Rolex Rankings 5.21.2012: Azahara Munoz Into Top 20 With Sybase Win, Runner-Up Candie Kung Jumps Up 39 Spots

Azahara Munoz, 2012 Sybase Match Play Winner

2012 Sybase Match Play champion Azahara Munoz jumped 8 places into 19th on the Rolex Rankings following her win at Hamilton Farm Golf Club. The 2010 Rookie of the Year had been playing well lately and seemed poised for her first win on the LPGA. She was already a winner on the Ladies European Tour, where she won the 2009 Madrid Ladies Masters in her first event as a professional. 4-time LPGA winner and 2012 Sybase runner-up Candie Kung vaulted 39 places up to 63rd place. There are more photos from the championship and consolation matches at the bottom after the rankings.

RANK	CHANGE	PLAYER	COUNTRY	EVENTS	AVG PTS	TOT PTS
1	—	Yani Tseng	TPE	48	17.71	849.91
2	—	Na Yeon Choi	KOR	53	8.34	441.94
3	—	Suzann Pettersen	NOR	43	7.42	318.90
4	—	Ai Miyazato	JPN	48	7.29	349.81
5	—	Cristie Kerr	USA	46	7.07	325.03
6	+1	Stacy Lewis	USA	53	6.76	358.47
7	−1	Sun Ju Ahn	KOR	52	6.67	346.80
8	—	I.K. Kim	KOR	43	6.46	277.78
9	—	Jiyai Shin	KOR	55	6.22	342.18
10	—	Shanshan Feng	CHN	52	5.73	297.73
11	+2	Amy Yang	KOR	46	5.43	249.65
12	—	Brittany Lincicome	USA	47	5.42	254.76
13	−2	Paula Creamer	USA	44	5.39	236.99
14	—	Sun Young Yoo	KOR	47	5.31	249.75
15	—	Angela Stanford	USA	47	5.22	245.53
16	—	Ji-Hee Lee	KOR	54	5.08	274.07
17	—	Chie Arimura	JPN	58	4.68	271.41
18	—	So Yeon Ryu	KOR	51	4.56	232.74
19	+8	Azahara Munoz	ESP	52	4.51	234.58
20	—	Morgan Pressel	USA	49	4.45	218.06
21	−2	Karrie Webb	AUS	44	4.18	183.99
22	−1	Catriona Matthew	SCO	42	4.00	167.82
23	—	Sakura Yokomine	JPN	62	3.85	238.56
24	−2	Caroline Hedwall	SWE	37	3.83	141.57
25	−1	Lexi Thompson	USA	29	3.78	132.40
26	—	Mi-Jeong Jeon	KOR	60	3.66	219.57
27	−2	Inbee Park	KOR	64	3.64	233.25
28	—	Ha Neul Kim	KOR	40	3.55	141.93
29	+1	Miki Saiki	JPN	62	3.47	214.83
30	+1	Maria Hjorth	SWE	46	3.41	156.87
31	−2	Michelle Wie	USA	41	3.41	139.79
32	+6	Anna Nordqvist	SWE	48	3.38	162.22
33	−1	Se-Ri Pak	KOR	34	3.35	117.15
34	−1	Hee Kyung Seo	KOR	51	3.32	169.31
35	—	Brittany Lang	USA	47	3.30	154.93
36	−2	Mika Miyazato	JPN	55	3.29	180.70
37	−1	Hee Young Park	KOR	53	3.28	173.58
38	+1	Yukari Baba	JPN	65	3.16	205.23
39	−2	Yuri Fudoh	JPN	46	3.15	145.02
40	—	Sandra Gal	DEU	49	2.87	140.75
41	—	Shiho Oyama	JPN	38	2.81	106.83
42	—	Meena Lee	KOR	51	2.67	136.34
43	—	Bo Bae Song	KOR	44	2.58	113.51
44	+1	Ritsuko Ryu	JPN	61	2.56	156.27
45	−1	Soo-Jin Yang	KOR	38	2.53	96.00
46	—	Christel Boeljon	NLD	51	2.45	124.77
47	—	Bo-Mee Lee	KOR	53	2.38	126.33
48	—	Mayu Hattori	JPN	65	2.33	151.57
49	+2	Sophie Gustafson	SWE	53	2.29	121.22
50	−1	Melissa Reid	ENG	47	2.27	106.71
51	−1	Song-Hee Kim	KOR	48	2.25	107.83
52	+1	Jenny Shin	KOR	35	2.22	77.61
53	−1	Momoko Ueda	JPN	63	2.18	137.07
54	+2	Kumiko Kaneda	JPN	43	2.11	90.55
55	+3	Hiromi Mogi	JPN	59	2.11	124.20
56	+1	Saiki Fujita	JPN	57	2.10	119.88
57	−2	Ayako Uehara	JPN	67	2.10	140.44
58	−4	Na Ri Kim	KOR	59	2.06	121.56
59	+2	Diana Luna	ITA	30	2.02	70.70
60	—	Chella Choi	KOR	42	2.01	84.43
61	+1	Katie Futcher	USA	46	2.01	92.29
