Mr & Miss Intensity

Congratulations to Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal, who competed their way into the Indian Wells semi-finals last night.

Sharapova effortlessly dominated the first set, then completely lost her way, struggling with Peng’s retrieving and resistance and above all her own serve, which totally collapsed. It really looked like she was going out until with her back against the wall, she reeled off two clean and beautiful backhand winners in consecutive points and from that point on, never looked back. Very well done to her, although I don’t favour her chances in the semi-final, given that Wozniacki is (I think) her equal in competitive tenacity and has a game built to elicit the kind of unforced errors she’s so prone to.

Huge props to Peng Shuai for her run here. She’s going to be in a Slam quarter-final before the year is out. /bold prediction

Yet again, I didn’t see Rafa play because it was in the middle of the night. I did watch the first set and thought that Karlovic’s excellent play rather than anything Nadal was doing or not doing was responsible for the good doctor taking it 75. Nadal came back strongly in the second set and finally scraped through (quoting the headlines) 9-7 in the final tiebreak.

Sad for the good Dr. Ivo but he’s had an absolutely amazing run here in Indian Wells and should be getting a wildcard anywhere he wants one from now on. And he’s 32. Christ on a bike.

Indian Wells: Warriors & Wet Blankets

In addition to the Ivanovic-Bartoli clash, there’s a few more exciting quarter-finals on tap in the next few days.

It’s Wozniacki against one of her many best friends again after the world no.1 recovered from dropping the first set to Alisa Kleybanova to win quite comfortably in three. Vika, on the other hand, is never comfortable. Radwanska served for the match twice against her in the third set before Vika somehow squeaked it out. Which doesn’t exactly bode well for this particular clash.

Also battling was Shahar Peer, who took what I clocked as ‘forever’ (roughly) to maintain her hard-court dominance over Francesca Schiavone, triumphing eventually 64 36 76(3). She last met Yanina Wickmayer in Dubai where the Israeli prevailed, but both these girls have been off the radar so far this tournament, so who knows …

Maria Sharapova was deadly and dominating against Dinara Safina. I have a feeling Peng Shuai might prove a little trickier.

No surprises on the men’s side, unless you count Richard Gasquet winning a match. He beat Jurgen Melzer, but the men’s draw has yet to get really interesting. We’ll see tonight maybe.

Men

Singles – Third Round
[2] R Federer (SUI) d [29] J Chela (ARG) 60 62
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [31] E Gulbis (LAT) 60 61
[7] T Berdych (CZE) d [26] T Bellucci (BRA) 63 62
[8] A Roddick (USA) d [30] J Isner (USA) 75 62
[18] R Gasquet (FRA) d [10] J Melzer (AUT) 61 63
[12] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [17] M Cilic (CRO) 75 63
[16] V Troicki (SRB) d [24] M Llodra (FRA) 63 63
[WC] R Harrison (USA) d [WC] M Raonic (CAN) 76(1) 46 64

Doubles – Quarter-finals
M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) d L Dlouhy (CZE) / P Hanley (AUS) 75 67(3) 10-7

Doubles – Second Round
A Dolgopolov (UKR) / X Malisse (BEL) d [1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) 75 67(9) 10-7
R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) d [3] M Bhupathi (IND) / L Paes (IND) 63 64
M Knowles (BAH) / M Mertinak (SVK) d [WC] J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR) 63 64

Women

Singles – Fourth Round
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (22) Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 26 63 61
(15) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (2) Kim Clijsters (BEL) 36 31 ret. (right shoulder injury)
(10) Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (5) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 64 36 76(3)
(19) Ana Ivanovic d. (6) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 64 62
(8) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (9) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 46 63 76(3)
(16) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Dinara Safina (RUS) 62 60
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (18) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 64 57 63
(23) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (25) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 75 75

Doubles – Quarterfinals
(6) Azarenka/Kirilenko (BLR/RUS) d. (WC) Jankovic/Pavlyuchenkova (SRB/RUS) 64 75
Mirza/Vesnina (IND/RUS) d. Jans/Rosolska (POL/POL) 64 61

OOP

STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am
[21] S Querrey (USA) vs [25] T Robredo (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 1:00 PM
[19] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [15] M Bartoli (FRA) – WTA
[16] V Troicki (SRB) vs [3] N Djokovic (SRB) – ATP
[8] A Roddick (USA) vs [18] R Gasquet (FRA) – ATP
Not Before 7:00 PM
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [Q] S Devvarman (IND) – ATP
[WC] R Harrison (USA) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) – ATP

