Cici Bellis: Another American Teen causing a stir at her first US Open - UBITENNIS
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Cici Bellis: Another American Teen causing a stir at her first US Open

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TENNIS US OPEN – Fifteen year old Cici Bellis caused a major upset on Tuesday by knocking out 12th seed Dominika Cibulkova. The teenager has made it publicly known that she is not going “pro” just yet and so will not be accepting the $60, 420 in prize money for this 1st round victory. Is it the right choice? From New York, Cordell Hackshaw

 

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Ubaldo talks to Gordon Bellis

It seems like every year when the USTA gives out their wildcards for the US Open main draw to the talented lot of young American players, amongst them is one who makes a major splash at the tournament. This year, it appears as though 15-year-old Catherine Cartan “Cici” Bellis is that player. She came into this tournament a virtual unknown to most tennis fans. Last year, she lost in the 3rd round of the Juniors to the eventual champion, Ana Konjuh. However, this year, she knocked out 12th seed and 2014 Australian Open finalist, Dominika Cibulkova in 6-1 4-6 6-4 in the first round of the main draw. Yet, this is not the biggest byline of this story. Bellis has made it publicly known that she is not going “pro” just yet and so will not be accepting the $60, 420 in prize money for this 1st round victory.

Since the Australian Open, Cibulkova has been struggling to find that form to be a major contender. She has played poorly at most of the regular tour tournaments and lost in the 3rd round at both the French Open and Wimbledon. Coming into the US Open, Cibulkova won only a single match at the four US Open Series tournaments she played. Although Bellis’ father, Gordon Bellis, stated that the plan for her in this first round encounter was not to lose “double bagels,” tennis fans knew that Cibulkova was susceptible to an early upset. The young American broke Cibulkova to open the match and never looked back for the rest of the set taking it 6-1 in 23 minutes. In the 2nd set, Cibulkova gained control early when she led 4-2. Bellis battled back to level it at 4-4 but Cibulkova lifted her game again to close out the set 6-4 and thus level the match.

One expected Bellis to shrink under the pressure but she persevered. She came back from an early break in the set to lead 5-4. Cibulkova serving to stay in the match could not come up with the goods. Bellis broke Cibulkova to take the match 6-1 4-6 6-4 in an hour and 43 minutes. “I went into the match thinking it was going to be such a great experience, but I never thought I would come out on top winning,” said Bellis after the match.

The young American players who have all made a splash at the Open over the past few years have all benefited from numerous sponsors and endorsements but Bellis would not be one of those. “I think I’m definitely going to stay an amateur right now to keep my options open for college, in case an injury or something happens. But I’d love to be a pro one day.” According to Mr. Bellis, a college education is really important to the family and this was something that was decided amongst them all. On initial glance, this might seem like a strange decision as tennis has a long history of young tennis stars several of whom are the sport’s greats. However, in recent times, this has become less of an occurrence. Consider that on the ATP, Nick Kyrgios is the only teenager in the top 100. On the women’s side, it has been the tour veterans who are dominating at the big tournaments, Maria Sharapova, Li Na, Flavia Pennetta. Serena Williams, the current world’s number 1 is 32 years old, soon to be 33 in September.

Several years ago, the WTA put in place a very strict and detailed age limit on tour. Players have to be 18 years or older in order to be fully on the tour and cannot join the tour until they are 14. The young players are limited to a handful number of tournaments and have to qualify rightly or gain a wildcard which is also regulated. This has greatly reduced the ability for most of these young players to gain any real foothold on the tour. Even if they are winning, it is virtually impossible for them to maintain the ranking and move up high as the number of points they are able to earn is also limited. Therefore, those initial lucrative sponsors and endorsement will soon dry up when the good results and ranking do not materialize. These young players then soon find themselves facing mounting bills and difficulties breaking even whilst traversing this global sport. The pressure to produce often times become too much. Consider the case of Melanie Oudin and her magical 2009 US Open run at 17. Since then, she has yet to win a tour title and has only won 4 matches at the majors. She lost in qualifications this year.

With this in mind, Bellis’ opting to forgo this early professional route and to stick to playing junior tennis and concentrate on school, is far more sound than senseless. She is being home-schooled so as to have more practice time. According to her father, Bellis is extremely driven about her tennis career and holds very strong opinions on the matter. He however, feels that at this time, there are more important things than the potential money she can make. He noted that there are many cases of young tennis “phenoms” burning out early and also the emotional turmoil between them and their parents. Both he and his wife, Lori Bellis, are trying to prevent any of these issues from affecting their only child. Nonetheless, Bellis is only 15 years old and there is still about 3 years before she can become a full tour member and also before entering college. That is a lot of time for things to change. Bellis will next play Zarina Diyas for a place in the 3rd round.

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Dissatisfied Aryna Sabalenka Reaches French Open Third Round

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Aryna Sabalenka has sealed her place in the last 32 of the French Open for the fourth consecutive year after overcoming a spirited performance from qualifier Iryna Shymanovich. 

