Q. Well, I guess how exciting is it for both of you, but I guess especially Martina‑ she's been away longer than Lisicki‑ to be in a final of a big tournament?
MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, it's been a while, seven years, right? No, but Sabine, having a great partner, I knew we had ‑‑ the first time we played last week in Indian Wells we got close. I mean, the draw wasn't like as easy, but I thought, Okay, now again, we have to just overcome the first match, first round, and then the draw kind of opened up and we played really good.
I think we just‑‑ the chemistry works out well. You know, what she doesn't have I have and vice versa. So I think it's really a great match that we played together.
SABINE LISICKI: And I also think saving the seven match points gave us a lot of confidence and a lot of belief, as well. So it definitely helped today.
Q. Do you need wildcards to get into these tournaments?
MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, because I don't have a ranking really.
Q. So are you thinking about that for the slams, as well?
MARTINA HINGIS: Hopefully we don't need them anymore. Two, three more tournaments, hopefully if we continue like we did here‑‑ I mean, you can't always expect everything like coming together like it did here, but obviously Sabine, like I mentioned today, the few tournaments that she plays in doubles, she always does very well and goes far in the draw.
I think right now we both going to make the big jump.
Q. Just full out, right? Semis of Wimbledon?
PLAYERS: Yeah. (Laughter.)
Q. Is that your plan to play almost full‑time doubles, or are you going to pick and choose?
MARTINA HINGIS: I think it's definitely up to Sabine. I mean, her priority is her singles. When she wants to play doubles and play ‑‑it started off with playing some matches before the singles.
Now I think it also helps for the singles definitely now to overcome like this time like, Oh, I want to win at least two, three matches and we don't just have to train all the time but get some matches in. I think this week was really important to win some doubles matches and now, since she's going to go to Charleston next week, so, yeah. We're not just like practicing, practice champions, right (smiling).
Q. Cara Black was across the net from you. She used to be a No. 1 player in doubles. Did she bring out some of the things that you had planned to play her?
MARTINA HINGIS: I played her last year in one of the tournaments, New Haven. That didn't come out that great.
SABINE LISICKI: I played her last year and beat her here.
MARTINA HINGIS: I think I played her, like I mentioned ‑‑I didn't mention before the match, I think 12 years ago I played in the semifinals against her and we lost with Daniela Hantuchova. I had a few matches open against her, but I think we played a few times in the past.
Q. So it hasn't been a long time since you played her?
MARTINA HINGIS: Only last year, but before was like 12 years.
Q. I know you have tried to come back a while ago with singles. Do you ever get that itch again when you see the other players and say, Hey, let me try the singles thing again?
MARTINA HINGIS: Not the singles itch, no, I don't have that one. The doubles I had for seven years but not the singles (laughter).
Q. What did you miss most about the game?
MARTINA HINGIS: Matches like the other day, you know, coming back from seven match points, it's like by a hair. You know, the ball was en route and the challenge, and, I mean, happiness and sadness are so close to each other, the adrenaline, and, you know, winning these matches.
It's like, wow, being in another finals. I mean, nothing compares to this when you're out there and winning matches.
Q. Do you feel like in your prime that you could have been competing with these girls of today, top 10? I know they are bigger and stronger, but you played strong women.
MARTINA HINGIS: Obviously the same names are out there. It's not like they have gone anywhere. Serena still No. 1, Na Li No. 2. I played Sharapova, I played Azarenka. The only one that I didn't play was probably Kvitova or Sabine.
But, no, I mean, I think at that time the Williams sisters were already the best, you know. When I played, they were coming. No, it's no different.
Q. Are you shocked that Serena is still the best at 32?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, she's playing smart. You know, she uses her experience. And also, in the last two years, she's done pretty well, I think, with Patrick Mouratoglou. He's helped her with a couple of things to play smarter.
Obviously before she was already winning Grand Slams, and now he helps her to get back to the top again.
Q. Is this catching you by surprise? Did you expect this much success at a tournament?
MARTINA HINGIS: Yes and no. It's like...
SABINE LISICKI: I think two weeks ago before Indian Wells, no; and then after Indian Wells, yes.
Well, because we played against Casey Dellacqua and Barty, and it was such a close game. We could have won it, but we just hadn't played together yet.
So we practiced and we played a few more doubles matches in practice, and then we started here being more a team on the court, knowing what who does, so I think that helps. With each match it made us better. That's good (smiling).
Q. So last year Lisa Raymond and Laura Robson, they lost in the final, another wildcard team in the final.
SABINE LISICKI: I think I haven't lost a doubles final.
MARTINA HINGIS: Good. (Laughter.)
SABINE LISICKI: I hope so. I hope I'm not mistaken now.
Q. We are going to check that out.
SABINE LISICKI: No, no, no, Wimbledon. Wimbledon finals. Yes. (Indiscernible.)
Q. Would you say of all the players today, someone has a similar game to you in the Big 10? Would it be maybe Radwanska? Do you see a similarity there?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, she's a great counterpuncher and has definitely great skills, but I'd still like to see her winning a Grand Slam. You know, that's like probably ‑‑ what I did maybe a little bit better is maybe from like being defense/offense, that game. I probably cut the cord a little bit more.
If she does that, if she could add that to her game, that would definitely help and maybe make her win a Grand Slam.
But it's easier said than done, right? Many of them out there who try to do the same.
Q. And the net game too, you're pretty proficient.
MARTINA HINGIS: Thank you. I will take that as a compliment.
Q. As far as I know, Fed Cup is going to be in Australia; is that correct?
SABINE LISICKI: Yes.
Q. Are you going to leave here to go there or will you stay over in Europe?
SABINE LISICKI: I'm available for the team, so Barbara Rittner is making the choice. So we will see, yes.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
asapsports.com
Showing posts with label Sony Ericsson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sony Ericsson. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 01, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
Martina Hingis wins first WTA doubles title in 7 years at Sony Open
hingis.ch forums
Former World No 1 Martina Hingis won her first title in seven years when she partnered Sabine Lisicki to win the Women's Doubles at the Sony Open in Miami.
Hingis and Lisicki, who entered the tournament as a wild-card entry, beat second seeded Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 4-6, 6-4, 10-5.
The final was the first for the 33-year-old Hingis since she came out of retirement last year to play doubles and was her first win since Doha in 2007.
The Swiss veteran and her German partner won the last seven points of the deciding super tiebreaker to take the trophy.
On their way to the final, Hingis and Lisicki beat sixth seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Safarova and fifth seeds Cara Black and Sania Mirza.
Hingis has now claimed three Key Biscayne titles following wins in 1998 and 1999 with Jana Novotna as her partner.
After almost six years in retirement, Hingis returned to the doubles tour in 2013, playing five WTA events alongside Daniela Hantuchova.
After the US Open she didn't play for another six months but got back in the game at Indian Wells alongside Lisicki earlier this month.
skysports.com
How awesome is it that 7 years later she comes back and wins a WTA doubles title.
Congrats Martina & Sabine, well done!.
Hopefully this win will spur her on, and she enters a few more doubles tournaments with Sabine in the months to come.
Maybe even at Wimbledon :).
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Martina Hingis & Sabine Lisicki in the finals of Sony Open doubles in Miami!
Tennis: Former world no.1 Martina Hingis booked her place in the first WTA tour final after 7 years as she partnered Sabine Lisicki of Germany to beat Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Sania Mirza of India in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinal of Sony Open in Miami.
This is the first time that Hingis has reached the final of a WTA tournament, since making her comeback last year. She had not even won consecutive two matches before this tournament.
Hingis had played 5 tournaments with Daniela Hantuchova last year but could only win 3 matches in 5 tournaments. She did not play any tournament after US Open but returned last week at Indian Wells with a different partner.
She and Sabine Lisicki lost in the first round at Indian Wells but here in Miami, in the first round they defeated No.6 seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Safarova. They also saved seven match points in their quarterfinal win over Anabel Medina Garrigues and Yaroslava Shvedova a few days ago.
