Angelique Continues..

She got us scared for a moment: the first set could have started much better for her, but not able to capitalize on break points, it is only at the end of the first set that she started to find her game, but  than it was already 5-0 for Konta, who was playing a very clean tennis.  It took the Brit some set points to get it, which made her thought about what was coming – and what was coming was a far more consistent opponent who started to use her weapon of choice. A few minutes later, and it was one set all.  There was a little opening for Konta to come back in the third, but she was just not as consistent as she was in the beginning and Angie broke her serve to close it out.  1-6, 6-1, 6-3.



Caroline got the best of Niculescu in a match that seems to be a little bit in slow motion with all the drop shots and slice backhands.  7-5, 6-1.  Kvitova keeps winning, her powerful gams still hold. Goerges, Garcia, Muguruza and Halep also advanced but it is Pliskova who was sent home by Bellis who continue her wonderful run in Doha.

My prevision are still on – Angelique is still alive and if she plays like that should get the best of Caroline, but it won’t be a walk in the park, she’ll have to strive hard and stay positive, most especially, that's the key!  Muguruza / Garcia can go either way, and Halep should end the dream week of Bellis. I am curious to see what Goerges can do against Kvitova.  They played last week, long and tough match won by Kvitova in 3.  On paper, Kvitova is better but it is Goerges who is in the top 10!

Angelique begins...

I apologize for being casual, I don’t know Angie personally but I wish I was, but I have been a fan for longer than a day.

She was facing Samantha Stosur and the match was pretty much going one way; her way.  There was no superb play today, but a few great foreheads down the line from Kerber who was able to get a point when she needed it. 59 minutes 6-4, 6-1.  I am not sure I like Angie's demeanour on court, either she was into her game, but I felt her a little bit negative at times.  Not you?   She will get Konta next who got the best of Suarez Navarro. It is predicted to be an interesting matchup by the experts, bets are Kerber in 3.  To me, it depends on Angie's state of mind,  if she is all there, there won’t be much Konta will be able to do to stop her.  It remains a good test that I hope she'll pass.





There were a few surprises, somehow!  Ostapenko lost to Buzarnescu, but her peak was in France last year, and that is the only peak she’s gonna get, her game isn't matching the current top 10.  Keys lost to promising qualifier Bellis and  Mladenovic to Blinkova: i had to blink a couple of times  to acknowledge the result.  After all, it is Garcia who has the momentum as she keeps on winning.  Yesterday, Niculescu defeated Sharapova so no meeting will happen with the Dane, the number one in the world also won as well as all the other seeded players.

Let’s mentioned thought the super fight between Kvitova and Radwanska, and Petra had proven to be back winning this 3 setters match, and Julia Goerges is in a good way to proving that she indeed may have a place in the top 10.

2018 - DOHA - QATAR

Following my renewed interest for tennis because of this gruelling Australian open, it was awaiting with a lot of interest the draw of the tournament in Doha. This tournament is an excellent prep for the ladies for their next tournaments on hard court, first part of the season ending later in March.

Honestly, guessing who’s going to win, who’s going to lose, is a little more complicated than in a Slam as I know almost all the players and what they are capable of.  Last year, Pliskova won the title against Wozniacki - that however, is easier to predict - she won't win this year.

But, the Dane should make it to the quart and will be stopped then by Kerber, but before making it there, Caroline might crossed path with Maria Sharapova, but the keys to beat her is pretty well known now - you make her run - if you can call that running - and not be afraid to do so yourself to return one more ball in the corner. Caroline can do this.  One could also decide to scream louder than she does. Did you ever notice?  It is kinda funny to see her trying to scream louder than her opponent, probably losing focus on what she should be doing.

Angelique will probably met Stosur on her first match, but after that, Konta, or not... Suarez Navarro is playing good tennis and we are not so sure about the Brit, as she’s been struggling lately. Either way, Kerber seems to have found back her confidence and more importantly, solutions for winning.

I’d say she should face Kvitova in Semi, Svitolina shouldn’t really understand what is happening when she and Petra will meet in quart.  Goeges has a chance to prouve that she really has a place among the top 10 as she will face Lucie Safarava for starter, and then, i am not even sure that she’ll have to face Ostapenko, in the top 10 because of her title at RG.  Since this title, it's not easy.

The one able to say who’s going to win this first semi between Angie and Petra will be really good, but one thing for sure, it should be a good match.  Their head to head are even and the question to ask is : is the consistency and precision of Angelique will counter fight the powerful plan A of Petra?  Advantage will go to the one with the better state of mind.  If Angie starts strong, Petra won’t recover.



On the other side of the draw, there is a lot doubt regarding the ascension of the French women, Garcia and Mladenovic but I favour a bit Maldenovic for her last week performances to meet Muguruza. However, we are not so sure either about the Spanish princess, who has been cumulating ups and downs, here and there for quite sometimes now. 

Pliskova won’t have it easy to defend her title – we already establish that she won’t! Cornet, Key won’t stop her, but perhaps Halep could? However, the Romanian admitted to still be injured, but who knows, Halep make it all the way to the final with that same injury in Australia, I’d say, she’ll meet Angie in the final.  Everybody will be happy to see a rematch of this gruelling semi in Australia.  I’d say, if Angie makes it there, she’ll win, but the road is long to make it there.

A new beginning

Wow, it has been a while since last time I post.  Life, but it had been beautiful thought, nothing to complain about!  I am still a big fan of tennis, always was, always will be!  A lot happen since 2011, new players coming in, others retired, and some others just keep getting better and better, like, Angelique Kerber1  Let’s be honest thought, 2017 has been difficult after a dreamy 2016 for the German, but I do believe that she is back and that she has still great tennis to play. As she mentioned herself, her heart is back on the court.    

Serena finally surpassed Steffi Graf with 23 grand slam titles and I am pretty much guessing that after giving birth to her first child last September, she will work really hard to pass Margaret Court who still hold the record of 24. Her return is set for March. I never really like Serena, but it is true that she is an unbelievable tennis player and no one can take that away from her.

Wozniacki finally grabbed a Slam, but I am not sure she’ll get another one, but she sure deserved this.  Halep is still running after her first, but I think there is always gonna be someone to stop her! 

I could go on and on telling about who won, who didn’t, but I am sure I’ll have many other occasions in the near future to mention historic facts of the tennis world.

I have to mention thought, based on who I was cheering for when i stopped writing, that Sam Stosur won the US open in 2011, but she was never quite the same after it.  Flavia Pennetta won the US open in 2015, in a very opened draw, but she retired right after it. Jelena Jankovic remains one of the few former #1 without a slam.

This week, the ladies are in Doha!

Hopman Cup

Germany def. Belguim (first match)
Kerber def Mertens 7-6, 7-6.

Germany def.  Switzerland
Kerber def Bencic, 6-4, 6-1

I do agree with the commentator, with this sort of form, Angie can start dreaming again.






Kerber fed Gavrilova








Germany def. Canada
Kerber def. Bouchard 6-1, 6-3.

PNB Paribas Open, Indian Wells

The defending champion, Jankovic, was heading there with a big smile on her face which faded when she lost in the fourth round to her long time nemesis – but not better then her – Ana Ivanovic, failing to capitalize on break points. Mental battle!

But she wasn’t the only one to be sent on the bench earlier: Samantha Stosur lost to …. Dinara Safina. That regain of confidence didn’t last long for the Russian as she grumbled to Maria Sharapova. If this match was easy for Maria, not all of them were to make it to the semi-final: Peng, who had defeated Na Li and Petrova, gave her some shits too.

Sharar Peer did some damages of her own defeated Schiavone and Pavlyuchenkova while Bartoli was granted of a win over Kim Clijsters after the Belgian retired. Vera Zvonareva lost in third round to the always very combative Cibulkova in 3 tight setters.

Ok, let’s talk : when you know you won’t be able to play the next match, why don’t you just retired on the match that is pulling you down? Especially when you are playing against someone you pretend to be your friend. The message goes to Azaranka! She won against Radwanska, to pull out after 3 games on the next match. I would have understood if the player was a no name but it was Wozniacki: don’t expect to win on a weak day against the number one in the world who will return everything you throw at her. So, why not let a chance to your friend to give her some troubles? Points, points, points, I know, but still…

I don’t especially like Wozniacki, but I have to admit, the girl is everywhere on the court. No big weapon, but her consistency is amazing. She can worn out almost everybody, If you are in super shape, got a weapon, you will keep up with her but don’t expect her to miss to win, you got to pull out your best shots.

So, if you are Kleybanova and Bartoli, make sure to close in two because you won’t win in 3. Yeah, Kleybanova won the first set but when she lost the second, it was obvious that there wasn’t any gas left in the tank. In final, Bartoli had some good moments, and played unbelievable tennis to keep up with her for 2 sets, but head to head in the third, the French woman obviously didn’t have enough energy left to play the same constant and aggressive tennis.

All this to tell you that Caroline Wozniacki won the tournament. She may not have win a Grand Slam yet, but this one, is a very big win,

Kuaka Lumpur and Monterrey

BMW - Malasian Open
Some players played great tennis in Kuala Lumpur and that includes the champion Jelana Dokic who was able to achieve a certain consistency defeating in an epic final Lucie Safarova. Safarova had a very difficult draw to make it there, defeating Safina and Bartoli. Both players can be proud.


Whirpool Monterrey Open
The defending champion, Pavlyuchenkova, hold on to her title and defeated Jankovic in Final in a 3 setters. Both players did great during the week and it was just a tiny thing at the end. Jankovic wasn’t probably too sad because these 2 girls will play in double in Indian Wells.