The Queen Is Back, Long Live the Queen!

When she made a sudden return to the tour last summer, the world was kinda expecting Martina Hingis to pick up right where she left off when she quit several years ago. I too was among the optimists who envisioned her winning one Grand Slam and after. It wasn't quite a smooth transition though, and the former world No.1 failed to win back-to-back matches in the five tournaments she played alongside Slovak Daniela Hantuchova. Visible hurt by her misfortune, the Swiss Miss decided to skip the Asian swing, casting shadow on the future of her comeback.

Nothing much was heard on this matter until a few weeks ago when Hingis entered Indian Wells with her new trainee, German Sabine Lisicki. The duo once again faced a difficult draw and subsequently were beaten first round by three-time Grand Slam finalists, Aussies Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua. It was all about to change big time in Miami, where the two caught fire.

Again, the draw was harsh. In their opener, Hingis and Liscki faced 6th-seeded Czechs, Lucie Hradecka and Lucie Safarova. Compared to previous encounters, the magic kicked in this time. They won the battle pretty easily to record their first victory together 6-1,6-4. After a quick dismal of Romanian Sorana Cirstea and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the dream team showed tremendous fighting spirit, surviving seven match points to eventually battle past unseeded duo Medina-Garriguez/Shvedova. This triumph marked the turned point for Hingis. Relieved to have finally won one of these thrillers, the Swiss Miss was able to fully display the stunning tennis that won her the world. Fired up by Lisicki's gusty shot-making, Martina put together a majestic display to lift the 38th doubles career title. It wasn't easy though, but they made it happen. After stopping red-hot Cara Black and Sania Mirza in the semis, the duo came from behind to defeat reigning Roland Garros champions, Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina, 4-6,6-4,10-5 to claim the title.

Needless to say it's great to have Martina back on the court. I just hope that this triumph gives her confidence to continue and, why not, maybe even consider a singles return. Asked about her plans, she gave an encouraging answer: "Well, I think two weeks ago if you asked me that question, it would probably be a completely different answer from today! Last week, I was like, 'I'm not sure if I want to put myself out there like this and lose first, second round.' But now, after this victory, definitely things have changed. I would be very happy to continue to play some more doubles."

It's also nice to see such a beautiful relationship developing between Hingis and Lisicki. Hopefully, Hingis, who is also training the German, can help Sabine fulfill her huge potential by improving her mental strength and on-court focus. This duo really seems a match made in heaven and I look forward to seeing more from these two lovely ladies in the near future. A first Grand Slam would be a nice objective for this duo! Let's do some magic, Hingis!

The Swiss Miss is back! My all-time darling rekindled her magic in Miami claiming her 38th doubles title alongside German Sabine Lisicki. Hingis came out of retirement last summer, but failed to win back-to-back matches until this week.

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Flavia's Big Triumph in Indian Wells

What a difference a year makes! Twelve months ago, Italian Flavia Pennetta contemplated retirement following a nasty and lengthy wrist injury that saw her fall out of the top 100. Today, Flavia is marching on her return to the top 10 having won the biggest crown of her career in Indian Wells.

It's been a dream fortnight for Pennetta in the Californian desert. After a tricky opening encounter against young American hope, Taylor Townsend, Flavia upped her level to beat the always-dangerous Australian, Sam Stosur. Things got a bit easier in the quarterfinals—where she ended the hot run of her compatriot, Camilla Giorgi—but then came the stiffest of tests. In the semifinals, she met Australian Open champion and world No.2, Chinese Na Li. Li had just crushed Pennetta a month ago in Melbourne, but this time the Italian was better prepared. Putting forth an aggressive display and relying on her stellar backhand down the line, Flavia got a well-deserved revenge, winning 7-6,6-3 to advance to the final. 

Having earned a golden opportunity, Pennetta knew how not to let it slip away. She played sensationally to stun an injured Radwanska and seal her tenth career trophy. Although Aga injured her knee and wasn't 100% fit, all credit goes to the Italian for the way she dealt with the situation. She didn't waste time, closing out a quick 6-2,6-1 victory. "I'm happy. Really happy," she beamed afterwards. "I think I need a few days to realize this. Right now I'm too calm, I think. I called my dad, and he couldn't breathe. I told him, 'Papa, breathe!'

The win is even more special as it comes after a rather dark period. "For me, this is something I was waiting for a long time," she confessed. "After so many years and so much work and everything, this is the moment I was waiting for. And it comes when you least expect it. In the beginning of the tournament I never expected to be the champion, or even be in the final or semifinal. I was just here trying to play my best tennis."

