Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Video: Andrea Petkovic vs Naomi Osaka Highlights - 2014 Bank of the West Classic
Andrea Petkovic takes on Naomi Osaka (Haiti) in the second round of the Bank of the West Classic.
She was born in Osaka, Japan. Her father was born in Haiti and went to college at NYU before moving to Japan, where he met and married her mother. When one reporter asked her if it was a coincidence that her last name also happened to be her hometown, Osaka deadpanned: "No, because everyone that was born in Osaka, their last name is Osaka." Her older sister Mari is two years older. She also plays tennis and was playing doubles in Stanford this week. - SI
Video: Naomi Osaka Biography (Tennis Player)
She was born in Osaka, Japan. Her father was born in Haiti and went to college at NYU before moving to Japan, where he met and married her mother. When one reporter asked her if it was a coincidence that her last name also happened to be her hometown, Osaka deadpanned: "No, because everyone that was born in Osaka, their last name is Osaka." Her older sister Mari is two years older. She also plays tennis and was playing doubles in Stanford this week. - SI
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Victoria Duval wins debut at WTA Indian Wells Tennis Garden 2014
Haitian eighteen-year-old Victoria Duval, the sweetheart of last year’s US Open, nearly claimed a victory on her debut appearance at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The American won the opening set against Russian Alisa Kleybanova and broke open a 4-1 lead in the decisive set, but lost the final five games in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 defeat.
Kleybanova was making her first appearance in Indian Wells since battling cancer. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in July 2011, four months after reaching the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open. She made her WTA debut here in 2004, at the age of 14.
Coco Vandeweghe, 22, recorded her first tour-level win since the US Open, cruising past Romanian Alexandra Cadantu 6-4, 6-0 in one hour and 23 minutes.
Vandeweghe, who resides in Rancho Santa Fe, faces a second-round meeting with eighth seed Petra Kvitova. The Czech won their one previous meeting last year at Wimbledon.
The American won the opening set against Russian Alisa Kleybanova and broke open a 4-1 lead in the decisive set, but lost the final five games in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 defeat.
Kleybanova was making her first appearance in Indian Wells since battling cancer. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in July 2011, four months after reaching the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open. She made her WTA debut here in 2004, at the age of 14.
Coco Vandeweghe, 22, recorded her first tour-level win since the US Open, cruising past Romanian Alexandra Cadantu 6-4, 6-0 in one hour and 23 minutes.
Vandeweghe, who resides in Rancho Santa Fe, faces a second-round meeting with eighth seed Petra Kvitova. The Czech won their one previous meeting last year at Wimbledon.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Victoria Duval loses to Ajla Tomljanovic in 2nd round of WTA Abierto Mexicano Telcel 2014
Tennis - Canada's Eugenie Bouchard, who just turned 20 years old on Tuesday, is through to the quarter-finals of the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL Open in Acapulco, Mexico.
Seeded no. 2, Bouchard defeated Spain's Lara Arruabarrena 7-5, 6-2 to move into the last eight where she was joined by top seed Dominika Cibulkova. The Australian Open finalist defeated former top 20 player Yanina Wickmayer 7-5, 6-2.
Meanwhile, American Christine McHale ended the run of 43-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm in the second round. McHale, two decades younger than her opponent, won 7-5, 6-2.
In other matches, Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic, eighth seed Shuai Zhanf, French youngster Caroline Garcia and Kiwi Marina Erakovic also reached the quarter-finals.
Seeded no. 2, Bouchard defeated Spain's Lara Arruabarrena 7-5, 6-2 to move into the last eight where she was joined by top seed Dominika Cibulkova. The Australian Open finalist defeated former top 20 player Yanina Wickmayer 7-5, 6-2.
Meanwhile, American Christine McHale ended the run of 43-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm in the second round. McHale, two decades younger than her opponent, won 7-5, 6-2.
In other matches, Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic, eighth seed Shuai Zhanf, French youngster Caroline Garcia and Kiwi Marina Erakovic also reached the quarter-finals.
