Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka, Bianca Andreescu Highlight U.S. Open Women’s Wild Cards

August 14, 2024 by Admin

The USTA today announced that four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and Americans McCartney Kessler, Amanda Anisimova, Alexa Noel and Iva Jovic will receive singles main draw wild cards into the 2024 US Open, as well as France’s Chloe Paquet and Australian Taylah Preston, as part of reciprocal agreements.

The 2024 US Open will be played August 26-September 8 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

Osaka, 26, is a four-time Grand Slam champion, including the 2018 and 2020 US Opens. The former world No. 1 returned to the court in January following the birth of her daughter. She has advanced to the third round or better at four WTA 1000 events so far this season and recently broke into the WTA Top 100 for the first time since her return.

Andreescu, 24, is the 2019 US Open champion and is currently ranked No. 166. She returned to the court earlier this year after missing nine months due to a back injury. She reached the third round at Roland Garros in her first event back and reached her first WTA final in nearly two years in June.

Kessler, 25, is currently ranked a career-best No. 100. The former All-American at the University of Florida made her Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2024 Australian Open after winning the USTA’s Wild Card Challenge, where she reached the second round. She also qualified for the main draw at Wimbledon and won the singles title at the USTA Pro Circuit W75 event in Rome, Ga., less than an hour from her hometown of Calhoun, Ga.

Anisimova, 22, earned her wild card by winning the US Open Wild Card Challenge, buoyed by a run to the final at the WTA 1000 in Toronto. The former world No. 21 returned to the court in January after taking an eight-month break from the tour in 2023 for mental health reasons. She reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in only her second tournament back and after her performance in Toronto, finds herself back inside the WTA Top 50.

Noel, 21, earned the wild card customarily awarded to an American NCAA singles champion by winning the title as a redshirt junior at the University of Miami in May. She’ll be making her return to the US Open for the first time since 2019 when she competed in the doubles main draw as the USTA Girls’ 18s national doubles champion.

Jovic, 16, won the singles title at the USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships. She is currently ranked No. 5 in the ITF world junior rankings and has won the girls’ doubles titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year. She has helped lead the U.S. to back-to-back Junior Billie Jean King Cup titles.

Paquet, 30, is currently ranked No. 97, one spot off her career-best ranking of No. 96. She earned her wild card based on a reciprocal agreement between the USTA and FFT where wild cards between the US Open and Roland Garros are exchanged.

Preston, 18, is currently ranked No. 146 and made her Grand Slam debut at the 2024 Australian Open. She earned her wild card based on a reciprocal agreement between the USTA and Tennis Australia where wild cards between the US Open and Australian Open are exchanged.

The USTA also announced the American women receiving wild cards into the US Open Qualifying tournament, held August 19-22 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center:

Clervie Ngounoue, 18, the former world No. 1 junior who won her first two professional singles titles this year; Liv Hovde, 18, the 2022 Wimbledon girls’ singles champion; Tyra Grant, 16, who has won three Grand Slam girls’ doubles titles; Akasha Urhobo, 17, who has reached three ITF singles finals this year, winning one title; Sophie Chang, 27, who won her fourth professional singles title at the W75 event in Evansville in July; Mary Stoiana, 22, the 2024 ITA National Player of the Year at Texas A&M; Kristina Penickova, 14, who reached the girls’ singles semifinals at the French Open; Julieta Pareja, 15, who won her first professional singles title at the W15 in Rancho Santa Fe in July; and Valerie Glozman, 17, the USTA Girls’ 18s national singles runner-up.

Naomi Osaka Opens Up About Postpartum Journey, Supporting Paid Leave

January 10, 2024 by Admin

Four-time major tournament champion Naomi Osaka is in a new territory, mentally and physically, as she gears up to return to the Australian Open for the first time since the birth of her daughter, Shai. In an exclusive interview with Glamour, Osaka opens up about her challenges postpartum, becoming the face of a new campaign to pass paid leave, and why she’s done worrying about what people think of her.

Read the full piece with Naomi Osaka here.

How experiencing childbirth changed her perspective:

“I feel so strong. People talk about childbirth, but it’s different once you experience it. I just feel like I can do anything and nothing will bother me, and the pain tolerance has definitely increased a lot from that. I just don’t really care about other people’s opinions anymore.”

On the importance of supporting paid leave in America:

“When I heard the stats, I was really shocked. I’m lucky enough to not have to go straight into work, but I really needed that time to process everything that’s happened and, of course, get to know my baby. And to see that there are so many women that don’t have that choice and they have to immediately go straight to work is really sad.”

On being nervous if having a child would affect her career:

“I was extremely nervous. I felt like I was stepping into the unknown, and I also felt like the last few years of my career were kind of sporadic too. So I didn’t even know if my sponsors wanted to take up the energy to go through this with me. But I’m really happy that I chose people around me that understand me and we’re going through this adventure together. I guess the biggest elephant in the room is Nike, but they’ve been so extremely helpful.”

On facing the Australian Open as both a tennis champion and mother:

“It seems so far apart from being a mom when I walk on the court. I’ve been playing tennis since I was three, so that’s something that is as normal as breathing for me. But at the same time: I often worry about if I’m a good mom, but at the end of the day, I realize Shai is my daughter. There’s nothing I could do or I want to do that’s going to change that, and I just want to be a good role model for her and I want her to be proud of me.”

Naomi Osaka To Return To The U.S. Open In 2021 For Title Defense

July 21, 2021 by Admin

The USTA t announced that 15 Grand Slam singles champions will headline the women’s singles field for the 2021 US Open Tennis Championships.

The U.S. Tennis Association announced that the women’s singles field at the 2021 US Open will led by world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty (AUS), the reigning Wimbledon champion and 2019 French Open champion; No. 2 Naomi Osaka (JPN), the reigning US Open champion and four-time major champion; No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka (BLR), a Wimbledon semifinalist and former US Open doubles champion; No. 4 Sofia Kenin (USA) the 2020 Australian Open champion; No. 5 Bianca Andreescu (CAN), the 2019 US Open champion; No. 6 Elina Svitolina (UKR), a two-time major semifinalist and 2018 WTA Tour champion; No. 7 Karolina Pliskova (CZE), the former world No. 1 and two-time major finalist; No. 8 Iga Swiatek (POL); the 2020 French Open champion; No. 9 Garbine Muguruza (ESP), a two-time major champion; and No. 10 Simona Halep (ROU), a two-time major champion.

Other major champions in the field include: 23-time major champion Serena Williams (USA); reigning French Open champion and world No. 11 Barbora Krejcikova (CZE); two-time Wimbledon champion and world No. 13 Petra Kvitova (CZE); two-time Australian Open champion and world No. 14 Victoria Azarenka (BLR); 2016 US Open champion and three-time major champion Angelique Kerber (GER); 2018 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko (LAT); 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens (USA) and 2011 US Open champion Samantha Stosur (AUS), who is using a protected ranking of No. 97.

The 2021 US Open will be played Monday, August 30 to Sunday, September 12 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. The US Open Women’s Singles Championship is presented by J.P. Morgan.

Sara Errani (ITA), a 2012 US Open semifinalist, ranked No. 104, is the last women to receive direct entry, while Kirsten Flipkens (BEL), is currently the first player on the alternate list. Stosur is one of four players using a protected ranking including No. 47 Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ), No. 68 Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) and No. 90 Ivana Jorovic (SRB). Sixteen more players will gain entry through the US Open Qualifying Tournament, which will be held August 24-27.

Thirty-four countries are represented in the women’s entry list, with 16 Americans qualifying for direct entry: No. 4 Sofia Kenin (Pembroke Pines, Fla.); No. 15 Jennifer Brady (Harrisburg, Pa./Orlando, Fla.); No. 16 Serena Williams (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.); No, 25 Coco Gauff (Delray Beach, Fla.); No. 26 Madison Keys (Rock Island, Ill./Orlando, Fla.); No. 27 Jessica Pegula (Buffalo, N.Y.); No. 36 Alison Riske (Pittsburgh, Pa.); No. 42 Shelby Rogers (Charleston, S.C.); No. 44 Danielle Collins (St. Petersburg, Fla.); No. 70 Sloane Stephens (Plantation, Fla.); No. 71 Ann Li (King of Prussia, Pa.); No. 76 Bernarda Pera (Tenafly, N.J.); No. 78 Madison Brengle (Dover, Del.); No. 84 Amanda Anisimova (Aventura, Fla.); No. 95 Lauren Davis (Gates Mills, Ohio); and No. 100 Christina McHale (Teaneck, N.J.).

The July 19 edition of the WTA rankings was used to determine the US Open main draw entry list. Seeds will be determined and announced closer to the start of the event.

The 2021 US Open will mark the culmination of the US Open Series, the North American summer season of nine WTA and ATP Tour events that began last week in Newport, R.I..

Could Naomi Osaka Be Key For Changing Tennis Media?

June 17, 2021 by Admin

by Bob Stockon

@BobStockton10

Off the back of the French Open with a huge win by Novak Djokovic, the biggest story to come from the event wasn’t around who won but instead what had happened in the early stages of the tournament. After winning her first-round match, 23-year-old and four-time major winner Naomi Osaka withdrew from the tournament before the second round of play – it’s a story that gained a lot of global attention as the reason cited had been to preserve her own mental health by not participating in mandatory press conferences due to anxiety and other reasons whilst also stating she’d be willing to pay the “considerable amount I get fined for this.” It wasn’t just the $15,000 fine that was surprising to many fans, however, but also the other penalties which could include further fines and future suspensions from other events – although in a spot of good form it seems the next big event of Wimbledon have left the doors wide open, reportedly reaching out to Osaka and her team insisting that they hope to welcome the young player. Being so highly ranked she would certainly be one of the betting favourites for those looking to take advantage of Betfred promo codes 2021 for Wimbledon, but with uncertainty around whether or not Osaka will take part it’s a bit of a waiting game.

It isn’t the first time that the French Open organisers, the French Tennis Federation, have come under fire following disagreements with Serena Williams back in 2018 regarding attire which already puts a bit of a black mark on the organising body – but both this 2018 disagreement and now the ongoing media conversation, could Osaka be key for changing the way tennis media and tournament organisers approach the games? There has been a lot of criticism around sports media and journalism as a whole in recent years for the attention-grabbing headlines and seemingly trapping athletes into nonsense questions, with stars from other sports like F1’s Lewis Hamilton reaching out and giving support, it’s clear that it isn’t just the one sport that’s the problem.

With mental health being such a huge priority for athletes today, Osaka’s withdrawal raises the question – if attending the press conferences are particularly damaging to mental health and provide no substance as they’re often rife with speculation and personal attacks, what’s the point in attending? With Wimbledon and the US Open still to come to round out the Grand Slam tour and the Olympics sandwiched between, there’s certainly an opportunity for change to be found and a lesson to be learned too, and Osaka could be a catalyst in pushing for change in tennis media from the back of this and the huge wave of support received.

