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 →

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 6: Simona Halep Survives Upset Bid; Agnieszka Radwanska Advances

After her 6-1 2-6 6-4 third round victory over Timea Babos at the 2016 US Open, there was a look on the faces of Simona Halep and her coach, Darren Cahill. I don’t know what they were thinking, but it sure seemed neither was pleased. Was it relief? Concern? Whatever it was, the #5 seed … 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 →

Simona Halep Wins 2016 Rogers Cup

It wasn’t always the most artful display of tennis, but in the end Simona Halep emerged from her match against American Madison Keys as the 2016 Rogers Cup women’s singles champion, 7-6 (2) 6-3. Give Simona all the credit in the world as she had to run a gauntlet of ace players to get to … Continue reading →

Simona Halep, Elena Vesnina Advance To Wimbledon 2016 Quarterfinals

It’s always a strange feeling for me as a fan when one of my top favorites is knocked off by another one of my top favorites. Such was the case today when 5th seed Simona Halep came back to defeat 9th seed Madison Keys, 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-3. Keys was a little hobbled at the … Continue reading →

American Shelby Rogers Upsets Petra Kvitova At Roland Garros 2016; Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza Advance To Fourth Round

It’s rare that I am happy when one of my favorites goes down, but such is the case as 10th seed Petra Kvitova fell on day 6 of Roland Garros 2016. The reason for my joy is seeing 23-year old American Shelby Rogers, ranked 108th in the world, earn the biggest win of her WTA … Continue reading →

Garbine Muguruza Into Third Round At Roland Garros 2016; Simona Halep And Naomi Osaka Set For Intriguing Match-Up

Garbine Muguruza had a tough 3-set match to open Roland Garros 2016, aiding her opponent with 53 unforced errors. The big-hitting Spaniard was much more in control of her shots in round 2 against Myrtille Georges of France, blitzing her overmatched foe, 6-2 6-0. One of Mugu’s biggest wins of her early career was beating … Continue reading →

Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep Victorious In First Round Robin Matches At 2015 WTA Finals; Naomi Osaka Wins Rising Stars Event

I had reservations about picking Maria Sharapova as a favorite coming into the 2015 WTA Finals in Singapore. She had played only one match since Wimbledon and didn’t even finish that one, retiring with an injury. However, while I might question Masha’s health and match readiness, I have never questioned her grit and determination. She … Continue reading →