The first round wrapped up with no surprises but there were certainly some shockers as the second round began at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, as both seeds who took the court - Svetlana Kuznetsova and Agnieszka Radwanska - were sent packing by unseeded players.Radwanska, seeded No.5, was the first to fall in one of the earlier matches of the day, losing to Shahar Peer, 63 67(4) 62. Peer actually had match point at 63 65 but needed a third set - a quick one, at that - to put the Pole away.
"I'm happy I managed to come back and cruise in the third set," Peer said. "Agnieszka has been in the top for a while and I'm really happy with this win."
Kuznetsova, the No.3 seed and defending champion, followed Radwanska to the sidelines in the last match of the day, losing to Li Na, 63 75. Like Peer, Li held match point at 63 65, three match points in fact; but the Chinese, unlike the Israeli, put it away in straights. She is now 3-6 lifetime against the Russian.
No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic, No.6 seed Victoria Azarenka, No.7 seed Sam Stosur, No.8 seed Yanina Wickmayer and unseeded players Justine Henin and Lucie Safarova all won first round matches at the Premier-level event.
Henin had the most intriguing win of the bunch, rallying from triple set point down at 5-6 in the first set to beat Germany's own Julie Goerges, 76(3) 61.
"She was on fire in the first set and serving really well," Henin said. "I just tried to remember how I've been playing, staying aggressive, and it started going better. It's always nice to play at home so I think she was feeling good today. She's really good and I'm happy I was able to win today."
Jankovic beat tricky clay courter Gisela Dulko, South America's No.1 player, 62 62. Jankovic had lost to Dulko before. "I thought I did well for my first match here," the Serb told the press afterwards. "Dulko is a tough opponent, especially on clay. I played well in the first set; I had some ups and downs in the second set and I lost my concentration at times, but overall it was good."
The rest of the second round takes place at the Porsche Arena Thursday. Among those in action is Dinara Safina, who plays her first match since the Aussie Open.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Singles - Second Round
Li Na (CHN) d. (3) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 63 75
Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (5) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 63 67(4) 62
Singles - First Round
(4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Gisela Dulko (ARG) 62 62
(6) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 61 64
(7/WC) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Marion Bartoli (FRA) 62 61
(8) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 63 63
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. (Q) Selima Sfar (TUN) 26 30 ret. (right ankle injury)
(WC) Justine Henin (BEL) d. (WC) Julia Goerges (GER) 76(3) 61
1 comment:
Finally Sam Stosur !
I always thought that Sam Stosur has the techniques. The fitness and the dedication to her sport to make it to the top of the WTA-Tour, but she never even made it into the top 10, or was able to play consistent enough to go deep in the tournaments. But now it seems as if things are clicking for her and she makes a step to the next level.
To see her and Justine Henin in the finals of Stuttgart today is a real pleasure for me. Finally two players on the women’s tour who really care about the sport and not only about their looks, their new tennis dresses, or their career as an actor or model after their tennis career.
And two players, who unlike many other players on the WTA-tour, have all the shots in their game that the men have. A kick-serve, a slice, a drop shot, a volley and variety in their game…
This should be a great final if Sam will be able to keep her nerves cool and calm. A thing she is always trying very hard, but sometimes kept her from getting that extra focus and energy for the big points in a match.
But now it seems as if she knows how to pace herself through a match and how to get ready for the important phases in a match. This was the one thing that was missing in her game and if she can keep it up like this, she will be very hard to beat for many other players on the WTA-tour, who are not as fit and technically perfect as her.
As a Tennis coach I would like to see her more aggressive on her forehand, finishing even more points at the net (after good forehands) and mixing up her serve a bit more. She has a great kick-serve (probably the best on the women’s tour!), but it will be even more effective if it comes a bit more as a surprise for her opponents (especially on grass and hard-courts).
And if she pumps herself up a bit more after winning big points, she will be much more of a threat for the other players and I see her cracking the top 5 soon.
For a tennis coach like me, it is always great to have players like her, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters on the tour, because they are great role-models for the juniors.
Let’s hope they will be the top 3 in women’s tennis soon… ;)
Hardy Hesse
Hesse Tennis Training
Professional Training and Coaching for Top Juniors and Professionals
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