An Open Letter To Naomi Osaka About Depression From Tennis Champion And Depression Sufferer Cliff Richey

June 2, 2021 by Admin

Following Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from Roland Garros citing depression and mental health, former U.S. and French Open semifinalist Cliff Richey drafted the following public letter to Osaka to help guide her (and others) through depression, the disease that has afflicted Richey most of his life. Richey documents his life and success over depression in his book “Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match” (for sale and download here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0942257669/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_468K44N1T5XF4PKNWJ4Z) He followed up with another book called “Your Playbook For Beating Depression” written with Professor Mary Garrison (for sale and download here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559688/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_PXATFXMMD5CCGGCJVPP2) to provide sufferers with an immediate reading guide to help them through the dark times of the disease. Cliff is proud of his tennis career, but is perhaps even more proud of his efforts as a mental health advocate, where he has no doubt saved many lives.

Dear Naomi,

You don’t know me, but I am part of our “club.” Having played the world tennis tour for 15 years, in the 1960s and 1970s, I won the first ever world point championship (the precursor to the ATP rankings) in 1970 and I was a member of two championship winning U.S. Davis Cup teams. I also won 45 tour titles. I had a long career and even played 10 more years on the senior tour. I have also had a long career with clinical depression. At one point in my life I was almost non-functional for three years. I had trophies on the wall, enough money to do what I wanted and a beautiful family. But I was sick and miserable. My disease was actually diagnosed after many years by my dermatologist. I had a year of counseling, and I read everything I could find to educate myself on what my opponent does and how it attacks. Clinical depression is a real medical disease. A lot of people don’t know it is, but it is. Once I got counseling, educated myself on the disease, I also was prescribed an antidepressant medication. I’m on 200 mg of Zoloft and have been for 24 years. For me it’s at least 50 percent of my recovery. Knowing about the disease and changing my life a bit is the other 50 percent. There is hope! There is recovery. Let me say that again because depression sufferers need to hear it over and over again. There is hope. There is recovery.

So many successful people have clinical depression. It’s actually sometimes referred to as the “successful man’s disease.” People who are creative, and go getters and smart can also have clinical depression. It’s one more hurdle we have to jump over. You are a great champion, Naomi. Your record proves it. Right at this moment I would ask that you do one thing—don’t give up! Don’t make any fast moves.

So let me put it into a few bullet points.

Antidepressant medication is not a last resort or a “cover the problem” pill. It works like insulin for a diabetic. It can correct a chemical imbalance in the brain. And you don’t build up tolerance with it. The worst thing you can do is use alcohol, cocaine or any of the street drugs. All of those are depressants that makes depression worse.

Counseling is a strategy session for how you can change a few things in your life and have a smoother ride. Reading and self education can be equally as important. As I said, you’ve got to know your opponent.

My recovery has been a good one. I have been productive and lived life in a healthier way. Clinical depression has been one of my life’s biggest hills to climb. Clinical depression is not just a down mood. Just like a diabetic coma is not just being light headed! It’s time our society gets to know what it is and how to treat it. I am a mental health advocate and published two books to help those who suffer. You can do it Naomi! I know you can. Go get’em!

Sincerely,

Cliff Richey

Naomi Osaka’s 2019 Season Ends With A Withdrawal

October 31, 2019 by Admin

Naomi Osaka’s season to the WTA finals came to a disappointing end when she declared her withdrawal from the tournament due to shoulder injury. She took this decision with a heavy heart but also claimed to have more positives in mind and confidence to bounce back in the next season with full fervour and zest. She addressed the media and opened her saga of emotions while sharing this news. In place of Osaka, Kiki Bertens have entered the game and played against Barty.

WTA- Women’s Tennis Association have introduced this tournament in the year 1972 where singles and doubles match are played by the chosen players. For singles match total of 8 women players are chosen according to their recent match wins, rankings and other calculations based on their winning sets in various tournaments. It is the 49th edition of the tour hosted in the city of China, Shenzhen for the first time. Naomi Osaka won the two Grand Slam titles and recently her life with Australian Open win took a turn as she basked the no. 1 spot in the ranking. She further participated in various tournaments and shown her classic game on a clay court with prowess and skill.

On her withdrawal from the finals she says, she did not want to withdraw as her performance was increasing with every match but the injury has completely ruined her plan and now she is not playing. Adding on to her statements she also added that at the end of the year she only wishes to be more consistent. She confessed that now she plans to involve in more hard training and looking forward to the 2020 Olympics that is scheduled to be held in here very own home country, Japan.

The more exciting news about the WTA finals is the Kiki Bertens who have entered the tournament after the withdrawal from Naomi Osaka has beaten world rank No.1 Ashleigh Barty and advances from the Red Group. This great win is proof that dedication and determination can never let you down. The interesting tennis match has been applauded greatly and people are very keenly involved in betting for the winning team or their favourite players. There are so many ways to bet on tennis match like the scores, tournament winner, match winner and so on. Bet players have immense option to choose from and surely many bet players would have been disappointed after the announcement of Naomi Osaka leaving the tournament in between due to health matter.

Moving ahead, as Osaka is not playing the WTA Shenzhen 2019 anymore, her match sets and game attitude will surely be missed and the world is waiting for the final results and the winner too. WTA tournament has been dear to many tennis lovers and they also never step behind in betting and winning. Along, with the winners of the tournament, bet winners too enjoy the possibility of betting and online bets and odds have added more pleasure and fun to this angle.

Naomi Osaka, Dominic Thiem, Novak Djokovic Grab Titles – Mondays with Bob Greene

October 6, 2019 by Admin

Mondays with Bob Greene

STARS

Naomi Osaka beat Ashleigh Barty 3-6 6-3 6-2 to win the China Open women’s singles in Beijing, China

Dominic Thiem beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 6-4 6-1 to win the China Open men’s singles in Beijing, China

Novak Djokovic beat John Millman 6-3 6-2 to win the Rakuten Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan

SAYING

“I accomplished what I set out to do.” – Naomi Osaka, after winning the China Open women’s title.

“I was trying to belt it and I couldn’t crack an egg out there.” – Ashleigh Barty, talking about the cold weather conditions during his China Open final loss to Naomi Osaka.

“It was a fantastic week in every sense. I felt great on the court … didn’t drop a set, played really well, served great. Just overall a great experience.” – Novak Djokovic, who won in Tokyo.

“Your legacy is continuing to build and will just live on long after you’ve finished playing but I’m sure you’ve got a fair few more years left.” – John Millman, complimenting Novak Djokovic after being thrashed by the Serb in the Tokyo final.

“It feels great because today was for me one of the best matches I’ve played in my life.” – Dominic Thiem, who served and volleyed his way to victory over Stefano Tsitsipas in the China Open final.

“It’s my first good tournament after a while. I just need to stay concentrated and not think too big of myself this week,” – Stefano Tsitsipas, who had lost five of his previous six matches before Beijing.

“I forgot how it felt and honestly it sucks. I didn’t miss it.” – Bianca Andreescu, after having her 17-match winning streak snapped in the China Open quarterfinals by Naomi Osaka.

“For me, I just do what I’ve been doing for, like, 21 years, which is play tennis. That’s the main thing for me. That’s the thing that I’ve done every day of my life and what gives me most joy.” – Naomi Osaka.

“It also shows that I (have) played another very good and consistent season. I’m looking forward to it a lot.” – Dominic Thiem, after qualifying for the eight-player, season-ending Nitto ATP Tour Finals.

“I felt that something isn’t right because my mind is there but my body wasn’t following it.” – Sabine Lisicki, 2013 Wimbledon finalist, who is resuming training after being diagnosed and treated for mononucleosis.

SECOND STRAIGHT TITLE

Naomi Osaka is sending a message on who’s number one on the WTA tour. Dominating the Asian swing, Osaka captured her second consecutive title, this time battering top-ranked Ashleigh Barty in the China Open final. “Honestly, all I was thinking about was how much I wanted to win so that made me very emotional,” Osaka said after her three-set victory. “In the second set I just tried to rationalize everything and then in the third set just continue what I was doing.” Despite Osaka getting the first break of the match, Barty took control to jump out front by winning the first set. The next two sets were an entirely different story as Osaka overpowered her Australian foe, striking quickly with down-the-line service returns and holding serve. “I still felt like the underdog (against Barty),” Osaka said. “Results-wise, she’s had a way better 2019, I think. She’s ranked higher than me. People look at that going into it.” The match was played in chilly weather, the temperature around 59 F (15 Celsius). Barty said the conditions nullified the zip on her serve and reduced the variety of shots she was able to play. Osaka had a different take on it. “I’m not really too much of an analyst, wo I can’t say whether the colder conditions helped me,” she said. Her Beijing victory came a week after Osaka captured the Toray Pan Pacific Ocean in her birthplace of Osaka, Japan.

Osaka became the fifth player to qualify for the year-ending WTA Finals, joining Barty, Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep and Bianca Andreescu. Osaka will be playing in her second straight WTA Finals, making her the second Japanese woman to qualify in consecutive years since Kimiko Date did it in 1994-96.

SO DOMINANT

Novak Djokovic dominated John Millman in winning his first Japan Open title and the 76^th of his career. It was the Serb’s first tournament since he withdrew from the US Open because of a shoulder injury. “It was a fantastic week in every sense,” Djokovic said. “I felt great on the court … didn’t drop a set, payed really well, served great. Just overall a great experience.” Millman, a qualifier, was playing in his first ATP Tour 500 final. And it was really no contest. Djokovic had 23 winners, including eight of his 12 trips to the net. “It sounds silly to say but I hope everyone all around the world realizes just how good you are,” a thorough impressed Millman told Djokovic at the trophy presentation. “You’re an absolute champion and you’re the type of person who’s going to be remembered forever.” Millman will certainly remember. Djokovic won 87 percent of his first service points, slammed six aces, never faced a break point and wrapped up the victory in 69 minutes. He didn’t drop a set the entire week. And he had a good word for Millman, who staved off three match points in his first qualifying match. “He had a great tournament,” Djokovic said. “Considering he was close to losing in the first round of qualies, to get this far, I think he’ll take it. He’s a fighter.”

SERVE AND VOLLEY???

Austria’s Dominic Thiem played what he called one of the best matches of his career. It came against Stefano Tsitsipas and in the China Open final. “Game style-wise and also how I came back, it’s definitely one of my biggest titles because the tournament is so strong, the draw was so strong,” Thiem said. “Makes me very happy that I stand as the champion at the end of the week.” It was Thiem’s fourth title in a season where the 26-year-old has posted victories over both top-ranked Novak Djokovic and third-ranked Roger Federer. In Beijing, Thiem and Tsitsipas – both known for their clay-court baseline battles – instead went to the net repeatedly, even serving and volleying on big points. Tsitsipas went to the net 33 times, eight more than Thiem, where he won 19 points, two more than the eventual champion. “I think today I never went so much to the net in one match before. It’s the right thing to do. I think it’s very important to shorten up points, to finish points at the net,” Thiem said. Tsitsipas won the opening set and was one point away from serving for the match. Instead, it was Thiem who prevailed, thanks to a backhand passing shot that clipped the net and fell in. Tsitsipas never recovered as Thiem won seven straight games, leveling the match at a set each and taking a 5-0 lead in the third. “I was so close,” Tsitsipas said. “Literally one point from getting a break, serving for the championship. I just did the wrong thing. I went back, wanted to take some time, in which he played smart. He served and volleyed.”