62	−3	Juli Inkster	USA	34	2.00	70.17
63	+39	Candie Kung	TPE	49	1.98	96.88
64	+8	Vicky Hurst	USA	49	1.97	96.68
65	+2	Katherine Hull	AUS	51	1.96	100.10
66	−3	Hye-Youn Kim	KOR	38	1.96	74.35
67	+1	Rikako Morita	JPN	66	1.95	128.64
68	−4	Jimin Kang	KOR	46	1.93	88.84
69	−4	Karen Stupples	ENG	49	1.93	94.54
70	−4	Asako Fujimoto	JPN	64	1.90	121.32
71	−2	Hyun-Hwa Sim	KOR	35	1.83	63.92
72	+6	Julieta Granada	PRY	49	1.77	86.63
73	−3	Lee-Anne Pace	ZAF	53	1.76	93.21
74	+2	Karine Icher	FRA	34	1.76	61.43
75	−4	Rui Kitada	JPN	67	1.69	112.93
76	+4	Jessica Korda	USA	26	1.67	58.32
77	+2	Natalie Gulbis	USA	41	1.65	67.73
78	−4	Pornanong Phatlum	THA	44	1.63	71.94
79	−4	Beatriz Recari	ESP	49	1.63	80.07
80	−7	Akane Iijima	JPN	66	1.63	107.84
81	−4	Shin-Ae Ahn	KOR	37	1.60	59.19
82	+41	Char Young2 Kim	KOR	35	1.58	55.43
83	−1	Eun-Hee Ji	KOR	49	1.58	77.34
84	−1	Mina Harigae	USA	39	1.56	60.86
85	−4	Akiko Fukushima	JPN	45	1.53	69.02
86	−2	Nikki Campbell	AUS	56	1.50	84.15
87	−1	Li-Ying Ye	CHN	60	1.50	89.96
88	+1	Haeji Kang	KOR	41	1.49	61.26
89	−4	Lindsey Wright	AUS	44	1.49	65.68
90	+24	Mirim Lee	KOR	28	1.48	51.74
91	−3	Hee-Won Han	KOR	47	1.48	69.37
92	−5	Junko Omote	JPN	63	1.45	91.64
93	+3	Haru Nomura	JPN	45	1.45	65.35
94	+3	Hye-Yong Choi	KOR	34	1.42	49.78
95	−4	Na-Ri Lee	KOR	62	1.42	88.14
96	−2	Eun-A Lim	KOR	49	1.42	69.42
97	−4	Soo-Yun Kang	KOR	45	1.40	63.22
98	−8	Hyun-Hee Moon	KOR	34	1.40	48.99
99	+2	Yeon-ju Jung	KOR	23	1.40	48.87
100	−8	Teresa Lu	TPE	52	1.38	71.64
101	+4	Jeong-Eun 5 Lee	KOR	36	1.37	49.34
102	−7	Young Kim	KOR	53	1.37	72.53
103	−5	You-Na Park	KOR	38	1.37	51.91
104	−4	Yuko Mitsuka	JPN	40	1.36	54.25
105	+2	Karin Sjodin	SWE	31	1.36	47.45
106	−7	Ji-Woo Lee	KOR	59	1.35	79.64
107	+1	Ran Hong	KOR	37	1.34	49.59
108	−4	Mindy Kim	KOR	40	1.33	53.31
109	−6	Caroline Masson	DEU	35	1.33	46.61
110	−1	Seung-Hyun Lee	KOR	36	1.33	47.72
111	+11	Min-young2 Lee	KOR	19	1.32	46.15
112	−6	Tiffany Joh	USA	46	1.31	60.45
113	−1	Maiko Wakabayashi	JPN	60	1.24	74.57
114	−3	Bo Kyung Kim	KOR	37	1.24	45.85
115	−5	Pernilla Lindberg	SWE	50	1.24	61.82
116	−3	Alison Walshe	IRL	49	1.21	59.23
117	−2	Esther Lee	KOR	59	1.20	71.02
118	−2	Hyun-Ju Shin	KOR	59	1.19	69.98
119	−2	Christina Kim	USA	58	1.18	68.30
120	−2	Eun-Bi Jang	KOR	42	1.18	49.41
121	−1	Seul-A Yoon	KOR	35	1.17	41.09
122	−1	Kaori Ohe	JPN	58	1.15	66.94
123	+9	Jennifer Johnson	USA	30	1.15	40.20
124	−5	Shinobu Moromizato	JPN	60	1.14	68.53
125	−1	Kristy McPherson	USA	45	1.13	51.04
126	—	Wendy Ward	USA	44	1.13	49.64
127	−2	Becky Morgan	WAL	58	1.13	65.38
128	+3	Ryann O’Toole	USA	42	1.12	46.99
129	—	Amy Hung	TPE	47	1.11	52.22
130	−3	Amanda Blumenherst	USA	48	1.11	53.26
131	−3	Kaori Aoyama	JPN	61	1.09	66.25
132	−2	Giulia Sergas	ITA	49	1.08	53.15
133	—	Karen Lunn	AUS	53	1.05	55.85
134	+2	Jennifer Song	USA	39	1.04	40.63
135	−1	Hye Jung Choi	KOR	33	1.03	36.10
136	−1	Ah-Reum Hwang	KOR	54	1.01	54.59
137	+1	Miho Koga	JPN	38	0.99	37.67
138	+17	Hyo-Joo Kim	KOR	9	0.99	34.59
139	+1	Mihoko Iseri	JPN	53	0.98	51.98
140	+9	Yumiko Yoshida	JPN	58	0.98	56.85
141	−4	Becky Brewerton	WAL	46	0.98	44.88
142	+2	Pat Hurst	USA	42	0.96	40.21