Victoria Duval defeats Iveta Melzerin in first round of WTA Abierto Mexicano Telcel 2014
ABIERTO MEXICANO TELCEL
Acapulco, México
Hard/Outdoors
WTA Results – Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Singles – First Round
(1) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 63 64
(2) Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) d. Shahar Peer (ISR) 62 62
(3) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. Jana Cepelova (SVK) 61 36 62
(Q) Sharon Fichman (CAN) d. (5) Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 61 63
(8) Zhang Shuai (CHN) d. (Q) Madison Keys (USA) 46 61 64
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (L) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 76 (4) 64
Julia Goerges (GER) d. (WC) Marcela Zacarias (MEX) 60 61
Caroline Garcia (FRA) d. Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) 64 76 (6)
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. (Q) Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 76(5) 57 62
(Q) Victoria Duval (USA) d. Iveta Melzer (CZE) 62 64
(LL) Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) d. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 62 64
Acapulco, México
Hard/Outdoors
WTA Results – Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Singles – First Round
(1) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 63 64
(2) Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) d. Shahar Peer (ISR) 62 62
(3) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. Jana Cepelova (SVK) 61 36 62
(Q) Sharon Fichman (CAN) d. (5) Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 61 63
(8) Zhang Shuai (CHN) d. (Q) Madison Keys (USA) 46 61 64
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (L) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 76 (4) 64
Julia Goerges (GER) d. (WC) Marcela Zacarias (MEX) 60 61
Caroline Garcia (FRA) d. Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) 64 76 (6)
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. (Q) Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 76(5) 57 62
(Q) Victoria Duval (USA) d. Iveta Melzer (CZE) 62 64
(LL) Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) d. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 62 64
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Victoria Duval leads young brigade into final round of Australian Open qualifying
Tennis - The youngsters continued to impress in the second round of qualifying at the Australian Open in Melbourne. 18 year old Victoria Duval, and 16 years olds Ana Konjuh and Belinda Bencic were among those advancing into the third and final round of the qualifying draw for the first grand slam of the season.
Britain's Heather Watson, a former top 40 player, is also through to the final round after her opponent, Frenchwoman Stephanie Foretz Gacon retired after losing the first eight games of their match.
Americans Irina Falconi and Madison Brengle also won their second round matches.
Britain's Heather Watson, a former top 40 player, is also through to the final round after her opponent, Frenchwoman Stephanie Foretz Gacon retired after losing the first eight games of their match.
Americans Irina Falconi and Madison Brengle also won their second round matches.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Victoria Duval defeats Mirjana Lucic to reach WTA Sydney qualifying finals
Youth trumps experience as Duval progresses
In a battle between 18-year-old Victoria Duval and 31-year-old Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, it was the young American who triumphed in a tense 6-4 7-5 battle to reach the final round of qualifying.
Duval came to the attention of Australians last year with her sensational upset of Sam Stosur on Louis Armstrong Stadium in the first round of the US Open, and said she’d taken plenty of belief from that victory.
“That match gave me a lot of confidence. Confidence isn’t something that comes easy, you have to work for it to. That definitely helped me a lot,” she revealed.
Such confidence was certainly on show as she tamed the big-hitting Lucic-Baroni, a teen prodigy in the late 1990s and who reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 1999.
“I thought I played really well today. I served really well today, that was something I had to do to give myself a chance so I am really happy,” Duval said.
Duval will next face second seed and fellow American Varvara Lepchenko, who saw off Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 6-4 6-4.
In a battle between 18-year-old Victoria Duval and 31-year-old Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, it was the young American who triumphed in a tense 6-4 7-5 battle to reach the final round of qualifying.
Duval came to the attention of Australians last year with her sensational upset of Sam Stosur on Louis Armstrong Stadium in the first round of the US Open, and said she’d taken plenty of belief from that victory.
“That match gave me a lot of confidence. Confidence isn’t something that comes easy, you have to work for it to. That definitely helped me a lot,” she revealed.
Such confidence was certainly on show as she tamed the big-hitting Lucic-Baroni, a teen prodigy in the late 1990s and who reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 1999.
“I thought I played really well today. I served really well today, that was something I had to do to give myself a chance so I am really happy,” Duval said.
Duval will next face second seed and fellow American Varvara Lepchenko, who saw off Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 6-4 6-4.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Victoria Duval loses in 2nd round of WTA Brisbane International qualifying
As the days draw nigh to the full schedule of play for the 2014 season, players in the qualifying rounds are already fighting for spots in main draws.
