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Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 30, 2015 3:43:50 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Maria Sharapova, Agnieszka Radwanska First To Qualify For Semifinal Round At 2015 WTA FinalsMaria SharapovaI’ll hand it to Maria Sharapova. After Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Simona Halep earlier in the day at the 2015 WTA Finals, Masha, at 2-0 in round robin play, didn’t need to win her match against Flavia Pennetta to advance to the semifinal round. However, Aga not only needed Sharapova to win in order to advance (Aga was at 1-2 in round robin play), she needed Masha to win in straight sets. Anything else and Radwanska was out. Well, Masha came through for herself by sending Flavia Pennetta into retirement with a straight set dismissal, 7-5 6-1. Of course, Sharapova is a professional with great pride. It’s her job to give top effort. But with her injuries, and her spot in the semis already guaranteed, it would have been understandable had she taken her foot off the gas to make sure she was in peak condition for the next round. The ancillary benenfit to Aga is a ticket to the semis. Of course, one also has to credit Radwanska for not folding her tent after a 0-2 start in round robin play. She went out and eliminated the top overall seed, Simona Halep, 7-6 (5) 6-1, in her last round robin match, keeping her hopes alive for the semis. Now Masha (3-0) and Aga (1-2) will await the results of the other round robin group to see who they play. Garbine Muguruza (2-0) will face Petra Kvitova (1-1). Lucie Safarova (0-2) takes on Angelique Kerber (1-1). 3 MARIA SHARAPOVA (won 7-5 6-1 vs 7 Flavia Pennetta) 5 AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA (won 7-6 (5) 6-1 vs 1 Simona Halep)
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Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 30, 2015 18:45:00 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova Join Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska In Semifinals At 2015 WTA FinalsGarbine MuguruzaGarbine Muguruza has added to her breakthrough year by advancing to the semifinal round at the 2015 WTA Finals with a 6-4 4-6 7-5 victory over 2011 WTA Finals champion Petra Kvitova. Gabi had to come back from 2-4 down in the final set to finish unbeaten at 3-0 in White Group round robin play. It’s the Spaniard’s (by way of Venezuela) first ever WTA Finals in singles (she has played doubles). Despite being a novice in terms of experience, Muguruza still emerged as the best player through in the White Group at these finals. She will go on play the #2 finisher from the Red Group, Agnieszka Radwanska. That’s an intriguing match-up as Aga has a way of diffusing the explosive shots of big hitting opponents like Gabi. If Muguruza wants to win this battle of former Wimbledon runners-up, she will need patience as much as power, lest Radwanska bait her into rushed, unforced errors. Garbine has a 4-2 head to head advantage over Aga, with all four wins for Gabi coming this year. Still, 3 of those 4 Muguruza wins came in tough 3-setters, so Aga has been right there with her in those matches. Petra Kvitova grateful for Lucie Safarova defeating Angelique KerberAlthough she fell to Garbine Muguruza and finished with a 1-2 record in round robin play, Petra Kvitova still advanced to the semifinal stage. She needed her great friend and countrywoman Lucie Safarova to beat Angelique Kerber in straight sets to leave her, Lucie and Angie all at 1-2. If a straight sets Lucie win came to fruition, Petra would advance due to tiebreaker rules. That’s exactly what happened as Lucie took down Angie, 6-3 6-4. Petra will face the top finisher from the Red Group, Maria Sharapova. Masha holds a 6-3 head to head advantage against Kvitova. However, Petra did record one of her 3 wins against Sharapova at last year’s WTA Finals. THE WHITE GROUP SEMIFINALISTS GARBINE MUGURUZA PETRA KVITOVA
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Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 31, 2015 17:34:01 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska Advance To Championship Match At 2015 WTA FinalsPetra KvitovaWhile my pick to win the 2015 WTA Finals, Garbine Muguruza, fell in her semifinal match (more on that later), I took great solace that (without Madison Keys in the field) my favorite player in Singapore, Petra Kvitova, did advance to the championship round. In a battle of the only two former WTA Finals winners, not to mention former Wimbledon champions, in the 2015 field, Kvitova took out Maria Sharapova 6-3 7-6 (3). Petra was down 1-5 in the second set, as it looked like Masha had taken back control of the match and was storming towards a third set. But then Kvitova showed the kind of tennis that makes tennis aficionados fantasize about what she would accomplish if her asthma and mononucleosis didn’t affect her energy levels…and to be completely honest, if she had a bit more spin so she wasn’t always hitting low, flat shots that have razor-thin margins of error. The greatest Czech tennis player of all-time, Martina Navratilova, commented on this aspect of Petra’s game during the match. When she’s on, she’s can be devastatingly good, as she was earlier in the year when…sorry, Belinda Bencic and Roberta Vinci…Petra handed Serena Williams the only loss this year where I give more credit to the opponent than to Serena’s errors or nerves. However, when Kvitova is off, she can be way off. She was up and down against Muguruza in a round robin loss. She was solid against Sharapova. The question is which Petra Kvitova will show up for the final. Agnieszka Radwanska and Garbine MuguruzaI give all credit to Agnieszka Radwanska for her hard fought 6-7 (5) 6-3 7-5 over Garbine Muguruza, but I do think there is a decision to be made for Gabi. She mentioned how exhausted she was after her last match. That carried over to the semis, unfortunately. Even after winning the first set in a tiebreak, Muguruza looked completely gassed. Her coach, Sam Sumyk, tried to give her a pep talk to lift her energy. It was for naught. Gabi had nothing left in the tank. She seemed to be running on fumes. So there are two things. First thing is, she reminds me a little bit of when Novak Djokovic was first hanging around the top 5. He could beat top players, but the consistency wasn’t there in part because so many of his matches took a toll on him physically. He was always seemingly engaged in thrilling, but long, tough matches. Nothing seemed to come easy. Same for Muguruza. Djokovic took his fitness to a world-class level after that period. Two things happened. First, he could bounce back from tough matches more easily. The second, and more important, thing was that he had more lopsided wins early in tournaments with his improved fitness. That helps conserve energy for the later rounds. That’s one approach Muguruza could try. The other approach is to stop playing so much doubles. It’s rare for a power player like Gabi to be able to physically keep playing doubles their whole career and be fresh for singles. Even former doubles #1s like Serena and Kim Clijsters reached a stage where they focused on singles. In fact, Muguruza was attempting to become the first player since Clijsters to reach the doubles and singles finals at the year-end championship. Along with her partner Carla Suarez Navarro, she did indeed make the doubles final and will play the top duo of Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza. I know Gabi loves playing doubles with her countrywoman but in the end, it’s her singles play that will ultimately be the yardstick by which her career is measured. She has the talent to be #1 in the world in singles. 