143	−4	Gwladys Nocera	FRA	56	0.96	53.53
144	−1	Kyeong Bae	KOR	51	0.95	48.29
145	−4	Linda Wessberg	SWE	42	0.94	39.56
146	−4	Kristie Smith	AUS	36	0.94	33.70
147	+1	Belen Mozo	ESP	36	0.92	33.06
148	−1	Yuki Ichinose	JPN	59	0.92	54.07
149	−4	Ashleigh Simon	ZAF	39	0.91	35.45
150	+16	Mariajo Uribe	COL	34	0.90	31.43
151	−5	Seon-Hwa Lee	KOR	41	0.90	36.79
152	−2	Frances Bondad	AUS	49	0.90	43.89
153	−2	Florentyna Parker	ENG	43	0.89	38.21
154	—	Tamie Durdin	AUS	54	0.89	47.96
155	−2	Miki Sakai	JPN	41	0.89	36.35
156	—	Stacey Keating	AUS	33	0.88	30.82
157	−5	Mi Jung Hur	KOR	40	0.88	35.01
158	−1	Paige MacKenzie	USA	38	0.87	32.92
159	−1	Nachiyo Ohtani	JPN	45	0.86	38.80
160	−1	Midori Yoneyama	JPN	48	0.86	41.11
161	+7	Yoon-Kyung Heo	KOR	31	0.83	29.09
162	+3	So-Hee Kim	KOR	55	0.83	45.44
163	−1	Mi Hyun Kim	KOR	30	0.83	28.90
164	−3	Yeong-Ran Cho	KOR	32	0.82	28.81
165	−1	Lydia Ko	NZL	8	0.82	28.79
166	−3	Ji-Na Yim	KOR	39	0.82	31.88
167	—	Sophie Giquel-Bettan	FRA	42	0.81	34.02
168	−8	Jee Young Lee	KOR	34	0.80	28.12
169	—	Stacy Prammanasudh	USA	36	0.80	28.77
170	—	Hyun Min Byun	KOR	28	0.79	27.56
171	—	Jung Yeon Lee	KOR	28	0.78	27.36
172	—	Cindy LaCrosse	USA	43	0.77	33.26
173	—	Dewi Claire Schreefel	NLD	49	0.77	37.70
174	+6	Hye-Jin Jung	KOR	33	0.77	26.81
175	+35	Jodi Ewart	ENG	33	0.76	26.74
176	+2	Rye-Jung Lee	KOR	19	0.76	26.54
177	−3	Hiromi Takesue	JPN	58	0.76	43.87
178	−1	Onnarin Sattayabanphot	THA	43	0.75	32.35
179	−4	Laura Davies	ENG	66	0.75	49.33
180	−4	Mie Nakata	JPN	50	0.74	37.23
181	−2	Kris Tamulis	USA	33	0.74	25.83
182	−1	Sarah Kemp	AUS	49	0.73	35.91
183	−1	Beth Allen	USA	47	0.72	33.80
184	—	Minea Blomqvist	FIN	39	0.70	27.35
185	−2	Satsuki Ohshiro	JPN	37	0.70	25.89
186	−1	Carin Koch	SWE	27	0.70	24.35
187	+9	Megumi Kido	JPN	58	0.69	39.82
188	+3	Erika Kikuchi	JPN	51	0.69	34.97
189	−3	SOO-HWA Jang	KOR	31	0.68	23.89
190	+4	Chae-Young Yoon		35	0.68	23.83
191	−4	Lorie Kane	CAN	39	0.68	26.56
192	−3	Airi Saitoh	JPN	18	0.68	23.81
193	−5	Heather Bowie Young	USA	37	0.68	25.06
194	−2	Yeo-Jin Kang	KOR	58	0.67	38.69
195	−2	Virginie Lagoutte-Clement	FRA	43	0.66	28.44
196	−1	Ursula Wikstrom	FIN	38	0.65	24.75
197	−7	Yoon-Ji Cho	KOR	30	0.65	22.65
198	−1	Nikki Garrett	AUS	46	0.64	29.39
199	−1	Gerina Mendoza	USA	33	0.64	22.28
200	+19	Gloria Park	KOR	29	0.62	21.67
201	—	Ilhee Lee	KOR	41	0.62	25.32
202	−2	Yunhee Cho	KOR	29	0.62	21.58
203	−4	Hyun-Ji Kim	KOR	31	0.62	21.54
204	−2	Marianne Skarpnord	NOR	38	0.61	23.18
205	−1	Joanna Klatten	FRA	25	0.61	21.25
206	−3	Hyeon-Ju Lee	KOR	31	0.60	21.00
207	−2	So-Young 2 Kim	KOR	34	0.60	20.92
208	−2	Carlota Ciganda	ESP	11	0.60	20.87
209	−2	Felicity Johnson	ENG	50	0.59	29.67
210	−1	Chiharu Tsunekawa	JPN	47	0.59	27.83
211	+20	Mamiko Higa	JPN	12	0.59	20.53
212	+3	Bo-Mi Suh	KOR	36	0.58	21.04
213	+17	Sung-Ah Yim	KOR	29	0.58	20.43
214	−6	Alena Sharp	CAN	38	0.58	22.15
215	−3	Jade Schaeffer	FRA	27	0.58	20.29
216	+7	Erina Hara	JPN	59	0.58	34.13
217	−6	Anne-Lise Caudal	FRA	42	0.58	24.21
218	−4	Louise Stahle	SWE	35	0.57	19.88
219	+6	Grace Park	KOR	27	0.57	19.85
220	−3	Miki Uehara	JPN	31	0.56	19.55
221	+6	Hee-Kyung Bae	KOR	21	0.56	19.55
