Caroline Garcia breezes through while Bouchard changes focus after defeat - UBITENNIS
Connect with us

WTA

Caroline Garcia breezes through while Bouchard changes focus after defeat

Caroline Garcia comfortably beat Varvara Lepchenko to earn a place in round three, while Eugenie Bouchard lost to Sara Errani and then reflected on her recent poor form.

Published

on

zimbio.com

Caroline Garcia cruised to a 6-2 6-3 win over Varvara Lepchenko in the second round of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston.

 

The Frenchwoman, 24, is the number one seed at the event after her excellent performances in 2017 propelled her into the world’s top ten.

And she started like the favourite as she served superbly and struck her groundstrokes well to win 11 of the first 12 points and go 3-0 up in the blink of an eye.

The rest of the opening set was more competitive after Lepchenko held serve in game four. But it was too late for the American to turn it around and, after three tight games that all went against the server, Garcia clinched it 6-2.

Both players were much more consistent in the second set and the World No.7 led 4-3 after the first seven games went comfortably with serve.

At that point, Garcia stepped up her aggression and hit a series of trademark power shots from the back of the court to break Lepchenko. She then saved two break points as she held to complete a comfortable victory.

“I moved a little bit better than her today and I made fewer mistakes,” Garcia said in her on-court interview. “I saved two break points (in the last game) with good serves.”

She continued, “It was close in a couple of games and I was able to be a bit more aggressive and play some good points in important moments.”

Bouchard’s search for rhythm

zimbio.com

In the match that preceded Garcia on Charleston’s main court, Eugenie Bouchard played superbly at times during her 6-4 6-4 loss to Sara Errani.

At one stage in the second set, the Canadian produced sparkling tennis to win three games in a row and recover from 3-1 down.

However, she failed to break after taking the Italian to deuce in game eight and fell apart thereafter as Errani won seven of the last eight points to seal victory.

Despite that late collapse and an inconsistent first set, Bouchard should be encouraged by how she performed. The Canadian can consider herself unlucky that she came up against an inspired Errani, as the Italian produced some top-class clay-court tennis to beat her.

In her press conference, Bouchard reflected on her recent struggles which have caused her ranking to plummet to No.111. The Canadian said she plans to enter smaller tournaments below tour level for a few months after competing in Bogota.

She said, “Sometimes I feel good, and sometimes I have no idea what’s going on. I think the most important thing is just to keep going, and I’ve been feeling good in practice recently, and it’s obviously that elusive thing of bringing the practice to the match.”

“I think just more matches will help me out. It’s tough training for two weeks, playing a match, losing, training for two weeks, playing a match, losing. It’s a tough cycle, because then you just feel more nervous and feel extra pressure for that match, especially when you’re on centre court and it’s a big tournament and maybe you got a wildcard. So I’ve been putting myself in tough situations as well.”

“I want to play some smaller tournaments and just get matches where no-one’s there, no-one cares, and just grind, just to get the rhythm back.”

Barty and Vesnina advance

zimbio.com

Elsewhere in Charleston, Ashleigh Barty looked in excellent form as she dispatched young American Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-2 in just 69 minutes in the opening match in the Volvo Car Stadium.

The World No.18 will play Tatjana Maria in round two after the German dismantled Lauren Davis 6-3 6-0.

2016 finalist Elena Vesnina withstood a second-set comeback to overcome Madison Brengle 6-3 2-6 6-2 and set up a second-round clash with Taylor Townsend, who beat a woefully out-of-form Heather Watson 6-3 6-4.

It was also a very unhappy day for 2010 champion Sam Stosur, who was thrashed 6-2 6-4 by World No.109 Kristie Ahn, and Katerina Siniakova, who was hammered 6-4 6-1 by Kristyna Pliskova.

WTA

Iga Swiatek Criticises WTA’s Reform Of 2024 Calendar

Published

on

Iga Swiatek has hit out at the WTA by claiming that only a handful of players were made aware of changes being made to the Tour calendar before they came into effect.

 

In recent weeks there has been an increase in frustration among players on the women’s Tour with letters being sent to the head of the WTA, Steve Simon, about their concerns. Swiatek has also sent her own letter to the governing body. According to The Athletic, some of the concerns that have been raised relates to higher pay on the Tour, adjustments to scheduling to help support players, expanded childcare and calls for a member of the PTPA to be present on the WTA Player’s Council.

The WTA has also been in the firing line concerning their management of the Tour finals which took place in Cancun last month and was won by Switek. Some of those who took part complained about the court conditions and lack of preparation they had. The stadium court wasn’t fully constructed until the same weekend the tournament began. 

Although, for the world No.1 her principle criticism concerns the 2024 calendar and the rules in place reagrding playing in mandatory events. Swiatek says some of the decisions have been made following discussions with ‘third parties’ and believes players are not being listened to. 

“There is room for improvement,” she said during an interview with newspaper Rzeczpospolita.
“As players, we are dissatisfied with the calendar for next year and the increase in the number of mandatory tournaments and restrictions related to withdrawing from them.’
“We want to change this. We need more balance and time to get back home. Sometimes, however, we beat our heads against the wall. Some decisions seem to be the result of promises made to third parties, federations and tournament organizers.’
“We find out about them after the fact. This causes frustration. Only a handful of players were aware of the calendar reform and the WTA cannot lead to such a situation again, since it considers itself an organization created for tennis players.”

The 22-year-old argues that these changes would give players more time to rest and see their families. Although Swiatek admits that she is in a more fortunate situation than some of her peers from a financial perspective. This season the Pole has earned $9,857,686 in prize money this year which is more than any other female player. 

