Former Semifinalist Zheng Out of 2011 Australian Open
Photo: Sbsradio
After beginning 2010 with a bang by making it to the Australian Open semifinals, Jie Zheng won’t have that option this year. Due to a nagging wrist injury, she’ll be out of the year’s first major tournament.
Zheng hasn’t played a tournament since losing in the second round of the US Open.
“It’s a hard decision for me to make. But I believe there will be more Australian Opens for me to attend if I can regain my health,” she wrote on her Twitter profile page.
It’ll be sad for the world’s 26th-ranked player to be out of the tournament after so much success last year. Maybe Na Li, her compatriot who also made the 2010 semifinals, will fare well once more in Zheng’s absence.
For a nice tribute to Zheng and Li’s success last year, watch below.
For more on their results from last year, see this article.
Also, for CNN’s coverage of Zheng’s withdrawal, click here.
Bryan Brothers Make History with 62nd Title; Davenports Wins
Bob and Mike Bryan joined Sam Querry in the winner’s circle at the Farmers Classic, rewriting history by collecting title number 62 and making it to their 100th career final. The twins took out American Eric Butorac and Jean-Julien Rojer of Netherlands Antilles to get one more title than the famous doubles champions and Hall of Famers, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde of Australia. The Bryans won the historic match 6-7 (8-6), 6-2, 10-7.
Joining the American success in California was Lindsay Davenport at Stanford, who teaming up with Liezel Huber, beat Yung-Jan Chan and Jie Zheng in a close 7-5, 6-7 (8), 10-8 affair. The win was Davenport’s first doubles title since 2008, and her first tournament since the 2008 US Open, where she made it to the third round.
Davenport and Huber, who’s now ranked number one in doubles with the win, will play at this week’s second US Open Series WTA event in San Diego.
Querrey, Murray, Sharapova, and Azarenka Advance to Finals
Andy Murray and Sam Querrey will meet in the Farmers’ Classic final as the number one and two seeds, respectively. As for the WTA event in Stanford, Victoria Azarenka ousted Sam Stosur in two quick sets, while Maria Sharapova beat Agnieszka Radwanska in three.
Murray looked incredibly sharp in the first set against Lopez, closing the Spaniard out easily with a bagel (6-0). In the second set, however, Lopez brought his game up a few notches, winning 6-1. The third saw Murray get back on track to finish 6-4. Amid a switch in coaches and a late entry into the tournament, he’s looking great to get to the finals of the event. His opponent across the next seems to have luck on his side (along with a ton of skill and confidence going into the event).
Querrey came back from the edge of defeat once more against Janko Tipsarevic. After being unable to close out the first set in the tiebreak, Querrey evened the score in the second after the tiebreak went his way 7-6 (5). He fended off a 5-1 deficit to take the set, boosting his belief to take the third 6-4. With a ranking of 20, one spot shy of his career-best of 19, a home crowd advantage, and three titles in single to his name this year, everything’s going right for the American. It’ll be a battle out there, and I see the upset occurring with Querrey defeating Murray in three tight sets.
For the WTA tour, Azarenka looked back to top form in her 6-2, 6-3 domination of Stosur, a player she hasn’t had trouble with in the past. Stosur, however, is a different player these days with her excellent French Open. For Azarenka to push that confidence aside and player her game means she’s ready to take on anyone once again.
Regardless, her opponent, Sharapova, might just have the answer. After a three-set battle against Elena Dementieva in the quarterfinals, it looked like she might have an easier time against Radwanska. That wasn’t the case at all. With a beautiful display of finesse, spins, angles, and penetrating groundstrokes, Radwanksa kept Sharapova from getting a rhythm in the first set. In the second, Sharapova got focused winning almost all of the points on her serve. In the end, her mental toughness and desire to win got her the match. Sharapova prevailed 1-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Also noteworthy, Lindsay Davenport and Liezel Huber made it to the doubles finals after their semifinal opponents retired. As wild cards, they’ll face the second-seeded Chinese pair of Yung-Jan Chan and Jie Zheng.
Kvitova Loses; Ivanovic Forced to Play Qualifying
In her first match since an unexpected run to the semifinals at Wimbledon, Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic lost against Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele 7-5, 6-2 at the Slovenia Open.
Kvitova, the tournament’s second seed behind Jelena Jankovic, should have easily won against the 98th player in the world. Instead, she succumbed to mental pressure, which isn’t a good sign after the career-changing result. An interesting fact, Kvitova — now a career-high rank of 30 — is just two days younger than Voegele. The only time the two 20-year-olds met was at Stuttgart in 2007. Kvitova won that match in three sets.
Kvitova beat a string of seeded players to get to the semifinal match against Serena Williams. Players that fell due to Kvitova’s powerful athleticism and blistering serve included: Jie Zheng, Victoria Azarenka, and Caroline Wozniacki.
Hopefully, we aren’t seeing the (Melanie) Oudin-effect — where a string of wins against high-profile players at a major is followed up by paltry results for a stretch until confidence is regained. I don’t think this is the case. In fact, I’m not sure if even Oudin deserves such a poor reputation just yet. I believe Kvitova (and Oudin) have the ability to go strong at the US Open Series. If these two can get their heads back in the game, the US Open is wide open, especially with Serena’s injury, which might keep her from the year’s final major.
Just as Kvitova seems poised to be a player going places, 2008 French Open winner Ana Ivanovic is sinking to a new low. The once high-profile glamor girl from Serbia now must play the qualifying tournament at the Montreal tournament with her ranking of 63 in the world. I can’t say I blame the tournament directors for denying Ivanovic the wild card, and giving it to Canada’s Stephanie Dubois.
Ivanovic only made it to the second round at the French Open and the first round at Wimbledon. At other events, she’s barely won two matches in a row. Something needs to start clicking for Ivanovic, quickly. Otherwise, she might just end up as another Nicole Vaidisova — a player with big promise that retires years too early.
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.
Sharapova Surprised by Zheng; Federer Through in Three
Another blackhorse pick to win Indian Wells is out. This time, the number ten seed, Maria Sharapova, fell in three sets to the number eighteen seed and Australian Open semifinalist, Jie Zheng of China. Although it looked like Sharapova’s confidence would be enough to make a real run for the trophy, Zheng’s powerful groundstrokes proved too much. Sharapova lost 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
With Sharapova gone, Zheng should surely make it to the quarterfinals, where she’ll potentially meet the third seed, Caroline Wozniacki, who will soon meet Maria Kirilenko in the round of 32. Should Wozniacki pull through, and make it to a match with Zheng in the quarters, I pick Wozniacki to win in three.
On the ATP tour, Roger Federer had a scare in his match against Victor Hanescu, needing three sets to advance. Federer won 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1. The win shows that while he’s a little rusty, Federer’s not going anywhere, anytime soon. In fact, playing a three set match is good for Federer in that he got the challenge and game play necessary to succeed as the tournament continues. His next opponents to watch out for? Marcos Baghdatis in a third round re-match of the 2006 Australian Open final and, potentially, Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals. I see both opponents putting up strong fights against the Swiss champion to no avail.
Other develoments of note: American James Blake defeated the thirteenth seed, David Ferrer and Nikolai Davydenko withdrew from the tournament with a broken wrist.