222	−9	Shi-Hyun Ahn	KOR	23	0.56	19.53
223	−5	Caroline Afonso	FRA	39	0.55	21.59
224	−8	Trish Johnson	ENG	39	0.55	21.55
225	−4	Ariya Jutanugarn	THA	6	0.55	19.12
226	—	Yuko Fukuda	JPN	42	0.55	22.92
227	−5	Myung-Hwan Lee	KOR	19	0.54	19.04
228	−8	Nobuko Kizawa	JPN	30	0.54	18.96
229	−5	Jin-Young Pak	KOR	26	0.54	18.78
230	−2	Carly Booth	SCO	35	0.53	18.56
231	−2	Meaghan Francella	USA	36	0.53	18.99
232	+4	Yui Kawahara	JPN	61	0.52	31.81
233	−1	Ae-Ree Pyun	KOR	30	0.51	17.70
234	−1	Jae-Eun Chung	KOR	23	0.51	17.69
235	−1	Hannah Jun	USA	47	0.50	23.64
236	−1	Stefania Croce	ITA	33	0.50	17.47
237	—	Young-Ae Ham	KOR	32	0.49	17.29
238	+8	Jin Eui Hong	KOR	19	0.49	17.16
239	+1	Mayumi Shimomura	JPN	54	0.49	26.42
240	+12	Yoo Lim Choi	KOR	14	0.49	17.06
241	−2	Sarah Jane Smith	AUS	42	0.48	20.30
242	−1	Leta Lindley	USA	25	0.48	16.75
243	+17	Lala Anai	JPN	41	0.48	19.57
244	+9	Kaori Yamamoto	JPN	28	0.47	16.50
245	—	Tania Elosegui	ESP	40	0.47	18.82
246	−2	Reilley Rankin	USA	33	0.47	16.46
247	—	Rachel Jennings	ENG	23	0.47	16.41
248	−5	Ikue Asama	JPN	58	0.47	27.17
249	−7	Na-On Min	KOR	34	0.47	16.37
250	−2	Ji-Hae Jang	KOR	24	0.46	16.06
251	−1	Vikki Laing	SCO	46	0.46	21.09
252	+34	Je-yoon Yang	KOR	15	0.46	16.00
253	+3	Yuko Saitoh	JPN	43	0.45	19.52
254	−5	Megumi Shimokawa	JPN	39	0.45	17.61
255	−1	Lizette Salas	USA	13	0.45	15.74
256	−18	Jung-Min Lee		17	0.45	15.72
257	−6	Chie Sakai	JPN	40	0.44	17.59
258	+5	Sei-Young Kim	KOR	17	0.44	15.32
259	−2	Nontaya Srisawang	THA	29	0.44	15.25
260	−5	Cho hui Kim	KOR	29	0.43	15.20
261	−3	Stacy Bregman	ZAF	38	0.43	16.50
262	−3	Georgina Simpson	ENG	40	0.43	17.23
263	+1	Mika Takushima	JPN	49	0.42	20.69
264	−2	Anja Monke	DEU	37	0.42	15.53
265	—	Holly Aitchison	GBR	32	0.42	14.62
266	—	Cassandra Kirkland	FRA	37	0.41	15.34
267	−6	Jin Joo Hong	KOR	30	0.41	14.49
268	—	Yui Mukaiyama	JPN	45	0.41	18.40
269	—	Bree Arthur	AUS	37	0.40	14.96
270	—	Nana Akahori	JPN	35	0.40	14.04
271	—	Veronica Zorzi	ITA	39	0.40	15.46
272	−5	Maria Hernandez	ESP	33	0.40	13.85
273	+3	Natsu Nagai	JPN	57	0.39	22.47
274	−2	Kylie Walker	SCO	48	0.39	18.84
275	−2	Jennifer Rosales	PHL	29	0.39	13.52
276	−2	Ha-na Jang	KOR	15	0.38	13.44
277	—	Seul-Ki Hong	KOR	12	0.38	13.31
278	+1	Shiho Toyonaga	JPN	21	0.38	13.29
279	−1	Hae-Won Jeong	KOR	28	0.38	13.21
280	—	Danielle Kang	USA	11	0.38	13.20
281	−6	Iben Tinning	DNK	13	0.38	13.19
282	−1	Ya Huei Lu	TPE	33	0.38	13.15
283	+10	Hee-Won Jung	KOR	27	0.37	13.01
284	−2	Min-Joo Kang	KOR	15	0.37	13.00
285	−1	Jae-Hee Bae	KOR	36	0.37	13.33
286	−3	Stephanie Na	AUS	35	0.37	12.81
287	−2	Jessica Shepley	CAN	35	0.36	12.53
288	−1	Rebecca Hudson	ENG	36	0.36	12.78
289	—	Rebecca Artis	AUS	43	0.35	15.17
290	+2	Tandi Cuningham	ZAF	37	0.35	12.92
291	−1	Kim Dana	NZL	29	0.35	12.16
292	−1	Malene Jorgensen	DNK	36	0.35	12.47
293	−5	Michele Redman	USA	18	0.35	12.11
294	—	Aiko Yoshida	JPN	29	0.34	12.06
295	+1	Yun-Jye Wei	TPE	51	0.34	17.54
296	−1	Marcy Hart	USA	18	0.34	11.97
297	—	Bo-Bea Kim	KOR	28	0.33	11.40
298	—	Kym Larratt	ENG	37	0.32	11.87
299	+2	Jessica Speechley	AUS	9	0.32	11.20
300	—	Vicky Thomas	AUS	11	0.32	11.19

