Roland Garros Wrap-Up with No Rhyme or Reason
The French Open finished Sunday with a sixth title for Rafael Nadal, beating none other Roger Federer (or as the commentators repeatedly called him during his semifinal match against Novak Djokovic: grandpa) in the process. Meanwhile, Na Li triumphed over Francesca Schiavone to become the first Chinese player to win a major title. How’s that for some pretty nifty results at a tournament that this year featured an interesting parallel: the four top-seeded men advanced to the semifinals, while their female counterparts couldn’t quite cut it to even deep in the second week.
The tournament also brought the farewell of personal favorite Patty Schnyder, whose style of game will be missed. Meanwhile, one game got back on track as Maria Sharapova, the self-proclaimed “cow on ice” didn’t get tipped until the wind seemingly knocked her knowledge of serving against Li in the semis. Too bad for Maria, but she’ll manage fine at Wimbledon, I’m sure.
Even with a draw unknown, look for Sharapova to get to the semifinals, provided the weather stays on course. I mean, really? Double-faulting on match point? That’s not the Sharapova of 2008. But glimpses of brilliance were there. Think the match against Andrea Petkovic, for example. A little revenge for that loss at the Australian Open, no doubt.
Djokovic’s streak got snapped, and he looked mighty dejected for most of the match. Wozniacki succumbed to pressure and poor play, as did 2010 finalist Sam Stosur. Will Wimbledon raise their games back to levels of success and dominance, or will they wilt under the weight of even more expectations? How about the Williams sisters? When will they be back?
Time will tell, and, thankfully for the fans, that time is rapidly approaching. Let’s leave behind the drama of Roland Garros and experience the tradition of Wimbledon.
Petra Kvitova: The WTA’s Next Big Star?
With her recent straight sets win over the newest world number one Kim Clijsters in the Paris final, Petra Kvitova looks sharp. Her game is big, her form is on, and the 20-year old has the results to prove the hype.
Currently ranked a career-high 18th (and on an upward trend with the win in Paris), Kvitova made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open this year, reaffirming her semifinal showing at the 2010 Wimbledon as something more than a fluke. She took out Sam Stosur in the Sunny Slam, before falling to Vera Zvonareva a couple rounds later as the tournament’s 25th seed. She also started the year with a bang, winning the Brisbane title over Andrea Petkovic. A title in Hobart in 2009 rounds off the successes of her young career.
In a WTA that’s had some recent problems with intensity, spurred on by Serena Williams’ foot injury, the retirements of Elena Dementieva and Justine Henin, a slew of world number ones that went without a major, and more, this year’s Australian Open proved a welcome contrast. With Na Li representing China in the event’s final and strong play from up-and-comers, like Kvitova, the tour looks poised for a bright present, and a brighter future.
Kvitova seems to symbolize that future.
For a sampling of her play, check out this clip from the Aussie Open third round below.
Australian Open Predictions 2011: WTA Tour, Week Two
With the final four women set, it’s time to revise predictions for the 2011 Australian Open tournament’s future path on WTA tour. Here’s a look at the last women standing.
Previously predicting “Henin to face Venus and Clijsters against Zvonareva in the final four,” it’s been injury making this reality far from possible. While Henin suffered what she recently announced as a career-ending elbow injury (more on that to come) in the third round against Svetlana Kuznetsova, Williams retired versus Andrea Petkovic, who defeated Maria Sharapova in straight sets, in the third round, too. Of course, the competitors to advance in lieu of this two champions couldn’t be more talented. The world number one Caroline Wozniacki and last year’s semifinalist Na Li have been dominant so far in their respective runs to the final four.
For the semifinals, here are my picks.
