TODAY’S WOMEN’S NEWS – Stuttgart & Fes (4/27)

Written by: Staff on 27th April 2012

TODAY'S WOMEN'S NEWS - Stuttgart & Fes (4/27)

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in action during her women's singles quarterfinals match against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 24 January 2012. EPA/MAST IRHAM |

Stuttgart

Singles – Quarterfinal: (1) Victoria Azarenka def. (WC) Mona Barthel 6-4 6-7(3-7) 7-5

So close for Mona Barthel, who kept Victoria Azarenka out there for almost three hours. Against the Azarenka of a year ago, she might well have won — but, as it is, she will have to settle for #31.

Singles – Quarterfinal: (2) Maria Sharapova def (5) Samantha Stosur 6-7(5-7) 7-6(7-5) 7-5

This match actually made it past the three hour mark; it was an incredibly long day in Stuttgart. And, after all that, it made no rankings difference!

Singles – Quarterfinal: (3) Petra Kvitova def. Angelique Kerber 6-4 6-4

This was the day’s only straight-sets match — potentially a good sign for Petra Kvitova. It makes no rankings difference; Kvitova stays #3. And Angelique Kerber stays #14, and the #3 German. On the other hand, the two Germans above her, Petkovic and Lisicki, are both missing a lot of events….

Singles – Quarterfinal: (4) Agnieszka Radwanska def. (8) Li Na 3-6 6-2 6-3

As we learned earlier this week, it has become very tough to upset Agnieszka Radwanska. She leave Li Na still stuck at #8; Marion Bartoli will retain the #7 spot.

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (5) Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova def. Llagostera Vives/Niculescu 1-6 6-4 10-8 (Match TB)

Fes

Singles – Semifinal: (Q) Kiki Bertens def. (5) Simona Halep 6-3 6-4

This just keeps getting more difficult to believe. This is of course the biggest result Kiki Bertens has ever had; she has increased her points by almost 50%, and will rise from #149 to around #105.

Singles – Semifinal: Laura Pous-Tio def. (LL) Mathilde Johansson 6-1 2-6 7-5

The outcome in this case is less of a surprise than just the fact that these two contested it. Laura Pous-Tio has the edge in late round experience, although neither of our two finalists has much; they are both going for a first title. Unfortunately, a big chunk of Pous-Tio’s limited experience came at this time last year, when she made a semifinal. So she makes a relatively slight move — from #110 to right around #100. A title would make her about #85.

Doubles – Semifinal: Begu/Cadantu def. Pliskova/Pliskova 6-4 4-6 10-5 (Match TB)

Doubles – Semifinal: Cetkovska/Panova def. Babos/Minella 6-7(5-7) 6-2 10-6 (Match TB)