In a battle between former Top 5 players, Chakvetadze was sharper on the day, completing a 6-1 6-3 win over Hantuchova, although the match was far tougher than the scoreline indicates - it lasted an hour and 31 minutes. Chakvetadze has now beaten Hantuchova four times in a row and was happy with her play.
"I guess Daniela just came from Asia and didn't have enough time to adapt to the jet lag and everything," Chakvetadze said. "I was trying my best today. I actually thought I wouldn't have a lot of chances to win, but it's a very big tournament and I really wanted to, so I was trying my best and it was working."
Wozniacki, ranked No.2 in the world and needing to reach the semifinals here to regain No.1, received a first round bye and will open her tournament against Chakvetadze. The Russian, who turns 24 next month, has been as high as No.5 in the world and although she is 0-3 against Wozniacki, she has pushed the Dane to three sets every time, two of them going to 6-4 in the third.
Ana Ivanovic, as she confesses, always has a song playing in her mind during matches. Last night, she must have probably started with a sweet melody, but then switched to some gloomy strain as she lost in three sets to Patty Schnyder.
Ivanovic was up a set and leading 3-0 in the second, when the music changed for her. A plethora of unforced errors followed and she eventually bowed out of the Dubai Duty Free Women's Tennis Championship 6-4, 6-7, 2-6.
"I especially like the way I came back," Schnyder said after her win. "I stuck to my game plan. I could not execute it though in the first set and a half I guess.
"She is such a tough player. She puts a lot of pressure with her serve. It's like up and down, but when it's in, it's really a big weapon. So I just tried to play the rally the way I wanted."
Schnyder started the match with an ace, but lost her serve in the fifth game. The Swiss, 32, however, fought back to level at 3-3, but Ivanovic got the break she needed in the ninth game and then served out for the set.
In the second set, Ivanovic got a break in the third, but dropped her serve in the sixth as Schynder took 12 of the 15 points in winning three games in a row. The set eventually went into the tiebreaker, which the Swiss won 7-2.
At 5-2, Ivanovic challenged a line call, but the chair umpire ruled she was late. The Serb got into an argument over it and from then on never looked the same player.
While Petra Kvitova came down to earth with a bump after beating Kim Clijsters to win the Paris Open as she crashed out in the first round in Dubai Tuesday.
The 13th-seeded Czech had breezed past new world number one Clijsters in straight sets Sunday for her third WTA career title.
But the trip to the Gulf region left her looking tired and jaded and she lost in two tie-break sets 7-6(2) 7-6(3) to Ayumi Morita, a Japanese qualifier.
9 comments:
I see The Big Stuffed Bunny winning against Licki. The last time they faced each other it was in The Big Bunny's back yard, Licki showed a wicked display of drop shots. The first drop shot left The Big Bunny immobilize. I mentioned in a previous post Licki doesn't fare well hot conditions. Last when she just arrived in Australia she was interviewed and she said that she was already getting sunburn (before hitting the courts).
Dani will be Dani. When she turned twenty-one I thought she was going to switch careers from tennis to modeling. It would have been a great career move IMO.
Captain I believe the song The Fist Pumping Imbecile heard was a Spanish classic song by Emmanuel, "Todo Se Derrumbo". Translation: Everything Collapsed. :P
Wow, not sure why my comment didn't post; guess I was watching the match too much and messed up.
Anyway, I just love it when the big stuffed bunny throws her racket down in disgust!
Hopefully, Anna can win the third set.. she's about to even it up.
That said, the commenter keeps harping on Anna's eyes looking "sick" and saying she's having trouble breathing. Which is too bad because I really want her to make a full comeback to the top 10!
Wow, now Anna just collapsed on the court. Crap.
Anna had to retire, what a shame.
The big stuffed bunny is very lucky because she was going to lose this one!
I lost my post too! Captain what is going on?
Thanks for info Caps321.
I wish Lickitongue a speedy recovery.
The portrays The Big Stuffed Bunny as someone with great attitude and all smiles. They are correct when she is winning, but the moment that she starts to lose she begins to throw her racquet, starts arguing calls, and gets into arguments with umpires.
I meant to say the MEDIA portrays The Big Stuffed Bunny as someone with great attitude...
I've heard bunny was a rather naughty girl when she played juniors. Apparently throwing her racket and such was very common!
Just read elsewhere Anna has been diagnosed with gastroenteritis.
Poor Licki. Thanks once again for the info Caps321.
So she has been Naughty Bunny all along.
Meanwhile in Memphis all the top seeds are out including Oudin who was seeded 3rd.
Some more result from Dubai:
Li Na was upset by Wicki,Wicki,Wicki in a tough three setter.
Azarenka was also victorious in a tough three set battle, defeating Peng. I'm now keeping both eyes on Peng.
Matches that caught my eye in the next round:
Pennetta vs. Azarenka (I take Pennetta)
Wicki,Wicki,Wicki vs. Peer (Peer over Wicki)
Kuzzie Vs. Schiavone (Kuzzie this time around)
Aggie vs. Sponge Bart Square Pants (Sponge Bart wins)
Sorry guys, don't know what been going on, the blog has been playing up for me for days! Now its obviously decided to attack you :P
Memphis has been fairly disappointing! I was wanting Sorana to do well, but she lost to the lone seed left!
Carlos, Ill tip Azarenka, Wicki, Kuzzie and Aggie :P
Captain, 3 out four is not bad. :P
Just wondering, did someone attack your website?
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