Petra Kvitova vs Barbora Zahlavova Strycova

Wimbledon brings the best out of some players and it is safe to say that Petra Kvitova is one of those players. She has been to the quarter-finals or better in each of her last 4 outings and she played one of the best matches of the tournament in sending the 5 time Wimbledon Champion Venus Williams home in the third round.

Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova are the only former Wimbledon champions left in the draw and both are in opposite halves of the draw.

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova is having the tournament of her life. She sent Australian Open champion and world no.2 Li Na home in the third round, then saw off former world no.1 Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round to make it to her first grand slam quarter-final. Grass is a surface that rewards Strycovas game and she should be confident and up for the challenge that Kvitova will be presenting.

The pair have played four times, with Kvitova winning thrice and Strycova getting the better of Kvitova once. All their prior matches have been on hard courts. Their last encounter was in Indian Wells in 2012 won by Kvitova in straight sets.

With Serena Williams and Li Na already home, this might be Kvitova's best chance to win another slam, however we have seen this before and we have seen Kvitova falter before just like Radwanska. Kvitova talked about her loss at the hands of Flipkens in last year's quarter-finals and how it hurt her, so expect her to be pumped to make it to the end of the tournament.

Strycova is into her first grand slam quarter-final and nerves are sure to play their part on the big stage. The pair play their match on Centre Court. Kvitova should be able to handle the match and walk off Centre Court smiling with a win unless she is having a terribly off day.

Winner : Petra Kvitova

Lucie Safarova vs Ekaterina Makarova (Wimbledon QF Preview)

Lucie Safarova and Ekaterina Makarova both are having their best Wimbledon results and have equalled their best Grand Slam outings. There will be a lot on the line for both players, a career first Slam semi-final and a chance to surpass their career best singles rankings. Currently they are separated by just one spot in the rankings with Safarova sitting at no.23 and Makarova at 22. Their career best singles rankings have been near each other as well, with Safarova peaking at no.17 and Makraova going up-to no.19.

Makarova's best Wimbledon result had been a 3rd round showing last year, while Safarova progressed to the same stage in 2007.

The pair has played twice before and have split their meetings with Sfarova coming out on top in straight sets in Moscow in 2009 on hard courts while Makarova avenged that defeat in Madrid last year in straight sets.

Grass suits the game of both players and both were ruthless in their fourth round matches. Safarova was the first to advance as she put a master-class performance to end the Wimbledon dreams of Tereza Smitkova. Sfarova won 91% points behind her first serve and 62% behind her second serve to win 6-2 6-0. Safarova went 19-4 for winners - unforced errors.

Makarova had a greater task on hand in former WImbledon finalist Radwanska but she was up for it as she put in 78% of her first serves and won 87% of those points. Makarova hit 24 winners to just 6 unforced errors in her 6-3 6-0 win over Radwanska.

Nerves will be a factor in this match. Makarova is a more experienced player at this stage, she has been to the quarter-finals of grand slams thrice and has also been a winner and a runners up in doubles at Grand Slams (Roland Garros and Australian Open respectively). Safarova on the other hand has never been beyond the quarter-finals either in singles or doubles. This is just her second grand slam quarter-final.

It should be a good match with both players games well suited for grass. The serve and the nerve will be the deciding factor, the player who better manages both will come out on top. Makarova might have an emotional let down after her win over Radwanska, but given her performance (excluding the first round) she should be favoured to make it to her first grand slam semi-final. My gut feeling is Safarova will tough it out but my head says Makarova will handle the Czech and march to her first grand slam semi-final.

Winner : Makarova

Sharapova impressive in Open GDF Suez 2014 opener

Maria Sharapova made an impressive start to her Open GDF Suez campaign. Sharapova had a bye in the first round as the top seed of the tournament and played Daniela Hantuchova in the second round today.

Hantuchova had won her first round against Marina Erakovic, who had to retire trailing 3-6 0-3.

Sharapova came out firing, while Hantuchova came out mis-firing. It was interesting to see that Hantuchova won just 3 points on her first serve and none of the points played on her second serve. Sharapova who has had problems with her serve, fired 6 aces and saved all 3 break points she faced as she handed Hantuchova a bagel in the first set.

Sharapova kept the momentum going on serve in the second set as she fired 4 aces, totalling 10 for the match and saved 4 break points. Sharapova broke Hantuchova to win the match. It is interesting to note that Hantuchova failed to win a single point on her second serve in the entire match.

