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
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Fairways and Forehands 2016 WTA and LPGA Top 12 Year In Review: #3 Simona Halep and Brooke Henderson
For the fourth annual edition of my WTA and LPGA money list countdown I will focus on the dynamic dozen from each tour, the top 12 on the money lists. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed are combined for total earnings. Here are the #3 players for 2016: Simona Halep (WTA) and Brooke Henderson … Continue reading
Simona Halep Wins 2016 Mutua Madrid Open
After winning the singles title at the 2016 Mutua Madrid Open, her 12th career WTA singles crown, Simona Halep said it was the best day of her life. I would say to stay tuned. Even greater days are coming. Barring injury, before her career is over Simona will be a Major champion. The only seeded … Continue reading
Dropshots: Louisa Chirico, Rising American Star
I hesitated on doing this short post because Louisa Chirico could lose her upcoming semifinal match at the 2016 Mutua Madrid Open. But then I thought, even if that were to happen the 19-year old American out of Harrison, New York deserves a spot among the rising United States women’s tennis stars. Louisa had … Continue reading
Dropshot: Return of Tomic the The Tank Engine
Ok, I get it. Bernard Tomic was down 2-6 4-5 0-40 match point when he farcically turned his racquet around and didn’t make any pretense of trying to return serve in his 2016 Mutua Madrid Open match against Fabio Fognini. I also know Bernard would probably rather be anywhere else than sliding around on clay. … Continue reading
Petra Kvitova Wins 2015 Mutua Madrid Open
Now THAT’S the Petra Kvitova I’ve always said is potentially the best player in the world. She steamrolled through Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-2 to win the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open. Sveta wasn’t 100 percent, but believe me it wouldn’t have been any different if she were. Petra showed up with a focus, power and variety … Continue reading
2015 Mutua Madrid Open Day 7: Petra Kvitova Hands Serena Williams First Loss Of 2015
Those who have closely followed Petra Kvitova always knew she had this in her. Not only did she hand Serena Williams her first loss of the year 6-2 6-3, Petra dominated the world #1 in the semifinals of the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open. The Czech superstar was so calm, almost looking serenely at peace. She … Continue reading
2015 Mutua Madrid Open Day 6: Petra Kvitova Advances To Semifinal Showdown With Serena Williams
The good news for Petra Kvitova is that after being away from the tour for a while this year with exhaustion, she finally seems to be back and playing well, getting all the way to the semifinals of the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open. That’s pretty impressive considering that she’s only reached the final of two … Continue reading
Mutua Madrid Open Day 5: Maria Sharapova Outlasts Caroline Garcia, Sets Up Quarterfinal Showdown With Caroline Wozniacki
With a title in 2014 and two more runners-up finishes this year, 21-year old Caroline Garcia has established herself as a rising star on the WTA Tour. She gave defending champion Maria Sharapova all she could handle on day 5 of the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open before Masha finally edged out a 6-2 4-6 7-5 … Continue reading
2015 Mutua Madrid Open Day Four: Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova Advance
After winning 4 titles in 2014 along with 2 more runners-up, it seemed like Ana Ivanovic had turned a corner and would do big things in 2015. She finished runner-up to Maria Sharapova at the 2015 Brisbane International back in January, but since then it’s been a lean year save for a semifinal in Monterrey. … Continue reading
Fairways and Forehands 