Category: Players

Sharapova awaits Wimbledon

After the 6-2 6-1 humiliation by Ana Ivanovic in the Roland Garros semifinal, world No. 2 Maria Sharapova turned her thoughts to her love affair with Wimbledon.

The 20-year-old Russian will warm-up for the third Slam of the year at next week’s Birmingham Classic, a Tier III event she won in 2004 and 2005.

Maria, who said last week that she felt like a “cow on ice” on clay, now has something to look forward to:

“I’m excited. My favorite time of the year is coming up, the grass and the hard court season. So I’m very looking forward to it,”

“I love being part of Wimbledon. I can’t even say how happy I am when this time of year comes around.

“I’m always thinking from the beginning of the year, ‘I hope I’m always healthy when Wimbledon comes around because it’s a very special place in my career, in my heart’.

“I always love going back there.” (source: Reuters)

Ivanovic, Henin reach Roland Garros final

Post author By Marija
Post date June 7, 2007
1 Comment on Ivanovic, Henin reach Roland Garros final

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia made it to the final of a grand slam tournament for the first time with a 6-2 6-1 demolition of world number two Maria Sharapova at the French Open on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Ivanovic, seeded seventh, performed close to perfection beating second-seeded Sharapova in just 65 minutes. At the end of the match, she had three match points, but sealed the victory on the first one with an ace.

“I knew I had to be aggressive from the beginning and that’s what I tried to do,” said Ivanovic. “I knew she was not a great mover on clay and I tried to play deep balls to put her under pressure.”

Russia’s Sharapova, who said last week that she felt like a “cow on ice” on clay, made too many unforced errors and looked helpless at times.

In the second semifinal of the day, the defending champion Justine Henin was yet again too good for Jelena Jankovic. Belgian Henin overcame Jankovic 6-2 6-2, and is seeking to become the first woman to win three consecutive French Open titles since Monica Seles in 1990-92.

“I expected a tough battle against Jankovic,” said Henin.

“All our previous games have been that way so I tried to take command right from the start.

“I think she took a heavy blow to her morale by losing her serve so easily at the end of the first set and that allowed me to open strongly in the second set.

“It will be a very hard match against Ivanovic.”

The 2007 Roland Garros finalists met only once, two years ago – they played on clay, in Warsaw, and Justine won 6-4, 7-5.

(sources: Reuters, BBC Sport)

Ana Ivanovic Jelena Jankovic Justine Henin Maria Sharapova Roland Garros

Ivanovic, Jankovic, Henin, Sharapova in RG semis

Post author By Marija
Post date June 5, 2007
1 Comment on Ivanovic, Jankovic, Henin, Sharapova in RG semis

Seventh-seeded Ana Ivanovic was the first one to reach the final four. She defeated the last year’s French Open finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-0 3-6 6-1. Federer was definitely wrong when he said that Kuznetsova will take the trophy this year.

The rising 19-year-old from Serbia said that she has improved her physical fitness and that now she has more experience which helped her to be calmer in the match against Kuznetsova. Ivanovic will play Maria Sharapova for a place in the final.

Roland Garros was the one Grand Slam tournament in which Sharapova had never reached the semifinals — until Tuesday. In the quarterfinal match against Anna Chakvetadze, there was no evidence of Maria’s problems with the right shoulder. Maria, seeded second, scored the victory in straight sets 6-3 6-4.

“I really didn’t know what to expect from [the shoulder],” Sharapova said. “I thought it was going to be worse than it was, so after the match, especially, I’m very pleased. But I wouldn’t say I’m surprised or shocked by the situation.”

I should mention that Sharapova last played Ivanovic in Tokyo back in February but retired with a hamstring injury trailing 1-6, 1-0. “She’s had some good success this clay-court season,” Sharapova said. “It will definitely be a very tough match.”

Fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic continues to be the most successful WTA player this year. She has now won 44 of 54 matches. In the quarterfinals she beat sixth-seeded Nicole Vaidisova 6-3 7-5.

In the semis Jankovic will play the defending champion and top-seeded Justine Henin, who overwhelmed Serena Williams 6-4 6-3 to set up a semifinal against the Serb. They played five times till now and all their matches were three-setters. Even though J.J. won the first set four times, she has never defeated the Belgian. Maybe it’s time for her to do it now.