Thiem became the fifth player to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals. He joins Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Daniil Medvedev in the November 10-17 tournament.

START OF RIVALRY?

The last two US Open women’s champions met in Beijing, and it was Naomi Osaka coming out on top while snapping Bianca Andreescu’s 17-match winning streak. Osaka won America’s premier tennis tournament in 2018, while Andreescu captured the crown last month. In their China Open quarterfinal, Osaka fired 10 aces and 31 winners to prevail 5-7 6-3 6-4. It was Andreescu’s first loss since the Miami Open in March. There were 11 breaks of serve in the match. “I think we’re going to have many matches like this,” Andreescu said. “Our game styles are pretty different, but they level up pretty equally.” Osaka, who went on to win the tournament, noted that she didn’t reach a final on clay or grass this year. “I feel like people counted me out after the Europe thing,” she said. “I’m just like, I still won a Slam this year, I won (Osaka). I’m still here. But there’s a sort of beauty to be underrated.”

SITTING ON TOP

Kristina Mladenovic of France is back on top of the WTA doubles rankings. She replaces Barbora Strycova, who had held the top doubles ranking for 12 consecutive weeks. Mladenovic first took over as WTA doubles number one on June 10 of this year after winning her third career Grand Slam tournament doubles title at Roland Garros. She was number one for just five weeks before being ousted by Strycova. Mladenovic is the second French woman to reach the top ranking in doubles, following Julie Halard-Decugis in 2000, and is the 42^nd player overall since WTA rankings were introduced in 1975.

Mladenovic and her partner, Hungary’s Timea Babos, also became the third team to secure their spot at the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen, where they will be defending their title.

STILL WINNING

Goran Ivanisevic, who was a wild-card entry when he won Wimbledon in 2001, is the fan favorite to enter the International Tennis Hall of Fame next year. The retired 48-year-old Croatian led the way for four candidates in balloting by fans from more than 120 nations. Spain’s Conchita Martinez, the 1994 Wimbledon winner, was second in fan voting, with Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman, a former world doubles number one, finishing ahead of Spain’s Sergi Bruguera. A candidate must receive 75 percent support from the official Hall voting panel, which includes Hall of Fame members, historians and reporters. Success in fan voting brings bonuses toward that threshold. Next year’s inductees will be announced at the Australian Open in January with enshrinement ceremonies set for next July at the ATP Hall of Fame Classic in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

SKIPPING SHANGHAI

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Rolex Shanghai Masters because of an injury to his left hand. It is the same injury that caused him to be unable to take the court for his second singles match at Laver Cup last month. Nadal has never won Shanghai, finishing runner-up in both 2009 and 2017. The reigning US Open men’s champion has won 28 of his past 29 matches, including the last 11. Nadal is next scheduled top compete at the Rolex Paris Masters.

SHARAPOVA WITHDRAWS

An ongoing shoulder injury has forced Maria Sharapova to withdraw from the Upper Austria Ladies Linz tournament. Currently ranked 137^th in the world, Sharapova has entered only eight tournaments this year, reaching the quarterfinals only once, and that in the first week of the year in Shenzhen, China. In the Australian Open, she reached the quarterfinals where she lost to Ashleigh Barty in three sets. Sharapova has won only eight matches this year.

SINO MARK

After 47 years, two Japanese players have reached the quarterfinals of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships at the same time. Taro Daniel beat Australian Jordan Thompson 6-4 7-6 (3) and Yasutka Uchiyama edged Moldova’s Radu Albot 6-7 (2) 6-3 6-4 in their round of 16 battles. The last time two Japanese players reached the quarters was 1972, when Toshiro Sakai and Jun Kuki did it. At that time, there were 18 Japanese players in the draw; this year, there were five. There has been a Japanese quarterfinalist in Tokyo in seven of the past eight years, with the only exception being 2016. Neither Daniel nor Uchiyama reached the semifinals.

SUSPENDED

An Italian umpire was suspended by the ATP after he made sexual comments to a 16-year-old ball girl. Gianluca Moscarella was umpiring an ATP Challenger Tour match in Florence, Italy when he was caught on camera telling the ball girl “very sexy,” among other remarks. He also was heard urging a player to win. A gold badge umpire, the highest level of international certification, Moscarella asked the ball girl later in the match, “Are you OK? It’s hot. Do you feel hot? Physically or emotionally?” The video was shown on social media and the ATP immediately dismissed Moscarella from the event and suspended without pay. The ATP said Moscarella will not work any ATP or Challenger event as a “contracted ATP official” until an investigation is complete.

STUDY WHILE WORKING

Tennis isn’t the only thing on Caroline Wozniacki’s mind these days. The Danish star is taking a Harvard University class and said she has been “reading a lot, doing my homework.” Wozniacki said: “It’s been good. It’s the business crossover program. It’s learning business. You know, if you want to start your own business one day, it’s good to know what goes on behind the scenes, what decision are good to make, and how to make the most revenue. You know, just trying to learn the basics.”

SKIN COLOR

In laughing off comments about her skin color, Naomi Osaka got in a plug for one of her sponsors. A Japanese comedy duo allegedly joked that the tennis star, born in Japan to a Japanese mother and Haitian father, is “too sunburned.” Posting on Twitter, Osaka lampooned the comments by noting her cosmetic sponsor Shiseido. “Too sunburned’ lol that’s wild,” Osaka said on Twitter. “Little did they know, with Shiseido Anessa perfect UV sunscreen I never get sunburned.” The duo and their management company apologized for the “inappropriate, hurtful remarks,” but did not refer to Osaka by name. In January, the Japanese noodle company Nissin was accused of “whitewashing” Osaka after being forced to remove an advertisement depicting a cartoon of the tennis star with pale skin and light brown hair. Nissen promised to pay more attention in the future to issues of diversity and racism.

SPORTS WRITER

Besides winning matches on court, Andrea Petkovic of Germany is winning awards as a writer. An article in Racquet Magazine written by Petkovic was recognized by Longreads with a Notable Mention in Best American Sports Writing category. Petkovic joined the American indie band “Tennis” on its tour cross the southeastern United States. During the tour, she recorded her musings on the nature of living on the road, both as a professional tennis player and as part of a rock band. She also photographed the experience that accompanied the essay titled, “Tennis vs. Tennis.” “Just a few days ago I was a tennis player on vacation in Mexico, and now I’m a writer on tour with a band, carrying a Polaroid camera with me wherever we go, holding it up and in their faces in their most vulnerable moments, hoping to get something, hoping to see something real, something graspable, something explainable, something wrote writing down,” Petkovic wrote in the essay.

STAYS ON ITF BOARD

Mary Pierce and Mark Woodforde have been re-appointed to four-year terms as the athlete representatives to the International Tennis Federation Board. “Mary and Mark have made significant contributions to the ITF Board over the last four years and we are delighted to have them continue another four years to bring the athlete’s voice into our board meetings and help us make informed decisions for the good of tennis and the ITF member nations,” ITF President David Haggerty said. The ITF Board also unanimously appointed four members in senior leadership roles. Rene Stammbach of Switzerland was appointed treasurer and continues in his role as chairman of the finance committee, while three others were appointed vice presidents: Katrina Adams, the immediate past president of the United States Tennis Association; Bernard Giudicelli, president of the Fédération Française de Tennis; and Bulat Utemuratov, president of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation.

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Beijing (men): Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek beat Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo 6-3 7-6 (4)

Beijing (women): Sofia Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands beat Jelena Ostapenko and Dayana Yastremska 6-3 6-7 (5) 10-7 (match tiebreak)

Tokyo: Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin beat Nikola Mektic and Franko Skugor 7-6 (7) 6-4

SURFING

Shanghai: http://en.shanghairolexmasters.com/

Fairfield: https://www.fairfieldprotennis.com/

Mouilleron-Le-Captif: https://www.internationauxdevendee.com/

Tianjin: http://www.tianjinopen.com/

Linz: https://www.ladieslinz.at/de/news/index_ger.html

Moscow: https://kremlincup.ru/

Antwerp: http://europeanopen.be/

Stockholm: https://www.stockholmopen.se/

Luxembourg: https://www.bglbnpparibas-open.com/

Suzhou: www.tennis.org.cn

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

MEN

$8,322,885 Shanghai Rolex Masters, Shanghai, China, hard

$162,480 Santo Domingo Open, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, clay

$108,320 Northbay Healthcare Men’s Pro Championships, Fairfield, California, USA, hard

$100,600 Internationaux de Tennis de Vendee, Mouilleron-Le-Captif, France, hard

WOMEN

$500,000 Tianjin Open, Tianjin, China, hard

$250,000 Upper Austria Ladies Linz, Linz, Austria, hard

TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK

MEN

$922,520 VTB Kremlin Cup, Moscow, Russia, hard

$780,567 European Open, Antwerp, Belgium, hard

$780,567 Intrum Stockholm Open, Stockholm, Sweden, hard

$162,480 Yinzhou International Men’s Tennis Challenger, Ningbo, China, hard

WOMEN

$1,032,000 VTB Kremlin Cup, Moscow, Russia, hard

$250,000 BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open, Luxembourg, Luxembourg, hard

$100,000 ITF Suzhou, Suzhou, China, hard

Stan Wawrinka Advances When Novak Djokovic Retires – Mondays with Bob Greene

September 2, 2019 by Admin

Mondays with Bob Greene

STARS

US Open (First Week)

Stan Wawrinka beat top-seeded Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 2-1 retired

Wang Qiang beat second-seeded Ashleigh Barty 6-2 6-4

Johanna Konta beat third-seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-7 (1) 6-3 7-5

Thomas Fabbiano beat fourth-seeded Dominic Thiem 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2

Taylor Townsend beat fourth-seeded Simona Halep 2-6 6-3 7-6 (4)

Andrea Petkovic beat sixth-seeded Petra Kvitova 6-4 6-4

Alex de Minaur beat seventh-seeded Kei Nishikori 6-2 6-4 2-6 6-3

Julia Goerges beat seventh-seeded Kiki Bertens 6-2 6-3

Andrey Rublev beat eighth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 64 6-7 (5) 7-6 (7) 7-5

Vasek Pospisil beat ninth-seeded Karen Khachanov 4-6 7-5 7-5 4-6 6-3

Yulia Putintseva beat ninth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (3)

Mikhail Kukushkin beat 10^th-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-3

Elina Svitolina beat 10^th-seeded Madison Keys 7-5 6-4

SAYING

“She was crying, she won. I was crying. Everybody was crying.” – Coco Gauff, following her third-round loss to top-ranked Naomi Osaka.

