Tennis Update

Agnieszka Radswanska/AP Images

Here are the week’s tennis updates…


By Allie Leogrande
Sony Ericsson Open:

Women’s Singles Finals: (5) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) def. (2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) 7-5, 6-4

23-year old Radwanska upset Sharapova on Saturday, earning her second singles title of 2012. On Tuesday, April 3, just 3 days after the Florida win, Radwanska dismissed her coach Borna Vikic. Vikic had been coaching Radwanska since January on a trial basis. “He did not pass,” Radwanska said.

Men’s Singles Finals: (1) Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. (4) Andy Murray (GBR) 6-1, 7-6 (4)

Improving his already dominant 2012 season to 20-2, Djokovic looked strong Sunday in Florida. His first championship since winning the Australian Open in January, Djokovic didn’t lose a set in six rounds early in the match. Murray battled in the second set, but in the end it was Djokovic with the victory. "That's why he's right at the top -- he always comes back, even if you feel you have control of the match," Djokovic said.

The next big tennis tournament is next month. Grand Slam tourney French Open (Roland Garros) will be played on the clay court starting May 27.

What’s New:

Davis Cup – The quarterfinals of the men’s international team tournament begins on Friday, April 6. The countries still playing in the World Group are Spain, Austria, France, US, Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia, and Argentina. Both the US and France teams were weakened April 4th. Frenchman Gael Monfils pulled out of the tournament due to an abdominal injury, and the US is now without ninth-ranked Mardy Fish who pulled out from fatigue.

Brazil – It was announced that Brazil will host a WTA event in 2013 after an 11-year absence. With the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero, the Brazilian tennis federation says it wanted to prepare early by bringing back women’s tennis.

“One of our goals is to make women's tennis grow, taking advantage of the 2016 Olympics in Rio," said Federation president Jorge Lacerda.

Viral Video – Rafael Nadal retired from the Sony Ericsson semi-finals Sunday, but Rafa fans still received something to smile about recently. A new Nike commercial featuring the Spaniard and international soccer (futbol) superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was released and has fans buzzing. With amazing footwork by Ronaldo and the fun the two appear to be having, this ad is worth a look! Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y_wJR1I-9s

Updates on the Sony Ericsson Open

Caroline Wozniacki/AP Images

The tennis buzz today is all about Tuesday night.

By Allie Leogrande

Caroline Wozniacki impressed and surprised many as she defeated veteran Serena Williams in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Wozniacki showed a strong performance, which is even being said as her career-best. This victory might have been a combination of a great performance by Wozniacki and Williams not playing her best. Williams said after the match that her game was at “20 percent.” Still, Wozniacki kept Williams on her toes – by surprising her and not giving her much help in terms of unforced errors.

Wozniacki now advances to the semifinals where she’ll play Maria Sharapova on Thursday. After her win, Wozniacki tweeted,

“Won my match today 6-4 6-4! Excited to be in the semis on Thursday against Sharapova..”

On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal defeated Kei Nishikori Tuesday, 6-4, 6-4. The Spaniard’s win, however, was not as easy as it appeared on paper. The first set alone lasted just over an hour, in which Nadal overcame seven break points and a visit from a trainer for a look at his left knee. Nadal injured his knee earlier this month at Indian Wells.

“I am not probably at perfect conditions today with the left knee, but important thing is try to win as many matches as possible," Nadal said. "For me here is important tournament, and every victory have very, very big value for me, especially without being perfect."

Nadal advanced to the quarterfinals, where he played Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The match was last night (March 28).

Novak Djokovic defeated No. 17 Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-3 in the 4th round. The Serbian tweeted after his most recent match,

“Tough match today.Happy to be through. Next up @davidferrer87 one of the nicest guys on tour. It will be tough one.Thx guys!”

David Ferrer is from Spain and ranked at number 5. Depending on the way Djokovic plays in this match, Ferrer could become a dark horse in this tournament.

Again, television coverage of the Sony Ericsson Open quarterfinals and semifinals will air on ESPN2 from Wednesday, March 28 to Friday, March 30. The Women’s Final will air on CBS Saturday, March 31, and the Men’s Final will air on CBS Sunday, April 1.

Sony Ericsson Open

Venus Williams celebrates win/AP Images

Allie gives us the latest in tennis.


By Allie Leogrande


March 19 marked the start of the 2012 Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. The first round of the Women’s Singles started Tuesday and continued Wednesday, as 31-year-old Venus Williams defeated Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-0, 6-3. It was her first singles match win since August. It was a significant match for Williams, coming back to the game of tennis after announcing she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome, a fatigue-causing, auto-immune disease. After the match, Williams expressed her gratefulness for simply being back.


“I mean, just to be in this tournament is a huge win for me. Just to be here is a win. You know, that's what I told myself going in, that this is a win. I have nothing to lose. Just, you know, to gain. Just to get back at this level is a win for me,” she said.


Though she’s currently world ranked number 134, Williams is hoping to make the U.S. Olympic team for the third time in her career. Venus’ younger sister Serena is scheduled to play Thursday at 11 AM against Shuai Zhang of China.


Unseeded Kim Clijsters also won her first round match, defeating Aussie Jarmila Gajdosova 4-6, 6-1, 6-0. Clijsters is also overcoming an obstacle, having sustained a left ankle injury in the Australian Open. Saying her ankle feels ‘totally fine,’ Clijsters went on to say that she doesn’t worry about the injury anymore, though she is not able to play without the support of tape yet.


Television coverage of the Sony Ericsson Open early rounds can be seen on the Tennis Channel Saturday, March 24 to Tuesday, March 27. The quarterfinals and semifinals will air on ESPN2 from Wednesday, March 28 to Friday, March 30. The Women’s Final will air on CBS Saturday, March 31, and the Men’s Final will air on CBS Sunday, April 1.


On a lighter note, retired tennis star Martina Navratilova made her dancing debut on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” March 19. The 55-year-old, 59 Grand Slam titles winner danced the foxtrot with professional dance partner Tony Dovolani. The pair scored 20 points total from three judges, getting individual scores of 7, 6, and 7.


If you haven’t seen Navratilova trade in her tennis sneakers for dancing shoes, check out her first performance from ABC’s official YouTube page here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j_Znft4LR8