Open BLS De Limoges wrap: Day 1 – Gibbs fights back to secure second round spot
AMERICAN qualifier, Nicole Gibbs has moved through to the second round of the Open BLS De Limoges after an impressive come-from-behind win on Day 1. Gibbs made the main draw of the French hardcourt tournament following success navigating the qualifying stages, and was drawn against seventh seed Slovenian, Tamara Zidansek. The 26-year-old American is currently […]
Year in review – 2019: Belinda Bencic
THE past 12 months have been a rapid rise for Belinda Bencic, who went from a developing talent into a genuine top performer across the WTA Tour. She won just the two titles, but collected more than half of her career prize money, and upped her output to catapult herself into the top 10. Rank: […]
2019 Open BLS De Limoges preview: Can Alexandrova make it three out of four?
WHILE most of the WTA Tour is enjoying a break before the 2020 season, a number of keen players are descending on France for the final official tournament of the year. The Open BLS De Limoges takes place on hard court in the west-central city of Limoges. Whilst the tournament is only a 125K event […]
Year in review – 2019: Simona Halep
IF you are only going to win one tournament in a year, then a Grand Slam would be top of the list. For Romanian world number four Simona Halep, that was exactly how her year panned out. Rank: #4 Wins: 43 Losses: 17 Titles: 1 Prize Money: $6,962,442 The 28-year-old Romanian has won more titles […]
Year in review – 2019: Naomi Osaka
THE up-and-coming developing Japanese talent in Naomi Osaka continues to impress on the world stage, winning back-to-back Grand Slams and has finished top 10 in the past two years. Rank: #3 Wins: 40 Losses: 11 Titles: 3 Prize Money: $14,417,479 After winning the 2018 US Open, Osaka backed it up with the 2019 Australian Open […]
Year in the review – 2019: Karolina Pliskova
FOR the fourth consecutive year, Czech Republic’s world number two, Karolina Pliskova finished in the top eight. A key player on the WTA Tour, she reached world number one at various stages over the past few years, but sits at number two heading into 2020. Rank: #2 Wins: 52 Losses: 17 Titles: 4 Prize Money: […]
Year in review – 2019: Ash Barty
ALWAYS touted as a future star of the WTA Tour, Ash Barty lived up to all expectations in 2019, shooting to the top spot in the rankings after claiming Roland Garros mid-year and the WTA Finals. Rank: #1 Wins: 57 Losses: 13 Titles: 4 Prize Money: $11,307,587 Barty became tennis’ most recognisable face on the […]
Fed Cup Final preview: Australia vs. France
AUSTRALIA will be keen to break a 45-year Federation Cup drought when it faces France in Perth over the weekend. With world number one Ash Barty leading the green and gold charge, Australia has toppled its red, white and blue counterparts on five out of six occasions and will be keen to extend that winning […]
Barty party rolls on
WORLD number 1 Ash Barty added to her growing trophy cabinet and bank balance over the weekend with an impressive performance against reigning champion Elina Svitolina. It was a convincing performance by the Aussie, dismissing Svitolina in two sets 6-4, 6-3 to take home the WTA title. It is the first time in five years […]
Osaka’s shoulder gives Bertens opportunity
A SHOULDER injury to world number three, Naomi Osaka threw a curveball into the Shiseido WTA Finals, with Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens taking her spot in the Red Group to ensure play continued. Remarkably, she not only showed that she was a worthy fill-in, but stunned world number one, Ash Barty by defeating her 3-6 6-3 […]