STADIUM 2 start 11:00 am
[32] P Kohlschreiber (GER) vs J Del Potro (ARG) – ATP
[7] T Berdych (CZE) vs [12] S Wawrinka (SUI) – ATP
[23] A Montanes (ESP) vs I Karlovic (CRO) – ATP
A Dolgopolov (UKR) / X Malisse (BEL) vs A Murray (GBR) / J Murray (GBR) – ATP
Not Before 7:00 PM
[10] S Peer (ISR) vs [23] Y Wickmayer (BEL) – WTA

STADIUM 3 start 12:30 pm
D Hantuchova (SVK) / A Radwanska (POL) vs [4] V King (USA) / Y Shvedova (KAZ) – WTA
[3] L Huber (USA) / N Petrova (RUS) vs [8] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / M Shaughnessy (USA) – WTA
R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) vs N Djokovic (SRB) / V Troicki (SRB) – ATP – After Suitable Rest

Women’s R16 Set At Indian Wells

Since I missed yesterday due to having to do some actual work, let’s take a quick look at the fourth-round match-ups for the women at Indian Wells, now that the third round’s been completed.

(1) Caroline Wozniacki v. (22) Alisa Kleybanova

H2H: 2-0

The world no. 1 is cruising so far in this tournament, taking out former bugbear Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in straight sets on her fourth attempt so far. Kleybanova has had a slightly tougher road but has been equally unruffled, with straight sets victories over Agnes Szavay and, last night, thirteenth seed Flavia Pennetta. Looking at the draw, if Wozniacki is going to be beaten before the semi-finals, it’s going to be here. Best of luck with that, Kleybs.

(9) Agnieszka Radwanska v. (8) Victoria Azarenka

H2H: 2 – 4

Christ on a bike, I love this match-up. Two of my favourite players with plenty of history – two great and very different games – two of the more enigmatic and spiky personalities on tour. Which just makes it all the more frustrating that it’s on court 7 for reasons unknown and therefore won’t be streamed. But OK. Radwanska toiled in her last match against Maria Kirilenko, finally winning 75 in the third after the Russian recovered from a first-set bagel, while Azarenka posted a straight sets victory over Urszula Radwanska, her opponent’s little sis. Game. On.

Dinara Safina v. (16) Maria Sharapova

H2H: 3-3

Seriously, someone is doing this on purpose. Two contemporaries who have been playing each other since 2004, the only two Russians who have ever been ranked no. 1, and both struggling back from injuries that have decimated their careers (to different extents, I grant you, but still). Sharapova had a good win over Rezai yesterday, but who really thought Dinara would be here?! She beat the fourth seed Stosur last night in straight sets, a match that I didn’t watch but C Note did, and apparently while Stosur was fairly woeful, Dinara was brilliant. Remember when she was good? I mean, really good? That might be happening again. I’m so excited.

Not to worry though, she’s still Dinara.

(18) Nadia Petrova v. Peng Shuai

H2H: 2-1

I keep telling people how much Peng Shuai has improved (OK, it might be Shuai Peng), but will anyone listen? She backed up her defeat of Li Na by beating Lucie Hradecka, who took out Alexandra Dulgheru in the previous round. It did take her three sets, but then it took Nadia three sets to beat American wildcard Christina McHale. I think Peng’s going to win this one.

(5) Francesca Schiavone v. (10) Shahar Peer

H2H: 1-3

Another really great match-up. Schiavone has definitely had an easier time of it so far, beating Zuzana Ondraskova and Alize Cornet in straight sets, but from what I’ve seen her performances have been a bit erratic. Peer has had to go three sets with two tough opponents, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, but she’s beaten Schiavone every time they’ve played on hard courts. Fun times.

(23) Yanina Wickmayer v. (25) Dominika Cibulkova

H2H: 1-2

Sorry for the pictures, for some reason these ladies haven’t been photographed much. Anyway. Cibulkova of course has scored arguably the biggest upset of the tournament so far, defeating third seed Vera Zvonareva 46 76(4) 64, and has consequently been rewarded with angry mama and personal fave of mine Yanina Wickmayer, who put paid to the hopes of whipping girl Melanie Oudin and then took out fourteenth seed Kaia Kanepi. Happy days.

(6) Jelena Jankovic v. (19) Ana Ivanovic

H2H: 3-6

Whichever tennis god is doing this, I’m converting. No love lost between these Serbian former no. 1s who are both engaged in struggling out of prolonged and intermittent slumps. JJ has had a smooth ride so far against Coco Vanderweghe and Julia Goerges, and while I haven’t watched Ana’s matches, straight set wins over Date-Krumm and Zahlalova Strycova are a bit more impressive. So evidence would suggest she’s the form player so far – but then, as anyone who remembers the absolutely hilarious horror show that was their last match in Madrid will attest, reason and logic doesn’t always come into it with these girls.

(15) Marion Bartoli v. (2) Kim Clijsters

H2H: 0-3

 

Rather a tough ask for Marion, you might think, given that Kim has beaten her all three times they played. But then Kim looked pretty dreadful in her match against Sara Errani, taking three sets to subdue the Italian with a serve and forehand misfiring all over the place, while Bartoli beat a tough opponent in Andrea Petkovic in straight sets last round. So maybe it’s the Frenchwoman’s moment. Allez, I say.

And that is your WTA round of sixteen at Indian Wells. Put bluntly, if you’re not having fun with this, then you’re not paying attention.

The Word on Day Eight.

Few of the men and women cracking me up today. Good quotes.

Q. You’re so different, at least you seem so different, to Pistolesi. He is always telling jokes. I don’t know if he does it with you. But I know him since he was 18 years old. Do you like the company also or you don’t see away from tennis?

ROBIN SODERLING: No, we spend a lot of time together. He’s a great guy.

I think you’re wrong. I think we’re very similar. It’s just that I don’t tell you guys jokes (smiling).

Q. Well, start.

ROBIN SODERLING: No (smiling).

source

He’s a funny guy.

Q. Do you have a favorite Billy Connolly joke?

ANDY MURRAY: No. That’s the thing. We used to listen to it all the time, from maybe like 10, 11 years old until I was up to 15, 16. Then I haven’t seen that much of his stuff for a little while. I’m hoping I’m going to be able to go along and see it. We got a few little tidbits when we were talking to him.

My mum and dad were pretty lenient with that stuff. Probably why my language is so bad on the court (smiling).

source

 

Q. It was a very exciting and tough match. In the end you lost. Why do you think you lost?
SHUAI PENG: Bad luck (smiling).

[…] The tennis is like this. Like sometimes you down, you win. Sometimes you up, you lose.

source

Wise words.

Q. Maybe next time you go into a Grand Slam, you should have no practice and no matches.

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yeah, I think I should have surgery before every Grand Slam definitely

source

Q. Do you find it distracting when everybody is calling out, I love you, Rafa?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I feel fantastic (laughter).

Q. Are you able to block it out?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I heard everything. But is nice (smiling).

Q. What about when the girls whistle at you and take pictures of you when you’re changing your shirt?

RAFAEL NADAL: That’s a very good feeling (smiling).

Q. Could you tell us more about this Armani campaign? Was it a good experience? What do you think of the pictures?

RAFAEL NADAL: Was a long experience, but very good experience, no? Is always nice to know different worlds. The fashion world is something that I didn’t know before.

Yeah, was a good session of photos, long one. But hopefully the result are satisfactory, so… I worked very hard, seriously (laughter). So, yeah, was nice. A different experience and I enjoyed.

Q. Do you find you sexy on the picture?

RAFAEL NADAL: I’m not the right person to say. I always watch myself so so. But what do you think? Do you like it?

source

Nothing puts Rafa in a good mood like beating one of my favourites.

And my favourite quote of the day …

Q. You won the first set, then what happened after that?

FLAVIA PENNETTA: She won the second and the third.

source

Ask a stupid question …

Beijing: Oversized Trophies and Stuffed Somethings For All!

So after making heroic efforts to wake up for the men’s final in Beijing (8.30 a.m. on a Sunday is beyond heroic for me, OK?), I only saw four games of it before it was rained off and then had to go out just as it resumed. Upside: I did get to see the Nadal-Cilic match during the rain delay, and wow, Marin played seriously well. That was something.

Sadly not the same fortune for him today. He lost to Nole, 62 76(4). On the other hand, I seriously love Nole, so I’m still happy. Multiple faves FTW!