Hingis is now through to the 52nd WTA doubles final of her career, going 37-14 in her first 51. But perhaps more importantly it's her first WTA doubles final since returning to the doubles tour last year - her last WTA doubles final came at Doha in 2007 (where she won the title with Maria Kirilenko).
Lisicki is through to the fourth WTA doubles final of her career and is 2-1 in her first three.
The second semifinal will take place later in the night session, as No.2 seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina face No.8 seeds Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears for a spot in Sunday's final.
tennisworldusa.org
Seems like this partnership is working out a lot better then her doubles stint with Hantuchova. Good luck ladies! :).
Friday, March 28, 2014
Martina Hingis reaches Sony Open doubles semis in Miami
Four-time Sony Open Champion Martina Hingis, who won two titles each in singles and doubles, had a flair for drama when she dominated women's tennis in the late 1990s.
But it's not likely that she ever produced anything quite as dramatic as she and doubles partner Sabine Lisicki did on Wednesday at the 2014 Sony Open Tennis in a thrilling quarterfinal match that included battling back from 7 match points, before they defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues andYaroslava Shvedova 3-6, 7-6(7) and 10-7 in a match defining super tiebreak.
"I don't ever think I had a match like this," said Hingis, adding that the tension and match points saved will undoubtedly lead to more confidence for the pairing. "You start to thrive on it."
Hingis, whose 2 singles titles (1997, 2000) sandwiched her doubles titles (1998, 1999) at the Sony, led an improbable comeback starting at 4-5 in the second set and 15-40 down. Hingis-Lisicki won three straight points to even the match at 5-5. At deuce in that game, Medina Garrigues hit a volley that was called out. After a challenge, replay showed that the volley missed by mere millimeters. "It missed by a hair," said Hingis.
The pair would turn away another two match points at 5-6 down and then two more in the 2nd set tiebreaker before defeating their opponents in a third-set super tiebreaker to win the match. Medina Garrigues and Shvedova had not lost a set coming into the quarterfinal.
Hingis and Sabicki, who were given a wildcard to enter the doubles tournament, are now into the Sony Open semifinals with Hingis only two matches away from winning her third Sony Open Tennis doubles title and her fifth overall. Hingis has already done better at the Sony Open than in her previous six tournaments since making her latest return to professional tennis.
The five-time singles Grand Slam winner and nine-time doubles Grand Slam champion has come out of retirement several times since first leaving the game in 2003. When asked if success at the Sony Open would lead to a repeat pairing at the Grand Slams, Hingis said she wasn't looking that long term. "I know we play Friday," she said.
Hingis and Lisicki have known each other since the latter was 10 years old and she traveled to Switzerland to practice with Hingis' mother. Lisicki said the friendship they share helps their chemistry on court. " We play great doubles together and have fun. That's why we are in the semis," said last year's Wimbledon finalist.
http://www.sonyopentennis.com/
But it's not likely that she ever produced anything quite as dramatic as she and doubles partner Sabine Lisicki did on Wednesday at the 2014 Sony Open Tennis in a thrilling quarterfinal match that included battling back from 7 match points, before they defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues andYaroslava Shvedova 3-6, 7-6(7) and 10-7 in a match defining super tiebreak.
"I don't ever think I had a match like this," said Hingis, adding that the tension and match points saved will undoubtedly lead to more confidence for the pairing. "You start to thrive on it."
Hingis, whose 2 singles titles (1997, 2000) sandwiched her doubles titles (1998, 1999) at the Sony, led an improbable comeback starting at 4-5 in the second set and 15-40 down. Hingis-Lisicki won three straight points to even the match at 5-5. At deuce in that game, Medina Garrigues hit a volley that was called out. After a challenge, replay showed that the volley missed by mere millimeters. "It missed by a hair," said Hingis.
The pair would turn away another two match points at 5-6 down and then two more in the 2nd set tiebreaker before defeating their opponents in a third-set super tiebreaker to win the match. Medina Garrigues and Shvedova had not lost a set coming into the quarterfinal.
Hingis and Sabicki, who were given a wildcard to enter the doubles tournament, are now into the Sony Open semifinals with Hingis only two matches away from winning her third Sony Open Tennis doubles title and her fifth overall. Hingis has already done better at the Sony Open than in her previous six tournaments since making her latest return to professional tennis.
The five-time singles Grand Slam winner and nine-time doubles Grand Slam champion has come out of retirement several times since first leaving the game in 2003. When asked if success at the Sony Open would lead to a repeat pairing at the Grand Slams, Hingis said she wasn't looking that long term. "I know we play Friday," she said.
Hingis and Lisicki have known each other since the latter was 10 years old and she traveled to Switzerland to practice with Hingis' mother. Lisicki said the friendship they share helps their chemistry on court. " We play great doubles together and have fun. That's why we are in the semis," said last year's Wimbledon finalist.
http://www.sonyopentennis.com/
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Nishikori ends Roger Federer's run at Sony Open in Miami
One day after saving four match points to upset World No. 4 David Ferrer, Japan’s Kei Nishikori once again showed his tenacity to defeat another Top 5 player, Roger Federer, at the Sony Open Tennis on Wednesday night. Nishikori twice rallied from a break down in the second set, coming back to defeat the two-time Miami champion 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
"Feeling good, of course, to beat Roger," said Nishikori. "I thought I really played well, especially in the third. I was hitting both deep and striking well. Everything was going well. There [were a] couple of tough moments, but I was fighting through and happy to win today."
With the victory, he denied Federer a place in his 50th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final and a rematch with World No. 2 Novak Djokovic. Federer had lost to Djokovic two weeks ago in the BNP Paribas Open final. Djokovic ended Andy Murray’s title defence with a 7-5, 6-3 win earlier Wednesday, and is unbeaten in 10 matches.
Federer had lost just 18 points on serve through his first three matches and continued the impressive trend early on against the 20th-ranked Nishikori, building a 4-1 lead with a love service game. He played a shaky seventh game to drop serve for the first time in the tournament, but broke right back and clinched the set after 34 minutes.
Nishikori refused to be counted out despite twice falling behind a break at 1-2 and 3-4 in the second. He hit back in the next service games and then broke Federer to send the match to a decisive set.
Nishikori failed to take advantage of two break points in the fourth game of the third set, but broke on his third match point opportunity in the final game to claim victory after two hours and eight minutes.
It was his second straight victory over Federer, whom he defeated last May in Madrid. He now edges ahead in their FedEx ATP Head2Head, 2-1, with his 11th win over a Top 10 player.
Nishikori has also split his two previous meetings with Djokovic. He triumphed in their last meeting in the 2011 Basel semi-finals as he blanked the Serbian in the third set.
"He's playing well, no doubt," said Nishikori. "I played him a long time ago, maybe three or four years ago in Basel, and I beat him before, so hopefully I can play good like today."
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Martina Hingis & Sabine Lisicki win Miami doubles opener
Former world number one Martina Hingis and her German partner Sabine Lisicki produced a stunning performance at the Women's Tennis Association's Premier event in Miami, en route their 6-1, 6-4 win over sixth seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Safarova in the opening round here.
Earlier, this month, the duo had failed to perform at the recently concluded tournament in Indian Wells, where they went down fighting to Australian twosome of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua 6-4, 6-7, 10-6 in the first round itself.
Meanwhile, the unseeded pairing of Serbia's Ana Ivanovic and Belgian Kirsten Flipkens also suffered a shocking loss, going down 5-7, 4-6 to Janette Husarova and Iveta Melzer in the other opening-round clash.
tennisworldusa.org
Earlier, this month, the duo had failed to perform at the recently concluded tournament in Indian Wells, where they went down fighting to Australian twosome of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua 6-4, 6-7, 10-6 in the first round itself.
