Saturday, June 12, 2021

Of Pride & Perspiration

Sometimes, words are not enough.




Eight months ago, Barbora Krejcikova was a formerly top-ranked, slam-winning doubles star who'd carved out a wonderful career for herself. Her name would be remembered as that of a champion, but she wanted something more. Her dreams of a big-time singles career had been shunted aside because of her success while occupying only half of one side of the court, but she wasn't ready to confine herself to the role of "doubles specialist" while still only 25 years old. Not yet.

Able to get into the '20 Roland Garros singles draw because of so many pandemic-related absences, Krejcikova made the most of her opportunity, reaching the Round of 16 in Paris. It enabled her to crack the Top 100 for the first time, and breathed new life into her lingering ambitions. Those ambitions had led her when she was a junior player to make an unannounced visit along with her parents to the home of Hall of Famer Jana Novotna -- both were natives of Brno in the Czech Republic -- to ask for advice. Novotna was impressed and ended up coaching Krejcikova.

Novotna's tragic death from cancer at age 49 in 2017 has continued to serve as spiritual inspiration for Krejcikova, who has often credited her mentor's belief in her as both a source of pride and encouragement as her pro career has taken shape. During her run to the RG women's final in just her fifth slam MD appearance (by contrast, she's *won* five slam WD/MX crowns, so far), Krejickova has looked skyward after her victories, sending a smile and acknowledgement to the former major champion whom she believes has been "looking out for her" from above.

The unseeded Krejcikova's opponent on Saturday was nearly as unexpected a finalist as she. #31-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was a tremendously successful junior champion nearly a decade and a half ago, and was expected to carry over that prowess to the WTA tour. But the 29-year old has spent her pro career not quite matching those early predictions which, as she's flashed great results but often been unable to consistently repeat them, have served to tie something of a rope around the ankle of a career that before this trip to the RG final had actually been quite good -- a dozen titles, QF at all four majors and a Top 15 ranking in her early tour days -- only to pale in comparison to what had been *expected* of her long ago.

Having recently installed her brother Aleksandr as coach, Pavlyuchenkova's work to improve has paid off in Paris. Weeks from turning 30, the Russian broke the Open era mark for perseverance by reaching her maiden slam final (and SF before that) in her 52nd career MD appearance in a major, proving that tennis careers are not always a sprint, but quite often a marathon... or, in Pavlyuchenkova's case, a cross country course filled with straightaways to pick up speed, hills that slow you down, and ultimately a twisty route that takes one the long way around to its final destination.

While the Russian admitted the other day that her 14-year old self, when presented with her career trajectory, would likely ask, "What took so long?", that she finally got here at all is something for which she will always be able to take immeasurable satisfaction no matter where the remainder of her career takes her.

Earlier this week, Krejcikova talked of her attack of nerves prior to her Round of 16 match against Sloane Stephens. So racked with fear that she didn't want to take the court, she essentially had to be talked off the ledge before going forth and living what has turned out to be her destiny, including taking a classic semifinal two days ago over Maria Sakkari in which she saved MP. Calm and measured in her approach, the Czech has rarely seemed out of sorts since.

Krejcikova took a game to work her way into the match, double-faulting twice in the opener today and dropping serve, but from then on in the 1st set it was she who found her form against a clearly nervous Pavlyuchenkova. An odd bounce prevented Krejcikova from getting a swing at her first BP in game #2, but she pulled the Russian off the court with a wide backhand then followed up with a forehand winner to get a second. After her short return, she put a lob into the corner over the retrieving Pavlyuchenkova to get the break back.

From there, the Czech ran away with the set, going up a break at 3-1 when the Russian's backhand went wide, then putting away her fourth straight game with an ace to complete a service hold. Pavlyuchenkova seemed a bit at sea while Krejcikova had command over a full variety of shots, from slice forehands that kept the Russian's power at bay to winners put away after working Pavlyuchenkova into a disadvantageous position on the court. As Mary Carillo noted on NBC, the Czech's game seemed something of a combination of the mechanics of Novotna's forehand (and, I think, even her resemblance to the Hall of Famer with her movement and the way she somewhat hunches over from side to side as she approaches the ball) and some of the crafty off-speed shots of Martina Hingis (who won three WD majors with Jana in '98, by the way).

By now running away with things, Krejcikova broke Pavlychenkova for a third straight time, then served out the 6-1 set.



