2016 WTA Finals Day Two: Karolina Pliskova, Svetlana Kuznetsova Win Three-Set Battles

Before I give a few quick thoughts about the two opening White Group matches on day two of the 2016 WTA Finals, I have to comment on the Johanna Konta situation. When I did my WTA Finals preview post, Konta was in. But a last minute tournament win by Svetlana Kuznetsova knocked Jo out of … Continue reading →

2016 WTA Finals Preview

Ah, my love/hate relationship with the WTA Finals. On the one hand, it’s probably my favorite event outside of the Olympics and US Open. But it also means the end of the year is near. And what a year it has been. I would never have guessed back on January 1st that Angelique Kerber would … Continue reading →

WTA Players Step Out At 2016 China Open Players Party

I don’t know if Garbine Muguruza will successfully defend her title at the 2016 China Open, but she was certainly a winner on the red carpet, as all the ladies of the WTA were. Play has already started at this event, with Venus Williams, Carla Suarez Navarro and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova all being first round seeded … Continue reading →

Karolina Pliskova Advances To 2016 US Open Final With Dominant Win Over Serena Williams, Will Face New World #1 Angelique Kerber

America probably hates me because I beat Venus and Serena – Karolina Pliskova Well, I can’t speak for all Americans, but I sure don’t hate Karolina Pliskova. Then again, I’ve always had a soft spot for Czech players dating back to Ivan Lendl and Hana Mandlikova. Only Madison Keys ranks above Petra Kvitova among active … Continue reading →

Karolina Pliskova, Serena Williams Advance To 2016 US Open Semis

Ok, Karolina Pliskova. Your turn. After Simona Halep tried…and failed…to take out the world’s best tennis player, Serena Williams, in the 2016 US Open quarterfinals, it is now time for the streaking Pliskova, who came into Flushing Meadow off a big title in Cincinnati, to get her chance to unseat The Queen. Despite blowing through … Continue reading →

2016 US Open Day 8: Ana Konjuh, Karolina Pliskova Advance With Upsets Of Agnieszka Radwanska and Venus Williams

As much as I’ve touted potential future #1s in Garbine Muguruza, Simona Halep and Madison Keys, there are other up and coming players who could join them…or even beat them there. Two of them scored impressive wins on day 8 of the 2016 US Open. Croatia’s Ana Konjuh, an 18-year old who won the US … Continue reading →

2016 US Open Day 4: Shuai Zhang Takes Down Former Champion Samantha Stosur; Simona Halep Advances

Coming into 2016, China’s Shuai Zhang, 0-14 in main draw Major singles matches, was contemplating giving up her pro tennis career and opening a coffee shop. After a quarterfinal run at the 2016 Australian Open and now moving into the 2016 US Open third round with a 6-3 6-3 win over former singles champion Samantha … Continue reading →

Karolina Pliskova Wins 2016 Western & Southern Open

Denied! Angelique Kerber’s chance to supplant Serena Williams as the #1 ranked women’s tennis singles player in the world was emphatically turned away by an inspired effort from Karolina Pliskova. The 24-year old Czech blew away the reigning Australian Open champion and Olympic Silver Medalist, 6-3 6-1. Honestly, it didn’t even feel that close. The … Continue reading →

Angelique Kerber Reaches Final Of 2016 Western & Southern Open With Chance At #1 Ranking

Earlier this week I mentioned to a friend of mine who claims to be a tennis fan that the women’s singles #1 ranking could change hands at the 2016 Western & Southern Open. He was incredulous. Who could possibly supplant Serena Williams at the top of the WTA mountain? Ah…I should be familiar by now … Continue reading →

Czech Republic Wins 2015 Fed Cup

Russia had the Czech Republic right where they wanted them. But they couldn’t close out the defending champions. Maria Sharapova did what she was brought in to do, getting two wins and taking out the Czech Republic’s top gun, Petra Kvitova, in rubber #3 to put Russia up 2-1 in the 2015 Fed Cup final. … Continue reading →