 

The world No.2 powered her way to a 7-5, 6-2, win over her compatriot in a match where she at times struggled to maintain consistency in her shot-making. Sabalenka’s powerful hitting produced some stunning shots but also resulted in some costly errors which proved pragmatic at times.

“I’m not really happy with my game today,” said Sabalenka, who hit 23 unforced errors compared to 21 winners. “I’m going to work a little bit tomorrow and make sure I’m ready for the next round a little bit better than I was today.” 

The first set was a far-from-perfect performance from the reigning Australian Open champion who produced a total of 17 unforced errors. Sabalenka looked to be on a good footing early after breaking for a 4-2 lead but her inconsistency enabled Shymanovich to claw her way back to level. Nudging ahead to a 6-5 lead, the second seed snatched the opener after prevailing in a marathon seven-deuce service game. Two set points came and went before Sabalenka converted her third with the help of a drop shot from her opponent landing out. 

Sabalenka, who is challenging Iga Swiatek for the No.1 spot in Paris, started the second set emphatically by breaking for a 2-0 lead. However, she failed to capitalize on the opportunity as once again Shymanovich broke back. Prompting her to look towards her entourage in the crowd in frustration.

Despite the blip, the 25-year-old bounced back to crush her opponent’s hope of a shock win. Surging to a 5-2 lead, Sabalenka worked her way to three match points with a powerful forehand strike that forced her rival to return the ball out. She prevailed on her second opportunity after a Shymanovich shot crashed into the net.

“It was a tough match,” Sabalenka reflected. “She played really great tennis and I’m happy that no matter what I was able to fight for every point. I’m happy to get this win.” 

Sabalenka will next take on either Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova or Magdalena Frech. Should she win that match, she will achieve her best-ever run at the French Open. Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam where she is yet to reach the semi-final stage.


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Roland Garros Daily Preview: Inspiring Stories Abound on Wednesday

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Stan Wawrinka on Monday in Paris (twitter.com/rolandgarros)

Second round singles action begins on Wednesday in Paris.

 

Top names like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and Stefanos Tsitsipas will all be considerable favorites on Wednesday, so this preview will focus on what are likely to be Day 4’s more competitive matchups.  And they include some inspiring stories: a 38-year-old former champion fighting back from injury for one more deep run at a Major, the American No.1 playing while thinking about her seriously ill mother, and a former top 10 player from France who has battled his way back from depression and alcohol issues.

Throughout the tournament, this preview will analyze the day’s four most prominent matches, while highlighting the other notable matches on the schedule.  Wednesday’s play begins at 11:00am local time.


Camila Giorgi vs. Jessica Pegula (3) – 11:45am on Court Philippe-Chatrier

Earlier this year in an essay for The Players’ Tribune, Pegula divulged the healthy crisis her family has been enduring.  Her mother, Kim, went into cardiac arrest last June and nearly died.  Kim’s has improved considerably, but she’s still battling significant health issues a year later.  Jess has spoken about how her mom’s fight has inspired her tennis in recent months.

Pegula sits at a career-high ranking of No.3 in singles, and is No.2 in doubles.  The 29-year-old American has advanced to the quarterfinals at four of the last five Majors, including this one a year ago.  Jess also claimed her first WTA 1000 title last October is Guadalajara.

Giorgi is also a WTA 1000 champion, having won at that level two years ago in Canada.  She is 14-9 on the year, and ousted France’s Alize Cornet in straight sets in the first round. 

They have met nine times at all levels, with Pegula leading 7-2, taking their last four encounters.  Giorgi’s last victory over Pegula came during that 2021 Montreal title run.  Jess is the superior clay court player, and should advance comfortably despite the always-dangerous power the Italian possesses.


Marketa Vondrousova vs. Daria Kasatkina (9) – Second on Court Suzanne-Lenglen

Vondrousova was a surprising runner-up here four years ago as a 19-year-old.  But multiple surgeries have disrupted her young career, with her only final since that 2019 French Open run coming at the Tokyo Olympics, when she took home a silver medal after losing to Belinda Bencic.  Yet Marketa is back in strong form, with a record of 20-8 this season, and recent clay court victories over the likes of Maria Sakkari and Bianca Andreescu.

Kasatkina may be a top 10 seed, but she is only 13-12 in 2023.  A semifinalist here a year ago, Daria would drop out of the top 10 with a loss on Wednesday, which puts a lot of pressure on her shoulders.

This should be a fun matchup, with both players possessing plenty of variety in their games.  And they have split four prior meetings, and are 1-1 on clay.  But based on recent form, Vondrousova is a slight favorite to take out the ninth seed.


Stan Wawrinka vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis (WC) – Second on Court Simonne-Mathieu

Wawrinka’s title run in Paris came eight years ago, with recent years filled with surgeries and a whole lot of rehab.  Yet that made his first-round five-set victory over Albert Ramos-Vinolas all the more satisfying.  Stan is looking to reach the third round of a Major since this tournament in 2020.