Jankovic, despite her recent success, still has a reputation of being something of a head case. “I will focus on my objectives, and whether or not she buckled under pressure, I mean, it doesn’t matter,” Henin said. “You might think that’s an asset for me, the fact that she’s psychologically weak, but I don’t pay attention to that. I will have to be cautious, in fact.” (source: ESPN)

Ana Ivanovic Anna Chakvetadze Jelena Jankovic Justine Henin Maria Sharapova Nicole Vaidisova Roland Garros Serena Williams Svetlana Kuznetsova

Roland Garros — quarterfinalist’s head-to-heads

Post author By Marija
Post date June 4, 2007
No Comments on Roland Garros — quarterfinalist’s head-to-heads

Justine Henin BEL (1) vs. Serena Williams USA (8)

According to many people, these two players are most likely to win the 2007 French Open. Henin already possesses three titles from Paris (winning it in 2003, 2005, and 2006), while her opponent in the final 16 has one, from 2002.

In their flourishing careers, they’ve met nine times, and Serena leads 6-3. But maybe it’s more important to point out that the one more successful on clay was Justine. She defeated the American three times (in the finals of Berlin and Charleston, and in the semifinal of Roland Garros). Serena beat Henin on clay only once, in the final of Rome.

Jelena Jankovic SRB (4) vs. Nicole Vaidisova CZE (6)

Vaidisova leads 1-0 on clay. She defeated Jankovic in 2006, in the semifinal of Strasbourg. If we include their matches on other surfaces too, Vaidisova is also better, leading 4-2. However, we mustn’t forget Jelena’s fantastic results this season. In 2007 she’s already won three trophies: in Auckland, Charleston, and Rome.

Ana Ivanovic SRB (7) vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS (3)

Considering the matches they’ve played so far, Ana has better results, leading 2-1. On clay they played once, and Ana defeated Kuznetsova. That was in the last month’s final of Berlin.

Anna Chakvetadze RUS (9) vs. Maria Sharapova (2)

In this case, situation is clear – they played against each other three times and Chakvetadze has never beat Sharapova. Out of these three matches, they had only one on clay; in the last 32 of the 2005 Roland Garros when Sharapova defeated the compatriot in straight sets.

Roland Garros Svetlana Kuznetsova

Kuznetsova’s reaction to Federer’s compliment

Post author By Marija
Post date June 4, 2007
No Comments on Kuznetsova’s reaction to Federer’s compliment

Third-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova was stunned when people told her that Roger Federer, the top-ranked ATP player and ten-time Grand Slam champion, thinks that she will be the one to win Roland Garros.

Kuznetsova logged on to the Internet to check whether that’s true. When she saw Federer’s words: “I like her game, she plays well,” she couldn’t believe it and had to pinch herself.

“The Russian press told me and I thought ‘No, it was a joke’. So I wanted to check it myself and read this on the Internet,” Kuznetsova said after reaching the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.

“If I would have to choose a compliment from anybody, it’s definitely the best I ever heard. Roger is a legend and to hear him say that is almost a dream.

“It’s unbelievable to hear my hero say this about my tennis.”

Kuznetsova, a runner-up in the 2006 French Open, is eager to play the best she can, and live up to Federer’s expectations by winning the title on Saturday.

“If he likes my game, I would like to prove it more,” she said.

In the quarterfinal she will play the rising Serb Ana Ivanovic. In their head-to-heads Ivanovic leads 2-1. On hard courts they are tied, but Ivanovic leads 1-0 on clay. (source: Reuters)

Roland Garros Svetlana Kuznetsova

Federer picks Kuznetsova to win Roland Garros

Post author By Marija
Post date June 3, 2007
2 Comments on Federer picks Kuznetsova to win Roland Garros

The top-ranked ATP player Roger Federer, when asked to name who he thought would win the French Open, shot back an answer almost as quickly as one of his forehands.

“Kuznetsova,” he said. “I like her game. She plays well.”

