Memphis

[muffins]

So, the tournament in Memphis has been taking place this week. I think Venus Williams plays Peer in the final on the women's side and Andy Roddick takes on Tommy Haas in the men's final. Although I am British and love Andy Murray, I am glad Roddick won because he's my ultimate favourite and Murray did beat him last week. The two can't stop playing each other haha. I can't take much more of it! Tonight was their fifth meeting in just a little over a year! Come on Andy Roddick in the final! :)

[Hantuchova Fan]

Hantuchova upsets Kuznetsova at Indian Wells

(adds details, more quotes)

By Matthew Cronin

INDIAN WELLS, California, March 17 (Reuters) - Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia won her first title in five years when she upset second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-4 in the Pacific Life Open final on Saturday.

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Number 14 seed Hantuchova won her maiden title at the same tournament in 2002, beating Martina Hingis in the final.

"There's something special about this place. I love it," Hantuchova told reporters. "I had exactly the same feeling like I had against Martina in 2002. I just knew that I was gonna enjoy myself out there, and not for one second I didn't believe in myself.

"I was just so confident from the first point, and I didn't really think about the score.

"I just went out there and tried to play my game and really just enjoying every moment on the court."

Hantuchova was brilliant on the day, ripping 27 winners and only committing 14 unforced errors.

Hantuchova controlled the court, serving powerfully and consistently, finding the corners with her groundstrokes and attacking Kuznetsova's second serves.

The Slovak came into the match with a 2-5 win-loss record against Kuznetsova and was beaten by her two weeks ago in the semi-finals of Doha.

"Maybe this time I was much more confident, because I had so many matches this week already behind me already," Hantuchova said. "Mentally, I was just not going to let it go, and I was ready to take whatever it takes to get through this one today."

The 23-year-old Hantuchova will rise to number 12 in the world rankings when they are released on Monday.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=AtxtIPO90n.lLsi0zpf9G0I4v7YF?slug=reu-womenpacific&prov=reuters&type=lgns

[Hantuchova Fan]

In Saturday's women's final, 14th-seeded Daniela Hantuchova easily handled second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-3, 6-4, on Saturday to match the best performance of her career.

A native of Slovakia, Hantuchova won this Tier I hardcourt event in 2002 as an 18-year-old for her only career title and has endured five years of underachievement.

"I think it's even sweeter," Hantuchova said. "I know people been saying that I haven't won a tournament since 2002, but if I had the choice, I would much rather to pick this one than having to win some little tournaments."

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=indianwellstennis&prov=st&type=lgns

[Hantuchova Fan]

Hantuchova resists Peer pressure to reach semi-finals

By Matthew Cronin

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Daniela Hantuchova maintained her good form at Pacific Life Open with a gritty 6-2 5-7 7-6 victory over Israeli 11th seed Shahar Peer in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The 14th seeded Slovakian advances to a semi-final showdown against China's Li Na, who edged Russia's Vera Zvonareva 6-4 7-5.

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A day after upending third seed Martina Hingis in straight sets, the 2002 champion needed almost three hours to overcome some stubborn resistance from Peer, who consistently engaged Hantuchova in punishing rallies from the baseline.

The 23-year-old did well to overcome the disappointment of failing to serve out the match at 5-4 in the third set and rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the deciding tiebreaker.

Hantuchova drew level after Peer had committed two unforced errors, and a service winner gave her match point, which she took at the first attempt when her teenage opponent erred with a forehand.

"I think we both started to feel it in the middle of the third set because we had long rallies, and also the match yesterday with Martina was not easy," Hantuchova told reporters.

"I was running from one side to another, but it's a great feeling to be tired like that."

Even though she has ended the year ranked in the top 20 on four separate occasions, Hantuchova's only career title came here five years ago, but the player believes she has matured to the point where she is ready to challenge the top players.

"I'm understanding much better, if something goes wrong, it's part of the game, and it's okay, not to be perfect all the time," she said. "And just to try to figure out how to turn things around in my way and always try to stay positive."

Li was impressive from inside the baseline against the quick Zvonareva, finding the lines on the big points and tiring out her Russian opponent, who had upset world number one Maria Sharapova in the previous round.

Trailing 5-1 in the second set, the 25-year-old Li reeled off six straight games as Zvonareva lost depth on her shots and was pushed toward the back wall.

"After winning the first set, I was a little bit loose," the 12th seeded Li said. "At 5-1, I noticed the balls were coming back slower."


http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=reu-womenpacificdc&prov=reuters&type=lgns

[Hantuchova Fan]

Hantuchova, Kuznetsova Move Into Indian Wells Final


INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA - Two of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's flashiest power players were tested but managed to fight their way into the Pacific Life Open singles final, as the semifinals took the court on Friday afternoon at the $2.1-million, Tier I event.

