause to celebrate. It was the reigning Olympic women’s doubles Gold Medalists taking out the reigning US Open women’s doubles champions. Right now, women’s doubles is in a good place, even without the Williams sisters playing on any consistent basis outside the Majors. Team Bucie, Makarova/Vesnina, Garcia/Mladenovic and whomever pairs with Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis going forward give the WTA storylines and personalities that I hope they promote more in 2017. There is a lot of exciting tennis happening in doubles! SINGLES FINAL 7 DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA d. 1 Angelique Kerber, 6-3 6-4 with Monica SelesDOUBLES FINAL 4 EKATERINA MAKAROVA d. 3 Bethanie Mattek-Sands/Lucie Safarova, 7-6 (5) 6-3
|
|