Roddick Returns After Mono Scare
Any Roddick returned to the tour after a scare of mononucleosis, the same disease that wracked Roger Federer’s system in 2008. Roddick, entered in Cincinnati, punctuated his comeback with a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 win over Sergiy Stakhovsky. He looked poised to win in straight sets after leading 5-2 in the tiebreak when things started to fall apart. Roddick threw his racket, let off the steam, and never looked back. He steamrolled in the final set, playing what he considers some of his best tennis of the season.
After the match, he said, “I don’t feel perfect, but good enough. That third set was actually a blessing in disguise. That’s the best I’ve played in months.” That’s a great sign going into the next round, although I don’t think he’s ready to take on the big guns in the tournament, such as Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Andy Murray.
Here are other things to think about on the WTA and ATP tours:
- Federer doesn’t have Paul Annacone with him at the tournament. Is something wrong already? Was it only a short-term gig? Or is Federer a little annoyed that lost to a coach-less Murray at the Rogers Cup? None of the above, apparently.
- Murray’s definitely not getting a new coach until after the US Open. Good choice.
- Venus Williams committed to playing the US Open. Now, how about Serena?
- How will Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova fare after getting injured at Cincinnati?
- Jelena Jankovic continues to be a big question mark, losing in the first round to Iveta Benesova, while Svetlana Kuznetsova rebounded after a tough loss to Sharapova last week. She beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a semifinalist at Cincy, in three sets. What’s next for Jankovic? Is she going down, Ivanovic-style? Or, will she be another Elena Dementieva? She’s had her chances to win a major, defaulting, being dramatic, or injured every time.
- James Blake, a former top ten American, will receive a wild card into the US Open. Is it worth it?
Recap: Murray Beats Nadal; Sharapova Edges Pavlyuchenkova
Although the finals are just about over in Canada for the men and in Cincinnati for the women, the semifinals suggest interesting momentum shifts as we head to the US Open. Let’s recap the results.
On the ATP tour, Andy Murray knocked out world number one Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4 with his devastating, counter-punching style. This brings his head-to-head against Nadal to 4-8, a decent record against the fiery Nadal. Despite the loss, I’m not worried for the Spaniard’s chances to win the US Open this year. Although he certainly gives it his all in every match, it’s harder to beat Nadal in a major with three best-of-five match structure.
At the same time, Murray should feel increased belief in his game after exacting revenge over the Spaniard for the three-set drubbing he got in the semifinals of this year’s Wimbledon. In that match, Nadal outplayed Murray to win 6-4, 7-6 (6), 6-4 before taking the tile. Murray’s opponent in the final: Roger Federer, the victor over world number two Novak Djokovic in a long 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 affair.
On the WTA tour, Kim Clijsters quickly advanced to the finals after Ana Ivanovic, who’s played inspired tennis to get far in the tournament after a shaky season, retired due to injury. In a tearful goodbye to Ohio, where she’s had her best results on hard courts in a long time, Ivanovic left the stadium with doubt for the future of her season. If the injury is as serious as it sounds, it’s a real pity. She’s finally playing with purpose again, and it’d be sad to see her sidelined for the rest of year.
In the other semifinal, Maria Sharapova battled teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in a match filled with errors and delay. In the first set, the players were locked at four-all before Pavlyuchenkova double-faulted away the game to give her opponent momentum. In the second set, after a ten-minute delay due to a lighting problem in the stadium, Pavlyuchenkova regained focus as Sharapova began spraying more shots out.
It’s refreshing to see a game like Pavlyuchenkova’s in the top tier of the women’s game, despite the serving troubles that plagued her during the match — granted, she’s been playing lots of tennis recently. In fact, the 19-year old Russian comes off a win in Istanbul, while also playing doubles in Canada. Pavlyuchenkova, who enjoys clay, stays far behind the baseline, gets to tons of balls, and plays with a finesse and touch that’s beautiful to watch. As a former junior champion, she has a bright future on the professional tour as well. She’s well on her way, too. Mark Pavlyuchenkova as one to watch at the US Open.
Sharapova, Ivanovic, and Pavlyuchenkova Win Big
Coming fresh off a big seesaw victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova, Maria Sharapova advanced easily over Andrea Petkovic to get to the round of 16 at the Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s event in Cincinnati, Ohio. She won 6-3, 6-1 in the dominating performance. Other strong performers included Ana Ivanovic, who knocked out Victoria Azarenka in the previous round, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the winner over third-seeded Elena Dementieva in two sets.
Sharapova’s last two victories prove she’s regaining the top form that others on the WTA tour should fear. With every match, there’s more of that champion’s spark that brought her to three major titles, beginning at 17. I’ve hinted at it in the past few weeks, but this win only solidifies my sentiments: Sharapova’s prepared to go deep at the US Open. She’ll be seeded well within the top 20, and I see her taking out some other big-time threats to get to the major’s second week.