Kokkinakis’ career has been sabotaged by injuries from a very young age.  But the 27-year-old Australian has been enjoying the healthiest stretch of his career across the last few seasons.  Thanasi is 24-12 this year at all levels, and upset Dan Evans in straight sets in the first round.

Their first career meeting feels like it could go either way.  The much-younger Kokkinakis should be the fresher player on the day.  However, in the second round of the last Major, Thanasi suffered an excruciating loss to another aging Slam champ, in a near six-hour affair with Andy Murray.  That is the kind of loss that sticks with you for a long time, especially when it happens at your home Major.  With that in mind, I favor the Stanimal to pull out another tight victory on Wednesday.


Lucas Pouille (Q) vs. Cameron Norrie (14) – Last on Court Suzanne-Lenglen

Currently ranked 675th in the world, Pouille has won four matches since the start of qualifying, even defeating lucky loser Jurij Rodionov twice, once in qualifying and once in the main draw.  Both of his victories over Rodionov were emotional: one was spent shedding tears of joy while holding his young son, the other spent singing La Marseillaise along with the Parisian crowd.  After the demons Lucas has faced in recent years, each victory is as sweet as a French crepe.

Meanwhile, Norrie has become one of the sport’s most reliable performers since upping his physical fitness a few years ago.  The 27-year-old is 28-10 in 2023, and survived a five-setter in the opening round against another Frenchman, Benoit Paire.

They have split their two prior meetings, both of which took place at Majors, and both of which were close.  Five years ago at this tournament, Pouille prevailed in a fourth set tiebreak.  Two years ago at Wimbledon, Norrie prevailed 7-5 in the fourth.  In the rubber match on Wednesday, Cam must be favored despite what any French heartstrings may say.


Other Notable Matches on Wednesday:

Roberto Carballes Baena vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) – Tsitsipas required four sets, and was nearly pushed to a fifth, against Jiri Vesely on Sunday.  Carballes Baena won in straights, and won at ATP title on clay last month in Marrakech.  When they met five years ago on clay in Estoril, Stefanos narrowly prevailed in a third-set tiebreak.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs. Taro Daniel – Alcaraz dropped just seven games on Monday, in his first match at a Major as a Slam champion and World No.1.  Daniel also prevailed in straight sets, and is now 8-6 this year at tour level.  At a clay court Challenger tournament two years ago, Carlitos defeated Taro in three sets.

Iryna Shymanovich (Q) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2) – Sabalenka easily won her opener on Sunday, while 25-year-old qualifier Shymanovich claimed her first victory at a Major in her debut at this level.  Aryna could become the new World No.1 this fortnight depending on how far she and Iga Swiatek advance.

Novak Djokovic (3) vs. Marton Fucsovics – Djokovic claimed his 86th French Open victory on Monday in straight sets.  Fucsovics claimed his seventh, and is 0-4 against Novak, though he’s taken a set in three of their four meetings.


Wednesday’s full Order of Play is here.

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Best-Of-Five Women’s Matches At The French Open A Possibility, Says Tournament Chief

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The tournament director of the French Open has said she would welcome a potential change for women to play best-of-five matches during the later stages of the tournament if it added value. 

 

Amelie Mauresmo, who is a former world No.1 player on the WTA Tour, told The Telegraph that she would ‘love’ women to play a longer final in the future. As it currently stands, all women’s matches at Grand Slam tournaments are best-of-three sets and the men are best-of-five. 

Although this could change in the future should Mauresmo get the relevant backing. The best-of-five format was previously used at the WTA Finals between 1984-1998 in the title match. Other past examples include the US Championships between 1891-1901 and Billie Jean King’s Battle of the Sexes match against Bobby Riggs in 1973. 

“What I’ve always thought, and this was also as a player, I would love to play a grand-slam final best-of-five or how it was at the year-end WTA championships,” Mauresmo told The Telegraph“That is something that I would have really loved, and it’s definitely something that I would really think about, if that would add something to women’s tennis.” 

Although such a change at Roland Garros would take ‘several years’ for it to be incorporated into the tournament. Furthermore, best-of-five matches for women would only be applied to the later stages of the tournament due to the scheduling.

“Maybe quarters, or maybe semis. The thing is, you cannot change it just like that. Because it asks a different preparation from the players. It would go through a different process of several years, maybe you start with the final.” She said. 

During the 2021 Miami Open Stefanos Tsitsipas suggested that women should play a longer format as there is equal pay in the sport. Speaking to reporters, the Greek said that he was ‘’told that women have better endurance than men’ so ‘maybe they can also play best-of-five’.

However, that proposal was shot down at the time by Naomi Osaka who argued that such a change would have big implications on the WTA Tour. 

“I feel like that would change the structure of tennis. Like people will start doing things differently in the gym and stuff like that,” Osaka said. 
“It will probably also take a very long time to be implemented.”

Notable figures such as the Williams sisters, Angelique Kerber, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova have all previously spoken in favour of women playing the format. 

This year is the 127th edition of the French Open which has had equal prize money since 2007. 

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