Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts

Monday, September 8, 2008

WTA Update: Serena wins US Open


Serena Williams needed only two sets to win her match against Jelena Jankovic on Sunday night. Williams defeated Jankovic to win her third and her ninth grand slam title.

Williams won the first set 6-4 and the second set 7-5. Williams needed only two hours to win the match.

It's Williams' first grand slam title since the 2007 Australian Open and only her third grand slam title since 2005.

Williams won the match despite picking up 39 unforced errors in the match. The match was so competitive that Williams won only 10 more points than Jankovic.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Friday, September 5, 2008

WTA Update: Jankovic vs. Williams in US Open Final

After two weeks of battling it out we are now down to our final two competitors at the US Open. These two will face off against each other on Saturday night. No.-2 ranked Jelena Jankovic will face no.-4 ranked Serena Williams.

Jankovic defeated Elena Dementieva in straight sets to advance to her first ever final at the US Open. Jankovic won the match 6-4 (twice). Jankovic made fewer mistakes in the match and that made the difference. JJ had only one double fault in the match.

Meanwhile, Williams defeated Dinara Safina to reach a US Open final for the fourth time. It's her first US Open final since 2002. Williams won her semifinal match in straight sets, 6-3 and 6-2.

This match will be the seventh encounter for JJ and Williams. The series is currently tied at three. If Williams wins, it's another grand slam title added to her legacy. If Jankovic wins, it's a beginning of a legacy for her.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

WTA Update: One Williams sister remains

We're now officially down to the final four at the US Open.

Serena Williams needed two tiebreakers to defeat her older sister, Venus in straight sets. Serena won the first set 7-6, winning the tiebreaker 8-6. Serena would also win the second set 7-6, winning the tiebreaker 9-7. The sisters combined to win almost 200 total points. The difference between the two was that Venus had more unforced errors. Venus had 45 unforced errors in the match, while Serena had 28. The match took almost 2 1/2 hours to complete.

Dinara Safina had an easier match than the Williams sisters had. The no.-6 ranked player won her match in straight sets over Flavia Pennetta. The scores were 6-3 and 6-2.

Safina and Williams will now face each other in the semifinals. Jelena Jankovic and Elena Dementieva face off in the other semifinal.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

WTA Update: Jankovic and Dementieva advance

The quarterfinals got underway at the US Open on Tuesday. There was no shocking upsets to worry about on Tuesday.

Jelena Jankovic advanced to the semifinals for the second time ever at the US Open. The no.-2 ranked player in the world defeated Sybille Bammer in straight sets 6-1 and 6-4. Bammer had 40 unforced errors in the match, while JJ had only 14.

Elena Dementieva had an easy quarterfinal match as well. Dementieva defeated Patty Schnyder in straight sets 6-2 and 6-3.

We'll have more quarterfinal action tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

WTA Update: Down to the final eight at Flushing

We're now down to our final eight in the 2008 edition of the US Open. The quarterfinals get underway later today.

Here's a look at the quarterfinal match-ups:

Jelena Jankovic vs. Sybille Bammer- Jankovic is making her third straight appearance in the quarterfinals here at Flushing Meadows. The No.-2 ranked player in the tournament reached the semifinals just once in 2006. As for Bammer, she's the no.-29 ranked seed and has made it to the quarterfinals for the first time at the US Open. Bammer defeated Marion Bartoli in the fourth round to advance to this point.

Elena Dementieva vs. Patty Schnyder- Dementieva has reached the quarterfinal at the US Open for a fifth time. The 2008 Olympic gold medalist has fared well at the US Open, reaching the finals in 2004. Dementieva has had an easy road on the way to the quarterfinals, she has not dropped a set. As for Schnyder, this is her second trip to the quarterfinals here at Flushing Meadows. This 29-year-old has yet to reach a final at a grand slam. A win today will certainly improve her chances.

