Simona's Strong Start to 2015

A week that started hesitantly ended in superb fashion for Simona Halep, who found her dominant self to collect the first title of the year in Shenzhen.

The Romanian went down the rabbit hole in the first match, recovering from a set and a break down to defeat fellow rising star, German Annika Beck. Once she cleared this hurdle, Halep cruised through the draw in straight sets to set up a final match-up with comeback kid, Swiss Timea Bacsinszky. The latter produced the surprise of the tournament stunning reigning Wimbledon champion, Czech Petra Kvitova, in the semis.

Although not 100% at her best, Simona put on a flawless performance, ending Timea's Cinderella run with a commanding 6-2,6-2.

"I wasn't feeling very well before the match—I was a little bit sick—so I told myself I have nothing to lose, just go on court, be relaxed, stay focused and fight for every point," Halep explained.

"It worked, and I felt really relaxed today. I'm happy I could play better day by day and match by match here. I'm looking forward to playing like today in the next tournament, maybe even better."

The result strenghtens Halep's credentials going into the Australian Open, where Simona hopes to claim her maiden Grand Slam crown: "I don't want to put any pressure on myself for the Australian Open. I have to be focused there, and I hope to win many matches there, but it'll be tough. I'll just try to do everything I did here."

photo: GETTY IMAGES

Champion of Champions. Petko Has the Final Laugh in Sofia

A week she started on the wrong foot ended in superb fashion for the ultra-popular Andrea Petkovic who clinched the title in the last edition of the Tournament of Champions in Sofia. After being crushed by Carla Suarez Navarro in the opening round robin match, the German picked herself to cruise past Australian Open runner-up Dominika Cibulkova and home hope Tsvetlana Pironkova. With a 2-1 record, she was second in her group and qualified for the semis. 

Having found her game at the best moment, Petko defeated rising star Garbine Muguruza 6-1,6-4 to book a date with Italy's Flavia Pennetta in the final. The match was once again an uphill battle. Flavia was untouchable in the early stages. She was magnificent, sealing the opener 6-1. But as usually with the Italian, she cannot really keep up the intensity for long. As soon as the opponent begins to fight back, she loses the momentum and the battle turns around. That exactly what Petkovic did. She stayed with Pennetta until she saw the opportunity to strike blood, turning things around to claim an epic 1-6,6-4,6-3 victory.

"I love watching Flavia play, but I hate playing her because she's so difficult to play!" said the German. "I'm happy I could gather enough energy and play well enough to win it in the end."

Both players had a great season. Petkovic won three titles—Charleston, Bad Gastein, and now Sofia—in addition to reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros. Flavia made the quarterfinals at both the Australian and the US Open and won the biggest crown of her career in Indian Wells. After some tough months marred with injuries, the duo has fought its way back into the top 15 and are seriously threatening to go higher next year. 

"I'm happy I met Flavia in the final because we've both been coming back from injury this year," declared Andrea. "I was so happy when she won Indian Wells because I know what she went through, and so it's even nicer to play her for this title today. I hope the next season is even better for her."

This event marked the end of the regular 2014 season. There are a few 125k tournaments left and of course, the Fed Cup final, but most players have already booked a truly deserved vacation. Petkovic is not one of them though, as the German is hoping to help her country lift the Fed Cup crown for the first time since 1992. Go, #teamGermany!

The exclusive field in Sofia consisted of, from left to right, Andrea Petkovic, Flavia Pennetta, Tsvetlana Pironkova, Ekaterina Makarova, Garbine Muguruza, Dominika Cibulkova, Carla Suarez Navarro, respectively Alize Cornet.

Flavia had a good week in Sofia being very close to lifting the trophy. She was in an excellent position to close out the victory before Petkovic fought back to eventually win an epic final.

Although she lost the first match, Andrea Petkovic rebounded in great style to clinch the trophy. She beat Italian Flavia Pennetta 1-6,6-4,6-3 to crown herself champion of champions in Sofia.

photos: Anton Stakov, Desislava Kulelieva, Anton Stakov

Old Fox Serena Still Reigns Supreme

It's clear to me that a miracle doesn't happen every day—that's why it's called a miracle. When Simona Halep destroyed world No.1 Serena Williams in their round robin match, the world was quick to announce the emergence of a new queen. The Romanian had played fabulous tennis in her first two clashed losing a total of seven games against Serena (6-0,6-2) and Canadian darling, Eugenie Bouchard (6-2,6-3). Courteosy of the result, she was guaranteed a place in the semis independent on the outcome of her final clash with Ana Ivanovic. However, should she had lost to the Serb in straight sets, her biggest rival, i.e. Serena, would exit the competition and Ivanovic would go through. 