With seventeen of the last nineteen RG singles champions having won the opening set of the final, Krejcikova seemed to be in a good position after her quick start. The Russian, who never held serve in the 1st, had to open the 2nd trying to get her first hold of the day. Pavlyuchenkova faced a BP in the game, but managed to secure a 1-0 lead. The proverbial act of getting her feet wet seemed to finally kick-start her hopes, as her game began to flow off her racket. A crosscourt forehand pass gave her a love/30 lead in game #2, then a drop shot gave her triple BP. Krejcikova edged to 30/40, but Pavlyuchenkova's down the line backhand got the break.



Up 4-1, Pavlyuchenkova's backhand return winner put her up love/30 on the Czech's serve. On the Russian's third BP, Krejickova sprayed a deep Pavlyuchenkova return ball and put the Hordette a game away from knotting the match. Pavlyuchenkova reached SP on her serve, but after losing the resulting rally bent over and began to rub her inner thigh in pain. She was tentative immediately afterward and ultimately dropped the game. She took a medical time out moments later, having her thigh wrapped and taking some pain medication.

Knowing that serving might be painful, the Russian began to hit out on the Czech's service game, seemingly trying to put the set away away without *having* to serve again, and then looking to take her chances in a 3rd set. Krejcikova's miss on a drop shot gave Pavlyuchenkova a SP, and her backhand winner won the 2nd at 6-2.



After a long break between sets as Krejcikova left the court (ala in her SF vs. Sakkari), Pavlyuchenkova's serve held up well as she held for 1-0. But two games later the Russian quickly fell behind 15/40, then DF'd to hand the Czech the break lead. Krejcikova found herself in a love/40 hole in game #4. She saved a BP with a drop/lob combo, then another with a backhand down the line behind Pavlyuchenkova, but the Russian stepped into the court to put away a forehand cross court winner to get back on serve at 2-2. Pavlychenkova used big serves to erase a 15/30 deficit and hold a game later.

But Krejcikova immediately bounced back, going up love/40 in the 3-3 game, then firing a forehand winner to break. At 30/30 in game #8, the Czech moved Pavlyuchenkova from side to side with her groundstrokes, reaching GP. She didn't secure the hold there, but did when the Russian pulled a return wide on GP #2 as Krejcikova took a 5-3 lead.

While Novotna's history was littered with many squandered opportunities in slam singles finals before she finally broke through in her fourth slam final (seven and a half years after her first, after her previous three had gone three sets), Krejcikova did not follow in that version of her mentor's footsteps today. But it *did* take a little doing.

The Czech's drop shot on the first point of game #9 got her a quick lead in Pavlyuchenkova's serve game, and a sweeping backhand crosscourt winner got her two MP chances at 15/40. The Russian saved the first by winning a rally, then Krejcikova sent a return long. Pavlyuchenkova held for 5-4, forcing Krejcikova to serve things out.

And that's just what she did: calmly go about the business of closing out her maiden major championship. Up 30/15, Krejcikova again moved the Russian from side to side throughout a rally before ending it with a forehand winner to reach double MP. On MP #3, she DF'd when both her serves popped off the net cord and landed out, but on MP #4 she saw Pavlyuchenkova's shot sail just beyond the baseline to end the 6-1/2-6/6-4 match. It didn't take long for Krejcikova to be looking skyward, sending kisses and thank-yous to the late coach who helped get her here, and continues to provide a foundation of wisdom and fountain of perspective from beyond the grave.



Krejcikova's unexpected title run makes her the sixth straight maiden slam champ crowned in the women's competition in Paris, and the 10th in the last 16 majors. After Iga Swiatek a year ago, she's the second straight unseeded winnner of the title, and the third (w/ Ostapenko '17) in the last five RG. The second '21 slam champ to save MP en route to the crown (Osaka: 2 vs. Muguruza at the AO), she's the first Czech representative to have her named etched in the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen since Hana Mandlikova in 1981 (though Czech-born Martina Navratilova won twice, in 1982 and '84).



With her sixth career slam win (w/ her WD/MX titles, she's only the fourth active woman to have slam titles in all three disciplines) under her belt, Krejcikova thus digs a permanent place for herself in Czech tennis lore. Fittingly, national legends were on hand in her box and in the stands, including slam champs Navratilova and Jan Kodes (w/ the likes of Petra Kvitova immediately tweeting congrats from afar).

