Australian Open 2018: What Now For Maria Sharapova?

I wasn’t surprised with the ease of Angelique Kerber’s victory over Maria Sharapova at the 2018 Australian Open. I am a Masha fan. A big Masha fan, in fact. Among current players, she’s probably only behind Madison Keys and possibly Petra Kvitova for me. So I am not rooting against her at all. I know … Continue reading →

Australian Open 2018: Simona Halep Survives Marathon Upset Bid; Madison Keys Quietly Advances

After Madison Keys won her third round match at the 2018 Australian Open I was going to make this post about how the young American was flying under the radar while others were spoken of as favorites for the women’s singles title. I suppose you could say that I just did that. Madison Keys has … Continue reading →

Australian Open 2018: Too Early To Hope For Keys, Halep and Sharapova?

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 →

Australian Open 2018: Americans Falling Early Down Under

Wow. Just wow. It wasn’t merely that the American women are falling like flies early at the 2018 Australian Open. It’s that they’re falling so very early. The entire tournament was only a few hours old when three out of the four 2017 US Open Women’s singles semi-finalists were already gone. Venus Williams. Gone. Coco … Continue reading →

Claire Liu Wins 2017 Wimbledon Girls’ Singles

Before I comment on this result, if you want to see this match and have the WatchESPN app, do a search for Liu inside the app. I don’t know how long they will keep the replay of the Girls final available, but one day later it’s there. I’m rewatching it as I post this. I … Continue reading →

Garbiñe Muguruza Wins Wimbledon 2017

Big stages bring out the best in Garbiñe Muguruza. A few weeks ago in Eastbourne, the 23-year old Spaniard/Venezuelan was beaten 6-1 6-0 by Barbora Strycova. I honestly don’t think those types of losses bother Garbi much at all. She seems to live for the large spotlight. In the largest spotlight in the sport, a … Continue reading →

Wishing A Speedy Recovery For Bethanie Mattek-Sands After Terrible Injury At Wimbledon 2017

I was going to wait until the weekend to post a reflection on week one of Wimbledon 2017, but I had to say something now about Bethanie Mattek-Sands. The #1 ranked doubles player in the world suffered a terrible knee injury during her 2nd round singles match versus Sorana Cirstea. It was agonizing to watch, … Continue reading →

Team Bucie Wins Roland Garros 2017 Women’s Double Title; Jeļena Ostapenko Champion Photoshoot

Team Bucie solidified their position as the best women’s doubles pair in the world, taking out Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua 6-2 6-1 to win Roland Garros 2017. Without a doubt,  Lucie Šafářová and Bethanie Mattek-Sands should one day enter the International Tennis Hall of Fame together. This is their 2nd Roland Garros title, their … Continue reading →

Jeļena Ostapenko Wins Roland Garros 2017

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 →

Simona Halep, Jeļena Ostapenko Reach Roland Garros 2017 Final

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 →