Wk.38- Ella Mariachi
The title drought has ended for Maria ???? pic.twitter.com/XDVB0lrqlg
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 24, 2023
Well worth the wait ??
— wta (@WTA) September 24, 2023
Without dropping a set, @mariasakkari wins her second Hologic WTA Tour title in Guadalajara ?? pic.twitter.com/P5bPrwzPB8
Together through thick and thin ???? pic.twitter.com/JYKp3A2tB4
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 24, 2023
A dream come true ??#GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/ysRYN8K4vR
— wta (@WTA) September 22, 2023
One for the highlight reel ????
— wta (@WTA) September 22, 2023
Caroline Dolehide | #GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/DHgjwWYjLm
Dolehide opened with a three-TB "warm-up" vs. Peyton Stearns, then another three-setter against Sachia Vickery. After a win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, she saved four MP vs. Martina Trevisan to reach her maiden tour SF, then handled San Diego finalist Sofia Kenin (Dolehide had lost in the Q1 last week) in straights to reach her first tour final. After pushing Maria Sakkari in a 7-5 opening set, Dolehide's run ran out in a 6-3 2nd. Dolehide also reached the doubles semis with Asia Muhammad, falling to eventual champs Storm Hunter/Elise Mertens. After having a career high ranking of #99, Dolehide climbs a huge 69 spots to #42 (she'd been *Top 30* with the title, and the new US #4) in singles on Monday, and goes up 9 to #38 in doubles (where she's been as high as #21).
Dolehide does it! ??
— wta (@WTA) September 23, 2023
A fairytale week continues for Caroline Dolehide as she books her ticket to the Guadalajara final! ??#GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/PZuexYnPb5
In Parma, Bogdan picked up her second WTA 125 crown (w/ Iasi) since coming up short in that 20-18 MTB vs. Lesia Tsurenko at Wimbledon during the summer, ending what had been a 7-3 grass season. The 30-year old Swarmette started off her week with a win over *last* week's 125 champ Marina Bassols Ribera, then followed up with victories over Katarina Zavatska, Jaqueline Cristian (via a 7-1 deciding TB), Anna Bondar and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in a 7-5/6-1 final. Bogdan reached her career high of #39 in July, but had slipped to #71 heading into the week after stumbling through a 1-5 stretch prior to Parma. She'll climb back to #61 on Monday.
Ana Bogdan with her Parma trophy! pic.twitter.com/XCsp2h00Of
— Romanian Tennis (@WTARomania) September 23, 2023
Their first doubles title together ??????
— wta (@WTA) September 23, 2023
Hanyu Guo & her partner Xinyu Jiang defeat [2] Hozumi/Ninomiya 6-3, 7-6(4) to reign supreme on home soil! #GuangzhouOpen pic.twitter.com/YAAGsJEGUZ
The winners of a $25K challenger in June, Guo/Jiang were wild card entrants in the MD, and after winning a 15-13 MTB to claim a SF over Anna-Lena Friedsam/Nadiia Kichenok, the duo took out #2-seeded Eri Hozumi/Makoto Ninomiya 6-3/7-6(4) in the final. Guo wins her maiden tour title in her first WTA final, while Jiang improves to 3-0 in finals in her tour career. Back in 2017, Jiang (at age 17) and Tang Qianhui (16) teamed to win their maiden WTA titles in their tour debut appearance in Nanchang, then returned a year later and defended the title.
What an EFFORT ??@MartinaTrevisa3 is into her second WTA 1000 quarterfinal this season with a 3hr+ comeback victory over top seed Jabeur!#GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/oNOFnzT7n5
— wta (@WTA) September 21, 2023
In Guadalajara, Trevison posted her second 1000 QF (w/ Miami) of the season. The 2022 Roland Garros semifinalist recorded just one win in slam play in '23, but her three this past week increase her 1000 win total to 10 on the year. After likely doing a double-take when she saw her opening round *singles* opponent (Demi Schuurs), Trevisan knocked off Jasmine Paolini and #1 seed Ons Jabeur, and could have posted her first career 1000 SF had she been able to convert any of four MP vs. eventual finalist Caroline Dolehide. Still, the result pushes Trevisan back into the Top 50, as she goes from #54 to #41, just four spots behind ITA #2 Paolini.
HER SIXTH CAREER FINAL ???
— wta (@WTA) September 22, 2023
Top seed @MagdaLinette marches into the championship match in Guangzhou!#GuangzhouOpen pic.twitter.com/ZLkn30n6CF
Linette's semifinal opponent in Guangzhou, Putintseva followed up her first-time career WTA doubles final last week (in Osaka) with her first tour singles SF since Budapest last season. Ranked #81, the 28-year old Kazakh posted wins over Clara Tauson (who retired w/ heat exhaustion in the 3rd set) and Tatjana Maria (love 3rd) before falling to Linette.
Final four-bound ??
— wta (@WTA) September 21, 2023
2018 Guangzhou finalist @PutintsevaYulia takes out No.3 seed Maria 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-0 to make her first semifinal since 2022 Budapest!#GuangzhouOpen pic.twitter.com/UG5ahefd49
Putintseva's week will lift her a handful of rankings spots from #81 to #73, but unless she posts even biggest results down the 4Q stretch she'll still end '23 with her worst season-ending finish since 2015 (when she was #74). Putintseva has had two #50+ seasons (#53 in '17, #51 in'22) since that year, with the other five being between #28-45.
???? @SofiaKenin dispatches Fernandez 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-1 and reaches the Semifinals in Guadalajara!
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 21, 2023
Picks up four wins in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2019 (Toronto + Cincinnati). pic.twitter.com/aFdteHszxb
Flying into the semifinals ??@CaroGarcia secures her spot in the final four after defeating Azarenka in straight sets. #GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/KNGPVLhH7W
— wta (@WTA) September 22, 2023
Meanwhile, just when a dose of sanity was returned to the Top 10 with Barbora Krejcikova's San Diego title *finally* pushing Garcia down to #11, darned if the Pastry didn't bounce back like a superball in Guadalajara and put on a semifinal run that will lift her *back* into the Top 10 on Monday. Here we go again? Of course, Garcia had to save five MP in her opening match vs. Aliaksandra Sasnovich, before posting additional wins over Hailey Baptiste and Victoria Azarenka, in order to manage the nearly impossible, successfully punking the Tennis Gods (at least for a bit). Once in the SF (her first since March), Garcia managed just three games vs. Maria Sakkari (who'd been 1-5 in '23 SF coming in).
Easy P O W E R ??
— wta (@WTA) September 23, 2023
Xiyu Wang | #GuangzhouOpen pic.twitter.com/3IqPwgm8D6
Title #1 ????
— wta (@WTA) September 23, 2023
A dream week on home soil for Xiyu Wang ??#GuangzhouOpen pic.twitter.com/A6fXm8GMNF
Arango has been popping her head up with some nice weeks throughout 2023, but nothing compares to what she did in Guadalajara. The 22-year old world #180, who'd never played a MD match at a 1000 event, opened with her first career Top 30 win over Anastasia Potapova, then backed it up with victories over Sloane Stephens and Taylor Townsend to make her (not COL #1 Camila Osorio) the first Colombian to reach a 1000 QF. [Note: in the previous tour event format, Fabiola Zuluaga's QF run in Tier I Berlin in 2004 was the most recent equivalent result.] Arango -- who really should team with Diana Shnaider some day in doubles to create the most unique headwear combo in tour history -- lost to eventual champ Maria Sakkari, but will shoot up 60 spots in the rankings to #120 on Monday.
The fairytale run continues ?@EmilianaArango is into her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal after defeating Townsend 7-5, 1-6, 6-4! #GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/xesfB4dURy
— wta (@WTA) September 20, 2023
???? EMI ARANGO KEEPS GOING.
— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) September 20, 2023
Ranked 180 to start the tournament, the 22yo Colombian has beaten Potapova, Stephens and now Townsend to reach her first Masters 1000 QF ??
Listen in…the crowd loves her: pic.twitter.com/MDyllolwb8
Croata Petra Marcinko coroada rainha no Caldas da Rainha Ladies Open - Gazeta das Caldas https://t.co/rMyWiIKGq0
— Gazeta das Caldas (@GazetadasCaldas) September 24, 2023
Joint Sweeps ITF J300 Pan American Closed Titles with Comebacks in Singles and Doubles; Frusina Claims First J300 Title at Home:https://t.co/VMGSb6rkwd pic.twitter.com/taYOYthpDr
— Colette Lewis (@zootennis) September 24, 2023
Second title of the season ?????
— wta (@WTA) September 24, 2023
Looking good, Storm & Elise! ?? #GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/hbpBdHDTrG
Leaving everything on the court ??
— wta (@WTA) September 18, 2023
Dolehide battles past Stearns in a three hour thriller 6-7(1), 7-6(5), 7-6(2)! #GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/ebkStFlu1S
First tour-level Semifinal for Caroline Dolehide!!
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 22, 2023
The American saves 4 match points to beat Trevisan 3-6, 7-6(9), 6-3 in Guadalajara!
