(Rank/Seed)
As I predicted, (1/1) Williams produced her best tennis to defy (3/3) Azarenka 61 63, claiming her 51st career title and extending her winning streak to 24.
1st Set
The score line was belying. Azarenka had numerous chances in the first few games; she led 40-0 in the 1st game and had several break points on Serena's serve in her first two service games but couldn't convert. A 3-1 deficit could've been a 3-1 lead. Serena was brilliant, hitting winners even on the run and off the defence as Azarenka made too many errors as she rushed her shots.
2nd Set
Once again Azarenka missed out on the crucial points. Having been broken for 4-2, she broke back and had a 40-15 lead in her following service game. Still, Serena was too good, hitting 41 winners throughout the match compared to just 19 unforced errors. Her 8th and 9th aces set up championship point, which she converted on a back hand winner up the line to win her first Italian Open since 2002!
It was a real master class from Serena as she takes a 12-2 head to head lead against Azarenka. Azarenka played poorly really, though that was largely down to the constant pressure she was under. Will anyone stop Serena in Paris now? It seems very unlikely!
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Serena vs Azarenka
The semi finals were wrapped up today, providing us with a mouth watering final!
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena extended her winning streak to 23 and ended the dream run of qualifier Halep 63 60. Serena was slow to start, saving break points in her first service game and being broken in the third game. However, Halep tired and Serena won 11 of the last 12 games. This is her first final here since she won back in 2002! She looks to become the second woman behind Safina in 2009 to win Madrid and Rome back to back.
3/3 Azarenka battled her opponent, the crowd and the weather to beat (6/7) Errani 60 75. Azarenka was brilliant in the first set despite a rain delay as Errani managed only 7 points. Despite Azarenka taking a break lead at 3-1 in the second set, Errani was using the crowds energy to lift her game. She came back to serve for the first set at 5-4 but ultimately fell victim to Azarenka's relentless ball striking, particularly from her back hand side. Still, for Errani it's been a great week; yet another where she's pushed a top player to 7-5 in a set in the semis of a huge clay court event. This is Azarenka's first Rome final as she looks to win her first big clay court event.
Serena dominates the head to head 12-2 against Azarenka. She won their only previous clay court meeting in last years Madrid final 61 63! However, Azarenka is one of only two players to beat Serena this year, back in the final of Doha (see here http://wtadohaqatar.blogspot.co.uk/) and has only lost once herself this season. It should be Serena's toughest match this week, seeing as she's only dropped 10 games to get here! I predict Serena will win in two sets, the first being easier than the second.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena extended her winning streak to 23 and ended the dream run of qualifier Halep 63 60. Serena was slow to start, saving break points in her first service game and being broken in the third game. However, Halep tired and Serena won 11 of the last 12 games. This is her first final here since she won back in 2002! She looks to become the second woman behind Safina in 2009 to win Madrid and Rome back to back.
3/3 Azarenka battled her opponent, the crowd and the weather to beat (6/7) Errani 60 75. Azarenka was brilliant in the first set despite a rain delay as Errani managed only 7 points. Despite Azarenka taking a break lead at 3-1 in the second set, Errani was using the crowds energy to lift her game. She came back to serve for the first set at 5-4 but ultimately fell victim to Azarenka's relentless ball striking, particularly from her back hand side. Still, for Errani it's been a great week; yet another where she's pushed a top player to 7-5 in a set in the semis of a huge clay court event. This is Azarenka's first Rome final as she looks to win her first big clay court event.
Serena dominates the head to head 12-2 against Azarenka. She won their only previous clay court meeting in last years Madrid final 61 63! However, Azarenka is one of only two players to beat Serena this year, back in the final of Doha (see here http://wtadohaqatar.blogspot.co.uk/) and has only lost once herself this season. It should be Serena's toughest match this week, seeing as she's only dropped 10 games to get here! I predict Serena will win in two sets, the first being easier than the second.
Friday, 17 May 2013
Serena hits 22!
The quarter finals were all completed today.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena won her 22nd successive match, thrashing Suarez Navarro 62 60. This is her longest ever winning streak as she moves into her 6th semi final here.
2/2 Sharapova withdrew prior to her match with (6/7) Errani due to a viral illness. Sharapova's winning streak here remains intact at 12.
3/3 Azarenka played poorly but continued her unbeaten record against (10/9) Stosur 64 16 63. Stosur hit more winners, only two less unforced errors, won more points and broke Victoria as many times as she was broken with 6 breaks. However, Azarenka obviously won all the most important points as she moves into only her second semi here!
