For the 2018 edition of my WTA and LPGA money list countdown I will focus on the top 10 from each tour, as determined by the money lists. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed are combined for total earnings. Here are the #1 players for 2018: Simona Halep (WTA) and Ariya Jutanugarn (LPGA). SIMONA … Continue reading
I will admit, I shed a tear this time. Well, maybe a tear or two. Simona Halep was due this. I understand that nobody in sports is owed anything. No matter how many close calls an athlete has, in the end it is in their hands whether they win or lose. You have to do … Continue reading
Simona Halep is already on my current Mount Rushmore of favorite tennis players, but my respect for her has grown even more during the 2018 Australian Open. She has emerged victorious in arguably the two best matches of the tournament. Her 15-13 third set escape over Lauren Davis and her 9-7 third set classic over … Continue reading
Okay, here’s the thing. Three of my four favorite players, Madison Keys, Maria Sharapova, and Simona Halep, have all won their first two matches at the 2018 Australian Open. Two matches is far short of the seven you need to win a major. Not only that, Keys and Halep have never won a major. So … Continue reading
In 2016, Jeļena Ostapenko lost in the first round of every Major. What a difference a year makes. The 20 year old Latvian blasted 50-plus winners again to come back from a set and 0-3 down to defeat Simona Halep and win Roland Garros 2017, 4-6 6-4 6-3. Going into the match, Jeļena was winless … Continue reading
Pity those who have ignored the women’s draw at Roland Garros 2017 because of who wasn’t here. Look, I wish Maria Sharapova had been in the tournament. So I understand the disappointment in not seeing all the big names. But tennis doesn’t need Sharapova, Serena or Vika to produce high quality, dramatic sports theater. The … Continue reading
Simona Halep reached the semifinals of Roland Garros 2017 by overcoming a 3-6 1-5 deficit against Elina Svitolina. Halep also fought off a match point in the second set tiebreaker to win going away in the third, 3-6 7-6 (6) 6-0. It was a show of heart and grit that might be a turning point … Continue reading
While the Roland Garros 2017 quarterfinalists in the top half of the draw are all worthy players but lacking in top 10 seeds, the bottom half of the draw has 3 of the top 5 seeds, including arguably the favorite, 3rd seed Simona Halep. She sure looked awesome in crushing Carla Suarez Navarro, 6-1 6-1. … Continue reading
Roland Garros 2017 presents a great opportunity for Romanian star Simona Halep. Not only is she one of the top favorites to win the title, if she does she will rise to the world #1 ranking. Of the 32 seeded women’s players who don’t have a Major title in singles already, Simona’s 15 singles championships … Continue reading
With Maria Sharapova early in her comeback, Petra Kvitova injured and Madison Keys having only a few matches under her belt since returning from injury, Simona Halep’s victory at the 2017 Mutua Madrid Open is the first title from one of my Mount Rushmore favorites this season. Better late than never. It was a thrill … Continue reading
Fairways and Forehands 