Today’s Women’s News (08/13)

Written by: Staff on 13th August 2012

Today's Women's News (08/13)

epa03282132 Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic returns to Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 26 June 2012. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Canadian Open

Singles – Final: (5) Petra Kvitova def. (10) Li Na 7-5 2-6 6-3

Officially there weren’t a lot of double-faults in this match. But, somehow, it seemed as if we had a pile of them in the final set. Maybe it was just the complete unpredictability of it all. Petra Kvitova started strong. Then, in the second set, she faded out, and Li Na turned it on and won four straight games at love. But then Li flickered out again in the third.

It is the first title for Kvitova since she won the Istanbul championships at the end of last year. Which means that she will be climbing in the rankings for the first time in about as long. #6 coming in, she will rise to #5. Unfortunately for her, that is as high as she can go before the U. S. Open; she has no shot at the #4 seed. But at least she’ll go in on a relatively high note.

As will Li Na. She has been struggling almost as much as Kvitova, but with this, she rises from #11 to #9.

Cincinnati

Singles – First Round: (11) Dominika Cibulkova def. (Q) Akgul Amanmuradova 6-3 6-4

Dominika Cibulkova and Ana Ivanovic are the main contenders for the #12 U. S. Open seed. First blow to Cibulkova….

Singles – First Round: (WC) Camila Giorgi def. (14) Francesca Schiavone 6-1 6-3

That’s one wildcard well earned! Not only does Camila Giorgi beat a seed, she beats a seed from her own country, which is often especially hard. It appears that will leave Francesca Schiavone still below #20.

Singles – First Round: Julia Goerges def. Shahar Peer 6-3 6-3

Shahar Peer will remain stuck below the Top Fifty.

Singles – First Round: Anabel Medina Garrigues def. Simona Halep 6-3 6-0

Anabel Medina Garrigues needs a solid result here to earn a U. S. Open seed, so this is a nice start.

Singles – First Round: Mona Barthel def. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-0 6-4

Mona Barthel also starts well on her U. S. Open seed quest.

Singles – First Round: (Q) Johanna Larsson def. (Q) Casey Dellacqua 6-1 6-3

This appears to mean no return to the Top Hundred for Casey Dellacqua.

Singles – First Round: (LL) Timea Babos def. Varvara Lepchenko 7-6(7-4) 6-4

Varvara Lepchenko came in a leading contender for a U. S. Open seed, but this almost certainly will end her hopes.

Singles – First Round: (Q) Eleni Daniilidou def. (Q) Vania King 6-3 2-6 7-6(8-6)

A major surprise on this surface. It costs Vania King her Top Fifty shot.

Singles – First Round: (Q) Urszula Radwanska def. Ksenia Pervak 6-2 6-4

Urszula Radwanska continues her big year — this by itself won’t gain her much, but anything more could take her close to the Top Forty.

Doubles – First Round: (5) Hlavackova/Hradecka def. Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova 7-6(7-1) 7-6(7-5)

No sign yet of Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova breaking their slump.

Doubles – First Round: Dushevina/Suarez def. Chuang/Husarova 6-3 6-4

This would seem to answer the question of whether Paola Suarez is ready to re-retire, but it doesn’t really tell us whether she has chosen a long-term partner.