“It is what it is.” – Dominic Thiem, after being upset in the first round by Thomas Fabbiano.

“Actually, I’d rather not be tested in every match. But that doesn’t happen, so it’s important for me to have those, like, really rough, rowdy matches. That helps a lot.” – Serena Williams, after being pushed before beating Caty McNally 5-7 6-3 6-1.

“I walked out there and I had the chills. That was the most insane atmosphere. I’ve never played on a court nowhere near that big, especially a night match. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was just an unbelievable experience, something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.” – Caty McNally, following her loss to Serena Williams.

“Definitely was one of the nicest, I would say, crowd that I played. Of course, they were against me, but I just tried to accept this and tried to actually turn it the other way, to say to myself that, you know, they’re cheering, but they’re cheering for me, which actually was not true.” – Elina Svitolina, after beating crowd favorite Venus Williams 6-4 6-4.

“I’m excited to get to my next matches and sad it had to end early here.” – Venus Williams, following her second-round loss to Elina Svitolina.

“I can get angry with myself by being 6-1 5-3 and missing a ball. But that’s me, and I guess also because of this I’m playing the level I am because I’m not going to give up on any point and I just want to, you know, play every point perfect, which I know it’s not possible.” – Karolina Pliskova, after beating Mariam Bolkvadze 6-1 6-4.

“I haven’t really figured out where I’m going to go from here, like what to think from that match. I don’t even know what my emotions are regarding that match. I don’t know if I should be frustrated, sad. I’m not sure.” – Felix Auger-Aliassime, following his first-round loss to fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

“It’s not an easy road. It’s never been. To find myself playing a night match at the US Open with people excited about the matchup, it’s a pretty big deal. I’m fortunate to be a part of that.” – Maria Sharapova, who lost to Serena Williams 6-1 6-1 in the first round.

“I was happy with today, so I’m not going to ask for more. Whether the win is easy or whether it’s tough, a win is a win.” – Venus Williams, following her first-round 6-1 6-0 win over Zheng, Saisai.

“I hope I can be the one to beat top three, but I feel like those three guys are still at a different level.” – Kei Nishikori, when asked if he felt he could beat Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadar or Roger Federer in a Grand Slam tournament final.

“I feel like I come to the US Open and you feel all the girls can win and they’re playing incredible. Everybody is a threat.” – Garbiñe Muguruza, after being upset by Alison Riske.

“Now you never know what is going to happen during the tournament. Every match is tough, first round, second round, doesn’t matter. It’s the same level.” – Simona Halep, when asked about the parity in the women’s game.

“What I do on court is great, but what really matters is what happens off court, the people who you affect.” – Coco Gauff, at 15 the youngest player in the US Open, when asked about her new-found fame

“It’s tough to put lot of pressure on her now or talk too much about her new. Even if she’s doing amazing things, she is very young.” – Rafael Nadal, when asked about 15-year-old Coco Gauff.

“It’s a combination. I’m definitely bummed out. At the same time I think I do have a new perspective, that it’s not life and death out there. It’s a privilege to be on a court like that against a player like that.” – Nicole Gibbs, who is playing again after conquering cancer.

“I’m just happy to be here. There’s not much to complain about. I’m in New York, playing the US Open, some great weather and playing some great tennis.” – Alex de Minaur of Australia.

“This is tennis, this is sport, and we have to deal with this. I will deal with this as good as I can.” – Angelique Kerber, speaking of her first-round 7-5 0-6 6-4 loss to Kristina Mladenovic

“I’ve always tried to be ready for anything, to have the Plan A, Plan B, maybe even Plan C in my pocket.” – Elina Svitolina, after beating Whitney Osuigwe 6-1 7-5.

“You learn how to play under pressure, you learn how to play on the big stages in front of so many people. Yeah, just focus on your action and what you can control. That comes with experience.” – Elina Svitolina, after beating Whitney Osuigwe 6-1 7-5

“Call Me Coco.” – Printed on Cori “Coco” Gauff’s shoes.

“What people have to understand is how (Althea Gibson) persevered and what she means to our sport. But not just to our sport, to all society, to everyone. I want the young generations to understand what she did for all of us – particularly people of color – but she inspired all of us.” – Billie Jean King, on the unveiling of the Althea Gibson Sculpture Garden at the US Open site.

“(Angela Buxton) was a pioneer in her own right to stand up and say, ‘This isn’t right. Just because you look different doesn’t mean you are different.’” – Serena Williams, acknowledging the role of Buxton, who was Althea Gibson’s doubles partner.

STAN’S SHOCKER

Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka grabbed a spot in the quarterfinals when top-ranked Novak Djokovic retired while trailing 6-4 7-5 2-1. It was the sixth time Djokovic has retired in Grand Slam matches, this time apparently because of a problem with his left shoulder. The defending champion retired after dropping his serve in the third game of the third set. He had not lost before the quarterfinals in Flushing Meadows since 2006. Wawrinka won the US Open in 2016, one of his three Grand Slam tournament titles, when he beat Djokovic in the final. This time Wawrinka overpowered the Serb with his serves and huge ground strokes. It was his fifth career win over a player ranked number one in the world. Djokovic was seeking his third major win of this year, having triumphed in the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

SUPER SWEET

When top-ranked Naomi Osaka and 15-year-old Coco Gauff met in a third-round battle in Arthur Ashe Stadium, everybody won, including the crowd. Osaka advanced with a marvelously-played, high-quality 6-3 6-0 victory, then shared the spotlight with her young opponent. “I thought about what I wanted her to feel leaving the court,” said Osaka, the defending US Open champion. “Like, I wanted her to have her head high, not walk off the court sad. I want her to, like, be aware that she’s accomplished so much and she’s still so young.” The score didn’t tell how well Gauff played, how many of her well-struck groundstrokes came roaring back with even more mustard. What Gauff did, Osaka did better. “I think I’ll learn a lot from this match,” said Gauff, who was the crowd favorite. “She’s the number one player in the world right now, so I know what I need to do to get to that level.”

SMART TACTICS

Playing a game from the past, American Taylor Townsend shocked Wimbledon champion Simona Halep in the second round of the US Open, 2-6 6-3 7-6 (4). “This was a huge, monumental moment,” the 23-year-old Townsend said. “It was a very defining moment for me to realize that I belong here. I’ve had a lot of people doubting me being able to break through. It’s just confirmation more for myself that I’m on the right path, doing the right things.” A qualifier, Townsend pulled off the biggest victory of her career by playing serve-and-volley on nearly every point in the final two sets. It was the style of play that was used when the courts were grass and bumpy. Today, most are either hard, like the US Open, or clay. And smooth. “I know who I am. I know what makes me tick. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” Townsend said. “You dust yourself off and you keep going.”

Townsend didn’t stop there. In her third-round match, she beat another Romanian, Sorana Cirstea, 7-5 6-2 to advance to the second week of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career.

SHOULDER TO STAND ON

Finally, Althea Gibson is getting her due. The first African American to break the color barrier in tennis and winner of 11 Grand Slam tournament titles was recognized at the US Open with a statute. The sculpture – Gibson’s head emerging from a granite block with five blocks on the side – sits on the southeast side of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis venue in the world. One of Gibson’s shoulders is exposed. It’s the shoulder that “everyone since has stood on,” said its sculptor, Eric Goulder. Gibson was the first black player to win the French Nationals, Wimbledon and the US Nationals, now the US Open. When she retired in 1958, she was the top-ranked woman in tennis, having won more than 50 singles and doubles championships. Then Gibson became the first African American woman to play on the professional golf tour.

At the unveiling ceremony were former players Leslie Allen, Kim Sands, Kyle Copeland-Muse, Katrina Adams, Zina Garrison, Jeri Ingram, Wendy Driver, Renee Blount, Carol Watson, Chanda Rubin, Diane Morrison Shropshire, Billie Jean King and Angela Buxton as well as former US Open winner Sloane Stephens.

STICKING AROUND

She hasn’t won the US Open since 2001, but that doesn’t mean Venus Williams has quit trying. The elder Williams sister was not seeded in her 84^th Grand Slam tournament singles draw, the most appearances at a major by any player in the Open Era. Her sister Serena is playing in her 73^rd Grand Slam tournament, second among women. Roger Federer tops the men’s list by playing in his 78^th major singles tournament. This is the 21^st US Open for Venus, which ties her with Martina Navratilova as the most by a woman. Jimmy Connors played in 22 US Opens, one more than Andre Agassi among the men. Federer is playing in his 19^th US Open.

SHE’S IN

Kim Clijsters, who won the US Open three times, is the latest inductee into the US Open’s Court of Champions. Clijsters is the first Court of Champions inductee since Tracy Austin in 2016 and the 28^th overall. The Belgian won her first US Open women’s singles title in 2005 before retiring two years later. After having a daughter, she returned, winning two more titles in 2009 and 2010. To be eligible for the Court of Champions, players must have won at least one singles title at the tournament and have been retired from singles at the US Open for at least five years. Clijsters also is an inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

SET FOR DOUBLES

Naomi Osaka is the world’s top-ranked women’s player in singles. Doubles is a completely different game. The 21-year-old was asked if she would possibly join Kei Nishikori in mixed doubles at the next year’s Tokyo Olympics. “I would play,” Osaka said. “I would definitely play with him. I just, I would actually need to practice doubles for the first time in my life.” While she would be proud of representing her country in the Olympics, Osaka also realizes the responsibility. “Because you cannot play mixed doubles with Kei Nishikori and lose in the first round of the Olympics in Tokyo,” she said. “That would be the biggest – like, I would cry.”

SPORT OF THE WORLD

Proving tennis is a world-wide sport, 51 nations were represented in the singles competition at this year’s US Open. The United States, as expected, had the most players, 39 – 23 women and 16 men. Fifteen countries were represented by just one player: Austria, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Tunisia and Uruguay.

SISTER ACT

Sisters Venus and Serena Williams won the US Open doubles title in 1999 and again in 2009, the only two times they reached the final at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Their streak of winning every 10 years won’t be repeated in 2019, however. The sisters did not enter the women’s doubles this year.

SPECTATORS

There was plenty of star power in her player’s box when Naomi Osaka beat Poland’s Magda Linette 6-2 6-4 in their second-round match in Louis Armstrong Stadium. Watching the action were five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. “I did want to play well,” Osaka said of her special guests. “It’s just funny to me. Last year compared to this year, there’s no way Kobe would sit in my box. Kaepernick, too. It’s just crazy who you run into in life.” She sped through her victory because of her company, she said. “It was just like I really didn’t want them to sit in the sun too long, honestly. That was the thing that was on my mind.”