4 PETRA KVITOVA (won 6-3 7-6 (3) vs 3 Maria Sharapova) 5 AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA (won 6-7 (5) 6-3 7-5 vs 2 Garbine Muguruza)
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Post by bangkokbobby on Nov 5, 2015 19:48:19 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Congratulations Aga, Martina and Sania! WTA Finals Wrap-UpAgnieszka RadwanskaUnfortunately, following the semis of the 2015 WTA Finals, some other obligations pulled me away from blogging. But even though this is almost a week belated, I cannot pass up the opportunity to offer warm congratulations to Agnieszka Radwanska for winning the biggest title of her career. Not only did she go through top seed Simona Halep, this year’s Wimbledon runner-up Garbine Muguruza and 2011 WTA Finals champion Petra Kvitova in her final three matches in Singapore, she did so by diffusing power with her seemingly endless array of deft, crafty…darn near magical…shot-making. So skilled was Aga that fans and commentators alike were using titles like “Ninja Aga” and “Jedi Radwanska” to describe how she was slicing through the competition. The question going forward is whether she can fill in the missing piece on her resume, winning a Major. She benefitted from the round robin format in Singapore, winning the title despite losing twice in round robin play. Hey, that’s not her problem. If people don’t like that a two loss player won the championship (which would have been the case even if Petra had won the final), then change the format. I’ve heard a lot of griping from pundits and fans over the last few days. Too bad. She turned it on when it was necessary in the semifinals and final. But in a Major, like most other tournaments, it’s one and done. You lose, you go home. To date, she has not been able to get through 7 straight matches at a Major without falling. Maybe this title at the WTA Finals gives her an extra confidence boost that she can use to attain the mantle of a Major winner. Martina Hingis and Sania MirzaI’d also like to take a moment to offer another belated congratulations to Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza for their doubles title at the 2015 WTA Finals. When Hingis decided to make a doubles comeback, I thought she could be successful but not like this. She's back at #1 in doubles as a team with Sania, having won 10 titles this year. 9 of those titles were with Mirza. The other title was with Sabine Lisicki. The 2015 WTA Finals crown marked Hingis’ 50th career women’s doubles title to go along with 43 singles titles. 93 titles! I’m not even counting her mixed doubles titles. She has a chance to get to the 120 career titles area. This is one of the greatest careers we’ve ever seen. It’s like she never really left. She just took a couple of years off here and there. Don’t call it a comeback! SINGLES CHAMPION: AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA DOUBLES CHAMPIONS: MARTINA HINGIS & SANIA MIRZA
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Post by bangkokbobby on Nov 15, 2015 5:46:29 GMT
more pics, video and tweets on my blog: Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova Win As 2015 Fed Cup Final Day One Ends With Russia and Czech Republic Tied 1-1; WTA Players Share Support For FrancePetra KvitovaWith the tragedy in Paris yesterday I almost didn’t want to post about the 2015 Fed Cup. But in the end, whatever it is that makes us happy, we must continue to do. So keeping that in mind, I’ll briefly share my thoughts about day one, which ended with Russia and defending champion Czech Republic tied 1-1. The top players from each side delivered with wins in their respective rubbers. Petra Kvitova overcame a slow start to finish in a flourish, giving the Czech Republic a 1-0 lead with her 2-6 6-1 6-1 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. After committing 15 unforced errors in the first set, Petra showed why she is so special with just 11 in the next two sets combined against 21 winners over the same period. Not to be outdone, Maria Sharapova evened the championship at 1 rubber each with a 6-3 6-4 win over Karolina Pliskova. This win was extremely important as I would think Russia feels good should Masha win both of her rubbers and assures them of no worse than going into a deciding doubles rubber with one of the top teams in the world, Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova. Anything can happen in sports, so maybe the Czech doubles team of Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova could pull the upset, but for the Czech squad, I’d think they are fairly sure (although they would never openly admit it) that they can secure two wins against Pavlyuchenkova in singles and hope either Pliskova or Kvitova can beat Masha. Karolina couldn’t quite do it, but their big gun, Petra, is coming off a WTA Tour Finals in Singapore where she beat Sharapova in the semifinals. However, if Masha wins in rubber 3 against Petra, then the pressure is on young Karolina Pliskova to beat Pavlyuchenkova. Normally, Pliskova could win that match…but what if the weight of the Fed Cup crown is on her shoulders? Should be a very interesting day two. After the Fed Cup photos, there are some tweets from WTA players about the Paris tragedy. But first, here are some match pics. PETRA KVITOVA (won 2-6 6-1 6-1 vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova) MARIA SHARAPOVA (won 6-3 6-4 vs Karolina Pliskova) The above tweet from 2-time Roland Garros champion Maria Sharapova was emblematic of many of the WTA’s stars sharing their thoughts on social media concerning the horrific attacks that have shaken the world. I tend to keep politics off my tennis/LPGA/JLPGA blog. If you want to hear me go off on this and other social subjects, check me out on Facebook. I’ll just share a few of the messages from the ladies of the court. Many of them share thoughts and photos. Frenchwoman Alize Cornet probably said the most with only one word: Pourquoi? (Why?)