Meanwhile, the unseeded pairing of Serbia's Ana Ivanovic and Belgian Kirsten Flipkens also suffered a shocking loss, going down 5-7, 4-6 to Janette Husarova and Iveta Melzer in the other opening-round clash.
tennisworldusa.org
Roger Federer breezes into the quarters at Sony Open in Miami
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- He first came to Miami as a 14-year-old, part of a Swedish junior contingent that stayed for a month.
His last event as a junior was the 18-and-under Orange Bowl in 1998, when he beat future professionals
Jurgen Melzer, David Nalbandian and Guillermo Coria on the way to the championship. In 1999, playing for the first time here as a pro, the wild card was ushered from the Miami tournament in the first round.
Hard to believe, but this is Roger Federer's 15th appearance at the tournament now called Sony Open Tennis.
"Used to stay at South Beach when I was younger," Federer said a few days ago. "Enjoyed that atmosphere. I have moved away from there since."
Now, of course, he's beyond all that swirling vortex of party. Federer is the father of 4-year-old twins and, at the age of 32, a 17-time Grand Slam champion. He's stayed in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, even the downtown Brickell section.
"I kind of get around a bit," Federer said. "It's always enjoyable coming back."
Last year, in an effort to streamline his schedule, Federer passed on Miami after 14 straight visits.
Tuesday, on a bruising day of rain and wind, he was back, scalding No. 9 seed Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-2 in less than 50 minutes. Federer saved the only break point he faced and broke the Frenchman five of six times.
"Today was the first time I felt good going into a match," Federer said, later citing his previous awkward opponents, Ivo Karlovic and qualifier Thiemo De Bakker. "Things went well. Pretty straight forward, really.
"I definitely think I'm playing really good tennis right now, which is encouraging."
Unless, of course, you are Kei Nishikori, who will meet Federer in Wednesday's quarterfinals. They have split two previous matches but are frequent practice partners. Federer said Nishikori's three-set win over David Ferrer caught the attention of his fellow professionals.
"Everybody watched in the locker room and the player restaurant," Federer said. "It was one of those thrilling end to matches, into the tiebreaker with [four] match points saved. It had the whole drama.
"Clearly, I think it's an advantage at this point now that I had a quick match today and he had a really brutal [three-hour] match against Ferrer. Can I take advantage of it? Can he recover quickly? We will see tomorrow."
Coming into Day 7 at Sony Open Tennis, guess which ATP player had the most victories for the season: It was Federer, with a robust record of 21-3.
Djokovic knows this as well as anyone. He lost to Federer in the semifinals at Dubai and then needed a third-set tiebreaker to take the title at Indian Wells.
"I think he's playing in a high level this year," Djokovic said here last week. "He's back to his normal level, the level that he had for seven, eight years while he was so dominant in men's tennis. Obviously, last season he was not as good, for his standards."
Federer won Wimbledon in 2012, his most recent major, but last year he began to show his age. He lost in the second round at Wimbledon, where he is a seven-time champion, and fell in the fourth round at the US Open. The last time he had two Grand Slam results like that was a decade earlier.
The only title he won in 2013 was the modest, little event on grass in Halle, Germany. At times, he looked uncomfortable on the court and, subsequently, he explained why: His back, which has been a growing issue in recent years, restricted his movement significantly.
This year, he says he's healthy again and has two new components in his game: Stefan Edberg as his coach, and a slightly larger Wilson racket. Edberg, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has Federer thinking more aggressively; he seems to be coming to net more often.
The racket has given him a little more pop, particularly on his one-handed backhand -- the side that Nadal and Djokovic have exploited in recent years.
He started quickly, reaching the final at Brisbane before losing to No. 60-ranked Lleyton Hewitt and going out in straight sets to Nadal in the semifinals at the Australian Open.
But a fourth-round win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Melbourne, followed by a quarterfinals success over Andy Murray was encouraging. After helping Switzerland to a Davis Cup win over Serbia, Federer ran the table in Dubai -- beating Djokovic and Tomas Berdych in the process.
"This year, he started strong," Djokovic said. "I can feel that he's striking the ball very cleanly. He's very confident on the court, and he has improved his backhand, I think. Maybe it's the racket or something else, but he definitely has more depth on that shot. He's going more for his top spins, rather than slicing it. With his immense experience and success that he had in his career, he's never to be ruled out.
"Doesn't matter how old he is. It's just a number. As he was saying, he feels good on the court. He's definitely one of the best players in the world now."
Again.
espn.go.com
His last event as a junior was the 18-and-under Orange Bowl in 1998, when he beat future professionals
Jurgen Melzer, David Nalbandian and Guillermo Coria on the way to the championship. In 1999, playing for the first time here as a pro, the wild card was ushered from the Miami tournament in the first round.
Hard to believe, but this is Roger Federer's 15th appearance at the tournament now called Sony Open Tennis.
"Used to stay at South Beach when I was younger," Federer said a few days ago. "Enjoyed that atmosphere. I have moved away from there since."
Now, of course, he's beyond all that swirling vortex of party. Federer is the father of 4-year-old twins and, at the age of 32, a 17-time Grand Slam champion. He's stayed in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, even the downtown Brickell section.
"I kind of get around a bit," Federer said. "It's always enjoyable coming back."
Last year, in an effort to streamline his schedule, Federer passed on Miami after 14 straight visits.
Tuesday, on a bruising day of rain and wind, he was back, scalding No. 9 seed Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-2 in less than 50 minutes. Federer saved the only break point he faced and broke the Frenchman five of six times.
"Today was the first time I felt good going into a match," Federer said, later citing his previous awkward opponents, Ivo Karlovic and qualifier Thiemo De Bakker. "Things went well. Pretty straight forward, really.
"I definitely think I'm playing really good tennis right now, which is encouraging."
Unless, of course, you are Kei Nishikori, who will meet Federer in Wednesday's quarterfinals. They have split two previous matches but are frequent practice partners. Federer said Nishikori's three-set win over David Ferrer caught the attention of his fellow professionals.
"Everybody watched in the locker room and the player restaurant," Federer said. "It was one of those thrilling end to matches, into the tiebreaker with [four] match points saved. It had the whole drama.
"Clearly, I think it's an advantage at this point now that I had a quick match today and he had a really brutal [three-hour] match against Ferrer. Can I take advantage of it? Can he recover quickly? We will see tomorrow."
Coming into Day 7 at Sony Open Tennis, guess which ATP player had the most victories for the season: It was Federer, with a robust record of 21-3.
Djokovic knows this as well as anyone. He lost to Federer in the semifinals at Dubai and then needed a third-set tiebreaker to take the title at Indian Wells.
"I think he's playing in a high level this year," Djokovic said here last week. "He's back to his normal level, the level that he had for seven, eight years while he was so dominant in men's tennis. Obviously, last season he was not as good, for his standards."
Federer won Wimbledon in 2012, his most recent major, but last year he began to show his age. He lost in the second round at Wimbledon, where he is a seven-time champion, and fell in the fourth round at the US Open. The last time he had two Grand Slam results like that was a decade earlier.
The only title he won in 2013 was the modest, little event on grass in Halle, Germany. At times, he looked uncomfortable on the court and, subsequently, he explained why: His back, which has been a growing issue in recent years, restricted his movement significantly.
This year, he says he's healthy again and has two new components in his game: Stefan Edberg as his coach, and a slightly larger Wilson racket. Edberg, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has Federer thinking more aggressively; he seems to be coming to net more often.
The racket has given him a little more pop, particularly on his one-handed backhand -- the side that Nadal and Djokovic have exploited in recent years.
He started quickly, reaching the final at Brisbane before losing to No. 60-ranked Lleyton Hewitt and going out in straight sets to Nadal in the semifinals at the Australian Open.
But a fourth-round win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Melbourne, followed by a quarterfinals success over Andy Murray was encouraging. After helping Switzerland to a Davis Cup win over Serbia, Federer ran the table in Dubai -- beating Djokovic and Tomas Berdych in the process.