SUCCESS DOLLAR-WISE

Although she lost to Karolina Pliskova 6-1 6-4 in the second round, her first US Open was financially successful for Mariam Bolkvadze of Georgia. Second-round losers at the year’s final Grand Slam tournament receive USD $100,000. Bolkvadze’s career earnings before qualifying for this year’s US Open main women’s single draw was USD $79,882. By reaching the second round, the 21-year-old also is guaranteed to break into the Top 200 in the women’s rankings for the first time in her career.

SPREAD THE WEALTH

Roger Federer is reportedly worth more than USD $140 million, but is concerned about the players who are on the bottom of the earnings ladder. Having recently rejoined the ATP Player Council, Federer said he will work to see that lower-ranked and qualifying-grade players will get a larger share of any prize money increases the players’ organization negotiates in the coming years. “I do believe the Challenger players (those playing on the ATP Challenger Tour, one rung below the main ATP Tour) and also maybe qualifying and second-round loser should get more,” Federer said. “I think if there should be increases, it shouldn’t be at the top any more. I feel like we have reached a pretty good level there.” Both US Open singles champions this will pocket USD $3,850,000.

SPECIAL REQUEST

A ball boy was a little bewildered when Venus Williams asked for a cup of coffee. Williams made the request to someone on her team. When it arrived courtside, the coffee was given to the ball boy to deliver it to her. One problem, however. The ball boy watched as Williams left the court and was heading into the tunnel, leaving him holding the cup of coffee. With everyone watching, the unidentified ball boy placed the cup next to her chair for when she returned.

SIBLING SETS

Seven sets of siblings played in this year’s US Open, but only two pairs played together. American twins Bob and Mike Bryan played men’s doubles, while Taiwan’s Chan Hao-Ching and Latisha Chang competed in the women’s doubles. Neal Skupski teamed with fellow Brit Jamie Murray, while Neal Skupski paired with Romania’s Marius Copil. The Kichenok sisters from Ukraine have split up, Lyudmyla playing with Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko and Nadia teaming with American Abigail Spears. Mischa Zverev of Germany paired up with Frenchman Benoit Paire, while his brother, Alexander, concentrated on singles only. Not playing doubles were Karolina and Krystyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic and Americans Venus and Serena Williams.

SET OF BOYS

Former world number one Ana Ivanovic has a growing family. The 2008 Roland Garros winner tweeted, “We are bursting with love and happiness. Our boy got a little brother.” Ivanovic retired at the end of the 2016 season after marrying Bastian Schweinsteiger, a professional soccer player. She gave birth to her first child, Stefan, last year. The 31-year-old Serbian star currently lives in Chicago, where Schweinsteiger plays for the Chicago Fire.

SPANISH PAIN

Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro was fined USD $40,000 for retiring during her first-round match against qualifier Timea Babos of Hungary while trailing 6-2. “After reviewing reports from medical staff and Grand Slam supervisors, the determination was made that Carla Suarez Navarro did not perform to the required professional standards,” tournament referee Soeren Friemel said in a statement, citing the First Round Performance Rule. The 28^th seed said on Twitter that she had had “not the easiest weeks” this year due to back pain, but she did not directly refer to the fine.

SLEW OF OFFENSES

Playing in the US Open is costing Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. The tournament’s fifth seed was fined USD $9,000 for a slew of offenses during his third-round victory over Feliciano Lopez of Spain. That brings Medvedev’s tally up to USD $19,000 through his first three matches at this year’s event. He was fined USD $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct when he angrily snatched a towel from a ball person and was USD $4,000 for giving hi middle finger to the crowd. “I am working on myself and hopefully I will be better next time,” the 23-year-old said. Medvedev was fined USD $7,500 for verbal abuse in the first round and USD $2,500 for throwing his racquet in the second round.

STUPID MOVE

American doubles specialist Mike Bryan was fined USD $10,000 for pointing his racquet as if it were a gun during his match. Bryan was called for a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct in the last game of the second set after making the gesture. Mike and his twin brother Bob challenged a call when a lob by their opponents was ruled in. When the replay showed the ball had landed out, Mike Bryan pointed toward the chair umpire and line judge with a finger, then placed the head of his racquet on his shoulder and pretended to “aim” the handle. The match was played hours after a man in Texas fatally shot seven people and injured 22 others. It was the biggest fine given out so far at this year’s US Open. “The gesture warranted that amount,” said United States Tennis Association (USTA) spokesman Brendan McIntyre.

SURFING

New York: https://www.usopen.org/index.html

New Haven: http://ww1.oracelchallengerseries.com/

Genova https://www.challengergenova.com/

Szczecin: www.pekaoszczecinopen.pl

Hiroshima: https://www.jta-tennis.or.jp/jwo/tabid/549/Default.aspx

Nanchang: http://www.jxopen.net/

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

MEN

US Open, New York, New York, USA, hard (second week)

$162,480 Jinan Open, Jinan, China, hard

$162,480 Oracle Challenger, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, hard

$153,218 Aon Open Challenger, Genova, Italy, clay

WOMEN

US Open, New York, New York, USA, hard (second week)

$162,480 Oracle Challenger, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, hard

TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK

MEN

$151,601 Pekao Szczecin Open, Szczecin, Poland, hard

WOMEN

$1,000,000 Zhengzhou Open, Zhengzhou, China, hard

$250,000 Hana-cup Japan Women’s Open, Hiroshima, Japan, hard

$250,000 Jiangxi Open, Nanchang, China, hard

Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams Knocked Out of French Open – Mondays with Bob Greene

June 2, 2019 by Admin

Mondays with Bob Greene

STARS

French Open (first week)

Katerina Siniakova beat top-seeded Naomi Osaka 6-4 6-2

Petra Martic beat second-seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-3 6-3

Viktoria Kuzmova beat fourth-seeded Kiki Bertens 3-1 retired

Anastasia Potapova beat fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber 6-4 6-2

Stan Wawrinka beat sixth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (6) 5-7 6-4 3-6 8-6

Garbiñe Muguruza beat ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3 6-3

Sofia Kenin beat 10^th-seeded Serena Williams 6-2 7-5

SAYINGS

“That I’m a fighter and that I just beat Serena Williams. So, of course they’re going to remember that. I’ll remember that.” – Sofia Kenin, when asked what she wants the crowd to remember from her victory over Serena Williams.

“I just saw a player that was playing unbelievable.” – Serena Williams, talking about her conqueror, fellow American Sophia Kenin.

“It’s amazing, I can’t believe it, I am so happy now. I played my best tennis and I hope it continues.” – Katerina Siniakova, following her upset of top-ranked Naomi Osaka

“It’s weird, but I think me losing is probably the best thing that could have happened.” – Naomi Osaka, admitting she has been thinking of a calendar-year Grand Slam during her loss to Katerina Siniakova.

“It’s for these kind of emotions that I live for after coming back from injury.” – Stan Wawrinka, following his marathon win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“I was so close, so close.” – Stefanos Tsitsipas, after losing a five-set fourth-round marathon to Stan Wawrinka.

“Definitely wasn’t the best match I’ve ever played.” – Caroline Wozniacki, after losing 0-6 6-3 6-3 to 68^th-ranked Veronika Kudermetova of Russia in the first round of the French Open.

“I feel like I’m thinking too much about the number next to my name right now, instead of feeling free and having fun like I normally do in Grand Slams. Everything that I’m experiencing right now is very new.” – Naomi Osaka, who won her first-round match after being two points away from elimination.

“I’m not going to miss the travelling, the time zone changes.” – Lucie Safarova, announcing she is retiring from tennis.

“Different, for sure. I have touched the number one place two times (at) the end of the year. I have the Grand Slam. So, everything, it comes now, it’s a bonus. And I see tennis different. I see my life different.” – Simona Halep.

“Everybody keeps on saying I had a tough year. I mean, I’m still number five in the world. … So, it’s not that bad, to be honest. Somebody having a tough year is probably outside of the top 50 or something like that.” – Alexander Zverev, putting his “slump” into perspective after winning his first-round match.

“I go to the hotel.” – Bernard Tomic, when asked “What’s your plans now?” following his 6-1 6-4 6-1 firs-round loss to American Taylor Fritz.

“I’m winning still, so why not?” – Ivo Karlovic, when asked why he keeps playing tennis at the age of 40.

“With Serena, you have to play not 100 percent, you have to play 150. Always,” – Vitalia Diatchenko, after losing her first-round match to Serena Williams.

“It is a lot to carry, but so is being Serena Williams.” – Serena Williams, when asked about her jacket emblazoned with the French words for “champion,” “queen,” “goddess” and “mother.”

“With baking, there is a recipe. I have generally found that the problem is rarely the baker, it’s mostly the recipe. If the recipe is wrong, then the cake is probably going to be wrong. It’s not always your fault.” – Johanna Konta, after winning her first Roland Garros match after four first-round defeats.

“Right now I have nothing to say because they’ll give me (a) fine.” – Fabio Fognini, when asked to further explain his recent criticism of the Italian Open.

SINIAKOVA SHOCKER

Naomi Osaka was thinking about winning her third straight Grand Slam tournament. Instead, Katerina Siniakova won the third-round match, snapping the top-ranked Osaka’s Grand Slam tournament winning match streak at 16. “I think I was overthinking this calendar slam,” Osaka said after her 6-4 6-2 defeat. “For me this is something that I have wanted to do forever, but I think I have to think it like: If it was this easy, everyone would have done it.” Siniakova hung on as Osaka self-destructed, committing a shocking 38 unforced errors compared to just 13 for her Czech opponent. The winner used her dropshot, forehand and serve to oust Osaka. “It was brave, but I believe in my dropshot,” Siniakova said of the shot that won her a number of crucial points. “I think it’s really good. It was one shot I could use against her.” While Siniakova is ranked just 42nd in the world in singles, she is ranked number one in doubles, and last year teamed with Barbora Krejcikova to win both the French Open and Wimbledon doubles.

SERENA STOPPER

Sofia Kenin reached the fourth round by shocking heavily-favored Serena Williams in straight sets on the red clay of Roland Garros. It was just the third time the 20-year-old American had beaten a Top 10 player. Williams, who is seeking a record-tying 24^th Grand Slam tournament title, had 30 winners, but committed 34 unforced errors. Kenin had 23 winners and just 17 unforced errors. “She just played literally unbelievable,” Williams said of Kenin. “In that first set, in particular, she hit pretty much inches from the line, and I haven’t played anyone like that in a long time.” Ranked 35^th in the world, Kenin rolled through the opening set 6-2, then broke Williams to go up 6-5. When Williams sailed a backhand long, Kenin had a spot in the fourth round. “Just playing against Serena, you’ve really got to fight for every point,” the winner said. “She’s such a tough player.”