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Post by bangkokbobby on Nov 16, 2015 5:31:16 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Czech Republic Wins 2015 Fed CupCzech Republic, 2015 Fed Cup ChampionsRussia had the Czech Republic right where they wanted them. But they couldn’t close out the defending champions. Maria Sharapova did what she was brought in to do, getting two wins and taking out the Czech Republic’s top gun, Petra Kvitova, in rubber #3 to put Russia up 2-1 in the 2015 Fed Cup final. Russia would have two shots at taking the crown, in rubber #4 against the young Czech star Karolina Pliskova and in the doubles, with one of the top teams in the world, Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova, scheduled to play. But Karolina showed grit that belied her relative Fed Cup inexperience in pressure situations, stepping up to win not only her singles rubber to even the Final at 2-2 but also teaming up with Barbora Strycova to take down Vesnina and doubles replacement Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Makarova still has not played since the US Open) in 3 sets to give the Czechs a 3-2 victory. With their backs against the wall and little room for error, the Czech Republic showed why they have won back to back Fed Cup titles and 4 of the last 5 Fed Cup titles. It’s also their 9th title overall. Only the United States has won more with 17. However, the Americans have not won since 2000. The backbone of the Czech squad the past 5 years has been Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova. Not this day. It was Karolina Pliskova who took the spotlight. I don’t think this group of players will catch the US record, but with Petra only 25 and Karolina only 23, coupled with how much Fed Cup means to the Czech squad, this is a team that could win anywhere from 3 to 6 more together if they can stay healthy. MARIA SHARAPOVA (won 3-6 6-4 6-2 vs Petra Kvitova) KAROLINA PLISKOVA (won 6-3 6-4 vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova) KAROLINA PLISKOVA/BARBORA STRYCOVA (won 4-6 6-3 6-2 vs Elena Vesnina/Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova) CZECH REPUBLIC, 2015 FED CUP CHAMPIONS 4th title in 5 years!
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Post by bangkokbobby on Nov 23, 2015 5:26:23 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Novak Djokovic Caps Brilliant 2015 Season With Title At Barclays ATP World Tour FinalsNovak DjokovicI usually post about the WTA, but as a fan of both tennis tours I can’t help but acknowledge the incredible 2015 achievements of Novak Djokovic. The 28-year old Serbian superstar put an exclamation point on one of the greatest seasons in ATP Tour history with his 5th ATP World Tour Finals Title and record 4th in a row. His numbers this year are stunning. He won 11 titles, going 82-6 (93.2%) overall in match play. He failed to reach a final only once, reaching a record 15 finals in a row. He set an ATP Tour prize money record with $21,595,000, pushing his career prize money total to $91.22 million. All of that is before endorsements and sponsorships are factored in. He won 3 Majors (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open) while finishing runner-up in the 4th (Roland Garros). That’s actually better than Serena’s Major performance in 2015, as she lost in the US Open semifinals. Nole was an impressive 31-5 against top 10 opponents and captured 6 Masters level titles. Only 2 things are missing for his career, a Roland Garros title and an Olympic Singles Gold Medal. Both can be achieved in 2016. 1 NOVAK DJOKOVIC (won 6-3 6-4 vs 3 Roger Federer)
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Post by bangkokbobby on Nov 30, 2015 0:12:20 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #15 Martina Hingis, Akane Iijima and Ha Na JangMartina HingisThe past two years I have counted down the top 30 (2013) and top 25 (2014) players on the WTA and LPGA money lists as my year-end wrap-up. This year I am reducing the list to the top 15. However, I am adding the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) to the countdown. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed doubles are added to the total money earnings. For the JLPGA, I will approximate the US Dollar totals based on the day I look up the exchange rate. Here are the #15 players for 2015: Martina Hingis (WTA), Akane Iijima (JLPGA) and Ha-Na Jang (LPGA). MARTINA HINGIS (WTA) 2015 Prize Money: $1,756,400 USD Titles: (DOUBLES) Wimbledon, US Open, WTA Tour Finals, BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells), Miami Open, Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Rome), Guangzhou International Women’s Open, Wuhan Open, China Open (Beijing), Brisbane International, Family Circle Cup; (MIXED DOUBLES) Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open How wonderful to start this year’s countdown with a Hall of Famer! Martina Hingis has nothing to prove on the tennis court. But if she did, she would have proven it in 2015. She won 10 titles in women’s doubles, 1 with Sabine Lisicki (Brisbane International) and 9 with Sania Mirza. Those 9 with Mirza included 2 Majors, Wimbledon and the US Open, and the WTA Tour Finals. She reached a milestone of 50 women’s doubles titles to go along with the 43 singles titles she already earned. Not to stop there, she also won 3 mixed doubles Majors (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open) with Leander Paes. There’s even talk that we could see Martina joining Roger Federer to play mixed doubles for Switzerland at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics. At 35 years young, Hingis is headed towards the future, not the pasture. Akane