Today’s Women’s News (08/25)- New Haven Results

Written by: Staff on 25th August 2012

Today's Women's News (08/25)- New Haven Results

epa03340016 Maria Kirilenko of Russia in action during the women's bronze medal match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the London 2012 Olympic Games Tennis competition in Wimbledon, Greater London, Britain, 04 August 2012. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

New Haven

Singles – Final: (2/WC) Petra Kvitova def. (7) Maria Kirilenko 7-6(11-9) 7-5

This final rather resembled Petra Kvitova’s career in miniature: She had really hot spells and really cold spells. In particular, Maria Kirilenko led for most of the second set — and then Kvitova came to life and demolished her. It’s the second title in three weeks for Kvitova, who wins the U. S. Open series and suddenly has gone from afterthought to #5 in the WTA Race (trailing, in order, Sharapova, Azarenka, Agnieszka Radwanska, and Serena Williams; she is just barely ahead of Angelique Kerber). After starting the year 25-11 (although with only two opening-round losses), she is now 37-12. She can’t really hope to threaten #1 this year, as she did last year, but she at least should qualify for the year-end Championships. And maybe she can start next year stronger.

Maria Kirilenko is still looking for her first title since Seoul 2008; she probably needs to play more small events. But she earned enough points to rise to #12.

Doubles – Final: (1) Huber/Raymond def. (2) Hlavackova/Hradecka 4-6 6-0 10-4 (Match TB)

By the looks of things, after eight straight wins, Hlavackova/Hradecka finally ran out of gas. It was still the best hardcourt fortnight of their careers.

It’s certainly not the best-ever hardcourt result for Liezel Huber or Lisa Raymond, but it’s a nice way to go into the U. S. Open. It’s their fifth title this year, following Paris, Doha, Dubai, and Indian Wells — quite a wait since the last one! But they clearly like hardcourts a lot.

Their record is fascinating. They have 19 events this year. Only twice did they lose their openers — but the two losses were big: Miami and Roland Garros.

Because the WTA now allows only four doubles teams into the WTA Championships, the doubles Race has usually becomes either a complete blowout, with the teams settled very early, or a nailbiter, with several teams in contention almost to the end. This year looks like three teams are in very good shape with one nailbiter still to be settled. Our numbers don’t quite square with the WTA’s (something about which events count, no doubt), but our rough cut gives the following:

1. Errani/Vinci: 8097

2. Huber/Raymond: 6436

3. Hlavackova/Hradecka: 5600

4. Petrova/Kirilenko: 4055

Kops-Jones/Spears: 2983

Llagostera Vives/Martinez Sanchez: 2917

Vesnina/Makarova: 2321

Peschke/Srebotnik: 2197

On that basis, we’d say Errani/Vinci are in and Huber/Raymond and Hlavackova/Hradecka both pretty safe. We’re not even going to try to guess who gets the #4 spot.