Svetlana Kuznetsova, seeded third, beat Ekaterina Bychkova in the opening round, then Meghann Shaughnessy in the second, and lastly Dominika Cibulkova to advance to the round four where she will play fifteenth seed Shahar Peer of Israel.

The 21-year-old Russian — a U.S. Open champion in 2004 — reached the final last year, losing to Justine Henin. (source: International Herald Tribune)

Amelie Mauresmo Roland Garros

Another early exit for Mauresmo

Post author By Marija
Post date June 2, 2007
No Comments on Another early exit for Mauresmo

France’s Amelie Mauresmo, who won many titles in her career, including two Grand Slams, has never gone beyond the quarter-finals at Roland Garros. Even though she was in front of the home crowd, Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic beat her 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in the third round.

After this victory, Safarova leads in their head-to-heads 2-0. The first time she ousted Mauresmo, the former world number one and currently the world No. 4, was in the fourth round of the 2007 Australian Open.

“Beating her in Australia was nice already but this is fantastic,” Safarova said. “I was 3-0 down but I never gave up and I won in straight sets. That’s great.” (via Reuters)

Justine Henin Roland Garros

Justine advances to round four of French Open

Post author By Marija
Post date June 1, 2007
No Comments on Justine advances to round four of French Open

On her 25th birthday, top seeded Justine Henin beat Italy’s Mara Santangelo 6-2 6-3 to advance to the fourth round of Roland Garros. The Belgian got one step closer to defending her title by winning the match on her favorite court – Philippe Chatrier. She calls it “my garden.”

Justine’s next opponent is Sybille Bammer of Austria, who defeated China’s Na Li 6-4 6-3 in the third round.

Henin and Bammer have met only once. They played on clay, in 2006, at the Family Circle Cup second round. Henin defeated Bammer 6-2 6-3.

Maria Sharapova Roland Garros Serena Williams

Sharapova’s and Williams’ quotes from RG

Post author By Marija
Post date May 31, 2007
No Comments on Sharapova’s and Williams’ quotes from RG

Certain things Maria and Serena said during the French Open were chosen by BBC as quotes of the day. I find them interesting, so I’ll share them with you.

Maria wasn’t competing for quite some time because of hamstring and shoulder injuries, so she had a chance to discover the joys of ordinary life. Here’s what Maria has learnt during her spare time: “I got to go to the grocery store and I had to cook my own breakfast and my lunch. The first time I went to the store, I was absolutely lost. Now I’ve got it under control. I know where the vegetables are, where my favorite cheese is, I’ve got it all going.” What an experience she had!

And here’s how the world number 2 and second seed at Roland Garros commented her clay-court form: “I feel terrible. I feel like a cow on ice.” Hahaha, illustrative comparison!

As for Serena, she was happy to hear that she was an idol to her next opponent Michaella Krajicek, and said: “That’s awesome. That’s so sweet. I know the feeling because I loved Monica Seles, so whenever I got a chance to play her, I was just still really excited. It’s just kind of strange to be in the opposite position.”

After being told the Australian Open plans to put new surface Serena commented: “To be honest with you, I grew up in the hood, and any court is a good court to me.” Cool statement.

Serena also explained how she picks her hitting partners: “If you can beat me, you can hit with me.” It makes sense, but for sure eliminates a lot of players.

Maria Sharapova Roland Garros

Sharapova reaches round two of Roland Garros

Post author By Marija
Post date May 30, 2007
No Comments on Sharapova reaches round two of Roland Garros

The No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova advances to the second round of Roland Garros by beating France’s Emilie Loit 6-3 7-6 (7-4).

The Russian easily took the first set, but struggled in the second, when her opponent even had a 3-2 lead. Sharapova broke back, but in the 11th game she dropped her serve again, so the world No. 41 had an opportunity to serve for the set. Still, Loit was broken and Sharapova took the tie-break 7-4 sealing the victory with her first match point.

This is Maria’s second tournament after a two-month break caused by injuries. Last week, the Russian took part in Istanbul Cup where she lost in the semis to Aravane Rezai.

Maria has still not recovered completely, but she’s willing to fight and give her best. “It will be the toughest thing for me to go out there and win this tournament but I am willing to do it. This is also my preparation for Wimbledon,” Sharapova said. (source: BBC Sport)