Wozniacki versus Li:
Both players have hit their way to the semifinals in fine form. Wozniack dropped just one set — against Francesca Schiavone in the quarterfinals — and Li hasn’t lost one yet. Their overall career head-to-head (counting exhibitions matches) leaves them at 2-2 with Wozniacki winning the last meeting in a Hong Kong exhibition earlier this year. In a major, however, Li won their only meeting in straight sets at last year’s Australian Open in the fourth round. That should give her some confidence going in this match. Plus, she hasn’t lost a match this year, and I see her powering through the world number one to make her first major singles final.
Bottom Line: Li defeats Wozniacki in straight sets to advance.
Zvonareva versus Clijsters:
In the bottom half, which I predicted correctly, the world number two and world number three will face in a rematch of the 2010 US Open final. There, Clijsters’ experience paid off. She won 6-2, 6-1. With a head-to-head also in Clijsters’ favor at 6-3, they have played a number of three set matches together. Although not at their highest level throughout this tournament, Clijsters hasn’t dropped a set and Zvonareva lost only one in her match versus an up-and-coming Bojana Jovanovski. They’ll both bring their big games to the semifinals where Clijsters will find the form that has won her three US Open titles.
Bottom Line: Clijsters beats Zvonareva in straight sets.
In the Finals:
Clijsters and Li have a competitive history in their past, which should show in the Australian Open final. Li beat the Belgian in their last meeting earlier this year in the Sydney final although it initially seemed that Clijsters was in control. It will, however, be her first Grand Slam final.
With Hisense Dead Spot Fixed, Sharapova Downs Goerges in Three
In a match delayed by a bizarre dead spot found on Hisense Arena’s court, Maria Sharapova beat Germany’s Julia Goerges in a tough test. The 2008 Australian Open champion won 4-6, 6-4. 6-4 in the three-set scare.
Locked in battle, both Sharapova and Gorges painted the lines with fierce play in the decisive set. After going up 4-0, Sharapova didn’t falter, but rather the German raised her game to another level to take the next three games. Sharapova, however, showed the fine form that has won her three major titles, ousting the 38th-ranked Goerges decisively in the final game.
Regardless of the loss, it’ll be fun to see where the German’s powerful shots and tough, fighting spirit take her in 2011. Evidenced by the skill displayed against Sharapova, she deserves a higher ranking than her current career-high.
With Venus Williams set to verse Andrea Petkovic in her match, and an injury potentially causing the American some grave distress, Sharapova might well have booked herself a spot in the quarterfinals. While Venus owns Sharapova in their head-to-head, the Russian soundly beat Petkovic in their one meeting last year in Cincinnati. She came out victorious 6-3. 6 -1.
Should Venus lose in the next round, look for Sharapova to soundly advance over Petkovic in straight sets.
Schnyder Saves Match Points, Meets Ivanovic in Final
Patty Schnyder saved two match points in her match against Andrea Petkovic to make it to her second final this year. She advanced in a tough 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 battle after “serving at 4-5, 15-40 down in the deciding set against Petkovic,” according to a recent Associated Press article. Schnyder has made it to the finals at the Generali Ladies tournament twice before in 2005 and 2007. Both times, however, she failed to win the tournament. This time around, it’ll be just as difficult as Ana Ivanovic routed Roberta Vinci 6-3, 7-5 to make her first final in 19 months.
In fact, Ivanovic’s last WTA tour title came at the Linz tournament in 2008. Will she prove to everyone that she’s truly back with a win against Schnyder in the final? A lot seems to be pointing to just that result. First, Schnyder had a much more difficult time in her semifinal match. Therefore, she’ll be the more tired of the two and less physically fit. Second, while the career head-to-head between Schnyder and Ivanovic is locked at 4-all, Ivanovic has won the last four meetings in dominating fashion. Therefore, Ivanovic has the confidence (and the record) to win.
Regardless, I’m not so sure that the match will be decided in such a lopsided manner this time around. Schnyder’s season has been stronger and before the semifinals, she ousted her opponents in a decisive manner.
In short, I predict that Ivanovic claims her first title of the year in three sets.
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.