“I hope that we will be able to change something – for example in the rules regarding withdrawing from tournaments,” she continued.
“Fortunately, I am in a situation where I can afford for my family to go on a trip with me, but not everyone can afford it. Many players rather save all their money to pay their coaches.’
“However, there is a difference between taking your family with you and returning home, when you can wash your clothes and spend time in the place where you grew up. I often miss Warsaw.”

Swiatek has won 68 out of 79 matches played this season, claiming six titles on the Tour. In the Grand Slams, she won the French Open, and reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the fourth round at the other two. She currently has a 245-point lead over second-place Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA standings. 

Continue Reading

WTA

‘A Long Way to Go’ – Iga Swiatek Must Improve A Key Element Of Her Game, Says Navratilova

Published

on

Martina Navratilova has hailed Iga Swiatek’s winning end to her season but believes the Pole needs to continue working on a certain aspect of her game to become a better player. 

 

Swiatek reclaimed the world No.1 ranking during the WTA Finals where she clinched the year-end title in Mexico. She closes out the year on an 11-match winning streak after also winning the China Open before playing at the WTA Finals. Overall, she has reached the semi-finals or better at 12 out of 17 Tour events played and has won 68 out of 79 matches during 2023. In the Grand Slams, she won the French Open, reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the fourth round at the other two. 

Now sitting at the top of the WTA rankings with a 245-point lead over second place Aryna Sabalenka, Swiatek has begun her off-season which is the period that players normally use to work on their game. 

As to what she needs to work on, Navratilova believes a key issue for the four-time Grand Slam champion involves her volleying technique. Speaking to wtatennis.com, Navratilova says there is ‘still a long way to go’ for the former world No.1 but adds that she will become a more formidable player on the Tour if she makes improvements. 

“The thing I’d target is getting to the net. I mean, she’s gotten better but there’s still a long way to go on the volley front, particularly that first volley — the transition volley, which is probably the most difficult shot in the game,” said Navratilova. 
“I think that’s where she can improve the most. Iga still has a tendency to run back to the baseline when she really should be going forward. And if she gets that going? Watch out. She can still get a few more mph on her serve, too. The groundstrokes are solid as a rock. And the drop shot — I think she had something like two drop shots all year. When she adds that and uses it at the right time — because with her topspin she really pushes people back behind the baseline — she’ll be even more deadly.”

Continuing her analysis, the 67-year-old believes Swiatek can also increase the speed of her serves even more. 

“She can still get a few more mph on her serve, too. The groundstrokes are solid as a rock. And the drop shot — I think she had something like two drop shots all year. When she adds that and uses it at the right time — because with her topspin she really pushes people back behind the baseline — she’ll be even more deadly.” She added. 

Navratilova has also highlighted areas that she believes other players need to work on. In her view, Sabalenka’s goal should be to work more on her movement during matches. Meanwhile, for US Open champion Coco Gauff, the development of her forehand will play an important part in her game. 

Swiatek ends the season with five WTA titles to her name. 

Continue Reading

WTA

Naomi Osaka Eager To Reclaim No.1 Spot, Says Coach

Published

on

NAOMI OSAKA OF JAPAN AT THE 2022 MADRID OPEN - PHOTO: ALVARO DIAZ / MMO

Naomi Osaka is targeting a return to the very top of the women’s game when she begins her comeback, according to a member of her team. 

 

Performance coach Florian Zitzelsberger has told tennis.com that the four-time Grand Slam champion is ‘balanced and happy’ with herself after taking time away from the sport to give birth to her first child, a baby girl called Shai. The 26-year-old hasn’t played a competitive match on the Tour since the 2022 Pan Pacific Open and currently doesn’t have a ranking due to her inactivity. She has already confirmed her intention to resume her tennis career in 2024 but it is still unclear as to what her first tournament will be.

Providing a glimpse into Osaka’s current progress, Zitzelsberger says she is setting her sights on chasing after more Grand Slam titles. Zitzelsberger is the co-founder of Integralis Physiotherapie and has worked with Osaka in the past. He has also collaborated with the likes of Kevin Anderson, Julia Goerges and Petra Kvitova. 

“Where she is today is what makes working with her so inspiring,” he said. “She wants to get back to world No. 1, she wants to win Grand Slams. She gives me the impression of someone who is totally balanced and happy with herself. She’s very much grounded, mature and embracing the beauty of motherhood.”

In recent months there has been a growing trend of players returning to the sport after giving birth. Notable examples include Victoria Azarenka, Elina Svitolina and Caroline Wozniacki.

Zitzelsberger says his recent work with Osaka has been getting her back into shape and then working on certain areas of her game. 

“To reach the highest performance, we start by returning stability within the kinetic chain, which is typically lost somewhat during pregnancy and birth. The kinetic chain runs through the core, stomach and belly, and for a long time, her chain wasn’t playing tennis; it was growing a baby!” He explains. 
“Once that base is attained, we work on specific movement skills, whether that’s acceleration or deceleration, change of direction. The main objective is always strengthening to make the body strong, in addition to improving conditioning and mobility.”

Part of the training process has been trying to change what type of player Osaka is to adapt to the current level of the women’s Tour. After winning the 2021 Australian Open, she only reached one more Tour final which was the following year in Miami. During this period, she struggled with some injury issues and has been open about her experiences with mental health. 

“She’s obviously a great offense player, but I think things have changed in the game over the last half-decade where defense is getting more and more important,” Zitzelsberger commented.
We’re working to make Naomi into a player who can transition more effectively from defense to offense. That way, even if she’s getting pushed into a defensive position, she can still strike an offensive shot.”

Osaka has won seven WTA titles so far in her career and has earned more than $21M in prize money. 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending