(Rank/Seed)
As I and no doubt most predicted, (1/1) Serena was just too good for (2/2) Sharapova, becoming the first woman to defend this title with a 61 64 victory.
1st Set
Sharapova got off to a terrible start, going down 0-4 before she could even realise what hit her. The first set was a testament to the mental hold Serena has over Maria due to the depressing 2-12 deficit Sharapova carried against her. She barely held the one service game she won in the first as Serena looked coolly imperious and controlled, often exploiting the cross court angles and playing within herself. Maria in contrast was as erratic as they come, missing comfortable baseline shots.
2nd Set
There was a small curve ball at the beginning as Maria broke Serena for the first time and looked good at 3-1. But Serena played the angles beautifully whilst Maria's double faulting (8 in total during the match) crippled her cause. Serena broke at love emphatically to claim the title and remain the world number one.
Serena now leads Maria 13-2, 3-0 on clay and has won their last 12 meetings. She extends her winning streak to 19 with her fourth title this year and becomes only the 10th woman in the open era to win 50 titles! Amazingly, it's her first red clay court title since the French Open 2002! Sharapova's clay court winning streak is snapped at 21 and her red clay court streak at 25, by Serena as usual! It was her first loss on red clay since the French Open semis 2011 and her first ever loss in a clay court final!
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Saturday, 11 May 2013
Serena vs Sharapova, Again!
The semi finals went as expected with the world's top two winning their matches.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena won her 18th successive match in beating (7/7) Errani 75 62 to reach a second successive final here. In a match between the two most prolific match winners this year (both had won 29 matches), Errani twice let a break lead slip by in the first set. Serena made a number of errors, particularly off smashes and Errani played some fine clay court tennis. However, before long Serena began zoning in on the return and ultimately dominated the match. Serena is now unbeaten in 5 meetings with the Italian and the first to win 30 matches this season.
2/2 Sharapova did just as she'd done in Stuttgart two weeks ago; beat (16/16) Ivanovic, this time 64 63. The match was closer than the score line suggests, with Ivanovic often having chances; particularly when Maria served five double faults in two games mid way through the first set. However, she often missed her forehands under pressure and Maria was consistently powerful, breaking Ana six times in all. It was Maria's 25th straight red clay win and her 21st on any coloured clay, whilst also being her 500th career victory too! This is also her 6th Premier Mandatory level final in the last seven!
So, the world's top two will meet again. Serena's in her 5th final of the year, looking for her fourth title. Maria's in her 4th straight final, looking for her 3rd title. Serena leads the head to head 12-2 and has won both their meetings this year, though Miami was close for a set and a half. However, this is their first meeting on red clay. I predict Serena will win her 50th title in straight sets and retain her number one ranking.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena won her 18th successive match in beating (7/7) Errani 75 62 to reach a second successive final here. In a match between the two most prolific match winners this year (both had won 29 matches), Errani twice let a break lead slip by in the first set. Serena made a number of errors, particularly off smashes and Errani played some fine clay court tennis. However, before long Serena began zoning in on the return and ultimately dominated the match. Serena is now unbeaten in 5 meetings with the Italian and the first to win 30 matches this season.
2/2 Sharapova did just as she'd done in Stuttgart two weeks ago; beat (16/16) Ivanovic, this time 64 63. The match was closer than the score line suggests, with Ivanovic often having chances; particularly when Maria served five double faults in two games mid way through the first set. However, she often missed her forehands under pressure and Maria was consistently powerful, breaking Ana six times in all. It was Maria's 25th straight red clay win and her 21st on any coloured clay, whilst also being her 500th career victory too! This is also her 6th Premier Mandatory level final in the last seven!
So, the world's top two will meet again. Serena's in her 5th final of the year, looking for her fourth title. Maria's in her 4th straight final, looking for her 3rd title. Serena leads the head to head 12-2 and has won both their meetings this year, though Miami was close for a set and a half. However, this is their first meeting on red clay. I predict Serena will win her 50th title in straight sets and retain her number one ranking.
Friday, 10 May 2013
Ivanovic Crushes Kerber
Three of the quarter finals went in favour of the higher seeded player. However, the other saw a fantastic performance by Ivanovic.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena had her first real test of the tournament against wild card Medina Garrigues, ultimately winning 63 06 75. Serena looked comfortable to begin with but then could barely move in the second set, losing a set to love for the first time since 2008! In the third, Anabel had her chances, winning four straight games to lead 4-2. However, at 4-5 15-30 on Serena's serve, Garrigues panicked on a passing shot and missed a golden opportunity for two match points. Serena survives and extends her winning streak to 17.