Also, that handshake ?? pic.twitter.com/woOmDtzLwf
This one's yours, Maria ??@mariasakkari defeats Dolehide, 7-5, 6-3 to win her first EVER WTA 1000 title in Guadalajara!!! ??#GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/UcE4EGoIFA
— wta (@WTA) September 24, 2023
"We've heard so many bad things ... that I'm a Top 5 player with only winning one title. That was so hard for me to overcome, but I'm so happy I did it here this week."@mariasakkari broke a four-year title drought with victory at @WTAGuadalajara: https://t.co/57oH4ir1MC
— TENNIS (@Tennis) September 24, 2023
A dream becomes reality ????
— wta (@WTA) September 23, 2023
Xiyu Wang captures her first-ever Hologic WTA Tour title on home soil! #GuangzhouOpen pic.twitter.com/1209Orct1p
¡Rebeka Masarova accede a los cuartos de final con una victoria por 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 ante Golubic! ??
— WTA Español (@WTA_Espanol) September 20, 2023
Próxima rival?? {1} Linette#GuangzhouOpen pic.twitter.com/sMBExJfdmD
Fighting spirit on display ??@CaroGarcia saves multiple match points to force a deciding set against Sasnovich!#GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/vt93mSJlej
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 19, 2023
Stellar performance from @mariasakkari as she beats Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-0!
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 23, 2023
The World No. 9 will look to win her 2nd title tomorrow. #GLDOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/0ZvG6ZCmDP
Clara Tauson appeared to suffer medically emergent heat exhaustion in her match against Putintseva. Scary scene. Double faulted and collapsed seemed at first dismayed at her double fault but she didn't get back up. Medics immediately started covering her in ice. #WTA pic.twitter.com/izUT1ScvCi
— SamShaferDFS (@ShaferEleven) September 20, 2023
????CLARA TAUSON, dinamarquesa de 20 anos, colapsou fisicamente quando começaria o 3o set contra ????Putintseva no WTA 250 de Guangzhou e foi obrigada a se retirar da quadra.
— Tênis Para Além do Óbvio ?? (Alemzão) (@AlemTenis) September 20, 2023
O motivo? 2h de jogo debaixo de um sol de mais de 35°C!pic.twitter.com/BoDxKLEr9P
That GRIT from Greet ??@GreetMinnen97 fights back from dropping a tight opening set to advance to the Guangzhou semifinals!#GuangzhouOpen pic.twitter.com/SbvZLSyUp1
— wta (@WTA) September 21, 2023
And it’s Arango ???? in Guadalajara!
— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) September 18, 2023
The 22-year-old 180th-ranked player out of Colombia pulls off the straight-set upset vs no.26 Potapova for her first win at a WTA 1000…
The backwards hat is DEFINITELY the move ?? pic.twitter.com/suHnIumHWz
1 - Becoming the first Colombian to reach a WTA 1000 quarter-final, Emiliana Arango is also the first to reach the QF at their first WTA 1000 event since Elena Rybakina, who achieved the feat at Wuhan in 2019. Breakthrough. #GDLOpenAKRON | @WTAGuadalajara @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/B2Ks52vWQH
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) September 20, 2023
Her debut in Guadalajara continues ??
— wta (@WTA) September 20, 2023
Emma Navarro moves past fellow American Keys, 6-2, 7-6(5). #GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/j2IvtBt0vp
17 year old ???? Taylah Preston (7) wins her 2nd ITF singles title, getting it done on home soil def fellow West Australian ???? Talia Gibson (6) 7-5, 6-1 - ITF W25 Perth.
— The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) September 24, 2023
2nd ?? from 3rd final in 2023. 33-10 record this year. #TheFirstServe pic.twitter.com/Y77fAvtqu3
Q1 | Court 2
— GDL OPEN AKRON WTA1000 (@WTAGuadalajara) September 15, 2023
Demi Schuurs ???? def. Isabella Shinikova ???? 6-4, 6-2#GDLOpenAKRONxSantander | @WTA pic.twitter.com/X73arbEXu6
1 - Cristina Bucsa win over Kristina Mladenovic at Guadalajara (6-0 6-0) was the first time she had registered such a scoreline in a WTA match and also became second player after Iga Swiatek to win a WTA-1000 match this year without dropping a game. Command.… pic.twitter.com/EnGahm8YT9
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) September 18, 2023
All fight ??
— wta (@WTA) September 18, 2023
Hailey Baptiste is into the third round of a WTA 1000 event for the first time! She defeats Pliskova in a three set epic 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(4).#GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/Ev4Lqyi0Gu
We have announced the first set of qualifiers for the 2023 @WTAFinals ??
— wta (@WTA) September 22, 2023
Elena Rybakina is not happy about WTA choosing to use Performance byes in Tokyo
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 23, 2023
“Thank you for changing the rules last moment. Great decisions as always WTA ????”
It’s pretty sad to see #3 seed denied of her rightful draw after all she’s accomplished & worked for this year. pic.twitter.com/7mvBTEeJ8b
One of the more soft-spoken players on tour, Rybakina is clearly fed up with being fed up with decisions made by the tour (starting with receiving zero points for winning Wimbledon last year and living with the consequences of that in draws for 12 months afterward, and including being scheduled into the ground in Montreal prior to this year's Open). Once again, she has a point here. Though ranked/seeded higher, she doesn't get the 1st Round bye next week, but Sakkari does since she was in the Guadalajara final. At least that makes *some* sense. But Garcia also gets an opening round pass, despite being just a semifinalist who wrapped up her week on Friday, more than enough time to make the trip overseas. Hmmm, here's a thought. Maybe don't schedule big international events on consecutive weeks without a mid-week start at the second tournament. A player works all year to achieve the ranking that allows for 1st Round byes, then gets it snatched away because two players who didn't really fully deserve (or barely did) their rankings (and resulting high seeds) when the draw was made managed to pull a rabbit out of their hat at the eleventh hour while trying to play catch in the points race after having a subpar season. Take a flame-thrower to the whole place, Elena. Meanwhile, after the Asian swing everyone will be *back* in Mexico for the WTAF.
WTA when they posting about Elena Rybakina https://t.co/PRI7z1CaI4 pic.twitter.com/aHK1DYTzCC
— Sebastien G. (@sebsharfam) September 24, 2023
The OG Coco is here!@CoCoVandey is making her #TCLive debut in her first week of retirement ?? pic.twitter.com/ND1tQWWqeX
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 22, 2023
100 CAREER WEEKS IN THE TOP 10! ??
— TENNIS (@Tennis) September 18, 2023
In 2021, ???? @Ons_Jabeur became the first Arab tennis player to reach the Top 10 in either WTA *or* ATP rankings history.
This week, the Tunisian trailblazer reaches another milestone—it's her *ONE HUNDREDTH* career week in the Top 10. ??
One of the best challenges we have done ???? ??#GDLOpenAKRONxSantander | @WTA pic.twitter.com/cuySSKuwVY
— GDL OPEN AKRON WTA1000 (@WTAGuadalajara) September 21, 2023
From the court to the TV studio to the DANCEFLOOR ???
— wta (@WTA) September 18, 2023
We have a new mixed doubles team to cheer on – former British No.1 @Annabel_Croft goes into the new season of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing with dance partner Johannes this weekend!#WTA50 #JustStarting (??: @BBC) pic.twitter.com/WI8Di1Mwh6
Sometimes only SAMUEL L. JACKSON will do to sell your bread… ??pic.twitter.com/Ww2SmRMlNG
— Michael Warburton (@MichaelWarbur17) September 20, 2023
gotta hand it to her ?? @vika7 pic.twitter.com/2uqKtuyx4x
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 18, 2023
The former World No. 1 advances ??@vika7 picks up back-to-back wins for the first time since Wimbledon, beating Yastremska 6-4, 7-6(5)!#GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/Z1b4JySBxX
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 19, 2023
Dancing into the quarterfinals ??@vika7 | #GDLOpenAKRON pic.twitter.com/3J4rYe0TX7
— wta (@WTA) September 21, 2023
It’s come to my attention that @jon_wertheim posted, and since deleted, quotes and opinions from me about Martina Hingis and the Halep doping case.
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) September 21, 2023
To be ABSOLUTELY CLEAR those quotes were NOT from me, but instead were taken from an account on Instagram that pretended to be…
This was NOT a hacked account. You simply did not do your research to see it was a fake account with no verified check mark on it! Very simple to see on Instagram! https://t.co/oXqIGRjIMP
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) September 21, 2023
With full apologies to Caroline: …Editors’ note, Sept. 21, 11:20 a.m: Quotes attributed to Caroline Wozniacki which initially appeared in an earlier version of this story were found not to be authentic. SI has since learned she was not the source and regrets this error.