Sharapova will face the winner of Yvonne Meusburger vs Kirsten Flipkens.

Quotable Quotes - Australian Open Day Four

Australian Open finally saw the implementation of the heat rule on the fourth day. There were some epic encounters. Sharapova toughed it out against Knapp, Navarro outlasted Voskoboeva, Delpotro was stunned by Spanish Roberto Bautista Agut. Federer and Nadal had routine wins.

Sharapova and Knapp raised concerns regarding heat rule, but it was Roger Federer who won the quote of the day award. 

Let us see what the players had to say

Roger Federer

Roger Federer

“I like the check‑ins at airports.  Packing the bags is good fun.  What else?  Playing in 42 degrees heat (laughter).” – when asked what is the best part of being Roger Federer

“Wouldn't win because these guys are already winning, so...” in response to the question ‘Andy Murray was asked a fun question the other day.  If there was an imaginary tournament of the player with the legendary coach, he thought that he and Lendl would win.  Hewitt said that he and Patrick would win.  How do you think you and Stefan would step up?’

“Thank you for the compliment.  Finally I get one (smiling).  It's been a while.” – when told that he moved well.

Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro

“I think sometimes the favorites lose very early in a Grand Slam, like Federer in Wimbledon or Rafa, and then other ones in the US Open.  Here is my chance to get out very early in the tournament.” – when aksed he was one of the favourites to make out his section of draw

Andy Murray

“So I think obviously after the tournament's finished, I'm sure there will be some discussions between the ATP, and the ITF to maybe shore up the rules a little bit and make it a little bit, you know, easier for everybody to understand.” – when asked if the tournament officials have been fair with the heat policy

Milos Raonic

“But I do like to watch him play.” – when asked does he watch Dimitrov much

Sloane Stephens

“Nashville, The Good Wife.  Scandal.  I watch Scandal every week.  My little shows I watch on my computer.  That's pretty much it.  I don't like to do much.  Pretty low key.” – when asked what shows she watches

"Yeah.  Like, yeah, it was intense.  Like that's the worst thing, to be outside when it's lightning or to be in the middle of the ocean like by yourself." – when asked if she could see the lighting from the court.

Victoria Azarenka

“A little bit.  Just a little bit.  I saw a little bit match of Tsonga and that's it.  And Rafa a little bit.” – when asked did she watch any other match.

“Actually my grandmother named me that.  I had have to thank her because my parents wanted to call my Daria, and I don't think that suits me at all.” – when asked about the story of her name.

Vasek Posposil

“Yeah, no, I mean, it seems I don't want to play him.  Retired against him twice now.  Really unfortunate injury for me.” When asked if he was aftraid to play Stanislas Wawrinka

Rafael Nadal

"I never felt the crowd against me.  I felt most of the times the crowd behind me, and that's something I just can say thank you very much to the Australian fans." – when asked does he feel pressure playing a local player at their home slam.

Caroline Wozniacki

"I think you always believe you can win, but you still have quite a few matches to go.  So I'm just thinking one match at a time." – when asked if she felt like she was playing like she can win the title.

Karin Knapp

"I think you always believe you can win, but you still have quite a few matches to go.  So I'm just thinking one match at a time." – when asked about heat rules

Maria Sharapova

"I asked the trainer the other day, What does it take for the roof to be closed or matches to be stopped?  She said, We have no control over this." – when asked about the heat rules.

Navarro oulasts Voskoboeva in Australian Open

As Maria Sharapova and Karin Knapp were engaged in a thrilling encounter , Carla Saurez Navarro and Galina Voskoboveva made sure that the people watching their match on the show court 2, got their money's worth.

Carla Saurez Navarro won a tight first set in the tie-break 7-6(2), winning 5 more points than her opponent. Second serve return let Voskoboeva down as she won just 3 of the 11 points played on Navarro's second serve.

Voskoboeva upped her aggression in the second set posting a +2 winner-unforced error differential, Navarro on the other hand had -2 differential. Better return of second serve helped her cause and she succeeded in forcing the decider as she took the second set 6-3.

As the third set started, errors began creeping into Voskoboeva's game and Navarro welcomed those errors and won the enthralling 81 minutes 3rd set 8-6.

Navarro will try to recover from the heat and exhaustion and be ready for another battle against Dominika Cibulkova in the third round, who had a very easy match winning 6-0 6-1 over Stefanie Voegele.