2/2 Sharapova kept her hopes of number one alive, winning a 24th straight red clay match to beat Kanepi 62 64 to reach her first semi final here, as she's done all year thus far.
6/6 Kerber lost her third match in as many attempts to (16/16) Ivanovic 63 61. She was never really in it as Ivanovic controlled the match with her power from the start, breaking Kerber's serve six times in total. This is Ivanovic's best result since Indian Wells 2012.
7/7 Errani performed a master class of clay court tennis against Makarova, winning 64 63, dropping serve only in the first game. It was already her best run at this tournament!
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena had her first real test of the tournament against wild card Medina Garrigues, ultimately winning 63 06 75. Serena looked comfortable to begin with but then could barely move in the second set, losing a set to love for the first time since 2008! In the third, Anabel had her chances, winning four straight games to lead 4-2. However, at 4-5 15-30 on Serena's serve, Garrigues panicked on a passing shot and missed a golden opportunity for two match points. Serena survives and extends her winning streak to 17.
2/2 Sharapova kept her hopes of number one alive, winning a 24th straight red clay match to beat Kanepi 62 64 to reach her first semi final here, as she's done all year thus far.
6/6 Kerber lost her third match in as many attempts to (16/16) Ivanovic 63 61. She was never really in it as Ivanovic controlled the match with her power from the start, breaking Kerber's serve six times in total. This is Ivanovic's best result since Indian Wells 2012.
7/7 Errani performed a master class of clay court tennis against Makarova, winning 64 63, dropping serve only in the first game. It was already her best run at this tournament!
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Top Seeds Deliver, Finally!
The quarter final places are now decided and the top seeds managed to win, for a change!
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena's winning streak hit 14 when she beat (12/13) Kirilenko 63 61, pulling away from 2-3 down in the first set on serve to win 10 of the next 11 games!
2/2 Sharapova negotiated a tricky match against Lisicki 62 75. The German, who beat Maria at Wimbledon last year, didn't hold serve in the first set but made the second much tougher. She even held two set points with Maria serving at 4-5, but Sharapova stayed tough and extended her winning run on red clay to 23 matches!
7/7 Errani came from 0-3 and 2-4 down in the first to beat Lepchenko 75 63. This avenges her loss to the American in this year's Fed Cup, as well as meaning that she remains the only woman alongside Sharapova who has reached at least the quarter finals of the three Premier Mandatory events so far this year (Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid).
Elsewhere, wild card Medina Garrigues benefited from Shvedova's withdrawal because of an arm injury. Makarova continued her giant killing spree, beating (14/14) Bartoli 63 62. (16/16) Ivanovic survived Robson 57 62 76(5) having trailed 2-5 in the third. Kanepi comfortably bullied Hantuchova in a 62 63 win.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena's winning streak hit 14 when she beat (12/13) Kirilenko 63 61, pulling away from 2-3 down in the first set on serve to win 10 of the next 11 games!
2/2 Sharapova negotiated a tricky match against Lisicki 62 75. The German, who beat Maria at Wimbledon last year, didn't hold serve in the first set but made the second much tougher. She even held two set points with Maria serving at 4-5, but Sharapova stayed tough and extended her winning run on red clay to 23 matches!
7/7 Errani came from 0-3 and 2-4 down in the first to beat Lepchenko 75 63. This avenges her loss to the American in this year's Fed Cup, as well as meaning that she remains the only woman alongside Sharapova who has reached at least the quarter finals of the three Premier Mandatory events so far this year (Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid).
Elsewhere, wild card Medina Garrigues benefited from Shvedova's withdrawal because of an arm injury. Makarova continued her giant killing spree, beating (14/14) Bartoli 63 62. (16/16) Ivanovic survived Robson 57 62 76(5) having trailed 2-5 in the third. Kanepi comfortably bullied Hantuchova in a 62 63 win.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Azarenka Implodes, Kvitova Too!
In keeping with previous editions of the event in Madrid, there has been a prevalence of upsets in the second round.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena, the defending champion had a workout but beat Dominguez Lino 62 75.
2/2 Sharapova had no trouble against qualifier McHale 61 62, extending her red clay winning streak to 22.
