Stuttgart
Singles – Quarterfinal: (1) Victoria Azarenka def. (WC) Mona Barthel 6-4 6-7(3-7) 7-5
So close for Mona Barthel, who kept Victoria Azarenka out there for almost three hours. Against the Azarenka of a year ago, she might well have won — but, as it is, she will have to settle for #31.
Singles – Quarterfinal: (2) Maria Sharapova def (5) Samantha Stosur 6-7(5-7) 7-6(7-5) 7-5
This match actually made it past the three hour mark; it was an incredibly long day in Stuttgart. And, after all that, it made no rankings difference!
Singles – Quarterfinal: (3) Petra Kvitova def. Angelique Kerber 6-4 6-4
This was the day’s only straight-sets match — potentially a good sign for Petra Kvitova. It makes no rankings difference; Kvitova stays #3. And Angelique Kerber stays #14, and the #3 German. On the other hand, the two Germans above her, Petkovic and Lisicki, are both missing a lot of events….
Singles – Quarterfinal: (4) Agnieszka Radwanska def. (8) Li Na 3-6 6-2 6-3
As we learned earlier this week, it has become very tough to upset Agnieszka Radwanska. She leave Li Na still stuck at #8; Marion Bartoli will retain the #7 spot.
Doubles – Quarterfinal: (5) Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova def. Llagostera Vives/Niculescu 1-6 6-4 10-8 (Match TB)
Fes
Singles – Semifinal: (Q) Kiki Bertens def. (5) Simona Halep 6-3 6-4
This just keeps getting more difficult to believe. This is of course the biggest result Kiki Bertens has ever had; she has increased her points by almost 50%, and will rise from #149 to around #105.
Singles – Semifinal: Laura Pous-Tio def. (LL) Mathilde Johansson 6-1 2-6 7-5
The outcome in this case is less of a surprise than just the fact that these two contested it. Laura Pous-Tio has the edge in late round experience, although neither of our two finalists has much; they are both going for a first title. Unfortunately, a big chunk of Pous-Tio’s limited experience came at this time last year, when she made a semifinal. So she makes a relatively slight move — from #110 to right around #100. A title would make her about #85.
Doubles – Semifinal: Begu/Cadantu def. Pliskova/Pliskova 6-4 4-6 10-5 (Match TB)
Doubles – Semifinal: Cetkovska/Panova def. Babos/Minella 6-7(5-7) 6-2 10-6 (Match TB)