Today’s Women’s News (1/11) – Sydney/hobart

Written by: Staff on 11th January 2013

Brisbane International tennis tournament

Today's Women's News (1/11) - Sydney/hobart

epa03522891 Sloane Stephens of the USA returns to Serena Williams of the USA during their quarter final match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, 03 January 2013. EPA/DAVE HUNT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

Sydney

Singles – Final: (1) Agnieszka Radwanska def. Dominika Cibulkova 6-0 6-0

At least Agnieszka Radwanska didn’t waste a lot of energy here. She blitzed her way to her second title of the year, and her ninth straight win. That is the best result of anyone so far — but, of course, she hasn’t faced any of the Top Three. Indeed, Radwanska’s quality points numbers are rather unimpressive — only 117 points. Dominika Cibulkova would have earned 152 on her way to the final. But of actual points, Cibulkova earns only 320, which means she will be at #14. Radwanska is at #4, but with very little chance to move up in Melbourne even if she isn’t completely worn out from all these matches.

Doubles – Final: Petrova/Srebotnik def. (1) Errani/Vinci 6-3 6-4

Speaking of quality points, Petrova/Srebotnik had an amazing run, beating three seeded teams involving five Top Ten players. That would have earned then 136 quality points — an absolutely astounding number in doubles. The last time a team earned more than 135 quality points at a non-Slam was Azarenka/Kirilenko at Madrid 2011, and that involved five matches rather than four. We’ve kept quality point records since 1995, when the WTA dropped them. This is the most quality points earned in a four-round event in that entire time. Promising for Petrova/Srebotnik? It sure sounds like it!

Hobart

Singles – Semifinal: Elena Vesnina def. (8) Sloane Stephens 6-2 6-2

“I can say this is my time,” Elena Vesnina told the press. “I’ve played so many finals before and I’ve been a little bit unlucky in the past.” She’s half right. She’s played a lot of finals (six, including two at Premier events). But she hasn’t merely been unlucky; she has just plain collapsed. She’s never even won a Challenger title. So a title doesn’t seem like a great bet. Still, she’s shown that she has the game. And if she can somehow win that title, she is back in the Top Fifty. She leaves Sloane Stephens at #25.

Singles – Semifinal: (9) Mona Barthel def. Kirsten Flipkens 6-4 6-4

Two finals in a row here for Mona Barthel. She’s still stuck around #38, but if she wins the final (and we’d have to say she is the overwhelming favorite, just because of Elena Vesnina’s record), she will stay at #32.

Doubles – Semifinal: Babos/Minella def. Arruabarrena-Vecino/Dominguez Lino 6-2 6-2

Arruabarrena-Vecino/Dominguez Lino had a quarterfinal walkover (over top seeds Medina Garrigues/Shvedova, who had a first round bye then were unable to play), so this perhaps isn’t very meaningful.

Doubles – Semifinal: Muguruza/Torro-Flor def. Barty/Bobusic 2-6 7-6(9-7) 10-2

Muguruza/Torro Flor also had a quarterfinal walkover (in this case, over Gajdosova/Zakopalova), but at least they took advantage of their chance.