WTA China Open, Beijing - day one

Round one of China Open started yesterday and Serena Williams beat Elena Vesnina in straight sets. 

It was a pretty tough first round for Serena and the first set was very competitive.

 But after winning the first set Serena was able to take control of the second set and win the second and the match.

Heather Watson lost to Vavara Lepenchko in three sets. Heather won the first set very comfortably then seemed to lose confidence and the match in the second and third set. 

This was a bad loss for Heather and her world ranking will now drop to ninety. Next week she has to defend her Osaka title and if she is unsuccessful then she will drop out of the top 100. 

Laura Robson beat Klara Zakopalova in three sets. It was a real battle in the first and second set but she won the third set comfortably and she now faces Angelique Kerber in the second round.

Premiership round up - 28/09/13

Yesterday's  premiership games where interesting to say least. Tottenham and Chelsea's game ended in a draw. In a game where Fernando Torres was controversially sent off. 

Tottenham being the home team started well and scored but Chelsea managed to get back into the game and draw.

I really don't believe Tottenham are serious title challengers,  as if they where would getting wins when playing at home against teams like Chelsea. 

On the other hand Chelsea may struggle this year now that the "special one" is back. Personally I think that Jose should not have come back especially now Chelsea are Champion League winners. 

Arsenal beat Swansea City two goals to one and a result which also sets new record for the club of away wins

This was a good win for Arsenal and it was the kind of match that we needed to win if we are really serious about challenging for the title. 

Shockingly Man United lost to West Brom by two goals to one. I did not see that result coming at all and again it's kind of result that adds pressure to David Moyes's shoulders.

I do hope that Man United continue to play like this so that when Arsenal meet them in November. We have an even greater chance of beating them, something we have not done in a while. 

Preview of the premiership games

Today in the Premiership Tottenham play Chelsea in the lunch time kick off. This match could go either way but I think Chelsea will get the win. 

Arsenal are away to Swansea City, now will be a tough match and with at least five key players missing it is going to be a challenge. 

But I think Arsenal have started this season with a different more winning mindset hopefully this will be carried on on into today's game.

Man United are at home to West Brom in a match that most people would expect Man United to win comfortably but as I always say anything can happen!

Toray Pan Pacific Open - final

Today was finals day at the Toray Pacific Open and Petra Kivitova beat Angelique Kerber in three topsy turvy sets. 

I thought that the amount of games that Petra played beforehand would go against her.

 This was not a problem for her and she was able to win her eleventh WTA title. 

So maybe if Petra is able to capitalise on this win she may hopefully reach the end of year championships. 

League Cup round up

League cup matches took place this week and Arsenal beat West Bromwich Albion on penalties. 

It was a close encounter with both teams missing a host of chances. Arsene Wenger played a young team, which included the more experienced players like Nicklas Bendtner. 

Overall it was a close match which could have gone either way. So I was very relieved that we managed to get through it and we now face Chelsea in the next round!

Man United beat Liverpool a goal to nil and what surprised me about this game, was that Liverpool put out a near enough a full strength squad but somehow managed to lose. 

Man United's  win will now ease the pressure off David Moyes and they now face Newcastle in the next round. 

Toray Pan Pacific Open - day five

Day five at the Toray Pan Pacific Open and Venus was in action again. Today Venus was beaten by Petra Kivitova in three close sets.

Venus has really had a fantastic tournament and has a lot to be proud of. She has not allowed her debilitating illness to stand in the way of her playing top level tennis. 

Petra also had to play very well to beat Venus,  it was very good tennis and a long match. This may be factor when Petra plays Angelique Kerber in the final.

Angelique beat Caroline Wozniacki  in straight sets. so Angie might have more energy in the final than Petra.

 Petra played two matches yesterday and a long two and half hour match against Venus today. 

But in tennis anything can happen and I am sure Petra will get a adrenalin rush from making it to the final. 

Angelique is the higher ranked player but I would not rule Petra out from winning this title. 

Toray Pan Pacific Open - day four

Day four at the Toray Open and Venus Williams was back in action today. She beat the young and coming Eugenie Bouchard in three long sets. 

Venus managed to unofficially equal her fastes serve record of 129 mph. It seems that Venus has now got her confidence back and to hopefully try and win the tournament.

 

The shock and unexpected award of the days go to Angela Kerber who beat the world number three. Agneiska Radwanska in straight sets.

Angela Kerber now faces Caroline Wozniacki for a place in the final.