Dinara Safina vs. Flavia Pennetta- It's been a fairy good year for Safina. She made the French Open final this year and is now making her second quarterfinals appearance at the US Open. Safina's toughest match came in the third round, when she needed three sets to defeat Timea Bacsinszky. Pennetta is making her first appearance in the quarterfinals. Could she knock off Safina, anything is certainly possible.

Venus Williams vs. Serena Williams- When these two aren't facing each other at Wimbledon, they face each other in the US Open. The last time these two faced each other was in the Wimbledon final this year. Venus won that match. The last time these two faced each other in the US Open, it was in the fourth round in 2005. Venus won that match again. Venus is 2-1 lifetime against her younger sister, Serena.

Monday, September 1, 2008

WTA Update: Jankovic moves on to quarterfinals

Jelena Jankovic defeated Carolina Wozniacki in three sets to advance on to the quarterfinals of the US Open. Jankovic struggled early on, losing the first set.

Jankovic would win the next two sets with ease to advance on. Jankovic will now face Sybille Bammer in the quarterfinals. Bammer defeated Marion Bartoli in three sets to advance on.

Elena Dementieva advanced to the quarterfinals as well. She won her match over Na Li in straight sets. Dementieva will now face no.-15 seed Patty Schnyder. Schnyder won her match in three sets over Katarina Srebotnik.

Amalie Mauresmo, the Williams sisters and Dinara Safina are on tap for today's fourth round action.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

WTA Update: Davenport, Kuznetsova out of US Open

Day five of the US Open saw another upset occur.

Svetlana Kuznetsova was ousted in three sets to Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia. Kuznetsova won the second set tiebreaker to keep the match alive, but ultimately lost the third round.

Lindsay Davenport was also ousted when she lost to no.-12 seeded Marion Bartoli of France. Bartoli won the match in straight sets 6-1 and 7-6 (7-3).

I'll keep up the updates going on through the weekend, so stay tuned.

Friday, August 29, 2008

WTA Update: Ivanovic out at US Open


The biggest upset of the US Open has officially arrived. Top seed Ana Ivanovic was knocked out in the second round of the US Open. The no.-1 player in the world lost to Julie Coin of France.

Coin struck first in the match when she won the first set, 6-3. Being under pressure of losing, Ivanovic won the second set, 6-4. Coin won the deciding set, 6-3.

The loss was a huge blow, but didn't seem to be a surprise. Ivanovic had zero aces for the match, while Coin had five. Ivanovic had eight double faults and 34 unforced errors.

Ivanovic struggled to win her first round match, needing three sets to defeat Vera Dushevina. Ivanovic was also eliminated early from Wimbledon, thus ending her season in the grand slams.

Who knows what upsets we'll see yet! Anything is possible.

Photo Credit: Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Thursday, August 28, 2008

WTA Update: Day three results at US Open


Another day has come and gone at the one and only Flushing Meadows in New York.

No.-2 seed Jelena Jankovic needed three sets to win her second round match on Wednesday. Jankovic defeated Sofia Arviddson by a score of 6-3, 6-7 (7-5) and 7-5. Jankovic had three aces, but nine double faults in the match.

Svetlana Kuznetsova won her second round match on Wednesday, defeating Sorana Cirstea. Kuznetsova won the match 7-6 (7-3) and 6-1.

Elena Dementieva also advanced to the third round after her victory on Wednesday over Pauline Parmentier.

Lindsay Davenport also won her match on Wednesday. Davenport defeated Alisa Kleybanova in straight sets, 7-5 and 6-3, to advance to the third round.

The biggest upset of the day came when no.-8 seeded Vera Zvonareva lost to Tatiana Perebiynis in straight sets. Perebiynis won the match, 6-3 and 6-3.

Keep it tuned for here for a recap of day four, tomorrow!

Photo Credit: USOpen.org

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

WTA Update: Ivanovic advances

Day two has now left Flushing Meadows and there was a couple of surprises after the second day.