IijimaAKANE IIJIMA (JLPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $457,791 USD (¥ 56,227,280) Titles: T-Point Ladies Golf Tournament Akane Iijima started her year off with positive results, none moreso than her victory at the T-Point Ladies Golf Tournament. She didn’t finish quite as strongly with fair to middling results, but let’s be honest. Any time you can win an event, much less have that event be your first title since 2010…well, you end a victory drought that long, it’s a great year in my book. After finishing outside the top 40 on the scoring list the past two years, her #15 finish in 2015 is, not surprisingly, her best money list performance since 2010 when she came in 9th for the year. Her T-Point win marked her 7th career JLPGA title. Ha-Na JangHA-NA JANG (LPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $883,032 It was a notable year for LPGA rookies in 2015, so perhaps it’s fitting that this countdown’s LPGA section starts with one of the best, South Korea’s Ha-Na Jang. Although she didn’t win this season, she had 4 runner-up finishes. In fact, she started and ended her calendar with T2 finishes at the Coates Golf Championship and the CME Group Tour Championship respectively. Her other bridesmaid finishes were at the Marathon Classic and Cambria Portland Classic. As fantastic a year as she had, if there were one thing she needs to clean up it’s her putting. She was 7th in greens in regulation but 22nd in putts per GIR and 65th overall in putting. If she improves on that moving forward, look for those 2nd place finishes to turn into wins. MARTINA HINGIS w/Li Na w/Sania Mirza AKANE IIJIMA HA-NA JANG
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Post by bangkokbobby on Dec 6, 2015 20:58:35 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #14 Angelique Kerber, Ai Suzuki and Suzann PettersenAngelique KerberFor the past two years I have counted down the top 30 (2013) and top 25 (2014) players on the WTA and LPGA money lists as my year-end wrap-up. This year I am reducing the list to the top 15. However, I am adding the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) to the countdown. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed doubles are added to the total money earnings. For the JLPGA, I will approximate the US Dollar totals based on the day I look up the exchange rate. Here are the #14 players for 2015: Angelique Kerber (WTA), Ai Suzuki (JLPGA) and Suzann Pettersen (LPGA). ANGELIQUE KERBER (WTA) 2015 Prize Money: $1,898,047 Titles: (SINGLES) Family Circle Cup, Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Aegon Classic, Bank of the West Classic Right off the bat I have to make a confession. While I am very fond of Angelique Kerber, she handed me the most soul crushing defeat as a fan when she came back to take the title from 1-4 down in the 3rd set of the Family Circle Cup final against my favorite currently active player, Madison Keys. But that aside, it was a delight to see Angie have a season where she took 4 events (Charleston, Stuttgart, Birmingham and Stanford) and finished runner-up in another (Hong Kong). Last year, she played bridesmaid 4 times, so it was nice to see her turn 2nd place in 1st place this year. The one area of improvement for 2016 is Major performances. After she won Charleston and Stuttgart, I thought she’d be a threat at Roland Garros. That didn’t happen as she bowed out in the 3rd round. In the past 3 years she has progressed past the 4th round only once at the Majors. Hopefully, next season she will make a deep run in one of the 4 biggest events…or maybe even at the Summer Olympics. Ai SuzukiAI SUZUKI (JLPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $458,483 USD (¥56,448,371) Rising talent Ai Suzuki turned in another successful year on the JLPGA. She didn’t get a win, but she did have two runner-ups. Coming off 2014, where she was Rookie of the Year and won a Major (JLPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup), it might seem that 2015 was a step back. But really, Ai-sama was right in the mix for most of the year. Counting her two runners-up and another event where she finished 3rd, Suzuki had 11 top 10 results. She also had an 11th and 12th place result. To me, those are results that augur a long and prosperous career for this young star of the JLPGA. Suzann Pettersen2015 Prize Money: $912,603 Titles: Manulife LPGA Classic 2015 was the first season since 2006 that Suzann Pettersen wasn’t in the top 10 of at least the money or scoring lists. I think that’s a little misleading. Her 70.64 scoring average was better than 4 of those past seasons. Also, Suzann did win the Manulife LPGA Classic. Partially, I think veteran players around her plus some precocious rookies and recent years’ newcomers have simply become better. The bar for what it takes to finish top 10 every year has risen. Suzann remains among the best players in the world. The only real negative for her season might be the incident with Alison Lee at Solheim Cup. Look, I don’t want to fully rehash the details except to say that technically Suzann wasn’t incorrect. However, the way things were handled and communicated certainly could have been better. That was a dark moment in an otherwise positive and thrilling Solheim Cup. ANGELIQUE KERBER AI SUZUKI SUZANN PETTERSEN