AZAHARA MUNOZ

congratulated by fellow Spanish golfer, Belen Mozo

CANDIE KUNG

MORGAN PRESSEL

VICKY HURST

Maria Sharapova Wins Rome 2012 In Comeback Fashion Over Li Na

Maria Sharapova

In a final that featured a little bit of everything, Maria Sharapova successfully defended her title at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia winning the Rome 2012 championship 4-6 6-4 7-6 (5). There were huge momentum shifts, brilliant shot-making, not so brilliant errors and even rain delays. Li Na came out on fire, while Masha was shaky with her serves. The 2011 Roland Garros champion built a 6-4 4-0 lead and looked to have Sharapova ready to pack for Paris. But no matter how awful things are going for Masha, and they were pretty awful midway through the second set, it is extremely rare to see her give up, unless she has something physically wrong with her. Mentally, there are few tougher than Sharapova. On the other hand, Li Na has been known to have huge mental swings if you press her. And Masha did. Pulling together one of the greatest comebacks I’ve seen this year under championship conditions, Masha stormed back to win the final 6 games of the second set to go from 0-4 to 6-4. When Li Na was building her lead I sat thinking it was the best I’ve seen her play since the Austalian Open and Roland Garros in 2011. When Masha pressed her and her game went astray, she looked like she didn’t quite have any answers.

Li Na

During a changeover at 4-3, her husband/coach came on court, in part telling her to believe in herself. By this time, Sharapova was rolling and broke early in the final set to go up 2-0 and then broke again for 4-1. Li Na was having to come up with spectacular shots just to win points, having lost 10 of the previous 11 games. However, Li Na would not quit. She broke Sharapova to pull to 2-4, but still one break down. After holding serve, Li Na broke Masha again to come back from the brink of defeat to even the final set at 4-4. With Li serving at 5-5 30-all, the rain became so hard, the players were forced to stop playing. They stayed on court and resumed quickly as the red clay can absorb some water. But at 6-6, with a championship deciding tie-break about to start, the rain became so severe the players were forced off the court as the stadium was cleared. Before I get to that, Li Na had match point up 6-5 in the set with Sharapova serving down a break point chance after a missed overhead at the net. Li couldn’t convert and Masha capitalized. When play resumed after the rain delay, Masha was able to outlast Li Na 7-5 in the breaker.

It was a fantastic match for both players, but in the end despite reaching the final I don’t know if Li Na really was able to get that breakthrough win she needs this year. She’s getting closer and closer. Counting her out to play well at Roland Garros would definitely be a mistake. For Masha, not having to face Vika or Serena might take some luster off this championship for some. However, she had to get through an improving Ana Ivanovic, maybe the fourth best player this year in Angelique Kerber and a revitalized Li Na. That’s a pretty good run of victories. And let’s not forget she beat Vika the last time they played, which was in the Stuttgart final. Anything can happen is tennis. A top ranked player can lose in the first round. That said, I have to favor Maria and Serena going into Roland Garros. Of course, I need to wait to see the draw to see if they are on opposite sides and if they run into somebody who gives them problems. Besides Serena, I think the only player Masha would want to avoid until the final would be Vika, but since they are ranked #1 and #2, they will automatically be on opposite sides of the draw. I think Caroline Wozniacki is potentially a tough match-up for Serena, having beaten her in Miami and taking her to 3 sets in Madrid.

Singles – Final
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (8) Li Na (CHN) 46 64 76(5)

MARIA SHARAPOVA

LI NA

with Yannick Noah and Mary Pierce

past Roland Garros winners Yannick Noah and Mary Pierce

Maria Sharapova Defeats Angelique Kerber In Rome 2012 Semifinals, Will Face Li Na In Final

Maria Sharapova blows a kiss after her win

It’s been a great 2012 so far for Angelique Kerber. When the rankings are published on Monday, she will be in the top 10 for the first time. Her great ascent, similar to what her German countrywoman Andrea Petkovic did last year, has been built on victories over players like Li Na, Marion Bartoli, Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams. She has two wins in 2012 against former #1 Caroline Wozniacki. Going into the Rome 2012 semifinals against Maria Sharapova, she had the confidence of splitting their two meetings this year, winning the last match in Paris (hardcourt). It wasn’t to be on the red clay of Rome. Masha came out focused as ever, with her serve working…a tough combination for any opponent to face. The result was a 6-3 6-4 straight set victory for Sharapova. Masha wasn’t really hitting a lot of aces, but her serve was hard and well placed, earning her several service winners (for those that don’t follow tennis, a service winner means the opponent was able to get their racquet on the ball but not return it in bounds as opposed to an ace that goes by the opponent without being touched). She was also strong off the ground, ripping laser backhands. Basically, Masha just overpowered Angelique.