3/3 Azarenka let her recent lack of match practice bother her, letting a strong lead slip to lose to Makarova 16 62 63. After a confident start, Azarenka's sloppy play allowed Makarova to break early in the second set. Azarenka couldn't control her temper after being docked a point in the third set due to verbal obscenities and racket abuse. After a tirade against the umpire, Azarenka was out of the match, losing five straight games from 3-1 up in the third. It was her first loss of the year, snapping her 18 match winning streak and a reminder that the Azarenka of old can still resurface when she isn't match tight. It was her earliest loss since Stanford 2011, excluding retirements and withdrawals. Still, it's her first tournament back and I expect she'll be back soon.
6/6 Kerber had a real struggle against Kuznetsova in the third round, winning 36 64 75 to reach a first quarter final here. The clay seems to have revived Kerber's year as she ultimately took control from the baseline with her flat hitting against the Russian.
8/8 Kvitova continued to demonstrate patchy form on clay, losing for the first time in her career to Hantuchova 26 62 63 on the back of too many unforced errors. Yet another early loss in Madrid certainly makes her run to the title in 2011 seem all the more odd!
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena, the defending champion had a workout but beat Dominguez Lino 62 75.
2/2 Sharapova had no trouble against qualifier McHale 61 62, extending her red clay winning streak to 22.
3/3 Azarenka let her recent lack of match practice bother her, letting a strong lead slip to lose to Makarova 16 62 63. After a confident start, Azarenka's sloppy play allowed Makarova to break early in the second set. Azarenka couldn't control her temper after being docked a point in the third set due to verbal obscenities and racket abuse. After a tirade against the umpire, Azarenka was out of the match, losing five straight games from 3-1 up in the third. It was her first loss of the year, snapping her 18 match winning streak and a reminder that the Azarenka of old can still resurface when she isn't match tight. It was her earliest loss since Stanford 2011, excluding retirements and withdrawals. Still, it's her first tournament back and I expect she'll be back soon.
6/6 Kerber had a real struggle against Kuznetsova in the third round, winning 36 64 75 to reach a first quarter final here. The clay seems to have revived Kerber's year as she ultimately took control from the baseline with her flat hitting against the Russian.
8/8 Kvitova continued to demonstrate patchy form on clay, losing for the first time in her career to Hantuchova 26 62 63 on the back of too many unforced errors. Yet another early loss in Madrid certainly makes her run to the title in 2011 seem all the more odd!
Monday, 6 May 2013
Robson Rocks Radwanska
Some top ten players have already assured their third round places, whilst others have only just completed their first round battles. Unsurprisingly for Madrid, there were more upsets!
(Rank/Seed)
2/2 Sharapova extended her red clay court winning streak to 21 with a 75 62 win over qualifier Dulgheru in the first round. The Romanian was once in the top 30 and has recently struggled with injury. Sharapova didn't underestimate her clay court specialist opponent and trailed an early break before eventually coasting to the win.
3/3 Azarenka extended her unbeaten run this year to 18 matches with a close win over (19)Pavlyuchenkova 76(8) 76(3) in the first round. It was a tough draw; Victoria hadn't played in six weeks because of her ankle injury and had to play the Russian who had just won the title in Oeiras. Azarenka battled through a fierce contest from the back court, saving 3 set points down 3-6 in the first set tiebreak, then having let a 5-2 second set lead slip, came back from 5-6 0-40 against the Russian's serve to ultimately survive and remain unbeaten against Anastasia.
4/4 Radwanska was pummelled by Robson 63 61 in the second round. The match was on serve until 3-3 in the first, but then Robson's lefty power game took over as she won nine of the last ten games. Laura had lost her last three tour matches on clay and hadn't beaten a top 4 player before, but she is renowned for being a giant killer, having beaten the likes of Clijsters, Li and Kvitova in the past. Radwanska, bearing lighter hair than usual, struggled to hit through the clay and perform her magic, losing prior to the quarter finals here for the fourth times in five tries!
6/6 Kerber had a smooth progression past Cornet 64 62 in the second round.
7/7 Errani battled hard past a determined and somewhat injured Cirstea 75 46 62 in the second round, having initially led 75 20.
9/9 Stosur is still struggling since her calf injury, losing 76(7) 62 against Suarez Navarro in the first round. The Spaniard focused her attack on Stosur's backhand and having saved a set point in the tiebreak, ran away with the third. Stosur has now lost her last two matches against Carla and her last two matches on clay; traditionally one of her best surfaces.