Qualifier Halep continued her amazing run through the tournament, upsetting the former two time champion Jankovic 46 60 75. Jankovic let the match slip through nerves and being passive under pressure; she led 3-0 in the third, then later served for the match at 5-4 and even held two match points at 40-15. Halep will now play her biggest career match against Serena! Oh no! Still, Halep has beaten Hantuchova, Kuznetsova, Radwanska, Vinci and Jankovic regardless! What a week!
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena won her 22nd successive match, thrashing Suarez Navarro 62 60. This is her longest ever winning streak as she moves into her 6th semi final here.
2/2 Sharapova withdrew prior to her match with (6/7) Errani due to a viral illness. Sharapova's winning streak here remains intact at 12.
3/3 Azarenka played poorly but continued her unbeaten record against (10/9) Stosur 64 16 63. Stosur hit more winners, only two less unforced errors, won more points and broke Victoria as many times as she was broken with 6 breaks. However, Azarenka obviously won all the most important points as she moves into only her second semi here!
Qualifier Halep continued her amazing run through the tournament, upsetting the former two time champion Jankovic 46 60 75. Jankovic let the match slip through nerves and being passive under pressure; she led 3-0 in the third, then later served for the match at 5-4 and even held two match points at 40-15. Halep will now play her biggest career match against Serena! Oh no! Still, Halep has beaten Hantuchova, Kuznetsova, Radwanska, Vinci and Jankovic regardless! What a week!
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Jankovic outlasts Li
The third round was completed under heavy skies today.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena was almost perfect in beating (16/14) Cibulkova 60 61, hitting 40 winners to 16 unforced errors to reach her 10th quarter final here. It was her 21st straight match win, equally her career best streaks from 2002 and 2003. One more to go!
2/2 Sharapova handily dealt with (17/16) Stephens 62 61 to reach her 5th quarter final here.
3/3 Azarenka got lucky when Morita retired with a thigh injury down 61 20 to reach her third quarter final here.
5/5 Li hit 62 unforced errors in going down to Jankovic 76(2) 75. Li struggled in the heavy conditions and couldn't take advantage of Jelena's nerves as she struggled to serve out the first set at 5-3 having held five set points and at 5-4 in the second set. For Jankovic, the two time former champion, this is her seventh quarter final here.
6/7 Errani also benefited from a retirement as (12/12) Kirilenko quit down 63 20 with a knee injury. This is Errani's best ever appearance here which will see her crack the top 5!
8/8 Kvitova lost a close three set match to (10/9) Stosur 75 26 61. Stosur had lost all four of her previous meetings against the Czech and moves into her second quarter final here.
Elsewhere, Suarez Navarro beat her compatriot Dominguez Lino 62 63 and qualifier Halep thrashed (15/13) Vinci 64 62.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena was almost perfect in beating (16/14) Cibulkova 60 61, hitting 40 winners to 16 unforced errors to reach her 10th quarter final here. It was her 21st straight match win, equally her career best streaks from 2002 and 2003. One more to go!
2/2 Sharapova handily dealt with (17/16) Stephens 62 61 to reach her 5th quarter final here.
3/3 Azarenka got lucky when Morita retired with a thigh injury down 61 20 to reach her third quarter final here.
5/5 Li hit 62 unforced errors in going down to Jankovic 76(2) 75. Li struggled in the heavy conditions and couldn't take advantage of Jelena's nerves as she struggled to serve out the first set at 5-3 having held five set points and at 5-4 in the second set. For Jankovic, the two time former champion, this is her seventh quarter final here.
6/7 Errani also benefited from a retirement as (12/12) Kirilenko quit down 63 20 with a knee injury. This is Errani's best ever appearance here which will see her crack the top 5!
8/8 Kvitova lost a close three set match to (10/9) Stosur 75 26 61. Stosur had lost all four of her previous meetings against the Czech and moves into her second quarter final here.
Elsewhere, Suarez Navarro beat her compatriot Dominguez Lino 62 63 and qualifier Halep thrashed (15/13) Vinci 64 62.
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Seeds look solid early on
The top seeds managed to avoid too much trouble in the remaining second rounds today.
(Rank/Seed)
2/2 Two time defending champion Sharapova didn't face a break point against Muguruza, winning 62 62.