STAN’S THE MAN

Stan Wawrinka handed Stefanos Tsitsipas the “worst feeling in tennis,” winning their fourth-round marathon 7-6 (6) 5-7 6-4 3-6 8-6. The battle was the longest match of this year’s tournament, taking five hours and nine minutes. “Worst thing in tennis. It’s the worst feeling ever. Especially when you lose,” the 20-year-old Tsitsipas said. “You don’t want to be in my place. I feel exhausted. I don’t know. Never experienced something like this in my life. I feel very disappointed at the end. (It’s been a) long time since I cried after a match, so emotionally (it) wasn’t easy to handle.” Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam tournament champion, including the 2015 French Open, saved 22 of 27 break points, including all eight in the fifth set. The 34-year-old from Switzerland ended it with a backhand from yards behind the baseline that landed on the sideline. Wawrinka’s subtle victory ceremony had to wait for the umpire to come down out of his chair and verify that the ball had indeed touched the line “It’s incredible, lots of emotions,” Wawrinka said after the third longest match in the last 20 years at Roland Garros. It’s the first time Wawrinka has reached a Grand Slam tournament quarterfinal since losing to Rafael Nadal in the 2017 Roland Garros final. Last year, following injury struggled, Wawrinka lost in the first round and dropped out of the world’s top 250.

STEADY DOES IT

Petra Martic did the dictating, send second-seeded Karolina Pliskova to the sidelines in another Roland Garros upset. Continuing her successful clay-court play this season, Martic pulled off a career-best victory by eliminating Pliskova 6-3 6-3. “The key was to focus on my game and try to dictate instead of letting her dictate, which is her biggest strength,” Martic said. “I had to kind of try to take it away from her, and at times it was difficult, especially when she broke me … I’m just happy that I managed in the end to hold my nerves and to finish it off.” Pliskova agreed with Martic, crediting the Croatian’s steadiness as a key to her first win over a player ranked in the top 3 in the world. “My serve wasn’t really working,” Pliskova said. “I didn’t think she did much wrong today, so I think she played clever. She was patient. I just did too many mistakes.”

SICK BAY

One of the French Open favorites, Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens, retired during her second-round match because of illness. Seeded fourth, the 27-year-old Bertens was trailing Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova 3-1 40-15 when she called for a doctor. Complaining of “shaking and having no energy,” Bertens decided she couldn’t continue. “I felt fine yesterday in practice, but this morning I woke up at 3 o’clock. I was vomiting and had diarrhea all day,” Bertens said. “I was a little bit better before the match, but it started again when I was warming up. There was no energy left.”

An injury to her right shoulder caused Bianca Andreescu to withdraw from the French Open before her second-round match against American Sofia Kenin. The 18-year Canadian won Indian Wells this season before she sustained a similar injury in March.

American Frances Tiafoe, who lost his first-round match to Filip Krajinovic of Serbia 6-2 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-0, said he felt “very depleted” for the fifth set. It showed. “You work so hard, and obviously it’s a Grand Slam, so you want to do your best and you have this random illness that you have no idea why it’s occurring,” Tiafoe said. “It’s tough to lose like that.” He said he felt fine before the match, but threw up in the locker room after the third set and again after the match ended.

SAYONARA

Lucie Safarova picked the site of her best Grand Slam tournament finish to announce her retirement. The Czech was runner-up at the French Open in 2015. At 32 years old, Safarova played her last Paris match in doubles with Dominika Cibulkova, losing in the first round to Sofia Kenin and Andrea Petkovic 6-4 6-0. Safarova was ranked fifth in the world in singles in 2015 and won the Roland Garros doubles title in 2015 and 2017. She won three other Grand Slam doubles titles with Bethanie Mattek-Sands. “Even after so many years, I still enjoy (it) when I’m on the court,” Safarova said. “I’m sure I will miss the competition a little bit. But, honestly, I’ve been through great results on great courts, played in front of great crowds, and it’s been great. It’s been enough, and I’m really looking forward to starting a new chapter.”

STRANGE FIGURES

When 40-year-old Ivo Karlovic beat 37-year-old Feliciano Lopez of Spain in the first round, he became the oldest player to win a Grand Slam tournament singles match since Ken Rosewall did it at age 44 at the 1978 Australian Open. The big-serving Karlovic boomed 35 aces in the 7-6 (4) 7-5 6-7 (7) 7-5 victory in the matchup that set a record for combined age between Roland Garros opponents in the Open era. Karlovic lost in the second round to Australia’s Jordan Thompson 6-3 6-4 6-7 (2) 6-3. The 6-foot-11 (211m) Croatian became the first man in his fifth decade to compete in singles at a Grand Slam tournament since Jimmy Connors at the 1992 US Open.

In her five appearances at Roland Garros, Jelena Ostapenka of Latvia has won a total of seven matches. But all seven victories came in 2017, when she captured the women’s singles title. This year, Ostapenko lost in the first round to another former Grand Slam tournament champion Victoria Azarenka, 6-4 7-6.

SURGERY WORKS

Nicole Gibbs says she is cancer free following surgery to remove the tumor on the roof of her mouth. However, the 26-year-old American will be sidelined for longer than previously thought. “Good news: Surgery successfully removed the cancer,” Gibbs wrote on social media, adding the cancer turned out to be different from that originally diagnosed but is still expected to be eradicated by the procedure. She will be on a feeding tube for the “foreseeable future,” which means she won’t be able to qualify for Wimbledon later this month. A dentist had discovered the growth, and a biopsy later revealed it was a rare form of cancer, necessitating the surgery.

SURFING

Paris: https://www.rolandgarros.com/fr-fr/

Surbiton: https://www.lta.org.uk/surbitontrophy

Prostejov: http://www.czech-open.cz/

Bol: https://bolopen.com/en/

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

MEN

Roland Garros (French Open), Paris, France, clay (second week)

$154,075 Surbiton Trophy, Surbiton, Great Britain, grass

$103,090 Moneta Czech Open, Prostejov, Czech Republic, clay

WOMEN

Roland Garros (French Open), Paris, France, clay (second week)

$125,000 Croatia Bol Open, Bol, Croatia, clay

$100,000 Surbiton Trophy, Surbiton, Great Britain, grass

TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK

MEN

$842,633 Mercedes Cup, Stuttgart, Germany, grass

$794,316 Libéma Open, s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, grass

$153,620 Nottingham Challenger, Nottingham, Great Britain, grass

WOMEN

$250,000 Libéma Open, s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, grass

$250,000 Nature Valley Open, Nottingham, Great Britain, grass

Miami Open Debuts at Hard Rock Stadium, Loses Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka – Mondays with Bob Greene

March 25, 2019 by Admin

Mondays with Bob Greene

STARS

Miami Open

(First Week)

Hsieh Su-wei beat top-seeded Naomi Osaka 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-3

David Ferrer beat second-seeded Alexander Zverev 2-6 7-5 6-3

Hubert Hurkacz beat third-seeded Dominic Thiem 6-4 6-4

Tatjana Maria beat fourth-seeded Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2

Dusan Lajovic beat fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori 2-6 6-2 6-3

Wang Yafan beat sixth-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-4

Bianca Andreescu beat eighth-seeded Angelique Kerber 6-4 4-6 6-1

Andrey Rublev beat ninth-seeded Marin Cilic 6-4 6-4

SAYINGS

“I think maybe today I overestimated myself maybe in a way.” – Naomi Osaka, after losing to Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei.

“I can’t play at my best level anymore, but I want to have good energy and play my best in every match.” – David Ferrer, following his upset win over second-seeded Alexander Zverev.

“I think (it’s because) I’m not really scared of losing. It’s part of the game.” – Felix Auger-Aliassime, on why he, at 18 the youngest player in the ATP Top 100 rankings, has reached the fourth round of the Miami Open.

“I have a lot of respect for those types of players who don’t have the size, have to find a different way to win. He’s a great, great player. I was impressed.” – Roger Federer, admiring Radu Albot after edging the Moldovan 4-6 7-5 6-3.

“It is difficult to make predictions. I may or may not get back to the highest level, but I do not want to regret when I retire that I did not give it my best shot” – Sania Mirza, yet another mother who is planning on returning to the WTA tour.

“It wasn’t the money, it was the points. And now they’ve taken away the points.” – Mark Petchey, a former ATP player and now a coach and commentator, questioning the new International Tennis Federation changes.

SURPRISE

Playing her unorthodox game to perfection, Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei pulled off the Miami’s Open’s biggest surprise of the first week, knocking off the world’s number one player, Naomi Osaka. It wasn’t the first time Hsieh has upset the world’s top player. She beat then-number one Simona Halep last year at Wimbledon. “Every time you’ve made it and you beat a good player, you feel. ‘Wow, this is everything. This is so amazing, and I’ve made it.’” And it wasn’t easy. Osaka won the opening set and was a break up in both the second and third sets, only to have Hsieh find a way to win. “I just think I got too emotional, which is something I did last match, too,” said Osaka, who has won the last two Grand Slam tournaments. “I would just say I was kind of immature today. I was thinking too much.” Osaka served for the match at 5-4 in the second, but Hsieh produced some brilliant tennis to take it to a tiebreak, which she won. Tied 3-3 in the third set, Hsieh broke Osaka, then held easily for a 5-3 lead. She closed out the victory with a delightful dropshot winner to advance to the second week of the hardcourt event. “It’s always great to pick up a better level during the match,” Hsieh said. Until losing to Hsieh, Osaka had won 63 straight matches after winning the first set. “It’s depressing,” Osaka said. “I know that record. I was thinking about it right after I lost.”

STUNNER

What a way to make his exit from the tennis tour. Set to retire from professional tennis in May, David Ferrer pulled off a stunning win over third-ranked Alexander Zverev. “It’s a special day because it’s the last year of professional tennis for me,” the Spaniard said. “Winning these types of matches against a Top 10 player like Sascha is a gift.” It was the Ferrer of old, refusing to back off the baseline and running down every ball that reached his side of the net. He fought from behind in the second set and claimed the decisive break in the fifth game of the third. “My motivation is playing at a high level and be competitive,” Ferrer said. “It’s my goal.” He had announced his last tournament will be the Madrid Open. “I’m very happy and I’m trying to enjoy every point and every moment,” he said.

SERENA HURT

Claiming an injury to her left knee, Serena Williams withdrew from the Miami Open. It came as a surprise since she had shown no signs of injury the day before when she won her opening match against Rebecca Peterson, nor did she mention any health issues during her news conference following the match. “I am disappointed to withdraw,” Williams said in a statement. “It was an amazing experience to play at Hard Rock Stadium this year, and I would like to thank the Miami Open for putting on an amazing event. I hope to be back next year to play at this one-of-a-kid tournament in front of the incredible fans here in Miami.” The WTA said it had no information regarding when Williams was hurt. Williams won the Miami tournament eight times when it was held at Key Biscayne. The event moved to Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins’ home, this year.

SPREADING THE WEALTH

No player has won two tournaments yet this year on either the men’s or women’s tours. Going into the Miami Open, there have been 19 different champions in 19 ATP Tour-level events, while there have been 13 different winners in 13 WTA tournaments this year.

