Today’s Women’s News – Rome (05/14)

Written by: Staff on 14th May 2012

Today's Women's News - Rome (05/14)

Francesca Schiavone of Italy in action during her women's singles second round match against Romina Oprandi of Italy on the third day of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2012. EPA/MAST IRHAM |

Rome

Singles – First Round: Ekaterina Makarova def. (10) Francesca Schiavone 6-3 6-4

How much more messed up can Francesca Schiavone get? She is going to remain toward the bottom of the Top Fifteen, and if she can’t win on clay, what are the odds that she will do better elsewhere?

Singles – First Round: (12) Angelique Kerber def. (Q) Anastasia Rodionova 4-6 7-5 6-2

Angelique Kerber has a shot at the Top Ten this week — but she needs a semifinal. It doesn’t seem too likely based on this sort of form.

Singles – First Round: (13) Ana Ivanovic def. Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 6-3

That ends Svetlana Kuznetsova’s hopes for a return to the Top 25 — and for a Top 24 Roland Garros seed.

Singles – First Round: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova def. Ksenia Pervak 6-2 6-4

No Roland Garros seed for Ksenia Pervak, who will not rise above her current #38.

Singles – First Round: Julia Goerges def. (Q) Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1 6-7(1-7) 6-3

One of the few recent signs of life for Julia Goerges, who however still needs more to move in the rankings. She leaves Aleksandra Wozniak still below #50.

Singles – First Round: Anabel Medina Garrigues def. Zheng Jie 6-2 6-1

This was a possible “only-the-winner” match, as in “only-the-winner-is-likely-to-be-seeded-in-Paris.” The loss leaves Zheng Jie at #32, which would of course get her seeded, but several players could still pass her.

Singles – First Round: Christina McHale def. Monica Niculescu 6-4 6-4

This is a definite “only-the-winner” match, because the loss leaves Monica Niculescu no better than #34. Christina McHale is at #35 in safe points, so she still needs more to be seeded (we’d guess two more wins), but she had no hope without this.

Singles – First Round: Chanelle Scheepers def. Jarmila Gajdosova 6-4 7-6(7-3)

The great Gajdosova slump continues. Hard to believe that she was seeded at last year’s U. S. Open — she won’t even be close in Paris.

Singles – First Round: Iveta Benesova def. Yanina Wickmayer 6-4 5-7 7-6(7-5)

Cross Yanina Wickmayer off the Paris seed list, too — she is down to #36 or lower.

Singles – First Round: Shahar Peer def. Peng Shuai 7-6(7-4) 4-6 3-1 retired (Left Hand Injury)

Peng Shuai was last year’s Brussels finalist, so this hurts twice. She’s injured, plus she will fall to around #30. At least she looks safe for a Paris seed.

Singles – First Round: Vania King def. Tsvetana Pironkova 6-0 6-1

Tsvetana Pironkova and slow surfaces just don’t mix.

Singles – First Round: Sofia Arvidsson def. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-3 6-2

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez came back too soon. That’s the only possible explanation for this loss to a true clay-hater. Let’s hope she’s ready by Roland Garros….

Doubles – First Round: (5) Kirilenko/Petrova def. Govortsova/Voskoboeva 6-3 6-3

More signs of recovery for Maria Kirilenko. Of course, the singles is the real test.

Doubles – First Round: (7) Grandin/Uhlirova def. Bacsinszky/Brianti 6-0 6-2

Doubles – First Round: Chuang/Dushevina def. (8) Kops-Jones/Spears 6-3 6-1

Doubles – First Round: Cibulkova/Husarova def. (WC) Burnett/Virgili 6-2 6-2

This hardly qualifies as opposition, but still, it keeps Janette Husarova on her hot streak.

Doubles – First Round: Mattek-Sands/Mirza def. Erakovic/Niculescu 6-2 6-1

Bethanie Mattek-Sands was hanging around the doubles Top Ten less than a year ago. Her injuries have left her below #50. Good to see some signs of life….