3/3 Azarenka put last weeks disappointment firmly behind her with a 62 60 thrashing of Goerges as she too didn't face a break point.
5/5 Li powered past her compatriot Zheng 63 61 as she too put her Madrid struggles behind her as she adjusted to the outdoor clay court.
6/6 Errani finally overcame McHale 75 57 62, having initially led 75 52 and missing out on 5 match points. She ultimately won the match on her ninth match point having been choked by the tension when trying to close out the match earlier.
10/9 Stosur maintained her unbeaten record against Peng 76(5) 60; twice coming from a break behind in the first set.
(Rank/Seed)
2/2 Two time defending champion Sharapova didn't face a break point against Muguruza, winning 62 62.
3/3 Azarenka put last weeks disappointment firmly behind her with a 62 60 thrashing of Goerges as she too didn't face a break point.
5/5 Li powered past her compatriot Zheng 63 61 as she too put her Madrid struggles behind her as she adjusted to the outdoor clay court.
6/6 Errani finally overcame McHale 75 57 62, having initially led 75 52 and missing out on 5 match points. She ultimately won the match on her ninth match point having been choked by the tension when trying to close out the match earlier.
10/9 Stosur maintained her unbeaten record against Peng 76(5) 60; twice coming from a break behind in the first set.
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Radwanska and Wozniacki woes continue!
The early rounds of Rome saw a number of tough battles for the top seeds and not all of them survived.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena extended her winning run to 20 straight matches, avenging her sister Venus's first round loss to Britain's very own Robson 62 62 in the second round. However, Serena predicts Laura will be a great player and at times in the match she genuinely outhit the number one, hitting more winners than Serena!
4/4 Radwanska continues to struggle as she was edged by qualifier Halep 67(2) 61 62. Radwanska struggles on clay and even though she hadn't dropped a set against the Romanian in their past three meetings, Halep's greater tactical awareness helped her dominate the second and third sets. Radwanska has struggled to win easily lately against lower ranked players and has now lost in two successive huge clay court events in the second round as her French Open hopes look distinctly bleak!
8/8 Kvitova once again was pushed to three sets on clay, beating Lisicki 64 06 75, having trailed 1-3 in the third. Kvitova let an easy miss distract her in the second set as she didn't even hit one winner! However, this second round means that Kvitova has now won 5 of the 6 three set matches she's played on clay, which will no doubt give her confidence.
9/10 Wozniacki lost a heart breaker to Jovanovski 26 64 76(5) in almost three hours. Wozniacki had won both their previous encounters and the Serb hadn't won a match since January. Wozniacki led 4-0, then served for the match at 5-4 and even led 5-2 in the tiebreak. Still, despite cramps, Jovanovksi played much more aggressively and pulled off only her second top 10 win. Wozniacki is in a real hole with this first round loss; she's now lost 4 straight matches!
10/9 Stosur got her first win since Fed Cup with a 62 63 victory over Hsieh in the first round.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena extended her winning run to 20 straight matches, avenging her sister Venus's first round loss to Britain's very own Robson 62 62 in the second round. However, Serena predicts Laura will be a great player and at times in the match she genuinely outhit the number one, hitting more winners than Serena!
4/4 Radwanska continues to struggle as she was edged by qualifier Halep 67(2) 61 62. Radwanska struggles on clay and even though she hadn't dropped a set against the Romanian in their past three meetings, Halep's greater tactical awareness helped her dominate the second and third sets. Radwanska has struggled to win easily lately against lower ranked players and has now lost in two successive huge clay court events in the second round as her French Open hopes look distinctly bleak!
8/8 Kvitova once again was pushed to three sets on clay, beating Lisicki 64 06 75, having trailed 1-3 in the third. Kvitova let an easy miss distract her in the second set as she didn't even hit one winner! However, this second round means that Kvitova has now won 5 of the 6 three set matches she's played on clay, which will no doubt give her confidence.
9/10 Wozniacki lost a heart breaker to Jovanovski 26 64 76(5) in almost three hours. Wozniacki had won both their previous encounters and the Serb hadn't won a match since January. Wozniacki led 4-0, then served for the match at 5-4 and even led 5-2 in the tiebreak. Still, despite cramps, Jovanovksi played much more aggressively and pulled off only her second top 10 win. Wozniacki is in a real hole with this first round loss; she's now lost 4 straight matches!
10/9 Stosur got her first win since Fed Cup with a 62 63 victory over Hsieh in the first round.
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