"This year, he started strong," Djokovic said. "I can feel that he's striking the ball very cleanly. He's very confident on the court, and he has improved his backhand, I think. Maybe it's the racket or something else, but he definitely has more depth on that shot. He's going more for his top spins, rather than slicing it. With his immense experience and success that he had in his career, he's never to be ruled out.
"Doesn't matter how old he is. It's just a number. As he was saying, he feels good on the court. He's definitely one of the best players in the world now."
Again.
espn.go.com
Monday, March 24, 2014
Roger Federer eases into 4th round at Sony Open
Roger Federer eased into the last 16 of the Sony Open Tennis in Miami after a routine 6-3 6-3 victory over Thiemo de Bakker.
The two-time winner never looked troubled against his Dutch opponent as he continued his promising start to the 2014 season.
Federer dropped just seven points on his serve over the course of the entire match and did not face a single break point.
De Bakker, in contrast, faced a total of nine break points and dropped his serve on three separate occasions, including the final game of the match.
"I'm feeling really good with my game," said Federer, who next faces French No 9 seed Richard Gasquet.
"My confidence is high and I'm moving well. I'm excited about how I've been playing."
Gasquet set up the showdown with Federer after seeing off dangerous South African Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4.
Novak Djokovic was originally scheduled to be out on court on Sunday but was given a walkover in the third round after his opponent Florian Mayer withdrew from the event.
The Serbian will play Tommy Robredo next after the 16th seed clinched a 6-3 6-4 victory over Julien Benneteau.
skysports.com
The two-time winner never looked troubled against his Dutch opponent as he continued his promising start to the 2014 season.
Federer dropped just seven points on his serve over the course of the entire match and did not face a single break point.
De Bakker, in contrast, faced a total of nine break points and dropped his serve on three separate occasions, including the final game of the match.
"I'm feeling really good with my game," said Federer, who next faces French No 9 seed Richard Gasquet.
"My confidence is high and I'm moving well. I'm excited about how I've been playing."
Gasquet set up the showdown with Federer after seeing off dangerous South African Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4.
Novak Djokovic was originally scheduled to be out on court on Sunday but was given a walkover in the third round after his opponent Florian Mayer withdrew from the event.
The Serbian will play Tommy Robredo next after the 16th seed clinched a 6-3 6-4 victory over Julien Benneteau.
skysports.com
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Roger Federer happy and confident with his new raquet
Speaking to reporters at the Sony Open in Miami, Roger Federer dished a bit on his newer, larger-framed racquet, saying that he's really taken to the new stick.
I feel I do have easier power,” Federer said in a pre-tournament press conference today. “It's actually a big switch, bigger than people think it is, because it's a much bigger head frame, it's wider beam, and I really enjoy this new racquet. I think it's definitely also part of the reason that I am playing so well right now.”
Still, Federer, who reached the finals of last week's BNP Paribas Open, is quick to admit that without fitness, the racquet means nothing. “No, I mean, clearly you've got to be healthy to be able to play good tennis and get to the balls,” he said. “If you're not going to get to the balls, then you won't be able to hit it and then the racquet doesn't matter.” But, Federer added, he is getting to those balls.
“I need the quick feet, and I think I found that again,” he said. Federer, who is still in the early days of his newfound player-coach relationship with Stefan Edberg, also said he expects less opportunity to move in and attack the net on Miami's slower courts and heavier conditions.
“Indian Wells is the first one that's more slower,” Federer opined. “Then here in Miami, this is going to be the slowest of the year so far. So it's definitely going to be a little bit of an adjustment for me, as well. “But I think it's more because of the surface I have been playing more aggressive.
Already last week I haven't been able to come to the net as much as I wanted to. That's something I need to make sure I work on, that I do keep an aggressive playing style from the baseline. But you also have to be able to grind away because that's going to anyway come about when clay court season comes.”
Federer will open his bid for a third Miami title against Ivo Karlovic in second-round action. He has not reached the final of this event sine 2006, when he won his second consecutive Indian Wells-Miami double.
tennisnow.com
I feel I do have easier power,” Federer said in a pre-tournament press conference today. “It's actually a big switch, bigger than people think it is, because it's a much bigger head frame, it's wider beam, and I really enjoy this new racquet. I think it's definitely also part of the reason that I am playing so well right now.”
Still, Federer, who reached the finals of last week's BNP Paribas Open, is quick to admit that without fitness, the racquet means nothing. “No, I mean, clearly you've got to be healthy to be able to play good tennis and get to the balls,” he said. “If you're not going to get to the balls, then you won't be able to hit it and then the racquet doesn't matter.” But, Federer added, he is getting to those balls.
“I need the quick feet, and I think I found that again,” he said. Federer, who is still in the early days of his newfound player-coach relationship with Stefan Edberg, also said he expects less opportunity to move in and attack the net on Miami's slower courts and heavier conditions.
“Indian Wells is the first one that's more slower,” Federer opined. “Then here in Miami, this is going to be the slowest of the year so far. So it's definitely going to be a little bit of an adjustment for me, as well. “But I think it's more because of the surface I have been playing more aggressive.
Already last week I haven't been able to come to the net as much as I wanted to. That's something I need to make sure I work on, that I do keep an aggressive playing style from the baseline. But you also have to be able to grind away because that's going to anyway come about when clay court season comes.”
Federer will open his bid for a third Miami title against Ivo Karlovic in second-round action. He has not reached the final of this event sine 2006, when he won his second consecutive Indian Wells-Miami double.
tennisnow.com
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Roger Federer rolls on at Sony Open in Miami
Fifth seed Roger Federer defeated the ATP World Tour’s ace-leader this year, Ivo Karlovic, 6-4, 7-6(4) on Friday for a place in the Sony Open Tennis third round. It was his 20th win in 23 matches this year.
Federer, who is making his 15th appearance at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 hard-court tournament in Miami, lifted the trophy in 2005 (d. Nadal) and 2006 (d. Ljubicic). He will next play Thiemo de Bakker, who upset No. 28 seed Fernando Verdasco 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-2.
Federer broke Karlovic in the fifth game and only lost one point on serve in the 29-minute opener. It came at 5-4, 40/0. Federer lost just one of his service points en route to the second set tie-break. He is now 11-1 lifetime against Karlovic, after victory in 75 minutes. Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour watched from Federer's box.
Last week, Federer reached his 35th ATP World Tour Masters 1000-level final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (l. to Djokovic). He picked up his 78th title overall at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (d. Berdych) last month.
Karlovic, 35, has now hit 308 aces in 19 matches this season (11-8 record). He is one of six players to hit more than 8,000 aces in his career, including Goran Ivanisevic, Andy Roddick, Pete Sampras, Federer, Ivan Ljubicic and Karlovic.
atpworldtour.com
Federer, who is making his 15th appearance at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 hard-court tournament in Miami, lifted the trophy in 2005 (d. Nadal) and 2006 (d. Ljubicic). He will next play Thiemo de Bakker, who upset No. 28 seed Fernando Verdasco 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-2.
Federer broke Karlovic in the fifth game and only lost one point on serve in the 29-minute opener. It came at 5-4, 40/0. Federer lost just one of his service points en route to the second set tie-break. He is now 11-1 lifetime against Karlovic, after victory in 75 minutes. Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour watched from Federer's box.
Last week, Federer reached his 35th ATP World Tour Masters 1000-level final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (l. to Djokovic). He picked up his 78th title overall at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (d. Berdych) last month.
Karlovic, 35, has now hit 308 aces in 19 matches this season (11-8 record). He is one of six players to hit more than 8,000 aces in his career, including Goran Ivanisevic, Andy Roddick, Pete Sampras, Federer, Ivan Ljubicic and Karlovic.
atpworldtour.com
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Martina Hingis doubles action at BNP Paribas & Sony Open
Can you remember 1998? Martina Hingis can. That was the last time she won a singles tennis tournament in the California desert.