Daniela Hantuchova was the first to move into the championship round, overcoming an in-form Li Na in three sets, 75 46 61. The two women were evenly matched during the first two sets with crucial breaks of serve coming towards the end of each; the No.14-seeded Hantuchova broke in the second-to-last game of the opening set while the No.12-seeded Li broke at love in the last game of the second. But Hantuchova wasn't discouraged.

"It was tough, because it was so hot and the conditions were very, very difficult," Hantuchova said. "So I knew in the third set it was going to be a battle, but I felt like physically I was feeling much better on the court."

The last set was a blowout. Aside from holding serve in the fifth game, Li won just six points in the other six games, ending the match on consecutive double faults.

"The first few games in the third set were especially important; I tried to save my energy for the points, not to waste it in between," Hantuchova added. "I definitely felt like I had the edge in the third set. I felt very, very good. Also, mentally it helped me that I felt I could have stayed there as long as it took to get through."

"I was a little bit tired," Li said. "I just wanted to hit a lot of winners, because I didn't want play long points. So I missed a lot. And she never missed."

Playing in the hot conditions took more of a toll on Li; during the 10-minute break in between the second and third sets, that was evident.

"I was sitting on a golf cart and drinking lots of Gatorade," Li said. "When I came back to the court my legs felt very heavy, and I couldn't jump or hit big serves."

"I changed my dress, tried to drink a lot, had a banana, Gatorade," Hantuchova said. "I tried to use the heat break to get some energy back and drink a lot and just try not to think too much about it."

Hantuchova is no stranger to championship matches, having played five finals before. Although she has only earned one victory in those five finals, the location of that lone title win is certainly encouraging for this year's final.

"There is something very special about this place for me," said Hantuchova, who won the Pacific Life Open in 2002. "It's a fantastic feeling to be back on the court in the finals again and I'm going to enjoy it and have a great time. It's amazing."

But the Slovak, who turns 24 next month, says she has grown since that title.

"I think I've matured a lot. I've learned some lessons, not only on the tennis side, but also in my life. On the court, especially even if I don't play 100 percent, it's okay. I can win matches playing maybe 80 percent of my game and just figure out how I can get through them. Even if I don't feel great, no matter how good the opponent is, how well they play. There's always a way I can get through.

[Hantuchova Fan]

"When I was younger, I was always expecting everything to go my way and be perfect. And I realize it's okay not to be like that all the time."

Kuznetsova stops Bammer's dream run, secures Top 3 breakthrough

In a somewhat similar match, No.2 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova reached the final with a 67(5) 64 61 victory over No.33-seeded mother-on-Tour Sybille Bammer. The conclusion of the marathon 72-minute first set was a nail-biter; Bammer had broken in the 11th game and served 6-5, but squandered four set points and was forced into a tie-break. She raced out to a 6-2 lead, and after missing three more chances to close out the set she finally capitalized, on her eighth set point.

"It was tough but I said, 'Hey, you lost your chance. You had opportunities but you are still in the game, and there's still one more set to go,'" Kuznetsova said. "So I had to start all over again."

Bammer continued to give Kuznetsova problems early in the second set with her solid, all-court game, but after giving up a break in the fifth game the floodgates opened, and her Russian opponent cruised - through the rest of the match.

"It was two hours and 40 minutes, but the first set was one hour and a half and the other hour was another two sets," Kuznetsova continued. "I came up strong; that's what's important."

"I was a little tight from the beginning, so I was making some double faults in the first set; I was not really playing my game," Bammer said. "But, the first two sets were still okay. And she played great tennis in the third. She played really well."


By virtue of making the final, Kuznetsova is projected to rise from No.4 to No.3 on the next rankings, a career-high for her. She is the fourth Russian to make it to the elite three, after Anastasia Myskina, Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova.

Bammer was appearing in her first Tier I semifinal in the desert, the latest result in what is quickly becoming her career year.

"It was a great tournament for me," said the Austrian, who won her first career title in Pattaya City last month and is the only player so far this year to score a win over Serena Williams. "It's the biggest success in my career; I enjoyed playing in Indian Wells."

Saturday's final will be the eighth time Kuznetsova and Hantuchova duke it out. The Russian leads the series, 5-2, including a win in their only encounter this year at the last Tour stop, in Doha. Both of the Slovak's wins have come indoors.

"She's more dangerous indoors, but she's starting to get her level up again and she has improved a lot," Kuznetsova said. "I'm looking forward to playing her. I played her in Doha and I come up strong. I know how to play her but it's going to be a very tough match because she is playing well and she's in good shape now."