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) September 21, 2023
smile if you're top 10 pic.twitter.com/79ePoLR1Bv
— Marty (@Svitoflopina) September 18, 2023
*2023 WTA TITLES w/o LOSING A SET*
2 - Iga Swiatek (Doha/Warsaw)
2 - Coco Gauff (Auckland/Washington)
1 - Aryna Sabalenka (Adelaide)
1 - Lauren Davis (Hobart)
1 - Ons Jabeur (Charleston)
1 - Katie Boulter (Nottingham)
1 - Petra Kvitova (Berlin)
1 - Madison Keys (Eastbourne)
1 - MARIA SAKKARI (Guadalajara)
*2023 LOW-RANKED WTA CHAMPIONS*
#508 - Elina Svitolina (Strasbourg)
#246 - Maria Timofeeva (Budapest)
#136 - Nao Hibino (Prague)
#126 - Katie Boulter (Nottingham)
#123 - Ashlyn Krueger (Osaka)
#102 - Lucia Bronzetti (Rabat)
#95 - Sara Sorribes Tormo (Cleveland)
#88 - WANG XIYU (Guangzhou)
#84 - Lauren Davis (Hobart)
#79 - Alycia Parks (Lyon)
*2023 FIRST-TIME WTA CHAMPIONS*
Zhu Lin, CHN - Hua Hin (29/#54)
Alycia Parks, USA - Lyon (22/#79)
Marta Kostyuk, UKR - Austin (20/#52)
Lucia Bronzetti, ITA - Rabat (24/#102)
Katie Boulter, GBR - Nottingham (26/#126)
Maria Timofeeva, RUS - Budapest (19/#246)
Zheng Qinwen, CHN - Palermo (20/#26)
Arantxa Rus, NED - Hamburg (32/#60)
Elisabetta Cocciaretto, ITA - Lausanne (22/#42)
Ashlyn Krueger, USA - Osaka (19/#123)
Wang Xiyu, CHN - Guangzhou (22/#88)
[first-time finalists]
Linda Noskova, CZE (#102/18 = Adelaide 1)
Rebeka Masarova, ESP (#130/23 = Auckland)
Elisabetta Cocciaretto, ITA (#67/21 = Hobart)
Alycia Parks, USA (#79/22 = Lyon)-W
Zhu Lin, CHN (#54/29 - Hua Hin)-W
Varvara Gracheva, RUS (#88/22 - Austin)
Marta Kostyuk, UKR (#52/20 - Austin)-W
Peyton Stearns, USA (#116/21 - Bogota)
Lucia Bronzetti, ITA (#102/24 - Rabat)-W
Julia Grabher, AUT (#74/26 - Rabat)
Jodie Burrage, GBR (#131/24 - Nottingham)
Katie Boulter, GBR (#126/26 - Nottingham)
Maria Timofeeva, RUS (#246/19 - Budapest)
Noma Noha Akugue, GER (#207/19 - Hamburg)
Arantxa Rus, NED (#60/32 - Hamburg)
Ashlyn Krueger, USA (#123/19 - Osaka)-W
Wang Xiyu, CHN (#88/22 - Guangzhou)-W
Caroline Dolehide, USA (#111/25 - Guadalajara)
*2023 FIRST-TIME WTA SEMIFINALISTS*
Auckland: Ysaline Bonaventure, BEL (28/#95)
Lyon: Alycia Parks, USA (22/#79)-W
Austin: Katie Volynets, USA (21/#92)
Bogota: Peyton Stearns, USA (21/#116)-RU
Bogota: Francesca Jones, GBR (22/#817)
Rabat: Julia Grabher, AUT (26/#74)-RU
Rabat: Julia Riera, ARG (20/#195)
Nottingham: Katie Boulter, GBR (26/#126)-W
Nottingham: Jodie Burrage, GBR (24/#131)-RU
Bad Homburg: Emma Navarro, USA (22/#60)
Budapest: Maria Timofeeva, RUS (19/#246)-W
Hamburg: Noma Noha Akugue, GER (19/#208)
Hamburg: Diana Shnaider, RUS (19/#101)
Osaka: Ashlyn Krueger, USA (19/#123)-W
Osaka: Mai Hontama, JPN (24/#176)
Guadalajara: Caroline Dolehide, USA (25/#111)
*2023 WTA DOUBLES FINALS*
5 (3-2) = Desirae Krawczyk, USA
5 (3-2) = Katerina Siniakova, CZE
5 (3-2) = Taylor Townsend, USA
5 (2-3) = STORM HUNTER, AUS
5 (0-5) = Nicole Melichar-Martinez, USA
4 (4-0) = Barbora Krejcikova, CZE