“That’s a long time ago. I’m getting pretty old,” Hingis said with a ready smile.
In the late 1990s, Hingis was the face of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Very few players on the women’s professional tennis circuit could challenge her. She was then an uber-confident teenager. Some saw her confidence as arrogance. She often smiled but you couldn’t help but wonder if it all came too fast or too easy for Hingis. Many cheered for her underdog opponents.
We weren’t yet hearing about two sisters named Williams in 1998. But we would very soon.
Hingis had an incredible run in her short singles career, which was marred by a controversial positive drug test for cocaine in 2007 that suspended her from play for two years and forced early retirement. A five-time Grand Slam winner (three Australian Opens, one Wimbledon, and one US Open), she is finding her way back into tennis and into the hearts of tennis fans through the doubles circuit.
At 33, Hingis is hardly too old to be competitive for tennis doubles. After all, it was another Martina named Navratilova who won the 2006 US Open mixed doubles competition with partner Bob Bryan at the over-the-hill age of 49. Navratilova was one month shy of turning 50. In her prime, Hingis was a terrific doubles player too, winning nine Grand Slams.
At the 2014 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., the “Swiss Miss” reemerged as a surprise doubles partner to 2013 Wimbledon finalist, Sabine Lisicki, ranked No. 15 in the world and in the Top 20 for the second season in a row.
Though they didn’t win their doubles debut against the established winning Aussie duo of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua, the two German-speaking friends showed a lot of spirit and competition in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the brand new 8,000-seat Stadium 2. They fought off four match points to win the second set and extend the match to a third-set super tiebreaker.
“I haven’t played doubles until last year,” Hingis said, who teamed up with Daniela Hantuchova. “With Sabine it was so much fun. She asked me just last week. We had talked about it once last year after Wimbledon, that it would be cool to play doubles. Now it became reality.”
Hingis wouldn’t fully commit to declaring Indian Wells her official comeback, but both players displayed the joy they have playing together on the court. They communicate freely in their native German and English.
Lisicki, who is nine years younger, is honored to be playing doubles with a friend, new coach and childhood tennis idol. It was at this year’s Australian Open in January that Hingis first stepped in to coach Lisicki, who was being coached by her father, Dr. Richard Lisicki.
Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013, Hingis could have easily retired into coaching or commentary. But she has been thinking for the last seven years about playing doubles. The modern women’s singles game has long passed her by. It is much too fast, power-driven and baseline for the diva of tennis finesse. It was never the Hingis serve that won tennis matches, but her ability to be nimble around the court with timely drop shots, lobs and net volley play. She could often outsmart her opponents and she can still use that chess-like art form in doubles tennis play.
Hingis may have found the right doubles partner chemistry with which to please the crowd, have fun and maybe win another title. It may be her best opportunity to keep playing a game that she so obviously still loves playing. If it’s fun, then it doesn’t have to be about winning every time.
What was seen at Indian Wells in 2014 was a woman who is years departed from the teenage phenom who beat about every competitor she faced. Back then her smile was that of a winner facing little threat from opponents. Today her smile appears more relaxed and free. Many tennis fans appear to like this version of Hingis better.
Next up for Hingis is her second tournament doubles play with Lisicki at the Sony Open in Miami. After the short but sweet fun the two had in the desert, there’s no doubt that the Florida heat will be welcoming.
dailytitan.com
“That’s a long time ago. I’m getting pretty old,” Hingis said with a ready smile.
In the late 1990s, Hingis was the face of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Very few players on the women’s professional tennis circuit could challenge her. She was then an uber-confident teenager. Some saw her confidence as arrogance. She often smiled but you couldn’t help but wonder if it all came too fast or too easy for Hingis. Many cheered for her underdog opponents.
We weren’t yet hearing about two sisters named Williams in 1998. But we would very soon.
Hingis had an incredible run in her short singles career, which was marred by a controversial positive drug test for cocaine in 2007 that suspended her from play for two years and forced early retirement. A five-time Grand Slam winner (three Australian Opens, one Wimbledon, and one US Open), she is finding her way back into tennis and into the hearts of tennis fans through the doubles circuit.
At 33, Hingis is hardly too old to be competitive for tennis doubles. After all, it was another Martina named Navratilova who won the 2006 US Open mixed doubles competition with partner Bob Bryan at the over-the-hill age of 49. Navratilova was one month shy of turning 50. In her prime, Hingis was a terrific doubles player too, winning nine Grand Slams.
At the 2014 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., the “Swiss Miss” reemerged as a surprise doubles partner to 2013 Wimbledon finalist, Sabine Lisicki, ranked No. 15 in the world and in the Top 20 for the second season in a row.
Though they didn’t win their doubles debut against the established winning Aussie duo of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua, the two German-speaking friends showed a lot of spirit and competition in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the brand new 8,000-seat Stadium 2. They fought off four match points to win the second set and extend the match to a third-set super tiebreaker.
“I haven’t played doubles until last year,” Hingis said, who teamed up with Daniela Hantuchova. “With Sabine it was so much fun. She asked me just last week. We had talked about it once last year after Wimbledon, that it would be cool to play doubles. Now it became reality.”
Hingis wouldn’t fully commit to declaring Indian Wells her official comeback, but both players displayed the joy they have playing together on the court. They communicate freely in their native German and English.
Lisicki, who is nine years younger, is honored to be playing doubles with a friend, new coach and childhood tennis idol. It was at this year’s Australian Open in January that Hingis first stepped in to coach Lisicki, who was being coached by her father, Dr. Richard Lisicki.
Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013, Hingis could have easily retired into coaching or commentary. But she has been thinking for the last seven years about playing doubles. The modern women’s singles game has long passed her by. It is much too fast, power-driven and baseline for the diva of tennis finesse. It was never the Hingis serve that won tennis matches, but her ability to be nimble around the court with timely drop shots, lobs and net volley play. She could often outsmart her opponents and she can still use that chess-like art form in doubles tennis play.
Hingis may have found the right doubles partner chemistry with which to please the crowd, have fun and maybe win another title. It may be her best opportunity to keep playing a game that she so obviously still loves playing. If it’s fun, then it doesn’t have to be about winning every time.
What was seen at Indian Wells in 2014 was a woman who is years departed from the teenage phenom who beat about every competitor she faced. Back then her smile was that of a winner facing little threat from opponents. Today her smile appears more relaxed and free. Many tennis fans appear to like this version of Hingis better.
Next up for Hingis is her second tournament doubles play with Lisicki at the Sony Open in Miami. After the short but sweet fun the two had in the desert, there’s no doubt that the Florida heat will be welcoming.
dailytitan.com
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Martina Hingis to play doubles at Sony Open in Miami
The Sony Open will announce on Thursday that semi-retired former No. 1 Martina Hingis has accepted a wild card to play doubles with friend Sabine Lisicki at the Key Biscayne tournament, which begins next week.
Hingis, the five-time Grand Slam winner and crowd-pleaser, is now 33 and dabbling in doubles. She joins a star-studded Sony field that includes Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova.
Fans should also keep an eye out for Ukrainian player Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Last week, Dolgopolov released a video calling for peace in his homeland, and it included messages from Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and Gael Monfils.
On Monday night in Indian Wells, Calif., Dolgopolov (known as “Dolgo") did something that he hopes brought Ukrainians a short respite from the government unrest and violence back home: He beat world No. 1 Nadal and established himself as a player to watch heading into the Sony Open.
Dolgopolov was 0-5 against Nadal going into Monday’s third-round match at the BNP Paribas event and had never won a set against the Spaniard. He lost to Nadal two weeks ago on clay in the Rio final. But this time, his aggressive style and varied pace threw Nadal off his game and the Ukrainian won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5).
The 25-year-old jumped from No. 57 to No. 31 in February and beat three top 20 players in Rio, including David Ferrer.
"As I said, it's good to make some results and make the people forget a little bit and have some happy moments in the news, [something] except the politics," he told reporters after the win over Nadal.