Ana Ivanovic survived a second set scare to win her first round match on Tuesday. The Serbian defeated Vera Dushevina of Russia. Ivanovic is coming off an injury that forced her to miss the Beijing Olympics, a couple of weeks ago.

The biggest upset of the day happened at the Grandstand courts when no.-11 seed Daniela Hantuchova lost to Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany in straight sets. Groenefeld defeated Hantuchova 6-4 and 6-2.

The Williams sisters had much better success on Tuesday. Both Venus and Serena won their matches in straight sets.

Among the winners Tuesday include Dinara Safina, Nadia Petrova, Bethanie Mattek, Agnes Szavay and Agnieszka Radwanska.

Keep it tuned here for more coverage of the US Open.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

WTA Update: Day 1 finished at US Open

Day 1 of the US Open has come and gone in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. It's the first time many of these athletes have competed since the Olympics in Beijing.

No.-2 seed Jelena Jankovic won in straight sets last night in her first round match. Jankovic defeated American, Coco Vandeweghe, 6-3 and 6-1.

No.-3 seed Svetslana Kuznetsova won her first round match on Monday afternoon. She defeated Shuai Zhang of China in straight sets, 6-4 and 6-2.

Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva also won her first round match on Monday when she defeated Akgul Amanmuradova in straight sets, 6-4 and 7-5.

Other winners on Monday include Lindsay Davenport, Caroline Wozniacki, Jie Zheng, Marion Bartoli and Patty Schnyder.

No.-10 seed Anna Chakvetadze of Russia was knocked out of the first round on Monday. The 21-year-old lost to Ekaterina Makarova in three sets. The scores were 1-6, 6-2 and 6-3.

Keep it tuned here for more US Open tennis coverage and make sure to enjoy the coverage for day two.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Olympics Preview: US Women's Tennis

We're now one month away from the beginning of the 2008 Olympic games, which are being held in Beijing, China. To get you ready for the Olympics, we are doing preview of all the U.S. women athletes that are Beijing bound. Today, we're profiling the U.S. women's tennis team.

Venus and Serena Williams will both be making another trip to the Olympics. For Venus it's her third trip and for Serena it's her second. Venus won two gold medals at the Sydney games in 2000. Serena has won only one gold medal and that was with her older sister, in the doubles portion of the 2000 games.

Lindsay Davenport has made it to her third straight summer games. Davenport won the singles gold medal at the Atlanta games in 1996. Davenport was knocked out of the second round at the 2000 summer games. At 32-years-old and a little over a year since she had her first child, there's no guarantees about Davenport's future. This could be her final Olympic games. A strong showing would be a great way for Davenport to finish her career as an Olympian.

Finally, we have a newcomer for the American women, Liezel Huber. Huber became an American citizen last year. The South African native has had doubles success in pro tennis. She now has the chance to make some noise for the American women at Beijing.

Monday, July 7, 2008

WTA Update: Ivanovic stays #1


Despite a third round knockout at Wimbledon, Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic remains at the top of the WTA singles rankings. Ivanovic holds a 143 point lead over second ranked Jelena Jankovic.

The only newcomer in the top five is Serena Williams, who lost in the Wimbledon final to older sister Venus. Despite her win on Saturday, Venus remains ranked in the seventh spot.

Wimbledon semifinalist Jie Zheng made one of the biggest moves in this week's rankings. Zheng was ranked no.-133 and is now no.-40 ranked.

Ivanovic continues to lead in the Race to the Sony Ericsson Championships. Jankovic is in second place and Serena Williams is in third.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Wimbledon Update: An All Williams Final


The Williams sisters will once again go head-to-head in a Wimbledon final, for the third time ever at the famous grand slam event.

Venus was the first to advance. The defending champion defeated Elena Dementieva in straight sets, 6-1 and 7-6 (7-3). Venus is looking to go for her fifth title at Wimbledon and eighth career grand slam overall.

