2016 WTA Finals Day Three: Madison Keys Wins, Still Alive For Semis; Simona Halep Falls To Kerber

I’ve made no secret of my hope that Madison Keys and Simona Halep make the semifinals of the 2016 WTA Finals out of the Red Group. Unfortunately, there is only one scenario in which that can happen. Maddie took care of Dominika Cibulkova 6-1 6-4 on day three, but Simona fell to Angelique Kerber, 6-4 … 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 →

Fairways and Forehands 2015 WTA, JLPGA and LPGA Top 15 Year In Review: #15 Martina Hingis, Akane Iijima and Ha Na Jang

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, singles, … Continue reading →

Congratulations Aga, Martina and Sania! WTA Finals Wrap-Up

Unfortunately, following the semis of the 2015 WTA Finals, some other obligations pulled me away from blogging. But even though this is almost a week belated, I cannot pass up the opportunity to offer warm congratulations to Agnieszka Radwanska for winning the biggest title of her career. Not only did she go through top seed … Continue reading →

Venus Williams Wins 2015 Wuhan Open; Martina Hingis & Sania Mirza Take Doubles Crown

Serena Williams has shut it down for the 2015 season, but big sister Venus is still active and playing well. She added a 47th singles title (to go along with 21 women’s doubles and 2 mixed doubles titles) to her Hall of Fame career resume by winning the 2015 Wuhan Open. This is her first … Continue reading →

Simona Halep Wins 2015 BNP Paribas Open At Indian Wells; Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza Take Doubles

When Simona Halep was blown off the court in the second set of her 6-4 6-0 loss in the 2015 Australian Open quarterfinals by Ekaterina Makarova she admitted that she gave in to her nerves and gave up trying to win down the stretch. Halep vowed that would never happen again. No matter the pressure … Continue reading →

WTA Wrap-Up 1.17.2015: Petra Kvitova Wins In Sydney; Heather Watson Takes Hobart; Mattek-Sands/Mirza, Bertens/Larsson Win Doubles Titles

I have mixed emotions about Petra Kvitova winning her 15th WTA singles title at the 2015 Apia International Sydney. As one of my co-top favorites (along with Simona Halep) to watch on tour, of course I always want to see Petra play well and win. And she had to do just that to overcome fellow … Continue reading →

Petra Kvitova Wins 2013 Toray Pan Pacific Open

Petra Kvitova capped a week of great play in Japan by winning the 2013 Toray Pan Pacific Open. The 2011 WTA Player of the Year showed what she is capable of when playing in conditions she favors. While Petra can sometimes melt in the summer heat of the American hard court season, she comes alive … Continue reading →

Top Players Ana Ivanovic, Vera Zvonareva, Maria Kirilenko and Sania Mirza Meet The Press At 2011 Pattaya Open

Have to make Vera a tough pick to beat here, but I hope Ana will advance a few rounds after a disappointing Australian Open, coming off an injury at Hopman Cup.