SHOE-LESS WINNER

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada is a hard man to beat this year. The 18-year-old reached his first tour-level final in Rio de Janeiro last month and scored his first Top 10 scalp when he bested Stefanos Tsitsipas at Indian Wells earlier this month. After coming through qualifying, Auger-Aliassime reached his first quarterfinal berth at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament when he beat Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (5) 6-4 at the Miami Open. With Hurkacz serving to stay in the match at 4-5 in the second set, Auger-Aliassime’ shoe came off during a rally. The Canadian reached down, grabbed the shoe and tossed it towards the back wall. Apparently distracted, Hurkacz fired a forehand into the net. Three points later, Auger-Aliassime has closed out the victory. “Entering Buenos Aires, I was actually scared of not winning many matches this year,” Auger-Aliassime said. “But then after Rio, I told myself that I’m doing good work and to trust in my game and be instinctive on the court. Whenever these thoughts come in your mind, it’s all about doing the best to stay in the present. I need to focus on my tennis and on my game. To try to find ways to win. That keeps me in the present.”

SAME RESULT

Canadian Bianca Andreescu and Germany’s Angelique Kerber played twice in the same week. And Andreescu won both times. Her first victory came in the women’s singles final at Indian Wells. The second win came in the third round of the Miami Open, 6-4 4-6 6-1 – and it left hard feelings. After the two had played seven games, Andreescu took a medical timeout and received treatment on her right arm. The Canadian went on to take the opening set before Kerber ripped off five straight games to level the match. It was after 1 a.m. in Miami when Andreescu retaliated with a five-game streak of her own to grab the victory. At the end of the match, Kerber offered only a brusque handshake, then later said, “Biggest drama queen ever.”

STEPHENS STOPPED

Sloane Stephens won’t be defending her Miami Open title. Instead, Germany’s Tatjana Maria will move on after beating a Top 10 player for only the third time in her career and the first since she defeated Elina Svitolina at Wimbledon last year. “I could not be happier right now,” Maria said. “I think I played at home because I live here. It was helping me a lot.” Maria broke Stephens five times. “I just played a bad match and she played well, and that’s never a good combo,” Stephens said.

SHE’S BACK

Caroline Wozniacki left the Miami Open last year in a huff, saying fans were alarmingly aggressive towards her family in the stands during her loss to Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig. Changes in the tournament’s site, moving from Key Biscayne to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, was part of the reason Wozniacki decided to return. “First of all, they changed the venue, which I think for the first year coming back it was probably good for me,” said Wozniacki, who has a home in Miami. “I do love Key Biscayne. I think Key Biscayne is an amazing place. I think it had charm, a lot of things that moving out here doesn’t. … This feels like a new tournament. That was one of the reasons. … As an athlete, you go through a lot, ups and downs, both I think on the court, but also you see a lot of things off the court. You just have to move on basically. I said what I had to say.”

SANIA BACK TRAINING

Sania Mirza won six Grand Slam tournament titles before giving birth to her son. Now she’s back in training at the age of 32. “As an Indian woman tennis player, I again find myself in uncharted territory, trying to fight my way back to the top after becoming a mother,” she said. “I still have a long way to go before I can begin to compete.” Mirza said she hopes to return to playing tennis by August, after having “to reduce considerable extra weight.” And she knows that things will be different. “It is difficult for me to assess as I have not been on the circuit for over 18 months,” she said. “I hear new names and I’m sure the level has gone up as the competition keeps getting more and more intense.”

SIGNED UP

With the clay court circuit still to come, several players, including veteran Lleyton Hewitt, have signed up for the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships that will be held in June. Stefanos Tsitsipas and home favorite Robin Haase were the first players confirmed to be in the June 10-16 field. Hewitt, who will play doubles only, and two other Australian were listed as being in the field: former junior Wimbledon finalist Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson, who will team with Hewitt.

SWISS HELP

The Roger Federer Foundation will be providing assistance for people in Southern Africa who have been displaced by Cyclone Idai. More than 600 people are known to be dead and the death toll is expected to increase. “Cyclone Idai is an unbelievable disaster,” Federer said. “And it hit the most vulnerable ones in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It will take years for people to recover.” All of the Roger Federer Foundation’s six model preschools in Malawi have been converted to evacuation centers. In the most affect district, Nsanje in south Malawi, more than 9,000 families have been displaced, including 77 of the foundation’s kindergarten teachers. Many of the foundation’s satellite centers, which are not robust structures like the model centers, have collapsed or need significant repairs before classes can be held again.

SWITCH IN GAME

Changes made by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the ATP World Tour may be adjusted because of player unrest. The ITF introduced a new World Tennis Tour this year in an attempt to streamline the lowest levels of the game, including smaller qualifying draws and establishing two different ranking systems, one at the ITF level and another for the ATP and WTA tours. The ATP also made changes to Challenger events that severely reduced qualifying draws. A protest letter to the ITF from Ana Vrljic of Croatia was signed by 700 players, and an online petition by Maria Patrascu now has more than 15,000 signatures. Because of the outcry, steps are being taken to increase the size of qualifying draws and provide more playing opportunities. The introduction of dual rankings also was a cause for concern. Before, lower-ranked players could move back and forth between ITF and ATP or WTA events, collecting points that all went towards their tour ranking. Now, many players are caught between the two systems, sometimes ranked on both but not high enough to get into either ITF or ATP and WTA tournaments. “I don’t think it should be someone sitting in an office saying you can’t follow your dream because you can’t get into a tournament,” said Mark Petchey, a former ATP player who is now a coach and commentator. “Because 90 percent of those players are actually putting money into the system. They’re paying hotels, for strings, buying food and beverages on site. There is a massive downstream effect on tennis academies worldwide, on tennis coaches, on tennis clubs. So, this will have an effect on the amount of people that have picked up a tennis racquet or have a dream of becoming a professional tennis player.”

SURFING

Miami: https://www.miamiopen.com/

Charleston: http://www.volvocaropen.com/

Monterrey: http://abiertognpseguros.com/

Davis Cup: https://www.daviscup.com/

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

MEN

$9,314,875 Miami Open presented by Itau, Miami, Florida, USA, hard (second week)

WOMEN

$9,038,428 Miami Open presented by Itau, Miami, Florida, USA, hard (second week)

TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK

MEN

$162,480 Abierto GNP Seguros, Monterrey, Mexico, hard

WOMEN

$823,000 Volvo Car Open, Charleston, South Carolina, USA, clay

$250,000 Abierto GNP Seguros, Monterrey, Mexico, hard

DAVIS CUP

Group II, First Round

Americas: El Salvador vs. Peru at Santa Tecia, El Salvador, hard

Asia/Oceania: Thailand vs. Philippines at Nonthaburi, Thailand, hard

Europe/Africa: Romania vs. Zimbabwe at Piatra Neamt, Romania, hard; Morocco vs. Lithuania at Marrakech, Morocco, clay

Novak Djokovic Wins Record Seventh Australian Open; Naomi Osaka Wins Second Straight Major – Mondays with Bob Greene

January 28, 2019 by Admin

Mondays with Bob Greene

STARS

Australian Open

Men’s Singles: Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 6-3

Women’s Singles: Naomi Osaka beat Petra Kvitova 7-6 (2) 5-7 6-4

Men’s Doubles: Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut beat Henri Kontinen and John Peers 6-4 7-6 (1)

Women’s Doubles: Samantha Stosur and Zhang Shuai beat Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic 6-3 6-4

Mixed Doubles: Barbora Krejcikova and Rajeev Ram beat Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith 7-6 (3) 6-1

Junior Boys’ Singles: Lorenzo Musetti beat Emilio Nava 4-6 6-2 7-6 (12)

Junior Girls’ Singles: Clara Tauson beat Leylah Annie Fernandez 6-4 6-3

Junior Boys’ Doubles: Jonas Forejtek and Dalibor Svrcina beat Emilio Nava and Cannon Kingsley 7-6 (5) 6-4

Junior Girls’ Doubles: Natsumi Kawaguichi and Adrienn Nagy beat Chloe Beck and Emma Navarro 6-4 6-4

Men’s Wheelchair Singles: Gustavo Fernandez beat Stefan Olsson 7-5 6-3

Women’s Wheelchair Singles: Diede De Groot beat Yui Kamiji 6-0 6-2

Men’s Wheelchair Doubles: Joachim Gerard and Stefan Olsson beat Stephane Houdet and Ben Weekes 6-3 6-2

Women’s Wheelchair Doubles: Diede De Groot and Aniek Van Koot beat Marjolein Buis and Sabine Ellerbrock 5-7 7-6 (4) 10-8 (match tiebreak)

Quad Wheelchair Singles: Dylan Alcott beat David Wagner 6-4 7-6 (2)

Quad Wheelchair Doubles: Dylan Alcott and Heath Davidson beat Andy Lapthorne and David Wagner 6-3 6-7 (6) 12-10 (match tiebreak)

OTHER

Taylor Fritz beat Brayden Schnur 7-6 (7) 6-4 to win the Oracle Challenger Series men’s singles in Newport Beach, California, USA

Bianca Andreescu beat Jessica Pegular 0-6 6-4 6-2 to win the Oracle Challenger Series women’s singles in Newport Beach, California, USA

SAYINGS

“When I contemplate the journey I have had the last 12 months, the surgery exactly 12 months ago, to be standing here managing to win this title and three of the four majors is amazing. I’m speechless.” – Novak Djokovic, after winning his record seventh Australian Open and third straight Grand Slam tournament victory.

“Of course, he played, I think, fantastic. At the same time it’s true that when he’s playing that way, I think I needed something else. I was not able to have that extra thing tonight, being honest.” – Rafael Nadal, after losing the Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic.

“I mean, for me, I feel like it hasn’t really sunk in. Maybe in the next tournament I play, if I see the number one next to my name, I’ll feel something. But for now, I’m more happy that I won this trophy.” – Naomi Osaka, who’s Australian Open victory boosted her ranking to number one in the world.

“Amazing achievement. Definitely she is a great one. We’ll see what the future will bring.” – Petra Kvitova, on her conqueror, Naomi Osaka.

“Congratulations on winning the Australian Open, Naomi Osaka. I am very proud of the emergence of a new queen.” – Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, on Twitter.

“The strategy was to be aggressive, try to be the one who’s leading the point. But when he’s playing that far from the baseline, 10 centimeters from the baseline, all the time, it’s tough to do it.” – Lucas Pouille, after losing his semifinal to Novak Djokovic 6-0 6-2 6-2.

“It felt like a different dimension of tennis completely. He gives you no rhythm. He plays just a different game style than the rest of the players. He has this, I don’t know, talent that no other player has. I’ve never seen a player have this. He makes you play bad.” – Stefanos Tsitsipas, after losing his semifinal to Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-0.

“I felt like I had been hit by the train. Everything was so fast.” – Simona Halep, on how she felt losing the first set in 20 minutes to Serena Williams.