Going into this match, it was clear that Krejcikova's link to Novotna would prove to be an emotional moment should she win the title. And when Fabrice Santoro broached the subject in an on-court interview immediately after the match the feelings rushing through the Czech's body and mind were apparent. As has come to be expected, Krejcikova offered a platter of heartfelt notes and honesty that touched upon just how much her mentor's role in her career still means.

"I can't believe what just happened," Krejcikova said. "I can't believe that I just won a grand slam." She added, "I was going through a really hard time when actually Jana was passing away. I was most of the time with her and I really wanted to experience this because I felt it's just really going to make me strong... pretty much her last words were just enjoy, and just try to win a grand slam."

"I know from somewhere she's looking after me, and all of this that's just happened, this two weeks, is pretty much because she's just looking after me from up there and I just really thank her. It was amazing that I had a chance to meet her and that she was such an inspiration for me and... I just really miss her, but I just hope she's happy right now. I'm extremely happy."



Fittingly, Navratilova, who when she's been able has filled in some of the gaps left by the absense of her friend Novotna, was the person who presented the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen to Krejcikova. When she lifted the silver trophy above her head, the Circle of Jana was complete. Once again, through Krejcikova, Novotna had proved to be triumphant on the slam stage.



The prophetic meeting between the teenager and the Hall of Fame could serve a dual purpose in a pair of film biographies: as the final, compelling scenes in the story of Novotna, but also as the opening moments of a story about Krejcikova. For where she takes her career after *this* is anyone's guess. She can still pick up another slam title before this RG has concluded (it'd be her 7th), and she'll make her Top 15 debut in singles next week before heading off for the brief grass court season and, ultimately, Wimbledon, where Novotna made such an indelible mark more than two decades ago.

It was at SW19 that Novotna entered the sports consciousness of many with her tears on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent. Her memory now lives on in the tears in the eyes of Krejcikova when she remembers and recounts her influence. On her life. On her tennis. On her decision to continue to pursue her biggest dream -- just like Jana did -- and, today, finally catching it (just like Jana did, too).



Dear Jana,
You were right about Barbora. Look what she did!
To say you should be "proud" doesn't feel a strong enough word.
But it'll have to do. For now, at least.





=DAY 14 NOTES=




...this turned out to be one of the longest, and most question-filled post-match slam ceremony that I can ever remember. And it was great, though I don't know if it would work with a large number of potential finalists. It did with Krejcikova and Pavlyuchenkova, though.

Questioned about what possessed her with the courage to go to Novotna's house as a teenager and ask for advice once she'd learned that the former champ had moved back to Brno, Krejcikova didn't hesitate. "My mum," she said with a laugh.



As great as Krejcikova was in the post-match ceremonies, Pavlyuchenkova was just as impressive, thanking her brother/coach for finally "pushing" her to the place in her career that so many said so long ago that she was destined to reach. Bringing some humor to the reality of her long wait to reach a major final, the Russian noted that since so many friends and family made the trip to Paris for just this one match she can only conclude that they felt that this might be a "now or never" situaton when it came to her slam title hopes.

While it's obvious that this RG result should do wonders for Pavlyuchenkova's confidence -- and as she's just 29, for a couple more weeks, it's worth noting that none other than Angelique Kerber showed how much can still be accomplished in the career of a "late bloomer" -- it might ultimately be that what this run does is simply confirm in her mind that, yes, she has had a *very good* -- if oft-frustrating -- pro career, something she may have doubted had she been forever stalled-out in majors without reaching the SF/F stage at least once. It's not as clear that this runner-up finish will lead to *other* great things, but if that one anxiety-producing hole in her resume being now filled can allow Pavlyuchenkova to move forward with a bit more silence between her ears then, maybe, just maybe this *won't* be her now-or-never moment.



...one thing I didn't know about Krejcikova was that Justine Henin had been her idol before she met Novotna. Sheesh... it's like this Czech was born into the center of the Backspin Venn diagram!

Apparently, she finally met Henin yesterday on the French television set, and just the mention of it turned her into a giggly teenager.



...meanwhile, in the junior singles final, we had another Czech-over-Russian scenario as Linda Noskova became the first from her nation to win in Paris in 43 years (Hana Mandlikova again, in 1978), taking the final over Erika Andreeva by a 7-6(3)/6-3 score.