In Brisbane qualifying draw: Ashleigh Barty took out world no. 91 Julia Glushko in a routine straight sets victory 6-3 6-2 to join fellow Australian Jarmila Gajdosova, who beat Teliana Pereira 6-3 6-1 earlier.
Gajdosova plays the talented young Brit Heather Watson in the final round of qualifying. Watson secured her place in the final round following an impressive win against South Africa"s Chanelle Scheepers 2-6 6-3 6-0. Barty plays Kiki Bertens - Bertens closed out American Victoria Duval 6-2 6-1.
In Brisbane qualifying draw: Ashleigh Barty took out world no. 91 Julia Glushko in a routine straight sets victory 6-3 6-2 to join fellow Australian Jarmila Gajdosova, who beat Teliana Pereira 6-3 6-1 earlier.
Gajdosova plays the talented young Brit Heather Watson in the final round of qualifying. Watson secured her place in the final round following an impressive win against South Africa"s Chanelle Scheepers 2-6 6-3 6-0. Barty plays Kiki Bertens - Bertens closed out American Victoria Duval 6-2 6-1.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Victoria Duval loses in USTA Australian Open play-off finals
NORCROSS, GA, USA - Young American Sachia Vickery came through a packed field at the Australian Open Wildcard Play-off event in Norcross, Georgia on the weekend, battling past three of her countrywomen - including Victoria Duval in the final - to secure her spot in the main draw.
Unseeded in the eight-woman draw, Vickery had to battle past three seeds en route to the title - No.2 seed Madison Brengle in the quarterfinals, 46 64 63, No.3 seed Grace Min in the semifinals, 63 67(3) 64, and finally No.4 seed Duval - one of the breakthrough stars of the US Open - in the final, 62 63.
That final performance was Vickery's best performance of the weekend, but it was not a cakewalk.
"I wanted to start off more aggressive and take control of the points more, and I also wanted to stay calm mentally, which was my biggest thing today," Vickery said. "But there were nerves through the whole match, from the first point to the last point. There wasn't one point where I was completely calm.
Unseeded in the eight-woman draw, Vickery had to battle past three seeds en route to the title - No.2 seed Madison Brengle in the quarterfinals, 46 64 63, No.3 seed Grace Min in the semifinals, 63 67(3) 64, and finally No.4 seed Duval - one of the breakthrough stars of the US Open - in the final, 62 63.
That final performance was Vickery's best performance of the weekend, but it was not a cakewalk.
"I wanted to start off more aggressive and take control of the points more, and I also wanted to stay calm mentally, which was my biggest thing today," Vickery said. "But there were nerves through the whole match, from the first point to the last point. There wasn't one point where I was completely calm.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Victoria Duval reaches finals of USTA Australian Open wild card play off
Tennis - 18 year old Victoria Duval, who created a sensation at the US Open with a win over Sam Stosur in the first round, is now one win away from securing the USTA wild card for the Australian Open.
Duval defeated Shelby Rogers, 6-4, 7-5 in the semi-finals of the USTA wildcard play-off for the Australian Open to move into the final where she will meet fellow 18 year old Sachia Vickery, who beat Grace Min, 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-4.
In the men's draw, Steven Johnson and Tennys Sandgren will battle it out for the wild card.
Johnson defeated Chase Buchanan, 6-0, 6-4, while Sandgren beat top seed Denis Kudla, 6-3, 7-6(5).
Duval defeated Shelby Rogers, 6-4, 7-5 in the semi-finals of the USTA wildcard play-off for the Australian Open to move into the final where she will meet fellow 18 year old Sachia Vickery, who beat Grace Min, 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-4.
In the men's draw, Steven Johnson and Tennys Sandgren will battle it out for the wild card.
Johnson defeated Chase Buchanan, 6-0, 6-4, while Sandgren beat top seed Denis Kudla, 6-3, 7-6(5).
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Upsets of 2013: Victoria Duval vs Samantha Stosur
Victoria Duval's first round meeting with Samantha Stosur on Louis Armstrong had all the ingredients for an upset: night session, full house and, most importantly, an underdog with a heartwarming back story.
Born in Miami to Haitian parents, Duval survived an armed robbery as a seven-year-old, and three years ago nearly lost her father when he was buried alive during Haiti's devastating earthquake.
But it is Duval's on-court charm and fearless ball-striking that captured hearts at Flushing Meadows, where she became an overnight sensation by dispatching 2011 champion Stosur, 57 64 64. A graduate of the famed Bollettieri Academy, Duval, ranked No.296, took the ball early and on the rise, and went for the corners with almost reckless abandon. She surprised Stosur with the angles she could create, and never allowed her the opportunity to dictate with her trusty forehand.
Born in Miami to Haitian parents, Duval survived an armed robbery as a seven-year-old, and three years ago nearly lost her father when he was buried alive during Haiti's devastating earthquake.
But it is Duval's on-court charm and fearless ball-striking that captured hearts at Flushing Meadows, where she became an overnight sensation by dispatching 2011 champion Stosur, 57 64 64. A graduate of the famed Bollettieri Academy, Duval, ranked No.296, took the ball early and on the rise, and went for the corners with almost reckless abandon. She surprised Stosur with the angles she could create, and never allowed her the opportunity to dictate with her trusty forehand.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Friday, November 8, 2013
Victoria Duval wins first career singles title at ITF Tevlin Challenger 2013
Tennis - 17 year old Victoria Duval has won the first title of her career - the ITF $50K Tevlin Challenger in Toronto. Her opponent, Timea Babos, retired after losing the first set 5-7 due to respiratory illness.
The American teen, who created a splash at the US Open in August, also won the doubles title this weekend with Canadian partner Francoise Abanda.
Speaking after the win, Duval commented, "It feels great. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to finish the match the way I wanted to but it was a really good experience. It was a great week here starting with the doubles. I had a really good time, so hopefully if I don’t come back it means I’m on to bigger and better things. I think mentally is how this week has helped me the most. Starting from the first round I’ve had to really struggle with tough matches so I think this is definitely a confidence booster for me.”
The American teen, who created a splash at the US Open in August, also won the doubles title this weekend with Canadian partner Francoise Abanda.
Speaking after the win, Duval commented, "It feels great. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to finish the match the way I wanted to but it was a really good experience. It was a great week here starting with the doubles. I had a really good time, so hopefully if I don’t come back it means I’m on to bigger and better things. I think mentally is how this week has helped me the most. Starting from the first round I’ve had to really struggle with tough matches so I think this is definitely a confidence booster for me.”
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Victoria Duval loses to Hantuchova in 2nd Round of US Open Tennis 2013
NEW YORK— Haitian teen Victoria Duval couldn’t build on her magical victory at the U.S. Open, losing in the second round Thursday.
Daniela Hantuchova, who’s 12½ years older, won 6-2, 6-3. Duval was up a break early in each set, but both times the veteran from Slovakia took control amid a flurry of errors by the 296th-ranked qualifier.
The 17-year-old Duval had upset 2011 U.S. Open champ Sam Stosur in her second Grand Slam match.
The 30-year-old Hantuchova has been ranked as high as No. 5, though that was more than a decade ago. A 2008 Australian Open semifinalist, her ranking has slipped to 48th. She hadn’t reached the third round at a Grand Slam tournament since the 2012 Australian.
Daniela Hantuchova, who’s 12½ years older, won 6-2, 6-3. Duval was up a break early in each set, but both times the veteran from Slovakia took control amid a flurry of errors by the 296th-ranked qualifier.
The 17-year-old Duval had upset 2011 U.S. Open champ Sam Stosur in her second Grand Slam match.
The 30-year-old Hantuchova has been ranked as high as No. 5, though that was more than a decade ago. A 2008 Australian Open semifinalist, her ranking has slipped to 48th. She hadn’t reached the third round at a Grand Slam tournament since the 2012 Australian.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
INTERVIEW: Victoria Duval talks US Open 2013 victory over Sam Stosur on ESPN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Jef0UTs0I
Haitian professional tennis player Victoria Duval talks first round US Open Tennis 2013 victory over Australian 2011 champion Sam Stosur Samantha 5 - 7 , 6 - 4 , 6 - 4 on ESPN.
Haitian professional tennis player Victoria Duval talks first round US Open Tennis 2013 victory over Australian 2011 champion Sam Stosur Samantha 5 - 7 , 6 - 4 , 6 - 4 on ESPN.