So now Sharapova has an opportunity in the final to successfully defend her title. Trying to prevent her from winning back to back Rome championships will be Li Na. As a result of Serena Williams pulling out with a lower back injury, Li Na received a walkover into the final. I have said for a few posts that Li had a quarterfinal streak going coming into Rome but needed a big win to push her further. Well, now she has advanced to a final, breaking the quarterfinal wall, but I still think she could use a big win going into her defense of her Roland Garros crown next week. She avoided potentially playing Victoria Azarenka when Vika withdrew before her match with Dominika Cibulkova. She also avoided playing Serena when Williams also pulled out. A win over Masha would be big…and not just because one of her former coaches left her over a year ago to work with Sharapova, especially since that coach had told Li Na he was leaving because he didn’t want to travel anymore…but then hooked up with Masha! Of course, Li Na really has already exacted a little revenge for that, defeating Masha on her way to winning Roland Garros last year, the first singles Major victory for a Chinese player…or any player from an Asian country, for that matter (Michael Chang is a born and raised American!). But Masha has had a little help, too. Last year’s Rome title came with Victoria Azarenka retiring with an injury in their quarterfinal match, although to be fair Masha did then go on to beat then-number 1 Caroline Wozniacki and then Samantha Stosur. But if she wins again in Rome, she will also benefit from not having to face Vika or Serena. Still, Masha has less to prove than Li Na. Wins over Kerber, Ana Ivanovic and potentially Li Na would make a solid championship resume. Plus, Sharapova did break through and beat Vika at Stuttgart, winning a shiny new Porsche 911 in the process. Li Na doesn’t have a title since Roland Garros last year. She definitely needs the boost  more than Masha.

Singles – Semifinals
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (12) Angelique Kerber (GER) 63 64
(8) Li Na (CHN) d. (9) Serena Williams (USA) w/o (low back injury)

MARIA SHARAPOVA

ANGELIQUE KERBER

Serena Williams Withdraws From Rome 2012 With Back Injury

Serena Williams and Li Na

The highly anticipated semifinal between Serena Williams and Li Na at Rome 2012 will not take place as Serena Williams has withdrawn from the tournament with a lower back injury. While disappointing for Serena and the fans, this should not affect her for Roland Garros. In fact, her withdrawal is to give her back more time to rest prior to Paris. This is the second time Li Na has benefited from a withdrawal as she faced Dominika Cibulkova instead of potentially Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals due to Vika withdrawing. Li Na now gets a walkover into the final to face the winner of Maria Sharapova vs Angelique Kerber.

Maria Sharapova, Li Na Advance To Rome 2012 Semifinals; Angelique Kerber and Serena Williams Await

Maria Sharapova

In the final of Madrid 2012, Maria Sharapova took on a Williams Sister and was left feeling as blue as the clay gracing the court. In the quarterfinals of Rome 2012, Masha took on another Williams Sister but this time was able to defeat Venus in straight sets, 6-4 6-3. It was a necessary win for Masha. A loss to Serena is one thing. But falling to Venus would have really raised some red flags going into Roland Garros. Up next is Angelique Kerber, this year’s rising star. They have played twice this year, with each player winning once. Kerber won their most recent match. So this will be a test for Masha. For Venus, I feel for her. She’s battling Sjogren’s syndrome and isn’t the player she once was. That said, I will not sleep on her ability to do well in Paris and especially at Wimbledon, where she has won the singles title 5 times.

Li Na

In a post a couple of days ago, I pointed out how Li Na had a quarterfinal streak going but needed a breakthrough to go farther. Well, with all due respect to Dominika Cibulkova this win for Li Na is not what I had in mind. Beating Dominka 6-1 7-6 (4) is a good, solid win. But I can’t help but think the opponent would have been Victoria Azarenka had she not withdrawn with an injury. So reaching the semis breaks the quarters streak for Li Na, but the real test…maybe the ultimate test…comes next in the person of Serena Williams. While Serena, not surprisingly, leads their head-to head 5 to 1, three of those matches went 3 sets. Also, in the last three wins for Serena, Li Na forced her to have to win 7 games in set four times. Li Na plays Serena very tough. But playing tough and winning are two different things. It would be an enormous confidence boost if the 2011 Roland Garros champion can take out Serena.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Singles – Quarterfinals
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (WC) Venus Williams (USA) 64 63
(12) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. (4) Petra Kvitova (CZE) 76(2) 16 61
(8) Li Na (CHN) d. (14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 61 76(4)
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 40 ret. (right wrist injury)

MARIA SHARAPOVA

LI NA

ANGELIQUE KERBER

SERENA WILLIAMS

with Flavia Pennetta…match only 4 games long due to Flavia retiring with a wrist injury.

