Ukraine's Elina Svitolina returns the ball to Spain's Garbine Muguruza during the Dubai Championships. (Source: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) Second seed Kvitova outlasted American qualifier Jennifer Brady 7-5, 1-6, 6-3. Crowd favourite and third seed Halep coped with gusty conditions at the Aviation Club as she beat Lesia Tsurenko 6-3, 7-5, breaking seven times. The Romanian will play her quarter-final against a charged-up Belinda Bencic, who saved seven match points before converting the first of her own to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (9/7). "I have no idea how I won, I was thinking many times during the match points that I was already back in the locker room," said Bencic. "I have nothing to lose against Halep, she's a great player. But I have gained energy from this win." Tsurenko managed just a single point over the last three games as former world number one Halep demonstrated her superiority by taking a 7-0 lead in their head-to-head record. Svitolina put on the most … [Read more...] about Hat trick chasing Svitolina joins Halep, Kvitova in Dubai quarter finals
Wta finals 2015
Svitolina, Pliskova storm into semis at WTA Finals in Singapore
Ukrainian Elina Svitolina outlasted Caroline Wozniacki 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 35 minutes to finish top of White Group. Ukraine's Elina Svitolina celebrates after defeating Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki during their singles match at the WTA Finals tennis tournament in Singapore. (Roslan RAHMAN/AFP) SINGAPORE: A gutsy Elina Svitolina willed herself to the semi-finals after overcoming Caroline Wozniacki in a gruelling three-set match, knocking the defending champion out of the WTA Finals in Singapore. The unbeaten Ukrainian outlasted Wozniacki 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 35 minutes to finish top of White Group. Karolina Pliskova also qualified after the Czech defeated compatriot Petra Kvitova in straight sets earlier in the night. Having won her opening two matches, Svitolina needed just one set to clinch her semi-finals spot, while Wozniacki required a straight sets victory. After the Australian Open champion claimed the much-needed first set, it all came down to a … [Read more...] about Svitolina, Pliskova storm into semis at WTA Finals in Singapore
Ailing Del Potro suffers shock Beijing final defeat
Juan Martin del Potro said that he was battling illness after he suffered a shock defeat in the China Open final on Sunday (Oct 7), losing 6-4, 6-4 to unseeded Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia. Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia poses with the trophy after winning the men's final against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina at the China Open tennis tournament. (GREG BAKER/AFP) In the women's final, world number two Caroline Wozniacki defeated Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-3 for her 30th WTA singles title. Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark kisses the trophy after winning the women's final match against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia at the China Open tennis tournament. (NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP) Argentine top seed Del Potro was far from his best and has been fighting flu or a cold for several days in the Chinese capital. The world number four said that he did his utmost in difficult circumstances. "I did everything that I can to be better for the final, it wasn't enough time … [Read more...] about Ailing Del Potro suffers shock Beijing final defeat
Osaka becomes third player to secure WTA Finals berth
Osaka becomes third player to secure WTA Finals berthThe Saigon Times Daily Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with the championship trophy at the Top of the Rock Observatory the day after winning the Women's Singles finals match against Serena Williams at the 2018 U.S. Open in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., September 9, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS SINGAPORE (REUTERS) - U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka has become the third player to secure a berth at the season-ending WTA Finals later this month after the 20-year-old from Japan amassed enough points in the Race to Singapore to qualify for the eight-woman event. Osaka stunned Serena Williams in straight sets to claim her and Japan’s first ever Grand Slam title in New York last month and she backed that up with a run to the final at the Pan Pacific Open to all but ensure she would make her debut in Singapore. After claiming victory in her opening match at the ongoing China Open in Beijing on Monday, Osaka joined … [Read more...] about Osaka becomes third player to secure WTA Finals berth
Serena to face Kerber in her 10th Wimbledon final
Serena Williams reached her first Grand Slam final as a mother just 10 months after giving birth as the seven-time champion marched into her 10th Wimbledon title match with a 6-2, 6-4 rout of Julia Goerges on Thursday (Jul 12). Angelique Kerber celebrates after beating Jelena Ostapenko. (AFP/Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS) On 20-match winning streak at Wimbledon, Williams will face German world number 10 Angelique Kerber on Saturday in a repeat of the 2016 showpiece won by Williams. In only her fourth tournament since the arrival of her daughter Olympia in September, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is closing in on her first major title since becoming a parent. German 13th seed Goerges was sent packing in only 70 minutes on Centre Court. It was a cathartic moment for the 36-year-old, who endured severe labour complications that left her needing life-saving operations. "It's crazy. I don't even know how to feel. I didn't expect to do this well in my fourth tournament back," Williams said. … [Read more...] about Serena to face Kerber in her 10th Wimbledon final