Women Update From Sony Ericsson Open

Written by: Staff on 27th March 2012

Singles – Fourth Round: (1) Victoria Azarenka def. (16) Dominika Cibulkova 1-6 7-6(9-7) 7-5

In the first set, and even at the beginning of the second, Dominika Cibulkova was hitting hard and Victoria Azarenka was looking as if she didn’t know what was happening. But she also looked pretty determined — and Cibulkova seemed to have more and more trouble getting her serve in. Azarenka managed to level the second set, then win the tiebreak. The final set — after two hours on the court — saw both players lose the ability to hold. There were seven breaks in the set, and Cibulkova had the chance to break as Azarenka served for the match. But Azarenka finally held, leaving Cibulkova still stuck with the #18 ranking she had coming in.

Singles – Fourth Round: (2) Maria Sharapova def. Ekaterina Makarova 6-4 7-6(7-3)

Big surprise, huh? Still, Ekaterina Makarova lasted long enough to make the Top Forty.

Singles – Fourth Round: (10) Serena Williams def. (4) Samantha Stosur 7-5 6-3

Most of the chatter about this match has been because it was a rematch of the U. S. Open final, but the main effect is to all but settle the #4 ranking. Samantha Stosur loses her chance to make it; she will probably be #5, and Caroline Wozniacki could still pass her. Serena Williams is still at #10 in safe points; another win would take her to #9. And she looks ready for more wins….

Singles – Fourth Round: (4) Caroline Wozniacki def. (23) Yanina Wickmayer 7-6(8-6) 6-0

Yes, that second set was as quick as the score. This, combined with the day’s other results, keeps alive Caroline Wozniacki’s faint hope of returning to the Top Five. It appears Yanina Wickmayer will be #30.

Singles – Fourth Round: (5) Agnieszka Radwanska def. (WC) Garbine Muguruza Blanco 6-3 6-2

Finally everyone’s fingers get a break as we won’t have to type “Garbine Muguruza Blanco” any more. Still, she improves her ranking to around #160.

Singles – Fourth Round: (7) Marion Bartoli def. (22) Maria Kirilenko 6-1 6-2

Maria Kirilenko falls just short of the Top Twenty. She will probably have chances during the clay season.

Singles – Fourth Round: (8) Li Na def. (12) Sabine Lisicki 3-6 6-4 6-2

Even though Sabine Lisicki added points, she doesn’t add enough to do any good. She will remain at #13 — which in turn means that the Top Ten is closed (see the day’s Feature). Li Na remains ahead of Marion Bartoli in the contest for #7, but obviously they both still have their chances.

Singles – Fourth Round: (WC) Venus Williams def. (15) Ana Ivanovic 6-7(4-7) 6-2 6-2

Venus Williams must be getting her stamina back if she survived this marathon! Naturally she is doing wonders for her ranking — she increases her point total by exactly 50%. And she has plenty of room to add points. So she will rise from #134 to around #90. She leaves Ana Ivanovic probably #14 or #15.

Doubles – Second Round: King/Niculescu def. (7) Shvedova/Voskoboeva 7-5 6-2

An interesting contest, since Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova usually play together — although their luck lately hasn’t been great. The result here is rather a surprise — results with other partners seem to reveal that King is a stronger player than Shvedova, but she was playing with a much weaker partner here.

Perhaps more noteworthy is how fast the seeds are dropping around here. Already the top four teams are out, and now we lose the #7 seeds!

Doubles – Second Round: (WC) Pavlyuchenkova/Safarova def. Llagostera Vives/Parra Santonja 6-1 7-6(7-2)

Doubles – Second Round: Medina Garrigues/Pennetta def. Goerges/Stosur 6-7(4-7) 6-2 11-9 (Match TB)

Doubles – Second Round: (WC) Dulko/Suarez def. Klepac/Rosolska walkover (Rosolska: illness)

This actually came through late Sunday, but it wasn’t on the schedule, so we didn’t notice. For Paula Suarez, of course, it’s still more points. She is now up to about #105.

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (WC) Dulko/Suarez def. Dushevina/Peer 7-6(7-2) 6-7(3-7) 10-6 (Match TB)

And, with this, Paola Suarez is back in the Top Hundred. She’s around #85, in fact.

****** TODAY’S FEATURE ******

Women’s Ranking Update: Miami/Women

This is frankly getting boring at the top. We know Victoria Azarenka will be #1, Maria Sharapova #2, Petra Kvitova #3.

The contest for #4 is between Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki; Samantha Stosur lost her chance when she lost to Serena. Wozniacki needs at least a final to have a shot even at #5.

Li Na and Marion Bartoli are fighting for #7, with Li having the inside track.

The last two Top Ten spots will belong to Vera Zvonareva and Serena Williams. Serena is #9 if she makes the semifinal, otherwise Zvonareva. Serena takes the Top Ten spot lost by Andrea Petkovic, who will probably be #12.

Out of the Top Fifteen are Angelique Kerber and Jelena Jankovic; in are probably Ana Ivanovic and Julia Goerges.

It doesn’t look as if we’ll have any new names in the Top Twenty.

Out of the Top Thirty is Sara Errani, replaced by Yanina Wickmayer.

Out of the Top Forty is Kim Clijsters, replaced by Ekaterina Makarova.

Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond will stay on top in doubles. We could see some changes of order in the lower regions of the Top Ten.

©”DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

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Order Of Play – Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Stadium (from 11.00hrs)

1. ATP: Nishikori vs. Nadal

2. Li Na vs. Maria Sharapova (NB 13.00hrs)

3. ATP: Djokovic vs. Gasquet