4 (2-2) = Shuko Aoyama, JPN
4 (2-2) = Coco Gauff, USA
4 (2-2) = Jessie Pegula, USA
4 (2-2) = Ena Shibahara, JPN
4 (2-2) = Laura Siegemund, GER
4 (0-4) = Ellen Perez, AUS
3 (3-0) = Luisa Stefani, BRA
3 (3-0) = Aldila Sutjiadi, INA
3 (2-1) = ELISE MERTENS, BEL
3 (2-1) = Demi Schuurs, NED
3 (1-2) = Chan Hao-ching, TPE
3 (1-2) = Katarzyna Piter, POL
3 (1-2) = Wang Xinyu, CHN
3 (0-3) = Leylah Fernandez, CAN
3 (0-3) = Giuliana Olmos, MEX
[2023 finals - duos]
4...Gauff/Pegula, USA/USA (2-2)
4...Melichar-Martinez/Perez, USA/AUS (0-4)
3...Aoyama/Shibahara, JPN/JPN (2-1)
3...HUNTER/MERTENS, AUS/BEL (2-1)
3...Krawczyk/Schuurs, USA/NED (2-1)
2...Kato/Sutjiadi, JPN/INA (2-0)
2...Krejickova/Siniakova, CZE/CZE (2-0)
2...DABROWSKI/ROUTLIFFE, CAN/NZL (1-1)
2...Friedsam/N.Kichenok, GER/UKR (1-1)
2...Gamarra Martins/Marozava, BRA/BLR (1-1)
2...Siegemund/Zvonareva, GER/RUS (1-1)
2...Fernandez/Townsend, CAN/USA (0-2)
*MOST CAREER CHINESE WTA TITLES*
9 - Li Na (2004,08,10-14)
4 - Zheng Jie (2005-06,12)
3 - Zhang Shuai (2013,17,22)
2 - Wang Qiang (2018)
2 - Peng Shuai (2016-17)
1 - Duan Yingying (2016)
1 - Sun Tiantian (2006)
1 - WANG XIYU (2023)
1 - Wang Yafan (2019)
1 - Yan Zi (2005)
1 - Zheng Qinwen (2023)
1 - Zheng Saisai (2019)
1 - Zhu Lin (2023)
*2023 SLAM-WTAF/1000 CHAMPIONS*
Australian Open - Aryna Sabalenka, BLR
Dubai - Barbora Krejcikova, CZE
Indian Wells - Elena Rybakina, KAZ
Miami - Petra Kvitova, CZE
Madrid - Aryna Sabalenka, BLR
Rome - Elena Rybakina, KAZ
Roland Garros - Iga Swiatek, POL
Wimbledon - Marketa Vondrousova, CZE
Canada - Jessie Pegula, USA
Cincinnati - Coco Gauff, USA
US Open -Coco Gauff, USA
Guadalajara - Maria Sakkari, GRE
Beijing - x
WTAF - x
[doubles]
Australian Open - Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova, CZE/CZE
Dubai - Veronika Kudermetova/Liudmila Samsonova, RUS/RUS
Indian Wells - Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova, CZE/CZE
Miami - Coco Gauff/Jessie Pegula, USA/USA
Madrid - Victoria Azarenka/Beatriz Haddad Maia, BLR/BRA
Rome - Storm Hunter/Elise Mertens, AUS/BEL
Roland Garros - Hsieh Su-wei/Wang Xinyu, TPE/CHN
Wimbledon - Hsieh Su-wei/Barbora Strycova, TPE/CZE
Canada - Shuko Aoyama/Ena Shibahara, JPN/JPN
Cincinnati - Alycia Parks/Taylor Townsend, USA/USA
US Open -Gaby Dabrowski/Erin Routliffe, CAN/NZL
Guadalajara - Storm Hunter/Elise Mertens, AUS/BEL
Beijing - x
WTAF - x
The false equivalency has officially begun. Rep. Johnson (R-LA) characterizes the Justice Dept case against Trump (a former president plotting to overturn an election) as a political move and puts it on the same level as the legal case against Hunter Biden. pic.twitter.com/vDCOLw997e
— Ann Telnaes (@AnnTelnaes) September 20, 2023
To the “masks don’t work” crowd: Steve Scalise is wearing a mask because cancer treatment has compromised his immune system. The mask will reduce his risk of infections like colds, flu, or Covid.