SEVENTH CROWN

In a surprisingly easy victory, Novak Djokovic crushed Rafael Nadal to win a record seventh Australian Open title and his third straight Grand Slam tournament crown. It ranks right at the top,” Djokovic said of his domination of his Spanish opponent. “Under the circumstances, playing against Nadal, such an important match, it’s amazing.” His win moved him past Federer and Australian great Roy Emerson’s six Aussie Open titles. Djokovic broke Nadal five times while conceding only a single break point. And the Serb committed only four unforced errors in the first two sets. Nadal was unable to win a point off Djokovic’s serve until the ninth game, when the Serb was serving for the first set. “It has been very emotional two weeks,” said Nadal, who didn’t lose a set until the final. “Even if tonight was not my best, I had somebody that played much better.”

SECOND STRAIGHT

There was a big hiccup before Naomi Osaka won her second straight Grand Slam tournament title. With Petra Kvitova serving, Osaka had three championship points at 5-3, 0-40. Then everything went Kvitova’s way. Everything. Osaka lost 23 of the next 27 points – five straight games – before she regained her powerful game and beat her Czech opponent in three sets. “I felt like I didn’t want to have any regrets,” the Japanese right-hander said. “I think if I didn’t regroup after the second set then I would have looked back on this match and probably cried or something.” Osaka broke Kvitova to level the third set at 1-all. Then, she served for title at 5-4. This time, she wound up with her second straight major title, the first woman to win consecutive Grand Slam tournaments since Serena Williams won four straight in 2014-15. Kvitova played in her first Grand Slam final since winning Wimbledon in 2014, and the first since she was stabbed in the hand by an intruder in her Czech Republic home a little more than two years ago.

With the victory, Osaka became the first player from Japan, man or woman, to be ranked number one in the world.

STRONG TEAM

Playing together proved to be a huge success for American Rajeev Ram and Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic. Ram and Krejcikova beat Australian wildcards John-Patrick Smith and Astra Sharma to win the Australian Open mixed doubles title. Krejcikova, who is ranked number one in the world in doubles, earned her third Grand Slam tournament title. She teamed with compatriot Katerina Siniakova to capture the women’s doubles at both the French Open and Wimbledon in 2018. It was Ram’s first major crown, having lost the 2016 US Open mixed doubles final. The only other time Ram and Krejcikova were partners was at the Australian Open two years ago.

SHOW PROOF

Frenchmen Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut completed a career Grand Slam when they won their first Australian Open men’s doubles, besting Henri Kontinen of Finland and Australian John Peers in the final. Herbert and Mahut added the Melbourne Park title to their US Open, Wimbledon and French Open titles. “We knew when we won Roland Garros that it was the one missing, so for sure it added maybe a special motivation when entering this tournament,” Herbert said. “I think we wanted it, but we also wanted to be good on court in each match and we focused on the game, and that’s why maybe today we could achieve what we achieved here at the Australian Open.” The Frenchmen became the first time to complete a career Grand Slam since brothers Bob and Mike Bryan did it at Wimbledon in 2006.

SUCCESSFUL PAIRING

Samantha Stosur and China’s Zhang Shuai teamed up for their first Grand Slam doubles title, defeating defending champions Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic in the final. Stosur is the first Australian to win the Australian Open women’s doubles since Alicia Molik teamed with Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in 2005. Stosur won the 2005 US Open and the 2006 French Open with Lisa Raymond. It was Zhang’s first major title.

STARRING JUNIORS

Cara Tauson of Denmark continued her victorious streak by capturing the Junior Girls title, defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez in straight sets in the final. The 16-year-old Tauson, third in the world in the International Tennis Federation junior rankings, has won her fifth title in her last seven tournaments.

Top-seeded Lorenzo Musetti took the boys’ title, edging American Emilio Nava in two hours, seven minutes. Musetti saved a match point at 11-12 before winning the third-set tiebreak 14-12 to become the first Italian winner in Melbourne. He won just three more points than Nava in the match.

SKIPPING FED CUP

Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova will not play for the Czech Republic in it’s first-round Fed Cup tie against Romania. “She defends her titles in St. Petersburg the week before that and in Doha the week after,” Kvitova’s manager, Miroslav Cernosek, announced. “Neither I nor captain Petr Pala expect her to take part.” Cernosek said he expects Kvitova will play Fed Cup later in the year.

SIGNED UP

Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka and Juan Martin del Potro will defend their BNP Paribas Open titles in Indian Wells, California, USA, in March. They led the top 75 ranked men’s and women’s players to sign up for the hard-court tournament. Del Potro missed the Australian Open while recovering from a knee injury. Other former champions in the March 4-17 event include Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka.

SCORCHING HEAT

A heat wave that affected play at the Australian Open was just what American Danielle Collins wanted. But it was not to be. With her semifinal match against Petra Kvitova knotted at 4-all after 35 minutes, play was halted because of the heat and, following the tournament’s rules, the retractable roof on Rod Laver Arena was closed. With the roof closed, play was resumed and Kvitova won 7-6 (2) 6-0. “They need to start the match the way it’s going to finish, I think,” a disappointed Collins said, “I think they do that in football, and I think it certainly changed a little bit of the rhythm in the match.” Under the closed roof, Kvitova’s level of play rose substantially. “Honestly, I like playing in the heat,” said Collins, who won two NCAA titles while a student at the University of Virginia. “Don’t get me wrong. It certainly has its challenges. I grew up in Florida and am used to it being really hot all the time. So, I kind of embrace that very well. Indoor tennis is a different game.” Collins had an 0-5 record in Grand Slam play until this Australian Open, where she upset second-seeded Angelique Kerber, 14^th-seeded Julia Goerges and 19^th-seeded Carolina Garcia.

SIDELINED

Vasek Pospisil has undergone successful back surgery and will be sidelined for the next three months. A former Wimbledon doubles champion, the 28-year-old Canadian underwent the operation in New York City. “By removing the abnormal disk material that was pressing on a nerve root, combined with proper post-operative rehabilitation, he is expected to make a full recovery,” spinal physician Frank Cammisa said.

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Newport Beach (Men): Robert Galloway and Nathaniel Lammons beat Romain Arneodo and Andrei Vasilevski 7-5 7-6 (1)

Newport Beach (Women): Hayley Carter and Ena Shibahara beat Taylor Townsend and Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 7-6 (1)

SURFING

St. Petersburg: http://lt.formulatx.com/en/

Hua Hin: http://www.thailandopenhuahin.com/

Davis Cup: https://www.daviscup.com/en/

Cordoba: https://portal.autoentrada.com/

Montpellier: https://www.opensuddefrance.com/fr/home

Sofia: https://www.eventim.bg/bg/bileti/sofia-open-2019-sports-hall-arena-armeec-507868/event.html

Dallas: http://www.tennischampionshipsofdallas.com/

Fed Cup: https://www.fedcup.com/

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

WOMEN

$823,000 St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy, St. Petersburg, Russia, hard

$250,000 Toyota Thailand Open presented by E@, Hua Hin, Thailand, hard

DAVIS CUP

Qualifiers

First Round

Brazil vs. Belgium at Uberlândia, Brazil, clay

Germany vs. Hungary at Frankfurt, Germany, hard

Colombia vs. Sweden at Bogotá, Colombia, clay

Uzbekistan vs. Serbia at Tashkent, Uzbekistan, hard

Switzerland vs. Russia at Biel, Switzerland, hard

Austria vs. Chile at Salzburg, Austria, clay

Australia vs. Bosnia/Herzegovina at Adelaide, Australia, hard

Kazakhstan vs. Portugal at Astana, Kazakhstan, hard

Slovakia vs. Canada at Bratislava, Slovakia, clay

India vs. Italy at Kolkata, India, grass

Czech Republic vs. Netherlands at Ostrava, Czech Republic, hard

China vs. Japan at Guangzhou, China, hard

TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK

MEN

$589,680 Cordoba Open, Cordoba, Argentina, clay

540,310 Open Sud de France, Montpellier, France, had

540,310 Sofia Open, Sofia, Bulgaria, hard

$135,400 The RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA, hard

FED CUP

First Round

World Group

Czech Republic vs. Romania at Ostrava, Czech Republic, hard

Belgium vs. France at Liège, Belgium, hard

Germany vs. Belarus at Braunschweig, Germany, hard

USA vs. Australia at Asheville, North Carolina, USA, hard

World Group II

Switzerland vs. Italy at Biel, Switzerland, hard

Latvia vs. Slovakia at Riga, Latvia, hard

Japan vs. Spain at Kita-kyushu, Japan, hard

Netherlands vs. Canada at ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, clay

Group I

(Round Robin)

Americas Zone at Medellin, Colombia, clay: Group A: Paraguay, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador; Group B: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Puerto Rico, Chile

Asia/Oceania Zone at Astana, Kazakhstan, hard: Group A: Kazakhstan, India, Thailand; Group B: China, South Korea, Indonesia, Pacific Oceania

Europe/Africa Zone at Zielona Góra, Poland, hard: Zone A, Group A: Russia, Poland, Denmark; Group B: Ukraine, Estonia, Bulgaria, Sweden

Europe/Africa Zone at Bath, Great Britain, hard: Zone B, Group A: Great Britain, Hungary, Greece, Slovenia; Group B: Serbia, Croatia, Turkey, Georgia, Croatia, Turkey

Naomi Osaka Wins Australian Open And Clinches No. 1 Ranking

January 26, 2019 by Admin

Naomi Osaka is the new queen of women’s tennis.

The 21-year-old, born in Japan to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, is the new WTA world No. 1 after she won her second consecutive major singles title with her 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-4 final-round win in the Australian Open final over two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

In September, Osaka broke through to win her first major title in unexpected fashion at the U.S. Open, defeating Serena Williams in the final.

By lifting her second career Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, Osaka is the first Japanese player – man or woman – to achieve this historic No. 1 milestone since computer rankings were introduced in 1975, and the 26th woman overall to hold the No.1 ranking. At 21 years, 104 days old, she will also become the youngest player to make her WTA World No.1 debut since Caroline Wozniacki who reached No.1 in 2010 at 20 years, 92 days old.

“I’m beyond excited to become the new WTA World No.1,” said Osaka in a statement released by the WTA moments after her win over Kvitova. “I’ve always dreamt of being in this position and I am honored to be part of the elite group of players who have reached the No.1 ranking.”

After reaching the semifinals at the China Open (Beijing) last October, Osaka became the second Japanese woman to break into the WTA Top 5, following Kimiko Date who reached as high as World No.4 in November 1995.

This No.1 crowning achievement is the latest accolade in Osaka’s young career, having clinched her career first WTA title at the Premier Mandatory BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) in 2018. Following her US Open triumph in 2018 to win her first Grand Slam, she reached the final at the Toray Pan Pacific Open (Tokyo) and qualified for her first WTA Finals at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.