The situation was tricky. On one hand you don't want to give Serena a chance at revenge, but on the other hand you want to win the battle on court and dot want to get involved in strategic calculations—or need be, do you? The confusion was such that it completely derailed Simona. She "chose" the worst option: she lost to Ivanovic in three sets. It's easy to do the shoulda-woulda-coulda now, but in my view a true champion should be smart and make the most of his/her opportunities. What followed was the most natural of scenarios: Halep crushed Radwanska in the semis, Serena struggled against bestie Wozniacki, and the two got to meet again in the championship showdown.

Simona was overconfident that she can beat Williams again. She started strong breaking her opponent to seize an early lead. What she didn't consider is that the American is the fiercest competitor out there and that she's at her best when she feels she has nothing to lose. In a fracture of a second, she turned things around going to serve out a devastating 6-3,6-0 victory to three-peat at the Season's Ending WTA Championships.

"She was playing so well in the first set, like she did the last time we played," Williams said. "I was literally on the side of the court and I laughed. But then I just told myself I had nothing to lose. I knew I just had to relax and start playing better if I wanted to win—and I really wanted to win."

"It's just been an unbelievable week," Williams confessed. "I just started training again last week because I had such a bad knee in Beijing. I can't believe I even made it to Singapore, and now I have the Billie Jean King Trophy, so I'm just really excited."

To add to the celebration, Serena also clinched the year-end No.1 spot this week, for the second season running, straightening her reign as the WTA's leading lady. In 2014, the American didn't have things quite her way, having to wait until the US Open to make a Grand Slam quarterfinals. However, she won in New York and she retained the No.1 ranking throughout the season. With the emergence of the young guns, it remains to be seen if she can maintain her dominance in 2015. My guess is that Serena will not go away any time soon. 

In their round robin match, Simona Halep destroyed Serena, stunning the world No.1 6-0,6-2.

Courtesy of the results this week, Serena clinched the year-end No.1 trophy for the second season running.

When the two met again in the final, Serena was better prepared. She returned the favour, quickly dismissing Halep 6-3,6-0 to three-peat at the WTA Championships in Singapore. 

photos: GETTY IMAGES

Time to Say Goodbye: Funny Li Exits the Stage

At the pinnacle of her career, Na Li stunned the world by announcing her retirement effect immediate on Fri, Sep 19. The Chinese trailblazer was expected to take part in the inaugural edition of her hometown premiere event in Wuhan, but an ailing body proved too much to handle. A recurring knee injury that forced her to miss the entire North American season, eventually led to Li deciding to hang up the racquet.

"I'm very proud of myself. After writing my letter and thanking so many people, I realized I've never taken even just a little time to thank myself. Now, at the age of 32, I want to thank the Li Na at the age of 15. It's because of the perseverance in my youth that I was able to achieve my goals."

It's common knowledge how much this player has done for Asian tennis. In addition to being the highest ranked Asian ever in singles (male or female) and its only Grand Slam champion (again male or female), Na Li's funny personality won over the world. She was twice named among the world's most influential people by Forbes, while her sky-rocketed popularity generated a huge tennis boom in China.

She will always be remembered for her on court fierce display, as well as for her witty, humerous speeches and interviews. While Miss Na Li will be deeply missed, she surely leaves her country's squad in good shape. Doubles specialist and Asia's first male or female No.1, Shuai Peng, just reached the semis at the US Open, while a slew of youngsters are starting to make a name for themselves. Therefore, China is quickly emerging as one of the most important tennis powerhouses.

"I believe Chinese tennis will enjoy a bright future," said Li. I don't want to compare myself with other tennis players, because everyone comes from a different background and we've all grown up in different circumstances, but I definitely believe Chinese tennis will get better in the future."

