For an event that prides itself on order, tradition and decorum, so far this year’s Wimbledon exhibited none of those noble features after one of the most turbulent weeks in recent memory. With seeded players falling from the draw sheet and literally falling on court, organizers will be forgiven if they decide to have an extra shot of brandy as they take a respite on this middle Sunday.
Here’s a look back at some of the highlights and lowlights of a very memorable first week. Continue reading
According to the London Times yesterday, Andy Roddick was preparing to announce he was withdrawing from the Barclays ATP Finals in London due to his ongoing knee injury. The internet was abuzz with the rumor and waited for the news.
Well, we’re still waiting.
As of now, Roddick is still officially in the field although Robin Soderling and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are the official alternates should Roddick bow out.
At last year’s ATP finale in Shanghai, Roddick lost his first round match to Andy Murray then withdrew from his next match due to an ankle injury. If Roddick does withdraw prior to the finale start, he would at least give Soderling a chance to win the whole thing and avoid the injury plagued drama of that WTA season ending event in Doha where alternates Vera Zvonareva and Agnieska Radwankska were called up to play with no hope of winning the event.
Stay tuned.
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Now that the WTA season is over and the ladies are resting up for Australia, I thought it was time to look ahead and give my predictions for 2010. 2009 was a drama filled year and I expect even more next year. Players will be “ranked” according to what I think their year-end ranking will be for 2010.
1. Serena Williams – Even with the return of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters, I don’t expect anyone to take over the top spot from Serena and expect her to win at least two Slams for 2010.
2. Caroline Wozniacki – “Sunshine” as she’s known on the tour will have another consistent year and will find herself in another Slam final. If she can win a big one remains to be seen but it will be hard to bet against her next year. Conditioning and her excessive match play may hurt her down the road.
3. Dinara Safina – A lot depends on Safina’s current back injury and her mental toughness for 2010. I can see her in a Slam final but she will have to dismiss whatever demons she has in order to make it back to the top spot.
4. Svetlana Kuznetsova – Despite her mental flaws, “Sveta” will always be a factor in 2010 and will probably make it to another Slam final. If she wins a Slam next year is entirely up to her. Watch out for her at the Australian Open as she finished 2010 in good shape healthwise.
5. Venus Williams – 2010 will be the last chance at glory for Venus as she turns 30 this year. Aside from Wimbledon, she’s not been a factor for a while at the other Slams and her knee could be a big issue. Plus the fact that no one tour is afraid of playing her could may next year very tough.
6-9. These slots will change depending on the names, i.e. Jelena Jankovic, Victoria Azarenka, Elena Dementieva, etc. They could breakthrough and win a Slam, but let’s face it, shouldn’t they have done so already?
10. Kim Clijsters – Everybody keeps salivating over Henin’s return but Clijsters, who played lights out tennis at the U.S. Open, will still go into every tournament with nothing to lose and thus no pressure. I expect Kimmie to be a factor in Australia and a heavy favorite at the U.S. Open again.
Wildcards – Justine Henin will be the story at the Australian Open win or lose. It will all depend on her draws and I actually think the clay court season is where she will find the most success. She has more to lose than Kim Clijsters in her comeback so a Slam victory in 2010 is paramount.
Sam Stosur – Stosur finally won a WTA event in ’09 and will probably break into the top 10 next year. She’s got the game to win a big one, maybe even Wimbledon, but does she believe she can win is the question.
Maria Sharapova – Sharapova is finally getting back on track after a rocky 2009. If her serve starts clicking again, she could be a factor but probably not until Wimbledon.
Ana Ivanovic – 2010 will define Ivanovic’s entire career. If she can get over her mental and physical fatigue, she could work her way back into the top ten again. If she can’t, I could see her retiring early. Hope I’m wrong.
Melanie Oudin – Next year will be the real test for the feisty American to prove the U.S. Open run was no fluke. I definitely see her in the top 20 before too long. Perhaps the French Open will be her next surprise Slam as she says she likes the clay?
Amelie Mauresmo – There’s been no word yet on Mauresmo’s potential retirement but even if she decides to stick it out, 2010 will probably be her last year. Maybe she will finally go for broke and play with nothing to lose? If so, we could be in for a real treat.
Let me know what you think!
Jelena Jankovic is in the semifinals of the WTA Sony Ericsson Championships at Doha despite having just played just over 90 minutes in all of her matches. Today Jankovic defeated a tired Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-2.
Jankovic benefited from the early retirement of Dinara Safina in her first round match. In my opinion that match should not have counted as it prevented the other alternates Vera Zvonareva or Agnieska Radwanska any chance of advancing to the title stage.
Case in point. Today Radwanska in the only match she can play at the event defeated Victoria Azarenka 4-6, 7-5, 4-1 (ret) after Azarenka retired due to injury. This means Wozniacki will make into the semifinals along with Jankovic, Serena Williams and Venus Williams who got in after Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Elena Dementieva easily 6-3, 6-2.
I’m rather disappointed in the play of Kuznetsova, who despite winning with ease today, really had chances against both Venus and Serena in their previous matches. The event is also a disappointment for Dementieva who caps off what should have been a breakthrough year with yet another substandard result at a big event.
While Serena Williams continues dominantion in her Maroon Group play at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, the White Group suffered another injury withdrawal as Vera Zvonareva, who replaced the injured Dinara Safina, withdrew today after losing to Caroline Wozniacki earlier in the day.
Agnieska Radwanska will now take Zvonareva’s place tomorrow as she takes on Jelena Jankovic.
Serena is the only player confirmed for the semifinals as she easily beat Elena Dementieva 6-2, 6-4. Serena was extremely agressive in her play and kept looking for winners the entire match. When she won, she let out a primal yell that let everybody know she was ready to claim the whole event.
Venus Williams kept her chances alive by winning a topsy-turvy match against Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2 6-7(3) 6-4. Kuznetsova will now have to win her match tomorrow against Dementieva to stay in the event.
If you are trying to figure the current standings at Doha, click here.
Adjusting the Net 