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Post by bangkokbobby on Dec 7, 2015 4:58:09 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #13 Ana Ivanovic, Erina Hara and Hyo-Joo KimAna IvanovicFor the past two years I have counted down the top 30 (2013) and top 25 (2014) players on the WTA and LPGA money lists as my year-end wrap-up. This year I am reducing the list to the top 15. However, I am adding the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) to the countdown. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed doubles are added to the total money earnings. For the JLPGA, I will approximate the US Dollar totals based on the day I look up the exchange rate. Here are the #13 players for 2015: Ana Ivanovic (WTA), Erina Hara (JLPGA) and Hyo-Joo Kim (LPGA). ANA IVANOVIC (WTA) 2015 Prize Money: $1,898,722 It’s tough to say somebody who finishes 13th on the money list had a disappointing season but such is the case in some ways for Ana Ivanovic. Certainly, she should be praised for reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros, her first Major semifinal since she won Roland Garros 2008. She also was runner-up at the Brisbane International back in January. That said, Ana was coming off a 2104 season that saw her reach 6 finals and win 4 of them. It looked like 2015 might be a huge season for her, one where she could challenge the players at the very top of the rankings. Simply put, it wasn’t. It was a good year. Not great. At least, not for the standard she set last season. The Brisbane final was her only final of the year. Switching gears back to the positive, let it be said that Ivanovic has had sub-par seasons before and was able to bounce back. I am hoping for the same to happen in 2016. At 28 years old, this is her time. If Ana is ever to challenge to win another Major she cannot squander many more opportunities. Erina HaraERINA HARA (JLPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $461,075 USD (¥56,800,365) Titles: Daito Kentaku Eheyanet Ladies It was terrific to see Erina Hara get back into the winner’s circle this year at the 2015 Daito Kentaku Eheyanet Ladies. The win marked her first title since her maiden victory at the 2008 NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament. Back then, Erina was a young, up and coming new talent with a bright future. Then she had some lean years in there, not even making the top 70 a few times. So it’s good for her that the last two years she has bounced back, finishing 9th last year and 13th this year on the money list. In addition to her title at Daito, she also finished T2 at Samantha Thavasa Girls Collection Ladies Tournament and had 9 top 10s overall. Hopefully, she can keep it up in 2016. Hyo-Joo KimHYO-JOO KIM (LPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $923,221 Titles: JTBC Founders Cup Hyo-Joo Kim made a Major splash as a non-member when she won the 2014 Evian Championship. As part of a loaded 2015 LPGA rookie class, the 20-year old (19 when the season started) showed she was the real deal. Not that there was any doubt for me. She was already a terror on the KLPGA with 8 titles and 3 Majors before 2015. Oh by the way, she added another KLPGA title this year as well. But this countdown focuses only on 2015 LPGA wins (and JLPGA if a player has both…In-Gee Chun, I’m talking to you). Alas, Hyo-Joo isn’t lacking in LPGA hardware this year either! She further validated the hype surrounding her with a March victory at the JTBC Founders Cup. She would go on to 9 overall top 10s. Other highlights included a sweet hole in one at KPMG Women’s PGA and leading after the first round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open. In many other seasons, she would have been a Rookie of the Year winner. This is not one of those seasons. Nevertheless, at only 20-years old she is showing the talent to be a success for the next decade barring burnout or injury. ANA IVANOVIC ERINA HARA HYO-JOO KIM
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Post by bangkokbobby on Dec 13, 2015 23:53:43 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #12 Timea Bacsinszky, Ritsuko Ryu and Brittany LincicomeTimea BacsinszkyFor the past two years I have counted down the top 30 (2013) and top 25 (2014) players on the WTA and LPGA money lists as my year-end wrap-up. This year I am reducing the list to the top 15. However, I am adding the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) to the countdown. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed doubles are added to the total money earnings. For the JLPGA, I will approximate the US Dollar totals based on the day I look up the exchange rate. Here are the #12 players for 2015: Timea Bacsinszky (WTA), Ritsuko Ryu (JLPGA) and Brittany Lincicome (LPGA). TIMEA BACSINSZKY (WTA) 2015 Prize Money: $1,963,645 Titles: Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Monterrey Open Awards: WTA Most Improved Player of the Year Sometimes when a lower ranked player makes a splash early in the year, it means big things to come, like when Garbine Muguruza broke through at Hobart last year. Other times, early brilliance is not a sign of future success. For Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky, her surprise run to the Shenzen Open final, upsetting Petra Kvitova along the way, heralded a wonderful 2015 season to come. After basically quitting the tour, Shenzen was her first singles final since 2010. Timea would pull off the Mexican double, capturing the Abierto Mexicano Telcel and Monterrey Open, both times defeating Caroline Garcia of France. Bacsinszky would cap a great comeback year with a runner-up finish at the China Open to the aforementioned Muguruza. Although she finished the year ranked #11, after the rankings came out following Beijing, Timea was in the Top 10 for the first time in her career. Add in a semifinal run at Roland Garros and a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon, her best ever results at Majors, and it all culminated in Bacsinszky being awarded the WTA’s 2015 Most Improved Player of the Year. Ritsuko RyuRITSUKO RYU (JLPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $478,338 USD (¥57,899,312) Titles: AXA Ladies Golf Tournament in Miyazaki It seems as if there were a lot of players this year on the three tours where I focus winning for the first time since (fill in the blank) season. And so it goes that such was also the case with Ritsuko Ryu. Her win at the 2015 AXA Ladies Golf Tournament in Miyazaki was her first title since the 2012 Yamaha Ladies Open. Not only did she earn the victory, but she went through the fire of facing 2015’s best JLPGA player, Bo-Mee Lee, in a dramatic playoff. It’s amazing what a win will do for a player. It’s changes a season. While she was very strong this year with 12 top 10s, Ritsuko has been very consistent over the past couple of years. In fact, her scoring average this year (71.92) does not best her averages from 2013 and 2014. But getting to the winner’s circle gave her the highest finish on the money list that she’s had since the year of her last win, 2012. She is strong tee to green. If she could tighten up her putting, she could build on the 3 career titles she currently owns. Brittany LincicomeBRITTANY LINCICOME (LPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $933,521 Titles: ANA Inspiration (MAJOR), Solheim Cup (Team USA) I was trying not to post this entry until I could say…and now I can say…congratulations to Brittany Lincicome on her marriage to Dewald Gouws. I wish the couple the best happiness, health and prosperity moving forward. Certainly, she will have prosperity covered if she keeps playing as she did in 2015. This was her best season since 2011. The highlight, by far, was her Major victory at the ANA Inspiration. Brittany won this event in 2009 when it was the Kraft Nabisco Championship. This year she took on another former KNC Champion, Stacy Lewis (2011), in a playoff to see who would take the dive into Poppie’s Pond. Brittany won on the third hole of sudden death. Lincicome did have some peaks and valleys this year, but that is fairly typical of her. When she’s on, she’s really on. When she’s not, well…there’s always the next tournament. For example, in the Majors this year she won ANA and finished 4th at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the other hand, she missed the cut at the US Open and Evian Championship while finishing T50 at the Ricoh Women’s British Open. Sometimes it can be feast or famine with Bam Bam. Oh, but is she a joy to watch when all cylinders are firing and she’s ripping it around the course, creating thrilling moments like hitting an eagle on the 72nd hole of a Major. TIMEA BACSINSZKY RITSUKO RYU BRITTANY LINCICOME w/Alison Lee
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Post by mr3putt on Dec 14, 2015 1:08:57 GMT
I'd say Bam gets pregnant in 2017. A baby won't cut into Bam's practice time...only her naps and fishing.
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Post by bangkokbobby on Dec 26, 2015 23:05:12 GMT
I'd say Bam gets pregnant in 2017. A baby won't cut into Bam's practice time...only her naps and fishing. ...and her tennis...I like Bam Bam...I could hang out with her...btw, sorry for not responding...after my last post I went into Star Wars superfan mode...been in it for two weeks now...prepping for the movie, seeing the movie, again and again and again...basking in the afterglow...might not finish this year's countdown before January 1st!! more pics and video on my blog: Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #11 Carla Suarez Navarro, Miki Sakai and Morgan PresselCarla Suarez NavarroFor the past two years I have counted down the top 30 (2013) and top 25 (2014) players on the WTA and LPGA money lists as my year-end wrap-up. This year I am reducing the list to the top 15. However, I am adding the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) to the countdown. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed doubles are added to the total money earnings. For the JLPGA, I will approximate the US Dollar totals based on the day I look up the exchange rate. Here are the #11 players for 2015: Carla Suarez Navarro (WTA), Miki Sakai (JLPGA) and Morgan Pressel (LPGA). CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO (WTA) 2015 Prize Money: $2,001,705 Titles: (DOUBLES) Aegon Classic, Toray Pan Pacific Open It was a tale of two seasons for Carla Suarez Navarro, both within her singles play and in comparing singles to doubles. Within just her singles, she made runs to the final of the Diamond Games (where she couldn’t play the championship match, resulting in tournament director Kim Clijsters playing a short set against finalist Andrea Petkovic…and winning it), the Miami Open and the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Although she finished runner-up each time, that’s still a pretty good year especially when one considers that she cracked the Top 10 for the first time in her career. The blemish in singles was getting bounced out of Majors in the first round three times. For a player of her caliber, that’s far below her capabilities. Anybody can suffer an upset loss, but three in the first round of Majors in one year is a bit much. However, turning to doubles, she and playing partner Garbine Muguruza were a strong pair, winning in Birmingham and Tokyo. They also finished runners-up at the year-ending WTA Finals. I wondered it this year for Muguruza and the same holds true for Carla; maybe the physicality and grind of singles play in this era makes it a little tough to juggle both and be as succcessful as one can be in singles. Miki SakaiMIKI SAKAI (JLPGA) Prize Money: $509,578 USD (¥61,278,327) Before her breakthrough 2104 season, in which she won twice and finished 6th on the JLPGA money list, Miki Sakai had never finished inside 30th in prize money. So it was a question coming into 2015 as to whether she would maintain her level of play or slip. Well, she did slip, but not terribly. 