The girls doubles final saw top-seeded Alex Eala (PHI) & Oksana Selekhmeteva defeat #8 Maria Bondarenko/Amarissa Kiara Toth (RUS/HUN), 6-0/7-5. It's the second junior doubles slam for both, though not with each other. Eala won the '20 AO with Priska Madelyn Nugruho, while Selekhmeteva took the '19 U.S. Open alongside Kamilla Bartone.



...in Nottingham, Johanna Konta and Zhang Shuai advanced to the singles final. Neither has won a tour singles crown since 2017.

...in the Bol 125, Italy's Jasmine Paolini defeated Arantxa Rus 6-2/7-6(4), claiming the biggest title of her career. She reached another 125 final in May in Saint-Melo.



Aliona Boslova & Katarzyna Kawa won the doubles.





*WOMEN'S SINGLES FINAL*
Barbora Krejcikova/CZE def. #31 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova/RUS 6-1/2-6/6-4

*WOMEN'S DOUBLES FINAL*
#14 Mattek-Sands/Swiatek (USA/POL) vs. #2 Krejcikova/Siniakova (CZE/CZE)

*MIXED DOUBLES FINAL*
Krawczyk/Salisbury (USA/GBR) def. (PR) Vesnina/Karatsev (RUS/RUS) 2-6/6-4 [10-5]

*WHEELCHAIR WOMEN'S SINGLES FINAL*
#1 Diede de Groot/NED def. #2 Yui Kamiji/JPN 6-4/6-3

*WHEELCHAIR WOMEN'S DOUBLES FINAL*
#1 de Groot/Van Koot (NED/NED) def. #2 Kamiji/Whiley (JPN/GBR) 6-3/6-4

*GIRLS SINGLES FINAL*
Linda Noskova/CZE def. Erika Andreeva/RUS 7-6(3)/6-3

*GIRLS DOUBLES FINAL*
#1 Eala/Selekhmeteva (PHI/RUS) def. #8 Bondarenko/Toth (RUS/HUN) 6-0/7-5






...TO KEEP IN MIND... ON DAY 14:




...WHEN YOU CAN HEAR MARTINA'S VOICE IN YOUR HEAD *THROUGH* THE TWEET... ON DAY 14:




...MARKING HISTORY... ON DAY 14:




...WHILE ALSO MAKING ONE WONDER HOW LONG THIS RECORD WILL LAST (it's kind of up to one person... you know)... ON DAY 14:




...HEY, HARIBO, SIGN THIS RUSSIAN UP... ON DAY 14:



They fly right into your mouth.

















kosova-font

















kosova-font

*RECENT WOMEN'S SLAM WINNERS*
2018 AO: Caroline Wozniacki, DEN*
2018 RG: Simona Halep, ROU*
2018 WI: Angelique Kerber, GER
2018 US: Naomi Osaka, JPN*
2019 AO: Naomi Osaka, JPN
2019 RG: Ash Barty, AUS*
2019 WI: Simona Halep, ROU (2)
2019 US: Bianca Andreescu, CAN*
2020 AO: Sofia Kenin, USA*
2020 US: Naomi Osaka, JPN
2020 RG: Iga Swiatek, POL*
2021 AO: Naomi Osaka, JPN (4)
2021 RG: Barbora Krejcikova, CZE*
--
* - first-time slam champ

*FIRST-TIME SLAM CHAMPS AT ROLAND GARROS*
[Open Era]
1971 Evonne Goolagong, AUS
1974 Chris Evert, USA
1976 Sue Barker, GBR
1977 Mima Jausovec, SLO
1978 Virginia Ruzici, ROU
1987 Steffi Graf, GER
1989 Arantxa Sanchez, ESP
1990 Monica Seles, YUG
1997 Iva Majoli, CRO
2003 Justine Henin, BEL
2004 Anastasia Myskina, RUS
2008 Ana Ivanovic, SRB
2010 Francesca Schiavone, ITA
2011 Li Na, CHN
2016 Garbine Muguruza, ESP
2017 Alona Ostapenko, LAT
2018 Simona Halep, ROU
2019 Ash Barty, AUS
2020 Iga Swiatek, POL
2021 Barbora Krejcikova, CZE
--
NOTE: Ann Haydon-Jones won first career slam at '61 Roland Garros, before Open era began in '68
NOTE: 6 consecutive RG w/ 1st-time champion (twice first WTA title)

*LOW-RANKED RG CHAMPION (OPEN ERA)*
#54 - Iga Swiatek, 2020
#47 - Alona Ostapenko, 2017
#33 - BARBORA KREJCIKOVA, 2021
#18 - Sue Barker, 1976
#17 - Virginia Ruzici, 1978
#17 - Francesca Schiavone, 2010