— Rebekah, Forest Crone (@RebekahWriter) September 18, 2023
Oncologists recommend masks in these situations because…wait for it…THEY WORK. https://t.co/MN08fuyrbu
Steve Scalise will now be wearing a mask due to his compromised immune system. pic.twitter.com/KjP2DVmOKu
— Nikki Windsor ?? (@NikkiWinds) September 18, 2023
One of the scariest part of humanhood is you have to trust that other ppl will act right. Driving, taking the train, preparing your food etc etc etc
— ?? Khronique Lee Aun Lyne (@nyannoire) September 21, 2023
He is scared of Darth Vader ???? pic.twitter.com/9bzxHGshDw
— Just ANIMALS ???? (@JustAnimalss_) September 21, 2023
100 years of Star Wars (with Midjourney and Pika Labs)
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) September 22, 2023
[?? douggypledger]pic.twitter.com/NqtskkphMq
Giraffe posing for the camera ??pic.twitter.com/Rh6g8YJAGY
— Time Trip (@TimeTriping) September 18, 2023
Finding some surprises while cleaning the canals of Amsterdam. pic.twitter.com/QsEJgj5GHM
— Fascinating (@fasc1nate) September 18, 2023
CASUAL PRESIDENTS ??
— stepfanie (@stepfaniex) September 20, 2023
A series inspired by @JohnFetterman pic.twitter.com/7kZ7M2MgYb
CASUAL PRESIDENTS, scrollable edition ??
— stepfanie (@stepfaniex) September 22, 2023
I still find it hard to choose just one favorite...
Who are your top 3? pic.twitter.com/3LyMu6W386
— cats with jobs ?? (@CatWorkers) September 19, 2023
A bird telling a hedgehog to hurry across because it's dangerous ????? pic.twitter.com/UuLsciiT78
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Wait for it.. ?? pic.twitter.com/YrtGSatvf0
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) September 18, 2023
9 Comments:
Sakkari won a WTA 1000 title with a WTA 250 draw. Is it a blip or does she really overcame her SF\Final mental barrier? Anyway, we can no longer make fun of her as a top 10 ranked player with only 1 WTA 250 title.
"Performance bye" isn't a new thing. WTA used to give "performance bye" to Wuhan SFlists in the following week's Beijing tournament.
Dolehide's run is one of the more random ones in history. Her and Kenin have now thrown their hats in the ring for BJK Cup consideration.
Stat of the Week- 1- Career finals for Caroline Kuhlman.
The Kuhlman name is recent in tennis, with Caroline's niece Josie having played at Florida from 2014-18, going 117-38 in singles.
However, Josie did not reach the feats of Caroline, who was the ITA National Player of the Year at USC back in 1986. This spurred a split WTA career which went from 1985-86;1990-95.
The 85-86 run was where she reached her career high ranking of 52, while her one final was in 1993 in Auckland. It may not be a career highlight, as she lost to Elna Reinach 6-0, 6-0.
Kuhlman may have not reached the heights her college career predicted, but put her stamp on the tour for some time.
Quiz Time!
Of the 16 players that have been ranked #3, who has the most titles? Multiple answers accepted.
A.Wendy Turnbull
B.Gabriela Sabatini
C.Nathalie Tauziat
D.Hana Mandlikova
Interlude- Autotune?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7uClp4FybA
Answer!
Maria Sakkari won her second title, leaving her the lowest on the list. Surprisingly, none of the active players(Stephens, Sakkari, Pegula, Gauff, Rybakina) have reached double digits, which leads me to (C)Tauziat, who with 8 has the lowest number of titles for a retired #3.
Tauziat, the 1998 Wimbledon runner up, reached her first final at home in Nice. That was on clay, the only one she would reach on that surface. 10 of her 22 career finals were on carpet, and 7 more on grass.
(B)Sabatini is correct. The anti Tauziat, she reached 24 finals on clay, but only 1 on grass, which happened to be Wimbledon in 1991. The 1990 US Open winner went 27-28 in finals.
(A)Turnbull is wrong. The Sakkari of her generation. I kid, but she went 11-20 in finals. 3 time slam runner up, her last final was in San Diego back in 1985. She lost, giving Annabel Croft her one and only title.
(D)Mandlikova is also correct. The only one on the 4 with a winning record in finals, she went 27-25. Along with Pierce, she is the only #3 to win multiple grand slams, winning 4.
5 On the Up Side- Chaos Edition.
1.Cirstea- Ningbo pick is out of the box, but there are no former winners in the field with the event not having played since 2014. Shoutout to Baindl, who as Kozlova is the only returning singles player from that event. Note that Cirstea has a chance to rewrite her history. Last time she made a slam QF, she lost her last 6 matches of the season:2009.
2.Rybakina- I could easily put Swiatek here, and that is the reason that probably match could be 51/49. You see, Rybakina beat Swiatek in Rome. That was also Rybakina's last Top 10 win. Can she bring that level again?
3.Pegula- Has reached 10 QF this season. Why not pencil her in for 11. Note to Todd: Surprised not to see a Kiick/Dolphins tie in this week.
