Oops ... She Did It Again! Alize Stuns Serena

When she beat Serena Williams in straight sets in Dubai I assumed the victory was a one-hit wonder. However, Alize Cornet proved she is the real deal, stunning the world No.1 in her backyard, on the Center Court at Wimbledon—a place where the American shone brightly so many times. 

The match seemed headed for a quick finish, Serena cruising through the first set 6-1. Not sure how, but the Frenchwoman found the strength and inspiration to turn it around, leveling the dispute in tremendous fashion. With the momentum swinging in her favour, Alize built what seemed like a decisive lead. But at 2-5 down in the decider, Serena caught fire. As she did so many times before, the American mounted a comeback cutting down the deficit to force the Frenchwoman serve out the match for the second time at 5-4. A few unforced mistakes to start the game proved vital for Serena who watched her opponent serve out the biggest win of her career. 

"I'm just calming down now because I was very excited for an hour. I couldn't believe it. I still cannot believe it, actually," Cornet said. "If somebody would have told me a couple years ago that I would be in the second week here at Wimbledon, and beating Serena, I wouldn't have believed it. 

"It feels great. Of course, what a victory. It's the best way to get to the second week."

While Cornet reached just her second Grand Slam fourth round, Williams has now failed to make the quarterfinals at all three majors this year—she lost to Ana Ivanovic in the fourth round in Melbourne and to Garbine Muguruza in the second round at Roland Garros.

Next up for the jubilant Frenchwoman is young sensation, Canadian darling, Eugenie Bouchard whom she beat in their previous meeting.

Alize Cornet won the biggest match of her career, recovering from the loss of the first set to stun world No.1 on the Centre Court at Wimbledon. The Frenchwoman beat Serena Williams 1-6,6-3,6-4 to reach the fourth round.

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Federer's 7th Heaven

Halle is Federer's backyard, so it became a regularity for the Swiss to lift the Gerry Weber trophy. Every season Roger uses this tournament to erase a bit of the clay-court disillusion from his mind. This year was no exception. Following a premature loss at the French Open, Federer was hoping get his grass-court campaign to a flying start. Anything short of a title in Halle is catastrophic, so it's implicit that he just has to win. And like so many times before, he did just that. 

After escaping a minor scare in the opening round against Portuguese Joao Souza, the Swiss regained cruise control defeating Yen-Hsun Lu, Kei Nishikori, respectively Columbian Alejandro Falla, whom he beat 7-6, 7-6 in the final.
Another year, another crown and Federer now took his tally to seven triumphs in Halle. “It is great to have won seven times here,” Federer told ATPWorldTour.com. “It is very special and I hope to come back here next year, where it is a [ATP World Tour] 500-series event.”“I really enjoy winning titles. It is what I play for, to play and receive a standing ovation at the end. I am very pleased with my performance. I work hard and travel the tour to win these titles and not lose in the quarters or semi-finals. With all the success I have had in the past, I need to aim for titles. I think I deserved the title this week."
After the huge disappointment last season-when he was stunned by Ukrainian Sergyi Stakhovski in the second round-the Swiss needs to prove himself at Wimbledon. He hasn't made a Grand Slam final since winning the crown there in 2012, so you'd feel it's time.
“In the past, when I have played well at Halle I have usually played well at Wimbledon," said Federer. "They have been two of my most successful tournaments, so I hope that this title will bring me luck again. Last year it didn’t work out, but it did many times before. So I hope it will be back to the good old days.”
Good luck, the king of the lawns! Go capture another Wimbledon crown!

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Ivanovic on a Mission to Collect Silverware

After a few dark years when she failed to win a WTA crown, Ana Ivanovic seems determined to make up for the lost time. The popular Serb whetted her appetite in January by winning in Auckland. Since then she's been victorious in Monterrey, lost the final in Stuttgart, and has now recorded her first triumph on grass in Birmingham.

Ivanovic was in solid form the whole week, going on to claim the title without dropping a set. She beat German Mona Barthel, American Lauren Davis, Czech Klara Koukalova, Chinese Shuai Zhang, respectively Czech Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova in the final. 

"It definitely feels very special, not just to win my first title on grass, but to put my name next to champions like that (i.e. Martina Navratilova or Billy Jean King)," Ivanovic said. "I really had a good time on grass. "The crowd really has been amazing. I enjoyed my time here and I look forward to next year," she added.

Although the draw played in her favour, I am impressed by her capacity to take these opportunities and make the most out of them. She looks to have finally recaptured that winner's attitude that took her to the top of the game in 2008. She's not quite as strong as she used to be, but Ana is making huge progresses and I wouldn't be surprised to see her in contentation for the Slams once again.