Still a great tournament for Marin; he’s now got wins over two of the top four (are we still calling them the Big Four?) and made the finals of a 500. All-round encouraging signs.

Doesn’t China know never to wear gold and silver together?

And nice for Nole to get a title in the week that he took back the no. 3 spot, as well. Happy faces all round.

In the WTA final, which I also missed, Svetlana Kuznetsova lived up to expectations and beat Agnieszka Radwanska 62 64 for her third Beijng title. Nice, and it also affords an opportunity to enjoy some hilarious Svetlana stylings with the trophy.

And Andy Roddick salvaged something from the week, making the doubles final with his partner Mark Knowles. Unfortunately they were beaten by the Bryans, but still. And Hsieh Su-Wei and Peng Shuai took the women’s doubles trophy. Good stuff.

Beijing: What, Is Her Last Name Jankovic?

Huge win for Peng Shuai today, defeating Maria Sharapova in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinals, 62 64. I only saw a little of it, but I thought Peng/Shuai was playing really well. So great for her to be doing so well at her home tournament, and honestly, after Shazza’s comment yesterday or whenever it was (the days all blend into one this time of year), I’m not too sorry.

Also into the quarterfinals are Elena Dementieva, who demolished Li Na 62 60 (remember the feeling, people), and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who beat Aleksandra Wozniak 64 64. GO PAVS. And indeed a triumvirate of Russians, as Svetlana Kuznetsova bagelled Alona Bondarenko 60 in the third to advance. Love it.

Does anybody else think Svetlana is really quite photogenic when she’s playing?

Singles – Third Round
(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (16) Li Na (CHN) 62 60
(6) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 63 46 60
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 64 64
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 62 64

Doubles – Quarterfinals
Yan/Zheng (CHN/CHN) d. (6) Groenefeld/Schnyder (GER/SUI) 46 60 105

Doubles – Second Round
(4) Llagostera Vives/Martínez Sánchez (ESP/ESP) d. Grandin/Kops-Jones (RSA/USA) 16 75 106
(5) Hsieh/Peng (TPE/CHN) d. Errani/Pennetta (ITA/ITA) 62 75
Kleybanova/Schiavone (RUS/ITA) d. Bondarenko/Bondarenko (UKR/UKR) 76(4) 62

Beijing: Weepy JJ, Azarenka Ousted

Another eventful day in Beijing. First up, spare a thought for the somewhat forgotten woman, Elena Dementieva, who was after all the last women to capture a title on these grounds and who’s rampaging through her soft draw, demolishing Melinda Czink 3 and 2.

I’ve got a feeling, I’m telling you. Anyway, she was naturally overshadowed by – for one thing – the ousting of a not entirely healthy JJ by Peng Shuai. Or Shuai Peng. Or both. This wasn’t fun watching. JJ started off great guns and in fact was on the point of clinching the match, but once it got into a third set her resistance melted away, obviously still suffering from the wrist injury that caused her to retire in the Tokyo final. She cried throughout most of it. It was not good.

In her press conference, JJ talked about not having her mum travelling with her, her physical struggles, and the hope she’ll be able to play Doha – although she doesn’t sound keen on playing Bali as an alternative …

The match of the day was one that I missed, unfortunately. Sharapova beat Azarenka 63 67(5) 75 in what sounds like a marathon encounter. Certainly from her reaction, it seems to have meant a lot to her.

The match also seems to have had a catty flavour to it (unbelievable for a Sharapova match, right?); Azarenka took a couple of medical timeouts, causing Sharapova to allegedy remark on the second one, “What, is her last name Jankovic?”. Nice, Maria. You stay classy.

Otherwise all the seeds progressed, with Zvonareva, Pennetta, Radwanska, Petrova and Bartoli all notching up wins. Good stuff.