*ACTIVE SINGLES PLAYERS - WON IN FIRST SLAM FINAL*
1999 U.S. Open - Serena Williams
2004 Wimbledon - Maria Sharapova
2011 Wimbledon - Petra Kvitova
2012 Australian Open - Victoria Azarenka
2016 Australian Open - Angelique Kerber
2017 Roland Garros - Alona Ostapenko
2017 U.S. Open - Sloane Stephens
2018 U.S. Open - Naomi Osaka
2019 Roland Garros - Ash Barty
2019 U.S. Open - Bianca Andreescu
2020 Australian Open - Sofia Kenin
2020 Roland Garros - Iga Swiatek
2021 Roland Garros - Barbora Krejcikova

*UNSEEDED RG FINALISTS IN OPEN ERA*
1971 Helen Gourlay, AUS
1976 Renata Tomanova, TCH
1977 Florenta Mihal, ROU
1983 Mima Jausovec, YUG
2017 Alona Ostapenko, LAT (W)
2019 Marketa Vondrousova, CZE
2020 Iga Swiatek, POL (W)
2021 Barbora Krejciova, CZE (W)

*RECENT EARLY-CAREER SLAM BREAKOUTS - SF+, under 10 slams*
2014: Genie Bouchard to AO semis (4th career GS MD, age 19)
2014: Genie Bouchard to WI Final (6th career GS MD, age 20)
2017: Alona Ostapenko wins RG (8th career GS MD, age 20)
2019: Danielle Collins to AO SF (6th career GS MD, age 25)
2019: Amanda Anisimova to RG SF (4th career GS MD, age 17)
2019: Marketa Vondrousova to RG SF (9th career GS MD, age 20)
2019: Bianca Andreescu wins US (4th career GS MD, age 19)
2020: Nadia Podoroska to RG SF (2nd career GS MD, age 23)
2020: Iga Swiatek wins RG (7th career GS MD, age 19)
2021: Karolina Muchova to AO SF (9th career GS MD, age 24)
2021: Barbora Krejcikova wins RG (5th career GS MD, age 25)

*WON SLAM TITLE AFTER SAVING MATCH POINT*
[Open era]
1986 U.S. Open - Martina Navratilova (3 vs. Graf in SF)
1991 Aust.Open - Monica Seles (1 vs. MJ.Fernandez in SF)
2002 Aust.Open - Jennifer Capriati (4 vs. Hingis in Final)
2003 Aust.Open - Serena Williams (2 vs Clijsters in SF)
2004 R.Garros - Anastasia Myskina (1 vs. Kuznetsova in 4th)
2005 Aust.Open - Serena Williams (3 vs. Sharapova in SF)
2005 R.Garros - Justine Henin-H. (2 vs. Kuznetsova in 4th)
2005 Wimbledon - Venus Williams (1 vs. Davenport in Final)
2009 Wimbledon - Serena Williams (1 vs. Dementieva in SF)
2014 Aust.Open - Li Na (1 vs. Safarova in 3rd)
2016 Aust.Open - Angelique Kerber (1 vs. Doi in 1st)
2018 Aust.Open - Caroline Wozniacki (2 vs. Fett in 2nd)
2021 Aust.Open - Naomi Osaka (2 vs Muguruza in 4th)
2021 R.Garros - Barbora Krejcikova (1 vs. Sakkari in SF)
[pre-Open era]
1923 Aust.Open - Margaret Molesworth (1 vs. Sylvia Lance SF)
1935 Wimbledon - Helen Wills Moody (1 vs. Helen Jacobs F)
1946 R.Garros - Margaret Osbourne (2 vs. Pauline Betz F)
1956 Aust.Open - Mary Carter (1 vs. Thelma Long F)
1962 R.Garros - Margaret Smith (Court) (1 vs. Lesley Turner F)

*ACTIVE PLAYERS WITH S/D/M SLAM TITLES*
39...Serena Williams, USA (23-14-2)
23...Venus Williams, USA (7-14-2)
7...Samantha Stosur, AUS (1-3-3)
6...BARBORA KREJCIKOVA, CZE (1-2-3)
--
NOTE: Krejcikova to play WD final