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Sharapova Wins the Crown, Simona Conquers Hearts

After a few early upsets-amongst which the shock defeat of world No.1 and defending champion, Serena Williams, by Garbine Muguruza-it was more or less clear that this year’s Roland Garros was headed for a Sharapova-Halep final showdown. The two have been the dominant figures of the clay-court season. Simona made the final in Madrid-losing to none other than Sharapova-while the Russian also triumphed in Stuttgart.

In Paris, Halep did not drop a set en route to the final. Maria’s ride on the other side was way more adventurous. The Russian was pushed hard several times, having to often come back from the brink of defeat. In her trademark style, she fought hard, playing solid tennis when it really mattered, coming from behind to defeat Sam Stosur in the fourth round, Garbine Muguruza in the quarterfinals, respectively Canadian darling, Genie Bouchard, in the semis. Maria is the ultimate fighter. She will fight and she will win because she is extremely tough mentally. She is impenetrable. She is the Iron Lady. Nothing derails her from her accomplishing her mission. She wants the victory more than anything, so even when she falls behind, she often finds a way to turn things around and achieve her goal. She proved it again at the French Open battling her way through to a third consecutive final.

Although less experienced, to me, Halep was the favourite. Simona has been in superb form this fortnight, playing smart, effective tennis. Nevertheless, Sharapova is always an extremely tough nut to crack. She will jut not go away easy. The match promised a great battle, and a great battle it was. 

In one of the most entertaining Grand Slam finals in recent years, Simona Halep showed just what she’s capable of, winning four points in a row from 3-5 down to win the second set’s tiebreak and level the dispute. The decider was again topsy-turvy, with Maria once again going up in front 4-2 just to be pegged back at 4-all by the tireless Romanian. At 4-all, the Russian found that extra something that saw her win Wimbledon aged 16. A second of confusion from Simona was all it took for the match to be over. Sharapova won two rapid love games and recaptured the Parisian crown. 

As said, this match had it all: stellar shot making, drama, swings in momentum, great fight backs, and, most important, emotion. Both players wanted the win so much that they gave it their all. The result was somehow fair: Maria won the crown, while Simona conquered hearts. Of course, Halep could have won the final. She was close. However she achieved something even more difficult-she won tons of hearts. Millions of people fell in love with her fabulous game. She’ll hopefully start collecting silverware soon. She is serious, hard-working, committed, and, most important, she plays with emotion. She won me over. I’m a fan! Go, Simona! Get yourself a Slam! You fully deserve it.

Sharapova, on the other hand, gave another lesson on what it means to want something bad, to refuse to give in. to believe in yourself, and to eventually prove yourself to the world as the great champion that you are. Her iron will got her the title, the fifth major of her career. And judging by her determination, this will probably not be the last one.

Both Simona Halep and Maria Sharapova played a fabulous match. They gave it their utmost all, but unfortunately, there could only be one winner. 

While Simona achieved the biggest performance of her career, Masha claimed her fifth Grand Slam crown and second Roland Garros title.

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#GenieArmy Takes over Paris

Following her breakthrough run in Australia, tennis darling, Eugenie Bouchard, continues to prove herself as a top contender by reaching her second consecutive Grand Slam semifinal.

Clay might not be her favourite surface, but Genie made headlines these past months, reaching the semifinals in Charleston before going on to claim her maiden WTA title in Nurnberg. Hoping to extend her winning streak at the French Open, the Canadian displayed her trademark explosive tennis beating a slew of fierce opponents. After dismissing Germans Julia Goerges and Angelique Kerber, the Canadian overcame clay-court specialist, Carla Suarez-Navarro, in an epic three-setter 7-6,2-6,7-5 to set up a clash with Russian Maria Sharapova in the last four.

Better prepared than in Australia, Bouchard was in for the win. She won the first set 6-4 and had chances in the second. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her opponent’s mental power, losing 4-6,7-5,6-2.

Despite the loss, the young Canadian is establishing herself as an all-rounder. Still in her early 20s, Genie represents one of the brightest prospects of the game. Wimbledon is her favourite Slam, so I wouldn’t be surprise to see her produce some more damage there. She also possesses that star quality, that mass-appeal that makes people instantly fall in love with her and her game. Already a worldwide fan-favourite, I see her become the cover figure of women’s tennis for the years to come. I foresee  the #GenieArmy will take over the world!

Although just 20 years old, Genie Bouchard showed she is way ahead of her age. The Canadian put on a fierce display to push Maria Sharapova all the way before finally succumbing 6-4,5-7,2-6. 