Interesting Stat : Cibulkova's win took less time than the first set of the Navarro-Voskoboeva match. Cibulkova won in 57 minutes, whereas the first set of Navarro-Voskoboeva match lasted 60 minutes.

Muguruza sets Wozniacki clash in Australian Open

Garbine Muguruza, who has been dubbed as a talent to watch, eased past Anna Schmiedlova in the second round of Australian Open. Muguruza defeated Schmiedlova 6-3 6-3 to set a date with former World no.1 Caroline Wozniacki.

The winners-unforced errors differential tells the whole story of the match. In the first set Muguruza hit 13 winners to just 1 by Schmiedlova, though both players converted 100% of their break point chances. Schmiedlova broke Muguruza twice, but Muguruza went one step ahead breaking her opponent 3 times to seal the opener in just 28 minutes.

The second set last almost as long, as Muguruza blasted 11 winners past Schmiedlova and converted 3 of her 5 break point chances to win the set and match. The match lasted 1 hour and 7 minutes.

Muguruza will have her hands full in the next match, however, if she keeps up the aggression she showed today, she will definitely be up for an upset and a trip into the second week of Australian Open.

Quotable Quotes - Australian Open Day three

Day three saw players moving into the third round. Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Li Na all winning their matches and making it to the third round. The quote of the day award, however, goes to the Canadian Young gun, Eugenie Bouchard.

Let us take a look at the extracts of what some of the players said

Eugenie Bouchard

“No, I just thought because she was French they do the kissy thing.  I thought she maybe kind of wanted to.  I was hesitating.  I just kind of went for it (laughter).” – when asked that she was warm during hand shake at net.

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

“That's a good question. But for me it's important to always know where I come from, be grateful for the life that I have, of course cherish and nurture every moment spent on the court.” When asked what is the best thing about being Novak Djokovic

Serena Williams

“I never look at the draw ever, ever, ever.” – when asked does she look at the draw.

Li Na

“Don't try to ask that, okay?  (Laughter.) Both players pretty good, really “– when asked whether Ana Konjuh is better player or Belinda Bencic

“On that moment I'm not think about retired, because is not about how is the ball I hit on the court.  It's about so many thing off the court, you know.” – when asked if she would have retired had she not performed better at Wimbledon.

“I think I answered before.” when asked about comments regarding hot weather in Melbourne.

Belinda Bencic

“I don't know.  Go shopping (smiling)?” – when asked what she will do with her prize money.

Stanislas Wawrinka

Stanislas Wawrinka

“I'm not going to win the tournament, so we're not there yet. I can go skydiving without winning the tournament.  It's not a problem for me.” – when asked if he would go skydiving if he wins the tournament.

Ana Ivanovic

“I just feel happy competing.  I find strength and I enjoy having long points, long rallies, long games, and tough matches.  That's what I was lacking in the past.” – when asked if she has to be positive on the court.

“I really tried to also listen to lot of people's advices.  It wasn't always the right choice.” – when asked about her coaching changes since 2008.

“Actually I've been not reading that much last few days.  I've been reading this book by Jeffrey Archer.  It's trilogy.  I'm on the third book “– when asked what she is reading these days

Quotable Quotes - Australian Open Day two

First round of the Australian Open 2014 completed. Let us take a look at what the players said. Quote of the day award goes to Marinko Matosevic. 

Here is an extract of some the interesting quotes from players.

Caroline Wozniacki

“Yeah, just had an ice bath now.  Yeah, I could go out and play another two sets now (smiling).”

Victoria Azarenka

"It felt pretty hot, like you're dancing in a frying pan or something like that." - on the heat during the day 

Jo Wilfried Tsonga

"So when I come back, you know, it's always a party (smiling).  It's great." - on what he loves when he is home 

Roger Federer

Roger Federer 

“I realize after a set I didn't look up once yet.  I better check if he's actually sitting there.  I did see them.  He was wearing sunglasses.  Okay, he is there.” - when asked he did not look up to his coach Stefan Edgberg

Marinko Matosevic

"That was bullshit." – when asked about time violation in the third set.

"I wanted my coach to vocally support me, but he wouldn't"

"I don't give a shit, man.  What do you want me to say to that?" – when asked that you have yet to win a grand slam match.

Andy Murray

Andy Murray

"I don't know." – When asked should Odesnik being on tour.