But tennis is just one chapter in this amazing woman's life. Asked about what her plans for the future are, Li said: "After retirement, I want to set up a tennis institute and engage in children's charities to help more kids. Also, after so many years of competition on the courts, I really want to make it up to my friends and family members, because on holidays and weekends we really had little time to get together with each other. And of course, I believe there will be a day that I will become a mother. We will see."

Let's relive the moments that made Na Li the hero of billions and billions of hearts! Goodbye, funny girl!

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2010: Li stunned Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams to join compatriot Jie Zheng in the semifinals. This marked the best Grand Slam performance ever by a Chinese, male or female.

BIRMINGHAM 2010: Na Li established herself as an all-court specialist, beating Maria Sharapova to win her first title on grass.

SYDNEY 2011: Na Li won her fourth WTA title defeating the greatest tennis mom, Kim Clijsters, in the final.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2011: Na Li became the first Asia to reach a Grand Slam final, saving match point against world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals. The Chinese came close, but was unable to deny super mum Kim Clijsters the completion of her Aussie Kim prophecy.

ROLAND GARROS 2011: Na Li wrote tennis history, becoming the first Asian (male or female) to win a Grand Slam. She defeated Italian reigning champ, Francesca Schiavone, in the final.

CINCINNATI 2012: Li got back to winning ways coming from behind to deny Angelique Kerber in the final.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013: Na Li once again made it to the final in Melbourne, but a series of injuries prevented her from playing her best. She eventually succumbed to world No.1, Vika Azarenka, 4-6,6-4,6-3.

WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013: The Chinese trailblazer ended 2013 on a high, reaching the final at the WTA Championships in Istanbul where she succumbed once again to world No.1, Serena Williams.

SHENZHEN 2014: Li defended a title for the first time in her career, holding off the challenge of her compatriot Peng Shuai.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2014: After so many near-misses, Li has finally crowned herself Australian Open champion ending Dominika Cibulkova's dream run.

WIMBLEDON 2014: Li played her last professional match at Wimbledon where she lost 7-6,7-6 to Czech Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova in the third round.

photos: GETTY IMAGES

4 and Counting for Improved Ivanovic

2014 was by far Ana Ivanovic's most consistent season. The Serb-who saw her game crumble to pieces following her rise to fame in 2008-has been making tremendous efforts to get her career going again and her work is finally starting to pay off.

Winner of three titles already this year (in Auckland, Monterrey, and Birmingham), Ana put forth a master performance to emerge victorious at the premiere Pan Pacific event in Tokyo. The road was tough, but a more complex Ivanovic handled the challenge superbly. She beat a slew of fierce opponents, defeating Vika Azarenka, Lucie Safarova, Angelique Kerber, respectively US Open runner-up Caroline Wozniacki in the final without dropping a set. 

"Caroline played a great match today," the Serb said afterwards. "It was a really good battle out there—there were some very tough moments, especially in the second set. But I just tried to take it one point at a time, and I'm really happy to make it through. It's just an amazing feeling to win this title."

"I love coming out here—you guys are amazing, it's always a pleasure to see you all," she confessed. "I've made some friends here through the years and it's great to be back every year."

Probably the most significant victory this week came over Lucie Safarova, ending thus a 5-match losing streak against the Czech. This is Ana's most important success since claiming her maiden Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros in 2008.

With four WTA titles to her name, Ana is now again a solid top 10 player, which puts her in an excellent position to secure one of the eight tickets to the WTA Championships in Singapore. "I'm really happy that this is one step closer to the WTA Finals in Singapore," Ivanovic said. "It's coming close and everything's on the line."

Good luck, girl! So glad to have you back and looking better than ever!

photo: GETTY IMAGES

Lucic's Record-Breaking Title in Quebec

A week after stunning world No.2 Simona Halep to make the fourth round at the US Open, Mirjana Lucic-Baroni achieved another important milestone in her impressive comeback, claiming her first trophy since Bol in 1998. The Croatian former wonder-kid enjoyed a memorable week in Quebec, dismissing high-quality opponents like Timea Babos, Julia Goerges, respectively Venus Williams in the final to win the title.
She wrote WTA history beating Kimiko Date-Krumm's record for the biggest gap between titles (16 years and 4 months compared to 13 years and 1 month).
To make the success even sweeter, Lucic-Baroni also won the doubles final with Czech Lucie Hradecka.
"I'm so happy I can't really find the words right now to explain how happy I am," Lucic-Baroni said. "I played such a great match today against one of the best players in the world, such a champion.
"It's been so long. I'm finally playing the great tennis I always knew I could play, but it had been so long that I kind of lost a little bit of the belief in myself. But now after starting with my new coach Julian Alonso, winning matches and really getting that belief back, I'm just so ready to keep going."
The result proves that her Flushing Meadows run was no fluke, the Croatian emphasizing her intent to get her career back on track following a lengthy hiatus.