4.Kvitova- In a much weaker Ningbo field, 2014 and 2016 Wuhan winner tries to recapture the China magic.
5.Hruncakova- I may complain about her movement, but not her stamina. Her 3:29 match against Yuan was her 9th match over 2 hours since Wimbledon. She's been impressive lately.
5 On the Down Side.
1.Wang Xiyu- Got that first title, which is always a good thing. On the list for this week, because every first time winner this season(0-10) has lost their next MD match. Four of them, including Krueger, who lost today(Cocciaretto, Rus, Timofeeva) are looking for first MD win since title.
2.Kalinskaya- Actually playing pretty well lately. So why is she here? Managed to get singles WC this week, so playing singles and doubles, even with her lack of durability. This is 9th doubles event of the season, coming off her first final. Teams with Alexandrova, whom she plays in the first round.
3.Zheng- A Down that technically isn't one. Hasn't played since the US Open, which seemingly kills momentum. However, she is playing the delayed 2022 Asian Games this week, which has an Olympic spot on the line. 15 of 16 seeds have reached the 3rd rd, but with 3 seed Ankita Raina ranked 196, this is the golden ticket. Zheng or Zhu may face somebody trying to live out a lifetime dream of playing for their country. Should I call that pulling a Dolehide?
4.Stephens- Has reached 4 QF(1-3) this season. All at 250 events. That is ok. What isn't, is that her loss to Arango is her 5th sub 100 loss this season. Like Venus at this point of her career, being a former slam winner does not make you feared.
5.Bouchard- Pickleball prodigy played really well against Kudermetova. More aggressive than she has been in some time. The problem is she did not win, and needs ranking points badly. Where will we see her next?
K-
Based on Rybakina's reaction, they must not have been told about having the byes in Tokyo (or were told they wouldn't have them) until when the draw came out. The Sakkari one was fine, but Garcia only reached the SF.
Rybakina ended up withdrawing anyway, which you have to sort of look at as something of an "F-this" withdrawal (though she had an official "reason"). ;)
C-
Quiz: I felt good with Mandlikova, but stupidly went w/ Turnbull as a second.
Truthfully, I didn't want to wait for Kiick's ITF final to finish (it was in California, so it was later on Sunday) -- she ultimately lost to Canadian Marina Stakusic, 18 -- so I never got the chance. :/
(Now will the Bills actually show up in a *big* game next week vs. the Dolphins. If they do, it might be a first.)
"Pickleball prodigy." ;)
So the '24 HoF noms are out, and it's mostly a rehash of the '23 list when none were voted through.
Newcomer Leander Paes joins returnees Cara Black, Daniel Nestor, Flavia Pennetta, Ana Ivanovic and Carlos Moya (and that's the order I'd rank their candidacies, too).
Also, I *hate* that they list four "Billie Jean King Cup" titles on Pennetta's career resume. Umm... no.
Also... Linda Fruhvirtova finally got a win! Though it *did* take a 3rd set retirement.
5 On the Up Side- Early Bird Edition.
Beijing has started!
1.Zheng- Asian Games winner had not played a tour level match the last time the tour was in China. Beijing pick just for that reason.
2.Brady- Has a good draw;could reach QF. If she does, it would be her first since 2021 AO, when she reached final. Even with her breakout after the pandemic, this is her third Beijing, In with PR this time, qualified the other two.
3.Sakkari- Gets a performance bye for Beijing. Believe it or not, she should have earned one for Beijing in 2017 due to her Wuhan results. But she was in Q and could not make use of it.
4.Blinkova-Has a good draw, need to pick a good but not elite player as Petkovic and Bacsinszky are former finalists.
5.Muchova- Could be on either list. With her injury history, you don't want her to overplay, but it should be noted that she is the only Top 20 player not to have played a match since the US Open.
5 On the Down Side.
1.Swiatek- Obviously, nobody expected her to play like she did in 2022. But like Gauff and Pegula, Kudermetova has now got her signature win against Swiatek. She has come back to the pack.
2.Vekic- Had 7 wins during the grass season; 2 since. The AO and Monterrey seem so long ago.
3.Kalinskaya- As of this writing, she is down 0-6 having taken a medical timeout. With 7 retirements and 1 walkover the last two seasons, we might have another one.
4.Tauson- Injuries have wrecked another season. Last QF was Linz back in February. Last back to back main draw wins were at Roland Garros. Can she get healthy enough to show her true talent?
5.Tan- Beat Serena at Wimbledon in 2022 on the way to the round of 16. Has zero main draw wins since.
And Kalinskaya has *13* WO/ret. over the past three seasons. Has to be the tour leader there, right?
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