As for Nadal, he did not blame the loss on his back problems. He said he “played bad," never got in rhythm and was looking ahead to the Sony. “I will try to rest a few days and be fresh mentally, and I hope to be ready for Miami."
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/13/3991068/semi-retired-martina-hingis-to.html#storylink=cpy
Hingis, the five-time Grand Slam winner and crowd-pleaser, is now 33 and dabbling in doubles. She joins a star-studded Sony field that includes Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova.
Fans should also keep an eye out for Ukrainian player Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Last week, Dolgopolov released a video calling for peace in his homeland, and it included messages from Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and Gael Monfils.
On Monday night in Indian Wells, Calif., Dolgopolov (known as “Dolgo") did something that he hopes brought Ukrainians a short respite from the government unrest and violence back home: He beat world No. 1 Nadal and established himself as a player to watch heading into the Sony Open.
Dolgopolov was 0-5 against Nadal going into Monday’s third-round match at the BNP Paribas event and had never won a set against the Spaniard. He lost to Nadal two weeks ago on clay in the Rio final. But this time, his aggressive style and varied pace threw Nadal off his game and the Ukrainian won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5).
The 25-year-old jumped from No. 57 to No. 31 in February and beat three top 20 players in Rio, including David Ferrer.
"As I said, it's good to make some results and make the people forget a little bit and have some happy moments in the news, [something] except the politics," he told reporters after the win over Nadal.
As for Nadal, he did not blame the loss on his back problems. He said he “played bad," never got in rhythm and was looking ahead to the Sony. “I will try to rest a few days and be fresh mentally, and I hope to be ready for Miami."
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/13/3991068/semi-retired-martina-hingis-to.html#storylink=cpy
Monday, April 02, 2012
Kim Clijsters comeback, Olympics & media
Four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters makes her return to tennis on Wednesday in Key Biscayne. She has missed the last two months while recovering from an ankle injury. Busted Racquet caught up with her this weekend to talk about her comeback, Olympic plans and the challenges that face the No. 1 player in the sport.
Busted Racquet: How are you feeling?
Kim Clijsters: My rehab since the Australian is going well. I've had some tests done on my ankle and I feel like I'm ready to go. I'm still going to be playing with my ankle taped probably until the end of the season as a precuation, but I've been in the States for a good week now. First we were in New Jersey visiting my family-in-laws and we came to Miami a couple of days ago. The weather is nice and I've been able to have some good practice days.
Busted Racquet: You've said you're working with your sights set on tournaments in July. Is it hard to prepare for tournaments now when you have a long-term goal?
Kim Clijsters: With a tough summer ahead, I was going to change up the intensity of the practice and preparations. It was going to be a bigger buildup for the summer. There are a few things that have changed a little bit and will change as compared to last year.
Busted Racquet: Do you have your year planned out or are you going to see how your ankle holds up?
Kim Clijsters: My calendar is set and I'm going to finish the whole season, whether it's playing at the US Open or if I make it back to the top 10 or top 8 and being a part of the championships, we'll see where it ends. I'm going to play it by ear and then I'll see how I feel and how I'm doing and how my body feels. For now, everything is set for the Olympics and then we'll see afterwards.
Busted Racquet: Ever since you've come back to the sport, there's been speculation about when you'll leave. Now that the Olympics is almost here, how strange is it that the build-up is nearing an end? And does it ever get strange having to talk about your retirement and family planning with the media?
Kim Clijsters: It doesn't really feel strange because I've always been very open and honest in press conferences or talking to the people. I speak with my heart. There have been moments where I've felt like it's hard -- talking about the Olympics -- but in the past year, I've been able to have a good balance with my home life and being an athlete and a mom and trying to be the best that I can be. The rhythm that we have now is good and I'm happy with where I'm at.
Busted Racquet: How much do you pay attention to the sport when you're not playing?
Kim Clijsters: I try to follow it, mainly online. When I'm home I have no time to watch TV. Frankly, I work out and the rest of the day is spending time with my family. I clean up the house or prepare for the next day. I don't have enough time to watch full matches, but I try to keep up.
Busted Racquet: Since you've been out, there's a new No. 1 in women's tennis. Victoria Azarenka has actually only dropped one set since you took one off of her in the Australian Open semifinals. How do the pressures of being No. 1 affect players? We've seen many a woman slip in their game in recent years after getting to the top.
Kim Clijsters: You can be ready to become No. 1 tennis wise, but you also have to be ready mentally and emotionally and physically as well. When you become No. 1 in the first year as a young girl, it's hard, but it's a lot harder to stay on top. Victoria has a lot of experience and has played big matches and beat big players before.
In her case, it was just a matter of mentally keeping cool. It's not like she played a different game. She's become more consistent and stronger. When she walks on court, she has a confidence that she shows and her opponents see it. It comes with being undefeated and winning your first Grand Slam. It's great to see that those sorts of things happen to people. When I became No. 1 at a young age, I hadn't won a Grand Slam yet, so I had to deal with the questions that Caroline Wozniacki got. "Is she worthy?" It's not easy, it's a confidence thing. You learn more about how you perform in big matches and big points.
Busted Racquet: We always ask, what's your racquet preference: "c" or "q?"
Kim Clijsters: I don't know if it's the right way, but I spell it r-a-c-k-e-t.
Busted Racquet: Oh, Kim! And we were doing so well too! It's slightly disappointing. Thanks for talking with us today.
Kim Clijsters: (Laughs) Take care.
yahoo sports
Yes I realize this isn't exactly new given we already know the result of Miami and the fact that Kim is out again for another month, but I thought it was a great interview so I'm sharing it nonetheless. ;).
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Kim Clijsters makes winning return in Miami
Kim Clijsters played her first match in two months and beat Jarmila Gajdosova 4-6 6-1 6-0 in the first round in Miami.
Clijsters, whose last match on tour was her semi-final defeat at the hands of Victoria Azarenka in the Australian Open, began shakily, losing the first set to her Australian opponent.
But the Belgian rallied, dropping just one game and looking assured behind her first serve, to wrap up the contest in one hour and 43 minutes.
Next up in the round of 64 for Clijsters, currently ranked world number 37, is Germany's Julia Goerges, who is seeded 14th in Florida.
eurospot asia
Loving the new Fila outfit, nice!.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Catching up with Kim Clijsters
Defending Sony Ericsson Open champion Kim Clijsters is one of the most personable players in professional tennis… and it’s hard not to like her.
She balances motherhood with a demanding career, is a seven-time recipient of the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award, an honor awarded by her peers; and has christened her Twitter followers as her “Tweethearts.”
Oh yeah, and then there’s her on-court accomplishments.
Her win at the Australian Open gave the Belgian her fourth Grand Slam singles title, her second consecutive major after taking home the US Open trophy in 2010. She’s the owner of 41 WTA singles titles, including three WTA season-ending championships (2002, 2003 and 2010).
Perhaps her most noteworthy accomplishment to date is this fact - Clijsters is one of just six players in WTA history to hold the No. 1 ranking in singles and doubles simultaneously, a feat she achieved in August of 2003.
We caught up with Clijsters tonight after her remarkable comeback win over Serbian Ana Ivanovic, where she saved five match points before winning the fourth round contest 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(5).
The Sony Ericsson Open attracts a lot of families… some out of town and even some international visitors. Being a mother of a young child yourself, what places in Miami do you recommend for family-friendly activities?
KC: Well, there are a lot of things to do. The sea aquarium that’s on Key Biscayne here is nice… then there are nice beaches, so if it’s not too hot, you can always take them there.
We’ve rented bikes while we’re here… we’ve been doing a lot of bike riding and had picnics at the end of the island. There’s the children’s museum as well and we took Jada to the Bayside Mall, to walk around and get the Miami atmosphere. So yeah, there are many things. We don’t drive too far because I still have to play, so we haven’t been to Disney[world] yet, haha.
