Mauresmo vs. Kuznetsova in Beijing

ETA: Kuznetsova 6-4 6-0 actually. Well done, Svetlana! What's up with Amelie, though? ANOTHER bagel? It must be said: that's no way for a world Number 1 to go out, no matter how well Sveta's playing right now. Here's a match review, with quotes from the players.

I'm gonna go with Mauresmo in three. This is live right now...I hear it's on CCTV5...will look for a stream...

ETA: There are lots of options here. Just scroll down.

ETA: ...none of which seem to work. Anyway, there's a rain delay at 4 all in the 1st set.

Baghdatis and Kuznetsova Win!

Marcos Baghdatis took out Mario Ancic 6-4 6-0 (ouch) for his FIRST ATP TITLE! (yay!) It also moved Baghdatis up to number 8 in the rankings for the race to Shanghai. But what a great comeback from Mario--he did say that he was tired by that last set, and how can you blame him? Here's a match report. And here are interviews pre-the final; watch for post-final interviews to be added soon.

Props to Mario for shaking off the fatigue and playing the doubles final essentially right after losing his singles match--and winning it with Mahesh Bhupathi. Not a bad first week back, huh?

In more predictable news, Sveta Kuznetsova bested Marion Bartoli for her third Bali title. Bartoli claims that Sveta hit a ball straight at her in the warm up and it seemed to shake her up a bit. I find it hard to believe that the Kuze would do any such thing on purpose. She always seems so personable and sanguine in her press conferences, at least. Here's an article about the match.

In other news, lackadaisical Austrian Jurgen Melzer beat Italian Fillipo Volandri for his first career ATP title at the BCR Open in Romania.

Kuznetsova def. Davenport in Bali

Svetlana Kuznetsova's through to the final, taking out Lindsay Davenport in two tie-break sets. She'll face Marion Bartoli for the championship. Vamos, Sveta!

Here's a match report.

US Open 2nd Tuesday

Well, yesterday was just balls out tennis, folks. Mauresmo's incredible comeback after losing the 2nd set to Serena 0-6; Tommy Haas' marathon win over Robby Ginepri (whose ranking will now take a steep tumble into oblivion); the resurrection of Marat Safin, as well as Lleyton Hewitt prevailing over Richie Gasquet in a 5-setter that seems to be an instant classic (I wouldn't know, of course. Silly me fell asleep at 3-1 in the 5th and missed the 2 matchpoints Gasquet saved that seem to have converted all of NYC into Francophiles. Damn. It.). Also Kuznetsova falling to the charismatic primadonna Jelena Jankovic, Davenport squashing Schnyder, and Justine Henin-Hardenne making a bid for her own Federer-like H-H Express with a comprehensive beatdown of Shahar Pe'er. Who can stop that train?

Hmm, that's all yesterday stuff, isn't it. On to tuesday, which should be another stellar day of match play:

How much fun will Tommy Haas v. Marat Safin be? I mean, these guys can turn up the court crazy like nobody else. The two of them together? I'll need to take a valium just to sit through it. I'm picking Safin over Haas, mostly because I want a few more press conferences from the gloomy and ever quotable Russian.

I'm going to pick Blake over Berdych in the trickiest 4th round match; Murray over Davydenko in a very very tight one, Federer over Giquel (duh). I think Jankovic is ready for her close up and will upset Dementieva; and sorry, Lindsay, but Justine's unstoppable. Just like the Citizen Eco-Drive watch and the people who wear it. Unstoppable.

US Open Day 1: Ljubicic Loses; Agassi Wins

Match of the day? Agassi, Agassi, Agassi. From what I saw of it, Andrei Pavel was playing some great tennis; and Andre Agassi did well to dig out of  0-4 in the 3rd set. "You want to to be everything you hope it is," said Agassi. "It was perfect." Indeed it was. But can he take out Baghdatis, too? Here's a match review and Agassi's press conference.

Feliciano Lopez finally got his own back against Ivan Ljubicic and logged the upset of the day 6-3 6-3 6-3. LaLo had lost to Ljubicic at the Australian Open, and then again in a brutal 5 set match at Wimbledon. This win takes Lopez to 3-2 over Ivan lifetime. Poor Ivan is still getting no love from...well, anyone. This first round loss won't help.

Interesting factoid: Lopez never faced a breakpoint all match and didn't lose a single point (!) on serve in the 2nd set. Here's a match review.

In other news, 2004 champ Svetlana Kuznetsova escaped an upset in her three set win against a German qualifier; Lindsay Davenport's shoulder is feeling ok; Elena Dementieva got through despite 30+ errors; and Andy Roddick radiated confidence all over the court in his win over Florent Serra. Serra's no pushover, but I'm very eager to see what happens when Roddick comes up against a tougher challenge.

Be sure to check out press conference video and transcripts as well as the daily highlights video at the US Open site. Shame on the US Open for not even including tWorld Number 3 Ivan Ljubicic's interview transcript.