It's so great to see Flavia play her best tennis again. Although she got overshadowed by Sara Errani, who reached the 2012 Roland Garros final, I strongly believe she is Italy's best prospect for a potential Grand Slam champion. She confirmed it at the last two majors where she reached the semifinals, respectively the quarterfinals. In an era where besides Serena Williams there aren't really many strong second-bests, Pennetta could very well seize the opening. She has the weapons—she's strong of both wings—and provided she is consistent, she could win a Slam. Her biggest chances are in New York and at the French Open, so maybe 2014 will be her year. Congrats on a stunning success in Indian Well! Job well done, Flavia!

Playing aggressive tennis, Pennetta extracted revenge on world No.2, Na Li, to book her place in the Indian Wells final. The Chinese stopped Flavia in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, but this time the Italian was better prepared. She won 7-6,6-3.

Playing in the biggest final of her career, Flavia took full advantage of Aga Radwanska's knee injury, crushing the Pole 6-2,6-1 to claim her tenth WTA crown.

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Dimitrov's Amor a la Mexicana

He may not have been the early bloomer everyone expected, but Grigor Dimitrov is quickly emerging as a top contestant for the big prizes in men's tennis. Already this year, the Bulgarian got his Grand Slam breakthrough at the Australian Open—where he reached his first major quarterfinal—plus he now won his second career title in Acapulco.

The man responsible for his sudden awakening seems to be his new coach, Australian Roger Rasheed, whom he started working with in October 2013. The move paid off immediately, Dimitrov claiming his maiden trophy in Stockholm, the home of former coach, Magnus Norman, just a few weeks after.

In Acapulco, Dimitrov showed nerves of steel, withstanding the aggressive challenge of reigning Wimbledon champion, Andy Murray, to win their semifinal clash 4-6,7-6,7-6. It's true that the Brit is still recovering from the back surgery he underwent last fall, but I was really impressed by how well Grigor coped with the pressure. He refused to give in and eventually closed out one of the biggest victories of his career. Even more impressive was the follow up. In the final against Kevin Anderson, the young gun once more put on a feisty performance to deny the South African 7-6,3-6,7-6 and seal the crown. "I didn't think I was going to come back after last night's match. I'm really happy. This title means a lot to me," said the excited Grigor. "Every match I played was really tough, especially the last three where I played three sets."

As a result of the great week, Dimitrov will crack the top 20 for the first time, peaking at No.16 on Monday. It might take a few more months, but I am confident we are looking at a future top 10 player, potentially even a top 5-er.

Dimitrov stunned second seeded Andy Murray 4-6,7-6,7-6 in one of the biggest wins of his career.

In the final, the young Bulgarian withstood a stiff challenge from South African Kevin Anderson to win 7-6,3-6,7-6. The Bulgarian claimed his second ATP title.

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Rekindling the Federer Magic

It took a while, but the all-time great Federer seems to have rediscovered his magic. The signs were there since the end of last season, when he reached the semis at the ATP Masters Cup, but the Swiss only reached full capacity in January. He reached the final in Brisbane, beat Tsonga and Murray to make the semis at the Australian Open, and he now stunned Djokovic and Berdych to claim the title in Dubai—his sixth at the event and first since Halle last year. 

Things finally seem to be heading in the right direction for Roger and I wholeheartedly admire the patience, the fight, the drive, and the determination of this monumental player who refuses to give in, despite the emergence of the younger generation. Since his miserable mid-2013, Federer has been working intensely to get back to his vintage form. He changed the racquet—opting for a larger head model—plus he changed tactics, playing more aggressive tennis, coming more often to the net, and relying more on his serve-and-volley game—he hired Swedish legend, Stefan Edberg, to help facilitate the process. The results were quick to show. Not only did he won the title in Dubai, but he impressed in comeback wins over Djokovic and Berdych. These two players have put a lot of problems to the Swiss in recent meetings. However, although they both took the opening act, they could not seal out the victory. Roger played magnificent tennis to eventually overcome them both. Especially against the Czech, the Swiss looked headed for a defeat. Tomas led by a set and a break , but Federer rekindled the magic. 

"I was happy I was able to use momentum, win that second set, and then it was a tough opening period in the third, wasting the Love-40 game on Tomas' first service game," said the Swiss. "Then saving break points myself. Anything could have happened there.

"Things definitely went my way out here tonight, but I have had a lot tougher matches in the last one and a half years, so this is nice to get a lucky break again."

Although this is a really sweet victory for Roger, it's surely not enough to take him back to the top of the game. He needs to ensure he plays consistently at this level for the remainder of the season if he wants to challenge arch-nemesis Nadal for the No.1 position. Plus, he needs to continue to beat the younger constants, especially Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Berdych, Tsonga, etc. if he wants to give himself a shot at another Grand Slam. Well done, Roger! #thekingisnotdead

Roger Federer reminded the world of his magic when he crowned himself champion in Dubai for a record sixth time. The Swiss put forth a sublime performance to stun Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych, in the semis, respectively the final. 

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