VENUS WILLIAMS

PETRA KVITOVA

DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA

Maria Sharapova Defeats Ana Ivanovic, Reaches Quarterfinals Of Rome 2012

Maria Sharapova

These are the matches I love and hate. I love seeing two of my favorite players, Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic, get matched up in a big tournament. What I hate is when it happens in an earlier round. But that’s the way it happened at Rome 2012 and it was Masha, the highest seed left after Victoria Azarenka’s withdrawal, getting past Ana, 7-6 (4) 6-3. Unnfortunately for Ana, it was the type of match fans like me have seen her lose all too often. She was up in the first set 5-3 and held 6 set points. She was up 3-1 in the second set. All of those advantageous positions were squandered en route to a straight set loss. The final score doesn’t always tell the story with Ana. It’s how she sometimes lets potential wins slip away. After a few thin years, Ana is right on the verge of turning a corner and maybe getting back to being a top 5 type player. But she has to close out top players when she has them down.

Singles – Third Round
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (13) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 76(4) 63
(4) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 62 57 62
(WC) Venus Williams (USA) d. (5) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 64 63
(8) Li Na (CHN) d. Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 76(3) 62
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 63 61
(12) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Julia Goerges (GER) 64 61
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Petra Cetkovska (CZE) 60 61

MARIA SHARAPOVA

ANA IVANOVIC

PETRA KVITOVA

FLAVIA PENNETTA

VENUS WILLIAMS

SORANA CIRSTEA

SAMANTHA STOSUR

LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan Talks To Bloomberg News Prior To 2012 Sybase Match Play Championship

Michael Whan

LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan sat down with Bloomberg News and spoke of a number of issues on the tour. I love the enthusiasm he brings to his position. There’s reason to get excited about where the LPGA is heading.

Li Na, Ana Ivanovic Advance In Second Round Of Rome 2012; Victoria Azarenka Out With Shoulder Injury,Caroline Wozniacki Retires From Match With Illness

Li Na

Li Na survived trailing 3-5 in the second set of her match against Iveta Benesova to advance 6-1 7-5 in the second round of Rome 2012. Li Na is in a very curious place at the moment. She started her year off playing much better than she did after winning Roland Garros last year, but lost a tough 3 set final against Victoria Azarenka in Sydney and then blew 4 straight match points in the round of 16 against Kim Clijsters at the 2012 Australian Open. Right now, she comes into Rome 2012 with 4 straight quarterfinal appearances (Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and Madrid). The last two were 3 setters against Agnieszka Radwanska and Vika. So she is playing very well, but she just hasn’t been able to get that win to propel her to the semifinals or final like she started the year. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Other than a retirement in Paris, the rest of her losses have come twice to Vika and once  each to Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, Agnieszka Radwanska and the rising star Angelique Kerber. It would be nice to see a breakthrough at Rome…or maybe even better than that, successfully defending her title at Roland Garros.

Caroline Wozniacki

It was too bad to see Caroline Wozniacki have to retire from her match against Anabel Medina Garrigues. With all due respect to Garrigues, seeing Caroline trailing 4-6 0-4 would suggest the former #1 was in no shape to compete. Wozniacki said she had a fever and a sore throat, triggered by allergies. Hopefully, she will be 100% for Roland Garros. She plays so many tournaments, maybe it will be good for her to take a rest. Call me crazy, but I think Wozniacki might just make her Major breakthrough at Roland Garros. Is she my top pick? No. But along with Vika, Masha and Serena, I would make her one of my top 4 picks, even above Francesca Schiavone, who has made two straight finals, winning in 2010. Speaking of Roland Garros winners, it was nice to see Ana Ivanovic also move on easily in the second round of Rome 2012. She is another who has played fairly well this year, but needs a breakthrough win.

Victoria Azarenka

The biggest loss of the day was Victoria Azarenka, pulling out with a shoulder injury after beating Shahar Peer. She played great against Peer, never facing a break point. There was some talk that she had a sore shoulder in Madrid last week, but she made no excuses (nor should she have) for her loss to Serena Williams there. With the withdrawal, Dominika Cibulkova moves through the 3rd round on a walkover.

Singles – Third Round
(14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) w/o (right shoulder injury)

Singles – Second Round
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Shahar Peer (ISR) 61 62
Petra Cetkovska (CZE) d. (3) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 64 46 61
(5) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 63 75
Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. (6) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 64 40 ret. (upper respiratory illness)
Julia Goerges (GER) d. (7) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 63 61
(8) Li Na (CHN) d. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 61 75
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. Nadia Petrova (RUS) 46 62 63
(12) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Vania King (USA) 63 62
(13) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (Q) Sílvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 62 61
(14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (WC) Karin Knapp (ITA) 63 46 61
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (Q) Sloane Stephens (USA) 62 63
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 63 61
Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) d. Marina Erakovic (NZL) 57 61 62
(WC) Venus Williams (USA) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 76(7) 61

ANA IVANOVIC

LI NA

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI

SERENA WILLIAMS

JULIA GOERGES

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA

MARIA SHARAPOVA

MARION BARTOLI

SAMANTHA STOSUR

DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA

Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova Advance In Second Round Of Rome 2012

Maria Sharapova

It wasn’t easy for Maria Sharapova or Petra Kvitova, but each managed straight set wins to advance at the 2012 Internazionali BNL d’Italia. That’s the last time I am going to type that until the final, opting instead to just call it Rome 2012. But back to Masha and Petra. Sharapova found herself down 1-4 in the first set against one of my favorite up and coming players, American Christina McHale. Masha was also down in the second set. However, the #2 ranked player in the world managed to tough out a 7-5 7-5 victory. Speaking of Masha, there is a Head ATP Ball promotion to get a chance to meet Masha and men’s world #1 Novak Djokovic.