11th on the money list in 2015, with 2 runner-up finishes including the JLPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup (MAJOR), is still a shining season. While I am concerned about her overall scoring average, which slipped over half a stroke from last year, Miki did manage 9 top 10s. 2 of those top 10s were at Majors, the aforementioned Konica Minolta Cup and the JLPGA Championship Ricoh Cup. Making the best of the biggest tournaments is a great trait for any pro. Morgan PresselMORGAN PRESSEL (LPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $962,794 While I enjoy blogging about many LPGA players, Morgan Pressel is one of my favorites of favorites. I just have so much respect and admiration for what she does off the course. How committed and active she is with her foundation and its fight against cancer, especially breast cancer, is inspiring. Morgan was presented the Charlie Bartlett Award at the Golf Writers Association of America Awards Dinner for her charitable efforts. And she was fairly inspiring on the course in 2015. Look, I am aware that her last tournament victory was in 2008. However, objectively speaking Morgan had a fantastic 2015, armed with a new swing, even without a win. She came darn close at Swinging Skirts, falling to Lydia Ko on the second hole of a playoff. She was 1 shot off the lead after the 2nd round of the Evian Championship. Add in 3 top 5s and a T11 in Majors this year, including a solo 3rd at ANA Inspiration where she led after the first round, and that’s a great year. She had a course record 8-under 64 in the second round of Kia. Morgan also led Shoprite after round 2. Once again, Pressel was a key member of the winning USA Solheim Cup team. If she has a 2016 season that matches 2015, that would be wonderful. But of course, as a fan I’d love to see her top it all off win a win next year. CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO w/Garbine Muguruza MIKI SAKAI MORGAN PRESSEL w/Stacy Lewis
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Post by bangkokbobby on Dec 27, 2015 6:23:14 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #10 Roberta Vinci, Misuzu Narita and Anna NordqvistRoberta VinciFor the past two years I have counted down the top 30 (2013) and top 25 (2014) players on the WTA and LPGA money lists as my year-end wrap-up. This year I am reducing the list to the top 15. However, I am adding the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) to the countdown. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed doubles are added to the total money earnings. For the JLPGA, I will approximate the US Dollar totals based on the day I look up the exchange rate. Here are the #10 players for 2015: Roberta Vinci (WTA), Misuzu Narita (JLPGA) and Anna Nordqvist (LPGA). ROBERTA VINCI (WTA) 2015 Prize Money: $2,309,821 Titles: ASB Classic Ok, I could post about Roberta Vinci’s doubles title at the ASB Classic, the last before her long time partnership with Sara Errani dissolved. I could also post about her reaching the final at the Nuremberg Cup in singles. But why delay talking about the big one? And that was one of the greatest, some argue the absolute greatest, upsets in tennis history. With Serena Williams looking like nothing was going to stop her from achieving the calendar year Grand Slam in singles, something not accomplished since Steffi Graf’s Golden Slam in 1988, Roberta stood up and did the seemingly inconceivable, even to herself. Inconceivable. Apparently, that word did not mean what we thought it meant. Not only did Vinci end Serena’s Grand Slam march, she did so with a style of play that harkened back to another era. She didn’t defeat Williams with power and pop. Instead it was an array of slices, spins, net rushes and volleys that carved out a victory over the dominant world #1. Roberta would go on to lose against fellow Italian Flavia Pennetta in the women’s final. But for the time between the semis and final, Vinci was the talk of the sports world for her performance against one of the greatest players in tennis history. Misuzu NaritaMISUZU NARITA (JLPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $588,077 USD (¥70,718,130) Titles: Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament, Studio Alice Women’s Open Awards: Best Comment of the Year Coming off a 2014 season that saw her win 3 times, Misuzu Narita continued her impressive play again in 2015. The 23-year old looks like a player to be reckoned with for years to come with at least 1 win in each of the past four years, including as a non-member in 2012. This season, Misuzu won twice, at Studio Alice and Suntory Ladies. Her impressive putting has helped make her a birdie machine, carrying her to 7 career JLPGA victories in a short period of time, including back to back multiple win seasons. Narita also finished 2nd at the Golf 5 Ladies and had 12 top 10s. As if all of that were not enough, her sparkling personality went a long way in winning her Best Comment of the Year from the JLPGA. Anna NordqvistANNA NORDQVIST 2015 Prize Money: $977,743 Titles: ShopRite LPGA Classic It’s been a joy to see how Anna Nordqvist has turned herself around these past two seasons after a handful of seasons set adrift. Following last year’s multiple wins she notched another victory in 2015 at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. The ShopRite win came on Mother’s Day in Sweden, with her mom in the crowd to see her win. It was the first time anyone from her family saw her win in person on the LPGA tour. In 2014, she set her money list personal best. This year, it was her personal best scoring average (70.31) on her way to 10 top 10s, 3 of them in Majors. She also earned 2 points for the European Solheim Cup team as they came up a bit short this time. She’s change her fitness regime. At 28, she should have many good years ahead of her. Certainly, taking great care of her body will only help in preserving her ability for as long as possible. She has 5 career LPGA wins. If she can stay healthy and mentally focused, I think she can reach double digit LPGA career wins if she continues to play as she has the past 24 months. ROBERTA VINCI USSI Awards w/Stefano Sorrentino w/Sara Errani MISUZU NARITA ANNA NORDQVIST w/Michelle Wie, Jessica Korda and Paula Creamer