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni had the magic going for her in Quebec. The Croatian beat Venus Williams to claim the singles crown, before teaming up with Czech Lucie Hradecka to win the doubles title.

photos: Pascal Ratthe

Lisicki Back to Winning Ways in Hong Kong

When she emerged on the big scene, emotional Sabine Lisicki impressed with her power game. When at its finest, her whipping serve, combined with lethal groundstrokes, is enough to blow anyone off the court. However, after a fast rise in 2010, the last couple of seasons weren't so fortuned for the German. Besides Wimbledon—where she's always done great—Sabine has failed to shine. 

This year she once again rekindled her fire on the grass and although she didn't defend the 2013 final, she made the quarterfinals, losing to Romanian revelation, Simona Halep. Her post-London results weren't spectacular, but she continued to improve. Having been 8-8 January to June, she's now compiled a 20-15 record since Wimbledon. The German also set the fastest serve in WTA history 131mph in Stanford.
Seeded first in Hong Kong, she finally put forth a winning run, ending a three-year title draught. It wasn't quite a walk in the park, but Lisicki did brilliantly to turn matches around, recovering from 3-6,2-4 against Romanian Monica Niculescu in the first round and from a break down in the decider against former Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone in the semifinals. The final was again a struggle, the German recovering from 5-1 down in the first set to close out a 7-5,6-3 victory over Czech Karolina Pliskova.

"After being in three finals last year and losing them closely, this is a big step forward for me," Lisicki said. "I've won titles in doubles but obviously the main goal is to play well in singles and get these trophies. And I'm even happier because coming here was such a spontaneous decision—we literally decided three or four days before the tournament—and I felt very well all week in Hong Kong."

I hope all these hard-fought victories will spark a return to top form for Lisicki. She has a huge potential and can reach the highest heights.

photos: Hab Studio

Wozniacki's Back in Business

Former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki has had a tough couples of years sitting by and watching powerless how she slipped down the rankings without any real strength to retain her front seat. 

While she still won titles, the Dane has fared poorly in Grand Slams failing to make the quarterfinals since the 2012 US Open (when she lost to Russian Vera Zvonareva in the semifinals). This summer however marked a slight change in fortunes for the popular Dane. It all started at Wimbledon where she reached the fourth round losing to Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. She then won in Istanbul and pushed Serena Williams to three sets in Montreal and Cincinnati.

She kept the good form going at Flushing Meadows where she took full advantage of an open bottom draw to make it all the way to the final. Wozniacki's master performance came against reigning French Open champ, Maria Sharapova, whom she beat 6-4,2-6,6-2 in the fourth round. It was a vintage display from the Dane who once again turned defense into attack to beat an erratic Sharapova. She followed up on the win in convincing fashion, quickly dismissing feisty Italian Sara Errani and surprise Chinese package Shuai Peng to set up another clash with two-time defending champion, Serena Williams. 

Talking about her achievement, an ecstatic Wozniacki said: "It's incredible. I have goosebumps right now. It's been five years since I've been in the final here, so it's incredible to be back."

As expected, the American had little trouble enforcing her power game against her good friend, winning the match 6-3,6-3. Although she lost the battle and the maiden Slam still eludes her, Caroline has showed this fortnight that she is heading in the right direction.

Caroline produced one of her best performances in years to defeat reigning French Open champion, Maria Sharapova, 6-4,2-6,6-2 in the fourth round.

In the quarterfinals, the Dane was flawless against Italian Sara Errani dropping just one game.

It may not have come the way she wanted it, but injury put a stop to Shuai Peng's dream run at the US Open, allowing Wozniacki to book her place in her second Grand Slam final.

