SUNDAY IN MADRID, GLOBAL CHICK CHECKS IN TO COVER THE TENNIS FOR 10SBALLS

Written by: Global Chick on 3rd May 2015

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep returns the ball to French Alize Cornet during the second round match for the Madrid Mutua Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica pavilion in Madrid, Spain, 03 May 2015. EPA/CHEMA MOYA

epa04731725 Romanian tennis player Simona Halep returns the ball to French Alize Cornet during the second round match for the Madrid Mutua Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica pavilion in Madrid, Spain, 03 May 2015. EPA/CHEMA MOYA |

So Global Chick hits the road once more, and worked diligently on the plane to preview the week ahead in sunny Madrid. What a difference a couple of hours makes. The sun was NOT shining, and stars fell a-plenty today on ladies day at The Magic Box.

There was no sprinkling of star dust from our plucky finalist from last year, as Simona Halep struggled to stay on terms with the feisty Alize Cornet, afterwards admitting she had maybe had too high expectations.

She said: “I put too much pressure on myself, and that’s why I couldn’t handle this situation and this match. I tried everything to play better today but I couldn’t so she was stronger than me and she knew how to play in the important moments.”

To be fair though, she was pragmatic enough to toss this tournament in the waste paper bin and be ready to move on. Slightly less traumatic was Maria Sharapova’s return to defend her title. She had a much more characteristic showing against Timea Bacsinszky, after her struggles in Stuttgart, and certainly fared better than the champion there, Angelique Kerber.

US tennis player Serena Williams returns the ball to her countryman Madison Brengle during the second jouney of the Madrid Mutua Open tennis tournament match at the Caja Magica pavilion in Madrid, Spain, 03 May 2015. The Madrid Mutua Open runs from 01 to 10 May 2015. EPA/JUANJO MARTIN

Award for ending a press conference abruptly went to Serena Williams, who never looks at the draw, but took umbrage when informed of her potential third round opponent. Too much information? Well probably. However despite a 6-0 6-1 win over compatriot Madison Brengle perhaps the transition was taking its toll physically on the World No. 1 and we shall see tomorrow how she shapes up against a welcomingly resurgent Sloane Stephens. She also had to go some to top Nicolas Almagro’s reaction after losing his match. Let’s just say there are few ceramic urns heading up to flower-pot heaven this evening.

As it turned out, we will not see a Serena/Venus match up as Victoria Azarenka won her second straight match over the former World No. 1 and fellow Slam championette. For too long since her comeback after an injury marred year, she has been the danger in the draw, but if she can keep backing up these wins we will see her back at the top before long.

Things get started properly for the gentlemen on Monday although there was understandably a lot of focus on Rafael Nadal, who admitted he had hurt his ankle in training, and that slipping down the rankings was inevitable, but there is no denying that all eyes will be on his opening round.

The tournament has been going for two days, but somehow it feels that it will start “properly” on Monday, so watch this space!

Topics: 10sballs, Alize Cornet, Atp, Clay tennis, global chick, Maria Sharapova, Mutua Madrid Open, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Sports, Tennis News, The Magic Box, Wta

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10sBalls_com says:

May 3, 2015 at 12:12 pm

SUNDAY IN #MADRID, GLOBAL CHICK CHECKS IN TO COVER THE #TENNIS FOR 10SBALLS- http://t.co/6rDOGONlvH @MutuaMadridOpen #MadridOpen #claytennis