Wimbledon Day 5: Upsets (The Ladies)

Sugiyama d. Hingis
Sugiyama took the first set 7-5 but lost the 2nd set 3-6, on an early break. The Japanese veteran steeled herself to come back from a seemingly insurmountable obstacle--Martina (News, Blog Posts) broke her twice at the start of the 3rd set. What a way to play in your 14th consecutive Wimbledon!

Well at least Hingis will have some time to cheer on boyfriend Radek Stepanek; he took out Juan Carlos Ferrero 11-9 in the 5th in a spectacular match.

Here are a match report / Hingis' Interview / Sugiyama's Interview.

Li d. Kuznetsova
4th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova (News, Blog Posts) went down in a fierce battle with Li Na. The Kuze took the first set, but then started rushing and making some wild shots...and then that was all she wrote. Congratulations to Li for becoming the first Chinese singles player to make the 4th round at Wimbledon. Here's a match report.

Bremond d.  Dulko
Smaller beans, but French qualifier Severine Bremond is on a serious roll; yesterday she dispatched 8th seed Patty Schnyder, and now 31st seed Gisela Dulko, in 3 tough sets. Here's a match rundown. Bremond faces Ai Sugiyama in the round of 16, and will definitely have a shot at a quarterfinal.

Update on this Week's Tournies

Nottingham: Defending champ Richard Gasquet KO'd  countryman Gilles Simon in 3 and 1; Italian Andreas Seppi beat Andy Murray in 3; Robin Soderling, who has yet to drop a set, over Tipsarevic in 2,  and Bjorkman over Lopez.  I'm gonna go with Gasquet to repeat his win.

At the Ordina Open, Men's, it'll be defending champ Mario Ancic v. Marcos Baghdatis (making his first semi since Australia) and  Jan Hernych vs. Forent Serra (who took out JC Fererro in 3). The women: Elena Demetieva, Danilidou, Dinara Safina and Michaela Krajicek. I'm going with Ancic and Safina.

Eastbourne: It'll be  Henin-Hardenne vs. Clijsters and Kuznetsova v. Myskina. I'm going with Kuznetsova over Henin-Hardenne in the final.

Justine Wins her 3rd French Open

Henin-Hardenne over Kuznetsova in straight sets. Svetlana had a streak in the second where it looked like she could turn it around, but no luck. Well, Congrats to Justine, who is clearly the most complete female player out there today. Congrats to Kuznetsova on making it to her first Roland Garros Final.

Here's an article.

Justine KO's Kim

Just 69 minutes, and  with fewer than 50% of her first serves in. Clijsters didn't come out to play today. Oh well. Looking ahead, Henin-Hardenne is 10-1 lifetime over Svetlana Kuznetsova. For some reason I still think Kuznetsova will win it.

Here's a match summary.

Vaidisova Wilts and Kuznetzova Wins

It was a near thing for Svetlana Kuznetzova. Vaidisova had her number, but the Kuze fought back. Here's a match summary.

Right now Henin-Hardenne is up a set and a break on Kim Clijsters and is strutting around with some serious confidence. Would be absolutely shocking if Justine loses.

Nice Kuznetsova Piece

Kuznetsova keen to make amends

While the talents of the 20-year-old from St. Petersburg are undisputed, she is still seen as a player susceptible to an attack of nerves at the vital moment. Despite her tender age, this is her fifth year on the WTA Tour and though life since her US Open success in 2004 has been difficult, she is confident her experiences have strengthened her. Read the article

Quote Round Up for Tuesday at Roland Garros

"I was just playing disgusting points, I looked like a junior out there. I mean, I felt ridiculous."
--Svetlana Kuznetsova

Despite Sveta's self-chastisement, I'm going to go ahead and say it. I'm backing Kuznetsova for the title. I missed her match but she looked brutal out there in the RG highlights against Safina. The Kuze over Henin-Hardenne in 3. Mark my words! Or come back and laugh in my face!

Here's the BBC quote round up.

No Clear Favorite Among the Women

At Roland Garros, Women's Tennis Searches for a Leader

Almost halfway through 2006, women's tennis remains upsidedown.

So far this year, three different women have held the no. 1 ranking. Amelie Mauresmo, the current no.1,won her first major title in Australia after Justine Henin-Hardenne retired with what was officially scored as a "gastrointestinal illness." Nadia Petrova, who dumped her coach in Australia because he was not "tough" enough, is now ranked no. 3 and has the most wins on the tour in 2006. Maria Sharapova is the second-best Russian, while Serena Williams, the most talented woman in the world, is the 14th-best American, ranked a lowly no. 108. And Martina Hingis has returned from a three-year retirement and moved quickly into the top 15. Read On...

Kuznetsova Declares Dubai Like Russia...But Safer

From the Khaleej Times: Russian connection

“It’s almost like Russia,” said former US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova yesterday. “This place is so multi-racial. It’s so amazing. There seems to be more Russians here now.

