2020 Hobart International preview: Can Mertens win her third title?
AFTER back-to-back wins from Belgium’s Elise Mertens, then-ranked world number 56 (now 14th) Sofia Kenin won her maiden title in Hobart, defeating 25 year-old Slovakian, Anna Schmiedlova. With Mertens returning and the clear standout in the $250k tournament, the number one seed will also be joined by a host of players ranked in the top […]
Brisbane International: Day 4 – Barty knocked out in first singles match
BRISBANE International Day 4 was filled with plenty of highs and lows, with the biggest news seeing world number one Ash Barty knocked out of the tournament. Barty was on the back foot early, with American opponent Jennifer Brady far too good on the day with a great serve making for a great win – […]
Brisbane International: Day 2 wrap – Sharapova bundled out in shock loss
DAY 2 of the Brisbane International delivered the goods once again, providing some surprise losses and high intensity matches. With 30 degree weather to contend with, the players fought it out in hot and humid conditions with majority of matches lasting three sets showcasing their skill, durability and stamina. Maria Sharapova was knocked out of […]
2020 Shenzhen Open preview: Bencic rises as key challenger to Sabalenka’s title defence
SWITZERLAND’S top female player and top 10 talent, Belinda Bencic will lead the entrants at the 2020 Shenzhen Open in China. Also featuring a two-time Grand Slam winner, a couple of top 20 players and a eastern European young gun, there is plenty to like about the upcoming tournament. FAVOURITE: Bencic is one of the […]
Three WTA Young Guns to watch in 2020
A TRIO of up-and-coming stars aged 21 or younger as of the end of 2019 shone brightly in this year and really put their names up into lights with strong performance. These three players had never won a singles title prior to 2019, and now one is Grand Slam champion, and the other two are […]
Year in review – 2019: Kiki Bertens
THIS year was an important break-even year for 28-year-old Kiki Bertens. The Dutchwoman was able to maintain her ninth placed ranking at year’s end, having moved up into the top 10 in 2018 after previously being ranked no higher than 18 prior to that. Rank: #9 Wins: 55 Losses: 26 Titles: 2 Prize Money: $4,208,026 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Sabalenka continues Chinese fortune
BELARUSSIAN sixteenth ranked Aryna Sabalenka has moved up two spots after down top 10 Dutch talent, Kiki Bertens in the final of the Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai. It was Sabalenka’s third singles title of the year, remarkably all of which have come in China. The Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai is a […]