Petra Kvitova

Petra Kvitova had her own struggles with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, fighting back from down a break in both sets to squeeze by, 7-5 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova always plays Petra tough. This was the first match they’ve played that didn’t go 3 sets. I hope both Petra and Masha pick up their games going forward. They will need to. A certain #9 seed advanced easily in her first round match and will only pick up speed as the tournament goes on.

Singles – Second Round
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Christina McHale (USA) 75 75
(4) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 75 64

Singles – First Round
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 62 63
Marina Erakovic (NZL) d. (11) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 76(4) 46 63
(14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (Q) Mirjana Lucic (CRO) 61 62
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. (15) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 63 46 76(4)
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (16) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 61 76(2)
Sara Errani (ITA) d. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 60 30 ret. (left abdominal injury)
Petra Cetkovska (CZE) d. (Q) Olga Govortsova (BLR) 75 64
Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (Q) Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) 63 63
(Q) Sílvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d. (WC) Alberta Brianti (ITA) 62 61
(Q) Sloane Stephens (USA) d. (Q) Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 62 26 64
(WC) Venus Williams (USA) d. Simona Halep (ROU) 63 64
(WC) Karin Knapp (ITA) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 64 26 62

MARIA SHARAPOVA

PETRA KVITOVA

JELENA JANKOVIC

ANA IVANOVIC

SABINE LISICKI

SORANA CIRSTEA

CHRISTINA MCHALE

VENUS WILLIAMS

MARINA ERAKOVIC

Smoked By Serena: Where Do Victoria Azarenka And Maria Sharapova Go After Blowout Losses To Williams In Madrid?

Serena Williams

When Serena Williams won Family Circle Cup 2012, she did so in emphatic fashion. She wasn’t simply good. She looked like a professional toying with amateurs. However, despite lopsided wins over Samantha Stosur and Lucie Safarova, I wanted to see how she would do on clay against a stronger field. Well, after the 2012 Mutua Madrid Open, and her blowout victories over the current #1 and #2 players in the world, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, the questions now turn to what Vika and Masha can do to bounce back. Before I get to that, let me say one thing. As good as she looked, Serena is not unbeatable. Remember that she has been back since before Wimbledon 2011 and hasn’t won a Major since her return. She looked unbeatable last summer all the way through to the US Open final, where she lost to Stosur. She was at Australia and Miami this year, looking good…but not winning the tournament. So while she has looked good her last two tournaments, she is still human and doesn’t win everything.

Victoria Azarenka

Basically, Vika and Masha have the same problem. One is #1, Vika, and one has her eyes on regaining #1, Masha. Azarenka is 1-7 against Serena. Despite her career win coming against Serena at Wimbledon 2004, Masha isn’t much better at 2-8. What’s more, Masha hasn’t beaten Serena since the 2004 Tour Championship. 2004! Vika’s lone win was in Miami 2009. Those numbers have to improve or it hurts the legitimacy of their rankings. They don’t have to have winning records against Serena. It’s probably too late in Serena’s career for them to have time to do that even if they somehow start playing Serena better. But they have to be competitive. Kim Clijsters also has a bad record against Serena at 2-7. However, 4 of those losses were tough 3-setters. Justine Henin had a 6-8 record against Serena, but beat her at 3 straight Majors in 2007 (Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open). And 1 of Justine’s losses was during her comeback when she wasn’t the player she was before. The point is, win or lose, Kim and Justine were out there fighting. Vika and Masha looked lost in Madrid. They looked beaten physically and mentally. What’s more, unlike Kim and Justine, they were not even making Serena play shots.

Serena was great against Vika, nailing 14 aces and 26 winners. But Serena would have won even at 80% of her best. Vika wasn’t even making her play. Azarenka had no aces against 6 double faults. She was even more dreadful with 6 winners against 19 unforced errors. I understand you can’t just get the ball in against Serena…but you can’t spray the ball all over the place either. Serena hit 26 winners? Make her hit 46 winners. You just can’t have a minus-13 winners to unforced error difference. I also understand that the pressure was really on Vika in this match. A loss, especially a bad loss, could in the minds of some, particularly those that don’t follow the WTA closely, wipe out some of what she’s accomplished as being done without having to go through Serena. I don’t agree with that. As I stated, Serena was at Australia. And didn’t win it. Vika did. That said, when Serena steamrolls #1 and #2 in the same tournament, the chorus of “Serena is #1 when she wants to be” is hard to argue against. Vika and Maria at least have to make Serena hit winner after winner after winner. Giving up free points against Serena is not an option. Serena might still win. But in matches that Serena loses, I’ve seen her hit a few errant shots and get out of rhythm. That will only happen if you take Serena deep into rallies. Also, it will test her fitness. I don’t think Serena is in top shape. But it’s not a liability if points are short and matches end quickly. It’s easier said than done, for sure. But we just had a #1, Caroline Wozniacki, who was ranked #1 but seen by some as not the best when compared to the injured and/or part time playing Serena and Clijsters. I would hate for women’s tennis to have another reigning #1 surrounded by the buzz that she is simply a seat warmer for the real best player in the world.

Singles – Final
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. (1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 61 63

SERENA WILLIAMS