*RG BEST GIRLS/WOMEN'S RESULTS IN CAREER*
[won Girls & Women's titles]
Sue Barker (1974 Jr.; 1976 Women's)
Jennifer Capriati (1989 Jr.; 2001 Women's)
Justine Henin (1997 Jr.; 2003, 2005-07 Women's)
Mima Jausovec (1973 Jr.; 1977 Women's)
Hana Mandlikova (1978 Jr.; 1981 Women's)
Simona Halep (2008 Jr.; 2018 Women's)
[others]
Martina Hingis (1993-94 Jr. W; 1997/99 Women's RU)
Natasha Zvereva (1987 Jr. W; 1988 Women's RU)
Renata Tomanova (1972 Jr. W; 1976 Women's RU)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (2001 Jr. RU; 2009 Women's W)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (2006 Jr. RU; 2021 Women's RU)

*RECENT RG GIRLS DOUBLES CHAMPIONS*
2015 Miriam Kolodziejova & Marketa Vondrouosva, CZE/CZE
2016 Paula Arias Manjon & Olga Danilovic, ESP/SRB
2017 Bianca Andreescu & Carson Branstine, CAN/CAN
2018 Caty McNally & Iga Swiatek, USA/POL
2019 Chloe Beck & Emma Navarro, USA/USA
2020 Eleonora Alvisi & Lisa Pigato, ITA/ITA
2021 Alex Eala & Oksana Selekhmeteva, PHI/RUS

*RECENT ROLAND GARROS GIRLS FINALS*
2015 Paula Badosa/ESP def. Anna Kalinskaya/RUS
2016 Rebeka Masarova/SUI def. Amanda Anisimova/USA
2017 Whitney Osuigwe/USA def. Claire Liu/USA
2018 Coco Gauff/USA def. Caty McNally/USA
2019 Leylah Fernandez/CAN def. Emma Navarro/USA
2020 Elsa Jacquemot/FRA def. Alina Charaeva/RUS
2021 Linda Noskova/CZE def. Erika Andreeva/RUS

*RG "JUNIOR BREAKOUT" WINNERS*
2007 Mariana Duque-Marino, COL (RU)
2008 Simona Halep, ROU (W) & Elena Bogdan, ROU (RU)
2009 Dasha Gavrilova, RUS (RU)
2010 Elina Svitolina, UKR (W)
2011 Monica Puig, PUR (RU)
2012 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, SVK (RU)
2013 Belinda Bencic, SUI (W)
2014 Dasha Kasatkina, RUS (W)
2015 Paula Badosa, ESP (W)
2016 Rebeka Masarova, SUI (W)
2017 Whitney Osuigwe, USA (W) and Claire Liu, USA (RU)
2018 Caty McNally, USA (RU) and Leylah Annie Fernandez, CAN (SF)
2019 Diane Parry, FRA (WS MD win) and Emma Navarro, USA (RU)
2020 Elsa Jacquemot, FRA (W) and Anna Charaeva, RUS (RU)
2021 Linda Noskova, CZE (W)

*RECENT SLAM JUNIOR CHAMPS*
[2017]
AO: Marta Kostyuk, UKR
RG: Whitney Osuigwe, USA
WI: Claire Liu, USA
US: Amanda Anisimova, USA
[2018]
AO: Liang En-shuo, TPE
RG: Coco Gauff, USA
WI: Iga Swiatek, POL
US: Wang Xiyu, CHN
[2019]
AO: Clara Tauson, DEN
RG: Leylah Fernandez, CAN
WI: Daria Snigur, UKR
US: Maria Camila Osorio Serrano, COL
[2020]
AO: Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, AND
RG: Elsa Jacquemot, FRA
[2021]
RG: Linda Noskova, CZE

**RECENT GIRLS DOUBLES SLAM CHAMPIONS**
[2018]
AO: Liang En-Shuo/Wang Xinyu (TPE/CHN)
RG: Caty McNally/Iga Swiatek (USA/POL)
WI: Wang Xinyu/Wang Xiyu (CHN/CHN)
US: Coco Gauff/Caty McNally (USA/USA)
[2019]
AO: Natsumi Kawaguchi/Adrienn Nagy (JPN/HUN)
RG: Chloe Beck/Emma Navarro (USA/USA)
WI: Savannah Broadus/Abigail Forbes (USA/USA)
US: Kamilla Bartone/Oksana Selekhmetova (LAT/RUS)
[2020]
AO: Alex Eala/Priska Madelyn Nugroho (PHI/INA)
RG: Eleonora Alvisi/Lisa Pigoti (ITA/ITA)
[2021]
RG: Alex Eala/Oksana Selekmeteva (PHI/RUS)

