WTA HP Open, Osaka. Japan

WTA HP Open Osaka quarter finals took place today and Madison Keys the teenage American recorded a good win straight victory over Jie Zheng.

Madison could potentially win this tournament but there was also good quarter finals win are Eugenie Bouchard and Sam Stosur. 

This tournament has got the experience Sam Stosur and the up and coming teenagers like Eugenie Bouchard and Madison Keys and it certainly helps to make this tournament more interesting and watchable.

 

WTA Generali Ladies Linz -Second round

The second round of the Generali Ladies Linz tournament took place yesterday. Sloane Stephens beat Andrea Petkovic in three sets and this was a good win for Sloane.

As Sloane has not been playing her best tennis, so this tournament gives Sloane an opportunity to win her first WTA title. 

I do think Sloane is one of the few teengers on the WTA tour that can win big. But that the moment she lacks that hunger and even come accross as someone who sees tennis a hobby and not a profession.

If Sloane wants to win this tournament she is going have to up her game. As Anglique Kerber, Ana Ivanovic and Kirsten Flipkens all had good second round wins.

There is still one spot left for the end of year tournament and I am hoping that if Sloane wins this tournament she will get the last spot.

                                                   (sportsillustrated.com)

WTA HP Open, Osaka, Japan- podcast

Something a little different for this blog!

My take on Laura Robson and Heather Watson's participation in the Osaka Open.

Click here to listen to my podcast



 

Premiership round up 06/10/13

Well it was definitely an exciting weekend of Premiership matches. 

Manchester United beat Sunderland two goals to one and had to come from behind to secure the win. 

This has taken the pressure of David Moyes as I suspect if they had lost this match. There would have been fans out there who would have demanded that he be sacked. 

Liverpool beat Crystal Palace three goals to one to maintain there impressive start to the season. 

Man City also had a good win as they beat Everton by three goals to one and that win ensured that they stay top five in the league.

Chelsea had a good win against Norwich who they beat by three goals to one and that keeps them third in the league. 

Arsenal drew one all to West Bromwich Albion which was not a bad result as we are still joint top of the league with Liverpool.

But at the same time drawing to teams like West Brom is not good for team that like Arsenal that desperately needs to win a trophy after eight trophy less years.

 I am hoping that this was a blip and we will get back to our winning ways after the international break. 

But the shock result of the weekend was title challenging Tottenham losing three goals to nil at home to West Ham. 

This has now put them sixth in the league like I said in previous blogs. I can't seem them mounting a serious challenge in the league as Spurs are too inconsistent. But who knows they might prove me wrong, somehow I doubt it.

WTA Beijing Open - Final

The final of the Beijing Open took place yesterday and Serena Williams beat Jelena Jankovic in straight sets. 

Serena was very dominant in the first set and Jelena did not get many chance to break. The second was little more competitive but this was  more to do with the fact that both Serena and Jelena where carrying injuries. 

Other than one services blip in the second set Serena's serve was on fire! and alot of the time the ball was whistling past Jelena's ears.

 However Jelena played well and against in other player she would have got a better result.

 But the reality is Serena at the grand old age of thirty two, is light years ahead of the other women. I would say this is largely due to her athleticism and that amazing serve. 

If the other ladies on the tour want to beat Serena they really need to work on their fitness first and foremost. 

As much as I enjoy watching Serena win, her matches are far more fun when Serena is stretched to the limit. 

I am hoping that Serena's match will be a little more competitive and not just a forgone conclusion. 

WTA Beijing Open - Semi-Finals

The semi- finals took place yesterday and Serena Williams beat Aga Radwanska comfortably and in straight sets.  

Serena did have injury time out for her back but she was still able to close out the set and win the match. 

Serena will play Jelena Jankovic in the final. As Jelena beat Petra Kivitova in three sets. 

The final between Serena and Jelena takes place today. It promises to be a good match as Jelena last beat Serena in in the Charleston final in 2012.

WTA Beijing Open- Quarter finals

Yesterday was quarter finals day and Serena Williams beat Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets. 

To be fair it was always going to be a challenge for Caroline. The second set was more more competitive, but that was because Serena started to relax after racing into a four love lead. 

I would say that in this tournament I have seen Caroline play some good tennis. If she can keep this up then she might start going a little further in the Grand Slams.

Agnieszka Radwanska beat Angelique Kerber in straight sets. However this was a strange match where in the first set Agnieszka raced into a five to one lead. 

Then Angelique worked hard and clawed it back and brought it to a tie break. Angelique then had three set points and could not take any of them. 

She never got over losing the first set and the second set came went quickly too. 

So Agniezka Radwanska will play Serena Williams the semi- finals. Agnieska  likes to get every ball back into play and Serena likes to blast winners from anywhere. Therefore it should be an interesting match. 

In the other quarter finals Jelena Jankovic     

beat Lucie Safarova in three sets. Petra Kivitova beat Ni La in three sets, so Petra and Jelena will play against in each other the semi-finals.