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Post by bangkokbobby on Dec 27, 2015 18:59:32 GMT
more pics and video on my blog: Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #9 Venus Williams, Shiho Oyama and Shanshan FengVenus WilliamsFor the past two years I have counted down the top 30 (2013) and top 25 (2014) players on the WTA and LPGA money lists as my year-end wrap-up. This year I am reducing the list to the top 15. However, I am adding the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) to the countdown. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed doubles are added to the total money earnings. For the JLPGA, I will approximate the US Dollar totals based on the day I look up the exchange rate. Here are the #9 players for 2015: Venus Williams (WTA), Shiho Oyama (JLPGA) and Shanshan Feng (LPGA). VENUS WILLIAMS (WTA) Prize Money: $2,404,419 Titles: ASB Classic, Wuhan Open, WTA Elite Trophy Awards: WTA Comeback Player of the Year 2014 showed glimpses of the what Venus Williams could still accomplish in the seeming twilight of her career with a title and 3 runners-up. But 2015 was even better, with the future Hall of Famer winning 3 titles, at the ASB Classic, Wuhan Open and the WTA Elite Trophy. This gives her 48 career singles titles. It would be great to see her reach 50 in 2016. Her quarterfinal appearances at the Australian Open and US Open marked her greatest success in singles Majors since 2010. This all led to Venus being awarded the 2015 WTA Comeback Player of the Year. But don’t call it a comeback. She’s been here for years. Basically, it comes down to her health. When her Sjogren’s Syndrome is under control and her body is willing, she can still be a threat to win any match. Clearly, at 35-years old there will be good days and bad days. Venus says she intends to play on for more seasons. As long as she plays as she did in 2015, she should continue to build her already phenomenal HOF credentials. Oh, and lest I forget. Venus Williams, a leading force behind equal prize money for women in tennis, completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration this year from Indiana University East campus. Shiho OyamaSHIHO OYAMA (JLPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $641,162 USD (¥77,101,662) Titles: Yonex Ladies Golf Tournament After just finishing my post about Venus Williams, I find that many of the same accolades could be showered upon 38-year old Shiho Oyama. The difference is that Shiho hasn’t really had a significant dip in her play over the years. The 2006 Player of the Year has maintained a strong showing on the JLPGA tour, this year adding the 2015 Yonex Ladies Golf Tournament to her 16 career victories. Top 10 in prize money, scoring average, GIR, birdies…you name it, Shiho continues to be a marvelous player. Not only did she once again shine on the JLPGA tour, but she came overseas to Lancaster, PA to finish T5 at the US Women’s Open. After her second round 4-under 66, I was pulling so hard for her to win the greatest tournament in women’s golf. That didn’t quite happen, but to come over and play so well at the USWO at this stage of her career was quite impressive. I don’t know how much longer she will play on the JLPGA, but clearly her skills are still intact. I hope she keeps going for years to come. Shanshan FengSHANSHAN FENG (LPGA) 2015 Prize Money: $1,083,338 Observe that trophy Shanshan Feng is holding in the photo above. That isn’t actually an LPGA trophy. That’s from the LET’s Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. Shanshan had a wonderful LPGA season, cracking the top 10 on the money list with the fewest tournaments played of any top 10 finisher. It could have been even better had her tournaments played been on par with others on the list. I wish she had played more. But it’s hard to argue when she is off on other tours winning titles. This year, she won twice on the Ladies European Tour, at the aforementioned Omega Dubai Ladies Masters and at the Buick Championship. Neither of those count towards money for this year in review, but I will include pictures and video. After all, I can’t ignore that she finished tops on the LET Order of Merit and had the lowest scoring average. However, focusing back on Feng’s LPGA year, although she did not win this season, it was still a fantastic showing with 12 top 10s, including two in Majors, and a runner-up at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. Again, I’d prefer her to focus on the LPGA. But how can I argue when she goes to another tour and wins their Order of Merit (money list for the LET) and the scoring average crown? I just worry that all the travel associated with tour hopping might catch up with her as it did with Jiyai Shin. I didn’t like losing Jiyai to the JLPGA and I worry about losing Shanshan to the LET. VENUS WILLIAMS SHIHO OYAMA SHANSHAN FENG w/Charley Hull
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