Singles – Second Round
(2) Serena Williams (USA) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 63 62
(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (Q) Melinda Czink (HUN) 64 63
(7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 63 60
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (8) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 46 75 62
Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (9) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 63 67(5) 75
(10) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (Q) Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 36 75 63
(12) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Patty Schnyder (SUI) 64 61
(13) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 61 26 75
(14) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 62 63
María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. (LL) Vania King (USA) 64 64

Doubles – Second Round
(1) Black/Huber (ZIM/USA) d. Szavay/Vinci (HUN/ITA) 36 60 103
Yan/Zheng (CHN/CHN) d. (2) Stosur/Stubbs (AUS/AUS) 76(5) 16 119
Pavlyuchenkova/Wickmayer (RUS/BEL) d. (3) Medina Garrigues/Ruano Pascual (ESP/ESP) 26 75 106
(6) Groenefeld/Schnyder (GER/SUI) d. (WC) Kuznetsova/Safina (RUS/RUS) w/o (Safina: low back injury)
Kudryavtseva/Makarova (RUS/RUS) d. (WC) Han/Ji (CHN/CHN) 76(5) 62

Cincinnati: Safina, Svetlana Scrape Through

Less than convincing stuff from the top Russians last night. Dinara Safina only got past Roberta Vinci 64 in the third, while Svetlana Kuznetsova needed a third-set tiebreak to determine perpetually-in-need-of-a-sandwich Lucie Safarova.

Venus Williams was in much more intimidating form, rolling over Olga Govortsova 62 62, and fifteenth seed Dominika Cibulkova fell to Peng Shuai Shuai Peng, 62 61. Has Domi had a good result since Roland Garros? Maybe she played too much tennis in the first half of the year.

 

Or maybe she’s just Domi, I don’t know. Sorana beat Meghan Shaughnessy 75 75 (isn’t she old?) and Yanina Wickmayer had a really solid win over Francesca Schiavone. The other upset come courtesy of steady but unspectacular Alona Bondarenko, who knocked out tenth seed Nadia Petrova 62 63.

Results

Singles – Second Round
(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 26 75 64
(3) Venus Williams (USA) d. (Q) Olga Govortsova (BLR) 62 62
(6) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 63 67(2) 76(4)

Singles – First Round
Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. (10) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 62 63
(13) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 62 61
(14) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (Q) Ayumi Morita (JPN) 62 63
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (15) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 62 61
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. (WC) Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) 75 75
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 36 63 61
Sybille Bammer (AUT) d. Zheng Jie (CHN) 62 46 62
Agnes Szavay (HUN) d. (Q) Urszula Radwanska (POL) 75 75
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. Aravane Rezai (FRA) 63 63
María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. Vera Dushevina (RUS) 64 36 63
(Q) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 63 64
(WC) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. (Q) Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 64 61

Doubles – First Round
Bondarenko/Bondarenko (UKR/UKR) d. (6) Groenefeld/Schnyder (GER/SUI) 64 62
Dulko/Peer (ARG/ISR) d. Borwell/Grandin (GBR/RSA) 63 62
Mirza/Schiavone (IND/ITA) d. Koryttseva/Poutchek (UKR/BLR) 16 64 106
Amanmuradova/Niculescu (UZB/ROU) d. Granville/Gullickson (USA/USA) 62 63
(WC) Oudin/Perry (USA/USA) d. (WC) Clijsters/Wickmayer (BEL/BEL) 63 36 108

Wednesday’s OOP

Center Court (from 11.00hrs)
1. Jelena Jankovic vs. Maria Kirilenko
2. Kim Clijsters vs. Patty Schnyder (NB 12.30hrs)
3. Yanina Wickmayer vs. Elena Dementieva
4. Kirilenko/Vesnina vs. Chuang/Yan
5. Kateryna Bondarenko vs. Serena Williams (NB. 19.00hrs)
6. Black/Huber vs. Mirza/Schiavone

Grandstand (from 11.00hrs)
1. Alisa Kleybanova vs. Vera Zvonareva
2. Caroline Wozniacki vs. Aleksandra Wozniak
3. Melinda Czink vs. Ana Ivanovic
4. Kleybanova/Makarova vs. Pennetta/Raymond
5. Senoglu/Shvedova vs. Mattek-Sands/Petrova

Court 3 (from 11.00 hrs)
1. Anna Chakvetadze vs. Victoria Azarenka
2. Alona Bondarenko vs. Daniela Hantuchova (NB 12.30hrs)
3. Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Sybille Bammer
4. Oudin/Perry vs. Hantuchova/Sugiyama (after suitable rest)
5. Ruano Pascual/Zheng vs. Dulko/Peer

Court 4 (from 11.00 hrs)
1. Agnes Szavay vs. Flavia Pennetta
2. María José Martínez Sánchez vs. Peng Shuai (NB 12.30 hrs)
3. Anna-Lena Groenefeld vs. Sorana Cirstea
4. Hsieh/Peng vs. Dushevina/Rodionova (after suitable rest)