In the final, Wozniacki lost 6-3,6-3 to her good friend, Serena Williams. While the Dane is still searching for her elusive Grand Slam, the American equalled Navratilova and Evert's tally of 18 majors.

photos: GETTY IMAGES

Serena Redeems to Equal Navratilova and Evert

Coming into the US Open, Serena Williams was under immense pressure. The world No.1 has endured a bit of a Grand Slam misery this season, failing to reach the quarterfinals at all three majors (lost to Ivanovic in Australia, to Muguruza in Paris, and to Cornet in London). But as she proved time and time again, after every failure, she's come back stronger than ever.

After a successful summer in which she won titles in Stanford and Cincinnati, the American was determined to make amends on home soil, at the US Open. While the other favourite had exited earlier than expected, a focused Serena kept her eyes on the prize. She took it one match at a time,  played smart tennis when it mattered most, avoiding thus any unpleasant surprises to eventually claim her 18th Slam. Serena was dominant from the get-go. She cruised through the draw with relative ease, beating compatriots Taylor Townsend, Vania King, and Varvara Lepchenko, Estonian Kaia Kanepi, Italian Flavia Pennetta, respectively Russian Ekaterina Makarova to make the final without dropping a set. In the final, she handled perfectly what could have been a very tricky opponent—throughout the summer, former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki had pushed her good friend to the limit in both Montreal and Cincinnati, but this time the American was untouchable. She closed out a 6-3,6-3 victory to tie all-time legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert at 18 Slams. "I couldn't have finished things in a better way. It is a pleasure for me to win here, I am really emotional. I couldn't ask to do it at a better place."

"It was definitely on my shoulders. It was definitely like, 'Oh, get there. Get there. Get there.'''

The No. 1 seed also collected a record prize ($3 for winning the US Open this year, plus an additional $1 million bonus for winning the Emirates Airline US Open Series), making her $4 million check the largest winner's purse in tennis history. 

Just when people were quick to announce the end of the Serena era, the two-time defending champ put on a master performance to stress her authority at the top of the rankings. She has no plans of going away any time soon, so it looks like sky is the limit for this fierce competitor.

Serena Williams defeated good friend Caroline Wozniacki 6-3,6-3 to claim her 18th Grand Slam title, equalling Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert.

photos: GETTY IMAGES

Martina's Near Miss at the US Open

When she came out of retirement she probably did not choose her partner very wisely. Daniela Hantuchova is a talented player, but she lacks the consistency and the variety to really complement Martina's smart games. Consequently, after some poor results last season, Hingis reassessed the situation and ultimately opted for another combo. She looked to have found the golden recipe when she teamed up with her trainee Sabine Lisicki to win in Miami, but the end of the collaboration left her without a partner. 

After a failed attempt with Vera Zvonareva at Wimbledon, the Swiss Miss found a permanent partner in Italian Flavia Pennetta. The two first joined forces at Eastbourne where they reached the final, but the duo really caught fire at the US Open where they came very close to lifting the title.

The fan-favourite team cruised to the final without dropping a set, taking out three seeds, Pavlyuchenkova/Safarova, Peschke/Srebotnik, respectively C. Black/Mirza. In the final they came out firing, winning the first set 6-2 and going a break up in the second. At that moment, Pennetta's game deserted her, the Italian making a slew of silly unforced errors that allowed their opponents to get back into the match. Experienced Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina responded to the invitation, turning the battle around, and ultimately closing out a 2-6,6-3,6-2 victory to lift their second Grand Slam crown. 

"We teamed up in the middle of the season and two months later we're here in the finals of the US Open—I could have only dreamed of this when we started playing together," Hingis said. "It's been an incredible journey here. They were just too good today, so I'd like to congratulate them."

I was really disappointed for Hingis to have missed out on such a great chance to add a 10th doubles major trophy to her elustrious resume. It was a match she should have won, but I trust this is just the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with Flavia. Hingis is equally optimistic: "We'll go to Asia—definitely Wuhan and Beijing—and do our best there, and then next year there's again four Grand Slams," she said. Hope to see you around next year, Swiss Miss!

Martina Hingis came very close to winning her 10th Grand Slam doubles title at the US Open. The Swiss Miss and her partner, Italian Flavia Pennetta, lost 2-6,6-3,6-2 to Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.

photos: GETTY IMAGES