Olympic Medalists Azarenka and Sharapova In Montréal

Written by: Staff on 7th August 2012

Olympic Medalists Azarenka and Sharapova In Montréal

epa03335662 Maria Sharapova of Russia in action during her Women's Singles Quarterfinal against Kim Clijsters of Belgium at the London 2012 Olympic Games Tennis competition in Wimbledon, Greater London, Britain, 02 August 2012. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

(Original Link: http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20120806/olympic-medalists-vika-maria-in-montreal_2256076_2873633)

A couple of players who fell short of their goals at London’s Olympics but still have plenty to be proud of headline the field at the Rogers Cup – the third event of the Emirates Airline US Open Series.

Top-seeded Victoria Azarenka not only became Belarus’ first tennis medalist by capturing the bronze in singles, but joined forces with Max Mirnyi for gold in the first-ever staging of Olympic mixed doubles. A three-time semifinalist at this tournament, Azarenka is looking for her fifth title of the season but her first since Indian Wells in March.

Though she netted a silver medal in her Olympics debut, Maria Sharapova is looking to shake off a 60 61 rout in the final at the hands of Serena Williams. A runner-up at this event in 2009, Sharapova is just 100 points behind Azarenka for World No.1 and has a chance to pass her on next week’s rankings.

Agnieszka Radwanska – a semifinalist at this event last year – had a forgettable Olympics in the form of a first round loss to Julia Goerges. Nevertheless, she also has a chance to ascend to No.1 after Montréal.

“Grass courts are totally different than hardcourts,” Radwanska said of the surface change from last week. “It’s going to be a bit tough to adjust, especially the first match. But I’ve had good results on hardcourts this year. So I just hope I can continue that.”

Two former Rogers Cup champions are in the field this week – 2010 winner Caroline Wozniacki and 2006 winner Ana Ivanovic. Wozniacki is coming off a quarterfinal showing at the Olympics, while Ivanovic reached the third round.

The current leader in the Emirates Airline US Open Series standings, Carlsbad champ Dominika Cibulkova, is also in Montréal. Others to keep an eye on include 2011 Rogers Cup runner-up Samantha Stosur, fifth-seeded Petra Kvitova, sixth-seeded Angelique Kerber and eighth-seeded Sara Errani.

This year’s doubles field is loaded, led by defending champions and co-World No.1s Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond, Race to Istanbul leaders Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, 2010 champions Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta and 2009 champions Nuria Llagostera Vives and María José Martínez Sánchez.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Canadian tennis news, Maria Sharapova, Montreal Open, Victoria Azarenka, women tennis news