Serena also won her match in straight sets. Serena defeated Jie Zheng 6-2 and 7-6 (7-5). Serena will be going for her third title at Wimbledon and her ninth career grand slam.

Serena has defeated Venus both times in their showdowns at Wimbledon. In fact, in grand slam finals, Serena has lost only once to her older sister and winning five of those matches. In fact, Serena has lost only twice in a grand slam final.

The odds are in favor of Serena, but don't count Venus out just yet.

If I don't see you guys this weekend, enjoy your 4th of July.

Nos

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Wimbledon Update: The Final Four


After over a week of battles, victories and defeats, we're now down to four women at Wimbledon. With the semi finals on Tuesday, these four have time to get ready to go.

The biggest story at Wimbledon right now is Jie Zheng. The soon to be 25-year-old has gone through player after player, making it to her first ever semi final at Wimbledon, as well as her first semi final in a grand slam. Zheng upset 18-seed Nicole Vaidisova in three sets. Zheng won the first set 6-2, lost the second set 7-5 and won the third set 6-1.

Zheng will now face Serena Williams, who defeated Agnieska Radwanksa in straight sets 6-4 and 6-0.

Elena Dementieva survived a second set tiebreaker loss, to advance to her first semi final at Wimbledon. Dementieva defeated 21-seed Nadia Petrova.

Venus Williams defeated Tamarine Tanasugarn in straight sets to advance to the semi finals. Williams will face Dementieva.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Wimbledon Update: Williams sisters advance, Jankovic and more out


The fourth round is over and done with at Wimbledon. Once again, we have another top seed upset as Jelena Jankovic lost in straight sets to Tamarine Tanasugarn, 6-3 and 6-2. Jankovic had 19 unforced errors in the match.

Tanasguarn will now face seventh seed Venus Williams in the quarterfinals. Williams defeated Alisa Kleybanova in straight sets, 6-3 and 6-4.

Sixth seed Serena Williams defeated Bethanie Mattek in straight sets (6-3 and 6-3.)

Fourth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova is also out after losing to Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets. Radwanksa won the first set 6-4. Kuznetsova fired back by winning 6-1 in the second set. Radwanksa would win the third set though, 7-5.

Radwanksa will now face Serena in the quarterfinals.

Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova both won their matches today in straight sets and will face off in the quarterfinals. This is the second time in the quarterfinals for both players.

Jie Zheng upset 15-seed Agnes Szavay in straight sets 6-3 and 6-4 to advance to her first ever quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Zheng will face 18-seed Nicole Vaidisova, who defeated 8-seed Anna Chakvetadze in the fourth round.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Wimbledon Update: The Round of 16 Preview

Today was an off day in England. The fourth round will get started on Monday. Here are the match ups.

Jie Zheng vs. #15 Agnes Szavay- Zheng scored one of the biggest upsets at Wimbledon when she knocked off Ana Ivanovic on Friday.

#18 Nicole Vaidisova vs. #8 Anna Chakvetadze- Whoever wins this match has the chance to potentially make it all the way to the semi finals.

#4 Svetslana Kuznetsova vs. #14 Agnieszka Radwanska- Kuznetsova has done very well for herself. A win over Radwanska would get Kuznetsova into the quarterfinals at Wimbledon for the fourth time (second straight.)

Bethanie Mattek vs. #6 Serena Williams- There are three American women in the final 16. Two of them will be going face to face. Only one will make their way into the quarterfinals.

#5 Elena Dementieva vs. #24 Shahar Peer- This is the farthest Peer has made it at Wimbledon. Peer scored a huge upset over #9 Dianara Safina. Dementieva had her easiest match in the third round when she defeated Gisela Dulko of Argentina.

#21 Nadia Petrova vs. Alla Kudryavtseva- The Russians are representing very well at Wimbledon. However, there will be one less Russian after this match.

#7 Venus Williams vs. Alisa Kleybanova- Williams looks to continue her dominance at Wimbledon. Kleybanova scored a huge win over #10 Daniela Hantuchova. Could the 17-year-old Russian score another huge upset?

