Not only did I watch two of my top three favorites (Madison Keys and Petra Kvitova) lose today on day 7 of the 2016 US Open, it was like watching the same match twice. Keys and Kvitova are two players with power, skill and tremendous serves. Unfortunately, those strengths are often negated by their propensity … Continue reading
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Dropshots: Ana Ivanovic Marries Bastian Schweinsteiger
Recently, I’ve been a little harsh in my assessment of where Ana Ivanovic is with her game. Perhaps I should have cut the former world #1 a break. It seems that Ana had a little bit more on her mind this year than on-court success. The 28-year old Serbian married German football star Bastian Schweinsteiger … Continue reading
Dropshots: Madison Keys Rolling In Rome
It’s wonderful to see rising American star Madison Keys make the final at the 2016 Internazional BNL d’Italia (Rome). After an injury in the round of 16 contributed greatly to halting a promising run at the 2016 Australian Open, it’s been an up and down year for Maddie. But I fully believe it’s just a … Continue reading
Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #5 Flavia Pennetta, Ji-Hee Lee and Lexi Thompson
For the past two years I have counted down the top 30 (2013) and top 25 (2014) players on the WTA and LPGA money lists as my year-end wrap-up. This year I am reducing the list to the top 15. However, I am adding the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) to the countdown. For the WTA, … Continue reading
Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #10 Roberta Vinci, Misuzu Narita and Anna Nordqvist
For the past two years I have counted down the top 30 (2013) and top 25 (2014) players on the WTA and LPGA money lists as my year-end wrap-up. This year I am reducing the list to the top 15. However, I am adding the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) to the countdown. For the WTA, … Continue reading
Maria Sharapova, Agnieszka Radwanska First To Qualify For Semifinal Round At 2015 WTA Finals
I’ll hand it to Maria Sharapova. After Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Simona Halep earlier in the day at the 2015 WTA Finals, Masha, at 2-0 in round robin play, didn’t need to win her match against Flavia Pennetta to advance to the semifinal round. However, Aga not only needed Sharapova to win in order to advance … Continue reading
Maria Sharapova Defeats Simona Halep In Round Robin Play At 2015 WTA Finals
Despite questions regarding her injury status and match readiness, Maria Sharapova has reached 2-0 in Red Group round robin play at the 2015 WTA Finals. The 5-time Major winner used a mid match hot streak to defeat top overall seed Simona Halep 6-4 6-4. Although nobody in the Red Group is yet assured of reaching … Continue reading
Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep Victorious In First Round Robin Matches At 2015 WTA Finals; Naomi Osaka Wins Rising Stars Event
I had reservations about picking Maria Sharapova as a favorite coming into the 2015 WTA Finals in Singapore. She had played only one match since Wimbledon and didn’t even finish that one, retiring with an injury. However, while I might question Masha’s health and match readiness, I have never questioned her grit and determination. She … Continue reading
Top Stars Ready For 2015 WTA Finals
The top stars of the WTA have had their say. Now it’s time to see who will emerge as the singles champion at the 2015 WTA Finals in Singapore. I’m not generally in the business of making predictions. It’s tennis. It’s sports. Anything can happen. Who would have guessed Roberta Vinci would upset Serena Williams … Continue reading
Maria Sharapova, Garbine Muguruza, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Flavia Pennetta, Angelique Kerber and Lucie Safarova Set For 2015 WTA Finals
So here’s what happens when Serena Williams takes the rest of the season off after the 2015 US Open. You get an intriguing WTA Finals among the singles participants. I honestly can’t pick a favorite, in terms of predicting a likely winner. I can make a legitimate case for every player going all the way … Continue reading