"It's exciting, especially for the academy," said the Slovak, who, like Kuznetsova, trains at the Casal/Sánchez Academy in Barcelona. "I'm in the final, I'm just gonna go out there and enjoy it and play my tennis and see what happens."

http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/3/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=1216

[Hantuchova Fan]

March 17, 2007



© Action Images/Reuters
Hantuchova Wins Second Pacific Life Open Title


INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA - In 2002, a teen-aged Daniela Hantuchova came out of relative obscurity in Indian Wells, capturing her first career title at the Pacific Life Open. How ironic that a five year title drought has now come to an end in that very desert; on Saturday, the Slovak, now 23, downed Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets for her second career title, capping an incredibly popular return to the winner's circle.

Hantuchova, seeded No.14 at the Tier I event, was in solid form all fortnight, and things were no different on Saturday; her penetrating groundstrokes were on target, the serve was impeccable, and she even mixed in some drop shots in a 63 64 win, just her third in eight meetings with Kuznetsova, who was the No.2 seed.

Hantuchova's performance was calm yet confident and seemingly nerveless, reminiscent of her championship victory at the event exactly five years ago.

"I had exactly the same feeling I had against Martina in 2002. I knew I was going to enjoy myself out there and not for one second I didn't believe in myself. I was just so confident from the first point, I didn't really think about the score. I went out there, tried to play my game and just enjoyed every moment on the court."

The championship duel featured two flashy, aggressive players playing at a high level, and the critical difference came on the most critical points. Hantuchova prevailed on three of four break points, while Kuznetsova was one for two.

"To beat her today, I had to play the key moments better than I did, and force a bit more than I did in the first set," said Kuznetsova, who gave away the critical breaks in the fourth game of the first set and the fifth game of the second. "When she was on a roll it was pretty hard to stop her. She was playing very well."

For Hantuchova, the 2007 Pacific Life Open victory marks her coming full circle, from one of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's brightest up-and-comers five years ago to one of its former Top 10 players, and now back to one of its brightest prospects. A former No.5, the Slovak moves from No.18 to No.12 with the title.

"People have been saying that I haven't won a tournament since 2002 but if I had the choice, I'd much rather pick this one than having to win little tournaments," Hantuchova said. "There is something special about this place that I love so much. I don't know what it is. I can't describe it. But if I could have this feeling all the time, I think I'd have a few more titles behind me.

"I think all the best things in life are worth waiting for and all the hard work and everything I had to go through makes the victory that much sweeter."

[Hantuchova Fan]

And during the title-less five years, the love for the sport never wavered.

"There was never a doubt that I wanted to do this. This is what I chose ever since I was a little kid. Even though there were some tough times I still enjoy the game of tennis. That's something I've never lost; I never thought about not loving it."

But it's not as though this was the same player that won the title as an 18-year-old; this was a more patient, more accepting, and, in light of the evolution of the sport over the years, much better player. Hantuchova acknowledged how things are different now than in 2002, where she upset Hingis for the title.

"The first one was so much easier, because I had nothing to lose. No one really knew my game. I was just young and swinging around, everything was going in and there was no pressure. Now everyone knows how I play. But the final was the same. I wasn't nervous and was just playing my game."

Kuznetsova also emerges with a significant jump in the rankings. On Monday she will rise from No.4 to No.3, making her the fourth Russian, after Anastasia Myskina, Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova, to crack the Top 3. With her title defense in Miami next week, Indian Wells has given her a much-needed boost.

"To not make this final would make me feel very low. At least I made it. But still I have to play next week and I'm going to face top players there, and it's going to be very important. I'm going to have a rest and improve my mistakes."

The two finalists were not the only players to make the headlines in the desert. Many top players lost in a fourth round exodus, with Sharapova, Hingis, Nadia Petrova, Jelena Jankovic and Anna Chakvetadze all falling on a manic Monday; Sybille Bammer snuck into the seedings list at No.33 upon Elena Dementieva's withdrawal then made a shock run to her first Tier I semifinal; Li Na flew the flag for China with a semifinal run as well; and former phenom Mirjana Lucic played a main draw for the first time in four years, winning a match before dropping a tight one to Chakvetadze.

But Hantuchova's Cinderella run stole the show, and when questioned about potentially rising to the top ranking, the newfound belief was evident.

"I'm starting to feel that slowly. I have people around me always believing that and telling me that, but slowly I'm starting to believe it, too. Especially winning a tournament like this really proves I can play with anyone, as long as I do the right things and play my game. It's definitely, something that's inside me."

The doubles final will take the court Sunday, pitting top-seeded duo Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur against No.5 seeds Chan Yung-Jan and Chuang Chia-Jung.

http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/3/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=1218

[muffins]

I was so glad to hear that Daniela won the title. I couldn't believe it was only her second title, though!