#2 Jelena Jankovic vs. Tamarine Tanasugarn - Jankovic is the highest seeded woman left at Wimbledon. It's her third straight year in the fourth round. Jankovic needs a win to reach her first ever quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon. Tanasugarn is a veteran and has reached the fourth round of Wimbledon many times before. She's reached the fourth round for a seventh time. One of these two will make it to the quarterfinals for the first time in London.

Stay tuned

Friday, June 27, 2008

Wimbledon Update: Ivanovic ousted


Wimbledon has experienced its greatest upset yet in this tournament, when first seeded Ana Ivanovic was knocked out in the third round by Jie Zheng. Zheng won in straight sets 6-1 and 6-4. Zheng will now face 15-seed Agnes Szavay in the fourth round.

Fourth seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the fourth round after defeating Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in straight sets (6-2 and 6-4). Kuznetsova will now face Agnieszka Radwanska, who defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets (6-3 and 6-2).

In a battle of former Wimbledon champions, two-time champion Serena Williams defeated 2006 champion Amelie Mauresmo in straight sets. Williams clinched the first set 7-6. She won the tiebreaker 7-5. Williams, the sixth seed would win the second set, 6-1. Her opponent in the fourth round will be Bethanie Mattek. Mattek knocked off 11-seed Marion Bartoli, 6-4 and 6-1.

Eighth seed Anna Chakvetadze and 18-seed Nicole Vaidisova both advanced in their third round matches. They will square off against each other in the fourth round.

Jelena Jankovic, Elena Dementieva and Venus Williams are all slated to play tomorrow.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to do any updates until possibly Sunday night. At that time, I will post a preview the fourth round match-ups. I'll see you then.


Nos

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Wimbledon Update: Sharapova ousted



It's day four of Wimbledon and the tournament saw its first top seed upset on the women's side. Third seed Maria Sharapova lost in straight sets to unseeded Alla Kudryavtseva. Kudryavtseva defeated Sharapova 6-4 and 6-2. The elimination marks Sharapova's earliest exit ever at Wimbledon.

Lindsay Davenport is also out of the tournament and did not participate in today's match with Gisela Dulko. Davenport was unable to compete due to a knee injury. On Tuesday she struggled, but was still able to win her first round match. Gulko will now face fifth seed Elena Dementieva, who won in three sets today.

Second seed Jelena Jankovic won her second round match against Carla Suarez Navarro. Jankovic won in straight sets (6-1, 6-3). Jankovic will now face 31-seed Caroline Wozniacki in the third round.

Seventh seed Venus Williams defeated Anne Keothavong in straight sets, to advance to the third round. The defending champion won the first set, 7-5 and the second set 6-2. Williams' next opponent is Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

That's all I have. Feel free to check out the rest of the draws at this link.

I'll have a US Open recap later tonight.


Nos

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Wimbledon Update: Former champions do well

Another day has come and gone at the famed Wimbledon. Today saw three former champions win their first match.

Defending Wimbledon champion Venus Williams won her first round match today. She defeated Naomi Cavaday in straight sets 7-6 (7-5) and 6-1. After struggling in the first set, Williams made quick work of Cavaday. She'll face Anne Keothavong in the second round.

The 2004 champion, Maria Sharapova defeated Stephanie Foretz in straight sets (6-1, 6-4). Sharapova will now face Alla Kudryavtseva in the second round.

The 1999 champion, Lindsay Davenport, survived a second set loss, to win her first round match against Renata Voracova. Davenport won the first set 6-3, but lost the second set 7-5. Davenport held on to the third set to win 6-3. Davenport will now face Gisela Dulko in round two.

Finally, second seed Jelena Jankovic won her first round match in straight sets over Olga Savchuck (6-3 and 6-2). Jankovic now faces Carla Suarez Navarro from Spain in round two.

For more scores, go to Wimbledon.org