2016 WTA Finals Day Seven: Elena Vesnina/Ekaterina Makarova Advance To Doubles Final, Will Play Team Bucie

As all my rooting favorites fell in singles at the 2016 WTA Finals and my attention turned to my two favorite doubles pairs, Team Bucie and the Chan sisters, I overlooked another duo for whom I root, Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova. With their 3-6 6-2 [10-6] victory over Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza, Kate … Continue reading →

Angelique Kerber, Serena Williams To Meet In Second Major Final Of The Season At Wimbledon 2016

Back in January, Angelique Kerber surprised most tennis aficionados by beating Serena Williams in the 2016 Australian Open women’s final. The world #1 from America will get her chance to turn the tables as both she and Angie advanced to the Ladies Final at Wimbledon 2016. Serena did so with a 6-2 6-0 drubbing of … Continue reading →

Garbine Muguruza Reaches Roland Garros 2016 Final, Sets Up Showdown With Serena Williams

Although Garbine Muguruza of Spain had already won a singles and doubles title at the Hobart International, one could make the argument that the first time she moved the needle significantly in the tennis world was when she defeated American Serena Williams in the second round at Roland Garros 2014. At that time, Serena was … Continue reading →

Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska Advance To Championship Match At 2015 WTA Finals

While my pick to win the 2015 WTA Finals, Garbine Muguruza, fell in her semifinal match (more on that later), I took great solace that (without Madison Keys in the field) my favorite player in Singapore, Petra Kvitova, did advance to the championship round. In a battle of the only two former WTA Finals winners, … Continue reading →

Petra Kvitova Leads Czech Republic To 2015 Fed Cup Final, To Face Russia

After being inactive since February citing physical exhaustion, Petra Kvitova made a triumphant return to the tennis court by leading the Czech Republic past France in the 2015 Fed Cup World Group Semifinals. After Lucie Safarova gave the Czech squad a 1-0 lead by winning the opening rubber, Petra followed with wins over Kristina Mladenovic … Continue reading →

Simona Halep, Serena Williams Advance To Championship Match At 2014 WTA Finals

I’ll say this about Simona Halep, she is fearless. After defeating Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-2 in the semifinals of the 2014 WTA Finals, for the second time in this event she will face Serena Williams, who won a thrilling semifinal match against Caroline Wozniacki, 2-6 6-3 7-6 (6). It’s difficult enough to beat Serena once … Continue reading →

Ana Ivanovic Takes Three Set Thriller Over Maria Sharapova In Western & Southern Open Semifinals, To Face Serena Williams In Final

There was drama on the scoreboard and eventually between the combatants during the second women’s semifinal at the 2014 Western & Southern Open. Ana Ivanovic came into Cincinnati having her best season since 2008 (yet she still switched coaches recently, despite her success). She’s won 3 tournaments, finished runner-up in another and leads the tour … Continue reading →

Eugenie Bouchard, Petra Kvitova Reach Wimbledon 2014 Ladies’ Singles Final

Every time I see Eugenie Bouchard, it seems as though she’s become a better tennis player. The 20-year old Canadian phenom that has run through six matches at Wimbledon 2014 without losing a set is a better version of Genie than the one that made the semifinals at Roland Garros and most definitely the one … Continue reading →

Sara Errani Becomes First Italian Player To Reach Internazionali BNL d’Italia Final In 29 Years, But Can She Overcome Serena Williams?

The last time an Italian player, male or female, reached the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia was in 1985 when Raffaela Reggi won the title with a 6-4 6-4 victory over American Vicki Nelson-Dunbar. Sara Errani ended that drought by becoming the first Italian player to reach the final in 29 years. Certainly, she … Continue reading →

Top Seeds Serena Williams and Li Na Reach 2014 Sony Open Final

Sometimes you just can’t escape your past. Going into their 2014 Sony Open semifinal matches against Li Na and Serena Williams, both Dominika Cibulkova and Maria Sharapova were up against some woefully awful head to head history. Ok, maybe in Domi’s case some of the previous contests between her and Li Na were competitive. However, … Continue reading →