*RG "ZOMBIE QUEENS OF PARIS"*
[2008]
Dinara Safina, RUS (2 MP down in 4r, 2 MP down in QF; reached final)
[2009]
Victoria Azarenka, BLR (down 7-5/4-1 in 3r, match susp./darkness; reached QF)
[2010]
Samantha Stosur, AUS (down MP in QF; reached final)
[2011]
Maria Sharapova, RUS (down 6-3/4-1 in 2r; reached SF)
[2012]
Victoria Azarenka, BLR (down 7-6/4-0 in 1r; avoided earlier #1 exit; reached 4r)
[2013]
Marion Bartoli, FRA (down break 3 times in 1st & 2 MP in 3rd in 1r; 4-1 1st & break in 2nd set in 2r)
[2014]
Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS (down 3-1 in 3rd set, opp.served for match twice in 3r; to QF)
[2015]
Elina Svitolina, UKR (down 6-1/3-0, 4-1 in 3rd set in 2r; wins 9-7)
[2016]
Tsvetana Pironkova, BUL (down 6-2/3-0 vs. A-Rad 4r; wins 1st 10 games two days later)
[2017]
Kristina Mladenovic, FRA (1st Rd.: down 3-0 in 3rd to Brady, wins 9-7; 3rd Rd. - down 5-2 in 3rd, wins 8-6 vs. Rogers; to first RG QF)
[2018]
Yulia Putintseva, KAZ (3rd Rd.: down 6-1/4-1 & 2 MP, 3-0 in 3rd, vs. Wang Qiang; to second career slam QF)
[2019]
Anna Blinkova, RUS (Q2: trailed 6-3/3-1 vs. Kalinina; Q3: trailed Glushko 3-0 in 3rd; 1st Rd.: trailed Gaspayarn 4-0 in 3rd; 2nd Rd.: trailed Garcia 3-0 in 3rd)
[2020]
Kiki Bertens, NED (2nd Rd.: injured; Errani up break 5 times in 3rd, served for match 3 times, 1 MP at 6-5; collapses and wheeled off court after 9-7 win)
[2021 Early-Round]
Katerina Siniakova, CZE (2nd Rd.: down 5-1 in 3rd vs. V.Kudermetova, saved 2 MP)
[2021 Mid/Late-Round]
Barbora Krejcikova, CZE (SF: saved MP in 3rd vs. Sakkari)







