ROS SATAR PREVIEWS THE LADIES TENNIS IN CINCINNATI

Written by: Global Chick on 16th August 2015

ROS SATAR PREVIEWS THE LADIES TENNIS IN CINCINNATI

Serena Williams of the US in action against Italy's Roberta Vinci in their quarterfinal match at the Rogers Cup women's tennis tournament in Toronto, Canada, 14 August 2015. EPA/WARREN TODA |

WTA Cincy Preview… and the Ice-Cream Mission by Ros Satar

There are scant hours now before the main draw of the Western and Southern Open starts in Cincinnati – are we headed for the ultimate showdown between the stars of the WTA, as a prelude to the main act of the US Open?

On paper we could be heading for a showdown between the World Nos. 1 and 2, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, but let’s be honest – are things ever that easy?

Williams may have overcome her opening wobbles in Toronto, after dropping a set against Flavia Pennetta in her opening round, and since barely put a foot wrong – until the semi-final. There she met an inspired Belinda Bencic. The 18-year-old showed the world that one day, she could well be ready to sit at the top of the tree with poise and tactical nous that betrays her years to make the World No. 1 work hard to even stay in contention, as she ousted Williams 3-6 7-5 6-4.

“I thought she did really well at everything tonight,” Williams said of her young opponent after the match. “She really reads the ball well, and she really fought well. I knew that about her already, that she never gives up and she fights hard.

“I felt pretty much in control until I lost the match. I always felt I still had an opportunity to stay in there. And obviously I was down and stuff. But I just wasn’t playing well today. It wasn’t my day. Hopefully I can rectify that going into Cincinnati next week and then going into the US Open.

Williams could face Sloane Stephens, who clocked her first WTA title, finally laying to rest that criticism of her game. She may also wind up against Ana Ivanovic will not doubt be hunting for results, having recently rejoined former coach Nigel Sears.

Petra Kvitova announced that she has been suffering from mono, although she was cleared to play in Toronto, and now it explains a lot abut the exhaustion earlier in the year, but it is a lot of ground now for the fourth seed to make up, in a hot and humid environment that rarely helps her.

Caroline Wozniacki highlighted some of the issues behind the top seeds’ scheduling this week, having felt forced to play in Toronto,, and our pick of the round two encounters is another battle between the Dane and Victoria Azarenka – the Belarusian is definitely on her way back up the rankings, and she is still the early nightmare in the draw for the top seeds.

The beauty of Cincinnati is that it is also a combined ATP/WTA draw and things are about to get interesting! With his win over Kei Nishkori to set up another final with Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray is set to leapfrog Roger Federer for the World No. 2 spot when the new rankings come out on Monday. Over the next week we will be keeping a very firm eye on the rankings which will determine the all-important US Open seedings.

Last year’s US Open finalist Nishikori will be missing from the Cincy line-up – after tailing off pretty badly against Murray on Saturday night, he is opting to return to Bradenton to prepare to defend some hefty points at the month.

The Ice Cream Mission

So what of the ice-cream mission? Graeters are one of the longest standing sponsors of the Western and Southern Open, and in the hot and humid conditions, I have gladly, nay selflessly accepted a mission to try as many of their restorative flavours as possible during the tournament.

The secret of their success is the use of the French Pot processes – two-and-a-half gallon French Pot Freezers, one batch at a time, and… get this… hand packed into their tubs!

Founded at the turn of the 18th and 19th century, this company have been producing hand crafted ice-creams for over 145 years, priding themselves on your use of natural ingredients – so if it’s natural it has to be good for you, right?

Now of course there is no way of knowing what flavours they will choose to have available at their concessions at the Western & Southern Open, but you can be sure of my diligence in reporting back in as much detail as possible.

Now… did I pack my gym gear?

Ros Satar will be reporting from the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati from Tuesday 18 August.

Topics: Caro Wozniacki, Cincinnati, Flavia Pennetta, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Ros Satar, Serena Williams, Sloane Stephens, Sports, Tennis News, Victoria Azarenka, Western & Southern Open, Wta

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10sBalls_com says:

August 16, 2015 at 9:47 am

ROS SATAR PREVIEWS THE LADIES TENNIS IN CINCINNATI- http://t.co/qJrwDgaRkW #tennis #Cincinnati #WTA @rfsatar