VIDEO: Samantha Stosur (AUS) vs Victoria Duval (HAI) // US Open Tennis 2013 (R1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mnLdGK5DZk
Haitian professional tennis player Victoria Duval defeats Australian 2011 U.S. Openchampion Sam Stosur Samantha 5 - 7 , 6 - 4 , 6 - 4 in the first round of US Open Tennis 2013 on August 26, 2013.
Haitian professional tennis player Victoria Duval defeats Australian 2011 U.S. Openchampion Sam Stosur Samantha 5 - 7 , 6 - 4 , 6 - 4 in the first round of US Open Tennis 2013 on August 26, 2013.
VIDEO: Victoria Duval defeats 2011 champion Sam Stosur in 1st round of US Open Tennis 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJsxMPLg2qQ
NEW YORK — Her brothers played tennis. Haitian professional tennis player Victoria Duval was more into ballet.
But while tagging along to watch them at a tournament, the director said she'd be better off playing than sitting there watching in her mom's lap.
"It was a 10-and-under tournament, I think, and I won it," Duval said. "I had no idea where to stand on the court or anything. After that, my mom said, `OK, you have to choose now.' Tennis seemed to be appropriate."
That's the short version of how the 17-year-old with the squeaky voice found herself at the U.S. Open, decked out in a pink dress, blue tennis shorts and square, white-rimmed glasses, knocking off one of the tournament's past champions Tuesday night.
She celebrated her 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 upset of 11th-seeded Sam Stosur with two huge leaps in the center of Armstrong Stadium that were accompanied by an even bigger smile. Her family turned their corner of the stands into a little mosh pit, sharing hugs and high-fives as they watched Victoria break through. With the win, she placed herself in the ever-growing line of great American tennis hopes.
NEW YORK — Her brothers played tennis. Haitian professional tennis player Victoria Duval was more into ballet.
But while tagging along to watch them at a tournament, the director said she'd be better off playing than sitting there watching in her mom's lap.
"It was a 10-and-under tournament, I think, and I won it," Duval said. "I had no idea where to stand on the court or anything. After that, my mom said, `OK, you have to choose now.' Tennis seemed to be appropriate."
That's the short version of how the 17-year-old with the squeaky voice found herself at the U.S. Open, decked out in a pink dress, blue tennis shorts and square, white-rimmed glasses, knocking off one of the tournament's past champions Tuesday night.
She celebrated her 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 upset of 11th-seeded Sam Stosur with two huge leaps in the center of Armstrong Stadium that were accompanied by an even bigger smile. Her family turned their corner of the stands into a little mosh pit, sharing hugs and high-fives as they watched Victoria break through. With the win, she placed herself in the ever-growing line of great American tennis hopes.
VIDEO: Victoria Duval Getting to Know You // ESPN Tennis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGOPVWzt2wM
Victoria Duval, a Haitian professional tennis player, featured of ESPN titled 'Getting to know Victoria Duval'.
Victoria Duval, a Haitian professional tennis player, featured of ESPN titled 'Getting to know Victoria Duval'.
Victoria Duval defeats 2011 champion Sam Stosur in 1st round of US Open Tennis 2013
NEW YORK (AP) -- Haitian teenager Victoria Duval stunned 2011 champion Sam Stosur in the first round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old qualifier, ranked 296th, won 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, leaping into the air in celebration after converting her fourth match point.
Duval was playing in just her second Grand Slam match. She also faced a former U.S. Open champion, Kim Clijsters, in the first round at Flushing Meadows last year.
She was facing a top-20 opponent for the first time Tuesday.
The 11th-seeded Stosur had reached at least the quarterfinals in her last three trips to the U.S. Open. She had 56 unforced errors.
The 17-year-old qualifier, ranked 296th, won 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, leaping into the air in celebration after converting her fourth match point.
Duval was playing in just her second Grand Slam match. She also faced a former U.S. Open champion, Kim Clijsters, in the first round at Flushing Meadows last year.
She was facing a top-20 opponent for the first time Tuesday.
The 11th-seeded Stosur had reached at least the quarterfinals in her last three trips to the U.S. Open. She had 56 unforced errors.