Her results this year are on an upward trend: first round at the Australian Open, third round at Roland Garros, and a tough loss to Serena Williams in the fourth round at Wimbledon. Here’s her chance to break through past the quarterfinals since her 2009 French Open showing. Sharapova’s next opponent? The tricky shot-maker, Agnieszka Radwanska, who’s having a great US Open Series so far, having made it to the semifinals and final of her last two events. I don’t see Sharapova letting up against Radwanska. She’ll win in two close sets.
Compared to Sharapova, Ivanovic’s results at the majors seem wildly unexceptional. She’s only made it to the second rounds at the Australian and French, falling in the first round at Wimbledon. And, yet, things are looking up (even if just slightly) with that win over Azarenka. She followed the upset with a straight sets victory over Yaroslava Shvedova, a quarter-finalist at this year’s French Open, and the winner of the doubles title with American Vania King at Wimbledon. Ivanovic needs to soak up the win and channel the confidence in her next round. She faces Elena Vesnina, the winner over a struggling Francesca Schiavone. I’m taking Ivanovic over Vesnina in three sets.
Pavlyuchenkova’s drubbing of Dementieva secures a huge step for the younger Russian to get to the semis of this event. That is, if she can take out Israel’s Shahar Peer in the quarterfinals. I see Pavlyuchenkova winning that match in three sets. She has the bigger game, and a good deal of experience so far throughout this summer season.
Bracket Breakdown:
In the top half, Jelena Jankovic will get to the semis despite some shaky play. She’ll potentially face Ana Ivanovic in the quarters.
In the bottom half, we see the return of Kim Clijsters, and an impressive showing from the American teenager Christina McHale — the winner against Nadia Petrova. Clijsters easily beat an ailing Dinara Safina 7-5, 6-2. For McHale, her win over Ayumi Morita means she’ll probably face the Belgian. There, I see her getting overwhelmed by the shots and experience of Clijsters in straight sets. I’m calling Vera Zvonareva to meet Clijsters in the quarterfinals.
On the other side of the draw, I like Pavlyuchenkova to make the semifinals in the top half, although she has stiff competition by facing either Na Li or Yanina Wickmayer to make it there.
In the bottom section, look for Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki to battle it out for the last spot in the final four. I’m predicting Sharapova overwhelms Wozniacki in three sets.
Final Predictions:
Jelena Jankovic defeats Ana Ivanovic in the quarters; Clijsters gets revenge over Zvonareva, who defeated her at Wimbledon in the other match.
Pavlyuchenkova surprises to make the semis, where she’ll face a fiery Sharapova.
The last two standing: Clijsters and Sharapova — a dream match.
Unseeded Kvitova Secures Big Win Over Azarenka
The twenty year old Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic has advanced over the Belarussian Victoria Azarenka in compelling fashion, winning 7-5, 6-0. Her year, which has been otherwise unspectacular, has taken a huge turn with the win. Kvitova is now in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the third time in her career. Her other best Grand Slam results include the fourth round at the French Open in 2008 and at the US Open in 2009.
With one career title to her name already, and these compelling results at the majors, I see Kvitova making a big run in the near future. She’s already taken out Jie Zheng of China, a player seeded 23rd and well known for the fantastic run to the Australian Open semifinals this year. Up next, she plays Caroline Wozniacki, who beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, 7-5, 6-4, another up and coming young star.
In the fourth round match, I think Wozniacki’s defensive game and experience will prove a little too much for Kvitova. I see the number three seed edging out Kvitova in a tight third set.
As for Azarenka’s loss, it was a good effort as she’s been having a difficult year with injuries. Her play is improving, which is a great sign. I think she’ll be completley back in action for the US Open; don’t expect a loss before the second week.
Also posting wins include Serena Williams over Dominika Cibulkova, Agnieszka Radwanska over Sara Errani, and Na Li over Anastasia Rodionova.
In doubles, the third-seeded team of Nadia Petrova and Sam Stosur beat Svetlana Kuznetsova and Aravane Rezai. Vania King of the US and Yaroslava Shvedova defeated the 14th seed of Monica Niculescu and Shahar Peer to make it to the sweet 16.
Day Three Results Rundown
Day three proved to be filled with upsets and sharp play from the top tier of the current tennis all-stars. Here’s a brief summary of noteworthy results.
The WTA:
- Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, and Maria Sharapova all record easy victories in their first round matches.
- Agnieszka Radwanska and Victoria Azarenka advance with their 6-3, 6-3 wins. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova only needs one more again to beat Iveta Benesova.
- French Open finalist Sam Stosur joins Francesca Schiavone in defeat after straight sets loss to Kaia Kanepi.
- Na Li and Jie Zheng make it to round two in straight sets.
- Petra Kvitova, a player I have my eye on, takes out Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-2.
- American Vania King set to play decisive match against Daniela Hantuchova tomorrow.
- Serena and Venus Williams team up to continue their doubles major title string up success. They’re shooting for five in a row.
The ATP:
- Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Sam Querrey, and Robin Soderling advance in three sets.
- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga comes back strong in first match after retiring at the French Open.
- Seeds Nicholas Almagro, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Marcos Baghdatis fall, while unseeded American James Blake continues to struggle. Fabio Fognini upset Fernando Verdasco, too.
- John Isner’s match is held at two sets apiece against Nicholas Mahut.