Speaking of Jada, what is she up to these days? She’s at that age where curiosity really starts to blossom!
KC: Yeah definitely. Curiosity and a lot of energy. She likes to test us now. When you say no, she likes to try it again and you say no again (smiles). It’s very hands on but this age is a lot of fun as well. She’s starting to talk really well and speaks both Flemish and English.
And now for our “Toss Up” question of the day, between your husband Brian and yourself: Who is better at playing the other one’s sport… and do you have any evidence to back this up?
KC: Oooh! Brian plays more tennis than I play basketball. I’d say he’s better because he’s done it more. But I enjoy watching basketball. We’ve been following the NCAA tournament live and we’ve been to many games.
The Last Time You…
Bought Tennis Balls: We bought them in New Jersey before the US Open at the Atlantic Club, so not too long I’d say.
Lost Something Valuable: Haha, I lose important stuff all the time. I recently couldn’t find my engagement ring. I looked everywhere and it ended up being somewhere completely unexpected. It’s like I knew it was so important that I put it in a safe place that no one else would find! But yes, I’m always misplacing valuable items.
Went To A Concert: Let me think for a second. We go to a lot of concerts… Kings of Leon, that was our most recent one.
Visited A Country For The First Time: In January actually. I went to Thailand and played in an exhibition with Caroline Wozniacki and the Bryan Brothers were also there. Brian and I loved it. It was a very enjoyable experience.
Slept Eight Hours Or More In A Row: Not too long ago. Not last night because Jada needed something but the night before, I slept long. We’re very lucky that she’s so good when it comes to sleeping!.
sony ericsson
She balances motherhood with a demanding career, is a seven-time recipient of the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award, an honor awarded by her peers; and has christened her Twitter followers as her “Tweethearts.”
Oh yeah, and then there’s her on-court accomplishments.
Her win at the Australian Open gave the Belgian her fourth Grand Slam singles title, her second consecutive major after taking home the US Open trophy in 2010. She’s the owner of 41 WTA singles titles, including three WTA season-ending championships (2002, 2003 and 2010).
Perhaps her most noteworthy accomplishment to date is this fact - Clijsters is one of just six players in WTA history to hold the No. 1 ranking in singles and doubles simultaneously, a feat she achieved in August of 2003.
We caught up with Clijsters tonight after her remarkable comeback win over Serbian Ana Ivanovic, where she saved five match points before winning the fourth round contest 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(5).
The Sony Ericsson Open attracts a lot of families… some out of town and even some international visitors. Being a mother of a young child yourself, what places in Miami do you recommend for family-friendly activities?
KC: Well, there are a lot of things to do. The sea aquarium that’s on Key Biscayne here is nice… then there are nice beaches, so if it’s not too hot, you can always take them there.
We’ve rented bikes while we’re here… we’ve been doing a lot of bike riding and had picnics at the end of the island. There’s the children’s museum as well and we took Jada to the Bayside Mall, to walk around and get the Miami atmosphere. So yeah, there are many things. We don’t drive too far because I still have to play, so we haven’t been to Disney[world] yet, haha.
Speaking of Jada, what is she up to these days? She’s at that age where curiosity really starts to blossom!
KC: Yeah definitely. Curiosity and a lot of energy. She likes to test us now. When you say no, she likes to try it again and you say no again (smiles). It’s very hands on but this age is a lot of fun as well. She’s starting to talk really well and speaks both Flemish and English.
And now for our “Toss Up” question of the day, between your husband Brian and yourself: Who is better at playing the other one’s sport… and do you have any evidence to back this up?
KC: Oooh! Brian plays more tennis than I play basketball. I’d say he’s better because he’s done it more. But I enjoy watching basketball. We’ve been following the NCAA tournament live and we’ve been to many games.
The Last Time You…
Bought Tennis Balls: We bought them in New Jersey before the US Open at the Atlantic Club, so not too long I’d say.
Lost Something Valuable: Haha, I lose important stuff all the time. I recently couldn’t find my engagement ring. I looked everywhere and it ended up being somewhere completely unexpected. It’s like I knew it was so important that I put it in a safe place that no one else would find! But yes, I’m always misplacing valuable items.
Went To A Concert: Let me think for a second. We go to a lot of concerts… Kings of Leon, that was our most recent one.
Visited A Country For The First Time: In January actually. I went to Thailand and played in an exhibition with Caroline Wozniacki and the Bryan Brothers were also there. Brian and I loved it. It was a very enjoyable experience.
Slept Eight Hours Or More In A Row: Not too long ago. Not last night because Jada needed something but the night before, I slept long. We’re very lucky that she’s so good when it comes to sleeping!.
sony ericsson
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Kim Clijsters out of Miami
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) - Victoria Azarenka has advanced to her first semifinal this year by beating two-time champion Kim Clijsters 6-3, 6-3 at the Sony Ericsson Open.
Clijsters, who has been nursing a right shoulder injury since she won the Australian Open in January, had eight double-faults Wednesday night and held only three times in nine service games.
Azarenka, seeded eighth, earned the biggest victory of her career when she won Key Biscayne in 2009. Her opponent Thursday will be No. 3-seeded Vera Zvonareva, who beat No. 9 Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5, 6-3.
yahoo sports
Oops looks like I spoke too soon.
Perhaps that shoulder is an issue after all. Well that and the marathon match she played on Tuesday. Oh well, great effort nonetheless.
Clijsters, who has been nursing a right shoulder injury since she won the Australian Open in January, had eight double-faults Wednesday night and held only three times in nine service games.
Azarenka, seeded eighth, earned the biggest victory of her career when she won Key Biscayne in 2009. Her opponent Thursday will be No. 3-seeded Vera Zvonareva, who beat No. 9 Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5, 6-3.
yahoo sports
Oops looks like I spoke too soon.
Perhaps that shoulder is an issue after all. Well that and the marathon match she played on Tuesday. Oh well, great effort nonetheless.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Kim Clijsters battles past Anna Ivanovic to reach the quarters in Miami
The weather was humid and dreary at the Sony Ericsson Open on Tuesday, but the tennis was scintillating.
Fans who waited out the rain delays and didn’t mind damp seats were treated to a thrilling comeback by two-time champion Kim Clijsters, another victory dance by charismatic newcomer Andrea Petkovic after a seven-deuce final game, a milestone victory by the lone remaining American Mardy Fish and easy victories by No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Novak Djokovic.
Clijsters trailed 5-1 in the third set to former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, but the Belgian remained calm, swept the next five games, survived five match points and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory in a match postponed from Monday because of rain. Ivanovic squandered four match points at 5-1, and another at 5-3. Her racket paid the price.
“I think because I have been on the tour for many years, you realize you have to keep trying until the last point is played,” said Clijsters, the No. 2 seed. “In tennis, even if it’s 5-1, you start the next game and it’s 0-0. She has to win four points. She got a little tentative at the end.”
Asked how hard it was to accept the loss, Ivanovic smiled and said: “You should see my racket. I kind of broke my racket and then cried a little bit, and then I was okay.”
*sigh* Why is it that I always miss all the good ones darn it!. Hoping to see it at some point tomorrow.
Good to see Clijsters shoulder isn't much of an issue. And way to make a comeback!.
Fans who waited out the rain delays and didn’t mind damp seats were treated to a thrilling comeback by two-time champion Kim Clijsters, another victory dance by charismatic newcomer Andrea Petkovic after a seven-deuce final game, a milestone victory by the lone remaining American Mardy Fish and easy victories by No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Novak Djokovic.
Clijsters trailed 5-1 in the third set to former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, but the Belgian remained calm, swept the next five games, survived five match points and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory in a match postponed from Monday because of rain. Ivanovic squandered four match points at 5-1, and another at 5-3. Her racket paid the price.
“I think because I have been on the tour for many years, you realize you have to keep trying until the last point is played,” said Clijsters, the No. 2 seed. “In tennis, even if it’s 5-1, you start the next game and it’s 0-0. She has to win four points. She got a little tentative at the end.”