“The difference is Dubai is safe,” said the 21-year-old Russian after her easy straight sets victory over German qualifier Martina Muller on the show courts of the Dubai Open tennis championship. “It’s safe to go out and look around.”

Kuznetsova Withdraws from Wismilak

Perhaps we can't blame all of Svetlana Kuznetsova's ignominious first round exit from the U.S. Open on her mental state.  She withdrew from this week's Wismilak International tournament in Bali because of that back injury that bothered her in Toronto a few weeks prior to the U.S. Open. 

One Year Later...Svetlana Kuznetsova

From the New York Times: Year After Winning Trophy, Kuznetsova Can Feel Its Weight

Svetlana Kuznetsova bears only a faint resemblance to the 2004 United States Open champion. She no longer wears braces.

But besides her new smile and her still loquacious nature, Kuznetsova, 20, has found nothing to be easy since winning her first Grand Slam last year. At times, she has made the game even harder than necessary...

Kuznetsova's breakthrough victory remains a treasured souvenir and a painful reminder. At the club where she trains in Spain, her colleagues compiled a video tribute of her Open triumph for a New Year's party. Kuznetsova was thrilled but embarrassed.

"I'm showing it to people who want me to show it to them," she said. "I watch it a couple of times, and I am getting sick of it."

Kuznetsova Crashes Out

They say admitting you have a problem is half the battle.  Svetlana Kuznetsova can only hope so after Eleni Daniilidou defeated her 6-4, 6-4 last night at the JPMorgan Chase Open, causing Reuters to lead with the headline Kuznetsova suffers Greek tragedy. 

"I just can't get my rhythm, I just can't get my game," Kuznetsova said. "I've been horrible. If I keep playing like this it's just not the way, and I can go home straight away because I'm not going to win a match like this. I better start practicing more, or just start to get my brain together, I guess.

"It's not me out there and I just don't get it.  When I get my brain, I just have to find it in matches. I just hate losing."

Kuznetsova's Sophomore Slump

One year after the Russian women dominated women's tennis by winning three of the four Grand Slams, they've all struggled to one degree or another.  Anastasia Myskina has had to deal with the one-two punch of injuries and her mother's illness which have combined to sap her confidence and her desire.  Elena Dementieva has had minor injuries of her own as well as continuing to try to overcome her now epic serving problems.  Maria Sharapova has been a much more consistent player than she was last year, but she hasn't won a major yet this year. 

But perhaps the Russian who has struggled the most for the least apparent reason is Svetlana Kuznetsova who came out of nowhere last year to win the U. S. Open.  Despite ranking #4 in the world she's been all over the map this year, tossing in occasional early round defeats and some eye-opening chokes (see French Open vs. Henin-Hardenne). 

Now she has finally admitted that the pressure of being the U. S. Open champion has gotten to her. 

"This year, I've wanted to go out and play like U.S. Open champion," said Kuznetsova. "I put too much pressure on myself and tried to be too good. I need to play the same every match."

It will be interesting to see whether those nerves get to her in her return to the U.S. Open.  Happy memories, but so many points to defend.

Kuznetsova's Chances

From The Times: Kuznetsova worth a look for rivals and supporters

IN THESE days of Bollettieri blondes with their dental floss dresses and charisma bypasses, it is refreshing to find a player falling beyond the accepted parameters of the glamourpuss-sourpuss duopoly.

Nobody has mentioned Svetlana Kuznetsova much this Wimbledon. She is the US Open champion and the No 5 seed, but she has a name that is difficult to pronounce and the sort of dumpy frame that makes her hips resemble leg-warmers. It would not be stretching the point to suggest she has the look that is not so much the stuff of Greek goddesses as kebab vans.

She must, however, be rated a lurking threat to the big guns after a typically gutsy 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 victory over Nicole Vaidisova, the No 27 seed. At various times, the Czech girl, her talents honed by Nick Bollettieri and enhanced by a dress that was so short it was effectively a bandanna, had her chances, but Kuznetsova, who admitted to chronic nerves this week, found her form in the third set to win through to the fourth round.

And he's trying to compliment her - yikes!

Svetlana Kuznetsova Article

The timing is awkward since Svetlana Kuznetsova was defeated easily by Paola Suarez yesterday in Rome, but Britain's Evening Standard has an article on Kuznetsova in which she tells a bit more about her move from St. Petersburg to Barcelona at age 13 than has previously been in the English press along with her thoughts on everything from Scottish hope Andrew Murray, playing doubles, equal prize money at Wimbledon and Maria Sharapova. 

Svetlana Kuznetsova

Winning the U.S. Open hasn't done much for Svetlana Kuznetsova's profile.  She had trouble getting into the Rot-Weiss Club where the German Open is hosted this week because a security guard didn't recognize her.  But thinking on her feet, Kuznetsova pointed to a promotional poster featuring her picture and that did the trick.