Despite Loss, Jovanovski Poised for Future Success
Bojana Jovanovski has proven that she’s one to watch in the coming months. Ranked 58th, she recently gave world number two Vera Zvonareva a fight in the Australian Open’s second round. With powerful strokes on both sides and a strong fighting spirit, Jovanovski handled herself like a future top ten player. She lost to the Wimbledon and US Open finalist in three sets, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.
As the youngest player in the top 100 at age 19, Jovanovski came into the Aussie Open with some solid wins to begin 2011. She advanced to the semifinals at Sydney, beating Kaia Kanepi, Aravane Rezai, and Flavia Pennetta (all ranked inside the top 30) in straight sets. Jovanovski lost to the eventual champion Na Li of China.
If she can improve her fitness and get more experience as the season progress, the third-ranked Serb — after Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic — will be an even greater threat.
Watch below for a fun interview of Jovanovski from Brisbane earlier this year.
Zvonareva Ranked Second, Can Surpass Wozniacki in Doha
Vera Zvonareva, this year’s finalist at both Wimbledon and the US Open, replaced the ailing Serena Williams in her rise to the number two world ranking today. This distinction, however, may not be the final one of the year for Zvonareva in her best season on tour to date. In fact, she has the chance to overtake Caroline Wozniacki’s relatively new top ranking at the year-ending tournament in Doha.
Here’s Zvonareva’s reaction via Facebook: “Just heard I have reached #2 in the world rankings! I have worked really hard this year so it is nice to see the results pay off. Also had a good time here in Doha at the player party and draw ceremony yesterday. Playing my first round robin match tomorrow.”
For her to nab the top spot, explains an Associated Press article, Zvonareva “must win all three matches in the group stage and then make it to the final, while all Wozniacki has to do is win two of her round robin matches to retain her ranking.” It continues, “If Zvonareva loses a match in the round robin, Wozniacki would then only need to win one of hers.”
Therefore, many things need to happen for Zvonareva to take hold of this opportunity — being the world’s best at the year’s end.
The idea that she may become the world number one is frankly a little mystifying, despite her excellent showing in majors this year. Maybe it’s the fact that the media simply doesn’t hype her the way it does Serena, Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters, and others. Or, it could be the fact that her on-court temperament still lacks that of a true champion. Whatever the case, Zvonareva has proven she’s here to stay atop the highest tier of the WTA tour for a long time coming.
In Bobby Chintapalli’s recent post, “Small Babe, Big Results,” we get a strong sense of Zvonareva’s ability to overwhelm her opponents with tricky shot selection and the ability to change up pace and spin. Writes Chintapalli, “You’re not immediately sure what Zvonareva did, but you know she did something right. It’s fitting, because that’s how she can make her opponents feel when she plays well.” This refreshing quality makes Zvonareva an interesting candidate for the top position — just like Wozniacki a few weeks ago and Jelena Jankovic before
Now, it’s a matter of the media taking her under its wing, too. If she wins her first-round match against the struggling Jankovic in Doha tomorrow, she’ll be well on her way.
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?
Injured Sharapova Succumbs to Clijsters; Murray Defends Title
Maria Sharapova had three match points against Kim Clijsters and couldn’t pull off the victory. Instead, the former world number one and three-time major titlist left the court in a three-set loss and a heel injury to boot. Andy Murray, meanwhile, played some strong tennis — despite being without a coach — to defeat Roger Federer 7-5, 7-5. The win grants Murray a place in history as being the first guy since Andre Agassi in 1995 to successfully defend a Rogers Cup title.
Sharapova suffered a potentially devastating loss against Clijsters on a number of levels. After the rain delay — with Clijsters serving to stay in the match at 6-2 5-3 — everything changed. To have the lead and lose it so painstakingly will sting for the Russian. The injury: maybe even worse. But that will only be for a couple days at most. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — if there’s anyone on tour to push a loss like this aside, it’s Sharapova. While the extent of her physical problem remains to be reported, fans can rest assured that she has the ability to bounce back. Plus, her result earns her a bump in the rankings to number twelve in the world. As long as she’s healthy by August 30, there’s no reason why Sharapova can’t be considered a favorite at the US Open.
Her opponent, Clijsters, however, looks just a little stronger to win the title. Like the champion she is, Clijsters absorbed the pressure at the brink of defeat and thrived. After a sloppy first set, which she lost 2-6, Clijsters stopped making errors. Sharapova didn’t play badly to lose that second set in a tie-breaker, Clijsters simply played better. Then, things got easier after Sharapova got hurt, although she didn’t hand the match over to the Belgian by any means. Clijsters needed numerous match points to seal the match 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2.
With the way she’s playing, and the poor condition of many of the top women these days, I’m calling Clijsters the favorite to win the US Open. Yes, her draw remains to be seen. Clijsters, however, loves it in New York. She won the event last year and there are numerous question marks floating around about Serena and Venus Williams, Sharapova, Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic, and Jelena Jankovic, among others. If Clijsters stays healthy and plays the type of game that beat Sharapova in the second and third sets, she’ll be the champion at Arthur Ashe stadium once more.
For Murray, the win over Federer marks the end of an enticing week going into the US Open, where he got to the final in 2008. To win, he also beat David Nalbandian and Rafael Nadal, the world number one. The win means a lot for Murray’s confidence. Yet, at the same time, it doesn’t prove to me that he has the ability to take his game to the next level and win a major title. I hope that’s not true. I’m a big fan of Murray’s game, the brilliant shot-making, set-up by a counter-punching style. He’s a joy to watch. Nadal and Federer are differently animals when it comes to the biggest tournaments.
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.