Lleyton Hewitt

"Every Grand Slam loss is tough.  There's no easy ones."  – on how tough the loss was.

Sloane Stephens

"It is pain free, but I feel like I have like an old person's hand."  – on her wrist

Rafael Nadal

"No, the period off didn't create me more love for the game or more passion for the game.  I always played with that intensity, in my opinion" – when asked if the extended time off made him fall in love with tennis again.

Who do you think had the most interesting quote of all?

Samantha Stosur vs Simona Halep (Kremlin Cup Final)

If Samantha Stosur produced a clean performance to down Svetlana Kuznetsova, Simona Halep produced a master-class to crush Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a spot in the final of  Kremlin Cup. Halp raced to a 4-0 lead in both sets and while Pavlyuchenkova managed to get one break back in the first set after holding at 4-1, that was all she could do. The second set followed the pattern of the first set with the only difference that Pavlyuchenkova could not break Halep's serve. Halep won the match 62 61.

Samantha Stosur will be bidding to win her 6th career title and 3rd of the year, while Halep will be looking to win her 5th title of the season in as many finals this year. Halep will be going for her 5th career title as well.

Stosur leads the head to head 3-1, however, Halep has won their most recent encounter. The only time the pair met this year was in Cincinnati where Halep won in 3 sets 64 46 62.

Both Halep and Stosur have yet to drop a set. Another interesting fact is that whoever wins the title will be the first woman from her country to win the Kremlin Cup in the 20 years history of the tournament.

Halep will make her top 15 debut courtesy of her final run here and will set a new career high ranking. 

Both players are looking in fine form and this could turn into a mental battle and we all know that that is one department where Stosur is not strong enough.

Both players have their plus, Stosur is on a 9 match winning streak and will be looking to win back to back titles at consecutive tournaments for the first time in her career. She leads Halep 3-1 in the pair's head to head. Halep on the other hand is 4-0 in the finals this year, and has won the pair's only meeting this year on hard courts. She has lost only 7 games on her way to the final.

Who will win the title, Stosur or Halep? The player who keeps her head clean will have an advantage.

Pick: Stosur in 3 sets. (Although my mind is telling me Halep may have something to say in straight sets ;) )

Stosur tops Kuznetsova to reach Moscow finals

Samantha Stosur continued her season ending strong run with a straight sets victory over Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova. Stosur defeated Kuznetsova 62 64.

Kuznetsova failed to hold her serve in the first set as the first 6 games saw 5 breaks of serve. Kuznetsova broke Stosur to get the back on serve when Stosur served at 3-1, but that was the last game Kuznetsova won in the first set as Stosur won the next 3 games to win the set.

The second set started with a hold by Stosur followed by first hold of the match for Kuznetsova. Stosur mixed things up and raced to build a 5-1 lead and just when the match seemed over Kuznetsova caught fire and Stosur got tight as Kuznetsova won the next 3 games to bring the set back to serve, but once there Stosur stepped up and Kuznetsova faltered and Stosur broke Kuznetsova to win the match and book a place in the championship match of Kremlin Cup for the second straight year.

It was a poor performance by Kuznetsova, who made a horrible attempt at an easy smash which landed on her side of the court in the final game of the match, and though Kuznetsova saved a match point she hit a forehand long on the second match point to hand Stosur her 3rd win over Kuznetsova in as many matches in this season.

Samantha Stosur will play the winner of Simpna Halep and Anastasia Pavyluchenkova, who are currently playing their match with Halep up a break in the first set.

Kremlin Cup Semi-Finals - 2013

Samantha Stosur and Svetlana Kuznetsova asre set to battle it out in the first semi-final, while Simon Halep and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will be fighting for a spot in the championship match in the second semi-final.

Stosur vs Kuznetsova
Stosur and Kuznetsova are tied in their head to head at 3 each, with Stosur winning their last 2 matches played in 2013. Stosur and Kuznetsova have also made it to the doubles semi-finals as a team, both are accomplished doubles payers as well.

Stosur Kuznetsova match will be a battle between former U.S Open champions, Stosur 2011 and Kuznetsova 2004. This is the second semi-final appearance at Kremlin Cup by both players, Stosur finished runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki last year here in 3 sets. Kuznetsova, however has never made it beyond the semi-finals, her only semi-final appearance came in 2007 when she fell at the hands of Serena Williams.