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Petko Gets Her Happy Ending

After making a much-anticipated return to the winning circle with her triumph in Charleston, Andrea Petkovic took another step toward regaining her place in the world’s elite. At this year’s French Open, the German saw a great opportunity arising when her side of the draw lost second-seeded Na Li. Li has been in excellent form this season, winning the Australian Open and establishing herself as a solid No.2, behind American Serena Williams. In a shock first round upset, the Chinese lost to home hope, Kristina Mladenovic. 

The result played very much in Petkovic’s favour who ended Mladenovic’s dream run in the third round. She then dug deep, having to rely on her vaster experience to succumb the stiff resistance of Dutch qualifier, Kiki Bertens, to reach the last eight. Andrea, a former three-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, knew this was her chance to advance deeper into a major. She kept a clear head, went for her shots, was aggressive, inspired, and eventually got her reward. She played an incredibly precise match to stun former finalist, feisty Italian Sara Errani, 6-2,6-2 to reach her maiden Grand Slam semifinal.

Although she run out of steam against Romanian sensation, Simona Halep, Andrea’s performance at this year’s Roland Garros is nothing short of impressive. Her career was plagued by endless injuries and misfortunes, so I am more than excited to see her back, healthy, and playing at such a high level. She has the consistency and the game to reestablish herself as a regular top 10-er. Plus, she is so fun and witty. She is a great ambassador for women’s tennis. Welcome back, Petko! You've been missed!

Playing in her fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal, Petkovic beat Sara Errani 6-2,6-2 to finally take a step further and reach the semis.

Although she lost to Simona Halep, Andrea Petkovic completed a successful comeback from injury by recording her best performance of her career.

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The Importance of Being Ernests

I guess, the brutal truth is that Roger Federer has never quite got his feet going on clay. If it hadn't been for Robin Soderling's stunning upset of the almighty king Nadal in 2009, he probably wouldn't have completed a career Grand Slam. Having said this, I am not stressing that the Swiss is a poor clay-court player. Not at all, but the French Open has always been his Achilles heel. 

The same happened this season. After last year's shock defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals, Roger was determined to make amends. His run to the final in Monte Carlo announced him as a strong candidate for the trophy. After a few easy wins in Paris, things seemed well on track. 

Actually, everything was on track until Federer misplaced a smash at 7-6,5-3 40-15 against young gun, Latvian Ernests Gulbis. Cold-blooded Gulbis put that shot back into court, winning the point. That ball proved the turning point of the encounter, as the Latvian got himself back into the match breaking Federer's serve with an inspired display. He would go on to win that set and the set after, to build a commanding two-sets-to-one lead. Roger showed his class leveling the dispute, but a bit of a hesitation in the beginning of the decider proved costly, as his opponent capitalized on an early break to serve out the biggest win of his career. 

“It’s the biggest win of my career,” Gulbis confessed in an on-court interview. “Sorry I had to win. I know how everyone likes Roger. It was a tough match but this is sport. I’ve been playing very well in France. I won tournaments in Marseille and Nice, hopefully Paris is the next one.

"For my confidence and just for me as a tennis player, a five-set win over Roger Federer, it's really big. Hopefully it's going to change me that I become more confident about myself, you know, on a tennis court."

Gulbis, better known for the controversy surrounding him than for his on-court results, is determined to clear his reputation and to fulfill his prophecy. Since a few years now, he is expected to breakthrough and reach the pinnacle of men's tennis. Having reached his second Roland Garros quarterfinal, the Latvian goes on to face Czech Tomas Berdych. And judging by his solid results this season, he has a solid chance of advancing deeper into the draw.

Federer on the other side was clearly disappointed by this early exit. He now needs to refocus and get ready for Wimbledon, his favourite Grand Slam and the one that has the best chance of winning. Go Federer!

"I'm clearly very disappointed not to come through with the win," said Federer. "After the chance in the second set, fighting back in the fourth, not to play a better fifth set. There are a lot of regrets here now. But I think Gulbis did a good job of hanging around and clearly coming back in that second set was crucial for him, I think. It was a tough match and I'm disappointed I lost it."

Although his good form this season announced him as a strong contestant for the crown, Roger Federer saw his French Open campaign come to a sudden end when he failed to take his chances against Gulbis. The Swiss missed two chances to go two-sets-to-love up and that proved the turning point of the encounter.

The Latvian kept a cool head under pressure, derailing Federer to score the biggest win of his career. He won an epic encounter 6-7,7-6,6-2,4-6,6-3 to reach his second Roland Garros quarterfinal.

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