Asked how hard it was to accept the loss, Ivanovic smiled and said: “You should see my racket. I kind of broke my racket and then cried a little bit, and then I was okay.”
*sigh* Why is it that I always miss all the good ones darn it!. Hoping to see it at some point tomorrow.
Good to see Clijsters shoulder isn't much of an issue. And way to make a comeback!.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Kim Clijsters & co. raise funds for Japan relief in Miami
Proceeds from the shirt's sale as well as auctioned-off, signed memorablia from the players will also be donated to Japan relief funds.
"Last night the tennisworld came together to raise money for Japan! It was emotional but we were all honored to help out in any way," Clijsters tweeted this morning.
The fundraising efforts resulted in $300,000 given to the Red Cross and other organization thanks to contributions from fans, the WTA, ATP World Tour, the Grand Slams, Sony Ericsson, ITF, IMG, SAP, Itaú, FILA, adidas, Lagardère.
“Tennis is a global sport and when a tragedy strikes, the entire tennis community comes together and responds,” said Adam Barrett, Sony Ericsson Open Tournament Director.
Prior to the event, it took #2-ranked Clijsters less than an hour to defeat qualifying Anastasiya Yakimova in two short sets of 6-1, 6-1 during the opening round of the tournament while #3-ranked Vera Zvonareva had a little more trouble to get past former #1-ranked Dinara Safina.
"We compete against each other but when such a disaster happens in the world, we have to become a tennis family and show people we're thinking of them," said Zvonovera in a post-match interview with WTA staff.
examiner.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Kim Clijsters will play on in Key Biscayne
KEY BISCAYNE — Kim Clijsters' right shoulder is acting up. Her wrist is a pain, too.
But don't expect her to assign a traditional label, such as tendinitis, to her condition.
"Almost 30 years old," was her official self-diagnosis.
Some players reach this stage and are thirtysomethings. Others are something when they're 30.
Clijsters, for the record, is a mere 27 and won't hit 30 until June 2013, but even that is relative, since she took time off from the tour to give birth to daughter Jada in February 2008 before coming back stronger than ever.
She enters the Sony Ericsson Open as the defending champion and the second-ranked player in the world, bum shoulder or not.
Yes, she had to pull out of last week's event in Indian Wells, Calif., but she and her doctor are confident the problem can be controlled.
"I wouldn't risk it if I knew I had a serious injury," she said Tuesday.
Clijsters never was one to make an important move without reflection. The Fed Cup, French Open and Wimbledon are on the immediate horizon, she said.
Beyond that, the London 2012 Olympics.
"That will probably be the last big event that I will be a part of," she said.
Don't put it past her to drop the curtain on a career at its apex. Tennis is a big part of her life, but not the only part.
She grew up in Belgium with 14 cousins on one side of the family. Both she and her husband want to "keep that tradition going" with a big family of their own, which would count a lot more than her four Grand Slam titles, including this year's Australian Open.
"I think the perspective is something that I've always had," she said. "It's probably more even now, but growing up, there's things that happen in life that make you realize, 'OK, tennis: It's a sport and it's something that to me started as a hobby and a lot of times still is.' So I think it would be a little bit embarrassing in a way to compare a loss to it being the end of the world. I think with everything that's going on now in the East, in Japan, it would be crazy to compare sports to that level."
More to life than just sports _ it's a philosophy she'll instill in Jada, just as it was instilled in her by her late father, Leo, who was Belgium's soccer player of the year in 1988. Young Kim knew what was coming the moment she returned from tournaments.
"OK, put your rackets in the garage," she said, repeating Dad's instructions. "Don't touch them for a week. Go have fun."
Her message for tennis parents living vicariously: "A lot of parents look at their child as a business. And I think that's the wrong thing."
Time off the court never did seem to set Kim back. In March 2007, she put having a child first and left the tour. Three tournaments into her comeback, she was hoisting the trophy at the 2009 U.S. Open. She became the first mother to be ranked No. 1.
Today, she's one of the veterans. The view around her is an odd one, lacking peers from her generation such as Justine Henin, who recently retired, and Venus and Serena Williams, who will miss the Sony because of health problems. It was only a year ago that Clijsters was defeating Venus for the championship on Key Biscayne.
Venus has an abdominal injury. Serena needed emergency treatment for blood clots, which shook the locker room.
"Players get injured and you don't see them for a couple of months and you think, 'OK, I'll see them again,'" Clijsters said. "Then something like that is life-threatening and something that again puts everything in perspective. I do think, especially here _ everywhere _ every tournament is just a bigger tournament when they're a part of it.
"When I think back on my career, playing Serena and Venus in some of the biggest matches I have played have been the most fun matches. I've lost some but I've also won a couple and I think for the amount of time that I'm still playing, I hope that I get a few more of those."
palmbeachpost
But don't expect her to assign a traditional label, such as tendinitis, to her condition.
"Almost 30 years old," was her official self-diagnosis.
Some players reach this stage and are thirtysomethings. Others are something when they're 30.
Clijsters, for the record, is a mere 27 and won't hit 30 until June 2013, but even that is relative, since she took time off from the tour to give birth to daughter Jada in February 2008 before coming back stronger than ever.
She enters the Sony Ericsson Open as the defending champion and the second-ranked player in the world, bum shoulder or not.
Yes, she had to pull out of last week's event in Indian Wells, Calif., but she and her doctor are confident the problem can be controlled.
"I wouldn't risk it if I knew I had a serious injury," she said Tuesday.
Clijsters never was one to make an important move without reflection. The Fed Cup, French Open and Wimbledon are on the immediate horizon, she said.
Beyond that, the London 2012 Olympics.
"That will probably be the last big event that I will be a part of," she said.
Don't put it past her to drop the curtain on a career at its apex. Tennis is a big part of her life, but not the only part.
She grew up in Belgium with 14 cousins on one side of the family. Both she and her husband want to "keep that tradition going" with a big family of their own, which would count a lot more than her four Grand Slam titles, including this year's Australian Open.
"I think the perspective is something that I've always had," she said. "It's probably more even now, but growing up, there's things that happen in life that make you realize, 'OK, tennis: It's a sport and it's something that to me started as a hobby and a lot of times still is.' So I think it would be a little bit embarrassing in a way to compare a loss to it being the end of the world. I think with everything that's going on now in the East, in Japan, it would be crazy to compare sports to that level."
More to life than just sports _ it's a philosophy she'll instill in Jada, just as it was instilled in her by her late father, Leo, who was Belgium's soccer player of the year in 1988. Young Kim knew what was coming the moment she returned from tournaments.
"OK, put your rackets in the garage," she said, repeating Dad's instructions. "Don't touch them for a week. Go have fun."
Her message for tennis parents living vicariously: "A lot of parents look at their child as a business. And I think that's the wrong thing."
Time off the court never did seem to set Kim back. In March 2007, she put having a child first and left the tour. Three tournaments into her comeback, she was hoisting the trophy at the 2009 U.S. Open. She became the first mother to be ranked No. 1.
Today, she's one of the veterans. The view around her is an odd one, lacking peers from her generation such as Justine Henin, who recently retired, and Venus and Serena Williams, who will miss the Sony because of health problems. It was only a year ago that Clijsters was defeating Venus for the championship on Key Biscayne.
Venus has an abdominal injury. Serena needed emergency treatment for blood clots, which shook the locker room.
"Players get injured and you don't see them for a couple of months and you think, 'OK, I'll see them again,'" Clijsters said. "Then something like that is life-threatening and something that again puts everything in perspective. I do think, especially here _ everywhere _ every tournament is just a bigger tournament when they're a part of it.
"When I think back on my career, playing Serena and Venus in some of the biggest matches I have played have been the most fun matches. I've lost some but I've also won a couple and I think for the amount of time that I'm still playing, I hope that I get a few more of those."
palmbeachpost
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