TOP QUALIFIER: Varvara Lepchenko/USA
TOP EARLY-ROUND (1r-2r): #8 Iga Swiatek/POL
TOP MIDDLE-ROUND (3r-QF): #17 Maria Sakkari/GRE (def. both '20 finalists: Kenin/Swiatek)
TOP LATE-ROUND (SF-F): Barbora Krejcikova/CZE
TOP QUALIFYING MATCH: Q2: Jaqueline Cristian/ROU def. #13 Mayar Sherif/EGY 7-5/5-7/7-6(1) (Sherif saves 2 MP in 2nd, rallies from 5-3 in 3rd, but Cristian ends 3-hr. match w/ TB win)
TOP EARLY-RD. MATCH (1r-2r): 1st Rd. - Tamara Zidansek/SLO def. #6 Bianca Andreescu/CAN 6-7(1)/7-6(2)/9-7 (3:20; Andreescu broke for 5-4 lead in 3rd)
TOP MIDDLE-RD. MATCH (3r-QF): QF - Tamara Zidansek/SLO def. #33 Paula Badosa/ESP 7-5/4-6/8-6 (1st SLO slam SF; 39 forehand winners)
TOP LATE-RD. MATCH (SF-F/Jr.-WC): SF - Barbora Krecikova/CZE def. #17 Maria Sakkari/GRE 7-5/4-6/9-7 (saved MP in 3rd; 3:18)
=============================
FIRST VICTORY: Ana Bogdan/ROU (def.Cocciaretto/ROU)
FIRST SEED OUT: #26 Angelique Kerber/GER (1st Rd./Kalinina)
FIRST SLAM MD WINS: Hailey Baptiste/USA, Tereza Martincova/CZE, Harmony Tan/FRA
UPSET QUEENS: Slovenia
REVELATION LADIES: Czech Republic
NATION OF POOR SOULS: Germany (0-3 in 1st Rd.; Kerber FSO 2 con GS/2 of 3 RG; Siegemund 1r)
LAST QUALIFIER STANDING: Hailey Baptiste/USA, Anhelina Kalinina/UKR, Varvara Lepchenko/USA (all 2nd Rd.)
LAST WILD CARD STANDING: Astra Sharma/AUS and Harmony Tan/FRA (2nd Rd.)
PROTECTED RANKING WINS: Mihaela Buzarnescu/ROU (2r), Elena Vesnina/RUS (3r)
LAST PASTRY STANDING: Fiona Ferro, Caroline Garcia, Kristina Mladenovic, Harmony Tan (all 2nd Rd.)
Ms./Mademoiselle OPPORTUNITY: Four first-time slam SF (Krejcikova/CZE, Pavlyuchenkova/RUS, Sakkari/GRE, Zidansek/SLO)
IT "Teen": Coco Gauff/USA
COMEBACK PLAYER: Sloane Stephens/USA
CRASH & BURN: Ash Barty/AUS and Naomi Osaka/JPN (#1 seed ret. 2r; #2 seed w/d 2r; second time in Open era top two out before 3r)
ZOMBIE QUEEN OF PARIS (early-round): Katerina Siniakova, CZE (2nd Rd.: down 5-1 in 3rd vs. V.Kudermetova, saved 2 MP)
ZOMBIE QUEEN OF PARIS (mid/late-round): Barbora Krejcikova, CZE (SF-MP vs. Sakkari)
DOUBLES STAR: Nominees: Krawczyk, Mattek-Sands/Swiatek
VETERAN PLAYER (KIMIKO CUP): Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova/RUS
Mademoiselle/Madame OF THE EVENING: Serena Williams/USA vs. Irina-Camelia Begu/ROU (first official night session match)
JUNIOR BREAKOUT: Linda Noskova/CZE
Légion de Lenglen HONOREE: Naomi Osaka/JPN (press drama and tournament withdrawal)
Coupe LA PETIT TAUREAU: Carla Suarez Navarro, ESP (June 1 - returned after '20 cancer diagnosis)






All for Day 14. More tomorrow.

posted by Todd.Spiker @ 7:51 PM 

2 Comments:

Blogger colt13 said...

If Krejcikova can pull off the double, she will be doubles #1.

Amused that the doubles favorite won the singles title, and the singles favorite has a chance to win the doubles title.

Krejcikova saved set points vs Gauff, MP vs Sakkari and went to 3 sets in the final vs Pavlyuchenkova. Her highest ranked win in Svitolina had the least drama.

Six degrees of separation? Krejcikova beat Noskova last Sept in a 25K. Held in Prerov, Novoska won 4 games.

Speaking of the girls, Both Linda Noskova and Erika Andreeva are 2-3 years away. Both just 16, Andreeva has a crafty game that projects her between 50-70. Needs to get stronger. Will probably have success earlier than Noskova.

Noskova is the better prospect, projects between 30-50. Has many more weapons, but lacks touch. Also does not handle change of pace well.

Olympics: Both USA and CZE will have players that will qualify by rank, but not by quota. Here are approx final teams.

USA
In-Kenin, Williams, Brady, Gauff.
Out-Pegula, Keys, Riske, Rogers, Collins.

CZE
In-Pliskova, Kvitova, Krejcikova, Muchova.
Out-Vondrousova, Bouzkova, Strycova.

One year made a load of difference.

Stat of the Day- 20- Number of slams played by Nicole Vaidisova.

CZE day? 4th rd or better in 9 of 20 slams, she almost pulled a Krejcikova. Like Krejcikova this year, Vaidisova won Strasbourg in 2006, then charged through the French Open field. Her run ended in the SF, the first of 2 she would reach in a 4 slam stretch-2007 AO.

What we didn't know at the time, is that Strasbourg would be her 6th and final title. In a shockingly short career, she even one upped Kournikova. You see, 20 is not just the number of slams she played, but the age in which she played her last one.

Sat Jun 12, 08:39:00 PM EDT  
Blogger Todd.Spiker said...

Haha, good pull on the singles/doubles winners switch-up. I hadn't heard it put that way before! :)

And I believe Vaidisova was THIS close to having a MP to reach the final in the '06 RG. From what I recall, she had an easy shot to reach MP vs. Kuznetsova in the semis, but tried a more difficult one and missed, then ended up never getting that close again.

Sun Jun 13, 05:18:00 AM EDT  

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