(Rank/Seed)
2/2 Sharapova extended her red clay court winning streak to 21 with a 75 62 win over qualifier Dulgheru in the first round. The Romanian was once in the top 30 and has recently struggled with injury. Sharapova didn't underestimate her clay court specialist opponent and trailed an early break before eventually coasting to the win.
3/3 Azarenka extended her unbeaten run this year to 18 matches with a close win over (19)Pavlyuchenkova 76(8) 76(3) in the first round. It was a tough draw; Victoria hadn't played in six weeks because of her ankle injury and had to play the Russian who had just won the title in Oeiras. Azarenka battled through a fierce contest from the back court, saving 3 set points down 3-6 in the first set tiebreak, then having let a 5-2 second set lead slip, came back from 5-6 0-40 against the Russian's serve to ultimately survive and remain unbeaten against Anastasia.
4/4 Radwanska was pummelled by Robson 63 61 in the second round. The match was on serve until 3-3 in the first, but then Robson's lefty power game took over as she won nine of the last ten games. Laura had lost her last three tour matches on clay and hadn't beaten a top 4 player before, but she is renowned for being a giant killer, having beaten the likes of Clijsters, Li and Kvitova in the past. Radwanska, bearing lighter hair than usual, struggled to hit through the clay and perform her magic, losing prior to the quarter finals here for the fourth times in five tries!
6/6 Kerber had a smooth progression past Cornet 64 62 in the second round.
7/7 Errani battled hard past a determined and somewhat injured Cirstea 75 46 62 in the second round, having initially led 75 20.
9/9 Stosur is still struggling since her calf injury, losing 76(7) 62 against Suarez Navarro in the first round. The Spaniard focused her attack on Stosur's backhand and having saved a set point in the tiebreak, ran away with the third. Stosur has now lost her last two matches against Carla and her last two matches on clay; traditionally one of her best surfaces.
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Li and Wozniacki Fall Fast
As the first top ten players began competitive play, there was a small number of surprises.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Defending champion Serena was a little rusty to begin with against Putintseva. She trailed a break in the first set before ultimately winning 76(5) 61.
4/4 Radwanska recovered from a second set break to beat Pironkova 62 64 in her first match on clay this year.
5/5 Li lost surprisingly to lucky loser Keys 63 62. The Stuttgart finalist had expected to play Paszek, until the Austrian withdrew due to injury. Sitting in the Player's Lounge, Keys was doing her algebra homework when she received a text telling her she could play. The fact that she didn't have time to worry helped her; she went out onto the court with nothing to lose, hitting five aces and claiming her first top ten win. She had pushed Li to the brink back in Sydney this year and was able to take advantage of her opponent's high unforced error count. This is Li's worst ever result in Madrid, having made at least the quarters since 2010 and her first pre-quarter final loss this year.
6/6 Kerber came from a set and a break behind to edge Hsieh 36 63 62.
7/7 Errani seems well rested, beating U. Radwanska 63 61.
8/8 Kvitova survived yet another three set match, coming from 2-4 down in the third to beat Wickmayer 46 75 64.
10/10 Wozniacki's woes continued as she lost her third straight match, this time to Shvedova 62 64. It marks a fourth straight year she's lost here before the quarter finals.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Defending champion Serena was a little rusty to begin with against Putintseva. She trailed a break in the first set before ultimately winning 76(5) 61.
4/4 Radwanska recovered from a second set break to beat Pironkova 62 64 in her first match on clay this year.
5/5 Li lost surprisingly to lucky loser Keys 63 62. The Stuttgart finalist had expected to play Paszek, until the Austrian withdrew due to injury. Sitting in the Player's Lounge, Keys was doing her algebra homework when she received a text telling her she could play. The fact that she didn't have time to worry helped her; she went out onto the court with nothing to lose, hitting five aces and claiming her first top ten win. She had pushed Li to the brink back in Sydney this year and was able to take advantage of her opponent's high unforced error count. This is Li's worst ever result in Madrid, having made at least the quarters since 2010 and her first pre-quarter final loss this year.
6/6 Kerber came from a set and a break behind to edge Hsieh 36 63 62.
7/7 Errani seems well rested, beating U. Radwanska 63 61.
8/8 Kvitova survived yet another three set match, coming from 2-4 down in the third to beat Wickmayer 46 75 64.
10/10 Wozniacki's woes continued as she lost her third straight match, this time to Shvedova 62 64. It marks a fourth straight year she's lost here before the quarter finals.
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