Kuznetsova should be favoured given her form but Stosur is on a 8 match winning streak and would like to build on that. It will all depend on which Kuznetsova shows up in the match. The match will start in about half an hour.


Pick: Kuznetsova in 3 sets.

Halep vs Pavlyuchenkova

Simona Halep and Pavlyuchenkova will meet for the the third time with Halep winning both of their previous encounters. This has been a breakthrough season for Halep, who has won 4 titles this year, second only to Serena Williams.

This is Halep's second appearance at the Kremlin Cup, she fell in the second round here last year. Pavlyuchenkova is making her 6th appearance, and this year marks the first time that she has made it out of the first round here.

Both are talented players and have held the top spot in their juniors days. This should be a good and entertaining match given the shot making abilities of both players.

Both Halep and Pavlyuchenkova have yet to lose a set. I want Pavlyuchenkova to win this one, but I have a feeling Halep will be all over Pavlyuchenkova and will book a spot in the championship match.

Pick: Halep in straight sets.

Who do you think will win?

Wozniacki, Kerber, Kvitova and Kuznetsova make the quarter-finals of Tokyo

Caroline Wozniacki is back to her winning ways, as she moved to the quarter-finals of the Tokyo with an impressive win over Magdalena Rybarikova bread-sticking her opponent in both sets. Awaiting Wozniacki in the quarter-finals is Lucie Safarova who defeated Samantha Stosur. Wozniacki won the match 61 61. Wozniacki is also making a late push towards Istanbul and with other hopefuls (Stephens, Jankovic, Vinci, Halep) out, she can make up some ground with some solid results here. Safarova and Wozniacki have split their 4 prior meetings.

Angelique Kerber, like Wozniacki is trying to make a late push towards Istanbul, as she got her first career win over Ana Ivanovic. She beat Ivanovic 64 62. Awaiting Kerber in the quarter-finals is the highest seed standing in the draw, Agnieszka Radwanska who defeated Cibulkova for a spot in quarter-finals. Kerber has a tougher task at hand if she is to make a push towards Istanbul.

Petra Kvitova and Svetlana Kuznetsova's 3rd round matches were postponed owing to rain yesterday, but both players won their matches earlier in the day today to book the only quarter-finals spot left in the draw. Kvitova defeated American youngster Madison Keys 62 62. Kuznetsova was down 4-1 when the play was stopped yesterday, but regrouped when the match was resumed today to win the first set in the tie-break and then breeze through the second set against Sorana Cristea, winning the match 76(3) 61. Kuznetsova and Kvitova are scheduled to play later tomorrow for a spot in the semi-finals.

Bouchard, Venus and Safarova make the Quarter-finals of Tokyo

Eugenie Bouchard continued her impressive run in her Tokyo debut as she took down 6th seed Jelena Jankovic to score her second top 10 win and her first in a completed match. Bouchard's other top 10 win came against Samantha Stosur in Charleston earlier this year, when Stosur retired in the second set.

Bouchard was clearly the more aggressive of the two and went on a spree from 5-4 down in the first set  winning 11 games in a row to beat Jankovic 7-5 6-2. While Bouchard was clearly the more aggressive player, Jankovic was unable to put the ball in court for the last few games that I happened to catch.

However, this is an impressive result for the youngster, who had come back from being 75 53 down in the second round to beat Sloane Stephens. Awaiting Bouchard in the quarter-finals is former world no.1 Venus Williams.

Venus Williams backed up her upset over world no.2 Victoria Azarenka in the second round with a win over Simona Halep. Halep was looking to make up some ground in the race to the championships, but Venus had some other plans. Venus beat Halep 46 75 63. Halep was thrice up a break in the second set, but Venus's fighting spirit and never say die attitude kept her alive in the match and at the end it pulled her across the line for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Agnieszka Radwanska got revenge when she beat Dominika Cibulkova 63 64 to book a quarter-final spot. Cibulkova had beaten Radwanska in the pair's last meeting in the final of Stanford. This was Radwanska's 400th career win.

Lucie Safarova ended Samantha Stosur's Tokyo campaign with a straight sets vicotry over the former U.S Open champion, winning the match 64 64. Safarova was 6-2 when she entered, and has now won previous 4 encounters against Stosur. This is a disappointing result for the Aussie given her potential and her fitness. The problems with her game seem to have something to do with her mind. Stosur is one of the few players who can match Serena Williams on the tour in every department and can give her a run for her money, but the lack of mental toughness has always been a problem for Stosur.